Disclaimer: POTC should belong to everyone.

Squirrel twirls slightly in the mirror, looking at herself in the dress. It still fits, it still suits her. The white and pale blue of the dress brings out the brown of her eyes, making them sparkle. She blushes, and the white of the dress makes her face stand out even more.

Squirrel minces downstairs again and rejoins Elizabeth on the balcony. Elizabeth beams.

"Welcome back, Miss Grey."

Squirrel sits back down, and feels a little surer of herself. Elizabeth hands her the gilded invitation, and Squirrel accepts it graciously. Working up the courage, Squirrel asks questions about Elizabeth's wedding. Why the invitation? How many people with be there? Is there anything Squirrel should or shouldn't do? Will there be dancing?

"Of course there will be dancing." Elizabeth fans herself. "There's always dancing at a wedding." She frowns slightly. "Why?"

Squirrel smiles wryly. "I c-can't dance."

Elizabeth's eyes widen in surprise. "You can't dance? That will never do!" Elizabeth rises with a rustle of skirts. "I shall teach you right now!" Squirrel lets Elizabeth lead her through the huge house until they reach a wide open room.

"Now, there are many types of dances," Elizabeth begins, standing opposite Squirrel, "But I don't think I could teach you them all today. But I will teach you one of them. Stand like this to begin."

Squirrel copies Elizabeth's stance.

"Oh my!" Elizabeth puts her hand to her mouth. "But we both need partners! You see, Miss Grey," Elizabeth explains, "This dance is for a man and a woman to dance together."

"D-dignified." Squirrel swallows, well aware she's turning red again.

Elizabeth nods, not noticing. "Just so you can learn the dance, I'll call some of the servants."

Squirrel chews on her lip. Once I've leaned this dance, she thinks, I'll teach it to Jack, and we can dance together! Her heart thunders away.

"Now, Miss Grey?" Elizabeth puts her arms around on of the servant's shoulders, "Watch me first, then you try."

Squirrel, blushing, obeys.

She steps back and curtsies to her partner. The servant bows stiffly to her and then to Miss Swann, red tinging his ears, then about-faces and leaves the room. Elizabeth claps.

"Very well done, Miss Grey! I think you've pretty much mastered that dance." Squirrel beams.

Now I can teach it to Jack! She reddens further. "Thankyou, Miss Swann."

"Please," Elizabeth waves a vague hand. "Call me Elizabeth. We're friends, aren't we?"

Squirrel nods, smiling shyly. Family and friends…

"Now," Elizabeth's voice takes business-like tone, "For the wedding, do you mind if you wear that dress you have now? It doesn't really fit me anymore, but it suits you just fine, I think…"

I don't mind. I love it.

"… come to the manor the day of the wedding, about three or so hours before it starts so we can fix your hair and put a little makeup on you…"

Makeup? You really don't have to…

"… And of course, I'll need to organise for someone to dance with you…"

"That's alright." Squirrel's mouth opens before she has a chance to think. "I already h-have s-someone to d-d-dance with." She stops, seeing Elizabeth's raised eyebrow. "At l-least, I sh-should. I'll find out t-tonight."

"That sounds fair." Elizabeth nods, then smiles warmly. "I'm really glad you're here, Squirrel. It's been simply a pleasure having you."

Squirrel smiles and curtsies, then goes back upstairs to change.

A/N: Coming up next… ANGST AND PLOT POINT!