Bigger than us
Chapter 2: The Carpathia
Author's note: Ruth Becker and her family actually were in second class, not third, but this is called fan fiction for some reason. Again, I do not own the characters. They were real people or property of James Cameron.
Rose woke up first. She lay on the hard and tottering surface of the boat, surrounded by two blankets and Jack's arms.
The dazzling sunlight almost blinded her, and she put a hand against her eyes. The sky was of a faded blue, as if dawn had showed up long ago. Despite the two blankets, she was shivering. There was still no wind.
When she accustomed to the light, she gasped. As far as she could see, the sea was covered with icebergs. Neither of them were as big or as terrible as one that had killed the Titanic, but just looking at one of those ice blocks gave her goose bumps. Despite the revulsion and almost fear that now they caused to her, she couldn't help but thinking that they were beautiful, like huge pearls or diamonds drifting, casting white, blue, yellow and even pink flashes.
A hundred feet away, there was a ship. It looked rather small, and had a single funnel, but at the same time it was the warmest vision she could think of. In the hull was written the name "Carpathia".
Still too sleepy to react, Rose outstretched her members. When she extended her wrists and neck, they cracked like doors that lack oil, and she let out a groan.
That slight noise was enough to wake Jack. He raised his head, yawned and slowly opened his stunning blue eyes. He seemed as calm as if he hadn't done more than take a nap, and even smiled a little when he saw Rose with him. Nevertheless, when he turned around and saw the ocean and icebergs, the calm and his smile disappeared without a trace. After looking the other boats for several moments, he looked at Rose and sighed.
"So that really happened, eh?"
Rose nodded sadly.
"Yes."
Both were silent for a while, just holding each other. Words would have been too much.
After about ten minutes, Jack looked up at the Carpathia. A hopeful spark shone in his eyes.
"Is that the ship that will take us to New York?" he asked to one of the rowers.
"Yes, sir. The boats are being picked up right now." he answered.
As he turned his attention to Rose once again, he smiled.
"There it is, Rose. I told you I'm lucky. We are alive, together and safe." he said.
"What more could you ask for?" Rose asked jokingly. Jack laughed softly as he placed a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Well... two things. First, I'd like it if the weather was a little bit warmer. Instead of the Atlantic, this feels like the Arctic. And two... Do you still want to go with me?"
Rose nodded vigorously.
"Yes. That's all I want in the world." she said fervently.
"Then, I want to spend my whole life with you."
The girl's eyes widened and she smiled.
"Are you asking me to marry you?"
Jack shrugged.
"If you say so..."
Rose let out the first real laugh that she released in hours. She kissed Jack on the mouth and threw her arms around his neck.
"Yes, yes, yes! A million times yes!"
. . .
The Carpathia picked up the boat number 14 half an hour later. In it were just Jack, Rose, Officer Lowe, the rowers and four survivors who were rescued from the water. The passengers were hoisted one by one by ropes and with the help of the crew, who offered brandy, hot tea or extra blankets. Rose refused everything but Jack took a couple of cups of tea for them.
"You have to drink something" he said "And this will take the cold away."
With the second excuse, Rose had to yield.
The two sat down on a bench in the stern, the part of the ship where the third class passengers were. They were people of all ages, races and hair colors, but all of them shared the same feeling: Loss. Children who played did it with reluctance, even the babies seemed unusually quiet. Mothers and widows had their heads bowed and wept silently. The few men who had survived walked from side to side, smoking or looking for their relatives there. It was a discouraging spectacle.
As if from nowhere, a blonde girl with creamy complexion planted in the ground near Rose.
"Excuse me, ma'am, can I sit here?" she asked. Rose and Jack made room on the bench and the girl sat down. It was somewhat difficult to estimate her age. On the one hand, she measured over six foot, and her dark eyes reflected maturity. On the other, her features were almost childish. Less than eighteen, but more than ten.
"I'm Ruth Becker" she introduced herself, stretching her hand cordially. Rose took it.
"My name is Rose De... Dawson. Rose Dawson" she said "And this is my husband, Jack."
Jack looked at her, surprised, but Rose requested with a look to not disclose her surname.
"Delighted" said Ruth Becker "Do you travel alone?" asked. It was obvious that she was trying to be polite, and Rose appreciated it.
"Yes. We are returning home from Southampton. We come from..."
"Wisconsin" Jack completed.
"I'm an American too. Well, my family is, but I was born in India."
"Really?" Jack asked, interested.
"Yes. My father is director of an orphanage in Guntur. But my little brother got sick and the doctor told us that he wouldn't survive with the weather, so Mom, my siblings and I decided to return to Michigan. My dad is still there in India, because he doesn't have permission to depart yet. Now I'm glad of that."
Rose nodded, understanding what she meant.
"What about your mother and siblings? Where are they?"
"I don't know. The last time I saw them, they were boarding a boat. My mother was pushed inside, and told me to get into another boat. But I know they are on board" she added.
Rose and Jack spent some time talking with Ruth. She was a nice girl, independent and witty, and soon they discovered that she was twelve. Jack told her stories of his travels in Europe, pretending that he had met Rose in London and that they got married there, while Ruth recounted episodes of her life in India. After several minutes, a young stewardess of the ship approached and touched her shoulder.
"Excuse me, are you Ruth Becker?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Your mother is looking for you. She is in the starboard side."
Ruth's diamond-shaped face lightened.
"I'm going right now. A pleasure talking with you, Mr. and Mrs. Dawson. I hope you arrive safely to Wisconsin."
After shaking hands once again she went after the stewardess.
"Nice, huh?" Jack said.
"Yes. And lucky. You have found your pairs, Mr. Dawson, haven't you?"
"Sure, 'Mrs. Dawson'"
Rose gave him a nudge in the ribs and they both laughed softly. Jack suddenly turned his head to look behind Rose's shoulder... and the smile disappeared.
"You won't find any of your people back here, sir. It's all steerage."
Rose made a motion to look back, but Jack grabbed her shoulders and pulled her closer.
"Don't turn around. It's Cal."