Under the Mask

by Lillie1512

After Lillian gets out of the hospital, she gets a late start to her first year of medical school at Marineford University in Sabaody. Everyone around her seem to have already made friends and she is left alone. The first person she meets is Trafalgar Law. Lilly is taken aback my his rudeness. Unknown to her Law;s life is being controlled my illegal trading in the black market.

9. Saving Me

*Lillian POV*

"Now, I am concerned that the incision across your abdomen is still crusty and slightly inflamed. I know you said you opened it and your medical student friend stitched you back up. First off, if you break you stitches, you need to be stitched up by a medical professional and not some student that increases your risk for infection. Second, if you have been taking certain medication, like anti-inflammatories and pain killers in excess, those can slow down the healing process of wounds." The mid-aged doctor shoots me knowing glance from under is peppered eyebrows as he places a fresh bandage over my incision.

I swallow hesitant, eyes downcast to my the black PJ tank top in my hands that Rosinante packed for me, "If I stayed clean how long until it heals up and until I get back to therapy?"

He gives me a small comforting smile and places a weathered hand on my shoulder, "Maybe a week. Your friend did a good job patching you up. If you stay away from anti-infammatories and strong pain killers, you will be surprised how fast the body heals."

"Thank you doctor." A place a forged smile on my lips.

"The nurse will be in to hand you some paperwork after you fill them out you should be good to go. Please take better care of yourself Ms. Hayashi." The peppered hair doctor gives me a small wave and he leaves the room.

I slide my tank gingerly over my bandages. There is a light rapt on the door. A small smile tries to quirk up on my lips fails, my body worn lifeless from the production that carried out earlier, "Ace you can come in. I don't know why you left in the first place. I am wearing a sports bra."

He enters the room with a shrug, "Call me old fashioned."

My eyes drift toward the clock. My eyes stare but don't focus on the hands and dashes on the clean white face.

The ticking of the clock bore deeper and deeper in me. Morphing into a low eerie chuckle. Reminding me I was constantly being watched and being follow. The chuckle of someone who wanted me for horrid reason.

An abrupt warm sensation on my forearm feeds my paranoia and ignites my feral survival instincts and I clamp my hand on the wrist of my adversary and jerk it into an unnatural angle.

"Lily! Christ! What has gotten into you?" Ace's cry brought me back down to earth.

My eyes finally rest on his chocolate eyes. There were wide, consumed with shock and worry. They searched the infinite depths of mine trying to confirm if I was still present and wasn't possessed by a demon.

I shake my head and release him quickly. I stare down at my hands sickened by the action they did, "I am sorry my body in is over drive. All the stuff with Trafalgar, Rosinante, and Doflamingo is putting my on edge. I feel like if a turn around someone is going to push me off a cliff."I run a hand along my braid being reminded of repulsive purple bruise on my neck. I swing my legs, now covered in warm forest green flannel, off the side of the bed.

Ace, being the gentleman he, rushes to the duffel and grabs the black slippers from the bags depths. He kneels down gentle lifting my ankle, "Slow down Cinderella, you can't go anywhere without your slippers."

His dorky nicknames did not bring the small joy they usually do, no matter how much I want them to. My heart just sat like a barren freezer.

He glides the slippers onto my feel and offers me his hands.

Once he helps me up, a sob catches in my throat. A fresh waterfall of tears stream down my raw cheeks. I rubs away the tears with the back of my hand, "Fuck, why doesn't it stop?"

Ace wraps his strong arms around me wordlessly. Even when the nurse comes in, he doesn't becomes embarrassed. He doesn't feel ashamed. He just converses quickly sending the nurse on her way so we could be alone.

My brain revolts.

Nothing changes. They are all liars. Your father, probably your mother too. Rosinante or was it Corazon? Now Trafalgar. How long until Ace and Luffy become like the rest?

I didn't feel like I deserved kindness and friendship even with it literally surrounding me. The guilt felt like a dagger plunged into my stomach.

Maybe it was karma for me not being able to save either of my parents or giving into the alluring temptation of narcotics.

Maybe I was destine for loneliness. Just a hopeless ship lost in a raging storm in an angry sea waiting for to be swallowed by the waves.

Once my tears halted Ace pushes me back ducking his head to catch my downcast gaze, "How about we go home. I can draw you a warm bath, give you all my fuzziest blankets, and you can sleep until noon. Sounds good right?"

I sniffle an okay and he gathers my things. We had a foot out the door when I stop in my tracks, "Did you grab my cape? I had it hanging on the door hook."

Ace reaches around the door to retrieve my cape.

He drapes it over the duffel and rests a hand on my back, "Don't worry Red. As long as I am here, no big bad wolves will hurt you."

I drag my feet along the pristine floors, to drained to lift up my feet all the way. I just wanted to sleep. This night has been to much stress and drama. My brain had shut off and driving on auto-pilot.

"LILLY!" My name rang out in a joyous, relieved tone.

It scared the living shit out of me.

I flinch back like a scared rabbit and hid behind Ace.

"Guys she just got out of the hospital. You shouldn't yell." By the voice I could tell it was Chopper.

There was a collective sorry as I stepped out from behind Ace and faced the crowd which contained all of the Straw Hats and oddly enough Vivi and Kohza.

Nami rest a hand on my shoulder and one on her ample chest, "Are you doing alright?"

I bob my head rubbing my arms from being exposed to the chill air, "I'll get there." My voice coarse like sandpaper.

"If there is anything that we can get you please let me know. I will wait on hand and foot to assure your safety," Sanji drapes his suit jacket over my shoulder giving me a reassuring smile.

Old cigarette smell fills my nose causing me to rip the jacket off and extend it out to Sanji, "Keep it. Please. I can't handle the smell right now." It was the only pathetic excuse that I could think of. I didn't have the energy to try to explain the betrayal that crept through my body.

Sanji face stays in a state of shock for a long while before he accepts his coat.

"I am sure she means no harm cook. She must be having a rough night with seeing her step-father again and Mr. Trafalgar being arrested." I am sure Robin was trying to be comforting but it only caused my body to start to throw an axnious fit.

My hand was visibly shaking. I try gripping my flannel tight to make it stop. No use.

"I still can't believe that they arrested Traffy." Luffy rocks back and forth in his chair with a stern expression on his face. It quickly lights up, "I know! I'll go pick him up and he will explain everything!"

"I'll go with you so you don't get lost." Zoro says as he stands up and stretches out, "I am sure this is a big misunderstanding."

But its not. He cut those girls open. He was going to cut me open. I didn't tell Ace when I found out it was Trafalgar. Maybe they could of worked a deal. I still didn't know why Trafalgar did it though. I knew it had to do something with his family, but what. His family. God Rosinante killed his family. Thats what his said. Was it true?

My thoughts kept spiraling and my breathes came quicker and quicker.

"Lily are you alright?" The voice didn't connect to a person.

I just ran towards the exit. My body screamed for me to get out in the open.

When I made it outside of the door I attempted in inhale a deep breath of clean air. Attempted. My breath was tainted with second hand smoke.

"God. Why is someone smoking by a hospital? You're going to make people more ill." I snap at an unknown perpetrator.

I turn to glare when a familiar head of curly black hair fills my view.

It was Baby5. She stubbed her cigarette out on the side of the building and dusted off the seat of her denim skinny jeans, "Ah. . . I am sorry." She turns her back to me and starts to walk away, her black boots clicking away.

"Baby5 stop." I reach out and clutch the sleeve of her mauve v-neck sweater. I look down at the black tar parking lot disappointed in losing my composure, "I am sorry I snapped. I am having a very. . eventful night."

She folds her arms across her chest sheepishly, "I heard you were in the hospital, so I thought I would come down and see if you were doing okay. You know return the favor for the other night."

The light on the side hospital catches the side of her face. This was my first time seeing her without make up and she still was beautiful, but filled with doubt.

"There is something bothering you." I stated continuing to study her face.

She bit her lip, "There is something I want to talk to you about, but I am not sure if I should tell you."

I put my last bit of energy into the best smile I could muster, "You can tell me anything. If you can't tell me now it is fine. You have my number. I know if feels like you haven't made progress but just coming here means that you truly do want to tell someone."

A puzzled expression sits on her face.

"Lily! There you are." Ace jogs over to me then focuses on Baby5, "Do I know you from some where?"

"I am Doflamingo's receptionist. All of the police officers pass through me before they can talk to him. That's probably why I look familiar." She mumbles obviously uncomfortable.

He taps his first onto his palm, "Ah! Yes. You are not at dressed up and made up so it took me a second. You look even nicer like this."

She blushes hard, "Tha. . Thank you. I need to go now though. The young master will be glad that you are doing well. He was concerned about you."

She gives a small wave and disappears into a town car.

"Young master? She doesn't mean. . ." Ace's voice drifts off.

"Yeah. Doflamingo." I reach blind for Ace's hand, distracted by what Baby5 meant, only managing to snatch his middle and ring finger, "I don't want any more surprises for the night. This is already way to much to handle."

He squeeze me hand as much as he can in a awkward hold, "Let's go home."

*Ace POV*

I drive us home not really sure if actually paid attention to the road. I kept Lily in the corner of my eye the entire time.

She looked so small with her knees pulled to her chest and her forehead resting on them.

I could tell she didn't want to talk but I eagerly wanted to know if I could help.

I buzz us into the building with the red and orange light of day break hanging eerily clinging against the brick walls.

My apartment is nothing special: two bed, two bath, a combined kitchen and living area, and a balcony large enough for a table and a grill.

It felt homey but not tight. Macro and I had lived in the place for almost five years now. Moved in together our junior year of college and been stuck together every since, both hopelessly single.

When we got up to my apartment, Lily walks in looking like a helpless child.

I give her a light, guiding push on the back to my room, "How about you take a shower. Get all the party funk and sweat off yeah. Then take a nice long rest."

She lets her bag thunk down on my walnut dresser, digging for a clean pair of clothes as she let's out a sigh trying to relax, "Sounds good."

"Alright" I clap my hands together trying to lighten the mood. "The more you crank it right the hotter it will get." I gesture at my old spice shampoo, "And look how lucky you are! You get to smell like hot, sexy man musk." I earned a small quirk of the lip for that. I considered it a victory.

"Towels are hanging on the rack. I got you two because I know you women do some voodoo magic to make a towel turban for your hair."

"Thank you Ace." She forces a brief appreciative smile.

"I'll be in my bedroom if you need anything." I turn to leave but feel a hand grab the back of my shirt.

Her eyes are glued to the cornered of the cabinet and her eyes quivered with tears, "Can. . . Can you stay? I just don't want to be alone right now."

The question was so pure and so innocent, "uh. . . Ya sure. . . I'll just turn around and just give me a heads up when your in the shower. I'll plop myself down on my throne and entertain you."

"Thank you Ace" she grabs my shoulders and spins me around. "I really appreciate you taking me in."

"That's what I am here for. Knight in shining armor! Savior of damsels in distress! Slayer of dragons!" I chuckle to myself thinking how hilarious I am.

Then I hear it.

Her close sliding off.

Gliding over her skin. Brushing up against her bandage.

My face turns red as a match head.

I run my hands over my face as the water starts to thunder down behind me.

Lord help me.

When I hear the metallic pull of the curtain behind me I turn around and sit on the toilet.

"If there is anything you need I am right here," I announce trying to make the situation as comfortable as possible.

There was a brief pause then a nearly inaudible reply, "Can you talk?"

"Sure. What do you want to know?" The moisture of the hot shower starts to cling to my neck.

"What are is your family like?" Seemed like an innocent enough question.

I stretch my legs out and lace my fingers behind my head, "Well I have two brothers. You have met Luffy. Trouble either follows him around or he always finds it. I'm sure you picked up that his friends mean the world to him and he would do anything to protect them. Luffy has had kind of a jaded past but he friends always helped him out. He is on the straight and narrow now and becoming a cop like me, but honestly think he needs something that he can have more freedom."

I pull my button up off my slick skin in attempt to vent my shirt more, "My bother Sabo is the same age as me. He also is in the police force but he is a big fancy federal agent. Sabo goes undercover a lot and deals with the kinds of cases you can't talk about afterwards so he isn't around to much. He takes his job very seriously but once he is home with us he is just a giant goof ball like Luffy."

The shampoo bottles thud around, "What about your parents?"

"Don't really know. My mom died giving birth to me and my dad was a harden criminal that past away when I was young so I never met him. My dad entrusted me to Luffy's grandpa who entrusted Luffy and me to our foster Mom, Dadan. Sabo was a run away from an abusive household. He actually lived in a tree house before Luffy and I befriended him. Luffy and I moved him in one day. Dadan told him that he needed to earn his keep to stay. That's how we all became a family." That was the brief explanation anyway.

A crash comes from the shower, "Are you alright!?" I instinctivly reach for the shower curtain but force myself to stop.

Her voice is shaky, and laced with tears?, " It was just the shampoo bottles." I few more thunks before there was peace in the shower, "I guess that I'm too busy thinking the world is crumbling around me that I don't considered other people have their own problems."

I think I hear her mumble shit.

"Hey hey hey. When bad things are happening to you emotions go awry. You can't understand why these things are happening. You feel like things are going to get worse. Sometimes they might, but things can only go so low until they hit rock bottom. Then they can only go up. Plus you have friends that you can talk and support you. You just have to trust us. Which I know can be hard for people who have suffered in the past." I try to reassure her the best I can.

The water turns off. "Thank you Ace. Can you get me a clean bandage from my bag?"

I let out a puff of air, "Sure. If it is okay I'm going to change into my pj's."

The yes was hesitant but confident.

Seemed like something I said helped at least a little.

I grab the first thing that could be considered pajamas. My brain to heavy and tired to care.

I strip down and teeter over a bit but balance myself on the bed.

After I slip on my white muscle shirt a rub my eyes finally noticing that they just wanted to slam shut and not open for days.

I dig in Lily's bag and pull out a clean bandage and gauze then shuffle over to the bathroom.

I turn the corner without thinking and extend my hands.

My eyes finally make there way around the corner, "Shit. Right. God. Sorry"

*Lillian's POV*

If feel like I'm scaling a small mountain when I step over the bathtub ledge. My muscles were not having it.

Ace made a good point. People sometimes can't see past their pain and that makes it hard for people to trust each other.

I was going to have to talk to Trafalgar and Rosinate even if I didn't want to because deep down I knew they were good people going through a hard time.

Knowing this did not make me any more thrilled to talk to them though.

I dry off and gingerly dab around my stitches.

It takes the rest of my energy to slip on my pajama bottoms and sports bra.

I adjust the bottom band of my sports bra when I here Ace yelp, "Shit. Right. God. Sorry."

I cock my eyebrow watch Ace trying to advert his gaze but his curious eyes always land back on my body, "It is okay if you want to look. I am not ashamed of my scars. I got most of these by protecting my mom. There more like a badge of strength."

Red creeps up my neck and I unwrap my bandages while being treated like a museum piece.

"They are beautiful," Ace breathes.

I drop my bandage, "What?" No one has ever called them beautiful before. Everyone always pitied be because my complexion was tainted my pink valleys and hills.

Ace's eye grow wide when he realized he said his thought out loud, "I guess what I mean is that you got most of those scars being selfless. You put your life at risk so you could protect your mother. With your transplant scar, after all the stuff your father did you still had hope he could change. Your scars show who you are and that is what makes them beautiful."

I finish wrapping my bandage with grateful tears in my eyes, "How do you always know what to say?"

Ace gives a large grin similar to Luffy's "It runs in the family! Now let's get you in a warm comfy burrito of blankets."

I let my head bobble, "That sounds brilliant. I could sleep for a week after everything that happened."

Ace pulls back the charcoal comforter to expose the red and grey flannel sheets beneath.

I slide in and Ace tucks me in, "Okay princess I will be on the couch if you need anything. It is my duty as your knight to be at you beckon call."

"Ace," my voice creaks, "Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?

"Of course my lady. Compared to having to get all damp and sweaty sitting in the bathroom this is a cake walk." He slides into his side of the queen size bed.

Ace's body heat instantly fills the blankets.

I turn to my side and stroke the flannel sheet, they feel like clouds compared to the sandpaper the hospital call sheets, "Who was your dad?"

Ace turns to face me, "Gol D. Roger."

My eyes jump up, "No way!"

Ace gets a child like grin and a spark in his voice, "Yes way! My old man would still expensive artwork, artifacts, and money from criminals, corrupt politicians, and anyone he considered a bad guy. He could anywhere and do anything!"

Ace kept going on and on about his dad but his voice faded away after my eyelids crept down.

Ace made it so easy to forget everything.

*Ace POV*

Mid-ramble I glance over and notice Lily is out like a light. Her wet hair leaving damp trails on her pillow, a single soaked strand fell in the middle of her face.

I gently push the strand behind her ear; feeling just how cold her skin was. I grab the sheets and pull them up to her chin.

I turn on my side and just watch her sleep for awhile. She seemed at peace like this. All of her features softer then normal making her appear much younger.

I reach out cup her cheek with my palm and caress it with my thumb. She let out a pleased sigh and nuzzles her cheek unconsciously against my hand.

A content smile tugs at the corners of my lips. I pull my pillow closer to Lily leaving slight gap between us. I rest a warm hand on her slender waste and lean down and kiss her forehead tenderly.

Before I doze off, completely forgetting I was supposed to move to the couch, only one thought went through my head.

I am so screwed.

*Law POV*

All interrogation rooms are just like the ones you see on TV. Brick walls with a two way mirror, cement floors, and metal furniture.

I rock back and forth on the back to legs of my chair wanting to be out of here. Lily was pissed as all hell and I wanted to make it right. I needed her if we were going to take out Doflamingo. Plus she dealt with so much of my shit she deserved the truth.

Corazon unexpectedly showed up too. There was no way that it was a coincident that he was Lily's mom's fiance.

This ran way deeper than I thought it did. I miscalculated.

The door opens almost silently and officer Marco steps in.

"We have video proof that you were at The Dutchman with Mimi the night she went missing. We have a strong belief that you were the last person to see her before her organs were harvested." Marco's voice was steely and he stared me down looking for me to waver just a bit.

I lean forward with a metal screech and a metallic thump, "Yes I hit on her that night. She got way to drunk so I grabbed her a taxi so she could get home. That is all that happened."

"Mr. Trafalgar we are aware that you have been doing an internship at one of the hospitals that Doflamingo owns. So the fact that you are a surgical intern, that works for Doflamingo, and that we have proof that you were the last person to see Mimi is all just some sort of coincident." I could see behind Marcos eyes that he was skeptical.

"Yes. Doflamingo owns almost all medical stuff in this town. Marineford has one of the largest class sizes in the country for medical school. That bar was also jammed packed that night. I just happened to be the responsible one to get a cab for a drunk girl." I answer in a monotone voice too tired to debate.

"What about Ms. Hayashi?"

My heart stops, "What about Lily?"

A smirk pulls at Marco's lip knowing he hit a weak stop, "The night of Luffy's party the same thing happened to her. Got drunk. Passed out. You were the last one to see her. Scopolamine was also found in her system just like Mimi."

"Well if I was this Blackmarket surgeon that is wandering around, wouldn't have I taken Lily somewhere and chopped her up instead of taking her to the hospital to save her life." I start to hear voices from the hallway trying to strain my ear to see if I could pick up anything.

Marco leans forward, "Unless you made a mistake with your dosage and you were trying to look innocent by taking Lily to the hospital."

Before I could answer the door pushes open again and I see a familiar face: Vergo.

I knew I was safe now.

Vergo was Doflamingo's inside man at the police station. He made sure everything about Doflamingo was covered up and all of Doflamigo's men somehow wiggled free of jail time.

"We have to let him go. His lawyer showed up made some bullshit excuses why we have to let him go." Vergo plastered on a good fake face I'll give him that.

"Well that doesn't make you look suspicious at all," Marco mumbled irritably under his breath. Shooting me one last glare before he leaves the room.

I don't say anything when I leave. Well at least until I turn the corner the the lobby.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I growl as soon as the deep purple feathers come into view.

He clicks on reply on this phone keeping up appearances, "Watch the TV."

Letting out a grunt I turn up to the TV. 'Surgeon of Death' was splayed a vibrant yellow banner in dark letter.

I step closer to the TV, "What the fuck?"

The newscaster has a serious expression on his face, "I grievously have to report that the black market surgeon case has escalated. Six females that were abducted and had their organs harvested are now dead. The victims where all found in their homes by loved ones or caretakers dead in their beds all around midnight last night. The cause of death is unknown. We do know that the Surgeon of Death targets women with O negative blood. The girls have all found with scopolamine in their systems. This drug is often slipped into drinks. It is advised that girls with O negative blood do not travel alone and keep an eye on their drinks. The police will have press conference later this evening to release what they know about the Surgeon of Death case."

A cell phone screen blocked my view of the TV, "We should go. There are the things that need to be discussed."

I nod ripping my eyes from the TV and follow Corazon to a town car and slide into the backseat with him.

He nudges me with his elbow and nods toward the driver, "Thriller Bark and 2nd."

I get a curt nod and Corazon rolls up the divider in the car and lights up a cigarette taking a long drag, "We need to talk about Lily and you."

I pull the cigarette from his lips and stub it out in the ash tray.

Corazon visibly twitches, "Guess I deserved that."

"Damn right you did," I hiss out, "How do I know that you going to tell the truth about any of this? You burned my fucking house down and killed my parents."

"Law I didn't do any of that. My brother set me up. I grew close to your father and and Lily's father when they worked for Doffy. As soon as I figured out what was going to happen I called the fire department and rushed over." I cut him off with my hand.

"Lily's and my dad used to work for Doflamingo!" A lunge forward and grab him dress shirt tight, "I want to know everything you know and I want proof. NOW!"

Hot breathe seethes through my gritted teeth.

Corazon grabs my wrists and looks deep within my eyes, "You need to trust me. I can tell you everything that happened but I think Lily should be present too. This involves both of you. It was not an accident that you both ended up in the company."

His eyes pleaded for understanding.

I huff and jerk my hands away and lean up against the window and stare at him out of the corner of my eyes, "Only because I really want to know what happened to my family. I still hate you."

His whole posture relaxes and a smile captures his lips, "I can live with that."

The rest of the car ride was a utterly in silence,

When he reach the apartment I had no idea what to do. I awkwardly mumble that he could crash on the couch and watch TV but not to touch anything.

I slink off to my room and belly flop on to my bed.

I rub the bridge of my nose hard.

I thought my life was complicated before. Someone who may be my parents killer is sitting in my apartment just watching TV.

Lily needed to wake up now.

*Lily POV*

My body wakes up but I refuse to open my eyes. I was so warm and comfortable that I was hoping if I kept my eyes close I would drift off. However my body yearned for movement.

I crack open an eye and am met with a freckled face snoring loudly.

He was sleeping so close I could feel his body heat, but his hands were kept to himself. I search the soft features of his face and notice a trail of drool running down his chin.

I couldn't help but laugh.

The raventte stirs and forces and eye open, "What is so funny?"

"Nothing I woke up and thought I was drowning because the sheets were soaked" I tease as I gesture to his mouth.

He wipes his mouth with the back of his hands and then lunges his drool covered hand at me.

I let out a yelp and defend myself with the sheets.

"Fine. Fine. I'll play nice. Glad to see you slept well sleeping beauty." Ace retreats back to his side of the bed still lying on his side.

I let out a short laugh and roll back on to my side, "You were still sleeping when I woke up. If anyone is sleeping beauty it is you."

Ace flips his long shaggy hair, "I am glad you think I am beautiful."

I couldn't help but snort at the comment which earned me a huge closed eyed smile.

We lay in silence for a long moment. The way Ace looked at me made me feel safe and cared for. It reminded me of the way my mom used to look at Rosinate.

Fuck I still had to deal with Trafalgar and Rosinate.

Ace boops my noise with his finger, "Now I do not like that look. How about I make you blueberry pancake? I am really good at following instructions on a box."

I nod gratefully, "Sounds like you are a five star chief. I am going to change my bandages and I'll be right out."

When I was changing my bandages my thoughts wandered to Trafalgar.

I wonder if he is okay? Will he reach out to me or is this the out that he wanted?

Working through my snarls in my hair the bruise on my neck catches my eye.

Why the hell can't I remember who did this?

The last thing I remember was dancing with Ace. Uggggggggggggggh.

By the time I get my snarls out of my hair and head to the kitchen, Ace is already sitting at the table with a mountain of pancakes.

A blurry imagine shots through my mind.

I cover my eyes with disbelief, "I kissed you last night" I groan and plop in my seat by Ace and thump my head on the table.

Ace coughs sheepishly, "Yeah. You insisted that we could play quarters together by sitting on my lap at the table. You kissed me on the cheek when you got me to drink and me being the affectionate drunk I am, I kissed you back on your cheek. I am so sorry! I swear I did not leave the hickey on you neck though!"

I run a hand through my hair, "I appreciate it. I am sorry to. I've never drank before. Didn't realize I was going to such a slut." I shove pancake into my mouth.

"Hey your not a slut. Your just an affectionate drunk. Just means you need to not drink as much," Ace reassured me as he waved around his fork.

"Or not at all." I grumble, "I can't decide if I want it to be someone I know or a complete stranger."

"You are starting to remember things already and if you don't remember it is in the past. It was a party no one will care who you made out with. Just use the excuse that you were drunk." Ace states matter-of-factly.

I wipe my syrupy mouth content with his statement, "Mind if I turn on the TV. Need my mind to be distracted. We can flip it to the cartoon channel and see if pokemon is on."

Ace gasps, "How did you know that it was my dream to be the best like no on ever was?"

I smile. Ace starts putting dishes in the dishwasher as I click on the TV.

'Surgeon of Death' was displayed at the top of the screen in big bold black letters in a bright yellow banner.

"Ace." My voice whimpers.

I mindlessly turn up the TV and watch the story unravel before my eyes.

"Oh god Lily." Ace slides down next to me and slips an arm around me.

"They're dead. They are all dead." My mouth moves on it own, "Bastard."

I shoot up and rush to Ace's room, slam the door, and dig in my bag for clothes. I found a forest green cardigan, a off white sweaters, designer jeans, and tan high heel ankle boots.

I roll my eyes. Sure high heals is exactly what I want to wear after a day in the hospital.

I change taking a moment to steady myself in the heals. I throw my hair up in a messy bun and open the door and am met with Ace's chin.

"Hey! Hi. What is going on? You jumped up and ran like you saw bear." Ace grabs my shoulders and ducks down, "You can tell me."

Shit. Shit. Shit.

"Oh god. Ace." I stutter and place me hands on his shoulder, "I want to tell you so bad, but I can't." Tears stream down my face and cup his face, "Trust me. I will find a way to tell you." I let my hands move to his neck and then fall back to his shoulders, "I am so sorry that you are in the middle of this. Your too good of a person for this."

Ace furiously searched my eyes, "Lily please. You deserve good people in your life. You deserve people that will tell you the truth."

"Yeah. You deserve people that will tell you the truth too." I push past Ace toward the door with a heavy feeling in my stomach and a lump in my throat.

I open the door before I step out a hear Ace's voice, "You were pissed your step-father and Trafalgar for not telling you the truth. You are a good person do not get sucked in to their antics." he sounded wounded, "I'll be here when you want to talk."

I could only mumble out a pitiful thank you.

As a hail a taxi I call Trafalagar. One ring and he picks up, "Lily are you okay?"

Lily? When did he start calling me by my first name?

"Hey Mr. Surgeon of Death. I am coming over to have a word with you," The words were more menacing then I thought they were going to be.

There was a tired sigh on the other side, "You saw the news too. Corazon and I wanted to talk to you anyway."

"Why are the two of you together? That doesn't make me feel uncomfortable at all." I grumble.

"He was waiting for me at the police department. Said he had something important to tell us both." His voice sounded strained.

"I thought Luffy and Zoro were going to pick you up? Nevermind. Just. Did he say what it was going to be about?" I slip into a taxi having to force the words past the growing lump in my throat.

"Our dads used to work to Doflamingo. That's all he would tell me," He rushed on, "Lily can you hurry? I haven't slept since the hospital and I need him out asap so I can pass out for two days."

Hearing him call my by my first name threw me off. I lost words. My stomach did flips.

"Lily?" He had a worried tone.

My heart beat harder. "Yes?" My voice caught in my throat as the taxi pulled up to the building.

"You okay their shrimp? You went completely silent." His normal tone of voice was starting to return.

"Yeah I was just getting out of the taxi. Buzz me in. I'll be up shortly." Once I heard the door click I jab the red phone icon.

Butterflies sat in my stomach as I approach the door.

Was I nervous to hear the truth? Shouldn't I be bubbling with rage right now?

I knock once and the door flings open. Law was standing their in black sweats and a tight stone grey shirt with a white Marineford logo on it.

I cock an eyebrow, "Eager much?" I tired to keep a cold demeanor.

"Hey I rather deal with you then Mr. Clumsy. At least if I get tired of you a can pick you up and throw you out the window." He sasses right back.

I walk underneath his arm and meet Rosinate russet eyes, "Lily I am glad you came over."

"You said you had something to tell us. The only reason I came over here was to hear the god damn truth and if I find out you are lying again so help I will castrate you." I snarl.

Rosinate backs up and trips over his own feet causing the apartment to shake.

Trafalgar and I exchange annoyed glances.

I plop down on the couch and cross my arms and legs. Trafalgar sits right next to me, thighs touching mine.

Trafalgar leans over and whispers into my ear, "How many times do you think he'll stumble before he actually makes it to the couch."

I snicker, "Well it is five feet to the couch so at least two more times."

Trafalgar's laugh vibrates my body I tilt my head to look up at him and realize quickly that there is barley room to breathe.

My heart stops for one long beat.

Me straddling Trafalgar.

My hands tracing his abs.

Hands trailing up my thighs.

Tongues rolling against each other.

Trafalgar sucking on my neck.

Me moaning Law in bliss.

My eyes grows wide as sauces. Trafalgar searches my face.

I hear Rosinate thump to the ground once more.

Violently I pull him closer to me by his shirt and whisper frantically, "YOU GAVE ME THIS HICKEY ON MY NECK AND DIDN'T TELL ME!"

He turns his head pressing his cheek against mine, "I was going to tell you but I didn't want to in front of everyone. It would have been a huge ordeal."

I huff, "Valid. Who kissed who first?"

Trafalgar rolls his eyes, "I think it was me? I don't know we were plastered."

This event would explain all the weird feelings at least.

Drunken mistake. That's all.

Trafalgar brushes his lips against my ear, "You are one hell of a french kisser though."

I shoot him a dirty look, "You just like to get me riled up."

He gives me a once over with his eyes and winks, "I just learned how much fun."

My face turns beat red, "You know I hate you."

"Yeah I know shortie." Trafalgar smirks and nudges me with his elbow.

I nudge him back. We go back and forth for awhile.

"You know I am mad at you. You know what makes me even more mad is that I cannot stay mad at you." I exasperate.

"Your a hopefully person by nature. Even after everything that has happened with your dad, you gave him your liver. After me being a giant douche, you saw through me and made me reconnect with my friends. Your here right now to give Corazon a chance to explain what happened. You may have given up on yourself but you haven't given up on others" Trafalgar pats my knee, "Or you are just one of the stupidest, most reckless people I know."

"That is oddly nice of you," I squint suspiciously at him.

He shrugs, "I guess I turned over a new leaf."

"Ah hem. Sorry for ruining this special moment." Rosinate sits down in the arm chair adjacent to us and lights up a cigarette.

"No smoking!" Trafalgar and I yell in tandem.

Rosinate clicks his lighter closed, "Well aren't you too going to make great parents."

Finally had time to write a chapter after a bit of hiatus!

Have a little more time after I graduated college.

I am always want to hear your critiques so feel free to.

Thank you for reading!

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