We've done all we can, and it is officially out of our hands.

This is it.

The clock on the mantle is ticking, louder than its ever been. It's taunting us, counting down the minutes until the structure beneath our feet gives way and sinks to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.

11:16 pm.

Casey and I are standing in silence. My hands are shaking as I help her dress into layers of clothing. Normally, I would have jumped at the chance to dress and undress my beautiful girl, but right now, my hands are shaking and I'm doing a shitty job at trying to tie this damn flowy gown that Casey insists on wearing for tonight. She has her heart set on it.

Bessie is still not speaking to us…she's barely speaking to Declan. In 1912, it takes a damn team to help women dress depending on the items they choose. Of course, Casey would pick the most difficult one imaginable. I guess this is my first official job as the 'boyfriend.' But I draw the line at holding her purse!

I haven't told Casey about Declan and I sneaking into the officer's quarters and telling Jack Phillips to be nice to the Californian. If we fail, the last thing I want to do is get her hopes up. What If fate cannot be changed, after all?

I want her prepared for the sea of screams we're about to endure.

Casey is shaking a mile a minute right now. Every time she seems to calm herself, her body starts twitching beneath my touch and I want nothing more than to shield her from this horrifying night.

Even if the Californian does come to the rescue, it won't do Casey and I any good. Sure, we're concerned for the other 2200 people on board, and we desperately want to save them. But for us, going down with the Titanic is our only shot at getting home. It's a hell of a gamble, but what other choice do we have?

It's an eerie thought, thinking about Casey and I being the only two on board as the massive ship rises out of the water and sinks down into the icy deep depths below.

I shiver.

The ocean is so much scarier than space could ever be.

I finally finish my task at tying her dress. I move my hands to her hips, slowly dragging her backwards until she is pressed firmly against me. I wrap my arms around her and drop a soft kiss on her neck, loving the soft sigh that escapes her lips.

She's so fucking perfect.

"Are you ready?" I whisper in her ear. Who would ever be ready for this?

She shakes her head. "We were given a chance to save everyone, Derek. How could we fail?" she says, sobbing as her head rests against my shoulder.

I don't have an answer for her.

With one last kiss to the back of her head, I walk over to the bedroom door and lift one knuckle, knocking lightly.

"Dec," I say, pausing. "We're going to head on up now."

Considering the silence that is coming from the other side of the door, I'm surprised when it opens. Declan steps out, his face weary and etched with concern. "Bessie and I are coming up with you. It took some convincing, but she's dressing."

'A…are you sure?"

"Yes. I think it will help for us to fully understand the severity of the situation if we witness it with our own two eyes. Bessie still doesn't believe it, but she will shortly."

I nod my head. "We have a little less than twenty minutes left. We better get moving."

"Yes, yes, of course." Declan says, moving around me to stare at Casey. "Casey, dear, do you mind if I have a word alone with Derek, for a moment? We will meet you in the corridor shortly, my love. Two minutes. I promise."

She hesitates. I can tell she doesn't want to be left alone right now. It breaks my heart seeing her this way. She has always been the strongest girl I've ever known and watching her crumble before my very eyes is gut wrenching.

I pick up her coat nearby and help her put it on. "Just for a minute, Case. I'll be right there," I say, taking her face in my hands and crashing her soft lips against my own. I've never been one for PDA, but those other girls weren't Casey. It's the first time I've kissed her with anyone watching. I'm sure as hell hoping it won't be the last.

I walk her over to the door, giving her a reassuring wink before shutting it and turning back to Declan.

"What's the matter?" I ask immediately.

"Nothing, Derek," he says, walking over to me and placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "I just wanted to tell you how proud I am for everything that you've done."

I drop my gaze, scoffing lightly. "I haven't done shit yet, Dec. We have to make sure the Californian shows up first. If not, it's all over."

"Whether they come to the rescue or not, I want you to know that you've done all you possibly could. That's the only thing that matters, Derek," he finishes in a whisper, and I suddenly feel those bitch tears creeping to the surface once again. "I love you, my boy. I'll miss you very much."

I freeze, gazing up into this man's face that was a stranger to me only days ago. His words cut into me and my throat swells with emotion. I'm not one to tell people how I feel. I've rarely uttered those words to my baby sister, Marti, and that kid has always been my everything. But when staring possible death in the face, now is not the time to be a pussy and keep it bottled up inside.

"I love you, too, Dec." I say, my voice steady and clear. I'm surprised at how easy those words spilled from my mouth.

He gives me a genuine smile, patting my shoulder. "You've done an amazing job," he says, giving me a wink. "Considering you've probably never worked a day in your life."

My head snaps to attention. "Hey!" I say, feeling defensive. "I'll have you know I'm Assistant Manager at Smelly Nelly's."

"Smelly Nelly's?"

"It's a restaurant back in London, Ontario that I work at."

Declan looks confused, wrinkling his nose. "People actually eat at an establishment called Smelly Nelly's? That sounds disgusting."

"Yea," I nod my head, sighing. "I get that a lot."

We're only minutes away now.

I know that I'm crushing Derek's hand as he continues holding onto me, our fingers laced tightly together. The air is bitter cold, especially from the bow of the ship as we race forward, going 22 knots per minute. It's pitch black outside, and despite the sky being littered with stars, the moon is barely visible.

"This is ridiculous, Declan. I'm freezing," I hear Bessie complain. The first few days on board, she hadn't been so bad, but ever since we revealed our secret, Bessie has been an absolute bitch. I'm beginning to wonder what Declan ever saw in her to begin with.

But every time I get fed up, I try to think about how crazy we really do sound.

"Just a little while longer, dear. Any minute now," Declan says, pulling his pocket watch out and checking the time. He glances over at Derek and I, noticing that we're watching his every move. "11:37," he says, clicking the watch shut.

"Almost time," Derek breathes, and a white puff of air escapes his lips.

Experiencing firsthand how cold this night is…it's both humbling and terrifying.

I squint my watery eyes, looking out into the distance. We're racing towards the iceberg, and I can't see anything but the calm sea before me. Out into the distance, it's one big black void.

Derek unlaces our fingers to put his arm around me, pulling me against his body. A few days ago, I never would have imagined that the safest I would feel would be in Derek's arms. He gives me a reassuring smile…that same smile he gave me beneath the water as I was helplessly drowning.

He places a kiss against my cheek before turning his gaze back out into the ocean.

The four of us remain silent, listening to the wind; and to the ship as it glides against the water below.

Where is the damn iceberg? I think to myself, my brow furrowing in confusion. For a moment, I allow my mind to wonder if Derek and I did make a difference somehow. Maybe we were able to stop it after all? Did they change course? Did our little stunt in the wheelhouse actually work? Maybe we….

Ding!…Ding!…Ding!

The sounding bell crashes me back to reality. The moment the piercing sound reaches my ears, I see it.

Fredrick Fleet did ring the bell the moment it came into sight. There was zero delay. He is most definitely not to blame. It's still far away, but even from a distance, it's the most ominous object I have ever laid my eyes on.

"Dear God, Almighty," I hear Bessie breathe, her voice shaking.

We're racing towards it head on. I can hear screams from the boat deck, orders being yelled. They are making mistake after mistake, but there is nothing we can do but wait.

"It's going to hit on the right!" Derek yells.

I'm frozen in place, unable to move. It's getting closer and closer. The nearer it gets, the easier it is to see how enormous the ice stands. We're so close now, I have to look up to see it. The Titanic is 17-stories high, and it towers over us like we're nothing. We never stood a chance.

The bow slowly begins turning and only seconds remain before impact.

"Move!" I hear Derek scream. I faintly hear Declan and Bessie run away, and Derek is tugging on my arm. It's not until I feel Derek pick me up around the waist and throw to me to other side of the ship that I'm snapped out of my catatonic state.

And then it happens.

I hear the horrible scraping sound that's coming from underneath the water as it slices us open. There is the slightest jolt like a mild earthquake, and I know that several people below deck probably didn't feel a thing.

Ice is braking from the giant structure, raining down onto the ships deck. Derek shields me with his body as large chunks fly through the air and land nearby.

This is it.

I feel heartache for everyone's lives that are about to change. Those that will be dead, and others who have to leave their family behind to die.

But for Derek and I…

We are finally going home…or we're going to die trying.