Sanji's heart was beating fast, the moment he regained his consciousness. Such a dulled pain in his lower half, he couldn't ignore it anymore. His brow furrowed, the sound of a heart monitor filling his ears. The hospital? He wasn't still out with Zoro and the others? What had happened?

His eye opened, gazing around at the white ceiling. That was right Zoro. He remembered that much at least. He'd gone and done something stupid... but at least Zoro was okay right? Right? His jaw clenched. That's right he didn't know if he was, last thing he remembered he was with the others and then sirens in the background...

He jerked his head up, moving his arms. They were sore, hell his whole body was and protested him, but he needed to get up. The gentle touch of a hand on his chest brought him to a halt. It was Robin. She was wearing a small smile, pleased to see her comrade had woken up, but still the lines around her eyes told of her late night antics.

"Robin." Sanji swallowed thickly, glancing around behind her.

He was back in that room in Robin's home. It was nice and bright, another day. He looked at her, a worried expression.

"Where's Zoro?" His voice was hoarse, he needed a drink, but that could be dealt with later.

Robin hummed lightly to herself in amusement. It was almost cute how the cook had asked for Zoro first thing and not even thought of his bigger problem, his legs. She withdrew her hand gracefully and sat down on the bed, clearing Sanji's view to the other side.

Relief melted over the blonde. In the plush chair on the other side, tucked away in the corner, a neanderthal with green hair slept awkwardly. He was half hanging off the side, one leg tucked into the seat with him, his mouth open wide while he slept. He smiled weakly at the sight.

Thank god, Zoro was alright. He brought up his hand and settled it on his forehead. He had been so stressed about getting him out... so terrified what would have happened if he had gotten caught in that blast, if the All Blue had gotten him. If he was alright in front of him too then it meant Nami and Chopper were too. He had made it in time.

When he looked back to Robin, sitting on the edge near his feet, Sanji remembered his second problem. His chest felt heavier when he looked at them. They were hurting him. It wasn't as agonizing as it was forcing them to move, or even what he felt when Chopper had tried moving them, but it was there. He figured he must've have been pretty drugged by now.

He squinted as he even tried moving them, biting into his lip before giving up.

"You're lucky to be feeling them at all." Robin's lovely voice reminded him. "That was a risky gamble, Sanji."

He lowered his head, his hands gripping at the blanket covering him. Yeah he knew that. But he couldn't have just sat idly by while things were crumbling around him. He wasn't helpless dammit, he refused to be. It was a good thing he had though, or else that explosion would have engulfed them.

"It's my problem." He explained lowly. He didn't like being so serious to his Robin-chan, he'd rather flatter her. "I can't let others take care of it for me."

Robin closed her lips together softly, turning to glance out the room's window. Although she hated the sacrifice Sanji was willing to make, she was grateful. They hadn't been able to make it in time. If Sanji hadn't gotten there first, the hurt would be far worse.

"How did you know where they'd be?" She pondered out loud. Even her information couldn't have predicted that Factory.

Sanji tensed. He had his own ways of gathering his information, but the way it was looking it made him look like he was withholding secrets from the others.

"Bon let me know." He answered honestly, and quick. No need for extra information.

Robin shifted her legs, crossing them as she thought to herself. She curled a finger against her chin. "Ah, Mr. Bentham." She spoke, her eyes shifting to study Sanji's face. "Yes we've met him."

Sanji lifted his head. Bon had come with them then, maybe? He had finally picked his side? He wasn't sure how to feel about that though.

"He says that the two of you go way back. He also mentioned working for the All Blue." Her hand dropped. "How were you able to find him?"

Sanji's mouth was dry. He knew this was coming, he could already feel the guilt rising in his stomach about it. "When I knew the All Blue was trailing me, I did some researching myself." He muttered low, slightly ashamed. He didn't want to think about anything that had happened back then, before the accident.

"I found some of their meeting locations in the city. Went to the closest one and Bon happened to be there." Basically he had been lucky he was able to find him. If it hadn't been Bon, he would've just strolled into another confrontation like the one with Krieg.

Robin sighed, straightening out a wrinkle in Sanji's blanket. The movement made Sanji slightly shutter, a falter in his leg pain. They were so sensitive, he was starting to fall back to laying down, finding sitting up too stressful.

"Sanji." She began again, tucking her black hair behind her ear again. "Why didn't you tell us about this?"

Sanji closed his eyes a long moment. "I'm sorry Robin. I would have I just..." He furrowed his brow in agitation. "If I had known you guys were planning to take them on..."

He didn't want to get mad at Robin, but he still couldn't help the anger that wanted to emerge. Why didn't they let him know about that? It was his issue he brought up on them. It just made him think back to when they had left him here to pursue Nami. They had isolated him out and been doing these things without him.

"You knew?" hummed Robin again. She was somewhat proud Sanji had caught on.

He nodded slightly, laying back full on the bed, his bang lazily settling on his face. "Yeah I found out. About Nami and Fullbody. About your tracking." He frowned. "Why didn't you guys tell me?"

His eyes drifted off to the corner again and at the sleeping Marimo. If he had known Zoro had gone out and beat up Fullbody, he would've kicked his ass for even bothering. It definitely explained Zoro's changing behavior and late nights recently though.

Robin narrowed her eyes, standing up swiftly from her seat. "Sanji, I think it is best that we all stop keeping secrets. We'll do this together." She began to head towards the door.

Sanji pulled himself up, planning to stop her. "Robin-chan-" he began, but was pulled back by his pain. He winced.

Robin stopped at the door, opening it half way before turning to look back at him.

"Chopper will be in soon to discuss things with you."

Sanji watched as she shut the door behind her and his eyes drifted to Zoro. The noise of the door shutting had gotten the moron's attention, his snoring coming to a halt and his body becoming still. He opened his eye slowly, meeting with Sanji's. It took him a moment for his moss brain to process it, but when he realized it was an awake Sanji he was having a staring contest with, he sat up quick in his seat.

Sanji smiled weakly, shaking his head. Freaking moron. Zoro scowled, embarrassed at being caught like that and wiped the drool from his mouth with the back of his hand.

"When'd you wake up Cook?" He growled, standing up from his seat. He began walking over.

Sanji's eyes looked the Marimo down. He seemed to be in good shape. Pfft, why had he been worrying again? He glared up.

"Hours ago shit head." He lied back. "Good to know you still value your naps."

Zoro let out a slight 'tch' before sitting roughly on the bed beside him. The movement helped brighten Sanji's attention.

"Bastard be careful! That fucking hurts." He was tempted to fight through the pain just to kick his face.

Zoro looked down at Sanji's legs under the covers and set his hand down on one. He watched Sanji's squirm, but didn't release his hold. "Shitty Cook..." He mumbled to himself. "What the hell were you thinking? What if you won't ever be able to walk now?"

Sanji took a deep breath. "I wasn't able to earlier, so what's the difference. I wasn't going to just do nothing. Why the hell can't your thick skull get that?"
It was true. Although they now knew Sanji's earlier paralysis had just been his body's way of slowly healing itself, before the odds had still been the same. "Besides they're moving now aren't they? I can still kick your ass."

"Tch!"

"Actually Sanji." came a voice that caught both their attention. They glanced over, spotting their little reindeer friend as he lingered in the doorway with his trusty clipboard. He closed the door behind him then slowly trotted over. He was sleep deprived again, but didn't appear very upset. It was sort of uplifting, as that usually prepared them for the worst news.

"They may never fully be up to par again."
Sanji swallowed hard, turning his face away. He could feel as Zoro looked at him for his reaction. Chopper continued, coming closer.

"They were in healing when you forced them awake prematurely. The nerves were extremely sensitive and exposed so it's likely some permanent damage has been done."

Sanji's fingers curled into a fist, staring off somewhere else. "Permanent damage? Like... what?"

Fuck. Shit! Shit shit shit shit! Permanent damage? He knew he was in bad shape. He took a huge gamble, but his legs, they were working, he could feel them, but now this. What was going to happen now? It killed him, just knowing if he had just waited longer instead of forcing himself, he could have fully recovered. It was fine though. It was something he had to do. For Zoro and for the others.

Zoro's pulse quickened, but he reached out, resting a hand on Sanji's shoulder. He looked at Chopper again, encouraging him to continue his explanation.

Chopper flipped a page on his chart, looking at his badly written notes.

"You'll probably be able to walk after some rehab but..." He paused, trying to think of how to explain this. It was bittersweet. Sanji would walk, but with complications. "How long you'll be able to at one time might change. Your... Your legs might not be able to keep up with your kicks anymore."

Sanji remained silent. Zoro got up from his seat , moving to the other side of the bed to better comfort his lover. "Oi, Sanji."

Sanji still didn't say anything though. He had too much going on inside of his head. He didn't know how to feel. Chopper raised his head and forced a smile.

"But you know Sanji, this is still really good! It could have just been a lot worse and if you think about it compared to walking it's a small price to pay..."

Zoro crouched down and peered up at Sanji's face. It was blank, but his eyes told him enough that he needed to know. Sanji lifted his head then, glancing at Chopper. He forced a smile.

"Ah, That's a relief." He said a little monotone before repeating what Chopper had said. "It could have been a lot worse."

Sanji didn't have a right to be upset, or at least he told himself. Again he reminded himself this is what he chose to do, what he had to do. You couldn't gain anything without sacrifice right? Zoro glanced over at Chopper, his gaze soft.

"Hey, Chopper, could you give us a minute?" came his request.

Chopper studied his swordsman friend's face and nodded. He knew that although Sanji was putting on his usual brave front, there was no way he could just shrug off something as personal to him as his blackleg style, even when walking was still an option. Then again, even that was still up in the air in terms of function.

He turned back around, sniffling slightly. "Please rest Sanji!" He begged then ran out, his tough doctor image shattering.

Zoro lifted himself in time to catch Sanji as he fell sideways. He buried his face in his chest and the swordsman sighed. He was also at a loss for words. He didn't want Sanji to be like this, he wanted him happy and alright, of course he did. However, he also was so thankful he was alive... thanks to Sanji.

Awkwardly he settled himself so that they were both comfortable among the bed, Sanji back into his lap, copying a position they had once been in before while in this same room. Sanji glared into Zoro's shirt. Finally after what seemed quite a bit of time in silence where he could come back into his senses, the cook spoke.

"You alright?" whispered Sanji softly.

Hearing Sanji's voice, Zoro opened his eyes again. What was the cook doing asking him that? Wasn't he the one here strapped to an IV? But the swordsman didn't question his curiosity. Zoro looked down at Sanji resting on his chest hesitantly.

"Course' I am, idiot. We all are." He reassured, holding him tighter with his arm while burying his face in that blonde hair. He had to let Sanji understand that. Nothing he did was in vain.

Sanji just continued listening to his lover's breath. For some reason he truly could not fathom it seemed to calm his nerves. At least the words he was saying were reassuring. But like he always did, he was a step ahead in worry. They were safe for now but how long would that last? His body was aching but all he could think of were the precautions he needed to set in place.

"Zoro..." He continued, his brow furrowing. He paused for a moment, thinking over what he wanted to say. At first he wanted to say something in usual cheesy fashion, as they were alone now. But then the memory of Zoro leaving him behind at the party and going to do things without him... getting his ass caught came back to light.

"Bastard, you're not allowed to leave my sight again."

Zoro let out a dry laugh at his randomness and gave a soft smile. Nothing calmed him like hearing the blonde's sailor mouth. And at least the cook wasn't beating himself up like he had weeks before when shit began to hit the fan. He let out a huff, narrowing his eyes.

"Shitty cook." He mumbled quietly, regardless if they were the only ones in the room. "Treatin' me like some dog."

Sanji grinned then, glancing up to meet his gaze. There was a life to his face the swordsman hadn't seen in a while, or maybe just a few days.

"Eh? You suggesting there is a difference?"

"Do Zoro! DO ZORO!" Shouted Luffy, settled in between Chopper and Ussop on Robin's couch.

They had all gathered in the living area of Robin's home. The party had ended last night, a few ribbons and deflated balloons scattered among the walls, everyone mostly forgetting the mess in the dining hall. The crew had made the decision that for at least the time being to stay together under one roof until a few days had passed over and matters could be discussed.

Bon Clay had easily been accepted by Sanji's peers, everyone finding entertainment with his unique abilities. He grinned at Luffy's request as he spun several feet in front of the couch. He was currently their main attraction. He lifted his hand slowly to his face and just like that his image changed.

It was quite the disturbing sight though. Bon Clay had taken off his black clothing only to reveal something monstrous underneath. It was brightly colored and had a tasteful hint of swans. It might have fit him and his heavily made up face to a certain extent, but definitely not the Zoro body he was displaying.

The three dorks on the couch bust out into laughter. Ussop even flipped out his cellphone to take a picture, mumbling something about black mail. Nami, who was sitting at the table in the corner with their Archeologist and Pyrotechnician, just face palmed.

"I'm never going to be able to get that image out of my head." She admitted turning away from the show. She held her arm, which had been placed in an actual sling now, closer to her chest.

Robin shifted the straw in her drink, just chuckled lightly to herself. "Yes, but it is nice to see everyone smiling again. Nami, how is your arm?"

They continued on with short conversation, neither one of them paying mind to their captain's brother. Ace had come back with them in the night and decided to stay. It wasn't often he got to hang out with his little brother and what better time to do it when their lives could be threatened at any moment. There was also the promise of free food which, being in any type of relation with Luffy, he just could not pass.

However the guy had an issue he usually faced and was currently in the midst of. He had fell asleep right into his plate and didn't move for quite a while, snoring softly to himself. When the conversation between the women changed to more make-up related things, he suddenly shot up. Nami's eyes widened in surprise.

"Oh! Ace! You're awake." She said with a smile.

Ace blinked a few moments, reaching up and wiping a few stray pieces of food that clung to his face. He sighed, embarrassed. He really hated when that happened.

"Oi... Sorry about that sometimes I just- WHOA!" He yelled, standing up abruptly with his hands on the table. His eyes were wide and staring at the 'Ballerina Zoro'. "Zoro what the hell?!" A roar of laughter ran through him that he ended up falling back into his seat.

The dorks, including Franky now who had just entered the room laughed at his reaction. Luffy jumped up from his position in the couch though and bounced on over to the table.

"Ace!" He shouted happily, seeing that his brother was finally awake. "Are you staying tonight too?"

Luffy looked like such a little kid, beaming at his brother. He was so excited he just couldn't stand still and was shifting from leg to leg. Ace glanced over at him and gave him a small smile.

"Ah, I don't know Luffy. I gotta look at the time..." He said pulling his phone out of his pockets. His face seemed to drain of color as he let out a slight groan. "Oh man, I should get out of here."

Luffy pouted a bit, giving off a small whine that his brother had to go. Ace was about to say something about them getting together when Nami's voice called out to him.

"Ace." She said, gathering his attention. "I have a question before you go."
Ace glanced down at her and took a second to just blink. "Yeah sure, shoot."
Nami put her good arm on the table and rested her chin in her hand. Her neck extended beautifully, her hair falling gracefully over her shoulder. She showed him a nice beautiful smile before speaking in a sweet voice, her usual routine to get information.

"What were you doing at the factory last night?" She had even began twisting a strand of hair with her finger, what a tease. Ace seemed pretty oblivious about it though.

The question applied to the other's curiosities too. The Cyborg of the group stopped watching the show Bon Clay was putting on and strolled over, resting his arms on the table around his lovely wife. Robin set her drink down, her eyes curiously rolling over to look at Ace. She too had wondered this, but not had the chance to corner it out of him. Perhaps though, Nami's tactic of asking in the open would prove best.

Ace sighed and slowly rolled his shoulders back. He kind of hoped he hadn't had to explain that. "Well you see..." He began, one of his eyes squinting as he tried to think about the best way to go about telling them. "I kind of needed to talk to Sanji about something last night but when all that Blue crap went down I didn't get the chance."

He placed his hands lazily on his hips, looking down at the plate he had used as a pillow moments before.

"And then when Ussop's girlfriend, Kaya right?" He glanced at Ussop who had become just as interested in the conversation.

Him and Chopper were watching from their seats. Even the entertaining Bon Clay was leaning in that direction with his ear out. Ussop nodded to him.

"Well she came out saying about how he'd gone missing and stuff so I just told her I'd handle it. Followed the footprints. Nothing big."

Robin hummed lightly to herself. "Followed the footprints." She repeated softly. For some dark reason she found that amusing.

Luffy turned his head to the side. "Eh? What did you need to tell Sanji?" He asked the next question on everyone's minds. For someone who usually was so bubbly, he could have his moments.

Ace glanced around at all their expectant faces. "Well, I guess since Sanji's under Zoro's watch I can tell you guys."

He leaned his knee into his chair and began to explain to them. "A few weeks back Sanji asked me to look into that explosion that happened at his restaurant, you remember that?"

It was kind of a stupid question, since of course they remembered something as monumental as the Baratie going aflame. They kept that thought to themselves though, mostly just nodding for him to continue on. No one dared to make assumptions yet, because it made sense though that Ace would have some sort of connection with the fire, he was a volunteer firefighter.

"Yeah well I was able to identify the type of dynamite from that explosion and trace it back to a consumer. I don't know what he ended up doing with the information, well I guess now I know, but at the time I never heard of any charges being made, but Sanji still asked me to keep an eye on it."
His eyes drifted off for a moment as he was contemplating telling the last part. "I found out that they'd purchased more and needed to tell him. So when Luffy invited me to Ussop's party I knew I had to let Sanji know."

His dark eyes looked at Nami and Chopper and he swallowed kind of thickly. "If I had known they were going to use it against you guys I would have acted faster. I'm sorry."

Chopper frowned, shaking his head. It wasn't Ace's fault, he didn't know what it was being used for. Nami's smile vanished and she pressed her lips together, her gaze falling.

"It's alright Ace. You didn't know." She reassured him. "We're all alright now."

Franky let out a soft cackle, earning him everyone's attention in the room.

"What's up Franky?" Ussop asked, his eyebrow's lowering.

Franky just shook his head. "Just thinking about how bad the All Blue has it." He gestured to Bon. "We got one of their top operatives and their equipment purchase records."

They still didn't seem to connect the dots and he sighed, annoyed. This must be how Robin felt talking to them sometimes. He motioned with his hand at how big of a find this was.

"Mean's we can trace them back and hit them where it hurts."
The grin that spread across Luffy's face was all the response any of them needed.

Author's Note: Not much to say about this chapter! Things are definitely a lot calmer for now. And for anyone confused about Sanji's diagnosis its basically where he can walk but hes gonna have some disadvantages. He's gonna get tired really easily, he's not going to be able to really strain himself or do anything really powerful kick wise (Without making things even more worse). But if he hadn't, he couldn't have saved his Zoro ;n; I'm so mean to these guys XD