Titanic – a Mr Murdoch story.

Chapter 2: 'Visions of a greater future.'

He stood there, the wind shuffling through creases in his uniform; shocked. Everywhere he looked a person would be shouting or pushing their way through a mass of other people. Nothing seemed right and after witnessing his own self shoot himself and falling to the ocean below he couldn't believe it. Walking towards Officer Moody he tried to grab the young man's arm but his hand passed straight through and so startled was he; he almost fell over.

Regaining his balance William Murdoch looked directly at him and shouted him, but no words came from his mouth as if he was a mute.

"What in the high heavens is going on?" he questioned himself walking further down the deck still avoiding the people running past him as if afraid to hit them. One thing he definitely knew was; this WAS the Titanic, this ship had become so familiar to him that he knew every deck by every inch. What he wasn't sure of was why the Titanic was sinking and how he could have witnessed himself do something he knew he would never do.

The thoughts whizzed around in his mind and as he continued his was down the deck things suddenly didn't seem so peachy anymore. His vision became blurred and his body felt drained and cold, before he knew it he shot open his eyes and stared up at a very concerned young woman.

"What happened?" he questioned as he lifted his head up from off the deck. But quick to usher him to be quiet, the young woman held out her fingers to him pressed against his lips

"Shh its okay now, you passed out I think sir" she whispered in a gentle voice holding her arm around his waist; helping him to get up. Standing he looked at the young woman and she replied his vacant look

"Are you ok sir? Do you need a doctor?" she queried.

"I saw the Titanic and I saw her... and me...well I..." he started but could not finish. How could he tell this young maid what he had seen, she'd be scared to death. For now he smiled and took her hand from around his waist

"No...I'm fine honest. Thank you anyway...Err...Err...What was your name again miss?"

"Elizabeth sir Elizabeth Burton"

"Elizabeth...thank you for your assistance" he smiled and unbeknown still holding her hand in his. She was a maid, a very beautiful one at that. Her blonde hair fell to her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkled and she had the most dazzling smile he had ever seen. Looking up into his eyes she gently pecked his cheek and nodded before running off down the deck towards her cabin.

Slightly bedazzled by the whole thing he blushed and put his hands in his pockets pulling out his gloves. Thinking about his 'supposed dream' once more he couldn't help but shake the feeling that something wasn't right. What bothered him more was the image of him self and what with the Titanic sinking, he couldn't help but think maybe he shot himself more because he was responsible for the ship going under than for the man being pushed out of the crowd. For now all he knew was that this ship was well, its passengers were well and they were going to reach New York maybe a few hours early.

Night soon fell and dawn came once again, time for duty. After a restless night and a terrible cup of cold tea, First Officer Murdoch pulled on his jacket and did the buttons up checking himself in the mirror. Before picking up his cap he looked out of the port whole window at the bright sun just rising in the sky. Smiling he shook his head a little and began to wonder if maybe what he saw were images of his imagination, after all Titanic was unsinkable and made by the best hands god could create.

Slightly yawning Elizabeth stirred and turned her head gently towards the tiny clock positioned across the room of her cabin. She was an early riser she always had been but today for some reason she had other things on her mind. Today was going to be a long one at that but

"No rest for the wicked" she muttered to herself and got up out of the warm and yet very cold bed. She didn't know whether it was because it was an empty bed or because she was being silly but she knew she felt very alone on this beautiful big ship.

After her morning light breakfast and her tiny cup of tea; making her way to work as usual seemed more of drag. What on earth had possessed her to take this offer in the first place? She was a mere slave to the upper class people on board and friend to those in third class. On this ship she felt lost like she had no place or meaning; she strived to be so much more but the boundaries of everyday life stopped her. She wanted to be a teacher of music but yet her lower class upbringing got the better of her and Elizabeth Burton was turned away from every school she turned to for a job. Of course her mother acted as though she was a failure to the family for not behaving in such a manor of a young music teacher. More to the point her mother hated her for not being the second class girl she wanted her to be.

Folding her arms across her chest she walked the long decks of the huge ship and stopped in front of one of the railings. Leaning over she saw the waves crash lightly against the speeding ship and the sun just coming up on the horizon. It was a glorious day for any well class woman but to her it was another day of slave labour to earn petty money or enough to get by on when she got her wages in New York.

Feeling a light shiver crawl down her back she crossed her arms more tightly across her uniform and stared out into the open sea. Why couldn't she see the beauty of the sun on the horizon anymore? Her life was never to be that simple and she knew it, what on earth could make her happy?

Taking in the surroundings as he walked the decks towards the bridge, Will noticed her standing there; her being Elizabeth of course. She looked as though her whole world was crashing down around her; as though she needed to talk to someone.

Being a well educated gentleman, he strode over; his hands clasped behind his back and stood next to her. Slightly startled by his presence she stepped two steps backwards and sighed in relief.

"I thought you were someone else sir, I do apologise" she spoke directly and he was just as quick to respond. Something about her made him feel excited and happy and something about him made him want to share that with her.

"Please" he spoke gently and moved closer

"Call me will."

Slightly bedazzled she smiled and moved back to her original position, now even closer to her...her...what was he to her? He wasn't just a friend he was more like a dream out of the blue. Every time he talked to her she would get butterflies in her stomach, a tingling sensation all over her body. Something about this Mr William Murdoch made her feel brand new like a bright spark in the distant darkness of her void life.

"So Will...Shouldn't you be on duty?" she half laughed whilst leaning her weight onto the railings in front of her. Slightly smiling he lent one arm and half his weight onto the railings next to her,

"Yes I suppose I should. I just couldn't help but stop by once again and try to thank you for last night. I was thinking that maybe you would join me for dinner this evening I heard the chefs cook a wonderful fish!"

Standing in shock at what she had just heard she blushed and turned to look him in the eye, the look she saw in his eyes was like a deep ocean filled with glorious, colourful pebbles and somewhere deep inside her she felt a spark of life come back to her again. Blessed with this chance she nodded then turned back to the sea.

Smiling at this chance was all he could do, she had agreed and that was a big mile stone for him. Ever since he first met this maid back in his cabin he knew there was just something about her...something more than a maid, something more than this shell. She had a soul that ran deeper than he would ever know and he knew that he wanted to explore it and perhaps maybe she would want to as well.

"Well then my fair lady I shall meet you at the grand staircase tonight at six, I look forward to it" smiling he took off his hat, gently kissed her hand and made his way around her and on towards the bridge placing his hat back upon his head as he went.

Still stood there in shock she looked once more out into the vast ocean and shed a tear. She was falling for him and she knew it, and for the first time in her life she felt as if she could climb the clouds, she only wished he felt the same way. Tonight she would find out she was sure she would, after all the Titanic was called

"The ship of dreams."

Well guys that's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it! I still would like to hear your reviews and I am still unsure of where I am going with this part of the story but if you would like to see anything happen or you have any comments or queries please read and review or drop me a line at well thanks guys! Read and review soon I can't make this story without you! Oh and p.s I'm not the best speller in the world and I do double check my work so please try and keep the whole grammar thing under control in your review. I do try! Thanks everyone xx