I do not own One Piece.


I don't know why I told Ace my name, or anything really. There is no doubt in my mind that he will run off and tell Whitebeard. But maybe that is for the best. I mean, I did lose to him, maybe he has the right to know everything…But I can't tell him. I don't really know what I will do. I doubt I will ever be strong enough to beat him, I barely hurt him in our duel. But I would feel like I was betraying mom and Ashley's memory if I just came out and told him. What kind of man doesn't even recognize his own daughter? What kind of man doesn't remember killing his family?

Sighing in frustration, I walk out of the room, going back to the place I sat last night as I talked to Ace. It was my favorite place on the ship to go to when I have a lot on my mind. Leaning against the wall, I stare up at the bright sky. Hoping to get an epiphany of what I should do. I look over as Ace takes the seat next to mine.

"How are you feeling today, Marie?" he asks, smiling at me. I grunt in reply, not trusting myself not to tell him everything if I open my mouth. "You don't have to worry, I won't tell anyone anything we talk about. So no one else knows your name or anything," he assures, turning his gaze towards the sea. I look at him in shock for a moment before nodding my head.

We sit in silence for several minutes before asking a question that I have been wondering the answer to forever. "Why does he refer to you all as his sons? Why does he want you to call him 'Pops'?" I ask curiously.

"Ever since he was young, the only treasure he ever wanted was a family. That's what we are. We are a big family. We are his treasure," he answers easily, smiling fondly. I feel tears of frustration begin to gather in my eyes as my anger rises. I clench my fists, willing them not to shake. He had a family! And he threw that away! Why? Weren't we good enough for him? Why would he throw us away, when he considers family treasure?

"Why hasn't he just started his own family?" I ask, willing my voice not to break and give away my distressed state.

"You know. I never really thought about that. I guess he figured if he did that, he would have to give up his crew…his sons and his life at sea. I guess he figured having all of us as sons was good enough," he replies after a short pause. I pull my knees to my chest, burying my face in my arms.

"Hey…what's wrong?" he asks concerned, staring at me in shock. I shake my head, drawing my knees closer to my body, no longer able to keep the tears at bay.

After a few awkward moments, I finally get my tears under control. Raising my head, I look forward, staring at the sea. "You know…" he says, breaking the silence, "I am pretty sure Pops is hoping that you will join us. He really likes you and I think he wants to become your Pops as well."

I turn to face him sharply, glaring furiously. "I would never join you….I would never call myself the child of that man. I would never betray them and call him 'Pops' or any other such word," I snarl out, feeling my anger begin to boil inside me.

"Woah…Woah, sorry. I guess that was a little insensitive. I guess I just agree with him. It would be pretty great to have you on the crew. You're pretty strong and seem pretty cool….and that worked for me." he says with an awkward laugh.

I stare at him for a second, before letting out a loud laugh. "That was all it took to make you join? That's pretty pathetic," I gasp out between laughs.

"Yeah, I guess so." he replies beginning to laugh as well. "All I think I really wanted was a father. Someone who cared about me. Someone who wanted me to live." he replies seriously a few seconds after we both stop laughing.

"I honestly don't know what I want." I reply, feeling the need to be honest for some reason. "At first it was about revenge…but I knew from the beginning that that wouldn't work out. There was no way I could beat someone like him….I think maybe I was just hoping that once I met him, he would remember everything and show at least a little remorse….or maybe I just hoped that he would kill me in our duel." I tell him, looking up at the sky.

He stares at me for a few seconds before letting out a soft sigh. "Maybe you don't really hate Pops at all. It sounds to me like you just want Pops to recognize you. You just want him to remember you and show that he cares at least a little." he says thoughtfully, standing up and walking away, leaving me sitting there speechlessly.