Ok... This will be a short one. And it was a hard one.

I'm very tired and I'm going through a pretty though time.
But I really want to continue working on this fiction.

I know the chapter is not really good.
If I get a chance to go over it again tomorrow over lunch time, I'll probably make it better.

Disclaimer: Still Oda's

Enjoy.

The day before, we had slept into the late afternoon and through the whole car drive home. Mike had dropped Law at his place and then crashed on my couch. The man needed a live. In all fairness, he was gone by today when I woke up.

Yawning I made my way over to the kitchen. I wondered how Law was. His mother had a day off and the two planned to spend the time together. Though I was horribly bored already, I knew how important this day was for my boyfriend. His mother meant a lot to him.

I walked over to the room-high window Law liked so much and looked out. Coffee in hand, this seemed like a perfect day. Well, except that I was bored and my boyfriend was not around.

I was thinking about what Nanna had said. Was I really up to test Law's love with something that had to inevitably drive him away? I leaned my forehead against the cold glass and sighed. Not really. Not now. But I knew myself well enough. If there would be a good chance to test Law's devotion to me, I'd take it. The outcome was obvious. I'd do something that just had to break his trust beyond repair. But in the moment I would want to believe that he would stay with me regardless.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I fished it out, checking the incoming message. I smiled at the short text Law had dropped me. Just checking you still remember that you don't need to do anything silly. Otherwise I'll have to repeat my argument ;)

Right… His argument truly had been convincing. And my answer had been loud enough to disturb Carl and convince him to get up early and help Nanna in the garden. So. Not. Sorry! A shiver ran down my spine at the memory. Maybe I'll let you explain it again. Not sure I got the last part right.

Yeah, ok. I'm obvious and I'm sex-driven. So what? I'm young… And I'm madly in love with Trafalgar Law. Shaking my head I went back to the kitchen to clean the cup. I should probably invite Law and his mother over for dinner. Not today though, and I didn't know when she would have her next day off.

The rest of the morning I wandered aimlessly through my small apartment. I was bored. And there was nothing worse than boredom. Flopping down on my bed I stared at the ceiling. "I need to do something…" Grabbing my jacket I left the house, facing a freezing cold day in the city.

I was crossing the steet, heading towards the Louge Town Café when I saw a flash of blond. I like blond hair… Mentally kicking myself I entered, stopping dead in the door. The Café was busy and most tables were occupied. That was not what had caught my attention, though; nor were the customers the reason for the uneasy feeling that had suddenly gotten a hold of me.

At the bar, chatting with Shaki, sat an old, grey-haired man. He had his back turned towards the door, the broad expanse of his shoulders leaving the impression of having a retired bouncer in front of you. When Shaki smiled at me he turned his head and followed her gaze with his eyes. His dark eyes seemed to stare into my very soul and I revised my first impression. This was no retired bouncer. This man used to be – and probably still was – something far more dangerous.

I trembled. "Rayleigh, stop frightening my customers." Shaki scolded, leading the old man's attention back to his glass of water. So this was Silvers Rayleigh… Still frozen in place, it took me a few seconds to notice Shaki's waving hand. "Kid! Hey… Come over here and get a coffee." I nodded numbly and walked over to the bar to take a seat beside Rayleigh. Once I was seated – and sure my knees couldn't give out under me – I dared to meet the grey-haired man's gaze.

He gave me an appreciating grin and turned back to his water. Somehow I felt like I had just passed some test. Probably I had. Shaki placed a coffee in front of me and then asked me about Law. "So how is he? Did you guys have a nice Christmas?"

I guess I blushed a little, cause Shaki laughed already before I could say a single word. "We're fine. I guess we're kinda together…" "Better for you, boy. I advice you don't hurt him any further." I shuddered again. Glad my legs didn't have to carry me anymore, I shot Shaki a wary glance. This time she didn't save me.

"He's right, Kid. Rayleigh and I are very protective over the little Trafalgar. And watching people hurt him without doing anything is not one of our strengths." I nodded, not quite sure I wanted to fully understand what Shaki had just told me between the lines. I finished my coffee and left the place.

Inhaling the cold winter air I looked at the already darkening sky. So this was Silvers Rayleigh. The man was obviously dangerous. But Shaki had demonstrated today that she shouldn't be underestimated either. Wandering through the streets, I made a mental note to ask Law about his relationship with the strange couple.

I saw blond hair again and shuddered.

I'm really tired, but I so wanted to upload this..
I should be able to develop this into something big. Or I can just leave it be if I don't manage to get my head and heart around it.

Hope it's not too bad. I will only really realize tomorrow. Sorry if it's complete crap.

Reviews are always very much appreciated!