Disclaimer: I don't own anything…
A/N: First off, thank you guys so much for your reviews I really appreciate it, but I say that every time…don't I? Second, I'm sorry if the time changes confused you. You see, when I type it I just skip lines when the time changes and it's obvious. But when I upload it every time I start a new paragraph the lines are already skipped and you guys can't tell the difference. So it's not that I haven't re-read it, it's just that I need to make it clear when time changes because the line skipping doesn't work for you guys. Sorry. And thank you, Raven Hino, for pointing that out. So, here's the next chapter:

Modern Cinderella with No Comments

Pan wrapped her picture frame in protective covering and placed that last item in the box. She closed the box, sealed it up with tape, and capsuled it. Her face was wearing a frown as she placed the capsule in the bag that was full of them, and then shoved the bag in a purse she was carrying just for this occasion. She sighed, her expression still a scowl, and headed down the stairs. Today was the day.

Her mother was waiting for her at the end of the staircase and Pan forced a smile on her face. Videl was crying. She was trying not to let it show, wiping her eyes rapidly and harshly, but her nose was pink, displaying her emotions clearly. Pan gave her mother a sympathetic grin and opened her arms to fall into her mother's embrace. She wanted to cry herself, but not because she was leaving.

It was where she was going that had her all choked up. She didn't want to leave her cozy house and her comforting parents to go live with a man she'd spent nearly three months trying not to love. It was bad enough that, when he came back, she felt all those old emotions again. But then she had to go and fall in love with him. Even that she could deal with. But now…,now she was going to have to live with him and see his face in the morning. See his smile at night. She would see him more than anyone else. And worse of all, she had no other option. Damn him! She was going to punch him twice.

She let go of her mother and looked over to her father hesitantly. She had expected him to be upset when she told him she was going to live with Trunks instead of Bra. But he had only smiled and shrugged his shoulders, once she'd explained the whole situation. Now, she was waiting for him to blow up. If he hadn't initially, once he saw that she was really leaving to live with Trunks, he probably would. But he stood up and walked over to her with the same sad smile her mother was wearing.

"I can't believe my little girl is leaving home." He spoke softly into her ear as he hugged her. He was unbelievably calm. She gave him a confused look as he tilted his head silently asking her what was on her mind.

"You aren't mad that I'm going to live with Trunks daddy?" She questioned him. He gave her an odd glance and scratched his head.

"Why should I be mad?" He asked. "He's only helping you not to lose your scholarship. It's not like you guys are moving in together." He spoke, emphasizing 'moving in' while hinting at a deeper meaning behind the words. "Nothing would ever happen between you and Trunks." He laughed as though it were the funniest thing in the world. She tried to keep the frown off her face, not wanting him to know that the fact he thought this was funny was irking her.

"You're right, daddy." She smiled, trying to cover how much it hurt to admit that, and gave him another hug. Then she gave both her parents a look that signified it was time for them to let go. It was her determination look, for Videl was already about to ask her child not to leave.

"Just take a year off, Panny." She whispered but Pan shook her head. She let out a breath she had been unconsciously holding in and went to sit on the couch. Trunks was on his way to take her to the apartment. She was a little more than annoyed by it too. If she had any other option…anything was better than the fate she was about to face.

The doorbell rang and she jumped in her seat. It was him already? Videl must have been thinking the same thing, for she had the same look on her face as her daughter. Gohan answered the door as a smiling Trunks walked into their house.

"Are you ready Panny?" He asked after speaking to Gohan and Videl. She looked up at him with anger. He noted it and his eyes were laughing at her. She wasn't sure if he knew why she was angry, really, or if he thought it was from him calling her 'Panny'. She simply didn't want to live with him. And why did he think her expression was so damn funny? She gritted her teeth and stood up.

"I'm ready boxer boy." He wiped the smile of his face as she walked over to him, satisfaction written on her own. He shook his head and ushered her out the door.

"Don't be a stranger!" Videl yelled, sobbing, as Pan walked out. Pan stopped, smiled back at her mother and nodded.

"I'm only going a few hours away. It's an easy flight. I promise I'll come home often." Her parents nodded as Gohan motioned for her to go out of the door.

"Don't put this off any longer." He told her as if he knew she wanted to leave already…but she didn't want to leave. She wanted to plea for her father to find some way, any way that this would work out. So she wouldn't have to live with Trunks. "I'll make sure your mother is fine." He told Pan as she forced a smile on her face.

"Thank you daddy. I love you." Trunks placed his hand gently on her side and lead her out the door. The action didn't go unnoticed by her father. Trunks was touching his little girl…around her waist…The first sliver of doubt found it's way into his mind. Maybe her living with any guy was a bad idea. He wanted to call after her but Videl was sobbing again and had collapsed into his arms. He rubbed her back supportively.
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Pan's mouth was half opened as she tried to force it closed. She could see the amusement in Trunks' face but she fought back the urge to slap him. She should have expected something like this from Trunks Briefs. Of course this was where he was going to stay. She was only surprised because everyone had been calling it an apartment.

She looked around and didn't see any other inhabitants to the area. She gave him a wondering look. It was just that…when they'd said 'apartment' she assumed that it would be him renting out one floor of a building or something. She'd expected other people. She expected other 'apartments'. Why, this place was nearly larger than her house. This was no 'apartment'.

"Where is everyone else?" She asked him. He chuckled softly.

"Pan, I'm soon to be the richest man in the world. I requested this condo because it has it's privacy." He smiled wider at the mention of 'privacy'. But it only made her cringe. She didn't want to be secluded someplace with him. That meant no one else would ever be around. There wouldn't be busy people moving about the building distracting her from her roommate. There wouldn't be other inhabitants she could make friends with and visit. Just her…and Trunks…in one 'apartment'.

It looked more like a house than anything else. And she wondered why he just didn't say he was renting a house. That would have been so much simpler to comprehend. But still, she tried not to be too surprised, knowing this was Trunks Briefs.

"So, are you just going to stand there, gaping at the place, or are you ever going to walk towards the door?" Trunks asked, standing next to the door, key almost in place. She hadn't noticed that he'd walked ahead of her. She cleared her throat and walked up to where he was standing.

"Just open the door so I can get unpacked, Mr. Big-shot." He laughed softly and unlocked the door, stepping aside for her to go in.

"Your room is upstairs, you can pick one of the two. The other will be a gust room. My room is next to the kitchen, down here." He told her as her eyes traveled over the place. It was very nice. There were warm colors of maroon and olive green in each different room. Each one was designed to look lovely. This was the placed she'd envisioned in her dreams. Right down to the dark cabinets in the kitchen and the hardwood floors. She placed her hand on her open mouth, softly, staring at the place with wide eyes. She loved it and she was afraid…she'd never want to leave.

"It's…gorgeous!" She said softly, speechless. He chuckled behind her and gently touched her back. His hand rested there, softly leading her farther into the house, past the kitchen and into the living room. Past the living room toward the stairs.

"Pick a room." He persuaded. "Get unpacked, stay a while." Her hands were shaking, for she was scared. If she did that she might just wear out her welcome. If she got settled, she might not leave…ever. She didn't know that was exactly his intent.

Her legs traveled dumbly up the stairs towards the rooms he was talking about. There were two, she noted. Only two rooms up here. Both of them were large and had their own bathroom. Both of them had a queen sized beds and a dresser set. Both of them were beautiful. But Pan only wanted one of them. One of the seemed to be made especially for her.

She sat on the bed of the room, looking around with a sweet smile on her face. The colors in the room were warm, the bed spread matched, and over all the environment was overwhelmingly lovely. She wanted to curl up and stay there forever. There was a fireplace on the side of the room and a bookshelf next to her bed. It was already full of books that she loved to read as well as c.d.'s she liked to listen to. She wondered if Trunks had had this room made for her. It certainly seemed like it. Had he filled this room with things he knew she would love?

There were teddy bears and stuffed animals on the widow, which had a panel that she could sit on and stare out at nature. A radio and computer were sitting side by side on a desk and in between them was a picture of her and Trunks a few years back. She was up on his shoulders with a wide grin on her face. Still wearing her orange bandana made from an old gi. She was twelve in that picture and he was sixteen. It was when she first understood her feelings for him. Pan, despite herself, was smiling as she walked over and picked it up gently.

Why had he put that picture in this room if he'd told her she could pick her own room? What would he have done if she picked the other room? He probably would have felt stupid. Then again, there was no way she would have picked the other room. It was plain white and beige. The bed spread was white with off white flowers on it and, though it had the same furniture in it and same nice look about it, the room wasn't meant for her. It was designed to be a guest room. Pan wondered if Trunks had anticipated her feeling that way. She also wondered why…

Why had that room been designed as a guest room and this room had not. Both of them seemed too effeminate to be for Trunks or any other male roommate he might have considered having. And everything in the room Pan was sitting in was made especially to her liking. It was as if he'd planned on her being there far before she had. She shrugged the thought away. There was no way Trunks could be this considerate. Perhaps his designer just had good taste.

She smiled and placed the picture back in between the computer and radio. She took out one of her capsules and unlocked it. Maybe she would just unpack her clothes…
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Pan opened her eyes feeling happy and warm. She stretched in bed and yawned, wiping her eyes and clearing her throat. Before she knew what was coming from her lips, she was humming and getting out of bed. She walked past the desk and computer, out of her room and then paused. Where was she? She looked around and then went back into her room. She scratched her head and sighed, remembering. This wasn't her room. It was Trunks'…well, it was hers but only because she was forced to live with Trunks.

But even so, that had been the best nights' rest she'd had in months. No bad dreams about not being able to make it down the isle, no fears. And a very comfortable bed. She was happy, despite herself. She hadn't meant to be happy in Trunks' house. She went to the dresser and pulled open the middle drawer. She was about to pull her uniform out when the phone rang.

She looked around, wondering what to do. Should she answer it? The only people who knew she was here were Bra's family and hers and her job. She supposed that if it were from her job than she would need to pick it up. It rang again and again before she walked over to the phone that was in the room and picked it up. If he hadn't wanted her answering calls he wouldn't have placed a phone in the room she was staying in. There wasn't a phone in the 'guest' room.

"Hello?" Her voice called as the person on the other end spoke. She waited and then replied, "This is she." She smiled, glad she'd picked up the phone. It was her job. "Oh, you don't?" She questioned. The didn't need her today. She sighed and thanked the person who'd called her before hanging up. It was a shame they didn't need her and she was more than slightly upset. That meant less hours on her paycheck. Less money she had saved up to leave this place. And the next two days were her off days too. But most importantly, for it was the problem that she was immediately faced with, it meant she would be in this house all day with nothing to do. Around Trunks.

She frowned and went into the bathroom to take a shower. Throughout the entire time she'd lingered in her room, she hadn't heard all the commotion outside…

When she stepped out of the shower and got dressed, she felt better. Suddenly staying in this place all day wasn't so terrible. Maybe she wouldn't even stay inside. Maybe she'd go home and see Videl. She knew her mother was falling apart by now. She had been sobbing when Pan left and this would be the first time her mother had to deal with the feeling that Pan wasn't coming back home anymore. If she visited that would be just it…a visit. It would never be a permanent arrangement again. She stepped out of her room and walked down the stairs, wondering why she heard so many muffled voices. Maybe Trunks had the television on.

She walked into the living room, only to find no one in there. Trunks wasn't watching T.V. But there were flowers sitting on the table. She walked over to the curiously and picked up the card on the table next to them. She saw his familiar handwriting, with her name scribbled on the card, and wondered why he was giving her flowers. She flipped the small card over and read:

Sorry about all the people out there. I'll try to make it back as soon as I can. Mean time, "no comment".

Pan frowned and flipped the card again, as if expecting something more than just her name to be on the other side this time. She wanted a farther explanation. What was he talking about? What people and out where? And where was he? She slammed the card on the table but was pacified as she looked at the beautiful assortment of flowers. If that was his apology for not being home it was fine with her; she didn't want him there anyway. She sniffed them happily and headed for the kitchen.

She started searched through the cabinets and found where he kept the pans. She took one out and opened the refrigerator, letting her eyes scan the contents for what she was looking for. Having not found it, she shut the refrigerator door and turned around for more cabinets.

She saw something move outside the window, out of the corner of her eye, and spun around. When she got a full look outside she screamed and dropped the pan that was in her hands. She covered her mouth with her hands and then, as rapid flashes from various cameras ensued, she covered her face with her arms, squinting her eyes. What were all those people doing outside? She backed out of the kitchen and ran back into the living room, trying to hide from the paparazzi. She heard people banging on the door and suddenly she became aware of why she'd heard muffled voices earlier. They were yelling, more than likely yelling questions. And, having seen her face, getting rather fierce outside the door. She would have to open it and tell them to go away.

She walked back into the kitchen and then towards the door, afraid of what was happening. Then the full meaning of Trunks' card hit her. All these people were out here because of him. Because he was so famous. And he had ran off so that he wouldn't have to deal with it, leaving her alone to handle the situation. She gritted her teeth as she swung the door open.

"Can I help you?" She asked nicely. Lots of people gasped as she silently wondered if there was something wrong with her appearance. But there wasn't anything wrong, except for the fact that she was a woman.

"Are you Mrs. Briefs? Or the soon to be Mrs. Briefs?" She heard one voice shout. Then another voice. "Are you hoping to be Mrs. Briefs?" As she didn't respond more and more voices were shouting at her. 'Are you dating Trunks Briefs….Are you related to Trunks…Are you his mistress…Is he really taking over C.C….Are you sleeping with Trunks…Are you a conspiring gold-digger like so many others or do you have good intentions….Have you ever seen him naked….Isn't he handsome…Is the sex really better than drugs…" Pan's head was reeling. What was wrong with these people? She wasn't dating Trunks and she wanted to yell it. But she couldn't. The only thing that came out of her mouth was,

"No comment. Please, go away." As the card had instructed. She frowned and slammed the door in their faces. How rude they were. She heard groans as people's microphones were lowered. Those 'reporters' were vultures. She frowned in disgust and went back to the kitchen. But they were still flashing pictures of her and she couldn't stand it. She wasn't going to eat in front of them so they could post the pictures on the front page, with a headline that read: "Trunks' mistress, pig or transvestite?" She knew how those sleazy magazines came out with complete lies just to make people pick it up and buy it, finding out that the reporter either had no evidence or no story at all.

She walked past the kitchen, into the living room, and back up the stairs. She'd be damned if they got anymore pictures of her for that cause. And she didn't want them thinking she was his mistress. Or his anything. She also didn't want to be stuck in this house. But what could she do? If she walked out that door they'd eat her alive. And she couldn't fly out, then she'd really be in deep trouble. Damn Trunks. Why didn't he take her with him, wherever he had gone to get rid of those freaking bloodsuckers?

She sighed loudly and with anxiety as she fell lightly onto her bed. She crossed her arms behind her head and lay there for a few minutes, wondering what to do next. She was going to have to sit up in her room, a prisoner in her own home. Suddenly, she was antsy for Trunks to get back and keep her company.

She glanced at the clock with frustration. She'd already been up in her room for forty-five minutes…and she had no clue what time Trunks left. But she was lonely. And anxious. And annoyed. And every time she glanced out the window someone snapped a picture of her face. She wanted to blow all those reporters to smithereens, Trunks should have known not to leave her here, he'd be to blame if she did it.

She had called Bra already but she was busy packing. Bra had finally told Vegita of her plans to move in with Goten and, after he blew up and she pleaded, he gave her consent to leave. But only because he knew she would do it anyway. So Bra was too busy to talk and there wasn't an answer when she called her parents'…She was really sick of this. Another thirty minutes had passed before she started to tug at her hair.

And hour later she was pacing the room. Back and forth, back and forth. She threw her hands up in frustration and let out a weak yell. This was driving her crazy! Even Knuckles had gotten sick of her and ran down the stairs, out the doggy door, thirty minutes ago. Not even the damn dog wanted to play with her. Not only was she stuck in that room with nothing but the radio to keep her company (which she'd gotten tired of already) but she was hungry. Very hungry.

She kicked her feet up and down, laying on the edge of her bed, facing the ceiling. Then she began to twiddle her fingers and hum Christmas carols…now she knew she was board. It was nearly summer and she was singing Christmas songs.

A small laugh escaped from the doorway as she looked up anxious, eyes wide. She thought she'd heard the crowd outside her window get quite loud a few minutes ago but she was tired of getting up. Her suspicions had been correct, Trunks was home. So he thought it was funny? Now she was going to punch him three times.

"Are you bored?" He asked with a smirk, already knowing the answer. She hopped off her bed and ran up to him. She poked her finger in his chest with a frown.

"Where have you been!" She asked, accusingly. He stepped back a little, trying his best to wipe the smile off his face.

"I was working." He said defensively. "I had to go into the office and look over some files. I'm taking my position as Vice President, again, for the next few months. Then I'm announcing that I'm taking over the company." He tilted his head and gave her a cute smile, pieces of his hair falling over his eyes. She paused, momentarily, on her rampage to observe how cute he was right then, but caught herself. She shook her head as if ridding the thought, and continued with her assault.

"You should have warned me this morning when you left!" She yelled at him, poking him in the chest again. "You could have taken me with you. I would have helped you file or something. But nooo. You had to leave some dumb flowers!" He smirked and gently pushed her hand away.

"You didn't like the flowers?" He asked sweetly. She growled.

"That's not the point. I haven't eaten Trunks! They can see everything that happens in that kitchen!" He chuckled.

"No wonder you're in such a mood." She ignored him, rolling her eyes.

"And to top it all off, I've been sitting in this room, alone and bored, for nearly three hours! I can't go anywhere."

"Why not? They don't bite. They're just rude." He motioned to the reporters on the ground outside her window.

"They bombarded me with questions. I wouldn't be able to go out there and not hurt one of them. Do.You.Know.What.They.Asked.Me?" She questioned slowly, making a point of each word and clenching her teeth at the same time.

"I can guess. 'Excuse me, Miss, are you having a relationship with Trunks Briefs? Is he going to take over the company?'…blah, blah, blah…"

"Try, 'Is the sex really better than drugs'!" She exaggerated drugs, throwing her hands into the air with frustration. He laughed loudly and heartily.

"And you said…" He teased, perking his eyebrows with a cute smile as if he expected her to answer 'yes'. She blushed slightly but ignored him, gathering her dignity.

"No comment." She stuck her head in the air and crossed her arms. "And then I asked them to go away."

"You said no comment!" He nearly yelled, taking a step back and contorting his face. She wrinkled her brow.

"That's what you told me to say." She pointed out. He sighed and threw his hands in the air with another laugh.

"Well, congratulations, Pan Son. As soon as those vultures find out your name, you are officially my mistress." He rolled his eyes but he really wasn't upset. She was the one they'd write the dirty headlines about.

"You told me to say 'no comment'!" She punched his shoulder roughly. He rubbed it but she only punched him again. Those two wouldn't count, she resolved; She was still going to punch him three times. Her stomach growled and she rolled her eyes.

"Trunks, I'm hungry." She spoke softly. He laughed and nodded his head.

"I tell you what. I'll cook and bring it up here for you to eat. Okay?" She nodded her head and sat on the bed. Then, as he started to walk away, she hopped up, running after him. He stopped as he heard her footsteps behind him.

"Yes?" He questioned.

"I don't want to be up there by myself anymore." She admitted. "I've never been alone that long before." He smiled softly and nodded his head.

"You'll have to call Bra sometimes and have her come over here. I don't want you to be bored all day while I'm at work." He spoke, more to himself than her, as they headed down the stairs. He was sounding like her father, the tone of concern that was in his voice. And something else…guilt.

"I'll try to bring as much work home as I can. So that you won't have to be alone so often…" He was talking lower and lower and she knew he wasn't telling her. She shook her head, realizing this would inconvenience him.

"I don't want you to do that Trunks. I'll get used to it…I'm just used to always being around Bra. Or my mother or father. Don't bring your work home.." She felt weird…saying 'home' and referring to the place she stayed with him…

"It won't be a problem." Then he stopped and turned to her, waiting for her to reach the end of the stairs as well. "I won't always bring my work home, you know. Just until you're comfortable." The way he was saying it…sounded like a promise. As if she were going to be there for a long time. As if him coming home and having no work to do was a reward. What would he do if he wasn't working? It wasn't like they were going to spend quality time together, or as if she were married to him. Why did she care where he did his work?

"That's fine." She shook her head, signifying that she really didn't care either way. He smiled and continued on towards the kitchen. She took a seat on the couch in the living room and turned the television on. Before she knew it, sweet smells of rice and chicken were invading her senses. She smiled and, without thinking, walked into the kitchen. Flashes were going off in her eyes and she narrowed them, trying to ignore.

"You'd better get used to it." He warned her, noticing the way her face scrunched up. "Thanks to that 'no comment' answer, they're going to think we're hiding something."

"You told me to say it." She pleaded in frustration. He nodded and picked up a piece of chicken that was already sliced and sautéed. He blew on it and placed the fork near her mouth, allowing her to take a bite. She leant her head forward and took the chicken off the fork with her teeth, swallowing it though her taste buds were screaming. It was still too hot, but it was very good. Well worth the burn. She smiled as she chewed.

"Nice job." She complimented him. He nodded as rapid flashes invaded her vision once again. -Oh great, he's feeding me. I'm sure they loved that.- She rolled her eyes. Trunks chuckled, as if he could read her mind, and continued to cook the rest of the chicken and rice.

"So, what should I have said no comment to?" She wondered aloud.

"If they asked who you were, what your relation to me was. Whether I was taking over the company. Those kinds of innocent questions. Maybe even if they directly asked if you were sleeping with me. But not…if they asked….how it was…" He stammered, having a hard time getting the words out.

"What would you have suggested I said?" She fired at him.

"To that particular question?" She nodded. "I wouldn't know." He filled in. She rolled her eyes.

"Then why are you chastising me?" He scratched his head.

"No, that's what you should have said, 'I wouldn't know'…wouldn't know…if it was better than drugs."

"Would that be because of the drugs or the sex?" She asked.

"Huh?"

"Then they would have asked me if I didn't know because I'd never done drugs or never had sex. Then what would I have said? 'I wouldn't know', wouldn't work there. And neither would 'no comment' apparently." She frowned at her mistake. "But it's none of their business. And whatever I would have said short of flat out answering them would have made me seem guilty…or sleazy. And people never believe the truth." She frowned.

"There is a way to fix this." He told her while taking out another piece of chicken. He fed it to her again, Pan happily took it, having forgotten about the last incident of camera happy reporters. Her eyebrows perked as she swallowed the chicken.

"Oh?" She licked her lips. "And what's that?"

"You could schedule an interview." Pan laughed and took a seat at the table while he took out the plates.

"I'm not going to interview with those vampires." She informed him. "No way." She shook her head while he poured the chicken over the rice on their plates.

"Fine." He laughed along with her, but not for the same reason. He knew that by the end of tomorrow she was going to change her mind...
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He was surely right. As the next day came to a close, Pan finally caved. She stormed into his room at twelve o'clock that night, frustrated and riled up.

"What's wrong, Panny?" Trunks frowned, scratching his eyes and trying to make himself conscious.

"A reporter climbed up outside my window." She spat. He could tell she was very angry and he shot out of bed.

"What?" He yelled with shock. "Are you okay, he walked over to her and pulled her into his room slightly, examining her body in the dark.

"I'm fine." She nodded. "The gall of that guy. He got a ladder and just climbed right up. But don't worry about me, it's him you should be worried about." She informed him with a smile. Trunks shook his head, knowing exactly what she meant, and winced glad it wasn't him.

"You know, you pulling me into your room at 12 o'clock doesn't look very nice." She warned him. He chuckled.

"You're the one who came down here, I was sleeping." She laughed and went to sit on his couch. She rubbed her hands over her eyes tiredly and sighed.

"So, how would an interview with some noisy reporter help?" She asked him. He smiled, knowing he had won.

"Well, for one thing it'd settle some of the curiosity. That would make a lot of reporters that are outside right now, go away."

"Yeah right. And another thing?"

"Well, a one-on-one interview kind of makes for a more friendly environment. It proves that we have nothing to hide as well as gives the people some insight into what's going on. Also, when you talk to a reporter and look them in the face...just one, they take your word for gold. And if you get the right one and impress them, they could write the best article about you and maybe the public would leave you alone." Pan tried to digest all this. It made sense. If everyone knew for certain that she and Trunks were nothing more than friends and roommates, then everything would be okay. She nodded slowly and, although she hated to admit it, Trunks had been right.

"So, when can you schedule this meeting? And, please, make sure you get me someone nice."

"Tomorrow at three o'clock with Leslie Jolsen." He answered quickly. She perked an eyebrow at him, it being obvious that he already scheduled. She was annoyed that he was so sure she'd cave.

"What would you have done if I didn't crumble until tomorrow night?" She asked him curiously.

"Rescheduled." He laughed, having been figured out.
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"Leslie, this is Pan, Pan this is Leslie." Trunks smiled as he introduced the two women. Leslie cleared her throat, professionally, and shook Pan's hand. Pan tried her best to smile as they sat on the couch with each other. Leslie flashed her perfect teeth and tilted her head to the side. Pieces of her blonde hair, that managed to escape the bun, fell along with the tilt. She licked her pink lips before asking the first question. Pan thought the woman looked a lot like Marron. Why Trunks picked her became apparent; she was very pretty. He'd positioned himself on the chair opposite them so he could watch the whole thing.

"Pan?" Leslie began. Pan nodded, signifying for her to continue. "I only have a few questions to satisfy the public's curiosity." Pan nodded again as the woman kept going. "First, are you and Mr. Briefs in a relationship? And if so, how serious is it?" Pan laughed softly.

"Trunks and I are friends." She shook her head. Pan didn't notice, but Trunks rolled his eyes into the top of his head. She hadn't given the right answer...

"Okay." Leslie said, as if she knew something Pan didn't, while scribbling something on paper and nodding. Pan tilted her head in frustration.

"Really. We're friends." She felt the need to repeat herself.

"I have no doubt." Leslie nodded, her lips pursed together in an attempt to fight back a smile, and looked back up at the girl. "Okay. What were the circumstances under which you found yourself living here?" She bit her lip and put her pin in a readied position.

"I needed a place to stay in this area. Trunks needed a roommate. We took it from there." Trunks kept himself from groaning. He had told her to keep her answers short and sweet, but this wasn't what he had in mind. She was leaving room for anyone to assume there was more going on than what she said. He rubbed his temples, trying not to butt in. Pan glanced at him and noticed his reaction. She lifted her eyebrows, encouraging him to jump in if he felt the need. He shook his head as Leslie glanced from Pan to Trunks with question.

"And there's nothing going on between you two?" She repeated the question, as if she were trying to get Pan to admit different.

"No." Pan spoke simply, quickly from annoyance. Leslie took it differently.

"Okay." She repeated, writing something else. "What are you aspiring to do?"

"Become a designer. See, that's why I needed to stay here. I'm attending a school in the area for design and I needed to live closer."

"Do continue." Leslie's hand was moving rapidly, but Pan didn't know why; she hadn't given her that much information. There was nothing left to write and yet she was still scribbling.

"Well...that's pretty much it...I'd just lost my apartment and Trunks told me that he was looking for a roommate and I could stay with him. The end of the story. I'm only his roommate not his anything else." Pan spoke defensively, nodding her head, happy that she'd set things straight. There was no way they could misconstrue that.

"How did you meet Trunks?" Leslie asked, ignoring the lost part of Pan's statement and sticking her pin in between the corner of her lips.

"Huh? Oh, we grew up together. He used to baby-sit me." Pan rolled her eyes as Trunks smirked.

"She was a bratty child." He joked. Pan threw a pillow across the room and hit his head. He didn't even attempt to catch it. Laughing, he placed the pillow behind his head. "Thanks, I was pretty board." He smiled at her and closed his eyes, obviously getting more comfortable in the chair. She narrowed her eyes.

"Well if you're so interesting, why don't you answer these questions?" She countered. He shrugged, never opening his eyes. She huffed as Leslie scribbled more and more on her paper.

"You've known him all your life?" She repeated. "And there's nothing going on." It wasn't a question, more like a statement...but the way she said it set Pan off. It was like she was calling them both liars.

"No! There's nothing going on." Pan defended. "He's too arrogant to like." She rolled her eyes. Trunks opened one of his eyes to peer at her.

"You're no walk in the park." He smirked again and then shut his eye.

"See?" She asked Leslie, as if he'd proved her point. "That smirk drives me crazy. I want to slap it off his face. No, we're not together." She shook her head. Leslie laughed and nodded her head.

"Right." She spoke quietly. "Yeah right." She said even more quiet and sarcastic. Both Trunks and Pan heard her and Trunks began to laugh. Pan shot him a dirty look and, though his eyes were closed, he felt it and shut up.

"So," Leslie started again. "If you're not together, why all the secrets?"

"We're not together. What secrets are you talking about?"

"Well, for the past two days, you've said nothing to the press but 'no comment'. Why haven't you talked before now?"

"You see, I'm not used to all the press and attention. I just didn't see how my personal life was anybody's business...I still don't." Pan gave Leslie an almost dirty look. Leslie shrank back, but then Pan remembered she was supposed to be nice and put on a 'comforting' smile. "I'm just a novice to all the interest you guys are showing, that's all." She blinked her eyes rapidly, trying her best to appear innocent. Trunks snickered. "Yes, Mr. Briefs?" She asked him coldly. He shrugged and closed his eyes again.

Leslie nodded and continued to ask Pan nit-picky questions for another ten minutes before she stacked her papers together and stood up.

"This has been a very delightful and informative experience, Miss Son. It was a pleasure meeting you." She smiled. "And now, if I could get a picture for the paper, I would be ever so thankful." Pan nodded and put on a smile, wondering where the camera was. Leslie made a motion for someone to walk into the room as a photographer entered with a huge camera on his shoulders. Pan wondered how long he had been standing there.

"Mr. Briefs, if you could be in the picture too, I would greatly appreciate it." Leslie gave him an innocent smile as he nodded. Just then, Kuckles came barreling down the stairs and fell, his front legs stretched out in the form of a V. Pan laughed and went over to pick him up.

"Oh, who's this?" Leslie asked with a genuine smile. Pan giggled.

"This is Knuckles, my dog."

"Perfect, perhaps you and Knuckles could sit on this couch. And Trunks, could you stand up next to them?" They did as instructed and the photographer took two shots, before he and Leslie were ready to leave.

"It's been a pleasure." Leslie smiled and shook Pan's hand while walking out the door. "Could I ask just one more question?" She looked up at Trunks who shrugged and nodded his head.

"I don't see why not." He informed her.

"Excellent. Mr. Briefs, do you have intentions of taking over Capsule Corps?" He laughed and leaned closer to her.

"Just between you and me, Leslie?" She smiled flirtatiously and he could see the wheels turning in her head. She was rubbing her fingers together and grinning madly.

"Just between us..." She urged, nodding.

"Good. No comment." He smirked and shut the door. Then Leslie finally understood why Pan wanted to take the smirk off his face.

Pan burst into laughter. "That wasn't very nice." She informed Trunks, gently pushing his shoulder.

"You'll be glad I did it tomorrow when the paper comes out." He told her and walked quickly into his room. She was bugging him all the rest of the day about why he'd said that; he never filled her in. But he knew her answers left too much room for speculation. There was no telling what kind of paper Leslie would write about Pan, it all depended on how impressed she was with the girl.
----------

Pan walked outside, ignoring the people in her lawn flashing pictures, and picked up the paper. She was anxious to know what was in it, after the way Trunks made her nervous last night. She hadn't said anything to Leslie that would enable her to print something dirty about her. In fact, she made it clear quiet a few times that she and Trunks were not together. She flipped the paper over and dropped her mouth in astonishment. This wasn't really happening.

She re-read the headline and ran into the house, aware that an audience of reporters was watching her reaction. Some were snickering and others were clicking away. She was so sick of them, they needed to go away already. She slammed the door and yelled so loud she was sure everyone outside heard her.

"Trunks! Get up and out here now!" She heard a loud noise and rustling before he scurried out of the room. Knuckles was barking, for her yelling had distracted him, and Trunks was running his fingers through his still messy hair.

"I didn't do anything." He complained. Then his scowl was cleared as he saw she was holding the paper in her hands. "All right, what does it say?"

"Let me read it to you!" She was still yelling and Knuckles' bark was reduced to a whimper. He nodded and waited for her to read the paper. "The girl next door; Present day Cinderella story:" She paused, lifting her eyebrows for effect. "Trunks Briefs, Vice President of Capsule Corporations, and world's most eligible bachelor, might not be so for long..." She gave him a dirty look and then continued to scan the article. "His 'roommate' Pan Son, aspiring designer, seems to have captured the man's heart. I hate to be the one to tell you this ladies, but throw away the wedding magazines, or start looking for another potential, this one seems to be taken." Pan was screeching now and Trunks had to cup his ears with his hands. She stopped reading to look at him, lowering her voice. "Seems to be taken with her?" She questioned. "Can they write that and have it be legal?" She huffed and kept reading. "The young woman was basically out on the street when Trunks decided to take her into his home and heart, becoming her knight and shining armor. And though, both parties deny that they are more than friends, it seems Japan's present day Cinderella has found her Prince Charming." Pan's voice was sneering and condescending as she continued, Trunks was already biting his lip and holding in the laughter. "I've never seen two people more in love and so adamant to deny it before. Though their mouths said, 'nothing more than friends' their body language and eye contact said, 'true love'. I wouldn't be surprised if they were married within the year." Pan's nostrils were flaring and she scanned the rest of the paper. And Trunks couldn't help but think she looked absolutely adorable. "But don't take my word for it, judge for yourself. They say a picture is worth a thousands words; we've got three of them."

She turned the paper over so Trunks could see the pictures in reference. There were indeed three. The one they took yesterday, him smiling down at her and Knuckles, another one of him feeding her chicken in the kitchen, and the third was of her coming out of his room in nothing but her pajamas with his hands on her shoulders. They must have taken that one the night she agreed to have the interview, when the reporter had climbed up to her window. He had to admit, neither of them looked very good. One made them look like a family. The other made them look completely in love. And the one with her coming out of his room…well…

The cards were stacked against them and most of the people reading that paper would doubt the article was nothing but the truth. He tried not to laugh, for he honestly wasn't upset. After all, he had no trouble admitting to himself that he hoped every word of her article were correct. But Pan...she was more than just angry.

"Can't I sue them for slander?" She shrieked.

"No, I don't ruin your image." He countered, slightly offended. She glared at him and threw her hands up in frustration.

"I know this isn't legal! She can't just lie like this."

"Who says it's all lies?" Then he quickly continued, not wanting to see her confused reaction. "It could have been a lot worst than this, you know. She could have said she thought you were a sniveling gold-digger who was trying to trap me and take my money. Instead she said that she thinks-" Pan cut him off.

"I'm dirt poor and you rescued me from poverty. Giving me love, food, and a home. Yeah, right." She scoffed. "And what do you mean? Not all lies?"

"It was her opinion. She did say that we said we weren't together. Therefore, the article wasn't a lie. It was opinion not fact."

"It was still slander."

"I'm good for your image. Not bad."

"Depends on how you look at it." She rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, you're bad for mine. Now all the ladies will think I'm taken." He teased.

"They won't care, they'll go after you anyway." Pan ignored him, walking into the kitchen and picking up Knuckles, who had calmed when the yelling stopped. "Mommy's sorry she scared you." Pan informed the dog as she headed for the stairs. Trunks' heartbeat paused at the mention of 'mommy', for he never realized until then, just how much he wanted her to have his children.

A/N: In case you were wondering, yes this chapter is really long. It's the longest I've posted…I'm not sure if I should be sorry for that or not…You guys asked for long so here it is. By the way, if anyone wants to contact me (aim: XoXTiara22XoX) and talk to me about anything feel free to. You can email me (Tiara22_99@yahoo.com) and I'd be happy to talk to you, if you want me to read one of your stories or something. I love T/Ps and V/Bs and G/Bs…I'd love to talk, I'm really not mean…

I'll thank you guys in the next chapter (which I'm still writing). I need a lil input, should I go ahead and have like 2 more chapters and then have them get together. Or drag it out more? Cause if I drag it out more Pan will get a boyfriend and Bra will have a baby. And if I don't then that won't happen…Review and let me know where you want this to go…

Merry Christmas you guys! Or Happy Hanukah! Or…Happy Holidays! I won't be updating again until after Christmas so I hope you guys have a good couple of days. ^-^