CHAPTER TWO

"Why would you want to get away from your fiancee Rose?"
"Because I hate him. The only reason I was going to marry him was because of my mother. You see my father left a lot of bad debts and it took all our to pay them off. So my mother thought if she married me off to Caledon Hockley...one of the richest men Philadelphia...we'd be saved. We wouldn't have to leave the life of high society. But Jack I can't marry him, I don't even like him. And as far as leaving the life of luxury behind...I say good riddance!" Rose begins to cry, and is surprised by how easily she had spilled her story to a total stranger. What must Jack think of her?
"Rose...you are something else," Jack smiled. "Not many upper-class girls would say good riddance to that life of luxery of yours. But I could tell from the start that you're different. You have a certain fire burning inside you. I must say I'm quite glad you decided you couldn't marry this Hockley fella. But What are you gonna do once you get back to America?"
Rose shakes her head. She honestly didn't know. But she wasn't going back to the way things were in Philadelphia. That was for sure. "I don't know. But how about you Jack. What are you and Fabrizio planning on doing once you get back to the states?"
"Well I'm going back to my hometown Chippewa Falls Wisconsin. But I'm not sure what Fabri's going to do. We never really talked about it."
"I'm going to be a millionaire," Fabri rubs the sleep out of his eyes as he approaches the table.
Jack laughed, "Good luck then pal."
"Is this breakfast?" Fabrizio asked, looking down at the food.
"Sure is. Dig in."
"How did you get this Jack? You bet all our money yesterday," Fabrizio sat down in the chair across from Rose.
"I sold one of my drawings earlier. Sold for a whole dollar, could you believe it?"
"You're an artist?" Rose interest is peaked.
"One of the best," Fabrizio piped in.
"You like art Rose?" Jack asked.
"I love it. In fact, I brought these paintings in Paris from a...Picasso," Rose brightens, "And another painting from a Monet. But Picasso is my favorite. His paintings...there's truth but no logic. Do you know what I mean?"
Jack nods, smiling the whole time. He can't help being fascinated by Rose. He's never met a girl like her, especially an upper-class girl. Last night she was being assaulted by two drunks, but this morning, it's like the attack never happened. Miss. Rose Dewitt Bukater sure was a strong woman.
"Jack...can I see some of your drawings?" Rose is shy about asking, but she couldn't help being curious. "If you don't mind?"
"Of course I don't mind Rose. What is there to mind about? My art was made for people to see, and I'll be honored to show it to you. Just let me get my portfolio on the other side of the room there," Jack leaves the table and is out of earshot of Rose and Fabrizio.
"I think he likes you," Fabrizio smiles. "He's never offered to show his art like that to anyone. Not since we left Paris anyway."
"Paris?" Rose asks, her eyes full of surprise. "You two really do get around."
"For a couple of poor guys," Fabrizio laughs good-naturedly.
"What happened in Paris to make him shy about his art?"
"The critics didn't like it. They're more into abstract right now. Jack draws from life."
"Here it is," Jack returns, a brown portfolio in his hands.
"Oh Jack, this is exquisite work," Rose gasps as she opened the portfolio to dozens of pictures of people. she can't help but be entranced, especially by the hands. they were so expressive. "You have a gift Jack, you do. You see people."
Jack blushed and looked down at the floor. He wasn't used to being complimented on his artwork.
"Well well well," Rose laughed as she came upon the nude portraits Jack had drawn. "Were these drawn from life?"
"Yeah. That's the one good thing about Paris. A lot of girls are willing to take their clothes off," Jack laughed, then turns the pages to a nude of a one legged woman. "This was a one legged prostitute. She had beautiful hands, I had to catch them on paper." Then Jack turns to the end of the book where a woman with sad eyes and clad in a fur coat is sitting in a bar. "And this is Madame Bijoux. She used to sit in this bar waiting for her long lost love."
"I see. Jack, you've captured her perfectly. You really do see people," Rose smiled, lightly touching his hand.
Jack just looks at Rose and smiled. She was right. He did see people and at that moment he saw only her. A poor little rich girl who longed to be free from the restraints of high society. A girl who wanted to soar like a bird up into the sky. She just needed to learn how to do so and he hoped that he was just the person to teach her.
Rose looks up at Jack and is immediately taken into those gorgeous blue pools of light. She could remain in their warmth forever. "Jack..."
"Rose..." Jack sighed her name. At that moment he thought about how easy it would be to kiss her. He wondered what it would be like and would she welcome it?
"Jack has a true talent no?" Fabrizio breaks the moment. He could see where the moment was heading and couldn't help but be worried. He had to have a talk with Jack and soon.
"Hmmm," Rose nods, setting up straight in the chair, blushing furiously.
"Rose, why don't you go and put the portfolio back, give you a chance to look at some more," Jack hands the portfolio to her.
"Sure Jack," Rose takes the portfolio and walks to the other side of the room, leaving Jack staring after her.
"Jack, what are you doing? She's out of your league. She's a swell," Fabrizio hissed. "She's nice, but still...a swell."
"Fabri...she's not just nice...she's wonderful. I never known another girl like her. She has this fire...and...you wouldn't undertand," Jack sighed, looking down at the table.
"Jack, it's true she's very beautiful. But she does have a fiancee and a life back in America and as soon as she sets foot back on American soil, she's going to be heading back to her world. Leaving you with a broken heart," Fabrizio sighed. "Jack...I can't tell you what to do, but at least be careful. Don't get your heart caught up in something that can't be."

Jack just nods as if he agreed with what Fabrizio was saying, but he knew in his heart that Rose wouldn't be returning to her world once they got back to America. She said it herself that she wouldn't be going back to a man she didn't love.

Two hours later...
Fabrizio had gone off on his own for the day. He said that maybe if one of them had a job, there's a better chance of them catching a ship back to America. So it was just Jack and Rose that day. Jack decided to take Rose around Southampton. They were now outside the flat and the night before came flooding back to Rose. What if they ran into those men again? They must know by now that she was no relation to that Conway person Jack had mentioned.
"What's the matter Rose?" Jack looked over and saw how pale she had turned.
"What if we run into those men again Jack?" Rose asked, turning to him.
"We won't run into them anytime today,"Jack reassured her. "Don't you worry Rose. If we did, I wouldn't let them anywhere near you."
Rose just smiled thinly, obviously not convinced. Jack was strong and everything, but there was two of them and one of him, plus both men outwieghed Jack tremendously.
"You want to go to a park Rose? Get some fresh air?" Jack asked.
"That'll be lovely," Rose once again smiled, trying to put the two men from the night before out of her mind. Jack was right, she was safe with him. Plus it's broad daylight. Those men would be too scared to try anything..
Fifteen minutes later Jack and Rose are seated on a bench at the park. Rose is enjoying the scenery while Jack sketches a little boy and girl at play. He had the exact title for the picture too: Puppy Love.
"What do ya thiink Rose?" Jack shows the finished picture to his companion.
"It's beautiful Jack. You captured them so perfectly," Rose smiled. "So Jack...you know everything about me but I know nothing about you except that you're from a place named Chippewa Falls Wisconsin."
Jack smiles, surprised that she was interested in his life. "Well, I was born and raised in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin. My father was a farmer and my mother was a midwife. We weren't poor, but we weren't rich either. We certainly wouldn't be sailing first class on the Titanic, that's for sure. But anyway, I grew up pretty happy. Me and my best friend Howard Calvert used to play tricks on our teachers...we were always in trouble.
Rose laughed. She could imagine a mischievous Jack laying a fron in the teacher's chair and getting in trouble for it.
"I was fifteen when I left home. My parents had died in a fire and I felt so guilty because I wasn't home when it happened. So since I didn't have any close kin in that part of the country, I lit on out of there and haven't been back since. You can just call me a tumbleweed blowin in the wind."
Rose is stunned. What a hard life he must have had after the fire that took his parents, but he hasn't let it bother him. In fact, it seems he's risen above it and had made some sort of piece. "Do you have any relatives?"
"Don't know," Jack shrugged. "My pa never talked about his family much and my mother's family are all dead. As far as I know, I'm the only Dawson left."
"Oh Jack...that's so sad..."
"No Rose. It's not sad at all. My parents deaths had taught me never to waste a moment of my time here on earth. To make each and every day count. No matter what. And when opportunities come my way to grab on to it with both hands and never let go."
"Never let go..." Rose repeats, her voice thoughtful. "That's a great motto to live by."
"It's not just a motto Rose. It's a way of life," Jack smiled. "It's not an easy one, but it's a good one."
Rose smile faded as their eyes met again. His eyes filled her whole world as he looked into her soul. How did he see her? Did he see a poor lost rich girl who needed his pity? Or did he see her as she saw him...a very special person who deserves the best life had to offer. A person worth spending time with.
Jack breaks the moment. "Well Rose, I guess we better be moving on. Let's go down to the dock and see what's the next ship leaving for America." He stands and holds his hand out for her to take. She smiles and lets him lead her back into the crowded streets of Southampton.

Eight o'clock

A dance hall in Southampton

Jack pulls Rose into the crowded dance hall and finds a table for them. Rose can't help being a little nervous. There was not a sighting of the two men that had attacked her, but there was a bigger chance of meeting up with them here and she couldn't help but be nervous.
"Jack...why are we here?" Rose asked, looking around the hall after taking a seat.
"I thought it'd be a good time while you're here," Jack said. "Relax Rose. You'll have fun."
"Rose smiled nervously as Jack took a seat across from her. "Are you thirsty Rose?"
"A little," Rose shrugged.
"I'll be back. Stay right here," Jack said, suddenly getting up and disappearing into the crowd.
"Jack!" Rose called, but it was too late. He was out of earshot. Her nervousness grows the longer he's gone. Why did he leave? What if those two men show up?
"I'm back!" Jack returns three minutes later with two glasses of beer. "Drink up!"
"Hi Jack!" A little voice pipes in. Rose looks down to see an adorable little girl with red hair pulled into pigtails.
"Hey there Katie. Where's your father?" Jack greets the little girl.
"Over there!" Katie points to a big burly man looking in their direction. Jack waves and the man returns the wave with a nod. "Jack, you promised you'd dance with me! Remember?"
"I did?" Jack asked, his voice laughing. Of course he remembered, but he couldn't resist teasing the little girl. "Why I don't remember that. Do you remember Rose?"
"She wasn't there," Katie crossed her arms, glancing over at Rose.
"Well, we have no witnesses. So how do I know you're telling the truth?"
"Oh Jack you're horrible," Rose laughed. "Stop teasing the girl. You promised her a dance, and a gentleman never goes back on a promise."
"Well I guess I better keep that promise or the pretty lady here will think I'm not a gentleman," Jack turns to Katie, "and we wouldn't want that now would we?"
Katie just shakes her head innocently. She was so cute, Rose hoped she had a little girl that cute when she had children.
"I'll go back Rose," Jack turns back to her and squeezed her hand. "If you need anything, just holler."
"I will," Rose smiled, watching Jack lead the little girl onto the dance floor just as a Irish tune began to play. He was good with children. He was going to be a great father once he settled down with a wife, whoever the woman was, she was sure lucky.

Five minutes later the song ends, and Jack approaches the table and stands in front of Rose. "Come on, let's dance," Jack smiles, holding his hand out to her.
"Jack...I don't think that's a good idea," Rose looks around the pub. "I can't dance all that good."
"Sure you can. Just go with the music," He grabs her hand and pulls her onto the dance floor just as another irish beat started up. "We have to get a little closer, like this," Jack pulls her closer to him and begins moving to the music.
"I don't know the steps!" Rose is flustered.
"Neither do I! Just go with it!" Jack laughed, swinging her through the crowds, keeping with the beat of the music.
"Jack no!" Rose laughed as they danced. She was just beginning to get into the dance when Jack suddenly stops and pulls her up onto a platform. "Jack no!" Rose laughed.
He then goes into a complicated dance step. Rose watches this and as soon as he stops, she takes off her shoes and repeats the dance step by step. She couldn't believe she was actually doing this. A couple of more steps later they link arms and turn each other around. Then Jack grabs both her hands and whirl her around until she's dizzy. She had no choice but to laugh.
Two minutes later, Jack and Rose return to find their table occupied. Jack just grabs their beer and hands it to Rose. Thirsty, Rose begins to drink the beer and doesn't stop until the glass is empty. She turns to Jack and finds him staring at her in disbelief.
"What? You didn't think a first-class girl could drink?" Rose laughed.
Jack just smiled until a man bumps into him, causing him to spill his beer on Rose. "Hey get out of here!" Jack pushes the man into the crowd. Are you okay?" he turns to Rose and begins wiping off her dress.
"I'm fine," Rose laughed, not caring that the dress was ruined. "Hey watch this!"
Rose then stands on her tip-toes and raises herself up until she's just standing at the top of her toes. She then falls into Jack's arms, who's amazed at what she did and laughs. "I haven't done that in years!"
Neither Jack nor Rose noticed Ed and Sal, the men from the night before glaring at them. They now knew that the girl was not the granddaughter of Clarence Conway and didn't appreciate being decieved. They weren't going to do anything at that moment, but later...when the time was right.

It's now midnight and Jack and Rose are beginning their long trek back to Jack's flat.
"I'd like to thank-you Jack. That was the most fun I've had in years," Rose laughed.
"You're welcomed Rose," Jack smiled. She truely was an amazing girl. He definately wanted to know her better.
They're back in the area where they first met the night before when Jack noticed they were being followed. He immediately grabs Rose hand and pulls closer to him.
"Jack what's wrong?" Rose asked, noticing how tense he became.
"Don't look behind us Rose, but we're being followed," Jack whispered. "Just stay calm and pretend you don't know anything."
Rose immediately grows nervous. Who was following them and what could they want? Then she knew, it was the men from last night. They must have found out the truth and wanted revenge. "Jack..."
"It's okay Rose. Trust me," Jack squeezed her hand reassuredly.
"I trust you," Rose nods and meant it. In the short time she knew Jack Dawson, she trusted him with her life.
Jack and Rose are almost to the flat when the two men catch up.
"Why isn't it the lady from last night," Ed snarls. "Strange she should return to this side of town."
"Strange for Mr. Conway's daughter anyway," Sal snorts. "But you know today at work I ran into Mr. Conway himself and asked how his granddaughter was doing. And he said he didn't have a granddaughter."
"But Sal, that's impossible," Ed pipes in. "This young lady is his grannddaughter. Jack said she was."
"Will I guess Jack here lied about that," Sal snarled.
"What do you guys want?" Jack pulls Rose behind him. If they were going to try to get to her, they'd have to go through him first.
"What we wanted yesterday before we were interrupted," Sal advanced on the couple.
"Think again," Jack said.
"Don't be stupid Jack. There's two of us and one of you. Plus, we outweigh you. So I suggest you step aside," Ed laughed.
Jack doesn't move. He wasn't going to let these men near Rose.
"It doesn't matter," Ed is now face to face with Jack. "I'll just have to fight harder for what I want."
"Think agian," Jack sends a fist into the older man's nose, breaking it instantly and takes off in a fast run, pulling Rose along with him. "Run Rose!"
"Jack!" Rose yelled, half running and half being pulled.
"Keep running!" Jack called behind him. They didn't stop running until they were safely inside Jack's flat. Exhausted, Rose collapsed into Jack's arms. "It's okay Rose. You're safe now," Jack strokes her hair.
"You two were out late, no?" Fabrizio stands from the kitchen chair, then he notices that both Jack and Rose were both out of breath. "What happened to you two?"
"Just another run in with our two friends from last night," Jack said, leading Rose to one of the chairs to set down.
"What were you doing out this late anyway?" Fabrizio turns to Jack.
"I took Rose dancing," Jack turns to face his friend.
"Dancing? Jack, are you crazy? She's a lady. You don't take ladies dancing."
"Well she enjoyed herself until we headed back here. Didn't ya Rose?"
Rose looks up and nods, then returns her attention back at the table. The run in with Sal and Ed had upset her.
"She doesn't look like she's having fun," Fabrizio points to her. "In fact, she looks scared, no?"
"I want to go home," Rose begins to sob and lays her head on the table.
"You'll get home Rose," Jack immediately goes to her and pulls her into his arms. "I promise. I'll get you home."
Fabrizio just watches the two of them and shakes his head. At that moment he knew that his friend was lost. Jack had completely and totally fallen for Rose. He just hoped that
Rose knew what she had and didn't break his heart.
"We should sleep," Fabrizio sighed. "Big day tomorrow. We set sail for America in a month. Olympic first class. Sorry it's not first."
Rose just shrugs as she pulls away from the hug. "As long as those two men aren't on the ship, I'll be fine."
"Oh yeah, I signed her up as Mrs. Dawson. Is that okay?" Fabrizio asked.
"Why did you do that for?" Jack asked.
"Avoid too many questions. Plus it's cheaper, three people to a room," Fabrizio shrugged. "I didn't think you'd mind."

"I don't," Jack sighed. "I'm just tired. It's been a long day. Let's turn in for the night. Will you be alright Rose?"
"I'll be fine Jack. Thank-you," Rose sniffed, getting up from the chair and going to her place on the floor. "Good night Jack and Fabri."
"Night Rose," both men replied in unison.
That night was not a night Rose forgot. Years from now she thinks back on the night and only thinks of the good parts of the park and the dance hall. There was no reason for her to remember her second escape from the two men known as Ed and Sal.

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