To say Marco looked back over his shoulder as Domino embraced her brother would be correct.

To say Marco held a sense of dread that wasn't normal for him to have would be correct.

To say Marco was going to turn around and go back to stand by her side and persuade her away from the path she chose. Would be wrong.

He knew better then to interfere in her plans before he was meant to. After all she has to finish her game by herself. If he would end it then there wouldn't be a loser, it would be outright cheating. And he may be a down right no good pirate but cheating at his own game? Never.

Instead he focused on the cold damp sable walls around him. He focused in on how their jagged edges snagged at his skin as the walls around him began to grow narrower.

When he decided to set out on his own mission he was intending to follow the feelings of two figures running between the walls. Thus leading him to a blank reflective door. After pushing past said door, looking back at the party, and seeing no one noticed his disappearance. He pushed onwards, of course as he entered the once wide tunnels he soon figured out Izo and Ace had gone this way by the small slivers of the 16th commander's kimono that had been torn off and embedded themselves amongst the stalagmites.

But it was soon after he lost Izo's and Aces trail that he got really intrigued. He knew he was near the mouth of the tunnel that led to a wide open cavern beneath him and while he was interested to see what was there. He felt another pair of humans? running around through these tunnels and well that in itself was interesting enough to follow.

After all there wasn't much else to do but wait anyway, and thats boring.

As he continued down the new and much smaller path he began to hear a small sound of tapping echoing around the dew covered rocks. He slowly came to a stop and gingerly kneeled down having to arch his back slightly to keep from running his clothes against the low and jagged ceiling of where he now was.

He looked around slowly inspecting the area as the tapping began to grow closer before fading away again. Around him seemed to be two more tunnels jetted out from either side. He craned his neck and began to lean towards the opening on his left when yet the tapping sound began again. This time echoing from the tunnel on his right.

He narrowed his eyes trying to pinpoint the sound's owner. It could be the sound of the water of the bath house seeping in through the rocks and slowly eroding away at the tunnels that surrounded him.

But it couldn't be. For the sound of water dropping was more high pitched and almost constant down to the same 10 second interval. This was a heavy echoing sound that had only begun as he beard these enclosing tunnels.

He made a face of thought before shrugging and moving to sit along the rim of the left tunnels opening. His eyes transfixed on the opening across from him as the tapping once again began to grow louder.

He crossed his legs and let out a content breath. A smile on his face as he processed his thoughts among the damp walls he sat in. If you had told him he'd be exploring long and twisting tunnels of a dormant volcano he'd have been secretly excited. But if you had told him Domino, the one woman he couldn't beat was now playing her final game, then he would have a different reaction. One he couldn't quite process.

The one he had now. He shook his head looking down at the rocks scattered around his feet and how a small stream trickled past his sandals and towards the dead end he had come to. He watched with a sense of comfort thinking of how he saw the fight in her honey eyes.

She was still willing to fight but she would have to do it alone. He sighed once more and shook his head deciding to lay back inside the tunnel waiting as the footsteps grew louder. Thats all he could do was wait for now.~~

He desperately grabbed at his little sisters hand pulling her carefully behind him. Her little fingers desperately tried to wiggle free as their bare feet slapped against the cold damp volcanic stone.

He looked back to see tears streaming down her dirty cheeks then further from that large men chasing behind them. He took in a sharp breath and pulled his little sister to run in front of him. He knew what was going to happen on this island and if they stayed then they'd just be apart of it.

"Bubby, why are we running?" His little sister asked slowing down her pace before he pushed her forward. His hands remaining on her back to force her faster. Now the only thing louder then their footsteps was his ragged breath and thumping heart.

"I'll explain later..." He almost tripped over some jagged rocks as he desperately tried to regain his balance. "We just need to get out of here." He gasped through quick breaths. His little sister let out a small whine as she curled her fist around her pretty new fluffy shirt.

"But, we home..." She whispered starting to slow to a stop. The tunnels were starting to get darker and she could feel rocks all around her. It was like a warped slide, or like they were inside a worms body. She didn't like it. She wanted to be home laying down on her bed while the fancy women braided her hair.

Her brother noticed the slowing down and looked back once more. There was nothing there, those men probably weren't small enough to fit through these tiny tunnels. Of course they were to big they had big broad shoulders and snarling faces. Unlike him and his sister who could easily fit through the tunnels and path ways that had been carved through the mountain.

That's why they were brought here in the first place, to fit between the vents. But for some reason they had been chosen and he did not like that. So he turned to his little sister and kneeled lightly, water collecting along his knee as he did so.

"Daisy, listen to me, that was not our home okay?" He asked her searching her tear filled eyes and running a dirty hair through her matted purple hair. He shook his head as she began to lean away from him.

"No you're wrong!" She shouted harshly and pushed away from him. Her body turning away and rushing forward through the tunnel. Her feet angrily slapping against the water as she clumsily ran through the tunnels.

He looked on in shock before wiping away a single tear and ran towards her. He balled up his fists and pulled in his arms tight as he pushed forward. The hard rocks cutting up his feet as he felt his chest begin to burn with exhaustion. He grimaced at the pain but continued on watching as his little sister stopped to inspect a crossroads they were coming up on and then charged forward once more.

He held out his hand "Daisy wait!" He desperately yelled intending to catch up to her when his foot caught on something hard and he stumbled forward. He remembered seeing the stone ceiling, then the floor then the ceiling again till finally he landed on something softer then the rock he expected with a loud and deep 'Oomph'

Marco curled in on his stomach as a quick object headbutted him knocking the wind out of his lungs. He took in a deep breath and moved to pull himself up before noticing a small kid sprawled out over him, with swirls in his eyes.

Marco nodded to himself, that was unexpected but it made sense.

He lifted his arm to gingerly grab the collar of the poor passed out kid. This kid was probably no more then 12? He had tattered shorts and a torn up brown shirt, but that could have been from the jagged rocks of the tunnels in fact it looked like it was once a nice well kept shirt.

His purple hair though lightly dusted with dirt was also gelled to the side as if someone had taken the time to properly comb it.

Marco continued to hold the boy up and moved to place him lightly to the side of the tunnels mouth he was just laying at. He let out a deep breath while rubbing his stomach. That kid nearly hit him in the crown jewels. That would have been devastating.

But he didn't. So nothing to worry about.

Daisy looked back with a terrified face hearing her brother yelp in pain as he tumbled through these dark scary tunnels was not good. There must be a monster in these tunnels. She needed to go back to find her bubby. She nodded to herself and looked around her to find the biggest rock she could. Having found a large round rock that was blocking some water she picked it up. Realized it was really heavy then frowned and huffed. Her bubby would be able to pick it up. She should go get him first.

She smiled and turned back to go get him when she saw it. This spikey head monster in the tunnel lifting her bubby up. That MONSTER WAS GOING TO EAT HER BUBBY!

Quickly she charged the evil monster. She had too!

Marco shook his head and ran his hand along his stubble on his chin inspecting the younger kid before him. "You don't look to worse for wear-yoi, a few cuts from the tunnels is to be expected. I can heal those pretty quickly." He hummed to himself before looking back towards the tunnel the young kid came from.

It was definitely darker then the cross section they sat at now. Had this kid navigated himself through the almost complete darkness? But why?

"What were you running fr-"

"NO EAT MY BUBBY!"

Suddenly Marco felt a warning pull him away from the very anger fist of an almost toddler. He blinked quickly and put his back against the sides of the jagged walls. He let out a look of mock surprise as this little girl with purple hair and a ragged dress stood with her short and stubby legs spread out in front of her brother.

Her tiny fists clenched as she heaved with angry breath.

She was absolutely adorable. Marco held up his hands in a surrendering motion as he moved to slide against the opposite end on the tunnels walls in an attempt to get on her adorable level.

She moved forward her hands held out "No eat! No!" She yelled at him inching closer. Marco nodded "I won't I..I won't-yoi." He stuttered with a smile.

She looked down at his open shirt and narrowed her eyes before flinching forward as he finally sat down and move to cross his legs. "You look funny." She stated in a high pitched but serious tone.

Marco internally bit back a snarky smile. And scratched the back of his head. "I do? Huh? Never thought about that-yoi." He stated looking away from the little girl who nodded and kept her fists clenched watching as the weird man turned away from her.

Marco gave her a side glance as she took a deep breath "Are there more?" Her voice asked lightly. He moved to look back at her when she jumped forward again taking a defiant stance. Marco chuckled to himself and shook his head.

"No, afraid i'm the only monster here-yoi." He stated holding out his hands in an 'oh well' motion and leaned in shaking his head. "And I just ate a whole island before I came so I'm pretty full." He frowned.

The little girl giggled at how this not mean monster looked with his hair and nodded to herself.

"A whole iland, you lying?" She asked lightly, putting her fists down as Marco nodded.

"Maybe you're right-yoi." He smiled before he placed a thoughtful hand to his chin. "But I think my brother Ace could eat one." He spoke truthfully. Ace could in fact eat almost the whole ship if you let him.

The little girl giggled again and nodded "You ave a bubby?" She asked lightly. Marco looked up to himself and then down towards the little girl seeing that she no longer stood so defiant and was actually moving closer to him. "Oh I have a lot-yoi." He smiled.

The girl looked back towards her brother who was probably sleeping. And pointed towards him "Well dis is my bubby. Just the one." She smiled holding up a tiny finger to show him.

Marco nodded "Yeah? Well he's lucky to have a brave little sister like you-yoi." He smiled. The little girl then towards her brother who was still not waking up. That may be a little trouble some. He needed to act quicker now that he was gaing this girls trust.

"My names Marco what's- " He started when she jumped forward. "I'm Daisy, and i'm 3!" She smiled with her fingers out towards him once more. Marco nodded and moved to stand up while talking.

"That's such a pretty name, what's your brother's name?." He smiled towards her and she giggled then nodded "Bubby." She cheered then jumped up and down, she then stopped and looked over at her brother and made a pout.

"He's hurt?" She asked while watching the tall not monster man named Marco move over to pull her brother's eyes open and shake his head.

"No, He should wake up any minute-yoi.." The man gave a warm smile pulling away from her brother and sitting on the edge of the tunnel. There was a silence as she got her thoughts together when he lifted up his hand.

"Those cuts on his feet can't feel to nice though. I can take care of them if you'd like?" He asked while leaning forward lightly.

Daisy looked down at her own feet and wiggled her toes then at her brothers who were more cut up then hers and shook her head "No. Mr. Russel said after tonight we don't have to worry about being hurt." She smiled and then frowned and pointed again at her body and looked up at the tall man with big eyes.

"But bubby was saying that he's mean? When he's not mean, mean, like the big guys who gave us the boom necklaces. He took them off." She stated to herself with a chirpy sound.

Marco took in the information with a understanding nod and glanced at the young boy who was slowly coming around. The ominous words did not go unnoticed.

"I see, so you had boom necklaces-yoi?" he asked careful not to probe her for too much information or move too close, she may not have been noticing but every time he moved closer to her brother she was balling up her fists and pulling backwards

She nodded and rocked in place. "Yea-P, him and Arum gave us a really big bed. Like this big." She smiled then frowned and pulled her hands to her lips and began to look around frantically.

"But s'hes go to be mad at us. With all these owies." The girl looked around and began to shake her head. "no. " She whispered to herself.

Marco tilted his head and shook his head. "Hey, there's no need to be upset, guess what-yoi?" He asked her.

She pouted then sniffled, "What?" she asked. How was this not monster man going to keep Arum and Mr. Russel from being mad at them? He smiled at her and waved his hand slowly in the air. As he did so a light blue fire engulfed his hand.

Daisy took in a deep breath then did the only thing she could think of. "FIRE!" she screeched at the top of her lungs. She shook her head and leaned down at the water scoping it in her tiny little hands and tossing it at Marco.

"Safe, I save you!" She squealed.

He dismissed his flames and held up his arms in mock fear as the cave water splashed all around him. He mentally sighed to himself as her frantic squeal subsided and he was covered in milky colored tunnel water.

"It's okay. It's okay!" He chuckled. "I'm safe, thank you so much-yoi." He cheered before he held his hand out again and it once again caught flame.

"Oh no!" He exclaimed faking surprise. She then puffed out her cheeks and started to scoop up more water. "I save! I save!"

Marco quickly extinguished his flame "All gone!" He cheered.

Daisy dropped her water and moved closer to him. "Magic?" She asked. Marco thought for a second explaining before he nodded and moved closer to her. "Pretty cool huh-yoi." He asked her.

Meanwhile he eyed the dark eyed boy now glaring at him silently. Marco pulled back his hand and moved to adjust how he was sitting so he could watch both of their expressions.

"Your awake now that's good." He stated nonchalantly to himself. The boy nodded and rubbed his head while his sister jumped in his filed of vision.

"Bubby, Macro's magic!" She smiled happily jumping in front of him. Her brother took in a deep breath and 'tcked' to himself moving to stand up and grab at his little sisters hand.

Marco gave a light smile. "Marco, my names Marco." He corrected lightly holding out his hand to the tiny boy. The boy scoffed again and looked away "What are you doing here?" He asked the figure.

He could see the mans basic features, like his bright yellow hair and lazy eyes but not much else but shadows.

Marco retracted his hand and pushed himself from the lip of the tunnels entrance that he sat on then stretched out his arms while he shrugged.

"I consider myself an explorer so I thought why not look around here-yoi." He stated honestly then looked towards the kid who had turned away and was inspecting his sister.

"Daze are you okay? He didn't hurt you nothing like that?" The kid asked still patting down at his sisters tattered dress. Daisy looked back at Marco who seemed like he was facing somewhere different then back at her bestest brother ever.

"No, he made you okay." She smiled and nodded. Her brother looked back at the man and then nodded towards her and clasped his hand around hers. "No more running off okay?" He stated sternly.

She frowned.

Marco looked back at the kids in the tunnel then at the presence he was feeling off in the distance. These kids were obviously running away from something and from what he put together they had good reason too. Not only that but there was a growing danger in these tunnels and it was best they got out soon.

"Hey kid." Marco asked watching the distant tunnel he had walked from and turning his head back towards the now standing kid. "Thanks' um, Marco but.."

"I can heal your cuts then we can get out of these tunnels." He stated, growing serious. When he spoke to Daisy he was careful how he sounded. But it was clear her brother was more of a straight talk type of guy.

The boy looked back from where they came from then towards Marco and scoffed. "I don't need your healing crap. Thanks." He pulled at his sister's hand and turned away.

He needed to go the way Marco was facing but he didn't need no other Adults help. "We'll be fine."

Marco sighed at Daisy waving goodbye then nodded. "If you walk around in the water with exposed cuts you can get a number of infections. Some of which can lead to amputation." He started with a half shrug.

Daisy's brother stopped mid step and took in a deep breath clenching his jaw as his little sister looked up at him in awe and shock.

"And backtracking through where you came from just to avoid me is counterproductive-yoi." Marco finished with a blank expression.

Daisy frowned and pulled on her brothers hand. "Bubby, he's not a mean monster. He's got a brother Ace who can eat a whole island!?" She cheered.

Marco pulled a hand over his mouth to hide his smile at this little girls voice. He looked from the tunnel he stood in feeling as a subtle shaking occurred before the boy's voice echoed through the tunnels.

"Ace? Like Whitebeard's Fire Fist Ace,?" The boy asked, turning to look at the shaded silhouette of Marco. The blonde nodded. "The one and only-yoi."

Daisy watched as her brother started to pull her towards the tall spiky haired man. "What'd you say your name was again?" The boy asked now standing on the edge of the tunnel's mouth.

Marco smiled and gave a nod "Marco the Phoenix maybe you've heard of me?" He asked mockingly. Of course this kid has.

The kid went stone faced and shook his head. "No " The kid stated sternly. Marco's face dropped. The kid continued with a nod and moving to sit down and place his little sister on his lap. Both of their feet hanging over the tunnel's mouth.

"But if you're Ace's brother then we can work together."

Marco kneeled down biting back any sarcastic remarks he had and instead decided to heal the children's feet. "At least you heard of Pop's-yoi." He mumbled then looked up at Daisy's wide eyes "This may tickle."

The boy nodded as blue flames lite up the tunnel. He was not impressed. "Only from Arum, she wouldn't shut up about Whitebeard's death." He stated looking away as his little sister giggled.

Marco raised an eyebrow "Oh really?" He asked, pulling away and watching as the little girl grabbed at her bare feet and giggled "All gone?" She asked as Marco nodded and rustled her hair.

Daisy looked up at her brother who was not surprised by no more scratches and her feet all clean. "Yeah, they got this whole plan..." The boy stopped and looked down at his little sister who was now sitting down trying to not roll backwards as she rubbed her fingers on her feet.

Marco noticed the down cast eyes and pulled away his hands. The kids feet already healed. "I see. Well, even more reason to get away from this place-yoi. Lead the way um?" He held out his hand for the kid to finish with his name.

The kid scoffed and pulled at his sister. "Come on Daisy." He stated.

Marco rolled his eyes and rubbed at his temples following behind the two kids. The young preteen walking with purpose while the little girl bounced around happily splashing her feet on the stones un concerned with any jagged edges.

Of course not, she had magic on her side. If only that magic could heal everything.

Adaline tapped her foot lightly against the hardwood of the deck. Her eyes dancing around the smaller room she sat in while voices swirled around her.

"You know, I've said it before but I am really thankful you never screwed a marine." Gators playful voice exclaimed as he leaned over the large oak table. "If you had we'd never been able to properly infiltrate Whitebeard's ship."

His sharp chin and wide eyes fell over the short very pregnant redhead glaring at him as she leaned over the communications officer Jean. Who was now busy setting up a medium sized machine used for recording information and nodded to his headphones as he began to get things set up.

Adaline rolled her eyes and looked up at Whitebeard "You don't have to allow them here." She explained softly to the large man who watched the scene with a sense of boredom.

"If this is the safest place for you then i'll allow it for now." Whitebeard explained raising his eyebrow at the empty bottle "Weeds better have some damn good booze." He finished. Adaline nodded.

She may have promise Whitebeard some of Domino's finest alcohols.

"Please you couldn't even infiltrate your wife properly." Jean snarked absently towards Gator, turning dials around the large recording machine. He looked around his position on the table before seeing Adaline hand him the new film he was looking for.

Thatch and Pop's snickers at the sound of shock Gator let out.

Adaline shook her head at the two dropping her head before looking towards her husband and his father. "Please don't encourage them."

"I happen to have 8 kids, I think i'm doing something right." Gator stated with a cocky smile to which Adaline rolled her eyes turning from Thatch and Whitebeard to tap on Jeans shoulder.

"And how many of those are really yours, Gator?" She asked herself nonchalantly.

"What!?" Gator yelped.

"Make sure the sensitivity is up I don't want to miss a single syllable. Did we ever get any blueprints?" Adaline asked an unconcerned Jean. He shook his head "Not that I know of sir."

Gator looked around the group seeing the two non marines holding back laughter and shook his hands in the air. "Okay, wait are we going to let that slide?" he asked the group who looked up at him as Adaline pulled away from leaning over Jeans shoulder and placing a hand on her back as she stood straighter.

"Gator, Focus. Have we gotten any maps, blueprints, things that you can read that provide us some other view, You know like a good navigator was tasked to do?" She asked him unknowingly showing Thatch what she was truly like as an marine officer.

He admitted he saw her as somewhat aggressive when they would meet. However now he saw why, She had to be stern because she was the glue holding these men together. Without her they would be at each others throats. She truly was an angle.

He then noticed how she absently moved to scratch at her arm and made a small face of discomfort. He got up from his spot against the wall of the meeting room and placed a small chair beside her.

She looked up at him as her smile grew. Thatch nodded to the chair in which Adaline rolled her eyes and moved to lightly sit down.

Gator rolled the red heads words and pulled back his chair, lifting up his pants leg. "Whoa, not to high there." Thatch murmured to which Adaline and Jean both giggled.

Gator made a face "NoT To HiGh." He mimicked unclicking his metal leg and holding it out over the table as two rolled up tubes of paper came from it. One dark blue and tattered the other a tiny white rectangle.

"A secret compartment for your maps?" Whitebeard asked with a nod of approval.

Adaline smiled and moved to stand up again when Thatch sent her a concerned look. She looked down at her stomach and sighed. She was so useless.

He let out a concerned sigh and moved to lightly massage her shoulders placing a small kiss on her head as he did so.

"Where else would I put them?" Gator asked with a confident smile.

Whitebeard nodded "Booze." He stated with one word. Gator lifted up his chin in thought "You know, I just used it to hide pictures of naked w-"

"Thwack!"

Gator shot his eyes towards Adaline who shrugged and pointed to Jean. "Ow, Jean what the hell?" he asked while rubbing the side of his head.

Jean shrugged turning another grooved dial. "You were to far for Adaline to reach, so.." He trailed off leaning across the table to grab the maps and then hand them to Thatch who spread them out on the corner closes to Ada.

"So what you can't hit me? Besides whats wrong with naked woman? You seem to like them" Gator gave a cheesy smile.

Jean shook his head "Only your wife."

"What?!"

Adaline sighed and looked back up at Whitebeard. "You really can kick them off the ship sir."

"Pops," He corrected then smiled. "Why would I do that lass! This is entertaining. Thatch go grab some more barrels things like this go better with drinks." He ordered with a large booming voice.

"Oh hey, Why would you get rid of us Commodore?" Gator whined. "We're your favorites!" He cheered placing a hand under his chin.

"Technically you're not important in this part so you know..." Jean mumbled waving his hand towards the door while he busied himself with calibrating the antenna that was sticking out at the back of the large rectangular machine.

Thatch looked from Adeline's shoulders which he was massaging to his father and shook his head. "You go get them. Pops. I'm staying by my wife's side."

"Kill joy." Whitebeard mumbled.

Adaline went wide eyed at the sudden best idea of her life. "Oh when you get his booze can I have like some cookies or something, sweet?" She asked happily a chirp in her voice. Thatch looked at her baby blue eyes and nodded vigorously.

"The babies want something sweet!" She continued.

"Of course! But first." He cheered before placing a deep kiss on her lips. And walking off and pointing at his father while Adaline giggled to herself.

"Watch her pops."

"Whipped." The oldest male murmured.

"No booze for you." Thatch retorted.

Jean and Gator exchanged horrified looks at Adaline's happy smile. "You almost forget she's a person." Gator murmured.

Jean looked up from his machine "Huh? Oh, yeah, it's gotta be the baby hormones. Makes her normal, you know?" He explained to which Gator nodded.

Adaline looked from her wonderful husband exiting the room and sent sharp eyes to her former men. "What are you gawking at Jean, I don't hear Domino yet." She started before rolling her eyes and moving to get a better look at the outstretched blue and white maps of the island.

Whitebeard watched as she leaned a hand on her back and made a quick face of pain before he nudged the chair with his foot so it was closer behind her.

"Gator, our ship's are here correct?" She asked pointing down at a circle red X around the opposite of the volcano next to a giant white square behind the bathhouse.

Gator leaned over the table and nodded. "Yes sir, we're using the smoke of the bath house to conceal the ships. We're good to maintain our position for a few more hours at the least."

Whitebeard raised an eyebrow. "Hope the wind doesn't change." He mumbled.

Gator nodded "Well, all the Rear Admirals gotta do is walk in and get these guys to talk then we'll relocate the civis and be home by morning." He smiled to himself, closing his eye and resting his head down.

"I've got faith in Domino so she'll take care of the filith." He shrugged. Jean nodded to himself and looked up at Adaline who was sending a concern glance to Whitebeard. "Then we take the confessions and the emperor to HQ and we retire."

Gator scoffed "Speak for yourself greenie, I'm career man all the way." He cheered to which Adaline nodded absently. Her sight growing blurry at the tears that filled her eyes as they continue to talk between each other.

"Do that, i'll take care of your wife while you're away..."He trailed off upon hearing static in his large blue headphones.

Gator slapped the table "WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?!" He yelled. Whitebeard jostled by the loud noise moved in with a dangerous aura growing around him.

"You break my things I break you brat." He boomed.

Adaline looked on at the scene and placed a hand to her mouth hoping to muffle the sound of her crying.

These guys didn't know how hard this was for Domino. These guys didn't know that they may never see her again. Maybe that's why Dom decided to keep it a secret. She always sucked at goodbyes.

Adaline was so lost in muffling her cries she didn't hear Jean explain to Whitebeard that the only thing Gator was good at breaking was a home. Nor did she hear Whitebeards echoing laughter or Gator explaining it was a misunderstanding. He was just helping a barmaid who was stuck in a barrel in an explicate way and her boyfriend happened upon them.

Finally she didn't hear the ecstatic voice of her husband bashing the door open yelling "Sweets for a sweet" or the sound of his concerned voice as he placed a tray of cookies over the maps and wrapped her in a warming hug.

She would have to tell these guys, all of them that tonight they wouldn't just be losing her to the pirates. But they would lose Domino to her fate.

She sucked in a tearful breath and held on to Thatch's shirt as she shook her head against her tears.

"Adaline?" Thatch asked lightly running his hand through her hair as she gripped his shirt tighter.

He looked down at the red head as she shook her head again. "I..I can't." She whispered. Thatch snapped his head to her crew mates who each gave him a concerned shrug. "Adaline what's wrong?" He pulled away to glance at her stomach as she shook her head at that and pulled him back in to a hug.

"It' 's not that..." Adaline sniffled.

Gator rolled his eyes as Adaline continued to sob. "Hormones. My wife had'em"

Jean shook his head as Whitebeard leaned in now concerned as well. The weight on this poor woman's shoulders. Any man with eyes could see it.

"It's not that, she bears a burden that she doesn't want to tell us about..." Jean stated honestly flipping one last switch while taking off his earphones and holding them out towards the sniffling redhead.

"Call's live." He remarked as Gator yelled in the background. "When did you become so wise in the ways of Adaline?"

"I'm communications officer. I communicate. Unlike you." Jean rolled his eyes and moved to get out of the way to make room for the redhead she clearly needed to sit.

Adaline looked towards the standard marine uniform wearing man then tapped against Thatch's chest and moved to the empty space Jean had made for her.

"Ada." Thatch whispered "Are you okay?" He asked her lightly. She scoffed to herself and leaned over the table pushing the headphones over here ears.

"The amount of pain I'm experiencing is nothing compared to what Domino is about to go through so for now." She sighed and grabbed a cookie, her eyes still watering as Thatch moved to sit criss crossed on the table beside her.

"I'll be okay." She smiled. But would she be? After tonight would she be okay with this distance in her heart?