Greetings! I have finally had time to edit a new chapter and upload it for you all! The next one will definitely not be up until sometime this Summer, so please be patient with me and my slowness!

Enjoy this chapter and as always, please review!

~Blondiewoof7~

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ONE PIECE, ONLY MY OC :)

Leaving the infirmary, Nina made her way to the Map room and knocked lightly before entering.

Nami looked up from her desk and smiled. "Hey, I have all of your requested supplies over on that table."

Nina walked over to the corner Nami was pointing to and gathered everything up into her arms.

"Do you want to talk about what happened earlier and why you have a bruise on your neck?"

Nina halted in her tracks and turned back toward Nami. "It's no big deal. I was just struggling with some things and had to fight my way to clarity."

Nami smiled and nodded, going back to her charting. "Alright but if you change your mind you know where to find me."

Nina nodded and left, shutting the door behind her. Making her way into the kitchen she deposited her bundle on the table and plopped into a seat, sighing heavily.

"Is there something wrong Nina-swan?"

Nina looked up and realized she was not alone in the kitchen. "It's nothing Sanji."

Sanji poured two cups of coffee and then sat across from Nina, handing her one of the steaming mugs. "I am here if you need someone to talk to you know. I realize that you beautiful females like talking to each other about things but I can assure you that I am a good listener."

Nina looked at him warily and then relaxed, taking a sip of the coffee. "Yes, normally girls would talk to their female friends and get advice but I am nothing like a normal female. I have always been more at ease with men, probably because of my upbringing and my lifestyle preferences."

Sanji smirked and nodded. "But you are still a female and I know how you females work. You all have feelings and need to express them. Whatever is on your mind is obviously weighing heavily on you and it would do you some good to talk to someone about it."

Nina cupped the mug and stared into its murky depths.

Sensing her hesitation Sanji leaned forward; "I am surprised that after everything that has happened you are not more forward with everyone on the crew. You can trust us Nina; we would never abandon or hurt you. Whatever is bothering you can be told to anyone on the crew and we would do everything we can to help."

Looking into his eyes Nina only saw sincerity and kindness. "I know, and I am very grateful for everything you and the crew have done for me. I am just worried about the future and what will happen to you guys with all of the backlash I am getting from the Government. I do not want any of you to get hurt and I could not live with myself if anything happened to ruin any of your dreams."

Sanji took one of Nina's hands in his and squeezed lightly. "We are a team, and we would not blame you for anything that could happen. We are all under the Government's thumb and if it wasn't you they were after, then it would be one of us. This is something that we just have to get used to and live with."

Looking into her face Sanji could see that she still had doubt and questioning lingering in her mind. "This is about more than just the Government and our wellbeing, isn't it?"

Nina's eyes widened and she stared at him.

"All of this self-doubt and anxiety you have also has to do with a certain crew mate, am I right?"

Nina just gaped at him. "H-how can y-you tell?"

Sanji released his hold on her hand and picked up his mug, taking a quiet sip before looking back at her. "That is why you have not talked to the girls; because they would interfere and try to butt into your affairs. And you cannot really talk to Luffy because frankly, he is an idiot."

Nina nodded slowly and gripped the mug tighter. "I am conflicted. I think I have feelings for him but we are crew mates first and foremost and I do not want to do anything that hurts our standings in the crew. I have seen what relationships do to crews, especially when it involves the first mate. I do not want to make a mistake and ruin our friendship either. He is one of the few people I have ever been able to talk to and feel completely normal around. He does not judge me and he has done more for me than anyone else ever has."

Nina peeked up at Sanji and bit her lip. "I am sorry Sanji, I know how you are around us girls and I do not want to hurt your feelings if you had felt something for me."

Sanji smiled slowly and shook his head. "It is perfectly alright Nina-swan. I love all of my ladies but there will only ever be one my heart will beat for, and I hope one day she will see that too."

Nina started giggling. "She will Sanji-kun. We all see how much you care about her and one day she will reciprocate those feelings."

Sanji stared off and smiled. "I hope so."

Sighing, Sanji shook his head and then cleared his throat. "Anyway, I better get back to cooking dinner."

Standing, he took their empty mugs and placed them in the sink before going back to the stove.

Feeling a weight lift from her shoulders, Nina separated her bundle of supplies and began creating files for each crew mate, intent on getting them done before dinner.

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Yawning loudly Zoro sat up and stretched, wincing at the pain in his side.

"I think I have rested enough. I need to get back to training."

Standing, Zoro grabbed his swords and made his way out of the infirmary and up into the Crow's Nest. Resting his swords against the wall he stripped off his shirt and began doing handstands, ignoring the pain in his side. After a few minutes, he hopped back to his feet and began to use his weights, setting a regular pace in time with the clanking of the weights.

Only a few minutes had passed before Zoro realized that the door had opened and Nina was glaring at him.

Setting down the weight Zoro sat on the bench and took a couple swigs from his water bottle. "What's up?"

Zoro could practically see the smoke coming from her ears.

"I thought I gave you explicit orders to rest?"

Zoro shrugged. "I did rest. I took a nap and then decided to do some training before dinner."

Nina huffed. "Do you defy Chopper's orders too? You realize that we are not trying to punish you, but help you get better?"

Sighing, he nodded. "I know, but I cannot allow myself to become weak; especially when we will be at the next island in under a week."

Nina huffed. "No more training for another day, then you can go back to your regimen, please."

Zoro looked at her and nodded. "Fine."

"Good, now come eat dinner."

Turning her back to him Nina exited the room and he heard her descend to the deck below before he got up and pulled on his shirt, following soon after her.

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Dinner was as entertaining as usual.

Luffy was stretching all over the table, stealing food left and right. At one point in time Luffy even dared to try to steal from Nami who was seated next to him, but that ended up with Luffy on the floor cradling his stabbed hand much to Nina's dismay. As soon as they pulled out the fork, Luffy sat and sulked while everyone else finished their meals.

"Sanji, I am still hungry!"

"Get over it! I made plenty of food and we have to be careful to not use it all up!"

"But Sanji!"

"No but's Luffy! I mean it, we have to be careful. Now be quiet or no dessert for you."

Luffy immediately quieted and watched as everyone else finished their meals. Sanji grabbed all of the plates and stacked them in the sink before bringing out bowls and a covered dish from the fridge.

"Ooh Sanji-kun, what did you make?" Nami asked.

"I have made a one of a kind chocolate raspberry crème cake in honor of my lovely ladies."

Zoro rolled his eyes and Robin giggled. "Thank you cook-san, it looks spectacular."

Luffy began reaching forward, but Sanji stabbed the knife he was holding into the table. "Don't even think about it, or else you will have matching wounds."

Luffy pouted and sat back, waiting as patiently as he could while Sanji dished out the dessert and served everyone else first. Learning his lesson this time, Luffy took his bowl and ate his dessert slowly to make it last longer.

Nina took a bite of her own and hummed with pleasure. The richness of the chocolate cake melded perfectly with the sweetness of the raspberries and icing causing a brilliant array of taste in her mouth. "Mmm Sanji this is so good; how did you know chocolate was my favorite?"

Sanji practically floated on her praise. "Oh my dear Nina-swan I did not know but now I do!"

Nina took another bite and closed her eyes with a soft moan.

Red faced, Zoro huffed and pushed away from the table, depositing his piece on Luffy's plate before leaving the room.

Luffy smiled widely and started on his second helping. "I wonder if Zoro does not like chocolate."

The girls shook their heads and Sanji started nose bleeding when they all moaned into their dessert bowls.

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After dinner Nina made her way into the infirmary and began to put all of her newly made files in the cabinet.

"I will start doing check-ups and inspections in the morning. I need to get them done before we get to the next island."

Making her way around the room she began to gather the needed equipment for filling in her files and placed them all on the desk next to the bed. After putting everything else away and making sure she had everything she needed ready, she left the room and made her way down to the bedroom, exhaustion pulling at her eyelids.

Opening the door she glanced over at the other bed and expected to find it empty, but was surprised to see Zoro sleeping peacefully. Pulling the covers down, Nina slid into bed and cuddled next to Fang, quickly falling asleep.

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The sun had already risen high in the sky by the time Nina awoke, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Looking around she also realized that Fang was gone from beside her.

"Shit, I slept longer than I had wanted to and now I will have to stay up late tonight to finish the files."

Crawling out of bed Nina dressed quickly and rushed out of the room, making her way to the kitchen.

Sanji looked over from the counter as soon as she entered and his face broke into a smile. "Good morning Nina-swan! I told the idiot swordsman not to wake you this morning for breakfast and let you sleep."

Nina smiled and poured herself some tea from the kettle on the table. "Thank you Sanji, but it would have been fine. I have a lot to do today."

Sanji nodded and went back to the oven. "Do you want something to eat now or can you wait an hour for lunch?"

Nina finished her tea and placed the mug by the sink. "I can wait. I am going to be in the infirmary."

Sanji nodded and continued to focus on his task. "Alright, just let me know if you need anything."

Taking her leave, Nina closed the door behind her and looked around the deck for the rest of the crew. She saw Robin and Nami laying out in the sun reading while Luffy sat contentedly on the helm of the ship. She could not see Fang or Zoro anywhere, but figured that they would be down below. Fang had taken quite a liking to Zoro, and Nina found Zoro's kindness to Fang endearing. Nina traipsed over to the two girls and knelt by Nami's side.

"Can I borrow you for about an hour? I am going to start working on the medical files and you are my first victim."

Nami giggled and stood up, laying her newspaper on the chair and looking over at Robin. "Keep an eye on Luffy and make sure he does not do anything stupid while I am gone."

Robin peered over her sunglasses and smiled. "You got it Miss Navigator."

Nami followed Nina into the infirmary, shutting the door behind her.

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Down in the training room Zoro was just finishing up his cool down stretches, Fang watching him lazily from his spot in the corner of the room. Putting his equipment away Zoro went over to Fang's side and sat down next to him. He slowly stroked his hands along the fur, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.

"I don't know if I helped her or harmed her more boy. She seems to have gotten better but I guess only time will tell. My methods were not very good but I felt like I had no other choice."

Fang looked up at him and then stood up, licking Zoro's face before trotting away and going above deck.

"I wish everyone was as forgiving as you boy." Zoro whispered.

Slowly rising, he made his way out of the room and down the hallway to the bedroom. Peering in he saw that Nina's bed was empty.

"I guess she finally woke up."

Turning around he went up the stairs and onto the deck, looking all around. He saw that Robin was lying in the chair still, but Nami was no longer by her side. Luffy was still sitting on the helm, and Fang had taken up residence in his favorite napping spot under Nami's mikan trees. The door to the kitchen was closed so he knew the shit cook must be in there preparing lunch and no one usually disturbed him so he knew Nina would not be in there. Looking toward the infirmary he started over but stopped when a hand sprouted from the door and halted him in his tracks.

"I would not go in there Mr. Swordsman. Nina and Nami are currently in there."

Zoro looked over at her in confusion. "And why would that stop me?"

Robin looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Because Nami is being examined by Nina for her medical files; probably undressed and would kill you if you walked in on her like that."

Zoro immediately turned bright red and hurried away toward the kitchen, Robin's soft laughter echoing behind him. Closing the kitchen door behind him, Zoro sank into a chair and stared straight ahead at the wall.

"What are you doing in here marimo? Lunch will not be ready for another ten minutes and you know I do not like being disturbed in my domain."

When Zoro did not answer Sanji looked over at him. "What's wrong?"

Zoro opened his mouth but no sound came out.

"Well?"

Zoro looked at him and stuttered: "I a-almost walked in on s-something I would not w-wish on any man."

Sanji looked at him perplexed. "And what would that be?"

Zoro's eyes widened and his face whitened. "Nami naked."

Sanji immediately smacked him over the head. "How dare you even say that! There is nothing wrong with that vision!"

Zoro blanched and smacked Sanji back. "I am not a perverted cook so no, that vision does not entice me, rather it scares me!"

Sanji went back to the stove, wiping the blood that was flowing from his nose. "Psh, if it was Nina you would find nothing wrong with it."

Zoro choked on his tea and glared at him, blushing furiously.

Sanji chuckled and looked over at him. "Go tell the others that lunch is ready."

Zoro composed himself and walked outside, yelling for the others to get their "asses in for lunch before Luffy ate it all."

Everyone piled into the kitchen as Sanji placed bowls and plates full of food on the table. Sanji sat down and looked at Nami casually. "So Nami how was your appointment with Dr. Nina? Was she very thorough?"

Zoro nearly inhaled his fork. "The fuck ero-cook? I am trying to eat here."

Robin giggled while Luffy continued eating; oblivious to the turn in conversation and Nami glared at the both of them. "One, it is none of your business Sanji and two, what are you implying Zoro?"

Zoro shook his head, ignoring her and went back to eating.

"Sorry my dear, I did not mean to pry." Sanji said. "Who is your next patient Nina?"

Zoro once again glared at the cook.

Nina looked up from her plate and swallowed before clearing her throat. "Well, I think I am going to have Robin come visit me after dinner, and then Luffy before he goes to bed. I will do you and Zoro tomorrow sometime."

Sanji and Zoro both blushed at her choice of vocabulary.

"Why do you ask?"

Sanji shrugged his shoulders. "I was just curious. What about Chopper and Usopp?"

Nina smiled. "Well, we should be seeing them soon and I can take care of their files too."

Luffy giggled and continued eating. "I ca- wai- to haf- Usopp and Chopper ba- wif- us agin!"

The others all laughed and finished the rest of the meal talking and enjoying each other's company.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Will they ever make it to the next island? Will either Zoro or Nina confess their feelings to each other? Stay tuned!

ANY AND ALL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/REVIEWS ARE WELCOME! :)