Hmm, excuse my tardiness, I'm a chief procrastinator.

Thank you all for the favs/ follows/ reviews *kisses & cookies*

Hope you enjoy!

"She always had that about her, that look of otherness, of eyes that see things much too far, and of thoughts that wander off the edges of the world."

- Joanne Harris

She was white from head to toe: white pants and a long sleeved blouse, hair a pale blond, pulled back in a braid and eyes so blue you could've misses the color in them. Long fingers were sticking out of white leather gloves and presented nails carefully painted in the same pale hue. It was eerie to say the least. It also created a clear contrast between the woman and the panther trailing her like a shadow.

Law thought he was used to her continuously changing her hair and eyes, but this was just a bit ridiculous. Her skin also had a glow to it; she must have powdered it with something. All in all, she looked like a ghost, her mood suiting her appearance. Well, he guessed the dying young pirate on the operating table was not the most pleasing sight, nor was the fiasco at the marine headquarters. Still, she seemed a bit too affected by the deaths of pirates and marines she had no affiliations to.

Thesa was sitting in her chair, waiting for him to change the bandage from her tattoo, stealing glances occasionally at the Straw Hat captain. Her pet was calmly licking a giant paw at the woman's feet. It would be the last bandage he'd have to remove, as the tender skin was fully healed. If he were completely true to himself, he shouldn't have placed the last one either. But for some reason beyond comprehension he wanted a plausible motive to bring her back in the infirmary. Her shoulder wound would need the stitches removed soon, but other than that she had no real reason, nor desire, from what he had gathered, to seek him out. He quite enjoyed their alone time, teasing her and getting to know the woman better. She was rather fun when her guard fell, though he only got a few glimpses of the person behind it, as she usually regarded him with scrutiny.

He was brought back from his thoughts by a loud grunt from the other patient. "Knight of the Sea" Jinbei was resting on a bed near the Straw Hat. He let out another whimper then went back to his restless sleep. Jinbei's condition was bad but stable for the moment, nowhere near Straw Hat's. Law's eyes trailed back to the woman. Big, curious eyes went back and forth between the two unconscious men, but always seemed to linger more on the young captain. Why was she so concerned about him? Was it even concern? Surely she was not squeamish when it came to blood and death: she's been the cause of it so many times if even half the rumors were true. So why then did she carry such sadness in those unearthly pale eyes?

She didn't even notice him as he rolled his chair closer to her, only turning to face him when he took hold of her hand. She seemed to come out of deep thoughts. It bugged Law. Somewhere in the back on his mind, something was tugging at him, making him question all her expressions and gestured. He unwrapped the bandage and examined the tattoo, tracing his thumb across the back lines of his logo. She was marked, part of his crew. The thought gave him a weird surge of power, of confidence, and a smirk came to his lips.

"What?" She asked suspiciously, eyes narrowing. Well, she had all the right to question him, seeing as his intentions were less than… noble. What would it take for her to let him examine her other hand? Law had convinced himself that his curiosity regarding the cyborg was purely professional. As a doctor it was interesting to think about the possibilities and how he could use his Devi Fruit power. Could he attach a mechanical hand to a person using his power or was more required? As a captain it was only natural to know your subordinates, and an ex-mercenary clearly needed to be watched. No way to know where her true allegiance lay, even if she was now branded as one of his. His inquest was only natural, he was protecting his crew and his ultimate goal.

"It healed up nicely."

"I was expecting nothing else; you checked on it daily." She scoffed, pulling her wrist from his grasp.

"And your shoulder?"

"It's fine, I guess." Her head fell, and she exhaled loudly. There it was again, that sadness that plagued his little mechanic since the Battle of Marineford. Was she actually bothered by the death of Fire Fist? Had something more transpire between them that night she had mentioned, years ago? She hadn't been that heartbroken when she found out about his imprisonment, sad yes, but not this hollow.

But he had to focus on the thing at hand: Straw Hat dying on his operating table. The boy let out a scream, the machines keeping him alive let out screeching sounds, alerting him of the changes in his condition. In seconds he was by his bed, one of his rooms encompassing his body. The young captain was battling for his life and Law was not going to let him lose the fight. He fixed all the open wounds, but his muscles were strained beyond their capacity. He would need time. Time and resolve. Law sighed as he realized it might not be entirely up to him to save Straw Hat.

"Is he going to be… Is he going to live?" Her voice was faint, her eyes empty as she watched the young captain. Law's eyes narrowed as he looked up at the woman.

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps? You don't know?" Her own uncanny eyes narrowed, her hands wrapping defensively in front of her.

"What is it you if he lives or dies?"

"Nothing! What is it to you?"

"Hmm." Monkey D. Luffy. He was another car he was betting on. He could use the boy when the time would be right.

"That's it? 'Hmm'? What is that supposed to mean?"

"That's none of your concern now, is it?" His voice might have dipped with too much venom, but she was annoying him. Why so interested in the Straw Hat's fate?

"He clearly-" She didn't get to continue as Jinbei interrupted her with another groan. Thesa closed her mouth as Law strode to the Fishman's bed. He was beaten, too. But his life wasn't hanging by a thread. He'd make full recovery sooner than later.

"Bring me that roll over there." Law ordered her without lifting his eyes from the injured forearm. She complied, as he suspected she would. "Hold here." She came around the bed and placed her hand on the unconscious pirate's arm as Law worked on his opened stitches, then applying fresh bandages over the wound.

"How can you be so gently and yet so cruel?"

"Cruel?" He couldn't help the smile forming on his lips. She had no idea what 'cruel' stood for.

"You care for your patients, treat their wounds. But it's for a different motive, isn't it? You want them to owe you, like you did with me."

"And you find that cruel, little pirate?" His intention was no to mock her, but who was she to judge him? "You think me a monster for giving and then expecting to be given back? It is more than you ever granted your targets." He was expecting her to be angry, furious. To explode with insults his way. Maybe even try to hit him. He did not expect the surrender in her voice.

"You're right. I suppose I'm the only monster here." She smiled, but something shattered behind her bizarre eyes. Where they synthetic also? Was that how she changed their color? That meant the hair had to be too. And probably a part of her head? "I'll go now, if you're done with me." But, oh, he hadn't even begun.

"You're very affected by the Straw Hat's condition, Frey-ya." It was not a question. A blind person could sense her distress. The question came after. "Why?" Thesa pursed her lips as she gazed back, past Law's shoulder, at the injured boy.

"That's for me to know and for you to wonder, captain." There was a glimpse of playfulness in her voice. Law would have insisted on an answer, would have been insulted by her evasive response. If it wouldn't have been clear to him she was trying to mask some deep pain. It only fueled his curiosity, but decided it could wait. Maybe get her to truest him first. Or at least distrust him a little less.

He dismissed her with a disapproving shake of his head and returned to check on his patients one last time before he retreated for the night. He watched from the corner of his eyes as she waltzed out the door, pet at her heels. When the door closed he felt his muscles relaxing. He noticed some time ago the tension that took over his body when she was near. Instincts, surely. The crazy broad tried to kill him, though he suspected she wouldn't have actually gone through with it. But better to be safe than sorry.

Routine check up on the unconscious pirates done, he left for his quarters. He wanted nothing more than to hit the covers of his bed as soon as he entered his room, but as tired as he was, he was in dire need of a shower. He was somewhat conscious of the dried blood on his cheek and neck. Besides, he should take advantage of the privileges of being captain: his own bathroom, adjacent to his room.

He dreaded the shower. It was the place where his mind would run wild. As hot water poured on him, washing the blood and sweat away, his thoughts returned to the cyborg. 'That's for me to know and for you to wonder'. And he did wonder. His first guess was that her mood wasn't entirely related to the Straw Hat, but rather to herself. Perhaps she was reminded of someone she cared for and lost. His second guess was that she was mourning Fire Fist, and as the pirates at Marineford were chanting, Luffy was Ace's legacy, all that he was leaving behind. Law was certain Thesa didn't know the young captain before the incident on Sabaody Archipelago, so it was unreasonable to think she was so distraught by his misfortunate fate. Fire Fist on the other hand, she had confirmed to knowing. But why did he care is she was depressed? He hated the stupid shower. He draped some random pants and t-shirt over his body and left the bathroom.

He reached his bed and was greeted by the silky covers and soft pillows. As tired as he was from staying awake the previous night to take care of his patience, he fell into a restless sleep, waking up countless times during the night and not managing to fall asleep immediately after. He would stare at the ceiling, a cool blue glow on it from the small round window. He needed a glass of water.

The corridors had that same cold appearance, despite the constant hear raging trough the radiators. Bepo hated them and in that particular moment Law did, too. He wished it was just a little cooler, maybe just to make the warmth of his bed all the more appealing. He entered the kitchen, unaware of the eyes following him. He almost threw the water at her hear when she spoke, still not completely familiar with her voice.

"Taking a night stroll, cap?" He turned around and furrowed his brows. There weren't many who could creep up to him, but then again, he was exhausted and dizzy from his short sleep sessions. Her face was glowing faintly in the poorly lit room, cladded in the same white grab she chose for the day. She was really embracing the whole ghost persona.

"I could ask you the same thing, little mechanic?"

"I was thirsty." She lifted the half empty glass in front of her as to make her point.

"Same." He mimicked her action with his full glass and looked at her in the dim light. She clearly didn't go to bed, the clothes she still wore serving as proof. "Why are you awake in the middle of the night?" He had no idea what the time actually was; probably closer to morning since there was no soul awake on the ship besides them. Not even the oversized cat that was always near her. Though with the darkness it was hard to tell, it could be hiding in corner, ready to pounce on unsuspecting pirates.

"I couldn't sleep." Law sipped from is glass patiently. He was not planning to leave until he got at least a glimmer of an answer. "Am I forbidden to stalk the halls at night?" Her tone was meant to be light and funny, but it lost some of the effect when her voice trailed at the end.

"Is it something you do regularly?"

"No, but-"

"Then what are you doing here? You've been like this ever since we left Marineford. Have you even checked the engine room since I've appointed you as the crew's mechanic?" He knew she did, Shachi complained about her disturbing his work there but he hated seeing her like that: gloomy and depressed. It contrasted her usual sarcastic and annoying personality.

"I… I've been doing my work as a mechanic if that's what you're mad about. I'll need some replacement parts-"

"What got you so depressed? Is it Straw Hat-ya?" He refrained from mentioning the young captain's dead brother.

"I guess he has a part in it…" Law was not going to ask why again. He just stood there, a few paces away, in the partially dark kitchen, glaring daggers at her. Though he supposed she couldn't see. He had having hard time picturing her features, and she was as white as snow. She lifted her head and looked his way for the first time, as if sensing his gaze. She sighed in defeat and continued, not. "He reminded me of myself. That screaming sobbing shell is what I pictured I looked like when I was pulled out of the fire and found out my family was gone."

He'd lie if he said he was entirely surprised. He guessed she must have lost someone close. What peaked his interest was that she was 'pulled out of the fire'. His curiosity returned tenfold. Was this elusive fire the reason she had to get metal appendages? He took a step forward, but she stopped him.

"I'd really like to be alone… If it's all the same to you, captain."

It was most certainly not. But he felt the strain in his muscles; his eyelids begging to close. He placed his glass on the counter, water still filling most of its contents. His eyes lingered on her, unsure if he should persist with question or leave it all for tomorrow. He hated leaving things for another day. His entire revenge was taking too long, why prolonged other things too? A yawn finally convinced him to leave the woman without addressing her another word. He passes the door's threshold and stood there for the briefest moment, before turning back. His unspoken question was answered by the sight before him.

As Thesa was sulking on the kitchen stool, she lifted her leg and pushed the pant leg up. Law's eyes widen when he saw her left ankle was covered in steel. She caressed the paneling, feeling for something, then pulled a screwdriver from a metal finger and twisted it in a few places along her calf. She rotated the foot as if to see if it improved. As she was adjusting her pant back he took a few steps back, dazzled by the new information coursing through his brain. She had a mechanical leg! Was it just the one? Did it end at the knee? At the thigh? Did it reach up her abdomen?

He turned to go back to his room and process things better, make a plan how to get the young woman to let him test a few theories that were forming in his head. Get her t answer some of the burning questions that plagued him. Lost in thought he didn't notice Cara was in front of him, arms folded. He really needed some rest, people were creeping up to him without his knowledge. Her cold gaze sized him and her gaze sharpened. He stared back at her, not in the mood for her antics. She let out an exasperated sigh and stormed past him towards the kitchen. The words she muttered got him thinking the rest of the night, until daybreak lulled him in a dreamless sleep.

"Don't break her heart, will you?"

Sooo... Thoughts?

I don't know why it was so incredibly hard to write from Law's perspective. It's usually the other way around [ harder to write OC... ]. But, eh, what do you guys think so far?