I know, it's been a while! Well, towards the beginning of May I got on a plane for Ireland and spent most of May there, and England and Scotland. Then, got on a plane back to the good 'ole US of A, then got on another one for Utah, where I spent a week and a half, then drove to Colorado for a week, then back to Utah for several days, then finally back to Virginia where my lovely, comfortable, PERFECT home is. That was the main reason for the delay of this chapter, but, um, I admit to some complications once I got home towards the end of June. First was a bit of writer's block, and then my pickiness after that. I'm VERY picky about this story, seeing as it's the sequel to my favorite story here on FF.net. So, yes, worked through the ending of this chapter for a while just being in-between writer's block and pickiness. My apologies, to be sure. Plus I'm busy on a project. I'm about to open, or, working on opening a big website. Astarii.net. Finally a nice site for Moi! lol. The only reason I mention this is because all my stories are going to be hosted in one of its subdomains. (I think stories.astarii.net maybe) Anywho, so that's the scoop on that, and why this chappy has taken so long. Funny stuff to come, I promise, because nothing has been funny really yet. Well, I'll shut up. Toodle-doo!
"Ahhh!" Pan scurried into her house, slamming the door behind her with a distinct thud. Looking like a scared rabbit, she leant against the door and breathed deeply.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Videl sped into the foyer and Gohan's footsteps could be heard coming from his study.
"I—I—I—"
"What is it?" Gohan appeared, his face drawn in worry. Like clockwork, a series of blinding flashes began outside the window. All three dashed to it, glancing out into the morning, to see a mob of photographers and reporters outside.
Just like in the news, people wrote on mini notepads, people stood in front of camera's, microphone in hand, speaking about what was to their backs, and photographers took countless photos, their flashes going off constantly like a light never turned off.
The three Sons' looked at each other, needing to blink, but too stunned to do so.
"Look!" A newspaper slapped down on Trunks Brief's desk. Bulma stood before him, arms crossed, one brow raised disapprovingly. "Now they've attacked them—not like I ever thought they'd be able to escape the press…" The rest droned out while Trunks lifted the paper and scanned the front page.
A big picture of Gohan, Videl, and Pan peering out a window in shock was there with big bold letters that read, 'Brief's Mysterious Fiancée Finally Revealed!'.
Following that was a lengthy article about the family, the father's occupation, the family's relation to the Brief's, and everything about Pan they could dig up. They even had interviews of some people, Trunks realized with disgust.
His eyebrows raised in disbelief at one. It read,
"I remember several months back, they came into the store and purchased, well, some 'clothing articles'. He was a good young boy, but seemed a bit persistent at the purchase, while she was very much not too delighted with it all." It was signed Melba Nurose, clerk, Lace's and Bow's Lingerie and Negligée's.
Trunks leaned forward in his hand. They had only bought a couple of bras!
"No one ever told me about those purchases." Bulma pointed out, looking at him funny. He caught her gaze and shook his head.
"I bought her some bras, to be honest." He said. "When I took her to get her hair and stuff done, they said she needed something else than what she had." She nodded, the funny look gone.
"Read on." She prompted, waving at the paper. She took a seat on the couch and pushed a button for Claire. The secretary entered and Bulma sent her away for something while Trunks scanned the remaining articles.
"Oh, several months ago he made and appointment for her. Lovely girl, really, but not very aware of her natural beauty. Quite a shame. Anyway, she had her hair done, makeup, all of the like, and they seemed very much in love. Handsome, he is. He spared no cost for her! There isn't anything else I can really tell you, though. She is a lovely girl, and I wish her the best with her life!" This interview was signed by Ms. Satina of Satina Spa. He turned to the next one as Claire handed his mother some hot chocolate in a mug.
This next one had a photo, and, Trunks realized with distaste, it was of Selena Encochito, the waitress from Tin'aco that he had taken out a couple times. She seemed a bit distressed in the pictures, shoving her way through the press, her face showing both annoyance and a scared animal expression, like a deer caught in headlights. He kept his eyes scrolling, now reading the article.
"Miss Selena Encochito, waitress at Tin'aco—a Latino-style bar in downtown—had a few dates with Trunks Brief's, President of Capsule Corporations, but wasn't prone to say much. She did say, however, that he was all the teen heartthrob magazine's made him out to be, and she didn't have anything bad to say about him at all. Their few dates, she said, were pleasant and he was great company. She also said that she had met the elusive Miss Son several times, and she didn't hold her praise for her either. Her closing statement was:
'I'm afraid you won't get the hidden scandal that you want from me. There's nothing there that would put him on the news any more than he already is. They're great, and I wish them both the best of luck!'
Trunks sat the paper down and looked at his mother, whom, he realized had been looking at him all along.
"She could have made something up and gotten a bundle for it. No one would believe your side of the story if she would have—any fool would know that." He nodded, poking a button on the intercom.
"Claire, get me 2—3 dozen roses and have them delivered to Miss Selena Encochito. Um, the card should read, Thank you—I really…wait, uh, just have it say thank you, and have it signed with my first name. That's all." He poked the button again and Bulma nodded approvingly. His intercom buzzed, and he poked it while opening the paper to the comic section, propping his legs on his desk.
"Yes?" He questioned, not paying much attention to anything except for Garfield.
"You're sister's on the phone, Mr. Brief's." She said simply, and he could hear the phones of his secondary secretaries ringing in the background. "Should I connect her, sir?" She questioned.
"Yeah, go ahead. Thanks, Claire." There was a quick buzz, followed by Bura Brief's voice.
"Trunks?" She questioned.
"I'm here."
"Good. Are you busy?" She asked, and he sat down his paper, knowing he wouldn't be able to enjoy the funnies with his sister yapping on the phone.
"Yes," He lied, and Bulma shook her head, getting up and making herself some more hot chocolate.
"Too bad, you need to do something." He groaned. "Shut up and listen!" She continued. "The Sons' are stuck in their house. Reporter's everywhere! They can't even get out! They called for help, so you've got to go over there and do something about it."
"Like what?" He asked, just trying to annoy her—he was already up and getting his coat on. He folded his arms and looked at the intercom box.
"I don't know! But you better hurry." Without a word he left, leaving his mother to end the conversation with Bura.
"I win!" Pan chanted, gathering up the Uno cards and shuffling them, getting ready for another game. "Sometimes you're just too easy, dad." She said with a teasing grin. "Can't I ever get some competition?" She continued with a wink. "Mom, come play!" She beckoned.
"Oh, no, I can't ever play that game." Her mother said from behind a magazine.
"Have you ever really tried?" She prodded, but her mother didn't answer. She looked at her father, eyebrow raised, asking him the question. He shook his head in silence.
"Does anyone want something to eat? Like munchies or something?" She asked, getting up, heading to the kitchen. Both parents shook their heads, voicing their answers, and she disappeared into the kitchen.
"We've been here since seven-thirty this morning." Gohan said, examining his watch. "I wonder when they'll ever lighten up."
"They won't." Videl reassured. "Not until their married—and then they'll stalk Trunks and Pan's house." She sat down her magazine, looking at her husband.
Meanwhile, Pan leaned into the fridge, scanning for something good to eat. They hadn't been out of the house all day, since about seven or so when she was going to go somewhere with Marron, and now it was three fifty-six.
She pulled out the carton of orange juice, and was grabbing a glass when she saw a limo pull up, no doubt bearing her Fiancé inside. She sat them both down at the kitchen table and watched out of the window.
"Mom, dad! Trunks is here!" She could hear her parents get up, and they both went to the foyer and peered out of the small vertical windows to the sides of the door, eagerly awaiting Trunks' actions.
The limo stopped and the reporters all turned to the car, getting their video camera's going. The door opened and Trunks appeared, casually strolling by them with practice. He had his bomber jacket on, along with sunglasses, and there was no mistaking who he was.
People video taped him, reporters bugged him with questions, and people shoved voice recorders near his face. They all seemed to halfway crush him and treat him like glass, and he made it to the front door without saying anything except polite "excuse me's". The door opened just a crack, and he slipped into the house sideways.
"Trunks!" Pan hopped out of the kitchen and jogged to him. "They've been here all day—we've been—"
"I know, I know." He interrupted, both grabbing each other in a hug. He nodded to Gohan and Videl with a cheery smile. "I'm so sorry about this—" He started, but Gohan cut him off with a shake of his head.
"There is nothing to be sorry about, Trunks." He said. "We all knew it was coming, anyway." He added cheerfully. "It was just a matter of time." Videl nodded her agreement.
"I guess I should go get rid of them." Trunks smiled, arm around Pan. "I'll be right back." He turned to leave, but Pan grabbed his arm.
"Hang on a second, I'm coming too." She brushed her hand through her dark locks, but Trunks shook his head. "What?" She questioned.
"They'll take all sorts of pictures of you and everything. You are the elusive Pan, you know." He grinned mischievously.
"They're going to get pictures of me somehow, I might as well be able to pose for them." She pointed out with a convincing smile. "Please?" She added, prodding.
"Ok, ok." He said. "C'mon. But don't say anything, kay?" He grabbed her hand after she nodded and they both slipped out onto the front porch. People awaited in silence, save the video reporters, and everyone awaited his words.
"If you could please leave," He started. "I would appreciate it." His hand, now around her waist, gave her a little squeeze. "So if you could disperse before I have to call some people that would be great. Thanks." He gave a dashing smile, and pulled his cell phone out from his pocket. Reporters not wanting to be dispersed with force by police began scurrying away into cars and vans, some being rude enough to take a something from the yard like a flower—or, like one observer—the mailbox.
Pan laughed at a man stealing a mailbox, though Trunks didn't take it as lightly.
"C'mon." He said, grabbing her hand and pulling her in. "I'm so sorry about all this, Pan." He said, being sincere. She laughed it off, but he grasped her chin and made her look at him. "I really am. This isn't ever going to get easier, only harder. Eventually it'll irritate you as much as it does me."
"I know, but you can't marry the most eligible bachelor in the world without some unpleasant things." She pointed out. "I'm starving, let's grab something to eat." She tugged him into the kitchen where she promptly found some things to fill her Saiyan stomach.
"Uno!" Bura exclaimed gleefully, casting a grin towards Marron. "Seriously, you should try to remember better." She added teasingly. Marron shook her head and drew her cards from the deck.
"Red four." Trunks slapped a card down and Pan searched through her hand for a few moments before placing her own card. Next was Donny, then Bura.
"Isn't anyone ready for a new game?" Goten questioned, scanning the faces of all the players. "I mean—"
"You don't have anything, do you?" Bura said blandly.
"Well…I…no. No, I don't." Bura laughed, and smiles spread on everyone's faces. "But, seriously, guys." He continued, slapping his hand down onto the living room carpet. "Aren't any of you sick of this game?" Pan smiled.
"Well, yeah, for the third week of playing it whenever we get together…" She grinned. "I guess I'm getting pretty sick of it."
"How about a movie, guys?" Bura asked, leaning her back against Donny's shoulder. "Seriously!" She prodded when no one made a move to do anything. "I'm so bored I could scream, and instead of sitting around let's go and do something!" Her rousing speech seemed to move everyone else, and Goten grabbed the phone to call the theaters.
"Beach Babes II," He began announcing from the kitchen. The girls glared at the guys before they could even start to say they were interested in that one. "Revenge of the Cyborg's," No one seemed too thrilled about that one. "Twisted Fury," Donny seemed interested, but Bura shot him a glare. "Guns of Metal," Trunks raised a brow curiously at this title. He chuckled with a cheesy line, 'what else would they be made of?', and Pan poked him in the side to shut him up. "Blonde and Blonder," Some of the girls got excited, but the guys gave them a 'puh-lease' look. "Animal Attack," All shot their brows up at that. "and To Each His Own."
All of them looked around at each other without a word.
"How about To Each His Own?" Marron suggested. "At least I've heard good things about that one. At least I've heard of that one." Several people nodded, agreeing it was the best choice.
"Yeah, I've heard some good reviews about it." Bura agreed. Everyone seemed to nod, and so the decision was made. People began grabbing coats and purses, but Pan made an announcement.
"You know, guys, I think I'm gonna stay behind tonight." Bura looked at her and widened her eyes in disbelief. "Yeah, I'm gonna stay." Trunks grabbed her shoulders and gave them a squeeze.
"You sure?" He whispered in her ear, and she nodded. "Ok, I'll stay too." He said louder. This seemed to be too much for Bura who began pouting.
"Aw, c'mon guys! Please come?" She begged. "We don't want to leave two in our number behind." She pointed out, and Marron nodded in agreement, her coat now on as she stood supportively by Bura.
"You don't have to stay," Pan turned around and grabbed Trunks' hand. "I'll be just fine…I think I'm gonna have an early night tonight." He squeezed her hand.
"Yeah, I think I'll miss out on To Each His Own, guys." He told the group, and, beaten, they said their goodbye's and left. "Whew!" He lied down on the couch after they left, and Pan sat on the armrest. "I'm glad you coughed out on the movie; I didn't really want to go either." She chuckled.
"Yes you did." He looked at her curiously. "You've been saying you want to go for the last week—ever since it came out!" She added, falling backwards to lay onto his chest. He grinned.
"Ok, you got me. But I didn't want to see it without you." He wrapped his arms around her for emphasis, and she smiled along with another chuckle.
"Fair enough." She snuggled, getting more comfortable. "I want some hot chocolate." She said after a long moment of silence. "But I don't want to get up." She could feel his laughter—the rapid up-and-down of his chest—even though she couldn't hear it.
"I'll go make it then." He started to get up, but she pushed her weight down, stopping him. "What?"
"I don't want you to move either. I'm comfortable. Besides, if you move then I move anyway." She could feel another chuckle. "Maybe if I yell for my parents they'll come."
"And what? Make you hot chocolate?" This time she could hear him chuckle. "I think that's pretty rude of you, making your parents come and serve you hot chocolate just because you're too lazy to get up yourself." She rolled her eyes and got up reluctantly.
"Hey, after you make it let's go outside." It was more of a notification versus a question. He raised a brow at her.
"Why?"
"Because it's nice outside!"
"You mean it's cold outside! Look, I see what is definitely snow out there." He pointed out the sliding door. She put her hands on her hips and shot him a look. Almost a glare but not quite. "That's what heated houses are for, so that people like us could stay inside." He stuck his hands out, palms facing each other several inches apart. "Stay inside," He moved his hands to the right in a jumping motion. "stay warm." He nodded to her like he was explaining something scientific to someone who couldn't speak the same language.
On her part, a single brow lifted, and she looked at him with annoyance.
"I'll meet you outside." He said quickly before disappearing into the kitchen.
The steam from the cup that warmed Pan's fingers rose and also warmed Pan's face as she stared ahead thoughtfully, sitting on the deck steps, holding her cup close to her face. Trunks sat next to her in silence, quietly sipping his hot chocolate.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked quietly after he had finished, sitting the cup down next to him, leaning back on one hand and brushing her hair out of her face and onto her back with the other.
She smiled without looking at him, and for a moment it seemed as if she was lost in another thought.
"Us," She said simply. "and this wedding." Trunks smirked and nodded. Leaning back on both arms now he was looking at her, the faintest smile upon his face. "Oh, Trunks, will we ever get through it?" She sat irritably, setting her cup down and leaning against him, tucking her head under his chin.
He chuckled, and she could feel his chest shake under her back. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, turning around and slugging him in the chest.
"I'm serious!" He shook off his laughter and took a breath before smiling at her and nodding.
"I know, I know." She cocked a brow at him. "It's been getting to you—"
"That's an understatement—"
"But it really will turn out all right. You'll have the biggest, prettiest wedding in the world." She sighed and shot him a pouting look. Sensing he had said something wrong, he winced a bit.
"I don't want the biggest, prettiest wedding in the world!" Knowing there was no other way to undo the damage he had just done, he threw in a cunning "pass the ball to her court".
"What kind of wedding do you want?" It was a question that would prove he cared, yet wouldn't send him floundering for the eternity's guessing. He waited in silence for her response.
"I want a wedding." She said simply. He rolled his eyes, yet made sure she didn't catch it. Really, girls could be so complicated about things sometimes. He gave her a look that beckoned her to continue. "I want," She continued. "a wedding." She finished simply. This time he sighed. "I want," She said louder this time, gaining confidence. "a wedding." She finished quietly. He sighed again.
"Pan, how can I help you if you don't tell me what you want?" He asked caringly, brushing the hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear like a little girl. She sighed and bit her lip, thinking.
"I don't want it to be an event…" She said this time. "I want it to be a wedding, not a huge event that loses its meaning." He had at least gotten somewhere this time. He nodded, understanding. "It's just that with the plans going on, it seems like things are getting out of hand. All these huge plans! Caterer's, decorator's, florist's, planner's, photographer's—we've got five different kinds of photographer's!" She exclaimed. "A formal shot one, a candid shot one, a "in the action" one, a steady one, and one that plans and oversees all of them, plus takes whatever pictures he does." She let out a frustrated sigh. "We're tasting food tomorrow." She said, leaning against him again. His breath blew her hair lightly, and his chest rose and fell comfortingly. "Will you come?"
Trunks heart stopped. Come? To test the food? Ever since he had proposed to her he had spent all his energies into avoiding anything to do with the wedding planning, and now she had asked him to join in one of the festive occasions. Come? No! No, no, NO!
"Of course I'll come." He said and she smiled.