(Dark Carrier AU)

Ace had managed about an hour with Whitebeard and Marco before retreating. Sabo was impressed actually, that was a big step, but unfortunately they couldn't take this slowly. They couldn't ease Ace from short visits into longer ones.

The Revolutionary army couldn't keep Ace here, no matter how much Sabo wanted to. It wasn't safe for Ace, especially when he was eight months pregnant.

"Koala's keeping an eye on him right now," Sabo said, hanging up the snail.

He had called her the moment Ace left, while Dragon walked in, looking pleasantly surprised. Sabo had been forced to suppress a snort at that, it seemed like both he and Dragon thought Ace wouldn't have managed that long.

Dragon nodded. He was seated at his desk once more. Whitebeard remained in his chair while Marco stood nearby the door, somewhat relaxed but focused. If Sabo had to guess, Marco was probably using his Observation Haki, to keep an eye on Ace.

"Well, he reacted better than I thought he would have," Dragon admitted. "But unfortunately we don't have the time to ease Ace into this. Your son needs to leave."

"He'll never get on a boat with us yoi," Marco grimaced. "Not right now."

Sabo winced. He remembered Ace pulling away from the pirate's comfort, growing cold and distant again before finally telling Sabo to let him past. Whitebeard had nodded in agreement, even though he looked as upset as Sabo felt.

"He's in so much pain and he's scared. It's understandable," Whitebeard said.

"Normally I would say to give him time but we don't have that luxury," Dragon said firmly. "You need to leave and soon. We just declared war on the Celestial Dragons not too long ago and Sabo has now been framed for murder on King Cobra. Ace and the child will be in too much danger if they linger here."

"We can't just drag him on to the Moby yoi."

"I had to drug him and cuff him before I could get him out of Mariejois," Sabo admitted. "We might need to do that again."

Marco frowned. "So he didn't go willingly..."

"No, he wasn't even surprised to see me alive," Sabo said, though smiled weakly. "He had already found out. He told me he didn't care but I could still see the relief. I know they haven't broken Ace completely. He still cares."

"Instead of the anger, it's coldness that he's using to defend himself now. Anger wouldn't have worked with the Celestial Dragons," Whitebeard growled lowly. "If that Cedric bastard comes after him-"

"I should be able to find out if he does. I planted bugs all over his mansion," Sabo smirked. "If Luffy or I get to him before you guys we'll make sure to give him a proper 'greeting'."

"Speaking of Straw Hat. We should get in touch with the little brat," Whitebeard said. "It might be some time before he can see Ace but he should know his brother is safe now."

"I'll handle that," Sabo said.

Luffy was currently in Wano, doing who knows what, but he should be able to figure out a way to let his little brother know about Ace.

"The main issue right now is getting your son safely off the island. I want him out of here by tomorrow night," Dragon insisted. "We're about to go to war."

"He's right. It took you guys a week to get here. If you keep Ace sedated on the Moby Dick during the trip back he won't be able to panic and risk his health or the baby's," Sabo mused. "Has he been to Sphinx before?"

"Yes, the Commanders get to go for their initiation yoi," Marco explained. "It's why Teach hasn't attacked it. Nobody below the Commander rank knows of it's existence."

"Apart from the longest members of the crew from when we first started out. Bay, Epoida, Andre, Kinga and Islewan all know of it," Whitebeard reminded.

"True, but nobody else should know of it. Should being the key word yoi." Marco eyed Sabo who grinned.

"Dragon-san told me."

Dragon merely shrugged.

"Still though, Ace won't react well to being drugged again," Marco frowned.

Sabo sighed. "I'll be the culprit. He's already pissed off with me doing it last time, so may as well save you guys from it."

"I don't like the idea of keeping him under for a week," Whitebeard scowled.

Sabo grimaced. If Ace wasn't pregnant or could be trusted to remain calm then yes, he would disagree too. Ace, however, couldn't keep calm, it wasn't in his nature, never mind the fact that he's carrying a baby and that his whole lifestyle has just flipped over, again.

.::.

Marco closed his eyes. Ace was stressed, he could feel it from just using his Observation Haki, the fear and concern was building up in Ace, no matter how much he was trying to keep himself calm.

"I don't like it either, Pops, but it makes sense from a medical perspective yoi," Marco admitted. "If Ace suffers too much stress he might be forced into an early labour and his medical records already showed us what happened to the last baby..."

The medical records had been handed over with the log post leading to this... charming pink island... by some crows. Pops gritted his teeth, his eyes growing sharp.

"Cedric and Teach will pay for this one day. I understand though, Marco. We will need to explain everything to Sam and the girls. They're still waiting on the ship."

The girls would understand once Marco explained the situation properly. They weren't what was troubling him, it was Ace and the baby, if they would truly be okay after all this. Sam was studying Ace's medical records right now, she was probably finishing up and starting on a plan.

They would just have to focus on getting Ace safely out of here and then try to begin the healing process.

.::.

The girls had understood. Sam was setting up the medical bay now and getting the sedatives from Koala, the one suitable for pregnant Carriers. They would be set up and ready to keep Ace out of it and hopefully asleep for the entire journey back to Sphinx. Ace would have to be monitored the entire time too and the baby would need several check ups.

Sam would be keeping herself and the nurses busy.

Marco was told he could probably check on Ace now, so he wouldn't be assisting her. Pops decided to wait in Dragon's office though, not wanting to overwhelm Ace again so soon. He and Dragon instead were talking about the pregnant Carriers they had managed to rescue, two women, one of them had four children with her. Marco would leave all that to Pops, he needed to keep calm and relaxed, for his upcoming conversation with Ace.

His Phoenix was furious, the urge to fly off, to find this Celestial Dragon and tear him apart, with talons and beak, then heal him and do it over and over again. It was nearly overpowering, that urge, he could taste the blood in his mouth, could imagine just ripping him apart, hearing him scream. Making him hurt like he hurt their mate-

Marco took in a deep breath, hushing the bird, reminding it that Ace was the priority. Ace and the baby. The Phoenix cooed at the thought of the baby, how they could keep the little one and Ace safe. How they could look after them. Build a safe nest and spoil them rotten.

Marco nodded in approval, before he approached the balcony Ace was at. A younger lady was at the doorway, but she began to walk away once she spotted Marco. Probably another guard Sabo had set up to keep an eye on Ace then.

He spotted Ace sitting on a chair, staring out at the sunset. He sagged within the chair, leaning his head on a hand as he gazed out, not really paying much attention.

"Hey, Ace," Marco greeted softly.

Ace hesitated. "Hey..."

Marco knelt down at his side, subtly perching his arm next to Ace's on the armrest, brushing their skin together. It made him nearly slump in relief, to feel that Ace was actually here. To know this was not a dream. He hated those dreams, 'waking up' to see Ace, Ace smiling and laughing at his side, curled up next to him in bed, only to disappear the moment Marco truly awoke.

These past few years... Teach murdering Thatch, Ace chasing after Thatch's murderer, Teach handing Ace over to the Marines who gave him to the priestesses. Ace then disappeared, nobody could find him, Pops became weaker, still in mourning and aching even further with Ace gone. Teach then began attacking and killed so many of their men, they were driven from the islands they had sworn to protect.

Pops became increasingly worse, his health hanging by a thread, to the point he couldn't fight back properly. This was the healthiest he had looked in a long time and it made Marco want to cry in sheer relief. He'd give himself a chance to cry tonight. He was happy that his father was looking better, and that Ace was here. That Ace was finally coming home, even if it wasn't the way Marco wished it could have been.

"How are you holding up yoi?" Marco asked.

"Overwhelmed," Ace admitted, his eyes lowering much to Marco's concern.

Marco reached out hesitantly. "Can I...?"

"Why would you want to?" Ace frowned, staring at Marco's hand, baffled.

"Because I missed you. So much. I would love to hold you again, even if it's just apart of you yoi."

Ace did hold out a hand and Marco took it carefully, rubbing his thumb over the fingers, nearly shaking in joy, that he could do this. That he could hold Ace's hand again. That Ace was here.

"I don't know why you're bothering. You or Pops," Ace tilted his head. "I'm married to Cedric. I've been pregnant twice. This isn't your baby. It's hardly going to be even mine."

The Phoenix screeched within him and Marco couldn't help but agree. The baby was Ace's. The baby belonged to Ace and Ace only. Not a Celestial Dragon.

"Our family believes in children belonging to the sea, remember yoi?" Marco asked. "And the baby is yours, Ace. You've been so brave, dealing with all this-"

"Brave?" Ace scoffed, but there was a touch of hurt in it. "Is that what you really think?"

"You've always been brave," Marco's eyes stung and his words were shaky but he meant every word of it.

Ace choked before shaking his head. He gave a few, small, shaky breaths before wiping at his eyes which were starting to water. "How can you even say that? Marco, I've slept with another man, I've been pregnant twice to him, I tell him I love him, I made myself forget all about you and Pops and Luffy and Sabo and everyone! Everyone I loved. I forgot all of you for him!"

"And I couldn't... I couldn't get away," Ace cried. "I tried and I couldn't and I can't- I need to go back, Marco. Please. This shouldn't be happening."

"This shouldn't have happened to you. You're safe now though, Sabo rescued you, we can go home yoi." Marco reached up, gently brushing the tears away from Ace's cheeks. "I'm so happy you're here. I've missed you so much, Ace."

Ace was suddenly in his arms, crying heavily into his shoulder. Marco felt Ace's arms wrap around him and Marco couldn't suppress a sob of his own, he felt tears burn his eyes and roll down his own cheeks, but he happily embraced Ace. He was soft and warm in his arms, the muscles were gone and he was wearing a shirt, but it was Ace.

He was holding Ace.

"I swear yoi. I'm here. I'll protect you," Marco promised.

"I-I missed you all so much," Ace admitted, voice shaky. "B-But I can't... I'm Cedric's..."

"He doesn't own you yoi."

"I'm his and this is his baby." Ace muttered into his shoulder, breathing in heavily before releasing it with a sigh. "We can't do this."

"He won't touch you ever again yoi," Marco insisted. "He won't get the chance."

He mentally begged Ace to not pull away. Not after so long without having him in his arms, but Ace pulled back, his eyes hardening.

"No, Marco. I'm sorry. He'll always find me."

Marco forced himself to loosen his grasp, to let Ace out his arms, no matter how badly he wanted to hold his lover. Ace needed time, time to relax and not feel so overwhelmed. No matter how much Marco wanted to build a nest and settle Ace and the baby within it and guard them. Keep them both safe. Keep them close. His bird half was crying mournfully, wanting Ace back in their arms, but he hushed it, reminded himself that Ace needed time, that he was scared and confused.

It made him ache when he recalled that he should have been able to protect Ace to begin with. That he was Ace's mate. That no other person should have been able to touch Ace without his own permission.

The fact that they had failed made Marco waver.

Ace sat down, running a hand over his eyes, trying to compose himself. Marco leaned closer, trying to calm himself down too, but it didn't work.

"Ace?"

"Yeah?"

"Did I fail you? As your mate? Your lover?" Marco whispered weakly. "I never found you yoi. I never protected you..."

Ace's eyes softened. "No, Marco. You didn't. I failed myself."

"I don't agree with that yoi."

Ace threw him a tired smile. "Yeah, well, I don't agree with you. So how'd you sort out that conundrum?"

Marco sought out Ace's haki, it was all tangled up and strained, he knew Ace's stress levels were rising so decided to play instead of being serious. They had all the time for serious conversations, when Ace felt better and wasn't at risk of becoming sick or hurt.

"I could bake a cake?"

Ace's lips twitched, nearly curling into a smile. "You're terrible at baking."

"True, I do like pineapples though. I could go grab one of them? Give it to you?"

"Ah, giving me one of your favourite treats. That's how you solve things," Ace chuckled lightly, leaning further back in his chair. "I'm going to head to bed. Thanks, for coming for me, but please, just listen to me and go home yourselves. Move on already. I was happy where I was."

"Even though you're so stressed out and tired yoi?"

Ace sighed. "You're all so stubborn..."

He stood up from his chair and immediately a fishman stood at the balcony's doorway. "Ah, Ace-san, would you like me to-"

"Yes Hack, you can escort me back to my room. Sabo always has you guys following me about," Ace grumbled. "Marco, just think about what I said. Go home. I'm fine at Cedric's side. He's my husband."

Marco stood up and smiled. "Sorry Ace, but I have some pineapples to find for you yoi."

Ace snorted. "Stubborn idiots."

Marco chuckled lightly. Ace left with Hack and the moment Ace was out of sight Marco sat down on Ace's chair, feeling the warmth against his back. He'd go back to Pops soon, take comfort in his father, but for now he needed a moment to himself.