JUST WHEN I NEEDED YOU
Chapter Five

Three Weeks Later

Rose awoke with a huge knot in her stomach. She had to break things off with Cal today. It wasn't going to be easy, impossible even, but it had to be done. She was graduating next week and wanted Jack there more then anything. So it had to end. Today. Rolling out of bed, she gathered her clothes and headed to the bathroom to shower. Downstairs, she heard voices. Great, he's already here. Rose sighed and went to get ready. Forty-five minutes later, she was ready, and went downstairs to greet her mother and Cal.

"Good morning, sweetpea," Cal purred, smiling smugly.

Go to hell, she thought, but to him, she returned the smile. "Good morning, Cal. You're here rather early, aren't you?"

"I suppose so. I was hoping maybe the two of us could have breakfast down by the lake."

Rose fell silent for a moment, but quickly realized that this would be her chance. She would have to call Jack, and have him nearby, just in case things got out of hand. And knowing Cal, they probably would.

Rose nodded. "Yes, that sounds lovely."

Cal grinned. "Then it's settled. I had my cook pack a basket for us before I left. Shall we go?"

Rose's eyes widened. "I forgot something upstairs. Give me a minute?"

Cal nodded and Rose ran up the stairs, two at a time. Flinging herself down on her bed, she dialed Jack's number. After six rings, he finally picked up.

"Hello?"

"Jack, it's me."

"Hey, Rosie. What's wrong?"

Quickly, she filled him in on her plan and he immediately agreed.

"I'll be there."

Rose said her good-byes and hung up, grabbing her purse on her way back downstairs.

"Ready now, sweetpea?" Cal asked as she stepped down the last stair.

Rose nodded and smiled nervously. With one arm protectively around her, they stepped out into the sunlight.

*****

Jack crouched down behind some bushes. A few minutes later, he heard a car followed by a loud, bossy voice. A voice that could only belong to one person.

"This is it," he muttered, looking forward to getting this day over with. Once this was done, he and Rose could be together freely. No more sneaking around. He watched carefully as Rose spread a blanket out by the water. She looked so beautiful, her soft curls billowing in the breeze. Cal was standing a few feet away, trying to light a cigarette.

"Blasted wind. It can ruin the best of days," Cal complained, finally giving up on his smoke.

Rose just smiled. Jack could read the nervousness on her face. She looked around, probably searching for him. He stood up a little more and waved to catch her gaze. It must've worked, because she broke into a radiant smile, all signs of nervousness vanished.

"Are we ready to eat, sweetpea?" Cal asked, coming up behind her.

Jack quickly ducked behind the bushes as Cal's eyes wandered around.

"Yes, darling. Why don't you have a seat while I fix you a plate," Rose said, placing the picnic basket on the blanket.

Cal nodded and settled himself down, looking a bit out of place in his three-piece suit. Rose handed him a plate and they ate in silence for a while. Jack watched anxiously for Rose to tell him, but she made no move to do so. Once they had finished eating, she put the stuff away and turned back to Cal.

"Darling, we need to talk."

Jack shivered when he heard these words. It was showtime.

"Of course, sweetpea. What's on your mind?"

Rose didn't answer. She just nervously played with her engagement ring.

"Sweetpea?" Cal urged, getting a bit impatient.

Remembering Jack, Rose sat up straight and looked him right in the eye. "I can't and I will not marry you, Cal." There, she said it.

Cal's face twisted through many emotions...misunderstanding, confusion, hurt, and the one Rose had expected most, anger.

"Rose, we are to marry in two months. This is not the time to start playing games." He grabbed her arm. "I will NOT be made a fool of, Rose. Is that in any way unclear?"

Rose sat numbly for a minute. "Cal, you're not listening to me. I refuse to marry you. I refuse. You do know the meaning of that word, don't you? And even YOU cannot make me. That's all there is to it."

Jack tensed as Cal stood up, ready to defend Rose to the death if need be. "You WILL marry me, Rose. You've already given your answer. There is no other acceptable one," Cal roared, sending a group of nearby birds fluttering towards the sky.

Rose stood, never faltering in her gaze or her words. "No, Cal. There is only one acceptable answer, and that is no. As you may recall, I never said yes to you. My mother did. Besides the fact you're an unimaginable, heartless bastard, it wouldn't be fair. My mind, body, and soul belong to another man. They always have and they will continue to do so for the rest of eternity. You may think you control everyone, and maybe you do. But you do not, nor will you EVER, control me. I hated you growing up, and I hate you now. So once more, so we're clear, I will NOT marry you. That much I promise."

Cal stopped for a minute, his eyes glowering. "Still in love with your Bohemian gutter rat artist, Rose? He left you, remember? And nobody has seen or heard from him since. You really think he even cares anymore? He's probably shacked up with some other gutter trash. He doesn't love you."

Rose's eyes flashed with anger and Cal knew he struck a nerve. "You're an asshole, you know that Cal? I know for a fact he loves me. And the only person he's shacked up with is ME! That's right, Cal! He's touched me, held me, kissed me, and made love to me. Something you will NEVER do!"

Cal jumped forward and grabbed her arm harshly, dragging her towards him. "It's a little slut, is it?"

"Let go of me, Cal."

Cal ignored her, and she winced as his hand came into contact with her face. "I will take what I want right here, Rose. Whether you give it to me or not."

Rose tried pulling away and Cal laughed. "Let go of me, Cal!" Rose screamed, her voice overcome with pain and fear.

Jack couldn't take it anymore. The slap Cal had given was the final straw, and the threat to rape her pushed him over the edge. Stepping out of the trees, he calmly stated, "Let go of her, Hockley."

Startled, Cal let go of her arm and whirled around. Rose took her chance and ran to hide behind Jack.

"So you finally decided to come back, eh, Dawson?"

"Someone had to save her from marrying a bastard like you."

Cal smirked. "Putting thoughts in her head again, Jack? She loves me. She is MY fiancee."

"I hate you, Cal," Rose managed to squeak.

Cal chuckled. "Oh, come on, sweetpea. Tell him how much you love me."

Jack whispered something to Rose, who bravely stepped forward. "No, Cal. Mr. Hockley. It's over," she said, handing him the ring. "I believe this is yours."

Cal's face turned red with fury. "I'll ruin you, Rose. You too, Dawson. This isn't over," he announced, taking the ring and walking away.

Once they heard the car leave, Rose fell back into Jack's arms. "I'm so proud of you Rosie," Jack whispered, hugging her tightly.

"I couldn't have done it without you. The only thing left to do is tell my mother and move my stuff to your house."

Jack smiled sadly. "You really think she's gonna throw you out?"

Rose looked up at him. "Have you ever known my mother to go back on a promise?"

"Good point. Are you ready to do this?"

Rose nodded slightly. "No time like the present, right?"

Jack kissed her on the top of the head. "Right."

Together, they walked back to Jack's to get his truck and then they headed towards Rose's. Ten minutes later they pulled up in front of the three-story Victorian style house Rose had called home for the past eighteen years. Sighing, she climbed out of the truck.

Jack was immediately at her side. "You okay?"

Rose nodded. "Yeah. This is just going to be difficult."

Jack smiled sympathetically. "Shall we get this over with?"

Rose didn't say anything, but took his hand and led him up to the front porch. Images of the last time he had climbed those stairs flashed through his mind. Now, three years later, here Rose was, doing almost the same thing.

Taking a deep breath, and receiving a reassuring smile from Jack, Rose reluctantly opened the door. Sounds came from the living room and Rose realized her mother was watching her afternoon movie. Rose stood there, trying to regain her composure, before going to see her mother.

Hearing footsteps, Ruth sat up on the couch. "Rose? Is that you?" she called.

Rose froze. Only glancing at Jack brought her back to life. "Yes, Mother. I've brought someone with me. I need to speak with you," Rose replied, approaching the room.

Ruth looked up at her daughter, who was standing in the doorway. "Yes, of course. Come on."

Almost hesitantly, Rose entered the room with a tall blonde-haired boy following in behind her. Ruth studied the young man, who seemed oddly familiar, although she couldn't quite place him. They sat on the loveseat, facing her position on the couch. Ruth got the feeling this wasn't going to be an enjoyable conversation. She stared at her daughter expectantly.

Rose swallowed hard, glancing up at the young man, who in return gave her an encouraging smile. "Mother," Rose started. "I have some things I need to tell you, and I know you're not going to like them. But they're reality."

Ruth nodded, dread filling her heart. "Go on."

Rose gulped. "Well, uh...this morning I broke off the engagement to Cal." She closed her eyes, waiting for Ruth's wrath to be thrown at her.

She wasn't waiting long. "You WHAT?" Ruth exclaimed, her voice rising a few octaves. "The match between you and Caledon was perfect. He was a gentleman who wanted to take care of you for the rest of your life. Why would you do such a thing?"

Rose stared at her disbelievingly. "A gentleman, Mother?" She paused to roll up her sleeves, showing her bruises. "Does this look like something a gentleman would do?"

"Caledon would do no such thing unless it was necessary. You probably deserved it."

Rose's jaw dropped. "Nobody deserves to be treated like a punching bag, Mother. How can you be so cruel?"

Ruth ignored that comment, and glared at her. "You do remember my promise about marrying Cal, don't you, Rose? You'll be homeless."

Rose rolled her eyes. "No, I won't. Very far from it, actually. I'll be moving in at the Dawsons. You do remember Jack, don't you, Mother?" she asked, gesturing towards the young man seated next to her.

Ruth stood, shocked to the very core. So, Jack had returned after all. It wasn't that she disliked him. He was a good kid. Caring and intelligent, just like his parents. But at the same time, she found him unfit to date her daughter. Friends, yes, anything more, no. She had disapproved from day one. "J-Jack Dawson?" she managed to spit out, her eyes darting back and forth between them.

"Hello, Mrs. DeWitt-Bukater," Jack said, giving her a small smile.

"You'd be living with him? That's unacceptable!" Ruth muttered.

Rose stood, and Jack got up with her. "I don't really care if you find it acceptable or not, Mother. You made it very clear that if I didn't marry Cal, I had to move out. Well, I'm not marrying him, so I'm leaving. I'm eighteen. I can do as I please. If you'll excuse us, we have some packing to do. I'll be out completely by tomorrow, if not tonight. Good-bye, Mother."

Chapter Six
Stories