A/N: Thank you for your reviews, they mean a lot.

To Sam Fraser: Yes, I have consulted the website Murdoch: the man, the mystery many times. I am normally not a fan of using websites for research as you never know who has written them. But this one is a very good website with some true gems. Thanks for the tip.

A Brief Meeting

I had read books on the Titanic, and of course seen countless films. So, I was aware of the grandeur of the ship. And, yet nothing could have prepared me for seeing her in person. The fresh welded steel of Titanic's hull, the pristine white paint that had yet to dry. And then there was the shinning brass of the four towering funnels. Even from my position by the car I could still clearly make out sailors on her decks going about their jobs readying the ship for departure. And, all the while being oblivious to the danger that they would face in just four days' time. A danger that would cost most of them their lives.

"Miss Harrison, please we must hurry," I looked over to see who it was that was trying to get a hold of my attention and saw that it was the driver from earlier. "You must board the ship Miss; I have already had your luggage taken care of. The pursers will see it all on board. Now come, this way Miss." He was already moving away from me guiding me through the maze of people towards the boarding gangway of first class. I followed him eagerly, although, I felt myself foolishly at a loss for his name.

It was an odd feeling, being dropped back into a life that you had no recollection of. It was one which led to other more concerning questions. While I was gone what had happened here? Was this just a shell that I had returned too? I had no idea what lay behind me, and only a single name and destination to know what lay ahead of me. What if I ruined this girl's life, or… my life… apparently? These were all questions that I desperately wanted answered but neither had the time nor the luxury to do so. Instead I moved quickly after the driver, who for now in my head I would call Bob, for lack of a better name.

On and on we navigated the crowds of people just like me, getting ready to board the ship, or people who were here to see their friends and family off. Past the inspection queues for the third class, checking and testing that none of them carried infectious diseases, which I knew were present in this time. It however did not escape my mind that the first class did not have to go through these inspections. It was something that struck me as strange, and somewhat unfair. However, it must have had something to do with the fact that the germ theory had not been discovered at this point, nor would it for another few good years.

I had been so preoccupied with not only the grandeur of the Titanic before me, but also with the sheer madness that was presented with the times and class divides, that I did not pay attention to where we were going. But, rather trusted the driver to get me to where I needed to go. This however I would soon find was a mistake. As it was only a moment later that he stopped abruptly, causing me almost to bump into him.

"Where are we? Why did we stop?" I asked stunned looking around, and only now realising that we had passed by all the boarding zones and inspection areas and had ended up by the docks right next to the ship. And, while I may not have been an expert in ships and sailing, I knew enough about the subject, that we were not where we were supposed to be.

"I am so sorry Ma'am, I thought I was going the right way," He began clearly afraid of my reaction, "But now I am afraid that I do not know where we are." It was a clear testament to the size of the ship, that even at its base, on the docks it was possible to get lost. "I am so sorry Miss, please forgive me." The poor man was practically quacking before me, something that made me wonder what it was that he thought I would do to him. Probably sack him. But for an honest mistake like this? It was just another clue as to what kind of a person I had been in this time.

"It is alright. Let us just see if we can find our way back before the ship leaves. We still have time." I tried to relax him. It seemed momentarily to be working. Until, suddenly, we were deafened by the blasting of Titanic's horns shooting from its funnels. "Or not." I whispered under my breath.

I thought that "Bob" the driver might have fainted having heard the whistle. However, thankfully before I had to deal with the bubbling man before me, there came another voice. A smooth British baritone voice.

"Are you two alright? You seem a bit lost." He was tall with auburn hair hidden beneath what was clearly an officers cap.

"Bob" remained unable to construct coherent sentences, so I decided to speak in what would normally, no doubt, be his place. "No, I am sorry we seem to be lost. I am sailing on the Titanic to America, but I cannot seem to find my way to the first-class entrance."

"Cutting it a bit close, aren't you Miss…?"

"Harrison, Sybil Harrison."

"Miss Harrison. The whistle has been blown and I am afraid that they are already closing the gangways."

I should have been overjoyed by this. Knowing that I would not have to face the horrors of what awaited me. However, if I ever wanted to find out what my life here would hold, I would have to board. At all cost. After all the only clues as to who I was, were my sister in America and "Bob" who was still not saying anything. And given those two choices I knew which one I was prepared to make.

"Is there not a way to make the ship Officer?" He must have taken pity on me as after quickly deliberating with himself and asking to see my ticket for validation, he agreed to take me onboard through the crew gangway door. It was something that I knew he could be stricken off for but was grateful that he offered to help me either way.

So, with a polite goodbye to "Bob" I quickly followed the Officer through the gangway and into the ship. Where if I was astounded by the size of the ship from the outside… well, let's just say that I would not even know where to begin with the elaborate designs, and elegant passages on the inside. Even in the crew areas the ship was decorated and fitted to its outmost splendour.

"How do you know your way so well Officer…" I asked realizing I did not know his name.

"Lightoller, Second Officer Charles Lightoller." He replied with a tip of his cap, before continuing. "I will not lie Miss Harrison, it did take me two weeks to learn all of her secrets. And that was even with the help of a map. Though I would appreciate that you did not tell anyone that." He said with a glimmer of humour in his eyes, "frightfully embarrassing for a sailor, let alone a ships officer to need the use of a map."

"Oh dear, well Officer Lightoller, your secret is safe with me. As long as you can assure me that you can navigate your way safely to America." Another man might have taken offense, but not he. Lightoller caught on right away and gave a deep laugh. It was a sound which radiated comfort.

"Of that Miss Harrison I assure you I can." We continued to walk along in pleasant conversation, until we finally reached the stateroom that I had been allocated for the journey.

"Well this is where I will leave you Miss, Harrison. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact the stewards and they will be more than happy to assist you. I wish you a pleasant journey."

"Thank you Officer Lightoller, I hope to see you again before too long." I said and realised that it was terribly forward of me. Much more forward than was accepted for a well-bred lady of the time. But I also found that I did not care. As for Lightoller I noticed a short flash of shock and something else, was it intrigue. But before I could properly analyse it, it was gone, replaced by composed professionalism.

"Well it is a ship, and if you should venture up on deck there is a good chance you might catch a glimpse of me." And with that he tipped his hat and was gone. Leaving me with a sense of light-headedness. Where all I could think was 'what a journey it would be indeed.'

A/N: I hope you like this second chapter. I have been taking a bit of inspiration from the 97 Titanic, 2012 Titanic and as well if not most importantly from Titanic and other Ships.

If you liked it leave a review, I love hearing from you.