Disclaimer: Don't sue me, Disney. I acknowledge that you own POTC. Besides, you wouldn't get any money. Norrington is a sexy beast, though, and you have my complements for casting so wonderfully.

"Strive to get the upper hand when dealing with a determined lady as often as you can. It keeps the lady off balance and thus you get control of the reins for awhile…a short very temporary while…"

-Rules of Engagement for Dealing with Ladies

"Let him get the upper hand once in awhile. It will do his self-esteem worlds of good…"

-Rules of Engagement for Managing Gentlemen

Chapter 4: Secret Revealed

Gillette was dreading going to tea at the Norrington household. Not that he was a coward. No, he hadn't made the rank of Lieutenant by running away in fright. Andrew could charge into battle with the best of them. And he had. Particularly because his commander, James, often led the charge in his strong determination to rid the Caribbean of piracy, and someone had to look after him. So, no it was not cowardice that prevented Andrew from happily joining his friend for tea. Really, it wasn't, and he was trying his best to make sure he knew that was true..

It was because of her. Inevitably, Anne Norrington would be present and they would fight constantly, usually resulting in one or the other saying something completely stupid in front of their friends…friends that would automatically assume untrue things...but he'd been avoiding it for weeks with excuses of work and personal business. James knew better, but let it pass until Pru insisted in such a way that Gillette would appear rude if he didn't accept.

Upon being introduced by the butler, he was told by Pru that tea was not quite ready. Her smile hinted of secrets as she implored he take a turn with Anne around the garden. A quick glance at Anne proved that she thought as much of the idea as he did. Her pained expression would have comical if its cause were not him.

It wasn't that he hated her, but they just continually struck sparks off each other. Just because they'd shared a few confidences at the wedding more than a year ago didn't mean that they agreed on much else. However, Gillette was never one to disagree with a lady, so he offered Miss Norrington his arm, and they proceeded to stroll in the modest garden.

It was during their walk that it hit him. Anne had a secret, one that she wasn't successful in hiding, at least to him. It was a secret that explained a great deal about her clumsiness and preferencefor corners...Knowing that she'd never admit to it, Andrew felt that he would have to flush it out of her. With a sly grin, he began pointing out features in the surrounding landscape. It was when he spied a dog in the distance that he truly found the best way to trick her into admitting the secret…

"Oh, look!" he pointed to the dog. "It's Lady Millsop. Do you not admire her sense of style?" The dog had been ridiculously dressed by its owner in a dress.

Anne squinted in the dog's general direction. "Yes, I see her. I suppose her dress is quite adequate…"

Just as he was about to gently admit his trick, the dog spied a cat and began chasing it in their direction. Barking wildly, the dog ran past where they stood and went off in the distance. He turned his gaze from where the dog had disappeared to Anne. She was livid. Her eyes glared at him and her cheeks had bloomed two bright red circles.

She tightly remarked, "You knew that was a dog, didn't you?" Her voice was too calm for his comfort.

He smugly replied. "Yes, I did. It's quite interesting though that you didn't. Would you feel like telling me why you didn't?"

She turned away from him. "No."

"Well, I think I can guess. Perhaps you'd like me to wait here while you fetch your spectacles…?"

She turned back to him abruptly and hit him hard on the arm. "You cad! YOU KNEW…"

He stopped her. "Merely suspected…The dog confirmed it, however. Go get your spectacles…You're missing out on so much when you don't use all your senses…"

"Fine." With that, she walked back to the house.

Moments later, she returned, spectacles in hand.

"If you thought me dowdy before…" she muttered as she placed the spectacles on her head.

Gillette stared at her new 'look.' He swallowed convulsively. Who knew that spectacles could look so…so erotic. Wait, erotic? Good God! I've been without'certain types ofcompany' for a long time…to think of my superior officer's SISTER in that way! I must have gotten too much sun…or I've a fever…Yes, I must be sick…

"You're not saying anything." Her eyes were disappointed as if he'd confirmed her fears about how she looked…

Why does it even matter to me what his opinion is, she silently fumed.

Andrew finally regained his power of speech. "Actually they look quite well on you…"

She laughed in disbelief. "They make me look more a bluestocking than I actually am…"

He stopped her with a touch of his hand on her arm. "Nonsense. They provide the perfect frame to your enchanting eyes." Inside, he was screaming at himself. ENCHANTING EYES? Where the devil did that come from?

When her eyes instantly brightened,the rash compliment became worth it to Andrew. "Thank you. It's rather a vain silly thing I know, but I've always felt so dowdy in them. I never quite thought them to be a frame that accentuates my eyes…"

He finally regained his composure. "Well, I daresay we should go inside. We wouldn't want anybody to gossip that we were actually agreeing on something…It would ruin our reputation…"

Then she laughed. Quite genuinely laughed. That was a first with him. The only times he'd heard her laugh when he was around was in disbelief or mockery of something he'd said. He could get used to the genuine laughter. The mocking laughter Andrew could probably do without…

Tea was not nearly as strained as Andrew thought it would be. It was as if a truce had been declared between him and Anne. That in itself was so unusual that everyone present noticed...

"Anne! You're wearing your spectacles! What made you finally decide to see properly?" James asked.

"A very sensible person told me that I was missing out on quite a lot…" said Anne as she blushed.

Anne could tell that Pru was dying to ask who had advised her. Andrew caught several shared glances between Pru and James about the occurrence. Something was up with those two, he was sure of it…

But that was another matter he didn't wish to dwell on at the moment.

Talk moved to literature for some reason or the other. They all had special areas of interest. James preferred histories. Pru loved a variety of books from those worthless romance novels to history. Andrew could read history if forced, but he rather liked fiction. Adventure suited him quite well when bored. Anne mentioned liking more romantic tales, Arthurian legend, and the like. She also mentioned a love of sonnets…

Andrew immediately perked up at that. "Do you like Shakespeare, then?"

Anne smiled. "Oh yes! I adore it!"

Pru and James were ignored completely as Andrew and Anne embarked on a thirty minute discussion on their favorites. They quoted lines and compared analysis. They often disagreed, but they alsohad quite a bit offun with debating it. By the time they wound down, it was late. Pru and James had left unnoticed about fifteen minutes into the sonnet discussion...

Andrew looked at his pocket watch. "I believe I must go."

Anne smiled. "For once, I'm sorry to hear that…"

He snorted. "You know, I believe, most of the time, honesty is refreshing…but you're quite blunt, you know."

"I know." her tone was confident as was her smile.

He turned to go, but something stopped him.

"I was hoping…would you like to meet some afternoon and read the sonnets? We could discuss them as we went on…" he trailed off.

Anne nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."

Andrew smiled broadly. "Wonderful. Would tomorrow be acceptable?"

"Yes. Meet me in the garden at two? Pru usually takes a nap about then so we won't be interrupted."

He frowned… "And a chaperone…"

"Please, Lieutenant. We'll be doing nothing improper!"

"Still…"

"I'll see you tomorrow. You can disapprove later to your heart's content…"

With that, she led Andrew to the door. Bidding a final farewell with a bow, he collected his hat and left the Norrington home.

Anne closed the door and turned around. Then she promptly jumped as she found Pru directly behind her, wearing a happy grin.

"So…is Lieutenant Gillette still perfectly acceptable?" Pru asked with a knowing smile.

Anne did her best imitation of her brother when he didn't wish to tell something personal. "Oh, I daresay he is."

"You won't tell me anything, then? I am disappointed…"

Anne laughed at her sister-in-law. "I think you'll get over it. I'm going into the library. I feel the need to read something…"

Pru yawned. "I'm going to get off my feet. I've never been so tired as when I'm carrying around an extra person inside me…I'll see you at supper. And do have fun with Gillette when I'm napping, dear. I'd like a full report!"

Anne's hand slipped and she nearly broke a vase. "Don't bet on it!" she yelled up the stairs. Sighing with restlessness, she turned into the library. Surely there was something that would distract her…anything to distract her from him…

Andrew returned to his rooms at the fort. He wasn't due on duty for a few more hours yet and he was dead set on relaxing until then. That's not what happened...

Instead, he became rather restless. Reading a book didn't even help, as all he could think about was her. And the sonnets. Yes, the sonnets filled his mind as he thought of which ones they might read on the morrow. Cursing himself ten times over for his obsessive train of thoughts, Gillette closed his book with an exasperated sigh…

Clearly he would have to find other ways to preoccupy himself…Like the green eyes behind those glasses…God, how appealing they were! Oh Lord, now before I leave my room I'm going to have to make sure my subordinate down below is calm. Damn these tight breeches they make us wear…Damn them!

AN: I'm still trying to make these longer, I swear! I don't think this story will be as long as the last one, but then again…it depends on what the characters tell me…(No, I don't need a strait jacket…lol!)