PART ONE

First Impressions

Lieutenant Theodore Groves had barely been off the ship an hour when he found himself gathered with the other new arrivals in the Fort Charles courtyard, waiting to be welcomed by Captain James Norrington. Groves knew many of the others who had arrived with him, especially the officers. He had served with Lieutenant Ezekiel Peck at his previous station back in England, and he had often encountered the others as well. Groves was one of the few who had volunteered for transfer to the young town of Port Royal. Many of the other men were sailors who had been given the assignment when they enlisted, and most of the other lieutenants had only recently received their commissions, which gave them no choice in where they were stationed.

Lieutenant Groves had chosen the Navy because he knew that he could never be content in a job which kept him indoors and inactive. Formal education had always been a painstaking struggle for him, not because he lacked intelligence or ability, but because boredom with lectures and lessons had often prompted him to inattention, or worse, "inappropriate behavior." He had not been considered a good student by any of his teachers, but he felt he had redeemed himself by his four years of excellent service to the Navy.

Groves had volunteered for the transfer to Port Royal because he felt that after living his whole life in England, he'd seen as much of the place as was worth seeing. The pirate-infested Caribbean sounded much more intriguing than the structured confines of crowded London. So he had volunteered to go to the New World, packed up what few personal belongings he was allowed to carry with him, and bid farewell to his father and to his sister Emma. All he knew is that he would be serving at Fort Charles, and on the HMS Dauntless, under James Norrington, a man with a solid reputation and a family history of service to the Navy.

When the captain paused in front of him, Groves stepped forward to introduce himself. "Lieutenant Theodore Groves," he said.

Captain Norrington was a tall, serious man who didn't move so much as a finger without purpose and who spoke only when he had something important to say. The rest of the time he held his thoughts behind green eyes that betrayed competence and nothing else. The man was intimidating in both his stature and his demeanor, though his gaze was kind and his words spoken directly and without judgment. He studied the lieutenant for a moment, then glanced down at the orders in his hand. "You've served four years, if I'm not mistaken," the captain said.

"Yes, sir," Groves replied.

"And you volunteered for this station?"

"Yes, sir," Groves said again. "Any place would have done, really. I was starting to think I might have to join a pirate crew to get out of England, but fortunately the opportunity for transfer came along just in time."

Norrington's gaze suddenly hardened. His green eyes narrowed and scrutinized the lieutenant's face, searching him with wary disapproval.

"I'm joking, of course," Groves said quickly.

"I certainly hope so, Lieutenant," the captain replied. "Though I'm sure you'll learn soon, if you haven't already, that piracy is no laughing matter."

"Of course, sir." Groves dropped his eyes, uncomfortable under the captain's stare. "I'm sorry. I was out of line."

Norrington lingered silently a moment longer, then carefully folded the paper and slid it into his coat pocket. When Groves glanced up, the captain had walked away and was speaking to another lieutenant. Groves remained where he was, but glanced up at the sky, irritated with himself. Sooner or later he was going to get himself into trouble, if he didn't learn to think before speaking. He wondered what he could possibly write home to his sister. Of course he couldn't say he'd made a wisecrack which earned him the eternal and unwavering disdain of his new captain, but he couldn't lie to Emma, either. He'd have to write to her sooner or later. Met the captain and made an unforgettable impression. But Emma knew him too well. She'd know exactly what he meant by that.

Norrington went to meet the other new arrivals, and the other lieutenant, Gillette, made his way towards Groves. Gillette looked delightfully amused.

"He hates me, doesn't he?" Groves said.

"That's an awfully strong word," Gillette replied. "I don't know that Captain Norrington really hates anyone." He paused, letting an amused smirk stretch across his face. "Besides pirates, of course."

"Great."

"If I were you, I'd be on my best behavior," Gillette advised. "And I wouldn't talk so much, especially to the captain. Not until he's warmed up to you a bit."

"Any idea how long that might take?"

Gillette shrugged, and glanced across the fort courtyard, along the road that led out into the town. "Walk with me, Lieutenant."

Gillette was obviously enjoying himself, but Groves had resolved to start his efforts at penance immediately, so he obediently followed the other lieutenant.

"Captain Norrington's a man you can trust," Gillette said. "And he'll trust you, too, until you give him a reason not to."

"Which I have."

"No, you haven't. You made light of the subject he takes most seriously, but that's no reason for him not to trust you."

"I see you've got him all figured out."

"There's nothing to figure out," Gillette said. "Just do what you're supposed to do, and don't be surprised if he's not particularly friendly even if he likes you."

"And if he doesn't like me?"

Gillette shrugged. "I don't see that it would make much difference to him whether he likes you or not, so long as you do your job and stay out of trouble. Just don't expect to be invited to his house for drinks."

"I suppose you have."

Gillette's smirk was back. "I've been here three years, and I would say the captain and I are friends." He glanced over at Groves. "But don't despair. These things take time, especially with him."

The two men paused as a carriage rolled leisurely past, heading towards the center of the fort. A young lady sat in the carriage next to a middle-aged man. Groves could tell they were upper-class citizens by the delicate curls pinned on top of the woman's head and her fashionable dress, and by the man's ornate coat and thick curly wig. The woman met Groves' eyes and she frowned slightly, then turned to the man next to her. The carriage passed, and Groves turned slightly to watch it go.

"That's Governor Weatherby Swann," Gillette said.

"She's very pretty," Groves commented, still watching the carriage and thinking of the woman inside.

Gillette frowned. "The Governor?"

Groves faced Gillette again. "Governor?"

"That's Weatherby Swann," Gillette repeated. "Governor of Port Royal. And his daughter, Elizabeth."

"Oh." Groves glanced back towards the carriage again, which had disappeared around a corner of the fort wall.

"Don't even think about it," Gillette said. "She is, admittedly, quite lovely, but you're no match for her."

Groves raised his eyebrows, amused at the thought. "You don't think the Governor would want an unknown lieutenant marrying his daughter?"

"Well, no, I don't, but that's not quite what I meant." Gillette started walking again before Groves could respond. "You'll likely meet the Governor tomorrow. He'll want to greet all the new arrivals, especially the officers."

They walked in silence for a few more paces until they came to a carriage waiting at the fort's entrance. It was smaller and plainer in comparison to the one that had carried Governor Swann and his daughter. "This will take you home," Gillette said, nodding towards the carriage. "Nothing fancy, just a plain little house, but I'm sure you'll find it more than sufficient. Get yourself settled in, and report back here tomorrow morning so the captain can put you to good use."