The next day at school, everyone was talking about Constance's arrest and Derrick's release. Rose stayed close to Jack, her emotions still a jumbled mess. She just couldn't believe all that was happening. Constance was the last person that she had thought Cal would brutalize. But thankfully she was the last. Cal was never going to hurt another girl ever again.

"What I don't get," a blonde girl that Rose had only seen in the halls walked past, talking to her friend. "Is why that rapist was allowed to go to school with us. Why wasn't he in jail?"

"Money. Money talks," her friend, a brunette girl with wire rim glasses answered that question and Rose found herself agreeing. Indeed, money did talk, especially in Caledon Hockley's case. But money couldn't save him from the bottom of a ravine.

"You damned gossips don't know what you're talking about. Caledon did nothing. Lies, all of it," Madeline came up, her eyes blazing with anger. Rose sighed, feeling tired of it all. She looked at Jack who was looking pretty angry himself.

"Lies? The pervert was found trying to force himself on that poor girl on the bleachers. He deserved what he got," the girl with the eyeglasses answered.

"Don't bother girls. It's people like Madeline here that kept that monster out of jail. And here she is again still making excuses. Let's forget that he had hurt her best friend and pushed her over the edge," Rose spoke up, having enough. She was done letting people like Madeline make Caledon Hockley into some helpless victim. He was not a helpless victim and he had deserved the death he had gotten.

"Oh you would say such things Rose. You're the head liar. I wouldn't be surprised if you helped that little tramp kill him! You both probably lured him to that cliff and..."

The sound of Rose's slap was loud and clear. Everyone gasped and stood back. Jack just stood there and watched, not trying to restrain his girlfriend. "Oh if I had a hand in killing Cal, Madeline, it would have been a lot more painful. Believe me. He was a monster that got what was coming to him. He was a serial rapist that depended on the likes of you and his daddy's money to keep him out of jail. It all had finally caught up with him and keep making excuses, it'll catch up with you too! Sadly it already had caught up with Constance."

"Go to hell, Rose," Madeline glared.

"No thank you. Your perverted little boyfriend is already burning there. Come on Jack. Let's go," Rose took his hand and pulled him down the hall away from the gathering crowd.

"I'm proud of you, Rose," Jack said, squeezing her hand. "You had almost kept your temper there."

"Barely," Rose sighed. "I wonder how long people are going to talk about Cal's murder. I wish they'd just forget that he had ever existed."

"They'll probably talk about it until the next big thing happens," Jack led her outside to the bleachers, where everyone was meeting for lunch. Annabelle and Derrick were already there, unpacking their lunch bags. "Welcome back, man," Jack grinned.

"It's good to be back," Derrick grinned. "And eating real food!"

"Where's Tommy?" Annabelle asked, looking behind Jack for any sign of the handsome Irishman.

"He's probably running late," Jack shrugged. "He's thinking of having another huge party this weekend. He's probably seeing if anyone is in the mood."

Rose sighed opening her bag. "I'm not really. Too much has happened this week."

"Are you thinking of Constance?" Annabelle asked.

Rose nodded. "I feel awful. I wish...I wish I had gone to the police or something. Maybe he would have gone to jail...I could have saved her."

"Rose, no. Don't do that. It wasn't your fault. You were scared, with good reason," Jack placed a hand on her arm. "Don't blame yourself for what that bastard did."

"No Jack. I was a coward. I did all the wrong things...at least Annabelle was more brave than I was. Her parents may have sent her away, but at least she had the strength to tell someone. She didn't cower and hide and get rid of evidence like I did...and now Constance is paying for my cowardice."

"Rose, no...look we dealt with what he did in our own way. In a way that was best for us and that is all we can do. Jack is right. Don't take the blame for Cal's crimes," Annabelle shook her head.

Rose knew that they were right, but she couldn't help feeling the way she did. It had been a mistake taking a shower and getting rid of that dress. It had been a mistake staying quiet. She should have gone to the police the minute that it had happened. But that was all water under the bridge now. She hadn't reported her attack and now Constance was in jail. There was nothing that could be done to change any of it.

Helga and Julie arrived, both of them examining some kind of brochure. Tommy and Fabrizio was behind them, both looking bored.

"What's going on?" Jack asked, wanting to change the subject from Caledon Hockley and his crimes.

"Helga and I are on the senior trip committee," Julie explained, looking up from the brochure. "We are to look at different options for the senior trip this year. She wants Italy."

Everyone rolled their eyes and said a resounding "No!"

Helga frowned and huffed. "And why not?"

"Because you only want to go there because that's where Fabrizio is from. You are not fooling anyone, Miss. Dahl," Julie chuckled. "I have a better idea though. Look at this."

She handed Jack a brochure advertising a familiar looking cruise ship.

"The Titanic 2? Are you kidding me?" Jack looked at his cousin. "This says it'll even take the same route as the original...what the hell Julie?"

"It'll be fun and historically educational," Julie grinned.

"It's so tragic," Annabelle frowned. "I don't know if it'd be wise. I mean...it'll be floating over the grave site of the original. And...well...just the history behind it alone...don't you think it could be cursed or something?"

"There's no such thing as curses, sis. And I like the idea. I think it'd be fun to sail on the Titanic 2."

Rose and Jack looked at one another, feeling as if a goose had just walked across their graves, sort of speak.

"Um...maybe we can do something else for a trip. I don't think this cruise is a very good idea..."

"Besides, if I'm going to take a cruise I want it to be a Caribbean cruise. Warm water, sunshine, island music," Rose smiled at the thought.

"Okay, no Titanic 2, but you would go for a Caribbean cruise...maybe we can work something out," Helga wrote on her notepad.

Rose sighed and slid closer to Jack. "Can I come over after school today?"

"Sure, if you like," Jack smiled. "You dad wasn't mad about last night was he?"

"He was fine. He knew I was with you," Rose smiled, remembering how safe she had felt in Jack's bed, surrounded by his scent and his things.

Jack smiled and took her hand in his, his blue eyes shining with concern. "Are you ok?"

"Of course. I just want to spend some time at your place today," Rose smiled, resting her head against his shoulder.

"I'm going to look into some Caribbean cruises. I think I kind of like the thought of our last trip as a class being on a cruise," Helga grinned, scribbling some things down into her notepad.

…..

Jack's Aunt and Uncle weren't home and Julie had decided to go over to Derrick's to help him pack his things. With his birthday coming up, he had decided to move out from his parents house and take Annabelle with him. Julie had offered her help in packing his things and he had gratefully accepted, wanting to get to know her better. So it was just Jack and Rose when they arrived at his house that day.

"Make yourself at home," Jack dropped his book bag onto the living room chair. "Are you hungry? I can put on some pizza rolls or something."

"Not hungry," Rose sighed, glancing up towards his room.

"Thirsty?" Jack asked, disappearing into the kitchen and returning with two bottles of coke and a large bag of chips to share.

Rose smiled. "Not really, but I'll take a bottle anyway." She frowned as Jack sat on the couch and began to search for the remote. "Jack..."

He looked at her and frowned when he saw that she didn't look too happy. "What is it?"

"I know it's just the two of us here, but can we go somewhere more private...like your room?"

"Sure. If you'd like," Jack got back to his feet and lead the way up to his room. He watched as Rose sat on his bed and looked around. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a proper tour last night...you were pretty upset."

"That's ok," Rose smiled, picking up his pillow. "It's so warm and creative in here. Just like you."

Jack chuckled and blushed. "Well then I guess it's kind of obvious that it's my room, huh?"

"Yeah," Rose smiled, burying her face in his pillow, closing her eyes and as she breathed deep. He was the most wonderful boy she had ever met. Sitting here, surrounded by his things, it made her feel closer to him somehow.

"I'm afraid that there's not much to do in here, though...unless you want to do homework or practice some drawing..."

Rose looked up at him from the pillow. She didn't know what was coming over her, but suddenly, she felt daring. Brave. She wanted to do something that she wouldn't normally dare to do, not with anyone. But Jack wasn't just anyone. He was her hero. Her savior. The only boy she trusted with her life. He had given her the gift of his love and she wanted to give him something back.

"Jack...I want you to draw me..."

"Okay..."

"Like the one you did of Tommy..."

At first Jack was confused. The one he did of Tommy? The last time he drew Tommy was when...then Jack got it and his eyes widened and a pink blush heated his cheeks. "Rose., I...I mean...that would be...are you sure?"

Rose nodded, feeling both nervous yet brave at the same time. The look on Jack's face though was adorable. "I wouldn't ask if I wasn't..."

Jack swallowed. He had never really seen a girl naked before...well not in real life anyway...and the chance to see Rose...it blew his mind. He wasn't even sure that he could keep it together to do a proper sketch, but if this was what Rose wanted, he was going to try.

"Okay...um...here...," He went to his closet and pulled out a robe. You can slip this on in the bathroom...I'll prepare everything..."

Rose smiled at his nervous stammering. Seeing him so nervous made her feel a little better. She slipped out of the room and into the bathroom next door and slipped out of her clothes and pulled on the robe that smelled even more divine than Jack's pillow. It was like Jack was giving her an extra warm hug. Wearing only the robe, Rose slipped out of the bathroom and back into Jack's room, where he was sitting in a chair, sharpening one of his charcoals with a knife. He looked up and swallowed.

"I'm ready, Jack."

Jack watched as she slipped off his robe and he nearly died on the spot. She was gorgeous with flawless skin that looked to be soft to the touch and gorgeous curves. She was the most beautiful thing he's ever set eyes on. He can only hope to do her justice.

Feeling his cheeks redden even more, he pointed to the bed. "On the bed..."

Rose did as he directed and positioned herself in a way where all of her body was in full view.

Jack took a deep breath and began to draw. He tried to keep his thoughts strictly professional as he drew the lines and curves of her body.

"So serious," Rose teased, causing Jack to smile as his eyes kept darting from her to his paper. "Are you blushing, Mr. artiste? I can't imagine Monsieur Monet blushing."

"He drew landscapes," Jack smiled. "Now keep still. Keep your eyes on me, no smiling."

Rose took a deep breath, pushing back her own nervousness and remained as still as she possible could.

One hour later, Jack was finished. Rose got up and slipped his robe back on and walked over to take a look at Jack's work. She gasped at what she saw. It couldn't possibly be her. The person in the picture wasn't just a girl, she was a woman with energetic eyes. Everything about her was beautiful and drawn with the utmost care.

"Jack, this is beautiful..."

"I think it's my best work," Jack grinned.

"This is how you see me?" Rose felt a tear leave her eyes, amazed that this boy looked at her and saw beauty instead of the chaotic mess that she felt like most of the time.

"Of course. You're one of the most beautiful girls in school Rose...not to mention how I feel about you..."

Rose blushed again. "You indeed make me feel beautiful. Even when I feel like I'm anything but."

Jack closed the portfolio, hiding the picture from view. He got up and cupped Rose face with steady hands. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you're not beautiful. Because you are. Not only that but you're kind and compassionate too. You're everything that I love in a girl."

His eyes filled her whole world and she became aware of his closeness. The touch of his hand, the soft brush of his breath against her face, how pretty his eyes were. She loved him. It was more than a thought, more than a feeling. It was an undeniable fact. She was in love with this amazing person who had experienced his own amount of pain yet still retained his beautiful soul.

"I love you Jack..."

Jack's eyes filled with emotion and his arms wrapped around her robe clad body, pulling her close. "I love you too, Rose..."

Their lips met in a sweet, tender kiss and he gasped as he felt the shape of her breasts through the robe, pressed up against him. He felt his desire for her pool into his stomach, making his body reacts in ways that he hoped that she didn't notice.

Rose did notice, but somehow did not become afraid, noticing how his touch remained gentle and how he was allowing her to make the first moves. Feeling daring, she deepened the kiss and stepped closer until she could feel his hardness against her hip when they heard the downstairs door swing open and close.

"Jack! We're home!" his Aunt Beth called up.

Jack and Rose shot apart and Rose raced into the bathroom to quickly change back into her clothes, knowing that there would be trouble if the grown ups caught them in such a compromising position in his bedroom. Jack quickly made sure that his portfolio was closed, hiding the nude drawing of his girlfriend from view. He stepped out of the bedroom just as Rose came out of the bathroom back in her own clothes, blushing intensely.

They looked at each other, both realizing that something about their relationship had changed. Neither could say what it was, but they knew that it had. It left Rose wondering. She had been willing to let Jack see her naked. She had been willing to stand in his arms kissing him, pressed against him while she wore only a robe. Did that mean that she was ready to go a step further with him. She was in love with him, she knew that. When she thought about her future, he was there at the forefront. She wanted to be with Jack forever...but was she ready to make love to him? She honestly didn't know.

He held his hand out to her, almost fearful to make the offer, afraid that he may have frightened her somehow. He felt relief when she took his hand and smiled.

"I should take you home, huh?" Jack asked, not knowing what else to say.

"I don't know...I don't mind hanging out some more...," Rose answered, not ready to leave him just yet.

"Well you're welcomed to stay for as long as you want," Jack kissed her hand, leading her downstairs, where his Aunt and Uncle were in the kitchen making dinner and their homework awaited.