I went back to the room and begin rifling through the dresses in my closet, searching for the best one I had. Most of my nicer things I had sold out of necessity, but I still kept what I can spare. I found a powder blue dress that I had particularly loved, silk grosgrain with a trumpet-shaped skirt bearing two ruffles around the hem. Wishing I had a nice hat, I took out the barrette with the cats on it.

"What are ya about?" I heard Keely mumble, lying almost face down on her bed.

"Oh, just..." I rummaged through my jewelry and found a necklace, "... headed to take a walk."

She snorted. "What path could yeh possibly walk on our deck that we haven't already walked a hundred times? I'll be so happy ta get off this boat..."

"Don't fret, we've only got three days at most until we're in New York," I replied to her, going over to the mirror to fix my hair with this and put the necklace on. Now for nice shoes... although I didn't remember keeping any of those.

"If I were a more clever girl," Keely went on, still without rolling over, "I'd figure a way ta get upstairs to those Turkish baths. I don't even know what a Turkish bath is, but it sounds a lot better than anything I've ever been in."

"Yes, they're pretty nice," I mused, thinking it ironic that adventurous Keely was talking about sneaking into first class while a well-behaved girl like myself was preparing to actually do it.

Deciding my best boots, which were still relatively scuffed up, would have to do, I put them on quickly and looked over the finished product in the mirror. "Well, I'll be back in a bit. Keep resting."

"Yah, yah."

Reminding myself how lax I had gotten with posture and mannerisms since I had been of a lower social class, I straightened my back and corrected my gait as I walked along the third class deck, examining how exactly I would go about doing this.

It had been a bit easier to sneak into the first class dining room to play the piano, but the actual first class staterooms were another matter. In addition, I noticed someone guarding the staircase that hadn't been guarded a few days ago. I wondered if he could be distracted.

Feeling rather impish for doing so, I spotted a bottle of brandy close by that I had seen a man drinking from earlier. It sat unguarded as the gentleman was now distracted by the boys' game, and I quickly snatched it up. I hid around the corner and tossed the bottle at an angle I thought was up and over the railing of one of the other decks, hoping it wouldn't hit anyone. My plan worked beautifully as I heard the glass shatter against the wooden planks and a woman scream out of fright.

"Now see here! What's the trouble?" the officer exclaimed, leaving his post and rushing over just as I was making my way quickly toward the stairs leading to second class. I quickly made my way up the steps and slipped behind one of the lifeboats lining the deck. When all was clear, I realized I could have an easier and quicker trip to the first class deck by climbing atop one, pulling myself the rest of the way onto the rope, and slipping underneath the railing at the inconspicuous point I was at. I would have to be fast, though, for the officer who was guarding close by could be back at any moment.

I sighed, making a brief visual plan of how I would do it. Why hadn't I stayed out of this and let Jack deal with his own issues? But I felt I owed Rose, at least, for hammering home a few words I'd needed to hear.

Wondering exactly how smudged my dress might get, I delicately placed a boot on the edge of the lifeboat and pulled myself up with the rope. Feeling rather foolish but glad I'd taken a few years of being a tomboy as a child and learning this sort of thing, I made sure no one was looking still and raised my skirts enough so that if anything would be smudged, it would be my petticoat.

The climb was a tough one, and I was reminded of how long it had been since I'd done anything like this. Panting in a most unbecoming way as I reached the top and feeling my hair to be askew, I managed to duck behind one of the guard houses and put everything aright before stepping out and once again straightening my back.

I belong here anyway, I tried to tell myself, hoping it would help me look confident enough to keep suspicion away. It was an odd sort of feeling that came over me, however, when I reached the brunt of the deck traffic and stared around me at the women in perfectly tailored ensembles and hats idling the day away discussing society. This had been me not so long ago... but now, I was beginning to notice something.

I really didn't want to be here. The warmth I had been feeling among the passengers in steerage was lacking in this environment – and I wanted to get back to it as quickly as possible. Attracting little attention so far and thankful for it, I tried to keep my pace from becoming too frantic as I walked inside toward the main staircase. The intricate carvings surrounding the clock situated on the wall nearly took my breath away.

"Focus," I whispered, catching sight of a rather backward looking steward. This may be a good opportunity.

"Steward," I raised my hand in the appropriate motion. "I'm looking for the room of a certain Rose DeWitt Bukater. I've a book to return to her, and would like to do it personally."

"Ah, yes ma'am. Room B53 is what you're looking for,"

"Right, of course. I'm afraid I'd forgotten," I gave him a charming smile before ascending the beautiful grand staircase.

As I reached the stateroom hallways, I was afraid my luck was beginning to run out when I heard mumbles coming from behind me and felt eyes staring at my back. People were starting to find they didn't recognize me.

Having to will myself not to speed up, I finally found the stateroom and knocked, hoping upon hope that Rose would be in her room. If not, it was all a giant waste of effort.

A young maidservant with a white cap perched atop her dark hair answered. "May I help you, Miss?"

"Yes, I'm looking for Miss Rose DeWitt Bukater," I replied. "Tell her... Aimee S. is here to see her."

Uncertainty flashed in the woman's eyes as she nodded. "I'll speak with her at once, Ma'am."

Hoping "at once" would be almost instantaneous as I was growing nervous, I stood making sure to keep facing the door.

A moment later, the maid returned. "She will see you, Miss S."

Trying not to nearly plow past the woman for the shelter of Rose's stateroom, I gave a gracious smile and entered.

Rose had come out to the sitting room to greet me. I could tell by her face that she had likely spent the last few hours crying. "Aimee? What are you doing, how were you admitted up here?" she marveled.

"I wasn't," I replied, inviting myself to sit down in a plush armchair, spent by the adrenalin rush that had gotten me here. "I was lucky, I suppose... and I can't stay long. But there's something I just feel like I should tell you."

Sitting down in a chair across from me, Rose glanced to her maid. "Leave us, please, Trudy."

The woman gave an obedient nod before she left the room. Rose turned back to me. "What is it, Aimee?"

"Don't settle for what's safe," I found myself speaking before I even had to ask myself what exactly I wanted to say. "I realize you're embedded in this life of luxury... it was how we were brought up. But trust me: if the hardest thing you ever end up doing is leaving all this behind for a life beneath what you know... yet with someone who makes you feel truly alive..." I shook my head, "it will be worth it."

Rose stared at me for a moment. "... How did you know? Have you talked to... to him?" Just at the mere reference to Jack, I saw a heartrending desperation etch itself across her face.

I nodded. "He didn't tell me much, so I don't know very many details about your situation, but I'm telling you. If you leave this high-brow society with all of its prejudices and all its lofty expectations... it will open up the world to you. Please, I can say it because I know."

We sat in silence regarding one another for a full minute before I stood up and backed toward the door. "I have to go, I'm sorry... just, think about this. Promise me that much at least."

Rose stood as well. "Aimee...?"

I turned once more. "Yes?"

She smiled. Not a smile of a burden being completely lifted, but that of a small chink having been made in a high, thick wall to allow sunlight in. "Thank you."

Returning her smile and feeling glad I'd pushed myself to do this, I saw myself out.

Being it was close to dinnertime, the hallways were slightly more full than they had been a few minutes ago, ladies being escorted down by husbands, sons and fathers. I hadn't counted on this, so I tried to just walk quickly and keep my face forward. So far, so good.

I had made it out onto the deck and was making my way quickly for the secluded part I had climbed up onto when someone behind me blew a whistle. I froze my steps, bringing a hand up to nervously push a strand of loose hair behind my ear.

"Turn around to face me, Miss."

Swallowing hard, I did so, trying to keep my mannerisms proper.

The officer was young with sharp, unforgiving eyes. "You aren't to be this far back on the ship, Miss. Didn't you read the sign?" He pointed to the one mounted.

"Why no, I'm afraid I didn't see that!" I gasped. "I'm dreadfully sorry, I'll-"

"Wait." He studied my face for a moment, a moment that seemed to last five. "I've seen you, and not on this deck. You're..." he paused, looking down at my boots which I really wished I had a way to hide just then. "You're steerage, aren't you?"

"I beg your pardon," I tried to sound indignant and insulted.

He chuckled smartly. "Oh yes, you are. I never forget a face, Missy. Now come with me, we're finding the Master at Arms."