DISCLAIMER I DO NOT ONE PIECE

Jean Bart. As a former captain to his own crew he was probably the most dangerous of all the Heart pirates. His strength was a completely different topic. Not to mention he only joined almost 3 months before her so she had little information on him. Out of all of the Heart pirates he was the one Aurelia was most cautious around. But given that all the others were proven useless, she had really no choice but to engage.

That all being said, neither of them were talkers. And unlike with Crow, her goal with Jean Bart was to try assessing his position in the crew. Why would a former captain bow down to a rookie? Was Law holding some blackmail against him? Having an ally like Jean Bart would be a great asset for her. She would have to be cautious not to accidentally come on too strong.

"So Mister Jean Bart it is my understanding that you are the main helmsman. Would you say that steering a submarine is different than a normal ship?"

He gave a low chuckle. "You sound like you're interviewing me."

"Merely a conversation starter. Mister Trafalgar believes that I should be friendlier. Though I suppose the guys are better at speaking than I."

"That's true. But you can't compare yourself to how high energy they are. They're on a completely different level than most people." They went back into silence. 'I'm not getting anywhere with him.'

Aurelia walked up beside him. She could understand why he spent a lot of time in this room. Watching all the sea creatures was peaceful. Especially compared to all the trouble the rest of the guys were creating. She wished she could stay here without worrying about her 5-hour condition. But she needed information. And to get Law off her back.

"There's not much different between handling a submarine and a ship. There is a change in considering currents but nothing extreme. If there's a storm, diving would be easier. Opposite where there's a higher chance of stronger currents underneath on a normal day." It took her a second to realize that he had answered her question from earlier.

"Ah I see. Sorry I don't know much about steering a ship or submarine. I can only use my imagination to picture such."

"You're only a doctor so that's expected. You wouldn't think that I would walk into the surgery room knowing what to do."

"I suppose so." Aurelia has dealt with trying to pry people for information before. Problem with Jean Bart, and the rest of the Heart pirates, was that she couldn't give a separate personality to each of them to get what she wanted. She had to plan everything to make sure that they couldn't tell that she was acting.

'What characteristic can I use on him? He's too smart to try tricking him. Can't really be the playful type either. Should I give up on him? At least he isn't annoying that I don't have to force a lot. I can easily spend 5 hours here when Crow is busy.'

"Is the condition captain put on you actually working?"

"I don't really know. It would probably be easier to ask the crew for their opinion on me. I was the one to make them feel uncomfortable in my presence. It's hard adjusting, that's all. I'm starting to see why Mister Trafalgar did this."

"You know you can tell captain if you don't want to do this." 'Ah. Jean Bart used to be a captain. He naturally sympathizes with crewmates.'

She sighed, keeping her eyes on the passing fishes. "Can I tell you something, Mister Jean Bart? Something that I didn't want the other guys to know."

"Yeah, 'course." She slumped her shoulders.

"Since I was a child I've always known what I've wanted. But being a female and basically being an orphan, I was denied a lot of chances. I was labeled as someone that quote on quote didn't know the harsh real world because of my idealistic thoughts. I worked 24/7 to get the respect I did. I travelled for the majority of my life that I don't have an island I can call home. And like the crew pointed out to me earlier this week, I have pretty much zero friends that I can, actually, rely on." There were truths mixed in with what she said.

With her father's influence on people she had everyone expecting more. Even when her blood parents were alive, she was still a kid that no one took seriously. "Mister Trafalgar wants me to get along with everyone and I thought I was. I do want to be a Heart pirate. I just have no idea how I'm supposed to fit in like he wants. I'm only in to my second week and he probably wants to kick me out already."

The big human turned his back to her to continue his work. "Captain doesn't want to kick you out."

"You don't know that."

"I do. Once Cap' makes up his mind about something, he's not going to change it. And you're not the only one who failed to adjust at first." She looked at the side of his face, spotting the slight grin on his face.

"You too?"

"I used to be my own crew's captain. A stupid mistake cost me 10 years as a slave for the Celestial Dragons. When Cap' offered me a position I was really confused. He didn't know me at all besides the basic news. First getting here everyone was so hyper. We didn't instantly connect. Then we did the whole escape plan at Marineford. It was nuts. That time, when we escaped, something in my mind clicked. Trafalgar Law is a good captain."

"What? But I heard Marineford was a mess. Why was he even there in the first place?"

"'Till this day we still don't know why he saved Straw hat but we accepted his order. What I do know is that if it was me in charge, we wouldn't have made it out. He put trust in our skills. It was an honour to help him."

'He put you all in a hopeless situation! Why does everyone view Trafalgar so highly? Are you all blind to all the dangers that come with him? Why do you look so at peace with yourself Jean Bart?' She hated the feeling that all of them gave off. All of them were so happy that it made her sick.

"Are you okay? You look flushed all of a sudden." She raised a hand to her head.

"I think being underwater for so long is affecting me. Thank you for your time, Mister Jean Bart. I'll retire back to my room for today." He said something that she didn't process. The five hour rule had no more power over her.

Heading back to her room she refused to show her dismay to anyone. Strategically using her haki to avoid everyone despite her fury throwing her concentration off. She needed to do this more often. These 2 weeks only solidified her thoughts on her stupid crewmates.

She dealt with a lot of stupid people in her profession. People that loved to throw themselves onto her without knowing that she could literally kill them in a hundred different ways. However, hearing all these happy people speaking so proudly for the man she hated most, made her absolutely furious. She was glad that she had the room to herself.

'Each one of them the same! How can they all go around without questioning what a mad man their captain is?! Singing their praises for the man as if he was their saviour. He is nothing more than a selfish pirate that is wasting air! He doesn't even trust them to tell them the truth about everything. So why do they all act the same?!'

She went over to the corner of the room. Pulling herself into a ball, she had to think of a new tactic. If she couldn't pump the crew for information, then she'll have to think of a way to be friendly with them so that she can at least get the 5 hours off of her back. It'll be a bonus if she doesn't want to rip her hair out of her head being around them too. The idea of killing them was very favourable. The idea of being stranded at sea was not.

'What would father do in this situation? He was always charismatic towards everyone. Even those he hated. I don't know how he deals with it. A week is already enough to make me feel like stabbing them. Okay, maybe not stab but it would be so nice to tape their mouths shut whenever they talk about Trafalgar. Didn't even give me any useful information.' It was restraining that she couldn't kill the nuisances in her life.

Pulling herself tighter she forced herself to calm her anger. 'I can do this. No way a bunch of idiots are going to be the reason why I fail. I spent too fucking long on this. I just have to tune out all the nice things they say about Trafalgar. He's a good captain? No he's only manipulating them into thinking that way. A good doctor? He has an unfair advantage with his fruit. Strong? He'll die by my hand in the end. I don't care what they say. He's the enemy. A lying bastard that only deserves to rot in a ditch.'

Talking to herself she reassured herself that she was right. They were the stupid pirates who didn't know anything about him. She's studied him. They don't know his history. The one that made him the crazy, reckless man that he was. Aurelia knew Law better than any of them. She was right here. They were the confused ones.

She slowly raised her head after who knows how long of contemplating what she should do. Letting out a sigh, she banged her head backwards. 'Fuck off Trafalgar.'

Law didn't have to knock on the door as Aurelia could already sense him coming from the distance. Only he could give off such a disgusting feeling to her gut. "Lia-ya, you in there?"

'Do I talk to the bane of my existence or deal with him later? I swear if I try to push him away now he'll only increase the hours I have to spend with the crew. Let's get this out of the way.' She stood up, dusting off her clothes. Before opening the door she had to take a deep breath to calm herself down.

Her anger did not settle seeing Law in front of her. She knew that this part was going to happen. She couldn't avoid seeing him while living on his sub. Being a member of his crew. It didn't change that she couldn't stand the sight of him. After all the praise that his crew gave him, it only fueled her to think that they were all being controlled by him. It made her feel more secluded from them than she already was.

"Good afternoon Mister Trafalgar."

"Want to talk?"

"Quite frankly no. If you'll excuse me." She attempted to close the door when Law placed his hand on it. 'I can and will slam this metal door on your hand.'

"Let's talk." She resisted rolling her eyes as she stepped to the side to let him in. 'What was the point of asking if you're only going to use your authority over me?'

Law took a seat at the table. He implied for her to do the same. "Jean Bart tells me you were feeling overwhelmed today."

'That's one way to put it.' "A bit. Don't get me wrong Mister Trafalgar, your crew is filled with lovely people. There's just something, the tiniest, little detail that makes it hard for me to get along with them."

"And what's that?" 'The fact that they like you.' Aurelia had to admit, if it wasn't for her hatred of Law, she could see herself hanging out with the rest of them. Not on a regular basis but she wouldn't have held them to such high anger if it wasn't for her feelings towards Law. They would have been useful pawns in other scenarios.

Bepo was a hard working mink that she would love to get to know more about his work and his heritage. The mechanics were fun loving guys who welcomed anyone while still having a serious personality underlying. The sharpshooters' contrasting ideas were always a play on the Devil's advocate, making for interesting conversations.

Crow's calm atmosphere with some good food created a peaceful space that she found herself loving. Finally, Jean Bart had a vast background that allowed him to have such a strong heart and good stories if she gave him a chance. The title of friends may be a bit much but she could consider them acquaintances with time. A lot of time.

All of them, all these amazing people, had unknowingly placed a barrier towards her. Purely because of their loyalty to their captain. She sighed. "I don't know. Maybe it's me."

"Now why would you say that?" 'He's really milking the situation.'

"Mister Trafalgar, is this what you wanted when you put this task on me? I put myself in a situation that forced me to socialize and failed. Are you having fun watching me in distress?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you view me that poorly?" 'You don't want me to answer that honestly.'

"Well not exactly but right now you aren't in the best light."

"Lia-ya, I only meant this to be an exercise for you to step out of the medical bay."

"I would have. In due time." No she wouldn't have.

"No you wouldn't have." 'Fuck you.' She leaned back into the chair like a stubborn child. She really wasn't in the mood to be playing nice with him. At least she had a good reason to be mad and it wasn't solely her utter hatred towards the man.

"If your only reason here is to tell me to get back out there then give me an hour to calm down. I'll try my best to get along with them all." If they loved Law she could work to ignore that part. A lot of work.

"Actually, that won't be necessary. You're free of your 5 hours condition." She met with his eyes for the first time today.

"Why?" She was suspicious of the act. She half expected him to increase the hours to 10 hours. Or even 24/7 given the way she broke the condition today. If she has to room with any one of those pirates she would rather go overboard.

"It has been brought to my attention that you are unknowledgeable in how to act in a social setting." 'Wh-' "Penguin and the others said that you had barely any acquaintances outside your adoptive dad. At the same time, you ran away from Jean Bart to the quietness of your room. Easy to say that you don't have many social skills."

"I-" 'Don't argue Aurelia. Now is not the time.' "Fine. Let's just say that. I don't know what that has to do with my 5 hours rule. Shouldn't that mean that you would want to keep it on so that your crew and I will be best of buddies?"

"I said it before, I wanted you to get along with my crew to learn to trust each other. I thought that with your job you would have adapted well to the change. Though it was at my fault that I put you in a situation that overwhelmed you. As your captain, I apologize." She held back a squeal in excitement.

'Trafalgar Law apologising to me! Ha! He thinks I have social anxiety or am some pampered kid that doesn't know how to talk to people outside of work. This can work to my advantage. I now have an excuse to not talk to the Heart pirates beyond what I need.'

"I mean- I don't- so you're not going to me off the crew?"

"That's what you thought would happen?"

"Well… I'm- not exactly. Maybe. It's not like you don't already have a doctor for the crew. I still don't really know why you wanted me here in the first place. Now all of this, I'm only creating more strife for everyone here."

He shook his head. "Lia-ya, I offered you a position because I thought you were fitting to be a Heart pirate. It wasn't only because of your medical knowledge but the personality that makes you try your best at all that you put your mind to. Same with the island we picked you up at, this is just a different goal that you have to work towards."

"Just to confirm then, I don't have to spend 5 hours with your crew anymore?"

"Correct. I do expect you to put in effort to get to know them better but that can be for another day. You're going to be with us for a while so, slowly, we'll get familiarized with one another."

"Thank you Mister Trafalgar! I won't let you down!" She would say he almost laughed.

"I think this may be the happiest I've seen you so far." 'Happy you're a fucking idiot.'

"Is that so? I was pretty happy when you offered me a position on your crew."

"Really? It's hard to tell with your cold, formal speech and your surgical mask on all the time. Why do you even wear that here? Unless you have a contagious disease I'm not aware of." She raised her hand up to her mask. It wasn't like she was a germaphobe The mask just felt more comfortable. It made it harder for others to read her emotions and keep her face hidden without raising suspicion. The only times she took it off were when she was eating or showering. Never around the crew unless necessary.

"I don't have an illness. I feel more comfortable with it on. That's all. Is it going to be a problem?"

"You're welcome to dress as you please. I thought I would pass on that the crew said that you look better without it." She tilted her head at his comment. 'There was literally no point in stating that but okay.'

"I'll tell them my thanks later."

"Speaking of which," he stood up, "dinner should be ready now. Would you be joining us?"

Aurelia thought to be nice this one time. They were relatively good people and she, now, doesn't have to talk to them too often. "I would love to join everyone. Please lead the way." She gestured for him to leave first.

Following behind him, Aurelia found it funny how much trust he placed in his crew. He listened when they said that they felt distant from her and when they decided that she was 'too nervous' to talk to them. Who knows, maybe in the future they would be the ones to give her information on their captain without them knowing. It'll eventually work in her favour to be nice for a little while. It was noted in her mind too that slowly she'll move up to that level of trust.

"Mister Trafalgar?" He hummed in response. Still having his back turned to her. "Does it ever occur to you that you're too trusting? I'm a stranger who doesn't get along with your crew. Keeping me around may pose more of a threat in the future."

"A threat? How? Are you going to kill me?" She knew that it was a reference to her 'joking' about the action that she didn't react. "Until that happens you, and the rest of the crew, can rely on me."

"Rely on you?"

"Yeah. You're a member of the Heart pirates now. If you have something you want to say, then say it. There will be times that we disagree that I need to hear it. Rely on me." She smiled as she was holding back a laugh at how ridiculous that was. She didn't need him to protect her. He needed her to hold back on him.

"I'll take you up on that offer then. Don't complain if I have a lot to say then. But in return, you can tell me anything you want as well. Even your darkest secrets, I will gladly hear them out."

"My darkest secrets? That's oddly specific." 'Well you are a very moody boy.'

"No offense Mister Trafalgar but I don't take the death written on your hands are purely for looks. I mean it, you can come to me. I'll help you out in any way I can." Two can play at the helpful crewmate image.

"Maybe one day I'll tell you some of my secrets but I'm not as trusting as you think I am. I have many secrets that I won't burden you with."

"I will keep my offer on the table for future reference then."

Law was opened to the idea of her becoming more in tune with him and the rest of the crew over time. Not realizing that that's exactly what she wanted too. The moment she got everything she needed from the Heart pirates, she had no use for them. Law could pretend to be this amazing captain all he wants. She was not going to fall for his act.