AUTHOR'S NOTE

As I was making notes for my cast of characters, I began to feel bad for killing off some of the Les Amis characters, and not giving them enough credit. So in this sequel, I decided I would have their family members/significant others/friends etc., come into the picture and sort of substitute their presence. I really hope everyone enjoyed my first story I had so much fun writing it. Though now that the Titanic has already sunk, this will be extremely difficult for me to accomplish with historical accuracy. So if there is an error that you pick up on, please disregard it, I have no other method of creating the plot. Please R&R, follow-for-follow, and enjoy!

PS Jack and Deena Carson are taken directly from the computer game "TITANIC: ADVENTURE OUT OF TIME". In fact, there are and will be several nods to the game that was my favorite as a kid. Let's see if you can find them!

9:45 PM

THURSDAY, APRIL 18th, 1912

PIER 59, New York, NY

SNAP! CLICK! FLASH!

The cameras were snapping…clicking…flashing away. Even a hundred years prior to today, the reporters had no respect…no boundaries.

Many of the survivors who stepped off of the RMS Carpathia had to cover their faces from the press.

Hundreds of the greeters ran over to embrace their loved ones. Thousands were not so lucky.

Hour by hour, the survivors would walk onto the Pier, and disperse with their parties.

Those that waited longer, began to realize that their loved ones were never coming back. They had perished on the great Titanic.

Jean Prouvaire had his arm around Clara as they stepped off of the gangplank.

"Hey! Over here!" A reporter cried out.

"New York World!" a second one shouted. "Can you describe in your own words…"

"Why didn't the Titanic carry enough lifeboats?!"

"How did you manage to survive out of hundreds of others…"

Jean and Clara had managed to rush out of the herd and out onto Little West 12th St.

"That was easier than thought…" Jean said, panting for air after the hustle.

"Probably because we're a pair of nobodies…" Clara admitted.

Marius Pontmercy and Cosette Fauchelevant were not so lucky.

"Miss! Miss Fauchelevant! New York Tribune! Can you describe your emotions after having lost your…?"

Before the rude reporter could finish his question, Marius shoved him out of Cosette's face.

"Can't you leave us all alone!" Marius shouted. "Isn't it damn obvious that we've been through hell?!"

Some of the reporters began to back off.

"Don't sweat it, darling!" A friendly voice approached them. "I'll handle these paper dogs!" Mrs. Margaret Brown shoved through. "Want some juice, boys?!" She called out.

The reporters began to flock over to her and began bombarding her with questions.

"There was no way in hell that they were gonna get us down!" she began. "If anything were to come out of this and be dubbed 'Unsinkable' it's gonna be me!"

Marius silently thanked her as he escorted Cosette through the crowds. Along the way, they passed by several anxious people.

The sons of Colonel John Jacob Astor IV arrived to collect his young wife Madeline…who was practically their age.

George and Lillian Allison came to take custody of his brother Hudson's son, the only survivor of the Allison family aboard the ship.

Marius and Cosette had entered one of the offices that used to check immigrants and customs in.

"Begging your pardon, sir, but we've just disembarked from the Carpathia, and we've no family or friends here to collect us…is there anywhere we can go?"

The manager who was at his desk, looked up and took out his notepad. "Names?"

"Marius Pontmercy…this is Miss Cosette Fauchelevant."

"Ah…just a moment." He said. "There are some Government officials that will want to meet with you. They're right outside the front entrance."

Cosette followed Marius close behind. They were both of the same mind: What could the United States Government want with them? They've done nothing wrong at all.

Cosette wondered if her Suffragette Demonstrations in London had caused attention in the States, and she was to be taken in for questioning?

Or maybe the Kerringtons had changed their minds and come to collect Marius to force him into the arranged marriage after all?

Their questions were answered when they exited the Pier. The two of them were stopped by a Government Official.

"Are you survivors of the Titanic?" he asked them.

The two slowly nodded. He reached into his satchel and pulled out two envelopes.

"What are these?" Marius asked.

"Subpoenas. Ordering you to proceed to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and to deliver your testimonies to the Unites States Senate Inquiry to the Royal Mail Ship Titanic disaster."

Marius and Cosette looked up in frustration. "Sir, we've been through enough as it is. Is it really necessary for us to…?"

"Orders are orders! We've called for a taxi already." The Man declared, in a final tone.

There was no way out of this. Cosette silently stepped into the taxi accompanied by Marius.

Up ahead of them, Jean and Clara too were flabbergasted by the subpoenas that were shoved in their hands.

Frank Combeferre, and Eponine and Gavroche Thenadier had shoved past the crowds, and reached the customs office. They too were given the same directions and subpoenas.

Combeferre kept a firm grip on Eponine's hand, and Eponine with Gavroche's hand. The three exited the Pier, when an American voice called out.

"Frank! Frank Combeferre!"

Combeferre turned around. His heart soared in his throat, as he was approached by two of his friends, Jack and Deena Carson.

"Oh…thank God!" Combeferre cried out as he walked over to embrace Jack. "I cannot stress enough to you how glad I am to see a familiar face!"

"We came out all the way from New Jersey as soon as we heard." Deena said, wiping away her tears. "I was a sight when I heard about James…"

She was referring to Combeferre's cabin mate, roommate from London, and long-time friend, James Enjolras, who perished in the sinking.

"There's so much to tell…but first…" Combeferre began, before walking over to the Thenadiers.

"Darling…Gavroche…These are my friends, the Carsons, Jack and his sister Deena. They've studied abroad with us back in England, and we've become very good friends for quite some time."

He brought them over to Jack and Deena. "Jack, Deena. This is…" he took a deep breath of pride when he introduced her. "Eponine…my fiancée."

Eponine's face grew bright red.

"Why, Frankie you old Fox!" Jack nudged Combeferre on the shoulder. "I knew you'd find yourself a pretty gal!" He then whispered to Eponine "You know, the last time we saw each other, he had me worried stiff!"

"Oh…did he?" Eponine asked genuinely.

"He did!" Jack answered.

"And this!" Combeferre continued, hoping to change the topic. "…is her little brother Gavroche."

After the introductions were made, Combeferre took Jack to the side. "They've lost their parents and sister. And right now, we've received this summons…we don't know…"

"Well, don't you worry one bit!" Jack said. "Let me take a look at this." He opened up the envelope and proceeded to read it carefully.

"Yep…just confirms the rumors that were floating around in New York."

"Rumors?" Eponine asked.

"Apparently, the Senate in Washington has approved for New York to host an Inquiry into the Titanic sinking. They'll be holding it in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The hearing begins tomorrow morning."

"And…given this is a subpoena…" Combeferre said "I suspect we don't have much of a choice?"

"Afraid not." Jack said grimly. "But come now! It's the Waldorf-Astoria! Swankiest hotel in New York! You'll love it there!"

"But how will we…I mean…we haven't a penny to our name!"

"Now don't you grey out an inch of your hair over it! Everything's on me!" Jack said.

The three survivors were about to protest.

"I won't hear of it! Now let's call for a taxi! The rain's starting to pour again!"

Jack whistled for a Taxi, and the five of them hopped in.

He continued as they rode to the hotel. "And listen, when all this is over, you three can come stay with us. We have a house in Cape May, it's very spacious! I insist!"

"But…I was arranged for a job in Boston." Combeferre persisted.

"Whereabouts?" Deena asked.

"Conkling & Lambeth U.S. Steel."

The Carsons looked at each other, then back to Combeferre. "Oh…Frank you haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

Jack's expression changed. "When the rumors were confirmed about the sinking…allegations were made against Conkling and Lambeth."

"Why?" Eponine asked with growing concern.

"Apparently…according to said allegations, the steel was purchased by Harland & Wolff for the use of Olympic and Titanic. After the sinking…a whistleblower had let it slip that the steel in question…was high in sulfur."

Combeferre's eyes widened. "That would make it unfit for use." He realized.

"And yet somehow, it was still used for the Titanic, at…what White Star had allegedly said was 'a reasonable price'."

Eponine was grateful that as soon as Gavroche stepped inside the car, he fell asleep against her shoulder. She couldn't imagine his reaction or remarks about English Capitalism.

"To make a long story short…" Deena picked up where Jack left off. "To avoid further scandal…Conkling and Lambeth had to shut down."

"…which leaves me without a job." Combeferre concluded.

"In a nutshell." Jack said. "But on the bright side, it frees you of any obligation to come stay with us!" Jack said.

"Oh, it will be so great to catch up!" Deena said. "We've had such a lovely time in England, we want so badly for you to enjoy America! Won't it be great?" She asked them.

Combeferre was slightly hesitant when he said "Yeah…great."

Eponine caught on.

Jack had checked Frank and the Thenadier siblings into one of the more relaxed suites of the Waldorf-Astoria. And the hotel staff were aware that they would be hosting the inquiries tomorrow, so there was no objection to the impoverished look of Eponine and Gavroche. Combeferre might've gotten away with one of the cheaper rooms.

Nonetheless, they were all registered under Jack Carson, and the staff made no complications.

It was a nice suite to say the least. There was a parlor, with a lavatory to the right, and two bedrooms to the left.

When they reached their room, Deena had turned to Eponine. "Now it's too late tonight, but first thing tomorrow morning before the inquiry starts, I want to take you out and be fitted for new clothes."

"Oh…you don't have to…" Eponine was about to protest.

"Nonsense! Franklin has been a dear to us during our stay in England. He would've done the same for us! Right, Frankie?" Deena asked.

Combeferre silently nodded.

"Well…Jack and I have extra sets of nightclothes when we came over here. You all just get dressed, then head right on to bed. Got a big day ahead of you tomorrow."

"Does it ever end…?" Gavroche muttered.

"Gavroche!" Eponine said, warily.

"Oh, it's no trouble. You three have had a very trying week as it is. We'll leave you to it! Have a good night. Sleep well." Jack said as he and Deena were about to leave the room.

"Thank you for your hospitality. We appreciate it." Gavroche said quickly, trying to cover up his complaint earlier.

"You are most welcome, dear." Deena said, before closing the door.

"Ep, I realized my error! Please…let's not go into it now. I'm too ruddy tired for it!"

"I wasn't going to…that was nice of you." Eponine said softly.

Gavroche yawned, picked up a set of pajamas and walked into the smaller bedroom. "Well…g'night…see you in the morning."

"Goodnight…" Combeferre and Eponine chimed together.

The two were left alone as they walked into their bedroom together.

"A week…" Combeferre repeated Jack's earlier mention.

"Hmm?" Eponine asked, her eyes getting tired.

"It's been a full week since we first saw each other…at Queenstown…"

She smiled sadly. "And here we are…a week later, engaged to each other…just a few…friends and family depleted…"

Before she could say another word, Combeferre pulled her in for a hug. "I'm sure…I just know…that they're looking down at us…and they would be so proud of us…they'll be watching over us now. They haven't completely left…"

"I know…" she sniffled against her chest. "I just wish…"

"Shh…." He said in his usual soothing voice. "Let's just get to bed now. We'll talk more in the morning."

The two of them slipped into their nightclothes.

Eponine had asked Combeferre to slide into bed first. Once he was all settled in, she climbed in to snuggle up next to him.

"Hold me?" She whispered.

"From now to forever…" he replied. He wrapped his arm around her waist as she inched back toward him.

He took off his glasses and set them on the nightstand.

The last time these two were in bed together, they had consummated their love for each other… a mere few hours before the mighty Titanic collided with the iceberg, and claimed the lives of Eponine's father, mother, her sister Azelma, and Combeferre's friend Enjolras.

But now at long last, they were able to share a bed together, in the complete assurance of safety and security.

When Combeferre awoke in the early morning dawn, he could not have felt happier. Sleeping next to him was the beautiful girl that he was in love with. He felt ready to start the day…

…until he put one foot down on the floor…and felt the ice cold water swallow his ankle.

Combeferre reached around for his glasses, but couldn't find them anywhere. He tried to feel around for Eponine, but she was nowhere to be found.

Then…all of a sudden, the wall in front of began to crack. He swore he could see a smokestack crash right through the wall, crumbling it into pieces.

He finally found his glasses and put them on in time to see Feuilly Kowalski and Azelma Thenadier…glaring at him.

"Why didn't you save us?!" Feuilly bellowed…his voice sounding unnatural.

Azelma spoke next…but her voice sounded almost…demonizing. "Why did you leave us to die?!"

"I…didn't mean for anyone to die!" Combeferre pleaded.

"There was plenty of space in the boats…Frank!" The hellish voice of James Enjolras croaked out, as he appeared out of the now rising water. "You had the chance to save us and you've failed! You have failed us all!"

"No…no! That's not true!" Combeferre's cries became more desperate, as the water reached the top of his bed.

"Women and children are dead! And yet YOU LIVE!?" The three ghosts screamed in unison.

"No! NO! NOOOOOO-OOOOO!"

"Frank! FRANK!" Eponine exclaimed, shaking a panicking Combeferre out of his stupor.

He awoke in cold sweat…panting for air. Acting on instinct, Eponine grabbed his glasses and put them in his hands. "Frank...darling…it's me!" she said softly.

Combeferre was still panting…he had never felt more terrified in his life. "It's…it's them!" He cried, pointing towards the wall. "They're after me!"

"Darling…" Eponine was growing with fear. "Who's after you?"

"It's them! It's Feuilly and Azelma! James…I swear…I tried my best! I TRIED TO SAVE YOU ALL!" he exclaimed, his entire body shaking.

Eponine looked over at his direction with tears in her eyes. "No, love! That's Gavroche standing over there! He's not them! See?" she sounded desperate in her attempt to soothe him. Gavroche took a step forward to see if Combeferre was alright.

"No! They're angry at me! They're going to kill me! They want me to die because they died!" Combeferre's panic was almost abnormal. Then he couldn't breathe right.

"Gavroche…go and get the Carsons!" Eponine said.

When Gavroche left, Combeferre stopped for a moment. "Wh…Where did they go?!"

"Shh…" Eponine whispered, grabbing a hold of Combeferre's face. "It was just a dream."

Combeferre stopped fidgeting around, but his face was still shaking. Eponine responded by rubbing his forehead gently. His breathing began to slow down.

"…Eponine?!" He whimpered.

"You've had a bad dream, sweetheart." Eponine said calmly.

Combeferre got a grip on his surroundings at last. Eponine continued to massage his temples until she could help to regulate his breathing.

"Are you ok, darling?" she asked him.

He slowly nodded…tears forming in his eyes. "I'm sorry…"

She pulled him in for a hug. "Nothing to be sorry for, Franklin."

Jack and Deena rushed into the room. "Is he alright?"

Eponine held tight onto Combeferre who was trembling in her embrace. "He's had a bad dream."

Gavroche came into the room. "But he was sitting up when he was shouting and panicking…he pointed in my direction."

"Everyone! Please!" Combeferre said aloud. "I'm alright!"

"No you're not!" Eponine objected. "Frank, this is the second time I've seen you like this! Last time you thought you were drowning, and you were wide awake!"

Deena spoke up. "Um…Eponine, the inquiry will start at eleven o'clock this morning, why don't we head on down to the shop and see if we can get you fitted out for something. Gavroche, you can come with us, they have the men's shop right next door. Jack, why don't you stay up here with Frank. I'll order everyone breakfast to be here when we all return!"

Eponine was very hesitant to let Combeferre go, but trusted Jack all the same. When the three were gone, Jack helped Frank out of bed and into the parlor.

"Frank, we've known each other for four years. Right?" he asked as the two sat down on the couch.

"Yes." Combeferre said softly.

"So then there won't be a problem in my just coming right out with what I and I think we all want to know."

Combeferre sighed and leaned back in his seat. "Go ahead…"

"Now, your fiancée, Eponine had said that you had encountered a similar…panic attack before. When was this?"

Frank closed his eyes. "It was on the 15th…maybe a few hours after we were picked up by the Carpathia. I lost my glasses in the sinking, and a passenger from that ship had offered me a spare. When I regained my vision, and looked out at the ocean…I don't know…I suddenly felt like…I was…I was…" he struggled to find the words.

Jack put his hand on Frank's shoulder. "Just breathe. I'm here to help you. We all are."

Combeferre smiled. He knew Jack had classes in the new studies of psychoanalysis, having taken an English Seminar sponsored by the University of Vienna none other than Sigmund Freud. It was a relief to Frank.

"Thank you…anyway…I honestly felt as if…I was out there in the ocean…I thought I was drowning…"

Jack nodded. "You said that you 'regained your vision'. So by that, you mean that you haven't been able to see clearly at all?"

Frank shook his head.

"How did you lose the glasses?"

Combeferre shifted uncomfortably. Jack rubbed his shoulder. "It would be helpful to Eponine if you just got it off of your chest, and showed signs of improvement, as soon as humanly possible."

Frank breathed in slowly. "We were in the water…Eponine…Gavroche…their sister Azelma…and Feuilly…a newfound friend. We tried to escape on one of the last lifeboats when…the forward smokestack…"

Jack could see the struggle to speak in Combeferre's face. He let him try to get his words out.

"The smokestack…toppled over, and crushed Feuilly and Azelma."

Jack lowered his head, as Frank continued. "The wave from the splash was so strong…it swept my glasses off of me. I didn't even realize the two of them were dead until after my panic attack…"

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

Frank shrugged his shoulders. "After Eponine helped me stand up when we were aboard the rescue ship, the mug I had in my hands fell off my lap, shattered against the floor, and then…all of a sudden…this flash!"

Jack got the notepad that was sitting on the coffee table. "Flash, you say?"

"Yeah…I swear…I thought I saw a…rather distorted image of Feuilly and Azelma being crushed by the funnel…it's the only thing that makes sense since we couldn't find them afterwards…"

Jack began writing. "And this recent night terror?"

"I…I thought the room was flooding…and the wall crumbled to rubble in front of me, and there they were…right next to Enjolras…they were angry with me…because…"

"…because they were dead and you are still alive?"

Combeferre nodded, tears rolling down his cheek.

Jack looked up from his notepad. "Now, Frank. I cannot emphasize this enough. Even if I were at the top of the list of professionals in this field, it is still in its early stages of development. In other words, we shouldn't be dependent upon my findings alone…not until I've done more research."

"But from what you've just told me, it seems to me that you're suffering a moderate case of what is simply called traumatic neurosis. It is a sensation where once you've been put in a traumatizing experience, anything that is similar to the experience can trigger the trauma you've felt. The sight of the ocean for example…you gazed at it, and it was the last visual sight you saw before the funnel collapsed. That can be considered a trigger. And the sudden unexpected sound of the mug falling and breaking…could've triggered the memory of the crashing sound of that funnel."

"And as for your nightmare…it seems to me that on top of the traumatic neurosis, you appear to be suffering from survivor's guilt…which isn't entirely unusual. I'm sure there are plenty of survivors from the shipwreck that are going through the same thing you are."

Combeferre looked up at him. "Is there some sort of cure for it?"

Jack took a deep breath and said "I wish I could tell you that, but as this is a study in earliest of developments, I don't think there is."

Combeferre grabbed the pillow and held onto it tight.

"However…" Jack continued. "We can try certain psychological procedures. I was going to send you a wire as soon as you and James arrived in New York. I've acquired my license to practice minor exercises."

Frank offered a weak smile. "Congratulations…Wish the news would've been shared under better circumstances."

Jack put down his notepad. "I know, Frank. I do too."

Jack got up from his seat and walked over to the telephone. "I'll order up some tea before the breakfast comes. How do you take yours?"

"Earl Grey." Frank said.

As Jack was dialing, Frank got up from his seat and walked over to the window. The sun was just peeking out behind the silhouette of the New York Skyline. He could see some of the skyscrapers at a better angle than one could see from the street. In his peripheral

Vision he could see a little hint of blue in the Hudson River.

"Okay…great! Thank you. Charge it to the fourth floor, number 73. Thank you." Jack hung up the phone.

"Jack?" Combeferre asked, his voice cracked. Jack hurried over to him. "Your house in Cape May…"

"I can understand your concern, friend. But rest assured we are at the very least, 5 blocks away from the shoreline. We don't have an ocean view."

Combeferre turned around with a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

Deena, Eponine and Gavroche returned from their errand. Deena had it arranged so that the new batch of clothes for Eponine and Gavroche would be sent up to the room while the survivors were at the Inquiry.

After breakfast, Combeferre had borrowed a black suit from Jack while Eponine and Gavroche wore the outfits they first picked from the outfit stores.

They had walked down to the lobby with Jack and Deena. Jack had approached the concierge.

"Excuse me, but can you tell me where the Senate Inqu-"

"Second door to the elevator right behind you." The concierge pointed without even looking up.

It was obvious to the five that this man has given directions to the room at least a few dozen times.

They had approached the doorman. Combeferre spoke first. "I am Franklin Combeferre, these are Eponine and Gavroche Thenadier, we are here to give testimonies for the Titanic?"

The doorman's expression never changed, as he opened the door.

"We'll wait out here." Jack said. "Good luck. And remember, don't be nervous."

The three survivors walked inside, and nervous was a complete understatement for them all.