"Dammit Zoro." Sanji swore under his breath. He held his arms across his chest in frustration.

Zoro just gave a small chuckle at the sight. He held the door open with one hand, guiding the wheelchair through its frame with the other. Then, after making sure it didn't slam, he pushed Sanji out further into the hallway.

Sanji's face was a faint pink. He didn't like that Zoro took it upon himself to start taking care of him like he was something fragile. Even though he sort of felt like he was at the moment, he still didn't like it. After being man handled yet again into his wheelchair, something he supposed he should start getting used to, he lost the battle of being able to push himself.

"I thought hands were the most precious thing to a chef." The marimo had teased him, a grin on his face because he knew he'd already won.

Sanji perked up his head though, glancing around the hallway. The ceiling was high and it seemed to stretch quite a ways. He'd been in Robin's house before, sure, but never really explored outside of its more common rooms or even the kitchen. To think it was so massive to house this many rooms...well. He couldn't help but be a little proud of the archeologist, being successful enough to own such a home and proud of Franky who no doubt designed it.

His shoulders dropped a bit. And to think Robin had automatically offered he stay here for his treatment, Sanji was nothing but flattered. But it didn't help his feeling of guilt of not saying anything before. She was being kind, as were the rest, yet he'd done something foolish. He shook his head, ridding himself of the thoughts. No he couldn't think that way. Zoro had already showed him that. He couldn't... or at least not out loud.

Sanji turned his head slightly back though to look up at the swordsman. He had noticed they had stopped moving. A smile spread on his lips.

"Oi. Marimo." He called.

Zoro, who had been glancing around in a dim confusion, turned to look at him, his golden earrings chiming to the side. "What?" he mumbled. He seemed to be annoyed at something.

"Are you already lost?" Sanji mused. He knew the answer; the shitty swordsman had a knack for getting himself lost, no matter where it was. He just loved to see him try and outright deny it.

A faint red splashed the top of Zoro's cheeks and he forced himself to look away. He began to push the back of Sanji's wheelchair forward, setting them off on an unknown path.

"Shut up shit-cook. I know exactly where I'm going."

Sanji just chuckled, looking back straight forward. Luckily he had a sense of direction. He could tell from the window of his room that he'd been on a ground floor, so they didn't have to worry about stairs. Luckily he could also see into the backyard. So really they only needed to travel down this hall, no turns. But as soon as he thought this, his chair was being turned into another hallway.

"You idiot don't turn-" he began, but the wheelchair abruptly stopped.

Both men sat up straighter.

"Luffy!" Sanji had exclaimed automatically in surprise. He hadn't seen his 'captain', or so Luffy made them call him (though he was more the leader of their group somehow) for days. Even though for Sanji it didn't feel as long considering he had been unconscious for most of them.

Luffy was standing in the middle of the hallway, his hands on his sides. It almost gave off a 'you will not pass' vibe. It was as if someone had been expecting Zoro to go the wrong way. But then again, did Luffy really think that much ahead? His face was contemplative though, and his dark eyes stared down at Sanji.

It made Sanji a little uncomfortable. Although Luffy seemed like a bubbly energetic guy he had his serious moments. And unfortunately Sanji had just gotten himself in some deep shit, and no doubt it had been Luffy's idea, combined with Zoro of course, to go and save him. Perhaps now he was going to get his scolding? He tensed. He deserved it, he could handle it.

Luffy sighed though, relaxing his body and that seemed to surprise Sanji more. He reached up and slipped his straw hat, the guy seriously didn't go anywhere without it, back onto his head. It cast a shadow over his eyes for a moment, and Sanji wasn't sure what was going to be said anymore.

Zoro seemed to pick up on this vibe. He knew and trusted Luffy whole-heartedly, but just like Sanji he could never read whatever happened in the guy's head. He could only reflect on the panic he had last seen Luffy wear when they had found Sanji, and then the later determination that he knew Sanji would pull through. Now, how would he be acting? Zoro tightened his grip on the wheelchair handles.

"Sanji." Luffy said his voice low and serious. It made the hairs on Sanji's neck rise.

Luffy moved his hand to the back of his hat and tipped it downward, revealing his expression. It seemed to hold a new found determination. He pressed his lips together and stared down at Sanji intently.

"I promise you." He began, taking a deep breath. He reached his arm straight out and pointed toward Sanji's immobile legs. "We will get your legs back!"

Sanji felt his face heat at that and he let out an irritated sigh. That was it? Was this guy an idiot? Creating an atmosphere like that only to announce something so stupid? But he couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. Really, this was just classic Luffy. So naive.

Zoro just dropped his head. They followed after a moron, that much was certain.

"Luffy it doesn't work that way..." Sanji had begun but Luffy just shook his head.

"No! We will! I promise!"

Sanji knew better than to protest. It was pretty much impossible to explain anything else to Luffy once he had his mind set on something. And if you did try to, all that usually happened was it being referred to as mystery something. Sanji had at least a little respect for his legs to not want them to be called Mystery Legs from now on.

Luffy, seeing that his statement had been heard grinned then, giving a nice laugh. Then he looked up, seeming to notice Zoro for the first time.

"Oh! Zoro! What are you doing here?" He asked, puzzled.

Sanji laughed and Zoro's eyebrow twitched and he had to resist hitting the little punk.

"Idiot I've been here all this time! I'm taking eyebrows to see everyone."

"He got lost." Sanji added, thriving in Zoro's annoyance.

"Shut it!"

"Eh?! But they're that way!" Then there appeared to be a slight hint of evil in his grin. "I'll take him!" He hurried over to behind Sanji.

"No Luffy you'll end up breaking him more-"

"Awww but Zoro!" Luffy whined. Then he seemed to perk up, remembering something. "Captain's orders! Let me take him!"

Sanji glared back at the two idiots arguing over who was going to push them. He was half tempted, or maybe more so since his hand was now hovering over a wheel, to just leave them both behind. Moving in a wheelchair wasn't exactly rocket science.

Zoro sighed. Ah, he had pulled the captain's order card. They were really a crew like Luffy liked to imagine, but he always seemed to give Luffy his way regardless when he said something like that. Honestly, he was itching to annoy Sanji back in some way, and this proved the perfect opportunity. He stepped away from Sanji and crossed his arms, faking not being amused.

"Captain's orders." he echoed Luffy.

Sanji just let his mouth fall. Zoro was really going to listen to this idiot?

"You Shitty Marimo! I'll kill you! You're just going to let him-" He was cut off though as Luffy's hands gripped the wheelchair's handles tightly. He yanked Sanji back out into the first hallway, snickered then zoom! He was running full speed with Sanji in front of him. Sanji just held on for dear life.

"I wonder how he is." Nami wondered out loud. She was playing with the straw in her drink, her head settled in her hand.

She, like the rest of them, had been very concerned. It hadn't looked that great for Sanji, and they had all lost several nights of sleep over it. It was a relief, yes, to know he was alive and well, but still seeing him for the first time after witnessing the reason he was like that in the first place... She closed her eyes. No, she didn't want to think about that.

Robin, who sat beside her at the table, gently placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. She offered a nice soothing smile. "I am sure Sanji is fine and will be thrilled to see us." She explained in her lovely alto voice.

Nami smiled at that. Yeah, she could agree with that. Sanji was always overly thrilled to see them. If that was what she could do to brighten his mood, even if it just meant being here for Sanji to swoon over, she'd do it.

Robin's smile seemed to fade a bit when she glanced over at Chopper. He had his face resting in his arms, snoozing. The poor doctor had kept himself awake for days caring for Sanji. Now that he seemed to be awake and alert, Chopper was finally able to rest. It relieved her because just as scary as Sanji's situation had been, she did not want the small doctor to over exert himself.

Usopp, the last at the table just stared down with a somber expression. His mouth went dry and he moved his lips trying to find some words, and finally they came to him.

"So he really can't walk now?" He asked hesitantly. Was it still too soon to talk about that?

The girls became silent. Nami's frown returned and she leaned back into her chair. Robin took the moment to pull a strand of her raven hair and tuck it behind an ear.

"Well, what really matters is that Sanji's alive, right?" Nami said softly.

Robin and Usopp's eyes slowly moved over to her. Yes, of course they agreed with that. That was the most important thing. But they all knew that Sanji's use of his legs were a huge part of his life, even more so than the normal person. A guilt, perhaps wrapped with sympathy, rolled around in their chests. None of them wished for such a fate to be placed upon their cook.

And although they didn't mention it, the memories of finding Sanji so mangled were still fresh in their minds. Now getting to see him again they weren't sure exactly what to think. Would everything be back to normal? Would everything change? Or really, they worried, will Sanji have changed? They knew better than most just the amount of hell Sanji had been through lately. Would he let it change him?

Their thoughts were broken though when the door's to the living room burst open. They all seemed to jump in their seats, even Chopper who had been sleeping so peacefully he had drooled, jumped up with a tiny yelp of surprise. They all turned their heads immediately to look, catching a glimpse of Luffy, his straw hat, a chair, and a blonde haired man – who they easily assumed as Sanji- blur on past out the door opposite the other wall. Then they were gone.

"Was that...?" Usopp started, unsure if he should believe his eyes or not.

Chopper just nodded his jaw wide open. He absentmindedly brought his hoof up to wipe away his drool. "Uh-huh."

Nami just growled in frustration, scraping her nails across the table.

"That moron is going to kill him!" She hissed, getting up from her seat. She was itching to hit something anyway, Luffy would do just fine.

Robin just chuckled into her clasped hand. Truly, there was never a dull moment with their group. Chopper jumped down from his chair and quickly ran after them, screaming something about his patient.

The first door opened again right after that, a green head peeking through. Zoro yawned. Okay so maybe giving Sanji to Luffy wasn't the best idea, but the cook was strong, he could take it right? He stopped in the center, looking around. His eyes perked slightly when he spotted his friends at the table in the corner. Apparently he hadn't actually expected to get to the right room after Luffy and Sanji sped ahead, so he felt rather smug about himself now.

"Zoro?" Nami said, kind of surprised to see he made it as well. But then she remembered the thick-headed swordsman was supposed to be taking care of Sanji, not letting Luffy have his way, and she glared. "Why did you let Luffy push Sanji?!" She scolded.

Zoro approached them, sticking his hands in his pockets. He just shrugged when he moved past her. "He'll live."

That answer however only seemed to fire her up more and she refrained from hitting him, for now. Zoro moved straight to the corner of the room where he had left his treasures. His swords lay propped against the wall, sheathed. He picked them up delicately and placed them back at his side. He hated being without them, especially when he didn't have to be.

Robin sipped at her coffee, watching the small reunion of man and swords. Although she would like to go right back into their casual routine, where everyone was trying not to think the worse and talk normally, she simply could not let the subject die on her tongue. Someone had attacked Sanji, and she wanted to know everything about them, including their intentions as soon as possible. She was having a sickening feeling of deja vu.

"Did Sanji tell you anything?" She asked softly.

Zoro hesitated to look at her once he had his swords hanging off his hip. Yeah, Sanji had told him everything. But of course he wasn't about to just go share it. There was a fine line of what he would tell and wouldn't tell about their relationship, and that included any heart to hearts they may have had. He knew how hard it had been for Sanji to finally confide in someone about his past, he wouldn't insult him by preaching it.

The others were just concerned, he knew, but he still hated to reveal anything. So he thought how he could sum it up easily.

"He doesn't know anything about them. Been trying to kill him for a while." he muttered. Hopefully that should crave their curiosity.

The other three just exchanged glances. Sanji had been targeted by some group this whole time and they didn't know? This could have happened even sooner? None of them really said anything more, and Zoro settled himself down on the couch, resting his eyes. No one knew what to do from here on out. Would Sanji be safe out in the world, or would they continue to try and target him? It made them all uneasy. If only it were possible to just hide him away forever.

The second door to the living area opened again, this time with a moaning Luffy, who had apparently been struck on the head pretty hard and was now rubbing a swollen lump, and Chopper in his human form pushing Sanji.

"You're such a moron." Sanji growled again, lighting up his cigarette. That was the worst ride of his life and never, even if it killed him, would he let Luffy push him again. He thought for sure for the second time in the course of a week, that he was going to die.

"You could have hurt him!" Chopper scolded.

Sanji glanced over, feeling eyes on him. His stomach sank and his eyes widen. There they were… his family. Each side seemed to wear blank expressions, mixed with worry, not sure what to do. Sanji had to drop his hand, forgetting about his cigarette for the moment.

"Nami-san... Robin-chan." He whispered, of course keeping his glance to them over the others.

Nami was already fighting tears in her eyes as she sped over to Sanji, wasting no time to wrap her arms around his neck and give him a hug. If it hadn't been such a serious moment, Sanji would have had a nosebleed.

"Sanji-kun!" She cried, holding him tighter. "We were so worried!"

Sanji made a weak smile, cautiously putting his arms around her as well. Usopp sat up from his seat, unsure of what to say. Zoro, who was comfortable on the couch barely opened his lids, only to close them. He didn't particularly feel like watching the scene.

"Nami-san, I'm sorry I didn't mean to make you worry-"

Smack. Nami had pulled back and smacked him across the face. This made everyone jump.

"You idiot what were you thinking!? Going off like that on your own!"

Ah yes, leave it to Nami to say what everyone was thinking. But Sanji had expected this to come up; it was just shocking to see it come from Nami. He closed his palm around his cheek. He deserved it.

Chopper's jaw had fallen to the floor. "Nami! Don't hurt him!"

"It's okay Chopper." Sanji reassured, glancing at Chopper with a smile. "I deserved that."

Zoro had to force himself back into his seat. He was cursing inside his head. Stupid witch had to have had a death wish to hit Sanji like that, while he was recovering of all things. But no, he kept his composure, it was better when he didn't let his emotions get the better of him.

Sanji glanced back at all the present members of the group, all eyes were on him. It made him uneasy. These faces were all he had left, and he just couldn't wrap his mind around that fact that if he had died that day…he never would have been able to see them again.

A week and a half ago.

"It's so sad!" Cried the blue haired cyborg, wiping his dripping nose and eyes on his sleeve.

Robin didn't look up from the book she had brought, just snatched up a handkerchief and offered it to her bulky husband. Franky took it willingly, blowing his nose into it dramatically. They -Franky, Robin, Nami, Usopp and Chopper- were sitting at a table in the back of the show room, here to show support to a grieving Sanji. The others had sent their condolences, but alas could not make the gathering.

Most of them didn't know Zeff personally, only knew him through Sanji and his restaurant they frequented often, the former Baratie.

"Even though they weren't related, they were so close..." whispered Usopp.

Chopper glanced up at his marksman friend. In his hand he held a plate of sweets, and plopped one into his mouth. "Eh? I thought they were related! How can you tell?"

Suddenly the rest of the group had an itch above their eyebrows that they all began to scratch and Chopper blushed, understanding the gestures. Nami sighed, glancing over at Sanji. He was in the center of the group of people standing around talking. Most likely making sure everything for the funeral's reception was going perfectly.

The whole place, even though it was after a funeral, was a splash of color. And of course because Zeff was a chef and had many chef companions who offered their services, food was of plenty. It almost seemed a pity Luffy didn't get to make it but Sanji had offered him any leftovers in advance anyway.

"He seems to be coping well." Robin said, glancing up and catching Nami watching him. She turned and looked back at the archeologist.

"I'm not so sure…" whispered Nami worriedly in return. She put her hands together in front of her, watching as she twiddled her own thumbs. "When I arrived at the Baratie that day... he was in a really bad shape." She swallowed a lump in her throat, recalling the memory.

She had gone past the Baratie like she usually did every day on her way to work. However, that day had been much more different. The road was closed, police cars and fire trucks blocking the way. The first thing she thought of when seeing the Baratie in flames had been Sanji, and she left her car without a second thought and sped towards the crowd. That's when she saw it, a sight that made her heart clench.

Sanji was right outside of the caution tape, on his knees. He was crying into Zoro's shirt, who was bending down beside him, his arms around his shoulders and shielding his face. Even from her distant place in the crowd she could hear those cries, cries she had never ever heard come from Sanji before, all revolving around the Baratie and Zeff.

It made her want to cry too. She herself knew the feeling of losing a parental figure, and even losing her home as well and would have never wished it upon another person.

Sanji slipped out of the grieving reception for a moment and stepped outside for a much needed dose of nicotine. He had been on edge ever since the scene of the Baratie, always checking behind his back for anyone watching. Although everything else seemed perfectly fine, he felt exposed and endangered.

Zoro slipped through the door behind him. He had been more concerned about Sanji since the Baratie incident. The blonde cook just didn't seem to be acting the same. He understood he was grieving, but in a way it was as if he was distancing himself away from everyone who cared about him. He didn't think of Sanji as the type to run away, he knew him more as someone to meet danger head on.

And every day more reasons to justify his growing worry would reveal themselves. Just like now, when Sanji's eyes glanced over as he saw him approaching and his face had drained of color before he could spin around and recognize it was Zoro. His body was tense, as if he would have lashed out regardless.

"Oi. Watch it shit cook." Zoro growled, stepping back just in case the blonde did send a kick. Why was he acting so paranoid?

Sanji blushed slightly in his embarrassment, and relaxed his shoulders. Ah, it was just the marimo. Though, his heart was still beating like crazy. He took a drag.

"You should watch who you sneak up on with that ugly mug." He spat, looking off.

Zoro wrinkled his nose, letting out a huff as he moved to stand beside Sanji. His thumbs rested in his pant pockets and he looked out at the moving cars on the street. He refreshed in the smell of Sanji's smoke, a smell he'd grown accustomed to as comforting.

"How are you holding up?" Zoro finally asked, breaking the silence. Sanji lowered his face.

"Been better."

"You can move in with me you know." Zoro turned his face, peering at him with his eye. It made Sanji's chest flutter as he exhaled.

He was thrilled that Zoro had suggested it. He always eventually planned to move in with him to further their relationship but alas...the circumstances that brought this on scratched at his heart. His home, his things had all been lost. And to make matters worse he was being monitored most likely, he couldn't risk letting them find Zoro, or any of them. So he regretfully remained silent.

"I think I'm going to take some time off." Sanji whispered. He didn't want to say it, but it was something he had already decided on his own. He needed to get away before he could finally settle this. He could feel Zoro study him down.

"Maybe go somewhere. Gather my thoughts and all that jazz." He dared himself to meet Zoro's gaze, but he didn't seem to be buying this.

"You're running away then?"

Zoro's words stung. He didn't to think of it as running away. He saw it more as necessary precaution.

"No I just need some space" he argued. Damn the marimo catching onto him. Wasn't he supposed to be a moron?

Zoro turned away from him then, his scowl more defined.

"You barely said a word to the crew. What's going on cook?" His voice was softer. It was like he was completely ignoring what Sanji was trying to get him to believe.

The cigarette trembled in Sanji's fingers until he let it fall to the ground so he could step it out. Then he readjusted his tie.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it." He turned on his heel and made for the door but a hand grasped his shoulder. He tensed.

"Zoro," he found trying to sound normal increasingly more difficult, "Trust me." He lifted a hand and brushed him off. "I need to do this."

Present.

Sanji rested his head in his hand, his elbow on his arm rest. There was a conversation going on around him but he wasn't very aware of it. Though he knew enough that it was about him.

"I will try to find out everything I can about this All Blue." The lovely Robin. She was so kind, offering her time to look into such things. She was always the best at finding information; Sanji just wished she didn't have to go to the trouble. Then again, now that the All Blue knew of their existence, against the slight chance word hadn't gotten to higher ground yet, finding the enemy and eliminating them was the best course of action.

"Good. I'm going to kick their asses." Luffy grinned, a bag of chips in his hands. He had opened it only a few seconds ago and now it was empty. He crushed it with his hands for emphasis on how serious he wanted to do some ass kicking.

Chopper gently squeezed Sanji's free wrist as he held it straight out to the other side. He was taking his vitals for the sixth time since he entered the room. Sanji thought it excessive but knew he wasn't really in a situation to disagree with his physician.

Usopp was sitting halfway on the couch, sketching something on his note pad. Sanji swore if it was some way to add weapons onto his wheelchair he was going to flip. Though, it would be kind of nice now that he thought about it. The sharpshooter brought his pen to his mouth and then glanced at his comrades. "What are we going to do about Sanji?"

Sanji scowled. Nice turn of phrase. Make him feel like some kind of item or pet or something. Usopp seemed to pick up on this.

"I mean like where will he stay?"

Sanji's eyes traveled to the shit head lounging on the couch. He had his arms back behind his head and appeared to be asleep. But Sanji knew better. That asshole wasn't asleep; he was just pretending to be so that no one would focus any questions on him. Otherwise, he was sure; the idiot would be drooling and whatnot.

The question though made him remember what Zoro had offered that day at the funeral gathering. It was always in his plans to eventually move in with the brute, he'd rather burden him than one of his angels any day.

Robin answered though with an answer Sanji knew she would.

"Franky and I have no problem offering our home for Sanji to stay."

Finally the swordsman's eye drifted open. It locked straight into Sanji's, and a faint blush tainted the top of his cheeks at being watched. Though maybe, it just meant they had the same thought.

"Nah." He mumbled, reaching down and scratching at his stomach – the pig! "Leave Curly to me."

Sanji snorted. "Like I'd want to live with you shit head."

Zoro grinned. "That why all your prissy shit is at my place already?"

Sanji's face flared. That asshole! He had only left that stuff there because the marimo said he'd watch it while he went away! Before he could scream out though an arm passed in between them.

"Fine it's settled. Sanji will go stay with Zoro while we figure things out." Nami said, irritation itching in her voice. Truly, she could not see the beauty that was the two men's arguments, and she didn't want to.

Sanji looked up at her with a puppy dog expression. "Nami-san..." He whispered almost inaudibly. He still felt extremely guilty about upsetting her earlier. He let the guilt weigh him down and he glanced back at the floor.

"Shishishi! Great! Now let's eat!" laughed their captain.

"You just ate!" yelled the crew in response.

Author's Note: This chapter was a little harder to write for me because it's one of those boring information chapters (Ihatewritingthose) and it finally had a lot more people in it... But I hope you enjoyed it! I loved trying to think of how they could all interact together. I bet Luffy pushing Sanji was like an epic roller coaster ride. I don't plan to have flashbacks in every chapter, just since chapter one was in the middle of the story I need to fill some things in, in case you were wondering. Oh and I just want to make clear just in case people were curious, this AU is like modern but Devil fruits/cyborgness and all that weird stuff still applies. They just aren't pirates though Luffy likes to pretend anyway. :D I'd love to hear what you guys thought! I'm so flattered by what I've been getting so far!