Chaos was the only word capable of describing the scene that Jack and Rose found when they finally made it up onto the deck at long last. The night air sank through their sea-soaked clothes, sending a chill straight to their bones, but there was no time to dwell on discomfort. Word about there being a limited number of lifeboats had begun to spread, and a slow-building panic was beginning to boil. People dashed around the deck in all directions, looking for the nearest boat, but to Rose's dismay, she couldn't see any.

"The boats are gone!" she cried in dismay, hoping she was wrong. Her eyes darted around the scrambling crowds, until she found a familiar face. It was the Colonel Archibald Gracie, a life vest tied over his evening suit, and a worried-looking lady clinging to each arm. No wonder he looked so proud of himself.

"Colonel!" Rose called, dashing over to him. He was close to the White Star staff, maybe he would know. "Please, are there any boats down this end?"

Gracie shook his head, but gestured down the deck. "No, Miss, but there are more boats all the way forward. This way, now, I'll lead you"

Ignoring his attempted gallantry, Rose grabbed Jack's hand and the two of them ran off along the deck in search of hope. There was no time for Gracie's casual pace and helpless ladies.

As they made their way down the deck, the essence of worry in the air turned to fear and distress. Before long Jack and Rose found themselves herded into a crowd of people pushing forward towards a lifeboat, controlled only by a single officer up front, barking orders into the crowd of people.

"I said women and children only, damn you!" he snapped loudly at men who attempted to push for the boat in a desperate attempt to save themselves. Over and over, he shouted the same words into the crowd; "Women and children only".

The words rang through Jack's ears, swimming through his mind like an omen of approaching darkness. This entire night was a complete assault on every fabric of his being. The intense cold of the icy water tensed his muscles uncomfortably. The wolfsbane still coursing through his veins made his head pound angrily. The overpowering stench of fear and dread of the hundreds of people around him burned his nose. To be surrounded by this many humans at once was in itself one of his most-dreaded moments, but to be in such a situation in a moment of such desperation was truly a nightmare. The constant stream of noise; distressed cries, angered shouts, the screeching and creaking of the davits that lowered a chosen few to the safety of the water below. But all of these things combined was nothing compared to the words of the officer that sealed his fate.

Jack knew that there was no chance of him getting onto a lifeboat the moment he heard those four words. He would not be allowed onto the lifeboat with Rose. He wouldn't fight his way onto a boat as the men at the front of the crowd attempted to. He could see the officer brandishing a pistol. Jack didn't know if the man would have the guts to fire it, but he didn't intend to be the test target.

Aside from the danger, he would not shamelessly steal a shot at life from an innocent woman or child. Jack was the last survivor of the werewolves, and yet there were millions of humans all over the world. It would be all too easy to think of that as a good enough excuse for ensuring his own survival, but Jack wouldn't give in to such selfishness.

As the crowd surged and Jack and Rose were pushed further to the front of the crowd, Jack looked to his side and caught sight of a desperate-looking man pleading with the officer to let his daughter onto the boat. The girl cried in protest and clung to him, but her father was firm, furiously wiping tears from his own eyes. The sight was heartbreaking.

Plenty of humans may have done plenty of terrible things throughout history. Plenty of humans were the cause of the destruction of Jack's family, his home, and his people. But not this human. Not this little girl who would give the world for her father to join her in the boat. Jack knew without thinking that if he'd had a place in the boat, he'd give it to this man.

The forbidding of men onto the boats hit Rose's soul harsher than the freezing water ever could. She knew what that would mean, and she knew that she would not accept it.

"I'm not going without you" she said firmly, turning to face Jack, her face determined.

"No, you have to go. Now" said Jack equally as firmly.

"No, Jack"

"Rose, no, you have to go. Please, get in the boat"

Unbeknownst to the pair, they were being closely watched from the edge of the crowd by none other than Caledon Hockley, whose astonishment was matched only by his fury that Jack Dawson was not yet dead. How, he had no idea, but Cal was not one to be denied what he demanded, and he wanted nothing more than to shoot the damned wolf down dead on the deck right here and now.

His grip on his handgun loosened. Against all his wishes, he could not do it. He could not shoot here and now. He'd start a full-scale stampede, not to mention risk word getting to shore that he had murdered a man on a sinking ship. Or worse, a wolf. He would be outcasted for life. Swearing under his breath, he forced his way through the crowd towards the pair, overhearing their words as he approached.

"Yes, get into the boat, Rose" he said, somewhat awkwardly.

He was met by a pair of stunned, nervous, silent stares. Neither were sure how to react to Cal. Both felt the urge to run, but where to? They were on a sinking ship, how far could they get?

Eventually, Cal broke the silence in the best way he knew.

"My God, look at you, Rose, you look a fright!" he sounded more disapproving than sympathetic, but it was the best he could muster. "Here"

He shrugged off his overcoat and draped it over Rose's shoulders, hiding her soaking and stained dress. Before he could awkwardly stroke her hair, Jack jerked her to the side, away from Cal. There wasn't much time left.

"Please, go on, now. I'll get the next one"

"You know they won't let you on! You heard what he said!"

Jack sighed. Were all humans this hard to argue with or was it a particular talent of Rose's?

"Rose, don't worry about me, alright? I'll find a way, I promise. I'm a survivor, I've had enough practice at it. I'll be alright"

Rose was not convinced, but she was running out of words.

The look of helpless, desperate love in his fiance's eyes was sickening to Cal. It was a look she was not giving to him. That she would never give to him. But nonetheless, he needed her. She had to get onto that damned boat.

"I have an arrangement on the other side of the ship, with Murdoch" Cal found himself saying. "I've secured a place in a boat. I can get him on too"

Two disbelieving sets of eyes shot him untrusting looks, but Jack forced himself to place along.

"See? Soon as you're on safe, I'll be on the next one" he tried his best to sound as reassuring as possible. He didn't think he sounded very convincing, but it was just enough. Rose's nerve wavered just long enough for her to be swept into the arms of the officer and herded onto the boat with a swift "Step aboard, Miss"

Rose found herself pressed into the wooden seat of the lifeboat before she knew it. She could still feel the tingle of Jack's skin on her palm as their hands had been swept apart. All too quickly the boat began to lower away, down the side of the ship, and away from those left behind...

Rose was stunned. As the boat sank further and further away, she couldn't take her eyes away from Jack, who never ceased to break his eyes away from hers. He smiled at her. He was trying to be encouraging and comforting, she knew, but she couldn't see it. All she could see was resignation in his sparkling blue gaze, mingled with sadness. He was saying goodbye.

She couldn't do it. She could no more physically stay sitting in this damned wooden boat than she could stop herself from lurching forwards and leaping over the side. She clung to the edge of the ship and hauled herself back onto the doomed vessel, the shouts and cries of those all around her echoing uselessly. She didn't take them in. She didn't even take in the frantic cries of her name from above. She could think of one thing, and one thing only. Returning to where she belonged.

She flew along the deck, forcing her way past anyone who stood in her way. She didn't stop, barely noticing the aches in her exhausted body as she flew through the First Class deck and towards the grand staircase. Her heart glowed with relief as she laid eyes on the sight of Jack running towards her, and with one almighty sob, she launched herself into his arms and finally, wrapped in her lover's embrace, in spite of all that surrounded them, she was happy. She was home.

Jack clung to Rose like she was the essence of life itself. He shrouded her in his embrace, burying his face in her hair, breathing in a deep lungful of her sweet, floral scent. There was not one inch of him that he didn't want to be in contact with her. He kissed her over and over, almost sobbing with relief that she was alright, joy that he could hold her in his arms one more time, and frustration that she had thrown away her shot at survival.

"You're so stupid, Rose!" he cried into her hair, giving her a shake. "Why did you do that?! Why?!"

He held her away from him to look into her eyes. Tears glittered in her emerald gaze.

"You jump I jump, right?" she said, her voice shaking.

Fresh tears threatened to escape Jack's eyes. She had come back for him. She had tossed aside the chance to live in order to die with him. He felt he would explode with love for her. Silently, he threw his arms around her yet again. holding her close to him.

"Oh God, I couldn't go. I just couldn't go, Jack" she murmured into his chest. He could feel her shaking.

"It's alright" he said, kissing her damp hair. "We'll think of something"

Jack didn't know what to do. Surely there were some boats left? Was it worth another try? They'd have to. But what if Cal was still lurking up there? Had he still gone for his own boat, after watching Rose jump out of hers?

Just as he was wondering what had become of the man who reeked of the metal that made his fortune, the tang of steel reached his nose once more. He traced the scent upwards, and matched it to the sound of footsteps thundering from above. He lifted his gaze in time to make contact with a pair of cold, black, angry eyes, for just a moment before he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun.

"Move!" he shouted to Rose, shoving her away from him and pulling her to run forward with him. Rose caught one quick glance of Cal, and the anger that had taken over him, before the gunshot rang out that made her scream as they ran.

"Run, Rose!" Jack pulled her after him as they tore through the First Class stairways. His supernatural hearing was just enough to pinpoint the sound of the gunshot a fraction of a second quick enough to dodge, and he jerked Rose out of the way.

Later, Rose would realise that it was amazing how much spare energy one has to run in life-or-death situations, but in the moment, all she could feel was fear as one by one, the gunshots pounded her eardrums. She didn't know who Cal was firing at, her or Jack. At this point, she highly doubted he cared whether he killed one or both of them.

Their escape route led them towards the entrance to the dining room, which by this point was half-submerged in water. They had no choice but to plunge back into the rising ocean, this time, in order to save their lives. The irony was sickening.

Rose felt herself beginning to slow as the ice seeped back into her bones, but Jack urged her onwards.

"Go!" he shouted as he pulled her forwards, the ever-present gunshots hot on their heels.

Until they weren't.

The dining room itself was on an upward slant, and as they ran along it's thick carpets, the water receded at last. And the gunshots had stopped. Rose realised with relief that he must have run out. They ran towards the dining room doors, only to find them locked.

"God damn it!" Jack snapped angrily as he attempted to force the wood apart. It wouldn't budge. Rose frantically glanced back the way they'd ran, dreading the sight of their attacker following them. But he didn't come.

"I can;t get it open" Jack practically growled in frustration as he kicked the door, willing it to open. It was their only way out.

Suddenly, he pricked up his ears in alarm. Splashing. Wading. Steps. Suddenly, the foul stench of charred wood filled his nose. Was that...? No. It couldn't be. But it was.

"He's coming" Jack's voice was harrowingly calm.

"Who's coming" Rose asked, her voice shaking with adrenaline.

"Get down" Jack snapped, pulling Rose down onto all fours with him, behind the table. Everything inside him told him to run, but they couldn't. They were cornered, trapped. They'd have to hide. It was all they could do.

"I'd give it to you. If you can get it" Cal has said to Lovejoy as he'd fled up the grand staircase to safety like the coward he was. Lovejoy couldn't give two damns about the blasted diamond. It wasn't the rock he was after. It was the wolf. The world around him groaned in pain as it's demise approached, and possibly Lovejoy's own life with it, but that didn't matter so much right now. All that mattered was finishing what he had started all those years ago. Finishing his life's task. Then he could die in peace.

His silver gun in a white-knuckled grip, he waded through the water towards the dining room.

It was a relief to trudge along the upward slope and out of the water. He moved quickly towards the end doors, and found them locked tight. The pair had not escaped this way. And yet the room around him was empty, silent except for the gentle sloshing of the water. Lovejoy realised that they must still be here. Of course. The wolf's sense would have heard and smelled him coming. He grinned as he realised his prey was hiding from him. The beast that had dodged far too many bullets was hiding from the hunter. This was too easy.

Lovejoy stepped lightly along the carpeted floors. Years of wolf-hunting had taught him how to be silent whilst stalking. He would fish them out soon enough.

Jack and Rose edged their way carefully along from behind the tables, each so intricately laid out for a dinner that would never be served. They crept along, one table at a time, and every so often Jack would lift his head just a fraction to track Lovejoy's progress. If they could just head back the way they came, maybe there'd be a chance...

"I know you're here" Lovejoy called out into the silent dining room. His steps may be silent, but the moment was too sweet to resist a taunt. "There's no use prolonging this. It's only a matter of time..."

Rose's heart pounded in her chest so loudly that she was amazed it didn't alert Lovejoy to their whereabouts. He was about 10 metres away, and pacing slowly. The water had begun to rise, and they now trudged through it on all-fours, about elbow-deep. Rose was soaked, weighted down, and feeling hopelessly trapped. Jack could sense her distress, and he didn't know if she could manage much longer. They paused behind a large table for a breather, to gather their wits. It was then that Jack felt it.

It was a tiny flicker of awareness at first, but then all too suddenly it was blindingly apparently. It was as though a light has gone on inside him, brightening up the world in a blazing glory. His headache subsided, the ache in his muscles faded, and it was as though a missing piece of him had been found once more. The wolfsbane had at last worn off. Overjoyed with relief, Jack stretched his back and rolled his neck, the feeling of his bones cracking into place more satisfying than an early-morning stretch. Rose looked on in confusion. She had no idea what was going on.

Jack knew what to do. What had to be done. It may be their only chance. His refined hearing could detect every breath of Lovejoy, every beat of his heart, the brush of every carpet fibre his shoe stroked as he prowled.

Jack turned to Rose and put his hand up in front of her face. He met her eyes and mouthed firmly and clearly, "Stay here".

Confused and cowed, Rose nodded.

She leaned heavily against the chair that shielded her, and curled her knees to her chest as she watched Jack creep off to the next table alone. She couldn't stop herself from shaking. It was impossible. She gripped the seat of the chair, digging her nails into the plush fabric in a vain attempt for relief. But her nerve shattered, her grip clammed, and her fingers slid from the chair and splashed into the water. Her heart skipped a beat as the splash thundered through her ears as loud as church bells. She had blown it, surely. He couldn't have not heard that.

Jack's head whipped round automatically to the sound of the splash. He had made it about five tables along, and judging by his scent, Lovejoy was a mere few metres away. But now his attention turned towards the table Rose hid behind, and Jack could only watch in dread as the hunter strode, swiftly and confidently, towards his love.

Rose was frozen solid. She couldn't move, even if she had anywhere to go. And yet so, it seemed, were her emotions. She felt nothing. There was no terror as the face of her killer strode around the edge of the table and looked down at her with a chillingly triumphant smirk. His eyes glittered with bloodlust. He raised his pistol to her head.

"We've been looking for you, Miss"

And suddenly, in the moment that Rose was sure would be her last, there came an almighty snarl, and a golden streak that tore through the air from across the room and landed on Lovejoy's back. The hunter let out twisted, strangled groans and cries as the wolf tore into him, snarling and savaging. Lovejoy fell to his knees, crashing into the water with an almighty splash. Rose could only sit and watch, shell-shocked, as the two beings rolled and wrestled on the ground, as little drops of deep red blood began to fade into the crystal water. She couldn't even guess who's blood it was.

Finally, after one last heaving burst of angered strength, Jack had his prey pinned to the floor, the waterline only just shallow enough to keep Lovejoy's face above it. Lovejoy panted heavily, without a drop of strength left to fight against the claws digging deep into his shoulders, holding him down.

Jack looked down at his prey, at the man who had torn his world apart, who had stolen so much from him. He saw in those mercilessly grey eyes, the eyes of every hunter, of every sympathiser, of every human that had brought him to this unavoidable moment. Jack took a long look to savour the moment, a low growl in his throat as he bared his teeth, gazing down at the beast below him, before at long last, plunging his head down for the death bite.

The blood ran thick and deep through the water, and Rose finally found the strength to haul herself up and away before it reached her. In the two seconds her sight had been directed at the mangled body of her fiance's valet at her feet, Jack had disappeared. She glanced around wildly for a moment, before finally seeing him emerge from behind a close by table; human, and clean.

Jack had been thankful for the flood in that instant. He had killed his first (and only, he vowed) human. Lovejoy's death may have been necessary and justified, but nonetheless, Jack felt dirty, tainted, and he wanted rid of the evidence as soon as possible. The rising ocean washed the blood from his fur, and it's painful shock kept his nerves steady.

He shifted quickly back to human form and made his way back to Rose, grabbing her arm and leading her back through the dining room, towards the ever fading light that was their hopes of survival.

You may notice that I have omitted the Third Class scene in which the gates are broken down, simply because I didn't think it was relevant to the story, and also it would be tricky with Fabrizio and Tommy absent from the story.However, I think I've made up for it by deciding to replace the fight scene between Jack and Lovejoy. I can see why the original scene was cut from the film; it doesn't serve much purpose, and the fight itself was painfully fake, but I thought it would fit much better in this story, with a proper purpose to serve. I hope you agree :)