The dreaded planning for that night came. Time to actually sleep in a bed. Law had insisted she sleep in his, which made her stomach flutter with butterflies.

"Head up ahead of me and take that bath we talked about, Mel," Law said, stacking some of the dirty plates up so they could be brought to the kitchen. "You'll regret it in the morning if you don't."

She grimaced at the thought of an even more painful back tomorrow morning and nodded, pushing away from the table.

"Lemme help you." Shachi stood up and smirked, his glasses hiding the mischievous glint he likely had in his eye.

"You'll be free from helping when I reach Captain's quarters." she snorted at his look of disappointment. "I'm not letting you anywhere near the bathroom."

"Bepo, go with them." Law rolled his eyes, having Penguin help with the plates and utensils. "I don't want anything broken from Mel making make-shift weapons for Shachi."

"How'd yo-" Melody slowly asked,

"Just a guess." Law smiled and headed out for the push doors.

"Let's get going..." Bepo said, poking his head to the door.

Melody smiled and linked her arm on Shachi's, "You guys can keep away the perverts." she chuckled and turned to Bepo. "And you can keep away the Shachi."

Bepo laughed, it was warm and low, a little rumbling too. It made Melody feel safe.

"Shut up," Shachi shouted. "I'm not going to peek on you."

"Sure you won't." Melody laughed and hugged Shachi's arm to her chest, seeing his ears go red.

They reached the doors and Melody smirked, pushing Shachi back and locking the door.

"Hey!" Shachi shouted and knocked. "You really don't trust me?"

"Not yet." Melody giggled. "You'll earn it, bud."

"What about the Captain getting in?" he wined dramatically.

"He can teleport too..." Bepo said softly.

"Stop it!" Shachi shouted and then grumbled. "You ruined it."

Melody kept giggling as she opened her bag, grabbing her clothes and her toiletry bag. She headed to the bathroom to run the water, filling it with hot water.

She brought her things to the bathroom and locked that door too.

Finally feeling alone she stripped and opened her toiletry bag, inside were essential oils and salts; a birthday gift from Maria on the Jackdaw. They were meant to heighten senses and de-stress. She had used them after bad fights or taxing missions. It always made her forget the guilt, but remember the faces and names.

She took a deep breath and poured a handful of the salts into the tub, praying Law wouldn't bitch about it. She then used the dropper on the oil to allow a few droplets into the running water. Satisfied with the height of the water she slowly stepped in, wincing a little as the warm water touched her tender skin around her stitches.

She sighed deeply as the hot scented water made her feel like she was melting into a pool of warm wax. She lay there a while, feeling her body warm up, hearing the sounds of the water moving in the pipes on the sub. Listening for the comforting hum of the men talking outside the Captain's room, but not daring to use her haki to eavesdrop.

Finally after feeling warm enough she grabbed the soap from her bag and used it to clean up, careful not to soap up her hair. She gingerly cleaned her stitches, giggling at Law's name stitched there.

After cleaning her hair, she stood up and drained the tub, using the shower head to rinse off any soap leftover. She towelled off quickly and pulled her hair into a bun. She used some moisturiser and then dressed up again, she had opted for a t-shirt and pyjama shorts. She usually slept nude, but she didn't plan on sleeping next to the captain naked.

She gathered her things up and exited the bathroom to find the men sitting around on the couch, having a debate of sorts.

"I think summer island," Penguin shouted back at Shachi, his fists on the arm of the sofa.

"Winter!" Bepo shrugged.

"Spring!" Shachi shouted back.

"Shut up," Melody mumbled, earning their attention. She threw her dirty clothes and bag back into her belongings. "What's the bitching about?"

Law rolled his eyes, turning to her; "They're betting and bitching about the next island's weather."

Melody rolled her eyes in turn. "Wow," she smirked. "Can't just be surprised when we reach there? Are you guys that bored?"

"Yes." Penguin and Shachi chorused, arms crossed defiantly. It gave Melody a painful nostalgic feeling of her old friend at home in the North Blue; Samantha. She had been super close to her, they were able to even read each other's minds and thoughts with a look and know exactly when the other needed a laugh or cry. Penguin and Shachi reminded her of that so clearly.

She sighed with the weight of that memory and sat down next to Bepo, who was on the floor, lounging on his side.

"I bet, fall," she smirked playfully, raising a brow at them.

"Fall?" Penguin thumbed his chin. "Why?"

"Because there are enough summer islands around." she shrugged. "I miss the warm colours and the hot drinks back home. So a little bit of fall will give me some relaxation I need after a goddamned war."

Shachi smiled and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "You'll warm up to the Polar Tang in no time, Mel." he leaned back in his seat, grabbing his drink.

She nodded and leaned onto Bepo, he was warm and relaxing. He chuckled softly which startled her a little. She forgot he was a Mink, not a pet.

"Sorry," she sat back up.

"No," he shrugged. "It's fine, Captain does it too."

"How come the bear gets the chick?" Penguin grumbled, crossing his arms

Melody glared playfully.

"Because that chick is tired, no one is getting anything," she spoke sternly. "And this chick has a name...boy."

"Hey," Penguin frowned. "I'm older than you! I'm twenty-six."

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "You can act it once in a while.."

"Ooooh." Shachi snorted and wiggled his finger at Penguin tauntingly.

"You're no better," Melody laughed.

"We're pirates.." Shachi shrugged as if she had commented on the weather. "Captains younger than us, and he acts more mature for good measure. Age is just a number."

"Maybe.." Law droned and gave the group a dark smirk. "Melody-ya can teach you two a bit of manners in between sparing."

Penguin swallowed hard, shooting Shachi a glance.

"Maybe..." she hummed thoughtfully. "Do they have to willingly or do I have to force them?"

"It's an order." Law smiled, setting his sword down before sitting up and heading to the bathroom.

"Really?" Shachi grumbled.

"Yes..." Law rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply. "End of discussion."

Shachi didn't say anything else and nodded. If he was upset with the order, he didn't show it. The table fell silent before Law spoke up again.

"You guys should go now," he stretched. "I'm ready to turn in."

They slowly stood up. Melody stayed seated, wishing she could go too as they mumbled 'goodnight's, her stomach doing flips. The door closed with finality, and she was left in the room with Law.

"Ready for bed?" Law turned his head to her, a small towel in hand.

"I suppose..." she mumbled, not making eye contact. "I'm not very tired, just sore."

She could hear water running from the sink in the bathroom, he hadn't shut the door.

"Did you rinse your wound a bit?" he asked. "Is it still tender?"

"Yes," she sat up and headed to bed, sitting on the top of it. "Yes, to both. The cut itself is still very red, but the skin around it isn't as irritated looking."

"That's good." he came out, toothbrush in hand. "I'm not a dentist, so you should brush before bed."

"Oh right," she stood and headed to her bag, grabbing her toothbrush for herself.

"You can put your things around the room," he sighed, the sound of his toothbrush clinking in the sink as he disappeared back into the bathroom.

"I..." she swallowed, thinking about staying in his room. "Don't want to overstay my welcome, Captain."

He laughed softly, "I don't think that's possible," there was a long pause. "My dear."

"Excuse me?" she stopped outside of the door, his cheeks were a little pink.

"I'm smitten." he looked up at her, his eyes were fiery. "If you weren't a shipmate I'd ask you to my bed in another way. If you were to ask, I wouldn't refuse a crewmembers request."

She bit a giggle back.

"Law..." she took a deep sigh and pulled herself together. "If I want to sleep with you...like that...then you have to make me romantically interested. Not sexually."

"Romantically?" he parroted back. "Why?"

She raised her brow at him, squeezing some toothpaste onto her brush. "I don't sleep with people that I just think are hot.." she snorted a little. "I have a little class; besides..." she rubbed her back of her neck. "If it's not romantic too then, it's just physical, and I prefer the physical releases of adrenalin with my assassinations."

"Is that what you tell you suitors?" he leaned into her personal space as she made to brush her teeth. "Or yourself?"

She almost snorted toothpaste, brushing her teeth and spitting a little out into the sink.

"My suitors the last part," she smirked. "I'll stick to my guns though; I'll only sleep with people that want to be with me for more than a night or a week or even a year. If someone wants in, they stay for the long haul or not at all."

"The same tireless sex night after night." Law rolled his eyes, hanging his towel up. "Sounds dull."

"Not at all," Melody smirked wider. "Having someone comforting, who knows what you like and you don't have to guess what they want, you can try new things with no problem, you can be upfront with things that you fantasise about." she sighed and brushed a little more. "Having a chat instead of sex when you need it helps too. Casual fucks don't stick around for cuddling either."

"So you're a cuddlier?" Law chuckled. "That's cute."

She finished brushing and spat again. Rinsing her mouth quickly with a cupped hand, before drying her mouth with her back of her head.

"You didn't really answer the unasked question." she smiled, raising her eyebrows questioningly at him. Her stomach was doing flips as she gathered her courage. "Did you want to go for a romantic route?"

To say Law was stunned would have been an understatement. His brows knit together in confusion and a scowl. His eyes narrowed at her, as if he was trying to re-read her lips.

"Are..." he shook his head. "Are you asking me out?"

She rolled her eyes, she was. Her stomach couldn't stop curdling and swirling around.

"Yes, Law." she swallowed and sighed, looking up at him. "But, I'm more-or-less asking if you're interested in that way...the long haul. Not hit it and quit it."

His cheeks turned red again, he hadn't blushed up till this point.

"I'll..." he swallowed dryly. "I'll have to think about it."

She didn't know how to respond, she hadn't been shut down. But Law obviously thought her worth it if he was thinking about it.

"Okay," she pushed past him and headed to plop on the couch. "Goodnight, doc."

He seemed to snap out of it.

"Nope." he snapped his fingers at her. "Off the couch, we're in my bed remember."

"No way I'm sleeping next to you after that bombshell." she snorted.

"Room." he sighed his blue film from his devil-fruit power covering the area and her. "Shambles." She was suddenly on top of the bed as if she had teleported herself there. Law was glaring at her playfully from the bathroom doorway.

"Stay there and just sleep." he headed to his side of the bed to grab some clothes to change. The blue film from his power disappearing.

"I doubt I will." she rolled her eyes and wormed her way under the covers. "I normally don't sleep with any company."

"I thought you said you liked cuddling?" he teased as he headed to the bathroom, shutting the door. "Don't you sleep after?"

She snorted and tried to hide the blush on her face that was rising from the relaxing scent of Law on his bedsheets.

"I've never shared a bed with anyone like this, or intimately," she admitted.

"So all that flirting is a front?" he asked, heading out of the bathroom again, this time in a plain black tee and track pants.

She held back a giggle.

"Oh, I know my stuff," she smiled. "Just because I don't sleep with everything that has a heartbeat doesn't mean I don't know my way around a man."

"Alright, alright." he shrugged and shimmed into his side of the bed. "So you're a romantic and a heartless tease..." he propped himself up on his elbow, turned to her using a mischievous tone of voice. "Anything else I should know before I decide if I want to bind my heart and soul to you?"

She thought a moment, "Murderess, romantic, tease, heartless, artistic, sisterly and loyal." she shrugged feeling a little like she was under a microscope. "I don't expect a response tonight, Law."

He let out a soft, airy sigh, looking up at the ceiling.

"I wasn't expecting you to be a committed woman like that." he chuckled. "But I should have assumed so; being a girl devoted to a style of living."

She didn't know to respond. Law had been so kind and welcoming to her, was it rare for him to extend such hospitality? She made a mental note to ask Bepo or Penguin.

"Are you uncomfortable?" he asked after much silence.

"No." she admitted, suddenly realising how hot she was from the weight of their conversation and all the clothes she had on. "A little."

"I'm sorry," he mumbled and slowly made to sit up.

"It's not from sleeping next to you," she admitted again. "I..."

"You what?" he asked.

She swallowed her pride, hoping that Law wouldn't tease her or bother her.

"I normally sleep nude." she blushed a little. She had never been bothered by this with her Brotherhood. Most of the crew slept nude on the hotter islands anyways, and fraternisation was strictly forbidden unless the coupling was approved by the Grand Master Assassin back in Masyaf, so no sexual tension lasted. It's hard to be attracted to people you call brother or sister.

"That explains it." his tone was light and airy. "Your skin is healthier looking than most of the sea dwellers I've vivisected, and when I took your blood; your hormones were all balanced with healthy amounts of dopamine and cortisol."

She blinked and looked him over.

"I never feel stressed or like I need to overwork myself," she blushed more, hoping her words would help explain. "I also haven't had bad acne in years or any anxiety, and I can cool off faster in warmer climates."

"Basically you're cooler and more level-headed." he chuckled. "Okay, you can strip."

She could feel herself swallowing her tongue in fear.

"I-I don't know if you'd be comfortable-"

"I don't mind it." he chuckled, and she could hear him rustling under the covers. "Besides, it will help us build oxytocin."

"Sorry." she blinked, stunned by the tattooed torso she was given a show of as he practically ripped his top off.

"It's a hormone released with skin contact, it helps with bonding." he chuckled. "We could cuddle naked, and oxytocin levels will just skyrocket."

She could feel her cheeks burn, that meant he was lying nude next to her.

"Um-umm." she stammered. "I'm perfectly fine wearing clothes until we find me a bed."

"Strip," Law demanded, he then added with a firm, professional tone. "Doctor's and captain's orders."

She slowly pulled off her top and then shimmied her bottoms off, kicking them off the bed. She was burning up, tensed from the idea of Law looking her over.

"There." he smiled and rolled over, showing her his back. "Now, get some sleep, Melody-ya."

She was stunned; he was allowing her to sleep nude for her comfort? It was a terribly odd but lovely gesture. She appreciated it and could feel her heart jump happily as she turned away too.

After a tense while, she could hear his breathing steady slightly. She allowed herself to lull to sleep.