Hello! Thank you for your support. I appreciate each and every one of you. If you've left a review, I thank you, and I apologize I haven't responded. I was so busy finishing up the school year, and also trying to write, that it got away from me. But I've read each review and they mean so much to me. Since it's summer, I have a few weeks before i have to start lesson planning. I may be a little slow to update, but I will do it as soon as possible.

Part IX: In One Place

"Fuck that's nasty," Marco murmured, shaking his head.

Ace nodded, "Yeah it is."

"If you've got weak stomachs perhaps you should go on home," Law sighed, wiping his fingers through a film of dried blood.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" Ace wondered, leaning closer to Law.

"This is hours old, if not a day or two," Law said simply, straightening up. "They can't be far. They're wounded."

"Who's wounded?" Ace demanded, his head popping up in attention.

"How'd ya know?" Marco questioned.

Law let out an indignant huff. He refused to answer and walked ahead, his cheek twitching with irritation. He paused at the gate, inspecting a tuft of brown fur snagged by the metal. He pulled at the fur until it fluttered away in the breeze.

"They've gone to the hospital," Law decided.

Marco and Ace exchanged looks. Marco cleared his throat, "Really? Now?"

Law nodded.

Ace wasn't convinced, "They have to know how dangerous that is. There have been no reports of them trying to go earlier…"

Law blinked, unamused and impatient. He walked out the broken gate, simply stepping over the rotting carnage. He was already to the Jeep before he turned around, "Are ya coming? Because if you'll remember, I don't want to be doing this."

"It's for his own good," Marco insisted.

Law closed his eyes and chewed on his lip, "Yeah... I believe that…"

"Which hospital?" One of the D Foundation men asked impatiently. "We're in the fucking Medical Center there are countless hos-" His words died suddenly as Law gripped him violently by his throat.

Law twisted his hand, clenching the man's vulnerable esophagus in his fingers. Law shook his head, lifting his other hand to his lips in a silencing gesture, "Let me think."

"Get in the Jeeps," Marco instructed calmly, gesturing to the other soldiers standing around.

Ace slid beside the two men. The solider was terrified and Ace could almost imagine he could hear his heart pounding in his chest. He reached up and grabbed Law's hand, pulling it down with an effortless expression on his handsome face. He smiled at Law and winked, "Stay cool."

Law didn't reply. Instead he slid through the Jeeps open door, positioning his long legs in the cramped space. He didn't bother with the safety belt and smiled to himself at the thought of it. "Memorial," he said simply. He nodded to the soldier holding his door and the soldier slammed it shut.

"He's so talkative," Marco joked, walking around the Jeep to the driver's side door.

Ace opened up the front passenger's door. He shrugged, "Yeah. Torture does that to a man."

"The hospitals are a real fucking mess," Marco said softly, shifting the car into drive. "I hope you're right. I don't want to waste time or resources."

Law met his gaze in the rear-view mirror. Law stared wordlessly until finally he shrugged. Law sighed heavily, his words dry and restrained, "He's there."

"Good," Ace said. "If they're at the hospital it means it's started."

Law wanted to ask questions but he didn't. He stared out the window, watching the city pass by in a blur of concrete and overgrown grass. The Jeep sped under the underpass, a graffiti message scrawled across the cement in spray paint, 'Be Someone'.

"Be Someone," Law repeated aloud.

"Yeah," Marco began to explain, "That's a bit of an icon now. The original artist actually has permission to touch it up and everything…" Marco paused before adding, "Kinda cool for a misdemeanor."

"Everyone knows only felonies are cool," Ace teased, shaking his head.

Marco sighed, maneuvering through a stream of abandoned cars. He was focused on the road and completely blindsided when Law spoke again, "It reminds me of him for some reason."

Ace licked his teeth, settling into his seat. Marco spared another glance at Law in the rearview mirror. Marco licked his lips before clarifying, "Corazon?"

Law's yellow eyes seemed to glow in the darkness of the cab. His cheeks twitched and eventually he smiled, menacing and hostile. "Yes. Corazon."

"I was sorry to hear about that," Marco replied, braking suddenly to avoid a sinkhole. He drove around it, scraping his side mirror on the concrete barrier. "Oooh, tight fit."

Ace chuckled and Marco shook his head, "Phrasing."

"How is it that only one person in the whole world seems to stay dead?" Law asked, unhumored. "It's like a cruel joke."

"Yeah," Marco murmured solemnly. "He was a great guy… and I know…"

"Stop talking."

Marco looked into the rearview mirror but Law was looking elsewhere. Marco nodded, "Yeah. Sure thing."

"I'm thinking," Law added slowly, as if to soften his order.

"Thinking about what?" Ace asked, turning around in his seat to get a better look at Law.

"Luffy's whereabouts," Law answered simply. "What else?"

"I thought you knew where he was already?" Marco began with dread.

Law didn't reply.

"I don't know how he does it," Ace explained, "But he knows."

"Hmm…" Marco sighed. "Interesting."

"He just knows," Ace repeated, looking Law up and down before turning back around in his seat. "He's always been different…"

Law had to bite his tongue. He was deeply offended by Ace's offhand remark. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. And before he could stop himself, he snarled, "Yes, I know. It's all my fault. Every bit of it."

"I've destroyed the world," Law continued, leaning back against the bench seat. "And to be honest, I don't fucking care." Law swallowed down the tightness in his throat. "I'm not sorry about any of it." Law swept his arms in gesture, "It's other people who should be sorry… Not me… It's people like you, Marco… And people like Ace, I guess now, too… Caesar, that motherfucking asshole Doflamingo, the Vinsmokes… Fucking Vergo, that piece of shit…"

"And the Revolutionary Army," Law added bitterly, "They can go fuck themselves too."

"Yeah," Marco agreed.

"Get it all out," Ace sighed, tapping the windowsill.

Law let out a noise, half laughter and half choking, and he leaned forward, gripping the sides of their seats so tightly the stuffing ripped past the seams. "Oh," he warned in a whisper, "You couldn't handle it all…"

"Come on now," Ace groaned, "We grew up together. I went through the same shit the rest of you did… I-"

"No," Law refused bluntly, releasing their seats. "No you didn't."

Ace scoffed, riled and ready to argue. He turned in his seat and prepared to let his thoughts rip but something in Law's expression gave him pause. He looked Law up and down, his anger barely contained beneath the surface.

"You died, remember?" Law said softly, his face as smooth as glass. He waited a moment before continuing. "We tried to save you. But we couldn't. Have you ever felt so helpless? And then Marco here killed himself. And then Corazon... well, I'm sure you know more than I do. And our misery continued in Deadhouse but everyone who cared was gone…"

"So, please, don't insult us," Law said, barely above a whisper, "You're not one of us anymore."

"I'm sorry," Ace conceded. "It was completely out of my control. Same for Marco…"

"Of course, rationally I know that," Law agreed. "But you see I'm bitter as fuck and I don't care what's rational." Law's yellow eyes seemed to glitter, "And I want someone to take some responsibility."

"We're here," Marco announced, pulling into the ambulance lane. Ace's door was open and he was hopping out before Marco was even parked. The older man made a clicking noise, shaking his head, "Be more careful, yeah?"

Ace smiled, mischievous yet handsome, "Alright, mom."

Law watched the D Foundation men lining up outside the hospital. They wore heavy black armor and carried massive weapons. It looked like an all-out assault was about to begin; but then again, it probably was. Law waited until Marco opened his door and then he slid out.

Law tensed as two massive dogs began to bark at him. They lunged against their leashes, tugging their handlers as they snarled and snapped at Law. Law narrowed his eyes, a scowl twisted across his face, "Dumb fucking dogs."

"They're sweet once you get to know them," Ace offered, ushering Law further along the path. "Come on."

"So where is he?" Marco asked softly, his hooded eyes staring unblinking ahead.

"He's in there."

"Intel says so is a lot of other people," Marco replied. "People I don't necessarily want to get involved with."

"Is this your team?" Law asked, gesturing to the men with rifles.

"Some of them," Marco explained. "D Foundation lent us bodies."

"That's all they'll be when this is over," Law warned.

"What makes you say that?" Ace questioned, "This should be just a simple extraction."

Law smiled, his eyes wide with disbelief, "Sure."

"Well, if we have our way," Marco interjected. "We'll stay cool. Get Luffy and the other asset. And get out…"

"What's that quote about best intentions...?" Law murmured, walking into the hospital.

"Ah, LAW," one of the men called after him. "Please wait…"

"Let him go," Ace breathed out, "We've got him."

Law groaned when he realized Marco and Ace were still beside him. Law turned, leaning against the reception desk, his arms out at his sides. Law chewed on his lip before finally asking, "What's your game?"

"This isn't a game," Marco said simply.

"What do you mean?" Ace wondered, shrugging.

Law crossed his legs at the ankle, leaning heavily against the desk, "I keep going back and forth on you two."

"How so?" Marco asked.

"Are you or aren't you?" Law asked, his yellow eyes meeting theirs.

"Oh shit!"

The three men turned in surprise. The red-haired woman panicked, throwing an armful of gauze at the men. She turned and tried to run but Marco caught her easily, his large hand wrapping around her slender wrist.

"Ah! Don't kill me! Help!" She cried out, clenching her eyes closed.

"Hey, it's okay, it's okay, relax…" Marco drawled, smiling peaceably, "We just wanna talk a minute."

"I'll never talk," The young woman spat. And then she made a face, seemingly reconsidering as she added, "But don't torture me or anything…"

"Well, that answers that," Ace decided, shaking his head, "She definitely knows Luffy."

The woman's face blanched and she swallowed loudly, "You're D Foundation."

"Yeah," Ace answered, "But we're here to help."

"I am not D Foundation," Law corrected sharply, pushing off from the desk. He walked around the woman and Marco, as if sizing her up. And then he said, "I'm from Deadhouse."

The woman nodded, licking her lips, "He's been looking for you."

"The idiot…" Law cursed, shaking his head.

"Nicely and calmly," Marco instructed, "Why don't you take us to him."

"I don't know where he is," she replied, "And even if I did…"

"Save it," Law snapped, pushing ahead. "If he's too stupid to run he deserves this."

Marco dragged the woman along, following behind Law and Ace. He paused only a moment, turning to issue orders, "Search the hospital. Keep the casualties to a minimum."

"My unit," Ace called out, "Follow me."

"I'm Marco," Marco said politely, "What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Nami, and I ain't your sweetheart…"

"Well, Nami," Ace sighed, "You've had quite a rough time here lately haven't you?"

"And whose fault is that?" Nami demanded.

"Not mine," Ace replied with a shrug.

"There's a lot of blood here," Law said suddenly, scrunching up his nose. "The stench is fucking disgusting."

"Nami!" Chopper yelled from around the corner. "Are you coming back?!"

Nami inhaled sharply preparing to scream but the sound was muffled almost completely by Marco's hand. He held her against him, holding his hand tightly over her nose and mouth.

"Just be quiet," Marco whispered, "I don't wanna hurt you if I don't have to."

Ace gestured to his team, "Safeties on."

"But, Sir…"

"Safeties on…"

With an inexplicable surge of excitement, Law turned the corner. He looked from bloodied face to bloodied face, slowly realizing Luffy wasn't among them. He heard the click of a rifle and he turned in time to have a gun shoved into his chest.

"Who are you? Where's Nami?" Usopp demanded, thrusting the gun into his flesh.

"Usopp!" Nami cried out, wrestling free of Marco's hand. "Run!"

"No one move," Law instructed quietly, grabbing the rifle with one hand, "And I wouldn't do that if I were you, Soldier Boy."

"Why not?" Usopp breathed out, adjusting slightly but not backing down.

"Because I don't stay dead and I get very fucking pissed off when I get shot," Law returned. Law looked down, staring intently at Sanji's unconscious form. "Where are the other two?"

"Are you… are you Law?" Usopp wondered, eyes wide. He lowered his weapon, "You're Law, aren't you?"

"Where's Luffy?" Law asked, flinching as D Foundation soldiers ran in, rifles raised.

"Fuck," Franky murmured, kneeling in exhaustion. "Fucking D Foundation pricks."

"Versipellis Asset 12-25," Marco realized, rounding the corner with Nami.

Ace nodded, "Asset 12-25."

"Nami, you okay?" Usopp asked.

Nami nodded, "Yeah. I'm fine."

"Is that Vinsmoke?" Marco asked, releasing his hold on Nami. He crouched beside Sanji, shaking his head. "He doesn't look so hot."

Usopp rushed forward, grabbing Nami and pulling her behind him protectively. He squeezed her hand and she buried her head between his shoulder blades.

"Line up!"

"Oh shit, we're gonna die," Usopp realized.

"Fuck you guys, really," Franky grunted. "Fuck your mothers too."

"Line up!"

"We're gonna die," Usopp repeated, shaking his head.

"I won't go back," Chopper panicked. "I can't… I can't go back…"

"Fucking line up!"

"Calm down," Marco intervened, turning toward the D Foundation soldiers. "It's fine. We have them."

"Orders are orders," another soldier spat. "They only want the three of them alive."

"Which three is that?" Law asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Asset LUF, Asset 12-25, and Vinsmoke."

"Good luck with that," Franky murmured, "He's fucking dying unless you do something."

"Line up and surrender your weapons."

"After you've already told me you're gonna kill me? No thank you…" Usopp refused.

"Vinsmoke is dying! Do something you piece of shit!" Franky shouted.

"LINE THE FUCK UP AND SURRENDER YOUR WEAPONS!"

"FUCK YOU!" Franky roared back, pulling himself to his feet.

"Hey, keep cool… keep c-"

"Franky! Chill out, man!"

The soldiers opened fire. Franky rocked from side to side, nearly vibrating from the force of the gunfire. He only fell to the ground once the gunfire ceased.

Ace was livid, "Safeties on! Hold your god damn fire! Who the fuck told you to-"

"Franky! Fuck!" Usopp growled, holding his rifle tightly. "What the fuck do I do? What the fuck do I do?"

"Were you the one who made the EMP blast?" Law asked suddenly, leaning over Franky as he died. Franky gasped, blood shooting from his throat and spraying in the air grotesquely. Law nodded, as if he could possibly have understood. "That was clever."

"No one else is getting shot," Ace insisted. "Everyone be fucking cool."

"Oh, that's great, but what about Franky?" Chopper snapped.

"Who killed Vergo?" Law asked, straightening up.

"I did," Usopp spat.

Law nodded again but didn't say anything. Instead he dropped onto his knees. He tore into his wrist, chewing until the blood was flowing like a hose. He placed his wrist against Franky's mouth, letting the blood fill Franky's mouth. He placed his hand under Franky's chin and tilted, "Swallow," he instructed.

"It's too late," Ace warned.

Law shook his head, "It would be for anyone else, but…" Law closed his eyes, his bronze skin paling, "Luffy's blood is in his veins."

"How's that?" Ace asked, leaning down beside Sanji. He checked the unconscious man's pulse, "Think you can do anything about this one? We're supposed to take him back with us…"

"Luffy must've given him blood," Marco realized.

"We still have a problem," Ace sighed. "Luffy's not here."

Law collapsed onto the floor, his head hitting the tile. He was completely exsanguinated. It took a moment for him to reset and when he did he looked around in confusion, not quite remembering what had taken place. Law looked to Marco and Ace, "What do you want?"

Marco and Ace looked at one another before Ace spoke, "Can you help Vinsmoke?"

Law sat up and looked at Sanji. Something crossed Law's face but he continued to his feet wordlessly. He walked over to Sanji and stared down at him. Law closed his eyes before simply saying, "He'd be happier if I left him alone."

"Orders," Ace pressed. "They want him back alive."

"Then you do something," Law finally said. "Call the medic."

"You're so difficult," Marco sighed, "For no reason."

"Who are you?" Law asked, ignoring the D Foundation and looking toward Usopp.

Usopp swallowed before answering, "I'm Usopp King of the United States Army, and I'm the guy who killed Vergo."

Law smiled so suddenly it caused Usopp's skin to prickle. Law extended his hand, still grinning from ear to ear, "I'm Law. You're in grave danger."

"I noticed," Usopp replied, shaking his head.

Law shook his head in refusal, "No you have no idea. You killed Doflamingo Donquixote's closest friend." Law shook Usopp's hand gently, "It's best if you don't mention that again."

"Where's Luffy?" Ace repeated, shoving Usopp against the wall.

"He's not here," Usopp replied. "He's got a sixth sense about these things… He's probably long gone…"

"We should get Vinsmoke, kill these extras, and get the hell out of here, Sir."

Ace nodded, "Grab asset 12-25."

"We won't let you take him," Nami defended, throwing her arm in front of Chopper.

"Is Luffy still here?" Marco asked, leaning into Law.

Law nodded, "Yes. He's still here."

"So…" Marco whispered, pulling a long knife from his waistband. "Ready?"

Law's cheek twitched and he shook his head almost imperceptibly, "We don't have him yet."

Marco's face showed his disappointment. He pushed the blade back into his waistband and sighed. Eventually he nodded, gesturing to the group, "Keep them alive. If they're dead LUF will have no reason to stick around."

"And their weapons?"

"I'll be keeping my weapon, thank you," Usopp snapped.

Marco smiled, humored, "You don't use yours and we won't use ours. Deal?"

"Sir, that's-"

Marco turned, his eyes expressing his thoughts on being challenged. Suddenly Marco smiled, easing up. "He's gonna behave. He wants to keep him and his friends alive."

"Sir, he's too far," the medic announced.

"We were about to do a blood transfusion," Nami spoke up. "I think that's his best bet." She was careful not to mention the others who were still hidden.

"Law," Ace said, "Would ya just save Vinsmoke?" Ace shook his head as if he couldn't believe Law's stubbornness. "He's fucking dead unless you do something."

Marco placed his hands together, a lazy smile crossing his smooth face, "Please, Law?"

Law was silent. He stared straight ahead, his jaw held tightly in place. There was a barrage of gunfire elsewhere in the hospital. Law flinched, his eyes closing and staying closed. His lips pursed slightly and then he nodded. He opened his yellow eyes and walked over to where Sanji lay on the floor.

He stood over Sanji for another long stretch of time. Finally he spoke, "I have only one more reset." Law looked up and over at Marco, "Do you understand?"

Marco nodded slowly, "Yeah. I got it."