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The compass kept pointing toward where James had just left. Every time Elizabeth closed the compass and shook it to reopen, it always pointed toward James’ direction. Elizabeth looked over at where it pointed, not seeing him at all but knowing he was somewhere that way.
She snapped the compass shut, looking off to the side as she bit her lip, she truly honestly couldn’t believe the thing she presumably wanted most was James Norrington. Yet, she could not deny the sudden change of his features made her feel oddly aroused.
Elizabeth kept asking herself one question: why?
Why so suddenly was she feeling this way? The compass in her hands supposedly pointed to the one thing you want the most. At first in Tortuga she did want the heart of Davy Jones—to save Will. Whatever the hell that meant. She was still the fiance of Will Turner. They were supposed to get married before Beckett ruined it all. But now why was the compass pointing and in fact following where James kept going?
She looked down at the compass, opened it and watched as it slowly drifted around before settling down on one person. She looked up, seeing James walking back as she let out a long sigh and shook her head. Turning around to look out toward the sea she bit her lip hard.
This wasn’t good at all, James was her ex fiance. And knowing that he knows that she and Will were supposed to get married it didn’t sit well with her to have lustful feelings toward James. Remembering how she found him, sword in one hand and a bottle of rum in the other as he was a drunken stupid mess, had to help him up and get out of the mud in a pig pen, then helped him get cleaned up from the mud coated onto his face.
Elizabeth lifted her head, watching James work on The Black Pearl as his white powdered wig was now gone, revealing his brown hair that was dirty. She shifted around, soon noticing him turn to look at her and she quickly turned and smiled nervously.
Hearing footsteps she knew damn well who it was.
“What will it solve by staring at me?” James asked, leaning against the railing. “Do I still have more mud on my face you’d like to wipe off?”
“No.” Elizabeth answered, “Perhaps instead of mud it would be sweat. You’ve been working hard while on the Pearl.”
“Oh I’m glad you noticed.” James replied, wiping his palms on his trousers. “Sparrow has me working overtime.”
Elizabeth took this moment to look up at James and bit her lip nervously. “Probably due to all the hassle you put him through?”
“Me!” James scoffed, noticing Elizabeth had been trying to hide her smirk. “I haven’t done anything to cause him any harm. He’s the one who gets himself into havoc. I’m just doing my job…or I was doing my job.”
“You still get easily riled up, James.” She smirked, “But I didn’t expect to find you like you were. What happened?”
James frowned, memories resurfacing he wished were far gone. “Hurricane. I sailed through it, the Dauntless…yeah. Was stuck on an island, lost all my men. I eventually resigned and went to Tortuga.”
“Oh, James. I’m so sorry. I had heard you resigned from my Father, though when I had asked why he wasn’t sure. That the letter had come in the mail.”
“It was the first thing I did upon arriving in Tortuga. Sending a letter to Port Royal and England.”
“And may I ask how you fared when you arrived in your uniform? Surely the pirates there didn’t do any harm to you, James?”
James looked down at Elizabeth and let out a soft sigh. “Some were very angry, drunken fools. They tried but I successfully avoided any harsh altercations that would lead anybody to death.”
“But surely you got injured.” She stepped closer to him. “The pirates of Tortuga are quite—something.”
“And why do you care?”
Elizabeth blinked, "Because we’re friends, James! Please, allow me to tend to your wounds if you have any. It’s the least I can do.”
James scoffed, shaking his head. “For what?”
“Pardon?”
“For what could it possibly be that you want to treat my wounds? What’s your goal, Elizabeth? I know you’ve been staring at that compass and me. Quite frankly I think those two things correlate to each other.”
Damn him. Though Elizabeth couldn’t be that mad. She was staring at both him and the compass. Clutching the small box in her hand she attached it back to her hip, an idea forming at wondering what it would point to if he held it. But no, later. For now she wanted to know if he was injured.
“Are you injured?”
“You avoided my question.”
“So did you.”
James sighed, knowing that Elizabeth would play the hard and long game. “Fine. I am. Happy now?”
“Then let me treat them, James. Please.”
He leaned his head back, letting out another sigh. “Alright, fine. If it makes you happy.” Before he could even say anything else he felt his hand get grabbed and felt Elizabeth tug him down toward the quarters. He sighed, remembering the old times back in Port Royal when Elizabeth would do this to show him something at the rare chances he came by the Governor’s household. How she would beg him to stay for dinner and pleaded that they spend time in the garden. A remorse came over his eyes as he got reminded of what could’ve been. Where did he go wrong?
Elizabeth paused, feeling James bump into her as he tried to balance himself as she opened the door to her quarters. No doubt she demanded Jack to give her her own space. Walking inside with her James awkwardly let her hand go, standing by the door as Elizabeth turned to look at him.
“What’s wrong, James?” She asked, walking back to the bed and patting the spot next to her as she grabbed out some supplies she had to fix her own wounds from earlier. “Don’t be shy.”
He frowned, looking down at the ground. “Would this perhaps be too intimate for us, Elizabeth?” He asked slowly. “You are married.”
“Actually, I’m not.” She clarified. “And it wouldn’t be too intimate. Not if you don’t want it to be. I’m treating your wounds because I care for you. Anything that happens in this room will stay between us. And I made sure very well to keep the holes patched up to avoid any eyes.” She held out her hand, “James?”
He looked at her offered hand, pushing off the floor as he closed the door behind him and walked the few steps toward the bed and sat down. His body flinched in agony as sharp pains went through his whole body. “I’m guessing you’ll need my shirt off?”
“How else would I be able to see your wounds, James?”
He couldn’t help but smile, shaking his head as he removed what remained of his uniform and the clothes he stole from some old drunken man. As the fabric slowly fell, Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she saw the marks all over his chest and back. Harsh red marks that looked as if they were never taken care of. “James…how long have you had these for?”
He looked away, ashamed to admit it. “Too long. I figured I deserved it. I honestly forgot I had them. I kept drinking rum to numb all the pain away.” He felt Elizabeth shift closer. Her hand—so warm and welcoming cupped his cheek.
He turned his head to face her, his eyes glistened with tears at her worried face. “I was self destructing myself, Elizabeth.” His voice cracked so hard, “I lost who I was the moment I woke up on that island. Knowing what happened to my crew. I lost everything.”
“You didn’t lose me.”
“But I did, in a way. You didn’t reciprocate my feelings. While I wished you the best I couldn’t help but wonder why I wasn’t good enough?”
“James.” Elizabeth whispered as she shifted closer so she could wrap her legs over his thighs as she sat on top of him. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she allowed herself to snuggle against him. “You were, I think, too good enough for me.” Her hands slowly traced down his hair and slowly untangled it from the tiny ponytail. “I wanted a life away from society, I wanted freedom.” She looked at him, “You remember how I couldn’t handle the damn corset. I felt awful when you proposed and I fell unconscious. I wasn’t able to give you a proper reply due to the fact I was quickly rushed away once I was saved.”
“I remembered that night very well, yes.” He moved his arm to steady her on his thigh. “But this truly feels—”
“James.” She put a finger on his lips, quieting him. “It’s remarkable you’re still complaining about how improper things are when you aren’t even in uniform. You acted like a fool, what happened from then to now?”
He wanted to say again that she was married, but she had corrected him saying that she wasn’t. He wasn’t sure why. Or if something went wrong between her and Turner. Not that he truly cared all that much, “I thought you were going to treat my wounds.”
“I didn’t specify which ones.”
“Mm…I’d prefer the physical ones, if you don’t mind.”
“I’d love to heal your mental ones too, James.” Elizabeth motioned to the bed. “Lay down.” She watched as he just looked at him, soon realizing why she got off his lap and got him comfortable on his back. Once he was settled she positioned herself back on top of him.
James grunted, hands coming to her waist. “Is this necessary, Elizabeth?” He asked, feeling his face flush with red.
“It’s the most comfortable for me,” Grabbing the small towel she started to gently dab at his injuries, leaning a bit forward to focus all her attention on cleaning it. Meanwhile, her other hand slowly traced down his chest. Her mind went elsewhere as she traced his scars.
He had to force himself not to react, the blood going straight down as he felt so aroused. “Elizabeth, please.” He begged, “Just treat my wounds.”
“I am.” It was a lie, a horrible one at that as she felt his arousal against herself. Even through the layers of their trousers. Finally cleaning up his wounds with alcohol, she soon leaned back on her heels slightly. “Sit up, I’ll clean your back.” As he sat up, Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his waist, her head finding its spot on his shoulder as she cleaned the wounds on his back—the same way she did his front.
Slowly, her hands stilled as she set the rag aside and gently pulled him into a deeper hug. “I cannot deny I had thought you died. I was going to invite you to the wedding, but when I was sending out invitations. I went to your home and found you were gone.”
James' eyes widened before he returned her hug and slowly laid back in the bed. “I apologize for not giving a word to you. I wanted to leave right at dawn, you would’ve been still asleep.”
Elizabeth looked at him, “But not a letter, James? A goodbye in person I can understand but you didn’t write me a letter saying you were leaving? A year! I thought you were gone when you didn’t come back. I thought I lost my best friend.” Her tears started to fall and land on his chest.
“Lizzy, my dear.” He cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears. Even as his nickname for her broke her down further and he gently pulled her in. “Shh, my dear. I’m right here, I won’t leave you.” His hand slowly went through her hair, guiding it and quietly shushing her. He couldn’t deny the tears from her that landed on his wound felt oddly comforting. “I truly apologize for not telling you.” He finally said as he kissed her crown. “I was in a rush to get out to capture Sparrow. But, if only I had stayed perhaps I wouldn’t have risked my whole crew. Perhaps, I would’ve missed the hurricane.”
“Why did you sail through it, James?” She looked at him, raising her head as her eyes were so cloudy that she couldn’t even see. Having to blink a couple times. “I know you better than for you to sail recklessly into a storm!! You were so careful every time you sailed. Even if you were desperate.”
He truly couldn’t answer her honestly. Because even he never thought about it. He truly was reckless and he wasn’t even thinking clearly. He was just so angry at Sparrow. At Turner. He was blinded by rage. “Because I was so angry I couldn’t form a logical thought. My Interceptor got taken from me and she was gone to sea. I lost you, my fiancé, Turner made Sparrow escape! My life fell apart so quickly, all I wanted was to get you back home safely. But so much transpired while I was upset with losing your love I was also having a meltdown with genuine anger. Behind closed doors everything I kept proper in front of everything, I broke Elizabeth. I broke down because I just—I wanted someone to love me for who I am.”
Her breath hitched at his words at the raw honesty he was showing. Something they had done in the past, but it had been so long since then. Honestly Elizabeth wouldn’t have thought she would hear him be honest about it.
“I still love you, Elizabeth. I tried to stop. I did. Knowing you were with someone you loved. But, I couldn’t. My heart loves you, Elizabeth.” As he paused to take a breath he sighed, ready to speak again before he felt her lips against his own.
At first he was shocked—rightfully so. Before slowly he returned the kiss and pulled her closer, allowing her chest to rest against his own as soon she pulled away.
“I think a part of me loves you too, James.” She whispered, “I believe the compass.” She smiled as James scoffed at the mention of it. And soon she grabbed it from her belt. Helping James sit up. “Let’s see where it points?”
He wrapped an arm around her, “You first then.” As she opened it, they slowly watched as it spun around wildly before slowly making its final decision. Pointing at James.
“You.” Shutting the compass slowly she handed it to him.
James took it, giving it a look before he sighed and opened it himself. It spun around like it did but quickly focused where Elizabeth was. “We both want each other.”
Elizabeth leaned in, closing the compass in his hand and setting it aside as she soon started to remove her bandolier and soon kissed him again. This time it was a lot more intimate than the first, which James immediately began to realize as his hands rubbed up and down her back.
As they kissed the room began to get hot as Elizabeth shuffled out of the rest of her clothes. “Your beard feels good when we kiss, James.”
He chuckled, “Do you like my beard?”
“Yes. I hope you never shave it off.” She captured him in another kiss, moving her body slowly against his as she moaned into his lips. “I think you’d become a great pirate.” Hearing James scoff at the mention of him becoming a pirate made Elizabeth smirk and pause, “You’ve done well with cleaning the deck, and I know you’re a good fighter.” Tilting her head she kissed his jawline. “If you want freedom, James. Perhaps staying with us aboard the Black Pearl would be nice.”
“And if Will ever returns from whatever fate Sparrow put him through. All of this will be for nothing, Elizabeth. You will see him again and I realized I will be used once more.”
Elizabeth frowned, sighing as she sat up to sit on his lap. Her hands traced his scars as she sighed. “I know Jack is lying. And I know that he is the reason Will is somehow on the Flying Dutchman. But, I’ve been slowly losing interest in him.”
“You came to find him. It was the reason you left Port Royal.”
“I did! But that’s because we both have warrants for being hanged. You have one too.”
James furrowed his eyebrows, “Who gave the warrants? Why?”
“Cutler Beckett.” Elizabeth started, “We all have warrants for saving Jack from the hangman’s noose and allowing him to escape.”
James felt his chest drop at the mention of the name and his hand that was still on Elizabeth’s waist tightened slightly. “Beckett? Why is he in Port Royal?”
“I don’t know, James. I truly don’t.” It was honest, because she herself didn’t know why. “All he told me was he wanted a chest, I had him at gunpoint.” She laughed softly at James' reaction to that. “I had him sign the letters of marque so that I could be free. He wanted Jack’s compass and some chest.”
“Well we know what Jack’s compass does. It shows us what we want most. But…what’s the chest?”
“Again I don’t know. He didn’t specify.”
“Of course he didn’t. Then he’s planning something.”
“No, he just wants gold.” Elizabeth responded sassily, “Clearly he’s planning something!” She laughed as James brought her in for a kiss.
“Always sassy.”
“That’s what you love about me, James.”
“Mmm, touché.” He kissed her again, laying back down on the bed as he felt her settle against him. After some silence he soon took a deep breath in. “Then I guess we will find out what chest is in these waters.”
“You promise you won’t leave again?”
James kissed her forehead, “I promise.”