Nate watched the men in the smoking room as they drank their brandy and wines and spoke about everything. He was bored and wanted nothing more than to run to third-class and look for Clara. It was foolish of him not to considering it was such a simple task that she asked of him. With a groan, Nate remembered that he had left his jacket in the dining saloon. Standing, Nate politely excused himself from the conversation about farming. To Nate it seemed comical that such well-to-do gentlemen were speaking about such a thing as manual labor, as if they themselves got up with the chickens every morning to go milk cows and check the crops.

As he walked through the corridors, down the Grand Staircase to D-deck, he thought about the past. Being hardheaded over such a precious thing as Clara wasn't worth the risk of losing her. He quickly entered the room, grabbed his jacket and scurried away from the people who knew him. What he needed at the moment was a good, solid nap.

"Nate, we're going back to the palm court for some after-dinner dining, would you care to join us?" Clayton asked as Nate passed him on A-deck. He shook his head before unlocking his cabin and entering.

He hadn't been back since Clara left and he rather dreaded reliving the few memories they had made. Throwing his jacket on the bureau, he bee-lined the bath where he wanted to wash off the day. As he entered the room he noted the soft smell of pine, the soap Clara used. Turning on his heel, he fairly ran out of the room and towards the corridor. It was time he told Clara he was sorry, it was time for him to finally admit that he loved her...once and for all!

Clara sat in the general room listening to the music and tapping her foot. She tried not to think about how Nate hadn't come back. Perhaps Augusta forgot to convey the message? She didn't know and she absentmindedly rubbed the nape of Poppet's neck thinking about how she wanted to dance. She stood and flashed a grin at Abby who swung by on Harrison's arm.

Nate climbed over the small gait leading from A-deck to the poop deck, no one saw him. As he quickly trotted down the corridors until he finally reached the one that led to the general room he bit his lip. What if Clara wouldn't have him back? He shook the unwanted thought from his head as he paused in the doorway of the general room. Then he saw her, sitting alone and smiling as though no trouble ever graced her doorstep. Nate took one step into the room when a steward stopped him meanwhile several men stared.

"Sir, I do not believe you belong down here, come it is time that you left."

"But sir, I am meeting a girl down here, she's sitting right over there!" Nate gasped in desperation but the steward shook his head.

"No, I am afraid you must leave sir, I do not wish you to cause a ruckus down here." The man was insistent and Nate backed away straining his eyes in hopes to catch Clara's attention. At that moment a rather burly man stood with his back to the door laughing drunkenly and he knew his chance was gone.

Clara stood and shook Poppet awake. Ivy came to a stop next to her when the music died down, a wide smile on her flushed face.

"Ivy, I am exhausted, Poppet and I will be back in the berth."

Ivy hugged her friend goodnight and went back to the man she had next to her. Clara yawned and tugged gently on Poppet's collar and he came with no objections. Cool air flooded the corridors and she tried not to shiver as she made her way back towards the third-class berths. Once inside she shed her clothes until she stood in her petticoat and curled under the covers. The steady hum of the engines lulled her to sleep with Poppet huddled against her keeping her warm.

Nate was full from the dinner that the dining saloon served that night and he was exhausted from the emotions of the day. He quickly undressed not wanting to remember his night with Clara. The memories were worse as he climbed between the sheets, relishing in their warmth...it was a cold night. As he lay with his eyes closed, Nate dreamt about Clara with the engines barely audible.

Almost everyone knew that something odd happened that cold, April night in 1912. Clara was deep in sleep when she felt herself flying out of her berth and landing against a panting Abby. Poppet jumped out of the berth and stood next to Clara whining terribly.

"What was that?" Abby mumbled as she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Clara couldn't help but tremble as she waited for a moment listening to the...the silence!

"The engines...they aren't running!" Ivy gasped from her berth. The other two looked at her in wonder.

"How did you stay in your berth?" Abby asked after a moment and Ivy shook her head sleepily.

"I do not know, now shush listen!" Ivy commanded. The three women sat listening to the dead silence.

"I'm going to see what is wrong!" Abby finally said as she threw her night wrap around her.

"I should go with you but I am tired." Ivy said as she buried her face into her pillow.

Clara watched as Abby eagerly entered the corridor and gently shut the door meanwhile Ivy looked skeptically at her.

"If I had to make a guess I would say that Captain Smith took heed to the ice warnings and stopped the Titanic."

"What would happen if they hit one?"

"If they hit one what, child? I scarcely think anything could do something to the Titanic if she is as great as everyone says she is."

Clara began slipping into her woolen dress, the gray and black one that was her warmest. She slung her shawl around her shoulders and slipped on her trusty boots with Poppet watching. Ivy cocked her head then she too clambered out of her berth and began dressing.

"What are we doing exactly?" Ivy asked as she slipped her pale feet into her tattered shoes.

"We are going to find out what's taking Abby so long, besides I'm curious." Clara said with a wink as she opened the door.

She wasn't the only one wandering the corridor looking for answers and by the looks on people's faces the news wasn't good.

"Missy, they be sayin' we's hit a berg, a big one by the sounds of it, best go back till they's give us some more news."

Clara watched the man as he quickly made his way towards the other end of the ship she turned to Ivy.

"Well we're up and dressed now, might as well see for ourselves what is going on!"

The two women made their way towards the main third-class entrance where a steward was addressing the passengers.

"We told you, we hit a berg and will be back underway in a matter of minutes!" The man shouted, to Clara it was clear he knew what was going on and it wasn't good.

"It's been minutes since you last told us!" One angry woman shouted in broken English and Clara's stomach knotted.

"Go back to your berths, we'll tell you more when we know more!" The steward's face turned bright red and Clara turned to Ivy who gestured towards the gates.

"They locked them. They must have some concern if they locked them." Ivy leaned against the wall as though she knew they might be there for a while and Clara did the same.

Nate awoke with a start when he heard a loud scratching noise along the side of the ship. Sweat beaded on his forehead, he just woke from a horrible dream and suddenly the strange noise made him dizzy. Maxwell entered the room and looked curiously at Nate who shrugged.

"I suggest you getting dressed Master Nate, should we go see what has happened." Maxwell closed the door to the room leaving Nate alone in his bed wondering about Clara.

He slipped on his pants and a shirt that he found in the wardrobe and finally laced up his black shoes. He donned a warm overcoat and at the last minute placed a top hat on his head. Should he have to go to Clara he wanted to come face to face with that steward who kicked him out. When he stepped into the corridor it was silent, the few people who were out were laughing as though nothing was wrong. Perhaps nothing was wrong and...Nate realized the engines weren't going.

"Maxwell, why have the engines quit?" He asked when he saw Maxwell emerge from the room, which belonged to the adult West's.

"I don't know Mr. Nate, give me time enough and I shall inquire about for you. Stay close to the cabins and heaven help your father with your mother!" Maxwell nodded with a reassuring smile as he left Nate standing in the corridor.

He stepped out the first-class entrance into the cold air and found the deck in a flurry of motion. Men wearing the White Star Line uniform were pulling the canvas off the lifeboats. Meanwhile others were asking the passengers to put on their lifebelts. A sick stab in Nate's stomach made him rush back to his cabins.

"Mother, get on your lifebelt and make sure you are dressed warmly!" Nate shouted into his parent's room. He heard his mother complain as his father left the room and entered the wardrobe.

"Is it bad, Nate?" Frederick asked with a hint of worry in his eyes.

"I don't know, father, they're telling everyone to put on their lifebelts. Maxwell has left us to find out more. I'm going to third-class to find Clara, I'm concerned about her!" He started to go but Frederick grabbed his arm and shook his head.

"She'll find you soon enough Nate, come help me with your mother!" Frederick had a pleading look in his serious eyes. He hesitated for a moment thinking how his mother had treated him earlier then he finally gave in.

Clara stood watching around the steward as the men began peeling off the canvas on the lifeboats. She understood why the steward refused to let the third-class out of third-class...they must see to the rich first. Turning, she saw the anxious looks on the people's faces, she bit her lip.

"The ship, it's sinking isn't it?" Clara asked, several people gasped and Ivy gave her a rather dirty look. The steward started to shake his head no then stopped when he saw the calm look in her gray eyes.

"They're just taking precautions Miss, now please I ask that you return to your rooms and get your lifebelts on!"

Clara gently touched Ivy's arm as she pushed past the passengers who now spoke in different levels of worried tones.

"It's serious isn't it?" Ivy asked unexpectedly and Clara shrugged.

"If they're pushing for people to put on their lifebelts then it probably is. I want to get to Nate, Ivy, if we really are sinking." She turned and led them down yet more stairs while others shoved their way up.

"I heard a crewman saying she's sinkin' from the front!" One lady exclaimed, Clara turned to Ivy and swallowed hard.

The West family entered the chilly deck together and noticed many of the people standing in the gym laughing. Nate gave a questioning look to his father who ushered his mother towards the warm room. He trusted his father. Frederick West used his brain in sticky situations.

"Now Emily I want you to wait right here while Nate and I go have a talk with Ismay over there." Nate watched as his father kissed his mother ever so lightly then left her by the mechanical horse.

As Frederick West strode back into the cold Nate quickly followed, he was anxious for answers.

"What do you make of this?" Nate asked and Frederick turned around, he looked more so grave then before.

"I don't think this is just a drill, too many things don't add up for it to be a drill." Frederick rushed towards Ismay leaving Nate to stare at the happenings around them.

He walked along trying to keep himself under control and trying to catch even a glimpse of Clara. Finally he saw Mr. Murdoch working with lifeboat number five, he had some hope.

"Mr. Murdoch, sir..." Nate never finished his sentence as he saw the man give him a despairing glance.

"Mr. West, get your mother into a lifeboat, there's little time to be wasted." With that said, Mr. Murdoch went back to loading the boats.

Nate couldn't care less about his mother at that moment, he ran thrusting people aside until he saw the poop deck. The stewards kept the third-class passengers away from the lifeboats. Frantically searching the crowd of people, Nate didn't see Clara, Ivy or even Abby.

"Nate!"

He heard her voice before he saw her, when he did Abby waved hysterically from beside one of the stewards.

"Abby, where's Clara?"

"She's trapped below! They won't let any more of us up here! I came early so I got through. Ivy's with her, Nate if the ship really is sinking you've got to get to them! There's a man here who's soaked, he came from the bow berths. Some of them are already under water!"

Even from his distance, Nate saw the tears falling down Abby's cheeks and he glanced over his shoulder. It was time to finally make the choice, the choice that Clara waited for him to make all day. Biting his lip so hard it bled, he broke into a dead out run towards the gym.

Clara sat holding Poppet's head in her lap as Ivy fastened her lifebelt. She knew it was hopeless to even go back up there and fight. The ones like Abby who were so curious were now the lucky ones. Ivy took a step out the door then poked her head back through.

"Are you coming, Clara?"

Clara licked her lips, if she had to die she wanted to die with her dog and even if they let her through they wouldn't let her take Poppet. Taking her journal pages Clara wrapped them in a watertight skin and handed them to Ivy.

"They won't let me take Poppet anyways. Take these. I wanted to make them into a book. That's only if Poppet and I can't find a way through, you hear? I'm not giving up just yet!" Clara jumped up and threw her arms around Ivy.

Once Ivy left, Clara and Poppet sat in the corridor outside their berth. The silence frightened her however she bit back her fear.

"Poppet, what're we gonna do, eh boy? Remember that time in Egypt when we were stuck just like this? No one wanted to lend us enough coin to return to London and we were positive we'd end up slaves!" Clara buried her nose in Poppet's fur between his ears. The giant dog turned his head and licked her face then whined.

"I can't help it Poppet, if this ship is going down you and I are dead!" Clara shamefully blinked to keep the tears back. Poppet stood and wagged his tail as though trying to urge Clara to her feet.

"Poppet, stop!" She shouted as she tried to still the dog but he didn't back away. With a strong bite, Poppet tugged on her dress collar until she stood, it was then she noticed the slight tilt of the ship.

"We've got to get out of here." Clara said as she tightened her grip on Poppet's collar, the dog led the way.

"Mother, you must get in a lifeboat! The ship's already beginning to tilt and even if there is a rescue ship on the way it's safer in the lifeboats!" Nate pled alongside his father but his mother didn't budge.

"It's warm and it's perfectly safe in here. I don't see why we were forced to leave our rooms anyways." Emily pulled her fur wrap around her a little tighter.

"Nate," Frederick pulled his son aside. "I've never lost hope in you, go find Clara and bring her here. Perhaps she could convince your mother to leave. Find your happiness in the world son, life's too short to waste." Frederick patted his son on the back as Nate turned to leave, he felt horrid for the arguments of earlier.

He couldn't help but notice that lifeboat number five was missing when he ran back through the growing crowd. He saw no third-class passengers and suddenly anger boiled inside him. They had a right to save themselves as well, even if there weren't enough lifeboats. The realization hit him as though he ran into the iceberg just under an hour ago. If he by chance found Clara there was no way they would let him in the lifeboat with her!

Fighting panic, he took the stairs two at a time until he stood next to the stewards who fought the third-class passengers.

"Excuse me, I have to get through!" Nate bellowed, the steward turned around and shook his head.

"I ain't letting anyone out and I ain't letting anyone in!"

"I demand you let me through!" Nate yelled. He was one second short of boxing the man.

"Nate, Nate, calm down and come with me." Clayton said coolly from behind Nate as he pried his friend away from the steward.

"I have to get to Clara! I am not leaving this ship without her!" Nate growled as he wrestled against Clayton's strong death grip.

"Nate, I think I've found another way to get to third-class but you'll have to trust me!" Clayton finally caught Nate's attention, he felt sorry for the youngest West who had only one thing he loved and he was about to lose it.

Each gate that Poppet and Clara came upon they found locked and with each locked gate Clara lost more hope. She trembled as she let her dog lead her to yet another gate, this time she found it unlocked. As she slipped through it she couldn't help but notice they were completely alone. Looking at the sign she groaned, they were deeper in the ship instead of higher.

"We're never getting out of this are we Poppet!" Clara cried. Her tears broke like water through a wrecked dam.

The dog licked her hand and sat down as though he had no more ideas. Clara pulled her knees to her chest as she sank to her butt on the floor while the ship groaned. She thought about what she told Nate that first day she spent with him.

"Fate's no lady, Nate she'll tear you apart if you don't harness her early, like a young colt. Either you tame her or she'll overcome you, that's all I've done is domesticated her to the best I can." Pushing herself to her feet once more she tried to think logically, where were they? Thinking for another moment, Clara led them further down the corridor and gasped. In front of her was the third-class dining room, they were farther down then she thought!

When she turned around the smell filled her nostrils and made her want to cry harder, seawater, she knew the fragrance well. Poppet whined louder and tugged at her in the direction they came from. Licking her lips Clara broke into a run and darted up the first stairwell she found. Poppet stayed close to her, his tongue lolling like they were simply running in the park.

"Oh what I wouldn't give for a warm park about now, on dry land!" Clara huffed, when she made it to the top of the stairwell she saw other third-class passengers.

"Lassie, why you should be a gettin' yourself to the well deck!"

"The routes are locked, I've tried everywhere!" Clara gasped and the elderly man studied his shoes for a moment.

"Well then we's best keep lookin, mind coming with us?"

"Which way?" Clara gasped as he pointed towards the bow. "That's where she's taking on water, sir, come with me!"

"If we have to die we'll die with honor." The man said then led his family back the way they came.

Clara was alone once more and this time she knew she'd better sit and pray that the water might hold off a little longer. As the tears fell down her cheeks she thought about her father who would wait for her. What would he do when he read her name on the list of dead? Pulling Poppet close to her, she began praying for a quick painless death.

Clayton led Nate down the Grand Staircase until they stood near the first-class dining saloon. Nate was feeling more anxious with every passing moment because it became more evident the Titanic was indeed going down. Clayton laughed when he found an open stairwell and the two men took the steps three at a time.

Then ended up close to the second-class berths, they looked at each other and ran faster. Little did Nate know his mother boarded a lifeboat at the same time as Clayton gave him thumbs up over reaching third-class. Frederick desperately searched for his son as Emily boarded lifeboat number eight. Seeing him nowhere, Frederick kissed his wife farewell.

"I shall see you soon my darling when the rescue ship picks us up."

Frederick knew his life would end either way and made his way back to their cabins. Once there, he poured himself a brandy and sat on their private promenade watching the sky.

Clara curled up patting Poppet all the more as she got another strong whiff of the approaching seawater. Fear clawed at her but she decided to face the water standing like a brave woman while Poppet pressed against her. Nate and Clayton rushed down the corridor and saw with relief that the gate wasn't locked.

---------------------------

Uh oh, we're finally on the freezing, tragic morning of the sinking.

Will Nate find Clara?

Til next time,

x zuz