1 The Song of an Angel
By ssj Kinara
Recap: Trunks' silent refugee is all that Trunks can seem to think about, and last night, he heard her singing herself to sleep. It was the first time he'd heard her speak.
A/N: I know, I know. I'm really slow at updating. I mean, there's only one computer in this house and FOUR people using it! Next time, it just might take longer to organize my ideas... or maybe not. It is spring break. Oh, well.
Thanks to those of you who reviewed: Vashwoman, BC, Professor Authordude, and Demon Saiyan! I hope to hear from you again, and from others, too! Anyway, enough of me! Enjoy!
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter three: She Speaks
The following morning, Trunks woke with the sun shining across his bed. Though he hadn't dreamed of his old friends again, his first thoughts were of his new one: the girl.
"Why?" he asked himself. Why was it her face that he pictured? She was unusually meek, but he'd met quiet people before. Did he pity her unfortunate situation? Was she just an interesting change in scenery? He couldn't tell yet. All he could tell was that he was finding himself rather attracted to her.
The echoing of his thoughts was penetrated by an immense growl. His Saiya- jin's appetite was acting up. He hadn't eaten since last night and he was starving.
Kicking off his sheets, he jumped up and headed for the door. Then he suddenly stopped with his hand on the doorknob. He was wearing what he'd slept in: boxers and an undershirt. He quickly realized that the girl might be downstairs. Blushing at no one, he decided to show a bit of decency and change first.
He threw on a Capsule Corp T-shirt and a pair of old jeans. Trunks was checking himself in the mirror, making sure that everything was in order, when he saw a photo of his father reflected in the glass. It was an old snapshot of Goku's. He'd caught Vegeta off-guard while he was training, so besides the beginnings of a very ticked-off scowl, he looked almost natural.
Trunks couldn't remember his father, but he'd heard plenty of stories from his mom to know what Vegeta would be saying about him now.
"Woman, has our son turned into a pretty-boy? He's standing in front of the looking glass as if he has nothing better to do! Boy, get outside and train!"
Yeah, that was probably what Vegeta would say, all right. But he wasn't here anymore. With a final glance in the mirror, he left his room.
Sure enough, the girl was downstairs sitting at the kitchen table. A plate of leftover pancakes sat in front of her, almost gone.
"So," Trunks thought, "hunger did get the best of her. Good, I was beginning to worry."
Trunks made his way into the kitchen to find that Bulma wasn't there. "Hey," Trunks stuck his head back through the door. "Do you know where my mom is?" he asked the girl.
She swallowed and handed him a piece of paper. It read:
Dear Trunks,
I'm running a few errands. I'll be back by about nine or ten. After that I'll be working in the lab.
Love you!
Mom
P.S. Take care of our guest. There are pancakes in the fridge.
Trunks checked his watch. It was eight forty-five. Bulma would be home in about an hour.
He returned to the kitchen and pulled out the Tupperware of pancakes. He popped them in the microwave for a few minutes and then, despite the size of the pile, only put on a bit of butter and syrup. Sugar and dairy were hard to come by then. The Androids enjoyed attacking the things that would most hurt the humans.
Trunks sat at the kitchen table next to the girl. Her hair was brushed and her face was clean. She was wearing a blue shirt this time, with a Capsule Corp logo on the front. Again, he found himself thinking of angels.
He remembered her song from the night before. It was so touching and lonely. Then he started thinking...well, nothing else had gotten her talking.
"I...I heard you singing last night."
She froze. Her eyes widened. It was obvious that she hadn't known that he had heard.
"You have a really pretty voice," he continued. "I kindof wish that you'd use it more."
She didn't respond.
He tried again. "How did it go, again?" He attempted to sing. "I don't know, what things I can do..."
She giggled a bit and shook her head.
He smiled. "That bad, am I? Well, you'll have to teach me."
The girl stopped, not smiling or frowning, yet looking thoughtful.
"Hey," said Trunks, fearing she might soon slip into tears. "In your own good time, you can." He put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "When you're ready to talk, go ahead. But no one's going to make you do anything you don't have to."
She nodded.
"All right." He smiled and stood. "But until then, I'll miss your voice."
He turned to the kitchen to get himself a glass of orange juice.
"I'm sorry."
Trunks froze, his hand inches from the doorknob.
She'd spoken.
Slowly, he turned, not sure if he'd heard right, and if he had, he didn't want to disturb the dream. "What?"
"I'm sorry," she repeated. Her voice was soft and sweet, like her face. "I didn't want to be a burden on you and your mother."
Trunks stopped gaping. "No," he said, "you're not a burden. We're glad to have you."
"I don't really want your pity, either, Trunks."
Woah. Talk about blunt.
"All right," he said slowly. "I won't deny that I felt sorry for you. I mean, you've probably lost a lot since... well..."
She nodded.
"So, what do you want?"
She smiled. "Medical help." She indicated her ankle. "A place to say, and a friend or two. I did lose a lot. My mom, Dad, my best friend Kathryn..." She finally looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm usually never quiet, but...but I saw it all. I actually saw them die. Then the Androids blew up my house and I was flung into my neighbors' house, or what was left of it. I was unconscious for the rest of the night. They probably thought that I was dead. The next thing I know, I see you fly down."
He nodded. Quickly, he blinked back tears and reached behind him for the box of tissues on the counter. He offered them to the girl and she gratefully took one.
"Do you know what I want?" asked Trunks.
She politely blew her nose and shook her head no.
"I want to know your name."
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "I forgot! I'm sorry." She held out her hand. "My name's Jackie."
He took her hand. "Jackie..." he tested it.
She giggled. "Yeah, and you're Trunks and your mom's Bulma."
"You got it."
"What about your father? I haven't met him."
Trunks released her hand and turned. "He died. In the attack off South City."
"Oh, she murmured solemnly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"Nah, it's okay. You couldn't have known." He turned back to face her. "At least now we know that we have something in common."
"We both have a reason to hate the Androids?" she offered.
"Yeah, but I was going to say that we'd both lost close family."
"Mmhm. But who hasn't? The orphanages have to keep turning kids away and some have actually closed down."
"Yeah," he said. Then he wiped his eyes and said, "Okay, I think we ought to stop before we flood the house."
Jackie did the same. "I'm kindof surprised that I still have tears after my Niagara Falls thing yesterday."
"It's all right. The first day is always the hardest."
They sat in silence for a minute.
"So," said Jackie, picking up Bulma's note, "your mom has a lab?"
"Yeah," answered Trunks. "This is Capsule Corp. This is where we invent all those little Capsules that are supposed to make life easier."
"Even in our time? I thought that Capsules weren't being made anymore."
"No, Mom says inventing calms her down. It's her escape from reality. Well, that and listening to Lord of the Dance while taking a bath."
Jackie blinked a few times. "Um... okay."
"Hey, do you want to see it? The lab, I mean."
"What, right now?"
"Yeah, it's right downstairs."
"She has a lab in your house?" exclaimed Jackie.
"Yeah," said Trunks. "It's big enough for it, don't you think?"
Jackie considered it. "Yeah... Sure, okay, let's go!"
"All right! Come on!" Trunks jumped up from his chair and handed her the crutches.
"Oh, wait!" Jackie suddenly realized. "You didn't eat your breakfast."
"It can wait," he tried to say, but he was interrupted by his stomach growling again.
"No," said Jackie firmly. "Don't think that I wasn't watching yesterday. You eat more than my Uncle Frankie did!" She pulled him into his seat. "You eat and then we'll explore Bulma's lab."
Trunks stared at her for a minute, a bit surprised at her change. She'd gone from such a quiet thing to a normal teenager. But like he'd said, the first day is always the hardest. Maybe she was just trying to keep busy. "Okay, but I need to get a-"
"I'll get you a drink. You just eat," she said and hobbled on her crutch into the kitchen.
Trunks was amazed. "She sure is something else," he thought. Then, smiling, he turned to his breakfast and ate.
* * * * * * * *
Fifteen minutes later, the pair was down in Bulma's lab. Jackie was looking at everything as Trunks gave explanations.
"That's a dragon radar. You can pinpoint the exact location of a dragonball with this. That's a new hover-cycle Mom's been working on. That's a cure for the common cold. Don't drink it! So far it only turns people weird colors. I'm not sure what's in this Capsule, so it's probably best not to open it."
"Your mom sure makes some weird gadgets," said Jackie, holding up something that resembled a mechanical squid on steroids.
"Yeah, well, it's her hobby. And some of them are actually kind of handy."
"I'm sure," she said as the squid-thing began to spout bubbles.
Trunks laughed and turned it off for her.
"Thanks." She turned to something big that was covered in s canvas. "What's under here?"
"Oh," said Trunks, stepping beside her. "It's a time machine."
"Saw that movie," retorted Jackie, trying to lift the cover. "What is it, really?"
"Like I said," Trunks pulled off the cover, "a time machine."
It was shaped like a huge bullet on legs with a bubble on the top as the window.
"Whoa." Jackie ran her fingers across the metal. "How does it work?"
"Well, technically, it doesn't yet," he said as she limped around it for a better look. "But we'll get it in a few years."
"'We'? You help your mom?" Jackie peered at him from behind the machine.
"Well, yeah. I've got more than strength going for me." He tapped his head. "Considering my mom, I'm pretty smart."
Jackie stood in front of him. "All that and you're cute, too."
He gazed down at her. "You're not so bad looking either, you know."
By then they were both beginning to blush. They stood in silence, neither knowing what to say.
Suddenly a buzzer went off over their heads, making Jackie jump, and a too- happy mechanical voice said, "Bulma is now home. Bulma is now home." A TV in the corner showed a fuzzy picture of Bulma putting the key in the front door.
Trunks suddenly lit up. "Hey, Jackie, Come on!" He took her hand and helped her up the stairs as fast as he could.
"Mom!" he called when they finally reached her. "I'd like you to meet-"
"Jackie," the girl finished for her. "And it's a real pleasure to finally meet you."
* * * * * * * * * *
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Jackie and the squid-thing. Ha ha! You finally know her name!
Next chapter: Ooh, it seems like Trunks and Jackie are playing a game of cat-and-mouse flirting. Could there really be something brewing between them? And, it may seem like she's told all, but what might Jackie be hiding? 'Till next chapter, bwahahahahaha!
By ssj Kinara
Recap: Trunks' silent refugee is all that Trunks can seem to think about, and last night, he heard her singing herself to sleep. It was the first time he'd heard her speak.
A/N: I know, I know. I'm really slow at updating. I mean, there's only one computer in this house and FOUR people using it! Next time, it just might take longer to organize my ideas... or maybe not. It is spring break. Oh, well.
Thanks to those of you who reviewed: Vashwoman, BC, Professor Authordude, and Demon Saiyan! I hope to hear from you again, and from others, too! Anyway, enough of me! Enjoy!
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter three: She Speaks
The following morning, Trunks woke with the sun shining across his bed. Though he hadn't dreamed of his old friends again, his first thoughts were of his new one: the girl.
"Why?" he asked himself. Why was it her face that he pictured? She was unusually meek, but he'd met quiet people before. Did he pity her unfortunate situation? Was she just an interesting change in scenery? He couldn't tell yet. All he could tell was that he was finding himself rather attracted to her.
The echoing of his thoughts was penetrated by an immense growl. His Saiya- jin's appetite was acting up. He hadn't eaten since last night and he was starving.
Kicking off his sheets, he jumped up and headed for the door. Then he suddenly stopped with his hand on the doorknob. He was wearing what he'd slept in: boxers and an undershirt. He quickly realized that the girl might be downstairs. Blushing at no one, he decided to show a bit of decency and change first.
He threw on a Capsule Corp T-shirt and a pair of old jeans. Trunks was checking himself in the mirror, making sure that everything was in order, when he saw a photo of his father reflected in the glass. It was an old snapshot of Goku's. He'd caught Vegeta off-guard while he was training, so besides the beginnings of a very ticked-off scowl, he looked almost natural.
Trunks couldn't remember his father, but he'd heard plenty of stories from his mom to know what Vegeta would be saying about him now.
"Woman, has our son turned into a pretty-boy? He's standing in front of the looking glass as if he has nothing better to do! Boy, get outside and train!"
Yeah, that was probably what Vegeta would say, all right. But he wasn't here anymore. With a final glance in the mirror, he left his room.
Sure enough, the girl was downstairs sitting at the kitchen table. A plate of leftover pancakes sat in front of her, almost gone.
"So," Trunks thought, "hunger did get the best of her. Good, I was beginning to worry."
Trunks made his way into the kitchen to find that Bulma wasn't there. "Hey," Trunks stuck his head back through the door. "Do you know where my mom is?" he asked the girl.
She swallowed and handed him a piece of paper. It read:
Dear Trunks,
I'm running a few errands. I'll be back by about nine or ten. After that I'll be working in the lab.
Love you!
Mom
P.S. Take care of our guest. There are pancakes in the fridge.
Trunks checked his watch. It was eight forty-five. Bulma would be home in about an hour.
He returned to the kitchen and pulled out the Tupperware of pancakes. He popped them in the microwave for a few minutes and then, despite the size of the pile, only put on a bit of butter and syrup. Sugar and dairy were hard to come by then. The Androids enjoyed attacking the things that would most hurt the humans.
Trunks sat at the kitchen table next to the girl. Her hair was brushed and her face was clean. She was wearing a blue shirt this time, with a Capsule Corp logo on the front. Again, he found himself thinking of angels.
He remembered her song from the night before. It was so touching and lonely. Then he started thinking...well, nothing else had gotten her talking.
"I...I heard you singing last night."
She froze. Her eyes widened. It was obvious that she hadn't known that he had heard.
"You have a really pretty voice," he continued. "I kindof wish that you'd use it more."
She didn't respond.
He tried again. "How did it go, again?" He attempted to sing. "I don't know, what things I can do..."
She giggled a bit and shook her head.
He smiled. "That bad, am I? Well, you'll have to teach me."
The girl stopped, not smiling or frowning, yet looking thoughtful.
"Hey," said Trunks, fearing she might soon slip into tears. "In your own good time, you can." He put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "When you're ready to talk, go ahead. But no one's going to make you do anything you don't have to."
She nodded.
"All right." He smiled and stood. "But until then, I'll miss your voice."
He turned to the kitchen to get himself a glass of orange juice.
"I'm sorry."
Trunks froze, his hand inches from the doorknob.
She'd spoken.
Slowly, he turned, not sure if he'd heard right, and if he had, he didn't want to disturb the dream. "What?"
"I'm sorry," she repeated. Her voice was soft and sweet, like her face. "I didn't want to be a burden on you and your mother."
Trunks stopped gaping. "No," he said, "you're not a burden. We're glad to have you."
"I don't really want your pity, either, Trunks."
Woah. Talk about blunt.
"All right," he said slowly. "I won't deny that I felt sorry for you. I mean, you've probably lost a lot since... well..."
She nodded.
"So, what do you want?"
She smiled. "Medical help." She indicated her ankle. "A place to say, and a friend or two. I did lose a lot. My mom, Dad, my best friend Kathryn..." She finally looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I'm usually never quiet, but...but I saw it all. I actually saw them die. Then the Androids blew up my house and I was flung into my neighbors' house, or what was left of it. I was unconscious for the rest of the night. They probably thought that I was dead. The next thing I know, I see you fly down."
He nodded. Quickly, he blinked back tears and reached behind him for the box of tissues on the counter. He offered them to the girl and she gratefully took one.
"Do you know what I want?" asked Trunks.
She politely blew her nose and shook her head no.
"I want to know your name."
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "I forgot! I'm sorry." She held out her hand. "My name's Jackie."
He took her hand. "Jackie..." he tested it.
She giggled. "Yeah, and you're Trunks and your mom's Bulma."
"You got it."
"What about your father? I haven't met him."
Trunks released her hand and turned. "He died. In the attack off South City."
"Oh, she murmured solemnly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"Nah, it's okay. You couldn't have known." He turned back to face her. "At least now we know that we have something in common."
"We both have a reason to hate the Androids?" she offered.
"Yeah, but I was going to say that we'd both lost close family."
"Mmhm. But who hasn't? The orphanages have to keep turning kids away and some have actually closed down."
"Yeah," he said. Then he wiped his eyes and said, "Okay, I think we ought to stop before we flood the house."
Jackie did the same. "I'm kindof surprised that I still have tears after my Niagara Falls thing yesterday."
"It's all right. The first day is always the hardest."
They sat in silence for a minute.
"So," said Jackie, picking up Bulma's note, "your mom has a lab?"
"Yeah," answered Trunks. "This is Capsule Corp. This is where we invent all those little Capsules that are supposed to make life easier."
"Even in our time? I thought that Capsules weren't being made anymore."
"No, Mom says inventing calms her down. It's her escape from reality. Well, that and listening to Lord of the Dance while taking a bath."
Jackie blinked a few times. "Um... okay."
"Hey, do you want to see it? The lab, I mean."
"What, right now?"
"Yeah, it's right downstairs."
"She has a lab in your house?" exclaimed Jackie.
"Yeah," said Trunks. "It's big enough for it, don't you think?"
Jackie considered it. "Yeah... Sure, okay, let's go!"
"All right! Come on!" Trunks jumped up from his chair and handed her the crutches.
"Oh, wait!" Jackie suddenly realized. "You didn't eat your breakfast."
"It can wait," he tried to say, but he was interrupted by his stomach growling again.
"No," said Jackie firmly. "Don't think that I wasn't watching yesterday. You eat more than my Uncle Frankie did!" She pulled him into his seat. "You eat and then we'll explore Bulma's lab."
Trunks stared at her for a minute, a bit surprised at her change. She'd gone from such a quiet thing to a normal teenager. But like he'd said, the first day is always the hardest. Maybe she was just trying to keep busy. "Okay, but I need to get a-"
"I'll get you a drink. You just eat," she said and hobbled on her crutch into the kitchen.
Trunks was amazed. "She sure is something else," he thought. Then, smiling, he turned to his breakfast and ate.
* * * * * * * *
Fifteen minutes later, the pair was down in Bulma's lab. Jackie was looking at everything as Trunks gave explanations.
"That's a dragon radar. You can pinpoint the exact location of a dragonball with this. That's a new hover-cycle Mom's been working on. That's a cure for the common cold. Don't drink it! So far it only turns people weird colors. I'm not sure what's in this Capsule, so it's probably best not to open it."
"Your mom sure makes some weird gadgets," said Jackie, holding up something that resembled a mechanical squid on steroids.
"Yeah, well, it's her hobby. And some of them are actually kind of handy."
"I'm sure," she said as the squid-thing began to spout bubbles.
Trunks laughed and turned it off for her.
"Thanks." She turned to something big that was covered in s canvas. "What's under here?"
"Oh," said Trunks, stepping beside her. "It's a time machine."
"Saw that movie," retorted Jackie, trying to lift the cover. "What is it, really?"
"Like I said," Trunks pulled off the cover, "a time machine."
It was shaped like a huge bullet on legs with a bubble on the top as the window.
"Whoa." Jackie ran her fingers across the metal. "How does it work?"
"Well, technically, it doesn't yet," he said as she limped around it for a better look. "But we'll get it in a few years."
"'We'? You help your mom?" Jackie peered at him from behind the machine.
"Well, yeah. I've got more than strength going for me." He tapped his head. "Considering my mom, I'm pretty smart."
Jackie stood in front of him. "All that and you're cute, too."
He gazed down at her. "You're not so bad looking either, you know."
By then they were both beginning to blush. They stood in silence, neither knowing what to say.
Suddenly a buzzer went off over their heads, making Jackie jump, and a too- happy mechanical voice said, "Bulma is now home. Bulma is now home." A TV in the corner showed a fuzzy picture of Bulma putting the key in the front door.
Trunks suddenly lit up. "Hey, Jackie, Come on!" He took her hand and helped her up the stairs as fast as he could.
"Mom!" he called when they finally reached her. "I'd like you to meet-"
"Jackie," the girl finished for her. "And it's a real pleasure to finally meet you."
* * * * * * * * * *
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Jackie and the squid-thing. Ha ha! You finally know her name!
Next chapter: Ooh, it seems like Trunks and Jackie are playing a game of cat-and-mouse flirting. Could there really be something brewing between them? And, it may seem like she's told all, but what might Jackie be hiding? 'Till next chapter, bwahahahahaha!
