Misunderstandings

April 11th 1912

Nighttime

Good boy Jack! I thought to myself when I heard Jack's voice. Jack would know what to do. He had always been good with people. He was able to connect with them in a way I never could. I knew that he would be able to say all the right things, I just silently prayed that the woman would have the sense to listen to him.

I ran along the promenade deck, searching for someone, anyone, that would be able to help me, but not a soul was out tonight. It didn't surprise me, it was late and cold and most everyone was either sleeping or at one of the parties, but it did worry me. I needed to find help. The girl loooked completely hysterical with emotion and I was afraid that mine and Jack's window of opportunity to save her was quickly shutting. I slowed my steps and glanced around one more time before I went to the stairs that led to the next deck. I took the stairs two at a time, but paused before opening the gate.

There was white sign that was hung over the railing. In large black letters, it read:

No third class passengers beyond this point.

Well, if that wasn't completely obvious, I didn't know what was. I hesitated at the gate but then quickly pushed it open.

"Hello?" I called, glancing around. There was no one on the second class deck either. I felt my frustration grow and I bit my lip.

Just then I heard muffled voices. I looked up towards the docking bridge, where I spotted some crew members with their backs towards me. I took the short flight of stairs to the next deck, pushed open the gate and went to them. There were three men total, dressed in the Titanic crew uniform. They stood with shoulders hunched, trying to keep warm in the frigid night air. They all looked up at me as I approached.

"Please," I said, a little out of breath from crossing the decks, "There's a woman down at the bow of the ship-"

But before I could say anything else, one of the men interrupted me. A silver pin on his uniform read Quartermaster Rowe.

"Oi! You're not supposed to be up here!" he chided.

My mouth snapped shut, a little taken aback.

"Get back down to third class where you belong," Quartermaster Rowe snapped, waving his hand dismissively.

"I know I'm not supposed to be here," I said, "but my friend-"

Again I was cut off by Rowe before I could finish.

"I'm not going to tell you again. Now off with you before I have Officer Lowe escort you back to your deck," he said and turned his back to me. Facing the other seamen, I heard him mutter something about 'daft third class' under his breath. I felt my temper flare.

"Bastards! Listen here, a womans life is on the line," I shouted, using one of Jack's choicest curse words, before I would stop myself. I didn't bother apologizing, the damage was already done.

None of the men took well to the profanity, especially coming from a lady.

"Watch your mouth!" Officer Rowe said, turning to one of the crew members, "Officer Lowe, escort this woman back to her proper deck, if you please."

The man named Lowe stepped forward. He had dark hair and dark eyes, with a narrow face and straight nose. His lips were pressed into a fine line, his expression both sympathetic and irritated.

"Come along now miss," Officer Lowe said gently, his hand gripping my elbow gently as he tried to lead me back down to the decks.

"No, wait," I retorted, yanking my arm free, turning to Officer Rowe, on the brink of desperation. Lowe reached for me again, this time taking my upper arm in his grasp.

Just then, a scream came from the bow of the ship. It ripped through the night and carried over to the sea men and I. Officer Lowe looked to Rowe and the other crew member, releasing me. The men where the first to react. They started off at a run towards the back of the ship. I followed them over the deck until we reached the bow.

I gasped when we came upon the scene.

The woman was laying on her back, shaking, pale, and with her hair spread out around her head like a halo. The skirt of her dress pulled up past her knees. I blushed out of embarrassment for her. Jack was kneeling down next to her, looking guilty but relieved. Officer Rowe looked them over, suddenly drawing conclusions. He pointed a finger at Jack.

"You stand back! And don't move an inch!" He shouted, turning to the other officers, "Fetch the Master at Arms," he said.

I looked at Jack. I knew Jack hadn't done anything wrong; he wasn't like that. It was just a misunderstanding. But I did know that he most likely just got us into a lot of trouble.

"Oh Jack," I sighed.

I winced as the hand cuffs were tightened around my wrists.

"Sorry miss," The Master at Arms said, but made no movement to loosen them. He went over to Rose to attend to her.

I looked at Jack, who was also handcuffed. He looked at me evenly. He seemed completely unconcerned with our predicament, whereas I was a mess of irritation, nervousness and embarrassment, all wrapped up in one. Rose was sitting on one of the deck chairs quietly crying. The Master at Arms draped a heavy blanket over her shoulders and she took it gratefully.

Officer Rowe and the third sea man were talking with a well dressed man. He was tall, with deep set eyes, a heavy brow and his dark hair slicked back out of his face. It was Rose's fiance. Officer Lowe stood next to Jack and I. He cleared his throat and I looked up at him but he did not meet my gaze.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier," Officer Lowe said, "Rowe likes to wield his power. He should have stopped and listened to you."

As he spoke, I heard an accent I had not noticed before. I thought it was Welsh, but I couldn't be sure. It sounded nice.

"Oh, it's quite alright," I said hastily, biting my lip before adding sheepishly, "I'm also sorry...for my language and behavior."

I could feel my face grow hot despite the chilly night air. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Officer Lowe trying to suppress a smile, though failing miserably. Jack's gaze was flickering between Lowe and I, his eyebrow raised questioningly. My face grew more hot as I stared pointedly at the deck. More than anything I wanted to seep through the wood panels and end my humiliation. I turned my attention on Officer Rowe.

"And that's when we came upon Miss DeWitt Bukater, sir," Officer Rowe was saying, "We found her, to put it delicately, disheveled and the man on top of her."

I had listened to the conversation, and with each word that Officer Rowe spoke, my irritation grew more. He made it sound like Jack and I were in complete fault, instead of us trying to help the woman who thought the only way out, was to end her life.

The fiance nodded at Rowe, who stepped back, before turning to Jack and I. He advanced on us, and I instinctively took a step back but Jack held his ground. He reached for the lapels on Jack's jacket and gave him a firm shake.

"What made you think you could lay yours hand on my fiancee?" he asked angrily.

Finding my courage, I stepped forwards, "Let him go," I said, placing my cuffed hands on Rose's fiance's shirt sleeve, "Jack didn't mean anything by it!"

The fiance turned to me, scowling, "Get off me, urchin!" he snapped, snatching his arm out of my grasp. I recoiled and felt a hand placed on my shoulder. I looked up. It was the Master at Arms.

Rose's finance turned on Jack again, "What do you think you were doing?"

It was Rose who answered. She stood up and went to her future spouse, "Cal, stop! It was an accident."

Her fiance, Cal, turned to her, "An accident?"

"Yes," Rose continued, looking between Jack, Cal and I, "I was leaning way over to see the, ah, propellers and I slipped! I would have gone overboard had Mr. Dawson not been there to save me, almost going over himself."

Cal's eyebrows rose, "The propellers? She wanted to see the propellers," Cal proclaimed to the rest of the men.

"Like I said, women and machinery don't mix," The Master at Arms said, grabbing Jack and turning him to face him, "Was that the way of it?" he asked.

Jack looked towards Rose. Her eyes were wide, silently begging him to go along with the lie. Something passed between them before Jack answered, "Yes, that's pretty much it."

"Well, the boy's a hero then," The Master at Arms said. He took Jack's hands and unlocked the cuffs before turning to me. Once the cuffs were off, I rubbed my wrists, moving closer to Jack.

Cal turned to Rose, taking her in his arms, "Let's get you inside," he said gently, "You must be freezing."

"Perhaps a little something for the boy?" The Master at Arms said, indicating to Jack.

"Oh, right," Cal said, "Mr. Lovejoy, I think a twenty should do it."

The rat faced man who had appeared with Cal, and who I had forgotten had been standing there, step forward. He fished in his pocket for his wallet, a scowl on his face. His name was almost laughable, seeing as there was nothing lovable or joyous about him.

Rose turned to Cal, "Is that the going rate for saving the woman you love?" she asked before Mr. Lovejoy could produce the reward.

"Rose is displeased, what to do?" Cal mused before saying, "I know."

He turned to Jack, "Perhaps you could join us for dinner tomorrow, to regale our group with your heroic tale?"

Jack, looking at Rose, nodded, "Sure. Count me in."

The invitation was not extended to me. Good. I didn't want or need their charity.

"Good, it's settled then," Cal said, He put a arm around Rose and led her away, but not before she could glance over her shoulder at Jack one more time.

They were closely followed by the Master at Arms. Officer Rowe and the other crew member followed suit. Officer Lowe looked over at me once more before following his companions, leaving Jack and I and Mr. Lovejoy, who pulled out a silver cigarette case.

Jack whistled at him, "Mind if I bum a smoke?" he asked.

Mr. Lovejoy offered the silver case and Jack took two, tucking one behind his ear and putting the other in his mouth. Mr. Lovejoy looked us over.

"You'll want to tie those," he commented, eyes on Jack's shoes, "Interesting. The lady slipped so suddenly and yet you had time to remove your shoes and jacket."

Mr. Lovejoy didn't wait for a response and Jack never gave one. With a frown, the right hand man turned and followed Cal's entourage, disappearing below decks. I looked at Jack, waiting for an explanation. He just shook his head.

"I'll explain later. It's cold, let's call it a night," Jack said and he walked me back down below decks to my cabin.

As we walked along the narrow corridors to my room, Jack explained how he managed to talk Rose out of jumping off the back of the ship, why his shoes had been untied, and why we had come upon them in an awkward position. It all made sense once I heard Jack's side of the story.

We stopped outside my cabin door and Jack tuned to me.

"I'm gad I convinced you to come out to the decks with me," Jack said quietly, opening the door to my room.

"Me too," I whispered.

"Goodnight Emily. I'll see you in the morning," Jack said, before he tapped his finger on my nose teasingly and disappeared down the hall to his cabin. I watched him go before quietly slipping into my cabin. It was dark and I had to feel my way to my bunk bed. I climbed up, sighing as I laid down on my bed suddenly feeling very exhausted.

"You're in late."

I jumped at the sound of Arlene's voice, having thought that everyone was fast asleep. I turned to her general direction, because it was too pitch black in our cabin for us to see one another.

"And you're up awfully late," I retorted, "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

I heard Arlene shift in her bed before she answered, "I couldn't sleep. Who was that young man that called for you?"

"A friend."

"He's quite handsome," Arlene commented.

I felt my cheeks flush and an uncontrollable smile break out over my face. I was grateful for the cover of dark so Arlene couldn't see my ridiculous expression. I pulled the sheets back on my bed and climbed in, rolling over. It was late and I was sleepy.

"Yes, yes he is," I finally murmured into my pillow.