Disclaimer: I own nothing from PotC.

Invitation:

A party at the governor's house, why on God's green earth had she agreed to go to a party? Anamaria scowled as she slipped into one of the gowns that Elizabeth had loaned her. A fancy ball, surrounded by Kingston's proper society sounded about as enticing as a firing squad. She knew the party was in honor of Elizabeth's birthday, and it was only polite to show consideration for the woman who's hospitality she was imposing upon. She also knew that she could not shut herself up in the guest room and let the rest of her life pass her by. The Pearl was gone, but Ana had survived. She was spared the sweet repose that claimed her Captain for a reason. She would have to discover that reason and live enough for both of them. But, it was too soon. She needed time to adjust, time to mourn. She had to decide if she wanted to sail back to Tortuga and join up with another ship, or simply slip back into a life of aristocratic privilege that she gave up a hundred years ago. Neither prospect held much allure at this point..

Sighing, Ana began to pin up her long black hair, an action she had performed but once in the last fifteen years. She smiled ruefully remembering the last time. She and Jack had decided to attend the governor's farewell party in Port Royal, just before the government offices were relocated to Kingston. Jack, in his customary cavalier fashion, had said that less law enforcement in any port was reason to celebrate, and Ana liked the idea of two pirates mingling with "proper" society. So, they'd borrowed clothes from some passengers on a ship bound for England, and a nice couple at the docks had been kind enough to lend the pair of buccaneers horses, carriage, and their driver. Ana danced with Jack well into the morning and no one in Port Royal was any the wiser, not even James Norrington.

Walking arm in arm with Jack into one of the most posh events in years had been a fantasy fulfilled. Tagging along with James and Elizabeth to the stodgy governor's house was strangely akin to nightmares she'd had. She was hardly the woman that James remembered anymore. Too many years cursing and drinking alongside of pirates and whores had left their mark. Besides that, she could still see the reluctant look on Elizabeth's face when she had invited Ana to attend the party. The two women had never really been friends, even before Elizabeth ripped out Will's heart and exchanged vows with James.

A light knock sounded at the door. "Yes," Anamaria said, unable to hide the irritation in her voice. She wasn't so much irritated by the interruption, she was irritated because she hadn't the nerve to tell James and Elizabeth exactly what they could do with their invitation to the governor's house. What kind of pirate would allow herself to be dragged off to a party against her will? Ana shook her head, she could almost hear Jack laughing at her. "Come in," she called.

Standing in front of the full length mirror, the lady pirate took in her appearance. Her spades of raven black hair were perfectly piled on top of her head, held in place by a myriad of pins. Small yellow flowers were strategically placed throughout her locks, to accent the pale color of her gown. Despite hard years at sea, Ana's body still poured perfectly into the corseted gown, curves in just the right places. The lines worn into her face by the wind and the waves seemed only to accentuate her exotic beauty. Elizabeth stood, open mouthed, in the doorway.

Ana crossed her arms, further annoyed by the surprised expression on the younger woman's face. "You seem to forget, Mrs. Norrington, that I had your life once," Ana said, her voice stony and cold. "Just because I left that life behind, doesn't mean I cannot manage to dress myself appropriately."

Elizabeth seemed at a loss for words. "Of course," she managed.

Ana rolled her amber eyes, and moved passed the stunned Admiral's wife. She did not really mean to be curt with Elizabeth, but this whole charade she was acting out was preposterous. She was preparing to go eat, drink, and be merry only days after she'd watch her home sink beneath the Caribbean sea. She should have refused this invitation, but she hadn't, and now she was stuck with her mistake. "I'll be downstairs when you and your husband are ready to leave."

"You don't like me very much, do you?" the blonde woman said softly, misinterpreting Ana's frustration.

The pirate halted in the doorway, her back to Elizabeth. The younger woman's words were low and quiet, but Ana had heard them with perfect clarity. Biting her bottom lip, Ana fought the urge to congratulate the governor's daughter on her perceptiveness. She was a guest in Elizabeth's house and no good could come from arguing with her hostess. Still, one thing Ana had learned from her years of piracy was how much she detested being polite. Squaring her jaw, she turned back to face Elizabeth. "I've known James for a long time," she started. "He's a good man who didn't deserve a marriage of convenience to a woman who does not love him."

The younger woman raised her chin.

"And, in case you'd forgotten," Ana went on. "I sailed with your Mr. Turner. He didn't deserve what he got from you either." Ana's words seemed to carry more venom than the Admiral's wife had been expecting. She didn't reply.

Maybe she had been cruel, but Ana could still remember the day that she and Jack had found Will in Tortuga, drowning Elizabeth's memory in a sea of grog. Jack had been beside himself at the sight of hisfriend's son, so deep in despair. They brought Will back to the Pearl, and her magic seemed to have breathed life back into the boy's broken heart. If only the spell could have lasted. A part of Jack died the day they buried Will, and Ana had to admit that she partially blamed Elizabeth for the days and nights that Jack had spent in his cabin, refusing to see anyone. Ana recalled wondering if the pain of another loss would finally be too much for the pirate Captain to bear. Blinking away horrible memories, Ana nodded brusquely and again turned to leave.

"I loved Will very much, but it never could have worked between us," Elizabeth said suddenly.

Ana stopped. Again, she to faced the governor's daughter. Hands on her hips, she waited for the woman's explanation.

"I mean, look at you and Jack" she said, spreading out her hands.

The pirate's eyebrow rose, warningly.

"You forsook your whole life to follow him to sea. Did he ever so much as tell you that he loved you?"

The lady pirate saw red. Without a second's hesitation, Ana slapped Elizabeth full on the side of the face. "Do not presume to compare your relationship with Will to what Jack and I had," she spat.

Hand on her cheek, Elizabeth gaped at Ana. "I'm sorry," she said, her words clouded by disbelief. Apparently, she had forgotten with whom she was dealing. Pirate or not, Ana had never been a woman to suffer fools, nor anyone who would make such foolish comments. Ana crossed her arms, clenching her jaw, and made no indication that she accepted Elizabeth's apology. Shrugging, the blonde woman seemed to give up on hearing kind words from the pirate. "If it's any consolation," she started. "James isn't in love with me, either."

Ana scoffed, her dark brows elevating. "You must be kidding," she said. "That man has been at your feet since he first laid eyes on you. He practically kisses the ground you walk on."

Now, Elizabeth laughed. "Second best, maybe," she said. "The only woman who ever had his heart was you."

The wind seemed to rush out from Ana's lungs. James Norrington loved her? Elizabeth had to be joking. "What?" Ana gasped. Her only answer was a sheer look of panic on Elizabeth's face. She had not meant to say those words. They had slipped out in a moment of heated argument. The lady pirate's mouth hung open, and she could not do a thing about it. She had been friends with James since she was fifteen years old. Never once had she suspected that James felt that way about her. Never once had he voiced his affections, assuming that he had any affections.

Elizabeth lowered her eyes. "I'll be downstairs," she mumbled. "Whenever you're ready …" her voice trailed off as she hurried from the room, leaving Ana alone with the woman in the mirror. The woman that James Norrington loved.

TBC

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