Chapter 35

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Ace had seen a lot of crap. I mean you don't sail the Grand line and beyond into the New World without seeing some weird crap.

This new.

"So close!" He cheered as Fee Fee dodged out of the way causing the row boat to slide past her. He could vaguely hear the people on board yelling to come about. It had been over half an hour now since Rory had met up with Jack and Brad and headed out in the rowboat in an attempt to "rescue" Marty off the Sea Kings nose. There was a brief moment of panic when Fee Fee had uncrossed her eyes, seen the boat, and then turned and headed out to sea. However it became quickly apparent she was just moving into water deep enough to successfully evade the boat while keeping the shore in sight. It wasn't every day you got to see a row boat chasing around a Sea King that could easily swallow it whole. It made for a comical sight, made funnier by the fact that Marty was still fast asleep.

The Moby Dick had long since pulled into the bay and Marco had gone aboard to give his report. The crew was trickling off the ship in small groups. Half headed off towards the Mayors Mansion to see the destruction for themselves. The rest hung around on the docks to watch the spectacle. A betting pool had been set up with odds on how long it would take for the pirates to capture Fee Fee verses if they could catch her at all.

"Still at it then," Beth's Father said absently coming to stand by Ace who was sitting with his legs dangling over the edge of the docks. David reached down to pat Ozzies head as his son clung to his leg staring up at the pirate ship in silent awe. Michael had long since disappeared to find his friends. He had shouted something over his shoulder about wanting to brag about his sisters new friends.

Ace hummed in answer as Fee Fee started doing circles around the boat causing it to spin from the pull of the water

"Why are they the ones after Fee Fee anyway?" Cake asked yawning.

"What do you mean, they volunteered," Amber pointed out, "If you're so worried why aren't you and Cabbage Patch out on the boat?"

"Fee Fee's toying with them," Beth said cheerfully counting the money she had collected with practised ease, drawing an amused look from David."Hours past boys," She called out causing several men to groan as they lost their coin, "She's faster than the Moby Dick, they'll never catch her in that rickety old thing." She continued in a quieter voice.

"Meaning your robbing those poor men of their money," Marco's voice came from behind them attempting to sound disapproving, but as Beth turned aroundhe ruined the effect by letting a smile break through. Beth raised an eyebrow.

"And where do you think they got their money in the first place?" Beth asked, "Good talk with Pops?" She glanced around curiously to see some of the men beginning to move off the docks.

"We have orders to head up to the Mayors place to see if they need any help rounding up the remainder of the hired guns or bandaging injured villagers," Ace said as way of explanation.

"Any way, the only legitimate way to catch Fee Fee and Marty without injuring either of them is if Marco and Ace flew over there," Cake said glancing at Ace who was laughing as the rowboat nearly went under, "And he seems to be enjoying time off from disaster duty far too much to go out anytime soon." Amber frowned, the way everyone seemed to talk about having magical fruit superpowers like it was no big deal was doing her head in.

"So we are just going to let them run around the ocean until either they all tire out, or till you two get off you behinds and go fetch her," Amber said dryly, Beth glanced up.

"Wait another half hour till the last of the bet's pan out first," Beth requested.

"You're a terrible friend," Amber said.

"Pot meet kettle," Beth retorted cheerfully. Marco blinked before leaning towards Cake.

"You know I actually feel sorry for Marty, her most decent friend is a Sea King," Marco muttered, Cake nodded vehemently not even denying it. Amber sighed.

"Money aside we really do need to get her back here soon though," Amber said picking dirt out from underneath her nails.

"Why, in all honestly Fee Fee's nose is a pretty safe place to sleep on," Marco asked curiously, Ace turned slightly to listen. Amber frowned.

"You're aware I'm not actually a doctor right? I'm not even really a med student yet?" Amber said.

"Yeah so," Beth said uninterestedly, although she had no idea what a med student was. Amber sent her an annoyed look.

"Well then you realise for all her injures Marty hasn't actually been looked at by a Doctor yet right?" Amber snapped. The group froze.

"Is that bad?" David asked, patting Ozzie's head as he glanced around at everyone's suddenly concerned faces.

"But, we were just at the Doctors house," Ace said confused as Marco slapped a hand over his face suddenly understanding.

"She said she would get looked at after she finished eating, so the Doctor gave Donna a check-up then headed out to check on others in the villagers," Marco groaned.

"Unfortunately we headed out after Fee Fee before he got back," Beth said looking at the leftover bets in her hands sadly.

"Oh you've got to be kidding," Ace muttered

"Shut up, you were asleep," Marco said rolling his eyes as Beth sighed.

"All right anyone who bet on taking upwards of an hour to catch Fee Fee come collect your money, same to anyone betting they wouldn't catch her at all!" Beth yelled out to a chorus of cheering. She sent a grumpy look in Marco's direction who was trying very hard not to laugh, "Well? Take fire boy and go get her." Marco gave in and laughed

"Yes ma'am," Marco grinned turning to see Ace Heaving himself to his feet, "Well Lets-."

"OI FEE FEE!" Ace called, causing the people near him to jump as he waved his arms. The Sea King turned her head towards the banks without slowing down

-AYYYES?-

"GET IN HERE! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!" Ace yelled, causing several men on the docks to laugh in disbelief. The Sea Monster had been avoiding them for over an hour now, there was no way –

-OK AYYYESSS-Fee Fee called cheerfully as a Sea monster could, changing direction immediately to head into the crevice Marty had created.

"What?" Ace asked as he turned to see Marco staring at him in disbelief.

"Why didn't you do that an hour ago?" David asked amused as the Monster drew closer to the docks.

"I was finally getting peace and quiet, Beth was turning over a profit," Ace said shrugging, "Two birds, one stone, and all that. She was as safe as far as I was concerned, and Fee Fee would have brought her ashore when she was ready." The row boat which had halted its progress to watch the Sea Monster head happily into shore turned and started rowing slowly after it.

-AYYYESS?-Fee Fee stooped at safe distance from the docks. She crossed her eyes to check on Marty before turning them on Ace.

"We need to Purple back now," Ace said gesturing to the sleeping girl, "Can you come closer so we can take her?" Fee Fee swayed uncertainly. She wanted to keep Marty so they could play when she woke up. But as far as she was concerned Marty was under Ace's protection so he had some say in her wellbeing.

-WHHHHHY- Fee Fee said sadly

"She's injured and we need to take her to a doctor," Ace explained ignoring the amazed looks he was drawing from his crewmates as he reasoned with a Sea King. It had been a weird week.

-DOCKTOORRR?-

"It's someone who will help Purple fix what hurts," Ace said, "Please? She will probably head back here when she's healthy."

-AYYSSS DOCTOR-

"Er I'm not-," Ace said as Marco snorted.

-AYYYYESSS FIX MORHEY HURT- Fee Fee said decisively. Marco clapped a hand across his mouth to stop laughter from escaping.

"… Sure, why not," Ace said not seeing the point in arguing with the Sea Monster when the result was the same in the end, "Can you come closer so I can get Purple down?"

-OOKAY- Fee Fee hummed drifting closer and lowering her head so the top of her nose was level with the dock.

"Well that was easy," Cake said getting to her feet as Ace stepped gingerly onto Fee Fees nose.

"Let's see you do it then," Rory said grumpily as the row boat bumped into the dock besides Fee Fee.

"Good Job Ace" Jack said cheerfully as Rory tied the boat securely to the dock still muttering under his breath. Ace snorted as he kneeled in front of Marty who was tucked securely at the bridge of Fee Fees nose. He patted Fee Fee's eyebrow absently before scooping Marty up into his arms. She muttered something restlessly about carnivorous pineapples, before knotting her hand in Ace's hat string. She pressed her cheek onto Ace's collar bone fell back into a deep sleep.

"You're more trouble than you're worth," Ace informed the sleeping girl. Beth rolled her eyes.

"There is not one person here who actually believes he means that," Beth muttered to Marco who nodded grinning.

"Thanks Fee King," Ace said absently as he stepped onto the deck, "So ships doctors or island doctors? The ships closer-,"

"They've all already gone ashore to help out at the Mansion," Marco interrupted grinning.

"Typical," Ace sighed, "Onwards then?" He asked leading the way. Beth was still hanging out the last of the winning bets when Ace started up the dock to she was at the back of the group when Brad caught up and muttered in her ear.

"Did he just make us row around in boat for an hour for no reason?"

Beth laughed.

"He didn't make you do anything brother dear, you got in that row boat of your own accord," Beth said grinning. Brad scowled.

"What a git," He muttered, Beth raised an eyebrow.

"Jealously will get you nowhere Bro," Beth said cheerfully, she glanced over her shoulder at her brother who had stopped walking to glare at her indignantly, "if you want to keep up with Marty you had better step up your game."

-FEEL BETTER- FeeFee called after the group gloomily before backing away from the docks. She lowered her head into the water till just the top of her head and eyes were showing, making herself comfortable, she settled down to wait.

/

By the time the group had made their way back to what was left of the Mayor's house the sun had begun setting. All the thugs had been rounded up and stowed into the cages, some of which had previously held the Mayor and his staff. With so many people having gained major to minor injuries that day it was taking Doctors sometime to make their way through everybody.

Several large campfires had been set up on the Mansions lawn thanks so the Whitebeard pirates. Nearly the entire village along with the Whitebeard Pirates were on the lawn huddled around the campfires in groups. Some were waiting for medical attention, others were just there to socialise. While suspicious of the Pirates at first, with reassurance from Beth and Cakes family while the Pirates fetched wood from the surround forests (and the mansions ruins when Cake wasn't looking)and what was left of the alcohol from their supplies, they were welcomed with open arms. Food was scavenged from what was left of the Mansions kitchens and very soon an impromptu party was in full swing.

With a long line of people waiting to see the doctors before them, the group had settled down beside one of the giant campfires to wait at the edge of the lawn up against the remnants of one of the mansions walls. Ace sat cross legged on the ground, back against a solid patch of wall, with Marty in his lap still fast asleep. Marco and Jack sat on either side of Ace content to watch the scene in front of them rather than joining in.

"MY HAND IS UNDER YOURS!"

Beth had procured a pack of cards from gods knows where and was now involved in a fast paced and highly competitive game of snap against Cake, Brad, Amber and Rory. Snap being the only game they were certain Amber wouldn't be able to cheat at (well, fairly certain anyway.)

"Bitch what even are you doing!?"

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT, YOU ASSHOLE."

"THOSE CARDS DON'T EVEN MATCH!"

Ace shook his head amused as he took a drink from his tankard, careful not to spill any on Marty whose head was resting on his chest, her forehead pressed against his neck, occasionally muttering nonsense from whatever dream she was having at the time.

"MY . ."

"My god its worse than poker," Marco muttered, "Are you sure this is a kids game?" Jack laughed, finishing his drink as he pushed himself to his feet. Ace skulled his drink, handing his tankard to Jack as he passed on his way to the giant kegs.

"DO YOU EVEN KNOW THE GODDAM RULES?"

"I think so, it was never this violent when I played with my little brother, but I think its cause he never cared if he won or not," Ace said grinning.

"Oh my god it's just a game you git."

"Then take your hand off the pile."

"No it's my snap!"

Ace snorted, resting his chin on the top of Marty's head.

"Mark my words there will be tears before bedtime," Marco said with a smirk, "Or at least a fistfight."

"Well, Well, Ace looks like you've got yourself a pet!"

"MY HAND IS ON THE BOTTOM, THEREFORE UNDER YOURS."

Ace glanced up to see Teach approaching and grinned.

"How things Teach," Marco greeted cheerfully.

"On your way for a re-fill?" Ace asked noting his empty cup.

"YOU HAVE THE BRAIN OF A RETARDED SQUIRREL."

"BETTER THAN YOUR BAG OF ROCKS YOU BITCH."

"Gar harharMy tankard seems to have a hole in it, I'm going to go set up camp near the kegs next to Jozu," Teach said cheerfully as he continued on his way towards them. Jack, who had been on his way back from the kegs, glanced up at the sound of his voice and frowned before reshaping his expression into a cheerful one. He nodded his head politely as he passed the man.

"HOW DARE YOU MY HANDS IS CLEARLY UNDER YOURS"

"It is not, you shoved one of your fingers under, the rest of your hand is on top!"

Jack handed Ace his tankard before dropping to the ground next to him. He glanced up to see Cake regarding Teach's retreating back with a scowl on her face. Cake usually had a scowl on her face but this time it was different. The expression was a mix of curiosity and distrust and Jack suddenly understood the girl also knew of Marty's dislike towards Teach. Trust in Marty's judgement of people had obviously made the Blonde Girl wary of the large man. Cakes eyes flicked to Jacks, seeing her own feelings mirrored within them caused the girls frown to deepen. Her gaze turned back to Teach for a moment before returning to her game as if she had never looked away in the first place.

"OH MY GOD, PISS OFF YOU LOONY BASTARD, IT'S MY SNAP."

"Ace." Ace blinked glancing down.

Marty frowned shifting in her sleep. Marty's hand moved sluggishly to press against Ace's forearm. Finding nothing to grip her hand slid down till it was resting on the arm he had slung across her stomach. Her hands curled into first then relaxed.

"-on't fight Teach," Marty muttered quietly.

"Huh?" Ace leaned away slightly, surprised. Marty muttered something else intelligible that sounded like "dark carrots" before falling silent again, curling her fingers around his forearm gently.

"You have brain damage," Ace informed her gravely.

"Are you talking to me or Marty," Marco asked confused.

"Purple."

"You realise she's asleep right," Marco pointed out.

"That's not stopping her from talking, so why should it stop me?" Ace replied.

"You have issues."

Jack glanced sideways as Ace laughed before frowning into his tankard, having heard what Marty had said. He hoped the bad feelings his young friend seemed to be harbouring towards Teach had a false basis. Unfortunately going off what he knew of the girl, Jack knew he would be keeping a closer eye on Teach in the future.

"BULL CRAP. WHAT GAME ARE YOU EVEN PLAYING"

"OH YOU WANNA GO CABBAGE PATCH."

"BRING IT ON YOU BLACK HAIRED BITCH"

/

I take games of snap very seriously. It's one of the few games I can win consistently.

So… er … half of the dialogue revolving around snap has been said. Some of it by me.

Don't judge.

Hey reviewers – you cool.

Favour for people – if you feel like Marty is ever becoming too Mary sue or the story is boring let me know so I can improve! Don't stay Silent! Viva La Revolution!