Author's Note: Sorry this took a bit longer, but the dinner scene was tricky for me to write. Seriously, I had to rewrite it probably 4 times. That and this band called Sabaton invaded my city over the weekend. Anyway, hope you all enjoy it. Drop me some feedback yeah? :)

Chapter 4: Risks

The next 3 hours seem to drag on. I looked for any activity to make the time go by faster. Patrol the forward cargo hold. Re-organize my desk. Clean my Webley (my service revolver). Patrol the aft cargo hold. Escorted a second class passenger to her cabin (without the arm linking, of course. That would have been awkward!). Clean my Remington 1911 R1 (my personal sidearm). Re-organize my desk again.

"Regen for God's sake calm down!" Richard exclaimed from behind his desk. "You're making me nervous flitting about like that." He was right; I needed to relax.

"Sorry," I said, "I'm just nervous, you know. D'you mind if I bum a cigarette?"

He tossed his cigarette case at me, which I caught with my hat, because the man never could get his aim right.

"Thanks, mate," I said as I put one between my lips and lit it.

"So what are you so jittery over? I haven't seen you like this since the company interviewed you."

"I have a date," I smiled as I tossed his cigarette case back at him.

"With that officer?"

I simply raised my eyebrows at him.

"I told you!" he said, pointing his finger at me. I laughed.

"So what you gonna wear then?" he asked.

"What I've got on," I stated as I took a drag. "It's just going to be the officers, not the captain's table or anything."

"You. Dining with a bunch of sailors."

"Not a bunch, Richard. I except only 4 of them would be there."

"Still...," he mused.

"What, you don't think I can handle myself?" I grinned.

"Of course you can! No, it's them I worry about, what with that hand cannon you carry around," he said jokingly, referring to my .45 caliber sidearm.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Would you rather I take the Webley then?"

"Do you really think you need to carry either of them?"

I stubbed out my cigarette. "Richard, you ought to know why I carry. The wound may be old, but the memory is still fresh."

"Ah yes," he said, biting his lip, "I'd forgotten about that. So when's he coming to get you then? I'd really like to meet this man, and warn him about he's gotten himself into." He snickered.

"On the grounds of our friendship, I will ignore that," I snicker back. "He said he'd be here at 7:30."

"Well you better get going, 'cause you've only got 15 minutes," he pointed at the clock.

"What?" I looked at the clock. "Shit!" I ran into my cabin, which was attached to my office, took off my hat, and quickly washed my hair in the sink. It didn't need to be done, but I had some rather embarrassing hat hair from having worn my uniform cap all day. I reached for a towel, dried my hair, looked in the mirror...and frowned. My hair was rather poofy, which was not exactly the look I really wanted to have. I borrowed some of Richard's pomade to tame it a bit, to flatten it down, but not so much that it was stiff. Satisfied, I took my cap off its peg and gently placed it on my head, careful not to disturb my hair too much. No sooner had I done that, there was a knock a door. I looked at the clock again, it was exactly 7:30.

Richard was opening the door to my office as I exited my cabin. "Evening, Officer. How can I help you?" I heard him ask.

"I'm calling for the Master-At-Arms. Is she in?" was the reply.

"Oh! You must be her date!"

"Richard!" I hissed as I appeared at his side.

He snickered as I hit him with my hat.

"Excuse him," I said to Mr. Murdoch, "sometimes he thinks he's funny. Mr. Murdoch, this is Richard Landers, my assistant. Richard, this is First Officer Murdoch."

"Nice to meet you, Richard," Mr. Murdoch said, offering Richard his hand.

"Yes, sir. You too," Richard said as they shook hands, his professional side making an appearance.

"Well, Regen, shall we ?" Mr. Mudrdoch asked cheerfully.

"Indeed," I said before looking to my assistant. "Richard, you're in charge until I get back."

"Aye boss," Richard said, half-saluting me.

I stepped out into the corridor, shutting the door behind me. "Wait," I said, "if I'm your date for dinner, shouldn't you be offering me your arm?" I asked, somewhat uncertain, as I certainly was no expert on etiquette.

Mr. Murdoch look at me with raised eyebrows. "Aren't you concerned people will talk?" he asked me.

I smirked at his question. "Does it look like I care what people think?" I asked him.

"No," he chuckled, "no, I reckon not. But only on the condition that you call me Will."

"Fair enough," I said, smiling at him.

Will then offered me his arm, which of course I accepted, and we started off towards the bridge.

"But what if they talk about me?" he asked, not wanting his professionalism to be called into question.

I answered him quite confidently, "I have twisted my knee and you are fulfilling your duty by assisting me."

"You certainly are prepared for everything, aren't you?" he teased. I looked at him and grinned, "I have to be."

I must say, having a handsome sailor on your arm does wonders for your confidence. And if being near him was calming, being right next to him was damn near intoxicating. I actually thought I could feel that "spark" when I had linked my arm with his. Thankfully, we didn't come across to many passengers on our journey, no doubt because the majority of them were at dinner themselves, so there was hardly any need for me to feign injury.

"You look lovely tonight, I might add," Will said suddenly.

Now that, I wasn't prepared for. "I'm only wearing my uniform..." I said, completely taken off guard.

"Ah now here's a secret," he said, leaning closer to me, "you don't have to be covered in jewels to be considered attractive."

I didn't have time to reply, because as he finished that sentence, we had entered the wheelhouse, where Chief Officer Wilde was standing watch, along with two of the junior officers. It was at this time that Will and I had to unlink arms, as to avoid stares. I nodded respectfully at Mr. Wilde, but he looked away from us.

"This way," Will said, leading me to the officers' mess.

"Oi Will, you bring us some company?" Mr. Lightoller said as we made our entrance.

"Indeed I have. Lads, you remember Regen, our Master-At-Arms."

"Hello," Sixth Officer James Moody waved at me, elbowing the Fifth Officer to attention as he did so.

"Ow! Dammit James why did you – oh. Evening," Mr. Lowe tipped his hat to me.

"Good evening," I replied, removing my hat, "I hope I'm not intruding. Mr. Murdoch invited me, you see."

"I shouldn't think so," Mr. Moody said.

"Better you than Henry," Mr. Lightoller quipped.

"It's certainly nice to see you again, Mr. Lightoller," I said, taking a seat next to him.

"The pleasure is all mine," he said, smiling at me," and please, call me Lights. You are part of the family now, after all."

"Well thank you, Lights." I immediately felt the nervousness melt away upon learning that I had been accepted into their circle.

"So," Will said as he sat down next to me, "What'll you be having?"

"Whatever you're having," I answered him.

"Alright. Can I get you anything to drink?"

"Tea with lemon would be nice," I said. To be honest, I'd have liked to have had a beer. Will nodded his acknowledgment, and rose to retrieve my requested beverage, stopping to give our orders for dinner to a steward.

"Well, Regen, why not tell us about yourself, eh?" Mr. Lightoller suggested as he began eating his dinner.

"To be honest, there isn't very much to tell," I said rather modestly.

"If I may say," Mr. Moody began,"I find it difficult to believe that, considering your position. I'm sure you have some rather interesting stories to tell, at least."

"Well, I have been shot at a few times..." I admit, somewhat reluctantly.

Well, that certainly got their attention. Will nearly dropped the cup of tea he was carrying. I immediately regretted making that statement.

"Bugger me," I heard Mr. Lowe say to himself.

Mr. Moody looked rather shocked; he obviously had not been expecting that kind of response.

"Where?" Mr. Lightoller exclaimed, wide-eyed.

"My left shoulder, near the collarbone," I answered.

"How the bloody hell did that happen?" Mr. Lowe asked.

"Language!" Mr. Moody scolded.

"Oh sod off, James," came Mr. Lowe's retort.

Will sat down, rather stunned at what I'd just told them, and handed me my tea. I thanked him and a took a long sip before beginning my story.

"It was quite some time ago, probably 4 years ago now, I think. My assistant's father owned a pub, and I was working security for him at the time. There had been two men who had quite a bit to drink, and they started arguing, over what I cannot remember. I went over to them, and told them that they needed to calm down, or take it elsewhere, as we didn't want any trouble. One of the men took offense to me telling him this, most likely because I am not a man, and got rather nasty with me. So I told him he had to leave, and that he was banned from the pub as a result of his behavior. His friends managed to convince him to leave, and so they left. Then, the man he was arguing with chased after him, shouting insults and causing more trouble. I went outside to talk some sense into the other man. All of sudden I heard a gunshot. I turned to face the direction it came from, and...I don't remember much after that, actually, aside from how much it hurt." I took another sip of tea. "I was told afterwards that the first man had pulled his gun in a drunken rage, and had intended to hit the man I was trying to calm down."

"Blimey," Lightoller said in disbelief, "and you didn't quit after that?"

"No sir," I said, "didn't see the point, to be honest."

"Bugger me," Mr. Lowe said again.

By this time, our dinner had arrived, and thankfully the conversation became a bit more positive, as Mr. Lightoller entertained us with a story about an "incident," as Will called it, at Fort Denison.

"Bloody embarrassing, that was," Will said.

"It was funny, and you know it," Mr. Lightoller stated. I couldn't help laughing, nearly to the point of tears, as they argued amongst themselves.

A short while later, Mr. Lightoller bade me good night, explaining that he had to return to the bridge, as he'd been only temporarily relieved by Chief Officer Wilde. Mr. Lowe had also left, presumably to get some sleep.

"I'm afraid it's nearly time for me to be on watch again, as well," Will said, somewhat remorsefully. "Shall I walk you back?"

"I'd like that," I answer, smiling at him.

Once we'd gotten clear of the bridge, Will offered me his arm again, which I gladly accepted.

"I had a lovely time tonight, Will. Thank you."

"And thank you, Regen, for the pleasure of your company."

I swear, if he didn't stop stop smiling at me, I don't know how much more self control I could have exercised.

"I hope I didn't scare you with my story," I said apologetically, "it was the first thing that came to mind, and I regret having told it now."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. In fact, I find it quite admirable that that incident didn't deter you from continuing your career."

"Thank you, that means a lot to me," I told him.

When we arrived back at my office, my mind started racing. Would he kiss me? Does he even feel that way about me? I hoped he did; I would have hated to be told otherwise. I don't remember feeling so strongly for anyone...not even my ex-fiance. Oh, the complications our feelings create.

"I...I'd like to see you again, if that's alright with you," I said without even thinking. Once I realized what had just come out of my mouth, my heart started pounding in my chest and I felt my face get hot. I mentally braced myself for the answer I didn't want to receive. I think then I saw Will wearing the biggest smile I'd seen from him all day.

"Regen, I can't think of a better way to spend my free time."