Full summary: The Titanic meant different things to different people. To Charles and Elsie it meant maintaining their already perfectly friendly relationship... Or maybe something more could happen on 'The Ship of Dreams'? To Robert and Cora the Titanic opened closed doors and brought in new opportunities for improving and fulfilling their marriage. I want to capture how two totally different relationships amidst separate classes progress on the most famous ships in human history. Laugh with them, cry with them and experience romance that you can find only once in a lifetime. So if you love the Titanic and if you love Cobert & Chelsie then what else can I say... Enjoy the voyage! Set before s1.

A/N: This is a longer note, but I feel the need to explain some stuff. This is my newest story. Titanic is my forever favorite movie. This is an original fanfiction idea! I've never seen nor read any Titanic/Downton Abbey crossover story. (I'm not even sure if there's any...) I'm basically a Titanic geek. I've always been fascinated and hunted by the story of the ship and her passengers and crew. I'll use some characters from original Titanic movie and I'll use some lines and situations from the movie as well, but I won't focus on their storylines. This is the 1st time I venture with such complex and unexplored characters, so corrections are welcome and I accept every constructive criticism. Charles and Elsie are my new challenge. They slowly intrigued me as the show progressed and I've decided to include them in this story. (Ps. You'll thank me later!)

Dedication: This fanfiction is dedicated, of course to all my lovely readers who gave me support and kind words through reviews... But a special dedication goes to 2,200 passengers and crew members on board of R.M.S. Titanic. 1,500 lives were taken away by the catastrophic sea and only 700 lived to tell their story. After she sank to the reefs, may the Titanic rest in peace.

Disclaimer: James Cameron wrote and filmed 'The Titanic' movie. Julian Fellowes wrote and filmed 'Downton Abbey' series, but they can't lay claim to the Titanic ship any more than I can. She belongs to history and memory.

CHAPTER I

The Queen of The Ocean

"...Every luxury they could afford

Was bought and brought up on board

The water was blue, the sun shone bright

How could they know they'd die in a few nights..."

10 April 1912: Southampton, England

April 10, 1912 dawned bright and clear, as did so many days that spring. The sprawling docks, piers and quays bustled with the regular chaos of a busy seaport. At the White Line's Ocean Dock lay the Titanic, plumes of smoke gently rising from her funnels. Her white upper works gleaming in the sunshine. Her enormous hull overshadowing every other ship in the harbor.

The early April sunshine spread cheerful rays across the docks at Southampton, England, illuminating the swarming people. Bright sparks of morning sunlight glistened on the sea while the world's greatest ship was anchored in the port, waiting to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Fresh black paint shone on the hull, the new decks were shining, and her pristine white paint was nothing less than blinding. Or at least, that was how Elsie Hughes - Mrs. Hughes to most of the world - viewed the most massive ship she had ever seen.

She simply couldn't believe that the Titanic would be her home for five whole days on her maiden voyage to New York City. Elsie also heard that the White Star Line had spared no expense in ensuring the ultimate luxurious experience for first class passengers. The Titanic passengers were a mixture of the world's wealthiest basking in the elegance of first class accommodations and poor immigrants packed into steerage, hoping for a new start.

Elsie could smell the fuel of the ship in her nostrils and feel the pleasant sun rays on her body as she stood in the line for boarding. Every few minutes they'd move slightly closer. It seemed so small of a progression that she didn't notice how far she had gotten until the huge black shadow of Titanic crept across her body. The warming sun's rays became invisible as the Ship of Dreams blocked her fragile body.

"So this is the ship they say is unsinkable." Elsie didn't even realize that she had said it out loud. Her voice was like a whisper. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the most familiar and melodic voice she knew.

"It is unsinkable! God himself could not sink this ship." Carson's booming bass spoke up. He had been standing by her side the whole time, but she was too occupied thinking about the Titanic that she had taken his presence for granted. Charles and Elsie would board the Titanic as loyal help to their employers and first class passengers, Lord and Lady Grantham, but they would be staying in third class on their way to America. They would be able to be present at the first class activities, providing they didn't participate. "It seems Titanic has already enraptured my friend." He let out a deep chuckle. "But I don't blame you, this ship is..."

"...Magnificent!" Elsie finished Charles' sentence. She was surprised at her own words, but she couldn't help herself. The ship's full glory was near impossible to describe. It was indeed the largest ship of its time. They had never seen something so grand and big as this structure that stood right in front of them. She was as large as a mountain and they all stood in her shadow, admiring her beauty with fear in their sparkling eyes. The only thing Elsie could do for now was stare in awe at the Queen of the Ocean.

They noticed that the line moved and so they had to follow, but it was easier said than done. Well, it was easy for Elsie to move forward because she didn't carry any luggage, but Charles... He was carrying his and hers. This is what happens when you insist on acting a gentleman. She's packed like she's going to the end of the world! He thought to himself and let out a loud huff. Charles slowly crept forward with Elsie's heavy suitcases. "Was it necessary to pack this much?" Charles puffed, inhaling deeply in need of air.

"For a lady, it's never too much." Elsie gave him a warm smile as she continued to walk smoothly forward, but Charles was stuck behind. Elsie was happy and excited. She had even bought new clothing, because she didn't have to wear the same black dress she was required to wear back in Downton.

"Never too much..." He made a face, mimicking Elsie's girly voice with surprising aptitude. "Anything for a friend, however..." He murmured to himself as he bravely continued carrying all the luggage.

Finally Charles reached Elsie and once again, he allowed the fresh salty air to fill his lungs. They both turned around to look one last time at the beautiful land of Southampton they'd leave behind as they crossed the Atlantic. The village was swarming with people. They stood all around to see the Queen of Ships off on her journey. Elsie looked at her friend. She knew that deep down Charles missed Downton already. He would never admit to missing the abbey, but she could read him like an open book.

"Mr. Carson! Mrs. Hughes!" Cora's soft and familiar voice interrupted their silent farewell to the land they adored so much. Lord and Lady Grantham along with Rosamund and Patrick stood in front of them, wanting to say a few words before boarding.

"We have to part ways here. Robert, Rosamund, Patrick, James and I are going on the other side for first class passengers, but we'll see you soon when we settle into our room. You just have to pass through the security entrance as our entourage and then enter the first class section." Cora's lovable voice seemed to burst with the excitement of seeing her native home again while traveling in such style. "I'm so glad you two decided to join us! It's going to be a memorable experience."

"For sure, milady!" Carson amiably smiled while he memorized all the information and Elsie nodded her head. A joyous smile crept across Cora's face as she waved them goodbye and disappeared in the crowd with Rosamund. A voice spoke from behind, scaring them.

"I feel you Carson." Robert chuckled and gave him a pat on the back. At first Charles didn't understand what was going on, but soon he saw Robert dragging behind him one of Cora's many suitcases. Charles opened his mouth with the intention to speak, but Robert read his thoughts and cut him off. "Don't ask. The poor boy we hired to help us with our luggage couldn't do it all alone so I had to jump in and help."

Carson looked shocked at the prospect of his Lordship exerting himself, and he reached out to take the suticase himself, but Robert waved him away. "Don't bother, Carson old boy. I would've hired someone else, but I need the exercise. Besides, you've got enough to carry yourself."

Robert, Patrick and Charles exchanged ridiculous looks.

"Women!" All three of them said in unison and started to chuckle a moment later when they realized what had just happened. Carson received another pat on the back from Robert.

"We'll survive! Well, I hope so! I want to touch land once more before Cora drowns me in the Atlantic for letting her suitcase go missing. " Robert sarcastically whispered to them and with Patrick he disappeared in the crowd, following steps of his wife earlier.

Thick, black smoke rose high into the clouds. Enormous black and yellow funnels made a ear-splitting sound and announced that the Queen was ready for departure. All morning long an endless stream of passengers and crew had strode up the gangways and vanished into the bowels of the ship.

... And they were next ...

One last time Elsie heard her heels hit the earth as she made contact with the dirty ground beneath her and a moment later she was standing on the gangway, ready to enter the Titanic. A rush of adrenaline ran through her veins. She was so excited that she couldn't believe herself. In years she hadn't felt like this... so young, so lively. And she was so glad that she accepted the tickets and that she persuaded Charles to join her on this magical voyage. It would be so boring without him, wouldn't it? Elsie looked down and saw the angry sea bumping at the walls of the dock, creating white foam. She could feel little drops on her skin as the wind blew the spray from the sea in her direction. So relaxing and refreshing... And this is going to last for five long days... She smiled at her own thoughts.

Elsie and Charles had been warned that all the passengers traveling as entourage, second or third class had to pass through mandatory security before boarding any White Star liner. They would search them just to make sure they wouldn't bring any harmful things into the ship. Elsie was still hoping that perhaps this wasn't true and that she might be permitted to board untouched. Her hopes immediately sank when she saw a pair of stuffy-looking uniformed men who stood on the Titanic gates, searching the passengers.

"Good morning!" One of the guards said as Elsie and Charles stood in front of them. "May I get your tickets?" The younger guard asked and extended his hand, demanding the tickets.

"One moment..." Elsie's sweet voice broke the tension as she searched for them in her lilac purse. "Here." She placed them in his palms. Elsie had to admit that even the Titanic's tickets looked extraordinary.

"Your names please?" While one man was checking the tickets, another held the list in his hands.

"Charles Carson and Elsie Hughes." She muttered, looking at the two young men opposite her. Why so serious? She thought to herself.

"Checked! Checked!" Both guards exchanged looks. "Everything is alright, now do you have anything to report in your luggage?" One man looked at Carson pointedly.

"No, we do not." He shook his head in denial.

"Wonderful... Now please separate your hands." The guard told Charles and started searching him. Charles obeyed, removing his coat.

While one guard was talking to Charles, another one talked to Elsie. "I'll have to search you ma'am."

She just nodded and followed his instructions. There was nothing she could do about it. After a few seconds, Elsie felt unfamiliar, cold hands on her shoulders. Later they slowly moved down until they reached her waist. This is just uncomfortable, Elsie thought, shooting an irritated look at Charles.

Charles just watched how a strange man touched his friend and she wasn't comfortable at all. Her facial expression said it all. "Is this necessary?" Carson asked. His eyes were carefully following the guard's hands. He didn't care about himself, but about Elsie. Seeing her uncomfortable and irritated was something he couldn't stand... and a strange man was causing that feelings!

"This is the procedure sir." Finally, guard removed his hands from Elsie and stood up.

"Clear!" Both guards said in unison. "Welcome to the Titanic." The two young men moved and gave them space to enter the Ship of Dreams. Elsie adjusted her hat and Charles picked up their suitcases. They just exchanged satisfied looks and boarded the ship they'd never forget!

"Thank you for caring!" Elsie looked at him timidly and patted his shoulder. "What about... We go on the deck and wave goodbye to the people!" She excitedly exclaimed, sharing her thoughts with him.

"But we... Lord and Lady ..." Elsie cut him off.

"For once we can break the rules, can't we?" She grinned at him and headed upstairs to the deck.

The deck was full of people who were sailing to America for various reasons. Some of them to start a new life, some to get rich, some to find a true love, and some simply to have fun. Once she was on the deck Elsie saw many people from every classes claiming a spot by the railings.

Elsie knew that no one looked highly at you unless you were in first class. She didn't worry though. They would still spend a large amount of time in first class assisting Lord and Lady Grantham. Third class meant rats and first class meant good food and dancing. She loved the Titanic!

They both found some space and leaned on the railing of the ship. Elsie turned her face to Charles who stood next to her, enjoying the view. She felt the spring breeze on her face. "She's the grandest." The Titanic wasn't the grandest because of all the people on it nor its size. She was the grandest because she was the ship that was going to get them out. She was going to change their lives. Elsie smiled, feeling hope clinging to her lips like the salt in the air. "The grandest in the world."

A sudden blast of steam from the Titanic smokestacks indicated that the Queen was ready to pull away from the shore and head to Cherbourg, France to pick up more passengers.

An excited buzz went up from the people gathered on the deck as they realized that this was it, they were really leaving. Elsie Hughes gave a little squeak and grabbed Charles by the arm in pure excitement.

They both raised their hands and waved to the people they'd never met. They waved to their home, their England, their Europe. They left everything and everyone they loved in Downton. Elsie leaned on the rail and saw hundreds of people below them, yelling their goodbyes loudly. She smiled in amusement, cupping her hands around her mouth and she hollered. "Goodbye!"

Confused Charles turned to face her. "You know somebody?"

"Of course not. That's not the point." Elsie briefly looked at him and continued. She felt free. "Goodbye! Goodbye! I'll miss you!" She giggled at her own wildness.

In a rare act of impropriety, Charles joined in. "See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!" He shouted loudly at the tiny figures around the dock.

"Since when do you talk like this?" Elsie laughed and raised her eyebrows at him.

"Didn't you say that we can break some rules?" He said, grinning from ear to ear.

The crowd of cheering well-wishers waved heartily as a black wall of metal moved past them. There was a rumble of engines and the sound of churning water and suddenly they were in motion. Elsie gripped Charles's hand even tighter and told herself that the prickling behind her eyes was being caused by the wind.

Their home was gone and they hoped they'd see it again. Elsie turned around, keeping the tears bottled on the inside. Her friends and her home was behind her now and she looked forward. Everything that mattered to her at that very moment was right beside her and in front of her, embodied in a glory of steel and iron. Elsie clenched her jaw and fixed her eyes forward at the sea. She didn't want to look back.

"Enjoy your voyage!" The young boy with their luggage said with a huge smile as he left the room, leaving Cora and Robert alone.

"We certainly will." Cora's smile crept across her face. Even for a usually calm and demure lady she was incredibly excited. Perhaps because she would see her family again, perhaps she would soon be standing on American ground, perhaps she would see the Statue of Liberty, or perhaps it was simply because of the Titanic.

"Oh my..." Cora let go of her husband's arm. "This is... " She was out of words. Cora walked and strolled around the room. Although she didn't want it to show, she was stunned. The room was painted in the most beautiful shades of gold and silver with a little bit of red. The fireplace looked marvelous and furniture was stunning with the rest of the room. Upon closer examination she discovered that the fireplace was an electric heater, but it looked grand nonetheless.

"Glad you like it." He smiled, looking at his magnificent wife who stood in awe in the middle of the enormous room. A few rebellious locks fell down from their pins and danced around her neck when she turned her head in excitement.

"Like it? I love it." Cora squealed and pulled the doorknob, revealing another two rooms connected to their huge master bedroom.

She finally stepped inside the bathroom and Cora felt warm breath leaving her chest while viewing an unbelievable interior. Their washroom was lavish. Even for Lady Grantham who since always had every luxury she could wish for in life, thisleft her speechless... And Cora was only looking at the bathroom, she couldn't even imagine how exquisite the rest of the ship would look. Cora saw a very fancy bathtub and an almost endless variety of soaps on the counter.

"We have one bedroom, a parlor suite and a private bathroom." She softly gasped after seeing another two rooms. "This probably costed a fortune."

"And..." Robert gently took her hand and they moved on the other side of their bedroom. Robert slowly pulled open the drapes as golden sunlight lit up their room. He opened the door and took Cora outside.

"Private promenade deck..." Cora let out a loud gasp as she walked around, looking at beautiful tropical plants that covered the ground and she saw ivy climbing up the wall. "Heavens!" Cora jaw almost dropped open.

"We can have breakfast here." He came beside her and gently put his hands on her tiny waist, pulling her closer to him.

"I can't wait!" Cora turned around and looked at her husband's blue eyes. Their eyes met and heavens collided with earth. She pulled his face and crushed her cherry lips on his. Their lips moved in a perfect rhythm, closing them away from the world. Cora had her eyes closed and she was lost in paradise. The taste of his lips on hers and smell of his scent in her nostrils made her want him even more.

"Or... we can have breakfast right now." Robert maliciously smiled against her lips, pushing her inside their bedroom.

"Hmm... more like lunch..." She murmured between his kisses as her limber fingers rounded Robert's shoulders and slipped under his suit jacket. Once inside Cora freed him from that useless piece of clothing, tossing it on the armchair nearby the fireplace. Cora slipped out of her heels and threw them beside their enormous bed.

"Then double..." Robert said and raised his eyebrows at her. His hands were everywhere on her gorgeous body and she moaned at every touch. How could she possibly resist?

"What's gotten into you?" Cora giggled, very much surprised at his suddenness. Her fingers slid down his chest and found his buttons. She slowly unbuttoned one... then another... and another. Cora knew what she was doing, but she was wickedly testing him and his patience.

"Just my beautiful wife. That's all." He was trying hard to unbutton her buttons as well, but her dress was far worse than his shirt. Robert never understood its purpose. Why did they make it so difficult to take off? No, they didn't have time for that. He would never remove her dress and than that devious corset she wore under it.

"We don't have time..." They were invited to lunch today with some important people and Rosamund was supposed to come any minute to pick them up. Cora unbuttoned his shirt, but she was unable to threw it away when she felt his strong arms around her waist. He was pushing her dress up her thighs, deciding it was too difficult to take it off. She hurriedly entangled her fingers in his hair, pulling him with her on the bed.

Robert collapsed on her body, burying his head in the crook of her neck, smelling her delicious perfume. His hands were rumbling under her dress, pushing it up her waist. He was kissing her jaw until he reached her mouth, but something was standing on his way to capture her lips.

Cora brought up her hand and placed it between them, blocking their kiss. "Did you lock the door?" She glanced at him furtively, her eyes wide.

"Of course I did!" Robert uncertainly said, thinking about it for a second, but he didn't remeber or care at that very moment. He just wanted Cora.

The doorknob of their room slowly turned and the luxurious, first class doors opened wide, delivering a proper look of the Crawley bedroom to the guest.

"Brother." Rosamund gently said.. Her gaze was fixed on her bracelet, which had come slightly loose. "Are you two re..." She lifted her head and her emerald eyes opened wide, focusing on the couple right in front of her. Her brother was on top of Cora. His white shirt was careless unbuttoned and his hair messy. Thank Lord was still wearing his trousers and Cora... Rosamund didn't even dare to look more. She covered her eyes with her hands, trying hard to forget what she just saw.

When Cora heard Rosamund's voice echoing through their bedroom, she put her hands on Robert's chest and with all her force she pushed him off of her, breaking their kissing. He rolled on the other side of the bed and fell down onto the floor. A painful groan was the last thing Cora heard from him.

Almost immediately, Cora started pulling her dress back down and she grabbed the blanket and covered her body. Her large blue eyes became even bigger while she stared over at Rosamund who stood a few meters ahead.

"For heaven's sake, already?!" Rosamund raised her voice at the couple. She was really surprised at the view she found when she entered their bedroom. "Thank God I came while you two still have some clothes on!"

"Well..." Cora sheepishly smiled and her eyebrows furrowed. Her face grew red at every word Rosamund said. This kind of embarrassment Cora had never experienced before.

"I'm waiting just outside... You two come when you're... done with whatever you've already started..." Rosamund shook her head in disbelief and vanished from their views.

"Robert are you alright?" Cora stared into space, her cheeks still flushed red from embarrassment and her heart pounding like crazy. She thought it might explode inside her chest.

"I landed on your heels!" His voice crackleded in the silence.

She angrily grabbed a silky pillow that was beside her and tossed it on Robert that still laid behind the bed. He was still cursing about her heels.

"You said you locked the door, didn't you?!" Cora let out a loud irritated huff and rose from her bed, adjusting her dress and hair. Robert just stayed on the floor and he threw up his hands in defense. Such a good opportunity was wasted and just because he forgot to lock the door.

"We'll never forget this voyage, won't we?" Robert questioned his wife while he still resting somewhere behind that enormous bed.

"Oh, we certainly won't... and neither will Rosamund!" Cora sarcastically said, but the corners of her lips curled into a small smile.

"Paradise..." Robert made a face and disappointedly signed with still no intention of getting up. He gazed over at Cora who sat on the bed, pulling on her gloves. She was almost already ready. The creamy dress he wanted to toss away was still on her delicate body. The only thing that was missing were her heels.

"Here you go darling." Robert suspiciously looked at that evil pair of shoes and handed them to Cora. He couldn't believe that he thought this would be a boring voyage. He thought that this horrible journey to America on legendary unsinkable ship, the Titanic, would be nothing special. Robert had no intention of being a happy camper, but it seemed that fate had other plans.

Robert was sure that to most people the Titanic would be a dream come true if only they were given the opportunity to ride on its maiden voyage, but he had seen it as nothing more than a metal cage to drag him back to America.

Robert couldn't believe how wrong he was. He couldn't believe that he thought it would be boring. And he never thought that he would maybe love America after this journey.

A/N: Well, how did you like it? It was a long chapter because I wanted to explain everything... But moving on, I love reviews. So, to make this interesting (and just because I love to torture you) I'm not going to update another chapter until you tell me your thoughts! I really want to hear them. So, unless you want to stay up all night for the rest of your life wondering what's going to happen, please R&R! That would make me one happy camper just like Robert! You know what they say, review and get a preview.