"So what do you guys want?" Luffy asked again, Sanji standing nearby to make sure he behaved. "I think I will have the sea bass." Nami smiled, giving Sanji a strange look. "Fae and I will have the salad." Robin spoke up, "Could I have a tea and another water for Fae?" "Course you can." Luffy grinned, writing things down in a little notepad, which made me wonder if he was actually managing in this job. "I will have the special." Boa manged out in a soft voice, her face melting into a look of absolute lovesickness as she stared at the table; unable to look her crush in the face. It kind of reminded me of how Sanji looked at women and I shuddered slightly. Luffy and Sanji both wandered back into the kitchen and Boa looked up at me with a huge smile, "Isn't he just the cutest?" I looked at her then to Luffy's retreating form before I just shrugged slightly, "I guess?" It was an odd question to ask a woman already taken. "I have an idea!" Nami exclaimed as she scooted in her seat next to Boa. "Why don't we going over to Shank's bar this evening? Maybe just have a bit girls night out?" She nudged Boa's shoulder, "You could get closer to Luffy." She turned to the orange haired woman, "Really?? You mean it?" "Why not?" Nami asked. Robin turned to me and whispered softly in my ear, "I think you should tell the girls about your issue." I pulled away from her and looked at her with slightly widened eyes as if my best friend had grown a second head. "I don't know." "It's a step in the right direction." She glanced over to the two women. I let out a soft sigh, "Can I think about it?"

I stared down at the glass of whiskey that was sitting in front of me. I licked my lips and tried to swallow pass the developing lump in my throat.
Alcohol.
I haven't had a drink since...
"Is something wrong with your drink, Fae?" Nami muttered out as she picked up her drink and took a long sip. "No, just nursing it." I picked it up and sniffed at the drink. The strong wood aroma took me back to three years ago when I first met Pops in this very bar.

~Flashback 3 years ago~
I set the rock glass down, kind of roughly, after I chugged what was left. I tapped the bar, glancing in the bartender's direction. The lady gave me a soft smile as she headed over with the drink and I noticed a large presence next to me. "I'll have what she's having." The deep voice grumbled and I rolled my eyes at that stupid movie line. The bartender pulled out another rocks glass and set in front of him before filling both of ours. I grabbed mine and held it up for a few seconds, "What do you want Mister?" I was in no mood to talk with anyone. I didn't want to be flirted with or have men stumbling over each other just to pay for my drinks. "I have a proposal for you, Miss Faerie." He replied softly after a few minutes and I turned slightly to glance at him. He was an enormous and very broad man. He sported a very large white mustache, which was kind of hard to ignore. "A proposal, hm?" "Yes ma'am." He turns towards me, "I have been assigned to your case." He slid over a business card. I set my glass down and picked it up to read, squinting in the low lighting. It read that his name was Edward Newgate of the law firm; Grand Line. "I don't remember contacting you and I can't afford to pay you." I shoved the card back in his direction before taking a sip of my drink, hoping he would get the hint and leave me alone. "Ah, you don't have to worry about payments." He gestured someone over and I lean forward to see the owner of the bar. It was the loud redhead with the scars down his face. Shanks. This man and I didn't really get along too well because I had stolen from his bar before. He wandered over all smiles and laughing at some joke a friend of his had told him before he came to a stop, in front of us, on the other side of the bar. "Newgate, how can I help you this fine evening?" He smiled warmly and I vomited slightly in my mouth. Too cheerful. "You remember Miss Faerie." Newgate gestured at me and Shanks looked at me, "How could I forget the young woman who jumped the counter to steal a few bottles?" I let out a groan and turned sharply to the large man next to me, "Would you get to your point or leave me alone. I've had a very long day and I don't have a lot of patience." The anger rolled off me in waves but neither of the two men seemed taken aback. "My point being Ma'am, if you get sober and stay sober from this point on; I will get my friend here to drop the charges against you." Newgate spoke and I scoffed, "Sober? Me? Now why would I do that?" I turned back to my drink, my hand gripping it slightly tighter than usual. I needed the alcohol. It drugged my brain. It fogged my memories. It numbed the pain. I went to finish my drink when Newgate stopped me, "You don't need to drink your life away." His voice softened, "I understand you are going through a lot right now and you need help." I frowned and turned to glare at him, "You don't-!" I started to get angry, but his sadden expression caught me off guard. I suddenly felt very small. Almost as if he was disappointed in what I had become. Why did I feel this way? I had never met this man before in my life, why did I suddenly care if he was disappointed or not? I took a breath and slowly sat my drink back down, turning to look at the wall behind the bar, "What? Are you going to sign me up for an AA meeting or something?" Newgate then grinned widely at me, "Oh no, those meetings only sometimes work for people." I had an odd feeling with the way he suddenly smiled, "You're going to work for me." I looked at him, puzzled, "I don't know anything about the law." Which was a complete lie as I used to be a cop. "I didn't say anything about the law." His grin turned smug and he fished another card out of his pocket, setting it in front of me. "Meet me at this address tomorrow at 9 o'clock." He, then, thanked Shanks for his drink and left me to my own. I looked down at the card in front of me. The address was handwritten with the time underneath it.
~end flashback~

I set the drink back down and pushed it slightly away from me, "I forgot that liquor makes me sick to my stomach." But my words were drowned out by Nami yelling loudly, trying to talk to Vivi, who joined us a lite late. Hancock was too busy ogling Luffy as he and his siblings just danced around the bar to the loud music. Robin was maybe slightly tipsy but was keeping a nice conversation with her roommate Franky. I'll just keep an eye on our stuff. At least one of us needs a sober mind.

I lost track of time when Shanks finally told our group to go home. It was some time in the early morning. I had Vivi wrapped around me as I did my best to steady her. "Why are you so heavy?" I stumbled slightly before catching my footing. Nami and Robin walked behind me as the rest of the group crowded around us. Honestly we were insanely hard to miss. "Luffy, Ace, come back!" Sabo called out as the two brothers skipped ahead. Probably looking to get into trouble. Luffy was too young to really drink but that never stopped him from sneaking a beer or two from his enabling brother. "Zoro, you carry Vivi." I whined as my shoulder was beginning to ache at her whole body weight. The moss head just turned to me and rolled his eye, "You need to get stronger." He easily picked up Vivi and tossed her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, causing Sanji to nail Zoro in the back of the head with a strong kick. "Eh!" Zoro stumbled a little but quickly righted himself before turning to glare at Sanji, "What the hell, shitty cook, are you trying to make me drop her!" "She's not a sack of potatoes!" Sanji growled before quickly taking Vivi from him, "She's a goddess, carry her like one!" He held her bridal style. Before I could say more, I was tugged over to the girl group; Hancock smiling brightly at me, "Fae, how did you meet Law?" Ah, more dating advice. I tugged at my ear, "We met on the subway." "Nooo," Nami giggled, "You have to actually tell her the story!" I blush at the memory, "It's embarrassing!" "Tell tell!" Nami jumped up and down slightly like a child and I giggle, "Okay, okay, I'll tell."

~flashback 3 years ago~
I sigh as I glanced at my watch, it was currently 3:58 pm. The train was just two minutes out from my new town and I felt extremely nervous. Everything was new. Nobody knew me here and in a way it was unnerving but also calming. I tapped my suitcase's handle as I chewed at my lower lip. Would I even make friends here? Would I be an outcast? Would I like it here? Would the neighbors like me or would they all shoot me weird glances as I passed them?? "Hey lady, if you're not getting off, move." A voice spoke and I jumped slightly, "Oh sorry!" I hadn't realized that the train had stopped and was letting people off. I grabbed my suitcase and in my hurried state, I tripped off the train. "Ah!" I shut my eyes, hoping the hard concrete wouldn't beat me up too badly. When the hard ground didn't come, I peek open my eyes to see that someone had caught me. "Are you okay?" I look up to see these golden orbs piercing straight through my soul. "I-uh...?" My brain refused to cooperate with me and I just stared at him. The train hissed behind us, doors shutting, and slowly moving it's way out of the station. His golden orbs flicked from my face to the train and he suddenly frowned, kind of dropping me to the ground, "There goes my ride." He let out an annoyed sigh. I jumped to my feet, "Ah! I am so sorry! I didn't mean for you to miss your train!" I bowed lowly, "Please, let me make it up to you!" I didn't have enough money for a ticket but I was sure I could figure something out. "Don't worry about it, it was the last train anyway." He grumbled, taking out his phone and texting someone. I stood, staring at him with wide eyes, "The last train...?" I made him miss his final ride, all because I couldn't keep steady on two feet. He shrugged a bit, "I can catch another one tomorrow." He seemed so calm about the situation, it made me absolutely uncomfortable. I took a few steps away as he made a phone call and I smacked my forehead, "Stupid, stupid," I slumped against the wall. "Just made it to town and already causing people issues." "Oi, you." I turned to the tapping on my shoulder to see the man again. "Uh, yes sir?" He crossed his arms over his chest, "You seem kind of stressed out, would you like to get a coffee?" He wouldn't make eye contact with me and I gave him a perplexed look, "Are you asking me on a date?" His eyes quickly sharpened and he glared at me, face flushed, "Of course not! It's to make up for you causing me to miss my ride!" He got riled up so quickly, I nearly laughed. "Of course sir!" I bit the inside of my cheek not to smile at his sudden reaction and bowed again, "I am truly sorry." He calmed and looked away, "Eh, come on, before the shop closes." He turned on his heel and began a brisk pace towards the stairs. "Yes sir!" I grabbed my suitcase and hurried after him. Man, he has such long legs. Luckily for me, the man I was following was easy to spot in the crowd due to the fluffy white hat that sat atop his head. He slowed down once we reached the little cafe that sat across the street from the subway's entrance. It looked like an adorable little bookstore on the outside and was called Ohara. "Are you going to stare all day?" The man grumbled and I shift my gaze to him. He was waiting with the door open. "Sorry, sorry!" I scrambled inside and shuffled out of his way as he made his way to the front counter, ordering a black coffee, before shoving his thumb back at me "And whatever she wants." Hearing him address me, I make my way to the counter, skimming over the blackboard behind the woman. "Uh? Just a green tea, please?" She nodded, giving me a gentle smile, "$5.09." I reached for my wallet and began to dig through it when I hear the cash register ring and my head snaps up to see the woman give the man his change. I blink rapidly before turning to him as he made his way to a table, "I thought I was supposed to pay!" I was utterly confused. He gave me another glare, "Are you always this loud?" I grit my teeth slightly, "No..." I couldn't seem to do anything but embarrass myself. I take the seat in front of him after receiving our drinks from the counter. "How am I supposed to pay you back if you just pay for it anyways?" He leaned forward to take a sip of his drink, "What's your name?" He completely ignored my question, how rude! I frowned at him, huffing slightly, "My name is Fae." Actually it wasn't my real name. But why would I tell a total stranger my name? Did I want to be murdered later? "Fae~ya." He replied and I tilted my head, "Huh?" "Your name is Fae~ya, it suits you." He glanced up from his cup and I looked away, tugging my ear. He had such an intense gaze. Wait, did he just flirt with me!? "Law." He hummed, pulling me from my thoughts. "That's an interesting name." The words leaving my mouth before I realized. "Thank you." He fell quiet, sipping his coffee and I shifted uncomfortable in my seat. Now it was time for the awkward silence. I picked up my cup and went to take a drink, "Ouch!" Jolting in my seat after burning my tongue and spilling the rest of my hot tea onto my lap, "Hot!" I yelped out, jumping up from my chair, trying to wipe up the mess. Law watched me with a slight amused look as I danced around, "Are you always this clumsy?" He stood and pushed me down to my chair, looking over my thighs that were now red. "Uh, not really? What are you doing?" He was making me nervous from how close his was to my body. "I'm a doctor." He looked over my thighs some of more before turning towards the counter, "Robin~ya, can we borrow your hose?" The woman behind the counter just gestured us to follow her into the back, where I was set down in a wooden chair that sat in a large tub. "It's going to be a bit cold but it's needed to easy the burns." Law spoke as he took the hose from Robin and began to run the water over my thighs.
After a while of making sure I was alright and that I had a place to go for the night, Law handed me a card. "Call me if your thighs get worse." "Oh, thanks." I took the card and look down at it. It had his name, the clinic's number for where he worked, and it also had his personal number. When I looked up to thank him and apologize for causing him so much trouble, he was already halfway down the street.
~end flashback~

The girls squealed with laughter at my misfortune. "Wow, he must have felt really bad for you!" Nami wiped the tear from her eye. "Actually I had really boiled your tea." Robin admits. "Wait! You make that happen on purpose?" I look at her with shock. "I did." She grinned, "You two just seemed like a good match."