A/N: SCHOOLS OUT! Now mostot my time will be dedicated to this story. I've very excited for what's about to happen. I've literally been waiting this whole story for this moment. Sadly, what I'm waiting for isn't for another few chapters. :( Whatever. Enjoy. Sorry for any grammar/spelling mistakes. Follow. Favorite. REVIEW!

Disclaimer: Oh how I wish I owned One Piece. Soooooo many things would be different. But alas, I don't.

Chapter 15: Doomed

"Huh?" Shachi said in confusion as Valerie ran past. "Val!" he yelled and spun around. He looked and she was almost to the end of the hall.

Penguin turned around and yelled, "Val, your room is to the left! It's the last door on the right!" She didn't respond but followed his directions and turned right at the end of the hall. Both Penguin and Shachi sighed and turned back to find their captain in front of them. A smirk was still in his lips.

"Captain, did you really have to scare her off like that?" Shachi said and lazily scratched the back of his head.

"I was only walking." Law replied with a wider smirk. Shachi sighed.

"Well I'm going to go after her. See ya, Captain." he said and left with a salute.

"I'm going too." Penguin said then mimicked Shachi and followed his friend down the hall. With his smirk still in place, Law left and returned to his room.

Penguin knocked on the door that now lead to Valerie's room. "Hey Val. It's us. You in there?" A very quiet "yes" was her reply.

"Can we come in?" There was a pause.

"Sure." She said with a sigh. Shachi pushed the door open and they walked inside then shut the door. Valerie was laying in her new bed, curled up around her little ball of black fluff.

"Val?" Shachi asked tentatively. The white haired girl shifted but didn't say anything. He walked over and gently touched her shoulder. "You okay?" Valerie shot up at that.

"No! No I'm not! That was the most embarrassing moment Of. My. Life!" Penguin took a seat at the end of her bed and flinched as she continued to screech. "Oh God! That sucked! It was so freaking cliche! I can't believe he was right behind me!" She yelled. As she ranted she slowly got quieter and sank back down onto the bed with her hands covering her face. Kuma crawled over to her and successfully pushed her hands away with his nose.

"Why are you embarrassed?" Penguin asked. Valerie shot him an incredulous looked but before she could interrupt, he continued. "As you said before, your first day on the sub, you openly declared your love for Captain in front of a room full of people. Though you didn't actually say 'I love you'. " He finished.

Valerie pouted and pressed her face into her pillow. "That was different." Her voice was muffled by the sheets.

"How?" Shachi asked and took a seat on the floor beside his friend's bed.

"'Cause this time, I was sayin' the things I like about him. Those are private things that only close friends should know about." She said into the covers then sat up. "Also.." There was a long pause before Valerie continued. "Guys, you don't think Law's gonna start liking me do you?"

Penguin and Shachi sat up a little straighter at the question.

"Well, we've never seen Captain serious about everyone. You can't when you sail the seas." Shachi said and a look of relief passed over Valerie's face.

"But," Penguin added. "We've also never seen Captain act so forgiving of anyone. So he probably already likes you and either doesn't want to say or he doesn't know himself." Valerie relief died on her face and gave birth to extreme sadness.

Despite Valerie's expression, Shachi let out a little chuckle. "Denial is the first step." Penguin cracked a small smile but Valerie stayed as depressed as she was before the joke. Seeing this Shachi placed a hand on her shoulder.

"What's wrong with Captain likin' you?" Valerie sighed.

"He can't."

"Why?" Valerie looked over at him and offered him a small smile.

"Because this isn't my world. I don't know how long I'll be here." Penguin frowned.

"I don't see why you can't chose to stay." Valerie looked back down at the bed where Kuma was looking up at her with concerned eyes. Tears bubbled up in her eyes and cascaded down her cheeks.

"I-I want to! B-but I'd never get to see Mama or Papa again! I d-don't wanna leave but I can't give them up!" Valerie buried her face into her face. Kuma whimpered and nuzzled her hip. Penguin and Shachi quickly moved closer and each wrapped an arm around her.

"Val, it's okay." Penguin said quietly, trying to calm her down.

"No it's not! I'm haven't been here long but this sub is already my home! And this crew is my family!" Shachi gently patted her back.

"Are you sure you can't stay?"

"Yes! It's not my choice!" Penguin frowned and pulled Valerie's hands from her face and looked her in the eyes.

"Well you're not got yet, so dry your eyes and enjoy yourself while you're here." Valerie slowly stopped crying then pulled Penguin and Shachi into a hug.

"Thanks guys." Both guys smiled and returned the hug.

"No prob." They said together. Valerie kissed them each on the cheek. Penguin and Shachi's faces flamed red.

"You guys are totally the best friends ever." The two guys shared a smiled before them placed a kiss of her cheeks.

"You are too." Penguin said and Shachi nodded his agreement.