(A/N): Hello everyone, I have just started watching One Piece and I have to admit I very much enjoy watching it. I especially enjoyed Nico Robin's introduction and her story with Crocodile. I'd have to say I do fantasize about their past and such a lot so I decided to put it in words. Hopefully, I find others who also like this ship. If there are any errors in the timeline or such please don't mind, I am simply new to the show. I also like Zoro x Robin so there might be parts of them in this story but I am not sure. Please enjoy.

'Now he can feel Oryx floating towards him through the air, as if on soft feathery wings. She's landing now, settling; she's very close to him-'

"AHAHAHAHA!"

Nico Robin put her book down and led out a small sigh. She was once again interrupted by Luffy and Usopp's shenanigans. Sure, life as a member of the straw hat crew was fun and energetic but she often missed the quiet life she had back in Alabasta. Working under Mr. 0, Sir Crocodile, one of the seven warlords, as his secretary or even his right hand woman as she dared to say, considering how close they were. But then, everything she thought she had with him was a lie after the whole incident in the desert kingdom. She was still exasperated by how fast and ruthlessly he cut off their past together by mercilessly attempting to kill her. Deep in her mind, though she wished it wasn't true, Robin knew Crocodile was eventually going to leave her just like the others whom she met in the past to run away from the Marines who were and still constantly chasing her. She just never knew it would happen so fast. Four long years of commitment, she warmed up to him, and strangely enough, him as well, but overall she guessed it was all for nought.

Though the betrayal, she couldn't help but still wonder about him and reminisce about their past.

…

The first few days she entered Alabasta she had already caught the attention of a couple of thugs who were attracted to her looks. To amuse herself she allowed them to trap her in a warehouse and without a second thought, she flawlessly killed them using her devil fruit powers, Hana Hana. That was when she met Crocodile who had happened to lead the ruthless thugs. Just like the rest, she tried to use her powers to snap his neck but to her surprise he became sand and suddenly reappeared in front of her. Thinking he was going to attack she embraced herself but instead he pierced through a guy with his golden hook that was about to hit her.

Crocodile let out a deep laugh once there was no one else but him and her and a body of corpses around them. "You have a very useful devil fruit power Miss."

During the quick battle she didn't notice who he was until he formed his body right in front of hers. 'A warlord?!' she thought, 'Why is someone like him here?' Though caught off guard, she quickly regained her composure. "It does serve me well, Mr. Suna Suna no Mi user."

It was his turn to become surprised as she thought she saw his eyes widened for a second. Once again he laughed, "You are a smart girl. I'd kill you, but it would be useful if I had you around," he circled around her which made her feel more threatened. "How about it? Let's make an organization and take over Alabasta."

"... Alright…" Though hesitant, she had to agree. She was in constant escape with the Marines and after leaving a group before she arrived in Alabasta there had been various close calls of her getting captured. Who knows, maybe he would be strong enough for her to use for a while.

…

That was how they met. The start of that dreadful betrayal that she wished never would have happened. She sighed once again as she rested her head on her hand.

Zoro who was in the middle of working out saw how Robin was looking out at the sea with a sad expression. 'What's wrong with her?' he thought, 'don't devil fruit users feel sick if they look at water for too long or something?' Though it hasn't been long since Robin joined the crew and at first he was cautious of her, ever since Skypiea, he has come to slowly trust this mysterious archaeologist recognizing her as part of the Straw Hats.

If he was Chopper or the rest of the dumbasses he would have come up to Robin by now and try to cheer her up from whatever she was sad about. Thank god he wasn't though, he was just as bad with handling a woman's feelings as with directions.

"Oi Chopper!" he called out to the doctor who was currently studying new medicine he learned from the islands they had visited in the past. Chopper walked up to him, "What is it Zoro?"

"I think Robin is reading one of the books you've read before."

"REALLY?!" the reindeer jumped in excitement. As fast as his small legs could move, he ran towards Robin with eagerness to share his thoughts on the book. "Roobbinnn.." Zoro heard his voice gradually get further away as he went to the other side of the ship where the said girl was. As Chopper started to ramble and asked her questions of how she thought of the book she looked to see where her tiny crewmate suddenly came from, only to see Zoro staring at them. Putting two and two together, Robin smiled as thanks.

The swordsman noticed and immediately ducked from her line of sight. There it was again, her smile that seemed affectionate despite how closed off her personality is. Zoro blushed in embarrassment for getting caught, or was it because of her pretty smile she gave him? He ruffled his hair in frustration, "That woman is crazy."