Friday had finally arrived and it couldn't came soon enough in Jack's opinion. Rose's mood had gotten even more gloomy since they had returned from the police station a few days ago and her need to just be with him had increased. A romantic weekend at his Uncle's beach house in Venice really was just what the doctor ordered. Even if they didn't go to the next level in their relationship, just being together without the interruptions of everyday life was something that they both needed.

Ruth wasn't too pleased with her daughter going away with a boy for the weekend, but she didn't want to fight her on it. Besides, the girl was almost 18. She had to trust that she knew how to be responsible. Beth and Phil also had their misgivings, but they trusted Jack and knew that he had a good head on his shoulders. They knew that he wouldn't do anything that the teenagers weren't ready for.

Rose and Trudy had just finished packing the last of her clothes for the trip. The brunette couldn't help giggling and blushing as she helped her friend choose a swimsuit to take.

"This is terribly romantic," Trudy grinned, picking out an emerald green bikini that she thought brought out Rose's eyes and complimented her red hair that was now back to the length it was at the beginning of the school year.

"It is, isn't it? I can't wait. It's just going to be me and Jack. No parents. No cousins. No friends...not that we don't love you all...we do. But we just need some alone time, you know? No interruptions," Rose sighed happily, feeling tingles of happiness and anticipation at getting her boyfriend all to herself.

"Venice Beach is fun. I remember when mom and I went there for a Saturday. It was the best time I ever had," Trudy giggled happily.

Rose just smiled. She really wasn't sure how much of Venice Beach she was going to actually see. Her plan was to make plenty of use of the cabin they'll be staying in. Especially the bed. Finally, she could just lose herself in Jack's embrace and just forget about all that's happened to her in the past month or so.

Suddenly, the honk of the horn disturbed the quiet afternoon atmosphere. Rose went to the window and peeked out and smiled. "It's him. Time for me to go."

"I'm so excited for you, Rose," Trudy squealed, helping Rose gather up the bags she was taking with her.

"I am too. Let's just hope that Jack still loves me by the end of the weekend."

"Like there's even a chance that he'd fall out of love with you," Trudy snorted.

Ruth was waiting for the girls at the bottom of the stairs. Her face betrayed no emotion, not even her dislike of the situation. She knew very well what was planned for the weekend. What other reason would a boy and girl have for going to a cabin for the weekend alone together? She just hoped that Rose had protection. Goodness knows that she wasn't ready to become a grandmother just yet. But just in case...

"Rose...I had the doctor prescribe you these," Ruth handed a bottle of pills to her daughter, hoping that her discomfort didn't show. "They...um...prevent unwanted...situations. This does not say that I approve, mind you."

Rose had to admit. She was surprised. She hadn't really been thinking of birth control, even though she was sure Jack had everything covered if he did plan for them to make love. But she was surprised that it would even occur to her mother that would take place and to give Rose some protection of her own. She had to admit. She was touched.

"Mother...um...thank you...I guess...," Rose felt her cheeks heat up in a blush. She had never felt more awkward.

"Well you better go. Don't keep the boy waiting," Ruth dismissed her daughter, looking away from the nervous teenager and disappearing into her office, leaving Trudy and Rose to look at each other in bewilderment.

"Did that just happen?" Rose asked.

"I do believe so," Trudy giggled, just as the horn honked again.

"I better go. See you Sunday night, Trudy!" Rose hugged her friend, feeling nervous and free all at the same time.

"Have fun," Trudy grinned, hugging Rose back. She watched as Rose disappeared out the front door, on her way to a weekend of romance and fun. She sighed, wondering when she'll find a boyfriend like Rose's. Someday. Maybe even this weekend if she was lucky.

…..

Thirty minutes later, Jack pulled into the garage of his Uncle's old family beach house. He couldn't believe how easy it was to obtain the keys and permission, but with a promise to be responsible and no wild parties, the place was all his and Rose's for the weekend. He turned off the ignition and smiled at an equally excited Rose.

"Here we are. Home sweet home. At least for the next two days," Jack smiled. "Uncle Phil said it's nothing fancy, but it's enough for a romantic get away..."

"I don't need fancy. I just need you," Rose smiled, already feeling calm. She hadn't thought of her father's death once, which was a record in her book.

"I hope that you'll still feel that way tomorrow," Jack gave her a playful wink. "Come on. I'll give you the grand tour."

Jack got out of the car and retrieved both of their bags from the backseat of the car. He looked at the weather worn house with peeling white paint and brown grass in the back yard. The beauty of the beach and the blue ocean didn't add any attraction to the place it at all. It was pretty obvious that the house hadn't been used in years. His Uncle and Aunt didn't want to sell it, thinking that someday they would use it again.

Jack had no complaints. It was still perfect for a special weekend trip with the woman he loved. He dug the keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door and entered to see a cozy, living room with a couch, living room chair, and coffee table and a small TV that hadn't been used for years. The foyer led into a small kitchen that contained only a refrigerator, stove, and a counter and a sink. There was a small table with two chairs up against the wall opposite the kitchen sink.

"As you can see, we haven't been here for years," Jack looked around, feeling a little mortified. "I guess you can say that we enjoy the Santa Monica Pier so much, our Venice beach house has gone neglected."

"I think it's rather charming. I mean, it can use some work, but somehow it feels...like it's ours," Rose smiled, not at all put off by the house. Right now, her whole mind was what the weekend would entail. Which was being with Jack in ways she had never been with him before.

Jack smiled. Rose had a point. With just the two of them here for the weekend, the house did feel like it belonged to the two of them. Their own little world. There was going to be no good nights and one leaving at a certain hour just to return in the morning. They'll go to bed together and wake up together. They'll live their lives together. A little preview to how it will be when they move to New York together. "You're right. It is ours. Come on. Let's check out our bedroom, shall we?"

Rose laughed. "That is a good idea...I can use a little nap..."

"Follow me," He lead the way upstairs, their bags in hand.

There wasn't much to the upstairs. Just two bedrooms and a bathroom that contained a bathtub, sink, and toilet. A bedroom with two twin beds and a dresser with a lamp sitting in the middle of it. And a master bedroom, containing a queen sized bed covered in a blue florel quilt, a floor length mirror, and a dresser opposite the bed with a lamp sitting in the middle. That was the room that Jack and Rose claimed as their own. Jack placed the bags in front of the dresser, while Rose plopped down on the bed and laid on her back, feeling happy to be out of the car and more importantly, alone with her boyfriend.

"So what do you want to do next? I guess we should get some food into the place. We don't want to starve," Jack chuckled, sitting down next to her.

"We can order something later," Rose sighed, not really hungry. "Right now, I just want to lay here and listen to the ocean. How about you lay down with me and do the same?"

"I have no problem with that," Jack grinned, doing as she asked.

Laying side by side, they linked hands and stared up at the white ceiling and just let the sound of the ocean outside loll them into a state of complete relaxation. Rose smiled, feeling all the stress and tension from the past few week flow out of her. Indeed, this was exactly what she needed.

"Maybe we can go swimming later," Rose broke the silence, suddenly all too aware of how close he was to her. Not only that, she found herself thinking of the other day...when she had touched him through his clothes...how she rubbed against him and his reaction towards her. She was so involved in her own musings, she didn't notice Jack stand up and begin taking off his jeans, until he was standing there in his compression shorts. Rose herself was wearing a simple sundress. Today felt like one of the hottest days of the year, so she really couldn't blame him for wanting out of his jeans.

"Just thought I'd get a little more comfortable...if that's alright...if not..."

"No, no. It's fine...," She swallowed, unable to take her eyes off him. She wondered what it would be like...to be close to him with just the thin layer of material between them. She blushed at the thought and tore her eyes away. She honestly didn't know what was getting into her. She just couldn't stop thinking of him in such a matter...

"What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable?" Jack frowned, concerned. The last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable.

She got to her feet and slowly approached him. "No. You can never make me uncomfortable."

"Good...even though you in that dress makes me a little uncomfortable...," Jack chuckled. "Which was why I got rid of the jeans..."

"Makes sense," Rose smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and standing closer. She bit her bottom lip as she felt her panties dampen some. Already, she wanted him.

Jack couldn't help but moan a little at the sight of her biting that plump bottom lip of hers. She was so beautiful and standing so close to her wasn't really helping his condition at all. He could feel his shorts grow even tighter.

She couldn't help herself. She pressed against him and could feel the shape of his erection through his shorts. She moaned as her own body responded. "Jack..."

Feeling her against him, he suddenly released her, not wanting to scare her or pressure her. He wanted this to be a pressure free zone. "We should lay back down..."

He walked back over to the bed and laid down on his back with his legs dangling off the edge. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to get his body back under control. His eyes opened back up again when he felt a weight on the mattress and felt warmth hovering over him. He stared up at Rose, who had climbed up onto the bed. She was on her knees, one on each side of his hips. She was hovering over him, but if she chose to sat down...any control he had would be lost.

"R-Rose...what are you doing?" Jack swallowed, trying not to think of how good she smelled, or how good the warmth coming from her body hovering over him felt and how he was dying to have her weight against him.

"I don't know exactly...following my instincts..."

Instincts, huh? Well her instincts was driving him insane. "What do your instincts say now...?"

Rose smiled, her hand running up and down Jack's chest. "Do something that we are ready for but we should wait to do..."

He reached up and entangled his fingers in her red curls. "Well then just kiss me then..."

"That I can do...," She leaned down and pressed her lips to his.

The kiss was slow and luxurious. Their lips and tongues slid against each other in a new dance as their bodies moved closer and closer together.

She wanted to lower herself down against him, but she was afraid that she'd hurt him, or was moving too fast. He desperately wanted to feel her weight against him, but he didn't want to pressure her. So they lost themselves in the kiss and just let their bodies do what came to them naturally. Rose didn't even realize that she was lowering her hips until she was against him and heard him gasp in pleasure and shock. In response he flexed his muscles, causing his hard on to press up up against her, causing her to gasp as he pressed against her. Electric bolts of pleasure shot through both of them as a result.

They pulled out of the kiss, but their faces remain inches apart, both were panting heavily and hyperly aware of each other.

"I...I'm not hurting you...am I?" Rose panted, biting down a moan as she felt him pressed against her, making her feel weak in the knees somewhat.

"No...am I scaring you?"

"No...but can you do that again?"

Jack bit his lip and concentrated on the muscles in his pelvic area and flexed them again, causing his penis to press up against Rose's center again. This time she gave a lust-filled gasped and grind down against him, eliciting a moan from him.

Her lips were on his again, and he held her with one hand, while gripping the sheets with the other as they moved together, him flexing up and her grinding down. They were both lost in the sensations of each other until Jack's hardness tensed and with a grunt he climaxed and Rose came tumbling after.

Afterwards, they laid where they were in each others arms. Rose on top of Jack, and Jack holding her tight against his exhausted body. They had gone somewhere that neither had gone before without taking that crucial step. They both wondered, if this felt as wonderful as it did...what was the actual act of making love going to be like?

"That was great...," Rose breathed, feeling sated. A part of her felt that this could be enough for her. She didn't need to go any further, just as long as she could feel like like this. But another part knew that she was going to want more. This wasn't close enough yet. She was going to need more.

"It was...it could be all we do, if you want...if you don't want to go all the way," He'll make the offer. Let her know that they didn't have to go the next and final step if she didn't want to or wasn't ready. There was no pressure. He was happy enough just being this close to her. He just wanted her to be comfortable with him. Happy.

"Don't you want more? " Rose frowned. What if he didn't? What if the thought of actually making love to her disgusted him? After all, she was damaged goods now. He deserved so much better.

Jack must have seen something in her eyes, because he was kissing her and stroking her back. "Hey, of course I do. I love you so much. I just want to make sure that it's what you want. I don't want you to feel that you have to do it. That I'll do something stupid like leave you if we don't. I want you to feel comfortable and happy with me. Not pressured into doing something that you feel that you're not ready for. If you're not ready...if this is it...I'm fine with that. I promise. But if you are...I promise to make it special again for you, Rose. But it's all up to you."

Rose smiled in relief. Of course, he had just been giving her an out. Letting her know that she was free to change her mind if she wanted. She should have known. That was just the kind of guy he was.

"Of course I want more. This was great...and safe...but I need to get closer...I need to feel like you're mine completely..."

"I am yours completely," Jack smiled, linking his fingers through hers and kissing the back of her hand.

"But it doesn't feel like it and it won't until we finally make love..."

"Well if that's the case...tomorrow will be extra special. I'm going to make sure of it..."

"I'm sure that you will...in the mean time...I think we should order some Chinese. I'm kind of getting hungry," Rose giggled.

Jack smiled, kissing her one last time. "Alright then. You call and I'll clean up."

He lifted her off of him and got to his feet, shuddering as he missed the warmth of her body. She too missed him and hugged her shoulders. Seeing how lost she looked, he hugged her one last time. It won't be too long."

"Promise?"

Promise..."