His heart was pounding and he didn't even notice the man he nearly cast aside as he raised inside the deck. The only thought on his mind remained firmly fixed on how Rose left behind all safety to jump back on board. Why had she? To any other witness it would appear she lost all sanity, but to Jack it was the most moving gift possible. Still, he grew more and more worried that one or both of them wouldn't survive. However, he stayed determined to keep them both alive no matter what.

Slowly, tears poured freely from his welled up eyes, unable to comprehend or fathom what really swept through her mind. He was racing now, frantically flinging the doors open and desperately searching for her among the terrified passengers. The last he saw of her, she was crying and clinging to the side of the ship. His feet carried him down the flight of the grand staircase almost as if he were flying. Then, he saw her as she moved haphazardly through the crowds. With her hair flying freely around her face, its long auburn curls smooth as usual, tears pouring down her porcelain cheeks and an uncontrollable sob emerging from her full, pouty lips, she appeared stunning to him. There was nothing more that he wanted to do then to hold her in his arms forever and never let go.

They collided into each others arms, breathless for a moment. It seemed as if Rose could easily collapse into his arms then and there, incapable of going on through her own tears. Jack lifted her with his strength, supporting her not only physically, but through the love evident in his eyes. He heard the soft cry she gave and he clutched her ever so tightly to himself, savoring the silk skin close to him, the smell of her perfume, the softness of her hair, and the warmth of her breath. Suddenly, he realized how grateful he was to God for letting him win that ticket that would ultimately bring him to her and change their lives forever.

Aware they would cause glances to look to them on any normal day, Jack didn't care. Nothing in the world mattered to him except for himself and the woman he adored and loved with all his heart. He pulled back for a moment, and put his hands on her pale cheeks, peering into the crystal eyes that conveyed everything she felt, her soul and his future. "You're so stupid, Rose!" His voice yelled, amused and terrified in between hurried, passionate kisses. Jack had never been one for conventional means and now was not the time, not when he was thrilled to be reunited with her and as he comforted her. "You're so stupid! Why did you do that? Why?!"

Rose sighed, fighting back the tears and fear. Her hands fumbled for a moment in his shaggy and tawny hair and then began to brush lovingly across his smooth cheeks. She nearly screamed her reply as she said the words that almost melted Jack's heart despite the freezing conditions around him. "You jump, I jump, right?" Her voice almost cracked with emotion as her sapphire eyes searched his for the same emotion.

Jack's hard determination crumbled as he heard her words. The entire content of their relationship instantly played through his head. "But I'm too involved now. You jump, I jump, remember? I can't turn away without knowing you'll be all right. That's all that I want..." He kept hearing his own voice over and over in his head. Rose was willing to stay with him no matter what lay ahead. She really did care. She really felt the same things he always had for her from that first day and the feelings he only dared to let himself dream that she actually returned. Their social classes didn't matter. There were no longer any barriers to keep them apart. He loved her and she obviously loved him. Rose would give her own life for him, fully aware it didn't have to be that way. At that moment, Jack made a silent vow to himself. His words would become reality and he would make the sacrifice if need be in order to let her life the life she craved. His reply became the spoken promise to her, "Right."

She drew his head urgently to hers again, her lips quickly finding his as they stood at the foot of the staircase landing, warming his heart and soul. He embraced her even more tightly, burying his face in the blanket of her shiny, perfumed tresses. His hands passionately stroked her neck and he cherished the feel of her own wanton grasp onto him. Every feeling he experienced in the Renault now seemed magnified and more intense. He would never again let Rose and him be separated.

"I couldn't go, Jack. I couldn't go."

"It's all right. We'll figure something out."

"I couldn't go. Least not without you."

Glancing up, he thanked the heavens for giving him an angel to love and to hold on earth. Wells of tears threatened to burst forth from his own eyes, but he wasn't to happen. Suddenly, without warning, he saw the abrupt commotion on the landing above. Dark hair and black tie spun through the air and silver reflected brightly in the lamplight. Cal's face came into view while he aimed the gun directly towards the back of Rose. He looked like a man who had lost all sign of reason.

Fear enveloped every fiber in Jack's body. He never imagined fulfilling his vow then and there. Having been so absorbed with his declaration and commitment to her, he had completely forgotten about the over possessive and jealous fiance who liked to claim she belonged to him. Shoving Rose aside and grabbing her hand, his terror showed in his yell, "Come on! We've got ta move!"

A horrified scream emerged from Rose as the carved cherub next to her exploded as the bullet from Cal's gun hit it, splintering it into pieces. Jack drug her down the stairs, dodging disaster as they continued around the floors to each new flight. Thank god, Cal was a horrible shot. A spray of green water shot upwards and Rose's gasp and scream urged him onward again but even faster than before.

"Come on, Rose." He pleaded as they waded into the flooded reception deck. The chill immediately stabbed him like the hundred knives. Rose was gasping with the pain. "Come on." Another blast of water next to her urged them both to move more quickly as they heard Cal's angry moans.

They entered the dining room as another bullet cracked the glass door. If it hadn't been for the shield, Jack would've been hit. As they raced frantically into the rapidly tilting room, the gunfire seemed to vanish, but Jack wasn't about to take any chances.

"I hope you enjoy your time together!" Cal's cry echoed across the water to meet their ears as they ran into a corridor, hoping to find refuge until he gave up, but he was done pursuing them.

Jack sighed, relieved. Apparently, the water was even too frigid for the iceman himself. It would buy Rose and him time to create a safe distance from him and to allow himself to think of a way to survive. He pondered the words for a moment and realized he would make each of the terrifying moments of Titanic's death count as he would any moment Rose and him would spend together. His eyes found Rose's and Jack realized the road ahead of them.