A Little Scare

Neo rolled over with a low sigh. She was trying to take a nap, but the lower back pain and cramps she was having was refusing to go away. She's dealt with them all day. It was Law's suggestion that she try taking a nap and try to relax.

She rubbed her hand on her stomach as she thought about how much more protective he, and the crew, has gotten when the news about her being pregnant was revealed. At first the crew was stunned to the point they couldn't speak then, when they finally found their voices, they had the same reaction as the Straw Hats. Over time the crew started to get more excited about it and made sure to check on her every chance they got.

She was still working on the whole thing. She didn't really know how she should be feeling about it, even now. She still didn't know much about kids after all. Law made sure to talk to Neo about what she should expect and made sure she talked about what she was feeling. It really helped her knowing she had such a good support system.

Neo sighed again. It was obvious that she wasn't going to get any sleep. She decided to go find Law to tell him about it. As she walked over to the door, she paused and looked at the still disassembled baby crib. Sitting beside it, was a couple gift bags full of baby clothing, baby toys that the Straw Hats insisted on getting her. Even the more less emotional of that crew got her and the baby a couple things. Neo protested getting so much stuff since, at the time, she was only three months along. But Nami and Robin wouldn't hear of it.

Neo shook her head and adjusted the maternity shirt she was wearing. It was one of the several Nami insisted she get. It was creamy green with yellow flowers decorating it. Now, seven months along, she still had trouble at times processing the fact she actually had a baby inside of her. But there was her rounded stomach, the cravings, the mood swings, the aches and pains greeting her everyday, proving to her she wasn't dreaming.

As she walked down the sub's halls, Neo felt some pelvic pressure. She placed one hand on the wall of the sub and the other on her stomach. "Neo? Is something wrong?"

"I'm not sure," Neo replied. Penguin walked up to her. "I was trying to sleep, but this back pain won't stop. I was going to find L-Ah."

"Neo?" Penguin took Neo's hand. She squeezed it. "Maybe you should go lay back down."

"Penguin, I-Ah!" Neo squeezed his hand again. Her knees buckled. Penguin grabbed her and carefully lowered her to the floor.

"Neo!"

"Penguin! What's going on?" Shachi demanded, he and Bepo rushed over to them after hearing the commotion.

"Get the captain! Quick!" Penguin ordered.

"Right!" Shachi and Bepo shouted as they ran off.

"Hold on, Neo. The captain's coming," Penguin spoke softly as Neo continued wincing at the pain and squeezing his hand. She continued to focus on his voice until her vision started going dark. She barely heard Law's concerned voice as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Law picked her up and carried her into the infirmary. He laid her carefully on the exam table and started to check her vitals. Penguin stayed by her side, holding her hand, as Law continued to work on her. He wanted to ask his captain what was going on, but it was obvious Law didn't know.

Then her solar crystal appeared. It hovered above her stomach, spreading its warm healing magic over her body. Neo's pain filled expression soon vanished and she fell into a relaxed, peaceful sleep. The gathered crew let out a collective sigh of relief. Penguin squeezed her hand before speaking. "What was that? Is she all right now?"

"I don't know," Law replied softly. He placed her hand on her head. "At least she's resting peacefully now."

…

Neo opened her eyes to blurry vision, familiar beeping and wires attacked to her chest and stomach, monitoring her and the baby. She blinked, clearing her vision. When feeling someone's hand in hers, she turned her head to the left. A light smile formed on her lips. Of course it was Penguin. She didn't need to see Shachi and Bepo to know that they too were in the room.

When she started to sit up, Law appeared in her vision. He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back down. "Don't you dare even think about it."

"Law," She started to protest, but stopped when she saw the fear in his eyes. She reached up and cupped his face. "Sorry, love. I scared you again, did I? What happened?"

"I'm not quiet sure. With the symptoms you had, I think you almost when into premature labor. After you passed out, your solar crystal appeared," Law replied. He placed his hand over hers and brushed his thumb on her skin. She pulled her eyes away from him and looked at her solar crystal. It was still hovering above her stomach. She turned her eyes back to him when he spoke again. "I'm putting you on bed rest. I don't want this happening again. You are not allow to walk but for a few minutes a day. And no using your wings or your crystals. You are to do absolutely nothing but rest. If you need something, let me or the crew get it. Do you understand me?"

"Okay, Law, okay." She brushed her thumb over his cheek. "Lay down with me now."

Law did as she requested. With a kiss to the cheek, he snuggled up against her.

…

Neo rolled onto her side and reached for Law. When she didn't feel him, she sat up with a light gasp. Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on his figure walking back over to the bed. "I'm here, love."

"Don't scare me like that. I-I thought you were gone again. I thought you had..." Neo said, tears came to her eyes and she started crying. Law sat down and put his arms around her.

"Don't cry. I didn't mean to scare you," Law spoke comfortingly.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to. It's these darn hormones," Neo cried.

"I know. You don't have to apologize," Law kissed her temple. "Better now?"

"Yes," She nodded. Pulling back a little and studied him. He was obviously tired. She sighed. He hasn't left her side since her little scare last week. And he obviously was staying up nights to watch over her. "Law, you're doing it again."

"Sorry," Law mumbled.

"Law, you ca-"

"We're going back to Luminous," Law suddenly said, cutting her off. She gave him a questioning look as he continued. "I can't…I can't handle this."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not prepared enough to handle this on my own. I could have lost you last week," Law pulled away from her and placed his elbows on his knees. He laced his fingers together and pressed his thumbs to his forehead.

"But I'm okay now. Nothing has happened since."

"I know. But still, there's so much that could go wrong, and that's just with human pregnancies. You being an Elemental, there could be issues that could happen that we don't know about. There's just too much to chance feeling so unprepared as I do. I can't do it."

"Oh Law," Neo put her arm around his waist. He moved his hands to his elbows. She placed her hand over his and pressed her lips to his bare arm. "You should have told me sooner that you were feeling like this. It's okay. We can go back."

"I'm sorry, love. I just can't take any chances, not with this, not with you," Law brushed his thumb over her hand.

"I know," Neo kissed his arm again.

She suddenly gasped. Law automatically squeezed her hand. "What?! What is it?! Are you in pain again?!"

"Our son just kicked me," Neo smiled.

"Oh, geez, I really am unpre-," Law sighed heavily, running his free hand through his hair. He cut himself off and turned to her when he realized what she said. "Our son? It could be a girl, you know?"

"It's a boy. Somehow I can tell. I was debating on whether I should tell you or not. You've been so worried, I figured you could use some good news," Neo looked at her stomach then turned her attention back to him. She raised an eyebrow. "Or would you prefer a girl?"

Law opened his mouth to reply, but closed it. He thought about her words before answering her. He smiled and leaned closer to nuzzled against her. "I prefer a healthy baby. And for you, my love, to remain safe."

Neo nuzzled back against him. "Since we're on the topic of baby, there's been something I've wanted to talk to you about."

"And what's that?"

"I was thinking, since we're having a boy, we could name him after Rosinante," Neo smiled again when Law looked at her with a slightly stunned expression.

"You would…You would do that?"

"Of course. I know how much he meant to you. And I know how much you miss him," Neo took his hand and placed it on her stomach. Right on the spot where their baby was still kicking her. "I think he's going to be quite the rambunctious little boy. Just like his father."

Law couldn't help but smile and feel some pride in that. "You might be right. And I'd really like to name our son after Cora. I think he would like that. You should get some rest now."

"Only if you do too. You know I don't like it when you stay up watching me," Neo gave him her 'Or else' look.

"Okay," Law chuckled. She might not be as good as him where intimidation was concerned, but she sure could get him to bend over backwards for her and he knew it. He pecked her lips before she laid back against her pillows. He then leaned down to her stomach. "And you, little brat, I order you to settle down in there. Your mommy's tired and needs her rest."

"Law, you can't order a baby around," Neo chuckled. She ran her fingers through his hair.

"He settled down, didn't he?" Law smirked.

"That was just a coincident," Neo rolled her eyes as he laid down beside her, propped up on his elbow.

Law chuckled again. "You know, Cora would have loved you."

"You think so?"

Law nodded.

"I wish I could have met him. He sounds like such a great guy. Plus, he saved you."

"He was a great guy. I'm glad he did save me. Because he did that, I got to meet you."

"I'm glad he did too," Neo said as she pulled Law into an intense kiss.

"Mmm, settle down now," Law mumbled through their kiss. "You should be resting. Not trying to seduce me."

"Uh huh," Neo mumbled. When he tried to move away from her, she held him in place with vines.

"Neo," Law warned. "You're not supposed to be using your crystals."

She sighed and released him with a pout that she typically used to get him to do what she wanted. Law started to falter, but quickly caught himself.

"Don't give me that look, young lady. It's not going to work this time," Law chuckled. He kissed her forehead. "There will be plenty of time for that later."

"Okay, but you owe me."

"I guarantee I will make good on that," Law said suggestively as he ran his hand up and down her side, making her shiver and tense. "I still love the way your body reacts to me."

"Hn, and you said no seducing!" Law chuckled again before placing a light peck on her lips.

"Goodnight, my love."

"Goodnight."

…

Author's Notes: The Ending…Well, technically there's two more chapters and I was going to end it. But the more I think about the last chapter, what I have planned for it, the less it feels like an actual conclusion to the story. I only have a vague idea to continue with. I haven't been able to get anything to come together. :/ I would like to continue, but can't if I my ideas don't come together.

So what I'm thinking about doing is 'temporarily' ending it and see if I can get more chapters in order. And while I'm working on that, I'll continue with the one shots, and if anyone's interested, I'm thinking about doing a rewrite for A Frozen Soul & A Doctor's Orders that follows along with One Piece story line. I've thought of so many ideas for it that I really wanna do. ^_^ Hee Hee more cute Law and Neo moments!