Author's Note: Sorry if this wasn't what you expected, guys… ;-) … but it should be good otherwise. I hope this chapter clears things up.

But otherwise, enjoy. Reviews make me happy. (By the way—I couldn't think of a name for the new character I was gunna put in, so I went with something totally unoriginal.) :-)

This one's a LOT longer than the other chapters I've been posting… but yeah. Just go with it.

~Jillianna

Disclaimer: Chapter One.

"Jack Dawson?" Jack turned at the sound of his name and stared at the tall, burly, brown-haired man walking towards him before realization hit. "Cameron James? You're still here?" Jack opened his arms to invite his old friend into a warm hug. "And I thought Jack Dawson was gone… Never to be seen again! Imagine what they'll say when I tell 'em you're back!" Jack grinned.

"So what're you doing back in Memphis?" Cameron asked as they began walking down the street again, side by side. "I, uh… Just got back from Europe and I wanted some familiar scenery." Cameron shook his head in disbelief. "Europe? Jack, is there anywhere you haven't been?" Jack rolled his eyes good naturedly. "Well, I've never been to the moon, but I reckon I'll be the first to get there."

Cameron let out a loud cackle and Jack just grinned. After a few moments in a comfortable silence, Jack slowed his pace before coming to a stop. "You wouldn't happen to have the time, would you?" Cameron glanced at his watch. "Twelve forty-one. Why? You got somewhere to be?"

"Shit…" Jack muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Shit, shit, shit… Look, Cam, I'll catch you later." Without waiting for a reply, Jack took off down the street, full speed, headed for the doctor's office.

Her appointment had been over for seven minutes already, and Rose was growing restless sitting on the bench outside Dr. Joseph's office. She contemplated finding her way back to the inn they were staying at, but sheer dread of getting lost kept her glued to her seat. She didn't have to wait much longer, as soon she saw a man sprinting down the street in her direction.

"Rose," Jack gasped, completely out of breath as he sat next to her on the bench and held her hands in his own. Rose stifled giggles as Jack gasped for air, his face red and his hair hopelessly disheveled. "Well?" he breathed, obviously impatient. "I'm not pregnant," she stated simply. "Well, at least as far as Dr. Joseph can tell." Jack smiled briefly before a frown overtook his face. "What's wrong then? How come you're so sick?"

She shrugged. "He diagnosed me with bad traveling anxiety. He recommends that we don't travel too much. And he thinks the fever was just part of it." Jack leaned forward and wrapped Rose in his arms. "But you're okay otherwise...?" It was more of a statement than a question and Rose felt no need to respond. She smiled before pulling away. "And where were you that you had to run and still be ten minutes late?"

Jack grinned sheepishly. "I took a walk and caught up with an old friend. I had to run a mile to get here, though." Rose stood, taking Jack's hand in her own. "How much money do we have left?" she asked as they began walking and Jack pulled a wad of mangled bills out of his pocket. "Well, since we made that deal with the bed and breakfast, we don't have to worry about that cost…"

Rose had promised the owners that she'd clean the rooms after other paying tenants left and Jack said he'd do any outside work that needed to be done. The owners were grateful and allowed the couple to board, free of cost.

"And the train tickets were just over a dollar for the both of us… We've got at least eight dollars… why?" Rose shrugged. "We've been wearing the same clothes for a week now." A faraway look crossed her face as they kept walking. "It's only been a week? It's felt like a lifetime, already…" Jack wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Here," he handed her six dollars from his pocket. "Take this and go buy a dress or two. I'm not quite sure how much lady's clothes are…" "Neither am I," Rose admitted sheepishly. Jack smiled at her as she accepted the money. "You can shop downtown while I go bathe. I'll find you somewhere on Beale in an hour, okay?" Rose nodded. "Sure."

Jack gave her a kiss goodbye before trotting off, leaving Rose in the middle of a bustling sidewalk.

"'Scuse me, Miss?" Rose turned to see a tall, muscular man, about thirty, jogging towards her. "Hi. I noticed you from across the street and wondered what a pretty girl such as yourself would be doing, sitting here all alone. Perhaps I could join you?" Rose smiled as politely as she could manage, somewhat irked by this man's bluntness. "Oh, no thank you, I'm just waiting for my husband. He should be back any minute."

The man smirked in a way that made Rose anxious. He sat down next to her on the bench facing the street. "I noticed that you don't have a wedding ring… Or engagement ring, for that matter. You're not really married are, you?"

Rose shifted uneasily in her seat. "I don't wear my engagement ring. As for my wedding ring, the diamond fell off and my husband went to the jeweler's to get it fixed. He should be back any moment, and I don't think he'd like a gentleman such as yourself slobbering all over me." "Slobbering? Please, don't flatter yourself." The man stood. "I'd leave too, if I were you. My husband won't be too happy." Putting his hands up defensively, the man shook his head. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, woman." Rose's eyes widened.

"Excuse me? Is that any way to talk to a lady?" The man shrugged as he walked away. "I guess we don't have to worry about that. I wasn't talking to a lady." Going against her hot temper, Rose turned her head and refused to look back at the rude man. It doesn't matter… Not everyone has manners, like you were brought up believe.

"Hey, Jack!" Jack grinned and walked over to his Cameron who stood on a street corner. "Cameron, what're you up to?" Cameron snorted and nodded his head across the street. "That girl over there, sitting on that bench… she's beautiful, right?" Jack glanced across the street to see Rose sitting on a bench with two bags at her side watching the cars pass by in front of her. "Sure," Jack nodded, suppressing a grin.

"She's got some temper. I went over and tried to make a conversation with her and she starts going off about how her husband wouldn't be too happy if he saw me 'slobbering' all over her." Cameron huffed a breath. "What a priss." Jack stifled a laugh. "Sounds like it." A thought came to him, then.

"Cam… Wanna make a bet?" Cameron grinned pulling his wallet out of his pocket. "Why not?" "One dollar says I can get that girl to kiss me." Cameron let out a howl. "I'll bet you five you can't!" he cried, slapping his thigh. Jack let out a laugh. "Do you really wanna bet that much money?" Cameron pulled the five out of his wallet, still grinning like a fool. "I'll be right back," Jack called, running across the street.

Rose didn't see him at first, so Jack stood in front of her. "I need you to play along. Don't say anything, but just kiss me." Rose's eyebrows knitted together as she looked up at Jack, who glanced at Cameron to be sure he was watching the scene. Sure enough he was, an oversized grin plastered on his face.

"Okay," Rose whispered, standing to face Jack. She wrapped her arms around his neck, ignoring all staring onlookers. Jack placed his hands delicately on her hips and leaned down to catch her lips as she wrapped one of her legs around his, still managing to keep her balance.

The kiss was deep and intense finally ending with their tongues meeting in Jack's mouth. Rose pulled away suddenly, leaving Jack's lips motionless, still caught in a position that hers would have easily fit into. "Care to explain, now?" she asked, a smile forming as Jack opened his eyes and took her arms from around his neck. "Thank you," he whispered, taking her hand. "Take your bags… I'll explain in a minute."

She looked at him skeptically but grabbed her bags and allowed him to lead her across the street. "Rose," Jack began, stopping in front of Cameron, whose mouth still hung open. "I'd like you to meet Cameron, a good friend of mine." Rose swallowed hard as her eyes inflated. "I… I… Well…" she stammered as Jack grinned like a fool. "And Cameron, this is my… Well, this is Rose."

It was Cameron's turn to speak, but as he opened and closed his mouth, no words came out. Finally, Rose was able to spit out, "I'm so sorry about earlier… I wasn't thinking. I'm not usually like that." Cameron grinned sheepishly. "It's quite alright… I should be apologizing, the way I insulted you…" "Well, now that we're all good friends, how about Rose and I mosey on home and cook some dinner. Cam, you still living on Beale?"

Cameron nodded, finally snapping out of his daze. "Yeah. Same house." "Alright then. We'll bring dinner, then. And we'll have a lovely evening." "Sure," Cameron agreed, and Rose just nodded, her cheeks still red with embarrassment. "See ya later, Cam," Jack called, taking Rose's hand. "It was nice meeting you," she said politely. "Pleasure's all mine," Cameron called as Jack and Rose began down the street.

Author's Note: I do have dividers (so one would be able to tell when the scene changes) but for whatever reason, they haven't been appearing on the website when I post chapters… So any confusion as far as the plot line goes, just ask. :D

~Jillianna