Disclaimer: I am innocent of whatever I am being accused of.

By the Hand of Jack Sparrow

Temptation

I awoke the next morning on Jack's shoulder, his arm around me. I lifted my head to check his wound. It hadn't bled at all during the night. I felt a sense of relief.

I sighed and rested my head on Jack's shoulder again. Not so good was the full-blown hangover I felt. I looked at my hand, still stained with Jack's blood. It was resting on his chest, rising and falling as he breathed. It reminded me of the Pearl, gently rising and falling as she rode the waves.

A dozen other thoughts swiftly went through my mind as I realized I needed to get up and start the day. I sat up and began to get off the bed, when Jack suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"I thought you were still sleeping," I said softly to him.

"Don't go, Eve. Linger a bit longer with me," he said, still gripping my wrist.

I settled back down and Jack began softly stroking my hair. The Pearl creaked every now and then. I felt safe, warm, and content. And I wanted to stay right there forever. So much had happened so quickly. My old life seemed like a distant memory.

"Why did you ask me about Elizabeth?" Jack's voice broke my spell of contentment.

"You looked like you were starting to fade, Jack. I knew if I could get you angry, you'd have enough strength to make it back to the Pearl," I explained, "I'm sorry it brought up painful memories."

"No worries, luv," he dismissed, "What's done is done, savvy."

"Do you still love her?" I boldly asked.

His body tensed for a moment. "Honestly, I don't really feel anything for her."

Just then, Gibbs entered the room, carrying a tray of food. "Mornin' Cap'n, Miss Eve. How're ye feeling?"

"I'm fine, Gibbs, and you really need to remember to knock before entering my cabin," Jack reminded the man.

"My apologies, Cap'n…Miss," Gibbs said as he started to leave.

"Wait, Mr. Gibbs!" I called out, leaving the bed and rushing toward him.

"Miss?" he paused in the doorway.

"I need someone to go into town, find an herbalist or apothecary." I grabbed a piece of paper from the table and hastily wrote on it, then handed it to Gibbs. "I need some dried willow bark. It'll help Jack's wound heal."

"Aye, Miss, I'll have that taken care of," he said, leaving the cabin.

I carried the tray over to Jack so he could eat breakfast.

He took a bite of biscuit, then asked me, "How's tree bark supposed to help my wound heal?"

"Willow bark contains salicylic acid, which is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug. It helps relieve pain, inflammation, and fever," I explained.

"Where'd you learn that?" he queried, munching on his biscuit.

"Chemistry class, and I studied herbalism for a while," I said, pausing, "I probably shouldn't have mentioned that. That's the kind of thing that could get a girl burned at the stake these days."

"Hmm, not so innocent after all, are you?" Jack said smiling, "Your secrets safe with me, my little witch."

"I don't believe I ever claimed innocence to you regarding anything, Captain," I corrected, " Now, sit up, I'd like to take a look at my handiwork."

He smirked at me as he sat up, saying, "Is that all you'd like to look at?"

I looked up at him and my stomach flip-flopped. That wicked grin and teasing look in his eyes…My knees felt weak and my thoughts became a tangled jumble of lust and panic. How does he manage to unnerve me so? I'd been attracted to some very handsome men before, and they'd never caused me to lose my cool. I was always perfectly poised and in control, always with a witty comeback at the ready. The best I could come up with was to quote a line from one of my favorite movies.

"All in good time, my pretty," I said as I began to unwrap the gauze.

"Ah, so you do think I'm handsome," he persisted, "and irresistible."

I was unable to look at him, silently wishing he would just shut up. No such luck, though.

"You have the most charming blush, my dear," he continued teasing, "It's really quite fetching."

"I am not blushing, Jack," I said, annoyed and praying that I truly wasn't blushing.

"Not on your face, you're not, luv, but here…" he said, touching my neck with his hand. He let his fingertips drift along my skin, down toward the neckline of my shirt. I looked up at him. He wasn't smirking any more. He looked quite serious. Flip-flop went those blasted butterflies in my tummy. Oh god.

I hurriedly finished unwrapping the gauze, hoping he didn't see my hands trembling. The wound looked great. Sutures intact and only minimal redness and swelling. I gently touched. Jack winced.

"I'm sorry," I continued focusing on his wound and not the conversation. "The cut did penetrate the muscle, so you're probably going to be sore for a"

"Look at me, Eve," Jack interrupted.

"No," I said, still too flustered.

"Why not?" he asked, sounding truly hurt.

"Because you scare me," I said, not knowing why I said it.

"I do not!" Jack retorted.

"You're right, Jack…because I scare me," I confessed, looking into his bewildered eyes only for a second. I felt overwhelmed. "I have to go," I said, getting up to bolt from the cabin.

Jack grabbed my wrist and I froze. His grip was strong, and it made me feel very small.

"Please…Jack," I begged. I felt his fingers open instantly. Without looking back, I grabbed a bottle of rum and left the cabin.

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What did I do wrong? She's obviously attracted to me. And flirting with her is so much fun. What happened?

She was usually so receptive to his touch and suggestive remarks. He smiled as he thought of her all goosebumpy. He didn't think she was a virgin. Could that be it? No, it was something else.

He looked at his carefully stitched up wound. He wondered if it would even scar at all. She had been so careful and gentle with him. No woman had ever treated him with such tenderness, except his mum. No, most women simply wanted him, with boldness and lack of pretense.

I have to go to her, he thought. And this silly little scratch won't stop me.

He sat up from the bed and put his boots on. Walking to one of the cabinets, he took out a clean shirt and pulled it over his head. As he moved, he could feel the lingering soreness from his wound. He took a big swig of rum from the remaining bottle on the table, then headed off to find her.

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I went to the deck and stood, gazing out toward the open sea. I took a big sip of rum, hoping it would calm my nerves.

What the hell is wrong with me? For some reason I thought of Dean, my ex-boyfriend. (Not the one I left behind, the one before him). He was very much like Jack. A drinker, a womanizer, and irresistible. It was never like this with him. I was always at ease with him, trading dares, challenges, and provocative innuendoes…Dean was all fun and games…I never cared about him. Can that be it? I actually care about Jack? Or is it just because he's the only one I have? I do like him and he is so, as he said, irresistible. Damn him!

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"She keeps secrets well, luv," Jack said as he slowly walked up to stand beside me, "Knows all of mine," he said as he gazed out at the sea.

"You shouldn't be out of bed, Jack," I scolded softly.

"It's not any fun there without you, my dear," he put his hand on mine. He was facing the water, but glancing sideways at me.

"You're supposed to be healing, Jack, not having fun," I chastised.

"Can't help that, luv," he said sheepishly.

"Your idea of fun is…inappropriate," I told him.

"It's perfectly appropriate for me, and if you weren't so preoccupied with this silly little scratch of mine, I guarantee it'd be 'appropriate' for you too," he said, a smile just starting to curl at the edges of his lips. He was still glancing sideways at me.

I could feel my lips quiver as I tried not to smile. I quickly took a sip of rum.

Jack moved behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Come on, luv, be a sport. Don't be so serious and fretful. Loosen up. You're usually so much fun," he cajoled.

"How am I fun?" I asked him.

"Well, this was rather fun," he said, breathing into my ear.

Goosebumps! God, I hate him!

Jack ran his fingers over my arms, which I instinctively wrapped around myself. He laughed quietly.

"You enjoy torturing me, Jack," I accused.

"I only torture you a little," he teased, holding me closer. Then he added, "And I know you'd stop me, if you didn't enjoy it too." He paused, while I was speechless. "So, come on, darlin', plaaay with old Jack," he slowly drawled.

I turned to face him. He looked down at me with the most scandalous twinkle in his eyes and that evil, teasing smirk. He caressed his hand over my cheek, slowly past my neck, and around to weave his long fingers through my hair.

"You don't play fair," I whispered, just before I felt his lips brush against mine.

He chuckled as he pulled me closer, "Neither do you," he whispered. And his lips brushed against mine, teasingly. I took his lower lip between my teeth gently. Jack responded , immediately deepening into a kiss. I could feel all the tension leave my body as I relaxed and surrendered to every sensation he chose for me to feel. His warm tongue entering my mouth searchingly. My own tongue responding to his challenge. His fingers tightening in my hair.

I snaked my hands under his untucked shirt, and just barely touched my fingertips to his chest. His body quivered and he gasped.

I instantly withdrew my hands, and pulled away. I looked up at him. He was smiling.

"You didn't hurt me, luv," he said quietly, "Just startled me a little. Wasn't quite expecting that."

Over Jack's shoulder, I saw Gibbs returning from the herbalist. "You wanted to play, Jack," I smiled as wickedly as I could and slid past him, maintaining full bodily contact as I did.

"Mr. Gibbs," I said, smiling, "you have the willow bark?"

"Aye, lass…Why is Jack up?" Gibbs asked, puzzled.

"Oh, he needed a little air. Could you make sure he goes back to bed, please, Mr. Gibbs?" I asked, smiling at Jack.

Jack looked dumbfounded.

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A/N: This was a fun one! Hope you enjoyed reading it, as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for all the kind reviews! More drama to come…