~Grace~

The sound of gunshots is like music to my ears. I can't really explain why, but I it just feels natural to have a gun in my hand. My marksmanship is nothing to sneeze at either. Frankly, I'm impressed. So are my colleagues. Hitting the bulls-eyes on the dummy is astonishingly easy. Not to mention it's oddly satisfying. That poor dummy is riddled with holes, and its all my doing. I've taken to using target practice as an outlet for all the pent up tension that's been plaguing me.

A hearty laugh from Vice Admiral Garp sounded from somewhere off to the side. "Nice shots! Maybe we should have issued you a gun sooner!" he says.

"No kidding..." I mutter. If I'd had a gun back when I first met that redhead, then it would have saved me loads of trouble. It's too late now though. I don't think I'll be able to shoot that irritating idiot even if I had a clear chance, and I don't know why. THat guy did something to me. The thought of him alone made an unintelligible swath of emotions take over my body. I hate it. But part of me also likes the fluttery feeling in my gut, and that only irritates me further. So, since I can't take out my frustration on the very cause of all my problems, the dummy had become a substitute.

"What's the matter with you? You're even moodier than usual." Garp observes. I'm sure everyone has noticed my darkened mood lately. Not that I'm a ray of sunshine normally.

"I'm bored. We haven't had a real job in months." It's partially true. If I had something to focus on, It would probably make me feel better.

"You think about work too much." Garp replies. He absently starts picking his nose with his pinky. "You should be happy that we get some time to relax."

"Yeah...Right..." I turn away from my superior's uncouth behavior. I've accepted the fact that none of these men would ever take into account the fact that girls don't like seeing some of the things they do. That's the main downside to working with men for long periods of time. They might be polite occasionally, but being out on the sea for weeks on end makes the barriers of social conduct ware away. I sincerely hope that some pirates act up in the area so that I won't have to deal with this sea of testosterone for a little while. It's sunset though, and even pirates usually settle down for the night.

~Shanks~

It's rare for me to be sitting alone at a bar, but here I am. None of my shipmates are with me, which is somewhat depressing. I just need a little time away from those of us that stuck together after the captain disbanded the crew. I want to think about my future. I've always wanted to go out and gather up my own crew. I'm thinking of asking Buggy to join me, but I doubt he'll agree to it.

"Hey, you're a pirate, aren't you?" the bartender asked, distracting me. "You might want to be careful. A marine ship just arrived."

"Oh yeah? Thanks for the heads-up!" I reply gratefully. I'll try to keep a low profile. The separation of the Roger pirates is supposed to be a secret for now. That's the main reason I don't want to draw attention to myself, though its a little out of character. I change my mind, however, when a group of marines step into the pub. Most of them talked and laughed, leading me to assume that they're off duty at the moment. I ignore those guys. The girl tagging along behind them is what catches my attention.

Grace is here! I guess I'm a pretty lucky guy. This is the kind of thing I need to lift my spirits I watch the group curiously, putting aside my plans for the future. The men all sat at a table at the opposite side of the room, while Grace continued past them.

"Where are you going, Gracie-chan?" one of her friends asked.

She whirled around to face them. "Who, may I ask, gave you permission to call me that?" The marine mumbles a 'sorry' and shifts in his seat, visibly intimidated. Even though he's a higher rank than she is. I guess a woman's temper must be a frightening thing. "Besides, why would I want to hang around with any of you? You're only going to drink yourselves into oblivion. No thanks." she huffs hotly.

"Geez...Why's she been so grumpy lately?"

I stop paying attention to the grumbling men and lean against the counter as my eyes lock onto Grace. I watch her until she feels my gaze, and I smile crookedly. Her eyes widen in shock, much to my amusement. She glances at her colleagues, who are too busy to notice that there's a pirate in their midst. When she looked back at me, she made shooing motions, mouthing the words, 'Get out of here!'

My smile widens. I'm glad she's not planning on ratting me out. I crook my finger in a 'come hither' motion and then nod towards the back door. I want her to come with me. Grace frowns and shakes her head. I shrug my shoulders and make a show of getting comfortable as I sip my sake. I can see my marine tapping her fingers on the counter anxiously out of the corner of my eye. Is she really worried about me getting caught? I hear a sigh, and after a moment I see her walk past me on her way to the exit. I chance a look at her comrades, and see that they probably won't notice her departure. I grin and get up to follow Grace out the door, giddy just like I was the last time I saw her.

"What in the hell are you doing here?" Grace demands just I get outside with her.

"Just relaxing." I reply. "By myself." I add. "I'm kind of here on my own at the moment."

"No Pirate King?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

I smirk mischievously. "Why should I tell you? We're on different sides, aren't we?"

"Fair enough..." the marine mutters. Something tells me that dropping the subject shouldn't have been that easy. She really is a bad mood, I think. I'm not sure how she acts normally, but she did seem pretty testy towards those marine buddies of hers.

"What's the matter, sweetheart?" I ask.

"Stop with the bad pet name." Grace snaps. She crossed her arms across her chest.

"Sorry..." I reply. I take a step closer. "Still, what's the matter?"

She maintains the arm length distance between us by stepping back. "Nothing. Just stay away from me." That's when I see it. The way she carries herself as though trying to keep a wall separating us.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?" I ask.

"Of course you make me uncomfortable! Who wouldn't be comfortable around someone who clearly doesn't understand the concept of personal boundaries?" She looks away from me just as I spot color rising to her cheeks. So she was still uncertain about that little stunt I pulled last time we met.

"Maybe I did that too soon..." I muse aloud.

"You shouldn't have done it at all." Grace muttered.

I smile sheepishly. "I just wanted to make sure you know how much I like you." I say.

"It doesn't matter how much you like me! Nothing is ever gonna happen between us." she replies insistently.

"Never say never, sweetheart. You can't see the future." I chuckle when she flashes me a frustrated scowl. Honestly, her reluctance sort of makes things more fun. It feels that much better whenever I gain an inch of ground. "C'mon, Gracie. Take a walk with me."

"Why?" she asks suspiciously.

"It'll be fun!"

I apologize for the update being slow. It's the holiday season right now, so forgive me for being a little bit lazy.