They leaned against the railing just outside the bridge, stamping their feet to keep warm. Finally they decided it was futile to stay warm by themselves and stood together, arms around each other to retain body heat, not caring what anybody thought.

Inside the bridge there had been a commotion, but it had suddenly gotten quiet. The officer who patrolled the deck near the bridge - Rose had seen him earlier in the afternoon - resumed his guard. He saw them standing near the railing and approached.

"Evening," he said, nodding at Jack and then at Rose. "It's a cold one, eh?"

Jack nodded. "Cold enough for icebergs," he said, raising his eyebrow at the man in a slight question.

The officer nodded. "So you saw it, did you?"

"We were right there," Rose said, searching the man's face for any sign of strain. "It didn't hit, did it?"

He sighed. "It grazed the ship. That's why we're slowing down." He looked at their expressions. "Not to worry," he added. "The damage isn't serious. We'll limp our way into New York harbor as planned, but then its back to Belfast I'm afraid." He sighed again.

Rose felt relieved. Up until then she'd been feeling an inexplicable sense of fear and urgency, but it was quickly subsiding.

Jack had been experiencing similar feelings, but he now only nodded. "Thanks for telling us," he said.

"You two would be better off inside," the officer said as he turned to leave. "It's a mite cold out here, especially dressed as you are."

The officer returned to his duties, and Jack and Rose headed aft again down the boatdeck. "It is getting pretty unbearable out here," Jack said. "Want to go in?"

Rose didn't care where they went as long as they were together. "Okay," she said, "but just to be safe . . . let's use the second-class stairway."

"Good idea. I don't really want to run into your fiancé." Jack's casual tone barely disguised the anger he felt whenever he thought of Caledon Hockley. He had nothing but disgust for him and his uppity, holier-than-thou attitude. Cal was a classic example of what Jack hated most about the upper-class society, and Rose's mother, the ice queen, wasn't far behind.

"He's not my fiancé," Rose said quietly but firmly. "Not anymore." An idea struck her and she headed toward the railing of the ship. Jack followed.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Getting rid of this," she said, sliding the engagement off her finger and holding it up. "And hoping it goes straight to the bottom." She grinned impishly, remembering what he'd said the other day. "Would you care to do the honors Mr. Dawson?"

Jack laughed, watching her. "You go ahead. I'm sure it'll be much more satisfying for both of us if you do it."

Rose raised her eybrows at him and, without looking away, tossed the ring overboard like it was a piece of tin and not a priceless diamond.

Jack shook his head, unable to supress a smile of wonder that any of this was happening at all. This never happened, not to him. Jack had faced hardship after hardship during his life. He was fairly surprised that he'd survived this long, considering he had barely a penny to his name, no home, and no way to support anyone but himself. He really had no right to the heart of anyone, especially someone like Rose DeWitt Bukater.

God, now I'm thinking like HIM. Or HER. Jack shook his head, thinking of the two other people in Rose's life. She'd shunned them both and come to be with him.

When this ship docks, I'm getting off with you. . . It doesn't make any sense. That's why I trust it.

He understood what she'd meant, as he stood there, looking at her. She looked exhilerated at her newfound freedom.

She sees freedom in me. That's partly why she wants to be with me. It doesn't have to make sense. It simply is.

He pulled her into his arms, and their lips met in a passionate kiss. When they finally stepped apart, Jack knew that there was something he had to tell her. Something he had never told anyone.

Jack met her eyes and did not look away. He took both her hands in his. "I love you," he said softly, and the innocent truth of those three simple words took her breath away.

Rose could feel her eyes filling with tears, but she didn't bother to brush them away. "I love you," she answered him, her heart full and her mind brimming with hope and joy. A tear slid down her cheek and she let out her breath shakily. "And I'm so glad I found you . . . when I needed you most."

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