Chapter 4

(JAMES' POV)

When James had awakened as conscious as he could have been, he had known that he had appeared on a beach. He hadn't been sure how long he'd been there, but not a lot of time had passed when he had heard someone approach. Once he had been able to focus his sight, he could have sworn he had seen Elizabeth in front of him, whispering his name… And then, he had passed out.

At first, when he had closed his eyes and arrived in the dream world, there had been nothing there; just a void, infinite. And then she had appeared in the Dauntless, as if it had never sunk that time in the hurricane.

"James Norrington."

He turned to see a dark-skinned woman, wearing a dress that seemed to mimic ancient Greek times, albeit showing her body vaguely. He tried not to blush, since he recognized that she was, of course, the goddess Calypso.

He doubted what to think or even say: Was it a dream? Was she really there?

"It a both James Norrington. Buh yuh wud'n have to worry bout dat."

He hesitated for a second, but decided to speak "What, then, should worry me?"

"Something about ah time far inna future… Mi didn't duh dis as ah type ah fava because mi gwine need yuh."

"For what?" he asked "If I'm just going to die again…"

She laughed "Oh, don't worry, James Norrington. Yuh will not die ina de near future. Nuh, it a fi odda thing an yuh will not have to worry until di time comes… Meanwhile, yuh must atone fi yuh sins."

"I already know that. I doubt it's going to be that easy." he replied undoubtedly.

"Obviously ih will nuh bi. Deh a people dat search tuh guh gainst di balance an dat also want di control addi sea." she explained.

"And you want me to stop these people?" he asked.

She smirked "Yuh will want to stop these people. If yuh follow Jack Sparrow, yuh will be able to find dem easily. Good luck, James Norrington. An do not tell dis to anyone"

And like that, he woke up.

When he had woken up again, he had found himself on what appeared to be a sofa in a living room.

It was then that he saw Elizabeth standing by his side and what a sight she was... She was wearing the clothes that he had seen her wear when he had rescued her, her hair was in a loose braid and, despite being somewhat dirty, she still looked amazing.

As soon as he stood up, he asked her where he was, discovering that he was in Shipwreck City. He had almost wondered how he was still alive, but he imagined he owed it to Elizabeth...

As he drank a glass of water, telling her that he was fine, he realized that he really meant it. His chest had almost seemed to be on fire the first time when he had awakened and, at that moment, he almost felt no pain; although, he felt that he for sure needed to eat something.

Elizabeth had smiled and asked politely how he was alive, to what he explained that it had been Turner's idea to send him back to the world of the living through the goddess Calypso.

"… I see. Was he okay?" she asked.

"… He seemed to be." He answered carefully.

He couldn't tell if William Turner was really all right, without a heart beating in his chest, cursed and forced to ferry souls because the ship always had to have a captain. In any case, Elizabeth seemed to accept the answer.

Later, she asked what he was going to do and he told her he honestly wasn't very sure... He knew he had many sins and wanted to pay for them, but he had no idea how he was going to get that. When he had found himself on the Dutchman, the plan had seemed easy, but once he had woken up… It had started to seem more difficult.

Elizabeth, in a moment, had at one point quickly suggested that he went with her to Singapore to help her establish her power and James hadn't known how to react to the offer… He had been honored she had considered but, working on a pirate ship? He couldn't do that and he told her so.

It wasn't that James wasn't grateful for her help and he didn't want to appear rude, but he couldn't lie to Elizabeth on that matter… He wouldn't have minded if it had been another job, but he didn't want to become a pirate. Last time, he had done it out of spite towards Sparrow and he didn't want a repeat of it, even without said person there.

However, she seemed upset with that decision, telling him that he couldn't go back to his old post as admiral and James knew she was right, of course… He couldn't go back. He had betrayed Beckett when he had helped the Empress' crew. Nevertheless…

"That," a voice interrupted, and although James was dumbfounded, he thanked his luck, "it's a thing that would depend on my son, wouldn't it, yer majesty?" I would suggest asking him once he has reached port.

The old pirate who had interrupted the conversation reminded him of someone, but he couldn't be sure.

Elizabeth, who had almost stiffened at hearing the man, turned as if she couldn't believe him.

"Jack is back? Here? You said he always avoids this place!"

The moment he said that, James realized they were talking about Jack Sparrow, that the older man was his father and that was why he looked so familiar to him.

"For God's sake ..." James couldn't help but think.

"Actually, I said that he tends to avoid it," the man pointed out and his eyes almost seemed to glow mischievously, giving James further proof that the man and Sparrow were obviously related. "He will reach port in an hour or so."

In that minute, however, James noticed that he was missing something… He shook his head, deciding to interrupt the conversation.

"I'm sorry, I hate to interrupt, but I seem to be missing something ... How is that my fate depend on...?"

Before he could finish the sentence, however, Elizabeth cut him off, glaring at him.

"Jack?" she smiled a bit, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Well, he did hire you."

James was about to correct her; the last time he had seen Sparrow, he had taken Davy Jones's heart to Beckett. As if she was reading his thoughts, Elizabeth glowered at him and he closed his mouth.

"Well, I'm going to dress better and go to the port to receive him." She announced, standing up and looking at James and Teague. "James, there's food on the table. Captain Teague, please, let him rest."

She left in the blink of an eye to her room and, before closing it, she caught his attention and mouthed 'don't get into trouble, don't speak too much to him. You work at the Pearl, the end'.

And with that, she closed the door. James just sighed.

"Joy of joys", he thought dryly. "Of course Sparrow has to show up now."

• ──────────── ✾──────────── •

Obviously, as soon as Sparrow came in and looked at him, he almost let out a weary sigh. He, likewise, seemed as happy as he was to see him alive.

He commented on how obvious it was that James wasn't happy to see him and kept some distance from him. James was about to reply, but stopped just in time. He looked at Elizabeth (knowing that she was watching), who was articulating something that seemed to be 'behave' and 'pretend'. He almost rolled his eyes, deciding to nod.

"I see you're doing well... Captain."

And he really had to stop himself from pronouncing "Sparrow." However, if he had to pretend that he was working for him, saying his last name wouldn't help, and Sparrow was apparently in the loop, too.

"As well as I can be," he replied. Then he turned to Elizabeth. "Luv, would you do us a favor and keep ol' Teague some company?"

James almost snorted irritably at the sight of Sparrow smirking at her. What was worse… It worked, because she shook her head, but headed for the door anyway.

"Don't kill each other" she told them, as if they were children.

"I won't make any promises, luv" said the other simply.

She huffed, disbelief in her voice, and closed the door the moment she left.

"Right" The bloody pirate sat on a chair, moving it close enough to the bed to look at him "Let's talk for real this time." James sighed a little, but nodded. "Now, how is it that you came back to the land of the living? I'm pretty sure it doesn't usually happen."

"Speak for yourself, Sparrow." he snorted, but decided to answer him. "This is just… Calypso's work… Captain Turner asked her a favor, since he said he owed me a life for saving Elizabeth."

"Our dear William… That's great. I don't know why Calypso did it, though…" He exhaled. "Well, and what's your plan now, huh? Lizzie mentioned something about paying for some sins or whatever…"

James rolled his eyes at that. "Well, that was my idea, although I don't know how I'm going to pay for them… Elizabeth, however, wants me to help her with her new position."

"As if you could become a pirate." He snorted.

James blinked, surprised that he seemed to understand that more than his own ex-fiancée and gulped.

"Yeah, well… It's not like she didn't save me."

James avoided telling that he had to pay for almost sending her father to his death.

"Ah," Sparrow pointed out, smiling. "but, you saved her first… So that has already been paid." And James was going to reply, but he decided it wasn't worth it. Of course, he had to go and screw it up. "However, you did betray me."

"Only because you cost me my position, two ships and almost my life" he replied.

"I never told you to follow me through a hurricane, dear Norrington," the other replied, in a dangerous tone. "And the other one was destroyed by Barbossa, so really…"

James sighed, exhausted.

"... What do you want, Sparrow?"

"Captain" he corrected "And I'm thinking of something like reestablishing you in the Caribbean and, when you have the position you want the most, I can get my price."

"And that is…?"

"You, my dear former commodore, are going to obtain me a letter of marque."

"A letter of marque… For you?" he asked, wary and shook his head "Never mind that… How the hell do you pretend on getting it?"

"... With some lies here and there." He shrugged "It doesn't have to be Port Royal… It could be The Bahamas or the Cayman Islands… The important thing would be to convince the people that you never betrayed anyone. After all, it's not like anyone was there except for Jones' crew and Beckett's little puppet, who is dead. Easy peasy."

"I'm almost afraid it's not going to be that easy." he warned, but still sighed. "Well, I can't think of a reason to say no and I have nothing to lose, apparently."

"Ah, that's so much better." Jack smirked at that.

"So, when do we live?" he asked.

"Uhm… We might have a problem with that part." he grimaced.

"Oh, god."

"We… Well, actually, I have to ask Elizabeth to take us to Tortuga and then get a ship." he answered vaguely.

"I can't believe you lost your ship again. You are without a doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of."

"But you have heard of me." he smiled "Don't give your brain a headache with this… We'll get what we want."

"Well, captain… That at least makes one of us sure of it."

• ──────────── ✾──────────── •

James had not been able to believe what he had heard, but it seemed that Sparrow was serious enough and, in any case, he supposed that he could not decide much on the matter. After all, he had sinned when he had stolen Davy Jones's heart, so despite not relying too much on any plan Jack Sparrow might come up with, he did owe him. And then, there was the fact of that 'visit' that he had received when he had been unconscious. Of course, the generous goddess had not helped at all with details, but he didn't doubt that if he followed Jack Sparrow he would find those people…

Luckily for James, the Empress wouldn't set sail yet and he had taken that time to rest well and practice with a sword that they had found for him (he had decided that he wouldn't ask).

One of the days, James found himself in the same place with Elizabeth, alone. James's heart ached in part, but not as much as he thought. As soon as he saw her, she began to ask for explanations of why he was working with 'Jack' and not with her, why he would trust him…

"I don't trust Sparrow more than you do." he said, frustrated "But I do owe him, sadly."

"And that makes you work for him?!" she mentioned, offended "He's selfish!"

"And you aren't?" James replied, raising an eyebrow. She just stared at him, surprised "Besides, the only reason I trust him is the fact that he's selfish and will want his price. He needs me alive for that."

'And also a goddess told me so, but I can't say that, apparently.' he thought.

"I'm not convinced, James." she snorted "He could get you killed… He's not the same since he came out of Jones' locker. I don't know what happened to him, but you should be careful."

"I can take care of myself, Elizabeth." he almost growled. "As for it to convince you… It doesn't have to."

• ──────────── ✾──────────── •

At last, the Empress was prepared to set sail and James found himself behind Sparrow, who was going towards the ship when Elizabeth stopped him, causing him to stop as well.

She told both of them that they would have to work on the ship and told them where they would sleep, leaving them alone before either of them could say a thing.

Of course, Sparrow wasn't entirely happy about it and James had almost worried because, from the tone of voice, it seemed like he was planning to murder her, which ended in James acting as usual, pointing out that they didn't have a ship and that it was better to behave.

It had worked at least, because Sparrow had sighed and, together, they had gone inside the ship, below deck, and leaving there their things (though most of it wasn't even his), they went back again to the main deck. At the same time, Elizabeth had gone up and started taking over the ship immediately, making James to stare at her. If it wasn't because he had seen Calypso, James would have almost sworn that Elizabeth was the sea goddess.

He shook his head and decided to follow the other men, just behind Sparrow, who had apparently left his hat down with the rest of his things… James supposed that he did know how to behave if it was useful for his plans.

The man who was giving work to those in front seemed to recognize Sparrow and sneered, smiling a bit. If said man recognized James from when he rescued them from the Flying Dutchman, he didn't said. In any case, the man ended up informing Sparrow where to go and had turned to face him. James forced himself to pay attention to the man who was going to give him a job.

"As for you... The captain said you were a sailor under the command of that imbecile. Which work did you do?" he asked.

James almost grimaced on the inside, since technically under Sparrow he had just cleaned or he had tended the sails. He decided to go with the last one.

"I tended the sails, sir."

The other one clicked his tongue "That won't do, there's a lot of people there... Do you know how to deal with the guns?"

James knew something about it and it was an unpleasant work if they had some confrontation. He crossed his fingers.

"Yes, though not as much as the other or..." he answered.

"Aye, aye, all that is very fine." The other interrupted "First turn, go see Arata, he'll be down in the gunroom."

The gunroom was overall, as he had expected, dirty. There were only three men there, so he asked for Arata and was quickly greeted by this one. The man understood English, but seem incapable of saying more than six words or so in that language and would resort to speak other that didn't sound nothing at all like Chinese. Luckily, they found a way of understanding each other using body language and pointing at things.

The only thing working on the first turn was that the only job that he had had to do was cleaning the guns and see how many artillery did they have at hand that could be used in the case of an attack. It was boring, but James was almost thankful for that.

• ──────────── ✾──────────── •

A few hours later, Arata shooed him away and he went on deck to enjoy the breeze. Just as he was looking out to the sea, he sensed someone at his right and he glanced over, finding Elizabeth. James licked his lips before speaking.

"Captain." this one smiled, pleased "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Just checking that everything is alright." she shrugged unconcerned, with a glint in her eyes where James almost could recognize the young girl that he had taken from England that time ago "The weather is on our side, so we should get to Tortuga in a week or so."

"I see the time at sea has taught you a lot." James smiled. Even if he would have considered such thing as something improper of a lady, he wasn't surprised and part of him was satisfied of her own display of power "These men are answering well to your orders."

"It's still hard to gain their trust." she admitted in a whisper "But I did pay enough attention to the few times I've been in a ship with someone acting as a captain."

To that, James smiled truthfully, seeing what she was implying and that she had recognized him as someone worthy of example.

"I'm glad of that, even if not that much of the profession."

"... I can't go back to a normal life, James. You know that I don't belong there." she shook her head "I love the sea, sailing and this freedom. I can't and I won't give it back."

James stayed silent for a few seconds before sighing.

"I know. I just wished..." He shook his head "Turner asked that I take care of you, if I could. And I still have some sins to atone for."

Not very surprisingly, Elizabeth laughed at that "As if I needed protection..."

"You may need it in Singapore, Eli- Captain." He corrected himself and looked at her "Just do me the favor of writing me a letter if you need me."

Elizabeth's eyes softened at that. "Oh, James... You're too good for me." she smiled sweetly "But I'll accept your offer. Thank you."

James smiled slightly and kept his gaze at the sea. He turned s bit when he heard Elizabeth laughing, seeing that Sparrow working with other men at the sails and he couldn't help but also laugh with her. He knew that this one hated being in any position that was below his supposed job.

"I know that I said to be careful with him, James, but..." Elizabeth commented, peeking for a moment at Sparrow "I know he's a good man, deep down. So maybe you're right in trusting his motives a bit."

James feared knowing why she was going on about the people she knew were good people.

"You're also good, you know that, right?" he said, putting a bit his hand on her arm, so she could get away if she wanted.

She shook her head, with a sad smile "No, I know that I'm not. But that's okay. I'm not here because I'm good, I'm here because this is what I am and where I'm meant to be."

With a last smile, she patted him on the back gently and went back up to the wheel, James observing as she took it carefully in her hand. He shook his head at her being so stubborn and thought on why she would think something like that.

• ──────────── ✾──────────── •

Dictionary from Patois to English:

It a both James Norrington. Buh yuh wud'n have to worry bout dat. → It's both, James Norrington. But you wouldn't have to worry about that.

Something about ah time far inna future… Mi didn't duh dis as ah type ah fava because mi gwine need yuh. → Something about a time far in the future… I didn't do this as a type of favor, because I'm going to need you.

Oh, don't worry, James Norrington. Yuh will not die ina de near future. Nuh, it a fi odda thing an yuh will not have to worry until di time comes… Meanwhile, yuh must atone fi yuh sins. → Oh, don't worry, James Norrington. You won't die in the near future. No, it's for other thing and you won't have to worry until the time comes… Meanwhile, you must atone for your sins.

Obviously ih will nuh bi. Deh a people dat search tuh guh gainst di balance an dat also want di control addi sea. → Obviously it will not be. There is people that search to go against the balance and that also wants the control of the sea

Yuh will want to stop these people. If yuh follow Jack Sparrow, yuh will be able to find dem easily. Good luck, James Norrington. An do not tell dis to anyone. → You will want to stop these people. If you follow Jack Sparrow, you will be able to find them easily. Good luck, James Norrington. And don't tell this to anyone.

• ──────────── ✾──────────── •

&&& N.A.: So... I have no idea what I did, but somehow I delete the English version I had saved and, not counting some extracts that I had written by hand (which I do when I have ideas out of home), the rest I lost it, which means that I have to re-do everything that I had... Luckily, Spanish version wasn't lost, so I just kind of only have to translate the other way around, but that way is a bit harder, so I might take a while... ^^"

Anyway, sorry for the delay, but here it's chapter 4. As always, Patois is done with some online dictionaries, so if something is wrong, please tell me so.

I hope that for now that you're enjoying this story and little by little you'll manage to see everything.

As always, thanks for supporting this story! Follows, favs, kudos, reviews, and etc. are always welcome. If you have a few seconds, just write something :) I will always appreciate it!

Kind regards and see you next time! &&&