I experienced a major writer's block with the story. In actuality, the previous chapter was my supposed last point in the story (when I had jotted down the storyline). But the response has been good so I decided to extend it a little. Your reviews really helped and thanks to everyone who followed!

This chapter is extremely light, just a connection to what is to come ... another hurt/comfort scene.

Chapter Thirteen

Targeted

Things were finally better between Zoro and Sanji. Though the same could not be said for their town. The newspaper headlines the next day were sporting images of three day care units from where the children had been kidnapped and Zoro was arguing over the phone as he wolfed down his breakfast on Sanji's kitchen counter. The blonde, calm and composed as always was leaning back and drinking coffee out of his mug. His eyes followed Zoro's quick movements. He tended to run his hand through his hair if he was frustrated. And it looked holding the fork like one holds a murder knife made him feel better. Sanji was pretty sure he was picturing the junior officer's (the one he was on call with) face on the buttered toast.

"You bastard. I told you to keep an eye on Ceaser, didn't I? Why the fuck are you still in bed?"

"No! Don't actually tell me what you are doing! Are you an idiot? Get out of there and tell me where he is right now! I want a tap on his every move! Fail to report me once again and I'll make sure your house is raided... Yes I would."

With that the call was finally cut and Zoro looked down his empty plate, regretting his speed. The food Sanji made always tasted so delicious and now he had finished it without getting a chance to fully appreciate it. A chuckle sounded from behind him and he turned around. Sanji was setting his cup aside and looking at him with affectionate eyes.

Zoro felt his heart pound faster. He was not used to Sanji looking at him with unclouded emotions. He had changed drastically since the day he had ended up drunk on his doorstep. That was just a day before yesterday but it felt ages ago. Before that day, Sanji had been uptight, refusing point blank to anything that could bring them closer. And if he agreed, it was obvious he was not comfortable. Now however, he looked at ease and more like himself.

He walked over to him, and set his arms around the slender packed waist while Sanji hung his arms around his tan neck. It was weird that things were so smooth between the two of them. As Zoro bent down a little to kiss Sanji lazily, he corrected his thoughts. It wasn't weird, it was comfortable. It was like home.

He sucked purposefully on the thin lip for about two more seconds before parting and sighing with regret, "I need to go to work."

Sanji pressed himself against Zoro and gave a small peck to his jawline, "Come back soon."

"So, you know nothing about the kidnapping?"

Zoro was sitting in Ceaser's office across his desk. It was a huge office, shelves full of patient files and the glass top wood desk was scattered with even more documents. Ceaser looked like a clown, dark lips and kohl burdened eyes. A weird smile always plastered to his face and eyes gleamed with a dog's hunger. Zoro never liked him and had made sure to keep an eye on him ever since the Skypia case. He didn't trust the mad doctor with Aisa and Chopper would never forgive him if something happened to his favourite student.

The doctor opened his mouth to speak but Zoro stopped him, raising his finger to sush the man. He shifted a little closer to the desk, coming as close as he could to the man. "I'm only asking this once." He looked into the revolting eyes. "If I still find you involved in any of this, I will make sure I get to you before the police does." He smiled, revealing a few of his front teeth in the predatory grin. "Even if they do beat me to it, I'm sure you can't be protected forever."

He leaned back on the chair again, replacing his grin with a smug smile. Ceaser looked at him dumbfounded. "So. Is that a no?" Zoro questions. Ceaser nodded, pursing his lips together.

"Very well." Zoro stood up and buttoned his coat. "Sorry to have disturbed you. Please continue with your work, Doctor." With a nod, he turned around and exited the small office.

As he reached the register, he was surprised to see Sanji and Usopp bending over it, singing their names into the paper. Sanji beamed when he looked at him and Zoro felt his heart flutter again. He walked over to him, a grin stretched over his face.

"Here to meet Mrs. Black?"

"It's Miss Noir actually and yes." Sanji stood on his toes to give him a small kiss on his lips. Really, what was it with this blonde? He had Zoro melting just from that. Zoro resisted the urge to grope his ass and smiled at him warmly.

"I'll see you tonight?" He quirked his eyebrows and Sanji nodded.

Zoro sat brooding in the press conference. He hated these things. Why couldn't he just go and work on the case? Press conferences were a waste of precious investigation time. It should be left in the hands of junior officers. It's not like they were ever going to reveal something related to the suspects on the news. All that should go in the papers was a warning and a request to the citizens to beware of their surroundings.

Tashigi was sitting next to him and Smoker shot down another pointless question from one of the reporters. This happened a lot. The reporters simply started commenting on their skills or tried to find a way to irk the officer. Smoker was already skilled in dealing with the assholes though his patience was starting to wear thin today.

"Like I said, they spilled nitrous gas in the air conditioning of the buildings and carried out the children while everyone was unconscious. Next."

Zoro groaned and pulled out his phone. This was taking longer than usual. Next to him, Tashigi eyed him pointedly but didn't comment. He pulled out Sanji's contact from the phonebook and texted him a simple "Hey. : ) ".

A few seconds later, his phone buzzed.

"Hi. You look bored. :P "

Zoro's face shot up to look at the many Cameras set in the room. He controlled the smirk threatening to break on his face. An officer smiling in the interview regarding kidnapped children was definitely going to be frowned upon. He typed out a reply.

"I am. What are you doing?"

"Are you going to provide security to the other day cares? Is there a possibility of further kidnapping?"

Zoro looked up to see who has asked the question. This was probably the most sensible question any of the reporters had asked yet and they had been at this for the past forty five minutes. A shock of green fringe, around one shade lighter than his, framed the pointed clever face of a young woman, probably in her mid twenties. She wore a light denim jacket over a green tank top which was tucked into black skinny jeans. She looked into Smoker's eyes, waiting for her response. Zoro felt something tug at the back of his mind. The all knowing smile on the lady's lips was similar to Robin's, but it was much more evil.

"We have requested parents, via the media and cellular communication, to not send their kids into day cares till the time the culprits are caught. However," Zoro's phone buzzed and he looked down to see Sanji's reply. "Some day cares with high security are still operational. We are definitely providing extra security to them."

'I'm watching the news and thinking about last night."

A small smile broke its way to Zoro's face for a few moments before he replaced it with his usual scowl. 'What are you thinking about last ni|'

"It's good to know you are helping in keeping the ones we love, protected."

Zoro's head snapped up at the unnecessary response, thumb hovering over the 'g' on the QWERTY board. Chocolate brown eyes met deep brown ones. Pure meaningful threat was passed between the two. It last for at most a second before the lady blinked and sat down. Smoker cleared his throat called for the next question.

Zoro stared at the lady. He was sure that he had no imagined the short exchange. Tashigi shifted a little uncomfortably next to him. He turned to look at her and she gave Zoro a sharp nod. His phone buzzed again and he looked down to see a popup.

Sanji Black
House No. 35
All Blue Lane.
Age: 25 years
Height: 180 cms.
Job Status: Assistant designer to Pappug.
Saloon Worker
Relationship Status: Dating Roronoa Zoro
Status: Targeted

To Be Continued...

A/N:

Really sorry for the short chapter. The next one is going to be longer.

Updates will be slow guys. I got extremely important admission exams coming up next month so I need to start giving maximum of my free time to it.

Also, Thirdtotheleft and I are working on a colab. It'll be uploaded by tomorrow on their Dashboard, be sure to check it out! Genre: Fluff, humour and romance. /u/6712638/ThirdtotheLeft (add at the end of fanfiction homepage url.)

Blackpiece : thank you so much for the suggestions! And yes, Zoro is extremely understanding, isn't he? I am glad I am able to portray him the way I think. Love is a huge word, so no, neither of them is actually in love with each other yet. But they definitely have an abnormally strong connection. Hope you stick around for the next chapter, I promise it'll be good. XOXO

Noir, Hopefully I will. I am not sure if they will end up dead by the end of the fic btw... :') Really just depends on the suggestions and my mood. And yesssss! Fem Zoro!

Prissycatice: Damn! I feel bad experiencing a writer's block at this point! Your review really made me happy! The vibrancy of the story will return with the next chapter. ^^ And Oh! Sanji is definitely gonna be purring soon!