Allison and Will got very little sleep. The tragic events that happened only a few hours ago plagued their thoughts. Allison was happy that Will had survived but on the other hand she was grief stricken that her grandfather had perished in the tragedy. She couldn't be angry with him for the decision he made. The couple woke up after getting all the sleep they could and went out on deck with the umbrella giving to them by one of the Carpathia officers. The statue of liberty came into view and Allison let some tears fall freely. Will comforted her as best he could. She calmed down just as the surviving Titanic officers came into view with Anna, Molly and Rebecca. Madeline was to overcome with grief and had instructed Molly and Rebecca to offer her condolences to Allison on her behalf. Allison is embraced by each member of the group who offer their condolences for her loss. Molly pulls Allison to the side to have a private conversation.

"Madeline sends her condolences, Allison. She's still quite upset about JJ." Molly explains.

"I understand. How is she coping?"

"As well as can be expected I suppose. What about you, how are you coping?" Molly asks her friend.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without my papa, Molly." Tears form in Allison's eyes. "He's been there my whole life and now that he's gone I feel lost." Molly embraces her as she continues talking. "I don't know whether to be happy because Will survived or sad because of my papa." She continued crying as Molly tried her best to comfort her.

Will looks on at the scene playing out before him. It breaks his heart to see the love of his life so heartbroken. He vowed then and there that he would do everything in his power to make Allison happy again. After all, he had promised the captain he would take good care of her and he intended to keep that promise.

Meanwhile, Allison's tears had stopped. Molly released Allison from her embrace. "You won't believe what I am about to say but it's the honest truth. It will get better with time. I know you don't think that now but it will. You're not alone Allison. You have Will, Anna, Rebecca and myself to help you get through this."

Allison gives Molly another quick hug and says, "Thank you Molly. I am so glad I get to call you a friend."

"Think nothing of it. I had better be going back to check on Madeline."

"Oh Molly, please give Madeline my condolences for her loss and tell her that if she ever needs to talk, I'm here for her."

"I will do." Molly leaves with the group, leaving Will and Allison alone once more.

Will approaches Allison and wraps one arm around her waist and the other holding the umbrella.

"Are you ok, darling?" Will asks Allison.

"Yes I'm fine thank you." They stand in silence as the Carpathia docks and passengers leave the ship. Will and Allison walk down with Anna in tow. They are met at the end of the walkway by a uniformed gentleman.

"Excuse me sir, You were an officer of the Titanic were you not." He asks Will.

"Yes." Will responds to the man's question.

"White Star Line would like to see all surviving officers at their offices right away sir."

Will lets out a groan of frustration. "Can't it wait. We're all exhausted and traumatised from the events."

"I'm sorry sir but Mr Ismay is very insistent that all officers attend right away."

Bloody Ismay Will says in his mind. "Very well I'll be there shortly." The man leaves and Will turns to Allison. "Allison dear, White Star Line are requesting my presence at their offices."

Allison eyes become full of panic. She grabs hold of Will's coat. "Will don't leave me alone. You can't leave me alone."

Will holds Allison against his chest, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm not going anywhere my love. I will only be a few moments. I promise you." He kisses the top of her head as she releases her death grip on his coat.

"Ok. I'll be waiting for you by the carriage. Anna is away to find Jonathan, my driver." She gives Will a quick kiss on the lips and they part ways reluctantly.

Will makes his way over to the temporary office of the White Star Line. Once inside he is greeted by his fellow officers. While they are waiting to be called in, they ask Will how Allison is doing.

"She's doing as well as can be expected. She's a strong woman and if anybody can get through this it's her. Speaking of which do you know why they want to see us."

"I haven't the faintest idea Will." Herbert Pitman speaks up. "All we were told was to come here." The door to their right opens and a woman, who everyone assumed was Ismay's assistant, told them to come in. They all bustled in and sat down on the chairs provided to them. Ismay rose.

"Well gentlemen it is good to see you all here. While it is a tragedy we lost Edward and Henry, I'm afraid I must be the bearer of bad news." The officers all tensed upon hearing that last statement coming from Ismay's mouth. "There is to be an inquiry into the sinking to ascertain what caused the sinking. Everyone is required to attend." He handed out the inquiry order to each of the surviving officers. "Well gentleman that sums up what I wanted to speak to you about. Now all of you get some rest and I will see you all in two days." The officers all filed out of the room to the cold awaiting them outside. The dock wasn't nearly as crowded as it was when they first arrived. Will notices Allison standing by her coach talking with Anna, Molly, Rebecca and a man he assumes to be Jonathan. He approaches the group and takes Allison into his arms.

"Is everything ok, Will?" Allison asks him.

"There is to be an inquiry into the sinking to find out what caused it." Allison leans back and faces Will.

"When will it be held?"

"In two days time."

"That soon." This time it was Molly who spoke. "Don't they understand that everyone needs time to grieve and come to terms with what happened."

"As far as Ismay is concerned, the sooner this inquiry takes place, the sooner everything can return to normal." They all climb into the coach. Allison explains to Will that Molly and Rebecca will be staying with them for a few days. The coach takes them to the house that Allison and her grandfather were supposed to stay once they reached New York. She had bought it a few years ago and had only stayed in it twice. Once the coach arrived, everyone stepped out to be greeted by the house staff. The head house keeper, a man named Benjamin, approached Allison. "Miss Smith it is so good to see you have survived. We are all sorry to hear that Mr Smith didn't make it."

"Thank you Benjamin. These are my friends. They will be staying with us for a few days. Could you prepare their rooms for them and bring us all some tea and something to eat."

"Of course Miss." He walks off with other members of the staff to carry out his orders. They all walk in and are greeted by a warm atmosphere and finely decorated area. There were paintings adorning the walls. The windows were decorated with beautiful cream curtains. They made there way into the sitting room were their tea would be served. A fire was lit warming everybody up instantly.

"Molly did Madeline get off alright."

"Yes she is fine. Her driver came to take her back to Astor estate." That moment Benjamin arrived with their tea and a huge plate of mini sandwiches. They drank their tea and ate some sandwiches. While that was going on, Allison was thinking about how she could honour her grandfather. After much thinking she had the perfect idea. She was going to have a memorial erected in his name in his hometown. Of course all that would have to wait until the inquiry was over. Once the tea was drunk and all the sandwiches eaten, Allison had Benjamin show Molly and Rebecca to their rooms. Anna escorted Will and Allison to their room. Will went into the bathroom to clean up and change into pair of silk pyjamas that once belonged to Allison's father, while Anna helped Allison out of her corset and into her nightgown. Once all that was done, Anna took her leave. Allison got into the bed and waited for Will to come out of the bathroom. Will came out a few seconds later, with his officers uniform neatly folded in his arms and placed it upon a nearby chair, before joining Allison on the bed. He slips under the covers and wraps his arms around Allison, laying down with her.

"Will."

"Yes my love." Will answers.

"Tomorrow we should head down to the telegram place so you send a letter to your parents to let them know you are safe."

"That's a wonderful idea and I can tell them about you. They'll love you Allison. Just as much as I do." He kisses the top of her head. "Let us get some sleep now, dear." They both fall asleep in a matter of minutes. The tragic events still playing out in their nightmares but now they were on dry land and in a warm, comfortable bed, their sleep was relatively undisturbed.

Sorry for the extremely long wait. I want to thank Sam, Blairx6661 and HermioneandMarcus for their multiple reviews so I dedicate this chapter to you. For the next chapter I was going to go into full detail about the inquiry but truth be told I don't think I'll write it that good cos I'll just end up adding drivel and it will become pointless. I will include the inquiry just won't go into to much detail. I've been doing my research into who was found responsible at the inquiry. I read somewhere that the Captain of the Carpathia was found responsible but another website said somebody else was found responsible so I don't know what to believe .I have added a new song to the soundtrack for this story, The Last Night by Skillet. I will try to have the next chapter up as soon as I can. Until then happy reading.

Lady Wesker xx