Kissing My Heart Goodbye 5

Chapter 5: A Watched Pot Never Boils

Arlong growled as Jango pulled the needle and thread through his body to seal the wound from Zoro's kantana. That damn bastard was going to pay, he was delusional of the thought that he was just going to sit back and let Zoro take Nami from him. He had plans for her and he'd be damned if he let those damn Straw Hats ruin that. "All done boss," Jango mumbled as he cut off the thread.

"Good," Arlong stood up slowly and looked around the room; all of the members were gathered in his den, waiting for their orders. He growled and turned away from them.

"What do you want us to do boss?" Cabaji asked.

Arlong glared and looked at him, this was partly his fault. "Nothing," he growled. At least not yet, he was going to give Nami a chance to enjoy her freedom, so she would know how hard the real world was, so she would appreciate all he did for her. He also knew that the longer he wanted to make a move the more nervous and anxious the Straw Hats would become and the more likely they were to make a mistake.

"What are you talking about boss? You're just going to let them get away with this?" Hatchi asked.

"Of course not!" he snapped; then smirked as he stared out the window. The sun was just starting to come up. "But a watched pot never boils," he smirked as everyone started laughing; catching on to what he was planning.

XXX

Zoro groaned as he rolled over and momentarily froze. He glanced down through one half opened eye. Last night's memories raced back to the surface as he looked down at Nami. She was still fast asleep, and after he rolled over, she's backed up against him, her body searching for the warmth of his under the sheets. A smile curved his lips and he wrapped an arm around her waist and dropped a kiss on her head while he used his other arm as a pillow. He'd opted during the night to change out of his jeans and into pajama pants, and it felt weird under the sheets because he was so used to wearing only boxers, or nothing at all. His fingers absently played with her hair as he watched her sleep, and thought about what was going to happen o them. There was no doubt in his mind that Arlong was going to start planning a way to get Nami back and take them all out, but he wasn't going to start worrying about that now. He honestly couldn't when he was looking at Nami lying in his arms. Even with her hair tussled from sleep she still looked amazingly beautiful. He smiled when she moaned softly and shifted slightly. He wasn't sure what kind of gods were looking at him, especially since he didn't believe in any kind of god, but he was thankful that he was getting this time with Nami; awake or not.

Nami started to stir; she rolled over and buried her head in his chest, snuggling deeper into the sheets. "Nami?" he whispered softly in case she was still sleeping.

"G'morning," she mumbled.

Zoro chuckled and smoothed hair from her face. "Good morning."

She lazily rolled onto her back and rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?" she asked ruffling up her hair.

Zoro reached over to the bedside table and grabbed his phone, pulling it from the charger. "Around twelve," he said with a sigh. Sanji hated it when they missed any meals and they'd slept clean through breakfast, and if they didn't get up soon, and with the rate they were going it didn't look like they were going to, they were going to miss lunch too. Nami just nodded her head and cuddled closer to him.

"Oi! Zoro!" Sanji knocked on the door and poked his head inside, glaring at him. "I don't mind if Nami sleeps all day, she probably need it, but you have no excuse to stay in bed all day," he snapped.

"Good morning to you too mother," Zoro mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "Are you always so loud?"

"Get your ass up!" Sanji growled and nearly slammed the door shut.

Nami giggled and leaned up on her arm and glanced at the door before looking at him. "Is he always like that?"

"Only to me," he mumbled. "He's touchy when it comes to food."

Nami sighed and lay back down, resting her head on his chest. "We should probably get up so he doesn't get more upset."

"Probably," he sighed. Zoro really didn't want to get up now that she was laying her head on his chest, but he knew she was right. Nami leaned up and gave him a funny look. "What?"

"You need to shave," she told him.

Zoro reached up and ran his hand over his jaw. "Damn it," she was right. He was starting to grow stubble; if he didn't shave he was going to start looking like that chain smoking cook. "Why don't you go take a shower and I'll shave when you get out."

Nami gave him a flirtatious smile before she climbed out of the bed and walked over to her suitcases sitting by his closet door. She dug around for some clothes and pulled one bag over her shoulder. "What's the point?" she asked. "It's a big bathroom, you can shave while I take a shower, and while you're showering I'll blow dry my hair," she turned back to look at him. "I won't look if you don't," she smiled.

Zoro smirked and grabbed his clothes and followed her out of the bedroom. Everyone looked at them as they crossed the room to the bathroom. "Oi, where are you two going?" Usopp asked when they started to disappear into the bathroom. Zoro smirked over his shoulder as he closed the door behind him and locked it.

"What's going on?" Sanji asked, walking into the living room while drying his hands off.

"Zoro and Nami went into the bathroom together, I wonder if Nami's hurt or something," Chopper said, still looking at the door.

"WHAT?!" Sanji yelled.

"Yeah, Nami was carrying her bag and some clothes, Zoro had some clothes too," Usopp said; then he was quiet for a moment when they heard the shower turn on. "Wait…Zoro you pervert!"

I don't get it, what's going on?" Luffy asked. Chopper just shrugged, not getting it either.

Zoro smirked when he heard Sanji yell from outside the bathroom. Nami was inside the shower with the curtain drawn, removing her nightgown and panties before turning on the water. "Do they all have dirty minds?" she asked over the water.

"Well Luffy is too naive to pick up on anything, and chopper's too innocent," Zoro explained. "I'll probably get an ear full from Sanji when we get out."

Nami laughed a little and said, "Don't worry, I'll back you up."

He smirked when he heard the sounds of water soften when she stepped under the spray. He could just imagine what was going on behind that curtain; her naked body with the water running down her curves, those soapy suds clinging to her skin as they slipped down her body.

Get your head out of your dick.

He sighed and started filling the sink with water so he could shave, trying his damn hardest not to think about the woman in the shower.

XXX

Nami was blushing, she could feel it, but how could she not be? She was standing naked in a shower, and Zoro was right outside the curtain, in nothing but pajama pants that looked like they might be a little lose on him, shaving. She washed her hair and rinsed it out and smiled a little. She liked waking up next to Zoro, something about it felt right deep inside. Like something was screaming at her that this was where she belonged. She knew that probably wasn't true, it was Roronoa Zoro after all. She sighed and started smoothing conditioner into her hair, trying to shake the blush off her face, which she easily did when she remembered why she was in Zoro's bed; Arlong had knocked her out the night before.

How had he known that she was planning on leaving? And that Zoro was coming to get her? She'd been so careful, making sure that she played the part perfectly, so how was it possible that he'd known? And more importantly what the hell was with that marriage license? She shivered when she thought about the only possibility: Arlong wanted to marry her. That thought made her sick to her stomach, he was supposed to be her father, not her husband, for heaven sake he was twice her age! It was gross and wrong, and there was no way in hell she was ever going to marry him, even if he tried to force her she wasn't going through with it.

She sighed and turned off the shower and grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her body before she pulled the curtain back and stepped out. Zoro was leaning over the sink washing off his face with some water and draining the sink. He looked over at her and Nami felt that blush creep right back under her skin. "It's all yours," she said, thankful her voice didn't crack.

"Thanks princess," he kissed her cheek as he walked past her and stepped into the shower. She heard his clothes being thrown over the top of the shower before he started the water. Nami shook her head and tried to get rid of the blush again as she dried off and got dressed. She pulled on a pair of tight skinny jeans and a halter mid-drift that cupped and pressed her breasts against each other, creating a wonderful cleavage. She used her towel to dry her hair as best as she could before she plugged the hair dryer and flat iron before she combed her hair out and started drying it. The sound of the hot air blowing on her hair helped calm her down a little because she couldn't hear Zoro in the shower. Well it helped until he stepped out of the shower, all wet from the water and a towel wrapped low around his waist. He gave her a smirk as he stared drying his hair off with the towel she'd used. "You didn't have any problems did you?" he asked as he hung up the towel he used on his hair and pulled a pair of boxers on under the towel around his hips.

"N-no," Nami stuttered as she stared at him. She hadn't realized he was quite this good looking before, maybe it was the water reflecting off his body like that, she didn't know but she liked what she saw.

He glanced at her and flashed her a smirk before taking the towel off and drying off his chest. "You alright, you look a little flushed," he asked

"Idiot, I'm fine," she turned away and looked in the mirror as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail and tied it back, she wasn't about to let him know that she had the hots for him, that was an ego boost he so didn't need. "You ready?" she asked glancing at him.

"Yeah," Zoro nodded as he shoved his dirty clothes into a hamper that looked like it was overflowing. Nami rolled her eyes and reached for the door, getting ready to leave, but before she even had it part way open it was slammed shut. She gasped and turned around, staring up at Zoro. He had one arm braced on the door above her head and he was leaning over her; his towering body shrouding hers in his shadow. There was something in his eyes that she couldn't quite read, but she was pretty sure it was a mix of lust and dark passion, and she didn't know which one scared her more. "Z-Zoro?"

His smirk widened and sent a cold shiver down her spine. "You know that as soon as we go out there, Sanji and Usopp are going to be all over us; asking what happened in here," he chuckled and leaned in closer, his lips a whisper of a breath away from hers, "and I'll be damned if you go out there without even a fading blush covering that beautiful skin." Nami gasped when Zoro slanted his lips over hers, and his arms wrapped around her body, pulling her in closer to him. She was too weak to push him off, and honestly she didn't want to. Slowly her arms wrapped around his neck as she kissed him back. His kiss warmed her straight down to her toes and sent electricity, warm as whisky with all the sweet burn of vodka running through her veins. And it ended much too quickly. He pulled away slowly and gazed down at her with those sinfully dark eyes. "Much better," he smirked.

He reached behind her and pulled the door open, smirking down at her. Nami could feel the blush hot on her cheeks as she stepped out, cradling her dirty clothes in her arms, and her bag over her shoulder. She looked around and realize that everyone was staring at them, Luffy and Chopper looked confused, Usopp and Sanji looked pissed (Sanji more so than Usopp) and Franky, well Franky just looked uninterested. "Uh…hi?" she mumbled.

Sanji walked up to her and grabbed her shoulders. "Nami, did he do something to you? Did he hurt you?" he asked.

"Zoro I can't believe you! You completely took advantage of her!" Usopp interjected before Nami could even open her mouth to say anything.

"Damn Marimo, I'm going to kick your ass," Sanji pushed past her and grabbed Zoro by the front of the shirt and slammed him into the wall. "What the hell is your problem?" he demanded.

"Sanji, calm down, we didn't do anything!" Nami shouted to get over the sounds of Zoro and Sanji cussing at each other. "I got in the shower and took my clothes off behind the curtain on before I started the water while Zoro shaved. I got dressed when he was inside of it," she calmly explained. Sanji looked at her and slowly let go of Zoro. "We didn't do anything, the blush is just from the heat of the shower," she added.

Sanji nodded and then smiled, taking her hand in his and kissed the back of it. "I apologize for losing my temper," he said softly.

"Its fine," Nami slowly pulled her hand free of Sanji's grip and walked back to Zoro's bedroom and put her bag inside. Damn, if they were going to get touchy every time she and Zoro were together, maybe she should start sleeping on the couch. She sighed and walked back out into the living room. She glanced at Zoro and gave him a quick smile before she went into the kitchen, Sanji was working on lunch and whatever it was, it smelled delicious. "What can I help with Sanji?" she asked standing beside him, watching him expertly slice and dice some vegetables.

"Oh, Nami, you don't have to do anything, you're a guest here, asking you to do something wouldn't be right," he said smiling.

"Too bad, I'm helping, now tell me what to do." he looked at her blankly for a minute before smiling. He told her she could set the table and then she helped him watch the things on the stove, so they didn't over boil. They shared some small talk while they finished up lunch.

"So…can I ask a personal question?" he asked after they'd been silent for a while.

"Sure," Nami was stirring what looked like potato soup and keeping an eye on whatever was in the oven.

"What was it like? Living with Arlong I mean, I just can't picture him as the fatherly type," he said, his voice was soft, as if he really didn't want to know the answer.

Nami sighed and looked up at the ceiling, a sad smile tugging at her lips. "Well, it wasn't easy that's for sure. He didn't like to let me do much of anything without someone constantly watching me. He'd forced the school to make sure Cabaji was in all of my classes, and if he ever let me go over to Vivi's even for just an hour or two, Buggy or Hatchi were outside in the car, watching to make sure nothing happened. He really didn't take much interest in my life other than school. He'd put in me in all advance classes, and made sure that each of them were going to be able to get me a good job somewhere. If my grades slipped, he'd make me stay up all night studying, or until I passed out at the table, he wanted me to have perfect grades, perfect everything pretty much." She sighed and looked down at the soup, absently stirring it. "Sure he gave me anything I wanted, material wise, and he never missed a birthday or anything like that, but…it wasn't a family you know? He was secretive a lot, I'd known since I was probably eight that he was the leader of the Mermen Gang, and that he pretty much controlled the city just because everyone was scared of him, but other than that and the actual members of the gang, I never really knew much. He didn't like to talk about it, and I didn't pry because I'd witnessed his anger on more than one occasion and it's not something I wanted to feel myself." She smiled and thought about waking up in Zoro's bed after they'd gotten her out of there. "When I woke up last night, and I realized that I wasn't in my bed, and I wasn't in his house…I felt like I could really breathe for the first time without everything I did being monitored. He was crazy protective, and a little possessive," she shrugged, "it's just something I learned to deal with, did I like it? No, but I dealt with it, that was the only thing I could do."

"Nami…"

She smiled and looked up at him. "But that's all you can do right? Learn how to survive?" she thought about it and realized that though her prison didn't have bars, it was a prison none the less. "Besides, you have go through something to make something of yourself right?"

"You got that right," they both looked over to the kitchen door and saw everyone standing there, looking at the two of them. Luffy smiled and gave her a wink. "Besides, you're one of us now, and we look out for our own, right Sanji?"

"Yeah," he nodded and smiled at Nami. "You're one of us, so you don't have to worry about him anymore; we'll look after you,"

Nami smiled and felt tears stinging her eyes. She'd never had anyone actually want to look out for her before. Vivi had been concerned sometimes, but she'd never asked if there was anything she could do…and these guys, guys she'd just met and really gotten to know not long ago, were ready to take on her father for her. She looked over at Zoro as she felt a tear roll down her cheek; she quickly wiped it away and looked away from him. There was something in the depths of those dark eyes that told her he would do more for her than just defend her from Arlong, he'd die for her, and that unnerved her a little bit because she honestly didn't think she was worthy of those feelings.

They sat down for lunch and Franky seemed to want to get right down to business. "So when do you plan on handing over those files you stole?" he asked glaring at her from across the table. Nami knew the man didn't like her, but she didn't ever say anything, she was walking on pins and needles with him and the last thing she wanted to do was upset him.

"They're…Sanji where's my backpack?" she asked.

He looked at her from over the rim of a glass. "Still in my car,"

Nami nodded and got up, walking out of the room. She went out to the garage and pulled her bag from the backseat, but when she was turning to go inside something made her freeze in her footsteps. The air seemed to change and there was the slight smell of rain in the air, she looked around and slowly walked back inside. "Are all of the windows closed?" she asked as she sat back down in her chair between Zoro and Sanji.

"They should be, why?" Usopp asked.

"A storm's coming, it'll be here in about five minutes," she said pulling the files out of her bag.

"How is that possible?" Chopper asked. "They sky's blue, there's not a cloud in the sky."

"Just trust me," she mumbled and started sifting through things putting the most important files on top and the least important at the bottom of the pile. Five minutes later the sky turned an ugly, dark, black color and thunder shook the house as a downpour started out of nowhere. Everyone looked at her, eyes wide and mouths hanging open. "What?"

"How did you know that was coming?" Usopp asked. "It was a perfect day not even five minutes ago!"

Nami shrugged. "I've always been able to do that, it's just a sixth sense I guess," she laid the papers out on the table in front of her and looked at everyone, mainly Luffy. "I got what I could find that looked like it could be helpful, there wasn't much. I got a bunch of bank account information, and there were a lot of withdrawals and deposits, there were no transactions under nine thousand belli. I also found a list of client names and a small bio on all of them," she said shifting through the papers. "Some old building permits, weapons permits, and…this." She handed Luffy the marriage license and let him look at it.

"What is it?" He asked looking up at her.

"It's a marriage license, with mine and Arlong's names on it. All it's missing is our signatures and a signature from a judge," she said glaring at the paper. Zoro and Sanji both growled on the sides of her. "I can't think of a reason for him to have it other than the obvious, he wanted to marry me," she sighed and folded her arms across her belly. "I also found these," she handed Zoro and Sanji each half of the e-mails that had her name in them a couple of times. She'd highlighted the main parts. "They're e-mail talking about me, and stuff like that, but this one…it was the most disturbing one." She sighed and looked down at the paper in her hands.

"What does it say?" Chopper asked.

"That my adoption was never…official," she whispered, not even sure that they heard that last part. Apparently they're hearing was quite good because there was a collective gasp and a few growls. "I guess he just took me from wherever I was living when I was young, I was five when it happened, but I can't remember anything about living somewhere before Arlong." She gripped the paper as rage started to fill her, making her blind to it. "I guess when he walked into my room he saw some maps I'd drawn and decided he wanted to exploit my little gift, I didn't even know what I was doing when I was younger, I was just drawing."

"That's horrible…" Chopper looked at Luffy and ground his teeth together. "Luffy we can't let Nami marry him!" he shouted.

"Yeah!" Usopp agreed.

Luffy looked over at Nami and gave her a small smile. "Like I said before, she's one of us, so nothing's going to happen." He smiled and looked around at everyone at the table. "Once a nakama, always a nakama right?"

"Yeah!" everyone shouted. Nami smiled and felt the tears threatening to break again. She couldn't believe that they were willing to risk everything for her. She felt like this was what a real family was supposed to feel like, and she was going to do anything to keep it.

A few hours later she was home by herself, everyone had gone out to scout out their turf of the city, making sure there wasn't anything going down and everyone had agreed that it was too dangerous for her to go out this time. So she'd put on some music and started cleaning while they were out. Sanji was a good cook, but it didn't like any of them were very good at anything else. She'd done three loads of laundry, vacuumed, swept and mopped, dusted, and was in the middle of folding laundry when the guys came back.

Usopp let out a low whistle as they looked around the house. "Dang Nami, what did you do Mr. Clean the whole place?" he asked.

She smiled and folded up one of Zoro's shirts. "Pretty much, it was the least I could do," she smiled and folded the last pair of pants and had them all lined up based on size. Thankfully everyone had different size clothes so it made separating things easier. "I'm still washing towels, but your clothes are all done if you want to put them away."

"Nami's awesome!" Luffy shouted as he grabbed his clothes and ran off to the bedroom.

"Bring out sheets if you want them done too!" she called out after him as he ran off.

"Thank you, Nami," Sanji said smiling as he grabbed his clothes and walked off.

"No problem," she smiled as everyone else thanked her, except one person.

Zoro came to stand behind her, his thighs pressing into hers as his arms caged her in, his chest pressed against her back and his breath fanned over her neck. She bit her lip to resist backing up into him. "Thank you, Nami," he whispered and dropped a kiss on her shoulder before he grabbed his own clothes and walked into his room.

Nami sighed and tried to calm her heartbeat, it was racing and beating so hard she thought it was going to beat right out of her chest. Damn that man, why did he have to have this kind of effect on her? It pissed her off because she fell for it every time, and he knew exactly what he was doing to her. She growled and grabbed the laundry basket and headed back through the kitchen to the laundry room and dropped the basket down. She needed to get a handle on her emotions before things went too far. She dint think she'd be able to handle it if she told him that she loved him only to find out that he didn't feel the same way. This wasn't going to be easy…especially since they were sharing a bed…