A Stranger

Part 2

"How's she doing?" Neo asked.

"She's doing fine. The Elemental medicine is working," Law replied. "It shouldn't be too long before she's awake."

"That's good to hear," Neo said. Law instantly picked upon the uncertainty in her voice. He turned to her and studied her. She didn't have Corazon with her so he assumed their baby was with Penguin. She had her arms crossed and was cautiously looking at the strange woman laying on the operating table.

Law walked over to her and wrapped her in his arms. "Still cautious around strangers."

"Sorry," Neo sighed, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Don't be. It's a good thing. Especially with Cora here," Law said while trailing kisses on her forehead, cheek and down to her neck. She hummed and tilted her head so he could get to her neck better. He smiled against her skin. "Hm, you taste so good."

"Lucky me," Neo chuckled. As she slipped her arms up to his neck, he slid his hands down to her thighs and lifted her up. She wrapped herself around him and locked their lips together. He started to walk her towards the door, but stopped when a soft moan was heard from the only other person in the room. The two sighed. "Figures."

"Yeah," Law kissed her again before allowing her to pull away from him. The two walked over to their awaking guest.

She moved her head a couple times before opening her eyes. She turned her head and looked at Law and Neo with dark green, almost black, eyes. Neo smiled, but remained cautious. "Hi there."

"W-Who are you?" The woman asked.

"We're pirates," Law replied. The woman just blinked.

"Law," Neo elbowed him. "That might not be the best thing to say to someone first waking up in a strange place."

Law just shrugged and crossed his arms. "It's true. I'm the captain of the Heart Pirates."

"We found you floating in the ocean," Neo said, ignoring Law.

"You have a slight infection in your wound, but it will be fine in a couple days," Law said.

"Then you saved me," The woman smiled at Law. Neo twitched.

"She's the one who actually saved you," Law jerked his thumb at Neo.

"Well, my thanks goes to your little sister then," The woman kept her eyes on Law. Neo frowned at the woman's actions and for calling her Law's sister.

"She's my wife," Law frowned. He hooked his arm around Neo's waist and pulled her closer to emphasize his point.

"Oh, my mistake and apologizes. So where am I?" The woman asked. She sat up and looked around the room.

"You're on our ship," Law said. He glanced down at Neo when she snuggled closer to his side. He gave her a comforting squeeze before continuing to talk to the woman. "Mind telling us how you ended up in the ocean? Were you attacked or something?"

"I'm not really sure," The woman turned to them and curled her feet under her. "I was sitting with my family in our living room when everything suddenly when black, then the next thing I know I'm here. But I'm thinking that might not be such a bad thing since you're a magical creature too."

Neo's body automatically flinched. Law tightened his hold on her, letting her know he was still there. "Uh, y-yes, I am."

"I thought so," The woman smiled. "I'm not sure what you are, but I can tell you have control over the elements. Am I right?"

"Yes," Neo nodded. "I'm an Elemental."

"Elemental, huh?" The woman tapped her chin. "I believe I've heard of your people before. It was a long time ago so I'm unsure of the details."

"And what magical creature are you? What's your name?" Law asked.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Isleen. And I'm a fairy," Isleen smiled at them. She laid back down on her right side, facing them. The opening of the wrap fell open. It revealed her long tan leg all the way up to her hip. Neo twitched at the position the woman was putting herself in and tightened her hold on Law.

"Is your home around here? We can drop you off," Law said, sensing Neo's discomfort and her possessiveness but not saying anything. He gave her another squeeze to let her know everything was fine.

"I highly doubt you're anywhere near my home. But that's all right. Once I've regained my strength I can just teleport home," Isleen answered. "So don't worry yourselves over that."

"You can teleport?" Neo asked.

"Yup," Isleen nodded and shrugged. "It's a simple trick, but it comes in handy."

"How long will it take you to regain your strength?" Law asked.

"A couple days," Isleen said with confidence. The woman's eyes locking onto the pirate captain. "Would it be all right if I stay here? I don't want to be a burden. I'm just not exactly use to being around humans."

Law looked down at Neo. "She can stay if you are fine with it. It's completely your decision, love."

"I guess so," Neo returned his gaze. "It's not like she has anywhere else to go."

Law nodded while keeping his eyes locked onto Neo's. They forced themselves to look back at their guest. "You can stay. As long as you don't cause trouble for my wife and crew."

"Aye Aye, Pirate Captain," Isleen saluted.

"You should stay here and rest," Law said as he turned Neo towards the door. "I'll be back later to check on your wound. And we'll get you something to eat."

"Thank you. I'll be waiting for your return," Isleen smiled.

Law nodded then guided Neo out of the room. Neo huffed. "Could she have been more obvious?"

"Obvious about what?" Law asked. Neo turned her confused eyes up at him thinking 'How could he have missed all of that woman's advances?'. When she locked eyes with him, she understood. He smirked at her.

"You are such a wonderful husband," Neo hugged him. "You always know what I need right when I need it."

Law chuckled then kissed her temple.

…

"Do you really think she's a fairy?" A crew mate asked.

"I dunno. I've never seen one before," Another crew mate said. Some of the crew were gathered in the galley talking about their new guest. They all were unsure and on guard about this stranger, but that was understandable considering Neo's past and with Corazon on board. They wanted to make sure their little sister and their baby boy were safe.

"What do you think, Neo?"

"I'm not really sure what to think," Neo replied honestly. She stared down at the rice dish she was preparing for the crew and their guest. "I know for sure that she's a magical creature. And I do sense that she does have teleporting abilities. But…"

"You're still cautious around her because of your past," Penguin finished for her. He was holding Corazon on his lap while the baby banged toys on the table. "It's understandable that you feel like that. We'll keep a close eye on her."

"I figured you all were gonna do that anyway," Neo smirked over at her crew. They returned guilty looks but nodded.

"Is she really a fairy though?" A crew mate asked. "She doesn't have wings. And what about her magic? All she can do is teleport?"

"I wouldn't know. Remember, I don't know that much about magical creatures either. I barely know about my own people. But I suppose it's possible that not all fairies have wings," Neo flicked her own wings. "I never would have thought before that I'd have wings. And that I could hide them. And I'm not even a fairy."

"True," The crew said simultaneously with nods.

"As for her magic, I suppose she can do more than teleport. I can sense something else besides that abilities. But I'm not going to pry. If she wants to tell us about her abilities then she can, if not then she doesn't have to. Remember, I didn't like talking about mine with you all. And I still don't like sharing that information with strangers," Neo looked at them. "And I don't want you all prying either."

"Yes, ma'am," The crew chorused.

"Supper's ready, goofballs," Neo chuckled while filling a tray with Isleen's supper. She then headed for the door, pausing to kiss Corazon's head. Corazon giggled as he continued to bang his toys on the table. "I'm gonna take this to Isleen now."

…

Law remained quiet as he checked Isleen's wound. He could feel the woman's eyes running all over him. He did his best to ignore her and show her signs of being annoyed, but he got the distinct feeling she was just ignoring his attempts as much as he was ignoring her attempts. He caught a glimpse of her smirking. "Well, Doctor Pirate? Am I going to live?"

Law grunted. "You knew that when you first woke up."

"Yes, but that was hours ago," Isleen said, running her eyes over his chest again. "Something could have happened since then."

Law huffed. "Your injury is just fine. The infection is going away. And nothing new has popped up."

"I'm so glad," Isleen gave a sigh of relief. "You're such a good doctor. I'm gonna have to do something to properly thank you for saving me."

Law narrowed his eyebrows and frowned. He made sure to keep his eyes on his medical supplies that he was currently using. He cast a glance over at the door, sensing Neo was there and heard what Isleen had said, then back to his supplies. "I told you before, Neo is the one who saved you."

"But your the one with the medical experience," Isleen said while purposefully moving her leg to brush against his while pretending it was an accident. "Sorry, I was getting stiff from sitting still for so long."

Law lowered his voice so Neo wouldn't hear him. "Stop pretending you're not trying to flirt with me. I know exactly what you're trying to do here. And you will immediately stop doing it. Neo is my love, my wife. My loyalty and love belongs to her, and only her. While she has given you permission to stay on board, that does not mean you have the right to do as you please. If you do anything to hurt her, in any kind of way, I will kill you."

"Hm," Isleen leaned back and studied him, undaunted by his threat. She lowered her voice to match his. "Interesting… At first glance, I didn't take you to be the submissive type at all. And I still don't believe you are, but it seems that you are submissive, at least a little bit, to that girl."

Law gritted his teeth and glared at Isleen. He didn't like the way this woman was referring to his love. Before he could do or say anything to her, Neo finally walked into the room. "Supper's ready."

"Great! I'm starving!" Isleen pulled her feet back onto the exam table. Neo handed her the tray and she started eating. Law glanced at Neo, but she didn't return the look. He sighed and put up his medical supplies. "Wow! You're such a good cook!"

"Thank you," Neo said softly without making eye contact. "I didn't know what you would like."

"This is just fine," Isleen smiled.

"That's good to hear," Neo replied.

"We'll be going now," Law said. He walked over to Neo and put his arm around her, guiding her away from Isleen. "Someone else will be back later for the dishes."

Neo didn't protest as Law guided her out of the medical bay. Law waited until they were far enough away from the room to speak to her. "I'm sorry. Next time I'll have one of the crew come in with me. She won't be allow to talk like that again."

"Law, she's just being grateful," Neo replied with her eyes glued to the floor.

"Neo," Law said in his warning tone. He sighed when Neo flinched. He then tilted her chin up so she would look at him and went back to his normal tone. "Love, I know you were listening. And I know you understood what that tone she was using meant."

"Law, really, it's fine," Neo gave him a light smile. "My trust in you is absolute. I know you put her in her place when you lowered your voice so I couldn't hear what you said."

A flash of guilt ran across his features before he smirked devilishly at her. "I'm still having a crew member with me when I go in there."

"Fine. If it makes you feel better," Neo shot him a playful smirk.

"Uh huh," Law raised an eyebrow at her. He knew she wanted him to do just that. She just wouldn't admit it. He pressed her against the wall and pinned her there with his body. He took on his playful, possessive tone. "Don't worry, love. I know you're glad I won't be alone with her again. I belong to you and only you. You should have just come right out and said it. You know I disapprove of you keeping your thoughts in."

Neo stuck her tongue out at him. "Keeping my thoughts in? I can't do that when you always know what I'm thinking."

Law chuckled. "True…But you need to tell me how you feel."

"Fine," Neo surrendered quickly known it's better to just get it over with. "I don't like how she was talking to you. I don't like the looks she gives you. And I love that you're not going to ever be alone with her again."

"Good girl," Law kissed her. He mumbled into their kiss. "I'll punish you later for having me to force that confession out of you."

"Well, I can't wait then," Neo giggled.

"Hm," Law hummed. "Maybe we shouldn't wait."

"But supper-"

"Can wait," Law mumbled while picking Neo up. She locked her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. "Cora with the crew?"

"Yup. Our little baby is with our big babies," Neo chuckled when Law scoffed at her referring to the crew as babies again. He turned to carry her towards their room, but only made it a few steps.

"Hey, Cap-Oooh," Shachi's voice trailed off when he noticed the situation he just interrupted. He chuckled nervously. "Sorry about…uh…We were just wondering what was taking so long. And…um…"

Law sighed and grumbled as he dropped his face to her shoulder. "Interrupted again." "Poor baby," Neo giggled while stroking the back of his neck. "We're coming, Shachi."

"Uh huh," Shachi turned and dashed down the hall.

"And before you say it, don't," Neo warned. "You're not going to kill anyone."

"Yeah, yeah," Law grumbled while Neo dropped from his hold. She wrapped her arms around his and pulled him towards the galley.

…

Author's Notes: Oh things are heating up, aren't they? Thanks for the reviews! I love them! You all are so nice. ^_^ Hugs for all!