Girls Night Out

Guys Night In

Neo sat curled up in the corner of the couch. A book sat beside her, but she hadn't read a page in twenty minutes. Instead her eyes were on the two most important loves of her life. Law was sitting on the rec. room floor. His boots were abandoned on the floor beside him. In front of him was their son.

Cora had a hold of Law's fingers as he bounced up and down on his little legs.

Neo's heart fluttered when Cora gave her a two tooth smile. She sighed with contentment. "He's so cute. And growing so fast. It won't be much longer before he's walking."

Law nodded. "And I get the feeling he's going to be on the go constantly."

Neo giggled, her bells filled the room and made Cora laugh in delight. "I don't doubt that one bit. He already has all his aunts and uncles on their toes while he's crawling."

"It's a good thing you decided to put childproof locks on everything you saw as a possible danger to him," Law said. "I'm just glad he's a fire elemental."

"Why's that?" Neo tilted her head.

"Because with the other three elements he could easily get to the top shelves."

"Oh that is so true. But you're still going to have far too much fun with Cora's element." Neo gave Law a pointed look. He returned it with a mischievous one. She didn't have to look into his thoughts to know he was already thinking up multiple plans on how to use Cora in battle when their baby gets older. He was even working on some plans to mess with people, mostly Luffy, when Cora gets old enough to use his fire better than he did now.

"Neo!" Nami's voice sang out. A few seconds later she, Robin, Topaz, and Ikkaku entered into the room.

"What's up?" Neo eyed their clothes. They weren't fancy, but they weren't their normal clothes either. Nami was wearing a loose black skirt and skin tight, stomach revealing deep red top. Robin was wearing tight dark purple jeans and a sleeveless button up top that was tied under her beasts. Topaz was wearing a slim fitting black dress, part of her hair pulled back in a butterfly clip. And Ikkaku was wearing short shorts with a yellow spaghetti strap top. Her thick curly hair was pulled up into a high ponytail.

"Nothing much." Nami grinned.

Neo cocked an eyebrow. All four women held grins on their faces that suggested otherwise. Before she could question them again, Nami and Ikkaku grabbed her wrists and pulled her off the couch. "Hey. What did you do that for?"

"Oh, we're just ambushing you," Ikkaku said.

"Eh?" Neo looked at each of her female friends. All continued smiling, Topaz added an apologetic shrug. "For what?"

"We've decided you need a girls night out," Nami answered.

"A girls night out?" Neo asked.

"You got it. Just us girls. No guys at all. Well, no guys from the crew. We will run into other guys in town," Nami said.

"Hopefully some of them will be extremely cute." Ikkaku beamed. "I could use a break from the foul looking guys that are on the crew."

"Hey!" A few crewmates walked past the rec room. They shot Ikkaku dirt looks before walking on.

"I don't know," Neo said.

"Go ahead, Neo." Law nodded. "It'll be fun. I'll stay with Cora."

"Well..." Neo's eyes fell to their son. Maybe it would be beneficial to hangout with the girls for one night. It wasn't often they got to spend time with the Straw Hats. And with so many men on the crew it was rare for them to get girl time on the sub. She sighed. "Okay. Let's go."

"First you need to put on something different." Nami pulled Neo towards the door.

"But I like what I'm wearing."

"Law's shirt." Nami shook her head. "Not a good look for a girls night out."

Neo went quiet after that. She knew no matter what she said she wasn't going to get out of it. Upon entering into her and Law's room Nami ran straight over to the closet. Within a few minutes she had picked out a black over the right shoulder shirt and matching jeans. Neo took them into the bathroom to change then rejoined the women. "Okay. I'm ready."

"Here." Topaz held out a pair of Neo's sandals.

Neo frowned at them.

"I know you don't want to wear them, but you might need them," Topaz said.

"Okay. I'll take them." Neo slipped them on her feet.

The five women then left the sub. They earned a few questions and whistles as they left Polar Tang. Walking across the docks, Neo eyed the city in front of them. The lights were so bright and flashy they blocked out the moonlight and stars.

"So what are we going to do?" Neo asked as they stepped into the city. People chattered happily on the sidewalks. Music played from several venues as well as from some people performing on the street. Neo was grateful her friends surrounded her. Nami and Robyn calmed her left side while Topaz and Ikkaku was on her right. Without them she was sure someone would bump into her. That was the last thing she needed. While she had gotten better with people getting close she still had issues with people touching her, especially if she didn't notice them before it happened.

"Well, we're going to start out with some shopping, then we'll get something to eat, and then we're going to a dance club," Nami said.

"A dance club?" Neo frowned. There had only been one real time when she had danced. That was with Law and crew at their wedding. The only other times was just her and Law. And all they did was hold each other and sway in small circles.

"Don't worry," Topaz said. "It'll be fine."

"And fun," Nami added.

Neo still wasn't sure about it. Her attention was diverted when Robin slipped her arm through hers. The older woman smiled. Neo returned the smile with one of her own. At least with Robin there things shouldn't get out of hand.

Law watched as his lover was pulled from the rec. room. Cora released a small cry at his mother being taken away. Law lifted their son until his feet lifted off the floor, regaining the boy's attention. Cora giggled as he continued to bounce on his legs. With their son happy again, Law's mind drifted back to Neo. He hoped that nothing happened on her night out. She could use a relaxing night out with some of the same sex.

The island they were docked at was a loud one. Many casinos and dance clubs were in the city they were close to, possible all the cities were. This island was known for its money. On several occasions even the Celestial Dragons came to this island. Though they stayed on the north side. They were currently docked at the south side. So they shouldn't run into any of them.

But that left all the other people. In such a big city with so many people it was highly possible that Neo would be touched by someone she didn't know. He hoped that the four women would do their best to keep that from happening. All four of them knew about how Neo felt about being touched by someone she didn't know. Surely they could and would keep it from happening.

Law shook the worry away. Neo would be fine. If she needed him he would warp to her in a second. His attention shifted down to Cora when he started making noises that sounded like a stomach grumbling. It reminded him that it was getting close to supper time. With Neo out for the evening Basil would be cooking for them.

Cora continued to make noises. It reminded Law that Cora often ate before the crew did. Babies couldn't wait like adults could. So he pulled Cora into his arms and stood. One foot out of the rec. room he heard Luffy calling his name. He cringed. Why did that loud mouth have to ruin his quiet evening at home with his son?

"Tra!" Luffy landed hard with a thud. He had jumped the stairs instead of walking like a normal person would do. "There you are!"

Before Law could udder a word the rest of the Straw Hats came down the stairs.

"My precious little flowers are gone!" Sanji mumbled around a handkerchief he was chewing on. Tears poured down his cheeks. "My beautiful Nami-swan said I couldn't go with them!"

"Shut up, you idiot cook," Zoro grumbled.

"You shut up!" Sanji snapped back. "Our girls are out there with a bunch of horny guys who will hit on them!"

"So what?" Usopp eyed the cook with an accusatory glare. "You just described yourself. And Brook."

"Hey, I resent that. I'm not horny, I'm bony," the musician said with a laugh.

"Chill out, bros," Franky said. "They'll be fine."

Law rubbed his temple, which was already pounding from all the noise. The only two of the Straw Hats that remained quiet were Chopper and Jinbe. The former was laying over the fishman's shoulder, looking like a deflated balloon. It was going to be a long night. "What are you all doing in my sub?"

"Eh? Why wouldn't we be here?" Luffy grinned.

"Because this isn't your ship," Law said.

Luffy laughed.

"Luffy wanted to come over since the girls were gone for the evening," Chopper said with a heavy sigh.

Cora cooed and reached for the reindeer.

"What's with him?" Law asked, despite his better judgment.

"Nami told him he couldn't go with them," Usopp said. "He's worried about Neo getting touched by someone she doesn't know. We keep telling him Robin and the others wouldn't let that happen." He shrugged. "But you know how attached he is to Neo."

Law nodded. He knew well. Of course Chopper's bond with Neo was no where near as strong as his own with her, but he knew Neo wouldn't want Chopper to worry so much about her. And though he didn't want to, he knew what he had to do to make both the reindeer and Neo happy. "Tony, I was getting ready to feed Cora. Want to help with that?"

"Huh?" Chopper lifted his wet eyes to the Heart doctor. "Really?"

Law nodded as Cora continued to reach of the reindeer. He wondered if their baby could sense Chopper was upset. "Cora would like it."

"Sure!" Chopper's eyes sparkled. "I'd love to!"

"So where should we eat?" Ikkaku looked around. Names of restaurants were lit up in flashing lights. "There are so many choices."

"I'm feeling like something exotic," Nami said. "Some place with food we haven't tried before."

Neo tilted her head in wonder of what a place like that would be. With their traveling the seas they ate at different places all the time. Her eyes fell on a window with a poster of a bowl of noodles soaked in a brown liquid. "How about there?"
"Looks good to me," Nami said before leading the group through the doors.

Neo scanned the room. Square tables were placed in small rooms that were blocked in, but for one side, with paper walls. Ink paintings spotted the walls. Waitresses roamed up and down the aisles between the tables refilling drinks and food.

"This looks nice." Robin elbowed Neo. "And, look, we don't have to wear our shoes here."

Neo glanced around again. Robin was right. People had their shoes sitting in the aisles where they were to walk. Though it didn't matter. She almost always slipped out of her shoes when eating out like this. Still she was grateful it wasn't required to keep wearing them.

"Welcome." A lady with brown hair pulled up in buns bowed to them. "Is this all that's in your party?"

"Yup. It's just us girls tonight," Ikkaku said.

"Then please follow me." The woman lead them to an empty table and passed out menus. "Your waitress will be with you in a moment."

The pirates stepped out of their shoes and sat down on pillows at the table. Opening the menus the girls scanned through the items.

Neo looked for the picture she saw on the window. "Ramen?"

"Yes, it's a noodle dish," Robin said.

"Sounds good. I think I'll try it." A few seconds later another woman came over to their table. They put in their orders then waited.

When their food came, Neo picked up her chopsticks and broke them apart. She had tried chopsticks before and didn't care much for them but managed to get the hang of them enough to eat with. But those times were with smaller, or in this case shorter, foods. These long noddles proved harder to eat with chopsticks. If she held the chopsticks too lightly the noodles slipped from her hold. If she held them harder she mashed the noodles in two.

"Haven't a hard time there, huh?" Topaz asked.

"So much so I'm about to use my winds to pick the noodles up." Neo growled as her noodles slipped again.

"Try holding the bowl in one hand close to you face. and bring the noodles to your lips," Ikkaku said.

Neo obeyed the instructions and finally got a bite of noodles. Spicy meat coated her tongue. "So good!" She looked at her crewmate. "How'd you know how to eat this?"

"I've had ramen before. It's been over seven years ago though," Ikkaku replied. "I had just as much trouble as you trying to eat the stuff. But it was worth it."

Neo sipped in another bite, humming in delight and thought. "Hmm. I think Luffy is already driving Law crazy. He's starting to get a headache."

"Took him long enough," Nami said. "I'm surprised he didn't go over immediately when we told him he wasn't coming."

"I'm starving!" Luffy shouted out. "Sanji! Make me food!"

"Make yourself some food!" Sanji snapped from where he laid across the table. A pool of tears puddled around his head. "My sweet beauties left without me! Didn't you see how beautiful they were?! What if they meet other guys and run off to get married?! I'll lose them all!"

"You never had Neo in the first place! She is married!" Law growled while rubbing his throbbing temple. The Straw Hats had scattered about the galley. Chopper was sitting on the table facing Cora as he fed the youngest pirate. Luffy was sitting at the same table, banging a fork and spoon on it. Zoro was sitting at another table having a drinking contest. Brook was playing his violin with some of the Heart pirate musicians while Franky and Usopp danced to the music. Jinbe was sitting in the corner talking with Jean Bart.

"Sheesh," Basil said from the stove. "I've never known someone so impatient when it comes to food."

"Sorry about this," Law said as he lifted a hand. "Maybe I should just warp them out of the sub."

"I don't think the princess would like that." Basil laughed. "I'm sure she's keeping an eye on you as much as you are her."

Law lowered his hand. As much as he wanted to kick the noisy pirates off his submarine he wouldn't do it. He knew how much Neo loved the Straw Hat pirates. Still the thought remained in his mind.

A few minutes later Basil and Penguin started laying food out on the table.

Luffy cheered and started digging in. Before long the sort of quiet meal turned into a battle to see who could get the most food. Very few of the pirates remained out of the fight.

Law growled. He should have threw the Straw Hats off the sub and then try and pacify Neo later.

"Poor Law," Neo said as she and the girls headed out of the restaurant. "I'm going to own him one for this."

"What? Why? He doesn't need to be given anything," Nami said. "Besides deep down he really likes Luffy."

"I know he likes Luffy," Neo said. "But he likes his peace and quiet more."

Nami gave a wave of her hand. "Never mind the guys. I'm sure they're having lots of fun." She then pointed to a building. "There it is. The club we're going to."

Neo looked to where she was pointing. Another lit up building stood before them. Music blared from the building as people entered and exited it. Concern began to swell in her stomach. While she had never been inside of a dance club she had been close to them enough to know they were often filled with people. People who did a lot of moving. Getting touched here was a high possibility.

A warm hand landed on her shoulder.

Neo glanced up to find it was Robin.

"It'll be okay. We can sit off to the side where you can observe," Robin said.

"Thank you," Neo said, feeling a little better. With a relaxing breath she followed her friends into the building. Music assaulted her ears the second they stepped inside. Lights flashed and swung every where. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to it all. When she could see clearly she found several tables lined the walls. A bar sat at one end of the long rectangular room while a live band sat at the other. In the middle of everything people danced to the music.

Neo grabbed onto Robin's arm as Topaz took a step closer to her.

"You okay?" Topaz asked.

"I think so." Neo gave a small nod.

"There's a table there." Topaz pointed to an empty table directly across from them. "It'll be a good spot for you. If you need to leave you can fly over everyone and get outside."

"Yes. That'll do fine." Neo kept her hold on Robin as they waded their way through the dancers. She claimed the seat that sat facing the door. Robin and Topaz sat beside her.

"If you don't mind, I'm going to dance for a while." Ikkaku scanned the dance floor.

"I don't mind. You have fun," Neo said.

"I'll join you." Nami walked off with Ikkaku.

Neo watched the two make their way to the dance floor. The two women then started moving to the music. As the minutes past Neo found herself bobbing her head along with the music. "They're good."

"Not bad at all," Topaz agreed. "Would you like to try?"

Neo glanced at her sister then back at Nami and Ikkaku. "Well... I guess I could give it a try. Though I doubt I can dance like them."

"There is no real rules to how a dance should be performed in places like this," Robin then said. "There are different types of dances. Some people even make up moves on the spot. All you do is just move to the music how you feel like."

"I'll try. As long as you two come with me," Neo said.

"Of course we will." Topaz took Neo's hand.

Neo grabbed Robin's and the three of them headed out to their other two friends. Robin and Topaz started moving to the music. Self conscious settled onto Neo. She tried to move like the other women but felt like an uncoordinated dodo bird. Her moves were stiff, jerky.

"You're doing fine," Ikkaku encouraged.

"Keep trying," Nami added.

Neo did. Slowly she began to mimic their moves better and grew more confident.

"That's it," Robin said with a smile. "You got it."

Neo remained on the dance floor for an hour before her shoes screamed at her to stop. She waddled back over to their table and sat down. "Ouch. I really had shoes."

"You have been dancing a lot. I'll get us something to drink," Robin said before walking off.

"Great." Neo pushed off her shoes. Pulling her feet under her she pressed her thumb into their arches, closing her eyes to the relief she gave herself. A minute later she felt a presence sitting down. Thinking it was Robin she opened her eyes. Her body jerked at the sight of a man sitting in Robin's chair.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." The man grinned. "I'm Rian.

Neo gave a slow blink. Studying him she felt no ill intentions from him.

"You're Neo, right?"

She nodded.

"I thought so," Rian said. "I've seen you in the newspapers. You're a lot cuter in person than you are in the photos."

"Um, thanks?"

Rian tilted his head a bit. "You don't have to be so shy. I'm not going to hurt you or anything. I'm just a fan who wanted to meet you."

"I know." Neo did know. He didn't want to hurt her, but he wanted something. What was it? Her body tensed when he stood a bit and scooted his chair closer to her. She moved her chair away.

Rian chuckled. "Relax. I don't bite."

"And I don't like people I don't know getting so close." Neo's lips tugged down at the corners.

"I promise I'm a good guy. I only want to get to know you on a more intimate level." Rian's eyes roamed down her face to her chest.

Neo had never be more grateful that Law ordered her not to wear revealing clothing outside of the sub. At least now she knew what he wanted from her. Her lips pulled into a full frown. "I'm married."

"I don't mind." Rian's eyes stayed on her chest. "We can still have fun while you remain married."

Neo bristled. "I will never cheat on Law."

"Don't think of it as cheating. Think of it as innocent fun." Rian reached for her.

"No!" Neo summoned her wind crystals and trapped the man who dare reach for her. Her body trembled though she wasn't sure if it was because he tried to touch her or because he wanted her to cheat on her love. Thunder boomed outside, drowning out the music for several seconds. Dancers stopped and looked around.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Rian shrieked. "I was just being friendly."

"What's go on here?" Nami demanded as she and the others rushed over.

"Nothing!" Rian said. "She just freaked out!"

"Not likely," Ikkaku said.

"Neo, what happened?" Topaz stood next to Neo.

"He wanted me to cheat on Law." More thunder rumbled outside. Lightning flashed. The indoor lights dimmed and flickered several times before stabilizing. "And he tried to touch me."

Nami pulled out her baton, Robin -after placing their drinks on the table- held her arms across her chest, and Ikkaku cracked her knuckles then in a flash they pounced on the man.

Neo released him of her winds.

"You okay?" Topaz placed a hand on Neo's shoulder.

"Yes, I'm fine now."

A minute of silence past between them before Topaz spoke up again. "Would you like to go back to the sub?"

Neo glanced over a her friends as they continued to pound the man into a black and blue lump of bruises. She shook her head. "No I'm okay. We can stay a while longer." She glanced around. Everyone else had stopped to stare at the beating going on in the club. "That is if we don't get kicked out for this."

Topaz hummed with a nod.

"What's going on here?!" A woman with short black hair stomped over to them. "Why are you pirates causing problems?!"

"We're not the ones who were causing problems." Nami whacked Rian over the head with her baton. "This idiot made a move on our friend! Our married friend!"

"I don't care! You pirates are always causing trouble." The woman pointed to the door. "Leave right now!"

"How can you stick up for such a creep? No decent man would hit on a married woman." Ikkaku planted her hands on her hips.

"Rian has been coming here for years. He trustworthy. Now get out or I'll call the marines!"

"Why you little..." Ikkaku took a step forward.

"Don't. It's fine," Neo said.

"What an awful establishment," Nami grumbled as they left. "I know we're pirates, but we did nothing wrong."

"I guess some people will always be like that." Ikkaku put her hands behind her head.

"At least that guy won't be hitting on married women for a while," Topaz said.

"It was still a nice night out." Neo grinned. "Thanks for ambushing me. I had fun."

"Glad to hear it!" Nami hugged Neo as they walked. "We're totally going to do this again. Maybe next time we'll find a place were jerks don't inhabit."

"What now? Are we heading back to the sub?" Topaz asked.

Neo hummed in thought. "I don't know. Is there anything else we can do? Preferably something without a lot of people around?"

"We could go to the gondola pavilion," Robin suggested.

"Gondola pavilion?" Neo asked.

"I heard about it while getting our drinks," she explained then pointed to the south west. "It's just outside the city. I heard it's a really nice place to sit and relax."

"Sure." Neo nodded. "Let's go."

The women headed down the sidewalk. The music faded, though not by much, as they walked. A pavilion with soft lights appeared. Long boats with men holding poles pushed couples through the water.

"This is nice." Neo crossed her arms over the railing as a cool breeze came off the water. "And relaxing."

"Maybe you should bring the captain here," Ikkaku said.

"A gondola ride with Law," Neo said. "That sounds romantic."

Several minutes past as they watched the people on the gondolas The peace was broken when Law's frustration and desire to kill slammed into her. "I think we should go back. Law's on the verge of killing Luffy."

"Took longer than I thought," Nami said as Neo wrapped them up in her winds and flew them back to the sub.

Neo lead them down to the galley. Upon their arrival they were greeted by Luffy's arms and legs stretched out across the room. Cora was on his stomach. The Straw Hat captain was bouncing the boy up and down.

"Straw Hat! Don't do that! You're going to hurt him!" Law screeched.

Penguin also looked about two seconds from killing the younger man. Others were dancing around as if they had drank too much. Which they probably did since the room spelled of booze. Penguin turned to her. "Neo, thank goodness you're here! Look at what that nut is doing to Cora!"

Cora yawned, but didn't seem to be under distress.

"Okay." Neo used her winds to pluck Cora from Luffy's stomach and lift everyone off their feet. The room quieted down as they looked at her. "That's enough. Time for everyone to settle down."

"Yes, ma'am." Agreement coursed through the room.

Law released a sigh of relief.

"And you, little mister." Neo looked down at their son. He yawned and grabbed her shirt. "It's beyond time for you to be in bed."

"We know," Penguin said. "We've been telling Straw Hat that for over an hour."

"Aw, we were having fun." Luffy pouted.

"I know, but he's going to bed now." Neo turned and walked out of the galley with Cora and Law. As they walked away they heard Nami giving Luffy an earful about being irresponsible in keep Cora up so late. Stepping into their room Neo changed their baby then had plans to rock Cora to sleep. Before she could sit down Law swept her up and sat down with them both. Neo cuddled into him as their baby drifted off to the slow rocking. "Thank you for tonight, Law. I know you went through a lot with Luffy."

Law grunted. "It's something I'd only do for you."

Neo kissed him. "And to thank you I'm going to take you on a gondola ride tomorrow night. Just the two of us."

"Gondola?"

"They have them here. It's very relaxing."

"I can think other something else that is very relaxing." Law ran his hand over her thigh and up to her breast.

Neo hummed. "I might be able to do something about that. But Cora first."

Law nodded in agreement and continued to rock them.

...

Finally thought of a one shot! Been thinking of doing a short story that would show what would have happened if Neo was found by the Straw Hats. But haven't been able to get anything to come together yet. So we'll see about that one.