A/N: My first ever multi-chap. It's rated M for a later chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or its characters.

TTT

Chapter 1

TTT

He found peace with her. In her company he did not have to do anything. She never made demands only silently accepted his presence.

They spent many moments like this. Her, reading at the table and him snoring on the floor. At her side he did not have to worry about falling nuisances landing on his head; disturbing his much loved naps. Only peaceful moments. Robin was beautiful he admitted to himself. She had such grace and calmness and he couldn't help but respect her.

Sometimes he'd ask her what she was reading and she'd try and explain to him things he wasn't really interested in. She'd giggle in a friendly way, never making fun and then they'd just return to their quiet understanding. She was what Zoro pictured a female naturally was, unlike a certain other female on board...

"Zoro!"

"What, woman?" Zoro asked, resting on the floor, back against the railing and arms folded over his chest. Hiding out in Robin's company guaranteed him peaceful naps as he was spared from Luffy and Usopp's antics, but he knew it couldn't save him from that witch! Only death or jumping ship could save him from her.

"You were supposed to help Usopp fix the railing. she scolded. "He's struggling on his own!"

"He'll be fine. I told him I needed a nap and he said he could handle it," he answered. His eyes falling closed again.

"That's not the point!" she continued. "It was your job to help him. You were ordered to!"

"Yeah, by you. I only take orders from my captain," he answered, calmly not bothering to open his eyes again.

"Oh you mean the same captain who broke the railing in the first place!" Nami persisted. "When I give an order, it's for a good reason."

Zoro didn't respond.

"I'm talking to you, you oaf!" she yelled.

Zoro continued to ignore her.

"Is obeying me such a bad thing?" she asked in an almost hopeless tone.

Still nothing. Nami really felt as if she wasn't there anymore. He'd been ignoring her yelling a lot more lately and it was very difficult getting through to him. Not even punches on his head worked anymore.

"I'll raise your debt!" she warned with clenched fists.

Still nothing.

"This isn't over!" Nami hissed and stormed off.

Robin watched the angry navigator walk away and then noticed Zoro's eyes were open now, and he was watching as well. A little smirk appeared on his lips.

OooO

That night, at dinner, Robin was flanked by Zoro and Nami. As usual, Zoro didn't say much and Robin happily chat with Nami.

Occasionally, Zoro would snort. Robin noticed it happened when Sanji would fawn over her and Nami. The other times when Nami spoke proudly about her duties as navigator.

"It's amazing that even with my important navigating duties, I manage to keep these guys functioning as a crew," Nami was saying.

"Nami-san is the smartest navigator to ever grace the East Blue with her presence," Sanji cooed.

"Thank you, Sanji-kun," Nami smiled, proudly.

Robin once again heard Zoro snort and she chuckled.

"Yeah, well, Nami, I have to admit you do keep order around here," Usopp shrugged.

"Nami is great!" Chopper cheered.

"That's why I picked her," Luffy grinned and nodded through his mouthful of food.

Robin then noticed Nami glimpse in the silent Zoro's direction.

"Honestly," Nami added, looking down at her plate as she lightly poked at her food, "I don't know what these boys would do without me," she declared slowly, "Sometimes I even have to stand in as captain and other times...as first mate."

Robin noticed the emphasis on 'first mate'.

Zoro suddenly gasped into the soup he was eating.

"What did you just say, witch?" he demanded turning his head to look at Nami. Robin gave up on eating further and leaned against the wall behind her.

The navigator turned her head to the swordsman. Robin noticed a glint in her eye, "I said, sometimes I have to be the first mate," she stated slowly and clearly.

The galley went silent.

"Say that again!" he growled, dropping his spoon.

"Oi, shut up, marimo," Sanji warned, moving to Nami's side.

Zoro stood up and stormed around to where Nami sat, forcing his way past the cook.

Nami slowly looked up at him and met his glare.

"Well, it is sort of true," Usopp blurted out just then. Unfortunately for him he was sitting right opposite Nami which meant the angry Zoro now loomed over him too.

Thankfully, Nami spoke. "Yes, it is," she said boldly. "You're lousy at obeying orders and most of the time you're on your butt snoring. You're supposed to be second in command, but instead we're always having to find you and telling you what to do."

Everyone looked at Zoro who was breathing hard.

"Well...I'd have more to say if I received more orders!" he retaliated.

"You do, from me!" Nami pressed.

"Not from you, from the real captain!" he pressed back, pointing a finger at Luffy.

All eyes fell on the Captain who was too busy cleaning out everyone's plates to notice the argument.

"Well, that's true," Usopp said, again.

"Shut up!" everyone but Robin and the captain yelled.

OooO

After dinner, Robin came across Zoro who had stormed out of the galley after the blow out. He leaned on the railing looking out over the sea.

"Quite an argument between you and Navigator-san," she said joining him.

Zoro grunted.

"That witch is always pushing, picking on everyone," he growled, "She thinks she owns me and can just order me around," He referred to the enormous debt.

Robin gave a slight smile at his last words. "And what will happen now?" She asked, "She has questioned your abilities in front of the whole crew, how will you deal with that?"

Zoro kept his eyes on the water. "I'll play her game," he smirked, "She pushed...I can push back harder."

OooO

The next day Luffy couldn't wait to explore the new island they had docked at.

"Ok, people," Nami stood by the mast, raising her voice. "It will take two days for the pose to set. First," she began giving their orders. "I want Luffy to go with Sanji and help with carrying stock. Secondly, Usopp, you'll —" She turned to Usopp but got cut off.

"Usopp will take Luffy and go get supplies for repairs," Zoro's thick voice squashed the navigator's instructions. All eyes fell on him as he came down the stairs of the bow to stand next to her at the mast.

"How dare you interrupt Nami-san when she's handing out her beautiful orders, you green shithead," Sanji hissed from Nami's other side.

"Love-cook and the witch," Zoro ignored the hissing, "can restock the food supplies — as well as shop for dresses," Zoro smirked.

Sanji's anger vanished instantly when he heard he and Nami would be alone together.

"Robin and Chopper are free to do as they please; and I will guard the ship," Zoro finished, crossed his arms and glanced down at Nami.

"Yoo hoo!" Luffy cheered. "Let's go Usopp! A new island is wai —"

"Hold it!" Nami who had quietly been seething until then, broke through, stopping Luffy and Usopp in their tracks. She then faced Zoro who returned the gesture, still crossing his arms.

"That's no good. I'll take Robin and we'll go shop for books and clothing. Luffy will go with Sanji, and Usopp will get repairing supplies!" she ordered.

"No! We'll do what I say!" Zoro barked back. "First mate, remember?" he announced, proudly pointing a thumb at himself.

Nami clenched her teeth and Zoro waited for her come back.

Instead, Nami slyly moved over to Luffy. Zoro narrowed his eyes at her deviousness.

"Well, captain? You gonna follow my trusted decision, or Zoro's," she said his name with distaste as she gave him a degrading look , "Someone who only knows how to nap and fight?" she scoffed triumphantly at Zoro.

"Huh?" Luffy said. The unfortunate captain still didn't know about the rivalry going on between the first mate and the navigator.

Usopp whispered in his ear, briefly running through a summary of the situation. Unfortunately for the navigator, the captain was disturbed by her wanting him to accompany Sanji — and that greatly affected his decision.

In his most manly tone he announced his decision. "Right! We'll do what...Zoro said!" then he tugged on Usopp's arm and they jumped ship, eager to escape Nami's possible eruption.

Zoro's cockiness returned as he moved over to the railing by the ladder and leaned on it with one elbow. He grinned at Nami. "Well, Love-Cook," he addressed Sanji without taking his eyes from the navigator. "Go ahead and take your Nami-san shopping."

Sanji twirled around Nami, mumbling incoherently as the navigator clenched her teeth and glared at the swordsman.

OooO

"Oh my sweet, first we can buy your lovely clothes. My Nami-san must not wait on any man! We will find the best skirts, blouses, dresses and those sweet bikini —"

"Sanji-kun, could you please shut up for a moment while I try to think!" Nami angrily cut the cook off. She couldn't stand Sanji's fawning right now.

"Hai, Nami-san!" he obeyed.

They had made it into town, but the navigator wasn't walking in any specific direction at that moment. Her mind was too clouded by her anger towards the swordsman to think straight.

'That Zoro!' She thought, fuming. How could he challenge her authority like that? Didn't every decision she make benefit the whole crew? Without her they'd just be a bunch of boys playing pirates. Well, for the exception of Sanji who was very sensible when not losing his mind over women.

'I keep them afloat and their stomachs filled, with my unique wisdom,' She thought, raising her head with pride.

Another thing that bugged her was him teaming her up with Sanji! Nami looked over at the cook, who was window shopping on her behalf. She was not fond of the way Sanji drooled over everything when she shopped. She dared not ask his opinion on any outfits. Sure, he was good for carrying her bags but sometimes Nami really wished she could just tie him up outside the store. Zoro would pay!

OooO

Zoro awoke from his relaxing nap and stretched his arms. He loved a good nap. It was almost as good as facing a challenging opponent. He sighed and went to rest his elbows on the railing as he looked out at the island.

The annoying Navigator could fall under that opponent category. And boy did he knock her down this morning. He grinned slyly. And to top it off he teamed her up with the equally annoying cook. He knew she'd just love that! Zoro felt very satisfied with himself. He was eager for another face-off with the orange-head — as long as he was the victor — of course.

Zoro stripped his T-shirt off and began to work out.

OooO

Later, Nami and Sanji were walking back to the Merry after completing their purchases. Nami's had been done very hastily and Sanji had been rushed through his. She needed to get back to the Merry, so she could start reclaiming her position.

It was very difficult, however, as Sanji insisted on carrying everything himself. He was quite a comical sight, she had to admit, with his popping eye and drooling mouth. She wondered if he could actually see anything!

"Hey, Nami! Sanji!" Chopper's little voice called out as he and Robin almost caught up with the two.

Nami turned her head without stopping or slowing her pace. "Hey, Chopper," she waved back absent-mindedly.

Robin watched the navigator with amusement. She definitely was in a hurry.

Sanji couldn't turn his head. He was having enough of a battle with balance. "Hey, Chopper. Robin-chan, it's...so nice to...see you," he said, even though he couldn't.

"Would you hurry up?" Nami nagged on him. They were approaching the ship but it couldn't be quick enough for the navigator.

Zoro heard the voices and dropped his weights.

"Here, let me at least take that!" Nami tried to grab a tiny packet dangling from Sanji's little finger.

"Nami-san, don't worry about me," he insisted. The tower of Groceries and clothing bags leaned dangerously to the right as Sanji moved to pull his left hand from Nami.

Robin and Chopper saw the tower leaning over. "I better go help," Chopper sighed. Robin chuckled. She predicted a war would rock the Merry tonight.

Nami moved ahead of Sanji. Her hands eager to grab onto the waiting rope ladder.

Zoro strode along the railing, stopped at the ladder and rested his arms on the railing, watching Nami's approach. She looked up and their eyes met for a brief second, but Nami swiftly looked away. Zoro kept his eyes on her, watching her climb up the ladder. "Need a hand?" he grinned down at her without reaching his hand out.

Nami pulled herself on deck and moved away from him to wait for Sanji. "Shut up," she said, crossing her arms. "Go take a shower or something."

Zoro strode towards her, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Just have to start ordering people around again, don't you, didn't you learn anything from this morning?" he smirked, deliberately stopping close to her for a towering effect.

Nami's eyes flashed a glance at his sweaty chest which was too close for comfort.

Robin climbed up the ladder and saw the Navigator and the Swordsman had found each other and were focused on an argument. And standing rather closely to one another, she noted.

Nami scoffed, "That was nothing — just a trivial victory," her head was turned to her side to look out for Sanji and to avoid Zoro's closeness.

Once on deck, Robin stayed next to the ladder and waited for Chopper as an excuse to watch the argument up close.

"Nothing trivial about it," Zoro said matter-of-factly. He loved this! "So, how was your shopping spree?" he grinned down at her, "Did you and ero-cook have fun?"

"Sanji-kun was helpful as usual," Nami quickly said into Zoro's face. She found herself now looking into Zoro's eyes from a really close proximity. Zoro returned the look, silently.

Robin blinked with surprise at the picture before her.

That moment, Sanji climbed on board carrying only Nami's bags as Chopper had relieved him of the rest. Nami pulled her eyes from Zoro's. "Sanji, I can take it from here," she said and shoved her hands against Zoro's abdomen to get him out of the way, as she didn't want to be the one who backed away, but she only managed to shove herself backwards in the process.

She hurried over to Sanji. The cook saw her coming and immediately raised his hands in the air. "Nami-san, I'll take it to your room and ensure it is placed safely on your bed!" He quickly insisted, holding the bags up out of her reach and fleeing to the women's quarters through the hold. She sighed.

Zoro laughed this time and Nami rushed back to lay a big one on his head, but Zoro grabbed her wrist and stopped laughing. He brought his face closer to hers "Don't, woman," he said quietly, with a vague smile on his lips, his eyes burning into Nami's.

Robin blinked again with a smile.

"Urgh, you stink," Nami hissed in his face, trying to pull free.

Chopper climbed on board and Robin reluctantly followed him up to the kitchen.

Zoro loosened his grip with a satisfied grin and Nami pulled free. "You're such an ass!" she shrieked. He made her feel weak and she hated that. She had earned her authority over them! She looked back into his eyes with fury.

— But then, something suddenly dawned on her and she broke their angry glance to look over the area she, Sanji, Chopper and Robin had just come from. Zoro frowned at her distraction. She was ruining his fun at her expense.

"I wonder where Luffy and Usopp could be," she said in an even tone. "I do hope the captain didn't drag Usopp into some mess... again," she put emphasis on the last word and looked at Zoro at the same time.

Zoro looked worried.

OooO

On the previous island the crew had spread out and fulfilled their individual duties but as the sun was setting Usopp and Luffy were returning to the Merry from the forest Luffy had insisted on exploring.

Just as on Jaya Island, Luffy had walked away with a bug.

"It's almost as big as Hercules!" He had cheered happily, running around with his new pet and poor Usopp had tried to keep as much distance between himself and the black creature as possible.

"Watch out, Luffy! Keep that thing away from me!" Usopp had warned. It wasn't as big as the previous pet, but just as hideous.

Luffy had finally calmed down and was walking next to Usopp when suddenly his hat flew off and he turned to his left — the side Usopp was walking on. "My hat!" he moaned, swinging his body around to grab it back but unfortunately, his right hand swung around too bringing the bug straight at Usopp who had also stopped and looked back. Then Usopp felt a sting in his neck where Luffy's occupied hand had collided with his skin...

Turned out the bug had been some weird looking spider and had waited for an opportunity to attack as Luffy had a grip on it which prevented it attacking him.

Chaos had broken out on board when a frantic Luffy arrived, carrying an unconscious Usopp. To everyone's relief, however, Chopper had announced the sting was not poisonous and left nothing but a bruise. Usopp had fainted because he found out the bug had touched him.

It had been a close call and Nami had decided that keeping Luffy under supervision for a bit, preferably by Sanji when exploring new islands, would be a good thing.

OooO

"Great job, Idiot," she said, sarcastically.

Zoro grimaced. "If they're not back in ten minutes, I'll go after them," he groaned.

"Yes, you will," she said, dryly.

"Yeah, cause I decided I will!" he defended, irritated.

Nami snorted and walked away.

'Damn woman!' Zoro fumed. Somehow, he still felt he was following her order.

TTT

A/N: Next chapter coming up next week.

So that's the first chapter. Yes. Omg, writing a story with chapters is difficult. The other chapters I'm working on are very flawed, lol. I take my hat off to all those authors who have done it and succeeded in doing it and who do it on a regular bases. :)

I have to thank everyone who have reviewed, faved, and put alerts on my first two stories and wow, even put alerts on me! You are lovely! Thanx for giving me confidence. :)

I just have to mention that for some reason after my stories are published, I find the words I put in italics are still in italics, but have somehow turned bold. I prefer using italics when a character puts emphasis on a word, and bold italics when a character is shouting from a distance. This is really ticking me off. For now I'm sticking with what I normally do.

Thanx for reviewing, if you do. If you don't, then you'll owe me, hehe.

B'Bye now :)