Thatch was pacing. He would walk in a circle before sitting down for a minute only to spring up again and continue the cycle. Teach had dragged Luffy away hours ago. Thatch knew he wouldn't be able to calm down until the kid was returned. In whatever shape he would be in. Thatch didn't care so long as he came back. It had scarcely been a few days since he cheated death thanks to Luffy's intervention. He was not up to his usual fighting shape. Still that thought didn't help lessen the guilt in the least, the acknowledgement that despite his best tries he hadn't been able to do anything for Luffy. So far he hadn't done a damn thing to protect the kid nor his treasures from the bloodsucking parasite that he once called his nakama. Instead Luffy had been mostly left to fend for himself. He couldn't shake the constant feeling that at any second the thin thread that held up Teach's sanity would snap. And when that happened Luffy would be unprotected and alone.

Thatch once again sat on the bed trying to push the particularly gruesome thoughts away. Teach wasn't going to kill Luffy. Not now. He still needed him. That was not going to be the last time he saw his friend alive. Luffy would be fine. He always was. This time wouldn't be any different.

He didn't know how long he waited. It felt like a very long time. Luffy was in bad shape. Thatch had seen him when they pulled him out of the water. Beaten half to hell and puking up blood stained water from his lungs. Teach had to know that much more of that and Luffy would really die. Despite how thick headed the kid was. Then again he had been willing to let Thatch die only a few days ago. Accidental or not Teach's temper, which Luffy seemed to exacerbate, was nothing to take lightly.

He slid from the bed to sit on the floor, too tired to keep pacing. So he rested on the floor with his back against the bed and his forehead resting on his bent knee. He spent the better part of the day drifting in and out of sleep. Each time he woke up he had to face the disappointment of being trapped in that little room alone. His family miles away and god knows what Teach was doing to his only friend.

At the grating sound of the lock he shot up to his feet, hands clenched into fists. Thatch wished he had a weapon, anything to defend them but there was nothing here.

Teach's dark laugh filled the room as the door swung open.

"Relax," He told Thatch as he took a step towards the door.

"I brought you your little friend back."

His meaty hand clutched Luffy's small matchstick arm, practically holding him up.

Thatch started towards them but Teach was quick to draw a knife, pointing it at him first before turning it on Luffy. The message was clear. Thatch swallowed back the obscenities on his tongue as he stayed rooted to the spot.

Thankfully the evil man did not hurt Luffy further but rather used it to cut the ropes that held him before throwing him roughly to the ground.

Once the knife was tucked safely back into his belt Thatch ran to Luffy pulling him to his feet.

"Are you okay kid?"

Thatch checked Luffy's face over carefully finding it more bruised then when he had last seen him. Although aside from that he looked more or less the same.

"I'm okay," Luffy said pushing aside his hands as he turned to glare at Teach.

Thatch let out a sigh of relief before joining Luffy in glaring at the fat man grinning in the doorway like the cat who caught the canary.

"What the hell are you so smug about chess teeth?" Thatch asked using Luffy's insult and watching the smile flicker to frustration before Teach remembered they weren't worth getting angry over.

"Why don't you ask him?" He pointed an accusing finger at Luffy who stiffened with anger. Thatch took a step forward on reflex putting himself between the two.

Luffy turned his head away angrily. Not in the mood to play Teach's games.

"I guess it's a family matter huh kid?"

"What are you talking about?" Thatch asked confused.

Teach raised his eye brows in amusement as he snorted. "You mean you don't know?"

"Know what?" Thatch asked confused only to be cut off by Teach's horrible laughter filling the room.

Luffy growled at him and Thatch had to grab his arm to keep him in place.

"What does Luffy have to do with your war against Whitebeard?"

Teach only laughed louder at that. "And I thought you were the smarter one." He wiped his eyes still grinning. "I guess the kid didn't tell you."

"Tell me what?"

Teach stalked forward towards them the same second Thatch pushed Luffy behind his back as he glared at the man.

The teen made a noise of protest as he tried to slip between Thatch's arms for another confrontation but he stood his ground firmly. He put one of his arms out to stop Teach and used the other to keep Luffy behind him.

"Tell me," He snapped. "Why is he here?"

Despite the fact that both of them knew Thatch was still too sick to stop Teach from getting to Luffy the man paused mid-step.

"I don't usually take orders from my prisoners," He said. "But I'm feeling generous today so I will tell you." The grin was back on his face as he looked between the two in front of him. Thatch had managed to stop Luffy from walking over and slugging the man as it looked like he wanted to do. Instead the teen had stopped short behind the pirate's protective arm that was silently asking him to stay back. Although that did nothing to quell the fury in the teens dark eyes as he looked at Teach.

"Doesn't little Luffy remind you of someone?" Teach continued oblivious to the look the teen was giving him.

Thatch turned to Luffy perplexed. "No?"

"Oh for the love of…" Teach used Thatch's distraction to his advantage as he strode up to him shoving the man aside to grab the teens jaw.

Luffy snarled again, although this one sounding more feral. He tried to pull back but Teach just dug his black finger nails deeper into his skin and forced his head to the side so his eyes met Thatch's own confused pair.

Despite himself the pirate was quick to respond. Thatch slapped Teach's hands off Luffy so hard the resulting sound rung out through the tiny room.

"Don't touch him." He snapped his patience and worry from the day threatening to boil over every time Teach got too close to his new friend.

Both Luffy and Teach looked surprised at the fire in his usually friendly voice. Teach recovered first rubbing his bruised hand angrily.

"I was trying to get the point across." He told Thatch. "But you're so thick I have to spell it out for you don't I?"

"I would appreciate it." Thatch snapped back sarcastically.

"I took you to get leverage over the old man."

Thatch growled at that but Teach continued on like he hadn't heard. "I figured as long as I have you he has to watch himself around me least he loses one of his favorites."

"Whitebeard will never lose to a man like you!" Thatch snapped.

Teach just waved him off annoyed at the interruption.

"The Kid's here for the same reason."

"Oyaji has never even met Luffy? Why would you try to get to him through someone he doesn't know?" True Oyaji wasn't the kind of guy who would let an innocent child die at the hands of his ex-crew member but it still made no sense. Thatch wondered for a brief moment if Teach really was as crazy as he had accused him of being.

"Ahh but you see I'm not trying to get to Whitebeard." The air of bragging was back and it made Thatch's skin crawl. Although not nearly as much as the next sentence.

"I'm trying to get to Ace."

Of all the things he expected Teach to say that was at the bottom of the list. Immediately Thatch felt his protective instincts flare up again at the thought of the man going after his youngest brother.

"What's Ace got to do with anything?"

Teach looked over at Luffy with a crocodile smile. "Should I tell him or do you want to?"

"Go to hell!"

"Well for starters he is a prodigy. The youngest ever to be offered warlord stats and he turned it down. His name is known far and wide across the seas."

"So?"

"So how grateful will the world government be when I deliver his head to them. Do you think they will give me money? Status? Power. Or even better how strong would my forces grow if he joined me. All that untapped potential under my control. With my help he could become unstoppable. Together we could become great."

Teach had more to say but Thatch was done listening.

"ACE WOLD NEVER JOIN FORCES WITH SOMEONE LIKE YOU." Thatch roared. "You're an obsessed lunatic who betrayed his own family and now resorts to blackmailing and torturing teenagers. Ace is twice the man you will ever be. There is Nothing! You could offer him that would make him follow you."

From the corner of his eye Thatch noticed Luffy staring at him in surprise but he was too angry to pay attention to anything other than the pounding in his ears.

He expected Teach to be angered at the outburst. He had already proved himself to be someone who did not tolerate disrespect. Only the man didn't look angry at all. Rather he looked smug and pleased with himself.

"That's where your wrong my old friend." His dark eyes turned to Luffy with a predatory look.

"Allow me to be the first to properly introduce you two. Thatch meet Ace's little brother."

A feeling like cold clammy hands settled on Thatch's spine as he stared at Luffy as if seeing him for the first time. "What?" He asked.

"I kidnapped him to blackmail Ace, try to keep up."

"But I thought Ace was an orphan." Thatch said dumbly trying to do just that.

"Who told you that?"

"He said…" He began before trailing off. While it was true it was implied Ace had never specifically said he didn't have any siblings. Ace never really talked about his past or anybody for that matter. When they had first met in the early days when he was still trying to kill pops Thatch would bring him food and try to get a conversation out of the reluctant teen. Thatch had asked Ace if he had a sweetheart somewhere. Ace had snorted at that. Thatch had then asked if he had any folks or family waiting for him to come back and he had said no again.

"Well I guess that's true." The man admitted. "Our own little spitfire has no family. He was born into this world alone. Isn't that right Luffy?"

"Shut up!" The teen snapped.

"All he has is his younger foster brother."

"Shut the HELL UP!"

"Monkey D. Luffy the grandson of a vice-admiral and apparently the offspring of some kind of dragon."

Thatch once again turned to Luffy despite himself. Why was this the first he was hearing about this? But rather then helpfully filling in some holes Luffy was glaring at Teach, his eyes promising bloodshed.

"It gets better. Why don't you tell him the best part kid, about Ace's fa…" Whatever he was going to say was cut off as Luffy tore himself free from Thatch's grip with a scream as he tackled the man.

They both went down, Teach caught off guard in surprise by the sudden violence. Luffy wasn't done by far. He clawed at the man's face with his small and bloody fingernails.

"You will never OWN Ace!" He screamed.

But Teach had recovered this time and threw Luffy off of him to the floor. He would have retaliated further with a bone shattering kick to his ribs but Thatch caught his foot and toppled his balance. It was just enough of a distraction to allow the man to pull Luffy up and behind his back once more.

Teach looked positively murderous as he stared down the two of them. But when he spoke it was to Luffy only.

"You on the other hand are good for nothing. If it wasn't your value in blackmail you would be at the bottom of the ocean right now," He spat. "But mark my words boy. That won't protect you forever. You're going to die a very painful death and I'm going to be the one to do it."

Thatch's hands tightened around Luffy at the threat. He would like to see Teach try to get past him.

Luffy let out a low growl at the man as he tried once more to break free from Thatch's hold. But god knows what the man would do to him if he tried another attack like That. Teach's temper was not to be tested right now.

"If I die then I die," Luffy spat back at him. "But you will Never Get ACE!"

Both men turned to look at Luffy in surprise, and concern in Thatch's case. It was clear that the threat of death didn't scare him. Even after all this time at the mercy of a madman. Maybe Teach really was right. But not about Luffy. Maybe Thatch was the slow one. How hadn't he seen the connection between the two of them. Blood relation or not Thatch had seen that look before. Dozens of times. It was the look Ace wore when someone had pissed him off. It was the look that meant shit was about to go down.

Teach scoffed to himself throwing both of them another furious look. "You're out of your depth little boy." He turned to the door as Thatch forced himself to turn away from Luffy.

As Teach's chubby fingers closed around the door handle Thatch spoke up.

"You think you're threatening them?"

Teach paused for a moment but did not turn around.

"Well I'll tell you something. If you hurt either of them you are going to regret it."

"You think you scare me?" Teach sneered.

"I'm not talking about me."

Thatch couldn't speak for Oyaji. But he had the feeling the old man would feel the same about what Teach was doing to this little family.

Teach just let out a low laugh as he turned, slamming the door behind him as he left.

The two prisoners were left in silence with the overwhelming grating of the three locks sliding back into place.

XXX

Sabo sat high above the town on the roof of one of the taller buildings. He thought the height would clear his head but so far it hadn't done much except remind him how small everything really was. It had been a long night since the confrontation at the warehouse. A lot of cleanup was required. Ace had left with the pirate and Sabo had been left to sort out the odds and end. He should have followed them when they split up. He didn't trust the shifty henchman nor Ace's mental state at the moment. The combination of the two scared him. He ought to go find them, make sure Ace was alright. Or at least check back in with the revolutionaries. He fingered the Den Den in his hands. He knew it was well past time to call Koala. If he waited much longer she would make him regret it. But he didn't want to do that either and he wasn't entirely sure why.

Betrayal, drama, plans, covert missions, double crossing, roles and parts and lines he was use to all of this. This was his life ever since waking up with the revolutionaries. But this time it was different. This time it was his life. Something he didn't think he had until a few days ago. Sabo had never been very good at this part of the job. Comforting people, telling them that it was going to be alright in the end. Or at least one day. He would always try to pass it off to someone else. Or when he couldn't he would fake it. Pretend to know what he was talking about. Pretend to be confident in what he was saying. He had learned that if you spoke with enough reassurance to someone who had just lost everything they would take the words to heart.

It wasn't like he didn't feel for the people. He truly did. It was a horrible thing to lose your home, your family. He had seen what true devastation looked like and it wasn't a good look. But he had never been able to relate before. He had never had anything to loose. No memories or family or even a place to call home. That wasn't to say he hated his life. He loved it. It was like he was built for this kind of life. The job was his calling. Fighting for those who couldn't fight for themselves was his motivation. And his friends were his support. They would pick him back up when he got knocked down and make it so he wanted, no needed to try again and again until he succeeded. He cared more about his comrades the he did about himself. He would have never survived this long without them.

He was a little bit like a tool or a weapon. He choose what he wanted to be used for and he served that cause with his life. But this was different, personal. There was a little boy out there who was relying on Sabo to save him.

Sabo had seen kidnapping situations before. He always hated them for how nasty they could get. He always did the best he could but it was unpredictable at best. Sometimes the victim couldn't take the starvation. Sometimes they didn't make it in time. And even when they managed to get the victims back they were changed.

Sabo didn't want that to happen here. If this went bad, if he messed this up then it wouldn't be at someone else's expense. He had a ghoulish vision of him having to explain to Ace how they weren't in time to save Luffy. That this sometimes happened and there was nothing anyone could do to change that. But Luffy would want him to get over this if not for himself then for those who loved him. He had the whole sickening speech memorized for how many times he needed it in the past.

He put down the Den Den with a sigh. He couldn't call back. He had no clue what he would even tell them. He had wanted this after all. At least he thought he had.

He hugged his knee to his chest looking out at the city and the ocean beyond that.

A soft knocking startled him. His fingers were reaching for the pipe beside him before he realized it was Ace.

Sabo was relieved to see him unharmed. But then again he had never doubted he wouldn't be. Ace could clearly take care of himself.

"Want some company?" The freckled teen asked, his voice much softer than usual.

Sabo nodded despite himself. He wasn't sure what he truly wanted right now. But he recognized the emotions on Ace's face as the ones he was currently struggling with.

He turned his attention back to the ocean as Ace crossed the roof lightly to sit beside him. He dangled his feet over the edge leaning back on his palms.

They sat in silence for a moment before Sabo broke it.

"How did you find me?"

"I always find you. When you're upset you go high."

"I'm not upset," Sabo responded automatically.

Clearly Ace didn't believe him but he was nice enough not to say anything. They sat in silence for a few more minutes before curiosity got the best of him.

"Alright if I was… upset by something, not saying I am. Why do I go to high places?"

"Because your parents are lunatics." Ace answered for him.

"What?"

"They taught you that emotions, any at all even being happy, were unsightly. So whenever you feel something you always try to get away from other people. Climb a tree or something so no one would see that you actually do care sometimes."

Sabo thought about that for a second before he groaned.

"What?"

"Nothing?" He sighed leaning back. "It's just weird that you know more about me then I do."

"You don't remember me at all do you?" Sabo felt bad at the tone of his voice. Like he was letting him down.

"It's weird." He finally answered. "When I try it's a great big nothing. But sometimes I have these feelings. Like blueprints of another life. Somebodies else's life!" It made him feel weird. Like he was a stranger in his own head.

"What did Burgess want?" He asked changing the topic.

Ace just shrugged. "Made me wait while he called his boss. Mostly wanted to drink. Is it done?"

Sabo nodded as he let out a large yawn. It had been a long day. And it was far from over. He reminded Ace to be careful. They were watching him like a hawk. One little misstep and their partnership might be discovered. Then Ace would lose his only ally against the Blackbeards. Sabo's involvement had to stay a secret. And in order to do that Ace had to leave all the sneaking around and planning to him while he played the hopeless fool.

"Are you…okay?" Sabo asked awkwardly after a few moments.

Ace gave him a weird look.

"Like emotionally?"

The look was replaced with a quite laugh that seemed to echo off the darkened rooftop.

"Save your couples therapy speech Outlook. We don't really talk about our feelings."

"I thought we were friends or something in the past."

"We were," Ace said with a shrug. "It just wasn't our thing.

Sabo dropped his shoulders in relief. "Oh thank god."

Ace snorted again as he patted his back reassuringly. "Out of your element there huh?"

He never did know what to tell people when they came to him with their emotional problems. It was nice to know he didn't have to pretend with the teen. Even if he wasn't who he was supposed to be. Whatever he was at the moment, spy, weapon, a long dead memory. It was enough.

XXX

Well there you go. The highly anticipated reveal. I hope it was worth the wait. Once again I know it's been almost two months since I updated but don't fret. I promise that just because I haven't updated in a while doesn't mean I forgot about this story. My life is so chaotic I mostly have to choose between grocery shopping and getting four hours of sleep a night. I can't promise next semester is going to be better for updates (but I can hope). What I can promise is that while I am on Christmas break I will update all my stories as much as I can. And try my best to finish Dolls. Thank you guys for all your support. I hope everyone made it through finals alright and is taking a much deserved rest. Merry Christmas!

XXX

Astoria Lilika: He is indeed. Thank you for calling someone for me!

Yuzukikuran: Aww I'm sorry. But there's still cute fluffiness to make it a bit better. Hopefully. Ace should have trusted Marco. I think he as just scared of losing Luffy. It was Sabo. They were just pretending to fool the BB's.

ar111: It feels longer for me :.( University is hard. Same here, don't worry he is going to get what he deserves.

DemonKittyAngel: Thank you! It feels weird to be an official adult. I don't think I like it. No problem! I'm just so happy you are kind enough to review at all. And that's so sweet thank you. I think only time can tell. I can say the two of them worked together to bring Marco down. They were on the same page for everything. Teach is the worst. He is so mean to Luffy. I think Luffy wants to give the goggles back to Sabo more than anything. He is trying to keep them safe for his brother. And true That! Sabo is way stronger then Burgess or anyone gives him credit for. And Teach is a super creepy dude. More from a revenge angle as he has it in for Luffy for being such a Luffy. Here was a bit more of them being cute. I hope. Or at least Thatch being protective of his friend. I will promise much more of Thatch in the future and their cute friendship. I can't promise the comparison but I can almost guarantee Thatch will try to teach Luffy to cook when they get out. I think your right about Dragon. But Teach is always looking to exploit Luffy. Don't worry no one knows about Sabo yet. But Luffy is a strong kid, they all are. He can hold out until he is rescued no matter how bad things get. Your awesome! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I'm glad you still like my story. Merry Christmas.

Guest#1: I don't think Luffy has the capacity to lie. Even if he tried Teach would see through it. He has never successfully lied to someone. Poor kid.

Guest #2: Haha I wish. This would be a much more interesting story if he was.

Guest# 3: Sabo is a sassy assassin to me at least.

SakuraKoi: Oh no indeed.

Guest #4: Don't worry I never abandoned this story or Dolls. (Which came much closer to being.) I'll try to finish most of it over break.

Guest #5: THANK YOU! (Updated). Teach is a smuck indeed. It will get worse I promise. You and Thatch both are offended by him. # Don't give up hope.

Amber: Aww that's so sweet. Your amazing as well! I'm so glad you like the story. Stay tuned for Marco's fate! Thank you for the nice review

Guest #6: Aww thank you.

Jordansdevil: Luffy is known for his emotional attachments haha. I think at this point nothing is going to end well for him. Teach is going to make sure of that. Thanks for the review!

Randomly Talented: Don't worry, Teach doesn't like Luffy like that (he doesn't like him at all). Haha Thatch is trying. He is still recovering from nearly dying a few days ago. He's trying to help Luffy and vice versa. Thank you for the review!

hypnotic Doll: Don't worry they will be together soon enough. With all the hugs and cuddles.

Mel72000: Soon enough Teach will drag Dragon into this. If Sabo doesn't do it first.

: Teach is definitely a dick. No doubt about it. Sabo and Ace are going to get revenge for him.

Guest# 7: Thank you

Guest #8: I am a fan of everything. If it's cute I ship it. I secretly think ZoLu is super cute but I will read anything. I guess overall I think for one piece Gay ships? Just because there are so many guys in that show they make it so easy. WBU?

EmeraldEyed:

xXxWolvesInTheNightxXx: Only time will tell

And thank you!

weep for the empty: Thank you and that's super sweet. Ahh we mustn't talk of the dark times.

yukino76 : Haha you said it.

Like A Pro 42: Thanks I think! It gets worse before it gets better. But with a cute ending. And No Teach is the devil. I shall keep it up!

silent blue rose: T.T

Kitsune Foxfire: Thank you! I'm glad you thought so. High Praise indeed. Merry Christmas .

Blackthorn Ashe: OH SNAP!

hudson3447: Thank you!

Wordlet: Not admitting to anything but not quite. Good guess though. There was a passage a few chapters ago about Ace's little side errend that seemed to have been missed by everyone. But what do I know.

Poor Luffy indeed. He just really missed his brother :.( He wanted to protect the goggles to make up for not protecting Sabo, even if it gets him in trouble. And thank you! You too. Merry Christmas.

Enjali: Indeed he is. His brothers will get revenge for him.

a7152966: Haha sorry o promises there. He is at least a little smart. As for Marco only time will tell. Sabo and Ace are working on it! Thanks for the review.

Ryuko: Aww that's so sweet. If you think you hate him now just wait a bit. Sabo and Ace are working on it. Wish Granted! There will be many cute painless moments to come at the end I promise. And just a little bit of drama. Merry Christmas.

Guest #8: I'm all good. School and work just kicked my butt.

Guest #9: Thank you

Guest #10: I would if I could trust me. I would love to trade working and studying for writing but it won't pay the bills or get me my degree. I do sometimes trade it for sleep through!

Guest #11: Thank you for understanding :.( It can get rough.

Sakihinata:

Guest #12: Lol don't worry they are occasionally fed. Although not when Luffy was in the crate. There are a few things taking place off screen. I'll try to put it in.

Guest #13: Haha that's a good question. I'm not sure I kind of forgot about that. Maybe? Or maybe he got clothes from someone else. But Teach was just trying to show Luffy his place as an annoying pet of sorts. He is a MF.

Guest #14: Lol thank you.

Gali: Aww thanks.

V: I'm glad you didn't mind. I shall keep up the writes.

Guest #15 : Luffy will get saved in the future a bit. There are a few things that are going to happen first.

Dragonalw: Aww that's so considerate thank you for understanding. I will try to post another soon. Thanks for the nice words!

Guest #16: Huh?

LongPastMidnight: Hang in there! It will get better.