Hello everyone, here is the next chapter

Stuff will progress and things will be explained in this, and it might be a boring chapter as I kind of did a bit of foreshadowing and bonding and such, not too much happening in the sense of action, needing to get through this. And that fits now as Sabo has left, and I hope everyone enjoyed him visiting the last two chapters

Hope you enjoy

Read and relax

Bay gave a knock to the door she was in front of, hoping she would be able to explain and hopefully do what she would like to do. Deuce was beside her, her already having a talk with the man, to better understand how to approach Ace and if there was a need for certain examinations, if the man knew anything about it. From what he had told, there was no need for that, but the black-haired woman had had examinations like it before, and it never went easy, but all was well. That was good.

She really hoped she could explain herself and hopefully finish the check-up, checking a bit closer at certain things too. From what Deuce had said, there was a chance the woman would let her do that, but only of she managed to gain a bit of her trust back, and he was allowed to stay in the room, which she was okay with. Ace wouldn't need to undress completely and she was sure the man had done this before; he seemed used to this. She would still say she could do it with her in private, but she could choose. Also, she was going to say she could get a nurse or someone else she trusted too. Bay really needed and wanted to do the check-up, to find out how bad the damage was, but would understand if Ace said no and wouldn't push it.

She had given her a few days to calm down after what she had done last time, and then her brother had showed up and Bay didn't want to bother her then, wanting her to enjoy her brother's visit. But, she would try now and hope for the best.

After a second or so, the door opened, Ace standing there and looking shocked to see her, also a bit unsure, looking to Deuce, who nodded. Bay decided to cut straight to the chase. "Portgas, would it be okay if I spoke to you?" The woman gave a half-nod. "Just speak?" She nodded. "Yes, for now. I won't do anything you say no to. Deuce will also be there if you'd like." The woman gave a nod at that, letting them in, both of them. When they were inside, Bay sat down in a chair, while both Deuce and Ace sat down in the woman's bed. As they were seated, Ace looked at her. "Why- what do you want to speak about?"

Bay gave a nod. "First, I would like to apologize for what happened 5 days ago. I had no intent to scare or injure you. I did not realise you were scared and had your reasons, which was all my fault. I should have paid closer attention to what was happening." The woman gave a slow nod. "I- yeah, thank you- for the apology. I just got scared at your… threat..." If she could have gone back and taken that threat away, she would have in a heartbeat. "I understand that, and I wish I never said it. I would never have done or mentioned it if I knew, and I never will." The woman gave a nod, giving a small half-smile. "Yeah, thanks."

That went well, but now came the hard part. "That being said. I ended the check earlier since I realised I had messed up, bad, and would like to ask if I could do it now? Just as last time, I just need to see skin and touch it, no need to take of more than to your underwear, not even that on your upper body. You can say no, and that's fine. Deuce will also stay, and I can get someone else if you'd like." The woman gave a small sound at that, not looking happy with it, looking at Deuce, who gave a nod, looking calm. It almost looked like the two were having a conversation in silence, before Ace moved to look at her, giving a small nod.

"O-okay. But, Deuce stays." Bay nodded. "Of course. And all you need to is to say stop, and I will." The woman gave a nod, looking unsure.

This was more than what she had thought she would be able to do, sure Ace would say no. She had a feeling Deuce was the main reason she accepted and would be sure to thank the man again when they were finished, whether she managed to finish the check-up or not. She moved her chair closer to the bed, looking at Ace. "I need you to turn around and take your shirt and binds off, but the undershirt can stay on." Ace nodded, before slowly doing that and turning around seeming stiff. She got the woman was scared, but it wasn't as bad as last time, and she could see Decue looking at Ace calmly, reassuring her.

She carefully lifted the shirt up, seeing the back, seeing the amazing mark tattooed there. It did seem to have healed well. "I will touch your back and feel if everything is okay, and nothing more." She could see the woman giving a nod, and she moved her hand to her back, carefully moving it over the mark to see if it had healed well. She did see and feel Ace tense up more, seeing Deuce having moved a hand to hers, giving reassurance. When she felt satisfied with how the tattoo had healed, she moved her hand and felt over the scars there, needing to be sure they were all healed well and maybe feel how old they were. The woman did give a flinch when she moved over a few of the bigger ones there, hidden under the mark, but never said anything.

She did give a frown as a few felt fresh. Not the last months fresh, meaning she would have gotten them here, but less than a year old, while many was way old. The scars weren't from a one-time event, and she could feel and see many were from a whip, a few with a blade of sorts, and the burn marks most likely being from cigars being put out on her. That was just horrible. When she felt satisfied with the back, she let the shirt down. "I'm done with the back, and you can dress again, unless you have something you want me to look at." Ace shook her head at that, and that was fine. She had managed to check her front to her satisfaction last time and there wasn't a lot of scarring there.

When Ace had put the binds and shirt on again, Bay looked at her. "Now, I would like to look at your legs and thighs. You only need to take off your pants, not underwear." The woman sent an unsure look to Deuce, who gave a nod. Ace took a deep breath, before looking at her, giving a nod. "Okay."

The black-haired woman stood up and took her pants off slowly, before staying in an upright position, Bay looking over with only her eyes first, to see if she needed to check anything over. There was scarring on the legs, the upper thigh on the backside seeming to be the place there was the most, but still not a quarter of what was at her back. She could only see 2 scars which were a bit more red than the rest, one of which was a burn mark on her left leg, and one being a slash mark on her right. She didn't need to get closer to them, seeing they were just a bit red, either from being a bit fresh- maybe 6 months old- or just having rubbed against her clothes. Bay gave a nod and clicked her tongue. "There, you can put your pants on now." Ace blinked. "But… You didn't do anything..?" She nodded. "I did. I looked, and saw no reason to do any further examination."

The woman gave a nod, looking a bit relieved at that, and put her pants on, sitting down in the bed. When she was seated, Bay looked at her. "I am finished, and I won't look more. But, I will still ask; is there anything- scarring, wounds, marks, or such- under your underwear?" Ace looked to be on her way to shake her head, when Deuce spoke. "Ace." That had the woman sigh, before giving a small nod, not looking at her.

"Under my bra… A few scars… also a few under my underpants…" She didn't look to want to tell that, and Bay got that. She gave a nod. "Are there any of those you would like me to look at?" The woman quickly shook her head, and Bay nodded. "Okay. Then there is nothing else I need to look at. But, seeing your devil fruit, does that have an impact on your temperature?" The woman blinked, before nodding. "Yeah… I lay on about 140 degrees fahrenheit. If one would try an injection or a needle, it would… melt, since my body says it's a danger or injury." She nodded. That was important information. "That's all then." The woman gave a small nod, looking at her in uncertainty. "Really?" Bay nodded. "Yes. There is nothing more, I just wanted to know the general things about your body, in case you wind up in the infirmary. If there is anything else I could think about, it is to ask where you got the scarring from, but you don't need to answer that."

Ace gave a small nod. "I- it was from… people I have met… that wasn't nice..."

Bay nodded as that was more than she would have thought Ace would share, and she hoped it meant she gained some of her trust. That might also mean it was from both torture and abuse from different people. She clicked her tongue. "Before I go. I noticed a few of the scars were a bit red, either from being new- meaning gained within the last year- or just from irritation, and I have a cream that will work on them. Make them less tichy- if they are- and less noticeable." Ace nodded. "I would really like that. Thank you."

Bay shook her head. "It's nothing. I will have someone drop by with it, either a nurse or a commander." Ace gave a small nod. "I- they know about it..?" She gave a nod. "They know this: You have scars, from where, they don't know, but most likely from abuse or torture, so they don't accidentally do anything wrong. A few can be a bit bold- for the lack of words- and it can be interpreted wrong. They would never use it against you or harm you. I will not tell anything else than that, and only Pops and the commanders know, and you are not alone in it." Ace gave a small nod. "...Okay…"

As that was done, she stood up and bid her goodbye, before leaving, finished with what she had to do and not wanting to bother Ace more than necessary. This had gone as perfect as she could have hoped for, better than what she had hoped for, actually. She would go and write a quick report on it and update her folder, before she went and spoke to Pops.

As she was about to turn the corner away from Ace's door, a voice had her halt. "Doctor Bay." She turned to see Deuce there, the man having left too.

She halted for a bit, sure he wanted to say something. When he was up to her, he gave a breath. "That went really well, andbelieve me, I have seen so many awful doctors. You must have gained some of her trust." She gave a nod, it just what she had thought herself. "I'm glad about that, and I tried to do my best, for her." The man nodded. "Yeah, one could see that. Ace is not used to such kind doctors." If the others heard that, someone calling her kind, they would have a heart attack, but she wouldn't tell that. She gave a nod to it, and was about to bid goodbye, when he spoke. "But, about a thing, with Ace." The man gave a sigh.

"Many of the scars are from someone we had on our crew, The Spade Pirates. He gained our- Ace's- trust, only to betray us and take Ace, hurting her bad. That's one of the reasons she doesn't trust easily."

She gave a nod. That was important information and explained a lot. "Thank you for telling, that can be important in the future." She felt bad for the woman, and she would tell Pops about this, so he knew someone she trusted a lot had betrayed her, and from what Deuce said, tortured her. The man gave a nod, before they bid goodbye, Bay leaving for her infirmary to write all that had happened down, and what Deuce said, before finding the cream and heading towards Pops office.

She was sure she would find a nurse or commander to deliver it there, wanting to give Ace a bit more time to gather herself.

-x-

Marco gave a nod as he explained what his main report from the last week was about. Not much had happened, but there had been a few half-big arguments between some people, and it had gone fine, but he still needed to update Pops on it. The man was glad it had gone fine too, as there had been arguments that had resulted in fights, but it was thankfully rare.

As he was finished and about to head out, there was a knock at the door, Pops giving a come in and Bay appearing.

Marco understood the doctor was here to update Pops on something, seeing he was fine for now, not needing his medication yet. "I'll speak to you later, Pops," He said as his goodbye, Pops giving a nod to it. But, before he could leave, Bay spoke up. "Actually, Commander Marco, if you could stay for a minute, I would appreciate it." He gave a nod, hoping it wasn't anything bad. It was rare the doctor wanted to speak to him with Pops. It meant it was about something he should know and that could be bad and hoped no one was injured. Bay clicked her tongue before she started speaking. "I just did the full check-up on Portgas, which went fine. And I will cut to this since not everything is for Commander Marco's ears." Both he and Pops gave a nod, Marco hoping it wasn't anything bad. He hoped she hadn't found anything worrisome on Ace's body again. The doctor gave a small sigh. "She had a bit more small scarring here and there, nothing bad. This was not something she told, but Deuce, when I was finished and out of her room."

"He said many of the scars were from a former member of her old crew, The Spade Pirates. Someone made their way to gain her trust, only to then betray and take Portgas. He did not go into detail, but it's not wrong to say that person is the reason for most of her trust issues and scars."

Marco felt himself moving a hand to his face, massaging it, feeling sorry for the woman and mad at whoever this was. That was lower than low, to gain someone's trust then to betray, to backstab someone like that. He didn't know Ace well, but he knew she cared a lot for her crew. That must have been hard. He would see if he could get Deuce to tell who it was, and if they crossed paths, they would make him regret what he did.

He gave a nod, looking at Bay. "I see, yoi. If you want, I can tell the others, so no one is too forward or accidentally does anything." He knew a few could be harsh in their language, and a few with their body language. They would not tell any other than the commanders, but they needed to know in case. This wasn't a new scenario- it was that a former captain had had a crewmember betray them, which was still lower than dirt- but not the fact someone would be wary with trust, and that had gone bad once before. They didn't want that to happen again.

Bay nodded. "Good, and here," She handed him a jar of something. "Give this to Portgas, she knows somone- nurse or commander- will bring it." He gave a nod, taking the jar, before giving his goodbye to Bay and Pops, knowing Bay had more to tell Pops. When he was out, he looked at the jar he had gotten, recognizing it as the scar-removal cream Bay had. It worked wonders. He wished Ace didn't need it.

He walked to the woman's room, knowing on her door, the woman opening after a few seconds. She blinked at him. "Marco? What are you doing here?" He gave a smile, holding the jar out. "I came to give you this, yoi." Ace gave a frown, taking it, not seeming sure what it was, making him speak, explaining. "It's a scar-removal cream, yoi. Bay said to give it to you. It really works wonders." That had Ace nod, looking a bit down. "Thank you…" He shook his head, knowing she looked down since he knew why she needed it. "It's nothing. Just remember to use it once a day for a week, then give it back to Bay. There will always be someone who needs it at times." That had the woman give a small smile, most likely glad she wasn't the only one needing it. "I will."

Before the woman could say a thank you again and close her door, he spoke. "And Ace, don't be afraid to speak to me about anything, yoi. Or any of us. We want to make you feel at home."

Ace blinked, before she smiled. "Yeah, thanks, I'll remember it. Have a good day, Marco." He nodded. "You too, yoi." He knew he had told that before, and he was sure many) had too. But, it was a small thing that meant a lot. He wouldn't push, but would keep reminding they were there. As that was done, he gave a small sigh, before moving to tell the commanders what Bay had told. He would be sure to visit Thatch first, knowing that man had already been too forward with Ace.

When he did tell, the chef looked shocked, before looking mad, mad at whoever this person was. It really was lower than low to do what that man had done. As he said to not be too forward with Ace, mentioning that what he had done when she had showed of the mark, Thatch gave a nod, before clapping his hands. "I have an idea! This will be so good!" Marco suppressed a groan. That must mean bad. Before he could speak, the chef continued.

"Don't get your feathers in a twist, Turkey. I won't actually touch, or even speak to Ace if you don't want me to. Or us." The last was ended with a wink, making him groan, moving a hand to his nose, pinching it.

"If I see any signs of you being a nuisance to Ace, I will put you on cleaning duty for a month, yoi." The chef gave a nod. "Yosh. And, I can tell Izou, cuz he's a part of my idea." Okay, that helped a bit. The crossdresser would know the do's and don't's, at least more than Thatch. He really hoped the two wouldn't do anything bad or bring this up with Ace. He did trust Izou to not mess this up, but Thatch was another thing, and would be sure to keep an eye on the womanizer.

Thatch gave him a quick goodbye before he was off, making Marco sigh, before going and telling the rest, everyone reacting the same way Thatch had- aside from the idea- being shocked and mad. They would do their best for Ace, to gain her trust and hopefully help her accept herself.

Later during the day, when it was closing in on dinner, the day having gone by fine, he was glad to see no one acting weird around Ace, and not sure if he should be happy or not that Thatch hadn't done anything. The man was currently having a sparring session with Izou, which was a rare thing as they fought with completely different means, mostly running and doing stances, seeming to show off more. Was this his idea? It just looked awkward in a way. Most were out on deck now, seeing as it was a clear and sunny day, even Ace, who was having a conversation with Deuce. After a small while, he heard Thatch and Izou giving breaths and small laughs as they were finished with their spar, and when he looked over to them, he was a bit shocked at what happened.

Thatch took his chef's jacket off, Izou letting his kimono slide off his shoulders, both now standing with bare torsos.

He knew they weren't sweaty or needing to steam off, as they had barely done much in their spar. Izou still had a gun out and held it as he moved a hand to move a bit of hair out of his way, looking at the horizon. It was always a rare event to see the man without his kimono on, but most enjoyed it, seeing as the crossdresser had his mark on his back, the same one Marco had, but in a reddish color. Same went with Thatch, who was standing beside Izou with his sword still out and a hand on his hip, who had his mark on his upper arm, but in blue. Why suddenly do this now? But, when he looked to his left, hearing a small laugh from Deuce, he got why.

Both of the two commanders had their fair share of scars and such on their bodies, on the front, arms, and back alike. They were, in a way, showing it wasn't rare or a shame to have scars, Marco seeing Ace looking at the two with small shock.

He gave a small chuckle himself; he would go and tell Thatch later that this was actually a good idea. He could see Deuce giving a small nudge and a sort of 'I told you so' look to Ace. He was sure the two had spoken about this, about Ace not being scared to show off her mark, and she was scared because of many reasons, but he was sure she had used her scars as a reason. He could see Pops coming to the same conclusion as him, giving a small laugh himself.

They would all do their best to make Ace feel comfortable here.

And that's the chapter, hope you enjoyed

I know it might not have been the best chapter or most interesting chapter, but I promise the next one will be better

That being said, are there anything you would like to happen, explained, or idea you want me to do? I'm open for ideas, and don't be afraid to leave them as reviews, send a PM, or tell me on Discord (Link underneath and on my page)

If you have the time, I greatly appreciate feedback

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