A/N Sorry for any spelling mistakes, but the tablet that I write on has no autocorrect, so if I spell something wrong or type it wrong on accident, I don't have a way to check it.

Rose hurried down the stairs of the motel, stumbling over her feet, reaching up to fix her hair. Jack had left to give her a few moments of privacy, being the gentleman that he was. She had quickly brushed her mop of hair, slipped into shoes, and collected her thoughts. She was humiliated that she had fainted in front of Jack, but she was mostly worried about what he woukd think. She had said his name in her sleep! She had been dreaming about the sinking again...but she couldn't dwell on that. It was the past now. She had a second chance.

Rose took a deep breath as she rushed through Dthe lobby, not caring if the rude man was there or not. She slowed down when she reached the door, pushing it open and stepping outside. After a quick glance, she noticed Jack leaning against the wall, smoking a cigerette. She hurried over to where he was standing.

"Rose!" Jack said, standing up straight and letting out a breath of smoke. He wiped his mouth off, looking a little ashamed. "Sorry, do you mind?"

"Not at all," she smiled. "In fact, I used to be quite the smoker myself, just to annoy my mother."

"But you stopped?"

"Yes...it isn't that good for your lungs, is it?"

"I s'pose," Jack said nonchalantly. "I guess if I drop dead suddenly one of these days, it'll be all my fault."

Rose smiled, but her thoughts were beginning to trail to when he actually did drop dead.

"Well, should we get going?" Jack asked, leaning forward. Rose nodded quickly and Jack started walking along the sidewalk with Rose close behind. They walked in silence for a few blocks, and Rose wondered what Jack was thinking about. She soon found out.

"So you and your mother don't get along?" He said suddenly. Rose snapped up her head.

"Pardon me?" She said, taken aback. This was not a conversation she had expected to be having with him.

"You said you would smoke just to annoy her, and when you were talking earlier, you sounded like she put a lot of pressure on you to be someone you weren't, so I'm just wondering what that relationship is like." He stopped, and turned his head back to look at her. "I'm sorry, it's none of my business, I know."

"No, it's okay," Rose said. Jack had known about her mother and how unhappy she was with her life the first day he had known her, so it seemed only right that he know now.

She took a deep breath. "You were right in your assumptions. Me and my mother...we don't agree on much, and haven't since I was a little girl. She's one of those rich people...that thinks she's better than everyone less than her. If you don't have money, you don't matter."

"So, basically, guys like me," Jack said, smiling slightly. Rose smiled back.

"Yes. If my mother ever met you, she would think you were...an insect that wasn't worth her time."

"Sounds like me," Jack said, nodding. Rose gaped at him.

"Don't say that!" She gasped. "Everyone is important! Rich people, poor people, women, everyone! Don't ever act like you're less than anyone else! We are all equal!"

Jack just stared at her as she finished, her breath a little short. He was gazing at her with...amazement? Disbelief?

"It was a joke, Rose," he said meekly. "I was trying to make you feel better."

Rose flushed, but Jack laughed.

"It's okay, I understand where you're coming from. You've felt trapped for most of your life, and now that you're free, you want people to know that being discriminated because you're different, whether you're rich or poor, is not an acceptable way of life."

Rose felt her eyes widen. "Am I really that easy to read?"

Jack smiled. "No, I'm just exceptionally good at reading most people."

"So you see people," Rose said, repeating her earlier words. Jack shrugged and nodded.

"I guess. I see you," he added. She glanced at him as they walked, and he gazed back at her.

"And?" Rose asked, almost breathlessly. How would he respond this time?

"I see a girl who has spirit, who can change the world," Jack anwered. "I see a girl who can rewrite the stars."

Rose blushed. "You have a bit too much confidence in me, I think."

"You said yourself that I see people," Jack said. "You're a special girl, I can see that much at least."

Rose just shook her head, but smiled softly. They continued walking in silence after that. Rose's thoughts drifted to the Jack she had fallen in love with. She knew it was the same Jack, but she couldn't help but wonder if, now that the timeline was different, if Jack would make different decisions, if those decisions would include her.

She watched him walk. Of course, he still acted the same. He had the same compassion, the same way of talking, the irresistable quality about him that Rose couldn't quite place, but couldn't imagine him without. He moved in a confident way, his arms swinging slightly. It made Rose relax without even realizing it, being around Jack.

Even after a year, she hadn't realized the extent of how much she had missed him until she was with him again. Even if she could never be in his arms again, even if he never saw her as she saw him, she would be content just to know that this beautiful, innocent man was now alive again. It was the one thing she had done right in her life, Rose decided. Wishing for Jack to be alive. If anyone deserved it, it was him.

Oblivious to her thoughts, Jack stopped and turned.

"Here we are, Miss Rose," he said, bowing his head slightly.

Rose looked up at the building. It looked like a pretty fancy restaurant, lit up with tiny electric bulbs. It was a tall red brick building with tiny oak trees surrounding it. Like Jack said, in the dusk twilight glow, the place really was quite beautiful.

"So you've been her often?" Rose questioned Jack. He shook his head a little sheepishly.

"Actually, I've never been inside. This is the only time I've ever had enough money to cross the threshold."

"So you're not worthy unless you have money?" Rose teased him.

"Pretty much," Jack laughed, and to Rose's surprise, he grabbed her hand, dragging her behind him. "Come on, let's go in."

She giggled as he pulled her along. She was glad that he was able to at least enjoy himself now that he could afford better things. The restaurant was even nicer inside, with jazz music and laughing all around. Jack strode right up to the front counter to a waiter with a handlebar mustache.

"Good evening, sir," the waiter said pompously. "Two seats, then?"

"Why, of course, my good fellow," Jack replied, equally obnoxious. Rose stifled a laugh as the waiter nodded and led them through the crowded area.

"Sir," Rose motioned to the waiter. "Do you have a patio outside where we could sit?"

"Yes, madam, right this way," he said, and changed the direction he was walking, leading them to a doorway that led to a small outdoor seating area. There were only a few people here and there besides them, so the waiter allowed them to pick where they sat, giving each of them menus, promising to be back in a few minutes to take their orders.

"I think people know I don't fit in here," Jack said. Rose looked around and noticed people were indeed staring at the dirty looking blonde man in suspenders.

"Just ignore them," Rose told him. "Gossip is all we rich people are good for."

Jack leaned towards her. "But what if they think I kidnapped you?"

Rose laughed, because as he said this, he wagged his eyebrows.

"Say you did," she whispered. Jack snorted.

"Why? What are my ulterior motives here? Are you my ex-fiance's cousin? Does your father owe me money?"

"Hmmm..." Rose rubbed her chin thoughtfully, then snapped her fingers. "I got it! My sister's dog at your cat!"

"And so I kidnap you for revenge? That seems extreme," Jack said, crossing his arms and leaning back, grinning.

"But it gets more intense," Rose insisted. Jack pretended to cower in his chair, and Rose was glad he still had a boyish sense of humor.

"Did you steal the dog?" He asked. Rose shook her head.

"Nope. You had a love affair with my sister, and her dog betrayed you. After all you'd done for her, loved her and gave her your money, and this is how she repayed you?" Rose said in mock outrage. Jack burst out laughing, earning reproving looks from those seated around them.

"Is she pretty? Is your sister worth a kidnapping?" he asked, his breathing shorter from his outburst of laughter.

"Oh, she's good looking," Rose said mischievously. "Of course, not as good looking as me."

Jack looked up at her suddenly, smile gone. "Oh, of course. No one could possibly be as good looking as you."

As he looked down at his menu, Rose had to wonder if he was playing along with the game, or if he actually meant it. Maybe both.