Chapter 26

Ace had no heartbeat. He was breathing, but he didn't have a heartbeat. Marco stared at him, baffled, while the kid slept, blissfully unaware of the confusion he was putting Marco through. The kid was fast asleep and hadn't woken up in two days so far, burning with a nasty fever. They had managed to grab him and escape Garp, but it had been a close one. Pops had been forced to throw him into the seas and nearly sink Garp's ship before they could get the Spade pirates away from there and take Ace from their ship and on to theirs. Of course the Spade pirates chased them, which was good. They were all delighted with that. The Spade pirates didn't abandon their own, not even to a Emperor. So they took them too and separated them out on their ships.

Rouge hadn't reappeared yet, but Pops was sure she would return before Ace awoke, hopefully, because the kid was probably going to panic waking up in a stranger's ship. Deuce was here, along with the cat Kotatsu, and the women Cornelia and Banshee, but the others had been placed on the other ships to cause chaos there. The Spades were terrors.

This Finamore guy was apparently the worst one. He kept making sacrificial rituals circles on the Black Moby's deck and trying to steal people's blood and hair for samples. It was creeping everybody out. Mihar kept correcting the mistakes in people's reports and sentence structures (which admittedly was a blessing for Marco) and correcting the way people spoke. Saber kept playing a guitar in the middle of the night and singing at the top of his lungs. Which Marco had no idea how he managed that. He didn't know where Saber had gotten the guitar from. Barry had taken to shaving people's eyebrows off while they slept, so Marco's brothers had started barricading their doors in the middle of the night. Thankfully Barry left the girls along, which was very good, because Sam (Marco's right hand) and Haruta would have killed him.

Speaking of Haruto, somehow all her clothes got replaced by dresses, and they still hadn't discovered who had done that yet.

Thatch's plates had also been all placed upside down during the night.

Pops' alcohol had also all disappeared, which had made Pops rant for two hours over and demand they stop to restock at the nearest island to fix it. Marco knew it hadn't been any of the Spades aboard the Moby Dick either, they were all being kept busy, too busy to drink that much alcohol. Nor had any of them been drunk.

Marco had a feeling Rouge was back, and just screwing with them.

"How is Ace?" Deuce asked as he approached.

Marco sat up from his seat, stretching out his back. "Still asleep yoi."

He laid his hand on Ace's forehead, feeling his temperature. It had been completely spiked up a few days ago, yet somehow none of the Spades nor Ace had noticed it. It had just been like Rouge back in the day whenever she had to make a crossing through Sabaody. She used to collapse a day or two after they left it. It was as if their bodies were trying to force them to go back there to ease the symptoms. The first time she had crossed had been with Shakky, then Roger after that, and them. Rouge had never gone alone before. The one place she didn't go by herself in fact.

Honestly, Marco couldn't believe she had forgotten about that, although the fever was bad. Bad enough to take someone like Portgas D. Rouge down for a good few days, sometimes even a week.

"His fever is starting to go down, and he's sleeping easier, but I think it will be a few more days until he wakes up yoi," Marco said.

"I know Rouge is around," Deuce sighed, crossing his arms. "She's been tying my masks to the ceiling to annoy me."

Marco frowned. "Rouge, if you're around, can you show yourself please?"

A vase went flying off the shelf and smashed into the floor.

Marco rolled his eyes. "Okay, if you can't show yourself, knock one of the towels over. The ones by the doors preferably. They're going for a wash yoi."

Of course the clean ones were knocked over instead. By the Seas, Marco had forgotten how petty Rouge was when she was in a bad mood.

Deuce scowled. "Rouge, are you mad at me?"

He ducked beneath a chair with a yelp.

"I thought so!" Deuce huffed. "Rouge, I'm learning a lot by integrating into Marco's Division. It doesn't mean I am not still a Spade pirate-" Deuce ducked beneath another chair with a yelp. "I knew it! You're pissed off about that!"

Marco shook his head. "You haven't changed a bit, Rouge."

"She's always been like this?" Deuce groaned. "Look, Rouge, at least we're now altogether again instead of being imprisoned by Monkey D. Garp, and Whitebeard is an important pirate as a Emperor of the seas. He protects a lot of places-" Marco winced as a book slammed right into the back of Deuce's head, knocking him over. "Dammit, Rouge!"

The door to the medical bay swung over and Pops walked in, searching the room with narrowed eyes. "I can feel you here, Rouge. It might have been a while, but your haki is still the same."

"She's stuck as a ghost at the moment yoi," Marco said. "Apparently she can't show herself right now."

Pops grinned. "Guararara, of course not, her brat is asleep." He caught the chair thrown at him. "Right, right, Ace is asleep. Guararara, I never imagined your treasure was the same as mine, Rouge. It's good to see, but just one though right? You were never sociable enough to want an army of kids like I have! Guarararara! He's certainly inherited your good looks, Rouge."

.::.

Rouge rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Eddy didn't just get to compliment her after abducting Ace, even if it did soften her ire a bit.

Eddy laughed. "At least she stopped throwing things." Eddy eyed Marco. "How is Ace doing?"

"His fever is going down yoi," Marco said. "He'll probably sleep for a few more days though. He was really exhausted."

Rouge grimaced. At least he didn't seem to be dreaming about that throne room anymore. Ace was sleeping much more peacefully now. There was an IV in his arm, keeping him hydrated and fed? Rouge wasn't too sure. Medical stuff wasn't her best subject. Ace was tucked snugly into bed, watched over by Marco. Marco had grown up a lot since she had least seen him face-to-face. It was kinda scary how much time had gone past. Eddy looked so old now too.

Everything had changed so much, only Shakky looked just about the same way as before. Rouge scowled at the thought. She hated the fact that she was dead, but at the same time it had saved Ace's life. If that was always a requirement, then yes, she would trade her life to protect Ace's in a heartbeat, but at the same time she was selfish. If Rouge was given the choice to live with him, then she would have. She would have been the head of their clan instead of haunting him as a ghost.

But none of that mattered now. Rouge jumped up on to the counter and leaned her back against the wall, swinging her legs in the air. Eddy and Marco were talking about to each other, but she didn't pay them any attention. She glowered at Deuce instead. The little shit. The rest of the Spades were messing with the Whitebeards, and here Deuce was following their heels like a little duckling. She wasn't impressed. Fuck what Sabo said about Deuce being a good second in command. He was a shit.

Rouge closed her eyes and saw a flash of that throne again. Was there a way for her to go there without Ace? She had never been able to separate from him for too long, and never more than an island away, but Rouge wanted to know if that throne was a danger to Ace or not. If it was a danger, then was there a way for her to destroy that danger and ensure her son's safety?

She grimaced. Rouge had to do something. She had deceived the world to protect him once before. There had to be something she could do to save him again.

.::.

Law leaned against the wall and scowled at his den den mushi. "So you're saying Ace has been captured by Whitebeard?"

"We're not really sure if it was a kidnapping or a rescue just yet," Sabo admitted. "Garp had attacked Ace's ship, Ace had passed out after over using his magic I think, then Whitebeard showed up and forced Garp away from Ace's ship and took Ace aboard his. I haven't received any updates from the Spades since. I think they've either been captured or shipwrecked."

"Ace's heart seems to be in stable condition," Law noted, then smirked. "I hope they find out that he doesn't have a heart beat, but is still breathing."

"Seriously?" Sabo's snail glowered.

"I find it very amusing." Law's smirk turned into a frown. "If Ace had the chance to run and choose not to over his whole 'I will not run' crap, I will beat the shit out of him when I next see him, heal him, then take his kidney."

Sabo snorted. "Your bedside manners are horrible."

"I'm in the hallway and thus have no use of bedside manners," Law scoffed.

"Sure, as if you've ever used them in the first place."

"True," Law agreed. "Whitebeard is old, maybe he will trade Ace for a free check up."

"You're going to trade your magical powers of healing in order to save Ace from a kidnapping?"

"Don't sound so shocked." Law rolled his eyes. "I'll take Ace's lung in repayment."

Sabo cackled. "You're going to run out of organs to take sooner than later."

"I'll assume Luffy will be sailing by that point and then he'll be my next victim," Law said.

Sabo's laughter lasted only for a few seconds longer before he sighed heavily. "Just be careful, Law. If you endanger yourself trying to save Ace, it would break his heart-"

"It can't. I've literally got it," Law said.

"You know exactly what I mean by that-"

"Maybe, maybe not," Law grunted. "I'm going to try get in contact with Ace. I'll keep you updated, Sabo."

"I appreciate it. Thanks, Law."

"No problem. Talk to you later."

Law hung up once he heard Sabo say goodbye then sighed and leaned his head against his chair. He was going to have to talk to Ace while missing out on two days sleep. That was just wonderful, and if he couldn't talk to Ace because Whitebeard had kidnapped him, that was going to be even worse.

Penguin frowned at him from his seat at the kitchen table. "You going to try get a nap in before you talk to them?"

Law smirked. "I'm pondering if me with a lack of sleep would talk to them all easier or not."

Shachi snorted. "You'll just become a cranky nightmare at the Whitebeards if you have to talk to one of them, especially if they refuse to let you talk to Ace."

Law grinned. "Fair point."

"That was not meant to be taken as a good thing!" Shachi protested.

.::.

Marco paused at the den den mushi ringing. It looked like it hadn't slept in weeks with the shadows under its eyes. He was sitting by Pops' side now, taking a breath of fresh air while Ace slept under Thatch's watchful eye. Marco didn't want the kid to wake up without a friendly face around, and especially not without a Commander to keep an eye on him. Marco didn't think he'd wake up for a while yet. He was still recovering from his fever and exhaustion, but it wouldn't be much longer now until Ace felt better at least. Marco was trying to heal him with his fire, but he needed to take care not to overwhelm Ace's body.

Now Ace's den den mushi was ringing in Haruta's hand, his sister staring at it with a furrowed brow. She was in a cute knee length green dress, with white flowers decorating the skirt. It was weird to see a dress on his little sister, but amusing nonetheless. Haruta hated dresses.

"Do we answer?" she asked.

Whitebeard eyed Deuce. "Do you know who this is?"

Deuce opened his mouth to speak, but winced when a book hit the back of his head. "Rouge?!" he screeched.

Except the book hadn't been thrown. It was still in her hand. Rouge finally materialised beside Deuce, eyeing him with a smirk.

"Yo," she greeted.

She plucked the den den mushi from Haruta's hands and answered it.

"Hey Law, we've been rescued and kidnapped by the Whitebeards," Rouge answered it cheerfully. "How are you?"

"Peachy."

Marco winced. That sounded like anything but a peachy response.

"Wait." Haruta perked up. "Law? As in Trafalgar Law? I heard the Spades and Hearts have been fighting each other. So why is he calling on a personal line?"

Rouge stuck out her tongue. "Because none of your business."

Haruta stuck out her tongue too. "It is so!"

"I hope you like the pink dress I left in your room," Rouge said gleefully.

"I knew it!" Haruta scowled. "That was you!"

"You certainly sound like you've been kidnapped, Rouge-ya." Law didn't sound impressed, no, in fact he sounded pissed.

Rouge winced. "Right, sorry, Law."

Marco froze. Did Rouge just wince? Pops looked just as shocked. Portgas D. Rouge, the lone pirate of the seas, the pirate thief, Hibiscus Rouge herself, winced at a rookie of the Blues?

"I've not slept in two days, learned Ace was potentially kidnapped, and all you do is joke around," Law growled. "I should hang up right now, but I have yet to hear from Ace. Where is he?"

Rouge grimaced. "I've got a lot to update you on, especially about going to Sabaody, but first I'll let you know that Ace is currently in the Whitebeard pirate's medical bay- And no, before you get annoyed, we didn't get into a fight with them."

"Oddly reasonable for you lot."

Rouge laughed softly. "We have our moments?"

Law hummed.

"Look, right now Ace is resting. He's been out cold from a fever he's had since Sabaody that we didn't really notice-"

"You idiots still don't have a proper doctor yet, do you? What did I tell you about entering the New World without a proper qualified doctor?" Law scolded.

Rouge winced. Again. What in the world was going on here? How did Law make her fear something enough to wince? Marco had to know.

"Not to do it?" Rouge offered.

"Not to do it." Law's snail smiled sharply. "And what did you do?"

"We did it."

"I'm going to stab you the next time I see you."

Rouge groaned. "I was going to train them on a quiet island, and Deuce could study more doctory things like he wanted too, but Garp ambushed us before we could settle."

"That sounds like a you problem now, doesn't it?"

"Maybe a little bit?" Rouge mumbled.

"So not only did you idiots not notice Ace was sick, you also got attacked by Garp, and fought him, of course, because none of you idiots ever run away. The seas forbid that."

"He wasn't giving us a choice?" Rouge offered weakly.

"You are the one who kept showing off about how strong you are, that you are a Emperor of the seas strength, yet Whitebeard drove him off and took you lot aboard his ship from what I've heard."

"And how did you hear about that?" Haruta frowned.

"Which one is this?" Law asked.

"Haruta," Rouge replied. "She's pretty much their spy."

"Rouge, you might be a guest on my ship right now, but don't start giving out information on my children," Pops warned.

"You took Ace onboard your ship without his crew and tried to separate them." Rouge scowled. "I'll do what I want."

"Interesting tactic, separating a seventeen year old from his crew while he is feverish," Law mused. "Do you need help escaping, or are you good, Rouge?"

Haruta choked on her breath while Pops threw his head back and laughed. Marco couldn't help but shake his head fondly. What a ballsy kid. Trafalgar Law was actually willing to take on the Whitebeard pirates to help Ace? And offered to help while right in front of them?

"Whitebeard said we're guests so I think we're good for now." Rouge smiled warmly.

"You were going to try fight us for Ace yoi?" Marco asked.

The snail rolled its eyes. "Considering you're a Whitebeard Pirate I would figure you'd understand the reasoning."

Rouge chuckled. "You're usually so much more careful, Law."

"I was planning to make a deal, not charge in recklessly like you lot," Law scoffed.

Rouge blinked. "A deal?" Her face hardened. "You weren't about to offer your magical abilities as a healing witch up, right?"

Law went silent.

"Trafalgar Law-" The smile was instantly gone from her face, replaced by murderous rage. "You should know fucking better!"

"I didn't say it was a good plan."

"No, it's not a good plan at all!"

"Well excuse me for not having slept in two days!" Law snapped. "Planning something is difficult when I haven't slept."

Rouge groaned. "Insomnia being a bitch?"

"Yes."

"And I guess us disappearing off the face of the earth didn't help much..." Rouge mused.

"No. Not really." The snail glared. "Give me a call when Ace is awake. I've got words for him too."

"Will do," Rouge sighed.

"Later."

Law hung up first. Rouge threw her head back and laughed, grinning brightly.

"I don't think I've ever seen you wince before yoi," Marco admitted.

"Guarararara, he certainly seems interesting." Pops grinned.

"Don't bother wondering about adopting him," Rouge said, her laughter easing off. "Law isn't really after that."

"I suppose you would know," Pops grumbled.

Pops watched her closely as Rouge grew silent, the pair staring at each other intently. Marco waved off Haruta who tried to protest, but Marco shook his head. He climbed down from Pops' armrest and stretched out his limbs, watching his siblings clear out.

"I'm going to check up on the kid," Marco said, walking past Rouge, taking the den den mushi from her.

"Maybe I should join you...?" Rouge began, but Pops glared, so she put her hands up. "Okay, okay. Never mind. Let me know if Ace wakes up if I'm not there anytime soon."

"Wii do yoi."

He hoped their talk would go well.