Obeying orders, Kate was seated in Jack's cabin, waiting for him to speak with her. He had given her a jacket with which to cover herself, and she held a bandage against her bloodied elbow. She was a wreck; her clothes were torn, her head ached, her hair was tangled about her shoulders, and her body was slowly crashing after a rush of endorphins. Jack had stepped away momentarily to dress himself, and to light the candles around the cabin. She was left peering out the large windows, wondering when the sun would rise. Would it ever?

"Has the bleeding ebbed?" Jack called from his sleeping area.

"Not quite," she replied, dabbing at the open cut in the candle light.

He emerged then, a metal cup in one hand, and his log book in the other.

"Tea?" he asked, while setting the book on his desk.

"No, thank you," she murmured.

"It kills the taste of this rancid water," he commented, setting the cup down as well. Then he fully looked at her, the first time he had done so since he had called her into his cabin. "Are you alright?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"Larsson, please tell me he didn't…"

"No, he did not take what he wanted."

"Well, thank the stars for that, I had me mind made up to keelhaul the man if he had been successful. I may be a godless pirate, but for some reason or another I cannot fully do away with my conscience, and what that man attempted to do- what is that?" he asked, stepping closer and pushing her hair aside. "Are these teeth marks?"

Sam had bitten her, and she had completely forgotten. Pain radiated from the site, and she wished Jack had not pointed it out.

She nodded her head, and Jack, slack jawed, stepped back.

"I'm sorry," he said, leaning against his desk.

"It's not your fault," Kate replied indifferently.

"Oh, but it is," Jack muttered under his breath, running his hands down his face. "Are you in need of anything? Shall I call for Greenfield? You must be hungry, you must eat something."

"I'm fine, thank you."

Kate could see that her captain had no clue how to handle what had just been done to her. He was a pirate, his kind of men were not known for stopping the violation of women. Kate was sure they welcomed it, as was apparent by Sam's earlier comments.

"Alright then."

"Thank you for asking."

"Yeah. Eh, the man will be punished rightly, don't you fret. I'll leave him on an island with his thoughts and a pistol, hopefully he will do us a favor and dole out his own penalty. I need you to tell me everything that happened."

Kate turned her gaze away from her captain, and again focused on her wound. "He was on deck when I stepped down from the crow's nest; he told me that you had ordered him to man the helm for watch. I honestly did not think much of it, but then he had me pinned against the railing, and I was told to not to speak. I was scared. I attempted to plead with him, but he struck me."

"He hit you?"

"Yes. It knocked me off my feet. After that it all transpired rather quickly. He managed to...expose me. I had decided to let him do what he wished, then it would be over, b-"

"But you overpowered him," Jack interrupted.

"Yes."

"You defeated that sorry excuse of a man."

"Yes, sir, I did."

Jack pushed away from his desk and walked around to his side, but he did not sit. He placed his hands on the back of his chair and leaned forward, staring at Kate. She felt as if she were about to be interrogated, and her defenses came at the ready.

"Bloody good. That's admirable, love. It seems you're not the delicate young woman I believed you to be. However, I'm having a problematic time understanding how someone of your stature had the strength to get that hulking man on the business end of a dagger? Most of my men would have been put to the test had they had to do the same as you. How were you able to do it? What are you hiding from me?"

"I don't-"

"Katherine," he started with a deep breath, "if you want my help, you must stop lying to me."

Shocked, Kate sat up, paying no mind to her bleeding elbow any longer. "What do you mean by that? I haven't lied to you."

"Come now, do you believe me to be witless? Do you think that I am not aware that some rather strange happenstances have befallen you as of late?"

"Why don't you say what you mean, Captain? I apologize, but I'm not following just what you are accusing me of. I was the victim in this situation."

"Your fainting episodes, your strange behavior, tackling a rather large man who was hell-bent on using your body for his own pleasure...you have not been forthcoming with me about what has really been transpiring," Jack claimed. His face was soft, he wasn't angry or frustrated, he only waited for Kate's response.

"Do you care, or are you just concerned about me not being entirely truthful? I don't owe you an explanation," she said, brushing her hair away from her shoulders, and attempting to stare him down, but she knew she had no power over him.

"Will you trust me, please? I'm trying to help you, Katherine."

"Stop! Stop calling me by that name! Why should I trust you? I know almost nothing about you, and you know nothing about me! You haven't given me a chance, from the moment I stepped foot on this ship. You've given me no reason to trust you, Captain Sparrow, and you've made it perfectly clear that you do not trust me!"

Jack was quiet, and Kate closed her eyes against her growing headache. She was bold, she knew that yelling at her captain was not wise, but she knew that after what just happened, she didn't much care what was wise or what was not. But, she knew she was out of line. She had to comply with her social norms.

"I apologize."

"No, that's a fair assessment, Larsson," Jack replied. "I understand that I have been unyielding, and I have my reasons for being so. That being said, I feel marginally responsible for the attack that befell you today. I didn't want this, I wanted the exact opposite of being responsible for you, but I must own up to the fact that I knew Sam was planning something devious. I was just not aware that it was going to be against you."

Kate stared back, curbing her anger. "What are you saying?"

He stood up straight, and took a sip of the tea that he had offered her before. He seemed contemplative, and looked past her at something unknown. She felt a pang of empathy for him, but was unaware of just where it had come from. The sky was beginning to brighten now, the edges of morning peaking over the ocean.

"Captain?"

"I have not been entirely truthful with you either, Larsson. I suppose we are both guilty of mismanaging our intentions."

"You've known my intentions from the beginning; to find Benjamin, and learn about my parents. What are your intentions, sir?"

They gazed at one another then, both of them endeavoring to figure the other out. Kate could find no glimpse of truth behind his dark brown eyes, nor did the kohl beneath them reflect an image back, so she looked away before Jack did.

"Do you wish to hear the truth, or would you rather we continue to pretend as if we don't need aid from each other?" Jack asked with animated hands. "I'm prepared to speak with you, full disclosure, if you are willing to do the same. I owe you that after today, and believe me, I do not make a habit out of owing others. I respect the measures you took to protect yourself, no matter how it came about. Color me impressed, love."

Kate had to replay what her captain had said, because she was sure he had just praised her. It sounded sweet and set everything ablaze inside her. She didn't know how badly she wished to make him proud, and she had been so sure that she hadn't cared. She knew that if she didn't tell him the truth, it would only make things worse. She sat back, defeated, and sighed deeply. He was on her side with the entire ordeal, she may as well be gracious that he hadn't thrown her in the brig along with Sam. He was offering her a chance to learn more about him, and perhaps doing away with the tension that existed between them.

"You will answer any existing questions that I have? You will be entirely forthcoming?"

"Aye," he answered simply.

"Then I shall return the favor."

"It sounds as if we have come to an accord. Now, prudence is a must. Where shall we start, your lies or mine?" Jack posed, leaning back and clasping his hands together.

A bit of daylight poured into the quarters now, but the candles that were scattered about remained lit. Jack didn't seem to notice, as the dawning day was behind him, but it rose before Kate's eyes, and warmed her momentarily.

"Ladies first," Jack murmured, inspecting the dirt under his fingernails.

"You're the captain, logic would dictate that the person with more power in a room would speak first."

A small, involuntary smile found it's way across Jack's face, and he threw his hands up.

"Fair enough, love, but what I must say is a bit of a tale. Are you fit to stay put for a bit?"

Kate nodded her head, and wrapped the borrowed jacket tighter around her shoulders.

"Right," Jack nodded back. "Let me begin by saying that upon our first meeting, I did not give you all the details over this voyage, of Mr. Garner, and even your parents. I could not put my trust into a young girl I just met, not to mention that my crew is not privy to the details I am about to lay before you. I now believe that whatever is ailing you will be of great help to the both of us, but I will explain that in due time. I believe it best to start with the man I am currently searching for: Thomas Thornton."

Kate perked up, and leaned closer to the desk so as not to miss a word Jack was about to say.

"It is an obscure fact that I am not the only child of Captain Edward Teague. I have a sister, fifteen years my senior, named Laurel. Five years ago we came to the aid of our father who had fallen deathly ill. She, being the golden and favorite child of my father, decided to bring the man she hoped to marry to meet our da before he passed on. This man's name was Thomas Thornton. The two of them were positively infatuated with one another. It was nauseating. I was none too keen; I did not like the man from the moment I met him. Thornton had a look in his eyes at all times, far back where not many could see, unless they were familiar with deceitful and traitorous men. I knew both sorts of men quite well."

"My father, God bless his slimy black soul, gave his blessings for the couple before he died, but it never sat right with me, and Laurel knew it. My father not only handed over his youngest to an unworthy man, but he whispered to me, in the dark of the night, a secret that he had planned to take to his grave. Somewhere, there exists a large and wondrous portion of treasure left over from his rambunctious pirating days. One that had been set aside for himself and your mother should they ever decide to run off, one that was hidden from Garner and your father. He relayed to me that you and Garner were the last living persons with knowledge of the cave. I failed to mention to you that after the carnage at the cavern, my father, in a fury, tracked down each and every member who had plotted against him, and slit their throats. That left you and his mate. My da kept his word, and died without ever telling another soul about the location."

"I, however, made a grave mistake. Just as your father became drunk and sparked a mutiny of sorts, I became violently drunk and vomited information that was not designated for anyone other than myself. Laurel and Thomas learned about my father's treasure that night, and I thought nothing of it. I do not recall a hefty section of that evening- it's a black mass of lost memory, in which I'm not entirely sure what I said. I do know, however, that the next morning, Thornton was nowhere to be found. He had left Shipwreck Cove and his devastated bride-to-be, in search of the massive fortune that I had spoken of. He never loved her, he was only in pursuance of his next target. I knew he would never be successful in his search, but he had ruined my sister. I held back my thoughts on the man in order to keep her sane, but I knew in the end what manner of man Thornton is."

Sitting on the edge of her seat, Kate tried to keep the timeline and motives straight.

"So, you are trying to track Thornton down before he finds the remainder of your father's wealth?"

Jack reached for his tea once again, and finished in a quick gulp He turned his head over his shoulder to see the sun, which had risen higher now.

"Yes, and no," he answered, still turned from her. "A day after Thornton fled, I awoke to find Laurel missing. She had slipped away while I slept, stolen a ship, and sailed off in search of her fiance. I was not concerned with Thornton finding the cave at first, but Laurel made off with a compass which belonged to me. That compass would lead Laurel directly to the cave and to Thornton. What I'm searching for, Larsson, is the sister that I have not seen or heard word from in five long years. I'm tracking Thornton, because there is a significant chance that they are either together or he knows where she is. I also plan on gutting him for lying to her."

Jack's back was still to Kate, and she knew that the subject was a serious one, because he would not face her.

"Why could you not tell me all this from the beginning?"

He turned back, clearing his throat as he did.

"When I saw you on this ship and learned who you were, I felt as if I had a real and tangible chance at finding Laurel. Every solitary place I have turned has been met with a trail of blood and missing people. Thornton clearly killed Garner after attempting to get information from him. Whether he obtained it or not is a mystery. There has been absolutely no trace of my sister- it's as if she never existed. I learned rather quickly that you were going to be no help to me. You can't even remember who you are, let alone where some rumored cave is. I was furious. The only two remaining people who could help me were a murdered man, and a memory impaired young woman. This why I was less than thrilled to have you on my ship- you have been more harmful than helpful. Laurel is in no way the same person that I am. She never wished to be at sea- she is cautious, and quiet, and pensive. She has no business wandering around the world for a man as terrible as Thornton."

"You resented my presence because your hopes for me had been so high," Kate whispered, now understanding her captain's treatment of her.

"I'm not defending the way I have behaved, but after five bloody years, I'm well on my way to becoming exhausted of having doors slammed in my face. Literally and metaphorically."

Kate let silence fester between them for a moment,allowing Jack some room after his confession. It lasted for a minute or two, just the sound of the Pearl groaning under the weight of the proclamation Kate still had to make.

"Would you like me to take my turn now?" she inquired, awkwardly breaking the silence.

"Oh, no, I'm not quite finished yet," Jack returned, standing and stretching a bit.

"What else is there?"

"Well," he mumbled as he rolled his shoulders back,"There is the issue of the attack on your honor and various parts of your body."

"Right, you insinuated it was your fault."

"Partly. You see, I've had me eye on Samuel for a long while. I've suspected him of plotting a mutiny for several months, but I had yet to procure proof. So, I turned to Anamaria, a woman I happen to trust more than I should. I asked her to wiggle her way in with Sam, to see if she could wrestle information from him. She brought me bits here and there, murmurings against my character, but never any plans."

Jack returned to his seat, and leaned forward, staring at her intently.

"She did, however, let me know that he seemed disturbingly obsessed with you and your existence as a whole. I thought he was a sailor in heat, a man who had been too long without a good woman. You are a beautiful addition to the crew, and it was understandable that Sam would find himself attracted to you. But, it was more serious than an attraction to an alluring young woman. This morning, I find you with a weapon to his throat. I should have taken the warning signs seriously, but I haven't been your biggest fan as of late. I greatly apologize for that."

Kate was struggling with whether or not anger was warranted. So much had been kept from her, and her treatment had been less than accommodating. Nearly two months carrying a weight from her captain that was not directly her fault felt egregiously unfair. Now, she knew her attack could have been avoided. She also knew there was a possible treasure somewhere that rightly belonged to her, or at least half of it. The latter didn't make a difference to her, only the fact that it had not been shared with her.

"I can see the anger in your eyes," Jack whispered, "rightfully so."

"I could lie and say that I not upset, but lying has already caused a mess. Seeking you out was a mistake."

"You can't leave, I need your help," Jack stressed.

"How can I be of any help to you? You said yourself that I'm memory impaired," she spoke, spitting the last phrase as if it were a vile word.

"You were, but I believe that pesky little problem is changing. Now, it's your turn to tell me your truth."

"I don't believe I'm ready to do that. I'm still recovering from what you've confided. That cave full of wealth is just as much mine as it is yours, is it not? It was for my mother and your father."

"My father claimed it was for them both, but I knew that man well, and he would have made off with it all had your mother not been cut down. He had three or four other women elsewhere, and he was in no way loyal to your mum. I am by no means being disrespectful, but your mother was disposable to my father. Everyone was."

"Be that as it may Captain, you kept that from me. It is information that belongs to me, and you deliberately chose to keep it from me."

"Well, now we're back to square one, because you've been lying right to my face when you've been asked what has been taking place. I see exhausted men day in and day out, and not one of them have fainted, several times, in my presence. I don't buy into the belief that it is your femininity at play, because I watched as you launched yourself into a storm and helped to keep this vessel afloat. So, are you going to vilify me for keeping certain aspects of this journey from you, or are you going to accept it and more forward to a place where we can be mutually beneficial to one another?" he implored, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms over his chest.

"I need some air," Kate whispered, as she held the jacket over her chest, and stood to leave.

"Larsson, wait a mome-"

"Captain, if you do not allow me a minute to myself, we will never come to terms with each other. I'm asking for time alone," she seethed, glaring at him.

Jack threw his hands up in surrender, wobbling slightly.

"By all means."

Kate continued on her way, and was blinded as she stumbled out onto the deck. The crew turned to gawk at her, but she kept her head down and rushed towards the bow, eager to find a spot of solitude. She found herself alone at the front of the Pearl, the very place she had been attacked by Sam. Gripping the railing angrily and digging her nails into the wood felt cathartic. She took in a shaky breath as her hair caught in the wind and pushed away from her shoulders. She wanted to scream. She wanted to wail so loudly that the wind would carry it back home, and someone would come rescue her. She wished to see Ben again, and Garner, even Veronica. She desperately needed to wake up from the nightmare that was expanding before her without her permission and with no end in sight.

Jack was unexpectedly beside her, and she had a target for her vexation.

"I asked for time to myself."

"I am aware," he said calmly as he held a biscuit up to her face.

She took it with lithe fingers, but turned it over in her hands instead of eating it. "I don't recollect ever being so furious at one person before."

"Funny how many people have said that to me in me lifetime."

"Are you always so maddening?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders, and tossed of bit of hardtack overboard before turning so that his back was against the railing.

"I haven't many friends, if that is what you're asking," he chuckled.

She slowly ate the food that had been offered to her, and Jack allowed her to do so in silence.

"I don't understand what is happening to me," she whispered after eating, and she looked back up at Jack. "I'm not well."

He nodded slowly. "There it is, then." He pushed himself away from the siding to stand in front of her. "Tell me."

"I feel as if I'm going mad. Nothing of the sort has ever happened to me before. The first time was in your cabin when we met."

"What takes place? How do you feel in the moment?"

"I feel numb and disoriented, then I hear screams in the back of my mind. It's yelling and shouting, and then images swirl before my eyes. It seems as if it lasts ages, and then I realize I'm on the ground."

"What conversation was taking place when it happened the first time?" Jack asked, placing his hand on her shoulder, but quickly removing it before Kate asked him to.

Kate paused, replaying their meeting

"You told me that I had been present during the attack in the cavern when I was a child, and I was struck full force with a feeling of confusion and chaos."

"The next time?"

"When I started the fire after lighting the lanterns. It felt so natural, as if I had done the chore my entire life."

Jack waved his hand about, gesturing for her to continue.

"Then this morning, during the attack. This time however, was different. The images began to take shape. I saw a man. I was not familiar with him, and his facial features were not sharpened, but I definitely saw a male. Instead of feeling dizzy, there was a surge of strength. I knew immediately what needed to be done, it was ingrained in me in that moment. I had never done anything like it before, I only knew a few moves to defend myself, but this was new knowledge entirely, yet it didn't feel new," she uttered, still surprised that it had even occurred.

Jack, still in front of Kate, nodded his head. He moved beside her again, and tapped his fingers upon the rail.

"I'm having a thought, and it's a thought I've had before," he mumbled. "I don't believe you're going mad, Larsson. In fact, I gather it is the opposite. The opposite of going mad. You're going un-mad."

Kate wrinkled her nose in confusion.

"You're attempting to be funny, Captain, but I fail to find it charming. I'm still angry."

"Yes, yes, I know. What I'm trying to say is that you are not ill. In fact, you're quite well. Katherine, by my estimation, you are beginning to remember your life in exceedingly small pieces."

Kate would have chastised him for calling her by her full name, but she found his hypothesis ridiculous, and she focused on that.

"We're both mad," she stated, burying her head in her hands.

"No, hear me out. Somehow a large part of your life is missing, it is gone. You've gone on record now as saying that this phenomenon is new, and that the Pearl is the initial place you had the experience. You also learned about your parents and past for the first time aboard the Pearl. It is all too interconnected, too coincidental, if you will."

"So, you believe that this knowledge that I have gained is causation for my... episodes?"

"Precisely."

Kate could not refute what he had proposed now. It did make sense, in a way. The images she was seeing, the way her body fought against it. She knew nothing of the body, or the mind, but the suggestion felt so right, she knew this was a time she had to say yes instead of no.

"Do you think my memories are returning? That by hearing about my past, my mind has found a way to bring forth what I can't remember?"

"Aye. Far stranger things have taken place on this ship, I promise. We have to find the proper way to release those memories."

"We?" Kate asked.

"I would help you of course, love. Larsson," he corrected.

"So now we are to be working together? Now that you need me, you have found a reason to be polite?"

Jack sighed, and held his hands out to Kate.

"I get it, I've been a proper git. I have bullied you about this ship for my own selfish reasons. One thing you must know about me, Larsson, is that I am selfish, and I do not pretend to be anything else. I need you. You need me. I can discover a way to help you remember what you need to know, and perhaps you will remember the cave. That would be profitable for both of us, literally and figuratively. You help me locate Laurel, and I help you locate your lover, Bartholomew."

"Benjamin!"

"Benjamin, yes. We do not have to be friendly with one another, but we could respect each other enough to know this is in our best interests. You know after this morning that I have a different take on the sort of woman you are. Look at us arguing. When I first met you, you were hardly able to look me in the eyes."

"This is all rather convenient," Kate snapped.

"Aye!" Jack exclaimed, "I have told you all I know, and this time I mean it. There are no longer lies between us. I will give you a day or two in order to mull over what I'm suggesting. If you don't wish to work with me, you're free to leave once we make port in Tortuga, and you can continue your journey by your lonesome."

"You know I cannot do this by myself," she stressed.

Jack smiled, and gold teeth glimmered beneath his lips.

"As I said, you're free to weigh the pros and cons of the situation, even though I cannot fathom what cons there would be. In the meantime, you're relieved of any duties, and you may do as you wish with the remainder of the day. Grab a bite to eat, clean yourself up…"

He reached out slowly to touch her arm, and Kate's first reaction was to pull back after the last man who laid a hand on her did so without consent, but she stood still and waited for Jack to speak.

"and don't worry about Sam. That detestable, vile mongrel will answer to me, and I am not the sort of man who forgives."

For the first time, Kate completely trusted her captain. She had no doubts or reservations that he would punish Sam. She nodded her head, and Jack removed his hand from her arm.

"If you should need me, I'll be in my quarters logging all that has taken place."

He left then with a swagger of a man who had renewed hope. Kate knew she was the reason his demeanor had changed in an instant, and now she felt responsible. She growled in frustration and turned back to the bow with the knowledge that she had a harrowing choice to make. Refuse Jack's help, and in turn, dash all chances of them finding their loved ones, or accept and be indebted to her captain until she located Ben.

Ben. She saw his face, and her heart fell to the bottoms of her feet. Distraction caused her to forget why she had left her home. Everything other than Benjamin Hall was a diversion, and to her, that was unacceptable. Why would she ever waste time attempting to choose between him or owing Jack Sparrow? There would be no weighing of pros and cons. There were no cons. Kate pushed herself away from the siding, and rushed to Jack's cabin. There would be no hesitation, no second thoughts, no haggling. She would do everything in her power to find the man she loved, and if that included helping her captain and being used as a vessel with which to find his treasures, then so be it.