Notice something different? Yes, I changed the story name. The other one suggested a goofy, out of control, humoristic story, and that really wasn't what this story was about. This plot is more serious than it started. I've realized Trunks and Pan's story is going to happen, it's not something I can write. The name's important too. Much more so than A Wedding of Chaotic Proportions. So, hopefully you like the change! And now, to talk about the actual chapter…
Another chapter! This one flew to paper like a windfall. I got the inspiration—boom!—and I wrote it—Boom! Again—and here it is done. (now to get some therapy for my numb butt) Anywayz, hope you like. For some reason I've been writing a lot lately, so hopefully this'll last. I'll at least shoot for another update before the 5th, as I'm going out of town from then till like the 16th-17th. Yup, yup. I'll try to update all my stories at least once before then, okies dokies? Again, interesting little chapter, on the longer side…not really, but compared to my more recent chapters I suppose. Again, hope you like—and I hope everyone had a good Christmas/New Year's!
"It is on New Year's that the things we really need to address are brought up in our minds, making it the perfect time for these resolutions."
"A dual interview on twin magazine's! Isn't that wonderful?" Trunks flinched. "I hope this isn't too harsh for you, Mr. Brief's—" He stifled the jolt the idea sent to his stomach, and decided, as Claire had said, that dealing with it would be best. And if Pan agreed, then why not?
"Sure, Ms. Steel. That would be fine." He felt like he had overcome a massive obstacle, and felt the better for it.
"Wonderful, Mr. Brief's! Just wonderful! I even want to cover it personally!"
~*
Pan Son entered her bedroom and let her bag slide off her shoulder and onto the floor. Cosmo sat calmly on her bed, her lame leg just a barely there obstacle since their trip to the vet the day prior.
The cat's eyes seemed transfixed to the blinking red light on Pan's answering machine. Pan approached it and pressed the play button.
A voice greeted her, fake an overly cheery, asking Pan to give her—Ms. Rhonda Steel—a phonecall. Pan sighed. This wasn't something she wanted to do, but reluctantly she picked up the phone.
"Ms. Steel?" She questioned, and Rhonda's voice got excited. "This is Pan Son, and you gave me a call—"
"Oh, I know. I know, dear. Yes, I'm glad you got back with me. I was hoping to get you to agree to an interview with Infinite magazine."
"Oh, thank you but I'm not really interested—"
"It's quite an interesting interview." She stated, and Pan listened for just a moment. "Infinite magazine is part of the GQ—"
"It's related to GQ?" Pan questioned, remembering Trunk's picture on the cover the other day.
"Yes. I'm the VP and senior editor of GQ and I opened, a few years back, Infinite for female readers." Pan almost whistled. So she was talking to a real big-wig. "I'm hoping you'll agree to an interview for Infinite, as part of a twin issue."
"Twin issue?"
"Yes. Mr. Trunks Brief's has agreed to do this twin issue. He will cover for GQ along with an interview, and I was hoping—"
"I'd cover for Infinite. A twin issue." It sunk in, and Pan didn't know whether to be impressed or disgusted. "The double issue to beat all, right?" She could hear a smile on the other end. "And Trunks—Mr. Brief's has agreed to this? Agreed to the double issue with me?" This was going to be a freak show just about…but it was a good idea, she had to admit it.
"Yes, he has." Pan sighed.
"I'll do it." She said quickly. If Trunks was up for it, if Trunks wasn't scared of it, then neither was she. And at least she could have a word…as she was sure everyone thought the break up was because Trunks had cheated on her.
True, he had, but she had as well…and she couldn't let him take all the flak like he had been. She knew, even though she hadn't watched much news, that he was indeed taking all the flak.
~*
"Are you serious?" This same question was heard by both Pan and Trunks both, on each side of the world. Katie and Goten both exclaimed it at the news, both unbelieving and excited…in some way.
In London, all the girls were gathered in the living room around Pan like a harem. Lynda and Kaye were beyond thrilled, Katie was—American style—flabbergasted, and Mary Kate was hopping up and down, Cosmo on her lap.
"So 'yer really goin'ta do it?" Pan nodded at her.
"I mean, Trunks won't even be anywhere near anyway. That would be a little awkward…"
"Well, I'm proud'a ya'." She gave Pan's leg a little squeeze, giving her room to not say more in front of everyone, and the girls started talking about everything related to the topic. Like what she'd wear to the interview, what she'd say, what the outcome she wanted was…
In the capitol, Goten leaned back on the couch at the Brief's household.
"That's awesome man, I'm glad you're doing it."
"Really?" Trunks wondered aloud. "Do you think it'll be OK?"
"Besides, Pan won't be near, she'll just see the interview…and well, you have nothing to be worried about. I'm proud of you, my man." And he slugged him in the arm.
~*
A week later Pan checked into the luxurious Bentoire hotel in New York with Mary Kate and Cosmo. There she was led into the executive penthouse suite, complete with kitchen, two baths, two bedrooms, and outer walls made of glass so that the skyline of New York was ever present.
The suite was done in the color scheme of pale moss, light peach, cream, and wood. Giving it a very zen-like quality, and both girls were pleased with the lush décor.
"I can't believe," Pan began, taking a long look around the suite. "that they would spend so much on me." Her face was set in an expression of awe, and still she looked around, dumb struck, taking in everything.
"Yer'a celebrity now, Pan." Mary Kate said, plopping on the couch with Cosmo on her lap. The sun had just set, so the sky shone deep magenta and darkest purple, and the lights of the city dazzled outside their windows.
"Will that be all Miss Son?" The desk receptionist that had guided them to the suite stood timidly at the open door, and she looked to Pan.
"Oh, yes. Yes, thank you very much." The woman with a periwinkle suit and her blonde hair pulled into a twist, nodded.
"If there is anything you need, just call the reception desk, and we hope to be of service." Pan smiled her thanks, and the woman disappeared.
"What, no maid?" Mary Kate winked.
~*
Trunks and Goten checked into New York's Bentoire hotel, where they were shown to one of the only two executive penthouse suites in the entire building.
Trunks had stayed there before, but for Goten it was a new experience. The receptionist herself, a blonde woman in her late twenties, escorted them to their room wearing a periwinkle suit with the hotels logo on her left breast, and her hair twisted up.
"Mr. Brief's." She said simply, opening the door wide, and taking a step back. Trunks and Goten entered the extravagant suite with only carry-on's; the rest of their luggage had already been sent up while they had checked in. The entire outer wall was made of floor-to-ceiling windows, and Goten gasped at the sight. Night was present in New York, and the skyline glittered with the many skyscrapers lights.
"We sure have it good, don't we?" Goten mentioned after the woman had left with the promise to be available if they needed anything whatsoever. Trunks only smirked at Goten's pleasure as he sat down on the cranberry couch.
The entire suite was made up of rich royal blue, cranberry, raspberry, and deep chocolate and black.
"So what should we do tonight?" Goten mused, and they met each other's stare.
~*
Pan, wearing striped sleep pants and a white tank top, drew her feet up into the couch and started to take the polish off of her toenails. Mary Kate was brushing Cosmo, who purred gratefully, and she was wearing snuggly pink and orange polka dot pajamas.
"It'll be nice ta' just stay home tonight." Mary Kate mused, and Pan groaned in agreement. "Just you an' me sitting around and having to do nothing." She stretched out on her couch and yawned, her chore of brushing Cosmo complete.
~*
Trunks, wearing coal colored dress slacks and a satiny gray shirt, weaved through the mass of hot, loud, and mobile bodies. Goten followed, not quite as daring as he did so, and kept repeating the same thing:
"'Scuse me—sorry—oh, sorry there—coming through—excuse me please—" Trunks rolled his eyes. Goten wasn't really a mainstream, big city guy.
Sure, the capitol was large—massive—but not wreaking of the skyscrapers and abundant night life that was present in New York. It was more of a sprawling, low key, casual city, where New York was metro, hip, and going, going, gone.
Only one look at Trunks had let them into this club where the word Jive! was scrawled above the door in flashing, neon colors like green, red, blue, and purple. Until they had entered the main room, most had taken a step back, clearing the way for the 'celebrity'.
Trunks had almost cleared his way towards some peace and quiet near the bar when his path crossed with someone else's and they collided, and Goten bumped into him from behind as well.
"Excuse me—" Her catlike smile grew into a grin at the realization of who she had just bumped into.
"Hi." Her teeth shone as her smile seemed to show every single on inside of her mouth, and a friend approached her but quickly stifled speech.
Trunks extended his hand.
"Donna Summer." She offered, taking it. "I already know yours." She winked so expertly that it was almost merely a twitch, and for a brief moment her eyes flicked to Goten before looking back to Trunks.
"This is Goten Son." He offered, and she took Goten's hand briefly.
"Kim Anderson." Her friend took each of Trunks' and Goten's hands in turn.
"Goten Son, did you say?" Donna Summer cast a meaningful glance to both Goten and then Trunks, and her lips turned up into another brilliant smile. "Well, Kim and I were about to take a seat. Care to join us, gentleman? Not like we'd let you two escape our company tonight anyway."
A while later the four of them were sitting at a steel table with bar height chairs around it.
Donna wore a red, thirties style halter dress that hit mid-thigh, and her friend Kim wore a spaghetti strap, fifties style turquoise green cocktail dress with a slightly full skirt and a bright pink flower on the left side of the neckline.
"So, is it business that brings you in town, Trunks?" She leaned forward questioningly, a cosmopolitan held timidly in her fingers. He nodded reluctantly, and she raised a brow in question first to him, and then to Goten.
"He's being interviewed, but he wouldn't want to tell you that." She smiled appreciatively, and Kim chuckled a bit.
~*
"Trading Spaces…Speed Buggy…The Re-Awakening of Nefertiti…Bali Nali…and Blue's Clues. Yup, those look like our options." Mary Kate called from Pan's bedroom while the ebony haired of the two brushed her hair in the bathroom.
"Oh, never mind; you can't choose." She heard Pan snort in the next room, and she proceeded to argue her case. "Vern's designing! I love him!" Cosmo sneezed at the foot of the bed, and Mary Kate pulled her up onto her lap and under the covers.
Pan clicked out the light of the bathroom on her way out and jumped under the covers next to her friend and petted Cosmo quickly before adjusting the pillows behind her.
Both friends appreciated the quiet, peaceful night they were enjoying, far away from the hustle and bustle of the New York City night life.
~*
Donna giggled, her back against the armrest of the chair, her legs tossed over the lap of a young man with pale lavender hair. He had just picked her up and sat her down in this position after making their way out of main room to one of the quieter lounge's. This particular one was pretty much a nook half hidden from the world, with a single couch and end table bearing a lamp with only a black light bulb.
"So who's the interview with?" She asked, and he pondered in a joking way, teasing her by trying to decide whether to tell her at all, and she slugged him lightly on the arm. "Seriously, who with?"
"Is it that important?" He returned, and she shook her head in blatant honesty which he laughed at.
"No, it isn't. I'm just curious, and now it's driving me nuts!" She put on a determined face, but it fell when she started chuckling at him.
"GQ." He relented, and she looked impressed.
"Twice in a row? Now that's impressive. Hey, won't you be the first—"
"Person to make it two months in a row?" She nodded, and he admitted it, though without the pride that was due.
"What's it feel like?" He furrowed his brows at her, and she tilted her head to the side, emphasizing the need for an answer. "What's it feel like at the top?"
Lonely.
Why had that word struck him so hard? Why had he almost blurted it out?
"I…" She looked at him thoughtfully, her hair cascading around her face, her arms circled about his neck. "I…haven't known anything different." She nodded, understanding, and it made him feel good to say it.
~*
"What was that?" Pan asked. Mary Kate had gone to answer the door, and now she appeared with a sly grin and a paper bag. She opened the convenience store bag and retrieved two tubs of chick-a-dee ice cream and two plastic spoons. Pan looked both impressed and surprised.
"Room service." Mary Kate grinned, and Pan shook her head.
"You sent a poor bell boy down to the corner of the street to get us ice-cream?" Pan shook her head, but she was smiling nonetheless.
"If you're in the Executive Penthouse Suite," She emphasized, striking a haughty pose. "then nothing is beyond your command." The royal persona dropped however when the call of ice cream struck, and both girls decided to dig in.
~*
There was the sound of club music in the background, mingling chatter, and the smell of both incense and spicy perfume—Donna's.
Trunks gave one last pull before breaking his lips from Donna's, and he felt her breath glide across his cheek.
He pulled back, saw her smile, and released a slow one of his own as her eyes studied his thoughtfully, perceptively.
"How could she have…" She said just barely, and he furrowed his brows, questioning what she meant. "How could she have betrayed you like that?" He saw Donna's smile—not as massive and contagious as Pan's—her soft hair—not as full, as wild as Pan's—her eyes—but they didn't sparkle like Pan's, nor reflect his face when he looked into them.
This just wasn't right.
"She didn't deserve you—" He shook his head slowly, pulling away, standing up, and she looked at him, confused.
"No." He shook his head again. "No…I didn't deserve her."
~*
"Why are we leaving so soon?" Goten asked, following Trunks out of Jive!, jogging to catch up with him.
"It's late." Trunks said casually, waving a cab. "In fact, it's—" He looked at his watch. "Eleven forty-nine." They hopped into the taxi.
"So," Trunks turned to Goten. "how was Kim?" Goten nodded thoughtfully.
"She was a nice girl. She's going to California soon—get this, she's a surfer." Goten grinned. "I hope the best for her."
"So, there wasn't anything else?" Goten caught Trunks' eye, suddenly understanding. He chuckled.
"No, nothing else." He shook his head, turning more serious. "Marron deserves more than that. Kim was a nice girl—but why waste my chances with the best there is for me? I wouldn't risk Marron for a night with a girl I knew wouldn't last. Besides, like I said, she deserves more." Trunks nodded, taking more from that little speech than Goten realized.
~*
Pan cuddled in bed with Cosmo at her feet. Mary Kate was slumbering gently in her own bedroom. Pan looked out at the city, the whole wall a massive window filled with lights, showing her a glimpse of what people were doing beyond her room.
She pondered whether this interview was right. She hoped that they wouldn't twist her words—a huge reason of her doing this was to set the record straight so people wouldn't label Trunks a slimey cheater, and she would do it or die.
She wondered what he was doing right now. Wondered if he had already had his interview, what he had said, or what he would say if he hadn't had it yet. She wished him the best; he still…meant a lot to her.
He always would.
~*
Trunks, as he lie in bed, couldn't shake the feeling that he had betrayed Pan tonight. Though they were officially dissolved for now, though he was, in reality, and in the tabloid and celebrity scene, the most eligible bachelor…he had felt bad about kissing Donna.
He had excused himself, told her he was sorry, told her he enjoyed her company, thanked her for the evening…she hadn't been heartbroken, or hurt, thankfully—he rolled over. His mind was tangled, like a ball of yarn, and it was giving him a migraine.
He wished Pan, wherever she was now, whatever time it was for her right now, that she was good, that she was all right. Ms. Steele had told him that Pan had accepted the interview, and he wondered what her motive was, if there was one at all. He wondered if she had had it yet, if she hadn't, what she was planning to say.
He wished her the best, that she wouldn't have a bad experience with the media. He did still…she was important to him. She always had been. He wouldn't stop caring for her in some way, and he hope that she was doing just fine.