Title: Of Dreams and Desires
Pairings: Smoker x Ace, Sanji x Zoro, and other side pairings
Ratings: T - NC-17
Chapter: 43 of ?
Summary:The road to One Piece is a dangerous one and each individual begins at different times and places. Some paths cross for a fleeting moment but the encounter could be so great that it can alter the initial direction. Every meeting is important and is planned by the souls long before the bodies see each other. Follow everyone's story and see what path they take.
Disclaimer: I do not make any profit from this story; all props go to Eiichiro Oda.
Author Note: Archer's coming on next! I love Bob's Burgers so it's crazy they did a episode based around it! Life.
Shout Outs: Big thanks to yukino76 for your review! I'm happy you like it ^_^ Thank you, chizyk, for hitting the favorite and alert button. Nice to add you to the clan. :D
Beta Reader: descriptionsalive21, thank you so much!

Nico Robin

Blue eyes scanned over the many faces gathered at the Galley-La Company swimming pool. What was supposed to be a small gathering turned into a block party and all of Water Seven was present. Her spot beside the pool was becoming crowded and she needed a little space. Waving to Nami as she passed her, Robin made her way towards the rear exit so she could better observe everyone. Hearing the contagious laughter of her captain brought a smile to her face. The wind danced through her hair and she breathed in deeply, savoring the wonderful smell of food.

Freedom.

For the first time in her life, Robin's will to live was strong; and it was all thanks to a teenager wearing a straw hat. The thought dragged a chuckle from the wanted woman. All her life she'd been running, going from one place to another in her attempts to stay alive; but now…

The Devil Child wrapped her arms around herself as her chuckles bubbled into a laugh. When she was a kid no one would even give her a pot to piss in after everything that happened in Ohara; but this boy and his crew accepted her and came to her rescue. They took on the World Government and its top secret organization for her without question, without hesitation. When asked why, the only reason they gave was because she was nakama. Her shoulders shook and she hiccupped, a tear escaping out the corner of her eye.

Six people gave a shit whether she lived or died.

Robin put her hand to her mouth to muffle the sobs wracking her body as tears flowed down her face. It had been just her and Hana for so long. Her mother's face flashed in her head and she propped herself against the wall as Hana's presence wrapped around her.

Safe.

The archeologist wiped her face. She agreed with her devil; they were safe. They could do what they had been wanting to do from the first time they were introduced to each other; enjoy life.

Pulling herself together, Robin took a sip of her champagne, smiling. She had a family now. That was something she'd been wanting since the death of her mother and the loss of her home. The archeologist closed her eyes, listening to the happy sounds coming from the citizens and her crew.

Hana shifted and she opened her eyes once more; something wasn't right.

"Don't move and just listen, Nico Robin."

Her eyes widened a fraction. No fucking way.

She looked down at her drink, watching as it frosted over, "Aokiji?"

The chill from Hie pressed against her back, confirming her inquiry. "Why didn't you escape as you usually do?" His deep voice shook fear into her body. She'd just found peace and now it was already being disrupted.

When she didn't respond, he continued, "If it were just you, you could have probably escaped from the clutches of CP9, just like you've done with anyone who's captured you in the past."

Robin took a deep breath, forcing a smile to her face when Chopper waved at her from on top of Gomorrah, "I told you, it's different now. I can't just let them die."

Aokiji looked off into the distance, watching the sun set through the trees as he thought over her words, "Twenty years ago, the Giant who fought for Ohara, Jaguar D. Saul, was a good friend of mine." Her breath hitched at the mention of her late friend. "I remember that horrible day as if it were yesterday." He scrubbed the sole of his shoe against the gravel, "That evening, I let you go to respect his final wish, thus giving me the responsibility of watching over you. But after twenty years, nothing changed and you gave yourself one bad name after another."

He sighed, "I decided that I couldn't leave a ticking bomb like you alone, so I went searching for you. When I got the report that CP9 had captured you, I felt relieved. Above all, I thought that you wanted to die. I thought, finally, the last survivor of Ohara would be dead." The Marine chuckled, "Of course, I was surprised when CP9 died instead."

Wanting to feel more of the other devil, Hie reached out to the woman, freezing himself around her back. The presence of Kuzan's devil spurred Hana to action. She brushed against the icy devil and Robin shivered at her devil's desire to be near the other.

The Blue Pheasant's brows furrowed at Hie's content feeling, "So, you finally found a sense of acceptance?"

It took Robin a moment to answer. She felt hesitant about giving the Marine an honest answer, but then she heard off-tune singing. She grinned at the duet between Sogeking and Luffy filling her ears and she decided on honesty, "Yes."

Hearing the happiness in her voice made Kuzan pause and he close his eyes, "Whether Saul was right or wrong to let you live… I still don't know. But from now on, can you show me the answer?"

Nico stepped away from the wall, fear no longer rooting her to the spot she was in, "I plan too."

The Marine reeled in his devil and the cool wake left goosebumps on Robin's arms. Aokiji adjusted his sleeping mask, "If that's so, then live on strongly. Ohara is not finished as of yet." He shoved his hands into his pockets, debating with himself before whispering, "I hope we meet again soon."

Robin felt warmth rush her face and when she no longer felt the presence of the other's devil, she dropped her glass and rushed to the other side of the wall, hoping to catch the Marine. She had questions she wanted answered. But when she rounded the corner, he was gone. She looked around frantically, clicking her tongue when she didn't find any trace that the Marine was still in the area.

The pirate looked at the wall, noticing the thin layer of ice on its side. She whispered his name, as if saying it would bring him back. A scream from the pool snapped Robin's attention to her friends, putting her on alert; but her shoulders shook as she laughed at the show she saw they were putting on for the citizens. The wind blew and she could hear Saul's words whispering in her ears.

There is definitely no person born into this world who is meant to be alone.

She smiled, whispering to herself, "That's true, Saul."

Hana brushed against her. Let's continue living with them by our side.

Robin laughed loudly as she made her way back to the party to celebrate her new life with her nakama. Yes, Hana, let's.

Short but sweet. I'm really liking them together. Thanks to everyone who has read thus far; you guys are awesome. Stay tune for the next chapter: Edward "Whitebeard" Newgate - Huredhiel.