A/N: Here's chapter 2 guys! Enjoy

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece nor any of the characters.

Chapter 2: An Evening's Reflection

Robin stood there against the railing and stared at the still water reflecting the moon. It had been a long day for the young archeologist. She hasn't had a moment to herself since she came out of her bedroom early this morning, and it was nice to finally have a few moments to enjoy the night air on her own. Thinking back on everything that had transpired at Enies Lobby brought a small smile to Robin's lips. I can't believe Captain-san and everyone would risk so much for me. They make me I feel like I belong somewhere now… Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. So why can't I get rid of this feeling? Why do I still wake up afraid?

For the last couple weeks, Robin struggled restlessly in her sleep. She would wake up and find Nami running into the room with a concerned expression having heard her scream. Each time the navigator inquired about the dreams, Robin would wave it off saying that she didn't remember. Robin was able to keep her nightmares a secret from the rest of the crew besides Nami, until a few nights ago.

Luffy had been walking along a hallway near her room in a sleepy haze, after just taken a midnight trip to the little-boy's room. Hearing an alarming scream that emanated from his nakama's room, Luffy jumped into action thinking that CP9 had come back to take Robin away. Using his Gomu Gomu no Pistol attack, Luffy punched the door down, the noise bringing Robin out of her nightmare with a jolt. The loud ruckus woke the rest of the crew up as well, everyone hurrying to the scene ready for battle. In their jammies, the crew found their Captain standing in Robin's room staring at the dark haired girl, who was hugging her purple blanket with an uneasy expression on her face. Before anybody could say anything, Luffy raised his hand up with his back turn towards them.

"Everything is fine. Can you just leave Robin and me alone for a few minutes?" Luffy asked.

Nami tried to object, "But Luffy, she-"

She was cut off as the captain turned to face them. He shot them a smile and then waved them off to their rooms. Everyone walked away hesitantly, leaving the girl with their Captain. The short silence that ensued was causing Robin to feel awkward. She began,

"Captain-san. I'm okay. I just had a bad dream, is all. You can go back to sleep."

"I know." Luffy regarded her with a look of understanding and compassion.

Robin stared into her captain's kind and child-like eyes.

"Then why are you still standing here?" her voice barely a whisper.

"Because I promised to protect you." The answer was simple. "And because I'm your captain and you're my nakama," he concluded. Robin always knew Luffy had a big heart for people. She knew her captain was a caring and determined person, despite his childish behavior. But she was shocked to hear the responsibility such as a captain's charge over his crew be simplified with such humble clarity. Robin hadn't respond to his words, so he merely grinned his babyish grin, and walked over to sit at the end of her bed, cross-legged like a kid.

"It's my job to take care of my nakama, Robin. Whether it's nightmares or secret agents sent by the government, I'm there for my friends."

Smiling, Robin nodded to her captain, thankful for his care and security.

"Now sleep. I'll stay here and keep you company in case you have another nightmare."

"Arigato Captain-san"

Robin had been grateful for Luffy's presence that night, but she knew she couldn't keep relying on her crewmates to care for her every evening. She didn't want this to be their burden. As much as possible, Robin would try not to talk to them about her fear or her dreams, not wanting them to worry.

So last night, when another nightmare robbed Robin of her sleep, she kept it to herself. She had woken up in a cold sweat. Panting heavily, she placed a hand over her chest calming her breathing. She dabbed her cheek lightly with her other hand. Robin looked at her delicate fingers, dampened by tears. She stared into the darkness of the room and listened for footsteps. Silence… Nobody heard anything, which means she didn't scream this time. Bringing her legs together, Robin coddled the blankets around her and sniffled. She laid back down, her head meeting the pillow with a airy thud. Covering her face with her hands, she silently wept till the chillness of dawn called her out of bed.

As she continued to dwell on the terrors of the previous night on the deck of Whitebeard's ship, Robin noticed her hands were shaking. She quickly brought them up around her elbows to stop them. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. I have to calm down. I'm safe now. I'm with Luffy and he will protect me. I have nothing to fear from anybody anymore.

"It's chilly tonight isn't it?"

Robin opened her eyes and turned towards the direction the comment came from. She was faced with a man who had a small batch of yellow hair on his head and the mark of Whitebeard tattooed across his chest. Robin nodded to the man.

"I'm Marco"

"I know who you are. You're the 1st division commander with the rare mystical zoan devil fruit."

Marco whistled, "Wow. You know everything don't you."

Robin smiled, "You have a high position in a powerful pirate crew. I'm sure everyone knows."

"That's true," Marco grinned, "Here, I brought you a drink." He handed her a beer, which she accepted with a thankful nod. Marco then tilted his head to one side and regarded her with a crooked smile. Taking note of his gaze, Robin quirked an eyebrow up.

"Is something the matter Marco-san?"

"It's nothing. I'm just admiring how lovely you look under the moonlight."

Robin giggled, "I think maybe you've had a little too much to drink if that's the line you're going with"

"That was a bit cheesy, wasn't it. I should of known you're too classy for that one."

"Plus, I'm not nearly drunk enough to fall for a move like that," joked Robin.

"So the infamous Nico Robin has a sense of humor." Marco smiled seeing that the usually stoic and secretive woman was now loosening up.

"If you catch me on a good day."

Robin sipped her beer and set her eyes back towards the ocean. Marco turned the same way she did and leaned on the railing, both hands holding his beer.

"I really did mean it though. You look lovely, and it's a wonder that none of my other crewmates are over here trying out one of their cheesy pick up lines."

"I think your crewmates are a bit wary of me. I don't exactly have a reputation for being the most trustworthy person. Plus, I don't think many people want to associate themselves with someone who is believed to be the Demon Child of Ohara." Robin looked down, obviously saddened by the title the government placed on her many years ago.

Marco noticed her frown. Attempting to cheer her up, he says, "Well I'm talking to you. And I can think of at least one other nakama of mine who wants to talk to you too. Maybe even more than me."

"Really, and who may that be?" Robin inquired slightly surprised.

"My good buddy, Portgas D. Ace"

"Captain-san's brother?"

Marco nodded with a smile.

"If that's true, then where is he? Captain-san has been talking about him rather excitedly for awhile now and I've yet to meet him."

"Well… He's feeling a bit shy" Marco explained, unsure of how to describe Ace to Robin.

"That's surprising to hear. From the way Captain-san describes him, I've always pictured the powerful Fire Fist Ace as a mixture of confidence and charm wrapped in a cocky smile."

"Well, he is that for sure," Marco agreed chuckling, "But, he's acting a bit different tonight. I think he's been struggling with something."

"Oh? Did he say something to you?"

"Men don't talk about their feelings Robin. I guess that's the same reason why I haven't asked him about it. We can be a bit prideful that way."

Robin simply nodded, understanding Marco's words.

"Robin, we've only just met, and I'm in no position to ask you for anything. But…"

Marco paused, unsure if he should continue with his request. Robin simply stared, waiting patiently for him to continue.

"I made it seem like I was coming over here to try and whisk you away with my charm, since he didn't look like he was going to. But I know Ace really wants to talk to you. And whatever he's struggling with, I think you're probably in a better position to help him than I am."

Robin looked straight into Marco's firm and pleading eyes. Fumbling for a response in her brain, she grasped at nothing. How can she help a man with some deep distress when she herself was at a loss, unable to resolve her own mental difficulties, her dreams continuing to whirl around in a state of havoc evening after evening.

Hearing no response, Marco apologized. "I'm sorry I asked for such a big favor. I shouldn't place that burden on you," Marco quickly reprimanded himself for pushing the girl.

"No. Don't be sorry. You obviously care greatly for your friend. I just don't know how I can be of any help. I would love to try."

"Thanks for saying that, but you don't have to. Although… I wasn't lying when I said he really wants to meet you. Maybe just talking to you will help him with whatever it is he's going through."

"Maybe."

"I feel that I've intruded enough. I'll leave you to enjoy the festivities."

Marco gave her a small smile and walked off towards the big table of food, where Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper were practically inhaling plates of delectable desserts. Robin watched cheerfully at her crew enjoying the delicious food for a few moments. Then she moved to look around taking in all the merriment of the party in front of her. Her eyes finally stopped as she spotted the subject of her earlier conversation.

Ace was sitting across another Whitebeard pirate with a barrel in between them. He had clearly been challenged to an arm wrestling match. Noting the arrogant smirk on his face that accentuated his right dimple as he stared challengingly at his opponent, Robin couldn't help but smile. Tilting her head ever so slightly, Robin watched the competition from afar. The match started and the two pirates were locked hand in hand. Ace's eyelids beamed with confidence, while a bead of sweat ran down his opponent's forehead. Running her eyes over Ace's hunched form, she realized he was the only one out of all the pirates that wasn't wearing a shirt. A shiver run down her back as she wonder how the young pirate can walk around like that and not feel cold. She couldn't help but stare, lips slightly parted as she regarded Ace's smoothly shaped arms. Robin watched the tattoo on his tricep flex as Ace twisted his opponent's arm and slammed it against the wood with a loud thud. A triumphant roar rang out from the group of pirates surrounding the match. Ace quickly jumped up with two arms raised in the air and started whoo-ing charismatically at his small victory. Walking in a circle, Ace glinted at his mates high-fiving each of them. Through a small gap in the mist of the congratulatory high-fives, Ace's eyes found Robin looking in his direction.

Oh no, he caught me staring at him. Robin quickly turned her face away.

Was she looking at me? Ace thought. She's looking away now but I was sure she was facing me just a second ago. He frowned at the thought that she wasn't paying attention to him anymore. I can't keep acting like this. I'm charming and cool, right? I'm not going to lose my nerve because of a girl. Plus, I have to introduce myself eventually. It'd be rude of me to ignore Luffy's nakama like that.

Taking a deep breath, Ace resolved that this would be the time to go over there. Just as he was about to take his first step towards the lonely girl, he was stopped in his tracks. Someone had beat him to it.

"Robin!" Nami ran to Robin and grabbed onto her arm.

"You've been having fun," Robin giggled regarding her friend's tipsy state.

"Come on! They're about to start another drinking competition! Both Zoro and I are going to be a part of it. I bet you I can beat that marimo!" Nami started pulling Robin over to where Zoro and a few Whitebeard Pirates were already sitting, each with various jugs of beer and sake laying around them.

"Ok ok, I'm coming" Robin chuckled, holding Nami up as she tried to keep the drunken navigator from falling over.

In a moment of weakness, Robin glanced behind her and found Ace watching her be pulled away by her friend. Their eyes met and Robin almost couldn't catch her breath. He's looking at me… She thought. The dark color in Ace's eyes bore into her and she thought she saw a hint of disappointment in those black pools. Ace shot her a small smile, as if to say: It's okay. There's all the time left in the world for me to know you. With that thought, Robin turned back to her friend, waiting for the moment when she'll finally have the chance to figure out the fascination that is Portgas D. Ace.

A/N: Muhahaha! Sorry, but once again Ace missed his chance to talk to Robin! Don't worry, they'll have time to themselves soon (I hope... I haven't exactly planned it all out yet)... On another note, isn't Luffy such a sweetheart?! :DDDDD