Chapter 15

"Did you miss me, Captain?" I asked, leaning down and smirking at Shanks.

"Like you even have to ask," Shanks scoffed, resting his head in his hand. "Of course, I did. So much so that I'm sitting here at this ungodly hour-"

"It's like 8:00 am," I cut him off, deadpan. I slid into the booth across from him, picking up one of the menus from the metal rack at the end of the table and flipping to the first page. "Hardly ungodly."

"The Devil's hour-"

"You know what- " I glanced up at him, again. "Since you're awake that may actually be true. You win this round."

Shanks shook his head. "Still feels like I lost."

I smiled as I flipped through the menu. "Good. Someone has to keep you humble. I've seen your face all over the papers these past few years. They've officially put you in the same league as Kaido, Big Mom and the Old Man. I'm sure Benn could use a break."

"Beck's probably half the reason we're in those papers," he retorted.

"How is my favorite?" I asked.

"Ruining all my fun," he said with an exaggerated pout.

'How the hell is he cute?'

"Good." I nodded, setting the menu down. "I'd be disappointed otherwise."

"What about you?" Shanks asked. "How are you?"

The waitress made her way over to us at that moment, which I appreciated. The momentary pause gave me a second to think about how to answer.

It had been two years since I'd hidden all my shit in Rayne's secret hide out and took to the seas, leaving the island that I had called home for over 20 years. How do you condense that into an answer fit for polite conversation. Not that any conversation I ever had with Shanks was polite.

I prattled off my order, before turning my attention back to Shanks, who was still looking at me expectantly.

"You know, I was more aware of the outside world than most everyone else in Aurora, but knowing and experiencing are two totally different things. And I knew it was going to be hard, but some days are just brutal. Everyone else has a head start and feels like I'm desperately trying to catch up sometimes.

"But it's been worth it," I answered honestly. "It's been nice to just exist without worrying about stepping on toes or starting a witch hunt, getting to do things and see things like other people."

There was a lot more behind that, and I felt like I owed it to Shanks to explain, but now wasn't the time. I just wanted to take a moment and enjoy being reunited with a friend.

Shanks' smile softened. "I'm glad. You seem a lot happier."

I calmed, relieved that he didn't push further. "I am."

Shanks shifted in his seat sitting upright. "I told you piracy would suit you," he said, smugness seeping into his tone. "It's like you're glowing."

I raised a brow at him, settling back and crossing my arms over my chest. "Captain, who said I'm a pirate?" I challenged.

"I could be but an intrepid adventurer-"

"Uh huh," he deadpanned.

I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to keep up my stern demeanor. "Or I could be writing a book about-"

"How to attract Trouble with a capital T?"

"If I remember correctly, I am Trouble."

"Of course. How could I forget?"

"I could be a bounty hunter," I threw out there. "Here to chop off your head and deliver it to the marines on a platter."

"You like me too much to decapitate me."

"But do I like you more than the billions of bellies I'd get in exchange?"

"I'm worth more alive," he offered.

"That's true," I conceded. "Guess, I'll have to barter with Benn then. I'm sure he and I can come to some kind of agreement regarding your surrender. I'd offer him a cut."

"He'd probably pay you to take me."

"True, I would be doing him a favor."

We both just stared at each other for a moment, before bursting into giggles. I had forgotten how easy this was.

"So Eliza, if you're not a pirate," Shanks started, as my food was set in front of me. "What are you?"

"I was only sort of joking," I said, as picked up my knife and started to spread butter on the stack of pancakes in front of me.

"About? The piracy or bounty hunting?"

"Bounty hunting," I answered.

"So this is a plot to capture me. I see. The truth comes out." He grabbed his fork, touching his food first time, since I got there.

"You have some time before I do." I doused my pancakes in syrup. "I'd like to at least see what the boys will offer me to look the other way."

"Then I guess it's a good thing that they'll all be at the tavern tonight. Care to join us Eliza?"

"Just can't get enough of me, can you?" I joked.

"Never," he answered, casual as ever. "Plus, I've got three years to catch up on. I got heard a little, when we went back to Aurora, but-."

"You went back?" I was surprised. "For what?"

"Best sake comes from the West," he explained. "Plus, I was hoping to see my favorite bartender, but to my surprise, I find out that she left. And now the tavern employs her harem."

"Oh no," I groaned, hiding my face behind my hands. 'The girls.' "They're not my harem," I corrected.

"Really? Cause I think they're all in love with you. And isn't releasing slaves is a bit above a bounty hunter's pay grade?"

I dropped my hands back to the table, picking up my fork again. "So, you knew I wasn't a pirate?"

He shook his head. "No one really answered the question about what you had been doing. They were too busy telling us about how great you are, and how cool you looked, and how nice, and how strong, and-"

"You can stop," I said, pointing my fork at him.

As a bounty hunter, I was picky about my targets. I didn't target any old pirate with a price on their head. I wasn't going to send someone to Impel Down for the rest of their life for something that any one of my brothers could be doing. But slave traders were fair game, and I could usually collect a pretty penny.

For a few months there, I simply lingered in the waters surrounding the Sabaody archipelago, taking these bastards out, before they could get to the auction house.

I was able to get most of the victims started on their journeys back home, but there were a few who had nowhere to go or had been willingly turned over by their families. For the most part they chose to start anew.

After hearing me talk about Rayne and Gene they'd asked if I could get them started to the West. I warned them that Aurora wasn't welcoming, but they insisted, saying that after what they'd been through they were sure they could handle a couple of jack asses. Plus, they didn't have to worry about devil fruits or pirate family members, and Aurora was lowkey enough that they would likely never have to worry about being snatched again.

I was glad to hear they were doing well, even if they were apparently embarrassing me.

"Now you're getting shy on me?"

"Shut up," I muttered.

"You still don't accept compliments well."

"You're hair's still ridiculous."

"I know what you're trying to do," he said. His eyes focused in on my hairline. "But I can't let that one go, when you have a streak of your hair that isn't even the same color."

"A standard color," I countered.

"Mine is natural. It grows this way. It's more natural than yours."

"I never said that your hair wasn't natural. And I've never accused you of dying it.. It's just ridiculous. But so are you, so it fits."

"You look like a skunk."

"You smell like one."

"Weak."

"Whatever."

Shanks let out a giant yawn.

"Did you not sleep?" I asked, taking in his appearance. His clothes were more rumpled than usual, and he had bags under his eyes.

"I told you I was caught up," he said, eyes glancing over at my journal, which sat on the table beside him. "You're not the only one who was excited," he settled back into his seat. "You know, you could've just come and met us at the tavern," he said. "Though I do appreciate the theatrics."

"I thought about it," I admitted. "I also thought about the possibility that I would walk into a tavern where a bunch of dudes vaguely remember me and it would all be really fucking awkward, even though you'd probably be too nice to actually let it be awkward. So if you actually wanted to see me, you could reach out."

Shanks threw his head back and cracked up laughing.

"Will you shut up?" I hissed, throwing a napkin at him as all eyes turned to our table. I hid behind my hand. "God this is so much worse than if I had just shown up," I muttered to myself.

"You're not any better. There's only one fucking place to stay on this damn island, and it's not like you showed up , once you knew I was here."

He blinked owlishly at me for a moment. "I could've gone to the inn," he agreed as realization set in.

"Captain," I started slowly. "How long have you been at this table?"

"About two hours," the waitress said as she filled up my coffee cup.

This time it was my turn to crack up obnoxiously. "I can't believe you waited here for two hours!"

He shrugged. "You're an early bird, and you like breakfast. I figured you'd end up here eventually. And in my defense, I was half drunk still when I came up with this plan and sleep deprived when I decided to act on it. And I was right." He gestured towards my pancakes.

"You're hopeless. What if I decided I wanted to get lunch? Dinner? What ab-"

"I've been waiting three years to see you, Eliza. What's a few more hours?"

"If you can wait a few more hours, then you should go to bed, and I can meet you later at the tavern," I offered.

He waved me off. "I can sleep when I'm dead."

"With the way you drink that'll be sooner rather than later."

"You say that, but I've seen you put back an entire bottle of whiskey like it's water, and not have even a hint of a buzz. If I had to guess, you could out drink half the crew."

I snorted. "Just half?

"You could always challenge them tonight, if you want to back those words up."

I pretended to think about it for a second. "Don't tell them I'm coming. It'll be a surprise."


Author's Note:

Reunited and it feels so awkward... for now. I promise it'll get cuter once the two of them get out of their own heads and in Shanks' case get some sleep.

So I know last time, I said I had some doubts about Film Red, but after seeing it, I actually really really enjoyed it. It wasn't perfect. I think a lot of the decision making by some of the characters was kinda dumb, but I had fun with it. For those that saw it, what did you think? (Please keep it non spoilers in the comments. If you want to chat spoilers, you can always message me on tumblr [genogenocrazycatman], because I like to pretend it's still 2012.)

For those who have seen it, you know that it got me thinking about this fic. I might have to write a Film Red spinoff/one shot once it's streaming and I can watch it again. No promises though.


Review Replies:

yuki . sawer . 7: soo... first of all, I really love your writing style und your character. Und your characterization of Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates is really good and seems very authentic. So respectmaybe you could write about Whitebeard and his Sons... I mean their thoughts about his daughter/their sister. The reaction of them when they hear that Shanks is with her? I think it would be priceless :D

Awwwww! Thank you so much! I've thought about writing scenes with the Whitebeard Crew flashbacks from when she was younger. And so for their reaction to her and Shanks, we'll have to wait and see.

starrat: Loved it

Thank you!

NaRuKo-InuTaiSHo-XD: A really exciting chapter. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Glad you enjoyed it!