Nami woke to Robin screaming. Tears streamed down Robin's cheeks as she tossed and turned, trying to fight away her nightmares.

"Robin! Robin! Wake up!"

Nami took Robin's shoulders and shook her until her eyes flew open. Nami released Robin.

"You must have really terrible nightmares. Monsters or something?"

Robin smiled in a pained sort of way.

"Monsters…that would be a relief."

Nami knew better than to pressure her.

"Well, why don't we go have breakfast? The kitchen's cleaned out after Luffy and Sanji's visit, and hey, it's only 4 in the morning! We'll leave Vivi and Kuina asleep for now."

Robin smiled at her friends enthusiasm. Nami had always been an early riser. Robin's nightmares just gave her an excuse. The two slipped out the door of the apartment and out into the dimly lit streets. They walked together in silence until they reached a 24 hour pub. The sign, looking like it had come straight out of the 50's, read Franky's in Florescent blue cursive letters. Robin and Nami exchanged glances before stepping inside.

"My god! What are girl's like you doing out dressed like that this early in the morning?"

the muscular blue haired man in a flower print shirt ran over to the girls, leading them up to the bar and placing hot chocolates in front of them.

"On the house."

The girls sipped from the coffee cups, enjoying the silky texture of the drink, as well as the added sweetness of whipped cream. Nami set her empty cup down as Robin took small sips, enjoying the rich chocolate taste.

"Ahhhh…"

Nami sighed in contentment and Franky smiled.

"Now, why don't you answer my question while I treat you girls to breakfast."

Nami smiled as Robin started,

"Oh no, I have money-"

Nami slapped her hand over Robin's mouth.

"It's an even exchange. Food for the answer to his question."

Robin sighed and stopped protesting.

"Robin had a nightmare, and we didn't want to wake our roommates, so we just headed out."

Franky looked over the girls' clothes.

"Not very smart."

Nami glanced at Robin's camisole and sweats, then her own mini-shorts and t-shirt.

"True. But I grabbed my bag with two changes of clothes, since we need to get straight to the university…"

Robin groaned. "oh, yes Robin. You will be wearing MY clothes to see your darling professor."

Robin face-planted in her Belgian waffles.

"Somebody shoot me now…"

Franky raised his eyebrows as snores began to emanate from Robin's plate.

"She must have been tired. Now, who's her 'darling professor'?"

Nami smiled at her friend.

"I just torture her because she had a crush on the teacher, and he rejected her last semester. We have a new teacher, so I've been teasing about her 'trying again' . It's all nonsense, really."

Nami's smile faltered.

"But we're running into financial trouble with the apartment, neither of us can hold on to a job."

Franky raised his eyebrows.

"Either sexual harassment or poisonous jealousy. It's always the same old thing."

Franky smiled, then waved a 'help wanted' sign in her face.

"How would you like to work here?"

"YES!"

Nami leaped to her feet.

"You really mean it?

Franky grinned. "Sure, kiddo. You can start after school."

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"Somebody! Help!"

The petite blond ran, screaming for help and just barely staying out of reach of the men behind her. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she put on another burst of speed.

"Anybody! Please! Help Me!"

she turned a corner and discovered a dead end. She ran to the wall, crying as she beat at it with her fists. She turned to the men, still coming. Slower, now that they could see she couldn't run. She was in hysterics, still crying out for help. But she knew as well as the men did that this was the worst part of town, and no help would come.

"Big brother Sanji! SOMEBODY!"

She lost her voice as the men cornered her, one pulling out a rope, and other a knife.

"Come on, girlie, let's have some fun!"

"We're supposed to take her to Crocodile!"

"Later. Let's play with her a little first."

She was curled up in the corner of the alley, paralyzed by fear. She'd already tried to fight them off, and knew she would die if she tried again, but she knew she couldn't let it end here. She stood and kicked upward with all her strength. The man caved, but the second man had his knife to her throat before she knew he'd moved. But before he could say a word she felt his grip on her loosen. She pulled free and someone grabbed her wrist. She barely had time to look at her savior before they were running.

"Thank you."

she managed when they finally stopped in a safe part of town.

"No need to thank me. Anyone else would have done the same thing."

She looked up at him, taking in the green hair, white shirt, and black sweats; before looking up at the black head sash.

"Nobody else tried."

He offered her his hand.

"You should get some food. Come on."

His voice was gruff, but his hand was gentle as he pulled her through the crowd to Franky's. Franky, clearing dishes, stopped dead; two plates and 3 glasses shattering as the tray slipped from his fingers. "ZORO! What the hell happened to her?"

Franky ran to the pair and crouched in front of the girl.

"What's happened?"

"Well nothing happened, Zoro rescued me…oh, and I'm Sam."

For the first time Sam looked down at her clothes. She winced. Her top had been torn to shreds, and the knife cuts had left thin bleeding lines in multiple places across her body.

"It looks worse than it is…"

she trailed off as Zoro pulled a roll of bandages from his backpack, as well as a shirt.

"Here. The restroom's down the hall."

He pointed. For the first time in her life, Sam didn't freak at being told what to do. Instead she took the items and changed, smelling peppermint as she pulled on the boy's shirt. She breathed in deeply, not really knowing why. She left to find Franky yelling at Zoro, in a state of panic.

"Good god, I can't believe that asshole is doing this again! It's happening! Just like before-"

He stopped when Sam came in.

"How you feeling?"

Sam touched her bandaged forehead.

"better."

She felt her heart stop as Zoro crouched in front of her and lightly touched a cut on her cheek.

"She's fine, Franky. Well, bye."

He was gone before Sam could say a word. A slight blush colored her cheeks. Franky looked her over with a smile.