JACK AND ROSE: TOGETHER FOREVER
Chapter Forty

Rose was lying down on the bed, trying to rest before she and Jack had to go to dinner. She glanced at the clock again. It was three thirty. In a little over an hour she would have to go get ready for dinner. She sighed. As much as she had loved this trip so far, she couldn't wait to get to France and get off a boat. They dock in France the day after tomorrow and Rose couldn't be happier. To get to go to France for over three weeks with Jack was a dream come true and she couldn't wait to get there. Even if Jack did have to do work for the first few days. Rose was about to get up and see what Jack was up to when she noticed something. The ship had stopped. "Oh my God!" she whispered. Quickly she got up and ran into the sitting room where Jack was sketching. "Jack!" Jack immediately looked up.

"What, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Do you feel that?" Rose asked.

Jack just looked at her.

We've stopped!" Rose yelled her face going white.

Jack immediately got up and came over, "Oh Rose, I am sure its nothing. Maybe we're stopping for the night or something." Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" Jack yelled.

Brett rushed in. "Sorry to bother you, but you need to put on your lifebelts and come up to the boat deck." Rose's face went even whiter and even Jack paled. "What, what for Brett?" he asked in a whisper.

"Nothing to worry about sir. Just a routine boat drill. They're mandatory now a days. You know, with the Titanic sinking and all that."

Rose sat down on the couch before she could faint.

"Is she alright?" Brett asked.

Jack looked at Rose. "She's fine. Just not feeling well. She'll be all right though. We'll put on the ah, the lifebelts and come up as quick as we can."

"Alright sir," Brett said. He nodded, turned, and left.

"Oh God," Rose whispered over and over as Jack got down the lifebelts and handed one to her.

"Rose, it will be alright. It's just a boat drill. Nothing's the matter."

Rose stared at Jack, "But that's what they were telling people aboard the Titanic too. It was 'just a boat drill' they keep saying. Then look what happened."

Jack closed his eyes, "I know Rosie. But I think Brett would tell us if there were an actual emergency. Now, let's get these on and got up to the boat deck. Maybe we can find out what's going on, okay?"

Rose nodded and took the lifebelt. Taking a deep breath she slipped the garment over her head. Jack tied it for her as her hands were shaking then put his on. Jack helped Rose stand up and she leaned against him.

"You okay?" Jack asked worriedly.

"I am fine Jack," Rose said. "Let's go before I change my mind." Jack nodded and they left the room.

Up on the boat deck, people were standing around, obviously confused. Rose walked in a trance as Jack led her up to an officer. "Um excuse me sir," Jack said.

The officer turned and faced them, "Yes?"

"Well, we heard that this is just a boat drill and we wanted to know if it was that or something else."

"It's just a boat drill. Now please, leave me alone. I am very busy."

Jack nodded and pulled Rose away. "See Rosie. Nothing to worry about." Rose just looked at him. Jack could see that she didn't believe the officer 100%.

"All right everyone listen up!" An officer shouted about the noise of the crowd. Immediately the groups of people fell silent. "Thank you. Now I want the women and children to began boarding the lifeboats." "I thought this was just a drill!" A man yelled. "It is just a drill, but everyone needs to know how to get into a lifeboat should there ever be an actual emergency. Now, listen up to these instructions for they may save your life!" The officer went on to explain how to get into the lifeboats and what to do when you were safely in and stuff like that.

Jack glanced at Rose. She was still white as a sheet and he could feel her whole body shaking. Jack sighed, as much as he hated doing this to Rose, she had to get in a lifeboat. There was no choice. "C'mon Rosie," Jack said. He stared pulling her to a boat line. Rose just walked with him, still in her trance. They were waiting in line when suddenly Rose realized what was going on. They were only letting women in the boats.

She turned to Jack, "I am not going without you!"

"Rose, I am not going to fight with you. They are not going to let me on. I would come if I could, but Rose, I can't. Now, this is just a drill and you are getting in the boat. I'll catch another boat, there are enough this time and you know that."

"No Jack!" Rose said her eyes filling with tears as she shook her head.

"Come on miss," an officer said grabbing her arm.

"Jack!" Rose called as she was being pulled toward the boat.

"Rose, get into the boat."

The officer pushed her to the plank that you walked over to get into the boat.

"No, I am not going with out Jack." Rose whispered as the officer tried to get her to walk up.

"Miss, this is just a drill," the officer said annoyed at seeing her distraction.

With that something inside of Rose snapped. "I do not care if it is just a fucking drill!" Rose screamed her eyes filling with tears again. People around her gasped and Mothers glanced at their children. "I am not setting foot in your damn lifeboat unless he is with me!" Rose yelled pointing at Jack who just stood there.

"Miss--"

"Either he is with me or I don't get in the boat and that's it!" Rose interrupted.

The officer glanced at another officer. The other officer shrugged. "All right miss. He can come with you."

Rose smiled, "Thank you. Come on Jack."

Jack nodded and came up to the officer. "We were on Titanic," Jack whispered quietly to him. The officer went white.

"Oh," he whispered.

Jack nodded, "Thanks."

"Jack," Rose said. Jack smiled at her and boarded the lifeboat before helping Rose in. Rose closed her eyes as she settled in, as close to Jack as possible. As she leaned against him she whispered, "I love you Jack." Jack smoothed her hair and tears came to his eyes. God how could he be so stupid as to try and make her go by herself. He needed her too.

"I love you too Rosie," he said wrapping his arms more tightly around her.

They sat like this for a while waiting for other people to board. After the boat was full, one of the officers left to go ask someone something. "Are you gonna lower us down?" A woman asked the officer who had remained to watch them. The officer shook his head, "No we're not going to lower any of the boats. This is just for practice and we don't want to risk any of the boats or someone getting hurt. But you do have to wait until everyone is in a boat before getting out. Officer Larson went to go see when all of you can get out and return to your activities."

Rose breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this. So this was just a drill. And they weren't gonna lower the boats and make her go out into the ocean. She glanced at Jack who was smiling at her. Rose smiled back and squeezed his hand.

"See Rose, nothing to worry about," Jack whispered calmly to her. Rose nodded; things were going to be all right now.

A few minutes later, officer Larson came back. "All right listen up!" he shouted. "You may now begin to exit the boats. Please do this calmly and without pushing or shoving." Rose and Jack immediately moved to get out.

Rose was the first one out and breathed a sigh of relief when her feet touched the boat. She waited for Jack to get out and when he did Rose grabbed his hand and dragged him inside. She collapsed in on bench inside the dinning area and pulled the lifebelt off of herself. Jack took of his own lifebelt, sat down next her, and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Rose began to sob, "God Jack, I want to get off this ship."

"Shh, Rose its gonna be all right sweetheart," Jack said as he smoothed her hair. "We're safe now. You're not in the lifeboat and we are gonna be fine. Rose look at me." Rose looked up at Jack. Her eyes were red and her face was blotchy. Jack brushed the tears from her face. "It is all right," he said looking directly into her eyes. "We have less then two days left on this ship. We're gonna make it count. We've come this far, we can make it the rest of the way." Rose smiled weakly and pressed her lips together. She nodded. "All right, good." Jack said kissing her forehead. "How's about we go back to the cabin and see if we can get dinner there. I tell Brett you have a very bad headache and can't possible eat dinner with so many people."

Rose laughed softly, "Okay."

"Good," Jack said. He helped Rose up and put his arm around he. "We're gonna make it Rose, trust me."

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Rose and Jack were sitting on their bed with a plate of food in their laps. Jack had done what he had promised and told Brett that 'Rose had a dreadful headache and still wasn't felling well and couldn't possibly go to dinner with all those people. And could Brett bring them some dinner in their room?' Brett had said that he would bring them each a plate and he had. Now Jack and Rose were seated on their bed fully enjoying eating dinner alone again.

"Hmmm," Rose said leaning against the backboard. "This is almost heaven."

Jack laughed, "Almost huh?"

"Yep, almost," Rose said smiling. "Now, if we were just off this stupid ship and we didn't have an annoying steward 'checking in' every half-hour it would be perfect."

Jack laughed and pulled Rose closer being careful not to spill her food. "It's so nice just being us for a change," Jack whispered into her hair.

Rose smiled, put her plate on the nightstand, and turned to Jack. "I know. It has been a while since we had a romantic dinner with each other." Jack put his own plate on the nightstand then leaned down to kiss her. Rose moaned and kissed him back. Suddenly there was knock on the door. Rose rolled her eyes.

"Yes?" Jack asked.

"It's me sir, Brett," came the reply.

"What is it Brett?" Jack asked.

"I was wondering if you and Miss Rose wanted something to drink?"

Rose shrugged when Jack looked at her. "Yeah, acutely we would like something. Why don't you come in." Brett pushed open the door entered carrying a bottle of wine and two wineglasses. He set everything down on Jack's nightstand.

"Thank you Brett," Rose said squeezing Jack's hand.

"You're welcome. Would you like anything else?"

"No thank you Brett. We're fine, but could you please take our plates, we're finished," Jack replied.

"Yes sir," Brett said as he moved to pick up Jack's plate. "Felling better miss?" Brett asked as he got Rose's plate off her nightstand.

"A little," Rose said. "Thank you Brett." Brett nodded and left, closing the door quietly behind him. Rose immediately got up and locked the door.

Jack laughed, "Why did you do that?"

"So Brett can't get in. He is starting to really annoy me," Rose said climbing back in bed and snuggling up to Jack.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Jack replied pulling Rose closer and handing her wineglass, which was half full of a deep red wine.

"Now where were we?" Rose smiled and leaned up to kiss Jack. "Right there," Rose said as their mouths parted.

"Are you better now Rose?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, thanks. I still can't believe they wouldn't let you in that lifeboat."

"Well, I think your language changed their minds."

Rose giggled before taking a sip of wine. "I just said what was on my mind."

Jack chuckled, "Yeah, I guess you did. I almost laughed."

"I was to mad to think Jack," Rose explained. "Now everyone probably thinks I am a bad mouthed little tramp. But know what, I don't care. It was almost fun."

"I don't think you are a bad mouthed tramp Rose," Jack said leaning closer to her. Rose put her wineglass down and turned out the light. She wrapped her arms around Jack's neck.

"Oh really?" she asked.

"Yeah, and even if you are, I think you are the most lovable, beautiful, wonderful, outstanding, smart, funny, nice, caring, understanding, most perfect little bad mouth tramp in the world," Jack said pushing her down to the bed.

Rose giggled softly, "Well, I could say the same thing about you Jack."

Jack grinned and kissed her neck. "I love you bad mouth tramp," Jack whispered brining his head up.

"I love you more, Jackie," Rose said smirking.

Jack shook his head, "Okay, I won't call you a bad mouthed tramp if you won't call me Jackie. It makes me sound like I am a girl. I don't like it."

"Deal," Rose said kissing his forehead. "I love you Jack. Is that better?"

"Much," Jack said brushing a few curls out of her face. "I love you too Rose."

"Mmm," Rose moaned as Jack kissed her neck again. She brought his head up and looked into his eyes. "Put your hands on me Jack," she whispered taking his hand and leading it to her breast just as she had done so in the back of the car. She pulled his head down and kissed him with growing passion.

Chapter Forty-One
Stories