I do not own anything besides these words and the cover art.

"Let it be," Law said as he leaned against the doorframe, trying to get his patient to leave his healing regiment to the professionals. Just inside, Zoro groaned as he moved even a centimeter away from his bed. He tried not to cling to the feeble metal stand that head an IV bag, but Law saw the white of his knuckles as he tried to keep himself steady.

Zoro puffed out his chest, and ground his teeth as he spoke, "I'mma go out fighting...and leave my scars."

"Ya know… this is Russian roulette…and it ain't my gun," Law said he came inside.

Zoro managed a chuckle, "Hallelujah, I ain't dead yet. And I'm still going strong."

Law affirmed grimly, "Sure. But I don't know about tomorrow…" Zoro stumbled and Law came to his side, but Zoro held up a hand swiftly. Law took a step back and crossed his arms as he watched the weakened man attempt to straighten himself. "Got to let it go, yeah?"

"Let what go?" Zoro asked between gasps. He finally got himself on the edge of the bed and cursed his body for not listening to his will as it usually did.

"Her. Nami. I guess…that's the name of the game, right?" However, Law's dry joke landed flat as Zoro gave him a glare with the one eye that could hold the terror.

Zoro dropped his gaze to stare at his bandaged hand, as the other shook slightly. The IV bag quaked with his grip. "But the battle ain't done."

Law sighed, "Zoro. You are in no condition to end anything. You seem to be holding onto your last breath…and looking for a way out…and I'm telling you…that you won't make it out of the damn door."

"Oh, is that your professional opinion, Death?" Zoro spat at him. Law raised an eyebrow and Zoro pointed a finger at the tattoo etched into Law's fingers. "You don't like any doctor I've seen."

"And I'm sure you've seen a ton then?" Law said as he sat in a chair across from the bed.

Zoro followed him, but he found himself still blinking as if to wake up her dead eye. "It's all been said and done…and, oh, I've done and said it all." He stopped then smirked, "I've got to let it go, yeah."

"Yeah?" Law asked incredulously. He did not mean to badger, but he did need to know Zoro's dedication. If this was some foolhardy plan, then Law could kiss any hope of finding Doflamingo. However, if there were even a slight chance that he could reach his own goal of vengeance, then Law would give his entire right arm. Hell, he would give up his life if it meant destroying Doflamingo.

"Yeah," Zoro whispered to no one, "I need to let go of this damn eye."

Law also smiled as Zoro took a hand to the bandages and tried to take them off. "Alright, relax." He stood up and took out a small scalp from his lab coat. "I'll get it."

Zoro slightly flinched but then settled. He nodded and Law proceeded to slice away at the fabric. "You better put that money where your mouth is."

"I'm pretty sure I put it where your eye was…and…and I laid my cards."

Zoro suddenly gripped Law's wrist as the last of the bandage fell away. Law mouth let out a slight gasp at the sight. He was not scary, but the dramatic wound healed well enough for the bloody gash to cross cleaning down Zoro's face. Yet, with the tear still fresh, still crimson stains on one side and a dark gray eye on the other put a small shiver down Law's back.

"I don't think you have…laid your cards out. What is in it for you?" Zoro asked with a level of stilled anger that was unwavering.

"What can I say? I got heart. Ya…got a heart," he said with a shrug.

Zoro's grip grew tighter. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Law pulled away, and if Zoro had not felt a sudden dizziness, he would not have let him. "I mean…you've got an interesting story is all. Clearing up some boredom."

"Bullshit," Zoro said without hesitation. Law was going to give him another quick quip, but Zoro continued, "I don't know where it starts...and I don't know where it ends, but I know you've got something to gain from all this. As for me…they say losers are forgotten, and as long as I'm concerned…she's safe if he thinks I'm dead. I'd like to keep it that way."

"Well, you've certainly hit the bottom, yeah?" Law joked, but Zoro frowned.

"You think this is my low? No. My low was learning that the bastard was within my reach and I let him slip away. He was just a few steps away…all I had to do…was fight."

"And then what?"

Zoro blinked. "What?"

"Then what? You'd get the girl? Run away? What was the plan?" Law asked as he crossed his arms again.

Zoro suddenly seemed preoccupied with the IV bag as he looked at the dripping liquid seep in his arm. "Put my feet right on the margin…throw my hands out on the breeze…walk home…catch that train out to somewhere…I don't know. But I knew that as long as she was by my side…we'd be okay." He gave a sad smile to the floor, "Actually…we were gonna get that tattoo on her arm removed. And then…I don't know…wherever she wanted to go, I guess."

"Well, if it makes you feel better…one of her arms was pretty banged up, so I think that tattoo took care of itself-"

Zoro charged for the man and caught him by the collar. It hurt for him to stand upright, but the rage in his body overshadowed any pain that ran up and down his chest. "What the fuck did you say? You saw her? Here?"

Law did not want to injure Zoro further, but his anger would call attention to the room and that was the last thing Law wanted. Therefore, he took his fist and landed a soft but firm punch to Zoro's gut. The groan Zoro held in resounded through closed teeth and he stumbled back onto the bed.

"Are ya going to relax?" Law asked calmly.

Zoro puffed out air as he tried to get up again, but it was to no avail. "Tell me…what you…fucking know."

Law sighed and sat back down in the chair. "When you came in…I took your case because you came from the Coliseum. Doflomingo's Coliseum. I have…I have a promise I need to keep, as well. To a man in my life…and Doflamingo needs to pay the price. As for your friend, I did not know her. She was just here…crying over you. She handed me the money and told me to make sure you got better….and didn't come after her."

Life seemed to seep back into Zoro as his hunched shoulders rose and he cracked his neck. "At least you'll keep half your promise."

"What do ya mean?"

"I mean…you are going to make sure I get better. Better than better…the best. Because we've got a lead now. A small one, but…she's alive…so at least I know where I am running to."

Law witnessed the self-satisfied grin spread across the tanned man's face. It dawned on Law that he took quite a bargain telling Zoro about his secret desires. Yet, there was something trustworthy about the man. He had a desire, a mission, and whether Law believed in it or not…Zoro did. "Okay…but I won't be held liable if you can't handle my treatments. The weak do not get to decide how they die."

Zoro scoffed, "Who said I'd die…shit, I don't even know your name?"

"Law. Trafalgar D. Law."

Zoro snorted, "D. Law? You think your James Bond with that line…really?"

Law slightly blushed, as he grew embarrassed. "Ya just call me Law."

"Alright, Law…" he stuck a hand out, "Guess we have a partnership then?"

Law smirked at the gesture but met Zoro's hand with his own regardless. "Yeah, guess we do." Zoro smiled but suddenly grew dizzy again, and Law noticed. He patted Zoro's shoulder and continued, "It'd be a damn shame if you die before either of us gets what we want. So…why not rest up and let's see how quickly this can go, Roronoa-ya?"

Music Inspiration/Theme: "Let It Be" (Labyrinth)

I had the song selected as "Infected" (Sickick) but that seemed much more trap music, and I kinda wasn't getting this feeling that I wanted. Also, with the school shooting in Florida, I kinda was feeling low. So…I suppose that it fit in. On that note, my dearest and most sincere condolences to anyone connected to those who lost their lives. It is tragic that in a country that likes to tell the rest of the world "we are #1"…we cannot acknowledge our own greed and systemic failure in addressing such tragedies. I grew up in the culture of school shootings, but…the sad thing is that…how we talk about it, as a nation, is so unhealthy and tainted with oppression and self-justification. All "thoughts & prayers" but no action.

And honestly, as I write this story, I see so many parallels in OP to my real world – corrupt leaders, generalized and oppressive policing, and the loss of innocent lives…and the desire and drive to do something, anything. So, I guess tragedy makes this story so visceral for me…but whereas I can adjust this story to have my happy ending…I cannot just rewrite actual society. However, there is hope that change can happen and I am thankful I am aware enough to realize the strength of my voice and proud enough to proclaim it.

Alright, going back to this story, I was re-reading some personality charts to see how I see Law, and I think I like him as ISTJ - and I tried to reference that archetype in the writing. I think Law and Zoro share similar traits, but I find Zoro to be a bit livelier. Anywhoo…since Luffy (I know, I know…don't stone me okay?) is dead in this story, I feel like Zoro (with Nami's influence) would be a pivotal bridge for all these characters where Luffy would have been. Therefore, here we are…the "pirate alliance".

Side note, Labyrinth is awesome and I love, love his music. Just saying. I think I have every single line of his song in this story some way or another…and whereas some other times it felt forced, this didn't. So hopefully that came across, too! Okay, until the next one…Nami?

XoXo shipfiend