Law left Penguin to slumber in his drug induced sleep, and closed the door behind him as quietly as he could. He hated himself right now, because he had felt a surge of guilt at the sight of Penguin's dual expression of confusion and betrayal. Confusion, for why Law had spiked his drink in the first place, and betrayal, due to something they had discussed years and years ago. That Law would never do to Penguin what had happened to him in the past. And Law had just broken his word and done one of those things. By drugging his drink. At least it had only been a sleeping one, and nothing insidious, that could have...

"Captain?"

Law titled his head and caught sight of Shachi heading toward him. Law nodded his head in acknowledgement of his crewmate, before indicating Penguin's room with a thumb over his shoulder, "Try not to have the crew bother Penguin right now. He's come down with a bit of a fever."

"Was his wound infected?" Shachi looked concerned. He was obviously thinking of the metal that Kidd had used.

Law shook his head, "No, not from that. He was lucky in that regard. I think he will sleep it off, but still, try to keep it down."

Shachi nodded his understanding, "Right. And when are we casting off?"

Law still felt some lingering guilt over what he had done to Penguin, but knew that it was now or never to go through with his plan. "We'll leave in an hour. If there is no news forthcoming, we may as well get underway." Law began to walk down the hall, "I'm going to go get some sleep."

"See you in an hour then?" Shachi questioned.

Feeling a stab of dread, Law couldn't bring himself to look back and merely said, "Yes" and Law continued on to his room, as he said he would. However, he could only wait a few minutes before he used a room, and left the ship. Law ended up halfway into town, having switched places with a crate he had seen there earlier in the day.

With a heavy heart and the disheartened feeling of having betrayed the good nature of his crew, by again not telling them the whole truth, Law headed through the town. The dark haired pirate weaved through the oblivious crowd of townspeople, and made his way toward the outskirts of town, far away from where his ship and crew were docked. If nothing else, he wanted to give them time to get away, before Doflamingo decided to change his mind and go after them anyway. Law rested his blade against his shoulder as he waited and scanned the skies with a careful eye. He didn't want to do this. He'd rather die than end up having to work for Doflamingo again. But if it meant that his crew would be safe, Law was willing to do it. Even if he wished he had more options than the ones he had been forced to take. Law shoved back the 'what if's' as he spotted a speck in the sky, headed directly toward him.

The dark haired pirate braced himself; his hand dropping his sword's hilt as Doflamingo soon came crashing down to land only a few yards from him. Since he had nothing to say to the older man, Law was quite content to wait for Doflamingo to speak.

Doflamingo appeared highly amused with the cold reception he received as his smile only grew wider, "I thought you might try and run. It's a pity that you are so loyal to your crew, Law."

"Perhaps, but if you think I'm coming quietly, you do not know me at all." Law whipped his blade out of its sheathe, "Room." He wasn't going to waste any more breath on Doflamingo, other than to attack. If Doflamingo saw fit to end him, he didn't care. His crew was safe, and he would give them time to get further away from this place. "Scalpel." Law growled as he warped to just behind Doflamingo and struck out with one hand. He clipped Doflamingo's feathery pink jacket as the taller man dodged out of the way. Law twisted with him this time around, so that he did not get struck by the long leg as he had before. It still clipped him with enough force that made him stumble but the strike made it clear. Doflamingo was trying to bring him under control. He was not interested in permanently incapacitating him, or killing him. Law guessed that he should have known better.

"Fufufufu. I suppose you won't." If anything, the older pirate merely sounded amused rather than angry with Law's actions. "It doesn't matter to me though. It is only a matter of time before you wear yourself out."

That spurred Law on, however, and made him dare to warp closer and closer to Doflamingo in an attempt to strike him, only to be forced to take the barely held back strikes of Doflamingo's stings, or one long legged kick that sent him flying several times. Law only managed to avoid taking any damage by swapping his position each time with something that was firmly planted on the ground.

Doflamingo didn't appear too perturbed that he hadn't beaten Law down yet, and merely chuckled, "How long will you keep this up, Law? You know how this will end, so why waste your energy?" Doflamingo about faced and raised a hand as Law shot by him again, and brought his hand down sharply to strike the dark haired pirate a blow across the back, when a blur of motion made itself known from and took the strike meant for Law. Doflamingo's brow furrowed at the interruption, and just who it was.

Law stumbled to his feet. Why hadn't he been struck? Who had...gotten in the way? Another feeling of dread came over him as he turned to see who it was, even though he had a feeling. And it was confirmed as soon as he saw Penguin kneeling down in front of him with a grimace of pain crossing his lips. Law blinked as what had happened sunk in. Penguin...Penguin had taken the attack for him. But why was he here in the first place? Law was sure that he had sent his crew away, and Penguin had been unconscious when he had done it. Law quickly dodged to one side and out of range of a Bullet String attack sent his way by Doflamingo, but Law was suddenly more concerned by the appearance of his crewmate than the older man, "What are you doing here?" Law demanded furiously. He sincerely hoped that the rest of the crew was not going to show up as well. It would be too perfect an opportunity for Doflamingo to take advantage of and go back on his word and attack. The rest of his crew didn't show, however, but Law felt that it was bad enough that Penguin had been foolish enough to show himself to Doflamingo in the first place.

Penguin didn't appear to share Law's concerns, because instead of joining in on the battle, he merely seized his captain by the arm and dragged him into an alley. And then ran as fast as he could in the direction of the docks, completely silently despite the painful cuts across his back from Doflamingo's attack.

"What are you doing? You fool!" Law attempted to stop Penguin from tugging him along, and only managed to bring them both to a halt by digging in his heels. Law hastily freed his arm to glower at his crewmate, "Go back to the ship and leave. I am the one that Doflamingo wants."

"No." Penguin said simply, and made as if to grab Law's arm again, only to have the dark haired pirate step back out of range.

"If you go against my orders, then it's mutiny, isn't it?" Law asked, as he carefully raised his still drawn blade and eyed Penguin in question.

"Not if I'm just trying to help you." Penguin said tersely in return, before he hastily ducked as Law swung his blade at him.

Law did not want to have this conversation right now. Doflamingo was no doubt nearby, and liable to find them any second. He needed to get Penguin out of here, before Doflamingo found them and slaughtered Penguin before his eyes. He wouldn't put it past the other man. Law pressed toward Penguin and used a small room to surround them and took aim at Penguin. It frustrated Law to no end that Penguin was able to dodge him, and knew that he had to end things quickly before Penguin decided to get serious. Law swung down with his blade which Penguin side stepped, and Law fell back with a hiss from the stinging strike Penguin had landed across his right forearm in retaliation.

After a few more exchanges of blade and fist, Law backed Penguin into a corner. He had his room up, so he couldn't actually harm Penguin should he cut him, and yet…

Law couldn't do it. He couldn't strike Penguin. Didn't want to do that to his crewmate, even if it was to save him from himself, and Doflamingo. The dark haired pirate should have known that Penguin knew he couldn't hurt him, and had obviously waited for that moment to strike. As soon as he saw Penguin leave his sight, Law knew he was screwed. And that he had forgotten just dangerous his crewmate could be. Especially since Penguin had decided to try and stop him from his current course of action.

And Law hated to believe that his crewmate would succeed.

-x

Penguin used the hesitation to duck beneath Law's blade, because he had known, as he had before, that Law couldn't ever truly bring himself to harm his crewmates. Penguin saw Law as he turned, and moved toward him as he inwardly apologized to his captain for what he was about to do. While Law may not want to have harmed him, and even humiliated a little, Penguin was not so kind in return. The way he had been raised. The way he had survived. Penguin had had to make some very difficult and painful decisions. Penguin knew, however, that he was doing the right thing right now, and it was only that thought that allowed him to carry through with the decision he'd made before he stepped foot in Cliff Rock again.

Penguin ducked beneath Law's half-hearted, wide swing, and his hand shot up to grip his captain by his throat as he used his other hand to halt Law's sword arm. With a slight pivot of their bodies, Penguin brought himself and Law down to the ground, though the Heart Pirate crewmate winced in sympathy when the back of his captain's head struck the ground with a sickening crack. Penguin let his hand settle around his captain's throat firmly, and shifted his body so that Law would be unable to gain any footing to throw him off, or move his sword arm, which Penguin kept pinned to the ground. Penguin tried and failed to ignore Law's left hand scrabbling at the hand at his throat, and again reminded himself that he was only doing this to help Law. To stop him from making a mistake.

Penguin watched Law carefully, though he was careful to avoid direct eye contact. He might lose his nerve then, but he had to make sure he was only allowing enough pressure ride on Law's throat to make him blackout, but not enough pressure that it would harm him.

Law still tried to protest, even if he was rapidly losing his breath, "Stop…go 'way…before…"

"No. I am not running. You should have known that I will do anything to protect you, or the rest of the crew. As you would do for us. Have done for us. I couldn't protect some people I once knew, ones that I could have protected, before I met you." Penguin almost made eye contact, but stopped short of doing so, "It is a painful memory, and I don't want to lose you too. None of the crew wants to lose you, even if Doflamingo isn't going to kill you. But he is a bad influence, and I worry how long you will hold out with no one to ground you. To stop you from doing what Doflamingo wants you to do. Besides...you're the person the crew cares about the most. What holds us together. You're why we waited at Zou, until you told us to come get you. And we did." Penguin shook his head, his voice having become visibly distraught, before he reined those emotions in, and continued on calmly, "I'm sorry for doing this to you, but it was the only way I could think of to stop you. Doflamingo reminded me of someone, and I hate the idea of letting him get what he wants so easily. "

Penguin briefly closed his eyes. He could tell that Law was close to passing out, from the way he was issuing faint, distressed sounds, "Thank you, for letting me be a part of your crew. The years I've spent with you all were the best years of my life." Penguin had only to wait a few moments more before Law passed out with a whimper of protest. Penguin loosened his grip and carefully massaged Law's throat, double-checking to make sure that he hadn't been too harsh while choking his captain out. As soon as Law's breathing evened out, Penguin reached over and sheathed Law's weapon, before he gently maneuvered Law up and over one of his shoulders. Penguin glanced up sharply as a nearby building toppled over with a giant grating sound. Doflamingo, no doubt. He knew he had to move fast.

Penguin began to move as quickly as he could through the back alleys, and was relieved when he reached the small ten foot cliff that overlooked the path that led to the docks. Penguin knew that his and Law's crew would be long gone by now, but Penguin was hoping that another crew hadn't yet left. To Penguin's immense relief, he spotted Kidd and his crew making their way along the path directly below where he was currently stood. "Kidd! Catch!" Penguin called down as he tossed his unconscious captain toward Kidd, who looked up and caught Law. It had looked to be an automatic reaction; one Penguin was relieved that the redheaded captain had made. Penguin tossed Law's weapon to Heat, before he turned back to Kidd, "Take him away from here! Doflamingo is after him." Penguin chanced a look over his shoulder and saw another building topple over, before he looked down at Kidd again. The bewildered expression would have been funny had Penguin not been so desperate, "Tell him that I am sorry I couldn't stop him sooner. If you happen to have sea stone shackles around, use them. Otherwise, he will come after me." Not waiting for a response, Penguin turned away and ran back down the alley. He did hear Kidd shouting at his crew to set sail, and that, at last, was promising.

Penguin was not happy that he had to leave his captain, his unconscious captain, in Kidd's hands, but it was the best that he could come up with on such short notice. And it was unlikely that Kidd was going to toss Law overboard, as the two seemed to have an interest in one another, for whatever reason. Penguin put it from his mind as he ran in the opposite direction of the docks, through the alley, until he reached the outskirts of town where he had found Law. He had to draw Doflamingo's attention away from Kidd's ship in order to set sail. Penguin heard rather than saw Doflamingo catch up to him.

A whistle through the air, which most people would have written off. Penguin, however, quickly threw himself to one side to avoid being struck by a string. Penguin rolled a few times before he sprang back up on his feet and crouched into a fighting stance. He knew it was useless, that he stood no chance, but he was merely going to be buying time. He wasn't looking to win. Penguin knew that Law would be absolutely horrified if he saw that Penguin had squared off against Doflamingo as if it weren't that big of a deal.

Doflamingo looked absolutely murderous as he landed on the ground, even if he was currently grinning. The older pirate looked around, as if expecting to see Law to pop out and attack, as though Penguin were merely the diversion. When it was apparent that Law was not going to show up, Doflamingo's smile stretched and he gritted out a few words, "Where is Law?"

Penguin did not waste his breath. He went straight into attack mode. He was still in control of himself, but he was not about to hold back as he had when he had thrown himself into the fray between Law and Kidd. If Doflamingo allowed it, Penguin would be quite happy to strike him. Penguin doubted he would get the chance, but he was going to do what he could, and make things as inconvenient as possible for Doflamingo.

Doflamingo dodged backwards, and appeared quite surprised by Penguin's actions, before he realized that Heart Pirate was deadly serious.

Penguin, for his part, nearly struck Doflamingo, but each time he came close, the older man somehow managed to evade it.

Doflamingo wore a slightly intrigued expression, as if he actually found Penguin interesting now, before he flicked a finger at him. And appeared quite irritated that Penguin dodged the attack but not fast enough, as his hat was torn from his head. Doflamingo grinned at Penguin's expression, and the more he looked at the now hatless Penguin, the more familiar the other man appeared to be. Doflamingo grinned as he batted aside an attack and sent Penguin flying away, "Ah, I think I have seen you before…fufufufufu. Interesting…I did not think Law would have you in his crew…"

Penguin continued to press forward, nearly landing several blows that Doflamingo merely blocked. But Penguin didn't care that they didn't. He was far more concerned by the fact that it seemed as if Doflamingo knew something of his past.

And that was something that Penguin did not want to be true.

-x

Doflamingo, breathing heavily from exertion, had decided that enough was enough. He was done playing around, and with an almost nobody at that. Doflamingo dodged one more swipe from Penguin, and twisted around in order to run one hand through the air at Penguin's exposed and already injured back, and slashed it with a five color string. The choked cry of pain was rather satisfying, and Doflamingo turned the rest of the way to chase after Penguin as he rolled on the ground. "Overheat." Irritating, that the bastard managed to barely avoid taking that through the head. Enough really was enough. He was bored now. Doflamingo's hand lifted in Penguin's direction, and bent a few fingers, and halted the Heart Pirate in his tracks. Doflamingo casually approached the tethered Heart Pirate, about to tear him apart, before he stopped his hand just short of Penguin's slashed up back. Doflamingo held Penguin in place, before he stepped back and bent his fingers again, and forced Penguin to stand up and face him. Doflamingo eyed the Heart Pirate silently. Now that he thought about it, it was odd to him that Penguin would go out of his way to help Law, when his captain was already helping the whole crew by leaving them behind. And that meant that Penguin had acted alone. From what little Doflamingo knew of Penguin, if it was who he thought he was, it seemed odd that he would bother. But then again…

Doflamingo stepped forward and peered down at Penguin. It appeared as though all the fight had left the other man. That would be boring. More so than the one sided, brief battle. Doflamingo reached out a hand and gripped Penguin's chin, and tilted his head up, as he used his other hand to keep Penguin pinioned in place. Doflamingo immediately amended his thought. There was still fight left in this one, even if he obviously knew that it was useless to resist now that he was caught by the older man's Devil Fruit powers. Doflamingo chuckled, though he was anything by amused, as he asked again, "Where is Law?"

Penguin offered a hint of a smile, though it did not reach his eyes. They were full of hate for the man before him as he spoke, "I told you before that I wouldn't allow you near Law, if I or the rest of the crew could prevent it. And it appears that I have succeeded." The Heart Pirate winced as Doflamingo let go of his chin and put a finger to his left shoulder.

"Bullet String." Doflamingo said simply, and his grin grew nasty at the pained yelp Penguin let out. Doflamingo considered the man before him, and then laughed, "Fufufufu. You were the one that interrupted my calls with Law. It is interesting, that you of all people would care. Based on what happened before Law found you…"

"It is in the past. It does not matter anymore." Penguin responded in a dead tone of voice, as he cut Doflamingo off.

"On the contrary, it matters quite a lot. What is someone like you, who murdered…" Doflamingo put an emphasis on that word, "...his so called friends, doing with Law? It seems a dangerous gamble on his part to let you on his ship."

"It is in the past." Penguin insisted. "I am not the same as back then." The Heart Pirate glared at Doflamingo, heedless of the position he was in, "And I did not do anything to them. The marines were wrong."

Doflamingo decided to keep this one alive, instead of killing him as he had thought to. He had a plan forming in his mind. He did so love twists of fate, and here he was presented with a wonderful opportunity to deal with Penguin and Law in one call to the dark haired pirate captain. But for now, Doflamingo had found something quite entertaining to do right now. Doflamingo grinned eerily as he circled around Penguin, careful to keep the other man in place as he spoke with a playful lilt to his voice, "Oh, but not everyone changes. Sometimes they just bury that part of themselves deep down, only for it to come out later, when convenient."

Penguin held perfectly still, even if he couldn't move anyway. He couldn't help but respond to what the older pirate had just said, "It is not. I've put it behind me."

"So you say. But those…tendencies…they must come out when properly provoked, don't they?" Doflamingo leaned in close to breath against the side of Penguin's neck, his tone almost cajoling, "Does it bother you, to be surrounded by all of those fools? To not be able to kill your enemies, to ensure that they do not harm the people that you care about?" Doflamingo heard a slight intake of air and grinned wolfishly as he continued, "It must be a shame to have to keep that side of you locked out of sight, isn't it?"

"Stop." Penguin said, clearly wanting to hear no more.

"But why? It is the truth, isn't it? Is that so difficult to admit?" Doflamingo leered unpleasantly as he circled back around to stoop before Penguin, "Why, I bet you didn't even get Law to leave on his own, did you?" Doflamingo enjoyed the pained look that crossed Penguin's features, "Fufufufu. Did you enjoy it? Showing your captain that hidden side of yourself? Who you really are? Did he curse your name before you knocked him out?" The older pirate saw Penguin's heated glare, and Doflamingo couldn't help but laugh once more, "Oh, don't give me that look. It's the only way you could have possibly gotten Law to go away. You would have had to have made unconscious in some way." Doflamingo's voice became curious, "How did you do it? Did you strike him from behind like a coward, or…"

"Shut up! It's your fault that it all came to this in the first place!" Penguin snapped harshly, heedless of the perilous position he was in and what Doflamingo could do to him should he take offense.

Doflamingo had one large hand around Penguin's throat in an instant as he leaned in close to meet the other man's eyes, "You are not in any position to argue or insult me. Understand? Or is it just that it is too hard to hear something that you do not want to hear?" When Penguin said nothing other than taking in a few gasps of air, Doflamingo added, "If you're done with this pointless resisting, then tell me where Law is."

"…No."

Doflamingo's smile became strained, "You don't have much of a choice. Besides, it is only Law. You've already betrayed him by striking out against him, haven't you? Why not go all the way, as you did all those years ago?"

-x

Penguin despised the fact that yes, Doflamingo appeared to know about his past, if only a little, but more than enough to get under his skin. And he hated that Doflamingo was right. Penguin had made some bad choices, but he had learned from them, and knew he would never give Law away. Would never give away the location of him or the rest of the crew. Penguin kept his gaze locked on Doflamingo's shaded glasses, "I did not kill them." Penguin said flatly, and it was evident he meant from the past, "And I will not tell you anything. If I have learned anything of the past, it is to not betray those that are important to me." Penguin managed a smile despite the steady fall of pressure around his throat that let him know Doflamingo was not at all pleased by the answer," Kill me if you wish. I will not betray Law or the rest of my crew."

"I think you'll find that it will be easier on you if you tell me."

That was a laugh. Doflamingo was more liable to kill him as soon as Penguin let on to where Law had gotten to. He wouldn't waste the chance he had given his captain, and told Doflamingo so, "Never. Go to hell, for all I care." Penguin knew what Doflamingo was going to do. Didn't need to see the furious look that was hidden behind those shades, or the feel of the clench of that hand around his throat, restricting his air.

But Penguin didn't care. He wouldn't say anything, and Doflamingo could choke him to death for all he cared, and he still would not say anything to betray his friends. Never again.

Penguin felt himself fade in and out of consciousness as his vision began to speckle at the edges, before he began to black out. But he wasn't going to struggle or fight Doflamingo. Because Penguin was satisfied that he had gotten Law far away from the Donquixote pirate, and Law would rejoin their crew, and then meet up with Luffy and his crew soon after. Surely when their two crews were together, Doflamingo would have an even harder time trying to blackmail Law back into his crew.

Most of all, passing out from reality brought Penguin a measure of relief, and with it the knowledge that his captain was safe. The loss of thought into unconsciousness also allowed for painful dredges of memories to stay just that to Penguin.

Memories.

-x

There was the soft sound of his breathing. Another sound nearby, but that didn't matter to him just yet. Because Law, half in and out of an awakened state, began to piece his hazy thoughts together. He came to the same conclusion as when it had happened.

Penguin had attacked him, and had choked him in to unconsciousness.

Law couldn't wrap his mind around that. He was still taken aback that Penguin had been so merciless while choking him out, though he knew he shouldn't have been surprised. He'd driven his crewmate to do something drastic, and yet, Penguin's words lingered in his mind. It had sure as hell had sounded as if Penguin had been saying goodbye…

"Trafalgar?"

Law furrowed his brow, but did not open his eyes quite yet. The voice that had spoken…it wasn't Penguin's…so then who...? Law felt someone poke him in the forehead, and the voice became a little clearer.

"Oy. You awake?"

Kidd.

Law's brow furrowed as the voice registered. Kidd…what the hell? Why was it Kidd? What had happened to Penguin crossing the deep end and choking him out? Law's eyes opened slowly in time to see Kidd reach in for another poke, and with an irritable sound in the back of his throat, reached up and batted the other captain's hand away.

Kidd snorted as if not at all surprised by something, "Shit, are you always so cranky when you wake up?" Kidd offered a smile, "Other than when you woke up in bed with me?"

Law propped himself up on his elbows and took stock of his surroundings. As soon as it registered that neither Doflamingo nor Penguin were in sight, nor was he was still on the island...that was when Law got angry. That fool. That stupid, stupid fool. Where was Penguin? He hadn't…he hadn't stayed behind on the island to confront Doflamingo alone…had he? Was that why he had basically choked out that rather emotional farewell before he lost consciousness?

Shit.

Kidd apparently noticed that Law was not confused anymore, but obviously did see that the dark haired captain was pissed as hell, as well as worried. Kidd decided to speak, since Law seemed to be very close to panicking or attacking, "Your crewmate said he was sorry that he couldn't stop you sooner." Kidd was rather taken aback at the sight of Law immediately surging to his feet and stumbling over to where he was seated on a chair. Not that Kidd minded much when Law seized the front of his open shirt, but it wasn't at all friendly.

"Where are they? Take me back, now." Law demanded in an icy tone. He couldn't believe this. He couldn't believe that Penguin had knocked him down, or rather, choked him out and handed him off to Kidd. Again, Law pegged his crewmate as a fool, and knew he had to go somehow find him, and hope that Doflamingo did not just kill him because it was convenient. It was a worse thought to think that Doflamingo had merely captured Penguin instead. He didn't want to think about Penguin being tormented until Law managed to get a hold of the other warlord.

Kidd blinked up at Law from his seated position, before he reached up and freed himself from Law's grasp, "You've been out for a few hours. I doubt that anyone's gonna be there in Cliff Rock anymore."

Law swore under his breath and tried to move past Kidd toward the cabin door. He realized that he was on Kidd's ship, but other than that he had more important things on his mind. Like making sure Penguin hadn't gotten himself foolishly killed. His plan was foiled as Kidd reached out and grabbed him. Law glared over his shoulder at the redheaded captain, "Let go." The Heart Pirate said in a clipped tone. He was in no mood for this.

Kidd snorted derisively, "So you can go get yourself killed when your crewmate just stopped that from happening?"

"I was not going to be killed." Law said shortly. "However, I am sure that Doflamingo would be more than happy to do that to Penguin." Law glared at Kidd, not amused, and repeated his previous words, "Let go, now."

"No." Kidd said simply, and with hardly any effort, shifted and tugged Law backward, and sent him onto the bed on his back. Kidd knew from the sudden look of fury that Law had just realized that he was handcuffed.

Law sat back up on the bed, chain clinking behind his back as he lifted his hands to look at the cuffs around his wrist, before he lifted his gaze to Kidd's, "I wouldn't have expected you to have any see stone shackles with you."

Kidd shrugged as he sat back down, "Killer got 'em off some marines a few weeks ago."

Law dropped his hands to his lap and looked Kidd over with a hint of a smile, "And why would your crewmate bother?"

Kidd caught the smile and knew exactly what Law was thinking, "Killer did not get them to use on me. I have better control over my temper than you seem to think." Kidd leered at Law, "You seem to be more on edge than before, so Penguin said that we should cuff you to make sure you didn't go after him."

That did not make Law feel better at all. He rose again, and started toward Kidd with an almost scowl on his features. "Where is the key?"

Kidd settled more comfortably in the chair, "Like I'm gonna tell you that. And you are still recovering from your injuries, so I doubt you'll get very far even if the shackles were off."

Law stopped just short of Kidd, eying him with an unfriendly look, "I can find it myself if you won't tell me where it is."

Kidd scoffed, "Like you would be able to." The redheaded captain realized his mistake when Law closed the distance between them and settled on his lap, straddling him. Kidd automatically reached out to steady Law, "What the hell are you doing?" As if he didn't already know.

Law allowed himself a satisfied smile as he rested his hands on Kidd's shoulders and leaned in to place a light kiss against the scar going down the side of Kidd's neck, "I am not losing any of my crew to Doflamingo, Eustass-ya."

Before Kidd could say anything to that, Law's mouth met his own and that was that for any coherent trains of thought. Kidd absently wrapped an arm around Law's back to pull him closer into the kiss, and moaned something unintelligibly as Law began to trail his hands further and further down. And then, Law had his pants partially down, and had begun to toy with him. Something that the redheaded captain did not mind in the least. Kidd mumbled something as Law broke the kiss, but became distracted as Laws hands moved over him, and his lips ran along his throat, to his collarbone, leaving a trail of harsh nips as well as soft kisses, apparently trying his best to drive Kidd crazy. And it was working. Law's hands were doing interesting things, and Kidd was honestly surprised that he became so hard in such a short time. Then, as soon as it had begun, it stopped.

Kidd opened his eye dazedly as he looked at Law, who had settled back on his lap with a small smile of triumph. Kidd still looked a little confused, until Law's chains started to clink, and he realized that the other captain had liberated the key from the back pocket of his pants. That sly, sneaky son of a bitch…Kidd grabbed Law and after a brief power struggle, Kidd yanked the key out of Law's grasp and dropped it onto the nearby table. Before Law could protest, Kidd stood, still holding him, and carried him over to the bed, where he dumped him on his back again and moved to rest over him, to prevent Law from fleeing. The redhead captain noted that he looked pissed again, and that was just fine with him.

"Get off of me. I need to go." Law said, or rather, demanded, hands up against Kidd's chest.

"Is that so? Well, too damn bad." And with that, Kidd resumed what Law had started, regardless of the chain of sea stone that drained his energy when he happened to brush a hand against it. Or the fact that Law was not at all pleased to be delayed.

Though soon enough, Law temporarily forgot his troubles as Kidd ended up taking his immediate attention.

-x

Doflamingo prowled back and forth, still displeased by the turn of events. He had not expected things to be so difficult. The older pirate glanced at a closed door, and couldn't help but smile nastily. Doflamingo knew that Law would never allow one of his crewmates to sacrifice themselves for him and not try to save them in return. That made Penguin a valuable bargaining chip, since Doflamingo knew that there was no way Law would leave things as they were. Doflamingo headed toward the door, figuring that his captive should be awake by now.

If he could manage to get Penguin to give up Law's location, it would make things all the more easy for him.

-x

Penguin woke up slowly, even though as soon as he had, he really wished he hadn't. His whole body hurt. He knew that he was not likely to be on Cliff Rock anymore, and from the rocking sensation he could feel, he had to be on a ship now. It was disappointing, as well as depressing, to know that it wasn't his own ship he'd woken up on. That it could have all just been a bad dream. With that sensation of being on the sea and in unfamiliar ship, came the realization that his wounds had been treated, however minimally, with ointment and bandages to prevent infection.

Penguin let out a sigh, though it hurt his throat. He should have known. If Doflamingo had no idea where Law was, then why get rid of the person who did? Penguin stifled a cough as he opened his eyes and took stock of where he was. A small room that was dimly lit. Windowless. He was on his side, which was nice, since it would have hurt to have been lying on his wounded back. The silence he found himself in was unlikely to last. Doflamingo was sure to show himself sometime soon. Penguin shifted minutely before stilling. From the feel of it, he was not in any shape to stand, let alone move very far.

The door opened, and the dark chuckle that preceded the older man's arrival caused Penguin to flick his gaze up. He watched Doflamingo enter the room, before the older pirate shut the door behind him, and approached the bed he lay on. No doubt he was there to interrogate him. Penguin wasn't feeling particularly generous right now, so Doflamingo should expect to be disappointed.

"You were unconscious for quite some time. I thought I had killed you." Doflamingo's voice made it clear that he really didn't care if he had. "You are most certainly in no shape to cheek me, so tell me, whatever did you do with Law?"

Penguin, with difficulty, managed to get himself into a seated position, so that he could better look at Doflamingo. He wasn't going to say, and he would make that clear to Doflamingo. Or at least, he tried to. Most unfortunately, Doflamingo appeared to have done more damage than he had initially suspected. Instead of telling Doflamingo he was out of luck, Penguin could only manage a raspy, terrible gasping sound, which made him immediately freeze up in utter shock as the extent of his injuries was made clear.

He couldn't talk.

His voice…It wouldn't come. And with the inability to speak came a wash of humiliation that he couldn't tell Doflamingo off. Penguin fully expected Doflamingo to gloat about it, and was therefore surprised when the older pirate frowned at the lack of words coming out of Penguin's mouth. And cursed.

"It seems I may have been too rough." Doflamingo admitted, though an edge of amusement entered his voice, "I guess I will have to find another way for you to tell me what I want to know."

Penguin barely heard him, the terrible thought stuck in his mind as he gingerly reached up one hand to feel his throat. It hurt, and Penguin had no doubt that it was horridly bruised up from Doflamingo's hand.

He couldn't talk. He couldn't speak, and yet…Doflamingo was still going to try and find a way to coerce information from him.

Penguin ignored the shadow that fell over him, hand still to his throat as he desperately hoped that this was only temporary. He could breathe just fine, after all, but the mantra continued to go through the back of his mind.

He couldn't speak.

He couldn't use words to defend himself.

And that, more than Doflamingo trying to interrogate him, made Penguin feel sick to his stomach.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

A/N: I am a terrible, horrible person, good-bye.

See you when I update again with something not as angst-ridden. Maybe. And bloody hell, Penguin just keeps getting more page time. Just because that's how it happened.