Waking up in a room with someone I wasn't familiar with was nerve wracking. I didn't remember where I was for the first few minutes and, of all things, it took Ace's hat to jog my memory. I knew I wasn't going to get anymore sleep, so I gathered my stuff and opened the door to leave. Only to find Marco with his hand raised - probably to knock. He didn't seem surprised that I opened the door, or at least it was hard to tell with how bored his half lidded eyes looked.

"Good morning," I greeted, fidgeting slightly.

Marco sighed, "Look, I'm sorry about yesterday. I've been awfully stressed lately'oi. So-"

"It's fine, really. I would have done the same thing, were I in your position." I lightly punched him in the shoulder, "Do you think someone can give me a lift back to the island?"

Marco smirked slightly, "Sure, but first pops would like to meet you'oi."

"Whitebeard?" I gulped.

Marco's smirk only got wider as he led the way, "Scared, are we?"

"Scared? No. Nervous? Definitely." I replied, which only served to make him laugh. "Zombies and flaming birds? I can handle those. But meeting the strongest man in the world is nerve wracking."

Marco's laugh was nice... It was light but deep and calming, it wasn't at all like the first impression I had gotten of him the day before. We walked the rest of the way in a comfortable silence.

Marco knocked on the gargantuan doors, "I'll be right behind you." He reassured me.

A deep voice beckoned us inside. Marco pushed open the doors, I walked in and he fell into step behind me.

When my eyes adjusted to the light difference and I saw the giant of a man sitting on a bed, hooked up to medical equipment... I guess it humanized him enough to make my nerves settle down a bit, but his presence still filled the room.

I bowed, "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Marie, yes?" He asked.

"B'couda D. Marie." My face was red. How could I forget to introduce myself?!

While I was mentally berating myself, Whitebeard apparently thought I was amusing, "Gurarara, cheeky brat. No need to be so formal." I could barely hear Marco try to suppress his own laughter. Stupid bird. "I would like to thank you for getting our supplies for us, and saving us the trouble of going up against creatures we had no knowledge of."

Scratching the back of my head I replied, "It wasn't a big deal. I just wish there was more food, you have a very large crew. What I brought won't be nearly enough."

"Nonsense." His voice was quiet, but it still reverberated throughout the room, "You brought what you could and put yourself in danger in the process... You also brought back almost all the medical and cartography supplies we asked for."

"And," Marco piped up, "the only thing you asked for in return was a hot meal."

"Marie, I have an offer for you." I looked up to the gargantuan captain, wondering what he could possibly be thinking. Nothing could have prepared me for what came next. "Take my name and roam the seas, wild and free... Become my daughter."

"No." Was the first thing out of my mouth. All three of us were surprised. "Uh, um... I'm sorry sir, but I have to decline your offer." I looked down at my feet, wishing I could melt into the floor, "You see, my family - my reason to live - is on this island. Even though they are gone, their presence remains. I can't leave." I was trying hard to suppress my emotions but the last three words came out in a choked whisper.

"Brat." The term was harsh, but Whitebeard said the term with such fondness I couldn't be offended. "At least stay for breakfast, then we will discuss what you will do... Deal?"

He still wants me to join? Even when I flat out turned him down? "Deal." I'm not going to change my mind, old man. I turned to walk out behind Marco.

When we arrived in the galley most of the crew was already there. The sounds of talking and laughter echoed through the room. Marco led me to the same table as the previous night. The tables occupants looked at us expectantly, and the energy significantly deflated when Marco shook his head.

Watching the exchange confused me, and it must have shown on my face because Marco explained that they had all wanted me to join. My face turned to one of surprise as what he said registered. "She made a deal that she would mull it over some more over breakfast'yoi." That statement seemed to give life back to the table as they all - well, most - tried to convince me to join them.

I decided to try to explain my reasonings, maybe that would work, "Look, I can't leave this island because my family is here." Sighing, I concluded with, "So, thank you for the offers and encouragement. But drop it."

Some were about to protest... At least until they got a half hearted glare and a shake of the head from Marco. They all got the message... Well, all except Ace.

Who casually said, "But I thought you said that you were the only one still not one of those... Left on the island."

My eyes narrowed dangerously as I glared at him, "Yeah, but that doesn't mean they aren't there."

Ace's eyes widened a bit, seemingly in understanding, before they narrowed like mine did, "Don't you think they would want you to be happy? To live your life with no regrets?" His voice was soft during the last question. And, though his expression didn't change, the few that knew him best saw the slight guilt mixed with determination in his eyes.

"What would you know?" I seethed, "It's my fault they're gone. Mine. And I deserve to suffer." My voice was filled with hatred, hatred I only had for myself. "I should never have been born, they would still be alive!" I shouted. The room was dead silent now, though I didn't notice, too absorbed by my rage. "I deserve to stay on that island and rot. Or better yet, hand me back over to the government!" I laughed hollowly. "They would love that!"

Ace was silent, much to everyone's surprise. Eyes slightly wide, he seemed to be thinking...about what was beyond me. But it was safe to say that no one was expecting what he said next: "I understand."

My gaze snapped from my clenched fists, to the teen across the table. "The you know why I can't stay."

He nodded and slowly lifted his pleading eyes to mine, "But...that's also why you have to stay. Join them, they can help." His gaze was so intense I couldn't look away. "Didn't you make a promise?"

"Don't die...promise me. Kay?"

My eyes flew wide. Hayley.

"Take the first chance you have to get off of this island, you hear me?! That's an order."

Matthew. I could barely breathe. How could I have forgotten.

I slowly sat back down in my seat - I didn't remember standing up. "For them...I'll join for them."

[line]

I was numb. Everything passed by in a blur.

Accepting Whitebeard's offer and setting sail was harder than I ever could have imagined. It felt life my soul was being ripped out of me. I was surprised I was left alone until my - our - island had disappeared.

It was soon after that when someone dragged me towards the festivities - apparently a custom whenever someone joined their ranks - but after a while I managed to slip away once more.

I stared at the ocean of a long time before looking down at the ring on my finger.

"Did I do the right thing?" I whispered into the air, "what would you have done, Hayley?"

"Who's Hayley?" I spun around to see Thatch getting hit in the back of the head by Izo, who was wearing a kimono...?

I decided to voice my thoughts, "Are you wearing a kimono?" It wasn't just to change the subject, I was genuinely curious.

The man in question turned from a pouting Thatch to me. "Yes, it is." His eyes narrowed, "is that a problem?"

To be honest, I was a bit surprised at izo's hostility, "No. It's not a problem, I was just curious." I shrugged, "It looks very good on you."

That seemed to get me in the man's good graces, he smiled softly and thanked me. I surprised myself by smiling back.

"So," then Thatch had to ruin the moment - which I learned later was a very Thatch thing to do, "who's Hayley?"

"She is the reason you are all celebrating tonight." Fiddling with the ring between my fingers, I noticed both men mimic my stance on the railing, flanking me on both sides.

Izo must have noticed my fiddling, because he told me how beautiful the simple band was. "You must be tired, why don't we find you somewhere to sleep. That sound good, duckling?" I could only nod, I was tired. The day had taken everything out of me.

He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, turning us around to face Thatch, who had been surprisingly quiet during the rest of the encounter. Beseeched to be wearing a shiteating grin, but in that lighting, it was hard to tell.

I looked to Izo as he asked me a question I don't quite recall, and turned back to where Thatch was, only to find him gone.

I hardly remember anything else. Just the feeling of warmth and a soft chuckle.

XX.

Hey, whew. Sorry for this being really late! I've had so much stuff to do lately! I'll probably be on hiatus until the middle of November.

Please review!