Nami stopped dead on her track waiting for him to say whatever he wanted to say. Their eyes met.

Zoro spoke then, "You stay. There'll be some briefing about this project I want to tell you beforehand"

As they were waiting until the others got out the room, Zoro took out papers she assumed the rough drafts of the plan for whatever project they had discussed earlier in the meeting.

Zoro stopped his work and turned his attention to her as he saw her didn't move from her spot, "What are you doing over there? Come and move your ass over here" Zoro tilted his head.

Nami startled, clumsily and quickly, she moved herself to Zoro's side. No matter how hard she tried to cover up, she still felt nervous. Slowly she took a glance of the papers on the table. Okay, her assumption was totally wrong, those weren't the rough drafts, those were maps. Named it Topographic maps, Road maps and other maps for certain residential.

Out of instinct, she took one of the maps and studied it. And then she took one and another. She was so focused in her little world that she didn't realize that Zoro was studying her as she did the map.

Zoro was enjoying himself staring at the girl who was now focusing the maps. He sat on the table, folding his arms and watched as she studied one map to another. His eyes following her movement. He smirked when she nodded and pouted unconsciously as she could read the map. He grinned when he saw her put her point finger under her chin and furrowed her brows as she could find the answer on the maps. She... didn't change at all.

"So, do you get the idea what is your task?" Zoro pulled her back from her thought. Nami looked at him; she gave him a blank expression. Zoro slapped his hand on his forehead sighed and shook his head.

"You… really didn't pay attention at all" Brushing his short hairs. Zoro stood, took the map from Nami and spread it on the table.

"Here… we are going to measure the size and the shape of this area" he pointed on the certain points of the map and continued his explanation while Nami listened.

… About half and a month later…

As Nami made her way to the pantry, she could hear Luffy yelled at her to bring him some food and a coffee too, Sanji scolded Luffy not to order woman around and the argument between the two started. Nami could only let a lazy sigh already immune to their stupid behaviour.

She entered the pantry and saw Zoro who was pouring hot water into his glass. Ignoring him, she walked pass the man towards the cabinet, grabbed two glasses and two packets of instant coffee.

She stood in silence waiting for him to finish. Suddenly Zoro turned his head facing her signaling he'd done. She nodded but avoiding his eyes in the split seconds as she made her way to the kettle.

Zoro leaned on the table next to the cabinet and facing Nami. His one hand tucked in his pocket as the other held the glass. Zoro scanned her for a while before taking a sip.

"How was the maps" Zoro broke the silent after a moment.

"I'm still keeping my hand on that. Need to be more precise about the building line" Nami replied without looking. Although she no longer felt so much awkward. The least she could do for now are looking and talking to him comfortably. But still, under certain circumstances, she wanted to avoid all those comfortableness. She didn't know about what the latter though, like she cared. She kept stirring the coffee for several times before made her way to the door.

Zoro opened the door for her as he saw both her hands were occupied. Nami bowed a little to him, "Thanks".

"No biggie" Zoro replied. Then both parted ways as Nami went to Luffy's table while Zoro went to his room.

"Eh… where's my food?" Luffy asked Nami.

"Sorry Luffy, I forgot" Nami stuck her tongue.

As he made his way into the room, he still could hear Luffy and Nami talking. Zoro sat on his chair and looked at the materials on the table. After a while, Zoro sighed and leaned on the chair. His eyes searched for Nami and noticed her stood next to Luffy, he kept his stare on her. Thanks to her ability everything flowed smoothly. It took them a half and a month to do the surveying, measuring, monitoring, constructing and mapping a new map for the area. All they need to do were preparing maps and presenting the project to Smoker. There were still plenty of times though, so he didn't need to rush things.

As he watched her, his mind recalled the moment he spent with her during the time. Obviously she was avoiding him. Every moment if he could count. And he didn't need to find a reason for that. He knew exactly why. But spending the time with her during the project brought back all the memories they once shared together and he meant the good one. Truth be told, he really missed those moments. And, he missed her.

A knocked on his door made him sat straight on his chair before allowing the person to come in. Once the door opened, Tashigi appeared with a smile.

"Busy?" Tashigi asked him.

"Not really" shaking his head as he stretching before taking his sit again.

Tashigi made her way passed him and moved behind him. She put her hands on his shoulder blades and began to squeeze his shoulder while peeking at the materials on his table.

Zoro slightly relaxed at the contact as he continued his work while Tashigi kept massaging his shoulder up to his neck and to his shoulder.

"Zoro-san, how was the project you and Nami-san work on?"

"All set. Just have to wait for the plans, maps, files, charts and reports to be filed and presented"

Tashigi's eyes widened, "That fast?"

"Sort of"

They fell silence for a moment. Only Tashigi's hands kept massaging his shoulder.

"We'll be having dinner tomorrow night. Mom invites you to come" finally Tashigi spoke.

"Okay" was his replied after a long pause.

That wasn't the reaction she expected. She hoped he would be more excited accepting the invitation, but knowing him, he would not. She sighed disappointed but still kneading his shoulder.

She never understood this man although they had been together for almost three years. She tried her best to understand him but this man never opened up to her. He was cold and unapproachable but quite gentleman at the same time. That made him unique and that's what made her fall for him.

A soft touch on her hand made her stopped as Zoro grabbed her hand and pushed it away.

"That's enough. Thank you" Zoro smiled still holding her hand. Tashigi nodded.

Zoro and Tashigi just stepped out of the room. Zoro saw all of them were gathering around Luffy, soon they walked towards them and joined the party.

They were talking about the company's anniversary conducted in another two or three weeks. To be exact, Luffy was the one to do the talking. He talked excitedly about food and it seemed like the subject got a special attention from the fellow members. All of them were paying attention to Luffy.

Zoro was now standing just the opposite of Nami whose focused her fully attention to Luffy. She supported her chin with her hands and bent her upper body towards the table. Zoro found that her pose fascinating him that he couldn't help but stare.

As Nami looked up, her eyes met Zoro. Got caught up, Zoro quickly turned his glare to Luffy. Nami stood straight and confused. She looked at him but he no longer looking at her. Suddenly, she felt something… uneasy… no... she couldn't describe by words when she watched Tashigi clutching on Zoro's arm. She is… happy. Again, that feeling… she really couldn't tell.

She excused herself saying she wanted to continue on her works. She walked towards her table and began to take all the materials and worked on her task. However, she couldn't focus as she still had this unknown feeling inside her. As she thinking what to do next, her mind strayed from her actual focus.

She recalled back the time they spent half a month ago. She forced herself too hard avoiding him, every time. She didn't care he noticed or not. As long as he got the hint she didn't want him to be close. She expected him to know it very well. Every time she saw him, she remembered the moment he left her, that hurt her much, very much she couldn't describe. That wasn't a good memory to be harked back. She realized, she had to forget all those memories.

She wrinkled her brows and shook her head. I shouldn't think about that any longer. I should focus on my tasks and finish it soon so that I don't have to spend another two three weeks with him. Nami then put her thought solely on the tasks in hand.

Nami walked lazily as she followed the others to the restaurant belonged to Usopp's friend. She didn't want to go especially when Zoro was present. But Tashigi kept tagging her along. Moreover, she didn't have the mood to be enjoyed while she still had some works to be completed.

But Tashigi stubbornly dragged her along. She had to, albeit she didn't want. Tashigi said, she still had plenty of time to finish the tasks. Yeah, of course she had, but she purposely wanted this project to end way too early than the deadline as she didn't want to spend her time longer with him.

"Nami, you have been very silent. Are you okay?" Usopp, who sat in the opposite direction asked her noticing her pinching her nose bridge. Upon hearing, Zoro looked at her.

"Just a little bit tired" Nami replied him.

"You should rest a little… here... drink" while passing the drink to Nami.

"Thanks, Usopp"

"Hnnnn… is Zoro torturing you Nami?" Luffy suddenly interrupted.

"Yes… No.. I mean no!" Nami quickly sat straight correcting herself . All eyes on her then they laughed. Nami confused.

"Hahaha… Zoro doesn't even show mercy on you" Luffy cracked a laugh, loud. Zoro glared at Luffy but the latter ignored as he still laughing.

"Oi! You shitty freak! Be a gentleman, learn how to treat a lady properly" Sanji who sat next to Nami got up and towering Zoro.

"Huh? What's your point exactly?" Zoro replied standing up leveling his eyes with Sanji.

"Oi! Oi! Both of you. This isn't the time to be quarrelling" Usopp jumped towards the two reminded them as he tried to calm them down.

Tashigi and Vivi could only sigh and telling Usopp to give up. While Brook calmly sipping his tea while watching "the show".

"I'm saying, Nami-san isn't your slave"

"So?" Zoro grinned.

"Stop making her work too much"

"Then, you take her job instead"

"You… you…" Sanji almost exploded but Usopp interrupted between them and pushing the duo apart.

"Tashigi… stop them" Usopp turned to Tashigi and whined. But Tashigi could only shrug.

"Sorry Usopp… I'm powerless" Tashigi confessed.

"Luffy…" but Usopp grimaced when he saw him still laughing.

"Stop it!" Usopp annoyed and smacked his head.

"Ouch..! Usopp! It hurts" Luffy stopped laughing.

Usopp separated Sanji and Zoro away as he didn't want the little argument turned into something big. Sanji sat shot his glare to Zoro but the latter didn't look at him and ignoring his menacing glare.

As Nami watched them, finally she smiled slightly enjoying the fun. As Zoro noticed her smile, unaware, he smiled too.

It was night and there weren't lot of people except them who occupied the night. All of them were walking towards the car park. They bid themselves goodbye. Luffy, Usopp, Vivi and Brook were riding on Sanji's car. They drove off first. That remained Nami, Tashigi and Zoro.

Zoro was already inside his car waiting for Tashigi. Zoro looked at the rear mirror just to see the two ladies still talking. However his eyes focused solely on Nami. He adjusted the rear mirror so he could see Nami clearly though just the street light illuminated her.

"Nami-san, I can just ask Zoro-san to drop you"

"Nah… it's okay. I'll just call Kidd and wait for him here"

"Are you sure Nami-san? You are alone here. We can wait until your friend comes" concern in Tashigi's voice.

"No.. No… it's okay. Go ahead. You still have to wake up early tomorrow"

"Or, you can just stay a night in my house" Tashigi offered.

"It's okay Tashigi-chan. I'll be fine here"

"Since you said so, then we go first" Even so, Tashigi still felt that she shouldn't leave Nami alone. As she opened the door she turned her head again, "Are you sure, Nami-san?"

"You worry too much, Tashigi-chan" Nami smiled waving Tashigi.

Tashigi got inside the car. Zoro started his engine, pressed on the clutch and shift to the first gear. Slowly he released the clutch and pressed on the accelerator to drive off.

"Nami-san said she'll ask her friend to fetch her"

"If she insisted on going by herself, then be it. Why do you care anyway" Zoro replied while focusing on the road.

"I know... but I shouldn't leave her there. And you, be nice to her"

"What are you? A mother" Zoro smirked teasing her. Be nice to her… I am but she doesn't. Zoro replied in his thought.

"Zoro-san. I'm serious"

"You just… worry too much. Didn't she say she is waiting for her friend. Then, why are you so worried?"

Tashigi nodded. "I hope that Kidd guy can make it fast. It's dangerous to leave Nami-san alone in that bus stop"

Zoro almost hit the brake but quickly came to his senses. His hand clutched the steering wheel tightly that his knuckled turned pale. That stupid... Suddenly he felt threatened and burning inside. Zoro drove his car faster. He wanted to turn back but, decided to drop Tashigi off first.

They stopped in front of Tashigi's apartment. Before she left, she reminded Zoro about the dinner. Zoro waved her in return and quickly he sped off as fast as possible leaving the confusing Tashigi. He didn't want Kidd to come and pick her first then he sped up.

As he arrived, he saw Nami still sitting on the stool leaning her head on the pole. Getting out of the car, he walked towards her. He grabbed and pulled Nami arms.

Getting caught off guard, Nami almost yelped but came to a stop when he saw Zoro.

"What are you doing?... It hurts. Let go!" Nami demanded and struggling to free herself from his tight grip.

Zoro still pulled her but his hand slid to grab her wrist, his hold came loose. She jerked her hand away but to no avail.

His grip was still too strong but no longer hurting her.

"I drive you home"

"No thank you!… I already asked Kidd… Zoro, let go. Let me go!" still struggling to pull her hand from his hold.

"No. I wouldn't allow it"

"Who are you to order me around… let go of my hand!

"I'm worried about you"

"Why do you even care?. Let go of me" Nami scowled.

But Zoro didn't let it go nor did he ever respond. This annoyed Nami.

"Let me go… now!" Nami squawked. She tried to stop on her track but him pulling her made it all in vain. As much as she struggled, the man seemed to never care or responded to her every protest.

He annoyed at her continuous protest, he turned back and scooped her over his shoulder effortlessly. Nami yelped as she felt her body suddenly fled into the air and landed on his shoulder. With their current position, she had little to no leverage to free herself. He walked towards his car, opened the door and forcibly sat Nami on the front sit and put the seatbelt on her.

"Quit your bitching. Stay and silent" Zoro demanded.

"What if I don't?" Nami spat in return. She tried to unbuckle the seatbelt.

"Nami! Don't!"

Zoro who was standing next to her quickly duck his head inside the car, pulling her hands from unbuckling the seatbelt.

"Can you listen for a moment, woman" As his hand now grabbing both of her hands and pressed them on her chest to disable her from moving. He glared at her.

Nami wriggled and returned the glare. Both of them were staring at each other that they didn't realize how close their faces were.

"Why are you so stubborn?"

"None… none of your business. Now let me go! Just let me go, bastard" Nami hollered while squirming but his hold made her unable to move. She kept repeating to let her go.

As Zoro kept containing her wrists, suddenly a hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him out from the car forcing him to free Nami's hands.

"Didn't you hear that, you son of a bitch!" Zoro heard a voice. Before he could look up, a hard blow land on his cheek made him shuffled back a little.

"What the…?" was all he could utter.

Sensing another incoming blow, Zoro's body reacted on its own, he slid to his right to avoid the blow and shuffling back to stand out of the attacker's reach. As he gained his composure, he brushed his cheek with the back of his hand. He looked straight at the man who was now standing more or less 3 feet away from him. He stood there and glaring at him.

"You?" Zoro uttered. Some blood spilled in the corner of his mouth. Zoro wiped it away with his thumb. As he saw the blood, he glared at Kidd.

"That was a payback" Kidd smirked satisfied still clutching his fist.

TBC

I really appreciate all the faves, follow and your thoughts about this story.

Since I am back to school, I might not be able to update frequently… so excuse me. But I'll try to finish this story. My brain works at its best when I'm being pushed. JK.

Hempo : You know, you are really SUPERB!. I normally have several rough completed chapters ahead like 2 or 3 and some scribbles when I posted the latest chapter. So, all I can say, YOU REALLY CAN READ MY MIND. You can predict what is to come on the next chapter and yeah, you just did. You've got the concept, Zoro & Kidd did clash but not in the way you'd hoped (hope you're not that disappointed). And there'll be some flashbacks to pinpoint some things that I think is important for you guys to know.

KakashiXSakura16 : Of course she can. She is Nami after all :D

Novi-chan : Yeah… I also can't wait to make Law appear but, I need to follow the flow to make it more interesting or it's gonna be hell break loose.

Guest : I'm glad you like it.

Pennice : I like Law and Nami too but I still love Zoro and Nami. Anyway, we'll just have to wait where this story will lead… She can be with anyone because I love all the pairing I made up… ha ha ha. But I have so many ideas inside my head that I couldn't pick one yet. I still couldn't decide who she'll end up with.