A/N: Hi guys! Sorry for not post in so long. Thanks again for everyone that liked Chapter 9! You guys are really nice reviewers and just super encouraging! Anyways! Here is Chapter 9!

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece (except for my OCs)

Chapter 9: Comfort

You even fall for Gold Roger's kid… The words tickled the edges of Robin's mind as she came out of unconsciousness. The wooden ceiling slowly became clear as her vision adjusted to the familiar surrounding. The lights were off and the room was dim, but the small window above the bed allowed enough moonlight into the room for Robin to figure out where she was. Sunny Go? How did I get here? The last thing I remember was seeing… A creak made Robin turn her head towards the doorway. Her lips curved into a faint smile at seeing the person she had just been thinking about. Closing the door behind him, Ace walked over to Robin's bed. Sitting down at the edge next to her, he smiled down at the girl.

"Hey there" Her voice sounded raspy.

"You're awake"

Robin tried to sit up, but Chopper's bandages made it hard for her to move. Seeing her struggle, Ace went and helped her. Supporting her shoulders, Ace repositioned her pillow so she had something to lean back on. When Robin seemed comfortable enough, Ace once again sat on the edge of the bed, this time closer than before.

"Thanks"

"No problem. How are you feeling?"

"Better. My waist isn't hurting anymore."

"I'm glad." Ace smiled gently.

"So how did I get here?"

"Luffy brought you back. Listen… I'm sorry I left you there all by yourself. This wouldn't have happened if I had stayed with you."

So Captain-san got involved too… Robin thought. This is getting complicated. But I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

"Don't worry Ace. I'm fine. Besides, you couldn't have known he wanted to lure you away."

The statement didn't make Ace feel any better. She noticed how stressed and drained he looked. His shoulders were tense and he had a distant look in his eye. Robin placed her hand over his and began to brush her thumb over his skin trying to comfort him. Ace's shoulders relax at her touch and their eyes met.

"Who are they?"

"I guess you can say they're old co-workers."

"That's all? You still don't trust me, do you?"

"It's not that…"

"Than?"

Robin paused for a second. She seemed to be reflecting on something.

"Let's make a deal. I'll answer your question and then you have to answer mine."

"Okay. So who are they?"

Leaning back on the pillow, Robin rested her head on the headboard of her bed and exhaled.

"Since I was 8 years old, I've worked for several different criminal organizations to survive. One of them being an organization called Baroque Works. Have you ever heard of them?"

"I think I destroyed a bunch of their ships when I was helping Luffy in Alabasta."

"I remember. You gave quite a flashy performance that day. An entire fleet demolished with one stroke of fire."

"You were there? You weren't on one of those ships were you?"

"You could say I was watching from far. Anyways, I was their vice president before I joined your brother's crew. They were supposedly disbanded after Crocodile was stripped of his warlord title. But, I guess not."

"So those guys are a part of Baroque Works?"

"I think they run it now."

"Why are they after you?"

"They want to get revenge, use me as a pawn for some goal, maybe torture me a little for fun. Those are usual reasons. Take your pick."

Ace's jaw hardened into a frown, but he said nothing. Robin noticed and smiled softly. He cares…

"Your turn"

"Okay," Ace sighed. "What's your question?"

"Do you and Luffy have the same parents?"

"Why are you asking that?"

Ace didn't like where this was going. The man Ace had faced off back in the forest knew his secret. Maybe he said something. Robin let out a breath at his defensive response. It gave her the answer.

"So it's true."

"So what?"

"Nothing. Just… I know what it's like to grow up as a child of a wanted criminal… and how it feels knowing the world hates my existence."

Ace was silent. He had wanted to know Robin's story since the beginning of the night. He wanted to talk to her, to know her, to decipher the very perplexity Nico Robin. The woman who grew up with the reputation as the miraculous 8-year old who always escaped the world's grasp. But he had not considered that she would try to find things out about him as well. He never spoke much about his past and now he couldn't help but feel he'd been selfish. He wanted Robin to open up, so shouldn't he be willing to do the same?

"No, Luffy and I don't have the same parents. The blood that runs through my veins… belong to someone who minds as well be the devil. Or so I was told when I was young."

"Hey, you're talking to the girl they named the demon of Ohara."

Ace let out a weak chuckle and thought back to the days when he use to go out and ask strangers what would happen if Gold Roger had a kid and how their answers riled him. How each word stung like a slap to the cheek. How the violent anger crept in as he found himself in places filled with the spiteful laughs of people mocking his being.

"When I was little, I use to sit by the cliffs, look out at the ocean, and think about this one question. I asked it to gramps once and he told me that if I keep living, I'll figure it out one day."

"And have you?"

"I'm not sure. Sometimes I don't think I'll ever figure it out, but then there are these moments."

"What's the question?"

"I wonder… if it's good that I was born… I didn't have anyone, and then I had Luffy and now my crewmates, but it still feels like I'm stuck. Like the fact that I'm his son and that I can't stop being his son still makes me worse than everybody else."

Robin understood... What it was like to feel stuck and to always be who you were. She knew how to read poneglyphs and she couldn't un-learn it even if she wanted to. Ace is Roger's son and he can't just stop being Roger's son. These were the realities that they had to grow up with and Robin understood more than anything the insecurities of one who must always hide their true selves.

Hearing his words and knowing these things, she couldn't help but feel an ache in her chest. Before she knew it, she had wrapped her arms around Ace's neck and was hugging him tightly. He hadn't expected that and his body was still for a moment. Then returning the hug, he wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in her shoulder.

"Robin…"

Robin pulled her head back to look at him. Her forehead leaned against his and she imagined the battle between his desires, worries, and uncertainties pulling him in different directions. Her lips parted, wanting to say something. As the words reached the tip of her tongue, the door opened.

"Robin! You're aw- " Nami stopped speaking.

Nami's eyes zone in on Ace's arms, which were still around Robin's waist. It seems she had walked in on a private moment. Nami tried to walk backwards and close the door again, but the rest of the crew was already swarming into the room passed her.

"What do you think you're doing to Robin-chan?!" Sanji's eyes burned with rage. He clenched his teeth and was ready to pounce at Ace, but Usopp and Chopper held him back by his arms. Zoro was smirking on the side watching the scene unfold in front of him.

"Uhh…" Ace and Robin looked down and realized they were still embracing. Quickly, they pulled back, both scooting away from each other. Their cheeks were boiling red as they looked away, avoiding the crew's suspicious eyes.

"Answer me fire-head!" Sanji yelled

"I just came to make sure Robin's okay," Ace answered looking straight at Sanji.

"Then what were your hands doing?" Zoro asked. The comment was more to make Sanji angry than it was to accuse Ace of anything inappropriate.

"Zoro..." Nami hissed while giving the swordsman a please-shut-up scowl and turned to Ace.

"Ace, thank you for caring about our Nakama, but we'll take it from here." She gave him a you-should-leave-before-a-fight-breaks-out look and walked over to Robin's side.

Taking the hint, Ace gave Robin one last look before getting up and leaving. Plus, he wanted to get away from the uncomfortable stares. Zoro grabbed onto Ace's arm just as he passed him on the way to the door.

"Don't let me catch you trying to take advantage of my Nakama," Zoro said low enough for only Ace to hear. He joked earlier to get on Sanji's nerves, but he was serious about protecting his crewmate. Ace nodded, assuring the swordsman he understood and continued walking.

So how are you feeling?" Nami said after the door shut.

"I'm okay," Robin gave her a small smile

"Robin! We were so worried!" Chopper cried. He jumped onto the bed and began sobbing into the blanket. Robin patted his head to comfort the little tanuki.

"What happened tonight Robin?" Usopp asked.

Looking around at her crew's anticipating faces, Robin relented. She told them the events that had occurred, including the note, the poneglyph, and the men involved with her old organization. However, she left out the part with Ace and the campfire. Some things a girl has to keep to herself.

"I see. So, Ace saved you. Robin, why didn't you tell us about the note? We would have gone with you!" Nami said. She couldn't believe her friend was doing the lone-wolf thing again. After all that has happened at Enies Lobby, didn't she know they would help her?

"We probably shouldn't have doubted him," Chopper said.

"Well, it's better that we're cautious," Zoro said.

"You're too smart to not have known it was a trap, Nico-san," Frankie said to Robin

"I would have protected you, Robin-chwan!" Sanji said. "Those bastards… I hate anyone who takes advantage of women."

"Don't you have any faith in us by now?" Usopp asked. He remembered the rescue mission on the sea train. How his efforts to convince Robin that Luffy and the crew would save her had failed. He had thought that since she was freed from Enies Lobby, she would have trusted them more.

"I know I can count on my Nakama," Robin responded.

"Then stop making stupid decisions on your own," Zoro said. "You don't have to do everything by yourself anymore, remember?"

Robin's chest was filled with appreciation for her crewmates' concern and readiness to come to her aid. Yet, this knowledge of their continuous support made her feel like a burden again. They saved her from the government, they worried about her unending nightmares night after night, and now they were taking care of her after the consequences of her new venture for the poneglyph. How many more times will she pull the nakama she cared so much about into her troubles?

Nami knew her friend trusted them, she just wished Robin wouldn't try to carry everything on her shoulders. But seeing that she had to grow up alone for most of her life, Nami could understand why it was still so hard for Robin to depend on them.

"Where's Luffy?" Robin asked. She had just noticed that her captain was not in the room with the rest of the crew. Didn't Ace say he was the one to bring me back?

"Straw Hat aniki is sitting outside on the lion's head," Frankie answered her.

"Back so soon?" Marco called down to Ace from the crow's nest of the Moby Dick.

Ace jumped up onto the ship and began to climb up to his friend. Everyone was either passed out on the deck or asleep in their quarters. Signs of the wild party from the night were everywhere. Barrels tipped over empty of alcohol laid around the deck. Dishes sat on the food table, cleared of any leftovers thanks mostly to Luffy and his crew. Ace seated himself next to Marco, and the two friends looked out at the wide ocean, watching the light of dawn make its first appearance.

"Seems like I missed out on a lot," Ace noted, nodding towards the passed out pirates.

"You did. It'll take awhile to clean up the mess and replenish our supplies," Marco said. Continuing, he asked, "So did you get to see her?"

"Yeah."

"And how did it go? Is she okay?"

"She's fine. We talked and it was nice just being there with her. Then it got awkward."

"Awkward? What happened?"

"Her crew sort of walked in on us."

"Walked in… Tsk tsk Ace. You shouldn't do naughty things to an injured girl," Marco joked. He didn't really think Ace would take advantage of Robin, knowing how much he liked her.

"Shut up! It wasn't like that. We were just… sitting really close." Ace didn't want to share too much as he felt embarrassed enough.

"Uh huh. Sure," Marco eyed him with a smirk, showing that he really didn't believe that's all there was to it. "So I'm guessing her crew isn't too fond of you still?"

"The cook definitely isn't. I think Nami still trusts me and everyone else is just feeling a little protective right now."

"After everything that's happened last night, I'm not surprised. I wouldn't worry about it Ace, you're Luffy's brother. They know they can count on their captain's big bro."

"Yeah…." Ace sighed.

"Come on. Out with it."

"What?"

"Tell me what else has you in a slump? Look I know that a lot of bad things went down last night. But there's more you haven't said. So let's hear it."

Ace knew Marco wasn't going to let this go. So he relented and decided to seek a little advice, which was not something the overly confident commander was used to.

"I sort of told Robin I liked her when we were in the forest."

"Soooo does she feel the same?"

"That's the thing… I'm not really sure. She didn't exactly respond one way or the other. It honestly wasn't the best time to tell her. But it just sort of came out."

"What did you do after confessing?"

"I just brushed it off to the side."

"Nico Robin may be an aloof woman, but she's also straightforward. She really didn't show any indication that she was interested?"

"We had a few affectionate moments," Ace's face was turning pink again just thinking about their little embraces here and there. "But, I don't know."

Marco chuckled to himself at seeing his friend be so hopeless over a girl. Deciding to help out, he said, "Why don't you take her out?"

"Take her out?"

"Yeah. Spend the afternoon together. Just, this time, don't stalk her first," Marco laughed.

Ace punched his friend on the arm and made a face.

"That does sound like a good idea. But, her crew…"

"I'm sure the Straw Hats will be too busy with their own things anyways."

"How would you know?"

"We're on a new island, that happens to have a town just a little east of here. I'm sure the Straw Hats will busy with their own errands and mini adventures to breathe down your neck."

"I guess so."

"You can just spend the day getting to know her and find out how she feels. All you have to do is ask her."

"I have to what?"

"Ace, you don't just go out with a girl and not ask them first" Marco quirked an eyebrow at his friend. Usually, Ace was so good with people, with his A+ manners and smooth talk. Yet, the idea of just asking Robin to got out for an afternoon seemed daunting. It just didn't make sense. "Look, I'll even go over to the Sunny with you."

"Fine…" Ace crossed his arms and pouted.

Luffy heard Ace leave the Sunny awhile ago. He didn't bother waving goodbye, knowing Ace would probably be back later. Shoulders drooped low, the young captain mulled over in his mind the fight he had with the wind-guy, who was still out there planning some scheme against his nakama. He couldn't shake his defeat and now felt more determined for a rematch. Nobody was going to hurt his friends and get away with it.

A figure, wrapped in a large blanket and holding two mugs of hot chocolate, walked up to the boy from behind. She sat one of the mugs in front of Luffy, bringing his attention to her.

"It's cold out here, Captain-san. I asked Sanji to make us some hot chocolate."

Sitting down next to Luffy, she draped one side of the blanket over Luffy's shoulders so that now it covered them both. Robin looked out at the ocean that seemed to stretch on forever. She sipped her hot chocolate in silence, beholding the orange rays of the sun that began to brighten the sky.

"Thank you for carrying me back. And I'm sorry," Robin said. "It seems that I keep dragging you into my troubles"

"Baka…"

"Excuse me?" Robin was stunned to hear Luffy, of all people, call her an idiot.

"Robin, I already said it at Enies Lobby. I'm well aware of your enemies. And not just those stupid government guys."

Luffy lifted the mug in front of him and gulped down the hot liquid. Robin watched her captain with a bemused smile. He's unwavering resolve and faith never ceases to amaze her. When Luffy decided he was going do something, protect someone, or fight against the entire world, he would do it without hesitation.

"Robin… Do you have faith in me? As your captain and your nakama?"

"Captain-san… Of course I have faith in you."

With a determined smile, Luffy announced, "Then I'm going to kick that guy's ass"

Robin smiled at Luffy's simple and always the same resolve. She admired his determination, but there was still a knot in her gut from her conversation with Mr. Green. That man was unnerving and she felt that he wasn't done with her just yet. What his next move was, she didn't know. She knew she could count on her nakama, but she also wanted to protect them. If he were to use them against her like Cipher Pol had, she wasn't sure how she would handle it this time. I doubt he would make me frame them for a murder like Lucci did.

"Hey, Straw Hats!" Marco's voice rang out on the deck. Everyone came out from the kitchen, where they had been discussing something and Robin and Luffy came up from the lion's head to see what was going on.

"Marco. Ace. What's going on?" Nami asked.

Marco gave Ace and look and nodded his head towards Robin before he turned to answer Nami's question. A little hesitant, Ace awkwardly strode over to where Robin stood next to Luffy.

"We just came to tell you about a town near here. Some of our guys are going down there to get supplies, explore the island, and probably hit the bar in the town. Just in case you guys wanted to join us."

"Hm… I wouldn't mind doing a little shopping in town," Nami shrugged

"Nami-swan! Allow me the honor of accompanying you!" Sanji swooned with hearts in this eyes.

"Of course, Sanji-kun! I need you to hold my bags," Nami gave her sweetest smile

"OOhhh! The wonderful Nami-swan needs me! Is this a declaration of love…?" Sanji snickered to himself as he fantasized about his afternoon with Nami.

"We are running low on supplies," Usopp said

"Super! I need more cola for the Sunny!" Frankie yelled

"Maybe I can find some medical books!" Chopper said

"What do you say Luffy?" Nami called over to the Captain.

Luffy seemed to contemplate on something. Then he looked over at Robin for a moment before answering, "Yosh, let's go on an adventure! And if we see those guys that hurt Robin, then we'll kick their asses."

The Straw Hats grinned at his assertion, each ready for what the day brings. At this point, Ace stood a little behind Robin but was still too nervous to speak, though he tried not to look like it. Marco started talking about what there was to do in town and how to get there, gaining everyone's attention. Luffy skipped over to hear about the food they had and the shops there were while drooling all over the floor. Figuring Ace needed a little more space to talk with Robin, Marco deliberately made a comment about how thirsty he was, in which case, Sanji responded by offering to make drinks for everyone. Marco and the Straw Hats followed Sanji into the kitchen, which finally gave Ace his window of opportunity.

Before Robin could follow them, Ace snatched her arm from behind. Held back in place, Robin turned around, curious as to what the commander wanted.

"Ace-san?"

"Robin. I uh… I just… ummm"

Ace scratched the back of his neck nervously. He didn't seem to be aware that he was still holding Robin's wrist. She glanced down at their hands touching and smiled inwardly to herself, then looked back up before Ace noticed.

"Ace, you're acting very funny."

"Am I?" Ace smiled sheepishly. This was harder than he thought. He's never had to ask a girl out before. Then again, he's never been this interested in a girl either.

"Is there something you wanted to say?"

"I was wondering if you had plans for this afternoon?"

"I thought we were all going into town like Marco-san suggested."

"Well, yes. But… Maybe you could- or we could- uh… go together?"

"By together, you mean just us?"

"Yeah…"

Ace waited patiently for an answer while Robin tapped her chin with her index finger, considering his proposal.

"Fufufu," Robin started giggling out of somewhere.

"What's so funny?" Ace asked, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed at the reaction he received. That was the last thing he had expected her to do.

"I just didn't expect you to be so shy. Definitely not what people expect when they look at your bounty," Robin said. Then, stepping closer to him, she whispered in his ear, "Town Library. See you at noon."

Winking at him, she walked off to the kitchen where the ice tea, specially prepared by Sanji, awaited her. Ace watched as she disappeared behind the door, a little dazed by what just happened. A crooked smile made its way onto his face as his mind registered the positive outcome of their conversation. Ace started back to the Moby Dick figuring he should rest up before his outing. After all, he had been out all night.

Robin took a seat between Nami and Marco as she observed her crewmates' loud and cheery banter. The earlier gloom that hung over everyone's head seems to have dissipated. Sanji brought over Robin's tea and she sipped it tenderly as she listened to the cook complimented her on her beauty and poise, as well as Nami's. He eventually left them alone, when Nami asked him to go make some snacks for them.

"Hey, wasn't Ace here too?" Nami asked

"I think Ace-san got tired and went back to his ship."

Marco, who was chuckling at Luffy and Chopper blowing bubbles into their drinks, perked up at the mention of Ace's name. Discreetly, he leaned his head a little closer the towards the girls, so his ears can catch their voices in the midst of everyone's loud laughter.

"You took a while to come inside, Robin. What were you two doing?" Nami asked eyeing her friend.

"We were just talking," Robin said. Trying to keep her cool and distract herself from Nami's suggestive gaze, she sipped her tea again.

"Oh… So, was what you guys were doing on the bed considered 'just talking' as well?"

Robin choked on her drink. Coughing, she covered her mouth and tried to recovery from Nami's comment. Nami grinned at catching her friend off guard. Robin was usually so cool and collected, and calm about everything. This was a nice change. Plus, Nami kind of liked the idea of Ace and Robin together. He does seem to really care about her. She thought back to the way he looked when he came onto the ship. The distress on his face was clear and the first thing he asked was if Robin had made it back safely.

"Nami, it wasn't like that," Robin said, her face turning as red as a tomato

"C'mon Robin. We walked in on you guys. Just admit that you and Ace have a thing going on."

Marco was smirking to himself now. Ace had apparently left out some very juicy details in their earlier conversation. Nami walking in on them was probably the awkward moment he was referring to earlier.

"Nothing happened on the bed!"

"Okay, Robin. We'll just pretend we didn't see you two all pressed together with your arms wrapped around each other," Zoro said jumping on the opportunity to tease Robin.

Wow, Marco thought. Seems like Ace has gotten fairly close with Robin already. Hard to believe he was so scared to ask her out earlier. Marco sighed and shook his head.

"I'm going to finish my tea in my room." Face still red, Robin got up to leave.

"Have a good rest Robin!" They called after her, still snickering.

Robin practically ran out of the room, desperate to escape the embarrassment. A wave of exhaustion came over her now that she was back in her room. The night's battle finally caught up with her body and she wanted nothing more than to crawl under her blanket for a good nap. She heard a crunching sound as she stepped towards her bed. Lifting her foot, she found shattered glass and a broken picture frame on the floor. Picking up the photo of her crew in the midst of broken shards, realization hit her. Someone had been there. Frantically, Robin searched all around for some clue or missing item. Nothing. Everything was in its place. Who had been in here and why? Exhausted, she fell backwards onto the mattress. Sighing to herself, Robin's mind dove through all the mysterious from the night. Pulling the blanket over her, a white object fell into view. Picking it up, Robin realized it was another note. She hastily opened it and read.

The Barman.

A contact perhaps? Baroque Works. They've become more stealthy than before. They even snuck onto the ship. In the past, Robin was always the one to handle the more covert assignments. Now it seems Baroque Works has hired some worthy spies. What else are they capable of? Question after question fumed inside her head until finally exhaustion, frustration, and fear pulled her into an uneasy slumber.

A/N: There here you have it! Chapter 9 finish! I've already started on the next chapter and planning a few things for the plot. I don't know how long I want this story to be so we'll see how it goes. But it might be awhile again since I plan to work on/post Chapter 4 of the Bonds of Survival story before I do anything more for this one. Anyways! Let me know what y'all think and stay tuned for Ace and Robin's outing!