Chapter 7

Nami slipped a pillow under the sheets to mimic her sleeping form. Quietly dressing herself in a borrowed white top and skirt from Robin, she quickly brushed out her tangled hair. There was no mirror so she couldn't check her appearance.

It's fine, it's not like we're on a date or something… She told herself and then pinched her cheeks and nipped her lips to make them red.

I can't believe Doflamingo sank all our stuff! I'll have to rebuild my whole makeup and clothing collection!

Giving her hair one last shake out, she crept to the door and inched it open. Chopper was snoozing against the wooden wall outside, a bubble blowing from his nose.

Poor little guy, you're really trying to look out for me, aren't you? Sorry buddy, but you're dealing with a professional here.

Sidling out with the upmost care, she closed the door silently and tiptoed away from her oblivious guard and on to the deck. Hammocks had been strung up everywhere for the Strawhats and Law's crew. She needn't have worried about making a noise, the sound of male snoring was thunderous. The sky was paling from ultramarine to lighter blue, tinged with rosy clouds. She walked carefully between the sleeping bodies to see if she could find Law.

No, not there…not here…where is he?

Looking up again at the sky she noticed it was getting lighter by the minute. Pirates and sailors usually woke with the dawn apart from the really lazy ones. Anxiety was making her heart race. She needed to see him alone. Maybe she could write a note to ask him to come and see her. Waking him up seemed a bit stupid after all.

Feeling like a fool for running out of bed so early she turned back towards the cabin when the sun's first full rays illuminated a figure walking along the beach.

Law-kun…She thought with a shiver. It was just like her dream.

Rubbing her arms for warmth, she glanced back at Chopper and then went for the longboats.

"Nami-swan!"

Shit!

Nami turned around hurriedly and plastered on her most winning smile. Sanji came up, usual cigarette in mouth, and greeted her with a grin.

"You're up, I thought Chopper-"

"Shhhh!" Nami hissed and grabbed his hand, dragging him away from Chopper and the rest of the sleeping crew. She ignored his heart eyes and looked back to see if any of them had woken. A few stirred but fell back into slumber. Chopper was still comatose.

Why am I going to all this effort? I could kick his ass if I wanted. He can't force me to stay in bed.

Is it because he might be right? Another part of her brain answered which she quickly suppressed.

"Is this a secret rendezvous Nami-swan?" Sanji whispered in her ear.

"How did you kn- wait, what?"

"So you couldn't wait to see me huh?"

"Idi-actually Sanji-kun…" She said softly, grabbing his loosened tie and pulling him closer. "I'm starving. " She gave him her most flirtatious look. "Could you possibly cook me that meal you were mentioning? I know it's early…"

"NAMI-"

"Shhhhh!"

"-swan!" He finished in a whisper. "I'll do anything you want! But why were you looking for food near the longboats?" He glanced back at the boats, noting one of them had gone and then looked at the shore.

Damn!

"Sanji-kun!" Nami spun him round and pressed herself against him, tracing the line of his jaw with her finger. "I could really do with some food…."

Expecting him to explode with lust, she was surprised when he stared down at her with the strangest expression on his face. He looked half tender and half as if he had lost something incredibly precious which he knew he would never get back.

"Sanji?" She said, perplexed.

He said nothing, but backed away and unbuttoned his blazer. Before she could become worried about why he was removing his clothing he gently placed the jacket around her shoulders.

"It's still cold out." He explained and then lit his cigarette. "The food will be ready when you get back."

"But I'm not going anywhere."

Sanji raised a curly brow. "Oh, well just in case…" Then he smiled at her in that poignant way and walked off towards the galley.

Sanji-kun…He can't know…he's rubbish at reading emotions…

Biting her lip, she turned back to look at the coastline. Law had almost disappeared around the headland. Clutching the jacket to her, she climbed into the boat and winched it down. Her arms began to throb and a lance of pain went through her left shoulder but she ignored it.

Sorry Chopper!

The boat hit the waves and grimacing she grabbed the oars and began to row.

Yes, he was right. She thought grimly as the pain increased in her arms and back. Law-kun will have to row us back. Then her stomach gave a lurch that had nothing to do with her injuries and everything to do with the man she was going to see.

I hope this works…


Law drudged across the hard sand. The sun was a molten egg breaking on the horizon, turning the sea gold and the sky shades of pink and blue. The tide was out and the sand was a vast expanse of ripples and pockets of water. It would have been a beautiful sight if he cared about anything beautiful at that moment. He was looking for something, two things in fact. One he knew he'd never find again on this earth and that thought alone made him want to give up. The other was the thing that kept him going.

Where is it? The tide washes up all foul things…

He had seen, but he had to know for sure. It would be just like Doflamingo to pull some kind of trick and emerge at some critical point in the future looking for revenge. He hadn't been able to scour the beaches as thoroughly as he would have liked. His crew needed him. But what he had been able to give them was like the corpse he hoped to find washed up on the beach - a captain ragged and broken. He was useless like this but there was nothing he could do. So he searched…

Perhaps the currents or sea creatures caught it?

Black shoes made deep prints on the beach. Law could hear the call of seabirds up ahead but it was vultures he was really hoping for. Around the headland he could see a black flock of them crawling over a grisly prize.

It's big…it could be…

They parted angrily as he marched up and he could see pink feathers amongst the jet. The stench was overwhelming.

Finally…Law thought, an ugly smile twisting his face. Finally you get what you deserve, Joker!

The sight was not a pretty one. Two days underwater had bloated Doflamingo's body. The impressive muscles were an off white and riddled with holes the hungry scavengers had begun to make. The infamous glasses had come off, the eyes merely bloody holes. The Shichibukai's hands were curled into claws, stiffened by rica mortis and the ever present grin had been turned upside down - a snarl of impotent fury at his demise.

"And they said you were going to be the new Pirate King, Doflamingo…looks like you'll just be bird shit in a few hours."

Did this happen to Cora-san? He thought suddenly. Lying like a broken doll with no-one to bury him, no-one to care?!

Law kicked the corpse, making it tip over. More noxious smells rose up but he didn't care. He kicked it again and again, the rage choking him.

"YOU BASTARD! FUCKING…PIECE…OF SHIT!" Law shouted, kicking the body with each word. "Why are you here and not him! How could you kill your own brother!" The final kick unbalanced him and he sat down heavily, causing the birds around him to spook.

Sucking in a breath he tried to collect himself but his stomach kept sinking, a cavity opening up in his chest that hurt more with every moment. He lay down in the sand, looking up at the brightening sky.

Cora-san…It's supposed to be over…I've avenged you, he's gone. Law squeezed his eyes shut. Then why am I so upset? Why do I miss you more than ever! Why…The tears burned his eyes. Why did you leave me all alone!

The bottle in his shoulder bag was digging into his back, waking up all his old wounds.

Why did I even bring that? Why did I think a drink and a smoke would ever be enough to remember him?

"I don't want to remember him!" Law shouted, pulling himself up. "I want him to be here! You had to take everything else away from me, why couldn't I have that!" He screamed at the uncaring sky. "You took my mother, my father, my sister, my friends, you took my home! Why couldn't I just have him!"

His throat was raw, the wind caught his words and tossed them into the distant horizon. Nothing. Nothing would bring them back. What was the point?

A crunch of sand drew his head up sharply. Hand on Kikoku, he spun round.

Why the fuck can't people leave me alone!

"Nami-ya?" She was the last person he thought to see, the last person he wanted to. "What are you doing here? You should be resting."

She stood there, face slightly diffident. Not an expression he was used to seeing on her.

"I'm sorry…I didn't want to bother you…"

"Why? He won't mind." Law cocked his head at the rotting body behind him. Nami covered her nose from the smell and looked over as Law quickly wiped his face. He didn't want anyone seeing him like this.

"Doflamingo! Eww look at his face!"

"I'd rather not." Law got up. "What are you doing here, Nami-ya?" He said sternly.

Nami dragged her eyes away from her dead attacker. She seemed unsure of how to start. "I didn't want you to be alone."

"Perhaps I wanted to be." He snapped.

Shit, I need to control myself. All she's been through because of me.

"I could tell you all the ways. It seems like you still need education in that area."

Nami-ya…

"Well, he's dead." Law said, now the one searching for something to say. "He can't hurt you anymore."

Nami looked at Doflamingo, then at Law. "Can't he?" She said softly. Then she stepped up towards him.

Fuck that sympathy in her eyes. I don't need that!

"It's not true you know." She said. "What he said."

"Not true?" Law's eyes widened.

"Don't make me spell it out." She was just in front of him now, looking up with those big dark eyes. Law wondered how many men had lost themselves in them. No wonder why she's called the Cat Burglar… "He lied to get to you. You don't have to worry about me… I mean I'm sure you're not…I- I just wanted you to know."

She looked away. "Do you mind if we step away from that?" She nodded at Doflamingo. The vultures had begun to return to continue their feast.

"…Sure."

Law picked up his bag, stuffing his hands in his pockets then they continued down the long beach. The tide was coming in but it was still a long way off. The sun had crested the waves and the sky was fully blue with gulls flitting through the fresh air.

Silence stretched out but the feelings of despair were slowly ebbing. They hadn't gone completely, merely retreated to a cold core in his heart but as they walked he became more aware of a loosening of the self hatred knotted within.

She's okay…he didn't rape her, thank goodness for that!

Sighing, Law released some of the tension in his body and glanced sidelong at his companion. She was walking steadily, eyes on the ground, the wind catching her hair. A smile felt odd on his face but he couldn't help it remembering the sight of her as she emerged out of that cave. He felt bad for avoiding her as he had been. He hadn't even realised it at the time but the thought of her lying wounded and abused was more than he could have taken, even if the emotion of losing Corazon again wasn't bad enough. She had been through that too, that was another reason. He didn't want to be reminded of it. Law could have laughed. As if he wasn't reminded by everything. The sunrise Cora-san would never see, the breeze he would never feel. Every new experience was a monument to his loss.

Dragging his mind away from the gulf that threatened to swallow him again, he focused on Nami. With a keen doctor's eye he could tell she was recovering well, although she kept rubbing her left shoulder.

Those Tontatta tears are amazing, I'll have to get some more of them when we get back to Dressrosa.

"Let me take a look at that." Law said as Nami rolled her shoulder again.

"It's nothing, really."

"Then why to you keep flexing it and wincing?" He placed the bag on the ground and stood behind her, gently touched her shoulders.

"Take the blazer off."

She complied, folding it neatly and placing it next to his bag.

Isn't that Blackleg-ya's? Why is he giving her his jacket? Law tried not to become irritated at all the scenarios he could imagine in which the lascivious cook might have given Nami his clothing.

"Try not to stretch like that. Here, does this hurt?" He placed his hand on her exposed shoulder and pressed.

"Aah, yes, a little."

"You mean a lot." He smirked and stretched the limb, rotating it slowly.

"Ow!"

"Well, it's not broken or dislocated or you would have wrenched my arm off. It must be the muscles."

"You're not going to order me back to bed are you?" Nami said, irritation and nervousness in her voice.

Why is she blushing?

"Now why would I order you into bed Nami-ya?" He said, moving closer.

Her blush deepened. "Er…Chopper…er…said…"

Realising he was virtually pressed against her, he moved back back, putting on an impassive face.

Tacky, Law, very tacky. She might not have been raped but you saw what Doflamingo did. He didn't know why it was so easy to slip into teasing with her. It made no sense, particularly given the mood he was in.

"You could probably do with the rest but too much will impede your recovery. Light exercise, not of that arm but other parts will stimulate and boost your immune system and your mood."

"Right." She said. "But can you tell Chopper that."

Law smiled. "Sadly you're not my crew nor my patient Nami-ya."

"Sadly?" She smirked back at him.

"You did a good job back there. I don't know…" He paused, it was a blow to his pride to confess this. "I don't know if I could have defeated Doflamingo without you."

"Are you kidding?! Of course you could! Without me in the way, you would have kicked his ass."

Law laughed self-deprecatingly. "Yeah, because I was doing such a great job before. I can't believe I never thought to switch him with something underwater, although he was too fast most of the time. You executed the plan perfectly." He looked up at her. The sun was catching her hair, turning it a glowing gold.

"It's not usually me finishing off the bad guy." She sat down on a large piece of bleached driftwood. He sat beside her and they both looked out at the view. "To be honest I'm sick of being the one captured." She looked down, embarrassed. "I keep thinking how weak I am…"

"Weak?! You do remember hitting Doflamingo with that lightning bolt don't you? Swimming out to sea despite the fact you didn't know if I was conscious? Why did you do that Nami-ya? You could have died… you almost did."

He remembered that feeling, that awful moment when he realised she wasn't responding, that through his selfishness, his weakness, he had killed her. She who had survived and suffered so much. He never wanted to feel like that again.

I didn't even think I could feel like that again. Not after Cora-san…

"I did it because I trusted you, Law-kun." She turned to him and stared him straight in the eye. "We're friends right?"

"Friends?" Law looked away. "I respect you Nami-ya, all of you, but I didn't sign up to this alliance for friendship. We are allies, nothing more." It felt harsh to say that but it was the truth. They were rivals. Her, Strawhat and the others needed to remember that.

Laughter rang out and he turned back shocked. He'd expected hurt maybe even anger but not amusement.

"Oh Law-kun!" Nami said, her eyes creased with merriment. "You really don't know Luffy or us at all do you? He's not going to let you go, you know. Trust me…many of us have tried." Then she burst into more giggles.

"Listen, Nami-ya I mean it!"

She almost fell off the log laughing.

"Whatever…" He said.

Damn it, I'm the Surgeon of Death, they need to have more respect!

"Haha, you look like Zoro when you make that sulking face."

"Sulking!? I am not sulking!"

"Yes you are. Although you know…" Nami said, her face becoming sly as she scooted closer. "If we're just allies then you owe us a hell of a debt. After all this wasn't exactly part of the plan…" The look in her eyes was wicked. Law unconsciously began to sweat.

"I know I owe you…"

Her smile deepened. "Zoro could tell you the type of interest I apply to debts…"

"And what exactly did you have in mind?"

She was close now, looking up at him seductively. Try as he might he couldn't stop himself from taking in the curve of her bust in that top, her hooded eyes, the smile that hinted at an array of forbidden things.

Keep your mind out of the gutter, Law…he cautioned himself. The trouble was she didn't look like a victim, she looked like a predator.

Fuck it, if that's the price, I'll gladly pay it!

"I want you to train me."

"WHAT?!" His face contorted comically.

"I want you to train me."

"I heard you the first time!"

"Then why did you say 'what'?"

"Because I didn't believe it. Nami-ya I'm a captain, I can't just take time off to be your mentor!"

"Oh so me getting kidnapped, beaten, threatened and molested is just all par for the course then?"

"Nami-ya, that is cruel."

"Funny, so was Doflamingo."

"Nico-ya said Strawhat-ya fought Doflamingo because he wanted to."

"Hmm yes, it's kinda like he considered you a friend but obviously you don't feel the same so…"

"Fine, Nami-ya I'm your friend, who am I kidding, of course I'm your friend."

"Aww that's sweet, but you still owe me and my price is you teaching me Haki. I saw how much damage Doflamingo did with my body." She looked triumphant. "I think I could do the same."

"Then you'd have to join my crew." He shot back. "How will Strawhat-ya take that?"

"Badly, but of course I'd never do it. But if you stay with us in this Pirate Alliance then I'm sure you'll find time to train me. After all…" She winked. "You said you couldn't defeat Doflamingo without me."

Law growled low in his throat.

"Law-kun…do you really want to happen what happened before?"

"Of course not." He ground out.

"Well you'd be the best. So, do we have a deal?"

She was totally manipulating him! Of course he felt guilty about what happened to her and yes he had said she was strong in her own way. With training she could be a powerhouse, along with Nico-ya if she learnt Armament Haki. Not that he would mind spending more time with her, but this was just dirty.

"I know what you're doing." Law said. "I thought you were better than that."

She pursed her full lips. "I will be once you train me."

Law fell silent, brooding. Nami settled next to him. He was irritated. She had every right to ask something from him but he didn't like to be backed into a corner even if it meant an opportunity to see her more. Besides Strawhat hadn't asked anything of him. It made him think that perhaps he was taking Strawhat's loyalty too much for granted.

He looked at her and she looked back.

She did that on purpose didn't she?

Nami smirked, reading his thoughts. "I told you, you're in too deep Law-kun. There's no backing out now."

"Hmph." Law grunted and they settled down into an amicable silence. Then Law realised for the last little while he hadn't thought of Cora-san once.

"His name was Arlong." She said after a moment. He glanced at her. "The man that killed my mother."

"Arlong? I've heard the name."

"I'm not surprised. Even if he was limited to the East Blue he was determined to make a name for himself. He hated humans, he was a Fishman, but he took me because my maps were the best. It's funny, I used to hate the fact we never had any money, I couldn't study Navigation like I wanted. Then when he came I had all the money in the world and all the tools and all I wanted was her back."

Why is she telling me this? But he knew why. Because he was the only one who would truly understand.

"Doflamingo was determined to make me his right hand man." Law found himself saying. "He said I reminded him of himself. It was all I wanted." Nami stared at him. "I was ten years old and my family had all been killed. The World Government was to blame. Those cunts that sit there and spout their hypocritical talk of justice allowed my city to be consumed by the Amber Lead and let those responsible escape! I wanted to watch them burn before it killed me too. He was the perfect teacher. He wanted to watch the world burn as well."

"Amber Lead?"

"Yes." He said, expecting her to sink back in fear. "I'm from the White City, from Flevence."

"Oh Law…" She whispered and took his hand. Law was stunned. "How did you survive?"

"Cora-san." He said thickly. "Doflamingo's younger brother… he took me in. He stole the Ope-Ope-fruit to cure me, right under Doflamingo's nose… And Doflamingo killed him for it."

Law found himself telling her everything - his parents, the hospital, Lami, getting out of Flevence in a pile of corpses, living with the Donquixote pirates and being kidnapped by Corazon who had tried so hard to save him. That last day came flooding back - the cold, the worry, the relief at finding Vergo just to have it all fall in his face. Then he was back in that horrible chest, crying, screaming to get to Corazon after that fatal shot took him away just like the rest of Law's family.

He held on. Law realised. He must have held on so they wouldn't hear me. Cora…

"Just let him go, he's free!"

"Hey Law, I love you!"

Law's face crumbled. He felt Nami take him into her arms.

"You see there's no despair in this world, Law-kun. Someone will definitely lend you a helping hand!"

"Nami-ya…" He tried to pull away, he didn't need this from her, from anyone, but when he did he saw her face wet with tears and knew she had been through the same.

He brushed her hair from her face just like he had back at the cave when he had been so afraid for her safety. But she had survived. She had survived and helped him kill Cora-san's murderer.

Suddenly embarrassed he pulled back and knocked against his bag.

"What's in that? Sounds like glass." Nami sniffed and wiped her cheeks.

Law picked it up and unveiled a bottle of sake and a single cigarette with a lighter.

"You were going to drink yourself to death? I thought you were a doctor?"

"Ha, it would take a lot more than that. No, this is for Cora-san. He loved to drink and smoke even though I told him how bad it was."

"This is cheap stuff. Do you want me to get something better from the ship? I can find Zoro's stash."

"No." He smiled. "He liked the cheap stuff. He'd only drink the liquor you could disinfect a surgery with."

"Haha."

Weird. Law thought, realising Corazon must have been born a Celestial Dragon too. I wonder why he didn't have better taste, or perhaps that was the point?

"Here, we should drink some. I've only got one cup so you can have it and I'll drink from the bottle."

"Are you sure?"

"He would have preferred it that way."

"Are you sure you want me here?" Nami asked. "I shouldn't have intruded. Don't you want to be alone?"

"No." Law said truthfully. I'm sick of being alone. "Besides if you want we can remember your mother too."

"I'd like that." Nami smiled, taking the cup from him and letting him pour the clear liquid. "I wish we had some tangerines.."

"Tangerines?"

"She used to grow them. She'd always eat them, especially when we didn't have any money. She'd pretend she was on a diet so we could eat the proper food." Nami bowed her head.

"I think I saw some tangerine trees here yesterday." Law said, glancing up at the tree line.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." He set the bottle down. "Wait here, I'll get some." He smiled at her. "Then it will be a proper remembrance."

Nami looked up at him, her eyes shining.

Law raced up to the trees, trying to remember where he last saw the orange fruit. Walking amongst the shadowed boughs he turned, trying not to bump his head.

I'm sure they were here.

Pushing a palm leave out of the way, he turned again and almost walked into a large pear shaped fruit covered with spirals.

A Devil Fruit?

Picking it off the tree, he saw the glimmering sea beyond and with a sudden flash of intuition knew whose fruit it was.

The Ito Ito Fruit! This belonged to Doflamingo!

He didn't know what to do. He couldn't eat it and frankly wouldn't have if he could. He didn't want to give it to anyone else either or sell it despite its vast worth.

Guess I'll just have to keep it…

Crushing the fruit would only cause it to be reborn elsewhere. At least this way he could keep an eye on it. Pocketing Doflamingo's spectre with reluctance, he saw the tree it had been growing on was full of ripe tangerines.

Ironic…

Plucking some of the juiciest he pocketed them too and went back to Nami.

"Here you go." Law said, passing her the fruit and placing the Ito Ito fruit in his empty bag.

"That doesn't look like a tangerine."

"Hmm."

"It's a Devil Fruit, isn't it?" Nami's eyes lit up with a greedy gleam.

"It's Doflamingo's Devil Fruit."

"Oh." Nami said, clearly remembering the damage those strings had inflicted on her. "Still…" She reached for the bag.

"You'll lose your ability to swim."

"I know, don't forget I already had a close encounter with this fruit before."

How could I forget?

He placed a hand on hers. "Now's not the time. Besides it's finders keepers."

Her eyes sparkled. "So shall I be saying that to you when I just happen to 'find' it on the ship later on."

"You won't be able to steal from me."

"Ooh sounds like a challenge!"

He smirked and felt her pulse race between his fingers. "I'll gladly take you up on it, but that sake's getting warm."

Nami's face became serious. "Sure." He released her hand and grabbed the bottle as she began to peel the tangerines.

"What was your mother's name again?"

"Bell-mere-san." She said, passing him some segments and picking up her cup.

Bell-mere…why did that sound familiar? He had thought so when Doflamingo first mentioned it but he had been a bit preoccupied at the time.

"To Bell-mere-san." Law said, raising the bottle.

"To Cora-san." Nami said as she raised her cup and they both drank deeply.

Law coughed as the liquor burnt his throat, remembering Corazon laughing as he gave him a sip.


"Haha Law, look at you! I thought a tough guy like you could take his drink!"

"This isn't alcohol!" Law said, still coughing. "I'm pretty sure it's what we used at medical school to sanitise the surfaces!"

"Beggars can't be choosers." Corazon winked. "Well now that you can drink I suppose I better fill you in on other aspects of adult life. "

"Oh shit, I hope this isn't a birds and the bees talk, is it? Diamante told me already, although I don't see what's so fun about all that wrestling and groaning."

Corazon spilled half the bottle down himself. "What! How come you've seen people having sex?"

"Buffalo dared me to peek on Diamante with one of the brothel girls."

"What the fuck? You shouldn't have seen that!"

"Relax Cora-san. Anyway he beat me to within an inch of my life."

"I'm not surprised. Anyway it's no wonder you're scarred for life having to see that freak naked! What happened next?"

Law laughed with him. "Doflamingo told him off for 'corrupting the youth'. He thought it was Diamante's fault for being so loud."

"Like he cares…Shit, it was that loud? No, don't tell me. Listen Law, I'm about to give you some manly advice-"

"Cora-san you are like the least manly guy I know. You wear hearts!"

"What? Chicks dig the hearts! A girl even drew one on me once."

Law looked unconvinced.

"Law, it's not all about wrestling and groaning." Corazon chuckled. "Although once you start that, it's the only thing you want to do. But you need to find a girl or even a guy who gets you. Someone you can talk to, not just someone to-"

"Fuck." Law finished.

"Idiot! Don't use words like that!"

"You just did!"

"Not in that context!"

"Diamante does!"

"I thought we had already established that Diamante is not the shining example of what to follow."

"Fine." Law crossed his arms and sulked. "But I don't like girls…or boys."

"Yeah but you will, in time."

"But I don't have time do I?!" Law exploded. "I've only got months to live! None of the doctors we've seen even want to be near me, let alone try to treat me!"

"Idiot!" Corazon smacked him on the head. "You will live and you will find someone to love and then you will think back to this moment and remember what an awesome role model I am!"

"Why?" Law said, clutching his head with its lump. "That girl you stare at in that stupid picture of yours looks crazy anyway. She has a mohawk!"

Corazon gave him a matching lump on the other side of his head. "Moron, women have guts! That's why her hair's like that and for your information I think Bell-mere-san is beautiful so you can go stick it, brat!"


Bell-mere… He thought, coming back to the present. It couldn't be the same one…It's an unusual name but we were in the North Blue and Nami's from the East.

He slugged back another draft of sake and lit the cigarette.

"You don't mind if I smoke this?" He hated the smell but Corazon was always doing it.

"Of course not. Bell-mere-san smoked too."

"Blackleg-ya would only give me one. He seems to think I'm a rival for your affections." Law grinned as he took a drag and tried not to cough.

How could you like this stuff, Cora-san?

"Really? He doesn't know you very well then." Nami reached over and took the cigarette. Law was very conscious that she was placing the end in her mouth that had recently been in his.

"Oh, I don't know…" He murmured as he watched her suck the tip and blow out a smoke ring.

She's a lot better at this than me.

"Oh yeah?" Nami seemed to be laughing at a private joke and Law really wanted to know what it was. "I think Bell-mere-san would have approved of you."

That smile was so intoxicating and the sake was going straight to his head, especially on an empty stomach. He needed to bring the conversation back to Corazon but he had a funny feeling the pirate turned marine would be cheering him on.


They had spent a full half an hour starring at the East Blue. Corazon had been smoking, holding the crumpled picture with that wistful, dopey expression he would always get on looking at it. Finally he turned to look at the horizon and blew out a smoke ring shaped like a heart.

"This is so puke-making."

"Shut up and say hello to Bell-mere and her two lovely daughters."

"Why? They aren't here."

"Just do it."

"Fine…" He gave a half hearted wave.

"You want a woman with guts, Law. Don't go for the ones who cry and want you to protect them. Being the hero's a cool thing but it's better to have a partner who has your back. Someone who loves you for your weak moments as well as your strong."


The East Blue…

"Nami-ya, do you have a sister?"

"Yes, why?"

"And no brothers?"

"Why are you asking?"

It couldn't be.

"No reason."

"You said you had a sister too." Nami said, looking at the sake cup.

"Yeah…Lami…"

Sounds like Nami…

"I can't believe the World Government allowed that, even with everything I've heard about them, killing children of all things!"

"You saw what they did at Punk Hazard. That might have been Doflamingo's work but they would have let it continue to keep him as a Shichibukai."

"Are you going to bring them down?"

"Let's start with the Yonko first."

"So you are still on board with the Alliance then?" Nami looked at him victoriously.

"Well I need to stick around if I'm to repay my debt, aren't I?" He grinned back.

"You're serious?!"

"I expected the infamous Cat Burglar to be more gleeful when she's got her prize."

"Yeah but…" Nami glanced down. "You know what I meant before-"

"I know what you meant." Law said, hooking a finger under her chin and lifting it so she was looking at him.

"But it's better to have a partner who has your back. Someone who loves you for your weak moments as well as your strong…"

"Besides Strawhat may be tough but you're not escaping the Surgeon of Death so easily."

He had meant it to be a soft kiss, tender, appreciative. Just a little extra to the flirtation that had been building through their time together. But when she opened her mouth to him, he couldn't stop himself from deepening the kiss, tongue slipping in to taste her. She clasped him to her and her tongue caressed his. With the feel of her full breasts pressing into his chest, he felt a wave of desire surge through his body.

Easy, Law…

He tried to pull away. It was a difficult time, they were both vulnerable but she kissed him again and playfully nipped his lower lip.

He wanted to stop. He tried to tell himself to stop even as her kisses urged him on. This wasn't the right time, they would both regret it later but his hands had a life of their own and when they touched that softer than silk skin, he couldn't help himself. Pushing her down in the sand he let himself drink in the sweet taste of her lips and breasts, losing himself in the milk white flesh, the feel of her legs wrapped around him, holding him, being one with him.

Flashes came back to him in the aftermath. Sinking into her with her breathless moans in his ears and her nails on his back. Later when he'd realised he's been hurting her sore shoulders, he'd flipped her over and watched as the sun silhouetted her beautiful body, rising and falling on top of him, undulating with the waves that had begun to lap at their entwined feet.

I should get up…He thought, still dazed with pleasure.

The water was washing under them, soon it would be at a dangerous level for him. But the feeling of cool waves combined with Nami's warm, smooth body was too succulent to give up. He luxuriated in the sensation of her pressed against the length of him, gently stroking his face and hair.

"This wasn't quite what I had in mind this morning." He muttered.

"Hmm it's what I did though." Nami smirked at him.

"What?"

"Well, I'm not saying I set out to seduce you. I just meant I'd been thinking about it."

"About this?" Law said as he ran a hand down her back. The sun was getting high, they should probably get back soon or risk burning or sun stroke.

"Umm that." She nuzzled his neck and wrapped her legs round him again.

Maybe one more time would be ok…

"Law, your bag! The Ito Ito Fruit!" Nami leapt up to try and rescue the rapidly disappearing satchel.

Figures Doflamingo would find a way to cock block me from beyond the grave. Shit! Doflamingo!

Jumping up and grabbing his cast off clothes, thankfully placed on the driftwood log, he paused to admire a naked Nami bouncing through the surf to get his bag.

Too bad I can't get into that much water…

Saving such thoughts for another time, he pulled on his clothes and shoes and trusting that she would catch up, ran to where they had left Doflamingo's corpse.

The tide was trying to make off with it but Law engaged ROOM and switched the body with another piece of jetsam.

I could have done that for Nami. Shame she's too distracting..

She came up a few minutes later and Law regretfully noted she been able to find her clothes.

"What are you going to do with him?" She looked at the remains of their enemy.

Did Cora-san lie there too, birds picking his bones, with no-one to bury him?

"Law-kun!" Nami exclaimed as he began to crush the body with the force of ROOM.

"He deserves this Nami-ya!"

"But you don't...Let him go Law-kun!"

"How can you say that?! If this was Arlong wouldn't you want to smash him into little pieces?"

"I know! And it's because I know that feeling, I know you need to let him go."

"When did you become my keeper?" Law snarled and threw the body into the sand causing the neck to snap at a weird angle.

He kicked it again, feeling that familiar rage boiling along his veins.

How dare she tell me what to do! Especially about this!

Gulping in the air, he stared at Doflamingo's mangled face with its eyeless sockets. So long he'd plagued Law. This should have made him feel victorious but that macabre stare still seemed so powerful. Lying there in the dirt, a gangrenous edge to his puffed skin and limbs askew yet it felt like he was still holding the strings to Law's life. No amount of anger would make that go away. Only one thing could.

Shit, she's right.

Deliberately crushing Doflamingo's brittle fingers he then stepped back and enveloped the corpse in the blue sheen of ROOM.

"Law-kun...I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said that. You're right." Nami came up behind him. His whole body tingled with her presence.

How much is she affecting me?

"No. You are." He said, turning and mentally lifting the body with ROOM.

"What are you going to do?"

"Doflamingo hurt far more people than just me and Cora-san. I'm bringing him back to Dressrosa."

They deserve to see you broken at last, Doflamingo. Even in death you won't escape justice.

Nami smiled and tentatively took his arm. He wrapped it round her and pulled her against him. The sun had risen high in the sky, he estimated it was around noon.

How long did we spend doing that?

"We should go back. They'll be worried about you."

They started walking along the beach, with Doflamingo floating ghost-like behind them.

"What shall we tell them? I don't mind if-"

"If what? I keep you a secret?" Law pulled her tighter. "Strawhat's not getting you back."

"You'll have to do a lot more than that to take me away from him."

"Oh?" He said, turning her towards him and caressing her slender waist. "I see you need a bit more convincing," He leaned in for a kiss and took her mouth with his.

"A bit more?" Nami said, breathless as she kissed him back. "Try a lot more and maybe I'll be converted."

"I see. Like this?" He pulled her down into the sand with him again, running his hand though her thick, glossy hair and kissing down her neck.

"Not in front of him!" Nami gasped as she tried to free herself unsuccessfully.

"What? It's not like he cares."

"It's still creepy, Law."

"Hmm I guess. " Sighing, he picked her up, managing to get a handful before she smacked him away.

"I don't know why you're acting coy now, Nami-ya." He grinned. "You were quite insistent before."

"Well excuse me for not wanting to have sex in front of a stinking corpse!" She said, brushing the sand off her and shaking her tousled hair.

I really like that hair. Law thought smugly. I like it better when she wearing just that and nothing else.

"Besides, isn't he going to be infectious or something?"

"Not with ROOM around him. I am a doctor, you know."

"Really?" She looked over her shoulder at him. "Well you messed up my arms pretty bad. Chopper will be furious."

"Yeah sorry about that." He said, not feeling sorry at all.

"We better get back."

"I know." Law shook the grains out of his coat and caught up with her. Together they walked back to the boat, with Law feeling lighter than he had for a long, long time.


My fave chapter for all sorts of reasons. Plus I love dad/big bro Cora - miss that lovable dork. Rate and review - the last chapter is ready and waiting to be published.