Roger had already expected that Cal or Rose would try to warn the hospital. He looked for the wardrobe and put on some doctor's coat to disguise himself. Now he would be able to go everywhere – unnoticed to spectators.
Luckily he already knew the direction to Jack's room, so this would prove no difficulty either. Jack was lying at the end of the corridor, Rose having insisted to give him some privacy.
Privacy – ha –how laughable – for a dying man…
It was so ridiculous.
However, he cursed him now for not having thought about a higher dose. If he had then this running around here wouldn't be necessary and he could instead spend his time with Rose.
Or maybe the poison had been too old…useless already?
"Oh, doctor…"
For a moment Roger caught his breath fearing that she was speaking to him. Fortunately she walked past him addressing someone else standing behind him.
So far Jack Dawson had had more luck than judgement, but now this would be over.
If this damn poison wouldn't work – I certainly know some other methods to send him to hell.
He walked through the hallway fast, but still trying not to put up too much attention. After all there were many people working here, who could be able to recognize him and could easily tell that he wasn't a working doctor here.
Roger really didn't understand why Jack was still alive. The last time he had seen him he had been white and cold and Rose too had been sure that she would see her husband for the last time. That had been days ago.
And he still wasn't gone.
Jack was more than a fighter it seemed. It was just abnormal. Almost Rasputin-like…
Rose had cried in his arms afterwards being certain that she had seen Jack for the last time. Since then there been no more visits. He had successfully talked her into staying away from her husband.
'You know Rose, Jack wouldn't want you to see him like this…ailing and bedridden. I'm sure he would want you to remember him by as the lively joyous man he once was…'
This had been followed by another string of tears…but what more important she had believed him. Oh how simple to persuade people – especially the good ones. Rose surely was some special dummy in this – certainly Jack would've asked more questions.
His sly convincing wasn't even needed though as the doctor himself had forbidden them to come shortly afterwards, saying something about a new treatment and that he didn't want to raise false hopes.
Roger had taken Rose in his arms comforting her at the same time smiling behind her back. In fact it could only be a matter of time, when Jack's worn-out body eventually gave up.
Then Ruth would be in prison forever and Rose at his side, whether voluntary or not…surely she would prefer a live with him than one staying with Mrs Pearson…and this would be her only choice…
A smug smirk appeared on his face, when he finally reached Jack's chamber and as noiselessly as possible opened the door.
The moment of truth had come.
…
Clarissa meanwhile had finally managed to free Rose and Cal from their handcuffs. Rose had by now totally freaked out making Clarissa too feeling sorry for her.
"Look, Rose, its better if you and Clarissa stay here and…"
"No!" Rose firmly stated.
"Rose, it's better if you let me go and…"
"Cal is right. Your husband wouldn't want for you to…"
Rose shot her look that silenced her immediately – it was the belittling look of triumph that only Ruth and Rose could come up with – or as Cal would've referred to it – the daring-Dewitt-Bukater-look.
"Cal, he's my husband and I've vowed to be with him in sickness and health and if you can't…," she shouted at him and Clarissa. "Jack would do the same for me."
In fact he had already done it, willing to give up her life for her, but Rose doubted that Cal knew and now certainly wasn't the right time to tell him.
"Rose, I'm not saying that you should stay here and twiddle your thumbs. I'm only suggesting that nobody is helped, if you're putting yourself in danger too – least of all Jack."
Now at this Rose drew back her hand that was about to smack Cal.
Cal realised that he had gotten a point – found her soft spot and he was determined to use it.
"Rose, you know that I'm right. You stay here and I'm going to help your…ahem husband."
Rose thought that this was the first time she had heard Cal address Jack as her husband not using some other – well diminutive.
"You never liked Jack and your plea is absurd. How am I supposed to believe you now? How can I be sure that you won't side with Roger eventually and…"
"Rose, please, now it's you being irrational. Fine he and I we aren't the best friend and yes I probably hate him even – but you can't be so…thoughtless to really believe that I would try to kill him in such an…a foolish way."
That was Cal again.
A smile appeared on Clarissa's face, but died down quickly, when she noted the anger and moreover sadness radiating from her eyes.
Rose felt completely lost.
The tears were streaming down slowly, tenderly at first – one by one.
Jack's illness, her mother, Roger, Sophie…she looked around her vision blurring and suddenly she couldn't take it anymore. It all came out at once and oddly enough it was Clarissa to first catch her, keeping her from falling.
"Shh…it's alright…," she patted her on her back. "Cal and I…we're going to help you. Right Cal…?"
Rose forced a smile and even though she had her eyes closed she could've sworn that a big nod had come from Cal.
Yes, there really was a reason of why she had once sanctioned to marry him.
…
Roger was standing at Jack's bedside his gaze turning to the door every once in a while to make sure that no one would interrupt him now.
"Well, Jack, I'm really sorry that it has to end this way. Truly, Jack, you've to believe me, but I in fact I've nothing against you personally. It's just that you're married to the woman I love…," he had kneeled down at his side and could see his face barely inches away…his cold breath was illuminating the room.
Jack looked truly angelic with his blond hair falling in his face and his chest heaving gently up and down. In short it was very peaceful…
Roger remembered when he had first seen him and Rose together and he clenched his teeth at the thought even though it was long ago.
He had never seen Rose happier than with him in his arms, but he had not wanted to face the facts and he didn't want to do so now.
Roger had forgotten about Sophie, about Ruth…anything that or who could still destroy his perfectly laid out plan.
Rose and Jack…Jack and Rose…
His arms around her…
Ah…it hurt…he put his hands on both sides of his head all at once feeling a headache although he was perfectly healthy…it hurt…it hurt so badly…
"Ah…god damn it…," he cursed out loud jumping up all at once trying to get that picture out of his head.
Rose in his arms…
Rose kissing him…
Rose at his bedside holding his hand…
He was dead.
Jack was dead…as good as and she still couldn't forget him…she refused to believe the inevitable…decline her chance of happiness…just to…just so she could be in eternity with him?
It was such a shame. Rose could've had a man like him and instead she chose to be married to this good-for-nothing. However, soon he would've corrected everything and Rose would be in his arms forever.
He gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. He had never thought that it would be possible to detest anyone as much as he hated Jack.
"You actually seem like a nice guy, Jack and if it wasn't for Rose maybe we could've even be friends…," he said, but in fact thought differently.
Jack was far too common to be on his list and wouldn't even do as a minor butler…
If he and Rose had at least been of the same class, maybe then…but in this way it was than laughable…it was silly outrageous…how a girl of her standing would even consider to spend a day let alone eternity with him…
He could imagine Caledon Hockley and Ruth Dewitt Bukater cursing Jack now just as much as he was cursing him. Indeed Ruth should be thankful – both should be – that he was liberating them of their problem…
His gaze turned to Jack, who was sleeping peacefully his eyes closed only his slight inhalation indicating that he was still alive…
Roger breathed in…steadying himself…preparing himself for what he was about to do...
He had never killed a person in the way he was about to…with his own hands and quite frankly it shocked him…
Would it turn him into a murderer?
Make some sort of a monster out of him…?
He looked down at his shacking hands…covered by gloves…
…deep down he knew that his doing was wrong…that Rose didn't belong to him…
Maybe it was time to go now? To let her go…?
Frankly he hated the person he was now…
She had turned him into that person…a person he dreaded…a person for whom he could've no respect for…little…small…ridiculous…
What if he had never met her?
Would it have made a difference?
He inhaled deeply…wishing really that there would indeed be some other way out…
Rose in his arms…
He couldn't get this picture out of his head.
No, it needed to be done.
Jack had to die, whether it was because of Rose or because of him...but more likely, because he hated Jack for being himself...simply for winning over him...
…pushing back his hesitations he took a step forward his hands closing around Jack's throat.