Author's note: Hello everyone! It's Miss Elizabeth Lauren Dawson here! This is a traditional 'Jack lives' story. I hope you all like this new story and don't forget to review and fav/follow if you want!

Chapter One

15th April 1912
Atlantic Ocean, 2:20 AM

Jack was right. The pain was insufferable, it hit her skin and hurt like a thousand knives stabbing all over her body. She helplessly moved her arms around, trying to get out of the freezing water. There was a little she could do to prepare herself for what was going to happen. She felt her heart beating rapidly, ready to burst from the lack of oxygen and the sudden embrace of the water that made Rose let a silent scream—it hurt. How would it feel if she had committed suicide two days ago? It would be worse. Worse because she would die, knowing for a fact that no one loved her and wanted her to live, really live. This death was painful and horrifying—she was terrified of what would happen next. But then she remembered that she would die with someone by her side. She opened her eyes slightly, the water burning her eyes, and noticed Jack moving his arms around. She stared at him for a second, her lungs complaining for the lack of oxygen. When the water took him away from her, she understood what he was doing and started swimming.

Rose gasped as she emerged out of the water. Screams reached her ears and hundreds of people were fighting for their lives around her. She looked around, her fists tightened from the cold, and her face pale like a white chalk. She endured a horrible feeling—panic—and it wouldn't go away, she had to make sure that Jack was alright… What if he never made it to the surface? Was he still underwater? She took a big breath and screamed, "Jack? JACK!''

She started swimming around, her wet red hair falling on her eyes and blocking the view. She pushed them furiously behind her ears and screamed again. ''JACK? JACK!''

Suddenly, someone grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her into the water. She complained and tried to break free from his grasp, but the man holding her down was too strong. Suddenly, she emerged from the cold water, only to be pushed back inside. She was certain that it was her time to go but not yet. Fresh air filled her nostrils once again and then she heard him. Calling her name. Hope filled her heart.

''Rose!'' Jack shouted, swimming to her.

''Jack!'' she exclaimed back, her tone betraying the relief she felt. She struggled against the man's grip once again but with the help of Jack, who was forced to punch the man twice so he would let her go, escaped and clung to Jack's hand. "Jack…"

''Swim Rose, I need you to swim!'' he shouted, trying to be heard over the screams. ''Come on, let's move.''

Rose, unfortunately, was one of the people who never learned how to swim—it was not one of the obligatory lessons in finishing school because they felt that it was not useful. Rose cursed their existence silently and they ended up with Jack swimming and dragging Rose by her hand. ''Jack, it's so cold!'' she exclaimed.

''Just keep swimming!'' Jack replied, almost breathlessly. ''Come on Rose, you can do it!''

They pushed through the thousands of people who were trying to save themselves and swam to a debris, a door to be exact. Jack pushed Rose lightly so she could get first. ''Come on, get on top.''

Rose grabbed the other side of the door, and attempted to pull her legs over so she could get on the door without falling. Jack was right behind her to make sure she would get on the door safely. She almost did it, but when Jack tried to climb on the debris, so he could escape the icy cold waters, the door couldn't handle their weight and pushed them back in the water. Rose leaned her head against the wood of the door and sighed. Jack wasn't fond of the only option they had—he didn't want to stay in the water, but he needed to save Rose first. ''Stay on it, stay on it Rose.''

He swam to the side of the door and clasped her hands through his, trying to soothe her. ''It'll be alright now. It'll be alright.''

Both of them turned their heads when suddenly Chief Officer Wilde, clinging to a debris next to them, whistled and then screamed as loud as he could, ''Return…the boats!''

People continued screaming at the top of their lungs, begging for the boats to come back. Rose looked around and tried to block the screams—this was horrible. So many people were going to die that night, and their last few moments would be spent in the cold ocean, fighting for their lives.

Jack looked over Rose's shoulder and then turned to face her. ''T-The boats are c-coming back for us R-Rose,'' he said, trying to keep a steady tone. ''H-Hold on just a little bit longer…T-They had to row away for the s-suction…but they'll be coming back now.''

Rose turned her head when a man suddenly screamed, ''Help us!''

Another woman near him wailed, ''For God's sake!''

''Please! Help us!'' the man continued screaming. Rose buried her face in Jack's hands, feeling horrible and ready to die. She childishly wondered if it would hurt. She was already in pain, she couldn't handle the pain of death too.

By now, their lips were blue, their faces deathly pale and ice crystals covering their hair and eyelashes. Rose leaned against Jack's hands, trying to get the oxygen in her lungs and breathe properly. Jack rubbed her hands softly and even though his hands were frozen, they soothed and made her feel better—even though she was about to die. Jack turned his head and spotted Chief Officer Wilde dead, a peaceful expression on his face. His heart skipped a beat. Was death so peaceful? Would he just close his eyes and then...and then he would be gone, like he never existed. Now, what he wanted was to ensure Rose's survival. She had to live—she didn't deserve to die so young, not knowing the real meaning of life. He wanted her to move on with her life, even if she struggled at first, she would get through it and do the things she always wanted to. …carnivals in California, go for horse-riding, then go to other places in the world like France, Sweden, China, anywhere she could go—she would encounter new people, make memories of visiting foreign countries, learn about the history of the world…she deserved to fall in love again, marry a man she loved and loved her back, become mother to beautiful, blessed children...Rose didn't deserve this watery grave, she deserved to die as an old lady, feeling content with the life she had. Rose had to survive. Because she had a life she had to live.

''It's getting quiet,'' Rose suddenly whispered with her eyes closed. The screams were being replaced by a spine-chilling silence—a silence Rose would never forget. It was a cruel, frightening death no one deserved. Yet, most of the innocent people out there were gone. And their families…oh goodness, their poor families…Rose wasn't worried about something like that—no one would miss her but the poor families of those people out there? She felt tears forming in her eyes.

''I-It's just gonna…t-take a couple of m-minutes…to get the b-boats organized,'' he grunted, making another effort to speak. ''I don't know about you…but I intend to w-write a…a strongly worded letter t-to W-White Star Line about all this.''

He stopped talking, leaning against the door. Rose finally accepts her fate—tells herself that it was finally time to leave this cruel and harsh world and decided to say her farewells. ''I love you Jack.''

Jack raised his head and frowned at her. ''Don't you do that…Don't you say your goodbyes…n-not yet, d-do you understand me?''

''I'm so cold,'' Rose whispered, her chin trembling and her whole body shaking from the freezing atmosphere.

''Listen Rose,'' Jack said sternly and noticed that she was ready to cry. ''You're gonna get out of here…You're gonna go on…you're going to have lots of babies…and you're going to watch them grow…'' Jack was having trouble breathing now and Rose was holding back her sobs, frozen tears rolling down her cheeks. ''You're gonna die an old, old lady, warm in your bed. Not here. Not here…not this night…not like this, do you understand me?''

''I can't feel my body,'' Rose said, closing her eyes. She didn't want to let him down, she didn't want to see the pained expression on his face. She knew that there was no hope for her though. The boats were not going to return any time soon.

Jack squeezed her hands and looked at her lovingly. ''Winning that ticket Rose…'' he stammered, trying to take big breaths through his nose and mouth. ''Was the best thing…that ever happened to me…it brought me to you…and I'm thankful for that Rose…I'm thankful.''

Rose smiled a little despite the intolerable pain. Jack grasped both her hands and put his arms on the door and clasping their hands together like they were praying. ''Y-You must do me this honor…You must promise me that…that you'll survive…that you won't give up…n-no matter what happens…no matter how hopeless…'' he suddenly stopped, unable to respire. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathered himself and then continued. ''Promise me now Rose…and never let go of that promise.''

Tears were rolling down her cheeks, and she made no effort to hold them back. ''I promise.''

''Never let go,'' Jack whispered.

''I'll never let go Jack,'' she cried softly and leaned her forehead against his hands. ''I'll never let go.''

Jack grinned and kissed her knuckles softly. He leaned his head against the door and Rose touched her forehead to his, unable to stop staring at him. The only thing they could do now was wait…for death…for a boat…something that would either save them or give them eternal life.

Please God, save Jack, Rose cried silently, still clinging to Jack's hands. Forgive me for my sins, forgive me for doubting you…the only thing I ask you is to save Jack…please…he doesn't deserve it. I love him God. Always have, even if we know each other for three days, always will…please don't take him away. Please…Please…

\\\\/

''Come Josephine, in my flying…machine. Going up she goes…up she goes. Come Josephine…''

Rose stopped humming softly when she heard distant voices. Most of their words were incomprehensible but when she tilted her head to the side, a faint light shined on her face and then moved way. A boat was floating and a figure was standing there, shouting inaudible words. It was a boat though! They were saved, thank God for that! He had listened to her prayers! Of course, he did!

''Jack,'' she shook Jack's hand, feeling sick. What if it was too late? Was he dead? What if she couldn't save him? She shook him harder. ''Jack!''

''Rose,'' Jack groaned and opened his eyes. ''I…Is that…a b-boat?''

''Y-Yes,'' Rose nodded excitedly. ''W-We're saved Jack! We are both safe! We did it!"

Jack looked around the ocean, that was now a graveyard of dead, frozen bodies and stared hopelessly at the boat that was floating away. There was no way they would listen to their screams. Suddenly, Rose let go of his hand and plunged into the ocean. ''Rose? What are you doing?''

Rose grabbed Jack's hand, and swam to Officer Wilde, whose body was covered with ice, and grabbed the whistle hanging around his neck. Taking a deep breath, she started blowing, with all of her strength

and energy. Jack nodded at her encouragingly and then sighed with relief when he heard a voice scream, ''COME ABOUT!''

Rose didn't stop blowing, only when the boat was within her reach. She recognized Officer Lowe. He had dined with them four days ago, the first day of the fateful voyage. Lowe leaned, and giving instructions to the crewmen standing near him, helped Jack and Rose into the boat. Rose fall back, exhausted and cold, but still holding Jack's hand to make sure that he was safe and sound. The crewmen wrapped warm blankets around their trembling and shattered bodies. Jack leaned against Rose's shoulder and rubbed her cheek softly. ''It'll be alright now. It'll all be okay. We're safe Rose. We're safe.''

We are really safe, Rose thought. I can't believe it...we're safe. You are, Jack is...

''We should sleep,'' Rose whispered. ''We are both impaired and tired…''

''Yes,'' Jack nodded, listening to the silent waves of the ocean. ''Just…just close your eyes for a few minutes but don't fell asleep, okay? Everything will be okay soon. Just…do this for me, okay?''

Rose nodded and kissed his frozen cheek softly. She leaned against the wood of the boat and closed her eyes, ready to fall asleep. When Jack squeezed her hand, she grinned.

Thank you, God for saving him.

\\\\/

When Rose opened her eyes again, it was morning. The golden rays of the sun gave a bright color to the ocean. The sunlight was harsh and glaring, blinding her when she dared to glance at the sky. Jack was lying besides her, sleeping peacefully. His skin was still pale and had dark circles under his eyes. Officer Lowe was giving instructions to the crewmen—the survivors of this boat were ready to board the rescue ship. She could hear the commotion from the other boats—they were celebrating and cheering. Rose noticed a large ship, smaller than the Titanic, lowering a ladder and handing some ropes to the officer of the boats. Rose nudged Jack softly so he could see it. They were alive. They had survived the sinking.

''Rose?'' he mumbled. He opened his eyes slowly and he immediately noticed the rescue ship. He smiled and turned to Rose. ''We made it Rose.''

''We did it Jack, we did it…'' she fall into his arms and buried her face into his chest. ''You are alive Jack. We are both alive. That's all that matters right now.''

A crewman turned to them and smiled. They looked in love, and he was happy that at least these two got to stay together. He almost felt bad for interrupting. ''Sir, Miss, forgive me for interrupting, but all the survivors of this boat are about to board the rescue ship. You will have to get up.''

''Come on Jack,'' Rose whispered. She kneeled down, unable to stand up right away. ''Come on, I will help you get up.''

The two crewmen rushed to them and helped them walk to the edge of the boat. Officer Lowe turned to them and tied a safety belt around them. ''You'll have to climb this ladder and land on the deck of the ship. There's no need to worry, the crew will make sure that you climb the ladder safely. Who wants to go first?''

''He goes first,'' Rose demanded. Jack opened his mouth to object but Rose shook his head. ''You almost died for me last night Jack. It's time I save you.''

Jack's lips curled in a smile. Rose didn't watch as he climbed the ladder, instead she gazed at the sunrise. She was lucky. Most of the passengers didn't get to see another sunrise—she did. She would now appreciate everything she had—from watching the sunrise, to eating food. How many women would be left homeless and without a husband? Children without their fathers? So many dead people…so much disaster…of course, what did they expect? Not even God can sink the ship. He did though. So many poor souls were gone because men wanted money and fame. It wasn't the passengers' fault that they wanted money. But these were the ones who died for the money and the fame—for no reason at all.

''Come on Miss,'' Lowe tugged her arm gently. ''Grasp the ladder with your hands and climb slowly. We will make sure that you don't fall.''

Rose's hands were shaking as she slowly did as she was told. She was exhausted by the time she had reached the deck and fall in a maid's arms. The maid led her to a bench and she sat down, Jack by her side.

''Where are we going now?'' she asked breathlessly.

''I don't know,'' Jack shrugged. ''We were the last lifeboat. They're probably looking for rooms…or for an empty deck so they can let us stay there.''

A horrible thought popped in her head. What if Cal or her mother were looking for her right now? Both of them finally showed their true colors last night. She couldn't trust to be around them anymore and she couldn't just leave Jack after everything that happened…she now knew what real love was—it was a wonderful feeling…but it was also horrifying. She would sacrifice herself for Jack, like he almost did. They didn't want to leave each other's side, in fact, they didn't want to leave each other ever again. They would be happy and content together. Jack was everything she needed. Jack…he deserved more. She knew it. She felt lucky and blessed—he was in love with her, almost died for her, was ready to help her escape her old life. He wanted to be with her and she wanted to be with him. This was called true love.

''Rose?'' Jack humbled. Rose turned to him and noticed his expression. It was dark and full of grief. ''What if…what if my friends didn't survive? They…Rose what if they're dead?''

Rose pulled him in her arms and kissed his forehead, like she did last night after their lovemaking. ''I know Jack…I know. It will be hard…But I want to tell you that I will stand by you through everything. Because I love you.''

They sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes before Jack spoke again. ''Rose?''

''Yes Jack?''

''I love you too.''

A/N. Thanks for reading! There will be more soon