Thank you for all the sudden reviews from sarge1130.

Avoidance

After Sally had left, Law gazed at the ceiling, biting his lip. Regret started to fill his heart but he had to stand with his decision. He was a danger to her and that was a fact. Meanwhile, Sally was walking through the corridor, when she suddenly stopped. She grabbed her chest and grinded her teeth but with a determined gaze, she continued. The next day, Penguin was strolling through the corridor when he saw Sally walking out of a room with a basket full of clothes.

"Hey Sally, what are you doing?" he waved.

"Collecting dirty laundry." she smiled.

"Eh? Let me carry this."

"No it's okay. I can do it." she insisted.

He followed her to the laundry room in silence. The washing machine was already on.

"You guys are all very sloppy when it comes to washing your clothes." she noted.

"I guess that's why we don't have any women here." Penguin shrugged.

"Why?"

"The whole thing about keeping clean. We are men. Men don't need to worry about that as much." Penguin grinned proudly.

She couldn't help but giggle.

"That's because you guys don't care how you smell, right? I grew up with mountain bandits. I can live with smelly people but it has a limit. And some of you have reached that." she grinned.

"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow.

"And if you guys want to have some sort of female contact you have to keep clean. Women love men who take care of their bodies. Just saying." she smirked.

"I'll keep that in mind." he chuckled.

"That's good. I don't think there are many women like me who are used to it. I was always surrounded by boys. Even now." A sad smile crept across her lips.

"We are so lucky that we found you." Penguin noted.

"Why is that?" she asked.

"I dunno but I have a feeling that our Captain is changing for the better." Penguin shrugged.

"Huh?" Sally raised an eyebrow.

"Nevermind."

Sally continued to do the laundry while Penguin watched her.

"Do you like our Captain?" he asked out of the blue.

"Why do you guys always ask me that. Are you trying to get him to like me?" she grumbled.

"Well?" he didn't back down. She sighed. She could tell that she couldn't escape the question anymore.

"Slowly, yes. He's a lonely soul. But I don't think he will be happy with me." she mumbled. She stood and turned on the second washing machine. The low rumble filled the room.

"Why?" he asked.

"I'm someone who has to move around a lot. I can't stay by his side forever. I would often have to leave him behind." she explained.

"That's what you worry about?" he chuckled slightly.

"Of course. All the people that were close to him died. If I, for any reason, become his treasured person he wouldn't be able to let go...he doesn't want to lose anyone again. Ever." she sighed.

"You are strong. You just have to prove to him that you are not weak." Penguin suggested.

"Easier said than done." she rolled her eyes.

"I do have an idea though." he grinned.

"And what?" she asked, slightly worried.

"Let's say we would get into a situation only you can get us out of since the Captain is wounded." he hinted.

"Isn't that going to hurt his pride?"

"He will have to live with it." he shrugged.

"Why are you going so far for him anyway?"

"When we found you, on that boat, you looked at our Captain with a desperate look. At that moment I saw the Captain do something I would never thought I'd see him do." Penguin told her.

"Huh?"

"I've never seen him pick up a woman so carefully and gently. I think you've sparked something in him."

"So, you basically want him to fall in love with me." she noted.

"Would be good if you would as well. He needs it. Especially after that incident." he winked.

Sally gazed at him for a moment, thinking about the idea. Then she sighed.

"Fair enough. But remember that it's not going to be easy." she frowned.

"I'm well aware of that." Penguin smiled and lead her down the corridor.