Ace had his eyes open in shock and he had his left hand shaking the marine captain beside him. Smoker squinted his eyes in his sleep and grumbled something incoherent. The freckled boy pouted and leaned over right above smokers left ear. Blowing in some warm air caused Smoker to wake up as if he caught fire, which he might have if he slept longer.

Glaring daggers at the boy Smoker had no time to utter a single word as Ace grabbed his hand and placed it on his stomach, as Ace leaned onto the pillows lining where the bed met the wall. Ace smiled all while Smoker sat there confused and annoyed. "Ace tell me what it is or I swear to ka-" Words no longer left Smokers mouth as soon as he felt it. Now he smiled and looked over to Ace, who was laughing. "You got a grin on your face the size of the Grand Line Tasia." Ace leaned in and kissed Smoker on the cheek. "Want to tell a father to-be why?"

Smoker blushed a million shades of red and turned his head so he didn`t look at Ace. "It moved you shitty brat!" The fire user pouted and wagged his finger in front of Smoker. "No need to yell I`m right here." The marine captain hmphed and turned his head. "Its supposed to move, silly." Ace laid down and pulled Smoker with him. Smoker hugged Ace as he hugged Smokers midsection, the logia users both jumped a bit when the baby kicked. "Tasia, this is what we created. Isn`t it amazing?" Smoker said nothing and neither did Ace, but secretly Smoker thought about it and he thought about it all night long.

Morning came faster than Smoker thought and by then Smoker had smoked a pack and a half of cigars. The decision to take Ace in cuffs to Impel Down rested in his hands, but… The marine captain slammed his fist on the table making his coffee jump. He rested his head in his hands and groaned. 'Ace looked so happy, I can`t just take him and our kid away to prison. It would break his heart if it died.' Smoker stood up fast and quick knocking his wooden chair over.

Ace rushed out of the room his round abdomen peeking from his shirt. "Hey Tasia is everything okay?" Smoker marched over to Ace and pulled him into a kiss. It was rough yet full of passion even though it was a short kiss. Smoker picked up the chair and sat down. He then tugged Ace onto his lap and held him tight, not wanting to let go. "I want to take you back with me." Smoker's voice was so quiet it was hard to make out what he mumbled.

"Huh?" Ace leaned close to the white haired man who was blushing a light shade of pink. "I said I want to take you with me until this is over." Smoker spoke louder and sat up straighter probably feeling more confident in his choice. Ace stared at the man for a minute before nodding. "Why the change in attitude Smokey?" Ace stood and began to gather his stuff in his backpack. "Don`t question or I`ll won`t let you tag along with me."

By that time Smoker had his jitte and straps on his body, Ace was at the door waiting to leave as well. "Do we gotta pay?" Ace shook his head and explained that he paid when he registered. The white haired man nodded and began the walk back to the ship. "Can we get my Striker before we leave I docked it on the east side a bit far from the harbor?" Smoker said nothing so Ace pouted a bit.

"See that bench?" Ace turned his head to where Smokers finger was pointing. Nodding Smoker continued. "Go sit on it and don`t move until I get back." Ace looked up and could see the serious look in the mans eyes. "I`ll get your raft and take it back to the ship. I`ll also explain to Tashigi and the crew that you`ll be staying a board for a bit." Smoker grabbed Aces hand and took him over to the bench. "Sound good?" Ace blinked once and then stared right into Smokers brown eyes. "Very good." With that the marine captain walked away with unspoken words in his head. Those words seemed to be on the tip of his tongue yet it was impossible for him to say them so he just thought them, over and over again hoping it would reach the boy waiting for him.
'Please be safe you brat.'