Title: Titanic
By: Rhardin
Characters: Greg, Nick, other
Genres: AU
Rating: G
Warnings: WiP
Note: Beta'd by the one and only Csi Nikki.
Summary: Nick tells the story about the ship that changed his life forever.

***

Nick took a sip of his lemonade and sat it on the table. He took in a deep breath. The breeze blew in off of the lake making it almost cold. He reached for the blanket on the back of his chair and placed it over his lap. He leaned back and closed his eyes. April was always a hard month for him. It was a painful month full of memories. Things he'd locked away for years and years. Things he forced himself to forget. Things he never thought about while Bobby was alive and with him. It was easy to forget them with Bobby around. But with the lose of life long lover, it just opened the gate and let at all back. It didn't help that Bobby passed away that very same day two years ago today. The same day his life changed forever. The day he was set free from the hell he was trapped in.

He heard the car pull up. Watching him up from the light sleep he was in. He know who it was. He know why she was here. She'd always came around but even more so since Bobby's death. He welcomed the company, hoping it would help him forget what day it was. He leaned back a bit more hearing the footsteps of a running child.

"See mama I told you we took too long. Grandpa is asleep!" Connor said as he walked out on the back porch.

"I'm not asleep." Nick said opening his eyes. He looked up and smiled seeing them in front of him.

"Hi Grandpa, sorry I'm late." Nina said sating next to him.

"You are always late." Nick said reaching out to hug her. She wrapped her arms him and placed a kiss on his check.

"My turn, my turn!" Connor said jumping on Nick's lap.

"Take it easy Connor." she said as the small boy wrapped his arms around Nick and squeezed him as tight as he could. Nick returned the squeeze back. Glad to think of something else.

"I won't hurt him," he said. "So grandpa are you going to tell me a story?" he asked.

"You always want me to tell you a story." Nick said adjusting the small boy on his lap.

"You tell the best stories grandpa cause you are the oldest man I know." the boy said.

Nick smiled and picked up his glass. He finished it and set it down on the table.

"Let me get you some more grandpa." Nina said taking his empty cup.

"Thanks," Nick said watching her walk inside. "So Connor what story would you like me to tell you today?" he asked taking the small boy's hand.

" I want to hear about the Titanic. We learned about the Titanic at school today." He said seeming proud that he know such a weird word.

Nick stopped and looked at the small boy. His eyes widen. "The what?" he said not believing the young boy asked him about that ship. Today of all days.

"Do you know about the Titanic? Today is the day it sink over 75 years ago." he asked bouncing up and down. Nick placed his hand on him to stop the movement.

"Yeah I do." Nick said running his hands thought his hair. It was once black but now been replaced with silver.

"It was a sad story. I can't believe it happened like that." Connor said. "Where you alive back then?"

"Yeah I was." Nick said trying to fight off the memories.


"Did you see it?" he asked.

"Connor don't bother your Grandpa. He looks tired." Nina said setting a few glasses down on the table. She handed Connor a cup. She gave him a worried look.

"I'm fine honey." Nick said closing his eyes just for a second.

"You know what's funny Grandpa. Mommy was to do a report on the Titanic and I learned about it so I helped her with her class."

"Oh really well that was very nice of you." Nick said. "You are suck a good boy."

"Grandpa you were alive back then, weren't you?" Nina asked.

Nick let out a deep breath. He closed his eyes and turned away from them. Alive back then. God that made him sound so old. He didn't answer. He just looked down at his ground. Forgetting how much Nina worried and fussed over him.

"Is something wrong Grandpa?" She asked. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine honey, I'm sorry. Yeah I was alive at the that time. I was 17 when the Titanic set sail for the first time." he said. "I was on her."

"You were on that ship" Connor said jumping up. "God I didn't know you where that old Grandpa."

Nick nodded and smiled. "I am old Connor. 107 years old in fact."

The small boys eyes widen. "That is old grandma"

"What you never told me..." Nina said looking confused.

"I never told anyone about it. Not even Bobby." Nick said lifting the small boy up. He placed him on the ground. He stood up and walked over to the edge of the garden. The wind started to blowing even harder. Nick wiped his face a few times and again looked down. A chill ran down him as he looked out over the water. He pulled his arms close to him.

"Honey we better not bother grandpa." Nina said sensing this was not going to be an easy story for him to tell.

"No he wanted to hear a story so I will tell you a story" Nick said walking back over to the table. He picked up his drink and took a sip. He sat it down and picked up the blanket.

"Grandpa you don't have to." Nina said.

"No It's ok. It could help you with your report." He said sitting down. He wrapped it around him and sat his glass down.

"We could go inside." she said fearing he was getting to cold. She started to stand up.

"No I'm fine. I enjoy the breeze off the water. I'll let you know if I get to cold." Nick said. Connor walked over to his mother and climbed up on her lap. She wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close.

Nick again closed his eyes. It' been a long time since he let himself think about that night.... the day he stepped onto the ship.

"I was riding with my family and the women I was suppose to marry." Nick said.

"Grandpa you were going to marry a women?" Nina said.

Nick nodded. "I was. I didn't have much of a choice. My father died when I was 14 and left us nothing but debt. I had 2 sisters and my mother to look after now. She was from a very rich family. And I had a strong family name." he said.

"So tell me the story grandpa. Tell me about the ship." Conner said resting his head on his mother.

Nick nodded. "It's been over 75 years," Nick said.

"Just tell us what you can remember Grandpa" Nina said picking up her drink.

"Do you want to hear this or not my dear" Nick said looking over at them.

"Yes, I'm sorry" she said smiling at him.


" It's been 75 years. And I can still remember the smell of the fresh paint. The sheets had never been slept on, the china had never been eaten off of. Titanic was her name. They called her the ship of dreams and she was, she really was.

75 years ago.

Nick stepped out of the car and looked up. He picked up his jacket and slid it on. The rest of the two familys stepped out of the car and also gazed at the huge shit.

"I don't see what the big deal is. She doesn't' look any bigger the Cleopatra." Nick said looking the ship over.

"Are you kidding me? She's over 100 feet longer and twice as fast. Julian your son is far to hard to impress." Gary said reaching out for his daughter's hand.

"I know he is." she said watching him. Everyone seemed to think Nick was happy. He was looking forward to the new life he was about to start. One that would keep the family safe and wealthy. He hid this pain well. But not from her. It was something only a mother could pick up on. It broke her heart to force Nick to marry someone he didn't love. But there was no other way. The money was gone and there were bills to be paid. A good name could only last you so long. She knew time was running out. When Gary came to her and told her that Jessica was interested in Nick, it was like a dream come true. A way to save the family. To keep her from having to go to work. She looked away as Jessica spoke.

"Nick don't start." she said walking over to him. "We don't know want to start the trip off this way do we."

"I'm just saying. She doesn't seem that much bigger." he said as she handed him her bag. She rolled her eyes and walked in front of the group.

"I have a lot of training to do" she whispered to her mother.

She smiled at the huge ship. She put her hands together. "Look at her. So this is the ship they say is unsinkable." she said.

"God himself couldn't sink this ship." Gary said raising his voice at the end. A young worker was pulling on his jacket.

"Sir, sir?" a young man interrupted.

"What is it?" Gary yelled.

"You have to check you bags in over there. Not this side." he said.

"I put my faith in you good sir." Gary said putting a few crumpled bills in the mans hands. "Now kindly see my man over there." he said pushing the boy towards a older man.

Nick glanced over at his mother. She smiled at him and he forced a smile back.

"Are we ready?" Gary asked taking his wife and daughter arms.

Nick walked over to his mother. He took her arm and lead her up the ramp to the ship. They walked onto the ship.

"See my boy, now this is a ship." Gary said leading the group to their room.

"You have from 21, 22 ,23. Each of your rooms has a private deck and a servant to help you with all your needs." one of the crew said as they pushed the bags into the room.

"Well Nick you can't share a room with my daughter yet," Gary said. "So I guess she'll have to share a room with your mother."

"Daddy please don't be a stick in the mud." Jessica said rolling her eyes.

"Not until you are married. So Nick you are a lucky boy getting a whole room to yourself. I know you will be trusted."

"Yes sir. I will." Nick said looking over at Jessica. She smiled at him.

Jessica walked over to Nick and put her arms around him. "Only the best of the best for us my love." she said kissing him.

Nick smiled as she pulled away.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"Yeah I'm just a bit nervous. I'm not a fan of ships." Nick said.

"Well you have nothing to worry about. In a few weeks we will be home getting ready for our marriage. I can't wait. It's going to be wonderful. Daddy is letting us get everything we want." she said.

"˜We' Nick thought. He smiled as she walked away.

"Well we can't go do dinner like this." she said. "We must go change. I packed everything you need. Please wear the brown suit tonight. That way you match what I'm wearing." she said. "We have to make a good first impression." she said kissing him. "I'll see you one hour." She turned and walked over to Julian and put her arm in hers. Nick watched as his mother headed to the room with her.

"Cheer up my boy." Amber said placing her hand on Nick. She too seemed to pick up on Nick's unhappiness.

"I'm fine Miss Ginger." Nick said smiling a fake smile once again. He better get this act together if he was going to pull this off. If she was picking up on things, it wouldn't take Jessica long.

"Nick you are almost my son in law. You do not have to call me Miss Ginger. It makes me feel so old. Just call me Amber." she said walking over to Gary.

"He could just call you mother." he said taking her hand.

"Amber is fine. He has a mother dear." she said glancing over at Nick.

"Well you could call me father if you like. Since your father is dead." he smiled at Nick as if nothing was wrong with what he just said. Nick smile became even more forced.

"Gary.... lets go get dressed." she said pulling him forward.

"Very well." he said walking out of the room.

Nick closed his eyes and put his hands over his face. He reached into his pocket and removed a pack of cigarettes. Now that they where all gone he could smoke. He walked outside on the deck and lit it. He walked over to the rail and looked down. He watched the waves hit the side of the ship, make a huge white crest and disappear. He looked down at his watch. It was about twenty "˜till noon. That is when the ship was suppose to set sail. He took a puff of his cigarette and leaned on the rail.

"Can I get you anything sir?" a young worker asked pointing the cart he just pushed out.

Nick stopped and looked at him over his shoulder. He shook his head to clear all the thoughts and he turned. "No I'm good." he said and still looking at the young man in front of him. "My name is Nick. Not sir." He hated being called sir. The young man couldn't be much younger them he was. There was no need to call him that.

"I am suppose to call you sir." the young man said brushing his bangs out of his eyes.

"You are to do what I ask, right?" Nick said walking towards him. He stopped a few feet in front of him and looked him over. He was tall and very thin. He uniform hang on his body. Nick wondered why he didn't get one that fit him a bit better. He couldn't help but notice his eyes. Big brown eyes, long lashes. It was almost like you could see into him. They were filled of life, happiness. Everything he was filling, Almost like a gateway into his soul.

"Yes sir." he said stepping back. He pushed his hands into his pocket. He rested his foot on the bottom tray of the cart.

"Then I order you to call me Nick and nothing else." Nick said.

The young man smiled. "Very well Nick." he said as the horn on the ship blew. Both men jumped at the sound.

"We should go inside. We are getting ready to set sail." he said pushing the cart inside. It was filled with all the dishes you would need to have tea. Nick followed the young man in.

"So will you be here the whole time?" Nick asked.

They young man nodded. "Yeah. From sun up to sun down." he said. They both shifted their weight as the ship came to life.

"What is your name?" Nick asked.

"Greg." he said smiling.

"Nice to meet you Greg." Nick said shaking his hand.

***

"Greg?" Nina wondered. "Who is Greg?"

Nick smiled. "I'm getting there, do you want to hear the story or not?" he asked.

"Yeah I'm sorry." she said smiling.


"Is Grandpa Bobby in this story?" Connor asked.

"No honey I didn't meet him on the ship. This story is about someone you've never met." Nick said.

"Oh go on then, Grandpa." he said.

Nick's smile faded as his mind went slowly back to his old memories.

"As the ship took off Greg left the room to go to some start off meeting or something." Nick said. He closed his eyes again.

___________________

Nick put on his jacket and looked in the mirror. He had to look prefect or she would be upset.

"Oh, this one really suits you, honey. You look like a real gentleman." Julian said walking over to him.

"Well, she has picked it out. For me, specially." Nick said running his hand through his hair a few times.

Julian smelled something in the air and then turned to Nick with a look of disgust, which she was trying to hide though. "Nick, don't tell me you have been smoking again?" she asked.

"Mom, I need to do something, for God's sake." Nick said.

Julian looked over at him, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I wish there was another way."

"Mom, I don't want to talk about this right now. I know what I must do. And I'm trying the best I can." he went on. Then he took another cigarette from a pack in his pocket and lit it.

"Nicky I know this is unfair to you but it's a good match with Jessica. It will insure our survival." she said with a calm face again, no evidences of her previous weakness.

"What if I don't want this?" Nick said walking over to the window. "Have you even thought about the possibility that I don't love her?"

"Nick, stop being selfish." Julian said. "Do you want to go back to working hard in a mill? Do you want your sister becoming a seamstress again?" she said covering her mouth and looking away from her son.

" I'm being selfish?! How can you put this on my shoulders? This isn't fair!" Nick said choking with anger.

"I know it's not but life isn't fair. Not to us." she said walking over to him. She put her hand on his back but Nick turned and walked to the door. He tossed the cigarette in the trash as he passed it.

A young girl with a wide shining smile entered the room and hurried to Nick. "Here you are! I was just about to send someone to get you." Jessica said pulling him close. Then she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"Have you been smoking?" she frowned.

Nick looked away.

"You know I don't like that, Nick?" she said.

"He knows." Gary glanced at him holding out his hand

Nick reached into his pocket, take out the pack and handed it to Gary.

"I swear Nick, sometimes I wonder about you." Jessica said as they entered the full dinning room.

"Take my hand honey." she looked up to Nick and searched for his hand. As they went on walking , now hand in hand, by the tables full of food and eating people, she moved much closer to him.

"Don't we look so nice together?" she giggled.

"You are so beautiful my dear." Gary said admiring her.

"Where is mother?" Jessica asked rubbing on Nick's arms.

"She's a bit under the weather. Sea sick I think You know, she does not like ships much.." he said following them to a table. Nick pulled the chair out for Jessica to sit down.

"Hello may I take you order?" a waiter asked politely.

"We will all have the lamb, rare with very little sauce." Gary said "You like lamb, Nick, don't you?"

Nick just nodded and looked down. "I need to get some fresh air." he mumbled.

"Oh no not you too!" Gary said.


Nick stood up from the table and walked out onto the deck. He looked around, then walked over to the rail and rested his arms on it.

----
"So I see you are working the high class rooms this time."

"Yeah would you believe it? There is only one guy in the room as far as I can tell." Greg said taking the cigarette from the man he was talking to. "In fact that's him over there." he closed his folder and pointed up.

"He doesn't look very happy, does he? Anyway, I'm Warrick. Warrick Brown." the man said holding out his hand.

"Greg Sanders." he said looking up at Nick. "No he doesn't." Greg added.

"So what's in your book?" Warrick asked.

"My drawings." Greg said shyly and opened it. Warrick sat down next to him and looked over a few shots. "Wow you are really good." he said.

"Hmm well..." Greg said still watching Nick.

"I wouldn't waste my breath on him., you might as well have angels fly out of your ass than get with the likes of him." Warrick said.

Greg only nodded and took the smoke back from Warrick. He took a puff of it and tossed it over the rail.

"Oh man, sorry, he's got a girl, see?" Warrick said as someone came out and walked over to Nick .
----
"Nick what are you doing here? Everyone is talking about you. You should go back inside with me." she said taking his arm.

Nick sighed and turned to face her. Then he took her hand and they walked inside together.

"I was starting to wonder if you were going to stay out there for the whole dinner." Gary said jokingly as Nick joined them. He again pulled out the chair for Jessica and she sat down. Nick sat next to her.

"Wine sir?"

"Yes please." Nick said holding up his glass. He watched as the waiter filled it up with the red wine, took a long drink from it and sat the glass down.

"So Nick, may I introduce you Gil and Catherine?" Gary said. "Gil designed the ship for him. This is Conrad." he added pointing to the other man.

"Nice to meet you." Nick said taking another drink. "So the ship was your ideal."

"Yes I wanted to make a steamer so grand and wonderful that she would make headlines" Conrad said smiling.

Nick nodded and glanced out the window. The rest of the time he was half listening as the group talked with each other. They all seemed to be trying to top each others' stories, such as "well you did this but I did that".

It wasn't any wonder that Nick's head was hurting by the end of the night.

"So Nick will you be joining us for a smoke and a brandy?" Conrad asked.

"No, I'm not feeling good." Nick said placing his hand on his stomach.

"Well you should stay with my wife." Gary said. "I'll have to toughen you up if you want to last in this family." he said standing. "Well ladies it
has been a great pleasure." he said and walk away to the smoking room. Nick stood up and walked outside.

"Sir this deck is closing." A worker said. "But you can go down to the second class for a nice view. If you feel like slumming it."

"Oh I'm sorry." Nick said walking back inside. He walked through the dinning room again and glanced around. Most of the men were giving their wives some kind of fair well and were heading off to the smoking room. All wearing tuxes and suits. The ladies in their finest dresses as well. It was just dinner but they acted like it was a huge party. It always was. Nothing could be easy or simple. Nick opened the gate and walked down the steps.

"Sir you are leaving first class," a worker informed him.

"I know." Nick said and went on walking down the steps. Then he walked to the other set of steps to down them as well.

"Sir I'm sure you don't want to go over there. That is only for the 3 rd class. You do not belong down here." one of the officers said.

"I know I'll be right back. Just want to see the back of the ship." Nick said and headed there. As he stood at the back he walked over to the rail and placed his hands over it. He turned and looked back up at the ship. Then he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. After a while he lifted and pulled himself over the rail. Then stepped down and slowly turned around. He closed his eyes and held out his arms to feel the freedom of the sea.

"Don't do it." Greg said suddenly appearing at the rail.

"What are you doing here?" Nick said. "Leave me alone." he went on looking away.

"I can't do that, I'm too involved now." Greg said while taking his coat off.

"What are you doing?" Nick asked again the same question. " The fall alone will kill you."

" I'm a good swimmer. It will hurt but that's not what I'm worried about." Greg said. "I'm more worried about that water being so cold."

Nick stopped and looked over at him. "Cold...How cold?" he asked.

"Freezing or just above" Greg said. He pulled off his shoes. "That's why I'm not looking forward to jumping in after you. You jump, I jump." Greg informed Nick as a matter of a fact and walked closer to him. "So I was hoping you'd let me off the hook here and come back over."

Nick closed his eyes and didn't move.

"Please Nick you don't want to do this." Greg said. He held his hand out for Nick to take it. Nick did it and slowly turned around and faced Greg.

Greg grinned. "Good." he said as Nick lifted himself up. But suddenly his shoe slipped on the bar and he fell down. Greg tightened his grip.

"Shit." Nick yelled out.

"Nick I've got you. Just hold on." Greg said lowing his other arm to him. Finally he took Nick's hand and pulled him up. Nick put his foot back on the bar but slipped again.
He screamed as Greg pulled even harder.

"Nick I'm not going to let you fall. Now pull yourself up." Greg instructed Nick and he climbed up the rail doing his best not to slip again. Greg helped him up over the rail and they both fell to the ground. Greg raised himself up over Nick.

"What is going on here?" A guard said. "Get off him!" he yelled pulling Greg up. Nick was shaking all over. He placed his hand on his face as the guard turned Greg around and cuffed him.

"What the hell where you doing to sick fuck!" Gary yelled. "Look at me you filth! What made you think you could put your hand on the other man like that?"

"Gary wait, he didn't do anything wrong." Nick said standing up.

"Nick what are you talking about?"

"It wasn't like you think. I fell and almost went over the rail," Nick said walking over to them.

Gary looked at Nick.

"You slipped, how did it happen?" Gary asked a bit surprised at what Nick said.

"It was stupid really. I was reading a magazine I had found and I accidentally dropped it on the edge" Nick said nervously running his hands through his hair. "I leaned over to get it and I slipped. I would have gone over board if Greg hadn't been here." Nick said.

"So you're a hero?" Gil said smiling. "Good, now we can go back to our brandy."

"Is that how it happened?" The guard asked.

Nick looked at Greg pleading with him.

"Yeah that was pretty much it." he said as Jessica rushed over to Nick.

"Maybe you should give the boy something for his troubles." Gil said.

"Yes I think so." Gary smiled. "I think a 20 will do it. Luckyjoy take care of it."

"Is 20 dollars going rate for saving the man I love?" Jessica said pulling Nick to herself as close as she could.

"Oh my Jessica is displeased. What to do? I think I have a nice idea. Greg, why don't you join us for a dinner tomorrow night and share the wonders of your tale?" Gary said.

"I'd love to." Greg said picking up his jacket.

"Good, dinner is at 7. This is going to be interesting." he added as they walked away to get another brandy.

Nick turned and looked at Greg.

"Nick come on let's get you inside." Jessica said. "I can't believe you were so stupid." she went on saying while shaking her head.

"Hey Luckjoy, can I bum a smoke?" Greg asked.

"You'll want to tie those." Nick said as he took out his pack. Greg took one and slid out another one and put it behind his ear.

"It's funny that Nick slipped so suddenly yet you had time to take off your jacket and your boots." he said looking over Greg.

"Yeah funny isn't it?" Greg said bending down to tie his shoes.

"See you at dinner." Nick said.

"Can't wait." Greg said standing up. Then he turned away and made his way back to his room.
----
Nick sat down on his bed and covered his face with his shaking hands.

"Nick can I talk to you?" Gary asked.

"I'm fine." Nick said.

"Good, just be careful next time. You can buy another magazine anywhere. But that's not what I've wanted to talk about. I wanted to give you this." He said handing Nick a small box.

"Oh Gary you shouldn't have." Nick said forcing a smile.

"It's not for you. It's for you to give to Jessica." He said opening the box.

"Wow it's huge." Nick said staring down at the necklace. It was blue stone in the shape of a heart. "Is it the..."

"Yes the Heart of the ocean. Only the best for my little girl, you know. Nick we are royalty. It's time for you to start acting like it." he said standing up. "So give it to her as your wedding gift." he added walking out of the room.

Nick shut the box and stood up. He walked out onto his deck and walked over to the rail.

"I should have jumped." he sighed covering his face.

***