Hello everyone, here is the next chapter!

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Whitebeard sat out on deck, them heading towards an island they controlled. They hadn't been there for a while, so he wasn't entirely sure how the island was. It had been a really bad one before they came along, and they also had had some issues after they had come along. So he hoped it would still be okay. But he wouldn't know until they got there.

When they did dock, it seemed like the island was okay. It seemed calm. Which was good. As they had docked, the commanders and he had a meeting and assigned some duties. Before he and some others left for the island. Ace also joined them, same with Deuce. And it was a nice island. Things seemed calm and he knew the island liked being under their protection, so they acted nice to them.

But, when they got to a bar, it was almost packed, and they would just check, and then maybe head to a calmer place, something happened. He noticed Ace moved backwards, before she fell down and it was as if she couldn't breathe. He didn't know what was happening, but Deuce moved fast down to her. "It's okay, it's not him." It might look to have helped a bit, but it didn't do much, not until Deuce moved to be in front of her, making it so she only could look at him, no one else. And that helped, it made her slowly be able to breathe normally again, take deep breaths. Deuce then helped her up, but still stood in front of her, and led her out, while still looking at her, him backing up, while telling Ace to breathe as he led her out. Then they got out of the bar, and everyone stood confused, even the locals, many looking at them in question.

Whitebeard decided to see what had happened and headed after Deuce and Ace, but found out they had headed to her room, and he didn't want to go in and bother them, they would come out when they could. After an hour, Deuce came out, and they all looked at him. "What happened!" Asked Thatch, and Deuce sighed. "A couple years ago, this guy joined our crew, gained our trust, gained Ace's trust. Then, he betrayed us, hurt us, but took Ace and hurt her more. That guy, he looked like him. But it isn't him, he misses a scar on his cheek, which Ace gave him. But he looks like him, Ace can't stand him." That was an explanation.

Thatch looked at Deuce. "The guy, who… hurt Ace. Has he been dealt with?" Deuce sighed. "Unfortunately no. He ran like a coward. I want to find him and just kill him. He hurt Ace so bad." They all nodded, and if they ever ran into him, he would be properly dealt with. He didn't know what he had done with Ace, but he had an idea, and based on what he had heard from Bay, there were a lot of scars. And he was sure there weren't just physical scars, there were many mentally as well. There was a reason Ace hid being a female, and was so closed off. He had a half hope to run into this guy, so they could deal with him, but also didn't want to expose him to Ace, to make her see him again. It was clear it was only bad memories.

Deuce sighed. "Ace won't come out for a bit, she just needs to breathe a bit, get her mind back." Thatch looked at Deuce. "I hope she knows we would never hurt her. We would do everything to protect her." Deuce nodded. "I know, she half knows. But because of him, she has a hard time trusting others. Which I get." It made him nod, as it made sense. He felt bad for Ace, and hoped she would grow more sure in both herself and them, that they would protect her. They would always stand beside her. They would never let anyone hurt her, not while they were around.

It took some hours, but Ace soon came out again. And she seemed okay, maybe a bit on the alert. When she was invited off the boat, she respectfully declined, which was understandable. If there was someone on the island which looked like a person who really hurt her. She would be cautious. He would probably be himself. And he got she didn't want to venture more on the island, and it wasn't that guy's fault, that he looked like the person who had hurt her. He had done nothing to her, but he understood it was hard for her.

Time then moved on, and when dinner had just started, him waiting a bit to head inside, the guy who he believed to be the one who had made Ace react came onboard and looked at him in a mix of concern and worry. "I am sorry to disturb, but I feel I made one of your crew members react, and I wonder if I have done anything?" He seemed like a good man, and Ace was thankfully already in the galley. Deuce, who was out, gave a sigh. "No no, you didn't. It's just… you might look like someone who did. But you have done nothing. No worries." The man nodded. "Okay, I was a bit worried, I don't want any beef with you. We, I, greatly appreciate your protection." That was understandable.

He looked at the person. "It is okay, we have nothing against you, but my daughter has some issues with a guy who looks a bit like you." The man nodded and looked thoughtful. "I see. I really hope your cre- daughter- will get over her fear if possible, I would never hurt anyone." Whitebeard nodded. "And I believe you, you seem like an honest and good man. My daughter just has some past trauma." The man nodded. "Give her my best wishes, I was just a bit concerned I had done anything." Whitebeard moved his hand a bit. "No worries, we have nothing against you. I thank you for your wishes. I hope you have a good day onwards." The man nodded. "Thank you." Then the man left. And he really did seem like a good and honest man. He also really wanted to tell Ace about this, but before he could finish that idea, Deuce spoke. "Don't tell Ace about this, I will. I feel like it needs to be said carefully." That made sense. He would leave this to Deuce.

When dinner was over, Ace headed to her room and Deuce headed after, and he was sure Deuce would tell her about the guy, that he came and visited. An hour later, she came out again, and when a group decided to head to the island again, which included Thatch, Ace looked at him. "Hey, Thatch… if you see that guy again… can you tell him I'm sorry?" Thatch nodded and gave a smile. "I will. I am sure he will appreciate that. You sure you don't want to come?" Ace nodded. "I am sure, thanks though." Thatch nodded and then he left with the group. When they came back late evening, Thatch looked at him. "We met that guy, his name was Joe, he wanted to make sure Ace was fine, and that he didn't mean to scare her. He is really nice." Whitebeard nodded, most of those who hadn't gone to the island had retired for the evening, the rest were partying. "I will tell Deuce, so he can relay it to Ace." That sounded to be the best in his mind.

He really did hope Ace would grow more sure in herself, that no one would hurt her, not while they were on watch. As long as Ace was with them, she was safe. They would make sure she was safe.

And that's the chapter! Hope you enjoyed!

This was just some small things

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