Hello everyone, here is the next chapter

I'm so glad people like this and things will move forward in this as Ace needs to decide soon if she wants to stay on the ship or not.

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Marco gave a sigh, walking towards the back of the ship, a plate with food in hand. Ace hadn't been in the galley during breakfast or lunch- it was dinner now- and Marco was bringing the kid food, having seen her earlier at the back of the ship, hiding behind the barrels there as usual.

They had had their usual meeting this morning, and Pops, together with Bay, had told the doctor had found a bit of unsettling things on Ace's body during the check-up the kid had yesterday. They hadn't said everything, Marco sure they hid a lot, but he understood it. The doctor had said Ace had signs of either abuse or torture, maybe both, which might be why she hid her gender. It was a shock for them to hear that, but it made sense. Marco now understood why Bay had said to leave Ace alone yesterday. Something had probably happened during the check-up. They would be sure to be a bit careful with certain things with Ace, just in case, at least until they knew more about the woman.

When Marco got to the back of the ship and to Ace, he placed the food in front of her, the woman sending him a look, but not speaking, sitting with her legs up and head in arms as earlier.

Marco gave a small sigh. She was stubborn, which was good. It meant she had will. He also had a few things to tell her. "We'll be docking tonight, yoi." He could see the woman getting a small frown, but didn't say anything. "You don't need to chose yet, as the island is small and there is no good way for you to get off the island of your own. We aren't just going to leave you in the middle of nowhere." Marco could see Ace holding more around her legs, still not speaking.

"But, you can take a trip to the island. It does get depressing staying on the boat for long, yoi. Just tell if you do, so we know you're off the boat, and so you have some money." They wouldn't keep her on the ship if she could go off, and there was no way for her to get off on her own, no way for her to either build or buy a boat, seeing as it was a small island, also meaning they couldn't leave her there. Ace still didn't answer, and Marco decided to leave, not seeing any reason in staying. "Eat, yoi. You haven't eaten all day." With that, Marco stood up and left, going on with his day. When he passed by the back of the ship a couple hours later, he gave a small smile at seeing the empty plate there, taking it back to the kitchen. It was good the woman ate.

When they docked a few hours later, many almost jumped off the ship, glad to be at an island again. It had been a while now. As they had been docked for an hour, almost two, Ace came and told she was heading to the island, Marco glad she did. Marco gave her a bit of money, to just be able to have her own fun, and she left.

It would be good for all of them to relax for a few days.

-x-

Ace gave a sigh, walking on the island they had docked at. It was good Ace was allowed to walk around on her own, needing to think and be off the boat for a bit.

This was her first time off the boat since she was picked up. Originally, Ace needed to chose if she wanted to stay or not when they docked next, but this was a small island to the side of everything, and the pirates apparently couldn't just let her off here; there was no way or her to get a boat or anything here. How would she chose anyway? This was just too much to decide. She had lost her boat, and she knew all of her old crew would join her again, but she also knew they liked it on the Moby. Ace was unsure and had no idea what to do.

As she was thinking of finding a bar or something to drink at, having money which she needed to get from Marco, which felt degrading, a voice had her turn.

"Look, guys. It's the thing." Ace turned and saw 5 guys there, all scrubby looking and having big grins, especially the guy in front which had spoken. Ace got a frown. Who was this? Ace had never seen them before, and what did they mean thing? "Go away. I'm busy." Ace didn't want to deal with morons. The guy in front gave a laugh, before speaking. "Oh no no no, we can't let you leave. We heard someone speaking of you, and 'you' are apparently unsure. Why else would you hide your gender." Ace felt her breath do a small hitch. How? The guy walked closer. "So, we're here to show how 'woman' you can be."

Ace was just about to punch the guy and tell he had the wrong person. But, before she could, a hand came out and grabbed at her shirt, ripping it and the binds, making her breasts stand out, Ace immediately going to cover them, lurching backwards. The guy behind the first one gave a whistle. "Wow, it was true." The one next to that had a small frown. "Isn't she on the Whitebeards ship? Shouldn't we not mess with them?" The guy in front laughed, moving closer to her. "Nah, she's no part of them, no mark, and nothing heard about a new member. She's a nobody, they won't care."

A sick grin came on the guy's face. "Let's show her how 'woman' she is, boys." All of the men behind the first one cheered, and Ace was on her way to punch the guy, when an arm grabbed hers, before someone grabbed the other, pulling them away from her chest and holding them bruisingly tight. The guy who was in front going closer and ripped more of her binds off, even a bit of her under shirt, making Ace panic and thrash; she needed to get away. When the hand was on its way back, Ace, in a panic, lifted her foot and kicked the guy in the groin, making him topple over in pain, the one who held her right arm releasing his hold a bit, making her able to wrench it out of his hold and punch the other in the face, releasing her.

And Ace ran, needing to get away, using a hand to hold the torn shirt and binds over her chest.

She heard yelling from behind her, which had her panic more. She couldn't fight them now, not like this, and felt her body shaking. That was way close, and she needed to find a place to hide, feeling herself panicking. As she turned to see if they were far behind, Ace tripped, sending her skidding to the ground, scraping her arms and knees a bit, before she managed to stand up, hearing running behind her. "There she is!" Ace got up and started running again, seeing them behind her as she rounded a corner, they were closing in.

As Ace rounded the corner and managed a few steps, she ran into a body, almost sending her to the ground again, but arm's steadied her.

Ace's first instinct was to close her eyes, and then lash out, but a voice had her more shocked and unable to do the latter. "Ace? What happened to you?" Ace opened her eyes to see Izou and Haruta there, Izou holding her, but let go to look her over, having a frown. Ace tried to catch her breath, now realizing she was breathing hard and almost panting, unable to speak. "The bitch went this way!" That was the guy who had ripped her clothes, and it had Ace wanting to run away again.

But, before she could, both Izou and Haruta moved to stand in front of her, both having furious looks, making the guys stop in their tracks when they came around the corner.

One guy swallowed. "K-kent, didn't you say she was a nothing and they wouldn't ca-" The guy, most likely Kent, punched the other. Izou gave a weird smile. "Haruta dear, could you speak with these people, while I take Ace back to get dressed?" Ace blinked. What? Haruta gave a nod, having the same kind of smile. "I would love to." Said the twelfth commander as she punched her open hand, walking towards the guys, who were frozen. Izou turned to look at Ace, turning her around and having an arm behind her as they started walking. "Let's get you back to the boat to change, Ace." Ace turned to look at Haruta, not sure what was happening. Izou shook his head. "She'll be fine, believe me."

Ace gave a small nod, still trying to catch her breath. What was happening? Where they protecting Ace? Why? As they had taken a few steps, Ace trying to cover herself with the torn clothes, Izou handed her his jacket. It was a cold night, so the commander had one on, and used it to shield her, which she was thankful for, holding onto it. They didn't speak during the walk, which Ace was glad for. She was way too panicked and worked up for that right now. When they got to the ship, they managed to get to Ace's room without anyone stopping them, but Ace saw many looking at them, especially Marco, making Ace want to hide away. She didn't like this.

When they got to Ace's room, Ace opened the door and handed the jacket back to Izou, taking a deep breath. "Thank you," She managed to say, before she closed the door, really needing to calm herself down. She felt very weak now, everything happening too fast.

Ace used a few minutes to just breathe, doing her best to get her breath back and feeling like she had herself under control. When she felt she had most of herself back under control, Ace moved to take the torn binds and shirt off, seeing her hands shaking, and getting a couple of new shirts from the closet, taking one on- which took way too long because of shaking hands- before she found new binds, and moved to put them on. As Ace was putting them on, she noticed she was shaking too much to tighten them properly, which made her mad at herself. Why couldn't she do anything this simple?

As Ace was on her way to take a break, realizing she wouldn't be able to do this right now, a voice had her startled, but she managed to not jump and make any sound. "Would you like help?"

Ace turned to see the captain- Whitebeard- there, having crouched down. Had he just walked in? As if sensing her question, the man gave a kind look. "I knocked, but you didn't answer and seemed to be concentrating." Ace gave a small nod. That explained how the man was suddenly there, Ace hadn't noticed she had been concentrating that much, but needed to since her hands were shaking bad- she still was. Ace thought over what the captain said, which Ace first thought was to say no to- she could put her binds on herself… usually. Ace really wanted to get the binds on; she felt exposed without them. Should she let the captain help? She didn't want help, but wanted them on.

Before Ace could get to a conclusion, the captain moved a hand to the one she held the bind roll in, and took it from her, starting to help her put them on slowly, as if letting her protest, or being careful. Ace decided to just let him do it, not wanting to make herself more on edge, feeling herself close to the edge, adrenaline slowly leaving her body. When it was on, but not fastened, the captain hesitated. "How do you fasten it?" Ace moved to fasten it herself, but saw her hands still shaking bad, already knowing she wouldn't be able to do it. "Just, tuck it underneath the other layers." The captain gave a nod doing it. When it was on, the man let go and moved his hands away, which was good in Ace's opinion, and she grabbed and put on her shirt, using a bit of time again.

When it was on, she heard Whitebeard speak again. "Are you okay?" Ace gave a nod. "Yeah. I'm fine." Ace would at least pretend she was fine, even though she was very close to the edge now. The man did give a nod. "Would you like me to stay?" Ace quickly shook her head. She didn't want that, she wanted to be alone. The man nodded, before he stood up. "Don't be afraid to ask for anything." Ace gave a nod, and the man left. When the man was gone, Ace gave a breath, glad to be alone.

Ace went over to her bed and grabbed her blanket and walked to the wall between the desk and bed again, sitting down.

This was all baffling for Ace. Why had the two commanders helped her? What had she done to deserve that? Was it all a play to make her believe she was safe, to then backstab her? Even if it wasn't right now, it would be once they found out who her father was. That always made people dislike her. And she was sure the captain would instantly throw her off the boat, or maybe just kill her, to save himself the bother. But… why had the captain helped her with her binds? People never did that. Only his brothers and Deuce, but they were different. They accepted she did it, in some way. The captain didn't do that… did he?

Ace was confused and didn't know what to do now.

-x-

Whitebeard gave a sigh to himself as he sat down in a chair in his room. He had just been checking up on Ace, and he felt bad for the woman; she looked really shaken up.

He had retired to his room early tonight and was just relaxing when Izou knocked at his door, looking both mad and worried. When he had asked what was wrong, sure something was, especially since the man was going to the island with Haruta. When Izou told what had happened, telling that 5 guys had attacked Ace, the captain had first been mad at the ones who had done it, before worried for Ace.

The sixteenth commander had said Ace was back on the boat, looking okay, aside from being a bit shaken up and some torn clothing. That was good. When he asked about the ones who had attacked Ace, Izou said Haruta was dealing with them. Marco was on his way to check on her, Izou having run into the first commander, who asked what had happened since he had seen them arrive, also being mad and worried. Whitebeard was sure Haruta could handle the ones who attacked Ace on her own-she was an amazing fighter-and she was deadly when one messed with the family. Marco was just going in case.

When the sixteenth commander left, going to go and find Haruta and still go and have fun, the captain stayed in his room and thought, wanting to check up on Ace, but sure she would like to gather herself for a bit, and he would let her do that.

After a few minutes, Marco came into his room, telling Haruta had dealt with the men who attacked Ace, telling that a couple were close to dead, having bad mouthed Ace apparently, one being the guilty one of tearing Ace's clothes. They deserved nothing else. No one messed with their family, and while Ace wasn't a part of their family, not completely yet, she was still under their protection for now.

Marco also wanted to check up on Ace, but the captain said no, to let her gather herself, and he would go and check later, which the man accepted. Whitebeard was still sure Marco would check on Ace tomorrow anyway, or if she came out today.

After 15 minutes, the captain decided to go and check on Ace.

When he knocked on her door, there was no answer, the captain was sure she was in her room, not having heard about her leaving, and after knocking again, with no answer still, he had opened the door and walked in, seeing Ace trying to bind her binds, seeming to concentrate, but not able to, the reason he had asked to help, somewhat startling the woman.

She had said she was fine, but he didn't believe that, she looked close to falling apart. It was the reason he had asked to help with the binds, which looked like she wasn't able to do, shaking too bad, and if she wanted him to stay. She hadn't said she wanted help, but had not refused when he did, seeing her trying to think, looking unsure. That had gone well, which was something.

When he had asked of Ace wanted him to stay, she had said no, and he would let that go. She most likely would be in her room for tonight, or while they were at the island. They would be here for two more days, since they needed to restock on some things that wasn't ready yet and couldn't get other places.

As the night moved by, Whitebeard sat and read a book, not feeling like sleeping yet, a small knock at his door had him look up. It was almost midnight, and they were at an island, so it was rare to have someone come to him now, although it did happen. "Come in."

It took a few seconds, but the door slowly opened to reveal Ace.

The captain gave a small smile, wondering why the kid was here. She did look a bit nervous, making him wonder more why she was here. She hadn't tried an attack on his life for a few days now, not since they found out her gender, so this might be her having made a decision or something, having had time to just think, them not minding her being a female hopefully helping. Ace closed the door behind her and walked into the room, not looking at him as she seemed to try and think. The captain gave a small smile. "How are you, Ace?" The woman gave a small nod, seeming to do it more to herself than him.

"I have something to tell."

The captain gave a nod. He was now sure it was something serious, maybe if she had decided to stay or not, or something else. Why else would she come here late at night and look nervous? "What is it?" He hoped it was that she wanted to stay, not that she wanted to leave. But, he would let her go if she wanted too. Ace gave a small nod again. "I know you probably won't like me after this, and I can stay here, I have someone to get me, and I understand if you hate me after this, and…" The captain gave a small frown, worried now. It sounded serious, what could she say to make him hate her. Ace took a deep breath.

"Gol D Roger was my father."

The captain waited for more, seeing Ace having closed her eyes, as if waiting for a reaction. That was it? Nothing more? He gave a laugh, making Ace open her eyes and look shocked. "That's it? You had me worried that it would be something serious, Ace. Not something trivial as this." The kid looked at him shocked, not seeming to understand what he was saying. "B-but wasn't he your enemy?" He gave a chuckle. "A rival. And even if he had been an enemy, that has nothing to do with you. Everyone is a child of the sea." Ace seemed more shocked like that. "How can you say that?! Wasn't he an awful person, a monster?! Doesn't that make me a monster?!"

Whitebeard gave a frown. "Who has told you these lies? He was a good man, caring for his crew. And what he was has nothing to do with you. You're not your father." People must have said bad things about the man, and it must have gotten to Ace. He knew many didn't like the late pirate king. But, there was no reason to take that out on Ace, who maybe resembled the man. She just had a slightly more feminine face and freckles, and the obvious lack of mustache.

Ace seemed more shocked, shaking her head, as if not understanding. Whitebeard gave a sigh. "You are your own person, Ace. And you've had a hard day, you should relax. We will stay here for a couple days, and we'll dock again in a week or so, for christmas, and if you still don't want to stay, you can leave then. Or you can become one of my children. It's your choice."

Ace seemed to not know how to respond, making the captain shake his head a bit. "I'm not asking you to choose now. But, you need to decide soon. For now, relax." The kid gave a nod, still looking a bit confused. She looked to be on her way to speak again, but closed her mouth and gave a nod again, before leaving.

Whitebeard gave a sigh when she had left. There was obviously something there with the fact Roger was her father, which made her think she would be hated. Maybe that was one of the reasons she tried to avoid them, thinking they would hate her, which was wrong. Every child was the child of the sea, and Ace was no different.

Whitebeard hoped Ace would stay.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

Things will move more quickly in the next couple of chapters as Ace needs to choose to stay or not really soon, but she might get some help

Also, I've had a few ask, but would you like for there to be a pairing? A few have asked for a Marco/Ace, how does that sound?

If you have the time, I greatly appreciate feedback