Scene from a story not yet written but won't likely be put in as it's part of my drabble list :)

Surgery

Sanji found himself wandering once again into the infirmary. Looking down at the pale, nearly grey, face of the 'boy' they had taken in weeks ago, the boy, Ion, who ended up being a girl, Shion. The same girl who got shot through the back protecting Nami from an enemy weapon, an enemy that she and her small charge, Wendy, had been running from. Taking on the guise of a boy to hide herself from her pursuers- to protect herself and the young girl under her care. Chopper had kindly allowed Wendy to sleep in the infirmary with her guardian, which was what she was doing now- on the floor.

Sanji bend and picked up the child, putting her the bed beside the injured woman and tucking the blanket tight around them both. Poor child had made herself nearly sick with worry and refused to leave the infirmary for anything other then to take care of the most basic of needs

The bullet had nicked Shion's heart. Sanji remembered returning from the severe beat down the Straw Hats had provided to the rival Pirates who at not only threatened their new friends but them as well, only to find Chopper still in a desperate struggle to save the young woman's life. The extent of her injuries had been worse then they had thought. It had taken many hours and a steady rotation of crew members as assistants to help the reindeer close the larger wound properly, as well as care for the smaller less life threatening wounds that had come from the fight before hand. Sanji as a chef was used to seeing the insides of things- but he'd found his limit when it had come to humans, especially pretty girls. Still help the doctor he had done, his careful and steady chefs hands helping to make the small incisions required for the surgery and the stitch up when Chopper had got to tired and shaky to do it himself.

Afterward the tiny doctor had taken to his bed, exhausted, confident his patient would not die immediately if he left her alone. The Crew had then taken shifts again, this time to check on their guest following Choppers strict orders on how to check vitals and bandages. But they were restless, all of them, no one handled the severely injured well to begin with- Chopper aside. And in those restless hours when Sanji found himself with idle hands, having done all the things he set out to do and then some for the day, he found himself come down here and thinking back. Unable to wipe the sight from his mind, Shion laying lifeless, Wendy sobbing over her as blood flooded from the wounds- thinking her only friend dead. Nami pale faced with shock, surprised to be alive. Sanji bit down on the cigarette between his lips, unlit as a respect for Choppers rule of no smoking in the infirmary and sat down on the floor beside the bed. His hand shaking slightly. A tiny hand patted his cheek startling him. He looked up to see Wendy giving him a sleepy smile. "Hey kiddo." Sanji greeting trying to look unfazed by the situation.

"Here again cook-san?" the 8 year old asked in her small polite voice. Her light lavender eyes droppy from lack of sleep.

"Yeah."

"You're worried."

"We all are, you're guardian is a friend after all."

"Is that why you all helped us?"

Sanji nodded, "that and we sort of owe her one, she saved one of our Nakama after all."

"Nami-san was just here."

"Was she?"

Wendy nodded, yawning. Turning to look at Shion. "Do you think she will wake soon?"

Sanji took the cigarette from his lips, "I am sure she will."

"Nami was saying we will be as Crystal Island soon."

Ahhh Crystal Island- the island that Shion and Wendy had been trying to make it to before the proverbial shit at hit the fan. Where Shion knew people who Wendy could be left safely with while she went back to the sea. Sanji remembered then, standing beside her- in the guise of Ion- on the deck of the Merry one night watching the sun set. Shion at looked out over the ocean with such longing, that had been the first time she had really opened up. The way she spoke of the sea was the way Sanji recalled himself talking of the All-Blue. It wasn't until Wendy had spilled the beans about the whole story that Sanji really understood why Ion had not actually followed that dream, to sail and explore- see the world in it's entirety. "I promise we won't leave until she wakes up if we get there first." Sanji promised the little lady. Ruffling her hair.

Wendy giggled. "I like you Sanji, all of you. I think it would not be a bad thing for Shion to have you as friends."

"Oh?"

Wendy nodded again. "She smiles with you all. She never smiled before. I like seeing her smile. I want her to smile always."

Sanji stared at the child for a moment, surprised at such mature words coming from such a young person. "She means a lot to you doesn't she?"

"Mmmm hmmmm." Wendy's smile was the brightest he'd seen in days.

"Hey I got an idea." Sanji wanted to take her poor mind off the worry of her guardian. He jumped to his feet. "Let's go make some of those muffin's you liked so much last week."

"The tangerine jam filled ones?" Wendy looked lively sitting up

Sanji nodded offering his hand. "Come on. I'll let you lick the spoon."

"Ok." She cheered hopping from the bed, taking his hand. At the door she stopped and looked back, a frown crossing her face again.

"Don't worry." Sanji assured her, sensing her indecision to leave. "Nothing bad will happen to either of you on this ship. I promise."

Wendy smiled again as Luffy's voice was heard from the deck, yelling something unintelligible to them inside, but judging by the sound of running and laughter there was one heck of a game going on. "Do you mind if I go play with Luffy instead Sanji?" she asked

"Go ahead," Sanji chuckled. "I will bring the muffins when they are done."

"Yay!" Wendy ran off. Leaving Sanji to be the one to look back into the room.

"You should wake up soon Shion. That girl's heart is going to break if you don't."