I do not own anything besides these words and the cover art.

"Feeling lonely, Boa?" Nami looked at the huddled mass on the floor, but as it rose, it towered over her.

The woman did not turn around as the dirt escaped through her fingers. She balled her hands into fists as she spoke, "Well, if it isn't Cat Burglar Nami."

The woman was enormous, larger than life model with Grecian features. Her long black hair tossed over her shoulder as her dark eyes settled on Nami. The deep purple dress hung on her body like water, and Nami briefly understood why Mihawk gave it all up for a pretty face. Nevertheless, it was the presence that the woman had that truly made Mihawk stay. However, Nami did not break the stare and instead raised her head in defiance.

With venom, Nami responded, "I'll have you know that I've moved up."

Boa scoffed, "I'm sure you think you have. Arlong is letting you make your own schemes now? No chain around your neck? Live fast, die young, huh?"

The words stung but Nami refused to let it show. "What would you know about chains, huh? And I don't plan on dying…even when you abandoned me."

Boa shook her head and looked away, "How many times would you like me to apologize?"

Nami bit her lip but the words flew out, "How many times do you think? You left me behind and for what…a burned down crib and no power? We were supposed to take them over but you changed plans!"

Boa turned to face Nami, her gold hoop earrings shone in the little light that peeked through the clouded windows above. She crossed her arms and spoke firmly, "What would you know, Nami? You're too young to know anything more than the life you've been forced to live. You're here playing yet another game when you cannot acknowledge that he will never let you go. Or have you forgotten what he has taken?"

Boa turned away, her eyes wet, "Because I haven't forgotten what false hope does to you. I come here and look at what I lost and I let that anger sit inside me so I never again take for granted the freedom I have. The freedom I forcefully took for myself."

Nami drew back as she knew Boa's story too well…another mother who thought she could be stronger than the evil that rose against her. Nami did not feel pity for Boa because Nami blamed no one but Boa for how things turned out. Nami had kept quiet when they ran, wanted to raise a family, and settle down, but Nami knew that was not so easy. Especially with the life they led. However, as Nami looked at the room, she knew her anger did not match Boa's pain. Even if Nami did not directly have a hand in it, the death of Boa's child laid heavily on Nami's heart.

"Let's just forget about the pas-" Nami began in a quiet whisper but Boa snapped back.

"Forget? Never. I want you to keep your promise…to ruin them. I can't rise in ranks anymore, but I'll be damned if I left them live…their blood will be on my hands. Or have you forgotten that promise when you met this…boy?"

Nami appreciated Boa's unwillingness to get emotional or at least to make Nami feel guilty for too long. Nami quickly put on her cold face and picked at her sleeve.

"It's a long con, sure, but I know the return will be great. And you'll have your bloody revenge."

"And you don't suspect him at all?"

"Why should I? He's just a dumb muscle head."

"Is he? You seem awfully invested."

Nami finally had a chance to glare at her, as Boa looked at Nami with eyebrows raised. "Look, whatever I do with him will not interfere with the plan. Just keep your end of the deal, Boa."

Boa sighed. "My end? My end is not telling Mihawk to stop. Even though, we both know he enjoys being a part of this charade."

"Charade? You're hiding away and unable to touch your money or escape. That doesn't help you…or me. But this…my plan helps us all."

"If you say so, Nami. When you came to us with this idea, I doubted you. I still do…but for different reasons now."

Nami scoffed. "Who's gonna stop me, huh? I learned from the best, remember?"

Boa leaned in and whispered, "Yes, yes. You're a bad girl, Nami. Just like I was, but still just as foolish as any child is. You can pretend that you are stronger than they are, but I know countless people who have lived and died in your exact situation. Arlong talks a big game and is quite a small fish in a very vast ocean. But, the power he holds over you is exactly why you go to such extreme lengths to buy back your freedom."

"Exactly. And so, this...and Zoro...is just another plan. This is it. I'm out after this. When I get to where I'm going, gonna have you trembling. I'm not a child anymore, Boa."

Boa sighed. "No, Nami. You're not a child…but do you really think he'll let you go? Arlong won't keep his word and then you will have drained the only person who could have really given you the escape you so desire."

Nami glared up at Boa. "You've gone soft, Boa? You think I need a man to be happy like you and Mihawk needed each other? What are you saying? That I should run away with Zoro? Some idiot I met at the gym! Fuck that shit. I'll make my own happiness and you're just another pawn in my, as you said it, game."

Boa shrugged, "I didn't need a man. I wanted one. I have always gotten what I wanted out of sheer resilience and strength."

"I am doing the same! But at least I am not relying on good faith to get me out of it!" Nami said with her hands on her hip, chin up toward the tall woman.

Boa smiled, "Fine, Nami. Be delusional. However, I think we both know you don't know this…Zoro as well as you should...because I sense something in that boy that you are too blind to acknowledge."

Nami began to retort but a shout stopped her.

"Oi, Nami! Where are you?"

Nami turned back to Boa who smiled coldly, "Go ahead, your last resort is calling you. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Nami gritted her teeth and left the room. She cursed herself for being so wound up with Boa, but Boa had that way with people. How Mihawk managed to survive this long astounded her, but then again, she recognized that if anyone would be with the Snake Empress, it would be Hawk Eyes.

She managed to make it down the staircase as Zoro huffed and puffed at the bottom. He was covered in sweat and what looked like dried blood, but he asked eagerly, "So, what's next?"

Mihawk looked at the sweaty man who stood a few feet away and glanced at Nami, who was pink eared and with a slight frown. He smirked to himself.

"We're done for today. No need to stress your muscles. But if we are going to do this, you will need to be on a strict dietary regiment and work with me for at least 10 hours every week."

"Only 10? Are you kidding me?" Zoro asked as Mihawk rolled his sleeves back down and buttoned his jacket.

"Listen", Nami said, "do you want to be trained by the best or not?"

Zoro snorted and wiped his face with a towel. "Alright, alright."

Mihawk crossed his arms and smiled, "Now you also need to dress like a champion. Nami, I recommend you go to Horo Horo and get him the proper gear."

"I haven't even had my first fight", Zoro said dubiously.

"Patience, Zoro. If you want to be taken seriously...especially when no one has ever heard of you, you need to look the part."

"Ugh, Perona? Your creepy ex-girlfriend is the worst," Nami said with a face of disgust.

"So? She's the best at the task. You need someone...outside of your realm of influence."

"What does that mean?" Zoro asked, but he was ultimately ignored.

"Okay, let's go shopping!"

Nami spoke with joy as she bounded for the exit.

Zoro mumbled under his breath, "I need a shower first..."

Nami walked past him swiftly, "Come on, I'll hose you down."

Zoro gripped her wrist and turned her, and Nami squeaked at the sudden closeness.

"Oi, witch...what happened to that twisted ankle?"

Nami looked down at her perfectly fine legs. "Oh, I am a fast healer?"

Zoro began to charge for her, but she ducked and gave him a stab in the gut, her sharp nails left half-moon red marks in his abdomen.

"Okay, okay. I'll make it up to you by buying you your new clothes", she said unapologetically.

"And I want to shower at your place." Zoro wheezed but held his gaze.

Nami blushed but quickly moved past his momentary lapse of judgment. "No, why can't your place do?"

Zoro mumbled to himself while still hunched over.

"I'm sorry?" Nami cupped her ears to hear him better.

"I said I don't know where we are and how to get back!"

Nami crouched down and held in her laughter, "Oh, you clueless man-child. Do you know the address?"

"Sorta."

"Sorta?"

"Well, before I would go to the gym and then back...there wasn't any crazy detours happening until you came along so, no...I don't know exactly."

"Wow, this is some clever way to get into my house."

Zoro looked up angrily but stopped himself, "You have your own house?"

"Yeah, I mean an apartment, but it does have everything in it...don't you?"

"No, I rent from the most annoying man in the world. Technically...I crash on his couch from time to time."

Nami stared at him blankly, but her eyes slowly grew wide in fear.

"Oh, my gosh, you are an unemployed hobo. I have just made a million-dollar plan with a man who doesn't even have a place to live!" She held her head and cried to the sky as if in pray for divine intervention.

"Hey, what's the big deal?"

Mihawk laughed behind them, and Zoro jumped up again.

"Shit, man! You have to stop doing that."

Mihawk mused, "Well, Nami. Guess your perfect plan is unraveling at the seams."

Nami swiftly grabbed Zoro by the pierced ear and pulled him along.

She fumed, "Come on, you idiot. We have work to do."

Though Zoro could easily pull away, he let her hold him there and simply complained as they left.

Mihawk was unsure if they were ready for the heartache that would inevitably come. Boa made her way down the stairs and draped herself over him, as they watched the two leave out the bright doorway.

"So, you think he has what it takes?"

Mihawk kissed her hand and whispered, "I think he can do it…but I think they have a lot of surprises in their path."

He turned and gripped Boa's waist, "How are you?"

Boa smiled at his tender nature and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, "I'll be fine…just want this to be over."

Mihawk gave her his arm, and she walked down the remaining steps to slip her hand through it and lay her head against his shoulder.

"Soon, cara mia, soon."

"You sent them to Perona?" Boa said softly and felt Mihawk harden. She laughed loudly.

"Don't torture yourself, mon batte. That's my job."

Mihawk looked at her and frowned, "To live without you, only that would be torture."

Boa flung her long black hair over her shoulder.

"No use of your fanciful poetry. You're only trying to appease me now, Mihawk Dracule."

Mihawk leaned down and kissed her lips.

"Oh? I have other ways of making amends. How long has it been since we've waltzed?"

Boa smirked, "You know just how to charm me, my dear. It's only been hours."

Mihawk turned her into his arms, and they danced in the dimness of decaying backdrop. Boa giggled as Mihawk kissed her neck and collarbone, down her arm to her fingertips.

"We can leave this place if you desire it. We can go if you want." He spoke into her pale skin.

Boa placed a gentle hand on his face and sighed, "No, I want to see them suffer. I want to watch them beg for mercy…when I kill them with my bare hands."

Mihawk chuckled, "You are an enchantress, my love."

She interlocked her fingers with his, "Ah, it seems you have lost a ring."

Mihawk scowled as he kissed her wrist, "That Nami is a sly one."

Boa smirked, "Where do you think she learned it from?"

Mihawk chuckled and leaned in to kiss her deeply, and Boa held onto him as the sun set. They leaned into one another and left the crumbling building, the Dracule insignia still branded in the fire-scorched stones of a broken archway.

Music Inspiration/Theme: "Bad Girls" (M.I.A.)

Mkay, let me be clear, I do ship LuffyxBoa, but for real tho, if Mihawk & Boa got together? Stay with me, but think of it, Grecian goddess meets Bohemian velvet - yah or nah? Yeah. The answer is YEAH. Also, also, I legit found a straight up Adams Family vibe from them, Morticia & Gomez. Yah or nah? Y-E-A-H. ktb.