A/N: Happy Birthday Kenway (one day late but shh)! I hope you all are continuing to enjoy this story, I'd like to thank the guest Kiba1500 for always reviewing and since I can't message you a thank you I want you to know I'm grateful :).
She came to him in a dream like a gypsy in the night. Her shirt slipped up her arms as his fingers brushed over her stomach up onto her soft breasts. Her breath hitched as she breathed out his name, her raven hair draped over her shoulders as she arched under his hands. Edward leaned down, taking part of her in his mouth and suckling her skin until she fell onto her back, opening her thighs to welcome him in. He smiled, leaning down to press his lips to her sweet heat when a sharp pain cascaded through his ribs, causing his Mary to fade away.
Edward woke with a start and a problem in his pants, looking up to find none other than James Kidd sitting on the edge of his bed, legs crossed and a shitty ass smirk on his face. He threw the blanket over his waist, watching as she stared at his tent before looking up into his eyes.
"Fancy meeting you here Kenway."
"This is my ship, and my cabin."
"Ya docked here an hour ago, we've been waiting for ya."
"Who?"
"Thatch and I. He's got matters to talk to ya 'bout while I just wanted to say thank you."
"For what now lass?"
"Not sayin' anything. It's rare to find someone I can trust out here in the seas. Ya also helped me the other month when I got run through."
"I'm sure I still owe you, in all the times you've dragged me out from situations. Rumor true Nassau is getting sick?"
"Not sure, it's been a long time since I've been there. Perhaps that's what Thatch needs ya for."
"You helped find it but you're going to leave it now?"
"It's not that, ya know it. I'm hunting down someone right now. What brings ya to this humble island?"
"Wanted to sleep, sailed all night through a storm. You need something else from me don't you Mary?"
"Indeed. I need to borrow the Jackdaw."
Edward stared at her, sitting up and wonderfully pleased his problem was gone. He'd been dreaming of her lately, something so mysterious followed Mary Read wherever she went. It started as he drank but lately whenever he slept his sweet Caroline was turning into the siren Mary and he wasn't so sure if he was okay with this.
"I'm not giving you my brig."
"Then come with me."
"Another adventure then? Who knows when our last one will be?"
"Ya act as if death is knocking on your door."
"No but I am worried about your profession."
"Being an assassin? Something ya should be considering."
"Not my thing lass, I've thought it through plenty of times. I don't need a creed to mother my actions."
"Kenway you'd be a ruined man by now if it weren't for me."
"Without you, I don't do anything sensible. Where are we going lass?"
"Florida, northern part. Templar who seems to be trading with our friend in Havana and needs cut out."
"Why can't you take your own ship?"
"Being fixed, got caught in that storm ya did though mine didn't sail away so nicely. Help me out and I'll make sure ya get paid for it."
"You need a new ship lass, it's always falling apart."
"It's just fine thank ya, I just happen to get caught in larger fights then ya."
Edward stood up, reaching for the floor and put on his trousers. He walked across his cabin to grab a bottle, taking a sniff and downing some water. Mary still sat on his bed watching him like a hawk and he sighed, tossing her a bag of coin. She looked at it before throwing it back, standing.
"I can afford it."
"You're my closest friend here Mary, least I can do it help you pay for your ship."
"Passage to Florida and your help is enough for me Kenway. Gives me time to convince ya to join us."
"More lectures then?"
"Of course."
Edward glanced over towards the sunlight filtering its way down to the embers of last night's fire as he laid on his back waking from another dream. He'd fallen asleep to the mutterings of Mary and Anne, with his sweet Mary playing with bits of his hair and snapping at him to get rest or else she'd knock him out again. But how could he sleep so? Jenny who had only just arrived to the West Indies weeks before hand was now lost along with his precious Jackdaw.
He didn't feel quite so feverish today and by the sounds of it one of the two ladies was fixing up something to eat. Edward sat up, took once glance around the room before furrowing his eyebrows in annoyance.
"Anne."
"Hm?"
"Where's Mary?"
"Out."
"Out where lass," he snapped.
"Getting things."
"You didn't let her go off by herself did you?"
"Last I checked she's a grown woman Edward, can do as she pleases. Stop giving me such a nasty look or there will be no breakfast for you! She told me she had business in Havana and she'd be back by sundown. I trust her."
"Well I don't. I'm going after her."
"She left an hour ago, in your condition you'd be lucky to make it halfway to the city before falling over. And what would she be thinking of ya, muttering on about not trusting her."
"She'd hit me. Annie I have to go. She's going to get a ship and head to Ah Tabai."
"No she won't. She and I talked long into the night and she'll tell you what we've concluded when she's back."
"Why can't you tell me?"
"Under strict orders not to."
"I'm your captain."
"Aye but she's the Demon Kidd. Sorry Edward, but lay down I'll bring you the soup Cilly dropped off a bit ago."
"I swear Anne, if she leaves us-"
"She won't. Mary's missed us just like we missed her, she wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Now sit up proper."
Edward sent her another glare, sitting up and looking down to his arm finding his bandages dried with blood, hopefully underneath the bleeding had stopped as well. He leaned against the wall, taking the cup of broth she handed him and sipped at it slowly. What business could Mary possibly have in Havana? No one but a few even knew she was walking and breathing, the idea that she could possibly have someone to meet was ticking at him. She'd be leaving, off to fix this mess without him.
"Did she say at all what she was doing?"
"Said she had a friend who would help us get a boat, didn't mention who. You know her, always an air of mystery around her."
"Aye but it was about her lack of cock, she's not very mysterious."
"That's a lie, you know just about nothing of her Edward."
"She's told me some."
"But not as much as I. She'll tell you in time, she's always been fond of you and perhaps one day you two can sit down and talk without being bothered."
"Or sailing around the whole of the Caribbean. Do you think she'll stay by my side?"
"You stay away from England, I think she won't leave you but I'm not going off and spilling her feelings out. She trusts me Edward, as much as I love you I'm not breaking our bond."
"The man who captured you two, he lived in that house. What did he do to make her burn him in it?"
Anne looked over to him, brushing her hair back off her shoulders before sitting next to him. Edward finished his broth, reaching over and took her hand, listening to her sigh.
"I shouldn't say, but I know she'll never tell you. She's too damn proud to admit anything. Did she say anything?"
"Just that he deserved it."
"When we were caught Mary put up one hell of a fight even with her hands tied behind her back. She was as snarky as she ever is and didn't stop till they threatened me again. So Jack and I were kept under in the brig, but she was left tied to his mast."
Edward listened on, turning to look at her. "If you tell me will she be untrusting of you?"
"It's not my story to tell but she'll never tell you, only keeping it bottled up in her. If I say what happened you mustn't let her know, let her try to tell you. If nothing else you can help her move on from it I suppose."
"Tying up a lass on a mast on a pirate ship means a free whore."
"Aye and tying one up on a Navy ship means she can be beaten as much as they feel is fit. He only stopped hitting her when we were a weeks' time away from Port Royal, couldn't show up at court covered in bruises. So she went on and got beaten for days, even Jack felt pity for her then. But when we were in prison he paid her a visit."
"What business did he have with her then?"
"He had some of his men, and some guards. They came to my cell," Anne sighed, turning to look at him and reached across to pet his scruffy cheek. "They wanted me, and Mary wouldn't let that happen. No matter what I shouted at her she wouldn't stop screaming so she made a deal with them, and I'm in her debt."
"You're not going to tell me what they did are you?"
"No that's her story. I'll tell ya about the beatings but as far as what when on in that prison is up for her to tell. When she pushes you away from showing her affection don't take it personally, she was never one to be romantic of the sort and what's happened to her I don't blame her. Be patient."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because your reputation as a ladies man worries her, she's fond of you but if you don't fuck will you stray?"
"This is hardly fair, if she's comparing me before she…died."
"And this is what I've been trying to get through your thick skull Edward, you two need to relearn one another. You changed when we lost her, became something better. She knew you'd become this man but she hardly knows him."
"She doesn't give me a chance, always pushing me away."
"She will, when we don't have little ones to be chasing."
Florida welcomed them with open arms, unsure who they exactly were. They were north of the West Indies, at night a chill fell through the air. Mary found their target and cussed under her breath as they did. He was extremely well guarded and after a week of stalking only left them with mixed patterns.
"He's always with a guard, we're just going to have to make a move at night."
"He knows he's being stalked Kenway, why else would he be acting like this. It's fine, we'll take him in his home."
"That's the most guarded, are you asking us to get killed?"
"Just trust me Kenway," Mary groaned, shoving him away from her as she headed towards his guarded mansion. Her face wasn't so kind anymore, her eyes back to narrowing a she glanced around. Edward couldn't help but see James pouring through her right now, his Mary hiding behind his mask.
"Will you distract them?"
"That ain't going to work, follow my lead," And he did, he followed her through the guards, running from underbrush to underbrush until they ran into a shed and he tripped, falling into a pile of barrels and Mary turned to him in horror as more than enough guards ran in to capture them.
They were taken below the manor, hidden in a dungeon as they awaited for who knows what to happen. He tried to explain to them he wasn't an assassin but as the guards left he turned, finding he had bigger problems. As the time ticked away Mary's silence only built up as soon she found a bottle and snatched it.
"This is all your fault," Mary screamed at Edward, throwing the bottle straight at his face. He ducked, running up to her and grabbed her hands. Truth be told this probably was his fault, he had agreed to help her catch a Templar and it was also he who accidently tripped over a barrel and got them both caught.
Edward sighed, running his hands up her arms to her shoulders. He was starting to see James and Mary, see them differently and together at the same time. He had walked in here with James, but now Mary was fuming behind her façade. She shoved him off, groaning and slid down the brick wall. The placed smelled like piss and shit, and they were running out of time to get out and patience was running thin.
"James just calm down! I know and I'm going to get us out!"
"Oh ya are now Kenway? We've been down here for hours now, waiting to be hung by these Templar pigs."
"This was your mission."
"That ya agreed to help me on! When I mention gold ya were right ready to come down here."
"This isn't about gold. I wanted to spend time with my friend! You and I used to be so close and since you told me you were Mary I hardly see you."
"You annoy me so much Kenway! Every time I see ya you're either in trouble, fucking a whore, or chasing the stench of gold. Chasing after a better life will never make ya happy man! Why can't ya see you have people around who want the best from ya!"
"Like you?"
"Like me! Maybe one day you'll wake up from ya fucking dream and notice that you have a family here!" Mary screamed, reaching back and slammed her fist into his face. Edward groaned, falling against the wall and looked over as a guard ran over to them, opening the door.
"If you two can't sit in here then we'll separate you!" He shouted at Mary and Edward but it was all they needed. Edward tackled him, slamming his head against the wall until his body went limp. He threw the keys to Mary, taking her hand as they ran down the hall.
"We have to find our weapons. Use the sense, where are the guards?"
"Two around the corner, come on there's a storage room just behind them, I'm sure our things are there," Mary nodded to his words, kneeling down as the each took a guard, snapping their necks and he watched Mary play with each key until one worked. They ran in, grabbing their weapons but soon the sound of guards was outside.
It was easy, getting through them to get up top and find their target who nearly pissed himself when Mary walked in, grinning like a mad man and put her blade through his throat. Edward stood by her side, running with her through the plantation as they made their escape. It wasn't until they were deep in the swamp did they stop to catch their breath, falling down onto the leaves below.
She laid by his side, while he gasped for air until he laughed, sitting up and reached over, flicking him in the forehead. "I meant what I shouted Kenway."
"I know, ya lecture me constantly."
"This has nothing to do with my lectures, ya call me friend but ya never listen to me."
"I do, I'm listening to you right now."
"Ya don't trust me, ya think you can run around and be rich for ya wife back in England. She's gone Kenway! You will never have what ya want as long as ya chase your dream of gold!"
"Why do you care so much about me Mary?"
"Because ya are my closest friend Edward, I trust ya with my life."
Edward stumbled from the shed, peering up at the setting sun and turning to look towards the jungle. Mary wasn't back yet and even if she wouldn't say anything, Anne was starting to worry. She was outside, tying flowers into an extremely long necklace and staring up at the trees as well.
They had spent most the day in silence, their conversation about Mary had left him lost in his own thoughts and memories anxiously waiting for her to return. He moved to sit down next to her, passing her a bottle of rum he had found in a crate towards the back of their shed. As Anne tilted her head back he head the rustle of leaves, looking up as out walked Mary with her hair down laughing wildly next to a woman he hadn't seen in a very long time.
It was brilliant, he'd forgotten she lived in Havana and the fact that Mary remembered blew him away. Rhonda had her arm over Mary's shoulder, the two seemed to be laughing so hard they were nearly in tears, something he had never really seen Mary do. Anne was up, giving Rhonda a peculiar look as the two came over to them.
"Kenway! It's been a long time! Not since ya came an' told me Mary here died. You can bet my surprise when she came on walking into the bureau 'round noon."
"It was a surprise for me as well, finding her. It's good to see you lass, looking just as beautiful as ever."
"Still got that sweet tongue of yours then, tellin' all the girls how pretty they are. Ya so sure he's changed Mary?"
"Aye he has. Fever broke?" Mary's laughter had died down and she was left with a small smile playing at her lips being around her old friend. She reached over to Edward as they two walked up to them, placing her hand on his forehead and sighing with relief. "Annie been takin care of you?"
"Kinder nurse then you were."
"Told ya to hit him a few times Anne, stop being so kind to him," Mary said.
"Ya Anne Bonny right? Heard enough tales 'bout you to kiss ya boots. Fine woman you are showing men you don't need them. But I'm with Mary lass, Kenway needs to be roughed up, he's too pretty for a man," Rhonda laughed, slapping Edward on his back and grinning to Anne who had turned red at the compliments.
"Last I checked I've got my name around here for being a fearsome pirate."
"Aye only to those who don't know ya. Anne I'd love to talk to you!" Rhonda grinned, taking Anne's hand and dragged her off down the farm, leaving Edward in front of Mary whose eyes were glimmering with mischief.
"Thought you left me."
"Told ya last night I wouldn't, ya had my word. We probably got some time before Rhonda bores Annie, come on let's talk."
"I doubt they'll get bored of one another, you should have woken me up this morning."
"Hardly, ya sleep like a babe."
"You're in a rather good mood, I haven't seen you this happy since…since you found us."
"Rhonda was a dear friend of mine, it's nice to see her. Between her and Annie I think I've thought some things out but I need to convince ya of that first."
"I can think of some ways you can convince me," Edward grinned his perfectly smug smile, feeling her smack him in the back of his head.
"Think with the head on ya shoulders, not in ya pants now. You changed remember?"
"Some things never change, I for one can't help it I'm walking alone with a beautiful maiden."
"Maiden?"
"Beautiful young woman such as yourself, innocent and so pure."
"You mocking me now Kenway?"
"Perhaps teasing, never mocking," Edward smiled to her, reaching over and taking her hand. Mary simply held his hand shooting him a glare. "I don't think I'd be so keen on you if you were a maiden."
"Then I should be one then eh? Enough talk of this Kenway, let's go sit at the beach. I want to run something by you, something I've been thinking and a story to tell. Ya will listen to, don't roll ya eyes it's about me past that you're so keen on knowing."
Edward perked up, looking over to her and pulled her along to the sandy beach, sitting underneath a palm tree and looking out as the moon reflected on the water. He tried pulling her into his lap but she groaned, shoving at his chest. "Lass please, no one will see us."
"Ain't about that, I don't need to hold me like a child. I'll hold ya hand alright?"
"So where does your story begin lass?"
"When I was twenty, widowed, and lost in drink."
"What about before?"
"That's for another day, Annie told me I need to start letting you in on me so I'll tell you a tale and get one in return."
"I'm a bit of an open book compared to you."
"Aye, but entertain this notion alright?"
"Alright." Mary sighed, reaching over and took Edwards hand, leaning against his shoulder. He leaned over, kissing her temple and gave her a smile. "Go on lass, you just found out the news he was dead right?"
"Right. I owned a tavern in a country north of England where my husband and I had moved to. When I got the news he'd died I lost it a bit. I burned down me tavern, cut my hair off to my scalp and went back to dressing like a man."
"You stopped for him?"
"Aye but that's another story. I fled back to England, got on a ship headed to the West Indies and never turned back."
"I know this, besides you burning a tavern down and chopping your hair off."
"Will ya shut up Kenway, m'trying to talk to ya. So I became a privateer but our ship was soon knocked out by Kidd right before he got caught, he dumped us on an island thankfully or I'd be dead years ago. Took on his name, jumped my way to the boat that rescued us. Sailed with them privateers until we were attacked by a fleet, tore us to bits. I washed up on Tulum as the only survivor," She sighed, sitting up from him and reached over to touch her hidden blade, releasing it and petting the metal as Edward listened on.
"I woke up listening to them discussing if I should be killed or allowed to live, perhaps get me a boat off. Wasn't until Ah Tabai walked up and took my hand, pulling me up did they shut up. He didn't say anything, just let me go and I followed him, what else could I have done? He took me in, taught me everything he knew without wanting anything in return. This creed gave me a new life, it showed me there was life after Haytham. That there will always be a way to live, to be wise. Nothing is true-"
"And everything is permitted. Alright he took you in when you were week, what's this story trying to show me now?"
"Ah Tabai wouldn't hurt me, nor my daughter, nor Jenny. Ah Tabai is a good man who only wants to make the world a better place to live. Someone is pinning you against him."
"But he took-"
"He may have taken Amara to get me to talk to him, to be fair I've been hiding from him. I'm right pissed he lied to me about ya and I don't understand his obsession with keeping ya away from me. But he wouldn't have taken the Jackdaw or Jenny."
Edward leaned away from her, reaching over and grabbed her hand from her blade.
"Why are you so sure this isn't him?"
"I've known Ah Tabai for nearly nine years now Kenway, he wouldn't do this to ya no matter his feelings. Assassins are trained to put our feelings aside, look at Rhonda. You helped her kill the man she loved. Why would Ah Tabai take your daughter?"
"To get to you."
"But he took Amara. What makes you so sure it is him?"
"He kept me from you. Mary he watched me fall into nothing and have to build myself back up. I almost moved to England to get away from your ghost."
"Edward do ya trust me?"
"With my life."
"Then start thinking on the enemies you've made, Rhonda has a boat coming in three days' time. We sail where you think we need to go. Amara is safe with Ah Tabai."
"You're certain?" Edward looked up into her beautiful brown eyes, and his own went wide, feeling her hands grab his face. Mary leaned in and their lips met for a moment but he wasn't bound to let her go. His good arm wrapped around her waist, feeling her arms loop around his neck.
"Yes," She whispered against his lips her tongue slipped along his bottom lip as he parted them begging her to take this kiss further.
"Kenway! Mary!" Rhonda shouted in the distance, leaving Mary to pull back red faced and shove him back, standing up over him.
"I'm certain Edward, trust me," She reached down offering her hand and he took it, looking up to her.
"I'll always have your back Mary."