The second part of the reunion of the Straw Hats.

Lucinda didn't mind that Zoro was more on guard, though Ace tried to let him be easy around her. As it didn't work, Ace got a little frustrated, but Lucinda told him it was alright. Franky was the next to show up and he was as surprised as Zoro by Ace and pleased finally to meet him. Nami, Usopp and Chopper also were happy to meet Ace again and relief he wasn't dead at all. Lucinda and Marco were around getting information, while Ace was forced to wait at the bar. Marco came back alone, since Lucinda wanted to get information she only could get if she was alone.

"Oi Lu. Took you long enough," growled Ace, as she came just after Sanji had arrived.

Sanji, Nami, Robin, Franky, Usopp, Chopper and Zoro sat around a table along with Ace. Marco sat in the bar, drinking a beer, his eyes on her.

"Sorry for the wait," she grinned, before going to Marco and kissed him.

"You need a special drink -yoi?" he asked concerned.

She nodded.

"I've have some in the back," said Shakky.

"Shakky. You're the best," she smiled and went outside.

"You could tell Marco? But her eyes weren't red yet," said Ace amazed.

"Who is she?" asked Nami.

"She'll tell you in a moment," said Ace with a smile.

"You seem to have forgotten that I know Lu better than even Shanks ad Mihawk -yoi," said Marco.

"Oh yeah. My bad," said Ace, before falling asleep.

Lucinda came back, licking her lips. There were a lust in her eyes, they couldn't define. Marco smirked, before kissing her again.

"They want to know who you are -yoi."

"I know," she said and turned towards them. "Hi Robin. Sorry for not visiting, but I had enough to do," she greeted Robin.

Robin smiled to her, but before Lucinda could continue Brook walked in. He had barely opened the door as he started to sing a song of joy end reunion. Lucinda tilted her head slightly, wondering why a skeleton was alive and sang. His voice triggered a memory in her. Ace's jaw felt wide open and even Marco looked surprised.

"Humming Brook? Oh my you've lost some weight. I guess you died and went you came back you were all but bones," grinned Lucinda as she remembered who he was.

Brook turned his head to her and in a swift move he was in front of her and bowed his head lightly.

"Lu… Yohohoho. You haven't aged a bit. Only your eyes my dear. But then again you are a vampire, so I guessed that much," he grinned.

"A VAMPIRE?" yelled the Straw Hats, but Robin and Zoro.

Lucinda smiled to them. "A Devil's Fruit power. My name is Lucinda. All I trust can call me Lu, but only if they trust me enough to call them by their first name, instead of full name or title," she said.

"You know a vampire Ace? Brook?" Usopp started to sweat drop.

"Lu was the one to save our lives at Marineford. She beat up the admirals and helped us escape. I'm sure I would have died, if she hadn't shown up. Now she's the wife of Marco," said Ace.

"Yohohoho. You got married? I did guess it was you that showed up at Marineford. Did the shadows become too boring?" asked Brook.

"Somewhat. I thought for sure you were gone for good Brook. Crocus and I even searched for you with Roger," said Lucinda.

"Yohohoho. That warms my heart, though I don't have any. Yohohoho," laughed Brook.

"You seem to know her well," said Robin.

"Not really, but Lucinda sailed with us, when Captain Yorki still was with us. I guess it was 3 weeks or so, but she does leave a good impression," said Brook.

"Marco is probably the only person to know Lu well," said Ace.

"Well, you know me pretty well too Ace," said Lucinda.

"SHE'S A VAMPIRE. THAT MEANS SHE DRINKS BLOOD. HOW CAN YOU TALK SO CASUALLY TO HER?" yelled Usopp.

"She only drinks the blood of animals," said a voice from the door.

All heads turned to the door. The young man walked in, but before he had walked three steps, Nami, Usopp, Chopper and Franky was over him. Giggling and hugging his crewmates, Luffy looked at the others, who smiled fondly at him. Brook started to cry from joy, just like Nami, Usopp, Chopper and Franky did. Lucinda smiled and looked at Ace, who grinned brightly.

"How do you know?" asked Usopp, once they had calmed down and sat at the table.

"I woke up on the ship of Shanks, though I didn't get to meet him then. Lu was there too and she told me. I was hoping to meet you again," said Luffy and turned his head to Lucinda.

"Ace was getting restless, wanting to see you and see how much stronger you have become. And I would say I'm impressed. You have really progressed a lot in only two years. Rayleigh has done pretty well by teaching you the basics. Now you only need to train those skills," she said.

Luffy grinned. "Thanks Lu."

"I need a favor from you Luffy. I brought Ace and Marco here, but I need my ship for a further trip. First I need to visit Mihawk, since he's my contact to what is going on in the World government and then I'm heading to Reverse Mountain and then East Blue," said Lucinda.

"East Blue? Why?" asked Nami suspicious.

"Need a talk with a former vice-admiral. He's training new recruits in a town called Fuushia Village," she said calmly.

"That's my home town," said Luffy.

"Gramps. You want to talk to gramps?" Ace felt his blood drain.

"Yes. He deserves to know," she said.

Marco nodded in agreement. "Even though you don't like it, he still is your grandfather of heart. He was as hurt as you at the war. I saw the tears he shed, by the mere thought of losing you and how relief he was when Lu showed up -yoi," said Marco.

"He does care …" Ace looked at Luffy.

"I won't tell him where you are, only that you're alive," she said.

"Tell Dadan too. If gramps doesn't tell her, please tell her," said Luffy.

"I will do that. There is also the matter of an old friend I want to talk with him about. Which reminds me about something. Luffy this is yours," said Lucinda and gave him a vivre card.

"Is that a vivre card? But whom?" asked Nami.

"Luffy lost it in the war," said Lucinda.

"It's mine That's why they marines haven't been chasing me," said Ace.

"That explains it," said Zoro.

"Thanks Lu, but there are two," said Luffy confused.

He looked at the one, which now had the Spade Pirates mark drawn onto it, beside the Whitebeard pirates and the tattoo of Ace on it. Ace raised an eyebrow and looked at Lucinda. She smiled.

"I know. The other belongs to a man, who wants to meet you. He's a good friend of mine and Ace. We can't tell you his name, since he made us promise not to do so. But I know you'll be happy to meet him in the New World. So will you take Marco and Ace with you for a while?" asked Lucinda.

"Of course, Lu. And when I meet this man, he will tell me how he knows you?" asked Luffy.

"He will. Thanks Luffy. I trust in you to make sure the world doesn't find out about Ace yet," she said.

Luffy nodded before he started a party to celebrate them returning and be together once more. Lucinda and Marco went to another table and enjoy being alone for a moment, while Ace partied with Luffy and the others. The partied the whole evening and night. The next morning Sanji used the morning to shop for food with Chopper and Usopp, while the others prepared to leave. Lucinda and Marco stayed in their room alone, until noon, where the Straw Hats set sail.

So Luffy met up with his crew and is going to take Ace and Marco with him to the new world. I know it's not like when he returned in the manga/anime, but it was not my intention to follow the manga/anime correctly.

And I'm not going to write about Ace's and Marco's voyage with Luffy and the others. These chapters are bonus chapters about what Lucinda did when Luffy was to return and what she did afterwards.