Title: Send Me An Angel [ 2/2 ]
Rating: G ... PG? Possible.
Pairing: James Norrington [ Scruffington ] / OC [ Odette Beaumont ]
Warnings: Really lame ending. D:< I don't know any better, dammit.
Summary: No where else to go, but Tortuga. Not exactly the place where he should be going after all - he was once a man who comdemned men like the ones walking the streets of Tortuga. Now he was a wanted man - now on the other side of the tracks. Then again, every cloud has a silver lining.
Notes: Second half of the first one. C: This ones a bit more ... lovey? A bit skippy too. But yes, I hope you enjoyed it. Because now I have a newfound love for writing as Norrikins.
- Having retired to the room Odette had offered him, James did nothing but toss and turn for a good hour or so. He regreted more than anything having pryed too far into the girl's life. He had just met her for christ's sake. Not to mention he didn't feel like sleeping. Sleeping only meant waking up to a hangover and possibly even forgetting everything that happened.
It was common, but he didn't want to make a habit out of it. Not now anyways.
"James? Are you awake?" A soft whisper hardly even heard over the small tapping knuckles made to the door of his room.
Propping himself up on his elbows, Norrington looked at the door for a moment before he sat up.
"Yes, I'm awake Miss Beaumont." In return.
Draping his legs over the edge of the bed as Odette pushed open the door and came in, he grew that knot once more in his stomach.
"I'm sorry. You don't have to be. It's just ... so many men wind up in the shoes that you're in now. I can't ... let it happen. Not to you."
Not bothering to question her more, James had a hunch that she would go on with what she was saying. It was clear that there had to be more behind the words she had just said now.
Then again, what made him so special?
"Promise not to ... flip your lid, but I've been watching you." She cringed, expecting something in his defense, but she was met with still silence still.
Good or bad. Who knew.
"I do believe I first saw you down at Turtle Peak Pub. I was there, purchasing some things from the owner ... and in you came, carrying a bottle of rum. You ... didn't look the type to be drinking it. I stayed a while longer, watched. You downed seven bottles - not exactly healthy."
He blinked, trying to recall this event - no good. She was right, it wasn't healthy if one had no recollection of previous events after downing so much rum.
"Then I tested my luck every so often and went out, see if I could find you again. You had the same habit of drinking too much and being thrown out. I ... now just decided to do something about it. For your own good, and mine since I wasn't able to stop my dad."
"It wasn't your fault your father turned out the way he is now, Miss Beaumont. You were just a child and you didn't know what was fully going on. Don't take the blame. And, there's no need to have me a burden on your shoulders." Sending her a smile that he wasn't sure could be seen in the dark of the room, he stood up, the floor board beneath him giving a creak.
There was another creak and a small bump against his body.
Awkward ... the knot was getting tighter.
"I can't promise that, though you are right. I'm going to help you. Whether you like it or not." A childish laugh and another creak of the floorboard and Odette's form left out through the open door.
On second thought ... help sounded like a good idea.
---
Days, turned into weeks. Weeks, turned into months. And during the time, James had a few chances of meeting Mr. Beaumont - accidentally of course. The man did have the once-noble look to him. Sharp features hidden by scruff and dark eyes looking to have many a story behind them. The man was fairly tall as well and just a few graying hairs were visible.
It was a little comical as to how Odette was more of the parent in the situation, but still, Odette and Mr. Beaumount had that father-daughter love.
"Your father isn't that bad, Odette."
"James, you have no idea. You've just seen him on good days."
The conversation stirred while both were busy out in the back of the Banshee. Winter was just around the corner and firewood would be needed. James was cutting as Odette busied herself with placing the wood correctly on the chopping block.
The two often worked with each other and where one was seen, the other was in the relative area.
James was thankful for Odette, as possesive as it sounded. She was keeping her word at helping. Aside from the small drinks for small celebrations, he had been, for the most part, sober. He was certainly more well kept as well. His mess of dark brown hair combed and drawn back in a tie and his facial hair well trimmed - more presentable all together.
"All right, you have that seeing as how I've only seen the man only five times."
Odette felling onto her backside, sitting faded grass that would soon make her itch. She was taking a break and she assumed James would do the same.
"Exactly."
Looking down at her as she picked at dead blades of grass, James smiled, axe hung over his shoulder. Once again he found himself staring into the mirror eyes of hers. He still saw them as his own, just more alive - more spirit.
It wasn't until she was looking back at him, a questionable brow quirked, that he realized he was staring. Laughing, he said an apology, setting the axe down by the cutting block and coming over to sit beside her.
To his ... surprise, it wasn't much of a surprise when Odette reached over into his lap and grabbed his hand, lacing her fingers with his.
He had grown accustomed to such actions by now.
There had been casual bumps against each other, the way she looked at him from across the room ( and the way he would return said look ), and even the snide remarks she made that left him oh-so-curious.
She was different. Different from most women her age - more mature but still able to have that teenaged crush for someone.
It wasn't set in stone with the two, of course. Just good friends.
Sending her hand a light squeeze, James looked down into his lap, his thoughts trying to figure out just what to say. There were so many things, but he just wanted one.
Odette had managed to do the impossible even if a little more work was still needed. She could do it, without a doubt in his mind, he was positive she'd be able to.
It was for him, after all.
"No words are needed, James. I'm fine with how things are now." She started, side-glancing at him as she leaned against his frame - molding perfectly at his side. "Just don't make me regret anything. Use your heart, not your head. Don't act on impulse, thing things through. Be a good man overall. That's what will make me happy for as long as I live. Pathetic I know, don't you dare laugh."
But he did laugh, a good hearted laugh that meant no insult towards her, though she still jabbed him in the side with her elbow.
"I told you not to laugh, didn't I? Gosh. I'm just eighteen - a hopeless romantic."
While she chattered on, James looked down before them, seeing the shadow they both cast. As rude as it was, he was ignoring her words for the most part, watching their shadows. He could have just been mad, but Odette had another faint shadow around her that even draped over him.
Wings.
Closing his eyes, they reopened just to see the faint shadow gone - just the two of them side-by-side.
the end
