Full Summary: When Jack has no choice but to pose as a Navy officer in order to get his precious Black Pearl fixed from a sea battle against another crew of pirates, he ends up finding help in one of the most unlikely of places.

Chapter One

Milky pink and yellow light filtered through the window as a maid prepared a cup of lemon tea for the Admiral, boiling the water over the fire to make it nice and hot. She stirred the lemon leaves and tea leaves together in the warming water, releasing their flavour. The Admiral liked strong lemon tea first thing in the morning on his balcony facing the docks so he could watch the small port awaken.

When the tea was boiling hot she grasped it firmly in both hands and tottered out of the kitchen, walking carefully up the steps, through the main room and to the balcony in silence. The Admiral, and old fellow with features worn with age and sea salt, was already dressed in his uniform, but wasn't due at the docks until much later. Quickly, the maid placed the hot mug on the table and ducked her head, beginning to move away when he stopped her.

"Nell," He always called his maids by their first names; he may have been an Admiral, but he treated them as if they were equal to his position. "That ship, the black one with the white sails, it wasn't there yesterday evening."

She followed his gaze, and her eyes found the ship. It was a truly magnificent vessel, far more than the other, Naval vessles that were normally in the harbour.

"It wasn't, sir." She assured him, her voice sweet.

"I want you to go and find out why it is there, Nell. I do not wish for the humiliation of turning up this afternoon not knowing why it is there."

She nodded. It was completely understandable.

"I'll come and tell you as soon as I return."

"Go now then, girl. I will finish my tea and get Katie to clear it away when she brings my breakfast." He shooed her away and Nell rushed out of the room, along the corridors and down the stairs, pausing by a mirror to make sure her white cap was set properly on her head.

Nell had a very slightly golden complextion, free of spots. Her hair, which was plaited loosley then curled into a bun with the cap on top, was a rich mousey-brown. Already, a few stray locks had fallen out and were framing her face, her bright blue eyes standing out. She tucked one lock behind her ear and was on her way, rushing through the kitchen and out of the door there.

Very soon, she was walking along the cobble streets, the light breeze cooling her; it was warm already. No doubt it would only get warmer, and she would be glad to be in the shade of the house.

She walked along the wood docks towards the ship the Admiral had spotted, her blue eyes setting on the form of the dock manager and a man she had never seen before. His eyes drew her in first; a dark, molten brown, almost black. They seemed to suck her in. When she pulled herself away from them, she drew her gaze over his whole body. Dark golden skin, dark hair bleached by the caribbean sun, donning a captain's uniform but with the white powerdered wig missing. He had a slender, well built body, and was obviously used to life at sea.

She was shocked when he grinned roguishly over the dock manager's shoulder at her, flashing golden teeth. Then he turned to the dock manager, explaining his situation. Nell caught the words "damaged", "repairs" and "Mr. Smith". From what she could gather, this "Mr. Smith's" ship needed repairing. The dock manager wrote down his name, took a tying fee, and walked away. Immediately, the man walked over to her.

"'Ello there, love." He greeted her, sweeping down into a bow and grasping her right hand in bejewled fingers, pressing his lips to it. Nell's cheeks flushed and she forced herself to greet him back.

"Good morning, sir. What brings you to Port Davies?" She asked, trying to be polite.

"Me ship was damaged, young miss. I've come for repairs and will soon be on me way." He told her, and added as an afterthought: "Ye don't happen to know where I could find such help, do ye?"

She nodded. There was a carpenters near by, not even a five minute walk away.

"I'll show you the way, Mr..."

"Mr. Smith. Or Smithies, if ye like."

"Well then, Mr. Smith, let's get on our way. I need to be returning to the Admiral soon, you see."

The man paused, his body going rigid before he began to speak again.

"The Admiral, ye say? Well, I didn't know he was stationed here."

"Oh yes, sir. Admiral Georges has been here for the last five years or so," She replied. "I think he likes it here too much; only yesterday he was speaking of retiring and staying here for the rest of his life."

Mr. Smith just nodded along with her words as they walked until they arrived outside the door. She simply stood.

"There you are, sir. Mr. Roberts should be able to help you very quickly and get your ship in very good condition."

"Thank ye, miss. Ye've certainly helped me." He answered, and moved to knock on the door, but paused. "Ye haven't told me ye name, miss. Ye know mine; tis only fair.

"Oh, I'm sorry sir. I'm Nell Daunt. But you can call me Nell, I suppose. The Admiral will most likely send me down daily to make sure everything is going fine. He likes to keep an eye on all Naval ships that enter the port, see."

"Ye can tell him that me ship's name is the Siren." He told her and knocked, almost immediately disappearing into the building straight away after a quick salute to her and a bow.