Epilogue

"This is it," I said as I shouldered my supplies unto my back. I was nervous and extremely excited to finally head out to sea and I knew Jamie felt the same degree of emotion for me, but at the same time I could feel her sadness at our departure.

My heart thumped loudly in my ears as I stared down at her. Her green eyes were lit up with so many emotions I was sure she would break out in tears. How was it possible to feel that much? A soft wind blew through the trees and caused her hair to dance around her.

Her hair was fire. It blazed in the sunlight and made everything else in the world dull in comparison, except possibly real fire.

She threw her arms around me, trying to hide the fact that there was liquid pooling out of her eyes now. I chuckled but I found myself holding her closer. She was so warm. I squeezed her for a moment longer than necessary before finally pulling back and placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.

Her eyes squinted shut, as she reached out and held my shirt to keep me in place. She took a long shaky breath before she leaned forward and kissed me.

I can't say I was surprised, but in a way I was. Jamie had refused to kiss me since that 'incident'. And this kiss threw me off balance. All of our kisses were always heated, warm, and full of passion. We could never get enough of each other. This kiss though, was soft, warm and gentle. It was like she was tenderly saying goodbye in a way she would never be able to get into words. It was like fire, and it warmed me to the bone.

"If you meet another girl out there worthy to be Queen…" she started as she pulled away from me. The best way to shut her up was to shove my lips back upon her. There was no one else worthy of her title. I didn't want anyone else. That thought alone scarred me as our kiss grew more heated, more passionate, and familiar.

"No one else," I whispered wincing at how hoarse my voice sounded.

I could have stayed all day here in her embrace but if I did that then I would never leave. It was surprisingly a lot harder to do than I imagined. Jamie was my fire and I was a moth caught helplessly in her light and flames. I took a step back trying to escape her intoxicating scent and bent down low. I grabbed her hand and kissed it.

"Thank you, Jamie," I whispered as I took another step back. I couldn't meet those green eyes because I knew I would lose all resolve to leave her if I did. "Thank you… for … well everything," I said awkwardly as I took another step away. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to say but it worked for now. Besides it wasn't really goodbye but see you later.

"You're welcome," she whispered.

I turned so that she was to my back as I headed out of the woods to say my see you later's to Luffy and the others. If I looked back I knew I would see tears pooling out of those green eyes and that was something I never wanted to see, especially if I was the cause of it.

()()()()()()()

I regretted nothing. I lived for the girl I loved. I became the very thing she was to me. Fire. I burned with the intensity of the sun. I was flame, fire, and scorching heat. I was fire for her, so I could protect her when she decided to join me. I lived on top of the world with a family that accepted me. If White Beard could accept me as I was after all this I knew Jamie would once I told her.

I watched her as she made it out to sea. She set out amongst the chaos my death caused so no one really noticed. I watched her mourn and drink herself under the table. I watched her denial. I watched her fierce unyielding loyalty to me never waver. I watched her suffer because of it.

I knew she would be okay though as soon as Luffy came into the picture. I knew she would heal and move on. I felt myself fade away into the realm that is unexplainable. The best way I can describe it is as white. I waited in the white. I waited for the day for Jamie to return to me. I had a long ways to wait, but I regret nothing. I can wait. I love her.

I couldn't help but dip into her dreams one last time and send her a message. I would never tell her I love her. It's some odd sort of pride that keeps me from saying it, but she knows. I know she knows. I didn't dip into her dream for that.

Thank you, Jamie… for everything… for loving me.

That's the best I can say before I leave her in peace until we meet again. I fade into the white thankful to finally get to rest for the time being. Besides it wasn't really goodbye for us, just see you later.

A/N: Short and to the point like always Ace ;). Sorry I actually got inspired for this after watching a different show... I'm so odd. Anyways I figured Jamie's ending wasn't as strong as I wanted plus I wanted to try writing in Ace's point of view. You never really know exactly what he is thinking in this story because I didn't make him a push over like in other Oc's story's were he proclaims his undying love in a super long monologe that is very 'unAce' like to me. Anyways. I hope you all enjoyed the story and I would love to hear feed back no matter how old this story is when you find it.