Chapter 14

Promises in the Dark

It was complete and total pandemonium when Charlotte was carried off of the Carpathia. She was laid out on a stretcher and two men were carrying her down a gangplank into a surging throng of family, reporters, and police. Officers were trying to keep the press from swooping down on the passengers of the Titanic but there were still flashes wherever Charlotte tried to look. She placed her arm over her face to shield her sensitive eyes from the cameras. Once they were on flat ground, her hand reached out as if searching for someone or something.

Charles' warm and familiar grasp found hers, "Come on love," he whispered into her ear.

The men held the stretcher lower to the ground and steadied it so Charlotte could rise. She swung her legs over the side of the stretcher, ignoring the cameras that were going off. Her shoes hit the pavement and her legs shook as pain shot through her head. Charlotte fell into Charles' arms and he wrapped an arm around her waist, "Are you okay?" he asked.

Her hands gripped his arm and she shook her head, "My head."

Charles looked to Isabel who had the wheelchair and he waved a hand to urge her on. Isabel came rushing up with the chair and together they helped Charlotte into the seat. Mr. Phillips was right behind his daughter with his wife and urged them through the crowd, trying to shield his wife, daughter, and the maid from any cameras.

However as they worked through the crowd, Charles observed that some of the photographers were being relentless. When one shouted out his name, he realized the attention was on them because he was the senior most officer to survive. Charles frowned and bent to Charlotte's ear level, "You all are never going to get out of here unless I separate myself from you for a bit."

Charlotte clutched his sleeve, "Please do not-"

"I will meet up with you at the hotel, I promise," Charles said.

She stared at him for a moment and then finally loosened her grip, "Alright."

Charles refrained from showing her any further affection and then told Mr. Phillips what he was doing, who nodded, and then urged Isabel and his wife along. Charles stood there and watched as they finally seemed to find a car that was waiting, one that Mr. Phillips had ordered no doubt. He continued watching, straining his vision to see, and then at long last he saw the Phillips disappear into a car and then the car drove off into the night.

"Officer Lightoller!"

"Back off, mate!"

Charles turned his attention back to see Lowe, Boxhall, and Pittman standing behind him, all trying to keep the journalists away. "Come on mate, we have a long day tomorrow, you especially," Lowe started as he pushed Charles ahead so the man would start to move his feet.

"Let's see if we can hail a cab and then get to the hotel," Pittman commented.

Charles nodded and together the four men fought through the crowd until they reached a car that was waiting to carry passengers and crews off to hotels.

Xxx

Charlotte was quite convinced she had never seen something as lovely, as the lobby of the Waldorf Astoria. At the doors they were greeted by a staff who led them to a counter to check in, upon which they were greeted by the manager who gave his condolences upon the death of Isabelle's fiancée and assured them if they had any needs, he would see to them personally.

"We would just very much like warm beds to settle into for the evening," Mr. Phillips said, exhaustion was laced throughout his voice; it was not something Charlotte was used to hearing, but then again everyone around her these days seemed to be completely and utterly exhausted.

"Of course, of course," the manager said before leading them to the lift.

Everyone was silent as the lift rose effortlessly up to a higher floor; a soft ding alerted Charlotte that they were on their floor. The doors opened and Isabelle gently pushed Charlotte's wheelchair out of the lift, towards a door at the end of the hallway. Mr. Phillips slipped the key into the lock, turned it, and then opened the door into the room.

"We have two adjoining rooms," Mr. Phillips began to explain, "A room for your mother and I," Charlotte stopped listening when she realized he was talking to Isabelle, "And then a room with two double beds for you and Charlotte."

"Alright father," Isabelle said, looking around at what was clearly her suite because of the two beds.

"I think we can all agree we have had a very long day and I know your mother intends to take you both shopping tomorrow for new clothes, so I suggest a good night's rest," Mr. Phillips went on to say.

Isabelle hugged both of her parents and they in return gave her kisses on the cheek.

"Good night," Charlotte said, watching them head for the door that led into the adjoining suite.

"Good night girls," Mrs. Phillips said.

There was a latch and Charlotte knew without having to look that the door had been closed, "I am going to stay up until Charles gets here," she paused and glanced at Isabelle, "Just so I know everything is alright."

Isabelle nodded, she wanted to stay up with Charlotte but she knew the two wanted and deserved privacy. "Alright, good night Charlotte," she moved then to the bed, "You two behave." The accusation was teasing and Charlotte managed a smile at the girl, "Good night, Izzie."

Charlotte was still for a moment and then she carefully began to push the wheels towards the door. She watched Isabelle get settled and then found a blanket that was draped across a nearby chair. She draped it across her lap, opened the stateroom door, and left.

She sat right outside of the room for a while, waving away bellboys, and maids who walked by, who stopped to ask if Charlotte needed anything. She was exhausted even though all she had done was sleep for the last three days. Charlotte's eyes fluttered shut and then opened, she struggled to stay awake, but eventually sleep won out.

Xx

"These damn American's are like vultures!" Lowe commented as they drove away from the docks and toward a hotel.

"That is all I have been saying since we were informed we had to testify," Charles replied, but his voice was distant. His eyes were fixed on the buildings of New York City and he was struck with memories of trips to the States in the past.

"Lights, did you want to go and get a drink with us?" Pittman asked, "I figured we deserved it."

Charles looked back at Herbert and shook his head "No, I promised Charlotte I would be back with her as soon as possible," he bit his lip, "She's very fragile right now."

Harold nodded, "Lucky that I found her when I did," he said.

Charles looked at Harold, "You have no idea how grateful I am, Lowe."

Harold waved a hand, pushing the words away, "I was just doing my job."

At that the car stopped, "Waldorf Astoria, gentlemen."

Charles opened the door of the vehicle and climbed out first. The men climbed out, Pittman paid the driver, and then they all went inside of the hotel. "I'll see you in a bit," he told the men, before heading for the elevator.

Charles was silent as the elevator rose higher and higher, bringing him closer to Charlotte's floor. When the doors slid open, he tipped his hat to the boy operating the elevator, and he exited out into a carpeted hallway with the lights dimmed. He checked the room numbers and headed up until towards the end of the hall, he saw Charlotte in her wheelchair, hunched over and sound asleep. Charles laughed gently and approached her, bending down at her side when he reached her, he carefully took her hand into his and shook it.

"Charlotte?" he asked gently, reaching with his other hand to brush hair out of her face.

She made a noise of annoyance, but Charlotte's eyes opened and she looked at Charles, confusion in her expression, "Did I fall asleep?"

Charles laughed again, "Yes, you did. I'm sorry I took so long to get here."

She shrugged, "It happens."

"You should probably get some rest," he told her, gently.

Charlotte nodded, "I just wanted to see you," her hands reached out and touched Charles' face. She sighed, still not quite believing everything that had happened in the last few days.

Charles reached up and covered her hands with his, ""I know, I only ever want to see you," he sighed.

In the last few days Charles had felt as if he had aged considerably and he had noticed a change in Charlotte, too. They both felt older, tired, and dependent on the other to keep going.

"Charles, will you just lie with me?" she asked quietly, her voice wavering.

He nodded after a moment, "Yes."

Charlotte turned the wheels on her chair and moved it to go into her room. Charles gently turned the knob on the door and helped push Charlotte into the room. He closed the door behind him and pushed the chair to Charlotte's bed. Isabelle had a pillow over her head; a sign that she was sound asleep. At her bedside, Charlotte stood to her feet, and with Charles' help she sat down on the edge of the bed. This movement alone seemed to knock the wind out of Charlotte, increasing her levels of exhaustion.

She pulled the quilts down on the bed and slipped her legs under the blankets. Charles watched Charlotte as she relaxed under the covers and her head nestled into the pillow. After a moment he took his coat and hat off, and Charles lay down on the bed beside her, on top of the blankets. Charlotte moved her head so it was resting on his chest, listening to the gentle, rhythmic beating of his heart. It was the only comforting thing that Charlotte could cling to in that moment.

"Please do not ever leave me," she whispered into the dark.

He pressed his lips to her forehead and held her closer, "I will not ever leave you."

xx

A/N- Okay so this turned into another filler...which I apologize for. I have not been home the last two days and I am crazy busy with church and working every day this week...I apologize if anything was redundant...I Cannot even explain my levels of exhaustion. I have a lot planned for the next few chapters, so please just stick it out with me during this lull.

Also...I watched "A Night to Remember" on Monday because my mom bought it on DVD for me at like 60% off...IT WAS SOO GOOD! Despite the random little in-accuracies, I loved it...especially Lightoller. He made me laugh...also...DUCKY FROM NCIS WAS BRIDEEEEEEE!

:D