DESPERATION

(I have a feeling this chapter is going to feel force, maybe, because it was. Sorry for the long delay, but I think I am running into a brick wall with this story. )

The doctor smiled at his patient or at least ...what he thought was a smile. Though the shock look that showed in that blue eye and on that man's face ...told him a different story. Of course, it couldn't be help, some of his teeth had grown a bit jagged through the years, and since the dead never cared how he smiled he was a bit out of practice. Though it couldn't be all that bad ...ah ...the look changed to a glare, and then there was a bit of tension in his shoulder's muscles.

Doctor Death would push his chair back ...as the wheels would roll him to safety even as the man made his move. His leg clearing the bed completely as he did a kick that would spin the man around ...as his arm ...the one that had warn him ...had pulled the sheets upwards so as not to trap his legs while he completed the move. The wind would whistle by the man's head as he saw a few strands of his hair fly into the distances as he rolled to safety only inches ahead of a foot that would have face planted him into a wall otherwise. He would put his foot down to slow his roll only when he was sure he was out of range of that man's legs ...as the man in question stood on the floor. In one move, the man had gone from laying down to standing. The man's had one foot tap the ground toes first, while the other was flat on the floor, and the blanket was twirled elegantly around his arm. For a second he thought of two things ...a waiter or a matador, but in the end ...as he saw muscles flex in his legs. And the slight slip of the man's open back gown ...things became quite clear to any season doctor ...that he qualified as neither ...after all...you didn't get scarring like that in either occupations.

This man is a fighter.

Not good ...

"Oi, calm yourself down..."

The doctor would barely get the words out before he saw that twitch again, but it was lower down ...near the hip. A kick was coming and he ducked it as the move caught the hard back of the chair and spun him almost into the wall ...as the Doctor would put his foot down nearly tipping him over. His shoulder would touch the smooth surface next to him to help him regain his balance...as the smoke that waffle into the air from his stop was testament to how close it had been. He was against the wall. He didn't dare look down at his shoe as the first tinge of pain in his ankle would alert him to his own injury.

Fast ..too fast.

The man had cleared the space between them in mere seconds, and if he hadn't had a warning.

Doctor Death shivered.

"...this is a hospital."

The words had bubble from his lips ...the completion of a sentences that he only realized was still on his lips. It was only then that the man would seem to take in his surroundings fully ...as his shoulders would become slack, and the tension would disappear. Those eyes searching around expectantly, but, it seems he didn't find it as there was a brief bit of disappointment on his face. Then those eyes came back to him. At least that part was expected. No one was happy to be here, but most, understood almost immediately why. Even more so, the doctors ...but this was a puzzle for both of them.

Afterall, this hospital was design to be the end of the line in the career of a Marine.

Men that can do that type of movements never see the inside of these walls, and he immediately start to think of it as a mistake. Especially considering the room they are in ...this wasn't a place for his type. This was the room that borders between life and death, and where he got his pickings from. A healthy man wasn't suppose to be here, and like hell he should be attacked by a patient. This was suppose to be the safest assignment in the whole freaking army.

"What the fuck is going on?"

The man would declare as the Doctor almost laughed.

His sentiments exactly.

/

They had reached it ...they were sailing exactly parallel of the spot where they had first decided to attack the grandline. The waterfall that brought them into these new adventures as they thought of the nakama that waited for them back there, and the one they had lost. They had reached a point where they could cut straight back to it. This was a huge milestone, but somehow ...it wasn't as grand as it should have been.

Luffy thought, not depress in the least. Aftearall, Vivi was good, Laboon was waiting on Brook, and Sanji was out there somewhere. They would find him, so there was no reason to think dark thoughts. The crew would be whole once more ...as he pumps his arm up and down fast, and they broke into a celebration of sorts. It was never as good as it could be ...without a chef on board, but things were still looking up. As they sail past the huge landmass ...the red line, and they grew closer and closer to their dreams.

The log pose they had received was set to Fisherman's island, and thus, when it started to point directly down they reached their first problem. Though as Franky gave them the solution with a sub, a spark of something would reel in his mind. He knew he wouldn't be the only one to think about it, and for that reason alone ...he didn't bother to address it as he got in the sub.

While Sanji was gone ...they wouldn't forget to look for it ...All blue.

Though after a few hours, and the surfacing of the sub one thing was clear. This place wasn't it ...as they literally had a monster follow them home ...as the sea rabbit surface. It wasn't the smartest of bunnies was it? Luffy couldn't keep the smile off of his lips as he prepared his attack.

He needed a distraction.

/

It was a very tense few moments ...as finally the man had decided that Doctor Death wasn't a threat. He would lean against the wall ...as the Doctor made the call. They both needed answers, and quickly as the man taps one foot against the ground in his impatiences. He would look around almost restlessly from side to side, as though waiting for a surprise attack. Not good, the Doc had seen that nervous sort of behavior before though it wasn't threatening at the moment...it could be. Who is this man?

He sighed.

This was why he like dealing with the dead better ...they are so much more simpler.

"When can I get some fucking clothes?"

The man would suddenly snarl. His irritation was thick enough that the Doctor could practically see it radiating off of him, but it wasn't because of anything he had done. He was sure of it, afterall, he was keeping the right amount of distances not to get his head knocked in between his shoulders. He hadn't been saying anything either, so he wasn't agitating him. Though as those eyes lock on him, the Doc knew that could quickly change. He was looking for an actual answer from him. Joy.

"Once, the head Doctor has talked to you, and check your condition."

The Doc. licked his lips as he said those words. A slight sweat broke out on him ..he didn't want to die.

"It's cold as hell in here, and there is nothing wrong with me. You can see, so I would much rather stop standing around here with my fucking ass out and get some clothing."

The Doctor sighed again. He hated his job right now.

"I can't the head doctor has to ..."

That eyebrow jumped, the little curl danced, and it would trigger something inside of him. A small scoff of a laugh threaten to erupt from him, but then, the tightening of muscles on the man's shoulders and legs made him quick to try and swallow it. Even as the curl danced, the Doctor was trying his best to hold it in ...and he almost cried at the sight of the head doctor as he came in. Though his first words weren't reassure for the poor man.

"Why is this patient out of bed? He is badly injured."

Doctor Death drop his head. That man could never read the situation as the head doctor in question would run a hand through his copper colored hair. His face, square and proud, was already looking the patient up and down and making his own assessment. A eyebrow rose in his own question.

"I am not hurt now, as you can see, you have done your damn job, so I would like to get some clothes and leave."

The blonde man declare sharply as the mystery deepens, and the head doctor plunges into it.

"I see you look fine, but I would like to do some test to make sure. Also, there isn't anywhere for you to go soldier ...all the ships have left already. You are stranded here for the moment, and until the time that I declare you well and discharge you...you are a patient here."

"Like hell."

The man roared at the calmness of the head doctor's words, and those muscles twitch as he pushes away from the wall.

Doctor death was looking for a fight when those words brought the young man short.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

He stop then, and started to think ...thinking about what he should say and what he shouldn't. It wasn't something that took anyone by surprise, a soldier of his skills, he doubt was some everyday man. He was probably sent on a mission that had gone awry, and he couldn't just come out and tell anyone what he doing.

"No hurry then?"

There was a grumble underneath the man's breathe as he sat on the bed. The wind out of his sails.

"I will have clothing brought to you, and you will be moved to the recovery unit in the meantime...I would like to know your name."

The head doctor states slowly, and for the first time...an expression of bewilderment would come on the man's face. He would open his mouth to say something and then close it again ...as he presses a hand against the side of his head. He would squint as though he was trying to see something beyond what was in the room, before, his muscles would go slack. Too slack as though, he was completely defeated and was coming to one forgone conclusion.

Were they about to hear classified information?

The response he gave would send a chill down both doctor's backs.

"I don't know."

So much for a complete recovery.