REUNITED
Written by Kristen
Based on some situations originated by James Cameron.

Rose Dawson got off the train in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Maybe being here would help ease her pain.

Oh, Jack, I love you so much. Thinking of her lost love brought fresh tears to her eyes. When would it stop hurting? When would she ever let Jack go?

In the five years since the sinking Rose had done nothing but mourn him. It hurt so much to think of him and then not be with him.

She'd come to Wisconsin hoping to share her grief with someone who'd known Jack. Her first stop was a drugstore called Jed's.

"May I help you, Miss?" a pleasant looking older man asked as she stepped inside the door.

"Yes. I was wondering if you knew a man named Jack Dawson. He..."

"He's my nephew," the man interrupted. "Hey, Jack!"

Rose nearly fainted when Jack stepped out of the back room. He looked exactly the same as when she'd last seen him. His blond hair was still on the long side and hung in his blue-green eyes, which were still as beautiful as she remembered them.

Jack's face filled with shock. "Rose?" he asked.

"It's me."

Rose was surprised to see Jack's face fill with intense anger.

"Uncle Jed, may I have some time to speak with Rose?"

"Of course."

Jack signaled for Rose to follow him. They walked to a bench behind the store. Rose couldn't help but notice how stiffly Jack walked. They sat down, Jack sitting as far away from Rose as he could manage.

"Why are you here?" he asked bitterly.

"Why are you so angry?"

Jack glared at her, his eyes cold blue steel. "Because you left me to die that night."

"Left you to die? Jack, I thought you were dead. I called your name over and over again and you didn't answer me."

"I couldn't, just like you couldn't call the boats yourself. But I squeezed your hand."

"I didn't feel it."

"And then you dropped me in that cold water. I had to swim forever to catch a boat. They pulled me into one and I didn't wake up until New York. I searched so many survivor lists for you but I didn't see your name on any of them. But it didn't stop me. I talked to a steward and he told me he'd seen someone fitting your exact description talking to Cal. It hurt me so much to think that you were with him that I took my ten bucks and came back to Chippewa Falls."

Tears formed in Rose's eyes as she listened to his story. "Jack, I was telling Cal to stay away from me, that I was dead to him. I told the name taker my name was Rose Dawson so no one would find me. Then I got a job as a seamstress in New York and I never stopped thinking of you."

Jack's face softened a little.

"Are you still drawing?" Rose asked.

The cold look returned to Jack's face. "No, I can't." Jack held out his arm. "I can't move my drawing hand. I got frostbite or something. I can feel a little but it's basically useless. I lost some toes, too. The only thing I'm good for is sweeping Jed's floor."

"Jack, I'm sorry." Rose reached out and touched his arm.

Jack flinched. "I don't want your pity!" he snapped. "You shouldn't have come here!" Jack got up and limped away.

Rose remained on the bench long after Jack left, crying to herself. What had happened to the Jack she knew? Maybe she'd been right all along. Maybe Jack Dawson had gone down with the Titanic, because this Jack was a stranger.

No, I can't give up on him. The Jack I know is there somewhere. I can't give up on him. I will go get some dinner and then I will see what I can do.

Rose ate dinner at a small restaurant. When she finished, she headed for Jed's. She spotted Jack sitting on the front porch, smoking a cigarette.

Rose sat beside him.

"What do you want?" Jack growled.

"For you to stop acting like Cal!" Rose exclaimed. She was getting her old fire back, the fire that Jack loved.

"Excuse me?"

"You're acting like Cal! Sitting around acting like you can't do anything because you're hurt. I bet you could move your stupid hand if you wanted to."

For once in his life, Jack was speechless.

"You don't have a thing to say because you know I'm right. I came here to tell people how much I love Jack Dawson, and I found a weak man who thinks he's Jack Dawson." Rose began to walk away.

"Rose, wait."

Rose whirled around.

"Rose, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have blamed you. I was looking for somebody to blame for what happened to me and I blamed you when I shouldn't have." Jack looked down at his feet. "It's all my fault."

"It's not your fault. It's no one's fault." Rose walked over to him. "It was an accident, a tragic accident."

Jack looked up at her and Rose was surprised to see his eyes were filled with tears. She pulled him close. He clung to her tightly, his hot tears staining her dress.

"Would you like to go inside?" Rose asked.

Jack nodded and led her up to his room above the store. His room was small and dimly lit. It held only a bed, a chest of drawers, and a chair.

Jack took off his boots with his good hand and sat down on the bed. Rose removed her shoes and sat beside him.

"Let me see your injured hand. I want to try something Trudy used to do for my father after he hurt his hand."

Jack slowly held his hand out. Rose began to rub it gently, surprised at how cold and pale his skin was. Jack winced as she bent his fingers flat. Rose gently rubbed his hand and fingers until his skin warmed up and began to show some color.

"Try moving your fingers."

Jack's fingers moved slightly.

Rose smiled. "It worked somewhat. I'll have to keep it up."

Jack smiled softly for the first time. "I have missed you," he said.

"Me, too. I have missed you so much."

Jack yawned.

"You should get some rest."

"Please stay with me," Jack pleaded.

"Where will I sleep?"

"My bed is big enough for two."

"Okay. But let me take care of you. I feel guilty."

"Rose..."

"Shh." Rose put a finger to his lips and undid his suspenders. Jack's pants felt to the floor. He wore long johns underneath.

Rose unbuttoned his shirt and tucked him into bed. She then changed into a nightgown and sat on the bed.

Jack smiled at her as she gently stroked his hair.

"Get under the covers. It's cold," he said.

Rose obeyed and Jack put his arms around her and gently kissed her forehead. Rose fell asleep holding his injured hand.

The next morning Jack awoke alone. Rose came into the room wearing a robe over her nightgown.

"I talked to your uncle and you don't have to work today. We have the whole day together."

Jack smiled as Rose jumped onto the bed. She took his injured hand. It was warm today. Rose looked up at Jack, who gazed back at her with a serious expression. He moved his face close to hers and sought out her lips. Rose returned his kiss hungrily, enjoying the feel of his warm mouth against hers. It had been too long since she'd last tasted him. Jack kissed her harder.

Rose pulled back. "Jack, take me to the stars," she whispered.

Jack kissed her passionately in response…

After spending the morning in bed, Jack took Rose on a tour of the town. He showed her everything there was to see, the places he'd loved as a child, and the places he loved now. Rose wished the day didn't have to end, but alas, it did.

The next evening Rose had a train to catch back to New York. She didn't want to leave Jack, but she had a job back home and barely any money. She and Jack had shared an emotional good-bye at Jed's and Jack had promised to come to New York soon.

Rose listened to the first call for her train, wishing Jack had come with her. It was raining and the platform offered little shelter. She supposed she should board the train.

"Rose!" a male voice called behind her.

Rose turned and saw Jack coming towards her.

"You can't go, Rose. I love you too much to let you go."

"What?"

"Rose, I love you. I'm sorry I've never said it before. Please don't leave."

"Jack, I..."

"Marry me. Rose, I can't live without you."

Rose was suddenly speechless. "Yes, Jack. I'll marry you," she managed to say.

Jack embraced her. Rose pressed her lips against his as the rain fell on them.

A week later Jack and Rose were married in a private ceremony in New York. Jack had finally regained full movement in his hand, and had moved to New York to be with Rose, and try a career in art. Even if he failed, he would be with his Rose, and they would be happy.

The End.

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