A/N sorry for the lack of updates...I've had extreme writer's block on this and I've been trying to update my other story too...sorry. :P

April 14, 1912. 6:30 PM

Cassidy sat on the deck of the Titanic with her head in her hands, allowing the cool breeze to wash over her. She hadn't seen Tommy in over three hours and was getting worried.

"I just need to make sure everything's fine down belowdecks," he had said. She didn't even know what that meant! What on earth could possibly be taking so long?

Cassidy was fearful. She was afraid Joseph had found Tommy and had done something horrible to him.

You're jumping to conclusions prematurely and irrationally, she told herself. But she couldn't deny the fast beating of her heart, and the way her hands were shaking.

Cassidy began to think of what Joseph could do to Tommy. Tommy was strong, but what if Joseph had framed him for something? She should be trying to find him...!

"Cassidy?" She looked up.

"Rose," Cassidy whispered, wincing at how weak her voice sounded.

"Can I talk to you about...something?" Rose asked, looking unsure of herself. Cassidy hesitated. Should she talk to Rose? Or should she go try and find Tommy? Tommy's fine, she thought firmly.

"Y-yeah, sure," Cassidy said. Rose sat down next to her, and Cassidy noticed Rose looking at her shaking hands. She quickly clasped them together.

"Are you alright?" Rose asked, looking concerned.

"Um..."

"Where's Tommy?"

"I...I don't know."

"Why not? Did you talk to him at all today?"

"Ehm..."

"Cassidy..."

"I kind of woke up in his bed this morning," Cassidy said hurriedly before realizing how wrong that sounded.

"What?" Rose gasped, eyes wide. "You...slept...?...and Tommy..."

"No, no, it's not like that, Rose!" Cassidy said quickly. "Nothing happened, all we ever did was sleep."

"Riiiiight."

"Fully clothed," Cassidy assured her, flaming red.

"Okay...so where is he now?" Rose asked. "Shouldn't you be cuddlung with him or what have you?"

"Well, like I said, I have no idea where he is, and haven't seen him in three hours."

"Three hours! No wonder you're shaking! But I'm sure he's fine."

"I don't know if he is..." Cassidy said uncertainly. She quickly explained to Rose what had happened this morning with Joseph. Rose's eyes widened.

"You poor thing! I hope he's alright! And to think, I was all,worried about Cal flipping a table today!"

"Oh, yeah...you wanted to talk. He flipped a table?"

"Yes, both he and my mother knew about the party last night," Rose said angrily. "Can you believe he had his valet follow me around?"

"The nerve! What did Jack think about this?" Cassidy asked, not oblivious to the looks the blond man gave her.

Rose looked down sadly. "I think I missed my chance with him."

"How so?"

"I...pushed him away this morning when he came to talk to me. He talked about breaking me free from my cage, and how he wished he could save me. But...I ran away from him, and now I don't think we'll ever...ever..."

"Oh, Rose," Cassidy clasped Rose's palm. "Why?"

"Why did I push him away? I don't know! I...it might be for the better. To go on without him. I'm engaged, and Cal could hurt him. Besides, he deserves better than me. I'm just a pathetic rich girl who has had everything in my life handed to me."

Cassidy felt her heart sinking. Of course that's what Rose thought.

"Rose...no," Cassidy whispered. Rose looked up at her, and Cassidy could see her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Jack...he loves you, Rose."

Rose's face went ashen. "That's not true. It can't be."

"Why not?"

"I...he's only known me for a few days..."

"That's how Tommy and I were, and look at us now! We...last night was a turning point for both of us. Love works in mysterious ways, Rose. I honestly can't imagine my life without Tommy now. I think you and Jack feel the same way."

Rose sighed. "Even if he does...I pushed him away. He won't want me even if he did at one point. I hurt him too badly."

"Jack's a pretty forgiving person, Rose," Cassidy told her. "I can see that even knowing him less than you do."

"Do you think so?"

"I know Rose. I can feel it. Just follow what your heart is telling you. Jack is right. You're trapped, and you need to be strong enough to break free."

"I don't know if I can..."

"Rose. If Jack believes in you, you need to believe in yourself."

"I..."

"Rose."

"Oh, alright. I...can try to go talk to him," Rose said suddenly, standing up. Then she sat back down next to Cassidy and put her face in her hands.

"How am I going to find him? I walked away from him earlier...and it's a big ship!"

"Find who?" Cassidy whirled around, recognizing the strong Irish lilt in the voice immediately.

"Tommy!" She exclaimed in relief, and jumped up to embrace him. She flung her arms around his broad shoulders and breathed in his scent. He captured her in his arms and stroked her back.

"Lass, what–?"

"I thought...I thought that Joseph had found you and...I don't know, arrested you or something! You were gone for three hours!"

"I'm sorry for worrying ye, lass," he whispered in her ear. She took a shaky breath.

"Where were you?" She asked, and backed up a little, arms crossed. "You better have an astounding explanation for being gone for so long."

"Hang on, lass," he said, giving her a crooked grin. Cassidy had to fight to keep the smile from escaping her own lips. She watched as he turned to Rose.

"Who are ye looking for?"

"Jack," Rose responded. "I need to talk to him...about something that happened this afternoon."

"I see," Tommy said simply, not showing any emotion. "I believe he went up to the front of the ship. Said he needed time to think. Looked pretty shaken up, if ye know what I mean."

Rose nodded and quickly stood.

"Well, see you guys later. Thank you for your time, Cassidy," she said before hurrying off in the direction Tommy had said.

"What was tha' all about?" Tommy asked, turning to Cassidy curiously.

"She's struggling a little with her love life right now," Cassidy said. "Jack tried to talk to her earlier, but she rejected him...now she changed her mind and thinks she ruined her chances with him."

"Coulda figured," Tommy snorted, and muttered something that sounded suspicously like "women".

"Pardon me?" Cassidy asked him innocently.

"Nothin' lass, just thinkin' that women always think that us men won't ever accept them again as soon as they make one little mistake. Jack would take her back the instant he said her name."

Cassidy smiled. "I hope he does. Rose could use it."

"I hope he does too, lass," Tommy grinned. "Now, you asked why I was gone for so long..."

"Yes! I was so worried, Tommy."

"Again, I'm sorry. But I had to make sure it was perfect."

"Make sure what was perfect?"

"Ah, you'll see," Tommy promised. And with that, he grabbed her small hand in his rough, calloused hand and began to drag her behind him.

"Where are we going?" Cassidy asked, stumbling after him. He just tilted his head a little and grinned.

"You'll see," he repeated. This just made her deathly curious. Cassidy could see easily enough where they were going, they were hesding back to third class. Soon, they were in front of the door to Tommy's (and Cassidy's now) room. She looked at Tommy, confused. He just gestured for her to go in. The instant she walked in, she gasped.

Tommy had transformed the room into...well, she wasn't even sure. There was a small table in the middle and all their stuff was nowhere to be seen. The room had obviously been cleaned, and smelled amazing. The lights were dimmed, and the whole thing was so...adorable. Cassidy was taken aback that Tommy went into all this trouble just for her.

She gasped as she felt Tommy's arms snake around her waist from behind her.

"What do ye think, love?" He whispered in her ear.

"I think you're the most amazing man I've ever known," she responded, turning her head to meet his lips. Tommy's arms held Cassidy tighter and they stood like this for a few perfect moments.

Slowly, Tommy drew back. "Alright, the food's getting cold," he chastised Cassidy playfully.

"Food?" She asked, then noticed the dishes on the table. It was plain food from the dining hall, but she was touched that he had put in all this effort to make it special for her.

"You're amazing, Thomas Ryan," she told him sincerely, starting towards the table.

"Tell me somethin' I didn't know, lass," he joked, but Cassidy could tell what she had said pleased him. They sat down for supper.

Dinner was rather uneventful...that is until Tommy's spoon slipped and accidentally sprayed Cassidy with soup. She burst out laughing while he turned crimson and apologized over and over.

"Oh, it's on!" She had exclaimed, flinging a load of broccoli at him. After that, no inch of the cabin was safe from the unrelenting storm if food being battled with.

After all the food was gone, Cassidy flopped down on her bed, giggling while Tommy tried to clean up.

"Lass, did ye have to make this so hard on me?" He asked, but he was grinning from ear to ear.

Tommy soon gave up and sat on the bed across from Cassidy's.

"Ye got a bit o' cauliflour behind yer ear," Tommy told her, pointing. She quickly pulled it out and threw it at him.

"Hey, we called truce," he complained. "I'll get ye for that one!"

Cassidy was prepared for another round of their food fight. She was prepared for a tickle or two. She was even prepared for a small kiss. She was not prepared for the heat rushing through her the instant Tommy pulled her to him, and for the intensity between their mouths. She was not prepared to want more. Cassidy Miller was not prepared for how this led the two of them to join in a way only two lovers should join, or the ecstasy this brought her.

xXxXx

Cassidy woke and hour later to the sound of soft singing.

"Come over the hills, my bonnie Irish lass,

come over the hills to yer darlin'.

You choose the road, love, and I'll make the vow;

and I'll be yer true love forever.

Red is the rose that in yonder garden grows,

fair is the lily of the valley,

clear is the water that flows from the point,

but my love is fairer than any."

Cassidy rolled over on her side and gently touched the side of the singer's face. He stopped abruptly to stare down at her lovingly.

"You didn't tell me you could sing," she whispered, running her hands through the slightly damp curls of his hair. He stroked her face back.

"Wasn't too important," he muttered back to her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"The lyrics weren't too accurate," she told him. "I'm pretty sure there are fairer loves out there than me."

"Of course not," Tommy scoffed. "Ye are the only lass in the world to ever steal this bleak Irishman's heart. If that's not sayin' something, I don't know what is.

"You have a beautiful voice," Cassidy whispered to him, pressing closer to his warmth, content.

"Thank you," he replied. "And not just for that. For...everything. For loving me. For letting me love you."

"Tommy, you are the single most amazing man I've ever known. I can't imagine life without you. You deserve better than me, but you chose me. I'm...honored to be your love."

Cassidy was still revelling in the fact that less than an hour earlier, they had loved each other fully. Some might think it was much too early, but Cassidy believed that they were deeply in love and this could not be prevented.

"Come live with me," Tommy said abruptly. "When this ship docks. Get off with me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Cassidy gazed into his eyes with wonder. "Of course," she whispered. "That sounds perfect."

Tommy pulled her to him and kissed her chastely, and she closed her eyes peacefully, knowing her Irish love would protect her from anything.

Little did they know that the perfect moment would be shattered in a little over a few hours, and would be filled with panic and death.