Protectors
"We've been here for almost two weeks and I still can't get over how just about everything here is made of crystals," Archer said while twirling his silver colored crystal fork in his between his fingers. He lowered his hand and looked over the dinning room. A few maids were gathering up the empty dishes to take back to the kitchen. "I can't get over living in a castle either. This is just so opposite of living on the sub. It's weird."
"Yeah. I miss eating with Neo the most," Conner said with a low sigh. He mindlessly jammed his fork into his mashed potatoes while one of the castle maids cleared an empty plate from the table.
"I miss her food. Don't get me wrong, this elemental food is wonderful," Jean Bart said. They all mumbled their agreements. "It's just not the same. I guess I'm just use to eating what Neo cooks for us. Or maybe it's the way she flavors the food."
A couple elemental maids and butlers frowned at the pirates revealing their princess cooks for them. One of them mumbled, "This is an outrage. It's not proper for a princess to cook."
"Hey! She-" Shachi hissed.
"Let it go, Shachi," Archer said, cutting the other man off. The maid wandered into the kitchen without another word to the pirates. "Remember, their culture is different from ours. Royalty doesn't typically do normal everyday stuff. And we're only guests here. Let's try to avoid arguments for Neo's sake. You know she'll want us to behave."
"Yeah, I know, I know," Shachi grumbled. He slumped in his chair and crossed his arms. "I'm just really missing her. I feel like there's a huge hole in my very soul without her around."
"We all feel that way," Archer said. "I've become so accustom of hearing her laughter. The bells are so beautiful. I miss it."
"Speaking of our little princess, Penguin, are you going to take the captain something to eat?" Jean Bart asked.
Penguin, who had been sitting quietly, looked at the man. He parted his lips to answer, but before he could form one, Bepo spoke up.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to take it to him this time," Bepo said looking at the hatted man.
"That's fine," Penguin replied. He propped his elbow upon the table and rested his hand in the palm of his hand with a gloomy expression on his face. "You've been pretty worried about the captain since you're the closest thing to a best friend he has besides Neo. It'll do you both some good to spend time together. Even if the captain won't speak."
"Hey, at least the poison is leaving her system," Shachi said, trying to cheer up his gloomy friend. "That's a good thing."
"Didn't the healer say it should be out of her system soon?" Conner asked. When he voiced that question, all of the elementals in the room paused to hear what the answer would be. It didn't matter where the pirates were, whenever they mentioned Neo the elementals would stop whatever they were doing and wait for the answer.
"Yeah." Penguin nodded. "She said it should be out of her system within the next week. But her fever is still high and she contracted an infection. They can't get her fever to come down yet. So she has no idea when Neo's going to wake up. She also said that if Neo's fever would just come down then her solar crystal would be able to help heal her body. Apparently, her body is still too weak to use her crystals."
Satisfied with the information, the elementals turned from the pirates and went about their business. Things fell quiet between the pirates for a few minutes after that. Jean Bart then asked, "Where's Kailen? I haven't seen him since breakfast. Actually, he hasn't been around much these last few weeks."
"He's running around Luminous with delegates to try and answer all of the remaining questions and concerns about Neo," Shachi answered. "Apparently some of them are still having issues with the idea of their princess leaving Luminous once she's healed. I wonder who told them about that."
"It might have been Selene," Bepo said. "We've all been too worried about Neo to speak about that. She and the other healer were the only ones close when we had that conversation. Unless someone else was hiding close by."
"It doesn't matter," Archer said. "They would have found out anyway. Better to just get it out in the open."
"Let's just hope things smooth over soon," Conner said with a low huff.
"Things will go a lot easier once Neo is awake," Archer said. "We're all still on edge with her being sick."
"Yeah." A round of agreements passed through the pirates and even some of the elementals who were still lingering around the dinning room.
"Well, I should take the captain his dinner now," Bepo said while standing up from his chair.
"I have it right here," Topaz said, holding out a dome covered tray to the bear.
Penguin looked up at the fire elemental. While he didn't want to get attached to anyone here, he had to admit that he liked this elemental. She wasn't as pushy as the others seemed to be. She gave him the impression she wouldn't care if her princess did decide to stay with them on the Polar Tang.
"Thanks, Topaz," Bepo said with a nod as he took the tray from her.
"Please, give my well wishes to the princess," Topaz said with a sweet smile.
"I will," Bepo replied with a nod and smile of his own. The bear then regarded his crewmates one last time before leaving the castle. Stepping outside he was greeted with the moon hanging low on the horizon. It wasn't a full moon but it was still big enough for him to see the sub. A few days after Neo had been taken to the ward they had finally moved it. They wanted to sleep in their own beds but the sub was too far away from the ward. So they had been bouncing back and forth between sleeping in the castle and sleeping just outside of the ward, under Neo's window.
Turning from the sub, he entered into the ward and walked down the growing familiar hall. Like always two of the crew was still standing guard at Neo's room. He nodded to them then entered into the room. Countless flower scents met his nose each time he came into the room. The elementals have been sending apology and get well flowers, stuffed animals, homemade gifts, and cards to their sick princess. The room was filled with them so much so that most of the gifts had to be moved into the castle. Yet more came each day.
Bepo looked around the room. Healer Zinnia was sitting at a desk she had formed from crystals. She regarded the bear with a quick glance before turning her eyes to the paper she was writing on. If the healer wasn't tending to other patients she was in here keeping a close eye on Neo. During the first week the healer didn't leave the ward. Then in the second week she felt Neo was stable enough for her to wander farther away.
The bear drew his eyes to the other side of the room. A bed had been created for Law to use. But he knew the captain would never use it. When Law did lie down, it was right beside Neo on her right side as if they were in their room on the sub. Occasionally he or another member of the crew would catch him with his eyes closed, but they knew he wasn't sleeping at all. Law always opened his eyes when someone came in the room. If the tired captain did sleep, it was only for a few minutes then he would wake right back up and watch Neo.
"Everything's still stable, Madam." Bepo heard Selene say. He looked to see her checking on the crystal tubes on Neo's body and the discoloration that still was on Neo's arm. The tubes were dimming from almost being empty of the antidote.
Selene picked up a needle. She uncapped it and stuck it into the crystal tubing on Neo's chest. The glow from the tubing grew brighter again as the antidote filled it up. She recapped the needle before picking up another one. She pierced the tubing on Neo's hand, causing its glow to brighten, too.
Bepo still wasn't sure how that tubing actually worked, but it did. The antidote was steadily flowing into Neo's veins. He growled deeply in his throat when Selene looked up from the device and gave Law a flirtatious smile. She batted her eyelashes even though Law never took his eyes off Neo.
Selene then said, "Don't worry, Mister Trafalgar. She'll be fine soon. You should get some rest yourself."
Bepo rolled his eyes. This woman was oblivious to how Law felt about Neo. His eyes pulled over to Healer Zinnia when the older woman spoke. She said, "That'll be all for now, Selene. You may go to dinner."
"Yes, Madam," Selene said with a small frown as she looked at the older woman. Her smile returned when she looked back at Law. "You've been in this room for days. Why don't you join me for dinner?"
Law didn't respond. Bepo took that as his cue to step in. He walked over to them. He gave the woman a disapproving frown while holding out the tray to her. "The captain will eat when he wants to. Besides, I brought him dinner."
"Fine." Selene frowned again. She then turned and headed for the door. She paused to look at Healer Zinnia. "Madam, would you like me to send you something to eat?"
"Mmm." Healer Zinnia looked over at Neo then back at Selene. "No, I'll get myself something in a little while."
"Very well, Madam." Selene nodded then exited the room.
Bepo watched her go before turning back to Law and Neo. His eyes dropped down to the sleeping girl's arm. The poison had receded to just below her elbow now. The swelling had also gone down, but not enough yet for Law to put his ring back on her finger. He then looked over at the dresser beside the bed. The lunch tray Penguin brought earlier was still there with the meal uncovered and untouched. He sat the tray down beside the uneaten lunch with a low sigh. He turned his eyes to study his captain for a few minutes before speaking. He said, "Captain, you really should eat more. A couple of bites from your meals every other day isn't doing you any good."
Law heard him, but only nodded in response.
Bepo then sat down in one of the chairs someone had created for them to use. He felt like spending sometime with Neo and his captain, even if it was in silence. About fifteen minutes of silence passed before the healer got up from her desk.
Law tensed up when she checked on Neo before leaving to find herself some dinner.
Bepo said, "She's gone now, Captain. You can relax again."
Law nodded. Both his and Bepo's heart rate rose up in a slight panic when Neo kneaded her eyebrows and whined.
Bepo shot to his feet. He asked, "Is she all right, Captain? Do I need to get the healer?"
"She's fine, Bepo. It's just a bad dream," Law replied while pushing off his shoes. He laid down beside her and brushed her bangs away from her face as he whispered softly to her. "Shh…it's all right, Neo. I'm right here. You're safe."
Neo turned her head towards him in response when he spoke to her. She relaxed with a low sigh.
Law propped up on his elbow. Resting his head in his hand, he watched her sleep. He brushed the tips of his fingers over her bangs again before tracing them over her cheek and down to her arm. He made his way down her hand to gently rubbed his fingertips over her ringless finger. Anger flared back up in his chest. Each time he looked or touched her ringless finger he thought about all she had endured here. He still wanted to hurt them even thought it wasn't their fault.
Bepo watched his captain in silence. Feeling a bit awkward about seeing his captain like this, so vulnerable looking, he looked around the room. His eyes landed on a basin of water. It had a white washcloth lying over the side of it. He dipped the tip of his paw into it. He then said, "This water is warm. How about I get some fresh water?"
Law slowly nodded.
Bepo picked up the basin and walked over to the bathroom. After dumping out the old water, he filled it up with fresh, cold water then returned it to the table. He dipped the washcloth into the water, wrung it out, and gently placed it on Neo's burning forehead. He was about to move away from the bed with he heard Law speak.
"She's just like Lami," Law whispered softly with obvious regret in his voice.
"Your sister?" Bepo asked carefully.
"I couldn't save her either," Law replied. "I couldn't do anything to save my sister. And now I can't do anything to save Neo. She just looks so fragile lying here, so helpless and scared. I can feel how much it hurts through our bond and just from looking at her. This shouldn't have happened. I was supposed to protect her. I failed her. I'm just too weak. I couldn't do anything. And I still can't do anything to protect her."
"Don't talk like that, Captain. You couldn't do anything because you're not familiar with the local plant life here. You know that. And that can change," Bepo said. "Once Neo is better, you can study the plants here. You can also study elemental biology so you can take better care of her in the future. You're a doctor after all, right? And you're still Neo's doctor. Nothing will ever change that."
"Yeah, I am a doctor." Law nodded. A tiny smile came to his lips when Neo rolled onto her side and snuggled into his chest. The fingers of her right hand curled around the fabric of his hoodie. He picked up the washcloth and dabbed it gently on her cheek. "And I'm still Neo's doctor. Nothing will ever change that."
…
Neo moaned softly before opening her eyes to nothing but white. With heaviness holding her body down, she struggled to push herself up into a sitting position. Her arms wobbled but she managed to do it. She slumped forward, panted hard at how much effort it took to just sit up. She looked around at the whiteness surrounding her. "Where…am I?"
She raised her fingers to her forehead to find sweat was beading there and her skin was hot. She whimpered and grabbed her upper left arm when pain shot through it. After the pain subsided, she gently lifted up her arm to see what caused the pain. Nothing was there. She noticed a tense, stuffy feeling in her chest. She rubbed her fingers over the white gown she was wearing. She looked down, but found nothing was there either. "I don't understand."
Neo pulled her eyes from her body and looked around at her surroundings. She wasn't sure what she was looking for. All she knew was she wanted to see something or someone. While looking around, she noticed that this place not only lacked color, it also lacked any kind of smell and temperature. It wasn't hot, but it wasn't cold either. Light and darkness, somehow, was also missing from this place.
She placed her hands on the white floor and pushed herself to her feet. Once up, she wobbled a few times before finding her balance. She looked around again. "Where am I? Why am I here?"
She had to force herself to move. With each step she took, her body became heavier and heavier as if she was trying to wade through wet sand. She was only able to manage a few steps before her knees buckled under her. She dropped back to the white floor panting harder than she was before. She slumped forward to her hands. Her arms wobbled under her weight before giving out on her just like her legs did. She slid her hands across the white floor and laid down.
She whimpered at the pain the hard floor caused in her body and curled herself into a ball. She felt like crying, but her tears wouldn't come. She whispered softly, "I don't like this. I don't understand. Where am I? Why am I alone? I don't want to be alone anymore. Someone, please, help me."
Her eyelids slowly fell over her blue eyes as she succumbed to her tiredness and fell asleep.
…
A gentle hand stroking over her hair pulled Neo from her slumber. Through the heaviness that was still in her body, she managed to notice that she wasn't in the same position she had fallen asleep in. Her head was laying on something fairly soft rather than the hard white floor. She turned her head up to see who was with her. She looked up into the reddish-brown eyes of a blonde haired man. He asked gently, "Are you awake now?"
"Yes." Struggling through the tiredness plaguing her body, Neo pushed up on her hands. Once up she looked at the man again. He was wearing a simple dark blue shirt and jeans. A soft expression graced his features as he looked down at her. "Who are you?"
"You can call me Corazon," he replied.
"Corazon," Neo repeated. She swallowed before placing her hand on her head. "That sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?" She placed her hand back down on the ground and looked around again. She was still in the strange white place as before. She brought her eyes back to him. Making eye contact, she asked, "Where am I?"
"Mmm." He hummed while giving her a sympathetic look. "That's kind of a hard question to answer."
"My body hurts. Why?" She looked at the palms of her hands before resting them in her lap. "What happened to me?"
"You were in a fight," the man said gently. "Do you not remember?"
"No, I-" Neo dropped her eyes to her lap. She stopped talking when she noticed her left hand. She raised it up. Tilting her head, she stared at her fingers. "Something's missing."
"Yes, I know it is," Corazon said with a light nod. "But it's all right. He has it."
"He?" Neo lowered her hand back down as she looked at the man again. "Wait…I know who. He's something to me. He's my captain. He's Law."
"That's right." Corazon nodded. "Are you remembering now?"
"I think so." Neo looked around the white space again before stopping her eyes on the man with her. "I was fighting. And Law, I mean, the captain was coming for me."
Corazon chuckled lightly. He said, "You can call him Law around me. He won't mind at all."
"Why? Who are you? You seem familiar somehow." Neo scanned her eyes over his face.
"I'm not important," he said with a small sparkle in his eyes. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I won't hurt you. Law would kill me, so to speak, if I did."
"I'm not scared. I don't know why. I feel so confused." Neo looked down at her legs. She tried to process why she wasn't sacred, but couldn't do it. She looked at Corazon. "I want to go back to Law. Can I see him now?"
"I'm sorry. You can't do that right now," Corazon said with a touch of sadness in his voice. Suddenly, the white area around them dimmed into a dark gray.
"What's happening? Something's wrong with Law. His heart's not beating. He's scared. He's never scared. Why does he feel like this? I don't like it." Tears came to Neo's eyes. She wrapped her arms around her body. "I want to go to him. I don't like him feeling like this. He feels tired, too. What's happening to him?"
"He'll be all right. You're the one who needs to rest," Corazon said. Placing his hand on her head, he gently guided her to his lap again. "Lay down here now."
"I want to see him. I want to see Law," Neo cried softly. Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I need him."
"I'm sorry. I know you want to see him. You just can't do that right now," Corazon replied gently. He started stroking her hair again. "Right now, you need to get better. Then you'll be able to see him. I promise."
"He's going to be angry with me," Neo said with a sniffle.
"Why do you think that?" Corazon asked.
"I disobeyed him. His ring…" Neo fingered her ringless hand. "They took it. They took it away from me. I promised him I would never take it off."
"You didn't take it off so you didn't disobey him. He'll understand that you didn't willingly take his ring off," Corazon said comfortingly while he continued to stroke her hair.
"I'm scared," Neo admitted. "Something's happening to me, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. You're very sick right now. And I know you're scared. But you don't have to be. I'm not going to leave your side. I'll be right here with you the entire time." The room slowly turned back into the white room it was before. "See that? You're going to be just fine, Neo."
"You know my name," Neo said as she drifted off to sleep.
"I do." Corazon nodded. "I know a lot about you. I've been watching over you for a very long time."
"But…who," Neo said as her eyelids slid closed, "…are you?"
"I'm just someone who's here to watch over Law's precious love," Corazon said even though she had already fallen into a deep sleep. He chuckled lightly. "You sure have done a number on that hot headed little brat. I never would have guessed a girl like you would soften him up so much. But you are good for him. The only thing left for you two to do is for him to admit his feelings to you and for him to explain your feelings about him. It'll happen. Just you wait. It won't be long now before he tells you everything. For now, you just rest easy. I'll protect you until you are ready to return to his side."
…
Neo bolted up with a gasp. Placing her hand on her face, she panted. "Law…"
"Did you have a bad dream?" Corazon questioned.
"Yeah." Neo nodded. She flinched slightly when he put his on her head and pulled her to his side. She started to reach for his shirt, but stopped. He wasn't Law. Her hand dropped to her lap.
"This is how he does it, right?" Corazon asked, questioning the way he was holding her.
"Yeah." Neo nodded again. The two sat in quiet comfort for several minutes. Or she thought it was several minutes. In this strange place with no way to tell the time, she didn't have a clue as to how much time had actually passed since she first woke up in here.
"You seem to be feeling better," Corazon then said.
"I guess so." She paused to think about how her body felt. It still felt heavy. Her forehead was still hot. But she did feel better than she did when she first woke up. She tilted her eyes to his. "Does that mean I can go see Law? And the crew? I miss them."
"I believe it might. I think that thing is here to help." Corazon nodded towards Neo's body. She followed his gaze. The yellow multi-pointed crystal was hovering near her and radiating its glow over her body. She shifted, but didn't say anything about the crystal. "They're missing you, too. But I'm sure you already know that."
She nodded and pulled her eyes back to him, she carefully scanned her eyes over his features. She tilted her head and asked again, "Who are you?"
"Why do you want to know?" Corazon asked.
"Because…you're someone important. You're very important to Law," Neo said. Her eyes still glided over his features. She was sure she knew who he was. He was someone she could trust. He was someone Law trusted.
"You're the one who's important to Law," Corazon said.
"You saved him, didn't you?" Neo asked. Corazon just smiled. She parted her lips to speak again, but stopped when multiple scents filtered into her nose and a distant beeping entered into her ears. She turned her eyes from the man. The whiteness surrounding her was starting to blur and fade away from her eyes. "I smell flowers. And I hear something beeping. What's happening?"
"You're waking up," Corazon answered.
"What?" Neo jerked her eyes back to him. "Come with me!"
"I can't do that." Corazon smiled sadly. "I would like to, but I can't."
"But he will want to see you. You're him, aren't you? You're the one who gave Law his life. You're Corazon. The Cora that gave him his heart back." Neo reached up and took his face in her hands. "Please, come with me. I want you to come."
"Don't worry, Neo. My job in protecting you is over. You're in Law's hands now." Corazon took a hold of her wrists. He smiled while he began to fade away from her eyes. "Be patient with him. He's going to tell you how he feels soon. He'll also explain your feelings for him to you. All you have to do is ask him."
"No! Don't go! I don't want you to go!" Neo insisted. "You're really that Corazon, aren't you?"
"That's right." Corazon nodded with a light chuckle. "I am the Corazon who gave Law his life. Or I use to be."
"But I don-" Neo was silenced by Corazon placed his finger over her lips.
"Tell the brat I said, 'Hi'. And if he has trouble believing that you met me, tell him that he stabbed me in the back when he was just a kid," Corazon said.
"He stabbed you?" Neo asked when his finger faded away from her lips.
"Yes." Corazon nodded again. His body faded even more from her sight. "He probably didn't tell you that because you weren't ready to hear it. But it's okay. He'll tell you everything about himself soon enough. All his secrets will be your secrets. Take very good care of our boy, Neo. See you around."
"Corazon! Wait!" Neo reached out to grab him again, but he was gone. The whiteness around her faded away just like he did. Soon everything was black.
…
Neo opened her eyes to the sounds of a beep beeping in sync with her heart and a green ceiling above her. Her nose twitched in annoyance at the many fragrance of flowers floating about the air. They made her stomach churn. Trying to ignore the smells, she stared up at the unfamiliar crystal green ceiling and tried to figure out where she was. The sub walls were a grayish blue not green. She laid her eyelids over her blue orbs.
Breathing slowly, she let her eyes linger closed for a few seconds before opening them up again. Her entire body jerked when she saw an older woman with green and gray streaked hair and glasses looking down at her. The woman smiled and said, "Welcome back, Princess. Looks like your fever has come down enough for your solar crystal to help heal you. How are you feeling?"
"No! Stay away from me!" Neo screamed. Her body turned ice cold. The beating in the room sped up rapidly as she bolted up and flung herself away from the elemental. She unknowingly fell off the bed she was on and into what should have been a familiar touch. Half hanging off the bed, she struggled against the familiar hands holding her under her arms. "Get away from me! I don't want to fight anymore! I want to go home! I want my family! I want Law!"
"Neo, I'm right here," Law said. He struggled to keep her from hitting the floor as he worked to get her back on the bed and claim her hysteria. It still surprised him how someone with such a petite body could be so strong. "Calm down, Neo. It's okay."
"No! I want Law!" Neo screamed hysterically. "I want Law! I want Law!"
"I'm here. I've got you now," Law said, finally getting her back on the bed. He sat down as she continued to struggle against him and tried to get a better hold on her, physically and mentally. But it was very clear to him that she was far too hysterical to listen so he pulled out his captain tone to regain control over her. "Neo, I order you to settle down."
Her body jerked to a pause. Panting hard, her glazed eyes locked on to his.
Law could tell she wasn't quite fully awake and was confused. "It's okay, Neo. I'm right here. I'm here now."
Slowly, her electric blue eyes came back into focus. She reached up with a trembling hand and touched her fingertips to his cheek. "Law…you're here."
"Yes." Law nodded. He placed his hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm here."
She leaned forward and pressed her forehead to his neck. She brought her hands up to his shirt. She clenched a hold of the fabric with her right hand and tried to do the same with her left. "Law, I was so scared."
"I know you were. I'm so sorry you went through that, but its over now. And it's not going to happen again." Law wrapped his arms around her. He rubbed his hand soothingly over her back. "I've got you now. I'm right here, okay? You're safe."
She nodded against him while continuing to try and clench a hold of his shirt with her left hand. When she realized she couldn't, she pulled back from him. The beeping of the monitor sped up again when she noticed the unfamiliar glowing thing on her hand. "No! Get it off!"
Neo grabbed for the device. Before she could rip it off, Law grabbed her hand. He said, "Don't do that, Neo. It's okay. It's not hurting you."
"What?" Neo turned her eyes back to his.
"It's a device that's helping to fight the poison that's in your system, Princess. You also have one on your chest."
Neo turned her eyes to the unfamiliar voice that spoke. She jerked when the elemental took a few steps closer to her and Law. "No! Stay away!" she cried as she pushed herself farther into Law's chest. "Captain! Keep her away!"
"Princess, there's no ne-" Healer Zinnia started.
"Get back!" Law hissed at the woman. He sent her the harshest glare he possible could manage. The woman flinched and took a few steps back. "You're scaring her!"
Once he got his point across to the elemental, Law turned his attention back to Neo. He tightened his hold on her to try and stop her violent trembling. He rubbed her back while speaking softly to her. He said, "Shh…it's okay, Neo. They're not going to hurt you anymore. That woman is what these people call a healer. She's actually been helping you. Do you remember that thorn that hit your hand?"
Neo nodded.
Law slowly pulled away from her. He gently took a hold of her left arm, just below her elbow. She followed his lead and looked down at her hand. Her heart rate started to speed up again when she saw the discoloration. He pulled her back into his arms. "It's okay, Neo. These devices on your skin are just delivering the antidote to get rid of the poison. It's not hurting you at all. Do you understand?"
She nodded again. She then stuttered, "Th-they t-took your ring and hat. I-I broke my p-promise. I-I didn't mean to disobey you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"No, Neo." Law shook his head. He gave her a light squeeze. "You didn't break your promise or disobey me. I know they took it and my hat from you. It wasn't your fault. I got them back."
Neo pulled from his chest. She noticed his hat on his head before looking into his eyes. She pleaded to him with her eyes and words. "C-could I have it back? Please?"
"When the swelling in your hand goes down," Law said regrettably. Her eyes dropped to her left hand. He gently brushed his fingertips over the back of her fingers like he was showing her the swelling. His chest tightened when it was clear she didn't like his response. Tears leaked from the corner of her eyes. He cupped her cheeks with both of his hands. Brushing away her tears with his thumbs, he said, "Please don't cry. I promise I will return my ring to your finger as soon as the swelling goes down. It'll only hurt you if I put it on now. Do you understand? I don't want you in more pain than you already are."
Upon mentioning the comment about the ring, Law could feel the healer glaring at him. He choose to ignore her.
The healer scoffed when she realized she was purposefully being ignored. She grumbled to herself while walking back over to her desk and chair. She said, "That better be just a friendship ring."
"I understand." Neo nodded lightly. She carefully glanced around the room again. She noticed her solar crystal hovering near her body and all of the gifts, but didn't completely register them in her mind. Her eyes then landed on the elemental in the room. She flinched and tucked herself back into Law's chest. Then she realized something else was missing. She looked back up at him then searched the room again with her eyes. "The crew! Captain, they were fighting! They-"
"Are safe," Law said, cutting her panic off. "You purified the darkness crystal when you saw them fighting. The elementals are no longer a threat to you."
"What?" Neo lightly shook her head. "I don't understand."
"I know you don't. And I promise I'll explain everything to you soon." Law cupped her cheek again. "Right now, you need to lay down and get some more rest. Your fever has gone down, but its still in the hundreds."
"I…I want to see them," Neo said. She tried to crawl off the bed, but Law wouldn't let her. He tightened his hold on her, keeping her in place.
"No, Neo. You need to stay in bed." When she brought her tear filled eyes up to him he flinched at the sad look she gave him. "You'll see them soon. I promise. Lay down now."
He gently guided her back down to her pillow. She clenched her hold on his shirt tighter. "No! I don't want to leave you again!"
"You're not. You're just going to go back to sleep." Law brushed the back of his fingers over her cheek. "I promise I'll be right here when you wake up."
"You'll stay with me?" Neo asked in a pleading voice.
"Of course I will." Law nodded.
Neo relaxed against her pillow. She swallowed, noticing her mouth and throat was very dry. "Captain, I'm thirsty. Could I have some water?"
"Of course." Law nodded. He reached for the glass that Penguin brought to him earlier. With the glass in one hand, he gently lifted Neo's head with his other. He allowed her a couple of sips before taking it back. "That'll do for now. I don't want you to get sick."
"Will you lay with me?" Neo asked while he returned the cup to the tray and her head to the pillow. Her eyes pleaded with him as her voice did. "Please, Captain? I want you near me."
"Princess, it's not proper for a man to-"
"Of course I will," Law said, cutting off and ignoring the healer. He then pushed his boots off with his feet and laid down beside her, making sure to stay on her right side. He heard the healer huffed in agitation, but didn't say anymore on the subject.
Neo rolled onto her side. She snuggled the best she could into his chest without bumping the strange glowing device on her hand.
Still feeling how weak she was, Law put his arm around her and tucked her gently into him. He knew she really needed to be near him right now. He placed a kiss into her hair. Let his nose linger in her blue tresses, he let himself be intoxicated by her scent.
She whispered, "Law?"
"Mhm?"
"I saw him."
"Who?" Law asked, not pulling away from her.
"Corazon."
Law couldn't help but pull back from her then. He kneaded his eyebrows in confusion.
Neo turned her sleep filled eyes up to him. As she spoke, she drifted off to sleep. "He was with me. He said that you would know it was him when I told you that he said you stabbed him in the back when you were only a kid. He told me to tell you he said, 'Hi'. He also said that you loved me, that your love for me is different from the crew's. He said that you would tell me how it's different and about my feelings for you. I just have to ask."
Law didn't get a chance to respond to her. Her eyelids closed. She snuggled into his chest and was finally back asleep. He was left awake and confused. He never did tell her that he had stabbed Corazon before. And he knew that she would never lie or make up something like that. No way it could just be a coincident and she dreamed it either. He wondered if it was really possible that Corazon was somehow with her during this whole ordeal. He wondered if the man he loved was really looking out for Neo. And for how long the man had been doing that. After all it was because of Corazon that he brought Neo to the sub.
