I've been so excited about this story lately! It's been on my mind every day, every time. I'm watching the Thriller Bark arc now, and there's so much SanjixNami in it! It's terribly cute!

I hope you guys can enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: OP belongs to Oda-sensei.

The Way To Love

Chapter III - Questions

The Straw Hat crew decided to take a break on a vacation destination island where they had just arrived. They hid Merry in a safe place and decided to check-in a hotel, since money wasn't a problem anymore. Nami was about to ask Robin if she minded getting separated rooms, when the brunette surprised her, asking for the exact same thing. Nami wondered if Robin was doing that for herself or if she somehow knew Nami's intentions. Those kind of things were always uncertain when dealing with the archeologist. Robin was as mysterious a woman as one could get, and Nami was never sure of what her friend was thinking.

"No, I don't mind at all." Nami answered. "In fact, I was about to ask the same."

Robin smiled to her as she got her key from the attendant's hands.

"Have fun with Cook-san." she whispered as she passed by Nami.

Nami felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment. So, Robin did know about them. How had she figured it out? But then, when Nami remembered the hickeys they left in one another, it wasn't really a surprise. Robin, differently from the other idiots on that crew, was a very intelligent person. Nami figured Zoro would also be able to tell, but he was never really paying attention, or didn't really care. Basically, the swordsman was always either sleeping or training.

Sighing, she decided to let the issue go. It didn't matter that Robin knew. Actually, it was even better if she knew, so she wouldn't fall for Sanji's constant flirtations. Just as she thought it, Nami cursed under her breath. There she was, thinking such a thing again. She had fallen for him completely, she knew that, yet, she was afraid to give in completely, afraid she would get too jealous and drive him away, afraid he would break her heart.

She was about to get her key from the attendant when she noticed how pretty the girl was, with shining blonde hair and angelical features. The boys were just getting in, she could see them walking through the door. Hastily, she grabbed the key and walked away, before Sanji could spot the pretty girl, before she was forced to witness the scene.

"Hey, don't you think Sanji has been acting a little weird?" Usopp mentioned when Chopper, Zoro and himself sat on a table at a restaurant to get something for dinner.

"Isn't he always weird?" Zoro mocked.

"I mean, I went shopping for supplies with him today and he didn't hit on any girls. Seriously, the girl selling vegetables was almost throwing herself at him and he didn't even look at her twice!"

"That's strange." Chopper agreed. "Maybe he is sick. I'll check on him later."

"Maybe he finally decided to be a normal person." Zoro argued.

"Come on, Zoro, don't be so sarcastic. I'm actually concerned." Usopp pouted.

"If he stopped being ridiculous around girls is for the best, Usopp." Zoro said.

"Well, yes, but I'm worried. Maybe Chopper is right, maybe he really is sick."

"I'll check as soon as I see him." the doctor vowed.

Zoro shrugged.

"Maybe he just settled down."

However, neither Usopp nor Chopper were listening to him.

Sanji knocked on her door hesitantly. Secretly, he had entertained the idea that Nami had got a room just for herself so they could sleep together in it. However, he knew that was just positive thinking. Since the last time they were together, that night they spent alone on Merry, Nami hadn't said anything to him regarding their "relationship". It was really driving him insane. He wanted badly to wash out that uncertainty, to ask her to be his girl, but at the same time, he didn't want to force her into anything she didn't really want - that was why he decided to let her approach him on her own. But he wasn't that patient, and his feelings were eating him alive.

Sanji let his cigarette fall out of his mouths when he saw Nami's dress when she opened the door to him. He didn't remember ever seeing her in clothes like that: a short black dress with long sleeves hugged her body closely, and her shoes were scarlet red peep toes with enormous heels.

"Sorry to bother you, Nami-san. I see you are going out. Never mind me."

She grabbed him by the sleeve before he could escape.

"Actually…" she whispered just loud enough so he could hear her, fighting against the blush now spreading through her cheeks. "I was hoping you would stop by and maybe… maybe ask me out to dinner."

Sanji recollected himself immediately, smiling at her.

"I came exactly for this."

She opened a shy smile to him.

"Know where we are going?"

"Actually, I do. I found a very nice looking bistrô earlier. Want to try it out with me?"

He offered his arm to her, which she took happily. It didn't even occurred to them that they would have to explain things if they crossed paths with one of his nakama - it didn't really seem to matter.

They walked slowly through town, enjoying the night. Since it was a touristic town, the movement was intense. All restaurants were crowded and there were huge lines in front of every nightclub. The bistrô Sanji picked was small and reserved, the light just in the right adjustment (not bright, but also not dark), setting a calm and romantic mood. Nami loved how there was a single white orchid in every table, sat beside a candle.

The attendant at the door led them to one of the tables as soon as Sanji stated he had made a reservation earlier that day. The waiter came and gave them the menus. Nami let Sanji order for her since he was a professional and knew what she liked and what she didn't by heart.

The conversation between flowed naturally during the whole dinner, the food was great (although not as good as Sanji's, which Nami did not mention or he would get too cocky) and the wine was marvelous.

They walked back to the hotel slowly and holding hands, engaged on a light conversation that made them laugh all the time. When they were finally at Nami's room door, they kissed passionately. Nami opened the door without breaking the kiss and they walked in still glued to each other. She just had the time to kick off her shoes before they fell into the mattress.

Nami was very aware it would be the first they would actually have sex. The other two nights had been just explorations, extended preliminaries, so to speak, however, now she wanted it all, she was tired of waiting.

Sanji was also conscious of such a situation, and he was also conscious that, virtually, she was a virgin - because her first time didn't count, not under those revolting conditions. He wanted her to feel all the pleasure he could give her, wanted her to want him more and more.

Nami changed their positions, placing herself on top and started to unbutton Sanji's shirt. He closed his eyes, wanting to just feel the soft touch of her fingers on him. The piece of clothing was easily discarded and she proceeded to his pants, which were also easily removed.

Taking advantage of her position, Sanji grabbed the hem of her dress, which was all folded on her hips, sliding his hands through her body as the black cotton stopped kissing her beautiful figure. Underneath it, as Sanji excitedly noticed, she wasn't wearing a bra, just a very small black lacy tongue. He almost licked his lips in anticipation.

"Gods, have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" he groaned in a lusty voice.

She smiled beautifully to him and proceeded to remove the rest of their clothing.

"I want to stay on top." she whispered to him. "Would you let me?"

He smiled to her.

"Anything you want."

She let his length slid inside of her slowly, enjoying every bit of it. She shook her hips sensuously, causing a delicious friction between them. She moaned. She had never felt anything like that, such a powerful pleasure. And she wanted more.

Grabbing the bed posts for support, Nami began to move up and down, changing the rhythm from time to time, going faster and harder when she wanted. Sanji was groaning beneath her, holding her waist as if it was what he needed to save his own life.

Her orgasm was mindblowing. She moaned his name desperately as it took hold of her. Sanji quickly changed their positions.

"Is it okay if I'm on top now?" he mumbled hoarsely at her ear.

She just nodded, as she was still numb from everything she had just felt. Sanji took the chance to enter her roughly, starting a rapid pace that had her moaning again in seconds.

"Sanjiii!" she almost shouted.

He moaned in response, too far gone to articulate a word.

This time they orgasmed together, kissing each other in reckless abandon.

He collapsed beside her feeling in heaven. Nami opened her arms and he eagerly accepted the invitation, quickly noticing her breast were the best pillows in the whole world.

They fell asleep so swiftly neither of the noticed, feeling utterly satisfied and happy.

Sanji woke up with the gentle light of the morning sky with Nami still on his arms. He held her closer to him, loving to feel her naked body against his. He really wanted to be with her forever, and he noticed he couldn't wait any longer for a definition of their relationship.

Nami opened her eyes lazily.

"What time is it?" she yawned.

"I have no idea."

She smiled and snuggled closer to him. He embraced her lovingly.

A minute or two passed before Sanji gathered enough courage to speak.

"Nami… Can I ask you a question?"

She hesitated. That tone on his voice… She knew what was coming next and she had been running away from that inquirement ever since she let him touch her for the first time. She wasn't ready for that question yet.

Nami sighed and answered without looking at him.

"Yes, of course."

"I had decided I wouldn't ask you this ever, because I didn't want to push you or anything, but I'm really not that patient, and this past weeks, ever since I found you that night… Gods, I don't even know how to put it into words, I've been loving every second of it, but I'm always worried you won't want me again, because I did promise you I would just pretend that nothing happened if you wanted it that way. But Nami… I feel myself craving for you every day. I want to be able to kiss you in front of everyone, to touch your hand without worrying you don't want me to." he delicately raised her face to his by her chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes. "So, what I want to ask you is… Where do we stand, Nami?"

She bit her bottom lip nervously as she felt her eyes filling up with tears. She didn't want to have that conversation. She just wanted everything to be exactly as it was, even though it wasn't fair for either of them.

"That night… That night you found me touching myself, if it wasn't me, how would you have reacted?"

Sanji was speechless for a moment.

"If it was Robin and not me, what would have happened, Sanji?"

"I… don't understand."

Nami rolled to the side, sitting on the bed and giving her back to him.

"If it was Robin that night and she wanted you, would you have wanted her too? Would you have had sex with her instead of me?"

Sanji was shocked. He definitely understood from where that question was coming, but he had never thought about such a scenario. Usually he was just a harmless flirter, but he loved Nami. Ever since they became nakama he had loved her without really noticing it. However, he would never be able to describe the feelings that assaulted him when he heard Nami's next words:

"Just leave, please."

He didn't want to, he wanted to argue with her, to say that question was pure nonsense, but he was at a loss of words. Feeling defeated, he just got up, dressed as quickly as he managed and left the room.

Nami only let herself cry after the door was closed behind him.