Disclaimer: No.

AN: Hi!

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The strategically placed, high kick easily connected with Brianna's jaw, sending her to the ground. Brianna pushed herself into a sitting position as she wiped at the blood flowing from her lip. Marron approached her, a frown on her face, like a predator stalking its wounded prey. As she reached the brunette, she shook her head in disgust then turned to the green forest surrounding them.

"Computer. Normal," she commanded.

The forest melted away to reveal it's true form, a stainless steel combat room with a long observation window spanning the length of one wall.

"Geez, Brianna, I know you're weak, but your skill today is on a level with Bra's," she complained as she extended a hand to help her friend.

Brianna accepted the hand, grimacing at the ache in her bruised side standing had caused. "Sorry, I guess my mind really isn't here today."

"You're telling me. You normally give me some kind of competition," Marron said looking over the damage she had caused her weaker opponent. The truth was Brianna had never beaten Marron and probably never would, though their regular sparring matches had increased Brianna's speed and strength greatly.

"I think I'm done for today," Brianna said as she began limping to the door.

"Here. Let me help you," Marron said as she wrapped Brianna's arm around her neck and placed her arm around the girl's waist to support her.

"I guess I'll be calling in today," Brianna said on a half laugh.

"Yeah, well, you better be well by tomorrow," Marron said as they stepped out of the room.

"What's tomorrow?" Brianna questioned as she limped along.

"Tomorrow's when we're going out for the week."

Brianna stopped and her eyes widened in fear. "But we just went out Friday."

"Yeah well, Gohan and Videl are taking Pan to Paris for a week for her birthday on Wednesday, so we're meeting early to celebrate before she leaves. It was either today or tomorrow."

Brianna shook her head. "I don't think I can make it."

"What do you mean you can't make it? Nobody is allowed to miss a get together," Marron stated plainly as she guided Brianna over to one of benches outside the training facility.

Brianna quickly racked her brain for an excuse. There was no way she could sit through an evening with Trunks. Not after what had happened. She hadn't seen or heard from him since he had left her house Friday night, and she would just as soon not deal with him tomorrow either.

"Hello! Bri," Marron said, snapping her fingers in front of her face. "Why can't you go?"

Brianna finally sighed in defeat. "No reason."

Marron frowned. "Are you okay Bri?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Brianna answered a little too quickly.

Marron narrowed her crystal-blue eyes. "Are you sure?"

Brianna took a deep breath and pasted a smile on her face. "Yes, I'm sure."

Marron didn't buy it, but she changed the subject nonetheless. "So did Trunks stay at your place Friday?"

Brianna turned wide eyes to her friend. "Why do you ask?"

Marron frowned. "Well, he usually does when he takes you home so late. Plus, that would mean you may know what's up with him."

"What do you mean?" Brianna frowned.

"Nobody has really seen or heard from him since Friday. Not even Bra and she lives with him," Marron said, the worry obvious in her voice.

Brianna bit her lip as she gained a new interest in the throbbing in her knee. "I'm sure he's just busy at work or something," she murmured.

"Still, it's not like him not to at least call someone. Goten at least."

"Look Marron, I'm sure he's fine. Just leave him alone, okay?" Brianna said with a little more force than intended.

Marron frowned again at the girl's curious behavior. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing. Really. I'm just...sore that's all. I should go see Aunt Leaza to get patched up." As she spoke she began to stand.

Marron quickly stood to assist her. "You want me to help?"

Brianna lightly shook off her help. "No, it's okay. Most of my major wounds have pretty much already healed themselves. I think I can make it to her lab on my own. Anyway, don't you have class soon?"

Marron checked her watch. "Yeah, in about twenty minutes. Are you sure you'll be all right?"

"Yes, yes, I'll be fine," Brianna assured her.

"Okay," Marron said as she kissed her on the cheek. "See you tomorrow," she said, looking meaningfully into her friend's eyes.

"Tomorrow," Brianna affirmed.

Marron smiled, picked her workout bag, and exited through the door leading out to Magic's parking garage.

Once the door closed, Brianna sighed and sat back on the bench. In all honesty, all her wounds had healed, yet another blessing from her mother's gene pool. She had been trying to get rid of Marron. She really hadn't wanted to spar with her at all today, but once Ashley made up the training room schedule, a person had to have a really good reason for skipping their slot. Since she couldn't use guilt as a reason without further explanation, she decided to just let Marron kick her ass for an hour or two. She deserved it, after all.

She had thought of nothing else for the last two days and she still couldn't figure out what had possessed Trunks to kiss her. It was driving her nuts. What was most upsetting was she didn't even know how she felt about it. She knew it was wrong, but the more she thought about it the more confused she became. Why was this happening now? What did it mean? How was she supposed to react? What was he thinking?

The only person who could answer her questions was the one person she didn't want to see. She didn't know how she was going to face him tomorrow. Maybe she'd get lucky, and he wouldn't go. From what Marron had told her, he was avoiding her, too. Did that mean he regretted kissing her? Isn't that what she wanted?

"This is all so frustrating! Damn you, Trunks!" she cried to the empty room. Damn him for changing everything! Even her feelings toward him. She didn't know what they were exactly, but she knew they had changed.

Sighing deeply, she stood and picked up her own workout bag, but instead of heading for her car, she went out the door leading to the kitchen. Time to drown her sorrows in some of Ashley's Homemade Cherry Cheesecake.

* * *

Trunks entered the living quarters of Capsule Corp and sighed warily as he tossed the brown leather briefcase he carried on the sofa. The hours he had been putting in lately were unnatural, but work was all he had to get his mind off.........other things. Deciding he needed some shut-eye, he was passing the kitchen when his mom stepped into the hall.

"Long time no see, stranger," Bulma said, smiling at her son.

"Oh hey, Mom," he murmured with a noticeable lack of enthusiasm.

"You've been working hard lately," she commented.

"No rest for the wicked," he said, attempting humor.

"Well, how about some dinner?" she offered.

"Actually, I'm kinda tired. I think I'll just-"

Bulma crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh, come on, Trunks. You can't in all decency leave your father and I alone with Bra another night. I think Vegeta will kill her if you're not there as a conversation buffer for her tonight," she half-chuckled in amusement.

"I really don't feel-" he paused yet again as she took her 'don't argue' stance. Sighing, he conceded. "Well.........all right."

"Good," she smiled before turning and heading back into the kitchen.

Trunks glanced longingly up the stairs one more time before following her. After greeting his sister and father, he fixed a plate and took a seat. However, instead of shoveling the food down his throat like normal, he only picked at it as they chatted over the meal. Man, was he tired. And the argument he was about to have with his sister was not helping in the least.

"But you have to go," Bra whined.

"We just got together Friday, Bra. Some people do have jobs," Trunks sighed.

"But it's Panny's birthday, and then she'll be gone a whole week. You can't miss that!"

"I'll be sure to send her a nice gift, but I can't go out tomorrow. Pan will understand."

"Trunks Briefs, if you don't agree to go this instant, I'll call Pan right now and tell her you're trying to skip out on her party. And you know she'll make you go," Bra threatened.

Trunks sighed in defeat. The last thing he needed was to have Pan screeching at him over the phone. "Fine, I'll go."

"Great!" Bra said then checked her watch. "Well, I have to go."

"And where are you going?" Bulma asked.

"Goten's taking me to the movies."

"Really?" Bulma asked, her interest peeked.

"Yeah. Apparently there's this new monster flick out and since he hasn't been able to get in contact with Trunks, I'm being dragged along for the ride."

"Oh," Bulma said a little disappointed. She personally thought Goten would make a great boyfriend for her daughter.

Bra smiled at her mother's tone. She knew exactly what Bulma had been thinking. "Well, I'm off!" she said as she left the room.

"Be careful!" Bulma called after her.

"Well, looks like my work is done here," Trunks said, standing. "If you guys don't mind, I think I'll-"

"Sit boy."

Trunks looked questioningly at his father, who nodded his head at the chair. Trunks sat.

"Something wrong, Dad?"

"Your mother wants to talk to you," Vegeta said, looking at his mate.

"Trunks, is there a reason why Goten couldn't get in contact with you?" Bulma asked with concern.

"I probably just forgot and left my cell off, that's all," Trunks assured them.

His parents looked at each other and frowned before turning back to him. "There's no other reason?" Bulma asked.

"Like what?" Trunks asked.

"Like are you mad at Goten? Or maybe Marron or Brianna or Pan?" Bulma ventured.

Trunks sighed. He might as well tell her. He always told her everything anyway. "Well, there's no problem with Goten, Marron, or Pan."

"So, you're fighting with Brianna?" Bulma tried.

"Not exactly," Trunks said, hesitantly glancing at his father. Vegeta was sure to think all this feelings stuff was a sign of weakness. "I'm not sure you guys want to hear this."

"Of course, I want to know what's bothering you Trunks," Bulma said.

"But Dad, probably doesn't."

"You might as well tell me, boy, and spare me from having to listen to your mother over exaggerate the problem later," Vegeta said.

Trunks frowned a moment in indecision before he started to speak. "Well, you see me and Brianna aren't fighting, so to speak," he started.

"So what's the problem?" Bulma encouraged.

"Well, I sort of kissed her."

Vegeta and Bulma looked at each other in surprise.

Vegeta frowned as he looked at his son. "What do you mean 'sort of kissed her'? Either you did or you didn't. Can't you remember, boy?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, yeah I kissed her."

"Do you have feelings for Brianna, Trunks?" Bulma questioned.

"No! I mean...I don't think so...I mean, well I must have some kind of feelings if I kissed her," Trunks stumbled.

"How did it happen?" Bulma inquired.

"It's sort of strange actually. We we're just talking, and then suddenly I was kissing her."

"What happen after that?" Bulma goaded.

"Nothing. I left," Trunks said, shrugging his shoulders helplessly.

"And you can't think of any reason why you would kiss her?" Bulma asked.

"No," Trunks sighed in defeat. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.

"Sounds to me like you need a good lay," Vegeta said casually, returning his attention to his plate.

Bulma frowned at her husband. "Do you have to turn everything into something vulgar?"

"Yes."

Sighing in aggravation, Bulma turned back to her son. "Trunks, maybe you should explore these feelings for Brianna."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, like take her out."

"Take her out?"

"Yes dear," Bulma said as if speaking to a lost child, which in all actuality, she might as well have been. "Like on a date."

"I can't take Brianna out on a date!"

"Why not, dear?"

"Because she's my friend."

"Even more reason. At least you'll have something to talk about."

"I don't know-" he started reluctantly.

"Just give it a try, okay?" Bulma encouraged.

"I'll think about it," he said finally as he stood again. "In the meantime, I'm tired, so goodnight to you both," he said, kissing his mother's cheek and nodding to his father.

When the door closed behind him, Bulma smiled and turned to her husband. She patted his hand as she said, "We're gonna make a grandpa out of you yet."

Vegeta frowned.

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