Mae had been with the Whitebeard Pirates for almost a year now, and over that time she found herself wanting to be closer and closer to Marco. Of course she wouldn't tell him that. He probably saw her as a little sister seeing as she was at least 20 years younger than him.

"what am I goingto do?" She grumbled about her current problem to herself.

"About what?" Marco popped up behind her scaring her as usual. Even after a year she still hadn't gotten used to him sneaking up on her.

"Geez marco do you always have to do that?" She asked as she grabbed her chest trying to calm her heart.

"Can't help it, it's so much fun." He laughed as she huffed and turned around.

They stood there together watching the ocean until Marco broke the silence.

"So whats the problem?" He asked

"Nothing" She replied curtly knowing what what he was talking about.

"I know you better than that Mae, now tell me." He got closer to her, nudging her side with his elbow.

"I said it was nothing." She quickly turned away to hide the blush that had come to her face from the close proximity.

Marco opened his mouth to say something else until Izo came out and announced that the food was ready. Marco glanced at Mae and figured he wouldn't get an answer out of her right know so he decided to leave her be.

Mae turned as Marco left to eat, and she sighed as she slid to the floor.

"So what is bothering you about Marco?" Izo asked as he sat on the railing next to her.

"I'm growing real attached to him if you get my meaning." She said as she blushed a little.

Izo got in front of her and kneeled.

"Ah, I see your in looove." He sing-songed as he poked her cheek.

"Shut up!" She growled as she slapped his hand away.

He laughed a little and got up.

"So why wont you tell him?" He asked as his smile faded.

"I can't I'll only make a fool of myself. He does'nt like me that way." She sighed.

"How do you know? You haven't even tried. You've given up the fight before it's started, so to speak."

"I'm too young. He's older than me by at least 20 years so he probably see's me as a little sister." She said as her eyes teared.

"Look Mae, I can't tell you what Marco thinks Because I don't know, but what I do know is you basing things on assumption. Try taking a chance and see what happens otherwise you live in the dark, andnot know for sure." Izo said and held his hand out to help her up.

She took his hand and stood up then huffed as he ruffled her hair.

"Come on dinner's ready." He said and he made his way below deck.

Mae looked into the distant ocean once more thinking about what Izo had said.

"Maybe I should take a chance and tell him,but when" She thought and turned to leave the deck.