Law stirred as the sunshine leaked through the window panes. A heavy head on his shoulder made him smile softly as he opened his eyes to see Leila in a deep sleep. Her dark hair fell over her bare shoulders as the blanket shielded her naked body. Leila watched her for a few more breaths, his fingers tracing over her shoulder as he thought about how insane it was that the pair were in this situation.

"If I had told myself when we first met that you would be living here, let alone sleeping in my bed each night…I would have gone insane" Law whispered to himself, slightly stunned. "How did you manage that huh?"

Someone knocked on Law's door and he felt his stomach sink. He's had people walk in on him with random women before – but Leila would be a whole different story. She was close with the crew; it would surely make things awkward.

"Wait a minute" Law spoke relatively quietly, trying to shift Leila onto her side. She murmured slightly as her eyelids flittered but she did turn over to her side, still asleep. Law lifted the blankets further up her body as he tugged on some sweatpants to open the door.

Bepo took in his captain's disheveled appearance and raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you?"

Law shielded the entrance to his bedroom with his body and held the door semi closed. His dark hair was ruffled and his top was shirtless with faint love bites scattered across his neck which Law hadn't had the pleasure of seeing yet. Bepo's face paled as he realized the situation and he sighed, coming out into the hallway for Law to follow him.

"Nothing, what do you need?" Law answered, massaging his hand through his hair.

"I came to wake you up – it's late you know?" Bepo told him worriedly. "Didn't you have work today?"

"Ah-" Law remembered, feeling disappointed in himself that he had let it slip his mind. "Thanks Bepo, I got to sleep late"

"I can see…" Bepo told him with concerned facial features, making Law raise an eyebrow at him.

"Captain – I don't want to overstep my boundaries but I'm your friend before I'm your crewmate" Bepo began to speak his mind, making Law listen attentively. Bepo turned to face Law with a serious look. "Do you know what you're doing?"

Law couldn't help but smirk as he thought of last night. "Yeah, I think she would say I know what I'm doing as well"

"Captain!" Bepo groaned.

"Bepo, I appreciate your concern for me" Law smirked at him as he leant against the wall. "But you've never commented on this kind of thing before…"

"Captain, it's different this time" Bepo said confidently and sternly. "This is not some random girl that you're sleeping with. It's Leila"

Law didn't say anything in return and let his gaze fall to the floor as he rubbed his neck anxiously.

"I've heard that she's staying for longer. Until when?" Bepo asked Law

"I'm not sure, that's down to her"

"So she's staying on the ship and she's been sleeping with you consistently?" Bepo asked Law to which he nodded slowly, feeling slightly defensive at the constant questioning. "Are you in a relationship with her?"

"No, like I've already told you it's completely casual Bepo" Law sighed, slightly annoyed. "It's none of your business, why are you worrying so much?"

Law turned to head back to his room but Bepo continued speaking urgently. "It is my business Captain. It's all of ours because she is part of this crew – in one way or another". Law turned back to look at Bepo and let out a deep breath as his annoyance was building.

"What is this going to be in the long term?" Bepo asked the question everyone had been thinking but not daring to mention.

"Enough." Law commanded him, raising his voice and not wanting to listen anymore.

"No, not enough" Bepo continued relentlessly, both of their voices raising slightly more than they should have. "Captain – if you hurt her, you're going to be hurting everyone on this ship. She is more than just someone to sleep with"

"You think I don't know that?" Law bit back. If he were an animal his teeth would be practically snarling in warning.

"I think you don't know that" Bepo confirmed. "If this goes wrong, you could ruin her life. You have to be aware of that. She'd be associated with a former shichibukai"

"Bepo!" Law shouted, causing the two of them to stare at each other with anger seething through their eyes. "I think it is safe to say you overstepped your boundaries"

Law gave Bepo a final glare and entered his bedroom with a slam. As he entered he saw Leila sitting up in the bed with the covers wrapped around her, her face etched with worry.

Leila walked into out onto the deck where Bepo was reading through plans and journals. Before the bear noticed Leila had wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled her face into his soft fur, making him stiffen and blush.

"L-Leil-" He stammered

"Thank you" She spoke honestly. Letting him go to give him a gentle smile. Bepo looked away from her and back down at his journals, feeling guilty.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to argue with the Captain" He told her, to which she shook her head immediately.

"No, it was nice to hear honestly" Leila admitted. "You guys care for me a lot, more than I could ever ask for"

Bepo met her golden eyes that seemed happy and lively. "…was he really angry at me?"

"I don't think so…" Leila said. "He didn't say anything to me when he came back into the room; he just went straight to shower. I left when I heard the water running"

Bepo let out a long sigh. "I'm selfish you know"

"You don't seem selfish to me…" Leila murmured, confused.

"I am. Even though we fought over you – I was more concerned about Law." Bepo pushed his books aside to turn fully to Leila, trying to communicate his seriousness. "I can see the way you are with each other…but I want to protect my captain"

"What do you mean…"

"I think it's a mistake, what you two are doing" Bepo admitted, burying his face in his paws. "He's not thinking everything through"

Leila nodded slowly, understanding what Bepo was getting at. "Ah, I see…"

"I just don't want you two to get hurt, either of you" Bepo assured her.

Leila's heart throbbed at the realization that Bepo was right. As much affection that Leila felt towards Law, he wasn't interested in reciprocating it. Not at a deeper level.

'But…did I want it to even go to a deeper level?' Leila thought. Her mind was only becoming more confused the more she debated the consequences of their feelings and the depths of them.

She let out a loud groan - almost scream - making Bepo jump back in surprise.

"A-are you okay?" Bepo asked her worriedly, suddenly regretting everything as he thought she had gone insane.

"Aaaahahhh" Leila let out another deep breath, feeling her stress physically leave. "I feel better now"

Bepo looked at her as if she had grown another head and Leila grinned at him childishly. "Come on, you're stressing too much. Try it. Release everything with a long breath – don't hold any noises back"

Bepo shifted on his feet uncomfortably before trying it, making a low growling sound as he let his tension release.

Leila patted him on the shoulder. "There! Feel a bit better now?"

Bepo couldn't help but smirk and he nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry, I think being stuck on this island is making me loopy. It's way too hot, I think it's getting to my head"

Leila grinned at Bepo. "It's fine. I understand your concern – you're worried for everyone and I appreciate you a lot Bepo"

He blushed again slightly and had to let out a held in breath as he took in the dazzling woman before him.

"I wish you'd never leave Leila – you're like the mother to all of us" He smirked at her, making her laugh out loud in disbelief.