Jamie took Dani's hand and led her through the bustling crowds of people on the ship down to a community room in E deck, briefly stopping in her room to change back into her trousers, t-shirt, suspenders, and boots. It was a completely different world below deck. Dozens of men, women, and children were dancing and partying as an Irish band played a lively jig. The air smelled like beer and cigarettes and not a single person in the room wasn't happy. Some men were gambling while others arm wrestled at little tables, coming dangerously close to sending pints of beer flying. It was hectic and chaotic and so incredibly freeing. Dani felt adrenaline rushing through her veins and she finally felt like she found somewhere that she fit in. All throughout her life, she never felt like she belonged. Curfews and rules and lists of things she can't do. Playing the role of Miss Dani Clayton, property of Edmund O'Mara. But down here? She could be Dani.

Once Dani and Jamie got closer to the center of the room, the song changed and an even more frantic song came on. A small girl approached Jamie and grabbed her hands, dragging her to the dance floor. She had messy long brown hair and was wearing a white ruffled dress with tiny sandals.

"You came back, Jamie!" she cried out gleefully. She also had a British accent. She and Jamie linked arms and spun around to the beat.

"'Course I did, Flora," Jamie yelled over the music. "And I brought someone special!" Flora grinned at Dani with a knowing look in her eyes. She whisked Jamie off to the center of the dance floor where they joined two other people she seemed to know: a young boy who resembled her and a middle aged man. Perhaps her brother and father, Dani thought.

Dani sat down next to some men who were speaking another language. They said something to her but she shrugged her shoulders and smiled as she replied that she did not understand. One of the men handed her a beer and she began sipping it as she watched Jamie and Flora dance on the floor. Behind them, a man fell down, taking a table and many drinks with him. Dani watched in horror but her expression quickly changed to amusement once he jumped back up and cheered, accepting a beer from one of his friends who helped him up. Dani laughed to herself and turned her eyes back toward Jamie, whose beauty could stand out in any crowd, even if she was dressed manly.

Flora continued dancing with her and on one of her laps around the dance floor, grabbed Dani's hands and pulled her in with them.

"Oh!" Dani exclaimed. "No! I can't dance!"

"Sure you can!" Flora said as she dragged Dani around and showed her some dance moves. For a tiny human being, Flora was surprisingly strong. Dani was aware she looked ridiculous but for once she didn't care what other people around her thought. Everyone around her was having so much fun and cheering each other on as they danced. She caught a glimpse of Jamie watching her, an amused expression on her face. God, those eyes.

Once the song ended, the band members took a few moments to chug down some beers and take a few drags of cigarettes. Flora took Dani's hand and led her over to the two people she had seen her with earlier. Jamie followed close behind them, taking Dani's other hand. With them was a tall woman with dark hair, sharing a drink with the man.

"Mum, Dad, Miles. This is Dani!" Flora proudly said as she introduced Dani to them, presenting her like a prize. "Dani, this is my brother and my parents."

"Nice to meet you all," Dani said earnestly, shaking their hands. "Flora is quite the dancer!" They all chuckled.

"I'm glad you made a new friend," Flora's mother said. "Nice to meet you, Dani. I'm Charlotte Wingrave and this is my husband, Dominic. We are staying in the same room as Jamie, who I see you have already met." She eyed Dani and Jamie's hands, which were still intertwined, and smiled. Dani blushed and nodded her head.

"Right," Jamie said definitively as the music began playing again. "Now if you don't mind, Flora, I'm gonna go dance with my date."

Flora groaned exaggeratedly and mumbled, "I guess so. But you better dance with me again tomorrow night!"

My date echoed in Dani's head over the sound of the music as Jamie brought her back to the center of the dance floor. She twirled Dani around and pulled her in close, their chests touching. Dani was buzzing with excitement as she grabbed another pint of beer and chugged it in less than ten seconds, making Jamie's eyes go wide and a grin spread across her face.

"Damn, Poppins," Jamie said amusedly. "Didn't know you could toss 'em back like that."
Dani laughed and spun back to face Jamie after she downed the remainder of Jamie's beer, and oh there was the alcohol. The room was slightly spinning and Jamie seemed to have multiplied. Dani never really drank much more than an occasional glass of champagne, so two and a half pints of beer had successfully done the trick.

"You know," Dani said with a slur, "you are so sexy." She jabbed a finger at Jamie and looped her finger underneath one of Jamie's suspender straps. Jamie chuckled and pulled Dani in closer, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"And you are drunk," Jamie replied.

"Yes," Dani said with a giggle, as she began dancing with Jamie. Dani had never been this happy in her life. Jamie felt like home, a feeling Dani had never been so sure of.

The band announced that they would be playing one final song for the evening and thanked everyone for listening. Dani stared over at them in anticipation of another fast paced song, but instead a slow song began ringing out. She turned back to face Jamie who suddenly looked almost shy. Jamie shot her a small smile and then stared at the floor, rocking back on her heels.

"We don't need to dance to this one if you don't want to, Poppins," she said. "Sure the alcohol has made ya want to only move quickly."

The haze in Dani's head and the disconnect between her brain and mouth made it difficult to string words together. Dani attempted to say I want to and I want to dance with you, but what came out was, "I want you."

Dani stepped closer to Jamie and placed her arms on Jamie's shoulders, gently clasping her hands behind Jamie's neck. Jamie hesitated for a moment before placing her hands on Dani's waist and pulling her in closer so that they were pressed right up against each other. Dani rested her head on Jamie's shoulder as they slowly swayed back and forth to the song. Jamie's curls tickled Dani's face as they danced, making her giggle. She pushed a curl out of the way to whisper into Jamie's ear.

"I'm getting off the boat with you."

Jamie stepped back so that she could look at Dani in the eyes. Dani had glassy eyes and a big smile on her face.

"What?" Jamie asked in disbelief.

"I am getting off the boat with you," Dani repeated without slurring this time. "This is what I want. You are what I want." 

"You're drunk," Jamie said, a hint of sadness in her voice. "You won't remember this in the mornin'."

"Yes," Dani replied, "I will. This has been the best night of my life." She swayed, nearly falling over. Jamie caught her, steadying her shoulders so she remained upright.

"Mine too," Jamie said quietly, barely loud enough for Dani to hear. Dani pulled her into a tight hug, rubbing her hands on Jamie's back. Holding her felt so good, she never wanted to let go.

Jamie cleared her throat and broke apart from Dani. "Right," she said. "Let's get you to bed before your mum has me walk the plank for corruptin' you with my poorness."

Disappointment swelled in Dani's chest as she walked with Jamie back up the stairs to the higher decks. She didn't want the night to end, and she certainly didn't want to go back with her mother or Edmund. She silently prayed that they would be asleep when she returned to the suite.

Dani knew it was impossible to be with Jamie. She knew that she could only escape her family on the ship for so long before they would quite literally send security to find her. She knew she couldn't get off the ship with Jamie, as there would be a bounty for her head the moment they ran away. She knew that loving a woman was not acceptable in society, and that they would have to hide their feelings in public. She knew, and yet there was still a voice in her head saying you can figure it, out one day at a time.

Once they got to the top of the stairs on A deck, Jamie stopped walking. Dani turned to face her, taking Jamie's hands in her own.

"I will see you tomorrow," Dani said, mustering a smile. "I promise."

"Goodnight, Poppins," Jamie replied, reluctantly heading back down the steps. Dani sighed and slowly made her way back to the suites. She tiptoed in the darkness in the rooms, feeling her way around until she found her bed. Edmund was snoring obnoxiously.

Relief washed over Dani because she didn't have to worry about explaining to Edmund where she was and why she was drunk. But it was quickly replaced with panic as she knew she couldn't avoid the confrontation tomorrow. Not only the conversation she'd have with him, but the one she knew she'd have with her mother.

Sleep found Dani rather quickly. She dreamt of Jamie and the life they could have together. Laughing, going on adventures, enjoying each other's presence. Happiness. Freedom. Love.

Dani woke with tears streaming down her cheeks. Edmund shifted in bed, yawning loudly and reaching over to grab Dani. She wiped her eyes before he could open his and see her crying. He pulled her into a hug, but instantly recoiled.

"Danielle, why do you smell like alcohol?" he asked, concern in his voice.

"Because I fucking drank alcohol, why else?" she snapped, with more malice in her tone than she intended. Edmund looked purely horrified as she abruptly got out of bed. Dani's head was pounding and she needed water. She grabbed a change of clothes and stormed to the bathroom, slamming the door shut and locking it behind her.

She stuck her head under the sink faucet and drank gulp after gulp of water. Dani took a quick shower and got dressed, wishing she could stay locked in the bathroom forever instead of having to deal with whatever would come next.

The idea of disembarking the ship with Jamie kept dancing around in her head. She would only be on the ship for four more days, so surely she could endure that. She could spend four more days pretending that she loved Edmund, four more days of being prim and proper. Just four more days. 96 hours. She could do it.

Dani sighed before opening the bathroom door, ready to put on a fake smile and apologize to Edmund.

"Eddie, I'm sorry," she called out, scanning the room for him. "I'm just hungover."

But the only people in her room were her mother, staring at her with a stone cold expression and dead eyes, and Peter Quint, with a smirk on his face.

"I was informed of your excursions below deck," Karen spat.

Dani glared at Peter which only made him grin wider and wink at her.

"You had your man servant follow me?" Dani shouted. "I am not your prisoner."

"Peter, give us a minute alone," Karen said, annoyance in her voice. He nodded and left the room, leaving the door ajar. She turned to Dani with a disgusted look on her face.

"Danielle, I want you to listen to me, and listen to me well," she said in a quiet, threatening tone. "I don't know how many times I need to remind you that the only reason we have any sense of dignity is through the O'Maras. I don't think you understand that it is up to you to keep us wealthy and not homeless on the street begging for money. Do you want to see me working as a seamstress? Breaking my back 16 hours a day because you could not control your unnatural, immoral urges and stay with a wealthy, well-respected man? I told you not to see that gutter rat again, and you defied me. If you dare see her again, I will have her arrested."

"You can't fucking do that!" Dani screamed. Her mother stepped closer, inches away from Dani's face.

"You know what I am capable of," she said evenly. Dani felt tears welling up in her eyes and did her best to fight them. But her mother saw, and her expression darkened.

"Get a hold of yourself, Danielle. Now go apologize to your future husband. The man you are to be with." She emphasized man, shaking Dani firmly.

Dani watched her mother leave the room and slam the door behind her. Her heart sank and all hopes of a future with Jamie and being happy died. This is her life. The unfortunate reality of it hit Dani even harder in the moment as the tears began spilling down her cheeks. She was stupid to think that she could escape her mother and the life that she was forced to commit to. She knew she could not escape what was already set in stone. She knew it couldn't happen, and she knew she shouldn't have encouraged herself to pursue someone unobtainable.

Dani put on a fake smile and apologized to Edmund. She smiled through tea and she smiled through lunch. She smiled during the second tour of the ship that she attended, this time with other firstclassmen. She smiled and smiled until she got the opportunity to change outfits for dinner, and she cried her heart out.

- - -

Dani went for a short walk on the deck before dinner, in an attempt to find Jamie and end it, whatever it even was. Her heart was in her throat and she felt like she was going to vomit. She was walking along the outside edge of the promenade deck when she heard someone whisper her name. She turned to see where it had come from and saw Jamie wearing a large hat and black trench coat, most definitely not her own. Jamie was propping open the door to the exercise room and motioned for Dani to come in. Dani quickly looked around to see if any of her family was nearby, then hurried into the room with Jamie.

"Hey, you," Jamie said playfully. "Was hopin' I'd see you earlier in the day, but I'm just as glad to see ya now." Dani felt guilty. Jamie looked so genuinely happy to see her and now she was going to break her heart.

"I can't do this anymore," Dani said, barely a whisper. Jamie's face fell as she reached for Dani, who stepped backward to avoid her touch.

"Dani, what did they say to you?" Jamie asked, her eyes studying Dani's face.

"It doesn't matter, I can't be with you. It's impossible. I'm marrying Edmund, I have to." Dani turned to leave, but Jamie grabbed her hand and spun her around to face her.

"Dani, please." Jamie looked like she was going to cry. "We can keep our distance on the ship, and I can find you when we get off. We can make this work. We could have so many more years together! I know I have nothing to offer you, I only have ten dollars in my pocket. But Dani, you are the most amazing, astounding woman that I have ever met in my life."

"I can't. I'm sorry," Dani choked out as she pulled free from Jamie's grip and rushed out the door, nearly running back to her suite. Dani felt as though her ribs had shattered and each breath she took was excruciating, her heart physically hurting. Jamie's pained expression stained in her mind, and no matter how many times she blinked she could not stop seeing her.

Dani made it back to the suite just in time to join everyone as they headed to the dining hall for dinner. She felt more empty and numb than she ever had. She sat through dinner, barely touching her food and not engaging in yet another conversation about her wedding plans after the men had left to go to the smoke room.

How could the universe bring her to such an amazing person, only for Dani to not be able to have her? It wasn't fair. Dani never asked for much in life, so how could she be denied her one true shot at happiness?

The more the women talked about her wedding, the more restless she became. Dani glanced around the dining hall, resting her gaze on a mother and child at a table nearby. The little girl couldn't have been more than five years old, and her mother was coaching her on how to properly sit at the table and fold her napkin on her lap. Dani saw herself in the young girl: an innocent child who was unknowingly being brainwashed into a life where she would have no say in what she wanted. A life where money and status are all that matters. Who cares if you're happy as long as you marry a rich man? Gag.

"And the invitations had to be sent back twice," Dani's mother exclaimed, eliciting sighs and gasps from the other women at the table. Dani couldn't stop thinking about Jamie. How could she ever stop?

One of the women announced that she and her husband were going to be hosting a party in their suite, and that everyone was invited. Before she even realized what she was doing, Dani excused herself from the table and found herself heading toward the ship's railing. Because she knew who would be waiting.

And there she was.

Jamie, with one leg propped up on the lowest rung of the railing, was facing the sea and staring at the sunset, a beautiful pink and orange sky. Her coat ruffled in the wind, as well as her curls blowing back behind her head under the hat. She had her black bag of belongings strapped over her shoulder.

"Hello, Jamie," Dani said, instantly forgetting her mother's warnings. She decided that she no longer cared what her mother had to say. She did not care about hurting Edmund or disappointing her mother. Dani was done with being a prisoner, and Jamie was her key.

Jamie whipped around, so quickly that her hat nearly fell off her head. She looked stunned, but smiled when she made eye contact with Dani.

"I changed my mind," Dani said definitively, slowly approaching Jamie. When she got closer, she began to speak but Jamie shushed her.

"Give me your hand," Jamie said. Dani obliged, and Jamie pulled her closer. "Now close your eyes."

Dani looked up at Jamie, who looked so perfectly golden in the setting sun.

"Go on," Jamie said quietly, rubbing her hand on Dani's back. Dani squeezed her eyes shut and giggled, not knowing what to expect. Jamie took her hand and gently guided her, asking her to step up. Dani did, feebly reaching forward with her other hand.

"Now hold onto the railing." Jamie's low voice was like music to Dani's ears. Jamie could tell her to jump off a bridge and she'd go head first.

"Now keep your eyes closed. Don't peek," Jamie whispered in Dani's ear, as she pressed her body up against Dani's back.

"I'm not," Dani said, her eyes still shut. All she could think about was how close Jamie was to her, and what it was doing to her body.

"Now step onto the railing. Hold on. Keep your eyes closed." Dani did, and Jamie stepped up with her, holding her tightly against her body.

"Do you trust me?" Jamie asked, barely a whisper.

"I trust you." At that, Jamie took both of Dani's hands and spread her arms out wide as if she were flying. Dani's heart was racing from the adrenaline and the wind blowing in her face. Jamie let go of Dani's hands, and wrapped her arms around Dani's waist, resting her head on Dani's shoulder.

"Alright. Now open your eyes."

Dani did, and the view was incredible. She truly felt like she was flying over the ocean, the stunning sunset illuminating the water. Next to the ship, she spotted dolphins swimming and splashing out of the water.

"I'm flying!" Dani gasped. "Jamie, I'm flying!" Jamie chuckled, and pressed her lips against Dani's neck. Dani felt like she was going to burst, as another gasp escaped her mouth. Dani turned her neck to face Jamie, who had a dreamy expression on her face. She almost appeared to be looking at Dani's mouth. Dani couldn't take it anymore, and closed the distance between them, meeting Jamie's lips with a passion she never knew she was capable of. And oh. This. This is what a kiss is supposed to feel like. This is what they talk about in songs and stories. This is exactly what Dani was missing her entire life.

Dani reached her arm back, putting a hand in Jamie's hair. Jamie's lips were so soft and smooth, and the way she kissed Dani with her tongue made Dani's core ache with want. Jamie's hands remained on Dani's waist as she spun Dani around to face her fully, a dazed expression on her face. Dani leaned forward, gently cupping Jamie's face in her hands as she continued to kiss her. She never wanted to stop. Once they eventually broke apart, breathless, Dani had an idea.

"Follow me," she said to Jamie, tugging her along. She knew that the party the women were at would last at least another two hours, and the men stayed in the smoke room all night..which meant she had an entire suite to herself.

Once inside the living room area of the suite, Dani locked the door. She kissed Jamie once more and took Jamie's bag off her shoulder. Dani peeked into the bag, and her eyes lit up when she saw what she had hoped was in there.

"Jamie," she said slowly, with a hint of lust in her words.

"Yes?" Jamie replied, biting her lip.

"I want you to draw me like one of your French girls."