Norrington's Darling

Jealousy

POV: Zuri Sparrow

Gibbs, Elizabeth, and Jack really needed to learn how to whisper.

From across the ship, I could hear the three of them hissing to each other about Beckett's plans of domination, the chest of Davy Jones, Will Turner, Jack's compass and blah, blah, blah. 

In Jack's hand were what appeared to be leather-bound papers, which could only mean one thing: Letters of Marque. 

Not that I cared. I doubted my brother would agree to the terms the letters were written under. He was a pirate, end of story. His past had made sure of that...

With his past brought the name Cutler Beckett once again to my thoughts, and I remembered James muttering it with contempt and disgust in his sleep. I hadn't said anything about his muttering to James, not wanting to embarrass him; I knew he hadn't muttered much before and when he did he kept it a secret.

I remembered James's head resting in my lap with a sigh. Even though it had only been the night before, it felt like it had been ages ago and I missed his warmth—especially as a colder-than-normal gust of wind blew straight through my thin clothing. I hated when the northern gusts made it to the Caribbean without warming up. I'd gotten so used to the balmy Caribbean heat. A hug from James would be perfect right about now. I glanced toward him and found him staring intently at Jack, Gibbs, and Elizabeth, frowning handsomely.

Ah.

So he knew Jack held Letters of Marque.

Of course that would interest him. He was probably wondering why Jack would be wanted. Jack, a pirate. Maybe he'd heard Jack's story from Beckett, maybe not. 

Or maybe...

My eyes narrowed. "James, what are you thinking?" I muttered to myself. 

Maybe James wasn't thinking about the letters applying to Jack. Maybe he was thinking about the letters applying to himself.

I walked closer to the group and caught the conversation between Jack and Elizabeth after Gibbs dashed off, looking panicked. 

"'Full pardon. Commissions a privateer on behalf of England and the East India Trading Company.' As if I could be bought for such a small price." Jack walked off.

"Jack, the letters, give them back!" Elizabeth protested, following him. My eyes followed them as I stood on the opposite side of the ship, leaning against the side, not too far from James.

"No," Jack said firmly. Then he stopped suddenly. "Persuade me."

"You do know Will taught me how to handle a sword?" Elizabeth countered after a pause. 

"As I said...," Jack said with his signature coy and cocky grin. "Persuade me."

Huffing, Elizabeth stomped off. Jack smirked after her, then cleared his throat and walked away. I watched Elizabeth as she leaned against the opposite side of the ship. My eyes snapped to James as he stood with difficulty. Slowly and shakily, he joined her.

I quickly dashed behind the mast and leaned up against it, praying I would still be able to hear what James said. For some reason, my heart was going a mile a minute. Anticipation built up in my chest.

Why?

Jame leaned up against the side of the ship on his back, facing opposite of Elizabeth, and toward me...if he could see me. "It's a curious thing. There was a time I would have given anything for you to look like that while thinking about me." He gave a tiny smile.

I felt like I'd been stabbed in the gut. There was a time I would have given anything for you to look like that while thinking about me. He still loved her. He still loved Elizabeth. Did I mean nothing to him? Was I just a way to get at Elizabeth or Jack?

Elizabeth turned around to face the same direction James was. "I don't know what you mean."

He gave her a smug look and snorted. "Oh, I think you do." His tone was suddenly...different. Deeper. Jealousy flashed through me.

"Oh, don't be absurd. I trust him that's all," she said, far too fast for that to be "that's all". I had a feeling James was thinking the same thing.

He flashes her another smug look and starts to walk off. I moved out from behind the mast and stand still, unable to move. I bite the inside of my cheek, determined to face James. I wanted him to know he'd hurt me. I wanted him to realize he'd broken me.

He was walking toward me. Then he turned back to her. A jealous flash flared up again. "So you never wondered how your latest fiance ended up on the Flying Dutchman in the first place?" She didn't respond and he shook his head, raising his eyebrows as he turned. When he did turn and strolled finally off, he spotted me. 

His smug look disappeared when he did, I fighting to keep my expression practically emotionless. My jaw was clenched, however, and I felt the fire burning in my eyes. Upon meeting James's gaze, I turned on my heel and strolled off.

I was jealous.

Jealous of Elizabeth Swann. 

Over James Norrington.

I turn again to look at James and I stalk away the moment I meet his eyes. I could only see his smile; I could only hear his smug tone; I could only see that smug expression. I can't stand to bear it and I glare resentfully at Elizabeth. 

I watch as the governor's daughter slams the compass shut angrily, casting a look I can't quite describe toward Jack. Realization hit me like a cargo load: Elizabeth fancied my brother.

James might fancy her still, but that doesn't mean he'll get her.

Not that that helps my heart any.

I glare coldly at the water. My eyes slide back to James, a sudden wave of sorrow and need washing over me. I realized he was looking at me and my head snapped around again. I crossed my arms with a breathy huff. I turn on my heel, my back to James, who's handsomeness had increased in his guilt. 

I felt a twitching in my heart that I didn't want anymore.

He'd put Elizabeth over me. He didn't care about me. I wasn't anything special.

A tear traced down my cheek.

I brushed it away angrily, scowling. "Stop, Zuri Sparrow. Give up. He's not worth your tears."

For some reason, I couldn't make myself believe it.