Little Sparrow

Summary: "Now up is down," was the last thing any of them heard before the rush of water drowned everything else out. Later, waking up on a random, deserted island, they almost immediately notice that something was not right with their Captain. Sparrington, Salazak, Willabeth, maybe others mentioned.

"You seem most forlorn to be leaving such a dangerous place for your kind, Jack." Sparrow didn't even look up from where he was once again staring at his Compass in the crow's nest and Norrington heaved a sigh as he nudged the teen a little so he would have space as well. It felt an awful lot like the first night of this crazy voyage, when no one knew nothing about this version of Jack Sparrow and he knew nothing about them. Sparrow had opened up to him that night with something unexpected, opening up new possibilities for a better understanding and a greater relationship between them other than just worthy opponents. When the younger man didn't reply, James sighed again and leaned over to see the Compass and the direction it was pointing. He frowned, did a little recalculation of their course and figured out, to his surprise, that it was still pointing in the same direction as it had all these days, it seems. He looked up at the moody teen's face and dared ask. "Is there something weighting on your mind, Jack?"

There was a long moment of silence, so long Norrington began thinking his question will receive no answer when Jack finally replied, eyes still glued on to the Compass.

"Am I a bad person?" That surprised him but he didn't say anything, thinking Jack would follow up an explanation for such an inquiry, but he didn't so James warily ventured further into the topic.

''What makes you ask something like that?''

''Oh, the simple fact that Lopez is right and I am indeed a cruel person.'' Sparrow replied almost offhandedly, still staring at his Compass as though it had all the answers in the world. Well, in a way, maybe it did. And if not the answers themselves, it sure as hell had the means to find them. But what the young Pirate Lord was making no sense at all to the ex Navy man.

"And what makes you think that?"

Jack chuckled bitterly, finally closing the Compass and looking at Norrington. "Don't you see? I seem to be stringing everyone along, wherever I go, no matter what I do or how I do it. Lucia, Armando, Martinez ... those are just the ones I remember. How many more had he strung along? How many more lives had he ruined? Because I highly doubt this is the end of the list. Not with how easily I wrapped Finch around my finger. Not with where Will's father is now. Not with where you are now."

James stiffened, straightening his back and frowning at Sparrow irritably. "You have not in any way influenced my being here, Captain. I've chosen to come on my own."

"Have you? You know, Will told me everything. I know who you are, what you did, how you ended up on the ship that sailed for World's End. You may have come to assist on your own but you most definitely had not went on the big journey by your free will. They practically press-ganged you. That goes against the Code." A bitter smile was tugging Jack's lips in an expression that didn't sooth Sparrow at all. ''I ruined your life, James Norrington. There's nothing that can argue that.''

''If you have indeed been informed of everything, than you know I have come here, not by your doing, but by my own.'' Said man said sternly, not understanding what the teen was aiming at. ''You had nothing to do with me ending up here any more than Barbossa did.''

''Actually, if I recall Will's recall of the last few years well - and I do; trust me, I have an amazing memory - you kind of followed me into a hurricane with a big ship going by the name of Dauntless. Quite a fitting name, if you actually went and did it.'' The younger said with no small amount of admiration and respect. James felt a swell of pride in his chest at that. Sparrow didn't give out compliments easily, at least not genuine ones meant simply as a compliment and not as flattery. Jack shook his head and continued, his voice going back to that bitter tone. ''You followed me in with a ship that had no chance of withstanding the storm or escaping it. You're the second person that did that and you were only lucky to have survived. Armando hadn't been so lucky.''

The Englishman's eyes widened in shock. ''He ... He followed you into a hurricane?'' At least he wasn't the only one insane and obsessed enough to do that, although this Armando fellow had been desperately in love with Sparrow. What excuse did he have? Pride? Arrogance? Ignorance, maybe? He'd rather say foolishness, as it was closest to the truth. Stupidity. And a stubborn willfulness to forget any reason he had, any sanity as he tried to forget the public rejection Elizabeth had dealt him, focused solely on the task at hand: catching Sparrow and ridding the Caribbean of the last real pirate threat. But, in the end, he had only ended up losing his ship and almost all of his men. The rare few who had survived, not counting Groves and Gillete, hated him and would never serve under him again. Was it a comfort to know he was not the first?

Jack winced before he scooted away from James as best as he could in the tight space of the crow's nest, opening the Compass again when he was far enough. His eyes were once again glued to the blasted thing and he wouldn't look at James. ''Not a ... hurricane, per see. Somewhere ... much, much worse.'' Haunted black eyes looked up in the direction the Compass had been pointing since the start. ''I wonder how he had felt when another one followed him to their doom? Did he- Did I forget Armando and was completely indifferent? Was I actually born as one of the merfolk to be luring men to their doom so often?''

Norrington scowled at Sparrow, although he was a bit unnerved by how he was referring to himself as two different people. He guessed they might as well have been, had they ever been placed in the same room at the same time. Some of their differences were so startling that it was strange to even think this boy to be Captain Jack Sparrow. And worst still, only Gibbs and Tia Dalma - and partially Babrossa, as he had revealed when Morveren had visited - knew what had made him this way, what had changed this young man so completely that his true self was hiding under an impeccable mask of his own making.

What would their reactions be, if these two versions of Jack Sparrow were to meet? Would the teen one feel proud of whom he had become or would he regret it? Be ashamed of his older self? And what would the older one tell his past self? What advice would he give, which information would he divulge?

He shook his head. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about that. Sparrow had somehow gotten it into his head that he was a cursed creature or a curse in of itself, simple as that and that just wouldn't do. Not when Tia Dalma had only a couple of days ago sad that Jack had started healing. It would be a right sorry thing for all that healing to be so easily undone by the delirious words of a cruel, traitorous pirate. Norrington idly wondered why it was always him that was stuck with taking care of Sparrow when he was in a melancholy, moping mood before shaking it off and moving closer to Sparrow in a swift lunge, so as to be able to pin the slippery pirate in place. That, at times, seemed to be the only way to make him listen.

Jack yelped when they found themselves nose to nose, their breaths intermingling as James caged him with his arms on either side of the younger man. A blush spread like wildfire over Sparrow's face, down his neck and into his shirt-line, black eyes wide as they met serious, determined green ones that were only centimeters away.

''Listen here, Sparrow, because I don't like repeating myself. It. Is. Not. Your. Fault. Either for me or for this ... Armando person. We both were presented with the choice of whether we'll continue chasing you or if we'll call it all off. You were only running for your life and protecting your ship and crew, like any admirable, respectable Captain would do. We can only blame ourselves for our foolishness and our mistakes. The Dauntless could never keep up with the storm and if I remember correctly what you told me about Armando's death, he had followed you in a place where he cannot properly maneuver his ship. Our lapse of judgment was not your fault. You need to accept that and move on, or else you will never be happy or free. I thought you were all about freedom.'' He challenged, holding the pirate in place, straining to see him properly in the meager moonlight.

Jack's eyes were still wide as he answered, desperate for James to understand, to get away and stay away before he, too, followed in Armando's footsteps. He had been lucky, the last time. Sparrow didn't want to be the cause of James demise, as he rather ... liked the man. He didn't want him to get hurt, or worse.

''James ... Jamie! Listen to me, luv! I taunted Armando, like a bull! I did it on purpose, knowing he would chase me! I wasn't some innocent standing by, watching it all happen! I orchestrated it! I ... I led him to his death, knowing full well what I was doing and I didn't even hesitate. How can I be anything but a bad, horrible person?''

When Sparrow looked away, Norrington brought up one hand to push his face upwards so they were facing each other once again. ''Just like you issued the challenge knowing what would happen, he had accepted it just as readily. It was his choice to make, Jack. He knew what might happen and he did what he thought was best. Don't disrespect him like this by degrading the scale of your battle or making him seem like a fool who blindly followed.''

''But he didn't know what he as getting himself into!'' The other protested still, eyes going suspiciously sparkly. ''He never believed me when I told him sea legends and stories. He didn't know what to expect. He didn't believe it and I knew that, used it to my advantage.'' Jack had all but curled up in on himself, which brought his forehead to James' chest.

Norrington almost didn't register the whimper he made as his own brain raced to process this new information. Sparrow had used something supernatural against Armando? Not surprising, all things considered, since the supernatural seemed to be Sparrow's third shadow, the second being trouble and all that.

''That's called tactics, Jack. Nothing crueler than any tactics you might use against any other enemy.'' He pointed out, hands absently moving to comfort the lad. His arms were soon around the sobbing pirate and he sighed, wondering when this had become his life and why he didn't mind in the slightest. It felt nice, holding the teen against him. The shuddering of the Black Pearl as she tried to comfort her Captain - and yes, James had come to terms with the fact that the ship was semi-sentient - were pleasant and it would all be all the better if only Jack would stop being so upset. ''Where did my confident, flamboyant Captain disappear off to? Did something happen at lunch with Martinez?''

Sparrow's twitch told him more than he needed to know. He waited patiently, knowing Jack will speak when he feels comfortable. Seemingly infinite minutes later, the boy spoke, voice hushed, words muffled against James chest, somehow making it all the more intimate. Never mind that this was who knows which time that Jack shared something personal with James and James alone.

''Martinez ... Talked about Armando. And the rumors about his heart being stolen by the 'filthy, sneaky, cur son of a bitch's bastard' pirate Jack Sparrow. He tried to reassure 'Jaquelin' that the rumors were not true, that it was very obvious how much Armando loved 'her'. And it hurt. Stabbed at my heart. Because I always, always just knew it was true." He closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to look at James', hands tight around the Compass. "Even the Compass confirmed it. And I took advantage of that."

Norrington blinked, trying hard to focus on everything he had said and not just that last part but his mind rebelled. "You had the Compass with you?"

"Aye. Captain Morgan might have been the official 'owner', but it was I who bargained for it in his name. Tia wouldn't give it up to just anyone, you know." A small smile, the first not bitter but still sad of the evening, stretched across young, tanned lips. "She actually refused to give it up. Never even considered giving it away until I came with Captain Morgan. He tried bargaining with her for hours until he finally gave up but then Tia Dalma just walked over to me, minding my own business while reading through some of her books - voodoo magic is fascinating when you don't go snooping around for immortality, brainwashing or resurrection - and just took my hand and put the Compass in it. It pointed to the sea, to the Wench, of course, and she just smiled this mysterious smile before telling us that we can take it only if Captain Morgan swears on his life that the Compass will be passed on to me. And so we took it. And he passed it on to me when he died. We kept our word. I had it ever since. I guess I never betrayed it, if it's still in my possession."

"Betrayed it?" James almost wanted to scoff. It was a Compass. It can't be betrayed, no matter how magical it might be ... Right?

"You see, James, this Compass is, as you no doubt know if you've ever really met me, magical. It points you towards what you want most in the world. And as long as you stay loyal to it, it will never lead you wrong. As long as you know what you want." Jack told him, seemingly going back to his old self, cheering up as he talked about his magical navigation device. It was clear it was precious to him almost as much as the Pearl, who was purring in pleasure at her Captain's lifting mood. "But if you ever betray it or the pirate way of life, throw it away, give it to someone else or leave it behind with no intention of getting it back, it will unleash your greatest fear and practically lead it straight to you. I guess I took good care of it if it's still working for me."

"It wasn't a year or so ago." Norrington said thoughtfully, staring at the dark little box. "You needed Elizabeth to guide you to the Dead Man's Chest on Isla Cruces."

"That might be true, but have you noticed how I stressed the 'as long as you know what you want' part?" Jack leaned in a bit more to the ex Navy officer as he was wont to when explaining things or talking about something exciting or just plain trying to make a point. It made their noses bump and James swallowed, mouth and throat suddenly helplessly dry. "That's because the Compass is merely a tool to help us not get lost. In order for it to work properly, you need to have the direction already in your heart and that is infinitely more rare than the Compass' tracking magic. Or at least that's what Armando said." This time, James' breath was knocked right out of his lungs at the tender smile Jack sported just then. The teen was both beautiful and handsome, although the first was still a bit more obvious at this age, but he was doubly so when such a tender, fond, gentle smile touched his lips. "He said that a person who has that ability, to know their heart and what they want, is far more precious than the item itself. He said it was for the best if it stayed with me, someone who obviously knew their heart's desires, as it was safest with me."

"How did you learn the Compass knew he loved you?" The breathless ex Commodore asked, not moving his eyes away from the smile and how it made Sparrow look even younger and somehow ... innocent. James knew that he was far from it, even at this age. Jack had practically confessed his sins to him! But he seemed so ... childlike in this moment. And Norrington felt something cold pierce his heart as he realized Jack was once again wearing a mask with them, one not even Tia Dalma seems to have realized was there. For Jack was not acting his own age, instead trying to be infinitely more mature, a reliable Captain. He wondered just when whatever was left of the Pirate Lord's childhood had been drowned in the deep blue sea.

"One night, he picked it up and opened it, smiled sadly and closed it, put it back where he found it and left, thinking I had been asleep and hadn't seen him do it. I went over to it, opened it with some things lying around so I wouldn't touch it and change what it was pointing to and found it pointing in my direction. Now, I didn't immediately figure it out, that it was me it was pointing to, but I did eventually, when I started pacing while I thought what it was that he could have possibly smiled so sadly at and I noticed the needle was moving with me. I checked it a few more times before it became indisputable and ... Well, I was happy. I would have gladly stayed with him forever if only he had not turned out to be a pirate hunter." Jack looked wistful, a hand coming up to play with the brocade of James' slowly tattering Navy coat. Norrington did his best not to react. Jack's hand was almost right over his heart and it would not do for the pirate to realize how hard it was pumping. "My family are all pirates, you know. I couldn't go against that. I couldn't let Armando kill my Da. I couldn't betray Captain Morgan and the crew. I couldn't betray my Wicked Wench - they would have sunk her, no doubt about it. And I couldn't betray the Compass."

"What was it even doing with you if your captain was the official owner?"

"'Official'," Jack said with the appropriate air quotes before letting both hands play with the braids of James' coat, intertwining and untangling them with animated, restless fingers. "He was only allowed to have it if I will eventually get it. And since I usually knew what I wanted and acted as pilot half the time, Captain Morgan - he was a mentor, of sorts, to me, ever since I left Shipwreck Cove on the Wench - usually left it with me. So when I ended up with the Spanish, I still had it with me. But I had to send it away. I had to get back to the Wench, so I used Lucia's tear to call her and she came. I asked her to follow the Compass to a ship called the Wicked Wench and to give it to Captain Morgan. She did and Captain Morgan found me."

"Only for you to learn that Armando planned on sinking your ship and you ended up running away." James finished, remembering the story Jack had told him. "So you left behind your lover, who later on chased you all over until his passing."

"Aye, and that's not the end of it. I became a Pirate Lord a week after his death." Jack snorted, putting away his Compass. "Seems like such a hollow victory, mate."

"Not at all. It kind of honors him, don't you think?" When Jack blinked at him in confusion, Norrington chuckled. "Think about it. His ... demise was considered so great a success among pirates that you were declared a Pirate Lord. I would see that as the highest form of respect. The undoing of one man is the making of a Pirate Lord? Definitely an honor. It's acknowledgment."

"I never thought about it like that." Jack admitted and smiled thankfully up at him. He surprised the green eyes man when he leaned up and pressed a chaste kiss on the stunned ex Commodore's cheek. "Thank you, James."

"N-no problem," said male stuttered out around his blush, which only increased when Sparrow tugged him down so they were sitting next to each other and cuddled up against the taler, almost curling up around him.

It was not fair how quickly he fell asleep while Norrington was left alone to his thoughts, wondering why his cheek still tingled.