Written by Jeanita Sheffey
Based on some situations originated by James Cameron.

Rose Dawson tossed and turned under the covers that sheltered her from the cool air. Her friend, Gloria, stood above her, worriedly pressing a cold cloth to her forehead as Dr. Lewis tended to her.

"Doctor, what’s wrong with her?" Gloria asked, frightened.

"It’s pneumonia. The next twenty-four hours are critical. She could live or she could die at this point. Keep a close eye on her and call me if there are any developments," the doctor explained, leaving the room.

Gloria sighed unhappily as she slid down into the chair next to her friend’s bed. She had known Rose for an entire year, and she’d become like a sister to her. She couldn’t lose her now.

*****

Rose sighed as she woke up in very familiar surroundings. Sitting up, she realized that she was in her stateroom on the Titanic. But that was impossible. The Titanic had sunk a year ago, taking over fifteen hundred people with her. Sliding out of bed, Rose went to her closet and took out one of the dresses she had bought in Europe that had gone down with the ship. It was lavender lace. Her mother had outright forbidden her to wear it, but Rose had bought it anyway.

"Miss Rose?" A familiar voice spoke up from behind her.

Shaking, Rose turned around and gasped. Standing before her was her maid, Trudy, who had died that horrible night. "T-Trudy?"

"Yes, Miss Rose. May I help you dress?"

"Uh…" Rose became flustered. No one had helped her dress in a full year. She didn’t know what to think of it now. "No, thank you, Trudy. I have it. Uh…Trudy…where are we? What date is this?"

"Why, Miss, it’s April 15, 1912. As always around here. Don’t you know that?"

"No, Trudy. I don’t. I don’t even know how I got here…wait a minute…if you’re here…that means that…he must be here, too!" Rose’s eyes widened with pure joy. For the past year, all she had wished and hoped for was to see her love again, and now it looked like her prayer was going to be answered.

"Miss…are you feeling well?"

Rose felt her head and found that the fever she’d had for the past couple of days was gone and she could breathe clearly. "I feel great. Trudy…have you seen Mr. Dawson?"

"Around and about, Miss. Shall I ring him for you?"

"Uh…no. I want to find him myself. Thank you." Rose quickly dressed and rushed out the door.

She walked along the deck, taking in all the sights and all the memories. This was where she and Jack had spent most of their time together. Talking and walking, and laughing about their hopes and dreams, hopes and dreams that were never to be fulfilled.

"Oh, Jack." A tear fell from her eye as she thought about Jack. He was so talented and kind-hearted. It wasn’t fair that the cold Atlantic took him and left Cal in the world of the living.

"Why the tears? You’re finally rid of Cal, I see. I knew you could do it, Rose." A familiar voice spoke up behind her. She whirled around and stared into the most beautiful sight before her. Jack was standing behind her, a grin on his face. He looked the same as the night of the sinking, except he had a heavenly glow about him.

"Jack? Is it really you?"

The young man nodded. "It’s me, Rose. You’re more beautiful now than the first time I saw you."

"Oh, Jack!" Rose cried, flying into his outstretched arms and holding onto him for dear life. She noticed how warm he now was, compared to how cold he had felt the last time she had touched him. "It’s really you! It’s really you!"

"Oh, Rose, it’s so good to hold you again." Jack sighed, pulling her close.

"I’ve prayed, Jack. I’ve prayed and prayed that I’d see you again, and here you are."

"Come, Rose. It’s cold out here, and I don’t want you to get sicker than you already are." Jack wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her into the interior of the ship.

"Sicker? Jack, I’m not sick. I feel great." Rose laughed.

Jack just smiled at her sadly and led her deeper into the ship. "How do you feel about going to a real party?"

"I’d love to." Rose smiled, remembering the steerage dance.

The third class general room was just as crowded as it had been the night Rose had been there. Everyone was gathered around, talking and laughing, and Rose even noticed a couple of first class people down below. She looked at Jack curiously.

"There’s no more class discrimination here, Rose. It’s great. Now everyone gets along, and you can go anywhere on the ship you want." Jack grinned.

"Oh, how marvelous." Rose smiled at her beloved. "Jack, let’s dance. Let’s dance like we did the night you brought me down here."

"Okay." Jack grinned, standing up and taking her hand. "Now, we’re going to have to get a little closer, like this." He placed his hand on her lower back and pulled her closer to him. "Just go with it. Don’t think."

"Jack!" Rose squealed in delight as they whirled around the room. Her heart beat even faster when he pulled her up on the same platform he had pulled her up on the first time.

"Do you remember, Rose?" He looked at her.

Rose nodded and did the exact dance she had done a year ago. After the music was over, Jack and Rose went back to the table, where Tommy, Fabrizio, and Helga were waiting for them.

"Having fun, Rose?" Fabrizio asked.

"The best." Rose laughed, laying her head on Jack’s shoulder.

"Come on. I’ll take you back to your room." Jack smiled, leading her back up to first class.

"Oh, Jack, I had a wonderful time tonight."

"I’m glad, Rose." She noticed how his voice had grown a bit sad, and he gazed at the ground, avoiding looking at her.

"Jack?"

"Yes?"

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong, Rose. I just love you so much, and I miss you. I don’t regret giving my life for you, Rose. It was the best thing I’ve ever done." Jack pulled her into a hug.

"Oh, Jack." Hot tears spilled from her eyes. "I’ve missed you so much…all I ever wanted was to be with you…even if it was for one night. I wanted a chance to say good-bye and let you know that I love you, and no matter what, I’ll love you forever. Stay with me tonight, Jack."

"I thought you’d never ask." Jack smiled wistfully, gently caressing her cheek. Together, they disappeared into Rose’s stateroom and spent the rest of the evening in each other’s passionate embrace.

The next morning, Rose awoke to find Jack staring out into the coming sunrise.

"It’s almost time, Rose," Jack replied, his voice sad.

"Time for what?" Rose asked, dreading the answer.

Jack sighed and turned to her. Tears shone in his eyes as he returned to the bed, holding her hands tightly. "Time for you to go back to the world of the living."

"What? But, Jack, I don’t want to go. I want to stay here with you." She began to cry. "We belong together, Jack."

"Not yet we don’t, Rose. I’m sorry. We were only granted one more night together. It was a chance to say good-bye and I love you. I’ll always love you, Rose."

"But Jack! I don’t want to go! I don’t want to live! Not without you!"

"Rose, you promised. Remember? You promised me you’d go on. That you’d never give up, no matter what. Rose, I’ll always be with you, looking out for you, loving you. That will never change. And when it is your time, I’ll be right here, waiting for you. And then we’ll never be apart. Never. Do you understand what I’m saying?" Jack asked, his blue eyes pleading with her to understand why he was letting her go.

And she did. He loved her too much to keep her here with him. He wanted her to go on and live a full life. To keep the promise he had made her make that horrible night. She nodded, letting her tears fall freely.

"Look, Rose, at the sunrise." Jack looked towards the window. Rose’s eyes widened at the brightness of the sun streaming through the window and stretching out before her.

"It’s beautiful." Rose sniffed.

"It’s life, Rose. Walk into the light, and you’ll return to the land of the living." Jack stood up and stood to the side. "I’ll be waiting for you, Rose. I promise. Right now, you have a life to live."

Rose nodded, understanding that this was good-bye. "I’ll never forget you, Jack. I’ll love you forever."

Jack sadly smiled. "I’ll love you forever, too, Rose."

She ran into his arms and hugged him tightly, never wanting to let him go. She would have done anything to take him with her, but she knew it was impossible. "I’ll never let go, Jack. I’ll never let go."

"Good-bye, Rose." He pulled away from her.

"Good-bye, Jack." She forced a smile, and then turned to disappear into the light, returning to the world of the living.

She never forgot that night when she said good-bye to Jack.

*****

Gloria was hovering over Rose when she woke up. Her fever had broken, and she felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest.

"Rose, you’re awake!" Gloria hugged her best friend. "For a minute there, we thought we were going to lose you!"

Rose weakly smiled, sad tears in her eyes. "I had a promise to keep."

Just then, Rose heard the faint whisper of Jack’s voice. "Never let go, Rose."

Rose smiled, and thought to herself, I’ll never let go. I promise.

The End.

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