Her head finally breached the surface of the water. Strauss gasped, mostly from the effort of supporting the limp man than from the swim. She hadn't been planning on having a swim so soon after that crazy patch of weather, but after spotting the figure floating amongst the burning wreckage she just couldn't help herself. Sanji had told her it was a bad habit, which was rich coming from someone who would do the exact same.

"Is he… Is he alive?" Tashigi asked as he was hoisted to the deck. A valid question in Strauss' opinion. The number of burn marks made it hard to tell what was skin and what was clothing. Whatever this guy had gone through, it couldn't have been pleasant.

"We'll find out soon," the ship's doctor muttered, gloved hands already snipping open the singed patches of clothing. Strauss hadn't bothered learning his name. Other than Smoker and Tashigi, the others didn't really seem to want to get to know her. Why would she befriend people who didn't want to befriend her.

After a particularly stressful period of CPR, the curly haired man finally coughed up a horrible mix of sick and water. "Ala...basta," he murmured before anyone could begin to speak, "I need...to get to Alabasta..."

"You were just found unconscious in the waters of Cactus Island." Smoker crossed his arms, "Proper identification is needed before you can make demands."

Tashigi slapped him on the shoulder. Not paying attention to the glare boring into her back, she knelt down next to the trembling man and gave a reassuring smile, "Ignore him. Please, tell us what happened."

"No." He sat up, much to the protests of the doctor and Tashigi, "Please excuse me for being so improper." Attempting to bow, he only managed a slight dip of the head, "I am Igaram, Captain of the Alabasta Royal Guard. Now, if you could be so kind as to lend me a ship, I really need to get to Alabasta as soon as possible."

"N-no! That's impossible!" Tashigi declared, "You are not in a fit state to travel alone."

"I must!" His fists clenched, "It is to prevent the destruction of our country. Otherwise Croco...Crocodile will…" Eyes rolling back into his head, Igaram slumped back against the deck.

"What happened!" Smoker demanded the doctor.

The poor man gulped, hastily checking Igaram's pulse, "It's nothing," he eventually sighed, "He fainted from stress and fatigue. A perfectly natural response to someone in his situation."

The crew let out a large sigh of relief. Nobody was quite ready for someone to die on them so early on.

"Sir," Tashigi muttered, "We're going to help him...aren't we?"

Smoker's teeth ground into his cigars so passionately that Strauss was amazed he hadn't bitten through them already. Not that she could blame him honestly. Having to be torn between his duty as a Marine and his duty to his pride couldn't be easy. She'd felt something similar to that before, while making a decision that she'd now grown to regret. Even though it was the right one.

She had a decision to make now too. One not such as difficult as Smoker's, but an important one nevertheless.

It was a pity she wasn't the person she used to be. Then she would have willingly accepted whatever Smoker decided, even if it meant hindering her own goals.

Turning on her heel, she made her way back to her bunkroom.

She was far more selfish now.

~0O0~0O0~0O0~

"No! You are not getting out of that bed!"

"Oh yes I am! I can't sit here and do nothing!"

"YOU WERE FUCKING SHOT!"

"Yes and I'm perfectly fine. It's not like I'm being paid to sit around and do nothing."

"Do I need to say it again; YOU WERE FUCKING SHOT, STRAUSS!"

"AND I WILL REPEAT WHAT I JUST SAID; I'M FINE!"

"LIKE HELL YOU ARE! YOU ONLY JUST STOPPED BLEEDING!"

"JUST?! THAT WAS HALF A DAY AGO!"

Zeff groaned, thumping his head on his desk for what felt like the billionth time that day. Damn those kids. How long were they going to keep up this little screaming match. They were going to give him a headache. It was just as well he'd decided to close the restaurant today. Otherwise all their customers would be scared away.

"JUST GET BACK IN THE BED!"

"NO!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! YOU'RE IMPOSSIBLE!"

"ME?! WHAT ABOUT YOU?!"

A vein bulged in Zeff's forehead. He couldn't take it anymore. He had been up all night filling out the stupid paperwork that he normally had to do every time there was a raid, and then he had to deal with the doctor's bill for Strauss' injury (thankfully there was a doctor taking his girlfriend on a dinner date, otherwise that would've been even more expensive), AND then his newest member of staff, who had only been there a week might he add, had resigned! So he was not in the mood for any of this stupid mayhem!

"CAN THE BOTH OF YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!" he bellowed, almost kicking their door off its hinges.

Strauss and Sanji paled, frozen mid action. If he had to hazard a guess, Sanji was trying to force Strauss back onto the bed using both hands and a leg, while Strauss was contorting herself into every position possible to try and avoid him. But boy did they look suspicious. If anyone hadn't heard that damn caterwauling, there would have be one hell of a misunderstanding.

Normally Zeff would have found all of this wildly entertaining, but right now he just did not care. Not when he had less than a single hour of sleep last night. He raised a hand at the still swinging door, "Sanji. Out."

"But-"

"OUT!"

"Yessir!" Straightening his collar, Sanji all but bolted from the room and slammed the door behind him.

That was part of the problem sorted. Zeff sighed, feeling the anger slowly seep away now that one half of that blasted noise had gone.

"Sorry about that," Strauss sheepishly murmured, smoothing out her shirt, "I shall get back to wo-"

Now he had to deal with the source.

"You." He waved a hand. "Bed."

He was so relieved when she didn't protest, and instead swang her legs back onto the mattress. Although...he couldn't help but notice that she was on top of the bedding rather than underneath it. Perhaps it was because it was Sanji's bed and not her own.

Bah. As if that was it. The kid was just too stubborn for her own good.

But now that he was here, there was something that Zeff felt that he had to do. A thought that he'd had late last night, and the main reason why he couldn't sleep after seeing her unconscious in Sanji's arms yesterday.

There was a chair by the bed. Probably where Sanji had fallen asleep last night while waiting for Strauss to wake up. A twinge of guilt shot through him. The eggplant wouldn't like what he was about to do. But he would understand, as soon as Zeff explained himself. He'd have to understand…

Strauss cocked her head, "Is there something you want to-"

"Perhaps you are unsuited to work at the Baratie."

Those eyes. Widened with a deadly mix of shock and downright helplessness. He felt his heart clench just looking at them. One would think that this hurt her more than the actual wound on her stomach did. Judging by how she acted yesterday, this actually might be more painful.

"It's nothing personal." Zeff resisted the urge to look away. He couldn't be swayed now. No matter how much he pitied her. "It's just that I have had a...re-evaluation of my morals since yesterday."

"It's okay."

Why...why was she smiling? She should be upset. Maybe even crying, even though he couldn't imagine her crying in the slightest.

She just lowered her head, "I did think this might happen. After I was so careless yesterday."

Careless? Careless?! If anything she did an exemplary job! The customers didn't even realise that there was anything wrong, and even asked him why their hero hadn't returned from upstairs. He should be rewarding her, but here he was. Firing her instead. How heartless could he be...

No! He grimaced, resisting the urge to pull on his moustache. What was he thinking? Was he getting sentimental in his old age? Bah! That wouldn't do. No matter what, he had to sever ties with this girl. He had to press on. Before something changed his mind.

"I told you before. I was always uncomfortable with you dealing with pirates. It goes against my moral code to see a lady being hurt." He didn't need reasons at this point. She was ready to leave without them. But he just didn't want her to misunderstand, "I thought it would be fine… but yesterday obviously proved that wrong."

"Can I ask you something. Before I…" Her voice caught in her throat. One of the few signs she'd shown so far that indicated that she was the slightest bit upset about leaving. "Before I go I mean."

"What is it about ladies that you guys are so fascinated by?"

He blinked, "I...I'm sorry?"

"Sanji mentioned it once." Zeff wasn't even sure she was talking to him. She was mumbling so quietly he had to strain to hear her. "He said that I'd be easier to talk to if I was a lady."

Zeff's jaw drop, "So...so you knew that he thought you were-"

"I know I'm not a lady...but I didn't realise it was such a big deal to be one."

...What?

"Hang on." He pinched his brow, "I thought you were female…"

The disappointed expression dropped from her face for a moment, "I am a female...I'm a girl. Are you making a joke to try and make this easier for me, since if so I'm grateful but please don't."

Okay… Now Zeff was confused. Maybe that was an understatement. He was downright baffled. Perplexed. Discombobulated. And maybe more.

"I'm not a lady though." She snorted weakly, "Not even close."

All of the little speech Zeff had prepared about how this was 'for her own good' and how he was 'just as upset as she was' simply disappeared. This girl was broken. He'd known that from their very first meeting, but he hadn't realised just how deep the cracks ran. "Why," he found himself asking despite his better judgment, "Why aren't you a lady?"

Her hands clenched on the bedspread. "Isn't it obvious? I'm just…not. A lady is polite. Refined even. They float above everything so gracefully, like it isn't even worth their time. They never give in to negative emotions like anger or rage and they're always kind to everyone no matter what they've previously done. They're delicate, like a flower. So delicate that they fight with words rather than fists." Her face fell. "They've never had to worry about when their next meal is going to be."

Zeff couldn't say anything. He wanted to, but didn't know what would be the right thing. If he said something wrong now, she might clam up and never bring this up again. Part of the reason she was saying anything at all was probably because she was still reeling from the after effects after loosing blood. For someone that thin, every pint counted.

"I'll be honest here, you don't know me all that well. But even then you should already know that I'm nothing like that. I mean, look at me." She lifted the hem of her shirt to reveal the many layers medical gause wrapped around her waist, the rust brown mark still managing to show through, "I got shot during a fight. And I've had worse before. A true lady wouldn't get themselves in such a terrible situation like that."

He should stop her now. No, he had to stop her now. But for some reason, he couldn't. He just sat there, listening to the pain in her voice. Or rather, the lack of it. It was as if she'd expected to be discarded like this.

"And the past couple of years…" she winced. "Just trust me when I say that they haven't been pretty. So, does that really sound like a lady to you? Since it doesn't for me."

He didn't doubt that. He didn't doubt that in the slightest. That was one of the reasons he was ready to hire Strauss in the first place. Because she reminded him of himself and that eggplant. The three of them weren't identical, it would be a mistake to say that, but they were definitely similar. Similar enough to understand each other's agony.

But even so, just what could have happened to make someone this jaded about something so trivial?

To Zeff, there was no difference between 'woman' and 'lady. None at all. They were synonymous. Every woman deserved to be cherished as a lady, and so a lady they were. He'd never even considered that there were actual conditions to be met. Besides, what Strauss had set out to be a lady was more like an actual angel rather than anything else. Divine, perfect, and downright unobtainable.

Although it didn't sound like she was hoping to obtain it to begin with.

Damn. He was so confused. The eggplant was enough work to take care of, and now this?! Did they think this was a charity or something?! But this couldn't be ignored. Strauss was too good of a worker to be let go now.

He was too tired for this. Now that was something he could wholeheartedly agree on. Far too tired. Give him a good rest, and perhaps a day working, and maybe then he would deal with it. Maybe.

Was there anything to actually deal with? Not really (apart from the apparent confidence issues, the dependance on working, the rock bottom self esteem, and whatever shit that kid had to deal with in their past). So...he didn't actually have to do anything did he? No! He was her boss, not her therapist. It wasn't his problem.

But if he maybe took her to a salon or something…

A knock on the door jolted him out of his thoughts.

"Uh…" Sanji poked his head through the crack, "I'm...I'm sorry about yelling earlier, Strauss. I was just...um...really...worried about you."

She blinked, "...huh?"

"WellSinceYouWereShotIKindaThoughtYouMightDieButIDon'tWantYouToSoHere'sSomeSoup…"

Dear lord if that boy went any redder he'd melt into the floor. But...It was nice to see him care so openly about someone he was close to for once. Even if he was getting way too embarrassed about it. Smiling, Zeff let out a long sigh and got up from the chair with a crack. Ah! Grimacing he rubbed his aching back. Damn old age. It always came back to bite him in the ass.

Reaching out, he tugged the duvet out from underneath Strauss' body and let it fall on top of her.

"H-hey!" She flailed, finally remembering the reason for that argument to begin with.

"Just stay in bed," Zeff chuckled limply, "We're not open today, so what were you planning on doing all day?"

"Training…?"

He clicked his tongue. Typical. "As your manager, I'm ordering you to stay in bed and rest. I don't want my employees dying on me because they were too stubborn to let themselves heal up."

Her mouth dropped open, "When you say employees, do you mean...?"

"Forget what I said earlier," he waved his hand to dismiss the guilt pooling inside of him, "It was just to test your...loyalty and devotion to the Baratie."

That sounded so weak even Sanji was raising a suspicious eyebrow to question it. Zeff was sure Strauss didn't believe a word of it. Though...it was hard to tell since the realisation that she wasn't actually fired had apparently drained the girl of energy.

It was time he left. Moving for the door, he paused for a moment to look back on those two idiot brats of his, "Oi Sanji. Make sure Twinkle Toes stays in bed, yeah?"

"No need to ask me that," Sanji smirked, the dip of his head the only affirmation he could do when holding a tray, "Just leave it to me!"

"And stay quiet this time," he chuckled as he finally closed the door.

How odd. He had started that conversation with the full expectation of sending her packing. So why was he feeling so relieved that she had opened up to him? Glancing towards the door once more, he gently pried off the name plate that had been nailed there ever since the place was built and stroked his finger over the childlike scrawl written across it.

'Sanji's room. Shitty geezers keep out or else.'

Maybe the time had come for a replacement. It had been long enough after all. 8 years in fact.

He marched off, making sure to not crumble the aged wood in his hands.

"Those damn brats. They have no idea how much work they give me."

She wasn't going to be fired.

Laying back onto the pillows, she blinked up at the ceiling.

She wasn't going to be fired.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! SHE WASN'T GOING TO BE FIRED EVEN THOUGH SHE MESSED UP! EVERYTHING'S GREAT!

Strauss was certain that she would have been let go as soon as she'd woken up with those bandages on her. Employers hated spending additional money on their grunts. A medical fee was practically a termination paper. So...wow. She'd really thought that she would have to find something else for a moment there.

She wasn't ready to leave her new home just yet.

"Oi, open up." Sanji tapped the spoon on her forehead, "You're gonna eat this. I made it specially for you after all."

Snapping back to her senses, she reached for the spoon, "Of course I'm going to eat it, it smells incredible." So incredible that her stomach was already rumbling.

But he moved his hand back, "Oh no you don't. I'll feed you, you're injured after all."

Her forehead ticked. What was he on about? "My arm's perfectly okay. I can feed myself fine."

"I told Zeff I'd take care of you, so I'm going to take care of you. Now open wide."

She glared at him. "I can do it."

"I'm not backing down you know."

Yes. She did know. Damn his stubbornness. But...it just felt so weird to have people do things for her. Especially her employer and her senior. So weird. Normally she'd be the one doing things for them, even if she was sick.

"Fine." She scooted back a little so she could sit upright, "There's no catch to this, right?"

Sanji cocked his head, "Catch? Why would there be? I'm doing this because I want to."

"Didn't Manager Zeff just tell you to take care of me?"

"Yeah," he gently set down the tray on her lap, "But I wanted to before then. I went and made this for you, didn't I?"

It should be a crime for something to smell that delicious. Her stomach gurgled with glee.

He chuckled, "As vocal as ever."

"Shut up and feed me already."

Now that the shock had properly worn off, there was something in that conversation that was a little...off. Zeff seemed to think that she knew something she actually didn't. Something about Sanji. Or at least she though it was. Zeff had looked so shocked after she'd mentioned his name.

'So you knew that he thought you were…'

That she was what?! This was frustrating.

The soup was so damn good though… And she had to admit, it was nice to be cared for. Once in a while at least.

Hang on. Don't get distracted by Sanji's amazing cooking, Strauss. Let's work back.

They were talking about what it was to be a lady. Her brow knitted. That had always been a touchy topic for her. Especially in the past couple of years. Ever since Mother…

Not now! Later! Or better still, NEVER!

So they were talking about what it was to be a lady. Yeah, that was it. And then she told Zeff about when Sanji had said that she'd be easier to talk to if she was a lady. But Zeff and Sanji both had the same sort of idea of what a lady was. They were quite close after all.

So why did Zeff think she was a lady, and Sanji didn't?

Oh.

Strauss gulped.

Ooooooooooooooh.

It couldn't be. It was absolutely ridiculous. Impossible. Sanji was smarter than that...wasn't he?

She snuck a glance towards him.

"Ah…" He sighed, "If only I was feeding a blonde haired beauty right now…Or a dark haired one… Or a red head..." He wasn't even focusing on her! Where was he looking, the ceiling?! And she did not like that sleazy expression on his face.

So yes. Perhaps he wasn't that smart.

But even so, she couldn't actually believe that he thought...he thought she was…

A guy?!

A little inkling of her was incredulous. How rude could he get? Yes, she might be...underdeveloped for a female, and was only just starting to get curves and breasts, but still! She had been malnourished! How could he not realise! Especially when everyone else knew full well! Patty had once asked her about her cycle so he knew when to make comfort food. That hadn't gone well...Maybe she should stop thinking about that awkward incident.

Strauss mainly just wanted to enjoy her soup.

It was very good soup. It was creamy and eggy and delicious and…salty and...creamy... Just very delicious. She wasn't quite used to actually naming all these amazing flavours yet.

Mistaking her gender wasn't such a major issue after all. She didn't really care what she was perceived as. As long as it meant that she could work, she was perfectly fine with it. Being mistaken as a man had happened before, but then she'd actually been trying to pose as one. It was really weird that he didn't see that she was female.

But it wasn't right to keep lying to him. He deserved the truth, and she didn't want to deceive him over something as stupid as gender.

Even if it would change his behaviour around her. She wasn't an idiot. Once Sanji finally accepted that she was female, he would treat her like all of the others. And...she didn't want that. She liked their relationship the way it was, with all the bickering and impromptu fights. She didn't want to be treated like a china doll like he treated all the other women. It would be...so depressing.

Perhaps she was wrong. It was such a massive thing to suddenly decide after all. And Sanji was...not always an idiot.

"Hey."

He raised his head and glared at her, "A black haired beauty was about to declare her undying love for me as thanks for saving her chameleon, so it'd better be important."

Wha…? Just what went on in that pervy head of his? Actually… She shuddered. Strauss didn't want to find out the answer to that one in the slightest. She didn't want nightmares.

"Well...I was just wondering how you saw me." She had to phrase this right, since if she just went out and asked directly and she was wrong, things would get way too awkward for comfort.

"Hm?" Sanji set down the now empty bowl and waved his X rated daydreams away. Frowning, he reached forwards to rest a hand on her forehead.

She glared at him, "I'm not feverish."

"No...it doesn't seem like you are." Retrieving his hand, he grinned, "That would be one thing too many."

"Pft. Too right it would be…"

"But still," he pouted, "In case you've forgotten, we're already said that we were friends."

"Oh...not like that I mean. But as a...person, how do you see me?"

How long could she keep skirting around it before it was blatantly obvious?

"Wow you really must've lost a lot of blood if you're asking me that."

She really wasn't in the mood for this. Huffing, she crossed her arms, "Just answer the question."

"If it'll make you shut up, then sure." Sanji hummed and stroked his chin, "Well...quite frankly you're a dumbass who got themselves shot and now I despise you."

Keep calm… Manager Zeff told you to stay in bed...so you should stay in bed… Don't hit him, despite how much he absolutely deserves it!

"Okay okay!" He gulped at her murderous glare, "I'll stop the jokes. I just...wanted to cheer you up. That's all."

Was she getting a headache? She groaned, massaging her temples. Yup she was getting a headache. Dammit. She just wanted an answer already.

"Now seriously. I think that although you can be pretty annoying sometimes, you're really cool too. So...yeah."

Why was this so hard?! It would be so much easier if she could just ask if he thought she was like a sibling or something, but he got so wound up last time when she mentioned his family that it probably wouldn't be a good idea to bring it up.

"Why're you so interested in this?" He cocked his head suspiciously, "You normally don't care what people think of you. Are you up to something?"

"Weeeeell…" What to do what to do. Ah! Got it! "One of the customers told me that they thought we were in a relationship, so I was just curious."

Thank you Dienen! It was a pity he resigned. But she couldn't exactly do anything about it.

"Gah!" He flopped forwards, head burrowing into the bedspread, "It's all that stupid waiter's fault! I never liked him."

Personally she'd thought he was quite nice. More considerate than Sanji at least. Less competent though.

Turning, he blinked his blue-gray eyes lazily at her, "For the final time, my heart is for the ladies only. I don't do guys. Not at all, not ever. No offence or anything."

…

So she was right.

Ah.

…

Well...at least now she knew for certain.

The problem now remained; what should she do about it. Tell him and have their entire relationship flipped on its head, or keep it a secret and ruin their friendship when he inevitably found out.

It wasn't much of a choice. But her heart fell heavy as she finally opened her mouth, "Sanji."

"What is it now?"

"...You think I'm male...am I correct?"

Frowning, he slowly sat up, "I mean...yeah? What else could you be?"

A lump caught in her throat. She was going to miss their arguments. Their training sessions. Their meals on the rooftop. It was all going to change now.

"Well… you're wrong."

He blinked, confused.

"I'm… I'm sorry?"

"I'm not male-"

"Ha ha ha funny joke, Strauss," he chuckled somewhat nervously, patting her head as he stood up, "You've lost a lot of blood. It's time you get some rest."

"I'm not joking, Sanji." She frowned, "I'm female. A girl."

"Yeah yeah… You really need to go get some sleep. I'll...I'll leave you alone for a bit. Goodnight!"

"I'm being serious. I'm not a guy! I don't have a di-"

"GOODNIGHT STRAUSS!"

Slam!

Staring at the quivering door, Strauss sighed. It would sink in soon enough. He had been so flustered that he must have realised it deep down. If he didn't...then there was no excuse this time. Not when she'd told him directly. All she had do so now, was wait.

Now that he'd mentioned it though, she thought as she snuggled under the heavy covers, she was actually quite tired. It might actually be a good idea to get some sleep while she could.

"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"

"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO SHUT YOUR WAILING YOU DAMN EGGPLANT!"

"A … She's a… A g-g-g… A GIRL?!"

A bead of sweat rolled down her face.

On second thought, that might be impossible.

A/N

Alrighty! That's one meaty chapter, which actually took very little time to write. Strange. If only I had more time to update... That'd be nice.

So that's a little explanation on why Strauss didn't figure out sooner, but I was always planning on them figuring this out early on. Especially since there are more important issues still left to come. Hopefully you like it!

Stay safe everyone!