Chapter 20: Between Delirium and Reality

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Emi tossed and turned in her bed aboard the submarine as it silently navigated through the dark ocean depths, the day's fatigue weighing heavily on her eyelids.

Suddenly, a violent jolt shook the vessel. Alarms blared, and she could hear the sinister metallic sound of water rapidly seeping inside. The submarine began to sink, caught in the grip of an invisible and destructive attack. Panicked, Emi struggled to find an escape, but the water was rising relentlessly, engulfing everything in its path.

Trying to flee, she rushed to her cabin door, but it wouldn't budge. Emi desperately pulled with all her strength on the handle, pounding against the metal wall, but it was useless. The door was stuck, sealing her fate inside the cabin that was filling with water at a terrifying speed.

The water level rose quickly, icy and unforgiving. Soon, it reached her waist, then her chest, squeezing the breath out of her. Each breath became a struggle, her lungs filling with fear, as the water continued to rise inexorably. Emi was trapped, the water now up to her neck, a biting cold overwhelming her body.

She struggled to keep her head above water, her thoughts swirling in a whirlwind of panic and despair. But the water continued to rise, and she felt the crushing weight of the situation. Finally, the water fully submerged her head, plunging her into an icy, silent darkness. Her strength slowly drained away, and the reality of her predicament set in: she was completely trapped, engulfed by the relentless flood, fighting for each final breath, her mind clinging to a faint hope that someone might come to her rescue.

Just as she felt on the verge of succumbing, Law suddenly appeared at her side. Without a word, he grabbed her and pulled her to the surface, swimming with strength and determination. And—he was swimming?! Something was off with this realization, which left Emi stunned. Once safe at the surface, gasping for air and utterly exhausted, she felt herself blacking out.

She opened her eyes to find Law leaning over her, his lips approaching hers. Confused and still half-dazed, she felt his lips touch hers in what seemed like an attempt at resuscitation. But soon, this medical gesture transformed, giving way to something more tender and deliberately prolonged. Law's lips pressed against hers with unexpected gentleness, sliding into a deeper, undeniably sensual kiss.

She felt the warmth of his breath against her skin, mingled with the salty taste of seawater. Law's fingers, once so firm, grew softer, gently caressing her cheek.

Shocked, Emi pushed Law away, her eyes widening as she fully regained consciousness.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" she cried out, her tone oscillating between indignation and confusion.

Law leaned back slightly, a teasing smile on his lips and a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"That's how mouth-to-mouth is done, isn't it, Emi?" His voice was playful, almost provocative, as if he were testing the boundaries of their usually more formal relationship.

Emi, trying to catch her breath, felt her cheeks flush violently. She was completely taken aback by the turn of events, embarrassed not only by the act itself but also by her own reaction. Her heart was pounding, not just from the surprise of the kiss but also from the unexpected familiarity Law showed in such a personal and intimate context.

Emi suddenly sat up in her bed, her heart racing. She found herself back in the submarine, far from any beach or stormy ocean. The dream had felt so real that she remained disoriented for a few moments, struggling to separate reality from fiction.

Shaking her head to dispel the remnants of her dream, Emi felt a slight twinge of embarrassment in the darkness of the cabin.

"I'm completely losing it," she murmured to herself.

Emi ran her hand across her forehead, feeling an unusual warmth on her skin. She felt oddly feverish, as if a wave of heat had washed over her body. She touched her forehead and cheeks, confirming her suspicions: she had a fever. Was this the cause of recent events, or just the effect of her nervous system still overloaded after such a vivid dream? Emi wasn't sure, but she partly attributed the fever to the agitation stirred up by her delirious dream.

She lay back down in her bed, trying to calm her still restless mind. The image of Law transforming from a savior into a more sensual figure in her dream disturbed her more than she wanted to admit.

With a sigh, Emi decided to blame the strangeness of her dream on the fever, trying to convince herself that her thoughts didn't reflect her real feelings but were rather products of her feverish state.

She closed her eyes, striving to clear her mind of any thoughts, any memory of the imaginary kiss. But even in the darkness behind her closed eyelids, the echo of Law's teasing laugh and the sensation of his lips against hers made her heart beat a little faster despite her efforts to stay calm. She took a deep breath, wondering if sleep would bring the respite she so desperately desired, or if the night would be long and filled with equally troubling dreams.

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After a night of restless, shallow sleep, Emi woke up with a pounding headache. She shivered despite the thick blankets on her bed, her body trembling under the weight as if she were wrapped in an icy cold. Every small noise in the submarine seemed to echo painfully in her head, amplifying her discomfort.

As she tried to gather her thoughts and control her shivering, she heard a soft knock at her cabin door. It was Bepo, whose gentle and concerned voice filtered through the door.

"Emi, are you okay?" he asked.

There was no response from her; her condition left her too drained to muster the energy to reply loud enough.

Worried by the silence that followed his question, Bepo gently opened the door and stepped inside. The scene that greeted him made him stop in his tracks: Emi, shivering, pale, and clearly struggling. He quickly approached, placing his paw on her forehead. The heat radiating from her skin left no doubt—she had a fever, and a serious one at that.

"Bepo, I... I don't feel very well," Emi murmured weakly, her eyes struggling to stay open.

Wasting no time, Bepo rushed out of the cabin, worry etched on his face.

"Captain! Emi has a fever!" he shouted as he ran through the narrow corridors of the submarine, searching for Law.

Law, who had been reviewing maps in the navigation room, stood up abruptly, his expression instantly alarmed. Emi's condition could signal a range of potential complications, especially in the confined and isolated environment of a submarine. He quickly followed Bepo back to Emi's cabin, knowing every second counted.

Reaching her side, Law swiftly assessed Emi, his medical training taking over. "Emi, can you hear me?" he asked, placing his hand on her forehead, trying to gauge her fever.

Emi nodded weakly, her blurry gaze attempting to focus on Law. "It's spinning... everything's spinning," she groaned, the confusion adding another layer of concern to her already high fever.

Law gently supported Emi as he carried her to the submarine's infirmary. His priority was to ensure she received immediate care while minimizing the risks to the rest of the crew.

"Bepo, make sure everyone wears a mask," he ordered as soon as they entered the infirmary.

Bepo nodded, quickly putting on a mask himself, and left the infirmary to inform the other crew members. Law, already wearing his own mask, carefully placed Emi on an examination bed, adjusting the blankets around her to keep her warm. The concerning medical situation prompted him to rapidly analyze the possible causes of her fever. The doctor in him couldn't help but consider every detail of their recent activities to identify the potential source of the infection or illness.

She had been soaked several times during their escape attempt and while on the island, and the temperature there hadn't been high enough for her clothes to dry quickly. "A cold?" he muttered, considering the possibility that the repeated exposure to being wet, followed by wind and varying temperatures, could have caused her fever.

Bepo quickly returned to the infirmary, his mask securely in place, and stopped at the entrance, waiting for instructions. Without wasting any time, Law turned to Bepo and gave precise orders.

"Bepo, prepare a dose of antipyretic. We need to bring this fever down quickly," he ordered, his voice calm yet firm.

However, another possibility crossed his mind, making him furrow his brow in concern. They had passed through that dense forest of giant mushrooms, and Law knew that some mushroom spores could be extremely toxic. Exposure to these spores could lead to severe symptoms, with fever often being the first sign. "If it's a reaction to the spores..." he murmured, the thought of this complication making him even more anxious. Fungal infections were notoriously difficult to treat, especially without immediate access to specialized medical equipment.

He turned back to the polar bear, "Bepo, make sure we have samples of all the antifungals available on board. And also prepare the equipment for blood samples."

Bepo nodded and got to work without delay.

Meanwhile, Law monitored Emi's symptoms and administered the necessary first aid to stabilize her condition. He applied a cold compress to her forehead to help reduce the fever and covered her with extra blankets to keep her warm and prevent chills.

Emi found it difficult to meet his gaze, the image from the dream she had the night before still vividly lingering in her mind, where Law had transformed from a savior into a more sensual partner. She felt embarrassed that such thoughts had even crossed her mind, especially in the presence of Law himself, who was entirely unaware of the nocturnal intrigue her subconscious had conjured.

Every time Law's eyes met hers, Emi subtly averted her gaze, pretending to suddenly take interest in something in the room or finding an excuse to adjust her blanket.

She was secretly relieved that her fever and overall malaise could serve as a cover for her embarrassment. She attributed her blushes and avoidance of eye contact to her condition rather than the strange dream she had involving Law. Each time she felt her cheeks flush or her heart beat a little faster in Law's presence, she could reasonably blame the fever, thus avoiding raising any suspicions or uncomfortable questions.

But as they waited for the test results, Emi's fever spiked, and her thoughts began to blur. She tried to stay conscious, but reality seemed to gradually crumble, giving way to strange visions. She stared at Bepo as he moved around the infirmary, and suddenly, the polar bear transformed before her eyes. His outline became hazy, and before she could grasp what was happening, he had morphed into a giant snowball.

The snowball had a huge mouth that opened to speak. "Emi, are you okay?" the snowball asked in a soft but strangely familiar voice.

Emi blinked, shaking her head to dispel the vision, but the snowball continued to talk and move, approaching her with a kind expression. As Emi's delirium deepened, the snowball morphed into a giant dancing mushroom, with a strange smile and tentacles swaying around it.

The mushroom-Bepo seemed to be murmuring incomprehensible things, its tentacles reaching out as if to envelop her.

Law, focused on the test results he had just received, didn't immediately notice Emi's delirium. When he finally looked up at her, he saw the confused and slightly terrified expression on her face.

"Journalist-ya?" he asked, approaching her.

Emi let out a panicked scream, thrashing on the bed, desperately trying to get away from the terrifying vision.

"Stay away from me!" she cried, her voice trembling with fear.

Before Law could place his hand on her forehead to check her temperature, Emi suddenly sat up. "No, no, no! What are you doing?!" she cried, pointing a trembling finger at the antifungal syringe he was holding, her eyes wide with fear.

To her, the needle in his hand was no longer a medical tool but something far more sinister. In her fevered mind, the needle transformed into a four-headed serpent, poised to strike.

"Journalist-ya, calm down. It's just an injection!" Law explained, keeping his voice as calm as possible despite the urgency of the situation.

But Emi, lost in her delirium, shook her head vigorously.

"Not the serpent! Keep it away from me!"

Law frowned, realizing the situation was becoming more critical. He knew the fungal infection needed to be treated quickly, or her symptoms would only worsen.

His expression hardened, and he firmly grabbed Emi's wrists, holding her still with controlled force.

"That's enough!" he growled, his voice cutting through her hallucinations.

She continued to struggle, but Law didn't loosen his grip. Using his weight to stabilize her on the bed, he grabbed the needle with his free hand.

"I don't have time for your delusions. This will work quickly," he added coldly, as he plunged the needle into her arm.

Emi tried to fight back, screaming against the vision of the serpent biting her arm, but Law's strong arms kept her pinned, preventing any movement.

Once the injection was done, Law let out a sigh of relief. He slightly loosened his hold but kept a firm hand on her to ensure she wouldn't hurt herself in an attempt to break free.

Under the influence of the medication, Emi began to calm down, her screams fading into a whisper as her eyelids grew heavy. The serpent and mushroom-Bepo gradually disappeared from her mind, replaced by overwhelming exhaustion. Law finally released his grip when he was certain she wouldn't move, standing up to observe the effects of the antifungal.

"Bepo, make sure she remains stable," he ordered with a sigh, casting one last glance at Emi before turning to leave the infirmary.

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Emi slowly opened her eyes, the dim rays of light from the submarine filtering through the small infirmary window. She felt surprisingly refreshed, the heaviness and fatigue having lifted. She stretched gently, relieved to no longer feel the chills, fever, or the hallucinations that had tormented her.

She glanced at the clock on the wall and was surprised at the time: the hour hand had moved far, indicating it was late in the evening. She suddenly realized she had slept the entire day, catching up on the sleep she had lost while battling the fever and its hallucinations.

Her gaze then fell on a carefully prepared tray of food placed beside her bed. Her stomach growled at the sight of fresh oranges, crispy bread, and a small, warm omelet. Without hesitation, Emi sat up and began to eat eagerly, realizing she hadn't eaten in far too long. Each bite tasted delicious, and she gradually felt her strength returning.

As Emi continued to eat, her thoughts drifted toward Law. He always treated her injuries with precision and care when he took on his role as a doctor, and she couldn't shake the memory of how he had taken care of her during her illness. She knew it was the doctor in him, acting out of duty, but that awareness did nothing to calm the irregular beating of her heart.

She hated it. She didn't want to feel this turmoil, especially not for Law. Her fingers tightened around the blanket, trying to suppress the warmth that was spreading through her.

He was just doing his job. She kept repeating that to herself. And yet, the memory of his reassuring presence, and the brief flash of concern in his eyes — all of it felt too intimate. Too close.

She didn't like this feeling. It made her vulnerable, a vulnerability she had sworn to avoid, especially with someone like Law, always so distant, so focused on his mission. It was easier to see him as the cold and calculating captain, rather than a caring man who had just saved her.

Emi swallowed with difficulty, trying to push those thoughts away by taking another bite of her meal. She needed to focus on her recovery, not on these contradictory emotions.

After finishing her meal, Emi put on the mask that had been left on the tray, wrapping the blanket around her with one hand and carrying the tray with the other as she headed towards the kitchen. The silence within the submarine felt almost tangible, a quietness that stood in stark contrast to the usual activity.

She hoped to later get some fresh air and feel the sea breeze, but as she passed by a porthole, she realized that the submarine had already dived deep into the ocean. The view outside was nothing but a murky blend of dark water, faintly illuminated by the submarine's exterior lights, barely revealing the floating particles outside.

Disappointed, Emi sighed and continued on her way, the blanket still tightly wrapped around her. Upon entering the kitchen, she noticed Sachi, his back turned, busy with something on the counter.

Hearing the sound of her footsteps, Sachi turned around to face her. His expression quickly shifted from concentration to surprise, and then to a warm, welcoming smile.

"Emi, you're up! How are you feeling?" Sachi asked warmly, clearly relieved to see her looking healthier.

"Much better, thanks," Emi replied with a smile. "The fever's gone, and I'm starving... again. Whatever you're cooking smells amazing."

Sachi chuckled softly and gestured to the pot on the stove. "I'm just making some mushroom soup. Want to try some?"

Emi took a step towards Sachi, but stopped abruptly when she heard the word "mushrooms." Her mind instantly flashed back to her feverish delusions, and an involuntary grimace crossed her face as the grotesque scenes replayed in her memory.

Noticing her strange expression, Sachi tilted his head slightly, a hint of concern in his eyes. "You don't like mushrooms?"

Emi quickly shook her head, trying to push those images out of her mind. "No, no, it's not that," she replied, though a part of her still shuddered at the memory.

She glanced towards the pot where the soup was simmering. The hunger gnawing at her stomach was undeniable, and the appetizing aroma of the broth managed to override her momentary disgust.

"Actually... it does smell really good. I'll have a bowl," she added with a smile, deciding to leave her hallucinations behind.

Sachi beamed, pleased that she accepted. "Perfect, I'll get it ready for you." He quickly ladled a bowl full and handed it to her with pride.

Emi accepted the bowl gratefully, her hands warmed by the steam rising from it. She took off her mask to inhal deeply, savoring the smell despite the unsettling memories, then took her first spoonful. The rich, savory taste banished the last remnants of her delirium, leaving only the comforting warmth of a good meal.

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Thank you for reading this chapter!

Will Emi manage to push aside her budding feelings? Find out in the next chapters !

puritygirl2005 thank you so much for your comment! I'm glad that you're enjoying the story ! I will try to update more regularly, so stay tuned— :D