Ace stood on the deck as he stared out at the ocean blue. Smiling he watched the calm waters not really paying any attention to the people that were around him. Being on the Moby Dick brought back memories from home. Everyone on the ship especially the Commanders reminded him of the village that he lived close by as well as the Bandit Home he used to live in. As he watched over he felt one of his narcoleptic attacks come towards him cursing silently he stepped back from the edge so he wouldn't fall over board; at least he thought it was a narcoleptic attack. Just as he felt it hit someone grabbed him around the waist picking him up off the ground. "It's going to be alright Ace" A voice whispered in his ear before he totally blacked out.

A newer man who just joined the crew stared at his oh so loved commander as he just looked out onto the peaceful ocean. Truthfully, he was an undercover marine who was sent to ambush the second division commander. Looking around he just smirked as nobody seemed to be around so he took out the knock out gas that was in his pocket. As he walked over towards his captain he moved the gas close watching as his commander started to sway slightly before picking him up into his arms and started towards the front of the ship. Thinking about it he decided against taking him to the Marines. He felt free and decided at that time to just be a pirate and not a marine any more. Smirking to himself he walked towards their so called father, the Whitebeard who was talking with Thatch and Marco.

Thatch and Marco turned their heads towards the person who was holding Ace. A frown formed on both of their faces. "What happened, Jako?" Pops said gruffly.

"You see, Pops, I was thinking about leaving. I knocked him out to take him back with me cause they were my orders, but something changed my mind." Jako said a small smile on his face.

"What do you mean Jako?" Thatch asked his eyes moving from Ace to the younger mans face and back again. "You are a marine spy…"

"Yes, I am a Marine spy." Jako said frowning. "That was my intended duty, but then this happened"

"Give me Ace Jako, than we will talk." Marco said stepping up towards the younger man.

"I think not." Jako said before he suddenly vanished. Just as he left he heard the cries of Ace's supposed lovers.

Ace woke up drowsily as he ever had. Looking around with blurry eyes he noticed he was in a one windowed bedroom with a side table and lamp, as well as a wardrobe plus two other doors. Frowning he tried to remember where he could be but nothing came up. As his gaze continued to look he suddenly felt an itch on his nose. Trying to move his hand he felt he couldn't. Frowning he tried to call upon his fire but soon started to thrash about noticing he couldn't do that either. 'Dammit where the hell am I?' He thought to himself before he heard the door opening.

A familiar body came in and smiled towards Ace. "Ah, you are finally awake Commander." The man said moving over towards the bed after closing and locking the door. "How did you sleep?"

"Jako… un cuff me." Ace said frowning.

"I'm sorry Commander but I am not able to do that." Jako smiled gently brushing a strand of hair out of Ace's eyes. "I won't hurt you Ace. Unless you give me a reason too" sounding stern an almost sickening sweet smile on his face

….

Ace laid staring up at the ceiling, the same ceiling he was getting used to for the past two months. A lone tear ran down his cheek, thinking about what happened to him the past two months and winced at the memories. Just as he was about to slowly fall asleep he heard the door slam open then shut just as quickly. He stared up at the person who entered and frowned, Jako looked like he just seen a ghost. Before he could get out a word he heard a few familiar voices yell out. "Ace!"

Frowning slightly he heard a click and then a loud bang before pain erupted through his leg making him cry out. Damn he hated these fucking cuffs because it showed how human he really was without his fruit powers. Tears streamed down his cheek as choked sobs came from his lips. "I'm sorry Ace, but they won't take either of us alive" Jako said breathing heavily as he aimed the gun at Ace again. Just as his finger touched the trigger a body flew through the window blocking the bullet. "Dammit!"

Ace kept his eyes closed as he breathed in heavily only hearing sounds of grunts and groans. He only could slowly grit his teeth as his leg throbbed. Just as all the sound stopped suddenly. "Ace?" a familiar voice said softly

"Ace…what hurts love." Another voice said just as softly.

Ace just grit his teeth as a small whimper escaped his own lips. The pain Starting to become unbearable, but he had to think on that question. 'Hurt…truthfully everywhere hurt. Not just the new wound on his leg, but his whole body ached.' Slowly opening his eyes he let a small stream of tears flow out. "Everywhere…just take me home…" He said softly choking on his words before he passed out.

…..

Marco frowned as he quickly tied Ace's still bleeding leg. "thatch, did you find the key to the sea stone cuffs"

"Yeah I just found them. Here" Thatch said as he handed the key to Marco.

Marco quickly un-cuffed Ace's Arms and legs as Thatch slowly lifted him into his arms. "The cuffs look very bad" He said as he stared at the red marks on Ace's wrists. They were bruised and he knew it would hurt for a while, especially with the darkened marks under the skin. "Let's go home. Pops will be expecting us."

…..

Three weeks later

…..

Ace woke up the same feeling empty, almost even though he knew he wasn't. Looking around the room, he frowned as flashes came back and he quickly got up. "Ugh…I need to stop with this" Ace said. Moving out of the room he started towards the showers to cool down. Looking around as he went he noticed he was the only one in the hallways. As he watched his surroundings he locked the bathroom and begin his long shower. Sighing deeply he stared at the wall and heard a knock on the door. Looking at the door he frowned "What up Marco?"

"It is not Marco, Ace." A voice said "Its Luffy"

"Lu?" Ace said gently as he quickly dressed opening the door and bringing his little brother into a tight hug. "Hey how are you?"

"I'm doing alright. How are you doing?" Luffy said hugging him back. "Marco and Thatch told me what happened and I tried to get here as fast as I could."

"I'm alright Lu." Ace said sighing deeply. "Really I am."

"I do not believe you Ace. You have never been then cautious." Luffy said frowning.

"Lu, I'm alright, I swear it." Ace said frowning as he let Luffy go.

"Then what about these?" Luffy said holding up a pair of handcuffs.

"Where did you get those?" Ace said a bead of sweat running down his forehead.

"These were given to me by Whitebeard." Luffy said. "He said they could help get you back to normal."

"I am just fine Luffy…just get rid of those cuffs." Ace said as he reached for them.

"I don't believe you Ace. Prove to me you are not afraid of these by letting me put them on you then."

"No…I am not going through that again." Ace said as he started to walk out.

"You are proving my point." Luffy said as he watched him leave. "Put them on Ace. If not for me do it for Marco…and Thatch."

Ace froze in place "Am I really that bad. That everyone is worried about me? And my health?"

"Yes Ace, just prove to all of us that you are just fine brother." Luffy said as he placed the cuffs in his hands.

"Fine, I am not afraid of these damn things. I just do not like them. In fact I absolutely hate the damn things." Ace said as he took the cuffs and frowned.