AN: Sorry it took a while to get this chapter up. I blame school and lack of inspiration. Thanks to everyone who has been reading/reviewing/favoriting/following all of my stories!

Rose clutched the note tightly in her hand as she walked towards the clock. For once in her life, she had actually enjoyed dinner. Jack's presence seemed to suck away the uncomfortable stuck up feeling that was always there. He captivated everyone with his conversation, talking of how he had traveled so far on so little. The people Rose dined with had the world at their feet, they wanted for nothing. Perhaps that was why they seemed mesmerized, or perhaps their eyes had been opened to the world outside of the upper class society.

Cal and Ruth were the only two who seemed unimpressed and bored. Ruth had looked very uncomfortable all evening, as if she were sitting on a porcupine. Cal simply tried to make it known to Jack that he was better than Jack in every way possible. Yet, Cal had not succeeded in impressing Jack or anyone else for that matter. Jack's speech of making each day count, living in the moment and loving the uncertainty of the future almost toppled Cal right off of his pedestal.

Rose had seen Jack take something from Molly and then return it. It wasn't until he handed her a note that she realized it had been a pen. Rose didn't know why, but she felt her heart flutter about as she read the words. Make it count, meet me at the clock.

It wasn't hard for her to slip away unnoticed, as most of the women were wandering about, engaged in the same mindless chatter. Her mother had gone to speak with Lady Duff-Gordon and paid no attention to Rose.

Suddenly, Rose found herself face to face with Jack at the top of the stairs and the rest of her thoughts faded away. He made an exaggerated bow with a mischievous grin and held his arm out for her to take.

"Shall we, m'lady?" he asked, trying his best to sound haughty. Rose giggled and glanced around quickly. Though she saw no one paying any attention to her, she realized that it wouldn't have made a difference if anyone was.

"Yes," she replied, slipping her arm through his. "To hell with this place," she added firmly, making Jack laugh.

As Jack escorted her through the crowd toward the lift, Rose smiled. "You seem to have mastered the proper etiquette of my world," she teased.

"Oh I highly doubt that Rose. Looking back now I realize that I could have chewed and swallowed that bite of roll before speaking. But the look on your mother's face was worth it."

Rose laughed. "I wish I could have seen it!"

"Oh it was terrific!" He leaned a little closer to her ear. "It looked as though she had gas," he whispered.

Rose burst out in giggles. "Maybe she did," she joked. Rose took a deep breath, calming the urge to giggle more at the thought of her mother being so unladylike. As they reached the lifts, Rose recalled seeing Jack from the top of the grand staircase before dinner. "Jack I saw you practicing a handshake before you saw me earlier," she said.

Jack smiled. "I wasn't really practicing. Actually, I was kinda mocking your husband. He either didn't recognize me or just simply ignored me when I began to offer my hand for a handshake. So while he and your mother spoke with…I think it was the Countess of Rothes, I mocked him."

Rose chuckled. "Have you no shame Jack?" she kidded.

"When the occasion calls for it," he said. They exited the lift and went out to the boat deck. "Are you cold at all?" Jack asked when they stepped into the chilly night air.

Rose shook her head. "No. The fresh air feels wonderful. And I was actually feeling a bit too warm inside."

"How are you feeling?" Jack's face showed his concern and seriousness.

"I'm fine Jack. I thought I'd enjoy the food tonight, but I could barely stomach the roast duck. The smell alone was enough to make me queasy. The champagne tasted funny to me too. I'm just glad that they didn't put any caviar on my plate. I don't think I could have handled it."

Jack smiled. "I know I said I never did like caviar much, but honestly, I said that for your amusement. Remember you had told me that you hated it?" Rose nodded. "Tonight was actually the first time I tried it."

"And?"

Jack looked at her sheepishly. "I loved it," he confessed, making Rose laugh. "Dammit," Jack breathed as he watched her.

"What's wrong?" Rose said, suddenly alarmed.

"Nothing," Jack said, shaking his head. You are just so beautiful," he told her. "It's very difficult for me not to pull you close and kiss you right now."

Rose felt herself lean closer to him before remembering where they were. She quickly sucked in her breath and turned away from him. "Sorry," she mumbled. "I forgot for a moment where we are."

Jack smiled. "Nothing to be sorry about Rose." He walked to the railing and leaned against it, looking down at the water.

"Jack?"

"Hmmm?"

"Will you go with me to the infirmary?"

Jack looked at her, surprised at her request. "Are you sure that's a good idea? What if someone spots us?"

"I thought of that too. But a lot of people know that you were at dinner tonight, and I'm sure someone saw us leave together. My mother made quite sure that everyone knew you were a third class passenger. So should anyone question us, I was simply showing you around first class and became ill. You, being the gentleman that you are, insisted on escorting me to see a doctor."

"Well you've got this all sorted out don't you?" Jack said proudly. He noticed her beam at his words. "There is nothing I'd love more."

…

As Rose assumed, it was an entirely different staff at the infirmary. They had not seen anyone they knew while on the way there, and there were no patients in the infirmary that they knew of.

"May I help you?" a short, heavyset woman in a nurse uniform asked.

"Yes," Rose said. "I was hoping to see a doctor."

The nurse nodded. "May I ask what the trouble is, my dear?"

Rose looked to Jack and then back to the nurse. "I think I may be pregnant."

The nurse smiled slightly and then gestured to the chairs near the wall. "Please have a seat. I'll just go alert Dr. Midge that he has a patient. Can I have your name please dear?"

"Dawson," Rose said automatically. "Rosalie Dawson."

"Alright Mrs. Dawson, just give me a moment please." The nurse turned and left the reception area. Rose immediately turned to Jack.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I should have asked first." Then she noticed that Jack was smiling. "What?"

"It's fine. I understand that you're worried about Cal finding out. Feel free to use my name whenever you wish, Rosalie." Rose laughed.

"It's what my father used to call me. He wanted to name me Rosalie after his mother, but my mother refused." Rose grew silent. "I'm scared Jack," she confessed.

Jack studied her for a moment. "It'll be alright," he said. But before he could continue, the nurse returned with the doctor.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dawson?" Jack and Rose stood. "I'm Dr. Midge. My nurse tells me that you believe you're with child?" he asked Rose directly.

"Yes. I've been experiencing symptoms for a couple of weeks now," Rose explained.

"Would this be your first?" Rose nodded. "Alright then, why don't you follow me and I'll examine you." He turned to Jack. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait out here." Jack nodded knowingly. He grabbed Rose's hand.

"I'll be right here waiting for you." He kissed her softly. "Good luck," he whispered.

Jack watched as Rose, the doctor and the nurse walked into the room and closed the door. He let out took a deep breath and let it out, realizing for the first time that was scared too. Jack knew that whether or not Rose was pregnant, he was going to ask her to leave Cal. He was confident that she was already planning to, but he had to ask; he couldn't just assume she would. More importantly , Jack had to figure out how to get her away from him when the ship docked. Cal didn't seem like the kind to go down without a fight and Jack highly doubted that Rose could just tell him she was leaving without a problem.

Other worries came to Jack's mind. What would they do once they were off the ship? Jack knew that they would have to stay in New York for a spell while he earned them enough moving to go elsewhere, if they chose to. All he had was about ten bucks, maybe a dollar or two more. He wondered if Fabrizio would mind staying with them or if Rose would have a problem with it.

Jack plopped in a chair against the wall and sighed. He felt out of his element. He was used to living in the moment, never thinking once about the next day. But it wasn't just him anymore; it was him and Rose and possibly a child. Though he had planned to ask Rose to leave Cal while they were in Rome, Jack still didn't think that there would be a child to think about; he and Rose could just live day by day.

The door opened and Jack turned his head quickly. "In the meantime Mrs. Dawson, take care of yourself and make sure to see a doctor as soon as you can when we arrive in America."

"Thank you Doctor," Rose said with a smile. Jack stood as she turned to face him. Her mouth was turned up in a beautiful smile.

"Well?" Jack asked eagerly. Rose wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer until their foreheads were touching.

"The doctor said that it's still too early to know for sure, but he is fairly confident that I am pregnant," Rose told him happily.

Jack let himself forget his worries and pulled her into a hug. Rose let herself melt in his arms and sighed. They stood like that for a few moments until the grandfather clock in the corner began to bong. Rose looked at it, noticing that it was now nine o'clock.

"I should be heading back," Rose said sullenly.

"I don't want you too Rose. I want you to stay with me," Jack told her. Rose looked up to him and smiled.

"Jack, I want that too. I was thinking about it and when the doctor told me that I'm more than likely carrying your child, I was ready to pack up and leave Cal. But Jack, I don't think it would be a good idea while we're still on the ship."

"Are you afraid he'll come after you?" Jack asked. "Because I'm not going to let him hurt you."

Rose shook her head. "It's not that I'm worried about. I know you wouldn't let him harm me Jack, but Cal is the kind of person who gets what he wants, when he wants it. He'll have the master-at-arms convinced that you kidnapped me or something ridiculous. It's just too great of a risk."

Jack sighed loudly. He didn't want to argue with Rose, and he trusted her words. He let the subject drop for the moment. "Alright. Can you promise just one thing?"

"Anything."

"If he does anything, or if you're afraid for any reason, come to me. Please."

"I promise Jack," she said, making him smile.

"Thank you," he said. He pulled her into another hug. "I lost you once Rose. I don't think I could lose you again."

"You're not going to lose me Jack." Rose swallowed hard as butterflies swirled in her stomach. "I love you."

Jack pulled back and looked at her with a puzzled smile. "Say that again?"

Rose laughed. "I love you Jack." She kissed him. "I love you."

Jack touched her face, stroking her cheek softly with his thumb. "I love you too Rose." Jack pulled her into a gentle yet passionate kiss.

As the kiss ended, Rose giggled quietly.

"What?"

"It just kind of dawned on me where we are. I never thought we'd be saying that to each other for the first time in the Titanic's infirmary!"

Jack laughed. "I didn't realize it either. All I can think of is you." Rose blushed and smiled. "Now are you sure you have to head back so soon? Or can I steal another hour of your time?"

Rose thought for a moment. "I guess you can steal it. What do you have in mind?"

Jack smiled. "I'm in the mood to celebrate," he told her. He offered her his arm and led her out of the infirmary.

"So where are we going?"

Jack's smile grew wider. "A real party."