***I updated this chapter because I missed a couple paragraphs at the very beginning and when I was reviewing it before I posted the next chapter! Honestly sure how it got left off in the first place***

A/N: Meant to add to previous chapter notes that I could not resist adding "Rather his whore than your wife" as it is one of my favorite lines of Rose's. Throughout the movie she had defied Cal subtly or secretly and handled his abuse quietly. That moment where she openly defied him and showed her true emotions, how she really and truly felt about him, really spoke of her maturity. It was a moment where she didn't give off an air of a child rebelling, it was a woman standing up for herself and I just loved it! Any how, onward to the story, this chapter is written a little differently from the others and I hope you enjoy!

Having left our rooms, life belts in hand, Thomas guided me through the halls with a speed that comes from having built this ship and knowing her inside and out. As we hurried I began to wonder what would happen now. Would Thomas leave us on the lifeboat, never to see him again? Probably. He would never take a spot on a boat if it meant someone else might be saved. What about his Red Rose? Had he sent her away to the safety of the boats? He had to or she would still be with him.

I know she had stayed well past when we spoke. I was checking on Elizabeth once more for the night when I heard her. Her passionate moans emanating softly from the next room. I stood cemented to the floor, hardly able to think or breathe at the embarrassment of hearing their most intimate moments. When she called out his name in ecstasy I bolted for my room.

I could hardly be jealous of her, for I was willingly giving him up. No. I was actually happy for him. Them. She seemed to enjoy relations much more than I ever did. Even in my younger years when I loved my husband. She will give him everything I couldn't. Would have given… had his world not come crashing down around him. It was unfair. Thomas was finally happy after so long spent suffering through his marriage to her. She hated it for him, wished he'd had more than a few days of happiness. So unfair…

Thomas hadn't slowed down until we reached the grand staircase. Bruce Ismay impended our progress. Rarely have I seen Thomas so angry before. But, the arrogant man before us certainly had it coming.

"Andrews! It cannot be true! This ship cannot sink!" he bellowed.

"She can and she is, you amadan! I suggest you dress warmly, the water is cold as your damn soul." Anytime Thomas becomes flustered his Irish blood rears it's head. His subtle accent becomes more pronounced and his words benefit from that colorful vocabulary the Irish are famous for. I've always wondered why that is. Maybe his carefully schooled mannerisms disappear because stress has called for his mind to focus on other, more important matters. Whatever the reason, it was present, which meant he was agitated.

We pushed passed him and made our way toward the exit leading to the deck. Elizabeth kept quiet through the mild panic surrounding us. We almost made it to the door when a voice rang out behind us.

"ANDREWS! YOU BASTARD!" That man, Rose's fiancé stormed toward us, his voice resounding with hatred and aimed to my husband. I can only surmise that he had discovered Thomas' affair with the Rose.

I was right.

"How dare you! She was to be mine! I patiently bided my time and put up with her childishness for so long, to collect my prize!" How disgusting he was, as though Rose, or rather her virgin body, was something to be won, to be rewarded to the highest bidder. He really was an animal. "And you had the gall to step in and steal her from me!?" the angry man pulled a gun and my blood ran cold "No one steals from Caledon Hockley!"

Time slowed as I saw his finger pull the trigger. The time between heartbeats, it felt. I think my body began to move before my mind came to the decision. The maternal instincts that had lain dormant in me for so long had finally surfaced. Suddenly, nothing mattered to me, not my life, not all the lives on this sinking ship, not the freedom I once sought.

Only her.

Elizabeth.

Lissie.

I didn't hear the shot, didn't feel it pierce my body, didn't register the blood filling my lung and making breathing almost impossible. All I felt was an icy cold seeping through me.

My knees gave out and as I fell to the floor I heard Thomas shout my name above the terrified cries and what sound like a struggle. No, Hockley wouldn't get away with this. The officers surely had snatched him the moment he fired. God help him when Thomas turned on him.

Thomas…

There he was in my line of sight. He held me close, my head rested on his knee, his hand attempting to stem the flow of blood from my chest. "Hold on, Helen, please! Just hold on!" He was frightened, I could tell. A rare occasion. I had seen it only twice in my life with him. Once when his father collapsed of a heart attack. And once again when i went into labor with Lissie a month early.

Lissie…

Where was she? She was just in his arms! Was she hurt? "Lissie" I coughed.

"She is fine, she is unharmed." I heard tears in his voice.

"Please, let me s-see her." I blinked and she was there, her tiny hand warm on my cheek. "I love you, Lissie, I love you. Remember me, darling girl." It took so much to get those words out, but I had to say it. Tears rolled down her red cheeks onto my face. I lifted my head to kiss her one last time.

"Helen! Please don't go! Lissie needs you!"

I took his hand in mine, "Thomas, please." I knew I did not have much longer, could feel my life seeping away. "She has you, she doesn't need me. Get on a boat with her, don't be a hero. Do it for her. Do it for Rose. Go and live." He nodded and I pulled at the locket tied around my neck, using the last bit of strength in my body to pass it over to him. He knew inside it was a photograph of our daughter and myself, he knew it was meant for her as he placed it around her little neck. "And please. Please tell her that I loved her. And that when it counted most, I chose her."

"I will, I promise."

"Now, find your Rose, and let me go." My voice was nothing more than a raspy whisper.

I saw him nod tearfully and tuck Lissie into his side.

The cold feeling began to dissipate into numbness and my small family dimmed before my eyes. Suddenly, a warmth encased me, tingling from head to toe. A bright light shone before me, small at first but growing until I was completely engulfed. I felt an urge to let go, to release. But what was I holding on to? Life. I was still clinging to my will to live. Slowly it slipped from my grasp and I felt weightless.

I felt as if I was floating.

Flying.

I felt….

Free.

A/N: I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to review this story, they are every one of them appreciated and a great source of encouragement! This chapter has actually been written for months, even before the last few chapters, as I knew in the beginning I wanted her to die (wow that sounds horrible) but I didn't want a harsh death, I wanted a meaningful one for her, one where she has a small moment of redemption. As I told my dear, sweet sister/beta, I have never died and therefore have nothing to base my writing on but in her words "seems peaceful". To the guest review by Herold Andrews, the real Thomas Andrews' great-great-nephew (I hope I got that right?), I'm quite intrigued! I would love to communicate with you in some way if it be possible! I'm glad that you have enjoyed my story thus far and were not offended by it! Thank you all again!

Much Love,

Nanahbelle