Disclaimer: One Piece is not mine.

Warning: just admit it... at this point you'd be upset if there wasn't a lemon right? (I don't know who decided there was going to be lemons in every chapter, but I think it was Zoro.)

Keep Out the Chill

A cold chill had descended on the waters around the Thousand Sunny and a light snow was beginning to fall onto the deck. According to the intelligence they had gathered at the last island, they should be approaching a winter island in the next week or so. For the weather effects to have reached so far out to the sea meant the island must be a very arctic place indeed! Nami struggled with the zipper on her pink jacket. She was already wearing a long sleeve shirt over her t-shirt and a pair of tights under her jeans, but she was still so cold she needed to swap her usual sandals for boots and pull put her warmest fleece jacket. And they were still a week away from the island! Did they even have the right clothing to step foot on such a frigid place?

The longer she stood in the chill air, the more she thought she'd just remain on the ship sipping hot chocolate when they docked. But there was always the risk of missing out on treasure, so could she really do that? Of course if she asked in just the right way, Zoro would bring back the treasure for her, but only if it were in an obvious place. That man was pants with a map! No, she'd have to dawn extra layers and just bear the cold. There was little she wouldn't do when it came to obtaining treasure.

Tugging the sleeves of her jacket down over her hands, the young navigator leaned over a railing. Her eyes were cast out to sea scanning for patches of ice that might be floating on the surface. Soon a tall, silent figure came to stand beside her. From the grace of the approach, Nami assumed it was her roommate. Straightening up, she looked at the other woman. "Hey, Robin." She called.

For a moment Robin was too lost in thought to answer. The woman was wearing a heavy purple coat over a pair of thick tight black leggings that were tucked into boots the same shade as her coat. A thick hat was pulled low over her long raven hair. It took Robin a few moments to collect herself. "Sorry, Ms. Navigator." She said with her light smile. "I just wanted to see if we were getting close to the next island."

Nami's orange hair swished as she nodded her head. "Yes, we should be there in about a week. Since it's this cold so far away, I'm a little afraid of what the island itself will be like!" The older woman was lost in thought again so Nami called out, "Robin?"

Hearing her name brought the archaeologist back to the present. She nodded. "I thought as much." After a pause, she said in a soft voice. "Nami, I wanted to let you know something so you don't worry."

"What's that, Robin?" the red head asked adopting the older woman's hushed tones.

With a soft feminine smile Robin continued, "I won't be in our room at all tonight. So don't be alarmed when you don't see me."

For a moment, Nami was confused. Robin didn't have watch tonight. Why wouldn't she be in their room? "What do you mean? Where will you be?"

Robin laughed delicately. "Don't worry about me, Nami-san. It's just too cold to sleep alone tonight."

Things suddenly clicked for Nami. The man Robin told her about before, they had been together now for years. Robin was spending the night with her lover. And then it also hit her that she would be alone in the room all night. She could tell Zoro...

The archaeologist laughed again as she watched Nami work things out in her mind. "You should find some way to keep warm too," the tall woman added in case the younger girl still needed a hint.

"Yeah," Nami nodded with a surprised smile. "Thanks, Robin."

With a smile and a small nod, the other woman turned to leave, but Nami stopped her by calling out.

"Hey Robin?" Robin turned to look at the navigator and Nami continued. "Is everything alright? You seem sort of distant today."

It seemed like Robin wasn't going to answer. Nami would have understood; Robin was a woman of many secrets. But the older woman had come to not only respect and care for her crewmates- she trusted them as well. "It's nothing to worry about, Nami," Robin answered, "It's just that something about winter unnerves me."

Remembering their encounter with the ice Admiral on Long Island, Nami nodded with sad eyes. But then the red head smiled. "You're right, Robin. There's nothing to worry about as long as we're all together!"

Robin's smile this time was warm and bright and a little more relaxed. "Thanks, Nami. Sometimes I have trouble remembering that."

Nami smiled and watched Robin as she walked away. The navigator took a moment to reflect on the bonds that the crew had developed. Like Robin, she had been her own for a while before joining up with Luffy. At first she had tired to keep them all at arms length- bossing them around and acting as if they were pawns and not friends. But when they took on Arlong's group and Luffy tore down Arlong park, they also managed to tear down the walls Nami had spent years building around herself. She was on the other side of that battle when they fought for Robin. The walls Robin had spent twenty years building were strong, but they were still no match for Luffy or the friends he collected.

A faint smile crossed Nami's lips. When you were used to relying on yourself, it was easy to forget that any member of this crew would stand beside you-or in front of you- when you faced your most challenging battles. She was glad she could help Robin remember that.

When Robin finally disappeared from sight, Nami was pulled from her thoughts. With a quick glance out to the see to check on their course, the navigator went off in search of her green-haired swordsman.

She found Zoro asleep on the aft deck leaning against the mast. It was the third or fourth time she'd found him sleeping here this week. He certainly seemed to find this place comfortable. Then Nami covered her mouth to suppress a giggle. It couldn't possibly be that he was sleeping here because it was next to her mikan trees. Still her spirits lifted at the idea.

Looking around, Nami noticed that the light snow had started piling up on the deck. Practically skipping over to the largest snow mound, Nami grabbed a handful. The snow was so cold, it burned her bare hands, but Nami managed to get in into a perfect snowball anyhow. She decided it was best if she didn't pack it too tight since she only wanted to have a bit of fun not hurt him. After bouncing her hand up and down to test the weight of the snowball, she launched it at Zoro.

"You lazy bastard! Why are you sleeping during the middle of the day?" she called.

The snow hit Zoro square in the jaw causing him to jump up and draw his swords shouting "What the?"

Nami couldn't help it- she started laughing.

When Zoro narrowed his eye, sheathed his swords and said, "Oh, it's you," Nami doubled over with her laughter. The snow was still stuck to his face and he shook his head to get it off. "Oh you think it's funny do you?" Zoro asked threateningly.

Wiping the tears of mirth from her eyes, Nami shook her head in the negative despite her laughter.

Zoro pressed his lips together with a grim expression before saying, "Well if you think that's funny, then you are going to love this!"

Noting his tone, Nami straightened up and stopped laughing just in time to be tackled backward onto the mound of snow. Despite Zoro's size and strength, it didn't hurt when he toppled her back ward into the snow. Even though the cold of the snow was soaking through her jacket and making her hair wet, Nami started laughing again while Zoro laughed above her. Nami watched as he lifted his head and looked around to see if anyone was in a position to see them. The fight could have been considered a fun squabble between friends, but there was no mistaking the kiss Zoro leaned down and planted to Nami's soft lips.

The kiss ended as both participants couldn't keep themselves from laughing long enough to kiss properly. And they knew that lying in the snow on the deck when anyone could walk by was risky enough. They couldn't like this stay here for long. Zoro moved to climb off of her, but paused for a moment looking down at Nami with a faraway look in his eye.

She lay sprawled in the white snow. The color of her brilliant hair had darkened to a brownish hue at the ends where the snow had soaked it and made it stick together. The pink jacket around her revealed nothing of her figure, but Zoro knew it well enough to picture it perfectly. The cold air had made her skin very pale except for the pink spots that appeared on her cheeks. Her lips stood out in a brilliant pink in contrast to her very pale skin and Zoro knew from the taste of them that it was the natural color of her lips and not some make up. Really, Nami was quite lovely. With a smile, he pressed one more chaste kiss to those rosy lips before pushing himself up off of her.

Still laughing as she sat up, Nami licked her lips enjoying the warm feeling that Zoro's lips had left against hers in spite of the cold. As she brushed the snow off her clothes and hair, she looked at Zoro. He was watching her with that hungry look in his eyes. That devilish smile of his was there amongst his sharp features. He looked like some giant bird of prey ready to swoop down and snatch it's quarry. Realizing that quarry was her, Nami felt a thrill sweep through her.

Eventually, Zoro laughed and asked, "So was there a reason you woke me up, or were you just trying to tempt fate?"

Oh, he was all business again! "As a matter of fact, yes!" Nami said adopting her authoritative bossy tone. "I was just having a conversation with Robin and she told me that she was going somewhere tonight."

Zoro shook his head. "What the hell do I care what that woman does with her time?"

First, Nami punched him in the shoulder and then she said, "Because idiot! If Robin is going out it means she won't be in the room. My room. I'll be alone all night trying to find some way to stay warm."

Now, Zoro seemed to get it. He let out a short laugh and said, "I'm sure there is something you can do." Zoro, never winked- it would have been a very strange sight as he only had one eye to work with- so instead he lifted his chin in acknowledgement.

Satisfied that Zoro meant himself as the 'something,' Nami stood and brushed the snow from her jeans. "Good. Now, I have to get back to navigating. Try to find something to do more useful than sleeping."

"Right now I'm busy with the view," Zoro called with an amused laugh in his voice.

Nami looked over he shoulder and realized that Zoro was now eyelevel with her ass. "Lecher!" she tried to make her voice sound accusing, but she was fairly certain she sounded playful.

"You bet!" he called in response wagging his eyebrows at her. "Now walk away so I have something to look at."

Nami returned back to her post conscious of the way Zoro was eyeing the swing of her hips as she went. She may have exaggerated her walk since she knew he was watching, but who could blame her? The way his eyes followed her had her thinking about tonight made her giddy. Running the last few steps to the railing, Nami couldn't help the large smile that lit her face and the little laugh that she shouted to the horizon.

"Oi, Nami!" her captain called out jumping down from Sunny-Go's head. "You look really happy! Are we about to land?"

Nami shook her head with another laugh. "No, we still have about a week left."

Luffy scratched his head under his hat. "Then what are you so happy about?" After a pause to think about what would make him happy, he added excitedly, "Did Sanji make lots of good meat?"

Laughing once more, Nami shook her head- her long orange locks cascading down her back as she did. "No, I just really like the snow."

"Snow?" Luffy said looking around as if noticing it for the first time. "Ah! It's cold!" Luffy started rubbing his bare arms and jumping around as the chill finally hit him.

"Luffy?" Nami shouted knocking him on the head for good measure. "Did you just notice that?" How Luffy could sit with his eyes glued to the horizon and still not notice the weather around him baffled Nami. Plus his strange flailing about was drawing the attention of other pirates.

"Usopp look!" Chopper's squeaky voice pointed out, "Is Luffy having fun without us?"

"What?" said Usopp looking over at the captain. "Ah! Look Chopper. He isn't wearing a jacket or long pants. Luffy is braving the cold and staying warm by dancing!"

"Wow!" the small reindeer sighed with eyes full of admiration. "I wish I could be as cool as Luffy." Of course being heavily covered in fur Chopper was still only wearing shorts and a light jacket, but he had never fought off the cold by dancing.

"Of course you can Chopper! Let's go!" With that, Usopp and Chopper shed their jackets and dashed over to where Nami and Luffy were standing.

Since Luffy wasn't singing, the other two started in with their own lyrics and soon enough Luffy had joined in. "Thousand Sunny-Go, Fly High!"

It was one of the staple songs in the crew. They had made up the words of that catchy tune themselves and as such, it was one of their favorites. Usually, Nami would have yelled at them for making such a fuss and acting like morons, but today she was simply in too good a mood to let them spoil it. Instead she laughed and clapped at their performance.

"Ah," a calm voice called, accompanied by light footfalls climbing the stairs. "I knew there was a festival happening. I have an ear for music- although I have no ears! Yohoho! Skull-joke!" As soon as Brooke had climbed the stairs, he had his guitar out and was playing along to the tune and had added his own low voice to the words.

Then, heavier footfall could be heard dashing across the ship. "Oww! Is someone having a SU-PER Party without me! No! Don't say it! Get it! Oww!" The large cyborg had made it to the front of the ship and was busy posing here and there whilst he talked. And he had joined in the dancing before long too, pulsing his pelvis back and forth and swinging his hips. True to his perverted nature he was still wearing nothing but a speedo on his bottom though he did manage to put on a jacket that he didn't bother zipping.

Suddenly Robin was standing beside Nami smiling and clapping as well even though Nami didn't hear or see the older woman approach. By the genuine smile on Robin's face, Nami guessed that the older woman was feeling better about the snow.

The next one up the steps was Zoro, holding one katana slung over his shoulder and his good eye narrowed in an annoyed fashion. "The hell are you idiots doing? I'm trying to sleep!" Of course that wasn't true, Zoro could sleep through anything. Before long he had his katana sheathed and was stomping along to the beat.

The last crew member to arrive was Sanji and he came carrying very large bowls in his arms. "You shitty bastards! Next time you decide to throw a party, give me at least an hour warning! This food is hardly fit for feasting!" As he talked Sanji set the food bowls out on a table that had been brought up to the deck when everyone was too busy dancing to notice. There were all sorts of fantastic looking appetizers that had been whipped up in a matter of minutes as well as some sweets that the cook had kept on reserve for just such an occasion. Cream puffs. Spinach puffs. Potato skins. Rice balls. Cookies. Chips. Fruits. Veggies and dip. Cheese cake. Carrot cake. Ice cream cake. The food table was covered in goodies! Then Sanji was twirling about and flitting in the direction of Nami and Robin.

"Ah! Nami-Swan! Robin-Chawn! I was making this extra-chocolate cake all morning especially for you! I poured all my love into this cake for you special ladies! It is my best one yet! And even then its rich flavor cannot hope to compare to your own natural beauties!"

The girls accepted the cake eagerly, giggling to themselves about the misplaced affections of the love-cook. From across the floor, Nami noted the look of annoyance on Zoro's face.

It gave her an idea! The navigator scrutinized the faces of the crew carefully, but no man other than Zoro was looking pissed at the cook. Either Robin's lover was extremely good at hiding the relationship or it was Sanji. The latter idea was too ridiculous to fathom that Nami actually laughed while eating her cake. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't fathom Robin putting up with a boy who flirted with everything with a chest. Sanji was just too much of a playboy to actually be with.

Then Robin must have taught her man a few tricks about being stealthy. Or he was confident enough in their relationship that he knew Robin wasn't going to succumb to Sanji's flirting. Must be nice! As Nami relaxed and enjoyed the party, she kept her eyes peeled to try to figure out who Robin's secret lover was.

Of course she could always ask Robin, but things were rarely ever that simple. As it were she knew Robin had a lover but not who is was and Robin knew that Nami had a lover but had no idea it was Zoro. Nami didn't mind Robin knowing she was in a relationship, but giving up Zoro's identity seemed somehow wrong as they had decided to keep their affair secret. And she was certain that Zoro would balk at being the subject of girl talk.

The Straw Hat's enjoyed the afternoon feasting, dancing and carrying on. After the initial round of dancing and eating, Luffy ran inside to grab a jacket. Usopp and Chopper were both glad to put their jackets back on as well. During the party Sanji kept disappearing to the kitchen to bring out more food. The Straw Hats were having such a good time that most of them forgot to complain about the severe cold.

The party lasted well into the evening and by the time everyone was headed to bed, they were all well worn out. Both Nami and Robin entered the woman's quarters, but Robin only stayed long enough to grab a small bag out of her drawer. "It's easier now that you know, Nami," the archaeologist explained tossing the bag elegantly over one shoulder. "Now I don't have to try to wait up for you to fall asleep to sneak out."

The red head nodded in agreement. It was nice to know in advance she'd have the room to herself. The arrangement was working out quite nicely. "I'm glad we talked about it, too."

With a smile and a call of, "Have a good night!" Robin headed out of the door.

"I will!" Nami shouted after her. "You too!"

With Robin gone, Nami was left to stare around her room. Should she clean up? Well, things were already pretty clean. Should she do something to prepare in any way? They had never really been alone for so long before. Having a whole night to spend together was a rare treat. This was somehow different than the stolen moments and sneaking around. Thinking things through was beginning to make her a little nervous.

And then she suddenly knew what to do. She grabbed one of the wine bottles and two glasses from next to the door- Sanji kept the girls well stocked. Deciding that a red wine was a bit sexier and a little more suited for the occasion, she set it on the table and poured the wine into the two glasses and took a sip of her own. Neither she nor Zoro would get drunk that easily, so the wine merely served to settle her jittery nerves.

Of course she had been with Zoro countless times in the past, but tonight it felt like she was playing host. With the wine calming her a bit, Nami decided to dim the lights. She debated putting on something a little sexier, but decided it was too cold. Zoro would just have to deal with her the way she was.

As she re-filled her glass, there was a light knock on the door before Zoro came in. "I see you've started the party without me," he said eying her glass.

Nami lifted the second glass of wine and brought it to him. "Can you blame me? You certainly took your time getting here!"

That knowing smirk was back on his face as he swung a bag off his shoulder and held it up for Nami to see. "I saw your room mate leave with one, so I thought I should bring my own." Zoro took a sip of his wine and set the bag down on the floor by the chair. "Is she really going to be gone the entire night?" When Nami nodded, he asked, "What for?"

Quickly, Nami took a sip of her wine to cover as she tried not to let on about Robin's secret though she could tell by the tingling in her cheeks that she was blushing. Zoro was quite observant and merely raised an eyebrow at her. In the end she replied flippantly, "Oh come one. Do you really have to ask?"

"No kidding!" Zoro laughed obviously surprised at the knowledge of Robin cozying up with some guy.

With one hand on her hip and the other hand holding her wine glass, Nami chided him. "Don't look so shocked! Robin is a grown woman, after all."

When Zoro shook his head, the messy spikes of his green hair tossed here and there. "Nah, I think it's great. Maybe explains why she's gotten so relaxed over the years. She certainly wasn't like that when she joined the crew." When Robin had first come aboard the Going Merry all those years ago, she had been quite reserved and hid herself behind many layers of protection. But as time went on, she had become more comfortable and let more of her true face show through. Reflecting, Zoro realized that if Robin had shown up on their crew the way she was now, he might not have been so suspicious of the mysterious woman.

Nami didn't know whether to chastise Zoro for his crude humor or agree with him, so in the end she settled on threatening him for his new knowledge. Her finger was pointed at him commandingly, "Now don't you go letting it slip that you know! Robin was nice enough to tell us she'd be out so we could use the time together ourselves too."

Zoro's eye narrowed and Nami realized her slip. "Meaning, Robin knows about us?" From his rigid posture and crossed arms, Nami could tell he wasn't pleased.

"No, no!" Nami set her glass down and shook her hands side to side. "Well, a little bit. She knows I have someone, but she doesn't know who. And she isn't the sort to go and blab something like that around the ship."

This seemed to appease the swordsman somewhat and he crossed in front of Nami to collapsed on their rather plushy couch. "Whatever, I'm sure we have better things to discuss tonight anyhow." There was a mischievous air to his words and the way he sat on the sofa with his left arm stretched out along the back was rather inviting. He was holding his wine glass in his right hand and looking at her with that look again.

Feeling quite tingly-either from the wine or the intensity of Zoro's gaze- Nami picked her own glass up off the table and sank onto the sofa next to her lover. Zoro's legs were stretched out before him and Nami found that she could sit much closer to him if she pulled her feet beneath her so that her knees were bent and resting against Zoro's thighs. As soon as she was settled, Zoro's arm slipped around her shoulders.

She had been inanely nervous about the night, but the relaxed atmosphere between the couple had eased her mind. There would be no awkward tension. Here in his arms, Nami was warm and safe. She had worried about needing to get fancied up, but under his gaze she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world. Staring into the wine glass that twirled slowly between her fingers, Nami delicately lifted the glass. "To tonight!" she said.

With a nod, Zoro raised his own glass, "To us." Their glasses clinked together before they both enjoyed the heavy flavor of the liquor.

It had been a long time since Zoro had drunk red wine. Such a formal drink often seemed too fancy for their rowdy pirate crew. But while Zoro preferred rum and sake, red wine had been the choice drink of Dracule Mihawk- his sworn enemy and reluctant mentor. The relationship between the two swordsmen was more complicated than either cared to fathom; all that mattered for the present was that Zoro had learned a lot from Mihawk. And one thing he hadn't expected to learn was a taste for wine.

Even when they had sat to dinner on that dreary island, Zoro often commented that wine was a boring drink for stuffy occasions and complained that they should have real alcohol with dinner- the sort that men drank! Mihawk wouldn't even glance up from whatever he was doing as he argued that of course Zoro didn't know good alcohol when he had it; wine was too refined a drink for a simple brute like him and was suited for a higher company than the younger man usually kept. Zoro would laugh loudly at that saying he neither cared for being refined or keeping higher company. Of course, after two years of such back and forth banter both men had learned a to tolerate each other.

The women's quarters of the Thousand Sunny was a much classier looking room than the men's quarters. And here in this dimly lit room, with this woman in his arms, Zoro felt that the refined choice of drinks was well suited and that the company was better than high class.

Realizing that he had gotten lost in a trail of thought, Zoro pressed a kiss to Nami's hair and tightened his arm around her shoulders. The woman looked up at him and smiled as he leaned down and kissed her lips tasting the wine on her tongue. By the time they had finished the bottle Nami's legs were stretched out across Zoro's and she was laughing quite prettily. Neither of them was feeling the least bit drunk, but the wine had left them with a pleasantly fuzzy feeling. Finally releasing his arm from around her shoulder, he took the glass from her hand and set it with his own on the table. With a suggestive voice he said, "It's getting late. I think it's time we get ready for bed don't you?"

"Oh," Nami said, a little caught off guard. "I guess you're right." She had been having so much fun just laughing with Zoro that she didn't realize it had gotten very late. She couldn't help but be amused when Zoro reached for his bag and pulled out pajamas and a toothbrush. It really made the point sink in. They weren't just stealing a few hours; they were sharing their whole night together.

Seeing her eyeing his clothing oddly, Zoro asked, "What?"

Nami shook her head. "I've just never seen you in pajamas is all."

Amused, Zoro stood up and shrugged. "It's probably no different than seeing me in regular clothes really." But he knew what she meant. "You should get dressed for bed too... unless you plan to wear that jacket and boots to sleep."

Well she certainly didn't plan to do that. But what pajamas would she wear? She never really bought something sexy to sleep in as she'd never spent the entire night with Zoro and it's not like she was going to wear something sexy to bed when it was just her and Robin in the room. Well she had some nightclothes that were cute. One of those would have to work. Besides it was too cold to worry about being sexy!

Zoro had disappeared to the other side of the room and was brushing his teeth. Finally deciding on the right pair of pajamas, she took off her normal clothing and changed. Nami had pulled on a long sleeve maroon top that said "sweet" in lavender letters. The pants were the same color as the lettering and covered in pictures of sugary looking candy treats. It wasn't the most attractive thing to wear, but it was a lot better than the PJs with the pink bunnies all over them!

Relief spread through her when she turned around and saw Zoro wearing a tight long sleeved black shite with dark green pajama bottoms. From the way he was dressed, he probably wasn't expecting her to wear something sexy. Despite the casual bedroom attire, the black shirt hugged Zoro quite nicely and Nami could just make out the muscles of his chest under his shirt.

Slowly, Nami walked over to him and took his large hand in her own. Her fiery eyes danced with hidden promises as she pulled him over to the bed. When the back of her legs hit her mattress, she sat back but continued to pull Zoro to her. As expected, he climbed on top of her with that dangerous glint in his eyes. Nami slowly reclined all the way back as Zoro climbed up over her prone body.

He hovered inched above her and licked his lips. It seemed that it would take forever for his lips to finally reach hers, and when they finally did Nami moaned into his kiss. As he kissed her, his hands slid over her sides and fiddled with the hem of her shirt. Gently, he raised her hem and slipped his hand underneath her shirt guiding the material up toward her chest.

Breaking the kiss with a sharp hiss, Nami tugged her shirt back down quickly. It was far too cold to remove her top. The look Zoro was giving her showed his confusion. "Sorry," she said blushing in her embarrassment, "it's cold."

With a chuckling sort of snort, Zoro turned his attention back to kissing her. Trying to forget the cold, Nami enjoyed the kiss and let her hands wander over Zoro's back. Eventually, her hands caught the fabric of his shirt and began tugging the shirt up to pull it off. This time Zoro hissed as he jumped back. This caused Nami to laugh.

"Alright, so it's cold," he conceded gruffly with an annoyed pout to his lips.

Nami sighed. The cold couldn't always keep people apart. So she pushed herself off the bed and yanked the sheets. The bed that had been nicely made that morning became a tumble of sheets and pillows as Nami hurried to get the sheets down and their bodies beneath the covers. Zoro immediately caught her drift and all but dove under the sheets as well pulling his shirt off as he went.

Beneath the sheets, the were able to safely find respite from the biting cold. They removed their clothing and wondered at the warmth of their own body heat. The warmth of their embrace was exaggerated by the cold hovering around them.

They were lying on their sides facing each other when Zoro pulled her leg over his hip and slipped inside her. Gasping at the contact, Nami pulled Zoro to her for a long sweet kiss. Their coupling was slow and sweet as they took the time to really appreciate the heat that built between their bodies. With every soft touch and every gentle kiss they felt themselves drawn closer. There was barely any space left between them, but Nami longed to be closer and closer still. Using the leg that was hooked around Zoro's waist, she pulled him further into her. As if of the same mind, they each seemed to be holding out, unwilling to let the sensation of their joined bodies go. Without rushing to finish they could enjoy the night for as long as they wanted.

Zoro was completely lost in Nami. His hands were tangled in her long orange hair as he slipped in and out of her. He felt pressure building within him a few times already, but he held off; he wasn't yet ready to give this evening up. With his good eye he looked over his lover trying to memorize everything about her. He wanted to remember every curve of her face as she shut her eyes in pleasure, wanted to remember the way her breasts bounced with their movement and how her pink nipples strained and peeked with her arousal. He wanted to remember how the curve of her body felt under his hands and the way her hips pressed into his as if they had a mind of their own. And he wanted to remember the feeling of the soft skin of her legs as they wrapped around his waist and clung to him as if he were her lifeline. All these things and so many more he refused to let go of. Never in all his life had a woman been so completely his as Nami was right now. And part of him realized it was because he had never given so much of himself to one woman before. Somewhere along the lines, he had allowed himself to become hers too. And he didn't regret it one bit.

Beneath him, Nami bit her lip and tried not to come. She could tell from the way Zoro's body had jerked a few times that he would have come already if he weren't trying to hold out. Her own orgasm would send them both over the edge- she knew it. And that edge would mean the end of their activities for the night. Sometimes, the journey really was more fun. Well, the ending would be plenty of fun that was certain; but prolonging the journey made the ending even better. It got to the point where the excitement building within her almost got too much to bear.

Gasping for breath, Nami whispered, "Zoro..."

The man bent his head down toward her without ceasing his thrusting. "It's okay," he whispered in Nami's ear sending chills down her spine. "Come for me, Nami."

And as if on command, Nami found her release and took Zoro with her. For a moment, they both lay there panting and shaking. Then Zoro's strong arms wrapped around Nami's shoulders and pulled the girl into his chest. With her head resting against Zoro, Nami closed her eyes. His hands were stroking her hair and it felt so nice. She registered the feeling of the hands brushing over her hair and the lips that pressed into her forehead, but she was already well on her way to unconsciousness.

Zoro must have realized she was falling asleep because she felt his chest rumble with laughter before he softly said, "Good night, Nami." Nami nodded and planted a kiss on his chest since it was the only thing she could reach. The arms around her held her securely and Nami drifted off to sleep.

They had been so exhausted that they slept until late morning. Nami woke to find that during the night they had shifted positions slightly. Though she had gone to sleep facing Zoro's chest, she was now turned away from him. One of her arms was under the pillow supporting her head and that hand had managed to twine with Zoro's hand under the pillow. Zoro's other hand had somehow managed to snake around Nami so that even in his sleep, he was firmly grasping her breast. Their legs were tangled together and one of Zoro's legs was stretched out across Nami's body. She could feel his breath on her neck and the warmth of his chest against her back. There was also the evidence of a morning erection pressed into her lower back.

As soon as she felt it, Nami found herself instantly aroused. Wiggling around, she managed to free herself from Zoro's grasp and ease the large man onto his back. Giddily, she pulled the blanket around her and climbed on top of him letting her hands run over his chest. Positioning her hips, just right, she eased herself down over him taking him inside herself.

A sleep-muffled sound came from Zoro beneath her and Nami leaned down and kissed his lips. It was a few moments before, the swordsman responded to the kiss or to Nami sliding up and down on his hardness. But slowly, Zoro began to kiss back and bring his hips up to meet Nami's. His hands ran over her thighs and Nami knew he was waking up so she sat up and began to move faster.

Now Zoro was really moaning and Nami started bouncing quickly up and down on his shaft. The blanket was still around her shoulders and suddenly she felt herself being pulled down by the fabric as Zoro tugged on the sheets. He captured her lips in a fierce kiss, which she met just as passionately. Then suddenly, she was flipped over onto her back with the sheets tangled around her. Zoro didn't break the kiss and began thrusting powerfully into her. Had his mouth not been covering her own, Nami would have cried out several times over. Their rapid coupling was burning with passion and they were grasping at each other desperate for contact. When they finally found their release, both partners were wide awake.

With a sly giggle, Nami said, "Good morning."

"Yes it is." Zoro agreed, brushing Nami's hair back from her forehead before kissing her lips. "You should be careful," he warned playfully, "a guy could get used to waking up like that!"

They looked at each other for a few minutes, neither quite sure how to accurately come up with words to express their desires.

Somewhere else on the ship, a voice called out, "Hey Shit heads! Breakfast is ready. Nami-swan! Robin-chwan! Breakfast is served!"

Looking up at Zoro, Nami said, "I guess we should get ready."

But Zoro merely gave her a wicked smirk and said, "I'm not hungry." Then he pulled the blankets up over his shoulders and hugged Nami tightly against him.

Closing her eyes and enjoying the feeling of Zoro's arms around her Nami tried to find a good argument. "They'll notice if we both aren't at breakfast. They might get suspicious."

"Don't care," he muttered against her orange hair. After a moment he added, "They're too stupid to figure it out."

"Robin's not," Nami countered, "She'll know right away."

Zoro looked a little grumpy at her arguing. "Go if you want," he grumbled with a nod to the door. "I'd rather stay here."

And Nami couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips. "Me too."

They kissed again and spent the morning snuggling in bed talking and enjoying their naked embrace. Eventually, they had to get up and get dressed, but they wanted to remain under the warmth of their shared blanket for as long as possible.

It was after eleven before they finally got out of bed and pulled on their clothing. Nami's orange hair was wild and sticking out in every direction while Zoro's green locks were flattened on the side of his head that he had slept on. They laughed at their ridiculous appearances and were both surprised to find that they didn't care that the other saw them like this.

They had finally managed to regain mostly normal appearances when there was a knock at the door. It opened just a crack and a feminine voice called out, "Everybody decent?"

Nami froze in panic. They had taken too long! Robin was back and Zoro was still here. What should they do?

"Yeah, no worries," Zoro answered. Nami looked at him with wide eyes. He was the one complaining the night before about Robin partially knowing their secret. But Zoro just continued to lounge on the couch after putting his shoes on grinning like a fiend. Nami blushed furiously as there was no hiding what she was doing and with whom.

Robin's light footfalls came into the room as she laughed quietly. "I had a feeling it was you, Mr. Swordsman."

Standing up and wrapping a possessive arm around Nami's waist, he laughed loudly and said, "Who else on our crew could handle this little hell cat?" With that he leaned over and kissed Nami full on the lips. When he broke the kiss he whispered to her, "I have first watch tonight. See you then?"

All Nami could do was nod. Zoro gave her one more quick kiss and turned to leave.

"Oh, Zoro," Robin called stopping the younger man in his tracks, "If anyone asks you were up early training in the gym. If you head there or to the showers now, no one will notice you were gone."

He dipped his green-haired head in one short nod and said, "Thanks. And Nami?"

Robin shook her head sadly, "The cold got to her and she's feeling a little under the weather today. She stayed in bed this morning, but I promised to make sure she was alright."

Both Nami and Zoro nodded at the plausible excuses and noted that they both really owed Robin. Zoro made to leave once more, but there was a loud knock at the door.

"Nami-swan! Your Prince has arrived with soup made specially to make you feel better!"

The three people in the room froze trying to figure out what to do. Suddenly, Nami was stuffing a growling Zoro into one of the closets and Robin was calling out, "Just a minute Sanji-san! I'm just helping Nami-san get dressed."

There was a strange sound from the other side of the door before Sanji said, "Sure! Take your time."

Nami looked around the room. The place was a mess! The empty wine bottle and glasses had been left on the table, her clothing from the previous day as well as her pajamas were strewn about carelessly, pillows had flown here and there when she ripped the bed apart last night. The girls rushed about the room stuffing the clothing into a hamper and the dishes into the sink. Well, Nami rushed while Robin used extra hands to help out. The pillows were thrown on the bed and the covers hastily brought up to Nami's chin.

Even though Nami had just fixed her hair, Robin tussled the long locks to give them a just-out-of-bed look. By the time they opened the door Nami was red-faced and slightly sweaty with the work they had just done in less than a minute. Letting her eyelids drop half closed, Nami moaned making her voice a little horse sounding, "Hi Sanji-kun. Sorry to miss breakfast." With any luck she looked believably sick.

"Ah!" Sanji had come in using a handkerchief to wipe his nose and stashed it quickly. "No need to trouble yourself about breakfast Nami-san." The blond cook crossed the room to Nami's bedside, set the soup on her bedside table and took her hand. "The only thing I care about is that you feel better my beloved Nami-swan."

Nami could hear the shing of metal as Zoro partially unsheathed a sword in the closet. Luckily, Robin was standing in front of the closet and began to cough to cover up the sound.

The cook looked around at the raven-haired woman. "Robin-chawn?" he asked concerned.

"I think I've got a touch of what Nami has. It's more than likely very contagious. You should go before you get it too and it gets in the ship's food supply. I promise we'll both go see Dr. Chopper later."

The love-cook dropped Nami's hand immediately. "Oh! You are right my dear Robin-chan! How terribly irresponsible of me! I will go wash up and make sure you and Nami-san have the best food brought to you for lunch to make you both feel better!"

And finally Sanji left. Robin saw him out the door while Nami rushed to fetch Zoro from the closet. Opening the closet, she found that there were eight arms around him pinning Zoro's arms to his sides and another pair growing out of his shoulders to cover his mouth. Nami couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips before Robin released Zoro from his confines.

"Well if you attacked Mr. Cook, you would have blown your own cover," Robin explained.

With a grumble Zoro stepped out of the closet and huffed.

Nami walked over to him and stood on tip-toe to reach up and place a soft kiss on his lips. "I'll see you tonight," she whispered invitingly and it helped Zoro lose some of the tension in his shoulders.

Robin had one eye covered when she said, "It's safe for you to leave now Zoro."

The swordsman snuck out and when he left Nami and Robin simultaneously burst into giggles. Nami was doubled over clutching her stomach with the force of her laughter while Robin stood tall and laughed behind her delicate hand.

"So it was Mr. Swordsman who had you all worked up the other week," the older woman observed.

Nami nodded, "Yeah. It surprised me too."

With that the two women moved to find some reading material, as they were both pretending to be in bed sick today. The resumed their favored reading positions, Nami laying on her stomach with her book on her pillow, and Robin sitting back against her pillows with her book on her knees and a notebook in her hands.

"Hey Robin," Nami called after they had been reading for a while, "Since you know now about Zoro and I, will you tell me who managed to catch your fancy?"

"Well, Ms. Navigator," Robin started tapping her pen against her lip, "That's quite a long story."

Nami's smile was bright as she said sweetly, "Well, we do have a long time to pretend to be sick today."

"I suppose you're right about that." Robin wasn't the type to share easily, but the girls had built up such a trust over the years that Nami was sure her friend would tell her in full. "Well it all started years ago..."

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author's note: In the manga they first run into Aokiji on Long Island after the Davy Back Fight. I believe it's different in the anime, but I'm going with Oda's version.

Also Robin has a tendency to call people by their titles sometimes though this has been in the possess of fading since Enis Lobby. But I dislike mixing Japanese suffixes and English words. So instead of referring to the cook as Cook-san I will use Mr. Cook and so forth. So it stays in the same language.

I'm having a bit of a personal crisis involving Nami's hair. It boils down to this: do you consider Nami a "red head"? This term is hard for me to accept comparing her to characters like Shanks. And in truth this is probably a personal problem as I naturally have hair most near Shank's color. Yes it's that red and no I've never died it. But it's not orange in the least and to me looking at Nami, her hair is clearly orange. Then again, I've met people in real life who I swore up and down were blond until they informed me they were red heads (and then I agreed that they were but I didn't truly believe them.) So this is either a personal classification problem or Nami really isn't a red head. Tell me now. Because every time I try to describe Nami as a red-head I cringe, but it gets so cumbersome saying "the orange haired woman" etc. And I've had a particularly clear wall drawn up in my head between red and orange hair because the term "carrot top" is constantly tossed around at red heads and I can tell you nothing ticked me off more as a kid than getting referred to as a carrot top as my hair was clearly red and not orange. [Though my cousin who did have lovely orange hair used to quip back that the tops of carrots are green so stop being stupid!] And there are a myriad of other unpleasant names for red-heads as well. Anyhow. See where the personal distinctions are inhibiting my creative process? I need to know if other people consider Nami a "red head" or not. If you guys say she is, I will believe you! If not, then I will gladly go back and edit out anytime I forced that in the descriptions! Lol. It's really bugging me tonight for some reason.

As always thank for reading! I hope you review!