A/N: I'm so sorry for such a long delay, and such a crap chapter, but hey progress right? Keep sending in idea's because I'm using them all! Most are coming in next chapter, with more on history and the 'whys' of the characters, but I really hope that this chapter gives you a feel of their relationship and her character!

Last time:

"Good evening Marco." Greeting the blonde man he held the tray out. "Would you be able to take this to Rikku? I would do it but I just have so much work to do." Somehow Marco doubted that, but never the less he quickly agreed and took the tray. Telling himself that the amused gleam in the doctor's eyes was his imagination, he proceeded to go see Rikku.

Marco sat with the musician, watching as she enthusiastically ate the assortment of food on the plate. It was surprising how fast she had changed from a washed out woman, laid in bed barely able to talk, to... this. Though she was still slightly pale, and her fingers still shook, she didn't seem to notice anything other than the food. The phoenix's lips were tilted up in an amused, fond smile as he watched her. Finally, she had finished and she sat the tray down on her bedside table, and turning beck to Marco with a beautifully warm smile.

"Ahh thanks Marco. I was starved!" Rikku yawned widely and slumped back on the pillows. "I want to go back out, but the doctor said I can't..." She stared wistfully at Marco. "I miss you... It's boring being in here all alone..." As if by a reflex his hand moved up from where it had been resting on her covers, travelling up to meet Rikku's soft one and twisting them together. They stayed like that, just sat in comfortable silence.

"So..." Marco began, leaning forward and resting his head on his palm, elbow on his knee. His other hand was still intertwined in Rikku's and he intended to keep them there. "What have the doctor's said?" He kept his voice neutral, but an underlying sense of something tainted the man's calm tone. He waited, watching her face, or more importantly her eyes. Marco knew that no matter what the situation, Rikku always spoke her emotions through her eyes, those blue orbs shined with whatever she felt, and it always made Marco feel at ease when she looked into his eyes.

"They aren't really sure... Just that my body kind of... stopped." She paused and bit her lip, contemplating what to say next. "They've checked nearly everything, and they noticed that my lungs and heart aren't working in a regular pattern like they used to. That what this-" She lifted her arm up, displaying the tubes connected to her arms. "is for."

Marco sat still and quietly, waiting for her to continue. His eyes caught on her next action, it was small, but so very noticeable to the man, trained as he was to observe the minor details. Her eyes locked back with his, they were shinier, a thin veil of moisture covering the surface. Her nostrils flared in the slightest way and her could hear a vague stutter in her breathing and speech, not very noticeable, but definitely there.

"I was so... scared Marco. So, so scared. It was like I was drowning, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't even move." Marco leaned in closer and placed his hand over her cheek, silently loving how she leaned into it and stared into her wide orbs.

"You're ok now, Rikku. You're safe." He murmured. Marco hated seeing her like this, seeing her act so strong, when she was obviously hurting.

"Haha, careful there Marco, if the guys see you'll be officially pegged as momma turkey." Her skin flushed as she giggled lightly as he flicked her nose as 'punishment' for calling him a turkey, her remembered pain forcefully shoved back so that she would look stronger, yet despite how hard she would force it away, Marco could see, and he always could. It was all part of being in love.

The wood of the deck was warm on Marco's fingertips, he quickly secured the rope before backing up to look at the result, the formally loosened rigging looked tight again, ensuring that his fellow nakama that climbed it wouldn't fall. He made his way back to the main area, greeting his crewmates as he went. He joined Whitebeard, sitting next to the captains great form and looked out at the rest of the crew, pottering about and working.

"What's on your mind, son?" The captain asked, his old knowing eyes trained on his son in all but blood.

"I was just thinking about what we should do on the next island." He replied, not really telling his true thoughts, just what he could play off and not be questioned about.

The captain let out a few deep chuckles. "I see. You know, the next island is quite a beauty. I think we'll stop there for a couple of days, it's small and claimed as that red-hairs territory. We won't run into trouble there." His eyes moved to Marco again. "I'm sure you'll have free time to spend with her."

Marco shifted embarrassed. "Well.." He coughed and avoided the question, standing up and moving to go inside to preoccupy himself with another job.

It wasn't long before the next island was in sight, it was long and curved, with two bays on either side of the island. It was known to be very peaceful, and beautiful. With white beaches and clear surrounding sea, complete with colourful fish and coral.

The islands culture itself was also something to enjoy, the people were friendly, and there were huge beach and street parties nearly all the time, it was really no wonder that Shanks had claimed the island under his protection, it was definitely his kind of place. The relationship between their crews was peaceful, so they can visit each other's territories safely, as long as no trouble was deliberately caused.

Marco had visited Rikku every day, talking to her and giving her messages from other crew mates, since the doctors prohibited many visitors so that she wouldn't be overwhelmed, much to Rikku's displeasure.

"It's not like they can talk me to death, if that could happen then Thatch would be a serial killer." She had complained to him, idly fingering the strings of a small ukulele. It was nothing compared to her usual, in fact the instrument was more of a decretive toy that she had owned for years, but it was the best Marco could do with the doctors permission. It was just so worth it to see her smile at him.

On the day that the island had come into sight Marco went to talk to the doctors. She was stable, but she couldn't walk, the muscles in her legs being very weak, and they were afraid the strain would push her body into another episode, something they had done much to avoid in the last week of her being bedridden. Marco, after a lot of persuasion and reassurances, had managed to get the head doctor to allow him to take her out onto the island in a wheelchair, provided that he take a medical pack with him and checked her over once an hour.

To say she was delighted was an understatement, as soon as she tugged him close enough she wrapped her arms tightly around him happily, thanking him over and over again.

"You have to be careful, you could get hurt again." He told her seriously, but she only grinned and held up her arms.

"Well get me into this thing then!" She laughed.

Marco sighed, but complied. He settled the chair down and made sure it was stable, then carefully lifted her up, gently holding her under her knees and her back. His heart stammered when she wrapped her arms around his neck for balance, and just before he started to lower her into the chair she kissed his cheek.

"Thank you so much, you're the greatest friend I could ever have." She said, hugging his neck again before settling down in the chair.

At the kiss Marco felt his face grow warm, and he quickly straightened up to hide his embarrassment. He wheeled her slowly out to the deck.

"Where are we going?" She asked, looked around at people and grinning at other people that waved excitedly at her.

"We'll go see pop's, then just sit on deck for a bit while we come into land, then I'll take you out onto the island.

She said nothing, but she laughed and smiled, so he knew she was happy. People came over to greet her, choruses of; "You look better!" and "We've missed you!" rang out, and each time she would smile that same radiant smile.

"Rikku!" Whitebeard boomed, grinning down at Rikku's own matching grin.

"Dad!" She looked up at him with excitement in her shining eyes.

"How're you feeling? Any better?"

"I'm great! Much better, Marco has been taking really good care of me!" Whitebeard looked to Marco with a knowing glint, then back to his daughter and held his hand out with she took and hugged tightly, like she used to before she got sick.

"I missed you!" Rikku said to Whitebeard, hugging him tighter. Marco could see just how much that statement was true, her eyes sparkled and the lines near her eyes crinkled with joy. After all Whitebeard saved her, and she loved him, as well as all her family.

"Wow Marco... It's beautiful..." Rikku whispered in awe, staying quiet as if being loud would disturb the beauty of the moment. And as much as Marco agreed, he thought that it couldn't hold a candle to her.

It was evening, the sun was holding on low in the sky, steadily extinguishing the bright light, leaving an orange glow to highlight the sky. The wood of the boardwalk had cooled and they had stopped, to look out onto the beach.

"Marco...?" Rikku said lowly. "Would you take me over there?" She pointed at a group of dipping rock, surely containing rock pools.

"Of course." Marco grasped the handles of the chair and began to move her, they reached the rocks and Marco picked her up so she could see better.

She sighed, face soft and blue orbs watching the glittering rocks that were wet with the water of the pools. They watched small creatures peak out of their holes and scuttle to the next hiding spot.

"We better head back." Marco stated quietly, adjusting his grip and holding her closer. She nodded and relaxed into him gripping his shirt with her small hands and resting her head on his chest. Before long they reached her chair again and he gently settled her into it, pulling out the small pack the doctor had given him.

"Can't we wait until we're back home?" She scrunched up her nose. Marco chuckled and lightly flicked her nose.

"Once an hour, no exceptions. Doctor's orders." He took out the stethoscope and placed the cool metal onto her chest, intently listening to the beats and mentally comparing them, satisfied it was regular he moved to her feet, poking at them and asking her questions, then he look hold of her hand and lightly pricked her finger, swiping the blood on some sort of swap and putting it in some liquid, checking the colour the water turns.

"All done." He said lowly, packing the supplies away, he looked back at her and noticed how close they were, he swallowed and started to move back, until he looked up properly at her. She stared back at him in silence, and before Marco registered they were even closer. He could feel her breath on his face, see the spectrum of colour in her eyes.

"Yo! Marco! Rikku!" A yell from behind Marco made him spring back as if burned, and quickly stand up.

"Thatch." He growled under his breath. There, stood at the end of the walk was Thatch, a couple of other crewmates, and then Jozu's huge frame behind them.

"We'll get you back to the doctor so he can check up on you properly okay?" She said to Rikku before wheeling her over to the guys, who accompanied them back. She was quiet, but then began to warm up, laughing with Thatches stories, but Marco stayed silent. He held not the image of her so close, imprinting it on him memory, sure that he wouldn't get another chance.

"Goodnight Marco." She said softly, smiling gently as they arrived at back. "Thank you for today, it was amazing, I won't forget it."

'Neither will I' Marco thought to himself and smiled back at her lazily. "Goodnight Rikku."

END

A/N: Ugh look at it... God I can't write anymore.