Author's Note: I don't know about you guys, but I'm practically jumping for joy. Ahead in this chapter, things are finally starting to pick up! From here, I think (I HOPE) it will be a downhill slope, things will start to fall into place and the actual PLOT of the story will show. I really hope you enjoy it, because it gave me a great deal of grief just to write. And childish giggles. Ohhh, the childish giggles...

I dedicate this chapter to Sphynx, a good friend of mine who got my mind going and pulled me of my writer's block. KNIFEWRENCH!

Chapter 8

The night drew on, bringing peaceful sleep for some, turbulent sleep for others...namely the captain. Jack was tossing and turning violently as he battled a fretful sleep. This was extremely out of the ordinary, especially since Captain Jack Sparrow had a reputation for sleeping like the dead. His brow, along with his pillow, was moist from the cold sweat he'd broken out into. His eyelids pinched together as if he were trying to stamp out the ever abnormal visions he'd been seeing.

------

There was no floor, nor a ceiling, nor walls. A pit where one levitates on the spot where they stand, engulfed entirely in the heaviest of black silk and the ability to explode in every nonexistant direction. This is a world where anything is possible, where fantasy becomes reality.

Jack was surrounded in a murky, muddy blackness. Even though he stood still, he felt as if he were swimming or floating across the smoothest sea he'd ever encountered. There was no wind, wherever he was, but still felt the comfort of a gentle breeze sweeping his face. He inhaled contentedly, the sweet-smelling air flowing into his lungs.

This dream form of Jack opened his eyes and noticed his surrounding were changing. Beneath him was a dark wooden floor, and to the side was the table in his cabin. Before his eyes, a great deal of the Captain's Cabin began to materialize in a shimmering downpour. Shadows fell over the doorway and over the floor in front of it, the boards dropping off into the abyss he'd just escaped from.

Suddenly the lamps lit themselves and filled the room with a gently glow. Somewhere in the depths of the void thunder sounded, and a subsequent burst of lightning filled the 'room' with white hot light. The contented and safe feeling Jack started out with had dissipated. He hoped this wasn't going to turn out to be a nightmare.

Jack hesitantly took a seat in his Captain's chair. Once he was sure that it wasn't going to disappear he reclined backwards and propped his feet on his table. He closed his eyes in attempt to regain his tranquility when he heard footsteps. Jack, being the clever man that he was, deduced that he was not alone and stood. A voice to match the footsteps sounded, and he was completely unprepared to see it's speaker.

"Sit down, Jack," the voice said faintly, and he obeyed. Moving into the light, Kate sauntered over to Jack and stopped in front of him, a little too close for comfort. Her long strawberry blonde hair fell gracefully behind her back, drawing attention to the rather revealing ensemble she wore. She was clad in a sleeveless satin chemise, as black as night, that was gathered at her abdomen by an equally dark corset. A black lace dressing gown slipped off her shoulders and hung loosely from her arms. Jack gulped nervously as his mind devoured the figure before him, begging it not to get out of hand.

Kate seemed to notice his anxiety. "Don't tell me you're displeased, Captain. Why, you act as if you've never seen me in naught but my undergarments." She smiled, and a glint in her shining emerald eyes appeared as her hair fell over her otherwise bare shoulders.

"Kate," Jack started in a raspy voice, "it appears your clothes have fallen off. Faulty stitching?"

He grinned nervously and she lowered herself into his lap as a response. His mouth opened in protest, but his fingers reached out to trace the slope of her neck. Kate's seemingly calm and detached demeanor fell away and she flashed a wicked smirk. His touch was all the confirmation she needed.

Before he could even think to stop her, Kate crushed her lips to his. Silence reigned, bar the unrelenting rain and the soft moan that escaped Kate's throat. Her lithe fingers reached his head and threw off his hat and entangled themselves in his hair. Jack sat in astonishment and spread his arms far away from her as a feeble effort to resist. Kate placed her hands on either side of his neck and reluctantly pulled away.

"Jack...why are you so determined to reject my advances? I know you want this as badly as I," she spoke barely louder than a whisper. She tipped his chin up to look her in the eye, allowing no more than an inch of space between their faces.

Jack gulped for air. He seemed to have a shortage of the stuff going to his brain. "I'm not. I don't. If you please, get OFF my lap...you make it exceedingly difficult for a man to keep his wits about him." He shifted around awkwardly with a groan.

Kate exhaled, moving ever closer back to his lips. "You can't escape me."

"You obviously don't know that I'm the master of running away, darling."

He chuckled jokingly. She could see right through him. He didn't want to run away this time.

Jack ignored the rapid beating of his heart and closed the space between them, capturing Kate's mouth as fervently as she had his. Her lips were soft and moist, something Jack failed to notice before. He wondered what else he hadn't noticed. Jack enclosed her in his arms and held her close, allowing his hands to roam freely. He'd put an end to that mystery.

He noticed that her skin was cool and smooth to the touch.

He noticed that whenever her nose grazed his cheek accidentally, it sent a fiery warmth

all through his body.

He noticed that she bid his mouth open with a flick of her tongue, and the sensation rendered his rational thinking powerless.

He noticed that even though he could feel no space between their bodies, they still weren't close enough.

He noticed that the stays on her corset were damn hard to undo.

In his frustration, Jack tore her lace dressing gown from her arms. His greedy hands traced the rising curves of her body until he came to her legs. With one agile movement, he was able to pick her up without breaking the kiss. He stretched them out on the table, the bed, the floor--he wasn't quite sure where they were. Kate felt a surge of success as a growl rumbled from Jack, who had finally managed to peel off her corset...

------

An electric shock sounded through Jack's body, pulling him from his sleep. He was cold, even though within seconds he observed that he'd stolen all the blankets. Shakily, Jack tossed them onto Kate's shivering form and hobbled out of bed. He sat down at his table and hastily uncorked the bottle of rum that was sitting there. The golden liquid warmed his body and chased away the chill, but it could do nothing for the question that resonated in Jack's mind.

"What the devil was that about?" he asked quietly, nursing his rum absentmindedly.

The kiss they shared earlier. That had to be the reason. Surely that was why the notion of shagging Kate senseless crept into his subconscious. That made perfect sense. He was a man, after all, and no less could be expected of him. Jack took another sip of rum, finding himself unconvinced by his own reasoning. There was only one other time that he'd had dreams likes that, and that was when he was with--

Jack shook his head furiously. He wouldn't allow himself to go down that trail of thought right now. It would only confuse him more. If he felt it merited any further contemplation in the morning, he'd deal with it then.

------

The light of dawn was obscured that morning by the heavy clouds and pouring rain, leaving the crew of the Black Pearl to fend for themselves to figure out the appropriate time to wake. Gibbs woke and fell out of his hammock with a nice 'thump' only to see that he and the rest of the crew were about an hour behind. He swore to "Gracious St. Sebastian" and hastily roused the crew. He could only hope that Jack was still asleep as well.

Indeed, he was, but the same could not be said for his bedmate. A mirror image of the captain the night before, Kate was sitting at the table feeling rather uncomfortable. Despite the cool temperature of the room caused by the rain, Kate's blood ran hot with frantic anticipation to speak to Jack about last night's...incident. She shrugged off his shirt in frustration and anxiety, leaving her only in her nightshift. Kate didn't have any clue about how she was going to face Jack today. What if he blamed the whole thing on her? What if it somehow killed their friendship? What if he never wanted to see her again?

Kate scoffed at herself. She was getting nervous, and she was no use to anybody when she was in this state. Realistically, Jack had no reason to be angry with her. They made a mutual decision to kiss each other, and if he tried to pin on her she could always throw that in his face. This calmed her nerves and she was soon confident that the issue would resolve itself.

A knock on the door brought her out of her reverie. Kate knew that knock; it was Gibbs alerting Jack that it was time to rise. Kate knew that he wouldn't hear it this morning with the trouble he had sleeping the night before. She sighed and tiptoed over to Jack's sleeping form. A smile spread across her lips as she watched his chest rise and fall evenly, a smile on his own lips. She wondered what he was dreaming about...it must be awfully pleasant. Kate gently rested her head on his pillow next to his. Jack sighed contentedly and unconsciously lolled his head closer to Kate's.

The anxiety she fought to hard to get rid of had returned and her heart fluttered. In her desperation to focus on something else, Kate took in a deep breath and sang at the top of her lungs, "GOOD MORNING!"

Jack's eyes shot open as his body jolted. He gave a startled scream at the abrupt joyful noise and shifted his eyes around slowly to make sure he hadn't just randomly descended into the pits of hell. He exhaled exasperatedly, certain that all was well, when he heard the voice singing again.

"I hope you slept well, Captain!"

Jack was suddenly aware that Kate's glassy green eyes were fixed on him mere inches away. He let out a frightened cry and scooted away. For as small as her body was, Jack would never have guessed that such a robust sound could come from her, not to mention the almost delightful high pitch.

'No, not from that small, shapely body,' Jack thought. He twitched. The horror of his dream once again fresh in his mind, he closed his eyes and shook his head. "M-morning, love."

Kate jumped up and grabbed his hands to drag him out of bed. "I wish I could tell you it's a beautiful day," she said, deciding not to sing that bit, "but it's raining today. I hope we're not sailing into a hurricane."

Jack stretched fully now that he had been pulled from the comforts of his cot. "Could be. I doubt it, though--"

He stopped and fixed his eyes on Kate, more accurately her thin cotton nightshift. "Why, dear Katie, are you not dressed?" His nose twitched nervously.

"I was waiting for you to help me with my corset," she raised an eyebrow, like it was the most obvious thing in the world."

"Oh. Right...help you with your corset."

"What?"

"Nothing. C'mere." Jack grabbed her corset and threw it around her, tying it as quickly as he could. Kate sung her thanks to him, prompting Jack to pinch the bridge of his nose. He was NOT awake enough to deal with this right now. He tossed on his own clothes and tried to leave the cabin before he was sung at again. Of course, he wasn't so lucky.

"Have a good day today, Jack!" she sung, wrapping him in a nice hug, "Outside it may be raining, but in our hearts there's only sun and happiness!" She was glad that he couldn't see her grimace. Kate decided she really needed to work on her nervous habits.

Jack's heart began to race. He panicked and pushed her away, thoroughly terrified. "No! No, no, no! You, go and sit in that corner over there! Sit there and don't move until I come back for you. Calm down, girl!"

More than a little spooked by his own behavior, he frantically turned on his heel and made for the door.

"Jack! How can I attend to duties if I'm in here all day?" Kate called, but he'd gone. She sighed and decided that she'd best have a seat. Captain's orders, after all.

------

Sometime around noon (at least, Kate thought it was, the sun was still hidden by rain clouds), Mr. Gibbs poked his head into the captain's cabin to tell Kate that she allowed to report to the galley. She dashed below deck and tied her apron around her waist, apologizing to Will for her tardiness. She was surprised to see that there was another pair of ears for her apology to fall upon.

Sitting by Will on a crate was one of the women she'd separated in a fight on deck the night before. Her hair was dark brown and she had a pointy nose, reminding Kate of the point of a cutlass. She was very dirty, but underneath the soil and sad brown eyes, she was a very pretty girl.

"Kate," Will stood to acknowledge her entrance, "I'd like you to meet Meredith. She's been helping me in your absence today."

Kate stepped forward and extended a hand, hopeful that Meredith wouldn't remember her. "Hello, Meredith. Thank you for your help."

Meredith shyly shook Kate's hand. "You're welcome," she squeaked timidly. She either had no memory of Kate or was over the squabble.

After the introductions were made, Kate put everyone to work. Will lifted crates and attended to his usual grunt work, while Meredith performed simple tasks that Kate did not have time for. Kate noticed that Meredith went to great lengths to stay out of her way and would apologize profusely if she brushed past her. Kate assured her over and over again that she was fine, but it didn't stop Meredith from apologize again the next time it happened.

The hours passed quickly, and by evening the three had the galley virtually spotless and organized. The rest of the crew came down in shifts to receive their provisions of food soon after, and sure enough, they'd somehow managed to bring the place to complete chaos once again. Kate was lighting the lamps when a large clap of thunder erupted, and Meredith exclaimed in alarm. It was nothing now, after a day of working with her, Kate wasn't surprised by anything she did. She didn't even notice when another alarmed cry squeaked from Meredith, this time because the captain had suddenly appeared behind her.

"'Scuse me," he met eyes with Kate's and quickly darted them away, "just came down for a nibble."

Without so much as a polite smile in Kate's direction, Jack reached around her for an apple and hurried back to the helm. Kate scoffed. This had gone too far, and she was about to do something about it. She mumbled her excuses to Will and Meredith before chasing after Jack.

Kate found him standing by the wheel, drenched in rain, and focused intently on his compass. His eyes flickered in her direction and, seemingly unsettled by the reading from the device, quickly put the compass away. Jack stepped behind the wheel and nonchalantly steered the ship, pretending he didn't notice her approaching.

"Jack," she started, standing close enough that only he could hear her, "talk to me. Please."

He kept his gaze fixed on the wheel. "The weather is quite nice, isn't it?"

Kate rolled her eyes and sighed. "You know what I mean. We've both been foolish, and it needs to stop. I can't bear the thought of you, someone whom I regarded as my best friend only yesterday, never speaking to me again all over some silly kiss."

Jack turned to her, his lips pursed tightly. "Silly, you say?"

Kate nodded. "I think we both know that it was just a release of the tension that was forming between us. It's gone now, and if we'll only let it, everything will go back to normal. Agreed?"

Jack was silent for several moments, and Kate could swear she could see the cogs turning in his head. His dazzling onyx eyes met with hers and he gave her the first genuine smile she'd received all day long. "Agreed."

Kate squealed happily and flung her arms around him. "Oh, I'm so glad that we can put that horridness behind us!"

A flash of lightening illuminated the dark clouds, along with what looked like a ship on the horizon. Jack gently shrugged Kate off and reached for his spyglass. He held it to his eye and studied the ship, frowning angrily.

"Damn it all," he muttered, shoving the spyglass back in it's place. Gibbs was waddling over by now and Jack was barking orders to prepare the guns and drop full canvas. Kate couldn't bring herself to move until Jack grabbed her wrist and tugged. "Katherine!"he was just a hair short of yelling at her.

"What's wrong, Jack? Is that an enemy ship?" Kate asked as Jack dragged her into his cabin.

Jack was about to say something when the fellow in the crows nest bellowed, "They've raised the white flag!" Everyone on deck gave a breath of relief, except Jack, who was more frenzied than ever. Momentarily forgetting about Kate, he ordered his men to hold steady, white flag or no white flag.

The ship was fast approaching, almost at a supernatural pace. Within minutes, the ships were practically side by side, and the crews of both ships were looking the other dead in the eye. Jack stealthily wove between the crew and stood at the back. This was sure to be troublesome.

The captain of the other ship, a woman with pale skin and long black hair and dark eyes, came forward. The question of the supernatural ability of the ship and it's crew was soon answered when she seemed to vanish on the spot and reappear on the deck of the Pearl. Her dark lips curled into a wicked smile as she surveyed the crew. The backed away when she spoke. "Captain Jack Sparrow! Do come out and greet your guest, don't be impolite!"

The Pearl's crew parted fearfully until Jack was left standing in the center. His back was turned to the woman and his eyes were closed, as if he it were possible to think hard enough and make her disappear. Lighting flared, making the woman's fiendish smile all the more foreboding. "Long time no see, Jack."

Jack slowly reached for his cutlass, slowly turning around to face her. "'Lo, Tahlazhria. Might I say you look as morbidly bloodthirsty as ever. "

Kate had been watching, and when she noticed Jack's disposition she cut her way through to the front of the crowd. She borrowed a cutlass from someone, she wasn't sure who, and darted out in front of Jack. "Come one step closer, madam, and I'll have your head."

Tahlazhria seemed taken aback until she gave Kate a good look. "Forgive me. My name is Tahlazhria, I'm an old friend of Jack's. In fact, we go back...oh, eighteen years or so? I've come to ask a favor of him. But you, Miss Carrington," Tahlazhria hissed, sure to emphasis on her surname, "I've been most anxious to meet; as I've heard a great deal about you. Tell me, how's your husband?"

Kate paled and her hands began to shake. Jack's brows furrowed and he looked at Kate questioningly. "'Husband?' 'Miss Carrington?'" he asked of Kate. Tahlazhria's venomous remark had received the desired effect.

"Yes, hasn't she told you? Her name is really Kate Carrington, The Wedding Night Murderess. On the eve of her wedding, she shot her husband down barely after he got her across the threshold." Tahlazhria chuckled softly and Kate dropped her sword.

Jack's lips thinned, able to tell by Kate's reaction that this was a truthful statement. "By the by, Jack...how much is your bounty? 10,000 guineas, isn't it?" Tahlazhria asked, her voice dripping with sugary poison.

"10,001. Wanted dead, last I heard," Jack muttered. Kate looked up at him, desperation in her eyes. Jack was very pointedly ignoring her gaze.

Tahlazhria put her hands on her hips. "Indeed a hefty sum. But what would you say if I told you Miss Carrington's bounty is approximately more than a third of that, wanted dead or alive? Wouldn't that make a nice treasure, Jack?"

Kate watched the cogs go round in his head again, as if her were seriously considering turning her in. Tahlazhria turned and began to walk away. "In fact, I'll allow you the time needed to make port and hand her over to the noose. We can hold off our business until then. What do you say?" She faced him again, the devious grin plastered to her face.

The deck was hauntingly silent for several minutes. Jack had his eyes fixed on Tahlazhria, and hers on him. Jack opened his mouth to speak and raised his hand, calling forward two of the burliest crew members he had. "Please escort Miss Carrington to the brig. Mr. Gibbs, turn this vessel around. We can reach land in few days if we do so now."

A/N: Ain't I a stinker? Now onward to the reader shoutouts. Thank you everybody who reviewed the last few chapters! Seriously, people, if you don't want to leave a review, at least message me and tell me it sucks and what I need to do about it. Please?

Anywho, Happy Valentine's Day! Remember, kids, Hallmark needs your money! Heheh.