~Grace~

I don't know why I'm going along with this slightly obnoxious redhead, but I have to admit it is a pretty nice night to go for a walk. I only wish I wasn't in a position where I have to remind myself that I have a pirate in my presence. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about Shanks that makes me want to forget about his chosen profession. It's kind of unsettling when I think about how easy it is to relax. I hate it! But I also kind of like it.

Gah! I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel anymore! I don't have a dummy to take my frustration out on like I did on the ship, so I'm stuck having to seethe quietly. It seems like I'm going to have this internal battle raging within me forever. Spending time with this redhead goes against everything I believe in, and yet it's not unpleasant. It sort of makes me forget my first encounter with a pirate...

"So, what have you been up to lately?" Shanks asked, cutting into my thoughts.

"Not much." I reply. It's not a lie. Things really have been pretty slow lately. Target practice is the only thing that has filled my time for the most part. I sigh. "Why aren't any pirate ships acting up?" I say more to myself than to Shanks.

"Why would you want them to? Aren't marines supposed to keep the peace or something?"

"If there's peace, then I have nothing to do." It kind of sounds like I support piracy when I put it like that...Damn it.

"So, you like adventure." Shanks says thoughtfully.

"I like arresting pirates." I reply pointedly.

"Isn't that kind of like an adventure?"

"What are you getting at, Red Hair?" I ask.

"I'm just trying to make you see that we're not so different. We travel on different paths, but we both seek thrill rides." Shanks glances at me and smiles. "And I think one of us can teach the other how to enjoy it more."

"You're just trying to change my mind about spending time with you." I retort.

"Well, yeah." he chuckles. "I've been trying to do that since...almost the beginning I guess."

"You're trying to hard."

"You're worth the energy, sweetheart."

I feel my cheeks heat up and look away, praying the dim lighting on this street was enough to hide it. "Why do you have to say ridiculous things like that?" I ask.

"I'm only telling the truth." Shanks suddenly stops and pulls me close with a firm, yet gentle, grip on my wrists. My first instinct tells me to pull away, but I couldn't. Not even if I wanted to. "Besides...It's fun making you blush." he adds mischievously. I can see amusement twinkling in his eyes. The fact that he finds pleasure in my slight discomfort annoys me, but I know he's only teasing.

But why doesn't that bother me? Before I met him, I would've maimed anyone who teased me for any reason (with the exception of Valeska, of course). What makes the redhead so different? I don't understand. I mean, it's not like we've spent that much time together despite how long it's been since we met. Yet he's made such a mark on me... "It would be so much easier if you let me hate you..."

"You've got it wrong." Shanks replies. "I can't make you like me. I'm glad my efforts are working, though." A smile punctuates his sentence. It gave me butterflies.

"So what? Nothing is going to change." I pull away, ignoring the funny feelings that bloomed due to being so close to him. I'm too stubborn to give in right now. For one thing, my pride is at stake. It doesn't matter how this guy makes me feel; I'm a marine. That means its my job to uphold the law, no matter how tempting it may be to throw caution to the wind and indulge in whatever shenanigans this pirate had to offer. However, I get the feeling it's not going to be as easy as that, seeing as how I haven't been able to resist him thus far. If this streak continues, he might end up winning in the end. But I won't make it easy for him. "We're from different worlds, Shanks. Too different."

"I know that. But," he grins, "I've never really cared for the rules of society. I'll get you to loosen up if its the last thing I do." he replies.

"You're wasting your time." I say. I'm really trying to convince myself more than anything.

"Like I said earlier, you're worth the energy."

Damn him. Resolve like that is...well, attractive. I hate to admit it, personally, but it's the truth. Well, I already knew he was a persistent fool, but I'm not giving him any satisfaction any time soon. I won't make it easy for a pirate to sweep me off my feet.

I only hope I can stay true to my word...


~Shanks~

I can't help but smile softly as Grace tries to tug her hand away once again. My grip stays firm. "I'm not letting go." I say.

A sigh. "Is this necessary? I've been walking with you the whole time, haven't I? It seems like you think I'm gonna run away or something..." my marine mumbles. I had grabbed her hand earlier, much to her chagrin. She's given up actively trying to escape though, which I'm choosing to take a good sign. However she still tries to slip out of my grasp once in a while.

"Well how do I know that?" I ask lightheartedly. I know she won't run. She'd sooner clean my clock, if she were to do anything. "Besides, it's more romantic for a couple to hold hands when they walk together."

"We're not a couple. You're pretty much keeping me against my will." Grace deadpanned. "And how is this romantic? We're through a dirty alley."

"Hm..." I look around at the litter-filled walkway. She has a valid point. Well, not for the couple part. I'm sticking to my guns. "In that case, how about a change of scenery?"

"How about you let go of my hand?"

"Nah, let's go with the change of scenery." I reply. I laugh softly when she rolls her eyes. "C'mon, let's go to the beach!" Grace doesn't object. She quietly allows me to guide her to the sandy shore that surrounds the island. The moon is really bright tonight and provides enough light to see. "There, this is better, right?" I ask.

"Your hand is sweaty..." Grace notes instead of answering me. I roll my eyes and let go, only to place my hand at the small of her back. I lean in, intending to surprise her with a kiss since it seems like she wasn't paying attention at all. However, before I can even get close, I feel a hand grab the back of my head and push me to the ground.

The next thing I know, I'm sitting up and trying to spit sand out of my mouth. "Ugh..." I look up and see Grace walking away, so I scramble to my feet and catch up with her. "What was that for?" I ask.

"You must be crazy if you think I'd let you kiss me with breath like that." the marine replies.

"My breath...?" I ask. Then I smile. "So, do you have a mint or something? Then would you let me kiss you?"

"I never said that."

"You implied it." I say with a grin. I love twisting her words around. She gets all frustrated trying to argue with me, even though she knows she can't counter my logic. If you can even call it that.

Grace shakes her head. "You only hear what you want to hear." she says.

"I prefer to think of it as reading between the lines."

"Too optimistic..." the marine mutters. "Are you satisfied? I can't stay out forever, you know."

"Just a little longer...Please?" I ask I don't want to say goodbye so soon. I at least want to get her to smile for me. Just once would satisfy me.

The pleading look on my face must have gotten through to her. "Okay..." she sighs. "You better not do anything weird."

"Um...Define weird." I say. Grace rolls her eyes and sighs as if she's wondering why she even bothers. She keeps walking down the beach, and I reach over and gently grasp her hand. She lets me without any objection. A comfortable silence follows as we stroll along the shore. Soon we come across some tide pools. "Oh hey!" I climb up the jagged rocks with the marine following more slowly, a little less eager. I crouch down and loo into the shallow pools of water. "What do you think we can find in here?" I ask.

"Probably some slimy little creatures—" I reach toward the water, only to be stopped when Grace grabs my shoulder, "—who probably don't want to be disturbed! Leave them be."

I look up and smile at her. "You're so kind."

She raises an eyebrow at me. "Why? Because I understand the concept of personal space?"

"Because you're looking out for defenseless little creatures." I reply.

"That's what marines do." Grace says indifferently. "Unlike selfish pirates."

"Not all of us are completely selfish." I stand up. "I'd lay down my life for the people I care about if I had to."

"You're still only choosing people who are a part of your immediate world. You don't think about the welfare of all the people who you don't know. They deserve to be protected too." the marine argues. So she's the type who believes that society as a whole is more important than the individual. I could have guessed that, I suppose.

"Eh...I still think personal happiness is more important." I reply. I can see where she's coming from, but that just isn't my opinion. "Agree to disagree?" I suggest. My marine shrugs. I guess she doesn't want to argue either. "You're not mad, right?" I just want to be sure.

"No." Grace answers. "You're entitled to your opinion."

I smile and wrap my arms around her waist. I can't help myself. "You're so great!" I'm immediately met with resistance.

"H-hey! What's gotten into you? Let me go!" Grace pushes against my chest hard enough to make me stumble. I slip on the wet rocks beneath my feet and plummet right into the icy water of the tide pool.

"Ack! That's cold!" I yelp, scrambling to my feet.

Giggles make me forget my predicament for a moment. "That's what you get for goofing off!" Grace teases. She may be laughing at my expense, but it's the most beautiful sound I heard all night.


~Grace~

I'm definitely in a better mood as I board the ship later this evening. It doesn't go unnoticed. "Well, well! It looks like you're doing better!" Vice Admiral Garp states. "You see, Grace? Its not so bad to relax with your fellow marines, right?"

"Eh? But she didn't hang out with us..." one of the guys says. "She disappeared somewhere."

"Huh? Where did you go?" asks Garp.

"I went for a walk." I reply. "Maybe it's being around you guys all the time that stresses me out."

Garp laughs. "We'll give you some space then. It's better when you're not angry at everyone." He claps me on the back and then has us get to bed for the night.

I really hate to admit it, but I actually had a nice time tonight. I can't remember the last time I was this comfortable. It almost pains to say it, but not even Valeska can help me relax this much. I guess Shanks is just one of those people who can get even the most uptight person to loosen up. That's a pretty helpful quality. But why does he have to be a pirate? I hate having to keep secrets. I'd like letting him pursue me more if I didn't feel I'm risking my job. I guess it's pointless to think about that. Things are what they are, and there's no changing it.

Either way, I'm looking forward to our next meeting, whenever that may be.