A/N: Disclaimer; I do not own One Piece.

Due to lateness, I did not have time to edit. I will apologize for any grammar/spelling errors ahead of time.

I did however update most of my previous chapters on the 15th.

Enjoy.

Murder

Part One- Hidden Truths

Regret

'How do I tell Eustass-ya?' Law asked himself. What am I thinking? I mean, I know what I need to tell him. But he felt extremely reluctant to contact him. ...It's not like this is my first time telling a family member that their loved one had committed suicide... However, he can vividly imagine Kid's brief shocked face the moment he hears it. In his mind, he saw Kid with the phone vaguely touching his ear with wide eyes and a blank expression that slowly grew pale and blue.

Will he cry? Would he start a fit? Law tried to imagine what would his next expression be after the immediate shock.

Will he blame me? A grim face crept on him as he took a glimpse from his past. He remembered one particular family where their teenage daughter, patient 842, was rushed into the ER. He was able to stop all the blood and the blood transfusion successfully helped regain her condition. When Law observed the cuts on her wrists, he went right to the point- asked the parents if he may call suicide prevention lifeline for advice. They said it was not necessary, since the daughter cut it by accident- supposedly by falling down on top of the broken glass of some sort. He remembers how they avoided eye contact with him and how many times they were insisting to their friends that their daughter had 'an accident'. One time, Law overheard the parents commanding to their son in a loud enough whisper never to 'leak' the truth or else their social interactions with their jobs and neighbors would get ruined. Law was initially worried that patient 842 would attempt it once she regained conscious, but it didn't happen- until the day of her discharge. Before he was able to tell her to take care, she had jumped off from the highest building in the hospital.

Law gripped his hands in a tight fist as he remembered how they reacted. The mother grabbed his collar and screamed in his face:

"Why weren't you watching her!? Aren't you her doctor!?" Her tears soaked his white coat and he didn't attempt to wipe off her saliva that spat on his face as she spoke those sharp words. Law- who didn't know how to comfort people well- just patted her back and told her that he was sorry. It wasn't like he was slacking off and was taking a break at the break room- he was just informed about her suicide after he finished performing a three hour long surgery to another patient. It was not like she was his one and only patient- he had hundreds to look after.

But still one life was lost and these would just be 'excuses' to the mother's ears. So, even as she wiped her running nose all over his coat, the only words Law spoke were apologies.

...That mother was so similar to Patient 308. He thought as he opened one of his drawers to obtain his address book. He flipped to the letter "M."

"Penguin!" Law called him after he found what he was looking for. Unlike this morning, he heard Penguin's footsteps coming towards his room.

"Yeah?"

"Call this number for me. I'll contact Eustass-ya." Law handed his address book and pointed to a certain name.

"...Gekko Moriah? -Ah. For funeral services." Penguin noted as he remembered about their family service. He took Law's address book and closed it- saving the page with his index finger.

"...That too." Law added. Penguin looked up at him with his eyebrow raised. "...I only heard it once from her, but he's her father."

"Oh. That's a first." Penguin stated. "They don't look alike."

"-and her maiden name is not his last name." Law informed. "She looked reluctant to talk about it and now I missed the chance to ask her." Law sighed. "Is it okay if I ask you to inform him about her loss?"

"Yes." Penguin replied. "You have to contact Mr. Eustass and speak to Officer Smoker. I was able to contact him and he is on his way."

"Thank you Penguin." Law thanked as Penguin started heading his way. He made eye contact with Law as he passed through the door, lightly touching the knob on the door. Law understood his gesture and nodded. With this, Penguin closed the door behind him.

Law went around his desk and sat down on the swivel chair. He took out a blank paper and pen and placed it in front of him. He then paused and stared at the phone in front of him, gathering his thoughts together. He reached for the handset but froze once more.

-Would you blame me? A voice in his head asked. Right now, he only had one patient. While he was sleeping, his wife killed herself. To him, he felt that he had no excuses at all.

...Fuck. Go ahead and blame me. You're not the first. Law gritted his teeth and resumed on grabbing the phone. However he observed his hand shaking as he placed the receiver on his ear and his heart felt a heavy dread. He bit his bottom lip as he tried to ease the pain in his chest and gripped on the handset cord tightly.

Come on, it's just informing a death of a patient. He tried persuading himself as he listened to the phone ring once. I've done it countless times- it shouldn't be any different. Then the phone was answered.

"Hi, my name is Law Trafalgar, I am Mr. Kid Eustass's personal doctor. May I speak to him? It's urgent." He was immediately reassured that his phone would be transferred and waited as the phone rang in his ear once more. His heart felt like it beat louder than the phone, so he breathed in deeply and concentrated on his thoughts.

"-Hey." Kid answered as soon as the ringer cut off. "What's up."

"Ah-" Law's thoughts blanked out and he searched for words. This has never happened to him and he felt himself panic. He was ready- but it was all gone. He immediately looked at the blank piece of paper he had in front of him and jot down a couple words: passed, suicide, your wife, sleeping, pills, tea. Then Law scribbled out tea out. That word sounded like an excuse to him.

I should have paid more attention. I should have called Tony-ya sooner. He felt a huge clump of words blocking his vocal cords that no words came out of his mouth. He felt dizzy- and realized he was holding his breath. He took a deep breath once more.

"...Trafalgar?" Kid spoke with uncertainty.

"Do you have a moment? Is it ok... t-to..." Law shook his head as he stumbled on his words.

"What's wrong? Yeah. I'm just on break." Law closed his eyes as he absorbed Kid's words. He took another deep breath.

"Unfortunately, your wife, Welma, has passed away." Law spoke clearly. His eyes remained closed as he tried to grasp every sound on the other line.

"What?" He heard him in disbelief.

"I'm sorry to inform you, but your wife has passed away." Law repeated once more. It was common to repeat oneself when delivering this message since no one believed what they heard the first round. Yet, as he repeated those words, he felt a dark cloud over his head. He listened carefully at the silence that fell in the other end.

"...How" It was barely audible, but Law caught it. He wasn't sure if it was rhetorical, but answered him anyways.

"She took a large dose of sleeping pills. We think she committed suicide." Law spilled the truth. The other end became dead quiet. "I am sorry that I couldn't prevent it Eustass-ya." Law apologized while trying to hide the quiver in his voice. "I called Smoker and Moriah already- was that ok?"

"...yeah. I leave everything to you. I'll go out right now, but I'll be there in two hours." Kid spoke quietly.

"Killer and all of your buddies will be there for you."

"...You too?"

"Of course, Eustass-ya." Law reassured as he went down his checklist of things to say during these situations.

"...I'll be right there. See you soon." Kid said. Law listened to his voice that has lost its vigor. Law was about to press the hook switch to end the call, but then he heard a faint desperate voice, "-Law..."

"Yeah Eustass-ya?" Law replied.

"...lled... her" Law heard him breathe, but couldn't make up the words.

"...Eustass-ya?"

"I've killed her."

Law's eyes flung open and wide.

"-No, you didn-" he started as he leaned over his desk, but realized that the other end was out.

Oh shit. Law thought immediately and tried dialing the number again. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. He told himself as he messed up the number and retried dialing two to three times. His accuracy with the dial was horrible as his hand shook violently.

"Please still be there. Get the phone... Please get the damn phone...!" Law begged as he succeeded with the number.

I've gotta tell him it's not his fault. These things happen. I've gotta tell him that she was just tired. I've gotta tell him that she wanted to move on- although her choice was bad. I've gotta tell him that it wasn't his damn fault. Law dung his nails on his thighs. The stinging on his nails from the doorknob earlier today painfully reminded him that this was reality.

"Hello, this is-"

"Get Eustass-ya on the phone right now. This is an emergency!" Law yelled as sweat rushed out of him.

"Oh..." The office lady sounded offended. "I-I'm really sorry, but Mr. Eustass has just left the office."

"Fuck!" Law swore, then realizing how he was acting he slammed a fist on his forehead and breathed deeply. "I am so sorry." Law said in a calmer tone, "Thank you so much." And he hung up.

He twined his fingers together and rested his forehead on it as his elbows stood on the table.

Would he be ok? Law asked. ...I have no means to get in contact with him... Law squeezed his eyes.

...I guess I would have to comfort him when he gets back.

o-o-o-o-o

Smoker came on the scene a few minutes after Law had finished contacting Kid. He had his dark brown trench coat over his uniform and wore reflective sunglasses- making him look more like a stereotype detective than a cop. Smoker inspected Welma's bedroom and the tea room. He called his subordinates to check everyone's alibi- to make sure it was suicide and not a murder case. Chopper verified Law, providing blood tests that he was drugged and wasn't available. In the end he concluded that it was suicide- although her last words of some sort was missing.

"Would it be ok if I take her to autopsy?" Smoker spoke to Law in private as they sat down for a bite to eat. Sanji brought in a few scones, butter, and strawberry jam for Smoker and his team to eat.

"...I think it's not up to me to decide." Law stared at the food in front of him blankly and did not even touch his tea cup. "We'll see what Eustass-ya and Moriah wants." Smoker observed Law, then finally said,

"You should eat. It's good."

"I'm not up for it." Law murmured as he rested his forehead on his hands. He understood how he needed to eat to gain some energy and strength. When he worked at the hospital, he had no problem consuming after a patient passed away during surgery. It wasn't that hard for him. But now, his stomach felt full and sick from all his concern for Kid.

...He should be getting here soon. Law glanced at the great grandfather clock against the wall.

A doorbell rang soon after and Law stood up from his chair. Smoker left his eyes off from his buttered scone as he watched Law intently.

"I- I'm going to see if it's Eustass-ya." Law excused himself and rushed to the door.

When he got to the entrance, Killer had beat him to it and was greeting the visitor. By the way Killer acted, Law slowed his pace as he realized it wasn't Kid, but a man with a squeaky high voice.

It was Gekko Moriah.

The huge man ducked his head to get through the entrance. He was an eccentric man with a pear-like figure. He smiled mischievously as if he just had a nice bite of chocolate. Killer took his coat for him as he looked around and spotted Law.

"Why, hello Dr. Trafalgar." He pronounced each of his syllables slowly. "How is your day coming along?" The man squeaked as he made his way through to the dining table where Law was, before the bell rang.

"It's been going downhill as time goes by." Law spoke honestly following him to the room. How could he say it was okay when there was a death in the house? He possibly couldn't.

"Ahh. I see. Well, where's Welma?" He asked nonchalantly as if he just came to visit her. Smoker was sitting there in the room, but was ignoring them- as Moriah hadn't noticed him there.

"She's still lying in her room." Law answered. Moriah glanced up at the ceiling for a second, as if he was locating her. "The police will take it temporarily to a morgue. It's not decided whether we should perform autopsy. She's getting taken away soon." Moriah caught Smoker's eyes right then and they scrutinized each other for a moment and exchanged greetings briefly.

"Hm. Okay." Moriah stated as he placed his huge briefcase on the table. "I have tons of paperwork I need you to fill out. -You know, consents for emblaming, methods you would like to be performed, are you going to hold a viewing, etcetera, etcetera."

"Sorry, Eustass-ya isn't here." Law spoke as he peeked at the clock.

"Ahh. Is he fairing well?" Moriah asked. "It's quite common how this process is too hard for the family member, so a cousin, aunt, family friend, or someone related ends up signing for them. -You know, we can't get anywhere if they keep crying and not accept the death in front of them."

I killed her. The voice echoed in his head. Law paled a bit.

"He's on his way. I'm not sure how he is thinking about Welma, but he is on his way." Law crossed his arms and gripped tightly. "If he's not okay, I'll do it for him. Otherwise, I would like to wait for him. I would like his input."

"Hm. Well, at least decide the date of the funeral. That influences the process of preservation." Moriah suggested. "Whether it'll take place in a few days, a week, or within two weeks."

"-Eustass-ya should be arriving soon." Law affirmed. "Please wait for the arrangements." Moriah looked at him and shrugged. He pulled himself a chair and sat down at the table.

"Well, alright then." Moriah responded as he helped himself with a scone. Then a phone rang briefly before one of the butlers got it.

Suicide... Huh. Law sighed deeply. He closed his eyes and saw her sitting in front of him in the tea room. The sunlight entered the bay window and illuminated the room brightly. She stared at inside the brim of her teacup.

'He told me he loves me and we had sex in here'

Law flung his eyes open. Fuck. What the fuck is wrong with me? He demanded as he increased pressure in his fingers- digging it in his arms. It felt weird for him that he remembered those words vividly. It wasn't quite her last words, but it was amongst the last few that left him a mark. He focused his breath and tried calming his mind. However, before he reached his tranquil state, Shachi ran into the dining room.

"Law!" Shachi caught his breath. "The- phone call, Kid- Kid Eustass got into an accident- it- h-he got into a head on collision...!"

Law's world fell deep black right when those words hit him. Although his eyes were open, he felt like he couldn't see. Although he heard Smoker's reaction, he couldn't catch what was being said. He felt like he couldn't breathe right- his heart beat very fast. He vaguely felt all the sweat pouring out of him and his fingers and head getting cold. But he couldn't even feel the ground he was standing on. Then, a voice repeated in his head:

I killed her.

Law's legs shook, but he withheld his stance. He shook his head and he was back to Eustass's estate.

Law tried to convince himself that Kid isn't a person who would get into accidents or-

But before Law was able to persuade himself, Moriah's words came into him like a spear:

"What? Did he try to go after Welma?"

A/N:

Thank you for reading!

I was debating to break this chapter into two, but since I was already running late, I decided to make it into one.

Murder- Part One is almost coming to a close. Between Part One and Two, I will be taking a break to write short stories I was putting aside and take a break from writing in general (to draw and play Monster Hunter).

I hope you enjoyed it.