Tulum, June 3, 1720

"Miss Read I know this doesn't taste good, but I need you to drink it." Mary groans falling back into her bed, her body quakes with an uncontrollable chill. Her body is so hot, yet she feels so cold. The nurse wipes the sweat from her brow with with a cold rag, Mary barely has the strength to ask for a glass of water. The nurse helps her sit, holding the cup to her lips. The fever still hasn't broken, Mary blacks out again.

Tulum June 13, 1720

Mary wakes to a heavy weight on her hand, she feels a cool drop of water land on her cheek. She cracks her eyes open, just enough to see Anne crouching over her with tears rolling down her cheeks. She lifts a heavy hand towards Anne's face and tries to wipe the tears away. Her vision fades again, Don't cry Anne.

Tulum June 15, 1720

Mary feels her shirt being lifted up so she struggles weakly against the person. They pin her to the bed and her heart races. She waits for the enviable sounds of a belt being pulled off and the searing pain of being entered without consent. But it never comes, instead she hears a soft voice, "You're alright Mary, we are just cleaning your bandages." Bandages? What happened?

Tulum June 17, 1720

Mary grumbles under her breath, Damn it, It's so hot. Her eyes shoot open and she toses the blankets off, hopping from the bed. She shields herself and turns around the small room. Where the hell am I? She eyes her clothes in a small pile by the door and hurries over.

She shrugs on the heavy coat then stiffens, places a palliative hand to her stomach, That's going to take l some time getting used to. She gazes at her bulging belly amazed, it's almost doubled in size, the baby wriggles inside and she grins. She had only felt them move one other time and now they can't seem to settle down. "Hey, ya need to settle down in there, that's starting to hurt!" She pats her belly and decides to figure out where she was. She pulls the door open and nearly slams into her redheaded friend. Anne drops her hands to her sides and gasps, "Mary."

Mary has to brace herself against the door frame before she's nearly knocked to the ground. Anne clings to her, tears rolling down her face, "Mary, we thought that you would never wake up!" Mary embraces her tightly, "Anne, where are we? How did we get out of the prison?"

Anne holds her at arm's length, "You really don't remember? Edward saved us, he was dragging you through the halls, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You were knocking on death's door after all. Your friend Ah Tabai took us to this strange little island. Something with a 'T'... what was it..." Mary chuckles, "Tulum?" Anne slams her fist into her palm in recognition, "That's right!" Mary grins and leads her friend outside, "Come on, I better go find him."

The women walk through the town laughing joyfully, it had been such a long time since Mary had a genuine smile upon her lips. "I feel like this is just a dream, don't tell me I'm going to wake up and find myself back in that horrible place." Anne smiles and brings her hand to Mary's arm, giving it a very painful pinch and Mary yelps, "What was that for?"

Mary rubs at the spot seeing a dark bruise forming already, "If this were a dream you wouldn't have felt that." Mary grins and watches the building in front of her grow larger. Anne glances around the room, an assortment of weapons and relics adorn the walls. "Mary what is all of this?"

Mary walks up to a blade that was at least two centuries old to analyze the intricate design. "These weapons were used by past members of our creed, I suppose they still work but they're better off as a memorial." She jumps when she hears a honeyed male voice behind her. She whips around and thrusts her fists up ready to strike.

"Mary, I am not planning on hurting you." She slowly lowers her fists by remains steeled, "Mentor, you startled me." She clears her throat and stands up straight, "I'm ready to pursue my targets, I can leave this afternoon." Ah Tabai frowns and Mary furrows her brow, Did I say something wrong? Mary takes a step forward, ready to apologize but her mentor places a hand in the air stopping her in her tracks.

"Mary, I'm happy to see that you are feeling much better. However I cannot have you out on anymore contracts, at least for the time being." Mary's eyes widen, No more contracts? "But what of Torres and Rogers?" She squeaks angrily. "Captain Kenway is taking care of them." Mary throws her arm up exasperated, "But Mentor, they're my targets!"

Ah Tabai waves his hand and scolds her, "Don't let pride get in the way of better judgment." He pokes a finger to her stomach, "Besides, you have something more important to take care of now." Mary glances down at his finger and frowns. "Why did you not tell me sooner? We could have found something less straining for you to do." Mary avoids his gaze, unsure of what to say next. She sighs and flicks her eyes upwards, "I never thought it would survive this long."

Ah Tabai smiles at her, "Should I send for Kenway? He thinks you have passed on." Mary frowns, Is it that obvious he's the father? "No, don't tell him, at least not yet. If what ya say is true, he's better off thinking I'm dead." He places a hand to her shoulder and she jerks back, "Does he know you're with child?" Mary watches Ah Tabai's hand ready to strike if necessary. "Aye, but I told him it wasn't his."

He places his hand to her cheek shift her gaze to his eyes, "You must to tell him the truth Mary." He gives her an endearing pat to her cheek, leaving Mary and Anne to their own devices. Mary pats her belly feeling it growl underneath the touch. Anne smiles and tugs on her friend's arm, "Let's go get some food, I'm sure you're starving."

"Have you felt your babe yet Anne?" Mary asks between mouthfuls of food. She may have felt self-conscious at the rate she gobbled up her food if the baby wasn't such a leach. Anne places a hand over her stomach, "Not yet, he must be shy." Mary furrows her brow, Anne couldn't be that far behind. Surely she must have felt it kick by now!

Mary slowly lowers her spoon, recalling the first time she felt his movements, "I felt them move for the first time while we were being sentenced." Anne places a hand to her friends stomach undoubtedly trying to feel the movements. Mary moves Anne's hand to the spot that her child seemed to favor abusing. Anne's face cracks into a grin when she's awarded with a small tap to her hand. "He must have know his father was there because he went to moving about after I revealed our pregnancies."

Anne sits back in her chair and Mary begins rubbing her belly in hopes to calm the little one down, "They've been doing back flips all day. You don't suppose Edward is returning soon do you?" Anne shrugs and the two quietly return to their meals. Mary bring her spoon up but lowers it just before taking a bite, "I did something stupid Annie." She looks up, interest peaked, "I told him my babe wasn't his. What's wrong with me?"

Anne gives her a sad smile, "There's nothing wrong with you Mary, it's a scary thought, I never did tell Jack." Mary hangs her head in guilt, "Well I can't tell him I'm alive yet. Not until he completes his contracts, he won't want to continue." Anne purses her lips, "What secrets are you hiding Mary?" She laughs, "It's no secret! I'm surprised they haven't told ya yet."

"Told me what?" Mary grins, "We work in the dark, to serve the light. We are Assassins."

"So that's why you pretend to be a man?" Mary laughs again, "Not quite, I just like it." Anne raises an eyebrow, "You don't wish to wear dresses?" Mary smiles, leaning back in her chair and runs a hand through her hair. "It's not that Anne, have you ever noticed how much better men are treated than women? Do you think I'd find a ship to captain as a woman?"

Anne crosses her arms and ponders, "What about Jack?" Mary shakes her head and slams a fist to the table, "Rackham was different, he was a coward and unethical." Mary is interrupted when she hears soft footsteps approaching quickly, "Master Tabai has sent me to find you, we are under attack again. Please follow me so can get you somewhere safe."

Long bay, June 17, 1720

"Captain Kenway, ever a splinter in my side. Does this murder fulfill you?" Torres spits angrily as his throat begins to fill with blood. "I'm only seeing a job done Torres. As you have done with me." Torres laughs as he lie bleeding on the floor, "As we have done, I think. You have no family anymore, no friends, no future, your losses are far greater than ours."

Edward crouches in front of him, sending him a scowl. "That may be, but killing you rights a far greater wrong than ever I did." Torres coughs, "You honestly believe that?" Edward nods and stands, walking away from the dying man. "You would see all of mankind corralled into a neatly furnished prison," he turns of his heal, sending the man a pointed look, "so aye. With everything I've seen and learned in these last years, I do believe it."

Torres coughs and Edward smirks, knowing he's finally done some good for the assassins, "You wear your convictions well. They suit you." Torres takes one final ragged breath and falls frigid against the floor. Edward hops from the platform and lands with a thud next to the observation device. He throws the crystal skull into place and the room stops it's shaking, I better get out of here and tell Ah Tabai his man is dead. Edward flees to his Jackdaw and jumps aboard, "Open sail men, I want every inch of sail flapping in the wind!"

Tulum, June 18, 1720

"No sail lads! There's an enemy vessel ahead!" The ship slows to a crawl as Edward pulls out his spyglass, "What do you see captain?" He glances at his former quartermaster, "She's flying an English flag, looks like another attack from the templars." He directs his attention to the crew, "Ready the mortars! Fire on my command!" The men scurry toward the cannon and load it up. "Ready! Aim! FIRE!" The mortars shoot off, blowing a gaping hole into the side of the templar ship. It slowly begins sinking and men fly off like ants on a crumb, "Pull her in men!"

When Edward hops onto the island he is immediately thrust upon several soldiers, their swords ready to take his head at any misstep. He swings his sword down, slicing through the throats of three men. They fall to their knees spraying blood in all directions. He pulls out his pistol and takes a shot at the captain bringing him down, lobbing off his head when he lands.

Edward continues his fight through the island, hurrying over when he notices Ah Tabai battling with three large brutes. Edward uses the distraction to stab two of the men in the back while Ah Tabai stabs the third in the gut, "It's nice that for once I am the one to save your life." Ah Tabai chuckles, "I'm glad to see you back Captain Kenway, have you returned with good news?"

"Aye, the governor of Havana is dead. Where have these Templars come from?" The hooded man shakes his head sadly, "They have been attacking us like this ever since you sold them the map. Soon we will need to find a new place to call home." Edward nods, "Half of Great Inagua is unused, You are welcome to call it home." Ah Tabai for once gives Edward a gracious smile, "Thank you Captain Kenway, you are kind, please follow me. I have someone you will be very happy to see."

Mary groans uncomfortably as the skin on her belly stretches. She's gotten even bigger in just that week of being awake and the itching is nearly unbearable. She hears a knock at the door and turns just as the person enters, "Mentor, to what do I owe the pleasure." Her words die on her tongue when her eyes land on Edward's, his gaping mouth is almost comical. "Mary?" She raises a questioning eyebrow towards her mentor.

Ah Tabai smiles, answering her unaired question, "Edward has eliminated his targets and has offered his home for us Mary." She gives him her famous smirk and pats her swelling belly, "That's very noble of ya Kenway. Never thought I'd see the day you'd think of someone other than yourself!" Edward stumbles over his words and his eyes shoot down to her stomach. "Speak man!"

"Mary, you're so... big." Mary feels her eyebrow tick, You ain't looking the best either Kenway. She crosses her arms over her chest angrily, "Aye, I think we've been over this, I'm pregnant." Ah Tabai chuckles, "Edward, I don't think that is the best thing to say to a woman that is with child."

Edward backs up a step, ready to flee, "That's not what I meant." He clears his throat, "I'm just so happy you're alive." Ah Tabai gives Edward a small push towards Mary, "Thank you for opening up your island, we'll leave at sundown." The man disappears leaving an uncomfortable Edward and a seething Mary alone. Mary winces when the baby sends a painful kick to her bladder. Edward's eyes widen and he hurries to her side, "What's wrong Mary?"

She takes a seat and rubs soothing circles over her stomach. She rests her eyes and lets out a deep breath, "It's nothing Kenway." An awkward air overtakes the room again and she opens her eye, Here goes nothing. "Edward, would you like to feel something?" He nods and Mary places his hand to her stomach.

He stares at her curiously until he feels it and he rips his hand away, "Jaysus! What was that?" Mary laughs and places his hand back on her belly, "That was the babe." She pauses, choosing her next words carefully, "He's excited to see his father." Edward stiffens, "What do you mean by that?" Mary stands, wrapping her arms timidly around his neck, "Edward it's your babe."

Her belly pokes into his stomach and he purses his lips, "You told me in the prison it wasn't mine." She frowns, "I lied, I thought I was dying Edward." He gives her a blank look then pulls her arms from around his neck. "You really expect me to believe that shite?" He backs away from her, "You're welcome in my home, but not if you are deceitful Mary." He exits the room leaving her broken, I should have known he'd never take in a bastard.