So, almost 50 thousand words so far. think this might end up being my longest story yet. ive got at least 15 thousand written just for the sinking. and im gonna write a bit beyond that obv. so maybe 70 total? we shall see.

give me your thoughts about the different POv. is it too confusing? keep and eye on the times. the iceberg hits at 1140 pm and the ship sinks at 0222. the carpathia starts picking up boats at 0430 and the last boat was picked up about 830 I think. :) took a while to haul everyone up.

hope you are enjoying this as much as i liked writing it. let me know! :) and sorry its angst basically from here onwards. Ill try and post as quick as I can but it's taking a while to order it all.

...

April 14th 1147pm, A few minutes after they have hit the iceberg and 2 hours and 35 minutes until the Titanic sinks.

...

Elizabeth

...

Elizabeth looked around her in startled surprise as the iceberg slipped silently and calmly past their starboard side. The stillness of the night, following the cacophony and convulsion of a few minutes earlier, was eerie in its quiet. Her emotions, in contrast, were a tumult of anxiety and unease.

She took a deep breath and looked up in to the warm gaze of the man stood in front of her, offering his hand. She felt her fears settle slightly at the implied support the man offered. Whatever was to come they would face it together.

She took his hand, appreciating his warm and firm grasp as his fingers curled protectively around hers. Her heart was beating hard in her chest and the image of the iceberg slipping past the stern of their boat was indelibly imprinted in her mind. The ship now moved smoothly through the water but she could not help but wonder what was occurring under the waterline.

They set off towards the bow of the boat, and their friends and family, to see what they could find out.

A door took them on to the forward facing portion of the A Deck promenade. There they overlooked the bow. Below them they could see the forward third class outside space and their bar area.

"Oh my!" Elizabeth breathed. On the space below them there were chunks of ice littered across the deck. Groups of people milling about were looking over the starboard railing, clearly watching the receding iceberg. A few high spirited young men were playing football with an ice chunk.

The ship was silent, the engines stopped, but they were still drifting forwards, slowing by the minute. "We must have hit."

"Look how far back the chunks of ice come, I would wager we scraped along it."

Elizabeth turned wide eyes to him "how much damage can she take?" Darcy shrugged, not liking not knowing the answer.

"We should warn everyone."

Elizabeth cringed "Lydia!"

They both looked over the edge, not spying her sister amongst the people below.

"We must find her." She said, determination in her tone.

Darcy took her hands. "We will, but first we must find out what has occurred and make sure the rest of our family is safe."

Elizabeth nodded and cast another eye over the deck below, not spotting Lydia still. Reluctantly she turned away.

...

First they roused a sleepy and confused Georgiana. Darcy instructed her to get dressed, warm clothes, and wait for his return. She protested slightly but complied when she saw the look of concern upon her brother's face. She rang for her maid and together they began to prepare for the unknown.

Next, Darcy went looking for Mr Bingley. He answered the knock and Darcy explained.

"We've hit an iceberg. I am not certain of the danger. But you best get dressed and come up."

"I say, I thought this ship was nigh unsinkable!"

"She's made of iron, Mr Bingley," Elizabeth spoke "I assure you, if she takes on enough water she can sink."

Bingley nodded grimly at her. "I'll meet you up on a deck in the first class entrance. I'll rouse Caroline and then find Jane."

Elizabeth smiled at his thoughtfulness but Darcy spoke before she could.

"We are heading to the Bennet's cabins next. Why do you not try to find out what is occurring? If we are in danger?"

...

Elizabeth was growing impatient. Not that she disagreed with their current course, but she felt there was too much to be done. They had found Jane and Mrs Bennet in their rooms and urged them to dress warmly and go up to the A deck entrance. Mrs Bennet had, of course, erupted in to histrionics and so they had downplayed things. This had the unfortunate effect of Mrs Bennet declaring that if all was well then they should all go back to bed.

Elizabeth almost stamped her foot with frustration.

By this point there were stewards moving around waking passengers and asking them to put their life belts on.

Elizabeth grabbed her own warmest coat and scarf and hat. She also made Jane take Kitty's coat whilst she grabbed Lydia's. They tied on the odd white life jackets and she couldn't help the small snicker at their strange appearances.

"I must find papa and then I must look for Lydia!"

Jane nodded and grasped her hand "leave mama to me and I shall try to get a message to Aunt Gardiner."

Elizabeth nodded and took a deep breath before turning to Mr Darcy. He looked at her and grasped her hand again, as if not wishing to lose their physical contact, before he led her away to the grand stair case.

Many people were milling around by this point, stewards handing out life jackets and telling people to stay calm as it was just a precaution. She saw Mr Andrews walking down the stairs and watched him speak to a lady. He said something to her and she looked even more pale before turning to the man beside her and they moved on their way.

Elizabeth walked up to Mr Andrews. "It is bad, isn't it?"

Mr Andrews smiled grimly. "I am sorry, Miss Elizabeth."

"Are the lifeboats to be loaded?"

He nodded and suggested she get herself to one as quickly as possible. Elizabeth, being good at maths, understood the reason for this advice and turned to Darcy.

"I will fetch Georgiana and Lady Catherine. You must get your family on a boat. I will meet you up on deck. If you have the chance, you must get on a boat. Do not wait for me." He urged.

Elizabeth reached up on her toes and kissed him on the lips quickly before they both hurried up the stairs, not making the wished for promise. They departed company on C deck, him to ensure Lady Catherine and Anne were up, she to find the rest of her family.

She found Mr Bingley in the 1st class entrance, pacing.

"Mr Bingley. Might I employ you to watch for Jane and mama? I must find Kitty and papa."

He assured her he would wait for them and try to convince them to get on a boat and she dashed off along the deck.

She found Kitty and Mr Bennet halfway along the covered promenade and bid them head towards Mr Bingley. They had not found Lydia and knew not where else to look. She dashed onwards and headed in to second. Finding her Aunt, Uncle and cousins waiting in the second class areas.

"What has been said?" She asked hurriedly.

"That we are to wait here for further instructions."

Elizabeth leaned in, gesturing for Charlotte to listen also. "The ship is going down and there are not enough boats."

Her aunt gasped and Charlotte exclaimed "truly?"

Elizabeth only nodded, swallowing the lump that suddenly appeared in her throat.

"We must make for the boats. Bring something warm for the children." Mr Gardiner hurried away to do just that.

"We have not found Lydia, have you seen her?"

"No Lizzie. I am sorry. She has not been here."

Elizabeth sighed. "I will keep looking."

Her aunt clutched at her "you must find a boat."

"I will Aunt, but I must find her first."

She moved briefly away, looking out over the third class area that she and Darcy had traversed not long ago. There were a few people milling around, smoking and talking. There was not much sign of urgency. The gates were locked again and no stewards were about to unlock them. She peered as well as she could, but she could see no sign of Lydia. She had dressed in a bright pink dress that evening and Elizabeth was grateful she would be easy to spot. Once she was certain she was not back that way, and she had accepted she could not get down there, she returned to her family.

...

Monday April 15th 1250.

Mr Gardiner was just emerging from the staircase, carrying coats and blankets and with Jenny in his wake.

"Come, let us go up on deck."

Elizabeth took them towards the front where she found her family all present and accounted for, except the wayward Lydia.

Lady Catherine was very pleased to see Charlotte and immediately directed her to accompany Anne, and herself in a lifeboat. Of course with her height and voice, Lady Catherine managed to secure herself and her daughter, maid and Charlotte a seat fairly quickly and they were lowering away by ten past one. The addition of the dog in to their boat had made Lady Catherine sniff in disdain, but ultimately she elected to stay put.

"Can we not join them?" Dr Lucas asked, just as Officer Lightoller gave the order to lower away.

"Women and children only" came the response.

"But the boat is not even half full" Darcy exclaimed, looking around for the rest of his group. Unfortunately Lady Catherine, in her haste to reach a boat, had pushed through a small crowd which had then closed behind her. The Bennets were at the back of this crowd, too far to bring forward.

"Captains orders!"

"Can you not fit more in though?"

"We don't know if they can take the weight!" The Officer, who was clearly under a lot of pressure, explained. "You Miss, should get in." He said to Elizabeth, who had managed to stay by Darcy's side.

Elizabeth turned to Darcy "I must find Lydia."

He nodded and blew a kiss to Georgiana, who was sat with Lady Catherine and Charlotte, as the boat began to lower.