TRUST
Written by Ivana Kolanovic
Based on some situations originated by James Cameron.

The golden sun that was once high in the sky was now sinking into the horizon, sending a warm orange glow through the evening sky. The ocean glittered under the sunset as a lonely figure leaned against the bow rail. The chill of the April wind ruffled his blonde hair, his face—which held a grim expression—shining in the glow of the sunset. His blue eyes—as blue as the Atlantic Ocean—held a hint of rejection and sorrow, gazing at the prow of the ship and watching the white foam crash against it. The heavy black coat that he wore fluttered behind him in the strength of the wind, though the only sound heard was the Titanic slicing through the ocean.

Jack closed his eyes briefly, his mind telling him that a first class girl would never fall in love with him, his heart telling him that deep down inside—despite the fact that she had rejected him and gone back with her fiancé—he still had feelings for her. The same feelings he had felt the moment he laid eyes on her a couple of days earlier. Love. Love was something he had thought he would never experience in his life. Sure, there had been girls before Rose, but none of them could ever compare to her. Not Rose. Not the beautiful girl who was trapped in her world, where she would die if she was not pulled free of her gilded cage. Jack had tried to save her, but he had failed.

Rose was a unique person—a special person. She had taught him what it felt like to love—even if she did not feel the same way about him. He felt something special whenever he was around her, and he was not aware of it at first, but once she had rejected him, he felt the painful break of his heart, knowing that he would never see her again. Never see her smiling or her eyes shining with happiness. He would never get to hold her hand again or laugh with her—or dance with her. Not after she had told him to leave her alone hours earlier. The conversation that they had had played in his mind over and over. He wished he had never met Rose. That way, he would not feel the way he felt at the moment, but as much as it hurt him, he was glad to at least have spent some quality time with her—even if it was a couple of short days. His expression went blank, continuing to gaze at the ocean.

"Rose, you’re no picnic. You’re a spoiled little brat, even—but under all that, you’re still the most amazingly, astounding, wonderful girl—woman, that I’ve ever known."

"Jack, I—"

"No! Let me try to get this out. You’re amaze—look, I’m not an idiot. I know how the world works. I’ve got ten bucks in my pocket. I have nothing to offer you, and I know that. I understand, but I’m too involved now. You jump, I jump, remember? I’m not turning away without knowing you’ll be all right."

"Well, I’m fine. I’ll be fine. Really."

"Really? I don’t think so. They’ve got you trapped, Rose, and you’re gonna die if you don’t break free—maybe not right away, because you’re strong, but sooner or later, that fire—that fire that I love about you, Rose--that fire’s gonna burn out."

"It’s not up to you to save me, Jack."

"You’re right. Only you can do that."

"I’m going back. Leave me alone."

The last words that she had uttered to him before she left plagued his mind. Leave me alone. Those three words held the painful meaning in his heart that she no longer wanted to see him—no longer wanted anything to do with him. She wanted their relationship to be as it was before they met. Before he saved her—before he fell in love with her.

*****

Rose was in the dining saloon, along with her mother, Lady Duff-Gordon, and the Countess of Rothes, who were discussing Rose’s wedding plans.

"Tell Lucille of the stationery incident," the Countess of Rothes told Ruth as she sat elegantly.

"Well, of course the invitations had to be sent back—twice!" Ruth said, holding the teacup in her hands. "And the bridesmaids’ dresses--let me tell you what an odyssey that has been. Rose decided that she wanted lavender, and she knew how much I detest the color, so she did it out of spite."

"Oh, if you only came to me sooner!" Lucille Duff-Gordon said, shocked to hear of the incident.

Rose ignored the conversation that the three women were having and turned her head towards the next table, where she saw a little girl—about four years old—slouching against the chair and saw her mother teach her the proper way to sit. Rose realized what she was getting herself into. Did she really want to be ordered around for her whole life? To be told what to do? To have her whole life planned for her, whether she liked it or not? Rose closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. She glanced down at the tea in front of her and tipped it slightly, spilling the liquid on her fancy velvet dress.

"Oh, look what I’ve done," Rose uttered, as if berating herself. "May I be excused, Mother?"

Ruth sighed and nodded her head.

"Rose, you have to learn to be more poised. You seem to be very clumsy lately."

Rose pressed her lips together and nodded her head slightly, pushing her chair back and lifting herself from the seat. Rose quickly left the dining saloon and went towards the third class entrance. Surely she would find Jack there. She carefully walked down the white steps, hearing loud music coming from the third class general room. Rose stepped in, greeting the loud music, the murmuring, and the people dancing around. She looked around, hoping to find Jack somewhere amongst the people that crowded the room, but saw no sign of him. However, she caught sight of the Italian and the Irishman that Jack knew, so she headed towards them.

"Excuse me," Rose said, waiting to get their attention.

Fabrizio turned to her, surprised to find her in the third class area yet again.

"Ciao, signorina," Fabrizio said, smiling.

"Um…have you seen Jack around?"

"Sì. He is ‘a out on the bow," Fabrizio told her. "He’s ‘a thinking, probably."

Rose pressed her lips together, realizing that he was probably thinking about what she had done to him earlier. Rose looked at him, giving him a small smile.

"Thank you."

Before they could say anything, Rose turned on her heel, rushed out of the third class general room, and headed out on deck, greeting the cold air and heading towards the bow. There, she spotted him leaning against the railing, looking at the ocean. Rose took a few steps forward before she stopped and smiled. The chill of the wind brushed against her face, causing her red curls to flutter behind her, the shawl that she wore dancing in the wind.

"Hello, Jack."

*****

"Hello, Jack."

Jack jumped up, hearing her voice. Her sweet voice that he thought he would never hear again. He turned, facing her, his face still holding the grim expression but lightening at the sight of the beauty before him. Her cheeks were pink from the cold, but despite that, he saw her smile, holding a loving glow in her eyes.

"I changed my mind."

Jack’s lips curved as he heard the four words. She was willing to be with him—ending her misery. Jack felt his heart beating rapidly against his chest, gazing at her.

"They said you’d be up here—" Rose began.

"Shh." Jack silenced her by pressing a solid finger over his lips, still having that slight smile across his face. He reached out his hand, a playful look shining in his blue eyes. "Give me your hand."

Rose looked at him, a gleam in her eye, stepping closer to him, putting her hand into his, and feeling his warm touch tingle throughout her body. His fingers circled around her slim hand as he put his other hand at her waist.

"Now, close your eyes," he said, raising his eyebrows, his eyes shining.

Rose looked at him, confused. Was he going to kiss her?

"Go on!" Jack urged, smiling.

Rose smiled gently and did as she was told, her eyelids covering her emerald-blue orbs that shone with contentment.

Jack held her hand in a tight grip, standing beside her.

"Step up…"

Rose had a confused expression on her face, but stepped up nevertheless. She wobbled a bit, but she felt Jack’s secure arm around her, keeping her balanced.

"Now, hold onto the railing," Jack said. He stood behind her and looked at her. "Keep your eyes closed—don’t peek."

"I’m not!" Rose reassured, a soft smile spreading across her face. She felt the wind brush against her face, her heart beating in anticipation.

She had never felt so alive as she did at the moment. Being with Jack made her feel that way—made her feel as if she was much more than just a rich girl, and that was one of the things that she loved about Jack.

"Step up onto the railing…"

Rose lifted her foot and put it on the first rail, her hand clutching the top of the railing. She was bent over—her eyes closed—but once she had both feet on the bottom rail, she let go of the top rail and stood up. She was shaking at first, but she felt Jack come up behind her, holding her waist.

"Hold on…hold on—keep your eyes closed."

Jack’s face brightened, standing behind her—his feet on the rail—balancing her. He felt his blonde hair flutter gracefully against the strength of the wind, the chill crashing against his face. He heard Rose giggle softly, her eyes remaining closed.

Now, he only needed to know one thing. He needed to know if Rose trusted him—that whatever happened, she would know that he would never hurt her. Jack smiled softly, holding onto her wrists gently. The sound of the ocean crashing up against the Titanic was heard as she made her way across the Atlantic, heading towards New York. Jack pressed his cheek softly against Rose‘s, taking in the scent of her perfume.

"Do you trust me?" Jack uttered, his voice soft and gentle.

Rose felt his warm breath against her skin, leaving a tingling feeling against her face. She smiled softly and knew that she did. She had trusted him the moment he had rescued her, and there was no way she was going to doubt that trust. She felt the wind crash against her and felt her heart flutter in her chest.

"I trust you," Rose said, her voice holding a hint of truth and certainty.

She would forever trust Jack—with whatever happened in the world. She loved him--that she knew for sure. She had never felt this way towards Cal. What she had for Jack was special and unique, and she would not give it away for the world. She gave her trust to Jack, and with that, she gave him her heart.

Jack smiled and extended her arms out to her sides. He saw Rose turn her head towards him in confusion, but he smiled and straightened her arms until they stayed spread out—like wings. Her shawl fluttered behind them, and Jack put his hands on her waist, steadying her.

"All right," Jack whispered in her ear, gazing out at the horizon. "Open your eyes."

Rose pressed her lips together in anticipation, slowly fluttering her eyes open. She gasped softly, seeing the view before her. She felt as if there was nothing below her—that there was no ship—it was as if she were flying, Jack right behind her.

"I’m flying!" Rose uttered, a smile on her face. Her head turned towards him. "Jack!"

He smiled and reached out to her hands that were still spread out like wings, putting his hands over hers, their fingers beginning to intertwine. He pressed his cheek against hers.

"Come Josephine in my flying machine, going up she goes, up she goes…"

Rose smiled, giggling softly and hearing Jack’s soft voice singing in her ear. His breath blew against her skin, their hands intertwining. The wind continued to blow their hair and flutter her shawl behind them. Rose turned to face Jack, who was gazing at her with a serious but loving gaze. He put her arms down in front of her, his own still holding her.

Jack gazed lovingly at her, watching as her emerald eyes shone brightly under the sunset. He leaned his face closer to hers, hesitant at first, but within seconds his lips were pressed gently over hers. Their kiss was soft at first—soft and innocent—but soon deepened, Rose putting her hand behind his neck. He held Rose close to him. Their kiss deepened and grew intense, Jack knowing that he truly did love Rose. That his heart would belong to no other than the woman who he was kissing.

One thing made Jack know that Rose was the right one for him—that she was made for him. One thing that he longed to hear from her. That one thing was trust. He knew that Rose trusted him. She had given him her trust, and that made him know that she did not doubt him. That she believed that he would not hurt her in any way possible.

The two lovers soared through the sunset, sharing their true love’s first kiss, all worries escaping them—the world surrounding them vanishing, making them only aware of each other. Of their love and trust for one another. Trust was what kept their love strong. Trust was what made them believe that they would never doubt their love for one another, and that no matter what happened in life, they would always trust each other. That was one thing that the two cherished—trust.

The End.

Stories