Again, I would like to thank those who have appreciated my fic! Frankly, I never thought anybody would bother to read it! Hee! Anyway, thanks for the compliments, and remarks and stuff! Hmm, I think this will be the second to the last chapter…or maybe I'll extend it a bit… who knows! Maybe I will—if I get enough reviews that is evil grin hehe!!

Again, OP is NOT mine…though I have often wished to heaven that it is! sniff! Whatever! Ah, I'm getting a bit sentimental again! Just sit back, read and enjoy!!!

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Inner Struggles and Advices

Nami was working away with some maps. She peered closely at one and buried her nose in another. This is one of the tactics that she thought that could help her forget her feelings for her captain. She'll just work, work, work, and soon she'll forget everything and their relationship will become entirely business. Nami laughed bitterly at the idea. Deep inside, she knew that that wasn't what she wanted at all. She wants more. She knew what she felt is not just some crush but perhaps the real thing. Her heart ached at the thought. Again, she gave a very loud and disgusted laugh. She never thought she'd become so sentimental.

Suddenly, the door slammed open and there in the doorway stood Luffy. She stopped in the midway of her laugh. He wore his usual wide grin. Nami's heart thudded at the sight of him yet remained calm and composed.

"Hey, Nami, How are you?" asked Luffy as he walked in and sat on a nearby chair.

"I'm okay," she replied, suspicious of Luffy's sudden inquiry, "Do you want food? I can call Sanji to make you some."

"Really?" said Luffy with a your-eyes-are-gonna-pop-out-look.

"Yes."

"Maybe later."

This answer made Nami almost fall out of her chair. Luffy refusing food? Now that's some big news! Nami laughed amusedly at the thought. She mildly shook her head as Luffy stared.

"Why are you laughing?" asked Luffy seriously.

"Oh, ah, nothing. I just—ah—remembered something," she said in excuse.

"Okay."

More silence. Nami went back to work. Luffy remained in his seat. Slowly, he moved his chair until it was leaning on her desk. The scraping and shuffling disturbed Nami's concentration and annoyed her in extremities. Her lower lip twitched in annoyance. She could feel Luffy's eyes boring into her and she could think of nothing else. Luffy continued to play with his feet, shuffling them against the wooden boards. Finally, she lost her patience and accidentally broke her pencil. She slammed it on the desk, stood up, and turned to the captain.

"WILL YOU STOP THAT—WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING?! YOU ARE DISTURBING ME!!!"

Luffy stopped and stared at her innocently. Nami sighed. Has no one taught him that it's bad to stare?

She shook her head and regained her composure. Gently, she sat down and sighed again.

"Alright, Luffy, what do you really want?" she asked with a defeated tone.

"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to you," he replied in his pleasant and scratchy voice.

"About what?"

"I don't know. Zoro just said that maybe I should."

That Zoro, Nami thought in annoyance, he and his really smart ideas.

"Well, then, we have already talked so maybe you should go. I have a lot of things to do," she answered. The words felt heavy as they rolled off her tongue but she tried to ignore this. She also tried to stop the stinging in her eyes as she watched Luffy's form. She knew she was brave, but not in this kind of thing. Not in a field where in she is so inexperienced…

"Nami, are you angry with me?" asked Luffy with a kind of sad look in his eyes. The question startled Nami. Luffy is seldom in this kind of mood and she is not used to it.

"Of course not," she answered as gently as possible.

No response, then…

"Are you happy?"

"Yes!" was Nami's immediate answer, "Are you kidding? Of course I am! Here, I am free. I am happy. I have true friends that I know truly cares for me. I have unmanageable nakamato take care of." Here, I have you, she wanted to add but didn't.

Luffy seemed to have read her mind. Naively, he leaned close to her face and asked, "Do you care for me, too?"

Nami blushed at the closeness of Luffy's face. She could almost see the tiny scratches and marks on his face. Her hand could almost reach up and caress his scarred cheek. Her lips could almost feel the warmth of his lips and his breath against her own.

I shouldn't think like this. I shouldn't think like this. I SHOULDN'T BE LIKE THIS.

"Of course I do. We're friends, aren't we?" she answered almost breathlessly.

"Yes. And because we are friends, we'll find the One Piece together, and I'll become the greatest pirate in the world. You can finally have your perfect map. Zorro and the others can also achieve their dreams as well. We are near to our goal, Nami, so whatever it is that you are worrying, you shouldn't think much about it. We'll be here for you. You don't need to hide from us. We'll go through this together," He said, nodding seriously. For the first time, Nami saw the different side of Luffy. She never even thought that he could say any long smart words and now, he's giving her some fair advice. Slowly, a genuine smile crept to Nami's lips. The first in many weeks.

He cares. He actually cares.

"Thank you, Luffy," she murmured. Her hand went to his cheek. Nami surprised herself with this action yet she couldn't help it. She caressed his scar with her thumb gently. Luffy didn't seem to mind.

"Is something on my face?" he asked suddenly and Nami laughed at his question.

"Nothing. I'm just—I just want to touch you, Luffy," she answered honestly. Then she added hesitantly, "Have you ever been in love?"

"Yes," and Nami's ears pricked at the words, but her face fell in annoyance when he added, "You know, I love all my friends. I care for them very much."

"No, no," she said, waving her hand impatiently at him, "I mean love—in love—um you know have you ever had a girlfriend, or a lover or—or someone particular?"

"Oh, I don't know."

There was silence. Nami hung her head disappointedly.

"But, sometimes, I feel strange about you, Nami."

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To all those who had been annoyed the cliffhanger in chappie 2…I'm sorry but here I go again!! I kinda… love cliffhangers! Hehe!! It kind of spices things a bit, you know? You feel tension and suspense!! Hee! Don't worry, I'll try to post the next chap soon! Again! Read and Review!!!

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