A/N: A special thanks to everyone who has reviewed/favorited/followed this story. Also thanks for waiting so patiently for this update. I have been so busy and I'm glad to know so many people are still in support of this fic. I really appreciate it. Now, without further ado, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 3

Instincts come naturally to all people. For someone like Usopp, Chopper or Nami, instincts told them to run from a threat that is naturally superior to them in fighting skills. However, to someone like him, Roronoa Zoro, instincts told him to fight until he became stronger.

Fighting had always come naturally to him. He would think about fighting throughout the day, train for any fight that may come up and even dream about fighting. He supposed it had something to do with a certain green-haired woman he'd often see visions of while he was sweaty and on the verge of passing out but allowing himself to push through and become even stronger for it.

He always had something to fight for: his mother, that had been taken away from him at a young age by vicious pirates; Kuina, his best friend and sharer of his dream and legacy; and the crew, eight people he had no idea would become important to him.

So, since he always had something to fight for, his instincts were always sharpened. At that moment, his instincts told him that something wasn't right.

He allowed his eye to travel across the deck, observing his crew members. It was funny, many people think that losing one eye made him susceptible to mistakes and vulnerable, however, his eyesight and intuition had never been clearer.

He saw Luffy, his captain and the person he was willing to protect at all costs sitting on the Lion's…excuse him, Sunny Go's head. Brook was playing a slow, melodic tune with Chopper, who had become extremely serious lately, nodding his head along to the rhythm. Usopp was perched on the rail, opposite the side of the ship he was sitting, with the shit-cook instructing him on what types of fish to catch for their dinner that night.

That left Franky, Robin and Nami. This is where the problem arises. Usually, Nami would be yelling at Luffy to do something while the dart-brow would swoon over her. This would cause Robin to laugh at their antics and Franky to scream at them not to hurt the Sunny. Brook would then play an upbeat tune in which Usopp and Chopper would dance along to the song foolishly.

The change in routine to what would have happened two years ago did allow him to take his naps without being disturbed; however, it wasn't like the crew at all and he didn't like the change.

At that moment, the navigator had come through the door that led below deck. She had most likely come from taking another nap. It was strange, two years ago the navigator hardly ever slept before everyone would go to bed for the night, now it was routine for her.

He allowed himself to watch her for a bit longer than he should. He remembered the night of the crew's reunion very vaguely. He remembered having a drinking contest with her well into the night. He had been impressed; no one he knew could hold as much liquor as he could without vomiting everywhere.

They had drank until their light conversation became goofy giggles and hiccups. After that, the conversation became serious as they talked about a time period that the crew still never touched on – their separation.

Her story had been funny, he laughed heartily when she told him she attempted to cheat the town's people of Weatheria. For once, he felt a connection with her that didn't require that the two of them argue to get their points across. With the amount of ale they had been drinking he found himself loosening up and telling her about the ghost princess and training with Mihawk.

After his story, he felt her hands rub across where his eye had been cut out and he felt his hands entangle in her now, very long hair. He remembered his lips touching hers and after that, everything else had become a blur.

When he snapped out of his reverie, his eye focused on the navigator, who had been staring at him in return. He watched her blush before she turned away and faced the ocean. That's how she behaved towards him since that night. She would stare at him for a few moments then turn away sadly. He presumed it was because of whatever they had done that night.

He sighed, he didn't like the changes at all, because he knew deep down, he'd rather argue with her then not talk to her at all. Leaning against the rail that was behind his back, he breathed deeply, that just left Franky and Robin. He closed his eye and wondered where they could have gone. Shrugging his shoulders he allowed himself to sleep for a moment, instinct would tell him if anything happened to them.

Swift, slim fingers glided over weathered parchment. Her careful, precise eyes glanced over the black ink marking each page. After a short while of this she slammed the pages shut and placed the old book back onto the shelf, dissatisfied with her find.

She stretched a bit before taking a seat in her chair. Picking up a glass of a fizzy juice the chef had left for her earlier, she sighed contentedly as the flavor rushed through her throat and sent a tingle through her entire body.

She crossed her legs and leaned backward into the chair looking up at the massive variety of books that would make up her library. Usually, she would have no trouble locating a book of her choice; however, seeing as the subject was one she hadn't need to be well versed on, she rarely had books on it.

If the situation were different, she would have no need to find the book.

"Um, Robin." Chopper walked up to her when she was alone, "Can we talk for a moment."

The archaeologist nodded and closed the book she had been reading on the deck before replying, "What is it that you need Doctor-san?"

He stammered a bit and wrung his hooves together before looking her in the eyes, "Did Nami tell you that she…." He trailed off.

"She did." She replied with a nod.

"Oh!" he exclaimed as his face brightened a bit, "You wouldn't happen to have any knowledge of human pregnancies would you?"

She looked at him for a moment, pondering his question, "Is there anything specific you need to know?" she asked.

"Um…" he looked towards the ground, "Deliveries."

"I can find a book on the subject Doctor-san." She said with a small smile.

"Really!" his face seemed excited, "Thanks Robin."

As he bounded away, Robin smiled softly. She was used to seeing Chopper playing with Luffy and Usopp or not accepting compliments correctly. So whenever the young doctor took up responsibility, it warmed her heart a bit. However, there was a feeling, one she wasn't aware of, crawling inside of her.

Since their conversation she had spent the latter half of the day looking for any books on pregnancy. Thus far, she had been unsuccessful in her search and the feeling still plagued her.

Pushing herself out of the chair, she decided to continue searching. After failing in her search once more, she felt the unknown emotion creep into her chest again.

Stopping to ponder it for a bit, she realized that she was angry. However, she wasn't angry because she had to keep the navigator's pregnancy a secret from the rest of the crew or even because of the words the two of them had shared a few nights before. She was angry with the situation.

Anger wasn't a feeling that was new to her. Prior to joining the young crew and leaving Water 7, anger had been a constant emotion. However, as she continued to spend time with them, through the silly games, jokes, stories, affections from the cook and the…dare she say it…love shared between them, her anger had all but dissipated.

So when the feeling crept back into her, she attributed her anger to jealousy. Jealousy that Nami, a much younger woman, would have a child before she did.

Although the archeologist didn't appear to be old, she happened to be thirty and quickly approaching thirty-one. She knew that many women had children well into their later years but she didn't want to risk any of the complications she read having a child older may bring.

She began shaking her head. She shouldn't feel like this. She had absolutely no reason to be angry or jealous. She finally had the nakama Saul had told her about. She should be happy that Nami, her surrogate sister, would have a child. She should be celebrating.

"Nico Robin." A gruff voice came from her door, causing her to drop the book that was currently in her hand.

Allowing her sapphire eyes to travel to the door and take in the form of the larger man, she sighed, "Franky, you scared me."

"Oi, sorry." He replied, "You have been down here for a long time."

She sighed once more and crossed her arms, "I suppose I have been here for quite a while."

He leaned against the door frame, "Is something bothering you?"

She closed her eyes and sighed once more. Walking to the door, she brushed pass him softly, "Nothing." She replied, "Nothing at all."

He allowed his gaze to follow her until she was long out of sight. Then, he moved his eyes to the book that she had left on the ground.

Walking over to it and picking it up, he read the top of the page the book had landed on, "Pregnancy symptoms."

His eyes zoomed across the page as he continued to scan it before slamming the book closed and slipping it back on the shelf. Eyes widening at his discovery, he gasped, "Robin is pregnant."

Don't forget to read/favorite/review/follow. I really appreciate it. Also, be on the lookout for the next chapter, it will come much quicker than the last.