Disclaimer: Here I am working hard to bring you beautiful tales of love
and...uh....sex....and you taunt me with this. Fore shame!
AN: It has finally happened!!! I BRAND NEW chapter of Of Friends and Lovers. ^_^. Well Enjoy.
* * *
"I can't believe I'm really here!"
Pan resisted the urge to roll her eyes for the hundredth time that night. "Yeah, you sure are."
Jonathan stopped just inside the VIP entrance. They had come through the "back door" so to speak because Pan preferred to avoid the paparazzi, much to Jonathan's dismay. His eyes gleamed despite his disappointment, however, as he smiled down at his date. "So, is Isabella really as hot in person as she is on TV and stuff?"
Pan raised an irked brow at the comment. Where the hell did she keep finding these guys? "Actually," she said, deciding it was time to dump this loser, "She's twice as hot as you think."
"Ah man! You gotta be fuckin' kidding me!" he practically cried. "Nobody's that hot!"
"I kid you not. Why don't you go on in without me and find out for yourself?" she urged.
"Are you sure?" he asked, all ready halfway through the door.
"Yeah, go," she called after his vanishing back. "Asshole," she muttered as she followed him in after a moment.
The entrance they had come through lead straight to the second level of the grand ballroom. Gold-framed mirrors hung on either side of the door, and Pan paused for quick maintenance before heading in. She hated these stupid press parties. She normally found an excuse out of them, but she had been caught off guard this time and hadn't been able to.
Now satisfied with her appearance in the sleek form-fitting red dress her mom had picked out for her during their trip to Paris, Pan decided to head on in. She had every intention to go in, make an appearance, and then convince one of her friends to bail out with her. Trunks or Marron would probably be her best shots. Marron because her timid nature usually caused her to shy away from such an event, and Trunks because he was just as tired of the press hounding his footsteps as she was of them following hers.
Pan made her way along the second level, nodding and smiling politely at the familiar faces she passed. She reached the balcony hangover a few moments later and let her eyes search the floor below. It didn't take long before her eyes fell on Trunks and Brianna in the middle of the dance floor, and she sighed. It looked like Trunks was out as a possible escape buddy. Brianna was expected to stay all the way through these little socials of Magic's. She often would pick one poor soul to stick it out with her. Looked liked Trunks was the unlucky bastard for the evening. It looked like she needed to find Marron.
Pushing away from the railing, Pan left the balcony and walked along the second level, searching the floor below for any sign of her friend. She was halfway around the circular level and still had yet to spot her desired companion.
"Darn it Mar. Where are you?" Pan muttered, growing irritated as she looked over the edge again. Sighing she started walking again, this time heading toward the staircase leading to the third floor. Usually fewer people were on the higher level. Maybe Marron had gone there in search of peace from the masses.
When Pan reached the elegantly ornamented, crème colored door she knew the stairwell lay behind, she frowned at the little plaque on the door. It politely instructed guest to use the elevator for the stairwell was under construction. Saiyan senses detected the faint scent of wet paint on the other side of the thick door. As she turned away, those same Saiyan senses caught the light tinkling of familiar ki behind that same door. Frowning slightly, she turned back to pull the door open just a bit. "Mar?" she called softly, sticking her head in the door.
Pan's eyes widened as Marron lifted her head, cheeks damp from tears and streaked with mascara. As the blonde sniffled and wiped her eyes in an attempt to reclaim her composure, Pan opened the door to slip inside the softly lit stairwell. "Marron, what's wrong?" she asked, squatting before the other girl and pushing wet tendrils off her face.
Marron's own fingers were threaded through her locks, supporting her head as she rested her elbows on her knees. As she looked up at Pan, more tears began to fall. "I hate them so much," she barely got out through sobs.
Pan frowned deeply. "Who Mar?"
"Trun-" Marron's voice broke as she choked on another sob, and she covered her mouth with her hand as she started again. "Trunks and Brianna," she got out before another sob choked her up.
"Trunks and Bri?" Pan asked in confusion. Her confusion grew as Marron leaned forward to cry on her shoulder.
"How could they do this to me Pan?" Marron sobbed brokenly.
"I- I dunno," Pan muttered. 'I don't even know what they did!' she added silently. Not knowing what else to do, she simply stroked the other girl's hair as she cried.
* * *
"So then I told her she was a bitch, and I would happily kick her ass if she really wanted me too," Bra said offhandedly as she strolled through Magic's garden and glanced up at her boyfriend when he snickered. "What?"
Goten shrugged. "Your language," he said. "Doesn't sound much like the princess you're always claiming to be," he added with a teasing smile.
Squinching up her nose cutely, Bra paused and turned to him, wrapping her arms around his waist as she gazed up at him. "I am a princess," she said sweetly. "Just ask my daddy."
Goten chuckled as he bent to kiss her. "I'll take your word for it," he whispered just before his lips touched hers.
Sighing happily, she leaned fully into the kiss. She had to admit: life didn't get much better than this. She wasn't sure how long they kissed under the pretty moonlight, cascading over them and the flowers, whom witnessed their affectionate display, but she did know she never felt so safe and loved as she did when in his arms. When they finally parted for air, each was breathing heavily. She lowered long lashes that fanned over slightly flushed cheeks as she rested her head against his chest, simply enjoying his embrace.
They stood holding one another for moments longer than that of their kiss until the soft clearing of a throat drew their attention. The slender young woman with hair as silver and pale as the night stars, large hazel eyes and skin the color of brown sugar approached. The lush curve of her lips turned up at the slight blush that now colored the two sweethearts. "Sorry to interrupt," she spoke in the soft sensual undertones her voice seemed to naturally carry.
Goten turned more fully to face her, keeping one arm in place around Bra's waist. "You're not interrupting. What's up Tina? Shouldn't you be inside being interviewed?"
Magic's princess and youngest starlet grunted. "They bore me. They always ask the same tired questions, and every one of them thinks they're being clever and original. It's sad really."
Bra smiled at the woman. "So we're playing the poor little superstar role tonight, are we?"
Tina's lips turned up once again. "You know me too well, princess. However, I did have a reason for intruding on your pawing of one another."
Bra's pale cheeks reddened again. "Which was?"
The train of the sequined, green gown she wore lightly dragging on the ground behind her as Tina strolled over to a rose bush and lightly fingered one of the white flowers there. "I'm in charge of tonight's after party. I need help setting up. I was hoping you would gather up your little clique and help." She picked one of the flowers and ran it under her nose.
Bra raised a brow at her. "Oh I see. Trying to get us to do the work for you. Am I right?"
Tina glanced over her bare shoulder, flower now lightly brushing her lips, and shook her head. "Not so," she spoke, the words like a warm balm. Bra would never claim any inclinations to homosexuality, but there was something about Tina that was always extremely arousing, no matter what she happened to be doing at the moment. "You'd think I only wanted to use you guys, which is not true. I wanted to make a deal. It's a cash bar tonight. However, I'm willing to let the six of you drink for free if you help with setup." Her sly smile returned as she turned to face them fully. "I won't even tell Mommy if you do, little Miss Underage."
This grabbed Bra's attention even stronger than the waves of sex appeal rolling off the stunning woman before her. "Really? You're serious?" When the woman simply nodded Bra smiled and turned to Goten. "Bri and Trunks are dancing. Let's go get them." She was all ready starting back into the building before she got an answer to her non-question, giving Goten no room to question her.
"I'll take that as a yes," Tina murmured to herself as they disappeared into the building.
Upon entering the grand ballroom it only took them a few moments before they spotted the couple on the floor. Trunks was playfully dipping the laughing brunette in his arms when they reached them. Looking up at them from her awkward position, Brianna smiled.
"Uh, hey," she chuckled. "Will you let me up now?" she questioned her partner.
His blue eyes danced as he smiled down at her. "Why should I- ouch!!" He immediately let her up as she stumped on his foot.
"That's why," she smirked before turning to her friends again. "What's up guys?"
"Tina's throwing the after party and wants our help with setup. Will ya guys? Please?" Bra begged.
Both Trunks and Brianna gave her skeptical looks. "You seem awfully excited about working when you could be partying," her brother commented.
Bra smiled sweetly. "Well you know me. Always willing to help." The amount of sugar in her tone could only be found in cane fields.
"Tina promised all the free liquor we want, and she won't tell parents about the underage status of some of our group members," Goten informed them.
"Now that makes much more sense than that crap you just said," Trunks said, causing Bra to stick out her tongue at him as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Brianna joined Goten's chuckle at the affectionate brother and sister display. "Well I have no problem with helping. It gets me out of here sooner," Brianna said as Trunks nodded his agreement.
"Great!" Bra smiled. "Have you guys seen Panny or Marrie?"
"Nope," Brianna answered, hers quickly followed by a shake of Trunks's head.
Bra grabbed Brianna's hand. "We'll just have to find them then. You guys wait here, and we'll find them."
Trunks frowned. "Maybe we should all go together," he spoke up, slowly eyeing her.
Bra rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe he didn't think she could be left alone with Brianna without spilling the beans. Sheesh. He could give her a little credit. "No, we've got it. They're probably hiding out on the third floor. Come on Bri," she finished by tugging the other girl along.
"We'll be right back," Brianna called back as she was pulled away. Picking up her pace, she caught up with Bra to keep the other girl from pulling her arm out of its socket. "Excited much?" she ask as she pulled her arm away and rotated her shoulder.
Bra smiled at her. "Yeps!" 'For more reasons than you know,' she thought, smiling at the other girl once again.
Brianna frowned at the odd smile. "What?"
Bra shrugged. "Nothing, nothing at all."
"Uh huh," Brianna said, not sounding at all convinced.
"I'm serious," Bra said, her smile still in place.
Brianna rolled her eyes. "Then stop with the stupid smile and use your senses to find their kis so we can go."
"Me? Why not you?" Bra asked.
Brianna sighed. "Because I haven't been practicing and it doesn't come naturally to me like it does to you, Saiyan."
Bra grunted. "Well, I haven't been exactly practicing it either, so I wouldn't rely too heavily on my skills."
"Will you stop arguing and just do it?"
Bra sighed. "Fine. Sheesh." Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and began her sensory scan. After a few moments she opened her eyes. "Found Panny. Her strength makes it a piece of cake to find her," she commented, sounding awfully pleased with herself. "Come on," she instructed as she started toward the stairs.
"You don't have to tell me how strong she is," Brianna informed her, thoughts on her still sore tailbone after the other day's match. "I don't know why Aunt Ashley keeps scheduling me with people like Pan and Marron, and get this, I've got Trunks next week. I dread the thought."
"Sure you do," Bra said, sarcasm flowing over the words. She was dying to add that she highly doubted an hour, alone sweating with Trunks was a thought Brianna truly dreaded as she pretended.
Brianna frowned as they opened the first floor door and started up to the second level. "What's that suppose to mean?"
Bra shrugged as they made their way up the winding staircase in the dimly lit corridor. "Just that you know Trunks will take it easy on you is all," she said, quickly covering her slip. Maybe she really shouldn't be alone with Brianna.
Brianna grunted. "He never has before." They opened the door to the second level and continued to follow Bra's ki sense around the second level. "I just wish she'd set me up with someone I can actually beat. Like you for instance."
Bra glared over her shoulder. "Well, thanks a lot."
Brianna smiled sweetly and linked arms with her. "You're welcome."
"Bitch," Bra muttered, receiving a laugh from the woman attached to her arm, as they reached another stairwell door. Bra frowned at the sign on the door. "I could swear she's just on the other side of that door."
Brianna shook her head. "How sad. Not only are you weak, but your ki sense is out of whack too. Tsk, tsk, tsk. What would Daddy say?"
Bra shook her off her arm. "I'll have you know my ki sense is great. She is in there," she paused and smiled. "And Marrie, too. Ha! I am, once again, the greatest." Reaching for the knob she pulled the door open and frowned as the paint smell attacked her sensitive nose. "Panny? Marrie?" she called, squinting against the even dimmer light in this stairwell. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight before her. Pan was gently rocking a sobbing Marron. "Marrie, what's wrong?!" she wanted to know as she stepped inside the door.
Just behind her, Brianna entered as well, her concern just as obvious. "Mar, what is it?"
It was then that both women looked up. "This isn't going to be pretty," Pan muttered when her eyes landed on Brianna.
Bra frowned at the words, and her confusion grew when Marron's watery blue eyes focused on the brunette in the doorway. "You," she practically sneered. "Go away!"
Brianna was obviously just as surprised as Bra by the outburst. "What? Why Marron? What did I do?"
Marron suddenly stood with such force she almost knocked a squatting Pan on her butt. "Don't play innocent with me! You know exactly what you did. You lying hussy!"
As Brianna's eyes widened still, Pan, who had risen to her feet, lightly placed a hand on Marron's shoulder. "Mar, calm down. It's not worth all of this." The comment only caused Marron to shrug off her hand.
"Marron," Brianna started slowly. "I wish you would-"
"Do you think I give a damn what you wish?! You certainly didn't give a one about my wishes!" she practically yelled. Taking a deep breath she seemed to try to reign in her anger. Her next words were softer, yet no less heartbroken. "How could you do this to me? You knew how I felt about him. How could you?" The last was almost in disbelief. As if she hoped Brianna would deny it.
That hope was dashed as all color drained from Brianna's face. "Oh no," she whispered softly.
Marron shook her head, obviously fighting a new batch of tears. "So Dad was right," she said softly. There was a moment of silence before her next words. "Has it really been a month?"
Brianna lowered her head before slowly nodding. "Maybe a few days shy," she murmured.
Marron swallowed around the lump in her throat before moving toward the door, pushing Brianna aside as she made her exit. "Oh, well, I guess since it wasn't a whole month it's not as bad," she said bitterly as she stalked out.
Brianna took a moment to gather her footing before she quickly followed her. "Mar, wait!"
The two Saiyan mix breeds stood in utter shock a moment, one completely confused, the other just as pale as Brianna had been moments before.
"How could she have found out so soon?" Bra questioned herself.
Pan turned wide brown eyes on Bra. "You know what's going on, too?! Would you please fill me in?"
Bra grabbed her hand and started out again. "Later. Come on before we find out if Brianna really is immortal or not."
She caught up with the girls just as Brianna caught Marron's arm to stop her. "Marron please listen to me. I never meant for things to happen this way," she said sincerely, obviously on the verge of tears herself.
"Let me go," Marron said, struggling against her hold.
"Not until you listen. I never wanted to hurt you Marron. You have to believe me. It just happened. I'm so, so sorry. You're like my sister. I'd never do anything intentionally to hurt you," she said, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Some sister you turned out to be. Just let me go," Marron wailed as she tried to pull her arm free.
Brianna shook her head, long brown locks flying about her face. "Marron, please understand. I can't lose you. I love you too much t-"
"Lair!" Marron screamed in her face, giving in to her tears once again as she couldn't find her way free. "You don't love me," she sobbed.
"That's not true Marron," Brianna proclaimed, voice trembling with her sobs. "It's because I love yo-" Her words were cut off as Marron's free hand slapped her across the face.
"Haven't you lied to me enough?!" Marron's voice was so full of venom that it was almost unrecognizable. "You're a lying, man stealing bitch, and I rue the day I ever laid eyes on you!"
Brianna released a sob as if the words had been a physical blow and released the arm to cradle her cheek. It was at this point Bra decided to put a stop to the madness. Stepping forward, she placed herself between the two and met Marron's icy stare. "Stop this Marron. You know damn well that Bri loves you. It was because she loved you that she didn't tell you sooner. She didn't want to hurt you. Trunks told me that himself."
Marron's eyes widened a fraction, and Bra smiled inwardly thinking she'd gotten through to the girl. Her next words caught her by surprise. "You knew?"
Bra blinked a moment. "Well, I, sorta," she trailed off.
Marron's golden locks bounced around her head once again as she shook her disbelief. "Un-fuckin'-believeable," she muttered. "You knew and didn't even have the decency to clue me in. Boy do I have a knack for choosing friends."
"Marrie," Bra half-whispered, reaching out to touch Marron's hand, only to have hers knocked away.
"Don't 'Marrie' me! Why don't you two just scamper off and find your boyfriends and stay the hell away from me?! Permanently!" With those last bitter words she turned and started toward the back entrance. A few moments passed before Pan hurried after her.
"Marron, wait!" she called.
Bra watched them disappear, too shell-shocked by Marron's words to do anything else. It was when Brianna's sobs touched her ears that she finally turned to the other girl. "Oh Bri," she said, lightly resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Brianna looked up at her then, an odd expression on her face. "You said he told you himself," she said almost to herself. When her eyes narrowed, Bra could only see more trouble coming. When the girl suddenly disappeared with an angry growl, Bra gulped.
"That can't be good," she muttered. Hurrying over to the railing, she looked over to see just what she suspected. Brianna had rematerialized on the first floor and was stalking over to the unsuspecting Trunks. "Uh oh," she whispered to herself.
* * *
"Oh come on, Mr. Briefs. There has to be some special lady. Won't you give me the scoop?" the pretty redhead said, batting her eyes at him.
Trunks mentally sighed at the reporter again, this particular hound being one he'd butted heads with too many times to count. "I assure you Madeline. There is no scoop to be had," he said with his most charming forced smile. His mother had taught him that no matter how much you hate them, to always be kind with the paparazzi. That is, unless you liked having your name smeared through the mud with unfounded lies.
"How could you?"
Trunks turned at the angrily growled words to find a furious, tear-streaked Brianna glaring up at him. "Bri? What's wrong?"
"You knew I wanted no one to know. How could you tell?" she demanded.
Trunks's surprise couldn't be contained. "But I did-"
Brianna quickly cut him off. "Don't lie to me! Bra knew, and so does Marron. Bra even said you told her yourself. You are such a bastard sometimes. Just so you could fondle me in public, you've ruined everything. But I guess it really doesn't matter as long as you get what you want, right?" she said sarcastically.
Dumbfounded by her anger, he shook his head. "That's not true." When she shook her head at his words, he gripped her shoulders and leaned closer to her, trying to make her listen. "But I didn't tell Brianna. I swear."
Shaking her head furiously she pushed away from him. "You're lying, and now she hates me. I knew this was a mistake."
He never knew pain like that which attacked his heart at the thought that she might think their relationship was a mistake. "You don't mean that," he said hoarsely.
"Oh believe me, buddy, I do. I never should have continued in this façade of a relationship. It's brought me nothing but heart and headache every since it began. I wish it had never happened. I'd do anything to take it all back this instant." She knew what her words were doing to him. She saw it written all over his face, and yet she couldn't stop the lies on her lips. She was hurting and wanted to inflict that same pain on the cause of her own. "But I'll never make such stupid mistakes again. You've ruined my life, Trunks Briefs, and I never want anything to do with you again."
Until her dying day Brianna knew she'd never forget the crushed look in his eyes at her words. Unable to face it any longer she turned and fled the ballroom before tears fell again.
Trunks watched her, speechless. It was several moments before he realized he now had the attention of much of the ballroom.
"No, scoop huh?" Madeline smirked as she finished jotting on her notepad.
The look he gave her then actually made her take a few startled steps back. When the redhead quickly removed herself from his presence, Trunks sighed heavily and checked his pocket for his valet ticket then slowly made his way to the door, not giving any of the curious onlookers a glance as he exited.
* * *
My poor baby!!!!!!! *sniffles* Well I guess I'll see you guys next time. Thanks for reading.
AN: It has finally happened!!! I BRAND NEW chapter of Of Friends and Lovers. ^_^. Well Enjoy.
* * *
"I can't believe I'm really here!"
Pan resisted the urge to roll her eyes for the hundredth time that night. "Yeah, you sure are."
Jonathan stopped just inside the VIP entrance. They had come through the "back door" so to speak because Pan preferred to avoid the paparazzi, much to Jonathan's dismay. His eyes gleamed despite his disappointment, however, as he smiled down at his date. "So, is Isabella really as hot in person as she is on TV and stuff?"
Pan raised an irked brow at the comment. Where the hell did she keep finding these guys? "Actually," she said, deciding it was time to dump this loser, "She's twice as hot as you think."
"Ah man! You gotta be fuckin' kidding me!" he practically cried. "Nobody's that hot!"
"I kid you not. Why don't you go on in without me and find out for yourself?" she urged.
"Are you sure?" he asked, all ready halfway through the door.
"Yeah, go," she called after his vanishing back. "Asshole," she muttered as she followed him in after a moment.
The entrance they had come through lead straight to the second level of the grand ballroom. Gold-framed mirrors hung on either side of the door, and Pan paused for quick maintenance before heading in. She hated these stupid press parties. She normally found an excuse out of them, but she had been caught off guard this time and hadn't been able to.
Now satisfied with her appearance in the sleek form-fitting red dress her mom had picked out for her during their trip to Paris, Pan decided to head on in. She had every intention to go in, make an appearance, and then convince one of her friends to bail out with her. Trunks or Marron would probably be her best shots. Marron because her timid nature usually caused her to shy away from such an event, and Trunks because he was just as tired of the press hounding his footsteps as she was of them following hers.
Pan made her way along the second level, nodding and smiling politely at the familiar faces she passed. She reached the balcony hangover a few moments later and let her eyes search the floor below. It didn't take long before her eyes fell on Trunks and Brianna in the middle of the dance floor, and she sighed. It looked like Trunks was out as a possible escape buddy. Brianna was expected to stay all the way through these little socials of Magic's. She often would pick one poor soul to stick it out with her. Looked liked Trunks was the unlucky bastard for the evening. It looked like she needed to find Marron.
Pushing away from the railing, Pan left the balcony and walked along the second level, searching the floor below for any sign of her friend. She was halfway around the circular level and still had yet to spot her desired companion.
"Darn it Mar. Where are you?" Pan muttered, growing irritated as she looked over the edge again. Sighing she started walking again, this time heading toward the staircase leading to the third floor. Usually fewer people were on the higher level. Maybe Marron had gone there in search of peace from the masses.
When Pan reached the elegantly ornamented, crème colored door she knew the stairwell lay behind, she frowned at the little plaque on the door. It politely instructed guest to use the elevator for the stairwell was under construction. Saiyan senses detected the faint scent of wet paint on the other side of the thick door. As she turned away, those same Saiyan senses caught the light tinkling of familiar ki behind that same door. Frowning slightly, she turned back to pull the door open just a bit. "Mar?" she called softly, sticking her head in the door.
Pan's eyes widened as Marron lifted her head, cheeks damp from tears and streaked with mascara. As the blonde sniffled and wiped her eyes in an attempt to reclaim her composure, Pan opened the door to slip inside the softly lit stairwell. "Marron, what's wrong?" she asked, squatting before the other girl and pushing wet tendrils off her face.
Marron's own fingers were threaded through her locks, supporting her head as she rested her elbows on her knees. As she looked up at Pan, more tears began to fall. "I hate them so much," she barely got out through sobs.
Pan frowned deeply. "Who Mar?"
"Trun-" Marron's voice broke as she choked on another sob, and she covered her mouth with her hand as she started again. "Trunks and Brianna," she got out before another sob choked her up.
"Trunks and Bri?" Pan asked in confusion. Her confusion grew as Marron leaned forward to cry on her shoulder.
"How could they do this to me Pan?" Marron sobbed brokenly.
"I- I dunno," Pan muttered. 'I don't even know what they did!' she added silently. Not knowing what else to do, she simply stroked the other girl's hair as she cried.
* * *
"So then I told her she was a bitch, and I would happily kick her ass if she really wanted me too," Bra said offhandedly as she strolled through Magic's garden and glanced up at her boyfriend when he snickered. "What?"
Goten shrugged. "Your language," he said. "Doesn't sound much like the princess you're always claiming to be," he added with a teasing smile.
Squinching up her nose cutely, Bra paused and turned to him, wrapping her arms around his waist as she gazed up at him. "I am a princess," she said sweetly. "Just ask my daddy."
Goten chuckled as he bent to kiss her. "I'll take your word for it," he whispered just before his lips touched hers.
Sighing happily, she leaned fully into the kiss. She had to admit: life didn't get much better than this. She wasn't sure how long they kissed under the pretty moonlight, cascading over them and the flowers, whom witnessed their affectionate display, but she did know she never felt so safe and loved as she did when in his arms. When they finally parted for air, each was breathing heavily. She lowered long lashes that fanned over slightly flushed cheeks as she rested her head against his chest, simply enjoying his embrace.
They stood holding one another for moments longer than that of their kiss until the soft clearing of a throat drew their attention. The slender young woman with hair as silver and pale as the night stars, large hazel eyes and skin the color of brown sugar approached. The lush curve of her lips turned up at the slight blush that now colored the two sweethearts. "Sorry to interrupt," she spoke in the soft sensual undertones her voice seemed to naturally carry.
Goten turned more fully to face her, keeping one arm in place around Bra's waist. "You're not interrupting. What's up Tina? Shouldn't you be inside being interviewed?"
Magic's princess and youngest starlet grunted. "They bore me. They always ask the same tired questions, and every one of them thinks they're being clever and original. It's sad really."
Bra smiled at the woman. "So we're playing the poor little superstar role tonight, are we?"
Tina's lips turned up once again. "You know me too well, princess. However, I did have a reason for intruding on your pawing of one another."
Bra's pale cheeks reddened again. "Which was?"
The train of the sequined, green gown she wore lightly dragging on the ground behind her as Tina strolled over to a rose bush and lightly fingered one of the white flowers there. "I'm in charge of tonight's after party. I need help setting up. I was hoping you would gather up your little clique and help." She picked one of the flowers and ran it under her nose.
Bra raised a brow at her. "Oh I see. Trying to get us to do the work for you. Am I right?"
Tina glanced over her bare shoulder, flower now lightly brushing her lips, and shook her head. "Not so," she spoke, the words like a warm balm. Bra would never claim any inclinations to homosexuality, but there was something about Tina that was always extremely arousing, no matter what she happened to be doing at the moment. "You'd think I only wanted to use you guys, which is not true. I wanted to make a deal. It's a cash bar tonight. However, I'm willing to let the six of you drink for free if you help with setup." Her sly smile returned as she turned to face them fully. "I won't even tell Mommy if you do, little Miss Underage."
This grabbed Bra's attention even stronger than the waves of sex appeal rolling off the stunning woman before her. "Really? You're serious?" When the woman simply nodded Bra smiled and turned to Goten. "Bri and Trunks are dancing. Let's go get them." She was all ready starting back into the building before she got an answer to her non-question, giving Goten no room to question her.
"I'll take that as a yes," Tina murmured to herself as they disappeared into the building.
Upon entering the grand ballroom it only took them a few moments before they spotted the couple on the floor. Trunks was playfully dipping the laughing brunette in his arms when they reached them. Looking up at them from her awkward position, Brianna smiled.
"Uh, hey," she chuckled. "Will you let me up now?" she questioned her partner.
His blue eyes danced as he smiled down at her. "Why should I- ouch!!" He immediately let her up as she stumped on his foot.
"That's why," she smirked before turning to her friends again. "What's up guys?"
"Tina's throwing the after party and wants our help with setup. Will ya guys? Please?" Bra begged.
Both Trunks and Brianna gave her skeptical looks. "You seem awfully excited about working when you could be partying," her brother commented.
Bra smiled sweetly. "Well you know me. Always willing to help." The amount of sugar in her tone could only be found in cane fields.
"Tina promised all the free liquor we want, and she won't tell parents about the underage status of some of our group members," Goten informed them.
"Now that makes much more sense than that crap you just said," Trunks said, causing Bra to stick out her tongue at him as she crossed her arms over her chest.
Brianna joined Goten's chuckle at the affectionate brother and sister display. "Well I have no problem with helping. It gets me out of here sooner," Brianna said as Trunks nodded his agreement.
"Great!" Bra smiled. "Have you guys seen Panny or Marrie?"
"Nope," Brianna answered, hers quickly followed by a shake of Trunks's head.
Bra grabbed Brianna's hand. "We'll just have to find them then. You guys wait here, and we'll find them."
Trunks frowned. "Maybe we should all go together," he spoke up, slowly eyeing her.
Bra rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe he didn't think she could be left alone with Brianna without spilling the beans. Sheesh. He could give her a little credit. "No, we've got it. They're probably hiding out on the third floor. Come on Bri," she finished by tugging the other girl along.
"We'll be right back," Brianna called back as she was pulled away. Picking up her pace, she caught up with Bra to keep the other girl from pulling her arm out of its socket. "Excited much?" she ask as she pulled her arm away and rotated her shoulder.
Bra smiled at her. "Yeps!" 'For more reasons than you know,' she thought, smiling at the other girl once again.
Brianna frowned at the odd smile. "What?"
Bra shrugged. "Nothing, nothing at all."
"Uh huh," Brianna said, not sounding at all convinced.
"I'm serious," Bra said, her smile still in place.
Brianna rolled her eyes. "Then stop with the stupid smile and use your senses to find their kis so we can go."
"Me? Why not you?" Bra asked.
Brianna sighed. "Because I haven't been practicing and it doesn't come naturally to me like it does to you, Saiyan."
Bra grunted. "Well, I haven't been exactly practicing it either, so I wouldn't rely too heavily on my skills."
"Will you stop arguing and just do it?"
Bra sighed. "Fine. Sheesh." Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and began her sensory scan. After a few moments she opened her eyes. "Found Panny. Her strength makes it a piece of cake to find her," she commented, sounding awfully pleased with herself. "Come on," she instructed as she started toward the stairs.
"You don't have to tell me how strong she is," Brianna informed her, thoughts on her still sore tailbone after the other day's match. "I don't know why Aunt Ashley keeps scheduling me with people like Pan and Marron, and get this, I've got Trunks next week. I dread the thought."
"Sure you do," Bra said, sarcasm flowing over the words. She was dying to add that she highly doubted an hour, alone sweating with Trunks was a thought Brianna truly dreaded as she pretended.
Brianna frowned as they opened the first floor door and started up to the second level. "What's that suppose to mean?"
Bra shrugged as they made their way up the winding staircase in the dimly lit corridor. "Just that you know Trunks will take it easy on you is all," she said, quickly covering her slip. Maybe she really shouldn't be alone with Brianna.
Brianna grunted. "He never has before." They opened the door to the second level and continued to follow Bra's ki sense around the second level. "I just wish she'd set me up with someone I can actually beat. Like you for instance."
Bra glared over her shoulder. "Well, thanks a lot."
Brianna smiled sweetly and linked arms with her. "You're welcome."
"Bitch," Bra muttered, receiving a laugh from the woman attached to her arm, as they reached another stairwell door. Bra frowned at the sign on the door. "I could swear she's just on the other side of that door."
Brianna shook her head. "How sad. Not only are you weak, but your ki sense is out of whack too. Tsk, tsk, tsk. What would Daddy say?"
Bra shook her off her arm. "I'll have you know my ki sense is great. She is in there," she paused and smiled. "And Marrie, too. Ha! I am, once again, the greatest." Reaching for the knob she pulled the door open and frowned as the paint smell attacked her sensitive nose. "Panny? Marrie?" she called, squinting against the even dimmer light in this stairwell. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight before her. Pan was gently rocking a sobbing Marron. "Marrie, what's wrong?!" she wanted to know as she stepped inside the door.
Just behind her, Brianna entered as well, her concern just as obvious. "Mar, what is it?"
It was then that both women looked up. "This isn't going to be pretty," Pan muttered when her eyes landed on Brianna.
Bra frowned at the words, and her confusion grew when Marron's watery blue eyes focused on the brunette in the doorway. "You," she practically sneered. "Go away!"
Brianna was obviously just as surprised as Bra by the outburst. "What? Why Marron? What did I do?"
Marron suddenly stood with such force she almost knocked a squatting Pan on her butt. "Don't play innocent with me! You know exactly what you did. You lying hussy!"
As Brianna's eyes widened still, Pan, who had risen to her feet, lightly placed a hand on Marron's shoulder. "Mar, calm down. It's not worth all of this." The comment only caused Marron to shrug off her hand.
"Marron," Brianna started slowly. "I wish you would-"
"Do you think I give a damn what you wish?! You certainly didn't give a one about my wishes!" she practically yelled. Taking a deep breath she seemed to try to reign in her anger. Her next words were softer, yet no less heartbroken. "How could you do this to me? You knew how I felt about him. How could you?" The last was almost in disbelief. As if she hoped Brianna would deny it.
That hope was dashed as all color drained from Brianna's face. "Oh no," she whispered softly.
Marron shook her head, obviously fighting a new batch of tears. "So Dad was right," she said softly. There was a moment of silence before her next words. "Has it really been a month?"
Brianna lowered her head before slowly nodding. "Maybe a few days shy," she murmured.
Marron swallowed around the lump in her throat before moving toward the door, pushing Brianna aside as she made her exit. "Oh, well, I guess since it wasn't a whole month it's not as bad," she said bitterly as she stalked out.
Brianna took a moment to gather her footing before she quickly followed her. "Mar, wait!"
The two Saiyan mix breeds stood in utter shock a moment, one completely confused, the other just as pale as Brianna had been moments before.
"How could she have found out so soon?" Bra questioned herself.
Pan turned wide brown eyes on Bra. "You know what's going on, too?! Would you please fill me in?"
Bra grabbed her hand and started out again. "Later. Come on before we find out if Brianna really is immortal or not."
She caught up with the girls just as Brianna caught Marron's arm to stop her. "Marron please listen to me. I never meant for things to happen this way," she said sincerely, obviously on the verge of tears herself.
"Let me go," Marron said, struggling against her hold.
"Not until you listen. I never wanted to hurt you Marron. You have to believe me. It just happened. I'm so, so sorry. You're like my sister. I'd never do anything intentionally to hurt you," she said, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"Some sister you turned out to be. Just let me go," Marron wailed as she tried to pull her arm free.
Brianna shook her head, long brown locks flying about her face. "Marron, please understand. I can't lose you. I love you too much t-"
"Lair!" Marron screamed in her face, giving in to her tears once again as she couldn't find her way free. "You don't love me," she sobbed.
"That's not true Marron," Brianna proclaimed, voice trembling with her sobs. "It's because I love yo-" Her words were cut off as Marron's free hand slapped her across the face.
"Haven't you lied to me enough?!" Marron's voice was so full of venom that it was almost unrecognizable. "You're a lying, man stealing bitch, and I rue the day I ever laid eyes on you!"
Brianna released a sob as if the words had been a physical blow and released the arm to cradle her cheek. It was at this point Bra decided to put a stop to the madness. Stepping forward, she placed herself between the two and met Marron's icy stare. "Stop this Marron. You know damn well that Bri loves you. It was because she loved you that she didn't tell you sooner. She didn't want to hurt you. Trunks told me that himself."
Marron's eyes widened a fraction, and Bra smiled inwardly thinking she'd gotten through to the girl. Her next words caught her by surprise. "You knew?"
Bra blinked a moment. "Well, I, sorta," she trailed off.
Marron's golden locks bounced around her head once again as she shook her disbelief. "Un-fuckin'-believeable," she muttered. "You knew and didn't even have the decency to clue me in. Boy do I have a knack for choosing friends."
"Marrie," Bra half-whispered, reaching out to touch Marron's hand, only to have hers knocked away.
"Don't 'Marrie' me! Why don't you two just scamper off and find your boyfriends and stay the hell away from me?! Permanently!" With those last bitter words she turned and started toward the back entrance. A few moments passed before Pan hurried after her.
"Marron, wait!" she called.
Bra watched them disappear, too shell-shocked by Marron's words to do anything else. It was when Brianna's sobs touched her ears that she finally turned to the other girl. "Oh Bri," she said, lightly resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Brianna looked up at her then, an odd expression on her face. "You said he told you himself," she said almost to herself. When her eyes narrowed, Bra could only see more trouble coming. When the girl suddenly disappeared with an angry growl, Bra gulped.
"That can't be good," she muttered. Hurrying over to the railing, she looked over to see just what she suspected. Brianna had rematerialized on the first floor and was stalking over to the unsuspecting Trunks. "Uh oh," she whispered to herself.
* * *
"Oh come on, Mr. Briefs. There has to be some special lady. Won't you give me the scoop?" the pretty redhead said, batting her eyes at him.
Trunks mentally sighed at the reporter again, this particular hound being one he'd butted heads with too many times to count. "I assure you Madeline. There is no scoop to be had," he said with his most charming forced smile. His mother had taught him that no matter how much you hate them, to always be kind with the paparazzi. That is, unless you liked having your name smeared through the mud with unfounded lies.
"How could you?"
Trunks turned at the angrily growled words to find a furious, tear-streaked Brianna glaring up at him. "Bri? What's wrong?"
"You knew I wanted no one to know. How could you tell?" she demanded.
Trunks's surprise couldn't be contained. "But I did-"
Brianna quickly cut him off. "Don't lie to me! Bra knew, and so does Marron. Bra even said you told her yourself. You are such a bastard sometimes. Just so you could fondle me in public, you've ruined everything. But I guess it really doesn't matter as long as you get what you want, right?" she said sarcastically.
Dumbfounded by her anger, he shook his head. "That's not true." When she shook her head at his words, he gripped her shoulders and leaned closer to her, trying to make her listen. "But I didn't tell Brianna. I swear."
Shaking her head furiously she pushed away from him. "You're lying, and now she hates me. I knew this was a mistake."
He never knew pain like that which attacked his heart at the thought that she might think their relationship was a mistake. "You don't mean that," he said hoarsely.
"Oh believe me, buddy, I do. I never should have continued in this façade of a relationship. It's brought me nothing but heart and headache every since it began. I wish it had never happened. I'd do anything to take it all back this instant." She knew what her words were doing to him. She saw it written all over his face, and yet she couldn't stop the lies on her lips. She was hurting and wanted to inflict that same pain on the cause of her own. "But I'll never make such stupid mistakes again. You've ruined my life, Trunks Briefs, and I never want anything to do with you again."
Until her dying day Brianna knew she'd never forget the crushed look in his eyes at her words. Unable to face it any longer she turned and fled the ballroom before tears fell again.
Trunks watched her, speechless. It was several moments before he realized he now had the attention of much of the ballroom.
"No, scoop huh?" Madeline smirked as she finished jotting on her notepad.
The look he gave her then actually made her take a few startled steps back. When the redhead quickly removed herself from his presence, Trunks sighed heavily and checked his pocket for his valet ticket then slowly made his way to the door, not giving any of the curious onlookers a glance as he exited.
* * *
My poor baby!!!!!!! *sniffles* Well I guess I'll see you guys next time. Thanks for reading.
