I'm sorry for this taking forever but I've been a bit busy. Don't forget to review they always help. Enjoy!


"You have to be able to climb it, boy." One of my crew nudges him towards the main mast, his small form staggering up to it.

He glances back at me for direction. I nod and smirk a bit, encouraging him to go on.

His hands go to the sides of the wooden pole, trying to find a feasible way to grip it. A few laughs pass through the crew, his face flushing the tiniest bit red. He grabs one of the ropes and tests his weight. He puts all his weight in his arms for a moment before kicking his legs up and pressing the soles of his boots to mast.

Then he starts up, using his upper body to hull himself up because that's all he knows. It's smart. I've seen others use the same strategy before and I've seen others fail miserably or not even be able to get a grip.

He disappears over the edge of the crows nest. "Back to work, men," I call out to the rest of the crew and grab the hook at the bottom of the mast and kick the lever.

I'm pulled off my feet and into the air before landing steadily on the crows nest beside a winded assassin. "So how'd I do?" he asks sheepishly. His brow lightly covered with a thin sheen of sweat.

"Good, for your first time on a ship. I'll be putting you up in the ratlines for now. The others will keep an eye on you for awhile, let you get the hang of it then you're on your own."

"Really? That's it?" He seems shocked to say the least. His eyebrows furrowed in, confusion.

"What did you expect? Did ya think we'd throw ya overboard and speed off to see if you could catch up? Or that we'd tie you to the main mast for a very days to see how well ya fair?" I let out a dark laugh, remembering that I've seen all these used in the Navy but not as a pirate.

The Navy makes you suffer because they can't kill you. A pirate will give you a quick death but a Navy man with make you want to take your own life.

"Well... Yeah," he stammers.

"Pirates aren't bad people, Keever. Kenway would give ya some long spiel about freedom but it's not that either. We won't be taken advantage of by a king that's an ocean away is all. Just like any other sailor." I pat his shoulder and start moving slowly out across the yard.

He follows, quite reluctant as, if we fall, we plummet down to the deck. The wind is calm but the sun is especial unforgiving today. I think he'll be fine after a few days of the salty air and rough seas.

I show him how to sit beside the unfurled sail, how to tie a proper knot, and now to steer a sail if we get into bad weather. "When the weather takes a turn nothing will be easy. Everything will be slick and it'll be hard to see. Just watch yourself and you'll do fine." I pat him lightly on the shoulder.

He tips backwards, losing his balance, panic evident on his face. I grab the thin material of his shirt and steady him back up beside me. "Fuck fuck fuck," he curses, hiding his face in one if his hands, his other gripping tightly to the wood.

"You also should start wearing a jacket. Your skin is so fair, your whole body will be the same shade as Annie's hair by the end of the week." He furrows his brow in annoyance.

"I'll be fine. A jacket would bake me. I don't know how you do it." His inexperience showing through again. Like the world can't touch him but deep down he knows it can.

If only I could get Kenway to realize that.

"You won't want one until your first fight with a pirate, then the added leather will seem more appealing." He stiffens visibly. "But I don't plan on letting you get battered anytime soon."

He sits in silence, contemplating what he has gotten himself into.

"Anyway don't worry everyone almost dies on their first day," I laugh, and walk carefully back to the crows nest. "Dinner's at sundown."

I jump down, hook in hand and land on the firm wooden deck. I take my place at the helm, my crew all moving with a specific direction. More have taken up the mast to sit in the rigging, others busy themselves with the cannons and artillery. Everything feels right again.

"Unfurl the sails!" I call, and steer the ship away from the coast.

"Where to Captain?" my quartermaster, Whits as we call him, asks.

His real surname is Whittingham but what kind of pirate would have such a formal name.

"Just off the coast of Nassau. Me and the new lad will go ashore for a short time. I'll need you to keep her not too far off the coast till we get back. If any of the others have family they want to bring back I'll see what I can do."

"Where will you take them? They can't stay on the ship long."

"Great Inagua. Kenway owes me a few favors."

"What happens to the island if Captain Kenway doesn't make it back?"

"Then the island's ours," I say confidently, not letting my voice falter. I've made the conscious decision not to think about him or Thatch.

If I lost them... I... would have to move on from that.

"To Nassau then."


"There's a ship of the horizon! Black flag!"

I glance out to sea, the sun setting behind us, making everything ahead shadowed in darkness except for two lights hanging from the masts of a single ship. Even though the sun has gone down the heat hasn't went away.

It's been like this for the two days we've been at sea. It hasn't rained once and we haven't had one cloud in the sky to shade us from the harsh rays.

"What's your call, Captain?" Whits asks.

"We'll pay a visit. Hope for a familiar face."

We sail in it's direction, my anxiousness welling up in my chest. The ship is too small to be Thatch's Queen Anne and no ones brig looks like Kenways; like this one does.

But there's still the possibility Adewale had to leave him behind. Still the possibility he was killed but I'll get my answers. About him and Thatch and anyone else who went after him.

We swing long side, no doubt of whose ship it is.

"Captain Kidd, am I glad to see you!" Ade's voice calls from behind the helm.

"Not that I'm unhappy to see you but I was expecting your captain!"

"And you're the one he's been wanting to see! Board and we'll talk!"

I grab the rough braided fibers of the boarding rope, swinging over the dark ocean to the deck of the Jackdaw. Adewale walks briskly up to me, purpose in mind. He stands close keeping his voice quiet. "He's not doing well Kidd. This crew needs his head clear or he'll have a mutiny by tomorrow and I won't blame them."

I nod, expecting the worst.

I walk, numbly, down to his cabin doors. I lift my closed fist and knock my knuckles against the wood.

"Before you tell me to 'go away' it's Kidd."

"Kidd?" His voice cracks, my name comes out hoarse and hollow.

I open the door, the heady stench of alcohol assaulting my senses. He sits behind his desk, a bottle in hand, his chin rested on his free hand that he uses to prop his head up and look at me with red, blotched eyes.

I close the door and lock it, moving to his side as quietly as I can. I pull up an empty chair to join him in his wallowing.

"He's dead, Mary," Edward says quietly.

"I know." My throat aches, my eyes burn and I feel helpless to it. In a burst of anger I slam my fist onto the desk, clenching my teeth.

He looks at me with eyes that have shed too many tears for too long. His lips are dry from dehydration. A side effect from only drinking rum. "I watched him fall," he says bitterly. "I could have saved him."

"You can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved." And it's true no matter how we wish it wasn't. Thatch wouldn't have wanted to die of old age. It wasn't who he was. So he went out as a legend instead.

"But I could have tried harder!" he yells in a burst of anger, smashing the bottle to pieces on the floor. The sharp shards scatter and what's left of the alcohol seeps into the wood grain of the deck.

"And I could have been there," I argue, my own guilt welling up. I had to make a choice and I chose my cause over my friend and I can't say I wouldn't do it again.

He places a heavy hand on my shoulder, pulling at the stitches. I wince but bite back the groan of pain.

He notices the twist in my expression, a small sign of pain. My shoulder dips away from him, the wound still fresh.

His hand pulls back, his blond brows furrows in thought. "Kidd what did you do?" He sounds as if he's accusing me, like I've broken a prized possession of his and I've been hiding it from him. Like he would if I sank his Jackdaw and I didn't tell him.

"Got a blade to the shoulder. I've had worse wounds."

I didn't realize how drunk he was. "God damn it," he whispers, his voice sounding venomous, like a snake lurking in the shadows. He grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me over to him, his face threateningly close, like he'd smash the crown of his head into mine. "I won't let you die too." He looks tired and old this close. Dark circles forming under his eyes and his mouth set into a line.

With a defeated sigh, he lets me go and leans back in his chair, his eyes lowering to the floor in defeat. "I miss him, Mary," he whispers.

"I do too but that won't change the fact that he's not coming back." I have to pull him from this. We can't afford to wallow in self pity.

"Don't feed me that shite," he groans. "You don't have to live with what I have to."

"Really Kenway. What has happened to you?" He glares up at me, the first emotion other than pity, sadness, and misplaced anger, flashing through his eyes. "You're drinking yourself into a stupor. Would Thatch want this?" My anger bubbles to the surface. "This is not the Kenway I know and this is not the man Thatch would have wanted you to become."

"What do you know Kidd? You have the assassins-"

"Jaysus Edward you could have them as well if you pulled your head out of your arse!" I breath in steadily to calm myself. I'm not going to yell at him. He and Thatch were close and I would be daft to believe that a few days of mourning would be enough. "Thatch would want you to move on and not dwell on what was.

"He wouldn't want you to lose your ship because of him." He looks at me, his eyes glossed over but an understanding coming to him.

"Aye."

I stand and grab the pitcher of water off his bookshelf and pour him a glass. "Drink it," I say bluntly as I offer it to him.

He takes slow sips like he's teaching his throat how to work again. He sits it on his desk and slumps forward. His eyes closing, exhaustion taking over. I take his hand in mine and squeeze it, his fingers close around mine. The small scars on each of our palms scratching at the others.

I breath in quietly and lower my voice to carry the tune. "I dreamed a dream the other night."


I exit his cabin early in the morning with him on my heels. We dosed off in our chairs, silently, sitting in the comfort of a friend.

It took no coaxing to get him to follow me out. I told him I have things to discuss over my maps and he had no objections of following me there. I can only hope he will finally wake up.

The morning sea air is cool in sharp contrast to Edward's stuffy cabin. The sails stay furled, the men waiting for an appearance of their, thought to be mad, captain.

They nod to Kenway as he walks by, some even smiling. All of them happy for his reappearance.

I step out over the water, my feet on the gangplank that adjoins our two ships. I take it in a few strides but be careful to watch for Edward. No doubt he has a hangover. I can see it in the dark bags under his eyes and the glossy look within them.

He takes it slowly, looking like a new born fawn. "Gonna make it Kenway?" I tease.

He feigns a glare but takes it for what it is. He makes it down and follows me to my cabin.

My crew looks skeptical, eyes watching carefully as one of the people they've come to greatly distrusts walks past them.

I close the door behind him, ushering him to my desk, the maps already sprawled across the top.

"Where are you heading?"

"Nassau. We have a few people we want to see and family to bring back."

He nods and looks down at my maps, his eyes scanning it. "I might be able to find a way," he says confidently, sounding like himself again.

"And where will you be off to?"

"I'm meeting Vane. He wants to help me find the Observatory." He doesn't look up, knowing the disapproving look he'd get. "Thatch knew of the ship the sage might be on."

"You're going to get yourself caught in the crossfire," I warn. "Why trust Vane?"

I've never trusted him. He's always been loud and brash, spitting and shouting and never without rum on his breath. While I won't begrudge another man for his like of rum, when it prevents you from doing your job I don't have respect. His quartermaster even worse.

"He helped me out of Nassau and he was there before Thatch died." I almost hear a resentment in his voice. Like I should have been there.

"Do you trust Vane?" I ask flatly.

"As much as I can trust any pirate," he responds with a hint of a smirk.

"Don't trust me now?" I tease to cut through the haze of the conversation.

"Can I?" And he smiles that grin that only he can do.

"Wouldn't hurt you unless you get in my way." I fake a smile, my jaw clenched uncomfortably.

"We tread a fine line then." He looks at me briefly, just long enough for me to see his sorrow. "So, Nassau. From what I've heard they haven't made a new blockade or attempted to salvage the ships so it will be relatively easy to sneak in. Getting out will be harder."

"Aye I was thinking of setting out of the jungle about here." I point to the west coast of the island. It's less traveled and the trees can hide our ship.

"I wouldn't do it any different. How did Tulum fair-"

The door opens and in steps our dark haired teen, looking nervous until his eyes glance at the other figure occupying the room. "Kidd... I've something to talk to you about." He glares at Kenway, his fists and teeth clenching.

He doesn't take another step into the room. "Is everything alright?" I ask.

"Aye, I'll tell you when we set off again," he nods to me and steps back out. He's not saying something.

"Who's the kid?" Edward asks. "I haven't seen him before."

"His name is Keefer and he would rather see your guts on the deck than in your body."

"Ah, an assassin. How lovely," he drawls sarcastically.

"If it's news to you most of them are."

"That explains their looks of hatred," he jokes, smile on his face. Some pride in him for a reason I won't understand.

"It's not something to smile about. The closer you get the observatory the harder it will be to keep them from killing you and how could I stop them?"

He frowns at me. "I can take care of myself-"

"By killing more of them?" I counter, stopping him in his tracks.

He doesn't respond.

"If you find that place and sell it to the Templars the Assassins will never stop. Ah Tabai will send me too and one of us won't walk away."

"It's not my war to fight."

"It was when you put on those robes." The wood creaks beneath my feet as I shift my weight. The tension is palpable, his eyes looking into mine with masked sadness that he knows he shouldn't express. This is his path, not mine and he is the only one who can change the course he is set on because the only thing at the end with be his death.

"I'm trying to do what's right and I'm not sure what that is." He shakes his head, his hands pressing down against the tabletop as he leans over it.

"You'll find out too late," I say grimly. "If you're going with Vane to find the sage this might be the last time we see each other."

"It won't be the last time," he says lightheartedly.

"You have a wife waiting for you back at home. You'll go back to her as the man she deserves. I wish you luck." I smile, letting my words sink in bitterly. He's my closest friend.

"I wouldn't just leave. Who would I drink with then?" he jokes but not sounding happy about his own words.

"You'll find people. Money can buy you anything. Besides, what would you want with an assassin anyway?"

"Kidd, you couldn't be replaced." He looks like a kicked puppy. Like I've broke his ribs.

"Everyone can be. It's life." I pat his shoulder firmly, my eyes no longer meeting his. Damn I'm gonna miss this man. "If anything I hope this goes south," I scoff. He smiles, the recognition of my sincerity is enough for him.

"I don't have the observatory yet."

"And I hope you never find it."

"I want you to see it with me."

"And I'll remember it's location, even if that means stealing it from you," I mock even though there is truth behind my words.

"What if I blindfold you and keep you locked up until we get there?"he says playfully.

"I doubt you could keep me down for long." I cross my arms, subconsciously and lean against my desk. "If you even try I'll leave you with a few marks to remind you not to cross me. Maybe I'd tie you to the main mast, like Keefer thought I'd do to him."

"I didn't know you took them in this young." He smiles widely, like he's found a new button to prod and push.

"I normally don't but I've taken him under special circumstances," I answer apathetically.

"And what would those be?"

"He's never been out in the West Indies before and he seems to fancy a woman we know."

"He's got a crush on Anne?" he laughs. "I don't think he's got what it takes to handle a woman like that."

"Well Kenway, since your such an expert, how do you get a woman like that?"

"Well when it comes to Anne the only man she wants in her pants is you and if I'm not mistaken you're lacking something." His eyes trail a path down me and it's enough for my skin to crawl and a chill to run up my spine.

"Me not having a cock don't make it so I can't be with women," I scoff.

He smirks, grabbing one of my chairs that I've casted aside, taking a seat. "So you've been with women," he tips his head to the side, curiosity oozing from him. He's slouched back, his legs spread, naturally.

"That's my business." I push myself up onto my desk to sit.

"So why not return Anne's affection?"

"I don't know Anne all too well," I shrug. "Yes we talk but it's usually about where someone else is off to or the ships I've taken. Not to mention the fact that she also has something for Rackham." I can't help but to scoff at that. For such a beautiful, intelligent woman, why would she scrape the bottom of the barrel? "Not to mention Keefer."

"The boy believes he really has a chance with her?" Edward asks with an eyebrow raised.

"It's all up to Annie," I shrug.

The conversations dries. I avoid his gaze and keep mine on my leather boots, my mind searching for something to say.

"Mary?" His voice sounds likes he's deep in thought, contemplating whether he should even say what's on his mind. "About the last time we were in Nassau."

I tense, turning my head to see the worry on his face. His lips are pursed as he leans forward in his chair. "Kenway... lets agree to forget it happened."

The words feel hollow coming out of my mouth, nothing behind them. I didn't know he...

"Aye I was thinking the same thing," he sighs, unmistakable defeat in his voice but he stands and smiles. "Its about time we set off before the crews mutiny," he jokes. "And Mary? Thanks for the song."

I feign a glare, the worry smoothing from his face. Maybe he was just worried that he'd made a mistake. The same mistake he's made three times, not to say I've been counting.

I lead him out of the cabin, the air, stuffy, in comparison. He walks to the gangplank, walking across like one would walk on solid ground now that the hangover has somewhat subsided.

"Don't let him get you lot killed Ade," I call to his quartermaster.

He smiles and nods taking a glance at his eye rolling captain. "Will do master Kidd."

"I'll see you again, Kidd!" I can't help but to smile. "Anchor up! Take to the wind!" Edward calls. The gangplank is pulled back and the Jackdaw sails off and I just hope it won't be for the last time.

"Kidd," I hear Whitts call. "Stay the course as planed?"

"Aye. I'll be up in a moment."

I walk back to my cabin and step inside. My footfalls loud as my boots connect with the wood, so much so that the lad standing with his back to me almost jumps out of his own skin.

"Shit," he curses, his shoulders caving in, in surprise. He turns to me, a bit off balance but still seeming upset like he was when I saw him a few minutes ago.

"What was it you wanted to talk about? Nobody's giving you hell, right?" I'm concerned for the kid. He would have avoided Edward at all cost if he could have.

"No, I just... I can't lie to you!" He seems distraught, panicked.

"What did you do, Keefer?" I take a step closer to him, preparing for any outcome.

"Some of the others... when they heard I was coming with you they... wanted me to kill him if I saw him and... I couldn't do it." His eyes stay steady, staring at the floor and refusing to meet my gaze.

"They shouldn't have put you up to something like that," I say dangerously. I place my hand on his shoulder. It shakes beneath my palm, his entire body shaking, his knees buckling.

I pull up the chair Edward occupied only a moment before and sit him in it. His breathing is labored, his skin flushed an even lighter color than it was before, his sunburn almost nonexistent.

I crouch down beside him, his worried eyes meeting mine. "Hey, deep breaths. It's over."

"I wanted to do it," he chokes out. "He killed those people. What if it was someone that I knew? What if it was you? I just..." His voice trembles and his hands shake. "I never wanted to give up on a kill but I couldn't do it. I saw how close you two are and I can't take that away from someone. That would make me as bad as he is."

I stand and walk to my desk grabbing a carafe of water and hand it to him. "It's okay. I know you're upset. I can't change what he's done but you'll understand one day why he's not who you think he is. Though I won't excuse what he did to our brothers and sisters."

I've kept them away from Edward this long and I won't let them kill him now.

"You really think highly of him," Keefer states. "Maybe one day I will too."