AN: I know I'm late getting into this game, but since I love the movie and Englehorn is drop dead handsome, especially with that accent, I couldn't help myself.

So you know, I generally write in first person, but this time it will be in third person.

Please read and review.

Chapter One: Trip of a Lifetime

Ann Darrow looked at the overweight man standing in front of her, offering her a paying job to be an actress in a moving picture. If that wasn't enough to convince her, Mr. Denham told her that Jack Driscoll was turning in a script. The Jack Driscoll. The man she somewhat idolized. She looked Mr. Denham over again. He was sweating slightly, he looked nervous and rushed. She slightly wondered if she was his last hope to get the movie going. She thought for only a second, not bothering with the cons and pros of this offer.

"Alright, Mr. Denham-"

"Great! Now, we're in a bit of a time crunch, so if we can go and get your things-" Mr. Denham started, only for Ann to cut him off. She held up a hand and gave a small smirk.

"On one condition. My cousin, Mariska, must accompany me. She'll be like my own assistant." Ann said, selling her condition. Mr. Denham was either in a big rush, or he wasn't that smart of a man to say no.

"Sure thing, whatever you need." He said, ushering her out of the small diner and into a nearby taxi. Ann gave the driver her address while Mr. Denham kept looking at his watch and the road. She had been right to think he looked nervous.

"So, your cousin? She live close by, or something?" Mr. Denham asked, trying to strike up a conversation with Ann. He could only hope that this Mariska person wouldn't be too much of a problem. He already had enough to last him a life time.

"She lives with me. If it wasn't for her, I would've been thrown into the street years ago." Ann said, smiling as she thought about her dear cousin. The only thing they had in common was their last name, Darrow. Mariska was a dark, exotic looking beauty, whereas Ann was pale and blond, very much like a delicate porcelain doll. Mariska was 20, and Ann was 25.

"Oh yeah? What does she do?" Mr. Denham asked just as the taxi pulled to the curb of a dingy looking building. He scrunched up his nose and offered Ann a hand. He told the driver to stick around, that they would need him in a few minutes. The man just nodded, his eyes raking over Ann's form in her pale grey jacket.

"She sings." Ann said, effectively ending the conversation as she led the way into her building. She ignored everyone around her, as was usual, and only looked up when they reached the third level. She pulled out her key and quickly unlocked the door, opening it up so she could step in and start packing. Mr. Denham didn't bother with looking around. He simply stood there as Ann grabbed her two suitcases and began to throw everything into it, while calling out for her cousin. When Ann got no response, she stopped packing and walked over to the other room, saying something to herself.

"She here or not?" Denham asked, glancing at his watch. If Ann didn't hurry up, they might not be able to make it to the ship in time.

"Ann, why is there a man in our apartment?" He heard a soft voice speak up behind him. He jumped a little and turned around. What he saw, shocked him. He had expected for Mariska to look a little like Ann, seeing as how they were cousins and all. But no, Mariska looked the total opposite. She had slightly wavy hair that was a rich chocolate brown and it fell to her lower back; her skin was a creamy mocha color; her eyes. God, her eyes. He felt like he was swimming in the Mediterranean when he looked into them. They were a bright sea green with hints of aqua blue. He was certain there was no way they could be natural. She strode right past him and pulled her cousin to the side, whispering frantically about how she needed to leave. He didn't hear much, but he assumed that Ann had convinced Mariska to pack up and join them. That's when he noticed what she was wearing. She had a billowy, white blouse tucked into a pair of brown trousers, and those were tucked into a pair of riding boots that looked like they were well cared for. He raised an eyebrow, wondering just who this woman was. However, he didn't have the time to ask, as they had to go.

XXXXX

Ann looked a mixture of nervous and excited as she stepped out of the cab, looking at an elegant ship with amazement. She asked Mr. Denham, who said no and motioned towards a much smaller and dirtier looking ship nearby. Ann kept her emotions intact, if only to make herself look calmer. Mariska followed after Ann, carrying her own suitcases. Ann didn't really look around, just following after Denham like a good little dog. Mariska was about a head shorter than Ann, so it wasn't that much of a surprise when she bumped into Ann's back because she had abruptly stopped.

"Ann, are you sure about this?" Mariska whispered, stepping around Ann so she could stand next to her. She noticed Denham saying something to a man in a navy peacoat and white captain's hat. She immediately identified that man the captain. He had about three days stubble, blond hair that looked somewhat curly, and bright blue eyes.

"Of course. After all, didn't you always say you wanted to travel to other places? Well, now you get too, and I get to be in a movie." Ann said, smiling at her dear cousin before looking forward as Denham called them over.

"Ma'am." The captain said, tipping his hat and lighting a cigarette. Mariska noticed his accent and had to think about it for a second. It sounded familiar, very much like her mother's, but not quite close. After a few seconds, she decided that he had to be German.

"Ann Darrow. This is my cousin, Mariska Darrow." Ann said, grabbing Mariska's hand and tugging her forward so that the captain could get a good look at her. He looked her over, noting that while she had the same surname, she looked nothing like Ann.

"Are you ready to take this journey?" He asked both of them, inhaling his cigarette before blowing the smoke out. Ann scrunched the tip of her nose up at the smell, Mariska thought it was nicely scented.

"Yes." They both answered.

"Nervous?" He asked, his eyes flicking over to meet Mariska's. His widened slightly, taking her's in. They made him want to drown in them, to swim to their depths and discover all the secrets they held.

"No. Why? Should we be?" Ann asked, pulling him back to reality. Mariska had yet to answer, as she was looking around at his ship and taking everything in.

"It's not everyday that women such as you would take this journey." He said.

"Preston! Why don't you show Ann and Mariska their rooms?" Denham said, trying to keep Englehorn from scaring them. A skinny man came rushing over to them, taking Ann's suitcases right out of her hand and leading her towards the gangplank, completely forgetting about Mariska. Denham was about to say something to Englehorn, when the captain moved to stand in front of Mariska.

"Well, Ms. Darrow? Are you nervous?" He asked.

"No." She answered softly, turning to follow after Preston.

So, a little rushed and a little small, but please let me know what you think!