Things became hectic throughout the West Indies after that. Thatch, now going by Black Beard, was hell bent on getting medicine to help Nassau. Hornigold was ready to say to hell with it and take the pardon, and Vane was stuck in the middle on the matter. Edward had to become the peace maker, whether he wanted to be or not. Thatch put a lot of faith in Edward, and trusted what he said, so Edward did his best to reason with him. Thatch listened for a while, but only a little while. Next Edward knew, he was getting word that he had headed off to find medicine in a shipwreck. Edward caught him just before he left the dock, and got roped in to helping him out.

Thatch sent Edward on a fool's errand. First it was dive into said shipwreck, and find the cache hidden there. Edward succeeded, but the goods were spoiled. The maker's stamp was, however, intact, and lead to a chemist in Charles-towne. So next Thatch made for the Carolinas, trying to save Nassau.

Mary got wind of all of this, and heard of the role Edward was playing in all of it. She was surprised, he was the rational one for once. But she'd be lying if she didn't say she was proud of him. He was making an improvement at least. Putting someone else before himself, and trying to help a friend. It was a good story to hear?

And apparently, as far as Mary heard, Edward was successful. Thatch went off the deep end, and harassed the port at Charles-towne to the point of being a real threat, not just a nuisance. Edward was able to reason with him, and bring him around, sneak through the port settlement, raid a chemist and a doctor, and get back to the ship with the supplies intact. That was no small feat.

But, at that moment, was when Black beard started wondering about what to do next. He greatly debated taking that pardon, and returning home. Edward felt otherwise, especially after risking his neck like he just did. But, Edward didn't do it as an assassin, as a pirate, as a (more or less) Englishman, he did it as a friend. He had always admired Black beard, even in their privateering days, and Black beard respected Edward's drive. Thatch knew what Edward had done for him, and backed off as soon as the medicine was in hand. But that was what made him debate whether to continue the madness of being a pirate, or to retired, and return home.

Meanwhile, once Edward returned to Nassau, the British Crown had finally had enough. A new governor, Woodes Rogers, one of the miserable bastards Edward encountered when he first arrived, had been installed there to try and…cull the problem of piracy. Some pirates had resisted the pardon, while others were still on the fence. Edward was having a hard time wrapping his head around what was going on.

No matter what was decided on an individual level, the whole of the West Indies was on lock down. Pirates all stowed away to get out, or docked their ships. Templars and Assassins alike went underground for the time being. Edward was worried about himself, about Caroline—what if someone used her as leverage? —and…even about Mary.

Edward hadn't heard a word from her directly since…that night. He didn't push either; it was for the best. He heard bits and pieces in passing, so he knew she was safe. He wanted to hear from her though, and know for sure that she was ok.

The current issues with the Crown, and having forced people underground, Edward, and several other Assassins, were holed up in the Bureau in Nassau. Of course, Edward had the Great Inagua, but it was impossible to get out and get there. And the risk to his life wasn't worth it. So he stayed put, and hid. The patrols were unusually high in number in that area of Nassau (Templar instruction, Edward was sure). He was stuck in dark, dingy rooms with little diversion.

He finally took to reading. He was only a somewhat educated man. He could read and write, of course, but his formal education wasn't much beyond that. So oddly enough, he gained a lot from the old tomes he found. Not just about the Assassins, but about the world. So many things made so much more sense now.

In the midst of one of his literary stints, Edward heard something outside of the window. Fearing the worst was about to happen, he stashed his book and crept to the window, waiting beneath the sill for whoever was trying to get in.

No sooner did someone crawl through it, did Edward lunge for them. He tackled them and pinned them to the ground. Whoever the perpetrator was, they clearly weren't expecting him to be in the room, or at the window at least. They toppled to the floor, in a heap, the guilty party letting out a surprised yell.

Edward knew that voice.

"Mary?" he said, getting up and letting her free. She sputtered as she pulled herself up, none too happy.

"Of course you dimwit," she said, angrily, "who else in God's name would scale a wall to come see you?" Edward smiled, and chuckled softly before offering her a hand up.

"I suppose you're right," he said.

"Havana is as locked down as Nassau, if not worse," she said, "I'm lucky I even got out."

Edward noticed she had come as "Mary" not "James" which made sense. The British Navy was looking for James Kidd, not Mary Read. Hiding in plain sight. Very clever.

"Well, I'm glad you're here," he said.

"I didn't want…I feared things would be the worst here, and if they were, I didn't want…"

Mary stopped herself. There she went again, being sentimental and vulnerable.

"So you don't hate me for what happened at the hideout," he said.

"It wasn't my proudest moment," Mary said, "but I don't hate you.

"I'm glad," Edward said, "I should have thought it through before throwing myself at a woman like you."

"Woman like me?" Mary asked, her eyebrow raised.

"You're not like any other woman I've known. You're tough, stubborn, and don't bother with anyone's shit. Rare find, to be honest. I should have been more respectful."

"There you go, already, Edward. Trying to be sentimental again."

"And what if I am?" he asked.

"At least you know I'm not some little trollop," she said, "and I appreciate that much."

"I would hope so," Edward said, stepping in closer.

"Edward…the hell are you doing?" Mary asked, almost like she had to ask. It was a front.

"I missed you," he said, "and I'm glad you're here."

He made no further moves, besides closing the space between them. He was waiting on her for the go ahead. Mary swallowed the knot tightening in her throat.

"I missed you too," she said. Edward smiled before reaching for and holding her hand. Mary moved in closer to him.

"Evidently," Edward said, wrapping his other arm around her waist and pulling her into a kiss.

Mary wrapped her arms around Edward's neck, as she started to kiss him back, this time not pulling away from his advances. He pulled her body up against his, as he deepened the kiss. Mary felt herself melting into his arms. It was different, letting herself go, but a good difference. It was a release, not a compromise.

Edward ran his hands over her body, and started to push her jacket off. Mary helped him by shrugging her shoulders out of it. Hearing its gentle thud on the floor was an encouragement and Mary reached up to pull Edward's shirt off.

The more they undressed each other, the bolder they both became. Their hands searched each other, needing more from the other person. As they finished undressing each other, Edward started walking backwards towards his bed, pulling Mary's hips into his own. Mary gasped as she felt his arousal against her body; thick, hard, and needing her. She shivered, secretly enjoying the impact she was having on him.

Edward laid back on the bed, pulling Mary on top of him. She straddled his hips, braced herself on his chest and looked down at him.

"Ready, love?" he asked, holding her hips. His voice was warm and tender, loving even.

"I am," Mary answered.

"Please then, do as you will."

Mary took the invitation, steadied herself, and slid herself down Edward's cock, gasping and moaning as she adjusted to his size. Edward moaned softly as he felt her warmth encompass him.

"Oh god…Mary…" he said, still holding onto her hips, "I bet you're quite the good girl."

Hearing Edward talk to her like that got her going even more, she bit her lip playfully.

"I'm a very good girl," she said, as she started rocking her hips against him. Edward moaned louder before Mary leaned in and kissed him. He started grinding with her, finding their rhythm, and pace. Mary deepened the kiss, his responses encouraging her even more. She moaned into their kisses, moving faster, needing more of him.

She broke the kiss, and sat up straight, holding on with her legs to keep up the momentum. From that angle, she felt more of him, and moaned louder. Edward held her down, and arched his hips into her.

"Edward!" she gasped out.

"Louder love," he said, "tell the whole world who's pleasuring you."

"Fuck…EDWARD!" she screamed out, feeling him in just the right ways. Her body started shaking as she grew closer to her climax. She ran a hand down her body, and started playing with her clit.

"You are a good girl," Edward said, reaching up to cup her breasts in his calloused hands. Mary moaned louder as he began to massage them while she pleasured herself.

"Always a good girl," she moaned, as she continued to work herself harder and faster.

"And good girls cum nice and hard for the man they're pleasuring, don't they?"

"Y-yes sir," Mary answered. She was getting off as much on how he talked as she was with what he was doing to her.

"Edward…god…I—I'm cumming!" Mary screamed out as she felt her body burst forth. She continued riding out her pleasure until her body could handle no more. She collapsed on top of Edward in a heap. He held her close and kissed the top of her head.

"You feel better, don't you?" Edward asked. Mary nodded her head.

"I do; it's been…far too long."

"That doesn't have to be an issue now."

"Oh so you want a repeat performance?" Mary asked.

"Gladly," Edward said, "besides, right now, you're the only one who has finished."

"You have a point," Mary said, smiling, "So what are you going to do about it?"

"So, it's like that then, is it?" Edward answered playfully. He grabbed her and flipped her on her back. Mary gasped in surprise, but didn't stop him.

"You got to use me how you wanted, now I get to use you how I see fit."

"Well then, please, get started," Mary said.

Edward pulled her into a passionate kiss, holding her body close to his. She felt almost as if he were trying to possess her; claim her as his own.

He traced his fingers down her body as he started kissing her neck. Mary moaned softly as she dug her finger nails into his back. He moaned out as he continued to work his way down her chest. Mary arched her hips up to him, almost like she was begging.

"Already wanting more," Edward said, "greedy girl, or maybe, I'm just that good."

Mary could barely answer, the desire pulsing in her veins flooded her mind.

"Please," Was all she could manage. Edward smiled as he nuzzled her breast, and positioned his hips between her legs.

"Gladly, love," he said, before wrapping his lips around her nipple, suckling softly, and thrusting into her.

Mary screamed out, holding onto him as he sped up. Edward swirled his tongue around, flicking gently with it before biting down, arousing her even more. His hands wandered over her body as he thrust deeper and harder against her.

Mary's body was shaking with pleasure. It had been far too long for her, and even longer since she'd had a man as skilled as Edward. And she needed him, badly. Even for Edward, it had been far too long since he had pleased a woman. Not for lack of opportunity, but a sense of duty to Caroline.

So what made Mary different? Edward was still as married as ever, but Mary had been there for him and treated him like a worthwhile person. She'd believed in him, when not even Caroline had. He'd grown to care for her, not just as a compatriot, but on a deeper and more intimate level. She was invested in him, and wanted the best for him. He wasn't even sure if he ever could have said that for Caroline.

And Mary, well, to put it simply, was tired of coming in second to a woman a world away. She was the one here, now, hanging her neck out there for Edward. Morals be damned.

Feeling Mary's body tremble and tighten even more brought Edward back around to the moment. He looked down at Mary, admiring her beauty as she was lost in the moment. He got a charge out of knowing he was the one doing this to her. Not anyone else. He leaned in closer and whispered against her lips:

"Do it again, love."

Mary didn't need any more than that. She screamed out, her body gushing in pleasure. Edward gasped out, and couldn't hold out any longer. He thrust deep inside of her, filling her body with his seed as his pleasure rolled through his stomach.

Edward pulled Mary close, and kissed her softly as they finished, their bodies slowing down together. Mary gasped as she held on to Edward, and began coming down. Edward pulled out, and laid down next to her, still holding her. Mary curled up next to him, taking everything about the moment in; how it felt, laying in his arms, how he smelled, how her body felt so wonderfully exhausted.

"You're so beautiful, Mary," Edward said to her as he watched her enjoy the afterglow. She looked up at Edward and smiled.

"Shut it, Kenway," she said. Edward chuckled before leaning in to kiss her.

They weren't lying in bed long, when a knock came from the door. Mary scrambled to hide under blankets (no one could know her real identity), and Edward almost didn't find his pants. He fortunately did, and rushed to answer the door.

"Yes?" he said, barely sticking his head out of the door.

"A letter, Mr. Kenway," was all the courier said.

"Thank you," Edward said, taking it and ducking back into his room.

"What is it?" Mary said, sitting up.

"A letter…from Caroline," he answered, reading it as he sat down on the edge of the bed. Mary moved up next to him as he read.

"Is everything alright?" she asked, leaning her head on his shoulder. Edward read for a moment before answering.

"Fine," he said, getting up, finding his shirt, and pulling it on. "You'd better go, Mary. I'll watch until it's clear for you to go.

Mary couldn't imagine what had been said, but it clearly bothered him Mary got up quietly, and got dressed. Edward was standing by the window.

"You've got about 3 minutes until the patrols came back by to get out of here, undetected," he said.

"Alright," Mary answered. She didn't say anything as she climbed out the window and made her way down the wall. When she got to the ground, she looked up to the window, and saw Edward standing there. He slightly bowed his head before disappearing inside. Mary sighed, but before she could get too upset, she saw the patrol coming. She could worry about her emotions later.