~A~

I lightly touched the bump on my head and flinched slightly. I guess Rory could use a little haki, otherwise that bat wouldn't have affected me. What was I thinking? Why did I go along with Thatch's scheme? It's bad enough that I stooped to his level, and what's worse is I was caught. I'm an idiot.

"Hey Ace..." Thatch's dejected voice reached my ears as he sat beside me. "You think we're gonna die today?"

"It seems likely. And its all your fault." I said.

"My fault? You could have talked me out of it. If anything you were more eager than I was!"

Hot shame washed through me. He's right. As soon as I heard about his plan I was pretty much all in. And I really hate to admit it, but a small part of me thought it was worth it. I mean, she was in nothing but a towel. A flimsy towel that would have loosened and fell with a light tug, or a wrong movement on her part.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Thatch and I looked up and Marco. "Uh-"

"Good morning boys." We froze when we heard Rory.

She just walked right by, flashing us her usual friendly smile like she did every morning.

"...Y-you're not mad?" I asked.

"Nope." she replied. I smiled with relief. "I think you're both skeevy perverts, but I'm not mad." My relief turned into disappointment. Thatch didn't seem to have a problem with that though.

"Well as long as you're not mad!" he said, brightening up instantly.

"Hn. Just as I thought, you're a shameless bastard..." Rory said, but I could hear a smile in her voice. She walked off with Thatch in toe, who was poking fun at her as usual.

"Ace."

I looked up at Marco guiltily, recognizing the authoritative tone.

"What did you do?"

"Uh...I want it on record that it was Thatch's idea." I said.

"Noted. Now spill it."

"Well, we uh...You know how Rory retired a little early last night? Well Thatch sorta knew she'd use the extra time to take a bath and-"

"Oh, don't tell me..."

"-we kinda tried to...sneak a peek."

"Ace!" Marco let out an exasperated sigh. "Jeez, you're lucky she's got such a good temper."

"I know..."

There was a moment of silence, and then Marco decided to tease me. "Did you get a good look at least?"

I couldn't find the words to reply as my face undoubtedly turned crimson. The phoenix laughed at my discomfort. I pulled my hat over my eyes.

He probably wasn't going to let me hear the end of it. Well, I guess I kind of deserve the ridicule.

~...~

I know Rory said she wasn't mad, but I wanted to apologize anyway. By the time I worked up the courage to actually do that, word had already gotten around about the incident. I've heard a couple of snickers here and there, and most of the time they were saying something along the lines of, "See? I told you Ace likes her! He never would have peeped at some other girl!"

They're right about the peeping thing. However I'm not quite ready to acknowledge any possible feelings that may or not be there. Rory is just a good friend. That's all. That's why I compliment her. (Although now that I think about it, I don't really compliment the guys, do I?) Funny how they don't say anything about Thatch's involvement. But I guess this sort of thing is expected of him, huh?

~R~

"Rory!"

"Huh?" I turned around curiously. Then my jaw dropped in disbelief. Ace was on his knees and in full kowtow mode.

"Please forgive me!" he said. From further along on the deck, I swear I heard Marco mutter, 'Oh brother...'

"Wha-? I already told you I'm not mad!" I said. "Now get up! This is embarrassing!" I could feel some amused stares as I said it, and heat rushed to my cheeks.

"Not until you forgive me." Ace replied stubbornly.

"But I- Oh alright, fine! I forgive you!" I said quickly.

"Really?" Ace asked and sat up a little.

"Yes, really. Honestly, truly, I forgive you." I replied.

In no time he got up on his feet. "Will you let me make it up to you?"

What's with his need to redeem his honor? I didn't question it out loud. "Well, what did you have in mind?" I asked.

He thought for a moment. "Oh! Do you want to go shopping? I promised I'd take you, remember?" he said.

"Yeah...But why?" I couldn't resist. "Did you want to peep at me while I'm changing?"

With that, Ace blushed and there was laughter all around, from Marco, Thatch, old man Whitebeard, and some others.

I giggled along with them. Ace looked pretty embarrassed though. He was even trying to hide under his hat. It was kind of cute, actually. "Aw, relax! I'm just kidding!" I said. "I'd love to go with you." I said with a smile.

"Great!" Ace said, returning the smile.

~A~

"So we're gonna go today?" I asked. It was the day after I insisted on make up for my perverted mistake. I was satisfied that Rory was letting me do just that, however the light teasing aimed at me had become a little more straightforward. I hadn't accounted for how the others would perceive my quest for redemption, but I ignored them for the most part.

"Yeah, we'll go today." Rory replied.

"Oh, you guys are heading out too?" Thatch asked.

"Yeah." I replied. "You too? Where are you going?"

"The old man wants me to quell some trouble on one our islands." Thatch replied. "I should be back by tomorrow."

"Good luck!" Rory said.

"Thanks. Catch you later!" Thatch said before hurrying off to start his job.

"Alright, Ace, let's get going!" Rory said.

"Right!" I replied with a smile. We headed to my Striker.

"Have fun you guys." Marco waved us off.