Norrington's Darling

Captain Teague

POV: Zuri Norrington

In the raucous, no one noticed as Jack and I went to our father. Jack bore a victorious smile, but Teague's face did not change. The smile faded.

"What?" Jack demanded, offended Dad did not seem pleased. Not that he ever really was. "You've seen it all, done it all—you survived. That's the trick, isn't it? To survive." And just like that, we were children again before our father. We always were when it came to Captain Teague.

But that was the point, wasn't it? How could we not be in awe of a pirate such as our dad?

"It's not just about living forever, Jackie. The trick is living with yourself, forever." The pirates were filing out. Jack gave a tiny nod.

"How's mum?" he asked.

Dad lifted a shrunken head and I flinched. Jack's expression wavered.

"She looks great!" he tried. I stepped on his foot.

Teague turned his attention to me. "Congratulations on your wedding and condolences for his death."

My blood froze. "How did you—"

"I have eyes across the sea, lassie," he said. "Did you think I'd let you go without having some way of watching you? I had to make sure you were safe."

Jack's mouth dropped. "You never did that for me!"

"You were just fine," Teague promised. "And I was watching both of you."

"Oh."

Dad put a hand on my shoulder. It was a reassuring weight. "I saved him, you know. James Norrington. When he was just a boy, couldn't be more than six."

Shock rippled over Jack's face. "That was him?! That was Norrie, that boy you rescued whose father didn't want him back because he was rescued by a pirate!"

"WHAT?"

Teague nodded. "Aye. That voyage we took when Jackie was a teenager. We met Admiral Norrington. His son fell overboard during the battle and I rescued him. It was enough to call a truce on, but the admiral was reluctant to take your James back."

My stomach felt like ice. "No wonder James didn't want him at the wedding."

"I would have liked to have gone to that," Teague said, sounding vaguely disappointed.

I blushed. "Dad, it was a bit of a rushed thing, we didn't have much time—"

He waved me off. "Yes, yes, I know. I'm only teasing you. That's what I'm for, isn't it?"

"Um..."

He sat us down and poured three glasses of rum. None of us touched it. "I know you think going to war is a good idea, but do you have any idea what you're going up against?"

"Nope!" said Jack. Teague gave him an exasperated look.

"Yes," I said quietly. "I've been in Beckett's ranks recently. I've seen the size of his armada. We have less of a chance than I would like, but with the power of Calypso, I might be able to change the tide."

"With the power of Calypso?" Jack echoed.

"Tia gave me her powers," I whispered. "I have millennia of magic inside my head and at my fingertips. I can defeat Beckett."

Teague fixed Jack with a look. "After everything Beckett did to your sister, you'd better let her do it."

"Oh, trust me, if we get close enough, I'll be glad to have her stick something through his heart."

"How about a knife?"

"Works perfectly!"

"Good. Can I borrow yours?"

"Yes."

Teague laughed. "You two, scheming great schemes. You haven't changed a bit."

"I should hope not," I said. "You raised us to be like you, to think like you, to act like you. We were meant to be your pride and joy."

"And so you will be," Teague promised. "Both of you." He patted our shoulders like he used to do when we were very young children. "Now. Go out there and fight a war."

"Let's kick Beckett's ass," Jack said.

"Hear hear!" We all cried. And then we drank the glasses down to the dregs.