Elizabeth groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. Her head hurt terribly, and she felt that her stomach was churning. She carefully turned her head so that she could take in her surroundings. She was in a large room with white painted walls and a dark wooden floor. The room was mostly empty, apart from a desk and a few chairs and davenports scattered about the corners. She herself was stretched out on one of the davenports, with a pillow propped up under her head.

She glanced around the room again. There was only one window; a small white one with shutters that were thankfully open, letting a cool breeze in. Light was streaming in from outside, startling her a little bit. It had been evening when she had passed out; she must have slept all through the night and into the morning. She looked over to the one door opposite where she was lying. It was closed, keeping her from seeing what lay behind it.

After just lying still for a few minutes, she sighed and used her hands to push herself up to a sitting position. The sudden movement caused her throbbing headache to double and the nausea in her stomach to overwhelm her. She leaned forward and threw up on the floor, coughing violently. Then, moaning, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and forced herself to stand up. Something was definitely wrong with her.

She shuffled over to the door, back slumped and eyes half closed. She felt so weak, like a pathetic little sick person, and she was disgusted by her sudden helplessness. So much for the brave and powerful Pirate King, she thought bitterly.

Once she reached the wall, she grasped the doorknob somewhat tightly and turned it until the door clicked open. She peered outside into a long and narrow hallway that stretched on for quite a while before turning off to the left. With another sigh, she started down it, hoping to find something or someone that could maybe tell her where the hell she was and what was wrong with her.

She didn't have to wait long. Suddenly her guard person came walking down the hallway, straight towards her. He was smiling, but his smile quickly disappeared as he took in her appearance. Honestly, she did look quite a mess. A horrible, exhausted, tormented, helpless mess. Disastrous, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"I was just coming to check on you," the guard said as he came to a halt before her. "You've been asleep quite a while. Are you alright?"

Elizabeth groaned and clutched a hand to her stomach, attempting to fight another wave of nausea. She couldn't speak, and so she simple shook her head.

He looked down at her with concern. "What's wrong with you?"

She shrugged and closed her aching eyes. After a minute, she managed to choke, "I was hoping you might be able to tell me that."

"I'm sorry, but I don't know a thing about medical illnesses or such."

She managed a small smile. "It's alright."

"Do you want to go lie back down?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, it's just…"

He gave her a look that urged her to continue. "What?"

"I don't wish to sound ungrateful, but is there anyway that I could possibly have something a bit more comfortable to rest on?"

He nodded. "Yes, of course. I can take you to a bed if you wish."

She sighed in relief. "Yes, thank you. I'm just so tired, and I don't know why. It's a bit frightening really, I woke up and realized that I'd passed out and slept through the night. And then my head hurt so terribly, and my stomach, and…" She sighed. "And I threw up. Oh, I know something is wrong with me, but I just don't know what!"

She was panting by the time she finished, and her breathing was raspy and uneven. Her hand was still clutched to her stomach, and her eyes had fallen again into the weak half-closed position.

The guard started at her almost in disbelief. So different she was now, so different from last night. So…helpless. He shook his head a little and sighed. "Well Miss…let me take you to a room."

She nodded. "Thank you."

"Might I ask though," he started, "I know you previously told me it was not my concern, but what is your name?"

She smiled a little. "Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth." He gave her a slight bow. "I'm John."

"Pleasure to ummm…meet you John."

"You as well Miss Elizabeth. Formally meet you really."

She nodded. "Yes, as our official meeting had been….interesting."

"Indeed. Not to pry, but what were you doing last night at the mansion?"

She sighed. "It's a very, very long story." She shook her head. "I'm sure you'd love to hear it, but I'm afraid I'm not quite up to it at the moment."

"It's alright; whenever you feel like it."

"I do have one question though," she managed. "Two actually."

"Yes?"

She stared at him closely and narrowed her eyes. "Why were you so cruel to me before? And then that sudden change. Are you actually a kind person or is this all a show?"

He seemed slightly taken aback by her bold accusation, but tried not to let it show. In truth, he was a bit amused by her behavior.

He shrugged. "I don't know; you decide."

She was silent for a minute as she contemplated his request. Finally she sighed. "I guess you're nice, but what about before?"

"I was just doing my job."

"Well malice isn't a requirement for working for the Royal Navy," she said in defense.

John simply looked at her meekly and didn't respond.

"What?" Elizabeth demanded.

"It actually is."

Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open a little. "Beg pardon?"

He shrugged. "I don't make the rules, I just follow them."

"Oh." She was silent for another minute before she asked, "Who is your superior?"

"What?" He didn't seem to have been expecting that.

"Last night you told me you were taking me to see your superior. I want to know who it is, in case I might know them," she replied patiently.

He creased his eyebrows as he examined her closely. "How would you know them? Do you live in Port Royal? I've never seen you before."

She smirked. "You probably have, but you just don't know it."

Now it was his turn to narrow his eyes. "Who are you?"

"That's part of my long and complicated story," she replied. "I'd have to tell you everything if I told you who I was. You'd never believe me otherwise."

He crossed his arms and gave her an amused look. "Try me."

She shook her head. "No."

"Why not?"

"Because I just…" she trailed off as the room began to spin. Her headache pounded glaringly and she got that lightheaded feeling again. Not good.

John watched her as she staggered forward and gasped. She looked up at him and choked, "Help me."

Oh no; she was going to faint again. Exactly not what he wanted to put up with. He rushed over to her side, but by the time he caught her in his arms, she was already gone.

(A/N:) Updated soon because...being sick...I have a ton of time. My mom finally took me to the doctor today though, hopefully I'll get better soon. I've been sick for nearly a month :( Anyway, I'm a little concerened I'm taking WAY too long getting into this story. But I promise things will start to move quicker in the next few chapters. I just needed to set up my...very long...introduction/beginning. Please review!!!

-Elizabeth :)