We lingered under the roses for what seemed like hours, Will's fingers in my hair and his lips on my skin. I told him about everything that had happened since the last time I had seen him, but when I tried to tell him about the kiss with Oscar, the words died on my tongue. I knew if I spoke of it, it would ruin everything. Our reunion, the peaceful bliss under the roses, it would all go up in flames.

But when we retreated inside as the sun went down, when Will started a small fire and let Rigel come down to happily romp between us, I knew I had to. I couldn't go to bed with him without confessing what I had done. It was like a weight on my soul, dragging at me, and only by telling Will what had happened would I be free of it.

I looked up at him as he poured wine for the both of us, the liquid rich and golden. He smiled as he felt my eyes on him, I could see strain in the corners of his eyes. I brought a hand up, doing my best to smile as he took it. "Will, I need to tell you something."

"Oh?" He set the bottle aside, sitting down. "What is it?" He kept my hand in his, gently squeezing my fingers. "If you lost, well, miscarried, it's all right Ana. We can try again."

I blanched, "Oh no, Will, it's not that."

"Then what is it?"

"I-I, I" I stammered, my voice weak. "I kissed Oscar."

His grip on my fingers grew tight, but not painful. But his voice was harsh, and it made me flinch. "What?"

"I kissed-"

"I heard!" He snapped, his jaw tight. "Why, Ana? Why would you do that?"

I flexed my fingers, and he shook his head as he let them go. I took a sip of my wine, trying to fortify myself. "Because I was drunk, because he was hurting-"

"Because I wasn't there?" Will stood, raking a hand through his hair. "Is that what you've started doing now, kissing any man you like?"

I stood, feeling tears in my eyes. "No, no Will, I would never-"

"First there was that Flashman, and while I hate it I can understand that." He glared at me over his shoulder. "But Oscar? Ana, you have to know how he feels about you. What that could lead to."

"It won't!" I shouted, my hands balled into fists by my side. "I swear to you Will, it won't lead to anything. You have no idea how awful I've felt since it happened, how much I regret it."

He stepped closer now, fingers tilting my chin up. His blue eyes were focused entirely on me, staring as one hand pulled out the silver pendant I wore. "How did it happen, Ana? You kissed him, but you still wear my gift."

I curled my fingers around his. "It was the anniversary of the sinking, he had brought some wine and we were just trying to get through it." I blinked away more tears, sniffing. "He, he said he was beginning to have feelings for someone else but that he would still love me." Will almost growled at that, but nodded for me to continue. "He said he wasn't sure if he could trust his feelings, since he had loved me but I had married you. He asked for some sign that I had felt anything for him, and I," I looked away. "I kissed him, and said that in another life I would have been happy with him."

"Jesus Christ." Will let me go, walking across the room.

I followed, "Will, I thought about everything that night, everything my life could have been." He was making for the door, "I could have had an easy life, but I don't want that. I want you! I want us to be together, to raise a family." He had opened the door, and was taking a step out. I threw myself on his arm, clutching him. "Will, if I could change one thing in my life it wouldn't be saving my father, it would not kissing Oscar."

He turned at that, bringing his hand up to caress my cheek. "Ana, you don't know what you're saying."

"I do!" I kissed his palm. "I love you Will, and I am so sorry about what happened."

"Ana," He breathed out, rubbing his thumb across my lip. "I forgive you, but I need time, all right? I'll be back soon." I watched him walk into the darkness of the yard, my tears still wet on my cheeks.

Will waited until the door closed behind him to let his shoulders fall, to curl in on himself and dig his fingers into his hair. Ana betrayed him, perhaps not all the way, but only just. Out in the dark Scottish night, with no one around but the stars, he could finally think. Inside everything had felt closed in, even Ana clinging to him had seemed smothering.

But here he could walk all the way down to the river, settle on the dock, and think. He had meant it when he said he forgave Ana, for he did. The grief in her voice when she said she would take back the kiss rather than have her father back, that was true remorse. How could he still be angry with her when she had so clearly regretted her actions?

And yet, he was angry with her still.

It wasn't the first white hot anger that had seized him when she had first confessed, but it smoldered in his chest. How could she have kissed Oscar? Will wasn't stupid enough to think that he meant so little to her that she would just go around bestowing kisses on anyone she pleased, Ana hoarded her affection for her husband. And then, sitting on the dock and listening to the river flow, it all came to him.

It wasn't her fault.

Oscar had brought wine to see them through the night of the anniversary, Will couldn't fault him for that. He had drank his way through it as well, and had let himself be distracted by his officers talking about various battles and what they had done on their latest leave. But Oscar had gotten his wife drunk, then talked about his feelings and asked Ana for comfort. Oscar knew Ana as well as Will did, and if there was one thing Ana was, it was kind.

She had been manipulated into a situation where she felt she had to provide some form of affection in order to make Oscar feel better. She would never sleep with him, but in the grand scheme of things, a kiss meant so little. And it would make her dear friend feel better about himself. He sighed, burying his head in his hands. But for her to say that she would have married him in another life, that stung. She could have been happy, with her family around her and a future laid out.

And yet, she had said she would give all that up to be with him. That was what drove him to his feet and back inside, finding Ana weeping quietly in front of the fire. He sat beside her, pulling her into his arms. "Ana, love, none of that now. I forgive you, it wasn't your fault."

She shook her head, "But it was! I kissed him, and I'm so, so sorry." She sobbed, almost falling into a fit.

Will hugged her tightly, stroking her back. "You were put in a situation where you felt you had no other option. I'm more angry over that, and at Oscar."

Ana drew back slightly, her voice catching. "What?"

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You, my dearest, are far too kind. You never want to see anyone you care about suffer, so when Oscar said those things, you wanted to relieve his suffering and chose the quickest way." There was confusion behind her eyes, and he pressed a kiss to her lips. "It may have been unintentional, but he put you in a situation where you felt you had no other choice."

She sniffed, "Will, -"

"If he truly loved you, he never would have done that." He drew his wife's hands up. "I will never do that to you, Ana. Never."

Ana looked to their clasped hands, the golden rings on their fingers. "I would never do that to you either, Will."

He surged forward, one hand around her waist and one behind her head, tilting it back so he could taste her. She tasted sweet, like the wine they had been drinking, and Will groaned as he released her lips. "This separation Ana, it's been too long without you."

"Take me to bed." His wife wrapped herself around him, and Will lifted her in his arms. He took a moment to wipe the tears off her face, kissing any traces of them away. She shivered when he set her down on their bed, his fingers slipping the buttons of her shirtwaist through their holes. "I've missed you."

He slipped the shirtwaist from her shoulders, kissing where her neck met her shoulder. "God, I've wanted you for so long." Her only answer was a moan as her head rolled back, his fingers quickly untying the brassiere she wore and revealing her breasts. They filled his hands, and he let his lips follow. The gasp she gave when he took her nipple into his mouth went right to his rapidly hardening cock, and she clutched his head to hold him tight.

"Will, God." She panted, and he turned his attention to her other breast. She was soft and warm beneath him, her own hands stripping his clothes from him. He jumped when he felt her nails on his back, and he hurriedly shifted them so that he was holding himself over her. Ana relented, only for her fingers to dig into his sides and make him squirm. "You're still ticklish."

He caught her hands, pinning them to the pillows. "And you're still incorrigible."

"I suppose I deserve to be punished for my many faults." Ana lifted her leg, wrapping it around his waist. Will groaned when he felt her sex brush against him, the wet heat that he longed to sheath himself in.

He pressed himself upward, looming over her. "Ana, Jesus." With her hands pinned, she was reduced to rubbing herself against him to ease whatever ache she was feeling. Will groaned, looking down at her. God, her hair was splayed over the pillows, her lips swollen and her breasts perfectly displayed for him. Will removed one hand to guide himself into her, watching as her eyes closed, her mouth open in a strangled gasp that tore from her throat.

She batted her eyelashes, her eyes wide and she brought her one free hand up to clutch at his shoulder. "Will, fuck me."

He caught her hand, pinning it back down. "Gladly." He withdrew slowly, then thrust himself back even slower. It wasn't as pleasurable as if he were to pound into her, but it made Ana squirm beneath him, her hips rising and grinding against him. All that served to do was make him almost lose himself, and he fairly growled as he thrust himself home again. "Christ woman, you keep doing that and I won't last."

Ana pouted, "I have to do something, God, the way you make me feel."

"You have no idea how this feels for me." He sighed as he sank into her again. It was pure bliss, so tight and warm that he barely wanted to leave, but the friction of leaving her and the way she stretched around him, God, it was enough to make him thrust home harder. Ana moaned when he did, her hips rising, and he lost what little control of his rhythm he had.

He slammed into her, her hips rising to meet him and a moan tearing from his throat as he felt her around him. He brought a hand to her apex, teasing and rubbing at her. He wanted to feel her clench around him, he wanted to hear her scream his name. She was already moaning it, and she clutched at his shoulders with her free hand.

Will attacked her with kisses then, his tongue sweeping into her mouth even as her own slid into his. He gently bit her bottom lip as he pulled back, switching his attention to her neck. Ana's voice was brushing against his ear, "Will, God, Will, I'm-"

"I want to feel you." He growled, thrusting himself home even harder. All it took was a bit more teasing for Ana to come undone, her voice raw as she called his name. Will barely lasted any longer, feeling her walls tighten around him and pulse made him spend himself, dropping his lips to hers. "Ana, Christ, do I love you."

"I love you, Will." She wrapped her arms around him, holding him in place. "I've missed you so much."

"Ana, God." He couldn't say more than that, rolling off her and pulling her to his chest. "God Ana, you are amazing." He felt her settle onto his chest, her hand coming up to rest where she could feel his heartbeat. With his wife firmly ensconced on his chest, her breathing slowing as she fell asleep, Will didn't think things could get much better.

To say Rowan and Mr. Collins were a bit red faced when they showed up the next day would be an understatement. Rowan could hardly look at me, while Mr. Collins smirked whenever he saw me. Will was far too proud of himself, and was practically stuck to my side. Rigel simply seemed glad to have everyone together, and was convinced that despite my multiple tirades directed at him, the parlor settee was his exclusive property.

Hearing Mr. Collins chuckling after my latest attempt to convince my dog to vacate my preferred seat made me turn on him. "You could help, you know!"

"And here I thought that was what your husband was here for." He snorted, a paper in his hand. "Why don't you ask him? Or maybe you both can retire upstairs."

I rolled my eyes, taking note of how Rowan's unburned cheek was as red as his other one. "Honestly, if the two of you are going to be this bad you can both head back to Southampton!"

Rowan pursed his lips, "But what about the garden? I was going to fertilize the roses later today."

"I have a gardener up here," I grumbled, but seeing the way his face fell, I sighed. "Rowan, you can fertilize the roses, it's all right." I shook my head, "But with Will here, the house is a bit crowded with all of us. Really, the both of you should head back down. I'm quite sure your wife would like to see you, Luke."

He shrugged, a bit strange looking with only one arm. "I've been away from her before."

"Just go home to her." I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "And Rowan, why don't you go back and keep an eye on the house?" I grinned as an idea occurred to me. "In fact, I think the house down there is in need of a garden and you are just the man to do it."

That piqued his interest, "Really, ma'am? You think so?"

"So long as you leave some of the yard for Rigel to run around in." I smiled, thinking how Will would be glad to have food grown on his own land served to him. "I think a garden would be wonderful, and remember what I said before, at least a few flowers."

He was all smiles as he went to call for a cab, talking about what he could plant in the summer as he went out to tend to the roses. I let him go on, giving the both of them a hug when the cab arrived to take them to whatever hotel they had found to collect their things before taking them to the train station. I let out a relieved sigh when they had left, the house was much more quiet and I didn't have someone smirking at me around every corner.

I collected a hat to wear as I stepped out into the back, Rigel following me as I made my way down to the river. Will, in his shirtsleeves, glanced up from where he had been focused on the bobber of his fishing rod. "I thought you said you were staying inside so you didn't burn."

"I got bored," I shrugged, "And I sent Rowan and Mr. Collins home, I couldn't see a use for them here."

He snorted, "They'll appreciate that." Will patted the dock next to him, and I collected my skirt as I sat down. It wouldn't do for it to get all wet. I leaned into him as he put an arm around me. "You're sure you won't need them up here?"

I watched as his bobber gently floated on the river's surface, "I do have staff I can call on up here if we need them."

"And what if we don't?" He grinned, "What if I want this to be a Scottish honeymoon with my wife?" His face fell for a moment, "I did miss our anniversary after all, our third. I should do something to make up for it."

"You came back, it doesn't matter that we're celebrating our anniversary a few days late. A honeymoon doesn't sound bad, being alone would be wonderful." I gently poked his ribs, careful not to tickle him like I had the night before. "So you had best get used to your wife's cooking and help her out in the garden, along with the cleaning and the laundry."

Will gave a theatrical groan, "I think I can deal with all of that but laundry, that sounds like pure torture."

"I'll give them all a call later, because right now I don't think I can move an inch." I yawned, leaning further onto him. With Will beside me, the sun warm on my back and a gentle breeze blowing, a nap on the dock sounded wonderful. I was just about to fall asleep when my pillow decided to move, dislodging me and sending me pitching towards the river.

It was only by Will throwing his arm around my waist and pulling me back that I avoided getting soaked, although it wasn't a gentle landing as I fell back onto the dock. I shook my hair out of my eyes, seeing Will reeling in a fish. I rolled my eyes, "You could have let the pole go!"

"But now I saved you, and I'm going to get this fish." He chuckled, letting the line play out before reeling it in again. I did my best to not pout as he paid more attention to the fish than to me, although Will cursed as Rigel started to bark from near the house. "Damn it, quiet!"

I stood, shaking out my skirt. "I'll go put him up."

"Bring back some newspaper!" He called after me, "We can have this bastard for dinner!"

I laughed as I headed up to the house, noting that Rigel wasn't trying to get inside but rather was barking at the fence. I gently shoved him aside with my leg, trying to peer through the cracks. "What's got you all rattled?"

He growled in response, but what made me jump was a voice coming through the fence. "Is someone there?"

I closed one eye, looking through the fence. "Yes, who is this?"

All I could see was a blur of what was likely a brown suit, but the voice had a Scottish burr to it. "Edward McLeod, ma'am. I'm with the Times, I was hoping to speak to Captain Murdoch. This is his house, is it not?"

I pursed my lips, "It is."

"Is Captain Murdoch at home?" Edward leaned down, a blue eye staring back at me. "I would love to get his story about what happened during Jutland."

"I'm assuming you mean the battle."

"I do, and if he could offer his opinion of his superiors I would greatly appreciate it." He blinked. "I would keep his statements anonymous, of course."

I frowned, "I highly doubt he would care to discuss what happened."

"Well I would rather hear it from him," Edward snapped, "So why don't you be a good little lassie and go ask him, you can sweep the floor while we talk."

I stood, turning away. "I am quite sure my husband is not interested in speaking to you, Mr. McLeod. Now, please leave."

"Mrs. Murdoch, my deepest apologies, but I do think your husband could benefit from an interview!" The reporter called after me, but I ignored him. I allow Rigel to go back to barking, he at least drowned out the repeated entreaties for me to return. I stopped to pick a rose, taking my hat off to tuck it behind my ear.

Will gave it an appreciative sniff when I joined him back on the dock, a bucket having been enlisted to hold the still moving silver fish. He smiled when I giggled at his breath brushing over my neck, "So what was all the fuss over?"

"A reporter was trying to get your attention." I frowned as Will picked up the bucket, the fish swimming around in it. "I told him to leave."

Will wrapped his other arm around my waist as we walked up to the house, "Did he say what he wanted to speak to me about?"

"The battle," I replied as we entered the kitchen, Will pulling out a knife. "And your superiors, he seemed especially interested in that."

He grunted, reaching for the bucket even as Rigel went off barking again. "He must be at the windows still, why don't you go close the curtains while I deal with this?" I nodded, finding that Mr. McLeod was indeed peering through the windows. I smirked at him as I pulled the curtains, and made sure that every window was entirely covered before I returned. Will had the fish gutted and scaled by the time I returned, and he was taking out the bones. He glanced up, "Still at it?"

I looked away as he cut the spine out of the fish. "I can't imagine he will be for much longer." I kept my eyes diligently off the fish as Will continued deboning. "Do you know what he was meant by asking about your superiors?"

Will set the knife aside, the fish sliced and ready for frying. "I have some idea."

"What is it?"

He sighed, reaching for the various spices kept in a cabinet. "Could you come help me with this?" I happily complied, the two of us working together to prepare the fish. He spoke quietly, "People are arguing over who was responsible for the battle's result. It had already started when we got back into port, while the ship was waiting for repairs there wasn't much to do but read."

I covered his spice stained hand with mine. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Will shook his head quickly, "No, what I want to do is get this cooked, eat dinner, and carry you up to bed."

I could feel my cheeks burn, "I can agree to that."

He smirked, "Remind me to make a call Oscar sometime soon, I need to speak to him."

"Will," I sighed, "There's nothing to-"

"Ana," He took my hand in his, "I need to settle things with him, in person eventually but a phone call will suffice for now." He pressed a kiss to my head, "And I would ask something of you."

I swallowed, looking up into his eyes. "Anything, Will."

"Don't contact Oscar until I've spoken with him in person, I'll let him know so he doesn't think anything else is going on. I just want you all to myself for a while."

I nodded, I could focus on the hospital, the business, the Lightollers, I had plenty to occupy myself with. "I can do that."

"One more request?"

"Yes?"

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to dine naked, after all, you've already closed the curtains."

I burst out laughing, "And would you be naked?"

"Of course not, I would be enjoying the view until I carried you up to bed."