A/N Okay thanks for all the reviews!! I really love this chapter, I think it is my best so far!! So please review and tell me what you think!! ^_^ Many Thanks!!

Chapter Six ~ The New York Incident.

The journey to Southampton was quick and uneventful. Rosa and Mia had to stop a night in an Inn, 'The Headless Horseman'. Mia spent the whole time, telling various stories as to how the Inn had earned such a name. One of her favourites was the former owner of the house, had turned from the path of righteousness and taken up the career as a highway man. He had had his head chopped off due to his crimes, but returned from the grave to haunt his killers.

Rosa delighted in her charge's imagination. Rosa was eager to get to Southampton as quickly as possible, she was certain that Sir Dudley would follow them, and Rosa had no desire to return to her former life. She had never felt so free in her whole life. That night she kissed Mia goodnight.

"Sleep tight, darling. This may well be your very last night in England."

Mia threw her arms around Rosa's neck. "I don't care where we go, long as I'm with you."

That night Mia slept well, snuggling under the feather soft covers of the Inn bed. Rosa had just about used up the last of the money, but it didn't matter anymore, every few hours she would cross the room to the drawer, pull it open and clench her hands around the tickets just to make sure they were still there. And when on the move, she kept them securely in her pocket. She refused to let them out of her sight.

It was the 10th of April, in the year of 1912, when the Titanic left port. She towered above the thousands gathered on the docks, staring up at the grandest liner ever built as she prepared to make her first journey across the Atlantic. Doubtless there would be many more, and the two words 'next time' were echoing from the spectator's jealous mouths.

Mia and Rosa sailed through the third class inspection, presented their tickets and stepped on board.

The beautiful ship, smelt like power, like luxury, like freedom. . .but unfortunately no one smelt the tragedy that lingered in the holds, in the decks, concealed in the very keels of the ship. No one smelt the tragedy.

Rosa sniffed as she fought her way through the third class crowds, clutching Mia's hand as they tried to find their cabins. It was easier then first expected, for a start the men and women had been separated, men were located in the bow of the ship, and the women in the stern. This appealed to Rosa; she did not feel like bearing the company of the over enthusiastic, and arrogant men.

But never before had the class system played so openly in front of her sheltered blue eyes. The grandeur of first class could not even be imagined as they stalked the pokey corridors. First class were living in the height of finery, private promenades, swimming pools, gymnasium. Even the second class enjoyed the lap of luxury. But the distinct line between the three was as clear as if someone had drawn it in with chalk.

Eventually they found their room, she knocked, then with a laugh pushed open the door. There were two bunk beds, in all four beds, and a wash basin. The room was white washed, and the linen soft to touch, and smelt new, clean, unslept in.

Already in the room were two women. One was about twenty and the other older at the age of forty five. Rosa held out her hand and introduced herself. She whispered to Mia to do the same. But the seven year old was not use to this, she was use to be treating better, looked up at, surely she, the niece of Lady Dudley was more important then these people?

Mrs Smith and her daughter appeared quite shocked at the appearance of the airs and graces from the small seven year old. Rosa chided her later on her manners.

"But Aunty Gwendolyn would be appalled if I treated them as my equals. . ."

"Well, we're not with Lady Dudley now, and here on this ship, they are your equals Mia. 'Member this love, nobody is better then anybody else. We're all equal in this world, God made everyone the same."

"Then why do the first class have such beautiful living quarters?"

"I say these here living quarters are about the grandest I have ever bin in, Mia. And it's not for long, love, we'll be in America soon, back with Mamma."

"Mamma?" The girl's face lifted instantly.

Rosa nodded. "Now come on, let's go say goodbye to merry ol' England, we may never see her again."

She led the little girl up onto the deck, taking hold of her hand in a firm grip.

"Don't wanna lose you know." She explained, as Mia struggled against the iron hold.

She giggled. "You won't lose me!"

But up on deck, something more serious appeared to be happening. One of the first class women screamed, and Rosa darted round to see what was happening. A smaller ship, 'The New York' which was stationed beside the Titanic to see her off as it was, had started to move. It had come round, and was a hare's breath away from the side of the grand passenger ship.

Rosa's heart pounded wildly in her ship, as it swung past and a major disaster was averted. She looked up, and the Captain, one James Smith, gave a sigh of relief. This was his last voyage, and he dearly wanted it to pass without a hitch.

Maybe they should have taken the near disaster as an omen, I mean surely you cannot cheat death twice. But a general chatter was subsiding, and many seemed to be laughing and joking about the situation. They waved goodbye to their love ones, the blurred faces hidden by excitement as they watched enviously from the shore. Mia waved enthusiastically. Who she was waving to, Rosa didn't know, maybe she wasn't waving to anyone, maybe she was saying goodbye to her old life, to England.

Rosa was wrong when she thought how the Titanic's first voyage would be remembered by 'The New York Incident' far from it. In light of future events, the New York Incident would be driven from everyone's mind, no longer important, no longer worthy of being remembered. Disaster was coming, floating ever closer towards them, as they stood unawares on their ship of dreams.