Chapter Text
It was few days after she died. I was sitting in a Kingston's Tavern, trying to drunk myself to death. It wasn't going pretty well,but I kept trying. Trying to kill myself swiftly and with style. And trying to forget Kidd. But,she just didn't want to leave my thoughts.
Is this what she meant by saying that she will be with me? Haunting me?
«Of all the comrades that e'er I had,They are sorry for my going away.» After a while I relized what's the song that was sung all this time in this tinny Tavern. Why of all god-damned songs they had to sing "The Parting Glass"? I didn't know,but I knew that it hurt so much.
I couldn't keep being strong and pretending like nothing have happend. But it does not command us to act or submit ,she said a long time ago. And I was sure I couldn't do either of that anymore . No more acting,no more submiting. From now on,I wanted to become man of quality. To become someone who Mary wanted me to be.
But it would never happen if I kept drinking so much. Even though I wanted to try one last time to kill myself with Rum. I wave to Wench to get me another drink,but it seemed like she's not interested. She just turned around and went to another customer. As I sighed I felt someone's hand on my shoulder.
"You shouldn't do this,Edward. Drinking won't Bring Mary back." It was Annie. She was right,but I needed to defend myself. "No,It won't,but Maybe it can get me to her." She laughed,just like Mary would. "Oh,Edward,let's take you back to your ship. You need sleep. In the Morning we are heading back to Tulum."
I didn't say A word,and she helped me to go back on my Ship. Thankfull,no one was on decks so no one saw so-much-pissed me. I fell asleep as soon as Annie left my Cabin.
***
I woke up in a middle of the night,awaken by some strange noise. I felt someone sitting on the left side of my bed. "Anne? Is that you?" There was No real response,only one silent laughter.
"Ms. Bonny don't Play with me. I ain’t a fool." Again there was No response. "If I didn't know that Mary's dead,I would think you are Read." Finally a person said:"Oh,Don't be so sure Kenway."
It sounded like Mary's voice,but it wasn't possible. Or was it? "Mary?",I asked silently. I reached to touch her cheek,and I felt that good known contures which was surely Mary's. "Really Kenway,when ya went so soft? Ah remember ya as Careless man. What caused this change of heart?",she asked with laughter.
"You really don't know,do you?You know there are people who missed you,ms. Read."
"Aww,Ah knew that Annie would miss meh.",she looked at me for a Second and then added:"Why? What happen'd to ya? Why did ya miss meh so much? Ah mean Ah know we were friends and, yeah you should miss a friend, but tryin' to kill yerself because yer friend died is somethin' totally different."
I tried to look at her eyes,and as always I couldn't see anything in 'em. Damn pocker face. "We were friends,aye. But,you were much more than a friend for me,Mary." She was silent for a Second. Then she sighed and got up. She walked to my table and took something from it. "Ah thought you could need this. Sage certainly doesn't need it anymore.",she said as she throw the thing to me.
When I caught it,I felt something like skull.I kept touching it and I relized what's Mary talking about. "How the hell did you get this,lass?" She laughed,again and said:"Ah told you,Sage doesn't need it anymore. Ah mean why would he need it on the bottom of the Sea." I was shocked with her Answer. "But you don't have a ship."
"Aye,but Annie has. By the way,she told meh what's happenin' with ya,and Ah came because she ask'd meh to come. Don't think Ah came because Ah want'd to see yer pretty face." Now it was up to me to laugh. "You didn't Come to see it,but you think it's pretty huh?"
Oh my Godness,what I just said?! Fuuuck! "Aye. Pretty ,indeed.",she replied lowly. "Oh,I always knew you liked it." She nodded and turned to leave. "Wait,wait,wait. Before you go,who is Father of your child,Mary?"
"You are.",it seemed like she Didn't want to say that. "Ah mean,no it's not ye,it's err-..."
"Mary,Mary,my pretty Lady,I wanted a truth and it seems like you just said it. But when did it happen?" She thought for a Second and then replied slowly:"Do you remember night when we were both pissed on Grand Cayman? Well,that's when it happen'd. You were the only one who had meh like that in last 10 years."
Now I got up as well and stood in front of her stroking her hand. " So I am special for you just like you are for me?"
"Ah was drunk-...", she tried to argue but I didn't let her. "Drunk indeed. But,usually when you were drunk,you would fight with me or anyone else. You wanted that to happen Mary,and you better tell it." Mary looked disapointed 'cause I didn't let her to Play her Game . "Ok,ok,you are right. Ah want'd it. But not because Ah liked ya. No,because Ah trust'd ya. Ah thought Ah won't stay pregnant,but Ah was wrong. And I was not drunk,actually . Happy Now?"
I was,but I wanted to know more. "Not very well. And I won't be happy until you say that I AM special for ya." Rolling eyes was all she Did. Then she turned to leave again,but well,Why would I let her? "Mary. Please." She was pretty Annoyed.
"You really want to Know,huh? Then Ah'll tell ya. Ah needed to stay pregnant because Ah was on Rackham's ship and it was A question of time when we'll get captured. And Ah didn't want anyone else but you to be father of my child . And why was that so? Because Ah loved ya. Happy already?" I was,now I really was. "Very happy,actually."
"Fine. Now Ah really need to go." I was sad when she said so. "But why,love?" She gave me small but sad Smile. " Ah need to do that. You wouldn't understand why. But,we'll meet again. And don't forget,Ah'm always with ya. I...love ya. " There were tears in her eyes. I caressed her cheek again before letting her go. When she left my room,I whispered:" I love you too, Mary.So much."
I decided to try following her,as I wanted to know where she was all this time,But when I opend the door,she was nowhere to be found. I sighed and climbed to the top of the flagpole using a hook-lift. I looked at Kingston,and couldn't see anyone who looked like Mary.
Then I watched the sea,hoping that I'd see her swiming to her New ship,but I didn't have luck there either. I sighed, questioning myself how could she just disappear. Few minutes later,I felt something moving in my pocket. As I reached to touch that thing,I relized that's the aicent artefact that Mary gave me.
That's it. It can show me where she is.
When I took it out of my pocket and whispered her name...nothing have happend. I thought it was because I didn't have Mary's blood,but reason was totally different.
"You can't find a dead woman Edward.", said low husky voice. What the devil did she say? How can she be dead if she talked with me few minutes ago? If she is talking with me now.
"Mary? How can you-..."
"Have ya e'er believed in Guardian Angels? Now ya've one.",she softly caressed my hand as she said this. One tear fled off my eyes. "Aw,look big bad Capt'n Eddie's crying." Then she tried to comfort me. "Come 'ere.",she said and hugged me.
"Damn it Mary I ain't a school boy.",I said but as she was about to let me go,I hugged her back and added:" But it's a Damn good feeling." She laughed and put Hand on my face. She gently stroke my scars and whispered:" I knew you'd like it. Yer not afraid of me? Because I'm a ghost?" I carefully looked at her. "Nay,I'm not afraid. You don't even look like a ghost,m'lady.Are you sure you're not Alive?"
She laughed again. "Of course Ah'm sure,Kenway. Ah disappeared seconds ago,didn't Ah?" I just smirked at her. Together,we watched sun rising. "Mary?" She just whispered something like 'Yeah' before I continued. "Can you believe it? We are standing on the top of Jackdaw's flagpole,hugging each other,and telling sweet words each other,and besides everything,you are dead."
She looked in my eyes and silently said :" It hurts,doesn't it? And sooner or later, Ah'm gonna need to leave ya again." I sighed. "Why didn't you tell me truth when you first came in my Cabin? Why were you lying to me?“
"Because Ah didn't want to hurt ya. Ah thought you'd be happy if Ah tell ya that we'll see each other from time to time. But Ah didn't guess that you'd Come after meh."
"So,you really do care about me... I'm sorry Mary. I'm sorry because I didn't care enough about you when I had chance. I'm sorry for lett them kill you. I'm sorry because I was Careless when you needed me the mo-..." She Didn't let me finish my sentence,as she put a finger on my lips. "Shh. Edward,you haven't been Careless,you've been inprisoned. You couldn't save meh. It's not yer fau-..."
"But it is,Mary. It is my fault. If I swallowed my proud and found Sage with you, you wouldn't be dead." Her eyes were full of tears,and so was mine. "Edw-..."
"Edward? Who are you talking with?" Anne's voice was sleepy,so I guessed she had just woke up. "Oh,shite. Do ya think she heard wha' we were talkin' about?", Mary whispered. I shoke my head and shouted:"I ain't talking with anyone Annie,you are Imagining things girl."
She nodded. "I guess I'm just too sleepy,but I can swear that I heard you talking with someone. Anyway,I'm going back to sleep,and I reccomend the same to you." Then she left.
"And...seems like Annie broke into our little conversation. But really Edward, it's not yer fault. Trust meh,ladies know the Best." I smiled and kissed her forhead. "Oh,I love you,my little Lady. Are you sure you can't be reborn?"
She was silent for a Second. "Actually,there is a way."