All survivors aboard the lifeboats had nothing to do but wait. Nobody knew whether their loved ones survived or not. Everybody remained quiet. Heads bowed down in silent prayer. The only sounds that could be heard were the oars cutting through the water. Allison was frightened and scared just like every other passenger. She prayed to God that her grandfather and Will had survived the disaster and that she would see them again once they were on board a rescue ship. Allison was extremely exhausted from the events of the previous hour and wanted nothing more than to sleep in a nice, warm bed and wake up to realise this was all just a terrible dream. But she couldn't sleep yet. She was too worried and she had to help row the boat. Allison looked around at all the faces on the boat. Her heart broke for each and every one of them. She wished that she could help make them feel better but at this point, nothing anybody said or did would make them feel better. Until they saw they're loved ones, only then would they find some peace. As daylight creeped upon the sky, they were joined by more of Titanic's lifeboats. Allison was too exhausted and upset to look up at the approaching lifeboats. It was a million voices all at once that caused her to finally look up. A ship could be seen not too far away. Everybody was relieved that the rescue had finally arrived. Allison noticed the name of the ship, Carpathia. It wasn't as grand as Titanic had been but at least it was a ship. The crew of the Carpathia helped the Titanic survivors board the ship and lift the lifeboats on board. The survivors were given blankets and a nice, warm, hot drink. Allison, Anna, Molly, Rebecca and Madeline stayed together in their own little group. A Carpathia officer came up to them with a clipboard and a pen and asked them for their names. They gave their names to the officer and were ushered along to the doctor to get checked out. Before they went, Allison stopped the officer who took down their names.

"Sir I was wondering if you could help me I'm looking for two people very dear to me." Allison asks the officer.

"Of course Miss. What are their names?" The officer asks.

"Edward Smith and William Murdoch. They were Titanic officers."

"I'm sorry miss but I have the passengers only list. I can inquire with the officer who is dealing with the surviving crew if you like."

"Thank you, I would greatly appreciate it."

"Not at all Miss. If I could get your name again."

"Allison Smith."

"Thank you Miss." The officer began to walk away but Allison called him back.

"While you're here I was wondering if a Mr John Jacob Astor is on that list."

The officer looked through the list. "I'm sorry Miss he isn't on the list. But I still have passengers to see."

"Thank you. If you find those men could you please tell them to come and see us right away we should be in the catering area."

"Very well Miss." The officer walked away to continue getting passenger's names and carrying out Allison's request.

Allison joined the rest of her group to get checked out by the doctor. Thankfully, everybody was well including Madeline. She was relived to hear that her baby seemed to be unharmed by the tragic events. Once out of the doctor's room, the group went into the catering area where most of the other survivors were mixed in with Carpathia's passengers.

"Allison, where did you disappear to a little moment ago." Molly asked Allison.

"Oh I went to inquire with an officer about my grandfather and Will but he didn't have the list of surviving crew." She turned to look at Madeline. "I did inquire about JJ, Madeline. He's not on the list." Madeline had tears forming in her eyes, but Allison quickly grabbed her hand and continued what she was saying. "But he said that he still had to get passenger's names so he could be on board. I instructed the officer to tell them to come and find us here." Madeline quickly composed herself and nodded her head in acknowledgement.

Everybody in the room, especially the Titanic survivors, were in silent mourning for the many lives lost on board the once grand ship. After what felt like an eternity, Molly looked up from her soup to see a familiar figure walking towards them. Once she realises who it is, she nudges Allison to get her attention and nods her head in the direction of the person walking towards them. Allison turns round and feels as if her breath has left her very body as she gazes upon the familiar face.

Once aboard the Carpathia and all lifeboats were secured. The surviving crew of the Titanic were asked by the Captain of the Carpathia to gather in one particular area to make it easier to get names. An officer went round each and every crew member and took down their name and rank. Once Will had given his name and rank, he felt the letter in his hand. The letter he was instructed to give to Allison by Captain Smith. Will had no idea, of course, what was written in the letter but he knew that Allison would be devastated upon reading it. All crew were upset that their Chief Officer and their beloved Captain had perished at sea. After all names were taken down, an officer came in with a complete list of all surviving passengers. He held a hurried discussion with the officer who took down their names. He quickly looked through the list and nodded his head in Will's direction. The officer who came into the room approached Will.

"Excuse me, Sir. Are you William Murdoch?" The officer asked.

"I am." Will replied.

"A Miss Allison Smith is looking for you." Will's face brightened upon hearing her name.

"Where is she?" he asked the officer.

"She told me to inform you that she would be in the catering area and that you should see her immediately."

Will looked to the other officers asking them silently if it was ok to go and see her. James Moody, who had been rescued from the sea when Harold Lowe came back looking for more survivors, said to Will, "Go on Will. Go and see her. We'll all come find you both later." Will then walked out the room at a quick pace, after asking where catering was, to see the love of his life.

As Will made his way to catering, every person he came across had an expression of deep sorrow etched upon their faces. It tore at his heart as he thought about how Allison would be once she read the letter from her grandfather. Once he reached the door that lead into the catering room, he took a deep breath before stepping over threshold. He looked over the masses of people until he finally spotted Allison seated at one of the far end tables with Anna, Molly, Rebecca and Madeline. He approached the table at a quicker speed upon seeing her. Molly looked up from her soup and noticed him coming over. She nudges Allison to get her attention and nods her head in Will's direction. Allison looks around and pales a little bit. Will stops where he is, smiling as Allison approaches him. She approaches him slowly. She isn't quite sure if he's really there or if she's imagining things. She reaches to touch his face. Her hand comes into contact with his skin. She is so relieved that he is alive and well. Will is so happy just to be in Allison's presence once again, he reaches out to take her into his arms but she ends up collapsing into his arms instead. The rest of the group quickly get up from their seats and Carpathia's crewmen come over as Will carefully lowers her to the ground still holding her in his arms.

"Allison darling, can you hear me?" Will says, panic and concern evident in his voice.

"Miss Allison." Anna says shaking her in an attempt to wake her up.

One of the crewmen who came over said they should escort her to the medical bay and have her checked over. So Will lifts her, bridal style and carries her all the way to the medical bay with Anna and a couple of crewmen in tow.

"Anna has she been checked over by a doctor since coming on board."

"Yes sir. The doctor said she was fine. Just exhausted physically and emotionally." Anna replied.

They had reached the medical bay and were ushered in by the ship's doctor. Will placed Allison carefully on the bed and the doctor quickly began his examination.

"What happened?" He asked Will and Anna.

"I had came to see her in catering. We hadn't seen each other since being on Titanic and I think the exhaustion just got too much for her." Will replied.

The doctor took Allison's pulse. "Her pulse is a little fast but as long as she gets the rest she needs, she should be fine. It would be wise for her to stay here but I am afraid only one of you can stay with her."

"You stay with her, Mr Murdoch and I shall go and tell Mrs Brown and Mrs Astor how she is doing." Anna says to Will.

"Thank you Anna and thank you for looking after her."

"It was no problem Mr Murdoch." Anna leaves the room to speak to Molly, Rebecca and Madeline.

Will refused to leave Allison's side while she was asleep. He kept a tight hold on her hand. He was tired himself but he made a promise to the Captain that he would look after Allison. Charles Lightoller and the rest of the surviving Titanic officers had come down to see how she was doing. They had wanted to pay their respects but Allison didn't know the Captain's fate just yet. Molly came down briefly to see Allison. She was busy consoling Madeline as she had found out her husband, unfortunately, perished in the accident. Just as Will felt himself dozing off to sleep, he felt his hand being squeezed ever so slightly. He opens his eyes and sees Allison sitting up in bed, smiling at him. Will immediately embraces her. They let the doctor know that Allison is fine and they are leaving. They exit the room and go out on deck to try and enjoy the night sky. There was only a few people out and about so it was relatively private.

"Oh Will I've been so worried. I was afraid I had lost you." Allison mumbles, still wrapped in Will's arms.

"I'll never leave you again Allison my love. I promise you that." He kisses the top of her head.

"Will." She says looking up to face him. "Where is my grandfather?"

Will stiffened. This was the moment he was dreading. The moment he gave Allison the letter.

"I think perhaps we should sit down, my dear." He guides her to a nearby bench.

"Will, where is he?" Allison is now fearing the worst and tears are starting to blur her vision.

Will reaches into his pocket and gives the letter to Allison. "Will, what is this?"

"Your grandfather asked me to give this to you. He said it would explain things."

Allison rips the letter open and begins to read it.

My Dearest Allison

I am sorry you have to find out this way but I just couldn't bear to tell you in person. I made a decision to go down with ship. I am so sorry for causing you all this heartache. Know that I did not make this decision for selfish or cowardly reasons. I would not have made this decision if there was nobody to look after you when I'm gone. Will is a good man and I believe that he will take care of you and love you forever. You have grown into such a beautiful young woman, Allison. I am so very proud of you and I know your grandmother and parents are to. I want you to know that both you and Will have my blessing and permission should you both decide to get married one day. I love you so much Allison. I hope and pray you can understand one day why I did what I did.

I love you

Papa

Allison's tears were now flowing freely. Will reached out to comfort her but she takes of running, with the letter still clutched in her hand and runs toward the other end of the ship with Will in pursuit. She finally comes to a stop after reaching the end and drops down to her knees crying her eyes out. Will drops down and comforts her as best he can.

"We'll get through this Allison. I promise you." Will tried to assure her as she stained his officer's coat with tears. When Allison's tears finally subside, he wraps her in his coat and takes her into the spare room they were given. Both found it hard to get sleep as they were plagued by nightmares of the tragic event.

Well I hope you guys enjoyed that. I know I rushed the sinking in the last chapter but I hope this makes up for it. The trailer for this story is up on youtube now. I will post a link on my page. I don't know if any of you guys have seen Titanic 2. I thought it was good. The effects could have been better but overall I thought it was a good movie. If you have seen it, please tell me what you think of it in your review. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and read my story. I am having a blast writing and it means so much to me that you guys are enjoying it. Happy reading

Lady Wesker xxx