A powerful whistle echoed across the cabin as the train began slowing for its arrival at the station. Zoro's eyes cracked open with a grumble as he still hadn't gotten nearly as much sleep as he would have liked. While the second half of the evening had been far more peaceful, the excitement of the first half of the night had left Zoro exhausted. When they had returned to their cabin Zoro had barely even gotten his pants off - far too tired to stress about sharing a bed with the blond - before he was collapsing face first into his pillow with a loud snore.

There were a couple moments as Zoro lay half awake, eyes still closed while the rocking of the train could surely put him back to sleep before a small movement made him aware he was not alone. Eyes sliding open - canopy of the small room coming into focus - he glanced down to find Sanji sprawled next to him. Legs tangled with Zoro's, a hand thrown across his waist, head resting on Zoro's shoulder while snoring softly.

It had been a long time since Zoro had woken up with a weight on his chest and a warm body curled against his side – Kalifa and him had gotten quite used to their separate sides of the bed – and Zoro had forgotten how comforting it was. Glancing down, his breath caught in his throat at the sight of the still sleeping blond and the way his cheek was nuzzled into the dip between Zoro's chest and shoulder.

The last time Sanji had fallen asleep on him, it had been when Zoro was certain that the blond was not his to have, but now everything was different. Now he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this was exactly where Sanji wanted to be, and Zoro couldn't have recalled a moment that he had been happier. Even in the wake of his guilt for his wife, he couldn't stop the swelling of happiness in his chest.

For once, he let all of his worries fall to the back of his mind and reached out a tentative hand to run through the mess of blond hair that fell around the sleeping man's face. The silky locks curled and twined between his fingers as he let his hand come to rest on Sanji's shoulder with a few of the tresses still in his grasp. His breathing growing unsteady, he realized it would take nothing to simply turn his head to press a kiss to the sleeping man's forehead.

Zoro's fidgeting seemed to cause Sanji to stir and he watched curiously as the blond's eyelids fluttered lightly before scrunching shut and an adorable frown creased his brow. A languid stretch overtook the man's body as he arched into Zoro before falling back down with a yawn, eyes finally opening to reveal sleepy blue. Hand curling into Zoro's side, Sanji shifted his head slightly and blinked lazily as he hummed, "Hey."

"Hey." Zoro mimicked back, and he couldn't fathom it for the life of him, but of all the things to set him off, it seemed that sleepy smile was going to be it. His embarrassing 'problem' was making itself firmly known as Zoro was just grateful he was on his back and not on his side facing the blond. Subtly propping up a leg, he let it pull the blankets up to hide his lower half as Sanji remained thankfully unaware.

Pushing himself off of Zoro, Sanji sat on the edge of the small bed and stretched again – the lines of his back tightening – hands falling to his hair to ruffle the curls that had become matted from sleep. Tossing a grin over his shoulder at Zoro, he chirped, "Sorry, I'm a cuddler."

"N-no, it's.. uh-" Zoro raised a closed fist to his mouth and coughed rather vigorously to remove the sleep that was causing his words to come out raspy. Several harsh hacks later and he grunted, "It's okay."

Sanji's smirk only grew wider, pushing himself to his feet to begin getting dressed as Zoro's head fell back onto his pillow in a silent groan. Embarrassed, but also grateful that Sanji seemed to not have noticed the issue that Zoro was still focusing on getting rid of. The urge to glance over and watch the man dress was nearly overwhelming, but he kept his gaze firmly on the ceiling to keep himself from making his problem any worse. By the time he felt respectable, Sanji was finished getting dressed and had taken a spot by the window to have a morning cigarette.

Following Sanji's actions, he pushed himself out of bed - ignoring the inviting warmth in the mattress left behind from where the blond had been laying - and grabbed his pants off the floor. Slinging them on as he masked a groan, a stiffness was making itself known throughout his body and it seemed the past two weeks were really starting to take their toll on him.

As Zoro hurriedly pulled on a shirt and finished doing up his belt, he could feel the train pulling into the station with a rolling groan. Holsters and weapons were next, and he had just finished pulling a lightweight hoodie to cover the multitude of weapons on him when the announcement stating passengers could disembark echoed throughout the train.

Letting the main rush of passengers go first, Zoro took the time to pocket the spare mags and the burner phone from Stussy. Sanji pocketed the makeshift ashtray to dispose of once they were off the train and began making for the door with Zoro behind him.

A thought that had been nagging at Zoro ever since they arrived in Croatia caused him to reach out and snag Sanji's wrist before the blond had a chance to leave the compartment. Sanji's hand released the door as he partially turned to look back at Zoro in question. Zoro spoke up, voice quiet but gaze firm, "I need to make something clear before we leave."

Sanji gave a polite incline of his head and continued watching Zoro.

"This is your last chance to go home." Zoro leaned in, keeping a hold of Sanji to convey his seriousness. Levelling a stern gaze on Sanji, he spoke in a muted tone, "There is a very good chance that we could either die, or get involved in something I can't handle."

"You've mentioned this before…" Sanji's words were spoken cautious and carefully, almost sounding confused over why Zoro was telling him this again, "I'm not changing my mind."

"Are you sure?" Zoro pressed, hand tightening marginally, watching as Sanji's gaze fell to Zoro's hand and then back to meet him, "Cause there'll either be CIA agents there waiting to take us in, or whoever is behind this whole mess; neither of which want me alive."

Zoro wasn't sure if it had been everything the blond had been put through the past two weeks, or if he was just now seeing a totally different side to Sanji, but the man was oddly calm throughout all of it. Instead he just watched Zoro with a stern look and then pressed deceptively, "What has you all jittery?"

"It's a trap." Zoro grunted. It had been obvious to him for a while now, but he had kept biting his tongue on the subject around the blond to keep him from worrying. However, now it seemed like it might be his last bartering chip to get Sanji as far away from him as possible, "If the military or anyone back home is involved then you could get blacklisted. Or incarcerated; might even treat you as a war criminal... Or you could die."

Sanji seemed to honestly mull it over before turning to fully face Zoro for the first time since this conversation had begun. A finger was raised and playfully poked into Zoro's uninjured shoulder as Sanji informed, "If you're trying to scare me off; you're gonna have to try harder than that."

"Sanji..."

"Zoro." Sanji countered with the same tone Zoro had just tried to use on him. A smirk broke out across his face at Zoro's annoyed look, "I grew up with brothers, alright? Don't think you can win."

For a moment, it felt like they were back in Merryville arguing over something completely contrived, and Sanji was being his usual obstinate self. Refusing to back down to anything Zoro had to say which had not only infuriated Zoro, but had been one of the many reason he had fallen for the man. Heaving - what had to be the upteenth - sigh of his many conversations with the blond he conceded with a short nod.

"Fine." He agreed, releasing Sanji's wrist before continuing sharply, "But in case the worst happens I need to tell you-"

The palm of Sanji's hand came up to clamp firmly over Zoro's mouth as Sanji gave him a pointed look. Zoro was a little taken aback at being on the receiving end of such an annoying action for once as he just glared up at Sanji indignantly instead of pulling away. A smile was back on the blond's face as he ordered, "Tell me later."

"But-mmphf." Zoro's response was muffled by Sanji's hand, which tightened its hold until Zoro's defiant expression faded and Sanji seemed comfortable in releasing him. Hand slowly falling away as he watched Zoro calmly, and Zoro had to bite his tongue from immediately protesting again as Sanji continued.

"...that way you'll have a reason to finish all of this."

Without missing a beat Zoro grunted, "I already have a reason."

A thousand reasons.

Most of which were standing right in front of Zoro and attempting to give him an aneurysm via stubborn behaviour. Only made worse as Sanji smirked, teeth flashing in a confident smile as he turned and pulled the cabin door open with finality, "Then you have nothing stopping you, yeah?"

Zoro watched him dumbly for several moments as he wondered if there would ever be a time when Sanji wouldn't surprise him. Already knowing the answer to the rhetorical question as he nodded numbly and murmured on an exhale, "Yeah..."

~X~

"Sanji, darling!"

"Stussy!" Sanji exclaimed cheerfully, pushing himself up from their table upon her arrival. They had found a cafe not too far from the station to wait as Stussy and Kohza sorted everything out with local authorities who met them at the station. Zoro downed the last of his black coffee before rising to his feet to follow Sanji.

"Everything work out alright?" Zoro asked as he set down several bills on the table, watching the two operatives join them. Good or not, he didn't want to loiter any longer than they already had; being out in the open for too long in a city that was potentially crawling with people who were likely to stab him in the back.

"Mostly," Kohza intoned with a grimace, "There's some bad news."

Zoro inclined his head.

"CIA agents are coming to investigate the case," Kohza informed, casting a glance back over his shoulder and then around to confirm there was no one in immediate earshot, "Apparently an assassination attempt on one of their agents while on holiday was cause for some concern."

"Fuck..."

"Yeah," Kohza agreed grimly, "So we need to investigate this place now, before this town is crawling with operatives. Stussy will accompany you. And I'll keep an eye on you two from a clear vantage point with Sanji. It'll look less suspicious if a 'vacationing couple' inspects the place rather than two men looking like they're there to start a fight."

"I have everything I need," Stussy informed, hand falling to the purse at her side, head tilting towards Kohza. "Kohza was able to keep his rifle. You ready?"

"Yeah." Zoro grunted with an easy nod before turning on Sanji with a warning, "Don't do anything stupid, alright?"

"Hey!" Sanji recoiled indignantly, arms coming up over his chest as he glanced among the two other people with them, clearly bothered they weren't being lectured as well, before sneering, "You're the one that does stupid shit; I just get roped into it."

"Promise." Zoro urged with a frown.

"Yeah, yeah, alright!" Sanji agreed, however refusing to break his stance as he levelled on Zoro with a serious look, "You promise too."

"That's not import-"

Sanji's brows raised in mock surprise, silently inviting Zoro to try to finish what he had been about to say.

"Fine," Zoro grunted, "I promise."

"Great cooperation boys, now let's get a move on." Stussy groaned dramatically, stalking up on them and nabbing Zoro by the elbow - dragging him off as Sanji watched with a humorous chuckle. Sparing Kohza a wave over her shoulder, she added, "Keep the pretty one safe for me!"

All she got in response was a grumble of reassurance before Kohza was guiding Sanji off, case in hand as he went to find a clear vantage point for the bar. Sanji following close behind as Zoro fell into step beside Stussy, fighting to ignore the ill feeling he had over this whole situation.

"This is all your fault; you know." Zoro grumbled as they slowly made their way down the crowded street. The Croatian coast packed with tourists during the warm seasons thankfully provided them with a decent amount of cover as they made for the bar further down the avenue. Zoro shoved his hands aggressively into the pockets of his jacket as he accused vindictively, "If you had just let Kohza take him home, none of this would be an issue."

"Okay, even without my help there is no way we would have gotten that raging typhoon of ridiculousness anywhere in public without the authorities being notified." Stussy rebuked haughtily, shaking her hair out of her face with a flourish and adding snidely, "And I saw you leaving; I know what a man walking to his grave looks like."

"Did you ever think that it was none of your business?" Zoro stopped in his tracks, levelling a scowl on the woman. Tourists huffed and scowled as they had to make their way around him, but his priorities were entirely set on the woman a few steps ahead of him who had stopped as well and turned a sharp look on him.

"You finally pulled your heads out of asses though, right?" Stussy countered, crossing her arms over her chest, "If it wasn't for me, you'd still be sulking and he'd be in America worrying about you."

Breaking his stance, he strode forward with an aggravated step and snarled, "It wasn't your place to decide."

"It wasn't yours either." Stussy snapped back, not at all intimidated by Zoro's behaviour, "It was his."

Zoro didn't have a retort, only a scowl.

"It may surprise you to hear this," Tone still rigid despite the soft expression she had turned on Zoro, "but no one is forcing him to be here. You may have dragged him into this, but at some point he decided to stay. And I don't know if he made that clear or not, maybe I was asking too much to expect two grown men to talk about their emotio-"

"It's not about that!" Zoro cut her off irritably.

"Then what?" Stussy's eyes almost rolled back into her head with the force of the exaggerated eye roll she gifted him with. Head tilting back with the motion as the sigh she heaved almost seemed to be causing her physical pain before finally gifting Zoro with the most exasperated look he'd ever seen.

They had been still for too long, tourists jostled them both as they moved to get around them, but Zoro could hardly be bothered. Avoiding Stussy's gaze, he admitted, "I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to him."

"Oh, and he can?" Stussy countered, "How is his life more important than yours?"

"It just is."

"And what about to him?" Stussy accused, "If your positions were reversed, how would you feel?"

On instinct Zoro's mouth was open and ready to bark a response, only nothing came out because that was something he had honestly never considered. And he could easily admit - even from the few times already that Sanji had done something risky - he would be absolutely livid if the blond tried to leave Zoro somewhere and put himself in harm's way. Zoro sagged as the wind was completely taken from his sails and he grumbled, "Point taken."

"He cares about you… a lot." Stussy's imploring tone was cut short as she jerked her thumb over her shoulder and demanded, "So can you stop acting like a baby and get your head in the game? Let's finish this."

Nodding in gracious defeat, Zoro allowed the discussion to end but not before promising to make it up to Sanji when this was all over. Throwing himself back into motion, he grudgingly followed after the infuriating woman before falling in step beside her and commented pettily, "Don't expect a 'thank you' when this is all over."

"Of course not, darling." Stussy simpered, "I expect Sanji'll send one."

Zoro could only roll his eyes at the exasperating woman as they continued down the street in silence - attempting to keep a low profile amongst the crowd as they neared a busier avenue that was vaguely familiar.

"There it is." Stussy noted, sidestepping Zoro to point at the building just visible through the tourists milling about. It took a bit of weaving to get through the crowd, but they eventually came to a stop in front of the quaint pub, the ox-head signpost out front flickered distant memories as an unsettling feeling of dread began to settle in Zoro's stomach.

Without waiting for Stussy, Zoro made his way forward and tested the handle, finding it unlocked despite the closed sign poised in the window. Unease mounting, he pushed the door in and stepped inside, light from the doorway flooding the vacant room as the two inspected the unremarkable place - chairs turned over on their tables, as were the stools across the bar top. Zoro's gaze was drawn to the counter before shifting to the back corner of the bar as a memory began nagging at him.

As though in a dream, Zoro found himself slowly walking towards the back corner of the bar where a small table was situated with two seats stacked atop its surface. Hand falling to the wooden surface, he distantly remembered a glass of amber liquor placed on that same table three years ago. Clasped in the drunken hand of a man that had given up on life and was ready to throw himself in the Mediterranean.

Zoro turned slowly and looked back at the bar top with baleful understanding, somehow the realization not leaving him as horrifyingly chilled as he thought it would. Instead it was met with defeated resignation as he slowly made his way towards the counter with soft steps. Confusion taking precedence over his anger...

"John was right..." He murmured on a breath, more to himself than anyone else as he couldn't believe he'd been so ignorant of the signs. They were all there now that he was taking the time to sort through them, everything feeling foolishly obvious once given the right perspective.

"What?" Stussy concerned tone felt like it was miles away.

"I'm so fucking oblivious." He whispered, thoughts returning to the bug that had been planted in his phone from the very beginning, that couldn't have possibly been planted by anyone else than someone constantly close to him. And the people that had been watching him for months, who seemed to always be there when a certain someone wasn't able to be...

"Um... wanna fill me in?" Stussy goaded nervously, head tilting down in an attempt to get a better look at Zoro's averted gaze. Footsteps faltering, he reached the bar and began to realize there was so many more questionable things to her behaviour over the years he had always just written off.

"It's her." Zoro muttered softly, hand coming to rest on the bar top that so many years ago had held a martini glass. Belonging to a woman who had piqued Zoro's interest long enough that he had decided to marry her on a foolish whim; unwittingly confusing desire with love.

"Still not sure what you're talki-" Stussy mumbled behind him but her words were interrupted by the door creaking open. Light flooded the dimly lit establishment, and Zoro looked up to see the vague silhouette on the wall of the woman he had married.

"Hello, darling~"

Midsummer heat drained from the room as an icy chill of betrayal settled over Zoro. Eyes meeting the cold blue of Kalifa's as she glared him down across the expanse of the tiny room, leaving Zoro to flounder over the revelation. All the signs pointed directly to her, but the lack of motive left Zoro reeling.

"Kalifa..." Zoro managed on a breathless exhale as a tension began to grow just under his chest. Unable to stop the accusatory tone from slipping over the word as he stared her down. Stussy was far less inclined and her gun was drawn within moments, levelled on Kalifa as her gaze flickered between them nervously.

"There's the operative I married," Kalifa crooned happily, "Though I am disappointed it took you so long to figure it out… I've been waiting here for ages."

Through all of his confusion Zoro quietly managed a single word, "Why?"

"We'll have time for that later." Kalifa mused before turning a cold stare onto Stussy, "After you get rid of your little sidekick."

"Try again." Stussy sneered, keeping her gun levelled on Kalifa steadily as she stared down the sights of the barrel. Zoro however, was still too shocked to reach for his gun, and even less prepared to raise it on his wife.

"Look," Kalifa sighed dramatically, taking a calm yet menacing step forward as she drew her gun from the holster on her hip, and raised it, "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way; and I don't care which you choose."

Gun trained on him, Zoro couldn't do much more than stare blankly at her as he was still trying to figure out exactly how and why she would be here right now. His shock was luckily keeping him somehow present despite the ever growing pressure on his chest and the disbelief that was rendering him motionless. Quite aware of the aggressive grip she had on her weapon and how the next few seconds were likely to play out.

Knowing Kalifa, she would change her target at the last moment while drawing her second weapon. The first would take out Stussy before the second would even be drawn to train directly on Zoro. Which meant he had a couple seconds at most before Stussy would have a dime sized hole in her head.

Despite the betrayal short circuiting Zoro's mind, his body reacted on instinct as he sharply dove to the side to scoop Stussy up in his arms just as Kalifa's arm began to shift. He launched them both up and over the bar counter as Kalifa fired where her target had been moments before and the bullet imbedded itself in his arm rather than Stussy's forehead.

The silencer on the end of Kalifa's weapon made it so no one outside on the street heard anything. A moment later Zoro and Stussy tumbled to the ground on the other side of the bar as Zoro's left arm flared up with pain and the tightness in his chest was becoming heavier.

"Come on out, sweety!" Kalifa's voice was honey sweet as the distinct clack of her shoe stepping forward could be heard, "You and I still need to talk! You have to the count of three and then I'm going to set that bitch on fire!"

"Real sweetheart you married!" Stussy huffed as she disentangled herself from Zoro.

"She's always been a bit intense." Zoro gasped out, hand grasping the fabric over his chest as he fought to keep his breathing under control. He scrambled backwards until his shoulders slammed into the shelves behind the counter - bottles rattling unsteadily - the added support helping to alleviate some of the panic that felt like it was crushing Zoro into the floor.

"I couldn't tell." Stussy murmured, already next to him and cocking her gun.

"One."

Another gunshot fired and shattered a bottle perched high above them, sending a cascade of liquor and glass onto the two hiding below. The crack was the final catalyst to the stress currently pilling on top of Zoro and he found himself slumping into the shelf and fighting to draw in a breath beyond the blackness encroaching around him. All of it becoming too much as the truth he had been denying the moment he had stepped inside this building was coming to a pinnacle.

"Oi! Oi!" A hand repeatedly patted his cheek with a nervous intensity and he saw Stussy's face slowly swim back into view, words distorted and spoken much later than when her lips moved, coming through with a choked slur, "C'mon stay with me; this is not helpful!"

An impossible amount of weight felt like it was keeping his arm pinned to the ground, and it took most of his energy to lift it as the fog began to minutely fade. Hand coming up to grab Stussy's wrist to stop the slapping, he grumbled through a thick exhale, "I'm good."

Stussy pulled away and readied her gun once more, clearly planning on throwing herself headlong into a shoot out with his crazed wife. Reaching out a heavy hand, he placed it atop her gun and gave a silent shake of his head when Stussy looked at him in surprise as Zoro was beginning to pull himself back. He was beginning to get a grip on himself as another shot was fired, followed by another bottle shattering as his wife gave an irritated huff, "Two!"

"Find something strong," Zoro grumbled, still keeping one hand on his chest where the tension was squeezing his lungs. The other hand released Stussy's gun to dig into his back pocket where he felt Sanji's lighter from the other night pressing into his rear. Stussy getting the hint and holstering her weapon as she began riffling through the shelves afforded to them, "150 proof."

"Got it!" Stussy huffed, snatching a bottle from the back and wrenching a dish towel off a hook. Unscrewing the cap, she sloshed a decent amount of liquor onto the rag and then stuffed it in the mouth of the bottle hastily before handing it off to Zoro as he fought to strike the lighter in his shaking hand. First strike; nothing. Second strike, a spark.

With an almost exhausted huff Zoro heard Kalifa tisk, "Three…"

Her voice cut through his earlier panic with surprising clarity as he stared down at his trembling hands and the blue convenience store lighter he had purchased for Sanji back in Japan. Sanji who had been tied up in his apartment and nearly killed on orders from Kalifa, Sanji whom he'd had to drag halfway across the world - kicking and screaming - to make sure no one else would try to shoot him, and Sanji who had done more for him in a few months than the woman on the other side of the bar - who was currently shooting at him - had ever done.

Flicking the lighter a third time, it sparked to life easily as suddenly Zoro's resolve over the situation was certain. Whatever final ties he still harbored for the woman had vanished the moment she'd shot him, and now his only intention was to make sure to get her some place she could never pose a threat again. To him, to Sanji, to anyone else in his damned life.

Tossing the bottle over the counter with a high arc, there was a shattering of glass followed by a roar of flames that engulfed the potent liquor almost immediately. Zoro could hear an enraged shriek before the door to the bar was thrown open and everything else was drowned out by the roar of the fire.

Flickering shadows began dancing on the wall of liquor high above them as it seemed the fire had caught far better than he had intended and was engulfing more and more of the building with every second. Smoke already rising in tendrils and curling across the ceiling as Zoro turned to Stussy.

"We gotta move quick." Zoro jerked his head towards a window just beside the bar, only a few feet away but there was no cover if Kalifa was covering them from the doorway, "Best chance."

Stussy nodded, "I'll cover you."

In a lame attempt to lighten the situation Zoro grinned, "Ladies first?"

"Age before beauty." She countered with a smirk, already on her feet despite remaining crouched behind the counter, giving a polite wave towards the window as she gestured for Zoro to take the lead.

"Truce."

Grabbing Stussy around the waist, Zoro bolted out from behind the bar and launched himself forward, shoulder first and head ducked. Muted gunfire was discernible over the fire as he threw himself bodily into the window with Stussy held protectively in his arms. Glass shattered as they tumbled across the ground, coming to a stop several feet away from the building in the grungy alley. Flames curled out of the windows and smoke billowed into the sky above.

Rolling out of the fall and onto his feet, Zoro turned on the corner of the building expecting to see Kalifa, but only found shocked and concerned tourists making for the building. If Kalifa intended to flee then there wasn't any time to waste. Rounding on Stussy, he stopped dead as he saw her leaning against the adjacent building with her hands pressed against her bloody side.

"Damn it." Zoro muttered as he began dropping to a knee, hands extended towards her as the blood continued to spread across the white fabric and soaked further down her torso. Whether it was the glass from their fall or a stray bullet he couldn't tell, but regardless - she was losing blood far too quickly.

"I'm fine!" Stussy barked as she smacked his hand away, "Don't let her get away!"

A final livid glare from Stussy had Zoro jumping to his feet with a stiff nod as he ran down the alley and out onto the street where the gathering crowd were investigating the burning building. Looking around, he caught a glimpse of the familiar figure of his wife making her way through the crowd before bolting after her, "Stop!"

All Zoro got in response was a smirk thrown over her shoulder as he continued racing after her through the crowd gathering to witness the fire that was engulfing the building. The bystanders were thankfully more interested in the commotion of the building than to get a good look at him as he rushed to catch up with his fleeing wife.

Earlier distraught was replaced by anger as now his only intentions were to catch her and find out why the hell she had done all of this to begin with. Normally his mind would be flooded with scenarios and possible motives, but everything was blank as he raced after her.

Getting through the worst of the crowd, he stumbled out onto the less crowded side of the street and caught a glimpse of her hair as she darted down a nearby alley. Taking off after her at a full sprint, he kept his injured arm clutched to his side to alleviate some of the pain - skidding around the corner and following the back alley as long as it went until it came to a cross street and he was forced to stop. Head whipping around all three avenues, trying to catch a glimpse of her; she had claimed to want to talk, which meant she wanted him to follow her…

Nothing.

"Fuck!" Zoro cursed in frustration, turning on his heel angrily as he couldn't even get an inkling to which direction she had gone. He'd hardly finished his turn before he had an armful of blond barreling straight into him and nearly knocking him over. Both of them righting themselves as Zoro dealt with his shock of coming face to face with Sanji, while Sanji was looking at him incredulously.

"What are you doing?!" Sanji balked, looking clearly awestruck to find Zoro simply standing still before darting around him with a yell, "C'mon!"

"Wh-" Before Zoro even had a chance to berate the blond for ditching Kohza, he was forced to chase after Sanji who was already taking off down the street. A confused Zoro having to sprint to catch up as he yelled after the blond with furious intent, "We made a deal remember?!"

"You expect me to keep it now?!" Sanji bellowed over his shoulder as he took a sharp right and Kalifa's retreating figure came into view several blocks down the large avenue sloping towards the docks. Waving an impatient hand towards where Zoro's wife was currently getting away, "Even after I came here to help you?!"

"If you don't listen to me you're going to get yourself killed!" Zoro barked as he was finally caught up with the blond, nearly taking out an elderly fellow that had barely gotten out of the way in time.

"Even when I do listen to you I almost get killed," Sanji murmured cheekily, still sprinting full pace as the avenue they were on was coming to an end. The sea and an expansive marina coming into view as they both skidded to halt and stared down at the multiple docks floating below, "So what does it matter?"

"That's not the point." Zoro offhandedly muttered as he could see a wisp of long blond hair making its way down one of the many docks below. She paused in her retreat to cast a glance up at them before giving a taunting wave and making for a small boat near the end.

"I think it's a rather important footnote." Sanji jibbed, "Also why's your wife trying to kill you?"

"I don't know." Zoro growled, hands tightening on the wood in front of him as he realized her intentions, pushing away from the railing viciously as he stormed off, "But I'm going to find out."

Zoro abandoned his previous conversation with Sanji to sprint down the pier and to the boat at the end Kalifa was planning on taking. Ducking and weaving through other seafarers who had decided to come down to take out their vessels on the gorgeous afternoon.

Making his way through the maze of docks that serpentined further and further out into the water to accommodate all the boats. As he got onto the last stretch of pier he sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him as she started the engine, getting to the end of the pier just in time for her boat to pull out. Zoro sprinting faster as he had no choice but to swim after wherever she was leading him.

A hand to the collar of his shirt reefed him back, Zoro gagging as he turned a livid expression onto Sanji who was challenging him with one of his own, "You're not swimming after her, you loon!"

"I have to follow her!" An aggressive hand was thrust after the boat still making its way slowly out of the marina, and his wife still very much visible within.

Sanji's eyes narrowed as he raised a hand in confusion and stated almost rhetorically, "Seems like a trap."

"It is." Zoro corrected without missing a beat. She wanted Zoro alone - that was clear from the moment she stepped into the bar - and she knew without a doubt that if she fled Zoro would follow without a second thought. Everything about this was playing directly into her hands, and Zoro clearly had no other choice; she knew that.

"Then shouldn't we just wait?" Sanji argued, "Didn't Kohza say that the CIA are sending some agents; can't they take over from here?"

"I'm retired; she gets away and I'll never get this chance again; I won't get to go home, and neither will you." Zoro shook his head in frustration. If he didn't catch her now, there was no telling how long it would take before he could find her again; his bounty would remain intact and it would be unlikely he could return to his old life. He and Sanji would both get put in witness protection, and that was only a best case scenario if the CIA decided to not throw him into military confinement for the rest of his life. "At least not until she's caught."

Indecision was rife on the blond's face as his head turned to look back up the pier before returning to the sea where the boat was still visible making its way along the coast. Mouth agape for a moment as though he still intended to argue before snapping shut on a firm exhale, he strode past Zoro along the pier with a determined look on his face, Zoro watching in silent confusion as the blond hopped down onto the deck of one of the sailboats.

Zoro slowly made his way over as a frown steadily dented his forehead, watching as Sanji was already scurrying across the deck - seemingly inspecting the vessel - hands making quick work of several of the ropes lashing the sails in place as Zoro demanded incredulously, "What are you doing?!"

"Get in!" Sanji commanded urgently, not even pausing to look up at Zoro as he swiftly began tying several of the loose ropes to the riggings along the side of the boat. His hands worked with practised ease as though he had done it a thousand times, and the knots he began tying were basically muscle memory.

"We can't sail that..." Zoro murmured as he was finally starting to catch on to what Sanji was planning.

"Pfht. Maybe you can't." Sanji scoffed indignantly, pausing to cast a cocky glance over his shoulder at Zoro, arm snapping sharply as a rope gave way and the main mast unfurled with a dramatic flourish. "Now c'mon, I'm gonna teach you how to sail."

Zoro stood on the pier in stunned silence for all of three seconds before he was hopping down onto the vessel astride the blond, still in silent awe, but clearly game for whatever crazy idea Sanji had in mind. Nodding firmly, he demanded, "Tell me what to do."

~X~

Sanji was remarkable. True to Zoro's earlier musings, the blond continued to surprise him. Handling the small race boat like he had done it all his life as Zoro was left useless for once. Pulling a rope here, tying off one there, but the moment the got to deeper water Zoro was left sitting on the deck a might dumbfounded as Sanji steered the single sail from his spot atop the railing.

"When the hell did you learn how to sail?" Zoro demanded over the howling of the wind, taking advantage of the small reprieved to deal with his injury. Discarding his hoodie, he tore a chunk of fabric free from the garment and began lashing it around his left arm. He grabbed one of the ends in his teeth and cinched it as tight as he could to put on pressure on the fresh bullet wound in his arm.

"I told you; I used to race." Sanji's response was offhanded, gaze still pinned to the horizon as he made sure their course wasn't veering and everything else was still in check. Angling the sail a touch he added, "This is child's play."

It was foolish, and Zoro knew he should be focusing on the current life threatening situation he found himself in, but he couldn't stop himself from being utterly captivated by the other man in that moment. Feet resting on the railing as his body hung out over the ocean, the only thing keeping him from falling was the rope he kept lashed in his hand as he steadied their coarse.

Hair an absolute mess - whipping about his face - as an absolutely gorgeous look of determination set on his face, eyes narrowing through the bright sunlight and his gaze remaining pinned on the horizon. Waves crashed beneath the hull and sent timely sprays of water cresting high, spackling Sanji's clothes as they fluttered against his frame in the high winds.

Breathless for a completely different sort of reason, Zoro just stared up at the blond and tried to think past the urge to simply grab Sanji by his unshaven face and plant a kiss on him. There were a multitude of things setting him off, but at the moment it was the fact Sanji had dove head first into danger with him. A quality he probably shouldn't be finding endearing...

Sanji's arm lashed out, and pointed ahead of them, pulling Zoro from his musings as he bellowed, "She's pulling into the docks over there!"

Jumping to his feet, Zoro watched as Kalifa's boat was left in a rather secluded boat yard belonging to several warehouses. Not bothering to wait - Kalifa had no doubt seen them following - she made her way up the dock and out of sight just as they pulled in a few moments later. They barely got the boat next to the dock before Zoro was leaping off onto the pier and rounding on Sanji who was looking up at him in surprise.

"I'll follow her." Zoro ordered, casting a glance to Sanji, "You return the boat and find Kohza; bring him here. Alright?!"

"Wh-"

Sea sprayed and wind rustled, the dishevelled man looked up at him with wide unwavering eyes and a moue of concern on his perfect lips. Never looking more perfect, Zoro ran forward and tangled his hands in unruly blond curls and dragged him forward to cut off the rest of his question. The kiss was short and hard – just a pressing of lips – but it was all Zoro had time to afford before he was leaping back and leaving a stunned Sanji staring up at him. Zoro wasn't even sure he himself fully registered what had just happened as he ordered, "Go!"

"Uh..."

"Go!" Zoro urged, taking off down the dock before he could fully registered what he had just done.

~X~

Getting away from the dock, he made his way into the main area of the shipping center as distant voices had him slowing warily. Crouching low behind the wheel of a truck, he surveyed the area as best he could from his vantage point as the entire area seemed to be crawling with people. An odd place for Kalifa to lead him as something was beginning to feel off.

Several warehouses were crammed into the compound that was heavily fenced off aside from the gated entrance and the single dock crammed into the fishing warehouse along the shore. Despite all the grocery branding slapped across every vehicle and warehouse wall, it was apparent very quickly that the whole area was a front for something more; whether it was drugs, weapons, or trafficking had yet to be seen.

A large truck idled on a loading dock at the rear of a nearby warehouse and was being loaded with large pallets of a concealed substance. Judging from the men with guns loitering around the vehicle, Zoro's assumptions that the product was illegal was most likely correct. Which only served to make the situation that much more complicated.

Continuing to carefully scan the yard, he eventually caught sight of Kalifa and watched as she ducked inside the entrance to one of the larger buildings on the complex. Staying as discreet as possible, Zoro began to slowly make his way through the place as quietly as he could. Eventually getting to the other side without conflict before finding his goal being inconveniently blocked.

Staying low behind a piece of loading equipment, he could see two men casually loitering outside the entrance of the building Kalifa was inside. While their posture was relaxed, it was clear they were set out front to watch the place. Which was only confirming Zoro's suspicions that Kalifa was involved with something more than just trying to kill him.

Considering how many people were on the lot, he didn't want to fire his weapon - especially since he only had a couple rounds that he might need later - and began inspecting the area for a way to get the drop on both of the men without letting them alert anyone. A tool shed attached to the main part of the building was his best bet, though it would require a decent leap and no room for error.

Quietly making his way around the area unnoticed until he got to the back of the shed, glancing up with distaste as he was in no mood to climb in his injured state. Shaking out his gradually seizing arm, he huffed out a quiet breath before leaping up and grabbing the edge of the building and pulling himself up. He could feel the wound in his arm tearing open from where it had congealed and was bleeding freely once more as he righted himself and shuffled across the roof.

He took several moments to gauge the distance he'd need to jump and the movements of the guards he was going to take out. Taking a final cursory glance around the yard to make sure no one could see him, Zoro pushed himself to his feet and leaped off the ledge. Landing directly behind one of the guards and clamping his hand across the man's mouth as his other hand shot out to smack over the mouth of the second guard effectively cutting any chance of a yell short.

Everything happened in a manner of seconds as Zoro took the guards shock to his advantage and kicked the legs out from under one of the men and sent all of them to the ground. One hand still clamped over the closest guard's mouth, he swung his leg over the second and maneuvered him into a choke hold, thigh now muffling any chance of a yell. His now free hand came up to grasp the guard currently in his arms and expertly twisted his head until a sharp crack and a choked gurgle had him slumping in a lifeless heap.

Silence only broken by slight scuffling and the panicked mumble of the guard still in Zoro's leg lock; before he even had a chance to respond Zoro was releasing the hold and grabbing the other guard's head, twisting in the same fashion. He felt the man tense against his chest for a frightening moment before going eerily lax and Zoro had to fight to ignore the shiver of unpleasantness that ran through his body, the motion stirring dark memories.

Forcing them down, he allowed the lifeless body to fall from his grasp before pushing himself back onto his feet. Dusting off his pants after the small scuffle, he took a minute to shove both bodies into the tool shed near the entrance before drawing his gun and ducking inside the warehouse. He closed the door softly behind himself as he was faced with a dimly lit interior and the horrifying reality of what he had just stumbled upon.

Thousands of pallets lined the inside of the massive building, packed into tightly ordered rows as their cargo was heavily wrapped in multiple layers of clear plastic. Large bricks of similarly packed product was stacked within and Zoro had a sinking suspicion he knew what saw inside. Placing a hand to the large stack of product, he pushed against the packaging to find it give way just enough that his worse thought was being confirmed.

A warehouse this massive, stocked with this much cocaine had to belong to a drug cartel. And this was only one warehouse of the many on this lot. Whatever vendetta Kalifa had against him, this was something so much bigger than Zoro had ever assumed he'd be getting involved in. A cartel this big would have hundreds of more players than just Kalifa, but could possibly explain where Kalifa had the connections and money to put a bounty on him. Which meant Zoro was in a much deeper situation than he had ever guessed he would be.

Ducking down a poorly lit path, he leaned back against the large pallet of cocaine with a soft exhale as he took a moment to regroup his thoughts. Gaze dropping to his gun, he released the magazine to quickly count how many bullets he had before re-inserting it.

Twelve shots. He had twelve shots - plus three spare mags - to his advantage while potentially going up against an entire cartel, and even he wasn't stupid enough to think he could take them all on with just that. His best bet would be to get out while he could and warn Kohza before he arrived and they could maybe get the cartel taken down without any casualties… however Kalifa would be long gone by then...

"-find him. I want him alive, remember that." Kalifa's cool voice cut across the vast warehouse. Zoro continued down a long row of pallets as her voice became clearer, "He's already injured; you kill him and I'll make you wish you were dead. Clear?"

Indistinct muttering followed as Zoro snuck a peak around a stack of pallets to find a group of men gathered in clearing next to a loading bay. The door was shut but they were all looking up at a platform that jutted high off the wall that a set of stairs led up to. An office was visible through the open door, but the point of interest was the woman leaning over the railing looking down on the men.

There were twenty-three men which meant he could easily even the playing field, but it just might be one of the dumbest ideas he had had to date. However, Kalifa wanted him alive for some unholy reason, and that was a bartering chip he wasn't going to pass up. Plus, he tended to get lucky in horribly outnumbered situations and he'd just kissed the man he loved so he felt kinda invincible at the moment.

Keeping his thoughts on Sanji, he stepped out from behind the pallet and let muscle memory do the work for him. Finger working the trigger in quick succession as he rounded the room and emptied the mag before any of the men had a chance to react. Twelve shots, twelve bodies. As the corpses hit the floor Zoro ejected the empty mag and slammed the next one in.

Cocking the gun, he got several more shots in before the remaining men jumped into action. Guns drawn and trained on him as he rounded his own on Kalifa; ignoring the remaining men, keeping his finger on the trigger as he looked up at his wife.

Kalifa gave an irritated huff, "That was unnecessary."

"Not to me." Zoro growled, before continuing, "You wanted to talk; here I am. Why don't you get rid of your lackeys?"

Kalifa seemed to honestly mull it over for a few moments, gloved hands leaving the railing to cross casually over her chest as her bottom lip jutted out. Ruby red lipstick glinting in the stale overhead lamp as her gaze was so eerily reminiscent of when she used to look at the him playfully. A moment later turning cold as she hummed, "Mmm. No. You go through Kaku first if you wanna talk."

Glancing down, one of the thugs that he hadn't shot was stepping forward, already holstering his weapon as Zoro glanced back up at Kalifa. Gun still trained on her, he drawled in disbelief, "You can't be serious."

"I gave you a chance to come willingly and you threw a bottle at my head; now we play my way." A wicked smile curved Kalifa's lips as she glanced around the remaining men who had their guns trained on him, "You play; or it's game over."

Exhausted eyes shifting from the gun in his hand to the man standing in front of him, Zoro's shoulders dropped heavily as he accepted her terms. She may want him alive, but he knew if he pushed her too far everything may end far quicker than either of them would like. If giving her a bit of entertainment could stall until Kohza arrived, then so be it.

Tossing his gun aside - not really needing it any more - he turned to face Kaku and slowly raised his arms in a ready stance. Favouring his left due to the multitude of injuries it had sustained, Zoro took a dominant stance with his right and watched warily as Kaku copied his movements. A moment later Kaku was launching forward as he seemed intent on ending this fight quick.

Given his injuries, Zoro opted to play defensively as every time Kaku got close to strike Zoro would either block, or snatch for his wrist and try to sweep his ankle. If he could send the fight to the ground then he may be able to end everything with a quick choke or submission hold. Without any sort of weapon it meant he had to fight smart, but if he got a hold of the man's neck or one of his joints he could end this without having to injure himself further.

A well placed strike connected with the still healing gash to his side and sent Zoro down onto one knee as stars danced in front of his vision. Kaku took the opportunity to aim a rather vicious punch down for Zoro's injured shoulder. Zoro reacted in time as his palm caught Kaku's wrist and redirected the punch away as he bodily turned into the blond, standing as he used Kaku's momentum to flip him over and send him sprawling on the ground at Zoro's feet with a rather harsh smack.

Even after sending him to the ground, Kaku lashed out immediately, fist coming up and connecting with Zoro's body with a solid thwack of flesh on flesh - knuckles connecting perfectly with the stitches along his hip and the still healing wound. Wheezing a pained gasp, Zoro released Kaku, allowing the man the reprieve he needed to place his hands behind his head and kick back; using the momentum to pop back onto his feet and charge Zoro.

Each strike from there on out was much more carefully placed and Zoro was having a harder and harder time blocking as his fatigue and blood loss was beginning to catch up with him. A few poorly blocked hits and clipped shots were wearing him out concerningly fast and he could tell he was reaching his limit a lot faster than he had when he was younger.

A final knee to the gut sent Zoro to the ground in a pained heap as the wind was knocked out of him in spectacular fashion. Several pathetic gasps finally managed to get air into his lungs and he was able to feebly push himself to his hands and knees where his opponent leered down at him.

"The rumours are true..." Kaku chuckled, "You have lost your touch."

Reigning in his panted breaths, Zoro cast a look around at the remaining goons that were watching the fight with nothing short of glee on their faces. Blinking heavily, Zoro turned his sights back up to Kaku who still stood cockily over him as he was clearly waiting for Zoro to get back to his feet so he could get the opportunity to punch him back down.

Gaze falling to where his hands were splayed across the gritty cement of the warehouse, he felt his whole body ache simultaneously with every injury that was hounding it; old and new. Every bullet wound and lacerated scar twinging, and his fresh one's pulsing hot flames. The wound to his side stung much the same as the bullet wound to his shoulder and arm, the irritated cuts to his palms itching from the gravel that was currently being dug into them; everything hurt at once and it sparked a fresh wave of irritation in him that had him back on his feet.

Arms lax at his sides, he watched Kaku with utter contempt. Zoro was officially done with all of this bullshit. This drug lord lackey was the last thing between him and the person that could effectively end this stupid game of cat and mouse. And he was ready to finish all of this now.

Slowly raising his arms in front of him once more, he sent the man a murderous look from under his sweat drenched brow as multiple onlookers hooted and hollered excitedly at the prospect of watching their boss knock him down again. Adjusting his feet, Zoro waited patiently as he began blocking everything out around him and readied himself to finish the fight.

Kaku's mouth was moving, but Zoro didn't bother to register whatever snide comments he had. Instead using the moment to steady himself until he saw the man step forward once more and the fight had resumed. Keeping on the defensive, he focused on any patterns to the man's strikes while carefully landing a few of his own.

Dodging each hit and kick Kaku threw at him, he sidestepped a final strike and snatched the man's wrist as he hooked Kaku's ankle with his foot. Sending Kaku to the ground with his arm pinned behind his back, his lack of response telling of his own shock at the situation. Using it to his advantage, Zoro reached out and gladly took the other wrist as well and pulled both arms straight back behind Kaku.

Placing a foot firmly in the man's back, he pulled the arms back as he let his rage get the best of him. Feeling one shoulder release with a sickening pop - a yelp of pain rang through the air - he reefed harder and attempted to dislocate the other arm as well.

A motion behind him had him releasing Kaku with a swift kick as he turned and snatched the wrist of the thug who was about to put a blade in Zoro's back. Tackling the man to the ground, he twisted the knife around and drove it into the man's chest with one hand on the handle and the other pressing against the pommel. The guard set flush against the man's chest just as Zoro got a good look at him and found himself freezing in horror.

A kid.

The man couldn't have been much older than eighteen and regardless of why he had ended up in this gang he looked up at Zoro with the wide, terrified eyes of a child. Pupils shaking with panic as he began to register the pain of the knife in his chest and Zoro finally felt something break inside himself as he saw that haunted look and saw his own eighteen year old self reflected there. On a battlefield, covered in blood, not ready for what he had signed up for...

Whatever adrenaline, or self-preservation, that had been in place to keep him from losing control snapped and in an instant it all came crashing down on him. Breathing cut short, he released the knife with trembling hands and crawled off the kid to kneel in the dirt as he gasped for air. His body shook uncontrollably as reality slipped away and all of his worst memories played out vividly in his mind. Friends and colleagues blown to pieces, everyone he had ever killed, Kuina's soft, smiling face...

Not good.

Voices spiralled above him as he barely could keep himself on his knees, swift footsteps strode towards him as he tried raising a hand to defend himself. Hand easily swatted away, something dark was thrust down and connected with the side of his temple. The crack followed by the splattering of blood on the stone floor was enough to effectively end Zoro's episode as he was knocked unconscious.

TBC...