This is my first crossover story. It involves Cecilia, Robbie and the rest of the characters of Atonement aboard Titanic. Titanic and Atonement are two of my favorite stories/movies of all time, so this story was always at the back of my mind to write.
The Atonement section is based on the MOVIE, not the book. Also, some details of Titanic will be changed to incorporate the Atonement story in. For example, Fabrizio doesn't exist in this story (sorry!)
I'm not so sure that I like the way I wrote this story. While re-reading it, I imagined it much different. Anyways, I hope YOU guys like it, and please, I love feedback!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Titanic, or Atonement. Psht…I wish.
xox
Briony Tallis stared in awe at the giant ship that was docked right before her. Her family was taking a trip to America. Briony wasn't exactly sure why, but she was exited. She had heard all the talk about the records this ship would make and how luxurious everything was. Briony couldn't stop talking about it for weeks, and the day finally came to board. She had never been to America before, but her elder siblings have. This would be her first time.
"Cee! Look!" Briony gasped, sticking her hand out the window to point. Their car had just passed the stern where white letters spelled "Titanic Liverpool."
Cecilia looked up from her book and simply nodded. To anyone else, Cecilia Tallis wouldn't have looked moved, but Briony knew better. Briony was the youngest of three siblings, but their older brother and their father, Leon and Jack Tallis, had left early to board Titanic. The entire family couldn't wait to get on the "unsinkable ship."
"Cecilia, put that book away. You'll give yourself a headache." Emily Tallis scolded.
Cecilia mentally rolled her eyes at her mother and finished the chapter.
Directly in front of the Tallis car, Rose Dewitt-Bukater sat in the back seat of the Hockley Car. She was miserably listening to her mother talk happily with her fiancée, Cal Hockley about some gossip that had happened to a family they knew.
Their car was driving past "Titanic" and Rose couldn't have felt more strangled. She knew that when this ship docked in New York, she would be locked up to be a pathetic little trophy wife. She leaned down to gently massage the back of her thigh, where a bruise was starting to form. It had been an "accident", but only Rose and Cal knew that it wasn't.
While looking out the window, she saw a car stop beside theirs. A thin girl who looked about ten years old hopped out, not waiting for their chauffeur to open the door. Her blonde hair was cut above her chin and her dress was loose but elegant. She stared up at Titanic in awe and rushed to the front of the car to greet, who Rose thought, was the girl's mother.
Exiting the car next was another girl, about Rose's age. This 18 year old stepped down with help by their car's chauffeur. Her wavy brown hair was a little past the shoulders. Her face had the same features as the younger girl, who was probably her sister. She had pale skin and high cheekbones. Her long fingers were wrapped around a book. Rose couldn't read the name, but it was written by Feilding. She looked at Titanic, and raised her dark eyebrow slightly. She wore a blue dress that flowed at her ankles and was covered by a tailored white jacket. Rose's mother had attempted to buy her that same dress, so she knew that this family was wealthy.
"Rose! ROSE! Did you hear me?"
Rose blinked and turned her head, "Sorry?"
"Caledon was asking you a question. Don't be rude and pay attention." Ruth Dewitt-Bukater snapped.
"Sweetpea, would you rather I'd wear a blue tie or a white one for our wedding?" Cal repeated with a smirk.
Rose forced a smile and resisted groaning.
"Mother, you would be more experienced that I. Should Cal match the tablecloths or my gown?"
Ruth started drilling details, and Rose turned back to the window, knowing that her mother was distracted for at least another five minutes.
The chauffeur walked around and helped Rose out of the car. She barely looked at the Titanic; it wouldn't be unlike the other luxurious ships she's been on. She walked around and lifted her face to the sky, holding her hat against her head.
She watched the seagulls fly happily above, and thought to herself, only to be free.
Briony stared silently at Titanic, before walking swiftly towards the first class entrance. She closed her eyes and breathed in the salty sea air, but she wasn't watching where she was going and crashed fully into Rose.
"Oh!" Rose gasped.
"Oh my! I'm sorry!"
"Briony!" a shocked voice called. It belonged to Cecilia. Briony blushed, and nervously repeated her apology. Rose nodded and smiled to this young girl before turning to look where the voice was calling from.
She saw the sister walk up to her. While she walked, she walked with a certain appearance of superiority. When she stopped in front of Rose, she stared coolly at her outfit. She nodded slightly, approving.
Rose's fiery red hair was pinned up neatly underneath a designer hat, which matched her outfit perfectly. She was wearing a white buttoned jacket with a matching skirt that was tailored to fit her body exactly. Cecilia automatically concluded that the lady before her was important.
"Honestly. You can't keep still for one second." Cecilia murmured while grabbing Briony's shoulders.
"Sorry about my sister." She had an English accent, same as her sister. "Briony's too excited for her own good. Are you well?"
"I'm fine." Rose smiled slightly. Rose observed that Cecilia spoke quickly and had perfect articulation. She was from an upper class family, to be sure.
"That's good." Cecilia stated in a no-nonsense voice. "I'm Cecilia Tallis."
"Rose Dewitt-Bukater." Rose greeted. "Will you be traveling on Titanic?"
"I am. My father and brother have already boarded."
"Have you ever been to the United States before?" Rose asked.
"A couple times. What brings you to New York?" Cecilia asked.
"It's our first stop. We're really going to Pennsylvania." Rose winced, suddenly feeling a familiar pair of cold hands wrap around her waist.
"Sweetpea, who's your friend?" Cal asked.
Rose breathed out harshly before turning to Cecilia again.
Cecilia raised an eyebrow. When this man came, Rose became so frigid. She looked around for Briony, and found her beside her mother. She didn't have to worry about her now, and turned her full attention to Rose.
"Cecilia Tallis, this is my fiancée, Cal Hockley." Rose pried his arms off her stomach roughly.
"Pleasure." Cal greeted, extending his hand.
"Likewise." Cecilia placed her hand in his and shook lightly.
Quickly forgetting Cecilia, Cal turned to Rose and gestured towards the boarding ramp, "Sweetpea, it's time we boarded."
"Very well." Rose nodded half heartedly. "Will you please check if mother had seen if Trudy brought my bag?"
Cal nodded and went off obediently in search of Rose's mother. Cecilia watched and waited for Cal to be out of earshot before smirking. "Your fiancée?"
"My mother absolutely adores him." Rose informed her bitterly. "We're apparently a match made in heaven."
"Obligation relationships." Cecilia nodded, familiar with the term. "My mother doesn't believe in those."
Rose smiled sadly, "You're very lucky."
Cecilia looked over Rose's shoulder to see her own mother gesturing towards her.
"He was right, though. We really should board."
"Promise me we'll meet up again soon." Rose smiled.
"Surely we will." Cecilia straightened her back and took a couple steps away. "Nice meeting you, Rose."
"You too, Cecilia."
Cecilia turned to the boarding ramp, quickly disappeared inside Titanic. Rose sighed and reluctantly turned back to where her mother and Cal were standing.
xox
Robbie Turner leaned against the railing of the boat, his face lifted to the sky. He had boarded the Titanic an hour before, only coming early to go through the exams that only steerage passengers were forced to take. When it was confirmed Robbie didn't have lice or any other decease, he was admitted on.
He would be eternally grateful to Jack Tallis for paying his fare. Robbie's fascination with machinery was no mystery to the Tallis family. He had lived close to the Tallis' since childhood years, becoming close companions to the two eldest siblings, Leon and Cecilia. When the youngest, Briony, was born, he had taken on the role of another older brother. For his tenth birthday, Cecilia had gotten him a book on aeroplanes. The next year, Leon had given him a model ship.
He had read about all the excitement surrounding Titanic. When Briony told him that her and her family would be aboard the first trip, he had made her promise to tell him everything about it. Upon hearing this, Jack Tallis insisted he come along, even offering to pay for first class . Robbie knew the costs of a quality ticket, and asked for one in steerage.
The whistle blew above and he heard cheers. He rushed to the top deck and found Leon Tallis waiting.
"There you are, come! We should wave goodbye."
He followed him. Leon walked over to the rest of the Tallis family.
"Oh, Robbie. This is so exiting. The stories I could write about this experience…" Briony trailed off.
Robbie didn't reply. He was too busy looking down to try to find a glance of his mother, Grace Turner. He had no luck. He breathed out sadly, and turned to look away.
"Don't look so upset, Robbie." Cecilia smirked. "I've found her."
"Who?" Robbie asked.
"Grace. She's down there, beside the third class entrance." Cecilia grabbed him a pointed.
It took a couple moments for Robbie to find her, but when he did, he waved enthusiastically. Grace had seen him before he had seen her, so she was already waving a teary goodbye. Grace had a fear of boats, and even with the offers to pay for all accommodations, she refused to board.
"I'll be fine." Robbie whispered to himself, knowing that if he screamed it, his voice would be drowned out but the other hundreds. His mother wouldn't hear him anyways.
He continued to wave, and slowly, the Titanic pulled away. When Grace was simply a little speck of color, he turned.
"Thanks, Cee."
Cecilia just shrugged and half smiled.
Briony turned and stared at her sister and Robbie. They were looking at each other and didn't seem to notice anyone else around them. Briony half smiled, she always assumed that they liked each other, despite her own crush on him.
Third and Second class passengers were being sent back down by crewmen, and the top deck was quickly emptying. She had observed that Robbie hadn't yet been chosen to be sent down; she realized it was probably because he was talking to a first class girl and was wearing a fancy jacket that Emily Tallis had bought him for Christmas.
She turned away and examined everything around her. The skies were blue and clear. She wasn't ready to return to her room yet. She walked around the deck. Briony saw a couple of first class boys that were her age playing. She turned away, not interested in playing with anyone. She much preferred to be alone.
Briony found a line of deck chairs that were in a row along the starboard side of the ship. She sat in one, and closed her eyes. She knew her mother wouldn't approve being in the sun for too long without the protection of a hat. Her skin would surely be covered in freckles when she returned back to her room, but Briony didn't care. She needed a couple moments to herself before getting ready for dinner at the grand hall.
"Where's Briony?" Robbie asked Cecilia.
"Probably off alone somewhere, daydreaming." Cecilia assumed. "I'll guess that she has another story idea in mind."
"That girl is going to be one talented author." Robbie smiled. "Anyways, Cee. I must go. They're sending us down."
Cecilia looked around and realized he was right. "Okay, I'm probably wanted in my room."
Robbie smiled reached for her hand, and kissed it lightly. Cecilia froze and watched him back off slowly.
"See you soon, Cee."
Robbie turned around and walked towards the gates to lower class, leaving Cecilia who was staring at his retreating back. Quickly falling out of her daze, she spun on her heels, not saying a word, and marched towards her room.
Cecilia stared at her hand, and noticed it was shaking slightly. This had been the first time that she had seen Robbie alone since before they had left for Cambridge, for College. She had completely forgotten the feelings he gave her. She had always tried to block them out of her mind, especially when her friends used to comment on how they liked Robbie. Cecilia closed her eyes and continued on into her room, where she assisted a steward place her things.
xox
Robbie opened the gate and walked to the lower level of the ship. He took a quick walk around the deck, smiling to himself.
He soon found a spot on a bench beside another man, who was wearing third class clothing. He had wind-blown blonde hair and paid no attention to Robbie. He was staring up at the first class deck at a woman who was leaning on the bar. She looked annoyed at someone, but the man continued staring. The woman looked down at him, and softened her look.
"Oh, how I love 'love at first sight'." Robbie teased.
"Mm? Sorry?" The man asked in a distracted tone.
Robbie tilted his head to the woman on deck. She had her red hair pinned up and had porcelain white skin. She would be attractive to any man, but Robbie had his eyes set on another someone else.
The woman stared back down, but her half smile quickly turned into a scowl when a dark haired man came behind her and started grabbing her arm. The woman pulled herself away from him and walked away angrily.
"She's gorgeous." The man murmured.
"And she's in first class." Robbie noted.
"Which makes any sort of contact with her impossible." He smiled and extended his hand "I'm Jack Dawson."
"Robbie Turner."
"Speaking of first class…" Jack eyed Robbie's jacket, "Shouldn't you be getting back up there?"
Robbie laughed and shook his head, "Nope, I'm in steerage."
Jack raised his eyebrow, "You've gotta be joking." Jack noticed Robbie's English accent, and incredible dialect, which was a great contrast to Jack's own American tone.
Robbie shrugged and raised his hands. "I'm employed by a very wealthy family. The father, whose name is the same as yours, actually, offered to pay for my fare, even offering a ticket with his family in first class. There's no way I could have accepted, so I insisted that I get steerage. I have a special pass though. I'm allowed to first class whenever I want."
"Lucky." Jack mused.
"Very." Robbie agreed before whispering to himself, "Very lucky, indeed."
"You going up there any time soon?" Jack asked.
"I'm invited to dinner, actually." Robbie smiled. "Though I'm not that fond of caviar, to be honest. Cee and I always used to feed it to the dog."
"Cee?" Jack smirked.
"Cecilia Tallis, the daughter." Robbie informed him. "She's my age. She's stubborn, conceited, and…"
"You're completely in love with her." Jack laughed.
Robbie stared at Jack disbelievingly, "What makes you assume that?"
Jack scoffed and pulled out a cigarette and lighter, lighting it quickly and offering one to Robbie. "The weird look that came on your face the second you said her name made it obvious."
Robbie accepted the cigarette and turned to stare at his shoes, "I grew up with her, and then we went off to Cambridge. She completely ignored me."
Jack smiled and blew smoke through his mouth, "She probably loves you too."
xox
Rose sat quietly, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She was supposed to be getting ready for diner, but she hardly felt like getting up. She tapped her fingers and sighed sadly.
"Trudy?" She called for her favorite maid. "Will you please help me change for dinner?"
"Yes, miss." Trudy came in from the other room. No one spoke, and Rose prepared in silence. Once ready, she spun around in her fiery red and black dress. Her hair was pinned back, and she felt the pins push into her head. It hurt, but she knew her mother wouldn't allow her wild hair to be loose in public.
The diner horns blared, and Rose turned towards the door reluctantly. Staring at the mirror for one last time, she flattened her dress, straightened her back, and left her suite.
"Sweetpea?"
"Yes, Cal?" Rose winced.
"Allow me to escort you," Cal insisted, grabbing her arm with more force than necessary. Rose stayed silent and walked to the dining hall alongside Cal. Walking in; she was automatically greeted by a swarm of fellow first classes. Rose took this opportunity to scan the crowd for an escape.
"Cal, there's Alice. I must talk to her."
"Who?" Cal asked, "I'll come. You must introduce me."
"I'd rather not, Cal." Rose insisted. "Some other time, perhaps."
She pulled her arm away and walked in a random direction. She had only known one Alice, and Rose was sure that she wouldn't be on Titanic. She walked for a while, looking around the dining hall. It was as elegant as first class should be. Soon, the china was being placed and everyone was starting to find their place for dinner.
She saw her mother and Cal sit at a table near the middle, where everyone could see them. Their table was nearly full, with the exception of a single seat that was meant for Rose. She walked over and sat beside her mother. Already, the table was talking about the latest party they should be attending when they docked. The engagement gala that was planned for her and Cal. Rose automatically stopped listening, not wanting to think about married life, but she failed miserably.
The thoughts that rolled through her head were thoughts of her future… the many parties she's be obliged to attend as the wife of Caledon Hockley. Endless cotillions and galas which were always the same as before… the same important people, the same expensive food, the same pointless gossip… Rose's life was already planned for her. She had no freedom. She had an obligation to Cal through her mother. Cal was rich, and that was all that mattered to Ruth.
Rose thought of living with Cal, to be forced to bear his children. Forced to tolerate his abuses. By the third course, Rose couldn't stand it.
"Sorry, will you please excuse me?" She asked the members before her, "I'm feeling a bit ill."
"Rose." Ruth whispered. "Don't be rude."
Rose pressed her lips together and stood up. She ignored the other calls from her mother to return to the table, and walked out of the dining hall.
Once in the corridor, she broke into a run to her room, the tears threatening to fall. She yanked the pins out of her hair, feeling loose strands fall against her face. In her room, she called out to Trudy but there was no reply. Trudy was probably off having diner for herself.
Her tears couldn't be held back any longer, and they fell just as the last pin was out of Rose's hair. She tried unclipping her dress, but with no luck. Her corset was strangling her breath.
She was sobbing now. She didn't recognize the reflection that stared at her through the mirror. She turned away and sprinted out of the room. Her heels made her unable to run as fast as she could and they caused her to trip a couple of times.
She ran past the dining room and went outside. She ran around the benches and deck chairs, through the gates to the different sections…
She was blinded by her tears, and soon crashed into a passenger.
"Oh!" the passenger gasped. Rose didn't even murmur an apology before continuing on.
"Are you okay?" Leon asked Cecilia who had fell to the ground.
"Yes, I'm fine." Cecilia breathed, smoothing her dress. "I think I know her."
Cecilia stared off in the direction Rose was running, but she only saw a flash of red what was growing smaller.
"What on earth has happened to her?" Cecilia murmured to herself.
Cecilia had been taking a quick walk around top deck with her brother, Leon. The cool air was soothing, and the wind was blowing her curls straight out from underneath her hat.
"Should I follow her?" Cecilia asked Leon.
"It's your choice, Cee." Leon shrugged, "There must be a reason why she was so upset."
Cecilia squeezed his hand for reassurance and walked off steadily in the same direction Rose had ran. She pulled open the white metal gate and walked forward, ignoring the strange looks other passengers gave her when they saw a young lady walking alone at night, even though she was on a ship.
"Cee!" She heard a voice call.
She spun around and turned to see Robbie running up towards her.
"There you are! Your mother was looking for you." Robbie smiled.
"Oh, I thought Leon had told her that he and I would be going for a walk." Cee told him.
"Leon?" Robbie looked around and didn't see him.
"Rose ran by me and she looked upset. I went to go find her." Cecilia explained, and turned to look in the direction she was heading before. "I should go."
When she started to walk away, Robbie grabbed her arm gently, "Let me go with you."
"Really, it's not necessary." Cecilia pulled her arm away quickly.
"I insist." Robbie said softly.
Cecilia stared at him stubbornly and pushed her lip up into a bitter pout before walking forward. Robbie smirked to himself and placed his hands in his pockets before following after her.
"Beautiful night." Robbie started.
"I suppose so." Cecilia pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "Too windy for me."
They took a couple more steps before Cecilia spoke up, "How's everything in down in steerage?"
"A lot more friendly than first class." Robbie laughed. "Everyone's much more accepting. I'm sharing a room with a couple of Irish men and one from America. I didn't get a chance to get their names, but the American is Jack Dawson."
Cecilia nodded and didn't say anything. Robbie sped up and started to walk beside her instead of behind her. "And first class?" He asked
"It's beautiful." Cecilia admitted. As she did so, Cecilia and Robbie swung their hands and their fingertips brushed. Cecilia closed her eyes and exhaled sharply, feeling a familiar shock run through her veins.
"Cee?" Robbie asked, worriedly, slowing down to examine her face.
Cecilia fluttered her eyes open and started to speak, but was interrupted by a shriek coming from the far end of the boat.
"Rose!" Cecilia gasped and ran off. She stumbled from her heels, but soon reached the stern of the ship, where she saw a third class passenger leaning against the bar, holding something.
Cecilia hurried forward, and saw a flash of red hair, "Rose?!"
"Cecilia? Please! Help me!" Rose begged. Rose was dangling dangerously from the edge of the ship, her hair flowing wildly in the wind. Her pale hand had a death grip on the passenger's hand.
"Listen! I won't let go. Trust me." He told her urgently. "I need you to pull yourself up. Can you do that Rose?"
Rose nodded with teary eyes, and Jack started to pull her upwards. His grip slipped for a moment, the airs filled with shrieks from both Rose and Cecilia before Jack caught her again.
Cecilia tried reaching over, but her arm was useless. She wasn't strong enough so she called for Robbie.
"Robbie!" She yelled, "Robbie! We need help!"
The next couple moments blurred over for Cecilia. She saw Robbie rush after her and murmur "Oh God," before running to the bar. It wasn't necessary though, the man had pulled Rose over the edge and they both tumbled to the floor.
"Jack?" Robbie murmured, blinking a couple times, "What are you doing here?"
The third class passenger must have been Robbie's American roommate. Cecilia looked over and reached to help Rose stand, as she was on the ground shaking, but before she could move, a loud voice echoed behind them.
"STAND BACK! DON'T MOVE AN INCH!" The officer turned and shouted again, "GET THE MASTER AT ARMS."
Cecilia turned to Robbie and mouthed, "Why are they yelling?"
Robbie shook his head nervously, "Look, Cee."
Cecilia stared at Rose and Jack. Jack was kneeling over Rose, with no jacket or shoes, and Rose's dress was pulled up slightly from falling and she was shaking like mad.
"Oh God." Cecilia murmured, her eyes widening, "It looks like he was trying to assault her."
xox
Bleh. The way I ended this chapter drives me crazy. Sorry : ( I wish I would have made it better, but i've been working on this story since 9 AM Saturday (it's now 8:22 Sunday night) and I STILL have to study for my huge science final : (
Thanks for reading this first chapter, and please review!
Love,
Hazel
(Aka: The ruler of all things living and inanimate)