Norrington's Darling

Cutler Beckett

POV: James Norrington

"JAMES!" the familiar voice of Zuri yelled. She pushed past the two soldiers holding onto me—one of whom was Lieutenant Groves. Embarrassment had flashed through me the moment I saw Groves. Groves, too, looked embarrassed to see me like this.

"Zuri," I rasped as she flung her arms around my neck and kissed me deeply. She ran her fingers through my dirty, stringy hair.

"There's so much I have to tell you—"

"Move, girl," the soldier I didn't recognize snapped. He shoved Zuri out of the way and she drew her sword.

"I am Zuri Sparrow, adopted daughter of Governor Weatherby Swann and under the protection of the King. You will not touch me, or you will get this sword shoved up your—"

"Miss Sparrow," Groves whispered. "Please..."

She stepped aside and allowed them to lead me in. Groves left me to the other man and stepped back to keep in step with Zuri.

"Miss Sparrow," he said. "Throwing your name around might not be wise. Lord Beckett—"

"He knows me, I know him," Zuri said. "He can deal with me."

"He'll do what he can to see you at the gallows," Groves said quietly. "If that doesn't bother you, think of your brother—"

"My brother's dead," Zuri said, her voice clipped.

Groves was stunned into silence. "Well, then think of Commodore—I mean, um..."

"Commodore Norrington is fine," Zuri said, sounding smug.

"Er, well...yes, think of him," Groves said, gesturing to me. "Think of what he will feel if you die."

"Alright," Zuri said after a long moment. "I'll keep my mouth shut. Mostly."

Groves hurried off as we were stopped before the doors leading to what I presumed to be Beckett's office.

Zuri squeezed my hand comfortingly. She leaned her head on my shoulder and I could clearly hear voices from inside the office.

"The last of our ships has returned," a man said.

"Mercer," Zuri whispered to me. I didn't ask how she knew as Beckett's quiet voice floated toward us.

"Is there any news on the chest?"

The door was opened and the man brought me into the room. Zuri hesitated before hanging back by the doorway.

"No," the man Zuri called Mercer said. "But, one of the ships did pick up a man, adrift at sea. He had these." He hands over the Letters of Marque. Beckett slowly unfolds them.

"I took the liberty of filling in my name," I said, shrugging free of my escort, who hurried off. Zuri stepped in the room before the door closed and hung back to the shadows.

Beckett does not seem surprised by me. He beckons me forward. "If you intend to claim these, then you must have something to trade. Do you have the compass?"

I shake my head, my neck prickling as Zuri watches me, stepping closer and out of the shadows. "Better." I hold out the bag and drop it onto Beckett's desk. It pulses. "The heart of Davy Jones."

Beckett stared at the bag before reaching out and picking it up. He looked inside and then back up at me. "How?"

"Swindling," I said casually.

Beckett stood. "You've brought me a valuable object, Mr. Norrington. You've brought me control over the seas. What would prompt such action?"

"I want my life back," I said simply.