~G~

I'm truly impressed. Lately that kid has been able to slip away without me seeing her at all. In fact, on these last three islands, i thought I had her cornered, but she got away without leaving any clues. She definitely lives up to her new reputation.

"If anyone has seen this girl, you'd better speak up now!" I commanded. I help up Rory's wanted poster. "If anyone withholds information, you will be arrested for aiding a criminal!"

"I think I saw her!" Someone nearby spoke up. "She went in there a little while ago." The man pointed to a restaurant down the street.

I thanked him for his cooperation and had my men move in. We barged into the establishment, guns at the ready. The civilians froze in shock. We ignored them. I lowered my when I spotted an empty table near an open window. There was a plate of unfinished food, a glass of water, and a newspaper. I walked over to it.

Rory was here. One of my guys asked a waiter if he'd seen the Silver Ghost.

"S-she was there earlier!" He replied, pointing to the empty seat.

"Move out! She has to be nearby!" I said. My subordinates followed my orders and hastily exited the restaurant. They fanned out to cover a greater area.

I looked down at the newspaper as the breeze stirred the pages. I sighed. Fire Fist Ace Captured. I lightly touched the food and found it had gone cold. She had been gone long before I showed up her. I had nothing to do with her leaving.

Rory left the restaurant upon seeing the news. I wondered if she was on her way to meet up with Whitebeard. If that was the case, I'd better pick up her trail again quick. That man has been my main prey for a little over twenty years.

~M~

I kept an eye on the vivre card in my hand as I walked through the town. The news of Ace' capture has spread all over the place by now. I needed to find Rory, because I knew she must be worried sick. There was no way she hadn't heard about it.

Now it was time to bring her back to the ship. I don't think she'd ever forgive us if we didn't include her in our rescue operation. We had mixed feelings about letting her join in, but we figured she's done a good enough job taking care of herself for the past year. Besides, I know she wants to save Ace as much as we do.

I suddenly heard the unmistakable voice of Everett D. Grace and stopped in my tracks. I looked around and then stepped into an alley. I peered around the corner cautiously and easily spotted the marine. From what I could tell, she was looking for Rory. That means I have to find her quick, before she either leaves the island or the marines catch her. I turned on my heel and headed down the alley, away from Grace. Now, where could she be? It would be a lot easier if I just searched from the sky, but with marines crawling all over the place that wasn't an option.

I searched for a good half hour until I hit a little roadblock. The town was really small. I had combed through the whole place already. I sighed and leaned against a wall. Did she already leave?

"Looking for someone?"

I looked at the person who was leaning against the wall near me. She wore silver boots and white leggings, and a long sleeved white shirt with a silvery-blue waist cincher. I smiled and tugged down the newspaper she was using to block my view. "Rory...You couldn't have come out sooner?"

She smiled back. "It's good to see you Marco!"

"I see you've taken the whole 'Silver Ghost' thing to heart." I gestured to the light colored clothes.

"Oh yeah, huh..." Rory looked at her clothes. "It does kind of fit with the theme."

I shook my head. "Anyway," I changed the subject, "I'm here to bring you back to the ship."

"I thought so." she said. "You guys have a plan right? For Ace?"

"Of course we do. And we wouldn't leave you out of it."

Rory smiled, relieved. "I'm glad."

"I hear you a little escape artist now." She smiled slightly. "You know a safe where we can leave?" I asked.

"Yeah...You didn't come here on a boat?" She asked.

"Nope. I flew." I replied. "I'll carry you back."

"Like...Riding on your back?"

"Yes."

"Wait, but your phoenix form is on fire isn't it?"

"I won't burn you. Trust me."

"Okay..." Rory said. "Come on. I know an underground waterway that leads to the beach."

With that, she led to the water way. The water was very low. Barely a puddle that didn't really even get my feet wet. We headed into the tunnel and towards the beach.

~A~

I haveonly myself to blame. No one else. I didn't listen. I didn't even ask for help. I went by myself. I thought I could handle it. I was so wrong. Teach proved to be too much for me. What did I expect? He killed Thatch with ease, and that was without a devil fruit power. Does the old man think I'm weak now? I failed him. I failed my whole crew.

And Rory...What did she think? I don't think I've ever missed anyone as much as I do now. My execution has been scheduled. There was...very little chance I'll ever see Rory again. That made my chest ache in a way I've never experienced. Part of me wished I could see her. Something about my situation made me want to tell her everything. I wanted to let her know how important she was. How much I cared about her. How I felt about her...

I've had chances to tell her that before I left. I could have even sought her out and told her. I heard a few rumors about her during my hunt for Blackbeard. Now it was much too late. I slumped against the sea stone chains that kept me restrained.

It really was hell here in Impel Down. Not necessarily because of torture, like the rumors said. For me it was just the lonely solitude. All by myself, unable to move. Well, my friend Jinbei is with me. But its not like we chat all the time. All I could do was sit there and think.

At the moment, I thought about Luffy. I overheard some of the other prisoners gossiping that someone had broken into Impel Down. What was the likelihood of that being true? How could anyone break into this place? Why would anyone want to?

To save me?

I shushed the little voice in my head that said that. Who would be stupid enough to come save me in this place?

My brother, that's who...

But that's ridiculous. The Luffy I know would never be able to pull that off on his own, no matter how hard he tried.

Suddenly I heard foot steps, followed by catcalls and wolf-whistles. I looked up, only because the men seemed to be getting riled up. I saw Boa Hancock, one of the seven Shishibukai, accompanying the warden as they came toward my cell.