The night of the gala had finally arrived. Jack stood in front of the floor length mirror in his quarters and once again adjusted his tie as he studied his reflection. Fabrizio entered the room and smirked as he held out Jack's cufflinks.

"You look like a million bucks, amico," Fabrizio complimented, knowing just how nervous Jack was. Tonight would be the first time he'll see Rose again as Jack Dawson, heir to an empire, not Jack Dawson penniless artist. He'd be nervous too, if it was Helga here.

"Thanks, Fabri. But I'm afraid it's going to take a lot more than that to impress Rose's mother, while dispelling Rose's anger when she realizes who I really am. I'm going to have to appear to be a much better choice in her mother's eyes," Jack sighed. He had thought long and hard about the situation and had realized that it was going to take a lot more to win Rose away from Cal. He was going to have to win her mother as well.

Emilie walked in and smiled widely at the sight of her cousin. She was dressed in a emerald green gown with her blond hair pulled back in an intricate bun, topped off by a sparkling tiara.

"Why look at our guest of honor! You can almost pass for a gentleman!" Emilie giggled, walking in to stand next to a chuckling Fabrizio.

Jack just rolled his eyes. "Almost."

"You do shine up like a new penny, cousin," Emilie smiled. "People are arriving already and the band have already started the first waltz."

"Shouldn't you be down there, already?" Jack frowned, turning to face his cousin, trying to push back his own nervousness. "This is your party..."

"In your honor. We both should be down there, greeting guests. I am sure that Uncle Ralph is wondering where we've gotten off to," Emilie placed a hand on the crook of Jack's arm and gave him a reassuring smile. "Let's go and greet our guests. I am sure a certain red head will be interested in seeing what a cleaned up Jack Dawson looks like."

Jack sighed at the mention of Rose. He was certain that she was going to have some choice words for him. "She'll probably kill me before I'd even get a chance to explain. I just hope that Hockley won't be with her. I'll never get a chance to speak with her, then."

Emilie gave his arm a supportive squeeze. "If he came, just leave it to me. You'll get to speak to Rose. One way or another."

...

Rose stared out at the approaching estate as the car pulled up to the front door. She was dressed in a red and black sequin gown with white gloves. Her red curls were pulled back into an intricate style and her make up was perfect. She was the picture of Philadelphia high society. Her mother was proud. Which was evident by the sparkle in Ruth's eyes as she too took in the Dawson estate.

"Oh my. Isn't this marvelous Rose? The epidemy of wealth and stature. I wish that I had known that you were school mates with a Boston Dawson," Ruth once again lamented. It's been something that she had been sighing over ever since the invitation.

Rose just rolled her eyes, not caring for any of it. She would have rather stayed at home and read a book and daydream about the penniless artist that had disappeared from her life. But her mother had insisted on attending this gala and there was no arguing with her.

"I am surprised that she even remembered me, we rarely spoke to each other at the school, as far as I can remember," Rose sighed.

"Really, Rose. You always discount the powerful friends you make. It's a wonder that you have any friends at all," Ruth chuckled. "Come along, we don't want to make too late of an entrance."

Once out of the car, Rose followed her mother up the path leading to the mansion. Looking at the house, she noticed a stark difference to the Hockley mansion and even her own home. There was a sense of warmth to the place. It shocked her, because usually huge estates like these lacked the warmth and comfort of a smaller home. Their atmosphere's usually matched the personalities of the occupants. The warmth of the Dawson estate,in her opinion, said a lot about the family that owned it.

"What a gorgeous estate," Ruth gasped with wide eyes. Her voice failed to hide her eagerness to get inside and check out the interior. "It is too bad that you are engaged, dear. Perhaps, if you make a good impression on young Emilie, we'll be invited again and again. Do try to be on your best behavior."

"Yes mother," Rose sighed, beginning to feel bored already. Despite the warmth of the estate, Rose could tell that this was going to be just another gala amongst many that she'll be forced to attend by her mother.

Jack was standing towards the back of the room, trying to avoid the other guests. He had tried to stand at the door, greeting people as they came in, but after a while, it just became too much. He needed some space. He knew that he couldn't leave the room entirely, not yet...especially not until he saw Rose, but he could find a spot where he was out of sight for a few minutes. The back of the room was perfect. He was still in the room, but out of the crowd and he could see the entrance from where he was standing.

"There you are," Emilie was suddenly by his side. "This is not the time to hide, cousin. Not if you're going to talk to Rose tonight."

"I am not hiding. I am just...waiting..."

"Sure," Emilie snorted, knowing Jack all too well. "Stand up straight, by the way. No slouching. I know it's been over a year, but it's time to remember who you are. Especially if you're going to defeat Caledon Hockley."

"Rose doesn't care about posture," Jack frowned, correcting his posture anyway.

"No, probably not. But her mother does. Plus you represent the future of the family. You'll want to make Uncle Ralph proud, so no slouching!"

Jack glanced at his cousin with a frown then looked back towards the door and gasped. There she was. Rose! She was just entering the building along side her mother, but no Hockley in sight, thankfully. He silently watched with his heart in his throat as Ruth and Rose approached his parents. He watched as his father kissed her hand and welcomed her to their home. The three most important people in his life, all in one room. He couldn't believe it! He had no idea how to react!

"There she is!" Emilie grabbed his hand. "How are you going to talk to her standing here like this? Come on!"

Jack said nothing as Emilie dragged him over to where Rose's mother and his were discussing Philadelphia society while Rose stood there looking like she rather be anywhere else but at another gala. Jack had to admit, he understood perfectly how she felt.

"Rose Dewitt Bukater! You came!" Emilie squealed, releasing Jack's hand to go over to greet Rose, giving her a quick hug. "It has been ages!"

"Yes it has," Rose made herself smile graciously, not wanting to remind the girl that had invited her that they had barely known one another.

"I see that you have met my Aunt Irene and Uncle Ralph. And...you know my cousin Jack, here," Emilie slid to the side to reveal Jack, who could only give a sheepish smile, knowing that Rose was bound to be angry with him for not telling her the truth about his status in society.

Rose's eyes widened in shock as her mouth fell open. She took a step back, her mind reeling! It was Jack! Her Jack, the penniless artist! The one that knew of birthday parties and warm kisses and had not a cent to his name, yet was happy regardless! But he wasn't penniless! He was here, dressed up like a first class gentleman with his blond hair slicked back and gleaming in the light and a tuxedo that fitted him perfectly. He was even more handsome in this setting.

"Jack?" She managed to get out. Suddenly there were too many people here and the room was too hot. Her corset felt too tight, she could barely breathe.

"Yes, Rose. It's me..."

Ruth was watching the exchange, feeling shocked as well, recognizing the cleaned up version of the boy that had been at the mansion the other night. He had looked like a beggar then, but he looked quite different now.

"I take it that you've met my son when he was on his little...break from the rigors of high society," Ralph Dawson chuckled at the women's reaction. "Irene and I thought it best that Jack live in the world of the lower class for a little while, enjoy his freedom before having to return and take up the responsibility of the heir to the family business. We had thought he'd be gone longer than a year, but he came back a few weeks ago, ready to take his rightful place. Needless to say, I am quite proud."

"Well that explains why I did not recognize your son, Mr. Dawson. If I had known who he was, I would have invited him in for some refreshment. I do apologize," Ruth placed a hand on her throat.

"Oh there is no need to apologize, ma'am," Jack waved away the apology, his eyes still on Rose, who looked as pale as the paper inside his portfolio.

"Rose, dear you look rather pale. Maybe you should step out into the garden, for some air. It is rather stuffy in here and the garden is lovely at this time of night. Jack, why don't you be a dear and escort her. I am sure that the two of you have some catching up to do," Emilie winked at her cousin.

Just by looking at Rose, he knew that being alone with him was the last thing she wanted to do, and normally, he would oblige. But he had to talk to her alone, explain himself and get her to understand that he hadn't meant to decieve her and that all of this...his return home, the gala, it was all for her. So he offered his arm, ready to lead her into the family garden, which was indeed void of people at the moment.

"Miss?" He nervously smiled.

Rose wanted to slap him and tell him off for everything, not take his arm and take a walk in a garden with him. But the pointed glare from her mother told her not to embarrass her and be the young lady that she raised, so she swallowed some of her anger and accepted the offered arm. "That would be lovely."

Jack inwardly winced at the coldness in her reply, but kept the smile plastered on his face as he lead the way into the garden. His mind was so focused on Rose, he didn't even notice Emilie walking a little ways behind him, staying silent and keeping her distance, wanting to give them space.

Once in the garden, he led her to a wooden bench and had her sit down. He didn't know what t to say as she lowered her gaze, looking away from him. She was even more beautiful out here in the moonlight, surrounded by his mother's flowers, her red lips pressed together as she struggled to hold back the angry words she had for him.

"Rose...I know that you must be confused and angry...," He began, hoping that she would hear him out and understand.

Rose looked up at him as he began to speak, her eyes flashing with anger, her gloved hands trembling as they curled into fists. "Mr. Dawson, you have no idea what I am feeling right now. Confused is not one of them."

That was a lie. She was confused, but she was not going to let him know that. "But I suppose you are right about the angry part. You lied to me!"

"No I didn't! I just didn't tell you that I was really rich..."

"Lie by omission!"

Jack winced, hating the anger in her voice, but he had expected it, of course. He had no choice but to accept it and hope that he could smooth things over.

"Rose..."

"What did you think you were doing? Was it some kind of joke? Some prank? Fool the poor little rich girl and see how far you could get?!"

"No!"

"Was I amusing to you? Listening to me talk about how dissatisfied I was with my life? Telling you about my situation with Cal? Did you come back here with Emilie and laugh and laugh about your deception and what a naive fool I was?!"

"No, Rose! That wasn't it..."

"Was this gala just to...finish off your little joke?!"

"No! I mean...yes, the gala was for you to come, but to come so I could tell you the truth...so you can see that you don't have to worry about Hockley anymore!"

"Was anything you told me in Philadelphia real, Jack? The art...Cora's party...that kiss...? Was it all part of the lie?" Hot tears were in her eyes now. She angrily wiped at them, grateful that they hadn't turned into a stream of tears just yet. She didn't want him to see just how hurt she was by his deception. "I don't even know who you really are..."

Jack's heart broke at the tears he heard in her voice. Tears that he had put there by not being fully honest with her. He knelt down in front of her,taking her hands in his. He met her gaze straight on, wanting her to see the truth in his words.

"But you do know who I am, Rose. You do. You know everything, now. I never lied to you, not really. To be honest...I was going to tell you that last day, but the kiss happened and you ran away...but I swear, everything that I told you in Philadelphia was true. My name is Jack Dawson. I'm an artist who likes to travel the world and experience life and roll with what it throws at me. I believe in making each and every day count. That we don't need money to be happy, that all I need is air in my lungs and fresh sheets of paper to be happy and I have slept under a few bridges, but let's keep that between us. My mother would kill me if she knew that," he gave a wry smile, hoping to lighten the mood. No such luck, though. Rose didn't even crack a smile.

"I didn't tell you about my social status right away because, you wouldn't have believed me. Plus, I guess I was enjoying my time as a penniless artist. I didn't want to think about Boston and the responsibilities waiting for my return. I was happy being poor Jack Dawson, wandering artist. More than I've ever been as Jack Dawson, heir to a fortune."

Rose frowned, feeling her anger begin to fade a little. She guess she could understand that. If she had a chance to step out of her world and just be a normal person...she wouldn't be so eager to announce her true identity either. But still...it hurt that he hadn't trusted her with the truth. He could have told her who he was at anytime during the time they had known each other...but he hadn't. Not even that last day, when she told him of her situation and why she was was engaged to Cal. What had he thought then? Did he think that he had better run for the hills, quick, before she figured everything out?

"Why didn't you tell me that last day? Did you think that I'd only want your money?"

"No! Rose, like I said, I had planned to tell you. But...I needed to make sure that you didn't want to be engaged to Hockley. That the vibes I got the other night was right and that the engagement was forced on you...then I was going to tell you, especially after you had opened up and told me what your mother was doing. But I had kissed you...I couldn't help myself...I kissed you, hoping that you'd realize that it wasn't goodbye. I was going to confess all...but you had ran away and I knew it wouldn't be a good idea to follow you. That your mother would be there and maybe even Hockley. I wouldn't have been able to get ten feet of you...not like I was."

"You could have written to me."

"Would you have gotten the letter?" Jack gave her a pointed look. Rose simply looked away, feeling tired and weary of the whole situation.

"I need...I need to think."

"Rose...I...I never meant to hurt you. I swear, that was never my intention. I...I've never felt this way for anyone before. All I can think about is you...how to help you...how to be with you...please forgive me."

She again looked into his beautiful blue eyes that were wide and ernest and she could see the truth there. He hadn't meant to hurt her. His omission of the truth hadn't been on purpose. Hurting her had never been his intent. But she was still hurt and she didn't know if she could forgive him. Even if she did, it was too late. She was still an engaged woman. He was still beyond her reach.

"You are so lucky. I would die to have a chance to live another life...to step out of my world for however long I wanted. You men...you have everything and it's not fair."

"No, it's not. I agree. I would have loved if you could have joined me. If we could have had that experience together..."

She snatched her hands out of his, knowing what he was doing. "Stop, Jack. Stop trying to build a fantasy to distract me from the situation."

"I'm not...I'm just agreeing with you."

Rose sighed and looked away from him again. "I...I need some time to think. Alone."

"Rose..."

"Please, Jack. I just need some space right now."

Jack opened his mouth to say something, but Emilie came up, sensing that her cousin would make things worse if he didn't do as he was asked. "Jack, your father wants to introduce you to one of the partners. You better get in there."

"Now?"

"If you know what's good for you, now."

Jack opened his mouth to say one last thing to Rose, but again was interrupted.

"Now, Jack. Go. Before you make things worse," Emilie gave him a pointed look, telling him that she was probably saving what was left of his relationship with Rose.

Reading his cousin, he simply nodded and turned to go back inside, hoping that it wasn't too late. That by the end of the night, he'd be able to smooth things over with Rose and set his plan to win her from Hockley into motion.