Bootstrap had once told him, "You should be Magpie instead of Sparrow, with the way you're drawn to shiny things."

"Can't help it, mate," he'd replied with a charming grin and a roguish wink for his friend. "They're just so... shiny."

Pockets were dangerous for him, too, winking at him with their buttons. Taunting him, more like. The pockets on Navy coats were even more dangerous, with the combination of shiny gold brocade and winking buttons. It was too much temptation, to be honest, leading to his present situation: wrist caught in a strong grip, piercing green eyes boring into his. "Sparrow. I might have known you wouldn't be above picking pockets."

"How can a man resist when they're so inviting?" Jack offered, fluttering the fingers of his free hand expressively.

Norrington narrowed his eyes. "Quite easily, if the man were so inclined."

"You keep forgetting, luv," he gestured to the brand on his arm. "Pirate."

The commodore shook his head. "That's no excuse."

"If I see an opportune moment, I'll take it, darlin'." Smirking, he slid his free hand into another pocket, the one with his actual goal.

"Sparrow, get your hand out of my pocket, now." Norrington ordered, his voice breathy.

Contrarily, Jack pushed his hand further into James' pocket, his nimble fingers just grazing warm flesh through the material. "What's that you got there, luv? Happy to see me?"

"No." Gritting his teeth, the taller man grabbed the shorter man's wrist and pulled his hand out of the pocket. "Just get back to your ship and I won't have to arrest you."

He pouted, looking up at James through his eyelashes. "Ye're sendin' me back to me ship all on me onesies?"

"Yes." Green eyes flashed briefly as they met brown, adding to the one word: For now.

Shrugging, the pirate turned to leave. "Suit yerself."

"That's the plan, yes." The commodore remained where he was.

Jack turned his head to call over his shoulder, "Don't know what ye're missin', darlin'."

"I'll survive," James retorted, still standing where Jack had left him.

Turning back, the shorter man ran at the taller man and jumped into his arms, landing a sound kiss on the startled commodore's lips. Before he could respond, the pirate had jumped down and disappeared into the shadows. He would pay for that later when James would join him in his cabin, but Jack felt it would be well worth it. Our paths need to cross more often...