A/N. Did you check out Chapter 1 in the previous file?
Chapter 2
The next day, Ikkaku sat by Law during the lunch, having first greeted him with casual "Hi". He was glad that over the time at least some of his former crew members had managed to forget the proprieties and stopped addressing him this foolish way or another. For her part, Ikkaku had never been someone to let others dictate her what to do if she didn't like it. Ever self-confident, she could speak her mind straight and didn't use to beat around the bush. She was a really splendid head of the obstetrics and gynaecology department, and her decisive demeanour made wonders with the distressed women who, thanks to that, forgot to overly sentimentalise over themselves. Ikkaku didn't lack empathy, but, like any exemplary doctor, she preferred acting over lamenting. Her patients often resented her for that, especially at the beginning, but when their treatment was over, they usually could appreciate that the chief doctor had forsaken proverbial patting on the head in favour of relentless striking hope and faith in them, even if in slightly harsh words.
"That woman you treated yesterday, with dysfunctional placenta... She's feeling great, as is the baby," Ikkaku said, grabbing the fork. "I'm going to keep her under observation for a few days, but I suppose I'll discharge her by weekend. I don't think she needs to stay here longer."
"Is there a hospital where she lives?" Law asked, although he didn't consider the patient to need any hospitalisation earlier than in childbirth, either.
"As far as I remember, there is. She lives in some bigger city... in the West Blue, I think. I mention her now because she'd love to thank you. Could you visit her? Just one minute will do."
"If I cut my lunch break short I should manage," he said with a wry smile.
"Moron... I didn't say you should do it now," Ikkaku informed with faked outrage, sticking her fork in the spaghetti.
"I'll try to go there tonight. Tomorrow, at the latest," he promised.
She nodded. She ate in silence for a moment before speaking up again. "It was your birthday yesterday, right? Happy Birthday," she threw impassively; she was well aware of his approach to this matter. She lifted the glass to her mouth, but her hand stopped mid-air, and the gaze in her brown eyes became more focused. "How old are you?"
"Thirty-nine," Law muttered from over his mug of tea.
She sighed. "Time flies. Do we really know each other so long?"
He nodded.
Ikkaku drank some water and continued eating. "Are you content?" she asked after another moment of silence. "I mean, with your life...?"
Law shrugged, finishing his meal. "Of course I am. I do what I like, and it even brings some good," he replied truthfully. "This hospital is my dream that came true."
"And it's enough for you?" she asked in a neutral voice.
"Even too much... I mean, I have too much work," he said, feeling the corner of his lips quiver.
Ikkaku, however, didn't seem amused. "Work, right..." she muttered. "You know, our students watch you in awe, but also frightened. They wonder if every doctor should be like you... if they will be like you once they graduate."
"I'm not like everyone," he replied without pride, just stating the fact. "No-one else has the Ope Ope no Mi. It's obvious I should use it for what is its purpose. I suppose every previous user did like I do now. It is strange?"
Ikakku pressed her lips in a tight line and shook her head, making her lavish curls bounce. "I don't care about the previous users of the Ope Ope no Mi. I care about you, who have it now. Law, you're my friend, and I'm worried about you. I know, I know, you think no-one should worry about you," she went on when he opened his mouth. "But it's just how we are: we worry," she said flatly. "Law, you have only one life. Next year you'll be forty... and will you still be content? And the next forty years from now? Sure, the history will remember you as the greatest doctor of all times, and it's the dream of all medics... But life is not just work. I fear that one day you will look back and regret."
"I won't," he replied at once and rose. "As for the students... Just tell them they shouldn't be afraid."
She put the fork down so forcibly that it hit the plate with a clang. "Damn you, Law...! You know it's not about the students...!" she snapped, clearly frustrated.
"I have to go," he said, taking his tray. Before he left, however, he turned to her once more. "Ikkaku... Thanks for caring. But I'm really fine. I like my work," he added, for he really thought so, although for some reason those words didn't seem entirely proper in this situation.
Her expression told him Ikkaku wasn't glad with that answer, either. She only gave him a sharp nod as a bye and resumed eating, obviously upset.
On his way back to his office, Law mused over her words. He'd said the truth, thanking her for her concern, but he considered it exaggerated anyway, he just hadn't known how to properly convey it in words. How he lived and acted was as natural as breathing to him. He couldn't imagine that, as the user of the Ope Ope no Mi, he might live in another way. He had long since chosen such life and, actually, he didn't remember if he'd ever wanted it to be different. After all, he'd studied medicine already as a kid. Getting the Ope Ope no Mi had only strengthened that choice, and it'd given him abilities well exceeding the limits of the known medicinal arts. What he did now was so obvious that he was surprised someone could question that.
However, he realised that Ikkaku didn't question his choice of profession... only that it had been his only choice. It somehow reminded him of the conversation he'd had with Luffy the previous day... But, while the Pirate King could be easily fobbed - all it took was to divert his attention from the topic - Ikkaku was too focused person to forget something she considered important. Still, Law hoped that his colleague wouldn't keep on talking about this matter, for he knew it might annoy him. Well, he only needed to visit the obstetrics and gynaecology ward as rarely as possible, he decided with a crooked smile.
Nevertheless, he didn't forget his promise, and in the evening, after he'd admitted the new patients, he went to see the woman he'd cured yesterday. The head of the ward must have left already, and there was only the doctor on duty. Law found the patient sitting by the open window. It was already dark outside, but the sound of waves pleasantly filled the silence in the room. She didn't hear him coming, so he coughed lightly to make her notice him.
"Doctor...!" she called and wanted to get up, but he waved that she didn't need to, and sat down at the edge of her bed.
"Miss Alice, you wanted to see me..."
"I'm so glad you came, Doctor," she replied, smiling shyly. "I think I'm going to be discharged in a few days, and I wanted to thank you...! I know it's too early, I should wait until the baby is born..." She put one hand on her belly. "But the chief doctor said that everything is fine now...!" she added, still smiling, and then she kept talking, as if she couldn't stop. "I'm so grateful to you, Doctor. We wished for a baby so long, my husband and I... but every pregnancy ended in miscarriage. The doctors couldn't help me, I almost lost any hope... But then I heard about this hospital. In fact, it's still hard to believe that we can success this time. Do you think it will be fine, Doctor?" she asked, looking at him beggingly and twisting her fingers nervously.
How many conversations like this one had he had until now? Impossible to count. The words came to him easily - what difficult was in telling the patient she was healthy now? - but he always tried to treat the person individually. "As I told you, Madame, you suffered from the genetic defect that caused the dysfunction of placenta. I repaired the defect, and now your chances to have a baby are the same as of any healthy woman," he replied, careful not to use too many medical terms. "I also removed all damages that disease had caused to your body. In all likelihood, you're going to carry this baby to term, and every next one, too."
"Oh," she covered her lips with her hand. "Every next one... I'm an only child, and I always wanted to have many children... But for now I only wish to have one. I waited years for the first one and despite trying... I still couldn't have them. And you restored hope...! Even if... even if something happens... I'll still be grateful to you," she assured him, although Law could see she didn't believe anything to happen. Nor did he.
"Madame, you know this hospital's cure rate is one hundred percent, don't you?" She nodded. "I can guarantee you that your organism is perfectly ready for bringing the baby to term."
Now she could no longer hide her emotion, and tears filled her eyes. She lowered her head and looked for a handkerchief. She was a slightly-built woman of thirty-three, she had light brown hair and blue eyes. Nothing in her appearance drew attention, except that she looked older than she was.
"As for those next children..." he said, recalling her previous words. "If you have daughters, mind it please that they don't need to worry about their pregnancies, either." She looked up at him, her eyes were glistening. "You are an only child. Your mother also had troubles carrying it full term, that's what you told me, right? Such defects are often hereditary... I managed to fix the error in your genetic record, so it won't be passed on to your children," he explained. "Does it sound too complex?"
She shook her head. "No, I understand you, Doctor. But I still find it hard to believe... that something like that is possible," she whispered. "You're a god..."
"Madame, it's not true," he interrupted her; he didn't like to be called a god. "I just... have such abilities. I wasn't born with them, they were bestowed on me later. And those skills enable me to conduct specific treatment. Apart from this one thing, I'm a man like everyone."
She slowly nodded, although she didn't seem convinced. "I wasn't even aware when you cured me..." she said, somewhat perplexed.
"I use to perform my surgeries when the patient is asleep, if only possible," he replied, smiling slightly, and then rose. "Madame, take care of yourself and the baby. I hope we'll never see each other again... at least not in this hospital," he added the words he always used when parting with his patients.
"If it's a boy, may I name him after you, Doctor?" she asked suddenly, not that she was the first to do so.
He shook his head. "Name them as you wanted yourself, Madame. It's your baby, and your husband's. You two decide together. I've interfered with your pregnancy enough," he said with a wry smile.
"Do you have children, Doctor?" came another question, and this one he hadn't expected.
"I have no family," he answered. "Now I must go."
"It's a pity," she replied, although he didn't know which of his comments she related to, not that he planned to ask. The woman got up from her chair and put both hands on her belly. Her pregnancy was at early stage and wasn't visible yet. "Thank you, Doctor. Thank you for everything... and for coming here today." She smiled brightly, and that smile was the best gratification for Law.
He raised his hand, then turned away and left; he still had much work to do. Nevertheless, he didn't regret coming here. He would be a liar if he claimed that he didn't care about the patients' gratitude. What he did, he did for other people. When they got better thanks to his treatment... Of course he was happy himself to see they were happy. And it wasn't just about doctor's satisfaction - could he really be particularly satisfied since he knew he could cure anyone? - only about being able to help others. He hoped he would never get into a rut... lose that ability to see his patients as respective people whom the Ope Ope no Mi returned lives to. Just like him... long ago.
Women he'd cured would often say they were going to name their sons after him... Well, it happened in every doctor's case. He sometimes wondered how many little Laws had been born over those ten years and so, but generally he tried not to think of it. On one hand, he understood that the patients felt obliged, but on the other hand... He would always repeat that they were their children and should get the names their parents wanted for them. Besides... he didn't find it right that anyone was named after him... Sure, he performed medical miracles and it could be that some of those children wouldn't have been born without his contribution, but for some reason he didn't think that Trafalgar Law was a good example... or a suitable patron of new life. Besides, he was of the opinion he didn't need any memorialising.
He spent the evening, like always, immersed in work, but when he went to bed after midnight he couldn't fall asleep. Usually, he was tired enough and dozed off immediately, but this time Ikkaku's words from the conversation they'd had today kept ringing in his head and driving away sleep. In the end, he got up and went onto the balcony, hoping that the night air would make wonders and help him relax. He rested his elbows on the railing and stared in the darkness. The wind was lightly moving his hair. The ocean's black sheet was spreading before him, and the myriads of stars were blinking on the navy blue sky. It was the full moon, even though Law couldn't see it, for it was hanging behind his back and behind the building.
He started his fortieth year of life. He had long since stopped being amazed that his existence had been miraculously extended when he'd believed he wouldn't even live to be fourteen. Yet he'd been given back his life and health, and he'd even received something that had showed him the way he should follow. And yet Ikkaku said it shouldn't be like that... She suggested he would one day wish he'd chosen differently. He didn't think it to be so. He didn't feel he lacked something, not anymore. Before, many years ago... he'd often felt that way. He'd lacked family. He'd lacked time. He'd lacked hope. Then, he'd lacked the man who'd managed to fill that emptiness in his life, just for a short while. Then, he'd lacked the vengeance.
But after he'd settled on Raftel and created the Corazon Memorial Hospital, he'd abandoned the thoughts of what he'd lost, knowingly embracing what he'd gain. He felt glad and fulfilled. Every day, he managed to restore smile to other people's faces and break the shackles of fate that restrained them - how should he be not happy about it? He was probably the happiest man in the world... and extremely privileged, too.
And yet Ikkaku's words, "Will you be content one year from now, too?" wouldn't leave him be. Did she relate to the famous midlife crisis? As if turning forty, he might suddenly feel disappointed, looking at his own achievements from another perspective... He would laugh at that suggestion, but some part of him was anxious. He'd told Ikkaku that everything was fine... that she shouldn't worry about him... but now he started to wonder if it really was so. However, no matter how much he racked his brain, he just couldn't imagine his life to change. Many changes in how he'd related to others had happened during those nearly four decades. There was time when he'd rejected everything and everybody, finding strength in hateful solitude. There was time when he'd managed to despairingly love again, abandoning all barriers. There was time when he'd decided to lean on others, accepting them into his life but never letting them close. That last phase was still going on; Law had allowed it to grow into him, assumed it as his other skin and then stopped noticing it.
He couldn't end it; he couldn't shake if off, just like that. This way of being stuck to him, and he could do nothing about it. He was able to modify any part of his body, but it was beyond him to change human personality, intellectual and emotional patterns. Over those ten, twenty years he'd met hundreds... no, thousands of people, and no-one could make him become emotionally involved. And the problem wasn't in those people, but in his attitude. However, he didn't consider it to be some kind of lack, like Ikkaku suggested - he rather accepted it as natural... at least so far. Should it change? Should he regard it from another point of view? But even if he did, could he do anything about it? No; would he want to do anything about it?
All in all, he didn't reach any conclusion, he only felt childishly angry with Ikkaku for messing with his head. However, the fresh air did its job, and he finally began to yawn. When he returned to bed, he felt asleep at once.
His plan to avoid Ikkaku for a while went up in flames as soon as the next day. He was really unlucky to run into her two days in row... When she walked to his table with the tray, he wanted to get up and return to work... but since he'd just started his meal, it would be only stupid, and Trafalgar Law rarely did stupid things. Then, he prepared himself for another dose of wisdom - for the whole morning he'd managed not to think of what he'd heard yesterday from her - yet this time, much to his surprise, their conversation started differently.
"Law, I must apologise to you," Ikkaku said outright, just as she used to. "I said too much yesterday. Even if I worry about you, it's your life, and I have no right to meddle and lecture you."
"I couldn't sleep because of you last night," he replied half-jokingly, without even trying to refrain from being mean.
"I'm sorry..." she repeated, somewhat gloomy, and started to eat.
For some reason, Law felt worse. He lowered his eyes and occupied himself with the meal, too. Her words from yesterday returned to him again, regardless of how much he tried to forget them.
"You know, Law, you've changed," came from Ikkaku, and now he could hear her smiling. "Before, you would just tell me off... That's why we always tried to avoid making any personal comments, even when you had a hard time."
He nodded, still staring at his plate.
"Ah, well... I don't know if 'change' is a right word here," she added. "Maybe it's just about the internal growth..."
"You changed too," Law muttered under his breath. "Before, you couldn't tell me anything nice..."
She sniggered. "Apparently we both grew up," she replied cheerfully. "And I think it's a good thing."
He didn't comment. They kept eating in silence, and then Law, almost involuntarily, asked, "What do you think I lack?" He couldn't stop thinking of it. And even if Ikkaku would probably end the topic with her apology, he felt that matter wouldn't leave him be until he became really upset. If he'd learned anything during those years, it was to ask straight instead of agonising over it alone and wondering what the other person had really meant.
Ikkaku gave him an astonished look; he didn't know whether he'd surprised her with that question or she considered it foolish... Well, he didn't plan to ask about that. She put the cutlery down and seemed to consider her response; her gaze was focused now.
"Someone you could love," she finally said.
He almost hunched, although unconsciously he'd expected those words... and feared them. "Oi, oi... The 'Surgeon of Death' and 'love'?" he asked mockingly, hoping to turn it into a joke.
"Don't come a fool, Law," she replied flatly, aiming the knife at him. "Even with the Ope Ope no Mi you're just a normal man. Besides... what 'Surgeon of Death'? I haven't heard it in ages. Can it be that you miss old good pirate times, hmm?" she suggested before she resumed eating.
"Don't you try to diagnose me, okay? If I need psychoanalysis, I'll go to Clione," he retorted, though he wasn't really mad. "And no, I don't miss them. I'm perfectly happy with what I have now."
"Okay, okay," she said amicably. "Me neither. Sure, those times had theirs charm, but in retrospect I see them rather as an adventure for the young. But going back to the matter... I told you yesterday that work is not all. Maybe someone who doesn't know you might consider you a person who doesn't need anything else but medicine to be happy, but I know you. And even if I may sound like Clione again, I think you're someone of great emotional capacity. Even you must have loved someone once, right?"
Law said nothing, he only stared at her intently, not that she seemed to expect his answer. Her words stirred something in him, something he'd almost forgotten, but he didn't want to think of it now. He drank tea from the mug, still looking at her as she finished her meal. He knew where that point of view came from. Ikkaku had a family, her husband worked as a nurse on the paediatric ward, and they children already went to school. Ikkaku was a very good doctor, but she didn't spend more time at work than needed. Home life meant a lot to her. Of course she viewed the matter from that perspective.
He tried to imagine himself in a similar situation. If he placed a limit on his work hours - purely hypothetically, for he'd never considered to do so - and found some time for so called private life... there was still one problem. "What was before no longer matters," he said in a calm, composed voice. "How do you know I could still...?"
Ikkaku shrugged. "Why not?"
"You said you know me, but in fact... You don't know many things of me," he replied in the same emotionless tone.
"I think that you just don't give yourself a chance. You don't try," she said cautiously and then, apparently torn between urge to be honest and nice, added quickly, "Don't be mad at me."
"I'm not mad," he replied shortly... and knew he could stop at that, but something made him continue, "What else?"
She looked at him closely, as if she wanted to make sure he really wished to know her opinion. He wasn't sure of it himself, but apparently some part of his personality was.
"Well, I think that if you met other people than only patients and workmates, you would have a chance to find someone who would become close to you," Ikkaku finally said, and when she continued Law was amazed that people could really say such things to others. "In the best case, your fate would send you a whole hurricane of love that you wouldn't be able to resist. Love is just like that: it strikes when we expect it the least, and leaves us no choice. You can't protect yourself against it, can't reject it. It's as if someone decided for you... And I think that in your case it would be the best option, for you always try to put things under control and decide about everything."
He swore under his breath. After over twenty years of their friendship, Ikkaku knew him too well... and she was right about this particular matter, too. He really understood her point of view, knew that there was no error to her reasoning, only...
He shook his head, which she mistook for a refutation. "You think it's stupid? Hey, you asked my opinion," she said in a defensive manner.
"It's not that, I just... It's hard to imagine that someone like that... should suddenly appear in my life," he replied in a soft voice.
"Why not?" she asked.
"My fate never favoured me," he stated bitterly, somehow admitting he wished things went just like she'd described them.
"You're exaggerating," she responded flatly. "I'm of the opinion that everyone of us has someone waiting for them. Think of it, even Boa Hancock, the greatest enemy of men, went down with a disease called love when someone who turned her life upside-down appeared. And now she's so happy with our Pirate King..."
"You know, I don't think I want someone to turn my life upside-down..." he muttered.
She raised her thin eyebrows in astonishment. "Really?" she asked ironically. "And I think it's exactly what you need... Law, you're the most intelligent person I've ever met, but in this case it's not a compliment, for no-one uses their brain to fall in love. If you keep approaching everything rationally and with need to control it, then you really have meagre perspectives for spending the rest of your life with something else than your work," she said coldly. Then, however, her gaze softened a bit, and she shook her head. "But it's just how I think. You know the best what is in your heart... you know yourself better. Maybe it's not like it seems to me... And maybe I said something you didn't want to hear, again," she added with a wry smile.
He wondered about her words, finishing his tea. "You're partly right," he finally answered in a reluctant voice, putting the mug down.
"And partly not...?"
He shook his head and got up. "In any case, at least today I'm going to spend my life with my work," he said with a slight irony, curving his lips. "But don't apologise to me, it feels odd," he added before admitting, "No, it was a good talk. I'll think about it."
"I hope it won't take away your sleep," she replied with some confusion.
He nodded and went to his afternoon business.
He really thought it to be a good conversation, even though it'd filled him with discomfort. No, it wasn't that; rather, it had prompted him to reflection he didn't want. Well, he didn't plan to dwell into it now - consultations awaited him - but he knew that Ikkaku's words would return to him in the evening. On his way to the lecture room, however, he recalled something else she'd said: that he'd changed, for now people could be straight with him. He wasn't sure if it really was so. True, contrary to the past time, nowadays his former crew members could be frank with him. Not that before they'd risked him to be mad or angry with them; Law had never been someone to be mad or angry with others... he just became irritated and replied in a witty way, and Bepo would say he sulked, which efficiently discouraged others from such interpersonal candour... Then, maybe it was that everyone had 'grown up', if they'd stopped to tiptoe around him or walk on eggshells...?
He smiled at that thought, only to became serious again the next moment. Former crew was his former crew, and he'd spent twenty-five years with some of them, like Ikkaku, but knew all too well that for other people - those he'd met as a doctor, not a pirate - he remained that uptight and unapproachable person. Sure, his inclination for keeping others at a distance, mixed with abilities of the Ope Ope no Mi, that in eyes of many people made him a god, wasn't in favour of familiarity. In many cases, such an image suited him well, but now he mused over its negatives...
For example those two hours of consultation. A young doctor from paediatrics who participates in the session for the first time is presenting a case that she has a problem with... as with this whole situation: her voice is trembling, her hands are shaking. She drops her notes and hardly manages to catch the medical record she'd threw down from the table. She blushes, stutters more and more, and seems to be at the verge of tears, although she does all she can to finish her report. Law would love to calm her down with Ikkaku's words, 'Hey, I'm a human, I'm just a human like you,' but he knows that something like that would distress the young woman even more, so he leaves that remark unspoken and merely answers her questions in a medical language. In fact, this situation isn't pleasant for him either, for he doesn't want to be someone to strike terror into others or command overegged respect. He decides to ask Kaya to talk to that resident and make her understand that Trafalgar Law doesn't eat less experienced doctors alive.
Then, a young doctor from orthopaedics. A big guy, taller than Law and much brawnier, he will be a good surgeon... once he learns to focus on important things. Now, every few sentences, he keeps repeating useless phrases like, 'But it doesn't really matter in this case,' or, 'I'm sorry I mentioned it,' or, 'I unnecessarily take your time, Doctor, you don't want to hear about it.' He sweats, nervously runs his hands through his hair, he's close to swearing. It is the other, more experienced doctors who are annoyed, not Law, who can only, in a calm voice, ask him to continue, and wonders if that young medic is so needlessly hypersensitive when talking with his supervising doctor, too.
Law knew he'd changed, and it'd happened partly involuntarily and partly consciously. As a doctor, he uses to smile more often than he had as a pirate, and with a genuine smile, not that elaborate sneer. Nowadays, he experiences more positive emotions than before, when he'd focused on his loss and tragedy, resented his destiny and yearned for vengeance. He tries to show more kindness to others, for he really feels it. Whenever he is ironic, it happens only with those who know him well, and expresses his sense of humour, not a real wish to hurt. He never shows disregard to the less experienced doctors - he doesn't feel it - and he behaves in the manner that tells the staff members that he will always find time for them... if not at once, then a bit later. Regardless of his workload, he is patient. He returns the doctors', nurses' and porters' greetings in the corridors. He eats in the canteen, and everyone is free to sit by his table. He makes it understand that he can be told anything. He wants to remove all stupid barriers between himself and the others - except for that single one that protects him: that barrier to never let others close on the emotional level. He wants, just like Ikakku had said, to be like others.
In vain. No matter how he tries, most people treat him with awe that makes any informalities impossible. They respect him, admire him, are grateful to him... and see him as someone better. Someone who can't be bothered with trivial matters. Someone who focuses solely on medicine and won't be interested with anything else. Someone who is destined for other things than those mundane, human ones. Nurses never speak to him, and they turn silent when he enters the room. Residents bow to him in the corridors and tremble when making a report. Other doctors, when they go out for a drink after work, never invite him to their company. It's easy to conclude that there is something in people like him - in their character - that keeps others at bay, regardless of his own efforts. He has yet to reach the stage that it will start to bother him, but he senses it will happen one day anyway. He had once admitted to need other people, and he's not going to run away from that realisation.
On the other hand, he decided, walking to his office, it wasn't that he hadn't earned that image himself. At least one thing that Ikkaku had mentioned was true: that he focused solely on medicine. If people didn't want to bother him, believing he wouldn't be interested, it wasn't because they imagined that themselves, but because he'd behaved exactly that way. He tried to look at his life from someone else's point of view - it was difficult, and something inside him protested to do so - and quickly reached the conclusion that his way of living was totally inhuman.
However, he knew such was the price for having the Ope Ope no Mi... No, he winced inwardly, it wasn't the right word. It was something more intrinsic, more instinctive. The Ope Ope no Mi was a part of his life, he'd accepted it into himself on the emotional level, too, and had decided to use it to the best of its abilities. What he did was the only option... the only one he accepted. If he'd scheduled his work - like, from eight AM to eight PM - he would've considered it unethical. There was already more ill people in the world that he could save, so it was important that he did all he could to help those he could. No-one could replace him, no-one would be able take care of his work so that he could take a day off. It was obvious he had to work as much as possible.
No, it wasn't the day that he could tell himself 'enough', he decided, entering his office. On one hand, he hoped such day would never come... but some part of him, some stubborn voice deep in his mind repeated Ikakku's words, 'You may regret it.' He forced himself to not listen to it.
In the evening, after he'd admitted all new patients, Bepo paid him an unexpected visit. "Have a moment to spare?" he asked from the door, looking around the office as if he wanted to make sure he didn't interrupt anything.
"Sure," Law replied, opening the window and letting the sound of waves inside.
Bepo came closer to his desk. "I'd like you to have a look at the patient I just admitted, anytime soon."
Law raised his eyebrows. Bepo rarely asked such things. Judging from his words, it wasn't anything urgent... "What's wrong with them?" he asked.
"It's a boy, eleven... no, twelve years old. He lives on the neighbouring island, his mother brought him here. He tripped and got a multiple fracture of wrist," Bepo said. "The thing is, it's already the third time that he's here this year, and previous ones were due to the fractures, too. They were too complicated for the local doctor, and the boy was sent to us." Law frowned but kept listening. "Well, it's normal that the boys break their bones, so we just gave him a surgery and sent home, but now he's here again. I ordered more extensive diagnostics this time, but hormonal tests are within the norm, as is bone density... Everything is normal actually. I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking it, but really I suspect some serious process. But we can't find anything, so could you scan him with your X-ray vision?"
"I don't have any X-ray vision," Law replied, trying not to roll his eyes. "You say he tripped? No indication of intentional mutilation?"
"No. He says he was just playing football with friends, but he tripped and broke his hand. There are no signs that he fell victim to violence. No bruises, and he doesn't act like someone who's been beaten. A normal, lively kid."
Law patted his finger on the desk. "What about his mother? What kind of impression did you get from her?" he asked.
"Normal," Bepo answered. "At least, she doesn't appear as someone who could hurt her own child, if that's what you imply. She's distressed and anxious. I think they come from some poor family, it's just her and the boy."
"A single mother...?"
"What's wrong with that?" Bepo asked.
Law was silent for a moment before he spoke again. "Have Clione send someone to talk with her."
"You suspect Munchausen syndrome?" the mink guessed. "I'm really not sure..."
"Just in case," Law replied calmly but firmly, and Bepo nodded. "What's the situation on paediatric surgery? Are they going to operate tomorrow?"
"I think so."
"Fine. I'll see him tomorrow or, at the latest, the day after tomorrow," Law promised. "In the meantime, make genetic tests, too. There's probably no need for magnetic resonance...? X-ray didn't show any indications of neoplasm or metastasis, right?"
"Nothing. Ah, his bones are in small pieces, but it still looks just like a normal fracture, with no changes in the tissue. I checked the previous pictures, no osteosclerosis or osteolysis. But we'll do that genetic tests, though it'll take some time."
Law nodded. "Once I check him, I'll make further orders."
"I hope I bothered you for nothing," Bepo said, and Law knew what he meant.
"Me too," he replied, and the corners of his lips twitched.
The mink smiled at him and left.
Law spent a moment, thinking of this case, before he remembered that tomorrow he would operate on a girl suffering from osteogenesis imperfecta. Until recently, it had been incurable disease... Well, actually, it was still incurable, unless the patient came to Trafalgar Law. He'd admitted that kid today: a four-year old girl who was much shorter than she should because of the pathological deformation of the spinal column. She had typical symptoms: triangular face, blue sclera, and hearing disorders, and yet she'd laughed at him even though she couldn't walk. Apart from 'straightening' all deformities, treatment procedure was based on modification of collagen, the main building protein of the connective tissue, as it was defective in this particular disease. It was a time-consuming surgery - and possible only because of the Ope Ope no Mi. This particular type wasn't the most severe and some people could live long, albeit with disability; other forms led to death in infancy or even before birth.
Law pushed away the thought he couldn't help all people needing the Ope Ope no Mi. Everyday all around the world, there died patients who hadn't managed to come to the Corazon Memorial Hospital. At some point, he'd used to torment himself with it, but now, after all those years, he could accept that fact. He had curing abilities, but he wasn't omnipotent. And that was why he had to do all he could to help those he could help. His own thoughts from a few hours ago seemed a total rubbish now. He should limit his work and the amount of patients? It would be immoral, and Trafalgar Law had committed too much evil and cruel deeds already; at present, he wanted to live according to his conscience.
In any case, with time he'd learned to enjoy what he could do, instead of beating himself up about how many ill people he hadn't managed to save. That he devoted his all time to work, not futile games, also helped. And thus, now he inhaled deeply salt-tasting air and took to making a plan for tomorrow. First, there were two adults with very malignant tumours; then he would operate on that girl. He knew her treatment would take several hours, but he would be satisfied with the final effect. Then, there was an infant with a rare disease of the nervous system that usually led to death before the baby turned two. He also had a patient poisoned by some unknown toxin and another with a severe infection.
Once he put the day into schedule, he immersed himself into the details of those patients, occasionally adjusting the glasses on his nose. That Trafalgar Law, of all people, used glasses was somewhat comical, but there were reasons for it. Correcting the sight defect would take him a few seconds, and yet he'd decided to leave it be. He'd already modified his organism too much - only he knew how much - in order to give it endurance needed in his work. From biological point of view, he'd long ceased to be a normal human. Using glasses slightly soothed the knowledge how much he differed from others, and he needed them only for reading, for curing via the Ope Ope no Mi didn't engage his vision anyway. Then, the glasses had become his attribute, and according to Bepo, made him look more dignified. Had it been anyone else in question, Law would think it to be a joke... but Bepo didn't use to say things he didn't believe in, then probably he was right.
Once he decided he knew everything he should know about the patients, he performed a simulation of all surgeries in his mind. Some he had to devise from scratch, but others - like treatment of the girl with osteogenesis imperfecta - he had recorded in his memory. Thanks to the modification of his nervous system, he had perfect memory in which he used to 'store' all previous procedures. All it took was to 'reach' and find a specific record. Still, he never based on them without thinking, for he knew well that every patient was a different case and could always surprise him. He had to be prepared for that. Sometimes he had to change his strategy mid-operation, but the Ope Ope no Mi always showed him the right way.
When he finished, it was around midnight. He stretched in his chair and then went on the balcony. The sky was clouded, the wind was blowing cold and gusty. The waves were breaking on the shore loudly. No gulls were to be heard today, and Law, who had spent most of his life at sea, knew the storm was coming. The weather condition didn't affect the Corazon Memorial Hospital, for its solid construction was able to resist the elements. Own engine generator made it independent of external power sources. Transport of the patients happened mostly underwater, so neither storm nor calm disturbed it. The only thing that should be considered, was that the violent weather phenomena could cause accidents and thus produce new patients. Well, that was why they had an emergency unit here and the hospital itself worked day and night.
Law stayed at the balcony, breathing in the salty air and listening to the waves. He remembered what he'd told Ikkaku today: that he didn't miss the pirate life. It was true: he didn't wish to go back to times when he travelled the seas, first planning his revenge to bring justice and then heading for Raftel to start his atonement - in this particular form he'd imagined years before. Time flew, and it was sometimes hard to believe it had been thirteen years already since he'd settled on the Pirate King's island and devoted himself to medicine.
He frowned upon suddenly realising something he hadn't noticed before. He winced at the idea, deciding it was merely a pure coincidence, but once it'd occurred to him, he just couldn't drive it away. His life could be divided into three stages, each of them of exactly the same length. When thirteen years old, he'd got the Ope Ope no Mi and lost incomparably more. That was when his childhood had ended. When twenty-six, he'd finally executed revenge against the man who had hurt him more than anyone, and then had come to Raftel to realise his dream. That was when he'd closed his turbulent youth. The next thirteen years he'd spent here, curing those no-one else could cure - the greatest doctor in the history, the miracle-medic, the Surgeon of Life like some called him.
Now he was thirty-nine and... Was there some change coming again? He wasn't superstitious nor did he believe in destiny, he'd rather believe in nature and logic... but he could remember that once he'd met someone who'd defied the common sense, resisted the verdict of biology and gained the absolute victory even though he'd had to oppose the whole world and antagonised every possible power. He'd showed that sometimes rationalism was worth nothing and could be crushed by faith, hope... and love, as if it was destined. Then, maybe fate still had some surprise for Trafalgar D. Water Law...? Maybe something was about to happen that would turn his reality upside-down again...?
That thought met with his objection. He didn't want any changes; he enjoyed what he had now. He'd lost too much, for he'd been too weak to keep it by him... He couldn't lose this hospital that was his safe haven and gave him strength. It gave him sense and validate his existence. He wanted to stay here for ever, spend his days helping those who needed the Ope Ope no Mi. It was his final destination that he'd already reached and didn't mean to leave. If the destiny wanted to harm him again... he decided to fight. He'd once been a warrior; in a way, he'd remained one, for nowadays he fought with nature, biology, and death. If fate wanted to take away what was the very essence of his life, then he would fight. Now he was strong enough to protect what was important.
In fact, however, he didn't believe that any change might happen, even if the unlucky thirteen seemed to had stuck to him for good. Yawning, he closed the balcony door and went to bed. He fell asleep very soon.