April 11th, 1912 - 5:30pm

Katherine was overwhelmed with the grandeur of the dining room. The doors were opened for her by two men in tuxedos and when it all opened up before her, Katherine's knees get a little wobbly and she struggled not to fall in her heels. She was on the balcony and just above her, there was a globe-shaped skylight that took up most of the ceiling. The banisters were made of a finely polished wood with gold ornate etchings engraved in them.

A clock rested on the wall just before the staircase which led down to where dinner was being served and she slowly took the stairs one at a time with Mrs. Shepard, hoping not to slip on the marble.

Once she reached the bottom, she spotted Ned immediately. His hair was slicked back and he was wearing his best dinner suit. His eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly agape. "Katherine," his mouth moved to a grin as he came closer to her.

"Hello, Ned." She said softly.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

She felt the blush on her cheeks. "Thank you," he took her hand and laid a kiss on the back of it then offered her his arm and she took it. "You shall be my date to dinner tonight, miss."

He led her over to where Claire, her parents, as well as his mother and Mrs. Shepard and her husband, were in a cluster talking. "I'd like to reintroduce you all to Katherine."

Once they were seated at a table with Ned's party as well as Mrs. Shepard and Katherine the servers began to pass out drinks. She was startled when Mrs. Banks set her sights on me. "Tell us of the accommodations in steerage Ms. Gordona. I hear that they're quite good on this ship."

She was obviously trying to rattle Katherine's nerves. But, she decided to heed Mrs. Shepard's advice to not give in first. Her sister always did call her stubborn. "The best I've seen, ma'am. Contrary to what many people believe there are hardly any rats." She subtly directed the last part of that sentence toward Marvel, who'd called her vermin.

Marvel noticed of course and spoke up. "Ms. Gordona is joining us from third class."

"She doesn't look third class to me," Mrs. Shepard said lightly, taking a sip of her cocktail.

Everyone began taking their napkins and spreading them across their laps so Katherine did the same. She eyed all the silverware before her and couldn't recall everything Mrs. Shepard told her about them. Luckily, she was sitting next to her and noticed her predicament. "Just breathe, and start from the outside and make your way in," she whispered.

A server stood next to her and held a spoonful of some black substance above her plate. "How do you take your caviar, ma'am?"

"No caviar for me thanks, I've never liked it much," she lied. The stuff looked incredibly unappetizing though. She thought being rich meant they would eat better food.

"Where exactly do you live Ms. Gordona?" Mrs. Mellark asks me.

"If you're asking where I'm from then that is Paris," she said with a bright smile. "I grew up in the city, but then when my mother passed away when I was fourteen I moved to love with my sister in England. We are now on our way to America for a better life, but right now I live on the RMS Titanic. Once we dock the rest will be determined from there."

"How is it that you have means to travel?" Mrs. Banks chuckled, and so did Claire as she ate her caviar on top of a cracker.

"My sister and her husband had some savings, I did too. We put it together and had just enough. I used to take care of children for a few families." She explained softly.

"It seems that all life was leading you somewhere greater," Ned said, sending a grin in my direction.

"And you find that sort of rootless existence appealing, do you?" Claire asked.

"I do, actually. Or else I wouldn't be doing it. I've learned to take life as it comes at me." She smiled at Ned, looking back to Claire. "I like to make each day count."

Ned rose his champagne glass. "To making it count." Everyone else at the table affirmed this sentiment and Katherine rose her glass as well.

At the end of the dinner, Mr. Smith rose. "Well, join me in a brandy gentleman?" They all rise. "Ladies thank you for the pleasure of your company." "Will you be joining us, Ned?" Mr. Smith asked him. "You don't want to stay out here with the women, do you?" He chuckled heartily.

"No thanks, Mr. Smith. The smoke was a bit too much for me before," he shrugged, standing up from the table. "I think I better turn in for the night."

"That's probably best," Mr. Smith reminded him. "It'll be all business and politics. It wouldn't interest you, Ned. You should stay out here and appease your guest." He followed the rest of the men out.

Katherine took that opportunity to make her escape as well. "I should be going as well. It was nice meeting all of you." She bowed to them slightly, smiling, turning to Mrs. Shepard. "Thank you for the dress. I will bring it to you in the morning."

"No need dress. I will never wear it." Mrs. Shepard said softly. "Lovely to meet you as well. Hope to see you again before we dock."

Ned stood and walked over to her. Taking Katherine's hand delicately and laying another kiss on the back of it. There was something in his hand though and transferred it to hers before taking his hand away. "I hope you had a good night, Katherine."

"I did. Thank you for inviting me," she whispered as he pressed a kiss to her cheek on his way out of the ballroom.

Katherine made her way toward the main elevators and was back near the entrance of the dining room when she finally looked at what Ned had left in her hand.

It's a crumpled piece of parchment.

When she unfolded it, there was a written message in what must be his small, neat script:

Meet me at our place

Katherine knew that it would be best to change before she went to see Ned. She stopped by her cabin quickly and Melinda and James were not there. She assumed they either must be at dinner or in the common room for another night of fun.

Once Katherine changed into a more comfortable dress, she grabbed her small sweater and wrapped it around her as she made her way out. She quickly climbed the stairs and walked through the many stairways to come out onto the deck where she'd met Ned the night before.

She saw him as soon as she walked out the door. He was leaning against the railing, just a few yards away. His dinner jacket was closed around his suit and he turned as she approached.

"I'm glad you got my message," he smiled. "Now we can have a moment alone."

"Alone?" She looked around her. A few passengers of both first and third class were amongst them. But not too many.

"Close enough," he said softly.

Even though Ned wasn't thrilled about this voyage, to begin with, he was quite enjoying the time he spent with Katherine.

As they walked by a row of lifeboats, she asked, "How many lifeboats are there?"

"I believe there are twenty lifeboats all together," he replied.

"Twenty? How many can each hold?" She questioned.

"Oh, I'm not sure." He shrugged and let go of her in order to examine the one tied to the deck. "Looks like they could hold about sixty men."

Katherine furrowed her eyebrows as he came back to her. She flagged the first crew member she saw down. "Sir, how many people are on this marvelous ship?" She asked, smiling at him.

"About 2,200, ma'am, now I must be on my way to see the Captain." The crew member nodded to her with a smile and kept walking further down the deck.

"So there are only enough lifeboats for half of the people on board?" She asked softly.

Before Ned could respond, one of the other gentlemen nearby that heard them said loudly, "Oh, what does it matter? This ship is unsinkable! God himself could not sink this beautiful ship!" The other gentlemen with him bellowed their agreement, but she noticed that Ned did not respond as they continued walking.

"I never realized how unprepared this ship was," he pressed his lips together and nodded. "But we must keep positive, right? Did you have a nice time tonight?"

She smiled. She wasn't sure how she wanted to answer that. Of course, dinner had been fantastic. But his mother, she was cruel. Finding out that there weren't enough lifeboats for everyone frightened her. She knew this ship was strong and built with the best materials possible, but that didn't help her worries not sink into her gut. "Dinner was wonderful, the conversation not so much." She shrugged.

That was all he was going to get from her.

"I can agree with you on that," he nodded, sighing. "My mother can be harsh. I apologize."

She shook her head. "I'm used to it. It's no matter."

"I wish I could brighten your night," he sighed, smiling. "To see you smile like before."

"Like when you kissed me?" She whispered, her eyes glancing to his lips. She wished for it to happen again, but it couldn't. Not in public.

"Yes," he nodded. "Just like then. "What can I do?"

"Do you trust me?" She asked, holding out her arm.

He didn't hesitate and looped his arm around hers. "Of course."

Katherine's grin grew and she led him back toward the door she'd come out of. She had a plan to make sure they had a splendid time tonight.

Katherine and Ned made their way to the common room in the steerage to find that there was indeed dancing and drinking.

Irish music was being played tonight, Katherine assumed it was by Irishmen that the ship had picked up last night when we had docked in Queenstown, Ireland. The music was even more invigorating and lively than it had been the night before.

"What kind of party is this?" Ned asked, trying to shout over the music.

"A fun one," she smiled over her shoulder at her. "Too much for you?"

Ned chuckled. "Not at all," he shook his head.

Just then, James' voice came to her ears. "Katherine! Your sister has been looking all over the ship for you." He broke through the crowd and walked up to them.

"Oh, James. I'm sorry for being so scarce today." She greeted him softly. James' eyes narrowed when he saw Ned standing there in his fine suit beside Katherine. She quickly spoke before her sister's husband could say anything. "James, this is Ned. I met him last night when I was on the top deck."

James looked at her for a moment but saw the pleading look in her eyes and his face softened. He would leave the tough stuff up to her sister. "James Clancy," James said, sticking out his hand.

Ned took it tentatively. "Ned Banks," he said smiling.

"Katherine Elizabeth, where the hell have you been?" Melinda shouted.

Suddenly, James looked over Ned's shoulder and his eyes widened. Ned turned around to see what had caught the other man's eye.

It was a woman, the one he recognized from when he'd first seen Katherine. They had nearly mirrored faces, except for their noses and jaws. She was wearing a red dress with an intricate black pattern on the skirt.

"Melinda, please, I'm sorry." She whispered, going to hug her. "I had a wonderful day."

"Oh, did you? I was worried sick, Katherine." Melinda sighed. "You said you were returning that man's coat and never came back…"

She heard Ned clear his throat and she closed her eyes. This was no the right time for her to meet him. Not when Melinda was this furious with her.

"I'm sorry I was the one who occupied her most of the day," Ned sighed, taking a couple of steps toward them. "Ned Banks."

Melinda eyed the man who stood behind her sister, his hand on her shoulder. Who was he? How did he know her? Was this the man whose coat Katherine had worn last night?

"Well, you finally decided to join the party. Glad to meet you," Melinda narrowed her eyes at him and he laughed.

"Nice to make your acquaintances," Ned said, attempting to bow.

Just then the musicians began playing a new song. "Well, you all better get out there!" James hollered, grabbing Melinda's hands and pulling her back out there before she could say another word. He winked at Katherine, who smiled at him and looked up at Ned.

"Would you – " Ned started, looking at her.

"I would love to," she nodded, smiling as she took his hand and pulled him out into the mess of dancing.

As Ned and Katherine began to dance to the music, his face broke out into such a huge grin that she thought it was likely to split his face. Her pulse quickened. They danced for several lively songs, both of them sweaty and panting, but not wanting to stop.

Whenever their hands finally came back into contact with each other, she felt fire shoot down her spine. She looked at Ned as he danced. His hair that had been combed back earlier now stuck to his forehead which glistened with sweat. His cheeks were flushed and the freckles on his cheeks seemed more pronounced.

He had removed his suit jacket and tie a couple of songs earlier and had unbuttoned the top few buttons of his white dress shirt, which was now sticking to him with sweat. A few dark chest hairs peeked out of his shirt and she swallowed.

She had never felt this way before. She had never felt this kind of connection with someone before, let alone someone she barely knew. Katherine didn't even know how to explain what she was feeling for this man. For this beautiful and rich man.

She knew she never wanted the feeling to go away. When Katherine looked into Ned's eyes, it was like they mirrored exactly what she was feeling. Finally, the music faded and people began filtering out of the warm, hazy room.

Ned and Katherine continued to stand there, catching their breath. "Do you want to go look at the stars with me again?" he asked, smiling gently.

She nodded and he held out his hand. She took it and followed him to the top deck. When they reached the stern they both leaned on the railing and gazed out at the ocean. The frigid air felt good on her hot, damp skin. She closed her eyes and sighed.

"I'll have to remember to thank James one day," he said in a lighthearted tone.

She opened her eyes, looking up at him. "Why is that?" She asked.

"Because he distracted your sister and gave me the rest of the night with you," he whispered. He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear.

She smiled gently and looked back out to the ocean. "I'll have to remember to thank him too." She could feel his lips touch her skin just slightly. "We shouldn't…" He turned her around slowly and their eyes met. "Ned, I –"

"Shh," he urged, pressing his fingers to her lips. "You don't have to say anything." Ned slowly leaned in and gently kissed Katherine's warms lips.

After a brief, wonderful moment, they moved apart. She smiled at him, touching his face. She looked around, seeing that not many people were roaming the deck at this time of night. Unable to contain herself anymore, Katherine pulled Ned's lips to hers for a fiery and passionate kiss.

The world fell away.

It was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be. His hand rested below her ear, his thumb caressing her cheek as their tongues mingled. He ran his hands up her back, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them and he could feel the beating of her heart against his chest.

"I really should go…" he said barely above a whisper, his voice tinged with sadness. "Before my mother notices. SHe won't be a kind as your sister was."

She nodded. "Me too."

"Please tell me I'll see you again. I shall have to find you this time," his eyes were bright as he smiled at her.

"Of course," she whispered, placing one last gentle kiss on his hand as she let them go. She gave him coat a moment later, making sure not to forget it this time.

He smiled and took his coat. "Where will can I find you?" He pulled the fine, black dinner jacket around him and buttoned it at his waist.

"Right here," she said leaning back onto the railing with a wink. "After lunch."

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

She laughed. "See you tomorrow, Ned Banks," she said as he walked away.