Law had his back pressed up against the wall. Beside him was Bepo, a serious look on his face as the pair remained silent in the dark corridor. A large clatter of armor resounded on the floor, soon followed by Robin's feminine whistle. Law nodded and proceeded forward, moving to meet up with Robin and Sanji.

"East wing's clear – but it won't be long before people notice" Sanji murmured, a cigarette burning between his lips.

"We won't be able to sneak our way in for much longer" Law agreed, moving further into the complicated castle.

"Have you seen anything? Any clue as to where she might be?" Robin murmured, concerned etched into her face as her bright blue eyes revealed a painful thought.

"We'll find her" Law replied. Bepo remained quiet, following his captain closely as they took down lone guards.

It had taken a long time for Law to find out where Xander resided – far too long than he wanted. He had met up with the Strawhats, grateful for their assistance, but they struggled to agree on a plan. He knew they were not the crew to be tactful and sneak in. They were the types to charge in, guns blazing. But they couldn't afford to mess up. This was a bigshot pirate with connections to the navy, they could not afford to be trapped or put Leila's life in danger. Law felt restless, his heart jumpy at every new footstep. He made quick work of the soldiers who were stronger than he thought. His body was tired; they had actually gotten a few good hits in on him. As expected of Xander's men.

Law's team split up – dividing to cover more ground. Law had no idea where Leila could be. They were searching the towers, the hidden passageways in hopes that she would be tucked away somewhere. She was not. After what seemed like ages, he arrived back at their meeting point. Zoro sat on a box, ripping his shirt between his teeth to form a makeshift bandage. He tugged it around his bleeding forearm with a grunt and glared at Law slightly as he came towards them.

"Anything?" Zoro asked, pushing himself back onto his feet. Law shook his head.

"Seriously? ...fuck" Zoro grunted, his hand running over his jaw. He sheathed his sword once more, beginning to make his way back towards the castle.

"Where are you going?" Usopp called out after him, worry evident in his voice. "We have to stick to the plan!"

"What plan? You think Luffy is sticking to a plan right now?" Zoro growled. "The more time we waste sitting here on our asses, the bigger the chance is that we're not going to find her in time"

"In time?" Law questioned, anger bubbling up within him. "Did you guys get caught already?"

Law's eyes were wide and slightly erratic. Their plan was to take out as many men as they could before they were forced to infiltrate the main chambers. Law's team took the east wing whilst Zoro's team took the west. They would work their way in – taking out the soldiers as they went to minimize being cornered. It was evident people would notice and an alarm would be sounded, but it was too early for that. They should still have more time.

"What do you think?" Zoro scoffed, shaking his head at Law in disbelief.

'Of course…Luffy' Law thought to himself, grinding his teeth. He knew it would end up in chaos – it always did with the Strawhats, but alas, he was grateful for the help.

"We should have done what I said in the first place" Zoro said. "She's going to be kept close to him – why would we bother fighting grunts when we know Xander's the one who has her? We've wasted time she could be dead alrea-"

"She's not dead" Law spoke firmly, his eyes dark and threatening as he stared right at the swordsman. It was a thought many of them had – it had been weeks, there was a chance that things could have taken a turn for the worse. Zoro swallowed the tension in his throat but met Law's intimidating gaze. With a subtle sigh, he turned and moved to carry on with their mission. He didn't want to speak like that – he was just worried sick.

Leila lay against the cold floor, her cheek pressed up against the rocks. She was underground. She had no concept of time or of the day, but she could hear the commotion and she knew something was wrong. She did not move though. The small shred of hope that it was commotion over her, that maybe it was Law, or the Strawhats, was still within her. But she didn't want to even think of that possibility. If it wasn't, her heart would break all over again.

Suddenly, the door to her chamber opened with a slam and Xander stood - his dark intense gaze on her. Without a word he had grasped onto her arm and pulled her through the castle. Leila stumbled over her feet as he dragged her and she soon lost sight of where they were. Pushing through small hallways and unseen doors, she was pushed onto the floor of a throne room. She looked up at Xander warily, kneeling onto her legs as her hands remained tied behind her back.

"Whats going on?" She asked him, somewhat gathering the courage to speak. He glanced down at her for a moment before looking away and sitting on the throne. Leila bit her lip as she turned her attention towards the large door. Knights were running through the halls and shouts could be heard in the distance.

"I-is someone coming for me…" She whispered, asking a question but not expecting an answer.

"Who do you think would come?" Xander asked her, his voice in an emotionless tone. Leila's golden eyes looked up at him as her heart clenched.

'Maybe…just maybe, he's come for me' She let herself hope.

"Who…do you think would come?!" He shouted at her, reiterating the seriousness of the situation. He stood quickly, his cape brushing against her side. He turned to face her, his face in an angry menace. "Who is it? Hm?"

Leila remained silent. She had submitted to him wholeheartedly the past few weeks as she had given up all hope for her life. She wished for it all to end. But knowing that someone had infiltrated the castle - risking their lives and going against all odds to retrieve her? The fire deep within her heart flickered alight once more. She felt fiery again.

"So someone has come" She couldn't help but smirk, looking towards the door and praying someone would enter. Xander gritted his teeth and he struck her with a great force. Leila grimaced and spat out blood from her now split lip. It did not deter her. The shouts were growing closer.

"Who has come and made such a ruckus of your oh so powerful army?" She sneered at him, glee spread across her face.

Xander unsheathed his sword, his anger about to burst. The voices were close now – probably right outside.

"Well?!" Leila raised her voice. "Is it my friends? My lover?"

"I won't let anyone take you" Xander spat, his grip on his sword tightening.

Within an instant, the door to the throne room clattered open. Leila watched, her eyes ready to burst with tears at what she saw. Standing in the doorway and stunning even Xander himself was Trafalgar Law; his fingers ready to cast his room, Roronoa Zoro, his bandana on and tight around his head and Luffy, a serious expression on his face.

Law's expression softened for a moment as his eyes found Leila's. He was so thankful that she was breathing, that she was still alive and safe. He took in her beaten down appearance, her short hair and bloody lip were the least of his worries. She was bruised all over, with purple marks and cuts littering her skin. Her clothes were torn and ragged. Her expression was enough to make him want to run to her straight away. But seeing her poor state and obvious trauma she had just been through, he wanted nothing more than to rip the throat out of the man who had done this to her. His gaze landed on the culprit, Xander standing there proud and unafraid. Law's eyes visibly darkened as fingers tightened around his sword and he stepped carefully towards him. He practically radiated bloodlust.

"Law" Zoro spoke lowly, his guard on high alert. Law stopped moving and glanced back, fury in his eyes. Zoro met his gaze with a pleading exchange – telling him to calm himself.

Leila's tears threatened to overflow from her eyes, they had come for her. She felt torn – she wasn't sure if they could even come out of this alive, what if something happened to any of them? She would never forgive herself.

Suddenly Luffy shot his arms behind him, stretching out to a considerable degree as his eyes locked onto Xander. Zoro watched knowingly as Xander stood proud and unmoving.

"Gomu gomu no…" Luffy readied himself. "Pistol!"

Luffy's arms pummeled into Xander's chest, making him splutter from the impact. Leila watched with wide eyes as her dear friends fought on her behalf.

"Room" Law commanded, holding his fingers out with a dark look still plastered across his face. Leila shifted onto her feet, urging Law to look at her. However, his gaze was set onto Xander entirely. She could see it was Law, it was the man she loved, but his expression worried her. Law felt her gaze on him and turned apprehensively as Luffy and Zoro began their all-out attack. Leila's golden eyes willed him to be cautious and something switched in Law's mind.

Zoro clashed swords with Xander, whose face had just been pummeled by Luffy. His teeth were gritted as he fought against the stamina of the young swordsman but he successfully overpowered him – creating distance rather quickly. He grasped onto Leila's arm, pulling her to his side defensively as he bent down to whisper in her ear.

"So, which one should I kill first, my dear?" He laughed, his hot breath grazing against her neck. Leila turned her head from him, looking at the floor. She felt embarrassed she was being handled in such a way in front of the strongest people she knew. Luffy was readying for another attack before Zoro held his sword out in front of him.

"Careful, you could hit her" Zoro murmured under his breath. Law stood silent, his gaze still watchful.

"Shambles"

Leila stumbled as she crashed against a firm chest and she looked up suddenly, seeing Law in front of her. Her lip quivered as she clutched onto him, his arm wrapping around her waist securely. Leila looked to Xander, wandering what he had swapped her with. Beside Xander was Law's sword.

"Y-your sword…" She murmured in shock, her body feeling particularly frail.

"I can get my sword back, replace it if I have to. I can't replace you" He looked down into her eyes, his grip tightening around her as his heart clenched. He had finally gotten her back in his arms. "I'm never letting you go again"

A tear rolled down Leila's cheek as she took in his words and she let her forehead fall against Law's shoulder as she couldn't contain her emotions.

"That's a clever trick you've got there" Xander snarled, tossing Law's sword to the side with disregard. In an instant, Luffy was on him again, giving Law a moment to deal with Leila.

"Listen here – you will go with Brook and Robin, they're waiting down the corridor" He held onto her shoulders firmly, pushing her towards the door. Leila began to protest but the look Law gave her silenced her immediately. "I'll come back. Don't worry"

"W-what are you going to do?" She whispered, glancing at Xander who was watching her with rage. Luffy and Zoro were tirelessly keeping him back.

Law gave her a confused look. "Kill him, of course"

"Wha-" Leila stammered, her eyes wide. This had gone against everything she had known. Xander was the most threatening person she had known, yet these three men were planning to singlehandedly take him down. She began to see the distorted way in which she saw her captor – she still held a frightened disposition against him, instilled from childhood. Leila swallowed her doubt and nodded, trusting in her precious friends.

Law swiftly pulled her close to him, pressing a kiss against her lips. "I love you"

Leila's cried as she nodded, holding his hand close to her cheek. "I love you too – you have to come back to me, okay?"

"Who do you take me for?" Law smirked, moving past her and towards the fray.