Rated PG
© 1999 Tracy Boardman @ daz@scuby.freeserve.co.uk
based on some characters
and situations originated by James Cameron
"Please excuse me" Rose pulled her
gloves back on. "I will be back shortly."
Jack watched her get up and go the cloakroom.
He shook his head and pulled his hands through his hair. What a bastard Caledon
Hockley is, he thought. If he were here now, he'd teach him to hurt women.
Alone in the cloakroom Rose dabbed her eyes.
She stared at herself in the mirror. It occurred to her that she had done nothing
but cry for at least the last week. Will things ever change? She asked herself.
Will things ever get better? She had only been married for two months. They
seemed the longest two months of her life. The European tour gave a big clue
what her life following the wedding would be like. She had thought of throwing
herself into the Seine then, when Cal raged at her in Paris. She had stuck a
fork into her arm to draw blood at least one boring, dinner party. She was paraded
around Cal's friends and colleagues like some show pony. She was sick and tired
of it all. As she thought the other night, she was only eighteen. How many more
years of this lay ahead? Now Cal wanted a son and heir. It was all about what
Cal wanted, never about what she might want. She thought of Jack and Cal. They
were so very, very different. She could feel herself being drawn to Jack. But
what was the real reason? Was it Jack the person or Jack, a straw for a drowning
woman to clutch onto?
Jack didn't feel very hungry, but he poured a
cup of tea for them both. Rose will be glad of one when she comes back, he thought.
If only he could get her away from Hockley. He was falling in love with her,
he knew that. But even if she never loved him, he had to get her away from Hockley
for her own safety and sanity. He couldn't have even guessed that her sanity
had already been shaken to the core.
Rose took a deep breath and tried to steel herself.
She had to go back out there and face Jack. Why did she think it would be difficult?
Jack was her friend. And he was right. She shouldn't be treated so badly by
anyone, not even Cal. Another deep breath. Come on Rose, she encouraged herself.
Let's go.
Jack was relieved to see her returning. A little
colour had come back to her face.
"I'd thought you'd like a cup of tea."
Jack smiled and pushed the cup toward her.
Mother would have a fit at the lack of etiquette,
smiled Rose to herself.
"Thank you."
"You OK now?" he asked concerned.
"I was OK before". Rose reprimanded.
"You didn't seem it to me." Jack took
a bite out of sandwich. He didn't really want it, but it was food and it was
there.
"Jack, I haven't known you very long, but
I consider you a dear friend. However, you can't get involved in things that
don't have anything to do with you. Cal is my husband. I promised to honour
and obey him. I have not done a very good job of that so far. In fact being
here with you now after what happened last time is not obeying. But I have to
take a little control of my life. Me Jack, not you."
Jack was puzzled. "What do you mean being
here with me now?"
"You really must forget everything I have
said. Let's talk about the drawings."
"I don't want to talk about the drawings.
There is something else. Something you're not telling me Rose. What is it?"
"Forget it, please."
"Rose." Jack stared into her eyes trying
to work out what was going on.
Rose sighed and closed her eyes. The whole scene
with Cal seemed to flash before her. She spoke quietly.
"Someone told Cal I was in the park with
a blonde man. He naturally assumed the worst."
Jack felt like he'd been punched in the stomach.
Cal had done this to Rose because of him. He ran his hands through his hair
and fought for something to say.
"Oh, God. It's my fault. I'm so sorry, Rose.
Truly I am."
He looked so wretched she took his hand.
"I didn't say it to make you feel bad Jack.
It's my problem remember?"
"What did he do to you?"
"He just grabbed my arm and pushed me about
a bit. He was drunk. He wouldn't have done it if he were sober. Now please,
forget it."
Jack squeezed her hand. He noticed that she had
taken hold of his hand first. This was it, now or never. He took a deep breath.
"Rose, why don't you come to New York with
me?"
Rose studied him for a moment, looking into his
blue eyes. Sometimes they seemed like a bottomless pool.
"Don't be silly Jack. How on earth could
I ever explain that to Cal? It's impossible."
"No it isn't. If you wanted to go badly
enough, you could."
"And what do you think would happen to me
when I got home?"
"You don't go back home." Jack's eyes
seemed to bore into Rose's soul. For a moment she wanted to say yes. How easy
he made things seem. But life wasn't that easy. She could never get away from
Cal. She was his possession and he would never let her go.
She smiled sadly.
"Thank you for the offer. I would love to
attend your friends wedding. However, I must decline."
"You have a choice. This is a chance to
get away from him."
"I married him. I knew what I was doing.
I must live with the consequences."
"Rose. I've only known you a few days. You
are the most truly amazing person I have ever met." Jack paused, he still
held her hand. "This is so hard." He swallowed. "I think I, I
care about you Rose. But I'm afraid for you. If you never, ever consider me
to be more than a friend I'll be happy. But you gotta get away from Hockley.
And I'll help you."
Rose had just been thrown the rope she was so
desperately looking for. But she had to reject it. She released his hand and
looked down.
"This conversation is no longer suitable.
I do not want to discuss this again Jack. I came here to talk about buying your
drawings. And about your friends wedding. Now lets sort it out. I will take
ten drawings. Will that cover your costs?" Rose swallowed her tea, trying
to behave far stronger than she felt.
"I can't take your money Rose."
"If it makes you feel better, think of taking
Mr Hockley's money. Name your price."
Jack bit into another sandwich. "Depends
on which drawings you want. I mean, if you want me to do drawings of you, then
they'd be expensive. Rare you see." He smiled then took another bite. He
felt as if his pride was being swallowed with the sandwich. He pushed the plate
towards Rose.
"Have something to eat, please?" He
asked. "They're pretty good and I can't eat them on my own."
She took sandwich.
"Well, how much?"
"I'd give you my drawings. You know that."
"You're supposed to be doing business here."
"You know how much they are. I ain't adding
anything on. None even to fleece Hockley's wallet. I have my principles."
"I'll take twenty drawings then."
"This is getting silly."
The air seemed more relaxed and they laughed
over their lunch. Jack loved to see Rose so happy, for once. Her laugh was like
music to him, her eyes sparkled. Every time he noticed the bruise on eye, it
pained him inside. He felt responsible for it in a strange way. Oh how he wanted
to protect her from Hockley. But she had turned him down. Why? I guess I've
nothing to offer her, he thought sadly. I'll just have to hope she'll be OK.
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