It was the day of the inquiry. Both Will and Allison had been dreading it. Allison had expressed her concerns to Molly who had assured her that this wasn't an official hearing like you would get at a proper court and that it was just for the benefit of the public. Molly's words helped a lot. Will had told her the exact same thing. This inquiry would go on for at least a few months. Allison wanted to go back home to England but stayed for Will because of the inquiry. The only reason her and her grandfather were travelling to America was to check on the family business that Allison was due to inherit on her 20th birthday. With everyone all dressed and ready to go, they headed over to the inquiry.

Once they reached the inquiry, they were greeted by a man in a suit who took down their names and allowed them entry. They bumped into Herbert Pitman who guided them all over to the rest of the surviving officers. They all conversed about their thoughts on the inquiry until everyone was called into the room. After all the formal things were out of the road, the first person to be called up was James Moody. Moody was sworn in and he took the stand.

"Please state your full name and rank you served on the RMS Titanic, please." The chairman Albert Henderson asked.

"James Paul Moody. I served aboard Titanic as her sixth officer." Moody answered.

"Mr Moody, can you please tell me where you were the night Titanic struck the iceberg."

"I was on the bridge at that time. It was my shift you see."

"Was there anyone else with you Mr Moody."

"Yes of course. Quartermaster Robert Hitchens and First Officer William Murdoch."

"Can you please tell us exactly what happened that night Mr Moody." Mr Henderson inquired.

"I was just coming back from the officer's mess and entering the bridge when I heard the lookout phone ringing. I answered it quickly and was informed about the iceberg. I hurriedly informed Mr Murdoch and he gave the order Hard a'starboard. He then set the ship telegraphs to full astern. Unfortunately the ship hit the iceberg and Mr Murdoch gave the order Hard a'port in an attempt to save most of the ship. The Captain then came in and asked what had happened. Mr Murdoch explained what had happened. A quick meeting was held with Mr Andrews and Mr Ismay and the captain then ordered the lifeboats to be launched."

"Thank you Mr Moody, you may step down." Moody left the stand and took his seat beside Will. "I would now like to call William Murdoch to the stand please." Will looked to Allison and gave her hand a quick squeeze before getting and taking the stand.

"Please state your full name and rank served on board the Titanic." Henderson repeated as he had done with Moody.

"My name is William McMaster Murdoch and I was First Officer on board the Titanic."

"Mr Murdoch, it is my understanding that you were the officer in charge on the bridge the night Titanic struck the iceberg, correct?"

"Yes that is correct." Will answered

"Can you please tell us your account of the night in question."

"As you know I was the officer in charge on the bridge that night. Halfway into the watch, the lookout bell rang. I quickly turned to see what the problem was. I noticed Officer Moody conversing on the phone. He then informed me that an iceberg was lying ahead. I quickly gave the order hard a'starboard and set the ship's telegraphs to full astern. I ran back outside to see if the ship was turning once Quartermaster Hitchens informed me that the helm was hard over. When it became apparent that the ship would collide with the iceberg, I gave the order hard a'port but it was too late. The Captain then came out and I explained what happened to him. He asked me to find the carpenter which I did and join the crew on the bridge. After the meeting the Captain asked me to fetch his granddaughter and her maid and bring them up to the deck."

"Thank you Mr Murdoch, you may step down now." Will leaves the stand and takes his seat next to Allison. He takes her hand in his and rubs his thumb in circles over hers. The next person to be called to the stand left everyone in surprise as Mr Henderson announced the next person to the stand. "I would now like to call Miss Allison Smith to the stand."

Allison looks to Will in disbelief. She didn't understand why Henderson was calling her. Will placed a kiss upon her hand and Allison got up to take the stand.

"Miss Smith, your grandfather is Captain Edward Smith, yes?"

"Yes sir, he was." Allison answered.

"When was the last time you spoke to your grandfather."

"Shortly before he put me into a lifeboat."

"How would you describe your grandfather's state of mind."

Allison is shocked and angered by the question Mr Henderson had just asked. "I beg your pardon, Mr Henderson."

"Just answer the question, Miss Smith."

"I would say he was in a fine state of mind given the situation. I could tell the incident had shocked him but I firmly believe that did not interfere with his duties."

"That is all Miss Smith. You may step down." Henderson said to her.

Allison stood down from the stand and immediately headed for the exit. Once outside, she ran and sat on the nearest bench and cried her eyes out. They were tears of sadness and anger. Sadness because she was still grieving for her grandfather and she missed him terribly and anger because of Mr Henderson's question. It was as if he was blaming her grandfather for the sinking. Allison firmly believed that if anyone was to blame it was Bruce Ismay. She remembered hearing him pressure her grandfather into speeding up. She never said anything about it at the inquiry because she wasn't able to prove it.

When Allison exited the room, Will quickly went after her. When he got outside he searched for Allison over the sea of heads. He spotted her sitting on a bench and he could tell from that distance that she was crying. He approached her and laid a soothing hand on her shoulder and sat down next to her and pulled her into his embrace.

"Allison, darling, are you alright?" Will asked with concern.

"I cannot believe the nerve of that man. It was as if he was blaming my grandfather for the sinking. If it's anybody's fault, it's Bruce Ismay." Allison started crying again and Will continued to comfort her as best he could. "I miss him so much Will."

It broke Will's heart to see Allison so upset. He wanted to make her happy again and that's when he remembered the object sitting in his pocket. He had bought it the day he and Allison went to the telegram office. Allison had insisted on getting Will some clothes stating he couldn't just wear his uniform all the time. Allison was trying on a new dress and Will had told her he wanted to go and get something at another shop. So he left Allison with Anna to try on her new dress and he headed off to his destination. After browsing through the collection he found the perfect object. Will released Allison from his embrace after he realised she had stopped crying and took her hands in his, looking right into her eyes.

"Allison, I love you so much and I don't ever want to see you upset again. I was going to wait until the inquiry was over but I want to see you happy and this is the only solution I can think of." He releases Allison's hands from his grasp and sinks down on one knee, taking out the object from his pocket. Allison gasps as Will gets down on one knee and reaches into his pocket. "Allison you are the only woman I want to spend the rest of my life. I promise I will love you until the day I die. Allison May Smith, will you marry me?" He opens the box to reveal a beautiful silver ring adorned with a single emerald on it.

Allison feels happiness flooding through her as Will opens the ring box to reveal the most beautiful ring she has ever laid eyes upon. She loved emeralds and she supposed that was one of the reasons Will had picked that ring. A big smile appeared on her face and Will's heart was racing like mad. He was afraid Allison would say no but her next words quickly put his doubts to rest.

"Yes Will, I will marry you." She answers and the people who had gathered round began applauding. Will slips the ring onto her finger, stands up with Allison and captures her lips in a romantic kiss. The crowd disperses and they go back to the building only to find everyone leaving for the day. They are quickly approached by Anna, Molly, Rebecca, Charles, James, Harold, Joseph and Herbert.

"Are you ok miss?" Anna asks Allison.

"I am now Anna thank you." Allison and Will are still holding hands when Charles notices the shining sparkle coming from Allison's ring finger.

"Is that what I think it is." He gestures towards Allison's ring.

Allison looks to Will who smiles at her and turns his attention to the group. "It is indeed Charles. I asked Allison to marry me and I am happy to say she accepted." The group immediately burst into applause and congratulate the newly engaged couple.

The inquiry went on for many months and it was concluded that no particular person was to blame and that the accident happened due to the lack of binoculars. With inquiry over Will and Allison headed for Hanley, Stoke-on-trent to erect the memorial for Captain Smith. Things seemed to be looking up for Allison and Will at last.

I would like to apologise for the extremely long wait. My laptop decided to break down on me and had to wait two weeks to get it fixed. Luckily they were able to save everything on it. I already had half this story written out. Thank you to all who have reviewed. Sorry this isn't as long as the chapters usually are. I think there will only be about four or five chapters to go, so I will try and hurry to get this finished. Happy reading

Lady Wesker xxx