You're A Marine Now

By Tetsuhana

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece in any way, shape or form.

(Author's Note: In order to make up for not updating for like a year and a half I've updated I think once a day for three days now. So that's my present to you readers! But I'm going to the beach on Monday so there may not be any updates for the next week. I'll try to make sure I finish this story though.))

Ace woke up from his narcolepsy and blinked a few times. Smoker was leaning over him, looking a little worried.

"You idiot!" Smoker snapped, "Use your brain and be more careful next time."

Smoker looked away. He had honestly been somewhat terrified when he had seen Ace slipping from the railing and falling. There would have been nothing he could have done if he had fallen. Ace sat up, generally just looking a little confused.

"Thanks for catching me," he mumbled.

"Whatever," Smoker muttered. Ace moved a little closer.

"Taisa… did you save me… because you care… or because of my grandfather?" The ensign asked hesitantly.

"I didn't want you to drown," Smoker said gruffly. Ace took another step closer.

"But… why?"

"It was a reflex," Smoker muttered, "Nothing more."

"Oh…" Ace looked a little disappointed.

"But… if I had a reason…" Smoker muttered, "It wouldn't be because of your grandfather…"

Ace looked up at the captain with a look of pure delight without a hint of sarcasm or mischief. The ex-pirate looked around to be sure no one was watching before he leaned up and quickly kissed Smoker's cheek.

"I love you…" he whispered before dashing off. He had been invited to play cards with some of the other crew members. He just hoped it wasn't some sort of trap. With the sea stone on his wrists he wasn't a very good fighter. Smoker stared after the boy, his face turning red.

Ace found the men who had invited him to play cards.

"How's it going Romeo?" Kyosuke teased him, "Pull up a seat."

Ace sat down with them, sighing softly.

"It's such a shame… tomorrow's my last day with you guys. For marines you're not all half-bad.

"Only one more day?" Daitaro asked. He was a little disappointed. He had really started to like Ace.

"Yeah, unless the winds are bad, but everything seems fine. I'm going to get the scolding of a lifetime… I'll be lucky if that's all I get." Ace sighed again, "Oh well, let's play cards."

The three crew members stared at him for several minutes, but they let it go and dealt him into the game. Ace was a cheat, but he was subtle. Being among pirates, you had to learn how to cheat or you'd never win. Ace made sure he let the marines win occasionally. He didn't want them to hate him after all. After several hours, they all headed to bed.

Ace stripped off his shirt and boots and went to sleep. However, he couldn't rest. He kept thinking about Smoker. He wondered if the man was angry with him. The ex-pirate was just barely falling asleep when there was a knock at his door. He opened it to see Kyosuke, Hideki and Daitaro there.

"What's up?" the freckled man asked sleepily.

"We have a present for you," Hideki said. They dragged Ace upstairs.

"What's going on?" Ace asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Shh…" Daitaro shushed him and pointed out onto the deck from slightly down the stairs. Ace stared. Smoker was running laps around the deck in a pair of shorts and his boots, and nothing else. Ace almost started drooling. His body was so toned; so desirable.

"Wow… I think that's the best present I ever received…"

"We thought you'd like it," Kyosukie said, "We're gonna miss you Ace."

"Thanks…" Ace said, distracted by the sight of Smoker running, but it was touching that they cared.

That afternoon Ace nervously stood near the edge of the ship, staring at the approaching island where the Marine Headquarters was located. His heart was pounding. He was truthfully scared. When the boat was docked Smoker walked Ace off the ship. Ace saw his grandfather and both he and Smoker saluted. Ace tried to keep his head high, looking unashamed. Smoker and Vice Admiral Garp spoke for several minutes. Then Garp's eyes fell on his adopted grandson.

"Come on boy, into my office," he said gruffly.

"Yes sir…" Ace mumbled, following him. Smoker watched them go with a strange sort of pain in his chest. Once they were out of sight, he went back to his ship.

Ace stood on the other side of his grandfather's desk. He had lost his nerve and was staring at his feet. He received a severe tongue lashing before Garp opened the letter Smoker had given him about Ace.

Dear Vice Admiral Garp,

Despite this young man's less than desirable history in piracy, he has proven to be a very responsible and capable sailor under my command. I highly recommend his continued services among the marines. He has shown a level of dedication in his work that is rarely seen in new recruits.

Yours Truly,

Captain Smoker

Ace stood there nervously as the Vice Admiral read. He swallowed hard when the man looked up at him.

"Well Ace," he said, "It looks like your finally starting to grow up. I'll have an assignment for you in the morning. Please try to stay out of trouble until then."

Ace blinked.

"You mean… that's it?" he asked, "You aren't going to send me to the gallows, or a prison cell or something?"

"You're finally shaping up to be the man I wanted you to be. Why would I do that?" Garp asked, "Now get out, I'm very busy."