Chapter sixteen

Admiral James Norrington sat at his desk furiously reading the multiple letters and orders and such that had arrived from the office of Lord Cutler Beckett. Or better thought of as the bastard that is stealing his heart's content. If it weren't for him, he and Luna would be the ones engaged, preparing to set sail for his family's manor in England to wed, rather than some unsavory plantation in a colony beginning to show signs of unrest.

If it weren't for him, his love wouldn't be trapped in a stuffy mansion where she does not in fact, belong. No, if it were James she was engaged to, she'd be out sailing with her crew aboard the Gypsy Curse, where she felt at home like she had once confided in him. Perhaps even he'd be aboard the vessel as they chased the horizon.

When he really thought about it, he knew that even if Beckett didn't propose, he still wouldn't have her heart. Actually, he'd be quite lonely; chasing not horizons but the ghost of Elizabeth Swann that still manages to haunt his dreams.

You're still hung up on Elizabeth…

Her phrase continuously echoed through his thoughts causing him to lose sleep.

She was right of course. She was always right. He knew better to lie to her, especially after she'd been so truthful to him.

I wanted what he proposed. A normal life, a family. But now I can't! Thanks to you!

He winced at that memory as he cast aside the paper he'd been trying to read for the past hour and a half.

Groaning, he ran his hands over his face.

Why do I have to have such bad luck with women?

He never got the answer to his unspoken inquiry for there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," James voiced. Expecting even more requisitions from Lord Bastard, James sat up and attempted to look busy. To his great relief, behind the door stood his two best friends. "Phillip, Theo."

"I daresay, James, you look awful!" Gillette exclaims. "No wonder you've not come out of this office in a week."

"We haven't seen you this depressed looking since…" Groves stopped and frowned. His wordless Elizabeth broke your heart clearly understood. "Who was she?"

"I-I don't know what you mean," James says turning back to his work. With his friends to distract his thoughts, perhaps he could get some done.

Theodore sighed heavily and shut the door. "The woman who's damaged your heart, James."

"No one's damaged my heart."

"Save for Elizabeth," Phillip muttered under his breath looking to admire his shoe.

James looked pointedly at him. "What was that?"

Phillip looked up. "Hmm? Oh, nothing."

"James," Groves interjected, "we all know you're hurting. Is it by Missus Lucescu, by chance?"

Gillette had to snort at that one. "The sister? She hates him. There's no way it's her. Perhaps the woman from the ball all those weeks ago."

A glimpse of recognition flashed over his face.

Theo smiled. "We have a winner."

"It would seem so," Phillip addressed. "What was her name again, Admiral?"

"Lu-H-Henrietta Jensen," James answered.

The two lieutenants shared a look. Luna.

"What the hell are you thinking, James?" Groves nearly shouted. "Beckett's fiancée!?"

James ignored the two men's protest and simply continued to read. "I'd appreciate it if you would keep your noses out of my sex life."

"Who said anything about sex?" Phillip asked glancing over to Groves who replied with an "I certainly didn't."

"I'm your superior-"

"We didn't come as subordinates, James," Phillip cut off, "we came as concerned friends."

Theo nodded in agreement. "We hated to see what Miss Swann did to you. You were crushed and vengeful. But I wonder, were we really chasing Sparrow through that hurricane? Or was it someone else?"

"Get out."

A moment passed tacit between them.

"Get out!" James says more sharply.

With one last worried look at their friend, they turned around and left the depressing office, nearly running into the mistress on the way.

Groves bowed. "Missus Church."

Gillette followed. "I wouldn't go in there if I were you. He's a bit…off."

Luna smiled angrily, having heard the last bit about her. "Any idea as to why?"

"Not at all ma'am," Groves said as the scattered around her.

Dropping the faux smile, she walked into the office.

"If you two don't leave me alone-"

"James," Luna breathed.

His head snapped up and his deep green eyes found her silvery blues. The room was deathly silent save for the audible click of the door gently shutting.

"I've come to ap-"

"Luna, I-"

They frowned at each other, the ungainliness between them palpable.

"You go first," they said together.

Another brief silent moment passed and James smiled. "Ladies first."

"James, I'm sorry for yelling at you. I was just confused. I haven't felt like this is a long time, and It scares me. You were acting like Jack and…" she sighed "…Nobody has ever treated me the way you have. Then you started acting like Jack, and I thought that the curse… I realize now I was just being stupid."

His smiled had dropped and his face stayed emotionless. "Do you compare everything to him?"

She shook her head. "No. I hardly ever think about him to tell you truth."

He sighed and stood from his seat, coming over in front of Luna. "Why are you here?"

She stared at him. Didn't she just apologize? "I wanted to-"

"That's not what I meant, Lu. Why are you at the fort to begin with?"

Her plump pink lips formed an "o". "Um… Beckett's finally contracted pneumonia. He thinks I'm here consulting my mother on how to treat him. Of course living in Romania for the foremost part of my life, with the icy cold winters, I contracted pneumonia on more than one occasion."

He chuckled. "Figures."

Luna smiled sheepishly at the tall man in front of her, her silvery blue eyes betraying her fear. "Will you forgive me?"

James sighed heavily and without gracing her with a passing glance, he pulled her close. "Always."

A/N: Aww... So sweet. So this month is National Novel Writing Month! Any one else participating?

Anyway so sorry this is so late but it's here I've been busy with this project for my creative writing class...

Fave, review, and alert!

Blessed be,
Lyra Raine Sparrow