Delirium III

The Kiddway Collection

Word count: 2,976

Hey everyone. So, how's life? Anyway, does anyone know where the elite swivel gun plan is in Black Flag? I want the most badass cannons in the game, so I really need that plan, and I don't want to just look for it as that would involve diving. I don't like diving. I did it yesterday. There were sharks. And eels. I pretty much spent the entire time saying 'I'm going to die' over and over again. So if you know where it is, it would be very helpful if you'd let me know. That's about it for now… Oh, right. This chapter is a little… I don't even know how to describe it. I'm not happy with it. Reviews would definitely be appreciated, because I'm a bit nervous about posting it… Oh, there is one more thing. Huge thanks to Fanbonez and IGot2NumbNuts for their wonderful reviews! I actually wasn't planning on updating until next weekend, but I read the reviews and I just had to. So, again, thanks you. Like I said, this chapter was making me a bit nervous about posting, and there's nothing better for that than being told you're a talented writer by two different people. But I've talked long enough.

I own nothing.

Mary slid ahead of Edward, almost running to the door of the Manor. After weeks of recovery, not to mention several death threats, he had finally agreed that keeping her inside was pointless; if you listened to her, it was pointless after the first week. Now he chuckled as he walked after her. "Calm down lass, the outside world isn't going to disappear."

"And how would you know that?" she retorted, turning around to look at him. "Just because it hasn't yet doesn't mean it won't."

"All right, you got me there." He flicked her shoulder as he moved to open the door, and she glared at him.

"I'm still not above unmanning you, Kenway."

"Of course. Come on then, Captain Read; there's someone I think you should talk to."

The two of them headed down to the docks, where Adè waited beside the Jackdaw.

"Morning, Adè. Edward, what the fuck's going on?"

Both men had matching smirks on their faces as they walked along the docks. Edward gestured for his quartermaster to speak.

"Well, I've decided to join the Assassins."

"Really? Good for you; maybe now we stand a chance of recruiting Edward, ey?"

He chuckled. "We will certainly do our best."

Edward glared at them both. "Anyway, that means he can't be my quartermaster anymore. Meaning I'm going to need a new one. Have you found your ship yet?"

"No. Not yet. But it's only a matter of time."

"Well, until you do, if you want to keep sailing, there's an opening on the Jackdaw…"

"Let me get this straight. You want me as your new quartermaster?"

"Near enough. So, what do you say?"

She smirked mischievously. "I say… I'll need some time to think about it."

Edward sighed. "I will never understand you lass."

She chuckled, turning to head back to the Manor. There were a few things she needed to do before she could give him her answer…

LINEBREAK

Edward wandered out of the tavern to head back to his ship. He was heading to Tulum soon; if Mary hadn't decided what she wanted to do he'd have to leave her behind no matter what choice she ended up making. He leapt aboard from the dock, only stumbling a little on landing. He wasn't that drunk. Just a bit. He heard someone chuckle from the shore, but he ignored them. His crew still respected him, and that was all that mattered.

It was then he became aware of the singing.

"Of all the money that e'er I had,

I spent it in good company.

And of all the harm that e'er I done,

Alas it was to none but me.

And all I've done for want of wit,

To memory now I can't recall.

So fill to me the parting glass,

Goodnight and joy be with you all."

He glanced up towards the wheel, where the singing was coming from. Other than group shanties there was very little singing aboard the Jackdaw, and this singer… Well, whoever they were, they had talent. The sun happened to be coming from just the right angle that all he could see was a dark figure perched on the rail, one leg swinging back and forth over the edge. He shifted to the right so he could see, and grinned. There, looking completely at home and rather pleased with himself, sat Captain James Kidd. The young pirate smirked and waved at him. Edward joined his friend, taking hold of the wheel with one hand.

"I assume you've decided to take me up on my offer?"

"For the time being, aye."

"I was expecting Mary Read, to be honest."

James raised an eyebrow. "Am I not good enough, then?"

"Oh, no. This works too."

They shared a quick smile, then the younger pirate slid off the rail to stand beside his new captain.

"So, where are we going?"

"Tulum. Visiting Anne," Edward added quickly. "This is not an opportunity for you to recruit me."

"Anne's in Tulum? I didn't know that. I suppose I should thank Ah Tabai for rescuing us, and see if he needs me for anything. Shall we go?"

Before the Welshman could answer, his new quartermaster had spun around to yell the orders across the deck. "Full sail, let's go!"

Edward smirked at him as the ship pulled away from the dock. "Quartermasters are supposed to wait for their captain to give an order before yelling at the crew."

"Not this one," James replied. "And you'll just have to get used to it."

"There are quite a lot of things I'll have to get used to. You're good at changing the game."

"It's a gift."

"Aye."

And with that the two companions lapsed into comfortable silence as their ship sailed across the warm waters of the Caribbean.

LINEBREAK

"I feel sorry for Anne."

Mary took a quick gulp of rum and held her cup out for more. "I mean, she's lost so much already, and then her son as well…"

Edward stayed quiet. What he wanted to say was that it had to be hard more Mary as well, but he simply nodded. He didn't want to bring up her child, not until he knew how to find him. If his companion noticed his silence, she ignored it. Perhaps she understood what he was thinking. Her next words explained that; a bit, anyway.

"Maybe I should count myself lucky… At least I know he's alive."

He hesitantly rested his hand on her shoulder. "We'll find him, Mary. I promise you that."

She smiled faintly. "Thank you. I think I'll get some sleep. Good night, Kenway."

"Good night, Kidd."

He watched his companion slide the door open and walk out, heading down the hallway to his own room. Mary Read was hidden away again the second she had stood up to leave. Edward sighed. She was a strange one, that was for sure. He wasn't certain whether she was actually as calm as she appeared, or if she was scared for her son and just hiding it well. He absently put the rum away for the night and grabbed a letter off of his desk. It was from Jennifer; apparently her mother was very sick and needed aid. But at the moment, Edward knew Mary needed his help too. And he knew which he'd rather help. He had almost lost the Assassin once; there was no way in hell he'd risk losing her again.

Hours passed. Edward tried to sleep, but his mind was moving at a million miles an hour and keeping him awake. Eventually he gave up, standing and walking towards the door of his room. He'd see if Mary was up; if she was, maybe she'd want to talk. He headed down the hall, freezing outside her door. What the hell was he doing? If she wasn't up, and possibly even if she was, she wouldn't want to deal with him in the middle of the night. Well, he was already there…

"Mary? Uh… Are you awake?"

Nothing, but he sensed something was wrong. Edward edged the door open a fraction. He thought he heard a soft whimper coming from the dark corner of the room where the hammock was, and he nervously stepped in, ignoring the voice in his head that was screaming at him to stop being an idiot and get the fuck out before she kills you. "Mary?"

He grabbed a lamp from the wall and lit it, heading over to the hammock. His friend was twisted around under her blankets, shuddering as whatever dream world she was in tightened its grip. Edward hesitantly reached out and shook her. "Mary, wake up."

Her eyes flew open. "Edward? What… I thought…"

"It was just a dream. Don't worry."

She sat up. "But… But it was so real. I really felt…"

She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. Edward took her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Come on. Let's head back to my cabin and get something to drink."

She nodded, leaning against his chest as they began to leave her cabin. He gently rested an arm around her shoulders, feeling her trembling. They slid through his door, still half open, and settled on the two chairs still out from their discussion earlier. Edward pulled the bottle of rum out again and put it on the table next to them.

"You want any?"

Mary nodded, and he shoved the bottle over to her. She tilted it back and took a quick gulp, then passed it back to him. He drank some, then put it down. She gestured for some more- rather irritably, he thought –and he passed it over. She swallowed a few drops and rested it on the table, leaning towards him.

"I assume you want to know about earlier."

"Well…"

She chuckled weakly. "It was just… memories. Nothing, really."

"It wasn't nothing. I saw you; you looked…"

He stopped, trying to find the right words. She took another gulp of rum, her hand shaking. Edward scooted his chair forward and rested a hand on hers, now folded in her lap. "You don't have to tell me what happened in that… place. Just, please, don't lie about it."

She nodded. "All right. I'll tell you what happened one day, but… I can't yet. It's just too recent. If I think about it, I'll… I don't know."

He smiled. "I understand. Seeing you there, I just… None of this is easy. We knew, going into this life, that it would be hard, but I for one never imagined anything like this."

"You think it was hard for you? You weren't the one who was… You weren't…" She stopped, a harsh vibration running along her frame. He tightened his grip on her hands, deciding to change the topic."

"What was that song you were singing the first day you came aboard the Jackdaw?"

She raised an eyebrow, silently telling him she knew exactly what he was doing, but she allowed it to pass.

"The Parting Glass. My mum sang it to me while I was growing up."

"How does it go? The whole thing, I mean."

She rolled her eyes. "Really, Kenway? I'll sing, but if your entire crew wakes up and comes hammering on the door it's your fault."

"Yes, but how does the song go?"

She hesitated, then began.

"Of all the money that e'er I had
I've spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

Of all the comrades that e'er I had
They are sorry for my going away
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should rise and you should not
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Good night and joy be with you all

A man may drink and not be drunk
A man may fight and not be slain
A man may court a pretty girl
And perhaps be welcomed back again
But since it has so ought to be
By a time to rise and a time to fall
Come fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all
Good night and joy be with you all"

Edward blinked. "That wasn't bad. You're… you're not a bad singer."

She laughed softly, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear. "Thanks, I guess. Not the kind of compliment a pirate usually gets, but… thanks."

He smiled, then noticed he was still holding her hands and blushed. She raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Embarrassed, Kenway?"

"No. Maybe."

Neither of them made any attempt to move their hands apart, however. Mary opened her mouth to say something, then hesitated. Edward watched as she thought for a second, then sighed and continued. "D'you mind if I… stay here? Just for a while? I just… I want to talk to someone for a bit."

"Sure. I'm not all that tired anyway."

She smiled. He liked her smile. "Thank you, Edward."

"It's no problem. It'll be nice to have some company. Ah, not in the sense of…"

"Having trouble?"

He chuckled awkwardly. What the hell was wrong with him? He was never this awkward around Mary. He could deal with that later. Right now she was tired, and probably more than a little scared. Even as he had the thought she chuckled weakly. "I feel like a fucking child."

"And why is that?"

"Just… everything about this. I'm James Kidd, I shouldn't need anyone's help."

"Everyone needs help sometimes."

She looked away, refusing to meet his eyes. "Not me."

"And that is what we call bullshit."

"Fuck you."
He chuckled. "I doubt you mean that literally."

"In your dreams, maybe."

"I probably shouldn't answer that."

"Not if you want to stay a man."

"Can you stop threatening me like that?"

"Ah, but I like it."

Edward rolled his eyes, suppressing a yawn as he did so. "Naturally. That's not very honorable behavior. I thought you Assassins were all about honor?"

"Nothing is true, everything is permitted."

"Hypocrite."

Mary looked at him, eyes full of mock innocence. "I don't know what you're on about, Kenway."

"If I can't use it to justify my actions, how come you can?"

"I'm an Assassin. You're not."

Edward groaned. "I knew it. Look, Mary, if you're still trying to get me to join up with you-"

"No, I gave up on that."

"Good."

Mary smirked. "I realized you have no sense of a higher commitment than rum and plunder, so I decided it was pointless."

"Higher commitment," he snorted. "What's the point of higher commitment? You can't attack a navy with your commitment."

She rolled her eyes. "Jaysus Kenway, is everything you do out of spite?"

"It's not spite that's driving me, Mary. It's courage."

"Courage for what, man? I'm just about the only one left in your life who cares."

"My wife-"

"-Left you years ago, and I doubt she's coming back. That's one thing your lack of commitment lost you."

She was right, and that stung. Mary- or James, or whatever you wanted to call her –had usually supported his decisions, or if not supported them then at least tolerated them, albeit grudgingly. But now it seemed something had changed, and she wouldn't accept his less honorable decisions anymore. Fine, then.

"God damn you both. I can handle this!"

She stood abruptly, her chair sliding back with a screech of protest. "You'd like to think that, wouldn't you? You may survive this, but at the rate you're going none of your friends will! Change course, Edward! Change your bloody course before it's too late!"

She spun around and left, the door slamming behind her. The Welsh pirate frowned. "What the hell was that?"

LINEBREAK

Mary kicked at her door as she paced back and forth along the length of her room. She had been having a relatively decent time, but Edward fucking Kenway had to go and cock it up. Back at the prison, and in the following weeks, she had seen a different version of him; one who cared, one she had grown to care about in turn. She had seen the brave, committed man he'd always had the potential to become, and she'd allowed herself to hope that maybe she could convince that man to stay. She had been a fool to even consider the possibility.

That man was him. The image he used was nothing but a front he put up to look the part of a fierce pirate. But there was no one left to care about his image. They were all dead and gone, their remains in places where they'd never be found. Now there was only the two of them, and she didn't need the pirate, she needed the man who could become a hero if he chose. She needed the man who could be an Assassin, the man she'd always known was there, and she would do whatever it took to draw him out.

There! You don't want to know how long that took. Anyways, I've got to go eat dinner, so I'll see you guys around. That's it for this series, by the way; if I continue it'll be under a different name. Until next time, and

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-Bird