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

"Tashigi baby!" Sanji twirled down the street as the woman sitting alone on the outer deck of the café pushed up her glasses and frowned.

"It's Detective. We're in public."

Detective Tashigi's deep brown eyes squinted at Sanji through her rectangular red frames. Her chin length hair was a deep black and offset her pastel short-sleeved shirt. She wore her white-trimmed, waist-length blue leather coat on her shoulders over blue jeans with black shoes. At first glance, she did not look like the second-in-command of her own unit, but that was Tashigi: powerful in an unassuming and petite package.

Sanji kneeled on one knee and handed her a rose, "But for you madam, I'd die in the middle of the street to prove my love."

Tashigi flipped through her papers and spoke firmly, "I encourage you to do so if you don't get yourself in that chair right now."

Sanji could never stop wondering how Zoro handled being around her. She looked like Kuina, if Kuina could have ever grown up. It was so distinct that Sanji almost believed in reincarnation. It was eerie, but like all things from Sanji's perspective, it was eerily beautiful.

"Yes!" Sanji chanted as he sat across from her. He leaned in and whispered, "So what's with all the hush-hush business? You couldn't tell me this over this phone?"

She smiled, "Oh, so you didn't want to see me, then?"

"Never! I dream of you each night. Ah, but, you seemed tense on the phone. Is anything wrong?"

She pushed her glasses back up and folded her arms. "I looked into her."

"Nami? And?" Sanji asked innocently.

Tashigi let out a breath, "Sanji. Tell me, honestly, how is he?"

Sanji paused and spoke seriously, "You know how he gets, Tashigi. He's always been that way. But…"

"But?"

"He's happier."

"With her?" There was a bit of anger behind her words.

Sanji hesitated but continued, "I mean, I wouldn't say they were together together…but yeah."

"And exactly what are they? To each other?"

Sanji took out a cigarette and lit it. He handed her the pack but she waved it off. With a puff of smoke out of his lips, he asked, "Tashigi, why are you so focused on them together? I just wanted to know more about Nami."

"And I am telling you."

"No, you seem obsessed with Zoro-"

Tashigi slammed her fist on the table, "He is my friend, too!"

Sanji watched her and went cold, "Was. He was your friend. But you abandoned him when Luffy died."

"Yeah, died! Not murdered. He accused my fellow cops with no evidence. Did you think I was going to stay by his side?"

Sanji crushed his cigarette into a bowl. "No, you didn't."

"I won't apologize for wanting my career and life."

"And you got it, Tashigi. He is out of your life. So, why don't you keep it that way."

Tashigi was taken aback by his coldness. Sanji was always known for his kindness and tender nature towards women, but she felt like she earned a place in his heart just for revulsion.

"I don't care if you hate me, Sanji."

Sanji spoke up, "I don't hate you, Tashigi. I just cherish loyalty…and what you did was very cruel. I'd be fine with it, but Zoro…Zoro didn't deserve that."

Tashigi bit her lip and fumed, "You act like he'll eventually love you back."

Sanji grew wide-eyed and smirked, "Oh, I don't expect it. I never have. However, I believe in unconditional love. I'll be by his side as long as he'll have me there."

"You're a fool", she spat.

Sanji shrugged, "He's always called me the lovesick cook. I guess I am. But the question remains, why do you care about their relationship? Nami and Zoro's?"

Tashigi took a sip of water and calmed down. She opened the file and sighed, "She's dangerous."

"What?" Sanji leaned in.

"She's a murderer, Sanji. That's why I wanted to know what she was to Zoro. I'm trying to protect him, too."

Sanji stuttered, "Nami? Delicate and lovely, sw-sweet Nami…a murderer?"

Tashigi passed the file to him and continued, "Yes. Looks can be deceiving. She is part of a street gang who are on the fast track to becoming the newest crime family. They call themselves The Fishmen Crew."

Sanji read but scoffed regardless. "You don't expect me to believe-"

"She started as a petty thief working under Arlong, the head of the family. It was to be expected. Where she grew up, Arlong's power was everywhere. He ran the town by buying out the slums and then the apartments, just so he could push people out. Raised debts and protection fees. Tenants either paid up or died as examples. Her mother was murdered in such a way, and yet, Nami works under such a horrible man."

Sanji shook his head as he looked at Nami's angry scowl in the picture staring at him from the file. "Was she ever arrested?"

"Yes. Arlong moved on from land to drugs, and she pushed his product into the surrounding communities. Eventually, his land became useless and at 17, she was arrested for arson and murder."

"Arson and murder? At 17?"

"The building she lived in had a huge fire. Her 19-year-oldstepsister, who was her legal guardian, burned to death and Nami was found at the scene. The local police interrogated her, but she got away…"

"No evidence?" Sanji slid the file back at Tashigi who caught it. She glared at him.

"You still don't believe?"

"We all come from shitty backgrounds. It's not like life raises all good eggs. Zoro was homeless until six, and I didn't have the greatest family. Some people just-"

"She rose in ranks overnight. The file states that the fire was purposeful and may have been a possible initiation into higher ranks. At eight, she hears of her stepmother's death and literally a year later, she's running with Arlong! And as for the murder? Well, it tied up loose ends and proved her loyalty. Nami did not need to listen to her sister anymore, did she? She moved from petty thief to coordinating heists and leading factions of Arlong's people, and now probably runs an operation that involves Zoro! Arlong has a powerful new drug that he is trying to market. It's highly addictive and very expensive-"

"So?"

"So, the narcotics unit is following him closely, and however Nami is involved, she will get caught."

"You don't know for sure. Neither I nor Zoro has seen nothing that shows she's doing anything of the sort."

"What? They live together?" Tashigi raised an eyebrow and pushed her glasses back up.

"No. But they are around each other too much. I mean…they're just…"

"Just what?"

"It's just underground fights, Tashigi. Nothing big."

"Nothing big?" Tashigi fumed, "You're telling me Zoro is just fighting for money now? Because of this woman? Sanji, those fights are often rigged and are beacons for criminals and unsavory people."

"Unsavory? Ha. Look, it's just quick money. You know how Zoro is…unafraid of anything."

Tashigi leaned in, "And that is what I'm afraid of. I don't think he will see it coming when Nami betrays him…and just…just gets him killed! What then?"

Sanji looked into her eyes and tried to understand if she was sincere or not. Tashigi was never much of a liar because she had too much integrity and honor for that. That is why Sanji remained in contact because he knew she would never personally have anything to do with Luffy's death. However, Tashigi also believed in the best of people, even if they were wolves in sheep's' clothing. It was her worst and best trait.

"I'll keep him safe", Sanji whispered.

Tashigi waited but sighed, "You can't stop him from living his life…no matter how stupid his decisions are."

"So, what are you saying?"

Tashigi closed the file and crossed her arms, "I'm saying that the cops are coming for Arlong and if she is caught, she will go away. As for Zoro, I'll do my best for him, but…depending on how far he's in with her, I won't hesitate to lock him up, too. He's an adult who made his own choices."

Sanji scoffed, "Some choice."

Tashigi looked at Sanji intently, "Yes, he has a choice. Because I have no reason to tell him, but you said you'd keep him safe…so you will tell him about Nami. If he hears what we know and stays with her, then he's made his choice."

Sanji crossed his arms, "Why don't you want to see him happy?"

Tashigi shook her head, "I want to keep him alive, but I won't take responsibility for his life. Happy or not, he has a right to know and you have already stated how far you would go for him. So, Sanji…you going to keep this dirty little secret or will he be just another regret?"

Sanji watched her rise and gather her things. "Who has to know…when we live such fragile lives?"

Tashigi frowned, "Don't waste my time. Like you said…we all have bad and good in our pasts, but it is our choices that make us who we are. Regardless of her innocence, whatever she is hiding will eat her apart. And I'll cuff her and Zoro myself if I have to."

Sanji sat silently as she left. He cursed in French and moved the hair out of his eye. He wanted to know what to do because regardless of what he learned and read, he simply could not believe Nami had that much darkness inside her. It was not foolishness or denial, Sanji just felt it inside himself. Moreover, to tell Zoro would mean to watch him revert to his seclusion. As much as the green-haired idiot annoyed him, Sanji preferred him lively and active rather than silent and restrained. Sanji wanted to ask Nami about all she threw away, in order to be the woman she was in today and if any of it was real. Was she still the angry 17-year-old holding a police placard and getting her mugshot taken?

Yet, when he looked at the two of them together, he knew she would not throw Zoro away nor Zoro her. Whatever game she may be playing, Sanji knew Zoro did not play games. He shook his head in frustration. For now, he would be the only one that needed to know. If he felt Zoro was in over his head, he would tell him, but for now, Sanji trusted that however lovesick he may personally be love would win over the secret thief and the violent fighter.

Music Inspiration/Theme: "Dirty Little Secret" (The All-American Rejects)*

*I was between this song and "Five Minutes" (Her) - but honestly, had to say "dirty little secret" at least ONCE during this.

Honestly, this was like my least favorite chapter. No sension (sexual tension), cute word foreplay, or jokes- just very blunt and to the point, as I feel Tashigi is. But, ya'll—get ready, cause Tashigi can get some too, and it may not be who you think;) #tashigixsmoker is my jelly but I am going with another…side, so to speak.

Clarification, I am still going along OP's ages, so when Nami was 13, Zoro would be 14, Luffy 12. So, in the previous chapters when I said they were 13 in the picture, I meant Luffy, since Zoro would have been 15...and Nami 14. Anyways, just wanted to clarify cause all these ages are getting messed up in my head. Haha.

Anyways, onwards and upwards!

XoXo shipfiend