After about three hours of surgery, Chopper opened the door and exited the bridge. He could tell that there was tension between everyone on the ship. He didn't want to break the silence, but as a doctor, he also knew that it was his job to tell them that the surgery was a success. He walked over to Zoro and tenderly placed a hoof on his leg.
Zoro looked at him. "How is she?" It was clear that he was still raking himself with guilt about what he had done.
Chopper let out a small smile. "The surgery was a success. Kat's resting down. I understand that you feel guilty about what happened, but it wasn't your fault. You were being mind-controlled."
Zoro sighed, looking down at Henry, who had fallen asleep in his lap. "It doesn't matter, Chopper. I could have killed her. Pretty Kitty is Henry's mother, and I could have been the reason he doesn't have one."
Luffy came over to Zoro and Chopper and placed a hand on Zoro's shoulder. He could sense that Zoro was holding himself responsible for what had recently happened. "Zoro, it's gonna be ok."
Chopper knelt next to Henry and removed a bit of his hair from his face. "Don't worry, little guy. Uncle Chopper's gonna make your momma all better." He stood up. I'm gonna go check on Kat. She might have woken up by now." He smiled. "I'll let you know what happens after the anesthesia wears off."
Zoro nodded. "Thank you, Chopper."
A few hours later, when Chopper came out of his office and informed Zoro that I had woken up. "Zoro, she would like to see you."
Zoro nodded and picked Henry up before walking up to see me. He walked into the tears still in his eyes. "Hey, Pretty Kitty. How are you feeling? I am so sorry for everything."
I smiled and took his hand. "Zoro, I don't blame you for any of this. I'm healing thanks to Chopper." I looked at Henry sleeping in his father's arms. "He looks more like you every day."
Henry started crying in his sleep before opening his eyes.
I took him from Zoro and rocked him back and forth. "Hey, buddy. I'm here." I started to breastfeed him, exposing the scar.
Zoro squeezed my hand before standing up. "I should go." He went to leave, but stopped when I grabbed his hand.
"Zoro, please don't go. I know you blame yourself for what happened, but understand that this was Garth's plan from the start."
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it. Garth was so easy to betray Dave that he joined us, and then later the New Order. He knew that if he separated us because he also knew that we are strongest together. Garth knew that you would do anything for Henry and me. He tried to break you, Zoro. In that he failed. You are stronger than that. Your heart is stronger than that."
Zoro didn't say anything. His heart seemed to have gotten harder, and he seemed more distant. I could sense that what had happened to him made it hard for him to look at me the same way. Without saying much he left the room.