PLEASE READ. This collection of romance OC/Canon works will NOT be completed. These are just little snips of parts I've written that aren't going to be finished, so I thought I'd share them here :) if you'd like to continue one of my stories, just ask! But please give credit to me, or I will hunt you down! :]

Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Summary of Carpenter City

I was just a young woman with a big ambition: to learn under the infamous Paulie of Galley La and hopefully make a name for myself to boot. Too bad things don't always go the way I want them to. OC/Paulie

Chapter One: Just A Small Town Girl

"Nicole Ayame?"

I stood hesitantly from my seat, straightening the fray of my jean shorts as best I could. "Present," I called, before wincing. My voice sounded nervous. I was nervous.

"Iceburg will see you now. Just go right in." The secretary smiled at me, and I managed to return the look, though somewhat wobbly.

On scuffed up sneakers I nervously hooked my thumbs behind my rainbow suspenders, rubbing the fabric between my fingers as I made my way to the office door marked "Mayor Iceburg" in elegant script. I reached out a hand slowly, my skin making contact with cool brass, before I turned the handle and pushed the door open fractionally.

"Come on in, miss."

I swung the door open wider, my eyes instinctively moving over the inner décor of Iceburg's office. It was incredibly tasteful, with neutral hues for the walls and a pure white carpet spread before a thick mahogany desk. Then my eyes rested upon Iceburg himself, with his dark coloured lips and vibrant blue hair, and smiled at the man, squaring my shoulders a bit. First impressions always counted, as I reminded myself constantly.

Maybe I should've worn something other than a paint-splattered tank top and ripped shorts. Or the suspenders. I shouldn't've worn the suspenders.

"You must be Nicole, correct?"

"Please, call me Nick," I interjected hastily, "I believe I printed my name as so on my résumé."

"So you did," Iceburg mused, unfazed and going over a few papers. He smiled kindly at me. "Well Nick, please have a seat," he gestured over to the plush armchair across from his, and I complied with his request, careful not to let the undersides of my shoes dirty the snow-white rug beneath me as I did so.

"I think you are highly qualified for the job, Miss Ayame," Iceburg started. I didn't bother correcting him on my name. I was too nervous to do so a second time. He looked up at me. "You have all the requirements we need here at Galley La, and under normal circumstances I would hire you without hesitation."

"Under normal circumstances?" I echoed, a deep sense of foreboding filling me, fast.

Iceburg nodded grimly at me. "Yes. You see, I met your grandfather many years ago," he started.

My breath hitched at the mention of my grandfather. Inwardly, I cursed. Even now, from beyond the grave he was controlling my life. Every single time! When I wanted to work at my island's local shipwright company, they refused me because he told them to, and I was forced to learn under him instead. When I wanted to give up on my dream to become a well-known shipwright and be a housewife like my parents wanted me to, he dumped ice-cold water on me every single morning until I took it back. And now, when I come to Water Seven, holder of the biggest shipwright company in the world, he is preventing me from getting hired and recognised!

The old man probably didn't want me to surpass him, because he knew I was better than him in his own trade.

Now if only I could believe it.

"I'm afraid I don't understand," I said, mouth suddenly dry.

Iceburg regarded me carefully, like he knew exactly what I was thinking. After a moment, he sighed, pursing his thin lips. "Nicole, you must understand that whatever your grandfather did was for the best. He wanted you to become a great shipwright."

I nearly snorted, but managed to restrain myself. "So why won't he let me do what I want?" I asked, sounding almost desperate. But I didn't care anymore. Grandpa couldn't control my life any longer!

Iceburg spread his hands. "How about you listen to the alternative for a moment before deciding anything?"

I paused. "Alternative?"

Iceburg nodded. "Before your grandfather passed away, he came here to Water Seven and told me that if you ever pursued a job at Galley La, I'd have you work under the top shipwright as a apprentice, to sum it up. That way, you could have more experience before you truly start your career as a shipwright for our very own company."

"Work under a shipwright?" I confirmed. Iceburg nodded. I pursed my lips to keep from frowning. "But I'm twenty-five. I think I'm old enough to make my own decisions, don't you think?"

"Age is but a number, Miss Ayame, and I promise you that Paulie is the best in the trade. You'll learn much from him."

Paulie, the number one carpenter at Water Seven. I had most definitely heard of him, though I wasn't sure what he looked like. Or knew any other tidbits about him, for that matter. Sure, he was well talked about at home, but I mostly just tuned all the gossiping shipwrights and focused on my own work.

If he was really as good as everyone said, though…

"How long would I be…learning," the word left a foul taste in my mouth, "from him?"

"Six months, give or take." Iceburg said promptly. My eyes widened. Six months? Iceburg noticed my grim look, continuing, "I'm sorry, Miss Ayame, but this is how it has to be. I assure you, Paulie is more than capable. You'll find, when the six months are up, considerable change in your skills."

"Alright." I was too tired to argue, drained both physically and mentally. "When do I start?"

Iceburg folded his hands, poised on the smooth mahogany desk. "First thing tomorrow. I'll have my secretary hand you the keys to your apartment that we've got set up for you, along with directions around Water Seven." He smiled. "I hope you have a great experience here, Miss Ayame."

I nodded wordlessly. Time to subject to six months of torture.

My eyes remained glued to the map, my feet making slow, sure steps. I think I was holding up traffick but then again, most people got around using Yagara Bulls. I, thankfully, managed not to come to any dead ends, because of the directions Iceburg's secretary had given me.

I was coming to terms with my sentence…ish. Sure, becoming apprentice to Paulie put a small dent in my plans, but I would still eventually come out top. Maybe Grandpa was actually looking out for me this time.

Grandpa. It was hard to think of the old geezer without getting sentimental. As loud and annoying as the man was, I still loved him. And as plan foiling as he was, I still missed him…

"Get out of the way!"

So wrapped up in my thoughts, it came as a surprise when I found myself shouldered roughly to the side by the crowd who had moved in order to let the man through. I tumbled into the murky water with a short cry. Ice cold water soaked my clothes and filled my lungs before I had the sense to clamp my mouth shut and start swimming upwards.

What the hell?

Flailing, I broke the surface of the water, coughing violently. I managed to grab hold of the sidewalk ledge to hoist myself up, and, ignoring the staring passers-by and water streaming down my face, strained for a glimpse of the Neanderthal who'd basically pushed me in.

Two men in immaculate black suits stormed past me and the crowd, tinted sunglasses perched on their noses even though it wasn't all that sunny. Their sights seemed to be honed in on the same man as me.

Then the guy with blonde hair held back by a ridiculous pair of goggles turned back around, a cigar clenched between his teeth. And grinned. Grinned! He saluted the men following him, not even sparing me a glance, before turning and running off.

The jerk!

Frustrated, I pulled myself from the water, no thanks to the small crowd that had formed, who were pointing and shaking heads at the man who had run off as if it was a daily occurence or something. As I was squeezing water from my hair, I frowned. I couldn't just walk into the Galley La Company's main headquarters looking like a drowned rat!

Oh, if I could only get my hands on the man who had done this to me…

A/N: And that's all I have so far! If you want to adopt this story, PM me and we'll sort out the details, plus I'll give you whatever plot I have :]

Stay tuned! There will be more little tidbits and drafts of other OC/CANON romances to come!