Disclaimer: One Piece = Oda's property.

WARNING: This follows the AU verse "What If", which begins with Ace's story as he's raised in Baterilla instead of Dawn Island. It can be read as a standalone, though I'm not guarantying that everything'll make sense without its companion piece. However, you could always read these stories in the order you wish.

Have fun!

WHAT IF, Part II – Twice Upon A Time

Paranoia had been Garp's closest friend, these last few years.

It followed him everywhere he went, and left a mark in every decision he made. He grew distant from his colleagues, and silence was more often than not becoming the norm for him. It didn't take a long time for the man to finally shut himself in his house, never admitting anyone entrance. Even Sengoku was puzzled by his friend's behavior which started after a short trip to South Blue; but he was eventually forced to accept that Garp had thoroughly changed with the passing years, and left him to his devices after a horrifying screaming match between the two as Garp threatened to leave the forces.

What nobody knew, was that these changes really came with the birth of his grandson and Dragon's infamous reputation growing to the point where the World Government couldn't ignore him anymore. His son had dropped the infant on his laps, swearing that it would only be for a few years – just enough time for Dragon to enlarge his network and what would later become his trusty Revolutionary Army.

Garp had been hesitant at first – it was too much like Roger's request, and this failure still weighed heavily on his mind, the same question plaguing him at night: was Ace still alive? But still, he took Luffy in, promising that this time, he wouldn't let something happen to an innocent child. This started with keeping him hidden from the world, and to everyone but Dragon and Garp, Monkey D. Luffy didn't exist.

The boy was a lively baby, and too curious for his own good. It didn't take long for the child to learn how to crawl into unsafe rooms, sticking tiny fingers into guns' barrels and tins of gun powder. Garp was always a step behind though, scooping him up from the floor and gruffly admonishing the giggling toddler. Those were the good times, when keeping Luffy hidden wasn't difficult, and the boy listened to his grandfather without too much fuss.

But children grew, and Luffy didn't escape the rule. He was still small for his age, but tall enough to reach a door's handle. His size was also an advantage, as the little imp would chase circles around the old man, ducking between his long legs to make an escape. It was all fun and games, until Luffy decided that playing inside was good, but playing outside seemed even better.

That's when the kid first realized that it was not an option, as the door wouldn't budge, tightly locked in place.

"Gramps! Gramps! The door's stuck!"

A frown was etched onto his grandfather's face, and he said nothing as he stirred the boy away from the door, diverting his attention with a new wooden toy.

Of course, Luffy was a stubborn kid, and he always came back to the door, trying with all his might to make it swing open, but to no avail. It's only when Garp, fed up by his antics, clearly told him that he was not to go out, that the boy understood something was definitely not right in the Monkey's residence.

"Why?" he had asked with a deep scowl.

He was never not allowed to do something, Gramps usually happy to give him what he wanted. This was new, and Luffy wasn't sure he liked this new authoritarian Garp.

"Because there are bad people outside, Luffy. They'll hurt you. So you have to stay inside the house, got it?"

After that, it was only a matter of time before Garp started training his grandson. Luffy didn't mind much – the faster he got stronger, the faster he could get out. For the meantime, the boy could only watch the passing people through the attic's windows, hidden by the dark shadows and thick curtains. He used to watch them from the kitchen's window, but once, he waved hello to a passerby who bemusedly waved back. A few hours later, when Gramps came back, he had shut all the curtains and yelled at Luffy in a hoarse voice, asking why someone thought a kid lived in this house, and how could they know.

There had been a mad glint in the marine's eyes, and Luffy's arms were bruised for a week where Garp had held him too tightly. But what really scared the kid into never going near the windows again, had been the tears falling down his grandfather's rough cheeks, and Luffy promised him that day that he'd stayed inside, and that nobody would know he was here.

With time, and with a clearer mind, Garp reflected that maybe that had been a bad thing.

The child grew quieter, boredom leading him to sleep the days away. Garp had taken an indefinite leave from the marine, and it helped the kid who at least had someone to talk to. But it wasn't enough – Garp was old, and wasn't interested in the same asinine things Luffy was. Sometimes, the boy would be frustrated with his grandfather, wailing and screaming about how the old man didn't understand anything and was a meanie. To his credit, Garp took it all in stride, his weary bones creaking as he would sit down with the crying child and play the illogical games his grandson would come up with.

Still, he couldn't keep the loneliness at bay, nor could he shield the child from the harsh realities of life. The existential questions came later than Garp had expected ("Where's my mom? You always talk about my dad, but never mom." And Garp fumbled with words, feeling ashamed and angry. "I… I don't know, Luffy. I truly don't.") and he was left with a withdrawn kid, who despite his grandfather's love, couldn't help but feel unwanted.

"Dad only talks with you… Never me," the seven-year-old told him one day at lunch.

He was eyeing his vegetables with distaste, and Garp only added more to the child's plate whose pout didn't change anything.

"Your dad doesn't talk to me much either, you know… More like grunts," he finished in a grumpy mumble not meant for his grandson's ears.

"Still. He calls you."

With a sigh, Garp dropped his fork and rubbed his temples. "Yes. To talk about you, mainly."

"But he could talk about me, with me," Luffy continued stubbornly, not understanding why his own father was snubbing him.

The old man was still searching for words when Luffy cut him, changing the subject with a huff, "I wanna go outside. I'm strong now. My punch is like a pistol!"

"Maybe later," the marine said to placate the kid. "Eat your carrots, or no meat for a week."

("Gramps, you're really, really strong, right?" the kid asked one day, big brown eyes riveted to the man's darker ones.

Garp grinned, wide and toothy, and he nodded. "Aye, I think so, Luffy. I need the strength, just so I can protect you!"

Luffy nodded in turn, black hair falling on his brow. "When I grow up, I'll be strong like you—no! Stronger than you! Then I'll protect myself, and you won't have to worry 'bout me going out."

A silence followed, and Garp's smile died a little. "Ah… is that so?"

"Yes!" came the eager reply. "I'll be just like you, you'll see!"

No, you don't want to, Garp thought wearily. You really don't.)

Excitement was running through his blood as he let his toes wiggle in the warm sand.

The night had just begun to fall, the sky still holding tinges of pinks and oranges. The ratty rucksack on his back was a bit heavy, but Luffy couldn't have parted with his dry meat or yummy cheese buns. Wonder was written all over his face as he took in the curls of the waves washing over shore, the smell of salt tickling his nostrils. So far, his adventure had been full of new scents and feelings. He had really liked the feel of grass under his feet, but he felt more at home with the sand sticking to his skin.

He couldn't believe his luck! Gramps had to leave in a hurry after a call from Marineford, and he forgot to hide the keys away. So Luffy had packed a bag full of the food he'd need for a little expedition, sure he'd be back before Garp. He then traipsed around the village, hiding out of sight and climbing with a little bit of difficulty up trees, finishing his course on the beach where he spent the major part of his time, building sand castles and running after the retreating water.

Some villagers milled around the docks, but after a while and seeing that nobody really took notice of him, Luffy forgot a little about them. He wouldn't admit it, but their passing glances left him chilled to the bone, and too anxious. He was used to be invisible, and to stay away from prying eyes. The only person he knew was his grandfather, and Luffy often found himself looking for his tall frame when the novelty of the outside world was too much.

With the dimming light, the cold night air came, and it didn't' take long before the boy was shivering as the wind picked up and ruffled his hair and shirt. He waved goodbye to the sea, and the sand, and the rocks, before wandering back to his house. But soon, his steps faltered, and Luffy had an unsure look on his young face. This wasn't the way back home. He didn't recognize those houses, or those little streets.

Dumbfounded, the boy just stood there, in the middle of the path, large eyes staring unblinkingly at the bar he ended up at. Panic was slowly rising, and his fingers got tighter around his rucksack's straps.

He was lost.

His chin trembled and he sucked in air, pursing his lips as his eyes started to burn. Where was gramps, where was gramps, grampsgrampsgramps—

"Are you alright, love?"

Luffy briskly looked up at the woman who just spoke. She was standing at the bar's threshold, a garbage bag in her hand. She smiled when he met her concerned gaze, and swiftly disposing of the trash, she beaconed him to come closer. Luffy inched backwards, frowning.

This wasn't his grandpa.

But he was cold and scared and lost and—alone.

Slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, Luffy made his way towards the woman who held up a dainty hand for him to take. He slipped his fingers through hers, and marveled at the feeling of smooth skin. Her hand was warm, but not as warm as Gramps's, and Luffy kind of wished there were rough patches on her unblemished palm – because it would make him feel better, and give him a semblance of normalcy in this unreal, unsafe world.

"Come, sweetie, we can't have you stay out in the night. We'll try and reach your parents with a snail transponder, alright?"

Luffy didn't answer, too busy trying to keep his tears at bay. He had been stupid, going outside like that. There was a reason Gramps told him not to – it was scary, and Luffy didn't like this new feeling.

The woman led him to a stool and he gingerly sat down, gripping his bag against his chest. He was so busy wallowing in his fears and guilt that he never noticed the man besides him, who guffawed loudly before thumping a hand against the wooden counter, startling the kid.

"He's a bit young to come in a bar, Makino! I thought you had standards?"

The woman – Makino – smiled gently as she settled a plate full of warm food in front of the boy. "I found him outside. He seemed a bit confused about his surroundings."

At the reminder, Luffy's eyes got full of tears he couldn't stop, and after a few seconds, they fell down his cheeks.

"Wow, kid! Are you trying to cry us a river, or what?"

"Wanna go home!" Luffy bawled out, rubbing his running nose against his rucksack.

The man took a napkin and forced it on the kid's face. "There, use that instead. Once you calm down, Makino will call your parents and you'll feel silly for crying like a baby!"

"Am not a baby," Luffy blubbered out, rising a fist to weakly punch the stranger.

"Shanks, leave him alone. The poor boy is obviously distraught," Makino scolded, bending over the counter to rub comforting circles on the child's back. "What's your name, sweets?"

"Luff-lufffyyy" he cried out as Shanks laughed.

"Fluffy? That's cute!" was the light jab, which only made the child cry harder.

That night, Luffy was taken care of by a soft woman with small hands, who gave him food and reassurances. A man with red hair tried his best to make him laugh through his tears, and Luffy latched onto his hands where rough callosities sat, giving the kid the illusion of home; and safety; and Luffy thought that maybe getting lost wasn't so bad if it meant meeting such nice, new people.

In another life, far atop a mountain hidden amidst humongous trees, a family of bandits would've taken care of three rambunctious boys. The eldest would've had freckles dotting his skin, and for the longest of time, his only friend would've been a lost blond kid chasing after freedom. They would've met another boy, with a wide smile and starry eyes, always trailing after them. The three would've become brothers; and they would've been happy; and they would've been loved.

In another life, Garp wouldn't have thought too much about dropping his son's spawn in Dadan's care – because the previous experiment would've proved somewhat successful, and something would've told him that Ace and Luffy would've been perfect for each other.

However, in this life, Rouge died too early, and Rayleigh's guilt had won out, while Garp's paranoia had slowly crippled him.

He never thought about what would happen if Luffy was seen. Or what would happen once Luffy was too old to be okay with staying cramped up in a too big house. He never thought about all that, because in Garp's eyes, Luffy would always be a little brat small enough to fit in the cradle of his arms – small enough to be bundled and hidden away from the bloodthirsty world.

But he didn't count on the boy's curiosity, nor his knack for getting into trouble. So of course the kid would go and show him how stupid Garp had been in trying to erase his grandson's existence – meeting up with the villagers of Foosha; getting cozy with a damn pirate. All that while Garp went away, trusting his grandson to keep away from the damn door.

He didn't know how long Luffy had been sneaking out, but seeing him one early morning with a too familiar straw-hat atop his unruly hair, Garp knew.

The old marine didn't get angry, didn't yell or use his Fist of Love.

What he did was sit down with his cowed grandson, and asked, "Are you unhappy in this house? Do you ever feel alone, or mad that I'm telling you to hide?"

And Luffy nodded, ashamed.

And Garp's heart broke, guilty.

A decision was taken this day. If Garp couldn't hide his grandson away, he'd protect him, even if that meant being separated. So he led his kid – because Luffy was his, from the moment his useless son gave him the babe, from the moment he was asked to raise him, Luffy had become his – away, eyes getting teary as he saw how the boy took in with wonder the tall trees and colorful flowers. He led him up, and up, and up, until the earth seemed far away and the sky was low enough to brush against their hair.

They met with a reluctant Dadan, who was at least grateful for the kid to be grown enough to fend for himself. And when Garp turned on his heels, ready to go back down, Luffy followed, his little feet pit-pattering on the dirt soil.

With a sigh, Garp stopped, and Luffy bumped into his back.

"Gramps?" he asked, face still smooched into his grandfather's floral shirt.

It smelt like sugar cookies and metal, and for most of his life, these had been the only smells Luffy knew. They meant home, they meant cuddles, they meant caring. His little fingers clenched around the flimsy fabric, and his heart hammered against his ribs. Because Gramps wasn't saying anything, and he'd been about to leave without Luffy.

"Gramps?" he said again in a whisper.

Garp took the hands in his larger ones and slowly, as if afraid to break the bird-like bones, he untangled himself from the grasp. He heard a gasp, and the hailed Hero of the marine didn't dare to turn around and see the look on his kid's face.

"From now on, you'll stay here, Luffy," he uttered gruffly. "Dadan will take care of you – help you settle. You're not to go to the village again, understood?"

"No," the boy replied truthfully. "Where are you going? You're coming back, right? Like when you go to work, yeah?"

Gathering all his courage, the marine turned and crouched down. With a set jaw, he grimly shook his head. "I can't stay. I'll soon be stationed somewhere on the Grand Line, so I don't know when I'll see you again. You gotta be good, you hear me? Don't slack on your training, and don't forget to eat your veggies."

Luffy kept shaking his head, a deep frown settled on his face. "No, you're not leaving. You're not."

Garp continued over the younger's denials, "Don't forget to stretch – though it shouldn't prove to be difficult, now – and remember Luffy: the village is off limits."

Seeing the tears filling the large brown eyes, Garp surged forward and hugged the boy.

"Don't leave," the boy blubbered, "I promise to stay in the house! I swear! I won't go out again. Don't leave me alone, Gramps…"

"I'm sorry, Luffy… It shouldn't have been like that," the old man grunted. "You should've been able to run free from the very beginning. Don't you see, kid? You can do whatever you want, now!"

But I'll be alone, the boy thought. You won't be there, Makino won't be there, Shanks won't be there.

Growing angry, the child struggled out of the hug and shoved at his grandfather's shoulders. The man didn't budge, and it angered Luffy even more.

"Then go! Go!" he shouted. "I don't care! Don't need you, anyway!"

"Luffy!" Garp shouted, but it was too late, the kid already ran away, slamming the door of Dadan's house behind him.

He then stood at the window, hidden behind a ratty curtain, and he watched as Gramps talked with Dadan for a few minutes before casting a last glance at the shut door, shoulders slumped. The old man turned away, and Luffy stared as the large back became smaller and smaller, until it disappeared completely from his sight.

He tugged at the straw-hat on his head and bit his lips, swallowing the lump in his throat.

In the end, Gramps had been no different than dad or Shanks.

Everybody left, nobody stayed.

Luffy wondered if one day, he'd ever be enough.

To be continued…

A/N: IT'S BACK! I finally got enough inspiration to make a true verse out of What If. For those already wondering how Luffy got Shanks' hat: basically, the same as in canon. The only changed thing is that Luffy had to sneak around the village for his visits, and Shanks may be a bit fonder of the lost, lonely kid starved for human affection, but afraid of accepting it. Oh, by the way, I kept listening to a song while writing it: Light, by Sleeping at Last. I find that the lyrics fit Luffy and Garp really well.

You can already see that Ace being raised by Rayleigh also did a number on Garp. I really enjoyed writing about the changes the characters had, though I have to admit, the Monkey family's story is sadder than Ace's… what can I say, I'm used to make them suffer now, what with Firsts and Lasts of an Idiot's Life…

So, yeah, there will be one more chapter I think, like for Ace's verse. Also, both stories may have additional chapters as time passes, and if inspiration strikes. I already have some ideas for a new chapter in Ace's life, but I'm not promising anything.

I hope you enjoyed this one, and that you'll like what I have in store for Luffy next! I have absolutely no idea when I'll update, since as said on my profile, the wifi here is complete CRAP.

In any case, I wish you a super good week, and see ya 'round, little strawberries!

(PS: sorry for any remaining mistakes, though I tried my best… I hope you'll forgive me, if you're part of the Grammar Police crew!)