Nate walked along the deck in the evening air thinking about a young girl named Clara Forsyth. He didn't know whether to go after her or leave her be, it was obvious she didn't like him. Why worry? Wasn't his mother right when she said he could have any young woman he wished? Nate wasn't a bad looking fellow; instead he was quite the opposite with high cheekbones and his dark hair.

Looking at his pocket watch he decided to find his parents and say hello to the prominent guests they were entertaining. They were probably still in the dining saloon, it was early for them to have retired to the lounge and smoking room. That was the best thing about his parents, they were terribly predictable. Taking the stairs two at a time he jumped off the last one and nearly stumbled into Mr. Benjamin Guggenheim.

"Sorry sir." Nate said with a flustered nod.

"Quite all right, my boy." Mr. Guggenheim replied as he continued his walk.

Nate's father waved at him as he entered the semi-crowded dining saloon and sat down at his family's table. Mr. Bruce Ismay gave a stiff, "Hello Nathaniel," before returning to his conversation with Mr. West.

"How did your dinner go with your friends?" Emily inquired. She looked frail compared to Clara.

"It was superb mother, I could hardly ask for a better meal. Good evening Mrs. Astor, how are you fairing?" Nate asked thinking how outlandish it felt to sound so formal after a day of liberation. He wondered what Clara was doing with her friends.

"I am quite well, thank you," replied Madeleine, Emily patted her hand and the women began another discussion.

Nate listened to the gossip about Mrs. Molly Brown, how much speed the Titanic was clocking and things of the sort. Taking the fine linen napkin, he began folding it until he bored of it. Clay and Augusta were probably taking a stroll on B-deck but he didn't want to interrupt them. Jordan's actions at dinner had upset him enough he didn't want to spend more time around the brute.

"Nathaniel, what do you think of the Titanic?" Mr. Ismay suddenly asked him and Nate snapped out of his daydreaming.

"She's marvelous Mr. Ismay. I see what they mean when they say she is the grandest ever built." Nate said with a slight bob of his head.

Mr. Ismay thought for a moment before he nodded his agreement. "Yes she is and I'm proud to say she belongs to the White Star Line. Mr. West..."

Nate didn't even bother listening to what Mr. Ismay was saying; it was like he was a statue. He understood why Clara hadn't liked her visit, everyone acted as though they wore stiff clothing.

*

Meanwhile, in the third-class general room Clara stood at the doorway watching her friends dance. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and she finally felt more at home. She waited for another minute before she turned and made her way back to her berth where Poppet lay. He looked doubly happy as she shut the door and fell belly first on her berth.

"Oh, Poppet, things will be so much better when we dock in New York and you and me can find father. He'll put us to work so we don't have anything like Mr. Nathaniel West to think about."

The giant dog placed his head in Clara's lap and drifted back to sleep while she stroked his fur.

"I thought I might find you here, Clara. Did it go that bad?" Ivy asked from the doorway and Clara jumped.

"You were right when you said Nate and I were too different to get along."

"Blimey, did they give you that dress?" Ivy entered the room and sat next to Clara to stare at the green dress.

"If a dress could burn, this one has me on fire, Ivy." Clara felt that oddly familiar feeling of tears well inside her.

"Clara, the best thing you may do is get changed so's you look like one of us and come dance. It's a fine time we're having out there and Edward hasn't had a partner all night."

Clara gently pushed Poppet off her and stood, Ivy wordlessly unbuttoned the dress. She kicked off the shoes, dug into her bag and realized she didn't have her boots, she'd left them in Augusta's cabin.

"I guess it will do to lift my spirits. I'm a fool, Ivy, a brainless fool!" Clara found the whole thing absurdly funny and laughed.

"That's the Clara I like, now come on least we miss the good times." Ivy ushered the shoeless Clara out the door.

Once she entered the general room she was swept away by the joyous atmosphere. She grabbed the nearest glass and downed whatever was in it before she sought out Edward. He stood near the door tapping his feet with a large smile on his face and she nearly fell onto him.

"I heard you're in need of a dance partner!" She shouted with a lopsided grin and Edward didn't ask any questions.

She clung to Edward as they swirled around the floor laughing and having a somewhat good time.

*

Nate was tired of being polite, he was frankly tired of everything and he decided to go find Clara. He didn't care what she said, there were times he knew she felt something towards him. Breaking into a semi-run he flew onto A-deck and down the stairs leading to B-deck then found the one where he met Clara earlier that day. It seemed so long ago even though it was only less than eight hours.

He heard the music long before he got to the general room. As he stood in the doorway trying to find her, he realized how out of place he was. Would he always feel that way around these people? Shaking the thought from his head he told himself they wouldn't be on the Titanic forever. All of a sudden Nate saw her; she was in the arms of a tall man who looked to be having a grand ol' time. He was late; the man was probably Edward and most likely didn't want Nate cutting in on him.

As Edward tipped her in the direction of the doorway, Clara saw the briefest glimpse of Nate. Let him go, her voice said but she couldn't shake the feeling that a part of her was attracted to him.

"Dreamers never go far," muttered Clara and Edward cocked his eyebrows.

She knew what would drive Nate away, make him want to forget her, she pulled Edward to her and kissed him. She heard Ivy whistle from nearby and others chuckled but she didn't find it funny. When she glanced up, the look on Nate's face almost felt as if it could burn a hole in her.

She'd made her point.

He knew when he wasn't wanted and Clara Forsyth obviously didn't care for him and he wasn't going to waste more time. Nate whirled on his heel and stomped up to B-deck where he could get some fresh air. He was a fool to think someone as free as Clara would fall for a chained man such as himself. Fine, what did he care, he had a business he had to learn how to run.

His mother was right, once he returned to New York he'd take up his studies again, become supervisor of West Manufacturing.

Clara returned to the dancing and washed away every thought of Nathaniel West. Edward was a fine man and it wasn't like she had to find a husband candidate before the end of the voyage. Abby had dragged a young officer into the mass of people and she looked quite happy. If her friends were happy she'd be happy as well, that's what she thought as she started tiring. After three hours of nearly solid dancing, Clara stumbled back to her berth and fell into her bed. She didn't bother changing as she shut her eyes and started dreaming of her home. Things would be so much better once she reached her father, all three of them would be happy again.