(Norrington's POV)

I approached my duties with a fresh eye the next morning, feeling like my old self again. Everything went according to my orders, men snapping to attention and performing their duties with quick efficiency. The officers were very punctual, behaving like the men they were.

A letter waited on the desk as I stepped into my office. It had come from London, I discovered as I picked it up and read the return address on the back. The government – naval headquarters. A lump formed in my throat and my stomach became butterflies. What could the navy want here? There was nothing wrong with Port Royal's capabilities as a naval port and British colony.

Composing myself and preventing my hands from shaking, I opened the letter and leaned back in my chair.

To Captain Lawrence Norrington

From Admiral Horatio Huntington

London, Headquarters of the Navy

February 25, 1765

Dear Sir:

I am pleased to hand over to you the title of COMMODORE at the British colony PORT ROYAL, and put you in command of all naval activities there and in the surrounding areas under British control.

Further orders are to be found enclosed, and a letter has been sent to Governor Swann informing him of the change of naval command. Keep up the good work, Sir.

Sincerely,

Adm. H. Huntington

The large seal of the British Navy had been stamped under Huntington's name. Excitement rose in my chest, and I wanted to yell for joy, but knew better. Folding the letter back up and replacing it in its envelope, I stuck it in my pocket and went to pay a quick visit to Fiona and then the Governor.

I waited after knocking outside Fiona's door, and it quickly opened. Her face opened into a smile.

"Lawrence! Come in! To what do I owe this surprise?" she asked. I produced the envelope, and she eyed it and then me questioningly.

"Read it," I said, clasping my hands behind my back. She turned it over.

"Hm, naval headquarters," she noted and opened it. She mouthed the letter silently, and her face lit up. "Oh, Lawrence, how wonderful!" She threw her arms around my neck, hugging my tightly. "You must feel so proud."

"Yes, actually, I am. I am going to go see Governor Swann to arrange everything."

"Well, Commodore, you shall need a new uniform as befitting your new title." She giggled, happy for me. I kissed her hands.

"I must go," I told her.

"Yes, I don't mean to keep you waiting." She shoved me out the door with a grin. "Don't forget to tell me when it is!" she called after me.

(Fiona's POV)

Lawrence Norrington loved me. The stuck up naval captain who had a stick up his ass loved me. It defied all logical reason. Of course, he hadn't actually told me, but he had implied it. His entire attitude had changed. I could scarcely believe any of it. He still appeared to be the impassive captain I had met a few months before, caring on for naval life. And yet – last night. Things like that didn't happen for no reason. He had purposefully come to me. And this morning – I had been the first to find out about his becoming Commodore. I had to tell someone. Elizabeth.

I nearly ran to the Governor's house, and let myself in without knocking.

"Elizabeth!" I called. Her door opened. I dashed up the stairs and went into her room, shutting the door behind me. "Is Captain Norrington here?"

"No, he went out to find father at the fort. Fiona, what's wrong? You're breathless."

"He loves me." I felt oddly giddy in a surreal setting.

"Who loves you?"

"Norrington. At least I think he does." Her lips parted, and she let out a shriek of happiness. We both shrieked together, holding each other and leaping across the room. We fell, breathless on the bed.

"I don't think you and Will have any problems now except perhaps your father," I gasped.

"I didn't believe he was possible of feeling love," Elizabeth said. "And yet when he came this morning, his demeanor was different. He was and yet wasn't the same Lawrence Norrington I've known since the crossing from England."

"I can't believe it either – it seems so very surreal, like it didn't actually happen, like it was a dream and I'm still dreaming. I've never felt this way before. I don't really now how to react to it."

"I know what you mean – I have often felt that way around Will. But I'm so happy for you – you have finally found love from someone!"

"But I have to leave," I said suddenly. "I have to go clear things up at home." Elizabeth propped herself up on her elbow, and I looked up at her. "That changes things a bit, doesn't it?"

"Not necessarily. You don't have to go back, but even if you did, I'm sure Norrington would wait for you. Ask him – you have told him you have to go back, haven't you?"

"Yes. I'm just…scared." I swallowed, tenseness rising in my shoulders and stomach. "I don't want to have to go through another argument, another beating. If I go back, there's no telling what my father might do. He frightens me, Lizzy."

"Have you told Norrington this?" I shook my head. "So he only knows that you're going back to a father who beats you."

"He did say that he didn't want anything to happen to me."

"There you have it."

"I just don't think he knows the danger I could be in if I go back."

"Why can't you tell him?"

"He frightens me a little bit, too, you know. Naval commanders have a very foreboding demeanor." She chuckled, nodding.

"I find it hard to tell my father things. For example, me and Will. How am I supposed to tell him about that?"

"We both seem to be in a dilemma of sorts. Ironically, we both deal with men who…."

A knock interrupted me.

"Yes?" said Elizabeth. A young servant girl came in with a curtsy.

"The Governor wishes to see you, Miss Elizabeth," she said.

"Thank you, I'll be down directly." The girl curtsied and left. Elizabeth glanced over at me as I sat up. "What do you think this is about?"

"He probably wants to tell you that Norrington got promoted to Commodore and how he expects you to make the right decision concerning marriage. As far as I know he's still in the dark about Norrington's possible love for me."

"He got promoted to Commodore?"

"Told me this morning."

"Well, that does change things a bit. I don't want to lay it on him too hard that I'm not interested in Norrington, a naval commander, but rather a blacksmith."

"Why don't you let Norrington deal with his arena, and you focus on you and Will? I'll undoubtedly be pulled into this thing somehow, and be questioned unto no end about my role in the meetings between you and Will. But y'all liked each other before I came, right?"

"Yes. You are the best friend I've ever had, Fiona. Come on, let's go down together. I'm sure father would be glad to see you." We were both in dresses, Elizabeth more elegantly dressed than I. My dress was simpler, but I didn't mind. "And I think I'll have to take you shopping and get you some new dresses. You look so beautiful in my dresses – I'll have to get you some, yes, I shall." We went out and began walking downstairs. Swann appeared from under the staircase, followed by Norrington, and they were still in deep discussion. Swann must have heard us, for he glanced up, and smiled.

"There you are, Elizabeth. Captain Norrington has some news."

"Yes, I heard. Congratulations, Captain, on your promotion."

"What, you know? How?"

"Fiona told me. She came by to visit." I had frozen at the sight of Norrington, doubt clutching at my heart. I gripped the railing, watching as Elizabeth joined her father and Norrington. Norrington looked up at me, and came up the stairs. Gently, he pried my hand from the railing. I drew back a little, gazing up at his stern face.

"You don't need to be frightened, nothing will happen to you here."

"Governor Swann wants you to marry Elizabeth, expects you to," I blurted out in a whisper.

"I know. I have explained to him my change of heart, and he understands. All he needs is to know how Elizabeth feels. Do not let this bother you – Governor Swann knows your qualities, and he admires you." I became hopeful, and glanced down at Swann, who smiled jovially, yet knowingly, at me. He made a small nod. "And I think Elizabeth might have feelings for another. Come, let's join them." I took his arm, and we went down to Swann.

"So, shall we plan for the change of command in 2 days time?" said Swann, smiling at us.

"Yes, that will do nicely," Norrington agreed.

"Miss Fitzgerald, Captain, if you will excuse my daughter and I, we have some things to discuss."

"Of course, Governor," Norrington and I assented. They moved back into Swann's study.

"Lawrence, we need to talk," I said quietly. "Not here."

"Let's go to my office."