"Is everything alright?" Mayda whispered to Harry. "I don't think so." Harry told her as they walked to the table the couple was sitting at. "Kristen?" James let her go as she sat up once more, wiping a stray tear from her eye. "Yes?" "Is everything alright?" "No." As she sat up fully, Harold saw the long red line at her throat. "What happened?!" he asked. "Well, Boxhall pulled me away, and questioned my loyalty to White Star Line. He held me up by my tie. It was horrible." she remarked, rubbing the mark. Mayda gasped as she finally learned what her friend had to go through to reach the top. "The report has been filed." Lights announced, walking over.
Mayda immediately went over to Kristen and hugged her.
James could hear Mayda mutter something about how sorry she was for what happened to Kristen.
"I don't get it," Charles announced as he began to pace. "I don't understand it. Regardless of what's going on what the hell gives him the right to put his hands on her?!"
He blushed when he realized he had cursed in front of two women. He apologized though he continued his pacing.
"That's it, you two are never going to be alone," Harold said. "I won't have either of you pull rank or argue with us. At least one of us three men are going to be with you at all times and that's final."
"I don't want to cause any trouble," Kristen repeated.
"He's the one who caused the trouble, not you," Mayda insisted. "Mister Boxhall needs to be held responsible for his own actions."
"Now what?" James asked.
"Captain Smith will get the report today. He might call us in to hear all sides of the story. After that it's all up to him," Charles said. "Now I have something I must ask, Miss Kristen, will you walk with me?"
Mayda looked at Charles to Kristen. When she looked back at Charles he was holding out his hand to her.
"Please," Charles said.
Gradually Kristen took Charles' hand, which he placed in the crook of his arm as he escorted her out of the Mess Hall.
"I want you to know I know what it's like to be harassed and attacked. When I first joined the navy I once got beaten up by a man bigger than me and it terrified me," Charles said in a fatherly and comforting tone of voice. "If there's anything you need tell me right away. Whatever Boxhall's problem is HE needs to get over it, not you. It's not your fault that he's being such an idiot."
Charles flashed her a wicked grin in an effort to get her to smile, "Besides, I can always get Fleet and Lee to drop water bombs on him."
"That you could, however, they probably wouldn't dare to talk to me though, after they locked me in a room with Mayda." Kristen sighed. "There is something I need you to do for me. Or, technically, more for James." "What is it?" "I need you to be strong for us all. You are the one that holds this all together, if you fall, everything will. Poor James is restless, he can't stand to see you in any way upset. Harold as well. He's worried that events will repeat themselves. I need you to show them how strong you really are. I know it's there. You've proved it to me many times." Charles finished. "I will. I don't understand it either. Boxhall hasn't been that friendly to ANYONE I'm close to!" Kristen exclaimed, in frustration. "He's manipulating you. And you have to show him it's not working, punch him, kick him, I really don't care! Just as long as he keeps his hands off of you. Can you please tell me the exact words that were said during that conversation?" Charles requested. "Of course. He grabbed me just after I finished walking down the Grand Staircase, and he pulled me into a room, holding me up against the wall by my tie. He asked if I really enjoyed making a mockery of White Star, and I of course said, no, that I respect White Star. Then, I shoved him back, and he pulled my tie along with it. When he recovered, he asked me if I made it up to Chef Officer because of my pretty little face. I told him I worked, and he responded that women don't hold positions held by men, and I just asked him if he was intimidated by me. That's pretty much it. I could have said a lot more, I just didn't want to make him upset." "You should have." "I don't see why he'd have quarrel with Mayda though. She has nothing to do with me and my rank, besides the fact that she is a good friend of mine." "And that, dear, is the exact reason he'd go after her. Along with James, and Harold, and me." "I don't want them to get hurt! What do I do, stop talking to them?" "Heavens, no! James is head over heels in love with you!" "I don't want him hurt, Lights!" Kristen exclaimed. "By loving you, he's chosen all the trouble that comes with you. I told him that, and he took it, as long as you came along." "And what about Harry and Mayda, and you?" "Well, Harold can take care of Mayda, and I have fended off plenty of men. You've got us all." Charles smiled. "I know it." Kristen smiled, and giving Lights a hug. Back in the Mess, everyone was still questioning recent events, trying to figure it out.
Charles leaned in close to Kristen, "I'll let you share your story of what happened as you see fit. I won't force you to tell it to James or to anyone else." In a louder voice he announced, "James, I return your lady to you. Harry, keep a close eye on Mayda. As for me, I'm not worried about Boxhall as I rank him."
"He could also beat him in a fight. I've seen it," James added.
Charles shook his head, "I only fought because I had to. Kristen told me what happened and we all need to watch out for Boxhall. I don't know about Pitman, he goes in whatever direction the wind points him in."
Half listening James went to Kristen and put his arms around her, "Are you feeling any better?"
"Charles and I had a good talk," Kristen said.
Charles continued, "I need to see the Captain about my report; and Mayda, you need to get a new key to your cabin before the Master-At-Arms retires."
"That I do," Mayda quipped and got up from the table.
"Good night ladies, gentlemen," Charles said. He walked out of the room in long strides in search of Captain Smith.
He rounded a corner and bumped right into his captain.
"Lightoller, just the man I wanted to see," Captain Smith said.
"Yes, sir," Charles responded.
"I got your report. Is what you write true?"
"I have no reason to see why our Chief Officer would lie."
"Has she seen the doctor?"
"That I do not know, sir."
"I wish to speak to her."
"She's in the Officer's Mess sir."
"Very good," Captain Smith walked past Charles who felt like his stomach was going to tie itself into a square knot. He prayed that the captain would listen to and understand Kristen.
Leaving the room Mayda came close to bumping into Captain Smith. Under normal circumstances he'd ask what she was doing in there but these were not normal situations.
"Stewardess," Captain Smith said.
"Captain."
The captain looked to Kristen and James. James had barely enough time to remove his arms from Kristen's shoulders before being spotted.
"Mister Moody, I wish to have a few minutes alone to speak to my Chief Officer," Captain Smith said.
"Of course sir," James said as he got up from the table. He walked out into the hallway though he did not leave the area. He knew better than to listen but rather impatiently waited for Kristen to come out.
"I have received Mr. Lightoller's report." he nodded. "Yes sir." "And what you say is the truth?" he asked. "Could I lie about this?" Kristen inquired, pulling her tie off to reveal a red line across her neck. "My goodness! Now about Mr. Boxhall. He is known to cause problems, but not unless provoked." "You think I provoked him?" Kristen asked aggressively. "Why else would he attack you?" "I don't mean to be nasty, sir, but you don't spend enough time with your Officers and on the bridge to know what truly goes on." "I would watch your mouth, Petronsky! Now, I am going to speak with Mr. Lightoller. You are dismissed." Kristen walked out of the room, a little angry. She saw James waiting for her, and he saw it in her eyes. She stormed past him, and up to the bridge. "He wants to see you, Lights." "Oh, of course. How did it go?" "Captain thinks I provoked him, I denied, and was told to watch my mouth." Kristen sighed. "I'll talk with him." Lights walked into the Mess Hall, telling James that Kristen was on the bridge. "What did Smith say?" "He thinks I provoked Boxhall! I didn't James, I didn't!" "I know you didn't, now we just have to wait." he sighed. "Ah, Lightoller, I just finished talking with Miss Petronsky." The captain said as Lights walked into the Mess. "As I heard."
Charles sighed, "Sir, you may be lord and master aboard this ship but you're wrong! I've seen the look in Boxhall's eyes and I saw Miss Petronsky's injuries! Either she is the best actress in all of England or something happened!"
"I've known Boxhall for years."
"Perhaps you don't know him as well as you think, sir. What am I supposed to do? Issue her a pistol to go and shoot the next man that tries to harm her? And how do we know this behavior isn't going to escalate to the point he tries to throw her overboard? Something has to be done NOW sir."
"You're out of line Mister Lightoller," Captain Smith firmly said.
"Perhaps I am but you are as well. It's also YOUR job to protect the crew!"
"You're dismissed Lightoller. This will certainly show up on your record."
"Then bring me the shackles…sir," turning away from Captain Smith Charles headed back to the bridge. "That man has a skull thicker than mine!"
Mayda continued to the Master-At-Arm's office.
"You're the one who got her key stolen?" The Master-At-Arms remarked.
Mayda shrugged and nodded. She glanced over her shoulder expecting to see Harold. Where was he? Did he get distracted by someone or even captured by someone.
The Master-At-Arms smiled at the sight of the young stewardess looking around. The simple action caused his long mustache to tickle his face making him chuckle.
Mayda's attention immediately went back to the man, "Sir?"
"Nothing young lady," the Master-At-Arms replied. He handed a brass key to her, "Make sure it works first."
"I will, thank you," Mayda said. Turning away from the man she quickly walked to her room while often looking over her shoulder. She didn't care if she looked strange.
Where was Harold?
Getting to her room Mayda felt some relief flow through her. At least there she would be safe…and yet she couldn't remain in there forever.
I'll figure it out in the mornin', Mayda thought to herself.
She heard the lock click and stepped into her room not quite knowing what to expect.
Lights stepped onto the bridge, annoyed and in a foul mood. "What happened?" Kristen asked. "He told me that I had gotten out of line, and he said that it would show up on my record. I swear, that man thinks you're the best actress in England!" "I'm not, it's the truth!" "We know, we've just got to convince him. If something goes wrong, she could be down with the Master-At-Arms!" James fretted. "Don't worry, Mr. Moody, I will not allow that to happen. I just don't want Boxhall to get too angry and do something he'll regret, like throwing her overboard or something." "What?" "It's extreme, I know, but who knows what could happen! Now, I suggest you to keep a tight hold on her, Mr. Moody. I must go. I'm sure I will see you later." Lights sighed. "Goodbye Lights, and thank you." Kristen told him. As Mayda opened the door, she saw Harold, sitting on her bed. "Oh! There you are! I've been looking for you!" "I see you've got a key." Harry nudged his chin forward. "Yes, and I'm glad as well. Aren't you on duty?" "No one is really on duty with what happened, so I figured I'd come down here." he replied, opening his arms to her. "I feel so bad for James. Poor lad, he must be really stressed." Mayda sighed, as she sank into Harold, hugging him back. "Well, everything will be sorted out into the morning hopefully." Harry sighed, kissing her forehead. "Mr. Moody! I need to speak with you!" Captain Smith called. He reluctantly left Kristen's side, and proceeded with Captain Smith into the Mess.
Charles watched them go before looking back at Kristen with a sincere look in his blue eyes. "If you need me for anything, anything at all, come and get me right away," he said. Kissing the back of her hand he turned to go.
Once outside the bridge Charles craned his head upward to see Fleet and Lee in the crow's nest and sighed.
"I better go talk to them," he remarked to himself.
The steps never seemed so long or so heavy to Charles before, "Fleet, Lee, I need to talk to you."
The look outs exchanged glances at the tone in Charles' voice. They had never heard him sound so saddened before. Opening up the door Lee looked at Charles.
"What is it?" Fleet asked softly.
"I need you two to do something," Charles said.
"What?"
"Keep an eye on Kristen."
"Why?"
"This stays between the three of us, Boxhall attacked her, and Captain Smith doesn't believe her."
"That's terrible!" Lee exclaimed.
Charles nodded, "Which is why I want you both to help keep an eye on her to keep her safe."
Fleet nodded while Lee agreed to do so.
"Perhaps we should pelt Boxhall with water bombs," Lee remarked.
"Wait until he's nice and clean first," Fleet added.
"Be careful what ever it is you do," Charles said. "Good night you two."
"Good night."
James followed Captain Smith into the Officer's Mess with slow strides.
"Sir?" James asked.
"What do you know about this incident?" Captain Smith asked.
"All I know is what I've seen and what I've been told sir."
"Meaning?"
"Our Chief Officer has a bad red mark around her neck and she has been clearly frightened. She's a strong woman who is not prone to hysteria, sir."
"And what do you think?"
"I think she's telling the truth sir."
"Do you now?"
James felt the anger welling up inside him, "Yes, I do sir. She has no reason to lie, she has nothing to gain by lying."
Mayda continued to hold onto Harold as her forehead touched his neck. "I'm worried about all this, Harry," Mayda admitted.
"I know you are," Harold said softly as he began to stroke her hair.
"Please, just hold me."
Harold tightened his grip on Mayda as he began to gently rock her. He kissed her forehead as he wished there was something more that he could do.
Fleet still couldn't believe what Lightoller told him. "I'm going to go down and talk with her. Keep an eye out." "Alright. Tell her I hope she feels better." Lee said, watching Fleet descend down the ladder. The lookout cautiously went to the bridge, unsure of what her reaction would be. When she heard his footsteps, she looked up, and gave a gentle smile. Fleet saw the redness in her cheeks, and the dampness in her eyes. He knew immediately that she had been crying. He walked over, and enveloped her in a hug. "Hey, Fred." she said. "Hey, are you alright?" "Yeah, I think so, I don't know about James though. He went in to talk with the Captain." Fleet smiled as he realized that her sadness didn't dampen her sense of humor. "Lee says that he hopes that you're alright. Oh! And I brought you a present!" he said, drawing a water bomb out of his pocket. "Thanks Fleet." Kristen smiled, accepting the present. "Now, go get him, girl!" he exclaimed, before walking away. Kristen laughed after him, as she looked at the bomb down in her hands.