AN: Okay, I don't know what happened but it was a happy thing because today I was able to write two and a half chapters for this story! Yay~!! I wanted to continue but it's around midnight and my inspiration has gone to bed, and so must I. :P

Thanks guys for supporting me, even when it takes me forever to update, and I hope you like it. :D

I do not own One Piece.

Nami was sullen as they walked to the shipyards…but he had figured she would be. It was more than a little annoying that she thought he was stupid enough to think she would be cowed into submission by a single threat. Obviously she was the type of girl who would need to be convinced, not blackmailed. The only reason he had resorted to blackmail this morning was because he couldn't think of anything else to do with her…In fact, he should be thinking about what he would tell his mentor when they got there, otherwise he was going to be stuck with that problem a lot more…

He glanced back at her briefly. She had her arms crossed over her chest as she followed him, looking sulky and adorable…But on the other hand she was flashing way to much skin for his comfort, and she knew it. Her reaction to his embarrassment was evidence enough of that, but did she have to…The shipwright blushed furiously just thinking about it…tell him he'd have to dress her himself if he wanted her to wear something else?! It had been completely unnecessary to tease him that way and he resented how easily she had fallen into the hated pattern…It seemed like in one way or another every woman he had ever known enjoyed teasing him…

He grumbled under his breath and re-focused on where he was going.

The gigantic Dock No.1 doors came into sight…Iceburg-san would probably be in his office…but he couldn't just bring her with him…not if he was going to explain things without her jumping in to shout at him.

So instead of going into the main building he led her through the side gate and into the shipyards…he knew exactly what to do with the stubborn woman.

Behind him he heard her gasp and he swung back around quickly.

Nami had stopped and was staring around the shipyard's compound with wide eyes. "…Wow…" She murmured softly and he smirked.

"What? You didn't bother checking the shipyards out before you jumped right in?" Her insistence that she was thorough and that last night had only been bad luck annoyed him…It didn't matter how thorough she was if she was caught.

The petite woman's eyebrow rose challengingly at his tone. "Iceburg's office is on the other side of the building…and the main doors on this side. Tell me Paulie, why would I want to go through the main doors?" Tossing her fiery hair off her shoulder she crossed her arms to glare up at him. "I know the layout of the building, and if I had to leave a different way than I came in, I'd prefer it to be relatively close to my break in point."

He frowned…he wasn't sure what to say to that and it annoyed him. Undaunted by his expression the thief bat her eyelashes up at him, a smirk playing with the corners of her mouth. "Try to think these things through next time before you bring them up, alright?"

Ignoring how his frown morphed back into a glare Nami sauntered past him. "Weren't we going to talk to someone?" She asked in a sugary voice. Clearly she felt her point had been made and that she had won the argument.

As he moved past her to lead her further in he whispered, "Lot of good that did you last night, huh?" and heard the small angry noise she made in response.

He led her past the HQ building entirely, without further arguing from either of them, and finally spotted the man he was looking for. Hiding his grin he motioned her forward again and she reluctantly followed.

"Hey Tyselin!"

The giant man turned as Paulie called to him. Tyselin was in his late 40's with longish black hair and a gray beard, he was at least a foot and a half taller than the blond, and though he was older than the normal shipwrights his skills were still amazing. The older man was enormously strong, and with his size he looked very wild and fierce, but Paulie knew perfectly well that the other carpenter was one of the nicest men in the city.

"Woah~! Paulie!!!" The taller man's voice was raised in a constant shout, (which he privately believed had to do with the fact that Tyselin was going deaf and thought he needed to speak louder so others could hear him.) "You're really late today!!"

He shrugged carelessly. "Yeah, I guess. Hey Tyselin…Can you do me a favor?" The enormous man grinned down at him widely, pleased that he had asked. "Of course I can!! Whatever you need!!"

Now he couldn't hide his grin and he motioned Nami forward again, who had stopped to stare up at the wild giant with raised eyebrows. "This is Nami, a friend of mine."

Hearing her name the thief looked back at him. When she saw his smug face her eyes narrowed, but he had already continued. "She's visiting for a bit and I don't want her getting lost while I go talk to Iceburg-san…Would you mind keeping an eye on her and making sure she doesn't wander off?" He tried to give an innocent smile but hearing the petite woman behind him curse he knew it was more like a smirk.

Tyselin looked at him and then her, and then him again. "Ah!!" He said, seeming to understand. "Sure, I'll keep your friend out of trouble for a bit!!"

Paulie gave a quick salute. "Thanks man, I'll be back soon." And then turned back towards the building. Walking past her he paused briefly. "Try not to get into trouble." He murmured then walked away. He could just imagine the look on her face…

Whistling cheerfully the shipwright continued on towards the Galley-La Headquarters, and his waiting boss.

**

Paulie's "friend" he had left her with seemed determined to keep her entertained and after a few moments of showing her around she found, to her surprise, that she was

.

Tyselin-san was loud, and seemed almost crazy, but he was funny and soon the petite thief found herself laughing as the giant man told her more about the place and people where they worked. It was made funnier by the fact that everyone could hear him and sometimes the things he had to say were…not the nicest.

"Oh!!" The big man pointed at a group of carpenters leaning against a work table, seemingly on break. "That's Jansen's group! They're a bunch of slackers!!" Said group all jumped at Tyselin-san's voice, and within seconds it seemed they had all found something to do. Nami couldn't stop herself from laughing each time something like this happened.

It took a surprisingly short amount of time to make a complete circle around the shipyards, and eventually they returned to the work station he had been at originally…Though now it appeared to be occupied by a dark haired man decorated with tattoos across both arms and chest, wearing a pair of dark sunglasses.

"Ah!! Lulu!!"

The man, Lulu she assumed, turned at the sound of his co-worker's voice, trying in vain to push down one stubborn lock of black hair that was stuck in a point. As soon as he had tamed one another would spring back up in its place.

Stopping in front of the new carpenter Tyselin-san grinned down at her. "Nami-san, this is Lulu!! Lulu, this is Nami-san!!" The other man took her hand in a firm handshake, one eyebrow raised behind his dark shades. "She's a friend of Paulie's!" Tyselin-san added belatedly.

Now both of the shipwright's eyebrows raised, incredulous, and the lovely woman inwardly smirked. Outwardly though she fluttered her eyelashes flirtatiously, allowing a sweet smile onto her mouth. "It's a pleasure to meet you Lulu-san."

**

Kalifa had given him the go ahead but Paulie stood outside his mentor's office nervously…He knew what he was going to say…and he knew Iceburg-san would probably be able to tell it was a lie, (sort of…) but he couldn't really think of anything else he could do…Until Nami calmed down and accepted how things were he was either going to be stuck without coming into work, or he'd have to tie her up in his apartment…And neither thought was appealing.

Taking another deep breath, and ignoring the lovely blond woman who he knew was watching his back curiously, the shipwright reached out and opened the door.

The mayor was sitting at his desk, his eyes running over a list of papers when the younger man entered. "Hello Paulie." He said without raising his eyes. "I had expected you a bit earlier than this."

Though there was no chastisement in his voice the blond winced. He hated the idea of letting Iceburg-san down at all… "Sorry sir…" He said quietly. "I…do you have a moment…?"

His mentor motioned him near as he finished reading the paper he was on; leaning back in his chair and slipping off his glasses…Paulie couldn't help but notice how tired he looked.

Steeling himself again the younger man took the initiative to speak before his teacher. "Iceburg-san…there's something I need to tell you…about Nami…" Feeling self conscious he looked down at the floor when the purple haired man had raised his eyes.

"Yes…?" From his tone the younger carpenter could tell his mentor was expecting a confession about last night…Unfortunately that wasn't what he was here for.

"Iceburg-san…" He licked his suddenly dry lips nervously. "Nami is…Nami is…" It was much harder to say out loud than how he had practiced in his mind. "Nami is suicidal sir."

He didn't need to be looking at him mentor to know he had blinked in surprise. That wasn't at all what he was expecting.

"We've been friends for a long time sir, and…She's just…gotten into a place in her life where she's been out doing dangerous things…" That was true at least. His annoyance at her risky actions rising again, he allowed it to be heard in his voice. "She's been doing stupid things…thrill seeking, and risk taking, and…" The blond ground his teeth around his cigar. "She wants to go off and do something that will definitely get her killed and I…" He paused before continuing. "I can't let that happen sir…She's…" Unhappily he felt the blush rising to his cheeks, but he knew it made his story more believable and if that was what it took…Swallowing he finished. "She's important to me, sir. I can't let that happen…"

Iceburg-san was quiet for several moments.

"And I'm guessing you have a solution to that…" He finally said, no hint of his feelings in his voice. Still looking at the ground the younger man shrugged slightly. "Not a perfect solution but…" He raised his eyes slightly, still feeling nervous. "I'm letting her stay with me for the time being…" He paused again, thinking how best to frame it. "Well, it's more like I won't let her leave." He admit. "If I did she would go out and die…"

Suddenly all his frustration at her idiotic choices made him angry all over again. Without realizing it the blond had begun pacing in front of his mentor's desk. "She's being so stubborn!" He nearly groaned. "Why can't she just accept the fact that I'm not gonna let her go out there and get herself killed…?"

Iceburg-san clearing his throat brought Paulie's attention back to his teacher and he felt his blush deepen. "S-Sorry sir." He murmured feeling embarrassed.

"Do you have a solution to your friend's problem?" The president asked again, this time with a soothing edge in his tone.

"Er…Yes sir…It's a pretty complicated problem, and it might take a while but I'm sure I can fix it…it's…" He finally mustered the courage to look up and meet the master shipwright's eyes. "It's keeping Nami from doing something stupid before I'm done that I wanted to talk to you about…"

Iceburg-san nodded for him to continue.

"I…She…" He took in a deep breath and started again. "I can't leave her alone sir…Which means I won't be able to work for a while…um…unless…" He scrubbed the back of his neck, feeling it burning with embarrassment still. "I-I was wondering if I could do some half days and just bring her with me…?" He asked meekly. "She won't be any trouble while we're here-"

His teacher cut him off with a raised hand. "How long do you think you will need to keep that schedule?"

Paulie swallowed again…He had no idea…If he could get Nami to agree without being an idiot about it than not that long, but if she insisted on being stubborn until the money was raised…

"I don't know sir…hopefully not too long but…Nami is stubborn." He said again. "I honestly don't have any idea how long it will take to get her to agree with me."

The blond shrugged helplessly. He didn't like lying to Iceburg-san in the first place, and he didn't like not being able to give him a clear idea of what was going on…

His teacher tapped his fingers against the desk, a sign that he was thinking it over, before rising from his large office chair. "Let's go speak with your friend." The older man said calmly. "Maybe I can help you guess how long it might be."

Paulie felt a nervous wave of panic. He didn't want Iceburg-san and Nami to meet…He couldn't put his finger on the reason why but he really didn't like that idea.

But what other choice was there…?

Feeling anxious he walked beside his mentor, through the HQ's halls and out into the bright sunshine of the worker's compound. He had left her with Tyselin, but even if he didn't know where he had left her he was able to guess instantly where she was…

There was a large group of carpenters and shipwrights…mostly the younger men, gathered around Tyselin's desk, appearing enthralled with something in that area.

Not realizing it Paulie groaned as he made his way over to the crowd. Somehow…he really should have expected this…Nami was sitting on Lulu's desk, enchanting the men around her and wrapping them neatly around her fingers.

Muttering under his breath the blond pushed his way into the crowd and towards the woman at the center who was the cause of so much trouble. "Nami!" He snapped when he was close enough for her to hear him. "Nami!"

The petite thief looked back at him and fluttered her eyelashes in a distracting way before turning back to her group of admirers. "Excuse me fellas." She said sweetly. "I've gotta go now, but it was so nice to meet all of you."

Immediately there were protests at the idea of her leaving but after catching a look at Paulie's face those complaints stopped and it took only a few moments for the area to clear. The shipwright's annoyance faded just as quickly as it had come as he remembered he was going to have to introduce her to his mentor.

Glancing nervously at the president he moved closer to her. "Iceburg-san wants to talk to us." His voice was quiet and he used the pretense of helping her down off the table to lean in so she could hear him. "I uh…I'm not sure what about…"

The copper haired woman gave him an unreadable look as she took his hand and slipped from the table top. What had happened last night was the obvious thing to think, but Paulie was more worried about his teacher saying something to give away the conversation they had just had in his office. There was a reason he hadn't brought her with him after all.

**

She couldn't tell what he was thinking from the look on his face, and that worried her. Iceburg-san was standing next to Lulu-san and Tyselin-san, nodding his head at whatever the younger man was saying but his eyes remained glued to her.

This was bad…

The fear of jail had faded last night but the mayor's knowing gaze brought it all back to the surface and the jittery young woman almost wanted to hide behind the carpenter with her.

Lulu-san finished whatever he had been saying and the two other men waved goodbye cheerfully before going back to their work. The purple haired man came towards them; for a second she wanted to run but then Paulie's hand brushed against her arm and he whispered "Its okay." Next to her ear. Raising her eyes briefly to the man next to her Nami forced her body to relax…He was looking calm as the other man approached, and she was reminded that he had lied for her last night…she had no reason to doubt him.

"Nami-san?" The mayor's voice was neutral as he reached out his hand. "We met last night."

Keeping her own tone light she followed his lead and took his hand to shake it. "Iceburg-san, I apologize for keeping him so long." She turned to motion towards the blond. "We just had a lot to talk about."

"That's alright. Paulie hardly ever takes breaks."

In her peripheral vision she could see the man they were talking about looking back and forth between them, a vaguely suspicious look taking over his features and she nearly laughed. In spite of herself Nami found herself relaxing. His wariness as the two discussed him was…cute…and the thief allowed the slightest hint of a smile to slip onto her face.

"What can I do for you today Iceburg-san?" The older man's blank face didn't worry her anymore…if anything she was reminded of Gen-san again, and she certainly knew how to deal with him.

Both shipwright's with her blinked as her attitude shifted completely.

The mayor glanced briefly at the blond but brought his attention back to her quickly. "Paulie was telling me you've gotten into a little bit of trouble that you need help with."

Arching one eyebrow she looked at her companion who had the grace to blush. "Did he now?" But she could chastise him later, so she re-focused on the man in front of her. "He exaggerated, I'm sure." She spoke confidently. "I've got a bit of trouble but it's nothing that I can't handle." This time she did allow herself to smile, looking at the older man with a whimsical grin.

The blond next to her grunted but she ignored him again.

"I was under the impression that Paulie wanted to help you…"

Nami prepared herself to brush the offer of help off…If she could convince the Galley-La president that she didn't need to be baby-sat then Paulie would have no more ground to stand on…But Iceburg was quicker. "And, since you two are such old friends, I'm sure you wouldn't mind letting him lend a hand." His voice was still mild and his face was still politely distant, but something told her the mayor was going to be as troublesome as Paulie…

Her eyes narrowed slightly. She didn't know what her companion had told his boss but it probably wasn't good. "But surely you need him here?" She asked sweetly. "I'm fine, and I really wouldn't want to distract him from his work." Innocently she smiled at the carpenters. "I appreciate your concern but really…I've just got a little bit of trouble with money, but it's not that bad."

Again the older man's eyes flickered to the blond before coming back to her. If only she knew what the idiot had told him…!!

"It's not a little bit of trouble…" She sent her own look to her companion but he ignored the warning in her glance. "You need help and I'm going to help you!!" He crossed his arms across his chest, glaring down at her. Ignoring Iceburg briefly she glared right back up at him. "I don't recall asking for you to butt in! I don't need help!"

"Yes you do!!" He insisted angrily.

"No I don't!!"

"Yes you do!!"

"No I don't!!"

"Yes you-"

"Enough!!"

Startled the two looked back at Iceburg who was shaking his head at them. At the work bench behind him Lulu and Tyselin had both stopped what they had been doing and were watching the argument with mild amusement. Another man, a tall, thin man that she hadn't met yet, had joined them at the table and he was also watching them, eyebrows raised.

"Children," Iceburg said drying. "Don't you think you could settle this easier if you weren't shouting at each other?"

She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, they had been acting childish, and her only comfort was that his face was also burning a dull red. The mayor's blank mask had dropped away and she was even more embarrassed to realize he was also smiling at them in amusement.

"I don't know what your situation is…" The older man began, his voice much more relaxed. "However, I can't imagine letting someone help you causing more problems."

He turned to look at the other shipwright, who was looking at the ground, embarrassed. "I'm a bit surprised thought Paulie." He waited until the younger man looked up at him before continuing. "Money isn't usually your strong point." He said mildly.

While this didn't make sense to her the blond gasped and then suddenly began swearing heavily. She raised an eyebrow at him as the carpenter turned away from them both, the stream of swear words continuing, becoming more… colorful.

Iceburg, sensing her surprised confusion, cleared his throat to recapture her attention. "I take it you don't know about Paulie's little problem?"

She sent a quick look at his back but when he didn't turn she looked back at the mayor and shook her head slowly.

"Koo koo!! He's an idiot is his problem!!" She blinked, but the purple haired man didn't seem surprised. He turned to look at the new speaker.

From behind Iceburg another man was walking up, a tall man with dark, wavy hair, wearing a top hat and a pigeon on his shoulder. The man's face was completely blank and when the voice spoke again it didn't come from him. "This moron has wracked up a huge amount of debt!!"

Again she jumped in surprise. The pigeon, wearing a tie of all things!, shook its feathery head and continued. "He gambles way too much! Koo koo!"

"Eh….?!" She hardly even noticed his words, too entranced by the unusual sight. "Why are you…" Then it clicked. "You're a ventriloquist, right?"

The dark haired man tipped his hat to her as the 'pigeon' spoke again. "My name is Hattori and this is Rob Lucchi, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Dazed the copper haired woman reached out her hand and the carpenter, rather than shaking it, kissed the back and released her. As if it was some sort of signal the other shipwrights began moving closer too. The thin man with Lulu and Tyselin reached out and shook her hand. "I'm Kaku, it's nice to meet you Nami-san."

"Yeah…Nice to meet you too-"

She was cut off by the blond carpenter who had apparently gotten over his fit of anger. "I completely forgot all about that!!" He groaned. The other men, even Iceburg, shook their heads at him. "How can you forget something like that?" Lulu said in exasperation. "You owe like, 25,000 beri don't you?!"

The subject finally catching up with her the petite thief looked up at her companion with raised eyebrows. He was so deeply in debt and he had just forgotten about it…?!

Paulie was scrubbing a hand through his hair, frustration written all over his face. "I dunno…It just wasn't important at the time…"

He suddenly looked down at her, a worried, unhappy look on his face. "I'm so sorry…!" His voice was absolutely sincere and the cat burglar felt the warm flush in her cheeks again. "I didn't mean to forget, but I can take care of that later, after we deal with your problem…!!"

Her eyes widened.

'He's in debt by 25,000 beri and he still wants to help me?!' Nami's hands trembled and she hurried to clasp them together behind her back so he wouldn't notice. 'Why…?'

'Because, dumbass, he cares.'

For once she ignored the snarky voice. She needed to say something to him, and quickly, or he would wonder what was wrong with her.

'What is wrong with you? He wants to help you so just let him!!'

"You don't need to worry about it Paulie!! I told you, I can take care of it myself!"

She wasn't sure what she was feeling…the sudden revelation of how much money trouble he was having on his own made her feel….worried. Worried for him…But it was his insistence that he would still somehow help her raise the 7 million that bothered her the most. It was…totally unprecedented! How could someone push aside their own substantial troubles to help someone like…her?

Her words had been automatic, trying to reassure him that she would be fine so he could focus on his own worries, but the blond's eyebrows drew down when she said them.

"We're not having this argument again Nami." He said firmly. "I'm helping you and that's final."

The thief snapped out of her dazed state of mind. How dare he continue to presume she would let him help her!! "Oh no you're not! You've got your own stuff to worry about! Let me worry about mine!"

Before the fight could break out completely Iceburg stepped back in. "Just a minute you two…" He turned to the other man. "Paulie…considering what you told me in my office, I think it's fine for you to take some half days." When the blond brightened though the mayor continued. "But…" He cautioned. "You've gotta find some way to deal with your debts…You've let them go for far too long already…"

Paulie nodded at his mentor, his face ashamed, and Iceburg turned back to look at her. "Nami-san…I don't know your entire situation," He said again. "But I doubt you'll be able to get away without him helping you, he's just too stubborn." The purple haired man shook his head, in apparent exasperation at his apprentice's willful nature, but continued. "I suggest just accepting his help for however long you need it, that's what friends are for."

She opened her mouth to protest but the older man leaned in and spoke in a soft tone so the other shipwright's couldn't hear him. "Please Nami-san. Paulie's been in trouble for a long while and this is the first time he's actually been willing to try dealing with it…" Iceburg looked at her seriously, but there was a hint of pleading on his face. "I'm sure it's only because he wants to help you, but by letting him help you you'll be helping him…please?"

The thief looked at the master carpenter helplessly. What could she possibly say in a situation like this? She didn't want Paulie to get into trouble, and the idea of being able to help him out made her heart stir pleasantly, but she'd have to give in and accept his help….'Or,' Her mind said. 'I could make him think I've given in…'

Shaking her coppery colored hair out of her face she raised her voice so the blond could hear her. "Oh all right…Since you've insisted Iceburg-san."

She ignored the triumphant look her companion was giving her, focusing instead on the mayor. "Thank you sir, for lending him to me for a while." Then she smiled impishly and added in a sweet voice, "I'll promise not to break him."

Hearing the other carpenter choke she gave in and let herself laugh, joined by his co-workers, as the president shook his head slightly. "See that you don't." He said in mock seriousness when their laughter had died down, making the blond choke again.

Nami smiled widely at the group. She wasn't sure how long she would be here…but at least she was sure she'd be able to enjoy herself.

AN: So!! I freaking love the carpenters...and having God-like powers (in my own stories at least) I decided that they're not bad guys. So there!! But I was amused to mess around with them a bit...and I will continue to do so...you have been warned!!

About Paulie's explanation to Iceburg...He lied. That's about the gist of it. :P No really, from his perception it's not that far off the mark, (going out and doing dangerous stuff that might get her killed=suicidal in his brain.) so that would be why he made up that story...and of course he had already said they were old friends, so that's the cover story they're stuck with now.

For those of you who asked about Paulie's gambling debts...xD I love him madly but I can totally see him forgetting about them. But that's okay because it also ties in nicely for the next chapter. :P

Um...Can't really think of anything else...I don't really like the ending but I couldn't think of a better way to end the chapter so...It sounds all final like but...whatever. It's not the end. Comments please? I'd like to know what people think, not just of my random plot but also if there's anything else you enjoyed about it. I've found it's hard to improve when I don't know what people do and don't like. xD