In Exchange For a Heartbeat

Unmarried 31 year old Elizabeth Harlington is done with her past and ready for Titanic to take her to her future but when she bumps into the old familiar face of Thomas Andrews, feelings she thought long forgotten come rushing back and it seems her past just won't leave her alone. Will her heart cope or will it sink along with Titanic's cruel destiny?

Part 1

"Excuse me miss" Someone spoke as they brushed passed her, making their swift journey towards the Titanic.

Elizabeth moved slightly but could not tear her bright blue eyes away from the scene before her. She looked up at the ship in front of her, its sheer size and beauty taking her breath away as she shook her head in amazement "I'll be god damned" she whispered. It had been over the newspapers how magnificent she was and she didn't doubt it while she knew Thomas Andrews was helping building it but he had really out done himself this time.

The hustle and bustle of the crowds around her made her heart grow even more with excitement, each one of them like her looking for a new future. Indeed she loved England despite its long rainy days and soot filled air, it was her home, where she had grown up and enjoyed fond memories. But with fond memories also came the bad ones, the most heart-breaking ones and for that reason she could not stay.

Here she was 31 years of age and still unmarried, to most and herself she was still very young but to others like the gossiping mothers and first class women she was the gossip and scandal of them all. She couldn't understand why, she was merely unmarried where as others of her class were committing adultery sins, affairs and gambling their fortunes away. Yet at least once a day as she mingled with the other women she would hear her name and the hurtful words of disappointment and a waste along with even worse rumours which she'd rather forget drift along the room in which she would be sitting.

The words of her maid snapped her out of her reverie "Merciful mother of god" the brown haired woman said as she stood next to her.

Elizabeth chuckled, her maids words so similar to the ones she had spoken just moments before "It seems both our tongues are not restrained today Cathleen" she chuckled as she looked back at the Titanic.

"And rightly so mam, would ye look at te size of that thing" she spoke aghast, her rich Irish accent rolling sweetly off her tongue.

Elizabeth smiled oh how she loved the Irish accent, it made her heart flutter and reminded her of Th… no. She shook her head, she couldn't think about that, not him, not now. All that nonsense was long forgotten and buried and there it would firmly stay. She may be un married, people stating that was immature having her head in the clouds to marry for nothing but love, but she was wise beyond her years when it came to heart break as Cathleen her best friend could clearly state.

Looking at Elizabeth's hopeful eyes Cathleen smiled. She had come under the service of the Harlington family 13 years ago when Elizabeth was eighteen and herself twenty and despite its inappropriateness and frowned upon nature Elizabeth had immediately befriended her. Elizabeth was not like the other women of her class, most of them cared about their status and who or what was the daily gossip but not Elizabeth. Elizabeth would gladly talk to anyone regardless of their position or upbringing; she was kind and considerate and though her temper was not one to be tampered with Cathleen knew she had a heart of gold.

It was that that made her hear heart break though. Elizabeth was truly a woman of kindness, grace and beauty, so much so that women whispered that she had been blessed by the gods. Man after man would court her and bring her flowers often ending with a proposal and ensured money and high position from then on out, but Elizabeth refused every one, walking away with a kind word of decline and the men usually staring in shock at the back of her long dark curly hair as she retreated. When she was just nineteen Elizabeth had said she would marry no one unless she truly loved them, people had thought it was ridiculous and Cathleen herself thought it impossible but that same year the very man whose mind built this magnificent contraption before them stole her heart. Thomas Andrews.

Elizabeth had let them travel to Ireland to visit Cathleen's family where she met Thomas. He had been kind and most certainly handsome and within the three weeks they stayed both had captured each other's hearts completely. The three weeks soon ended and Elizabeth and herself left but they kept in touch, writing letters nearly every day. Her mother, father and sister knew not of Elizabeth's love until at least a year later when he travelled to England to build a ship. Thomas was not a poor man back then but he was not rich either and her mother and father forbid her from seeing him ever again.

Elizabeth couldn't understand it when all of them knew that Thomas would soon come into good fortune and would be able to support her… Cathleen closed her eyes remembering the fateful day her father had told her the truth. It seemed that it was not only the Harlington's that knew of Thomas's promising future but most of London as well, for the man that Thomas was building the ship for had already promised his daughter to him.

Elizabeth had been shocked to the bone retreating to her room for nearly four days straight after Thomas himself confirmed it. Cathleen had never seen a person go through so much pain even when a member of family had died. She had cried out that she had been foolish that she had taken his gazes the wrong way but Cathleen knew better though. He had loved her whether Elizabeth denied it or not. Throughout the years Thomas and Elizabeth had somehow stayed friends and Elizabeth through pained eyes watched him marry and bare children with his wife Helen Andrews.

But it was Cathleen who saw the very blunt truth. Thomas a true and kind man loved Elizabeth still, no matter how much he claimed he loved his wife Cathleen could see deep down behind the shadows of his eyes the love that was still aflame for her best friend. Thomas was not a cruel man he was far from, he was very much like Elizabeth, kind caring, it just seemed that he had been roped into a marriage unwanted.

And that, that was the reason why Elizabeth thought it best to move to America to start anew. England held memories of great pain but most of all it held the man she was not allowed to love but did so profusely.

Elizabeth knew that Thomas had built the ship that would take her to her new home but had heard rumour that he was not coming on the ship and that pleased her truly. She didn't think she could bare it if he was on board, even a week at most would be too painful.

She breathed in, the salty ocean air filling her nose as she tried to close off all feeling and memory of the man.

"Elizabeth, Elizabeth!" a name called out.

Turning she smiled as she saw her older sister running towards her.

She laughed as she saw her pushing her way through the crowds, her mother and father trailing after her "I didn't think I would ever see the day when you ran somewhere!" she called as her sister finally reached her, her arms flying around her.

"Oh trust me Elizabeth for you I would run anywhere" her sister said as she hugged her tightly.

"I will miss you so much Alexandra. You take care of yourself and the children and I'm sure Edward will take care of you all too" she said as tears threatened her eyes.

"And I you will miss you too"

Her mother who watched with emotional eyes called out "Don't you two start crying or you will have me in floods too" she said as she went to hug Elizabeth next "Write to us every day, tell us everything and maybe one day we will come visit you" she said tears streaming down her face despite her persisting earlier that she wouldn't.

Elizabeth laughed "That would be nice and I will" she replied before her father, tall and completely grey by now walked towards her.

He enveloped her fully and she clung to him tightly as she had done with her sister and mother.

"We are so very proud of you" he whispered in her ear.

Elizabeth smiled "Despite everything?" she asked quietly.

He nodded still holding her tight "Despite everything" he confirmed "You are our beautiful daughter and we love you so very much" he said before letting go. He looked to Cathleen and smiled "You take care of her now"

Cathleen smiled "I will sir"

"Phillip is just making sure your bags are on board" her mother told them and Elizabeth smiled at the way Cathleen's face lit up at the mention of her lover.

They were not married yet but Elizabeth had a sneaking suspicion that her butler Phillip would soon be down on one knee in front of her dear friend.

Just then Phillip came into sight, indicating it was truly time to leave. Once again Elizabeth hugged everyone good bye and Cathleen and Phillip bid their farewells to her family before they started boarding the ship.

Alexandra watched her sister disappear onto the magnificent boat hoping her new future would be bright but just as she did she felt her mother's hand grip tightly onto her arm. She turned and looked at her pale face "Mother? What's wrong, are you all right?" she rushed worriedly.

Her mother shook her head

"What is it?" her father spoke, he too worried.

"Look" she whispered pointing towards where all the first class passenger were boarding. Alexandra and her father followed her mother's gaze and it was then that they understood what had her so stunned.

The Harlington's were not stupid, they knew of their daughters predicament and the reason why felt she had to leave so to see the reason why she was leaving boarding the Titanic too sent them all into complete shock.

"What are we going to do? What's she going to do?" Alexandra spoke quickly.

Her father shook his head "There is nothing we can do. She will be fine, she's a grown woman and very strong, she will be fine" he spoke, his voice firm and authorative.

"But she…"

"She will be fine" her mother's shaky voice supported.

-TITANIC-

Unlike most of the people on board the ship Elizabeth did not wave goodbye. Yes she loved her family and would miss them dearly but it would hurt too much to see them disappearing as they left the dock. As they boarded Elizabeth offered to help unpack but Cathleen declined and assured her that she and Phillip could manage it on their own.

Elizabeth did not persist as she guessed that she and Phillip would probably appreciate some alone time. So instead, as she waited for everyone to board and the boat to leave the dock, she decided to explore her home for the next week or so.

She shook her head in amazement as she looked around, it was truly magnificent, everyone called it the ship of dreams and they were certainly correct, it seemed like anything on this ship could come true. She unpinned her hat from her hair and took off her gloves as she poked her head inside the various rooms. They were all beautiful and though he was not here she silently praised Thomas.

Stepping inside one of the rooms that was laid with new cutlery and china cups, everything. She assumed it was where they were to eat lunch. She touched one of the cups, the perfect white china smooth under her fingertips before looking around the beautiful room again. Each widow that lead into the corridor or out side was beautiful designed, each one looking like an arch way you could almost walk through and the fresh clean paint making it seem bright and pure.

"Oh Thomas how you have outdone yourself" she whispered to herself.

"I thought it was you but I didn't want to believe it" a subtle Irish voice came from behind her. She immediately stiffened and her heart jumped then speeding up and catching in her throat and… oh so many other emotions taking over her.

She turned around coming face to face with the one man she had been trying so hard to escape "Thomas" she said in shock.

He smiled back as he leant against the door frame, a small black book in his hand "What are you doing here Elizabeth?" he said confused yet the smile she adored never leaving his face.

"I" she didn't know where to look and stuttered "I, well. Me? What of you Thomas Andrews? I was under the impression, I mean I heard that, I, you. I thought you weren't boarding the Titanic?" she finally got out.

Thomas laughed and finally walked over to her, the yellow and white dress she wore flattering her completely. Oh how beautiful she was, it was like she hadn't aged a bit, only wisdom gracing her beautiful eyes "Well I wasn't going to come seeing as Helen didn't want to but she finally encouraged me to come. And as its Titanic's maiden voyage, I will be recording her every move" he said lifting the black book he had in his hand "Now what about you?" he replied.

Elizabeth looked down at the floor for a moment figuring out what to say. She couldn't very well tell him she was leaving England because of him "I'm leaving. I thought I could do with a change" she said simply looking back up at him "I'm going to stay with my Grandmother, she went across to New York a few months ago and told me how wonderful it is"

He nodded his head, the moment becoming almost awkward between them "The weather of England becoming too tedious?" he quipped.

Despite herself Elizabeth smiled "You could say that" she replied before looking back around the room in awe "You truly have outdone yourself Thomas, she is magnificent" she said not daring to meet his eyes.

"Thank you Elizabeth" he said "From you that means a lot" he replied making Elizabeth look back at him quickly.

She swallowed as she looked at him, the deep brown of his irises engulfing her. Not even in his presence five minutes and her stomach was already filled with butterflies. Tearing her gaze from his she pulled out a chair needing desperately to sit.

"Are you alright?" he asked in concern.

She waved him off "I'm fine, just a little warm"

He nodded and took a seat next to her.

"How is Helen?" she asked politely even though in actual fact she couldn't give two hoots about the sickly sweet blonde woman.

He smiled "She is well thank you"

"And Elizabeth?" she asked, hoping that his 5 year old daughter was well, though she had a dislike for the girl's mother she would never wish any ill health on Elizabeth, she was Thomas's flesh and blood and quite the sweetest girl she had ever met if she was honest. Plus they shared the same name, it bemused her that they did and held hope that maybe she meant more to Thomas than she thought.

"She is well too, though i do admit she was begging me not to go this morning" he replied once again with a laugh.

Elizabeth laughed lightly "Well if this ship is anything to go by you will be back home in no time" she said touching his hand which lay on the table but then immediately regretting it. She quickly withdrew her hand as if she had been electrocuted. If she was honest his touch was almost akin to that except it was not pain that filled her body it was pleasure and complete longing. Longing for something she could not have.

She shook her thought's away before looking back at him "If you will excuse me Thomas I will let you get back to… well whatever it was that you were doing and forgive me for prying, I was just admiring your brilliant work" she said smiling as she stood.

Thomas stood as well, noticing the thick tension in the air "There is nothing to forgive Elizabeth and it's a pleasure seeing you again" he said taking her hand and kissing it.

Without her glove on Elizabeth felt the sensation of his lips all the way to her bones and had to bite her lips to stop the intake of breath as a consequence of his polite actions.

Slowly with drawing her hand she smiled "Good day Mr Andrews" she said softly.

Nodding his head he replied "And you Miss Harlington"

Elizabeth looked at him again before turning away to make her way out of the room.

"Miss Harlington, wait, please" he called before walking the short distance to her.

Elizabeth breathed in and turned hoping to god that she didn't disgrace herself and throw her arms around him "Yes?" she answered as she looked as his nervous stature.

"Would you please join me tonight for dinner? I'm eating with the Bukater's, Mr Ismay, the Captain and a few others, I'm not completely sure how the conversation and company will be so I would appreciate if you would join me as I know your conversation is most delightful and may save me from boredom tonight" he said his teasing and charming self shining through.

Elizabeth laughed and looked at him, enjoying his company far too much already. She knew she should not accept but what would one night do? She could hardly avoid him for the whole journey, that would be entirely impossible and if she admitted, rude "Of course, I would be delighted to join you, though if the conversation goes as you think it will I will hold you entirely responsible for my boredom as well Mr Andrews. And now I will bid you a good day. Good day Mr Andrews" she said laughing lightly.

"Good day to you too Miss Harlington" he said smiling from ear to ear as he watched her walk down the corridor to find her room.

Authors note: So what do you think? Good? Bad? God damn awful? Please tell us what you think and if you would like us to continue. I don't know why but at the moment I've gone a bit Titanic crazy and all these ideas started popping into my head! Anyway moving on, I know that Elizabeth Andrews Thomas daughter was only two at the time but this is Fiction! So I decided to change it a little to go with my story! Please please review I always love to hear what you think and any constructive criticism is welcome or corrections as I'm trying to get this close to near fact on parts as possible :D Thank you! :D