ODE TO TITANIC
Chapter Seven

Jack stood at the bow of the ship, his thoughts full of Rose. He couldn’t believe that she was going to stay in that gilded cage of hers…after all they did together…after all they sang to one another. She had practically begged him to rescue her…and then…she just turned away and went back to them. But why? He had thought she had felt the same for him that he had felt for her. Or…was she only playing games with him? Was he just a last minute fling before her wedding to Cal? If so…then he was dead to her as of now. The next time he saw her…he’ll send her away. Tell her to let him rest in peace.

Jack:
I died
So many years ago
But you can make me feel
Like it isn't so
And why you come to be with me
I think I finally know
Mmm-mmm
You're scared
Ashamed of what you feel
And you can't tell the ones you love
You know they couldn't deal
Whisper in a dead man's ear
It doesn't make it real
That's great
But I don't wanna play
'Cause being with you touches me
More than I can say
And since I’m only dead to you
I’m saying stay away and
Let me rest in peace
Let me rest in peace
Let me get some sleep
Let me take my love and bury it
In a hole six-foot deep
I can lay my body down
But I can't find my sweet release
So let me rest in peace
You know,
You got a willing slave
And you just love to play the thought
That you might misbehave
But ‘til you do,
I'm telling you
Stop visiting my grave
Let me rest in peace
I know I should go
But I follow you like a man possessed
There's a traitor here beneath my breast
And it hurts me more than you've ever guessed
If my heart could beat, it would break my chest
But I can see you're unimpressed
So leave me be and
Let me rest in peace
Let me get some sleep
Let me take my love and bury it
In a hole six-foot deep
I can lay my body down
But I can't find my sweet release
Let me rest in peace
Why won't you
Let me rest in peace?

"Jack?"

He turned to find Rose staring at him, her eyes shining with what looked like joy and resolve. He didn’t know what to say to her. Did she hear his song? Was she back to play some more with his heart? Tell her to go away. Tell her that you never want to see her again, Dawson. But he said none of those things. He couldn’t turn her away. He just couldn’t. So here he was. Rose’s steerage puppet. What string was she going to pull next?

"I changed my mind." Rose smiled slightly, a bit nervous. He had seemed so angry in his song. She had hoped that maybe he could look at her and see her sincerity. That she really did want to be with him. No one but him, and leave her world behind. She grew even more nervous, unable to read his expression. What was he thinking? Nervously, she cleared her throat. "They told me that you might be up here…"

"Shh." He quieted her. He reached out his hand and she took it, relief filling her being. He forgave her rash decision earlier. "Close your eyes."

Trusting him, Rose did so, all the time wondering what was going on. She sucked in a nervous breath as Jack slipped behind her.

"Step up on the rail. Don’t open your eyes. Keep them closed. No peeking," Jack instructed.

Rose did so and was a bit relieved when Jack stepped up behind her, his warm body a wall of strength. He took her hands in his and leaned closer.

"Do you trust me?"

Rose nodded. Of course she did. "I trust you."

Slowly, Jack raised her hands to her side and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Okay. Open your eyes."

Rose did so and gasped at the whole new world before her. She was soaring above the ocean into the horizon, tinted with pink and lavender as the sun set. It was a wonderful feeling…a wonderful sight. "I’m flying. Jack…"

Jack:
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways, and under
On a magic carpet ride
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming.

Rose:
A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I’m in a whole new world
With you
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
A whole new world.

Jack:
Don't you dare close your eyes.

Rose:
A hundred thousand things to see.

Jack:
Hold your breath--it gets better.

Rose:
I'm like a shooting star,
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be.

Jack:
A whole new world.

Rose:
Every turn a surprise.

Jack:
With new horizons to pursue.

Rose:
Every moment gets better.

Jack and Rose:
I'll chase them anywhere,
There's time to spare,
Let me share this whole new world with you.

Jack:
A whole new world.

Rose:
A whole new world.

Jack:
That's where we'll be.

Rose:
That's where we'll be.

Jack:
A thrilling chase.

Rose:
A wondrous place.

Jack and Rose:
For you and me.

They stare into each other’s eyes and before they even knew what was happening, they were kissing, drowning in a world of their own, sailing off into a whole new world of freedom and love.

*****

Jack and Rose walked hand-in-hand, their minds on nothing but each other. Jack didn’t even notice they were deep into first class now. In fact, they were in the part that contained the suites. At first he was a bit nervous, not knowing what Rose had planned. But he decided to do what he always did. Roll with the punches. Surely Rose knew where they were going and what they were going to do once they got there. All Jack needed to do was let her be the leader for once. But he wanted conversation. All the quiet was making him nervous.

"Rose…you know how I grew up. How about you? What was your life like back in Philadelphia?" Jack asked, his eyes curious and full of love and longing. He had never wanted anyone as much as he wanted Rose. He knew that he was seriously in love with her.

Rose looked at Jack and shrugged. "You don’t want to know about that, Jack. It was boring. My life didn’t get interesting until you came along."

Jack laughed, sure that she was yanking his chain. Her life up to now had to be interesting, full of balls and cotillions. Polo matches. Not that he found that stuff interesting, but it had to be fun for a girl like Rose. "Come on, Rose. I told you my life story. Tell me yours."

"You won’t give up, will you?"

Jack only smiled and shook his head. "Tell me."

"All right. Fine, then." Rose gave in. "But don’t say that I didn’t warn you."

She turned to him as soft music began to play.

Rose:
I lived my life in shadow
Never the sun on my face
It didn't seem so sad, though
I figured that was my place
Now I’m bathed in light
Something just isn't right
I’m under your spell
How else could it be
Anyone would notice me?
It's magic, I can tell
How you set me free
Brought me out so easily
I saw a world enchanted
Spirits and charms in the air
I always took for granted
I was the only one there
But your power shone
Brighter than any I’ve known
I’m under your spell
Nothing I can do
You just took my soul with you
You worked your charm so well
Finally, I knew
Everything I dreamed was true
You made me believe
The moon to the tide
I can feel you inside
I’m under your spell
Surging like the sea
Wanting you so helplessly
I break with every swell
Lost in ecstasy
Spread beneath my willow tree
You make me complete
You make me complete
You make me complete
You make me.

They reached her door, and Jack felt touched and a bit conned. Rose had just told him how he affected her. Not exactly her life story. He was a bit disappointed.

"Rose, sweetie…I meant your life before…"

"There was no life before you, Jack. Only when you pulled me back over that railing did I truly begin to live. The rest of it…it’s like a dream or something. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

Jack nodded. He knew exactly what she had just said. She had told him her life as she saw it. Before him, there were only shadows. A mere semblance of a life. But now…she in full bloom. Her fire burning bright.

Meanwhile, they had arrived at their goal. Rose opened one of the fancy doors in the large corridor and they stepped into the splendid suite. Jack was overwhelmed. He put his sketchbook, which Rose had told him to take with him, on one of the tables and began to study the room.

"Will this light do? Artists need good light, right?" Rose asked from somewhere in the room, and Jack turned around.

"That’s true. I’m not used to working in such horrible conditions," he replied in a heavy but bad French accent, making Rose giggle.

"Monet!" he suddenly exclaimed, rushing to one of the paintings that was leaning against the wall.

"Do you know his work?" Rose appeared behind him, taking a look over his shoulder. She watched him as he lightly touched the colors of the picture.

"Of course. Look at his use of color here. Isn’t it great?" Rose smiled at him, glad that he actually seemed to share her passion for good art.

Jack stood up again, realizing that Rose was holding something in her hand now. She held it out to him and he took it, fascinated by the way it sparkled in the dim light of the suite. It was a necklace. Rose had actually given him the wedding gift she had gotten from Cal.

"That’s nice. What is it? A sapphire?"

"A diamond," Rose replied very matter-of-factly, feeling the nervousness growing inside her at the prospect of what she was going to ask him to do. "A very rare diamond."

Jack was still studying the diamond when she leaned a little closer, lowering her voice.

"Jack, I want you to draw me like one of your French girls. Wearing this," she whispered, and he just nodded, obviously not understanding the real meaning behind her words.

"Wearing only this." Rose smiled at him mischievously and Jack turned to her, confusion and surprise mixed in his gaze.

Rose smiled at him once again and disappeared into another room, closing the door behind her.

Jack’s heart began to race and he nervously prepared the room. He shoved the divan around until it was in a more appropriate position and sat down on one of the chairs, opening his sketchbook and pencil folder.

Suddenly, the door opened again and Rose appeared, wearing a kimono. She took a few steps toward him, hiding her nervousness behind a mischievous smile.

"The last thing I need is another picture of me looking like a porcelain doll. And as a paying customer…" She handed him a dime, almost throwing it into his lap casually, making Jack grin. "I expect to get what I want."

She took a few steps back, her smile vanishing from her face. She looked at him more and more seriously and slowly took off her kimono, never taking her eyes off him. She let it fall to the ground and looked at him, her heart pounding like crazy.

She heard him gasp, and during the next few seconds, neither of them knew what to say. Jack pointed towards the divan, still unable to speak, swallowing hard. Rose slowly moved to the couch, lying down. She didn’t quite know how to pose and she nervously tried to find a somehow appropriate position.

"Tell me when it looks right to you," she begged him, trying to hide the tenseness in her voice. She wanted to appear as casual and relaxed as possible, although Jack couldn’t hide his nervousness.

He gave her some instructions until Rose found a perfect position and Jack breathed in deeply. He let out a sharp breath until he was finally able to start to sketch.

He let his pencil travel across the paper, struggling to keep his fingers from shaking. Rose uttered teasing comments from time to time, slightly calming both of them down.

Jack slowly regained his professional concentration and he parted his lips as music began to play.

Jack:
Just one look into your eyes
One look and I'm crying
‘Cause you're so beautiful
Just one kiss and I'm alive
One kiss and I'm ready to die
‘Cause you're so beautiful
Just one touch and I'm on fire
One touch and I'm crying
‘Cause you're so beautiful
Just one smile and I'm wild
One smile and I'm ready to die
‘Cause you're so beautiful
Oh and you're so beautiful
My darling
Oh you're so beautiful
You're so beautiful
Oh my baby
You're so beautiful
And you're so beautiful
Oh my darling
Oh my baby
And you're so beautiful.

After what seemed like forever, Jack finished the sketch with some last strokes. Rose got up and put on her kimono again, stepping behind Jack. She took a look at the paper and gasped. The drawing was even more fascinating than she had expected.

She thanked him in a whisper and Jack put the finished sketch into his portfolio, handing it to her with a smile. Rose entered the other room again in order to get dressed and put the drawing and necklace back into the safe, but not without leaving a personal note to Cal.

She finally entered the suite again, wearing a white dress and her hair hanging loosely down.

Jack stepped back from the promenade deck, rubbing his hands. "It’s getting cold." He breathed into his hands and gazed at her, mesmerized once again by her beauty. "You’re looking nice," he uttered, but a sudden noise made them turn to the door. Somebody was obviously about to enter the suite, and Rose reacted quickly. She silently grabbed Jack’s arm and dragged him through the door into the other room, closing the door as noiselessly as possible.

"Miss Rose?" they heard someone call, and Rose immediately recognized the voice. It was that awful Lovejoy, whom Cal must have sent to look for her.

Jack and Rose made their way across the room until they reached another door. Rose opened it and they stepped into the corridor again, smiling at each other and at the little game they seemed to be playing. They tried to act as normal as possible, but suddenly a door was opened and they turned around. Lovejoy appeared in the corridor, looking around until he finally saw them a short distance in front of him. Rose tried to hold back her amused laughter, grabbing Jack’s hand.

"Come on, Jack!" she yelled, and they started to run along the corridor, Lovejoy following close behind. They kept running, almost laughing hysterically, when fast music began to play.

Jack and Rose:
Not gonna get us
They’re not gonna get us
Not gonna get us
Not gonna get us.

Jack:
Starting from here, let’s make a promise
You and me, let’s just be honest
We’re gonna run, nothing can stop us
Even the night that falls all around us.

Rose:
Soon there will be laughter and voices
Beyond the clouds over the mountains
We’ll run away on roads that are empty
Lights from the airfield shining upon you.

Jack and Rose:
Nothing can stop this, not now I love you
They’re not gonna get us,
They’re not gonna get us
Nothing can stop this, not now I love you
They’re not gonna get us,
They’re not gonna get us
Not gonna get us
They’re not gonna get us.

Jack:
We’ll run away, keep everything simple
Night will come down, our guardian angel
We rush ahead, the crossroads are empty
Our spirits rise, they’re not gonna get us.

Rose:
My love for you, always forever
Just you and me, all else is nothing
Not going back, not going back there.

Jack and Rose:
They don’t understand,
They don’t understand us
Not gonna get us
They’re not gonna get us
Nothing can stop this, not now I love you
They’re not gonna get us,
They’re not gonna get us
Nothing can stop this, not now I love you
They’re not gonna get us,
They’re not gonna get us
Not gonna get us
They’re not gonna get us.

Jack and Rose were running until they reached the bank of elevators. They rushed into one, telling the operator to quickly take them down. Still shocked at their behavior, the operator took them down to E-Deck, where they stumbled out of the elevator. Their laughter made it hard for them to run, and they rested for a second, leaning against a wall.

"Pretty tough for a valet, this fellow. Seems more like a cop." Jack gasped for air, and Rose leaned on his arm.

"I think he was." She laughed. The next second they had to start to run again. Lovejoy spotted them through a small window in the door that separated them from the corridor on the other side. He rushed toward the door, but Jack and Rose hurried around the corner, finding an unlocked door. They escaped, climbing down a ladder and reaching the boiler room. The heat was stifling and Jack grabbed Rose’s hand, dragging her along with him through the narrow alley. Some of the stokers watched them with a mixture of surprise and confusion, but before they even knew what was happening, Jack and Rose disappeared into the darkness.

They slowed down when they reached another door. Jack opened the heavy steel entrance and they entered the cargo hold. The sudden cold was almost pleasant. Jack and Rose made their way through the hall when something caught Jack’s eye.

"Look what we have here, huh?" He grinned and Rose followed him, smiling as she spotted the object. It was a beautiful, shiny new Renault, and Jack let go of her hand as he examined the vehicle a little closer.

Rose teasingly cleared her throat, making Jack turn around. She was standing next to the car door, smiling at him mischievously. He grinned and opened the door for her, helping her to get into the car.

"Thank you," she stated in a very noble, royal tone of voice, and he closed the door behind her.

Jack jumped into the driver’s seat, raising his chin in a mockingly extravagant posture.

"Where to, miss?" he asked, imitating the typical British chauffeur tone of voice, making Rose laugh behind him.

"To the stars," she whispered, reaching forward to pull him into the backseat. He landed right next to her, their fingers intertwined, and Jack took a deep breath.

"Are you nervous?" he asked, lowering his voice a little, and she just slightly shook her head.

After kissing his fingers individually, she looked at him again, taking his right hand firmly into hers.

"Put your hands on me, Jack," she whispered to him, and he kissed her deeply, making her slide down in the seat.

Endless moments later, Jack and Rose were lying as one, huddling together, mostly undressed.

Watching Rose’s beauty underneath him, Jack began to sing.

Jack:
We got the afternoon
You got this room for two
One thing I've left to do
Discover me
Discovering you
One mile to every inch of
Your skin like porcelain
One pair of candy lips and
Your bubblegum tongue
And if you want love
We'll make it
Swimming a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while
Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder
Your body is a wonderland
Something 'bout the way the hair falls in your face
I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase
You tell me where to go and
Though I might leave to find it
I'll never let your head hit the bed
Without my hand behind it
You want love?
We'll make it
Swimming a deep sea
Of blankets
Take all your big plans
And break 'em
This is bound to be a while
Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder
Your body is a wonderland
Damn baby
You frustrate me
I know you're mine all mine all mine
You look so good it hurts sometimes
Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonder
Your body is a wonderland
Your body is a wonderland…

Chapter Eight
Stories