(Alright! Thanks to all who favorited, followed and even specialer thanks to those who took the time to review as always!

To NightHunterDeath: First thanks for the review friend, I found it very helpful. I actually didn't notice until you pointed out, but I do have more of a tendency to write Ace versus writing Marco. I guess because I have a similar personality it's easier for me to write him, but I really did think about how I could do a Marco centric chapter. Then this idea sprang forth, and I really liked it. So essentially you inspired this chapter. Also Ace was on the second attack last time, I just wasn't sure which attack was what number. This is around the time I go off canon… heh. Enjoy the chapter and thanks again for the review!

To Stormy1x2: I read that in like a sports reporter voice in my head, and XD I loved it. Thanks for the review as always and I shall deliver another injury soon…

To StarliteOracle: ;3

To cantorahagedoom: Thank you for the review! I know, poor Marco, but he still wouldn't trade his soul mate for the world. :)

To Krystal 'Demon' Sanate: :3

Enjoy the chapter!

-Axx)

It had been a few days since their guest had gotten totally homicidal. It had started with the axe attack, then the sneaking up on Oyaji while he slept. Marco had to admit though, it was impressive how stubborn the raven was. He attacked at least 2 times a day, and by the looks of it, was not backing down anytime soon.

Marco sighed, raking a hand through his hair as he gazed over at the amount of paperwork he had to accomplish. It didn't help his mind was currently occupied with their newest recruit, who he hadn't seen since he tried giving him food. Sighing again, he grabbed a random paper and leaned back in his chair as he read it. Once it mentioned Ace's crew he got interested.

"Hmm…"

The paper was arrangements for the Spades to move to one of their other ships. Marco tapped his pen on the table as he mused. He had never really seen the crew, apart from the time when they came back for their captain, which he respected. It wasn't really unusual though, considering the Moby Dick is a rather large ship. He probably passed them once or twice, but that was it. His eyes widened. Was it possible that Ace was the same? Oh god. Ace was essentially stuck on their ship with no idea where or what happened to his crew. Marco almost smacked himself for being so blind. He had to at least have them meet up once before his crew got transferred. Marco nodded to himself, set on his idea. Looking down at the paper, he tried picking out some names he could try to find. Hmm.. Dusty huh? The first mate would be a good start he figured. And then he had to find Ace… Marco once again sighed. Gazing over at his paperwork, an inner conflict occurred, before he decided to push it off to later. How much paperwork could stack up in one day anyway?

Finding the first mate had actually not been that hard. The crew had been distributed to all empty rooms available, which was the problem. They didn't have enough space currently available to support a twenty or so crew. Anyway, Dusty had ended up in the Fourth Division, and with some help from Thatch, Marco found himself standing outside of the room the other occupied. Bringing his hand up, he softly knocked on the door. After a couple seconds the door opened. The cowboy hat wearer seemed surprised to see him.

"Oh, Phoenix. Uh.. How can I help you?"

"Have you met up with your captain yet, yoi?"

Seeing the other looked uncomfortable, Marco elaborated.

"Have you got the chance to talk to Ace yet, yoi?"

Marco felt the other's stare as he assessed the situation. He watched as a wave of feelings danced over the other's face, before the man sighed. He opened up the door wider, signaling Marco to come in. Marco complied, and sat down on a chair as directed. Dusty sat across from him.

"We tried the room he's supposed to be in, multiple times, and the infirmary a couple times, but he never seems to be there."

"Hmmm… Do you know about the transfer yet, yoi?"

"Yeah. The orange haired guy told me a day or so ago."

"Are you alright with it ,yoi. I mean-"

Dusty chuckled.

"Ace talked to us before all this happened. He always said if something like this happened think for ourselves, and make decisions based on that. Which now that I think about it is hypocritical considering he'd always be there for us."

Marco could see how much the guy respected his captain and, oddly, a sense of pride formed in him that the other had managed to form such a great crew.

"So why are you here, Phoenix?"

"I want to set up a meetup, yoi. If you can gather the other Spades I'll bring Ace."

Once again the other stared at him, before a small smile spread on his face.

"You know, I was worried about leaving Ace here, he's hot-headed, brash, impulsive, annoying, incredibly gluttonous, eh- Uh. Anyway, the point is you better take care of him, because we no longer can."

"You have my word, yoi."

Dusty grinned, getting up and opening the door. Marco followed.

"I'll get the crew together, where do you want to meet?"

Finding Ace, however, had been much harder. Seriously, Marco didn't even know there was this many hiding spots in the ship, and how the kid managed to find all of the them was far beyond him. Once again, Marco was on a goose chase.

Marco found the teen in the deeper parts of the ship. He was sleeping in a really weird position that Marco knew could not be good for his posture. Marco bent down beside him, gazing over his face. He was really cute, you know, when he wasn't trying to murder his father. Raven locks framed his face, and the just the right amount of freckles dotted his face. Marco resisted the urge to move the stray strand away from the other's face, as he shook him awake.

"Ngh?"

"Wake up, yoi."

At the sound of his voice the teen shot awake, instantly moving as far away from him as the room allowed. The teen got in a fighting position, but considering his disheveled appearance, he didn't really look intimidating. The raven glared at him, as Marco folded his arms.

"Is this where you've been sleeping, yoi?"

"Shut up!"

"Relax, yoi. I come in peace."

The other didn't seem convinced, as he stayed in his messy fight stance.

"Your crew wanted to talk to you, I just wanted to bring you to them."

He watched as the other's eyes widened at the mention of his crew, and his position shock a little as he became more relaxed.

"Are they alright then?"

"They're fine, yoi."

The other let out a sigh of relief as Marco watched in sympathy. The teen didn't look good. He seemed somehow smaller, no doubt from the undernourishment, and the black circles under his eyes indicated he hadn't been sleeping well. He made a mental note to work on getting him to eat and sleep next.

"Come on, yoi. They're probably waiting for you by now."

Marco noted the other must've been really concerned about his crew, considering he didn't protest, instead following behind him silently.

"ACE!"

Marco pretended not to care, even though his eye twitched if anyone saw, as the other crew glomped their captain. Marco's fist clenched as a smile spread across the other's face as he happily hugged his crew back, a personality showing Marco didn't even know he had. He didn't know why, but seeing the raven being so close and touchy with those- They're his crew mates of course they're close. He mentally shot the jealousy down as he took one last glance at the happy bunch. His presence long since forgotten, he walked away, suddenly feeling the need to punch something. I wonder if Thatch's up to spar…

It felt great to be back with his crew again, though Ace felt a great pain when he learned about their transfer. He put on a brave front as his hat shadowed his eyes.

"Listen everyone. I want you to do what you must alright? I am no longer fit to be your captain, but the time I've spent as it will always be treasured in my heart."

Ace felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up, to see his first mate grinning at him.

"We'll be fine Ace. Worry about yourself for once huh? I'll take care of these lot so rest assure."

As Dusty jutted a thumb to the crew's direction, Ace couldn't help but smile.

"I've got no doubts Dusty."

"Besides Ace, it seems you're not entirely alone here neither."

"Huh?"

"Phoenix. He set up this meeting you know. I can see it, he does care."

"Marco?"

Ace suddenly realized the absence of the blond. He looked around, suddenly feeling slightly guilty. Dusty chuckled.

"And it seems it not just him."

Ace looked back to him annoyed.

"I can still throw you overboard you know."

Marco had ended up back at his room after he spared with Thatch. He had ended up chucking the other overboard so many times, Thatch refused to spar anymore with him. He looked at his desk and sighed at the amount of paperwork he had to do. I guess I'm not sleeping tonight. As he got ready for his all nighter, he heard a knock at the door. Marco raised an eyebrow, he didn't get many visitors this late. Opening the door, he was even more surprised when he saw the visitor was the very cause of his stress.

"Ace? What are you doing here so late, yoi?"

The other obviously was uncomfortable, Marco could tell. He was fidgety and couldn't meet the other's gaze. He mumbled something incoherently.

"What?"

The raven sighed in frustration as his eyes darted over to meet Marco's.

"I said thank you."

Marco's eyes widened slightly as he stared into the other's eyes. Stormy grey eyes filled with defiance and slight reluctance staring back into his own icy blue.

"For what, yoi?"

"...Dusty told me you had set up the meeting. I-I i don't really like owing people anything so, If you want anything in return just tell me."

Marco couldn't help himself, the raven just looked so adorable. He chucked, a smile plastered on his face as he brought up a hand to cover it. His heart fluttered as the other's eyes widened, and a light red dusted his freckled face.

"If you don't want to then-"

"Eat something, yoi."

Ace's face looked at him with confusion.

"...What?"

"You can't seriously think you can survive off a couple pieces of fruit a day, yoi." Ace's eyes looked off to the side, as he folded his arms. "We're not trying to kill you, can't you see that? I can see you're already losing weight because of it, yoi. It's not healthy."

"Is that it? You just want me to eat something?"

"No. I want you to continue eating, like a normal person. Like hell am I letting you starve to death, yoi."

"...fine."

Marco sighed in relief.

"I don't think you really want to go to the mess hall yet, so just come to my room at meal times, I'll bring you something."

Marco watched as conflict spread across the other's face. He was beginning to think the other would refuse when the raven sighed in defeat. The raven nodded reluctantly, and Marco was surprised. He must really not like oweing anything, huh? Ace seemed content with their agreement, a he nodded to Marco goodnight and walked off. Marco shut the door behind him as he rubbed his head. Turning, he looked at the paperwork mountain on his desk. He groaned. He could push it off for one more day, right?

(YES! It has begun. Thanks to all that favorite, follow, and even greater thanks to those that have/ will review! Goodnight to y'all. I'll see you next time! Bye for now!

-Axx)