WHY WONT THIS THING LET ME UPLOAD! Ah, oh, looks like it finally works. This is giving me such a headache, I've been trying to upload since last week. Well, anyhow here's chapter 3. Hope everyone enjoys and hopefully next chapter will be out sometime this weekend, fingers-crossed. And don't forget to review.

Disclaimer: Don't own so please don't sue… wont get anything anyway

The Attack
Ch 3

The cold rain poured down from the darkened sky, everyone was soaked, but the crew standing on the deck of Thousand Sunny were frozen in shock. Zoro's teeth ground against each other as he stared at the sight of his money loving crewmate strung up against one of the trees on the ship, someone was going to pay, he fingered the hilts of his three swords. Robin couldn't move, her eyes were glued to the bloody scene before her, she knew they had to get Nami down and yet she couldn't move. Luffy's mind was blank, all he could do was stare, this was a nightmare he was sure to wake up from any minute.

Nami had been left tied to the tree trunk of the one tree that had the swing attached to it. Now the wooden seat lay useless on the ground and the ropes were cut off. The navigator was unconscious and only supported by the bindings around her wrists, blood was everywhere, and what hadn't been soaked into her clothes was slowly being washed away by the consistent rainfall. The life giving liquid covered her back and ran down her legs to pool at her feet, staining her shirt, or the tattered remains of it.

For probably the first time Chopper didn't go into panic mode at the sight of an injured nakama, instead, he was the one who acted first. In a flash the little reindeer had transformed into Heavy Point and was next to the tree and inspecting the unnaturally still body of the Strawhat navigator. He was horrified beyond belief that someone would do this to Nami, even if she was bossy and loud-mouthed sometimes. He was the doctor here, She was counting on him not to lose his cool, finding his voice Chopper started handing out orders. "We need something to cut her down and I have to clean her up before I can start doing anything." He looked up at his shell-shocked crew hoping someone would actually follow orders.

Franky, who had climbed up after Chopper, was the next to move forward. None of them had seen him come up the ladder, as focused as they were on Nami. He was followed by Zoro, the swordsman already had his katana out to cut the ropes. They didn't notice the tight grip on the sword hilt he had.

"Oi, you guys." Ussop climbed up the ladder and over the railing. He was out of breath from trying to keep up with Luffy this whole time. "Did ya'll find Nami yet? Sanji said she wasn't answering anybody." The curly haired sharpshooter trailed off as he saw his crewmates. He frowned at the shock written on most of their faces. He could tell instantly that something was wrong. Even Luffy was quiet.

"Yeah, we found her." Zoro said. There was a hard edge to his voice and his eyes spoke of the pain he was going to inflict on the bastards who had done this. Even if she was a greedy, bossy, temperamental, conniving, woman. Nami was still his nakama and crewmate. He didn't look at Ussop as he walked around to the back of the tree where the rope stretched around.

Somehow this didn't ease Ussop's worry. The way Zoro looked when he said that only made the sniper's uneasy feeling grow. He actually jumped when Sanji climbed up the ladder behind him and pushed him out of the way.

Ussop stumbled over to the other side of Luffy and could almost swear that the temperature around his friend had dropped a few degrees and it had nothing to do with the rain. The long nosed sharpshooter could hear Luffy's teeth grinding against each other even over the pitter-patter of rain drops. Ussop himself fell into a shocked, horrified, silence at seeing just why everyone was so still and quiet.

With his straw hat pulled down over his eyes Luffy only stared on as his nakama moved to help Nami. Three little words were the only thing Luffy said since finding the clima tact on deck. "Who did this?"

Zoro sighed as he pulled Wado out of its white sheath. "The best guess I have is those guys we ran into yesterday. They're the only ones that would have a reason to do this." He said waiting for the doctor's cue to slice through the ropes.

Chopper was too busy looking at Nami's injuries to listen to the captain's quiet question, or cook raging in the background about how he would send the bastards to hell, or to any of the conversation going on around him. Her back was the worst, obviously, it was nearly impossible to tell where the actual injuries started. It was so covered with blood he couldn't even tell what weapon had done this. Those pirates, or whoever they were, had barely left any skin untouched. Her hands were bleeding also, more precisely, her fingers were bleeding from digging into the rough tree bark. Chopper shuddered at the thought of what had taken place to leave the tough navigator in this state.

"Sanji, I need you to boil some water to help clean these cuts." Chopper's demanding voice got the cook to shut up and turn to the little reindeer. It was unusual to hear Chopper use that tone.

"Boil water, why?" Sanji asked.

"I don't have any more antiseptic, Nami used the last of it yesterday on Luffy." Chopper said, then he turned to Ussop and Brook without missing a beat. Sanji hurriedly disappeared into the kitchen- anything to help his angel. "I need you guys to go back into town and buy some more. Bandages too." They both nodded, all seriousness now.

Chopper carefully undid the short piece of rope tied around Nami's mouth that had served as a makeshift gag. Franky, who was beside Chopper, winced at the sight of the bloody raw marks around Nami's mouth from rubbing against the course material. Meanwhile Brook and Ussop jumped down to the dock and dashed back into town searching for the supplies they needed.

"Okay Zoro, be careful." With a nod from the doctor, who was supporting Nami in place of the ropes. Zoro quickly sliced through the bonds holding their orange haired navigator in place. As the ropes were cut Chopper easily kept Nami from falling to the ground by holding onto her shoulders against the tree. As gently as he could, Chopper lowered the limp body into the waiting arms of Franky. He had been instructed to carry Nami up to the infirmary while Chopper himself got ready to tend to the numerous wounds.

Throughout all of this Luffy hadn't moved from his spot. He stood rooted to the deck. The look in his eyes was nearly impossible to describe, fire flared in his dark orbs, his gaze spoke of nothing but the absolute pain he would bring to the ones responsible for this. His fingers gripped the pieces to the Perfect Clima Tact so tightly even his hands shook against his sides. The raven haired captain clenched his eyes shut so he couldn't see the limp body of his girlfriend and navigator hanging lifelessly in the arms of the blue haired cyborg. 'Nami, why did I leave her alone? How could I let this happen? I'm supposed to protect her.'

As gently as he was able Franky lifted his younger nakama in his arms, even as deadweight he had no trouble supporting her. Though the shipwright couldn't stop the grimace from the feeling of- not quite dry- blood that nearly covered the orange haired navigator.

"Franky," the young doctor said hastily but calmly, "you'll need to place her on her stomach so I can tend to her back first." Franky nodded but didn't speak. It seemed as if they were all struck dumb by the unnaturally cruel act of violence against one of their own. Except for Chopper handing out orders and instructions there had hardly been a word spoken amongst the crew. What was there to say in a situation like this?

XxXxX

Hours later the dark gray rain clouds still hung low in the sky but for the moment the heavy downpour had stopped. Sanji, Ussop, Robin, Franky, Brook, and Zoro were sitting around the dining table in the galley. There wasn't any use in waiting out in the cold rain and getting themselves sick, or so Robin logically stated, in a softer than normal voice. However, that didn't seem to be stopping Luffy. The young captain refused to leave his spot, sitting outside Chopper's infirmary door, rain or not. Sanji had boiled all the water Chopper needed and Ussop and Brook had returned in record time with bandages and antiseptic a bit later. Afterwards there was nothing to do but wait.

They waited silently, some staring blankly into space, all hoping for good news. Sanji had made a pot of tea at some point and while Robin and Franky both had cups they were too distracted to actually drink. Zoro was absently sharpening his swords off in one corner, he was looking to the future, and he was thinking what everyone else was thinking.

In one word: revenge.

Finally, as the late afternoon had given way to early evening, the door to the galley creaked open. Chopper walked in, tired, slightly bloody, and very serious. Everyone looked up as he and Luffy, who came in behind him, joined the others at the table. The little reindeer doctor looked completely drained. He didn't even look up or answer the questioning gazes of his nakama and several breaths were being held while waiting to hear the news about Nami.

Luffy sat at the table, the worry showing clearly in his eyes, now that the blind rage he had experienced before had cleared some. A few strands of his black hair was stuck to his face from sitting out in the rain, his trademark straw hat was gone, it was sitting comfortably on the bedside table in the infirmary. His gaze never left Chopper as the little reindeer seemed to gather himself.

Chopper took a minute or two so he could compose himself and at last looked up into the anxious and worried faces of his waiting crewmates. Luffy's expression was blank, patiently waiting for Chopper to speak. He couldn't show how worried he really was. If he did that it felt like he didn't believe Nami was strong enough to make it. Sanji was very nearly eating his cigarette with his nervous chewing on it. His fingers were drumming on the kitchen counter in a worried rhythm, all his nervous energy needing an outlet. The other crew members were all waiting patiently with various degrees of concern and worry written on their faces as well.

"Nami…" You can do this, just like any other patient. "…Nami has lost a lot of blood, there were so many wounds on her back. It looks like she was whipped…badly… It wouldn't have been as bad if I had gotten to her right off but… but… now…" Chopper took a deep breath, his big brown eyes swimming in unshed tears, but he managed to continue. "I've done everything I can do." He tried not to flinch as his crewmates all tensed at his words. "Nami has to wake up on her own. I've got her stabilized for the moment and if she can hold on till tomorrow, I think it'll be okay." He seemed to calm a bit, well, enough to accept the small cup of tea Robin handed him.

Collectively, it seemed, everyone let out a small sigh of relief. At least Nami still had a fighting chance and if there was one thing the Strawhat pirates knew it was that their navigator wasn't someone who just gave up on anything.

Robin placed a comforting hand on Chopper's shoulder. "You did very well Chopper-kun." The young reindeer looked up at the older woman with wide eyes over his cup of tea. "You were the one who acted first and your quick thinking might have even saved Nami-chan's life."

"Whatever you say, it won't make me happy." Chopper blushed and offered a small smile up at Robin though because of the circumstances and his own weariness the small doctor couldn't bring himself to put much enthusiasm into it. "I think someone will have to stay with her though. That way if she wakes up she won't be alone and to keep her from rolling onto her back in her sleep."

Sanji was quick to raise his hand. "I volun-"

"I'll do it." Luffy spoke up quietly, cutting Sanji off, and the chef wilted gloomily. Everyone turned to look at the uncharacteristically serious captain. He had hardly said three words since boarding Sunny and finding Nami in that state, much less strung three words together for a whole sentence. The problem was, Luffy wasn't particularly known for sitting still and being quiet over a long period of time, he was barely trusted with night watch.

Robin knew what the others were thinking without even looking at them. She would probably think the same but fortunately she had some inside information. "I think that would be okay Captain-san. If Chopper-kun agrees." She gave a slight nod to the hesitating reindeer.

"O…okay, I guess that would be fine." Chopper said trusting Robin's decision but still hesitant about letting the usually hyperactive boy stay with Nami. "But, Luffy, don't wake her up, and come get me right away if anything happens." Luffy gave a nod and Chopper was satisfied with that.

Knowing better than to argue with Luffy in this situation Sanji had to accept it. Getting up from his chair he went into the kitchen as if to prepare dinner but on second thought, Sanji looked across the counter and didn't figure anyone would be all that hungry. Luffy had already gotten up from his chair and was out the door, everyone else still sat around the table silently, each seemed to be in their own thoughts.

XxXxX

Luffy sat in the infirmary watching his orange haired navigator breath heavily in the medical bed. Drops of sweat covered her forehead, these he wiped away gently with a cool cloth, her body shook with each raspy breath. Chopper was in a nearly consent state of worry. The rest of the crew could only wait with baited breath, trusting the young doctor to know what to do, and Nami's strength. A day after the Thousand Sunny was attacked and their nakama left a bloody mess, Nami's temperature shot upwards, apparently her time yesterday out in the rain didn't help her situation. Luffy hadn't left her side since the night before, except for the times he had to go to the bathroom, he even ate his food in the infirmary.

Speaking of eating, it was then that Sanji walked in with a large tray of meat and other food he had made for lunch, Luffy didn't even look up at his crewmate's entrance. Sanji frowned down at his silent captain, it was strange to see the boy so quiet. He set the tray down on Chopper's desk and came to stand next to Nami's bed. "How is she?" Sanji asked quietly.

"It's the same." Luffy mumbled. He briefly glanced up at the chef's face and what met him was a tired, worried look. He was sure Sanji didn't know about his relationship with Nami, in a way he was a potential rival for Nami's attention, not that Luffy was ever the jealous type. But, there had been a few times Sanji had come close to getting his face punched in by the rubber captain for getting to lovey-dovey around Nami.

Sanji nodded, he took out one of his cigarettes and placed it in his mouth before seeming to think better of it and put it back in his pocket. "I see." He stayed there watching over Nami alongside Luffy for a minute or two then let out a deep sigh. "Don't let your food get cold." He muttered and walked out the door.

Luffy looked over at the large plate of delicious smelling food but his attention turned immediately to Nami when she shifted slightly under the blankets. He took the cloth and wet it with cool water and again held it against his girlfriend's forehead.

"…ffy…can't…"

The black haired boy lowered his gaze sadly at hearing her weak voice. "It's my fault. My fault this happened to you. I should have been here so this wouldn't happen. If I didn't want us to be a secret then I could've been with you. I'm sorry Nami." The captain rubbed his hands over his face trying to force his helpless tears back. It had been easy enough at first to keep his relationship with the navigaor a secret, almost like a game, but now he could only think about what he had missed with her. Nami's heavy, uneven, breathing echoed in his ears.

"How is he?" Zoro asked as Sanji came back into the dining room. The blonde cook had a troubled look on his face but looked up at the swordsman at hearing his question.

At first Sanji didn't say anything but then let out a sigh as he moved into the kitchen to get his own lunch. "He's the same." No one needed to hear anymore than that.

Zoro scowled and leaned back in his chair, already done eating. "Dammit, Nami better live through this, or there will be hell to pay to those lousy bastards."

The cook scoffed as he sat at the table next to Chopper and Franky. "Didn't know you cared so much about her, Marimo?"

Scowling deeper, Zoro glared across the table at the love-cook. "I don't, but Luffy does, and she's still a part of this crew. Also if anyone tells her this, I will personally run you through with all three of my swords." Chopper epped and scooted closer to Sanji while Ussop shivered in his seat. Robin only smiled that infuriatingly calm smile of hers and didn't believe the swordsman's denial for one second.

XxXxX

It was dark in the infirmary when Luffy walked in, the fading light of sunset didn't reach inside the small porthole, and it left the small room looking cold and lonely. For two nights Luffy had sat at Nami's bedside. During the three days since it happened he had been shooed out occasionally by Chopper when he tended to Nami's wounds but had rarely left the infirmary besides that.

Nami had yet to wake up but thankfully her fever had broken the day before causing everyone to breath a little easier. With the navigator being so weakened by the beating she had taken, it was the fever that could have done the most harm. Luffy looked to the side where the medical bed was and saw Nami still asleep on her stomach. Beside the bed the straw hat still rested. He hadn't worn it since that day.

Everyone had been surprised at how seriously Luffy was taking his new self appointed duty of watching over Nami, well, except for Robin. The captain suspected she must have known about him and the navigator being together. Zoro was simply waiting for the word from Luffy. The swordsman, like everyone else, wanted to pay back the pirates who did this. It was only because Luffy refused to leave Nami's side for very long that they hadn't already done just that. Sanji was none to happy about Luffy spending all day with Nami, he couldn't give any reasons though since she wasn't exactly awake to notice, but that didn't stop him. Everyone else was on edge, no one knew if they were going to be attacked again.

There were a few who were actually hoping to be attacked, there was still payback to be handed out.

Luffy lit the lantern in the room and sat in the same chair he had been sitting in for the last three days and stared down at his crewmate and girlfriend. 'Why won't you wake up? Nami, please open your eyes, I miss you.'

Nami had been changed into a clean long white button up shirt to allow Chopper to easily change the bandages on her back and her old ruined clothes had been thrown away as quickly as possible. It had taken some time, also, for the crew to clean up the deck. No one wanted that reminder around but they were reluctant to go near the spot that was still stained red with their nakama's blood.

Gently brushing some stray strands of orange hair away from her face, Luffy frowned softly at seeing the rough scrapes and bruises at the corners of her mouth. The marks that were made from the rope forced into her mouth as a gag didn't look as raw as they had before, the same as her wrists, they looked better than a few days ago. But, as Chopper said, her back was the worst off. Luffy hadn't seen those wounds since Chopper always shooed him out before tending the injuries there.

Reaching over Luffy slid his hand under the blanket Nami was covered with, finding her own bandaged hand and grasping it tightly. "Wake up Nami, please, wake up." Luffy squeezed her hand almost pleadingly. He didn't really expect an answer, he had been asking for this one thing constantly everyday since it happened, with no answer.

XxXxX

It was the pain that woke Nami up. It felt like all there was had been pain. Everything hurt, breathing, thinking- everything. The navigator immediately knew this couldn't be the afterlife, there's no way there could be such pain in paradise. Maybe the other place but it didn't feel like Hell either. Clouded brown eyes fluttered open and gazed blankly at a familiar wooden wall. 'What happened? Where am I?'

The first thing Nami realized was that she was on her stomach, which was weird because she usually slept on her back. Her next observation came a split second later when she tried to move and immediately found out that moving was a very bad idea. It took all her will not to cry out but she couldn't remember why that was so important. So she lay very still breathing in-out-in-out, she couldn't do much else, as the haze slowly cleared from her vision. 'The infirmary, I'm in the infirmary, but wh-?' Suddenly it all came back, ushered in by the excruciating pain spreading over her back and wiping out every other sensation. Those guys looking for Luffy. Her being tied to the tree. The beating she had endured. 'Oh, right, crap it really hurts. Next time Zoro can keep his lazy ass on the ship.'

Nami clenched her eyes shut and an involuntary shiver shot across her body causing pain to numb her senses again. Suddenly the navigator felt something squeeze her hand firmly though not enough to cause any extra pain. Moving her eyes, which were the only things it didn't hurt to move, around the room she finally landed on Luffy sitting next to the bed. He had his eyes closed but Nami could tell he wasn't asleep. He was leaned forward, one arm resting on his knee. the other arm hidden by the blanket where his hand was holding hers. Gathering up her strength she managed to force herself to speak.

"Lu…Luf…Luffy?"

At the sound of a weak voice Luffy gasped and his eyes widened. Seeing her beautiful brown eyes open and looking at him again, he wanted to jump and shout and laugh and cry, all at the same time. He didn't though. He could only stare back in shocked silence. Slowly his mind seemed to finally register that Nami was finally- finally- awake.

"Nami?"

"H…hey Luffy." She winced at how raspy and quiet her voice was, her throat burned with every syllable, but she smiled in spite of the pain. Somehow Nami knew her captain wouldn't be far off.

Luffy continued to stare in disbelief for at least a full half minute before trying to come up with anything to respond with. "Nami… you're awake? You're awake. Hah, you're awake!" Suddenly Luffy burst into relieved laughter and was instantly out of his chair kneeling next to the bed, as close as he could be without actually climbing into bed with her. He had a feeling Chopper wouldn't approve of that.

Despite the pain it brought, Nami couldn't help the light chuckle that followed Luffy's loud laugh, it was hard not to join in. Soon she had to stop however. The pain of it was to much, a small smile still tugged on her lips though.

"You really scared me. I was so worried about you." The raven haired young man spoke softly as he pressed his forehead against hers. Luffy stared into Nami's deep brown eyes trying to convey all the fears and worry he had felt over the last few days. Also, the feelings of relief and joy now that she was awake again.

"You w…worry too much, Luffy. It…It'll take more than this to get rid of me." Nami said, her pained smile spreading across her face. "But, thanks for being the best boyfriend." She was using Luffy's own words that he had spoken just a few days prior. He smiled and tightened the grip he had on her hand. He was so close to her now and she knew just how close her life had come to ending. Wanting reassurance that this was indeed real, Nami tugged gently on Luffy's hand, and the captain somehow knew what she needed. Maybe because he needed the same thing.

Slowly Luffy closed the small distance and gently placed his lips over hers. They were rough from her injuries but it was still the most incredible feeling he had felt in the last few days.

Nami wanted so much to take the rubber boy in her arms again but when she tried to move any significant amount it caused serious pain throughout her body. As it was she couldn't even move her hand upwards to touch his face like she wanted to. It was rather frustrating… and tiring.

He pulled away to look down into his navigator's half-lidded eyes, it looked like she was getting tired already. Suddenly Luffy remembered Chopper's instructions from before. 'Come get me right away if anything happens.' "Ah, that's right. I was supposed to get Chopper if you woke up." Luffy jumped up but before he ran out the door, he stopped, bending down to give the injured girl one last kiss and running his fingers softly through her orange hair.

Nami sighed happily into the kiss, her body waging a war between pleasure and pain. When Luffy pulled away again she didn't have the energy to keep her head up any longer and it sunk deeper into the soft pillow. Her small smile returned as she heard Luffy run out the door excitedly.

"Chopper! Chopper!" The rubber captain happily yelled as he ran out on deck.

=0=0=0=

And they all live happily ever after…

Nah, just kidding. I wouldn't leave it at that. The Strawhat crew still has to get Tison for what he did.