I'm now lying in Derek's arms, trying my best to fall asleep. Ever since Declan and Bessie allowed us to stay with them, I have been sleeping on the hard settee in the center of the room while Derek's been sleeping on the floor next to me. But now that we've kissed and admitted that we have feelings for one another, I asked Derek to hold me in his arms tonight.

He didn't even hesitate.

Ever since that fiery kiss we shared in the stairwell, it's as if we can't get close enough to one another.

But we aren't ravenous like we were before. It's difficult to focus on the passion when we are so close to witnessing firsthand one of the greatest tragedies that history has ever known. I can't fall asleep.

Every time I close my eyes, I can already hear the screams; the cries for help that will never come.

It's three o'clock in the morning…April 14th.

I'm so tired. But my fear and deep heartache are keeping me awake. I look up into Derek's sleeping face. His features are usually relaxed and he's the only person I know that never lets anything bother him. But his eyebrows are furrowed, like our pending fate continues to plague him in his dreams.

I bite my bottom lip hesitantly before raising my lips to his own, dropping a gentle kiss on his mouth. He moves slightly before stilling once more.

I now know that the feelings I have for Derek have always been there, lying dormant below the surface. I've battled them for so long because of the way we fought…plus I couldn't imagine ever having to tell our family about us. But none of that matters anymore. All I want is for Derek and me to make it back home alive.

I'm so in love with Derek that I can't imagine not living a full life with him; a life no longer riddled with arguments and hateful words. It's hard to picture, but I crave the amazing relationship that I know we can have together.

I hope that his theory is right. Deep down, I know that it is. It's the only thing that makes sense. It we were transported to the Titanic in 1912 by nearly dying in the Atlantic…another tragedy by the same body of water should be our ticket home.

I'm physically shaking from fear. You know, that nervous kind of shaking that makes you feel cold all over? I'm surprised that Derek can sleep through it.

I'm trying to calm myself. By this time tomorrow night, it will all be over.

I'm just hoping that I don't chicken out and try to jump in a lifeboat. Not that I would ever leave Derek. I'd rather die than ever leave his side.

With one last shaking breath, I close my tired eyes.

As I drift off to sleep, I'm tormented with nightmares of what's to come.

Once again, I'm standing at the bow of the ship, looking off into the horizon, one leg propped up on the railing while my elbow rests on my bent knee. The sun is beginning to set, and similar to last night, I have a hat pulled low over my head. I know that it's stupid to be outside, but I had to see the sun set one last time…just in case.

It's 6 o'clock.

Only 5 hours and 40 minutes to go.

I'm not sure what I'm searching for, but I feel so lost. I'm desperate for any answers I can find.

I'm confident that my theory is correct. The only way home is to sink down into the icy depths below and hope that some current sweeps us back to 2007. What am I expecting?

A bright light?

A swirling tornado under the sea?

I'm secretly terrified of the unknown because when it happened the first time, there was nothing. Only Casey and I drowning in calm waters. Not to mention, it took us slipping into unconsciousness for it to happen. We had to endure the torture.

There is zero indication of why or how we ended up on the most famous ship in the world which will soon plummet 12,500 feet below the surface. That's a fucking long way down.

Over two miles.

The thought sends a shiver down my spine. There will still be people on board, dead or near dead, when it torpedoes to the bottom. Depths like that will make your brain explode, if nothing else.

"Derek," I hear Declan say my name, tearing me from my horrific thoughts. I turn my head to the side as he saunters up to me and leans against the barrier, his hands clasped together. He pins me with a serious look. "Do you think it wise to be out in the open like this?"

I chuckle sarcastically, my voice heavy with defeat. "It doesn't matter anymore, Dec. It's all over."

Declan takes in a deep breath at my words, shaking his head lightly, but doesn't comment on what I just said. I know that he still thinks I'm insane. He doesn't believe a word of it, and a part of me hopes that fate does prove me wrong. That somewhere along the way, Casey and I were able to make a difference.

But I know that we failed.

Our speed is out of control today, faster than it's ever been. Ismay's demand for top speed is well underway as we race towards the ice burg at ridiculous speeds.

"I have something for you, Derek," Declan says, reaching into his jacket pocket, pulling a small box from within.

I raise my eyebrow in surprise. What could Declan possibly have for me?

"Here," he says, pushing it towards me when I hesitate. "Take it, my boy."

I stand up straight, taking the small wooden box from his fingers. I examine it a moment before slowly opening the lid. A shimmer immediately catches my eye and I freeze. Holy shit!

"Holy shit!" I say out loud.

Declan laughs. "She's quite something, isn't she? Belonged to my mother."

"Dec," I breathe, immediately shutting the box and holding my hand out. "There's no way I can take this. It must cost a fortune!"

Declan looks down at my outstretched hand but doesn't take it back. "I was going to give it to Harold when he asked for my Imogen's hand in marriage…but I couldn't bring myself to part with it. My mother gave it to me after I wed Bessie…said to give it to my eldest son. As you know, we only had one daughter, so I've been holding onto that fine piece for over 20 years." He pauses briefly, looking at me with watery eyes. "My…my dear mother passed away a few years ago and I swore that I would never part with it. But it wasn't until I met you that I truly knew what it felt like to have a son. It's only been a few days, Derek, but I've enjoyed our time greatly."

My throat swells at Declan's words and I can feel tears threatening to fall. I clear my throat, willing myself not to cry. I never cry and I'm sure as hell not going to start now over some sappy ass words.

"I want you to give it to Casey when the time is right," Declan smiles with encouragement. "Can you do that for me?"

I reopen the box once more, gazing down in amazement. "This is too much, Declan," I say.

"You're going to need it when you get home with your Casey…back to your family…back to 2007."

I pause. Wait? Did he just…?

My head snaps up and I immediately begin searching his grey eyes.

"You believe me?"

"Yes, Derek. I believe what you say. Now the question is, what are we going to do about it?"

At his words, my biggest fear comes true. Tears begin to fall from my eyes and I tilt my head back to stop them from flowing. "It's over, Declan. Casey and I tried, but we couldn't do it. We know what we have to do to get home…but we don't know how to save everyone else."

"Is that so?"

"I want to save you, Dec. I…I just don't know how. I'm so sorry," I sob, unable to control my emotions any longer. Declan reaches out for me, pulling me into a tight hug, and I instantly wrap my arms around him for support. I refused to admit to myself how much I missed my Dad and Declan has been the most amazing substitute father that I could ever asked for. I always put on an act like I don't need anyone. I can do anything myself. But that's not the truth.

I've never felt more helpless or more childlike than I do in this moment.

"There is still time, Derek. We can figure this out together."

"There's not enough time to…" suddenly, I stop. My tears cease and I go rigid in Declan's arms.

"Derek?" Declan asks. "What is it?"

"The Californian," I breathe.

"What about the Californian?" he says in slight confusion.

Last night, before Casey and I fell asleep, I reluctantly asked her about the Californian and why they don't come to the rescue. She told me that Jack Phillips ignores all ice warnings because he's too busy with passenger messages. At one point, he tells the Californian to shut up. The other ship stops in an ice field and they shut their wireless system down for the night. Later, as distress rockets are being fired in the air, the Californian mistakes us for having a party.

Party, my ass.

"The…the…the…the guys who do morse code…" I stammer, unable to collect my thoughts.

"The wireless operators?"

"Yea, that's it. We might not be able to change Titanic's course…but we can stop people from dying. We just need to get in and see Jack Phillips."

"The Marconi room is off limits, Derek. It's where the officer's quarters are. In case you've forgotten, you are a wanted man."

"But what other option do we have? What do we have to lose?"

Declan gives a heavy sigh, looking behind us towards the boat deck up high. "How good are you with your fists?"

I wrinkle my eyebrows together at the weird question. "Huh?"

"We may be able to find a few officers roaming around alone. What would you think would happen if you and I knocked a few out and borrowed their clothing? After all, it is for the greater good."

A slow devious smile etches across my face.

And Declan called me a troublemaker.