Tommy was in the third class general room, playing a sad tune on the piano, his mind on the conversation that he had just left with Juliette. He had never felt so lovesick over a lass before. Juliette was everything that he wanted in a lass. She was beautiful, smart, sweet, and feminine. She was funny and loved to have fun. Not to mention that she had a fire in her. One that you didn't see in many lasses these days. He was also hoping that she was brave. Brave enough to take a chance on him.

He could understand her reluctance. She had just come from a broken heart. Who would want to risk their heart again? Not to mention the difference in their race and culture…

But he cared nothing about that.

Tommy loved everything about those differences, from her American accent down to her soft, lovely brown skin. He loved it all and was willing to go through what he had to just to be with her. That one bloke that had left her broken...he was a bloody coward as well as fool. He had no loyalty in his craven body.

The same couldn't be said for Tommy. Tommy was a Ryan and anyone in Doneghal could tell you, Ryans are loyal to the ones they love, even when it wasn't healthy to be so. He would not stand there and let anyone disrespect his lass. He would not sit there and let anyone treat her like she was some second class citizen. Anyone that tried to do such a thing, they would have his fist to deal with.

But Juliette couldn't see that. Not yet. All she saw was another chance for hurt and betrayal. A chance that she was reluctant to take.

He couldn't blame her for that reluctance. Not in the least. He just hoped that her feelings for him were strong enough to help her over come it. At least overcome it enough to give him a chance.

The arrival of a downcast Jack brought him out of his thoughts. He watched as the young American collapsed onto one of the benches and was soon joined by Fabrizio. Curious, he joined them, wondering how the meeting with that red head from last night went.

"I take it things didn't go well, boy-o?" Tommy asked, keeping his voice sympathetic. Jack didn't need someone saying that they told him so.

"They wouldn't let me see her. They said that my presence there was no longer appropriate...and when I refused their money, they threw me out. It's like last night didn't even happen..."

Tommy sighed and shook his head, feeling bad for his friend. He didn't like being right about this. "I'm sorry, mate. I wish that I could say that I was surprised that they shut the door like that..."

Jack sighed, got upon his feet. "She doesn't belong there. I mean...you guys saw it too, right? How she's more like us than them? You should have seen her at that fucking dinner. So suppressed and controlled...but when it was just the two of us...and when I took her to the party down here...she came alive. It was like I was seeing the real girl underneath all that first class stuffiness and...she's amazing."

"Jack," Tommy sighed, feeling bad for his new friend as he recognized the real affection he had for the girl. If he didn't see reason soon, he would be heading for trouble.

Jack shook his head, refusing to hear any discouraging words. It was obvious that his mind was made up. "They're killing her. Not physically...but spiritually...if I walk away and let her stay in that world...that fire we all so last night will die and she'll end up just like the rest of them. I can't let that happen...I have to see her again...just one more time. I have to make her see that she can't marry that guy…."

"What are you going to do?" Tommy frowned, not sure how Jack will manage seeing Rose again. Her people had already had him thrown back down in steerage. He wouldn't be able to freely roam first class like he had the day before.

"I'm going to see her again, of course...but I'm going to need your help to do it."

Tommy look at Fabrizio, who looked back at him and then turned his gaze on Jack. He winced when Fabrizio gave his answer, knowing that he wouldn't turn his back on a friend in need, no matter how unwise he thought that his friend was being.

"Of course we help, Amico..."

Tommy gave a resigned sigh. He really thought that Jack was being unwise in this, but who was he to talk? He was chasing after a lass as well. Maybe some of Jack's determination will rub off on him. Some of his luck as well.

"I think you're being unwise and should just forget the lass, but if it's my help you need, it's yours."

"Thanks fellas. I owe you both," Jack grinned, as he got to his feet.

"What do you need us to do?"

"Help me sneak back up into first class unseen. That is all," Jack answered. "I already know the perfect spot..."

Ten minutes later, Tommy and Fabrizio helped lift Jack onto the first class deck from the second class deck with Tommy complaining about how unreasonable Jack was being.

"Amour is never reasonable," Fabrizio sighed as Jack disappeared out of view.

"Hey, you two aren't supposed to be up here!" A crewman yelled, briskly walking towards them.

"We go, we go," Fabrizio followed Tommy back to third class.

As Tommy left the second class deck, Fabrizio's words stuck with him. Amour is never reasonable. How right the Italian was. If it was, he would realize how impossible a relationship with a colored girl could be, especially in the new country that he was hoping to make his home. But he didn't care about that. The girl was in his heart and he wanted to have her. He didn't care what anyone had to say about it. Like Jack, he was being unreasonable...and he realized that unreasonable was the best way to be. Reasonable people didn't live. They didn't push the envelope and make things happen. They didn't pick up one day and leave their home country for a better life.

Was he as unreasonable as his new friend?

Fuck yes he was, and he was proud of it! He just hoped that Juliette would allow herself to be unreasonable as well and give them both a chance. He didn't think he'd ever be able to move on if she didn't.

…..

Juliette sat in the Parisian cafe with Joesph and Juliette. With her thoughts full of Tommy and their discussion earlier, she had almost let it slip her mind, until Joesph's wife came knocking at her door, reminding her of their get together.

Julliette took note of every display of affection between the couple and how they talked to one another. How gentle he was towards her and how loving she was towards him. How nothing existed but the two of them, despite the nasty looks they were getting from the crew and other passengers. It was like they were in a world all of their own, shielded from the badness directed at them. She wondered how they had managed it, because nothing had shielded her from what had happened with Micheal's family.

"This has been such a lovely voyage. Don't you think so, Miss. Thompson?" Joesph's wife Juliette asked, taking a sip from her tea. "The sea has been so calm and the air crisp and refreshing. I really am enjoying this voyage..."

"Despite the looks we receive," Joesph gave a good-natured chuckle.

"It is lovely," Juliette quickly agreed, feeling guilty that she hadn't been talking much. They were such lovely people and they deserved more of her attention than she's been giving. "Of course, as a single woman, it's not as easy to enjoy the ship as fully as I'd like..."

"Why doesn't that nice looking young man we saw you with last night escort you on a tour of the ship? I am sure that he wouldn't mind," the other Juliette gave her a knowing smile, startling the other girl.

Juliette didn't know how to respond to that. She hadn't thought that anyone had noticed how much time she had spent with Tommy down in third class. She wondered what the couple thought of it. Would they think that getting involved with Tommy was a good idea? That it was worth it? They seemed to think their own love was worth it.

"Tommy is in third class...he's barely allowed into the second class section of the ship. I doubt we'd even reach first," Juliette blushed, looking at her hands.

"He seems rather sweet on you dear..."

"Juliette, cut it out. The girl doesn't need you matchmaking," Joesph chuckled.

"What? I am just saying my impressions. Besides, what is so wrong with it if he is? Sure, they would have to deal with all the nastiness that we do...but in the end I think it is well worth it..."

"But how do you deal with it? I look at the two of you and you seem to be in your own world, oblivious to it all. How do you keep all of it from getting to you?" Juliette went ahead and asked, since they had somehow gotten onto the subject. Maybe some advice from people that know would help. After all, they were doing something right….they had something that she didn't have with Micheal and she needed to know what that was before she could even think about giving Tommy a chance.

Joesph smiled and placed a hand over his wife's. "Back in France, we have a support system of friends and family. People on our side who we knew have our backs. Not to mention that we have each other. Juliette would not stand for anyone treating me less than human or disrespecting our love. Understand, in no way am I saying that it's an easy road. It is not. But when the love is true...when it's something that you both want and would fight for...it lasts. It takes a strong person to be in a relationship like ours in this day and age...a strong, determined, loyal person

"Before getting into anything, my advice is to talk to the young man. Make sure that he's well aware of what is in store for you both. That you may lose friends and family...that at times you may have only each other...and that most of all, you have to have each other's back. It can't be a one way street. He has to be just as willing to stand up for your love as you are. If he can't promise that...well then it's best to just walk away."

Juliette felt tears in her eyes, realizing that all that Joesph had said...all that was needed to have a interracial relationship...Micheal had been sorely lacking in all departments. He had not been willing to lose his friends and family. He had never had her back. He had never stood up for her. He had no loyalty. In his eyes, their love had not been worth it.

Was it the same way for Tommy, who had no family where they were heading? Would he be willing to stand up against strangers just to protect and love her? Was he willing to lose what friends he made?

She didn't know the answer to that. She was couldn't possibly know until she had talked to him. Make him see what he was getting into and if he still wanted her then.

"Juliette? Are you alright dear?" Joesph's wife questioned, clear concern in her voice.

"Oh I am fine. You two have just given me a lot to think about..."

"Oh we are sorry..."

"No. No, don't be sorry. You've helped me, more than you know really. I have to say, that I admire you and your family. You have to face so much and you remain together. No matter what. You are an inspiration. I am happy that I have gotten to know you," Juliette smiled, for the first time that day, feeling at peace. She finally knew what she was going to do about Tommy.

One hour later, she bumped into Rose on the way out of the cafe. The red-head looked contemplative and determined.

"Oh excuse me, Miss," Juliette apologized, not sure if Rose recognized her.

"Pardon me...wait you're Jack's friend Juliette from the party," Rose smiled, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Oh thank goodness. I have to find Jack...I made a mistake earlier and...I have to tell him that I had changed my mind...that he was right...do you know where he might be?"

"He's probably in the third class general room with Tommy and Fabrizio or on one of the decks drawing. I'm heading down there now if you want to join me?"

"I'd love that. Thank you," Rose smiled gratefully.

Together, the two young women headed for the third class. Both hoping to find their young men and perhaps continue with this new thing that was between them.