Hey there,

Hey there,

Just wanted to apologize for the delay in posting. Why does work always have to ruin my fun? ^_^ Hope you enjoy the latest installment. And thanks again to everyone for the comments! On with the show...

Disclaimer: All characters and rights belong to Akira Toriyama. I just wrote the fanfic.

The Way We Were

Chapter 3: Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire

"So you see, it's all a big misunderstanding," Trunks finished explaining to Goten after failing miserably to tell his mother the truth behind him saying that Marron was his fiancée, in order to escape the groupies. A week had passed by since the incident, and he was still trying to clear things up.

Goten tried to keep a straight face, but then burst out laughing hysterically, while slapping his friend on the back. Trunks gave his friend a warning glare.

"Thanks for the support pal," Trunks replied sarcastically.

"Sorry, but it's too funny."

"It's not THAT funny, Goten."

"You...Marron...an engaged couple. That's hilarious!"

"And just what is so funny?" Trunks demanded.

"Ha! You used to always pull on her pigtails whenever she wasn't looking. And now you two are engaged. Don't you see the irony?"

"I'm in a real jam here and you're making jokes. And besides, I stopped doing that when she was 13."

"It's your own fault for telling those girls you two were engaged."

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," he replied miserably.

"Maybe this will teach you next time, not to shoot off your mouth."

"Work with me, will 'ya?"

"Look, why don't you just tell your folks the truth?"

"I tried to...3 TIMES, but my Mom just won't listen."

"That's rough, man."

"Goten, what should I do?"

"Hmmm. Telling your Mom didn't work. Maybe you'll have to show her."

Trunks and Goten looked at each other with a twinkle in their eyes, both thinking of exactly the same thing.

"You know Goten, sometimes you're not as dumb as you look."

"Thanks, I...hey!" Goten protested.

"Just kidding. Time to put operation 'Broken Engagement' into action."

Meanwhile, Marron was having a similar conversation with Bra.

"I don't believe you, Marron," Bra said adamantly when Marron had finished telling her the whole sordid story. "You're lying."

"Why would I lie? It certainly wasn't my idea."

"But I thought you two were really hitting off. Didn't he ask you on date?"

Marron pursed her lips angrily. "For the last time, it WASN'T a date."

"Okay, it wasn't a date," Bra amended when she saw the state that Marron was in. "But don't you like Trunks?"

"Not enough to marry him. Besides, he only said what he did to get away from those girls. He didn't really mean it."

"Would you have accepted, if he did?" Bra asked, point-blank.

Marron looked at the younger girl warily.

"That's not the point. Even if I wanted to, which I don't, marriage is the furthest thing from his mind."

"Mom's going to be so disappointed. She was hoping that Trunks would settle down."

"She doesn't know yet, that it was all an act."

"What?"

"Trunks tried to explain it to her, but she wouldn't listen."

"That's sounds like Mom," Bra reflected in amusement. "Well, what about your parents?"

"No such luck. They kept saying that it was just my nerves talking."

"Leave it to Trunks to get you in this mess."

"Agreed. Bra, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure thing."

"Promise me that until we figure out a way to convince your mother that we're not really engaged, you won't do anything to embarrass Trunks."

"Who, me?" she asked, trying to sound innocent.

"Yes, YOU," Marron replied, knowing that Bra loved to annoy her brother. "Do you promise?"

"Aw Marron, that's like asking me not to shop."

"That's why I'm making you swear. Now, do you promise?" she repeated.

"Okay, okay. I promise." Bra crossed her fingers behind her back, secretively. She just wouldn't promise to KEEP her promise. After all, it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Trunks opened the door and poked his head in.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to Marron alone."

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the blushing bridegroom," Bra replied sarcastically, getting up from the bed and headed for the door.

"She's all yours, big brother. Just don't set off the fire alarm okay?"

Bra's laughter echoed along the hallway when she left them alone.

Marron cringed in embarrassment, while Trunks looked at her curiously with a puzzled look on his face.

"What was that all about?" he asked sitting opposite of her.

"Her idea of a joke. She knows about everything. I told her."

"Why did you go and do that? You know that Bra's got the biggest mouth in the world."

"I was doing damage control. She would have found out sooner or later. And besides, it's one less person to worry about. What did you want to talk about?"

"I think I found a way of convincing both of our families."

He proceeded to fill her in on the details of his plan. When he finished, it was Marron's turn to stare at him.

"That's my plan. What do you think?"

"I think you're out of your mind. Trunks, are you serious?" she asked incredulously.

"It's a fool proof plan. Trust me, it'll work."

Marron looked at him dubiously. "I'm still recovering from your last plan."

"That wasn't my fault," he protested.

"I don't know about this. I don't like lying."

"Would you rather go through with this engagement?"

"Of course not," she replied quickly. "There has to be another way."

"We tried telling our parents the truth, but they wouldn't listen to us. We have to take more drastic measures."

"Is that really necessary?"

"What could be more simple? We get the families together tonight, have a big fight, realize that we're not meant for each other, and the rest is history, not to mention our whirlwind engagement."

"It won't work," Marron dismissed adamantly.

"Not with THAT attitude. Come on Marron, you know what our parents are like. It's not like we're hurting anybody."

"But don't you think that they'll try to get us back together?"

"You've got a point there. We'll just have to stick to our guns and stand firm. At least they'll know that we mean business. It's worth a try. What do you say Marron? Will you do it?"

She was silent from a moment before reluctantly nodding her head in agreement. He could always talk her into anything, even against her better judgement.

"I guess I don't have much choice."

Trunks gave her a sympathetic look. After all, things like this probably didn't happen to her very often.

"Look on the bright side."

"There IS no bright side," she replied pessimistically

"Things could be a lot worse."

"I fail to see how."

"You could've been pregnant too," he replied jokingly.

"That's not funny, Trunks."

"Just trying to lighten things up."

"Trunks?" she asked quietly.

"Hmm?"

"Do you really think that this will work?"

"Have I ever lied to you?" he countered back.

Marron quirked one eyebrow up, as if to say, "Are you kidding?"

"On second thought, forget I asked."

"I hope this works."

"Just leave everything to me."

Marron brushed her hair for the umpteenth time, trying to relieve some of the tension she was feeling as she was getting ready for dinner later that evening at Trunks' place. She stopped brushing for a minute, and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Despite the apprehension she was feeling at the moment, a part of her was looking forward to spending some time with Trunks, even if the circumstances were unusual.

"Girl, what have you gotten yourself into?" she asked out loud.

She had told Bra that she wasn't interested in pursuing a deeper relationship with Trunks, when if fact, there was nothing more she more wanted. That would've explained why she had been disappointed when he had avoided her that night at her birthday party. And why she had been hanging on, hoping that he would once again rekindle their friendship after all the years they had been apart, while he had been away at college and then Capsule Corps.

Marron had convinced herself that it was his friendship that she missed, but it was more than just that. She had practically jumped at the chance when he asked her out to lunch the other day.

She missed the sound of his voice, his laughter, the way he walked around with an air of confidence, and his irrepressible zest for life. She even missed the way he used to pull on her pigtails just to annoy her. He was everything that she was not, and more. Unfortunately, Trunks didn't feel the same way about her. And now there was this ridiculous charade that they had to keep up, which made it all the more difficult to feign indifference to the situation.

It was ironic. She had wanted to be closer to Trunks, but not this way. Not like this.

"Do you even care at all Trunks?" she whispered to herself.

Trunks looked at his watch anxiously. Marron, Krillen, and Juuhachigou would be arriving any minute. Ominous dark clouds overshadowed the horizon as the threat of a storm surfaced. He hoped it wasn't a bad sign of things to come. Goten tapped him on the shoulder, making him jump nervously.

"Relax pal. It's not like you're REALLY engaged."

"Yeah, right. I guess I'm more nervous than I thought. Thanks for coming Goten. I'm going to need your help backing me up, just in case something goes wrong."

"I couldn't pass up an opportunity for free food."

"You never do," Trunks countered back. Goten pouted angrily.

The doorbell rang on cue, signaling the start of the evening's festivities.

"Well, here goes nothing," Trunks thought to himself.

"Hi Krillen. Hi Juuhachigou," he greeted politely. He then leaned over to give Marron a peck on the cheek, for the benefit of her parents. She tried not to flinch, but couldn't ignore the warm sensation she felt when his lips brushed over her skin. She had worn her favorite pink dress and matching hat.

"Hi Marron," he added, in a softer, more intimate tone.

She could have sworn that her cheeks had turned as pink as her dress. Instead, she wrinkled her nose at him in response. He was laying it on a little too thick.

Krillen began to get all choked up at the thought of his only child leaving him.

"I'm losing my little girl," he blubbered.

His wife rolled her eyes in exasperation. He would have to accept the fact sooner or later. "Would you get a grip, Krillen? She's getting married, not buried."

He quickly regained his composure. "Sorry. I can't help myself."

Marron shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. This wasn't going to be easy.

"I'll go tell Mom and Dad that you're here. Please make yourselves at home."

Marron sat down on the couch in nervous anticipation, and grabbed a pillow to keep her hands from wringing.

Goten came over and sat down next to her after talking briefly to her parents. "Hey Marron, you look like you're about to explode."

"Wha...what do you mean?" she stuttered. "I'm...f...fine."

"Do you always tear up sofa cushions like that when you're fine?" he asked, pointing his gaze to the shredded pillow in her lap. She looked in dismay at the big gaping hole she had managed to tear apart. She quickly inverted the pillow and placed it strategically so that no one would see the hole.

"Don't worry. Everything's going to go smoothly. Just do your part, and Trunks will do his."

Marron stared at him, aghast that he also knew about the plan.

"Trunks told you everything?"

"I was the one who gave him the idea of putting on this act," he replied, proud of himself.

"Goten, remind me to kill you later on. What were you thinking?!" she demanded angrily.

"Shhh! Keep your voice down."

"How did I get into this?" she moaned.

"Will you stop being such a worry wart? It's going to work."

"Says you."

"Krillen! Juuhachigou! I'm so glad you were able to make it on such short notice," Bulma beamed, walking over to them with Trunks and Bra following behind, with Vegeta bringing up the rear. He was never pleased whenever people came over to visit.

"Thanks for the invitation."

"Actually, Trunks was the one who insisted that we get together right away. Isn't that right Trunks?"

"Um, yeah," he replied sheepishly.

"Well, we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other, now that our kids are getting married, right?" Krillen replied, oblivious to the situation.

"Imagine my joy," Vegeta remarked sarcastically.

Bulma shot him a warning glance. "Vegeta, you promised to be nice."

"I did no such thing," he replied acerbically.

"That's okay Bulma." Krillen turned his head towards his former enemy and sometimes friend. "Not even your ugly mug could spoil my evening Vegeta," Krillen countered back.

"I love your outfit Juuhachigou," Bulma inserted quickly to avoid an argument. "Is it new?"

"This old thing? No, I got yesterday."

"Why don't we all go into the dining room? Dinner's all set."

They all shuffled into the spacious dining room, where a scrumptious feast awaited them. Trunks was about to sit down a few places away from Marron, when Bra decided to have a little fun.

"Trunks, aren't you going to sit next to Marron," she asked in a sugary sweet tone.

Trunks glared at his younger sister, in annoyance.

"What a great idea, sis," he replied through gritted teeth, and taking his place next to Marron.

Bra just replied by smiling at him and batted her eyelashes innocently.

"Isn't it great that the kids are getting married?" Bulma asked while they were eating.

"Who would've thought, eh?" Krillen agreed.

"I sure as hell didn't," Vegeta muttered under his breath.

The proud and stubborn Saiya-jin prince had no desire to mix his bloodline with that of a common earthling, or anyone else for that matter.

Bulma kicked him under the table in response.

"It's about time you were married Trunks. Maybe now, I can have some grandchildren," she continued happily.

Trunks and Marron began to choke on their food simultaneously, embarrassed beyond belief.

"Let's not rush into anything. I'm sure there's plenty of time for that later," Goten interjected. Trunks gave his friend an appreciative look for his timely intervention.

"For an engaged couple, you and Marron sure don't act like it. Why don't you kiss her Trunks?" Bra suggested impishly.

This time, he shot her a murderous glare, wanting to throttle his sister.

Marron looked at him like a doe caught in the headlights. There was nothing she could do to avoid it without causing a scene.

Trunks gave her an apologetic look before leaning down to kiss her cheek when Bra suddenly called out her name from the opposite end of the table.

"Hey Marron," Bra called out at the last minute, the moment Trunks was about to kiss her cheek.

Marron turned her head to the side automatically in response, inadvertently facing Trunks, and met his lips in a startling kiss.

A kaleidoscope of emotions flooded her senses the moment he kissed her lips. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment while it lasted. It wasn't the first time she had ever kissed a boy, but it was the first time she felt a strong emotional connection. She had always wondered what it would be like to kiss Trunks.

Trunks was just as surprised as she was, if not more. He didn't expect her to turn her head abruptly like that.

"Hey, this isn't so bad," he thought to himself. He leaned into the kiss when Marron didn't resist.

They were both paralyzed, not realizing that they had stayed in the same position, with their lips locked together for several seconds. Marron then suddenly remembered that they were supposed to be having a fight. Now was just as good a time as any.

She pulled back abruptly and pulled her right hand back to give him a hard slap across the face.

"Don't touch me you two-timing sleaze!" she spat angrily, hoping that she was giving a convincing performance.

"Marron-chan!" Krillen admonished in shock. He had never seen his daughter lay a hand on anyone in violence before.

Trunks gave her a quick wink, to let her know that he was on to her signal and was about to play along, as planned.

"What's wrong, honey?" he asked, holding his red cheek and sounding like a pitiful wounded animal.

"Don't you 'honey' me. Is that how you kissed that little hussy in your office this afternoon?"

"Trunks, is this true?" Bulma demanded angrily.

Trunks gave his mother a sheepish expression. "It was an accident. I can't help it if she happened to fall into my arms."

Goten and Bra and to cover their mouths with their napkins to prevent themselves from cracking up.

"How could you do this to me Trunks? We've been engaged for a week and you're already chasing after the first skirt you see," Marron added tearfully, for added effect. She was really beginning to get into her role as the devastated fiancée.

"Marron, I'm sorry. She means nothing to me. You have to believe me," he pleaded melodramatically.

"Sorry just doesn't cut it," she replied bitterly.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that this marriage is off!"

A deathly silence of shock filled the room.

"M...Marron, you don't really mean that."

"Aren't you being a little hasty?" Krillen added. "I'm sure you can work things out."

"Krillen is right," Juuhachigou agreed. "One fight shouldn't be enough to ruin everything. Just look at your father and me."

"But that was different. Papa never cheated on you, Mama."

"He can't afford to. She was the only one who agreed to stay with him," Vegeta snickered.

"Shut up, Vegeta," Bulma snapped. Vegeta just grunted in response, muttering about foolish humans.

"It's no use Mom. Marron doesn't want to marry me anymore. I can't say that I blame her."

"Trunks, what are you saying? You both can't give up so easily."

"I'm sorry Bulma obasan. I know how much you want us to get married, but it's no use. I just can't go through with it. I won't," she added with a note of finality in her voice.

Trunks smiled secretly to himself. He had to give credit to Marron for doing a terrific job of acting. He gripped her shoulders tensely.

"Marron, can you look in the eye and tell me that it's over between us? If you can do that, I'll accept your decision."

As difficult as it was to say the words, she forced herself. She squared her shoulders and looked in directly into his eyes.

"It's OVER."

Goten went over and pulled a 'devastated' Trunks away from the table.

"I think I'd better take Trunks out for a while. Don't worry Bulma. I'll look after him."

"Thanks Goten," she replied. She certainly didn't expect this turn of events. How could it have gone so wrong?

What Bulma didn't know was that Trunks was grinning from ear to ear while his back was turned from everyone. They had actually pulled it off!

"Congratulations Mr. President. You're a free man again," Goten remarked the moment they were outside where no one could hear them.

"Thanks. Do you think Marron will be okay on her own?" Trunks asked in genuine concern.

"She'll be just fine. I think she handled herself quite well. Didn't you?"

"She was great," he replied more softly, reminiscing over their lingering kiss. Goten eyed him curiously and Trunks shook off the vision and quickly recovered himself.

"Come on. Let me buy you a drink to celebrate my freedom."

"You're on."

"I'm sorry things turned out this way Marron-chan," Krillen said, consoling his daughter.

"So am I. I guess it just wasn't meant to be."

The rest of dinner had been eaten in awkward silence, as thunder and rain poured outside in a torrential storm. Marron just wanted leave so that the entire ordeal would over and done with and things would return back to normal.

"We'd better get going Juuhachigou. It's a long ride home."

"You can't leave now, especially on a night like this," Bulma protested. "It's too dangerous."

"What's a little rain?"

"Why don't all of you stay over for the night? We've got tons of room."

"Um, I don't that would be a very good idea," Marron replied uncomfortably. She could imagine how Trunks would react to this.

"It might be awkward for the kids Bulma," Juuhachigou agreed.

"I'm sure they are mature enough to put their feelings aside, for one night. I'll arrange your rooms so that Marron and Trunks won't even have to see each other. I'm not about to let you go home in this kind of weather."

"Marron-chan, are you okay with this?"

"I...I guess so. It's only for tonight."

"Then it's settled. Bra, can you show Marron to the room she'll be staying in? I'll take care of Krillen and Juuhachigou."

"Sure thing, Mom."

Vegeta was about to protest vehemently, but when he saw the stern look Bulma was giving him, he decided to keep his mouth shut.

"I'm sure you'll be comfortable in here. You can borrow something from my wardrobe."

"I'm not going to forget this, you know," Marron warned, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What?" Bra replied, feigning innocence.

"Don't give me that innocent look. Why did you trick me into kissing Trunks like that?"

"I just thought it would be more convincing. It worked didn't it?"

"You could have warned me first."

"Where's the fun in that?"

"One of these days Bra," Marron muttered under breath.

"Cheer up. You're a free woman again, remember?"

"Yeah, I guess I am."

"Why don't you go take a hot shower to take your mind of things? I'll leave you a nightgown on your bed."

"Sounds like a good idea."

Marron allowed the steaming jet spray of hot water wash away the tension she had felt all evening. She was so tired that she fell asleep within minutes of hitting the sheets. At least it was all over now.

"Here's to better days and good times," Goten toasted, clinking his beer mug against Trunks' glass.

"I'll drink to that," he agreed happily. "Am I glad that this over. Now I can return to being my usual happy and unattached self."

"Being attached isn't so bad," Goten replied.

"How would YOU know?" Trunks asked sarcastically. "You go through girlfriends like you go through a change of underwear."

"At least I go out once in a while, unlike you."

"What do you mean by that?" Trunks demanded.

"When was the last time YOU sent out on a date?"

He thought pensively for a moment.

"Does lunch with Marron count?"

"You tell me. In the past week, you've talked about Marron more than you have in the past 7 years." Goten answered suggestively.

"Just come out and say it."

"Isn't it obvious? You've got a thing for Marron."

"Don't be ridiculous," Trunks replied quickly, obviously flustered. "Look, I like Marron. I always have ever since we were kids, but we're just friends. Nothing more."

Goten patted his friend on the shoulder. "You just keep telling yourself that."

"Baka," Trunks replied, reminiscent of his father. "You're impossible."

It's not that he didn't want to date. It was just that work kept him busy, and all the obligations he had to fulfill resulted in virtually no social life whatsoever. The fact that he was a prominent public figure who was constantly under scrutiny, was another reason why he valued his privacy and wanted to keep to himself, with the notable exception of family and friends. He was never really comfortable taking over as the head of CC, but he did it anyway. Marron had even called him on that the other day at lunch.

He smiled thoughtfully. She didn't demand or expect anything from him, which was like a breath of fresh air. He didn't have to be the 'President and CEO of Capsule Corporation' with Marron. She treated him as she would with anyone else. He could just be himself. She had even asked him if he was happy. No one ever did that.

He could still feel her soft pliant lips against his. Even if the kiss was an accident, he had no regrets. Yes, he liked Marron, but was it possible that he felt something more? Nah, it was probably just the beer talking, but still…

He quickly shook himself out of his self-introspection.

"Come on, Goten, we came here to celebrate my freedom, not to discuss our love lives. Let's rock this joint!"

The two kindred friends proceeded to party late into the night

Trunks stumbled through the house, slightly tipsy from too much celebrating, and searched his way through the darkness to his room, not bothering to turn on the light. It was a little past 1 AM in the morning. He shed his clothes until he was down to his boxers and fell into bed, already passed out before his head hit the pillow.

"What a night," he thought to himself before falling asleep.

Marron stirred in her sleep and shifted so that she was lying on her back. She could feel the warm rays of the morning sun filtering through the room and stretched languidly. She was already feeling much better.

Her eyes flew open wide when she felt something fling across her chest, pinning her down on the bed. She wasn't alone anymore. Marron let out a piercing scream, thinking that it was a prowler.

"Aaaaaaaaah!!!!"

The door burst open shortly after. "What the hell?" Vegeta remarked in surprise.

Bulma came running up behind him and stuck her head through the doorway. Her jaw hung wide open in shock.

"Oh my," she said amusedly. It was good thing that Krillen and Juuhachigou were on the other side of the building. Krillen would have had a heart attack if he saw this.

"What? What? I wanna see," Bra protested, squeezing through her parents. "Whoa!"

Needless to say, the Briefs family did not expect to see the sight before them, and neither had Marron, for that matter. Trunks was sleeping peacefully on top of Marron, using her chest as a pillow and had his arms wrapped around her scantily clad torso, as if in a lovers' embrace.

Marron stared at Trunks' family, cringing in embarrassment. The look on their faces spoke volumes. They were all thinking the same thing. Marvelous. What in the world was Trunks doing here in the same bed with her anyway?

"It's...it's not what you think," she stammered nervously, trying to keep her shoulder strap from slipping down, only making the situation look worse.

Bulma looked at her skeptically. "I take it that aren't mad at Trunks anymore," she replied teasingly.

"No! It's not like that at all!" Marron protested, struggling to remove herself from Trunks' grip, but it only succeeded in making him tighten his hold on her and rubbing his cheek against her chest.

"Does this mean the wedding's still on?" Bra asked excitedly.

"Come on you two, let's give them a little privacy," Bulma replied, ushering her husband and daughter away from the door.

"Wait! You don't understand!" Marron's protests were met with dead silence. She looked down at Trunks angrily. She was going to kill him.

"Trunks, wake up," she said, shaking his shoulder. He rolled over onto his back allowing her to escape, and mumbled something incoherent, but kept his eyes still shut.

"Are you awake?"

"Mmm hmm."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

Marron pulled the pillow from under his head and proceeded to whack Trunks mercilessly, taking out her frustration on the unsuspecting demi-Saiyajin. Trunks was suddenly jerked awake, totally oblivious to what just happened a few moments ago.

"Hey, quit it! What's going on?" he asked in confusion, struggling to remove himself from the bed.

"This is for getting me into this mess, you big dope!" Marron replied, still whacking him with the pillow as he tried to get away.

"Stop it, Marron!" He managed to pry the pillow away from her hands and pinned her arms to her sides.

"Now, what the hell's going on here?"

"That's what I'd like to know. What are you doing in MY room?" she demanded, wrenching herself away.

"YOUR room? What are you talking about?"

"Your mother offered to put us up for the night since the weather was so bad. Now why aren't you in your own room?"

"I...I guess I had a little too much to drink. I must have gone into your room by mistake."

"No kidding. Thanks to you, your family thinks we're back together again and that the wedding is still on."

"How did they get an idea like that?" he asked irritably.

"Well, they probably got a clue when they found us in bed together!"

Trunks groaned in response. "Oh, no. They didn't..."

"Oh, didn't they. Got any more bright ideas, Einstein?"

"Um, you may want to cover that up first," he suggested gently.

"Huh?" Marron replied, and then looked down at her nightgown.

To her dismay, her shoulder strap had slipped down again, revealing a healthy part of her cleavage. She quickly adjusted her nightgown, blushing furiously.

"Is it me, or are things quickly spinning out of control?"

"I'll take care of it."

"Oh, no you don't. We tried it your way. Now, it's my turn."

End of Part 3

Wow! This is going to be longer than I thought.

Hope you are still enjoying it.

Babboo