Chapter 7: Freedom at Last

Rose's heart was pounding as she saw Caledon Hockley yelling at a nearby steward. 'Oh God, we have to hide!' she thought. Cal hadn't noticed her since he was still busy chewing out the steward who had bumped into him. She felt as though she were about to faint. Should she run and hide or should she confront him? Without thinking, she grabbed Jack's trembling hand as they dashed to a nearby corridor. They didn't stop until they knew that he was nowhere to be found.

"Jack, what are we going to do?" she said as they both tried to catch their breath. "Oh God Jack! I never thought much about the situation we're in. I love you and I don't ever want anyone to take you away from me. My fear is that if they find out that I'm alive, they'll force me to go back. I'll never see you again!" she stopped to think before replying "Jack, I have an idea. If they don't find out that I'm alive, then they'll never bother us again because they'll think I'm dead. It won't be easy because we're on such a small ship, but if we can hide from them until we get to New York, then we can just disappear into America without any problems."

"That's a possibility, but what about your mother?" He said as a concerned look came across his face.

"Jack, my Mother is one of them. She's one of the main reasons why I had decided to end my life last week. If she knows that I'm perfectly fine, when we get to New York, I'll be married to Cal. Jack, our engagement was nothing but a business deal. Love wasn't even a consideration. The thought that I love you and absolutely despise Cal would never even cross their minds. I don't belong in that world, like that. You told me that yourself." There was silence then Jack finally spoke.

"You know that all I want is for you to be happy and safe, and that I would never do anything to endanger these things. Is this what would make you happy?"

"Yes Jack, it would. Thank you for understanding." She paused to regain her thoughts. "Jack, I don't know how you do it."

"Do what?"

"Look beyond the outer limits and into the soul of each and every person you meet. You seem to understand everyone. I was right about you; you do have a gift. You really do see people." He put his hands around her waist and pulled her close and said in an upper class voice, "Well Miss Rose, it's not as easy as it looks- especially with cases such as yourself. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it."

By now they were both laughing, forgetting all their troubles as they made their way back to their cabin. Nothing on earth would come between them...nothing.

Chapter 8
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