Jack collapsed on to a bench outside the infirmary and buried his face in his hands. The Doctor had sent he and Molly out after the confrontation with Cal in order to care for her privately.
He was unaware of Molly sitting beside him until she reached out and squeezed his shoulder.
He glanced up "I don't understand… How could she say that to her? That it was her fault… I mean she's her mother….."
Molly smiled sadly "they're not like you and me Jack, all they care about is money. I don't know the full story but from what I can gather Ruth was in some financial difficulty and Rose was her meal ticket"
"I just… I don't understand how they can even be related let alone mother and daughter"
They sat in silence for a moment before Molly spoke up again "Have you thought about what you're going to do when the ship docks?"
Jack sighed, rubbing his hand over his face and leaning back on the bench, shaking his head softly "I hadn't thought that far ahead, with everything that's been going on…"
"I figured. Listen I want you two to come live with me in Denver."
He opened his mouth to protest but Molly stopped him "Now before you say no this isn't about accepting charity or not being able to take care of her. I have no doubt that you can. But she needs stability, proper care a real home. She's only seventeen, she's pregnant and her mother's just abandoned her, as well as God only knows what other demons she's had in her life."
Jack opened his mouth to say something more but was interrupted when a young brunette woman in dressed in a maid's outfit looking distressed walked up to them.
"Excuse me? Are you Jack Dawson?" Trudy asked hopefully. He seemed to match Miss Rose's description.
Jack nodded "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
Trudy shook her head "No sir. My name is Trudy Bishop, I'm Rose's Lady In Waiting"
Jack nodded in understanding "Please Mr Dawson…"
"Jack"
Trudy swallowed nervously; she could see why Miss Rose was so enamoured with this man. He seemed much more pleasant and attractive than Mr Hockley
"Is Miss Rose alright? I haven't seen her since yesterday and Mrs Dewitt Bukater came back looking upset and fired me…"
"Wait she fired you?" Molly asked.
Trudy nodded swallowing back tears "Please could you tell me if Miss Rose is okay?"
Jack sighed and shifted along the bench creating a space for her "you'd better sit down"
"Rose… she was beaten last night" he swallowed "by her fiancé. She's in pretty bad shape"
Trudy gasped, raising her hand to cover her mouth "Oh My God" she buried her face in her hands and sobbed unable to control them
"Oh God this is all my fault. I knew something was going on! I should have done something especially after yesterday…"
"What happened yesterday?" Jack and Molly asked simultaneously
"Miss Rose and Mr Hockley were out on the promenade deck having breakfast when I heard raised voices and a loud crashing. I ran in after Mr Hockley left and found Miss Rose on the floor in tears and the table overturned on the other side of the room."
Jack cursed loudly, jumped up and paced in front of the bench "Son of a bitch! Who does he think he is? What just because they're engaged it gives him the right to hit her?"
He was still pacing wildly when the Doctor slipped through the doors of the infirmary onto the deck
"Mr Dawson?" Jack immediately stopped pacing and rushed towards him
"Doc! Is she alright?" The doctor smiled inwardly at the young man's obvious concern. It was clear how much he cared for the young woman.
"She'll be fine son" he put his hands on his shoulders in an attempt to comfort him "I've given her a mild sedative to keep her comfortable. The more rest she gets the easier it'll be for her to recover. I assume you'll be caring for her?"
Jack nodded barely processing the doctor's words "Good. Come with me and I'll she you how to change her dressings and clean her wounds" Jack nodded numbly and allowed himself to be led into the infirmary.
When they were out of sight Molly turned to Trudy "So darlin' do you know what you're going to do now?"
Trudy shook her head "No Ma'am. I suppose I'll have to find work when we get to America"
"Nonsense. You'll come and work for me"
Trudy looked at her, surprised "No ma'am I couldn't possibly…"
Molly put a hand up, effectively silencing her "I insist. Jack and Rose will be coming to live with me and I'm sure Rose would appreciate you being there. Plus with more people in the house I could use the extra help"
Trudy hesitated, it was tempting. Mrs Brown seemed genuine and it would be nice to continue working for Miss Rose without her mother. Finally she nodded.
Molly clasped her hands together "Wonderful. Now, why don't you wait until dinner is being served and go back to Rose's stateroom and grab yours and her things. Keep it simple mind you. I can't imagine she'll be bothered with corsets and such"
Trudy nodded. Yes she was going to like working for Mrs Brown