A/N: Thanks to OMGSS, AC and Gracii for your reviews.

New York was by all means a city of immigrants, starlets and simple adventurers combined together. But for Rose Dewitt Bukater, reborn as Rose Dawson, it was more than that. Here she had started her new life and terrible failed.

Her dream of being free had been shattered.

The day on the Titanic, when she had explored the ship with Jack, was slowing coming back to her mind.

'There's no caviar and such…you wouldn't survive a day.'

She had been furious with him, but sadly he had been right, not only about the caviar.

For a rich, inexperienced girl like herself, trouble had sat in the day; she had stepped onto solid ground again. On the Carpathia, she hadn't bothered to look for Jack, assuming him to be dead. But she hadn't forgotten her promise to him.

Surely Jack wouldn't want her to return to her family and so she figured that – to honour his memory – it was best to cut every connection with them. Now, in fact that hadn't been what Jack had intended. He had never wanted for her to be completely alone and miserable.

Rose Dawson – she had told the man locating the survivor's names, not realizing that she was not only disconnecting the ties with Ruth and Cal, but robbing herself of any chance to get help as well.

Excited and naïve as she was, she didn't think rationally at this moment.

Her mind was clouded by the all too fresh incident of the sinking.

'It's a pity I don't have the drawing.'

True, Cal was a jerk, not treating her right, but Rose was totally unable to picture herself in the situation she was in now. Maybe with Jack together it would've been different. However, Rose, being still enthusiastic about what he had told her, figured that everything could work out for her, if she only tried hard enough.

Now, if she would've listened more carefully to his words, she would've understood that certainly not everything happened as expected and that life on the streets in fact wasn't something that anyone would wish for.

Rose Dewitt Bukater, no Rose Dawson, as it was now, had – to be honest – never had a job her whole life and thus had no idea about people or money or anything else important.

She had found the diamond – Cal's engagement present to her -and a bundle of dollar bills in each of her, or better his, coat pockets.

But what do you with everything?

Sadly Rose had never been good at judging people correctly. After all how could she, since everything around her had been decided for her since childhood? French, math, dancing, manners of a lady she had learned, but how to live a life on her own wasn't thought necessary. As a matter of fact Rose had no idea about the value of money and could easily be fooled. She didn't know what a bread was really worth.

And many people had been taking advantage of that fact.

She had met a nice pair, Frederic and Janet, at least that's what they had told her their names were and moved in with them. And before she knew it they had stolen her money and disappeared with it.

Rose was angry with herself about her stupidity, but what's done was done. Not for a moment had she thought of going to the police out of fear that Cal might someone find out about her whereabouts. Also what reason should've given to the police as to where the whole money had come from? Her expensive clothes had been long since replaced by more practically ones.

In the end I would've had to tell them about Cal.

Knowing that she couldn't just sell the diamond without attracting attention and showing Cal her hiding place, she had eventually found work at a small café. However, never having had a job, she had quickly been thrown out again.

'You're a nice girl, but simply too slow,' the owner had told her.

Rose had only nodded and told him that she wasn't angry, knowing he was must be thinking about his café and other employees.

True Jack had wanted her to be free, but he surely wouldn't have wanted her to starve on the streets. At that time, Rose had thought for a moment that maybe she should return to her family.

Ruth would've been thrilled.

But Rose had quickly rejected the idea. She couldn't know that for her mother, marrying her off to Cal was not as important anymore as it had been before the tragic occurrence that fateful night. She couldn't know that Ruth wanted nothing more, but to take her daughter into her arms.

'We're women. Our choices are never easy.'

The picture of her mother scolding her, throwing her into Cal's arms, of deciding for her and telling her every bit…it was all too fresh in her mind.

Rose had reached the point of no return.

Instead of finding happiness and freedom, the last part of her misfortune had started.

Roger Lindsay couldn't wait to visit her again. His Lygia…he really felt like she was his girlfriend already.

He couldn't sleep, so he got up in middle of the night to get himself something to drink.

Surprisingly he wasn't the only one up.

"Mr. Dawson?" he asked in wonder seeing Jack in the kitchen.

Jack wasn't very happy about his appearance. Roger Lindsay was not the person that he would want to spend his time with. Although he was treating him correctly, not like Cal did, there was still something strange and mysterious, not to say viciously around him. Something that wanted Jack to hit him every time he opened his mouth.

You're being unfair Jack, not every rich man is evil and mean.

But still the feeling remained.

"Hey," he only mumbled seeing him enter the room.

Roger looked him up and down. A bottle of bear and a glass were standing on the table, but it didn't look like Jack had taken anything.

Roger walked up to the table and poor himself a glass of wine.

"I prefer that," he announced taking a sip.

Jack only stared into space, wondering if he should say something. Did this man expect him to communicate with him? After all it was his home he was staying in.

Why on earth did he have to be here, while his friend was in danger and his Rose…?

He watched as Roger was drinking up the glass, making Jack think about his relationship with alcohol.

"Ah, my friend, I can see what you're worried about. I've seen this look on many men's faces before," Roger spoke up afterwards putting down the empty glass.

Jack eyed him confused.

What was this man thinking calling him – my friend? Since when had they started to get this familiar?

"It's about a woman, correct?"

But he certainly had hit the point.

Jack didn't answer, but simply sat down beside him.

"I didn't want to…," he said referring to the bear.

Mr. Lindsay shouldn't think that he was a thief or such.

Roger just shook his head.

"Every one of us needs a drink at times. Go on, there's nothing to apologize. But surely a wine is better. I'm going to open a fine bottle for the two of us. You'll see than everything will be better."

"No, thanks," Jack waved his hand, yearning a wondering stare from Roger.

"Well, now, your loss is my win. There's more for me then," he said. "Cheers!" he held up the glass.

The other bottle was already empty.

Jack tried to smile.

He must come here to drink very often.

"Ah, really…tell me, what happened?" Roger patted him on the shoulder, making Jack feel uncomfortable. "Maybe you're feeling better after some glass…," he tried once again, but Jack shook his head.

"Women…can't live with them, but without them either," he joked holding up the glass.

Jack's expression didn't change. He only wanted to be left alone with his thoughts.

Rose hadn't been just some woman.

"Now, come on, Mr. Dawson, whatever she did to you it can't be that bad. Believe me, my friend; I'm a little older than you. Do you think I've never been left by a woman?"

Jack just stared at him.

He thinks that…?

"I've been lovesick as well," Roger added. "Women aren't easy…I know that…but we need them…even it's just for the fun of it, right?" he laughed expecting Jack to join in and was surprised, when he didn't.

The way he described women, Rose…it didn't make him a very nice man. Jack asked himself what he meant by –for the fun of it – not wanting to rely on his instant thoughts.

"You know, Mr. Dawson, I do believe there's only one way to overcome lovesickness and that's by throwing oneself in another adventure."

Now Jack was more than flabbergasted.

Did he just say what I thought he did? Does he really expect me to convey feelings to another woman?

"But…," Jack only half opened his mouth in protest.

"No, no, no, my friend…not what you think. I don't presume that you'd find another love. But women are for more than that…," he smiled. "I know just the right one for this job. She's somehow a little bit…mmh…melancholic…yes that's describing her best…but other than that she's gorgeous and great in…well you know what…," he laughed.

Jack shuddered inwardly.

This man here was using a poor girl for his own benefit and what's worse he thought that this was completely normal. What a person would take pleasure from the misfortune of others, other than someone completely heartless?

"I've an arrangement with her, but since you really need distraction I'm going to share her with you," he said surprised when Jack didn't jump up in delight at once.

Every rich man seemed to have some kind of arrangement, Jack wondered if this was expected in high society.

Did they tell you to cheat on other people?

Now he knew why he hadn't liked Roger from the start and where that strange feeling about him came from.

Roger Lindsay wasn't the least bit better than Caledon Hockley. He was just using people for his own amusement…this unfortunate girl had to suffer for his enjoyment. Sadly he could now very well picture the man in front of him and…

He had to get that one out of his head.

I've to get out of here, before I do something that I'm going to regret later on.

Roger at first didn't notice having turned his head away to poor himself another glass.

He's going to be heavily drunk soon – Jack thought in disgust.

"Her name's Lygia…quite unusual I know…but you're going to enjoy her," he only now realized that Jack was standing up, hearing the sound of a chair being moved around. "Mr. Dawson, where are you going?"

Away from you, you're making me sick!

"To bed…I just realized how tired I'm…," Jack told him.

"But…what about…?"

"Forget it…," Jack added closing the door behind him.

Mrs. Pearson in the meantime had summoned up Lygia to tell her about the importance of a rich lover. Not that the girl hadn't heard this before…

"Sit down," she commanded in an almost concerned way.

Lygia did as she was told still feeling sore from the other night. She could certainly imagine something better than having to spend them with Roger Lindsay. Mrs. Pearson took one strain of her hair, moving in around her finger, looking at his with disgust.

"The awful redness is showing through already…I'm going to have to dry your hair again…," she said not even thinking of asking her permission. "I heard that Mr. Lindsay is quite charmed by you. That's great, you know…he has much influence and is working for the Major…"

The girl meanwhile stared at the diamond hanging around her neck. She never put it down, not even while sleeping.

"You don't get it back. It rightfully belongs to me now."

"But…," she wanted to protest.

"No, not that one…please no criticism. Remember, I was the one, who took you in, when you had no one to turn to…it was my money you're still living on and I think that I could at least expect some respect in return."

Her speech of interrupted by the clapping sound of a pair of hands.

"Wow, my dear, might I say that this was maybe the best one of your – I'm the greatest and most generous persons on earth – speeches by far? You could've almost fooled me," Robert announced in disgust and sarcasm. "Almost," he laughed out aloud.

"I'm sure however, that our little Lygia here, shares my opinion, if I say that you're great a fooling people. Right, Miss Lygia?" he added drawing his face up to her.

"I…I…," the girl stammered.

"Oh, please, Robert, leave her out of it."

"But, Mrs. Pearson, are you afraid that she might see through your mask?" he mocked her yearning a cold stare. "Or did she maybe already realize it?"

Lygia in the meantime stood aside, having no idea what to do. She didn't trust either of them.

"You're just jealous," she shrieked.

But Robert simply laughed.

"Of what? You? Really, my dear Mrs. Pearson, you must be joking. Now, who would envy you? You're nothing but a withered flower."

Her eyes got dark at this and he thought that he could see tears behind them.

Mrs. Pearson crying?

"You mean old…," she started.

"Are you jealous of her, Miss Lygia?" he asked her, but the girl was obviously too shy to answer; only looking around.

"See, she isn't…no one is."

"Ah, Robert…Mr. Osborne, is this really necessary? To come here and insult me?"

"How can I not, when there's no one else to put you into place?" he said.

Mrs. Pearson was furious, her face showing her rage, but she wasn't about to let him get this satisfaction.

"Lygia here knows what I did for her. She isn't as ungrateful as you are," she sneered.

"Just, because she doesn't have another chance. I'm pretty sure that there's more behind that story, something that you're not telling me."

As a matter of fact Robert knew nothing about the origins of the necklace. However, he figured that she must've bought it somewhere. It wasn't the first time that she suddenly appeared with jewellery, while nobody knew where it came from.

"I really don't know what you're talking about," she laughed nervously. "But I would be happy, if you'd tell me, why you're really here?"

Robert shook his head.

Shouldn't she know this by now? He was completely drawn to her and couldn't live without her, despite the fact that she constantly scolded him. They shared a love-hate-relationship. Mrs. Pearson knew this, knew that he would come growling back to her regardless of whatever she did.

'You can't live without me,' she had once told him.

"If you don't know this yourself by now than I can't help it," he told her his voice somehow said. "Well, I've to go now…," he straightened himself up pulling his coat tighter around him. "Miss Lygia…," he took her hand kissing the palm of it knowing he was making Mrs. Pearson angry. "It was a pleasure meeting you."

The girl was totally stunned.

"Mrs. Pearson…," he didn't bother to kiss her hand as well. "I'm sorry to have disturbed you."

The woman grabbed her hand, once he was out glaring at her.

"I know what you're here for...you're trying to ogle him."

Then why don't you let me go? I don't want to be here. I don't want to have anything to do with you or him or anyone else here.

Mrs. Pearson suddenly started out laughing.

"Don't worry, my dear, as I said before Mr. Lindsay is offering you great opportunities. You just have to grab them."