Crocodile awoke from a loud alarm accompanied with lots of yelling. Once his eyes were adjusted he noticed the usual dim yellow lights to now be blaring on and off with bright red ones. Judging how many Marines were running back and forth in the hallways he guessed that some inmates were making a ruckus again. Not thinking much of it as this already had happened before, he was about to go back to sleep when his handcuffs just fell off from his arms and his cell door just automatically opened. What was strange was that there was no Marine to guide him to an interrogation room or to give him food. He was alone along with other prisoners that also had their doors opened.

One screamed out with joy and ran out to escape, others following as well. Crocodile stood in front of his cell in shock. No way did someone hijack this place. He bursted out with laughter from how easily he was going to escape The Impel Down. Well, at least all that planning did not go to waste. Before, he figured that he could escape by making a hole that leads out from the ceiling with his devil fruit powers, but one conflict was the handcuffs and cell door which prevented him from doing so. Oh how it was his lucky day, with half the job done all he needed to do now was make a hole which was no trouble for him. He continued to laugh with pleasure.

'Perhaps Miss All Sunday is my lucky charm,' he joked.

…

With all the ruckus all the prisoners had made it was easy to slip by captains and officers especially when he can transform in sand, disguised as part of the road debris or the beach's sand, he left unnoticed.

Now he was on one of the towns island he found himself on when he luckily found an empty boat by the prison's dock. There he was, all dappered up in clothing similar to what he wore in Alabasta. The square patterned vest now replaced with a black suit and a green cravat, a black coat with fur lining to complete the look. He just stole a pack of cigars and a newspaper from a nearby store and sat himself down on a bench with not a care in the world that someone might notice him.

He lit one of the tobacco and took a deep breath. It's been far too long since he had a cigar, an addicting pleasure he can't bring himself to stop for. When he led out a puff he suddenly remembered the time his vice-president had tried one out of curiosity. A cute sight that was, to see the always cautious Nico Robin to break down from such a small thing. Crocodile couldn't help but feel a bit excited that he was soon going to meet her again, wherever she was.

…

"Why do you smoke so many cigars? Everytime I see you, you always seem to be holding one." Robin asked as she entered his office. She just recorded all the information she received from the Baroque Work's officer magenta about the ancient poneglyph and had now come inside Crocodile's office to assist him with paper work. She brought him black tea, a drink he found out he enjoyed from their weekly monday reading. Even after many months, she had never failed him to bring him a pot of tea that always helped him relax. A good vice-president- or even partner, that Nico Robin was. He felt oddly comfortable around her.

He looked up to see her curious blue eyes staring right back at his charcoal ones. He always thought her eyes were one of a kind. Not just because of the color, but how expressive they were unlike her usual apathetic face always covered with a smile. They showed curiosity, wonder, fear, all the many emotions she tries to hide. He seemed to be drawn by them.

"Why are you asking?" Crocodile answered back, removing his eyes from hers before he was caught from staring too long.

She leaned in front of his desk, resting her head on one of her palms. That made her look as if she was staring even more intently which made him feel a bit taken aback. "Just curious," she sighed. "It's hard to imagine you without one."

"Well, it is satisfying to have one." From how close she was, he took the chance to blow out the smoke he just inhaled right in front of her face. Her face crinkled up from the gassy impact immediately backing off. This was a recurring action he always does to tease her. Her cute reactions were always so fun to watch. Enjoying her trying to recompose herself while complaining that he never stops doing that he then thought of a brilliant idea. What would she look like if she tried one?

He took another drag of his cigar, trying to hide his mischievous smile. He then waved his hand to motion her to come towards him. "My apologies Miss All Sunday, your reactions just always amuses me."

She huffed in annoyance as she tried to fix her bangs. "It seems you just enjoy making fun of me Mr.0." Robin started to approach beside his desk cautiously, in case he thought of doing it again.

"Well of course, how can I resist?" He answered nonchalantly. As if he was going to whisper something he once again motioned her to come closer. Curious as to what he was going to say she naively did. "What is it now?" she asked.

Crocodile quickly took this chance to grab her shoulder and pull her face closer so he could put the cigar in her mouth. The shock caused her to breathe in, to his success, but instead of coughing, she held it in. He quickly pulled away to take in her reaction. With revenge filled eyes she moved closer to his face causing him to blush but then back away as she immediately blew out the smoke she inhaled in front of him.

"That's what you get for messing with me!" She stormed out of his office not even caring he would get mad. He could hear her call, "You're sadistic!" causing him to laugh with amusement. Oh how had he not expected that to happen, he should have known by now that anything could happen when he's around Nico Robin. He'd thought that her face would crinkle up again, eyes with tears and her lips in a pout, but instead he got the exact opposite. And as per usual, it was cute.

He stared at his hands that had briefly touched her lips. Though it was for a short second he could feel how plump they were against his rough fingers. Having a closer look at her face, he had to admit she did look quite attractive. From her sharp eyes and nose, from her warm lips- he stopped himself before thinking of anything else.

The warlord leaned back at his chair. He looked at the same cigar he forced her to use and took a long breathe in. "With this, I steal your kiss," he said aloud.

What was she doing to him?

A/N: Hello, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. Wow crocodile is out of prison huh? I know, it is totally different from how he got out from the manga, but if I was Oda I wouldn't have make him go to jail in the first place. So that he'd get more screen time lol. Finally there's some action going on between the two huh? Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. If you don't mind, please follow my instagram kattes_moon and also, please review!