Chapter Four

Title: A Second Chance
Author: Sarah (sfrench@austarmetro.com.au)
Part: 4/?
Rating: PG
Summary: Titanic 'Jack-lives' type fic.
Author's notes: This is a story I wrote about two years ago, I've decided to pop it up here on ff.net but I don't think it's terribly good :-) Sorry about the lack of updates, I kind of forgot to add any more chapters. *g*

Chapter Four

Alice looked at her, stunned. Rose had made it clear that she had no family aboard, yet surely this could couldn't be a coincidence. However, Alice kept her thoughts to herself. Gently, she asked "You lost somebody aboard Titanic?"

Ruth's sobs had ceased now, yet tears continued to trace silent tracks down her face. Suddenly, she looked very like Rose and Alice became even more certain that her suspicions were correct.

Ruth nodded slowly. "My daughter, Rose.." she replied in a trembling voice, taking a deep breath. She seemed lost in a world of her own. "She was so stubborn," Ruth murmured "chasing after that steerage boy... I knew it would end in heartbreak. If only she had realised that I only wanted what was best for her..." Ruth's voice trailed off, and she suddenly seemed to remember that Alice was there. Looking directly at her, a strange expression filled her eyes. "And it would have been for the best" Ruth continued fiercely, as if trying to convince herself more than Alice. "If Rose had only listened to what I had told her then..." Ruth's eyes filled with tears again as she whispered, "then she'd still be here now."

Alice had very little idea what Ruth was talking about, but she was sure of one thing. The Rose this woman spoke of and her young patient were indeed one and the same. Suddenly, Alice was filled with joy. For the first time in almost a week, she might be able to bring a little happiness out of this misery.

"Mrs Dewitt Bukater" she said warmly, unable to disguise her joy, "I think I may be able to help you." Ruth looked up at her, the slightest glimmer of hope in her eyes. Alice was filled with uncertainty again. What if she were wrong? Ruth would be devastated. And then.... Rose had never mentioned her mother. Perhaps there was animosity beneath the surface? But, gazing at Ruth's tear streaked face, Alice realised that, whatever had happened, this woman deserved the truth.

Turning to Ruth, Alice said steadily "Mrs Dewitt Bukater, I think your daughter may still be alive."

In the stunned silence that followed, Alice watched Ruth's face intently for a reaction and saw none. Faltering a little she continued, "You see... I'm a nurse... one of my patients....her name is Rose Dewitt Bukater, and I thought...."

Ruth's eyes widened in amazement. Rose was alive? But how? And then a more troubling thought occurred to her. Why had Rose not sought her out? She hadn't even felt the need to let her own mother know that she was still alive. Ruth's joy dissipated. Surely she wasn't still pining after that steerage boy.. chasing whatever foolish dreams he had filled her head with instead of returning to her family where she belonged? If that was the case, Ruth vowed that she wouldn't allow it to last. In a voice that came out harsher than she'd intended, she asked "May I see her?"

Alice was startled by her tone, and sensed the first stirring of trouble. Perhaps she had chosen the wrong path after all. She struggled to regain her composure. "Of course, Mrs Dewitt Bukater. But allow me to speak to her first. She has not been well, and I don't wish to startle her."

Alice hesitantly pushed Rose's door open. The room was dark, and at first Alice thought that Rose was asleep, she lay so still. But as Alice's shadow filled the doorway, Rose sat up. Even in the dim light, Alice could see that she'd been crying. Expectation filled Rose's eyes as she gazed at Alice, begging for an answer to the unspoken question. Alice found herself unable to speak. No matter how many times she had to share sad news, she still found it impossible. However, this time she was spared a little of the agony. In a voice barely above a whisper, Rose spoke fatalistically. "You didn't find him, did you?"

Alice shook her head slowly, wishing that the news could have been otherwise. Rose just sat there, studying the bedspread with fierce concentration. Suddenly her composure broke as the truth she'd been dreading sank in.

Rose didn't notice Alice's attempts to comfort her. Her every memory of Jack came flooding back, every one so full of life. She could still feel the warmth of his hands, see the joy that lit up his face when he smiled, hear his laughter as he had spun her around at the party, faster and faster, the two of them lost in their own impenetrable world. The tears rolled down her cheeks. His presence was so real to her- how was it possible that he was dead, that all this existed only in her memory? She closed her eyes, and remembered his face as she'd walked towards him at the bow, the sun lighting his hair and a warm smile crossing his face, his eyes filled with joy, with love. Her sobs increased as Alice tried helplessly to comfort her.

Through her tears, it dawned on Rose that she was all alone. Besides Alice she had no one in the world to turn to and the thought filled her with dread. She had never been alone before.. never even chosen her own clothes in the morning. She had abandoned everything that had been familiar and safe to be with Jack, and although she didn't regret her choice, the world suddenly seemed even more lonely and frightening.

Through her tears, Rose made a watery attempt to smile at Alice, trying to reassure her that she was coping. "Thank goodness for you, Alice," she said in a trembling voice. "If you weren't here, I can't imagine what I'd do. I have no one else to turn to now that Jack-" Rose broke off abruptly, not trusting herself to speak the truth aloud, biting her lip in a futile effort to hold back her tears.

Alice could not return Rose's weak smile. Instead, she stared down at her hands, aware that what she was about to say was momentous. Finally, her voice broke the uncertain silence. "Rose," she began slowly "There is something else." She sighed, "I am unsure if I am doing the right thing in telling you, but you are not as alone as you imagine." And very quickly, before she could change her mind, Alice burst out "Your mother wishes to speak to you."

Rose snapped her head up in shock. Her mother? How was this possible? Before she could speak Alice continued. "She's waiting outside. I'll fetch her now if you wish." The shock overwhelmed Rose. First Jack and now this. Before she had a chance to protest, Alice was walking towards the door.