April 10th, 1912 - 10:30pm

Ned was a gentleman, one with a pure heart, she reasoned. After an hour of walking around the deck laughing, talking about everything they could think about, he'd begged her to let him walk to back to her cabin, even if it was all the way down in steerage. She'd told him that maybe another time he could before they docked in New York.

"Will you let me kiss you?" Ned had asked, in the heat of the moment.

They were still out on the deck, which was empty of all passengers, and Ned had her up against the wall. Except for this time, that same smile that she wore earlier on the deck with whatever man she was with.

"What if I want to be the one to kiss you?" She asked, leaning in just close enough that her lips touched his chin.

Ned glanced down at her lips, and then they were kissing. His warm lips seemed to melt into hers. She wasn't sure what to do. She'd never been kissed by a man before. A boy, once or twice, but Ned was a man and kissed like one.

She found herself drawing him closer to her, something she'd seen her sister do every single time as his hands came up to either side of her face, his thumbs gently brushing her cheeks. Katherine opened her mouth a little bit when she felt his open, tentatively pushing his tongue into her mouth to deepen the kiss.

He lowered his arms to her waist to pulled her even closer to him. She wound her arms around his neck in return, until he stepped back just a little bit to remove his lips from hers and leaned his forehead against hers.

They stayed like that for several moments, just holding each other and catching their breath. The moonlight bathed them in white light and they could hear the swishing of the ocean waves as the ship parted them.

Finally, he broke the silence. "Katherine, I –"

"Shh," she urged, pressing her fingers to his lips. "You don't have to say anything."

He let out a breath and pulled his forehead away from hers to look at her. "I really should go… before my mother starts to worry." He said this barely above a whisper, his voice tinged with sadness.

She nodded. "It's quite late."

"Usually I'm not one to kiss a girl the day I meet them," he blushed, his eyes so full of hope. "Please tell me I'll see you again." She couldn't bear the thought of what his eyes would look like if she told him no.

"Of course," she whispered, placing one last gentle kiss on his lips.

He smiled. "Where can I find you?" He asked.

"Right here," she whispered. "This is our place."

"I'll see you tomorrow then." He waved and started to walk away, but then quickly turned around and kissed me on the lips once more.

She touched his face and laughed. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ned," she whispered as he walked away.

She walked to the first door, slipping in and down the stairs to the third class deck. Many people milled about as they drunkenly made their way back to their rooms from the gathering in the common room.

When she went into the room to find that neither her sister or her husband was there, she went toward the common room. The room was hazy with smoke and smelled of beer and sweat. People were laughing, dancing, drinking, and Katherine saw more than one couple kissing sneak away.

The joy in the room was tangible. It was impossible not to get swept up in it. A group of men were playing an upbeat song with various instruments in the corner while couples twirled and jumped on the makeshift dance floor. As the song ended, everyone dispersed and called out for another.

When the next song began to play, Melinda caught her in the crowd, grabbed her and pulled her toward the dance floor. She laughed and let herself go as the lively music seemed to weave its way through her and into her heart.

She wholeheartedly laughed as James attempted to dance next to them. He nudged her with a smile when he saw her laughing. She glanced back over to where Henry and Annie were standing. From what she could see, it looked like Henry was attempting to get her to dance with him, but she seemed rather nervous.

Katherine nodded at her enthusiastically, and finally, Annie relented, allowing Henry to gently take her hand and guide her to the dance floor. She looked around until she saw her sister dancing happily with her husband. Both looked to be having fun, so heartfelt full.

She could never thank James enough for secretly buying their way onto the Titanic. It was the greatest gift she could have ever received. She'd met Ned, the most mysterious and interesting man she'd ever met.

Everyone all danced, laughed, and drank well into the night. Katherine enjoyed a couple of beers, the cool liquid refreshing and invigorating. She had probably lost several pounds in sweat, but she was having too much fun to stop. Eventually, the music died down and the people in the room began to retire to their rooms in steerage.

Katie was mildly disappointed that the fun was over, but was looking forward first night sleeping on the bed that awaited her in their room.

As they left the common room, she hugged James tightly. "Thank you," she said, letting go and twirling around in the hallway.

"For what?" he asked, pulling away and wrapping his arm around Melinda's waist.

"For this," she replied, gesturing to the space around her. "For making this happen."

He smiled warmly. "Good. "Sometimes I know what we all need better than you or your sister do."

"Only sometimes," Melinda chuckled, rolling her eyes.

Katie smiled back at them, just in time to see Henry was saying something quietly to Annie, then kissed her cheek gently and turned to Melinda, James, and Katie.

"Goodnight, you three," he said, bowing slightly. "I expect I will see you all again."

Melinda and Katherine both bid him goodnight as they slipped into the room, leaving James to have a moment with them. "Where did you go?" Melinda asked once they were alone in their cabin.

Melinda was pulling out a nightgown from her trunk as she asked. Her face had flushed red from the alcohol and she had a content smile on her lips which she attributed to James. But beneath that, Katie could tell her sister was still worried about her, but Melinda knew her enough to respect her space.

"I was on the deck, looking at the stars." She shrugged, pulling her bag open. She fished around for her nightdress and pulled the first one she found.

"Is everything alright?" Melinda asked, stripping down to her chemise and pulled her nightgown on.

"It is. I was thinking about mother and father, but I'm better now." She reassured her. "You should get your rest."

"Who's coat is that?" Melinda asked.

Katherine looked down at her torso. She'd completely forgotten about Ned giving her his coat. She was in too much of a daze from their kiss to return it. "No ones," she blushed, slipping it from her frame and hanging it on the door before walking toward the bathroom.

"It's pretty luxurious," Melinda warned and followed her. "Like first class luxurious. I thought your morals were too strict to resort to thievery." Melinda grasped her little sister's forearm and ran her hand along the length of her arm. "Tell me, Katherine."

"You know I'm no thief, Melinda." She hissed, yanking her arm away. "I was cold and I met someone nice."

"Was this nice person a man?" Melinda asked.

"Yes," she whispered.

"Was he a man that happened to be of higher status than ourselves?" Melinda asked.

"Yes," she sighed, looking away from him. She knew what he would think.

"Specifically, is this status you speak of first class?" Melinda asked again.

She looked away. "Yes," she answered quietly.

Melinda may have been acting a little playful, but now that she confirmed her suspicions, she sobered up rather quickly. "Katherine, what are you doing?"

"I'm not doing anything," she answered, shaking her head.

"Why are you fraternizing with the first class?" Melinda shouted. She was furious. How could she put herself in that situation? How did she know if he was a good man? "Men like that only have one interest with girls like you."

"What exactly am I then, Mel?" She bit back at her sister as she splashed water on her face.

Melinda sighed and rubbed his face. "I didn't mean it like that and you know it. I'm just looking out for you. I know you can handle yourself. I just don't want you to get swept up in the extravagance."

"When have I ever?" She laughed at her words and rolled her eyes.

"Well, this is the first time anything like this has come up." Her sister muttered.

"Exactly! So why are you being so unreasonable? I hardly know him." She lied through her teeth. She knew her sister would never understand. "We just talked for a few moments and now it's over. I'll probably never see him again."

"Except to return his coat," Melinda turned around.

"What?" She asked.

"You will be returning his coat, right?" Melinda peeked over her shoulder at her as she held the door handle in his palm. "As you said, you're no thief."

Katie sighed and quickly changed as she heard James stumbled into the room. She'd assumed he'd drank a rather lot tonight along with the rest of the men.

As she slipped out into the room, she watched her sister directed him toward the bed where he plopped down with a satisfied grin. "Come here, beautiful," James whispered as he outstretched his hand to Melinda.

Melinda laughed as she pulled off her husband's boots. "Give me a second to get these off first, you fool!" She shook her head at him. Once the other boot was off his other foot, she sat beside him and he leaned up to kiss her. She gave him a few measly seconds before she pulled back, petting his chest. "Katherine is right there… scoot over."

Katherine felt her cheeks flushing as she snuggled into the comfortable, cozy bed. It was much comfier than anything she'd ever slept in before. She almost wanted to tell them it was nothing she wasn't used to. The walls were very thin in their other apartment.

"Don't worry about me," she said softly, tucking herself toward the wall and pulling her blanket up to her shoulders.

"Yeah, Mellie," James chuckled and the bed creaked as Melinda must've laid down with him. "Don't mind her."

"Oh, shut up." Melinda snickered and she heard their lips smack against each other.

Katherine let her mind wander as her older sister began to snicker as they kissed. She thought to how she met Ned and the last thing he'd said to her.

Would he actually look for her tomorrow? What if he didn't?

She actually felt a pang of regret at that thought. Why did she care that much? He was just some young rich man who would probably be embarrassed to be seen with her in the daylight. She pushed him from her thoughts and sleep came quickly for her then.

After Ned had left Katherine on the top deck, he went back to his suite, which was just a walk down the deck and down the hall from the door that he came in from. Upon entering his suite, he discovered his mother was waiting for him on the sofa of the sitting room. She turned to him greeted her. The look on her face was unreadable.

"Where have you been?" His mother asked calmly.

"I was just strolling on the top deck. Needed some fresh air," he replied, running a nervous hand through his hair. He really wasn't in the mood for a lecture. He could only hope that she wouldn't smell Katherine's perfume on him. She'd smelt like the most beautiful flowers he'd ever had a chance to smell. "What made you come by my suite to wait?"

"I was worried when the maids said you hadn't returned," she said softly. "Were you by yourself up there?"

He realized his mother was feigning ignorance. Claire. Suddenly, he remembered it was her idea for him to charm her. "Yes, but I was hoping to get a moment with Claire. I never did."

His mother's facial expression changed so quickly it was laughable. Upon hearing that he had been thinking about Claire, she was pleased. At least for now. "You better have a ring on her finger before we are docked in New York City."

"Well, goodnight, Mother," he hurriedly gave her a kiss on the cheek, walked to his bedroom, and quickly shut the door behind him before she could say anything. He allowed himself a small smile as he breathed a sigh of relief. He was finally alone.

His mother's hands were really tied on this. She already wanted him to marry Claire after just meeting her today. Yet, the only thing he could find himself thinking about was the softness of Katherine's lips when he kissed her tonight.

Even though he knew his mother would think he was participating in childish behavior, he would never stop thinking about her or stop trying to see her. And without him, his mother's future would be in ruins as well. So really there was nothing his mother could do besides pout.

He felt a small measure of satisfaction as he began to walk into the bathroom, finding a maid. "Will you draw me a bath?" He asked.

"Of course, Mr. Banks." The maid nodded. "It'll only be a few minutes."

He went into the bedroom and he began to remove his clothes, fetching himself a nightshirt. He didn't realize until he was fully undressed that his mother had followed him into his room.

She coughed behind him in the doorway and he jumped, startled, and quickly reached for his nightshirt and pulled it over his head. He felt his cheeks burning as he said, "Mother, I didn't realize you were in here. Is there something you need?" But it seemed that she didn't even notice she had walked in on him completely naked. Her eyes revealed that she was intent on something. "What is it, Mother?" He asked, trying to remain patient and calm.

"I was curious as to why you felt the need to take a stroll on the top deck of the ship at this time of night?" Mother asked with a cold look in her eyes.

Baffled, he struggled to answer her question. "I was just feeling a little seasick. Thought I would get some air."

"Hmmm…" Mother looked him up and down as if she was seeing how likely he was to defy her. "You are a man now, Ned. Enough of these childish games. Your brothers have deserted us. It is just you and I left to make a name for ourselves. You wouldn't want your father's name to be tarnished because you were playing silly games, would you?"

His first reaction was to become angry and disgusted with the way she talked about his brothers. But the look she gave him after her question – those large blue eyes that began to fill with most-like fake tears, broke his will. He could almost feel the burden of his future being more heavily placed on his shoulders.

"No, Mother," he replied softly.

"Good," she smiled smugly. She had won. "Goodnight, son." With that, she left.

He didn't know why he allowed his mother to have such control over him, but she knew how to control him. She was right – he didn't want the Banks name, his father's name, to be tarnished because of him. He pulled on his nightshirt as he walked to where the hot water was waiting in the tub.

He lowered myself into the steaming water. The water seemed to melt the stress right off of him, so he relaxed deeper into it. It smelled as if the maids had added some kind of scent to it as well.

Ned allowed himself a few minutes to soak in the warm water before he washed himself, dried off, pulled his nightshirt back on, and left the washing room.

He was walking into his room when his mother peeked in. "Goodnight, darling. I expect you to be up early tomorrow for our breakfast."

He went to close the door and locked it behind him, he realized the maids must have prepared his bed for sleeping. The sheets were pulled down, the pillows were up and arranged in a comfortable-looking way. He rubbed one of the sheets between his fingers.

It was incredibly soft.

He stripped off his nightshirt again, deciding to sleep naked. His mother would hate it, but it seemed the only way he could defy her right now.