Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean and all associated characters belong to their respective owners. I just play and give back. All I can lay claim to are the OC's in this story – and not even them. They own themselves, alright? I guess I come out with nada. Sadly.

Author's Note: Goodness, it's been forever, hasn't it! Sorry…

Dedication: I dedicate this whole story to my grandpa who lived an eventful, healthy 86 years and instilled knowledge and the love of gardening in most everyone he came into contact with. He was joking up until the very end, and that's how I like to remember him.

Chapter 11 – Formalities

The streets of Port Royal glistened beneath the lamplight as if they were coated in ice. Puddles formed in the low points of the uneven cobblestone pavement and a single set of footsteps was barely distinguishable through the pouring rain.

Jack's right foot landed on an uneven stone and he stumbled, nearly falling face-first into a murky puddle. He righted himself and quickly pushed onward, bowing his head against the driving rain.

Before long, a second set of footsteps reached Jack's ears, nearly silenced by the rain. Jack struggled to keep his pace even and ducked into an alley at the first chance he got. Even as his hand tightened on the hilt of his cutlass, the second person passed him without incident, head bowed into the rain.

Jack let out the breath he had been holding in and allowed himself to relax. So far, so good, he thought to himself with a small grin. He stood in the shadows of the alley for several moments, composing himself and reiterating his agenda. Before leaving the safety of the alley, he took a cursory glance up and down the street; as he had hoped, he was the only one. Wrapping the oiled cloak tighter around his lean frame, he pushed out into the rain once more.

ZzZzZzZzZzZ

Ana pushed through the curtain of rain and sloshed along the street, glancing over her shoulder frequently. As she neared the heart of the town, she became more relaxed, feeling that she had escaped the Pearl's crew without incident. Once she had been abandoned in her cabin, getting out unnoticed had been an interesting task. After opening the cabin window and glancing upwards several times over, she had slipped through the slim opening and dove into the dark waters below. With the noise of the rain pattering on the deck, none of the watch had noticed the splash.

Sighing in relief, Ana ceased walking like a jumpy cat and settled into her normal gait, scanning the empty streets for any sign of her captain. She was so caught up in her search that the dark figures several yards behind went unnoticed.

ZzZzZzZzZzZ

Meanwhile, atop the hill in the governor's mansion, Elizabeth Swann-Turner stifled a yawn. She stood in the center of the great room floor, surrounded by ladies in fine gowns and men in proper dress. Throughout the room, jewels sparkled on the necks and ears of their wearers.

"I tell you, Lizzy, the duchess is really out there with this one," Danielle, Elizabeth's sister, continued, leaning in conspiratorially. Elizabeth feigned interest and noted that her husband was doing the same with her brother-in-law's news.

"Oh, Elizabeth!"

Elizabeth started at her sister's sudden exclamation and smiled hesitantly. "My apologies, could you repeat that?"

"Where did you get those rubies? Elizabeth, they are simply stunning!" Danielle gushed, eyeing the blood red drops set in gold.

Elizabeth's hand flew to her necklace. "They were a gift," she supplied vaguely.

"From who? The Commodore? He is a fine man if I don't say so myself."

"No, not the Commodore. From a…friend. Yes, the Commodore is a fine man," Elizabeth smiled as she caught Will's curious stare, "but you forget that we are both married, Danielle."

"I forget nothing!" Danielle replied indignantly. "Oh, but to think we've only been here such a short while and will be called away so soon! Two days," she sighed. "But we've has such a wonderful time," she added, drawing her husband over by the arm, "haven't we, darling?"

"Yes, yes of course," Derek, Danielle's husband, replied. "Thank you both for your wonderful hospitality."

Will and Elizabeth smiled. Derek with his pale hair and his elegant yet sensible clothing, looked up from his wife's face and glanced about the room. "If you will excuse me,"

"Of course dear," Danielle purred. Derek kissed Elizabeth's hand lightly before disappearing into the crowd. Will whispered something into Elizabeth's ear and she nodded. Will bowed to Danielle and disappeared into the crowd as well.

"Mother," the young blonde-haired girl at Danielle's side whispered, tugging impatiently on her skirts. "Mother!"

Danielle forced a smile and rolled her eyes toward the child. "Please excuse me for a moment, Elizabeth,"

"Of course, Dani," Elizabeth replied with a smile down at her six-year-old niece.

Danielle turned so she was looking down at her young daughter and carefully pried her skirts from the child's grasp. After smoothing her skirts, she leaned forward as much as her tight corset would allow and brushed stray strands of golden-brown hair behind Madeline's ears before straightening again and addressing her daughter. "Now Madeline, whatever is the matter this time?"

"It's so boring in here mother. I want to have fun. I want to play."

Danielle's properly un-tanned face seemed to go a shade paler at this poorly-mannered outburst from her daughter. "Madeline! How dare you say such a horrid thing about Aunt Elizabeth's party? You need to apologize this instant."

"But mother, I want to go outside—"

"Thank your aunt for her many courtesies and apologize and then you may go outside." Danielle said evenly, a blush of fury coloring her chest and neck.

Madeline rolled her eyes. Both women caught the gesture, which amused one and horrified the other.

"Madeline!" Danielle hissed. "That was most inappropriate."

"For pity's sake Dani," Elizabeth managed with a barely suppressed laugh, sinking to kneel beside Madeline. "She's too young to be bothered with manners."

"Perhaps in your opinion, Elizabeth, but I will continue to bother her with them until she learns. And then some. Now then Madeline, you were about to say..?"

Madeline sighed, dipped into a perfect curtsy and bowed her head to her aunt. "I thank you for your many courtesies Aunt Elizabeth and I do apologize most sincerely for my rude behavior."

"Apology accepted and you're very welcome Madeline," Elizabeth answered sweetly with a smile at the younger girl. "Now go on and get some fresh air."

When Madeline shot up from her curtsy, Elizabeth ruffled her golden-brown hair fondly before the child ran out to the back gardens. Elizabeth rose and within the moment her sister was jumping back into their mindless, one-sided conversation. With an inner sigh Elizabeth forced herself to at least act like she was listening and secretly envied her young niece her freedom.