The night after the funeral was the worst I'd had, I could not seem to stop crying. All my vows to be stronger than my grief had vanished, and I was swimming in it. Drowning in grief, my mind latched onto the fact that Father really was gone. I had ignored it for so long and now it was all I could think about. I could only thank God that Will was there, holding me throughout the night and softly speaking to me in the gloom of the room. "Ana, you really need to get some rest."

"I know Will," I couldn't help but blubber against his chest, "It's just-"

"Shh, I know." He murmured, his hand slowly stroking along my back. He was good to me that night, letting me cry my heart out against him and holding me close throughout the night. I was still exhausted when we made our way back to the train station late that morning, and fell asleep almost immediately in the car. The return trip was far faster, and we actually managed to have dinner with the other officers at the hotel. It was good to hear them talk, a distraction from the grief that had consumed me. I was glad to turn my mind to listening to their stories. They had spent the weekend visiting the museums, which had lacked a flying machine. But they had plenty of fossils and stuffed animals to view, along with General Sickles' leg.

Charles grinned after describing the shattered bones preserved and mounted for display, "One of the museum lads said the General was mad they didn't display his foot with it!" The whole table laughed at that, and I tried to keep the happy mood later in my room. I expected the grief to come for me again, but I just felt empty. Perhaps I was done, I wouldn't cry anymore or have nightmares about what had happened. The night actually passed peacefully and I was up early enough to arrange for a large breakfast before heading off to the inquiry. Feeling full, and relatively stable, I was expecting another long day of questioning. Stuck in the gallery it was rather long, and I had relatively few chances to leave the wooden chair, but I perked up towards the end.

"That is all. I think that finishes with the members of the crew and the officers." Senator Smith said, drawing me from the slight doze I had managed. A brief discussion followed, Will was asked to submit the names and addresses of the officers and another senator wanted to ask Boxhall a few questions on his own, but otherwise they were free to go. I shook my head, looking to the clock in the room. It was barely six, I'd come back to Washington and would spend hardly two days here if I could arrange for the car to be readied for tomorrow's train. I stood and made my way out of the gallery, quickly finding Will and the others gathered by a large window. Boxhall was the only one not present, although they assured me he would be along shortly.

I moved closer to Will, "I can't believe we came back for one day."

"We could have stayed in New York and accomplished the same thing." He shook his head, "But it will be nice to not have to worry about having this take up any more of our time."

"Except when we get back to England it's going to happen all over again." Lowe grumbled, "Bloody nuisance."

"Well," I tried to summon a smile, "I can at least see that you have a good time before you return. Dinner at Sherry's, that's a must. And I'll take you all to a photography studio, I'll want pictures of everyone." I started cycling through events, "And if you have enough time before you return perhaps we can take a trip to the opera."

"I thought you didn't like opera." Will chuckled, nodding to Boxhall as he stepped over to us.

"I don't, but if it's something you all would enjoy I can deal with it." I started off with them, making our way out and onto the street. The hotel was relatively close, and while they headed into the restaurant I arranged for the car to be added onto the morning train to New York. I also made sure to promise the poor conductor a substantial tip, he sounded so frazzled on the telephone. Peggy practically had a fit when I called her and said to have the house ready for all our guests by the afternoon. I was almost anxious for the night to be over with, and actually helped the maid I had summoned pack my trunk so that I could start off immediately in the morning. The other apparently felt the same way, for dawn found us forgoing breakfast to hop into several cabs and trundle off to the station. A few porters were conscripted to carry the trunks to the car, and I thanked the conductor profusely for his help, pressing a small pile of bills into his hand.

I did my best to be cheery as we thundered north, thanking my forethought to have the car stocked with coffee, tea, and a variety of pastries for breakfast. It was a relief to pull into the station and pile into the carriages, our trunks following in a hired truck. We all looked ready to collapse by the time we were back at the house, and I stretched myself out in a chair in the parlor, glad to be sitting in a chair I owned for the first time in awhile. I had just closed my eyes when I heard the door open, and I lifted one lid. Peggy was standing there, a tall thin man in a Dalian Shipping uniform behind her. She stepped in, "Miss Dalian, Captain Richards is here. From Southampton. He got in Sunday afternoon, I sent word to send him from the offices when you called."

I stood, feet protesting. "Captain Richards, a pleasure to see you."

Captain Richards was a short man, but made up for it with an impressive mustache."And you Miss, I'm sorry about your father." He held out a small package, wrapped in brown paper. "I brought it just like you asked, haven't let it out of my sight."

I looked dumbly down at the package, my mind blank for a moment. Oh, of course. Will's photo of Ada. I gingerly took it, "Thank you Captain Richards, Peggy please see that he gets something out of my purse." I held it close to me, "I'm sure I'll see you around the offices, Captain."

"You're taking over then, Miss?"

"I will know for sure tomorrow, after the will is read. Even if not though, I am a Dalian, and you can't keep us from our business." I smiled, nodding farewell to him as he walked out, and immediately fell back into the chair. I had just set the photograph aside when the door opened again. At least this time it was Will, coming to sit in the chair next to mine. I gestured toward the photograph, "This arrived for you."

He held up an envelope, the White Star banner on it. "As did this. We're to leave on the third."

I sat straight up, "That's Friday! Only two full days before you go?"

"Yes, it wasn't what I was hoping for either." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What's this?" He picked at the packing string on the photograph, eventually the paper fell away. The small photograph was held in a plain frame, and I caught a glimpse of Ada before he clutched it tightly to him. She looked to be a strong woman, her hair piled high and her eyes clear. Will's voice broke, "Oh God, Ada."

"She was beautiful," I moved over to kneel by his chair, placing my hand on his arm.

"She was smart, and kind. She was a schoolteacher." He stared down at the picture, "I loved her, oh God Ana, I loved her so much."

I squeezed his arm, "I know Will, you seem to love strongly when you do."

"I don't want you-"

"Will, I'm not jealous." I shook my head, smiling. "I'm just glad to return this to you."

"I'm going to put this in my trunk," He stood, moving for the parlor door. "There's no point to unpacking."

"No," I sighed, watching him leave. "There isn't."

The ride the next day over the Fifth Avenue house was more lively than the previous train rides had been. For one, I finally had Will next to me, his arm around my waist and his lips on my ear in the darkened carriage, the curtains drawn against any nosy onlookers. "God Ana, such a short time and I already dread having to leave you."

I gripped his hand tightly, "I know, I don't want it to end either."

"It had to, eventually." Will breathed heavily, flicking a curtain aside. "We're here." It had been decided to use the Fifth Avenue house for the will reading, the large reception room on the third floor set aside. I had forgotten how formal this house was run, a footman and a maid meeting Will and I at the door.

"Miss Dalian," The footman said as the maid took our hats and coats, "Mr. Murdoch. Mrs. Dalian is in the reception room. Would you care for something before the reading?"

I looked to Will, then shook my head. "We will be fine." I set off with Will down the marble tiled hallways, the shining oak walls trapping the echoes of our footsteps. As soon as we were past the staff I took Will's hand. It was rather fun to watch him marvel as we made our way past dining rooms and ballrooms, the furniture all covered in dust cloths and the curtains drawn against the light. Artworks from across Europe studded the walls, especially the staircase that I drew Will up.

"I see what you mean about the other house being humble." He said, staring at a massive Titian reproduction that took up an entire wall.

"Yes, it's more to impress the visitors than house us." I chuckled, "We only open it up for the season."

"Will your mother be coming back to the other house?"

"I don't know," I said, "I'll have to ask." I stopped in front of a pair of opened doors. The reception room was large and well lit, the bank of windows along one side looking out onto the traffic below. Potted palms had been moved up, and a number of flower arrangements draped themselves over side tables and crystal vases. A large table had been set aside, and I recognized our family lawyer and a clerk bustling around it. Mother was sitting in a settee across from them, sipping from a china cup. It had only been a few days since the funeral, but she looked better. There was some color to her cheeks, and she actually turned when she heard us enter. I smiled, "Mother, you're looking well."

"Anastasia, Mr. Murdoch." She said Will's name with a little frigidity. "Please, sit." We quickly sat across from her, and I began to make a cup of tea for Will. I had noticed how he took it the other day, a little cream and sugar. I made it similarly for myself, glad for the sweetness. Mother always did love strong tea. When I settled back into my chair she looked over, "I hadn't thought Mr. Murdoch would be joining us today."

"They have been called back to Britain." I sipped at my cup, "Since they leave the day after tomorrow, I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could, before he is gone."

"And you, Mr. Murdoch?"

"I am always glad to escort Ana where she needs to be." Will took a healthy swallow of tea.

"Ana?" Mother raised an eyebrow at me, "My, Anastasia really has ensnared you." I blushed, looking down to my lap. My embarrassment was quickly forgotten though as more guests began to arrive. Morgan Fields, her swaying black hair loose down her back, quickly joined us. Mother actually took her hand, pulling her to a chair next to her. "Morgan, have you met Mr. Murdoch?"

Morgan, blue eyes flashing, turned. "I have not had the pleasure, but I have heard much about you." Will gently took her hand, and Morgan laughed. "Oh, Mr. Murdoch you should hear Ruth talk about you sometimes."

"Morgan, did Abraham leave already?" Mother set her cup down, "I had thought to see him here."

"Yes, they left yesterday." Morgan sighed, "The lawyers sent a clerk around, I'm needed to represent Abe." Our conversation fell by the wayside as even more people began to arrive. Condolences were duly offered and accepted, and the guests either did not know Will or were kind enough to not speak of what they did know of him. Maids circulated with tray of food and drink, but you could feel the anticipation in the air. The attention was fixed on a slight man, Mr. Ashby, fiddling with a pair of glasses at the table he had commandeered.

"If you will all sit?" He asked, "I am ready." The guests quickly found places to either sit or stand out of the way, what little conversation there had been silenced. "I will now read the will." He began, going through the opening statements. The will began slowly, much of the legal language almost unintelligible. The first bequeaths mentioned were payments to various servants, who stepped forward and received them in envelopes from the clerk. The next section was items left to friends, all of them assembled before hand. Morgan, standing in for Abe, received a set of gilded nautical instruments that Father had received as a gift at some point. The items passed out ranged from a hat someone had once admired to a penknife from Japan that Father had gotten on his first trip there. It seemed most of the guests received something during that time, but the main section had still not been read.

The lawyer turned a page, reading slowly. "As for my controlling shares of Dalian Shipping and the various businesses contained therein, I leave them equally to my wife, Ruth, and daughter, Anastasia, to manage between them. I know they will perform as well as anyone could, if not better. For my financial estate, $70 million at the time of writing, again it will be split equally between my wife and daughter. For my real estate, again, equally split between my wife and daughter. Any personal items not listed above are to be given to them to do with as they see fit." I felt Will's hand grip mine tightly, and my mind was swimming. Half of the company was mine, half of our fortune. I wasn't just an heiress, counting on my parents to cover my expenses.

I was rich.

The lawyer read off some more legal language, confirming that we were eligible to inherit all of the bequest. He adjusted his glasses as he read the last lines. "Please give them all my love, I know they will continue on and do great things. My only regret is that I will not be able to see it." The lawyer placed the papers down. "That is the end of it then." The crowd swirled around our chairs, stepping forward to offer congratulations instead of condolences now. I barely recognized them as they came up, my head spinning. I had assumed Father would take care of us in the will, but to leave us everything. To trust us with the company. I couldn't say how long I sat there in a daze, but eventually the parlor had cleared out except for the staff that was beginning to clean.

"Anastasia, how are we to do this?" Mother was quiet, moving towards the door back out to the hallway and out of the room.

I gestured for Will to stay, "I can start learning how to manage the business, Mr. Keller should be glad to have some help in the offices."

"Yes," We had emerged into the well lit hallway, looking down on Fifth Avenue. "Can you do that and manage the dock house? And your social obligations when you are back out?"

"Father managed it," I caught sight of a few fashionable ladies moving down the street, "I can. What about you? How will you go forward?"

Mother had stopped to look at the ladies too, "I will be staying here, you are old enough to have your own house. I will look in on the business to determine how you are getting on, and you should not hesitate to ask for my assistance."

"Of course not Mother, I will." I nodded, "I hope that I will be able to please you and manage everything well."

"You have always pleased me," She gently brushed the back of her hand against my cheek, "And as your father said, you will do great things." She brought her hand back, "But for now, enjoy your time with Mr. Murdoch, and do try not to strike Zachary Reichster again."

"Mother!" I gasped, "I can assure you he deserved far more than a slap."

She actually smiled, "I can imagine he did my dear, and it's not that I disapprove, but you must keep your temper better. It wouldn't do to have it show up in the papers again, now go collect your sailor. You have such little time left." I kissed her cheek, and got Will from the parlor.

The carriage was waiting, and the coachman gave me a wide grin as he opened the door. "Congratulations Miss, I'm sure everyone back home is just thrilled for you."

I paused with my foot on the step, "You've already called the house, haven't you?"

"Oh no Miss, the butler here did. But we're all pleased as punch." He kept grinning as Will got in, and I quickly drew the curtains.

Will pulled me close, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "You're going to do amazing."

"Will, I can't even believe it. All that money."

"And the business, and the houses." He chuckled, "It's incredible."

"You know Will, tell the others when we get home. I'm taking you all out tonight, Sherry's like I was talking about. And tomorrow I'll get all of our photographs taken," I leaned back into his arms, "And I'll see about getting myself passage to London, to be with you through the British Inquiry."

He tensed, "Ana, I don't want you there."

"Will-"

"No," He moved back from me, "You have all this to manage now, you can't just leave it to chase after me."

"But I want to be with you," I looked him in the eye, searching for some reassurance that wasn't there. "I can manage everything after, I promise."

"No." His voice was firm, "Ana, this has been a wonderful time, but we've never had a day apart. We need to try and relax into a normal courtship." The touch of his hand was gentle as he reached over, "It's not that I don't want to be with you, but we need to learn to manage on our own. Don't you agree?"

I bit the inside of my lip, considering. It was true, ever since Titanic I had had him by my side, the nights in Washington the only time where we hadn't seen each other. Perhaps I was wrapping myself up in him, trying to avoid something. I knew what it was, it had been the same thing I had avoided thinking about since the sinking. The future, a future where I didn't have Will as a rock I could cling to. I sniffed, rubbing at my nose. "I'll miss you."

"And I'll miss you, but we can write to each other. That's something." He put his arm back around me, and I leaned against him. "It will be good practice for when I am out at sea, working." I chuckled, but I still felt sad. I could smile all I wanted, but the thought of Will leaving would sour any mood. Later, sitting in front of my dressing table as I prepared for dinner, I still looked sad even as Peggy dried my hair after my bath. The corners of my mouth drew down, and my eyes looked watery. In a black dress, I'd look like a ghost.

Enough of that, and enough of the mourning. At least for tonight. I stood, moving to my dressing room. Peggy, her drying interrupted, jumped back. "Miss?"

"I'm leaving off mourning for a couple days." I said, throwing open a wardrobe. "I'll put it back on after they leave, but I'm tired of being a crow."

"But you're taking them out to Sherry's!" Peggy sounded as if I had slapped her, "You'll be seen!"

"Then I'll wear some black, but tonight, tonight I want to wear something pretty." I pulled out an emerald silk dress, the rich sheen of the fabric catching the light. "I'll wear black gloves with this, but I'll want my pearls too." I put up with Peggy's lecture as she helped me into the dress, her clucking as she draped my pearls around my neck and used pearl studded pins to dress my hair, and even as she buttoned my shoes on.

Looking at myself in the mirror though, it was worth it. I didn't look like an old crone anymore, I looked elegant and refined, I looked pretty. Will, meeting me at the bottom of the stairs, goggled as he looked at me. I smiled, a long slow one that I drew out, "Why Will, I thought you would be pleased to see me in something other than black."

"Ana, you-" He cut himself off, breathing in. "You won't be able to shut the others up tonight." He chuckled, and we both headed into the carriage. Sherry's was an absolutely massive restaurant, attended by the cream of New York Society who crowded into its multiple floors, its electric chandelier lit ballrooms and gorged themselves on the finest dishes and liquor. I was able to get a table for us in a private room, I could feel the eyes on us as we had walked in. Tonight was about spoiling the officers though, not gracing the headlines.

"Order whatever you like," I spoke lightly as we were sat, "Tonight is all on me."

"Our stay's been on you the whole time, Miss." Moody said, "But I'll be glad to spend some of your inheritance." Luxuriating in the red velvet upholstered chairs, the glittering crystal lights and the carpet so thick on the floor that the waiters glided silently around the table, we set to determining dinner. A variety of dishes were ordered, meat and fish, vegetable and starch, and more drinks were brought round. Lowe, who kept himself from drink, was presented with a wide variety of flavored waters while the rest of us accepted a glass of champagne to start.

Holding his glass, Will stood up. "If you all don't mind, I should like to give a toast." The other grumbled, but it was good-natured and they all held their glasses up. Will looked to me, "To Anastasia, our host in a trying time and a great friend to us all."

"Here, here." They all replied, and I smiled as I sipped at my champagne.

"And to you all," I said, holding my glass up. "Friends made during a tragedy are the strongest of all." The glasses were drained at that, and the night devolved into good food, good drink, and good talk with good friends.

AN: This one was a bit of a struggle, and I'm still not 100% happy with the pacing of everything in this chapter, but in every work you have at least one chapter like that. Now the next chapter, that one is actually one of my favorites and it gets spicy. If you're a bit sensitive to that, be warned.