So we got to the end! It was so nice to write this story! It's been a long time since I last felt that way about my fanfiction. I hope it was as enjoyable for you as it was for me!

I'll definitely write some more One Piece stories, so keep an eye open for it.

Thank you all for the support and the reviews!

The Way To Love

Chapter V – Together

Sanji sat at the floor and held Nami close to him, softly caressing her hair as she cried on his chest. He was glad she had come there, really, really glad. Yet, he still hated to see her crying like that. Little by little, when he had lost any notion of how much time had passed, her tears began to dry and her sobs faded into nothing. He could sense her hesitation, how she seemed to be gathering courage to say something.

"You don't need to be afraid of me." He whispered smoothly. "You can tell me anything."

Nami grabbed his shirt, as if she needed that support, but still couldn't manage to look up to him.

"I know, I do. It's just… I feel so silly – stupid really."

He smiled.

"We all look silly sometimes. It's a mandatory part of life."

Nami chuckled.

"You're right."

She disentangled herself from him and sat with her legs crossed, doing her best to keep looking him in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sanji, I really am."

"You don't need to apologize, Nami-san. You said what you were feeling, and that is what matters."

"Please, don't call me like that."

He opened a small smile to her and nodded.

"I feel very… insecure. I never let myself fall for you before because I thought… Well, I thought I would never be able to have your exclusive attention. And now, after everything… just the thought of you flirting with some other girl makes me extremely jealous. I don't like this part of me, I really don't, but it exists, and I kept that for myself all this time and it just exploded that other night. That question wasn't fair. I'm sorry."

"I don't blame you. I am who I am, after all. But pretty much everything changed ever since we got together. I always loved you. I never said with those words before, I know, but I thought that was very clear. I love you, but since you never gave me any hope I just behaved normally, sometimes I just can't help it, you know, but I wouldn't do anything that could hurt you."

Nami felt her cheeks blushing a little.

"I don't want you to change because of me."

Sanji chuckled and placed a hand on her face, running his thumb across her cheek.

"If I had you I wouldn't want to have anyone else, it's really that simple to me."

Slowly, Nami got closer to him and kissed him. Sanji enveloped her waist with his arms, bringing her even closer.

"Tell me what you want to do." he whispered.

Nami took a deep breath.

"Would you give me some time? Just enough so I can put my feelings in order, just enough so I won't doubt you ever again?"

He nodded and pushed her back to his arms.

"Just don't take too long. I'll be lonely without you."

She just smiled and nodded.

As they would soon notice, however, things got a little too busy for the Straw Hat crew. As they finally reached Water 7, a series of impossible events kicked in, and there was no time for trivialities. The Going Merry was declared dead, Usopp got on a fight with Luffy over the ship, Robin quit the crew (Zoro tried to act nonchalantly about it, but Nami could feel his blood boiling every time she approached him), Galley-La, CP9, Enies Lobby, Luffy's grandfather, Franky, the Thousand Sunny.

By the end of it all, when they finally managed to escape the Marine and start their way to the island of the Fishmen, the crew felt a wave of relief wash them all. Usopp and Robin were back. They had a new crewmate, Franky, and an amazing new ship. Luffy's reward would certainly raise some more, but that was to be expected.

Nami knew she had to settle things with Sanji now or that would probably not be any other time. They would never again have peace, not after destroying one of the three most important Marine islands.

She waited for the rest of the crew to engage in some sort of activity and sneaked into the kitchen. Franky was guiding the ship, which was great, because now she didn't have to worry about it all the time; Luffy, Usopp and Chopper were very busy fishing new specimens for the aquarium; and Nami was certain Zoro and Robin were having a very serious discussion on his new spot at the top of the flagpole. Zoro had been so out of it during that whole situation, Nami still wasn't sure how the rest of the crew hadn't notice there was something going on with him.

She, on the other hand, had finally realized how stupid she had been. It was really time for her to fix things with Sanji. She was finally ready – especially after everything they've been through.

She entered the kitchen to find him finishing the lunch dishes.

"You know, you should stop slavering around this sink after every meal and put us to work."

Sanji smiled at the sound of her voice.

"I won't risk it. One of those idiots can end up breaking all the plates."

"I can help."

His eyes did that funny thing of resembling hearts as he approached her in a hurry, kneeling in front of her and taking her right hand on his.

"I also wouldn't risk harming those pretty hands." and he kissed it.

Nami chuckled. She was so happy she hadn't ruin their friendship! Even though she would probably do that now, in a way…

"So… Do you want to see the new girls' room?"

Suddenly, Sanji got serious, raised to his feet and stared at her. Nami felt her cheeks blush. It was hard to be under the scrutiny of those blue eyes without feeling lots of butterflies in her stomach. He delicately caressed her hair, putting some strands behind her ear.

"You want to show it to me?" he asked, his words drenched in hidden meanings.

"I do."

He smiled.

"I would love to."

Holding his hand, Nami guided him through the ship to the room, not caring at all if the others saw them together. If it was up to her, for now on they would always be together.

She kissed him as soon as they closed the door behind them, not even giving time for Sanji to appreciate the view of the girl's secret spot.

"Have you made up your mind, Nami?" he asked, his voice filled with want.

"I have. I'm sorry it took so long."

"Well, we were in the middle of important affairs."

"Indeed, we were…"

She grabbed the ends of her dress and pulled it away from her body swiftly.

Sanji felt the air stuck on his throat.

"Are you sure Robin-chan isn't coming here any time soon?"

"Right now she is settling very meaningful issues with Zoro. I don't suppose they will be done any time soon." As she said it, she slowly loosened his tie and started to unbutton his shirt.

When his shirt was completely removed, he pulled her into him, craving to feel the warmth of her skin against his. They kissed passionately.

"I missed you…" he whispered in her ear.

Nami felt a shiver run through her whole body.

"So did I."

They smiled to each other and surrendered to their desires, losing themselves in one another in a way they never really did before. They did everything slowly, really enjoying the touches and kisses and playful bites. Nami couldn't remember a time when she felt more intimate with someone, and neither could Sanji.

When they were both finally thoroughly satisfied, they laid together on the bed side by side, just enjoying their proximity.

"I love you." Nami whispered, tentatively, as if savouring the words in her tongue before letting them out.

Sanji smiled and embraced her with one arm, bringing her as close to him as possible, resting his head at the top of hers.

"I love you too."

Nami didn't expect the relief that washed through her. That issue was really weighing that much on her?

"Shall I pamper you as my girl now?"

Nami giggled.

"Just don't get too wild. Especially with food. Luffy might be jealous."

Sanji laughed.

"That's his problem. I cook him enough stuff already."

Nami kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Are you ready to go and tell everyone?"

He grimaced. With a swift move he placed himself on top of her, trapping her between his arms.

"I'm not ready to share you yet."

"Yeah, well, I have no intention of sharing you, so you don't need to share me."

A grin spread on Sanji's face.

"If that's the case, than, I'm ready to tell everyone."

Nami rolled her eyes, to which he laughed. Being together was what they were meant to be – there was no denying it.

He kissed her one last time before getting up. They managed to get to the bathroom unseen, took a bath together and got ready to deliver the news to the rest of the crew together.

From that point on that was what they would always be – together.