Norrington's Darling

On-Call

POV: Zuri Sparrow

I paced from the moment James ran out the door, the feel of his lips still tingling on my own, my mouth seeming slightly empty at the loss of his tongue.

My pulse slammed through me, my heart hammering in my chest. Fear of what could happen to James flipped through my mind, a dozen scenarios, none of which ending good, taking up my thoughts.

After some time, I steadied my breathing. The clanging call to arms for marines had stopped—but a new bell tolled. Taking the time to decipher it, I realized what it meant: a pirate incursion into the city. The last time these bells had rung was when Barbossa had come to Port Royal and captured Elizabeth.

Barbossa...who was now alive again.

He's alive, I told myself. Jack can be, too. Even though I knew their deaths were completely different. The thought gave me reassurance, even if only a little.

Pirate incursion, was it? I had no doubt who it was. Slinking up the stairs, changing back into my pirate-y wear, a plan formed in my mind. I grabbed a sword from the foyer and slipped outside, thankful for the cover of darkness.

I made my way to one of my favorite reading spots, a secluded inlet along the island's coastline.

POV: James Norrington

I found Andrew shortly after leaving. We strode to the docks together.

"What's happened?" I asked him. "Has anyone told you?"

Andrew nodded gravely. "Theodore did as he ran up to inform Beckett. There's been an incursion—a pirate one."

My heart froze. "A— A pirate incursion?"

"Apparently," he said, frowning.

"But— That just doesn't make sense! They've no reason to come here!" Panic seeped into my soul. Could they have followed me?

Andrew glanced at me, seeming hesitant. "Well, James...they might be coming after your Zuri."

"But Zuri came with me of her own accord!" I protested. 

"We know that," Andrew agreed, "but they might not."

I groaned.

"Have you proposed yet?" Andrew asked abruptly.

"Have I— Andrew Gillette, have you any idea how inappropriate of a time this is to be asking me of my love life?!" 

"Look, I'm just thinking—if she's got a ring on her finger, the pirates will leave you alone, and they've gotta leave her alone, too, right?" Andrew said quickly, trying to justify himself.

I hesitated, thinking it over. "I suppose you're right," I sighed. "But the only ring on her finger is a promise ring."

Andrew sighed. "Then you had better hope she knows better than to go sticking her nose in trouble!"

POV: Zuri Sparrow

I found myself in trouble the moment I stepped off the street on which James and I lived.

"Psst! Zuri!" a voice hissed from the shadows. Suddenly, a familiar, weathered face appeared out of the darkness, seemingly disembodied.

"Ack! Bar—?!"

Barbossa clamped a hand over my mouth. "Shhh!" he hissed. "There are soldiers nearby, lass. Keep quiet."

I backed away from him. "Why are you here, Barbossa?" I whispered.

"To get ye, little Sparrow!" Barbossa said, as if it were obvious. 

"But—"

"We must travel and we must get ye brother from Davy Jones' Locker," he said. "I would've assumed ye would be eager!"

I hesitated. "Hector...I can't."

He stared at me. "What?" he finally said.

I swallowed. "As much as I want Jack back...there are things here I must take care of. I must be there when we get him back, yes, but..." I shook my head. "We still need charts. A ship! How can we be of any use to Jack without a ship?!" An idea popped in my head. "If I stay here, perhaps I can barter from Beckett a ship..." I nodded, pleased. "Yes, that'll do. Should I be able to barter from him a ship, I will let you know."

"How?"

A smile snakes across my lips. "Tia Dalma is a powerful woman, Hector. She has taught me well."

Barbossa swallowed. "I can see why men fear you..."

"Oh, really?" I asked, grinning slyly. I glance around, serious again as a shout fills the air. "Hurry, you must go. Is Elizabeth here?"

"She said you would know where to meet her?"

"I do," I agreed. "So that is where I will go." I pushed him off. "Go, before the soldiers catch you." I hurried off to meet Elizabeth once Barbossa disappeared into the darkness.

I found Elizabeth sitting on a rock underneath the tree they had played together underneath as children. "Hello, Elizabeth."

She turned and smiled, though the smile was sad. "Hello, Zuri."

"I'm staying here."

"So I thought," she admitted. "I told them you would never come, that you would stay with James..."

"I have an idea, Lizzy," I said quickly, sitting beside her. "All I require from you is a bit of assistance..." And I explained my plan.

POV: James Norrington

Andrew and I arrived to find the men under my command in chaos. I raised my voice, trying to calm them, shushing their protests about the pirates in the streets of Port Royal. The sound of shoed horse hooves silenced most of the men. I turned to find Beckett riding toward us, Theodore running slightly behind.

Beckett halted his horse before me. "There had better be a good explanation for this, Admiral!"

"I'm afraid I don't have one," I admitted. "I am less aware of the situation than I would appreciate."

Becket harrumphed. "Well. That's less than satisfactory."

I wasn't sure if he directed that at me or the situation. I managed to keep back a flinch. "Orders, sir?"

"Find them!" Beckett barked. "I want those pirates captured and hung!" With that, he turned and rode away, leaving Theodore, Andrew, and I to carry out his orders, looking at each other grimly in the flickering torchlight.