Norrington's Darling

"Stupid Handsome Idiot."

POV: James Norrington

Zuri rubbed my back as I threw up. I was on my hands and knees, groaning in pain. I'd made such a fool of myself...what was wrong with me?

"Zuri, tell me why I was such an idiot!" I complained.

"Because you were drunk," she murmured.

"I meant the getting drunk part."

"Then I don't know."

Oh, come on, Zuri, I thought. You're supposed to have all the answers! Especially seen as I'm such an idiotic fool right now!

She sighed as she looked at me.

I felt guilty. I was dumping this on her, and she just sat and took it all. "I'm sorry, Zuri."

She shook her head. "Not that. Just...well...erm...ah," she stammered. A blush appeared on her cheeks. I knew it was hard enough for her to say "I love you" or "I'm just thinking about you" (if that's what she was having difficulty saying), not to mention do it while we had an audience. Not to mention while that audience was Elizabeth, who's eyes I would not meet. I felt as though if I did Zuri might get mad again and we'd get in an argument.

But still, I grinned cheekily. "Just what, Zuri?" I teased.

"Nothing," she said quietly.

"Oh, come on!" I pleaded. "Tell me!"

Zuri muttered, "Maybe later. When you're completely sober."

I gave her a hurt look. "Oh, stop it!"

She gave me a tiny smile. If it weren't for the mud, she looked like she would kiss me. "How'd you manage to get thrown into the mud?" she asked for the fifth time. I'd never given her an actual answer.

Again, I looked away. I refused to speak.

"I can just ask Elizabeth...," she said dryly.

I only glanced at her.

"...but I'd rather if I heard it from you," she finished quietly.

I looked at her, feeling as though my heart might burst with happiness. It thumped hard in my chest and I felt that tightness I got whenever she got close to me.

"Will you tell me?" she asked quietly.

"Maybe later. When I'm completely sober," I said, throwing her own words right back at her. I gave her what I hoped was a mischievous smile. Her expression said it was adorable.

Zuri rolled her eyes. "Oh, you stupid, handsome idiot." She wiped the mud from my lips and gave me a tiny kiss, then laughed at my apparently priceless expression.

She glanced at Elizabeth, who was trying hard not to laugh. Elizabeth pointed at James's face and Zuri nodded, covering her mouth with her hand.

I wore a dreamy expression and the biggest, goofiest grin ever. "Stupid handsome idiot..." I murmured. Then my eyes widened and my expression became shocked. Groaning, I keeled over again and threw up yet again.

Zuri sighed and looked at Elizabeth. "And this is exactly why he's a stupid handsome idiot."

She laughed.

I grinned discreetly.