A/N~ HOLY COW. Shout-out to RockingTheGraveyard for their AWESOME fanart! You drew them EXACTLY how I imagined them in this universe, holy smokes! I actually screamed when I saw it, thank you so much!

As an apology for the last chapter, I decided to do something a little more light-hearted :)

(before I crush your souls again :D)

Seriously, this chapter was so much fun to do, combining typical Straw Hat antics with three boys platonically pining over each other like idiots XD I hope yo like it, it's a bit of a long one.

I OWN NOTHING. SABO WOULD HAVE MORE SCREEN TIME IN EVERYTHING IF I DID, BECAUSE I LOVE HIM.

Enjoy!

Chapter 12: To Liberate a Noble

Sanji bit down hard on the butt of his cigarette, scowling as he reclined against the bench, one leg neatly crossed over the other. Beside him, muscular arms crossed over his broad chest, Zoro resembled a gargoyle in the way in which he sat with his brows furrowed and a frown deep enough to dig a grave. Any other day, the cook would've said something along those lines out loud, but not this time.

This time, he supposed, the moss-head's gargoyle-like appearance was justified.

Because the boy in front of them – the happy, stupid, charming, brighter than the sun and larger than life boy they'd all fallen for in their own little ways in the short time they'd spent together – was sitting on the deck, legs hugged to his chest and chin resting on his knees, old straw hat masking his down-turned eyes…

And he was hurt.

Someone had the nerve to hurt Luffy. And not just Luffy, but his kind-hearted though hot-tempered older brother as well, and wasn't that just a recipe for disaster?

(No pun intended, and not really appropriate given the timing, but Sanji swore he was funny.)

Usopp, Nami and Chopper were sat around Luffy, patting his shoulders and rubbing his back soothingly, trying to reassure the kid with little to no success when Luffy didn't respond. Franky and Brook stood on either side of Ace, who had his back turned to them all as he braced his hands on the railings and glared out to the sea beyond. Robin, too, stood with her back facing their group. Her cool blue eyes were sharp with controlled anger yet contemplative, a knuckle tapping against her chin.

Sanji wondered what the woman was thinking, but first, he had to clarify something…

He blew out a puff of smoke. "So," he said with faux calm, eyeing Luffy as the boy twitched at the sudden break in silence. "They turned you away?"

It was Ace who answered with a loud scoff, startling Brook next to him. "More like they threw us out," he spat. "The second they saw us they were telling us to leave, that we 'didn't belong there' and all sorts of crap. Which, yeah, it's true, but we were literally there last night! They recognized us and everything!"

He kissed his teeth in frustration, shaking his head as he glared out to the sea. "Doesn't matter if we have the approval of a handful of nobles. As long as we have third-class tickets and dress like this, we'll always be as good as garbage to them."

"Didn't help when Bluejam showed up," Luffy added glumly, finally looking up from his knees, and though he would never admit it (he doubted he would have to) the sight of his sullen frown filled Sanji with righteous fury. "He said Sabo's parents didn't want us near him again. Well, he didn't say that exactly but that's what he meant. He must've seen us last night during the party and told that Outlook bastard everything. Now we can't see Sabo anymore, and he can't see us."

Chopper whimpered, huddling closer to Luffy. Usopp squeezed his shoulder tight, glowering at the floorboards. Nami mimicked her brother's expression, fists clenching in the folds of her dress.

"I hate to say it, but I'm not surprised," said Brook, placing a bony hand on Ace's tense shoulder. "From what you've told us of the young man's situation, we all should have foreseen this outcome or something close to it, anyway. But even so, it still makes my old blood boil to think of how wretched that family truly is."

"Just 'cos they have a little extra cash in their pockets means they get to treat others however the hell they want," Franky snarled, large fists clenching in anger. "I mean, these guys saved their son's life for cryin' out loud! You'd think they'd at least have the decency to –"

"People like that," Zoro interjected, swift as the blades he claimed to wield, solemn eyes deep and stormy, "they don't like sharing their toys. And in this game of wealth and status they like to play, they wanna keep their cards close to their chests. If they thought for a second that Ace and Luffy would take their precious trump card away from them – in this case, Sabo – or change up the game in any way, there's no way they'd let them to get close enough to try again. Doesn't help that the nobles have the power to bend the rules as much as they please, 'disqualify' anyone if they feel the slightest bit threatened."

Sanji nodded, blowing smoke out his nostrils and ignoring the burn. He was used to it by now. "Hate to say it but I agree with the moss-head, though that's one hell of a way of putting it," he said, earning a grunt from said man that went ignored as he faced the D brothers. "You guys did what you could, but combining that bodyguard you told us about, plus all the barriers surrounding the ship keeping people like us away from the 'privileged' passengers, we're pretty much out of options right now. All you can do now is either wait for an opening or hope that Sabo can come to you."

"Which can only happen if he can get past Bluejam and his father without being suspected of anything," Nami added, frowning deeply. "No doubt he's being kept on a much tighter leash after what happened last night."

Chopper sighed, pressing himself closer to Luffy, who'd gone silent and sullen as the conversation continued, curling deeper into himself like a wilting flower.

(And wasn't that just a good old kick in the crotch? They'd been trying to help, but instead they'd made it worse.)

"I really like Sabo," Chopper said, smiling softly against Luffy's arm. "He's a great guy."

"Great? He's a super great guy, little man," Franky said, grinning broadly as he crossed his beefy arms over his chest. "Never thought I'd say that about a noble. Did you see the way the kid drank those beers like water?"

The group let out collective chuckles – including Ace and Luffy.

"And did you see the way he danced? God, he even beat me, Usopp the Dancing Legend, at the Irish jig! Never thought I'd see the day I would be surpassed!" Usopp grinned, and grinned wider when Luffy snickered beside him.

Sanji decided to bite back the remark about Usopp's, in fact, average dancing skills since he'd contributed in making Luffy smile. Wouldn't stop him from telling him later though, because Sanji…well, Sanji was a bastard like that.

"He's pretty damn strong, too," said Zoro, leaning back against the bench with his arms behind his head. "Definitely a worthy opponent. I'm sorry I underestimated him."

"Yeah," Luffy finally giggled in that familiar way of his, the sound like music to Sanji's ears. "He handed your ass to you, Zoro!"

The group laughed, plus a snickering Ace, and Zoro frowned down at the scarred boy, but the frown lacked any real heat. "He only beat me by an inch," he grumbled in weak protest. Sanji, feeling like an ass, nudged him with his elbow and earned a nudge right back in response.

"Yohohoho, Sabo is indeed a fine fellow, truly a marvelous companion to have!" said Brook with a flourish that nearly smacked Ace right in the face. He ducked just in time though, and barely saved his hat from going overboard. "When I saw the three of you dancing together the way you did, it made my old heart swell with joy! Age joke, yohohohoho!"

Fixing his hat, Ace finally turned to face the group as he leaned back against the rails and smiled softly, warmth and longing shining in his silver eyes. "Yeah…same here, I guess," he said. Then his smile grew that little bit wider. "Luffy wants to make him our third brother. That's one of the main reasons we went up to see him this morning."

Even Robin turned from her inner musings – over what, they had yet to know – to look at Ace and Luffy in surprise with the rest of them.

Luffy had proudly told them all about how he and Ace had become brothers (by choice rather than through blood, which had admittedly stunned them since they were so freakin' alike) all those years ago. He'd told them about the sake cups, the vow they'd made and the horrible taste of the alcohol, and to some it would've seemed ridiculous, like a promise easily broken over the smallest thing, especially at the age they'd been when the declaration was made.

But to the boys themselves, to those who understood, it was nothing to laugh about except in fondness. Hell, Sanji knew a few cooks from the restaurant he and Zeff had owned before they'd been assigned to Titanic who'd done something similar.

That promise, made from love and a yearning for companionship at such tender ages, bound them together for life and let the whole world know that they were family regardless of their blood or their class or their pasts. No matter where they went, no matter how far apart they were, who their parents were or what status they fell under, their bond could never be broken.

To bring Sabo, a noble but not really, into their family after only two days knowing him…

"Holy crap, really?!" Usopp gasped in delight, taking the words right out of their mouths as the long-nosed boy grinned at Luffy, grabbing his hands and clasping them tight. "You're gonna make Sabo your brother, too?!"

Luffy beamed right back and nodded so hard that his hat fell over his eyes, and he slipped one hand from Usopp's to push it back up again. "Yup! Sabo fits with us, he likes us and we like him, so it all works out!" he said. "He needs a family, a real one, and Ace and I can give him that. Besides, he's a super great guy, just like Franky said –" the big man in question grinned and nodded in affirmation "– so who wouldn't want him as a brother? And he will be our brother, no matter what, because that's what I decided he'll do."

Smirks floated across the group, even a few sighs of resignation, but they all lacked any bite. They all knew how stubborn the teen was, how he would move mountains and part seas with sheer willpower if he so chose. Hell, he'd brought them all together in less than a day with tenacity and a smile that drew them in like moths to a flame.

Who's to say Sabo wouldn't be the same? Who's to say he hadn't already fallen in love with the brothers?

Sanji chuckled around his cig and finally gave in to the urge to reach out and knock the hat off Luffy's head with a flick of a finger, ruffling the boys' unruly raven hair. "You really are a selfish little bastard, aren't you?" he muttered.

Under his hand, Luffy giggled, unrepentant.

They hadn't known Luffy any longer than Sabo had, but it was clear that when Luffy D. Monkey wanted something, he would do his damn hardest to get it no matter what. The same went for Ace, who could be just as persistent as his younger brother, and just as hot-headed (not nearly as selfish, but his tenacity made up for that).

No doubt about it. They were dead set on bringing Sabo into their family.

Then Zoro slapped a hand on his knee. "Welp, guess that settles it," he said, standing up to stretch with an obnoxious jaw-cracking yawn. "Looks like we're smuggling the two of you into first-class."

He said it so casually that Sanji almost missed it.

Everyone – sans Robin – turned to stare at Zoro with their jaws dropped in shock, even Luffy, though his brown eyes lit up with a spark of hope.

When the moss-head in question took notice of said stares, he planted his hands on his hips and regarded them with a raised brow and a frown. "What? You heard them, didn't you?" he said. "Can't make Sabo your brother unless you speak to him at least, right? If they won't let you in after asking nicely, the next step is to sneak in and find him yourselves."

Luffy blinked owlishly and then shared a look with Usopp, who shrugged helplessly. He then craned his neck to look up at his speechless big brother, who mimicked Usopp, but had the beginnings of a grin on his face.

Chopper outright giggled in delight, clasping hands with Nami, who smiled wide and determined. Brook and Franky shared matching grins, and even Sanji – despite how it pained him so to agree with Zoro yet again – couldn't fight the smile.

In that moment, the ten of them were in perfect accord, like well-oiled machines all revved up and ready to go. In that moment, a plan had begun to manifest, a plan to find – and save – a young noble they barely knew and give him what he deserved. A family to call his own, and a second chance at seeking freedom.

It was all so cheesy, but damn if it wasn't gonna happen.

However, Sanji's smile soon dropped a fraction as a realization – actually, several realizations – hit him.

"Hang on a sec," he said, holding up a hand, and all the attention befell him. "Last time we checked, the gates were guarded, preventing anyone from entering the first-class decks unless you held a first-class ticket or had a damn good reason for going up. Not only that – no offense, by the way – but even if we managed to get them over the gates without being spotted, Ace and Luffy will stick out like sore thumbs compared to the nobles. I would've suggested disguising yourselves but you've already returned the suits to that Iva guy gave you, haven't you?"

He directed the question at the brothers, who both nodded.

"Sanji does have a point," said Nami, (and oh how Sanji would have swooned, for his sweet Nami-swan had agreed with him!) a knuckle tapping her chin and a thoughtful pout marring her beautiful freckled features. "I'll bet the stewards have been told by Outlook to keep an eye out for two black-haired brothers with colorful hats, too."

Refraining from the aforementioned swooning, Sanji nodded at Nami before addressing the group at large again. "So the question is, how exactly are we gonna get Ace and Luffy up to first-class? And if we manage to do even that, how can we prevent them from being spotted once they're up there? And then how would we even find Sabo? A and B Deck are pretty big, and there are a lot of nobles to look through before someone ends up getting reported."

Franky groaned, pressing a fist against his pointy chin. "Dang, that's a good point, curly-bro," he admitted reluctantly. Sanji absolutely hated that stupid nickname, but he let it slide just the once.

"A lot easier said than done when you really think about it, huh?" Usopp muttered, his smile, as well as many others slowly disappearing.

Sanji sighed, feeling like a turd for bringing the mood back down unintentionally, flicking his cig over the railing to spiral into the ocean below. "Look, I'm not saying it can't be done. I'm just saying we have to think this through properly if we want to stand even a chance at getting Sabo back. We can't just rush in half-cocked. We need a solid plan. Any ideas?"

A thoughtful hush befell the ragtag group, brows furrowing and pointer-fingers tapping against chins. Luffy's face had just started to turn red – apparently thinking too hard was giving him quite the fever – when Robin finally spoke up for the first time.

"I believe I have a solution."

Her soft yet confident and silvery voice claimed everyone's eager attention and anticipation as she turned to face them all with a swish of her lovely dress, a small but cunning smile gracing her narrow features. Sanji knew she'd been brainstorming a way to help Ace and Luffy get to Sabo, because Robin was just so brilliant like that, of course, and it was so unfair that she was already spoken for by the pervert Franky of all people –

"Franky, Zoro," Robin called, the two in question snapping to attention promptly – well, Franky did; Zoro just inclined his head in her direction, the rude son of a moss-headed bitch. "Can I rely on you two to give Ace and Luffy a boost over the gates?" she asked.

With a grin three sizes too wide and a red tint to his cheeks, Franky struck that ridiculous pose of his, arms in the air and his legs spread out (at least he was wearing pants this time). "WOW! You can Super count on me, darlin'!" he proclaimed, his adopted son giggling at the scene his father was making. Zoro nodded and smirked confidently, apparently having the brain capacity to understand what Robin was thinking.

Robin's smile grew with fondness at Franky's usual antics before she turned to the rest of them. "Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Brook and Chopper. I have special jobs for you, and they may require you to push your talents to their very limits in some cases. Can I count on you?"

Usopp saluted Robin, his mouth taut into a determined line. "Ma'am, yes ma'am!" he declared. "You can count on the Great Captain Usopp to aid you in this mission!"

"Yohoho, yes Robin, I shall do my best!" Brook vowed, wielding his old cane like a conductor's baton. "Oh, yes, before we continue, would you be so kind as to show me your –?"

"Just tell me what you want me to do, and I'll get it done," Nami grinned, rubbing her thumb and forefinger together cheekily, her inner thief rearing its head.

"You got it, Mom!" Chopper said, beaming and wriggling in place under his mother's doting smile. "You can count on me to do anything, but I don't need you to flatter me or whatever 'cos it doesn't do anything to meeee~!"

"I'll do anything you ask of me my dearest Robin~!" Sanji sang. He ignored Zoro's mutterings in favour of relishing in Robin's attention.

Attention relishing aside, however, Sanji was ridiculously grateful for Robin and her cunning mind. Luffy seemed to think so, too, if the way he sprung to his feet with a giddy little bounce was anything to go by.

Finally, they were getting somewhere.

"Wait, wait, hold the hell up," Ace called, putting a stop to everything and pinching the bridge of his nose in agitation and confusion as he faced the woman in charge of the whole operation. "What's with all the secret spy stuff all of a sudden? What exactly is your plan, Robin?"

Robin turned to him, and Sanji got to witness the fiery-tempered young man shiver when she chuckled, a sound so sweet like petals in the springtime yet sinister all the same, a villainess about to unveil her evil plot. The woman, for all her grace and beauty and intelligence, certainly loved to unnerve the living piss out of people.

"We're going to help you save your brother, of course," she said.

The small tour group, consisting of the Outlook family plus Bluejam, a few other nobles and Hack, in charge of leading them, entered the nautilus room a little after noon. The room was narrow yet it contained several kinds of machinery used for exercise, most of which Sabo recognized and some he didn't.

He almost smirked when he saw a woman pedaling the stationary bicycle in a long dress. She looked kind of ridiculous. Poor thing must've felt it, too.

As the gym instructor, a bouncy little man in white flannels clearly eager to show off his modern equipment, went through describing each of the contraptions in the room, Sabo couldn't bring himself to pay that much attention. Ordinarily, such a tour would have interested him immensely. He would've delighted in having a go at the new rowing machine as Stelly was attempting (and somewhat failing).

But now…

He frowned to himself, casting sullen eyes to gaze out the windows of which brilliant beams of sunlight gleamed through. He wanted to go out there, lean against the rails and gaze out into the open ocean, inhale the salty aroma…

He wanted to see Ace and Luffy.

But his father's threat played on repeat in his head, stilling his movements and whatever plans he could have conjured. That, and Bluejam had been keeping an especially good eye on him since that morning, leaving Sabo barely enough room to breathe. Getting away now would be impossible with that blasted bodyguard literally looming over him.

This is worse than it ever was when I was younger, he groused inwardly. It's almost as if I'm on a literal leash now, like a dog. A toy dog, mindless, forced to wheel along by a child's side.

Stelly finally had enough of the rowing machine, looking out of breath as he climbed off the thing. Poor sod was much than Sabo with the diet Belinda had him on since he was thirteen, and he had absolutely no muscle or stamina to speak of.

The gym instructor then turned to their mother expectantly. "Care to try your hand at rowing, ma'am?" he asked.

Belinda looked at him and frowned. "Don't be absurd," she scoffed, "I can't think of a skill I should likely need less." The gym instructor only chuckled and shrugged, finding no offense in the noblewoman's dismissal.

Throw her in a lifeboat, let's see if she's laughing then, Sabo muttered internally. He caught Hack's eye from the corner of the room. From the way the older gentleman fought against a smile, he must've been thinking the same thing. Sabo smiled back, biting his lip against a smirk.

Despite all the crap Sabo had faced that day, Hack's reassuring presence had made it somewhat bearable.

"The next stop will be the bridge," Hack announced, leading the way back out the door. "This way, please."

Outlook and Belinda exited the room with the other nobles, arm in arm. Bluejam stood by the doorway to make sure Sabo followed. Which he would have, however reluctantly, had Stelly not stopped in front of the punching bag to throw a flimsy punch, cracking his knuckles in the process.

Sabo paused and turned on his heel, raising a brow at his step-brother as he watched the younger man shake his hand out, wincing in pain. "What the hell was that," he muttered, "an attempt to break your hand? If it was, you were close to achieving it."

Stelly scowled at him. "Oh do stuff it, brother. I'd like to see you do better."

Sabo blinked. Then he shrugged, and strode over to the bag, standing half an arms' length away. He checked his stance, rolled his shoulders, and took a deep breath through his nose.

Without warning he struck the bag with his right fist, a lightning fast jab, the sound of the impact rolling like thunder in the room and startling both the woman on the bike and the gym instructor.

The bag swung backwards violently, and Sabo caught it with one hand before it could swing back into him and send him flying. He let it go, letting it sway harmlessly, and he turned to Stelly who had yet to uncoil his arms from his chest or pick his jaw up from the floor in shock.

Sabo smirked. "That's how you throw a punch," he said, bringing up his hand and wriggling his fingers, undamaged and accounted for. "Ciao."

With that, he spun deftly on his heel and walked out the door, barely restraining a stupid grin when he heard Stelly gasp – "I think he burst the bag!"

Even Bluejam watched him with an unnerved gaze as he passed, like he couldn't believe a noble could throw a punch at all.

It felt good to be an intimidating little turd sometimes, even under lock-down.

From where he and Luffy sat between Franky and Zoro on the benches, nearest to the gates that separated third-class from second and first, Ace could just spot Robin walking with purpose and determination up the steps to B Deck, lifting her skirts slightly so that they didn't snag under her feet.

The plan had been put into motion, and Ace's heart was thrumming with excitement and…well…a fair amount of trepidation, if he were honest.

The plan was a good one, better than any Ace could've thought up anyways, and it included a lot of distraction and quick thinking on all parts. But it still wasn't a solid plan, even for someone as brilliant as Robin (which led Ace to believe Franky had married a secret spy rather than a school teacher). Worse still, if they were caught, everyone would suffer the consequences, not just Ace and Luffy. Even worse, if the news ever reached Outlook that a bunch of third-class commoners had been 'stalking' his son, Sabo would be undoubtedly punished for that too, just for the sake of it.

The freckled youth was still trying to get his head around the fact that these people were even willing to do this, any of this, for three guys they hardly knew. Odder still, a part of him knew that if Marco, Izo or Thatch had been there, they would've done the same thing. Thatch would've had a blast, certainly.

Snorting to himself in disbelief, Ace shook his head.

What the hell did we do to deserve these people?

The coast was clear, so Robin had little trouble stepping through the gates. She walked calmly over to a bench where a lady had left her decorated hat and silk scarf to play with her young children, and with a swiftness Ace couldn't help but admire, she swiped and donned the hat and scarf and moved away before anyone could notice what she'd done. Even with her dress, very pretty but nowhere near as lavish as a noblewoman should've been, Robin looked like she belonged there, blending in with the thin crowds milling above decks.

Ace blinked, aghast. "Wow."

"Robin's so cool!" Luffy beamed, and then giggled when Franky nudged him playfully in agreement.

"Hell yeah she's cool," the teal-haired man chuckled. Then he started sniffling, his eyes watering suddenly. "She's a super woman, and a super wife! I love her so much!" he practically bawled, denying said action when Luffy called him out on it.

"Shut up, morons," Zoro hissed, cocking his head back to B Deck where Robin was poised against the railings. She was fanning herself with her hand, looking out distractedly into the distance. Or so it would seem. To those waiting below, it was a beckoning.

"That's the signal," Zoro said, nudging. "We don't have a lot of time. Let the others know so we can get moving."

Ace nodded and stood up, faking a loud yawn as he stretched his arms outwards. And like an army of ants, Usopp, Sanji, Nami, Brook and Chopper dropped whatever they were pretending to do and spread out, not hurrying but not dawdling either as they made their way around the ship one by one.

There were several ways to get to B Deck than just walking through the gates, but only if you were good at climbing and hiding.

Once the others were gone from his sight, hopefully to make it above deck without issue, Ace looked at Zoro and nodded. The green-haired teen stood up with Luffy in tow and walked towards the stairs where Robin remained in position, standing firm and confident like a statue. She smiled when Luffy beamed up at her.

Franky and Ace followed shortly after, and Ace drew in a deep breath through his nose.

Let's do this.

Their first challenge presented itself when a crew-member came around the corner. He was seconds away from spotting the four men approaching the stairs before Nami, appearing seemingly from out of nowhere and donning a lovely hat similar to Robin's – no doubt she'd stolen that, too, without any intention of giving it back – swiftly cut in front of him, smiling prettily behind an intricate fan – undoubtedly stolen, too.

"Excuse me sir, I was hoping I could ask you a question about the ship? I'm sure a big, strong, handsome man like you would know the ins and outs of this amazing vessel, right?" she asked, feigning innocence and curiosity, yet a flirtatious twinkle flashed in her deep brown eyes.

The crewman's face turned a deep red shade and he nodded shakily, putting up no fight when Nami turned him around and engaged in conversation with him, allowing Ace, Franky, Zoro and Luffy to slide through the gate undetected.

Sending a silent 'thank you' to Nami, Ace moved furtively to the wall below the A Deck promenade. After a quick glance around the deck, he signaled for Franky and Zoro. The two nodded and put their hands together, crouching down. Luffy went first, stepping into Zoro's hands, and he was boosted up to the next deck where he scrambled nimbly over the railing. Once there, he took off his beloved straw hat and slipped it through the metal bars, letting it drop safely into Zoro's hands.

Their hats, as Sanji had pointed out, were far too bright and colorful for this 'stealth mission'. They had no choice but to leave them in the capable hands of their friends until later.

(It was a testament to how much Luffy trusted these people that he willingly gave his hat to them at all. Luffy's hat was his treasure, a gift from the man who'd saved his life all those years ago. He barely let Ace touch it some days.)

Taking off his own hat and plopping it on Franky's head, Ace followed after his little brother. Franky's monstrous strength nearly overshot him up the railing, and Ace fought against a squawk of alarm. Once he landed, slightly dazed, he sent the two below a thumbs-up, which they returned.

"Go get 'em, bros!" Franky whispered.

"Get moving already," Zoro muttered, but he was grinning, too.

The brothers hurried off to hide behind one of the huge deck cranes. Peeking out whilst keeping a restraining and protective hand on Luffy's shoulder, Ace looked around one last time. Robin was gone, probably to fulfill her next task, and Franky, Zoro and Nami were hurrying back down the stairs to the third-class deck. The crew-member Nami had been flirting with was yelling furiously, telling them rather rudely to go 'back to where they belonged', among other things that made Ace's blood boil.

Said red-head didn't look back at the flustered man she'd undoubtedly humiliated (and probably pick-pocketed, knowing her). But she waved an arm over her head once.

That was her signal. Her job was done, and now the rest was up to Ace, Luffy and the others. Hopefully they could pull it off.

Ace took a steadying breath.

This is for Sabo.

"Hey Ace," Luffy whispered as he poked Ace in the side. "Now we really are spies!"

Ace felt the tension leak out of him, and he ruffled his brother's hair with rough affection. He always knew just what to say, didn't he? "Sure are," he whispered back. "Now let's get 'Operation: Save Sabo' underway, shall we?"

Luffy giggled under Ace's hand. "That's a dumb name but yeah, let's do it!"

"What do you mean it's dumb?!"

"'Cos you came up with it."

"Hey!"

Sabo's thoughtful and worried frown refused to disappear as the small group exited the bridge, mulling Captain Sengoku's words over and over in his head.

Though his brief meetings had left Sabo with the impression that he was a good man, and an exceptional Captain who seemed to know the sea, embrace it like an old lover yet remained wary of her veiled dangers all the same, his attitude towards the news he'd received was…troubling, to say the least.

The Junior Wireless Operator had handed over a marconigram to the captain, a warning about icebergs – apparently one of a few they'd received – and when Sengoku had merely pocketed it, Sabo had been concerned. His fears only worsened when he'd turned to the group and said with an easy smile:

"Don't you worry, it's quite normal for this time of year. In fact, we're speeding up. I've just ordered the last boilers lit."

Several ice warnings, and you're speeding up? A good Captain would heed the warnings and slow the ship down, regardless if the ship is 'unsinkable' or not.

The situation didn't get any better when Sabo noticed something else particularly wrong with the ship during their tour.

Or, rather, what was missing from the ship.

As Hack led the group back from the bridge along the boat deck, Sabo walked beside him, making sure Outlook wasn't paying any attention. "Mr. Hack," he began, tapping the older man on the shoulder. "Forgive me, I hope you don't think me rude, but –"

"Speak your mind, Sabo," said Hack, smiling at Sabo reassuringly before leaning down to say quietly, "honestly, who the hell has time for pleasantries?"

Sabo smirked. "I agree. Anyways…I did the sum in my head, and with the number of lifeboats times the capacity you mentioned…" His frown returned as he looked Hack in the eye. "It seems that there aren't enough for everyone aboard."

A pause. And then Hack was smiling ruefully.

"About half, actually," he admitted, and something in Sabo's heart grew cold. "I put in these new type davits, which can take an extra row of boats inside this one." He gestured the row of lifeboats along the deck, all pristine and polished as the ship they sailed upon. "But it was thought, by some, that the deck would look…too cluttered. So, I was overruled."

There was regret in Hack's eyes as he gazed down at the row of lifeboats, as well as something darker, angrier, resentful, likely directed at those who deemed that more space and a clear deck was far more important than the lives of those aboard.

In that moment, recalling Sengoku's decision and this unsettling revelation, Sabo was filled with unbridled fury.

Because he knew, should anything ever happen, should the ship ever sink, most of those lifeboats would be full of first-class passengers.

"It's a waste of deck space as it is," said Outlook – he'd noticed, damn – bumping the end of his cane against one of the lifeboats as he and Belinda walked passed arm in arm, "for an unsinkable ship."

Sabo fought a scowl as his family continued onward. The urge faded somewhat when Hack laid a hand on his shoulder. "Sleep soundly, Sabo. I've built you a good ship, strong and true. She's all the lifeboat you'll need."

The 'hopefully' was left unspoken as the man released his shoulder and walked on ahead to continue the tour. Sabo, his heart weighing heavier in his chest than ever before, made to follow before Bluejam could push him –

"There you are, Master Sabo!"

Sabo froze in place, eyes growing wide. He recognized that voice, that soft yet commanding and all-knowing voice of a disciplined yet playful woman who'd married a blue-haired pervert, and it really couldn't be her because there was no way –

Yet, as he and an equally confused Bluejam turned on their heels, there was no denying that Mrs. Robin Nico, wearing a beautiful hat and scarf that could not have belonged to her, was approaching them from behind, smiling brightly at the young man who's jaw refused to cooperate with him as it hung open like a fly trap.

What the hell what the hell what the hell – ROBIN?!

What was she doing here? How did she manage to get up to A Deck without getting caught? The hat and the scarf were fine, but her dress, the way she wore her hair, the lack of extravagant makeup and jewellery – there was no way, unless she was some sort of master of stealth or something, or a spy, but that would be ridiculous because she was supposed to be a freaking school teacher –

Before he could get a word out, Robin had already reached out to gently take his arm and loop it through hers. "I've been looking all over for you, sir," she said, still smiling, but there was a silent message in her cerulean eyes, one that warned Sabo to keep his mouth shut. "I apologize if no one informed you, but the Nefertari's representatives wish to speak to you again in private regarding further pressing arrangements for your wedding. What was it now…something about your suit, I believe?"

Sabo blinked, worked his jaw. "…bugh?"

How in the absolute hell does she know about my wedding?

"Excuse me, miss," Bluejam cut in, eyeing the woman with suspicion (and something else, restrained lust, that made Sabo want to snap his fat neck more than usual.) "No one informed us of any further discussions with the Nefertari's. We assumed such matters had been settled after last night's meeting, regardless of Sabo's presence. Who are you, exactly?"

Robin's smile teetered on the edge of cold when she regarded the ex-gang leader. "I'm Lady Koala's personal bodyguard," she replied, and that could not be true at all because Sabo had never seen Robin anywhere near Koala in the time he'd known her, and Robin could fight? What?

Even Bluejam looked surprised, and he reared his head back and looked Robin up and down, apparently seeing her in a new light. "Her bodyguard?" he repeated. "You must be joking."

"I assure you I'm not," Robin retorted without a hitch. "I may not look it, of course, but I have had special training in various martial arts styles that make me more than qualified to be her escort and bodyguard."

She then tensed, eyes narrowing and her smile thinning as she slowly began to slip her arm from Sabo's, her other hand curling into a fist. "Unless you would like a demonstration to prove that I speak the truth?"

Despite his confusion, Sabo fought an excited grin.

Hell yes, please, kick his ass.

"N-No, no, no that's quite alright, Miss," Bluejam stuttered, back away a little with his hands raised. Robin relaxed, unclenching her fist with a satisfied smile.

Sabo couldn't help but mentally snap his fingers and pout in disappointment.

Damn.

"My Lady is currently tangled up in other affairs, so she sent me to collect Sabo in her stead, and to tell you to forgive her for her absent-mindedness concerning such a pressing issue," Robin continued, and turned back to Sabo who, by this point, was unbelievably lost. "Now, if you would please come with me, Master Sabo. We have very little time and much to discuss. Best we get everything out of the way before your wedding day arrives, wouldn't you agree?"

With that, she guided Sabo back the way they'd come, down the long line of lifeboats before turning the corner. Bluejam just stood there, gawking.

Soon as they were out of sight, Sabo finally snapped out of his stupor and caught Robin by the elbow, frowning as he turned her around to face him.

"Robin, I'm happy to see you, but what the hell are you doing here?" he asked, his voice low. "How did you know where to find me? How do you know about my marriage? How do you know Koala? What's going on here?"

Much to his frustration, Robin only smiled rather than giving him a straight answer. And though Sabo hadn't known her for very long, he knew what that smile meant; she knew more than he did (obviously), knew every single answer to the questions he'd asked (duh), and she knew how badly it pissed him off to know that she wouldn't be sharing with the class any time soon.

She laid an appeasing hand on his shoulder, patting it lightly. "All will be explained soon, Sabo," she said, and yep, Sabo was pissed. Didn't help that her smile widened at his obvious ire, followed by a giggle that boarded on mischievous.

I can see why Franky loves her.

Her smile soon faded when footsteps, growing louder and closer, came from the direction they'd left in. They were heavy enough to be a man's, and Sabo knew that gait. He'd been stalked by Bluejam enough to know when the man was on his tail.

Robin narrowed her eyes – in annoyance or genuine anger, he wasn't certain, but he didn't really want to find out – and she took him by the crook of his elbow again. "Keep moving. I wasn't lying when I said we have little time," she said, and pulled Sabo along with her.

He still had no idea what was going on, but Sabo decided not to fight it. Robin was a friend of Luffy's, and if the short time he'd spent with that boy told him anything it was that he was a brilliant judge of character despite his occasional brain-dead antics. He could trust Robin.

Relenting, he matched her pace and arranged their arms so it looked like they were merely a couple (hoo boy was he glad Franky wasn't around to see this) making their way along the decks with purpose but with ease. He kept his expression politely neutral and his posture relaxed but dignified, his eyes trained straight ahead. Robin quirked a surprised brow at him, and Sabo let himself smirk.

He'd lived on the streets for five years, hustling nobles and cooks and the general populace daily to survive; one had to know how to act, how to hide in plain sight, and show the world you didn't give a damn as you casually slipped your hand into some poor bastard's pocket.

Soon enough, they heard Bluejam around the corner, doing his best to remain inconspicuous as he followed the two at an easy pace. He drew closer and closer with each step, almost looming over them.

Sabo cursed. How would they get away from him without raising any more –

"Get back here you little cretin!"

– suspicion?

Sabo nearly jumped out of his skin when two boys, one tall and lanky with an incredibly long nose – Usopp?! – chasing a younger kid wearing a bright pink hat – what the hell, Chopper?! – came running in their direction, not once looking up at them as they raced past, laughing and giggling and all but barrelling into an unsuspecting Bluejam.

They all cried out as they toppled to the floor in a messy heap, the greasy-haired bodyguard spluttering curses as he threw the two teenagers off him.

Though they didn't stop, not even when Robin's own son had just flown by them, Sabo looked over his shoulder at the commotion, watching as Usopp and Chopper stood and spewed apologies at the disgruntled man, explaining that they'd been having a game of tag that had clearly gotten away from them and they hadn't realized they'd climbed all the way up to the top decks until it was too late and please don't call the authorities we'll do anything!

Sabo faced Robin, who hadn't even flinched, and stared at her flatly. "You've planned this whole thing, haven't you?" he drawled.

His only answer was a slight quirk of the woman's lips before her impassive façade returned. Sabo sighed long-sufferingly.

First Robin shows up and then Usopp and Chopper leap in just in time to distract Bluejam? What's next, Brook's gonna magically appear and play a song for – oh for God's sake!

The universe must have been laughing its ass off at Sabo in that instant, for lo and behold, Brook was standing a few feet away from the entrance to the nautilus room, a small crowd of impressed and curious nobles surrounding him as the tall old man played a soothing tune on his beloved violin, his steady voice almost hypnotizing as he sang a slower rendition of 'Bink's Brew'.

Not one of the gathered nobles noticed Sabo or Robin walking by, but Brook certainly did, and he sent them a wink that could just be seen through his dark glasses. Robin winked back, and even Sabo, still annoyingly ignorant of what was happening, couldn't help but smile at the musician as they moved along.

But Bluejam quickly made his grand reappearance – he must've already dealt with Usopp and Chopper. Sabo hoped they were alright.

The man spotted them easily over the crowd of entranced nobles. Sabo couldn't quite see the look on his face, but he could feel annoyance radiating off the man in waves as he quickened his pace to catch up with them.

"Oh jeez – look out!"

Only to be stopped once again by a well-timed tea tray to the chest as Sanji – how? – appeared from God knew where and tripped over nothing, spilling tea and biscuits all over Bluejam's pristine suit.

The man cried out in pain and indignation when hot tea met skin, and he scowled dangerously at Sanji who did an admirable impression of a meek and feeble waiter, shaking hands hovering over and around the bodyguard like he wasn't sure what the hell to do.

"What the hell are you doing, you fool?!" Bluejam shouted. "Watch where you're going!"

Sanji's mouth opened and closed like a gasping fish as he shuffled where he stood. "O-Oh no, oh gosh I-I'm so sorry, sir, so sorry," the teenage chef stammered helplessly, running a hand through his blond hair in distress, and someone give the kid an award because his acting was top notch. "I d-didn't mean to, I-I was just – oh look at this mess I'm so sorry –"

"Get out of my way!" Bluejam tried to push his way past Sanji, but the chef was insistent that he helped to clean off the tea and biscuits off his ruined suit, effectively pinning him there whilst he grabbed a cloth from his inner pocket and delicately dabbed at the fine material, muttering apologies all the while.

Sabo blinked, completely aghast. A part of him wanted to laugh at how flawless this whole thing was, but he couldn't bring himself to even snicker at such brilliance.

Instead – "You guys are good at this," he said as they approached the nautilus room. "You sure you're all not secret spies or something?"

Robin chuckled. "We certainly seem that way, don't we?"

She looked around one last time before opening the door and motioning him inside. When he only looked at her in confusion – he'd gathered by now that Luffy and Ace's friends had planned to smuggle Sabo down to third-class to surprise the brothers, so why were they going back to the nautilus room? – she smiled again. And this time, it was much warmer.

"I'll knock if anyone comes. Try not to take too long in there, it's only a matter of time before we're found out."

"Robin–" Sabo tried to protest but was soon all but dragged into the room by two pairs of rough hands grabbing him by his arms and the front of his shirt, and he stumbled inside with a startled cry. The door clicked shut behind him.

Before he had time to think Robin had suddenly grown more arms that sprouted from walls – he had an active imagination growing up and with everything that had already happened it wouldn't be at all surprising – he looked up to find two familiar blinding grins, two pairs of wide and impossibly bright eyes staring down at him.

"Hey, Sabo!"

"What up, Sab?"

For the umpteenth time that day, Sabo's jaw dropped.

"What the hell?"

A/N~ Cliffhangers, ahahaha! Seriously, I loved writing this chapter! Like a mission impossible sort of thing! Plus you can never have too much Straw Hat bonding time :)

Reviews are writer chow :3