Will trailed behind Captain Fraser as they entered the dining saloon, doing his best be the anonymous humble officer the Captain had pitied with an invitation. He found that for the fuss it usually entailed, he missed coming in with Ana on his arm and having everyone acknowledge the two of them. Instead he was forced to see Ana, beautiful even in a simple gown, very clearly considering stabbing herself with a fork as Mr. Longmore flirted with her.

Will had met Longmore before, never enough to know him personally but enough to recognize him when he was aboard. The man was rather full of himself, but generally kept out of the officers' business so he had never really formed an opinion about him. But now, seeing Ana look over and light up when she saw him coming in, he had to master himself to keep from glaring at the young man.

Instead he walked forward, nodded towards the empty chair to Ana's side, and spoke. "Is this seat taken, ma'am?"

"Oh, no, please." Ana smiled, looking over to Longmore. "I hope you don't mind." The other man simply snorted as Will sat, and Will favored his wife with a squeeze of her hand once he was in his chair. He almost jumped when Ana instead placed her hand on his thigh under the tablecloth. When he glanced over she was all smirks, and inched her hand a bit higher.

He found himself glad when the stewards brought around drinks, although he kept away from the wine. Captain Fraser nodded as he did so, "Can't be too careful."

"No sir," Will replied, realizing that while he had been distracted by Ana the others had fallen into conversation.

Fraser seemed to be leading it, "Oh, we're carrying all manner of things. I think I even saw a crate of magazines being loaded."

"Anything of substance?" Longmore, picking at the salad they had been brought, raised an eyebrow.

"I believe they were fashion magazines." Fraser gave a shrug, "We're glad to carry anything we're hired to."

Longmore snorted, "Some stupid woman no doubt." Will's fork froze on his way to his mouth, glancing over to Ana. But she was all bland complacency, acting as if she wasn't even listening. Longmore wasn't finished though, "Show me a woman who's read a book and I'll show you a woman who wishes she was a man."

"Joseph, that talk isn't appropriate for the table." One of the older men spoke up, "And I'll have you know that my wife has quite the library."

"Well, it's all fine for mature women." Longmore tried to backpedal a bit. "But I can't stand those young bluestockings, always out marching for the right to vote or pretending they want to get degrees. Completely unfeminine, they fathers should have done better."

"I personally find those kind of women fascinating," Will couldn't help speaking up. "They make for much more enjoyable conversation, although I'm not sure that's what you want in a woman. It seems you're interested in them for other reasons."

Longmore turned in his seat, glaring across Ana. "And who exactly are you?"

"I'm afraid you'll have to forgive my officer here," Fraser cut in, "I brought him to enjoy a nicer dinner than what he usually gets, but it seems he left his manners in the officer's mess."

Will bowed his head, looking down at the roast chicken that had been brought. "My apologies, sir." He could see Ana smiling behind her hand, clearly reveling in what was going on. Will wondered if she was laughing about the same thing he was mulling over in his mind, that he had meant his apology for Fraser but since he hadn't addressed it, Longmore was currently preening in his seat as if he had won this bout. Will reached for his utensils, "Perhaps we should change the topic."

But then Ana lowered her hand, "I'm actually fascinated by what men think of women. Tell me Mr. Longmore, what are your opinions on women in business? Isn't this line owned by two of them?"

Will almost bit his tongue when Longmore cackled, "Yes, and at least they have a little sense, leaving the men to run everything. They're more concerned with parties and dinners, as they should be. Although I'd prefer my money to go towards something beyond a pretty dress."

Another man chuckled, "Then heaven forbid you should marry Joseph, your wife would leave you in an instant for that kind of remark."

That drew a laugh, and Will couldn't help himself. "And you, Mrs. Murdoch, what do you think?"

"Oh," Ana simpered, reaching for the small peach tart that had been brought out for dessert. "I couldn't get my head wrapped around anything more than dealing with my house! My husband is quite particular about how he likes things, I swear I must spend half the day making things perfect for when he gets home."

Will looked over, seeing that wrinkle in her nose. "You must care for him deeply."

"Oh yes, very much so. It's so hard to be away from him." She sighed, batting her eyes. "Although I am glad that fine men such as you are seeing me safely home." She gave a yawn, standing. "I didn't realize how late it was! Gentlemen, you must excuse me."

All of them stood, although Longmore spoke first. "Could I see you back to your cabin?"

"Actually, Mr. Longmore," Fraser's voice was firm. "I must insist that she be shown back by a company officer, policy and all."

Will gave his captain a smile. "I shall see her safely back, sir."

"And then to your watch."

"Yes, sir." Will waited until they'd gotten out of sight of the dining saloon to take Ana's hand. "Do you think anyone would mind if I threw him overboard?"

She sighed, but twisted her fingers around his. "Probably, and it wouldn't reflect good on us."

"And having him on here does?" He paused outside her cabin, looking down at her. Her face was a little drawn, but she lifted her lips in a smile when she saw him looking. He reached out to brush his thumb over her cheek, "I don't suppose you could stay away from him the whole trip, I'm sure the officers wouldn't mind you being on the bridge."

Ana rolled her eyes, opening the door but stopped short of going on. "Alice, what are you still doing here?"

Will poked his head in, seeing a stewardess sitting on the bed. She quickly smoothed out the covers after she stood, "Oh, I'm sorry ma'am. Is the chief steward coming?"

"Why would he?" Will held the door open, standing aside to let Ana in. "Wait, shouldn't you have been helping out at dinner?"

Alice blushed, looking down to her skirts. "I, I haven't helped with dinner service since Mr. Longmore started traveling with us."

"Why?" Ana's voice was cold, and she looked to the bed. "Alice, sit down and tell us."

Alice sat, twisting her hands in her skirt. "He's, he's made proposals to me. Intimate proposals, when I told the chief steward he took me off dinner service and told me to wait in the cabins until he could fetch me and see me safely back to my room."

"My God," Will leaned back against a wall, "Why wasn't this brought to Captain Fraser?"

Alice sighed, "He didn't feel that it was important enough to warrant his attention."

"It is." Ana pursed her lips, "Will, please go find the chief steward so Alice can go get some rest." Fortunately the chief steward wasn't far away, and he thanked Will and Ana profusely for making sure Alice stayed safe. Will closed the door after the two had left, joining Ana on the bed. She leaned against him, "We have to do something."

"You could order him to stop, or blacklist him." He curled an arm around her. "We can tell Captain Fraser tomorrow."

"Or, we could make it hurt. For Longmore that is."

Will was nervous the next morning, waiting in the deserted dining saloon. Ana, sat on the table and with her arms around his shoulders, smirked. "What are you scared for?"

"This plan is foolish." He muttered, leaning down to press his forehead to hers. Ana had come with him to inform Captain Fraser of Longmore's actions last night, and outlined that they would make sure Longmore came to see him.

And now they were getting ready to go off on this harebrained scheme of Ana's.

She pressed a kiss to his lips. "You heard the chief steward, Longmore is always the first one in for breakfast."

"And your plan is for him to find us kissing!" He hissed, turning when he thought he heard someone coming in. But then the door was creaking open, Ana's hands were pulling him down and he was tasting her. She had already had breakfast and still tasted like the honey from her oatmeal, and he greedily swept his tongue into her mouth. She was leaning back, pulling him down and he could feel her leg wrapping around his waist.

"Jesus Christ!" Longmore shouted, but Will didn't turn back to look at him. "What the hell are you doing? Get off her!" And then Longmore was hauling against Will's shoulder, nd he had no choice but to break the kiss. Longmore was red in the face, "I'll have you fired for this! Getting ready to fornicate with a married woman, on the dining table of all places!" He shoved Will, and turned to Ana. "And to think I fancied you! We're going to captain, both of you!"

Ana was smirking when Longmore turned around, loudly shouting and demanding a steward escort him to the captain. Will couldn't help but grin back, although he tried act chagrined when Longmore turned back to glare at them. Captain Fraser received them in his small sitting room, which he mostly used as an office. He blotted his lips with a napkin, "Mr. Longmore, why exactly are you interrupting my breakfast?"

Longmore drew himself up. "Captain, I can across your officer behaving most improperly with our female passenger."

"Really? Which one?" Fraser caught Will's eye as he raised an eyebrow.

The younger man blushed as he glanced back at Will. "I don't know his name, he's Scottish I think. But he was bending her over a table, and I think that if I hadn't made my presence known he would have taken advantage of her."

Fraser calmly stirred his coffee, derision dripping from every word. "How distasteful."

"Something has to be done, sir. It's bad enough that that girl had taken my usual cabin, after I had specifically booked it, but for this behavior from your officers. I must admit my faith in Dalian shipping is fading."

Fraser laughed, and Will couldn't help but chuckle along with it. He glanced over to Ana, seeing her roll her eyes. Fraser wiped a tear from his eye, "Ah, you don't know, do you?"

"Know what?" Longmore looked back at Will, confusion plain his face.

"The lady is Mr. Murdoch's wife, who would be the man you found her with."

Ana laughed out loud as Longmore flushed. "Well then she should at least be discrete about it, she could easily be refused passage next time."

"Do you know her maiden name?"

"Why would I?"

Ana spoke up, smirking. "It's Dalian, as in, Anastasia Dalian, co-owner of Dalian Shipping." She smiled, rolling her eyes. "In fact, you're sailing on my namesake."

Fraser stood, setting his mug aside. "I would suggest you leave her, and our female staff, to their own devices. She has already complained to me of your behavior, and has stated that one more action on your part will see you blacklisted."

Ana only snorted. "Captain Fraser wanted to lock you in a coal bunker," She came towards Longmore, "And if I hear one more rude word out of you, or see you bothering Alice in any way, I'll let him."

"Perhaps you should head back to breakfast." Fraser dismissed Longmore, sending him scurrying. He sighed, looking to the two of them. "Ma'am, William, you couldn't have simply asked him to come see me?"

"Captain Fraser, I'm nothing but a foolish woman remember? And Will is only a working man." She sighed though, "I am sorry that we had to do it this way, but I promise no more foolishness." She placed a kiss on Will's cheek, "I'm headed back, I'll see you later."

Fraser sat down with a groan once she had left, "Mr. Murdoch, why exactly was your wife in Britain? Was she checking on something over here?"

"I don't believe so, sir."

"Then why did she come over?"

Will smiled widely, "To surprise me, sir. Sometimes she goes off on a tear like this."

"Well wire me ahead of time the next time she does this so I can plead illness and stay home." Will kept his head down for the next few days, although when Alice brought word that Ana had retired late in the morning with a headache and was asking to see him, he did excuse himself to join her. It wasn't his watch, everything was running smoothly, and Fraser would have no problem with it.

He came in to find Ana laying on the bed in the dark, and he made sure to keep quiet. "Is it better?"

"It will be better if you come lay down with me." She patted the bed, her eyes closed. When he laid down she curled herself around him, "I've missed you."

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, "We'll be home soon enough, and then you'll be counting the days until I leave again."

"Hardly." She snorted, pressing a kiss to his lips. And then she was straddling him, pushing him back into the pillows. "I can't get enough of you."

Will laid back, enjoying the feeling of her rocking against him. "You don't have a headache, do you?" In response she ground against him, pulling her skirt up to let him run his hands up her thighs. They were such lovely thighs, smooth and soft under his hands. It was easy to be ready when his wife was licking every inch of his neck and sucking on his earlobe, clearly intent on having a quick lovemaking session before he had to return to work.

"Oh Will, just like that." She murmured as he slid a finger into her, feeling her work his trousers open. And the he was free and his finger was replaced by something much more pleasurable, at least as far as she was concerned. "Oh, fuck Will. Yes, yes."

He strained his hips upward as she bore down, feeling her tight around him and sliding along his length. "Ana, God, you feel so good." He dug his fingers into her arse, moving her faster and faster. He knew he wouldn't last long, he was already feeling himself tighten. And then Ana leaned over, her own finger reaching down to pleasure herself and she started quivering around him. That was all it took, and he finished with a groan. He used his handkerchief to clean himself once she rolled off, "Let me finish you."

Ana gladly opened her legs, panting and coming with a muffled cry after he applied himself to the task before him. She sighed, her skin slick with sweat. "You're going to have to go back, aren't you?"

"Yes." He pursed his lips, "I want to stay here, you know I do."

"I know."

"I'll be able to soon enough." He knew he'd already been there for too long, and he left Ana to doze into the day while he arranged his uniform and stepped back out. The only one around was a steward who gave him a knowing look, but didn't say a word.

When he arrived back on the bridge, Fraser was supervising Moody who was taking a turn as the senior officer of the watch. The captain gave him a nod as he entered, "Ah, Mr. Murdoch. I hope your wife is well? Usually she does not retire this early."

Will glanced down, "She has a headache, sir. My apologies for staying a bit longer, I simply wanted to make sure that she was not suffering anymore."

"Ah, and you soothed her?"

"Yes, sir."

"A cold cloth to the head?"

"Yes, sir."

"Mr. Murdoch, your trousers are unbuttoned."

Will panicked, fumbling with his fly only to find that it was perfectly done up. "Sir?" The rest of the crew in the bridge chuckled at his obvious distress, even James snorted a bit.

"I suggest you keep your nursing duties to the hour that has been allotted to you. And that you give yourself a scrub before you come up, there's lip rouge on your cheek, and I can smell Mrs. Murdoch's perfume from here." Fraser stepped back, "Please oversee Mr. Moody for me." Will nodded, and Fraser retreated to the chart room. Will tried to take deep breaths, calming himself. It was nothing more than some teasing, he was just glad that Lights wasn't around to hear it. He would never hear the end of it if his best friend had been listening in.

James spoke up, "Sir, could you check my course?" That shook Will out of his thoughts, and he turned to review what James had written out and compared it to the compass at the front of the bridge. His math was well done, and they were only off by a couple of degrees. When Will pointed it out James pursed his lips, "We'll need to go a few degrees to port."

"Have you taken the magnetic distortion into account?" Will raised an eyebrow. The iron in the ship could easily throw off the compass by a slight amount. "Perhaps you should run to the compass platform." Will spent the next few hours helping the him adjust his current calculations for the distortion, and was absorbed enough in it that he hardly noticed when Ana came up to the bridge.

She was all smiles as she spoke, "Ah, Captain Fraser, I hope you won't mind if I join the staff for a short while."

Fraser smirked. "No, ma'am. I hope your headache is better."

"Headache?" Her brows knitted together, clearly forgetting her earlier excuse. Will caught her eye and nodded quickly. "Oh yes, it's so much better that I forgot all about it. I don't suppose you could show me to the chart room and point out our course?"

"Yes, ma'am. Mr. Murdoch, I leave the Anastasia in your care."

She rolled her eyes. "Ah, but I'm always in his care, Captain Fraser."

"Sir?" Moody, his fresh calculations in his hand, was just about to come off his watch and was clearly anxious to go catch some sleep, but his manners prevented him.

"Yes, Mr. Moody?"

"Do you require tea or anything else?"

"Yes, I should like you to accompany us to the chart room. It's time for me to check calculations, the new ones Mr. Murdoch helped you with."

Moody sounded as if he was in pain, the paper crumpling slightly in his hand. "Yes, sir." Will could hear them all through the open door, and it made his watch a bit more enjoyable.

Ana's voice was quiet, but lively. "You know, Captain Fraser, my dear friend Liz is going to be most interested in what we're transporting."

"Ma'am?"

"The fashion magazines, I swear she makes up half our business from France with all of them. And not just French, German, Italian, I wouldn't be surprised if she had Russian ones shipped over and just waiting for us to pick them up."

"She sounds very interesting, ma'am."

"Oh she is, in fact Mr. Moody here knows her quite well. Don't you, James?"

Will could almost hear James swallow. "Yes, ma'am."

"Would you care to elaborate?" Ana prodded.

"She is a lovely lady, very pretty."

"What did you think of that dress she wore the last time you were in town, when you had dinner with her family?"

"It was nice."

"What color was it again?"

"Green, ma'am."

"Oh that's right, she wore her emeralds with it. And what flowers did you get her?"

"Tulips, ma'am."

"I bet she loved them."

"She was quite happy."

Fraser chuckled, "I'm sure you'll make her even happier if you show her these calculations, be sure to thank Mr. Murdoch for his help."

The night before they reached New York James wanted to curse William Murdoch and his wife. He hadn't begrudged Will the dinners with the passengers, they all got the same food and he couldn't stand the passengers. Not passengers in general, just that Longmore. Word had been passed around about everything that man had done, and James knew that the stewards had been short sheeting his bed ever since the Captain had expressed his displeasure.

But now, now he could hear them in Will's cabin.

Of course Anastasia had slipped into his cabin, no other woman was so daring and Will would have raised holy hell if he had caught another woman in his bed. She was talking, James couldn't make out the words but he knew what the two of them would be doing. And now Will was talking, the bed squeaking as he settled onto it. Fortunately he couldn't hear exactly what they were doing, but then the bed began squeaking again.

And squeaking.

And squeaking.

James rolled onto his side and deeply regretted the fact that he hadn't grabbed the earplugs from his house. So instead he threw his pillow over his head and tried to think of anything else. His house, that was a good subject. It was a smaller house, but in a good part of town. It had come with furniture, but Liz would probably want to redecorate, if she even wanted to keep the damn place.

If she wanted to marry him.

He'd been saving for so long, a man should present himself to the woman he wanted with a ring, a place for them to live, and money saved up for their life together. Well, he had the house, he'd left a deposit for the ring and would pick it up on their next crossing and he had money saved up beyond that. All he needed now was Richard's permission, he'd ask him this week.

And then it might be Liz sneaking into his cabin.

Liz, with her rich brown curls and dancing blue eyes, wrapping her arms around his shoulders when he'd started kissing her that day in the car, after Reichster's wedding. The way she'd opened up her mouth to his, letting him gently run his tongue over hers. God, soon he'd be able to do more than kiss her. She'd be his wife, he'd be her husband and he would find them a bed that wouldn't squeak.

And the night of their wedding, when she took off her clothes and would moan like Ana was.

Christ, he could feel a rising beneath his waist. Cursing, he flipped over onto his stomach and tried to get some sleep.

I had to admit, aside from Longmore, it was rather fun to travel with Will. Sometimes he was flustered when I'd pull him in for a quick kiss, and to be quite honest I probably did it a bit too often. But he was so handsome in his uniform, so competent and responsible. He was irresistible, and I had a hard time keeping myself from him. But now were were back in New York, tying up and Fraser had given him permission to leave early to head home with me.

He was still in his uniform when he came to join me by the gangway, "Happy to be home?"

"Ecstatic." I twined my arm through his, watching as the crew settled the gangplank and secured it. "Although I can understand why you always want to nap when you come home, our bed is much nicer than those."

"And the company much improved." He smirked, and we set off through the doors. We had barely touched the dock before what seemed like a mob enveloped us. At first I thought it was just porters wanting to start working, but then one of them grabbed onto Will's other arm.

"Mr. Murdoch, any comment on the Empress sinking?" He shouted, shoving the other reporters away briefly.

I cringed away from one that had rushed up close to me. "What?"

"What did the passengers trapped onboard go through?" Another one lunged past me to grab onto Will's jacket, and I started. It was Frank Reading, I hadn't seen him since the inquiry. But now here he was, hanging onto my husband. "Any idea of the terror that they experienced?"

"Get the hell away from me!" Will shoved back against him, pulling me to him. "Ana, stay close." I clung to him, doing my best to pull my skirt away when another reporter tried to grab it while yelling questions about what the survivors could expect. A few porters finally noticed what was going on, and came to at least clear a path for us. The carriage was waiting and Lewis quickly had the horses whipped up.

We were both panting in the carriage, and I looked to Will. "What was that?"

"it sounds as if there was another shipwreck." He straightened his jacket. "God, I don't want to think about it." I pressed my lips together, but dropped it. I didn't want to think about another sinking either, not after such a happy trip. So I simply leaned on him, exclaimed over Rigel when we got inside and he jumped onto me, and did my best to put it from my mind.

Rigel proved a great comfort, although he seemed convinced that he was a lapdog. I had changed out of my traveling clothes into a robe, ready for a nap as soon as Will joined me. Rigel had draped himself over my lap, beating out a rhythm with his tail as I scratched his belly. I couldn't help but smile, the cabin was certainly large enough to have him join me for the next crossing. I could take care of him myself, even the disagreeable parts, and Will would act as if he couldn't stand it and then melt when Rigel came trotting up to him.

But he didn't look in a melting mood as he came through the door, a wad of paper in his hand. "Ana, this was in my pocket."

I sat up, dislodging Rigel. "What is it?"

"A few clippings about the Empress of Ireland, and a note." He held out the papers. "From Henry."

"Oh." I set the clippings aside. I handled the note like it would burn me, holding it out aways.

Sophie gave me a grandson on the twelfth, only after ten months of marriage. Adam, a fitting name for the start of what is sure to be a large family. I've yet to see even a sign that you've been doing your husbandly duty, perhaps I should intercede? Clearly my line is fertile, and I have no doubt I'd be able to get Anastasia pregnant sooner rather than later. Or you can continue on with her, and leave her childless and miserable.

I sighed as I folded it back up, "We'll have to send them something."

"Why would we send him anything?" Will plucked the note from my hand. "He's lucky I don't go over to his house and beat him senseless."

"I meant the baby." I glanced at the clippings, catching a few words. Fog, collision, river currents. "Sophie's son. A blanket, or maybe a rattle."

"I think both." Will sat beside me, pinching his nose. "Does the tailor have any of my tartan left?"

"I believe so." I chuckled, "And it would make a lovely blanket. I can take a trip to Tiffany's for the rattle, just in case they say something about it not being enough."

Will crumpled the note up in his hand, "Here boy, I've got a treat for you."

"Will!" I smacked his arm, "You'll poison him if you give him that."

"Well, there's no fire to burn it." He glanced to the bathroom door. "Although I have another idea. Come on." He tugged me to my feet, and I watched as he threw the note into the toilet and flushed it. I smiled when he came back to me, running his hands up my arms. "I don't want you to pay that any mind, alright? You know I'd never give you over to them."

"I know." I leaned up and kissed him, "We'll have children of our own soon enough."

He smiled into the kiss, "Mmmm, that we will. Now, why don't we skip the nap? I would much prefer a bath, that note made me feel dirty, and I would love for you to join me. Now, what do you say you leave that robe out there and lock Rigel out?"

In response I tugged at the sash, slipping it off my shoulders and joining him in the bathroom. "Lemon or rose?"

"Jasmine." Will was at the cupboard with the various oils, "And sandalwood."

"Wonderful." I came up behind him, wrapping my arms around him and pressing myself to his back. "And I'll want you to rub down every inch of me."

"Oh, how dare you give me such a hard task?"