A/N: Hey. Sorry for vanishing like that. So have a double update.

Now, I'm usually not the sort to share personal issues here, but I left for a reason.

I'm sure you're wondering where I went for the last two years; why I went and left this story behind for so long. If I'd had it my way, I would've kept going, but alas, life, health and...other...issues kept me away from this particular story for awhile.

You see, I was in a happier place when I began writing these stories, and as a result the updates flowed like wine. I had a muse, someone who inspired me to write, someone who I loved dearly, and who loved me me in return. Then she began having seizures and things began to change. Epilepsy, they called it. Nothing stopped it. Nothing worked.

Then she passed away.

I couldn't look at my old stuff anymore after that. Couldn't come back for...well. Awhile. So I moved on. She was my muse, my guiding moonlight, and the inspiration behind many, many stories. The world still feels colder without her. But I think she would've wanted me to continue this, so here we are. I've been going back and updating all my old stuff but...hoo boy. Its hard.

Sorry if this seems short, but I'm working on this solo. I refuse to involve my Team in this, they've got other things to work on.

But...so long as there's life left in this broken body of mine, I won't let her memory die.

"You won't hurt us."

"Oho? And what makes you say that?"

...would you believe me if I told you I could see the future?"

"Cheeky little shit, ain'tcha? You certainly know more than you should."

~?

Choice (Second Interlude)

Garp wasn't good with kids.

He knew this, Sengoku knew this, the world knew this. His son was proof enough of that disaster; frankly it was something of a miracle Dragon had turned out the way he did, Revolutionary or no. So yes, Monkey D. Garp had all but given up on the idea of raising kids after that mess. Never again, he'd told himself. He'd sworn off dealing with brats like that unless he absolutely had to. Even the idea of training children had long since lost its appeal for the weathered vice-admiral.

So why, why, WHY was he babysitting a pair of brats that barely came up to his knee?! He was supposed to be on vacation!

He still would be too, if someone hadn't busted a hole in his wall!

Just the thought of it had the old marine tapping his foot as he leaned back in his chair. Not too loudly of course. Wouldn't want to wake the little shits now, would he? Not if he could hep it. They'd never shut up. Is this your ship? Where are we going? Where are you taking us? Why are you helping us? Why, why, why! Always with the questions! You think they'd know not to look a gift horse in the mouth!

"Well, Garp old boy, you've really stepped in it this time...

He risked a glance at the slumbering pair in the bed -his bunk!- once more and weighed his options for what felt like the umpteenth time. They were an odd pair if nothing else. Just a boy and a little girl. Certainly not the hardened criminals their wanted posters made them out to be. The girl clung to the boy for dear life, even in sleep. For his part, the youngster had turned his body to keep him between the two of them while they slept. It earned him a few points in Garp's book. Smart. Not much use in a situation like this, but it was good to see at least one of them had a good head on their shoulders.

Garp watched them a moment more, idly listening to the sounds of the sea outside as it rocked against the hull. No one questioned a marine ship setting sail in the dead of night. No one dared.

Sengoku would have his head for this...if he ever learned the truth.

Still, it was difficult to believe that this was the infamous Demon Child and her Trigger. Here he was sitting on a whopping bounty of 240,000,000 beli altogether. These two? Criminals? Something stank here, and it wasn't the salty stew he'd made. The World Government would have the people believe these two were monsters, devils, demons...and for what? Nevermind Nico Robin's obscenely high bounty, why would they want her partner dead? Yes, there was something afoot here. He'd halve to grill Sengoku abou tit.

Garp looked at them and saw tiny children. He leaned over and tucked the sheets a little tighter around them.

Robin, perhaps sensing his presence, buried her head in her companion's chest. Clingy little thing. Garp fought down a chuckle at the sight.

Poor brats. They were so damn thin. Too thin. Even after he'd treated them to a meal. Nico Robin had devoured her portion as if she thought it her very last dinner on earth. She probably thought it was, after the welcome he'd given them. They were a skittish pair alright; and by the look of him, the boy knew who he was. It was a miracle they'd dozed off in his presence at all.

The boy grumbled in his sleep.

"Gramps...noooo...stop...no more cannonballs...

Garp's eye twitched, but his mouth betrayed him. "Gramps, is it?"

That one had spirit to be sure; he hadn't been fool enough to fight him, but rather cussed him out until Garp let him up. Shame he'd collapsed after that. The girl was smaller, but even more fierce. She'd tried to claw his eyes out when he went near him! She didn't trust him -of course she didn't!- but in the end, exhaustion had worn both the kids down. Children needed to sleep after all, and these two were no exception. He'd have to get the boy looked at by a doctor, too. Heart conditions were nothing to joke about.

Hopefully those two were having sweet dreams. They deserved that much at least.

"But what in blazes am I going to do with you?!" he flung his arms up with a growl. "This is a fine mess you've landed me in!"

The boy snorted in his sleep and for a moment, just a moment, Garp thought he was awake. Nah. Brat couldn't be that clever. No. Surely not.

He couldn't give these two to the Marines; tempting as it might be to train them up as recruits, everyone knew their faces. They'd be torn to shreds, nevermind what Sengoku would do to them. Couldn't let them go either; they'd be snapped up by a pirate crew, or worse. As they were now? That was a fate worse than death. He'd taken them onto his ship on a whim, but the fact remained, he couldn't return to headquarters with them. They'd be thrown in Impel Down, if not executed outright.

Unfortunately that left Garp with precious little in the way of options, loathe though he was to admit it.

Even if he wanted to, he couldn't keep his eye on them indefinitely. Not without arousing suspicion. Which meant he needed someplace to stash the little buggers. Somewhere safe and out of harms way. Somewhere no one would ever think to look for them. Conversely, he needed someone to look after them while he away. Someone who could be trusted to do as they were told, and not to turn them in for a quick buck. Someone who could help to train them, make them able to fend for themselves...someone like...

An idea struck Garp like a thunderclap and a golden lightbulb blinked into existence over his head. "Aha! I've got it!"

Garp grinned, then. It was not a pleasant smile. Why, he knew just the woman for the job!

Dadan owed him a favor, after all. Several favors, in fact.

He never saw the boy squinting at him.

Never saw his smile either.

More fool he, for that.

"Gotcha."

A/N: Bad Garp! Bad! Don't even think about it!

Not much to say, this time around. Chapters will be far longer from here on out. I could wax poetic about my plans, but I'm feeling a little dead inside at the moment. Its hard writing some of these old stories without my partner, and I miss her. I miss her more than words, more than life itself. But I'm rambling I suppose. Don't mind me. Just an old man thinking of happier times.

So, in the Immortal Words of Atlas...

...Review, Would You Kindly?

And of course, enjoy the preview! Hope it makes ya smile a little. I don't smile much these days. Not anymore. Gods, I feel so cold...

(Preview)

"No!" Robin cried! "Don't leave me!"

"DODGE!

Garp swung. Hard.

"Wait a bloody second-GACK?!

...you weren't ready. C'mon, up you go!"

"Screw you old man...

R&R=D