Chapter 5
That night at supper Harlean was relieved immensely when Bruce Ismay did not sit down with them. She looked around the room from her seat and spotted him over at a table with Thomas Andrews, Molly Brown, Colonel Gracie, and a few other people she had yet to meet.
When supper was over the Captain offered to take her up to her suite but she declined. He nodded, gave her a kiss on the cheek and then headed up to the Bridge. Harlean sat for a little while longer, but grew bored of the mindless chatter of the women remaining at the table. Talking of everything from the different rich passengers of the ship to the latest fashions in France. She stood up a few moments later and headed up to the deck. Once outside the bitter cold air stung her skin, but she paid it no mind. She stopped at the side of the ship and looked down into the dark water.
"Harlean…what are you doing out here? It's freezing!"
Harlean turned, a strand of her blond hair hitting her face as she went, there behind her was Harold.
"Oh…hello Harold," she replied.
"Everything alright?" he asked.
She nodded, "Yes of course, why would it not be?"
"Well for starters you're standing out here in the freezing cold, and you're brow was furrowed slightly when you turned to me. As if you were having some serious thinking," he explained.
Harlean smirked, "I was thinking…" she answered.
Harold walked over and leaned against the rail, "What about?"
"Is it really any of you're business?" she inquired.
"No…but I thought maybe you'd like to talk about it," he said.
"There's nothing really to talk about," she stated.
They were both silent for a moment then Harlean smiled, "Don't you have to get to work soon?" she asked.
Harold looked at his watch, "In ten minutes," he answered.
"So how are you and Jack managing?"
"We are alright I suppose."
"Haven't killed each other I've noticed," Harlean said with a giggle.
"No we have yet to kill each other. Although we nearly did after you left yesterday afternoon."
Harlean looked concerned, "Well you were already at it when I arrived. What happened once I left?"
"Oh I just accused him of being very rude, and he claimed that you were lying when you said who you're Uncle was. So I decided that I was going to defend you're honor…or at least attempt to," he answered with a smirk.
Harlean smiled, "I guess I will just have to have a word with Mr. Phillips," she said.
"Oh! That reminds me; earlier a message came in for you."
"Did it? You could have sent it to my Suite."
"Jack actually said I should do that, because I could get in trouble for withholding a message, but I wanted an excuse for you to come up to the Messaging room," he replied.
"Why did you want me to come to the Messaging room?" she asked with a grin.
"I don't know…I just like it when you're around," he answered.
"Oh really?" Harlean asked as she raised her eyebrow.
"Yeah…I don't know what it is. There is just something….comforting about your presence…" he said softly.
Harlean blushed, "That seems a bit crazy…" she stated in an even softer whisper.
Harold stared at her for a moment and then stepped away, he pulled his watch out and groaned, "Come on, let's go get your message, and then you should head in. I have to start my shift," he said.
Harlean nodded in agreement, "Yes, I do not want Holly to worry," she said.
She and Harold then headed up the deck in silence until they reached the Messaging Room where Jack was sitting at the desk reading over the manual for the machines.
He looked up and smiled kindly at Harlean then looked at Harold, "The machine has been acting up again," he said.
"Oh that's bloody brilliant," Harold commented before resisting the urge to swear.
"Right, well enjoy fixing it. I'm going to bed, night. Good night Harlean," Jack said as he set his book down on the desk and stood up. Harlean watched as he went behind the curtain and then she looked to Harold, "So where is the message?" she asked.
Harold looked around the small space, opened a drawer and then pulled out a small piece of paper. He handed it to the woman standing beside him who took it gently, smiled and began to read over it quickly.
"Oh that was nice of them," she commented.
"Who is it from?"
"My brother's, their just messaging to say how envious they are," Harlean laughed, "And they added in that they miss me, I shall simply have to send a reply in the morning," she stated as she put the note into her handbag.
"You could send a reply now, there is always someone at the machines on shore, they have to be, in case of an emergency," Harold suggested.
"Oh I don't want to bother you or the man on shore," she said quickly.
"Harlean, it's really no bother," Harold said.
"Yes it is…I can send them a message in the morning. It will give me something to do tomorrow. Now I will see you tomorrow, alright?" Harlean argued.
"I-"
Harold stopped as a message began to come through, "Hold on," he sat down and placed the head phones on his ear and began to listen.
"Simple enough," he said a moment later.
"What is?" Harlean inquired.
"Sending a message back about what he wants. You know it takes a real pro to tap this fast," Harold said with a grin as he began to tap back, trying to show off.
Just then a small flame came from the sparker, "Harold!" Harlean cried.
He looked down quickly and as the flame was small enough, he was able to blow it out. He then looked at Harlean, clearly embarrassed, "That didn't happen," he said simply.
"Yes that is so easy…you tap so fast that the sparker started to actually spark a fire!" Harlean's face then twisted into one of complete and utter joy, "Okay that's it! You're new nickname shall be Sparks!" she said with delight.
"Sparks? I don't need a nickname!" Harold whined like a puppy.
"I think it's cute!" Jack's voice called through the curtain.
Harlean laughed, "You're name is Sparks and that's it. Now I will see you tomorrow, alright?" she said.
"Yeah sure…" Harold grumbled.
"Goodnight Sparks," she said with a giggle before walking out of the room.
Harold just sighed and smiled as he began to fix the machine.
XX
When Harlean woke up the next morning her mind was on Harold, she had dreamed the night before about him.
The details seemed to be a bit vague, but she just remembered dreaming about getting off of a foreign ship with him. She looked awful, her hair was a mess, but the dock they were getting off at was New York. She knew this from photos she had looked at in a file in her Uncles study before they left for the voyage on the Titanic.
She shook her head, ignoring it and then climbed out of bed. Just then there was a knock on her door and Holly let herself in.
"Oh miss you're already up. I was just coming into get you," she said with a smile.
"Yes…here I am," Harlean replied with a grin.
Holly kept her smile and then walked over to the wardrobe to pick out a dress for Harlean to wear for the day.
"Do you like this one?" she asked as she held up a sky blue dress with beading on the bottom and lace around the bodice.
"Yes, that's lovely," Harlean answered as she poured cold water into her basin. She then dipped a cloth into the basin and began to scrub her face.
"That's better," she said a moment later.
Holly smiled, "Alright miss, lets get you out of that dress. You're Uncle came by a short while ago, he said that he would be around in about…" Holly paused to pull out her silver pocket watch, "Thirty five minutes," she finished.
"Very well then," Harlean then pulled her night gown off and then Holly helped her into her undergarments and corset. By the time she was finishing up and picking out a hat to wear her Uncle was knocking on the door.
"Come in!"
Harlean walked out into the sitting room, dressed and her hair pulled up into a bun and a hat placed on top of her head.
"You look lovely today," the Captain commented.
"Thank you," Harlean said with a smile.
"We'll see you soon," Harlean said as she and her Uncle walked out of the Suite.
XX
"Good morning," Harlean said brightly as she walked into the Messaging room after breakfast.
"Morning Harlean," Jack said.
"Where is Sparks?" she asked with a grin.
"I'm looking for something in my suitcase," Harold called.
"Alright, well," she looked to Jack, "Here is a message. If you have time, I'd appreciate it if you could get it out," she said with a smile.
"Just a second, those stuffed shirts down stairs keep making us send out messages about private cars," Jack said as he tapped away.
"So the machine is working now?" she asked.
"Yeah, I got it to cooperate shortly after you left last night."
Harlean looked up and saw Harold had just emerged, "You look lovely today," he commented.
Harlean blushed, "Thank you," she said.
"Here Jack send out the message, I'm going to go for a walk," Harold said, not taking his eyes off of Harlean.
"We should be so lucky," Jack muttered as he took the message. He watched as Harold and Harlean linked arms, as if he were her escort. They then walked out into the sun and disappeared down the deck.
As aggravated and tired he was, he couldn't help but smile for his friend.
"I had a dream with you in it last night," Harlean said as they walked down the deck.
"Really? Was I setting the Messaging Room on fire?" he asked.
Harlean laughed, "No…I'm serious. This was…so weird…yet real," she answered.
"What happened?"
"Well it was a bit hard to see, but you and I were stepping foot onto a dock," she began.
"So it was the Titanic docking?"
"No…we were not on the Titanic."
"What ship was it?" he inquired.
"I have no idea; I have never seen it before. I couldn't catch the name of it either," she answered.
"Well maybe we will meet again on another ship," Harold suggested.
She smiled, "Maybe that's what it is. Although I have to say…we both looked absolutely exhausted and drained. I looked well…a way you would never see me in Public looking," she answered.
"Hmm…I'm not sure what to tell you then," he said.
In the distance Harlean spotted her Uncle walking towards them, she pulled her arm away from Harold who looked confused, he then saw her Uncle. He hadn't even realized they were walking arm in arm. It had felt so natural and…right.
"Harlean, Harold. What are you doing dear?" he asked.
"Oh Mr. Bride and I were just talking," she answered.
"Oh, well that's nice. But just as long as you're not keeping him from his work," the Captain said sternly.
"No sir, Phillips is on duty right now," Harold said.
"Very well, but don't leave him alone in that small room for long. You could go mad in that small space."
Harold laughed politely, "Oh sir trust me, we need the space apart. We've been in close captivity for to long," he explained with a smirk.
"Ah, well make sure Harlean doesn't get into any trouble and Harlean?"
"Yes?"
"Make sure he doesn't get into any trouble," the Captain said.
Harlean laughed, "Yes sir," she answered.
The Captain then placed a kiss on her forehead and then continued down the deck.
Harlean turned around and watched for a moment as he disappeared amongst a sea of people, she then turned to Harold who smiled, "I should probably head back now," he said.
"Oh do you have to?" Harlean asked sadly.
Harold nodded, "Yes…Jack might need me and…I am very tired," he answered.
"Well we can't have you exhausted, go sleep. I'll come by later and check on you and Jack, to make sure you two do not kill each other," she said with a laugh.
Harold smiled and then kissed Harlean's hand, "I'll see you tonight, definitely," he replied.
Harold then turned around and headed back for the Messaging room, leaving Harlean with her heart fluttering…
XX
A/N- It's only taken me like…FOREVER to finish this chapter…but with help from my darling dearest Gina I know what I'm doing next…oh and the Sparks thing? That can be explained in probably chapter...7….or the next one…but I think it's gonna be 7. Anywhos…as I type this author's note water is filling the halls of the Titanic; Rose is wearing her awesome jacket…and…LUCY! Sorry…but I have Titanic on and it's up to the scene where Rose is looking for Mr. Andrews to see where to look for Jack…and he saw Lucy…remember Lucy? Gina's story…Antoinette Rose? Lucy is love…Gina is love….Antoinette Rose is love….lol.
Anywhos…I hope you enjoyed, off to work on the next chapter! Much love!
Beccs!