Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!

Know how I said this would be 2 chapters? Yeah, that didn't work out. It will be 3 chapters to not have a chapter at like 10 000 words

I hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Ace sat in the common area, a few others there, and they seemed to have been here for a bit as they seemed to be okay speaking about things to each other. But as he was sitting on his phone, just playing a game, he heard the others starting to talk about their issues, and how they still had issues after being here for so long, which made him feel worried about himself. What if he didn't get better? He didn't want to leave for his room either, as it was being cleaned around now. But as he was trying to ignore the talking, Luffy came out and sat down with him, and before Ace could say something, Luffy looked at the others. "I know we're like admitted, but only speaking about being sick will make you more sick, and us more sick. So if you could tone it down a notch, I would appreciate it." The other 2 nodded. "Sorry." Then they left, either to talk somewhere else or maybe just go smoke or something, as many here did smoke.

Luffy then looked at him. "Don't be afraid to speak up, everyone here is really nice." Ace gave a small nod. He wasn't as brave as that, scared to offend someone. Luffy seemed to be so much braver than him, much more relaxed. So much more… healthy. He then sat and spoke with Luffy for a bit, before a nurse came up to him. "Ace, the doctor wants you in." Ace nodded and gave a bye to Luffy, before he headed with the nurse to the doctor's office, where the doctor was waiting. As he sat down, the doctor asked how it was going, and he said fine, he felt… comfortable here, which the doctor thought was good.

The doctor then looked at him. "You are now on some antipsychotics, but I want to switch them out with another one, and then see how you react to them. If it works well, we will switch them, which are a fast working one, to a slow working one, as they have a better effect on paranoia over time. I, and the team, are not fans of fast working ones over a long period of time, but it can be used on days you feel you are more paranoid than others, though not an everyday solution." Ace nodded. "So, it will help me?" The doctor nodded. "Yes, but there is a lot of work you need to do too. We like to use exposure therapy. Do you know what that is?" Ace shook his head, he didn't. The doctor nodded. "It is in the name, you need to expose yourself and try to change. You say you have issues with your curtains, try and keep them open. It will make you feel uncomfortable, but it will hopefully, and most likely, get less every day." Ace nodded, that sounded good.

The doctor nodded as well. "I do think we should start here. Keep the curtains open when you can, and try to keep them open, at least during the day. At night, you can choose, as many people do close them for the night." Okay, he could try and do that. "What about the… feeling of being followed?" The doctor nodded. "Try and think logically. Does anyone have a reason to follow you?" Ace shook his head. "No. I don't believe so." The doctor nodded. "So, why do you think that?" Ace thought for a few seconds, before he sighed. "I don't know, I just… feel like someone is, someone bad." The doctor nodded. "No one has a reason to harm you, or follow you. Most are busy with themselves." That was probably true and made him actually feel a bit better.

He spoke a bit more with the doctor, before he went back to his room. When he got there, he half opened his curtains, he needed to try this. When evening came and he went to take his medicine, he got the new one the doctor wanted to try, and he hoped it would help.

When the next day came, which was Saturday, he didn't do too much. But when Sunday came, he felt a bit bad for being here and not with his family, as he should have been. He had really looked forward to the dinner too, but they would have one more the week after, and he could most likely join that one. But when the evening came, and he went to get his medication, he noticed a pill missing. "Where is my sleeping pill?" The nurse hummed. "The doctor doesn't want you dependent on them, so a night without is in order now. Maybe two." Ace blinked. That did make sense. And, he hoped it would go well.

When the night came, he tossed and turned a lot, looking at the closed curtain in his room. He wanted to check behind them, to see if someone was there, watching him, but he shouldn't do that. And he was sure if someone was watching him, they would see him looking and hide so he wouldn't see them. He felt watched, even though he couldn't be as the curtain was closed, and it was a dark thick curtain.

He didn't get much sleep that night, and when morning came, he felt really tired. A few nurses did comment on it, even the doctor, and he did say he didn't sleep much, feeling watched. They did seem to get it, but also said he couldn't always get sleeping medication, and he agreed. He also knew Pops and Marco would visit him today, a bit after dinner. He just hoped he didn't look too tired.

-x-

Marco walked out of the car, Pops having driven to the unit and they were visiting Ace today. It was Monday, and he wanted to see how the weekend had been for Ace. He knew Ace felt a bit bad about not making it to the family gathering, but Ace needed to care for himself first now. As they walked into the unit, he saw Ace sitting with some other people, and moved to meet them by the entrance, before Ace said they needed to be in his room. Ace also looked tired. He had hoped he would look better. And Marco and Pops moved after Ace, who showed the way.

When they got to the room, there were two chairs, a bed, and a table. Ace moved to sit on the bed and offered the two chairs to them, which they took, and Pops looked at Ace, who had moved his legs up with him. "How are you, son?" Ace gave a nod. "Mostly okay. I feel okay." Marco nodded. "Why mostly, yoi? Why not fully?" Ace sighed. "I didn't have the best night, as I didn't get some sleeping meds, since they don't want me to be dependent on it." Okay, so Ace got sleeping medication, that might be why he looked tired. Marco nodded. "What keeps you from sleeping?" He was curious on what thoughts kept Ace awake. Ace sighed. "I am not completely sure, I just get these weird thoughts." Marco nodded. "What kind of thoughts, yoi?" He was honestly interested. He wanted to know what Ace was thinking.

Ace sighed. "Mainly, that someone is… watching me. I don't know who, but someone who… wants to harm me. I don't know why I think that! And it is so frustrating!" That didn't sound good, and he nodded as he frowned a bit. "But it is better?" Ace nodded. "Yes. But… I am scared about going home again though." That he wouldn't have expected, he would have been sure Ace wanted to go home again. Pops spoke. "Maybe you should stay with us for a bit?" Ace seemed to think about it for a few seconds, before he sighed. "Maybe the first weekend? They want me home home as I need to be able to deal with this." That made sense, and Marco nodded. "But we can come visit you now and then, yoi. Maybe that will help?" Ace gave a small nod. "Maybe…" He really wanted to help Ace with this and get better.

Marco looked at Ace. "Have the doctor said anything, yoi?" Ace gave a nod. "Yes. They want to try some medication, to get me more stabilized for now, and then switch to slow working medication for a long term solution." Marco nodded. "That sounds smart." Ace nodded. "Yeah, and it sounds good too." He was glad Ace thought that. He was sure this was still a lot for Ace.

Pops looked at Ace. "If it is okay with you, could we inform Curiel about this?" Ace looked unsure. "I don't know… He will know what this is." Marco nodded. "Which is why we want to inform him, so he can help us and you, yoi." Ace nodded and seemed to think for a bit, before he gave a small nod. "Okay, you can probably do that. but not everyone else, at least not yet." Pops nodded. "We won't tell anyone else, son." Ace gave a thankful look at that. "Thank you." Marco shook his head and gave a smile. "It is nothing. What are you doing here, yoi? Any activities?" Ace hummed. "Nothing really happens. Bingo on Thursdays, a walk every other day… and that's it, actually. It might sound boring… but it is really good. It is just… calm." Marco nodded and it sounded boring, but he guessed Ace needed this calmness now. He was just glad Ace was getting help.

They sat with Ace a bit more, before they left. When they got to the car, Marco looked at Pops, who dialed a number on his phone, before he brought it to his ear. "Hi, Curiel. Could you come meet us at the house?" He heard a muffled response, before Pops nodded. "Good, see you soon." He then hung up, before Pops looked at him. "Curiel will meet us at the house." That was good and he nodded.

When they got to the house, Curiel was already there, and they headed to Pops' office, and when they got there, Curiel looked at them. "What is this about?" Marco sighed. "We want to talk about Ace, yoi." Curiel nodded. "Did something happen at his workplace? Did he injure himself again?" Ace had done that a year ago, broken his arm. Pops shook his head. "No, he actually hasn't been working for about a month." Curiel frowned. "Why not? He loves his job. I thought he needed to work past Sunday, since he didn't show." Ace did love his job. Marco took a breath, wanting to get this band aid off. "Ace is in good hands now, but he is currently at the Westside Bulward Unit."

Curiel blinked, taking that information in. "He's what? I have heard he has been a bit off, but he's admitted? Why?" Pops sighed. "He is being diagnosed, but they have said it is a kind of paranoia. He also looks so… worn." Curiel nodded. "I have heard about that, and seen a couple. It can be so… crippling. But Ace has it? He seemed so well when I last saw him, but that was a month ago." Marco nodded. "This came fast, both for us and for Ace, yoi. He suddenly called me and said he was being admitted as he was driving to the unit. I was shocked. But he says he feels better." Curiel nodded. "That's good. Am I allowed to get some info on him? I mean, from his doctor." Marco thought for a second and looked at Pops. "I don't know, yoi. We didn't ask that, but I do think that would go fine, right?" Pops hummed. "Maybe, but we need to ask." Curiel nodded. "I can do nothing without written permission, or Ace himself by giving me that permission himself to his doctor. Very strict rules." That he knew a bit about, that it was strict, which was good.

He then sent a message to Ace, asking if Curiel could get in on his file, which Ace said yes to, and that he could tell the doctor tomorrow so he could get the clearance. That was good.

-x-

Curiel took his phone up when he got a message, his work one, and it said a new file was sent over, and he was glad to see it was Ace's. Now he could see if he could do anything. He wasn't a psycyatrist, but he had done 3 years at a mental health facility some years ago, and he found it interesting and had read a lot about the mind and how it worked. And he really hoped he could help Ace.

He had been shocked when he was told Ace was at a facility, he had seemed so well last time he saw him, but he had heard from Thatch that Ace had seemed off. But never would he have believed he would be admitted. It had to be serious for that to happen, and the length said a lot too. This wasn't just a 5 days stay to get himself on his feet, this was a long stay to get stable so he could go back home, meaning he was too sick to be home.

He moved to his office and sat down, opening the file and reading the quick summary, which was just that Ace felt followed and watched, but nothing more, so he moved to open some files. He first opened the one that was first made when he got admitted, and as he read, he really did feel bad for Ace. It said how he felt someone bad following him and spying on him, and bad in a way of someone that wanted to hurt mind was a curious thing, it could make up a lot of things when it didn't work correctly, and it could make things seem real and logical, when it was not.

He still remembers one person he had been the one to help care for in his mental health stay. She had been through a lot in her life, being abused a lot, and therefore had started a safety mechanism called dissociation. There was more than one type of it, but this one made the person regress and sort of go back in time in her head, and when she did, she changed to a child, and she even called out for her father to help her- who was one of the abusers- it had been a really sad case as she really didn't get any better. He really hoped Ace would get better. But he knew very well that paranoia was a tough thing to deal with, both as a professional and a patient. He had only met 2 that had severe paranoia, and a few with lesser ones. But they had gotten better, but still had relapses now and then. One had even tore his apartment apart in search of bugs, sure they were there. Ace thankfully wasn't that bad based on what he read. It was still bad, don't get him wrong, but it could have been worse.

He then read that Ace often felt followed when he drove, scared to drive home and then be assaulted. That must be tough, as he knew Ace loved to drive his car, or at least used to, he guessed this must have made it harder. It also said how he had closed off all the curtains to not be watched and even locked doors to keep intruders away. It even mentioned how he once had been trapped in his house. This was really bad, Ace had delusions from the paranoia. It would have seemed so real for Ace, even though it would be illogical for another person.

He then went to the national health site for professionals and searched up ways to help someone with paranoia, to refresh his memory and find out things he could do to help. He also needed to speak to Ace, and get to know what he was allowed to tell Pops and/or Marco. Just because he got clearance to his file, didn't mean he could go around sharing his thoughts on this and what Ace was going through. So, he sent a message to Ace, asking how he was doing and if maybe he could call him when he had the chance. He didn't get a message back, but he guessed Ace was busy or occupied with things.

But two hours later, his phone rang, and he was glad to see it was Ace. He moved to answer the call. "Hi, Ace. How are you?" He heard a breath. "I'm… okay. You wanted me to call?" Curiel nodded. "Yes. I just got your file, I am very sorry you feel this way, and I hope I can help. But I wondered what I was allowed to tell Pops and Marco." He heard an unsure hum. "I'm not sure… I don't want to worry them too much." Curiel shook his head. "They aren't sure what this is, Ace. They don't want you to feel bad. And I know paranoia can be really bad and crippling for a person." He heard a breath. "Yeah… I can get that…" Curiel noodded. "How about this; I won't tell anything directly how you feel, but update them on what paranoia is and can be. Would that be okay?" Ace gave a breath. "Yeah, that sounds good. Don't tell anyone else though." Curiel shook his head. "I would never without your permission." He wouldn't. He heard a breath. "Okay. Talk to you later then, I need to go back inside." Curiel nodded. "Sure. Hope you'll feel better." Ace gave a sigh. "Yeah… I hope so as well." The Ace hung up.

He wished this wasn't about Ace, but it was, so he needed to deal with that. He would do his best to help. He then asked to meet Pops after his workday, and maybe Marco too, and he said that was fine, to meet them at the house, which was good. When he was done with his day and met them, Marco looked at him. "Did you get his file, yoi?" Curiel nodded. "Yes, I did." Marco gave a breath, and Pops nodded, the latter speaking. "Is he okay?" Curiel gave a nod. "He is in good hands. He didn't want to tell you specific things about him, but I could tell a bit." Marco nodded. "The doctor did say he felt followed and that people were inside his house, yoi." That was more than he knew they knew, and he nodded. "Yes. Paranoia can make illogical thoughts seem logical. There is something called paranoia-induced psychosis, which is when you almost completely, or completely, lose touch with reality. I'm not saying Ace has done this, but it can happen." Both of the other two nodded, and Curiel continued. "Paranoia is a thought process heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. The anxiety and fear can be tough to handle by one self, and is often given some medication for it. Usually something called depot tablets, which are slow working ones. One doesn't like to give away fast working ones, at least for continuous use."

Marco nodded. "I know Ace is getting some kind of fast working now and that they will change it to a slow working one, same with sleeping medication, yoi." They knew a lot already, that was good in a way. "Yes. Fear and anxiety is known to keep people up at night, scared about things from paranoia. It can be something as small as a small fear of having forgotten to do something, maybe check the door, or something big, like someone who wants to harm them being close by." The two nodded, Pops speaking. "What can we do to help?" That was a question he had hoped for. "Be there for him. If he does seem to act strangely, ask what is happening inside his mind, and do not be mean about it, or say it is a stupid thought, even though it might seem like it. For him, it is real inside his mind, so try and be calm and nice and maybe ask 'is that rational?', or something along those lines, to maybe make him himself realize that this is a paranoia delusion and not reality. That is the best medicine, realizing it himself. But this can also make him question his mind in logical things too, so it is to be used when it fits. When exactly is hard to say."

Marco nodded. "So, like when he locked his doors, to keep people away inside the room, might be a thing to do that with, yoi? Say that that isn't rational?" Curiel nodded. "A good example. Yes. Closing the main door is a rational thing, but not doors inside the house. Keep those two disconnected. I have heard about a few who are like 'don't close the main door either', but that can be a bad thought, as keeping that door closed and locked helps them keep peace in their mind. And, of course, even though I know you would never, but don't mock him for having these paranoia delusions, he can't control it." Marco nodded. "I would never have done that. I feel so bad for him, I don't know what to do, yoi." Curiel nodded. "Which many feel like as family or friends, just be helpful and be nice about it. Many feel unsure about this, both as family/friends and as the person going through this." Whitebeard gave a breath. "I am just glad he is getting help now." Curiel nodded as he was as well. This must be so hard for Ace as well.

He spoke a bit more with Pops and Marco, before he left, hoping Ace would improve fast.

-x-

Ace sighed as he sat in the doctor's office, the doctor looking at him. "So, you seem to have reacted well to the medecine change we have done thus far. Now, we will lower it and change to a slow working one. We will do this slowly, and then hopefully you are only one the slow working one, with the fast working one as an emergency pill if you need it." Ace nodded, that sounded good. He hoped it would go well. He also felt better, but then again, he had gotten sleeping medication the past night, so he actually slept for once.

When he was done at the doctor's, he went to sit out with the others. He felt like the new medication worked better as he didn't feel as paranoid as he had used too. He had actually managed to keep the curtain a bit open, and it made him feel proud inside. He was still worried about going home, but Pops and Marco would visit again today, and he would ask if it still was okay if he stayed at Pops' house for the first weekend, before he went home for the next one. He spent some time with Luffy, which was nice. He liked the other man, and he was a bit curious as to why he was here. He looked so well, and seemed to well as well. But he didn't want to ask, not sure if it would be appropriate. But he had dared to ask how long he would be here, and he would be here for 4 more weeks, which was long, but Luffy had said this was a planned stay, which was often longer than an acute stay, which Ace was on. But then again, he would maybe be here for just as long. It had only been a bit over a week now, and in the worst case scenario, he would be here for 4 more weeks. He didn't hope so. But at the same time, he did. It was a bit confusing.

When evening came, Marco and Pops came and he met them by the entrance before they headed to his room, and as they sat down, Pops gave a smile to him. "You look better, son." Ace nodded. "I feel better too. I actually had a good night." Marco nodded. "That's good. Did you get some help sleeping, yoi?" Ace nodded. "I did, and it was good. But I do think I actually would have slept, since I think the new medication is working great." Pops nodded. "That's good, son." Ace nodded. It was. He then looked at the two. "I also wondered if it was still okay if I stayed with you the first weekend?" Pops nodded and gave a smile. "Of course, son." That had him breathe out relieved, he was glad about that.

Marco then looked at him. "Have you gone over to the slow working one now, yoi?" Ace shook his head. "No, but I am starting to. They want to do it slowly, in case I react badly." Pops nodded. "That sounds smart." It did, and he got it. And he did feel better and hoped he would for the future as well. Pops and Marco stayed a bit longer, before they left, and he then got ready for the night. He did get some sleeping medication for the night, but he got a weaker dose than what he had been on before, but it worked and he slept well.

When the next day came, he wanted a trip out, and it wasn't a walk day, but he was allowed to leave for trips, so he headed out. This place was close to the woods, so he took a walk. But as he had walked for a few minutes, he felt himself sometimes glancing backwards, unsure if someone was there and following him. He did try and take a deep breath, and say to himself, that no one was. Not many lived here for once, and everyone at the unit seemed nice. He didn't walk the entire walk, as he felt watched, but he did walk half of it, before he went back to the unit. When he got back, he had a meeting with the doctor a bit later, and when he was with him, Ace said how he had felt at his walk, which had the doctor nod. "It will feel bad for you, but standing in it is a good thing, to see nothing will happen to you. No one is following you, no one has a reason to." Ace nodded, he did know that, but it was hard. He needed to just deal with this.

When he was done at the doctor's, he went out and sat in the common area with Luffy, and as they spoke, he just needed to ask. "I am not sure if it is appropriate, but why are you here? You seem so… well and healthy. You don't need to answer." Luffy gave a chuckle. "No issue, just as long as it isn't the main topic for a period of time. I have delusions, about hearing and seeing people." Ace blinked. "Oh, that sounds... tough." Luffy gave a nod. "It is. Why are you here?" Ace gave a hum. "Paranoia." Luffy nodded. "Seen a few with that, it sounds so… awful." Ace nodded. "It is, but I am feeling better." Luffy nodded. "Same here. But they want me here for the full stay nonetheless." Ace nodded. "I am not sure which stay I will be having, the short one or the long one." Luffy nodded. "You'll see how you feel. I see you often have visits. Is it your family?" Ace nodded. "Yes. My brother and father." Luffy smiled. "Seems nice. I don't really have much family, I have an adoptive father, and that's basically it." Ace blinked. "Oh, I am also adopted. They are my adoptive father and brother." Luffy blinked. "Oh, how nice! I am glad you have a good family that visits. I get a visit like once a week or every other week. But I am okay with it." Ace nodded, it was good he was okay with it. Ace liked how often he was visited, it made him feel better.

He sat and spoke with Luffy, until it was dinner, then he went back to his room after it, watching his series. It was nice too. When night came, he didn't get some sleeping medication, but he still managed to sleep some, which he felt was a step in the right direction. The next 2 days went by fine, nothing special happening. When they had passed, Marco and Pops visited again, and it was nice.

-x-

Marco looked at Ace. "How have you been the past few days, yoi?" Ace gave a nod. "Fine. I still feel better, and I am looking forward to a small break from here now." Marco smiled, that sounded good, he was glad Ace felt that. "That's nice. Are you still staying with us, yoi?" Ace nodded. "If I am still allowed." Pops nodded. "You are, as long as you like." Ace gave a smile at that, seeming glad. And Ace was allowed to stay as long as he needed to, but understood that they wanted him in his home, as he needed to deal with this in his own home as well, which probably was harder than being at their place.

Pops looked at Ace. "Have you been doing anything here?" Ace hummed. "I've been trying to take walks alone." Marco nodded. "And how have that gone, yoi?" Ace gave a sigh. "Mostly okay. I sometimes feel… followed. But then I try to say that it is stupid." Marco shook his head. "It is not stupid. For you, it feels real, yoi." Ace nodded. "Well, yeah. But still. No one is following me. It feels so easy to say now 'no one is', but when I walk, it feels so real, like I can feel eyes on me." That didn't sound easy. He wished Ace didn't feel this or thought like this. But he was getting help now, and that was the most important.

They stayed a bit more, before they left. As they got into the car and started the drive, Pops gave a breath. "He looks better now." Marco nodded. "He does, which is good, yoi." It was really good. Ace didn't look as tired and worn as he had been.

-x-

Ace looked at the doctor. "So, you'll be leaving today for the weekend, how does that feel?" Ace nodded. "Good. It is nice here, but I could use a small break from here. And I am not heading home, home, but to Pops' house." The doctor nodded. "I know, and I think you'll be more calm there than at your home, as you're not alone. Paranoia has a tendency to be worse when alone." That he could get, and he hoped this stay at Pops' house would be good. The doctor then wrote something down. "If you feel yourself getting paranoid, try and think logically. Does anyone have a reason to follow or harm you?" Ace shook his head and the doctor nodded. "Then try to believe that. I get that it can be hard in the moment, but try." Ace nodded, he would try that.

He spoke a bit more with the docr, before he went back to his room, and stayed there until he needed to leave, which was some. The drive went fine, he even looked in the mirror a lot and saw the cars behind him, but he didn't think they would follow him. And that felt so… good. He could drive in peace now.

When he got to the home, he got to the room he would be using and got himself accommodated, before he moved to be with Pops and Marco, who were glad to see him out, and he was glad himself. He didn't feel any weird thoughts as he was out now, and when the next day came, more people came to the house, going to stay before the dinner tomorrow. He was glad to see everyone, and they were glad to see him, seeing as he hadn't been here last weekend. When they asked where he had been, he just said he needed to work, which they accepted. Thatch was especially glad to see him, as they hadn't either seen each other or talked to each other for a small bit. He didn't tell anyone where he had actually been or where he would go when the weekend was over. The weekend also went very well, he didn't have any paranoid thoughts that plagued him. He knew this most likely would be tougher when he got to his home, but he hoped it would go well as well. He knew he felt safe at the house, as there were so many he trusted here and he wasn't alone.

When Sunday came, he went back to the unit when evening came, and he still felt good. He hoped he would feel like this when he got home to his house again, to not feel paranoid or have weird thoughts.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

The next chapter will be out when it is finished, hopefully within a month

In the next chapter, things will move a bit quicker by, as Ace goes home to his house and tries to lower the medication to go onto a slow working one, which can go both ways

For Paranoia, one often uses exposure therapy to help, and then some medication can help to make that easier, but one doesn't like to prescribe too much medication to someone with paranoia, since it can backfire with side effects, and one can get very dependent on them and not function if one forgets them in the morning or evening, as most are fast working, but slow working ones are also often used as a long term solution at some cases

If you have any scenes you would like to see, don't be afraid to leave a comment, or send a PM

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