A/N:
Hello People!! So sorry for the late up-date, you see there was this old lady that asked me to help retrieve her cat from an impossibly high mountain and then there was this ever so adorable duckling that was crying after loosing it's mother...You get the idea, alot of things came up, what can I say?!
Also a BIG thankyou to all those who read my story and a speial thankyou to those who review! Gosh I love you guys!!
Also, grammar may bee a little off! I haven't edited it ye, I will get around to it though….somewhere in the possible future.
Disclaimer: Do you really have to force me to say it?! Well to bad, because it only makes me depressed…..And even though I know it's not good to escape reality too much –Although in my opinion, I don't mind at all- Please, just leave me in my fantasy just a little bit longer….
Chapter Three.
Laid Off.
Walking stiffly out of her apartment, Pan slammed the door and hurried along the path, while she was trying to latch on a shoe. She was late again, DAMMIT!! Why couldn't she ever be early? This was the fifth time in the last month and she knew that if this carried on, she wouldn't have a job to go to! Swiftly weaving through people, she pounded down the street, gaining astonished looks as she kept pace easily with the passing cars. Ignoring them, she hurried on. After all, she didn't have any time to be discrete.
"Pan, where the hell have you been?! Benson's in there blowing his head off! You better hurry-up, you've been keeping the whole meeting waiting for over a half an hour and he isn't too happy!"
She greeted the small blonde with a nod of her head as she tried unsuccessfully to calm her breathing and tidy her wind blown hair. Gosh, why did she ever stop training? She felt like she was ready to die and all she had down was an hour sprint! If only Vegeta could see her now….
"Oh here she is." Her boss greeted her with an over sweetened smile. This wasn't good.
Quickly, she was ushered to her seat and given her note pad and pen, ready for the meeting to commence.
"Now that we're all here." At this he paused and stared pointedly at Pan. "We'll get this party on the road."
"First matter to discuss is that of the new products that are going to the market in a few days. Cindy, how is the advertising going.?"
Taking her cue, the busty brunette sprung to her feet and pulled out a few folders. "Very well sir, already we have the banners designed and tonight the commercial will be airing. Here I have-"
"Yes, yes, very good." Mr Benson said impatiently as her cut her off. "Now what about you David? How are the profits going?"
"Not too good sir. Comparing to last years figures, this month we've been down by a hundred thousand. Though, that could be a result of the new company that was launched just a few weeks ago. I hear they are progressing really well and that the majority of the population has taken quite happily to their weekly promotions and considerably cheaper prices."
"Dammit!" Benson yelled as he slammed his fist to the table. "That's all we need!"
Pan silently wrote down her notes for the meeting as she waited for it to be her turn. How she was going to get out of this situation, she didn't have a clue.
"Alright, Miss Son, what have you got for me? And you better hope for your sake that it is something good."
Rising out of her chair she faced him square on and let the words flow out of her mouth as calmly as she could. "Well I made the proposal to the Simmet's company about the merger but was declined on the account that Strafen's had already bought them out. I also arranged a meeting to see Mr Collists but missed him as he had an emergency flight out of the country seeing as his son was killed in a car accident over in England. Besides this, I have nothing else to report sir." Sitting back down composed, she waited silently for the onslaught that she knew was coming.
"What about the Brief's support for the new campaign that you were supposed to secure? You were to have an answer about that by last week." He growled menacingly as he stared down at her.
"Sir, the proposal was refused as they are already busy with releasing their own products. Their office is pretty must in a frenzy, as they're trying to meet their deadline. Mr Brief's sends his sincerest apologies." This wasn't exactly true. Actually, it wasn't true at all. Seeing as she hadn't even asked Trunks about the proposal. For one thing, she didn't want him helping her with her own job and for another, she hadn't even seen him since their little 'run in'; that was two months ago. Somehow, she didn't think he was all up to talking to her.
"I thought I told you, you weren't to take no for an answer." Her boss replied curtly back to her.
"I was in no position to force him into an agreement. In case you haven't noticed, Mr Briefs happens to be the CEO of Capsule Corps, one of the most powerful men in all of Japan. When he says no, it means no…. sir." She had done it again, why could she never stop her mouth from going off like that? Stopping herself before she could put her foot into it any further, she sat down and continued on with her notes.
"Well I guess there is no point in keeping this information back from everyone." He sighed, collapsing into his chair. "Micfortosh sales are declining. I was hoping that with the support of Mr Briefs that we would be able to get everything up and going but by the looks of how the profits are rapidly reducing, I'm going to have to start letting people go."
At this announcement, the whole attendance gasped before continuing into hushed murmurs.
Holding up his hand to silence everyone, he continued. "Don't worry nothing is decided yet, I'm hoping that with the launch of the new product our sales will go up. However if they do not, keep in mind that I will be forced to do exactly what I've just said. Dismissed."
Quietly everybody started to move single-file out of the room. Pan had just finished packing up her things when she was called back.
"Pan, considering your attitude and performance of late, I'm afraid that I will have to let you go." Benson apologetically told her, all anger having left his voice. "The company is in more trouble then I let on and to tell you the truth, it has been two months since you last secured a deal and on top of that, you have been late. What's wrong? You used to be one of my top employees."
Silently she took in this information. Well there you go, she knew it was coming. "That's fine sir, it's been a pleasure working with you." With that, she turned away without answering any of his questions and walked swiftly out of the door before he could stop her.
oo0000oo
Ten minutes later she arrived home, settling down on her balcony after flying from the office. She'd be screwed if she had to walk back home again. Flopping down on her couch, she turned on her answer phone and waited for the messages to play.
"Hey Panny, just mum checking to see how you are. Oh and before I forget your Grandma has put a dinner on and she said it'll be your head if you miss this one too. Love you! Oh seriously, don't be late!" Groaning, she waited for the next one to play.
"It's Jeff, I'm soo soo sorry that you got fired! Hmmmm but you must have seen it coming huh? I always knew that I was the best person for the job and that as soon as Benson realised that, he'd fire you and promote me. But like I said, I really am sorry and just so I don't want any hard feelings coming between us, I'll keep you updated on how good I'm doing. Bye!"
"Hey beautiful! Just calling to say I'll pick you up at six, I know you said at eight but well I……..miss you. So you'll just have to put up with me for an extra two hours.!"
With Nick's message the machine turned off and Pan was left wondering on the couch about what she should do. More like what was she going to do! Without a job, how the hell was she going to make rent! Hell the hell was she going to pay for anything! Dende, couldn't he cut her just a little slack?!
Lost in her own world, she didn't even hear Nick come in and didn't notice until his arms wrapped around her from behind as he lent over the sofa. "Hey."
Turning her head to the side, she gave him a dazzling smile. "Hey."
"Pan what's wrong?" He asked seriously, the playful manner leaving his being.
"What do you mean?" Gently she pulled out of his embrace and turned fully around so that she was now facing him head-on, the smile still in place on her features.
"Don't give me that." He said annoyed as he walked around the couch, coming to sit down next to her and snatching her up so that she was now sitting on his lap. "Just tell me, I won't let you go other wise." To emphasise, he crushed her to his chest.
Laughing, she finally yields. "How is it that you can always tell when something is wrong? Then get me to smile again and then finally tell you everything?"
"It's a gift." Smirking, he kissed her on the forehead. "So what's going on."
"I lost my job."
"And?"
"I won't be able to make the rent."
"Hmmmm."
"I won't be able to pay power."
"Yeah."
"Or water."
"Kay"
"Are you even listening to me?" She asked annoyed after only receiving monosyllabic responses in between kisses.
Moving his lips away from her neck, he looked her straight in the eyes. "Of course. What you're telling me is that you got fired, now are flat broke and won't be able to make any of your payments concerning your apartment, power etc Also you're probably going to go crazy from not being able to buy your daily dose of chocolate. Am I right?"
"Exactly! So why aren't you worried?"
"Because I don't see the problem."
"What do you mean you don't see the problem! I'm going to be homeless, HO-ME-LESS for crying out loud and that doesn't affect you at all?" Angrily, she jumped off of him.
"So," He spoke casually, catching her arm before she could dash away in a fury. "Move in with me."
Stopping dead in her tracks she turned around to face him. "What?!"
"Move in with me."
"Are you serious?" Searching his face, she tried to find any hint of sarcasm or sign that might give him away.
"Well I ain't joking."
"But, but, but-"
Stopping her before she could become even less articulate by placing his finger on her lips, he regarded her coolly. "Well the way I see it, it would be the best thing. Pretty soon you won't be able to pay for phone calls to see me or petrol." He laughed.
"But Nick, I can't move in with you!" Incredulously, she shook her head.
"And why not?"
"Because I just can't, that's why!"
Sighing, he pulled her closer until their noses were touching and looked deep into her eyes. "It's either me or your parents. Anyway what's so wrong with living with me, at least I live in the city where you'll be able to look for another job."
Biting her lip she considered what he was saying to her. It made perfect sense that she should live with him, so what was holding her back? Suddenly an image of a mischief, lavender haired man entered her mind. This so wasn't right.
"Well apart from the fact that you ARE a man and so most likely your house would be an absolute pig sty..."
"Hey, hey hey missy who cleans up this excuse for an apartment huh?" At that she had to laugh, it was true that when ever he came over, the first thing he'd do after he had messed around with her for a bit was to go and clean up her apartment. It wasn't like it was dirty or anything, more like disorganised organisation but some how he didn't see it her way and well she'd have to say that he was just a clean freak.
Pulling her down on top of him as he laid down on the couch, he stroked her hair. "So if that's the best excuse you've got, I'm afraid that I'm just going to have to kidnap you."
"Oh and what if I happen to run." Grinning she played along.
"Well I'd just have to chase you, there's no way I'd let you get away from me."
"Ohhhh sounds like a stalker, should I be worried?"
"About a wolf of a man like me? Never." He whispered in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. He could always get her like that.
"Hmmmm sounds like you've got yourself a prisoner."
Smirking as he caught her in a fervent kiss, he replied smoothly. "Well my baby, welcome to hell!"
oo0000oo
"Trunks, where the hell are you?!" Bulma screamed through the phone causing her sons ears to ring and his body to cringe.
"I'm just on my way mum, I had a couple business-"
"Oh don't give me that crap, I was at the office all day and I didn't see a wink of you. Now I'm telling you mister that you better be at that dinner tonight."
"Yeah, don't worry I'm just leaving now."
"Oh yeah and by the way could you pick up Pan as well? The last time she ditched on one of Chi's dinners I had to listen to her moaning for three days! I don't even care if you have to drag her but don't you even think of showing up without her!" With that last final screech, she hung up before he could protest.
"You know Trunks, no matter how long I've known your mother, she always scares the hell out of me!" Moxy replied after witnessing yet another one of his, mother and son episodes.
"Yeah she has that effect on most people." He laughed as he grabbed her hand and walked out of the door. "Well brace yourself Mox because you're going to be meeting ChiChi tonight and let me tell you, that is one scary woman."
oo0000oo
"So what do you want to do tonight?" Nick asked as he came out of the bathroom, drying his hair since he had just finished a shower. "I was thinking about just ordering take-out and hiring out some movies, what do you say?"
"Mmmmmm, sounds like a plan too me...Oh shoot! I forgot! Dammit, I was supposed to have dinner with my Gradma tonight." Pan yelled as she went barelling into her room, looking for something to wear.
Following behind her, Nick sat down on the bed. "Oh well I guess I'll go home then or do you want me to wait for you?"
"Are you crazy? I'm taking you with me! There's no way in hell I'm going to face my Grandma on my own, not when I'm going to be late." Quickly, she tugged a clean, black shirt over her head. Followed swiftly by a pair of faded jeans finding their way up to her hips.
"Hmm, Grandma huh?"
"You have no idea… How do I look?" Exasperated, she whisked her hair into a messy pony tail.
"Mmmmmmmmm...Like you want me." Throwing a pillow at his grinning face, she stalked over to him and pushed him forcefully on his shoulders. Making him lie flat on his back and stare up at her figure looming above him. Pecking him chastely on the lips, she stood back up.
"You wish!" Offering her hand to him, she pulled him to a stand and turned around ready to leave.
"Trunks!" Surprised, she could do nothing but stare at him.
Gathering her thoughts she asked the obvious question. "What are you doing here?"
Sizing up Nick, her turned back to face her. "Well you know my mother, she sent me over to make sure you weren't going to ditch ChiChi's dinner."
Groaning she shook her head. "Damn woman, I should have known. Ah anyway Trunks, this is Nick. Nick, Trunks."
"Hey Nick, nice to finally meet you. Sorry mate, but your date ends here. I'm going to have to steal Pan from you." Without caution, he removed Pans hand that was currently holding Nicks and yanked her to his side. "Sorry to be a buzz killer but there's no way I'm going to that dinner without her.
"Wait." Nick yelled, snatching Pan's hand back. "I'm coming too, so you don't have to worry. I can make sure she gets there."
"What." Trunks asked stupidly, looking back from Pan then to Nick. "It's a FAMILY dinner, why the hell is he coming." He said none too nicely, flicking his head in the general direction of the "he".
"Well , why the hell is she coming?" Pan retorted as said person, walked up behind Trunks. "As far as I know, you two aren't married yet or did that change during the oh, I don't know...Two months that you've been avoiding me?" Forcing her way past Trunks, she dragged Nick behind her. Leaving Trunks with no opportunity to reply.
"Is it okay that we leave like this?" Nick asked as he felt the pulsating rage rolling of his "little angel recently turned demon."
"Ofcourse it's okay, after all we're going to be seeing him at the damn dinner anyway."
"No, I just meant that unless you plan on flying, you better let me turn around and get my keys." Smirking, he waited for realization to hit.
Stoppimg Pan considered just how temping that offer sounded, sure Nick didn't know about her heritage but venting off some steam didn't seem like such a bad idea...However, common sense over-ruled. "Fine, go and get them, I'll be waiting in the car-park."
O.K, I know it was short...But I thought that I better up-date or it might never come! –Sigh- Sometimes I'm just too lost even for myself...