Confusion, panic and disorientation swept through Rose and Jack as they floundered through the glacial Atlantic water, grasping onto each other for dear life. A horrifying sensation met Jack's numb hand; it was completely and utterly empty, Rose was gone. Pure terror filled Jack. Was he about to lose one of the few people he truly cared about? NO! He would not give her, not so long as he lived, and he was going to live for her.

"ROSE!" Jack yelled into the dark night. No reply- unless you counted the screams of terror from drowning souls…

Meanwhile Rose was bobbing about, crying for Jack. She could not bear the thought that Jack may be at the bottom of the Ocean. He had not been wearing a life vest, and she had. He had sacrificed everything… for her. She sobbed even harder, screaming for him all the while. Suddenly, Rose felt hands grab her forcing her into the brooding ocean…

It was then that he spotted her; her vermilion locks were unmistakable. However the next moment a vest-less man seized her, pushing her under. Anger ripped through Jack; how could that man so selfishly attempt to use his dear, sweet Rose as a life raft! How could he?! No, not how could he, how dare he! Jack splashed as quickly as he could over to Rose and that bastard, driven by his rage, shouting to him to let her go. He seized the man by the scruff of his neck, drew back his fist and punched him hard in the face.

"If you ever try and lay a finger on her again, I swear to god you will regret it!" Jack spat contemptuously. Rose surfaced coughing, spluttering, gasping for oxygen and as pale as a ghost. Jack held her arm, making sure she remained afloat, telling her she was going to be okay- if only he could guarantee it…

"J-Jack!" Rose managed to say, her teeth chattering. She felt indescribably more secure and happy, joy taking over her senses now that she was within Jack's safe view.

"Don't worry, I'm here." Jack whispered softly. Rose collapsed into more tears and Jack gathered her up in his strong arms. "We need to get out of this mob." Jack said, urgency edging his voice. Rose smiled weakly and kicked her legs to show her willingness. For a few moments they swam through the shrieking scrum. "Here!" Jack shouted, gesturing shakily to a chunk of floating wood. Another man was also making his way towards the raft. Jack drew Rose closer to his chest, arms tightening protectively around her. Jack looked at the man, his look clearly conveying the fact that he needed that raft. The man glanced at the trembling Rose, her lips tinged with blue. He crossed himself piously and then gave Jack a curt nod before gliding away through the water. "Rose" Jack began, trying to shut out the unbearable cold, "Rose, I need you to get on the wood." Shivering uncontrollably, Rose clambered onto the wood. Jack tried to mount the wood but it tipped precariously, almost making Rose fall off. Jack felt despair flood his being; there was not enough room for him! This is it, Dawson! Jack thought miserably. You're going to die right here in the middle of the Atlantic, and there's naught you can do about it. This is the end.

The sweet, soothing sound of Rose's voice jerked him from his thoughts, "Jack, please try again! I love you too much to lose you. You brought me out of a dark place in my life when I thought there would be no hope, so you cannot leave me, not now not ever!" Rose declared passionately and despite the cold that was gnawing on her bones, she spoke with calm authority. He was touched by her concern.

"Fine, but only because it's freezing down here!" he joked. Rose smiled, glad he still had a sense of humour. He took a deep slightly ragged breath before hoisting himself up onto the wooden door. Jack prepared to fall back into the water, but this time it retained its buoyancy!

"I knew!" Rose exclaimed triumphantly, "See Jack! You must not think about what could go wrong, but think about what could go right." Jack gave an involuntary sharp intake of breath, "What is it?" Rose asked, concerned.

"Well, if you hadn't noticed, it is pretty cold- Especially without a jacket." Jack replied grinning, but shuddering as fresh wave of icy cold hit him. Guilt swamped Rose and she tried to shrug off Cal's coat but Jack quickly intervened, "No, Rose! I didn't mean it like that!" he said, puling the coat tighter around her body. Despite the regret she felt at the clear pain Jack was suffering, pain she had inflicted, she could not help but feel a tiny bit relieved at the protection the coat offered. She cast around wildly, looking for a replacement. Rose cried out happily when she spotted a long thick coat bobbing on top of the water. After fishing it from the ocean and wringing it out, Rose flung it around Jack's shivering shoulders. And although it only offered a tiny amount of warmth he was grateful nonetheless. "Thank you." Jack whispered gratefully into Rose's ear. She blushed with pleasure as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, "I promise, Rose, I'll never let go. I love you" he said, gently stroking her beautiful, fiery curls. "Promise me, Rose, to never give up, never let go."

"I promise, Jack. I love you to, more than you could possibly know" she whispered, running her delicate hand through his damp golden brown hair and planting a tender kiss on his cheeks. For several moments they listened in silence to the slightly subdued sound of the crowd who were submerged in the frigid sea. Rose shivered as she heard each different cry of misery.

"All we have to do now is wait" Jack stated in what he hoped was a reassuring tone.

"Is there anyone out there?!" hollered a Stuart from a lifeboat. Jack had to blink a few times before he could see properly due to the ice that had formed a crust over his usually tanned skin. He eased himself onto his elbows and one word sprang to his mind; Rose! He quickly turned to survey Rose with a worried glint in his eyes; she was his Rose, yet she looked so different with her pale, ice encrusted face; her features tired and worn

"R-Rose?" Jack whispered, his voice shaking with fear and cold, "Rose, there's a boat!" he said croakily. No reply. "Rose? Rose?" it was a struggle to even talk. Still no response. Jack began to cry tears of anger and sadness; Rose had sworn she would never give up- on him or on herself. He buried his head in her lavish curls, not caring if he lived or died.

"What's the matter?" Rose asked sleepily. Jack raised his head. Relief washed over him; Rose was alive, she had kept her promise. After giving her fingers a gentle squeeze, he kissed her.

Jack turned his head to the boat- even this simple action took immense strain. "We're here!" Jack shouted, his voice cracking. The Stuart turned around quickly and spotted a young man gently cradling a red-haired woman. They had scoured the ocean through the night finding many pale, glassy eyed corpses but this young couple were the first survivors they had stumbled across.

"Come about!" yelled the Stuart and the boat began to turn towards Rose and Jack. Jack turned to Rose, an expression of utmost joy adorning his handsome features. He leaned down and kissed her on her blue tinted lips once more.

"This," Jack said, his voice a little hoarse, "Is us being saved!" Rose clutched Jack's hand, her head spinning.

Even though it took her a huge amount of effort, she was determined to speak, "Jack, this is real, you are telling the truth aren't you?" her mouth was so dry her words came out slightly slurred. Rose was hoping against hope that this was not some elaborate game. Jack nodded and pointed a shaking hand to the boat that was drawing up beside them.

"Can you pull yourself up?" the Stewart asked. Jack tried in vain to pull himself onto the boat but it was too much. The Stewart reached down for Jack, assisted by two other men. However, Jack shook his head.

"Take Rose first!" he whispered. The Stewart was amazed by this man's selflessness. He nodded at Jack before gently pulling Rose from the wood.

"Jack..?" Rose asked, suddenly scared; where was he?!

"Don't worry love, we're getting that young man now." the Stewart replied. The last scene Rose saw prior to falling unconscious, was Jack's handsome face staring at her, lips curve into a smile.