A/N: As we approach the Punk Hazard story line, I just want to place a reminder that this is a fanfiction and things are going to occur differently than the anime/manga although it will follow in the same path somewhat. Other than that tidbit, I wish you a happy reading! If there's something you don't like or don't agree with don't feel shy to express that concern in a review :)

Thank goodness the Heart Pirates hadn't misplaced her boots.

The soft crunch of snow was heard beneath Ember's feet as her and Law touched down onto the wintery wasteland that was half of Punk Hazard.

Law turned to his ship one last time before his departure, eyeing the white bear that watched them both from his position on the deck. "Head to the rendezvous point as planned. I will meet you as soon as I finish my business here."

"Are you sure you don't need our help Captain?" Bepo shouted over the rail.

"Yes Bepo. Stick to the plan we discussed. You know what to do."

A white puff escaped the bear's mouth as he sighed into the chilly air, not too fond of leaving his captain on his own. It just didn't feel right to be separated from the one person capable of leading them efficiently through the New World but despite his disagreement with the plan, he had to follow through with captain's orders. "Aye aye captain."

Bepo gave a quick wave before disappearing behind the flood door where within moments, the ship began its slow sink beneath the surface until it disappeared without a trace, the suction gathering near by glaciers to cover it's tracks.

With that short exchange done, Law turned to see Ember covering her ears to protect them from the wind's vicious assault; a chill so frigid it seemed to penetrate past her flesh into her very skull, triggering an immense headache. Reaching a tattooed hand within his long black coat, he pulled out his older, rounded fur hat and with one hand, placed it sloppily on Ember's head as he walked by without a word. As grateful as she was for the extra warmth it provided and the way it stopped her hair from blowing wild in the wind, she wasn't too pleased with the fact that she was now practically identical to Law.

It's been quite some time since Ember had ever seen snow, let alone in such abundance and volume. Law's height gave him a great advantage, being that it reached just around his shins, while Ember found herself knee-deep in the white stuff.

Lifting one leg at a time, she struggled to navigate within the snow, causing her to trail embarrassingly far behind Law, who's long legs granted him the ability to take graceful strides with little difficulty. The expression he gave her when he glanced over his shoulder to check on her progress had impatience etched all over.

"I'm doing the best I can!" she exclaimed, tripping several time as the pressure to keep up got the best of her. Taking a different approach, she started stepping her feet into the footprints left behind by Law which seemed to quicken her pace, but he was still progressing faster than she was. Giving up on the idea of catching up to him, she spread her wings and took flight, thankful for the alterations Law had made on the back of her layers of loaned clothes that allowed her to do so.

The cold was much more bitter and unforgiving in the air as the wind whipped snowflakes in her face that felt like dull bee stings but it was a small inconvenience she was willing to undergo rather than have Law grow more frustrated with her pace.

Grey eyes caught the soft shadow that zigzagged across the white blanket, looking up to spot Ember soaring above him, taking the lead. There was a certain grace she held as the wind gently carried her along that had Law feeling a small twinge of guilt for stealing her privilege of flight in the first place.

"Pick up the pace, Law!" Ember shouted down below her with a hint of playfulness to her voice. She saw Law smirk beneath that fur cap of his, a silent way of surrendering to this competition he wasn't aware they were even having. She descended down to his level, hands behind her head as she flew backwards in a laid back position, making sure to exaggerate her leisure while Law continued to shuffle through the snow. "Where are exactly are we headed?"

Law's gaze remained straightforward with determination, not even bothering to look at Ember as he answered. "That building over there, it's a laboratory. That's where we're headed."

Ember looked over her shoulder, spotting the large facility and frowned as she gave a rough guesstimate of the distance. "Not at this continuing pace I hope," Ember began circling Law in a playful manner. "I could carry you to make this faster. Either scoop you up into my arms like a reverse newly wed couple or give you a piggy back ride, whatever your preference may be."

Law choked back an embarrassed cough and was grateful that his cheeks were already flushed from the bitter cold. "That's quite unnecessary."

"Such a shame, it would have been so amusing," she then released a heavy, disappointed sigh. "I guess I'll have to resort to Plan B."

Law couldn't help but snort at the notion of Ember actually coordinating a second course of action. "You, have a Plan B? In such a short amount of time?"

Ember spat a small ball of fire at Law's feet as a warning sign to cease his ridicule. She beat her wings, gaining more altitude so she could release a more powerful flame. Soon Ember was breathing a steady stream of fire, carving a path within the snow to help quicken Law's pace.

"I now see the true meaning behind you name Miss Ember, although I personally feel 'Miss Blaze' or 'Miss Flare' would be more appropriate to you abilities."

Ember paused, putting some thought into her answer. "Hmm, I don't agree." She fluttered down, feet delicately planting themselves onto the ground right before Law. "A blaze or flare sounds like a fire that's out of control. That's not me."

Rubbing her hands together, Ember blew some fire onto them, allowing the flames to lick her skin with warmth as Law watches with brief moment of perplexity before it quickly dawns on him. She's impervious to fire. Another never before seen skill of hers that Law mentally adds to the growing list of unique abilities. Oh, how he craved to take a biopsy of her flesh to uncover all the secrets of her being.

Ember reached for Law's hands, holding them together with her own as she proceeded to warm them with heat charged by the breath of flames. "I'm just an small Ember, waiting to grow into a big fire once I figure out my purpose of burning."

Law's smile was so small that Ember could have missed it if she wasn't paying close enough attention but it was genuine nonetheless. "How could I have seen any different?" he says. "However, I think we both know where your true purpose lies…"

Law looked into her eyes knowingly, hoping she would grasp the hint he was trying to give her. When Ember realized he was referring to her staying with him on his ship, she smiled and gave him a simple, neutral response.

"I'll think about it."

An unexpected kiss landed on Law's lips, stunning him for the briefest of moments as Ember leapt back into the air, continuing her task of making a path for the doctor. Law, pulled the brim of his cap further down on his face to conceal his gratified smile. It wasn't a yes but it wasn't an immediate no either, so the fact that Ember would take his suggestion into consideration had Law feeling rather content.

A loud buzz echoed throughout the facility when Law pressed the red button to signal the inhabitants that there was company outside the steel double doors. For a long moment, the two waited for them to open with an obnoxious creak from rusted hinges, yet not a soul was found to welcome them in. Ember glanced at Law with a look of discomfort but the doctor did nothing to reassure her.

They invited themselves into the cavernous facility, footsteps echoing within the vast emptiness that had Ember whispering so her voice wouldn't do the same. "You never explained to me the purpose of this trip."

Law didn't even bother to look at her when speaking. "Remember that scientist I briefly spoke about during your stitches?"

"Yes?"

The short nod from Law was enough to confirm that not only did that information have something to do with all of this but that it was going to be the extent of Ember's knowledge of the plan.

Two men in hazmat suits opened the door to reveal a small lounge as if Law and Ember's presence had been expected the whole time, leading them into the company of a rather maniacal looking man who sat calmly on the plush, red couch, enveloped in what appeared to be a pinkish gas. Ember felt a pool of uneasiness form in the pit of her stomach when she realized that this man was a Logia user, a Devil Fruit type she was not particularly fond of considering how difficult they were to take down and she had a feeling Law didn't come here to simply exchange pleasantries.

"I was surprised when my men informed me of a Shichibukai at my front door. If I knew I was going to be expecting company, I would have tidied the place up a bit." He said with a hint of sarcasm, taking a quick sip from the cup of tea in his gloved hands. "Why don't you take a seat and explain to me why you're here."

Law sat all too comfortably on the opposite sofa with a crossed leg and arm stretched along the furniture, shooting Ember a warning glance when she displayed some hesitation before joining him. "I'm here to find some more in-depth information of recent government activity, considering this is the laboratory of Dr. Vegapunk."

"So what are you asking for?"

"I'm simply asking for access within the laboratory and around the island. We refrain from meddling in each others business which means you can not tell anyone of my existence here, not even Joker."

The scientist stiffened and Ember did not like the glare he sent Law but she wasn't one to talk since she found herself doing the same. How could Law tag her along on some plan that seems to be thickening with details yet refuses to keep her in the loop? There was a sharp twinge somewhere within her chest at the notion of Law not trusting her after her best efforts to earn it from him.

"Since I don't trust you and you're asking so much from me, what do I get in return?"

"A favor."

"A favor and your heart or else we have no deal."

Law hesitated momentarily. "That's too much power on your end, wouldn't you say? There needs to be an equal balance."

"Hmmm," Caesar hummed in thought. "You can have my loyal secretary's heart in exchange. I would say that's a fair trade."

Law was able to maintain a face of indifference despite his uncertainty with this arrangement. "It's a deal."

A flash of malicious intent shimmered within the scientists' evil amber eyes, lips curling into a sadistic grin. "By the way, did you bring that Zoan user to me as gift for your humble host? I've always wanted to study one up close, perhaps pick up the slack of Dr. Vegapunk's experimentation of creating artificial Zoan fruits as a side project."

The face Law made seemed to express more thoroughly how against the idea he was than his words did. "Miss Ember is already under my study so that is not an option. Perhaps something else."

The man looked genuinely saddened by this response, sighing out his disappointment rather heavily before directing a question to another party that Ember happened to not be aware of. "Any suggestions, Monet?"

Ember turned toward the direction he was projecting his voice and found a woman with minty green hair sitting at the bar behind them, her slender legs crossed as she scribbled into her book. "Well, we do have some former prisoners paralyzed by poisoned gas. Perhaps you could treat them."

"Excellent. Why don't you escort Law to his patients so he can get started right away?"

Law stood up when Monet approached him, stiffening slightly when an arm linked around his own. He already felt the burn of Ember's angry glare as it bore into his back and he briefly wondered if Monet felt it too. "This way please." She said.

Ember went to follow but was confronted by a wall of gas. "I specifically said 'Law' but you if you aren't fond of being left alone, you are more than welcomed to come with me. I would love to see how sea stone affects a Zoan type's physiology."

Tendrils of gas began to coil around her limbs and Ember found herself having some trouble brushing them off, breaking several pinkish streams only for the puffs to reassemble themselves around her arms and legs. A sword sliced through the gas, disconnecting all threads in one swift swing. "I don't like my experiments being tampered with, Caesar. She is to be off limits." Law warned.

Purple lips pursed into a thin line. "Your presence here is already reminding me of why I hate working with other professionals. Go be on your way, I have another experiment to tend to."

Caesars body completely dissolved into his Logia form, slipping through the ventilation shafts as a short cut to wherever he needed to be. When Monet softly cleared her throat to remind Law that he had patients to treat, he made his exchange with Ember short and sweet. "Just wait here. I shouldn't be long."

Law did his best to ignore the very hurt and angry eyes that watched him walk away to Monet's side as if he was conducting treason. He could have gained some peace of mind if he could at least left Ember with a bit of reassurance but expressing even the slightest bit of warmth would reveal that she was more than just a medical experiment to him, a weakness that could be exploited by Caesar if discovered.

Ember shuffled over to the bar once she was alone, so utterly alone as an index finger passed over several brands before making her selection of a booze she felt paired well with feelings of abandonment and sheer misery. Needing immediate relief from her mixed emotions, she drank straight from the bottle, finding no time to pour herself proper glass. She swirled contents from the neck, hearing the liquid slosh around within as she questioned her part in Law's little scheme, since he seemed to be handling things quite well on his own.

Holding her liquid comfort close as she walked over to the couch, she sat herself down, sinking into the soft, luxury cushion that felt out of place in this cold and bare facility. Polishing off the bottle with ease, she laid her herself down in hopes to sleep of the slight tipsiness since she had a feeling it would be a while before she saw Law again.

"I'm really enjoying this new look. What do you think Caesar?"

"How interesting, Law certainly has excellent modification taste."

The voices stirred Ember from her rest as she groggily righted herself to see what the conversation was about. When her eyes landed on Monet, she rubbed them repeatedly before ruling out the option that she may have still been tipsy. What. The. Fuck.

Monet did a sultry three-sixty turn to show off her new parts consisting of minty green wings with a matching fluffy, feathered tail. Ember couldn't help but grimace at the visibly rough, textured bird legs that replaced her slender ones with sharp, ugly talons as feet. It appears that Ember lost her position of being the only animal-human hybrid, a title she could have cared less about if it weren't for the fact that Law seemed to have an interest in such oddities.

"Is that all? I would like to get started on my business here." Law interrupted. There was a brief moment of relief when seeing Ember safe and sound on the couch rather than stolen away by this mad man and he couldn't help his impatience to find some privacy so he could brief her on the situation at hand. It wasn't something he wanted to do, at least not during the early stages of the plan but the tension between them may jeopardize everything all together so it was minor alteration he was willing to make.

Law's eyes must have unconsciously displayed some type of urgency when he signaled for her to come because Ember's face softened with concern as she quickly walked over to him but unfortunately, she had been intercepted by her rival in the making, Monet.

"I'd hate to test these new wings by myself. Care to join me?" Monet asked with a knowing smile that put Ember on alert.

"Yes, why don't you take a little flight around the island, Ember was it? I need to talk to Law in private for a moment anyway."

Grey and red darted toward one another in silent communication, both reading the uneasiness in the others features and despite Law's short nod of approval, Ember knew by the deep frown etched on his features that he too was sensing something terribly wrong. "It should be fine. Go on now."

"Should doesn't sound so confident." Ember mumbled before making her way to Monet's side, bearing no shame in expressing how reluctant she was of doing so.

She wasted no time in taking flight once they exited the lounge, leaving Monet to figure the concept out on her own since she wasn't obligated to teach her a damn thing, nor was she willing to in the first place.

Monet was a quick learner much to Ember's dismay and found her place along side the Zoan user with ease as they glided through the vast laboratory, looping through the network of overhead pipes that zigzagged across the high ceilings.

"Did Law give you your dragon parts?" the harpy asked in a sweet, curious tone that simply irritated Ember for a reason she just couldn't quite describe. There was just something about this woman that made Ember want to pluck off every feather before roasting her like the turkey she saw her as.

"No. I'm a Zoan fruit user." She answered flatly.

A beam of natural light filtered through a gaping hole from a section of ceiling that had caved in due to erosion from the harsh winter elements, a quick and convenient exit to outside where hopefully the chill can cool the boiling rage forming just by the mere presence Monet.

"Oh dear," Monet said as if she was genuinely upset about the fact. "I was hoping you would say yes so I can ask if it's usual for Law to be so handsy during modifications on woman."

Ember froze immediately minus the flapping of her wings to keep her suspended in the air. "What do you mean by handsy?"

Monet flew over to a nearby pipe and perched herself, getting comfortable before her elaboration, like teenage girl preparing to spill the latest gossip. "Handsy as in touching me in certain places he claimed would relax my body before making the alterations," Monet continued despite the obvious hurt displayed on Ember's features. "I think that constitutes as medical malpractice although I can hardly complain, considering how wonderful his hands were."

Ember's mouth went dry, making it difficult to swallow down the lump in her throat before speaking, doing her best to sound nonchalant. "Exactly how wonderful were his hands?"

There was a naughty gleam in her amber eyes. "Wonderful enough that he relaxed me from the inside out in record time. Especially when he massaged my chest before extracting my heart." She winked in Ember's direction, triggering her unexpected take off.

Like a bat out of hell, Ember shot through the opening of the roof, wings climbing and climbing until the air began to grow thin and breathing became tedious due to the incredible altitude. Several cold tears streamed down her face, stinging her cheeks as the damp trail began to freeze over while her throat burned from the gasps of frigid air. Ember reassured herself that this was simply a reaction from the strenuous flight rather than the immense hurt that was becoming more and more prominent by the second.

Ember fluttered down with a lack of grace as she collapsed onto the snow-covered rooftop where Monet soon found her.

"Oh Ember," she cooed, encasing the distraught woman within her feathery wings for comfort which did nothing of the sort as Ember couldn't help but notice how much colder she felt in the arms of Monet than she did being exposed to the chilly winds. "If I knew there was something between you and Law I would have never accepted his affections."

Ember gently shoved the harpy away, shakily standing to her feet as she attempted regain her composure. "There's nothing between me and Law," she said. "Not anymore."

With that, Ember took off once again, relieved that Monet didn't follow this time. She flew until she found ocean, descending until she landed on a floating sheet of ice where she could finally spill her heart in private.

Ember couldn't remember the last time she truly, genuinely cried. There were some close calls though, being the occasional watering of the eyes and the runaway tear or two but to be on her knees and openly cry was something foreign to her. She didn't cry over Law's disloyalty. He wasn't obligated to uphold such a thing when this, whatever 'this' was between them was still undefined. No, the reason behind her tears was caused by the realization of how much she truly cared for Law, a man who seemed to reciprocate the same affectionate feelings only when the mood struck him, which was either rare or never. She knew she shouldn't even concern herself about being involved in Law's plans, let alone care about what he does in his spare time in an operating room with another woman but the fact of the matter was that she did and it truly frightened her. Ember genuinely cared for a man whose feelings for her still remain in question.

She wiped away her tears, taking a deep breath as she attempted to clear her mind, concentrating on the whistling wind and the soft lapping of water against the glacier.

Semi-clear thoughts allowed her to remember the paper in her bra and she dug under her numerous layers to fish it out, hissing slightly as cold fingers made contacted with her own skin. Being in the constant presence of Law, she was never given the opportunity to further inspect this pointless sheet of paper.

"Oh Red, what was going through your mind when you handed this to me?" she sighed, flipping the paper over and over as if a message, a picture or something would appear eventually.

The blank sheet was bent at an awkward angle, causing Ember's palms to shelter it from the bustling winds. Her curiosity was peaked when it remained the same, pointing in the same direction with a sense of urgency.

"Is this some type of cheap log pose?" she asked herself, wishing Kid had given her a brief explanation or at least an instruction manual in regards to whatever this paper was.

Standing to her feet, she cast one last glance at the wasteland behind her, spotting the grey speck that was the laboratory several miles away before taking off into the air, following her sorry excuse for a log pose.

It's been quite some time since Ember last had a flight like this, soaring for days on end that brought back nostalgic memories of her nomadic times when the sky was her home and yet for some reason, this flight seemed lackluster in comparison to her other journeys. The warm breeze combing through her hair, the thrill of the next unexpected destination, it just didn't have the same appeal as it once did, making the flight more tedious than enjoyable thus diminishing her stamina.

Getting fatigued while soaring across several oceans is not something you want to happen if you're a Devil Fruit user, and this concern was enough to fuel Ember for several more hours until she noticed the paper in her hand pointing straight downwards. She lowered her altitude, immediately recognizing the pirate ship that became visible among the vast amount of blue and relief hit her with a force that almost dragged her down into the ocean if she wasn't mindful. She rushed over to the ship, exhausted to the point where she struggled to execute a seamless landing, crashing into several barrels of valuable booze.

The ships first mate came to investigate the commotion and froze when he saw Ember's crumpled form. "Captain, you better come take a look at this."

"Make it quick Caesar, I have more important things to tend to." Law said, not bothering to conceal his impatience.

"Let me ask you something Law," the scientist began. "Do I look like a fool to you?"

Law's face remained neutral and if his heart was still within his chest, one could probably never tell he was feeling slight unease. Unfortunately, he relinquished it to Caesar as promised and he was certain the mad man could feel it beating erratically within the pocket of his lab coat, giving him away.

"It depends in what context." Law says. "If you're referring to physical appearance, I'm afraid yes."

Law didn't regret his comment despite the consequential squeeze of his precious organ that had him keeling over as if he had taken a punch to the gut. He knew giving Caesar his heart was a risky idea but he wasn't expecting to regret it so soon.

"Shurororo, you're in no position to be snarky with me." Caesar said, his grin curled wide at the sight of the doctor doubled over on the floor. His attention soon turned to Monet, who had just returned from giving her new wings a test drive. "Monet, your back. How did it go?"

"Wonderful," she said, her long bird legs stepping over Law as she made her way to the sofa. "Although not so much for the dragon girl."

Law sucked back in enough air to growl dangerously through clenched teeth. "What…did you do to her?"

"Nothing," she said with a shrug, helping herself to a cup of tea from the pot Caesar had brewed for himself previously. "She flew off angrily when I told her about our moment of intimacy during my modification."

"What on earth are you talking about, Monet?!" Law was on his knees now, so close to being back on his feet until another violent squeeze of his heart had now rendered the idea impossible.

"Wait, so we didn't share a steamy moment in the infirmary?"

"No, what are you…" If Caesar's tight hold on his heart didn't knock all the wind out of him, Law's sudden realization of Monet's true intentions did. "You filthy, bird flu-ridden pigeon! You lied to her!"

"Hm, I suppose I did." She said, taking a sip from her tea, expressing no sign of remorse.

Law scolded himself for allowing a simple strategy of Divide and Conquer to cause discord between him and Ember, thus leading himself into this predicament. He should have just told her from the start, coming clean about the true reasoning behind this personal goal of his but he just wasn't ready to share that part of himself with her, at least not yet. Law's past was not something he liked to visit very often but now it seems as though his insecurities may not only have cost him the opportunity to achieve his plan, but his connection to Ember as well.

Caesar sneered down at Law curled on the floor, gasping air into his lungs as he struggled to recover. "It's a good thing I have people like Monet and Vergo to warn me of pests like you who want to sabotage my work."

Law felt his blood run cold as the wild card he could have never predicted was drawn. "Vergo?"

Footsteps were heard approaching Law from behind, followed by a fast twirl of a weapon as it cut through the air repeatedly before striking him in the head with a blunt force that knocked him unconscious.

"It's Mister Vergo, to you."