Crocodile was in limbo. Based on what Sengoku had told her, she knew that a Shichibukai meeting would take place in the next couple of months and that it would be best for her to be only the Grand Line when that happened. Apparently, there was usually only a week's notice, and she would need to be transported to Mariejois aboard a navy ship. So Sengoku had returned to Alabasta, kids in tow, to wait.

While it was business as usual, there was something she had to do while a certain Pirate Crew was in Paradise.

Thanks to some intel handed to her by a contact within the Galley-La Company, she knew that the Red-Haired Pirates and their Captain were currently on Water 7, awaiting repairs to their ship. Crocodile was very, very interested in having a chat with Shanks.

Crocodile hadn't seen Shanks since he'd been a child aboard Roger's ship, and so she knew nothing of the man he'd become. The question she was keen on getting an answer to was why he had left a devil fruit anywhere Luffy could find it. If he had spent as much time on Dawn Island as the kids (and Woopslap) said he did, then Shanks should have been very aware of how much of a bottomless pit Luffy was and that she was capable of sniffing out food within a fixed radius around herself.

If he did know that, it would suggest that Shanks had wanted Luffy to eat the fruit.

Crocodile wanted to know.

Water 7 was much the same as it always was. The city was busy, and the canals were full of Bulls and their riders. Crocodile's arrival at the Galley-La docks in the bustle went unnoticed for the most part. She looked around, looking for Iceburg's familiar form. A girl no more than fourteen saw her and approached, giving Crocodile an impressive stink eye. "Can I help ya?"

Crocodile decided to play nice. "I'm here to see Iceburg. He around?"

The girl wrinkled her nose but quickly jerked a thumb over her shoulder, "Yeah, he's here, finishing up the repairs on a ship in one of the big berths." She narrowed her eyes, looking annoyed, "Better if I lead you there."

"By all means," Crocodile gestured, her hook glinting in the sunlight, and the girl nodded.

"Name's Paulie," Paulie spun on her heels, the thick soles of her boots leaving gouges in the dirt. She had shoulder-length golden blonde hair, held away from falling into her face by a pair of welding goggles. She was dressed much like any of the other shipwrights in the yard, in cargo pants, a tool belt, and a thin T-shirt. "I'm Icerburg's apprentice."

"I wasn't aware Iceburg had gotten himself another apprentice after the last one quit in a huff. And a young lady at that."

Paulie scoffed, "That toolbag? He was weak and couldn't handle the workload. I'm a lot tougher than he ever was." She scowled at Crocodile over her shoulder, "What? You think I can't be a shipwright because I'm a girl."

Crocodile bit down on a laugh, recognizing the girl's fuck-you tone. Paulie, it would seem, was used to telling people off. If she stuck around, she'd no doubt be a damn good shipwright. "No, just commenting. You don't see many women in the profession. It can be a…rough life, given some of the clients it brings in. I hope you give Iceburg a lot of shit."

Paulie blinked, her scowl dropping and a hint of a smile taking its place, "I sure get away with it more than anyone else."

Crocodile chuckled, "Good, use that." She glanced around at the ships they passed, of all shapes and sizes. A handful of Navy vessels were sitting side by side with merchant and pirate ships. One battleship was littered with signs of battle, and a foreman was in the process of assessing it, clipboard in hand.

Paulie ducked beneath a massive pole that could only be a mainmast. It was clearly still being shaped by the wood lathes lying on top of it, left where they were by wrights gone to get lunch. Crocodile followed, crouching to pass beneath the beam. Paulie looked at her, "How do ya do that on heels and still manage to look good?"

Crocodile straightened, smirking, "Years of practice. Start wearing them now, and you'll get the hang of it in no time and kill all the nerves in your feet in the process."

Paulie glances between her sturdy work boots and Crocodile's, frankly, dangerous-looking stilettos with furrowed brows, "Yeah, nah, I think I'll stick to boots." She trots off again, pointing at the two men standing underneath the ship's bow when they get closer to the biggest ship berths. Massive slashes were marring the vessel's hull, deep enough to leave holes in some places that were in the process of being mended. "There he is. May wanna hang back until he's finished with that Captain. That guy does not like being interrupted. I guess him and his crew just came outta a clash with a Shichibukai a week or so ago. He's been really pissy with us, though." That guy is just the one I want to see, kiddo, Crocodile thinks, thanking the girl.

"With a Shichibukai, eh? Which one?"

Paulie put her finger to her chin, looking to the sky as she thought, "Gecko Moria? I think that was his name." Someone shouted for Paulie behind them, and she waved goodbye to Crocodile as she scurried off back to work.

Shanks was far from the scrawny boy she'd met all those years ago, but his red hair was as vivid and striking as ever. The three jagged scars over his left eye were new, but they gave him a wild, charming look. Crocodile ignored Paulie's warning and strutted toward the two men. Iceburg saw her first and waved, and Shanks turned, scowling darkly.

A scowl that slipped off his face, replaced with surprise, when he saw who Iceburg was waving to.

Iceburg dodged out of the way when Crocodile, without any preamble, grabbed Shanks by the throat and slammed him against the side of his ship. The owner of the Galley-La Company was nonplussed and smoothed his hair out of his face, "Crocodile."

"Iceburg, I appreciate you telling me Red-Hair was here."

"You were looking for me?!" Shanks' voice was strangled as he tried to squirm out of her hold. Difficult to do when your feet were dangling 3 feet in the air.

"Are you really that surprised? You allowed my seven-year-old daughter to get her hands on a devil fruit. And eat it!" Crocodile snarled, her voice grating as she got louder.

Several of Shanks' crew appeared then in a flurry of shouts and a cloud of dust and pulled him out of Crocodile's grasp. He bent at the waist, his only hand to his throat as he tried to catch his breath, gasping out, "Didn't know she was your kid."

Crocodile's eyes narrowed, and Iceburg grabbed her arm, stopping her from doing anything rash, like gut Shanks from groin to gullet with her hook. She took a deep breath, "And what exactly does that have to do with anything, hm? That you wouldn't have given her the chance to eat it if you knew she was mine but still would have let her if she wasn't?" She examined him, noting the calculating look in his eyes and the furtive looks his crew gave each other. "What are you planning that it was necessary for Luffy to eat the fruit?"

Shanks scoffed, refusing to meet her glare, "I'm not planning anything. I didn't mean for Luffy to eat the fruit."

Crocodile walked forward, getting into his space, eyes spitting green fire, "Why don't I believe you?"

The look Shanks gave her at that moment was all the answer she needed. His eyes were cold, his mouth firm. Why Luffy, she still didn't know, but he had meant for her to eat the fruit. Crocodile had no doubt.

She would have to look into it because she knew there was no way the one-time Roger Pirates cabin boy was going to tell her the hows and whys. Whatever the reasons ended up being, Crocodile knew she wouldn't like them.

–

"The time and date for the meeting have been set. Vice Admiral Garp is responsible for transporting you. You are not permitted to bring your ship or your crew," Sengoku snorted softly. "Which should go without saying, given that the meeting is taking place on the Red Line at Mariejois."

Crocodile agreed idly, handing a stack of files to a waiting Bentham, "I'll be there, don't worry."

"He should be arriving in two days," Sengoku told her, "Knowing him, he'll be early."

"Got it."

"See you then."

Crocodile hung up the receiver and smiled when she noticed Ace hovering in the doorway. Recently turned twelve, Ace had gotten taller. He was now three inches taller than Sabo and very smug about it. Crocodile had overheard an argument between the two boys a few days ago that was something about how Ace was the older brother because he was taller, ignoring Sabo's argument that his birthday was sooner and that he had been twelve for nearly a year already.

"You're going to that meeting thing? Gramps is going to be with you, right?" Ace asked with a slight frown on his face. Crocodile thought it was sweet; he was half supportive, half concerned by the prospect of her going to Mariejois. Crocodile and Garp had explained to him a few years ago who his biological parents had been and what the World Government had tried to do to his mother following his father's execution.

"Sengoku, too," she assured him, propping her elbows on the surface of the desk, her chin resting on her scarred stump. Bon left, ruffling Ace's hair as he passed, giggling at the boy's irritated grumbling. "Did you call your Gramps and ask him to watch out for me?"

Ace looked away, and Crocodile half expected him to make the same expression as Luffy does whenever the girl tried to lie. "...no." Yes.

Crocodile ducked her chin, hiding her smile. She pushed herself out of her chair, grabbing her prosthetic from where she had tossed it earlier. Crossing the room, she stopped in front of her son. She dipped down and pressed a kiss against the crown of his head. "Where are Luffy and Sabo?" She straightens back up to her full height, Ace's head barely reaching her waist.

"Luffy was bugging Ash, apparently helping him give shit to a couple of pirates who weren't too happy about paying their debts." Crocodile made an amused noise, leading the way out of the office, Ace on her heels. "And Sabo was down in the lair with Marguerite and her babies; he was reading the book that guy sent."

That guy.

Crocodile sighed silently. She was glad Sakazuki had patience in spades, because she had the feeling that plenty of other men would have jumped ship at the first sign of a difficult child. Unlike his brother and sister, Ace was actively brushing off any attempts, no matter how small, that Sakazuki made to try and interact with him.

Luffy, her little ray of sunshine and absolute chaos, already had Sakazuki wrapped in knots around her little fingers, calling him Saka-chan and being almost unbearably cute about it. The first time she'd done it, Crocodile had been quivering, trying to hold back both laughter and her heart as Sakazuki had barely been able to talk, his rough voice thick with emotion, and even the Den-Den Mushi had been blushing. If Luffy asked, Sakazuki might destroy the world.

And Sabo, her philosophical little gentleman, had started by asking Sakazuki questions. Wonderful, insightful questions about the navy, the Warlord system his mother was about to be a part of, the bounty system, and dozens of other topics his mother's boyfriend seemed well versed in. Sakazuki had taken to sending, through Private Coo deliveries, books about the subjects that Sabo expressed an interest in, and Crocodile had had to interrupt more than one hour-long discussion to get Sabo to bed, with Sakazuki having to promise continuations of certain conversations before her fair-haired son would hang up.

But Ace...well, Ace had always been her difficult kid. Always slow to trust strangers, and so different from when he had been a toddler. Any men she'd been involved with, none important enough to warrant an introduction to her kids, were automatically distrusted and shut out. Ace knew the basic facts about her relationship with Luffy's father, and it had always coloured his view of Crocodile's relationships, no matter how brief.

(What Crocodile didn't know was that a number of her ex-boyfriends had all received the same threat; 'You break my mom's heart, I'll kick your ass.')

It would take time. And, really, until she could introduce the four of them face-to-face, she wouldn't know how long it would take for Ace to warm up to Sakazuki. She sincerely hoped he would, though; Sakazuki was…Crocodile was pretty sure Sakazuki was it for her, and if her son didn't think him worthy…she didn't know what she'd do.

Love her, love her children. Sakazuki knew that. She hadn't had to say the words because as soon as he'd known about them, it had been a given.

–

It was rare that all three admirals could attend both of the biannual Shichibukai meetings at the same time, but with two new members attending for the first time, Sengoku had insisted they all be there. Sakazuki, who'd been in the West Blue for the last few months after his return from Alabasta, had only arrived back at Marineford in the dark hours of the morning for a quick personnel change before setting off for the harbour below Mariejois, his crew having to sail through the night to make it in time.

Vice Admiral Doberman met him at the docks, reporting in his typical curt tones that Kuma Bartholomew, Gecko Moria and Jimbei had already arrived and that the Vice-Admirals escorting Donquixote Doflamingo, Dracule Mihawk and Lady Crocodile had checked in and that they'd be arriving within the hour.

"Sakazuki," Kizaru's breathy voice called out, and Sakazuki paused, glancing behind him. Salina swept past a group of marines and fell in step with her brother, her perfume lingering and leaving the enlisted dazed. "You made good time. Cancer bet me that your stop at Marineford would make you late."

He snorted, "And you knew better. Our stop might have delayed us, but the personnel change was quick and painless…even though Dalmatian was in charge of it."

"Surprising, considering her usual state of panic," Salina laughed, "You could have waited to do the swap after the meeting. Had time to relax before it started."

"Any more relaxed, and I'll fall asleep during it. This way, we can ship out directly from here."

She gives him an amused look, "And you don't want to miss it?"

Sakazuki gives an exasperated sigh but doesn't deny it. They both step onto the lift, "I was under the impression our presence was required."

"Mm," her eyebrows rose, and she said, "You say that as though you haven't skipped other Shichibukai introductions—the last three, I believe. It has nothing to do with the voluptuous, cat-eyed lady pirate you adore, I'm sure." She kept her voice low, mindful of the others around them, a smile flashing across her face.

He scowled, embarrassed and refusing to rise to her bait.

The look Salina shot him told him she wasn't buying his silence. He didn't know why he bothered trying to pull the wool over her eyes at this point. She knows every secret he's ever had in the same way that he knows all of hers.

He yielded to her curiosity, saying quietly so only she could hear, "Fine. I'm looking forward to seeing her."

Salina grinned, slapping his shoulder, "That wasn't so hard to admit, now was it?"

Sakazuki frowned, "That was the most painful thing I've ever admitted to you."

"Sakazuki. You once had to pull a twelve-inch long piece of shrapnel out of your knee and stitch the wound back up by yourself without any anesthetic and with help more than five hours away."

He jokingly considered it for a second, "Yeah, this was still more painful."

Salina liked this change in her brother. As though Crocodile had helped pull the stick out of his ass. Who knew all he needed had been a bit of some good sex on the regular?

"I wonder where Sengoku sent Rosi to?"

"As far as she could without sending her to the moon," Sakazuki offered, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets as the lift reached the summit of the Red Line, allowing Salina to hook her arm around his as they disembarked from the lift platform. Both of them were painfully aware of the slaves that were used to operate the thing, and neither of them liked it. But there was no other way to ascend.

They both refused to use the moving sidewalks, their pace casual as they headed towards the building where the meeting was being held.

They got closer and found Aokiji leaning on the wall opposite the doors leading to the ostentatious room. His ridiculous sleep mask held his curly black hair back away from his eyes, and he nodded to them as they drew near. Sakazuki wanted to roll his eyes at the pointed look Kuzan shot where Salina's arm was around Sakazuki's. The fact that he said nothing was a miracle.

Beside him, looking as stern as ever, Vice-Admiral Tsuru waited. Her presence explained why Kuzan appeared to be on his best behaviour. The three Admirals dwarfed her by several feet each, but she wasn't intimidated in the slightest. In fact, even Salina was prone to getting fidgety under her steel-eyed gaze. "Welcome back, Borsalina, Sakazuki. I hope your missions went well."

"As well as it could have," Salina told the older woman, extracting her arm from Sakazuki's, an easy smile on her lips.

Sakazuki shrugged, "Went fine."

Tsuru gave them both pleased nods.

"Vice Admiral Bastille's ship has just arrived, and Doflamingo is on his way up." She gave Sakazuki a very pointed look, "Do not let him goad you into anger, Sakazuki."

"I never do," except once. Sakazuki had won that fight, though, and Doflamingo had never pushed him that far again. Apparently, he hadn't enjoyed having his nose broken or finding out the hard way that Sakazuki was very skilled at using Armament Haki.

Tsuru sighed, gesturing for them to enter the meeting room, "See to it."

The atmosphere of the room changed when they entered, tensing with anticipation before relaxing once more. Sakazuki, his eyes shadowed by the brim of his hat, assessed the three Warlords waiting in the room.

Kuma Bartholomew was sitting as patiently as ever, idly turning a page of the Bible he read, not paying the Admirals any mind as they moved into the room to take their seats at the table. Steady as an unmovable rock…and about as emotive.

Jimbei watched them, his dark eyes cautious, but gave them each a nod in greeting. For understandable reasons, he was always wary when within the confines of Mariejois.

Gecko Moria, lounging by the window, ignored them entirely except for briefly opening an icy blue eye to see who it was. His leather-clad legs were stretched out and crossed at the ankle, and the silver buckles sparkled in the sunlight that was streaming into the room.

They took their seats just before the doors were thrown open, and Sakazuki twitched. Kuzan folded his hands together on the table. Salina crossed her arms, one leg crossing over the other in a whisper of silk. Sakazuki propped his elbows on the table and interlaced his fingers in front of his mouth.

All three of them refused to react when Doflamingo sauntered in, his usual hyena-like grin stretched across his face and his ridiculous feathered coat making him appear even larger than he was. Salina muffled a sigh under her breath as Doflamingo approached the table.

"My, my, my! Isn't this a treat? All three fleet destroyers in one room." His voice made the small hairs on the back of Sakazuki's neck stand up, and he had no doubt Salina and Kuzan were on edge as well. "On the same day that we get two new Shichibukai. What a day! What a day."

He dropped down into an empty chair across from the Admirals, his face fixed in their direction, but his opaque sunglasses made it difficult to tell if he was staring at them or not.

They did not speak to him.

They did not engage him.

It didn't matter to Doflamingo.

He leaned forward, oozing across the table to catch Salina's gaze. She barely caught herself from leaning away from him and kept her expression stoic. Sakazuki wanted to pull Doflamingo's attention off of his sister but couldn't risk shattering the illusion that he had no effect on her. Kuzan's knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists.

"Pretty as ever, Admiral Kizaru. It's a wonder the Tenryubito don't keep you posted up here on Mariejois, away from all the heathens."

Salina's tone remained light and airy, and Sakazuki wanted to applaud her for keeping her anger tightly under wraps. "Thank you, Doflamingo. That's kind of you to say, but as a naval admiral, I cannot have a permanent post that would restrict my movements."

That's why we get the big ships with full crews, Sakazuki thought, tilting his head just enough to shoot the bird a scathing glare.

"We aren't here to play catch up. Perhaps you should keep your mouth shut while we wait for the rest of the Shichibukia to arrive." Sakazuki's voice was a low rumble, and he deliberately directed a blast of magma-heated air in Doflamingo's direction. He takes some satisfaction when the feathers on that gaudy pink coat wilt in the hot air.

Doflamingo frowned, moving his head minutely to look at Sakazuki. "Now, now, no need to be so testy, Akainu. I'm just being friendly."

That was the problem.

Sakazuki didn't respond; he just moved his eyes forward.

Tsuru chose that moment to enter. A pale, lean, dark-haired man followed her, his sharp yellow eyes scanning the room and its occupants. He carried a large, black-bladed sword on his back.

One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords, Yoru.

Sakazuki was almost impressed.

–

Crocodile shoved down her nervousness as the lift reached the top of the Red Line, Garp wrinkling his nose beside her and leading the way of the lift when it halted. She reminded herself that not only would both Garp and Sengoku be in that meeting room as well, but that Sakazuki would be attending, too. And she took some comfort from the fact that Garp wasn't about to abandon the mother of his grandchildren on Mariejois.

She raised an eyebrow at the moving sidewalk and asked Garp why they weren't using it.

The marine hero glowered at the moving cobblestone, "Anything of convenience in Mariejois is powered by slaves." He didn't bother to keep his voice down, and Crocodile realized, for not the first time, that Garp truly did not give a fuck. Crocodile understood why they were giving it a wide berth. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, "Don't tell me you're actually nervous, girl."

Crocodile scowled, "I'm a pirate on my way into a nest of Celestial Dragons and World Government agents. Excuse me for having a feeling of fucking dread, you old bastard." She huffed, grumbling, "Pretty sure I'd be more comfortable walking into Marineford at this point."

"Old bastard!" He sputtered, looking very deeply offended, and Crocodile snorted. The only thing he was offended by was her calling him old. He wouldn't deny being a bastard. That was a simple truth and a badge he wore with pride.

Looking up at Mariejois's beautiful architecture, Crocodile followed after Garp, listening with half an ear as another Vice-Admiral told Garp that they were the last to arrive. Something about the city made her shiver. Maybe it was the knowledge of the slaves. Perhaps it was because this was where the worst of the worst, in the eyes of a pirate, lived and thrived.

Crocodile's smooth gait faltered for half a step, and her eyes widened. Jameson Munro, twin brother of the late Jack Munro and father of Raven Newgate, waved at her from a window, white teeth flashing in a grin. His appearance was, as ever, completely unchanged since the last time she saw him. He disappeared before Crocodile could react, and Garp didn't even notice her brief hesitation.

Or maybe it's because my grandfather is haunting the damn place like a phantom.

Not that Jamie was dead. Not even close.

Unlike her great-uncle, who had passed away from old age, Jamie was, from all appearances, the same age he had been for fifty years.

Crocodile hadn't seen him since she was eighteen.

She really shouldn't be surprised that Jamie was here, of all places. Mariejois was where Kong was. Jamie had sworn to make the old man's life miserable for dragging Raven into his fight against Whitebeard.

Crocodile caught back up to Garp, pushing Jamie to the back of her mind. If he wanted to talk, he'd find her.

Somehow, Garp had been eating every step of the way. She squinted at him, speculating about where exactly he was keeping the food. At this point, it appeared as though he was manifesting it from nowhere. Maybe he had a devil fruit she didn't know about.

She was still trying to figure it out as they passed under a carved stone archway and drew near to a set of extremely tall double doors. Garp unceremoniously pushed them open and let Crocodile go in first, and she stepped into the room quietly. She found Sakazuki's eyes immediately. Their gazes touched and just as quickly moved away.

Sakazuki wasn't the only one looking at her; Crocodile had ten other pairs of eyes on her the moment she entered, and she tried very hard not to fidget self-consciously.

She would not show her nerves.

Scanning the occupants of the room, she met the curious gaze of the beautiful Admiral beside Sakazuki, dressed in yellow, her eyes sparkling behind tinted glasses, who could only be Borsalina. Beside her, the third Admiral, Aokiji, dressed in a pale blue suit, his curly hair pushed back with a sleep mask. For some reason. Next, an older, short woman, her silver hair pulled back in a neat ponytail and her jacket decorated with the epaulettes of a vice-admiral. Crocodile noted the pointed frown she sent Garp as he dropped into the chair beside her and offered her a cracker.

She let her eyes jump to the other side of the table where her fellow Shickibukai sat.

She recognized Bartholomew Kuma. She'd met him once years ago while she had still been putting up with Dragon. Dating him. Whatever. When Kuma had been a member of the revolution. He gave her a polite nod, but Crocodile wasn't sure he recognized her. Something seemed…odd about him, but she couldn't put her finger on what.

She knew of Gecko Moria and remembered seeing him all those years ago at Roger's execution. His clash with Kaido had been heavily reported on when it had happened. And then again when he had been named a Shichibukai about a year later. He was the same tall, punk-rock goth and was really rocking his aesthetic. He was still lanky and trim but with a hardness to him that she hadn't gotten from him in the crowd in Logue Town. She figured it was likely to do with the large scar on his abdomen and his clash with Kaido.

She had never seen Jimbei before, but since he was the only Fishman in the room, it was easy to figure out who he was. He stared at her, and she figured it must be because he knew her. Fishman Island had been part of Whitebeard's territory for many years now, and Oyaji had mentioned Jimbei and his Sun Pirates on more than one call. If Jimbei were as close to Oyaji as she thought he was, he'd probably gotten to see the collection of bounty posters Oyaji had been accumulating of his daughter. Crocodile gave him a brief, sincere smile.

Next was the second new Shichibukai and another person she recognized. Dracule Mihawk. His name had been on every newspaper cover after he'd defeated Serinuma Sakura and taken the title of the World's Greatest Swordsman. But for Crocodile, the memory of a boy catching his mother as her grief overwhelmed her would always be how she knew him best. Rayleigh's son had gotten older but still remained stoic and sharp-eyed.

The last of the Shichibukai was obviously Donquixote Doflamingo. Crocodile wanted to sigh. Another one who'd attended the execution. His giant, pink feathered coat nearly burned her retinas, making the new King of Dressrosa stand out. He was staring at her and not with the vague curiosity of the others. It was difficult to classify the expression on his face. And not just because she couldn't see his eyes. Where was his famous smile? The wide, toothy smile that she'd caught a glimpse of for only a second when he'd turned to her. The grin that had earned him the epithet of Joker.

When they were in bed together, Sakazuki sometimes gave her a look like he wanted to lick every inch of her body, to devour her and taste her.

And in that moment, Doflamingo, whom Crocodile did not know other than by reputation, was giving her a similar look. Except…he kind of also looked like he wanted to own her.

Possession.

Want.

In those brief seconds, Crocodile realized just how much of a person you could see in their eyes. And how much you missed when you couldn't see that part of them.

…but she knew nothing would be there even if he removed his glasses.

It made her skin crawl.

Crocodile very deliberately avoided looking at him, walking around the extravagant table to take an empty seat away from the grinning blond as close to Sakazuki as she could get without perching herself in his lap, between him and Mihawk. Unfortunately, this meant she was across from the bird.

His smile was stretching his face again. "Hot damn! About time we got a babe who was fucking easy on the eyes!" His voice was oily, and Crocodile's mouth twisted into a scowl at his words. Doflamingo leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, tongue hanging out of his mouth. "Shit. Tesoro always said you were fine as hell. I can't believe I never believed him." He tilted his head in a very obvious scan of her body, and she just stopped herself from covering her breasts with her arms, could practically feel his gaze boring into them through her clothing. From the corner of her eye, Sakazuki shifted, and she felt the temperature around him increase ever so slightly.

She said nothing and refused to engage his poor excuse of flirting.

It didn't seem to matter to Doflamingo. He wanted to get a rise out of her. "He also told me you were a fucking freak in bed," He looked irritatingly satisfied when Crocodile finally glanced up at him, a pissed-off light in her eyes.

"And what would Tesoro know?" Her voice was low and even, refusing to let her fury control her words. "We dated for a few weeks and fucked twice." She tilted her head, her sudden rage evaporating to grim mocking. "I have kinks; I'd never deny that, but Tesoro is into weirder shit than I am." She leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs primly.

Doflamingo opened his mouth to talk again, but a calm, cultured voice cut him off. "There are rumours," Mihawk started, bringing one hand up to his chin, and Crocodile found herself amused by the furious expression that flashed across the bird's face. "That Gild Tesoro may or may not have a mommy kink."

That shut Doflamingo up and had Sakazuki snorting on Crocodile's other side, his heat dissipating in a blink. He shot Mihawk a quick, disbelieving look over Crocodile's head, "Seriously?" His rough voice disgusted.

Mihawk lifted his hand from his chin, shrugging at the larger man, "Just what I've heard, Admiral."

Crocodile snorted between them, lifting her hand and saying, "I can confirm it," her voice deadpan. Sakazuki's head dropped, his shoulders shaking with quiet laughter. Mihawk covered his mouth, but Crocodile could see the smirk anyway.

Staring Doflamingo down, she tacked on, "I don't want to kink-shame anyone, but I can honestly say that one has never been for me."

She smirked, just a little, at a now frowning Doflamingo. "Why so mad? Is that what you're into?" Her voice was a mocking whisper.

Doflamingo shot to his feet, grin disappearing once more, and Crocodile nearly burst out laughing when she saw he was pink in the cheeks. He opened his mouth to deliver what will no doubt be a scathing comment, but he was interrupted by the door opening once more. A goat clomped in, followed by Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

"Sit down, Doflamingo," Sengoku muttered, the glare she passed to him one that could freeze an erupting volcano as she made for the head of the table.

"I'll admit, I'm shocked to see you all actually decided to attend." Garp had mentioned that it was typical that only one or two Shichibukai would attend the meetings. Crocodile had to raise her eyebrow at that. There were two meetings a year, with the occasional emergency meeting; how hard was it to make time?

Sengoku turned, hands in the pockets of her white trousers, addressing the table. "I don't think I have to introduce our two new Shichibukai. I imagine you all know each other, by reputation at least. So, let's get down to it. Starting with Moria's run-in with Red-Haired Shanks. How would you gauge him."

Moria's grin was all sharp teeth, blue eyes obscured by his thick fan of maroon lashes as he looked down, "All flash, no substance at the moment. He's got conqueror's Haki, but well," He laughed, the sound sardonic, "he's got a long way to go."

It went on and on, each of the active Shichibukai giving details on pirates they had been sent after. Some, like Shanks, were clearly being observed. Others had been destroyed, and even more had been deemed so far below being threats that they'd been allowed to go on their way. It was fascinating.

The meeting lasted nearly two hours, and Crocodile was relieved when it was finally over. She had the beginnings of a migraine and was just about ready to stab Doflamingo. It didn't even matter where… maybe in the dick.

Most of the Shichibukai were quick to leave, except for Moria, who stopped to chat with Sengoku. The two had a surprising fondness for each other that Crocodile had not expected.

Crocodile stood up from her chair, nodding to Mihawk as he tipped his hat to her.

Sakazuki jerked his head towards the door, and Crocodile followed him out of the room and into a secluded courtyard attached to the meeting room.

Once they were sure they were alone, Sakazuki finally said, "I missed you." His words were gruff, and Crocodile looked up at him, her smile soft.

"We talk nearly every night," She teased him lightly, bringing her hand up to cradle his jaw.

His smile was small, "It's not the same."

Up on her toes, she kissed him, murmuring, "No, it isn't."

He wrapped his arms around her, hands as always finding her butt. But before things could go any further, they heard a scuffle of feet on cobblestone, and neither of them could react in time to pull apart before a man entered the courtyard.

Jameson stared at them.

They stared at Jameson.

Sakazuki was startled by how much he resembled The Blackheart, wondering if he was one of the man's three sons. At least thirteen feet tall, shoulder length, messy black hair. But then he looked closer and saw he had a pair of familiar green eyes. Green eyes that he had been staring into just a moment earlier.

Jamie blinked, then grinned, "Hello, love, miss me?"

Crocodile sighed, extracting herself from Sakazuki's hold and walking up to him. He held out his arms, obviously expecting a hug. Crocodile surprised them both by grabbing the lapels of his coat and shaking him vigorously.

"Where the hell have you been?! I thought you were dead!"

Jamie was unaffected by her shaking, "Aw, honey, you know I'm harder to kill than a cockroach. I'll only die when I can drag that old bastard Kong to the pits of hell with me."

Crocodile stopped shaking him and stared, sneering, "Romantic."

"Well, I certainly think so."

Behind Crocodile, Sakazuki cleared his throat, capturing their attention, "Um, sorry, but uh, who the fuck are you?"

Crocodile abruptly let go of her grandfather and turned to face Sakazuki, dragging her hand down her face, "Sakazuki, this is Jameson Munro. My grandfather."

Jamie waved, "Call me Jamie."

A pin could have been heard hitting the floor in the silence that followed. Sakazuki's eyes darted between Crocodile and Jamie and struggled to figure out how. Jamie could not have been more than forty, and he knew that Crocodile was only thirty-four.

…The math wasn't mathing.

Crocodile sighed, "He doesn't age. For as long as I've been alive, he's looked exactly like that." Sakazuki fell into a stunned silence. Because, as far as he knew, there was only one way to stop the aging process.

"...a'right."

Crocodile spun back to Jamie and jabbed her finger at his chest, "Where have you been? Here?"

"I've been around. Here a lot of the time. Went to go see Jackie before he passed, spent some time on the island."

"Sorry about Jack."

"Nah," Jamie's voice faltered for only a moment, "He wasn't gonna stick around forever. Weird knowing my twin ain't gonna be around anymore, but Jackie was content, at the end."

Crocodile nodded, her voice a whisper when she said, "You never came to see me."

His smile turned sad, "I didn't think you wanted to see me."

She slapped his cheek lightly, and he chuckled, "Of course, I wanted to see you. I want your great-grandkids to know you. Come and see them sometime."

He scooped her up in a hug, and she accepted it without fuss, "Will do."

He put her back on her feet and looked at Sakazuki for a moment, eyes narrowing, before he dropped a kiss on Crocodile's head and disappeared back the way he came.

"You're going to want that story, aren't you?"

Sakazuki shrugged, "If you want to tell me, sure."

Crocodile stared where her grandfather had disappeared, "Maybe…I–I don't know if it's my story to tell."

"Then you don't have to tell me." He stepped closer to her and grabbed her hand, lifting it to his mouth and kissing her palm. "Come on, we better get you down the lift before someone notices you haven't left yet."