"Do you think it was a mistake to leave Peterson free?"

It wasn't the fairest question. Considering that his decision had been executed, the inquiry may have looked like he sought to validate his actions rather than consolidation. Jame asked because Theodore's opinion mattered too much to let an unspoken disapproval linger between them.

"I'm sorry," Groves apologized, realising that his sullen contemplation was mistaken for a sign of disagreement when he sunk into a moody observation of the dry dust rising beneath their horses' hooves. Treason and news that the bandits were powerful enough to threaten the Captain who by far wasn't a coward into submission was a lot to take in. "I'm brooding over the same risks you did when you've made the decision. We don't know whether Peterson will aid us at the crucial moment or the fear of losing his family will be too strong. It doesn't mean that I think you're wrong."

"The law states I am wrong as I should have arrested him, at least the standard regulation does, and it's based on a good reason. What right do I have to potentially risk lives by protecting his family?"

"Saving them from guaranteed harm," Groves corrected. "You aren't known for bureaucratic tenacity to follow the law to the letter, but I trust your common sense to pass a fair judgement."

"I'm assailed by misgivings that this should be a compliment." The remark was too true for comfort. It reminded James about the cursed day when Jack Sparrow escaped execution. The lawful course of action would have been to shoot the rogue Captain during the escape attempt and hang Turner for helping. Yet, he didn't call an order to fire. He allowed Sparrow to draw him into a mindless conversation and did nothing to punish Turner. This misstep allowed Lord Beckett to administer an arrest warrant for him, not that it made a difference in his fate. Admittedly, Lord Beckett could have found a flaw to arrest a Saint if it suited his interests. James trusted the law, but sometimes he shuddered at its merciless efficiency. He shook off the alarming turn his thoughts were taking. He was no pirate to treat the law as the guidelines.

Groves watched him shrewdly, well aware of the doubts plaguing his friend. "It takes a great man to uphold the law without becoming a tyrant," he said, but seeing James shift in the saddle and unconsciously nudge his horse to go faster, he added, "and an even greater one to treat me to a tasty lunch. I hope Thompson still makes those excellent pastries."

"He does," James accepted the change of conversation gratefully. "But, I must confess to a hidden agenda aside from treating you to the delicacies. I would like to introduce you to a lady, and hope that your behaviour will reflect nothing but discretion when I do."

"I look forward to meeting her." Groves intended to say instead 'you wouldn't believe my promise' when he saw James grip the reigns tighter. There was tension about him that spoke volumes.

At the hospital, Groves was treated to gossip about a woman brought from Tortuga who was living with James. Few knew who she was, which didn't stop most unflattering rumours. Groves attributed them to the envy of the local women who flocked around the Admiral like piranhas, some daring to slip past the guards into the fort much to Gillette's charging because he was responsible to removing them without commotion. They didn't hesitate to patronise any lady James favoured with as much as a smile. When Groves asked Katelyn about her, the nurse treated him to a closed lip smile and said that Miss Ash was unlike any woman he had met.

The mysterious woman piqued his curiosity. Groves wondered what she meant to James. It seemed unlikely that James had been released entirely from Elizabeth's hold, leaving him to hope for the old saying 'the best cure for a broken heart is new love.' Come to think of it, James was acting strangely. The last time he had left work for lunch was to accept the Governor's tea invitation because Swann had arranged for his daughter to be there. Not only had James adapted an out of character habit, but the last time Groves checked, his watch trailed at least a quarter of an hour to midday. They've left their post too early. Could it be that Peterson's confession troubled his friend into thinking that this woman may get hurt by association? James was not the one to worry about remote threats. He dealt with problems as they arose. Even so, common sense couldn't always overcome the worry where the loved ones were concerned. He wanted to see this woman immediately and make sure she was unharmed.

James nudged his horse again to travel faster, confirming that he was in a hurry. Yet, aside from this subtle sign, James hardly behaved like a man about to see the lady of his heart. He showed neither nervousness nor joy. Could it be that his friend wasn't aware of those developing feelings? That was unacceptable, but welcome nonetheless. After observing James in the wake of their adventure and escape from the Beckett's reign, Groves was starting to think that he should travel to a siren bay to fish for a seductive date, otherwise, James was in danger on becoming a sea monk. Groves hardly blamed his friend for avoiding women. Their ambitions revolved around self-benefit and abuse of his kindness and good will. The world, imperfect as it was, couldn't be filled only with ingrates. Theodore Groves trusted his intuition. It was telling him that this woman cancelled the trip, not that it would create an obstacle to having a bit of fun meddling. His lips curved slightly in anticipation.

"I fear to inquire, you are giving me a look non other than disturbing," James interrupted his thoughts. "I have a distinct memory of Weatherby Swann having the same facial expression when he once invited me to tea, a best-known manoeuvre called meddling."

Groves regarded James unabashed, gracefully accepting a reminder that he wasn't the only perceptive man around. James knew him well enough to figure out what was on his mind. "I'm trying to make the best of the scandal, which has gotten the corset laces in a twist of every lady in Port Royal. An unmarried man at the perfect age and breeding is living at an isolate mansion with a young woman who is highly unlikely to be his relative. One may wonder about the nature of their relationship. Don't tell me this has never occurred to you."

"This has occurred to me often enough to ensure my impeccable behaviour. I would never with a word or jest embarrass Miss Ash. I fear she feels indebted. It would be a disgrace for her to think that her stay depended on satisfying my romantic interest in her."

"Your foolproof plan has a few shortcomings called feelings. What would you do if, for instance, I was to take interest in her?"

James flushed. "I'd be against it, but don't get the wrong idea that I'd be jealous. You're mistaken about the nature of our relationship. I feel responsible for Renee. She's been through too much to have her feelings handled inconsiderably. I'd wish you luck had you serious intentions to court and marry her, a commitment you are not ready for. Thus, dearly as I'd miss you, I'd bury you in a special place reserved for Jack Sparrow should she be no more than another conquest."

"You're speaking in riddles." Any attempt at lightening up the conversation led to increasingly stress filled words. He had to get to the bottom of it. Groves pulled the reigns abruptly, bringing his horse to a stop. "You've admitted that you want to ask for my help, but in order to help I need to know what's going on."

For an instant, James regarded him competitively, reacting to a challenge. Groves met his gaze without flinching, until common sense told James that he was in the wrong. "I will do my best to satisfy your inquiry, but it's not my place to divulge her past."

"Thank you."

James didn't give away a lot, mostly focusing on his experience that cost a lion share of pride to reveal, but he clung onto dignity without flinching from his mistakes. Renee Ash, in the laconic narrative, appeared to be a tragic heroine deceived and separated from her family who went through hardship no lady should have been subjected to. Groves had hoped for a glowing terms that would tell tale about an attraction, but James was reserved, pointing out only that she was intelligent. The remark could have been accepted as a crowning jewel of a compliment since most noble women used their heads primarily as a decorative function for wearing hats and feathers. Most impotantly, Groves quickly caught on the point of sharing the past.

"Locating her parents may be harder than you're anticipating," he said. "You may not be able to leave Port Royal in the nearest future; however, someone in a less demanding position could carry a message on behalf of Miss Ash."

"Indeed."

"And his name happens to begin with a T and end with an E."

"I believe your proves with letters deserves an A."

"What do I get out of it?"

"The pastries."

"I've been hoping for the Captain's rank for such a dangerous mission, but I suppose for the sake of a fair lady the pastries will do."

James smirked and lightly nudged the stallion with his heels, covering short distance to his home within minutes.

The fair lady turned out to be much different than Groves expected. He felt disappointed by a slim woman in a loose robe and a wide brimmed hat that shadowed her face. The word mysterious had him imagine a tall, graceful beauty with the long hair falling around her like an Arabian shawl and impossibly dark blue eyes framed with the long eyelashes. Miss Ash had brown eyes that were impossibly unfriendly as the woman approached them and lifted her head to study him.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Ash." Groves bowed sombrely, catching a suspicious glance from James. He supposed he deserved it, behaving in no manner to be charming to this woman. He doubted any charm wouldn't wither and die before reaching her. "I've heard much about you."

"Likewise."

She made no attempt to uplift the conversation, and Groves caught a vague smile from his friend. Was he being laughed at by, James Norrington of all people, because at long last a miracle woman appeared who did not fancy the ever likable lieutenant-commander? She regarded him no longer than propriety dictated and then addressed James.

"I've had the pleasure to become acquainted with your secretary today."

"Do you mean to say Mr Hurst came to visit instead of seeking me out in my office?" Tenacious as the man was at hounding him with stacks that required more ink waste, he never went as far as disturbing him at home.

"He had been most aggrieved by the accumulated paperwork. It is my understanding he used to approach you at lunch, which became impossible because you can no longer be found at the fort at that hour."

"I'm sorry for not attending to my work sooner. Mr Hurst is a good man, but he can become short tempered and does not accept compromises when it comes to bureaucracy."

"He didn't offend me in spite of the less than courteous greeting. Sometimes people who do not meet our expectations at a first glance turn out to be more than tolerable."

Was she hinting at their earlier conversation? Groves felt distinctly uncomfortable. He had entertained unflattering thoughts about her before finding out her character. He had been so critical because he wanted the best for James. Groves nearly kicked himself. It was much to expect her to greet him kindly after his facial expression had given away his disappointment.

"I believe after speaking with me he managed to solve part of the problem," she continued smoothly before her remark caused controversy.

Groves couldn't help being impressed. "You have my admiration Miss. At last, Mr Hurst found someone who patiently listened to his woes outlined on a long list in alphabetical order," he commented dryly as they went up the steps into the house. He noted that James offered Renee his arm to lean on naturally enough for him to imagine that they went up the steps every day together. However, James kept an infuriatingly respectable distance from the escorted woman.

"Your name came up in our conversation, Mr Groves. It is my understanding that half of the paperwork could have been spread to the senior officers. The secretary was hesitant to make such decision without the Admiral's agreement, but he felt decisive when I assured him that I will pass his idea to James. I imagine, Mr Hurst will be waiting for you once you return to the fort."

"Your gracious warning shall not be forgotten." Checking the restoration progress of HMS Silver was increasingly welcoming.

Groves ignored stark disaproval rolling off the Admiral and deftly stole James' seat on the opposite end of the table as the later helped Renee into her seat, and pretended to study table cloth patterns innocently. James treated him with a spiky look, as a host refraining from shooing the intruder off his rightful place. He sat down beside Renee, banished to the farthest end of the small table to give her as much space as possible without making it conspicuous that he was inching away from her. Perfect, Theodore decided quite optimistically, shyness was a perfect indication of the attraction. The trick was to let James see it. He did not suspect that his innocent enough meddling played key role in the change of James Norrington's heart.