Disclaimer: Yet again, no one has called to say that I'm heir to the people who are making money off of POTC. Or that they're making a Norrington poster from the first movie.

"Never underestimate ladies with determination and stubbornness. They will thwart your orders any chance they can get…"

-Rules of Engagement for Dealing with Ladies

"Men are rather dense creatures who think they rule the world. Let them think that. It will be so much easier to do what you want if they're smug with their own sense of superiority. Gentlemen are happier that way…"

-Rules of Engagement for Managing Gentlemen

Chapter 6: Covert Ops

Gillette gingerly touched his eye. "Lord, James, you pack a punch, don't you?"

"Indeed. Just remember I'll do far worse if I catch you with my sister like that again."

Andrew gave James a sarcastic grin. "Yes, I'll be sure to make sure you don't catch us…"

James glared. "Do you really want both eyes to match, Andrew?"

Theo interrupted, "Stop now. The debt has been repaid. Sip your brandy in hopes you'll both stop talking."

It was silent for a few minutes as James and Andrew partook of brandy, and Will and Theodore of rum.

The men parted shortly after.

Gillette made James stop before he left. "James…"

For some reason, Norrington knew exactly what he'd been trying to say. "Don't worry Andrew. It's just very strange to see anyone with my sister…and when it's my best friend...Well, I'd be furious anyway, but the fact you're my friend made it seem a betrayal. I think it's been settled. Good night."

Andrew went back to his quarters, in an introspective mood. The calm outside mirrored his quiet thoughts. He had no idea that the rest of the night wouldn't be so calm…

Anne slipped into the breeches and shirt that Pru had loaned her. They were surprisingly comfortable. Anne wasn't really sure why women hadn't suddenly stopped wearing dresses and the like. The breeches were far more easier to move in...

Tying her hair into a queue and stuffing it under her hat, she looked in the mirror. The clothes were loose but she gave off the appearance of being a boy. Good enough for now, I think.

Since James was at the fort, it was no trouble at all in escaping the house. Port Royal at night was certainly a different experience. There was certainly less bustle, as long as you didn't consider the taverns. It was eerily quiet on some streets with very little light by which to see.

Anne was smart enough to avoid the dimly lit streets. She progressed on her way to the fort, butquickly got lost. Stopping to get her bearings, Anne glanced about the deserted street.

Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind and dragged into an alley. She dug her heels into the ground, but still she was being moved...

"What've we got here, a pretty little lad ye be?" a rough voice grunted.

Anne struggled. "GET OFF ME!"

"Now how's that for gratitude…I woz lettin you have the pleasure of a tumble wi' me."

The man roughly pushed her to the ground, right into the mud. He grabbed on her hands and forced her to squeeze hismanhood through his breeches… "Er' now…innit that nice? If ye do well enough, I might let ye do this wit' ye tongue…"

Anne was about to gag. Finally, he had to try pulling down his breeches with one hand. Distracted, Anne was able to, with a well placed kick, force the ruffian off her. She got up to run, but he grabbed for her foot. Anne fell to her knees and twisted, punching him with all her strength.

She got up and started running, despite the pain in her ankle. The man was right behind her. She raced for the fort, desperate to reach safety. As soon as she got to it, she demanded the soldiers let her in.

"I need to see Lieutenant Gillette. Immediately!" Anne looked behind her to see her attacker quickly approaching.

"What's your name?"

"Will…Speares! Let me in! It's urgent."

Something in her voice alerted the soldier to the emergency. "All right, keep yer shirt on! I'll let you in while we fetch the Lieutenant."

Anne ran inside and leaned against a wall for support as she tried to regain her breath. That was too close…

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Andrew approach her. His eyes widened immediately upon recognizing her.

"An..ders?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Can we talk?"

He nodded. "Of course. Follow me."

Andrew led her into his quarters. Sitting her down upon his cot, he poured her a glass of brandy.

"Drink it," he ordered.

Dutifully, Anne sipped the liquor as he said, "What's wrong? Are you hurt, ill? Why are you so dirty? Now tell what this is all about. And why you're dressed like that at night! Pru had something to do with this, didn't she?"

Knowing that he wouldn't believe her if she tried to lie, she nodded. "I wanted to see you and since James wouldn't let me do it during the daytime…"

"So your sister-in-law offered the use of her clothes. Do you have any idea what danger you were in?"

Suppressing a shudder, she answered, "Yes."

Frowning with concern, he sat beside her on his cot. "What happened?"

She took a deep breath. "A man dragged me into an alley. He was…forcibly trying to make…me do things with him. To him. He pressed me face down into the ground and made me caress his, area…and told me that I could do it with my mouth if I were…g…go…"

Anne was visibly shaken. Andrew couldn't take it anymore. He swiftly gathered her into his lap and surrounded her with the strength of his arms in hopes that it would provide comfort.

Anne turned into his embrace, closing her eyes. Now I'm finally safe. I could stay in his arms forever…he smells so nice…

Andrew interrupted her. "He didn't…" he stopped and looked away. He could even say the horrible possibility…

"No. I fought with him, but I got away. Barely, as he was chasing me the whole time…I heard him tell me that he'd get me if it were the last thing I do…"

"No he won't. James and I won't let that happen…" he began.

Anne gasped. "NO! You can't let James find out. Then he'll have to know that I was out alone…"

"Which you shouldn't have done in the first place!"

"I got away in time!"

Andrew seethed. "That's damn cold comfort, Anne!"

"Don't tell him." she implored.

"I have to tell him! He can protect you in ways I can't!" Andrew exclaimed.

"Yes you can!" she declared.

"How? At night I can't possibly be by your side and when it's daylight, well, your brother just forbid that today!"

"In daylight, I'll be fine. You can keep guard in my room for tonight, at least so we'll know that he doesn't know where I live…" she began.

He interrupted her with horror. "God no! If James found out, he'd castrate me! It's completely inappropriate…"

"Stand outside my window then! Just for a few days…until we know that the man didn't recognize me!"

Andrew seemed to be silently debating something. Suddenly he came to a decision. "Fine. But I will tell your brother if I think you are in the least bit of danger and I can't handle it…"

"Fine." she agreed reluctantly.

"Are you well enough to return to your house?" he inquired.

"Just a few moments more of rest…" Anne leaned her head against his shoulder.

She looked at his face and frowned. "Andrew, your eye! What happened?"

Andrew winced. "I ran into your brother's fist, I'm afraid."

Anne straightened with fury. "James! He had no right…"

"Anne, it's something you won't understand. It's what happens with gentlemen. I did something that he didn't approve of with his sister. He had full rights to punch me…"

She huffed. "Men are immature stubborn idiots."

Andrew laughed as she inspected the rest of his face. "Oh, I don't think we're that bad."

Anne arched an eyebrow. "You don't see women punching each other when they're vexed do you?"

"No, I suppose I don't"

Anne frowned again. "Do you ever take this thing off?" she asked.

Andrew saw she was referring to his wig. "Of course I do."

"Can I see your real hair?"

"No. Let's get you back home." Andrew changed the subject as he escorted her back to the Norrington home. Silently, they crept through the garden to the servants' entrance.

Just before Anne reached the door she stopped, turning to Andrew.

"My room is the window on the corner. Thank you for...everything." Anne lightly kissed him on the lips in gratitude.

Andrew froze. "Y…"

"Good night." She smiled at him and disappeared behind the door.

Anne paused and leaned against her door once she entered her room. What was I doing? I kissed him! Did he like it? What if he didn't? Does he want more? Do I want more? Yes, I certainly would love to explore things further…enough! That way madness lies…one more compromising situation and he'll sacrifice himself and marry me to protect my reputation! I can't let him do that…I care too much for him…

Why did she do that? Why did she stop? Gillette leaned against the house. It was out of gratitude. Surely, it was. Ladies like that did not go about kissing men for other reasons, much as he wished Anne did it for other reasons. Really, he was beginning to suspect he'd become obsessed.

James will kill me if he finds out. When he finds out…Perhaps I'd better begin writing my will now…

The night passed with no unusual happenings. Gillette left just as the servants began stirring. He still felt uneasy. At the first sign of danger, he'd immediately tell James, promises or no, danger to his own life or no…

AN: Okay, this one isn't so funny, but I thoughtIhad to provide some danger other than James's threats! Andrew will go to his friends in the next chapter for romantic advice…Anne will receive an unsettling note…causing both to confess to James…Thanks for all the well wishes! I'm feeling a bit better now that I've forced myself to rest and take a few naps...