Marco

Cara was enjoying the warm breeze coming off the ocean. A couple seagulls cawed overhead. They were close to islands. They had passed several small ones already, though none of them held people. Ace told her before it would take a couple days before reaching the next island. Though with how the last two turned out she wasn't looking forward to this one.

"What's going on?" Cara asked when she noticed Ace furling the sails.

"We've got company." Ace nodded towards the back of the ship.

Cara leaned over the railing to find one of Whitebeard's ship pulling up beside them. A frown tugged her lips down upon the sight of Marco. "Figures."

Marco flew over to their ship with a stern look on his face. He crossed his arms, his brow knitted directly at her. "I thought you might have trouble getting her home."

Cara bristled.

"She's been fine." Ace came to stand at her side. "No trouble at all."

Cara cocked an eyebrow but remained silent. If she wanted to lie to his friend who was she to correct him? Besides Marco knew her well enough. He would know it was a lie.

"Oh?" Marco challenged. "They why haven't you gotten her home yet?"

"Because we're taking the long way home," Ace explained. "Cara needed some space to breath."

"What Cara needs is to return home," Marco said firmly. "Now."

Cara gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. There was no choice now. Marco was going to take her straight home.

"I'm taking her there," Ace said. "Really. What's the harm in making a few stops along the way?"

"I know you mean well, Ace," Marco said, studying Cara. "But it's best to take her straight home."

"Huh? Why?" Ace tilted his head.

"I figured she might not have told you," Marco said. "Cara is-"

"Shut up!" Cara snapped. "Just take me home!"

Marco nodded. He transformed and carried her over to the larger his.

"Hey, wait a minute," Ace called out. "Cara, what about..."

Cara blocked him out. As soon as her feet were placed on the deck, she headed for Marco's room, locking the door behind her. A few minutes later Ace came knocking.

"Cara," Ace said. "Come on. Open up and talk to me. Why do you suddenly want to go back home? Cara!"

...

Hours later Cara pulled opened the door and peered out. Not a sound could be heard as it was late at night. The majority of the crew would be asleep at this hour. On shoeless feet, she made her way out to the deck. The two that were on guard duty tossed a glance in her direction. No one said anything. They looked away from her as she headed to the back of the ship.

Pressing her back against the wall, Cara slid down it until she was sitting. She wrapped her arms around her knees and peered out at the dark horizon before pressing her eyes against her arms. Maybe it would have been better if she told Ace the truth. Or maybe it would have been like it always was. She didn't know. Ace seemed like he was different from everyone else. But what did she really know about him? They had only known each other for a short period of time. And most of that time they fought.

Boots thumped softly on the wood. Cara tensed as he sat down beside her. She could feel the question radiating off him like heat. Clearly Marco and the others didn't answer it already. They were leaving it up to her. She sighed the answered it before he could even ask. "I'm Whitebeard's biological granddaughter. He's where I got this strength from, though no one knows why I can't use it like him."

"What?" Confusion and shock mixed in Ace's voice.

"One of many..." Cara said. "One of the many reason's I hate that bastard. He goes on and on about how he loves his family. But he only cares about his sons. He never spends any time with me or my mom." Tears bubble over her eyelids. "He sleeps with whatever women he wishes. He probably has over a hundred children. So don't tell me he cares! He doesn't! He doesn't care at all!"

Cara braced for Ace to defend Whitebeard. It didn't happen. Instead he put his arm around her shoulders and sat in silence with her for several minutes. In that time her body relaxed against him. Neither moved until he started speaking. At that point she tensed.

"It might not seem like it, but I do understand," Ace said. "My dad did nothing for me either. By turning himself in to the navy he left my mom to take care of me all on her own. She spent so many months trying to keep me inside of her so the navy wouldn't know I was that bastard's son." A beat of silence. "You could have told me. Why didn't you?"

"Because I always get the same responses. Either people fear me or try to kidnap me in order to blackmail Whitebeard."

"You know I would never do that."

"But you might have taken me straight home." Cara huffed. "It's what everyone else on his crew would do."

"Guess I can't argue with that," Ace said. "I would have taken you home. I'm sorry."

Cara shrugged. "It doesn't matter. It's all over. Marco won't let me do anything but go home."

"Yeah." Ace looked up at the sky. "I noticed how tense and upset he was since we came aboard the ship."

"He's the most protective since he's known me for so long. Guess it's my destiny to always remain on Sphinx, at least until Whitebeard dies. Then maybe I can finally leave that island." When she didn't get a reply from Ace, she stole a glance at him. His eyes were locked on the sky in thought. She sighed. She really would have liked to spend some more time with him. In the little amount of time they did spend together she had fun.