CHAPTER FIVE

The next morning Rose woke up to Jack's singing, "Beautiful dreamer, wake on to me. Starlights and dewdrops are waiting for thee. Sounds of the cruel world heard in the day..."
"Jack?" Rose rubs the sleep out of her eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Serenading the most beautiful dreamer in the world," Jack kisses her forehead. "It's nine o'clock Rose. Time to get up."
Rose turns from Jack to see Fabrizio's sleeping form. "Fabri's still asleep."
"Because he stayed out with Kate 'til two in the moringing," Jack laughed. "We'll let him sleep. But now it's time for breakfast. "Come on."
Fifteen minutes later, Jack and Rose are heading for the third class dining hall. Rose grabs his hand when they spot Sal and Ed at the first table. There was no avoiding them this time.
"Jack..."
Jack squeezes her hand. "Let's try to ignore them. Maybe they won't notice us," Jack said, pulling Rose deeper into the cafeteria.
"Why Sal, look who it is and on our ship too," Ed spoke up.
"Listen guys, we don't want any trouble," Jack said, pulling Rose close to him. "Just leave us alone."
"Leave them alone. What do you think Sal?"
"It's too early Ed. We'll take care of them later," Sal shrugs. "It's a ship. There's only so many places to go."
"Come on Rose," Jack leads her to their table.
"Jack..what are we going to do? We can't stay in our cabin forever."
"No. But we can make sure they won't be allowed anywhere near us. There has to be a way to get into the first class section of the ship and stay there. Do you have any ideas?" Jack asked.
"Hello," A nervousy steward approaches the table. "Are you Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dawson?"
"Yes we are," Jack answered. "What can we do for ya?"
"Well, the captain has sent orders that your tickets be upgraded to first class. A wedding gift from the White Star Line," The steward stands straight. "If you two shall come with me I shall show you to your rooms and and show you where the first class dining saloon is."
"Oh wow. That's so nice," Rose grinned. "Jack?"
"We accept," Jack said, standing up from his chair. "But all our things are in our stateroom."
"You can always go back and get them," The steward said. "Now follow me please."
"Looks like our problem has been solved," Jack grinned, not noticing Ed and Sal glaring in their direction.

Nine hours later...
Jack and Rose's first class stateroom

"But Jack, why can't I go with you to get our things? I don't understand."
Jack sighed as he turned to his wife. "Because if I run into those two goons, I don't want you with me. You'll be safer up here...I just want to protect you and this is the best way I know how."
"But..."
"Rose please...no arguements," Jack places a hand over her mouth. "I'll be back in two shakes of a lambs tail. I promise," he kisses her and then he's gone. Rose stares after him, dread building up in her stomach.

Jack is halfway down the hall that leads to the stateroom he and Rose had shared with Fabrizio when Sal and Ed approach him.
"So where's the little lady," Ed asked, blocking Jack's path, Jack turns to see Sal standing behind him. He was surrounded. He was glad he had told Rose to stay in first class.
"That is none of your business. Now if you excuse me," Jack tries to step pass Ed, but it's the older man who refuses to let him pass.
"Now where do you think you're going?" Sal asked. "You're not trying to leave without telling us what you want to know are ya?"
"Of course he's not Sal. He knows it's not healthy to do that," Ed smiles, his breath reeking of stale beer. "He's going to tell us where the girl is and then he's going to stand by and let us do what we want."
"Think again," Jack growled. "Let me pass."
"That's not possible Jack," Ed said, nodding towards Sal. "Since you're being so uncooperative, we're just going to have to beat it out of ya. How do you like that?"
Sal grabs Jack's arms, preventing him from fighting back. "We'll give you one more chance Dawson. Tell us where to find the girl."
"Go to hell."
"Oh well, I see we'll have to do this the hard wayy," Ed said, balling up his fist.

It's Fabrizio and Kate on their way back from a late night date who finds a badly beaten Jack just down from their stateroom.
"Oh my goodness! Jack!" Kate rushes to his side.
"Rose," Jack groaned before slipping back into unconciousness.
"Who would have done this?" Kate asked, "And where's Rose?"
Fabrizio shrugs. "Kate, go get help. I'll stay with Jack."
"But..." Kate is about to object.
"Go kate please. Jack is in bad shape."
Kate nods and takes off for help, she returns with an officer and the master of arms.
"Take him to the infirmary and I'll question the Italian here," The master of arms directs the officer who nods and motions to two more officers with a stretcher.
"Do you know who could have done this?"
"No," Fabrizio shakes his head. "We were heading back to the stateroom when we found Jack like this."
"Does he have any enemies?"
"No. Not to my knowledge. Jack's the most likable guy I know. Everybody likes Jack except for these two men he saved a girl from, but they're back in Southampton," Fabrizio shrugs.
"Does he go off by himself a lot?"
"No sir. You see, he's a newlywed. He just got married yesterday. He's always with his wife, but I don't know why he's not now."
"We have to find her sir," Kate interrupts. "She has to know about what happened. She must be worried sick."
"Fabri?" Rose appears behind the master of arms.
"Rose there you are," Kate runs to her friend and hugs her tightly..
"What's going on? Where's Jack?" Rose asked looking around. Is he in the
stateroom? We were upgraded to first class and he had come back to get our stuff, but he told me to stay in first class. But it's been two hours now and he hasn't returned."
"He's been taken to the infirmary mam. You friends here found him badly beaten outside the stateroom and called me," the officer replied. "Do you have any idea who could have done this?"
Rose is stunned into silence. Jack? What did they do to him? And why? Because of her of course. He wouldn't tell them where she was so they took their anger out on him.
"Rose?" Kate asked, noticing how pale her friend had grown.
"It was those men...Ed and Sal. You see, they tried to attack me in Southampton and Jack stopped them. Then we ran into them here on the ship and they must have done this to Jack," Rose explained.
"Are they in third class?"
"Yes they are," Rose nods.

"Can you recognize them if you saw them again?"
Rose nods. There's no way she could ever forget their faces leering down at her in Southampton.
"Can you be back down here at breakfast tomorrow morning and identify them for me?" The officer asked.
"Sure," Rose nods. "But can you take me to my husband please?"
"Sure. Are you two wanting to go?" The officer turns to Kate and Fabrizio. They both nod and they follow the officer to the infirmary.

Jack is peacefully sleeping when Rose arrives in the infirmary. Oh how could she have let this happen? This was all her fault. Poor Jack.
"He'll be okay," Fabrizio reassures Rose, squeezing her shoulder.
"Sure he will," Kate pops in and then tries to change the subject. "So rose, how's first class?"
"The same," Rose flatly replied, staring down at her husband. "Did he wake up any?" She turns to the nearby nurse.
"Once. He just said a name, Rose I think it was. Then he fell asleep. He should wake up any minute. He's healthy and strong. He'll pull through this just fine," the nurse nods before going to check on other patients.
"Jack," Rose bends down beside him and takes his limp hand. "I'm here Jack and I'm never letting you out of my sight again. Is this in anyway unclear?"
Jack doesn't answer. Rose just kisses his hand and stares down at his face. She remains with Jack for the rest of the night.

Rose woke up on the cot the nurse had left for her the night before to find Jack staring at her.
"Jack you're awake," Rose rushes over to him. "How do you feel?"
"Sore," Jack mummbled. "You slept a long time. It's eight o'clock."
"It was a long night," Rose sniffed. "Oh Jack, I was so worried. It was those two men who did this to you wasn't it?"
"It doesn't matter now Rose. We'll never have to see them again. We're first class now and they're not aloud up here," Jack places a gentle hand on her cheek.
"Mrs. Dawson?" the Master of Arms appears in the doorway. "Are you ready to identify those men now? My officers are waiting."
"Identify?"
"Yes Jack. I'm going down to third class and I'm going to identify those two men. They're not going to get away with this," Rose squeezes Jack's hand. "Don't worry Jack. I'll be fine. The Master of Arms and his officers will be with me.
"Rose..." Jack tries to protest, but he knew it was useless. By the fire in her eyes, she wasn't going to let him change her mind. "Just be careful, ok."
"Ok," Rose smiled. "I'll be back soon. I promise."
Jack waves as he watches her leave. He hopes and prays that the master of Arms will keep her safe.

They found Sal and Ed in the third class dining saloon eating pancakes and grits. Neither are aware that they're wanted men.
"There they are," Rose points them out.
"Come on men. It's time to make the arrest," The Master of Arms leads them over to the table. "you two come with me," the master of arms growls.
"What? Who are you and what do you want?" Ed stands from his chair.
"The master of arms and you're under arrest for assault and battery," the officer answers. "For beating up a young man named Jack Dawson. His wife there identified you as the men who committed the crime."
Ed follows the officer's gaze and sees Rose standing behind another officer. He should have known she'd turn him in. "Listen officer. The kid started it. He stole my watch and I was just getting it back."
"Don't believe them officer," Rose speaks up. "Jack would never steal anything. You see these two men assaulted me once before and it was Jack who saved me and these two men had it out for him ever since."
"She's his wife. Of course she's going to lie for him," Sal piped up.
"Have you two ever heard of calling the authorities about stolen items? You don't just go and beat people up, especially not as bad as you beat Mr. Dawson. Now come on and don't resist. You're under arrest. Thank you Mrs. Dawson for helping us find these two."
"It's my pleasure officer," Rose nods watching Sal and Ed be dragged away. That was the last either Jack and Rose ever saw of them.

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