Rest

Neo dipped her mop into the water bucket. Mindlessly, she pushed the wet mop over the main deck of the sub. Her mind was full of clouds, thinking of how it's been an entire week since the captain got sick. Her body was heavy from the lack of sleep she had been getting this past week. It told her to go laid down and get some rest but she wouldn't, or couldn't, listen to it.

"You know," Conner said, "you don't have to clean the deck. Its my duty for this week."

"I don't mind," Neo said. "It helps keep my mind off the captain."

"He's getting better," Conner said. "I'm sure he'll be back to normal any day now."

"I hope so," Neo said. "I miss sleeping with him."

"Yeah," Conner said. "I've noticed that you're not really yourself since he's been sick. Your reaction time to stuff is a lot slower than it should be."

"I'm sorry," Neo said. "I don't mean to be like that."

"It's not your fault," Conner said. "You've just become very attached to the captain. I believe this is just a normal reaction for you."

"Normal reaction?" Neo glanced over at him. He had both hands on top of the mop he was holding while resting his chin on his hands. "I guess so."

"You're just use to having the captain around," Conner said.

"Yeah." Neo nodded.

"Other than that, you are feeling okay, aren't you?" Conner asked. "You're not feeling sick?"

"No, I'm feeling all right," Neo said. "Penguin's been keeping a close eye on that as well."

"He's a good man, especially when it comes to you," Conner said. "I think he'll be more upset if you get sick than the captain would be."

Neo smiled. "You might be right."

"There you are," Shachi's voice said.

Neo turned just in time to see the man stepping out onto the deck.

"I've been looking all over for you," Shachi said.

"I'm sorry. I've been out here for a while," Neo said. "I'm helping Conner mop the deck."

"I can see that," Shachi said.

"Am I in trouble?" Neo asked.

"Of course not," Shachi said. "I was just looking for you because Penguin wants to see you."

"Oh?" Neo tilted her head.

"He's waiting for you at the captain's quarters," Shachi said jerking his thumb towards the door. "You should get going. Conner can finish up here."

"Oh, okay." Neo handed her mop to Conner when he held out his hand for it. She then headed inside and down the stairs. Like Shachi said, Penguin was leaning up against the wall waiting for her to come. "Shachi said you wanted to see me."

"I did." Penguin nodded. "Well, actually, the captain wants to see you."

"The captain?" Neo asked. Her heart hammered against her chest. "Is he all right? Did something happen to him?"

"He's fine," Penguin said. "Why don't you go in and see for yourself?"

"I can go inside now?" Neo looked over at the door noticing it was open about an inch or two.

"The captain has actually asked for you to come see him." He gave her a gently shove. "Go on inside. I'm going to head to the galley and get lunch started."

"Um, okay." Neo stepped closer to the door. Placing her hand on it, she pushed it open. A strong whiff of disinfectant filled her nose as the door opened more. Her eyes landed on the empty bed. She blinked in confusion before catching movement from the corner of her eye. Looking over to the closet she found Law pulling a hoodie over his bare chest and smiling face. Her face lit up. "Captain!" She ran over to him, pausing just short of his body. Her fingers curled around the tail of his hoodie when he released it. "You're okay! You are okay, aren't you? You're up. And smiling. Penguin told me to come in here. It's okay that I'm in here, right?"

Law chuckled. "Yes, Neo. It's fine for you to be in here now. I'm completely feeling better. Well, a little tired still. But all I need is a little more rest and I'll be back to a hundred percent."

"I'm so glad." Neo rubbed the tears from her eyes then took a hold of his shirt again. "I was worried about you."

"I know," Law said with a stroke of his hand to her hair. "Penguin has told me that you haven't been sleeping all that well."

"I haven't," Neo said. "But you're fine now. I'll be fine." She tensed when he placed his finger under her chin and took a deep look into her eyes. "What…what are you doing?"

"You're tired," Law said before looking over at the bed.

"I guess a little bit," Neo said. "But as long as I can sleep with you tonight I'll be okay."

"You need to take a nap," Law said bringing his eyes back to her. "But I'm tired of being in here. So let's go out on the deck."

"Um, okay," Neo said.

Law grabbed his sword from the wall between his bed and nightstand then headed for the door. "Let's go."

Neo rushed after him. Out in the hall she summoned a wind crystal and flew in front of him.

"What are you doing?" Law asked.

"Just making sure you're doing all right. Are you sure you're okay?" Neo asked as she flew backwards in front of him. Her eyes darted all over his face and body. "You don't look red. You don't look exhausted."

"I'm fine, Neo," Law said. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her feet back to the floor. "Now walk normal with me."

"Okay," Neo said. She banished her wind crystals and walked beside him while continuing to watch his face.

Law smiled at her when he caught her eye. He then looked up when Bepo appeared on the main floor with them.

"Oh, Captain," Bepo said. "You're looking better."

"Feeling better, too," Law said. "We're just heading out onto the deck. You want to come with us?"

"Sure thing," Bepo said. "It's a nice day so I was going to take a nap until lunch."

"Neo's going to take a nap as well," Law said.

"I am?" Neo asked, her eyes never leaving Law.

"You are," Law said before continuing on outside.

"Well, that's finally done for the day," Conner said while tossing the water from his bucket overboard. He then picked up the two mops on the deck and headed inside. "See you later. I'm going to grab myself a beer. Good to see you're feeling better, Captain."

Law nodded his thanks then sat down once Bepo was lying on the deck. He patted the space on his left side while laying his sword down. "Sit."

"Yes, sir." Neo sat down beside him. "But I don't really think I'll be able to sleep."

"Oh, yes you will." Law slipped his arm around her and pulled her to his chest. He smiled when her body became stiff against his. Forcing back his desire to tease her, he rubbed his hand over her back. "Just relax."

"O-okay," Neo squeaked. She exhaled but it still took her several minutes before her body would unwind and relax against him. The rhythm of his hand over her back caused her eyelids to become heavy. "I'm sleepy."

"I know you are," Law said. "You go ahead and sleep. I'm sure I stressed you out enough this past week."

Neo yawned and nodded. Closing her eyes she fell asleep.

Bepo lifted up his head. "She's been a real trooper this past week. Despite wanting to sleep with you she remained in my room."

"I'm glad," Law said. "She didn't need to get sick."

"Do you think she's really going to be all right living this kind of life with us?" Bepo asked.

"I believe she will," Law said. "She'll just adjust at her own pace and eventually learn who she is." He flinched at his own words. There was no way for them to know if she'd actually learn who, or what, she really is. "I meant she'd figure out who she'll want to be."

"I understood what you meant," Bepo said. "I'm just sad that we might never find anything out about her past and where she came from."

"Yeah." Law nodded. "But there's still the chance that we might learn that one day. I'm sure there are others somewhere out there. And with how much we sail around we're sure to bump into them at some point in time."

"I hope so," Bepo said. "But I also don't."

"What do you mean?" Law looked at his friend.

"She might have family that wants her back," Bepo said. "I really don't want to have to say goodbye to her."

Coldness settled into Law's chest. His eyes drifted down to the girl in his arms. He never really let himself think about that. Bepo was right. Neo could have family out searching for her or maybe someone who knew her family and would take her in. But did that really mean they would lose her? She was so dependent on him now. She could barely sleep while he was sick. No, she would never leave. He exhaled, releasing the coldness and the tension that was growing inside of him. He wouldn't let her go anyway. She belonged with them now. She belonged to him. No one was going to take her away from him.

Neo shifted against him.

"Don't worry, Neo," Law whispered into her hair. "I won't let anyone take you away from us."

Law watched her sleep for a while before her and Bepo's steady breath lulled him to sleep as well. He had no idea how long he slept but they all were woken up by a scream. "What the heck?"

"Captain!" Neo grabbed onto his hoodie, startled at being suddenly awake.

"Ah! What happened?! What's going on?!" Bepo asked. He jumped up and looked around. "Are we under attack?! Is it the navy?! Have they come back for revenge on us for destroying the ice machines?!"

"It's all right, Neo," Law said rubbing her back. "Its just Conner."

"Conner." Neo looked to the man and found him struggling against an octopus that had wrapped around his face. "It's an octopus."

Conner mumbled something from behind the octopus.

"What did he say?" Neo asked.

"Uh, Neo," Law said catching every word of the man's curse. "Will you help him out? He's having a bit of trouble breathing."

"Sure," Neo said. She stood up and walked over to the man and octopus. Reaching out, she placed her hand on one of its tentacles. She couldn't help but run her hand over its wet and bumpy skin. "There, there. It's all right. Will you let go of him? He needs to breath. Why don't you come to me instead?" The octopus looked at her before releasing him and going to her. "That's better."

Conner took a deep breath. "Stupid tentacle freak! I could have died!"

"What's going on out here?" Archer asked as he and Shachi rushed out on the deck. "We heard a scream."

"Conner just got hugged by an octopus," Law said with a smile.

"I thought we were under attack," Bepo said as he sat back down.

"And the thing didn't die from his bad body odor?" Archer asked.

"Shut up!" Conner snapped. "I almost suffocated!"

"Being a bit dramatic, aren't you?" Shachi asked.

"Let me wrap it around your face and see if you still think dramatic," Conner grumbled.

"It probably just wanted to play with you," Archer said. He walked over to get a better look at it. "Look at it. It's so cute."

"I'm going to chop it up for lunch!" Conner growled.

"No!" Neo hugged the creature to her chest. "You can't do that! He only came onboard because he wanted to know what I was! Please don't kill him!"

"Don't worry," Law said. "He's not going to kill it. He's just blowing off steam. Conner's not too fond of animals or sea creatures."

"I wouldn't count on it," Conner grumbled.

"Captain, can we keep it?" Neo turned to Law with a smile. "He wants to stay with me."

Law flinched at the pure innocence in her eyes. He should have known this would happen one day. Guilt filled his chest upon having to tell her no, but he knew they couldn't have any kind of pets on the sub. It wouldn't be fair to the animal at all. "I'm sorry, Neo. But we can't keep pets on the sub."

"Oh." Neo lowered her eyes to the deck.

"However," Law said being her eyes back to his, "you can keep it for a little while. But you have to let him go back to the sea when it gets dark."

"I can?" Neo asked.

Law nodded.

"Thank you, Captain!" Neo smiled then looked over at Conner.

"Don't you dare ask me to play with that thing!" Conner said. "I want absolutely nothing to do with it!"

"He won't bother you again," Neo said.

"No thank you." Conner walked passed her and headed back into the sub.

"He's just a gloomy cuss," Archer said.

"We'll stay out here and play with you," Shachi said.

"Thank you, guys," Neo said sitting down on the deck.

"So does he have a name?" Archer asked as he and Shachi followed her.

"He likes being called Prawn," Neo said.

"Prawn, huh?" Shachi said. "Not bad. Not what I'd pick for an octopus."

"He said it's his favorite food," Neo said.

"Oh," Shachi drawled.

"I didn't even know sea animals would know what to call other sea animals," Archer said. "I guess they're smarter than I gave them credit for."

"He says he's spent a lot of time around ships that throw nets into the water to catch fish," Neo said. "That's how he learned the name."

"Makes sense." Archer leaned back on his hands.

The octopus looked at the two men before snapping out a tentacle.

"Hey!" Shachi protested when the creature pulled his hat off his head. "Give that back!"

Archer laughed when the octopus placed the hat on its own head. "Looks like you two have the same taste in hats!"

"Very funny," Shachi said. He tried to pull the hat away from the octopus but it refused to release it.

"Please, give Shachi his hat back," Neo said. The octopus passed the hat back over to Shachi. "Thank you."

"Keep that up and I'll side with Conner on eating you," Shachi said placing his hat back where it belonged.

"No you won't!" Neo hugged the octopus. "The captain already said no!"

"I'm just teasing, Neo." Shachi ruffled her hair. "I won't do that to you. And I certainly won't go against the captain's orders. I don't care for the taste of octopus anyway."

"Well, all right then," Neo said. She looked down at the creature in her lap. "You behave yourself now."

The octopus stroked her cheek with a tentacle.

Neo giggled and stroked her hand down the tentacle. "His skin feels so weird. It's kind of slimy and there are bumps all over it. I like it. His suction cups tickle, too."

"He really likes you," Archer said when the octopus crawled upon her shoulder and pressed its suction cups to her cheeks. "I think he just gave you a kiss."

"What animal doesn't love or even like her?" Shachi crossed his legs. "I'm surprised we don't get more visits from animals since she's been onboard."

"Perhaps they know we'll eat them if they did," Archer said. "Or maybe they know we're pirates and just chose to stay away."

Shachi hummed. "Maybe."

"I can call up more animals if you want me to," Neo said.

"Don't worry about it," Shachi said. "We're just talking."

"That actually might be fun," Archer said.

"How so?" Shachi inquired.

"Conner hates animals." Archer smiled.

"Oh, I see," Shachi said.

"See what?" Neo asked. "What's going on?"

"We're just thinking about messing with Conner," Archer asked.

"Messing with him?" Neo blinked.

"Playing jokes on him," Shachi said. "He hates animals so it would be fun, for us, to put some in his bed and quarters."

"Oh, I think I understand," Neo said. "And this won't harm him or the animals?"

"Of course not," Archer said. "Well, no one should get hurt. Accidents do happen after all."

"I don't want anyone to get hurt," Neo said.

"Yeah, we know," Shachi said. "But it would be good for you to start joking around with the crew."

"Um, if you say so," Neo said. She glanced over at Law. "Is that all right, Captain?"

"I suppose it would be fine," Law said before giving his two men a stern look. "As long as you two take it easy with her around."

"We will," they chorused.

"Would you like a little water?" Neo asked before summoning a water crystal. She then pulled a stream of the seawater up to them and ran it over the octopus's skin. "That better? Good."

"She's so cute," Shachi said.

"Mhmm." Archer nodded.

"Maybe it's not such a good idea to let her keep the octopus for a while," Bepo said.

"She'll be fine," Law replied. "She has to understand that we can't have pets on the sub. But I also want her to understand that she's not completely banned from them either."

"I understand." Bepo laid back down and closed his eyes.

Law watched Neo as she continued to play with her new friend. He was disappointed that her nap had gotten interrupted but she appeared to be refreshed from the sleep she did get. And she'd get more sleep tonight, better sleep, since she'd be sleeping with him again. He could live with that as long as she wasn't drowsy. He turned from her when he saw someone step out on the deck from the corner of his eyes.

"She's having fun," Penguin said while Neo continued to fly the octopus around in the air with her crystals. "I'm going to hate to interrupt her, but lunch is ready."

"Thanks, Penguin," Law said. He stood up, reclaimed his sword, and walked over to Neo. "Time to eat, Neo. Put him down and let's go."

"Oh," Neo said taking the octopus back into her arms after wetting his skin. "Can't he come with us?"

Law opened his mouth to say no, but quickly shut it when she gave him big puppy eyes. And he did say she could play with the creature until it got dark. "All right. But you keep him in line. He's not to roam around the sub. And he's not to attack any of the crew."

"Yes, sir!" Neo nodded. "He'll behave!"

Law nodded then led everyone down to the galley. He watched as Neo sat down at her usual place beside him, unaware of the odd looks she and her new friend were getting. He addressed them, "I said she could bring it in the sub."

The crew nodded the started eating.

Neo pulled a couple fishes to her plate then looked at Law. "Would it be all right if I give him one of mine? He's hungry, too."

"All right," Law said. "But just one."

"Thank you, Captain," Neo said. She handed one of the grilled fish to the octopus. "You can have this one. You're welcome." She then turned to Penguin beside her. "I'm sorry I didn't come help you cook."

"Don't worry about it," Penguin said. "You were busy having fun. We can cook dinner together later."

"Okay." Neo nodded and turned back to her food. After they all finished, she helped Penguin clean up the dishes before leaving the galley. Just as she reached the stairs, Law came walking down them. "Hey, Captain?"

"What is it?" Law turned to her.

"I was just wondering if you would show me more of your powers now?" Neo asked.

"You want to see more of my powers?" Law asked. His eyes went to the octopus. It was now riding on her back with its tentacles wrapped around her shoulders and arms. "Where did this come from?"

"I'm not sure," Neo said. "I just remembered the things you did when you and the crew destroyed those ice machines. Plus, you said you would show me more one day."

Law chewed on the idea for a moment. He wasn't sure if she was ready to see the rest of his powers, but maybe he was being over protective of her. She asked him to see them after all. And they were drawing closer to Sabaody. It would be better for her to see them in a calm, controlled manner rather than in the heat of battle, which they might face once they arrived at their destination. "You sure you're feeling up to it?"

"I am." Neo nodded. "I mean, if you are. I know you just got done being sick. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"It's all right. I can handle some small demonstrations right now. So let's go back out on the deck," Law said heading back up the stairs.

Neo followed him.

Once out on the deck, Law looked around to find it empty of his crew. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. He sat down on the deck and signaled for Neo to do the same. "Now, some of my attacks might be scary to you, but remember they won't hurt either of us."

"I understand." Neo settled the octopus in her lap.

"Let's start with my Room." Law held out his hand. The smoke circled around his palm before spreading out over the deck.

Neo looked around the blue film before settling her eyes back on Law.

"As you know already, all of my attacks can only be preformed in this circle," Law said.

Neo nodded.

"Do you remember the move I showed you before?" Law asked.

"The one where you cut up the flower?" Neo asked.

Law nodded. "That was Amputate. I can do that to anyone and anything. I'll show you by using myself."

"Are you sure?" Neo asked.

"I'm sure. It won't hurt a bit," Law said. He waited for Neo to nod before removing his left index finger.

Neo gasped again. Her eyes filled with fear as she watched Law's finger floating above his hand. "There's…there's no blood."

"That's correct."

"And it doesn't hurt at all?"

"Not at all. I can also attach my finger to any surface." Law stuck his finger onto the deck.

"Does it still work?"

"Why don't you touch it and see?"

Neo swallowed. Hesitating, she reached out and touched Law's finger. She jumped when it appeared to move on it's own. "Oh! It moved!"

"I'm still attached to it," Law said.

"That's odd," Neo said. "You're clearly not attached to it but you are because you can still move it."

"I suppose it is a bit weird." Law put his finger back on his hand. "Next is an advanced edition of Amputate. It's called Radio Knife." He unsheathed his sword to demonstrate. The sword crackled with electricity. "I can also use this move to sever people but in addition it also gives them an electric shock. But unlike Amputate this move the person I cut up can't reassemble themselves for a while."

"Wow. What else can you do?" Neo asked.

Law smiled at how interested she was in his power now. It was proof that she had more confidence in herself and he was just being over protective of her. "Personality Transplant Surgery allows me to switch people's minds."

"What does that mean? I don't understand," Neo said.

"Well, say I were to have Bepo and Penguin come out here," Law said. "And I used this on them. I can put Penguin's mind into Bepo and Bepo's mind into Penguin's body. That way Bepo would be in control of Penguin's body while Penguin would be in control of Bepo's body."

"That sounds scary," Neo said hugging the octopus.

"Takt is a move that I use to lift things up," Law said. He placed his sword on the deck and did a demonstration for her. "Takt. See?"

"Wow!" Neo eyed the floating sword.

Law then picked his sword back up and moved it in front of him from left to right. "Scan."

"What's that?" Neo asked.

"It's like taking an x-ray. By using this I can see if anyone is carrying something on them like a transponder snail or a weapon. I can also use this to find weak points on a person's body."

"Are you looking for weak points on me?"

"No, not really," Law said. "I was just checking your health at bit and making sure you have no injuries."

"Oh," Neo said. "So what else can you do?"

"I can remove a person's heart using Scalpel," Law said.

"I don't understand," Neo said. "Our hearts are inside of our bodies. Do you cut them out?"

"Not really," Law said.

"Will you show me?" Neo asked.

"It might scare you," Law said.

"I still want to see it," Neo said.

"Well, all right." Law placed his finger to his chest. "Scalpel."

Neo gasped when his heart popped out of his chest inside of a blue square leaving an identical square in Law's chest. "That's your…" Her face turned green when the heart pulsed. "I don't feel so good."

"I'm sorry." Law put his heart back. "I didn't think it would make you feel sick. Take a few slow, deep breaths." He touched her forehead as she did what she was told. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah." Neo nodded. "I don't want to see that again."

"You won't have to," Law said. "I'll try avoiding using it around you."

"Thank you."

"Next is my Counter Shock." Law held up his thumbs just before they started crackling. "It releases a strong electrical surge that can restore the normal rhythm of a person's heart. It can also kill them by stopping their heart. Injection Shot is kind of like a gun. I place my sword tip on someone and fire." He held up his hand again forming a blade of energy, pale green in color. "This is my Gamma Knife. This attack destroys my victim's internal organs without leaving external wounds. Then there's Sterben. I can use that to spin my sword or whatever weapon I choose."

"Is that it?" Neo asked.

"There is another move I have, but I'm not sure I should tell you about it," Law said.

"Why not?" Neo asked. "Is it something bad?"

"It can be," Law said. "I think I'll hold off for a while before telling you about that one."

"Oh, okay," Neo said. "You know what's best. But there was something familiar about your attacks."

"What do you mean?" Law asked.

"They sounded like some of the medical words I've heard you use before," Neo said.

"That's because the op op devil fruit is a medical fruit," Law said. "It takes someone with great medical knowledge to actually use it to its full potential."

"And you're a doctor," Neo said.

"That's right," Law said. "So I can make better use of this devil fruit than the majority of everyone else."

"Can you use it on yourself? Other than the heart removing thing?"

"I can. And I have," Law said. "Do you remember when I told you that I was sick with White Lead Syndrome?"

"Um, I think so," Neo said. "We were on your bed. That's when I told you about myself and my necklace."

"I was able to remove that illness from my body," Law said.

"Then why didn't you remove the flu from your body?" Neo asked.

"It's not a perfect devil fruit, Neo," Law said. "Even with this devil fruit I'm still susceptible to colds and the flu."

"Susceptible?"

"It means I can still get sick," Law said.

"Have you used your powers on the crew?" Neo asked.

"In friendly ways," Law said choosing his words carefully so he wouldn't upset or scare her. "I can preform surgeries on them when they're hurt and not leave scars like normal surgery would have."

"Will I see all of this someday?" Neo asked.

"You probably will," Law said. "We're going to be getting into more fights soon. Sabaody is going to have a lot of pirates and bounty hunters on it. We could get into a lot of fights there."

"Oh." Neo frowned.

"Try not to worry about it," Law said. "With you around I'll avoid as many fights as possible. But you're going to have to get use to them. As pirates they can't always be avoided."

"I understand," Neo said. "I think. I just don't want any of you to get hurt."

"I know you don't," Law said. "But getting hurt is just a part of life."

Neo nodded. "I've been hurt a lot."

"I know. But it's not going to happen again," Law said. "I won't let anyone hurt you like that ever again."

"Thanks, Captain." Neo smiled.

Law nodded.

"Do you think we'll have anymore devil fruit users on the crew?" Neo asked.

"Possibly," Law said. "It all just depends on the situation and on you."

"On me?" Neo asked.

"I know you're still afraid of strangers," Law said. "So when we have the possibility of adding a new crewmate, I'll let you get to know them before they come onboard the sub."

"Think that will work?" Neo asked. "We don't always spend a lot of time on islands."

"I think it'll be just fine," Law said.

Neo gnawed on her bottom lip.

"Don't worry about it right now," Law said. "I'm not really looking for anyone. If someone of interest shows up we'll discuss it then."

"Okay." Neo nodded. "Are you still feeling okay?"

"Yes, Neo," Law said.

"So will it be all right if we just rested here for a while?" Neo dropped her eyes to the deck before flickering them back up to Law.

"Of course it's fine," Law said.

"That's good." Neo continued to flicker her eyes from the deck to him.

Law studied her for a minute before realizing what it was she was wanted but too shy to ask for. He shifted his position and leaned against a pole of the railing then held up his arm. "Come here."

Neo smiled. She shifted closer to him and leaned against him, her body stiffened up like always even though she wanted to lean against him.

Law smiled himself as she busied herself with the octopus again.