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Disclaimer: Anna Lyn Connor and other unknown characters belong to me. Everyone else (who is NOT in the movie) is real. Any of the enjoyable characters of James Cameron's movie belongs to him, along with all of the legalities and technicalities.

I thank you so much for sticking to this story. It makes me so happy I can break out in a dance!

Asides from that, enjoy!

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10 April 1912

First officer William McMaster Murdoch dressed sharply in his uniform was walking around the deck as everyone bustled about getting ready for the Titanic and her maiden voyage. Walking with him was the second officer and one of his dearest friends, Charles Litghtoller. No words were said between two as they admired the grand ship.

"Nervous?" Lightoller asked nonchalantly.

"Not really, I'm just anxious," Murdoch replied, lifting his head to the sunrise. He allowed the sunrays to wash over this skin and the warmth to comfort his heart.

"It's the same with me, my friend, same with me!" Lightoller chuckled at his friend's remark.

Stewards, stewardesses, clerks, waiters and waitresses were busying themselves with their duties and no one had the guts to open their mouths to complain. They were all just too anxious, waiting for the grandest ship of the world to set sail. Some of the crew were jumpy, but some were just having this, 'oh, it's the same as the next ship' kind of expression.

The two officers stopped at the wheel house and agreed to meet at 11:30, before the passengers started to pile in and with that said, the two retreated to their quarters. Murdoch slumped into his chair and sighed out loudly to himself, letting his fiery thoughts fly out of his head and into the empty. Everyone on the ship had nothing but great expectations for their voyage. The wonders and the headlines that will surely be presented about the goddess ship and it will grace every single newspaper around the world. With all of the commotion, we—as the readers—cannot help but think: did anyone take the time to notice that they had an extra passenger aboard?

The Titanic large whistle blew out a dull, droning sound that could be heard for miles! The woman woke up from her sweet slumber with a jump. Waiting for her heart to subside, she tiredly rubbed her eyes and yawned out loudly. She looked around for any signs of movement before taking the opportunity to stand up. As she brushed the specks of dirt imprinted on the material of her skirt, her eyes caught the sight of an automobile that she didn't seem to notice last night, or it wasn't there before at all! She moved her hands over the polished sides and admired the whole beauty of the car. It was something she could never afford in her life. She could not afford a day's worth of meals, let alone a car!

Speaking of meals, her stomach was desperately trying to call out for some food and it made a revolting gurgle, making the woman scoff at the absurdity of the sound. I need to get to America without having to starve myself, she thought.

But there was no way she could obtain any kind of food! If she'd popped any of the crates opened, they would suspect that a large rat was living in the storage compartment; a human perhaps. She could not risk that. She slumped down at her seat from before and closed her eyes to listen to the rumbling of the engines underneath her body. The low hum acted as a lullaby for her and her small head swayed with the music of the engines. The thought of not being able to see the open sea during her trip had kept flying back into her head. The corners of her mouth tipped downwards at the thought. Whatever it takes to get back home to America, I'll do it, she sat considering to herself. She even considered the risks.

Anna Lyn Connor sighed out quietly at her thoughts. They were foolish thoughts. Thinking that she could have taken on a group of officers with pistols single-handedly, taken command of the ship and steered her way towards New York City without any complaints from the other passengers and crew was absolutely ludicrous! It was just a fantasy, and not reality. What she needed was something realistic, doable, and materialistic.

Anna picked up her faded knapsack and plunged her hand deep inside. She dug through a series of items, such as: a shawl, a pen, a charcoal stick, pieces of parchment paper and couple of bronze coins here and there. Her thin hands fell on a familiar shape; a necklace.

Even if it was simple as simple could be, the necklace was the dearest thing to her heart. It was a gift from her mother given to her before she had left for Southampton. Anna admired the gems crumbled together on the charm, hanging limply on a silver chain. It was the most expensive thing their family had ever owned. It was pawned from selling a dozen of goats and a hurdle corn to the jeweler just to get the necklace made. Her admiration caused her to slightly scowl as she thought back to the foolishness of her family's actions. A dozen goats and a hurdle of corn was almost a half-a-year's breakfast, lunch and dinner! Just for a necklace!

The woman shoved it back into her knapsack with a slight pang of fury, and leaned back against the crates. There was nothing else she could have done about it. Her mother never asked her she wanted to starve for a few months for a necklace. Believe it or not, that was what exactly happened in result of obtaining that necklace.

Anna thought that the necklace would bring a pretty price if she pawned it in New York. Maybe, it would be enough to start her new life. Or in the very least, an extremely nice meal.

She closed her eyes and listened to the sweet sounds of the ship, knowing too well that they will be arriving at Cherbourg soon, then on to Queenstown, and lastly, the wide open sea. Not knowing what to do next, Anna eased herself on to her floor, and curled herself into a comfortable position. She allowed her being to succumb to the waves of hunger and exhaustion, and she was tugged into yet another dreamless sleep.

Meanwhile in the officer's mess hall, the officers had gone off to eat their dinner together before Charles Lightoller was due for his shift. It wasn't their first meal together. However, it made a significant difference knowing that it was their first meal together on the voyage. A light flutter of conversation went around the table. If one would have eavesdropped from outside the porthole, they would not be able to make anything out. Each of the officers had their own stories and interests to tell. They weren't participating in a large conversation together until the Chief Officer spoke up.

"Will," he called out across the table to his First Officer. "Did you check the storage compartment before we left?" He passed his First Officer a slightly scrutinizing gaze, making the man squirm slightly under the uncomfortable and unnecessary look.

The First Officer Murdoch looked over to his friend, Lightoller, but he gave no sign of aid. He was on his own. "I do apologise, Sir. I was occupied by my other duties that it had completely slipped my mind. I shall do at my earliest convenience, Sir." Murdoch tried to look apologetic towards his superior, fighting the urge to play with his mashed potatoes.

"How about doing it as soon as possible?" Wilde's tone turned from stern to a slightly playful one. "Now, William! I would think you would remember such a small task as this. You are not turning into an old lady on us, now are you?" Chief Officer Henry Wilde asked, and a light feathering of chuckles went around the table.

Murdoch passed his subordinates a mock glare before shaking his head sternly. "No Sir, though, I am turning into an old man."

"Well, my dear friend, I am right there with you!" Lightoller gave a cheerful injection while smacking his friend slightly on the arm to show his agreement. The table laughed again. The rest of the dinner continued without anymore interruptions from the Chief Officer, and everyone turned back to their previous conversations. They were still completely oblivious to their extra passenger.

Murdoch stalked cheerily towards his quarters. He rather enjoyed not being on duty when knowing too well that he had a long stretch before him. The night was bitter cold, but he was expecting much colder weather as they cross the Atlantic. The ways of the voyage weren't old to him. He was rather a veteran at this type of work. But, it would be nice to get used to the frustrating night hours though. A man needed his sleep. It wasn't only Murdoch that was complaining. By how Lightoller was yawning as the First Officer passed, the Second Officer needed his sleep also.

Charles Lightoller sighed obnoxiously loud to get his friend's attention. From the look on Murdoch's face, Lightoller knew that he was trying to skip his least favorite of duties, the one that was recently reassigned during dinner not only thirty-minutes ago. Lightoller didn't blame him; he hated doing inventory down in the claustrophobic holds also.

"What?" Murdoch asked while stopping beside Lightoller.

"I would never think you would be the one to skip out of a particular duty," Lightoller said, shaking his head in amusement.

"I'm not skipping that particular duty. I am merely saving it for later when the duty would be more fulfilling, and indulging after a few moments of rest." Even Murdoch knew he was speaking pure bullshit.

"If you say so," was Lightoller's only response.

"Besides, I was going to ask you to help me after your shift!" After his reply to Lightoller, Murdoch quickly left with a smirk, leaving Lightoller slightly stunned at his friend's remark. Murdoch was quickly setting himself to become Lightoller's enemy if he actually tried to force the Second Officer into helping him with such a redundant task.

Curse that Murdoch!

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