I know the Law x Nami fandom has died down a bit, but this idea wouldn't leave my head, so I'm writing it. Hopefully there will be enough interest to encourage me to continue, so please remember to leave me a review as encouragement.

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece.

Chapter 1: The Deal

If someone had told Nami a week ago that she'd willingly seek out Trafalgar Law, she would have called them an even bigger liar than Usopp. The rest of her crew might have only paid attention to their own bounties, but since entering the Grand Line, the brilliant navigator had kept tabs on who was who in the pirate world. In particular, the Surgeon of Death's reputation had chilled her to the bone. He was a rockstar in the criminal underworld, especially where the black market organ trade was concerned. Rumors of his cruelty, intelligence, and abilities were whispered in bars and back alleys, all with a tone of reverence and fear. Some of them had to be hyperbole; there was no way that the hearts he sold were still beating, right?

Still, she doubted his reputation was exaggerated to the extent of Luffy's. Pirates, in general, were still self-serving scum willing to kill, exploit, and pillage. Her captain—that kind-hearted, trusting, ridiculous fool—was the exception, and that was why Nami was willing to confront the Dark Doctor. News of what happened during the War of the Best had reached even Weatheria, and though Haredas had tried to discourage her, she'd demanded he help her track down the Supernova that had saved her captain's life. Perhaps the old man felt guilty over the tears she'd shed over not being there for Luffy—not all of them had been fake. It had helped that one of the other wizards had spotted the Polar Tang not far from the floating island, so he'd allowed her the use of a Weather Ball to go down for an audience with the Surgeon of Death.

"I saved your captain on a whim. I'm not interested in your thanks." Leaning against the side of his yellow submarine, Law hardly spared her a glance, seeming more focused on studying the DEATH tattoos across his fingers. Nami knew it was a ruse, though; he wouldn't have agreed with her demands to meet if he hadn't been interested in what she had to say.

Stubborn and scowling, she crossed her arms and jutted out her hip. Short, orange hair brushed her cheeks as the soft ocean breeze caressed her. She wore the same tight t-shirt and white shorts she'd donned at Sabaody, and the high heels of her tan sandals gave an echoing tap when she'd landed on the metal deck. Part of her wished she could have dressed a little sexier in case she needed to use her feminine wiles in this meeting, but her options had been limited, and even if she'd had her full wardrobe, it was probably safer not to attract this strange and deadly man's attention too much; she didn't have her crew to bail her out if she got in trouble, after all.

As she glared at the bored-looking man leaning against the submarine's steel hull, Nami started to wonder if she'd made a mistake. It was too late to turn back, though, so she took a steadying breath and stated, "Whim or not, I don't like the idea of Luffy being in anyone's debt; especially not a rival's. I want that squared before we head to the New World. So, if you don't want thanks, what do you want?"

Interest piqued, Trafalgar Law finally graced her with his full attention. Nami had to admit, at first glance, he didn't fit the image of a pirate captain. His skin was a warm olive tone; she could lay in the sun for hours and never achieve a tan like that. Midnight blue hair, sideburns, and goatee framed his angular face, and the dark circles under his eyes implied he rarely got a decent night's sleep. His clothing was casual, consisting of spotted jeans, black boots, and a yellow hoodie; hardly the apparel of a feared warrior. Atop his head rested a spotted, furry hat, and she wondered if it had sentimental value like Luffy's did; she really couldn't imagine why someone of Law's reputation would wear such a silly accessory otherwise.

Being a pirate was about more than just looks, however. Up close like this, Nami could tell he was dangerous. Taller than even Zoro, though far leaner, the muscles of Law's exposed forearms showed he wasn't some skinny weakling. It was intimidating, to say the least, especially when the nodachi propped on his shoulder was nearly as long as she was tall, and her hand itched to use the Clima-Tact strapped to her thigh to turn herself invisible and run away. She keenly recalled seeing the vivisected pieces of navy soldiers that had littered the battlefield at Sabaody. Even if there hadn't been any blood, the gruesome scene was like something out of a horror story. The sunny yellow of his sweatshirt seemed too cheerful for a man of his reputation, yet it easily enhanced the intensity of his calculating gold eyes.

Eyes that were locked on her. Assessing. Calculating. Appraising.

"That depends on what you're offering," he replied, not bothering to hide his lecherous grin as he gave her curvy figure a slow, penetrating once-over.

She shuddered. Of course he'd suggest that; men—especially pirates—were all the same. "Not what you're thinking, that's for sure. Look, I know medicine and the like ain't cheap, and assuming you fed Luffy at some point, that's a hell of a grocery bill. I'm here to pay you back so you can't hold anything over his head in the New World." Squaring her shoulders, she met his gaze unflinchingly. Much as she loved money, she knew the importance of paying one's debts. More specifically, she knew the power debts could have over a person. "Just name your price. It might take me some time to get it, but I'm not called 'Cat Thief' for nothing. You'll get your belli."

Pushing away from the wall, Law slowly circled her, studying her like she was a new and unusual specimen he was eager to dissect. "You think I want money?" he asked, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest. "The hearts I sell on the black market are worth ten times your bounty. I can empty a safe of its contents without opening the door. Moreover, I saved your captain's life, not his wallet. If you want to pay me back, you're going to have to give me something more valuable than belli, gold, or jewels."

"And what is that?" she asked, twisting around so she could keep him in her sightline. There was no way she trusted him enough to take her eyes off him. She'd feel more comfortable being stalked by a hungry leopard than the lanky surgeon.

One final circle and he stopped in front of her, looming over and blocking out the sun like the Grim Reaper himself. "Time. Your crew agreed to meet up in Sabaody in two years, right? Then spend one year as a member of the Heart Pirates."

"Are you crazy?" she shouted, stepping back. "I'm not joining your crew! I need to spend that time training!"

He shrugged. "You can train aboard my ship. There's no better vessel to study ocean currents with, which will be beneficial for getting to Fishman Island, among others. Besides that, I saw your fight at the Auction House; you desperately need combat training. And I'm sure your captain would hate for your thieving skills to get rusty. Can you do all that on Weatheria?"

It was infuriating how logical his argument was, mainly because his smile was uncomfortably smug. "My combat techniques rely on my knowledge of weather science. I can't give up the opportunity Heradas is giving me," she argued.

"You'll still have a full year to learn from him once your debt is paid, Nami-ya. Surely the weather wizards understand how important your captain is to you; otherwise they never would have brought you here."

Small fists clenched, nails digging into her palms. She hated how easily Law had backed her into a corner. He was cunning, calculating, and knew exactly how to manipulate the situation in his favor. She'd actually admire him if it weren't focused on her. There was no way she was giving up without a fight, though. "That sounds like I'm getting the better end of the deal, which doesn't translate to paying off a debt. What's in it for you? If your skills are as impressive as you claim, surely you're not in need of a cat burglar?"

"As my subordinate, you'll use your numerous skills to aid me and my crew. I know you're a talented navigator and cartographer on top of your infamous thieving abilities. Perhaps you could even help me run some cons with that incredible beauty and high alcohol tolerance of yours." He chuckled at her shocked expression. "Mugiwara-ya talked extensively about you all; mostly in his sleep. Anesthesia has a fascinating side effect of acting as a truth serum, and I had to keep him under quite a bit so he wouldn't rage about and tear open his wounds."

Damn you, Luffy! Nami screamed mentally. She should have known he'd be an idiotic blabbermouth, even on death's door.

Still, this needed to be done. It was too great a risk, letting someone like Trafalgar Law, the sadistic Surgeon of Death, hold a life debt over her nakama. He may claim he'd acted on a whim, but Nami knew pirates like him never did things out of the goodness of their hearts. Maybe he'd intended on calling in a favor at a later time, using her good-hearted captain for his own plans. Luffy would agree in a heartbeat, too, since he'd probably assume anyone who had saved his life was his friend. Thinking like that could get him killed.

That's exactly why he needed someone like her.

The Cat Thief couldn't fight like Sanji and Zoro, but she could protect her captain from the machinations of a rival. They had the strength, but she had the brains and survival instincts they lacked. She'd promised she'd make Monkey D. Luffy the Pirate King, and if she had to spend a year working for another crew to do it, she would. At the very least, she might be able to discover Trafalgar Law's weaknesses.

And maybe—just maybe—she'd run into Luffy. She knew he'd fulfill his promise to meet them in Sabaody, but that didn't mean she didn't worry about him. He was an idiot, but he was her idiot, and if she had the chance to at least check on him, she'd take it. Law had saved his life; perhaps he knew where the rubber captain had disappeared to.

"So, do we have a deal?" Law asked, gold eyes bright and smile too wide for his narrow face. He could see the gears turning in her mind, grinding and processing until she came to the conclusion he desired.

A small voice in her head whispered that this was a mistake, that this was sounding too much like her deal with Arlong, but she pushed it away. Guilt at not being there for her captain far outweighed her distrust at making pacts with pirates. Swallowing down her fear and doubts, the beautiful navigator stuck out her hand, brown eyes meeting amber with determination. "Deal. I work with your crew for one year; not a day more."

His calloused, tattooed hand engulfed hers, shaking firmly. Like a leopard that had trapped his prey and was eager to pounce and gobble her up, his expression was triumphant and hungry.

"Welcome to the Heart Pirates, Nami-ya."