FIC: All Your Nights Belong to Me
“Glad you finally joined us for this propitious occasion, Lt. Groves.”
“I suppose this means I am not in trouble again? Sir.”
It still amazed James that the Navy had never been able to beat all of Theo’s bad habits out of him as a midshipman.
“Is there something you need to tell me, Lt. Groves?”
“Oh, no sir! All the way here I was trying to remember what it was that I had done, but it seems I have done nothing at all recently.”
Theodore’s face had vacillated from worry to cheer and James felt deep in his belly that Groves had indeed done something that he had forgotten about and that it had not yet come to his attention.
Lt. Greitzer looked bored and Norrington was eager for his nap so the proceedings went on.
“Now that I am an Admiral I have certain privileges and one in particular that I wish to invoke. Lt. Greitzer based on your record I have decided to promote you to the rank of Flag Captain of the Endeavour. Congratulations.”
“Most auspicious, sir.”
Greitzer took his new commission from James’ extended hand as though it were no more than a handkerchief. Disconcerted, he turned to Theo.
“What do you see when you look out the windows, Lt. Groves?”
Theodore obligingly cocked his head to the side to look past Norrington.
“The ocean, sir, and ships.”
Already Groves was blinking heavily and looking up at James expectantly with all the charm of a boy on Christmas Morning. The Admiral smiled indulgently and gestured for Theo to go to the windows.
“Which one do you think is yours?”
Captain Greitzer had opened his commission and was reading it studiously as Lt. Groves bounded across the Great Cabin and pressed his face and palms to the window.
“Is it that one? Is it that one? It is that one! Sir?”
James sidled up slowly to his dear comrade and slipped Theo his commission in an almost sly manner.
“Congratulations, Theo, you are the Master and Commander of the Prize Corvette Trebuchet.”
Had Captain Greitzer not been in the room, Groves would have jumped up and embraced Norrington, but he held back for the sake of his superior’s sense of decorum in front of others.
“A corvette! For me! O, happy day!”
Theodore Groves ripped open his commission and started to read it avidly while James poured the brandy into sniffers. He offered one to Captain Gretizer who took the glass with his usual deadpan coolness and another to Lt. Groves who nearly spilled the good liquor in his enthusiasm. James raised his own glass to make a toast.
“Felicitations on both of your achievements, Gentlemen.”
They all drank and afterwards Lt. Groves went to pack his sea chest for removal to his own vessel and Captain Greitzer set out to familiarize himself with his new duties. Half disrobed and already half asleep, Norrington retired gratefully to the darkened succor of his sleeping cabin.