Rose was gasping, trying to catch her breath. She had never hopped a train before, and couldn't quite grasp the concept that she and Jack had just done that. She clung to the rail, staring at the tracks that were quickly speeding by.

"You okay?" Jack asked her, concern seeping through his question. She turned and smiled at him.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just...never done that before."

"I would hope not," Jack laughed. "You only do that if you're homeless or dirt poor. Or both, like me."

"Why'd we do it, then?"

"Hmm?"

"Why'd we jump on? Why didn't we use my money? Board like normal?" Rose asked, a little angry.

"Well, I figured you'd want to save that for something else. I mean, we'll need somewhere to stay in Paris, and we don't know how hard it's gonna be to find a job..."

"I have plenty to go around," Rose said, glaring at him.

"I know, but it's yours, and this way was easier."

"Easier? We're being illegal!"

"Half the stuff I do is illegal, Rose. It's how I live! It's called survival! Most of my money comes from playing poker! I don't have much respect, so I figured, if they're gonna treat me like crap, why not just be crap," Jack huffed, breathing short like Rose now. She knew he had a point, but the stress of the last few days were hitting her hard and the only person she could take it out on was the one who was standing on the back of a train with her.

"And that's supposed to be comforting?" Rose retorted.

"Apparently not," Jack said, clasping the rail. "All right, let's calm down, no harm done, right?"

"We jumped a train! If we're caught–"

"We won't be caught...I've done this plenty of times..." Jack sounded a little unsure, though. For some reason, this made Rose angrier.

"Listen to yourself, you aren't even sure of yourself!"

"Maybe you're making me second guess this! I mean...I've never done this with a person who wasn't Fabri..."

"Well, I'm not going to ever be Fabrizio. I'm not just going to be his replacement!"

Rose didn't realize until she said this how much she feared that's what their relationship would be: Jack relying on her as a best friend and nothing more. Jack gaped at her.

"That's what you think this is about?"

"You sure act like it!"

"When?" Jack looked genuinely at a loss, not knowing if what Rose was telling him was true.

"Jack Dawson, why do you have to be like this?" Rose burst out, finding he really had never acted like that. What was she doing?

"Like what? I did nothing wrong!"

"Exactly! You're so perfect and nice, and even when you're mad you just...ugh! It's so annoying! No one should be this selfless!"

"That's why you're mad?" Jack looked at her with a look of amazement. "Because you think I'm 'perfect' and 'selfless'?"

"You are! Everything you do! When you accidentally run into a woman who was supposed to board the Titanic? You take her in with you. When she faints and makes a fool of herself? You lay her on the bed. When she stupidly falls into the water and nearly drowns? You risk your life and save her. I did none of that for you when–" Rose broke off, looking up suddenly, feeling her eyes widen. She had said too much.

Jack frowned. "When...what?"

Rose avoided looking at him. Her previous anger gone, she didn't know what to say. She didn't want to hide things from him, but how on earth would she explain this messed up stuff to him?

"Nothing," she said shakily. She looked back at Jack and could tell he didn't believe her. He shoved his hands in his pockets.

"Are you sure? You were going to say something about how you did none of that for me when...when what? We've known each other for a day."

"It was nothing, forget it," Rose said quietly.

"I have a hard time believing that, given your mood change," Jack pressed on.

"Jack...I can't explain it now, okay? Do you trust me?"

Jack hesitated, and Rose felt her heart fall. That little hesitation hurt her more than anything right now.

"I trust you, Rose. But–"

"But nothing. If you trust me, just let me deal with this right now," Rose said with a tone that indicated she didn't want to talk anymore.

"Rose."

"Jack, forget it, I said!" She turned and pried open the door of the caboose they were on and went in. It was dirty on the inside, and obviously nobody went in there. There were dusty crates strewn all over, with hay and wheat on the floor. Rose could feel the rumbling of the train on the tracks beneath the wooden floor.

She settled herself next to some crates and put her head in her arms. Rose had no idea how to live like this. She didn't want Jack to barely know her. She wanted him to know all the experiences they had been through together. She wanted him to tell her he loved her.

Rose sighed. This was a more difficult situation then what she had originally thought. Suddenly, she tensed when she heard footsteps next to her. Without looking up, she knew it was Jack, and she felt him sit next to her. They sat in silence for a few moments, Rose still not looking up. Then she heard Jack take a deep breath.

"Rose..." he began. Rose kept her head down. "Look. I'm sorry about all of this, okay? I'm just...I'm so used to living on my own, or with another guy who has low standards...and this kind of thing doesn't exactly happen to me all the time. I'm trying, Rose, I really am, but I don't...this is kind of stressful, and I feel like I'm messing up everything..."

He suddenly grabbed her hand and she turned to look at him, surprised. His blue eyes were locked on hers, wide and serious. She stifled a gasp at his intense expression.

"But...the thing is...I enjoy your company, Rose. I don't want you to be mad at me. I...I'm not an idiot...I know how you're higher class and I'm...I'm just me...but I want to protect you. I want to be here for you Rose. I...I don't want anyone to hurt you...and I'm sorry that I upset you, but...I just want you to be happy. This was the easiest way..."

Rose felt her heart speed up as Jack continued pouring himself out. This seemed an awful like the conversation he had with her in the gym, and she couldn't help but allow her mind to wander to that time. She had walked away to leave him hurting. She came back later...but still, she hurt him. She didn't want to hurt him. He'd been through enough.

"And...I'm too invloved with you now. I jump if you jump, I...I go where you go...I can't seem to get it in my head otherwise. Rose...you're the most astounding girl...woman I've ever met. Beautiful too...and if you just want nothing to do with me now...that's...I can accept that. But I just need to know you'll be okay."

Rose blinked. He was being typical Jack Dawson. So worried about other people, so caring, even though she had just yelled at him for no reason. His eyes were filled with concern, and...fear. She clasped his had back.

"Jack...I'm sorry I got so mad...it's not you...it's entirely me...that was just unreasonable anger that I spewed at you."

"I get it. You're stressed. I was too when I first–"

"Don't do that," Rose interrupted. Jack stopped, confused.

"What?"

"Don't try to make nice excuses for me, Jack. I know I was a jerk to you, and no amount of stress is going to lessen that fact. I'm just sorry, okay? Can you forgive me?"

"Of course, Rose," Jack said, holding her hands up to his chest. "But I still need to know you'll be okay. You jump. I jump. I'm sticking with that."

Rose felt her eyes widen at that firm proclamation. She glanced at theor intertwined fingers, still splayed together against Jack's chest. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing beneath the taught fabric of his shirt. Her breath hitched.

"I'll be okay...if you're here," she said quietly, staring him straight in the eye. He stared right back.

"Then I'll be here," he whispered at her. Rose felt her heartbeat quicken. She felt a determination in her. Slowly, slowly, she leaned forward. She heard Jack began to breath harder, and his heart beat faster. Her head stopped right against his, a breath away. His mouth was so close...so close, all she had to do was lean forward. But it was up to Jack.

"Rose..." he whispered. She didn't move, and their hands were still gripped tightly against his chest. She was about to move back when Jack suddenly leaned forward and his lips were on her, the faintest touch of warmth against her mouth. Ever so slowly, he leaned forward more and they pressed closer. Every single one of Rose's senses were on fire. The warmth, the taste of Jack that she had been deprived of for so long was right here...she was finally back where she belonged.

They both slowly pulled back, Jack a little more out of breath. He stared at her eyes wide. She slowly leaned back and unclasped their hands. Before standing up and walking away, she leaned down to his ear, and he shivered.

"I had to do that at least once."