A Deep Blue Story Chapter 7, an one piece fanfic

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With Sanji gone Sher was able to sit with Zack, so she did. She pulled a chair up to his bedside and sat with him. He looked a little better; the mix of medicines Chopper had been injecting into him seemed to be helping. His color was better, but his lips were still kind of blue. Sher remembered what Chopper said about the infection ravaging its way through Zack's bloodstream. Zack had been comatose for almost five days now. Sher was worried he was never going to wake up.

Robin cooked dinner under Duke's supervision, but Sher never showed up to eat. After dinner Zoro went looking for her. He didn't have to look too hard. He knew where she was. Zoro went below deck to Zack's room. He found Sher at Zack's bedside watching over him. "Hey sweet cheeks," he greeted coming in. "You missed dinner. Nails saved you a plate. You should go eat."

Sher didn't look up at Zoro. "Maybe later. I'm not real hungry Zoro."

"Sanji will get mad if he knows you're not eating," Zoro tried. No response from Sher, Zoro sighed. "So how is he?" he asked looking at Zack.

"Chopper says he's getting better. He's going to operate tomorrow." Sher bowed her head. "Z is gonna lose his leg."

"Better then losing his life aint it?" Zoro could see how worried and depressed Sher was. He felt bad for her. He went to Sher and stood next to her. Zoro rested a hand on her shoulder. "Z will be okay Sher. He's a tough guy, a real fighter and Chopper is a good doctor. It will be okay."

Looking at Zack like this made Sher feel hollow inside. "He… he wont wake up."

"Sher…"

"It's my fault. He got hit in the middle of a ship to ship battle…"

Zoro shook his head. "You can't control where enemy fire hits your ship Sher."

Sher sighed tiredly. "I never should have let that ship get that close to us. I shoulda… I shoulda…" but Sher couldn't finish. She turned her head away from Zoro and squeezed her eyes shut to hold back the tears.

Zoro hated to see her like this. Sher had been sitting with Zack since late afternoon. Sitting here getting more depressed. "Zack is going to be fine. He will make it Sher." Zoro sighed quietly. Maybe it was best to just leave her alone for now. He gave her shoulder a little squeeze. Zoro wanted to talk to Chopper. "Don't beat yourself up Sher. I'll be topside if you need me." Zoro looked down at Zack once more he'll make it and went out to find Chopper.

The Merry Go sailed full into the wind heading to August. Sanji made dinner and Luffy ate like a pig. He was glad to be eating Sanji's good cooking again. After dinner Luffy went to his spot at the bow to watch twilight take over the sky. He was excited to be going to get Evan. Having their son back would make Sanji and Sher happy and Luffy would get to play with Evan the whole sail back to Talamasca. He grinned at the thought. Evan liked to pull on Luffy and watch him snap back into place. The little guy thought it was a scream and Evan's laugh cracked Luffy up. Luffy giggled thinking about Evan chibi Sanji.

Sanji came out on deck for a smoke and spotted Luffy. He strolled over to his captain. "Hey Luffy, how's it going?"

Luffy was still grinning. "Hey Sanji. Dinner was great!"

Sanji grinned. "Yeah I know." Sanji puffed his cigarette. "Sher is great, but she sure as hell can't cook."

Luffy laughed. "Her cooking aint that bad," he lied. Luffy hadn't particularly enjoyed Sher's burnt cuisine, but he had been thrilled to eat something Sher had made for him. "She does okay with breakfast. Makes good eggs." At least that was true. Luffy laughed again. Sanji was smiling.

"You must got a cast iron gut Luffy." Sanji teased. "I tried dat rice she made. It almost killed me." Sanji could still remember the rice and meat log Sher had tried to feed him.

Luffy shrugged. "She tried her best. I couldn't not eat something Sher made from the heart, ya know?" Luffy lowered his voice a little. "Besides, I was starving."

Sanji laughed. "You'd eat anything." He remembered Luffy eating the fishing bait and laughed harder. He wondered which was worse; live meal worms or Sher's burnt mystery meat log. "Damn," he said catching his breath. "I miss her already."

Luffy nodded. "So everything is okay with you and Sher now?" He supposed it was. They seemed to have gotten over their fight.

Sanji leaned over the rail a little. "Yeah. It's gonna be okay."

Now that Luffy had Sanji to himself, there were a few things he wanted to say to his friend. "Sanji, you know that we'll all protect Sher and Evan."

"I know dat Luffy." Sanji looked at Luffy sidelong wondering what was going on in his rubber brain. He remembered Luffy calling him an asshole in the galley when Sanji had confronted Sher about Iolis.

"Zoro would have got back up and if he didn't I would have stepped in. I won't let anything happen to Sher."

Sanji sighed and faced Luffy. "I know Luffy. It's just…. Dat's a real big bounty she's got on her head."

"Not as big as mine," Luffy said with a grin. He couldn't help it. He thought it was awesome that he and Sher were such notorious pirate captains.

"Yeah well you aint my baby's mother and I aint gonna marry you." Sanji looked out at the sea. "It's gonna be hard to protect Sher wid dat kind a bounty on her head."

Luffy shrugged. "Not really. Me, you, Zoro, Ussop and her whole crew. It will be fine."

Sanji shook his head. "I know dat Luffy. I'm sure she'll be fine so long as we're all sailing together, but … I want a life wid Sher ya know."

"You got one."

"I don't mean on da ship. I want a home for me and her and Evan."

"The Rose Red is Sher's home Sanji. She wouldn't be happy on dry land. She's spent most of her life on the sea. You can't expect her to just give it up."

Sanji frowned. Sure I can. "Why da hell not?"

Luffy turned so he could face Sanji. "Because she's a captain. She's a pirate."

"Cuz you put all dat pirate shit in her head," Sanji scoffed. He remembered the way Luffy had gone on about what a great pirate Sher would make, even talked her into joining his crew.

Luffy shook his head. "No, it's cuz you left her." Sanji straightened and faced Luffy wide eyed. "We all did."

"Fuck you Luffy, it wasn't like dat and you know it." Sanji felt the guilt creeping up on him. So Luffy blames me fer dis shit?

"I should have kicked you off my ship in Ices," Luffy sighed. "Or better yet, we should have gone to find her. I just thought…"

Sanji loosened his tie. "Yeah, we all thought she just split." He took a fat drag off his cigarette and pitched it. "Don't you think I kick myself every day fer not going to look for her? I missed my son bein born, missed out on da first years of his life. I wasn't there for Sher… dat kills me." He hung his head and tried to keep the thoughts of Zack away.

Luffy could see that Sanji was wrestling with his guilt. Luffy had guilt of his own. He never would have taken Sanji with him if he knew that Sher was locked up and pregnant. "Sher's crew took care of her. She's okay."

"Yeah, they took real good care a her," Sanji grumbled. Sher and I have always taken real good care of each other Zack's voice echoed in Sanji's head.

Luffy had the feeling Sanji was thinking about Zack. Zack was in rough shape, but Luffy had total confidence in Chopper's abilities. Chopper would take care of him. Sher would too. "Zack will pull through this."

"I don't wanna talk about dat asshole Luffy."

"He's Sher's number one Sanji. That aint gonna change. I've seen the way he handles the Rose Red. He's damn good at his job."

Sanji looked away. He didn't want to talk about Zack, didn't want to think about him. Part of Sanji wanted Zack to die. He couldn't help it. "I don't give a fuck."

"Well ya better start giving a fuck. Sher is not going to get rid of her number one just because you got a jealous hair up your ass."

Sanji felt his anger rising. "Shut up Luffy, you don't know what da fuck yer talkin about."

Luffy leaned closer to Sanji. He wanted to make Sanji understand. "Z is Sher's number one. He aint going anywhere. He's an asset to that ship and he's damn loyal."

Sanji was pretty sure he knew exactly where Zack's loyalties lie. "Would ya shut da fuck up about Z already?"

Luffy didn't. He wanted Sanji to accept their situation. "We're all going to be sailing together Sanji. You gotta get over this petty bullshit with Z."

The petty comment tipped Sanji over the edge, he lost his cool. Sanji turned on Luffy. "Petty bullshit? Fuck you Luffy, you don't know nothin! That little shit knocked my girl up!" Sanji blurted before he could stop himself.

Luffy's eyes widened in surprise. "What!" it came out in a breath. Sher and Z had a baby? What? No way. There's only Evan…

Sanji stared at Luffy. He hadn't meant to say it, it just popped out. Cuz he was harping on me about Z. Sanji took a deep breath. Now that it was out, he felt like he could breathe a little easier. Sanji spoke quietly, slowly. "Sher got pregnant, but… she lost da baby."

Lost the baby. Luffy felt his heart sink. "Sher…" Luffy shook his head. "Why?"

Sanji dropped his eyes. "Drinkin."

"They…" Luffy wasn't quite sure how to proceed. "They wanted to have a baby together?" He felt horrible for Sher. She's been through so much…my hana.

Sanji shook his head. "It wasn't like dat. They was fuckin around and she got pregnant. Sher said it was an accident. They didn't know until she miscarried." As much as Sanji hated to talk about it, hated to think about it, it felt good to get it off his chest. Luffy was more then just Sanji's captain he was his friend, his nakama.

That's why Z loves her so much… "I…I'm sorry Sanji."

Sanji let out a long sigh. He felt a little lighter. "Yeah well, dat shit is in da past." He reached for another cigarette and lit up.

Luffy now understood why things were so tense between Sanji and Zack. Zack thought of Sher and Evan as his family, so did Sanji. Another thought crossed Luffy's mind. "Is Sher okay? Can she still have children? Did it… ya know, mess her up inside?"

Sanji looked up at Luffy stunned. The thought had never crossed Sanji's mind. Mess her up inside… No more kids? "I…" Sanji swallowed hard. "I don't know."

Luffy frowned at Sanji a little. He couldn't understand how someone who wanted to marry Sher and have a family could not know such a thing. "Didn't you ask her if she is alright Sanji?" how could he not!

The truth was he hadn't. "Sher woulda told me something like dat," Sanji wanted to believe that, but Sher had kept things from him before. It was Zack that had told him about the miscarriage, not Sher.

Luffy couldn't believe it. No way, he had to have asked her. "Did you ask her Sanji?" Luffy repeated. He could understand Sanji being upset over the accidental pregnancy, but surely he would be worried about Sher enough to ask a simple question.

Sanji lowered his eyes. "No. I didn't ask her. I… I didn't really wanna hear about it Luffy. It was bad enough just knowing something like dat happened to begin wid."

Luffy shook his head. Unbelievable…selfish bastard. "I sure hope Sher is alright." Luffy thought Sher was a good mother. It would be a shame if Evan never had brothers or sisters. He was a little angry at Sanji for not asking her if she was okay.

Now that Luffy had put the thought in his head, Sanji couldn't shake it loose. It wasn't as if he planned on getting Sher pregnant right away, he wanted to get married first, but after that it would be nice to give Evan a little brother or sister. But what if Sher can't do that? "I'm sure Sher is okay," he said looking back out at the sea.

Luffy was trying not to frown at Sanji. He hoped that Sanji was right, that Sher was okay. You should have asked her you jerk. Luffy shook the thoughts away and directed his attention elsewhere. "Look Sanji, I know Sher set Z straight. You and Sher are together, you're gonna get married. You two guys are gonna have to work your shit out. We're going to be sailing together for a long time. Months, maybe even years."

"Da fuck you say," Sanji's response was immediate. He could deal with spending a few months on the Rose Red, but years? No freekin way.

Luffy's frown slipped loose. "Sher and I are taking our ships into the grand line, together. We're partners now."

"Since when?" Sanji grumbled. He knew they would run the ships together, but he didn't consider it a partnership, not really.

"Since Iolis." Luffy straightened some. The tip of Sanji's cigarette glowed in the dieing light. "Me and Sher will take turns plotting our course."

Sanji thought about the stupid pirate rumors about Luffy and Sher. "Dat don't make you partners."

Luffy was starting to lose his patience with Sanji. "Protecting Sher and her ship makes us partners. I'll do whatever she wants."

Sanji turned some of his agitation on Luffy. He turned to his captain with his cigarette in his teeth. "As soon as we find a nice quiet little place, I'm takin Sher and Evan off a dat godamn ship. Her pirate captain days are numbered. Ya all need ta get dat through yer heads."

"You need to get it through your head that the safest place for Sher right now is on the Rose Red with the Merry Go right beside her! There aint gonna be no quiet little place for Sher and there is no way she would let you take Evan and split. Sher has to run Sanji."

Sanji frowned. "Just like you, huh Luffy? You happy now? You got yer way."

Luffy thought about Sher, tied to an anchor in the yard at Central Star. "I never wanted this for Sher. I wanted her to come with us, but not like this."

Sanji realized he was being unfair. He took a drag off his cigarette and let it out slowly. "I know Luffy… I know. It just burns my biscuits dat all a dis shit is goin on."

Sanji relented and Luffy relaxed. He let out a long cleansing sigh. "I know Sanji. I'm sorry you and Sher gotta go through all of this shit. I don't want you to worry though, I'll protect Sher. I'll protect your family Sanji."

Sanji smiled a little sadly. He knew his family was safe in Luffy's hands. "I know ya will ya shit head."

Luffy's smile returned. "I love you guys, you know that."

Sanji's smile spread. It felt more genuine. "Sure," Sanji teased some. "Straw Hat and Bloody Sher. A real pirate love story."

Luffy giggled. His grin grew huge. "I sound like a real hero!" he giggled again.

Sanji rolled his eyes. Sher had repeated the pirate gossip to Sanji. Luffy did sound like Sher's hero. "Yeah well, don't let them stories go to yer head. Sher's my girl." Sanji chuckled a little and shook his head.

Luffy giggled again. Sher was Sanji's girl, but she was Luffy's hana and now his partner at sea. He thought about their ships sailing together. "I'm gonna eat twice as many dinners!" Luffy laughed out loud at the thought.

Sanji sighed. He was just going to have to deal with being stuck on the Rose Red for a while longer. At least the Merry Go and its crew were extra protection for his woman and child. We'll all protect them. All da Luffy pirates. Sanji smiled a little wondering how much longer he would be a Luffy pirate.

Nails wanted to check in on Zack once more before he turned in for the night. He made his way down to Zack's room. The door was slightly ajar. Nails pushed it open and saw Sher sitting by Zack's bed. "Captain?" he said softly coming in.

Sher turned and saw Nails come in. She was half asleep. It was late. "Hey Nails."

Nails came and stood next to Sher. He looked down at Zack. "How's he doing?"

Sher sighed. "He still hasn't woke up. He looks a lot better though, don't you think?" Sher tried to sound hopeful.

Nails thought he did. He had talked to Chopper this evening about his friend. "Chopper said Z is gonna be okay. We gotta trust him. Mimi will be back soon too." Nails tried to smile. "Mimi will smack Z back to health if she's gotta."

Sher looked from Zack to Nails. He was trying to joke about their doctor's sometimes rotten disposition. Sher smiled some. "Yeah, Mimi will be mad if Z aint up huh?"

Nails nodded and the two of them looked back at their friend in bed. "Ya know, I heard it's a good idea to talk to people that are in a coma. Some people think that they can still hear us even out of it like this." Nails swallowed the lump in his throat. "You should talk to him Sher. Let Z hear your voice."

Sher was still for a minute. It was next to never that Nails called her Sher, it was almost always captain. "Talk to Z…"

Nails could see how broken up his captain was. Whatever might be going on with her and Z, no matter how angry she might be with him, Sher still loved her number one. Nails decided the best medicine for his friend Zack right now was Sher. "Talk to him," he repeated trying to keep the despair out of his voice. "Z will come back to you."

It hurt her heart to hear Nails say it. Z will come back to me… She leaned closer to Zack. "Hey Z," she started quietly. "How you doin huh? Things have been real busy around here lately. We've been busting our humps getting the new mast ready." Sher stopped when she felt Nails hand fall on her shoulder. Sher looked up at Nails.

Nails shook his head slowly. "No Sher. Talk to him." Nails stared down at his captain. "Zack would walk through hell for you, for Evan too but our little buddy aint home yet. Z needs to hear your voice. He needs a reason to come back. He needs to know you care."

"Of course I care," Sher could feel herself tensing up. She wanted to cry but swallowed her sorrow. "Z knows that."

Now that Nails had said this much he kept going. If his captain made him pay for getting out of line later, so be it. "He thinks he's lost you Sher. It aint just his body that's sick. His heart…" Nails took a deep breath. "His heart needs you. He loves you."

Staring up at Nails Sher could feel the first sad tears trying to form in her eyes. She looked back down at Zack. "Z hasn't lost me. I'm still right here."

"Sher," Nails was trying to be patient. He understood Sher and Zack had tried to keep their more personal relationship private, for the sake of the Rose Red he guessed. Sher had ended things with Z shortly after losing his baby, but Nails knew there were times when Z had taken the captain to bed even after their break up. It was always written all over Z's face the next day. The last time Nails saw Z's silly happy morning after smirk was months ago, but Z had remained hopeful. He had never given up on Sher. Not when Sanji showed up. Not when Sher was a prisoner of the marines. "One more time Sher, just one more time. Open your heart to Z. Let him know you love him."

Sher sniffed back the tears as quietly as she could. She didn't want Nails to see her break down and cry. "Nails," she said quietly.

Nails gave his captain a final pat on the shoulder. "He'll come back to you Sher." With a heavy heart, Nails turned and went out shutting the door behind him.

Sher stared down at Z as the first tears slipped down her cheeks. She reached for his hand and held it. "Z…it's Sher." Sher sniffed back another tear. Her heart ached seeing him like this. She thought back to the one and only time Zack had ever told her he loved her. It had been when he found her with her gun, ready to die. He had hugged her, he had cried and he had said I love you Sher so damn much. Sher swallowed the lump in her throat. She reached up with her other hand and pushed the hair away from his clammy forehead. "Z, can you hear me? It's Sher. I'm here Z. I'm right here for you."

Zack's eyes rolled beneath their lids. From somewhere in the darkness he thought he heard Sher's voice. He tried to go to it.

"Come on Z, come back. Please come back. I… I need you. I need you with me. I need your strength. I need… I need…" Sher was starting to fall apart. She stroked his cheek. "Please Z. Don't leave me. Come back to me. I… I love you." Sher rested her head on Zack's shoulder and let the tears flow. "Zack please…don't leave me. Come back to me. I need you. I…" it was getting harder to keep talking.

Zack thought he heard Sher crying in the darkness that surrounded him. He wanted to go to her, he wanted to find her.

Her mind was flooded with memories of Zack. Z smiling proudly the first time a tiny Evan fell asleep in his arms. Zack standing behind her, holding her in the dark as they watched Evan sleep. Evan taking his first steps to Z. Z teaching Evan to give kisses on the cheek. "You… you were such a good father to him. Evan loves you so much."

The memories didn't stop there. She remembered teasing Z, calling him lopsided when he still had two arms of flesh and blood. Sitting with him in the captain's lounge drinking and laughing. She remembered the first time Zack kissed her, the first time he loved her. He took away her loneliness. "Z… please." Sher could recall how heartbroken he was when he found out they had lost the baby. Zack had held her tight, crying quietly. Please tell me you're going to be alright Sher.

In the darkness, Zack started to run. He ran looking for Sher. It sounded like she was in pain. It sounded like she needed him.

"You've always been there for me Z. For me and Evan. I love you for that. I always will." Sher struggled to bring herself under control, but it was damn hard. "I never…I never told you I love you. I couldn't. I just…couldn't. I had to be the captain Z. You know that right?" Sher did her best to catch her breath. She felt like her heart was being torn into pieces. "I do love you Z. I love you for what you are to the Rose Red, to Evan and to me too. You're the best friend I got in this shitty world. Nothing will ever change that. You…you've done so much for me. I… I need you. I love you."

Sher felt Zack's fingers twitch in the hand she held. She sat up staring down at his face. His eyelids were fluttering. She felt her heart jump into her throat. Is he… waking up! "Z?" She rested a hand on his cheek and patted his face. "Z come on. Z, come back to me. Please wake up. Wake up Z. Come back to me."

Zack heard Sher calling to him. He felt something against his face. It felt like Sher's hand. Sher…

Sher was shaking, but for the moment she had stopped crying. She leaned over Zack with wide hopeful eyes. "Come on Z. Come on you bastard come back to me. Wake up, wake up. Come back to me Z, please!" she begged.

The darkness melted away. Zack opened his eyes part way. When he could focus, he saw Sher hovering over him. Her eyes were wide; tears were running down her face. Sher… "Don't…cry…baby…"

"Z!" her heart hammered in her chest. "Z!" She leaned over and kissed his forehead. "That's it, come on!"

Zack felt Sher holding his hand. Most of him was numb and he was so very tired. "Sher…" it was hard to talk, but Zack had to try. Sher was crying.

Sher was crying again. "Z…" she kissed his lips. "Oh Z…it's okay." Sher kissed him again. She was elated. "You're okay. You're really okay!"

Zack tried to hold Sher's hand. He thought he might be, but he was too numb and tired to be sure. Sleep was trying to take him. He thought she was squeezing his hand. He tried to focus on her face. So beautiful…Sher, I "…love…you…" so much. Zack's eyes fell closed and sleep took him.

Sher stared down at Zack breathing hard. "Z?" She watched him for a long minute and then she heard him snore. He's asleep? Just asleep? She got to her feet quickly upsetting the chair she had been sitting in. I have to get Chopper! She let go of Zack's hand and hurried to the door. Sher ran down the hall to find the doctor.

Though Zack only regained consciousness for a few minutes, it was enough to satisfy Chopper. He was pleased his patient had come out of the coma before surgery, it was a good sign. Chopper operated late the next morning.

While Zack was in surgery Nails and Ussop worked on the mast ashore. Sher paced the deck moving from the head of the stairs to the starboard rail to watch the work on mast proceeding. After a while, Zoro couldn't stand to watch her fretting anymore. He caught her at the rail and stood beside her. "Work is coming along nicely," he wanted to get her mind off of Zack. "Nails is quite the talented carpenter."

Sher watched Nails and Ussop plaining the wood into shape. "Mmm hmm."

Zoro sighed. "He's gonna be okay Sher. Stop your stressing."

Sher looked up at Zoro. She had barely heard him. Her mind was busy praying to the gods that Z was going to be alright. "Huh?"

Zoro smiled a little. "Z is gonna be okay. Chopper has it all under control."

Sher turned away frowning. "Yeah." If you call losing a leg okay.

"How about you sweet cheeks? You okay?" Sher looked tired, strained. It had been days since she got some decent sleep. Sher had been keeping a vigil at Zack's bed side.

"I'm fine. I'm just…" she stopped short biting her bottom lip.

Worried Zoro finished the thought for her. Zoro leaned against the rail watching her. "I'm not Sanji. You can talk to me about Z."

Sher looked back at Zoro. For a long moment she just stared at him as he watched her patiently. Finally she said, "I'm just concerned, that's all."

"Of course you are." Zoro had found Sher asleep in the chair by Zack's bed the past few nights in a row. "He's really special to you, isn't he Sher?"

Sher dropped her eyes. "He's…my best friend…"

"Been with ya for a while huh?" Zoro wanted to keep her talking.

Sher nodded and looked back at the work on the beach. "About two years."

"You two have been through the shit together eh?" Come on sweet cheeks. Talk to me.

"Yeah…a lot."

Zoro didn't like seeing her so despondent. "How long were you and Z together, lovers?"

Sher looked up at Zoro surprised that he had asked such a thing. "Zoro!"

Zoro shrugged. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I was just wondering."

Sher's defenses flew up. "Haven't we already had this conversation?" she grumbled.

Zoro remembered calling Sher out about Zack some weeks ago. "Not really."

"I told you…"

He cut her off. "All you told me is that you two got together a little bit." He took a step closer to Sher. "You never told me you love him."

Sher's mouth fell open. "It wasn't like that!"

"How long were you with him?"

Sher shook her head. "You don't understand."

"I don't understand what? That you're a human being? That you were lonely? That Z was there for you? Come on Sher, don't bullshit me."

"Zoro," Sher warned.

"I already told you, I'm not Sanji. I aint gonna get all bent out of shape if you talk to me about Z." he paused letting his words sink in. "How long?"

Sher stared at Zoro wondering what to say. It's okay…I can talk to Zoro… She sighed tiredly. "Me and Z…were together for a few months."

Finally, a straight answer. "Were you happy with him?"

This conversation was uncomfortable to say the least. "Our relationship wasn't like that. We weren't a couple, we just…"

Zoro nodded. He already had the idea that Sher and Z had tried to hide their affair from the rest of their mates. "Were you happy?" he repeated.

Sher looked away thinking about her and Z. "It was…good for a while."

He tried to read her, it wasn't that hard. They were in love. He sighed quietly. "So what happened? What split you guys up?"

"The grand line."

Zoro thought that was a bullshit excuse. "I'm slow not stupid sweet cheeks. Why did you end it with Z?"

"I'm his captain," Sher growled.

"It didn't matter that you were his captain when you were bumpin your way to the grand line. Was it because of his accident? His arm?"

Sher's emotions were jumping around like a flea on a hot brick. "No, it was after that. After I…" she stopped herself.

"After you what?" Zoro suspected there was more to the story then Sher had told him.

Sher took a deep breath. She had already told him this much, might as well keep going. Besides, deep down she knew she needed to tell somebody. Somebody that wouldn't judge her or hate her. "We…were screwing around and…I got …pregnant. We didn't know…I lost the baby."

Zoro was floored. Baby! He stared at Sher. She looked miserable. "Sweet cheeks?"

Sher shook her head. "It was an accident. All of it, but… after I lost the baby Z was… I just… I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't go through something like that again."

Zoro felt his heart sink. Shit. That must have been horrible. "But you guys… ended up back in bed after you ended it, didn't you?"

"A few times."

It made it easier to understand Zack's love sick obsession with his captain. Zack had been waiting for his next chance with Sher when Sanji showed up and changed everything. "So it was never really over then."

"It was over, a long time ago. I told him that then, and I reminded him of that after he kissed me in front of all of you guys. He's my best friend, my number one. That's all it can be."

Zoro sighed. He had the feeling that nothing was really over until Sanji showed back up in Sher's life. "He loves you Sher."

"Well, I love him a lot too. But I'm with Sanji. I'm going to marry him."

Zoro tried to smile. "Never got over Sanji, did ya?"

Sher tried to think about Sanji. She missed him, but in a way she was glad he wasn't here. She didn't want him to see her fuss over Zack; it would only hurt him, make him angry. "I guess I didn't. I've never loved anyone like I love Sanji."

He could believe that. Sanji had been Sher's first boyfriend, first lover. They had been deeply in love, so it had seemed. It didn't take Sanji long to win Sher back either. They were even engaged already. "Sanji is crazy about you. Evan too. He's damn proud of that boy." Zoro smiled thinking about Evan. He was the spitting image of Sanji.

Sher smiled sadly. She missed her son too. "We're all proud of Evan."

"He looks just like Sanji," Zoro chuckled.

"Yeah. He does." Sher leaned on the rail. "Made it kinda hard to take care of him sometimes. That's why Mimi…" Sher wasn't sure she even wanted to think about that bitch right now.

Zoro thought he might be able to get more out of Sher. He wanted to keep her talking. "Mimi has been helping take care of him since the beginning right? She looks after Evan while you're running the ship."

Sher nodded. "That's how it is, mostly."

"You got the Rose Red when Evan was what? A month or two old?"

"He was about six weeks old. The Avalon was too small for the three of us. Mimi and I were about ready to kill each other. She can be a real bitch. Evan cried all the time. There was no escape from that noise. I was ready to go crazy."

"You and Mimi handling a ship this big by yourselves?" It was more then just a pain in the ass, it must have been hard as hell.

Sher rolled her eyes over to Zoro. He could understand how hard it had been for her and Mimi. "Yeah, but not for long. The second time we hit a town I found Z. He got caught up in a bar fight, I kinda gave him a hand. We split before the cops showed up. He was lookin at going to prison."

Zoro blinked. Zack didn't seem all that criminal to Zoro. "Prison for what?"

"Street fighting. It was how he was making his living."

"You're kidding?" Zoro knew how bad fights like that could get. Fuckin brutal.

"There's a lot of money riding on some of those fights. That's what the fight in the bar was about, money." Sher looked back at the beach. "He needed to get out of there." She smiled a little remembering meeting Zack. "The first time I met him was a night or two after his last fight. He had a black eye."

Zoro shook his head grinning. He was impressed, Zack was tougher then he thought. "So ya saved him huh Sher?"

"We saved each other. He's a damn good first mate. With him around, I had someone to talk to besides Mimi. He was great with Evan too, better then me."

"So Zack was perfect for ya from the start?" Zoro couldn't help but feel bad for Zack and Sher. He knew how much Zack loved Sher and Evan; how much Sher depended on Zack. Sher had given her life over to her ship and her crew, Zack had given his life over to Sher, her son and her ship.

Sher blinked at Zoro. She wasn't quite sure what he meant by that. "I guess."

"I'm glad he was there for you sweet cheeks. He loves the hell outta you and Evan. This ship and your mates too."

"I know he does." Sher felt the worry and sorrow creeping up on her. Please Z, be alright.

The Merry Go tied off on a small dock in the fishing village of August. There was nothing here to see so Nami stayed aboard and watched the sea while the others went ashore to find Mimi and Evan. Sanji was so excited he was practically floating. To his surprise the usually serene Charlie seemed to be in a bigger hurry then Sanji. Charlie missed Mimi, he missed his woman.

One of the locals directed them to a swimming area down the beach. Mimi and Evan were sitting in the sand. Charlie hurried to Mimi calling to her. Mimi got to her feet smiling. Charlie went to Mimi and Sanji went to Evan.

Evan looked up and saw "Daddy!" Evan cried getting to his feet. He ran to his daddy. "Daddy! Daddy!"

Sanji dropped to his knees and Evan ran into his arms. He hugged his boy tightly. "Evan! My son! Daddy missed you so much!"

Evan hugged his daddy back. "Daddy come to take Evan home?"

Sanji kissed the top of Evan's head. I got him Sher. I got our son. "Dat's right son. Daddy came to get you."

"See mommy?" he was excited.

Sanji smiled down at his son. You bet son. We're gonna go see mommy."

Evan was smiling. "Mommy! And Z! Nails, Duke!"

Sanji didn't like to think of the Rose Red as home or Sher's crew as the family, but that is how Evan saw it. Sanji stood with Evan in his arms. "Everybody's waitin for ya buddy. Mommy is gonna be real happy ta see you." Sanji couldn't wait to reunite his family.

"Mommy," Evan giggled.

Mimi and Charlie came over. Luffy was behind Sanji watching it all. Charlie spoke up, "We have to get Mimi and Evan's things, then we better get the hell out of here. This is a small place, but the marines patrol these waters."

"Then lets hurry," Luffy said. He extended a hand so Mimi could take the lead.

Evan chirped excitedly in Sanji's arms. "Go home!"

The surgery went well, but Zack was out for the rest of the day. After dinner he was moved back to his room and made comfortable. Sher resumed her post at Zack's side. She wanted to be there when he woke up, no matter when it might be. It was going on two in the morning and Sher was dozing in and out when she heard Zack groan. She watched him slowly come awake. His eyes were glassy; Chopper had drugged him good for the pain. "Z?" she said quietly.

Zack opened his eyes a little. He was tired, floaty. Must be the good drugs. He smiled crookedly. Sher leaned over him and he stared at her. "Sher…"

Sher smiled down at Z. "Hey, how ya feelin?" Pretty damn high was her guess.

Sher… you're in my room again. He reached up and touched her face. "Sher…"

"It's okay Z. I'm here." She rested her own hand over his on her cheek. "Doc Chopper says you're gonna be okay."

Zack had the feeling he wasn't going to stay conscious for very long. Before darkness took him again, Zack wanted to hold his captain. Lay with me Sher, just like the old days. "You stay?" it was harder to talk then think.

"I'll stay." She leaned over and kissed his forehead. "It's okay Z."

Zack slipped his hand from her face to her back. He pulled at her, pulling her down on the bed with him. "Stay… with me… Sher."

"Sure." Sher climbed up on the bed next to Zack trying not to move it too much. She didn't want to hurt him. She put her arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder watching him for sign of pain. She didn't think Z was feeling any pain at all right now.

Zack smiled dreamily as Sher settled next to him. Gods I've missed this so much. He hugged her as best he could with a body that he could barely feel. "Don't…leave me." Sleep was creeping back up on him. Zack was out of time.

"I'm not going anywhere. You just rest." She watched his eyes slip shut and a minute later Z was snoring again. You're going to be okay Z. She sighed tiredly. It had been a long time since she had lay with Z like this, she probably shouldn't be now. Sanji would have a fit if he knew. But it's not like Z even knows what the hell is going on. He's totally out of it. Sher was exhausted. She hadn't slept much the past few nights. The sound of Zack's soft snoring was comforting, relaxing. Her eyes fell shut. Maybe just a quick power nap… Sher drifted off to sleep.

Zoro went down to wake Ussop for his watch, he peeked into Zack's room. He was hoping Sher was in bed getting some decent sleep, but it wasn't her bed that she was sleeping in. Well, at least she's not sleeping in that damn chair. Zack was snoring just slightly louder then Sher. Alright then, get some rest. Zoro stepped back and closed the door to Zack's room.

It was after lunch Sanji worked up the nerve to talk to Mimi. He got the feeling that she didn't particularly like him. Sher had called her a bitch a few times. But there were things Sanji wanted to know and Mimi was Sher's doctor. Sanji found her leaning against the port rail watching Evan play with Luffy on deck. Evan and Luffy were laughing hysterically, Evan stretching Luffy, Luffy tickling at Evan. Sanji strolled up to Mimi lighting a cigarette. "Hey there Mimi. You got a minute?"

Mimi flat eyes Sanji. She thought her look said it all. Just because you moved in on Sher, that doesn't mean I have to like you. "What do you want Sanji?"

Sanji swallowed hard. If looks could kill I'd be deader then shit. "I wanted ta ask ya something about Sher." Mimi just went on giving him the hard eyeball. "I was wonderin… if she's okay after havin that… miscarriage."

Mimi's eyebrows went up. "She told you about that huh? Did she tell you she drank that baby away? Did she tell you I hit her? Called her a stupid drunk bitch?" Mimi couldn't keep the agitation out of her voice, didn't want to really.

Sher had said that Mimi had been upset with her but hit her? Called her names? At a time like that? Sanji frowned and puffed his cigarette. "She told me something like dat." How could you be such a bitch to your friend? "She said youz was upset."

"Not half as upset as that baby's father," Mimi growled. "Not that he put down the bottle when he was with Sher." She hissed disgustedly through her teeth. "Drunk fucks."

Sanji realized too late he didn't want to talk to dis bitch at all. "Is Sher okay," Sanji repeated. He was ready to end this unpleasant conversation. "Did it mess her up inside? Can she still have children?"

Mimi narrowed her eyes at Sanji. "Why? You gonna knock her up and leave again?"

"It wasn't like dat." Sanji was starting to sweat.

"Yes it was Sanji. You fucked her and you left her. Sher was clueless about being a mother and she was all alone. Don't give me any of your bullshit excuses."

"I didn't know she was pregnant wid my kid."

"So what? You still just fucked her and left her. You didn't go looking for Sher. That fucked up her head. Popping out a baby that looks just like you didn't help much either. Did she tell you she couldn't even hold her baby, huh Sanji? That all he did was cry every time she picked him up?"

Sher had said something about Evan crying a lot and her being nervous, but not quite the way Mimi put it. She couldn't handle Evan cuz he looked like me? He felt his heart sink a little. "She mentioned it was hard."

Am I making you feel bad Sanji? Good you bastard. "I mothered Evan because Sher couldn't. It was better that way anyway. She was a miserable drunk. Zack's the one that straightened her out; he started fathering Evan. Made her want to be a mother to her son."

Sanji felt his anger rising. He tried to remain calm, but every time Mimi opened her mouth it was like she was slapping him in the face. "Yeah well…"

If Sher couldn't tell Sanji how it was, Mimi would. "Zack has been a good father to Evan. He loves him. He woulda loved a baby with Sher too if she hadn't killed it with booze."

Sanji was about to snap. Jezuz Mimi!" how can she say dis shit to me!

"It's the truth. Drinking caused them to lose that child." Mimi could feel her old anger returning. "Zack was devastated. That fool loves Sher like there's no tomorrow. He would have married her. Would have raised both children together as his own."

Sanji fought to keep his temper in check. "Evan is my son."

Mimi shook her head. "You're just his father. Zack is his daddy. Even after Sher was done having fun with Z he was still there for both of them. He taught Evan to piss standing up for fucks sake. He loves that boy."

Sanji smoked his cigarette down to his fingers. "So do I. He's my son. Daddy's home."

"Daddy's home?" Mimi scoffed. "Just cuz you're fucking Sher…"

"I'm gonna marry her," Sanji's voice went up a notch.

"So I heard," Mimi snarled. "I'll believe it when I see it pirate."

Sanji took a step closer to Mimi and dropped his voice. "You listen to me you bitch, I love Sher and Evan. I'm gonna make her my wife and we're gonna raise our son together. You got me?"

Mimi was about ready to punch this son of a bitch right in the face. "Then you listen to me Sanji. If you or that stupid bitch I call captain try and take Evan from me, I'll kill ya both. I'll shoot ya while ya sleep if I have to. I'm not letting either one of you irresponsible fucks take my boy away. You got me?" she hissed coldly.

Sanji couldn't control his tongue anymore. "I'm gonna have a life wid Sher and Evan. They are my family. I've seen her wid Evan. Sher will be a great mother once I get her away from this pirate bullshit you fucks got her tied up in. My wife and son don't belong on no gods damned pirate ship I don't give a fuck whose been there lookin out for them. I'm here now. I'm back in their life cuz that's what I want. It's what Sher wants. You wanna come along and be da nanny, I don't care. But if you're ever mean to Sher again, I will take Evan away from you. You don't like me, I don't like you. We aint gotta like each other do we Mimi? "

Mimi was pissed that Sanji had spoken to her common, but part of her was almost relived to see how strongly he cared for Sher and Evan. Yeah… we'll see wont we. "No Sanji we don't." Mimi took a deep breath and let it out. "As for Sher, I don't know if she can have any more children. She recovered just fine, but that doesn't mean much. I have an infirmary, not a hospital. Sher hasn't let me near her much since then anyway."

His anger faltered. Sher… he couldn't blame her for avoiding her mean doctor, but Sanji was worried. He pitched his cigarette. I wanted another baby once we was settled… make Evan a big brother… "I see," Sanji sighed defeated. He looked back at Evan and Luffy rolling around on the deck.

Mimi was done. She said all she needed to say to Sanji. She walked away and went to sit with Charlie on the steps.

Sanji stood where he was for a long time watching his son climb all over his captain. They were having a great time. Sanji smiled despite his pain. My son… Sanji went to join them.

Zack had been in and out of it most of the day. Chopper had him on a heavy dose of medication. It was hard to wake up, harder to stay awake. Most of the time when he woke, Sher was there beside him. He tried to talk with her, but he couldn't get out much. Mostly it was Stay with me or Don't leave me. Sher spoke reassuringly telling Zack she would stay right here with him. It eased him back to sleep.

Work on the mast was coming along nicely. It would be ready to go up by the time the Merry Go returned. Nails Ussop and Zoro had begun the task of sanding it smooth. It took them two days. They came back to the ship sweaty, tired and covered with sawdust.

Sher had dinner with them for the first time in a week. They were all happy to have her back amongst them. Nails and Duke were thrilled to hear that Zack was coming to, even if it was for just a few minutes at a time. Chopper assured them Zack would start to stay awake longer once he started easing him off of the morphine. They were looking forward to it. They missed their friend.

Sher ended up falling asleep in the chair again, Zoro found her there. He couldn't stand seeing her sleep like that anymore and he went to her. She started to wake up when he lifted her into his arms, but that didn't stop him. He carried her across the hall to her room as she came more awake. Zoro laid her down on her bed, but Sher sat right back up. Her eyes weren't even open all the way. Zoro pushed her back down by her shoulders. "Come on Sher, you need to get some decent sleep."

"No," she mumbled in a sleep fuzzy voice. "I gotta stay with Z." She tried sitting up again, but she was too tired to fight Zoro.

"Z's not going anywhere. He's sleeping which is just what you ought to be doing." Zoro was tired too. He had put in a long day on the shore and watched the sea for half the night. Sher was still trying to sit up, but she wasn't getting very far. Zoro sighed tiredly. She'd sleepwalk back to that damn chair if he didn't sit on her.

"I was sleeping," she tried to sound annoyed, but she was just too tired.

Zoro lay down next to her and threw an arm over her to keep her in bed. "Just go to sleep Sher," he said and yawned. After a few more weak attempts at sitting up, Sher went still. A moment later Zoro heard her breathing change. She finally fell asleep. Zoro closed his eyes. I'll just stay here a minute... A minute later Zoro was asleep too.

It was almost dawn when Ussop spotted the Merry Go coming at them. He hurried down from the crows nest and went to the port side. He waved excitedly as they approached. Luffy and Sanji were on deck bringing the Merry Go in. Luffy waved back. Even at a distance, Ussop could still see his captain's big grin.

They came up beside the Rose Red and weighed anchor. Luffy bounced him and Sanji over to Ussop. "Hey guys!" Ussop greeted happily.

Luffy patted Ussop on the shoulder. "Hey Ussop. How's things?"

"The new mast is about ready to go up," he beamed proudly. "Just got to seal it up and let it dry."

Luffy thought it was great news. In a few more days they could set sail and leave these waters behind. "That's great!"

"Excuse me guys, I'm gonna go let Sher know Sher I'm back," Sanji was anxious to see his woman. He hurried away from Luffy and Ussop and practically flew down the stairs. The door to their bedroom was half open. Sanji smiled. Maybe she was expecting me? He stepped in and searched for Sher in bed in the dim. His smile fell away quickly when he saw Zoro sprawled out on his bed snoring loudly. Sanji stepped over to the bed quickly and smacked Zoro in the head. What you doin sleeping here ya slut?

Zoro snapped awake. "Huh?" he reached for Sher. She was gone. "Sher?"

"What da fuck you doin in my bed swordsman?" Sanji grumbled. "Where's Sher?"

Zoro blinked up at Sanji coming more awake. "Hey, you guys are back."

"Where's Sher?" Sanji repeated impatiently. He had an idea she might be sitting with Z.

"I tried to get her to sleep in bed." Zoro sat up and swung his feet over the bed. Now that the Merry Go was here he could hit his own bunk and Sanji could take care of Sher.

"You tried to get my girl ta sleep wid you?" Sanji was ready to smack Zoro again.

Zoro stood up rubbing his face. "Don't be a dick. I just wanted her to get some rest." Zoro headed out of the bedroom. Sanji followed. Zoro headed for the stairs, his bed was calling him. "Check Z's room for Sher." Still half asleep, Zoro went topside.

The door to Zack's room was half open too. Sanji went to it and pushed it open. Sher was sitting in a chair by Zack's bed. Her head rested on her folded arms next to Zack's shoulder. Sanji sighed at the sight. She's been sittin wid him. He went to her quietly and pulled her up. Sher stirred and came awake. "Hey beautiful," he whispered in her ear.

Sher heard Sanji, felt him pulling her to him and forced herself awake. "Sanji?" She looked up and saw him smiling down at her. "Sanji…" Sher threw her arms around his neck. Sanji pulled her up and hugged her. "Evan?"

"He's still sleeping. He'll be over in a little bit." Sanji held her tighter. He wanted her out of this room. Zack looked better, but his shape under the blanket told Sanji he was minus his right leg from the knee on down. "Come on Sher, let's get you to bed."

Sher let Sanji lead them back to their room. She lay back on the bed tiredly and watched Sanji crawl in bed next to her. "Sanji… I missed you."

"I missed you too Sher." Sanji leaned over and kissed her. He wondered if she had been watching over Zack the whole time he was gone. His jealousy threatened to flare up so Sanji turned his attention elsewhere. He focused on kissing his woman. He wanted to show her how much he had been missing her, how happy he was to be with her again. He kissed her lips, her face, her neck. Jealousy gave way to the heat of passion and Sanji's hands started to roam. Sher… my beautiful Sher. "I love you," he whispered against her ear. I'm never leavin your side again Sher. Never. Sanji made love to his woman as the sun crept over the horizon.

Sanji went up to make breakfast and Sher got dressed in her work clothes. They would be staining and sealing the mast today. Soon this little island would be a memory, for that she was grateful. Sher wanted to be back out on the open sea. On her way upstairs she paused outside of Zack's room. She heard Chopper talking to him, and Zack answering. It made her smile to hear his voice.

The rest of her crew was already in the galley waiting to be fed. Ussop and Luffy were also at the table. "Hey Sher!" Luffy greeted excitedly getting to his feet. He was grinning from ear to ear. Sher looked all healed up now.

Sher went to the table smiling at Luffy. "Hey pirate," Sher gave Luffy a hug and he squeezed her back.

Sanji spread butter over toast. He smiled a little at Luffy and Sher. Luffy was all sorts of excited that he and Sher had become partners in piracy. The door to the galley opened and Mimi stepped in holding Evan with Charlie right behind them.

Evan rubbed his tired eyes and saw his mommy. "Mommy!" he squirmed excitedly in Mimi's arms.

Sher turned quickly to the sound of her son's voice. "Evan!" She hurried to him and Evan practically jumped in her arms. She took her boy and hugged him tight. "Evan! I missed you buddy!"

"Mommy, mommy!" Evan hugged his mommy back.

Sher was so happy she almost cried. She kissed his cheek. "My Evan."

Sanji left the stove for a minute, he couldn't resist. Seeing Sher with Evan made his heart soar. He went to them and hugged them both into his arms. "Dat's what I'm talkin about," he said grinning like a fool. It felt wonderful to hold Sher and Evan together.

"Daddy bring Evan home!"

Sher fought the happy tears. "Yes, you're home!" Nails and Duke shuffled up behind Sher and Sanji. They were eager to see their little buddy too. Sanji kissed Sher and Evan then hurried back to the stove.

"Nails! Duke!" Evan chirped.

Sher turned and let Evan go to Nails. Nails took Evan and hugged him. "Hey little man!" he could barely contain his happiness. "How's my buddy?"

"Good to see you!" Duke leaned in and kissed the top of Evan's head.

Evan was giggling until he noticed Duke's wrapped hands. "Duke got a boo boo?"

Duke smiled at the boy. "Just a little accident."

Evan looked around. "Where Z? I want Z!"

Nails looked up at Sher. "Umm…"

Sher knew Z was awake. She took Evan from Nails. "You wanna see Z?" she smiled down at her son. Evan nodded pulling on her shirt. Sher couldn't help but laugh. "Okay pal, we can go see Z." She looked up at Sanji. He smiled a little and nodded. He understood Evan wanted to see Zack. Sher started for the door and stopped in front of Mimi. "Mimi…" She wrapped her free arm around her doctor and hugged her.

Mimi hugged Sher back. "I'm glad you're alright Sher. Evan missed you." She stepped aside so Sher could take Evan to see Zack.

Sher took Evan below deck. Chopper was just coming out of Zack's room. "Hey doc," she greeted. Evan giggled down at Chopper. "Is Z up?"

Chopper nodded. "He's a little groggy, but he's awake. Go ahead, just don't stay too long." Chopper smiled a little. A visit from Sher and Evan would ease his patient more then all the drugs on the ship.

Sher stepped past Chopper and pushed the door to Zack's room open. Zack was half sitting up in bed. Evan saw him and immediately got excited. "Z! Z!"

Zack lifted his eyes to Sher and Evan. Evan…. "Evan!"

Sher carried Evan to Z's bedside and he wriggled out of her arms. He climbed up on Zack's chest. "Z! Z!"

Zack found the strength and will to move his body. He hugged Evan to him. My boy! My Evan! "Evan! I missed you so much!" his heart swelled with joy.

Evan planted a sloppy kiss on Z's cheek. "Miss Z!" he pulled away from Z a little. "Z still not up? It morning."

Sher and Zack both laughed a little. "Z's not feeling so good buddy," Sher told her boy.

Evan nodded. "Z tired. Z work hard."

Zack tousled Evan's hair. "I sure do boss." He hugged Evan again and the boy giggled. Zack looked up at Sher. He held Evan with one hand and reached for Sher with the other. He pulled her down to sit with them. He hugged Sher with one arm, Evan with the other. Sher hugged them back. My family is together again! Thank the gods! Zack kissed Evan again, and then he kissed Sher. He was so happy he was ready to cry, but he fought the urge. "Missed you guys so much."

Sher let Evan visit with Zack for a few minutes and then took him up to breakfast. Nails had rolled out Evan's high chair and it was at the usual spot at the table. Sher set him in it and strapped him in. Sanji came up behind her and set a platter of cinnamon rolls on the table. Sher turned to him and hugged him tightly. "Sanji…"

Sanji wrapped his arms around Sher. He could see how happy she was to have Evan back. "We're all together again Sher." He kissed her softly.

Evan wiggled around and saw mommy and daddy together. His eyes got wide. "Daddy kissing mommy!"

Sanji smiled down at Evan still holding Sher. She laughed lightly against his neck. "Dat's right son. Daddy kiss mommy. Daddy loves mommy." He patted Evan on the head. "Mommy and daddy are gonna stay together wid Evan. How's dat son?"

Evan thought it was wonderful. He clapped his hands and laughed.

10.

Sher wanted to help with the mast, but Nails said he had all the help he needed. He insisted she stay with Evan and she hurriedly agreed. She spent the morning with Evan Sanji and Luffy on deck. Evan was thrilled to be home, excited to have his parents together with him. Sher sat holding Sanji's hand watching Luffy try and teach Evan to do summer salts. It was hilarious.

Mimi spoke with Chopper about Zack and then went to examine him herself. He was dopey, half asleep, but glad to see her. He told her that he most defiantly wanted the leg Nails had started working on for him. Mimi could understand why Zack was so eager. He wanted to walk, get back on his feet. She knew that Z wanted to find some way to fight Sanji for his family. Seeing Evan again had made him sure of it.

Ashore Nails and Luffy stained the new mast. Luffy was excited that it was almost ready. In two days, they could leave this place and he would begin his journey as Sher's partner. It's gonna be so awesome!

11.

Dark had been promoted to Commander and was given charge of a fleet of five ships. His top priority was the capture of the woman pirate Sher Cerces and her accomplice Monkey D. Luffy. Dark was more anxious to catch the woman though. He owed her some pay back. The disaster at Central Star had been her fault. He was going to make her pay for what happened there.

Dark stood staring down at the photos spread out all over his grand desk. His eyes swept over them. Mimi Hostay, a backwoods doctor from the town of Day. Sher had murdered a man and Mimi's home and burned the place to the ground. Mimi had fled with the woman pirate. Zachariah "The Iron Fist" Quint. A street fighter and criminal from St. Paul. Horhe "Nails" Gomez, a carpenter from the island of Medellin. The big chef was Raphael Duke also from Medellin. Finally Sher had acquired Charles Branigan from the small east blue island of Locke. Dark frowned down at the pictures of the Bloody Thorns. I'll catch you. All of you.

There was a knock at the door. Dark straightened and faced it. "Come," he said loudly.

"Commander," an ensign carrying a memo stepped in. "Sir, it's a message from the Enterprise. The Luffy pirates were sighted in a fishing village, a place called August." He extended the memo to his commander.

Dark took the message and read it over. It wasn't just Luffy pirates that had been in August, Bloody Thorns had been there too. "Tell the helmsman to set a course for August." Dark wanted to question the villagers personally.

"Aye aye air," the ensign saluted and hurried out.

Dark moved to sit at his desk. It wouldn't be long now. He would catch the pirates and then they would pay.

12.

It was a joint effort between the two crews to get the new mast into place. Luffy's stretch and Zoro's strength helped greatly. Nails and Ussop hung the new sails smiling excitedly. Sher and Luffy stood on the deck of the Rose Red watching the Rose Red get finished up. Sher was almost as excited as Luffy and he was practically dancing.

"We can hit Long Island to re-supply," Luffy was ready to go. "Nami says it will be a few days before we get there, but after that," Luffy clapped his hands together and let the right one veer off.

Sher took a deep breath. She knew what Luffy meant. We are so outta here. Sher smiled at Luffy. "Then I guess we better get ready to go."

Luffy giggled excitedly. "This is gonna be awesome!"

While Sanji did up the lunch dishes the Merry Go and the Rose Red finally pulled away from Talamasca. Once they were underway Sher headed downstairs to check on Zack. He was awake, propped up on bed slightly. He looked confused. "Hey Z," Sher greeted going over to his bedside.

They had been weaning him off the morphine slowly, but he was still pretty high. He looked at Sher. "Are we moving?"

Sher smiled broadly. "Yes, yes! We're sailing!" she was very excited.

Zack smiled a little. Sailing…Sher is so happy. "Well alright captain. It's about time."

Zack looked happy too and Sher hugged him. "You better hurry up and get better number one. I need ya."

Zack hugged Sher back as tightly as he could with weakened arms. I need you too Sher. You and Evan. He tried not to worry about the ring on her left hand. "Thanks captain."

Sher pulled away a little still smiling at him. "I'll bring Evan down in a little bit okay? He's been asking for you since breakfast."

My boy. Knowing Evan was coming made Zack want to regain his senses. "That would be great Sher. I really miss him."

Sher rested a hand on Zack's cheek. "He misses you too Z."

Zack wanted to pull her to him. To kiss her and show her how much he missed Sher too. No. Not now, not yet. Instead he took her hand and kissed it. He did his best to smile at her. "Go mind your ship Sher."

Sher laughed a little. She was beyond thrilled to be out at sea again. "Right." She kissed Z's forehead and got up. "See ya soon." Sher hurried out and headed back above deck.

Zack sighed and relaxed into his pillows. The Rose Red was sailing again, he was glad. They could finally get out of this region, get someplace safer. Sher would be busy again, they all would. Hopefully too busy for much free time with that damn Sanji. It shouldn't take too long for Nails to finish Z's leg either. Soon enough Zack would be up and helping his captain. And then I'll get just as much time with her as Sanji. He smiled a little at the thought. Sher, I'm not letting you go.