XXVII.
Leaving Again

Late August 1719

It was a lonely time waiting for Edward. Sometimes Mary had no idea how to pass the time. Drinking, practicing her swordplay or her gunsmanship and pacing only took up so much time. She sometimes explored and she refrained from writing her mother again. She didn't want to hear more 'news' from back 'home'. That place wasn't home. Here was her home; here was where she wanted to stay. She probably would never see London or even any part of England again. Besides that, she was happy here – well she'd be happier if Edward were here with her. It had been months and she was starting to worry.

Worse yet, she had heard no news. No letter, no rumors. This was good and bad. No rumors that he had died, but no rumors that he was yet alive. No rumors about Roberts either, though she didn't know his first name so she couldn't be sure. Most pirates went by only their first or their last name. She went by both, since William Kidd had been the pirate of the era before. Not that she was really his child, but as far as lies went, it was a good one. It was enough to scare the shit out of most. People still feared William Kidd and they feared her because they thought her his son. Funny how that worked.

"Sail, ho!"

Mary looked up from the table. She was at the manor, drinking alone. The night before she had very nearly gotten into a fight because some man's woman decided that she was better looking than the man. That woman would have been in for quite the surprise. So, either way, Mary decided drinking alone would probably be for the best. She didn't want to cause any trouble after all. She just wanted to be left in peace. She also didn't want unwanted attention from the women at the tavern. They seemed to single her out because she never approached them. She supposed that made her odd, but she couldn't find it in her to even pretend to flirt with other women. No wonder Anne got mad at her every time she went to the Old Avery.

Though now that she heard the call, she stood and walked to the edge of the sitting area. There, at the port was a ship. Not just any ship, the Jackdaw. She felt her heart leap into her throat. She had waited here, as asked. He had returned, as promised. It had been a long few months, but she had waited. Damn was he quick though. It usually took months to make one trip there. He must have had the winds favoring him and she praised whoever made those quick winds. Quick winds to bring him back here to her, hopefully safe and in one piece. She thought about running down to the docks, but meeting him as James Kidd did not suit her. So she hurried into the manor, so she could greet him properly.

It didn't take long for him to come up to the manor. She heard giggling and peeked out into the entry hall. Seemed that Edward was being followed by a few of the women of comfort, all seeking to give him some comfort. They were giggling and adjusting themselves in provocative ways.

She ignored them for a moment, casting her eyes over him. She was at a distance yet but from what she could see he was all in one piece. She couldn't see bandages or rips in his robes. In fact he seemed quite healthy and well. That was a relief to her. It was such a long voyage and she had worried over his health. Then again, Edward was a lucky bastard so she shouldn't have been surprised to see he was whole and healthy. In fact, she wasn't sure why she worried so. He always seemed to have the stars on his side.

"Come on, Captain" One woman in blue cooed. She shoved herself up against his arm. "You must need…some sort of comfort after such a long voyage" Her fingers stroked down his chest. Mary sort of wanted to hit her, but she wanted to see what Edward did.

"I will, but I…ah…I have someone…waiting for me. So please, ladies, if you could…" He tried to brush them aside, but they didn't move. The one clinging to him sigh and snuggled closer.

"Ooh, not fair. Someone is hogging you. Who is it? Is it Linda?" A dark-skinned girl in green asked, putting her hands on her hips and looking quite sour. Hogging was one way to put it – no, she and Edward had a deal. She was surprised that he was keeping it so well though.

"It couldn't be Linda, she's with Franklin"

"Well then is it Hope?"

"No, Hope is quick with child. She's set on marrying some Frenchman"

"Then who is it?"

"Yes, who is it Edward?" The one clinging to him asked. "Please tell us. We want…a word with her" A word eh? No doubt they wanted to gang up on her and claw her eyes out like the harpies they were. They'd probably piss themselves if she pulled a gun out on them though. That was almost worth walking out to face them. She kept still by some godly force though.

"Now, now ladies" Edward was trying to get to the bedroom. Funny, Mary wasn't in there. She was in the office. She smiled a little to herself. It was…good to see him denying so many women. He could have any one of them – or all of them if he wished she was sure. "Really, she's waiting for me. I ask that you leave. If I'm too late, she'll be sour with me you know."

There was some protesting. They really were trying hard but eventually he got them to leave, reminding them that his crew needed some comfort too. They protested some more but walked out the door of their own violation. Good, Mary was getting ready to toss them. She had missed Edward; it was about time that she got to welcome him back already. He sighed, shutting the door behind them. She stepped out into the doorway.

"Having fun, Edward?"

He startled and looked up at her. He smiled. "Mary, there you are." He hurried over to her and took her into his arms. He kissed her; a kiss that had her melting in his arms. His fingers somehow found a way to take out her wrap and take down her hair while he kissed her. "Mm…you cut your hair again. I wish you'd grow it longer"

"Have a thing for women with long hair, do you?" She asked, amusement coloring her tone.

"No, I just want to see you with longer hair. I think it'd look good on you." He replied honestly. "But we're not talking about that right now. How much did you miss me?"

Edward and Mary lay tangled together long afterwards. The blankets were wrapped around them as well. She didn't even know how she'd be able to get free again. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be free. Edward's arms were comfortable and warm around her and she felt…well, it almost felt childish to say but she felt safe in his arms.

He was recounting everything that had happened over the past few months in a soft voice while she listened silently to him. It seemed he had struck up an unlikely alliance with Roberts. He had to go and meet him soon. She didn't know if she trusted the man. In fact, she was pretty sure that she didn't. She was pretty sure she didn't want Edward to go. She much rather that he remain with her. They could…do anything else. Anything. Just not trust Roberts. He didn't seem the trustworthy kind from her experience. Edward was blinded by his prize though. That was all he could see.

"I'm leaving tomorrow to meet him" He told her. She looked at him, startled. "Come with me"

"To…meet Roberts?"

"Yes, of course. Come with me to meet him. Whatever he wants to do, I'm sure you could be of use, at least that's what I'll tell him" He was smiling, so blissful in the idea that she could come with him. She frowned at that.

"Edward, I can't." She told him. "…unless you let me tell the Assassins" His look darkened at that. She pushed herself off him and sat up, kicking the blankets off her legs. Suddenly his arms were oppressive. "Edward, I'm an Assassin, what do you expect?"

"That you can forget them for one day and come with me. Help me. Not them, just me" He sounded selfish when he said that. She sighed, her shoulder sagging. This again. He just wanted her to leave them, she knew it. She couldn't though. She owed them, especially Ah Tabai, so much. She owed them her life – that Order had saved her life.

"Edward, it…it isn't that simple." She looked back at him. He was giving her a testy look, like he was so exasperated with her words. "If I keep information from them, I could be labeled a traitor"

"And they kill traitors" He finished.

"Exactly" She turned back to him. "And, sorry, I don't want to die"

"Could have fooled me when you attacked Hornigold, all by yourself" He snapped, sitting up himself. She turned completely around.

"What?"

"You went and faced Hornigold and nearly died Mary. When I pulled you up, you had stopped breathing. It was just by some trick that you actually started breathing again. I thought you were dead – you looked dead." His voice was laced with pain.

"I didn't…I didn't know, Edward…" She whispered.

"Of course you didn't." He reached across the bed to grab her shoulders. His thumb stroked the scar there, the new scar still slightly pink. She had other scars, old and new all over her body. Suddenly she felt embarrassed of herself. She crossed her arms and tried to pull away from him. He didn't let her, instead pulling her closer.

"Edward, let me go"

"I think you're the one that needs to let go, Mary. How are these Assassins good for you?" Even as he tried to argue with her, she saw his eyes darken with want. She tried to ignore it, she really did. Her body seemed to respond to his though. Even as she wanted to pull away, she found herself pulling closer.

It took a while before she could answer his question, tangled in his arms again.

"They saved me Edward. I'm sticking by them"

"I'm not asking you to forsake them! Just leave them for a spell, come with me." It was as if he didn't want to be alone. She pushed away from his chest and got up. She paced in the room. "Mary, please"

"I can't. I'm sorry, Edward. I can't." She could sense an impending argument so she just began to pull her clothes on.

"And where do you think you're going?"

"I'm sure there's someone who can give me passage to Tulum – or at least Kingston or Havana or anywhere." She told him, tying up her hair once more. Edward had gotten up and pulled on his skivvies.

"You don't have to leave Mary" He was almost begging her to stay. She felt a tug in her heart.

"But I really can't stay" She had to stay firm with him.

"Don't leave"

"I can't stay" This was getting hard to keep repeating. He had no idea how much she wanted to stay with him. If he kept asking, she was going to cave. She couldn't though. She had to be firm. She had to stay firm. She kept telling herself that she was stronger than her feelings – but that was only half true.

"Why not?"

"Because, I just can't. You know I can't Edward" Her voice was desperate. She couldn't stay because she couldn't be tempted to go with him. That was just…no. She couldn't. She couldn't betray the Assassins in any sense. Not after all they did for her.

"You won't find passage at this hour" He told her, the anger barely controlled in his voice. He was no longer desperate, just angry that she was going to leave him. She glanced at him, seeing that he was nearly shaking in his anger. It wasn't that she was scared of his anger, but she didn't want him to be sour with her. She looked away, focused on making sure she looked the part she was always playing.

"Then I'll wait till morning"

"Where?" He roared.

"Anywhere but here! Jaysus Edward! We're no good for each other! We can pretend that we are but you must realize the truth right?" She regretted saying that the moment she had. She shook her head and hurried out of the room.

"Mary! Mary!" She heard him calling after her, but she didn't stop. He didn't come after her either. She couldn't blame him. What she had said was…cruel, but it was right. Right now, this couldn't work. She couldn't have him asking her to do the unthinkable. No, she would return to Tulum and give Ah Tabai the news about the list. She had refrained from writing about it in case her letter fell into enemy hands.

She hesitated on the steps to the manor though. She really did care for Edward. To just leave him hurt a little, but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't stay. She couldn't just turn her back on the Assassins. Her shoulders drooped as she forced herself to walk down the stairs and away from Edward. It had to be this way, for now at least. Perhaps, in the future they'd have their time. She had to at least hope for that.

A/N: I know! I'm sorry I had to separate them again! But they'll find a way (maybe). Keep tuned for the next chapter. As always, thank you for reading and leave me some reviews to let me know what you thought.