The trip to Denver Colorado did not take as long as Jack had expected and the trip was mostly uneventful. Thankfully, Cora was a good baby and didn't cry very much. Jack had grown rather good at reading her cues and fulfilling her needs before she even began to whimper. He glanced out the window at the passing scenery, all urge to sketch it to paper gone. Since Rose's disappearance, all inspiration had dried up and all he could think about was where she was, what she must be going through right now, and how he was going to get her back.

Finally, they reached Denver and after a few inquiries, Jack was able to locate Molly's mansion. It didn't occur to him that she might not remember him or might not want to get involved. It didn't even occur to him that he may be wrong and Hockley had nothing to do with Rose's disappearance.

Molly's mansion wasn't terribly huge. In fact, it was rather modest looking when compared to the huge estates Jack was used to seeing. He stopped to admire the two stone lions at the entrance and shook his head at some of the things that rich people found important enough to adorn their homes with. But then again, they were suitable for a woman like Molly. As someone not born into money, she most likely needed the spirit of a lion to go toe to toe with the likes of Caledon Hockley and others. He felt a tinge of sadness, remembering how Rose had once told him that Molly had been someone that she had wanted to be, if not for her mother. Rose had admired the woman greatly and he didn't blame her a bit.

A small sniffle from Cora brought Jack out of his thoughts and he cradled her close, kissing her head. "I know, girl. It's a different environment than you're used to, but we're here to help your mommy. The lady in there, she'll help us bring her home."

Hopefully.

Taking a deep breath, Jack mounted the steps hoping that what he had said to his daughter wasn't a lie. Hoping that Molly not only remembered him, but would help him find Rose. He rang the bell and waited for not even a minute when a maid answered the door. The young brunette looked at Jack and Cora with curious eyes. The young man did not look like the sort of people that would normally visit her mistress.

"May I help you?"

Jack swallowed down his nervousness. "Yes, my name is Jack Dawson. I'm an acquaintance of Molly...Mrs. Brown. We had met last year...on Titanic. Is she here?"

The girl's eyes widened at the mention of Titanic and she stepped back. "Oh dear, I am so sorry for your experience. It must have been horrible."

"Well, it was definitely not a good experience, but it wasn't all bad. Um...is Mrs. Brown here?"

The maid blushed, becoming flustered, mostly because Jack was young and handsome and she wasn't really used to talking to young and handsome men. "I will get her. Please come in. It's a bit chilly out there and it mustn't be good for that baby."

"Thank you," Jack gratefully smiled, stepping into the house and looking around the richly decorated foyer. He had not been in many first class houses, but he had to say that he rather liked Molly's. It definitely fit her personality.

Two minutes later, the maid returned and beckoned for him to follow her into what seemed to be the setting room where Molly was waiting. The older woman was on her feet, a big welcoming grin lighting up her eyes.

"Why Jack Dawson! Never did I think to see the likes of you again and here in my living room sonny!"

Molly rushed over and gave him a welcoming hug. "How long has it been? A good year I know! And you survived that awful tragedy and look at what we have here? By the blond hair and blue eyes, I say she's yours."

Jack chuckled. "It's good to see you too, Molly. I'd like you to meet Cora Josephine Dawson. Right now, she's the light of my life."

"Who is the mother may I ask?"

Jack paused for a minute, knowing that his answer would probably be as much of a surprise than his own survival. "Her mother is Rose Dewitt Bukater..."

Molly paused with a slight frown. "Rose Dewitt Bukater? But...that's impossible darling. Rose...she had died on that ship. Hockley had went looking for her and came up empty handed and she was on none of the lists..."

Jack took a deep breath. "That's because she hid from Cal and her mother. She didn't want to marry him and she didn't want the life that her mother had planned out...so she took my name and allowed them to believe her dead. She became Rose Dawson...and not too long after...she officially became Rose Dawson and we had Cora here. Moved to Santa Monica and was happy...or as happy as we could be after surviving Titanic and the memories it left us...she never really got over it...neither did I, but we carried on and made it count. Had Cora...we were happy."

"Where is Rose now? I mean, surely she would have came with you both if she was still with you."

"That's why I'm here. I...I don't know where she is. I came home from work to find our neighbor taking care of Cora. She said that she had heard Cora crying and found our front door open as well as the icebox and Cora alone and crying. Rose nowhere in sight…."

"Dear lord," Molly gasped.

"I don't know what had happened, Molly. No, I do know. Rose would never have left Cora...not willingly. I think Hockley found us. I think he had somehow found out that Rose was alive and had kidnapped her!"

"Jack, darling...that is horrible...but...I know Hockley is a cruel man...but kidnapping..."

"He shot at us, Molly. While Titanic was sinking, he chased Rose and me down into the ship, shooting at us."

"My lord…"

"He's a bad, dangerous man and who knows what he's doing to Rose right now, which is why I'm here. I need to find him so I can rescue her...bring her back home to Cora and me. I don't know where to start...but I kind of hoped that you may know where I could find him. Where he'd live or where his offices are…?"

Molly blinked, still taken aback by all of this. "Jack, darling...if what you say is true and Caledon Hockley has kidnapped Rose...shouldn't we call the police?"

"I doubt that they'd help a fella like me. I'm not rich and important like he is. You know how they think. When it comes to the rich versus the poor, the poor loses"

"Well I can't say that you're wrong there," Molly sighed, feeling herself give in. She was about to send for a notepad and pencil when her eyes fell on Cora and she paused. "Jack….what about the baby, there. You're not planning to take her with you, are you?"

Jack paused and once again looked down at his daughter, who was now peacefully sleeping in his arms. To be honest, he hadn't really thought about what he would do with Cora. All of his attention had been on finding Rose. But now that the subject had been brought up, he was horrified to realize that Molly was right! He couldn't take her with him! It was bad enough that Rose was in danger, he would never endanger their daughter!

"I figured," Molly gave a good-natured chuckle and placed a comforting hand over Jack's. "Leave her here with me, Jack. I'll watch her while you're away. Take good care of her. She'll be right here when you get back with her mama."

"Molly, I couldn't possibly take advantage..."

"Of course you can, sonny! I insist! Leave your girl with me while you go rescue your wife from that madman! She'll be safe and cared for and will be one less thing for you to worry about," Molly waved away his protest. "Let me do this for you and Rose. You two have been through so much. Let me do this for you."

He couldn't say no. It would be foolish to do so. He needed a safe place for Cora and Molly was obviously it. He simply nodded his head, almost overwhelmed with emotion. "Thank you. For everything. I don't know how I'll ever repay you for all that you've done for me and for Rose..."

"Just bring Rose back safe. That's all the thanks I need," Molly winked and sent for the maid to fetch her pen and notepad.

Five minutes later, Jack had a piece of paper with Caledon Hockley's address in his hand.

"Now I hope that you'll at least stay the night. Get some rest and perhaps a plan that doesn't include barging in on Hockley with guns a blazing," Molly arched a brow, not ready for Jack to leave just yet.

"I do need a plan...but I feel like I'm intruding..."

"Pft! Stop that! You are not intruding on anything, darling. To be honest, with my kids gone and my husband who knows where, it's just me and the servants here. It'll do me good to have a little bit of company. Especially that of a handsome young man such as yourself," Molly chuckled. "I insist. I will not take no for an answer."

…..

The next morning found Jack on Molly's doorstep with Cora cradled in Molly's arms and Jack kissing her goodbye. It broke his heart to be leaving her behind, but it was the safest solution and he knew that Molly would look after her. As soon as he had Rose back, they'll come back for their precious girl.

"You be good for Aunt Molly. Daddy will be back soon...with Mommy," Jack cooed, gently touching the soft blond curls. Cora had his hair color, but she had inherited Rose's curls, much to Jack's delight.

"I'll take good care of her, Jack. Don't you worry none," Molly reassured, seeing the reluctance to leave the baby clear in the young man's face. Right now, the child was the man's whole world. He needed the reassurance.

"I know. I trust you. I'll be back soon. With Rose," Jack nodded, trying to sound as confident as he wished he felt. Getting Rose away from Hockley was bound to be hard. He had to be sure that he could do it. For Cora's sake as well as Rose.

He kissed his daughter once more and gave Molly a grateful nod. "I will see you soon."

Molly waved good bye as she stood on the porch and watched Jack walk down the path towards the waiting car that will take him to the train station. Looking down at the baby, she wished the young man luck. She hoped that he could painlessly rescue Rose and they both be back, healthy and whole and ready to raise this precious baby girl.