It had been a long time since Zoro had had to struggle awake through a pounding headache that had been the result of getting slammed in the head with the butt of a rifle. Yet, here he was blinking through a haze of pain and inflammation along his brow after one of Kalifa's men had gotten the drop on him and introduced him to a face full of metal. The swelling over one of his eyes was already doing a fantastic job of keeping the lid partially shut and the crusty sensation of dried blood confirmed his suspicion that the skin had been broken.

Giving a final shake of his head, he managed to raise his gaze to take in his bearings and realize that the situation was not looking great. Hands tied behind his back with an expertly cinched knot, and his ankles tied similarly to the legs of the sturdy steel chair he was currently strapped to. Alone in the middle a room as the dim lighting of the large lights overhead illuminated the office he had been taken to.

It was rather well kept for a cartel warehouse; rich wooden furniture, lavish curtains despite the lack of windows, and a large ornate rug which he currently found himself on; the only piece of furniture that didn't fit in with the whole space which had the eerily familiar smell to the woman it belonged to.

Trying not to dwell on it too much, he instead went about starting to plan how to escape from this drastically worsening situation. Twisting his wrists in an attempt to loosen the ropes in hopes of getting his hands free before matters could get any worse.

As though to mock his own inner monologue, the clicking of heels upon the stairs announced the arrival of his captor. Halting his fidgeting long enough to look up through his half swollen eye to see his wife approaching from the doorway. Shutting the door behind herself, gaze turning to his, she smirked, "Finally awake, honey?"

Zoro grunted.

"Sorry I can't provide better accommodations, but this'll be over real quick," Kalifa gestured about the cluttered space with a vague wave as she sauntered further into the room. Taking a place in front of her desk and leaning against it casually before turning her sharp gaze to Zoro as she assured with a sincere moue, "I have to go home and prepare for my husband's funeral after all."

Zoro's scowl darkened.

"Oh, come now." Kalifa purred as she shook her head, "Don't look at me like that... You knew this was coming."

"Obviously not." The word was barked out with a strained grunt as he jerked forward in his chair in an attempt to break the bonds keeping him at her mercy. Tensing his arms a few more times futilely before ceasing his struggling and scowling, "You think I'd be here if I knew?"

Kalifa gifted him with a raised eyebrow.

Meeting her unwavering gaze, Zoro refused to speak first as he glared up at her, betrayal pulsating through his veins. Even if their passion for each other hadn't faded long ago, it took almost nothing to dissociate her from everything she once was. Every warmth about her had turned cold, and each beautiful trait was now ugly, and all he saw was a complete and utter stranger looking down at him.

A lifetime of training allowed him to see nothing more than a target.

"Hmm..." Kalifa pouted, "Silent treatment?"

"Why'd you try to kill me?"

"Why do you think I tried to kill you?"

Zoro had to refrain from growling at the games she was already starting - instead casting a look around the office that seemingly belonged to her and was situated at the center of a cartel warehouse. Snorting, he garnered a guess, "Anything to do with this place? Since when do you work for a cartel?"

"Warmer." Kalifa mused with a bored wave of her hand, "And since always; that little stint with the Italian service was just a cover. A cover you fell for by the way."

"My mistake." Zoro grunted, all the pieces starting to fall into place far too easily; from the way she had latched onto him so easily despite how broken he was, to how quickly she accepted the notion of getting married and moving to a small town, and the willingness to ham up the whole housewife act. A sour tang of reality made him sneer, "So I was part of that cover?"

"You're starting to catch on..." Kalifa smirked cheekily before her arms came up to wrap around her waist as she gave a wistful sigh, "I was mainly there because it was quite useful being so easily staged within America, but I admit you had your moments where you could be charming; made me reconsider giving everything up once or twice-"

"That's all this is?" Zoro interrupted her, not in the mood to hear her ramblings. Zoro wasn't a stranger to being undercover, and he also wasn't unfamiliar with being sent in to deal with someone who had violated confidentiality or had run their course of usefulness. A lot of people were dead because he knew they wouldn't keep their mouth shut; and this was sounding an awful lot like a roundabout explanation that Zoro's usefulness had run its course, "Tying up loose ends, huh?"

A smug smile pursed Kalifa's lips, "Basically."

The silence that followed her admission had an unnerving chill to it as they both stared at each other for a long moment; and the subsequent way this was likely to play out. Zoro tied up and knowing too much, and Kalifa bearing down on him with the full intention of shutting his mouth for good. Only option remaining was to run out the clock and pray Kohza could get to him before it was too late.

"So…" Zoro stalled with a lazy drawl, returning to subtly twisting his wrists to continue with his escape - if he dislocated his thumb he might be able to slip a wrist free… but it would require a better angle so he could get a firm grip on his thumb, "a bounty? Seems unnecessary since you could have just stabbed me in my sleep."

Kalifa's cold eyes glittered maliciously, and it almost seemed like he had struck a chord.

"Either tell me," Zoro groused while shifting a little in his chair, stilling as he felt something in his left rear pocket. It took a second for him to remember it was Sanji's lighter and he kept his face carefully blank as he hoped that the blond's smoking habit might just be responsible for saving his life. Flashing a cocky grin, he jibbed, "or get this over with and kill me."

Kalifa's lips pursed sourly.

All Zoro did was return the look with a smile, keeping her attention on him as he slowly twisted his hand around until he was able to wheedle the bit of plastic from his pocket. Once in his grasp, he immediately flipped it around and made point of grunting at the same time he struck the flint to mask the sound of the flame sparking to life, "Hmm?"

The furious look on Kalifa's face was a fair price to pay as he now angled the flame onto the ropes binding his hands together. Cautiously burning the ropes just enough to not cause them to ignite, or to smoke and alert Kalifa to what he was up to. Sitting a bit more upright to make sure his arms and hands were completely obstructed from her view as she pushed herself away from the desk she had been leaning against and beared down on Zoro.

"Do you know how infuriating it is to resign yourself to a person who's given up on life," Kalifa snapped, "only to see them flourish with someone else?"

A chill ran down Zoro's spine as he had a sinking suspicion of what she was alluding to. Despite how well he had thought he had hidden his conflicted feelings, everything no doubt became obvious to her once he had fled the country with Sanji. Attempting to hide his surprise from showing on his face. he asked in mock confusion, "What?"

He must not have concealed it well enough because Kalifa's face became absolutely predatory and she leaned in with a menacing grin. Hand propping on the back of Zoro's chair - while Zoro quickly snatched his hand closed around the lighter - sneering down at him, "I think you know exactly whom I'm talking about."

Everything was falling into place with rather painstaking clarity as Zoro surmised wearily, "That's why you tried to kill him…"

"Now you're catching on! As a reward I'll let you in on a little secret," Kalifa smirked before announcing rather teasingly, "There was no bounty."

The admission was enough to warrant a frown and a cautious response, "What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said.." Kalifa repeated, pushing herself away from Zoro and retreated back to her place near her desk, "You were never supposed to leave Merryville. You were supposed to die in that damn apartment with that pathetic man, but you didn't. You took him, and left me behind; that was when I realized I needed to do something more drastic. It all worked out pretty well too - if I do say so myself - your stupidly bold nature made it almost too easy."

"You…"

"Yes?"

"You've got some nerve." Zoro growled low, his initial anger over her needless attack on Sanji had morphed into livid indignation over her own hypocrisy, "Accusing me of being unfaithful after everything you did."

"Please Zoro, you must know me better than that." Shaking her head in disappointment, "Those men were co-workers, clients. Underlings. But it was far easier to play the facade of the cheating housewife than I had expected. You fell for it so willingly - a little insulting, mind you - but it did the trick, and even better you never said a word to me about it."

"What?" Zoro balked.

"You heard me." Kalifa hummed rather tiredly, hand lazily reaching behind her to snag a large dagger off the desk and wield it at Zoro as she scoffed, "The only unfaithful one here is you."

Zoro had the grace to drop his gaze at her words. Even though she had already tried to kill him multiple times in the past couple hours, he couldn't help but remember the guilt he had been carrying with him ever since he had realized his feelings for Sanji. And up until now he had been ambivalent about what his feelings for Sanji meant with regards to his wife, but now… Now was the first time he didn't feel guilty for what he felt. Heart utterly decisive as he looked back at Kalifa with a remorseful smile, "You're right."

Kalifa raised an eyebrow in muted surprise.

"But he's done nothing wrong," Zoro continued softly, "So leave him out of this. What I've done to hurt you is on me, and me alone."

"That's sweet, darling." Kalifa mused, "but you're missing the point."

"Hm?"

"See, I could handle putting up with all of your issues, and your melodramatic mood swings. Even the whole rural, backcountry town thing wasn't the deal breaker; it was actually a rather comfy life that made it easier for me to work. But..." Kalifa's happy musings turning dark as she turned a murderous expression on Zoro and spat, "what I could not abide was being tossed aside like some used tissue for some fucking plebeian hick."

"I wasn't going to leave yo-"

"You think that matters?"

"What do you want then?" Zoro asked carefully, trying to keep her talking longer as he felt the flame beginning to work through the first few coils of the rope around his wrists. Skin along his palms blistered painfully, but masking the pain with an grimace, he noted, "You're clearly keeping me alive for a reason."

"Always the perceptive one," Kalifa crooned, "I did love that about you."

Another coil gave way as Zoro kept his gaze locked onto the woman currently stalking towards him, eyes nervously falling to the blade she had held casually in her grasp. Keeping his breathing calm, he knew nothing good was going to come out of what she was possibly planning.

When she came to stop in front of him, he released the lighter and let the flame flicker out as he couldn't risk her smelling the burnt rope or seeing the live flame. Curling the lighter into his grasp and holding it tightly, he looked up at the woman with a steady glare. Face impassive, she placed her free hand placatingly on his shoulder as she stepped forward to lightly straddle his lap.

"Remember our first time?" Kalifa mused with a teasing wriggle of her hips, one hand draping across his shoulders and playfully running up into his hair. The other staying unsettling by her side with the blade still in its grasp as she purred, "I believe we did it in this same position. In this exact city..."

"Vaguely." Zoro noted with a wary grunt.

For a moment, her face softened as though remembering the night – Zoro admittedly recalling the memory just as fondly – however the recollection losing its sentimentality considering their current position. Something maniacal sparkled in her eyes as she was brought back to the present just as Zoro was and she declared rather sharply, "So..."

"Hm?"

"You let your little... eyes... wander..." Kalifa pointed out with teasing taps to the skin just below Zoro's eyes with each caress of her finger. Proposing rather calmly, "I figure you should compensate me fairly."

A chill ran down Zoro's spine.

"How does the old adage go?" Rising to her feet, she towered over him as her hand twisted sharply in his hair and reefed his head back with a vicious jerk. Zoro gritted his teeth through the pain, forcing an eye open through a wince before going rigid as he watched Kalifa raise her other hand and the blade poised menacingly in it. "An eye for an eye, was it?"

A desperate struggle lasted only a second before he was wailing loudly as the knife slashed across his face with wicked precision and he felt the tip slice flesh, bone, and eye. Managing to clamp down his scream a moment later as the pain knocked him breathless and nausea rose in his gut. The act of simply keeping the eye lid shut over the wound hurt nearly as much as the initial cut itself and he felt his consciousness swimming dangerously.

He was hardly aware of Kalifa's hand untangling from his hair, only later realizing he was free as he was able to let his head hang low and the stream of blood could trail into his lap. Hot, sticky garnet pools soaked the heavy fabric of his pants. Left eye inflamed, he slowly managed to crack his right eye open despite the pain screaming across his face. Glaring up at Kalifa as ragged breath, after ragged breath was wheezed between gritted teeth.

"Fun?"

"Loads." Zoro managed thickly, spitting a wad of blood from his mouth that had trailed down his face to get caught on his tongue. Flexing his arms as much as he could and finding the ropes barely budging as he was truly trapped in his position if he didn't do something quickly.

Flipping the lighter back into his grasp, he flicked the flame back into life and put it under the ropes once more. Panting through the searing pain as the flames began to catch and burn rope and flesh in his rush to get his arms free. Grateful that the pain in his eye was an excellent cover for the grimace he had as he felt his skin around his wrists burning viciously.

Kalifa still thankfully ignorant as she smiled wickedly and stepped forward again, "Ready for round two?"

This time Zoro allowed himself to break and snarl at her.

"That first one was for me, but I think this next one will be purely out of spite." Kalifa chuckled, "Call me petty, but I can't get the image of you looking at that damn man so sweetly out of my head."

As Kalifa stepped forward, knife poised readily in her hand, Zoro felt the final chord of the ropes give way and he immediately wrenched his arms forward and tore the ropes free. One hand still clenching Sanji's lighter, the other shot out to knab the knife from Kalifa's startled grasp and level it on her readily. Patting out the last flames still eating at the fabric of his sleeves, he untangled the last of the ropes and tossed them aside before levelling on Kalifa with a dark glare.

"Wha-?!" Kalifa balked with livid disbelief as Zoro held up the lighter he had still been holding onto for her to see, watching as he gaze flickered wearily to it from the before her eyes widening a fraction before seething, "Jaybura, that absolute idiot. I told him to check your pockets."

"Seemed sloppy of you." Pocketing the lighter, he kept his distance between them as he commented, "Should've killed me when you had the chance."

Snarling in disgust, Kalifa's leg snapped up to peg him in the chest and as he took a step back to deflect the blow he found his legs still bound to the chair and he was sent sprawling backwards. Wind knocked out of him as he fumbled the knife in his grasp, still choking on air as he sat up and cut himself free while Kalifa darted for the gun resting on her desk.

A bullet embedded into the flooring where Zoro's head had been a moment earlier as the ropes around his ankles fell and he rolled off the chair. Arm snapping out, he whipped the knife at Kalifa. It sunk into the wall with a solid thwack as his depth perception was horribly thrown off by his missing eye, but the distraction was just enough to allow him to dart forward, duck under Kalifa's extended arm, and bodily tackle her back onto the desk.

Snarling through the fall, her leg came up to kick him hard in the side and use the momentum of their fall to send Zoro flailing over top and to crash into the chair on the other side, but not before snatching the gun from her grasp. They were both back on their feet at the same time, a murderous look twisting Kalifa's face into something ugly as Zoro held her gun aloft with a smarmy grimace.

Popping the magazine free, he hucked the cartridge across the room, easily disassembling the weapon as he stalked around the desk towards Kalifa murderously. Adrenaline kept the pain muted as he tossed different pieces of the gun aside until there was nothing left in his hands and he was standing in front of his wife with a dark scowl.

Kalifa met it with her own, "Don't even have the guts to shoot me, huh?"

Without a second of hesitation Kalifa's leg was lashing out and slamming into Zoro's injured side, a sadistic snarl alight on her face even though Zoro could tell she was panicking. Arm clamping down on the limb to keep her from withdrawing where her long range attacks would be more useful, he sent her to the ground with a well placed kick to her other leg.

Using his weight to keep her pinned - and breathless enough to keep from crying out for help - a struggle between them began as Zoro attempted to get a proper choke hold on her while she fought back with everything she had. Tumbling across the floor, Zoro's arms were occupied keeping her from embedding a heel into his chest that he couldn't quite block her from taking a vice grip on his shoulder. Long nail digging into his shoulder, he could feel her slicing through the stitches and the healing flesh with ease as he grunted through the new onslaught of pain.

Releasing one of her legs, he nabbed her wrist and wrenched her hand away from where she was attempting to rip open his shoulder. Using the extended arm as leverage to roll her over and pin her hard to the ground, he snatched up the discarded rope lying on the floor beside them.

Managing to get her wrists together, he swiftly wrapped the spare pieces of rope around them before cinching it tight, then proceeded to do the same to her ankles. All the while, Kalifa struggled against her bounds as she seethed venomously, "I take it back! I hated every moment of that life we had!"

Zoro ignored her ravings, knowing now that none of it mattered. Anything she had to say now would just be meant to hurt him; she had already said her piece earlier and he knew what she thought. Regardless of how fake she had perceived their relationship, she'd never forgive him for the feelings he had developed for someone else; this wasn't something words could fix.

Pulling the black rag free from his arm, he managed to fit it into her mouth despite her shrieking and writhing. Muffling any chance of her calling for help as he tied the ends tightly behind her head. Giving the knot a final tug, he released her and turned back to her other bonds.

Once he finished checking the last of the knots keeping her restrained, Zoro fell back on his rear in a near daze as the blood loss that had been accumulating since that afternoon was finally hitting him. Head spinning, he tiredly wrestled the remnants of his shirt over his head so he could bundle it up and press it against his still bleeding eye.

Trying to staunch the flow, he realized he was too far gone to leave her and go get help, which meant there was nothing left for him to do but sit and wait, stop the bleeding as best he could, and hope that Sanji would be able to find Kohza and get to the right warehouse in time. Though he supposed if things got especially grim, he wasn't above crawling out of the building and wave down some help; the exertion might pump the last of his available blood out of him however.

Kalifa's enraged squirming had Zoro's one good eye flicking over to look at her, anger long since deflated as he felt nothing but pity; remorse over wasting so much of her time, and sadness that this is where they had had to end up just to finally admit it should be over...

"You know..." Zoro mused, his softly spoken words drowned out by Kalifa's muffled screaming, words trailing off as his gaze fell to the floor beneath his legs. Bloody hand dangled from where it rested on his thigh as he realized just how exhausted he finally was. Not just from the blood loss, but from everything.

He was so damned tired.

Tired of the constant adrenaline, death, and never-ending betrayal of his former life, tired of his mediocre attempt at retirement where he had just sat in a miasma of self-loathing, and he was tired of thinking everything would get better if he could just cure what was wrong with him. All he wanted was to finally put all of this behind him and rest... and he had a pretty good idea where that would start.

Kalifa's growling tapered off and Zoro pulled himself from his blood loss induced musings to look at her as her cold eyes narrowed on him angrily. Smiling sadly, everything Zoro hadn't had the ability to say before was finally falling from him unprompted.

"I didn't want that life any more than you did..." Zoro admitted, adjusting the blood soaked shirt he kept pressed against his eye, the sopping cloth squishing in his grasp as he muttered regretfully, "But I realize now that it wasn't that life that I didn't want..."

Memories of the past couple weeks of summer he had spent before this had all happened played out in his head as he realized they were probably some of the happiest he had ever had in his life. Nights at the alley with the crew after a shift where they got far too rambunctious for a bunch of adults that had just worked a double shift, or down at the lake in the summer sun as Usopp's boys made a decent attempt at drowning him.

Or that humid evening where he had stood out on the back porch under the orange twilight as a thick scent of charcoal and barbecue hovered in the air. Leaning against the railing with Sanji as they had just quietly enjoyed the silence of each others company. Hand tightening painfully at the memory, causing blood to ooze from the clothe and trail down his arm in thick rivulets, a melancholy smile touched his lips.

"...it was you."

All Zoro got in response was an unimpressed hiss.

"It took me far too long to realize..." Zoro amended with a bit of remorse – both for her, and the time he had wasted for himself. Dismissing his reminiscing, he turned a serious gaze onto her once more, "So... I guess it is my fault. Sorry 'bout that..."

Despite being muffled, Kalifa's words where very audible as she huffed around her gag, "Fuck you!"

Zoro said nothing.

There really wasn't anything else to say anymore.

A door to the warehouse slammed open – effectively ending the silence between them – both of them turning to the office door and steeling themselves for whomever had arrived and would seal the doom of the other. There was a long silence before muted footsteps on the staircase sounded the arrival of multiple people making their way towards the office . A moment later, the door was kicked in and a man rounded the corner with his gun raised and his body low.

Upon seeing Zoro his stance immediately eased and he straightened while holstering his gun. Waving a relaxed signal to the men behind him, Kohza made his way forward with several SWAT members right behind him. Others were already moving back down the stairs and locking down the rest of the building while Kohza came to a stop in front of Zoro. His gaze flickered from where Kalifa was tied up, to the pool of blood forming underneath Zoro, and the rag held to his face before commenting.

"Rough day?" Kohza grinned.

A derisive snort was all Kohza got in response.

~X~

Once more Zoro found himself sitting in a chair across from two agents who watched him wearily from behind the lenses of their reflective shades. However, this time Zoro found himself much less agitated as he sat back in his chair comfortably while staring down the men patiently. Despite the situation, Zoro had a feeling that he wasn't in as much trouble as the agents were insinuating; if he really was then he would've had his wrists cuffed by now. And they certainly wouldn't be having this briefing in the conference room of a local inn.

They had been put up in a rather luxurious hotel, with a broad view of the city and harbour below – most likely to make up for the lock-down they currently had on everyone involved – and had kept Sanji rather occupied for the past couple days. Zoro, on the other hand, had spent the last few days in a Croatian hospital being treated for his wounds before immediately being transferred to the inn for his briefing; he hadn't seen Sanji since he had rather brashly kissed him and run off.

"I hope you realize... Roronoa..." The one agent stated with cautious annoyance, "that in any other situation you would be court martialed and never see the light of day again."

Zoro said nothing.

"I mean..." Flipping open a folder that lay on the mahogany table in front of him, the agent perused through several documents that were contained within. Making a show of thumbing through the papers as he began listing off everything that had taken place in the last two weeks, "Falsified documentation, illegal entry into several countries, multiple accounts of homicide, killing without a permit, the list goes on..."

Again. Nothing.

"Fortunately for you," The man continued begrudgingly, "the department is incredibly satisfied with the circumstances that led to the discovery of the Water Seven Cartel. So for your silence they are willing to let this incident go... As far as the state is concerned; this was a matter of marital incivility. On official record Kohza is responsible for the discovery of the cartel."

Inclining his head, Zoro accepted the terms wilfully. Already the situation sounding much more promising than he had initially thought it would. However, they still hadn't mentioned Sanji, or anyone else for that matter, all of whom were honestly still his major concern at this point.

"You were not aware you were at the cartel, you were not aware your wife was affiliated with the cartel, and you were not responsible for any deaths within the cartel." The first agent cited off firmly, head tilting down momentarially to check his notes before continuing, "An anonymous tip lead our black-ops team to your location where the cartel was effectively neutralized, you were found captive, and Kalifa Roronoa was taken into custody. Our grounds to search the premises was due to the capture, imprisonment, and torture of a retired agent; you. Is that all clear?"

Zoro nodded, "Yes."

"In regards to your wife," A new folder was pulled from the stack and slapped down onto the table before being flipped open rather aggressively, "she will be charged with international drug trafficking, multiple accounts of homicide, kidnapping, and several other offenses. The Croatian government has permitted her to be released into our custody; you are not permitted to be in contact with her. Understand?"

"Yes."

"As for the matter of Mr. Vinsmoke..." With a third folder being pulled from the pile, Zoro perked up slightly at the mention of the other man. Watching carefully as the agent opened the file and began riffling through several pages for the document he was looking for.

"It's my fault he was involved." Zoro declared unprompted before the man had a chance to speak, "And he did nothing wrong; he should have no repercussions."

Pausing in his work, the agent seemed to evaluate Zoro's sudden inclination to speak before turning back to the file and finally pulling free the page he was looking for. Laying it on top, Zoro could see a majority of the writing was blacked out already to keep sensitive information hidden, but couldn't make out anything useful on what was going to happen to him.

"Mr. Vinsmoke is, thankfully, unaware of the cartel; as far as he is concerned, your wife just had a vendetta." Sunglasses glinting in the light, he added, "I suggest we leave it at that."

"Fine." Zoro agreed easily, he had kept far worse secrets for them before and this was just another in a long line he'd like to forget. "What about back home?"

"Mr. Vinsmoke's affairs have all been put in order; given the somewhat public nature of your situation, we have no other choice than to keep the original story," Clearing his throat, the agent shifted in his chair before continuing, "Due to your… relationship to Mr. Vinsmoke, your wife was responsible for the attempt on his life.

The second agent began rifling through some other records before pulling them free and sliding them across the table to corroborate their claims. "While his insurance should cover his costs we are willing to accommodate him if the need be."

Zoro gave the document a cursory glance, but it seemed everything was exactly as the agents had said. In fact, it seemed the agents hadn't gotten nearly as much insight to everything that had happened as he had suspected they would. But if it was all resolved then there was no reason to correct any of the minor information. Sliding the document back towards them as he asked, "Is that all?"

"There is still the small matter of the international bounty in circulation that we are attempting to revoke. Until all the details get sorted I suggest you return to your room and wait there." The agent ordered as he pulled a card key free from his front lapel pocket. Handing it off to Zoro as he informed, "We'll come get you once everything is completed and proper transportation has been arranged to take you home."

Snagging the key from the man's grasp, Zoro took that as a dismissal and promptly pushed himself from his chair. Making for the door as he absently noted the room number on the key before pocketing it so he'd be able open the door with his still good arm. He was about to throw the door open before one of the agents behind him piped up rather tiredly.

"Also, Roronoa?"

Keeping the door held ajar, Zoro cast a glance back at the agent with a cocked brow.

A rather exhausted, but humorous, expression sat on the man's face as he remarked, "This is not what I meant when I told you to settle down."

"Trust me," Zoro replied scathingly, "this was not my intention either."

With only a nod of recognition, Zoro turned his back on both of them and exited into the deserted hallway as he sincerely hoped he'd never have to go through another briefing like that ever again. He was lucky enough everything had worked out so well for himself - and for Sanji, Kohza, and Stussy - that he didn't think he'd ever want to risk that again.

Making his way down the hall towards the room Sanji had been put up in, Zoro's steps remained slow as his body was still recovering from everything it had been subjected to. Body covered in bandages and gauze for the myriad of injuries all over his body; damaged shoulder supported by a sling and a large bandage taped over the massive scar that now would permanently replace his left eye.

Finally reaching the room Sanji was currently confined to, Zoro paused for several moments outside as he wondered where he was supposed to even begin with the other man. What he was supposed to say? How on earth he was going to explain his injuries? But most of all, he kept replaying that kiss over and over in his mind and hoped it hadn't crossed the line for Sanji.

Palms sweaty, he shook himself before grabbing the handle and pushing into the rather quaint room – decorated with a mixture of modern furniture and holistic art – currently smelling like an ashtray. The reason behind that became readily apparent as Zoro spotted an overflowing ashtray perched on the table, and a rather irritable looking blond sitting beside it. Ankle on knee, hand on thigh, other hand holding a cigarette to his lips and puffing on it like he had a death wish via smoke inhalation.

As the door finished opening, Zoro stood in the archway for a few moments, waiting until Sanji was pulled from his thoughts and fully registered the arrival as Zoro and not some federal agent. Nearly dropping his smoke, he sprang to his feet, only to freeze seconds later as he watched Zoro warily; eyes skittering over hiss appearance and the no doubt multiple new injuries he had garnered.

Gently closing the door behind himself, Zoro remained where he stood as he wasn't entirely sure what he was supposed to do next. After days, they were finally alone, and all of this from here on in was completely new, unexplored territory for him and it had him utterly petrified.

Despite everything that had happened between them in the last few days, a tension remained that he could see throughout Sanji's body; watching Zoro with an anxious gaze. Forcing himself into motion, Zoro made his way over to where Sanji stood – who was still holding a cigarette between lax fingers as he watched him approach quietly.

Zoro came to stop in front of Sanji, unsure of what exactly to start with – especially considering their last interaction had been a kiss and a barked order – hand awkwardly sliding into his pockets. One hand finding the lighter that he had used to free himself and immediately pulled it out, offering it to the blond with a soft murmur, "Yours."

Sanji reached out and snagged the small bit of plastic and metal, fingers brushing across Zoro's for a moment before retracting and curling around the lighter tensely. Shoulders rising in an heavy breath before he replied with an exhausted exhale, "Lemme take a look at their patch job."

Arguing seemed out of the question, so he followed Sanji to the small table in the corner of the room and took a seat as Sanji grabbed his own and positioned it in front of him before falling in it. Zoro pointedly ignored the way Sanji's legs fit inside his and the warmth leeching through the denim that he could very noticeably feel against the inside of his thighs.

Grinding out his cigarette on the pile, Sanji studiously cleaned his hands before turning to Zoro and with careful hands removed the bandage as painlessly as he could manage, but despite his professionalism Zoro could immediately see the horror in the blond's eyes. Self-directed hatred and abominable distraught were clear on the blond's face as Zoro knew without a doubt Sanji had already decided to blame himself; it was part of the reason he hadn't wanted Sanji to ever see the mark.

"They..." Sanji's hands lowered gently, bandage still held in a quivering grip as he stared up at the jagged laceration now running the length of Zoro's face. Neat stitches held the skin in place, and pinned his unsalvageable eye permanently shut. Sanji's voice cracked audibly as his gaze finally fell away and his head dropped as he murmured, "They did a good job."

Zoro's hand came up to snag Sanji's retreating wrist in a sharp hold, jerking harshly to get Sanji to look back up at him in surprise. Pained eyes full of guilt met Zoro's as his initial reaction faded, and the longer he looked at Sanji's hurt expression the more it wore him down.

"Don't look at me like that..." Zoro ordered, his soft tone turning his request into more of a plea, the situation already becoming far harder for him than he had initially expected. Hating the way he could see Sanji visibly blaming himself, hating that he could never take the wound back, hating that he could probably never stop Sanji from ever fully thinking it wasn't his fault.

Sanji was far less passive as he shrewdly demanded, "Like what?"

Turning his gaze away, Zoro stared out the bay windows of the hotel for several moments, feeling Sanji's wrist slip from between his slack fingers. Eventually looking back at Sanji, his statement coming out more as a groan, "Like this hurts you more than it did me."

"And what if it does?" Sanji clearly tried to put more force to his words, but it came out more as a choked growl.

"This would've happened either way," Zoro shook his head hopelessly, remembering Stussy's words as he tried to placate the other man. Regardless if their positions were reversed, Sanji shouldn't blame himself for something that was going to happen if he was there or not. "Don't you dare feel sorry for me."

"But..."

"But nothing." Zoro cut Sanji off as some of his resolution returned. Snatching up Sanji's hand in his once more and holding tight to make sure Sanji would understand how serious he was, "I don't regret a single thing; not as long as you're still alive."

"I'm not an idiot, Zoro." Even though Sanji didn't attempt to pull his hand away, Zoro could tell from the lax posture that Sanji still wasn't being swayed by Zoro's words. Hardened eyes meeting Zoro's, he muttered, "I know why all of this happened."

"And I'd do it again." Zoro blurted out rather callously, leaning in as his grip tightened earnestly and tried to force Sanji to understand his feelings through physical contact alone, "All of it. Even if it came to the same outcome, or worse."

A myriad of fluxing emotions danced across Sanji's face. Eyes fighting between hopelessness and infuriation while his lips tightened and drew down, wrestling to keep his obviously gritted teeth from showing. It seemed like he was caught between being touched by Zoro's words, and absolutely emotionally devastated by them. And Zoro was unsure what he could say that wouldn't just make matters worse.

Finally settling on a painfully blank expression, Sanji murmured, "Do you remember what I said in India?"

Zoro blanked.

Of all the things he had been expecting Sanji to say, that had not been on his list. Frowning as he tried to remember what the blond might be referring to, however a lot had taken place in India, and he could hardly begin to know where to start with what Sanji was referring to. Grip softening, his thumb unconsciously dragged across the blond's knuckles softly, shaking his head as he admitted, "There was a lot said…"

Nodding slowly, Sanji seemed to agree to that point at least as he looked away as his teeth toyed with his bottom lip and Zoro took the small moment to really take in Sanji up close. Hair tied back in a sloppy, haphazard mess that looked like it hadn't been washed for days, and the darkness forming under his eyes meant he hadn't slept much either. The unkempt stubble from the previous week was heavier, covering his healing wounds, and making him seem inexplicably older.

"I didn't…" Sanji began and Zoro eyes trailed the line of the man's jaw down to where he swallowed nervously before facing Zoro again. Eyes flitting across Zoro but refusing to make eye contact as he finally seemed to settle on Zoro's shoulder as his teeth were making a solid effort to grind themselves down, "I don't want to be that person waiting for a call to be answered by somebody who might never pick up."

Sanji's words felt akin to a bucket of ice water being dumped on his head, reeling as their conversation from the wedding came back to hit him full force. Everything he had done, and all Sanji had said - had shared - to make Zoro realize he wasn't alone in his struggle. And without even realizing it, Zoro had taken the very thing that haunted Sanji the most and made him endure it.

Jerking forward in his panic, he exclaimed in horror, "You won't! I wo-"

Cutting himself off, Zoro shook his head vigorously as he knew those weren't the right words to say. Not when this was just as important as every time Sanji had made the effort to be respectful of Zoro's own trauma, and especially not when - in his haste to protect the blond - he put himself in the very position that could hurt the blond the most. It had been different back in the weeks before, when he hadn't thought he'd meant that much to the blond, but now he knew the extent of Sanji's feelings, and what that entailed.

"Sanji." Zoro started over with a serious moue, leaning forward as much as the chair - and his stiff body - would allow. Dragging Sanji's hand forward until he was able to clasp it between his good hand as well as the one confined to the sling. Squeezing tight to force Sanji to drag his gaze up from Zoro's shoulder and look him in the eye, "I promise, I will never-"

Sanji's stare was heavy and it caused Zoro to waver a moment.

Breaking eye contact for a moment to look down at Sanji's hand that was still so concerningly lax within his hands, calluses and rough skin catching on Zoro's palms. Huffing out a breath, Zoro tightened his hands nearly desperately as he looked up again, completely resolute, "I will never put you in that position again."

The way Sanji's blue eyes began to soften eased an ache on Zoro's heart.

"If I'm still allowed to prove that to you?"

An impatient huff hissed through Sanji's teeth as Zoro could practically see his patience snapping, chair skidding roughly as Sanji stood abruptly – nearly knocking it over – as he threw himself at Zoro. One hand bracing on the table, the other came up to snag Zoro's neck and reef him forward into a desperate kiss. Eye wide for only a moment, a second later Zoro was letting it slide shut as he got his answer. Slanting his mouth over Sanji's and finally – finally – was able to know what the other man tasted like.

Lips sliding against those chapped smoker's lips as his tongue dipped inside to know exactly what he had been craving for so long. Groaning sharply, Zoro reacted almost instantly as his own hand came up to tangle in Sanji's hair as he returned the kiss with panicked fervour.

It was all so painfully intoxicating. Being able to finally hold Sanji as tightly as he had always wanted, press his lips desperately against the man, and yet still frustrated that he wasn't close enough. His entire being ached for Sanji in ways he couldn't possibly describe and it felt like nothing would ever get him close to him as he needed. But it wouldn't stop him from trying.

They eventually pulled apart far too long after Zoro realized what he had done, head drawing back as he slowly released Sanji. The blond's eyes fluttering open to look at Zoro with confusion already creasing his brow but still leaning over Zoro like he was ready to dive in again.

"Sorry." Zoro huffed out through a wide grin, knowing he should be ashamed at his lack of control, but unable to stop the elation within him from finally, properly, kissing the blond. Head still spinning, he tried to make sense of what Sanji had done, and what it all meant, and how it disrespected Sanji's wish not to do anything so long as Zoro was still involved with Kalifa. It was all so messed up, and Zoro couldn't help but guffaw as he ran a hand through his hair bashfully, "I shouldn't have..."

"What-" Sanji frowned in clear bewilderment as he straightened, "What the hell are you apologizing for?"

"You said..." Zoro's eyes slowly tracked up the length of Sanji's body; past his sockless feet and up his jean clad legs, leading to a tapered waist where his awful patterned shirt was tucked in, up the lean torso that was completely hidden behind the unflattering shirt and to his face, where blue eyes watched him with overwhelming sincerity

"W-What'd I say?"

"Kalifa. Us." Zoro managed out, immediately wincing at his inability to be at all tactful - and effectively ruin whatever moment they had been having before he had decided to mention his wife - as he gestured to the both of them, "That you didn't want..."

Sanji seemed genuinely lost for several moments before his eyes lit up with understanding followed by an unnecessary roll of his eyes as he squawked, "Oh my god, that?!"

"What?" Zoro demanded, mimicking Sanji's incredulous tone, "That's what you wanted!."

"I think after everything it's easy to say that that no longer matters." Sanji managed through a hollow laugh, smile breaking across his face as he raised a hand with a half shrug, "I mean call me old fashioned, but once your spouse tries to murder you I'm assuming it's over?"

"Par for the course." Zoro shrugged as he stiffly rose from his chair - having spent enough time sitting in his hospital bed the last few days - to properly face Sanji. "Everything's taken care of, by the way."

"Hm?" Sanji intoned at the sudden change of subject.

"Kalifa. The bounty." Zoro alluded shortly with a vague wave. Not wanting to talk much more about the awkward subject than he had to as he clarified, "They'll be sending us home soon. You can pretend like none of this ever happened."

"Pretty sure I can't." Sanji apprehensively confided - eyes flicking to Zoro's scar once more - giving a placating smile as he tried to laugh it off, "But even if I could; I wouldn't. This has been the most insane two weeks of my life!"

Sanji's jubilant behaviour not fooling Zoro for a second as he gave a soft albeit lame attempt to reassure the blond. "It's just a scar."

"I know, but..." Sanji paused, and Zoro already knew what the blond was going to say. It had been in the blond's eyes from the moment he had taken off Zoro's bandage, and had been there throughout their entire conversation, "I don't to be the cause of another."

"Yeah, I have a lot." Zoro agreed with a small frown, "and none of them remind me of anything good. They're all linked to something bad, or stupid, I did when I was younger. But this…" Zoro pointed to the wound resolutely, "this is going to remind me of when I finally turned my life around. When I realized what's important."

When he finally got Sanji.

But he wouldn't tell the blond that, and he wouldn't put Sanji in that position. However, he already knew Sanji knew all of this. From the conflicted expression on his face to his stubborn dismissal, "I won't say I like it."

"You don't have to." Zoro reassured the blond, after everything else Sanji had already done he didn't expect anything more from the man. After how understanding the blond had become after having his life threatened, his apartment blown up, and been dragged across the world; Zoro figured he'd be spending the rest of his life making it all up to the other man.

Not to mention, the blond had taken to the entire experience and even saved Zoro's life on occasion. If he hadn't stubbornly followed along and gone to get Kohza, then Zoro would likely be dead in some warehouse after bleeding out. This whole fiasco may have started out with Zoro saving Sanji's life, but the blond had more than returned the favour… perhaps before he had even realized it...

"Thank you for everything you did the other day." Zoro muttered, stepping in closer, "If you hadn't gotten Kohza there in time I probably would've bled out."

"Of course!" Sanji scolded, "I told you I'm not letting you get rid of me that easily."

"Right... Right..." Zoro amended with a jovial nod and a fond chuckle, hand dragging across his jaw while scratching absently. Pausing thoughtfully as he recounted all the other times in the past weeks Sanji had managed to save his skin, "I guess that makes us even, huh?"

"Hmm." Sanji mused, actually seeming to pause to mentally tally their score despite Zoro not knowing why he'd bother and not just take the win for what it was. Rolling his eye as Sanji started shaking his head in disappointment, "Naw, not quite. I think you still have one up on me."

"No," Shaking his head fondly in disagreement, Zoro realized something he should have noticed months ago. The day that everything had changed, and the moment that had sent this whole damned whirlwind in motion, "we're even."

"Really?" Sanji cocked an eyebrow, "Am I forgetting one? Cuz I'm not counting that whole wedding fiasco; I ended up getting myself out of that mess… Crazily enough. Which is something I still can't believe I managed to pull off - I mean - I could've gotten my head shot off if I'd messed that up."

A chuckle shook Zoro's shoulders at Sanji's ramblings, before shaking his head to dismiss the blond's confusion. Thinking back to that mild spring day when his eyes had first landed on the blond; in his work scrubs, juggling several coffees, and grinning at him. Finally responding, "When you gave me your coffee."

"Pfht." Sanji's scoff seemed to almost take himself by surprise, before breaking out into a snicker with a ludicrous roll of his eyes, "How does that possibly count?"

"Meeting you saved my life."

For what felt like the first time, Sanji was left speechless. No witty remark, or snide comeback. No teasing mockery, or nervously laughed off jibe. Just wide eyed stunned silence as he looked at Zoro nearly distraught as Zoro found another urge welling within him that he couldn't find the ability to stop in time.

"Sanji, I-" Zoro faltered as abruptly as he started, the words he had been dying to say for weeks now dying in his throat as he had no idea how to bring himself to say it. The words that he had repeated so many times to Kalifa in hollow repetition just didn't feel like they did justice to what he felt for Sanji. This overwhelming, consuming emotion that he had been drowning in for months now that he had never before experienced from another person.

How was he possibly supposed to express it?!

"I know." Sanji murmured softly, the achingly sincere words drawing Zoro out of his self-depricating spiral of panic as he glanced up at the blond in surprise. Eyes wide, he met Sanji's own soothing soft blue, a breathtaking smile reaching his lips as he continued, "You don't have to say it."

Zoro was at a loss, completely unable to fathom how Sanji could possibly know what Zoro was dying to say. However, it shouldn't have been a surprise since Sanji had been able to read him far better and for much longer than he had ever thought possible. Muttering with not nearly as much disbelief as was warranted, "How?"

"You took a bullet for me." Sanji stressed the word, as though that alone was more than a perfect explanation before continuing with a puzzled expression on his face, "Multiple actually; how else am I supposed to interpret that?"

"Total accident." Zoro declined childishly, a grin splitting his face, "Wrong place, wrong time."

"You're telling me you got lost?"

"Ye- No!" Zoro's smile fell from his face in record time as he narrowed his eyes at the snickering blond. It seemed Sanji had recovered his aplomb and was back to his normal teasing self, Zoro grimacing as he attempted half-heartedly, "Bad timing?"

"Everything about us seems like bad timing." Sanji chuckled, his eyes falling to the gold band still prominently on Zoro's finger. Yet, despite how playful his tone was, Zoro could hear the resounding pain underneath it.

Reaching up and wrestling the ring off his finger, Zoro turned towards the open bay windows and hucked it without a second thought. Turning back to the blond who actually seemed rather surprised by the gesture as Zoro just levelled him with a resolute stare.

This time Zoro got the opportunity to properly lean in and kiss Sanji the way he had always pictured in his head; to make up for the way he had the other day. Hand slipping up to tangle in soft curls, cradle the back of the blond's head and pull him in for a slow, lax kiss. Able to really relax into it in a way he wanted to from the first moment all those weeks ago when he had first realized his want to kiss the blond.

Zoro's chest was pinched for an entirely different reason as the tenderness and gentle motions of the kiss were cutting off his capacity to breathe. Far more intent on just continuing to taste the lips sliding against his than to take a moment to remember to inhale through his nose; it was as though he was a teenager again and was kissing someone for the first time and had forgotten he could still function even with someone attached to his lips.

With a final, chaste kiss Sanji pulled away, "Just so we're clear; I feel the same way... You can drag me across the world anytime..."

"Kicking and screaming?"

Sanji conceded with a fond smile, leaning up to capture Zoro's lips in another kiss while murmuring against them softly, "Would you have it any other way?"

"Probably not."

"Good."

~X~

"Stop picking at it." The blond's hand shot out to try and bat away Zoro's from where it was currently scratching at the laceration on his face that was hidden by layers of bandages. His scolding sounding akin to how one would chastise a child.

"It's itchy." Zoro groused, hand dropping from his cheek to his shoulder where he began rubbing at the bandage concealing the bullet wound; rubbing vigorously at the fabric in an attempt to relieve some of the irritation. With no more distractions or death threats, he was now at the point of healing where all he had to do now was take drugs to mask the pain, and deal with the mind numbing sensation of his wounds itching until they fully healed.

It was the worst…

Shaking his head, Sanji chided, "Don't make me hold your hand."

Almost.

"Is that a threat?" Glancing out of his good eye at the man walking in step with him and was conveniently always on his right side - if the blond thought Zoro hadn't noticed then he was sorely mistaken. A teasing grin lighting up Zoro's face as he watched the blond physically wrestle down a smile of his own.

"...yes." He grunted back childishly.

Zoro lifted his one good shoulder in a half shrug. "Doesn't sound so bad."

"I can make it bad if you want?" Sanji offered with a sincerity that was borderline mockery, eyes wide and smile beaming. And despite the empty threat, Zoro couldn't help but love that everything felt like it was back to normal. Back to them teasing each other, expect this time if he wanted to lean in and kiss the blond, well, there was nothing that could stop him.

Pushing down the urge for now, Zoro rolled his one good eye with a drawl, "How could you possibly make it bad?"

"Man, you really - obviously - never had brothers." Sanji shook his head almost wistfully, "Ever had a hug turn into a suplex? Cause I have."

"Can't say that I have."

"Well, you're not missing out."

Staying just a few steps behind the agent that had been guiding them across the tarmac of the airport, their playful bickering trailed off as they neared the small jet that'd be taking them home. A couple of familiar faces waiting for them by the stairs had Sanji dropping their conversation about brotherly antics and darting ahead to greet them with Zoro following behind at a much more leisurely pace.

As drugged up as he was, he was in no mood to move faster than he had to anymore, arriving at Sanji's side long after he had already fawned over Stussy. The woman in question was looking practically flawless except for the way she favoured her side where her injury was still fresh. He was just glad to see he rup and about considering the state he had left her in. Remarking, "You look good."

A sardonic look twisted her face as she intoned, "You look like shit."

Zoro barked a laugh. "I've been better."

"You got some dumb luck working for you," Kohza smirked, with a disbelieving shake of his head. Glancing about in regards to not only their current situation, but their entire ridiculous adventure. "Everything working out like this."

Chuckling, Zoro agreed with a nod, "Wouldn't have if not for you two."

"Still not going to thank me?" Stussy butted in with a teasing smirk.

"I'll send a card."

Stussy gave an amused snort before dismissing him as she strode over to Sanji with outspread arms. Pulling him down into a hug as she crooned, "Give us a hug, darling. And don't let that stupid lug get you into any more life threatening disasters that I have to personally pull you out of."

Sanji's eyes flickered to Zoro as he murmured around a grin, "I'll try."

Shaking his head at her behaviour, Zoro turned back to Kohza and extended his good which Kohza ignored in favour of pulling him into a one armed hug. Patting him firmly on the back before pulling away to clamp his hand down on Kohza's shoulder with a squeeze, "Thanks for having us. And sorry for the trouble."

"We'll come visit you next time." Kohza grinned. "A little less drama, hopefully."

"I look forward to it."

A soft cough had Zoro glancing over to the agent that had escorted them to the airport and was seeing them off. Leaving Sanji with the couple, he made his way over to where the agent stood, came to a stop in front of the man and waited silently for him to speak.

"I hope this will be the last time we see each other." The agent grunted with an extended hand, "And I mean that with most utter sincerity."

Taking the man's hand, he gave a firm shake as he nodded, "Feeling's mutual."

"One final thing, Roronoa." The agent muttered, "I've been tasked to inform you that the department thanks you for assistance - despite your methods," He continued, "And if there is ever anything we can do for you?"

Zoro shook his head softly, gaze turning towards the blond man currently waving his hands about eccentrically as he babbled happily to Stussy and Kohza. Face alight and healthy - no more bags under his eyes, or weary lines in his cheeks - after having finally gotten what was no doubt the first stress free sleep he had gotten in weeks the other night.

Every bit the bubbly blond he remembered from before all of this had happened. As Zoro watching the smiling man, he knew he wanted nothing more than to go back to his old life – the life in Merryville – except this time start over with Sanji.

Settle down. Live a simple life. In a quiet town...

Everything Zoro was supposed to have done three years ago he could now do right; get a house together, get married, maybe adopt a few dogs... A thought slowly occurred to him as he turned back to the other agent who regarded him in interest, raising a brow behind his sunglasses. Soft smile reaching Zoro's lips as he murmured, "Actually..."

TBC...