Hope you enjoy reading this chapter everyone. Or not, given its contents. It was actually a struggle to start this, because I was scared I hadn't read enough, and didn't have enough knowledge of the event etc.

Just want to take a moment to thank everyone and anyone who's taken an interest in this story. I don't think I've written something that's been this instantly… popular. I guess it's a popular pairing but I've written popular pairings before and not got this much attention. I'm extremely flattered. Thank you all.

Also thank you to Chocolateturnip, who half-knew what would happen and still put herself through the torture of reading it!

Warning for medical emergencies in this chapter.

...

9:30 am

…

The interior of the Carpathia was nothing compared to the huge, hulking maze that was the Titanic's many different decks, winding corridors and various rooms, yet Érzsebét realised with dread that her search could take hours. Days, even. If needed, she would search every room until she found them, and ask everyone she saw. She would not rest until she found them again, and they were safe in her arms. She would promise Roderich that she'd never let him go again and Franz that she was so sorry for not protecting him like she should've. She would wrap them up and find a nice corner where they could huddle together until they got to New York, then stumble into a new city and a new life.

If only Alin would keep quiet long enough to let her think.

He was hobbling behind her, leaning heavily against the wall and sobbing noisily, not one shred of decorum about him. A few passengers and crew stopped, some asking if he needed help, others attempting to drag him to the first aid station, but he turned down each offer, shaking his head furiously, mumbling in Romanian that they need to leave him alone before stumbling to catch up with his companion.

"Try to keep up," she hissed, marching down another flight of stairs.

…

14 April, 1912

…

"I thought you sung lovely at the service today," Roderich commented as Érzsebét placed him, carefully, back in his bunk, pulling the blankets over him and patting them down gently. She stroked his cheek with a thumb whilst Franz and Andrei played on the floor with toys sewn out of rags. Alin lay on his bunk, singing quietly to himself.

"Thank you," Érzsebét looked away, face flushed and smiling slightly.

"Tsvetan sings better. Better than anyone, really." Alin glanced over at them, lips pulled into a grin that revealed his pointed teeth.

"I'd like to hear him sometime," Roderich replied, and Érzsebét scowled.

"He's probably not that great."

"His voice is the most beautiful sound you will ever hear," Alin rolled onto his side, staring at them earnestly.

"Careful there," Érzsebét replied with a hint of smugness, "anyone would think you have feelings for him."

"I just know how to appreciate a good thing," Alin growled.

"I wager you do."

Tsvetan chose that particular moment to enter, cheerful humming dying in his throat as he stared from Alin's angry, flushed face to Érzsebét's haughty, self-satisfied one to Roderich's bewildered one.

"What an awkward silence," he commented; "this wouldn't be for my benefit, would it?"

"Not at all," replied Alin, a little too quickly. The silence that followed was crushing.

"So, Alin tells me you have a gift," began Roderich in an attempt to break it.

"Oh yes?" Tsvetan made his way to the washbasin.

"Yes. He tells me you are an excellent singer."

"That I am. I'll have to show you sometime." He began washing his face.

"Why weren't you at the service this morning?" asked Alin, "Andrei missed you."

The child in question looked up at the mention of his name, toddling over to Tsvetan, who picked him up and held him close.

"Sorry, little one," he murmured, "I was busy."

"Too busy for church?" Alin raised his eyebrows before jokingly singing: "you're going to hell!"

Tsvetan tensed, glaring at the other. "Don't say that," he hissed.

Alin's smile fell, and he frowned slightly. "Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"I know. Look, how about the three of us take a walk on the deck?" He tried to smile, but the forced expression unnerved his partner.

"Now?" Alin raised an eyebrow, "isn't it a bit cold?"

"Then put on a coat," he replied through gritted teeth.

"Right," Alin picked up his and Andrei's coats, following the other two out of the room.

"Sorry about that," Tsvetan sighed once they were in the corridor, walking past groups standing around and talking like it was a street in a crowded city; "I just got a bit nervous, being in that small room. I thought it would be nice for the three of us to spend some time together. Alone."

"I like the sound of that."

Roderich, meanwhile, was beginning to feel unwell. He felt half his body go numb as a hot flush washed over him. It lasted for a few minutes only, and in that time, Érzsebét didn't notice, too preoccupied with trying to find Franz's missing sock.

When she turned back to him and smiled, he gave a faint smile back, but decided it was best not to say anything for the moment.

…

"Where are they?" Érzsebét muttered, marching past steerage passengers and peering in every open door she could find. She was getting frustrated now. Where they hell were they staying?

"Looking for someone, dear?"

Érzsebét turned to find an old woman staring at her curiously, wrapped in a worn shawl with a lined, greying face, but what had shocked Érzsebét most was that she was speaking Hungarian.

"Yes," she cried, "I'm looking for four people, two men and two small children, all in third class. I think they may have been picked up by one of the lifeboats." Érzsebét looked at the woman's dark eyes, round and friendly, and guessed she could trust her enough to ask for her help.

"Well, the third class dining saloon is your best option," the woman replied, "that's where they're taking the passengers."

"I'll try there, thank you." Érzsebét was about to walk away when the woman grabbed her face gently, stroking her cheeks and tucking her hair behind her ears.

"You were really there?" she whispered; "you saw the ship go under?"

"Well… everything's a bit blurred," she gasped out.

"But it really happened? The Titanic really sank?"

"Yes, I'm afraid."

"And you were there?"

"Yes."

"Oh you poor, sweet child," the woman pulled her into a hug, patting her back; when Érzsebét pulled away, she saw the woman had teary eyes.

"Yes, well I have to go now," she gave a nod, "I need to find my husband and son. They're on here somewhere."

"Of course, may you find them safe and sound." But the woman had a look in her eyes: a strange, knowing, tragic one. One that told Érzsebét that the woman truly didn't believe any of the people they were looking for were still alive, and that soon she would have to accept that.

And the moment she accepted that, the grief would crush her and drag her under, like the suction of the huge ship as it disappeared into the ocean forever.

Érzsebét just turned and walked away, Alin trailing behind.

…

11:40 pm

…

She wasn't sure she even felt it at first.

Érzsebét had been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling and imagining her future when the cabin seemed to shudder, like the floor was skidding across hundreds of marbles. In the distance, there was a scraping, tearing noise and as Érzsebét tried to sit up, the shaking of her bunk caused her to fall on the floor. She cried out, just as Andrei landed on top of her with a yelp like a frightened pup, closely followed by Roderich, who landed next to her with a small shout, accidentally elbowing her in the stomach. In the distance, she could hear Alin and Tsvetan groaning, the latter letting out a lather loud stream of swear words in various languages, not seeming to remember that he was in the presence of others.

"What the hell was that?" Roderich moaned.

"I haven't the faintest idea," Érzsebét replied, sitting up and looking around blearily. Franz was the only one still in his bed, but he was sat bolt upright, face pale and eyes wide with fear. He cried softly for his Mamma.

Alin stood up slowly, grunting and pulling Tsvetan to his feet. Érzsebét turned Roderich onto his back, the man's chest heaving.

"How are you?" she asked.

"Fine, I think." He was trembling, eyes wide and breathing deep, and when she placed a hand on his heart, she found its beat was irregular, hard and rapid.

"What's going on?" Tsvetan bounded over to the cabin door after helping Alin up, opening it and stepping outside to find others standing in the corridors, in their nightclothes and as utterly confused as he was. He spied one family, parents carrying two sleeping children and muttering tiredly to each other in Bulgarian. He decided to join them.

"What happened?" he asked, making his way over to them.

"We don't know," replied the father, "maybe she hit another ship?"

"That's what it felt like," the mother added, "there was this weird grinding sensation, as if we ploughed into something."

"Yes I felt it too," Tsvetan scratched his chin, "felt like we'd run aground somewhere."

"I think the ship might've lost a propeller blade," commented another man, joining in on the conversation.

"Reminds me of this earthquake where I lived," added someone else, nervous and shaking, "but not as bad, thankfully!"

Tsvetan just shook his head in casual agreement; no one seemed to have any more idea than he did. He wondered if a steward would turn up with some news, and wandered further along the corridor to find one, stopping occasionally to talk to another passenger.

Unsuccessful in finding a member of the crew by the time he arrived at the end of the corridor, he returned to his cabin to find Érzsebét had lifted Roderich back into the bed and was passing Andrei over to Alin, who took the child and immediately began fussing over him.

"Well?" asked Érzsebét. Tsvetan just shrugged.

"No idea," he admitted, "could be anything. Could be nothing. Judging by how everyone's going back to their cabins, probably the latter."

"Isn't there a steward to tell us what's going on?"

"None."

"And no one's checking if something's wrong?"

"Well, a few people are going up on deck to find out."

"And I'm going back to sleep," Alin climbed back into his bunk, holding his brother close as the child was still teary and sniffing, "and I suggest you all do the same too. If it's something big, we'll know soon enough." He then began whispering soothingly in Andrei's ear to calm the child down, and he soon did, falling asleep against his older brother's chest. Alin soon followed.

Tsvetan and Érzsebét exchanged exasperated glances before climbing back into their own bunks, and Érzsebét was soon asleep again.

She didn't sleep for long, though.

Half an hour later, the noise of people moving and talking outside roused her, as did Alin's persistent poking.

"Hey get up," he growled; "we have to go up on deck."

"Why?" she mumbled sleepily.

"Ship's in trouble," he replied grimly, shaking her shoulder, "everyone's to get on lifeboats."

"What?" Érzsebét sat up, staring at him in horror. The room seemed different to her, as if it were leaning to one side, too noticeable to shrug off as sleepy disorientation.

"That's the orders," Alin shrugged, "some people on the lower decks saw water coming in. A few people woke up with it in their cabins."

"Do you think the ship will sink?" asked Érzsebét.

"Who knows," Alin shrugged, "either way, a rescue ship will come along in no time. Probably best to get to the lifeboats though. If it does go down, I want to Andrei and Tsvetan to be as far away as possible."

Érzsebét jumped down, lifting Franz out of his blankets and setting him on the floor, telling the boy to get dressed in his warmest clothes as quickly as possible, whilst Tsvetan pulled their lifebelts down from the top of the wardrobe, setting them down on Andrei's bunk. The toddler was perched next to them, blubbering as he sensed the adults' rising panic.

Érzsebét turned her attention to Roderich, and he just sighed.

"I don't think I can make it."

An icy hand gripped at Érzsebét's heart and she felt like she was being pulled into freezing water. "Don't say that," she croaked, "it's only up some stairs."

"No. I really don't feel too good right now." It was true that his health had slowly declined since they had left home, and he had been feeling particularly ill since the morning, but surely he was well enough to make the short trip to the deck? Then again, he hadn't been up for trips to the dining saloon for dinner and tea that day. "I can't explain it, but I'm scared to move. My head… my heart…"

"No, it's fine," Érzsebét knelt down beside him, taking his hand and rubbing it soothingly, "I'll carry you. You won't feel a thing."

"I already don't feel a thing," his voice was becoming increasingly slurred, "down my left side… I feel hot… it hurts…"

"All the more reason to get you on deck."

"Get yourself... and Franz out…" he tried to smile, but his face didn't seem to be working, "and that's an order."

"I'm not… I can't leave you." Érzsebét pulled her dress on over her nightdress before wrapping herself in her coat and turning to Franz, who was fully dressed and could barely move he wore so many layers.

"Is this right, Mamma?" he asked, and Érzsebét nodded, straightening his woollen hat. She picked up one of the lifebelts, slipping it over him and tightening the belt. It came halfway down his shins, and his limbs stuck out awkwardly.

"Mamma why?" he squeaked.

"You'll be glad of it later," she replied, hoping it was a lie. Still, it was a cold night and even standing on deck would be unpleasant, especially if they had to enter the lifeboats until whatever problem the ship was facing was fixed, so it would be best for the child to wear as many layers as possible. They could be in for a very cold night indeed.

"Now it's your turn, mister." Érzsebét turned back to Roderich.

"No… isn't… time. Get yourselves out."

"If you think I'm getting off this boat without you then you're sorely mistaken, dear."

"Érzi, please," he hissed; "get our son out of here. Yourself too. I can't bear… see you both in danger."

"And I can't bear to see my boys in danger," Érzsebét shot back.

"Will you two make up your minds please?" Alin drawled, fully dressed, in his lifebelt, and clutching Andrei, "we're ready to leave."

"Yes of course," Érzsebét shut her eyes briefly; "are you not going to put Andrei's lifebelt on him?"

"What's the point? It's bigger than he is. The boy would just slip out."

"Right, just give me a moment to sort Roderich out."

"Why? Not moving…"

"Don't be ridiculous. Borisov, is he in any danger?"

"Hmm," Tsvetan walked over to Roderich and placed a hand on his chest. After a few seconds, he nodded grimly. "His heartbeat is highly erratic… how do you feel?"

"Hot… prickly… I can't feel one side," it seemed as if every word was a struggle, and Tsvetan could barely understand what the man was saying.

"I fear moving him could cause an injury," he admitted, unwilling to say anything else, though be clearly knew more than he was letting on.

"Told you…" Roderich sniffed, "besides… Érzi needs to save her strength. Could need it."

"I'm not leaving you," Érzsebét whispered, picking up Franz and passing him over to Tsvetan. "Make sure both the children get on a lifeboat," she told him.

"Of course."

"God dammit Érzsebét," Roderich hissed, head lolling as his eyes rolled upwards.

"If he feels better later, we'll go up," Érzsebét said as she pushed Tsvetan out the door after Alin.

"Mamma!" Franz cried.

"It's fine, sweetie," she cooed, kissing his forehead; "Mamma just needs to talk to Papa for a minute. Be a brave boy and stay with Uncle Tsvetan." Franz nodded, sniffing loudly and blinking back tears.

"We'll make sure he's safe," Tsvetan promised before disappearing into the crowd, Franz in one hand, Alin's hand in the other.

All around the four, others like them were slowly trekking upwards to the lifeboats and the safety they promised. The ship was listing visibly, and navigating the corridors was proving to be a struggle.

"Do you remember the way to deck?" Tsvetan asked.

"Sure," Alin shrugged, before adding "we'll just follow the crowd," after a few moments' silence. Andrei wailed softly.

"Do you think they'll make it onto deck? The Edelsteins, I mean," Alin asked; "I'm not too fond of them but I don't want them to… you know… drown."

Tsvetan looked away, glaring at his shoes, the corners of his mouth pulled downwards.

"The symptoms…"

"Tsvet?"

He looked up.

"I fear Mr Edelstein will be dead long before he gets the chance to drown."

…

Érzsebét closed the door and turned back to her husband, who looked absolutely furious.

"You…"

"I've never left your side and have no intention of doing so now."

Roderich didn't have the strength to reply. He just glared at her, gulping and trembling.

"How are you feeling?" she asked softly, sitting on the floor next to him and taking his hand.

Roderich opened his mouth but all that came out was a choking noise. He just closed his eyes, letting tears slide down his face and ignoring her the best he could.

…

"I've put up with this for as long as I could but I am begging you now, please take me to a first aid station!"

Alin was almost screaming by now, refusing to walk another step and using the wall to support himself. There was no one else around.

Érzsebét wheeled around, scowling at him.

"Come on, one more floor then I'll be heading straight for there."

"What would they be doing on these floors?" Alin hissed; "if they'll be anywhere, then they'll certainly be at the first aid station. Even if they're not, you can still ask around."

Érzsebét didn't reply; now it was Alin's turn to scowl.

"You're scared. You're scared they won't be there and your fantasy of them being alive will come to an end!" He stood up straight, throwing his head back and barking out a laugh. "Oh you delusional witch! Just accept they're gone."

"You bastard," Érzsebét hissed, storming forward. In his haste to back away, Alin stumbled to the floor, sitting, sprawled and dazed and even the slightest bit frightened.

"We keep searching until I say so," she hooked a hand under his arm and yanked him up, ignoring his cries, then turned around, marching towards the stairs.

"Wait, please," he let out a yelp, and Érzsebét heard a thump. She turned around to find him lying face down, sobbing and struggling to lift his head. He tried to pull himself up but his arms trembled too violently.

A painfully fresh memory stirred in her mind, one of someone else lying where he lay in probably just as much pain. The situation felt all too horrifyingly familiar to her and she found herself walking slowly towards him. Érzsebét knelt down beside Alin, rubbing his shoulder soothingly.

"Get off," he hissed, "just leave me alone and go find your precious family."

"You're hurt," Érzsebét said simply; "tell me where it hurts."

"My legs," he mumbled, "they're painful in some places. I can't feel my feet at all…"

"You have to get medical attention," Érzsebét told him as she gently pulled him up, supporting him with one arm. He wrapped his own arm around her waist to steady himself.

"I've been saying that since I ran into you," cried Alin, waving his free hand in the air.

"I know, and I'm sorry. You… you may have been right about searching here. Who knows, maybe everyone else will be in the dining saloon waiting for us."

"In that case," Alin grinned, "we might need to let go of each other before we go in."

"Oh definitely."

…

1:20 am

…

For just over an hour, Érzsebét sat in silence, watching her husband as he slept, praying that was all he was doing. He was just sleeping. He was tired. He was ill. He needed rest. Help could wait.

She folded and unfolded and refolded the small pile of his clothes resting beside her, ready in case he needed them. All the while, the listing grew more prominent, until she was leaning heavily against Roderich and her's bunk.

"Come on," she whispered, "pull through for me." Érzsebét closed her eyes as tears began to prickle, hot and painful in her tired eyes.

"Érzsebét Edelstein," Roderich murmured, opening his drooping eyes, "just for once, could you not have done as I told you to?"

"Not a chance!" Érzsebét cried, throwing her arms around his neck; "you're still here! You're still…"

"Alive?" Roderich smiled, "can't get rid of me that easily."

Érzsebét laughed, turning to pick up his clothes; "now we can le-"

"No," Roderich winced, "I fear you won't have enough time to save both of us. Just go. Forget about me and save yourself."

"You know damn well I could never do that," Érzsebét rubbed his arm.

"Go, please. Let me die in peace, knowing you're safe."

"You're coming with me and that's final!"

Érzsebét gently pulled him into a sitting position, starting to dress him in several layers of socks before pulling his trousers on.

"I refuse to become responsible for slowing you down. I'm telling you to leave me here!"

"What are you going to do? Stop me?" Érzsebét left his nightshirt on, throwing a jumper over his head and tugging his arms into the sleeves then wrapping him up in his old coat. All the while, Roderich protested furiously.

"Look, at least promise me that, if it comes to it, you will choose to save yourself over protecting me."

"Never."

"Please, that's my one condition." With all his strength, Roderich placed a hand on hers. "If there was a situation, and only one of us could live, then you get yourself to safety."

Érzsebét paused, digesting his words before gulping.

"Fine. But only if it came to it." She placed his hat on his head, wrapped a scarf around his neck and picked him up.

"Now, let's get out of here. We have a lifeboat to catch."

...

I almost couldn't write this.

I just feel so bad about everything I'm putting Roderich and everyone through, and things will only get worse in the next few chapters. I'm not sure I can bring myself to write them. I feel like this fic will be the reason I end up in hell.

Yes, Roderich is suffering a medical condition on top of his MD, but I cannot say until much later. Let's just say it's linked with MD, a bit like scoliosis but far more serious.