(A/N: I just wanted to apologize for the slow updates lately. I haven't been very motivated lately, plus I have a bad tooth in need of pulling. I get that taken care of tomorrow, so hopefully updates will be more regular again soon.)

The next day, Rose found herself back to the same old routine. Breakfast with mother. Reading in the sitting room afterwards, and after that, playing the piano for Ruth and her lady friends. It was noon time when Rose found herself alone at last, left to her own devices. She looked through her bookshelves, wondering if she should read her favorite book Wuthering Heights again, but quickly decided against it. She wasn't in the mood for Cathy and Heathcliff and their messed up romance today. Besides, the story kind of reminded her of Cal and her upcoming engagement gala.

She confused even herself. Any other girl in her position would be grateful. To any other girl, this was a charmed life. She came from money. Grew up surrounded by luxuries, and was now to be engaged to one of the richest men in the state. Instead, she was dissatisfied and bored with everything and as for the upcoming engagement...she rather have a tooth pulled than be engaged at such an early age. Any hopes and dreams she had...they were to be forgotten. And most of all, she was so bored. Even the slumming party was more of the same empty conversation and narrow people. Things hadn't gotten interesting until she had slipped away and had to be rescued.

Maybe that was something she had to do again to break up the monotony of her life. Not get nearly robbed of course, but slip away. Leave this mansion and spend some time outside in the fresh air. Surely staying indoors could not be good for her. But where would she go? She didn't want to go shopping. She had all she could take of going from shop to shop, searching for the perfect dress. No, she didn't want to shop. She wanted to go out and experience life. Watch people and maybe learn their stories. That would be so much better than staying here and waiting for her mother to think of something to do.

Her mind made up, Rose went up to her room and grabbed her coat and her purse. It was time for her to take a walk. Maybe the park a few blocks away would be nice.

"Miss. Rose? Where are you off to?" Trudy questioned as she entered the room to make up the bed and tidy up some. She was surprised to find Rose inside. She had thought that she had gone shopping for the coming gala.

"Oh, I'm off to the park Trudy. I decided some fresh air would do me good. Do tell mother that I shall return, I just don't know when."

"Yes Miss," The maid curtsied as Rose left the room, looking forward to her next adventure.

…..

The noon sun was high in the sky when Rose entered the park. She looked around with real interest, taking notice of the women with baby carriages and men with newspapers in their hands walking along the trails and sitting on benches, relaxing in the warm sun. It was a lovely day to be outside and she wished that she had brought her book with her. She would have loved to have sat on one of the benches in the sun and read her book.

She was at a loss on what to do though. She had come here to kill her boredom, but so far, she saw nothing. Maybe she should walk one of the trails and look at the flowers that grew in the park. That would hold her attention for at least an hour. She was about to step on one of the trails when she spotted Jack Dawson sitting on a bench not too far away from her. Jack had yet to see her because he was bent over what looked to be a folder, drawing something.

Rose couldn't help her smile. She had thought that she would never see him again, but there he was, on her side of the world, right in arms reach. She couldn't believe it! Not giving much thought to what she was doing, she walked up behind him and looked over his shoulder. Her mouth fell open when she saw what he was doing. He was sketching a little girl with her father. Both father and child looked happy and life like. She nearly fell over when she looked up to see the father and daughter in a pose.

"So you're an artist!" Rose gasped, forgetting her manners.

Jack nearly dropped his portfolio at the sound of her voice. He had not stopped thinking about the beautiful redhead since walking her home the night before. He had believed that if he saw her again, it would be months from now, when he would be forced to begin his grooming to take over his family's business. He turned around with wide blue eyes, his mouth twisting into a sunny smile, happy at the chance to see her outside of their social restraints, once again. "Rose!"

"Hello Mr. Dawson," She smiled, liking how his smile seemed to make her day a lot brighter and how his blue eyes lit up with pure happiness.

"Please, call me Jack."

Rose smiled and was about to say something else when the father and daughter Jack was drawing approached.

"Uncle Jack, are you finished?" The little girl asked, leaning over to see the picture.

Jack turned his attention back to the girl and her father. "I sure am. Here you go." He tore the picture out of the portfolio and handed it to his model. "You know, since you were such a good model, I'm going to waive my ten cent fee. The picture's yours."

"Daddy look! It's us!" The little girl happily showed her father the picture.

The balding man chuckled and scooped his daughter up into his arms. "I see, my princess. Thank you, Jack. This means a lot to the both of us. I must give you something."

Jack waved away the offer of money. "Sir, it was an honor to draw your beautiful daughter. I couldn't possibly accept your money."

"Well we must repay you somehow," The man frowned, then his eyes lit up. "I know. Cora's fifth birthday is tomorrow. Why don't you come? There will be cake, ice cream, and music. Bring your lady friend if you like."

Cora gasped in happiness. "Yes Uncle Jack! Come and bring the princess with you!"

Rose blushed, guessing that the little girl was talking about her.

Jack just laughed. "Well I can't say no to my best girl. I'll tell you what, I'll definitely be there. But I can't promise the princess."

Rose didn't know what got into her. Whether it was the prospect of seeing Jack again, going against her mother one more time, or just the plain adorableness of the little girl named Cora. "I'd love to come."

"Yay!" Cora happily cheered, missing the shock in Jack's eyes.

"I am glad that is settled. We will see you both tomorrow," The man nodded, waving goodbye as he left Jack and Rose to themselves.

"You didn't have to do that," Jack sheepishly smiled, closing his portfolio.

"I didn't want to disappoint her, she seemed so happy. Besides, it gives me another excuse to escape my house and go to a party that is actually fun," Rose shrugged, a little embarrassed by her assumption that he would even want to see her again. "That is if you don't mind...I know we don't know each other and..."

"I don't mind at all. In fact, it gives us an opportunity to get to know each other better," Jack smiled, finding himself happy at this turn of events. He had thought of nothing but Rose since he had left her at her gate. He had thought that he'd never see her again outside of her gilded cage. But here she was and he'll get to see her more the next day. "I'll meet you here, unless you think it'd be a good idea to pick you up at your place."

"Here would be fine," Rose quickly replied, knowing that it wouldn't be a good idea for Jack to pick her up at the mansion. Her mother would never let him in, much less let her go anywhere like a party with him. Just being alone with him in the park right now was inappropriate.

"Okay. I'll be here at noon until three."

Rose felt a thrill of excitement. Somehow, she felt freer than she's ever felt in months! "I will be here. I promise. Should I get her a present?"

"That's what one usually does at birthday parties," Jack chuckled. "Actually, we can probably share a present since we're going to the party together. Would you like to help me pick something out? I'm not an expert on what to buy big girls, much less little girls."

Rose blushed. She really should be getting home now, but she was enjoying Jack's company so much. She really wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet. "Sure. I'd love to help."

Jack offered his arm, his smile warm and genuine. This was better than he had ever dreamed. He was getting to spend time with Rose without revealing who he really was. He didn't think of what he was doing as lying or that Rose may be angry when or if she discovered the truth, he just was happy that he could spend time with this lovely girl in a setting that wasn't so prim and proper. That there was no mask of politeness between them like there would have been if he had met her as Jackson Dawson, heir to Dawson Enterprises.

Thinking that she was just going on an outing with a nice boy from the underprivileged class, Rose accepted his arm and allowed him to lead her out of the park where they headed for one of the few dress shops that Rose had never visited before.

"I think this place is rather new. New and not too high end," Jack explained, as they entered the building.

Rose smiled, walking over to a rack that contained boxes and containers of ribbons, barratts, and other adornments meant to be worn in a lady's hair. She picked up a pink ribbon and ran her fingers over the soft, silky surface. "Does she like ribbons?"

"She loves them," Jack nodded, spotting a rather shiny yellow ribbon. "Especially bright ones..."

Rose nodded in agreement as her eyes swept over the merchandise. She gasped as she spotted something especially interesting. Something that she would have liked for herself when she was a child and considered herself father's little princess.

"Jack, look at this," Rose walked over and picked up the item. A hair comb with a sparkly tiara on the top. It reminded her of her butterfly comb back in her room, except this was a tiara.

"Wow, she'd love that," Jack nodded his approval before looking for a price tag. "How much is it? Her parents probably won't let her have it if it's too expensive."

"Four dollars. I have two dollars if you can spare the other two...if not I can cover it and you can just pay me back some other time...or draw me a picture for payment."

Jack laughed. "My drawings are not worth money Rose...at least not that much."

"You don't think so? I think they're worth far more than two dollars, myself. I bet I'm not the only one to think so."

Jack had to admit that he was flattered. His father always claimed that his drawings were a waste of time and weren't worth the money that he could be making if he wasn't drawing. But here Rose was, telling him something far different. It made him like her even more.

"Why thank you, Rose. You flatter me far too much."

"I only speak the truth, Jack. Your talent is priceless. Do not let anyone tell you any different," Rose smiled, not looking away from his intense gaze. Somehow, she felt as if he was staring into her soul, reading her ever dream and desire. Blushing, she looked away, returning her attention back to the comb. "So what do you say? We get the comb for Cora?"

"Sure. I have my half right here," Jack dug into his pockets and pulled out two crumpled dollar bills. "Let's go buy the princess her tiara."

Five minutes later, Jack and Rose walked out of the store with a gift wrapped box in hand. They begin to make their way back to the park.

"You didn't have to pay for the gift wrap, you know," Jack chuckled.

"It was not a bother. Besides, it'll save you the work. Now you're free to do whatever you want tonight," Rose shrugged. She sighed as the park came into sight. She knew that it was time for her to return home. Hopefully, her mother won't lock her in her room and she'll be able to meet Jack for the party tomorrow. "Well, I guess this is where I say good bye. My mother is probably climbing the walls right now."

"Yeah, I guess so. You know, I'm glad that you're going to come with me tomorrow. I know it's last minute and Cora took you off guard..."

"You don't have to thank me, Jack. In fact, I should thank you. Today has turned out to be one of the most interesting days of my life and tomorrow looks to be even more fun. I usually hate parties, but I have a feeling that this one is going to be different."

Jack laughed. He hated the boring first class parties as well. Everyone was so stuffy and acted like they hadn't had a day of fun in their lives. This girl...it was like she was made for him.

"Well, this party is going to be nothing like those stuffy galas you attend. There's going to be fun music, food, and cheer. You'll love it, Rose."

"I'm sure I will. I better go now. Goodbye, Jack. See you tomorrow."

"Remember, I'll be here from twelve to three," Jack winked, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. "Farewell, Rose."

Rose felt herself melt inside. She didn't understand what was going on with her. Jack was making her feel things that she had never even considered herself to be capable of feeling. He was waking something up inside of her and she was afraid that she may never find out what that something is if she didn't manage to break free from her mother and soon.

She swallowed, hoping that he didn't hear the sound of her heart slamming in her chest. "I must go now..."

Jack simply nodded and released her hand as he took a step back, wishing that she didn't have to go. That he could take her back to his place and they could both live the life of their dreams. But he couldn't do that. She had people waiting for her return. At least he'll see her tomorrow. Or at least he hoped that he did.

"Good-bye Rose."

He stood and watched her walk away from the park, disappearing around a corner, that he knew would lead to the better side of town. He looked at the box in his hand and sighed, again wondering if he should return home so he could do what his heart was telling him to do at that moment. Go after Rose and make her his own.

Shaking the thought out of his head, Jack headed back to the apartment, ready to spend the rest of the day with Fabrizio and maybe Tommy too. Perhaps they could finally have that poker game that had never gotten off the ground.