“Jane?” Maura called into the cabin. She stopped short when she saw a romantic meal for 2 set out on the balcony. Candles flickered all around the room and Jane stood in its centre holding a large bouquet of flowers.
“I’m sorry.” Jane whispered, kissing Maura gently on the cheek. “I’ve truly been an ass but I do love you. I always have.” She presented the flowers, shifting on her feet nervously.
“Me too.” Maura admitted before burying her face in the exotic bouquet and inhaling deeply.
Setting the flowers carefully on the large table, she took Jane’s hand and allowed her to lead her to the table.

“The ship has many wonderful activities.” Maura sipped her wine and sighed. The meal had been exquisite, as she had known it would be. “But for tonight, I was thinking something fun?”
Jane sighed noticeably. She was worried that Maura would have found something that required too much thinking on her part.
“Yeah?” She watched Maura over the lip of her glass.
“Well, there’s trivia in the lounge.” Maura began, chuckling as Jane wrinkled her nose in protest. “Ok, how about some dancing?”
Jane seemed to consider this idea. “It’s like a Dancing with the Stars thing.” Maura continued.
“Really?”
Maura laughed. It had been too long since Jane had used that tone, that word. That Jane.
“I don’t really wanna be a dancer, Maur.” Jane admitted. “I thought you meant like a club.”
“Maybe a show, there’s a comedian; I forget his name but you like him.” Maura offered.

“Oooh now you’re talking.” Jane set her glass down carefully and grinned. “Do you want to do that?”
Maura nodded. It was a noncommittal at best.
“Oh, you won’t believe who the captain is!” The delight in Maura’s voice warmed Jane’s heart.
“Ahab?” Jane teased, a mischievous grin dancing over her face.
“Oh Jane, no.” Maura batted playfully at her arm. “Charles Smith.” She said proudly.
Jane stared at her blankly. “Yay?”
“His great grandfather was the captain of the Titanic.” Maura explained softly.
“Really?” Jane got to her feet suddenly. “How is that a good thing?” She peered over the balcony, scanning the water.
“Sit down Jane.” Maura couldn’t keep the laughter from her voice.
“Well his Gramps didn’t have the best eyesight.” Jane began, settling back into her chair. “I just wanted to check.”
Maura frowned, her porcelain face crinkling. “How do you know that? And it was his great grandfather.”
Jane shook her head. “They hit an iceberg! They’re not that hard to see!”
“We’re in tropical waters, Jane. There is no ice!”
Jane’s mischievous grin returned. Reaching into the ice bucket, she grabbed a fistful of ice cubes, extending her hand to Maura before tossing them into the ocean.
“See? Now there’s ice!” she proclaimed smugly. “And the captain didn’t see it. We could be dead!”
Maura laughed heartily, shaking her head.
“Come on.” Jane laughed along with her, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere that had settled around them. “Let’s go dancing.” Maura grinned and got to her feet, wrapping the lithe brunette in a hug.
“Thank you.”