AU: I use one of the best scenes of Jack and Rose in this, so I hope I did it some sort of justice

Thank you to all who have reviewed and those who read this but don't review. I keep writing it for you.

I do not own Titanic

Chapter 9

April 12, 1912

12:30pm

The dream James had last night was quite peculiar. He found himself swimming in the ocean. The weird thing was that the water was warm for this time of year. As he swarm in the water James saw a boat come close. Harry was in it and he had his hand extended as if he was trying to rescue James, but James didn't want to be rescued, he liked being in the water.

James had no idea what his dream meant. He concluded since he was not on friendly terms with Harry, he was having dreams that he ignored him. James shook the dream off quickly; there were more important things to do.

Now, James was standing by the bow of the ship waiting for Riley. He was able to bribe a steward to give her the note he had written to her to come and meet him here. He wasn't sure if she would be able to make, her aunt or uncle could stop her, but he still waited.

Twenty minutes went by and Riley approached him.

"I'm sorry it took me this long. I had to beg my aunt to let me go the Library unsupervised" She said and he smiled at her

"That's okay, as long as you're here" He said. He wanted to pull her into a hug or kiss her soft lips, but he didn't. He just took her hand and led her towards the bow

"I want to show you something" He said and Riley had a curious look on her face as they moved forward. Getting to the very front on the ship James asked her to close her eyes

"Why" she asked doing as she was told

"You'll see, but for now no peeking" He said

Riley nodded. He then told her to step up on the railing and hold on. Riley was so lost, but she did as she was told. She didn't need to be scared because James held her protectively and she was really enjoying his touch

Once Riley felt herself higher than she was before, James gradually opened her arms horizontally and whispered into her ears

"Open your eyes"

Riley slowly opened them and in front of her were the Atlantic Ocean and the warm breeze in her face. She felt larger than life, she felt like she was flying

"I'm flying" She said. The smile on her face was priceless. The wind blowing her dark curls on her face made her look so beautiful. James knew he loved her. There was no denying it.

"Remember when you told me, you wished you could fly to get out of the hands of your aunt and uncle" James said quietly in her ear and Riley nodded

"You can, Riley. You can do anything" Riley turned to look over her shoulder and saw James's brown eyes staring back at her. He was right, Harry was right. Her brother knew better, that was why he ran away, he got out and so could she. She didn't love Daniel, she loved James and she made up her mind to be with James no matter what.

Riley leaned close to James and kissed him lightly

"I know now" She whispered and James smiled and kissed her again, this time more passionately

Once they pulled apart. James helped Riley down and kissed her again

"Don't let me go back, I want to stay with you all day" Riley said

"Your aunt won't mind" James asked raising an eyebrow

"What aunt?"Riley said and they both laughed

"Very well then Miss"

James and Riley we inseparable for hours, they continued to laugh and enjoy each other's company. James was able to steal some kisses here and there when no one was watching. They had gone to the library and looked at their favorite books. Riley was surprised to know James was a sucker for the romantics, even though he swore he had never been attached to another woman. From the library James took Riley to the very empty pool room.

Riley was amazed to see the big pool on the ship. This was one of the first ships in the world to have one on board. Just then she saw James take his boots of and then his coat

"What are you doing?" She asked curiously

"Nothing" He said smiling at her as he rolled up the length of his pants and sat at the edge of the pool and dipped his feet in. He didn't have to ask Riley to join him. She took off her shoes as well and lifted up her skirts as she sat down beside him dipping her feet in as well

"Mhm, this feels so good" She said

"I know. It's too bad we can't get in" James said as Riley dipped her hand in the water

"Who says we can't" She splashed some water on James who's attempt to avoid it landed him into the pool. Riley's eyes widened and she started laughing so hard, her corset almost made her stop breathing.

James swam up, his hair sticking to his face and he smiled mischievously

"Oh it's so funny huh" He asked as he swam closer and Riley nodded still laughing

"I wonder if this is funny" James said as he picked her up and pushed her into the water with him

"James no" She yelped, but it was no use she was already soaking wet.

"Oh my goodness, I can't believe you did that. I'll be in so much trouble" She said and James laughed

"My aunt liked to see this dress on me—"Riley could not speak anymore because James had began to kiss her. It felt so good to be in the pool and held in his arms, their bodies close together. She ran her hands through his wet hair and his hands were place firmly on her waist. How had she gotten so lucky all of a sudden to have found a man like this? She thought

Just then the signal for dinner was heard and James and Riley pulled apart. James smiled his handsome smile at her "I think we should get out of here" He said and Riley giggled.

James was the first to get out and he helped Riley up. Spotting a set of towels he grabbed them and gave her one while he took the other.

"I need to get to my room to change, but my aunt would be there and I really don't want to go back now" Riley said

"Don't worry, come with me" James said.

The two were lucky most of the first class passengers had gone in to get ready for dinner. They were able to run from the pool to the officer's quarters without anyone spotting them. James led Riley into his room.

"You have a cozy room" Riley said. James thought she was being sarcastic at first so he was going to laugh, but then he realized she was serious so he said thank you.

James grabbed a new shirt and pants and went into his bathroom to change quickly. He had giving riley another towel to dry her hair. Once he came out, he was wearing a white shirt with suspenders and his black pants.

"Stay here for a minute, I'll be right back" He said and was about to leave, but then stopped "If anyone knocks don't answer" Riley smiled and nodded and James left.

Riley took this time to look around the sixth officer's tiny room, she figured he got the smallest because he was the most junior officer, but she doubted the others had anything more. On the table there was an old picture of a couple with a small boy, she figured those were his parents and she smiled a little. He looked a lot like his father now. They had the same hair and eyes. Height was the same and their faces were quite similar.

Just then there was a knock on the door

"James are you in its Harry" She heard Harry say. She didn't know if James's don't open the door rule applied to him, but still she didn't want Harry seeing her in a wet dress.

Harry knocked again "Are you still ignoring me" Harry said and Riley wondered why James would ignore Harry, she didn't think much of it though, she heard James's voice

"Not ignoring you just not in my room" He said

"I think we should talk abo-"Harry stopped talking and Riley wondered why

"Why are you holding a dress" He asked instead

"It's not for me" James said and Riley giggled

"Of course dim wit I know it's not for you" Harry said and Riley laughed a little harder

"I borrowed them from a stewardess for Riley" James voice was quieter
"Why does she need someone else's dress"

"Because she does" There was silence and Riley was not sure of what was going on

"Is she in there?" She heard Harry ask his voice was a bit cold "What are you doing with her in your room"

"Nothing Harry, now move so I can get this to her" She noticed James's voice was a bit angry

"This could cost you your job" Harry said

"Oh save it Harry, were you thinking about your job when you brought her down to play cards with you last night" James was quite angry now

"You had better not done anything with her" Harry's voice was grim

"Well that is none of your business cousin" James said. Riley was shocked to hear they were fighting because of her. Had she missed something somewhere?

She heard harry walk away and the door opened and James came in with a smile on his face as if he had not just argued with someone

"I got this from Mary, she's a stewardess. I hope its okay" He said. Riley smiled slightly and took the light pink dress from him

"It's lovely" she said

"You may change in here. I'll wait outside" James said

"James" Riley said stopping him

"Could you really lose your job" She asked. James had been hoping she didn't hear any of his and Harry's conversation

"Yeah, but it's not a big deal. It's just a rule about not associating with passengers, worst that could happen is a suspension, don't you worry about it, Harry is just looking out for me" He said and smiled reassuringly before walking out.

It didn't sound like he was. Riley thought

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