Ruth stepped into her car, waved one more time at little Richard in his mother's arms, and gave the order for her driver to head off. Liz was turning out to be a wonderful mother, even she had never seen Richard in the same clothes twice. If she kept going on in that vein he was going to be as much of a clotheshorse as his mother. His father was more frugal, even if he was still smiling widely at every little thing his son did. Even when Richard had whacked his father with a meaty little fist, James had grinned and talked about how strong he was.

To be quite honest, he was reminding her of Gareth.

When their daughter had first been presented to him, Ruth had watched as his legs failed and he collapsed into a heap on the floor, Anastasia cradled carefully in his hands. Her own eyes had been wet with tears, both from the pain of giving birth and pride, but Gareth was openly weeping. The next day he was all pride though, hardly leaving their side. Ruth had hired a nurse, but she barely did anything but change diapers. Gareth tucked Anastasia in, burped her, even sang soft lullabies to her as she slept. Sometimes Ruth had felt like she barely got to be a mother to her daughter, at least when she was little.

Gareth never lost his pride in her though, whether she was an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes or a young girl with three missing teeth, he showed her off at every opportunity. Afternoon callers were presented with Anastasia while he listed off her latest accomplishments. Ruth still giggled remembering the expression on old J.P Morgan's face when Gareth had proudly proclaimed that his daughter had begun working on her mathematics and she could already add two numbers together. To a finance magnate that was nothing, but for Gareth that was everything.

Ruth blinked, shaking her head to try and shoo those thoughts away. The last thing she needed was to show up at home with a face covered in tears. Rigby would be concerned and threaten to call a doctor, he was of the opinion that she didn't need to go out to a party when she was feeling blue. But Ruth wasn't feeling blue, she just missed her husband and her daughter. There were no tears coming, but she did give a heavy sigh.

She dearly wished Anastasia was home. She wrote often and Ezekiel assured her of her daughter's health every time he came back, but it still wasn't the same. She knew Anastasia was trying to be entertaining in her letters, relating stories about the Lightoller children and her charity projects. Ruth had even burst out laughing when reading about the Grand Duke that had shown up at her docks, amazed that the old story had proven to be true. There was no story that would stop her missing her daughter though, and the only thing that would bring her home would be peace.

And Ruth was doing everything she could to see that peace came about quickly.

The way this war had been going; muddy men dying by the millions in the trenches, submarines sinking unsuspecting ships and zeppelins zooming overhead to bomb cities were not going to be stopped out of a desire to cease fighting. The only thing that would bring peace would be a decisive victory for the Allies and she was doing her damnednest to see that they would have everything they needed for their victory. She sent over ships filled with food and clothing, her factories churned out bullets and shells by the thousands. Barges filled with Dalian munitions were constantly coming down from where her factories were, waiting to be loaded onto British and French ships and sent to the front lines.

Some people may have called her a warmonger, a profiteer, a greedy woman who was only out to enrich herself through the deaths of others. Let them say what they will, Ruth knew what she was. She was a woman who wanted this war to end so she could reunite with her daughter, and if it took a crushing victory supplied by her munitions, then so be it. She would mourn the deaths of those who would die, but their countries could only be dragged to the negotiating table in one way.

When she arrived home, Ruth wanted nothing more than to see the lights flickering in the pattern that heralded a visit from her husband. But the lights stayed constant, and she knew Gareth was not coming. He had decided to head off to see Anastasia, finally. The papers had been full of the great battle that had been fought, and both of them had pored over them, searching for any word about William. Once they had been assured of his safety, Gareth had figured their daughter would head for Scotland. Anastasia always wanted to be close to William, but she would be back eventually. Gareth had even joked that he might head to London while he waited, he was curious what ghosts could be found on the grounds of the Tower. Ruth had sent him off with her love, but she had no idea when he would return.

Ghosts couldn't exactly send telegrams.

Ruth had decided to distract herself instead, accepting an invitation for a ball that night. She rarely went out to those any more, although she was hoping to see Moira there. It had been far too long since they had gossiped. Louise had essentially become her second lady's maid, assisting her own maid with her hair and jewelry. She could see why Anastasia enjoyed her, the way Louise chattered made her excited for the party. Louise had endless ideas about how she could spend her time, and asked her to regale her with all the details after.

She had only gotten her dress on when Mr. Rigby was knocking on the dressing room door, saying that Sophie Reichster was here and was insisting that she needed to see her. Ruth sighed, adjusted the hunter green skirt of her gown, and headed down. Sophie was indeed in the parlor, pacing back and forth. Ruth gave her a smile, "Sophie, what ever are you doing here?"

At her voice the pacing stopped, Sophie turning. "Mrs. Dalian, I don't mean to be a bother, but I need to speak with you."

"I'll be glad to speak with you, but you need to sit." Ruth took her hand, leading her to a settee. "It's only been two months since the twins, you need to rest."

"Oh, I'm all right." Sophie shrugged, "I've been getting enough rest at home, especially after I told Zachary that if his parents kept coming around every day I was going to take the children and go back up to Newport."

Ruth chuckled, "How are your children? I haven't seen the twins much."

"Oh, they're doing well." Sophie grinned, "I'll bring them over some time soon. I don't suppose you could have Morris over when I bring them?"

"That could possibly be arranged. Has he met them?"

"Very briefly, he could barely speak he was smiling so much." Sophie's eyes softened, caught in a memory. "But that isn't what I'm here to talk about."

"Forgive me for distracting you."

Sophie took a breath, focusing. "Ruth, there's something that's going to happen tonight. I don't quite know where, but I know it's going to be bad."

Ruth pursed her lips. "What?"

"I've been sitting in on meetings that Henry has been having with the German Ambassador." She smirked, "His German isn't the best and he wants me to tell him any comments the ambassador makes that he doesn't catch. But all I know is Henry's been giving them money, quite a bit of money, and whatever he's been funding will happen tonight."

That gave Ruth pause, and she took a moment to think. What could the German Ambassador be planning that would require large sums of money? The papers were full of stories of German spies running around the country stirring up trouble. Some of her factory managers had even written to her that they had discovered a few people that they had suspected of being German agents trying to get her workers to strike. Fortunately, they had been removed before their plans could come to fruition, but Ruth doubted Reichster money was going toward funding strikers. "Sophie, did they say anything else?"

Her brow furrowed, "I heard them talking as they headed downstairs, something about a munitions dump. But there isn't one around here."

"There is." Ruth's heart sped up, and she did her best to take calming breaths. "Black Tom Island, they don't want munitions in the city. It's across the river, far enough away that any incident-" It all crashed onto her then, what was going to happen.

Sophie seemed to have realized it too, her face pale. "Any incident wouldn't harm the city. But destroying the island would be enough to send a message. And all the munitions there are heading to the Allies, which would be why the ambassador wants them destroyed."

Now Ruth was the one standing, pacing around the parlor. "I have munitions on their way there, there's a barge at the docks that supposed to take them over tonight."

"We can't let it go!" Sophie's voice was high. "We have to tell people to go deal with whatever is going on on that island."

"I'm not going to let the barge go," Ruth turned for the phone. "But I don't know who's at the offices right now. I'm going to have to go myself."

"Can we call someone to get people away from the island?"

"Who?" Ruth already had that phone in her hand. "The harbormaster won't believe some rumor, not when it disrupts everything. He'd want actual evidence."

"Would he stop if the navy told him to?" Sophie looked surprised by her own thought. "We could call Morris, he could arrange for his commander to call and put a stop to everything."

Ruth was already asking to be connected to the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and she wound up waiting while the receptionist fetched Morris. He sounded sleepy, "Mrs. Dalian, it's late."

"I'm sorry for waking you, but it can't wait." Ruth quickly related what Sophie had told her. "Is there any way we can stop all harbor traffic?"

His sigh was evident through the phone. "We don't have any control over civilian matters."

"Not even with some German plot centered around a munitions dump?"

"The munitions aren't owned by the navy, so we legally have no control over it." He yawned, "You're certain that something is going to happen?"

"Yes!"

"Let me come over then, we may be able to think of something together."

"And you have no desire to see Sophie," Ruth snorted. "We're headed to our offices, it would be faster for you to take a boat and meet us there."

"So long as I don't have to get near Black Tom."

"We'll see you soon." Ruth hung up the phone, turning to Sophie. "Get your coat, we're going to the offices."

She leapt to her feet, her hands twisted in her skirt. "I can't! I was only able to get away from Zachary by telling him I was going to see Liz and talk about our babies."

"Morris is going to meet us at the dock."

She chewed her lip briefly, "I'll meet you in the car." She was already ensconced in her light summer coat when Ruth joined her in a few minutes. Ruth had briefly told Mr. Rigby where she was going, and asked him to keep an eye on Delilah, the puppy already asleep in her bed in Ruth's rooms.

The ride down to the offices was quiet, and not only inside the car. It was late enough that everyone was already asleep or at some party, leaving the streets fairly deserted. Some brief activity was seen as they got closer to the docks, men leaving from the late shift, but then it was quiet again. The docks were dark, the ships tied up and bobbing contentedly at their moorings. Even the offices were dark, the only light being from someone on the first floor who kept an eye on things overnight. More men stood watch over the warehouses, but there was no tension here.

As they exited, Ruth immediately set out for the barge that was clearly preparing to cast off. She could see the smoke from the engine, hear men laughing and talking as they were loosening the hawsers and could see the captain standing near the stern. She raised her voice, "Stop! All of you, stop!"

One man turned to her, laughing. "And who are you to be givin' us orders, dearie?" A flashlight was turned on her, making her gown glitter in the light. "A pretty thing, if a bit old."

Ruth would have slapped the man if he had been closer, "I am Ruth Dalian, and I own this barge! And if I tell you to stop, then you had damn well better stop!"

The captain came forward at that, "You're just some pretty thing out slumming it." Sophie had joined her then, and Ruth could see the man grin. "And with a prettier little thing along for the ride."

Ruth stalked towards the gangplank, "Captain Fallon, I can assure you that if you do not apologize immediately and stop your barge."

She swore she could see him pale in the darkness, "How do you know my name?"

"Because I pay your goddamn salary!" She growled, "And your five children and your wife would be very upset to lose that. Turn off your engines, send your men to bed, and wait until you receive new orders."

The man hardly hesitated. "Shut it down, lads." He didn't book with their complaints, unleashing a torrent of curses that sent the men running to obey. He glanced back, "Sorry, ma'am."

"I expect you to be tied up securely." Ruth turned, wanting to be back in her office. "When a man pulls up in a boat, send him inside. We'll be waiting." Sophie trailed in her wake, and the man watching over the offices gave them a brief nod as they walked past. As soon as they had reached the office, Ruth drew the curtains aside and turned the lights on.

Sophie immediately went to them, gazing out. "You're sure he's coming?"

"That man would do anything for you." Ruth shook her head, smiling. "What's a nighttime jaunt through the harbor?"

"Isn't there traffic?"

"Not as much, it's why we typically move munitions late in the day or at night. There's less chance of them getting hit." Ruth sat down with a groan, her dancing shoes ill-suited for running around the docks at night. She was lucky she hadn't turned an ankle while rushing to stop Captain Fallon. It was better in the office, although they could only wait. As it was, they couldn't do much else.

Sophie took to perusing the shelves, although she always came back to the window. Ruth snorted when Sophie abandoned a ledger to look out again. "You know, it's a good thing you're not devoted to your husband. Right now would be a perfect chance for you to steal information for him."

"I'm devoted to Morris." She replied snippily, although she almost cheered the next minute. "He's here! I can see him coming up the dock." Ruth couldn't help but smile as the girl raced for the door, halfway out of it as she started calling for him. She watched as Morris caught her in his arms, lifting her and walking back inside. "You're here!"

He chuckled, setting her down. "I said I would be, didn't I?"

"And now that you're here, we need to settle on a plan." Ruth stood, coming around her desk. "If we're going to have all harbor traffic stopped, we need details on why it has to stop."

Morris turned to her, "And rail traffic, Mrs. Dalian. Plenty of those munitions get brought in by rail."

"But what could they be doing there?" Sophie worried, "Are they going to steal them?"

He looked over to her, "I doubt it. Are you sure you didn't hear anything specific?"

"All they said was it was happening tonight."

His brow furrowed, "And exactly why were you palling around with the German Ambassador?"

Sophie glanced away, "I, I'm hoping that if I'm helpful to him, and Henry, they might be able to send word about my brothers. Henry said that they might be able to include letters in their diplomatic packages."

"Sophie," He sighed, reaching over to brush her cheek. "You really shouldn't-" Whatever he was about to say was cut off as the windows suddenly shattered, splintered glass flying across the office. Ruth brought her hands up to her face, feeling glass cut through her arms where the gloves didn't cover her skin. A massive roar tore through the room, and Ruth felt her ears ringing as she fell to the floor.

Everything seemed a blur when she opened her eyes, the electric lights refracting off the broken glass that covered everything. Morris was curled around Sophie, his back to the windows and her head clutched to his chest. The both of them were slowly moving, glass shards shedding as they asked after each other. Ruth looked at her own arms, seeing the shallow cuts that had already begun to bleed.

Morris noticed them too, reaching for the linen napkins that were kept with the small bar cart. "Mrs. Dalian, you're bleeding." She was still blinking stupidly as he shook out the napkins and wrapped her cuts as best he could.

Sophie's voice was weak, "Look." She was back at the windows, a breeze ruffling her hair. Ruth glanced over, her eyes widening as she took in what had split the night. Across the harbor, a fire raged high enough she could see the line of the Statue of Liberty against the flames. Sophie's hand was covering her mouth, "Is that the island?"

"Yes." Morris joined them. "Obviously what they were planning was to blow it up."

Ruth was still mesmerized by the fire, "My God, look at it." She couldn't tear her eyes away, wondering just how many explosives had been set off and how much ammunition had been lost. There must have been people there, night watchmen, crews of barges tied up, train drivers, and there was no question of their survival.

The sound of glass crunching underfoot behind them heralded the arrival of the night watchman, her driver behind him. "Mrs. Dalian, thank God you're alright."

Ruth turned, "Please get the car ready. There's nothing more for us to do here." Their footsteps faded as she turned to the other two. "We need to go, we can't do anything now."

Morris pursed his lips, "I'll need to take the launch back."

"And I need to return to Zachary." Sophie drooped, "He's more than likely already worried about the time, this will only make it worse."

Ruth came over, taking both of their hands. "The both of you will come pay an afternoon call on me tomorrow. Sophie, bring the children. Tell Zachary that you're taking pity on me since it's the closest I'll ever get to having grandchildren. He'll love feeling spiteful." She looked to Morris. "And you should bring her flowers, and gifts for the children. Especially for your boys."

He blushed slightly, "You don't need to tell me to bring gifts."

"You should, though." Ruth chuckled, "You two need to see each other more often. It's not good for those boys to be away from their father for so long." Sophie didn't even comment, throwing her arms around Ruth in a hug. Ruth returned it, knowing that this night would seem far, far away tomorrow afternoon.