Usual disclaimers. and I hate disclaimers almost as much as I hate this cold I've got!

***

Mary looked at her husband in disbelief. "They cannot stay here!" she protested, aghast at the idea of the Sparrows staying at the house - her house!

"But Cat has come to look after Father! He needs proper care and you said you are unable to do so. They did not receive your letter, so I asked Cat to come when I saw her. You did send it, didn't you?" he puzzled.

"Of course Theo," she lied smoothly.

"Well, no matter. They are here now and they will stay here," he stressed firmly.

"But..." she protested.

"I have already asked them Mary!" Theodore raised his voice in frustration. "They will stay here!"

Mary blinked - Theodore had never shouted at her before. She would have to be more circumspect, concealing her dislike of his sister for her knowing glances and mannish attire. At least it would free her of caring for his invalid father. "I suppose they could sleep in the room at the end of the corridor - I am sure she will want to be near your father..." she smiled, thinking also that it was the furthest bedroom from her own. She paused as a smart knock sounded on the door.

Theodore opened it to reveal two of his marines carrying his sister's stout trunk. He suspected that Jack had thrown his belongings in there too - Catherine was renowned for travelling light. Instructing them which room to take it to he turned to his wife. "Perhaps you could have a word with the cook to see about a special dinner tonight to welcome Jack and Cat? I am sure she can rustle up something even at such short notice..."

Another marine halted just outside the door, tapping sharply on the doorframe. "Captain Groves, the Commodore wishes to see you in his office."

"Excuse me my dear." He kissed her gently on the cheek and then the lips. "I should not be too long."

Mary watched her husband leave, wondering how long it would take the Sparrows to arrive. She turned, heading to the kitchen to talk with the cook. Edmund Groves could not heal fast enough in her mind.

***

Catherine looked dejectedly at the town, already hating being here. Their visit to Will and Elizabeth had already confirmed her fears about what she would face - Elizabeth's tongue had not been sparing in her dislike of Mary for her spendthrift ways and hideous taste. Even as a blacksmith's wife, Elizabeth oozed charm and poise - something Mary had never mastered. She smiled - Jack may have taken her pistol and made her pack her sword away in the trunk, but he did not know everything. He had not noticed the small dagger strapped to her arm, concealed by the baggy sleeves of her shirt. She was determined not to be unarmed in Port Royal, and especially when she met Mary.

She sighed heavily as they approached the house. "Well, I suppose at least this time we will be allowed in..."

Jack turned to her, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Can I trust yer t' behave?" He raised one eyebrow, staring down at her.

"Me?" Catherine smiled innocently.

"I know you Mistress Sparrow...," he smiled back at her. "Which is why I'm askin'!"

"I'll try" she sighed, "but I'll not stand by and be insulted..."

"Jus' no punchin' luv," he winked, turning serious as he door opened to reveal the officious servant. "We're expected mate," he announced, pushing him aside. "P'raps you'd be so good as t' inform the lady of th' house we're here..."

Catherine tensed as the hated voice of Mary sounded from the lounge. "It is alright Collins, they are staying here. Show them to the garden guest room..."

"I would rather see Papa first," Catherine argued. "Where is he?"

"Mister Groves is in the room at the top of the stairs," Collins advised them, tutting as she bounded past him up the stairs.

"Papa?" She pushed open the door, relieved to find her father sitting in a chair by the window, his leg propped up as he watched the ships in the harbour and his arm heavily strapped.

"I see you've arrived then? I thought you'd never get here Catherine!"

"We came as soon as we knew..." she protested, her heart sinking at his tone.

"We? Is he with you then?" Edmund snorted derisively.

Catherine sighed, knowing her father would never like Jack. "Yes, Jack is here too. We will be staying until you are better Papa..."

Edmund looked at his daughter in despair - although unarmed she still wore men's clothes. "You cannot even dress properly!" he continued. "Don't you own a dress Catherine?"

"I own many dresses Papa..." she declared defensively. "Although I choose not to wear them - they would only get ruined onboard."

"You should be more like Mary - at least she knows how to dress!" He approved of how his daughter-in-law dressed, far more appropriately than his own scandalous daughter.

Catherine bit her tongue, not wanting to fight with her father whilst he was still poorly. "Excuse me then Papa - I must see to my baggage..."

Leaving the room she found herself face to face with Jack. He smiled reassuringly at her. "At least his tongue is better." He reached out, squeezing her arm gently. "What?" he frowned, puzzled as he felt the straps of the sheath beneath his fingers. He ripped her sleeve from her shirt to reveal the hidden dagger, his eyes glinting angrily. "That is not what I meant when I said unarmed Missy!" he hissed, shoving her into their room.

"Dammit Jack! Do you expect me to be totally defenceless?" Her dismay at his anger stopped her from arguing the Missy.

"In this instance yes!" he argued, keeping his voice low. In a house full of servants there were always ears.

"But..."

"No arguing Kitty - I thought I'd made myself clear on this!" He looked at her standing before him, defiant even though her shirt was ruined. "An' whilst we are here yer will wear a dress!"

"No!" she hissed angrily, determined to maintain at least a single weapon and horrified at the thought of having to wear dresses.

"It will make yer father happy if nothin' else!" he suggested.

"No Jack!" She glared up at him angrily. "No dresses!"

"Kitty, after this..." he held up the dagger before her, "after this I am making it an order! You will wear dresses whilst we are here and you will not be armed!"

She looked up at Jack, biting her lip, dismayed to see that he really meant it. "Aye Captain," she sighed dejectedly, having little desire to spend time in the brig when the Black Pearl arrived. Jack rarely put his foot down, but when he made something an order she knew better than to argue.

Jack looked down at her, surprised to see tears in her eyes. "Hey, no need t' cry luv..." He wrapped his arms around her, kissing her gently on her forehead. "I'll buy yer some new dresses if yer like... that way yer can show Mary what true class is, eh?" She sniffed, looking up at him. Jack smiled, hoping she had not thought of the other reason he wanted her to wear a dress - she could not fight when wearing one. "How about that green silk one? Yer look stunning in it..."

***

Edmund Groves looked again at his daughter as she brought him his dinner, shocked that she was wearing a dress - and a beautiful one at that. It was a style he did not recognise, not English definitely, and was made of a heavy green silk that rustled as she moved.

"Do you want me to cut your food for you Papa?" He nodded and she started cutting his meal into easily eaten bite sized chunks as he could not manage a knife and fork with his broken arm.

"It is nice to see you decide to dress properly Catherine..." Edmund smiled, surprised at the change in her appearance.

"It wasn't by choice - Jack ordered it!" Her father looked at her in surprise. "An' I must obey th' Captain..."

Edmund's lips twitched, smiling at her acceptance of ship discipline when all of his shouting had no effect on her. "Well, whatever the reason - you look much better!"

"Can I get you a drink or anything Papa?" She rose, taking his empty plate and headed towards the door.

"Some water, thank you," he replied, watching as she quietly left the room. Perhaps spending some time in decent company would rub some manners off on her - heaven knew she needed it!

***

Theodore gasped as he saw his sister leave their father's room. "Cat!" He had not seen her in a dress for a long time and she looked incredible.

"Before you say anything smart, I'm under orders - savvy!" she snapped.

"Hey," he protested. "I was just going to say how beautiful you looked!" The meeting with the Commodore had taken longer than he had thought and it was already getting dark. The servants bustled around him, preparing for the evening meal as he stood looking up at her on the staircase. He loosened his collar, smiling as she walked towards him. "Fancy a drink before dinner?" He offered her his arm with mock gallantry, leading her into the lounge. "Where's Jack?"

"Having a bath," she smiled. "Can't have Mary accusing him of..." She stopped mid-sentence as she caught sight of a beautiful harp. "When did you get that?" she gasped.

"Mary bought it and is taking lessons," he explained, wincing.

She smiled as he winced - obviously the lessons were not going well. Reverently her hand stroked the curve of the wood, the touch bringing memories she had long buried. "Would you play for me Cat?"

"I... I don't think I can..." she sighed. "It has been so long, nearly ten years now..." She had not played since Greg died, unable and unwilling to remember the parties with William and Ester. She fingered the strings, sadly realising that she was the sole person left of their quartet. Her father had insisted that she learn at least one instrument suitable for a lady - if she was unable to bring children to a marriage then she had to bring other skills instead.

"Please..." Theodore reached for a chair for her to sit on.

Reluctantly she nodded, sitting and arranging her skirts as he carefully slid the harp towards her. Nervously she fingered a few scales, gradually getting faster until Theodore began to pick up the melody of Greensleeves. She shut her eyes, leaning into the harp as she played, for a moment totally lost in the music.

Jack frowned, listening to the music as he dressed, wondering who was playing. Buttoning his shirt as he went, he walked down the stairs, stopping in amazement to see it was Catherine. Theodore waved at him to stay and to be quiet, not wanting to disturb her. He jumped as she placed her hand flat against the strings, stilling the music, tears in her eyes.

"I can't," she declared as she looked up at Theodore, surprised to see Jack standing next to him. She rose, pushing the harp regretfully away as Mary walked in.

"Who's playing my..." She glared as she saw Catherine, surprised to see she was visibly upset.

"I asked her to play," Theodore explained. "I thought it would be nice to hear some music in the house."

For a moment Mary just stared at her, startled to see she was wearing a dress, but for once it was Catherine that broke away first. "Excuse me, I was meant to be getting Papa a drink..." She slipped past them to the kitchen, quickly fetching some water and returning to his room. "I'm sorry for taking so long Papa," she apologised.

"It's alright Catherine," he smiled. "It was nice to hear you play again - it's been too many years."

"Not enough for me though Papa," she smiled sadly as she left, shutting his door quietly behind her. She stopped suddenly, finding Jack blocking her path.

"How many more surprises are you hiding Kitty?" he smiled. "I didn't know you played..."

"I don't..."

"Didn't sound like don't t' me... what other secrets are yer hiding luv?" he teased.

"I don't play... I haven't played for nearly ten years - since Greg died... okay?"

She went to walk by him, but Jack put his hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps yer should?" he suggested. "It was beautiful..." His hand stroked her face. "Would yer play again fer me?"

"I don't know..."

"Please?"

"Maybe... but not today," she protested, glancing at the activity below. "It will soon be dinner time - I should get ready..."

He watched as she quickly washed, brushing her hair loose from the sailors plait and pinning it into a more formal swirl. She dabbed perfume behind her ears - Jack caught the scent of roses, a smell that he always associated with her now. It was one of the most expensive perfumes money could buy, or man could steal, but he did not begrudge the luxury. She never asked for much and he was always pleased to spoil her.

***

Catherine and Jack walked quietly into the dining room where the table had been laid for four. He helped her to sit before taking the chair next to her. Theodore smiled at them, determined to keep the conversation on safe subjects for the duration of the meal. "It was nice to hear you play again Cat - it really has been too long."

"Thank you Theo, but my heart is no longer with the music..."

Mary listened intently, wondering if the conversation could prove to her advantage. She really knew so very little about Theodore's sister that even the most innocent remark could provide new information. She caught the scent of her perfume - expensive and the dress she was wearing looked foreign. Mary had only caught a brief glimpse of it earlier, but on closer inspection it was made of exquisite silk in a shade of green that suited Catherine very well.

"I understand, especially after Greg... but you should play again - even Jack was speechless!"

"More like wonderin' what other secrets m' wife's been keepin'," he joked. "First speaking French an' now this!" He rubbed his foot against hers. "Anythin' else yer'd like t' confess?"

"Apart from an eagerness to eat this food... no!" She took a mouthful of the ornate first course that the servant had placed before her, delighted to find it was as delicious as it looked. Silence descended for a moment as they all savoured the food.

"Your cook is very good Mary," Catherine praised, trying to be polite and draw her into the conversation. "French?"

Mary blinked, surprised at being addressed. "No, but French trained..."

The conversation stilled, silence descending again.

"How long will th' Gauntlet be in port Theo?" Jack asked, trying to keep some conversation going.

"Oh probably for a week or so - unfortunately I'll probably be gone by the time the Black Pearl arrives but hopefully it should only be for two weeks. Speaking of things French, rumours are that Lact has resurfaced. I thought you said you were going to deal with him?"

"We did Theo," Jack smiled. "He won't strike at us again..."

"Then how come he is taking British ships? You promised the Commodore Cat!"

"I promised him one less ship Theo - not one less pirate. I never said I'd kill him!" She sighed heavily. "Jean Claude was good to me..."

Theodore looked at his sister in disbelief. "Do you mean to tell me you are on first name terms with this pirate?"

"I spent some time in his company in New Orleans," she admitted, smiling ruefully, "but I will never agree to maroon anyone whatever the Commodore may think! We did what we promised him - no more but no less."

He shook his head, laughing. "You tread a fine line sometimes Cat... a very fine line!"

"But I always make sure I'm just on the proper side Theo," she winked.

***