Zoe loved, had loved, Bobby. She had fallen for his charm but had fallen out of love also. She was clinging, she knew, to something that no longer was there but a safety net that she knew was there for this situation. She had wanted to find that old spark she had with Bobby, to be held by such loving hand, to be spoken to in a whisper… encouraged…but what she had now was nothing… what she really needed was… nothing. When she allowed her body to die she had already knew it… in some recess of her mind she knew that she had to die.

'Zoro…' she heard every word even if she was not allowed to speak. She heard the love, the affection, the worry that Bobby never showed her. 'You're not … moving much, Zoro.' He was scared, Sanji was, she felt that from the words and knew he was crying as she extended her feelings out into the brain, careful so as not to alarm Sanji.

She gasped in horror before her own tears grew. Zoro was fading… he was leaving… he… She wept as he began flinging herself at the walls, trying to break down Sanji's power. She couldn't let him leave! She would not allow him to die before doing what she had first wanted when she contacted him! SHE HAD TO DIE!

She froze her spirit emotional eyes opened wide as she remembered why … why her family killed themselves. She knew, all along, why they never contacted their others… why they always secluded themselves from others.

"My darling child." The voice had no gender nothing to say who it was. "We are creatures of emotions, long ago lost to pleasure or lust. We have been spoiled because we are over powered by love and hate. My darling, darling sweet child…" she remembered turning to see what he was looking at before he grabbed her child chin. "We were meant to stay in this world, to suffer our pain, but we, the few who can leave this world, must never interfere with the affairs of other people's lives."

That person was right… Zoro was his own person, own feelings… mind set… and she had taken all that he had wanted… all his hopes… just because she didn't want to take responsibility for herself.

'Sanji.' She called out as she knew why suicide was always the answer for her family. 'Let me talk to him, please.' She had no idea if he heard her but she hoped beyond anything he did. That he took the time to find out why she was fighting so hard to escape.

Bobby paused as he sat next to Zoro's body, he blinked tilting his head when he heard Zoe speak, "Sanji." Was she trying to reason with him to be in control? He had to see reason. "Let me talk to him, please." His brain stuttered as he reached out pulling the limp hand into his body. What was she doing? Talk? This… this was wrong. After everything he had done for her was she trying to save Zoro? WHY? Did she… she give up, surrender to Sanji's power? He looked at her face hoping that she'd speak some more.

He never bothered with the crew behind him seeing what was happening in the medical room where Zoro's body was brought when during their dinner, Zoro's supposedly fair well, had turned hysterical when Zoro fell unconscious where not even Sanji was able to speak. It was the body fighting to see who would control it. Three minds in one… it would rip a body to shreds. But one was practically dead… so… why WHY!

"Zoro, if you can hear me… I want to say 'Sorry'. I was… I was pathetic. I had always thought I'd be strong when my end came but I ran away from my rightful duty as the knowing partner in out… relationship." The voice was weak, soft, in her own way with her own fear. "I had wanted to save you, but I ended up doing something that I had been taught was… a no… a taboo, a curse. I went to ask you to smother me out with your own power, your own… resolve."

A few sniffles Bobby heard from the crew as his heart sank while his silent tears fell from his face. It was… Zoe… Zoe wanted to save Zoro… she had given up… why had she give up! WHY DID SHE GIVE UP ON HIM!

"I loved Bobby, but as time dragged on I wanted something from him… strength… I wanted him to be by my side, to love me tell the very end… I wanted someone like my line always has when… when it's time to go." A weak laugh of pain and regret came from those lips that slightly shook the body that began to cry. "In a way, I still do love him, but not as lovers because he's always been my friend… Zoro, what you have…"

"STOP!" Bobby screamed standing up slamming the chair to the ground from the force of the movement. "You can't… can't just LEAVE ME!" he howled in anguish as he watched the eyes weakly open.

"Don't lose it… What love it… even if I had it for a fleeting moment… is beautiful… Don't ever lose it, give it up… I love you, Zoro, because you are … in some way… family…" She laughed. "I always knew, Bobby that I would die… I'm glad you're here with me… Don't let him die, please… not for my selfishness."

"I… Zoe, my sweet sweet baby Zoe…" Bobby sat down kneeling as he kissed softly Zoe's lips looking down. "I love you, I'm sorry… sorry that this had to happen."

The light, the feeling, vanished as Bobby cried rubbing his face against the rapidly cooling hand as he whinned in the back of his throat for her.

"Did… Oh my…" Nami walked forward motioning to comfort before he noticed his shoulders tighten as his eyes opened.

"Don't…" he hissed as he stood up looking down at the 'dead' body. "I don't need your pity… thing…. "But I will do as I promised Zoe…" he reached down lifting Zoro's body up by his throat. "You… Zoro… I know you can still hear me, your disgusting presence has not yet left my brain… If you die… I'll wipe out your crew… your lover… Everything you have and hold dear!" He hissed. "You have a resolve… YOU have a DAMN reason to live. I just named two… ZORO!" he slammed Zoro onto the bed before he felt Sanji coming up, fighting that veil he didn't realize was placed on him, before he froze.

'Don't...' Bobby grinned. Faint but there. Sanji had listened… heard her.