The way that Rose kissed Jack after the confession, made both tremble, entirely. Taking her shaking hands in his own, he tenderly kissed them one by one. ''We can't lose control with each other.''

''To Hell with that!'' She snapped, out of breath. ''Cal wanted his way with me before we wed-''

''Exactly.''

Rose snapped her mouth closed. Slowly, something dawned upon her. With unsteady hands and a furrowed brow, she knitted the thoughts together in her overtired mind. ''What are you saying?''

Jack swallowed harshly. ''I'm saying that I would marry you in a heartbeat and not for any other reason other than I love you, so much.'' Before Rose could allow the surprise to seep in through her senses, Jack took her face, his hands so beautifully comforting to her as she almost wanted to weep from his overwhelming confessions. ''I respect you, and only want to be with you that way, if you ever wanted me, is if you were going to be with me.''

Rose fell awfully quiet. Her senses had taken a leave of her body and left her with nothing other than a very loud ringing within her own ears. ''You want to m-marry me?''

''I never meant right away.'' Jack tried to defend his honour. ''It was why I wanted to wait, with us, to be-'' he stammered, ''to be together. I know how much I hurt you with Cara, and God knows how much I hate myself for it.''

Rose darted her tongue to her very dry lips. Before her, Jack trembled with something. The room had turned cooler, the air about them fell silent as though the quiet was enabling them both to think and yet, neither moved an inch from the other. They were close enough to hear each other's hammering hearts. The lump in her throat made its way up, and quickly Rose turned, presenting her back to Jack as she concealed her watery eyes. ''I love you and feel as though I-'' She tried to continue but with one swift pull, she was within his arms, her face buried within his chest and up against his skin. He felt warm and wonderful. Her tears fell, slowly and they drained her of the last ounce of strength which she had.

Jack pressed his lips against the softness of her hair, the scent of Rose filled his senses, and he squeezed his eyes closed in a bid to both saviour the moment and gain some clarity. Against him, he seemed to feel every single part of her. Her nipples were hard against his ribs, her breasts full and heaving as she heavily breathed into his neck.

''I feel as though I just want to float amongst the stars, with you.''

Pulling away from his neck, Rose found the heat of his gaze. She was flooded with the crazy, intense desire which had been kept at bay for a little while. ''Rose...'' Jack pressed his lips to her forehead just once. His eyes were closed, his body made smaller movements as though he was containing himself, caged and suppressed. ''Don't you dare do that!'' Rose shook his shoulders so that he opened his eyes. ''You told me that a fire should not be suppressed.''

''I know.''

''Don't suppress it.'' She urged him. The flare of her anger was certain within her face. To steady herself, she blinked away the tears of frustration.

His lips descended on her again.

Beneath it all though, as Jack kissed her, she felt the urgency of his tenderness. The way in which his fingers seemed to tickle and search about her face and hair as though looking for something. She was breathless when he pulled away from her lips and feather lightly pressed his lips to the sensitive spot just beneath her chin, then her neck. The bruises which Cal had left before were unnoticed for the moment, but still as she recalled that night, another painful memory hit her as well. She roughly grabbed his shirt collar to push him away.

''Jack, ''she paused, ''I couldn't stop picturing you with her.''

Rose could feel her body pulling him but with the same hand pushing him away as she fought with such images and then there were the feelings which she had for him. Time hadn't healed any of it, just made her want him more. She had ached for him, even since seeing him with Cara and it had only grown stronger until this precise moment. Now, it was a huge longing. One which was causing what felt like a physical wound and she didn't know why. Didn't know one could long so often, so badly or painfully.

''I know. I can't take any of it back. I wish I could. I wanted you.'' Jack hung his head. He felt his own eyes starting to moisten. Even if his own stupid mistake lost him Rose, he would deal with that in his own way, but he still wanted to take her away from here, to get her away from everything which she didn't deserve to be near.

''I know that now.'' Rose whispered. This was where everything was making sense. She too, had not been an innocent party. She had kissed another, tried to submerge herself into the relationship with Cal to forget Jack but now she knew that she never could. How could she when her life had changed so much since she had met Jack. Her feelings for him were so raw. So unique.

Jack squeezed his own eyes closed. ''I just-I love you.'' He whispered. She then, in turn saw his vulnerable side and suspected that he had never said those words to another girl before in his life. He was worn down and had fought so hard for her and she had seen that. She saw the longing in his eyes. The need for them both to gain some kind of relief.

''I know that, too.'' Rose smiled, shyly. How could she not know when everything he had done for her could prove that? Jack Dawson wasn't like any other that she had known, and she had to allow him the one mistake.

''You do?''

''Yes. Perhaps I knew all along, when you came to sit outside and wait for me.''

''You should have known when I got you out the diner that first day,'' Jack smiled, recalling a day which felt so long ago. So lonely.

''Whatever it occurred, I just know that it is true.''

''It is. I love you.''

Those were the words Rose needed to hear. If he wasn't going to offer any hesitation, then neither was she. He grabbed her hand and tightly threaded his fingers through hers, squeezing them and kneading them in a way which felt intimate.

''Don't let me go.'' Rose whispered. ''I just couldn't bare it again.''

''I never did let you go.'' Jack smiled; he was so hesitant with her. He didn't know what she needed him to do but then she led his hand to her waist and suddenly, he was leant back on the bed, and she was going with him. Within seconds, he was hard against her, but this time it felt as though it was throbbing. She gasped; the feeling wonderfully weird. Blinking through her curious haze, she noted how Jack's heartbeat had accelerated and his pulse was rapid against her face where she nuzzled in his neck. Placing a single kiss there, across the main vein of his neck caused him to twitch. His hands moved as his body did, one hand at her waist and the other in her hair. Rose was straddling him; he was well and truly beneath her, and all control seemed to be within her own hands. One didn't know what to do when faced like this and as she pulled back, slowly, preparing to see the eyes which pinned her to the spot so deeply, she wasn't primed for the vulnerability within his own eyes. It was as though uncertainty swam about and the 'happy go lucky' Jack who had met her was something of a façade to hide beneath.

''Jack?''

Breathing out the nerves, Jack moved his hands to her waist so that both were adjacent to the other; holding her there in place. Each time she shifted even a slight bit, it rubbed against him, burning him even more than before.

Jack snaked his fingers to her hips, feeling her gentle curves beneath her dress. Their eyes never left each other's, and slowly, they found themselves to be leaning into kiss.

A kiss which seemed to seal their fate; passionate and only a taste of what was to come next. Rose felt his hands on her waist, and he seemed to massage her hips through the dress. She dragged her hands through his hair and then stopped for a moment. He ran his index finger over her shoulder before sliding forward to turn her around and face the door as he slowly found he was unbuttoning the back of her dress. It was risky. It was nerving but it was a natural reaction to their body's own state.

There seemed to be so many buttons, his fingers worked slowly, taking his time with each just in case she turned so tell him not to, but she never did. Rose closed her eyes and placed the palm of her hand against the door for support as the dress landed in a pool at her feet. Next, he found his hand lingering near her bra. He was so hesitant, his hand shaking. This was something which he had never felt before; it felt as though he shouldn't be doing this but there was nothing stopping them, he searched her eyes for an answer or a warning but there wasn't one.

Should he be patient? It was difficult on her feelings. On his emotions. Trying to understand just how to work through the mass of nerves, the way his heart had numbed and suddenly, everything was so ripe and raw.

He did love her. God, he did.

Rose felt her breathing so ragged as she placed her left hand on her chest to attempt to calm her racing heart. It wasn't as though she was naked; she was wearing her underwear, for now. She turned her back to him and he began to trace circles around her back, moving her hair. He found his way to her bra and his fingers played with the hook.

Everything about this moment was what Jack had gone over in his head, in his dreams and yet now it was happening, he felt very undeserving. He could feel his uneven breathing as she turned to face him. Her curls cascading down her shoulders, wearing just her underwear with her hands around her chest area to keep the garment from falling to the floor. He had unhooked it. She glanced to him and gave him a small smile, almost shyly. He stepped towards her not exactly knowing why; just feeling he had to be close to her. She was nothing short of perfect, and he couldn't even begin to explain the feelings which exploded inside his stomach.

''Don't hide yourself from me.''

''But I have never been naked before another man before.''

She lowered her lashes before their eyes met and interlocked and silence fell upon them for several seconds, both feeling their heart pound.

''You don't have to expose anything. We don't have to-''

''-I want to. I want you to.''

Suddenly, Jack could take no more; he had to kiss her and be close to her. Her completely vulnerable state seemed to cause both affection and anger within him, knowing just that Cal would have caused some of the imperfect thoughts which Rose had about herself. Jack pulled her body towards his and their lips met. It was soft, wonderfully tender and there was a passion about it. This time it was felt more than it had been before. Rose kept one hand over her bra and placed her other around his waist and Jack touched her face as he kissed her, making her nerves flutter.

put your hands on me tonight, Jack.''

Swallowing the nerves, Jack was deathly still as his eyes lowered, down to her chest to the curve of her breast and the perfect nipples which were hardened beneath his gaze. Goosebumps appeared across her skin and he didn't know if it was from his watch or from the coldness of the room. He flushed a deeper crimson as he went lower to her naval and then below it; the curls of hair which led down to the most intimate part of her which was cradled against his own layer of clothing. The stillness caused him to twitch and it was almost painful to stay that way.

Slowly, Rose traced her index finger down his chest, feeling how he moved beneath her touch as she went.

The uncertainty of removing the final barrier of clothing had disappeared and as she sat, utterly exposed to a person for the first time in her entire life; she felt the power of her womanhood in her own hands. His eyes lingering upon her threw the away the chill from the room and it was replaced by the fiery blaze which coursed through her entire body. Jack's hands which held her at the waist, slowly went upwards, tickling as they went up to her side, to her arm and then atop her shoulders. Adjusting the way that he sat, Rose felt the boulder beneath her and she shifted forward, closer to him. His touch seemed to burn against her skin, the way that it had when she had felt it before as he buttoned and unbuttoned up her dress. Now, here she was sans clothes before him.

Jack's hesitance seemed to cripple him to the very spot. What was he so afraid of? Rose grasped her hand over his, joining it at the top of her breast as she slowly led it down, feeling how he didn't resist her this time as though all along he had needed the final nudge to place his hands where no other man had. As soon as his rough and calloused finger rubbed against her left nipple, she felt the warmth flood her in places where it hadn't before.

It was like a slow torture; repeatedly flicking against her, again and again. Neither knew whose breathing grew the most laboured, who leant in first but all became lost about them when Jack's lips fell upon hers, suddenly and without any warning, she was in the air, and then lowered onto the bed beside where they had been sat. Jack stumbled atop her, this time and his weight felt wonderful. It was painful, but at the same time, arousing. She widened her legs beneath him, allowing him to settle in the small berth as the desire raced through her body, originating in her most intimate area and spreading outwardly. Her nerve endings were on fire, every single one in her body. He pulled back long enough to catch her eyes, she squirmed beneath him, cheeks flushed with her desire for him. He needed to kiss her again, to be close to her and to never let her go. Her hands were in his hair, twisting and pulling at it so gently as his lips found hers again.

"Jack-'' she whispered against his lips as he traced a finger down the side of her cheeks.

Her own hands were down his back, feeling the smoothness of his skin and the texture of the knots in his spine; tickling and scratching as she went, completely unaware of the powerful stirring which she had inflicted upon him. Reaching the bottom where his trousers sat, low and exposing a hint of his derriere, Rose explored lower cupping at him atop the last layer of material which separated their naked bodies. Rose tilted back her chin, allowing him to trace her jawline with his tongue and he nipped at her with his teeth as he worked his way downwards. Her back arched as though she needed to close the small space between them and her fingers clawed at the flesh upon his back and shoulders, increasing with intensity as he lowered his mouth to her breasts, first to the flesh and then he started to suck the part which felt the most sensitive.

With her hip grinding upwards against him, Jack sat back on his heel. The dim lamp provided enough light for him to see her in her entirety; her hair was dishevelled amongst the pile of pillows, her lips beautifully swollen from their kiss and along her neck and chest he had places darkened areas of his own lust along her virginal pale skin. The guilt which had once bit nastily at him was no reduced to a small sting.

With no words, Jack tugged at the buttons upon his own trousers, the outline of his desire was already more than visible. He could see the curious, heat induced gaze which fell across his body, down towards the part which he had yet to expose. It was almost a slow seduction as she waited for him, there, but Rose knew that once that final barrier was removed, there would be no ceasing anything.

Suddenly, he was free. The trousers were pushed down his long but lean legs and discarded on the floor along with the rest of their barriers. There was nothing else left to shed.

Jack was everything which she had wished to imagine within her naïve mind, but yet so much more. On his knees, he came towards her so that the tip of him was almost pressed to her stomach. The urge to touch him crippled her but she was intensely nervous of what would happen if she did.

"You're so beautiful.'' Jack whispered through his desire-induced haze. Everything suddenly seemed surreal as their naked bodies were clenched against each other. He couldn't remember a time he had felt like this before. He was so content, aroused and yet he could feel the love between them. Rose was more than he'd ever allowed himself to imagine. But here she was, her heart and body open before him, offering him everything she had to give-not just her body, but her love.

His mind was brought sharply back to reality with the feel of her hips against his. She shuffled beneath him and it was then he realised that she would have never seen a man naked before, let alone pressed against her. She explored it experimentally, getting used to the feel and sight of it. His eyes watched hers, glazed over with such fire and love that he could have burst right then and there. Jack positioned himself against her, ensuring that his eyes didn't leave hers at all. Her entrance was already warm, heat evaporated from her and ensured that he felt her already aroused state upon himself.
Rose breathed roughly, anticipating-but he stopped, his blue gaze meeting her own, and once again, his eyes asked her that question. In response, she tightened her legs around his hips.

Jack swallowed hard, resisting the urge to just push his way inside her body. There would be a final barrier to break; her virginity.

"This may hurt you," he warned her. He had never taken a virgin before. In fact, his own experience with a woman was limited and he felt the nip of his own innocence, knowing he would be the one to take the lead.

''Make love to me,'' she whimpered in almost a whisper, with her eyes alternating between his intense stare and his lips.

''Are you sure?''

Rose nodded slightly, telling him that she was ready. He took a deep breath, moving upright and suddenly, he was enveloped. Her brow crinkled with pain, and nails dug upon his arms. He became still, waiting for her to respond.

''Rose?''

But then, Rose opened her eyes, the pain subsiding.

"Don't stop," she whispered breathlessly. "Make love to me."
Spurred on by her request, Jack pushed again, gaining more entry this time, slower and deeper. The tightness clenched him, keeping the pace slow at first, getting the feel of her body, as he allowed her to do the same. He kissed her face, her brows, her cheekbones and down to her neck as he cherished everything about her. He needed her to know how he felt, that he wanted her and not just for now, but for the rest of his life.

With a few more movements, the barrier was broken and he finally was fully inside her, taking everything which she could. The pain had melted away with her virginity. The only thing which remained was the sting of the stretch which entirely new, that wasn't a deterrent though, just a beautiful reminder of how he was one with her; taking away everything and claiming it for himself.

''Are you all right?'' Jack slowed his pace, aware that he was starting to tremble, feeling something of a build-up already. Nodding against his head, Rose noted how their bodies were sticking with the fine sheen of sweat which had started to line their skin.

''Yes.''

Tilting her hips upwards at an angle, Jack felt his breathing grow shallow as she moved. The tingle started there, moving down his entire body. As she started squirming, he steadily built up the pace, and before too long, he was slamming into her body with feverish passion. Her legs locked around, his back, drawing him in, and she matched each of his thrusts with her own. Their senses were clouded by only each other. Hands explored and tongues touched as they built up the passion. Rose opened her eyes, looking up into Jack's intent and feverish face. She brought her arms up, wrapping him tightly into her arms as he continued to love her hard. She rubbed her arms up and down his back, as she felt his hands on her breast and stomach. He showered her face with such frenzied kisses that she struggled to breathe. The fire in her stomach seemed to take over her entire body and then sparkle with a million butterflies. She felt a build-up of something and then suddenly-

"Jack!" she whispered; with every ounce of her breath, she was capable of finding. Her palm flew up and hit the back of the window, smearing the moisture there, as her other hand dug into the flesh on the back of Jack's neck. The pain had ceased long ago, leaving only a feeling of being full, content and loved. The way he moved within her, stretching and completely marking her as his for eternity was everything which she wanted and more. The build-up continued, as though she was climbing higher and higher...

Jack's body began to spasm, as he clung onto her for dear life as he buried his face into the crook of her neck and shoulder. Her orgasm was upon her, as he felt the tightness, working him as she went and then with the cry which escaped her, Jack knew that she was finally there. The first orgasm which Rose had ever experienced. He locked tightly to her body, emptying himself as his own orgasm hit him stronger; one of pure intensity and draining the life drain from him. He rocked with her, the severity of the vigour causing him to spasm continuously. Rose's hand slid down from the window, resting with the other one on the back of his neck. It was cool against his sweaty body. They held each other like that for a few seconds, gaining their bearings, the comedown from their pleasure and the pure awe of how they could make the other feel. Their bodies shook violently, with neither fully comprehending the life changing event which had just happened to both of them.