April 13, 1912
Anna Marie woke with a smile on her face, her feet a little sore from dancing so much last night. But that paled in comparison to the overall bliss she felt. She could hear Kurt softly snoring in his bed, and she smiled.
Ororo must have wore him out.
She rose and stretched, the view of the Ocean as the sun rose one that she hoped to never forget.
She remembered how it felt, the all-encompassing joy she felt as she danced with Max.
But one thing she would never forget was the way he came alive on the dance floor, laughing and smiling, looking like a younger version of the man she had met that first night on the bow of the ship.
That grin that was on her face would be there for a while yet.
Later that morning, she knocked on the door to Ororo's stateroom, hoping she hadn't woken the woman. She had been dancing the night away when Max had escorted Anna Marie to her cabin, so she could only wonder how late she had been out.
The door opened, and Ororo had her hair up in a colorful wrap, her white hair in curls on the top of her head. Paired with the caftan she had on, she was likely not expecting company, but she still smiled all the same.
"Anna Marie! Good morning. Would you like some coffee?"
"Ah hope ah'm not disturbin' ya, Miss Ororo…."
"Nonsense, my dear. Please come in."
Anna Marie slipped in to the stateroom, familiar to her since she had been here just yesterday.
Ororo poured her a fresh cup of coffee, and when she turned, she noticed the fabric in Anna Marie's hands.
"Is that…?"
"The dress ah borrowed? Yeah."
"Oh, you sweet child, I could never ask you to return it. Consider it a gift."
Anna Marie's eyes widened. "Oh, Miss Ororo, ah couldn't….it's worth more than anythin' ah own…"
"My dear, I consider it a worthy loss. I had the time of my life dancing with you and your friends last night. Your brother is quite an enthusiastic dance partner." She winked.
Anna Marie chuckled at that.
"Consider it an equal exchange." She held a cup of coffee in her hands for Anna Marie, waiting for her to set the garment and jewelry down on a chair before handing it to her with a friendly smile.
"Thank you, Miss Ororo. Ah truly appreciate your kindness."
"What ever are new friends for, my dear?"
She wasn't paying much attention as she came back down the steps to third class, taking the dress and jewelry back to her room.
Ororo was fast becoming a dear friend, her upbringing similar to Anna Marie's. She enjoyed her company and hoped to stay in touch once they docked in New York.
"Chére? I've been lookin' for you." Remy's voice called as she made her way down the stairs.
She let out a groan.
Well, ah was havin' a good day….
"What do you want, Remy?" She asked in an annoyed tone.
"I wanna talk to you, Anna. It's important."
She made her way down the steps.
"Ah'm sure it is."
"It's about that man you've been seein'...Eisenhardt."
She scoffed. "What about him, Remy?" She opened the door to her cabin.
"You know the man's engaged, right?"
Her first reaction was anger. She set her things down before whirling to face him.
"Do you really think ah believe a damn word that comes out of your mouth?"
"I know you ain't got no reason to, but just listen-"
"No. Ah am done listenin' to you. You're a liar, and you don't know what you're talkin' about."
"Ask Charles Xavier."
She blinked. "What?"
"Charles Xavier. His business partner."
"Yeah. ah know who he is, Remy. How do you know him?"
"He went lookin' for Eisenhardt last night while he was down here cuttin' a rug with you. Told me about his fiancé waitin' for him in the States."
"You're makin' that up! Charles Xavier doesn't like me, Remy, even a mind reader can see that, of course he would tell you that-"
"Dammit, Anna, I'm tryin' to keep you from gettin' hurt-"
"Oh, bullshit, Remy! You just can't stand the idea that ah'm happy. That ah moved on after you cheated on me."
"Stop bringing that up."
"No." She got in his face. "You made your bed, and now you get to lay in it. So don't you dare tell me what to do with my life."
"So you're just gonna be some rich man's whore, huh? Thought you were too good for that, Anna." His tone was condescending.
Anger flared, and she pushed him.
"Ah'd rather be his whore than your wife." She spat at him.
Before she knew it, he had pushed her back against the door, causing her to fall over. She fell to the floor, and he got on top of her, grabbing her wrists as she struggled.
"You never listen!" Remy exclaimed as he shook her.
"Get off of me!"
"HEY!" A third voice that she quickly recognized as Kurt bellowed, and before she knew it, Remy was being dragged backwards off of her, and being thrown against the wall, her brother, so calm and serene, now showing his ire and fury.
"You take your fucking hands off my sister, LeBeau, or so help me God, I will throw you overboard." Kurt's words held promise, fully intending to follow through on his threat.
"You have to make her see reason, Darkholme! Eisenhardt is using her-"
"I don't give a shit. You lay a hand on her again, I will make sure you are not on this ship when we dock. Do you hear me?" His words were quiet and seething, his eyes cold.
Remy held up his hands in defeat, irritation clear in his face. Kurt forcefully let him go, and he stalked away.
Anna Marie got herself up off the floor, and Kurt was at her side.
"Sister, what happened? What did he say?"
"Kurt….he said…" She was trying not to get upset, praying it wasn't true. "He said Max is engaged."
Kurt blinked in disbelief. "Beg your pardon?"
"He's gotta be lyin' right? Why wouldn't he tell us…." She trailed off as doubts crept to her mind.
"Wait here." Kurt gently commanded.
"Kurt, don't-"
"I'm going to get to the bottom of this, Anna Marie. Just wait here." He turned on his heel and headed up the stairs, intending to defend his sister's honor if need be.