So new chapter, had to change some things, but this is better, cause now it is going where I need it to go. So enjoy.

Chapter 10

Marco and the other commanders had not been lying when they had promised to come up with a solution to the problem of protecting Ace while keeping the rest of the crew safe. None had come up with a valid plan yet, but Marco was now keeping a list of any possible plans to bring up to Whitebeard in hopes that he would see something and agree to one. At this point the others had agreed that while they wanted Ace to stay on the ship, keeping him with Marco seemed the bigger priority in planning.

Weeks went by and Ace's waistline and chiseled abs were quickly becoming a thing of the past as the baby grew. Seeing Ace doing anything other than eating, sleeping, or throwing up was also becoming even more rare as the days passed. However Jared and the other doctors kept careful watch over his growth and were more than happy to announce that he was doing fine, and it seemed his logia fruit was going to help him through the majority of the hurdles. Marco was thrilled.

It was half way through the third week when Marco and the other commanders had gathered to go through more plans that a solution was found. A little surprisingly it was Ace himself who thought up the basis.

[Flashback]

Marco sighed for what seemed the millionth time. Their time was quickly running out, and they had yet to come up with even a solid idea of a plan to take to Pop's. The others were starting to become as despondent as him, with no sign of an answer in sight. Again he sighed, but continued to the next person sitting at the table. They had arranged that every person could list their idea's out one by one in order to avoid as many arguments as possible. It was Namur's turn and he motioned for him to begin.

Namur nodded, looking down at the table as he talked, "I've been thinking hard about this plan. First though think of this, Ace is Roger's son, yet no one knew he was alive, even the Navy, minus his Grandfather I assume. Why? We all heard from him how his mother kept him safe by sheer willpower,"

Thatch interrupted at that, "But he's having the baby, and that's the problem. It won't help if he pulls the same trick, especially if it kills him."

Namur looked up angrily at him, "I know that, and I wasn't about to suggest it either. What I was going to say is how was it that no one noticed a D running around as a kid, and report it. All of the Marine's know about how 'different' they are. Where was he raised that no one took notice of his name and said something."

Namur let the others think on that for a bit before continuing, "What I guess I'm saying is that if they didn't notice him when he was growing up, wouldn't that be a possible hiding spot to send him. He's from the East Blue right, it's a safe area of the sea and I know that if I were weakened and couldn't return to the Moby Dick I'd probably head for Fishman Island if I could."

Marco rubbed his chin, noting that he'd have to trim his near non-existent whiskers soon before he spoke. "You know what yoi? That's not a half bad plan. We'd have to ask Ace about where he's from, but it could work. "

Thatch nodded his head as well, "I've also been thinking, it's possible that sending Ace with any of our Allies might be a bad idea, cause the Navy might consider that and take precautions. Sending him with Red-hair might keep him safe, but I can't see Shanks putting his own crew in danger for the kid. The same goes for asking them to help guard the Moby Dick, it puts lots of people at risk, and even if they agree to help, it will just upset Ace if people die protecting him."

All those at the table nodded.

Haruta jumped up, "Maybe we should go ask Ace then?"

Marco frowned a bit, "I don't know yoi. It's pretty late, and he needs his sleep…"

"He sleeps all day anyway, waking him to ask him his opinion won't make any difference, plus this is mainly about him, so he should have a say." Izou threw in.

Marco just sighed again, then nodded. "I'll go get him."

A few minutes later he walked back into the room, a very tired looking Ace trailing behind him. Rubbing one eye, the other scratching his growing belly he smiled at them as he took a seat next to Marco.

"So what's up you guys? Marco said I should to hear this idea you came up with."

They nodded, and Marco proceeded to tell them about Namur's plan. Ace listened, nodding his head at the appropriate moments until he finished, then he just leaned back a little and seeming to think.

The others waited, then, "Well I wouldn't mind going home. I lived in the middle of a really dangerous jungle, and I'm not sure how the folks back there would feel about me returning. There are also nobles in the city near the end of the forest to consider, but more importantly my Grandfather knows where I grew up, and I'm a little afraid he may have told the Navy."

The other grew solemn at that, why hadn't they thought of that?

Then Ace added, "But maybe you all are on to something, I mean if I went back home I'd go straight to the forest where I grew up, and now people really go into the forest so I might as well go somewhere uninhabited. I mean there are plenty of uninhabited island in the New World, lots which are out of the way, hard or nearly impossible to get to, but habitable if we just look through the charts and maps I'm sure I could stay on one of those. Hell I bet if we asked, Shanks would let me stay on one of those kinds of islands under his care. It might make it harder for them to find me since they'd probably assume I'd stay on either one of the fleet ships or one of our islands. I could take some people with me, and Marco could join us in the last few months."

Then Haruto added, "But I thought you didn't want to be separated from Marco?"

Ace looked a little sad, but smiled as he replied, "I don't want to be, but I have to be realistic. The safest way for this to happen is for me to disappear for a few months, and only come back when I'm strong enough to defend my child and myself again. It's selfish of me to want that kind of comfort in this situation, and I trust you all enough that if one of you came instead I'd be fine. I mean Marco's pretty much Pop's first mate, he can't just disappear and think it will go unnoticed."

The others looked mildly impressed at Ace, and Marco pulled him into a hug. With Ace set in his decision, none of the other commanders was going to raise any arguments, and so they spent the rest of the night going over the details and other plans to present to Whitebeard. It might be hard, but they had decided to get through the next few months however they could.

[Present Time]

Ace stood on the deck looking out at the sea as he remembering that night. It had been a relief to finally have a back up plan for him to stay with Marco, but he still wasn't a hundred percent sure it would work out. There were still many things that could go wrong if he left the Moby Dick, let alone if he went back home . Among them was the chance that the Marine's or even his Grandfather could show up and arrest or even worse kill him. It'd also be much easier for the Navy to reach him if he wasn't on the Moby Dick, surrounded by the other commanders. But the others did have a point, it might not remain safe for him on the Moby Dick and he didn't want others getting hurt because of him.

Ace sighed, closing his eyes. Maybe he was over thinking things.

Leaning back away from the rail as far as he could, he cracked his spine. Upon hearing the satisfying crack and then feeling the release of what felt like months of pressure, he let out a groan of relief. Placing a hand on his lower back and rubbing it in an attempt to bring further relief to his aching spine, he jumped a bit when a hand met his and took over rubbing the remaining aches from his back. Hearing the other laugh when his only response was to lean back further. A few seconds later he only moaned a little when the hands stopped and he was pulled into a chest for a small hug.

"I thought you weren't supposed to be on your feet too much Ace, shouldn't you be resting?"

"I'm fine Thatch, I just wanted some fresh air. I'm sleeping so much these days; I can only imagine what it will be like in another month. I'll probably be in a small coma, sitting around looking like a manatee." The other laughed a bit. "Marco still talking to Pop's about our plan?"

Thatch pulled back and stretched out fully, much to Ace's chagrin, before replying, "Yeah, but he asked me to leave early to check on you. You know how he worries." A grin, then, "I think Pop's in going to agree, but he may send a few of us commanders, not just one, with you if he does. He mentioned he was worried about the Navy's ability to get to you easier if you go to an island."

"I was just thinking about that. I don't think it would be that big of a problem, most grown men can't handle the new world, and then added on top trying to find one man on a few hundred islands.

"A wonder you're not worried yoi.""

Turning at the voice, Ace smiled as Marco walked toward them, before placing an arm around his shoulder.

"I thought you were supposed to be resting?"

"That's what I said." Thatch said motioning to himself.

"And like I told him I just wanted some fresh air. I never see the sky or sea anymore."

Marco smiled a bit at Ace's stubborn streak, "You knew that it would eventually happen yoi."

"Just means the kiddo's growing nice and fast, so he can meet his family." Thatch threw in with a smile while leaning down to give Ace's belly a rub.

"We don't know if it's a he yet Thatch. It could be a she for all we know."

Placing his hand in front of him as defense Thatch replied, "I know, I know, but it gets old just saying 'it.'"

Both lovers laughed and nodded their heads.

"So when are the other ships supposed to arrive?"

"Shouldn't be much longer before the first start showing up. I should probably head back to the kitchens to help." Thatch said as he turned and began to walk away.

Leaning a little further into his lovers chest Ace sighed in contentment.

"Tired, yoi?"

"Ah, I think I may head back to take a nap before everyone gets here. I don't want to fall asleep halfway through the party."

Marco nodded and began walking the two of them back to their room, his arm never leaving Ace's side. "No one would blame you for that Ace, most of us know how draining this has been for you."

Yawning a bit as they reached the door, he finished then spoke, "Yeah, but I'd still feel bad. Them coming to see us, to give their congratulations and what not, and then passing out in the middle of it. Little bit rude."

"No it's not, it's just called taking care of yourself yoi. Plus you never had a problem with passing out in the middle of any gatherings before?"

"Yeah, but they weren't coming to see me either."

Moving to the bed Ace could already feel himself fading as he sat on the soft surface, god this was getting old.

Marco slowly removed his boots, placing them at the foot of the bed. Then he watched as Ace laid himself on the mattress, automatically curling up around the growing life in his belly.

"No one will care yoi. Now go to sleep. I'll wake you when everyone is here."

Ace was asleep before he finished speaking.

Ok, now that done. Baby Shower time. This will be fun. Please review, your reviews keep me writing.