A.N.- Thank you so much for you reviews! Definite inspiration. I'm glad you all seem to be enjoying it so more. Love to hear any and all thoughts, comments, and such on this. I'll try to keep posting.

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When Rachel came into the small, back office, she hadn't expected to see the woman draped lifelessly in John's arms. The knot that had started while in the front only seemed more permanent.

"I'm sorry, she was rather insistent about coming back here."

"Nothing to be sorry about. I would have seen her." His eyes held the woman's relaxed face as he held her. She was even more beautiful when close. He realized his staring was doing nothing to help, so quickly looked up to the familiar face in the doorway. "I need some water, and a cloth."

He looked around the room, but an appropriate seat was scarce. The desk had to do and with a little maneuvering, the few items had been moved allowing her to lay across it.

"Do you know who she is, John? If you'd rather I…"

"I've got it from here, Rachel," John offered a faint smile. "She asked for me and I suppose I should find out why. She's the one who visits Miss Abby, that's all I know. I suppose in a little while I'll find out more. Can you hurry with that water please?"

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(Rose)

I heard his voice and almost thought it was a dream. My eyes opened in curiosity as the door to the office was closed and I immediately knew it had to be. He turned, his own eyes wide in surprise and offering a curious smile.

"Are you alright, Miss?"

I pushed myself to sit up on the wooden platform that apparently had become my bed. My posture seemed secure, no…I would not faint again like a weakling. Not in front of him.

"Jack?"

"John Calvert. You gave us a little scare. You were looking for me? Have to admit, never gotten that sort of reaction before." He gave a little chuckle, but nothing I expected. It was as though he was speaking to a stranger.

"Jack…" I repeated the name on my lips quietly, pleading. "It's me." His expression wore nothing of the recognition I had hoped for. The doubts flooded along with anger. Anger at whoever would allow this circus of events to torment me. I was being so strong, so…alive, only to be thrown this slap.

It took hardly any effort to pull myself off the foreign object, bringing myself to a stand, trying to piece together my thoughts, hold back my emotion. Only with him, only because of him could I ever find myself to be so frustratingly angry…and so utterly scared.

"You don't know me." It wasn't a question. I could see the answer in his eyes.

"Well, no, not really. I mean…I've seen you before, visiting Abigail. Not that I was peeping or anything. Really!" He got that look…of complete innocence and embarrassment that didn't entirely suit him. But it was amusing. "I'm doing a really bad job here of saving your opinion of me, aren't I?"

I couldn't resist a smile, but my heart couldn't hold onto it, molding my lips back into seriousness. "I thought you were dead."

His eyes narrowed with curiosity. "You're Rose."

"You remember? Please tell me you remember me, Jack!" I could feel my eyes watering despite my willpower. "You were dead. I didn't think to look..." My voice seemed to stall with a chocking sob I couldn't restrain and I didn't know if I could handle it if he…

"I can't remember anything before Titanic, Rose." I never wanted to curse God before that moment, before those words. How DARE he play with our lives like this, like we were no more than performers on the stage I so frequented.

"John?" I hadn't heard the young woman reopen the office door. She held something in her arms, but I couldn't compose myself to pay attention to details.

"Mr. Calvert," I began, drawing his attention back to me. If only I could keep things…professional. I couldn't break down. Not here. I reminded myself that I was only speaking to a ghost. "I'm sure…I'm sure we will have a lot to…a lot to discuss. Perhaps some answers. But I must go for now, I'm sure you understand. I'm certain you are very busy yourself with…"

"We can go somewhere else now, if you'd like to talk. I don't have to…"

I needed to leave. I needed to think. I needed to pray. I didn't know what I needed, just so that his eyes weren't focused on me. Eyes so familiar I knew their every heartbeat and every longing. I doubted my trust in those eyes once, but I knew better now. But I couldn't stay, not until I knew what I should do.

"No, I'm afraid today would not be," How could I tell him? He was so willing, so interested. How could I tell him I was terrified? "Appropriate."

"Tomorrow then?" He smiled questioningly.

I nodded with reluctant acceptance. Would I be any better tomorrow then this afternoon?

"I will be visiting Abigail at my usual time. If you would like to stop in…"

"That would be perfect. Tomorrow then?" His face lit up with excited hope.

"Tomorrow." I moved to the doorway where the woman was too anxious to let me pass.

"I could walk you home if you needed…I mean, if you'd like…"

"I'll be quite alright, Mr. Calvert, but thank you." I glanced again at the woman whose face tried to hide every emotion directed at me and decided I had an opinion I couldn't hold back. I turned once again to Jack. "You may want to see about getting someone else to play you. Bobby just didn't fit the role very well. It's his hands, he doesn't have an artist's hands."