Chapter I: Old Friends
A/N: Now we are finally on board the infamous ship. Took me a bit but I got there. Again thanks go to The Cowgirl Bookworm. Things will get interesting for sure, now that everyone's an adult. Italics are thoughts or titles. For reasons of my own clarity and sanity, the times will be on a 24 hour clock. At least while we are on board ships. Enjoy the first meeting between two people that haven't seen each other in nearly 20 years… SSD
0400, April 11th
Standing the midwatch was never the most pleasant part of a voyage, but at least he was getting out of the way on the first full night at sea.
Harold Lowe had found this midwatch to be peaceful with minimal interruptions. It had been quiet in first and second class with some bagpipe music coming from third.
Being on the Titanic was a step for him from the Southern route, but it came with the slight problem that he did not know any of the other officers who all seemed to know each other in one way or another, putting Harold at a disadvantage.
As he was coming around the first class area, Harold hear the sound of a violin playing Suo Gan.
Not a tune I'd expect to hear coming from first class, he moved closer.
Sure enough there was a first class passenger up early. There was no music stand, the violinist was playing from memory.
It was nearing the end of the midwatch anyway, so Harold stopped to listen to a song he had not heard in donkey's years.
When he got closer, it was only then that the realization hit that the musician was a woman, despite the dark blue greatcoat she was wearing. Harold certainly put her skill with any of the violinists on board ship.
Too soon, the song was over and against his better judgement, Harold decided to clap. He finally got a good look at her. Dark brown hair and light colored eyes, wide with the surprise of having an audience at this time of the morning.
"My apologies. I have not heard that song play in quite a long time, so I stopped to listen. Fifth Officer Harold Lowe at your service," he said with a slight bow.
The violinist smirked at that before replying, "It really has been a long time hasn't it Harry? Cecily Lethbridge at yours"
This lovely creature couldn't be Cecily Lethbridge. The last time he had seen her she had been wearing a dark blue sailor dress, waving from a train.
Say something you idiot!
"Your violin playing has certainly improved," he choked out.
"Is that the only thing that's improved?" Cecily asked, green eyes dancing.
Before he could answer her Wilde shouted out, "Lowe, if you don't get up here in the next minute, your next shift will be spent helping the greasers!"
Nodding his goodbye, Harold was off like a shot. He could hear her giggling.
1100 April 11th
"You're worrying me with that smile of yours, Cecily."
"You don't like my smile, Aunt Mina?" she replied smoothing her forest green day dress.
"Cecily, you have been in an ill temper ever since Lucy's mother found out you were passing letters between Lucy and Erik for three years. The woman also blames your actions in that area for her husband's fatal heart attack last year. You two have not been able to visit each other, barely able to send letters to each other, which I'm sure her bitch of a mother reads unless you send them to Lucy's brother Alexander first. That was part of the reason why your father sent you on the trip to England to try and cheer you up a bit. Now why are you smiling? Did you run into a friend or something of that nature?" her aunt further inquired.
Cecily felt her smile grow even larger while drinking her water before answering "I was out around four in the morning, playing on my violin. You know I do not usually sleep well, particularly when travelling."
"Did you get any sleep at all last night?"
"A few hours. Anyway I had finished playing Suo Gan when someone started clapping. As I turned around, it was one of the ship's officers. Imagine my surprise when he introduced himself as Harold Lowe."
Her aunt leaned back in her chair before replying, "That's a name I haven't thought of in years. He was more Roland's friend than yours. What was his reaction when you introduced yourself?"
"Harry did not seem to believe his eyes that it was me. Almost like he had expected me to be seven for the rest of my life," Cecil grinned at the memory.
"What were you wearing?"
"A blouse, skirt, stocking, boots, with the greatcoat that Roland gave me on top of it all. Aunt Mina, there was nothing for him to see."
"Well, he clearly saw something he liked. Despite your run of bad luck, men do find you attractive. Why else would he be staring at you like that?" Aunt Mina had a look in her eyes that promised there would be some light teasing in the future.
Ignoring her burning ears, Cecily replied, "He's been to all the corners of the Earth as a sailor. I don't think I have anything he hasn't seen."
"Well, maybe he saw something he hadn't thought to see again," her aunt countered.
This time, Cecily could not counter her aunt's statement in any of the languages she spoke. And this time, her blush moved from her ears down her face and neck.
"It seems I have rendered you speechless. When we get to New York I will send a letter to Roland and your father each telling them of the feat. Come along, it is time for lunch."
1745 April 11th
It was so rare that Mina got to tease Cecily like this. She suspected that her nieces blush had gone much further than her neck.
A part of her wanted to send a telegram to her brother or nephew but had talked herself out of it, as the both of them had become protective of Cecily in that area, with Roland almost to the point of being overprotective.
It was not without cause. Ever since Cecily had used her Bowie knife on Paul Thornton, rich men and boy had all wanted to try to tame the wildcat or defrost the Ice Queen (the more polite term, the entire Lethbridge family was well aware of the less polite term used when they were thought to be out of hearing range).
One of the former would be suitors was on board the ship with his fiancée at the moment: Caledon Hockley. What precisely had happened, Mina herself did not know all of the details, she just knew that he had been forcibly ejected from the house and that Cecily used the word "cabrón" to describe him in conversation and would change the subject.
Which only made her niece's current behavior all the more odd. She had never acted like this before, and Mina wanted to get to the bottom of it.
Her niece was occupied with getting dressed for dinner, Mina wanted to find whichever officer was on watch at the moment, and ask to speak to Mr. Lowe. And assure them that he was not in any kind of trouble.
Finally she found one asking, "Excuse me, Officer, I was wondering if I could speak to Fifth Officer Lowe? It would only take a few moments of his time."
"Well, so long as you promise to return him in good working order, I can go get him for you," the red haired officer replied with a smile.
"Thank you, Officer…" Mina realized she did not yet know this one's name.
"Second Officer Lightoller," at that he left into officer's country.
It was only a short time later when Mr. Lightoller reappeared with Mr. Lowe with him. The poor boy looked terrified. It was only then that Mina realized that she had forgotten to say that Harry was not in any kind of trouble.
"I should have told Mr. Lightoller that you were not in any kind of trouble. I just wanted to thank you Mr. Lowe. My niece Cecily has not smiled the way she has today after seeing you this morning in quite a long time."
"It was no trouble ma'am. I was quite surprised to see her," replied.
Mina was about to say something further when the fifth officers eyes became the size of dinner plates. At that she turned around and saw the reason why.
Cecily was wearing one of her favorite dresses: a draped ice blue chiffon over white silk, with a belt of silver flowers. Tonight her gloves were white. Her only jewelry was a collar of light blue sapphires surrounded by diamond leaves.
Out of the corner of her eye, Mina saw Mr. Lightoller lean over and drawl, "She looks nice doesn't she Mr. Lowe?"
Completely transfixed, Harry said, "Yes sir."
Not to be outdone, the second officer went a little bit further with, "Mr. Lowe, isn't that a pirate ship two points off the starboard bow?"
"Of course sir."
When Cecily came level with her, she noticed that she was not alone. Mina notice her ears turning pink again.
"Did you plan this?"
"No, but it seems to have worked out. We have dinner to get to. Officer Lightoller, Officer Lowe, thank you both for your time. I suspect I'll be seeing more of you both," Mina said with a nod.
1750 April 11th
Watching the two women, Charles turned back to the younger man and said, "Lowe, you look like you've been struck by lightning."
"I am sorry sir. I will not let myself get distracted like that again," the younger officer's eyes were no longer wide.
"Did you know that younger woman?"
"The last time I saw Cec- Miss Lethbridge was nearly twenty years ago. She was seven years old," Lowe replied, catching himself.
"She certainly isn't seven years old anymore!" Charles could not help but cackle.
Taking a look at his watch he said, "I have to get to the bridge. You enjoy the rest of your dinner."
A/N 2: Okay here is where I will get some things straight. I am mixing the casts of Cameron's Titanic and A Night to Remember. For the most part, I am using Cameron's cast. Lightoller is one of the exceptions. Another thank you to The Cowgirl Bookworm for the clothing and jewelry description. Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD