An Officer's Love {Titanic}

Five

Ella woke up beside Will. She smiled as she felt him playing with her hair.
"Morning Darlin'," Will said.

Ella smiled up at him. "Morning."

They kissed passionately. Will pulled away and smiled.
"We better hurry up. We have to get breakfast and get on duty before lunch," Will said.

Ella groaned. "Why? I wish I could lie here all day with you."

"I wish that too."

They quickly got ready and made their way to breakfast. Harold came over to Alyssa.
"Here's the constellation maps you were looking for," he said.

Ella grinned widely. "Thank you so much."

Will frowned when he noticed Ella and Harold looking close. "Ella?"

"Coming. See you later," Ella said.

Will and Ella sat down together. Ella smiled but soon lost the smile when she saw Will didn't look too happy. "What's wrong?"

"What's going on there?" Will asked as he took some toast.

Ella smiled. "Harold is helping me out with constellations. I'm useless at spotting them."

"I could do that too you know," Will said. Ella sighed.

"You're first officer. You're very busy," Ella told him.

Will shook his head. "Right."

Henry looked over and could sense things weren't well between the two of them.
"Everything okay?" he asked.

Ella smiled slightly. "It's fine Henry. How are you this morning?"

Henry and Ella began to talk. Will didn't input or even talk much. Ella didn't understand what his problem was.

...
When they'd eaten, Ella and Will walked out to the bridge. "You don't have to be like that you know. I am allowed to talk to my fellow officers."

Will scoffed. "Aye. Just so happens you're the only female officer," he said.

Ella frowned. "Why are you acting jealous?"

"Jealous?"

Ella nodded. "Yes. Jealous! You know, that thing that happens when something is happening that someone doesn't approve of."

"Ella, I'm far from jealous."

"Course," Ella spat.

"You know, you're acting like a tart!" Will yelled.

Ella was shocked. Henry ran over.
"Oi! No need for that!" Henry yelled. Ella stormed off.

Will sighed. "Ella! Ella!"

Ella refused to walk back to him. She couldn't believe what he had called her.

She was walking when Charles handed her a book. Ella thanked him and saw a note inside it.
"All lists of constellations in here for you - Harold"

Ella smiled slightly at the book.

...
Henry looked at Will. "Was there any need?" He asked.

Will scoffed. "Go and do your duty. I'll do mine."

"You're forgetting Will that you need Ella," Henry said.

...
Ella stood in the officers mess. She was drinking a cup of tea when the Captain came in. "Miss Hanson?"

"Sorry sir. I was just going back out to the bridge. I felt a little lightheaded," Ella lied.

The captain smiled. "That's no problem at all. I trust you will return to your duty anyway. Mr Lowe informed me you're learning the constellations. I'm very impressed."

"Thank you Sir."

The captain walked off and Ella finished her tea. Henry walked in as Ella was about to wipe off her makeup with a handkerchief.
"Don't do that," he said.

"Why not?"

Henry smiled. "Don't let Will ruin you every time he hurts you. Show him how amazing you are without him."

Ella smiled back at Henry and walked outside with her head held high. Henry followed behind her.

...
Will heard the clicking of shoes. He turned to see Ella. Ella stood up next to him on the deck of the bridge. Will didn't speak and neither did Ella.

Ella looked at Henry to ask the question she knew she should have asked Will. "Mr Wilde, did you ever find those binoculars?" She asked.

"No. We're still looking."

Ella nodded and turned round to look out to the front. Will wasn't too impressed about Ella forgoing to ask him the questions. "Was that nessacary?" He asked.

"What ever do you mean Mr Murdoch?" Ella replied.

"You know what. There's no need to be childish," Will said.

Ella smiled. "I wasn't the one doing childish name calling to my girlfriend."

Will stayed silent. He knew he wouldn't get out of that one. Ella smiled over at Henry.
"It's lovely today isn't it Mr Wilde?" Ella said.

Henry nodded. "Indeed it is," he said.

Will hated how Ella wasn't talking to him. He wanted them back to how they were but he knew he had messed up.

Ella looked over at Will and sighed. She tried to ignore the feeling that she wanted him to hold her while on their watch together.

...
Ella and Will were walking the first class deck. They were both silent. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Ella nodded and walked off a little when she saw a third class passenger. Will followed. "Excuse me sir, you shouldn't be here," Ella said.

"Says who?"

Will intervened. "Me. Now go back to where you belong," he said.

He scoffed and walked off. Ella smiled slightly at Will. She liked how he defended her.

Will and Ella walked around a bit. They saw Rose running.
"I hope she's okay," Ella said.

"Me too."

Ella and Will walked silently. They didn't say anything to each other. Ella had to resist holding his hand. She just wanted to feel his touch.

...
Will and Ella were standing by the bow. Ella was shivering. "You cold?"

"No. Of course not sir. Just merely enjoying the hypothermia," Ella replied sarcastically.

Before Will could come up with a comeback, they heard a scream.

Will took off. Ella followed running as quickly as they could. Will was a lot faster than Ella. They didn't know what was wrong but they knew they needed to sort it and quick.

They ran down the steps and saw Rose on the ground. Jack was on top of her.
"Get the Master at Arms," someone yelled. Will and Ella both knew it wasn't what it seemed like.

Will got a blanket and wrapped it around Rose. He sat her down as the Master at Arms came out.

Ella sighed when she saw Cal. She knew he would think Jack raped Rose.

Ella and Will both stood by the Master at Arms. Ella was freezing. "I was leaning over to see the uh. The uh-"
"Propellers?" Cal said.
"That's right and I slipped. I would have gone overboard but Mr Dawson here saved me and almost went over himself," Rose said.

Ella rolled her eyes a little. She turned to look at Will who had confusion etched onto his face. "Was that the way of it?"
"Yeah. That's pretty much it," Jack replied.

"Then the boy's a hero!" someone said. Will and Ella walked away.

Will was still confused.
"She wasn't leaning over she was trying to-"
"Jump, yeah," Ella mumbled. She felt bad for Rose. Will saw how cold Ella was. He took off his overcoat and put it around her.

Ella looked at Will. "You'll be freezing," Ella said.

Will smiled. "I'm actually alright."

Ella nodded. "Okay."

They went back inside. Ella gave Will his coat back. "Thanks for the coat."
"You're welcome. Can I walk you back?" Will asked.
Ella smiled. "I'll be fine. Thank you though Mr Murdoch."

Will watched as Ella went to finish her rounds. He followed knowing they had to be together.

"Are you following me?" Ella asked. Will smiled.

"I know but we're meant to do it together."

Ella nodded and walked on with Will. She wasn't in the mood to argue with him.

They walked down to the steerage to do their rounds. People smiled at them.
"Hardly any rats," Ella joked.

Will chuckled. "One of the best ships I've worked on," Will said.

Ella giggled and nodded. "True."

...
When their rounds had finished, Ella looked at Will. "I'm going to get some sleep now. See you tomorrow?"
Will nodded. Ella went to walk off but Will grabbed her hand.

"I didn't mean to call you a tart," Will said. Ella nodded.

"Okay."

Will smiled and checked for any crew about. No crew were around. He kissed her passionately. Ella smiled slightly and kissed back.

She pulled away and smiled at him.
"I love you," Will said.

Ella nodded. "Same here."

Ella went into her room. She wanted Will beside her again to fall asleep with. She missed him.

...
When morning came, Ella woke and groaned. She was too cold. Ella quickly got out of bed when she saw the time.

Will stood outside Ella's door. He was in two minds weather or not to wake her. His mind made itself up when she came out.

"Sorry I didn't mean to sleep in," Ella mumbled.

Will smiled. "It's okay."

Ella nodded and locked her room before walking with Will to the bridge.

The captain briefed them on their duties for the day. Ella yawned. Will chuckled.
"Are you seriously still tired?" Will asked. Ella nodded.

"Yeah. I was so cold during the night," Ella replied.

Will nodded. "If you come to my room before you go to sleep, I'll keep you warm."

Ella smiled but didn't reply. She was still hurting over what he said about her.

...
Ella and Will went to the bridge. Ella yawned again. "You can't be still tired."

Ella nodded. "Yeah. It sucks."

Will smiled. "You're off duty tonight."

Ella frowned. "Since when?"

Will laughed. "Since you're attending the first class dinner tonight."

Ella groaned. "Not again."

...
Ella stood out on the bridge. She was with Henry. Will was checking out the marconi notifications. "So, you and Will back on talking terms?" He asked.

Ella shrugged. "I guess so."

"Did he apologise?" Henry asked. Ella nodded.

"He did but that doesn't mean I can easily forgive him. I've spoke to Harry about what happened."

Henry felt bad for Ella. He smiled. "It must be difficult being a beautiful officer."

"Oh haha," Ella joked but smiled.

Henry and Ella began to continue their work. Will came in and frowned at them.
"Everything okay?" he asked.

Ella nodded. "Yeah. Just checking the notifications."

Will wasn't too sure he liked Henry and Ella being that close. It unnerved him. He wanted his Ella back.

...
Ella went to her room. She chose her dress carefully and groaned. The door knocked. "Ella?"

"Hello Mr Murdoch."

Will looked at her. "What time do you finish?" He asked.

Ella smiled. "Just after 10."

"Good. Meet me at the entrance to third class."

"Huh?" Ella asked.

Will smiled. "Just do it Hanson."

Ella grinned. "Aye aye."

Ella and Will went on their duties. Will had to assist the captain so Ella went on walks with Henry.

Ella told him about Will's request. Henry smiled.
"I'd advise you not to wear that uniform," Henry said. He knew exactly where they were going.

Ella was confused. "Is he taking me on some romantic thing?"

"Not at all."

Ella groaned.

...
When Ella finished her shift, she took off her jacket and tie before taking them to her room. She went to meet Will.

Will was standing at the entrance to third class. Ella smiled. Will only had his shirt and trousers on. He looked different.
"Hello Mr Murdoch," she said.

Will smiled. "Hello Miss Hanson. You know, the great thing about third class is that they can keep quiet."

Will took Ella's hand and walked her down to the bottom on the third class deck. Ella heard the song of Irish pipes. She looked confused.
"Where are you taking me?" Ella asked. Will laughed.

"You'll see."

Ella followed Will down some steps and was shocked. "Are we supposed to be here?" She asked.

Will smiled. "They won't say anything."

Ella nodded.

...
Ella and Will were standing with Charles who had also come down. Both men could see Ella was apprehensive. "Ella. It will be fine," Charles said.

Ella nodded. She smiled when she saw how much fun Rose was having.

Will got Ella a pint of beer. She smiled and began to down it. Will and Charles were amazed at how easily Ella could down a pint.
"Wow," Charles said.

Will chuckled. "That my lass."

Ella finished her drink and took Charles and Will's hands.
"Let's dance," Ella said.

Charles shook his head. "I don't dance," he said.

"Mr Lightoller, you are boring," Ella told him as she took Will's hand. "You'll dance right?"

Will shook his head. "No lass. We're here to relax."

Ella pouted.

...
Time was getting on. Ella saw Mr Lovejoy watching Rose. "He really gives me the creeps," she mumbled to Will.

Will wrapped an arm around her waist. Ella felt safe around him.

Ella cuddled into him. Charles smiled.
"You're lucky to have your woman here, Will," Charles said.
Will smiled.

"Aye. It's good to have my lass with me."

Will kissed her head. Ella smiled.

Lovejoy eventually left. Ella took Will's pint.
"Oi!" Will chuckled.
Ella kissed him and drank from his pint.

Rose came over to see Ella.
"Having fun? This is amazing!" Rose said. Ella laughed.

"It is amazing."

Rose walked back to Jack. Ella smiled. "They're cute."

"Aye."

Ella giggled. "I love the way you say that."

...
It was nearing 2am. Will walked Ella back to her cabin. "Well Mr Murdoch. I thank you for tonight," she said as she ruffled her hair.

"Welcome lass."

Ella kissed him and opened her room. She pulled Will in with her.

Will chuckled and kicked the door shut.
"You're so beautiful," Will said.

Ella smiled. "Don't get soppy Mr Murdoch."

Will smiled and laid Ella on the bed. He gently unbuttoned her shirt. Ella unbuttoned his.
"Thank you for helping me undress," Ella teased. Will laughed.

"Thank you too."

They started kissing again. Ella loved being able to be with him.

While they were kissing, Ella couldn't help but think weather or not everything would change when they docked.