Rocinante paced through the hallways, hands stuffed in his uniform's pockets. His fingertips felt the folded paper he'd received earlier in the day and his throat clenched at the thought of its message. 'Lieutenant Commander Donxiquote Rocinante- We are pleased to inform you that, by careful consideration of your recent performance, you are being promoted to the rank of Commander. Please report to your superior officer with any questions you may have. Thank you for your service and congratulations.'

The brief letter was nothing new for the young Marine, as he had been receiving them at a break neck pace since he completed his training. Despite his clumsy mishaps that frequently created havoc, he had completed all of his assignments quickly and effectively. It also didn't hurt to have his mentor be an Admiral. Even before his long, grueling struggle with training, Admiral Sengoku had been teaching him the methods of the most successful Navy men and showing the boy how he handled every order given to him.

Something about this promotion felt different, however. There was still the initial rush of joy and excitement that coursed through his system, but instead of that glee lasting for several days, Rocinante now trudged through Navy Headquarters with an air of worry. He scolded himself for his disrespectful demeanor, as not everyone could reach the level of Commander. He should be celebrating with his fellow comrades, especially with Sengoku himself. After every previous promotion, Sengoku had cooked a banquet of food for his adopted son and invited his boisterous partner, Garp, to join the festivities.

"Hey Roci!" a voice hollered behind him, "Got promoted again, eh? Way to go, Lefty!" The cheeky nickname was accompanied by a large smile from the tall, black-haired man.

"Vice Admiral Kuzan, sir!" Rocinante flickered to attention. "Thank you very much, sir!"

Kuzan's sunglasses hid them, but Rocinante was sure that he was rolling his eyes dramatically. Years of gaging his brother's expressions had served the blond well. "Geez, you know you can drop the formalities around me, Roci. I mean I've known you since you were a kid and I'd like to think that eleven years is more than enough time to, uh- you know- oh, never mind." Fluffing up the collar of his jacket, Kuzan nodded to the large wooden doors a few feet away. "Would I be right in guessing that you're here to tell Vice Admiral Garp about the party? He's always telling me about the buffet you guys dish out."

"Yeah, we're having a get together tonight. You can come to if you want. I'm sure Sengoku won't mind." Rocinante prayed the ice man would say yes. His wild stories and banter with Garp were sure to distract him from his own anxieties.

The lazy shrug made him grin. "Eh, sure. I'll tag along. Say, while you're talking to the Vice Admiral…" Kuzan dug into his trench coat, pulling out a manila envelope. "Can you give this to him? It'd save me the trouble." Before he could respond, the blond found the envelope tucked under his arm and Kuzan quickly retreating from the direction he came. "Thanks Lefty!"

"Of course…" Rocinante sighed. He turned towards the door closest to him, hesitating somewhat before knocking.

"Come in," Garp's gruff voice hollered.

A shiver of fear ran down Roci's back. While he had been living under the Marines care for more than half his life, the Vice Admiral still overwhelmed him terribly. The powerful man's name alone was reason to be leery of him, being a carrier of the initial 'D', but his frequent "fists of love" had scarred the new Commander since childhood. Sticking his head into the office, Rocinante braced himself for whatever chaos the older Marine created. "Vice Admiral Garp," he addressed.

"Roci! Good to see you! When's Sengoku starting this shin-ding? He better have plenty of senbei crackers!" Garp's head rolled back and he cackled wildly. "You should keep up with these promotions kid. I don't want the partying to stop!"

Opening his mouth to reply, Rocinante found that he lacked the strength to agree. The comment hit too close to home for his liking. Garp, noticing the silence, observed the teen curiously. "Cat got your tongue, Roci? I thought you liked climbing the Navy ladder."

"O-Oh, I do, sir!"

"Well what's the problem then?" Garp raised an eyebrow as Roci fidgeted in place, still in the doorway. "Get in here and sit down boy." Once the blond sat in the chair in front of his desk, the greying man reached under his desk and slid a small box across. Brown eyes widened in surprise at the cigarettes. "I know Sengoku doesn't approve of you smoking, but you look like you need it. Take a puff and then you can tell me what's on your mind."

In a flash, Rocinante had one of the sticks stuck between his lips and his lighter at the ready. Click. Click. Click. "Damn it," he muttered. Finally, the tiny flame came to life and grazed the cigarette's tip. Smoke swirled around his head, his lungs inhaling the addicting substance. Instantly, the muscles that had knotted up with stress slackened somewhat. It had been months since he had even seen a cigarette, after Sengoku's long lecture about the health risks of such behavior. He made a note to curse the stupid white-haired ensign that had gotten him hooked.

Now in a much calmer state, he lifted his gaze back to Garp. The man was still awake by some miracle and remained patient. "After this promotion, the next rank for me will be captain." The simple statement hung in the air for a moment. "Most of the captains are sent to bases far away from HQ."

"And that doesn't sit well with you?" Garp guessed.

Rocinante shook his head. "It doesn't. As silly as it sounds, the idea of being stationed somewhere else really scares me. I can't imagine not being with you or Kuzan or Admiral Sengoku."

"Not surprising." A bag of rice crackers was held out for the other to take. "You've been living here ever since Sengoku found and adopted you. He and all of the Marines working at Headquarters have become a makeshift family. My boy had similar issues with leaving home when he joined the Navy. Listen, if it's bothering you that much, why don't you request to be assigned to Sengoku's staff?"

"What do you mean, sir?"

"Just tell the old fart what you told me. He can pull some strings and have you as his right-hand man. Bogard's been working under me for years now and the big brass never gave him any trouble about it."

Rocinante dropped the cracker he held. "I never thought about that." A large, dorky smile stretched across his face for the first time since the letter arrived. "That's a fantastic idea!"

"Of course it is! Don't think because that goat bastard teases me that I'm not a clever man, boy!" A large hand extended toward Roci and snatched the envelope from him. "I'll take the report that lazy feather-brain left, so you run along and go talk to your old man, ya hear?"

Rocinante shot up, still radiating with newfound relief. "Yes! Right away! Thank you so much Garp! I'll buy some extra senbei on the way there. Thank you!" He spun around and charged ahead, his foot catching on the chair leg on the way. "I'm okay!"

The door slammed behind the teen. "Heh, what a kid." the Vice Admiral sighed.

(A.N. Hope you enjoyed everyone! Next up is Elite Officer Corazon! Woot-woot!)