After announcing to his crew that they would be staying in Paradise a while longer and discussing possible courses with Bepo, Law retired to his quarters. He spent the next several days going over the medical file Krysta had given him.

The number of poisons and various other toxins that had been in Krysta's system when the Straw Hats found her was appalling. He was genuinely impressed she had survived and managed to recover enough of her health to remain a pirate. Glancing at the wanted poster laying on his desk he figured she had some potential.

Killer Shadow

70 mil. Berri

Extremely dangerous. No regard for human life.

Honestly, Law didn't realize it was Krysta's poster at first. The figure in the photo wore all black which made it difficult to determine the persons gender; a mask covered the shadows face. He assumed it was an idol, a relative perhaps, but the violet eyes were familiar and prompted closer inspection.

Her attitude and behavior made it hard to believe she had so much blood on her hands, but he supposed it had been forced upon her at the time.

Keeping to his quarters and the infirmary meant that Law only saw Krysta during mealtimes and she didn't interact with him unless she had to. Already he was seeing an improvement in the morale of his crew with a female on board and her efficiency in the galley was notable. On her fourth day in the galley Bepo's curiosity finally won out and he asked if she had been a waitress before becoming a pirate.

"My mother was a chef at the Ceili, I started helping out as soon as I could carry a tray, but I did more than just wait tables," Krysta answered with a sad smile.

"What's a Ceili," Penguin asked with a confused look.

Krysta hummed in thought, "Its what you would call a tavern, but there was always music, dancing and stories."

Law was pleased Krysta was finally getting comfortable around his crew.

A light rap at his door drew him from his musing.

X*X*X*X

Krysta's head snapped up from the last of the dishes as a small tray with a mug of coffee was placed heavily on the counter next to her.

"Take this to Captain, don't let it get cold." Nick said curtly before stalking out of the kitchen.

"He really doesn't like me," commented Krysta, glancing over her shoulder at Seb. He was going over the menu for tomorrow, a pen between his teeth as he let loose his shoulder length brown hair.

"He just needs time," Seb supplied with a shrug. "Nicks a bit cautious is all."

Sebastian was the head cook with Nick following as his sous-chef. Their main duties were the kitchen with four other crewmembers that took cooking duty in alternating shifts. Krysta brought the number up to three main cooks and she got the feeling Nick was threatened by her. Seb knew him better than she did though so for now she would take his word for it.

"Well then I better speed up the process by doing as he asked," Krysta dried her hands and picked up the tray.

"Let me hun," Seb started rounding the counter, "He shouldn't be ordering you around."

"I got it," Krysta waved him away with a smile, "Finish what you're doing so I have something to start on in the morning."

Seb gave her a contemplative look, "You've been the first one in here all week. You getting enough sleep?"

Krysta could hear the concern in his voice, "Plenty, I promise," Krysta pushed through the galley doors leaving Seb's attentive eyes behind. She had to pause at the top of the stairs to the first level as she swayed on her feet. There was no getting around it tonight, she needed at least a few hours. Pushing off the railing she made her way over to Laws door.

"Enter,"

Krysta walked in and Law casually placed the medical text he was holding on his desk, hiding her still open medical file. Examining her as she approached him he took note that the bags under her eyes had lessened. Law thought she was suffering from sleep deprivation, but it seemed his worries were unneeded. Despite what was happening to her body, she showed no sign of pain or discomfort. Perhaps her ailment hadn't spread enough to hinder her normal functions, or it was a silent killer that would take her without warning.

"This is for you," Krysta said placing the mug beside her wanted poster. Without waiting for a response, she turned to leave.

"Krysta-ya," she looked back at Law over her shoulder, "Inform Seb that you will be unavailable tomorrow,"

Krysta turned to fully face him, "May I ask why?"

"You'll be in the infirmary undergoing some tests," Law took a sip of the coffee. Krysta raised a brow but didn't press the matter.

"Ok, I'll let him know," Krysta slipped out without another word.

When Law next looked at the clock it was approaching one in the morning. Standing to stretch, his back gave a satisfying pop. The short walk to the galley to return his mug would work out the stiffness in his limbs and then he could sleep.

As Law returned to his quarters a sound made him pause. A few moments of silence followed, and he dismissed the noise, only to hear a loud cry come from Krysta's room. He was instantly alert as he moved towards her door. Swinging it open he gave his eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness of the room now illuminated by the faint light spilling in from the corridor. Krysta's eyes were shut tight, the bedding tossed to the floor as she thrashed against invisible phantoms. She was having a nightmare.

Law approached her cautiously, watching as her limbs went rigid and her fists twisted in the sheet beneath her. She was pleading with whatever demons she believed held her down, her voice cracked and abused from her earlier screaming. He needed to wake her up.

Laws fingertips had barely brushed her exposed shoulder when her eyes snapped open. They were pitch black. Laws shock allowed Krysta to grab him and pull him down. They rolled as she straddled him, a shadow blade pressed to his neck. Law remained still as Krysta breathed heavily above him, clearly not entirely in the waking world. One hand poised to make a room he spoke to her gently.

"Krysta-ya…wake up."

Law watched as the black in her eyes receded, the blade disappearing as she blinked at him a couple times. Her eyes widened in horror as she scrambled off him, retreating to the farthest corner of the bed.

"Law?...Fuck, I'm so sorry…I didn't…You're not…," Krysta couldn't get the words out, but Law understood what she was trying to ask.

"I'm fine Krysta-ya,"

Krysta visibly calmed. She looked completely exhausted as she rubbed at her face. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

"How long have you been having nightmares," Law asked sitting up.

"Since my first night on the sub."

"How often?"

"Every time I sleep," Krysta shrugged.

That was an odd way to respond. Law had seen the signs of sleep deprivation start showing up during Straw Hat Luffy's recovery. He concluded her sleeplessness was due to her worry for her captain. The signs hadn't improved until after they had returned from Shakky's bar. The dark circles under her eyes had lessened considerably but looking at her now they were more prominent than ever. That's when he remembered the small bag of cosmetics he'd seen in her bag. Krysta wasn't getting better, she was just hiding it.

"You aren't sleeping every night," Law realized.

Krysta shook her head in confirmation, "Only when I have to."

Law frowned at the admission, another thought coming to mind. "You showed no symptoms of sleep deprivation when I first brought you aboard."

"That's because I was sleeping on the Sunny," Law's raised brow told her to elaborate, "I had a way to keep the nightmares away."

"Why aren't you using it here?"

"Because it isn't possible." Krysta answered vaguely.

"What is it," Law didn't like her evasive answers.

"It's not important if it won't work," Krysta tried once more to dodge the question, but the look Law gave her said he wasn't going to drop it. Krysta huffed.

"You're going to find this childish but, I didn't sleep alone."

Law was taken back by the simplicity of her solution, unfortunately…

"I have no female crew members for you to bunk with."

Krysta took a deep breath before she spoke again, "That doesn't matter because I wasn't sharing a room, I shared a bed…and it was never with Nami or Robin." Laws brows rose as he put the pieces together.

"It was only for sleep…most of the time." Krysta shrugged, refusing to make eye contact. She mentally berated herself for feeling nervous about telling Law. They were both adults after all.

"This should have been brought to my attention sooner," Laws tone was reprimanding, "I will not tolerate my crew intentionally harming their health."

"Good thing I'm not part of your crew," Krysta flinched a little at the glare Law cast her, "It wouldn't have made a difference, there's no way I'd be comfortable enough with anyone on board for it to work, nor do I trust anyone to keep their hands off."

Law sighed tiredly, rising to his feet. "Come with me."

Krysta followed Law back to his quarters and waited near the sofa as Law disappeared behind the curtain dividing his suite. She heard a door click and wondered what Law was doing. Maybe he had a sleep aid he intended to give her? She would have to refuse, forced sleep just made the nightmares worse.

When Law reappeared he only wore black sleeping pants, his tattooed torso bare. Krysta couldn't help but stare as he made his way over to his king bed.

"Lay down." Laws command sent cold realization across Krysta's skin.

"Hell no," Krysta's response was immediate as she turned to leave. She paused mid-step as a blue film encompassed her.

"Shambles"

Krysta was suddenly on her side looking at the heart on Laws chest as he wrapped his arms around her. She pushed against him, but her exhaustion made her arms like jelly against stone.

"Law, this won't work," there was a twinge of fear in her angry voice, "I don't want to sleep anymore."

"I have yet to sleep and I'm ordering you to remain here," Law smirked down at her glare as she stopped struggling. "Close your eyes Krysta-ya."

Krysta huffed in obvious annoyance but did as she was told. She would just wait until Law was asleep before slipping away.

X*X*X*X

Another Chapter Complete.

I hope you enjoyed this one.

Till next time.