Man it's been a while since I've been on my computer. Finally got around to actually typing this chapter out and knew I had to post it right away. Sorry for the wait.

Chapter 18

Marco could only grin as he cut down another one of the Marine ship's stationed at Impel Down. He Vista and Namur were making fast work of the dozen of so ships and sadly (at least for the Marines) there was little that those on the ships could do against them.

Whitebeard's fleet had arrived at dawn to the men stationed at Impel Down's horror. The devil fruit powered punch Pop's had thrown at the towering prison had shook the building thoroughly, but done little to open the building to their men. So they had started removing the ships surrounding the prison in order to move their own into a more advantageous position.

As Marco cut down a fourth ship he noted Vista cutting down two more and Namur just finishing his fifth. Under normal circumstances he might have cared more to compete with his two brothers, but he was watching and waiting for their next step to start. He wanted his lover and child back, and he missed Thatch's cooking and jokes.

It took another three ships being taken down for the Whitebeard fleet to move into position. However the second the main ship pulled close enough to the prison Jozu and Rakuyo had wasted no time jumping off the ship onto the dock below. Marco watch circling above as they charged the heavily reinforced gate. Between Jozu's diamond plated side and Rakuyo's biting flail the door stood no chance and as he had told his captain he would he was through the door second after the other two commanders. He didn't stop to fight though, he quickly flew over the soldiers and guards and headed down the stairs.

He would save his lover and friend, and everything would be ok.

Thatch was having difficulties. He had been taken at multiple times away from Ace and Jinbe to be questioned, and having been relatively inactive while in the prison, he hadn't realized just how bad the torture had been.

He was starting to realize that something on his lower right leg was broken. Now whether it was his ankle or just one of the two bones in his calf he couldn't say. However, it hurt like hell, but he couldn't stop. He had to get Ace back home. He could do that much before worrying about himself.

Off to the side he noticed the blue brat, Sabo, Ace had called him chatting on a Den Den Mushi with someone. Maybe the kid brought reinforcements. That might be helpful. However if Pop's was above like he knew he was then it was mute, the kids friends could sit back and watch.

Sabo hadn't realized till they had hit the fourth floor that he had completely forgotten to tell Law of his change of plans.

Shit he was a lot of trouble.

Pulling out his Den Den Mushi communicator he quickly placed the call to his lovers submarine. It rang once before it was picked up by a very irate Supernova.

"What the hell took you so long? Are you ready for me to get you?"

Sabo grimaced realizing how much Law was going to hate him for this. "Well actually there's been a change of plan."

"What does that mean." Sabo could almost hear his lover's eyebrow twitching in annoyance.

"Well it turns out my brother's been a bit busy. He's at least eight months pregnant by what I can tell, and to add to the headache Luffy showed up to save him as well, along with a whole bunch of other prisoners. Including more than a few familiar revolutionaries."

Laws end was quiet. Sabo gulped, he could almost see Law plotting.

Finally. "Pregnant. I thought that was a myth?"

"Nope. It's very real." Then he grinned, "I don't suppose you want to try for one sometime soon?" He asked jokingly.

"Don't be stupid Sabo-ya." He laughed a bit. "So what is your groups plan?"

Sabo grew a bit more serious. "We've started ascending the levels already. We're nearly at the third level from what I can tell. Apparently Whitebeard is breaking down the front door as we speak. Which explains the little resistance we've met heading up. I'm a bit worried about Ace, but that's normal based on the circumstances and where he's been. His friend Thatch is also not looking to good, something is wrong with his leg I can tell that much, it may be broken, but without looking it's hard to tell.

Law was quiet again as he processed the information his lover had given him. Then, "I'll stand by ready to treat a broken leg, and possibly to deliver a baby. I'm a little interested to see such a birth. They must be very rare, as I've never even seen a pregnant man before."

Sabo grinned at Law's curiosity. He doubted Ace would let the Supernova deliver his first child, but the knowledge that Law was prepared to at least try an help made him happy. They chatted a bit more, but Law had to make preparations to receive patients. They hung up, and it was then Sabo heard Jinbe's worried voice.

The escaping group had just passed the third level of Impel down, and were making their way up to the second. However Thatch had started to fall behind, and those who noticed the lagging commander could tell by one look at his face that he was in some amount of pain. Ace was no exception.

"Thatch-san are you ok?" Jinbe said moving over to take Ace from Thatch.

Thatch nodded, though it was obvious he was lying, "Yeah, just a bit tired. Place has been draining, can't wait to sleep in my own bed, eat a good meal and take a hot shower." He laughed while readjusted Ace in his arms, making it clear he wasn't handing over the younger commander to anyone.

"Thatch put me down, I've got to weight a ton." Ace started struggling to make his friend let him go.

"It's fine Ace, I'm just a little worn down. We need to keep moving." Thatch said picking up his pace a bit. "And I promised Marco I would look after you while you all were apart."

"And I never said to not take care of yourself yoi."

The gathered group stopped looking around surprised when they realized none of them had spoken, except for Ace and Thatch who quickly looked up and smiled.

"Marco!"

The Whitebeards First Division Commander had looked better. It was obvious that he hadn't been sleeping well by the circles under his eyes. However his relief at seeing his lover and friend all right was evident on his face. He landed next to them in the next second and had Ace in his arms in the next.

"God I'm glad to see you all are ok yoi."

Thatch was laughing, "What took you so long ya bastard?"

Marco just gave him a look, "Pop's wanted to make sure we could break in with full force. Half of our allies are with us and the other half are with Shanks holding any reinforcements off." Then he turned to his lover who hadn't let him go since he'd grabbed him. "I'm sorry we took so long. That I took so long."

Ace just shook his head into his lovers neck, "It's ok. I knew you were coming. And you're here now. So can we go home please."

Marco just smiled, "Yeah. The Moby Dick is right out the front door, so we'll be there in a bit yoi."

"Good, cause I want my own bed."

"Alright, lets go yoi."

The group now more intent on getting out of Impel Down as fast as possible regrouped and set off. Marco carrying Ace.

A short while later they passed through the second floor. They meet little resistance, as most of the men who guarded those imprisoned in Impel Down were busy trying to fend of the attack from Whitebeard, and so were moving more quickly than they had anticipated.

Marco had not anticipated seeing Ivankov or Crocodile among the fleeing group, and had only been slightly surprised to see Luffy and Lucci there to rescue Ace. He had barely paid any attention to the rest of the group as they ran through the prison, and was more than a little surprised to see a kid in a top hat start running next to him. Ace had fallen asleep sometime between where he had found them and the middle of the second floor.

He didn't turn to look at him as he talked, "Can I help you yoi?"

He heard the kid laugh, "Nope. Just wanted to see the dude who knocked up my brother."

That almost made Marco stop, but instead he opted to look the brat over. Tall, blonde and wearing a top hat. "Sabo?"

"Yep. He told you about me?"

"I thought you were dead yoi?"

"Yeah, long story. I hadn't had to chance to try and come see them in the last ten years."

Marco laughed lightly, "I'm sure he wasn't happy to hear that excuse yoi."

Sabo laughed back, "Yeah not looking forward to that conversation. He hits hard when he's mad."

Marco laughed. Nodding in agreement. However as their laughter ended, an awkward silence descended between the two. Neither wanting to breach the subject they knew had to be talked about.

Finally Marco took the initiative, saying the only thing he figured might make the older sibling slightly more comfortable with Marco's relationship with his brother.

"I love him more than anything else in this world, even more than the rest of our family. And that's hard to say, since I care about all of them greatly." Sabo glanced over to meet Marco's eyes. When Marco thought he'd conveyed everything he could through his eyes to the blond brother he looked back to where he was running throwing out one last comment as he did, "Just thought you should know that."

Sabo grinned. "I believe you."

Both happy with the way things were they both went back to focusing on running as they passed through the second level of Impel Down. They were almost out.

God it feels so short rereading though it. Oh well I'll try and get the next chapter out soon. Working on my other story while I can.