AT LEAST I’M WITH YOU: The Rose jumps back on sinking boat scene
Gunshots rang through the air, making Rose cringe back against Jack, the noise hurting her already ringing ears. The screams grew louder and Jack held Rose closer as the crowd grew more violent. It seemed as if the boats were filling up quickly, making Jack fear that there won’t be enough room for Rose. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Tommy and Fabrizio both looking worried. Maybe they’d have better luck getting on a boat else where.
"You two, go see if there’s more boats on the other side. Go on," Jack directed as they looked at him with a bit of hesitation. Looking one last time at the filling boat, Tommy and Fabrizio nodded and disappeared into the churning crowd.
"I hope there’s enough room for both of us," Rose frowned, watching twogirls and a woman step into the filling boat.
Jack could only smile, his face pale from the cold. His only concern right now was Rose. He knew that he was the reason she was still on this ship. She was first class. She should have been safely on a boat by now.
"I love you Rose," he quickly whispered in her ear, knowing that this may be the last time he’d be able to tell her his true feelings.
Before Rose could answer, she was distracted by a little girl’s sobs as her father lifted her into a boat.
"Daddy!" The girl cried, reaching out towards the man as a woman, who must be the mother pulled her close.
"It’s good-bye for a little while! Only a little while!" The man’s voice was choked with tears, but his eyes contained only optimism. "This boat is for the mommies and the children. There will be one for the daddies later!"
Oh no! It struck Rose like a ton of bricks. The cries of the crewmen that she’s purposely been ignoring! Jack’s confession of love…something he could have told her anytime…it was because he knew that there may not be an anytime! Oh Jack. How could she ever get on a boat without him? It was absurd to think she would. No, she was staying with Jack. Even if it meant the death of her.
"I’m not getting off without you," Rose turned to Jack, her eyes and voice full of steely determination.
Jack looked at her as if she had two heads. What did she mean she wasn’t getting off without him? She had to. She had already risked her life enough times for him already. He couldn’t allow her to risk anymore. He had to get her on a boat. Now. Tightly gripping her shulders, Jack stirred her towards the waiting lifeboat. "Get on the boat Rose."
"No Jack," Rose looked into his determined blue eyes.
"Rose get on the boat," He insisted, pushing down the urge to let her remain with him.
"No Jack. Not without you."
"Get on the boat."
"Not without you."
Jack looked at her, desperation building in his chest. He had to get her off. He had to get her to safety. Even though his voice had lost some of it’s determination and was replaced with desperation, Jack repeated. "Rose, get on the boat."
She opened her mouth to protest once again, knowing that she was about to win the battle of wills when she’s interrupted by the last person she wanted to be there.
"Yes, get on the boat Rose," Cal stepped in between them, blocking her view of Jack.
She blinked in surprise. This was the last thing she expected. What was Cal doing here?
"Why look at you. You look a fright," Cal eyed her. He snatched away the blanket she had wrapped around her shoulders and pushed it roughly into Jack’s arms, who stared at Cal, also surprised that he hadn’t done anything to save his own hide yet. "Here. Take this," he wrapped the coat he was wearing around Rose’s shoulders.
Seeing the look of utter panic in Rose’s eyes, Jack stepped inbetween Cal and Rose and steered her away from Cal. "Get on the boat Rose."
"Not without you," she insisted.
"I’m a survivor, remember? Don’t worry about me," Jack insisted. "Get on the boat."
Again Cal interrupted, this time standing beside Jack. "I have an arrangement at the other side of the ship. Both Jack and I can get off there."
Looking at Cal suspiciously, Jack decided to use the information to his advantage to get Rose on the boat. "See. I have my own boat to catch. Now get in the boat."
"Miss?" The officer held out a hand to her.
"Go on," Cal forced a smile. "It’s almost full."
Looking again at Jack, Rose nodded, forgetting that Jack’s life was now in Cal’s hands. Her thoughts were so muddled. All she could think about was that Jack would be ok. That he was going to survive. She didn’t even notice Jack helping the officer lead her into the boat until he was no longer at her side.
"Jack!" Rose reached for his hand, wanting to touch him one last time. For a second, her hand was securely held in his. But then she was forced to let go. All she could do was look helplessly up at him as the boat lowered.
~*~
Jack watched the boat’s decent, carrying Rose away from him. He knew that he wasn’t going to see her again. His life on the streets had made him a realist. The odds were stacked against his survival. He was male and a third class passenger. Yes, Cal had said that there was an arrangement, but he had heard the lie in Cal’s voice. The deciet.
"You’re a good liar," Cal broke the silence that had fallen between them.
"You’re not too bad yourself. There is no arrangement is there?"
"Oh there is. Not that you’ll benefit much from it," Cal looked at Jack with a bit of respect in his eyes. The boy was a good opponent. He had taught Cal a valuable lesson about underestimating people. But in the end Cal had made sure that he came out on top. "I always win Jack. One way or another."
Jack looked at Cal a second longer before turning back to Rose. He had known it was a lie. He hadn’t dared hope it to be true. He wasn’t disappointed. Just sad. Sad that he would never touch Rose again, or hear her laughter or gaze into her eyes. No, he had no disappointments or regrets. Only a dull ache in his heart that he knew would be with him until the end came.
~*~
Rose stared up at Jack, wishing that she was back by his side. She still didn’t know how they had gotten her into the boat. Why did she let herself believe Cal in the first place? She knew he was lying! A rocket went off, the sparks illuminating Jack’s face, making him look like an anger admist tragedy. She could see the devastation in his beautiful eyes, the unshed tears as he watched her descend to safety. And there was Cal. The angel of death stading beside her angel of life. His dark eyes held arrogance and…triumph? Why would Cal look as if he had won a hand of poker? Unless…there was no arrangement. Not for Jack anyway. Cal had lied just to get her in a boat and away from Jack! He had thought he’d won!
Well he was wrong. He hadn’t won. She wouldn’t let him win. Making sure that her path was clear, Rose stood and leapt onto the deck that be became level with the lifeboat. Holding onto the edge, she feared that she was going to fall until a pair of strong hands pulled her over to safety. Not stopping to thank the person that helped her, Rose ran, hoping that she’d reach Jack before the ship sank any further.
~*~
It was pandemonium on deck as Rose leapt off the lifeboat, much to Jack’s dismay. Why did she do that? Why couldn’t she see that it was important to him that she survive? Why did she insist on staying with him, a doomed man?
"Rose! What are you doing!" Jack yelled down at her as she disappeared into the ship.
"Stop her!" Cal yelled, undisguised anger in his voice. He had lost. Thwarted by that stupid girl!
"No!" Jack yelled, turning to run for the lower level, wanting to yell at Rose for risking her life, yet wanting to hug and kiss her for wanting to be with him.
"Jack!" Her voice cried out as he descended the stairs of the first class dining saloon.
"Rose!"
Tears of relief and desperation claimed them both as they met each other in a crushing, yet passionate embrace. Jack kissed her again and again, tears of love and anger falling in her hair.
"You’re so stupid Rose! Why did you do that! Why!" He yelled, his voice hoarse from the cold.
Rose smiled, her own tears spilling from her eyes as she touched his face and hair, wanting to make sure that her angel was real. That she was again in his arms. "You jump, I jump. Right?"
All of Jack’s anger crumbled away at those three words. How could he possibly be angry with her any longer? "Right."
"I couldn’t go Jack! I couldn’t go!" Rose sobbed as they hugged each other tightly, clinging on for dear life.
"We’ll think of something," Jack rubbed her back.
"At least I’m with you," Rose chuckled, closing her eyes, wanting to forget about the churning world surrounding them.
Meanwhile, Caledon Hockley stood at the top of the stairs knowing that for the first time he had lost. Anger consumed him. As his manservent pulled him away, Cal swore revenge. He would make Jack and Rose pay dearly for this defeat.
THE END