The next weeks followed a very similar pattern. Kate would arrive early to the office in order to avoid encountering Nash first thing. Some days she would train under Iceburg, and other days she would spend with Kaku; meeting partners as well as learning about the 'hands on' jobs aspect of the company.

Kate was also able to spend time with the other Galley La members, developing a close friendship with all of them except Lucci (who always seemed to stay away from any social gatherings).

Kalifa helped in ensuring Kate's schedule wouldn't line up with Nash's. It began to become obvious to Nash what was happening and it infuriated him. He was used to getting his way, yet there was nothing he could do.

At the end of the day, Kaku would walk Kate home. Some days he would stay and help fix things around the house, other days he would leave right away due to other commitments. Kate consistently tried to get him to stay for dinner, or tea, but he always seemed to have a reason not to. In truth, Kaku almost never had plans after walking Kate home. He fought with himself every day on this, but he was scared of them getting any closer than they already were. She would be leaving in a few months, and he wouldn't be a shipwright at Galley La forever...

Though they spent a majority of their work days together- it was the quiet time in Kate's house that seemed to bring them closer. Soon enough, Kaku noticed their glances became gazes, his heart raced every time she smiled at him, and an unfamiliar warmth seemed to come over him whenever she was around.

Although he knew what the outcome would be, he couldn't help himself. He was drawn to Kate since the first day. The more time they spent together, the stronger the hold she had on him became. He found her hilarious. Often times, the two of them would laugh at a joke Kate had made while the other Galley La foremen remained clueless. She was extremely clever, which he learned as she ran ideas through him before presenting them to Iceburg. She had a good heart, and he knew someone like him didn't deserve it.

Kaku cleaned up his work station, and hung his carpentry belt on the hook. He took a look at the clock, failing to hide his smile.

5 more minutes...

Kate would be meeting him in front of the Dock 1 entrance. Although he was with her for most of the day on most days, walking her home was always the highlight.

He began to walk in the direction of the entrance, but stopped abruptly when Peepley and Tilestone came running towards him. Tilestone was carrying a large stack of wood over his shoulders, and Peepley was chasing him with a knife.

"TILESTONE! I knew you couldn't cut them evenly! You know how much extra work you've made?" He waved the knife in the air.

Tilestone continued to run. "I TOLD YOU I'LL FIX IT! JUST LET ME DO IT!"

Tilestone saw Kaku and beamed. "KAKU! HELP!"

Before Kaku could reply, Peepley tackled Tilestone to the ground. As he fell a piece of wood from the pile caught onto the sleeve of Kaku's jacket pulling it down with it.

*Riiiippppp*

The three shipwrights stood in shock looking at the hole in Kaku's work jacket.

Kaku groaned. It was his only work jacket, and it had meant a lot to him. He had used his first Galley a paycheck to buy it almost 3 years ago. He lifted up the ripped portion and groaned once again when it came off completely, revealing his elbow to just below his shoulder.

"Well this is just great, ain't it?" He went to rub his head then saw the clock.

"I'm late!" He ran towards the entrance, disregarding Peepley and Tilestone who were still on the ground in front of him as they looked at him in confusion.

Kaku beamed as soon as he saw Kate, waving his arm at her...completely forgetting about the condition his jacket was in.

Kate made her way to Kaku, a worried expression on her face. "Are you okay?! Did you get attacked by a wild boar or something?!" She ran her fingers along the hole in his sleeve.

Kaku's expression changed as he remembered the events that had just happened. He made an annoyed noise as he removed his jacket, draping it over his right arm. "Yeah, you can say that..."

Kate continued to examine the sleeve. "I would patch it up for you...but the tear is pretty big." She couldn't help but feel bad.

He smiled at her but it was still obvious he was annoyed at the situation. "Thank you for offering, but it's definitely seen better days.." He looked at his jacket, contemplating whether or not he should go back and scold Peepley and Tilestone for acting like children.

Kate jumped up excitedly, releasing Kaku from his trance. "Kate?"

She thought to herself as she smiled. "Do you have any plans tonight? If you're not busy...I'd love to come help you shop for a new one?" She looked at him, a slight sparkle in her eyes.

Kaku couldn't help but grin, a slight blush forming on his cheeks and on the tip of his nose. He could squeeze her. She was so cute it hurt.

He shook his head. "Only if you're okay with it! You've been around me all day, don't want ya to get sick of me."

She laughed as she started to walk towards the shopping district of Water 7. "Not at all! Besides, I can't trust you to buy an age appropriate jacket...without me, you'd probably come out in a tweed suit!" She stuck her tongue out as she picked up her pace, unable to hold in her excitement.

Kaku laughed as he jogged slightly to catch up to her.

Is this a date?

Kaku stood in awe at the inside of the store which had over 50 racks of assorted work clothes. "I don't know where to start..."

Kate walked up to the sales associate. "Excuse me, where might we find work jackets?" She looked around in case it was somewhere obvious.

The sales associate was an older gentleman wearing overalls over a white t-shirt. "Why yes we do! Please take a look at racks number 42 to 78."

Kate bowed to say thanks before returning to Kaku.

She tugged on his sleeve as she led him through the store to rack 42. "Okay! The man working here said work jackets are on racks 42...to 78..."

The two stood in shock, as they looked at the racks. Each rack contained at least 100 different styles of jackets.

Kate sighed. "Well, at least we know where they are..." She turned to Kaku who was obviously overwhelmed.

How do I make this easier...

Her energy picked up again as she stood in front of Kaku. "I know! What's your favorite color?"

Kaku's attention went from the endless amount of jackets to Kate's question. He raised a brow. "Favorite color?"

He had never been asked this question, nor had he ever even thought of it.

My favorite color...

Kate jumped up excitedly. "Orange! It's orange right?!" She looked at him, the excitement radiating from her body.

Kaku's body had a mind of its own as he let out a laugh. "You got it! My favorite color is orange!" He smiled as Kate began to boast about how she knew.

They looked at the rack of jackets, Kate's face showing her disappointment.

"Seriously?! All these jackets and not a single one is orange?!"

Kaku placed a hand on her head. "That's alright! The sun has been pretty darn hot lately, so I don't need a jacket for a while."

They thanked the shop keeper as they exited the store.

Kate still felt like she had failed Kaku somehow, hoping the situation didn't make him even more upset. "Hey Kaku...sorry, I forgot I have to do something in a bit. I'm just going to head out, if that's okay?" She rubbed her arm.

Kaku smiled in an attempt to hide his disappointment. He knew they were planning on heading home, but he had been looking forward to walking her home. "You bet! No problem at all! Thanks for taking the time to make sure I didn't buy anything uncool!" He snapped and made a finger gun.

Kate blushed.

He's such a dork!

Kaku waved as he walked away towards his hotel. "I'll see you on Monday! Be safe!"

Kate waved back. "See you on Monday!"

Kaku happily walked along the water towards his hotel, playing back the earlier events.

"Orange! It's orange right?!"

Before that moment- Kaku didn't have a favorite color. He thought back to how excited she was...her wide smile and the glitter in her eyes...how could it not be his favorite color?

He looked out towards the water. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky a glorious shade of orange.

He would never see orange the same way again.