XxChapter 1 ~ First Encounters~xX

It was far too early to be woken up, let alone be dragged around whilst still half asleep at five thirty in the morning.

Thomas Andrews led his daughter through the ship yard, making her stand still in one of the warehouses.

"Just...don't move," he instructed as he lifted a heavy looking latch and slid the door across revealing the dock. The light almost stung her eyes, but she tried not to grumble. Another door was slid open.

"Alright, you can look now Little Ro," he chirped, a huge grin appeared on his face as he practically dragged her outside.

Aurora Sophia Andrews gawped at Titanic.

"You don't like her..." faltered Thomas, his face falling as he turned to see his daughters reaction.

"Oh no papa I do, she's just so...big..." she trailed, lifting her gaze to him.

"Well of course she's big, she's a liner." he chuckled then as her eyes widened.

"Mr A," Chirped an officer, tipping his hat politely.

He flashed Ro a cheeky smile and winked.

She merely scoffed in response and shook her head.

"Good morning t' you Officer Lightoller," replied Thomas, smiling kindly at the officer.

"Lovely morning, innit?"

"Indeed it is."

The officer carried on, whistling a tune as he picked up a clipboard from on top of a rather intimidating looking crate.

"Who was he?" she asked.

"Charle's Lightoller - he's the second officer." replied Thomas as they strolled to board her.

"Are they all arrogant?"

Thomas scoffed.

"He was merely being polite, Little Ro."

"He winked."

"Did he?"

She gave him a look as they walked up a ramp.

"Ah...well...I don't really know then," he admitted sheepishly.

"Good morning Mr Andrews."

"Good morning William,"

Another officer. She rolled her eyes and attempted to follow her papa.

"Err, ticket please, Miss." said the Scott calmly, blocking her way.

She shot him a haughty glare.

"I can't let you on without one miss, company policy, and I certainly don't want to be reprimanded."

She still glared, even though he thought he was being polite.

"Who is your superior?" she asked.

"I am," he stated dryly, shooting her the same glare right back.

He certainly wasn't about to be bossed around by some posh-tot.

Clearly he wasn't letting her by. Aurora was about to open her mouth when Thomas jogged back over.

"Oh heaven's no William, that's my daughter," said Thomas.

He stood to the side, in between them. The atmosphere was awful, he decided -almost like they wanted to kill each other.

"My apologies Mr Andrews, I was not informed you had company with you," said William, forcing himself to change the tone of his voice.

"Come along Ro."

She shot this officer William man one more glare before stepping past him and carrying on.

"He was awful."

"He's doing his job, Ro." replied Thomas.

"He didn't need to be so rude, he could have just asked."

"You didn't have to make it awkward either-"

"So you're sticking up for some lousy officer over me?" she cried.

William snapped his head up.

"I hardly call First Officer lousy." he shouted furiously.

She looked at him, her long blonde hair flicking behind her shoulders.

"Aurora leave it," begged Thomas as people started to queue. He cursed, throwing a silent strop as she marched back up to Murdoch, her green eyes flashed dangerously.

"I suggest you watch your tongue, officer. My godfather owns this boat-"

"It's a ship..."

She glared as their noses came to a point of almost touching, their breathing was heavy as they shot daggers at one another.

"I know what she is." Ro finished.

He raised his brow as he watched the little firecracker snap at him and forced himself not to rant, but secretly he was fuming.

"Listen miss, why don't you go back to playing with your dolls house, and let us big boys carry on with our job, eh?" he warned, leaning in ever so slightly so that the passengers queuing couldn't hear.

She stood, rooted to the spot before taking a step back and leaving, her tiny heels echoed on the floor.

"I hate two of them already..." she said to Thomas as they carried on walking.

"Now now Ro, you don't know them."

XxxX

"Blimey, she's a bit of a wild one eh?" giggled Charlie, grinning at Will.

"Hn. That's why we should stay away from high maintenance women-"

"But we never learn, right?"

"Exactly..." William watched after her, the blonde figure gradually got smaller and smaller.

"You like her, dontcha?" probed Lights.

"Told you. I don't do high maintenance."

"Oh give her a crack n she'll be alright I bet. She's a pretty little thing."

"Eye, she was a bonnie lass..." he agreed.

"Look a couple o clouts'll sort that one out."

William gave Lightoller a look.

He wasn't one for beating women around.

"Women are to be appreciated, Lights, not abused." he reasoned.

"Alright. I bet that by the end of this trip, you'll have her danglin' from a thread."

Murdoch paused and raised his brow.

"I doubt that."

"Oh go on, for a laugh, then you can just drop her to teach her a lesson."

"..." he toyed with the idea.

"Fifty quid in it for yer..." bribed Lights, wafting the note tormentingly in front of his friend.

"Oh fine, fine."

He turned his head back to where the fiery blonde had been stood but she was gone.

"ALRIGHT TICKET'S PLEASE, ONE AT A TIME NOW!" he called as the crowd surged eagerly to get on board.

Xxxxx

A/N

Let me know what you think? I thought the quarrel was cute xD