Thomas Andrews lead the group back from the activities deck and along the boat deck to continue the tour. Rose kept close to his side without seeming to cling like she so wanted to do.

"Mr. Andrews, I did the sum in my head, and with the number of lifeboats times the capacity you mentioned... forgive me, but it seems that there are
not enough for everyone aboard." Rose looked to him, confused as to how such a severe oversight could be allowed.

"About half, actually." he smiled in wonder at her. "Rose, you miss nothing, do you? In fact, I put in these new type davits, which can take an extra row of boats here." he gestured along the deck "But it was thought... by some... that the deck would look too cluttered. So I was overruled." there was a hint of anger and disbelief in his voice

Cal slapped the side of a boat "Waste of deck space as it is, on an unsinkable ship!" Rose found that arrogant, though she expected nothing less from him.

Thomas drew her attention back to him with his soothing voice. "Sleep soundly, young Rose. I have built you a good ship, strong and true. She's all the lifeboat you need." he grinned.

Ruth interrupted the small interlude. "I am afraid I've over exerted myself on this tour, I believe I'll retire to my room until luncheon."

Cal checked his pocket watch, "I'll escort you, I have a meeting with Ismay and I'd like to get changed. Are you coming, Rose?"

"No, I believe I will finish the tour, I'm quite interested in seeing the bridge and speaking to the Captain and crew." She wanted to spend as much time as possible with Thomas and the prospect of being alone with him, away from Cal and her mother was exciting.

"Alright, I'll see you at lunch then." Cal looked to Thomas. "Andrews, I leave her in your hands, if she asks too many questions or you tire of her, send her back to her cabin." he said and walked away.

Rose and Thomas watched them leave and then continued on their way. "As if I could tire of you and your inquiring mind." He scoffed.

"Cal is simple minded, to him I am wild and uncontrollable. I believe it's his life's ambition to tame me."

Thomas chuckled. "A free spirit such as yourself cannot be tamed and he should never try to cage you. I certainly wouldn't."

"No, you wouldn't." She smiled up at him.

A brunette was headed in their direction with a small child with soft, dark curls. "Thomas, please take Elizabeth, I need some time alone." The little one reached for her father happily, her little arms going about his neck. "I don't know when I'll return, I'm having tea with a few friends." She turned and walked off, not awaiting his reply.

Thomas watched her leave with frustration mixed with mild sorrow before turning to his daughter. "Lissie love, how is my darling girl?" The child babbled happily.

"She looks a lot like you, Thomas. She's beautiful." Rose said, her fingers tenderly caressing the little girls soft curls.

"Then she cannot possibly favor me!" He laughed aloud.

"Come now, you are quite a handsome man." she enjoyed seeing the blush creep across his cheeks. "How old is she?"

"One year and nearly five months."

"Andrews!" They turned to see Jacob Kelly heading their way.

"My, my. Aren't you popular today." Rose teased him.

He smirked at her cheekily "Well I am Thomas Andrews, Master Shipbuilder of the Titanic." He winked at her as she rolled her eyes before turning his attention to the approaching man. "What can I do for you, Jacob?"

"I'd like you to look at this idea for the activities deck." He held up an rolled paper and gestured to a table off to the side.

"Certainly. Rose, do you mind taking Lissie for a moment?" She nodded and he handed her the child.

Rose situated the girl on her hip and swayed back and forth gently. "Hello, darling. You are a pretty little thing, yes you are!" Lissie broke into a smile and she clapped happily. "Let's go over here while your Papa speaks to his friend, hmm?" She strolled over to the deck rail and looked out over the water with Lissie.

They watched as a whale broke the water surface to blow and roll over, exposing it's belly to the sun and showing off it's flippers. Lissie found this quite entertaining, clapping and squealing with delight.

Thomas and Jacob joined the woman and child. "Jacob, this is Rose Dewitt Bukater. Rose, this is Jacob Kelly, one of my friends and colleagues from Belfast."

"How do you do?" Rose asked, shifting Lissie and offering him her hand. He shook her hand instead of kissing it like most of the stuffy men she was forced to converse with. A pleasant change in her opinion.

"Quite well, Miss. Lissie girl seems quite taken with you, I've never seen her so cheerful with anyone save Thomas here! Even with Helen she seems fussy." Jacob tickled the girl, eliciting a giggle.

"Really now, that can't be so." Rose knew the same was said of her when she was young, always clinging to her father, irritating her mother.

"No it's true, she screams her head off with most people. Even I can only hold her a few moments before she's done with me, and I've known her her whole life." Jacob said his goodbyes and headed for the bridge once more.

"Would you like to continue our tour Rose?" Thomas asked. He had a fond look upon his face at the sight of his daughter in Rose's arms. "Or we could relax on the deck and enjoy the sunshine. Lissie loves the sun on her face."

"That is perfectly fine with me, I enjoy the sunshine as well, though I rarely get the chance to enjoy it. Mother was always terrified I would freckle in the sun." she settled down on a bench by the rail with the child and bounced her gently on her knees.

He smiled at the sight and moved to sit with them. "Freckles aren't such a bad thing. My mother always called them angel kisses."

Rose laughed aloud. "My mother would probably say they're of the devil." she tickled Lissie under her chin and grinned when the little girl giggled.

"I feel as though you had a terrible childhood." Thomas thought of his warm mother compared to Rose's strict mother.

She sighed. "When Papa was still alive, it was much easier. Mother has always been rather difficult, but only after we lost Papa did she become the cold, snobby bitch you see today." her hand flew to her mouth. "Sorry, I did not mean to say that around Lissie."

He chuckled and waved a dismissive hand. "Do not worry, dear Rose. Sweet Lissie doesn't understand what you said. She only knows a handful of words and that is not one of them. Sounds as though you needed this chance to speak freely." Her use of Papa for her Father but not Mama for her Mother did not go unnoticed.

"I've become numb to her opinions of me. At this point I have nothing to lose." she was slightly bent at the waist helping Lissie take steps while holding her fingers in her tiny hands.

"It's a shame you feel that way. I think you have a lot to live for." He was falling for her, he wanted to help her, to take away all her problems. The way Rose interacted with Lissie was absolutely riveting to him. She had already shown more attention to the child than her mother had in a week. If he knew she had any feelings for him, he would take her back to Belfast and away from the life she had and hated.

"If my future did not involve Caledon Hockley I might agree with you." she scooped Lissie up and swayed in place. "I think she wants to move around. Lead the way master shipbuilder, lets go count hat hooks!" she said in an over excited way making the child squeal and clap in delight.

Thomas laughed aloud, "I don't count hat hooks, thank you very much. I do need to check with the Captain that everything is running properly. It will also give you the opportunity to see the bridge."

"To the bridge then!" She smiled at him and bounced his daughter.

A/N:Hope you enjoyed this chapter! It was a wee bit shorter than the last chapter but this was the stopping point I wanted! Let me know what you think! The fanbase for this ship in rather small but for those who ship them, I hope you like this one!