Hey guys, I'm so sorry that I haven't updated this story faster but I'm just starting school so I'll try to work out a system where I can post at least once a week! Hope you keep enjoying!

The ball turned out to be a success. The people gathered at the fort's courtyard of all places, where they chatted, socialized, and danced to the orchestra's light music. The prison was currently empty, so even the usual nightguards were free to attend. Even the evening weather was favorable, and ample light was provided, further proving the unexpected ball's victory.

Norrington felt as carefree as he did when he married Annabelle, and flourished in whisking her across the dance area. He willingly kept her at his side and his eyes on her all evening, struck speechless at how lovely she was in her blue ball gown. It was always his favorite color on her.

Groves, on the other hand, felt distracted at times, though he had his moments where he enjoyed himself. When it was called for, he escorted a lady to a waltz or two, but none caught his eye in particular. Annabelle caught sight of him during those dances, and was amused at the girls' unmistakable admiration for him, though he was oblivious.

"Is something troubling him?" Annabelle eventually noticed during a slower waltz.

Norrington glanced to where his wife's gaze had fallen to see Groves calmly observing the dance. He sympathized for his comrade. "I cannot imagine what. He appeared to fare well today."

Annabelle shyly peered up at him. "Would you hate me terribly if I asked him for the next dance?"

Norrington glanced back at her, a familiar warmth surging through him at his beloved wife's empathy. "Only if I may steal you away afterward."

Groves's glanced at his friends, smiling to himself as he watched them whisper and smile at each other. Whenever he saw them he felt inexplicable mirth for them, for their love had been years in the making, yet he would feel a twinge of jealously and loneliness at times. Would he ever find such happiness?

"I'm surprised to see an officer standing alone, Commodore."

Groves nearly jumped as he turned to who had just addressed him. "I enjoy observing the dances as well as participating in them, Lord Caldwell."

Lord Caldwell briefly raised his eyebrows. "I see. What do you enjoy observing on such occasions?"

Groves could see he wanted to be amused, so he obliged, his head nodding respective dancers as he explained. "For a few instances: those who could probably dance blindfolded...those who cleverly mask being led by a lady who knows the dance better...and those who have trouble focusing on the proper steps as well as their partner."

Lord Caldwell's curiosity was aroused. "And how do you ascertain such perceptions?"

Not used to being a wordy conversationalist, Groves humbly dipped his head for a moment before returning his attention to the dancefloor. "Well...for the 'blindfolded leaders,' you will notice that their eyes are rarely ever downcast-they take pride in their ability to lead a dance as well as a dialogue. You can always tell that it is likely the lady is leading if the couple tends to step to the side or initiate a traveling turn more often, to avoid any...unfortunate stumbling. And for those less practiced...their gaze tends to allow the lady to believe he is admiring the skirt and detail of her gown."

Lord Caldwell laughed a bit and raised his glass. "A fine appraisal, Commodore. I have heard it said great observance complements great wisdom. I cannot say I would have been as accurate." He sipped his wine before casually asking, "And with your beloved, which are you?"

Groves blinked a few times and kept his face calm yet solemn. "I am unmarried, Sir."

Caldwell looked genuinely surprised. "Betrothed, then, perhaps?"

Groves's face grew more solemn. "I'm afraid not, Sir."

"Have you ever come close to such an opportunity?"

"No, Sir," the twinge of loneliness stabbed him again.

The look of surprise had yet to disappear from Caldwell's face. He hadn't recalled a woman lingering by the man's side for more than one dance that evening, yet he had assumed there was another explanation for it. "Forgive me for prying. Needless to say I am very astonished that a man of your stature and standing has not yet stumbled upon it."

Groves suddenly wished for the topic to change, but he was not sure how to do it without being abrupt. Instead, he amiably added, "Perhaps someday, Sir."

The orchestra ended and the people clapped, though Caldwell kept his eyes on Groves, who clapped politely with the others. He did not see Norrington kiss Annabelle's hand before she left him and approached.

"Pardon me, Lord Caldwell, Commodore," she greeted.

Groves was happy for the interruption. "Mrs. Norrington."

"I hope I'm not intruding?"

"Not at all," Groves was glad to hear Caldwell reply.

Annabelle stepped a bit closer to Groves, and he felt the need to bend down closer. In a low voice she said, "At the risk of displaying improper decorum, Commodore, might I ask you for the next dance?"

Groves stood straight again, his heart swelling. "I would be honored, Mrs. Norrington."

He offered his arm to his friend as she smiled, accepting his arm as he dismissed himself from Lord Caldwell.

The new dance began, and Groves eyed Norrington on the other side of the room, watching them happily as he conversed with comrades.

"Are you certain the Admiral doesn't mind?" Groves teased.

"He made it clear that he will steal me away again," she teased back.

Groves smiled. "I would not wish to anger him."

Annabelle giggled a bit as they continued to sweep across the floor. "I have seen you dance with several lovely ladies tonight."

"I have," he replied gently.

Annabelle sensed she struck a sensitive chord. "If this is to be a tradition for Lord Caldwell, I wonder how often these will occur?"

"Probably whenever we have a new start or he finds a reason to celebrate," Groves replied lightheartedly.

"Well, it is a pleasure to have an adept dancing partner," Annabelle added gently while making eye contact with him.

Groves realized she was complimenting him, and smiled humbly. "Thank you, Annabelle."

Their conversation remained cordial for the remainder of the dance. Groves was grateful that at least for the night, he did not have to worry about pirates or ships making port or disembarking, signing and overseeing important documents and strategies, and many other tasks. Tonight, he could afford a good time enjoying himself and the company of comrades and friends.

Little did he know however, that he was being watched and observed.

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

The fort seemed to have a lighter air about it after the ball, even the day after next. Groves wondered if perhaps the ball was a wise idea after all. The socializing and celebrating seemed to have lifted everyone's spirits. He noticed smiles or brightened faces in comrades whom he had barely seen signs of life since his return to Port Royal. Maybe a night free of worries and troubles was just what Port Royal had needed.

He was overseeing the progress of several of the fleet's ship routes when Officer Gale approached.

"Forgive me, Commodore, but Lord Caldwell wishes to see you."

"To see me?" he caught himself asking.

"Yes, Sir. I am to escort you to his office."

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

Groves tried to hide his confusion and curiosity as he turned to Kingsley. "Log this for now. We shall continue when I return."

"Yes, Sir," Kingsley replied and began to carry out the order as Groves left with Gale.

"You wished to see me, Sir?" Groves asked Lord Caldwell, whose back was to him.

Caldwell turned from the map on the wall. "I did, Commodore." He gestured to the chair as he walked over to his desk. "Please, sit."

Groves did so, still wary about why he was there. He silently scolded himself for being so quick to jump to conclusions, for although Lord Caldwell seemed very serious about whatever the matter was, he was still calm and amiable as he had been since the day he arrived. Enough for Groves's worry about this man being no better than Beckett or Clayton to slowly diminish.

Lord Caldwell sat and was silent for a few moments. Finally he began with, "I hope you enjoyed yourself the other evening."

Groves was caught off-guard at first, but quickly regained his focus. "Yes, Sir. It seems to have left everyone in high spirits."

"Has it done so for you?"

Surprised himself, he honestly answered, "Yes, Sir, it has."

Caldwell seemed pleased. "Good."

He fell silent again, but Groves waited, saying nothing.

"The reason why I summoned you concerns a notice I received the other day from an ally port. It appears that Jack Sparrow has already spotted his next horizon."

"You have heard of Jack Sparrow?" Groves asked.

"Everyone who works for His Majesty's fleet has at least heard of him," Caldwell replied. "I have heard all the stories' confirmations since my arrival, as well."

Groves acknowledged it, silently wondering if and how much Governor Byron revealed to him about their encounters with him. "Has he been spotted?"

"Not quite," Caldwell replied, "though if he had been near here already I'm sure your sharp eye would not have missed him." Groves felt himself stiffen before Caldwell continued. "There are several rumors circulating about him, but none have been confirmed yet. Unfortunately such word sometimes travels faster than the truth."

Groves was still confused. "I see. And what do you need from me?"

Caldwell sat a bit straighter. "I need your strong observation skills, which you made very apparent to me the other night."

Groves wasn't sure if he should thank him, but Caldwell quickly continued before he could give it a second thought.

"I need you to find Jack Sparrow before he makes his next strike. After meeting with Governor Byron, apparently Port Royal has some unfinished business with the pirate-I trust you remember his escape from the Endurance?"

Groves's chest threatened to heave a sigh at the painful memory. Several men were killed, and many more were left wounded. "Yes, Sir, I do."

"That and he still needs to be tried for his piratical acts," Caldwell added. "Tortuga seems to be a favorite port of his sort, so we have reason to suggest he will stop there before he embarks on his newest 'journey'. He appears to be a bittersweet favorite among his comrades. Surely the others may be easier to find once he is off the map."

Groves bit his tongue. If only Lord Caldwell had ever encountered Jack Sparrow, let alone the city of Tortuga. Groves himself had never encountered its wild nightlife, but he had heard plenty of second-hand accounts. Not only that, but if the Navy were to show up at the wrong time-either with too many pirates present, or at the wrong time of day-they risked ambush or word of their presence spreading, which could lead them farther away from any hope of even catching wind of Jack Sparrow at all.

"You seem troubled, Commodore."

Groves tried to keep his voice steady. "I am merely overwhelmed. Jack Sparrow has proven to be quite...challenging to capture. Are you certain you want me?"

Caldwell briefly appeared uneasy himself, but quickly regained his composure as he reluctantly replied, "I am afraid this is not merely a proposal, Commodore."

Groves's blood nearly ran cold, feeling slightly foolish for his comment. It should have occurred to him this wasn't a proposition, otherwise he would have been told so. He had no choice but to go through with it. He had no idea of how to begin, what to do, who to take with him, how to organize this mission, who to assign with him-if he had that choice...

"Perhaps I should offer more clarity," Caldwell interrupted his thoughts. "Since our tactics have not worked in the past, we are willing to try a different one. You shall be going on a secret mission. Almost as though you were acting as an agent for his Majesty, if you will."

"Sir?" the clouds began to clear in his mind. "Disguise myself?"

"Well, it would certainly take longer to find a pirate if he knew the entire fleet was pursuing him. Catching him off-guard will be much quicker and more effective." He observed the Commodore's face as he tried to grasp it all. "How you accomplish this mission is up to you, but I trust you will have no trouble thinking like a pirate-after all you have had your fair share of dealing with them, I have heard." He paused to make sure it all sank in before finishing with, "You will leave in two days' time."

Groves felt heavy once he left Lord Caldwell's office. Part of him swelled with pride for the opportunity of services, but the other part of him wondered if affiliations with piracy would ever end-and if he would be successful in this mission.