Karmen wakes in the castle's hospital wing as the sun begins to set. She is the only member of the crew still being treated after the battle with Baroque Works, but there are plenty of soldiers. She feels stitches in her thigh where Mr. 6's tranquilizer dart had ripped a gash and bandages around her torso. She is relieved to find that she cannot move her left hand, which she had paralyzed with deadbolt, even though it feels like it is on fire. She breathes through her nose, not trusting herself not to scream in agony if she opens her mouth. Someone had put her in a green dress, soft enough to fit a princess, that's cut just right to cover her injuries. Something tells her it belongs to Vivi. Her hair is down. It had been washed and combed and treated with excellent product. She can tell just by the scent.

"Karmen! I was worried about you!" She turns her head to look at Chopper. "The tranquilizer that man used was made from the red poppy, a close relative to bloodroot. If you hadn't built up a tolerance for it then you might have lost your fight. The sunblade got into the cut on your hand. I washed most of it off. Does it still hurt?" She gives a tight nod. "Do you want the antidote?" Her jaw clenches tighter as she debates with herself for just a moment before she shakes her head once. She reaches out her right hand and holds Chopper's hoof and gives a long blink in thanks. "Vivi figured it out from your note. If you feel like it, you can talk to one of us about it later." She gives him another long blink and touches the "X" tattoo on her left arm. "Everyone's fine. We have a room down the hall that they gave us to rest in." Karmen nods her head towards the door and manages a small smile. "Are you sure?" She nods. "Alright. Just ask a guard if you get lost, ok?" She nods again and watches him leave the wing. She notices two bottles sitting on the table next to her bed. She cracks the scab on her knuckle and rubs antidote into her bloodstream and waits for the pain to subside. When the sun starts to fade, she does the same with the other bottle.

The sun sets completely before she can feel her fingers again. She slips out of the hospital bed and makes her way through the palace. She finds what she's looking for on the first floor: a flaming lamp. Unclenching her stiff fingers, she removes and unfolds the damp wadded picture that Mr. 6 had shown her. Her left hand is still too cramped to tear the waxy paper, so she uses her teeth instead. She can barely lift her right hand far enough to throw the pieces into the fire. She watches until they burn into cinders.

"I see you're finally awake, Miss Secretary."

Karmen spins around to find King Cobra and Igaram in the hallway. She drops into a quick one handed curtsy. "Your majesty. I heard you were injured. Shouldn't you be resting?" She looks at Igaram. "And you're the mayor from Whiskey Peak. No. Vivi called you a squad captain. I'm glad you're alive."

"We're fine," says the king.

"It's nice to finally meet you, ma'am. The princess has informed me of your wonderful companionship aboard the ship." Igaram nods appreciatively towards her.

"I'm just a secretary," she says. "It was Vivi who was a pleasure to have with us. She is a wonderful woman. You both must be very proud."

"She grew stronger thanks to you and your crew," says Cobra. "If you're going to be up a while longer, would you like to join me in the garden? It's a little more private since all the guards out there are patrolling the walls."

Karmen stiffens, gripping the remaining object in her hand, but the king's gentle smile coaxes her to accept. They make their way outside and sit on a bench framed by mid-height desert flowers. Igaram stands a few feet away and faces them. "How long have you known?"

"Since I watched them take off your veil. I'm a king. It's my job to know the people."

"And what will you do with this information?" Her left hand tightens around the object.

"I've already done it," the king says. "I gave the order to a trusted few that anyone who attempts to reveal your identity will be imprisoned until you are gone."

Karmen stares up at the king, slack-jawed. Her hand relaxes. "You aren't going to send me back? Even though you know? If word spreads it will only mean trouble for you."

"Alabasta is a strong kingdom and I have my own sway with the government. So long as you're happy where you are and travel under your own free will I see no reason to change your course."

Karmen holds up the gold ring that she took off of Mr. 6. Her left hand still spasms from the toxins in her system. "The crew doesn't know. I have confidence in their strength, and I like them very much, but I may just cause them more trouble. Am I doing the right thing by staying with them?"

"You just watched them save a country and you're still asking that?" Igaram asks.

Karmen looks out at the desert to the west. "Crocodile was the weakest of the warlords and my homeland is nothing like this kingdom. Our kings and authorities are not kind like you. I know the crew is strong, and I've watched them get stronger, but I keep wondering if they'll be strong enough to face what I know is waiting for us. The man that I fought today knew who I was. He had orders to take me back. I left him alive, even though I knew he'd tell them where I am. I had hoped to stay hidden for a little while longer. I'm too weak to save anyone as I am now."

"You left him alive because you had confidence in yourself and your crew. If you were truly weak, you would have killed him on the spot. You grew stronger so that you can help them face what lies ahead, didn't you? You've proven that strength in battle today." Karmen stares up at the king. "Hold that feeling in your heart, and you will grow to be strong enough to protect what you hold dear. When you are ready to tell them the truth, I feel they will help you with any hardship you have to bear."

Karmen looks at the king for a long time. "Nefertiti Cobra, you are a wise man, fit to rule any country. Vivi is lucky to have you as a father."

Both men smile at her. "What was the name you go by now?"

"Valentine W. Karmen."

"Then, Miss Valentine, know that you always have a place here in Alabasta."

"Thank you, your Majesty."

Cobra shows Karmen to the room where the rest of the crew are sound asleep. Vivi sits in a chair by the window. Karmen gives her a warm smile. "Thank you for everything."

Cold Comfort

Karmen stand in front of the rest of the crew with her arms crossed. "I tell you guys to do one thing for me and look at you all! If you're not stabbed there's something broken."

"We're sorry," they reply together.

"You're lucky Vivi's taken care of your clothing! I don't have the fabric to patch up all holes you came back with. And you!" She points an accusing finger at Zoro. "Are your stomach and back the only things you protect? That bandana and stomach scarf were the only things salvageable!"

"What about your dress?" Zoro asks defensively. "You just finished it and you let it get shredded."

A dark gloom settles over Karmen as she picks up the remains of her beloved outfit. "It can be salvaged… somehow. The rip up the skirt adds mobility. I'll figure something out."

"Now look at what you've done you crap swordsman!" Sanji yells.

"I'm just saying that she can't be left out of this. They had to stitch her up too."

"I'm not insanely strong like you guys are. Thanks to my training it took six tranquilizer darts to take me down. Making it out of my first real fight with just a few stitches should be acceptable."

"Of course it is, sweet Karmen," Sanji sighs happily. "Yell at me as much as you like. It's only further proof that you care."

Karmen ignores him and turns to Luffy. "And you! You nearly get yourself killed by a guy who uses scorpion venom and get an antidote and you don't bring me samples of either?" She smacks the captain over his rubber head with the ship's log. "At least wake up when someone is yelling at you!" Unphased, Luffy snores on.

Another muscle spasm shoots through Karmen and she's forced to sit on the nearest bed, log book clattering to the floor. She holds her left wrist and leans over it until the shaking stops. She rubs her right leg absentmindedly as control returns. "You're not recovered yet either!" Chopper says. "You need to rest until the deadbolt and tranquilizers are out of your system."

Nami picks up the logbook and sets it on the bed next to Karmen. "I get it," she says smiling. "You won't have any adventures to write about if we're all stuck in bed recovering."

"And we can't enjoy your tea if we're too bandaged up to hold a cup," Usopp comments.

Karmen smiles over at her crew, touching the tattoo on her arm. "Everyone, let's get stronger together."

They all agree heartily.

[After the men peek into the women's bath]

Sanji finds Karmen on the roof. "I'm not going to convince Nami to drop the 100,000 berries you owe her for peeking, if that's what you're here to ask. I have half a mind to charge you myself. Why is Zoro the only one of you with any sense when it comes to things like that?" She looks over her shoulder at him as he lights a cigarette.

"Those bruises on your back looked painful."

"I was shot four times at close range, what did you expect?"

"I was talking about the dark black boot prints."

Karmen places a hand on her shoulder. "I gave him a good dose of sunblade, so we're even."

"If you hurt just say so." His voice is firm, but not demanding. "Men like us suck it up and say it's not so bad because it's a matter of pride and makes us look cool. But women like you, Nami, and Vivi have a special gift. You can show how strong you are through vulnerability. Even when you're weak from drinking poison you still care and clean for us without complaint. Let us take care of you every once in a while. It'll make us feel useful."

"You all are plenty useful," Karmen responds, trying not to let on how many bad memories that word brings up for her. With the people who sent the bounty hunter after her you were either useful or dead. "You cook and protect. I'm just getting started."

"But you have started." He takes another drag. "Why not sit back and let us take care of the heavy lifting for a few days until you're better?"

She sighs and tests the mobility of her right arm, finding that she still can't lift it more than a few inches above shoulder level. "I think I may be able to manage that. Thank you, Sanji." She turns to go back downstairs. "And Sanji, women hurt because they care. I hurt plenty."

Sanji smiles. "I feel useful already."

When Karmen returns to the room Nami points to a local newspaper. "Igaram said there was an article you should see. He left it open to it."

Karmen picks up the paper and begins to read with growing horror. "How awful."

"What is it?" Luffy asks.

"That guy that I fought, Mr. 6. Apparently he ate a desert strawberry spider on his way to Alubarna the other day. He was found deceased hours after I left him. They searched his stomach and located the remains of the spider. He was dead before we even crossed toxins." Karmen silently thanks Igaram for letting her know that her secret is safe a little while longer. The only question is: Did he really take the time to stop to eat a strawberry or had he been deemed no longer useful?