She was quite impressed with the proceedings of the United States hearings, but when she sailed to England, they wanted to hear nothing about the atrocities of how the third class passengers were treated. It was not about class, she was told. The English government wanted to push it under the table for fear it would damage the English shipping industry.

Rose stood on the bow of the ship that was taking her back to America, pondering what her next move would be. 'At least this time it's not in chains,' she thought to herself. She could smell the salty sea air and ocean seemed to go as far as the eye could see. Rose's hair blew in the wind. She had taken to wearing it down, as a symbol of her new freedom and independence. 'The sky is as blue as Jack's eyes.' she thought sadly.

Thinking over everything she had learned she thought 'It was all so senseless, no one had to die.'

While Senator Smith was interested in the truth, Rose soon realized his hidden agenda was to update legislation of Maritime Law. She had found a lot of the answers she was looking for, but not the justice she felt those who perished deserved. It was all so frustrating.

Bruce Ismay's testimony angered her. She remembered that arrogant little weasel on Titanic at brunch -- "I wanted to convey sheer size. And size means luxury. . .and safety." Well, he certainly wasn't that arrogant little man anymore. He had become a shadow of what he used to be.

Rose was shocked at his appearance when he testified. He was very pale. He seemed to be still in shock. He barely spoke above a whisper. Senator Smith showed the president of White Star Line no mercy as he questioned him. He was asked questions such as: "Was the ship going too fast on an unsafe route through an ice field?" "Was he pressuring Captain Smith to pick up the speed to make headlines for the White Star Line?" "Were third class passengers locked below?" "Should he have gotten into a lifeboat?"

While Ismay maintained he was just a regular passenger with no special privileges, that seemed to be the only point he was clear on. The man who bragged about Titanic and claimed to know everything about the ship now had no idea about anything. His answers consisted of "I presume," "I believe," and the man even had the nerve to say "I don't remember."

Second Officer Lightoller and Harold Bride, the only surviving wireless operator, were not very helpful either. They sugar-coated the truth and did their best to cover up any mistakes made that night. It was obvious they were company men
who wanted to further their careers. They were not willing to say anything of the atrocities that took place. Although, Colonel Gracie did put a damper on Lightoller's sugar-coated testimony by saying that Officer Lightoller had admitted to having to use a gun to keep order in Collapsible D on the Carpathia.

'Thank God,' Rose had thought, 'someone to tell how actually horrific that whole scene was.'

Senator Smith, unlike the English inquiry, let everyone who was willing testify, be it first, second, or third class. He listened intently as he was being told how badly some of the crew behaved; how there was no organization; how shabbily the third class was treated, and the gates being locked. He took it all in with a look of such pity for these people who had experienced such an awful loss of life. Rose had tremendous respect for him, for Allan, and for their crusade; even if they both had different reasons for pursuing the answers.

One of the most amazing things to Rose was that the damn ship broke in half. Most survivors spoke of it while recounting the events. But, Lightoller said it had sunk in one piece, and they believed him. God forbid the public thinks the ship wasn't well built. 'My ass,' Rose thought indignantly 'I was on that ship.' If Lighttoller was where he said he was when the ship went down, how would he have known it split in two pieces?

Jack was with her the whole time, as always. Watching what was being said, Thomas Andrews said to Jack, "Rose misses nothing does she?"

Laughing, Jack replied, "Have you ever known her to?"

The most heart-wrenching thing Rose had heard about was the Californian. It had been only seventeen miles away. People on that ship had seen the distress rockets fired from Titanic. Captain Lord, the captain of the Californian had seen them himself. If a wireless operator would have been on duty, or if the crew of the Californian had paid more attention.... 'You could have lived Jack; we could have had our lives together,' she thought bitterly. 'That ship could have saved all those people.'

Jack had heard the testimony too, and the pain he felt was indescribable. 'It did not have to end like that,' he thought with tears streaming down his face. 'We could have built a wonderful life together.'

Rose felt Jack's pain along with her own, and she nearly broke down at the hearing. The room began to spin, and she thought she would be sick. "Be strong Rose, I am with you. I need you to stay and listen, no matter how painful it is." Rose heard Jack in her soul. Reaching in her pocket she felt the Heart of the Ocean and clutched it tightly.

'Some things were accomplished these past two months,' she thought. Luxury liners would be safer because of the sacrifice fifteen hundred people made with their lives. Senator Smith had legislation passed so there would always be enough lifeboats for every person on board. Crews onboard sailing vessels would be required to run drills on a frequent basis in case of emergency. But most importantly, wireless operators would be required to be on duty twenty-four hours a day. 'A little too late,' she thought bitterly.

Tommy, Mr. Andrews, and Fabrizio were also at the hearings with Rose, though not as close as Jack. When it was all over Tommy said to Jack, "She didn't let us down; she made sure people knew what really happened.""Thank her, Jack," Tommy said with tears in his eyes.

Rose had felt Jack especially near at that moment, but she also felt something else... his gratitude. But not only his.

Jack looked at Tommy and said, "She said you're welcome."

Back at present time Rose was glad she had risked being discovered by her Mother and Cal. It was worth it. It was hard listening to people recount the events of the night. It was even harder getting on a ship again. But she needed to do this -- for Jack, Tommy, Fabrizio, Mr. Andrews, and all the others whose dreams died. Looking out at the horizon, Rose thought about the last time she was at the bow of a ship. Jack had kissed her. His lips were so soft... She could almost feel them now, taste his sweetness. "Jack, I'm flying," she had said.

Jack hovered right next to her. "Yes, my love, you are," he answered her.

God willing, or just by the sheer power of their love for each other, Rose could feel Jack come up behind her and put his arms around her. Jack could feel her warm body in his arms. Rose leaned back into him and turned her head to face him, and for one brief moment their lips met. It lasted only seconds, but for them it lasted an eternity. Rose heard Jack whisper, "You made it count."

Rose answered, "Yes, Jack, I did. I am not going to stop now."