I Will Go Down With This Ship 6/6

[ex-salwood.livejournal.com]

Title: I Will Go Down With This Ship 6/6
Author: salogel42
Pairing: Dom/Lij
Rating: PG 13
Warning:Some angst
Summary: This story is set in the early 1900s... Dom and Lij are on the biggest steamship ever built.
Author's Note: This is a short story based on a very real event.
Disclaimer: Although the event actually happened, non of the characters are real. All made up.. totally... absolutely!
Thank you to elfellon111 for wonderful beta!
Other chapters in this series can be found here

I Will Go Down With This Ship

Chapter 6 – The Carpathia – Monday 15 April 1912

Dawn.

The sun rose over the ice field, its fiery ball giving off heat which reached no one. The crewmen rowed to keep warm, in and out of the ice, waiting for the Carpathia to reach them.

The Carpathia, a small steamer, who had responded immediately to Titanic’s distress call, had been spotted only a little while earlier, her rockets lit the predawn sky; hope at last befell Titanic’s only survivors.

“There’s a ship, Dom.” Elijah had not stopped talking to Dominic since they were rescued. “We’ll be out of here soon and into somewhere nice and warm, you’ll see. They’ll have a doctor on board, and he’ll make you better, Dom. He’ll mend your arm… he’ll… he’ll make you better.”

“We could really do with those blankets, son, your friend doesn’t need them anymore.” That voice of reason was also the voice of truth, and deep down in his heart Elijah knew this.

He looked up at the haunted and expressionless faces of the passengers surrounding him. Each pair of eyes had their own harrowing story to tell, for everyone on board had lost someone.

Elijah looked at Dominic again. Well, at least he hadn’t lost him, he promised he would always be there, and he was, even though their life together had ended. Most of the survivors would have no physical body to mourn, and would not be able to say their final goodbyes. He would do his best by Dominic, he knew that. Whatever it took, however much it cost, because Dominic deserved the best… and he would receive the best.

“We’ll be home soon, Dom,” Elijah whispered, and then closed his eyes against hot tears as he waited for salvation to come.

*

“Steady! Steady!”

Elijah looked skywards at the two men who were hauling him up Carpathia’s dark hull. The men were exhausted as were most of Carpathia’s crew but they were careful and diligent and the ‘swing’ that Elijah sat upon barely swayed.

Dominic had been hauled up in a net earlier, it had been undignified and it broke Elijah’s heart to see his lover’s body being treated in such a way. He just wanted to get on board to tend to him, and make sure that his body was treated justly and with respect.

“There you go, sir. Dry clothes, brandy and blankets that way.” The crewman indicated with his thumb, before lowering the swing over the side again.

“Where’s the man you hauled up?” Elijah looked around the crowded deck trying not to panic. “What have you done with him?”

“Man…? We’ve hauled up plenty of men, sir.”

“No…” Elijah swallowed hard. “The dead one?”

“Haven’t hauled up anyone dead to my knowledge.”

“About half an hour ago. In the net?”

“Him? The doc checked him over, sent him to the infirmary.”

Elijah stared at the crewman.

“He wasn’t dead, sir!”

Elijah ran, although he had no idea where he was going. He gripped his chest, ignoring the persistent pain that was still there. He swerved and dodged in between mourning survivors, looking for a member of Carpathia’s crew who could show him the way. Dominic was alive! He had survived, against all odds, and now Elijah wanted nothing other than to see him, and hold him, and tell him just how much he loved him.

A familiar voice halted Elijah in his tracks.

“Don’t you know who I am, man?”

Elijah spun on his heels and hid himself behind a large wooden crate. He peered around it cautiously, keeping out of Gerard’s sight.

“I’m not one of your steerage scum! I demand one of your staterooms. Now get me the captain.”

Elijah closed his eyes at the sound of the tyrant.

“And I want to know who is on this ship! I need to see a list of survivors!”

*

The second cabin dining room had been turned into a make shift hospital, and it was almost full to capacity. Dominic had been made as comfortable as possible, and had been sedated in an attempt to relieve his pain.

The doctor, as over stretched as he was, had tended Dominic’s arm to the best of his ability without the aid of an onboard surgeon. Once in New York, Dominic would have to be hospitalised.

Dominic drifted in and out of consciousness, and was totally unaware when someone sat by his side and took his hand. He heard is name – barely a whisper, Elijah was calling him, but he couldn’t swim. He couldn’t swim and the sea was claiming him. One last time, was all he wanted… to see his lover… one last time…

“Dom… Dom… Dominic…?”

Dominic opened his eyes and through the swirling mists he saw Elijah’s lovely face looking down at him.

“Elijah?”

“I’m here…” Elijah drew nearer. “I’m here, Dom.”

“My, God… Elijah? Is that you?”

“Yes…” Elijah couldn’t help smiling. “Yes, it is me. We made it, Dom. We’re safe.”

Dominic closed his eyes unable to fight back tears. “You saved me, Elijah… you saved my life.”

Elijah pressed Dominic’s hand against his mouth and kissed it. “You just rest, Dom,” he said. “You just rest, and get your strength back…”

Dominic nodded and swallowed hard. “Don’t leave me, Lijah…” he whispered.

“I’m not going anywhere. I love you.”

*

The Carpathia was one day away from New York, and it rained mercilessly, adding more misery and discomfort to those passengers crowded on board. Elijah spent most of his day in the hospital room by Dominic’s side. He had been tended to briefly himself, for the pain in his chest had not subsided.

“Torn muscles,” he told Dominic. “When I dived back into the sea.”

“To save me...” Dominic acknowledged as he squeezed Elijah’s hand. He was now propped up, his arm strapped firmly to his body, immobilising it, preventing anymore damage being done.

“I remember, Elijah. I was so cold and in so much pain that I couldn’t speak. But you held my head out of the water. I had no energy; none… all I wanted to do was sleep, and I’m sure I passed out. Then I felt someone trying to pull me into a lifeboat, but I couldn’t help them, then they let me go, and I went under.”

Dominic paused. “I can remember vividly going under, Lijah… and the water enveloping me… it felt peaceful; I thought that maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad way to die. Sinking down… all the way down…”

Elijah watched Dominic recall that fateful moment when he thought he had lost his lover to the sea, forever.

“Then I felt you grab me, Elijah. I knew it was you. It could only have been you. And as the darkness came to take me I found the strength to hold on that little bit longer, to not take in that fateful breath which would have been the death of me.”

Dominic looked down at their hands, and then rested his head back against the pillow. His eyes were wet when he looked at Elijah again. “Then I remember no more, Elijah… nothing.”

Elijah nodded gently and smiled, rubbing Dominic’s hand with his own. “I know, Dom… I know…”

A commotion drew Elijah’s attention to the far side of the dining room.

“Dom…” he whispered quickly. “Get down… under the blanket”

“Lijah…?”

“Now, Dom!” Elijah helped Dominic shuffle down the bed, and then drew the blanket over him, hiding him from view. Elijah sidled down onto the floor, and curled up as tightly as his pained muscles would allow him.

“The organisation on this ship is appalling.” Gerard confronted the exhausted doctor. “Why have you not collected all the names of those who survived the sinking? Tell me… how hard can that possibly be? My God, it’s a wonder your captain ever located us if he can’t organise something as simple as this.”

The doctor eyed Gerard with disdain. “You may not have noticed, sir, but many of the patients in here are sick and injured. The purser is organising a register, we have much to do here, but I assure you that by the time we dock in New York, we will have the name of all passengers taken onboard.”

Gerard’s face went red. His eyes swept the over the room taking in all the makeshift beds. He needed to know if either of those two whores had made it.

“Where is the purser?” he demanded. “This can’t wait another second.”

The doctor sighed, as loathsome as he was to help this buffoon standing in front of him, he offered his help. “Are you looking for anyone in particular? Maybe I can help you.”

Gerard’s eyes bulged as they swept the room again, and then he glared at the doctor. His face screwed in disgust as he spat the words. “The whore and his gutter rat!”

The doctor swallowed hard. “Right, that’s enough. I insist that you leave right now, sir. You are disturbing my patients.”

Gerard turned redder than ever, but the doctor did not flinch, instead he opened the dining room door, indicating that Gerard should leave at once.

Gerard stormed out, uttering obscenities under his breath. The doctor glanced momentarily over at Dominic and Elijah, and then resumed his duties.

Elijah drew the blanket away from Dominic’s face.

“He survived, Elijah? Gerard survived?”

Elijah nodded.

Dominic felt his world cave in once more.

*

Carpathia’s foghorn wailed continuously as the steamer steered cautiously towards New York with her precious freight of human souls. A semblance of calm had settled over the ship, as preparations for docking began.

The purser had finally arrived in the make shift hospital and began taking details of those passengers as yet not identified. The doctor was by his side, helping where possible.

A group of volunteer ladies had just left after distributing clothes. Elijah picked up the coarse garments that had been issued to Dominic.

“Not quite the first class gentleman anymore, Dom?”

Dominic smiled. “I think it’s the same for everyone Elijah. We’ll all look quite different on disembarkation.”

Elijah nodded. “First class looking like third class… we could easily be mistaken for steerage.”

Elijah suddenly sat bolt upright at this thought. Mistaken for steerage!

“My God, Dom. That’s it! Why didn’t I think of it before?”

“What, Elijah? What?”

Elijah glanced over his shoulder at the purser who was almost upon them.

“Our way out. Our chance to escape! We get off this ship this evening with new names. Gerard would think we went down with the ship.”

Dominic looked at Elijah, horrified at the thought. “But, Lijah… others know we were rescued. Gerard will find out eventually.”

“Yes, Dom, maybe he will. But it would only ever be a rumour.” Elijah gripped Dominic’s hand tightly. “And in any case, it will be too late for him to act upon when he returns to Belfast, because we will have new lives, Dom - in America. And we’ll be out of his.”

Dominic’s mind whirled. New lives?

“Lijah… I…I don’t know…” Dominic suddenly felt sick. “What… what about our families?”

“There’s nothing left for us in Belfast, Dom. You know that. He has made sure of that. To not exist anymore will benefit us as well as him, and tragically our families, too. We can do this, Dom. We can… we have to…” Then Elijah released Dominic’s hand, and put his finger to his lips as the purser and doctor approached.

“Well then, young man.” The purser looked at Elijah as he turned to a new page. “Name?”

Elijah didn’t hesitate. “Oliver. It’s Oliver Ward.”

The purser made a note. “Age and reason for entering the United States?”

Elijah looked at Dominic and saw his pained expression.

“I’m twenty-one,” Elijah continued to lie. “And I’m returning to my country, to look for work.”

“And you, sir.” The purser looked at Dominic with pen poised.

Dominic just stared at him but said nothing. Elijah chewed on his bottom lip, as the purser asked Dominic again.

“Name, sir?”

Dominic glanced at Elijah who looked at him, willing him to speak.

“My name is Nicholas.” Dominic lied. “Nicholas Brown. I’m twenty-seven, and I too was sailing to New York to look for work.”

The doctor raised his eyebrows at Dominic’s reply.

The purser nodded. “Very good,” then he moved on to the next patient.

The doctor hovered by Dominic and Elijah. “Gentlemen,” he said quietly. “White Star Line officials will be there, on the pier in New York, when Carpathia docks.”

They both looked at him… but he just nodded, before moving on to rejoin the purser.

*

The lights of New York burned brightly in the cool night air as the sirens of hundreds of tugs, steamers and yachts welcomed the arrival of Carpathia.

Despite the continuous rain, many of the passengers were already on deck, relieved to see land after their traumatic experience at sea. Those patients who could not walk were being organised and moved ready for transportation to hospital by a fleet of waiting ambulances.

Elijah helped Dominic dress. He was concerned that Dominic had spoken very little with regard to what now lie ahead of them. It was as if Dominic had given up.

The dining room come hospital had emptied; they were the last two inside. A crewmember stuck his head around the door. “Walking or stretcher?” he queried.

“Walking.” Elijah looked over his shoulder.

The crewmember nodded and then was gone.

“Dom…you’re worrying me.” Elijah ran his hand down the side of Dominic’s face. “We are going to be alright, you know. I won’t let anything happen to you, or us. Not ever again.”

“You’ve been so strong, Elijah,” Dominic finally spoke. “But I don’t think I am. We have nothing here, nothing.”

“No, Dom. That’s where you are wrong.”

Dominic nodded, and looked down; he knew what Elijah was about to say.

“You have me, and we have each other. Dominic?” Elijah lifted Dominic’s chin so he could look into his troubled eyes. “What else do we possibly need?”

“Oh, Lijah.” Their foreheads touched.

“I love you, Dom. And we can do this.” Elijah held Dominic’s face in his hands, and then kissed him on the mouth.

Dominic responded as he silently wept.

Elijah pulled back, and wiped away Dominic’s tears. “When we leave here, there’s no stopping… no ambulance and no hospital.”

Elijah shrugged on his coat. “We’ll have to deal with that later. The pier is going to be crawling with officials, so to have any chance, Dom… we’ll have to get away, right away from it all. Find somewhere to stay tonight.”

“We have no money, Elijah…” Dominic looked forlorn as Elijah helped him on with his coat.

“We do, we have enough for several weeks.” Elijah placed Dominic’s wallet in his hand.

Dominic looked at him in shock. “Elijah… how…?”

Elijah just smiled as he shrugged his shoulders, recalling the way he picked up Dominic’s wallet the very last time he visited his cabin.

“See, it’s not all bad, is it?”

“I really don’t know what I would ever do without you, my wonderful, Elijah.” Dominic placed the wallet back in Elijah’s hand and then cupped his chin. He kissed him tenderly.

Elijah smiled at the small uplift in Dominic’s heart. He took his hand and kissed it before slowly leading him through the abandoned beds to the exit. Once there, Elijah looked at Dominic again.

“Right… this is what we’ll do. In the morning we’ll catch a train.” Elijah fastened the buttons on Dominic’s coat, trying not to pull too hard over his injured arm. “Chicago, I thought. It’ll be far enough away from all this. And then, once there, we’ll get your arm treated, and I’ll find some sort of work. You know me Dom; I can put my hand to almost anything.”

Dominic nodded.

“So,” Elijah paused. “Are you ready? Ready to face this?”

“Yes… I’m ready…”

Elijah pushed the door open and they emerged into the pouring rain, joining the throng of passengers waiting to disembark.

They held hands as they crossed the gang plank, they pulled their caps down and collars up as they walked past Gerard standing there roaring at some poor official waving a copy of the survivors list in his hand.

They kept walking, ignoring every offer of help, every handout and every gesture of goodwill.

They kept walking, through the pouring rain, away, far away from the crowds.

They kept walking, leaving their old lives behind them.

They kept walking into an unknown future.

They kept walking…

Together… …


The End