I...I don't know. This chapter is the longest so far. It's REALLY LONG. I didn't even know how to break it up! So from 9,000 words it got reduced to 6,000 because I broke it up into two parts. I don't know how this happened! This may be a little too much for you guys to read, I apologise if you couldn't take it all in at once! I hope you all enjoy this chapter and please review if you did. :)
-Elizabeth -
Elizabeth slowly blinked her eyes. She was awoken by the sound of the chair being lightly dragged. She was a really light sleeper, so much that the slightest movement could wake her. She rubbed her eyes. This wasn't her bed. Elizabeth then remembered that she had slept in Jim's room the previous night. She looked around the room and saw Jim opposite her with his back facing her, putting on his overcoat.
Elizabeth then very quietly crawled out of the bed and hugged him from behind. He didn't flinch. "Good morning." She said lazily, resting her head on his shoulder. Jim smiled. "Good morning, sleepyhead." He ruffled her hair with one hand and she laughed. "Did you sleep well?" He asked, looking at her. Elizabeth looked up at him and nodded, giving him a peck on the lips.
She then pulled away to put on her shoes and tidied his bed a little, putting the sheets in order. "You know, you don't have to do that." He beamed at her while buttoning up his jacket. "Meh, force of habit." She grinned back, shrugging her shoulders.
Elizabeth then walked over to him just as he finished putting on his shoes and picked his hat up from the desk and gently placed it on his head, looking into his eyes. Jim leaned in and gave her a long, sweet kiss.
When they separated, she went to get her hairpin from the table and casually put her hair up in a bun. She looked over at the clock hanging on the wall and saw that it was 3.45 in the morning. "I'll take you back to your room before I head over for my shift with Will." He said before walking over to the door. She soon followed.
He put a hand up, telling her to hold on as he opened the door and looked around to make sure Chief Officer Henry Wilde wasn't walking around. Unlike Will, Lights and Harry, Henry and the other officers were not as open when it came to allowing a member of the crew to get close to the likes of a passenger.
Once the coast was clear, Jim grasped her hand gently and ran down the corridor, smiling as brightly as she was.
After a long run, they stood outside her stateroom, panting lightly and looking into each others' eyes. When Elizabeth made sure there were no passengers or stewards around, she tip-toed and kissed Jim, smiling against his lips. The officer wrapped his arms around her, never wanting to let go. She put her hands on his adorable cheeks, deepening the kiss.
They soon had to break apart and go their separate ways but as Jim walked down the corridor and Elizabeth entered her room, they were sure that the feeling and taste of the kiss would linger on their lips for hours to come.
- Clara -
Clara woke up, not surprised that Harry wasn't beside her. In the middle of the night somewhere, she was sure she felt him leave the bed and give her a gentle kiss on the lips before leaving the room.
She looked over and saw Elizabeth smiling in her sleep and she couldn't help but giggle at the sight. Clara noticed that her bruise was not as bad as the day before and grinned at herself. She changed into her maid uniform, complete with the white bonnet and apron. She went over to the end table next to her bed to pick up her Jane Austen book to read.
- Caledon -
He was having breakfast with Rose and her mother, Bruce Ismay, Molly Brown and Thomas Andrews. Caledon was broken out of his reverie when Molly asked Thomas "Hey Thomas, how's Lizzy doing?" Molly and Elizabeth got along swimmingly and she loved calling the girl 'Lizzy', like a special nickname only she used. "Fine, thank you for asking, Molly. I'm surprised she's doing so well, considering the circumstances."
"What circumstances?" Molly asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion. "When she was just a wee little girl, she and her mother were on a ship as well. Unfortunately, that ship sank and...that's when I lost my wife. She's been terrified of the water ever since." His smile faded as he looked back down at his food, suddenly losing all his appetite.
"I'm so sorry, Thomas." Molly said, patting him comfortingly on the shoulder. He gave her a half-hearted smile and continued to eat, practically forcing himself to.
Caledon on the other hand was more than happy hearing this piece of news. He quickly devised a plan in his head and smirked at it. Should it be a success, it should be enough to let him get what he wants and to break her spirit just enough to comply to his every whim and fancy.
- Elizabeth -
The day passed by fairly quickly. She stayed in the room with Clara, mostly talking about their time on the ship so far, the officers they've met and the places they've seen. They sat on Elizabeth's bed and talked for hours before Elizabeth started to stretch her arms. "You know what Clary? I'm going out for a walk." Clara nodded her head and took her book from the table and started to read where she last left off, now using Harry's note as a bookmark.
Elizabeth, as usual, nodded her head politely at both the crew and passengers. She was walking on the deck then noticed a swimming pool there. She thought it peculiar that there was a pool on the RMS Titanic, especially since the temperature was so low, it was practically freezing!
She looked a little closer and observed that there was a pattern on the floor of the pool. It looked like the logo of the White Star Line, but then again, she couldn't be sure. She leaned a little further and suddenly, she was pushed from behind and fell into the pool.
Elizabeth was horrified. She did not know how to swim and the memories of the ship her and her mother was on sinking came flooding back to her. ( no pun intended ) Under the water, she gasped for air, inwardly screaming for help at the top of her lungs. Her supply of oxygen was swallowed up by the chlorine tasting water.
- Caledon -
He watched as Lovejoy pushed her into the pool, smirking to himself, dismissing the bodyguard. He looked around and saw that people started to walk around this area. He took his time to dramatically make a show out of taking off his jacket, vest and shoes to go in and 'rescue' her.
Caledon was about to remove the last article of clothing when from beside him, someone ran into the pool without hesitating. He ceased all his actions and watched what the man dressed in a navy blue coat was doing. Looking closely, he realised it was none other than Sixth Officer James Moody.
- Jack & Rose -
They were happily walking around the deck, hand in hand when they caught sight of Caledon and Lovejoy near the pool. What they saw next shocked them.
- Jim -
Jim was currently on his watch with Will and since it was a slow day, they decided to take a stroll along the deck, passing by the pool. He suddenly heard the sound of water splashing violently. "Who could possibly be taking a swim when it's this cold out?" Jim said aloud to no one in particular. "If those first-class passengers want to freeze to death, I'd gladly oblige them." Will joked in a low voice.
The two officers walked further and a sight shocked both of them . Jim looked closely and saw a head bobbing up and down in the water. He quickly recognised it as Elizabeth's head. "Good God!" He cried in horror as he did not hesitate to immediately dive in to save her.
- Elizabeth -
She could slowly feel the cold water flood her lungs and was about to give up when she suddenly felt a pair of strong hands wrap around her and pull her up to the surface. But by then, she had already lost consciousness. "Liz! Liz are you all right?! Liz!" Jim yelled, putting her head on his lap. She did not respond.
He then laid her on the floor and leaned down and pulled her lips apart gently by holding her chin and nose. He immediately performed CPR on her, hoping that she would quickly awaken. Will came up behind Jim and quickly started to unbutton his overcoat.
Elizabeth slowly came to and coughed a couple of times before looking up at seeing Jim, eyes filled with concern. "Liz!" He was overjoyed as he quickly hugged her. "Thank God you're all right." He whispered into her ear. Caledon could not stand the sight and stormed off the deck. She smiled faintly at him.
Will then took his overcoat and wrapped it around Elizabeth since Jim's was wet from diving into the swimming pool. "Come on, let's get you warm. Jim, you accompany Miss Andrews. I'll get Wilde to fill in for you."
"What makes you think he'll agree to it?" Jim asked. "Let's just say he owes me a favour from last night's game of poker." Will smirked. Jim said his thanks before putting his arms under Elizabeth's knees and back, carrying her bridal style back to her stateroom.
- Jack & Rose -
"We have to tell Mr. Andrews about this." Rose said, eyes widened. Jack nodded at her and they both went the direction they came from to get Mr. Andrews. Rose was sure he said something about making notes on the gym earlier at breakfast which was not too long ago.
- Clara -
Clara was on her bed, fully engrossed in her book when she suddenly heard violent knocking on the entrance door. She wondered who it could be because she knew that Elizabeth's knocks were mostly quick and soft, unlike the ones now. Still, she decided to take a look through the peek hole to make sure that it was not important.
She saw Jim carrying an unconscious Elizabeth and she knew something was wrong at once. "Oh my Lord." She said softly as she opened the door. "What happened to her, Jim?" She asked as Jim laid her down on the couch. "She fell into the pool while she was walking around the deck." He said while stroking her hair. Clara covered her mouth in shock. "I'll...I'll go fetch her some dry clothes." Jim kissed her forehead and her cheeks.
- Thomas Andrews -
Thomas Andrews was jotting down and making notes in his notebook after asking a few passengers about the facilities provided and was even talked into trying some of them himself. He was about to leave when he saw Jack and Rose rush in through the doors looking around. He turned to them.
"Mr Andrews! Elizabeth, she..." Rose said, panting. His brows furrowed. "What about Liz?" He asked, now anxious because of her serious tone of voice. "She almost drowned in the pool and she's now in her room. Thankfully an officer saved her in time." Thomas' eyes widened. "Thank you Rose. Do you know how she fell in?" He asked. "It was...it was Caledon Hockley and his butler Lovejoy's work." She answered just as quickly before he started running out of the gym and heading towards his daughter's stateroom. "Please be alright..." He muttered to himself the entire way.
- Jim -
He carried Elizabeth to her bed after he abashedly attempted to aid Clara in helping to change Elizabeth's clothes since she was too heavy for the young maid. She was tired and had fallen into deep sleep as Clara came in with the dry clothes earlier. Jim leaned against the bed frame and stroked her hair, watching her as she slept peacefully.
He heard someone fiddle with the door keys and handle before it finally opened to reveal Elizabeth's father, Thomas Andrews, sweat dripping down his forehead. "How is she, Mr. Moody?" He said, walking over to the bed as Jim got up. Thomas kneeled on the ground and held his daughter's hand. "Thank you, Mr. Moody for what you did." He smiled worriedly but kindly at Jim who merely nodded his head politely. His overcoat and visor cap were hung at one corner to dry.
Elizabeth stirred in her sleep and slowly woke up. "D...Daddy?" She croaked. Her voice was hoarse. "Liz!" Thomas' head shot up and he stood up to sit next to her at the edge of the bed. "Are you all right, sweetie?" He asked, kissing her on the forehead. "Just fine, daddy. If it's all the same to you, I'd like to rest, alone for a while." She said, smiling at him tiredly.
"Of course, Liz. Mr. Moody, may I speak with you outside?" He asked. Jim nodded and followed the shipbuilder out of the stateroom.
"Mr. Moody, I know that you and my daughter's relationship surpasses that of what a ship's officer and passenger's should be." Jim gulped, almost ready to face the music. "And I want to tell you that...I trust you, Mr. Moody. I've asked around about you and observed your actions on watches. And after today's heroic rescue, you've proven yourself to me, James." Thomas smiled at the officer.
Jim was so shocked his face was frozen and his eyes were widened. Thomas laughed. "Come now. Let us go and have a drink. I don't normally drink but I'd love to chat with you." He said as he walked down the corridor with him.
- Caledon -
Caledon was in the smoking room, sipping brandy with some other passengers, one of them being Colonel Gracie. Jim and Thomas walked into the room. They were chatting happily and were laughing as Caledon watched them. As soon as Thomas saw Caledon, his smile faded almost immediately. "Ah! Mr. Andrews! Come over!" A booming voice called out. Thomas saw that it was Colonel Gracie.
He walked over with Jim next to him and made the necessary introductions. "How...nice to see you, Mr. Andrews." Caledon said, somewhat smiling. "I don't appreciate what you and your valet did to my dear Elizabeth, and if you ever think that I'm allowing the two of you to get married, you've got another thing coming. Come on James, let us take our leave." Thomas said sternly, leaving all the brandy drinkers to look at Caledon, appalled.
Caledon sat in his cushioned chair, outraged. Thomas had just embarrassed him in front of a few of the most important and influential people on the RMS Titanic. Well, it didn't matter. Elizabeth to him was not that special anyways. Except for that blonde maid she had. That's right. He found out that Clara was only but a maid. Man, was she a beauty. Then suddenly, he devised a plan in his scheming head. Things would be so much easier for him.
- Elizabeth -
After Clara's care and lively chatter, Elizabeth was back to normal. Sure, she was extremely terrified of being thrown into that position again but she tried to think more about Jim and how warm his arms were. With that thought in mind, she was back to her cheerful self. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "I'll go get it, Clary." Elizabeth grinned at the maid.
She skipped over to the door to which Clara laughed at and opened the door to see Molly Brown. "Hello there, Molly!" She said, smiling as she showed her pearly white teeth. "Well, for a girl who almost drowned, you're looking just peachy." Molly joked. "Oh, I got over it. Is there any reason you were looking for me?" Elizabeth asked.
"Right. I'd like you to do me a favour. Jack Dawson? You remember the lad?" Elizabeth nodded. "I need you to help me find him and demand my suit back." Molly and her both laughed. "Also, Rose wants you to help her pass this note to him." Molly passed her a small piece of paper. "Sorry to trouble you. But we're both stuck at tea with the others." Molly said. "It's quite all right Molly. Go enjoy your tea with the rest of the ladies."
Elizabeth got out of bed and got properly dressed, bidding a quick farewell to Clara before setting off for third class to get Jack.
As she walked through the various gates, she walked down the stairs and saw that the passengers in third class were talking and playing poker and playing music on many different instruments. Elizabeth went down the path. She could feel many eyes on her. She bowed and smiled at anyone who she passed. She treated these people with more respect than she had ever shown to the first-class snobs.
She then saw Jack and quickly walked towards him. "Jack! Remember me?" She grinned at him. "Course I do. Elizabeth Andrews. Shipbuilder's daughter. How may I be of service?" Jack said, giving her one of his charming boyish smiles.
"Molly wants her suit back and Rose told me to give you this note." She passed the piece of folded paper to him. "Cool. I'll go get the suit. Oh, make yourself comfortable here though." He said, gesturing to his seat and walked off to his quarters.
A big Irish man on the bench stood up. "I'm Tommy Ryan." "Elizabeth Andrews. But call me Liz."
"Do I have to kiss your hand or anything?" He joked. "I'm pretty sure it's alright, Tommy. Nice to meet you!" She shook his hand again. She also met Fabrizio.
"Danny?" She squinted her eyes as she saw the little boy she met a few days back. "Hello miss!" He gave her a toothy grin. "Wanna meet my papa?" He asked kindly. She nodded politely. Elizabeth met both Danny's parents and even joined them for a few games of poker. She picked the skill up quickly and was a definite natural at it.
A pair of arms wrapped around her and she turned to see Jim. "Hey you." She said, absent-mindedly kissing him on the lips after which she heard wolf whistles and various applause all around the room. She started to laugh and Jim, as usual, blushed. "You need to learn to control your blush, Jim." She said.
"I'm not blushing!" He said sheepishly, before laughing along with everyone else. Jim made sure that his superiors were nowhere in sight before grabbing a chair to play a few rounds himself. However, a few minutes into the game and Jim was already winning.
Suddenly, Elizabeth felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to see Jack standing there with some clothes hung over his arm. "Thanks for returning the clothes for me. Send Molly my regards and...thanks for Rose's note." He raised it up as he put the suit on Elizabeth's lap before walking off. "Sure thing, lover-boy!" She yelling teasingly, to which Jack smirked at her over his shoulder.
"All right, gentlemen. I'm out. I've got things to do, old rich men to seduce so...see you later." Elizabeth joked, grabbing Jim's wrist and leading him out as the men she was playing with earlier laughed at her joke.
By then it was noon. Elizabeth's stomach started to make an embarrassing noise. Jim and her both laughed at the same time. "Hungry already?" He asked. She nodded. A wonderful idea then came to Elizabeth's mind. "Go to lunch with me." She grinned widely at the officer. "I told you Liz, I don't like going to the first class dining hall. I'm Sixth Officer Jim Moody, remember?"
"I have an idea." She ran down the deck, Jim running after her.
- Harry -
While he was on his watch, he was thinking about Clara. It was sad that she couldn't leave her room. It wasn't exactly a good idea for him to be lurking around the first class staterooms for no reason either. Harry then formed a plan in his mind and was ready to put it in action.
Making sure that no one noticed he was gone, he quickly dashed down to the officers' quarters where he knew Chief Officer Henry Wilde was sleeping in his cabin. He knocked at the door a couple of times before a sleepy officer opened the door, rubbing his eyes. Henry was wearing an undershirt and his usual blue pants. "You'd better have a damn good reason for waking me, Harry."
"You still owe me a favour from our game of blackjack the other day, remember?" Harry said, leaning against the door frame smirking. "Oh God. Not you too." He sighed, giving himself a face palm. "Will you please take over my shift at midnight?" Harry pleaded. "Why, why can't you and Will be normal? Why can't you guys demand a beer or something? Instead you torture me and give me your dreadful shifts!" Henry said, burying his head in his hands. "Too bad, Henry." Harry laughed before leaving the chief officer behind to sulk.
Harry then went up to deck. Now all he needed to do was find Elizabeth. Coincidentally, he turned and saw Elizabeth and Jim run down the deck towards him. "Liz!" He yelled. Due to shock, she stopped inches in front of him and lost her balance, falling on him. Harry, being the strong man he was, didn't topple but held onto her by her arms. "Sorry, Harry." She laughed, looking into his brown eyes,
"Hey, get your hands off of her! You don't see me touching Clara, do you!" Jim said seriously but in a joking way, plucking Elizabeth out of his hands and wrapped his own around the brunette. She giggled. "If you did Jimmy, you'd be a dead man. Anyway, can you pass this note to Clara for me?" He handed her a note which she took. "Why am I the messenger today?" She laughed and Jim obviously understood that inside joke as he laughed as well. Harry shook his head and left the couple to themselves.
- Elizabeth -
The two of them were still walking down the long deck. "Let's read it!" She squealed, raising the paper up. "Are you sure we should invade their privacy like this?" Jim asked frowning. For a moment they were both silent until they shouted in unison. "YES!"
She quickly opened the folded note and they skimmed through the note. "My dearest Clary, I hope you slept well. I want you to know I love you and that I wish you had a good dream last night. Preferably about me. See you on the bridge deck tonight at 11pm? I understand if you don't want to come. Love, Harry."
"Aww...Why don't you ever write me notes like that?" Elizabeth playfully hit Jim on the chest as he was right next to her. "I still do this, don't I?" Jim smirked as he kissed the area behind her ear. He apparently found out that that was the area that made her flinch and giggle. "Fine, fine. I love you too." She kissed his cheek, after looking around to make sure no one was on deck.
- Clara -
Clara was sitting on the couch in the promenade deck when she heard someone come into the room. Just by hearing the laughter, she knew it was Elizabeth and Jim. "Clary, you here?"Elizabeth shouted. "Promenade deck!" Clara said back. She said it loudly, but didn't shout.
"Your prince charming told me to give you this note." She giggled, throwing it onto the maid's lap. Clara unfolded it and read it, smiling lightly in the process. "So? What does it say?" Elizabeth said, shaking Clara's arm excitedly even though she knew what was on the paper.
"Harry wants to meet me tonight on the bridge deck." Elizabeth squealed, jumping up and down. "But I can't go." Elizabeth stopped jumping immediately. "WHAT? You have to go!" She cried.
Clara sighed and shook her head before saying "I can't. I can't leave the room, remember?" Elizabeth stood there, quiet for a while before she snapped her fingers. "I got it! I'll sneak you out!"
"Don't be ridiculous Liz! God knows when your aunt Augustine might pop in and check on us. As much as I love Harry, I don't want to take the risk..." She said, frowning. Elizabeth looked at her like she was crazy. "All the more you should go! I'm not taking no for an answer." She crossed her arms. Clara sighed. "Fine." Elizabeth grinned widely and ran off to get Jim and Clara half-smiled, shaking her head.
"Hello Clara!" Jim said happily as he walked out onto the promenade deck. "Nice to see you again, Jim." She smiled up at him. "Jim, come over here!" Elizabeth shouted from inside the room. They both laughed before he went back in.
- Jim -
Jim walked back in and saw Elizabeth putting the suit out onto the bed. "We're gonna dress you up as a first class passenger and sneak you into lunch." Elizabeth said. "Are you mad? What if someone finds out?" He looked at her weirdly. "Trust me! No one will! Besides, don't you want to protect from Caledon Hockley?" She pouted at him.
He sighed in defeat. "Fine. But only for that reason!" Elizabeth smiled happily and hugged him tightly. When they broke away, she kissed him deeply on the lips. "Okay, okay, that's enough for you." She pulled back but he went forward and kissed her again. Elizabeth started to laugh against his lips and pushed him away. "Stop that! Come on, let's get you dressed!" She laughed, grabbing the clothes and shoving them against his chest and gesturing to the bathroom.
After close to 15 minutes, he came out dressed smartly in the suit. "You look really handsome." Elizabeth commented as she walked up to him to adjust his jacket. Jim held onto her wrist, stopping her before leaning down to kiss her again. "I think you're addicted." She giggled as she walked over to her vanity table to touch up her make-up.
Soon enough, they were off for lunch. They walked down the halls, her hand draped over his arm. Thankfully no one noticed that the Sixth Officer was dressed up as one of them. He would occasionally nod at people who passed by. Elizabeth had to hold in her laughter whenever he stuck his chin up in the air.
They reached the elevator and went in. "No way, is that you James?" The young operator gasped as he pulled the lever. "Yes it is, Alfred. Say, how's the elevator business treating you, Alfred?" Jim asked his friend. They had met earlier that voyage a couple of times and got along swimmingly, seeing that they were only 6 years apart in age. "Well...it has its ups and downs." He replied. The two friends looked at each other and immediately burst into laughter.
"Forgive me miss ,but may I ask your name?" Alfred asked, now noticing Elizabeth who was hidden beside Jim. "Elizabeth Andrews, but call me Liz." She smiled at him and shook his hand. "Alfred King, but call me...Alfred." He laughed again.
Soon, the lift reached the B Deck. It actually reached during their introductions but since there were no passengers that needed the mode of transport, they continued talking for a while before bidding each other farewell, Elizabeth and Jim making their way to the dining hall.
- Thomas Andrews -
Thomas was at the table with Molly Brown, Ruth DeWitt Bukater and her daughter. It was not uncommon that he was eating with them like he normally did. Molly was a fun person to have around and Rose was a sweetheart. Suddenly, someone cleared their throat from behind him. He turned to see his own daughter, Elizabeth standing next to a very familiar gentleman.
"Hello father." She smiled at him. She always called him father in public but daddy in private. "Hello Liz, this is..." He asked, although he had already figured out who he was. It was not an easy task to know that he was Jim, especially with the formal suit on and his hair slicked back. "Paul Moody, sir." Jim calmly replied. Thomas smiled. Elizabeth sat next to Rose and Jim sat opposite Ruth. Introductions were made as necessary.
"So Mr. Moody, tell us about yourself." Ruth said, sipping her tea. "Well, Miss Bukater, my name is Paul Moody and I am 24 years old this year." He said awkwardly, not really knowing exactly what to say. "Nice suit, Paul." Molly commented, obviously recognising her son's suit. Elizabeth could barely hold her laughter in as she took a sip of her own tea. "Thank you, Molly." He replied as he gave her one of his sweet smiles.
"If it is all right, might I ask your current occupation?" Ruth probed further. "I am currently a sea-" He was cut off when he felt someone kick him in the leg. He turned to see Elizabeth giving him a look that clearly said 'don't tell her you're an officer.' "A sea?" She asked again, furrowing her brows. "What I meant to say was that I am currently a businessman travelling on the seas often." He saved. Elizabeth almost spit out her food. That was the best he could come up with?
"Oh? What kind of business do you run?' She continued to ask. "Well, I travel to China quite a fair bit. Mostly trading in tea before coming back to the UK to sell it in the market. It's a pretty prosperous business if you ask me." He lied some more. Both Thomas and Elizabeth laughed to themselves. They both knew that the Fifth and Sixth officers of the Titanic were big on bringing tea to the captain and the other high ranking officers. In a way, he wasn't lying.
- Ruth -
Ruth continued to look at the young man in interest. She knew that something was going terribly wrong with the engagement between Caledon Hockley and Rose. Ruth thought that there went their shot at a comfortable life. However, since 'Paul' was a businessman, things might not seem so bleak after all. He talked on and on about his 'tea business' at Ruth's instigation. She did not seem to notice the father and daughter at the table stifle giggles and chuckles.
Soon, Rose and Molly seemed to catch onto the joke as well. The only person who was buying his pathetic story was Ruth, who was, at the time, desperate for anything at all that could ensure her cushy lifestyle.
Throughout the lunch which lasted for a little over an hour, Ruth badgered Jim with questions, mostly about his fake business. She seemed pretty impressed with him overall and kept trying to include both Rose and him in the same conversation.
- Elizabeth -
Elizabeth couldn't help but feel uncomfortable at the table, especially since most of the conversation and chatter was across the table. Ruth was even more talkative that day and she kept firing questions non-stop at Jim. She didn't even notice that the remaining four, Molly, Rose, Thomas and Elizabeth were playing a few games of I-Spy. Childish, they knew, but anything to pass the time.
After they were all done with dessert, Elizabeth wiped her mouth with the corner of her napkin. She took the opportunity as Ruth was doing the same thing she had done just seconds before. "If you'll excuse us, Mr. Moody and I have business to take care of. Take care now, father, Molly, Mrs Bukater." She stood up from her table and gave Rose a smile to say farewell before leaving the dining hall with Jim.
As soon as they were out of the room, Elizabeth and Jim took one look at each other and started to burst into laughter. "You have to be the worst liar on the face of the earth!" She said to him, still laughing. "Well, Ruth Bukater seemed to buy it." He responded. "You know Jim, for a moment there, I thought she was going to eat you!"
"For a minute there, I thought so too." He said jokingly as they walked down the deck, free to link their arms together because he was no longer dressed as an officer, but a young and loaded businessman. If anything came up, they could lie and say they were engaged or something like that.
A while after they had nothing to do, they decided to go to the wheelhouse at Elizabeth's request to learn a little more about the ship's controls since Jim had about 2 hours before his next shift. Before this, they stopped by her stateroom to let Jim change back into his uniform. They would remember to give Molly's suit back after they were done.
While there, Elizabeth was introduced to Quartermaster Robert Hichens by Jim. She wasn't as fond of him as she was of the other crew members, mostly due to his coldness and hostility but he still none the less taught her a little more about how the telegraphs worked and several different orders that were usually given to the quartermaster.
They spent a little over half an hour at the wheelhouse before they headed over to Elizabeth's stateroom.
Elizabeth looked around the room to find Clara and she eventually found the maid lying on one of the benches in the promenade deck, soundly asleep with her open book draped over her chest. Elizabeth had to giggle at that. Jim took off his visor cap and overcoat. He then sat on her bed, waiting for her. Elizabeth took off her dangling earrings and her necklace, getting comfortable as she sat opposite Jim on the bed.
( For maximum enjoyment of this part onwards, go listen to "The Ellie Badge" from the movie UP! )
"So...What happens after this?" Elizabeth said seriously after a moment of silence, her eyes downcast. "What do you mean?" Jim asked, puzzled. Obviously she couldn't have meant what happened after their time together in the next 2 hours. "I mean after we get to New York. What happens to...us?" She asked, unsure if it was an appropriate question.
Jim sat there, dumbfounded. He had never really thought about that. He only thought about what they were going to do the next day, living day by day. He never really thought about what would happen after they got off the Titanic. "I...I don't know." He answered truthfully, almost sighing. "Will we still...you know...love each other like we do now?" She asked again.
"I don't know what will happen after this ship docks, but all I know is that I want to be with you. No matter what happens." He said seriously, looking into her brown eyes as he held her hands tightly, never wanting to let go. He had no idea what life would be like for them, since she was a first-class lady and he was just a low ranking officer with only a meagre pay of $37 every month.
( $37 in 1912 would be close to $925 in 2013 if I'm not wrong! )
Elizabeth did not say a word, not certain of how to reply him. "I know I'm just an officer. I have absolutely nothing to offer a worthy girl such as yourself. I'm...not a rich businessman and I can't ensure that you would be able to live such a luxurious lifestyle with me, but I can promise you that I will love you with everything I have, and that everything I am. You deserve better, but if you choose to love me, even after we get off the ship, I will do anything, anything to make you happy." He said gently, meaning every word he said.
Elizabeth felt tears well up in her eyes. She gave him a small smile before taking her hands out of his and wrapped them around his neck, hugging him tightly as he embraced her back. She could feel so much love in that one hug that she never wanted to let go. It made her truly wonder if she deserved such a loving man like Jim.
They broke away just enough to look at each others' eyes, their face no more than four inches apart. "I love you so much." She whispered before kissing him on the lips, her tears finally flowing freely down her cheeks. They kissed over and over until they were tired. They then laid down on the bed, Elizabeth's head lying on his chest as he wrapped his strong arms around her, kissing her forehead. "I'm not sure how life is going to be like, but with you, it's gonna be perfect." She muttered, snuggling up to him even closer. He smiled at the thought.
Elizabeth was not sure when she drifted off into dreamland, but she slept so soundly that she didn't even feel it when Jim left her to go to his watch, not forgetting to plant a kiss upon her forehead before he left. He also left her a note which he gently put in between her fingers as she slept, remembering how she said it was sweet when Harry did the same to Clara.
"I love you to the ends of the Earth. - Jim"
That ending scene was so fluffy I cried like three times when I wrote it, but it may just be me exaggerating xD I hoped you all are still with me on this story! Thank you, Unicorn360 for your wonderful review! I giggled to myself for like fifteen minutes after reading it! I will try to be consistent with these 'quick updates' ! I don't think I've ever updated a story this frequently! Have a nice day and review if you liked the chapter! :D