Welcome to my story. I wrote this for the One Piece Halloween Fanfiction project on Tumblr, hosted by the lovely Stirlingphoenix. This story will get seven chapters. As I write this note, five of them have been written and those will be uploaded with a couple of hours in between every chapter. After that, there will probably be some more time between the last two chapters, but I'll try to finish it within two weeks.

Also, PLEASE leave a review, whether you like it or not, to tell me what it was that you did or didn't like (just make sure you're not being rude). Since this is a very uncommen pairing, I could use every feedback I can get ^^.

Thanks Aerle, for betaing this story even when you don't ship IzSmo XD

Please enjoy~!

Chapter 1

He put down the groceries to fetch his keys from his pocket and open the door of his apartment. When it was open, he picked up his bag again and stepped inside.

It was the third day that he came home after having worked at the police station in this town. He hadn't been too happy when he was told to move to another city to work there, just because they could use him here better than where he came from. But it wasn't the end of the world either and he would survive it. At least the partner he had gotten here wasn't too bad, though she could still learn a thing or two.

Smoker kicked off his shoes and went to the kitchen to put away his groceries. After having lived here for almost a week now, the apartment still didn't completely feel like home. But he guessed that was just something that would come with the time. He just had to get used to this new place.

When everything was in place, he took off his shirt – he wasn't at work anymore after all – and sighed. Even if he just worked here for a few days yet, it had already been a hectic few days. He could see why they had needed him. However, that did mean he was a little tired now and didn't really feel like cooking. But he couldn't justify take-out food when he had just bought groceries for cooking, so he just started to get the things he needed for his diner. When he had everything standing on the counter, he cursed. Of course he had forgotten one of the main ingredients.

Well, it couldn't be helped then. Pizza it was.

He quickly placed the things back to where they belonged, got into his shoes and his favorite jacket – which he left open, it was way too warm to close it – and stepped out of the apartment. Just to bump into a person walking past his door. He looked up at the man. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Are you okay?"

The man – even if Smoker was questioning this for a moment because of the amount of make-up covering the man's face – frowned for a moment, but then smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Smoker smiled politely at him, while pulling the door of his apartment shut.

"You live here?" the man asked a little surprised.

"Yeah," Smoker answered, while giving him a better look. It was a pretty interesting figure. Long black hair that looked very soft too, clothes that Smoker wasn't sure were produced for men, shoes that definitely weren't, and – as noticed before – make-up adorned his face. "I'm new," the police officer said when he noticed he had been silent for a little too long. "Moved in on Saturday."

"Really? I didn't know they'd sold it," the man held out his hand. "I'm Izo, I'm your neighbor. I was out of town for a few days, so that could explain why I haven't seen you before."

Smoker took the hand and shook it. The man's grip was firmer that he'd expected. "I… My name is Smoker, nice to meet you." His stomach chose that exact moment to make a loud grumbling noise. Well, that must leave a great first impression on his neighbor.

Izo chuckled. "Sounds like you're hungry."

Smoker got a cigar from his pocket. "Yeah, I was just going to get myself a pizza," he said as he lit the cigar.

"Ah, well, I won't hold you for any longer then. We'll see each other again," Izo smiled. "Maybe you could come by for drinks sometime soon."

Nodding, Smoker answered, "Yeah, sounds nice."

Izo opened the door next to his. "Well, enjoy your pizza," he said with a short wink – though Smoker might have imagined that.

"Thanks," he said as he left to get his food.

That night, he didn't sleep well. It wasn't that he lay awake a lot, but in his sleep, he was just very restless. But Smoker had to admit to himself in the morning, he never slept well in new places or when he was on vacation either. So again, it would be a matter of getting used to this place.

Nevertheless, he wasn't very rested when he woke up that morning. But a good cup of coffee or two did a lot to wake him up. It wasn't long before he was at the station, downing his third coffee and ready to get down to business. Which appeared to him in the form of paperwork. Just great.

Another cup of coffee and two cigars later, his partner finally came walking in a little faster than necessary. "Smoker, we've got an arson case! The arsonist has been seen by bystanders, he's driving towards the east of the city!"

"Alright," Smoker jumped up. "Let's go after him."

Tashigi followed him and climbed into the passenger's seat of the car while Smoker started the vehicle and drove away, sirens on. He liked the Chase. The Chase was where cops were made for. And he never let anyone slip. Well, almost never.

"What's he driving and what is his current location?" he asked his partner.

"He's driving a red Honda bike, license plate number FF-69-PH. He 's last seen on the Grand Line Street towards the Grey Terminal," Tashigi informed him. Then she grabbed the walkie-talkie and stated that they were on their way, soon already driving up to the Grand Line Street, since it was pretty close to the station.

It didn't take very long for them to spot the scarlet Honda. Its driver cast a look over his shoulder when he heard the sirens, almost crashing into another car, but just being able to avoid it.

"What an idiot!" Tashigi said a little angrily. "It's one thing to set a barn on fire, but it's another thing to bring others in danger because he can't drive properly!"

"Don't worry, we'll get him," Smoker assured her. However, the arsonist sped up some more, and slalomed between cars. And even though the cars made way for them a bit, the police car still couldn't reach the same speed. The distance between them got bigger and bigger, but suddenly the arsonist turned right and shot into a side street.

Smoker immediately shot into a street on his right too, one before the one their prey had gone into. Next street left and they were behind the motorcyclist again, the Chase was back on. Fortunately for the two cops, this street was almost completely empty, so they could accelerate some more.

They had almost reached the man, when he suddenly hit the brakes, forcing Smoker to do the same, if he didn't want to fly right past him. The arsonist had thrown his Honda into the grass and started to run, helmet still on his head. But before the car stood still, Tashigi had already stepped out to follow him and Smoker was right behind her, but being a faster runner, passed her within seconds.

The biker was obviously slowed down by the helmet and he tried to take it off while running, but it didn't seem to cooperate with him. Smoker was only a few meters behind him now and pointed his gun at the man. "Police! Get down on your knees with your hands on your head!"

The man tried to run a little longer, but then he tripped and almost fell. Apparently, that was when he decided to give up. He stopped with his hands above his head. "Alright, alright. I surrender."

"On your knees!" Smoker commanded as he put his hand on the man's shoulder.

The arsonist did as he was told. "Can I take my helmet off though? It's kinda stuffy in here."

"Fine, just know that there's a loaded gun pointed at you and I'm not afraid to use it if you make any suspicious movements," The police officer warned him.

"Yeah yeah, I get it. I'm not going anywhere." The arsonist slowly brought his hands to the black helmet and took it off, making sure not to make any rushed movement that could be interpreted wrongly. Black strands fell down from underneath the protecting cover and a fairly innocent face with freckles looked up at him. "Good day, officer. What can I do for you?"

"Don't play dumb, brat. You're under arrest for arson, speeding, reckless driving in general and probably underage driving too, and so, without a license," Smoker explained, while Tashigi cuffed his hands behind his back.

"How dare you, I'm not underage! I'm twenty one!" the young man protested.

"We'll see about that. You've got your papers on you?" Smoker asked.

The guy smiled cheekily. "Yes, they're on the inside of my jacket. Now, the problem is, my hands are cuffed, but… I wouldn't mind it at all if you slowly opened the zipper and felt me up… to get the papers, of course."

Smoker looked unimpressed at the man. Was he seriously trying to flirt with him? What kind of cop did he think Smoker was? "You can show me them at the station."

Tashigi made the arsonist stand up again and pushed him towards the car, while explaining his rights to him. Once he sat down, the door locked, Smoker asked his partner, "You can drive that thing, right?"

The woman looked at the motorcycle that still lay on the grassy ground. "Yeah, I can."

"Good, will you drive that back then? I'll take our little arsonist to the station." She nodded as answer to his question and Smoker got back into the car.

He was barely driving again, when he noticed his captive leaned forward a bit, placing his head against the small fence that separated them. "So what's your name, officer?"

"My name is Smoker, but you can keep calling me officer," he answered a little grumpy. Or what he thought was a little grumpy, but he was told more than once that he looked grumpy by nature, so it probably came across as very grumpy.

"Oh, you like that, huh, officer?" the guy said too close to Smoker's ear for the latter's comfort.

"Get back into your seat and shut it until we've reached the station."

The guy did as he was told and sat back, Smoker could see in his rear-view mirror that he was slightly pouting. "I thought," the arsonist nevertheless tried, "that maybe you and I could work this out together, if you know what I mean." He wiggled his eyebrows to make sure the officer knew what he was talking about.

Smoker rolled his eyes. "Sorry kid, wrong cop."

A deep chuckle escaped the guy's lips. "You tryin' to tell me you're not gay? 'Cause I know a gay man when I see one."

To say this guy was annoying and really trying Smoker's patience would be an understatement. "I'm trying to tell you that I'm a professional."

"Hmpf, boring," the young man mumbled, but then he thought of something. "So… you would fuck me if I weren't your prisoner?"

"I don't fuck kids." Smoker wasn't going to answer the question, but then the opportunity to put the brat in place was too good to pass.

The guy frowned deeply. "I'm not a kid, dammit!" He stared angrily out of the window. "Well, it's not like I'd want to fuck with you anyway. And I have a boyfriend already, so!"

Very mature, yes. "Good for you. I'm sure he would be happy with the things you've said to me." Smoker drove onto the parking lot, while the guy in the back of the car put some more anger into the stare out of the window.

Smoker parked his car and got the kid out of the vehicle when Tashigi parked the red Honda of the man as well. Smoker pushed the arsonist through the doors of the police station and led him immediately to the interrogation room. He searched the guy for weapons first, making sure a colleague was watching so that the man couldn't accuse him of anything else. Smoker didn't find any weapons, just a half empty pack of matches and a smartphone.

When Tashigi sat down in one of the chairs in the room, Smoker took off the cuffs and sat down next to his colleague. "I'm not gonna strip you, so if you'd please give us your papers now."

The guy opened his jacket without any more comments and retrieved some papers, passes and a condom from his inside pocket and threw them all on the table between them. "Oops, that's none of your business," he said as he quickly put the condom back in his pocket.

Smoker pulled the papers towards himself and gave them a look over. They seemed to be in order and the guy hadn't even been lying about his age. "So, mister Portgas, care to tell us what you were doing at that barn?"

"What barn?" the kid, Ace seemed to be his name, answered with an innocent face.

"The barn at Drum Island street 60, where you were spotted by several bystanders," Tashigi told him.

"Oh, that barn. I was just looking at the fire. It was beautiful!" When Ace saw the two cops looking seriously at him, he added. "But I didn't do it!"

Someone had to tell this guy that he was a very bad liar. "That's not what the witnesses said." Smoker sighed. "Look, you can do this the hard way and play ignorant while we both know that you were the one to start the fire, or you're just gonna admit it and tell us exactly how and why you did it. That way, you could be back on the street within an hour."

Ace leaned back in his chair, seeming to think about this offer. "Well, I guess this is going to take a while then. Would you mind if I'd call my partner? To tell him I won't be home for dinner."

Smoker tried to convince him to tell the real story with his eyes for a moment, but then sighed and slid the phone towards its owner. "Fine. Make it quick."

Ace picked it up and dialed a number. A few seconds later someone picked up and the freckled man spoke, "Hey, it's me. I'm calling because the police is keeping me at the station." It was silent for a moment. "They think I set some barn on fire. No! Maybe… Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I won't be home before dinner. I'm out of here before you know it, though."

"I wouldn't count on that," Smoker warned him.

Ace gave him an annoyed look and continued the conversation with his boyfriend. "Yup, so don't worry. 'Kay. Bye, love you too."

The handling of mister Portgas had taken up the rest of his working day and at the end, he still hadn't confessed. Because of that and because the arson investigation wasn't closed yet, he had to spend the night in one of their cells. He would get another chance tomorrow, because all the evidence seemed to be against him.

It was already getting dark when Smoker got home that day and when he passed his neighbor's window, he saw a faint light burning inside. It was different from the days before, when the apartment next to him had seemed abandoned, but that made sense now. Izo had been out of town.

Smoker subconsciously stopped in front of the window and looked inside. He could see the black haired man he had met the night before, talking with some blond. They seemed to have fun. His neighbor seemed like a very interesting man too, at least his looks were different from most people's. And that gave someone already head start in Smoker's book, because it meant they weren't afraid to be themselves.

Smoker realized he was peeking and quickly walked on to his own door.

He couldn't get out of cooking this evening, so he had already bought the one ingredient he had missed and started to make his dinner. He ate his meal in front of the television. He didn't really mind living on his own, since it gave him a lot of freedom. Still, when he saw others having fun, like Izo and his friend, it did bother him a bit. Not that he was actually looking for someone to spend his evenings with. But if someone happened to come on his path, he wouldn't be against it.

A few hours after dinner, he had fallen asleep on his couch, which wasn't very comfortable for that purpose, he noticed when he woke up in the middle of the night. He opened his eyes and it took him a moment to realize where exactly it was that he had fallen asleep. He saw that it was his living room that was decorated by different weird shaped shadows. And he would swear he saw one shadow move, but then the window caught his eye and he realized he hadn't closed his curtains. No wonder the shadows in his apartment were moving; the tree in front of his flat moved in the wind too.

Smoker was too tired to walk all the way to the window to cover it and instead went for his bedroom. He would rather spend the rest of the night in his bed. Still, when he dozed off, he first ended up in a restless, nightmare-like dreamland, before finally finding the relaxing sleep he needed.

The next morning again, he couldn't keep his eyes open very well, but thinking of the arsonist in his cell made him a bit excited again. He would get him to confess, he was sure of it. There wasn't really much else the guy could do.

Or that is what Smoker thought until he parked his car in front of the station. As soon as he opened the door from his vehicle, Tashigi came running out of the building. "Smoker, you're not going to believe this!"

He frowned. "I'm not gonna believe what, Tash?"

"Portgas D. Ace, the man we captured yesterday, he's gone missing!"

~ bonus ~

"… to find him beside you again."

The blond smiled. "Probably." He looked at his brother. "Are you aware that there is a man standing in front of your window, looking at you?"

The dark haired man chuckled. "Yeah, that's my new neighbor. Do you think he fancies me?"

TBC.

(please leave a review)