'Robin, oh my dear Robin. How have you fared?'

There Crocodile was, hiding in the shadows of the Thousand Sunny. Maybe the weeks spent in the prison did have some pros as no one seemed to have noticed his presence disguised as sand near some rubble. He watched as one by one, each straw hat pirate returning to their rooms to sleep. To his luck, it was Robin's turn to watch the night which made him think that the Gods really do look out for him.

He couldn't wait to take her away from this dreadful place. The happy-go-lucky straw hat captain was too much to handle and just standing in such a bright, childish ship was already too much to bear for him. He noticed the 'closeness' between his vice president and the swordsman which made him want to take her away from the crew even faster. He first thought of just killing them instead, but unfortunately, fighting in the middle of the ocean sounded like an ordeal for him.

Crocodile chuckles as he watches her sit down and quickly starts to read, something so typical of her to do. To somehow catch her attention, he knocked down a few barrels maybe a bit too recklessly as it was quite loud, but he couldn't help it. He was too excited to reunite with his vice president once again.

…

Robin immediately looks up as she suddenly hears a crash near the other side of the ship. Suspicious of what had caused the noise as she knew her crewmates had all turned in for the night, she hesitantly walked towards the sound. Just in case, she lifts her arms, ready to use her powers and attack in case there is an intruder. As she suspects, her predictions are true as she hears heavy footsteps behind her, what she did not expect is the voice that followed it.

"It's good to see you again, Miss All Sunday."

She gasps as she is suddenly held from behind, before she could turn around to confirm the intruder to be the one she desperately hopes is not. Unfortunately, the heavy smell of cigar smoke and the sturdy long arms that circles around her is just enough proof.

"C-crocodile…!" Robin stutters with fright? Panic? Happiness? She feels dizzy trying to set her thoughts in place. As if she is trying to become smaller, she brings her arms closer towards her body. It is an attempt to just disappear, but she is trapped, surrounded front and back by his body, there is no escape. Her slight squirming makes him embrace her tighter to her distress, but to his sadistic pleasure.

"I missed you."

As if those words are a trigger, Robin found herself to have enough strength to push his hands away and jump a good distance away from him. How dare he. Oh how dare he say those audacious words.

She once again readied her arms to fight. "Why are you here Crocodile." Though she asked a question, it was more like a demand to immediately get off the ship.

He chuckles as he brings a cigar to his lips. "I thought I'd be given a warmer welcome," he blows out a puff of smoke and points towards a specific part of his chest. "But I understand."

Robin exactly knows what he means as she brings her hand towards the scar on her chest, the one he created in Alabasta. She grits her teeth, "Y-You-!"

"And I'm sorry."

Crocodile cuts her off before she could finish her insult. Robin glares straight towards his eyes and for a slight second she swears she saw a brief sadness in his eyes, as if he truly meant what he said. But that did not mean anything, it is too late for that. She has to remind herself that his sweet coated words are just empty lies. She has to remind herself that their past was just a lie.

"I-I.. What exactly do you want?" She covers her eyes with her hands, a foolish attempt to cover her tears. Her head, her heart, everywhere is hurting. Why has he come? To use her again? To betray her again? Even after all the memories they have made together?

The ex-warlord walks towards Robin and gently removes her hands from her face. He lifts her chin so he can bore into her glistening eyes. He has to admit, he tremendously regrets the decision he has made in Alabasta. To see her usual calm, apathetic expression break down because of him, it is not a sight he wants to see again. What would have happened if the Straw Hat crew never came to Alabasta? Would he have successfully found Pluton? Would she have found the Rio Poneglyph? Would they be peacefully living together?

"I want you to join me again Robin. Please."

…

It was a dreadful day in Alabasta. Too many people were getting haywire because of the lack of water, from robberies to actual bombings, it seemed that the citizens were losing their minds. Unfortunately one of the bombings exploded near the two and that was how they ended up in the dreadful state they were in now.

There Robin was, completely unscathed unlike Crocodile as she finished wrapping fatal wounds he received from the blast.

"I don't understand, why did you do that? I could have- I would have been fine."

He sighed and started to put his shirt back on. "I thought we have made an agreement that I would protect you."

"Just from the Marines!" She shot back as she looked down at her feet in shame.

"Really now? I must have missed that."

Robin was unsteady, confused by his actions. Never in her life had someone sacrificed their lives for her. It was only Saul, her only friend that had tragically met his end because of her. Was Crocodile going to meet the same fate as him, all because of her? When the bomb set, instead of using his powers to avoid the blast he had used his body to block her from receiving any damage. She felt empty, distraught by the possibilities of what can happen.

Crocodile noticed as she wavered in thought. He brought his hand up in a gesture for her to take it. Though hesitant at first, she brought her trembling hand to his in which he grabs hold of and pulls her to sit on his lap.

"W-what?"

Her profusely heated face became even redder as he enclosed his arms around her. She leaned her hands on his chest, afraid that if she hugs him back she would just cause him even more pain.

"Just be with me for a little bit. It's the least you can do for me." He tried to tease to make her feel a bit better, but that only seemed to make her more depressed.

Unable to resist his warmth, she shyly nuzzled her head at the crook of his neck. "I would have been fine."

"I know."

He strokes her hair and gently lifts her face to face him. Crocodile slowly brings his face closer to hers and lightly kisses away the tears on her cheeks as he felt some drop on his collarbone. Leaning his forehead on hers, their noses softly touch, a gesture to ask for a kiss.

Drawn by his gentle touches, she awkardly pecks his lips as was not used to this sort of affection. That was enough to quickly bring their lips together once more. This time more deeper, more passionately. As much as he wanted to continue, he stopped when he felt her become short of breath, not wanting her to become uncomfortable. From her flushed cheeks and soft blue eyes, it took every will power he had to even stop. To distract himself from any more sinful thoughts he held her closer and leaned his head on her shoulder.

"Stay with me Robin."

…

"Stay with me Robin."

Those words were repeated once again as he held out his hand.

She remembers the past all too well, a memory she thought she has successfully buried deep within her heart, unfortunately resurfacing as he said the exact same words he had said before.

She stares at his wicked hand that will change everything depending on the choice she makes. Contemplating, Robin did reach for his hand for a second, but quickly pulled back as she touched her scar. A gesture that made Crocodile's serious expression falter.

Everything in her life now is the life she had wished for so long now. With friends that she knows she can depend on, how could she just leave them after everything they have done for her? Luffy, Nami, Ussopp, Franky and Chopper, they all cared about her. And Zoro.. though he can't even imagine the horrors she had to go through, he listens, he tries to understand, he accepts her for who she is. Ironic how he was the last to trust her.

Then there was Crocodile. The first person to love her but tragically betray. Honestly, she shouldn't even have second thoughts on her choice.

"I…"

A/N: And that, is the ending of this story folks. Thank you for reading. The choice she makes all depends on the reader ha. OK bye.