Pintel and Ragetti continued through a far-off port, picking up the last of plunder and supplies needed for the Pearl to continue her journey. The Pearl was waiting at sea far from shore to avoid too much speculation, though at a port like this one, pirate ships weren't always instantly pursued. Even so, the duo only had a dinghy with them to get the supplies back to the ship.

"More treasure," Pintel roused. "Just think!"

"Hopefully this one won't have a curse on it," Ragetti said as he adjusted his eyepatch. He hadn't had his wooden eye since the meeting of the Pirate Lords, shortly after which Calypso was released. The nine pieces of eight had been burned as part of the ritual, Ragetti's wooden eye being one of those pieces.

"Don't think about mentioning that possibility to the Captain...or Captains..." Pintel warned. "Besides, we'll have a whole city to explore this time! Not just a mere cave or fountain."

"Do you think this will call for a stop in Tortuga?" Ragetti mused as they continued loading their boat.

"Us embark on a journey without going there? He-they-consider it bad luck to start a journey without going there. Not that us and the crew will mind!"

The two men cackled and continued making their way to their ship, unaware bits and pieces of their conversation had already been heard.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"He's called for what?" Groves wasn't sure if he had heard right.

"It is to signify a new start for Port Royal, he said," Kingsley repeated Lord Caldwell's latest summons, which was already spreading through the fort like wildfire.

"But, why a ball?" Groves was still flabbergasted and confused. Such gatherings took days-at the very least, if one was lucky-to prepare for.

"I heard him mention something about new starts that should begin with a celebration. He wishes to put the people of Port Royal at ease and give them an optimistic spirit to this new beginning."

Groves contemplated over this. True, Port Royal and her citizens (including a select few he knew personally) had been deeply affected by all the change and unfortunate occurrences. Pirates still lurked about the seas, conflicting with the people's way of life. It was all about survival now, each doing so in the only way he knew how or was willing to undertake. And, unfortunately, people could still get hurt if someone else felt their own survival was threatened.

He sighed. There was never an easy answer for society and how it should function.

"He mentioned comrades of his in England held one before he left: to wish him well at his new post, as well as welcome the man who replaced him," Kingsley added, interrupting Groves's thoughts.

"I see. I guess I am not used to such expressions of optimism in the midst of such chaos," Groves offered.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Norrington worked late into the night in his study, his mind muddled with many thoughts-his new life, his work, and now this silly business Lord Caldwell wished to conduct. A ball? Before he began his official business? Despite his own dedication, Norrington knew there was a time for rest and play, but he did so after something was taken care of, not before.

He paused for a moment to breathe, his quill pen still in hand and in mid-sentence, his other hand framing his eyebrows. This would be his last task before he went upstairs-

He saw a familiar, soft hand rest on top of his, causing him to cease his writing. His tension left, not having to look up to see who had entered the study.

"Must I always fetch you when it's time for you to rest?" Annabelle asked softly.

He chuckled softly before slowly rising, taking her hand in both of his before softly kissing it. "I am afraid my work has made my mind a web."

"I wasn't asking for you to apologize, though I do worry about you when you're up this late," Annabelle explained. She stroked his cheek a bit before resting her hand on his chest. "Is the new edict from Lord Caldwell troubling you?"

His mouth tugged at her humor as he rested his other hand on her waist. "It does strike me as odd. It makes me wonder why he wants us to feel secure so soon. Certainly a man of his stature would understand that's not entirely possible, not after what's happened."

"Maybe it is his way of gaining that trust...or he enjoys making others feel at ease in the midst of change," Annabelle offered. "Goodness knows the city could use that. And besides," she stepped closer to him, "this will be the first ball we will attend since we danced at our wedding."

Norrington drew her closer to him, smiling at the thought. He remembered how awestruck he was with her on their wedding day, how beautiful and happy she was, how wonderful it was to dance with her, how he was finally able to claim her as his own. It was certainly the happiest day of his life. He could only imagine how she would now look in a proper ball gown.

Perhaps she was right. Maybe it was unfair of him to be suspicious with what could be a kind gesture. Even if he had his doubts, he wouldn't want them to show at the ball. It would be rude, and possibly display unfavorably on his comrades, not just him.

He also then remembered the first time he ever saw his wife dance. He and Groves had happened to walk in on her dancing with Governor Swann, shortly after she had come to Port Royal to live with him and Elizabeth. It had been the first time Norrington had laid eyes on her when she became a young woman. The thought made him smile again.

"What is it?" Annabelle asked, curious at the gleam in his eye.

"I was trying to remember that waltz you had taught me-the one you had taught your uncle." He assumed the dancing position and began to twirl her about the room. "The waltz that has us spinning across the dance floor..." he led her in a dance across the spacious room, alternating their pace sponatneously.

"...where I can twirl you this way and that..." he explained as he performed the actions, his eyes never leaving her surprised and amused face. They both knew he was embellishing their dance, but neither cared.

They both laughed and giggled as they danced for a few minutes around the study, his work completed for the night. They were still smiling and laughing when he twirled her outward one last time and forcefully spun her back into his arms.

They stood there to catch their breath, their eyes meeting before Norrington kissed her.