"I don't care for your excuses, Flower girl!" Garp's sharp and agitated voice snapped through the very angry looking snail with sleepy eyes and a miniature bag of cookies painted on his suit.

Domino held her head down against the desk, one arm supporting her heavy head the other holding the microphone in the air.

"Look, old man, I know what you're saying I just don't care." She sighed before lifting her head at his gruff huff.

"Portgas D. Ace, is now a Whitebeard pirate and I think that alone is good enough reason to just leave it be. We don't need to be chasing pirates outta our league here." She stated shaking her head before looking at her nearing empty alcohol cabinet. She frowned at the sight as the voice continued.

"Dammnit Domino, you promised me, if you found him you wouldn't hold back!" He yelled.

Domino sighed once more placing her head back down, the stinging of her eye reminding her that she may have held back but he sure didn't.

She blinked again twisting her wrist as a green vine creeped along the floor to push open the cabinet and crawl it's way around a long blue bottle.

"And, I didn't the little asshole's that strong. He took out a good number of our ships too." She hummed licking her lips as the vine, now securely holding the long bottle, moved back towards her.

She didn't worry about the pair of light baby blue eyes that watched her with disapproval.

The sound of Garp's laughing voice continued. "Maybe if you were a Vice Admiral, you'd have stopped him, huh Maybe I should promote you, that'd fix your attitude?" He asked a light smile growing on the snail's face.

Garp was no longer mad, knowing full well that if Domino had caught Ace the world would be changed from that moment on. And though he tried to cover it up, he still loved his grandson with everything he had.

He wanted Ace as far out of the action as possible. He wanted Ace to do what Domino did. To hide under the flag that would be looking for him. They tend to look the other way when you work for them.

The tall sadistic marine frowned as her hair fell in her face while she reached for the blue tinted bottle. "There's no need in promoting me anymore. I refuse," She sighed taking a long gulp in front of the microphone before holding the bottle to her injured eye.

The cool glass calming both her swelling and her shaking wrists. "Besides, I'm weaker now, I'm not Vice Admiral material." She sighed taking another sip as a silence was heard on the other side. Before Garp scoffed.

"What's with all this weaker bull? Got beat by one measly brat and it's all over for you now?" The old man asked with a light laugh to his tone. "You throwing in the towel already? I taught you better then that!"

Domino nodded then took another drink letting the liquid burn away her pain. Burn away her memories of her brothers chains.

"Yes! You should of seen how scary he looked sliding down my vines like a flipping fucking snowboard! That kid was so cool!" She smiled before rolling her eyes letting the alcohol lift her voice from its cold tone.

"Besides what's the point in being a Vice Admiral, and having the name? if I can just perform a buster-call with my own hands?" She asked wincing as the glass was once again placed against her eye.

The snail's face shifted to a light smile before Garp shook his head. "You're telling me you're scared of a kid half your age?" He asked once more as Domino let out a huff of air in response.

She then tilted her head and closed her eyes tightly only to wince in pain as she opened her eyes again, she took another long drink finishing the bottle and setting it down lightly on her desk.

"Look, this kid's got some power to'em, why else would Pop's take him under his name?" She asked forgetting the name she called Whitebeard.

She then froze taking in a sharp breath at calling Whitebeard 'pops' knowing the ever so annoying tapping capabilities of the marines.

The snail shook it's head. "You should count yourself lucky, it was just me on this line. You need to keep that stuff to yourself, I don't need anyone thinking you're turning on us now do we?" He asked with a leading smile.

Domino sighed and looked towards Adaline who held up a clipboard with the words.

'Island=Whitebeards. Yes? No?'

Domino closed her eyes and nodded 'yes' before she continued. "Me? Turn on the Marines?!. Ha! You' must be delirious with old age. I can't turn on them. No matter how much I may want too," She sighed running her hand through her hair as Adaline popped open another bottle replacing the empty one before walking out and closing the door softly behind her defeated. She couldn't stop Domino anyway.

Domino stared at the sloshing liquid remembering the hectic seas of her childhood and how cold and hunted she felt by the government before she literally ran to Garp's side and demanded freedom.

"I didn't hear that! I did not hear that!" Garp shouted before Domino giggled to herself laying her head down once more her fingers finding the bottle then lifting the bottle to her lips and take three long needed gulps.

"Then you need to have Vega punk make you some hearing aids because I said what I said. Now you gonna let me go get laid or what!?" Her voice now louder as she began to feel her cheeks burn.

"Bahaha! Why would you say something so openly!" He shouted happily.

Domino raised an eyebrow at Adaline's return with a glass before she poured it, shot it back, then slammed it down, with a satisfying 'tahhh'. Domino sent her an approving nod reaching out for the bottle as she clicked the microphone again.

"Cause it's true, I'm taking some long needed R&R." She smiled before Garp's laughter burst out.

"Alright, I understand, you're still somewhat young I guess…"

Domino picked up her head and frowned clearly loosening up from the back to back bottles and lack of food pouring through her system. The best feeling was no feeling.

"Somewhat young? The hell you mean I'm still in my prime." She cheered as Garp's laughter continued.

"Sure you are! Hey if you really want some R&R you should have some kids! The clocks ticking you know." He jested.

Domino who was taking a long sip of her drink chocked on the remainder of the alcohol and shook her head violently. "What the hell you eccentric old man! Don't go pushing that on me! Geez.. I just called to let you know Ace punched the shit out of me and you go on about me having kids?" She asked looking down before trying to hide the blush at the thought of kids.

Kids with who? Well Marco of course. But how was she to have them? She lacked the parts necessary. Like sanity for one. But maybe no. What the hell was she thinking? She quickly pushed away the bottle of alcohol and looked down at the snail that continued to laugh.

"Ima go kay? I'll be back in H.Q. by the banquet." She murmured as Garp continued to laugh "Okay, okay. By the way, Don't wear heels okay? We don't need any more Vice Admirals losing eyes alright?"

Domino took in a deep breath and quickly hung up the call before staring at the clear bottle that sat calmly on her desk. She leaned her head lightly on the desk smiling at the motion of the waves getting lost in her memories of Marco's hand in hers.

And to think in just a few hours she could feel it once more.

Marco sat perched atop a barrel sitting outside the closest tavern facing the sea. Both his hands between him as he leaned forward eagerly watching the scene before him.

"Damn you!" A thin brown haired man's harsh voice shouted as Thatch now held him in a chokehold unrelenting, with a grimace on his face. "That was my girl!" The man shouted once again to Thatch's cold scoff.

"Was she?" He asked throwing the man down to the harsh dirt. The taller Thatch then moved to crouch near the man who shook his head in drunk anger. "Then why was she in my arms?" The pompadoured man smiled while watching the pain filled man look up and shake his head grabbing a handful of dirt and desperately tossed it towards the confident commander.

Thatch took a step back preparing for the blow when he stopped and put his hands down. Staring in aw at the small collection of vines that wrapped around each other through the dirt making a small design that vaguely resembled the whitebeards mark, before decaying and falling at his feet.

Both men looked up in awe as a tall woman stood above them. One arm on her hip while the other lightly twisted at her side.

"A pirates loyalty, I see." The cold voice hummed as Thatch looked down sheepishly rubbing the back of his head and moving to stand up.

"I may be but a simple devil, but she will still be my Angel." He smoothly cooed with an outstretch of his hands. He then looked up from his bowed position. "It took you guys long enough I was getting restless." He crossed his arms.

The tall marine pursed her lips together before closing her eyes and letting out a light giggle. "Okay, I'll give you that, "She's waiting over that'a way." Domino smiled before nodding towards a sheltered harbor in the distance.

Thatch looked between Marco who sat on his barrel awaiting his moment and then the man who still stood in fear of the woman before him.

"You…You're…" The man stammered. As he moved to get up. Domino looked over then down at the man and frowned. "I'm what?" She asked lightly before the man shook his head and quickly ran away throwing dirt as he did so.

"Marines!" He shouted, Thatch watched as the man ran frantically screaming down the empty streets.

"Uh oh." Thatch chuckled, looking over at the figure on the barrel before noticing he no longer sat there.

Domino sighed and covered her ears, "Damn hangover." She mumbled while the screaming man looked around frantically flailing his arms seeing doors slamming roughly in his face to keep his trouble away from them. The people of this island had already dealt with pirates and wanted nothing to do with both a marine and a pirate. That was just to much.

"Run-" He started before wonderful flashes of blues swarmed the man causing him to throw out his arms in surprise.

"Gyahh!"

"You're to noisy-yoi." A playful voice filled Domino's ears as she looked up and tried to hide how calmly she went over Marco's outstretched body.

His arms appearing as wings and his claws outstretched from his moment of forcing the man unconscious. However just as soon as the appeared they disappeared, and he turned from the silent man. His eyes only focused on the woman before him.

How her tattered justice jacket, stitched up from plenty of battels, swayed with her movements. Or how she wore his shirt open daring. The jacket he couldn't stand for personally reasons. But that shirt, that shirt on her. It drove him mad.

Or was it her eyes that sent him the most un marine like message.

Thatch looked between the two, noticing how hungrily they stared at each other, and shook his head. "Well you two have got some catching up to do." He teased with a smile before pointing towards the shore which had a setting sun perched perfectly above the relaxing summer waves.

He nodded imagining the Red Head in his arms. "I wonder what we'll do first?" He asked himself as he jogged off towards the shore.

Domino absently nodded while she watched Marco calmly walk towards her. Both so boldly standing in the open. The sun's light warming her back to almost match the heat in her cheeks as she openly wondered her eyes over his exposed body. To say she was deprived was a understatement at best.

Marco watched how she stood watching and waiting and held out his arms as he moved to stand before her. He dare not touch her. Not yet. If he did, then everything he had been holding back would suddenly burst like a broke damn. As it was the pressure of her presence had him torn and wanting.

But as he looked down seeing the longing in her eyes, he almost gave in. Almost...

She still had to make up for damaging his families prized ship. And he knew just how to get back at her.

"You made me wait a long time marine-yoi." His voice serious, but his lips pulled up in a light smile. His hand making a gentle move to push a frayed hair behind her ears. His fingertips careful not to touch her cold skin.

He couldn't, He'd lose if he did. He then looked over at her eye seeing the bruising of her skin and the cut that had a small closure strip over it. He was tempted to run his finger over it and heal her on the spot but he was suddenly distracted by her low hum.

Domino's honey eyes looking up to match his mischievous blues.

"I'm sorry, to be so troublesome. However," She smirked moving to place her hand on his chest. Her cold fingers gliding gently over his bare skin and causing electric chills throughout his body.

She leaned closed moving on her tiptoes her lips just even with his. "You're no saint yourself, Phoenix." She cooed, her sultry voice demanding his attention as his breath hitched while she moved to place a quick kiss on his cheek before pulling away.

She had waited to long to see his face, to feel his touch, she would be damned if she couldn't take his reluctance and turn it against him.

Her arm was nearly free of his vest when his hand clasped around her wrist, his eyes wide as he looked her over pulling himself from her hypnotizing touch.

"What are you up too-yoi?" He asked cautiously looking around the nearly empty bar town. Many of the locals had ran away when they landed leaving a completely stocked tavern behind. It was a waste really, but the Whitebeards made good use of it.

However, Domino, standing so proudly in front of him was…was…nice. It wasn't right. She was up to something. Was she in her own way getting pay back for the ships Ace destroyed?

Her light smirk only proved his point as he tightened his grip for her eyes to soften. She twisted her wrist free from his grasp. He expected for her to fight, to throw a punch but instead she was wrapping her arms around him.

Her fingers interlocking behind his neck as she leaned closer to his lips. He looked down in shock going stiff at how suddenly she changed. He had no time to think as she pushed him towards the outer walls of the tavern.

"Wha..what the-" His sudden shock quickly silenced by the force of his back against the Taverns baring pole, and well, her soft pink lips crashing against his In a hungry motion.

He blinked in surprise as his senses slowly took over letting out a soft groan of disapproval as she pulled back her breathing heavy but smile wide. She tilted her head and bit her lip, moving yet another stray hair from her face watching the shaken Marco before her.

"I'm apologizing." She smiled before leaning back towards him, this time he was ready wrapping his arms around her waist and forcing her against the same post she had him. His tongue licking his lips as he stared at her 'give me' smile.

"Losing so soon-yoi?" He teased looking down at how the setting sun seemed to lighten her eyes. Or was it happiness. Or was it she was drunk?

She gave a light shrug moving to kiss him once more. "You tell me?" She whispered lightly pulling away. Marco smiled before finding his hand behind her hair pulling her head towards him once more.

It didn't matter, she was playing with fire. And he couldn't resist her anymore. Eagerly he placed his lips on hers moving to press her further against the pole she had just had him against. She let out a light moan in response feeling a calm rush over her with his movements.

"I didn't know old people still did this type a' thing." A childish but deep voice stated. Shattering Domino's calm. "Shit." She yelped. Throwing herself against Marco's chest burying her head in his neck.

"Fuck me." She mumbled at the sudden yelp. Marco chuckled and found his hand behind her hair tugging her to look towards him.

"If you say so-yoi." He smiled before she rolled her eyes and pushed him away looking behind her towards the young mans voice that now caused the small cut under her eye to burn and throb. Up until now she had forgotten the pain while wrapped up in Marco's warmth.

But once again, she wouldn't be allowed to play pretend anymore.

"Oh Look, you're here." She mumbled moving to stare directly into the onyx eyes of Portgas D. Mood Killer.

His sharp features now shadowed by his tilted down hat. His smile only growing as he lifted his drink to his lips before nodding. "Honestly, that's what you get. You should know better than to damage Pop's ship." He stated to Marco's raised eyebrow.

He took a step back looking down at Domino's proud stance with arms crossed and head shaking. Then towards Ace who had a look of pure restlessness. Like the kid was bursting at the seams to fight once more.

But Marco was not going to have that. Not when he was so close to Domino. Was it so bad he wanted her all to himself.

"I got this Ace-yoi." He stated with an annoyed tone. An eyebrow raised while his arm went to rest lazily over her shoulder. Sending a very clear signal he was not going to allow Ace to take her away. Even for the minute it'd take Domino to beat the cocky kid.

Domino looked up relishing in his warmth a vicious smile plastered on her face as she looked back towards Ace who looked just as eager to fight as she would feel. If she wasn't seeing double of him.

"Got what? Payback?." She asked with an eyebrow raised looking up at Marco as Ace continued to look between the two powerful people before them.

"Are you that bad of a kisser that it's considered a punishment?" He asked with a teasing tone. His freckles stretched out into a mischievous smile.

Marco took a second debating on what to do, or how to respond as Domino giggled to herself.

He rolled his eyes. 'tcked' to himself looking down at how the relaxed woman continued to lean in to him. "There are other ways of punishment-yoi." He murmured low enough for only Domino to her.

She smirked while twisting her wrist lightly behind Marco's back. "I enjoy kissing this sexy pirate, Besides, you destroyed some of my ships too.." she started when the motion she made was noticed by the blonde and he let his arm fall from her shoulder to lightly grasp at her wrist.

She sent him a quick glance seeing his warning glare and gave a curt smile "I'm not interested in payback right now." She sighed pulling her hand free from Marco's grasp and turning away from Ace. Flashing him her justice jacket. The three slashes across her back nothing more but tattered lines crossing through the now faded 'Justice'.

She hummed happily watching Marco's mischievous blues shift from Ace to her before he rolled his eyes wrapping his arms around her in return. "Already starting another fight Weeds-yoi?" Marco laughed to himself at the sudden change and couldn't help but smile at how giddy her touch made him feel.

God he was such a kid. After all these years she still caused him to melt in her hands. Even if he never admitted it so. He just relished in her touch.

Ace however saw the auburn-haired woman turn away from him as an insult. Her long pulled back hair swaying as she moved to capture Marco's lips with hers.

He twitched his eyebrow. Was she mocking him? Did she want to die. He couldn't sit here and watch as they ignored him. So instead he found himself standing. His mug placed gingerly on the barrel lid.

"What do you mean payback?" He called as Marco pulled away from Domino's lips.

Both sighing with defeat as her shoulders slumped. She seemed to mumble something only for Marco to hear, which in turn made him laugh with a wide smile.

This action in-turn infuriated the new Whitebeard pirate.

"Eh? Speak up you old hag!" He shouted his loud voice now catching other on lookers. Marco tilted his head at the new change in Domino as she turned around a curt smile on her face.

"You heard me you little shit! DO you even Know how much trouble your spoiled ass has put me in?" She asked using her arms to emphasize her frustration as Ace got closer to her.

"Spoiled! Trouble? What the hell are you talking about. You gone senile or something, you attacked the Moby and you think you can just walk away from that?" He yelled back at her getting closer to her face only now realizing that he now had the upper hand in height.

Still she stood tall and ready for his first move.

It was just like when he was a kid, she was always in his way. Her sadistic grin plastered on her face as she beat the shit out of him each time he tried to keep her from exposing their position to Garp.

The scarred woman rolled her eyes and took a step back, "Oh boohoo, You took out 7 ships! Do you understand how much paperwork that puts Ada through?" She asked him with wide-eyes. Something in her voice almost pleading with him to step back.

He froze.

She nodded taking a step shoving her hand towards him holding out seven scarred fingers. The way they looked so discolored seemed as if she had punched a wall of lava with her bare knuckles in the most painful way possible.

"And why did you even attack? I was giving you a pass, letting you go but no that wasn't enough you little shit!" She started before she shook her head. "But it's fine." She sighed seeing Marco's reflection in the window adjacent to the barrel, reminding her why she was here in the first place.

She was here for him. She was here to tell him she was in need of…nothing she wouldn't need help. She knew what she would have to do if she wanted to be free. She wouldn't ask that of him. She just wanted to be in his arms just a little longer if at all possible.

Ace scoffed.

"Whatever,!" He huffed.

Domino gave a light nod and turned back towards Marco giving a light smile and holding out her arms. "See no fights started." Her cold voice trying to sound light and happy.

Marco nodded "You tried that's all that co-" He stopped when Ace stomped down a black boot and threw his hands to his side in a childish display of annoyance. "I wasn't done talking," He started.

Domino pushed her head against Marco's chest and scoffed. "Well I am Ace. Face it, I can't fight you, every time I look at you all I see is the little freckled face kid." She sighed leaning closer towards Marco.

"Besides if I did fight you it would be as a marine and I don't want to be a marine right now." She sighed laying her head on Marco's shoulder as he looked down at her in awe.

She had been drinking heavily, he could tell that much by her touch and the alcohol on her breath. Yet her words seemed so sobering.

How her head rested on his shoulder defeated felt different then he had ever felt from her. It was cold and candid moment that he couldn't hide from the people who watched them through the windows. He relished in this quick moment, but something was nagging at him. This felt like a goodbye.

After all their time together and apart, after every clipping of every feat she accomplished pasted in her journal which was always now locked away . After all the sleepless nights he had trying to calm his nerves from not knowing the extent of her missions.

After….After accepting her, scars and all, she was telling him goodbye. No, he was overthinking these things. She wouldn't really decide to just leave him. If she did that would explain her sudden rush towards him.

But…But…why did he care anymore? Why was he not prepared for this moment. Why would he think this between them would be anything else but pain?

Ace stopped seeing the woman before him and frowned crossing his arms. "Seeing you disgusts me you know that?" He stated so openly.

Marco stiffened his eyes snapping to the very soon to be dead child before him before Domino's head picked up. Marco caught the wicked glint in her eyes as if she seemed to switch moods while she turned around slowly.

Ace stiffened at the pure sight of her mad smile growing wide as she quickly pulled her hand up, as if to strike the fear of the dead gods in him.

However, Marco's warming hand caught her cold skin midair. "That's not necessary-yoi." He warned her with a light smile.

"You've no idea about disgust." She sighed pulling her hand free from Marco's hot touch, shaking her head while running her hand through her hair pulling free some loose hairs while rolling her eyes before giving Marco one last look sending him a soft smile.

"You just saved my life." She whispered giving him a light smile as he nodded deciding to go along with her weak voice. Figuring whatever it was that she needed couldn't be got here in front of everyone.

Besides, he wanted her all to himself just for tonight. For some reason this felt like the last night.

"It's a doctors job to save lives-yoi." He teased her again forgetting the eyes that watched her as he shook his head and grasped her hand. "Come on, We're leaving-yoi" He started as she smiled beginning to walk beside him. She felt as he moved behind her and moved to look behind him with a sly smile. Thinking he was being bold to do this here.

However she must of misunderstood his intentions as she felt a sudden warmth around her body before her feet. Which should be on the ground. Where not. And what was more was the ground was suddenly becoming very far from where she wanted to be. The only thing she felt (Besides unrelenting fear) was Marco's claws against her midsection.

She desperately clung against his sharp talons realization hitting her like the wind that whipped around her exposed body. "MARCO!". The sound of her panic bringing a smug smile to Marco's unchanging face as he moved to look down at her his neck outstretched for her to grab as he continued to sore away higher. His intentions were to keep her to himself. And how was he to do that on the ground where everyone can interrupt?

"What's wrong weeds?" He mused stopping his flights long enough for her to reach out and the desperately cling to his neck. He quickly nuzzled her above his back before turning his head back towards the open sky before them.

"I..You know! I don't like flying!" She yelled over the sound of the wind rustling in her ears. She took in quick breaths as the wind whistled in her ears and her arms tightened around Marco's long neck in fear. She quickly shook her head against the warm feeling of flames desperately keeping her eyes closed while burying her head against the nape of his neck. Her cold and calm feeling shattering with every quick breath. "I'ma fall." She yelled while Marco only chuckled.

His body changing so she had a better grasp on him. Hovering in this moment as her arms began to adjust to his change.

Marco looked around stretching out his wings so he practically dance on the clouds below surveying different areas of the large island. Most of it was flat, not many places to land that were to secluded. "Where, oh where shall we go-yoi?" He hummed ignoring her.

Domino felt the difference in the flame to flesh and looked up and frowned noticing the area to hole on to had shrunk which was not a good thing. Why did it change?

She gingerly looked over his shoulder staring down at the fluffy clouds that he danced on, then shook her head in a squeal of fear. Sure the clouds looked like cotton candy, and the suns refracting light swirled around them, causing a perfect mixture of pinks, reds, and subtle blues, that painted the scene before her. The sun set perfectly seen from this height.

Even the wind had stopped whipping around them up here felt timeless. As if up here neither one of them had loyalties. He didn't have the ever watchful brothers waiting around the corner to catch him acting like the love struck fool he was. And she didn't have the marines that bound her to a sense of justice she didn't believe in. She didn't have the burning mark on her back. She only had him. It was a truly timeless moment.

The only sound audible was Marco's low chuckles and her quick breaths of. Secretly he was enjoying the slight discomfort the woman was showing. This was the punishment he spoke of. Of course he was also delaying the inevitable.

"That's beautiful." Domino whispered leaning her head against his back in an attempt not to be hypnotized by the intoxicating view and man. Knowing full well if she continued to look she would never win. "But go back to being a big birdy so I have more to hold." She pleaded with all her cold voice could muster. It was breaking along with her resolve to look away from the view.

Marco laughed again nodding moving to do just that when he stopped as her arms wrapped around him and her nails began to dig in to his exposed chest. He assumed she was expecting the change and adjusted to that however...

She was using haki... Piercing his immortal form only for the wounds to be covered by flames just as quickly as she actually cut his skin. "Quit clawing me-yoi." He hissed noticing the light sting her nails were creating. He looked down and saw the growing clouds around them began to open up below as he tilted his head.

Domino shook her head yelling over the sound of his wings lightly flapping to maintain his position. "You'll heal." She shot back.

"Oh look? Is that the ground-yoi?" He mushed while Domino only whimpered and forced herself closer to him. As it was her body was pressed against him in a tormenting way. She was just so close to him.

"Marco~" She whined. Her cold voice giving way to a light whimper as she nuzzled against the back of his neck again. "Please."

He took in a deep breath transforming back to his full form and flapped once more feeling the wind beneath his wings force him faster. He now knew where he was going to take her. Back to his cabin, back to his home. Somewhere they could be safe from praying eyes or angry Ace's. Somewhere he was going to take her for how she sounded.

"Relax, I think you've learned your lesson-yoi." He responded lightly. Deciding this was enough payback for the Moby. Domino gingerly moved closer to his long beck leaning forward to watch his unchanging expression.

"I guess I win huh?" She cooed lightly, relenting her terrified form to relax against him. He felt an unseen smirk grow. Was she tricking him this whole time?

If so how clever. He glanced back at her "Was that all a trick-yoi?" He asked astonished that she actually tricked him. He swore she was actually terrified of flight.

It would make sense, considering the last time he dared take flight he dropped her, not to mention her comfort zone was the ground where her devil fruit worked best. In the same way he sought the freedom in the air. The same feeling he knew Domino felt when she was wrapped in his arms.

The woman's light giggle as she pulled back and crossed her arms rustling with a pride as she spoke. "Of course it was. It'll take more then some measly wind to scare me!" She cheered happily to Marco's surprise.

"Oh?" He asked lightly before tilting ever so slightly causing Domino to jostle her calm demeanor. She squealed in surprise throwing herself back against his body tightening her arms around his long neck.

To his hysterical laughter. However, in her fear she tightened her arms once more causing Marco to suddenly begin to cough and choke from the pressure.

So much for enjoying the moment.

"Quit it or I will drop you-yoi." He stated growing serious at her attempt at murdering him. He shook his head and straightened out moving to focus on his target.

Domino however was still feeling the force of the wind push against her. But maybe she could continue this façade of being fearless "Do it then!" She challenged him. She then frowned and stared blankly at the puffy clouds they flew between.

Why does her mouth speak? She was terrified of flying. She didn't like the feeling of weightlessness. She was a fit, six foot woman. She could not, and repeat could not challenge him anymore.

The feeling of weightlessness and another quick burst of air overwhelming her sense of fear as he shook his head. "You do have a death wish-yoi." He smirked before giving his version of a shrug the best he could in this form. "I don't understand Domino. You said you wanted to ride me-yoi?" He asked his voice not quite normal but not misshapen. Just more melodic and soothing.

Domino giggled to herself before groaning at how her body began to ache with sobriety, "I mean." She murmured closing her eyes shut.

Marco took this moment to look back at her closed eyes and light blush that dusted her cheeks. Why had he not thought about this before? Was it because he knew it would have this effect. It was giving them a glimpse of how simple their life could be. And he wasn't sure if this meant if he was losing.

"Not this? Then what else could you mean-yoi?" His teasing voice asked continuing to absently glide over the air currents. He was getting tired sure, but she hadn't lost yet. She was failing in areas sure, and he was more then ready to be done with this charade however, she continued to stay so proud.

He found himself craning his neck to watch as she shook her head against him closing her eyes tightly. "You know what I mean birdy!" She chirped to Marco's reverberating chuckle.

"Do I" His playful voice questioned. Before he glanced back to the sky. He was unable to look back at her without getting lost in how the wind wrapped around her hair pulling it lose. Or how she held him so close.

"Awe marine are you okay? You don't look so good-yoi." He asked her absently continuing with the tease.

She took in a deep breath and blinked lightly feeling the wind had quieted down and she was adjusting to the light air around her. But what was the most important thing was Marco's unaffected form. He quickly pulled his head so she couldn't see how his eyes scanned the ground below looking for his next attempt at winning.

She looked around her loosening up and even shifting lightly on his back to try and cross her legs. Marco adjusting to the movement though 'tcking' at her. "I think...I think i'm good. I mean really now." She smiled feeling the wind now caress her cheeks. She let out a half laugh feeling her body push away the last of the alcohol and begin to be replaced by a welcoming warmth of timelessness.

"Marco can I tell you something?" She whispered her cold voice finally breaking to the lighter calm. Marco felt his heart almost leap through his chest at how she sounded so much like the woman he knew. Her voice was cold but it had a warmth only he could place.

"Anything you would ever need Domino-yoi." He started looking back at her intending to see the smile she had on her face. Or how her hair had been pulled free of the hair tie as it flowed in the wind. He even expected to maybe see that her jacket had fallen off her back. Yet in order for all that to be seen she would have to be there.

She wasn't there.

The large clouds that formed and absorbed the pair where there. The sinking feeling of guilt was there. But Domino was not.

Marco took in a deep breath going wide eyed as he looked down at the Domino shaped hole in the clouds below him. "Shit-yoi." He murmured before suddenly plummeting through the cotton candy shaped clouds. His heart pounding like large drums in his ears as he watched her stare up at him. Her back facing the hungry waves below.

Marco saw this, The woman he had come to love plummeting towards her impending doom. All because he wanted a sick form of punishment.

Domino saw the worried look strewn across his unchanging face as his wings pulled in and beak lined with her body.

Weirdly, as she stared up at him with her body burning with terror she remained silently watching him. She was mesmerized by his movements. And ironically, as she felt the spray of ocean waves along her back she didn't fear her death. And that was because she knew.

She knew he would catch her. He would always be the one she turned to. Huh...looks like she won't be able to leave so easily now would she? Like she said so long ago. She really had fallen for him?

Ace took in a deep breath as he watched the two disappear above the rumbling clouds above. Shaking his head at his memoires of the younger Domino telling him he should do whatever he wants. No matter what she'd support him. Ace remembered how she sat along the edge of the cliff with him leaning into her side.

He was hiding from luffy and Garp at the time and wanted to ask her of Roger, his disgusting reason for living.

"Um? Why do you wanna torture yourself like that? Little man?" She spoke softly her cold voice and melodic as she absently held him close with one arm her other one twisting as different arrangements of plants grew then decayed around them.

"…"

"Well don't ignore me you shit!" She yelled before looking down at the silent kid who was stern and lost in his own thoughts.

"…"

"(sigh) I knew him to be a strong and stubborn man, um, He cared about his crew to no end. And because of that, he just kinda pulled people to'em. But none of that matters because, who you are is completely different then him, because you're a blank slate, you can go off and do whatever the hell you want. Be the world's most powerful pirate, known to everyone, or the world's bestest marine." She laughed.

"Or you don't even gotta be one or the other. Why don't yeah just run off and be a doctor or something? Doctors are kinda sexy you know?." She asked looking down at the kid. Her scary smile growing as he looked on at the oceans waves.

"But, um you don't need to know that. No, actually you (She let out a half hearted laugh) should be not that. I don't want no girl hanging around my little man, okay? Promise me you won't go dating girls okay?"

"…"

"I s'ppose if you wanna date girls, that's up to you to. But no matter what you do, Be the greatest damn pirate you can be. Don't let anyone talk you in to selling your soul, and if your old man comes after yeah? Well i'll beat the shit outta him for you. Promise."

"You may look different then when I was a kid but you never changed." Ace sighed moving to pick up his cup and sit back on the barrel that was once occupied by Marco while Izo made his approach his eyes locked on the colors of blues the peeked out from the clouds.

His pockets jingling with his winnings of 'Marco, pulling the marine away from a battle' bet.

His brothers had decided that Domino and Ace were destined for a rematch but when Izo saw how the marine clung to Marco for what seemed like dear life he knew she would give up her lust for a fight and settle for just plain love. Though he was aware neither parties had ever once mentioned love in all their secret rendezvous. That to was something he held a bet on. But only with Whitebeard.

"What were you thinking getting in Marco's way? Anyway?" Izo asked lightly as he moved to wrap his arm around the younger and shorter kid.

Ace pushed the tall green kimono wearing man's arms off his own. "I haven't seen her since I was little, but..I may have had a tiny crush on her." He mumbled looking down with a light blush scratching his head. Admitting he remembered Sabo's snickers when he was upset at the woman's departure.

Izo laughed to himself, "So that was jealousy? Well, I'm sorry but seems like Marco's beat you to it." He continued. "Those two have been going around in circles for years now." Izo continued now looking up towards the skies smiling at all the ways those twos had gone about seeing each other.

One of the funniest times had have to been when she was chasing a pirate captain, because she was a marine, and literally ran smack dab into an unexpecting Marco. She took a second to look back and forth kissing the pineapple roughly then pushing him aside and continue chasing the pirate. Marco's surprise and color of his cheeks had been the object of jokes for weeks.

Ace nodded crossing his arms taking a drink of his mug. Looking at his own reflection not noticing Izo's light snicker at his memories.

"It's unfortunate though, they're doomed from the start." He sighed putting his hands behind his head and looking up at the now clouding skies. He frowned; this was supposed to be a tropical island. But he guessed storms happened too.

Izo raised an eyebrow lighting up his pipe and taking a long breath before sighing and watching as the smoke began to circle out and disappear, "We've known that for a while. But may I ask how do you?" He asked lightly.

Ace shrugged thinking of his own reasons for no one loving him, "We all carry our own marks, but she carries everyone else's. And because of that she won't leave." He sighed moving to scratch the back of his head. "I remember I asked the old man one time why she never came back to our island." He smiled.

"He told me it was because she had orders elsewhere. But the truth was, it was because she could never be in paradise for long." He sighed watching as the yellows and blues of Marco's power continued to disappear through the clouds. "I always thought he meant the first half of the grand line till just earlier. But. That's not what he means."

Izo nodded, "I understand, we've seen that slavers mark you're talking about. Once, years before you set out." He tapped his ornate pipe before going on. "We never asked Marco about it we trust his judgement after all. But it can be heart wrenching knowing one day they'll be apart for good."

Ace went wide-eye. "She…she has the hoof of the soaring dragon?" He asked with a surprised look. Izo chocked back his own surprise. "Oh! You didn't know, I'm so sorry that was not my secret to tell." He sighed tapping his pipe.

Ace closed his eyes and laughed to himself. "No, that makes sense." He sighed remembering his talks with the younger Domino.

"Dom, why did you become a marine?"

"Oh, the men, for sure. Do you know how good looking a guy is in uniform? I mean damn.."

"You're lying."

"Heh..yeah. Okay..Fine, it's because I want to be a good big sister and help protect my brothers. See, I have two of em just like you. And as the oldest it's my responsibility to make sure they stay safe. No matter what it costs me."

"So she'll never leave." Izo sighed with a sad expression thinking of how frustrated Marco would be when he finally realized that this woman had been dragging him around with the hopes of maybe one day she would leave.

But Ace knew, because he was the same, they were both bound by theirs sins. His was being born, hers was death.

However, what neither Izo nor Ace knew, Domino wouldn't take anyone else she loved with her. At least not where she was going.