Rescue Me

The Kiddway Collection

Summary: When Mary is captured by the Templars, she expects the Assassins to send help. But they don't know she's in danger. So Edward Kenway takes it upon himself to save his friend…

Word Count: 2,187

Hey everyone! Wow, I can't believe how many people like this. It's only been up two days. I suppose it's probably got something to do with the fact there's only, like, five Kiddway fics. Speaking of which, someone needs to write more. I've read all the non-spoiler filled ones already. So, this takes place about a month after the Unmanned mission. I'm changing the game's timing slightly, but most stories in here will fit in the canon timeline. After all, we don't know what's happening between missions…

It was an ordinary day until the Templars showed up.

Edward and Mary had been exploring Nassau. There was a lot that hadn't been looked through yet, and they weren't going to give up on the chance for a bit of discovery and hunting. All in all it was an arrangement they were happy with. They got a bit of time away from the insanity that was the life of a pirate (or Assassin), as well as a chance to gather some hunting goods. Mary had just gotten back from Kingston, searching for leads on Roberts. There weren't any, which was annoying, but Edward had taken it well. No real complaining or trying to literally shoot the messenger. Mary hadn't expected him to, but if there was one thing she'd learnt over the years it was to never trust an irritated pirate. In any case, it was nice to have a chance to relax before heading out to speak with her Mentor.

Lesson one of being despised in certain circles: never relax.

The Templars seemed to come out of nowhere. Edward and Mary both cursed their lack of vigilance, but there was nothing to be done about it now. All that was left to do was fight. So they did. Drawing weapons and killing with every stroke. They were highly trained, perfectly conditioned for this duty. Mary had many years of training as an Assassin; they both had on-the-spot training from years of pirating. But the Templars also had training, and something else: sheer force of numbers. The two pirates did their best, but there were too many enemies. Before long, they were forced to their knees before the Templar captain. His eyes slid over Edward, then landed on Mary.

"Ah… James Kidd. The bastard son of Captain Kidd. We were told you'd be here. You've been a thorn in our side for a few years now, but no more."

He nodded, and one of his underlings slammed the butt of his pistol into the Assassin's head. She crumpled, vision fading. Edward struggled against the grip of the Templar keeping him from rising. Mary saw the desperation in his eyes as he fought to get free, to help her. But there was nothing he could do. She was barely conscious, and even as she thought it the Templar hit her with the pistol again.

"James!"

LINEBREAK

Edward fought the Templar's hold. Mary was in danger, unconscious. The Templars obviously wanted her alive, but there was no telling how long she'd stay that way. He had to help her, though he was in just as much danger as her. But who cared? His friend might die. If he couldn't save her, what use was he? As he struggled, one of the Templars picked up Mary's unconscious body, slung her over his shoulder, and carried her away. Heading northeast, Edward noted. Towards the harbour. The captain pulled out a pistol and aimed it at the pirate.

Then Edward escaped. Grabbing the wrist of the Templar holding him, he pulled the man down over his shoulder just as the captain pulled the trigger. His captor screamed in pain as the bullet entered his back, then fell silent. His grip loosened, and Edward ran. Climbing the nearest tree he headed south, then looped around to run northeast. The Templars tried to block him but he avoided them, pushing the ones unfortunate enough to be in his way to the ground far below. He heard the cracks of their bones hitting the ground, but in his mind there was a different sound playing. The sickening noise of that gun slamming into his friend's head.

He followed them to a ship in the harbour. A ship that, coincidentally, was right beside the Jackdaw. Edward leapt onto the deck of his beloved brig and ran to the wheel. Standing there for a second, he allowed the Templar vessel to leave. Then he followed.

"Get me every inch of speed you can! Adè, keep that galleon in sight!"

His quartermaster nodded. "What's so important about that particular ship?"

Edward spun the wheel, bringing the Jackdaw to the perfect position to tail the galleon. "Young Master Kidd's gotten himself captured; we're going to save him."

"They must have been skilled to catch him."

"They were."

After that, there were no interruptions. They didn't understand it, but the entire crew had some idea of how much their captain cared for the younger pirate. Edward wasn't quite sure what it was either. He had first felt the surge of protectiveness when they faced off against Prins. Seeing Roberts hold that gun to her head almost made the pirate kill the man he needed to speak to. He knew Mary could take care of herself, but he still wanted to protect her. Even Caroline hadn't made him feel like that. Of course, Caroline wasn't a young pirate Assassin who made more enemies in a week than most would make in a lifetime…

He dragged himself out of his thoughts and grabbed his spyglass. He wanted to know more about the ship he was chasing. She was… the H.M.S. Sure Prize. He almost laughed. A name like that was just asking for the ship to be attacked. But they couldn't. Mary was probably still unconscious- in a sea battle she'd be in danger. They would wait.

LINEBREAK

He didn't know what the place they had arrived at was called. Not that he cared. The Sure Prize had docked between two of the four towers of the fort. The Jackdaw had used the fog that had risen during the voyage to sail off to one side and dock there. Edward had jumped overboard at the main dock and snuck ashore. He had watched as the Templars brought Mary- now conscious, but looking somewhat off balance –into the fort. That was twenty minutes ago. Now it was getting dark, and Edward was preparing to infiltrate the Templar base.

He slid up against the wall and activated his Eagle Vision. There were only a few guards above him. He climbed up, chose an empty stretch of the wall, and pulled himself over. Quickly finding a doorway, Edward ducked into an interior hallway. No one seemed to be coming… Calling on his Eagle Vision again, he hunted for the shimmer of blue that would denote an ally. There! On one of the lower floors. At least five enemies in the same room. Fine. He could kill them. He was so close to her now, there was no way he`d let anything slow him down.

He quickly made his way down through the halls. He only stopped when he remembered he'd have to get Mary out again, and there was no telling what sort of state she`d be in. Then he headed back up to the walls and killed every guard he could find. He made his way back, this time ensuring not a single Templar survived. Only then did he find a way to the room his friend was in. Well, the cell his friend was in. Pressing his ear to the door, he listened to the Templar captain questioning her.

"I'll give you one last chance; where is the Assassin base?"

"Sorry. Not a word."

He heard the sharp snap of a whip and a hiss of pain. "Fine, then. Who was that man with you when we captured you?"

"A friend."

"Yes, what is his name?"

"Fuck off."

Edward heard the sound of a pistol being cocked, then a soft sigh from Mary.

"Again with this gun-to-my-head thing."

Then the pistol went off. He heard a cry of pain, then he was inside the room and fighting. Two Templars were dead before they knew he was there. Two more fell equally fast. Soon the only one left was the captain. Edward knocked to the floor and stabbed him in the chest. Then he twisted it. The man`s howl of agony was good to hear. He shoved the dying Templar to the floor, refusing to grant him the mercy of a quick death. Then he ran to the centre of the room where Mary sat, tied to a chair. Blood gushed from her leg where the captain had shot her, as well as from several lash marks from the whip one of the others had been holding. She was trembling.

"Mary, Mary, it's all right, you're safe now."

"Oh, god. Oh god…"

Edward desperately tore some cloth from his robes and wrapped it around her leg. Then he took some off the corpses and tied that on as well.

"That'll have to do for now… Come on, Mary, let's get to the Jackdaw."

He untied her from the chair, and she instantly slid forward. He barely managed to catch her before she hit the ground. "Shit, Mary? Mary, wake up."

The Assassin opened her eyes, but it was clearly a struggle. Edward slid an arm under her shoulders and helped her into a sitting position. He tried to get her standing, but her legs wouldn't support her and she crumpled to the bloodstained floor. Edward carefully knelt beside her and moved her head onto his lap. She shifted, trying to get up, and he rested a hand on her chest to hold her down.

"Kenway, let me go."

"Don't bother with talking. Save your energy for when we have to get moving."

"We don't have time. The Templars… They know the general area of the Assassins' base. They only wanted details off me. We have to warn them."

"And if you collapse because of blood loss how do we do that? You're the only one I know who they'll allow near them."

"But we can't stay here…"

"All right…" He slipped one arm beneath Mary's shoulders and the other one under her legs. He stood. "Does this work for you?"

"I suppose… Just until we get in sight of the Jackdaw. No way I'm letting your crew see you carrying me."

"Fair enough."

Mary smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder and shutting her eyes. Edward didn't want to disturb her, but he pretty much ran to the door. Blood was still dripping from beneath the makeshift bandage, and he had to get her to the supplies aboard the Jackdaw before she lost too much. No way he was letting her die. He quickly navigated the halls, avoiding the corpses littering the ground, and ran along the shore outside the fort until he saw his ship in the distance. Then he stopped, nudging the young woman in his arms.

"James. We're almost there."

She stirred, and he lowered her feet until she could stand. Then he wrapped one arm around her shoulders and helped her get her arm around his. He began walking, slowly enough that she wouldn't fall behind. A pang tore through him to see the Assassin, usually so quick and balanced, struggling to stand. As they got closer to the Jackdaw, Adè lowered a gangplank so the two could get aboard. Edward brought her down to his cabin. He knew she wouldn't want to be anywhere his crew could see her.

Soon they would head off to warn the Assassins.

There! So, this is the first arc of this collection. I've got a couple questions though. First, does Blackbeard ever find out Mary's a girl? Hell, does anyone find out other than Edward, Anne, and Calico Jack? Second, Mary's accent, which I am in love with, by the way. Is it Yorkshire, or a mix of Scottish and English? Because I'm not sure and it's driving me nuts. Also, if you play the game there is actually a ship that might show up called the Sure Prize, which must be the dumbest name for a ship ever. It's like saying, 'pirates! Come here and rob us!' I guess no one said these people were smart... Well until next time, and

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-Bird