Ace looked up from the comedy sitcom on the television as he heard the front door open. He had been waiting for hours for Luffy to return from his night out with Hancock. Garp had also been eager to hear how his grandson's first date had progressed but due to the late hour he had been forced to retire to bed and he had grumbled angrily all the way up the stairs about work schedules getting in the way of the important things in life.

Hearing footsteps in the hallway, Ace grabbed the sheet of paper that contained the speech he had spent the night writing to commemorate his little brother's first date when Luffy appeared in the doorway. Ace did a double take at Luffy's state of undress.

'Uh, Luffy? What happened to your shirt?'

'Huh?' Luffy said dumbly and looked down at his bare chest. 'Oh, whoops. I guess I left it in the car. It got stained' He said simply and dropped down on the couch next to Ace. 'What are you watching? Oh, I love this show!' He said and he stretched and wiggled about until he got comfortable. Ace looked at him expectantly but Luffy was fixated on the sitcom. He laughed aloud at a joke one of the actors made.

Ace was flabbergasted. Was Luffy seriously not going to tell him? If that was the case, the freckled man decided, he'd get the information with a little prompting.

'So, care to fill me in on how it went?'

'Huh? Oh, yeah. It was great. Really great. It was better than anything I've tried before. I thought I was only going to get it once, but Hancock was so nice and she made an exception for me so I was allowed another. I couldn't believe how amazing it was.' Luffy said excitedly.

Ace narrowed his eyes at Luffy. Surely he must be hearing his brother incorrectly. Or he was being pranked right now. Luffy couldn't have done it… could he? Maybe Luffy was just clowning.

'So you're saying that you and her… got to know each other?' Ace asked slowly.

'I guess. I didn't know what to do so I just followed her lead. I think it went alright. She seemed like she was enjoying it. Nami had been watching us.'

'What?!' Ace yelped.

'Yeah, she seemed pretty sad about it. And then she left. It really bummed me out that she wouldn't stay. But Hancock made it up to me.' Luffy smiled and subconsciously licked his lips. 'I mean, she just gave it to me. It was just as good as the first.'

Ace's jaw dropped. What the hell had happened?! Luffy and Hancock getting intimate and Nami walked in on them? No. No, don't jump to any conclusions, he told himself, there has to be some other explanation.

Luffy sighed happily. 'Ace, you have no idea how satisfying it was. I can't wait until next time but I guess I will have to wait until she wants to do it again.'

Ace recoiled at those words. He definitely hadn't misread that. There was only one way to interpret that. It was undeniable. He didn't want to believe it, but it added up. The late hour, Luffy's missing shirt and all these obvious innuendos. It could only mean one thing happened. He grabbed Luffy by the shoulders and shook him. 'Dear god, what has this seductress done to my innocent little bro? One night with her and you've become a sex-crazed beast. I want my kid brother back.' He cried hopelessly.

Luffy shoved him away. 'Geez, Ace, what are you talking about?'

Ace pointed accusingly at him. 'Don't play dumb, Luffy. You had sex with that chick, didn't you? Just admit it. She let you have your way with her.'

Luffy frowned. 'Ace, I told you to stop teasing me about that. I didn't do that with her. You're such a pervert.'

'I'm a pervert? What about all the shit you just said? "Oh, it was so satisfying. Hancock gave it to me. It was just as good as the first." How else am I supposed to interpret that?'

Luffy processed those words for a moment. 'I don't see how you could possibly get that from me talking about food.' He finally said.

Ace was thunderstruck by this revelation. He just sat there, staring at Luffy. Not moving, not blinking, and not making a sound. Luffy watched him expectantly for a few moments before shrugging to himself and ambling off to the kitchen to grab himself a coke. He returned and plopped down onto the couch and twisted the cap from the bottle. He took a swig and spared a glance at his brother. Ace remained in the same position.

Luffy sat there drinking his soda and watching the remaining few minutes of the episode. Every so often he glanced at his brother but Ace must have been going for a world record in staying still. He hadn't moved at all. When the credits rolled Luffy yawned loudly. 'I'm going to bed. Night, Ace.' He stood up but his brother's hand gripped his wrist and pulled him back down onto the couch.

At long last Ace found his voice. 'You were talking about food?' He finally uttered.

Luffy nodded. 'Yeah.'

'You go off on a date with a smoking hot girl and when you come back, not wearing a shirt I might add, and then start talking like you've just had sex. But instead, you're talking about food.'

'Yes?' Luffy said uncertainly. Ace was starting to remind him a lot of how Sanji was behaving earlier at the restaurant. Even the same interrogation-like questioning. What was with everyone tonight?

'Start over; when Hancock let you have two, what are you referring to?'

'Two dinners.' Luffy answered.

'And when Nami was watching you?'

'She had a birthday dinner at another table that wasn't really a birthday dinner. She said Zoro was there but I didn't see him.'

'And when Hancock made it up to you and she, and I quote, "just gave it to you"?'

'She gave me her slice of cake that we had for dessert.'

Ace's eyes burned into Luffy's. 'With all due respect, little bro, are you freaking retarded?'

'Huh?'

'I mean, you went on a date with a goddess and come back and only talk about the food. I really shouldn't be surprised because it's you, but what the actual hell? Did you pay any attention to her at all?'

'Of course I did.' Luffy huffed. 'I asked her about her snake.'

'Her what?'

'Her snake. She said she owns a snake. How cool is that? I thought girls were scared of snakes. She invited me to her house to see it.'

'She invited you to her house?'

Luffy nodded and stood, yawning loudly as he made his way for his bed. Ace sighed heavily. 'Well, if she wants to see you again, I guess you made some sort of good impression on her.' He muttered before taking long draught of his warm beer. Luffy stopped at the foot of the stairs as he remembered one more thing

'Oh, and she did kiss me in the car.'

Ace spat his drink all over the coffee table.

~ x X x ~

The younger Gorgon siblings had spent their evening waiting anxiously for their elder sister's return. Both had initially seen Hancock off and then retreated to their respective rooms. As the hours ticked by, they had drifted downstairs to the living room. Sandersonia had been flicking through a fashion magazine she purchased the day before but she had spent more time looking at the clock on the wall. Marigold was watching a rom-com on Netflix, but she barely focused on it and instead spent most of her time twirling her hair through her fingers, her telltale sign that she was nervous.

'How do you think she's doing?' Sandersonia asked for what must have been the hundredth time from her chair.

Marigold looked across to her. 'I'm sure she's fine.' The youngest sister replied. She'd been saying the same thing every time Sandersonia asked.

The green-haired girl's emerald eyes flicked to the clock.

10:21

'Is it normal to be this late?' Sandersonia asked.

Marigold shook her head. 'I don't know. I've never been on a date.'

'Me either.' Sandersonia said.

'Well, in the movies, girls are usually later than this when they get home from a date.' Marigold said. 'And one of the parents is waiting for them in the dark ready to demand where they've been and how they've broken curfew.'

'I could go wake grandma Nyon.' Sandersonia suggested. 'She could do that.'

Marigold couldn't quit tell if her sister was joking.

'Best not. I don't think Hancock even told her she was going out on a date. As far as I know she still thinks Hancock is in her room. You know how grandma has been, trying to give Hancock a push back out into the dating scene.'

'She's started doing the same to me.' Sandersonia sighed. 'You should have heard the lecture she gave me just the other night, "Sandersonia, you're too pretty to be such a tomboy. Stop this fighting nonsense and find yourself a man. You don't want to end up old and alone."' The greenette mimicked, shaking her finger. '"Don't let your height put you off. Any man who is intimidated by that isn't worth a damn."'

Marigold snorted in an attempt to smother her laughter. Sandersonia had a unique take on their grandmother's tone and mannerisms. Exaggerated, but not by much.

'She said something similar to me,' the younger sister added, '"Marigold, honey, you're a beautiful young woman. You might have a larger figure, but your heart is bigger. Just you wait, you'll find the one for you if you stay true."'

Sandersonia shook her head. 'I wonder if her own advice ever worked for her. She's four feet tall and has that temper. You ever wonder what happened to grandpa. We've never met him, right?'

'No, we haven't.' Marigold said. 'Maybe he died.'

'Or he's hiding.' Sandersonia added.

Both girls shared a laugh. Despite what they said, they did still love her dearly. Even if she was a bit pushy and opinionated at times. But weren't all old people like that?

Silence settled over the girls once more and it wasn't long before Sandersonia's eyes flicked to the clock.

10.37

'How do you think she's doing?' Came the inevitable question.

'I'm sure she's fine.' Replied the automated answer.

Sandersonia set her magazine aside. 'Hey, Mari, have you ever met this Luffy guy? I don't think I even know what he looks like.'

Marigold thought for a moment before shaking her head. 'Not really. I mean, I've seen him around school from time to time. He's in that mixed year dance class, remember? Hancock ditched the class because she wanted to dance with him and the teacher wouldn't let her.'

Recognition lit Sandersonia's eyes. 'Oh, him. With the straw hat, right?'

'That's the one.'

'Isn't he the one who got arrested at school a few days ago?'

'Yeah, that was him.'

'I heard he was stealing school supplies.' Sandersonia said disapprovingly.

'Principal said he did but that guy is odd. Did you hear what he was saying when he thought the microphone was off? That man isn't right in the head.'

'I had sports class on the field that time so I missed the whole thing. But it's all anyone has talked about.'

Marigold shrugged. 'It wasn't so exciting.'

'Do you know what made Hancock notice him?'

'First time I found out was when she ordered all those flowers delivered to his hospital room.'

Sandersonia raised an eyebrow.

'I heard he got hurt pretty bad too.'

'He got in a fight?' Sandersonia said.

Marigold shrugged. 'Maybe, but I think he was trying to help someone at the time. He was mentioned in the news about that incident on the outskirts of Grand Line.'

'I don't know if he's right for Hancock. He sounds like a delinquent.'

Marigold shrugged. 'Like I said, I haven't met him. But Hancock really seems to have fallen for him. When was the last time you saw her put so much effort into choosing an outfit?'

'Years.'

'If she's happy, we should be happy for her. It's been far too long since she wanted to go out.'

As they both knew, this had been the first time Hancock had willingly gone out for a social evening with the opposite sex. Sure, in the past she had been dragged along by a girlfriend in matchmaking attempts to get Hancock a boyfriend. Very few were foolish to play matchmaker a second time.

Sandersonia chewed her lower lip thoughtfully. 'I hope she's not choosing the wrong guy. Should we talk to him? Y'know, warn him off any funny stuff.'

Marigold pondered on it. 'Hancock wouldn't like that…' she said hesitantly.

'Do you remember that boy with the snot nose she used to crush on back in elementary school? That guy hit every branch when he fell out of the ugly tree.'

Marigold pursed her lips in distaste. 'Oh, him,' was all she said. 'Why mention him?'

'His personality was as charming as his face.' The middle sister muttered. 'My point is that she hasn't exactly had a good track record with the opposite sex. I'm just worried she may be making the same mistakes as she has in the past.'

She looked at the clock.

10:46

'How-'

'Sonia.' Marigold interrupted sternly. 'I'm sure she's fine.'

Sandersonia clamped her mouth shut. 'Was just asking.' She mumbled and picked up her magazine.

They sat in silence until finally they heard the front door open. Both girls jumped from their seats and practically ran to greet Hancock.

The raven haired girl trudged through the spacious entry hallway. Her gloomy demeanor was a stark contrast to when she had left earlier that evening. Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged looks.

'Hancock, is everything alright?' The youngest sister asked gently.

'Did that guy try anything?' The middle sister demanded.

The eldest girl looked up, revealing her wet eyes. Sandersonia gasped. 'Oh, Hancock. What happened?'

Hancock opened her mouth to speak but no words came. Instead she lowered her head.

'Hancock, it's okay. You can talk to us.' Marigold said.

'That's right, we're here for you.' Sandersonia added.

Hancock trembled, but then she seemed to steel herself. She raised her head and gave them a weak smile. Stepping forward she hugged her sisters who returned the embrace.

'Mari, Sonia, thank you. I'll tell you tomorrow.' Hancock broke away and leaned down to rub her heel. 'But I need to get out of these shoes and then go to bed.' She let out a small, half-hearted laugh.

The younger siblings watched her ascend the stairs and heard her door close a few moments later. Sandersonia turned to Marigold. Her emerald eyes were burning with anger.

'That bastard made her cry.' She hissed.

'Sonia, don't be a hothead and act until we hear what happened.'

'I won't. But I'm definitely having a talk with that Luffy guy on Monday.'

~ x X x ~

Her dream was far from pleasant. She was surrounded by people although none had faces. Just bare, blank skin where any facial features should have been. And the whispering. Even though none had mouths they still said things. Whispers of previous conversations echoed in her head.

Even if you are popular, you're still just a regular girl.

Luffy is a naïve kid. Completely innocent to the way the world, and people like you, works.

He doesn't know your reputation.

You'll understand our concern when someone like you starts asking about our friend.

Who is the beauty queen?

I know your reputation, that's enough.

You hurt people.

A girl has never asked me out before.

Do you think he'd break his neck to date a girl who leaves a trail of broken hearts behind her? Hardly!

She felt ashamed. Ashamed of herself and her actions. Hancock moaned helplessly as the voices continued to punish her. She hugged herself as the faceless people pressed in on her. She covered her ears but it did nothing to shut out the voices.

No personality, no redeeming qualities. Just looks. You're nothing without them.

Don't people always look at you?

You look nice.

Outside you may be beautiful, but inside you're ugly.

You're so conceited.

I came to find Nami.

Does the beauty queen really feel so threatened that she has to follow me and try her intimidation tactics?

I've known her since we were kids.

Do you see me as a rival because I'm closer to Luffy than you are?

Thanks, Hancock. You're the best.

If he knew what a monster you truly were, he'd want nothing to do with you.

Suddenly the whispering ceased and the faceless crowd parted. And towards her walked Luffy. His entire body sans his face covered in shadow. But she didn't care. She was so overjoyed to see him, she ran to him but her feet sunk into the ground after a few steps. Looking down she saw hands reaching up from the earth to drag her under. Terrified she screamed and reached out for Luffy. He made no move to help her. Instead he laughed. A cruel, mocking laugh that didn't belong to him. Before her eyes Luffy reached up and tore his own face away. The skin peeled away like a mask to reveal the true owner of that horrible laugh. Hancock struggled all the more against the hands that now held her in place waist deep in the ground as her ex-boyfriend strode towards her.

He reached her and crouched down. His mouth stretching into that evil sadistic grin that he wore when he stole her virginity. The whispering that had once occurred was now replaced by screaming. Her screams from that terrible night. The faceless people around them swayed.

He let out another laugh. 'I am what you made me, you filthy tease.' He said, echoing the same words said before her torment.

'Stop! Leave me alone!' Hancock screamed as she thrashed about. 'Get away from me, you monster!'

He recoiled at that word. The screaming that had filled the air stopped. The faceless people stopped swaying and became motionless as the world around them flickered and faded into shadows. He stood and turned away from her to address the silhouette crowd around him. 'Who is the monster here?' He demanded.

The people stepped forward and Hancock jolted in shock. The crowd now had faces, faces she recognized. Dozens and dozens of males she had used and discarded in the past now stood around her.

As one they all raised the fingers and pointed towards Hancock's ex. 'You are!' They all shouted as one. And then they began to chant. 'Monster! Monster! Monster!'

'See?' Hancock said triumphantly. 'You're the real monster.'

The figure before her slowly turned and Hancock felt her blood run cold. The figure standing before her was herself. The other Hancock smiled down at her trapped counterpart.

'I'm so glad we agree.' She said.

Hancock woke from her nightmare. Her cheeks felt wet and she realized she'd been crying in her sleep. Her tears soaked the pillow as she hugged it tighter to her body. Her shoulders shook as she wept quietly. That one word continued to haunt her. Whispering endlessly in her ear.

Monster.

Luffy's words came back to her.

You're not a monster. Why would I think that? You're Hancock.

What's the difference? She thought bitterly as she wiped away her tears. Only tonight did she realize that she still wasn't being true to him, or herself. When she had kissed Luffy she had used him as a distraction, a tool, to make herself feel better.

Was that the only reason she liked him? Because he kept the unhappiness away. He was truly the first in a long time to treat her like an actual person instead of a sex object. Was she really in love with him or simply addicted to the pleasant feelings she felt when she was with him? Did she even know how to love anymore?

Hancock sat up and fished around in the darkness until she felt the familiar shape of her phone case. She unlocked it and searched through the contacts until she found Luffy's name. She tapped it and his info appeared next to his contact pic.

Hancock's finger hovered over the call option. She hesitated as she glanced over at the digital alarm clock. 2:59 AM. Luffy would be asleep by now. She chided herself, not for the first time that she didn't call him from the car. Or after she had returned home. She really wanted to talk to him.

And why? To make herself feel better. Argh.

Hancock looked at Luffy's picture again and this time felt guilt. She realized that in her anger she may have ruined her relationship with Luffy. It was only a matter of time before he learned that she had slapped that girl, Nami.

That was going to be the real challenge; Luffy's friends. They either hated her or were afraid of her. But really, she had done nothing to endear herself to them. Only antagonize them. And as she had seen before, Luffy cared deeply for his friends. He'd punched Charloss because that guy had struck his friend. But then again, he had pulled a weapon on Luffy.

She'd have to apologize to Luffy and, by extension, to Nami. Even if Hancock didn't like the girl. But the redhead had touched a nerve when she and Hancock had their stand-off. Hancock was incredibly jealous that Nami was so close to Luffy. They could spend so much time around each other with ease. Hancock always felt like she was walking on thin ice because she didn't really know how to properly communicate with the opposite sex without coming across like a bitch.

As Hancock stared at Luffy's picture she knew what she needed to do. If she wanted to be with him, she'd need to be accepted by his friends. That was not going to be easy. But for Luffy, she would make a real effort to get along with them.

End Chapter.

A/N: Merry Christmas