Okay, I know I'm really late with the updates, but I just got out for summer so after the next two or so weeks, there will be faster chapters coming out! Thanks for sticking with this if you have!

Groves continued leading the way, Barbossa and Jack flanking him on both sides. He could even feel Jack the monkey watching him from time to time-not that he would dare any quick movements now anyway. His mind still racked with possibilities of how he and Emma could escape if needed, or how they could find the Endurance if Jack actually held up his end of the bargain, but Groves knew he would probably have to wait everything out-even better if he could actually find the way back to the treasure trove after beginning at an unfamiliar path.

As ordered (and just in case Groves tried anything), Emma remained further behind in the group. She recognized all but two faces-Murtogg and Mullroy-from the Pearl's visits to Tortuga. Gibbs, Pintel, and Ragetti were nearest her, and she didn't feel threatened by them in any way. Gibbs wouldn't do anything unless she was stupid enough to cross him, and Pintel and Ragetti were easily scared off.

She kept her eyes on Groves when she could, though she could only see the back of him. She feared for him, hoping Jack wouldn't try to pull any more fast ones. Then again, she was willing to credit Jack should he follow through on the agreement.

Even if he did, though, the moment where she'd next encounter Lord Caldwell still loomed. Regardless of whether or not Jack was captured, she still dreaded what Caldwell would do with her-and what Groves would do once her agreement with him was made known. Even if Caldwell kept quiet about it, Groves was still bound to find out eventually.

Still, she found herself not willing to leave Port Royal once everything occurred-if she stood a chance of somehow remaining there. She had no desire to return to Tortuga, for it wouldn't feel the same without Groves. She knew she would look for him every night, and be disappointed when he would never appear again. But if Lord Caldwell's accusations and charges were still held against her, she could only guess what fate awaited her then.

Groves's body felt heavy with each step, and it wasn't only because of the heat and humidity. He had long ago realized he was first falling for Emma long before he had left Tortuga; he had sworn to himself he wouldn't involve her more than he had to, for what could a woman like her want with him? And he didn't mean a wench-he saw a beautiful, lonely, intelligent, spirited woman who deserved to be loved and live her own life. Scrounging among drunken, black-hearted men and selling herself was not how he thought anyone deserved to live-and certainly not Emma.

He knew his feelings were not born out of sympathy, either, but out of a need that bore into him every day. A need-a must-to protect her, watch over her, and share his life with her-that is, if she wanted that. He would never be as successful as, say Norrington, but he would see to it that she would be cared for and never be in wanting. Never before had he possessed these feelings towards a woman, but he wasn't sure what he would do with himself if those feelings were not returned.

He was aware that the navymen always caught the eyes of the women, but Groves saw it as a fantasy for them. All they saw was a uniform, no different than the mystical knights in shining armor. Beneath his uniform, he was merely a man. A man who was suddenly very vulnerable.

With great reluctance, Groves forced himself away from his hopes of the near future, and returned his focus to the task at hand. He was grateful to have the volcano as a reference at least, otherwise they would have been lost a long while ago.

However, he realized, he didn't remember how close or far away from the volcano the cave had been. Or worse, would the natives appear again? Or would they shy away from a larger group?

"Just where exactly did you and Emma make this fine discovery?" Jack's voice droned.

"You didn't require we disclose that, therefore you will have to trust me," Groves replied calmly.

"I'll trust you even more if you would be so kind…" Jack's voice trailed off as he reached out and slid his compass into Groves's hand. "I have a feeling you cannot remember the exact, pinpoint, targeted, bull's eye location," Jack explained, "therefore, I believe this may be of help to you."

They were walking slow enough so that Jack and Groves could continue their exchange, but talked in low enough tones so that even the most keen ear couldn't have heard every word.

Groves sighed, not sure whether to feel afraid or amused. "I'm willing to do things your way, Jack," he watched satisfaction fill Jack's face, and proceeded to open the compass. Groves's hand barely grazed the compass, and pulled away as he teased, "But how can it be of such use since it doesn't point north?"

Barbossa merely shook his head and continued walking as Jack the monkey watched the conversation, screeching a few times. None of the crewmen behind them were interested enough-or aware-to pay attention.

Jack's mouth threatened to break into his sly smile. "What is it you want most?"

The compass still in Groves's palm, Jack flipped open the compass for him this time, the needle spinning madly like a wheel before it staggered. Not until it stopped completely did Groves realize Jack had an ulterior motive, and his guard rose again, not sure what to expect or predict.

Sure enough, the needle wobbled to a stop as it pointed south, behind them. Groves stared at it, confused, but didn't turn his head to look behind them. Neither did Jack, though he instantly understood.

"Just as I thought," Jack teased before Groves could shut or hide the compass. He looked back up at Groves. "The kind of treasure that is the hardest to obtain-but can be the most rewarding."

Groves, not having missed Jack's tone, looked back up at him, not grasping yet. "Your compass is not pointing in the correct direction. I have no use or desire for the treasure I'm leading you to. I promise you, it will be found up ahead, but as I warned you, it is dangerous."

"All treasure has at least an ounce of danger behind it, but not all treasure is silver and gold, mate," Jack droned. "Though I wonder, what is it that drives you to pursue it?" Groves could only stare in confusion and open-mouthed at Jack as he continued, not pausing inbetween words. "Curiosity? Intrigue. Allure. Or could it be something else…lust, perhaps?"

Groves's eyes widened and his jaw clenched, now understanding what-who-Jack meant. He thrust the compass at Jack, not raising his voice and retaining his control as he firmly replied, "You won't speak that way of Emma."

Jack slid the compass from Groves's outstretched hand, the sly smile cracking across his face. "So it is something worse than all of those I mentioned…That's the funny thing about treasure: it doesn't always realize it's being pursued until it hears the cry of its discoverer."

Groves remained silent, wondering how Jack could decipher his affections for Emma. He had only voiced them to Norrington, and now this pirate was reading through him like a piece of glass.

He did know now, more than ever, that he should voice his intentions to Emma before anyone else did. It didn't quite occur to him that other men would pursue her-and why wouldn't they?-though it was clear none of the men from the Pearl had such intentions. Still, if he and Emma made it back to Port Royal and he could see her released and cleared, it wouldn't be long before others would try to snatch her away, regardless of their reasons.

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

Jack left the compass open in his palm, following its lead when he noticed Groves kept on the same path without glancing at the compass, so he knew they were on the right track.

Groves wondered to himself if it had been wise to go back through the plants, since he and Emma had emerged from a cave where it met the ice. As he thought about it, he realized following back through the ice field might have been just as difficult, for he wasn't sure where the ice cave they had trekked through had begun, or where it would be marked above ground. At least the volcano was at or near the island's center (it was fairly easy to figure out that much since it would be improbable to have the volcano near an island's edge).

Groves hadn't mentioned the natives yet, though. Even now he wondered if he and Emma had merely hallucinated or imagined them, since they had disappeared. Why wouldn't they have waited for him and Emma to reemerge somewhere, even wait to make sure their jump had killed them? And if he did warn Jack and Barbossa about them, and they didn't make an appearance…

Groves sighed and plunged anyway. "There is one warning I must give you."

"And what, pray tell, may that be?" Barbossa growled.

"We'll know for sure we're close when…the natives arrive," Groves explained. "The island is apparently inhabited."

Barbossa's face dripped with his impatience. "You failed to mention that earlier."

"I'm still in disbelief about them myself," Groves reminded himself to keep his voice steady. "They almost seemed…unreal. I cannot fathom how they've survived. There weren't many."

"Then I don't see a reason why we should fear them," Jack broke in confidently. "Visions you're not even sure were real. The heat can do strange things-they were probably mirages. Perhaps they can even lead us to it."

"If they haven't seen us already," Barbossa added. His eyes shifted to Groves. "Were they armed at all? Weapons of any kind?"

Groves shook his head. "No, but they do appear quite intimidating."

"Strength in numbers, lad," Barbossa rasped. "Intimidation smoothes when there are numbers present."

Groves relaxed inside for the present, relieved his warning didn't appear to anger or scare Jack and Barbossa. He and Emma still had a chance of getting off this island yet.