"Fortunately a distress signal was sent to the Carpathia, a boat that was within feasible distance of the Titanic. It tried to reach the Titanic as quickly as it could, but it was too late" said the old man as he concluded his tale. Lovett placed his last tape into the recorder; whilst he wasn't going to get answers as to where the diamond was he still wanted to know how Jack's tale ended.

15th April, 1912

The series of events that followed were a blur to Jack as their lifeboat headed further away from the sea of corpses. He sat motionless in the jacket Rose was wearing moments ago, trying to feel the warm that she made him feel. Somewhere in the darkness a green flare was lit and this was followed by several other flares lighting up the night. The golden light of another ship came into view and the sounds of joyful cheers broke the tense atmosphere. The lifeboats made their way over and were received kindly by the crew who worked fast to get the survivors onto their boat for food and shelter.

The survivors were handed blankets and tea and lined up to register their names with the crew. Jack's boat was last in line, it positioned itself as people before him hoisted themselves up the rope ladders to the gangway doors of the RMS Carpathia. Jack, still shawled by the blanket and numb from losing Rose, was brought back to reality when instructed to climb the ladder. He looked up to see one woman watching his boat intently, and upon seeing her face he removed his blanket and waved. Molly Brown visibly let out a sigh relief and cried happily as Jack made his way up the ladder.
"Thank the Lord you're safe sonny" she said, taking him into her arms once he had reached the top. He hugged back and cried into her shoulder.
"Rose didn't make it. We found a door but we couldn't both fit on it. She was supposed to wake me up when it was my turn to go into the water. Why didn't she wake me up?" he wept unashamedly.
"Because she loved you Jack."

Jack sniffed and nodded, drying his eyes and regaining composure.
"Your mother asked me to let her know if I saw you, Catherine too. What should I tell them?"
Jack hadn't really thought about it, going back to his old life was not an option. Especially since Catherine's father had left Rose to die.
"Tell my mother that her son died with the Titanic" said Jack plainly.
Molly nodded and gave him a piece of paper.
"This is my address; when we get to New York please visit me. You're like a son to me Jack. "
"I will, thank you Molly" he said, and with that she made her way back to the first class crowd.

Jack slipped the paper into his pocket when his hand came across something weighted and smooth. His eyes went wide as he recalled what Nathan Hockley has stowed in his pocket, it was the necklace he wanted Jack to give Catherine. Jack followed the crewman to steerage and waited for this whole nightmare to be over.

It took the Carpathia three days to reach New York, upon docking thirty thousand people had gathered around to see the survivors of the Titanic's doomed maiden voyage. The flashes of cameras dazed Jack as he exited the ship, he was suddenly surrounded by supporters, photographers and journalists who wanted eye witness reports. The crew of the Carpathia managed to keep the press at a comfortable distance as the passengers formed a single file and reported to the immigration officers.
"Name sir?" inquired a gruff voice.
"Rose. Jack Rose" he lied, staring at the Statue of Liberty, knowing that he was finally free. The officer nodded and steered him to the processing area. Even with a false name, there was a chance that his true identity would be uncovered there. Among the crowds behind the barriers were many cameras and wondering eyes. A woman, upon seeing someone she must have known, jumped over the barrier to embrace the man in front of Jack. Many others followed, knocking the barriers to the ground. Taking this opportunity to break away from the crowd, Jack escaped into the masses and never looked back.

Present

"I knew that the life I was about to lead was very different than the one I was used to, but was it any more unimaginable than the sinking of the Titanic?" concluded the old man, thanking the nurse quickly as she handed him a hot cup of tea.

"We never found anything on Rose. There's no record of her at all" frowned Bodine.
"I don't suppose there would be. And I've never spoken of her until now, not to anyone. I never found love again, although the opportunity presented itself many times not once did I take it."
Jack paused to sip his tea, then continued: "But now you all know there was a woman named Rose Dewitt Bukater and she freed me, in every way that a person can be freed. I don't even have a picture, you managed to find the only one I ever knew. Please Mr. Lovett, if I can convince you to part with it, I would appreciate it very much."
Lovett looked hesitantly at the old man, and knew that his quest for the diamond was over. He was about to offer it to him when Jack spoke again.
"Maybe there's something I can offer you in return."
Confused, Lovett watched as Jack instructed the nurse to take him to his stateroom.

Jack emptied his suitcase onto the bed as the nurse stayed behind him to steady him. Lovett and Bodine watched curiously as he unravelled a disintegrating tail coat. Jack placed his hand inside the pocket and produced the diamond necklace that Lovett had spent so long looking for.

"You had it this whole time?" laughed Bodine as he watched Lovett's face contort to a look of surprise.
"Why didn't you sell it?" asked Lovett, who was still in disbelief.
"I went to, believe me, when I felt I couldn't keep being impoverished. But then I realised I wasn't going to let the Hockley's have any more rule over my life."
Jack fumbled with the necklace in his hand, as if he were handling an everyday item.
"This is worth a lot, but only life is priceless, and making every day count. I'm sorry I made you sit through all of my ramblings Mr. Lovett, but I would very much like that drawing."

Lovett sat on the bed and pondered what to do. The drawing was worth a fair amount as well, the diamond would set him up financially for life. Without a word he got up and came back with the drawing in a frame. He took in a large breath and handed it to Jack who stretched his hand out with the diamond in return.
"I'm just returning what is yours" said Lovett slowly, to the surprise of everyone around him.
"That diamond is worth more than the Hope Diamond, it is after all the Heart Of The Ocean. Let's send it back to Rose."

Jack looked up, it was his turn to be surprised and grinned, tears falling on his wrinkled skin. The four of them went up to the deck and Jack produced the diamond from his pocket.
"Before we throw it, may I please hold it?" asked Lovett.
Jack nodded and passed the diamond to Lovett, who held it in awe. After a moment he passed it back to Jack.
"Any last words Mr. Dawson?"
Jack held the diamond to his heart and mumbled softly about going to the stars. Bodine and Lovett stood back and watched the old man dangle the diamond over the edge.
"For you Rose" he stated firmly before releasing it into the ocean with a splash.
After that the nurse took Jack back into his stateroom.
"You were very brave Jack" she mused as she tidied his room.
"Thank you dear" he smiled, tucked into his bed for the evening.
Upon exiting she hit the lights and Jack soon fell into a deep sleep.

The Titanic was full of life again as Jack waited anxiously atop the Grand Staircase by the clock. He smiled nervously at Tommy and Fabrizio who stood on the steps below him. Molly Brown and Trudy had already begun to tear up as they waited. Cora rested happily on her father's shoulders and waved happily to the members of the band who nodded back politely. Many other passengers and crew members flocked around the stairs as Mr. Andrews entered the door with Rose on his arm. She was a vision, dressed completely in white and wearing the Heart Of The Ocean. Jack's heart was beating in his throat as she approached the stairs, and when she nearly reached him he offered a hand out to her. She took it and stood across from him. He took to his knee and kissed her hand and once again they laughed at the formality of it all. Then he placed an arm around her waist as she draped her arm over his shoulders, and they kissed under the chandelier. The room erupted in applause as these two lovers were finally together.

When the nurse checked on Jack in the morning, he was dead. He had died peacefully in his sleep. She made phone calls back to the nursing home but there were no relatives that she could contact.
"Why don't we bury him here?" asked Bodine.
The three of them agreed it's what Jack would have wanted and they prepared to do so. Wrapped in his raggedy tail coat, the three of them stood quietly around Jack's body as they prepared to say goodbye. None of them quite new the words to say, it seemed that Jack was the one for words.
"Come Josephine in my flying machine" started Bodine, as the other two laughed and joined in.

"May he rest with the Titanic" said Bodine with a solemn not.
"In the heart of the ocean" added Lovett.
"Under the stars with Rose forever" finished the nurse.

And that he did.

Thank you to my fans and followers who have supported this piece since its beginning. I mentioned a sequel or sorts that I intended on writing, where both Jack survives and attempts to live life in New York City.

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