Updated: 7/22/15

Chapter 12 : Reunion

[Anastasia- Reminiscing with Grandma]

Brook rushed within the foyer, hundreds of thoughts darting through his head. He genuinely didn't even know what he would say when he saw Liara, or if she would be upset with him. Now wasn't the time to think about it though, so he rid his mind of all thoughts before coming to a complete stop before the destined room. He wasted no time in shoving the door open, unprepared for what he might find.

Luminescent light filtered into the drab room that had but one occupant placed directly in the center of it. The individual was sitting on a chair with her head hanging down. A mass of chestnut curls draped over both shoulders, and thick ropes over the wrists and ankles were securely wrapped around parts of the seat.

Upon hearing the door's screech, the figure moderately lifted her head and sharply turned away with a wince as heavy light assaulted her irises.

When she was finally able to look at the entrance, all she could identify was a lanky shadow that hesitantly ambled towards her. "Liara," the shadow suddenly spoke in a low voice, almost in the form of a whisper.

Liara blinked, tired and confused.

"Liara, it's okay. It's me." This time the voice was louder, but still delicate and kind.

"Brook?" Her eyes widened as the blurred form morphed into the skeleton, who was concernedly gazing down at her.

A dreadful pain torn across his chest as he saw the alarming state she was in. Even though 24 hours hadn't passed since she was kidnapped, she looked tired and sickly. Her hair was pressed against her forehead, sticky from sweat, and her lips were chapped due to dehydration. The rims of her eyes were red, and worst of all, a dark mark was evident on the side of her face. Liara being forcefully taken away was bad enough, but the fact that she had been physically harmed was enough to make Brook subconsciously crack his knuckles in frustration.

He mentally calmed himself and knelt down in front of her, her fatigued blue eyes never leaving his face for a second. He drew his sword and sliced through the ropes that bound her to her confinement. The cordage dropped to the ground in a clump of satisfaction, and Brook sheathed his blade.

For a brief amount of time, all they could do was gape at each other. Brook was beginning to think the worst and wonder if she really was resentful of him. He couldn't blame her for that, but he still hoped that wasn't the case. He would be miserable if she hated him.

She reached her hand out and gradually touched his cheekbone, trying to reassure herself that he was real and actually there with her. His jaw parted at the contact, but he said nothing nor tried to stop her Her skin was so soft, and it felt heavenly warm against the zygomatic part of his skull.

"Brook." Her thumb brushed over his cheek, her eyes watering as she realized that he was authentic and not just part of her anticipative thoughts.

She collapsed onto her knees, pressed her face against his chest and secured her arms around his torso. "Brook!" she sobbed, "Brook, I was so scared! Brook! Brook!" Over and over she repeated his name as tears heavily poured down her cheeks.

As she continued to cry hysterically, Brook found himself feeling an enormous amount of guilt. Liara had endured so much. and all because he hadn't kept watch over her more attentively. Hearing her openly weep like that broke his heart, and before he could stop himself he wrapped his arms protectively around the upper part of her body so that one hand was on her back and the other was on her head.

"I'm so sorry Liara," Brook apologized before realizing that he himself was also crying. He was so relieved that he'd found her before anything worse had happened. He didn't know what he would've done if he'd lost her. "Shhh. I'm here. Everything will be okay," he whispered to her as he tenderly rubbed the upper part of her back. It was all he could manage to say at the moment, as his top priority was to calm her down and make sure she was better.

After several minutes, Liara's sobbing finally ceased. She lifted her head up and looked at Brook with puffy and red eyes. This time, Brook placed his thumb on her cheek and wiped away the last tear that dripped over the unbruised side of her face. It pained him to see her like this, and he hoped he never had to see her so frightened and shaken ever again. "I promise to protect you from now on. I'm so sorry."

Liara, however, hurriedly shook her head. "No, I'm sorry," she managed to say after a deep breath. "I should've kept closer to you, and I could've tried to at least defend myself better. I've caused all of you nothing but worry." Before Brook could protest, she smiled. " Besides, I handled everything okay. You should've seen how I whacked him over the head earlier!" She said it in such a proud voice that Brook found himself chuckling. Removing his hand from her face, he ruffled the top of her hair teasingly before standing up and holding out his hand to help her up. She took his invitation, but stumbled on the way to her feet.

[+]

"Woah, careful," Brook cautioned as her body falteringly tumbled into him. She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. "Guess I'm just a little out of it," she admitted, sounding rather fatigued. Brook crossed his arms for a moment, looking like he was in deep thought, while Liara tilted her head slightly in curiosity to get a better look at his concentrated face in an attempt to see what he was thinking.

Finally Brook nodded, and in one swift motion scooped Liara up, carrying her just as he had the night she'd passed out at the bar. Liara squeaked and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, her face glowing crimson. "But I-"

Brook once again chuckled and strode forward. "You're not feeling very well right now, so I shall be assisting you. Besides, I did tell you that I'd be more than happy to carry you again, Miss Liara."

[][][]

The Straw Hats paced back and forth impatiently in the hallway, Sanji more so than the others. "I wanted to be the one who rescued her!" the blonde cook whined once more, his cigarette sagging from tears of heartbreak.

Zoro leaned against a wall with his arms crossed and eyes shut. "Oi, keep it down, you damn love-cook. Nobody cares."

Before Sanji could charge at the swordsman, eight arms popped up and blocked the attack. "Not now, Cook-San," Robin calmly advised. Sanji pouted but stopped just so Robin would be pleased.

The sound of footsteps alerted everybody that the pair were approaching, and sure enough, Brook and Liara exited the room. "Liara!" Chopper excitedly cried out, still in Heavy Point and waving his arms around in delight. When Brook approached them, he lowered her to the ground, but stood closely by in case she fell again.

Franky placed a hand on her shoulder and raised his sunglasses up, flashing a smile. "Good to see you're okay, Liara-sis."

Liara smiled, her heart beating with joy that she was finally back among her friends. "Sorry, for worrying everybody. I haven't been in the crew for very long and already I'm causing trouble. Thanks for rescuing me."

"Aww, that's okay! Good thing the great Captain Usopp is around! Besides, you wouldn't believe how many times Nami has been captu-OW!"

Nami walked past Usopp, who was nursing the new bump on his head, and placed her hand on Liara's other shoulder. "Don't worry, we're nakama. We look out for each other."

Zoro pushed himself off the wall and held out a familiar-looking sword towards her. "I believe this is yours."

Liara reached out to take the sword, beaming with happiness that her weapon is back with her. "Thank you, Zoro," she gratefully said as she gripped onto the sword and drew it back, fastening it to her side securely.

Zoro gazed at her with his good eye, which had a kind of twinkle in it. "Us swordsmen need to stick together, right?" It was said with such a teasing tone that Liara giggled and nodded.

"Liara, who hurt you?" Sanji cried out in alarm as he noticed the substantial bruise on her face."Was is that shitty captain?!"

She rubbed her arm. "Well, yes, but it doesn't matter anymore. I broke a crate over his head."

Usopp burst into laughter and clapped. "Nice one!"

"Yosh! Now that's what I'm talking about, sis!"

"Oiiii! Liaraaa!" At the end of the hallway stood Luffy, waving his rubbery arm around. "Come here!" Liara happily obliged by heading towards her captain, with everybody else trailing behind.

Luffy gave Liara a friendly pat on the back as she joined him, his usual idiotic grin plastered onto his face. "Welcome back! There's still meat on the ship for you! By the way, we have a surprise!" He gave her a little nudge forward.

As she looked up, she felt her whole body come to a complete stop, as if time itself had ceased to function.

Standing in front of her were her parents, and they were not smiling.

"Mom? Dad?" she nervously asked, almost expecting them to explode at any moment as they walked up to her daughter without saying a word.

Liara glanced away, feeling ashamed for so suddenly running away from home. "I'm sorry that I-" Before she could finish her sentence, Mina let out a sob and pulled Liara into a hug, catching the young woman completely off-guard.

"I'm so glad you're okay! I was worried!" The female Marine held onto her daughter tightly while Merick walked up from behind and encircled his arms around both his wife and daughter.

The Straw Hats remained in the background, watching the reunion happily. Franky cried his manly tears, and even Zoro simpered. Sanji, upon noticing how intently Brook was watching the scene unfold, extended a hand up and gave the skeleton a pat on the arm. "You did good, " he commended, exhaling smoke.

"I'm just glad she's okay" Brook expressed, returning his gaze back to the family.

Sanji placed his hands in his pants' pockets and smiled. "Me too."