A/N: I'm now taking a break from this fic just while I smooth out some details for my plan going forward. I won't lie, it might be a lengthier break because I keep consistently hitting droughts as far as the future of this story is concerned, and I don't want to force it too much and have it turn out to be absolute shite.

Buuuut in the meantime I will still be updating my 423894 other fics, and you should totally check out the new smutty mini-series I've started of these two following on from the main story! It's called Wicked Game, it's only on AO3 for now (username over there is eriathiel) and it'll probably have around five chapters all in all :)

When morning came near, Hattie - who'd greeted her with wide, disbelieving eyes upon finding her, dishevelled and barely dressed, on James' sofa - was sent up to the mansion to inform the staff of what had happened, and have a carriage sent down to pick her up. Any insistence that she could walk had been flat-out ignored by the maid and the good captain both…and her legs did greet her with a distinct sort of shakiness when it came time to walk to the carriage.

Anyway, hoping for secrecy was daft.

While she would've been happy to never again discuss what had taken place that night – at least as far as the part that happened in the water was concerned – she'd been forced to concede James' point when he deemed it a necessity. If any had spotted them on that cliff, or her slipping into his house barely-dressed and unchaperoned afterwards, it would be a reputation ruiner for everybody involved. Theo didn't care about that, not as far as she herself was concerned, but she did know it would reflect badly on Elizabeth, Governor Swann, and James. Because that was what he'd asked her to call him now. James. It would take a bit of getting used to.

As dawn crept in, greeting them as they slipped into the carriage, Theo couldn't help but wonder if a change of heart wouldn't come with it. Decisions made, and confessions offered, in the dead of night after a life-or-death experience were bound to look different when cast in daylight. So, aided by her increasing numbness and exhaustion, she remained quiet throughout the journey – like one wrong word could have him awkwardly clearing his throat and finally requesting that she disregard anything he said in the heat of the moment, mere hours earlier.

It was irrational, sure, and it was probably even unfair. Norrington was careful, and did little without considering it first. He was far from the sort to kiss her and take it lightly. But was it any wonder that she was tired, confused, and doubtful after the run they'd had so far? Knowing that, in the movies at least, a good portion of his character revolved around a deep, meaningful love for one of her very close friends? A deficit of self-esteem was never a problem she'd really had, but it seemed…unreal that she could prompt such a change.

Even discarding what she'd seen of that fictional version of events, they had made a pretty big habit of taking one step forward followed by ten backwards, had they not? She'd never forgive herself if this was more of the same, and she failed to see it coming.

But he didn't retract anything. In fact, whenever she snuck a look at him, she found him always watching her in return, making far less of an effort than she did to do so covertly, and…was that worry on his face? Rather than fidget, or avoid looking at her, or appear as though he was doing his best to work up to a very awkward admission, he simply watched her, his brow furrowed in concern. That same concern shone through to his eyes, too, and she wondered if he'd caught wind of her thoughts…or if he thought she harboured regrets.

"Do you-"

"I-" she began at the same time.

It was a relief that he'd intended to speak too, though, because she had begun her sentence with no idea of how it was actually going to proceed. He'd saved her from a whole lot of awkward mumbling.

"Go on," she waved when he fell silent.

"I only meant to say that I should like to call on you today," he said, "after you've had time to rest, of course. That is…if you are amenable?"

The blush that rose to her face must've been blatantly obvious, even in the dim pale light of dawn, thanks to how pale her features still were. And she knew he caught it, the bastard, because of how he stifled a smile.

"I'd like that," she cleared her throat. "But you need to promise me you'll rest, too."

"You have my word," he said with a solemness that was broken only by that very dangerous fondness in his eyes.

The Governor and Elizabeth were both on the front grounds of the mansion, both dishevelled, the Governor's clothing askew as though he dressed in a hurry, and Elizabeth in a thick dressing gown to cover her nightdress – apparently having decided it would take far too long to dress properly so that she could greet them.

James disembarked the carriage first in order to gently help her out, a misshapen bundle of blankets and Doc Martens, toting a cloth sack that contained her still-wet clothing. The Governor looked carefully away, probably thanks to propriety, but it didn't matter much because Elizabeth was upon her in an instant, pulling her towards the mansion as James stepped aside to speak to her father. Theo allowed her to do so with little more than a murmur.

Elizabeth's horror, upon learning of the events that took place the previous night, lasted only as long as it took Theo to fill her in on what came afterwards. By which point she seemed pretty tempted to prematurely pioneer history's first shark-empowering activism group. Theo tried not to take it personally.

"I knew it!" Elizabeth declared as Theo ducked behind a screen in the corner to change into proper nightwear.

"You knew I'd almost been eaten by a shark and that he saved my life just in time to confess that he thinks I'm not actually terrible?"

"No, of course not," she scoffed in return. "But I knew something had happened. Oh Theo, the care with which he helped you out of that carriage. I'm surprised he didn't sweep you off your feet and carry you to bed himself."

"That'd be jumping the gun a bit."

"Joke all you like, that may not be too far off. He clearly means to court you! He can't even wait a full day to begin nudging the matter forward. Oh, I could kiss that shark, I really could."

When she emerged from behind the screen – mostly hoping Elizabeth wouldn't take note of the men's nightshirt now draped over the top of it – the damn tremor was back in her limbs. And while she didn't notice the discarded clothing, she did notice that. Immediately she frowned, dark eyes serious rather than gleeful.

"I didn't mean to make light of it," she said, an apology in her voice. "Are you-"

"I'm fine," Theo replied quickly. "Just…a long night. A complicated one."

One that left her with many dilemmas.

A few hours of sleep was followed by a visit from the local doctor – for the sake of her nerves rather than her physical wellbeing – and by midday, Theo was fully dressed and in the drawing room, albeit with her feet propped up on a footstool, and a blanket draped across her. As if they weren't in the Caribbean. She might've been more of a smartarse about it if her hands and feet hadn't still been absolutely freezing, a sign that her body was still in high-alert mode, even if the doctor had plied her with some concoction that eased her mind up a little.

Were it not for James' promised visit, she suspected she'd have been banned from rising and dressing at all. But since he had promised to visit, and Elizabeth's priorities were impossible to reshuffle, she found herself laced into a gown of cool blue, her hair in a low, curling bun at the nape of her neck so as not to tempt the headache that kept trying to break through ever since she'd awoken.

It appeared that, even during the few hours she slept, word had spread through the town regarding her ordeal, for the sitting room was utterly jam-packed with flowers. Most of them came with cards insisting that she should let the senders know the moment she was up to receiving visitors, so that they could check in on her in person. A thinly veiled request to hear the full story directly from her, really, but she did hope her ordeal might buy her five minutes of rest from the machinations of Amelia Simmonds and her gang of idiots…right up until they found out about the thawing between she and Port Royal's most eligible bachelor. Then they'd despise her more than ever.

When James did turn up, though, once again properly dressed with his wig and hat atop his head, Theo thought that the hatred would well be worth it. Especially considering that now, rather than watching her with distrust as he had in the beginning, or even just guardedness as he had thereafter, there was instead that heart-rendingly soft expression that would seem utterly impossible according to those who'd only seen him in his professional mode.

"I am going to check up on our tea and luncheon," Elizabeth announced before they'd even had a chance to take a breath after greetings were offered.

It wasn't improper – not in a house with this many servants. A footman still lingered in the corner of the very room, waiting to fulfil any request they might have. Of course, he could have very easily been sent to check up on how their tea and sandwiches were coming along, but that wouldn't achieve Elizabeth's ends, so Theo kept quiet on it. Mostly because she felt mortifyingly shy enough as it was, and while she could take a joke as well as the next person, she didn't want to sit through an hour of Elizabeth's help where this was concerned.

"How are you feeling?" he came to perch on the sofa beside her, leaving one cushion's worth of space between them.

"Restless," she admitted. "How are you?"

"I've faced worse," he said, with a sort of mild boastfulness that had her smiling.

"Just any other night for you then, was it?"

"I wouldn't say that," that softness was back again, his eyes flickering briefly towards her lips, and Theo blushed.

"The, er, prescribed method of recovery around here isn't my usual go-to," she explained.

"What is your preferred method?"

"Swimming," she had to stop and laugh at the look he gave her when she said that. "Don't worry, I'm not about to go bolting down to the beach when nobody's looking. It'll be a while before I get back in the water."

"What happened was a stroke of incredibly bad luck," he said, after thinking for a moment. "You should not allow it to keep you from what you enjoy."

Theo smiled, unable to help it, because that was…that was sweet, actually. Not just the sentiment, but the fact that he was making the effort to offer that reassurance – because it was clear that doing so was not yet entirely within the realms of his comfort zone. But they did need to get used to this…this new dynamic between them. It followed so quickly on from a bad argument, and forgiveness and trust that still felt fragile on both sides. She didn't think it was entirely unreasonable to worry that one wrong joke, one spell of teasing that went too far, would shatter it all.

Getting on well for a longer span of time wasn't something they'd yet mastered, was it? And there was more worry still on her side – because she wasn't stupid enough to think he'd forgotten that there were explanations as to her past that she had not yet offered. And now he knew that Elizabeth knew. While that could help, while it would hopefully reassure him that it was nothing too sinister – for she hadn't been turned out of the mansion – she also suspected it would only deepen his curiosity further.

And, if they really did manage to make it a week or two without arguing again, curiosity could swiftly turn to hurt that she would tell Elizabeth, but not him. All right, she hadn't told Elizabeth of her own volition, but he didn't know that.

"Hiking was always another go-to," she sighed. "'Til my legs felt fit to drop off. Again, though, I don't think that's very feasible here. Not today, at least."

"Would a turn about the gardens do as a substitute?"

"God, yes."

If she had to stay cooped up indoors all day, she'd go mad.

The day outside was gloriously sunny, but with a cool and soothing breeze that broke up the stifling heat and allowed her to really enjoy the brilliant blue cloudless sky, rather than wilting under the heat.

"Sorry, I'm a bit fuzzy," she wrinkled her nose as they walked. "The doctor insisted on giving me something for my nerves, and in hindsight I'm pretty sure it was an opiate."

Opioid use was one particular ride she thought to save for later in life, when things got really stale, but it had been foisted on her in her twenties, and she just felt a bit floaty and nauseous for her troubles.

"Did it work?"

"A little bit. But it's not the sort of thing I want to rely on. It's not like it won't all still be waiting for me when this stuff wears off – so it needs to be tackled head-on, instead. For efficiency's sake, if nothing else."

The smile he gave at that was strangely approving. She'd have to get used to his approval, then.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"I…look, I don't know how this courting thing works."

She didn't even know if it was some sort of glaring taboo to address it so directly here and now, but she hoped he'd at least appreciate her frankness. And, thank god, he didn't suddenly go pale or seem all that horrified at all. Mostly just surprised.

"You don't?" his eyebrows raised a little.

"Why the shock? Did you have me pegged as someone with a string of suitors littering the ground behind her?"

"Boasting all manner of mortal wounds, at that," he replied drily.

Theo grinned, and then she laughed, but she knew he was waiting for some sort of elaboration.

"Back home is…it's a different world. And that's an understatement. Nothing works the same way here as it does there. And even if it did, this sort of thing just…wasn't a priority. I never paid it much mind."

"So you've never been courted? None have made…overtures?"

"Not by English standards. Oh, don't look so shocked."

It wasn't even much of a lie. In the sense that he knew the word, she hadn't been. Nobody around here was inviting anybody for a McDonald's and a cheeky kiss at three in the morning after a night out. Unless that was the next step here, she really was ignorant as all hell as to how things would proceed.

"Of course I'm shocked," he huffed a laugh – but not a mean-spirited one. "You are…you are beautiful. And intelligent. Witty, too."

The compliments were delivered after a brief moment of awkward hesitation, but once he began he seemed to find it easier – which was exactly when Theo started finding it difficult, blushing and looking away. He wasn't happy to let that go uncommented on, either.

"…Even if you've a strange way of finding it easier to accept jokes about a hypothetical murderous past than compliments on your countenance."

Now she did look at him, arching an eyebrow and fighting a smile.

"Don't get too cocky. You're criminally handsome, your voice is unreal, and – stop me if this is going too far – you're an excellent swimmer in the face of shark infested waters."

When she'd made the joke warning him to stop her, a brief glimmer of alarm had played across his face, like he was expecting her to say something really out of pocket. So, instead, when she ended how she did, he rolled his eyes – fondly, though – before her earlier compliments seemed to register and he flushed just as she had.

"See? Now we're both blushing," she pointed out smugly.

He cleared his throat, but appeared content to let the matter lie there. Theo resisted the urge to draw up a scoreboard.

"You said not by English standards. Are Irish standards so different?" he asked.

"That difference can't be overstated," she muttered. "I'm just wondering…you're…I mean, the expectation isn't that…"

"Please, speak freely," he reassured – despite his own, very visible, discomfort.

"This isn't the sort of thing where there's a wedding planned for two weeks from now, is it?"

Things were different in this time. Back home, even acknowledging, factually speaking, that marriage was a thing that existed this early on would be a bad idea. But here, marriage, more often than not, was a business arrangement rather than a relationship in the sense of the word that she was familiar with. A few weeks to come to the conclusion that they could, in fact, spend more than an hour together without wanting to commit murder, and then it was off to popping out babies.

"I've no intention of rushing you," he answered, clearing his throat and suddenly finding his shoes very interesting. "Nor…nor this. The last few weeks have been regrettable. I think we both need time in which to find our footing before we worry about blazing ahead."

Theo nodded, relieved.

"And…" he paused, then pushed through his hesitation. "I did rather doubt that you'd wish to be married without your father present to witness it, or offer his permission. Given what I have heard of the bond you share with him. I expect he should need to be located first. And I assure you, if he does not surface in due course, I shall be happy to use whatever resources are at my disposal to seek him out-"

Maybe it was the medicine – and if it wasn't, she was still going to blame it anyway – but Theo found her vision very quickly blurring with tears, and his eye was far too keen to miss it.

"Making you weep was the very last thing I desired to do," he sighed softly.

"No, it's…" she paused, sniffed, and then shook her head as she wrapped her arms around herself. "They're not the worst kind of tears. It's just…that was sweet. Of you to say. Of you to think of."

"I cannot be the first to have done so, surely?"

"Elizabeth understands. How couldn't she? She and her father…"

"The ever-present aide-memoire must be challenging," he allowed.

"Sometimes. It's nice that she understands, though. I had friends back home who hated their parents. Never understood that me n' my dad were…well, we were friends."

"I see no reason for you to speak of such matters in the past tense," he said gently.

Didn't he? That was the problem, wasn't it. If anything, it was almost easier when she thought he hated her – or at least that he didn't return her feelings. This whole situation was a glaring example of how folk should be careful what they wished for, because she'd damn well gotten it and now she was left with a dilemma that was far more tricky than heartache.

Or maybe she could just think that because she no longer had to deal with that heartache. Not in the same way, at least.

Because what did this all mean? As far as returning home went? Whether he knew it or not, even by just walking with her about these gardens, James had changed the course of his life significantly. The one it was meant to take. Even if that course led somewhere that she now knew damn well she could never allow. Had she been able to take feelings out of the matter and look at the bare facts, it wouldn't be right to see him take such a leap of faith and then still plot to leave – then, adding feelings into the mix, it only made her more inclined to stay.

But staying meant…well, not going back. And that thought was a lot to contend with in general, never mind after the night she'd just had.

"To properly answer your question, courting is typically a matter of earning the approval of the family of the lady in question, as well as that of the lady herself. Which…makes our set of circumstances unique. For the time being. Although I cannot pretend that I'm not relieved that I have time to win back your regard before I have to do so with your father. I suspect the former would strongly impact the latter."

"You talk like you haven't already managed it."

In response to that, he watched her carefully.

"One good deed cannot undo all of the ill I have wrought thus far," he pointed out.

Theo pushed down her discomfort at how close those words came to the ones he was destined to say to Elizabeth on the Dutchman, shortly before his demise.

"You fumbled the ball a bit," she said. "You didn't try to murder me. I'm not going to exact a pound of flesh."

Although it was far easier to be all magnanimous about it now that they were through it. Judging by the rueful look he fixed her with, he was very aware of that.

"My dad's always been the sort where as long as I'm happy, he's happy, so you…you shouldn't worry. About that. I do hope, though, that all of this doesn't make life awkward for you."

"If you're referring to the opinions of Miss Simmonds and her pack of wolves, I care little for what they have to say on this matter – nor on any other, for that matter."

"Oh, not them. Sod them," she snorted. "But…the Swanns…Governor Swann, I mean – Elizabeth's practically been doing cartwheels all morning, but her father…I know how well the two of you get on. This won't make things awkward, will it? He wanted you and Elizabeth to- well, I don't want to be the evil lodger who came in and spoiled it all."

"I imagine he'd be more upset were Miss Swann at all upset by what has come to pass. And while I respect her greatly still, even the mightiest saint would not nudge one they hoped to marry towards another. Had she been devastated by these recent changes, the Governor would take a less favourable view on it, but given that it makes her just as happy as we now are, all will be well."

She didn't quite manage to keep the surprise from her face, and he caught it – offering a small, amused smile in turn.

"It's remarkable," he commented softly, "what one can see upon no longer hoping to see something different."

"And what are you hoping to see now, then?" she asked.

"More of you," he answered – apparently without thinking, for then he realised how it sounded and balked, a flush immediately rising to his face. "That is, er, I wish to visit with you more frequently, and see if…er…well- I mean, of course, I did not mean that-"

"You'll have to ask very, very nicely," she interrupted.

The joke was a gamble; not only because of the time period, but because of how tentative everything was between them. Usually Theo was all for gambles just like that, but in this instance she found herself watching his expression nervously…and breathing a heavy sigh of relief when, upon registering them properly, he faltered, and then he laughed. All right, it wasn't a stomach-grabbing, doubled over with tears in the eyes sort of laugh, but it broke the tension.

"We'll…get better at this," he said finally, shaking his head. "We'll find our footing, as we proceed. If, indeed, you wish to proceed. I've no wish to hold you to anything to said…or did…last night, in your shaken state."

His determination to make sure only to secure her agreement to this under the best circumstances possible only made her feel all the more guilty for all she kept from him. With images of home whirling throughout her mind, and visions of his opinion of her once again doing a complete u-turn if he knew where home really was for her, the most answer she could offer was a nod, and that nod was enough to have him smiling.

"I don't think we're doing too badly," she pointed out quietly.

"I suppose not, if we count today as a clean slate."

"Last night had its moments."

This time he didn't blush or fluster, only smiled a little as he bowed his head. "It did."

For a while, they were content to walk quietly, stealing glances here and there and then blushing when they caught the other doing the same thing. It was so disgustingly cute that Theo was tempted to hate herself for it.