Chapter Fourteen

"You know exactly what I mean Bra." Her father gave his patented tell me or else look.

Bra ducked her head to avoid the censure in his gaze.

"It was an accident," she mumbled softly.

"Explain," Came the harsh order.

"I really thought I was going to have dinner with Maron, I swear!" Bra turned hopeful baby blues on her father, knowing his weakness for them. "I didn't know until it was too late that she couldn't make it and had to send a substitute."

Vegeta blinked slowly.

"I know I am not allowed to date boys without your approval but I didn't know until it was too late." Bra babbled on unaware of the confusion on her father's face slowly turning to anger.

"You went out with a boy!" He exploded into super saiyan, making the secretaries gasp and flee.

It was Bra's turn to be confused.

"I thought you already knew and wanted an explanation . . ."

"I was referring to the attack on your brother." Vegeta calmed himself enough to drop out of super saiyan.

"Oh," Bra's mouth snapped shut, "In that case-"

"Bra."

Her face turned as her eyes darted around the hallway in desperate search of someone who would divert his attention. The place was deserted.

"Are you sure Mom's not here-" She tried to smile placating when he issued his order again.

"Bra."

She quickly inhaled and exhaled to fortify herself.

"It wasn't a real date," she answered, her tone pleading.

"Who was it?" His famous glare and in place.

"Goten." She winced.

"Goten?" Vegeta blinked in surprise.

"Yes. You aren't going to kill him are you?" Bra was miserable.

"No."

"No?"

Vegeta shook his head at his daughter.

"Why didn't you just say it was Goten?"

"You don't mind?" Bra blinked.

"Why would I mind? You hate him, don't you?" Vegeta lifted a brow.

Bra's hopes deflated with an almost audible hiss.

"Right."

"Now about your brother."

"Well . . ."

"Trunks, what are you doing?" Goten plopped into the chair as his friend typed furiously at the computer.

"I'm discovering the secret of life," Trunks' brows shot up, "Goten, come look at this."

Curious, Goten came around the desk and looked at the screen. The screen displayed a damage report.

"What am I looking at?"

Trunks grinned at the perplexed tilt of eyebrows on his friend.

"Goten, this is a record of all the damage done by my dad."

"What?" Intrigued, he studied the screen closer.

"Here," Trunks pointed out, "The floors of no less then three levels have to be repaired. At least ten walls and three major machines were replaced."

"But why would your dad do this?" Goten glanced at his friend.

"I don't know," Trunks was ecstatic, "But these actions scared the women into never bothering him again."

"Really?" Goten's eyes were wide, "Hey, shouldn't there be a video feed from all the security cameras?"

"Of course there is," Trunks grin turned evil. "Want to watch it with me?"

"Sure!"

Trunks brought up the link and clicked on it.

"Pheromones?" Vegeta blinked.

Bra nodded, watching her father closely.

He was completely still when his shoulders started shaking with laughter.

"Bra," he chuckled, "Your brother has enough problems without you dumping pheromones on him."

"He dumped it on himself," she pouted.

"Hn," Vegeta smirked, "But I bet you made it available for him."

Bra shrugged.

"It's not my fault he's clumsy."

"Zarah, what's wrong?" Maron yelped when she was yanked into his office.

"We have a problem," Zarah released her and slammed his chair into his desk.

"Problem?" Maron sat down gracefully.

"Uncle Vegeta," Zarah growled, "I forgot to take him into consideration."

Zarah was being torn in two. He loved his Uncle Vegeta but he didn't appreciate anything or anyone who interfered with his plans. Solution, find a way to make Goten more acceptable to Uncle Vegeta. Problems, many. Solutions to those many problems, Sasoli.

He stopped pacing with a triumphant grin.

"I'm sure Uncle Vegeta won't care-" Maron tried to placate him.

"No, he's much too strict, like my mom," Zarah jumped behind his desk and reached for his phone. "It's time to call in the big guns."

Maron raised a brow.

"Sasoli." Zarah answered as the line begin to ring.

"Oh," Maron smiled pleased, "I haven't seen her in ages."

Zarah lifted a brow at her, she had always had a strange relationship with his sister. Playing dolls together and weird things like that.

The link started to play . . .

Vegeta stomped into the building visibly pissed off with nothing more than his black shorts. One could almost see the energy pouring off him in waves as a vein in his forehead throbbed.

He threw back his head and roared, "BULMA!"

Secretaries stuff their heads out curiously and then stepped completely out of their offices at the sight of the obviously muscular man. They surrounded him and tittered to themselves about how good-looking he was though they parted when he began to stomp forward.

The women went silent.

"Damn it! Bulma! I know your here! I can feel you!" Vegeta scanned the walls in a deliberate attempt to lock onto her ki.

A red head approached him.

"Excuse-" She yelped when he swung toward her.

"Where is Bulma?" He demanded and grabbed her arm making her eyes go wide with alarm. "You know where she is? Tell me!"

The other women watched the muscles bulge in his arms as he tried to shake the information from the red head.

"ANSWER ME!"

The red head fainted.

He sneered in disgust and let her fall to ground with a thump.

His head snapped up and an almost sinister look crossed his face. He strode toward the wall and threw it, earning startled squeals.

The scene changed from another camera to keep track of his movements.

"I can feel you," he seethed and walked through another one.

His eyes went to the ceiling and a considering look crossed his features.

"Are you up there?"

He rose from the ground and into the air where he punched through the ceiling.

A scream rent the air as a secretary saw him emerge from the floor like a demon from hell.

He didn't stop his ascent.

The camera's switched rapidly to keep up with his progress.

When he finally halted his upward motion he spun in midair and frowned.

"Where are you? You can't hide from me, I can feel you."

He barely missed running over another secretary when he went through yet another wall.

So on the tape went following Vegeta's progress while he ranted like a madman for Bulma to come out and stop hiding among the weaklings.

A flash of blue crossed the screen and the man with a flame hair-style stopped stalking his way through the building. Vegeta seemed to catch the flash of color from the corner of his eye.

"There you are!"

The camera lost it's view as Vegeta walked under it.

A door is heard being slammed open and then a box goes flying across the screen. It hit the opposite wall with such force that it shattered on impact. The machine that had been within it was completely reduced to rubble. Two more boxes followed the first.

A blood-curdling scream filled the air followed by loud curses.

"Hn."

Vegeta came back into view and with him came Bulma. He dragged her across the floor by her foot despite her screams of protest.

The secretaries withdrew from the sight horrified but still interest shone in their faces.

"VEGETA! STOP! I'M PREGNANT!"

All forward motion stopped as he turned to his wife.

"WHAT?!"

"I'm pregnant," Bulma crossed her arms and turned her head away, looking somewhat dignified despite lying on the ground.

"Is that why you've been avoiding me?" Vegeta scooped her up into his arms and continued to make his way out of the building.

"Vegeta! Put me down!"

The cameras tracked them all the way to the entrance of the building where they were stopped by a line of security guards. Women are seen in the background watching anxiously for the ultimate fate of Bulma Briefs.

"Put the woman down!" The police ordered, pointing their guns.

"No," Bulma tried to squirm to face them completely, "It's ok-"

"Get out of my way," Vegeta ordered darkly.

The guns were cocked.

"Shoot if you dare," he snarled.

Bulma screamed when the guns went off and tucked her head in his shoulder. She didn't see the bullets stop in midair and fall to the ground to bounce lightly.

Vegeta sneered at the cops who had started to shake in their boots. He pushed his invisible force field out further and faster so it hit the men and sent them into the wall. The screams of women were heard in the background.

He then proceeded to walk over the prone unconscious bodies and out the buildings.

"Damn it! VEGETA! YOU-"

The camera feed cut off and the picture went fuzzy . . .

Goten and Trunks were stunned into silence as they glanced at each other.

"How are we supposed to duplicate that?"

"We'll find a way," Trunks stated with determination.

Goten's eyes went to the ceiling in thought, "Well, you couldn't use Bra but Maron might do it."

"Maron?" Some of Trunks confidence crumbled, "Goten?"

"Hmm?"

"Maron . . . was she- I mean- Did she . . ."

"She wasn't part of the mob," Goten assured his friend, "She was trying to pull the women off you."

A slow smile spread on Trunks' face.

"Really?"

"Yeah," Goten punched his friend in the shoulder. "But who am I supposed to use?"

A calculating look flashed in Trunks' eyes but was too fast for Goten to register.

"You could use my sister."

"What?" Goten couldn't stop the blush.

Trunks pretended not to notice when a high ki caught his attention. A quick glance confirmed Goten felt it too.

"Sasoli," they said as one.

"What is she doing here?" Trunks pulled out a random schedule, "She's supposed to be in Paris."

"Maybe she's finished?" Goten went to the window and tracked her visually, "She isn't coming up here."

"She's probably going to see Zarah," Trunks frowned displeased. "She better have finished her work."

Goten poked him.

"Lighten up, Trunks. You know Sasoli and how serious she is about work."

Trunks' frown deepened as he realized a crucial fact. Sasoli was back and that meant when she left again, she would be taking Goten with her.

"Uncle Vegeta," Sasoli bowed her respect. "You're looking strong today."

She grinned.

Vegeta smirked at her while Bra started to fume.

"Sasoli, you're more like your mother everyday."

Sasoli beamed at the compliment.

"I am here only to serve."

Vegeta nodded to both of them and took his leave.

"Hello Bra," Sasoli turned to her cousin.

"You're such a suck up," Bra crossed her arms.

"No, I just know how to show proper respect," with an arrogant tilt of her head she turned her back on Bra. "I'll be seeing you around."

"If I deem it necessary," Bra slipped behind her ice princess mask and made a bee line to her office.

The day had just turned dark.

"I'm here," Sasoli burst into her brother's office and walked in with a lazy confidence.

"So what's the emergency?" She planted her boots on her brother's desk. She grinned as her brother glare at her.

"Sasoli?" The excitement in Maron's voice was obvious. She had been digging in Zarah's file cabinet in the corner of the room so she had been overlooked when Sasoli entered.

"Maron?" Sasoli gasped and immediately removed her feet from the desk to stand.

"You look wonderful," the blond enveloped the brunette with a hug.

Zarah's head tilted as he noticed Sasoli's confidence evaporate. She was now fidgety and awkward.

"You too," Sasoli smiled uncertainly.

"Thank you," Maron touched her cousin's hair. "You cut your hair."

"Yes," Sasoli pulled away ever so slightly.

"Why don't you come over and I'll try something with your hair," Maron bit her lip, "I was thinking about-"

"I hate to interrupt this female . . . thing," Zarah's lip curled with sarcasm. "But I did call you for a reason."

Sasoli sent an uncertain glance at Maron before her confidence fall back in place.

"Do explain."

The sound of the fax went off in Trunks' office.

Both demi-saiyans went to it and read the message.

It was short and to the point.

Tournament. Saturday.

"Tournament?" Sasoli was breathless with excitement, "This Saturday! Why didn't you tell me?! Oh, this is why you called me, isn't it?"

Zarah kept a straight face though he was wincing on the inside.

"Of course," Maron grinned, "We need you to make it even."

"Who else is going to be in it?" Sasoli demanded, "This Saturday! I'll have to train."

Shut up, Maron! Zarah resisted the urge to slap a hand to his forehead. Don't get her anymore excited.

"Well," Maron thought out loud, "Your brother, Goten, Trunks, Pan, and Bra."

"This is going to be so much fun," Sasoli grinned, "You should fight too, Maron."

Zarah stopped grinding his teeth for a moment, surprised Sasoli would invite Maron.

"Oh no, I'm not a fighter," Maron waved away the suggestion.

Sasoli pouted, "Please Maron. I'll let you play with my hair."

Maron's eyes lit up with amusement and shrugged.

"You won't complain?"

Sasoli shook her head rapidly.

"All right," Maron lifted her eyes as if to ask Dende why she agreed. "I probably won't last very long."

Zarah's mouth dropped open.

"It doesn't matter," Sasoli allowed her tail to swish behind her excitedly. "It's been awhile since my last real fight."

Zarah smirked, at last things were falling in place.

"It will be a good experience for everyone."

Bra turned away from the machine with grim satisfaction.

If nothing else was accomplished this day then at least the tournament was assured. It would be great stress relief.

Though she had to wonder about her father's reaction to her date with Goten. He hadn't seemed too alarmed but then he said it was because she hated him.

Why couldn't things be simple? Bra went to her desk to put the finishing touches on her perfume.

She smirked to herself. She'd call it A' La Trunks and use the security tape for a commercial.

She was going to be rich . . . or richer.

Zarah watched his sister with interest, he'd never seen her so girly.

"Sas, did Maron tell you she was good friends with Trunks now?"

Sasoli's brow creased with incredulity, "Trunks doesn't have female friends outside family."

"He does now." Zarah watched the gears turn behind his sister's eyes.

"Really?" Her eyes sharpened with interest.

Maron was flustered.

"Stop it, Zarah, you make too much of nothing."

Zarah lifted a brow mischievously.

"Didn't he rescue you from the secretaries?" He sighed dramatically, "He even showed concern for your health."

"He . . . he did?" Maron adjusted the fall of her shirt.

"He's never done that before," Sasoli was watching Maron closely. "Trunks is much too wary of women to give them the slightest hint he might care."

Puzzled, Maron looked to her cousins to explain.

"Maron," Sasoli darted a glance at her brother, "Trunks would not show such concern unless he genuinely cared."

"Well, of course he cares," Maron shrugged, "We're cousins."

"Not by blood," Zarah pointed out slyly. "Only by marriage."

Sasoli patted Maron's hand and gently pushed her to the door.

"Why don't you go home now."

"I can't," Maron was annoyed now. "I work here as your brother's secretary."

"Oh," Sasoli darted a glanced at her brother, "I'm sure you have work."

Maron opened her mouth to protest.

"Maron, I haven't seen my brother in months," Sasoli made her eyes large and sad.

Maron was softened, sympathetic to her cousins plight and nodded. She left without a further protest.

Sasoli went under a transformation and, in Zarah's eyes, became herself again.

"What the hell has been going on in my absence?"

Maron continued to walk down the hallway and down the stairs.

The basement door appeared before her and she knocked.

"Sasoli, I have no need of your presence - Maron, come right in." Bra opened the door in midyell.

She stepped to the side and let her in.

"What's up?"

"Nothing," Maron sighed, "Oh, I just wanted to make sure you weren't mad at me for sending Goten as a replacement."

Bra's lashes lowered to hide her eyes from Maron.

"Why did you send Goten?"

"I thought you guys needed a chance to talk without outside interference," Maron eyelashes lowered as well. "If I overstepped my bounds, I'm sorry."

She turned to leave.

"No wait," Bra looked at her directly. "Maron, you are the only one I can talk to about this."

Guilt nipped at Maron's conscience as she turned fully prepared to pump the unsuspecting scientist for information. Maybe, she wouldn't have to reveal everything.

"You can always talk to me, Bra."

When she sat down, Zarah informed her of the conspirators and their groups along with the couples they hoped to create.

"Wait," Sasoli held up a hand, "Trunks and Maron, I can see but Goten and Bra is more of a stretch."

He then proceeded to inform her about the kiss shared on his union completion with Pan.

"Hmm," Sasoli turned to her brother, "Tell me more."

He told her of completed plans and the plans to come.

Sasoli burst into laughter and rolled on the ground in beautiful agony.

"You did WHAT to them?" She managed to choke out. "Pheromones . . . my god . . ."

"Sasoli," Zarah was sitting behind his desk with an almost imperious air about him. "I fail to see what's so funny."

Sasoli sat up before falling back into ground.

Ten minutes later . . .

"Sasoli," Zarah stood above his sister, "Stop laughing."

"But I'm not done yet," she grinned but allowed her hilarity to fade.

"Jeez, why didn't you call me sooner? l could have both couples together in a heartbeat."

"Sasoli," Zarah whined, "I didn't call you here to ruin my fun."

Sasoli put her hands under her head.

"If you didn't call me to finish your job then why did you call me?"

"I need you to make Goten more acceptable to Uncle Vegeta."

Sasoli's brows shot up, "Uncle Vegeta has no objections to Goten."

"I am not so sure. You didn't see him growl at Goten for standing too close to Bra." Zarah placed a hand on his hip, "When we do get them together then it would be good if Uncle Vegeta didn't kill Goten."

Sasoli rolled her eyes, "Fine, I'll talk to him."

"Good," Zarah smiled, "You are sworn to secrecy."

"Of course," Sasoli rose from the floor in a fluid movement, "But I do hope to contribute to these plans."

Zarah nodded, "I was going to call you eventually as a last resort."

She pressed a hand to her chest.

"You flatter me but I do have to point out a flaw in your tournament plan."

"Flaw?" Zarah's eyes shot to her.

"How do you plan to keep Uncle Vegeta, Mom, and Kakarot away?"

Zarah blinked.

"So you really like him, huh?" Maron sipped from Bra's never ending supply of soda.

The scientist shrugged uncommitted.

"So what did you guys talk about?" Maron changed the subject.

A rueful smile appeared.

"Stuff, I saw an entirely different side of Trunks through Goten's eyes," Bra's smile became dreamy. "He'd die for him, you know."

"Yes," Maron returned the smile. "Goten is very loyal once he's committed himself."

Bra sipped her soda and kept her feelings to herself.

"He takes after his dad in a big way," Maron propped up her head with her hand. "Spitting image when he was small."

"If you consider that handsome," Bra smirked to herself.

"Bra," Maron was disapproving.

Bra pouted, "All right, he's good-looking."

Maron smiled.

"You do realize that after the first fight the parents will come," Sasoli smirked, "It will be nearly impossible to keep Kakarot from joining and it will be impossible to make Mom and Uncle Vegeta leave. At the very least, they will want to watch us and we don't want that, do we?"

Zarah paled at the mere idea. As the plan stood Goten had to be the winner and, that meant, the fights would be rigged. His mother would not appreciate her children losing and, further more, it was likely she would be able to tell they weren't giving their all. Not to mention Uncle Vegeta, who at best tolerated Goten, who would not like to see his only son bested by his rival's son.

More color faded as he imagined the consequences of his Uncle Vegeta watch Goten hold down his daughter.

"How do you plan to detain them?" Sasoli lifted a brow.

"I hadn't thought of that," Zarah gave her a helpless look that screamed 'help me!'

"Honestly, Zarah," Sasoli rolled her eyes. "All you have to do is contact their spouses. They are the only ones with any real chance of delaying them."

"Right," the gears started turning, "So dad, Aunt Bulma, and Chichi. One problem."

"Oh?"

"Goten is not in any conspiracies, how do we let his mom in without letting him in?" Zarah challenged.

"Aunt Bulma," Sasoli answered it. "Once she realizes that she may get one or both of their children married, she'll be more than happy to fill in Chichi."

Zarah's lips quirked.

"Sasoli, you're a genius."

"Tactically, yes."

She was pleased.

Goten and Trunks strolled down the hallway.

"So when do you think she's going to start training me?" Goten asked, referring to Sasoli.

"I'm not sure." Trunks walked into Maron's office, "Maron, is Sasoli in there?"

Both males blinked as they were met with an empty room.

"Hey, where's she go?"

The door swung open and missing blond appeared.

"Oh," Maron eyed them with surprise, "Did you want something?"

"Do you know where Sasoli is?" Goten asked eagerly.

"She's with Zarah," Maron smiled but ducked her head when Trunks smiled back.

Trunks eyebrows lifted slightly and motioned Goten to enter in front of him.

When Goten just starred at him, he rolled his eyes.

"I need to speak with Maron."

With a quick nod Goten was gone.

Maron looked everywhere but at him, her heart thudded in her chest as she remembered Zarah and Sasoli's words.

"Maron," he said her name softly.

"Yes?" She tried to move behind her desk but he stepped in her way.

"Are you ok?" A hand lifted her chin to met his.

"I fine," she told him firmly and moved away cooly. "Why did you think something was wrong?"

Trunks was a bit put off but concern still shown in his deep blue eyes.

"Zarah mentioned you were acting out of character lately."

"Zarah has been putting me situations that are out of ordinary lately," she rolled her ice blue eyes.

A reluctant smile tugged a his mouth.

"True."

"I'm sure you were looking for Sasoli for a reason," she remarked dryly and seated herself safely behind her desk.

"Right," Trunks replied, charmed for some reason.

"Go on," she shooed him away with her hands.

He gave her one last curious look and entered Zarah's office.

She exhaled roughly and deflated into her chair.

"What the hell was that about?"

End of Chapter Fourteen