Catching Up

A/n: Long time no see OP fandom! It has been some time since I wrote for this coupling, but it has to be one of my favorites. And the good portion of my doujinshi collection being devoted to 37 pairing proves that.

That being said, its time for another fic, and the legal stuff we have to get out of the way- I do not own the characters or the original story line of One Piece. If I did, there would be a whole lot more fluff going on!

While reading this over I have yet to figure out where exactly this fic could fit in with the original story arcs... it doesn't have any spoilers, so don't worry about having read the current chapters... oh well, just enjoy it on its own then!

Also in this story there are kind of heavy topics... implied stuff... but nothing that I would deem M in rating... if you disagree please let me know. The rating might change as we go along... we shall see!

So anyway! Sit back and enjoy the fluff!

A delicious aroma from the kitchen wafted forth and surrounded the strange looking boat sailing on the calm waves.

There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the breeze was cool against the sun's hot rays. The crew on the solitary ship seemed to not have a care in the world. The waves and the wind carried them towards their destination at a leisurely pace.

The day was a striking contrast from the situation a few days prior. The latest scuffle they had luckily gotten out of left the crew tired and in need of a little quiet time. A small port town on a friendly and peaceful island seemed just the spot to re-supply the ship and give its crew a breather from the constant troubles they seemed to find.

Each crew member seemed to find peace in their own way. On deck the long nosed scientist fiddled with a few new experiments while the wide grinning captain played happily with a pinwheel in his favorite spot.

Standing amongst the mikan trees, the curvy figured navigator allowed the breeze to blow in her hair as she picked a few of the ripe mikans. It had been a while since she had time to just sit in her grove, and it seemed to be exactly what she needed.

Below the grove, sitting at the kitchen table where two figures, both with their own agenda for being out of the sun. The wind would have only made his work grinding herbs with his tiny pistol or mortar more complicated, so the tiny doctor with the big hat sat at the table. The hopes of getting some of whatever the cook was working on as also added incentive to frequenting the kitchen, but he was not about to tell the cook that.

The atmosphere in the kitchen was calm and relaxed. While the cook expertly crafted his newest treat, he hummed a sweet melody. However, the tune was lost on the green haired swordsman who also sat at the table. With a clean cloth he was carefully cleaning one of his three swords. Then again with so much domesticated bliss radiating from the cook it was hard for the swordsman to totally ignore the cook. The love cook was just sickening at times with his whipped attitude and obedient actions. If he didn't get the most delicious and free food, he would have really done something about the man happily slicing away at the counter.

Before he knew it, he was left alone at the table. Chopper, having finished his grinding, had given up on the hope of a pre-lunch treat and went below deck to finish his work. It was just the two men in the kitchen.

"You almost done with that?" Zoro put his sword down seeing the glistening metal, he knew it was as clean as it was ever going to be. The Suzy Homemaker of the group was getting more and more annoying with the happy humming and fawning over his creation.

"You can't rush love like this!" The curly eye-browed cook replied grabbing a bag of whipped cream. Skillfully he applied the white sugar-filled topping in little flower shapes to the dish before stepping back to admire his work.

Zoro couldn't help but drool seeing the perfectly crafted treat. The white cream on top of layer after layer of fresh fruits and thick looking cake made his mouth water.

"And I can only guess who gets that." He scoffed knowing a certain lucky navigator would get yet another sweet dessert. "Pansy."

"A perfectly delicious treat for my perfectly delicious treat." Sanji smiled and went all heart eyed.

"At least tell me you're gonna get something return… with a girl like that she has to be good at something." Zoro smirked seeing he hit his mark.

"Shut your mouth! Don't talk about my angel like that." Sanji growled. "What we share is nothing like you've ever experienced."

"Look here buddy, there is nothing wrong with the things I do. And I'll let you there's no way a girl without experience can make a guy scream the way you do… by the way, you mind keeping it down will ya? I like to sleep at night."

Sanji was taken back by the notice that their little bed time activities were known to the rest of the crew. It was a bit embarrassing to say the least. But that was superseded when the insinuation rung in his ears.

"What do you know about her? And who are you to make such accusations about her virtue like that?"

"Don't get all mad at me… I'm just telling you to open your eyes… well, speak of the devil; here you can ask her yourself." Zoro smiled seeing the door open and the smiling navagator walk in. For some reason he enjoyed seeing the couple get all riled up. It amused him when there was nothing better to do… he had already taken a nap that day, and lifted a thousand or so reps of weights…

"Excuse me?" Nami didn't look too thrilled to be called a devil, especially when she had just walked into the room. She at least liked to get in a few jabs before the verbal fighting got this far. Setting down her basket of mikans on the table, she looked confused.

"Don't mind this idiot… look my sweet. Just for you!" Sanji smiled as he ushered Nami closer to the counter and handed her a spoon.

Zoro watched as Sanji placed a few kisses to her neck as she hugged him in thanks for the treat. He couldn't help but mumble something under his breath before turning to start on his second sword.

"What's his problem?" Nami asked turning to look at the eternally angry swordsman. She could not help but wonder what she could have possibly done to get Zoro this peeved without being there.

"He just can't believe that my Nami-san is a sweet, innocent angel!" Sanji said hugging her.

"Innocent my ass." Zoro scoffed.

"What was that?" Sanji instantly went on the defensive. He dropped his arms from around Nami and strode over to Zoro. The fighting stance was set and Zoro, not one to back down from a challenge also stood. The two faced each other ready to break into a fight any second.

"Will you both stop it? You're like two annoying children having a pissing contest." Now it was Nami's turn to growl as she slammed her spoon down on the counter.

"What does it matter if I am what you say or not? Why do you care?" Nami asked turning on the two and storming over to the door. Before she could exit, she was stopped in her tracks.

"Spoken like a true wh…"

Sanji's foot was up to Zoro's throat in a second cutting him off.

"I will not have you insinuating or calling Nami-san names like that. She's nothing like what you are saying!"

"You just believe that… it's none of my business if she's more experienced then what you think or not."

"How would you know?" Nami snarled in an angry voice, not bothering to look at either man.

"You tell him Nami-san! Our first time was something that he could never imagine- it was more than just sex. It was a first time expression of true love. Something shared with only one person."

Nami turned and looked at Sanji as his words sunk in. It made her a little dizzy and her breath caught in her throat. He felt that strongly… it was that important to him…in his eyes she fit this pure and innocent image…but deep down it hit her hard. Nami averted her eyes. How could she tell him now… like this in front of Zoro?

"Why would you listen to him?" Nami asked turning back to the counter and picking up her spoon and the parfait. Moving quickly she went to take Sanji's hand. She wanted to get out of there, and she didn't really want him talking with Zoro anymore either.

"See!" Sanji looked back at Zoro before taking Nami's hand and following her out of the room.

"Yeah, I see… I see that you're blind." But Sanji had already left. "Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me?" He sighed getting up and picking up the left over cream. "Might as well have a snack before my second nap of the day."

Later that evening after all the dishes were done, and the late night course corrections were laid, both Sanji and Nami retired to the downstairs cabin.

"Everything ok?" Sanji asked as Nami slipped into bed. For several months the two had shared the girls room and the bed.

They had been through so much- it was after one of the last villains had tired to marry Nami, that Sanji just could not take it anymore. He proposed while wrapped in bandages from head to toe lying on her bed after a massive fight. And she surprisingly accepted it.

It had taken her some time to work things through in her mind, but she had realized some time ago, that she cared for him… loved him even. It was the first time since she was young that she admitted that openly. This new kind of relationship was refreshing at times. It felt good to fall asleep in his arms, to have someone there that made you smile… someone that would give their life for you.

Granted Sanji's level of devotion was a bit much at times… ok a lot. But it wasn't all bad.

She had her quirks and he certainly had his. And that was why she was particularly troubled by their conversation in the kitchen earlier that day.

"Nami?" Sanji's voice pulled her back to the present.

"The ship's fine… don't worry." She replied and laid on her back next to him; mindful of not making too much contact.

"And you?" He sounded concerned. She blinked at him, before answering.

"I'm fine… why?"

"Well, after Zoro's foul mouth in the kitchen you've been rather quiet… don't let his words bother you."

Sanji only meant well. Nami knew this. However, his words only seemed to bother her.

"Sanji, its normal for people to have other partners… its only sex."

"But its not just sex Nami… with you its never just that. You're my only… there's never been another that I have loved on this level. It's only you Nami." He said propping himself up on his elbows and cupped her face.

This only made her gut twist… he loved her that much… even though he was a love cook, she believed him when he said she was his first. And that made the Zoro's words 'more experienced' echo in her mind. They got sharper and more pointed with each kiss that Sanji placed on her lips and skin.

"Sanji… I'm…"

"What is it Nami-san?" He stopped and looked at her with worry in his eyes.

"I'm tired; can we just snuggle and go to bed?"

"Whatever my Nami-san wants."

A/n:

Well, good job Zoro. Make her feel like crap. Just what is Nami hiding? Will it really matter to your love cook? Or will her past finally catch up wit her and ruin her future with our beloved blond?