Just a Pretense II
Chapter 1: The Unsinkable
Author's Note: Welcome to the new version of Just a Pretense. Readers are warned that this story will be different in every way from the original Just a Pretense storyline.

Although this fanfiction may contain elements of the film Titanic (1998), it is essentially not the same, although some of the storyline may be incorporated. Readers are also advised that, although the characters within Twilight are featured within this story, this story once again does not follow the Twilight timeline. You should also note that the Titanic apparently did not have a Third Class for passengers, however this story will follow the film.

Disclaimer: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Titanic by whomever.

Warning: Twilight characters' personalities and speech will usually be kept as they are presented in books, however, there may be sections where they are Out of Character.

- - - - -

1912 – Queenstown, Britain

There was a great commotion at the wharf as cars began arriving at the dock to board the revolutionary ship that was called the Unsinkable. With sixteen watertight compartments and its great size, it was a most impressive ship – the Titanic.

First class passengers had arrived and begun boarding, dressed fashionably and in expensive brands and stylish furs. Their luggage followed behind, carried on by the crew of the ship and brought to their rooms where maids would take care of everything.

Edward Cullen stepped out of the car he had arrived in and paid the driver. Although he could well have driven there himself, he had chosen not to. There was no guarantee, after all, that he would ever return to see it again – there were more than enough people to steal it and he might choose to stay in America.

With a quick scan of the crowd and feeling slightly uncomfortable in his clothing, he stepped onto the gangway to board the ship with the rest of the First class passengers; his luggage would be brought in a different way.

Although many people were looking out over the wharf, waving handkerchiefs or simply waving to the crows that had come to watch them leave, Edward did not join them. There was noone for him to farewell and he did not want to bring unnecessary attention to himself either – there was his pretense to keep up, after all.

Continuing on his way deeper into the ship, where he was more alone, but could also see what was happening, he sat down to await the departure of the Titanic.

- - - - -

Isabella Swan stepped onto the gangway with exhilaration, intensely excited at having the chance to be on the Titanic's mother voyage and a most important event.

Her parents had combined all the money they could muster to buy her a ticket on the ship. Not a Third Class ticket though, but a Second Class one. Their effort had left them very short of money, but Bella's happiness and excitement at seeing the ticket had left them pleased they had done the right thing.

They waved to her now as she walked off the gangway and joined the waving crowd where they stood on the lower level balconies as the 'lower class' passengers. She looked around and up with a burning curiosity, studying everything about the ship. She would make sure to have plenty to tell Renee and Charlie when she got off.

She turned to look back down again, waving at her parents who beamed up at her, waving still. The crowd was cheering as the last of the passengers boarded the ship and the ship's deep horn sounded.

Crew members rushed to pull in the gangways and close up the holes where they used to be. Some others raised the anchor and pulled in the rope which kept them at the moorings. Beneath them, the engines began to roar to life and the ship began to move as the crowd roared, cheering and yelling out last minute goodbyes and words of advice to loved ones.

Then as they slowly moved further and further away, people began to drift off and disappear to find their rooms. With one last look at the Britain that she loved, Bella turned, glanced at her ticket once again and went to look for her room.

- - - - -

"Your room is here, Mr Cullen." The servant opened the door and waited for Edward to pass.

Edward looked inside, scanning the furnishings and the size without comment. The rooms were large and spanned a third of the corridor, enough to almost thirty Third Class passengers. Although it was absurd, there was nothing he could really do to change the size of the rooms and he could not choose another one either – they had to keep to whatever was written on their ticket.

"Is there anything else I can get you, Mr Cullen?" the servant asked as he waited patiently, although Edward could read his impatience to be gone in his thoughts.

"Nothing, thank you." Edward replied calmly.

The servant dipped a bow. "The safe is in the room," He motioned to a door to the left, "If you need to store precious items." And then he left.

Edward closed the door, walking into the main room where there were couches and tables for his use. Surprisingly, there was also a grand piano in the corner, sleek and black. He walked over slowly and lifted the lid, eyes running over the keys before he gave in and sat down before it. He lifted his hands onto the keys and his fingers flowed across as he played one of his many compositions. The complex music swirled in the room and Edward closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the release in playing.

There was a sharp gasp and a small bumping noise. Edward registered another mind and turned slowly to look at the new person, dressed in the garb of a maid and who had just come in from the bedroom where she had been sorting his things and was drawn by the sweet music.

Edward reached the end of the piece, still glancing at the maid and then turned completely to look at her as he got up.

"Oh, I'm sorry, sir!" She gabbled. "I was just sorting your stuff and I couldn't resist." She took a frightened gasp as he continued closer, and dropped in a curtsey. "I beg your pardon!"

"It's quite alright." Edward said calmly. "Please return to what you were doing."

The maid looked up at him in surprise. "I… Um, thank you, sir. I'm finished now, thanks."

Edward nodded and embarrassedly, trying not to let her gaze linger on him, she stumbled over to the door. Edward watched her with amusement and then decided to ask her name before she could leave.

"What is your name, Miss?"

She looked disconcerted at being called a 'miss' and replied a little too enthusiastically.

"My name is Jessica, sir."

Edward nodded with polite disinterest and Jessica reddened with embarrassment, knowing she'd run away with her imagination again. She opened the door hurriedly and walked straight into a young lady who had been standing outside.

"Watch where you're going, maid!" She chided.

"Sorry, miss." Jessica said in a rush, dipping a quick curtsey and running down the hallway.

The newcomer did not spare her another glance but instead smiled into the handsome face of Edward, who again looked at her with polite disinterest. While it was true that she was very beautiful; admittedly, as a strawberry-blonde lady, she was not at all his type – and he knew well what was on her mind.

"I am Miss Tanya Frieda. How do you do?"

"Very well thank you." Edward said mildly. He sighed finally, giving in to manners. "Would you like to come in?"

Tanya gave him a brilliant smile and stepped into the room with an air of someone who usually got what she wanted. She took in the well furnished rooms in one look and walked into the 'living room' without being invited to sit down on the luxurious couch.

"You have wonderful rooms." She said, smiling sweetly at him.

Edward almost grimaced but managed to keep his face composed as usual.

"Indeed. Is there anything you would like, Miss Tanya?"

"Oh, pish-posh. I am absolutely fine, please sit down."

Edward was on the verge of losing his control. She was telling him to sit down in his rooms? He managed to make it over to the couch though without much mishap, sitting as far away as was polite.

"I believe I don't know your name, would you be so kind as to tell me? I was drawn by your beautiful music."

And your good looks. He mind added as she admired his face.

"My name is Edward Cullen." Edward replied, looking away in a disinterested manner, hoping she would get what he was trying to show, but she did not take the initiative.

"Excuse me, Miss Tanya – "

"Oh, please call me Tanya." Tanya interrupted. "And likewise I will call you Edward. That is only fitting for acquaintances."

Edward was filled with some annoyed incredulous feeling. When would this woman get the picture that his mild disinterest painted? He could see from her thoughts she stuck closely to the belief he would turn around. Edward knew that Tanya would not go away unless she spent time with him and, with a deep sigh, steeled himself for a long afternoon ahead.

- - - - -

Bella stepped into the strangely spacious room. Although admittedly there was a bunk bed there, meaning that no doubt another passenger would join her shortly, at least there was more room in here than in Third Class where it was rumoured six people squeezed into a room of the same size. That made her feel lucky indeed.

The door banged open behind her again and sure enough, standing in the doorway was another passenger – a girl, dressed in a simple frock and a slightly absurd looking hat perched on her short, dark hair.

"Hello!" she said brightly as she struggled a little with her bags – no First Class treatment here. "My name's Alice. Mary Alice Brandon. Nice to meet you." She attempted to extend a hand.

"Bella, Isabella Swan." Bella replied, clasping the hand and taking a bag from her. "I'm fine thanks. Yourself?"

"Not bad, but I've been better." Alice grinned impishly. "Though I am ecstatic to be here."

"Likewise." Bella replied, grinning as well.

"So… top or bottom?" Alice asked, surveying the bunk bed.

"Bottom, thank you."

Alice raised an eyebrow and turned to Bella. "Bottom, why?"

Bella grimaced slightly. "When you get to know me better, you will find out that I am probably the most clumsiest person in history." She said wryly.

"Ah." Alice looked as though she didn't know to laugh or not.

"Anyway, let's get unpacked." Bella suggested, pulling out a few items and setting it on the bedside table.

"Okay." Alice agreed. "Not too many though, I've always been told it's rather unwise to unpack things all at once. You want to keep everything where you know it is."

"You know it's still there." Bella pointed out reasonably.

"Even so, if you ever need to make a quick get away – "

Bella couldn't help snorting. "Get away? Where? Into the sea?"

Alice also grinned at that. "Well, I suppose you do have a point."

They smiled at each other comfortably, friends already. They sorted out belongings in silence for a while, setting a few things on the bedside they shared and a few things in the drawers. Their necessities they made sure to keep ready.

"I'm going to go outside for a while." Bella said as she closed the last cupboard in the bedside.

"Whaaat? Finished already?" Alice asked from overhead. "That was fast!"

Bella gave her a grin. "Yes. I'm going to get some fresh air. Do you want to come?"

Alice hesitated, looking torn. "Well, I want to, but I should finish here first."

"Alright. Well, should I go later?"

"No! No, you go. I'll join you up there later." She flashed Bella a quick smile.

"Alright." Bella said doubtfully. "I'll see you then."

She made her way up the stairs onto the deck. She wandered for a little while, lost and bumped into quite a few people, who gave her quite a few annoyed glares. She eventually was drawn back to the front of the boat again and walked over the balcony in a dazed wonder.

Bella leaned a little over the balcony, admiring the water and the way it parted in front of the ship so they could pass. The wide expanse of ocean was also beautiful and stretched as far as the eye could see.

It was so peaceful up there.

- - - - -

Edward had finally been able to escape from the clutches of Tanya. Her relentless flow of conversation had meant he hadn't had to say much, just seem like he was interested – though he had to admit, she wouldn't get many suitors that way.

He wandered along the deck, not wanting to return to his rooms where Tanya would find him easily, but not having anything else to do either. The dining room was already out, since he did not eat normal food, but that which he did eat – or drink from at least, would be less than impressed, and not at all appreciative.

He had stocked up on it before he had left though, so knew he would not fare too badly on the voyage. He would feed after they had landed and control his thirst as he had abstained from a particular kind of the substance for many many years.

Wandering still, he made his way along the deck until he stood on a little balcony type fixture just above from the sitting area of the boat. He admired the water for a minute before his mind registered that there was someone there.

How strange, he had not detected her at all, but she was definitely there. Now that he thought of it, he could not detect her thoughts at all, and that was definitely very strange. Was something wrong with his ability? But no, he could still hear the others in the distance.

The wind ruffled her brown hair as she turned, noticing eyes upon her for the first time. Edward felt, at that moment, that he had seen an angel.

And she was so his type.

- - - - -

Author's Note: Ahaha. I found the end rather funny. ;) I'm sorry if the end seemed a little rushed, but I really wanted to get to the good bit. Now they notice each other, what will happen next?

Review?

Please read the original version of Just a Pretense. It can be found on my profile. Thank you! (You might enjoy it. ;) )