Hey guys, this story is AU. It is about what would have happened if the lifeboats had reached Jack and Rose a little earlier- when Jack was still alive. Jack is in a coma.

Chapter 1- Jack's POV

"Jack? Jack?"

The voice was a distant whisper in the darkness. But it soothed me, and all I wanted to do was find the source of it. I struggled, trying to find my way through the darkness, trying to identify any sign of light or colour or life. But it was too hard and I couldn't do it alone, couldn't find the strength in me to move. I relaxed again, giving up.

The voice sounded again and I listened carefully, it seemed to be the only sign that I could still be alive.

"I'm here Jack. I'll always be here. I'll never let go."

The last words shot through me like an electric shock as the memories flooded my brain. The water, the freezing water around my shaking skin was the most powerful memory; I could still feel the numbness in my muscles where it had affected me. I remembered thinking it that the bitter cold of the water was worth it, I could spend the last moments with the girl I loved...

Rose.

Rose's POV

Jack looked so peaceful...so beautiful that it scared me. I sat there in the hospital, next to his bed. I hadn't left there for two days, ignoring the nurse's attempts to make me leave, ignoring her effort to explain to me that Jack would probably never wake up from his coma.

All I wanted to do was see his beautiful blue eyes again, to see his lips curve into that familiar crooked smile and feel my heart skip a beat when they did.

It had been one week after the Titanic sank but it felt more like a year. I prayed to God everyday to make Jack wake up. To make him come back to me. I wanted an entire life with him, and that didn't even seem to be enough.

I was telling him how beautiful he was, and how much I missed just talking to him, and laughing with him. The windows were open, and it was twilight. The sky was full of reds and oranges and pinks that made me think of the time we were stood on the bow of the titanic, looking out on the ocean in front of us and the stunning fiery colours of the sky. I remembered the way I felt, like I was a bird flying with no care in the world. I remembered Jacks hands on mine, the way he had entwined my fingers with his, the way he touched his lips for the first time to mine, kissing me like I had never been kissed before. It was like I was kissing an angel.

I was reminding Jack of this then, and the many times before and after that when we had had such a great time together. Right now I was reminiscing the time we had danced together when we were in third class.

"I love dancing with you Jack" I told his unconscious being, kissing the hand I held, "When you wake up, we can go dancing again." I smiled, thinking of the difference of the world I wanted to live in and the world I grew up in. I wanted to dance properly, with loud music and the quick, messy rhythm. I even wanted there to be rowdy men, fighting with each other over silly little things. I wanted to dance like we had that night.

Suddenly I felt the gentle pressure in the palm of my hand. Distracted by it, I stopped talking for a minute, and glanced at the nurse when she walked in. I didn't want to say anything, but my conversation with Jack continued in a more determined way.
"I felt you squeeze my hand just then" I said clearly. "I want you to do it again"

I waited for what seemed like a long time, the nurse watching curiously, but nothing happened. The nurse looked away.

"Do it again, Jack. Squeeze my hand. I want you to really try."

And then, as though he was reaching back from another world, he did.

My face broke into a broad smile, tears in my eyes and the joy surged through me as I comprehended that Jack could be waking up.

"That was wonderful!" I exclaimed, encouraging him. I saw the nurse turn back, watching us with more interest than before.

"Now I want you to open your eyes. Just a tiny bit...I'm looking at you Jack. I want you to look at me"

There was no sign of life in his face, but then his fingers moved again and I wondered if it was just a random reflex, my heart sinking. Just as I was getting discouraged, he wrinkled his nose, his eyes still closed and I realised he was trying to open his eyes. I felt my heart race, he was coming back.

"That was a funny face" I laughed. "How about a little smile?"

There were tears rolling down my cheeks as I spoke to him, all my effort, strength and love focused on him. The nurse stood firm in place as she watched, she had clearly seen the quick grimace Jack had made.

"Will you smile for me? I missed you. I love you" I was begging him, willing him to come back. I wanted to pull him out if the abyss where he'd been. I sat there for another half an hour, watching him make little movements as time progressed.

He opened his eyes for a second, and I saw the cornflower blue irises meet mine, but then shut them quickly as though it was too much effort. The nurse was on his other side now, checking his heartbeat, which she told me had quickened. She was mumbling to herself about how this was impossible, how his body had almost froze and it was impossible to recover this quickly. But Jack was strong, stronger than anyone I had ever met before and I knew he could do it. He was going to be alright.

Then his eyes opened again, and he kept them open for a good ten seconds, staring at me with such familiarity that made my heart almost burst with elation.

"I...love...you" he croaked, smiling a small little smile and then closed his eyes again, relaxing.

I didn't think it was possible to feel such ecstasy than at that moment. It was the first time he had told me that and I couldn't believe he was back...that we could spend all the time we wanted with each other for the rest of our lives.

The nurse told me we should let him rest so I stopped encouraging him to move and I sat there beside him all night, holding his hand. The nurse left us then, giving us some privacy. I couldn't believe my luck. An hour ago I thought I could have lost him...but now...

I loved him and he loved me and that was all that mattered.

It was around midnight when the nurse walked back into the room. She looked worried.

"There is someone downstairs waiting for you" she told me, and I heard her voice quiver, "he said he is your fiancé"

I stood up, my mood suddenly grew dark again.

"Who is it?" I asked her sternly

"A Man called Hockley. Caldon Hockley. He wants you to leave with him." And then her voice turned into a whisper, "he is with the police"

I glanced in angst back at Jack. How did he find us?

End of Chapter 1

Can't wait to write more chapters- I hoped you liked this one!