ODE TO TITANIC

ODE TO TITANIC
Chapter Ten

"There's no key!" Rose finished rifling through a drawer. She looked at Jack as if he held all the answers.

"You're going to have to go get help," Jack calmly replied, still high on the knowledge that it was he she wanted and believed. Not Hockley and his manservant. His heart broke as he saw the look in her eyes. Desperation and despair. "It'll be all right."

Nodding, Rose pushed her way through the water and hugged him tightly. "I'll be right back." Reluctantly letting him go, she sloshed out of the room, her mind only on one thing. Find help for Jack.

"I'll be right here!" Jack called after her, trying to lighten the situation some. The water was continuing to rise, but Jack barely noticed. Rose loved him. She really did. She had left the safety of the first class deck to come and look for him in all this rising cold water. Sighing, he looked to the door.

Jack:
I believe in you and me
I believe that we will be in love eternally
As far as I can see
You will always be the one for me
Oh, yes, you will, I believe in dreams again
I believe that love will never end
And like the river finds the sea
I was lost, now I'm free
I believe in you and me
I will never leave your side
I will never hurt your pride
When all the chips are down I will always be around
Just to be right where you are, my love
You know I love you, girl, I will never leave you out
I will always let you in, girl
Oh, baby, to places no one's ever been
Deep inside can't you see, I believe in you and me
Maybe I'm a fool to feel the way I do
But I would be the fool forever
Just to be with you forever
I believe in miracles, love is a miracle
And baby, you're a dream come true
I was lost, now I'm free
Oh, baby, 'cause I do believe
I do believe in you and me
You know that I do
And me I really do believe in you.

Rose was gone for only five minutes and already the water was up to her waist as she returned, wielding an ax. Jack was standing on top of the desk, trying his best to keep out of the water.

"Jack! Will this work?" Rose held the heavy weapon above her head, not even noticing that what was left of the color in Jack's cheeks had suddenly drained away.

"I guess it'll have to do." Jack swallowed down his nervousness, not sure if he really trusted her with an ax. Rose took a step towards him, but Jack wasn't ready. He wanted to make sure that he'd get out of this alive. "Wait, wait, wait, wait! Let's do some practice swings first." Jack nodded towards a wooden cabinet. "Hold your hands close together, Rose, like this." He moved his hand into position. "Okay. Swing!"

Thunk! That was the sound of the ax hitting the cabinet. Jack nodded his approval. "Okay. Try to hit the same mark again, Rose!"

Thunk! The ax landed in a different place entirely. The water was getting higher. "Okay. That's enough practice. Swing really hard and really fast, Rose. You can do it," Jack encouraged as she approached him.

Rose shook from the cold and nerves. What if she messed this up? What if she killed him instead of saving him?

"Rose." Jack's voice brought her out of her trance. "I trust you."

Her blue lips shook as he turned his head away and squeezed his eyes shut. Rose closed her eyes and swung. Cling! The ax was in the pipe and Jack's hands were free!

Rose laughed, relief coursing through her.

"You did it, Rose!" Jack cheered, kissing her over and over again. "You did it! Let's get out of here! This way." He hopped off the desk and led her to the door. Rose gasped when she saw the exit blocked.

"The exit's this way!" she gasped.

"We'll have to find another way. Come on." Jack grabbed her hand and led her in the opposite direction, both of them hoping for the best.

*****

The steward was just passing the door, looking frazzled and nervous. But as long as there were passengers, he would do his job and do it perfectly. Making sure that the third class creatures stayed down below, away from the high and refined first class passengers. He jumped as two loud bangs sounded outside one of the interior doors. He gasped in outrage as Jack and Rose came bursting through the door, breaking it into pieces.

The nerve of these two…hoodlums! That door cost millions to make. This was unheard of! Unacceptable!

"Hey! You'll have to pay for that, you know! That's White Star Line property!" the steward yelled, outraged by the destruction of the door.

Jack and Rose turned around and glared at the steward. They both were in very bad moods. They had spent the last fifteen minutes in freezing cold water and here this…steward was telling them that they were destroying his fancy ship! A ship that was on its way to the bottom of the ocean, no less!

Rose looked at the man coldly and approached him, taking Jack along with her, since she never let go of his hand.

Rose:
Well I woke up this morning
On the wrong side of the bed
And how I got to thinking
About all those things you said
About ordinary people
And how they make you sick
And if calling names kicks back on you
Then I hope this does the trick
Cause I'm a sick of your complaining
About how many bills
And I'm sick of all your bitching
‘Bout your poodles and your pills
And I just can't see no humor
About your way of life
And I think I can do more for you
With this here fork and knife.

Jack:
So I called up my head shrinker
And I told him what I'd done
Said you'd best go on a diet
Yeah I hope you have some fun
And a don't go burst a bubble
On the rich folks who get rude
‘Cause you won't get in no trouble
When you eat that kind of food
Now their smoking up the junk bonds
And then they go get stiff
And they're dancing in the yacht club
With Muff and Uncle Biff
But there's one good thing that happens
When you toss your pearls to swine
Their attitudes may taste like shit
But go real good with wine.

Rose:
Wake up kid, it's half past your youth
Ain't nothing really changes but the date
You a grand slammer, but you no Babe Ruth
You gotta learn how to relate
Or you'll be swinging from the pearly gate
Now you got all the answers, low and behold
You got the right key baby but the wrong key ho, yo.

Jack:
Believe in all the good things
That money just can't buy
Then you won't get no belly ache
From eating humble pie
I believe in rags to riches
Your inheritance won't last
So take your Grey Poupon my friend.

Rose:
And shove it up your ass!

Jack and Rose:
Eat the Rich: there's only one thing they're good for
Eat the Rich: take one bite now--come back for more
Eat the Rich: I gotta get this off my chest
Eat the Rich: take one bite now, spit out the rest
Eat the Rich: there's only one thing they're good for
Eat the Rich: take one bite now--come back for more
Eat the Rich: don't stop me now I'm going crazy
Eat the Rich: that's my idea of a good time baby.

"What we are trying to say here is…" Rose began.

"Shut up!" Jack and Rose yelled, storming away from the bewildered steward.

*****

It's been a long journey to the top deck for Jack and Rose. After leaving the steward, they managed to find Tommy and Fabrizio behind a locked gate. Knowing that it was hopeless trying to get out that way, Jack led his friends to another locked gate, guarded by the steward that he and Rose had just gotten through telling off. Pushing through the crowd, Jack decided to be forceful. Besides, this was unfair. They may be third class, but they had a right at a chance to survive, even more than the first class.

Jack demand and cursed for the gate to be unlocked, but the whiney little cretin of a steward refused to comply. So, since they couldn't get through nicely, Jack, Tommy, Fabrizio, and a few other men ripped a bench out of the floor and knocked the gate down. Soon enough, Jack and friends were running up some more stairs and were on the upper deck at last. Quickly, they made their way to where the lifeboats were being loaded. Tommy and Fabrizio left to find if there were any other boats since the area was so crowded.

Rose huddled close to Jack, keeping her blanket tightly wrapped around her. She swallowed nervously and looked at a man who was saying good-bye to his daughter as she was put in a lifeboat, reassuring her that there was another boat for the daddies and this one was for the mommies and the children. Rose paled as the truth hit her. Jack couldn't get on. If she was to get on that lifeboat, it would have to be without Jack, and there was no way she was going to let that happen.

She turned to Jack, steel determination in her eyes. "I'm not getting on without you."

Jack looked at her, a mixture of relief and horror in his eyes. He wanted her to stay with him, but he knew she couldn't. He had to get her on the boat. To stay with him could mean her death. "What? Are you crazy? You have to. Get on the boat, Rose."

"No, Jack. Not without you."

"Get on the boat."

"No."

"Rose…"

"Yes, get on the boat, Rose." Cal was suddenly upon them, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Rose looked at him as if he had two heads. What was he doing here? She definitely wasn't getting on a boat now. Leave Jack with this monster? Forget it.

"Look at you. You look a fright." Cal tried to touch her hair, but she stepped back away from him, not wanting him to touch her. She looked at Jack, who seemed to be in shock at Cal's sudden appearance. "Here, take my coat." He snatched her blanket and tossed it to Jack and wrapped his coat around her shoulders.

The shock of seeing Cal there wore off, and Jack pulled Rose away from him. "Rose, you have to get on a boat. Now."

"Not without you."

"Don't worry about me. I'm a survivor. Remember? Now, get on the boat."

"Bloody hell," Cal hissed. This was ridiculous. Not for the life of him could he understand Rose's insistence on staying with the street rat. She was his fiancée. Her loyalty should be to him. There was only one way to get her back. "There's an arrangement I've made at the other end of the ship. Both Jack and I can get off there."

Jack looked at Cal, not daring to believe a word the snake said…but it was those words that could save Rose's life and he was willing to use them to that advantage as well. "You see? I have my own boat to catch. Now get on this one and we'll meet later."

Rose looked at Cal, trying to tell if he was lying. He could only smile nervously. "Go on. It's almost full."

"Miss? Are you getting on?" The officer held out a hand, his eyes pleading with her to be smart about it. Not to cause a scene. Just get on.

"Yes, she is." Jack pushed her towards the officer. Rose's hand fell into his, and she was pulled to a lifeboat. Jack held her hand until he couldn't hold on anymore. Rose looked up at them both, stunned that he had gotten her in a boat so easily.

Cal and Jack stood side-by-side, watching Rose descend to safety. Jack looked at Cal and a part of him wondered if the older man had a change of heart, or was it just a ploy to get to Rose.

"There is no arrangement, is there?"

Cal looked at Jack, smug satisfaction and perhaps a bit of sadness in his eyes. Dawson had been a worthy opponent. He had taught Cal a thing or two about underestimating people. But this was the way it had to be if he was going to get Rose back. Dawson had to perish. "Oh, there is. Not that it'll benefit you any. I always win, Jack. One way or another."

Jack nodded, satisfied that he had been right. He didn't mind dying. He had done everything he was going to do in his life anyway. Traveled, seen the world…experienced true love. But he worried for Rose. She had just found her strength. His death…it could destroy it, making her vulnerable to Cal and her mother's bullying. The fire he had worked on to nurture the few hours they had together would be snuffed out. Closing his eyes, he hoped that she would remain strong and that he could be strong for her.

Looking down at her, he silently did the hardest thing he had to do. The last thing he wanted and it was destroying him. He silently said good-bye, wishing that he didn't have to. Wishing that she was still with him, that he didn't have to let her go and that the ship wasn't sinking.

Jack:
I never can say good-bye, no, no, no, no, now
I never can say good-bye
Even though the pain and heartache
Seems to follow me wherever I go,
Though I try and try to hide my feelings,
They always seems to show,
Then you try to say you're leaving me
And I always have to say no,
Tell me why is it so
I never can say good-bye, no, no, no, no, now
I never can say good-bye
Every time I think I've had enough
And start heading for the door,
There's a very strange vibration
Piercing me right through the core,
It says, "Turn around, you fool, you know you love her more and more."
Tell me why is it so
Don't wanna let you go.
Never can say good-bye
Girl oh, oh baby
Never can say good-bye. No, no, no, no, no, oh
Oh, I never can say good-bye
Girl oh, oh
I never can say good-bye. No, no, no, no, no, oh
Never can say good-bye, no, no, no, no, now
I never can say good-bye
I keep thinking that our problems
Soon are all gonna work out
But there's that same unhappy feeling,
There's that anguish, there's that doubt
It's the same old dizzy hang-up,
Can't do with you or without
Tell me why is it so, don't wanna let you go
I never can say good-bye girl! No, no, no, no!
Never can say good-bye! No, no, no, no, no! Oh!

Rose looked up at Jack, getting lost in his sad blue eyes as his heart sang out to her. How could she leave him like this? She didn't belong here in this lifeboat, just as Jack didn't belong on that sinking ship that was quickly being claimed by the ocean. The ocean that seemed to want to claim her whole world. The ocean that wanted to claim Jack, as if he belonged to it. But he didn't. Jack didn't belong to the ocean. He belonged to her, just as she belonged to him.

Rose:
We Belong, We Belong to the light
Many times I've tried to tell you
Many times I've cried alone
Always I'm surprised how well you
Cut my feelings to the bone
Don't want to leave you really
I've invested too much time
To give you up that easy
To the doubts that complicate your mind
We Belong to the light
We Belong to the thunder
We Belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We Belong, We Belong
We Belong together
Maybe it's a sign of weakness
When I don't know what to say
Maybe I just wouldn't know
What to do with my strength anyway
Have we become a habit
Do we distort the facts
Now there's no looking forward
Now there's no turning back
When you say
We Belong to the light
We Belong to the thunder
We Belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We Belong, We Belong
We Belong together
Close your eyes and try to sleep now
Close your eyes and try to dream
Clear your mind and do your best
To try and wash the palette clean
We can't begin to know it
How much we really care
I hear your voice inside me
I see your face everywhere
Still you say
We Belong to the light
We Belong to the thunder
We Belong to the sound of the words
We've both fallen under
Whatever we deny or embrace
For worse or for better
We Belong, We Belong
We Belong together.

Rose felt herself being lowered in the boat, all the noise around her slowly fading away. She took a look around. Ropes going through the pulley, crying children, yelling seamen, the distance between Jack and her growing.

She just didn’t belong here. She took one last glance at Jack and then, all of a sudden, she got up, reaching out to the railing of the A-Deck-Promenade Deck. She heard Jack calling out her name from above, but she kept holding onto the railing as some crewmen helped her climbing over on deck.

Jack leaned over the rail as far as he could, but Rose had disappeared from his view. He let go of the blanket which he still had been holding in his hands and raced towards the door down to A-Deck, leaving a yelling Cal behind.

At the same time, Rose made her way through the crowds, reaching the Grand Staircase where she spotted Jack who was running towards her. They met at the bottom of the stairs, smashing together in an embrace.

"Rose, Rose, you're so stupid!" Jack exclaimed, nevertheless kissing her again and again as Rose just kept on crying.

"You jump, I jump, right?" she simply told him and Jack, though bewildered, realized that she was right. Let it sound ever so crazy. But above all, he had to make her feel safe now. Rose had once again left the safety of first class to return to him, and he just couldn’t let her down now.

Jack:
Dear my love, haven't you wanted to be with me
And dear my love, haven't you longed to be free
And at sweet night, you are my own
Take my hand
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning light
We'll be halfway to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name
I have dreamt of a place for you and I
No one knows who we are there
All I want is to give my life only to you
I've dreamt so long I cannot dream anymore
Let's run away, I'll take you there
We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone
They'd only hold us down
So by the morning light
We'll be halfway to anywhere
Where love is more than just your name
Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you
Forget this life
Come with me
Don't look back you're safe now
Unlock your heart
Drop your guard
No one's left to stop you now.

Cal appeared on top of the stairs, Lovejoy close behind him, as he watched Jack and Rose in their embrace. He felt the anger rising up inside again and he slightly nodded to himself as if he had finally understood. Understood that the situation had gotten out of hand for him. Understood that he had really lost Rose this time.

He turned around and, all of a sudden, grasped the gun from Lovejoy’s holster. He ran down the stairs and immediately began to fire, but Jack spotted him just in time.

"Come on, Rose!" he yelled, grabbing her hand and dragging her along with him. They ran down the stairs until they reached the bottom and struggled their way through the water. Cal was following them close behind, but soon they got out of the line of fire.

Jack kept on holding onto Rose’s hand tightly as they just continued running.

Jack:
Take my hand
You know I’ll be there, if you can
I’ll cross the sky for your love
For I have promised
Oh, to be with you tonight
And for the time that will come
And take my hand
You know I’ll be there, if you can
I’ll cross the sky for your love
And I understand
These winds and tides
This change of times
Won’t drag you away
Hold on, and hold on tightly
Hold on, and don’t let go of my love
The storms will pass
It won’t be long now
His love will last
His love will last...forever
And take my hand
You know I’ll be there, if you can
I’ll cross the sky for your love
Give you what I hold dear
Hold on! Hold on tightly
Hold on! Hold on tightly
Rise up, rise up
With wings like eagles
You run, you run
You run and not grow weary
Hold on, and hold on tightly
Hold on, hold on tightly
To this love...forever
To this love...last forever
Take my hand
Take my hand...

Watching Jack and Rose escaping, Cal stopped firing and stared at Rose’s disappearing figure.

"I hope you enjoy your time together!" he yelled and then they were gone. He lowered the gun and sank down to the floor, the floor which wasn’t covered with water yet. His mind still on Rose, he began to sing.

Cal:
I haven't slept at all in days
It's been so long since we've talked
And I have been here many times
I just don't know what I'm doing wrong
What can I do to make you love me
What can I do to make you care
What can I say to make you feel this
What can I do to get you there
There's only so much I can take
And I just got to let it go
And who knows I might feel better
If I don't try and I don't hope
What can I do to make you love me
What can I do to make you care
What can I say to make you feel this
What can I do to get you there
No more waiting, no more aching
No more fighting, no more trying
Maybe there's nothing more to say
But in a funny way I'm calm
Because the power is not mine
I'm just gonna let it fly
What can I do to make you love me
What can I do to make you care
What can I say to make you feel this
What can I do to get you there
Love me...

Chapter Eleven
Stories