The guys finished their meal and paid. Zoro and Luffy went off in one direction while Sanji and Zari went off in the other. Sanji took her backpack away, and when she tried to protest, he merely waggled his index finger in her face. Sanji and Zari stopped off in a clothing store as they headed towards market. She bought a few dresses, for no other clothes would suit her body now. "Here let me," Sanji said and went for the clothes.

"Oniisan!" Zari snapped playfully and snatching the clothes away. "I'd like to do some things myself!" She chirped with a bright smile. "Thanks you're a good friend, looking after me and all."

"I want my close friend to be happy, and I'm happy for you." Sanji said smiling casually back. "You told me years ago that you wanted two things out of life: to tell a great tale and to have a family."

"I never expected to become a pirate but I have no regrets. I do my best to live without them." Zari replied, smiling wearily now.

"Well you've been telling our tales and adventures and now you're pregnant. Seems to me you're almost there." Sanji said encouragingly as they walked side by side. "I'm really happy for," he trailed when he noticed she had stopped. He looked back at her to find her standing there with her face buried in the bag of clothes. "What's wrong?" He asked as he ran back to her.

"Ace! What about Ace?! God, I need to know he's okay!" She cried as Sanji put his arm around her.

"I'm sorry but I have no words of comfort for you, Imouto." He whispered and then took the clothes from her. "Come on," he continued and ushered her toward the market.

"How's Nami and Robin?" Zari sniffled, rubbing her eyes.

"Miss Nami! Still wonderfully gorgeous and intelligent!" Sanji sang and his eyes glazed over with love. "Robin-chan - serene and cunning as ever!" Zari chuckled to his response. Sanji bought some supplies and then escorted her to the Thousand Sunny.

When they came to the harbor, Zari was looking forward to seeing the Merry Go. "Where's the Merry?" She asked with concern thick in her voice.

"A lot has happened since you left. We stopped by Water 7 and they checked out Merry." Sanji said sadly as be started down the dock toward Sunny. "They said the keel was beyond saving. However, Merry wasn't the only problem that happened at Water 7." Zari raised a brow at that. "There was some infighting between Luffy and Usopp because of Merry's condition and that we had to get a new ship. Then there was a situation with Robin nearly ending with her in Impel Down."

"What! I leave for a while and everything falls apart!" Zari cried in shock. "So how did it turn out?"

"We got Robin back, and Usopp apologized and returned." Sanji said as he looked up at Sunny. "It was one of the most intense times I've ever experienced." He said flicking his cigarette to the dock and rubbing it out. "Everything's back to normal now, and we have two new crew mates."

"Oh really," Zari said softly with intrigue. "I can't wait to meet them. To end up on our crew - they have to be interesting, passionate, and strong." She gave a weary smile. Sanji placed his hand getting on the middle of her back and ushered her up the stairs.

When she got on deck and saw all the greenery, Zari's jaw dropped in awe of it. She walked over to the tree and felt the leaves on the tree. "It's real. That's amazing!"

"Franky will be happy to hear the praise of his ship." Sanji laughed as he watched her carefully get down on her shins in the grassy deck. He then squatted next to her. "Wait until you see everything else he put into this ship."

"I told you I heard voices Usopp," Chopper shouted as he came out with Usopp behind him. Sanji and Zari looked up at them happily.

"Zari!" Chopper cried running down as fast as he could. "I've missed you!"

"Careful Chopper!" Sanji warned him suddenly, knowing he'd want to jump and hug her. Chopper skidded to a halt beside Zari as Usopp stopped behind him.

Usopp gave her a good study as she sat there smiling at them. Something was different. Her swords were cross mounted on her back. She was wearing a blue dress, large orange hat that seemed familiar, and a green striped backpack while Sanji carried her own. Then he put more attention to her actual physic.

"Zari, you gained weight! I never would have expected you to put on the pounds!" He laughed lowly. Zari's expression went dark. Upon seeing this, Usopp immediately got nervous and started backing away. He didn't expect to get sucker punched upside the head.

"You never talk about a woman's weight, idiot!" Sanji growled as Usopp grabbed his head.

"She's not fat - she's pregnant!" Chopper cheered as he has his hoof on her tummy. "Can I listen?" Zari smiled as she put her hand on his hat.

"Sure you can listen Doctor Chopper," she said with a smile.

"Calling me 'Doctor' won't make me happy, you asshole!" Chopper giggled as he wiggled. Zari chuckled warmly. She missed her crew, but now all she wanted was to know her lover was safe.

"Just be careful with your antlers." Zari warned him calmly. Chopper had calmed down, and he pressed his ear gently to her stomach. Usopp and Sanji came back while Chopper listened. When he pulled away and smiled. "Do you think you'll be able to handle a pregnant woman, Chopper?"

"I've done it once before with Doctorine, but I'm also sure Nami may know what I don't; together you'll have a safe delivery. You should sleep. You look tired." Chopper said leading her to a bed. "Make sure to get plenty of sleep and no stressing." Chopper led Zari to the women's dorm. "We'll make a nursery for you. Now got to bed and remember - no stressing!" He said seriously shoving her in gently and then closed the door behind her.

"That'll be hard for her, Chopper." Sanji muttered lowly. "The father has disappeared, and she wants to know he's okay. He was in a in big battle and disappeared." He said softly.

"Sanji, are you sure he's not gone - like in a more permanent way?" Chopper asked lowly and the door flew back open.

"Don't say that! Never say that!" She yelled at him, causing Chopper to cry out in fear. "I'd rather spend my life in denial than admit Ace was beaten so simply. Ace is strong and a fighter. H-he wouldn't go without - without saying goodbye to me." Zari cried then turned and slammed the door.

"Way to go Chopper!" Sanji groaned in irritation. Had it been any of the other guys, he would have hit him upside the head, but Chopper was a kid. "She's probably crying her sweet little eyes out."

"I'm sorry!" Chopper cried, tears streaming as he blubbered. He pounded on the door. "Zari! I'm sorry! Don't get upset! You could hurt the baby!"

"Chopper. Stop. Let her be. She just needs to let it out and sleep." Usopp said as he squatted down beside his little buddy.

"Guys, help me shift the food in the pantry." Sanji said and as he walked away. "Can you build me a large cabinet that locks, Usopp?"

"Yeah. I believe I can do that." Usopp said looking thoughtful. Then the three of them headed to the pantry.