April 14, 1912

The sound of the water rushing into the ship was becoming more and more intense, and Mckenna knew they had to act soon. She tightens her grip on Jack's hand, the tension coiling in her muscles. "I love you, Jack." She murmured, her voice low but full of conviction. They had to make it. They had to. They'd fought so hard for each other and she wasn't about to give up now.

"I love you too, Kenna." Jack replied his voice soft but his eyes filled with fierce determination.

They watched with fear as the ship was sinking further and further down, more people falling in the water. They all took a deep breath when Jack told them, bracing themselves for what was about to happen. Suddenly this end of the ship fell into the water and they all fell in too. The water was freezing, but they all had to keep swimming. It was so hard because it was freezing, dark and they were exhausted. The two couples did their best to keep holding their hands, but eventually their hands slipped apart in the water. With the stress of the ship sinking and people and the cold water, it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay together. Mckenna's heart raced as she struggled to keep swimming, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The freezing water was numbing her limbs, making every stroke feel like an immense effort.

Jack fought through the exhaustion, his eyes scanning the dark, choppy water for Mckenna. The screams of those still in the water, the distant cries for help, and the overwhelming sensation of cold were almost too much to bear. He tried to reach out for Mckenna, but the turbulence of the water and the sheer volume of people made it nearly impossible to stay connected. David, too, was struggling to keep Rose close, the force of the waves pulling them apart. The water was relentless, dragging them in different directions despite their best efforts to stay together.

"Jack! Jack, where are you?" Mckenna's voice was swallowed by the roaring water, her fear making her voice tremble.

"Kenna!" Jack shouted back, his voice hoarse. He fought against the currents, trying to reach her, but the water was too tumultuous. His eyes were filled with desperation as he reached out, his hand just missing hers.

Mckenna kept swimming, her heart pounding and lungs burning as she struggled to swim to the surface. Her chest was aching, her throat burning, but she kept pushing herself. She gasped for air when she broke the surface, coughing and breathing heavily. Screams filled her ears, people around her crying and panicking. Her heart raced and panic filled her as she couldn't see the others anywhere.

"Jack!" She shouts, her voice getting drowned out by the noise around her. "David! Rose!" She looked around frantically, tears filling her eyes. She started breathing faster, her panic attack coming on. She couldn't help it. This was even more than a nightmare than before. It was so dark, it was freezing and her body ached from the impact of the fall and all the swimming.

Suddenly someone grabbed her arm, making her flinch and yelp in surprise as she swung her arm to push them away. Mckenna's panic surged as she struggled against the grip, her fear escalating. Her arm was yanked forcefully and she was pulled against a hard chest. She screamed, her hands pressing against the chest and her body was shaking. She had hoped it was Jack, David, or Rose, but it was someone she didn't recognize.

"Let me go! Let go, you're hurting me!" Mckenna yelled, struggling to break free from the man's hold. She felt like she was suffocating, her chest tightening and her breaths becoming quicker. She could feel herself start to hyperventilate and she tried desperately to calm herself down.

"Shut up, you little brat!" The man hissed, his grip tightening painfully around her. Mckenna's heart raced even faster as she fought against him, desperation clawing at her insides. She could see the chaos around her—people struggling, shouting, and flailing in the water, but none of it registered as she focused on escaping the terrifying grip. She tried using all her strength to push the man away, but his strength was no match for hers. He pulled her against him even tighter and her chest began to hurt. The pain was overwhelming, making her lose focus. She couldn't breathe, her head was spinning and her vision started to blur.

"Get away from me!" She manages to shout, her voice cracking. "Help! Help, somebody please help me!" Mckenna struggled against him, her hands pushing against his chest and her legs kicking as she tried to free herself from his grasp. She barely had time to take a breath of air before she was plunged underwater, the icy cold shock of the water sending a jolt through her.

Mckenna struggled harder, her arms pushing and her legs kicking frantically. The cold was paralyzing, numbing her senses and making it difficult to think clearly and more hard to move. She tried reaching up to push his hand away and tried kicking him, anything to get him off. When she managed to get back to the surface, she took a big breath before she was pushed under again. It was like he didn't even care if she was going to drown. He was just using her as leverage to help him stay afloat.

"Hey, a**hole, let her go!" A familiar voice called out, but it sounded faint to her ears. Everything sounded muffled and distant. The world was spinning, her mind reeling from the pain and the shock of being pulled underwater. She saw someone approaching, but it was hard to tell who it was. It was so dark. But suddenly, there was another body in the water and a pair of strong arms wrapped around her.

Jack had never been more terrified than when he lost sight of Mckenna. His heart pounded against his ribcage, his pulse racing as he swam desperately through the waves. He shouted her name, his voice hoarse and ragged, the cold seeping into his bones. The water was like ice, the currents were strong, and the sounds of people crying and screaming were overwhelming. But he couldn't give up. He couldn't let her die. Not after everything they'd been through. Not after the promise he'd made. His heart clenched in his chest as he pictured her face, her beautiful brown eyes, and her smile. He had to find her. He had to save her.

Jack swam faster, pushing against the current, his arms burning with the effort. He could hear the cries for help, the screams of terror, everything was mixing together in his mind, but he blocked it out. All he could think about was Mckenna. He scanned the surface, searching for her, but the water was so dark, so cold, so chaotic. And then, in the distance, he heard it. Her voice. She was calling his name. He swam towards the sound, his heart racing, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, but the closer he got, the louder her voice became. It sounded like she was in pain, like she was struggling. He swam faster, the desperation growing inside him.

And then he saw her. She was being held underwater by a man. A man he didn't recognize. The rage inside him erupted, his vision blurring and his blood boiling. Without a second thought, he launched himself at the man, his fists flying and his voice rising above the chaos. "Get your hands off her!"

Jack's adrenaline surged as he propelled himself through the water, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and fury. The man's grip on Mckenna was vice-like, and Jack could see the panic in her eyes as she struggled against him. He couldn't waste another second. With a fierce determination, he reached the man and tackled him, using all his strength to pry him away from Mckenna. The water splashed violently around them as Jack's fists collided with the man's face, adrenaline fueling his every move. The shock of the attack caught the man off guard, and he loosened his grip on Mckenna just enough for her to break free. When Jack finally got the man gone, he helped Mckenna to the surface, her breaths coming in rapid, shuddering gasps.

"I got you, princess. I got you." Jack reassures her, his arms wrapping tightly around her. His heart was racing, the panic and adrenaline coursing through his veins. "It's okay, it's just me. You're safe now."

Mckenna could only manage a few broken, gasping sobs, her body shaking with relief. Her lungs burned, her chest ached, and her muscles felt like jelly, but all that mattered was that she was safe. She was safe in Jack's arms. She buried her face in his shoulder, her tears mixing with the sea salt water, her fingers clutching desperately at his shirt.

"Jack..." Her voice was a whisper, her lips trembling. "I thought... I thought I was gonna die."

Jack's arms tightened around her, his heart breaking at her words. "Shh, it's okay, Kenna. You're okay. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you." His voice was shaky, his emotions running wild. "You're safe now, princess. I've got you."

They were both shaking, their bodies pressed close together for warmth, their hearts beating as one. The chaos was still unfolding around them, the cries of despair, the screams of anguish, the relentless churning of the water, but they were in their own little bubble, the world falling away. Mckenna's breaths were still shaky, her sobs quieting down, but her heart was starting to calm. She could feel Jack's heartbeat against her, the warmth of his body, the strength of his embrace. She was safe. She was alive. And Jack was here.

Jack pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, his lips lingering against her skin. "I love you, Kenna."

"I love you, too." She whispered, her eyes closed as she leaned against him, the sound of his heartbeat reassuring and calming. She was safe, he was here, and they were going to be okay. They were both exhausted, their bodies aching, their minds racing, but they were together. She pressed her face against his neck, her hands gripping the back of his shirt tightly. He was her anchor, her lifeline. As long as she had him, she felt like there was a glimmer of hope. The stormy sea around them raged on, but in Jack's embrace, she found a small solace amidst the terror.

Jack's eyes scanned the darkness, looking for any sign of David and Rose. He was desperate to find them, knowing how crucial it was for them to stay together. The freezing water made it almost impossible to think straight, but he had to keep his head clear for both their sakes.

"Kenna, listen to me," Jack said, his voice firm despite his trembling. "We need to find David and Rose. We can't just stay here."

Mckenna nods, trying to steady her breathing. "Okay. But...But what if we can't find them?" She asked, her voice trembling with fear. She couldn't help but think of the worst, she knows she shouldn't, but right now her anxiety was through the roof.

Jack sighs, his grip on her tightening. He knew how hard this was for her. He could see the fear in her eyes, hear the panic in her voice. But he had to stay strong for her, and for himself. "We will," He reassures her. "David is smart and resourceful. He'll know how to survive. And Rose, she's tough. They both will be fine. Come on, we gotta keep swimming." He encouraged her, grabbing onto a belt of her life vest as they began swimming. It was tough, they were already exhausted and the stormy waters made every stroke feel like an impossible effort.

Each wave seemed to drag them back, their progress painfully slow. The cold water was seeping into their bones, making their limbs heavy and sluggish. Their teeth chattered, their skin prickling with goosebumps, but they kept swimming. Mckenna's limbs felt like lead, and her breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps. The cold was relentless, numbing her to the core. Jack, despite his own exhaustion, kept a steady pace, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of their missing friends.

The ocean around them was a chaotic mix of shadows and crashing waves. They swam for what felt like an eternity, each moment fraught with desperation and hope. They kept swimming, their lungs burning and their bodies aching. Mckenna's throat burned, her chest was hurting. She wanted to stop and catch her breath, but she couldn't. She had to keep going. She had to ignore the cold temperature, her aching muscles, and the lack of oxygen. They had to keep swimming, they had to find David and Rose. They needed them just as much as they needed each other.

"Jack, I can't...I can't keep this up." Mckenna cried out, her voice nearly lost in the roar of the storm. She was struggling to stay afloat, her energy rapidly depleting.

"Just a little longer," Jack urges, his own strength waning. "We have to keep trying. We can't give up now."

Jack spotted a door from the ship nearby and he swam over to it, pulling Mckenna behind him. "Come on, get on it." He breathed out, his voice shaking from the cold. He helped her onto the door, it was so hard because of the cold, but they managed. He had tried getting on the door as well, but it had almost flipped over, causing her grip to tighten on it and let out a small surprised yelp. He held onto the side of the door, taking some deep breaths. He didn't want to risk them falling into the water again.

"Jack." She spoke, her voice shaking as she looked at him worriedly.

"Don't worry, I'm not leaving you." Jack reassures her, his own voice shaky and breathless. He was so cold and his body ached, but he couldn't leave her. "We're in this together, alright? No matter what." He added, reaching his hand out to squeeze her own, his shaking hand gripping hers tightly.

She squeezes his hand back, her lips turning up in a faint smile. "Together." She whispered with watery eyes. The word brought a sense of comfort and hope, despite their precarious situation. They were together, and as long as they had each other, they would find a way to survive.

"Get up here with me, Jackie." She mumbled, trying to pull him up with their intertwined hand, her other hand reaching over to grab his wet shirt.

Jack shakes his head. "No, I'm okay. I'll just hold onto the door. We don't need this to flip over, Kenna. Don't risk us both falling in the water. I'm fine here, baby. You don't need to worry about me." He assured her, despite his own fatigue. His muscles ached, and his body was shivering violently, but he was determined to stay with her.

"Shut up and get on this door." She demands weakly. "I will always worry about you, just like you always worry about me." She insisted, her voice firm despite her shivering. She tugged at his arm with all the strength she had left, her eyes pleading.

Jack hesitated for a moment, but the urgency in her voice, combined with his own desire to be close and protect her, pushed him to act. He pulled himself up onto the door, the cold water lapping at his legs as he struggled to find a stable position. It was hard to make sure the door wouldn't flip over again, but they somehow managed. Jack now laid in front of her, scooting closer to her as much as he could Jack finally settled on the door, the relief of being out of the freezing water was momentary as the cold wind continued to assault them. The door was large enough for both of them, though it wasn't ideal. Jack and Mckenna huddled together, their bodies pressed close for warmth and support. Mckenna's shivering had intensified, her teeth chattering uncontrollably. She tried to focus on Jack's presence to keep her panic at bay. Jack, despite his exhaustion, wrapped his arms around her as much as he could, sharing his body heat and trying to soothe her fears.

"Kenna, we're going to be okay," Jack murmurs softly, his voice barely audible over the loud cries, screams, and the sound of the waves crashing around them. His own teeth were chattering, but he tried to keep his tone steady and reassuring. "We just need to hang on. Help will come. They have to."

Mckenna nods, her face buried in his chest. She could feel his heartbeat against her cheek, a steady rhythm that helped anchor her. "I'm so scared, Jack," She confesses, her voice muffled but filled with raw emotion. "I thought I was going to lose you."

"I'm here," Jack says firmly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "We're in this together. We're going to make it through. We just have to hold on."

They sat in silence, the cold sea wind whipping around them as they waited. The sounds of the disaster around them were almost too overwhelming to process. The occasional splash of water against the door, distant cries for help, and the shouts of those still in the water created a chaotic backdrop. Jack and Mckenna clung to each other, their bodies shivering as the cold seeped into their bones. They shared the warmth of each other's embrace, but it was not enough. There was no space between them, their faces buried in each other's necks and arms tightly wrapped around the other. Mckenna's hands trembled as she clutched at the fabric of Jack's shirt. Her tears stung as they mixed with the saltwater, her breath shaky and uneven.

The sound of a loud whistle got her attention and they heard someone call out for the boats to come back. "Hear that?" Jack mumbles, his voice muffled against her cold skin. "The boats are coming back." She whispered.

Jack's voice was weak, his body shivering. "They'll come back for us, Kenna. We just have to hold on." He said, trying to reassure her. But his words did not offer much comfort. He was just as scared and exhausted as she was. They were both freezing, their bodies trembling and their minds racing. They were desperate for any sign of hope.

Mckenna could hear people shouting and crying, but she could barely focus on them. She was so tired, cold, and scared. She was so glad to have Jack, he was keeping her warm. She was worried about him though, the water was so cold and she knew he had to be freezing. She didn't know how much longer they would have to wait until they got to a lifeboat, but she didn't think it would be soon. She was already exhausted, so she didn't know how much longer she would have in the water.

"It's a bit nippy out tonight." Mckenna commented lightly, wanting to try and lighten the mood. Jack huffed a weak laugh, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her tighter, trying to do his best to keep her as warm as he could.

"Yeah, a little too nippy for my taste." He replies, his voice playful yet strained. The attempt at humor was a welcome distraction from the chaos surrounding them. "But you're still beautiful." He added.

"Even though I'm soaking wet and freezing cold?" Her voice was muffled as well since her face was buried in his neck, her eyes closed as she tried to savor his warmth. She could feel the corners of her mouth lifting in a smile despite the situation.

"Especially because you're soaking wet and freezing cold," Jack replies with a grin, his breath hitching slightly as he fought against the cold. "You're a survivor, Kenna. You're tough, and you're going to get through this. I know it."

"We are going to get through this." Mckenna corrects him. "I don't think I would've been able to hold on this long without you, Jackie. So, thank you."

Jack shakes his head, his hand squeezing her hip. "No, thank you. I wouldn't have gotten through any of this without you, princess. You've given me strength and hope, things I haven't had for a long time. You're the one who's giving me the courage to fight and keep going. Without you, I would've given up a long time ago." He confessed, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Jack, don't say that. You're strong, you're brave. You've survived more than anyone should have to. You have so much love and kindness inside you, even when the world has shown you nothing but cruelty. You've been through so much, and you've never given up. You've been hurt, and you've had your heart broken, but you've always kept going. That takes strength, Jack. It takes bravery. I am so proud of you, and I love you so much." Mckenna whispered, her eyes filling with tears as she thinks about all the challenges he has faced.

"I love you too, princess." He replied, his voice shaky and filled with emotion. His hands slid under shirt and life vest, causing her to shiver more, but she didn't care. She was just grateful for his touch and the warmth he provided.

Jack's hands continued their gentle, reassuring movement, attempting to bring some comfort to their aching, cold bodies. They held each other closely, finding solace in their shared embrace. Mckenna's hands had found their way under his own wet shirt, earning another shiver from him. His skin was cold, his body shivering and trembling. She rubbed her hands over his back, hoping to provide some warmth and comfort. They were both desperate for any type of warmth. The air was biting and the cold water was only adding to the chill. Mckenna and Jack clung to each other, their bodies pressed close and their hearts beating fast. They could hear the cries and screams around them, but they tried to focus on the sound of their breathing and the feeling of their bodies against each other. They were determined to stay strong and keep each other safe.

"Jack..." Mckenna speaks up, her voice barely a whisper. "What are the chances we'll survive this?"

Jack's breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding. He wasn't sure if he wanted to answer that question, but he knew she needed to hear something. He sighs, his voice strained as he answered. "There's a good chance, Kenna. The rescue ship will be here soon. And when they are, we'll get on the boat and we'll get warm. Everything will be fine. We'll be okay." He assures her, though his own voice was filled with uncertainty. Mckenna nodded, her hands tightening on his back. She hoped he was right, but she wasn't convinced. "I don't know about you, but I intend to write a strongly worded letter to the White Star Line about all this." He added, his teeth chattering as he tried to lighten the mood.

Mckenna let out a soft, tired laugh, her breath misting in the cold air. "You and me both, Jackie. But first, let's survive."

"Winning that ticket was the best thing that ever happened to me, princess. It brought me back to you, Kenna." Jack murmurs softly, his voice a little shaky from the cold. "I promise I will never let go."

"I'll never let go either." She whispers, her heart racing. "I love you, Jackie."

"I love you, princess." He murmured, kissing the side of her head. He held her tighter, his heart pounding in his chest. Mckenna buried her face in his neck, her eyes shut tightly. Her body was shivering, the cold air and ocean water biting into her skin. Her muscles were aching and her limbs felt heavy. As she and Jack huddled together for warmth and comfort, they could hear the cries and screams of others all around them. Some people were praying, some were shouting, and some were just weeping. While they held onto each other desperately, they both knew it was going to be a long night.

****

David had finally found Rose a few moments after he had came up for air when the ship completely sunk. He then felt anger when he saw a man was using Rose as a life vest, but causing her to go underwater in the process. She was struggling and gasping for air. After spotting David nearby, she cried out for him, hoping he could help.

"David! Help!" Rose cried, gasping for breath as she was forced underwater again.

"What the h***are you doing, you jerk?!" David shouts at the man holding Rose, swimming over to the man. "You're killing her, you moron!" He punched the man, knocking him away from Rose. Rose gasped for air, coughing and sputtering. She was freezing and exhausted, but she was so glad David was there.

"David!" She cries, grabbing onto him. "Thank God, I thought I was going to die."

"Shh, it's okay. You're alright." David sighs with relief as he holds her tightly. "I'm so glad you're okay. I got you, baby." He was so happy and relieved she was safe. When she cried out for him, he was afraid he wouldn't get to her in time. He knew Jack and Mckenna would be there too, but he hadn't seen them. They had gotten separated while they were underwater, the current had pulled them apart.

"I'm glad you're okay too, David." Rose nods, shivering. She didn't think it would get this bad, the coldness. "Where are the others?"

"I'm not sure. We got separated when the ship sank. I'm sure they'll be alright." David answers, rubbing her arms to try and keep her warm. "We have to keep moving, find something we can use to stay afloat. Come on, my love, we have to move."

Rose nods and swims next to him. It was a struggle to swim, she was freezing and exhausted. But they had to keep moving. The two kept moving, looking around for something they could use to stay afloat. When the two of them spotted a piece of the ship nearby, they swam over to it and climbed onto it. Rose let out a sigh of relief, so thankful that they were able to find something. Thankfully it was big enough for both of them. David pulled her closer, hugging her tightly and trying to keep her warm. Rose was so thankful that David was there, she didn't know what she would do without him. They held onto each other tightly, both of them shivering and shaking.

They both managed to get on it, but it was a struggle because they were freezing. They were able to get on, sitting side by side, their arms wrapped around each other.

Rose had buried her face in the crook of his neck had he had done the same. They held each other close, trying to keep each other warm. It was difficult because the water was so cold, but they had to do their best. They both needed to stay awake, their lives depended on it. Their arms were wrapped around each other and their legs intertwined, trying to keep as much heat between the two of them. They had no idea how long they were going to be out there and that made it worse. It was dark, the only thing providing some light was the moon. Screams and cries could be heard, making the couple's hearts ache. It was hard to see anyone else in the water, but they hoped everyone was okay.

"Do you think the others are okay?" Rose spoke quietly, her voice shaking.

"I'm sure they're alright. They're both strong, they'll be fine. We just have to stay positive." David reassured her. He was worried about his sister and Jack, but he had to keep a positive mindset.

"You're right. We have to have hope." Rose agreed, taking a deep breath. She was freezing, but being in David's arms kept her a bit warm. It was comforting. She was so scared and worried, but knowing he was by her side was enough for her.

David pressed a kiss to her forehead, keeping her close. They both tried not to focus on the screams and crying. Instead they focused on each other, their hearts racing.