I fiddled with my pearls, letting them run through my fingers over and over. It was comforting, as was the feeling of Will at my back. He cuddled me closer to him, his hands running over my arms. We had just come back from dinner, back at the Ritz in London yet again. Early April saw the city covered in drizzle, but it at least kept the smoke down. Will gently tugged at my hair, "Quit worrying, Ana. Tomorrow will go fine."

"But why do they keep asking me to come?" I set my necklace aside, the only thing Will had left on me when we had fallen into bed. "I don't want to go to this party, not after what they did to Jellicoe."

"He's going to be there." Will stretched out in the bed. "As will Fisher, and a half dozen others you know. Not to mention the American officers."

"And Ethel, and Beatty." I draped myself over his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "And Oscar and Penelope, along with any other influential American they can find."

"Which you are." He chuckled, "There will be plenty of people there who will be glad to see you."

"And I'll be glad to see them," I grumbled, "But I would have preferred spending time with you in our home. I want you to see the changes I've made."

Will squeezed me, "You've described it wonderfully, although it sounds as if you didn't change much."

"It's so much more open now." I pressed a kiss to his chest. "Two more bedrooms, a larger parlor, and Rigel loves how much bigger the yard is."

"God have mercy on Rowan and Kate, you're going to owe them quite a tip for watching him."

I lightly smacked his chest, "Oh hush, Rigel is not that bad. You just didn't want to deal with him in the hotel." Will lifted my hand, kissing each fingertip. I sighed, rolling my eyes. "You're making it very hard to stay mad at you."

"I'm quite sure I can convince you to forgive me even quicker." He lifted himself over me, caging me in his arms. "There are some benefits to spending our time in a hotel you know."

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pulling him closer. "Like what?"

"Well, you don't have to get up in the morning and cook your own breakfast." He trailed his lips down the side of my neck, lightly biting my shoulder. "You can relax in bed after your husband has made love to you all night."

I cocked a leg around his hips, already feeling him rising to attention. "All night? You sound quite sure of yourself."

He rocked his hips against mine, drawing a gasp from me. "When have I ever disappointed?" He bent down, kissing a path to my breasts. I sighed happily as his hands traced their way up my thighs, enjoying the way he knew just what pleased me. His fingers were so clever, teasing and stroking in the way that made me pant and writhe beneath him.

It was when he entered me though that I cursed, making him smirk as he slowly pulled out and thrust himself back home. God, I missed this when he was away. I wanted him in my bed, I wanted him in me, and to not have him drove me mad. So I clung to him as I felt the pleasure build within me, my voice high and keening as it crested and left me boneless beneath him as he finished.

That act was repeated several times throughout the night, and Will was right, in the morning I did not want to get up and make my breakfast. I was far too content to have my husband bring a tray to the bed, both of us settling down to eat. Having a whole day to prepare for the party was a luxury, even if I would have preferred to be in my own bed. It made me feel like I was back in New York, enjoying myself by reading as much as I liked, taking a hot bath and luxuriating in the water. Will seemed to enjoy that, lingering to watch me as I kept reading in the tub.

He even sat beside the tub, rubbing shampoo through my hair. "I miss our large tub, I want to be in there with you."

I hummed, leaning against the tub. "I don't think we could fit one that large in Southampton."

"Probably not." He dipped his hands into the water, cupping them and letting the water rinse the soap from my hair. "Ana, after the war ends, I'm going to retire."

I cocked my head, doing my best to look at him while not tangling my hair around his fingers. "Retire?"

"From the sea." He removed his fingers, allowing me to twist so I could face him. He reached out, tracing his fingers over my shoulder. "I don't need to keep working, we're comfortable. I've done my duty to my country, and I've lost years of time with you." Will leaned forward, resting his forehead against mine. "I don't want to lose anymore, I want us to start our family and I want to be there for it."

I smiled, gently kissing his cheek. "So long as it's your decision, then I'll accept it."

"I would much rather spend time as your husband than continue being a captain."

"But what if I would prefer to be an Admiral's wife?" I teased, chuckling when he rolled his eyes. "Admiral William Murdoch and his wife Anastasia, it does have a nice ring to it."

Will shook his head, "If you're going to take Ethel as an inspiration-"

"And you'll take Beatty?" I giggled. "There's no need for Admiral Murdoch, I'm quite content with my Captain." He was chuckling as he threw a washcloth at me, and I quickly scrubbed myself clean. He was much less enthused when I made him help me dry my hair, grumbling as towel after towel was sacrificed. I tossed my now dry locks over my shoulder to begin to brush them, "I can't control how many towels it takes to dry my hair."

"You didn't need to wash it." He bundled up the towels, tossing them into the corner of the room. "It looked fine."

"It had been several days!" I glared at him, although I was smiling. "Besides, now I can put perfume in it and you can spend all night smelling it."

"I suppose." He smirked, glancing over at a knocking on the door. "I believe that's your maid."

"Indeed." I rose to answer the door, letting the maid from the hotel in. She followed me into the small dressing room of our suite, helping me into a fresh set of undergarments and the dress I had chosen for tonight. After Will's encounter with Lucille in Scotland, I had resumed my patronage of her designs. As pretentious as she was with her names, tonight's gown was called "Through Allies, Peace", she did have a dab hand with fabric.

I gave a twirl in front of the mirror, admiring the lines of the dress. Pale blue silk clung tightly to my chest, a layer of pales chiffon covered in silver beads draped artfully over it in before being captured in the tight sash around my waist and falling in pleats to my ankles. The maid was full of compliments as she dressed my hair and applied powder, rogue and perfume. My pearls suited the soft colors of the dress, everything about my outfit perfect for early spring.

Will hardly needed any help to don his formal uniform, although he seemed to appreciate my assistance in clasping his belt around his waist. He even allowed me to fetch his sword and clip it on, the both of us donning our silk gloves after. I sighed to see him in that uniform, the epaulettes dangling over his shoulders. The only thing that would have made it better would have been to see the medals he so richly deserved on his chest, but Jellicoe seemed to have forgotten about them.

I reminded myself to bother someone at the Admiralty about them.

My husband deserved to be covered in medals, although when I made that remark to him as we entered the cab, he shook his head. "Ana, love, they'll never give me anything."

I frowned, "Why not? You've been so brave, and you've served in the Reserves for so long. There hasn't been a single mark against you, Jellicoe told me so himself."

"There is one black mark against me, a rather large one." His voice fell, "Titanic, Ana, I'm lucky to have made it to Captain. I wouldn't count on more coming. No medals, no commendations, if the Unicorn hadn't been needed so desperately, I likely would never have commanded such a large ship."

I slipped my hand around his arm. "Will, you were placed in command because you were worthy of that position. If Titanic is such a detriment to your reputation, then you being placed in command of a battlecruiser should show you how wonderful a sailor you are."

"You're too kind." He gave my hand a squeeze. "You've played a large part in my keeping command of that ship. Who wants to badmouth a man when his wife is working so diligently at charitable causes?"

"Oh hush." I shook my head. "We can continue shifting the blame for your success after the party." The drive was much shorter than the one to Greenwich when I had thrown my party, although I kept my eyes open as we walked into the hall that had been reserved. The decorations were reserved, the staff obsequious and the drinks flowing liberally.

Will stayed by my side as we joined the line of people waiting to greet our hosts, and I took the moment to examine the new First Sea Lord. He was older than Will, but still had a head full of slicked down dark hair. What drew my eye was the monocle he affected, flashing in the electric lights. Will paused when we reached the front of the line, sketching a bow as an aide introduced us. Lord Wemyss cast a discerning glance through his monocle, "I have heard of both of you. Captain Murdoch you've acquitted yourself well, and Mrs. Murdoch is spoken of most highly by those who know of her causes."

Lady Wemyss, dark haired and dark eyed, cast a look my way. "Your work with Mrs. Beatty on the Jutland relief fund was marvelous."

I blushed and began fumbling for something to say, saved by Will stepping in. "You are both too kind, thank you for inviting us."

"Go on," Lord Wemyss waved a hand toward the rest of the hall. "I'm quite sure you know a good number of people here. We can speak more later." I kept my hand on Will's arm as we moved off. There were so many people already in the hall, and I had to smile at the sight of American army and navy officers.

For so long I had been waiting for them to join in the war, and now they were here. They were certainly popular, many of the guests had flocked to them and were listening raptly to various conversations they were having. I could see Lord Jellicoe speaking to an American captain, and I felt a twinge of sympathy for the man. Jellicoe was a decent sort, and yet the Prime Minister had essentially forced him out in order to put his own man in place. Now he was floating, still retaining his rank and serving in the navy, but with no official position.

I couldn't help but be glad when Will turned us away, for I was unsure of what I could say to him. Will led us throughout the crowds, many guests dismissing us since Will was only a mere captain. They flocked to the Admirals and Lords, Admiral Beatty and Ethel were preening in a corner and acting as if they were a loving couple.

Will paused, gesturing towards a blonde woman on the arm of another captain. "That's Beatty's mistress."

I raised a brow, watching as her husband stiffly offered her a drink. "Her husband looks miserable."

"Let's hope he has a mistress of his own." Will chuckled, drawing us towards the bar. His lips quirked into a smile as he saw a pair of guests, his voice light as he called to them. "Oscar, Penelope, over here!"

Penelope was dressed in yet another fine gown, a wonderfully creamy yellow that was trimmed with silk flowers and lace. She complimented Oscar well, his suit as tailored as ever. Oscar held out a hand, shaking Will's. "Finally, at least there's someone we know."

"Indeed." Will nodded to Penelope, "It feels like half of London has been crammed in here."

"I think it's only a quarter." Penelope raised a brow, looking out. "Isn't that the Duke of York?"

I turned, indeed seeing a rather harried Bertie rushing towards us. I stepped closer to Will to allow him to join our little group. "Bertie, I didn't know you were coming."

"D-David refused, so I was asked to make an appearance." He glanced over his shoulder. "Perhaps w-we could get drinks and move somewhere else? The m-m-mamas have brought their daughters, they keep shoving them at me."

Will made sure to keep all of us around Bertie as we collected a round of drinks and headed off. The party spilled over multiple rooms, all of them filled with people and music. The largest room had been given over as a dance hall, a band on a stage at the end. A corner, well supplied with chairs and tables, was quickly taken over by our group.

Fortunately, it was tucked away behind a few potted palms, providing Bertie with some much needed privacy.

Privacy was not on my mind however, for I pulled Will towards the dancing and into a waltz. It had been too long since I had danced with him, since I had felt his hands on my waist and his steps in time with mine. We stayed out for the next song, a tango, then a foxtrot, and one last waltz. Oscar and Penelope were out as well for that one, mooning over each other in a way that made me smile.

I was parched by the time we returned to our seats, finishing my glass of wine in a few swallows as Will fell into a discussion with Bertie about the American ships that had joined them. I trailed my fingers over Will's shoulder, whispering to him. "I'm just going to get another drink."

He patted my hand, "Hurry back before someone tries to get Bertie to dance." I chuckled at that, knowing that Bertie would gladly have spent all night talking and drinking with Will, well hidden from any debutantes looking for a royal title. Perhaps I would take Bertie out for a spin on the dance floor towards the end of the night, it would certainly give Ethel something to gossip about.

But for right now, I wanted wine. I had no doubt that Lady Wemyss had organized the refreshments, and I would have to compliment her on the sweet white wine she had found. Fortunately, there was plenty available, and I quickly had a fresh glass in my hand. My return to my husband was forestalled though, the call of nature needed attending to. Luckily a table had been set up outside the powder room, so I was able to set my drink down, tend to things and collect it on my way out. I greedily took another swallow, relishing in the taste. I hadn't had wine like this since I had opened up the hospital, being up in Scotland meant that whiskey was more readily available.

I paused for a moment, looking out at the dance floor and watching the other guests swirl and spin before my eyes. For all my grumbling earlier about how I wanted to stay in Southampton, I had missed this. The music, the drinking, the dancing, it was like being back in New York. Even hearing American accents, God I had missed hearing my countrymen. Loud, brash, unrefined even for those brought up in wealth, but it was enough to make me smile.

That smile fell quickly though, a heavy hand falling on my shoulder. "Such a wonderful sight, isn't it my dear?" I turned my head, seeing Henry Reichster standing beside me. A few gray hairs threaded through his black mane, his green eyes were more bloodshot and his face flushed, but still handsome. He smirked, "Did you really think I wouldn't track you down here? You're not the only one who runs ships to England. I've got a cabin waiting for us in Liverpool."

I wanted to scream, to cause a scene, but my tongue felt numb. My legs trembled, my feet feeling like they were trapped in mud, but none of that affected him. He was still strong, easily gripping my shoulder and holding me upright as he turned us away from the dance floor. "Anastasia, for shame, you know you shouldn't drink so much." That was a performance for those around us, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper as he steered us towards the door. "Everyone in New York will be so disappointed when you're lost at sea, especially in the same spot where your father died. Your husband will likely shoot himself, as he should have done years ago."

Will, I needed Will. I needed someone, someone to stop him as he pulled me along on my stumbling feet. Someone to force this black ring away from my eyes, to make my eyelids feel lighter and my mind race again. Something to free my voice and let me scream for help. I bit my lip, the pain causing the black ring to receded for a moment. It was enough for me to recognize an older man at the cloakroom, enough for me to wrench myself away from Henry and gracelessly throw myself onto a startled Lord Fisher. My voice was slurred as I slipped into unconsciousness, "John, help me. Don't let him take me!" I couldn't fight the black taking over my vision, the sweet embrace of sleep clasping me tightly. "Will, get my husband."

I could barely hear the shouting that erupted, Fisher engaging the voice that had once shouted orders on the deck of a battleship. "Find a surgeon, a doctor! Someone carry her to the parlor, and for God's sake, find Captain Murdoch!"

Will had drawn Oscar into their discussion about the American battleships that were currently in the Firth and how he had been volunteered as a liaison between the two fleets. Even Bertie was smirking as Will spoke, "Honestly, Beatty seems to think I was teaching at the naval college the way he expected me to know these men."

"You should have called me to come up," Oscar chuckled, "I would obviously know all of them given my grandfather, the Commodore."

"You're lucky Ethel hasn't tried to get her claws in you." Will shot back, taking a sip of his whiskey. His other hand dipped into his pocket, brushing over the watch chain of Ana's hair as he pulled his watch out. He frowned as he looked at the time, Ana had been gone for quite some time.

They all started as a face burst through the palms, a harried looking officer locking eyes with Will. "There you are, sir. You're needed."

"By who?" Will furrowed his brow. "Beatty?"

"No, sir. Lord Fisher," The man hesitated, glancing around before lowering his voice. "It's your wife, sir. Lord Fisher needs you to come immediately." Will wasn't even conscious of getting out of his chair, nor of the fact that their small group was following him. They were peppering the officer with questions as he led them through the party, but Will was silent. Ana, God, Ana what had happened?

When the door to a parlor was opened, Will didn't even acknowledge the other men inside, forcing his way to the settee where Ana lay. Her eyes were closed, her face calm and her breathing peaceful. A man knelt beside her, her wrist in his hand. He glanced up at Will, "Are you here husband?" Will couldn't speak, he could only nod. "So far as we can tell, she's not dying. But someone poisoned her with something, she hasn't woken since she threw herself at Fisher."

"Almost dropped her on the floor." Fisher had come up beside Will, "She just fell unconscious, but she asked for you."

"Who did this?" Will could hardly force the words out, kneeling beside the settee and taking Ana's hand, now free from the doctor. "What did they give her?"

Fisher shifted behind him, "I couldn't name the man. Large fellow, older, dark hair. She looked as if she was fighting whatever was effecting her, he ran as soon as she got to me."

"Her pulse is normal." The doctor, at least that's what Will assumed he was, paced the length of the room. "Breathing is normal, there hasn't been any adverse reaction aside from the fact that she won't wake up."

"It could have been sleeping drops." Penelope clearly wasn't afraid to speak up in the room full of men. "I once took too large of a dose in college, I was told that was how I was until they wore off."

Will looked over his shoulder, "How long?"

"It depends on how large a dose she was given." Penelope rocked her head from side to side. "Perhaps a day or more."

"We can't be certain that's what she was given." The doctor snorted. "It could have been anything."

"Then we have the hall and the guests searched." Bertie said, his voice firm and decisive. "Anyone who has sleeping drops on them, or anything that could have done this, we detain them. And we look to see if whoever did this tried to get rid of the evidence."

An older officer, Will wasn't sure who, shook his head. "Lieutenant, you cannot order your superiors around. Every man at the party is practically a higher rank than you, let them decide the course of action."

Bertie whirled on the man, venom in his voice. "I am the bloody Duke of York and I am not going to stand by while my commanding officer's wife was attacked! Search the hall and the guests, now!"

Fisher stepped forward, a gentle hand on Bertie's arm. "Your Royal Highness, you'll have to forgive him. He's unaware of your position."

At any other time, Will would have smiled to see the man quaver at his faux pas, promising to arrange a search of the entire hall and to bring in the guest list in case they might recognize any names. Now he couldn't tear himself away from Ana, from holding her hand and speaking softly to her. She gave no response though, her expression calm and relaxed as she continued sleeping. Will brought her hand to his lips, kissing her palm before folding her arm across her chest.

Oscar had drawn Penelope away to speak quietly, but turned to him as he approached. Will sighed, dropping his head. "What can I do, Oscar? I can't just leave her here."

Oscar glanced back towards the settee, "You could take her back to the Ritz, we could have a doctor on call and keep you informed about what's going on." He stepped closer, a hand on Will's shoulder. "She needs you more than you're needed here."

Bertie was the one who helped Will lift Ana and get into a cab, promising to bring him anything that was found. It was rather difficult to get her out of the cab and back up to their room, but the staff was discreet enough to not comment on the help they gave him, or on the fact that he asked for a doctor to be available at all times.

Will trusted no one but himself to get Ana out of her dress though, and he laid her nightgown next to her. "I'm sorry love, but you don't need to sleep in your corset." It was awkward to shift her into a sitting position and unbutton her gown and unlace her corset. Will did his best to focus on the sound of her breathing, a reminder that she was alive and he wasn't tending to a corpse. It took a good deal of maneuvering, but eventually she was resting under the blankets in her nightgown.

Will pulled a chair over beside the bed, debating pouring himself a whiskey. God, he wanted one. He deserved one after what had happened. But then he looked at Ana, sleeping so deeply that he had no idea when she would wake. He wanted to be there for that, to see her eyes open and hear her voice.

He rang for coffee instead.

It was early morning when Bertie knocked on the door, taking a seat in the small parlor. Will kept the door to the bedroom open, the sound of Ana breathing a comfort. Bertie fiddled with something in his pocket, pulling out a glass bottle and setting it on the table. "It was sleeping drops; we found this bottle tossed in a plant near the bathrooms."

Will turned the bottle over in his hands, it had an American label and was dry as a bone. "Did he use all of them on her?"

"I'm n-not sure." Bertie reached back into his pocket, pulling out a paper. "We have no idea how full it was, or if some spilled into the plant. We did get the guestlist though, Mr. Vanderbilt feels that he knows who it was. He marked the name for you."

Will took the list, ignoring every name but the one marked with an X. Henry Reichster, it was enough to make him spit. He had been there, he had been there and almost taken Ana and Will hadn't even noticed. He crumped up the paper, throwing it away and holding back a curse. He was all to aware of Bertie watching him, and he ground his teeth. "It was him, I have no doubt. He's been after Ana since her father died, she spurned his son and he's been obsessed with getting revenge."

"I've sent word around to arrest him, if he's found." Bertie twisted his hands, "Sir, I'm sorry for my outburst earlier. It was not w-well done."

"No one can blame you for being angry." Will sat back down, "If I get my hand on that Reichster I'm killing him."

"I could arrange a royal p-pardon if needed." Bertie chuckled, rising and bidding a farewell. Will returned to his chair and his coffee, fetching a book from Ana's trunk. Yet another Verne novel, it was well loved and his wife had marked her place with a ribbon.

Will chuckled as he turned to the page, "Launching yourself out of a gun to reach the moon, you love such wild stories, darling." He hoped his voice soothed her, for the reading soothed him. It helped pass the time, a weak sunrise barely flitting through the thick gray clouds that blanketed the city. Not even noon could break through the rain, although Will did pull back the curtains. Ana loved the rain, so long as it didn't last for too long.

The constant patter of rain and the weak light made Will feel drowsy himself, he'd been up a full day. The coffee was helping, but his words were slurring slightly by the afternoon. There was only so long he could read before his eyes began to droop, the book sliding down his lap. He wasn't fully asleep, he couldn't allow himself that, but he could doze. And perhaps he could sleep for five minutes, just enough to wake him back up.

"Will?" Her voice was strained, but it jolted him right awake. Ana was looking at him, she was awake, her eyes were open and her hands clumsy as she wiped at her face. "Will?"

He grabbed her hand, kissing her fingers. "Ana, oh, Ana. Thank God, thank God you're awake."

"Will," Her fingers twitched in his grasp. "Henry, he-"

"I know, I know." He sat beside her on the bed. "But he's gone, Bertie's having him looked for."

Ana coughed, and Will fetched her a glass of water. She swallowed half of it before speaking, "He's gone, he said he was going to take me to a cabin on a ship of his in Liverpool." Her face paled, "He said he was going to throw me overboard when we reached where Father died."

Will ground his teeth, "The next time I see him, I'm killing him Ana. There's no discussion, he's dying." Ana nodded, for there was nothing else to say. Will spent the rest of the evening tending to her, helping her bathe and ordering food for them. He wanted to spend days with her, to ensure that she was fully recovered before he had to head back up to Scotland. Even after two days recovery, her steps were still slow when they entered the train station.

He held her close, comforted by the warmth of her. "I don't want you going anywhere alone, not until we know he isn't lurking around. Rowan or Mr. Collins, hell, ask Welton to help. But I don't want you alone."

She nodded, holding him tightly. "I know, I know. I'll be safe, I promise."

"I don't want to go Ana, I want to stay with you."

"We'll be back together soon, Will. I know it."