You all who have been following this story have been so nice. Also my school and work load have been not so heavy, so I decided to reward myself for finishing all my 300 pages of reading and your lovely reviews with a new chapter. I'll admit though that I'm also updating now, cause my dad is taking me into the city (San Francisco whoot!) twice over the next 2 weekends for my birthday. So I won't be able to update on those days. So I may update instead on the Thursday before or Monday after. We'll see. Now to the chapter.

Chapter 3

Ace stared at the man who now sat across from him. He had heard of Rob Lucci, leader of the infamous CP9. However that did not explain why his brother had saved him. Last he had heard Luffy had beaten the crap out of him and the rest of CP9, and then destroyed Ennies Lobby in order to rescue one of his Nakama. So the only question he had to ask is why had Luffy saved him. Luffy seemed to catch onto his unease at sitting next to one of the world governments top dogs and began to speak, "Ace, Lucci was the other guy we saved from the Marine's ship you were being transported on."

"I got that, but it doesn't explain why you'd save someone who hurt one of your friends and tried to kill you." Lucci actually had the nerve to look a bit upset upon hearing that.

"Because Ace they were going to execute him too, just because he lost to me and couldn't fulfill his orders. I might be a pirate, but even I can see what a terrible deal that is."

Ace was a little surprised, since when had Luffy grown into such a reliable person. A small grin formed on his face, his brother had always been too nice for his own good. Sparing another glance towards Lucci, he decided then that he wouldn't say anything more on the matter, but he would be watching Lucci and waiting for him to screw up. Then there would be no third chance. Lucci seemed to notice his glare, and translate it's meaning. He just nodded his head in understanding. Luffy just beamed at the two, the entire silent conversation completely going over his head.

"So Lucci what are your plans now that my little brother gave you back your freedom?"

"I planned on returning to the sea to see if I could locate my Nakama. We will have to go back into hiding, but I am worried that with news that I was caught that they may try and save me, or worse try and barter for my freedom." Lucci let out a sigh.

Ace quirked an eyebrow at that, "I didn't realize that CP9 agents were that close. I always figured you all would sacrifice each other at the drop of a hat, especially if one lost and proved themselves too weak."

"Normally were we still CP9 we might. However those that are on the run with me, most of us have known each other for many years, added to the fact that Kalifa, Blueno, Kaku, and I have been together in Water Seven for the last ten years on our last mission. And now that we all would all love to get our hands on Spandam for betraying us, we are unusually close."

"Heh, I see, well were did you see them last? Trust me it's always the best place to start."

Lucci sighed, "We had opted to see if we could talk the higher up's in the marine's to convince them that we did not betray the World Government as Spandam claimed. However when we went to talk to one of the Vice Admirals, we were ambushed, despite all the caution we used. I stayed to allow them to escape. I highly doubt that they are on the same island."

Ace frowned and let out a disappointed sigh, "Well that's what you get for trusting those World Government bastards. They'll throw away perfectly good warriors just to keep up appearances. They can't let the rest of the world know you exist, and even worse on top of that, that you lost to Luffy."

Luffy who had been suspiciously quiet up to this point, was wearing a frown that seemed to grow with ever sentence the other two spoke. "Lucci." The two turned to him, "You should just join my crew, your friends are invited as well." Then he smiled, "What do you say?" Now both Ace and Lucci looked equally flabbergasted at this, and began to shout together.

"Luffy he tried to kill you,…"

"Straw Hat we tried to kill you…"

"You can't trust him or his friends…"

"You can't trust us…"

"Whose to say they won't try it again!"

"Whose to say we won't try it again!"

Luffy began to laugh as they finished; the two realizing what they had just done just shared a look.

"Shishishishi, that was awesome. Can you do it again?" More laughing followed, the two couldn't help it the absurdity of they're similar screams and of Luffy's simplicity, and the contagiousness of his laughter soon had reduced them to the same laughing mess the future pirate king was. They're laughter continued for a while till Ace felt the familiar fuzzy headed feeling of a narcoleptic attack coming on, and within minutes he was asleep.

When Ace next woke it was dark outside, and a tray of food had been laid on the table next to his bed. Shifting a bit he realized that he couldn't move very well, and upon further inspection realized that Luffy had climbed in next to him and had his waste in a almost bone crushing hug. This made him smile, until he noticed movement at the end of the bed. Trying to light the candles on the wall and bedside table he remembered his powers were gone, and quickly grabbed a set of matches and lit the bedside lamp. Lifting the lamp up he turned back to the end of the bed and realized that he was looking at a gigantic Leopard. The giant cat lifted it head shortly after the introduction of some light, and turned to him, "Good your awake, you were brought some food not that long ago, so if you'd like I could go heat it for you." It took him a minute to realize that he was looking at Lucci, he hadn't realized the man was a devil fruit user, let alone a Zoan type. He calmed down greatly after he came to this realization, "Naw I've got it." He said, but remembered once again his powers were useless. "Damn that is going to take forever to get used to." Smiling warmly at the large cat, "Ah on the other hand could I trouble you to do that. My powers are a little off right now."

Nodding his head he transformed back into his human form, "I heard from Luffy. He said you were having a baby, I wasn't aware that, that was actually possible?"

"HE TOLD YOU!" Ace just groaned and putting his face into his hands at that. God what was he going to do with him, the idiot going and just telling people things.

"Don't worry, I actually asked first." Ace lifted his head to look at the man, "And after you fell asleep, we talked. I've agreed to join his crew. I can't say what my Nakama and his will say about it, but if they aren't full opposed then we won't have any problems. So don't worry I won't go telling the Marine's about this. Though even if I were thinking of trying to go back to the marines, I still wouldn't. I would not betray someone I owe my life." Ace was speechless. And as he tried to form the words to thank the man, Lucci tilted his hat in acknowledgement and walked out with the platter of food.

Lying back against the headboard of the bed, Ace let out a sigh. His little brother had the most amazing ability to awaken the good in just about anybody. Smiling he looked down and patted Luffy on the head in silent thank you, then settled back to wait for his food. He figured he could ask Lucci where they were headed, and tomorrow he would call the old man and see if they could come pick him up. He had to report on Blackbeard's new powers and crew, as well as on his condition. And figure out how to tell Marco about his condition. Let alone telling the rest of the crew about the coming addition. Talking to the doctor on the ship about his condition was also a top priority, as he hadn't seen anyone about it in months.

Tomorrow was going to be a long day.

So what do you all think? Some of you might think Lucci is being too nice, but I am under the impression that like most of the characters in One Piece, that under the right circumstances they are relatively likable and nice. I mean Shanks was able to get Mihawk to party with him (even if he never really smiles during the whole process) and the CP9 guys seem to be almost as close as the Straw Hat crew when alone. So yes Lucci is a little OC, so is Ace (and most of the Whitebeard crew) mostly cause you don't get to see them enough in the show or manga (except when they aren't pissed and trying to kill/fight people) to know their true personalities.

Also I know you all are waiting for Marco, so I'll give you a little spoiler and tell you he's in the next chapter, but that's all you get. Please review. I'm still taking polls on baby genders (but only vote once please), so let me know.