Norrington's Darling

Take 1

POV: James Norrington

I groaned as I smacked my head down onto the wood of the side. I messed up. Again. What was wrong with me? Why didn't I have something mentally prepared? I should have known Zuri would take my silence the wrong way!

"You alright there, Norrington?" a familiar voice said.

"I'm an idiot," I snapped. I heaved a sigh. "I messed up again."

Sparrow joined me in leaning against the ship. "She's a hard one to please you know."

"I know that!" I said. "And I'm not pleasing her! I'm surprised she hasn't already broken things off with me!"

The pirate observed me. "You know, the fact that she hasn't broken things off should be a sign she's not willing to throw you off the ship."

"Throw me off the ship?" 

Sparrow nodded. "Aye. She's pitched plenty of people of the side of the Pearl—or any ship, for that matter."

I stared at the water, imagining the shock it would be if I were to be the next man Zuri shoved off the side. I fought to keep bile in my throat the idea that Zuri would be willing to leave me stranded in the water.

Sparrow waltzed off and I remained by the side for a long time. The Pearl cut smoothly through the blue waters. I could see why the two Sparrows loved this ship more than anything. A tight ache in my heart reappeared as soon as I thought of Zuri, who spent her days up in the crow's nest and in the rigging, working as hard as any other crewman would.

Fingers tapped on my shoulder. It was Elizabeth. I looked away immediately.

"Look, James, I know you don't want to talk to me," Elizabeth said. "I'm the reason you and Zuri are in this mess. But the thing is—Zuri's below decks, sitting on a rum barrel and sobbing her heart out. She's also dreaming about you. She still cares and she hates that she does because she feels cheated and betrayed."

I was silent, digesting what Elizabeth said. 

She sighed. "Look, just...think about it, okay? If anyone is going to piece you two back together, it's got to be you. Zuri holds her pride to close to be the one to fix it."

That's my problem, too, I thought miserably. We're both too prideful.

As the sun began to set, a new hand fell on my shoulder. I glanced back to find Gibbs looking at me, worry creased in his face. I put my head in my hands. This was worse than even Elizabeth—Gibbs was one of my old crew. He knew just how prideful and stubborn I could be. His words would likely sting me to the bone.

"Norrington," he began, "I know you more than anyone on this ship except for maybe Zuri, maybe Elizabeth. But the thing is—you and Zuri are more alike than anyone on this ship thinks. Both of you have a high standard, you're both stubborn as donkeys, pride rules your life. Neither of you are likely to bend to anything, really." He fixed his eyes on me. "But if there's one thing Zuri loves most about you, it's the fact that you care. You're willing to put aside your pride in order to care for the things you love—including her."

I flinched. 

Gibbs raised an eyebrow.

I felt guilty. I'd known Gibbs's words would cut like a knife, but the last comment had hit me right in the heart. "I— Well, I..." I took a deep breath. "I was just thinking about that...you know, that neither of us like giving in and that our pride keeps us from apologizing to each other—and I wasn't exactly willing to put it aside to apologize."

Gibbs looked at me, reprimanding me with a single stare. "Norrington," he chided, "you would value your pride above your girlfriend?" His tone was sharp and chastise, clearly intending for the rebuke to hit home. "Since when? What happened to the man who would give up anything for those he loved? Has the loss of your commission changed you this much? Surely not!"

I hung my head. "I-I just don't know how to apologize..."

"Speak from the heart," Gibbs said, poking me in the chest. "And I have no doubt she won't listen to you this time. Think of this as...take one." A cocky smirk worthy of Jack Sparrow passed over his face. Then he clapped me on the back and returned to his duties.

I took a deep breath to steel my nerves. Then I went below decks, searching for Zuri, thinking of what I would say on the way.

When I finally found her, I had a speech at the ready. I was determined to fix the mess I'd gotten myself into, to put my pride aside as Gibbs had told me to.

I crouched in front of her and gently pulled her hands from her face. I held her hands in mine, squeezing gently to get her attention. She looked up at me through red, blurry eyes. Her lower lip was quivering slightly.

"Zuri...please let me talk. Will you let me talk?" I asked quietly.

After a long moment, Zuri slowly nodded. A pound of pressure lifted off my shoulders, knowing she would let me try to explain.

"Zuri, I never meant to hurt you. I don't have feelings for Elizabeth, I'm not trying to use you to make her jealous. When I spoke to Elizabeth...I was bitter. I still am. Everything I've ever known is gone and I'm angry and searching for answers. My anger comes out in what I say. I've been speaking without thinking. That has been both good and bad—good in terms with you, but bad in terms of what I said to Elizabeth. And now my bitter reminiscing has hurt you deeply." I ran my thumb across her palm. I squeezed her hand. "Please forgive me, Zuri. Please."

She looked like she was being torn in two. She shook her head. Her voice was choked when she said, "I can't." And she jumped up before I could react and ran off, leaving me kneeling in front of the barrel, slack-jawed and confused. What had I gotten wrong?

Gibbs was suddenly there again. "As I said—she wouldn't listen to you this time. But I'd suggest—start planning for take two."