A/N: The longest time it has ever taken me to update! So sorry for the wait but being that this was the final chapter it took a while to perfect being that i wanted to check and double check that all loose ends were tied up.

On top of that, there is the stress of an internship I have taken that has really killed my inspiration for anything, which is why this chapter took a lot longer than it should have. Lying down on the floor in my supervisor's office crying is a story I truly wish was fictional. All I can say is DON'T DO DRUGS PEOPLE! Counseling groups of individuals suffering from addiction is an emotionally exhausting task and until I complete this internship in late December, I won't be updating my other stories.

It really was a struggle to get this chapter out and the only reason why I pushed myself was because it was the last one. I hate leaving things incomplete when they're so close to completion. I do hope you enjoy. Please review this chapter if you can. I want to know if there are any unfilled plot holes of if there were things left to be desired.

Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece

An eternal darkness surrounded her where top from bottom was no longer distinguishable within the black void.

"Where am I?"

Ember stood stiff and rigid, unable to detect the floor, if any, before her. A foot stuck out into the darkness, the feel of a walkable surface despite its invisibility was reassuring to her proceeding footsteps. This couldn't be hell; if it was, then it appears to have been overly exaggerated. Everlasting punishment and eternal torment in fiery flames were nowhere to be found.

There was no path, no left or right, just complete blackness as Ember ventured through it. It was difficult to determine her progress, as there was nothing behind her to measure her distance traveled, if anywhere. It was when Ember stopped in her tracks to try to get a grasp on her situation that she spotted the tiniest white speck found in the distance, flickering just enough to grab her attention. If this was a sign of advancement, she accepted it willingly.

It was difficult to judge the distance between her and her target but considering that the steady increase of the light's size was not at the pace she would have liked, indicated she had some ways to go. Picking up speed, she transitioned into a light jog, hoping it would bring her closer to her goal faster, that was until something grabbed her.

Of all her parts available to be snatched, her long tail always seemed to be the victim of grappling hands, effectively turning such occurrences into a pet peeve. Being pulled by the tip of her appendage, Ember was yanked backward with a force that had her landing on her rear, her back bumping into a pair of legs. Tilting her head backward, her eyes met the grey ones of Trafalgar Law's, exchanging equal amounts of displeasure toward one another.

"You were here this entire time and didn't tell me?" Ember growled, her annoyance apparent as she stood to her feet.

Law's eyes were fierce and angry, completely ignoring her pointless question. "Just what do you think you were doing?"

"Trying to get to that light over there," she explained. "Come on, maybe it can get us out of whatever this place is."

Law snatched her wrist in a harsh grip before she could even gain the momentum to step forward. "I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that, Miss Ember."

Ember turned around, her voice cautious and calm despite the building intensity. "What?"

"I'd rather not waste breath repeating myself."

"Why? Why can't I go?"

Grey eyes silently watched as Ember grew impatient.

"Well?"

Still no response from the doctor.

"Dammit Law, tell me!"

"I need you. That's why."

Ember scoffed, yanking her wrist from his grasp. "For what? To finish conducting whatever twisted experiments you have planned for me? To continue tormenting me on your ship for your own sick amusement?" Her tone was now several decibels away from a shout. "Tell me, tell me one good reason why you-"

"Ember, please."

It was strange how things seem to get much more serious when the doctor drops the formalities. What made it worse was how stern his voice was, mixed with a hint of urgency that caught Ember off guard. His eyes were out of view, concealed by the shadow cast by the brim of his cap as if ashamed or embarrassed by his own tone.

A brief period of silence was shared before Ember sighed steadily, realizing that losing her tempter was not going to remedy this situation and decided once again to attempt the civilized approach. "Why don't you want me following the light?"

Law huffed quietly, crossing his arms before answering, his voice low as he spoke. "If continue onward, I may never see you again."

Ember raised an amused brow. "Oh? Who's to say that's not a blessing for me instead?"

"Look Ember," Law snapped, attempting a dangerous glare but his eyes came up empty for anger. He was growing frustrated yes, but not with her, more with himself instead. "Unfortunately that is all that I can reveal to you. So please just do me a favor and continue walking in the direction opposite of where you were going."

"And continue being your hostage? No thank you." With that Ember turned on her heel.

Law watched as the distance between them grew, his internal struggle resulting in an all out war with himself. Law was great at delivering detailed explanations; He had to be, otherwise his complex methods of reaching an objective would go misunderstood among his crew. If this was such a skill, then why was he struggling with a one-sentence reason for Ember not to leave? Perhaps overthinking was to be the blame; the one thing he considered to be beneficial in his thought process. Sighing heavily, Law let the words flow freely.

"I've always been a calculating man, Miss Ember. Even during childhood," Law began. "I was always planning my next experiment, my next area of study, my next move. Being a step ahead allows me to anticipate possible set backs of any kind…"

Ember had paused briefly to let his words sink in, curiosity getting the best of her as she slowly turned and began to approach him. The closer she got, the more anxious it made Law, causing him turn to the side with arms tightly folded to avoid her gaze. Pretending she wasn't there seemed to help overcome the discomfort as he continued. "With that being said, if you continue on as you were," the sudden dryness in his throat had Law getting frustrated with himself, "I can honestly say I would not know what to do with myself as losing you was never considered in the list of possible outcomes."

Law felt her presence next to him but dared not look toward her direction, unable to face the smug smile of victory as she reduced him into this mushy mess of confession. This was exactly what he was trying to avoid.

"You know Law," Ember spoke in a soft tone. "If I didn't know any better, I would say that sounds a lot like love."

Law rolled his eyes, the slightest blush managing to creep on his stern face. "Take it how ever you see it, just so long it answers your demanding questions."

"Since when is one question demanding?"

"It's the nature of the question that has taken a toll on me." Law responded.

Ember turned Law's body to face her but he still couldn't find it in himself to make eye contact. Sighing heavily he spoke. "Please don't ever ask me to explain myself in that context again. My interactions with you should paint a pretty good picture of your value to me."

"Don't worry I wont, you're quite terrible at it," Ember joked. "I must say, you haven't been acting like yourself. Discarding the formalities, expressing feelings, saying 'please'. Are you even the real Law?"

Law finally turned to her, a wicked smile on his lips.

"Of course not."

His lips came crashing down on her with reality following closely behind as everything went blank.

It was as if was being born all over again, the gasping breath, the blinding lights as she reentered the world. Her vision was slowly regaining focus, her subconscious making relations to her surroundings. I know this room…

A noticeable twinge of pain brought her attention to her midsection, where she found Law finishing the last couple of stitches of a rather large gash. "Careful, it will be more painful to re-stitch these when you're conscious."

Ember's body relaxed into the familiar plush sofa she was laying on, feeling the soft tug as Law tied the knot of his handiwork. Strange, she didn't recall receiving stitches from the man to be this seamless.

Her eyes found Law sitting cross-legged on the floor bare-chested with the exception of white bandages wrapped neatly around his torso. Bruises decorated the tan skin, the deep purple reminders of the beating he had just survived. Ember noticed that next to him was a bloody assortment of tools in a silver tray, the same tools she had given to him on the ship upon her return.

Law found her studying his gifted instruments at his side. "I'm glad I came prepared. I can't imagine the mess that would come from patching you up with standard medical equipment."

Ember's dream came in to play within her mind. "You…you planned on me getting hurt?"

Law looked at her quite disgusted. "This whole outcome wasn't 'planned' Miss Ember, as if I wanted this to happen. I did however take into consideration the possibilities of us sustaining injuries that may require serious medical attention in the field."

"No, what I meant was," Ember's hand was dragged around her face as she attempted to get her bearings. She felt the movement of a sleeve and realized she was wearing Law's coat. "Ugh, that wasn't what I was trying to ask."

"Then why are you wasting your breath with pointless conversation?"

Ember ignored the snappy remark and continued. "I had this strange dream while unconscious...you were in it."

While wiping his tools down with some gauze, Law's eyes flickered with mild interest. "Oh?"

"There was this white light I was trying to get to and you appeared from nowhere, trying to stop me from following it."

Law smirked as if proud of his fictional self. "A 'white light' is usually a representation of 'the other side', or so my revived patients say. You enter that light, then I assume it would be an acceptance of death."

Ember paused as if experiencing the greatest revelation of her life. "So that's what you meant, what you said makes much more sense now."

Arms resting on the seat of the sofa, Law rested his head against one hand with a subtle smile on his face as he listened to this phantasmal tale with great interest. He was curious to see how he was perceived by her unconscious. "Please elaborate before you begin justifying whatever this fictional representation of me had said as 'sense'."

Her elbows sunk into the cushion as she propped herself up to get a good look at Law. "You said you didn't want me going into the light because losing me was never considered in your list of possible outcomes. I guess if I kept on going, I would have died."

Ember was looking for a flicker of emotion, of something and Law could tell she was getting disappointed, as he remained neutral. He had to though, for his own safety, as her sudden epiphany seemed to have struck some kind of cord. It was strange how this perception of him seemed to be more insightful than he was on the subject of possibly losing his most valuable subject and the more Law lingered on the thought, the more it worried him.

Just what was he to do if he had lost her?

Ember disrupted his thoughts with a poke of fun, growing uncomfortable with his lack of response. "Did I scare you?"

Licking his lips that seemed to be suddenly dry, he responded with a strangely relaxed smile. "As a matter of fact, yes."

"Care to elaborate those feelings?" Ember said with some sarcasm, as she already knew the answer.

"I'm a surgeon, not a psychologist," Law said with a roll of his eyes. "I don't enjoy processing emotions, especially my own."

Ember huffed and said no more, soon gasping in surprise as her thoughts moved onto something else of great important, the sole reason of their presence here.

"Shit! Caesar Clown! We have to get moving before he escapes!" Ember attempted to rise but the sharp pain in the midsection of her semi-naked form caused her to think twice. Hoping her armor would somewhat toughen the already damaged skin and cover what the unzipped coat left exposed, she attempted to layer herself in scales, panicking when none appeared.

"What's going on? What's happened to me?"

"Calm down," Law in a lazy tone. "Your scales are regenerating."

Ember gave a look of pure disbelief. "They're what?"

Law sighed. "You sustained an injury so severe that your body shut down into unconsciousness, your scales falling off as a result of lost communication to your brain that regulates their movement. Don't your remember? How could you not, after a stabbing like that?"

Law never failed to astonish Ember with his knowledge of anatomy; the man had an answer to everything, which raised an important question for the not so human patient. "When did you become more knowledgeable of my body than I am?"

Law's smile was alarming. "With you being unconscious for quite a while, I had some time to…tinker around." Law picked up his platinum scalpel, examining it idly all while putting a devilish smirk on display.

Ember laid back down, hands covering her face as she struggled to process what Law had just implied.

This cunning bastard used her flesh wound to finally cut her open.

There was a sense of violation as Ember was "thoroughly examined" during her unconsciousness, creating some unwanted feelings of vulnerability. She quickly changed the subject back to Caesar, not wanting to dwell on the fact that Law had finally got what he wanted from her. The fear of being discarded, like a toy it's owner had outgrown, lingered around the back of her head for now.

"Well then what are we going to do about Ceasar?"

Law's voice was laced with irritation. "I'm not worried about Ceasar at this time. He will be captured one way or another."

"What makes you so sure?" Ember snapped.

"I have you as a powerful asset."

"Have me?" she laughed. "Did you 'have me' there to save you from getting captured?"

"Perhaps I could have if you didn't jump to conclusions about Miss Monet and I."

Ember paused, suddenly remembering the reason for her return. If it weren't for her need of answers, who knew what fate would have met the doctor.

"So…that wasn't true, those things she said."

Law's imagination ran wild, resulting in a soft chuckle. "What exactly did Miss Monet share with you, if I may ask?"

Ember grit her teeth as she brought herself upright, the pain from the effort apparent in her speech. "You don't…wanna know." A small sigh of relief was heard as she achieved her goal. "It doesn't matter so long as it isn't true."

Law smiled knowingly. "If it was…would you be jealous?"

Her body stiffened as she processed the question. Was her jealousy that obvious? Her over reaction from Monet seemed to set a pretty good example of how she felt towards the thought of Law sharing intimate relations with another. After all this time spent with Law, jumping between the roles as his captive, patient, and partner for this elaborate plan he dragged her into, it was hard to understand just where in this process did she begin to develop feelings for this man They were there unfortunately, whether she liked it or not and the fact that she was finally owning up to it made her body relax.

"Yes…yes I would."

Expecting some sort of scoff or defense as a response to his semi-serious question, Law was quite surprised by the answer received but pleased nonetheless. So pleased, that he stood to hunch over the sofa, gripping her shoulders where the loaned coat struggled to hang on. "Would you prefer if I belonged to you and no one else?"

Ember swallowed hard as Law teased her with such an offer. Law, putting himself up to be owned so willingly? It was obvious to Ember that he was using her territorial responses to his advantage and it was always obvious that she would fall for it willingly.

Law slowly began to shrug his coat off her shoulders, his face nuzzling the curves as Ember began to breathe heavily through her nose. "I have no problem being claimed by you so long as you return the favor in being mine as well." His voice was a soft purr that made the offer that much more enticing but Ember stood her ground, despite Law's close proximity that seemed to put her in a haze.

"I'm almost certain there is a catch." Ember said with closed eyes as warm, tattooed hands ran up and down her bare sides in a lazy fashion. She felt the hot breath of Law's soft laugh against her neck, apparently amused.

"There most certainly is, Miss Ember and I'm quite sure you are already aware of the single condition I ask of you," he kissed the shell of her ear before whispering, "All I need now is a yes."

"How about I give you my answer after we capture Ceasar?"

Law pulled back, displeased. "The reason for the wait being?"

She flashed a mysterious smile. "To keep things suspenseful."

Although not at all happy about having to wait, Law was somewhat content and placed a kiss on the gauze patch of Ember's neck wound that was now brought to her attention.

"What happened to me?" she asked, both hands frantically feeling around her neck. What side did that red headed asshole mar me with? I can't remember.

Law played with the edges of the patch to inspect for a possible change of dressing. "You received a nice bite from the ever so friendly, Miss Monet," he said with heavy sarcasm. "Thanks to the presence of previous wounds similar to your stomach. Care to tell me the origins of these injuries?"

Ember sighed. "I ran into some trouble on my way to finding you." She cast her gaze aside guiltily, but not in association with sustaining serious injuries as Law assumed.

It hurt to lie, but now was not the time to have a heated discussion of what went on in her interactions with Eustass Kid prior to her search for Law. There was always a time and place for everything but for now, some things were just better left unsaid or possibly taken to the grave. Looks like Monet saved her from an awkward explanation of how Kid's symbol got there.

Ember quickly changed the subject. "Can I use my scales now?"

A well deserved look of suspicion was directed her way as Law straightened up to walk over to the bar's tabletop where he had a microscope sitting. Taking a brief look into the binocular lenses, he answered. "Skin cells appear to have returned to their original composition so I don't see why you can't."

"You took samples?!"

Law looked over his shoulder, face indifferent. "And?"

Ember huffed, wrapping her body in the safety of shimmery armor before getting to her feet, Law's coat in tow. There seemed to be no end to her violation.

She thrust the outerwear into his chest. "Are you well enough to begin pursuit?"

Law shrugged himself into his jacket, pulling the zipper all the way up to the collar. "I'm fine, although I should be asking you that question." Law visually examined the Zoan user, who still had some bare patches in her injured areas. "Your newfound weak spots aren't going to pose a problem are they?"

"If we do this right, it shouldn't. Ready?"

Law snagged some heavy chains off the table, holding the sea stone cuffs up for display. "Ready."

The wind whipping past his ears was like a soft whistle as a hand secured the hat atop his head. It was a nasty fall toward the bottom, a blue blanket that was not at all a safety net for those dropping out of such a high altitude, especially for a Devil Fruit user yet despite the danger, Law continued to sit where he was with much confidence.

Perhaps a bit too much confidence as he slid down a slender neck to check up on his tied up hostage, whose thighs were clenched around the thick hide he was straddling, his only means of stability.

"Law, I beg of you, land this thing now before I get sick!"

"By all means, toss up the contents of your stomach if you must," Law stated as he examined his fingernails. "Just be prepared to deal with her." A thumb was thrown over his shoulder, causing Caesar Clown to release a whiney growl.

Law smirked and left the scientist to grovel alone, pulling himself back up the scaly mountain using the neat row of protruding spines as leverage. Reaching the top, he plopped down onto his rear, his back resting against the twisted horn of his dragon.

"Miss Ember," Law called softly, hands resting behind his head as he analyzed the shape on an overhead cloud. "Caser Clown has been captured yet you still haven't given me an answer."

A soft huff was heard from Ember that left Law unsatisfied. Getting up, he strode over to her snout where he sat himself, ignoring the fact that he was thousands of feet in the air. "Is that a yes?"

There was an annoyed growl from the dragon, frustrated that Law was asking her questions knowing speech in her Zoan form was impossible but the man demanded an answer despite these conditions so Ember did her best to come up with an appropriate response.

A long, wet tongue crawled out from the side of her jaws, reaching up to give Law a nice long lick that made him cringe as his coat became saturated with saliva.

"I'll take that as a yes." He mumbled. Hidden within the frown etched on Law's features as he shrugged himself out of his coat was a hint of satisfaction and Ember responded with a deep, cooing rumble that caught his attention.

Law pulled his hat down to hide the tiny smile that crept on his lips, quickly rearranging himself so that he was lying down along her snout, back resting against the bridge between her eyes.

"A dragon as a crewmember. This should be interesting." Law pondered allowed.

Another huff was heard as Ember agreed, her responses limited.

Law listened to the beats of Ember's strong wings, the slow, guttural breaths deep within her lungs that seemed to reverberate throughout her being. He listened to the music that was her body, no stethoscope required. How does one understand another simply by comprehending their anatomy? Law wasn't too sure himself; all he knew, all he felt was this strange feeling of unison as he finally unlocked the secrets of her being. His breathe, despite his lungs being much smaller than Ember's, was in time with hers and there seemed to be a physical connection that science just couldn't explain.

A hand hung off the edge of her snout where he pet alongside it lazily. Law continued to look up at the sky, this feeling of freedom and connection with a creature he has been trying to tame for some time causing a rare moment of verbalization, taking advantage of Ember's inability to respond.

"All I ever wanted was for you to join my crew Miss Ember, and although I could have done without all your resistance, it made your acceptance that much rewarding."

Not even a snort from Ember as she continued to listen very carefully to Law's every word.

"Besides," he began again. "How am I supposed to claim you as mine if you don't reside on my ship as part of my crew?" Law chuckled to himself, continuing on. If Ember later had the nerve to question him about his meaningful ramble, he would simply blame it on the altitude. "You are the best experiment I have ever had the pleasure of studying and I wish to always keep you as my subject."

There was a long silence yet thankfully the soft beating of wings and whistling winds kept Law company. He cleared his throat making sure his tone sound indifferent. "It shouldn't be too long until we reach Dressrosa. I will brief you on phase two of the plan once we land. For now, I'm going to take a brief rest. Wake me when we get there."

Law left Ember's snout to slide back down her neck, settling himself there since there was less wind resistance, leaving Ember alone with her buzzing thoughts.

Law was not much of an affectionate man. He was not the man to cuddle or willingly plant a random kiss and Ember understood that. Law was just as mysterious and strange as she was yet there seemed to be an unspoken mutual understanding of each other but Ember knows not to expect any sentiment from Law, so then what is she to do when he hands it to her willingly?

A strange surge of emotion rattled her like a shiver from a cool chill. Law, so in tuned with her body now, felt it and was already able to make a diagnosis. He rubbed the back of her neck soothingly coaxing her to release the tension she was holding back.

And she did.

A loud cry was heard. Not enraged or filled with anguish. Not even a cry of sorrow but it of sweet relief, hearing Law actually verbalize his affections for her. It was such a burden lifted from her shoulders and she wanted nothing more than to wrap human arms around her lover, her now captain but knew the three of them would plunge into the ocean below. Law was a smart man and she knew this was done on purpose, to avoid the emotional processing of one another's feelings but Ember never was one to ask for much, especially from Law.

Which was why she decided not to acknowledge the doctor's rather heartfelt confession. Law knew just how to turn a beautiful moment sour and she didn't want this memory to be soiled by his defensiveness if she chose to dig further into it. Ember never anticipated much from Law but this display of simple expression was enough to exceed and satisfy her hearts expectations, overwhelming her with emotion.

Tears quietly fell down the dragon's face, hitching rides on gusts of wind as they evaporated into the air. A wild, rambunctious creature, Ember never knew of the certain joys that came with being tamed. The wonderful feeling of belonging as she was now willingly owned by someone who wanted her as a lover rather than a rare prize or collectable. The sense of stability as she was no longer a wandering nomad, struggling to find her place in society.

The downgrade from captain to crewmate didn't sting as hard as Ember thought it would, the many different interpretations to leadership cushioning the blow. Sure, maybe leading a group of men across dangerous oceans may have not being her field of expertise, but she could still lead Law to victory, to success. That is something she can live to achieve so long as Law keeps his promise to remain hers, the same way she had vowed to be his.

Although there may never again be a strangely sweet confession made by Law, one thing she knew for sure was that he was a man of his word and that was enough to keep her around.

A/N: That's it! Thank you guys for all your support and encouraging reviews. You guys have been so helpful in my continuing growth as a writer and I appreciate each and every single one of you who has stuck around and left feedback! You are all the best!