Norrington's Darling

Plans

POV: Zuri Sparrow

I jumped to my feet the moment the door swung open. But to my surprise, it wasn't James. It was Theodore Groves.

"Lieutenant?" I asked, my voice hitching.

"Miss Sparrow!" He rushed over. "Thank goodness you're here! James sent me to deliver a message." He passed me a folded piece of paper. "Here you are."

"Thank you, Theodore," I said softly. "Is he alright?"

"He's fine," he assured me. "A little disgruntled about the whole thing, but otherwise alright."

"Thank the tides!" I gasped. I barely noticed Theodore bow and hurry back out into the street. I flipped the note open and read three words: 

Barbossa is back.

"Oh, I know, James," I whispered to the paper. "I know, darling." Then I frowned. "Why am I talking to a paper?" I sighed. "Jack, I'm becoming more and more like you every day." And then my heart shattered, once again, into a million pieces.

James returned just before dawn. He looked weary and exhausted. I jumped up the moment he stepped through the door, leaving my charcoal sketches abandoned on the tabletop. 

"JAMES!" I flung my arms about his neck. "Oh, you're safe, thank the tides!"

James kissed and kissed and kissed and kissed me. He squeezed me tight. "I was more scared for you!" He studied my gaze. "Did he find you? Did Barbossa find you?"

"I found him."

"What?!"

"James, I couldn't just sit here and do nothing! But, James—it's a good thing I found him. I've come up with a plan to get Jack back. A good one. I think it'll work...but I'll need your help."

James sat down, pulling me with him. He grasped my hands. "What is it? Tell me how to help."

"We need a ship to get Jack back. Barbossa has been vying to steal one—I think we should barter for one. A British one. Flying a British flag will keep us safe from the other Brits. We'll have the pirate colors, of course, but it should help keep us from getting into too much trouble."

"And where do you get this ship from?"

"I say we barter one from Beckett."

James stared at me. "Beckett?" he finally squeaked out.

I nodded. "Beckett."

"Beckett."

"Beckett."

"Beckett."

"Beckett." I paused. "Um, are we just gonna sit here saying 'Beckett' back and forth?"

James seemed to realize we had been. "Er, no. Um, why Beckett?"

"Let's just say I think he has a lot to make up for," I said quietly. James folded me into his arms and kissed the top of my head repeatedly. "Helping me will be the least he can do. And in the meantime, I plan to sink it."

James laughed. "Of course you do," he replied with a grin.

"The only problem is bartering one from him without him knowing what the ship will be used for..." 

James's fingers lifted the promise ring on the chain around my neck from my chest. "Perhaps we could convince him we want to be together?"

I kissed him softly. "No... James, I need you to stay here. I can't drag you into this."

He frowned. "What?! But I'm coming with you! I want to come with you—I should come with you!"

"James, you need to be here," I said softly, placing my hand on his chest. "I need you to keep an eye on Beckett. Sooner or later he's going to guess what I'm doing. I need you to prevent him from stopping me." I lifted James's head by his chin, forcing him to look at me.

His eyes were swimming with tears. "I just want to protect you," he whispered, putting a hand on my cheek. I moved my hand to cover his. 

"I know," I said, "and protecting me from Beckett—by staying here—is how you can protect me right now. Alright, my love?"

James was silent.

"Jamie...please."

"I-I still don't like it," he said slowly, "but I'll see what I can do. Just...just promise me you'll be careful. You'll be safe."

"Of course, Jamie. I promise." I rubbed my thumb over the back of his hand. I pressed my forehead to his. "Now come on, let's get back to bed, shall we?"

James nodded tiredly, his exhaustion finally catching up with him. He swooped me up bridal-style to carry me upstairs and into our bedroom. We nestled into each other underneath the covers. I lay awake, planning and scheming, long after James's breathing evened out into the pattern of sleep.