Disclaimer: I do not own these wonderful characters, even if I love them all dearly... :'(

Revised 5-7-15

Hellfire

Chapter 3

Ace couldn't help but smile inside at Smokers reaction to Ace's attention in the bar. God, it was so easy to get the smug bastard going. Ace needed a distraction to get the incident with Marco out of his mind. He couldn't think of that part of his past right now, it was too painful.

So, Ace decided as he watched Smoker in front of him, that torturing the Captain would be a part of Ace's new game. The raven shoved his hands in the pockets of his coat as he followed smoker back to the shitty, rattling death trap he called a car.

He slid inside the cab and buckled up, waiting for Smoker to follow suit. The White Hunter crouched low as he got into the driver's seat, and slammed the door shut.

"So, old man, where are we going next?" Ace asked, looking at the Captain with a sideways glance. The pink from Smokers embarrassment had been fading, but it was quickly renewed, as the Captain snapped gruffly, "Shut your mouth, you shitty, brat! I am NOT a old man! Show some damn respect."

Ace pouted mockingly, as he reached towards Smoker, and twirled a tuft of older mans practically white hair around his finger. Ace was surprised at how soft it was. "Could've fooled me. You sure act like a crotchety old man. "

The Captain smacked Ace's offending hand away from him, twisted the key in the ignition, and sped out of the alley without even looking for cars. Ace was careful with not banging his head on the roof of the car as it rounded the corners of the streets that Smoker took sharply on purpose. After a few moments of tense silence, Smoker spoke in his deep voice.

"Now, we are going to meet my second informant. He's a real slick bastard, and can take information out of a person without them even realizing it. He might not look it, but he is as dangerous as they come, so I want you to keep your damn trap shut. I won't risk you pissing him off or giving away shit that he could use."

Ace grumbled out the window, "I am NOT a child, you know. I've dealt with people like that all my life."

Even now he was dealing with them... the raven had to block out all the unpleasant memories that threatened to flood his mind. He was trying so hard, that a headache was starting to form. He unconsciously started to rub his temples in an attempt to lessen the ache.

Smoker didn't reply. Instead he flew through a couple of intersections before pulling into the parking lot of a sketchy looking warehouse. He turned off the car, and got out. Clouds of smoke filled the air as Smoker took a drag from his three cigars and let it out.

Ace mentally shook his head in disbelief. Smoking that much could not be healthy, he decided. Ace then got out of the car and followed Smoker. The hair on the back of Ace's neck and arms rose in warning. His internal alarm system was screaming to get the hell away from the warehouse, but he just followed Smoker through the rusty door and into the open room of the warehouse.

The raven's heart jumped as he reached for the gun in his holster belt, his eyes adjusting to see a man step from the black shadows of the warehouse and into a shaft of sunlight that filter through a window. Smoker gestured to stand down.

"Who's the snot nosed kid, Smoker?" The man asked in a gravelly voice. Smoker introduced him, but Ace didn't pay attention because he was taking in the man in front of them. The man was tall, but extremely fat too. His greasy, curly black hair hung to the mans shoulders, and gap to smile added to the man's creep factor. His stomach hung out of a ugly Hawaiian shirt, and his hairy legs were covered partially by baggy shorts. Ace shuttered internally. This guy was disgusting, but Ace could tell by the glint in his dark eyes, and the way that he held himself, that he was as dangerous as Smoker said.

"Well, let's hope that he lasts longer than your last partner, eh, Smoker? " The man laughed without humor.

Ace could see the Captains shoulders stiffen, and his jaw clench. He was puffing out cigar smoke at regular intervals now, looking like a damn chimney. After a few tens minutes,Smoker finally spoke.

"Do you have something to say? If not, then coming down here was a fucking waste of time, Blackbeard."

Ace widened his eyes. This greasy haired creep was the Marshall D. Teach, leader of the notorious gang of Blackbeards? What was Smoker doing talking to someone like him?

Blackbeard smiled at Smoker without warmth, "Don't need to get your panties in a bunch, Smoker. I've got good, solid info." He glanced around before stepping over to Smoker and giving him a crumpled piece of paper. "Be there at that address at midnight. On Friday 3 weeks from now a huge hand off is going down. I've even heard it on good authority you-know-will be there. Along with Dolflamingo."

Ace could see the light shaking of Smokers hand as he took the paper Blackbeard gave him. Whether it was from anger or anticipation, Ace couldn't say, but he could tell that whatever it was, Smoker was excited.

Without a word, Blackbeard walked over to Ace, his foul breath washed over Ace's senses as he whispered, " It's a shame you are a government dog, kid. If you ever decide to grow a pair, my door is always open."

Ace gave Blackbeard a wide eyed stare, suppressing the urge to step away from the dangerous man. He knew about CP9?

Smoker didn't notice the exchange because he was studying the paper in his hand. So, by the time he looked back to Ace, Blackbeard had already moved on, long gone from the warehouse.

After he put the piece of paper in his pocket Smoker tossed out his three cigars, and stomped them into the concrete. "Come on, let's get out of here. " And Ace was more than happy to get away from this creepy-ass place. He all but sprinted to the car.

When they pulled back onto the street Ace asked, "Was that a meeting place for Crocodile?"

Smoker just nodded, placing in unlit cigar into his mouth.

Ace had a hundred questions going through his mind, but the one he voiced was "What did Blackbeard mean when he said that he hoped I lasted longer than your last partner? What happened?"

The Captain's grip on the steering wheel tightened on the wheel. The creek of the leather was the only sound in the cab for a good two minutes until Smoker finally spoke, "They died and that's all there is to it. Don't get killed and you'll be fine, now shut up." And Ace could hear the pain and Smokers voice in those words, so he didn't push his luck.

Instead he thought about what motives that Blackbeard would have for helping out a cop like Smoker. Ace knew there were only two things why a gang would go to the cops: protection or gaining something in return. The first seemed very unlikely. Black beard looked like he was a man that could handle himself, So, he must have something that he could gain by helping Smoker.

Ace racked his brain. Smoker did not accept bribes, and he had a reputation for hating gangs and the underground world with a passion, so what Blackbeard had given Smoker about Crocodile must be pretty important to the Captain. It had to be if the man was working with scum like that creepy gang leader. But the question was what did Blackbeard hope to achieve if Crocodile was taken down?Then it hit him.

Crocodile was one of the seven gang leaders under the rule of the World Government. He was part of a group called the Seven Warlords. If Crocodile was taken down, then the government would have to find a suitable replacement in a short amount of time. They would need a man with power, good connections,and a very good reputation with the underground world. Blackbeard wanted to be that man.

The more Ace thought about it, the more sense it made. The Blackbeards had been building up their game for only three years now, but they were already one of the most powerful gangs in Chicago. The greasy, fat bastard wanted even more power, so what better way than to become a Warlord and take Crocodiles share of the Grand Line?

Ace had a very bad feeling form in his gut the more he pieced Blackbeard's motives together. Ace was positive Smoker was fully aware of the gang leaders plans, but he chose to play into the enemy's hand. Why? The raven couldn't help but have a feeling that Blackbeard was the harbinger of bad things to come. And he did not want to be around you to find out...

XXXX

Ace's second morning was much like the first. Wake up, shower, and get dressed. Oh ,and feed the cat of course. Ace decided to take Smokers unspoken advice and just wear his normal clothes. Plus he had had a piss - poor night sleep and didn't want to piece together a presentable outfit.

Ace just slept on his favorite pair of faded dark blue jeans and a cotton dark red v-neck t-shirt. Satisfied, he put on his jacket, badge, scarf and gun, then headed out the door into the freezing November morning. Gosh, it was so fucking cold! Even Ace, who was naturally warm blooded, felt the effects of the wind chill.

As he took his 15 minute walk to the station he came across the small cafe he had passed on his way to work the morning before. He decided he would get himself a nice hot coffee to warm him up. As Ace looked at the menu on the wall behind the counter, he decided he'd get old Smokie a coffee too. " I'll take two hot coffees. One hazel and one french vanilla - actually make the hazel extremely hot - and a Boston Cream donut, please.

After recieving his orders, he thanked the cashier, paid, and then left for the station. He was careful with the door this time, and was thankful for the piping hot coffee in his hand. When he opened the door to the office he found Smoker with a foul expression on his face.

"And a good morning to you too." Ace gretted dully, not wanting to hear what the grumpy captain had to say.

" You're late, Portgas, " was all he said.

Ace placed the cup of hot coffe on Smokers desk and said in mock sweetness, "Was just getting you a cup of coffee, Smokie,dear." Smoker scowled. "I'm on to you,Portgas."

The said man's heart jumped, but his face remained unreadable. "What, do you think I spiked your coffee? I promise my intentions were nothing but honorable." The last part of the sentence was preceded by an eye roll.

"Portgas D. Ace," Smoker said coolly, "I knew I had heard that name before. So last night I did some research - "

"You read through my files?" Ace asked, but inside he was relieved. There was nothing about his recent activities in it.

"Yes, Fire Fist, I read through your file," he placed a manila folder that was almost paper thin on the desk, "But I couldn't find anything. So I looked into some old records from almost 10 years ago and found all this," and he slapped a very thick pile on top of the thin one.

Ace's heart was in his throat.

"It seems you had quite a reputation as Fire Fist Ace, leader of the WhiteBeard gangs second division." Smoker said after taking a long drag of his cigar. "Arson, mostly, but also theft, and several convictions of murder, though none were ever proven. The only recent thing I found was this," he held up a clipping from the newspaper. "This article is over 6 years old and says that you were pardoned fully by the World Government in exchange for your full cooperation and helping them with some sort of coup in Chicago."

Aces heart was pounding. Lucci said he had gotten rid of all the evidence of his past affiliations as fire fist. Well, no problem. All that Smoker had said was common knowledge.

Ace took a sip of his coffee then lean toward Smoker and smiled despite his racing heart, " Is there a point you are trying to make?"

Smoker blew a cloud of smoke in Ace's face before answering, "I. Don't. Trust. You. Something is off about you, Fire Fist. Men like you don't change, let alone work for the guys who they had previously dedicated themselves to piss off, unless they had a reason." The air will stick with tension, and Ace hadn't even been here 10 minutes. Ace opened his mouth, but before he had the chance to speak, Tashigi burst into the office.

"Smoker, sir! Mr. Portgas!" She said a little breath. " What is it, Tashigi?" Smoker asked sharply, getting to his feet. "There's a huge fire on the corner of Elm and 3rd, sir! Back up has been requested immediatly!"

Smoker and Ace didn't waste any more time talking. They rushed to the car and Smoker turned on the siren as they sped out of the parking lot. The car raced down the street, and even from where Ace and Smoker where in the car, Ace could see smoke circling over the buildings. When they made it to the scene of the fire, Smoker and Ace were a ushered through the police barricade and parked with the other police cars. Ace climbed out of the car and rushed over to the nearest police officer. "What is the situation?"

The officer pointed at the flaming building. Firefighters were frantically trying to tame the fire, but being once a professional arsonist, Ace could tell that it was pointless. The fire was too far gone.

" We were able to be evacuate the residents before the fire had gotten too bad-"a man started to explain, but was ignored by Ace as his eyes caught on a woman.

"My son!" the woman screamed at the same moment Ace saw a suspicious looking man dart between the people and buildings.

He couldn't help but smirk. Fire bugs always wanted to their work in person. But his gaze was drawn back to the screaming woman. "My son! My son still inside the apartment!" She was yelling to the police officer holding her back. "Please, help him!"

"Im sorry, ma'am, " the policeman was saying, his face full of regret, " but the fire is too strong. The building is about to collapse." Ace looked at the people being ushered to the ambulances, then back at the burning building. He made a quick decision.

"Hey," he interrupted the young cop that had been talking to him. He told young man to give Smoker a message. "Got it?" He asked after he was done. The cop nodded briefly before asking, "But, sir, what about you?"

Ace shook his head in dismissal as he raced toward the firemen. He whipped off his coat and saturated it in one fluid motion, then jumped through the parting flames and entered the burning building. He used the coat as barrier between and himself and the flames as he scaled the stairs. Covering his nose and mouth with a the damp coat sleeve, Ace made his way to the first floor. The door to each apartment that he shoulder open was empty. The second floor was the same.

"Hey!" He shouted, "Anyone here?" He called and called into each room as he coughed. When he got to the fifth door on the third floor, the smoke was so sick now he couldn't see his hand in front of his face, only the orange red light from the flames flickered around him. And the harsh crackling of the burning building around out almost every noise.

He paused and strained his ears as he thought he heard muffled cries. "Hello?!" He called again, and again he heard the soft cry.

He took a step toward the sound but the floor gave away and its almost fell through. He grabbed a hold of a hot metal pipe jutting out from the wall to keep him from falling into the flames below. He hissed in pain as his hand was burned. The faint smell of chard flash reached his nose, but Ace held on and pulled himself up and on to the other side of the hole.

From there he strode and made his way towards the noise that was getting louder the closer he got to the closet. Tried to open the sliding panel to the closet, but it was jammed. Ace ripped off the door in frustration and fear but was instantly relieved when he saw a six year old boy huddled in the corner of the closet. The boy cried with joy when he saw Ace and wrapped his little arms around his saviors neck with a tight grip.

Ace threw the heavy coat over the child and knew from here that there was only one way down. "Hold on tight, kid," he coughed as he backed up as far as he could to get a running start. It was now or never.

" Ace, you stupid brat, get your ass out here!" Ace could hear old Smokie's pissed off voice as he started to run toward the window.

"Well," he thought, "Here I come."

Please remember to review, guys! i write alot better with encouragement! ;) I'd love to hear from you! Also, I apologize in advance if updates are late because I have to type everything on my phone. It just takes FOREVER sometimes. Well, I hope you liked this chapter and I hope that I can continue to please all of you awesome people. XD