Jack stared out of the window of the car he and Fabrizio had called for as they returned home to the Dawson estate in Boston. The mansion stood tall and regal as they approached. It's well manicured lawns and gardens made the house seem even more picturesque. It was much like the Dewitt Bukater mansion, except it was bigger, prettier, and there was a warmth in the atmosphere that the Dewitt Bukater mansion just didn't have unfortunately.

"We are home," Fabrizio shifted in his seat, trying to get ready to slip back into his role of valet.

"Yes we are," Jack sighed, his thoughts on what they had been on since Rose had ran away from him the other day. The kiss. That one, mind blowing kiss. The one that had set his world on it's head and reconfirmed his determination to save her from a life with Hockley. Jack was not normally a fighter. He was laid back and liked to let things just happen on their own. He had never known anything worth really fighting for...until now.

"Your papa will be happy you come home," Fabrizio put on an encouraging smile, knowing that this couldn't possibly be easy for Jack. They both knew that once Jack set foot back onto Boston soil, his days of freedom from high society would be over. He would be required to take his place among the gentlemen of society as the future heir of his father's empire.

"I'm not coming home for my father," Jack sighed as the car came to a stop at the front door. He winced, feeling bad about his gloomy words, but he couldn't help it. Yes, he loved his father dearly, and unlike most fathers of high society, Albert Dawson had given his son more freedom than was wise to allow. But still, the fact was that his purpose for returning home to his life of luxery had nothing to do with his father and his hopes for his future.

Jack got out of the car and paid the driver as Fabrizio gathered their belongings. Once it was just the two of them once again, Jack glanced at his friend, who had seamlessly slipped back into the role of servant once again.

"Are you ready?" He asked his friend, hating that they would no longer be seen as equals, now that they had returned to their real lives. That was one thing he had loved about living as Jack Dawson, penniless, wandering artist. His best friend was really seen as his best friend and had not been expected to serve him.

Fabrizio just gave a tight smile and nodded, hating to see the happiness that had surrounded his friend drain away. He hoped that this Rose was worth it and could return the happiness to Jack, despite his circumstances.

"Let's get this over with," Jack gripped the door knob and entered the mansion, just to find his parents in the foyer with his cousin Emilie waiting for him. He blinked, surprised to see her there. Emilie was more of a sister to him than a cousin and he couldn't help but feel joy at her presence. "Emilie?"

"Mother had sent me here to stay and take in Boston society! I was sorely disappointed to find that my favorite cousin had ran off to parts unknown and overjoyed by his decision to return," Emilie laughed, her blue eyes sparkling as she went to hug her cousin. She pulled away and tsked in disapproval at his appearance. "And look at you! No one would guess that you were a member of this family! Really, I thought Fabrizio was taking care of you!"

Fabizio rolled his eyes with a smile of his own. "I did try, but he no listen."

"Typical," Emilie giggled.

"Welcome home, son," Irene Dawson stepped forward to embrace her son, happy for his return. She couldn't help but worry about him for all the time he had been away and had lamented her husband's decision to allow him to go.

"Hello, mother," Jack hugged his mother before turning to his father, who also walked up and gave him a welcoming hug as well.

"I am glad that you are back and is ready to take up your duties as the Dawson heir, son. I do hope that you have accomplished all that you had set out to. That you had gotten this...wildness out of your system at last."

"I don't know if the wildness is gone, but I am ready to take up my duties...and make preparations to take on the family business. I'll be twenty one soon. It's time," Jack nodded, trying to keep his smile tight and grim. He wanted his father to see that he was serious about this. If he could get and keep his father on his side, the more likely he could get Rose away from Hockley.

"Fabrizio, once you take Jack's things up to his room, your father is awaiting you in the stables. He's been looking forward to your return," Albert turned his attention to Fabrizio, who just nodded in response and began to gather Jack's belongings.

"Hold on, Fabri. I can handle my own bags from here. Go on and greet your parents. No need to put it off any longer," Jack chuckled, grabbing bags away from Fabrizio.

"Are you sure?" Fabrizio frowned, not sure if he should insist on doing his job or not.

"Of course. Besides, I got to greet my parents right away. It's only right that you get to greet yours. In fact, take the rest of the day off. I insist," Jack waved his friend away.

Fabrizio simply nodded and smiled at his friend. "Okay. I will be nearby if you need me."

"I won't. Now go," Jack laughed. He watched as Fabrizio disappeared through the door leading out back to the servant quarters.

"I suppose you'll want me to help you now that you've sent Fabrizio away?" Emilie giggled, taking one of his bags from him.

"Only if you want to," Jack chuckled.

Albert and Irene stood side by side, watching their son and niece head stairs. Irene turned to her husband, her voice thoughtful.

"I wonder why he really returned. I was sure that he'd be gone another year," Irene wondered aloud.

"I have no idea, but I am sure that we will soon find out. Let's hope that it's not because of some trouble he's come across," Albert shook his head. He doubted that trouble was the reason for his son's return. Yes, Jack was a wild spirit at times, but all in all, he was a good lad. Whatever had brought him home, it must be something good.

One hour later, Emilie Dawson stood in the doorway to her cousin's room, silently observing him. He was all unpacked and settled in and at the moment, leafing through the beloved portfolio that he always seemed to have nearby. He seemed different somehow. When she had learned that he had taken a break from high society life and was experiencing life as a normal person, she had been excited for him, knowing how uncomfortable he felt as the first class gentleman that his parents were trying so hard to mold him into. Finally, he was free to just be himself and make friends on his own merit. She hadn't expected him to come back until he was twenty-five at the earliest, thirty at the latest. But he had only been gone for a year, and he was back. She wondered what had happened to make him give up the freedom that his parents had reluctantly granted him.

"So...how was it? Life as a poor but free wandering artist? Was it everything that you thought it would be?" She asked, entering the room and breaking the silence.

Jack looked up from what he was looking at, startled at first, but the easy smile soon appeared. "It was awesome. No one knew who I was except Fabri. I was just a normal, everyday guy hanging out with his best friend. We even made friends with this Irish guy Tommy and became a part of the community. I'll never forget the Cartmells. I was Uncle Jack to their little girl Cora, and I became rather brilliant at the game of poker. Mother would be horrified."

"That does sound awesome. Too bad that I'm a girl and mother and father would never allow me to do the same thing," Emilie sighed, taking a seat next to him.

Jack frowned and nodded, his mind going to Rose. Emilie wasn't in as bad of a situation as Rose, but she too was in a gilded cage as well. His looked down at the sketch he had been studying when his cousin had entered.

"Maybe I can take you with me if I get a chance to do it again. That way, it won't be so scandalous," Jack's smile was sad, knowing that any chance of him getting away again was slim to none. Now that he was back, his training for the business was going to begin, but he felt that he should at least offer.

"That would be enticing if there was a chance of it happening. But we both know that your days of taking off for parts unknown are over now that you're back. They were so worried that you would stay gone for years and were overjoyed and relieved at your telegram that you were coming home."

Jack sighed and shrugged. "It just felt right to offer."

"I appreciate it and I would accept if there was a chance," She smiled. Her smile faded a little, her curiousity getting the best of her. "So...why did you come back? Did you miss mommy and daddy that much?"

Jack sighed and shook his head. "Don't get me wrong. I did miss them. Despite our differences, you know how much I love them. But they weren't the reason for my return."

Emilie noticed his gaze returning to the portfolio and leaned over to take a peek and gasped at the picture of the sad young girl gracing the page. "Hey, I know her. I went to finishing school with her..."

Jack looked up, again startled. "You know Rose?"

"Well, not exactly know, but we were classmates. Acquaintances if you will. When did you meet her? How? I mean, you were in disguise and I doubt that a third class guy would be able to get in ten feet of her."

Jack chuckled. It's a long story, but yeah. I met her. Spent some time with her and...she's absolutely amazing. She has these dreams and ambitions and she's...everything I look for in a girl. But yeah, a third class guy wouldn't have a chance of courting her..."

"And there's the reason for your return. You came back for her...but I hate to break this to you...she's engaged...to Caledon Hockley of all people," Emilie frowned, thinking of how relieved she had been when her own parents had turned down the Hockley's offer of marriage. She shuddered to think of what life would have been like under that man's thumb.

"I know. Which is why I came back. A girl like Rose...she'd never survive that asshole. She doesn't even want to be married to that bastard. It's all her mother's doing. So I figured, I'll return home and just make Mrs. Dewitt Bukater a better offer."

Emilie looked at her cousin, observing how his eyes kept drifting to the picture, how there was a softness in his gaze and how his lips turned up in a slight smile. She realized that Jack wasn't just infatuated. He didn't come back just to help a girl in a terrible situation. He came back because he was in love.

"I never thought I'd see the day...when you'd fall for someone. Someone from our world at that."

Jack laughed. "Neither did I. But...she's amazing and we fit so well. You know? I mean...we have so much in common and she's beautiful and funny and sweet and...she should be with someone that would allow her the freedom to be herself. She has this fire that Hockley would just trample out. I can't let that happen..."

"So what are you going to do now that you're back?"

Jack shrugged. "I have no idea at all what I'm doing."

Emilie smiled and took the portfolio out of his hands and set it to the side before taking his hands in hers. "Well, cousin. It's a good thing that I'm here because I know exactly what to do."

"You do?"

"Of course! And since I'm an old class mate of hers, that makes it all the easier! Now, does she even know who you are? Or does she think that you're a poor wandering artist with not a cent to his name?"

Jack blushed. "She has no clue that I'm a Boston Dawson."

"Jack!"

"I was in disguise and there wasn't a chance to tell her!"

"Okay, okay. Expect her to be angry when she finds out, but we can cross that bridge when we come to it."

Jack eyed his cousin curiously, wondering what she had in mind. "What are you up to?"

Emilie just smiled, liking her plan. "Aunt Irene should throw a gala to welcome her son home. A gala that all the young girls on the East Coast shall attend. After all, you are the heir to the fortune and all heirs need a bride."

"Would Rose come? I mean, I she's already engaged..."

"From what I've heard about Ruth Dewitt Bukater, she likes to keep her options open. If she can get Rose a better offer...why not? At most, she could say that she got to rub elbows with the Boston elite. She won't pass up the chance for that bragging right."

Jack's smile was brilliant. He knew that coming home was a good idea and he was glad that his cousin was here to help! His chances of winning Rose away from Hockley had just increased! He just hoped that her anger wasn't too great and that she could see this as her chance of freedom.