Ah, he's hit a sore spot then, if Sparrow's feeble mutterings of "I know what I want" are anything to go by. More trying to convince himself than James, by the sound of it, and James can feel his lips curve into a smile. He shrugs at Sparrow's question.

'Fair trade,' he offers with a raise of an eyebrow, 'You saw what I want,' he nods at the compass, 'Seems only right that you do me the same favour in return. Or, if that's not reason enough for you... as first mate, I must confer with the captain before deciding on a heading. Or perhaps I'm simply curious.'

He smirks at Sparrow, feeling delightfully in control. 'I already know that it doesn't work; if it did, you would have a heading and you wouldn't have bothered me with it.'

James tips his head to one side then, gazing inquisitively at the other man. For one thing, he is dreadfully curious to see if the needle will point to James, as it pointed to Sparrow for him. That was more embarrassing than he'd care to admit, and for Sparrow to share his shame would assuage the sting of it somehwat. Furthermore, he really does want to know what is so vexing the other man, why he cannot decide where to go with his precious Pearl now he's gained it back, and why he seems to need James's help in doing so.