Jack shrugged his shoulders and unhurriedly got up. Kate felt rather uneasy, but she didn`t flinch and just stared at him.

He was looking the same as the day, when he had appeared on her party; his black curls tangled and his eyes darkframed. And yet there was something different, but Kate couldn`t tell, what it was. On the other hand she could tell for sure, that she didn`t like the half amused, half hungry glimmer in his eyes, as he was swaying towards her.

She stepped backwards, while he was reducing the distance without a word. Her thoughts raced, the silence was screaming in her ears. Why was he staring at her? Why wasn`t he saying anything? What should she do now? How could she get away from here? What would he do, if he reached her? And why was he still staring in silence?

"God damn it, Jack!" she cried out. "Say something!"

A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Ye`re wearing men clothes`."

Kate frowned annoyed. "I wonder why everyone feels like scolding me for that."

"Oh but I didn`t scold ye for that. I meself ` ave me own style of clothing."

His eyes gleamed mischieviously, as if he wanted her to notice something without actually telling her. And suddenly she saw it. He had wrapped a scarf around his waist, red, orange with a silver thread. Her scarf.

"How dare you!" she hissed. "Give it back!"

His lips curled into a smirk. "Come and get it."

He raised his arms, while he was walking towards her.

"Stay there!" Kate shouted, taking one more step back.

"Ye don`t wanna `ave it back?"

He slowly loosened the knot and let the cloth glide through his fingers.

"But it`s so cool and soft and even useful as a lasso."

He quickly wrapped the  scarf around her waist and pulled her towards him.

Too surprised to fight Kate just stared at his face coming closer.

"Jack," she finally managed to say. "Don`t."

"Don`t what?" he tilted his head slightly, penetrating her with his dark eyes. Then a broad grin illuminated his tanned face.

"Ah ye think I`d kiss ye? But melady, what ye think of me? That I would force me kiss on ye?."

He pulled her even closer. Kate inhaled the smell of his very own scent mingled with rum and salt, felt his body pressed warmly against her own, and gave a quiet sigh, as she realized, she didn`t hate it as much, as she was supposed to.

Jack leant closer, until his nose almost touched hers, then he turned his head to whisper into her ear. "But maybe ye`re not so unwilling."

He lowered his head and his lips grazed the soft flesh of her neck. Feeling a shiver run through her body, Kate subconsciously moved closer to him, completely oblivious to her environment, to who he was, to who she was. All she was aware of was the touch of his hands, wandering painfully slow across her back, the feeling of his lips, planting little wet marks along her jawline.

"Not unwilling at all." He murmured hoarsely against  her heated skin, letting the scarf float to the floor.

His words were like icy water; she startled back, given over to the feeling of guilt and shame about what she had almost let him do.

"What dare you to imply, Mr Sparrow? This is not the way a gentleman should behave."

She tried to sound calm and cool, but couldn`t entirely surpress a tremble in her voice.

Jack grinned smugly. "But I`m no gentleman. And ye`re not a lady."

"Of course I am." Kate protested.

Jack smirked. "A lady wouldn`t enjoy this situation as much as you do."

Kate gasped for breath. "You think I`m enjoying this?"

"I know ye do, sweet Catherine." Jack said softly.

"I can assure you, Mr Sparrow, I most certainly am not enjoying this." Kate`s voice grew shrill. "You`re the most…"

But she never had the chance to finish that sentence. Jack pulled her vehemently closer, took her head in both hands and kissed her roughly.

Somewhere in a corner of her mind Kate knew she should do something. Scream, yell, kick him, slap him, but all she did, was getting lost in his kiss.

Finally he released her, smirking down on her.

"Definitely not ladylike."

He had just finished the sentence, when Kate`s hand came in harsh contact with his skin. Jack stroke his cheek and smiled almost shyly.

"I guess I deserved that."

Kate set her arms akimbo. "You absolutely did. And if you ever try something like this again, I will take care that you won`t be able to walk or sway properly anymore." She lifted her knee a little, a malicious glimmer in her eyes. "Savvy?"

Jack took a step back, eying her suspiciously. "Savvy." His eyes flickered nervously. "But maybe we can seal our deal with a handshake?"

"I don`t think this will be necessary."

"A deal must be sealed with a handshake. Pirate`s code."

"Okay." Kate stepped slowly closer and stretched out her hand.

Jack took it firmly and shook it, but suddenly he gripped her wrist.

"Jack! You bloody bastard!" Kate screamed.

Jack shook his head. "Yer language, melady!" He smirked slyly. "May I give ye a good advice: NE V E R trust  a pirate. N E V E  R! Didn`t yer father teach ye anything, luv?"

Kate struggled to wind out of his grip, but to no avail. "Let me go!"

"Not before I get what I came for."

"And that is?" Kate glared at him.

"The locket and ye, darling."

"Me?" she swallowed hard, feeling her knees get weak all at once. "You`re crazy, if you think I`d come with you."

He quirked an eyebrow. "I`m not asking ye."

Kate`s mind  went blank and she withdrew, until she felt the wall at her back.

Still gripping her arm Jack stretched out his other hand.

"The locket, luv."

Kate hesitated for a moment, but then she gave in. "Seems, I can`t keep the locket. But you have to pick it up yourself." She sent the locket flying through the air, until it finally landed on the floor at the other side of the cabin.

Jack immediately let go of her and darted after it. Kate made a headstart and ran towards the wooden paneel, disappearing into the secret passage.