Archive of Our Own

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Chapter One:

Tony couldn't keep the smile off his face as he heard the cheers of the rest of his crew on board their ship currently docked in the North Atlantic Ocean not far off from where the infamous Titanic had gone down eighty four years ago. He was the latest on a short list of people who were trying to find the infamous Heart of the Ocean. Except he wasn't going to fail. He had built groundbreaking submersibles that could get closer and more hands on with the sunken remains of the ship than anyone had before. Not to mention one of the best crews money could buy.

He watched as some of the deckhands hoisted up the rope net over the side of the ship containing the safe they had just found in one of the first class suites. This was it. He could feel it in his bones. As him and his team stood around watching the safe get cracked open, one of his members, Bruce, popped open a bottle of champagne to spray over the crowd in celebration.

Once the door was ripped off the safe silt poured out of it. Tony stepped forward and eagerly crouched down to start, admittedly a bit carelessly digging through the safe. The diamond had to be in here. There was no way it wasn't. Camera men for several news channels were standing around him along with their mics as he pulled out various papers and the more he dug the more his heart started to sink. He finally pulled out some sort of old leather journal, tossed it down with the rest and glared at the empty safe. Checking each one of it's compartments again just to be sure.

"Shit." He muttered under his breath as he sat back on his heels.

"No diamond." Someone said helpfully over his shoulder.

"You know boss, same thing happened to Hammer and his career never recovered." Darcy said from the other side of him.

"Turn the camera off." He muttered as he stood up fully to walk away. He needed a drink.

***

"Tony!"

Tony had made his way down to where they cleaned off artifacts that they managed to salvage from the wreckage where they were very carefully cleaned off of all the silt and grime from sitting at the bottom of the ocean for so long. He turned as he heard someone call his name.  "Yeah?"

"Fury and his partners would like to know how it's going." They said as they handed them the phone.

Tony rolled his eyes as he took the phone. What a wonderful time for them to call. "Hey Nick, Agent, look it wasn't in the safe, but hey hey don't worry about it. The ship is huge and there's a lot of first class quarters and places to look. This was just the most obvious place to start. Guys look...you just gotta trust me I know we're close alright?" He paused as he watched one of the first drawings that had been pulled from the folder in the safe being cleaned off carefully with water. He couldn't believe it. The picture of the woman they were revealing was beautiful, but that's not what caught his eye. She was wearing the diamond. The very one he was searching for. "Hang on a second. I'll...call you back." He said as he handed off the phone to someone else.

He hurried over to the desk and Jane Foster who was, currently very gently cleaning off the picture, which he was grateful for. She knew her stuff and he had hand picked her to lead the charge of making sure everything that they could salvage was restored without being harmed further.  "Let me see that."

"Hey we might have something here." Darcy said as she followed Tony over.

Tony stared down at the photo for a moment before he looked around. "Where's the photo of the necklace?"

Bruce looked around before he found it under a couple of papers and files scattered about and handed it over. "Right here."

"Thanks." Tony said as he took it from Bruce and held it up next to the drawing. It was a perfect match. He stared in disbelief for just a moment before he looked to the date at the bottom of the page. April 14th 1912. "I'll be damned..."

***

"Treasure hunter Tony Stark who is best known for tracking down Spanish gold. Now he and a team have built a groundbreaking sub to explore the most famous shipwreck of all, The Titanic. He is with us live via satellite from the research ship in the North Atlantic..."

"It's okay I'll feed you in a minute." Sean said to the black furred Maine Coon that was trotting along beside him. One of it's eyes green and one of it's eyes blue.

Loki listened contently to the sound of her eldest son moving around their home. She was laid out in the sunroom on one of the comfiest sofa beds known to man. Her pale slender hands, frailer and a little more wrinkled now with age held a book. A pair of round gold trimmed glasses settled on the bridge of her nose. Her raven locks which still tumbled down to the bottom of her back in fairly thick curls, were now streaked through with grey. She had hated it when it had first started to come in and had tried dying it to hide the fact, but she had slowly come to accept it for what it was. Her husband still told her everyday that she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

Speaking of her husband her eyes glanced over the top of her book to look across the room at the handsome man sitting nearby in a comfortable chair of his own. His hands shook the slightest bit with age, but it was hardly enough to hinder his work. He blew a couple silver strands out of his hair as his piercing blue eyes, still bright and clear as the night they had first met, locked with hers and he smiled just a little at her.

"You have drawn my likeness so much over the years Mobi, have you not tired of it?"

Mobius gave her one of those smiles that crinkled the corners of his eyes and the wrinkles there. "I could never tire of drawing such a divine specimen."

Loki smiled as she heard that, but before she could say much else she finally picked up on what the little television on the kitchen counter was going on about. She marked the place in her book and she slowly pushed herself up. Adjusting the housedress she was wearing along with the black cardigan over her shoulders and made her way out to the kitchen.

Mobius, a little worried, called after her, but she shushed him and continued on so he finally he decided to get up and follow after her.

"Hello Mr. Stark."

"Hello Tracy! Everyone knows the familiar stories of the Titanic, you know the nobility of the band playing at the very end and all that, but what I'm interested in are the untold stories. The secrets locked

deep inside the hull of Titanic and we're out here using robot technology to go further into the wreck than anybody's ever gone before."

"Your expedition is at the center of a storm of controversy over salvage rights and even ethics. Many are calling you a grave robber."

"Well nobody ever called the recovery of the artifacts..."

Loki moved moved ever closer to the screen. One hand resting on a beautiful sleek, black and gold cane which had a wolf head as a handle. Sean turned around from where he was putting away dishes

on the other side of the counter and startled a little as he saw his mother standing there.

"What is it mom?"

"Everything alright sweetheart?" Mobius asked from beside her. Still not quite sure what was going on. His hearing wasn't as good as it used to be and his hearing aids were charging. He had forgotten

to put them on the charger last night.

"Turn up the television a little please." Loki said to Sean.

Sean gave his mother a bit of an odd look, but there was no harm in fulfilling the request so he reached to turn it up a little and then moved around to the other side of the counter to join his parents.

On screen Stark was talking again.

"I have museum trained experts sent out here making sure that these relics are preserved and catalogued properly. Take a look at this drawing that we found just today. A piece of paper that's been underwater for eighty four years. And my team are able to preserve it intact. Should this have remained unseen at the bottom of the ocean for eternity when we can see and enjoy it now?"

Loki couldn't believe it. He watched on screen as they showed the drawing that this Tony Stark spoke of on display and next to her she felt Mobius suck in a small breath. She leaned a little closer to the screen. Wanting to make sure that her eyes were not deceiving her. "Mobius..." She breathed. "That's...your drawing. That's...me."

***

Night had fallen on the Atlantic Ocean and on a very disappointing day, but Tony stood by as they fired up the sub to get ready to send her under for another run on the sunken ship to try and find the diamond. He knew it was down there and today's humiliation of a failure had lit a fire under his ass. They were just getting ready to lower the sub down.

"Tony!"

Tony looked over in slight annoyance.

"There's a satellite call for you."

"Darcy we're launching. You see the submersibles going in the water?"

Darcy grinned like she knew something he didn't and that the answers were on that phone. "Boss you wanna take this call. I wouldn't have bothered you if I didn't know that for a fact."

Tony stared at her for a second before he sighed. "This better be good. I'm out of patience for today." He grumbled.

Darcy beamed triumphantly and skipped back over to the phone with Stark in tow. "Speak up just a little, she's a little old."

"Oh great." Tony muttered under his breath as he pressed the phone to his ear. "This is Tony Stark, how can I help you Mrs.-" he pressed the phone to his shoulder for just a seccond and looked to Darcy.

"Donaldson. Loki Donaldson." Darcy said semi quietly.

"Mrs. Donaldson."

***

Loki smiled as she sat at the table in her dining room. Sean to the right of her looking at her as if she had maybe lost her mind at last. Mobius was sitting next to her and had one of her hands in his. "I was just wondering if you had found the heart of the of the ocean yet Mr. Stark."

On a ship in the North Atlantic Tony whipped around and gave Darcy a completely shocked look.

Darcy smirked. "Told you you would want to take this call boss." She said with a wink.

"Alright, you have my attention Loki." Tony said. "Can you tell us who the woman in the picture is?"

In a lovely, but quaint home in Ohio filled with sunlight Loki chuckled. "Oh yes. The woman in the picture is me. And my husband was the artist."

***

"She's a liar! So is her husband!" Bruce shouted over the sound of the approaching helicopter as he followed Tony up to the deck where they were going to let off their guests. "A couple of nutcases seeking money or publicity. God only knows why. Like that Russian girl Anastasia."

"They're inbound!!" Darcy and Jane called simultaneously as they excitedly pointed out the helicopter as if they thought it couldn't be seen as well as heard. Tony was vibrating with excitement as he saw the copter and then made to press on to where he was supposed to meet them.

"Loki Laufeyson died on the Titanic when she was seventeen, right?" Bruce pressed.

"Yep!" Tony called.

"If she had lived, she'd be over a hundred by now."

"A hundred and one next month." Tony confirmed. Not listening to his friends warnings for even a second.

Bruce threw his hands up in the air. "Okay so she's a very old liar. Look I've already done the background on this woman. All the way back to the twenties, when she was working as an actress. An actress! There's your first clue, Sherlock. Her name was Loki Hansen back then. Then she marries this guy named Donaldson. Then moves to Cuyahoga Falls and she punches out a couple of kids."

"And everybody who knows about the diamond is supposed to be dead or on this boat, but she knows." Tony said with the utmost conviction before he strode out to where they were finally lowering first Loki who was seated in a wheel chair, but still looked regal in it all the same. A fairly thick green coat wrapped around her shoulders. Out of the top where the zipper wasn't quite zipped up all the

way there was the fuzzy black head of a cat.

Once Loki was lowered safely onto the deck of the ship it was Mobius's turn to get off. He wasn't in a wheel chair, but he still needed a bit of a hand climbing down. His knees were a far cry from what they used to be. He finally stood next to his wife and last to join them were two younger men. Their sons he was assuming.

"Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson, I'm Tony Stark. Welcome to the Keldysh!" He shouted over the onslaught of noise from the copter still hovering by the ship before he gestured for them to follow. "Let's get everyone inside where it's much quieter and a little warmer!"

***

Loki looked around the rather generous quarters they had been granted. The boys were in the room just across the hall from them unpacking their stuff. It had been such short notice, but she was grateful for the accommodations that they had made. She was currently setting up her pictures on the nightstand in the room. A lot of them in black and white, but some of them were in color as well. She looked up though as she felt on a hand on her shoulder. "You didn't have to come..." She said as she picked up yet another picture. "I know it's probably nerve wracking to be on a ship again."

Mobius laughed, but there was a small bit of anxiety to it. "And risk losing you to another one?" He shook his head before he moved to fully drape his arms over her shoulders and looked down at a picture of her and him standing in front of Kevin's college where he had graduated. A similar one featuring Sean with his diploma had already joined the menagerie of pictures. "We could recreate some of our first dates. Maybe the afternoon in the car hold."

A small laugh came from Loki as she looked up to him. "Both of us are not quite flexible enough for that I am afraid." She said as she set down the picture on the nightstand at last.

She reached for the last one when they both heard a knock on the open door.

"Yes?" Loki called as she looked over to see Tony and someone else who they had not been introduced to yet.

Tony smiled as he stepped in. "Are your staterooms alright?"

Loki smiled back. "They are lovely. Oh! Have you met my husband, Mobius Donaldson? He's an artist."

Mobius chuckled as he placed a kiss a top Loki's head. "We met a few minutes ago. Remember sweetheart? Up on deck?"

For just a moment confusion flickered across Loki's face, but it was quickly followed by realization and she nodded as she pressed a hand to her forehead momentarily. "Oh, yes."

Tony looked back to Bruce who just rolled his eyes, but then stepped aside as Sean and Kevin stepped out into the hall and then across to get to their parents rooms.

"Have you met our sons?" Loki asked.

"Them I have not yet." Tony said as he turned to the two men. Both of them seemed to be in their late fifties. Blonde hair. One of them had greener eyes than they did the other.

"This is Sean our eldest son." Loki said by way of introduction as she gestured to the taller of the two. "And that is Kevin, our youngest."

"Mr. Stark I've been following your expeditions for a couple years now. Some of the stuff you've been able to find is amazing." Sean said as he held out his hand.

"You really think you can find the diamond?" Kevin asked as he held out his hand to shake as well.

Tony shook both their hands. "Great to meet the both of you and I'm glad your fans. As for the diamond hopefully with your parents help, I'll get just that little bit closer."

"There we go." Loki murmured as she situated the last of the pictures. "I have to have my pictures when I travel."

Tony looked back to Loki. "Can I get anything? Is there anything you would like?"

Loki sat up a little straighter and looked back to Mobius before she looked back to Tony. "Yes. I would like to see my drawing."

***

Loki felt a whole swath of emotion hit her as for the first in so many years she was finally face to face with the drawing from the night that everything had went to hell. It had been the happiest she had been in a long time and she remembered the fear when she realized it was very possibly going to be only a handful of hours of that happiness that she got.

She shut her eyes and for just a moment she was back there. Low warm lighting bathing her pale skin as she laid out on the green plush velvet and gold chaise lounge. Laid bare, in the nude save for the heavy diamond necklace resting against her throat. Her hair had been longer then. Down to her knees. Mobius in the chair across from her. His ocean blue eyes looking at her not with arousal, but with reverence. Not with lust, but with genuine appreciation. He did not just see her as a doll meant to be dressed up and moved around. He saw her beauty for what it truly was.

"Louis the sixteenth wore a fabulous stone that was called the blue diamond of the crown which disappeared in 1792. About the same time Old Louis lost everything from the neck up. The theory goes that the crown diamond was chopped, too. Recut into a heart like shape that became known as The Heart of the Ocean. Today it would be worth more than the hope diamond."

Loki sighed as Tony's voice brought her back to the present and she did her best to shake off some of the nostalgia of years gone past clinging to her as she looked at the actual picture of the diamond that Tony showed her. As if she didn't know intimately what it looked like. She chuckled. "It was a dreadfully heavy thing."

"It was." Mobius agreed as he to seemed to snap from somewhere in his memories and shared a look with Loki. "So heavy."

"I only wore it this once."

Sean and Kevin shared a skeptical look, but neither were feeling brave enough to call their mother crazy to her face. "You really think this is you mom?" Kevin finally asked tentatively.

"It is me dear." Loki said with the tiniest bit of offense to her voice. Wasn't I a dish?"

Kevin and Sean both were sporting glowing cheeks at that and Mobius laughed as he bent down and pressed another kiss to her cheek. "You still are kitten."

Tony laughed, causing attention to be directed back to him. "Anyways, I tracked it down through insurance records. An old claim that was settled under terms of absolute secrecy. Can you tell me who the claimant was, Loki?" He asked as he took a seat next to her.

Loki didn't even have to think about it although a bit of a look flickered across her face. "I should imagine someone named Hansen."

"Caledon Hansen, that's right. Norwegian steel tycoon. The claim was for a diamond necklace his son, Fandral, bought his fiancee. You." Tony encouraged.

Loki tensed at the name and she felt Mobius's hand rub at one of her shoulders assuringly.

"A week before he sailed on Titanic. And it was filed right after the sinking. So the diamond had to have gone down with the ship." Tony said at last as he sat up. "You see the date?"

Loki tried to read it, but even with her glasses it was hard for her to make out.

Sean noticed and quickly leaned over the and took a peek. "April 14th, 1912." He read out.

"Which means if your mother is who she says she is she was wearing the diamond the day the Titanic sank." Bruce said from where he was hovering nearby.

"Exactly!" Tony said before he looked back to Loki. "Which makes you my new best friend."

***

Once they had looked at the drawing and their conversation about the diamond had come to a close Loki had wanted to take another look around. She saw some things laid out on the tables around and she saw a couple things that looked particularly familiar. Like they might have been hers.

Mobius pushed along her wheelchair as Kevin and Sean trailed along behind them. Looking over the things with just as much curiosity.

Tony and Bruce brought up the rear of the little group. "These are some of the things we recovered from your stateroom." Tony said.

Loki looked on in awe as she first reached for a silver hand mirror that was lying glass down. "This was mine." She murmured as she ran her hands along the back and the handle. "How extraordinary."

She said as she looked up at Mobius then back down to the mirror again. "And it looks the same as it did the last time I saw it." She finally turned it over to reveal one or two cracks in the glass, but it still showed a reflection just fine. She stared at herself now with the years that marched by and Mobius stood behind her.

"The reflection has changed just a little..." Mobius murmured.

Loki hummed. "Not for the worse." She said as she very carefully laid it back down on the table glass down.

Next she reached for a gold what would now be considered vintage hair comb that had a beautiful black and gold moth on it. She looked down on it fondly. "Do you remember the day that I wore this

Mobi?" She asked as she looked up at him.

Mobius laughed. "It was the day I had to kidnap you from your own family just to talk to you."

Mild looks of alarm were given by everyone else, but Loki just smiled down at the comb.

Tony finally crouched down next to her once more. "Are you ready to go back to the Titanic?"

Loki took a small breath and looked up to Mobius who gave her a nod. She reached out and set the hair comb back down as she nodded to Tony in turn.

***

"Okay here we go." Bruce said as a computer generated animation of what the sinking of the Titanic would have looked like started to play. The boat heading for an iceberg. "She hits the iceberg on the starboard side, right? She kind of bumps along, punching holes like morse code, along the side below the waterline. Then the forward compartments start to flood. As the water level rises it spills over the watertight bulkheads, which unfortunately, don't go any higher than E deck."

Loki's hands balled the material of the skirt of her dress as she watched the re-enactment play out on the screen before them as the man jabbered away about an event so clinically when all she could still remember were the screams and the awful groanings of the ship. Then the cold and the silence. The slight grip Mobius had on one of her shoulders told her he was feeling the same, but neither one said anything.

"So now the bow goes down the stern rises up, slow at first then faster and faster until finally she's got her whole rear sticking up in the air. And it's very big, twenty, maybe thirty thousand tons. The hulls not designed to deal with that pressure. So what happens? She splits, right down to the keel. The stern falls back level. As the bow sinks it pulls the stern vertical and then finally detaches. Now the stern section just kind of bobs there like a cork for a couple of minutes, floods and finally goes under about 2:20 AM. Two hours and forty minutes after the collision. The bow section planes away, landing about a half a mile away going twenty, thirty knots when it hits the ocean floor." Bruce said as he wrapped up his explanation. He opened his mouth to say it was pretty cool, but then immediately thought better of it as he remembered how this all must be for them to see again.

Loki took a couple minutes to gather herself before she looked to Bruce. "Thank you for that fine forensic analysis, Doctor Banner. Of course the experience of it was...somewhat different."

"Will you share it with us?" Tony asked hesitantly.

Loki hummed and looked around at the expectant and curious faces which included their sons who desperately wanted to learn about this whole secret past their mother seemed to have. Finally she pushed herself up out of her wheelchair and grasped onto Mobius's arm for a little balance.

"Where you goin Loki?" Mobius asked gently.

Loki pointed to the screens that showed actual footage from the submarines cameras of the ship as it was now. Waterlogged and covered in algee and seaweed. Slowly being reclaimed by mother nature. She found the doors to one of the lobbies. The memory flickered of golden doors bathed in sunlight being pulled open by staff dressed in impeccable uniforms while a string quartet played beautifully just underneath swells of excited conversation.

Finally the emotions and the memories seemed to be a little to overwhelming. Her lips trembled as she brought shaking hands up to rest her head in.

Mobius looked at her in concern before he looked up. "I think we should both rest. It's been-"

"No." Loki said as she slowly lowered her hands and got a hold of herself.

Mobius rubbed the arm that grasped back to his. "Come on sweetheart."

"No!" She said as she sat backdown in her wheelchair which Kevin had helpfully moved a little closer after she had walked a bit.

"Give me the tape recorder." Tony told Jane who was towards the back of the little group. She immediately reached out and handed him one.

Tony turned it on as he took a seat in front of Loki and Mobius who Sean and Kevin had found a chair for once they realized it was story time. Mobius was in a bit better shape than Loki was, but his own old age had still caught up to him. "Tell us."

"It's been eighty four years-" Loki started.

"It's okay." Tony assured. "Just try to remember anything. Anything at all."

"Do you want to hear this or not Mr. Stark?" She asked as she pinned him with a look.

Tony gulped and quickly raised his hands. In rare form staying quiet.

Loki huffed and then she started again. "It's been eighty four years and I can still smell the fresh paint. The china had never been used. The sheets had never been slept in. Titanic was called the ship of dreams. And it was. It really was."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter Two: April 10th 1912

Loki looked around with subdued curiosity as workers on the ship called out instructions to the crowds of people waiting to board the ship. Making sure passengers found their way to their appointed decks. Others were hollering at one another and working together to load all kinds of luggage onto the ship. Beautiful cars were being hoisted on as well. It was all extremely exciting, but for the sake of not indulging her fiancee's ego she would not give him the satisfaction of knowing she was very pleased with getting aboard this ship. Because she wasn't. It was sailing her to her doom as far as she was concerned.

When the door for the car finally opened she reached out a white gloved hand to the footman who offered his hand and helped her out of the car. Dressed in a beautiful deep green dress with silver accents and white lace trim. She had wanted black, but her mother insisted on white. Her long black locks pinned up under a beautiful green hat which sat tilted just slightly on her head and did her features every compliment. With it's white and silver ribbon and bow sat atop it.

She turned to look as the man in question joined her from the car that he was riding in separately with her mother. He was a handsome man physically. She would give him that. Tall and well built, but not to muscular. Brown hair that was always styled impeccably and a fine goatee, but that's about where the good qualities ended. "I don't see what all the fuss is about. It doesn't look any bigger than the Mauretania." She said indifferently.

Fandral just shook his head. "You can be blase about some things Loki, but not about Titanic. It's over a hundred feet longer than the Mauretania. And far more luxurious." He said as he turned back to the car and offered his hand to her mother who was finally stepping out as well. "Your daughter is far to difficult to impress, Farbauti."

Faurbauti offered him a smile, but her chuckle was more obligated and strained than it was genuine. "So," she said as she stuck her hands in a brown fur hand warmer and moved past him to join her daughter. "This is the ship they say is unsinkable." She said as she looked up at it much more enthusiastically than Loki was.

"It is unsinkable!" Fandral crowed confidently. "God himself could not sink this ship-what?!" He snapped in annoyance as he saw one of the loaders in charge of taking on their luggage approached him.

"Apologies Sir, but you have to check your baggage through the main terminal. It's round that way sir." The man said as he pointed in the direction that Fandral needed to go.

"I put my faith in you good sir." Fandral said as he pulled a couple bills from his coat and held it out to the worker. "Now kindly see my man." He said as he gestured to both his best friend and his little

watch dog, Thor.

"Oh yes sir." The worker said as he took the bills gracious. "Of course sir. If I can do anything at all..."

"Yes, right." Fandral said as he waved him off and hurried to join Loki and Farbauti. He looked up as he heard whistles and shots for people to move along and pulled out a silver pocket watch. Clicking it open to have a glance at the time. "Ladies," He said as he snapped it shut and turned to where Loki and her mother were gathering a couple small pieces of luggage they wanted to carry to their room themselves. "Better hurry."

Loki rolled her eyes as she took up her suitcase and headed toward the ship. She could not stall boarding it any longer.

"Come along." Fandral said as he lead the way through the crowds of people lining up along the streets waving to the people that were getting ready to set sail on this grand voyage.

"My coat?" She asked as she turned to their maid who was traveling with them. Hoping maybe it had been forgotten and she could turn back to go and get it. Put off boarding for a couple more

seconds.

"I have it miss." The maid assured her.

Loki said nothing as she turned back to face the ship. Following along behind her mother and her fiancee.

"All third class passengers queue here for health inspection!" Someone shouted as they walked past and finally up the plank and onto the Titanic.

"Welcome aboard Madame." One of the doormen greeted her as she took her first steps inside.

"It was the ship of dreams...to everyone else. To me it was a slave ship...Taking me back to America in chains. Outwardly, I was everything a well brought up girl should be. Inside I was screaming."

***

"Mobius..." Casey murmured as he leaned over to him. "You are crazy. You bet everything we have."

Mobius looked across the table at the two him and Casey were playing poker with as he took a drag from his cigarette. He was trying to quit, but he hadn't put much effort into yet. It wasn't, admittedly high on his list of priorities right now. He blew the smoke in the other direction politely and then leaned in towards Casey. "When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose Case."

Casey frowned as he leaned back in his chair and looked back down at his cards.

Mobius took a deep breath as he glanced down at his own with neutrality. Giving nothing away before he looked to the first of the men across from him. "Alright. Sven?"

Sven drew his card and made his play. Mobius followed suit. That was the last play to be made. They all looked around at one another before Mobius pulled the cigarette from his mouth and smothered it in the ash tray. "Okay, moment of truth. Somebody's life is about to change. Casey?" He said as he looked to his friend.

Casey gave him a dejected look as he laid his cards face down on the table.

"Nothing." Mobius said.

"Nothing." Casey repeated with a bit more annoyance.

Mobius tapped his cards on the table and looked to the next player. "Olaf?"

The burly man laid his cards down for the whole table to see.

"Nothing." Mobius confirmed before he looked over to Olaf's buddy. "Sven?"

Sven, with a good amount of confidence laid down his cards.

Mobius let out a sigh. "Oh no...two pair." He said in resignation as he fidgeted with his cards. "I'm sorry Casey."

"What do you mean sorry Mobius?! I told you-"

"I'm sorry you're not going to see your mom again for a long time...cause we're going to America!" He crowed as he slapped his cards down on the table. "Full house boys!! Wooo!"

Casey was on his feet with cries of excitement faster than he could blink and he could hardly believe it himself. He was going home! He finally got up and started to scoop up the coins, pocket watch

and tickets.

Sven stood as Mobius did and reached out to snag the front of his shirt. Growling something out in whatever language he spoke. He shut his eyes as he saw the fist being raised, but then let out a breath as Sven turned and punched his buddy, Olaf, instead and let him go.

Mobius laughed, high on the adrenaline and the excitement and next to him Casey was grinning from ear to ear. "Come on!"

Mobius reached out and took the tickets from Casey and kissed them. "I'm going home!" He cheered before he threw his arms around Casey.

"I'm going to America!" Casey hollered as they broke apart after a moment.

"No mate!" One of the patrons of the little cafe they had been holding their little impromptu poker game in said. "Titanic goes to America! In five minutes!"

Mobius and Casey both immediately sobered up and glanced to the clock above the counter. "Shit. Case. Come on." Mobius said as they both scrambled to collect the reapings of their poker game.

"Here. Here." Mobius said as he held open his rucksack under the edge of the table.

Casey was quick to just swipe everything into the sack. He trusted Mobius. He was a fair guy and he knew he could count on him later to sort through what they had earned and split everything with him.

Once they had everything Mobius threw the sack over his shoulder. "Come on Casey!" He shouted as he tore out of the cafe. Casey on his heels.

An elated laugh left him again as he ran through the crowds. Going against his polite nature and sort of pushing past people where he had to. He felt a little bad, but when he was so close to being back in America he could forego a few of his manners to make it to the ship on time. "We're riding high in style now!" He shouted as he ducked under one of the gangplanks. "We're a couple of regular swells.

We're practically goddamn royalty!"

"You see?!" Casey shouted after him as his own feet pounced the pavement to keep up with Mobius. "It's my destiny! Like I told you! I'm gonna go to America to be a millionaire!"

Mobius ducked around someone and shouted an apology over his shoulder as he saw their dirty look.

"You're crazy!" Casey called again.

"Maybe! But I've got the tickets!" Mobius hollered back. "Come on I thought you were fast!" He teased.

"Jerk!" Casey called back, but his smile proved he didn't mean it.

Just as they reached the gang plank the lower class passengers were supposed to board on he saw them just getting ready to lift it. "Whoa wait. Wait! Hey wait!" He shouted as him and Casey managed to run up just in time. "We're passengers!" He said as he stretched his arm out with both tickets to the doorman even before they were all the way up.

The man took the tickets and looked over them and then back to them. "Have you been through the inspection queue?"

"Of course!" Mobius assured as he threw on his most dazzling smile. "Anyway we don't have lice. We're American! Both of us."

"Right." The man said with a nod as if that made perfect sense. "Come aboard." He said as he stepped aside to let both Mobius and Casey on.

Once they were on they were hurrying down the halls though Mobius did try to take a little more care in the cramped corridors. "We're the luckiest sons of bitches alive you know that?"

Once they were on Mobius made a b line for the deck so he could run over to the rails and wave at everyone that was waving the ship and it's voyagers off on it's first voyage. "Goodbye!"

"You know somebody?" Casey asked curiously from where he stood next to him.

"Of course not, but that's not the point Case." He said before he looked back to the crowds. "Goodbye! I'll miss you!"

"Goodbye! I will never forget you!" Casey called as he started to wave as well. In far to good of a mood to not get into the spirit of things.

Once they were done up the top and the ship was officially on it's way Mobius lead the way through the cramped halls of the lower class rooms. "G-60." He muttered to himself. Thinking out loud as he searched for their room. "G-60...G-60...excuse me m'am..." He turned a corner and went down about three more doors. "Oh! Right here." He said as he pushed open the door.

There were two men built like trees in the room and he smiled in greeting. "Hey how you doin? I'm Mobius. Nice to meet you." He said as he shook the hand of one. "Mobius Donaldson. Nice to meet you too."

While he made introductions Casey tossed his small bag up onto the top bunk and promptly climbed up into it.

Mobius gave one of the guys a friendly pat on the shoulder before he turned back and chuckled as he reached up to poke playfully at Casey. "Who says you get to top bunk huh?" He teased before he pulled back and set his own bag on the bottom bunk.

The two guys sharing the other bench looked to one another. "Where's Sven?"

The other guy shrugged.

***

"This one?" Molly asked.

"No." Loki said with a small shake of her head. "It had a lot of faces on it." She said as she looked around. "Ah this is the one." She said as he she held up the painting she had been looking for. The

stateroom that they would be staying was exquisitely beautiful. Down to the highly polished wood that shined and the gold in lay. The beautiful fireplace that sat in the living room and bouquets of fresh roses scattered about the room is glittering crystal vases.

"Would you like all of them out Miss?"

"Mm...yes. We need a little color in this room." She said as she set down the painting she had been holding.

"Put it in the wardrobe."

Loki tensed the smallest bit as she heard Fandral's voice joining her in the room once more. Ordering around his own servants without so much as a polite word to them.

"Gods above, not those finger paintings again." Fandral said as he gave a judgemental look at the paintings Loki had laid out around the room. "They certainly were a waste of money." He said as he leaned against the doorframe. A glass of bubbling champagne grasped in his hand.

"The difference between Fan's tastes in art and mine is that I have some." Loki said to the servants flitting about around her rather than to Fandral himself. "They're fascinating. Like being inside a dream." She said as picked up and then carefully laid down another one on the sofa and looked down at it appraisingly. "Or something. There's truth, but no logic."

"What's the artists name?" Molly asked politely.

"Something Picasso." She said as picked up yet another one. Wanting to make sure all of them had made it through the journey to the ship safe and sound.

Frandral scoffed as he pushed himself off the doorframe and stepped into the room fully. "Something Picasso. He won't amount to a thing. He won't trust me." He said with another glance around. "At least they were cheap."

***

"At Cherbourg, a woman came aboard named Verity Myers. We all called her V. History would call her the unsinkable V."

"Well I wasn't about to wait all day for you, sonny." Verity said to the bellboy as she set down her luggage in the lobby. Swathed a beautiful deep purple and black dress and a gorgeous hat to match. She picked up one of her smaller trunks and handed it back to the bellboy. "Here, if you think you can manage."

"Yes M'am."

"Her husband had struck gold someplace out west. And she was what mother called new money. By the next afternoon we were steaming west from the coast of Ireland. With nothing out ahead of us, but ocean."

***

Mobius stood with Casey at the bow of the ship. Stood up on the first rail of the bars that kept people from leaning to far over and was doing exactly that. Leaning over a bit farther than he probably should be. The wind danced through his ash blonde hair. Seeming to glow faintly gold as it caught the late afternon sunlight. The same light that shined beautifully on the calm waters of the North Atlantic. Making it glitter like jewels constantly being sifted through someone's fingers. It was beautiful. Casey stood next to him admiring the view just as much as he was. And up here one could almost think they were flying if they shut they're eyes.

After a moment of looking over the water he looked back down and he excitedly pointed down after tapping Casey on the shoulder. "Hey look! Look!" He said as he pointed out the dolphins swimming

along with the ship. Breaking the water every now and then. "See it?"

Casey nodded eagerly as he leaned a little farther over as well to get better look at them. "I do!"

"There's another one! See it?"

"Mobius!" Casey said with a laugh at his friends excitement. "I see it I see them."

Mobius still couldn't contain himself. He had never anticipated yesterday morning that he would be here this afternoon. Sailing on an amazing, going home. "Look at that one! Look at him jump!" He called as he pointed one out that jumped out of the water fully.

He watched the Dolphins for a couple minutes more before he reached up to the steel cable anchored into the top of the boat and used it to balance himself as he climbed up onto the second rail and then the third before he leaned against the cable. One hand tucked into the pocket of his baggy brown coat.

Casey wasn't bold enough to step up to the third one, but he did step up to the second one. "I can see the Statue of Liberty already. Very small, of course."

Mobius chuckled before he drank in the view again. He wasn't sure he would ever get tired of it. "I'm King of the World!!" He crowed as he threw his arms wide for just a moment. "Wooooo!! Whoa..." He quickly wrapped one of his arms back around the steel cable to steady himself.

***

"She is the largest moving object ever made by the hand of man in all of history. And our master shipbuilder Mr. Andrews here designed her from the keel plates up." Mr. Ismay said.

Loki sighed as she adjusted the napkin next to her plate, but she didn't feel like saying anything for the moment.

Mr. Andrews coughed a tiny bit. "I may have knocked her together, but the idea was Mr. Ismay's. He envisioned a steamer so grand in scale and so luxurious in its appointments that its supremacy would never be challenged. And here she is. Willed into solid reality." He said as he gave a pat to the table they were sat.

"Hear hear." Mr. Ismay said as he raised his glass in a toast.

Loki sighed as she pulled out a sleek black cigarette holder and settled a cigarette in it. She turned away from the table as she lit it. Right in front of her mother's disapproiving face. She completely ignored it as she took a draw off of it and felt a bit of the tension in her shoulders ease for just a moment.

"You know I don't like that, Loki." Farbauti finally murmured.

Loki responded by simply exhaling the smoke right in her mother's face.

"She knows." Fandral said with a frown as he snagged the cigarette from the holder and effectively snuffed it out in the ashtray on the table.

Verity gave Fandral a look then glanced at Loki with a raised brow as if to ask if she was really going to put up with that. Loki just sighed as she tucked her cigarette holder away.

"We'll both have the lamb." Fandral said as it came time for him to order. "Rare, with very little mint sauce. You like lamb right my little raven?" He asked as an after thought with the barest of glances to her.

Loki just plastered the best smile she could and nodded at him. Really just wanting to drive the steak knife into her wrists.

"You going to cut her meat for her too there, Fan?" Verity asked from across the table.

Fandral gave Verity an unimpressed look and didn't even dignify that with a resonse.

Loki bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing.

Verity looked to Mr. Ismay. "Hey, who thought of the name of the name Titanic? Was it you Bruce?"

"Yes, actually." Bruce said. "I wanted to convey sheer size. And size means stability, luxury and above all, strength."

"Do you know of Dr. Freud, Mr. Ismay? His ideas about the male preoccupation with size might be of particular interest to you." Loki said very kindly. As if actually suggesting something.

Mr. Andrew's covered his mouth and laughed quietly into his napkin.

Verity laughed openly at that.

Her mother looked at her with a shocked expression. "What's gotten into you Loki?"

Loki plucked her napkin from her lap and set it down on the table next to her plate before she pushed herself up. "Excuse me."

Farbauti shook her head and then offered a small nervous chuckle and a strained smile. "I do apologize. The...trip has been stressful for her."

Verity hummed as she reached for her spoon to treat herself to a bite of the delicious smelling third course that had just been set down. "She's a pistol Fan. Hope you can handle her."

"Well, I may have to start minding what she reads from now on, won't I, Mrs. Myers?" Fandral said in response.

"Freud? Who is he? Is he a passenger?" Mr. Ismay asked as he looked around the table.

***

Mobius smiled as he sat on a bench on G deck which was the deck that was mostly for the lower class. It was another calm, beautiful late afternoon on the Titanic. The lighting was damn near unreal, the air was fresh. He had his journal in hand and open. His fingers expertly moved a piece of charcoal over the page as he worked on a sketch.

The model for the sketch being a much older man standing next to him with what must be a grand daughter or maybe it was his daughter. Not everyone had children young. She was perched on the second rail, but he stood directly behind her, one hand protectively wrapped around her torso to keep her from going to far over. He was pointing out some whales in the near distance to her.

"This is ship is nice huh?" Casey said from next to him as he leaned back against the rails with his arms spread wide.

Mobius thought he was talking to him, but then he heard someone else respond so he didn't chime in just yet.

"Yeah. It's an Irish ship." The guy Casey was talking to said.

"No I thought it was English..." Casey said in surprise.

"No," The guy said as he shook his head. "It was built in Ireland. Fifteen thousan Irish men built this ship. Solid as a rock. Big Irish hands." He said before he sighed as he saw dogs being walked along the deck by various servants. "Now that's typical. First class dogs come down here to take a shite."

Mobius chuckled as he he finally tucked away his charcoals and closed his journal for now. "Lets us know where we rank in the scheme of things."

"Like we could forget?" The guy said before he held out his hand at last. "I'm Tommy Ryan."

Mobius reached out to shake his hand. "Mobius Donaldson."

"Casey." Casey said as he shook Tommy's hand as well.

"Do you make any money with your drawings?" Tommy asked as he leaned back against the rail he had been leaning against.

Mobius didn't hear him. He was to busy staring at something far more beautiful. As he happened to look up to one of the balconies that belonged to A Deck. The first class passengers. And she was breathtaking. Ethereal. Her black hair done up in an intricate braided bun. A beautiful light green and gold lace trimmed dress with a thick black band around the waist. Light green silk gloves on her long slender arms. And her hands...they were stunning. Even covered by the gloves. Everything else seemed to fade away as he watched her rest her arms on the wooden railing. A wistful sigh left his lips at the sight.

Tommy at first couldn't figure out why he had never gotten an answer, but then he looked in the direction that Mobius was looking and suddenly it clicked. "Ah, forget it boyo. You'd as likely have angels fly out of your arse as get next to the likes of her."

Mobius didn't care. He heard what Tommy said. He didn't care. He couldn't help, but to stare as a stray curled Raven lock fluttered in the wind. Just drinking in her beauty back lit by the late afternoon sun. And then...then for one fleeting moment she glanced his way and his ocean blues locked with the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen. She looked away just as quick and it felt like he could breathe again...but before he looked away she looked back! Almost as if in very slight consideration!

Casey waved an arm in front of his face to see if he could pull his attention away, but it didn't. Even as she looked away Mobius couldn't bring himself to. And that's when he saw the man in the fine tailored black suit stroll up behind her and he could just barely make out their words.

"Come back inside." He said rather demandingly as he grabbed her arm.

She pulled it out of his grip. "Do you mind?" She huffed right back as she leaned her arms back on the rail.

He said something else and she glared at him, but finally turned away from the rail and left him standing there. He just scowled out at the view before he finally turned and followed her.

***

"I saw my whole life as if I'd already lived it. An endless parade of parties and cotillions, yachts and polo matches. Always the same narrow people, the same mindless chatter. I felt like I was standing at a great precipice with no one to pull me back. No one who cared or even noticed..."

The gold beads on Loki's black dress jangled as she ran down the halls of the ship. Tears threatening to spill from her eyes and her chest so tight she could hardly breath. Her raven locks which she had left down for the evening flew behind her a little with the speed of which she was running. One hand holding up the bottom of her dress so she wouldn't trip. Paying no heed as she bumped into someone in her haste to just get away. She wasn't even sure where she was running to she just couldn't be here anymore.

Night had fallen and she had been attending yet another one of those dreadful dinners where everyone talked around her and about her, but never to her. Where no one actually cared to listen to her.

The longer she had sat there the worse this feeling became and she just could not stand to sit at that table next to that miserable man any longer.

Mobius was laying out on one of the bench on G Deck. Bundled up in his trusty baggy brown jacket and enjoying the stars in all their beauty with no light from the city to drown them out. He had just taken a drag off his cigarette when he heard the sound of thudding steps. Kind of like boots, but not quite and when he heard the gasping breaths of the woman as she ran by he figured it was probably because she was wearing high heels. Curiosity peaked and honestly a little concerned he pulled himself up into a sitting position so he could trail after her.

Loki wheezed for air as she finally reached the railing at the Stern of the ship and leaned heavily against the bars as she felt her despair worsen. Of course there was nowhere to go. She was stranded in the middle of the North Atlantic with no one. There was no way out. Except...

A strange sort of calm overtook her and allowed her to catch her breath as her black gloved hands gripped the rail a little tighter and she looked down. There was....always down. That was one out. And it suddenly sounded a lot better than being here.

With her mind made up she carefully climbed up each rung. Hanging on to some sort of a metal pipe that was there just for the moment as she stepped over the top rail and then slowly started to climb down on the other side of the them. Once her feet were on the last one she held on with her her arms stretched out behind her still gripping the rail as she stared down into the now seemingly black

abyss the ocean turned into under the cover of night. Oddly enough...it didn't scare her as much as she thought it would.

"Don't do it."

Loki's head whipped around as she heard a voice from behind her and found a man there in a baggy brown jacket. One of his hands tentatively reached out towards her. "Stay back. Don't come any closer."

Mobius still tested the waters and moved to take a couple more steps and she didn't make any sudden moves so he took a couple more. Inching closer as he a bit desperately reached out his hand a little more. "Come on. Just give your hand. I'll pull you back over."

"No!" She snapped out. "Stay where you are." Please.

Mobius took another centimeter forward.

"I mean it! I'll let go!"

Mobius scrambled for an idea of how to possibly get just a tiny bit closer without forcing her hand and making her follow through. Finally he remembered the cigarette hanging from his lips. He quickly reached up and took one last draw from it and then pulled it from his lips. "I..I'm just..." He held it up as he motioned throwing the cigarette over the rail. She didn't make any moves to let go so he very carefully took two bigger steps and closed the distance as he threw the cigarette over and then tried to maintain a casual air about himself as he tucked his hands in the pockets of his coat. "No you won't."

Loki stared at him for a long moment. As if that had been the last thing she had expected him to say. "What do you mean no I won't? Don't presume to tell me what I will and will not do. You don't know me."

"Well," Mobius shrugged. "You would've done it already."

Loki glared at him. "You're distracting me. Go away."

"I can't." Mobius said a little softer than he intended. "I'm involved now. You let go and I'm going to have to jump in there after you." He said as he shrugged off his jacket.

"Don't be absurd." Loki said as a bit of the desperation finally slipped through the cracks of her anger. "You'll be killed."

"No m'am." Mobius said as lifted his first foot up onto an anchor and knelt down to untie his boot. "I assure I'm a good swimmer."

"The fall alone would kill you." Loki argued.

Mobius shrugged again. "It would hurt. I'm not saying it wouldn't. Tell you the truth I'm a lot more concerned about that water being so cold." He said as he finally tugged off his first boot and set it down next to his jacket on the wooden floor of the deck.

Loki glanced to the water for just a second then back up to Mobius. Lifting her chin a little. "Cold doesn't bother me." Then after a moment, quieter. "How cold?"

"Freezing." Mobius said as he started working on untying his other boot. "Maybe a couple degrees over. You ever uh...ever been to Wiscosin?"

Loki looked at him again as if he had two heads. "What?"

"Well...they have some of the coldest winters around. My father would sometimes take me up there, near Chippawa Falls. I remember when I was a kid me and my dad, we went ice fishing out on Lake

Wisota. Ice fishing is, you know, where you-"

"I know what ice fishing is." Loki said with a roll of her eyes. Why was she even still listening to him?

"Sorry." Mobius said earnestly as he raised his hands a little. "You just seem like, you know, kind of an indoor girl." He said as he tugged off his other boot and set it aside as well. "Anyway I uh, I fell through some thin ice. And I'm tellin you water that cold, like right down there, it hits you like a thousand knives stabbing you all over your body. You can't breathe. You can't think. Least not about anything but the pain." He paused for  effect. "Which is why I'm really not looking forward to jumping in there after you."

Loki stared at him and finally Mobius saw some hesitation and some second thoughts flickering through those green eyes. He shrugged off a second coat. "Like I said, I don't have a choice. I guess I'm kind of hoping you'll come back over the rail and get me off the hook here."

"You're crazy." Loki said though this time it lacked some of the bite.

"That's what everybody says, but with all due respect, miss, I'm not the one hanging off the back of a ship here. Come on...give me your hand. You don't want to do this." He said as he finally reached out his hand right next to her. Holding his breath.

Loki considered the water another moment, but after the man's little tale she wasn't so inclined to jump all of sudden. It doesn't seem so peaceful. So she finally reached around with other and hand and took the outstretched hand and then very slowly started turn on the rail towards him. Once she was facing him he offered her a charming smile. Full of warmth. She was a little dazed by it to be honest.

That and his striking blue eyes. They reminded her of the ocean in the middle of the day.

"Hi. I'm Mobius Donaldson." Mobius said as he held her hands in his.

"Loki Larsen Olsen Laufeydottir." She said said back. Still a little breathless.

"I'll have to get you to write that one down." He said with a laugh.

This in turn startled a laugh and a small smile out of her.

"Alright, come on. Let's get you back on the safe side of the rail."

Loki lifted her left foot first to carefully place it on the next rung up. Using the grib Mobius had on her hands to further steady herself. She didn't realize however that the gold lace cover that the beads hung from, but hung over her dress, had gotten caught and sort of wrapped around the top of her shoe.

As she moved to lift the right foot up to join it her foot slipped off the railing and a scream was ripped from her throat as she grabbed onto Mobius's hands for dear life. Her feet swinging freely as they desperately looked for purchase somewhere.

Mobius cursed as he was very nearly pulled over with her from the unexpected momentum. At the last second digging his feet in and grasping onto her just as tightly as she screamed again. "Hey hey I got you. I got you, come on." He summoned every ounce of strength he had and then some from the adrenaline rushing through him and managed to pull her up high enough to grab onto the bars

again and and she made a wild grab for them, but her grip slipped last second and he groaned as she went a little lower again.

"Help! Please!" She begged as another scream pierced the night air. Catching the attention of a couple of the ships crew who were enjoying a couple minutes break.

"Please! Please help me!" Loki pleaded as her feet dangled with nothing to stand on.

Mobius's grip was so tight he was a little worried there might be some faint bruising on her arms the following morning, but that was so far from the top of his list of things to worry about right now.

"Loki listen!" He shouted down to her in a bit of firm tone. Trying to get her to stop panicking. She looked at him with terrified green eyes and he swallowed. "Listen to me. I've got you. I won't let go.

Now pull yourself up! Come on!" With another groan he summoned the last of his energy and hoisted her up.

This time Loki was able to grab on to the bars and with his help started to pull herself up. It took a couple seconds as her arms were aching and she could tell Mobius was tiring. Once her feet were back on the rails she took just a second.

"That's right...come on...you're almost there...you can do it..."

Mobius continued to cheer her on as she climbed the rest of the way up and he was able to just hoist her the rest of the way over the rail, but the weight of her and his strength leaving him all at once as soon as she was safe had them both falling to the ground. He managed lay her down fairly gently before he collapsed sort of on top of her.

"What's all this?"

Mobius looked up and then sighed as he saw the men that had come running and he knew exactly how it would look. He said nothing as he got up and quickly took a step back from Loki. Hands in the air.

He saw the guard look to Loki who was still laying on the ground trying to reorient herself after everything and then to his boots and jacket which were nearby and then back at him and glared. "You stand back and don't move a bloody inch!" The crew member yelled before he looked back to the other two that were with him. "Fetch the master arms."

***

"This is completely unacceptable!" Fandral seethed nearby next to Loki who was sort of hunched in on herself with a blanket wrapped around her. Another man, built like a damn brick house with shoulder length blonde hair offered her a glass of water, but Loki shook her head.

Mobius just sighed as he felt one of the ships officers tightenting a pair of cuffs around his wrist. It was pointless to say anything and he knew that. Saying something right now would just as likely get him more in more trouble.

"What made you think that you could put your hands on my fiancee?!" Fandral asked Mobius as he approached him.

Mobius spared a glance at Loki over his shoulder and Fandral growled as he reached up and grabbed the front of Mobius shirt. "Look at me you filth!"

"Fan." Loki finally said from where she was seated on the bench, but either the man didn't hear her or didn't care.

"What do you think you were doing?!"

"Fandral stop!" Loki said as she finally got up and came over to sort of put herself between Mobius and Fandral. "It was an accident."

Fandral gave her a disbelieving look. "An accident?"

"It was!" Loki insisted. "Stupid really..." she said with a small shrug. "I was leaning over and I slipped."

Now even Mobius gave her a slightly incredulous look.

She pressed on. She couldn't let Mobius be blamed for something like this. Not after he had saved her life and when he hadn't even done anything to warrant such treatment. "I was leaning far over to

see the, uh...uh..uh the uh..." She started to make a motion with her hand for an exasperated Fandral who followed the motion tiredly.

"The propellers?" Fandral finally supplied.

"Propellers!" Loki said with a smile. "Yes! The propellers and I slipped. And I would have gone overboard, but Mr. Donaldson here saved me. And almost went over himself."

"You wanted to see the..." Fandral drawled on an exhale as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "She wanted to see the propellers." He announced to the rest of his little group with an embarrassed laugh. The way Mobius read it came off as him almost saying look at how stupid my poor fiancee is and it angered him to see her written off like that, but he bit his tongue.

"Like I said, women and machinery do not mix." One of the other's of the group said.

The officer who had cuffed Moubius's hands turned him around a little and gave him a stern look. Daring him to tell anything, but the truth. "Was that the way of it lad?"

Mobius gave Loki a small look and he could read the desperation for him to take the out. Not that he needed to be convinced, but if he had been that would have done the trick. "Yeah. Yeah, that...that was pretty much it."

"Well the boy's a hero then!" The man with grey mustache said. "Good for you son. Well done. So it's uh all's well and back to our brandy eh?"

Fandral no longer concerned with Mobius turned to Loki. "Look at you." He said as he rubbed at her arms through the blanket. "You must be freezing. Let's get inside." He said as he started to lead her away.

"Uh sir, perhaps a little something for the boy?" The last of the stragglers mentioned to Fandral.

Fandral sighed, but slowly drew to a stop and turned back. "Of course. Uh, Mr. Odinson, I think a twenty should do it." He said with a nod to Thor.

Loki chuckled humourlessly. What a slap in the face. "Is that the going rate for saving the woman you love?"

Fandral rose a brow. "Loki is displeased, it seems. What to do?" Fandral considered for a moment, before he nodded. "I know." He said as he turned and made his way back over to Mobius. "Perhaps you could join us for dinner tomorrow evening to regale our group with your heroic tale."

Mobius was a little surprised, but he didn't let it show. "Sure." He said as he tucked his hands back in his pockets. "Count me in."

"Good." Fandral said as he gave him a smile that was all teeth. "It's settled then." He said before he turned and walked away. Muttering under his breath to Thor. "This should be interesting."

"Mhm." Thor hummed.

As Loki and Fandral round the corner to head back to their room for the evening he gave a whistle to the get the muscled blonds attention. When he looked back to him he smiled a little. "Can I get one of those smokes?"

Thor frowned, but then he approached all the came and held out the metal ciagarette case clicked open.

"Thanks." Mobius said as he tucked one behind his ear and stuck the other between his lips to be lit.

"You'll want to tie those." Thor said as he gestured down to Mobius's untied boots and clicked the cigarette case shut so he could tuck it back in a pocket of his suit jacket.

Mobius looked down at his untied boots. "Oh...yeah I will."

"It's interesting. The young lady slipped so suddenly and yet you still had time to remove your jacket and your shoes." Thor rumbled before he offered a nod and turned to walk away.

***

Loki sat in font the vanity in her room. Dressed down into a simple grey night dress as she looked at herself in the silver hand mirror. She had just gotten done meticulously brushing out her long black locks for the evening. A music box played a comforting melody that reminded her terribly of her father. He had not been a smart man with money, but...she had at least asked her what she wanted every now and then. A knock on her door brought her back to the present and she laid the hand mirror down glass down. She gave no permission to enter.

Fandral still pushed open the door anyway with a little grin. She frowned at the reflection of him standing the entry way to her room holding a box of some sort.

"I know you've been melancholy." He said. Obviously not perturbed in the slightest. "I don't pretend to know why."

When Loki still said nothing he took that as his cue to come into the room fully and approach her vanity.

"I intended to save this until the engagement gala next week, but I thought tonight." He said as he leaned back against the vanity and opened the box to reveal a sickeningly beautiful diamond blue diamond surrounded by littler white ones. He probably thought it was a romantic gesture.

"Good gracious." She breathed out as she laid her hesitant on on the edge of the box.

"Perhaps as a reminder of my feelings for you."

"Is it-"

"A diamond?" He finished. "Oh yes." He said with a broad grin. Taking her tentative curiosity as acceptance and he eagerly pulled the necklace out of the box and moved behind her. "Fifty six carats to be exact." He said as he lowered it around her neck and clasped it. "It was worn by Louis the Sixteenth. And they called it Le Coeur de la Mer. The Heart of the Ocean."

"The Heart of the Ocean." She said at the same time as him as she reached up and her thumb and forefinger over it.

"Yes. Very good."

"It's overwhelming..."

"Well, it's for royalty." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "We are royalty Loki."

Silence fell between them and all Loki could feel in his presence was fear. Not of him, but of the fact that no matter what she did this was going to be her life. And there was nothing she could do except go along with it. This necklace was the collar that made that obvious. That's what it felt like.

Fandral got down on one of his knees and he rested his elbow on the vanity and his head in hand. Staring at her reflection next to his in the low light of the bedroom in her stateroom. "You know, there's nothing I couldn't give you. There's nothing I'd deny you...if you would not deny me." He said as he finally looked up at her and not at her reflection. "Open your heart to me, Loki."

Loki swallowed as her hand came up to clutch at the necklace which suddenly seemed to have doubled in weight. She was all to relieved once he left the room so she could take it off.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter Three:

"Well I'd been on my own since I was fifteen, since my folks died. And I had no brothers or sisters or close kin in that part of the country so I slid on outta there and I haven't been back since." Mobius said as he trailed along. Doing his best not to trip over his feet as he stole glances at the creature striding along next to him. Looking like poetry in motion on the A-Deck. Both his jackets from the evening prior tucked away on his little bunk in his room. It was warm enough during the day that he didn't need it. One hand once again tucked in the pockets of his brown pants. His other hand held the cloth roll up bag that contained his charcoals and his leather bound sketching journal. "Guess you could just call me a tumbleweed blowin in the wind." He said with a little laugh. Not at all nervous. Nope. No siree. Why would he be nervous?

Loki chuckled next to him. Wrapped up in a light gold dress whose top was a lighter cream color. A black belt wrapped her waist once more and her hair pinned up in a simpler bun for the late morning stroll. She had also foregone any sort of gloves this morning.

Silence fell between them for a couple minutes as Mobius finally tore his gaze away from her to some of the other spiffy first class men and women in their tailored suits and frilly dresses. It certainly was pretty, granted a bit obnoxious, but he could still appreciate. Faint chatter rose and fell occasionally in volume as they walked by others. "Well Loki, we've walked about a mile around this boat deck and chewed over how great the weathers been and how I grew up, but I reckon that's not why you came to talk to me is it?"

Loki blinked as she looked over to the odd blonde haired man. Charming in a way that she had never considered before. The way he spoke to her, it was almost like he knew her without having met her before. Like he could see right through all the careful walls she built and covered with thorns so meticulously. Like they meant nothing. Her hands toyed with a green clutch. She had to look down for a moment before she finally looked back up to face him. "Mister Donaldson I-"

"Mobius, please."

Loki nodded concedingly. "Mobius. I wanted to thank you for what you did. Not just for...for pulling me back, but for your discretion."

"Your welcome." Mobius said without missing a beat.

"Look, I know what you must be thinking." Loki said with a sigh as she stared pointedly ahead. "Poor little rich girl. What could she possibly know about misery?"

"No..." Mobius said as he they rounded a corner of the deck and took a moment to rest as he reached up with the hand previously in his pocket and lightly grasped onto a rope. "That's not what I was thinking at all."

Loki paused in her steps as she hadn't realized Mobius had stopped and fallen behind until she had heard him say that. She looked back over her shoulder with a baffled expression. Like he hadn't just spoken plain English. She turned back to him as he continued.

"What I was thinking was what could have happened to this poor girl to make her think she had no way out?" He said with the most tender expression she had been given by someone in a long time. A longing to understand on his face the reassurance that he would listen in his eyes.

"Well I..." Loki tripped over her words. So caught off guard by that look and she found it all coming out before she had a chance to stop it. "It was everything." She said at last as she moved past him to approach the wooden balcony of the deck. "It was my whole world and all the people in it and the inertia of my life plunging ahead and me, powerless to stop it." She said as she held out her left hand helplessly to show off the shackle on her ring finger in the form of large diamond ring.

"God look at that thing..." Mobius said as he reached up and used the opportunity to gently hold her hand in his for just a moment. "You would have sunk right to the bottom." He said with a small laugh. Trying to lighten the mood as he straightened out and silently mourned having to let her hand go.

Loki's expression remained one crack away from showing the turmoil she felt just beneath the surface. "Five hundred invitations have been sent out. All of Philadelphia's society will be there and all the while I feel I'm standing in the middle of a crowded room screaming at the top of my lungs and no one even looks up." She said as she turned her gaze back out to the view as she turned to lean back against the balcony. Mostly to hide the tears shining in her eyes that threatened to spill.

"Do you love him?"

Loki's head snapped back over to Mobius and she was quick to wipe at her eyes and stuff everything back down. "Pardon me?" her tone was slightly offended now.

"Do you love him?" Mobius repeated. Looking her dead in the eyes expectantly.

Loki stared at him. "Well. You're being very rude. You shouldn't be asking me this."

Mobius shrugged. "Well it's a real simple question sweetheart. Do you love the guy or not?"

Loki laughed in disbelief as she shook her head. "This is not a suitable conversation."

"Why can't you just answer the question?"

Loki laughed again as she pushed herself off the balcony and rested one of her hands against her forehead. She didn't like the thoughts and feelings this conversation was dredging up inside her. Stuff she usually tried to bury and pack away. Not think about. Detach herself from. "This is absurd."

Mobius rose a brow as he watched her walk off before he pulled away from the post of the rope he had been casually sort of leaning against and moved to follow her.

Loki suddenly spun back around to face him. "You don't know me and I don't know you and we are not having this conversation at all. You are rude and uncouth and presumptuous and I am leaving

now," She said as she stuck out one of her elegant, slender hands. "Mobius. Mr. Donaldson," she said as he took her hand and she started to shake it. "It's been a pleasue. I sought you out to thank you and now I have-"

"And you've insulted me." Mobius said with a small bow.

Loki sputtered. "Well...you deserved it." She said still shaking his hand.

"Right." Mobius said.

"Right." She snapped in echo.

Silence.

Loki was still shaking Mobius's hand.

Mobius swallowed down the beginnings of a laugh and tried his best to keep from smiling to much as he looked down at their still shaking hands then back up to her. "I...thought you were leaving."

Loki scowled for just a second then chuckled a little as she let go of his hand and pointedly turned away. "Oh I am."

Mobius just smiled a little more as he innocently clasped the wrist of the arm that held his journal and charcoals in front of him. Waiting. Watching her walk away.

Loki took exactly five steps before she groaned and turned back around. "You are so annoying!"

Mobius just laughed. Staying in place.

She took two more steps then stopped. "Wait." She turned back around. "I don't have to leave." She said as she strode back over to him. "This is my part of the ship. You leave." She said as she stopped directly in front of him and pointed towards the gated staircase that would take him back down to G-Deck.

"Oh ho..." Mobius chirped as he leaned back a little and reached up with his free hand to casually lean back up against rope. "Well well well, now who's being rude?" He said as with a gesture to her with his handing holding the journal.

Loki stared at him with her mouth hung open. Unable to figure where exactly he got the audacity to say such a thing to her. She glanced away as she scraped her jaw off the floor and then yanked the stupid journal from his hand. "What is this stupid thing you're carrying around?" She muttered as she turned it sideways and lifted it open. She was a bit stunned to see drawings contained in the folder.

"What are you some kind of an artist or something?" She murmured. Some of the bite from her tone having disappeared as she started looking closer at the pictures.

Mobius let her take the journal and made no protest opening it beyond murmuring for her to be careful with it. The drawings in it meant a lot to him and he could never recreate them. The leather bound journal was also kind of a prized possession. Had some sentimental value. It had been through so much with him.

She continued to look through the pages as she finally took a small step back then paused in her browsing of his work to glance back to make sure there was a chair behind her. Once she was sure there was she quickly took a seat. "A good artist." She murmured as she looked back down at the drawing she was paused on.

Mobius still didn't say anything. Letting her take her time to soak in his work. He could tell she had an eye and he was preening on the inside to hear her complimenting his work. He moved away from the rope instead took a seat in the chair next to her.

"They're uh...they're really good, actually." She amended as she stopped and gazed down at one of a woman. Her eyes were obscured by the brim of her hat because her head was down. Looking at the child held in her arms bundled in a blanket as she held a bottle to it's lips. Next to the drawing there was a smaller drawing. A close up of her hands in stunning detail. She stared down at it and then glanced at him before she returned her attention to the Journal and carefully lifted the drawing to move to the next. "Mobius this is exquisite work..." She breathed.

"Ah, they didn't think to much of it in Ol Pari..."

"Paris?" Loki echoed as she looked back over to him in surprise.

He gave her a nod.

She turned her attention back to the journal. "You do get around, for a p-" she cut herself off last second and cringed inwardly. "Well uh...a person of, limited means."

Mobius let her squirm for a moment as she looked back over to him before he laughed and waved on of his hands. "Nah it's okay. I'm a poor guy you can say it."

Loki did not, but she smiled gratefully at him for letting her off the hook. Relieved that the moment and mood could be salvaged. She turned to the next drawing and blushed a little as she found a picture of a woman lying on her side completely bare. "Well well well..." She turned to the next to find a drawing of two women in some sort of a studio. One front and center seated on the ground with her knees up, ankles crossed, one armed draped around them. The other arm's elbow resting on her knee and her hand lightly grasping at her neck. Her hair falling down her shoulders. In the background another lady stood leaning back against a bar. Looking at her reflection. Both again in the nude. "And, these were drawn from life?" She asked as she closed the journal a little around her thumbs which she kept in place so she would not lose her place when someone walked by.

"Well that's one of the good things about Paris." Mobius said with a light tint to his own cheeks. "Lots of girls willing to take their clothes off."

Loki chuckled as she turned to the next drawing. This one of the upper half of a woman only. Lying again on her side. Her left arm resting sort above her head with her head in the crook of her elbow.

Her right arm lay loosely over her fairly large breasts while her hair fanned out behind her. She was beautiful despite how scandolous it felt to be looking at these. She observed it a little closer then realized something. "Mm...you liked this woman." She said as she leaned back a little. "You used her several times." She turned to the next. More hands.

Mobius reached out for one side of the journal and she willingly let him have it. "Well, she had beautiful hands see?" He said as he gestured to the close up of the hands that the drawing was. Tracing over the lines with his finger for a second fondly.

Loki smirked as she looked over to Mobius. "I think you must have had a love a affair with her."

Mobius blushed a little more and quickly waved his hands with a nervous laugh. "No no no no just with her hands. She was a one legged prostitute."

Loki looked up at Mobius slightly shocked.

Mobius turned to another drawing. "See?"

Loki looked back down. "O-oh..."

Mobius chuckled and she chuckled a little as well. "She had a good sense of humor though." He said before he decided to move them along as it got to be a little awkward. He reached for the journal and turned to another drawing. "Oh and this lady." He stopped on one of an older woman wrapped up in a fur coat and draped in jewels sitting at a corner of a table of some sort with a glass of wine in front of her.

"She used to sit at this bar every night wearing every piece of jewelry she owned just...waiting for her long lost love. Called her Madame Bijou. See, her clothes are all moth eaten."

Loki smiled softly as she gazed down at the drawing. She found with a horrifying realization that she could listen to Mobius talk about his drawings for hours. "Well...you certainly have a gift Mobius."

She said as she looked to him. "You do. You see people."

Mobius didn't miss a beat. He looked right back at her. "I see you." He said quietly.

Loki almost broke down in tears as she stared at him. It took some serious effort to shake it off and before she smiled and lifted her chin in the air. "And?"

"You wouldn't have jumped." Mobius said with a hundred percent certainty.

Loki stared at him before she coughed as she shut his journal.

***

"Well after that I worked on a squid boat in Monterey then I went down to Los Angeles to a pier in Santa Monica and started doing portraits there for ten cents a piece." Mobius stood facing out over the view of the balcony on the other side of the A-Deck now. He was staring at the view that was Loki in the burning orange of the setting sun. Almost making it look like her black locks were being set ablaze. It matched that wild fire he could see still burning somewhere inside her.

"Why can't I be like you Mobius?" Loki asked quietly. She was to busy looking out over view. Thankful that they could not yet see land in the distance. As long as she could not see her prison approaching she could pretend for a little while longer that this trip would never end. "Just head out for the horizon whenever I feel like it." She smiled over to him. "Say we'll go there sometime. Even if we only ever just talk about it."

"No we'll do it." Mobius said as he straightened up on the bars and turned to face her a little more. "We'll drink cheap beer. We'll ride on the roller coaster until we throw up." This earned him a beautifully genuine laugh and smile. "And we'll ride horses on the beach. Right in the surf. You'll have to do it like a real cowboy though. None of that side saddle stuff."

Loki hesitated at that. "You mean...like...one leg on each side?"

"Yep." Mobius said with a nod. Popping the p.

"Can you show me?"

"Yeah, sure. If you like."

Loki smiled. "Teach me to ride like a man."

Mobius chuckled. "And chew Tobacco like a man."

Loki laughed again as she tried to think of the most ridiculous thing men did that ladies would be admonished for doing. "And...spit like a man."

"What they didn't teach you that in finishing school?"

Loki scoffed. "No."

"Well come on I'll show you." Mobius said as he pushed himself off the rail. "Come on. Let's do it."

"Wha..." Loki asked as Mobius moved around her back out onto the the main walk way.

"Come on!" He encouraged as he took her hand when she reached out to grasp at his sleeve.

"Mobius..." She hissed out through her teeth as she looked around. He pulled her along and she pulled him right back. "No Mobius..."

Mobius turned back to her. "Come on Lokes, it'll be okay." He said as he pulled her along again.

"Wait Mobius! I couldn't possibly do this..."

Mobius wasn't giving up and she finally relented with a huff as she followed after him to the covered promenade deck.

Mobius smiled as he leaned against the shorter wall here which went right over the side of the ship rather than just down to another deck. "Watch carefully." He drew his shoulders back and then spit

out a good wad of phlegm over the side.

Loki gasped. "That's disgusting!" She exclaimed, but she couldn't help the thrilling feeling she got. The smile on her lips.

Mobius was unphased. "Your turn!" He said with a broad grin.

Loki shook her head. She couldn't believe she was entertaining this, but at his unexpected eyes on him she finally did spittle over the side of the ship. She looked to Mobius as if to say 'happy now?'.

"Pitiful!" Mobius declared. "Come on you really gotta hock it back. Get some leverage to it." He said as he demonstrated the proper technique "Arch your neck..." He said and then sent another one flying over the edge.

"You see the range on that thing?"

Loki nodded. Already getting into this time. Sound effects and all as she did as Mobius had done. She finally launched one over the edge.

Mobius made a so so motion with his hand. "That was better." He said approvingly. "You gotta work on it. Really try and hock it up. From the bottom of the body you know? You gotta..."

Loki tried to tap his arm, paling the slightest bit, as she caught sight of her mother and three of her extremely prestigious lady friends as well as Verity standing right next to him.

Mobius didn't take the hint as he started getting ready to spit again, only to feel Loki tugging on the sleeve of his shirt. He turned to face her before he whirled around to see what she was looking at and cringed on the inside. Yikes. He swallowed the wad he had been about to let fly. It was disgusting, but he would live. Everyone just sort of stared at one another for a long moment.

"Mother..." It was Loki who finally broke the silence. She moved away from the wall and stood next to Mobius. "May I introduce Mobius Donaldson."

"Charmed, I'm sure." Was all Farbauti said.

Verity subtly motioned for Mobius to wipe at his chin and he did.

"The others were gracious and curious about the man who had saved my life, but my mother looked at him like an insect. A dangerous insect, which must be squashed quickly."

"Well, Mobius, sounds like you're a good man to have around in a sticky spot." Verity and a couple others looked behind them as the trumpets meant to call everyone for dinner played throughout the

deck. "Why do they always insist on announcing dinner like a damn cavalry charge?" She complained.

Loki laughed at that despite herself. "Shall we go dress mother?" She asked as she moved to take her mother's arm and lead her away. Calling a "See you at dinner Mobius" over her shoulder.

Mobius gave a little wave to Loki before he watched her disappearing through the crowds. Straining his neck to try and get a view of her until he couldn't see her anymore.

"Uh son?" Verity asked as she addressed Mobius, but when he didn't answer she frowned. "Son? Son!"

Mobius shook his head. "Huh?" He murmured as he finally focused on Verity.

"You have the slightest comprehension of what you're doing?"

Mobius gave her a much more sheepish smile. "Not really no."

Verity gave him a knowing look. "Well you're about to go into the snake pit." She took Mobius's slightly patchworked tan shirt and his brown suspenders and brown pants. His lackluster shoes. Not judging him. "What are you planning to wear?"

Mobius sighed as he held his arms out a little at his sides for a moment to show off the outfit she was assessing.

Verity shook her head. "I figured." She reached out to take him by the arm. "Come on."

Mobius shrugged as he let her lead him along. She seemed nicer than the rest of the people walking around with sticks up their asses and he knew he could use all the help he could get.

***

Mobius stood on the step riser in front of a large mirror admiring himself in the silk black tuxedo. His arms held up a little as Verity moved around him adjusting it here and there.

"I was right!" She said triumphantly as she gave him a hearty pat on the back with both of her hands. "You and my son are about the same size." She said as she stepped back and put her hands on her

hips to look at her work in satisfaction. She had also helped him spruce up his fluffy blonde hair a little and had let him bathe in her quarters while she had gotten ready.

"Pretty close..." Mobius said as he straightened out his arms a little and checked the cufflinks one last time and let out a little whistle as he reached up and rested his hands on the lapels.

She smiled at him from where she stood behind him. "You shine up like a new penny."

Mobius laughed with a little with her. "Thanks again Mrs. Myers. This means a lot."

She waved one of her hands as she collected a black wrap for the evening. "It'll be worth it to see the annoyance on Fandral's face this evening. Now let's get a move on. Don't want to keep a lady

waiting."

"No m'am." Mobius said as he followed after her out into the hall.

***

"Good evening Sir." The doorman said as he pulled open the ornate wooden door with glass panels and gold leaves etched into the glass.

Mobius offered a slightly tense nod as he stepped through and looked around. Swallowing a little before he took a deep breath and found his confidence. He had entered onto the upper curved balcony that wrapped around to a breathtaking staircase. A grand clock stood on the landing between the two sets of stairs. He moved to the railing and glanced over, looking at other's mingling as they found their way to the dining room. After a couple more minutes of looking around, taking in the atmosphere he decided he was ready to join the fray and made his way down the stairs. Adjusting his collar just a little for something to do with his hands as he strode down the polished marble steps and leaned against a wooden pillar to wait. Crossing his arms casually over his chest as he did not see Loki yet.

As he stood there again watching other's walking by he observed the way the gentlemen would escort their ladies by the arm. He had never been one for proper poise, but here he felt it would be good to take notes. If only to treat Loki like the angelic being she deserved to be treated as. He straightened up and put one arm behind his back and held his head a little higher.

"Good evening." One older gentleman said in passing. Giving him a nod as he and his wife walked by.

Mobius gave him a nod back before he turned his back on the staircase and started practicing offering his other arm, but he turned back as he heard Fandral's grating voice echoing down the stairs.

Droning on about something, but he figured Loki would be with them. When he finally saw him come into sight however instead of escorting Loki like he though he would be for all he claimed to be her

fiancee, instead he had Farbauti, Loki's mother on his arm and Loki was nowhere to be seen.

As they passed by neither of them so much as spared him a second look. Not seeming to recognize him as the third class passenger they had both been looking down on just hours earlier. He overheard Farbauti asking Fandral where Loki was and he mentioned that she would be along shortly.

***

Loki couldn't quite banish the smile playing on her lips as she made her way along. Eager to see Mobius again. Eager to have someone interesting at the dinner table for once. She had purposefully sent Fandral ahead of her with her mother so that neither would truly read into her excitement for what it was.

Once she was sure they had had enough time to go ahead of her she finally found her way to the staircase and made her way down the first set of stairs, but she stopped at the top of the last set as she finally found Mobius.

He had his back to the staircase again where he was standing off to the side. Standing with his back straight and one arm behind his back, while the other one was held out. Shaking an invisible hand.

He was absolutely adorable. Oh so handsome in that tux, but it didn't fit him....high society didn't look right on him. He wasn't meant for the shackles that came with it. She had to bite the inside of her cheek a little to keep from laughing as he lowered his hand and turned back to the staircase.

As his eyes landed on her she saw them go wide for just a second at having been caught, but she offered him a smile and he smiled right back. Finally, as if pulled to him by an irresistable magnetic attraction she glided down the stairs. Dressed in the same dress she had been in the night that he had pulled her back from the darkness. Both literally and figuratively. A black vevlet purse hung from one of her hands.

She approached the last two or three stairs and he moved to meet her. She stopped on the second step and he reached out for one of her black gloved hands. He lifted the back of her hand to his lips and gently kissed it before he smiled. "I saw that once and I always wanted to try it."

She laughed even as a bit of a blush had crept into her cheeks, but he wasn't done. He turned to the side and offered her his arm. She took it and she stepped down the last two steps and as they headed toward the doors for the dining room he stuck his head exaggeratedly in the air with pride for a second. Earning another laugh.

She finally took the lead as she moved to where Fandral and her mother were kissing the ass of some sort of Countess or another that she couldn't for the life of her remember the name of. "Darling..." She said as she reached out her free hand to touch Fandral's arm to get his attention.

Fandral looked less than pleased to be interrupted, but he still turned with a strained smile to Loki.

"Surely you remember Mr. Donaldson?" Loki said as she looked to Mobius who she would much rather look at.

Fandral stared at Mobius. "Donaldson..." he muttered. Finally it seemed to click and his face lit up with realization. "Why that's amazing!" He said as he took in Mobius's tuxedo and his overall cleaned up appearance. "You could almost pass for a gentleman."

Loki glared at Fan, but Mobius just raised a brow. "Almost." He echoed.

"How extraordinary." Fandral said as he gave one last once over to Mobius and turned to offer his arm to Farbauti.

Loki and Mobius watched the pair go ahead of them and then looked at each other and shared a quiet laugh before they headed into the lions den. The dining room.

***

"There's the Countess of Roths." Loki said to Mobius as they paused once they got in. Pointing out said Countess across the room. "And, um," she looked around a little and pointed to another man a little ways away behind them. "That's John Jacob Aster. The richest man on the ship. His little wifey there, Madeline, is my age and in delicate condition. See how she's trying to hide it? Quite the Scandal."

Mobius listned happily as he looked in each direction that she pointed. Interested to learn about some of the bigger players that were aboard the boat. His brow lifted a little as his heard that Mr. Aster's wife was Loki's age, but he didn't comment on it.

"And that's Benjamine Gutenheiman and his mistress, Madame O'Hare. Mrs. Gutenheiman is at home with the children of course. And over here we have Sir and Lady Cosmo and Lucile Dev Gordon. She designs naughty lingerie." She said as she waved in the woman's direction after briefly locking eyes. "Among her many talents. Very popular with the royals."

"Care to escort a lady to dinner?" Verity asked as she found Loki and Mobius in the throngs of the crowd.

Mobius laughed a little as he offered his other arm to Verity. "Certainly."

"My little raven!" Fandral called as he looked over his shoulder to their little group. "My little raven." He called again as he motioned to the doors ahead of them. As if he thought she didn't know where she was going. She just rolled her eyes.

"There's nothing to it huh Mobius?" Verity said as she rolled her eyes at Fandral's antics as well and gave Loki an apologetic look. "Remember, these people love money so just pretend like you own a gold mine and you're in the club. Hey Aster!"

Aster turned as he heard his name being called and Verity let go of Mobius's arm as she moved ahead. "Well hello, Verity. It's nice to see you."

"JJ, Madeline I'd like you to meet Mobius Donaldson." Loki said as she gestured to Mobius.

Madeline reached out to shake his hand first. "How do you do?"

Mobius accepted it warmly. "It's a pleasure M'am."

"Hello Mobius." Aster said as he offered his hand in turn. "Are you of the Boston Donaldson's?"

"No, Sir, the Cuyahoga Falls Donaldsons, actually." Mobius said with a completely straight face.

"Oh...yes..." Aster said offhandedly. Not wanting to insult the man even though it was clear he had absolutely no idea who they were.

Loki had to bite her cheek and keep from laughing becuase she knew that such a group didn't exist in high society at the moment. Mobius was doing the same.

***

"He must have been nervous, but he never faltered." Loki said with a wistful sigh as she looked back to her husband. "They assumed he was one of them. Heir to a railroad fortune perhaps. New money, obviously, but still a member of the club. Mother of course, could always be counted upon."

Loki adjusted the napkin in her lap as they sat around the dinner table, her next to Fandral. She bristled and tensed and counted the seconds in her head until she would be allowed to get away from him again.

"Tell us of your accommodations in the stewards Mr. Donaldson. I hear they're quite good on this ship." Farbauti said as she glanced over to him.

Loki shot her mother a look before she sent a more apologetic one over to Mobius.

Mobius, unphased, answered right back without so much as glancing away in shame or embarrassment. "Best I've seen M'am. Hardly any rats." The rest of the table laughed.

Fandral pressed a finger to his lip in thought. "Mr. Donaldson is joining us from the third class. He was of some assistance to my fiancee the other night."

Loki rolled her eyes a little as she leaned forward. "It happens that Mr. Donaldson is quite a fine artist. He was kind enough to show me some of his work today."

Fandral scoffed quietly as he reached over to the tray that a waiter held out next to him. "Loki and I differ somewhat in our definition of fine art." He said as he took two scoops of caviar and then waved the waiter on. "Not to impugn your work sir." He said with a barely a nod to Mobius.

Mobius waved a hand to show that none had been taken whatsoever. After all the opinions of cockroaches could hardly hold much merit over his work.

Loki coughed a bit obnoxiously into her napkin to get Mobius's attention and pointed to the waiter coming to stand and present the tray to him and he quickly moved aside a little as he caught on and then looked down at the line up of silverware. Suddenly a lot more lost than he would like to admit. Thankfully Verity was seated next to him. "Is this all for me?" He whispered just a bit desperately.

Verity gave him a reassuring look as she leaned over towards him to whisper back. "Don't worry it's not as scary as it looks. Just start from the outside and work your way in."

He gave her a thankful look before he tuned back in to the rest of the conversation.

"Your ship is a wonder Mr. Andrews. Truly."

"Thank you Loki." Mr. Andrews said humbly.

Back across the table the waiter scooped some sort of black stuff onto Mobius's plate and leaned down to him. "How do you take your Caviar sir?"

"No Caviar for me, thanks." Mobius said as politely as he could. "Never did like it much."

"And where exactly do you live, Mr. Donaldson, hm?" Farbauti asked with a bit of a brow raise.

"Well," Mobius said as he considered how to answer. "Right now my address is the RMS Titanic. After that I'm on God's good humor."

Farbauti hummed as she sipped at her wine. "And how is it you have means to travel?"

"I work my way from place to place. You know, trans steamers and such, but I won my ticket on Titanic here in a lucky hand of poker." He said as he glanced around and then settled his gaze back on

Loki. "A very lucky hand."

"All life is a game of luck." Archie, a man with a grey mustache, said.

Fandral shook his head as he set his champagne glass down. "A real man makes his own luck, Archie. Right Donaldson?"

"Mhm." Mobius said in simple agreement.

"And you find that sort of existence appealing do you?" Farbauti drawled with an unimpressed look.

"Well yes M'am I do." Mobius said with the utmost conviction. "I mean I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs." He said as he gave his chest a pat with both hands. "I got a few blank sheets of paper. I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen." His eyes once more found Loki. "Who I'm gonna meet. Where I'm gonna wind up. Why, just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am, on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine folks." He said as he picked up his champagne glass and held it up for the waiter. "I'll have some more of that." Once his glass was filled he pulled it back with a thanks. "I feel like life is a gift and I don't intend on wasting it." He treated himself to a sip from his refilled glass. "You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life at it comes at you."

Next to Loki Fandral had pulled out a cigarette and was patting as his pockets trying to find a lighter and not having much success. Mobius tossed him a book of matches and he reached up to catch it on instinct.

"You need to make each day count." Mobius finished.

Verity gave an approving look. "Well said Mobius."

"Hear hear!" Archie said.

Loki smirked as she raised her own champagne glass in a toast. "To making it count."

"To making it count." Most everyone else at the table echoed as they raised their glasses as well.

***

"-But Mr. Myers had no idea I'd hidden the money in the stove! So he comes home drunk as a pig celebrating and he lights a fire!" Verity said through a hearty laugh as she finished up her story. Some of the others laughing along with her.

Loki leaned a little towards Mobius. "Next it will be Brandies in the smoking room." She whispered.

No sooner had she done so, right on cue, Archie pushed himself up from his seat. "Would you care to join me in a brandy, gentlemen?" He asked as he looked to the other men around the table. The other's gave their agreement as they started getting up from their chairs.

Loki leaned in again. "Now they'll retreat in a cloud of smoke and congratulate each other on being masters of the universe." She whispered with a little eye roll.

Mr. Ismay looked to each of the women seated at the table as he scooted in his chair. "Ladies thank you for the pleasure of your company."

Loki looked up and felt her skin crawling again as Fandral rested one hand on the back her chair and the other on the arm and sort of leaned over her. "Would you like me to escort you back to the cabin my little raven?"

"No," She said as he reached up and waved for him to go ahead and indulge in his cigars and brandy with the others. "I'll stay here."

Mobius pushed himself from his chair. "Here you go Verity." He said as he handed back her pen.

"Joining us Donaldson?" Archie invited. "You don't want to stay out here with the women do you?"

Mobius bit his tongue. "No thanks, I gotta be heading back."

"Ah, of course." Archie said.

"Probably for the best." Fandral said as he tucked something into the inside pocket of his tux's jacket and approached Mobius. "You have no business in politics and that sort of thing. It wouldn't interest you." He said with a condescending pat to his chest and a smug grin that was all teeth as he walked by. "And Mr. Donaldson." Fandral said as he turned back to him.

Mobius turned to face him with a bored side eye.

"Good of you to come." He said as he tossed him back the pack of matches.

Mobius just shook his head before he turned back to the table and approached Loki's chair.

Loki rested her hands on the back of her chair as she turned regally in the chair to look at him. "Must you go?"

Mobius sighed. "Time for me to go row with the other slaves."

Loki huffed out a laugh as she gazed up at him. Unaware of the her mother's intent stare watching them like a hawk.

"Goodnight Loki." Mobius murmured as he reached out and took her hand once more in his. As he did so he tucked a tiny folded up piece of paper into her hand and bent down to plant one more kiss to the back of it before he pulled away. Letting her hand go with one last look at her over his shoulders before he walked away.

Loki watched him walk away until he was out of sight and kept her hands down on the other side of her chair as she quickly unwrapped the scrap of paper. "Make it count. Meet me at the clock." Loki glanced around at the table, instantly decided that no one would miss her. She dropped the note to the floor and kicked it far away from the table before she yawned. "My apologies, but you will have to forgive me." She said as she stood from her seat.

"You alright dear?" Farbauti asked more out of obligation than anything.

Loki nodded. "Yes, mother. I just realize now I am rather tired after all. I'm going to head back to our cabin."

Farbauti waved her hand. "Alright. Have a good evening. Rest well."

Loki returned the sentiment half heartedly as she pushed in her chair and forced herself to walk at a completely normal pace and not run out to the staircase where the clock sat. As she finally stepped through the doors time seemed to slow and she almost felt more like she was floating than she was just walking. Mobius stood with his back to the bottom of the stairs leaned back against the wooden

railing...waiting for her. Even though he had no way of knowing for sure if she would come. She paused at the bottom of the stairs and took a deep breath before she gathered the material of the skirt of her dress in her hands and lifted the bottom of her dress so that she would not trip over it while climbing the stairs. As she got about halfway up her heart was fluttering as he turned around.

Mobius turned around as he heard approaching footsteps. A cocky little, knowing smirk tugging at his lips. "So...you wanna go to a real party?"

***

Pounding drums, fast tempo violins being played in a way she had never seen before, some sort of wood wind instruments played upbeat music that was accompanied by exuberant clapping and stomping as people spun in circles on the tables with partners latched at the elbows in the smoky room down in third class.

Loki was seated in the center of it all just drinking it all in with wide, bright green eyes and a mesmerized grin on her face. The little wooden chair not uncomfortable in the slightest to her as she watched Mobius dancing with a little girl with beautiful brown hair.

The guy that was seated sort of next to Loki said something and she tried. She really did, she tried her damndest, but his accent was so thick. "I can't understand you. My apologies." She hollered over the rambunctious music before she reached for a glass of the dark beer that she saw everyone else drinking. She sipped at it as she continued to watch Mobius and his adorable partner. Clapping along with the music before she startled and let out a surprised laugh. Pressing a hand to her heart momentarily as she heard a loud crash from near by.

She looked over and saw someone falling into one of the tables. Whether he was just to drunk to stay upright any longer or someone had introduced him to the table a little more involuntarily she was unsure. Two of his buddies helped him up and just like that things seemed to be patched over as he reached for a half drank glass of beer and one of the guys handed it to him.

Back on the dance floor as the latest song came to an end Mobius twirled the little girl around a couple times before the song drew to a close. Everyone broke into applause and some shouted congratulations to the musicians who accepted the praise with eager bows before another upbeat song started up.

Mobius leaned down to the little girl he was dancing with. "I'm gonna dance with her now alright?" He said as he pointed towards Loki. He said and waved to Loki. "Come on."

Loki gave him a stunned look. "Wh-what...?"

"Come on!" Mobius said eagerly as he waved his hand again.

Loki continued to just stare.

Mobius finally leaned forward and reached out. Grasping her arm lightly and pulling her from the chair.

"Mobi what-wait..." She said weakly even as she followed him out to the center of the floor as other's took up position around them and he stood in front of her. "I...I can't do this."

Mobius gave her an assuring smile. "We're gonna have to get a little closer." He said as he reached a hand around her waist and pulled her against him. His other hand holding hers. "Like this." He said and then watched her face carefully. Quieter he asked "Is this alright?"

A couple different things flickered across her face before it settled on a smile and she nodded down to him. "Yes." She breathed back.

Mobius smiled softer this time before he felt eyes on him and looked over to see the little girl frowning at him. A little jealous. How cute. "Don't worry Kora. You're still my best girl." That earned him a smile. Satisfied he started to lead Loki bouncing along to the rhythm.

"I don't know the steps!" She said anxiously.

Mobius laughed. "Neither do I just go with it."

Loki gave a slightly nervous laugh.

"Don't think!" Mobius hollered above the music.

The more she relaxed and let go and did as he said and just moved with the music the more alive she felt. Soon enough she couldn't help the laughs every now and then as they bounced round and

round. It was thrilling. It was exciting. It was new.

Across the bar one Tommy Ryan shook his head with a disbelieving laugh as he took a drag from his cigarette and watched Mobius dancing with Loki Larsen Olsen Laufeysdottir.

Other's started to claim empty tables of their own Mobius's eyes lit up as he lead them toward one of the tables.

Loki caught on last second. "Wait wait Mobi wait! Stop Mobius!"

Mobius pressed on as he pulled her up onto one of the tables. As the music started some sort of a little break down he started a sort of river dance along with the music. His hands in his pockets. His dress shoes from the nice tux still polished and shining in the light. Loki was thankful he had shed the suit jacket though. This was more him.

Loki rose a brow, impressed, but now taking this as a challenge she quickly lifted one foot after another and tugged off her heels. Leaving her feet clothed only in her black stockings. She tossed her shoes to a woman nearby who caught them and set them down next to the table for her and she held up the bottom of her dress and started to dance along in the same fashion Mobius had and she wasn't half bad.

Mobius threw back his head with a whoop and a laugh as she finished her little dance and then looked over to him expectantly. He rose to her challenge.

After they went back and forth for a couple sections of the song Mobius held out his arm bent at the elbow and she caught on and hooked her arm with his. Then they were spinning in circles and it was the freest she had ever felt in a long time...maybe ever.

After the song had come to an end they climbed off the table and Mobius took her hand and pulled her over to one of the tables. Tommy and another man were engaged in an arm wrestling match and Mobius leaned over them and reached for two glasses of beer. He pulled away from the table and handed one of the glasses to Loki and kept one for himself. He just took a sip.

Next to him Loki raised the glass to her lips and started draining the glass at an impressive rate.

Mobius stared on in surprise as he watched over half the glass disappear.

Loki gave him broad grin as he finally pullled the glass away from her lips. "What? You think a first class girl can't drink?"

Before Mobius had a chance to say something in response someone came out of nowhere stumbling into Mobius's back and knocked him forward into Loki and caused him to slosh his beer all over her her.

"Get outta here!" He shouted in annoyance as he yanked the guy by his vest towards some other direction. "You alright?" He asked as he looked to Loki. "I'm so sorry."

Loki just laughed as she shook her head. It was impossible to ruin her mood right now. Next to them at the table Tommy finally slammed the other mans arm down in victory.

"I'm fine." Loki assured Mobius before she approached the table. "So." She set her half empty glass down between them and plucked the cigarette from Tommy's mouth. "You think you're big tough men?" She said before she took a pull from the cigarette and blew out the smoke. "Let's see you do this." She said as she took a couple steps back. She bent down and picked up the bottom of her dress.

"Hold this for me please Mobius."

Mobius was a little perplexed, but way more curious about where this was going so he took the fabric.

"Hold it up." She said as she moved his arm up a little more. Once her feet were on full display she held her arms out in front of her like ballerinas do for balance and started to very slowly rise on the the tips of her toes. She went all the way. Until she was balanced literally on the tips of her big toes. She managed to hold the position for about a minute before she let out a small cry of pain and fell to

the side. Right into Mobiu's safe, protective arms which wrapped around her like a blanket.

"Jesus Mary and Joseph..." She heard one woman mutter in awe as applause broke out around the room.

"You alright?" Mobius asked as he looked down at where he still held her in his arms.

"I haven't done that in years!" Loki said with an exhillirated smile as Mobius set her back on her feet proper. Around them everyone started linking hands and to form a chain of sorts moving throughout the room. Kora grabbed Mobius's hand as she went by and he followed. Grabbing Loki's hand and pulling her along with him.

Loki was having such a good time she was oblivious to muscled blonde perched halfway down the stairs which allowed him a perfect view of the room and of Loki dancing with Mobius.

***

The next morning Loki and Fandral sat across from each other at a table set for a lovely breakfast on their personal promenade deck. The morning sun lighting up the room around them and glinting off the gold in the fine china. The silence between them was tense and she could tell Fandral was upset about something or another. Probably something Mobius had said that had bruised his ever so fragile ego, but he had yet to say anything as a maid and a waiter moved around them.

"Coffee sir?"

Fandral didn't even look at her or answer her verbally, just dismissed her with a shake of his head.

She flitted back over to her cart and the waiter left the room entirely.

Fandral set his cup of tea down as Loki picked hers up. "I hoped you would have come to me last night." He started in a dangerously calm tone.

Loki slipped on an apologetic look. "I was tired."

Fandral hummed. "Your excursions below deck were no doubt exhausting." He said as he pinned her with a look.

Loki tensed and she glanced down at the saucer her teacup sat on. Grasped daintily in both hands. "I see you had that boar of a manservant follow me. How typical." She said as she finally sat forward in her chair and her tea cup back down on the table.

"You will never behave like that again Loki." Fandral said in a stern tone. Almost like a father giving his daughter an order. "Do you understand?"

Loki considered her options for what she could say and decided to push a bit. To hell with this good girl act that she had been putting on. She set her shoulders and lifted her chin. "I'm not a foreman in

one of your mills that you can command. I'm your fiancee."

Fandral let out a long breath as he looked down at what she said at first. At that last part he felt anger rise in him and his head snapped up. "My fiancee..." He growled out. "My fiancee!!" He shouted as he shoved himself up and threw the chair back from himself. It landed against the wall behind him with a thud that caused Loki to jump.

"Yes you are!" He shouted even louder as he grabbed one edge of the little breakfast table and flung it to the side with no regard for the dishes and the vase of flowers and food and drink still atop it. "My wife in practice!" He seethed out as he towered over her chair and caged her in with his hands on either of her armrests. Forcing her to lean back and sink down a little in said chair. "If not yet by law so you will honor me! You will honor me the way a wife is required to honor her husband. Because I will not be made a fool Loki." He stared down at her. Waiting to see if she had anything smart to say to that.

Loki didn't. She knew when it was better to stay quiet than it was to run her mouth, but she didn't give him the satisfaction of looking away from his eyes either.

"Is this in anyway unclear?"

Loki swallowed and took a second to find her voice as she gave the smallest of shakes of her head. "No."

Fandral nodded. "Good. Excuse me, my little raven." He said as he pushed off her chair and strode out of the room.

Only once he had left the room did she sit in the chair. Her chest was tight and she couldn't quite breathe. Her hands were shaking as she looked around at the shattered dishware littering the ground and the upturned table. The mess that had been made.

"Oh Loki!" Trudy, the maid, stood in the corner of the room hurried over to her.

"W-we had an accident." Loki said in a broken voice as she took the napkin from her lap and sank down to her knees. Reaching for one of the shards glass.

"That's alright miss. That's alright." Trudy said. Trying to get her to stop and calm down.

"I'm so sorry Trudy...j-just let me help you..." Loki said as a couple tears finally started slipping down his cheeks.

Trudy finally reached up and took one of her hands and got Loki to look at her. "It's alright miss." She assured.

She finally fell back against the chair and just focused on trying to catch her breath.

Later after breakfast she stood in her room gripping at one of the solid wooden posts of her bedframe while her corset was pulled ever tighter by Trudy behind her.

As Trudy worked the door opened.

"Tea Trudy." Farbauti said to Trudy.

Trudy ducked her head and then left the room to fulfill the request.

Farbauti took up the task of tightening Loki's corset.

There was silence between them for a couple minutes before Farbauti finally spoke. "You are not to see that boy again Loki. Do you understand me?"

Loki said nothing.

"Loki?" Her mother said in a stern voice. "I forbid it."

"Oh stop it mother." Loki said as she rolled her eyes. "You're going to give yourself a nosebleed."

Her mother spun her around forcefully by the shoulder. "This is not a game. Our situation is precarious. You know the money's gone."

"Of course I know it's gone. You remind me of it every day." She said accusingly.

Farbauti shook her head. "Your father left us nothing, but a legacy of bad debts, hidden by a good name. That name is the only card we have left to play. I don't understand you. It is a fine match with

Hansen. It will ensure our survival."

Loki just stared at her mother in disbelief. "How can you put this on my shoulders?"

Farbauti looked as if she had been struck. "Why are you being so selfish?"

Loki gaped at her mother. "I'm being selfish?"

"Do you want to see me working as some sort of seamstress? Is that what you want?" Farbauti asked with with a faint tremor to her voice. "To see our fine things sold off at auction, our memories scattered to the wind." She said as she squeezed her eyes shut and covered her mouth as she looked way in fear.

Loki stayed quiet throughout the entirety of her mother's theatrics. No longer as swayed by the guilt tripping and manipulation because this was only what her mother wanted. It didn't actually sound so

bad to forgo some of their luxuries and walk away from the stress of high society. "This is so unfair." She said under her breath at last.

"Of course it's unfair." Farbauti said as she turned back to Loki. "We're women. Our choices are never easy." She stepped forward and pressed a kiss to Loki's cheek and held her face in her hands for a moment before much more gently this time she urged her to turn around so she could finish with her corset.

***

"Hello Mr. Andrews." Mobius said with a nod of his head towards one of the men he remembered from last night and Mr. Andrews nodded back in greeting.

"Good morning Mobius." He said back as Mobius passed him on the staircase.

Mobius pressed on, looking for the room where first class passengers held their Sunday service and he didn't have to look very far at all. As he rounded a corner he saw a set of doors and on the other side he could hear a collective choir of voices singing as a piano played along. There were two men posted outside, but that was normal so he didn't think of anything of it as he approached and made to step through.

One of the doormen intercepted him and stepped in his path. Mobius tried to step around him, but the man moved with him. "Sir, you are not supposed to be in here."

Mobius tried to get around him again, before he tried reasoning. "Come on, I was just here last night. You don't remember me?"

"No, I'm afraid I don't. Now you're gonna have to turn around around."

Mobius was just starting to lose hope, but perked up as on the other side of the doors glass he saw Thor approaching. As the doors swung up he looked to the doormen. "He'll tell you." He said before he looked to Thor desperately. "I just...I just want to-"

Thor planted himself firmly in front of the door. "Mr. Hansen and Ms. Laufeysdottir continue to be appreciative of your assistance. They asked me to uh," He said as he reached into his suit jacket's pocket and fished out a couple bills. "Give you this in gratitude."

Mobius shook his head in slight frustration. "I don't want your money. Please, I just-"

"AND," Thor continued. Making his voice a little louder for just a moment to speak over him. "To remind you that you hold a third class ticket and that your presence here is no longer appropriate."

"Please...I just wanna speak to Loki for one second." Mobius pleaded.

"Please see that Mr. Donaldson gets back to where he belongs and that he stays there." Thor said as he held out a bill each that had been intended for Mobius, to the doormen instead. Who unlike

Mobius weren't above working for the money.

"Yes sir." One of them said.

"Come along you." The other said as he took him by the arm to escort him back to his deck.

***

Mobius looked around around as he scaled up the rails of yet another deck. Making sure that no one was looking his way as he hoisted himself up and over. On a chair he passed there happened to be a very nice long black coat and a black hat to match. He draped the coat over his arm and settled the hat on his air as he walked along.

***

"Mr. Andrews," Loki said as she walked along the deck that contained some of the lifeboats Her mother and Fandral with them of course. Today's dress a long flowing green dress and a black shaul that hung from her elbows. She had left her hair partially down for today, some of it pinned up to the side with a gold haircomb. "Forgive me, I did the sum in my head and with the number of life boats times the capacity you mentioned, forgive me, but it seems there are not enough for everyone aboard."

Mr. Andrews sighed and it was obvious he wasn't wholly happy about it. "Bout half actually. Loki you miss nothing do you?" He said. Rather impressed. "In fact I put in these new type of ballasts which can take an extra row of boats inside this one, but it was thought, by some, that it would look to clutttered. So...I was overruled."

Fandral scoffed as he tapped at one of the life boats with his walking cane. "A waste of deck space as it is on an unsinkable ship."

Loki rolled her eyes.

"Sleep soundly young Loki." Mr. Andrews assured as they started walking again. "I have a built you a good ship. Strong and true. She's all the life boat you'll need. Come along now. The next stop will be

the engine room." He said as he moved ahead of Loki as well.

Loki was getting ready to catch up when suddenly someone grabbed her arm from behind. She whirled around and was about to cry out, but then she caught ocean blue and ash blonde and she relaxed just a little as Mobius pressed a finger to his lips and pulled her with him into some sort of little storage room. "Mobius..." She said as she stepped inside. "This is impossible." she said quiter still as he shut the door.

They both stood there in silence for a moment before Loki dug deep and found what little self restraint she had. Even though it was painful to pull the words from her mouth. "I can't see you." She said as she made to walk out of the room.

"I have to talk to you." He said pleadingly as he reached for her. Desperate to keep her from walking away after he had tried so hard to see her.

"No..Mobius...no." She said as she leaned back against the wall next to the door and banished unshed tears from her eyes and as she looked down to him. "Mobius...I'm engaged. I'm marrying Fan. I love

Fan." Maybe one day she could lie to herself convincingly enough to believe it.

"Loki...you're no picnic, alright? You're a spoiled little brat even, but under that, you're the most amazingly astounding wonderful girl-" He shook his head. "No, woman, that I've ever known. And-"

"Mobius..." Loki said as she turned away from him because it hurt to much. It was unbearable to know that all she had to say was yes and she could have him, but she couldn't. It wasn't the way things

were meant to go for her. It was time for her to stop to living in delusion and face reality.

"No no please, let me try and get this out. You're...You're..." He sucked a in a breath and tried to gather his thoughts as she leaned against one of the windows now. "I'm not an idiot. I know how the world works. I've got ten bucks in my pocket I have nothing to offer you and I know that. I understand, but I'm to involved now. You jump, I jump remember? I can't turn away without knowing you'll be okay. That's...that's all that I want."

Loki took a silent deep breath and then braced herself and looked up at Mobius. "Well I'm fine. I'll be fine."

"Really?"

"Really."

Mobius lifted a brow. "Really?"

Loki nodded.

"I don't think so." Mobius said softly without missing a beat. "They've got you trapped Loki." He said as he pointed to the walls of the room, but really past them to her mother and fiancee. "And you're gonna die if you don't break free. Maybe not right away because you're strong, but sooner or later that fire that I love about you Loki..." He near whispered fear shining in his eyes for what the future held for her. Reaching up to cradle the side of her face in one of his hands as if that alone would be enough to keep her safe. "That fire is going to burn out."

Loki swallowed again and for just a second she indulged herself. One last time she thought about what it might be like if she walked away from everything. Then she looked to Mobius once more. "It's not up to you to save me Mobius..."

"You're right." Mobius said in resignation. "Only you can do that."

She reached up gave him one last pat on the shoulder. "I'm going back. Leave me alone." She forced herself to pull away from him and made her escape out the door.

Mobius let her go. He didn't like it. He rested his head against the glass and cursed under his breath as he watched her walk away.

***

"Tell us about the disaster with the wedding invitations Far..."

Loki sat at the table with her mother and some of the other ladies for afternoon tea. The same ladies they always drank tea with. She was zoning out at this point. Wondering painfully what Mobius was getting up to right about now, but she shook her head. No.

"Well of course the invitations had to be sent back. Twice." Farbauti sighed out. "And the bridesmaids gowns were dreadful Let me tell you...Loki decided she wanted fern green..."

Loki tuned back out of the conversation as she glanced around the dining room. She noticed a little girl seated at a table nearby with her mother. She was slouched back in her chair a little and her mother reached out to correct her posture and then watched as the little girl laid her napkin in her lap. Just like her mother.

***

Mobius stood at the bow of the ship once more leaning on the rails. Watching the sun starting it's slow descent behind the ocean and feeling sorry for himself. Still sporting the long black coat that he had borrowed from first class and it billowed in the wind behind him.

"Hello Mobius."

Mobius stood and slowly turned around. So much hope already building as he turned to face Loki and what a sight she was. The wind playing with those enchanting Raven locks of hers. She looked just as beautiful as she had that morning.

She stood there toying with her fingers a little nervously. "I...I changed my mind." When Mobius said nothing she took a tentative step closer. "They said you might be up here-"

"Shh..." Mobius said as he placed a finger to his lips.

She looked at him in confusion and he reached for her. "Give me your hand."

She looked at his outstretched waiting hand for only a moment before she reached out her own hand and slipped it into his. He pulled her a little closer and she looked down at him.

He smiled a little. "Close your eyes...go on."

She didn't want to. Gods above she didn't want to. She wanted to stare down into his eyes and get lost in them, but...she finally did.

He adjusted the hand that was holding her so she had a better grip and then placed his other hand on the small of her back. "Step up." He encouraged as he helped her up onto the first rung of the rail.

She followed his instructions. Trust him implicitly. "Hold on to the railing." He said as he took up a position behind her.

"Keep your eyes closed don't peek." He warned playfully.

"I'm not." She said with a little smile of her own.

He stepped up onto the rail behind her. "Do you trust me?" He asked before he saw her trying to peek. "Eyes closed!"

"Alright alright." She said with a laugh. "And yes, I do."

He gently coaxed her hands to let of go of the railing and instead spread them wide along side his. Once she seemed a more okay with it he let her arms go and instead tentatively wrapped both arms

around her waist to steady. "Okay...open your eyes." He murmured.

Loki opened her eyes and gasped at the view that she had from here. She could hardly believe it. She leaned into Mobius a little more, but kept her arms outstretched. "We're flying..."

For a while they both just stood there. Enjoying the moment of peace for what it was. Mobius moved up to the second rung so that he could rest his head on her shoulder. He whispered some sort of

beginnings of a French song in her ear as both their arms were drawn and his were wrapped around her. She turned her head toward him and finally...finally she felt his lips on hers.

The kiss was heartbreakingly tender and soft. She could feel so much adoration and admiration and love and care in that one kiss. It was like he was promising this and so much more if only he could just have her. As if he was unaware that he had already outshined ever jewel she had ever received with his simple kindness. As it went on one of her hands came up grasp light at the back of his neck. Finally shutting her eyes for just a moment.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Chapter Four:

Present day

When Loki opened her eyes she was back on the Keldysh. Still seated in front of the screens that displayed the remains of the ship on the ocean floor. Staring at the very bow that she had just standing on in her memory. She blinked and then slowly turned to face the rest of the room again. "That was the last time Titanic ever saw delight." She said grimly.

Tony nodded as he clicked off the tape recorder for now. "So we're up to dusk on the night of the sinking...six hours to go."

"Incredible!" Bruce said as he came up behind Tony. "There's Smith and he's standing there and he's got the iceberg warning in his hand and he's ordering more speed!"

Tony shook his head as he folded his arms over his chest. "I know exactly what he was thinking. Twenty six years of experience was working against him. He got a little too confident. Figured anything big enough to sink the ship they would see in time to turn. Unfortunately, the ship was to big with to small a rutter. Doesn't corner worth a damn. Everything he knows is wrong."

Loki had sort of half tuned him out as she reached for the hair comb with the black and gold moth on it again. Running her fingers over it.

Tony looked to both Mobius and Loki. "Are you both doing okay? Do you want to take a break? Something to eat or drink?"

Loki shook her head. She wasn't feeling to hungry with the part of the tale that was approaching and she certainly didn't feel like taking a break. She kind of wanted to get this over with.

Mobius, who knew how Loki could be sometime nodded. "You wouldn't happen to have any tea on board would you?" He asked as he laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and rubbed it comfortingly.

Bruce adjusted the glasses on his face. "I have some. It's not a great selection, but I have chamomile, a honey vanilla, a green tea and a black tea." He said before he saw Jane giving an apologetic look as

she dunked the last green tea tea bag in her mug to steep. "Neve rmind, I don't have anymore green tea."

This got a laugh from Loki as she waved one of her hands. "The honey vanilla tea sounds pleasant Doctor Banner. Thank you. If it's not to much trouble could I have a little milk and sugar in it?"

"Our grocery drop got delayed yesterday so we're out of milk at the moment, but sugar I can do." Bruce said as he got up. "Anything for you Mobius?"

"Hot chocolate?" Mobius asked a bit hopefully.

"We have some powdered stuff, but like I said no milk."

Mobius waved one of his hands. "That's fine. Still hot chocolate."

"Hey can I come with you?" Kevin asked. "I wanna see more of the ship!"

Bruce shrugged. "Sure." Kevin followed after him as they headed out of the room, but then Kevin stuck his head back in. "Don't continue the story without me!" He said before he hurried to catch up with Bruce.

Sean was leaning against one of the tables scowling at the floor. "I hope this Fandral guy gets punched."

"Yeah. And shoved off the ship." Tony added as he stood from his chair to stretch out his legs a little. "Honor me the way a wife is required." He said with a scoff. "What does that even mean?"

"Exactly what I said to her that day. He wanted to hollow her out until she was just a doll. He wanted to stick her in his house with all his other expensive objects and simply put her on display." Mobius muttered as he reached for some of Loki's hair and started to weave the locks into a braid. He hadn't been much good at it the first times he had done it, but over the years he had perfected his

technique.

"Hey is he still alive? Follow up question, completely hypothetical of course, you wouldn't have anything against me sending...something...his way...would you?"

"I wouldn't want to spoil the ending of the tale Mr. Stark and this was all a long time ago. I am long since over it." Loki said as she let her eyes close as she felt Mobius's faint tugs every now and then.

"Hey mom?"

"Yes Sean?" Loki asked as she opened her eyes to look at him again.

"How come you never told us any of this?"

Loki sighed. "By the time Mobius and I had you and then Kevin everything was so far behind us, it didn't really matter. It wouldn't have changed anything I just...wanted to leave it in the past. I was happy. That was all that I cared about."

Sean still seemed a little unsatisfied with her answer, but it was the truth and he didn't press any further which she appreciated.

Not to much longer after Bruce and Kevin returned and Kevin brought over Loki's cup of tea.

Loki took it carefully in her hands and thanked both him and Bruce again as she blew gently at the steam curling off of it.

Bruce set down a mug of hot chocolate for Mobius upon seeing that his hands were full and Mobius thanked him as well.

"Loki?" Tony asked as he retook his seat and held up the tape recorder. "Are you ready to continue?"

Loki slowly turned her head so she wouldn't interrupt Mobius's work and he moved with her and she glanced back to the ship resting on the ocean floor. Her eyes found one of the staterooms, it may very well have been hers, grand fireplaces on display.

"I am Mr. Stark. You can turn your little device back on."

He clicked it on and she settled back in after a sip of her tea.

***

April 14th, 1912

Loki couldn't stop giggling as she pushed open the door of her stateroom. "It's quite proper I assure you." She said as strode in and Mobius followed after her. Looking around curioulsy and drinking in the lavish room. "This is the sitting room." She said as she pushed the door shut."Will this light do?" She asked as she shrugged off her black shawl and set it over the back of one of the chairs for the moment.

"Huh?" Mobius asked ever so eloquently from where he had been admiring some of the knick knacks lining the mantle of the fireplace.

"Don't artists need good light?"

Mobius smirked. "Well that is true." He said in fake French accent. Running one of his fingers along the polished wood of the mantle. "But I'm not used to working in such horrible conditions." He said as

he finally turned to face her again.

Loki rolled her eyes a little, but she was still smiling nonetheless as she spread out some sort of a light blanket on a couch.

Mobius was about to continue, but his playfulness was forgotten as he saw one of the paintings hanging on her wall. "Monet..." He breathed out and then made a b-line for the painting.

"Do you know his work?" Loki asked. A little surprised as she watched him walk over and crouch down in front of the painting of lilly pads on the water.

"Of course." He said as she came over to join him. "Look at his use of color here. Isn't it great?" He said admiringly as one of his hands came up to gently point out the part he was talking about. Not touching the canvas. Letting his fingers hover just above it reverently.

"I know. It's extraordinary." Loki agreed and for once she was glad that someone could see what she saw in those paintings.

She moved to the bedroom a couple minutes later and stood at the safe. Twisting the combination lock this way and that with the right numbers. "Fan insists on carting this hideous thing everywhere." She said as he stood in the doorway, but respectfully diverting his attention elsewhere.

"Speaking of...should we be expecting him any time soon?"

Loki scoffed as she got the safe open and pulled out the box that contained her diamond. "Not as long as the cigars and brandy hold out." She said as she closed the safe and then set the box down on

a dresser nearby. She pulled out the necklace and rested the hefty pendant in the palm of her hand on display as she approached him.

"Woow..." He breathed out faintly as he reached out and carefully scooped it up into his own hand for a closer look. "That's nice..." He held it grasped between his thumb and pointer finger a little more in direct light to watch it shine. "What is it? A sapphire?"

"A diamond. A very rare diamond." Loki said from over his shoulder. Looking at it as well. "Mobius I want you to draw me like one of your French girls. Wearing this."

Mobius was still holding the diamond. Twisting it this way and that. "Alright." He said softly. Not fully grasping the meaning of what she was asking for.

Loki huffed out as she realized he hadn't picked up on the full meaning and that she would have to clarify. "Wearing only this, Mobius."

Mobius's head snapped over to her with wide eyes and burning cheeks.

***

Loki reached up and removed the golden hair comb decorated with a black and gold moth from where it was pinning a small amount of her raven locks up amongst what had been left down for the day and shook out the hair. Seated at the vanity in her room.

In the living room Mobius had lost his coat and his suspenders were hanging at his sides instead of strapped to his shoulders. He had pushed some chairs out of the way and set one up for himself to sit in and then considered the space. Trying to figure out where the best lighting would hit from. Finally he dragged over a couch. Shifting it around a little and rearranging some of the throw pillows.

Making sure they were fluffed enough so she would be comfortable.

Once her spot had been situated he took a seat in the chair he had positioned for himself. On a little table he pulled over he set down his cloth roll up bag for his charcoal and unrolled it. He pulled out the little blade and one of the pieces of charcoal and started sharpening it.

Loki pulled open her bedroom door and she stood there. Dressed in a striking green night dress with black trim and faint gold embroidery in the form of feathers. Black tassels. One of which she spun around with a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

Mobius could only stare. She was beautiful. He almost felt like he was getting to see something that wasn't meant for mortal men.

"The last thing I need," Loki started as she pushed herself off the doorframe and stepped fully into the room. "Is another picture of me looking like a porcelain doll." She approached the table and held out one of her hands, which was closed, holding a dime. "As a paying customer, I expect to get what I want." She said. Tossing the dime at him when he had made no move to take it and then stepped back and reached for the front of her dress. Slowly she pulled the front open and shrugged it off fluidly off of her shoulders. Letting it fall to the floor with the quiet wssh of expensive silk. Pooling at her ankles.

Mobius took a steadying breath. Leaning back in his chair just a little. Drinking in every inch of the Goddess in front of him. The pale skin on display. There were no words. Not a single word in the English or French dictionary that he could use. "Um..." He licked his lips a little and struggled to find his voice. "Over um...on the bed. I-I mean...the couch." He said he pointed to the couch he had positioned in front of his chair.

***

"I have to use the bathroom." Sean said as he pushed himself off the table he was leaning against.

"Uh. Me too. I'll come with you." Kevin declared.

Mobius laughed a little as he watched them both hurrying for the exit of the room. "Thought you boys didn't want to miss the story."

"We can miss this." Sean assured before the door closed behind them.

Loki laughed as she took another sip of her tea and continued on.

***

Loki glanced over to the couch before she made her way over and took a seat on the edge. Wondering how he wanted her positioned.

"However...you'll uh...you'll be most comfortable." He instructed.

She hummed and then slowly started to lean back.

"Yeah, actually...lay down."

She did so at sort of an angle. Sort of on her side facing him, but not quite. Sort of fussing around with her arms and as she tried to figure out what to do with them. "Tell me when it looks right."

"Yes yeah no put...put your arm back the way it was." Once some of the shock from this model being Loki had managed to subside a little he was able to start looking at her just another model to draw. Of course she wasn't, but in order to get through this that's what he sort of needed to treat her as.

Loki blinked, but then brought her right arm up over her head to sort of rest on the pillow behind it. "Like this?"

"Yeah. Now put that other arm up...kind of like this..." He said as he sort showed her how he wanted it. Gesturing with the tip of one of his charcaols. "Right by your face there, like that." He pulled his

sketch pad over and adjusted in his seat a bit. "Now head down, eyes to me, keep them on me." He took a small breath. He was doing this. "Um...try to stay still."

Silence fell between them, but it was charmed silence. The only sound in the room was that of Mobius charcoals moving along the paper.

"So serious." She said and despite her best efforts her lips twitched a little.

He smiled, but he didn't say anything back. He couldn't have her moving when he was trying to sketch her likeness. He continued his work and slowly he was able to sink into his work. His blue eyes glancing over the top of his journal every couple of minutes. Peeking through ash blonde bangs.

After about thirty minutes of silence Loki spoke again. "I believe you are blushing Mr. big time artist. Can't imaging Lucile Monet blushing."

This finally earned her a response. "He does landscapes." Mobius pointed out. "Just relax your face."

"Sorry." Loki murmured.

"No laughing."

She took a small breath and then did her best to still herself once more.

***

Loki opened her eyes and was once more greeted with her present day surroundings. Mobius had finished with her braid and had reached for the hair comb and pinned it up with the help of the comb. Now drinking his hot chocolate with one of his hands holding hers.

"My heart was pounding the whole time. It was the most erotic moment of my life." Loki said as she took the last sip of her tea and set her cup aside.

The whole crowd in the room minus her sons who must have made a point of getting lost on the way to the bathroom were staring at her and Mobius with these mushy expressions. Stark was front and center sitting backwards in his chair with his head held in one of his hands.

Mobius rose a small brow. "Really kitten? The most erotic?"

Loki chuckled. "Up until then at least." She conceded.

"So...what happened next?" Bruce asked.

Mobius laughed a little. "You mean to ask if we did it?"

Everyone gave a sheepish chuckle and a couple of them glanced away to not make their curiousity apparent.

"Sorry to disappoint you Doctor Banner, but Mobius was very professional."

***

Mobius was still seated in his chair. Loki back in her evening dress stood leaning over him with her hands resting on his shoulders as he signed his initials, MD, and pt the date at the bottom of the page.

They both stared at it a moment in appraisal before Mobius blew off the paper one last time to rid it of charcoal dust and closed up the journal. Handing it back to Loki.

Loki reached up and took it carefully. "Thank you." She murmured before she pressed a kiss to his lips.

She left him in the sitting room while she went to the safe in the bedroom. The necklace had already been tucked in it's box and she used a fountain pen to write something or another.

"Whatca doin?" Mobius asked as he joined her next to the little table.

Instead of answering Loki just stood and set the pen down. "Can you put this back in the safe?" She asked as she reached for the box that held the necklace and held it out to Mobius.

"Sure." He said as he took it from her hands and headed to where the safe still sat open. He looked to find a slot where it might go and found it easily, sliding the black flat box back into place.

***

"Would you excuse me?" Fandral said to the other men he was sharing a table with as he saw Thor coming his way.

He got up and wordlessly lead the way over to a quiter part of the mostly empty room and looked to him expectantly.

"None of the other stewards have seen her." Thor said.

Fandral scowled. "This is absurd. It's a ship. There's only so many places she could be. Odinson, find her."

***

Mobius was standing out on the private promenade deck in Loki's room staring out over the night sky, but he had his hands buried in the pockets of the long black coat. He enjoyed the view for about two more minutes as he pulled his hands from his pockets and pressed them together. Blowing some hot air into them and rubbing them together to get some warmth as he stepped back in.

Loki was just coming out of the bedroom in a much simpler pale green lace dress.

"It's getting cold." He mentioned as he rubbed his hands together again. "You look nice."

There was a knock at the door. "Ms. Loki?"

Loki cursed under her breath. That was Thor. Without making a sound she grabbed Mobius's hand and pulled him with her through the bedroom toward a back exit for the room.

"My drawings..." Mobius said as he looked back to the sitting room.

Thor frowned as he pushed open the door in the room and stepped in. Looking around.

Loki pulled Mobius through a door and shut it as quietly as she could, but it still made a dull thud.

Thor in the sitting room turned in the direction the noise had come from and then moved toward it.

Mobius looked behind him and noticed another door. He wasn't sure where it lead, but he reached for the knob and thanked God it was unlocked as he pulled it open and motioned her through.

Thor pushed open the door to the room the two had just been in, but...there was nothing.

Loki was grinning as she and Mobius hurried down the hall. Not running as they were trying to avoid suspicion, but definitely hurrying though Loki was pretty sure they were in the clear.

Until she heard a door open in the hall and turned to look over her shoulder to see Thor step out and look down the other way and then in their direction.

"Run Mobius!" She cried as she grabbed his hand and took off running. Skidding around a corner and they both slipped on the highly polished marble as Thor gave chase.

Mobius saw a doorman in the elevator just pulling shut the gate so he could lower it. "Wait wait wait!!" He shouted as he thrust his arm out and managed to stop them from closing. He pulled Loki with him onto the elevator. "Alright come on!" He said as he pulled it shut. "Down down down! Go go go!"

Thor slammed his hands on the gate on the other side as he watched the elevator being lowered down.

Loki smirked up at him and gave him a little waggle of the fingers. Followed by the finger before she devolved into exhilirated giggles.

Thor growled as he turned from the elevator and went running down a flight of stairs.

Mobius stumbled out of the elevator and into a different corridor and right into one of the workers. "Sorry sorry, you alright?"

The worker gave him a perplexed nod as he hurried along to fulfill his duties.

Mobius pulled Loki down another flight of stairs and stumbled around the corner and this time managed to knock into a serving cart a waiter was pushing. Toppling over some of the dishes. "I'm so

sorry." He said as hurried to help pick up a couple of the things.

Loki laughed and shook her head. "You have to be more careful darling." She said as Mobius turned away from the cart and then moved down the hall and through another door before they both leaned against the wall in fits of laughter and tried to catch their breath.

"You think we lost him?" Mobius asked as he braced one of his arms against the wall. "Pretty fit for a first class fella..." He said between breaths. "Seems like a cop."

Loki laughed again. "I think he was."

As Mobius stood there catching his breath the doors in front of him had little circular windows in them and he saw Thor stop at the bottom of the stairs on the other side. "Oh shit." He said as he saw

the beefy blonde turn and lock eyes with him through the window.

"No!" Loki cried and Mobius was spurred back into action.

"Come on!" He hollered as he grabbed her hand and took off running again.

He pulled her around a corner only to be met by a deadend. "No..." then he spotted a door, tried the handle and it was unlocked. "Come on over here!"

Loki followed him in and he slammed the door and locked it for good measure.

Loki was behind him in the cramped little room covering her ears as some sort of loud grating sound filled the room.

Mobius looked around before he noticed some sort opening in the floor where he could see the glow of flames, but it didn't lead down into fire.

"Now what?!" Loki shouted over the noise.

"What?!" Mobius called right back. Covering his own ears.

"Now what?!" Loki hollered louder this time.

Mobius pointed down and she gave him a slightly skeptical look, but she trusted him completely. He lowered her to the ground through the opening in the floor first and then he jumped down after and

he found they were down in the engine rooms. Workers were feeding coal to boilers and moving about.

"Hold on...what are you two doin down here?" One of the workers asked. Coal dust completely covering his face.

Loki murmured an apology as she grabbed Mobius by the shoulder and took off running again.

"You really shouldn't be down here. Hey! It could be dangerous down here!" The worker called after them.

"Carry on!" Mobius called as they ran along. "Don't mind us you're doing a great job! Keep up the good work!"

***

Mobius pushed open yet another door. Metal this time. And lead the way inside. Loki clinging to one of his hands as she followed after him and looked around wide eyed at all the cars and cargo around taking up the room.

"Ah look what we have here huh?" He said as pulled her along through the maze. Finally coming to stop at a beautiful luxury car. It was a beautiful red with dark cherry accents and gold metal. Mobius started to climb up into the driver's seat, but a small cough stopped him.

Loki gave an expectant look to Mobius before she looked to the car door that opened up to the two seater interior and lifted her chin. Her arms behind her back.

"Ah of course." He said as he quickly circled around her and opened the door for her. His one left on the door handle, but his other he made a motion for her to get in with a smile. Leaving his hand held

there so that she could use it to help her into the car.

Loki reached out and slipped her hand into his. "Thank you." She said haughtily as she stepped up into the vehicle and as he closed the door she noticed the built in flower holders nestled among the green velvet in the corners. Two roses stuck out of each. Fresh. She felt something stir inside her as she watched him climb into the driver's seat. She immediately moved forward to lower the glass panel that acted as a barrier between him and her and rested her hands on the ledge.

Mobius rested his hands on the big steering wheel and then chuckled as he reached down and hit the horn twice. "Where to miss?" He asked as he leaned back and looked up at her. Just in time to catch her mid laugh. It was a beautiful sight.

She leaned forward and whispered in his ear. "To the stars."

With that Loki reached through the fairly large opening opening and hooked her hands under his arms. Pulling him up with an unexpected strength. Mobius went along with it and once he could he helped her get himself the rest of the way through the opening by bracing his foot on the steering wheel for a moment.

Once Loki had him through she wrapped herself around him and smiled as she stared up at him. One of her hands wrapped in his and his other arm wrapped around her shoulders. Holding her close, but also like she was the most priceless artifact in all the world. It took everything for her not to cry.

"You nervous?" Mobius murmured.

Her response was instant. "No." She breathed as she took her hand from his so she could hold his instead. She brought the tips of his fingers to her lips. Kissing them tenderly. Reverently. "Put your

hands on me Mobius...please..." She whispered.

That was all the encouragement he seemed to need as he leaned in and kissed her. Really kissed her this time. Slowly readjusting and positioning them so he could lay her out fully on the bench seat.

***

Both of them were sweaty and still catching their breaths. Mobius on top of Loki and neither in any hurry to move from the position. Loki felt completed and whole in a way she had never felt. Never thought she would feel. As she gazed up into ocean blue, still a little dazed, she reached up and rested her hand on Mobius's cheek. "Darling, you're trembling..."

"Don't worry..." Mobius said a with glowing smile. "I'll be alright."

He kissed her again for a second before he finally laid his head on her chest and she wrapped her hands around it. One carding her soft, slender fingers through his hair. On the verge of sleep.

***

Fandral put in the combination for the safe in the bedroom and pulled it open. Looking over the contents and picking up a piece of paper that was lying next to it that hadn't been there before.

"Anything missing?" Thor called from the sitting room as he moved to stand in the doorway.

Fandral said nothing as he looked over the paper before he looked to Thor and then turned back to the safe. Pulling out a brown journal that hadn't been there before either. He flipped open the cover to find a charcoal drawing of a woman. His fiancee. Naked. Save for the diamond necklace. He looked to the note again.

Darling, now you can keep us both locked in your safe

-Loki

Fandral glared down at the paper before he made to tear both the note and the drawing to pieces, but as he looked down at it again he couldn't do it. He shut his eyes as he gathered his composure and thought. Glaring down at the drawing before he looked up. A calm expression sliding into place. "I've got a better idea."

***

Loki laughed as they stepped out onto the deck. Which one she wasn't sure, but she didn't really care. Mobius was stumbling behind her laughing just as hard. "Did you see those guys faces?" He asked as they sort of held onto one another to steady one another.

As she stared down at him she reached up and gently pressed her finger to his lips to quiet him. "When this ship docks, I'm getting off with you."

Mobius's eyes went wide as he processed what she said. She was coming...with him. She was...choosing him. "This is crazy..."

A wild laugh lefter her. "I know! It doesn't make any sense! That's exactly why I trust it."

All he could do in response was press his lips to her again as he wrapped his arms around her.

All of a sudden the ship started lurching and jerking causing Loki to stumble back, but Mobius was quick to grab onto her and steady them both as best he could. As they stood there trying to figure out what was going on the iceberg finally came into sight.

Mobius noticed first that the the the ship was going to clip it and he quickly pulled away from Loki in lieu of pulling her away from where they had been standing so close to the edge. "Get back!"

Just as he did so the ship scraped along the side of the iceberg and knocked huge chunks of solid ice falling onto the deck where they had been standing just seconds earlier.

Once the iceberg had passed where they were standing they both ran over to the edge and leaned over the side of the ship to try and get a better look at what kind of damage had been wrought as the ship finally cleared the iceberg fully, but to Loki and Mobius's surprise it didn't look so bad. Not yet aware of the hell that was unfolding in the lowest decks.

***

Fandral paced the halls back and forth before he finally saw someone of slight rank coming down the hall. "You there!"

"Sir, there is no emergency."

Fandral glared at him. "Of course there is! I have been robbed."

"Have the master arms fetched." Thor rumbled.

The worker stood there. Caught off guard and trying to catch up.

"Now you moron!" Fandral snapped impatiently.

"Y-yes sir."

***

Mobius lead the way up the stairs of the deck that they were on once at the top he opened the little gate and held it for her. Letting her through before he followed.

As they started to walk away though a conversation caught first Mobius's ears and then Loki's and both of them paused and listened in on the Captain and some of the crew members as they urgently

discussed flooding of the ship and the damages.

"This is bad..." Mobius said as he stared after them.

"We should tell mother and Fan..."

***

"Just keep hold of my hand." Loki murmured to Mobius as she walked hand in hand with him toward her room. At the entrance to the hallway Thor greeted her as he pushed himself off the wall he was leaning on.

"We've been looking for you miss."

Loki just stuck her tongue out at him as he took up stride on the other side of Mobius.

As Thor did so he slipped the Heart of the Ocean into one of the pockets on Mobius's long black coat ever so carefully. Normally discretion was not his thing, but Fandral was far past his limit for

forgiveness for mistakes tonight.

"Here we go." Loki muttered under her breath as they approached the open door of the room and she stepped inside.

Fandral exhaled cigarette smoke as he looked to Loki. Ire in his brown eyes as he then noticed her hand clasped by Mobius's.

"Something serious has happened." Loki said as she looked around the room."

"Yes it has." Fandral said as he stepped forward. "Indeed. Two things dear to me have disappeared this evening. Now that one is back I have a pretty good idea where to find the other." He said with a pointed look toward Mobius. "Search him."

"Take your coat off son." The officer standing in the corner of the room said as he moved over to Mobius and forcefully stripped him of his coat despite Mobius's protests. The other officer starting to

pat him down in a search.

"Fan!" Loki said with a disbelieving look to Fandral. "What are you doing? We're in the middle of an emergency! What's going on?"

"Is this it?" One of the officer's said as he held up the diamond necklace glittering in the light for all to see. Including Loki as she turned around around.

"That's it." Fandral said as he reached past Loki to take it back.

"This is horseshit!" Mobius exclaimed in a rare form of anger. Looking at Loki's betrayed, wide eyed expression. "Don't you believe it Loki! Don't!"

"He...he couldn't have." Loki said weakly.

"Oh of course he could." Fandral said immediately. Sensing her doubts and latching onto them. "Easy enough for a professional." Fandral said from where he stood behind Loki watching in satisfaction

as Mobius was put in cuffs.

"I was with him the whole time. This is absurd!" Loki said.

"Perhaps he did it while you were putting your clothes back on dear." Fandral muttered.

Mobius was still trying to figure out how all of this had happened. Then it hit him. "They'll real slick Loki. They put it in my pocket." He said as he desperately leaned toward her.

"Shut up. This isn't even your jacket." Thor said as he glanced at the tag on the inside. "Property of one BJ Wolf." He said as he handed it one of the officers.

Loki watched the coat being handed over with a shattered heart before she looked back to Mobius.

"That was indeed reported stolen today." The officer confirmed.

Mobius rolled his eyes. "I was borrowing it. I was gonna return it."

"Oh an honest thief eh?" Fandral crowed with a cruel chuckle as he looked around the room. "We have an honest thief here do we."

Mobius struggled again and leaned into Loki's personal space. "You know I didn't do this Loki. You know I didn't. Don't you believe them you know it."

Loki just stared after him as he was dragged out of the room by the officers. His words going from whispered pleas to desperate cries.

As Loki stood there watching the scene her mother came up next to her and rested a hand on her shoulder.

***

Loki stood in the sitting room. Fandral once more perched against the doorframe out onto the private promenade deck. There was silence between them as he stared out over the water. After a couple minutes he pushed himself off the doorframe and stepped into the room until he was stood in front of her. Then raised his hand and slapped her hard.

Loki let out a little cry and her head whipped to the side with the force of the slap.

"You were always a little slut weren't you?" Fandral seethed out.

Loki said nothing. Nor had she corrected her posture to look at him.

Fandral reached out and grabbed her roughly by the shoulders. Shaking them a little. "You will look when I'm talking to you."

Loki was forced to look at him, but before she could think of something to say there was a knock on their door and someone stepped in. "Mr. Hansen-"

"Not now we're busy." Fandral snapped.

The man didn't take the hint and leave, but instead strode into the room. "Sir I've been told to ask you to please put on your life vest and come up to the boat deck."

Fandral growled in irritation as he looked to the man. "I said not now." He said as he relinquished his grip on Loki's shoulders.

"I am terribly sorry to inconvenience you Mr. Hansen, but it's Captain's orders. Now please, dress warmly. It's quite cold out tonight." He said. His voice fading as he moved down the hall to take the same order to the next room. "May I suggest Top coats and hats."

Fandral rolled his eyes as he saw someone else coming out of the closet with a couple of life vests. "This is ridiculous."

Loki still remained stood in the middle of the room. Grasping at her cheek with one of her cool hands.

"Not to worry miss. I'm sure it's just a precaution." The worker said gently to her. Noticing her distress, but mistaking the casue of it.

***

"Hey sonny!" Verity shouted as she saw one of the crew members going by. "What's going on? You got us all trussed up here and now we're cooling our heels." She said as she gestured to her life vest.

"Uh...I'm sorry miss, let me see if I can go find out for you." The man said as he scrambled off.

Verity threw arms up in exasperation. "I don't think anybody knows what the hell is goin on around here."

As she walked out, Fandral, Farbauti and Loki passed her. "Goddamned English. Always doing everything by the book." Fandral grumbled as he lead the way through the crowds.

"There's no need for language Mr. Hansen." Farbauti admonished before she turned to the two maids following her. "Please go turn the heat on in my room. I would like some tea when I get back."

"Yes M'am." They both said as one handed her her life vest and the other handed her her fur hand warmer before they flitted off to do as they were told.

Loki looked around the room at the light hearted conversation and mundane chatter with growing anxiety. Her arms crossed as she started rubbing at them a little. Finally she spotted a familiar face in the crowd headed up the grand staircase and she rushed over. "Mr. Andrews," She said as she reached out for his shoulder and he turned to her. "I saw the iceberg. And I see it in your eyes." She said.

Keeping her voice low. She knew they were trying to keep panic from ensuing among the other passengers. "Please, tell me the truth."

Mr. Andrews bit his lip, but as he looked to Loki he sighed and pulled her over to a more private corner. "The ship will sink." He said grimly.

Loki felt her heart turn to lead. "You're certain?"

Mr. Andrews nodded. "In about an hour or so all of this will be at the bottom of the Atlantic."

"What?" Fandral said in disbelief from over her shoulder.

"Please," Mr. Andrews pleaded. "Tell only who you must. I don't want to be responsible for a panic and get to a boat." He said as Loki's hand slowly came up to cover her mouth. "Quickly. Do not wait.

You remember what I told you. About the boats?"

Loki pulled her hand from her mouth. "Yes. I...I understand." She said faintly.

***

"Over here son." The officer said as he lead Mobius over to a pipe in the back of the room. He undid one of the cuffs long enough to put Mobius's arm around the pipe and then re-clamp it on his wrist. Effectively trapping him to the pipe.

"Sir!" Another crew member said as they came running into the office. "They need you up in one of the second class offices. There's a big mob up there."

The office securing Mobius frowned. Not wanting to leave him unattended.

"Go on." Thor said as he pulled out a revolver. "I'll keep an eye on him."

"Aye. Right." He tightened the cuffs a little more and left the room. Passing the keys for the cuffs to Thor on the way out.

Thor smiled smugly at Mobius as he took a seat in the chair in front of the desk and made himself comfortable.

***

"Ladies and gentlemen can I have your attention please! Please be quiet and everyone take one small towards me."

Most everyone in the crowd managed to follow instructions on the first class deck as they took a step toward the crew member.

"Good! For the time being," He said as other's scrambled to get the life boats ready to be lowered. "I shall require only women and children."

Loki watched the tentativeness of the people on deck. Things were still fairly calm, but passengers were starting to realize there might be more of a problem than was being let on. They started to load life boats and lower them down. Nearby one of the flares was sent hurling into the sky in the hopes of summoning help.

***

Mobius had examined this whole room and everything in it about a hundred times by now. Trying to figure out a way that he might be able to give Thor the slip. Who was seated at the desk and making a game of letting a bullet roll down the now slanted desk in the room only to stop it before it fell off the table and reset the motion.

He did this a couple more times before he caught the bullet and instead tucked it back in the barrel of the gun. "You know I do believe this ship may sink." He said as he got up from the chair and made his way over. "I have been asked to give you this small token or our appreciation." With no warning he pulled back his arm and socked Mobius square in the stomach as hard as he could.

Mobius dropped to his knees as the air was forced out of his lungs in a wheeze.

"Compliments of Mr. Hansen." He said before he strode out of the room.

***

"Come on sister onto the boat." Verity said as she nudged along the woman in front of her who were climbing into one of the life boats.

"Any room for a uh...a gentlemen, gentelmen?" Fandral asked with a charming smile.

"Only women and children at this time sir." The crew members said automatically. Not even a glance in his direction. They had to much other shit to do than argue with some priviledged prick.

"Will the lifeboats be seated according to class?" Farbauti asked anxiously as if that was what was most important here. Loki rolled her eyes, but she couldn't say she was surprised. "I hope they're not to crowded." Farbauti said as she turned to face Loki. As if she would somehow sympathize with her on this.

"Oh mother..." Loki said with an exasperated sigh. "Shut up!" She snapped as patience reached an end and grabbed her mother's shoulders. Forced her to look her in the eye. "Don't you understand?!

The water is freezing and there aren't enough boats! Not enough by half!" She forced herself to lower her voice. "Half the people on this ship are going to die."

"Not the better half." Fandral said from beside her.

Loki just stared at him. Again wishing she could be surprised, but she couldn't.

"Come on Far." Verity said as she reached for Farbauti's hand and helped her onto the boat. "First class seats are right here."

As her mother climbed on Fandral looked to her. "You know it's a pity I didn't keep that drawing of you. It'll be worth a lot more by morning."

Loki glared up at him as the whole meaning of that one sentence sunk in. "You unimaginable bastard."

"Come on Loki darling, there's plenty of room for you." Verity called from the boat.

She looked over to the Verity's out stretched hand.

"Come on Loki." Verity urged with a wave of her hand. "You're next."

"Come into the boat Loki." Her mother said as she reached out her hand as well.

Loki took a step back. Then another. These people had never cared about her. If she got on that boat then the only person who did care about her was going to die.

"Loki..." Fandral muttered.

"Loki! Get into the boat!" Her mother said much more sternly.

Loki just shook her head. Her mind made up.

"Loki." Her mother said in a slightly desperate tone.

"Goodbye mother." She said before she finally turned and made to walk away.

Fandral strode after her and grabbed her by the arm. "Are you serious?!" He said as he spun her to face him. Once more taking her by the shoulders. "You're going to him?! You want to be a whore to a gutter rat?"

"I'd rather be a whore to a gutter rat than your wife." She ripped one of her shoulders out of his grasp and went to walk away, but he made a wild grab for her arm and yanked her back.

"No!" He said as he struggled to hold onto her as she fought against him. "I said no!"

Loki hocked up a wad of phlegm that would have made Mobius proud (she hoped) and spat it right in his eye with impeccable aim.

Fandral was so caught off guard by the move that he let go of her and wiped at gunk covering his eye as he watched her run.

"Loki!!" Farbauti screeched as the life boat started to be lowered. "No! No wait!"

***

"HELP!!" Mobius shouted as he banged the cuffs against the pipe in the room. "CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME?!" More banging. "HEELLOOO! HELP ME!"

***

"Mr. Andrews!" Loki shouted as she ran through the first class halls of the ship. Water starting to fill the first inches of the corridors. Frantically trying to find the one man who might be able to and would be willing to help her. Finally she saw him and skidded to a halt. "Mr. Andrews! Thank God! Please!" She ran over to him. "Where does the master at arms take someone under arrest?"

Mr. Andrews shook his head. "What? What no Loki you have to get to a boat right away."

"No! I'm doing this with or without your help sir, but without your help that will take longer."

Mr. Andrews didn't bother wasting time trying to argue. "Take the elevator down to the bottom and go to the left. Down the passage then go right and left again at the stairs. You'll come to a long corridor."

***

Mobius leaned against the pipe. Tired and out of breath. No one had come. "This could be bad." He muttered to the empty room as he closed his eyes and rested his head against it. Then his ears picked up the sound of water. "Oh shit!" He cried as out as he saw water starting to pour slowly, but steadily coming in under the door. The sight of it reigniting some of his determination and desperation as

he yanked on the pipe and the cuffs. Hoping one or the other would give.

***

"Excuse me! Pardon me...thank you..." Loki murmured as she ran to the elevator.

There was a man blocking the open elevator and she shoved into him. Trying to get him to move.

"I'm sorry miss, but the lifts are closed." He said with the tone of someone who had said the same thing about fifty more times in the last twenty minutes.

Loki screamed in frustration before she grabbed the man by his lapels and backed him into the wall. "I am through being polite damnit!" She pointed to the lift's controls. "Now take me down!"

The man didn't argue. Just reached for the lever and started lowering the lift.

"E deck please."

***

"Come on!" Mobius begged the cuffs as he twisted his wrists. Trying to maybe slip out of them.

Back in the lift Loki screamed out more out of shock than anything as they reached E deck and water came pouring into the lift. Freezing cold, but she hardly felt it at the moment.

"We're going back up!" The man shouted as he reached for the lifts controls again.

"No no no no no!" Loki pleaded as she scrambled to stop him. Once she had she yanked open the metal gates and stepped out into the now ankle deep water.

"I'm going back up miss! You're on your own!"

Loki waved him off as she got her bearings and headed off down the hall. Murmuring to herself as she recalled Mr. Andrews instructions.

The deeper into the hall she moved the deeper the water got. It was now up to practically her waist, but she pressed on. Lifting the occasional floating piece of furniture or possessions out of her way.

As she reached the end of the passage she looked both ways. Unsure of what way to go and she felt a couple tears welling up. "Mobius!" She called. Hoping he could hear her as she finally picked the direction she thought was right. "Mobius!!"

Back in the office Mobius looked up.

"Mobius!!"

"LOKI!" He hollered her back.

Loki turned around in the hall she was headed down at the call of her name. "Mobius!"

"Loki I'm in here!"

Loki looked around and then she heard some sort of metallic clanging start up as he continued to holler for her and she was able to start tracking him by the sound.

Finally she threw open the door to the office. "Mobius!" She cried in relief as she finally set her eyes on him. She ran over to him. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" She threw her arms around his neck and desperately placed a kiss to his lips.

He kissed her back, having already forgiven her before she had even heard her calling his name. "Odinson put it in my pocket." He said in one rushed sentence once he pulled away.

"I know! I know I know I know...I don't care." She said as she clung to him.

"Listen Loki. You're gonna have to find a spare key for the cuffs." He said as he glanced down to them. They weren't out of the woods yet and as relieved as he was to see her, time wasn't on their side.

"Alright? Look...look in that cabinet over there."

Loki stumbled over to the cabinet of keys hanging on the wall. Pulling it open to start frantically searching through them, but she didn't know what she was looking for.

"It's a little silver one." Mobius supplied helpfully.

"These are all brass ones!" Loki said helplessly.

Mobius glanced around before he saw the desk and he pointed to it with his foot. "Check right here."

Loki moved to the desk and just ripped out the drawer instead to be able to dig through it easier.

"Loki..." Mobius said as she searched and spun to face him. "How did you find out I didn't do it?"

"I didn't. I just realized I already knew." She said as he stared at him. Momentarily forgetting the urgency.

Mobius smiled at her. "Keep looking Lokes."

"Right!" Loki said as she got back to work.

After a moment or two she threw down the last drawer. "No key." She murmured in a panic. "There's...there's no key."

"Loki...Loki listen to me. I'm gonna need you to go and get some help."

She looked at him with so much fear and anxiety written on her face. Especially at the prospect of leaving him alone.

"It'll be alright. I promise."

She stared at him as she tried to think of another way, but there wasn't. So she hurried over for one last kiss. "I'll be right back." She promised before she pulled away and shoved a couple things out of

her way on the way to the door.

Mobius watched her go. "I'll...uh just wait here!" He called after her. Trying to lighten the mood if only a little.

The water in the hall was up past her waist now. She paused in the corridor and considered her options. The halls starting to look a lot more eerie now that the power was starting to flicker out. Patches of darkness dotted the halls. She finally decided to run up the stairs to the next deck. "Hello is there anyone here?" She called out as she hurried through the halls. Trying to find some sort of help.

"We need help! Hello!" She yelled out louder as she bit back her tears again and forced herself to keep going. If she collapsed and gave up now she would lose him for sure. "Damnit!!"

She continued through the maze of corridors hollering for help and nearly sobbed in relief as she heard booted footsteps running toward her. "Oh thank the Norns. I need your help!" She grabbed for the mans arm as he ran by. "Please! Th-there's a man-wait!"

He stuttered out something in Italian as he pulled away from her and tore down the hall.

Loki watched him go and take all her hopes with him. She turned back around the other way. "Helllooo!" As she started to walk the lights slowly started to dim. She leaned back against the wall as she felt a bit of a tightness in her chest. The ship around her gave out a haunting wail of a groan. "No!" She bit out as she slammed a hand against the wall. Forcing her breathing to go back to normal and the tightness to go away as the lights brightened again.

She pushed herself off the wall. "Hello!"

A haggard looking man with a stack of life vests under one of his arms came around the corner. "Oh miss you should not be here now."

"Wait!"

He grabbed her arm as he strode by. "Come along now."

"I need your help!" Loki said in a commanding tone as she tried to pull him back in the direction of Mobius.

He pulled her the other way and he was stronger than her. "This way quickly."

"There's a man down here!" Loki said urgently as she stumbled after him. Trying to get him to come the other way. "And he's trapped!"

He continued to urge her along as she clung to him. "Please!" She begged. "You're going the wrong way!" As he continued to tug her along she found some strength. "Listen to me!!" He still paid her no mind as she finally drew back her fist and punched him in the nose. Sending him sprawling back into the wall at the end of the corridor.

She collapsed back against the other wall. Breathing hard and a little shocked that she had just done that. He seemed to be just as surprised.

He reached up and felt the blood running out of his nose. "To hell with you." He said before he took off running.

Loki sagged back against the wall and finally let a couple tears fall. Mobius was going to drown because she couldn't keep her temper in check. Just as she was ready to give in and just go back and wait for the water to rise with him together she glanced to her left and saw a bright red case. On the other side of a pane of clear glass sat an axe.

She threw herself forward from the wall and unrolled the giant fire hose next to the case. She used the metal nozzle to shatter the glass and then reached in carefully and yanked out the axe and took off running down the maze of corridors once more.

When she got back to the stairs that she had went up earlier she paused as she stared down them. The water level had risen to damn near the ceiling in the hall while she had been searching for help. She swallowed and then went down. "Oh my Gods..." She stopped in the entrance at the bottom of the stairs and flinched as she heard one of the lightbulbs spark and then shatter as the electricity fizzled out. She yelped at how cold the water was, but did her best to ignore it as she reached up to the pipes that ran along the ceiling to use as a guide and keep herself afloat.

The ship was groaning all around her. Long drawn out wails. Almost as if it was in agony and dying a slow death which...she was. In a way. Another couple of turns and she found the room. Thankfully the door had not gotten shut at any point. It would have been impossible to get it open. "Mobius!" She called as she hurried over to him. Axe in hand.

Mobius was crouched up on the desk that had finally floated over to him which spared him from getting wet for the most part. He looked over as he heard Loki's voice. "Loki!"

"Will this work?" She asked as she held up the axe with all of her hope riding on his answer.

Mobius shrugged. "I guess we'll find you out." He saw her dejected look. "Hey! You did great! Now come on." He laid his cuffed hands down and spread them over the curve of the pipe so the link between them would be an easy mark.

She nodded and came over. Hefting the axe up over her head and getting ready to swing.

"Wait wait wait wait!" Mobius rushed out last second. "Do a couple practice swings over there."

Loki turned to the soldi oak cabinet. The only thing in the room not bobbing in the water now because of it's weight. She took a test swing at it.

"Good!" Mobius cheered as she freed the axe from the wood and lifted behind her head a second time. "Now try and hit the same mark again, you can do it."

She nodded. Bolstered by Mobius's assurance in her she took another swing at the cabinet. And promptly hit diagonally and above from her first mark.

Mobius nodded. Welp. Here went everything. "Okay. Enough practice. Come on." He resituated his cuffed hands. Wanting to give her the cleanest shot possible.

Loki's hands were shaking as she strode over and lifted the axe above her head. "Mobius...I..."

"Loki. Look at me."

Loki looked at him with terrified green eyes.

"You can do it. I know you can. Just hit it really hard and really fast."

Loki nodded as she got ready to swing.

"Wait." Mobius looked to where her hands were croweded together at the very bottom of the handle. "Open your hands a little more. Spread them out. That will give you better control."

She did as he instructed and then looked to him. "Like that?"

"Good. Perfect! Alright. Loki, I trust you.

Loki held her breath and got ready to swing. Waiting for his word.

"Go!"

As she brought down the axe she closed her eyes and prayed.

The axe made a loud clanging noise as it hit the pipe. She didn't dare open her eyes. She was ninety percent sure she had just ruined any chances Mobius might have had as a professional artist one day.

It wasn't until she heard Mobius's elated laugh that she opend her eyes. Cracked at first, but then they flew open as she saw Mobius. Arms spread wide. Hands completely unharmed. She laughed a bit

hysterically. As Mobius threw his arms around her and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "You did it!! I knew you could do it! Alright lets go come on!" He said as he hopped off the desk and gestured

toward the door.

Loki made for the door ahead of him.

"Oh shit this is cold!" He shouted as he followed after her to the door a couple expletives being uttered under his breath.

Loki made to take the lead down the hall as they stepped out, but when she looked down the hall in the direction that they needed to go she saw water crashing down the hall from the other end. "This

is the way out!"

"That's fine sweetheart we'll find another way." He said as he pulled her along down the other way. Away from the rushing water.

***

Up on the first class deck Fandral moved through the crowds of people trying to get on to the life boats before he finally spotted Thor. "Odinson."

Thor strode over to him. "She's not on the starboard side either."

"We're running out of time." Fandral said as he looked around again. Trying to catch sight of black hair. "These damned deckhands aren't letting on any man at all."

"There's one on the other side letting men on." Thor said.

"Well then...that's our play." Fandral said with a nod as he moved past Thor. "We need some insurance first. Come on."

***

Mobius let out a scream as he busted through a locked door and came careening out into a non-flooded hall. Loki in tow and he pulled her close to him as they walked.

"What do you think you're doing?!" One of the workers asked them. "You'll have to pay for that you know. That's white-"

"SHUT UP!!" Mobius and Loki looked over their shoulder and shouted at the same time. That the got the man to stop following them and let it go.

***

"You can't keep us locked in here like animals the ship is bloody sinkin!" Tommy Ryan shouted. Pressed right up against the metal gates that blocked off the living quarters of E-Deck from the rest of the ship. Guarded by a couple of deck hands.

Finally the gates were unlocked. "Woman and children only!" They shouted. Under some sort of illusion that they were going to be able to control the angry mob of people they had been unfairly caging down there since all the commotion had started.

People started to pour through the crack little by little. Forcing the gates open wider and wider. Punches were thrown on both sides and blunt objects were used to try and beat people back, but they

didn't care.

Finally the workers managed to wrangle the crowd enough to slam the gates shut. One of them had pulled out a gun as the gates were locked up again.

This was the chaos that Mobius and Loki were fighting their way through to the top of the stairs.

"For God's sake man there are women and children down here!!" Tommy shouted. "Let us out so we can have a bloody chance!"

The workers made no move to unlock the gates and Tommy glared out the doors before he hurried down the stairs. "Mobius!"

"Tommy!" Mobius shouted. "Can we get out?"

"It's hopeless that way!" Tommy said angrily.

Mobius cursed under his breath. "Well whatever we do we gotta do it fast."

"Mobius! Mobius!"

Mobius turned around in an instant at the sound of his friends voice. "Casey!" He shoted as he threw his arms around him and gave his back a pat before he pulled away.

"The boats are all gone!" Casey said in a panic.

"This whole place is flooding. We gotta get outta here." Mobius said urgently.

Casey gestured hopelessly from where he had just come. "There's nothing down this way."

"Alright..." Mobius said as he bit his lip in thought. "Lets...lets go this way come on." He said as he grabbed Loki's hand.

***

Back in the stateroom Fandral pulled the box that held the diamond from the safe and lifted it out. Letting the box fall to the floor as he put the diamond in the pocket of his coat along with a couple stacks of money. "I make my own luck." He said to Thor.

"So do I." Thor rumbled as he flashed a gun under his suit jacket.

***

Mobius ran through the halls, Tommy at his side and Casey and Loki bringing up the rear. They stopped at a split and he gestured to the right. "Lets go this way."

They followed along. Passing people lining the corridors with little interest for what each was doing. He turned another corner and perked up as he found a stair case leading up. "This way!"

Mobius ran up the stairs to find these metal gates also locked with two workers standing in front of it telling them to just calm down and sit tight and blah blah blah.

He approached the front of the crowd. "Open the gate."

"Sir, go back down to the-"

"Open the gate!" Mobius said much firmer. "Right now."

"Go back down the main stairwell like I told you!"

Mobius sighed as he turned to Loki. Then turned back and grabbed onto the bars of the gate and tugged on them furiously. "God damnit! Son of a bitch!" He shouted in a fit of rage he had never felt

before.

"Mobius! Mobius, stop..." Loki said as she laid a hand on Mobius's shoudler and he did stop, but only to turn around and pace two steps before he saw a wooden bench. He ran over to it and started to pick up one end. "Tommy! Casey! Give me a hand here!"

They didn't need to be told twice. They saw what he was doing and rushed over to help him as they did so some of the other men picked up on what he was aiming to do and they rushed to lend a hand.

Loki's eyes widened as they managed to rip it from the floorboards with a couple solid tugs and looked around. "Everyone out of the way! Get to the side!" She called as she cleared a path.

"Put that down!" The worker on the side said, but there was more worry in his tone than authority.

"One...Two...Three!" Mobius shouted.

On the count of three they plowed forward. Using the wooden bench as a ram to drive it into the metal gates.

"Again!"

They pulled back as a group and then plowed forward. Again smashing the bench into the gates which very nearly gave.

They pulled it back one more time and with one final smash the gate fell to the floor.

"Go!" Mobius shouted as he helped Casey hop over since he had been in the very front of the bench. Mobius hopped over while Tommy took Loki gently by the arm. "Come on Loki."

Once she was over the bench Mobius took her hand and they were off.

"You can't do this!" The worker shouted like a pouty child.

Tommy decked him across the jaw as he ran past. Sending him to the ground out cold.

Up on deck a whole new pandomonium broke out as the third class passengers came running out. Desperate to claim any spot that might be left on the life boats for themselves. The crew tried to keep order as people shoved and pushed, but it was a lost cause.

***

Fandral cursed as he looked over the side of the ship. "We're to late." He said back to Thor.

"There are more boats down the front." Thor said. "Stay with this one. Murdock. Seems to be rather practical."

Fandral watched the chaos unfolding over the side of the ship. Warning shots were fired. Orders were screamed despite being ignored. People were screaming. "It's all falling apart." He said as he moved away from the side of the ship and caught up with the officer Thor had pointed out. "Murdock."

"Hansen. You two with me!"

"I'm a business man you know." Fandral told Murdock. "I have a business proposition for you."

***

"Come on Lokes." Mobius said as he finally pushed open a door that lead right out onto the deck and gulped in some fresh air despite the cold and ran over to where the lifeboats were being loaded.

"They're gone..." Loki said.

Mobius tried his hardest to look around. Trying to spot even one boat.

"Excuse me," Loki said to a gentleman passing by. "Are there any boats left on that side?"

"Er no, but there are a couple of boats all the way forward. I'll lead you."

Mobius was already grabbing Loki's hand and leading her off in that direction.

"Music while I'm drownin. Now I know I'm in first class." Tommy said to Casey as they ran to keep up with Mobius. Passing the string quartet that was continuing to play.

***

"We have an understanding then. Mr. Murdock?" Fandral asked as he tucked a stack of bills in his coat pocket.

Murdock just looked at him before he rushed off.

***

Mobius stood with Loki next to where they were loading one of the life boats and Loki flinched into Mobius as two warning shots were fired from a gun. Ordering for women and children only.

"Go and check the other side." Mobius said to Tommy and Casey. "Go!"

They both turned to fight back through the crowd. Mobius stayed with Loki. Wanting to at least make sure she got on safely.

***

"I found her on the other side." Thor said as he sought out Fandral in the crowd. "Waiting for a boat. With him."

Fandral looked at the boat that Mr. Ismay was climbing into. Knowing that it was probably his only way out, but he didn't take it. "Oh damn it all to hell."

"Shit." Thor cursed as he watched Fandral walk away and followed after him.

***

Loki watched as other's were ripped away from their loved ones. A father next to her was putting on a brave face and telling his daughters to just be good and that he would be along soon as they wailed and reached their arms out for him. She turned to Mobius as she clung to him a little tighter. "I'm not getting on that boat without you."

"No you have to go. Now." Mobius insisted.

Loki shook her head. "No Mobius."

"Get in the boat Loki." It wasn't a demand. He was pleading with her.

"No."

"Yes." He gently pushed her back towards the boat. "Get on the boat."

"Yes get on the boat Loki."

Loki and Mobius looked over in surprise at the sound of Fandral's voice. "My God look at you. You look a fright." He pulled the blanket off of her shoulders and shoved it into Mobius's hands. "Here." He

said as he shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. Running a hand over her hair.

Loki simply hadn't pulled away only because so much had happened and she was still processing and she was starting to feel just a toch overwhelmed. Luckily Mobius came to her rescue as he forcefully

shoved between her and Fan and wrapped his arms around her. "Go on. I'll get the next one." Mobius urged.

"No...not without you."

"I'll be alright Loki. Listen. I'll be fine. I'm survivor okay? Don't worry about me. Now go on. Get on."

Fandral stepped over. "I have an arrangement with an officer on the other side of the ship. Mobius and I can get off safely. Both of us."

Mobius grit his teeth. He knew this bastard was lying, but the fact of the matter was he needed Loki to get on that boat so he smiled at her instead. "See? I have my own boat to catch."

"Hurry Loki." Fandral said. "Their almost full."

Between the both of them Loki finally was talked into getting on the life boat. She reached out for Mobius's hand before she tried not to cry as they started to lower the life boat.

"You're a good liar." Fandral said quietly to Mobius as they watched the boat being lowered.

Mobius scoffed. "Almost as good as you. There's no arrangement is there?"

"Oh no. There is. Not that you'll benefit much from it. I always win Mobius." He said as he finally looked to him with a smug grin. "One way or another."

As the boat was about halfway lowered, the farther away from Mobius she got, the more Loki felt her heart pick up and her anxiety spike. She just knew...she knew deep down that if she stayed on the

life boat she would never see Mobius again. She couldn't take her eyes off him. He was an angel haloed by the light from the flares behind him. She couldn't do it. She pushed herself up from her seat and launched herself back onto the deck underneath the one that Mobius and Fandral were on.

"Loki!" Mobius called out before he took off running.

Loki did the same as soon as she managed to get her footing again on the deck of the ship despite it's tilt.

They met in front of the grand stair case with the clock and threw their arms around each other. "Loki." Mobius murmured as he lifted her off the ground and she wrapped her long legs around him as she pressed her lips to his desperately.

"You're so stupid." He chastised weakly as he set her down and they broke apart for just a second. "What'd you do that for?!" He said after another kiss as he held her head in his hands. "You're so stupid

Loki. Why did you do that...why?"

Loki just shook her head as she clung to him. Looking down into his eyes. "You jump I jump right?"

"Right.." Mobius said as he just shook his head before he crushed her in another hug.

"Gods above. I couldn't go. I couldn't Mobius. I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Mobius assured.

Unaware of Fandral staring down at them from the balcony.

"We'll think of something it's alright."

"At least I'm with you."

Thor gave Fandral a pat on the shoulder as he watched the touching scene before he pulled him away from the banister silently. They walked about three steps before Fandral reached into Thor's suit

jacket for the gun he had seen earlier and headed back towards the balcony once he had it in hand.

Mobius looked up just in time to see him taking aim. Whether at Loki or at him he wasn't entirely sure. His money was on himself, but he also wouldn't put it past Fandral to shoot him through her. "Loki move!" He shouted as he spun them both around so he was in front of her and ducked behind some sort of wooden carving on the bottom of the railing handle. It splintered into little pieces and snapped clean in half from the bullet, but Mobius wasn't hit.

"Shit!" Mobius cried as he pulled Loki and they took off running. Again.

Fandral went running down the steps after them.

Luckily they managed to put a small bit of distance between them and Fan as he slipped on the piece of the wood from when that broken carving fell to the floor. They just managed to get the bottom of another flight of stairs as a shot was fired from behind them. Earning a scream from Loki.

They kept going down and down. Shots ringing out behind them. Even as they came to a staircase half submerged in water they both didn't hesitate. Fandral growled as he fired three more shots.

Thankfully for them he was also a terrible shot. Loki still screamed again as another bullet whizzed by them.

Mobius lead the way through a set of a doors as a another bullet hit the glass right by them. Fandral stepped into the water to give chase, but as he went to fire again he found the gun to be out of bullets. He screamed his frustration as he watched them slip away yet again. "I hope you enjoy your time together!" He hollered after them. Only to then be struck by a realization that had him laughing.

"What could possibly be funny?" Thor asked as he came up behind him.

Fandral looked to him. "I put the diamond in the coat. And I put the coat on her!" He yelled angrily as he flapped his hand in the direction that she had ran.

***

"Come on!" Mobius said as he continued to run. Leading the way through the halls. Loki hot on his trail. They were near the first class dining room and it was halfway underwater. Tables and chairs were just starting to float.

Mobius considered their options, but both of their attentions were grabbed by the screaming of a frightened child.

Loki looked down the hall and nearby stood a little kid pressed against the wall. Tear tracks on their little face and pressed up against the wall frozen in place. "We can't leave him." she said to Mobius.

They didn't have time...as much as it killed Mobius they didn't have enough time to be going back for others, but...Loki was right. They couldn't leave a kid here. "Come on." He said as he ran over to the kid. He picked up the kid and held him close before he gave a concernd look to a set of wooden doors buckling and groaning under the weight of hundreds of gallons of water. Gushing out of the cracks at the edges of the doors. It dawned on him that they didn't have long and he took off running. Clutching the child tightly to his person as Loki ran after him.

As they got a fair ways down the hall Mobius cursed as he skittered to a halt. In front of them another torrent of water was rushing out of stairway and rapidly filling the halls. They turned back the other way. As they headed that way a man up ahead stopped in the corridor. Looking all around before he finally spotted him.

He yelled something in Italian that neither of them took offense nor bothered trying to translate as he ran over and pulled his son from Mobius's arms and kind of shoved him back and took off down the hall.

Mobius recovered fairly quickly. "Wait sir wait!"

"You're going the wrong way!" Loki called after him.

He paid their warning little heed as he bent down and picked up a suitcase. As he stood up from bending down to retrieve it he looked at the same doors that Mobius had been eyeing and he turned to run. Seeming to come to the same conclusion Mobius had, the doors finally gave way to the weight and water pressure. Gallons of water came crashing through the doorway. Completely swallowing the man and knocking him to the ground."

Loki screamed as she took off running. Mobius right behind her and they managed to duck into a little side corridor.

"Run Loki!"

The water eventually caught up with them as well just as they passed another stairwell entry. The water swept them both off their feet and started to carry them faster down the hall until they were slammed against the still locked gates of the other entrance onto the next deck up from E-deck. Pinned there by the weight of the water.

Mobius let out a groan as he grit his teeth and fought against the water. Loki doing her best to do so as well. They both struggled over to the wall and clung to a couple pipes to pull themselves along against the current. "This way!" He called as he saw the stairwell they had past nearby. "Come on! Give me your hand!"

They both sort of fell into the stairwell and stumbled up the first couple of steps. "No..." Loki said as she wrapped her hands around the metal bars of the locked gate.

Mobius gave a couple helpless tugs on it next to her before he looked back to the quickly rising water. Then turned back to the gate. "Help!"

As they stood there still tugging uselessly in a last desperate attempt to not give up the water started to reach their ankles.

As it did so they heard footsteps approaching. A man was getting ready to high tail it up the stairs directly across from the gates.

"Wait sir! Sir please!" Mobius begged.

"Help us please!" Loki pleaded as she reached through the bars towards him.

"Please open the gate." Mobius begged again as he saw the man stop at the bottom of the stairs and then turned back to them.

"Please...please help us."

The man shook his head as he stepped up exactly one stair. Turning his back on them. Then stopped again. "Bloody hell." He muttered before he turned back to the gate. He pulled a ring of keys out of his pocket and started to try different ones in the lock.

Loki and Mobius cheered him in on a frenzied panic as the water started to climb ever higher. It was midcalf now and not slowing down in the slightest.

The man tried yet another, but as he pulled the key out his shaking hands fumbled them and he dropped them in the waist high rising water. He shook his head as he looked to them apologetically. "I'm sorry! I dropped the keys." He said before he turned and fled up the stairs.

"Wait!" Loki called after him.

While Loki cried for him to come back Mobius took a deep and breath and ducked under the water to the floor. He reached his hand through the larger gaps in the bottom of the gate and felt around for the key ring. It was hard to see, but he was doing his best. He finally found them and pulled them through before he popped back up above the water which was up to their necks now and he sucked in a breath. "I got them!" He said as he held them up. "Which one is it Loki?"

"Uh..." Loki looked through the keys in the snatches of light that were now flickering in and out. "Try...Try this one." She said as she picked one out.

He took it and blindly reached throuh and around. Trying to find the key hole for the key. As he fumbled around the water rose ever higher and they had to tilt their heads back a little to keep their heads above it. "Mobius please hurry."

"I know...almost..." He got the key in the hole and started trying to twist it both ways. "It's stuck." He grunted out as he fought with it. Praying for the key to turn and finally it did. "I got it!" He shouted as he pulled the key out and then pried apart the gates enough to let them through. They finally got up the stairs.

***

Fandral came barreling out of a door onto A-deck and got body checked by someone who had been running. Causing him to stumble a couple steps before he managed to catch himself. He took off running with another small crowd as he tried to find a life boat.

As he got there though they were still holding firm to the women and children only and he was out of cards to play. He scrambled for an idea before he heard the cries of young child. He looked around and found said child. No parents nearby far as he could tell. Hm. Maybe that could be helpful.

"Stay back!" Murdock shouted at the crowd of people stood in front of him. Brandishing a gun.

Tommy Ryan stood at the front with Casey at his side. "Will ya give us a chance to live you limey bastard!" Tommy shouted right back.

"I will shoot any man who tries to get past me now get back!" Murdock warned.

Fandral scowled as he shoved his way to the front of the ship. "We had a deal Murdock."

Murdock glared at Fandral as he pulled the cash from his pocket and threw it at Fandral. Sending the bills fluttering as the stack broke apart. "Your money can't save you any more than it can save me!

Get back!" Another man still decided to test this and took a jump over the rope. Trying to get behind Murdock and on the boat. Murdock turned and shot him square in the chest.

Tommy watched in horror before he pushed forward. This earned him a bullet to his chest and he fell back into the arms of some in the crowd.

"Tommy!" Casey cried as he lifted his friends upper body into his arms. "Tommy!" When it became clear Tommy was no longer with them Casey glared up at Murdock. "Bastard!"

Fandral shoved back off into the crowd as he realized he was out of options completely. He found the child that he had spied earlier still crying and huddled up against the wall. He didn't hesitate to scoop her into his arms. "I have a child!" He hollered as he shoved through the crowd. "I have a child!"

One of the officers warned him back, but he put on a desperate look. "Please. I'm all she has in the world."

The officer sighed, but ultimately nodded toward the life boat and motioned him onto the boat.

Fandral thanked him as he hurried on and then awkwardly took the girl and sort of pat her on the head. "There there..."

***

Loki followed Mobius tiredly. Mostly adrenaline pushing her forwards now as they hurried through the smoking room. As they crossed through the room which was now tilted up a fair bit with the how far up in the air this part of the ship was.

"Wait wait wait!" Loki said as she brought Mobius to a stop and stepped back into the room. "Mr. Andrews."

Mr. Andrews turned to look toward Loki from where he stood in front of the grand fire place in the room. "Oh Loki..."

Loki moved towards him. "Won't you at least make a try for it?"

"I'm sorry..." Mr. Andrews said as he looked at her with so much guilt. "That I didn't build you a stronger ship young Loki."

Loki just shook her head. "It's not your fault."

Mobius came up behind her and took her hand. "It's going down fast Loki, we gotta go."

"Wait." Mr. Andrews said as he took a step towards Loki and handed her a life vest. "Good luck to you both."

Loki took it and looked up to him. "And to you. Thank you." She said before he gave a friendly hug. She pulled away and let Mobius lead the way as he watched her go.

***

The back of the ship was completely up in the air now. Not standing straight upright, but at a very steep angle and the front of the ship was sinking fast.

"We have to stay on the ship as long as possible." Mobius said from where they were looking over the side of the ship and looking to see how sunk they were. He took Loki's hand and she followed along as he shoved through crowds and they climbed over rails and balconies.

At one point their hands broke apart for just a second and Loki felt her world collaspe as she looked around. "Mobius!" She cried out.

A second later a hand grasped hers. "I've got you. Keep moving."

She nodded as she clung tightly to his hand and he shoved his way up a staircase towards the very railings she had stood on what seemed like ages ago now getting ready to jump into the very water that was now swallowing what was left of the ship. A resounding scream echoed as the complete darkenss fell for a second. What remained of the lights dimming for a moment before they sputtered back to life.

"-I walk through the valley of the shadow of death-" Some guy in front of them was mumbling out his last prayers.

"I'm sorry but you gotta walk a little faster through that valley of death." Mobius as said as he pushed him along. They were on a time limit here.

The boats propellers were finally all the way out of the water as the back of the ship now steadily rose with more of the horrid groaning, wailing. Like she was begging for someone to just put her out of her misery. Loki tried her best to look away as she saw people aborting and throwing themselves off the side of the ship as it continued to rise. Others scrambling for purchase on anything they could cling to.

As the stern continued to rise Mobius just continued to lead the way. Blocking everything else out. Keep moving. Get to the rails. Get Loki safe. That was his goal. He could afford to worry about nothing else because there was nothing he could do. "Come on!"

They finally reached the railing and he wrapped one arm around her in a death grip while his other arm was hooked around one of the rungs of the railing as the stern continued to rise.

Loki clung to Mobius with all the strength she had left in her weary body and buried her face in his shoulder. A couple tears finally falling as she shook both from the cold and the fear. Trying to block out the screams and quiet resigned prayers, of mother's trying to comfort their children despite knowing it was their last moments. "Mobius..." She said as she looked up to him with a slighty hysterical smile. "This is where we first met."

He pressed a kiss to her forehead and pulled her ever closer as he further tightened his hold on the rail.

As the stern finally did get nearly get up straight at last some thought it would be a good idea to climb onto the other side of the rail and lay down on it. Loki had thought it would be a good idea, but

Mobius shook his head. "I don't think it's going to stay like this. Hold on real tight okay?" He said as he adjusted his hold a little.

As the last of the electricity finally fell victim to the onslaught of water what remained of the lights finally flickered out for good. Plunging those in the water in life boats and otherwise staring up at the ship in horrified awe into true and total darkness. Everything was eerily still and quiet for about five seconds before wood started snapping and the ship screamed out in pain with how loud the metal was groaning as it started to spilt in half. Those that were still clinging to the railing on the stern screamed and held on for dear life as it fell back to the surface of the water.

Loki cried out as her grip on the railing faltered for a second, but Mobius was a rock and she was able to recover quickly enough. Before they could have a chance to further adjust the stern immediately started to rise again as the bow which was still just barely attached started to drag it under.

"Now we do what you wanted to do." Mobius said as he started to scale the rails. "Come on, gotta move sweetheart."

Loki nodded as she started to climb as well. Mobius was up on the other side before her and he threw out his hand. "Give me your hand I'll pull you over!"

She made a grab for his hand and he snagged it and with his help managed to pull herself the rest of the way over so that they could lay flat on the rail. He laid down a little on top of her. Further securing her and making sure she wouldn't fall off to either side.

"What are we gonna do now Mobi?" She asked in a faint voice as she stared down the water and the splintered remains of the grand ship she had been on just hours earlier.

"I...I don't know, Loki. I don't know." Mobius said honestly.

Once again Loki had to shut her eyes and turn away as she saw people falling. Not able to hold onto the railing anymore. Some violently smashing into the other obstacles of the deck like the rails and

the benches and walls with sickening crunches.

Slowly the stern started to sink straight down. Finally being pulled along with her sister piece and Loki watched as the water slowly seemed to rise up to meet her. Even though she knew it was the other way around.

"This is it!" Mobius shouted as he wrapped an arm around her a little tighter. "Hold on."

"Oh God..." Loki murmured.

As the last of the ship started going under Mobius looked to Loki. "This is gonna try and suck us down. Take a deep breath when I say."

Loki nodded.

"Kick for the surface and keep kicking! Do not let go of my hand."

She nodded again as she twined her hand in his in a white knuckled grip.

"We're gonna make it Lokes. Trust me." Mobius promised.

"I trust you." Loki assured.

"Ready? Ready! Now!" He said before he sucked in a deep breath and next to him he saw Loki do the same. Filling her lungs with as much precious oxygen as she could as the last of the ship finally went under.

Under the water it was disorienting and as she spun around. Grappling desperately for some direction. The only thing she was sure of was the hand she was gripping, the hand that was serving as her life line as far as she was concerned.

Mobius grappled her with as he tried to get a hold of the lapels of her life vest as he saw her flailing. Her legs kicking and doing her damndest all the same. He got her going in the right direction, while trying to fight against the tug of the boat pulling him with it and Loki clung to him desperately, but he was ripped from her grip. Reaching out for her as he was pulled down.

She tried to go back for him, but with the life vest on it was near impossible to stay under the surface as the flotation device wanted to do it's job and she sucked in a breath as she broke the surface.

"No! Mobius!" She cried as she looked around wildly. "Mobius!! Mobius!" She didn't see him. People splashing and hollering and shouting all around her and she couldn't see him. "Mobius! MOBIUS!!"

Mobius gulped in air as he finally broke the surface of the water. Taking only seconds to catch a enough of his breath to holler for Loki. "Loki!"

Loki was still searching. Manuvering through the crowd as best she could when all of a sudden someone reached out and shoved her under the water in an attempt to keep themself afloat. She tried to pull away and managed to break surface. "Stop!" She cried before she was shoved back under again. She managed to get her head up again for the barest of seconds. "MOBIUS!"

"Loki!" Mobius shouted as he saw her being nearly drowned by some selfish bastard and he was to her in seconds. "Get off her!" He yelled as he grabbed Loki and pulled her out of the mans reach and

closer to him.

The man was still trying to cling to her and refused to let go and Mobius was long since out of patience. He punched the guy three times in the face. Squaring up with his nose for one of those punches.

That got him to relinquish his hold on Loki and he wrapped an arm around her.

"Loki."

"Mobius!" Loki said as she clung to his arm.

"Swim Loki! I need you to swim!"

Loki nodded as she stayed close to him, but reluctantly let go of his arm so they could both have full use of their limbs to move them through the water.

Loki did her best, but she wasn't nearly the swimmer that Mobius was. It was a trial to keep up with him. He cheered her on as they kept moving. "It's so cold..."

"I know, just keep swimming. If you stop moving it'll be harder to start again."

They swam for about three more minutes before Mobius finally found some sort a large piece of wood. It kind of looked like one of the ornately carved wooden doors. And no one had claimed it yet. He made a b-line for it and reached to rest a hand on it. "Here we are. Get on."

Loki shook her head. "You first."

Mobius looked to her. "Loki please for once just a listen to me."

"No!! You're a self sacrificing idiot who will give me some excuse about why you can't get on. Now get on. Or else I won't." She said as she summoned her most demanding spoiled brat tone. The only thing that was missing was a floor to stomp her foot on.

Mobius stared at her wide eyed, but finally he just nodded. It took a couple tries to get himself up onto the piece of wood, but finally he managed to drag himself with Loki's help.

Once he was up he looked to her. "Will you please get on the damn piece of wood now kitten?"

"Of course dear." Loki said as she batted her lashes and let him drag her up onto the piece of wood. Once she was on they both cuddled togther as close as they could. For comfort and warmth to wait.

Nearby one of the officers clinging to piece of something to stay afloat blew on a whistle. The shrill sound cutting through the air. "Return the boats!!" He cried out to the life boats.

Mobius let out a sigh even as shivers wracked both of their bodies. "The boats are gonna come back for us Loki." He murmured. "Hold on for me alright?"

"Only if you hold on me for me." She murmured back.

***

Over in the life boats the few passengers that had managed to make it out sat there staring at the crowd of people crying out for help. For the life boats to come back. No one made a move to row the

boats back though.

"You don't understand." One of the officers seated at the helm of one of the life boats said. "If we go back they'll swamp the boat. They'll pull us right down. I'm telling you."

"Knock it off." Verity bit out in a warning tone as she got to her feet. "You're scaring me." She said before she looked around her life boat. "Come on girls. Grab an oar. Let's go."

"Are you out of your mind?" The officer asked. "We're in the middle of the North Atlantic! Now do you want to live or do you want to die?!"

Verity looked around expectantly, even to Farbauti thinking she would help rally given one of the people out there was her daughter, but no one moved a muscle. Most just avoided her gaze. Ashamed,

but not enough to do anything about it. Even Farbauti.

"I don't understand even one of you." Verity said helplessly. "What's the matter with you? It's your men out there! There's plenty of room for more!"

"And there will be one less on this boat if you don't shut the hell up!"

Verity glared at the man, but she knew she was beat so she had no choice, but to sit back down.

***

"It's getting quiet." Loki noted from where she was shivering away ensconced in Mobius's arms.

"J-just...it's just gonna t-take a couple minutes for them t-to get the boats organized." Mobius assured even through his shivers. "I don't kn-know about you, but I f-fully intend to write a strongly w-worded...letter to the l-light star line after all th-this."

Loki appreciated his attempt at levity and her lips did twitch, but the only thing that came out was "I love you Mobius."

"No." Mobius said at once. "We're not doing that. W-we're not saying goodbyes. Not y-yet. D-do...do you understand me?"

"I'm so cold..." Loki whimpered.

"Listen Loki. We're gonna get outta here. W-we're gonna go on and we're gonna make the cutest little b-babies and watch th-them grow. We're gonna d-die an old wrinkled, grey c-c-couple. Warm in

our bed. In our home. N-not here. Not th-this night. Not like this. I...would never tell you what to do, but j-just this once I f-forbid it. You understand m-me?"

"I can't feel my body..."

Mobius held her a little tighter. "W-winning that t-ticket Loki, was the b-best thing that ever happened t-to me. It brought me to you. A-and...and I'm th-thankful for that s-sweetheart. I'm s-so damn th-thankful."

"I...I still...l-love you."

"I love you to." Mobius conceded.

***

Loki was certain that only thing keep her tethered to her body by now as they laid curled up on the board was Mobius humming faintly in her ear some French folk song. And she was grateful for it. It was proof that he was still alive.

Frost was clinging to most of their clothes and her hair. Her eyelashes. At least she didn't feel the cold anymore. Not really.

Blearily out of the corner of her eye she caught light washing over the sea. Her head creaked in that direction and her eyes widened as she saw one of the life boats very carefully making their way through the sea of frozen bodies bobbing in the water. The light belonging to a huge flashlight held by the officer stood at the helm.

"Mobius..." She rasped out as she weakly tugged on his coat.

The humming stopped. "What's up?" He whispered.

"Boat..." She said as she managed to twitch a finger toward the life boat moving through the water.

Mobius sat up a little. "Boat..." He confirmed and they both forced their bodies to move and sat up. "Hey!" Mobius shouted, but his voice was so hoarse. So was Loki's.

Loki flailed her arms, but the boat started to get steered away from them. She looked around before without hesitation she slipped back into the water and forced her limbs to work as she swam over to the officer and ripped his whistle from around his neck. She blew into it as hard as she could. Summoning their attention and she didn't stop until they were right up on her and Mobius. Helping them both into the boat.

***

Loki blinked as she opened her eyes and was finally brought back to the present once more. She was quiet for a moment as she grounded herself. It had been so long, but she could still remeber the chill like an old friend and she shivered involuntairly as her arms wrapped around herself.

Mobius next to her shrugged off his light bown button down sweater and carefully laid it over her chest like a blanket and leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her head. Resting his hands on her shoulders. "You're alright. We're not there anymore."

Loki nodded as she let the soft fabric of the sweater ground her along with Mobius's hands. Still warm from his own body heat and it was enough to chase away the phantom chill. "Fifteen hundred people went into the sea when Titanic sank from underneath us." She said quietly. "There were twenty boats floating nearby. And only one came back." She held up a hand with one finger to emphasize

her point. "One. Six were saved from the water. Myself included. Six. Out of fifteen hundred."

She took a deep breath as she let that sink in. Around her everyone was silent. Listening grimly and some a little misty eyed as they hung onto her every word. Mobius took his seat next to her once again, but he reached out to take his hand in one of his own.

"Afterwards," Loki continued. "The seven hundred people in the boats had nothing to do, but wait. Wait to die. Wait to live. Wait for an absolution that would never come."

***

Fandral headed down the steps to the deck the staff on the ship that had finally come to their aid were moving around on and tending to third class stewards that had made it out.

"Oh sir, I don't think you'll find any of your people down here. It's all stewerage."

Fandral made his rounds on the deck anyway. Keeping a sharp eye out for Loki.

Loki sat next to Mobius shrouded completely under a checkered flannel blanket. Pressed to his side. She knew the footsteps as soon as she heard them and forced herself not to turn around and look as that would give her away. Still she tensed in Mobius's arms.

Thankfully, seemingly having completed his search he passed on without a glance in her direction and she could breath. Finally. She could breathe.

"That was the last time I ever saw Fan." Loki said and Mobius gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "He married of course and inherited his millions, but the crash of twenty nine hit his interest hard and he put a pistol in his mouth that year." She shrugged a little. "Or so I read."

Loki stared up at the Statue of Liberty in awe as New York greeted them in true New York fashion with rain.

Mobius smiled next to her. "Beautiful isn't she?"

"She is." Loki agreed before she looked over as someone with a clipboard approached her. "Could I take your names please?"

Loki glanced up at Mobius, but she wanted to take his name once they were married proper so even though it put a bit of a sour taste in her mouth just for the moment she decided "Loki Hansen."

"Mobius Donaldson." Mobius offered from beside her.

"Thank you very much." He said as he made note of their names and then shuffled off to collect the next.

***

Tony stood on the deck as he watched the crew bringing the subs back up and carefully lifting them out of the water as he pulled out a high quality cigar.

Sean had joined him out on the deck for a break from the room and to see more of the ship still. Stretch his legs a little as he chewed over everything he had learned about his parents.

"I was saving this for when I found the diamond." Tony sighed out.

"I'm sorry, for what it's worth." Sean offered as he stepped forward and leaned against the rail.

"Three years, I've thought of nothing except Titanic, but I never got it. I never let it in."

Sean nodded at that. There wasn't a whole lot to say on the matter.

***

Later that night, out on the deck, Mobius pushed Loki in her wheelchair to the bow of the ship. The evening breeze playing with her silver black locks and her simple green nightgown.

Once they got there he offered her his hand and helped her out of her chair. Guiding her to the rails. Ever so carefully she stepped up to the first rung and he climbed up behind her. Not quite as confident now to move up to the second rung, but he still reached for her hands and spread them wide along his.

She closed her eyes as she leaned back against him. They were flying again.

They stayed like that for all of about thirty seconds before he Mobius wobbled and quickly reached back out for the railing with a nervous laugh. Loki laughed as well, but she could feel her feeble body betraying her so he climbed down and then helped her down and back into her wheelchair.

"Ready to be home tomorrow?" Mobius murmured as he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

It wasn't until the kiss was broken that she smiled at him. "Yes...I think I am."