Several seconds passed, in which Kate stared at Jack, trying to overcome her shock and decide, if she was scared, glad or angry. Suddenly she realized, that Jack was eying her up and down, and when she saw the naughty smirk on his lips, as he was gazing intently at the naked skin above her shirt, she decided, that above all she was feeling very vulnerable. Vulnerable and alone with a pirate in her cabin. All at once she felt the silence closing in on her, taking away her breath, and she feared she would choke, if she didn`t say anything. So she gathered her strength and glared at him.

"How did you come in here?"

He just pointed at the wooden wall at the side of the cabin without ever taking his eyes from her.

Kate looked into the direction and gasped. One part of the wall protruded a bit, and when she darted over to examine it, she let out a surprised whistle.

"That`s a door! A secret passage!" She gazed incredulously at Jack. "How did you know?"

Jack shrugged. "Most pirate ships `ave such."

"Yes, but..." Kate started, but when she realized, what he had been implying, her facial expressions turned hard. "This is my father`s ship you`re speaking of."

"Never doubted that."

"However," she threw back her hair and looked cooly at him. "What do you want?"

Hid dark eyes gleamed mischieviously, as he sat upright, reached for her book and opened it.

"I came for you, my dearest lady." His hand rose to his heart and his voice had a mocking sound. "You may think I came for the treasure, the gold and jewels, your fianceƩ has stolen from me. But my lady, the only treasure I care for now, is you. I implore you, leave your father, leave your fianceƩ, leave your old life behind and come with me." He let the book sink and frowned. "Ye really think pirates talk such crap? And by the way, luv, did ye think I came without me men?"

Kate, who had sneaked over to the door, froze in her tracks. Was he bluffing? Well there was only one way to find out. She opened the door and slammed it shut again, when she saw a young man with filthy blonde hair grinning at her, while he was scraping his fingernails with a knife.

"Told ye, luv." Jack yawned and stretched, his eyes surveying the room indifferently, until his look fell upon the gleaming locket at the foot of her bed. Kate, who had followed his look, swore inwardly. She must have incidentally pulled it out, when she put on her trousers.

"Speaking of gold..." Jack bent forwards.

But Kate was faster and curled her hand around the jewellery. "It`s mine."

Jack tilted his head and smirked. "A bit materialistic, are we luv? Now be a good lass and give Ol` Jack the locket."

Kate shook her head, stepping backwards. "I certainly won`t."

Jack cocked his eyebrow, looking surprised at her. "No?"

"Yes."

"So, it`s a yes?"

"no."

Jack sighed. "C`mon luv, ye must make up yer mind."

"Don`t try to play your silly games with me." Kate hissed, feeling her temper rise.

His smile was just too innocent to be genuine. "but that`s what ye do with dolls, playing, no?"

Kate felt the urge to rush upon the smirking man, hitting his head with something heavy, but since the only thing within her reach was the chair before the mirror and she somehow doubted, Jack would just sit there waiting for her to smash his head, she abandoned this idea.

"I told you I am no doll!" she spat instead.

"Now will ye give me the locket or must I get up and take it meself?" The playful gleam in his eyes was replaced by a determined expression. Kate swallowed and took a step back. Surely he wouldn`t rip it from her hands, would he?