Disclaimer: I still do not own Pirates of the Caribbean. If I did, Commodore Norrington would have a rather long love scene and I would be cast as his love interest.

"When making a mistake in front of a female, make sure she understands it is not your fault. Anything else caused the embarrassment even if it really was your fault. Anything."

-"Rules of Engagement for Dealing with Ladies"

"When caught in an embarrassing situation in front of a gentleman with which you have a connection, immediately turn the tables so it is his fault. It probably is…"

-"Rules of Engagement for Managing Gentlemen"

Chapter 2: First Impressions

Diary of A.M.N.

My name is Anne Norrington. I am 21 years old and reasonably attractive. I am graceful,fairly intelligent, and poised. Yes, I am that wonderful. In private. Never in public do I appear serene, poised, and unaffected. Never.

I had left England because I suffered from a decided lack of suitors and my parents frankly had tired of forever providing for a female. It proved to be quite convenient when a letter arrived inviting the family to my brother James's wedding.

His fiancée, a lovely woman by the name of Pru, wrote the letter and included the offer that I stay with them for awhile. As my parents hated venturing beyond civilized society, that being London, I was allowed to journey to Port Royal with my companion, a middle aged widow named Jane.

Yes, I was finally going away from the stifling life of a clumsy bluestocking debutante in London. To think, I could make a new start! I would practice grace, poise, witty conversation on the journey to the Caribbean and when I arrive, the perfect graceful lady would step onto the docks.

That is not what happened. Perhaps, it was partly my fault. I did wear the ugliest dress in creation covered in a pinafore as my traveling dress that was a bit too long. It made me look a spinster. However, as I further reflect on it, it was not my fault. It was his.

I remember stepping down the gangplank to the docks while scanning the crowd for my brother. I hadn't seen him in years, but surely he couldn't have changed that much. It was in doing two things at the same time where I faltered. Because of him.

I froze as I saw the man. He wasn't terribly tall, perhaps a little below six feet. I was immediately struck with his eyebrows. Yes, eyebrows. He was wearing a white wig and for some reason, I became obsessed with finding his actual hair color. So I studied his eyebrows…they appeared to be red…I couldn't quite be sure, so I leaned forward, squinting.

And lost balance. I fell the remaining distance, my chaperone shouted for help, and all attention swerved directly on me. I closed my eyes then and grimaced, hoping against hope that when I opened my eyes again, the last few moments would not have happened.

Wrong again. A hand appeared before me. "Miss, are you all right?" It was him. I pushed his hand aside and frostily declared, "I'm fine. Thank You, but I don't need your help." The gentleman reared back in shock and with a disdainful glance, walked away, searching for something or someone.

I stood up and dusted my self off. Jane was appropriately concerned and motherly, but I assured her of my well being. It was then I saw approach another of the passengers, this time a beautiful impeccably dressed lady, one that had bored me to death talking about fashion and the color of hair ribbons, and ask her, "Miss, Do you happen to be Miss Anne Norrington?"

I frowned as the lady, whose name was Miss Greer, simpered at the man, "Oh no! But if you please, I'm Miss Sarah Greer, at your service." I rolled my eyes. Really she was a ninny.

The gentleman bowed. "Pardon, miss." His gaze scanned the crowd. Completely dismissing me in the process. Really, that was enough. I stiffened to my full height and poked him hard. "EXCUSE ME!" I said loudly.

He turned. "Yes, do you need my help now miss?" he asked sarcastically.

"No, but you need help, don't you? Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't have the skills available to help you, sir!"

He frowned at me. As if I had mortally insulted him! "Then what can I do for you?"

"Be introduced for one. You are?"

"Lieutenant Gillette of his Majesty's Royal Navy. Who might I have the pleasure of talking to?" He smiled insincerely.

"Anne Norrington, at your service." I said confidently, assured I'd turned the tables on him as his entire demeanor changed to one of shock…

Diary of LieutenantAndrew Gillette, RN

Commodore Norrington is my best friend as well as my superior officer. So I quickly assented when he asked a favor of me. Unavoidably, Norrington would not be able to meet his sister at the docks as her ship landed. I was to escort her to the Governor's Mansion, where she would stay with her future sister-in-law. Thus, he placed it upon me toaccomplish the mission, not knowing the trouble it would cause me...

I don't blame him. No, not at all.

I blame her.

I walked to the docks from the fort, clad in my best uniform, intent on making the best impression I could. As I watched the passengers disembark, I wasin search of An-Miss Norrington.

But I was distracted for a moment. I saw a young woman begin to leave the ship. What was remarkable was the unbelievably ugly dress she was wearing, as if she wished to fade into the background. It juxtaposed with the obvious prettiness of her face, despite the squintshe sported.

Getting myself back onto the business I had come to do, I looked to my right in search of a young lady. Suddenly, I heard a woman's screech and a crash, the sound of glass breaking. My attention diverted to its source, I observed the young lady mentioned before lying in the middle of the mess.

Sighing, I reminded myself of my duties as a gentleman, and hurried to be the first to help the young woman. I stretched my hand out to help her up.

"Miss, are you alright?" I asked.

Then the chit glared at me! At me, the one who offered help! She then practically slapped my hand out of the way!

"I'm fine. Thank You, but I don't need your help." The ice literally dripped off her voice despite the heat of the Caribbean sun.

I stepped back, shocked that she would be such a blatant ice queen. As she dusted herself off, I went in search of Miss Norrington. I saw a lady in a…to put it nicely…very frilled dress that looked promising to be my friend's sister. I moved toward her and asked if she were Miss Norrington.

And then, good God, the lady simpered. I absolutely hate it when they do that. Do they even realize that it freezes my blood to hear a sound that a dying mouse wouldn't even make? More importantly, do they care?

"Oh no! But if you please, I'm Miss Sarah Greer, at your service."

Wanting to extricate myself as soon as possible, I begged pardon and began looking again.

"EXCUSE ME!"

It was her again.

I turned and said snarkily, "Yes, do you finallyneed my help now miss?"

"No, but you need help, don't you? Unfortunately, I'm afraid I don't have the skills available to help you, sir!"

Really, what did I do to deserve that? Itlater turned outthat I hadmade a simple mistake, I didn't murder anyone!

"Then what can I do for you?"

"Be introduced for one. You are?"

"Lieutenant Gillette of his Majesty's Royal Navy. Who might I have the pleasure of talking to?" I gave my best smile, albeit insincerely.

She smiled with a familiar superiority. "Anne Norrington, at your service."

Damn. Damn. Damn! DAmn! DAMn! DAMN! I felt my face turn from the usual insolent superiority I normally let it convey into the picture of complete shock.

"You're Miss Anne Norrington." I stated in a monotone.

She again frostily spoke. "The last time I checked, yes, indeed I was. Come along." She pointed a finger at some baggage. "That would be our luggage. Be a good man and make sure it gets to my brother's home, will you? We'll be waiting over by those barrels when you're ready to escort us."

And with that, Miss Nose Up In the Air flounced over to that area with her companion. Groaning and mentally calling myself all varieties of bad names in both French, Latin, and English, I went to perform my orders.

Having finally arranged everything, I grudgingly returned to Miss Norrington. I bowed mockingly and offered her my arm.

"If you please, Miss Norrington…"

I helped her and the companion into the carriage and we set off for the Governor's Mansion. The close confines forced us into conversation.

"I…apologize for the mistake. You must be a bit insulted…"

"You really think that I'll forgive you for that? You ignored me! I'm a little more than a bit insulted!"

"I made a mistake. You don't have to rub it in…" I gritted.

"I have done nothing that you need be angry at. Let's merely forget what happened. First impressions may be well and done with…but perhaps I will allow you a second."

I frowned at her. "Allow me?" I began as the carriage stopped.

The door opened. James stood there grinning with delight. "Annie?"

"James," came the ecstatic reply. She leaped out of the carriage into her brother's arms and James whirledheraround in a circle. Meanwhile, I exited the carriage and assisted Miss Norrington's companion, a Miss Wilson, to the ground.

I immediately confronted my friend. "I thought you were unavailable to meet your sister, sir!"

Norrington put his sister down and looked back at me. "Yes, well Pru wanted me here…and it was she who suggested that you meet Annie."

"Really, James. I haven't been called Annie, since you left to join the navy…" Anne protested laughingly. She continued inside with Miss Wilson. James turned to me then, "Join us for tea, will you? If you can wait for the ladies to freshen up…"

I thought it best for all involved if I beat a hasty retreat. "Actually, I'm afraid I won't be able to do so today. I've got some business in town. I'll see you later at the fort."

With that, I bowed and left as quickly as I could. With luck, she won't mention the encounter to James…

Diary of A.M.N.

I was quickly led up to a spare room by a maid who then repacked my trunks as I rested on the comfortable bed. My room overviewed the gardens, a pleasing arrangement.

"Miss, which dress will you be wearing?"

I looked at the maid. "The golden printed muslin."

The gold print suited me as it brought out the blond strands in my ratherbland, mud colored hair. It didn't clash with my green eyes, either, so of course it had an added bonus.

Finally refreshed, I stood and made my way to where tea was to be held. It was there James introduced me to everyone: Governor Swann, Miss Elizabeth Swann, her fiancée William Turner…and Miss Pru Martin.

I liked Pru instantly. She had a rapport with James that few people could accomplish and she didn't let him run over her with his certainty in his "correct" opinion. In addition, she had intelligent opinions of her own and wasn't afraid to let James know it. In short, Pru was exactly what James needed.

I was quite enjoying myself until someone mentioned him. It was Pru, in fact, who inquired as to where the Lieutenant had gone.

My brother looked at her with a loving look something that made me completely wistful. "He said he had unavoidable business and begged off."

Pru looked over at me. "Really? And how did you find our dear Lieutenant Gillette?"

I regret I was really rather terse. "He's perfectly acceptable." I said tightly.

Pru looked at me oddly, but let my answer pass. I was extremely grateful, but something told methat myfuture sister-in-law wouldhave it out of me before long...

The whole party of people passed on to other subjects. I, however, kept on the topic internally for the rest of the afternoon. Damn him.

AN: Had to establish the rather interesting first meeting of Anne and Andrew, flashback style…Next chapter will go back to Pru and James's wedding from Anne and Andrew's perspective…then we'll come to their 'present' time. (i.e. Pru is seven and a half months pregnant…etc.)