Chapter Seventeen

Bra cursed as tears blurred her vision and she threw chemicals together. She had to concentrate! Some of these chemical were extremely volatile. Besides, she had no reason to be upset. It wasn't any of her business if Goten was getting overly friendly with Sasoli and she didn't seem to mind. It didn't matter if Sasoli was finding any opportunity to hang all over him. It …

She took a step back and cleared her eyes of all unwanted moisture. This had to stop. Maron was right, she was going to have to make a decision about him whether she wanted to or not. She couldn't pretend to be neutral when she was a far cry from it.

Bra chewed on her bottom lip as she moved to the table and let her hands have free reign. First things first, it was clear she had feelings for him. She had hated him with a passion

for years and now, she didn't hate him but she still felt for him. What she felt was a mystery.

She was jealous at the sight of him dancing with Sasoli, that was also clear. He was so fluid in his movements and his grin made her heart skip a beat.

A loud bang snapped her out of her mood.

Senses on alert, Bra swept the space around her for intruding ki.

She felt nothing.

Frowning, she tried again but was more thorough and sensitive.

There.

The slightest flicker of life.

A cat?

Bra got a chair and moved it under the vent. How did a small animal get into the vents?

She popped open the vent and stuck her head into it. She was met with a pair of surprised eyes.

Trunks was alone in his office with only his thoughts for company and at the moment, that was exactly what he wanted.

His thoughts were chaotic, springing from Maron to plots to the sabotager.

When had his building become such a mess? Where people ran around harassing people at a whim? Where pranks were conducted with malice glee?

Ok, so the last one was his fault. With Zarah and Bra in the same building, it would be impossible for anything else.

A logical conclusion was to move them into different cities where they would not be distracted but Trunks knew better. Knowing his inventors as well as he did, he knew they worked their best in the face of chaos. A throwback from past generations coupled with new DNA.

As a business man, he should strive to make their lives a living hell in order to get the best results and to some extent he did. Not for profits but for enjoyment, to break up the monotony of everyday work.

Controlled chaos was an impossibility.

The women who worked for him were a menace but they served a purpose. They kept all the male staff on their toes, especially the Briefs.

Trunks narrowed his eyes, though he could probably restructure the rules to stop it. With Zarah married it would be redundant to have him constantly harassed by women. He no longer had to suffer for the good of the company.

When had he forgotten the reason he put up with them?

Trunks was shocked to realize after the situation became normal he'd simply forgotten about it. That until the attacks worsened to recent events, he'd never considered changing anything.

His face hardened.

After the plots were finished, the secretaries would reform or they would be finished.

He walked into his secretary's separate office and repeated his message to the elderly woman.

"Send out a memo to all female staff." Trunks had an evil gleam in his eye, "Expect new regulations. You will comply or you will be terminated."

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Isn't that a little harsh, sir?"

"No, it isn't."

Bra yanked out the person by the collar, though in all honestly, her actions were reflexive.

The flicker of life had been further down the wall, which was why she stuck her head in.

Sasoli managed to land gracefully despite her forced exit.

"How did you know?" Her shocked countenance said it all.

"I could feel you . . ." Bra trailed off as she realized she could feel absolutely no energy signature from her cousin.

They both glanced up at a loud thud.

"Goten," Sasoli sighed and crossed her arms.

Bra also crossed her arms and tapped her foot.

Several more thuds later and a spiky head peeked through and started to retreat.

"Come out, Goten."

"But-" His eyes peeked over the rim.

"You gave away our cover," Sasoli explained, tired of putting up with everyone at this point.

"I'm sorry," his eyes were sad.

"Goten," Bra's sharp tone cut him to the quick. "Would you kindly get out of my vent?"

"Uh, sure," with another bang Goten popped free and landed in an ungraceful heap.

Sasoli pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance.

"I thought you guys were dancing," Bra remarked, her tone demanding an answer.

"We're done for the moment. I thought to teach him the finer art of sneaking through a building." Sasoli answered with tired blue eyes.

"Not very effective. I heard you coming," Bra allowed herself a smirk of satisfaction.

"You heard Goten coming," Sasoli snorted, "I spied on you dozens of times undetected."

"What?!"

"I'm sorry Sasoli."

Goten's soft admission was the only thing that dissipated the growing tension.

"You're not meant to sneak through vents," Sasoli remarked sadly.

"I'm sure there are other ways to sneak around," Bra glanced at Sasoli, "Right?"

With a sigh, Sasoli nodded though her expression didn't change.

"Yes, of course, but that was the easiest way."

Goten rubbed his shoulder in a gesture that was more to relieve pain than self-consciousness.

Sasoli laughed suddenly and shook her head, "Your shoulders are too broad. I'll have to get you a ninja outfit."

Both Bra and Goten snapped to attention.

"What?"

Sasoli planted a fist in her palm with conviction.

"Yes, that's what we'll do."

Bra and Goten exchanged uneasy looks.

Zarah sighed and sat on Maron's desk, earning him a look of disapproval from the owner.

"Are we doing the right thing?"

Maron sat down and met his eyes, ice blue met it's match.

"What do you mean?"

Zarah sighed at her pointed look and relocated to a chair.

"I mean, project couple. Do you think it's right to meddle in their lives? When they might come together on their own?"

Maron met his intense stare easily and answered affirmatively. She never knew her answer affected her as well.

Sasoli hummed to herself thoughtfully as she considered the possibilities. She could take one of her old ninja outfits and rework it so it would fit Goten. The only problem was no matter how much she worked on it, the outfit was bound to be at least a little tight on him, though that might work to her advantage.

She turned a speculative eye on Goten and a quick glance at Bra.

Yes, she could make this outfit outline his every muscle so even Bra would have to notice.

"Tomorrow," she announced, "We will meet tomorrow."

The would be couple said nothing as they watched her climb back into the vent and disappear.

"I think I'll leave the more traditional way," Goten gave her a weak smile.

"I think that's a good idea," Bra returned the gesture but put a hand on his arm to stop him.

"Bra?" Hope sparked in his eyes.

Her smile warmed.

"Don't let Sasoli get to you, Goten, you can do anything you put your mind to. She's just a hard task manager. She told me you would make a good spy."

"Really?" His smile was blinding.

"Really," she tilted her head up so she could meet his eyes. He was so tall . . . Why hadn't she noticed before? Maybe because she had never stood so close to him before . . .

Her eyes fluttered closed as his fingers outlined her cheek and his thumb moved across her bottom lip.

Goten moved closer, propelled by some forgotten instinct, and lowered his lips to hers.

His eyes closed then and he knew no more.

Thus it was, their first kiss was in passion and their second in affection.

It was impossible to say how long the kiss lasted and even more impossible to say how far it would have gone had they not been interrupted.

But interrupted it was.

Goten was ripped away from Bra and thrown against a wall. Her eyes opened and widened in alarm as she saw him being held against the wall by his throat.

"What the hell do you think you're doing with Bra?" The person snarled so viciously at Goten that the couple cringed with foreboding at what was to come next.

Despite his cringe, Goten met his attacker's eyes calmly and steadily.

"Whatever we were doing, is none of your business, Zarah."

Pan grinded her teeth as she avoided yet another situation with Ryan. He apparently didn't believe she was actually married and sought her out at every available opportunity. She slipped out of the classroom first and smiled in triumph. This was one day Pan Briefs would not be sidetracked by an amorous suitor.

"Pan!"

Her smile withered like a fruit on a vine. She had spoken too soon.

"Pan, wait up!"

She increased her speed as much as humanly possible without gaining suspicion. Damn her short legs! She cursed as her arm was snagged.

"Pan, why do we play these games?" Ryan spun her toward him.

"You're the only one playing games here," she grumbled and pulled away, "I told you I'm married."

"Pan," he sighed, "That might have worked the first time but it won't work again."

"I'm not playing! I'm a married woman!" She screamed, completely fed up with him.

"Pan," his voice was condescending, "Why would a vibrant, sexy eighteen-year-old get married? It just isn't done."

Pan pinched the bridge of her nose and made an effort to try not to kick the asshole into the next state, or the next country for that matter. Zarah, where the hell are you?!

Zarah examined the emotions in Goten's eyes with approval. He saw anger there, as well as a grim determination, shame and regret were nowhere to be found, and Zarah couldn't have been happier. Come on Goten, he urged silently, you'll have tougher critics than me to deal with when this comes out.

"Zarah!" Bra jumped on his back, "Get off him!"

"Having a woman defend you," Zarah ignored Bra and growled at his captive, pleased when Goten growled back at him.

"I need no one to defend me," Goten rasped dangerously as if Zarah wasn't pressing down on his windpipe.

"Zarah, I order you!"

Zarah released Goten without another qualm and turned to his cousin who eyed him with distrust. Now that hurts, Zarah pouted internally, as if I would betray her trust. Oh well, Bra, you will have to face tougher foes than me as well.

Goten coughed violently.

"Zarah," Bra swallowed, "What you saw-"

"Save it, Bra, you should know better than to play with fire," Zarah snarled and then paused, "I must go, Pan's calling. We will talk when I return."

Bra put her nose in the air.

"Only if I agree to it."

"Make no mistake, we will talk."

Bra exhaled roughly as her cousin left, "Shit."

"What are we going to do?"

Bra turned to Goten.

"I don't know."

She chomped on her lip.

"Bra, you're not alone," Goten came to stand in front of her.

"Are you prepared to fight Trunks? My father?" Bra watched his face crumble, "I didn't think so. Leave."

"Bra-"

"Just leave, Goten," she closed her eyes and then opened them. "My father expects me soon and I still need to clean up my lab."

Goten's hands fisted at his side.

"This isn't over, Bra," he went to her door, "I won't let it be."

She closed her eyes against the tears which threatened to spill.

"I don't know how this can work," she whispered softly to herself and started to clean her lab.

Trunks paused by Zarah's office when he saw the light was still on. Curious, he opened the door and stepped in to find Maron at her desk.

"Trunks," Maron exclaimed surprised and a bit embarrassed at his attire. She had forgotten just exactly how skin tight the training suit was and how well he looked in it. "What are you doing here? I thought you would have gone home by now."

"I had to wait for the building to empty first," Trunks shrugged, "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, well," Maron ducked her head, "For as much as Zarah runs around you'd never think he gets as much done as he does."

"Yeah, I know the feeling," Trunks smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry I dumped all this work on you, Maron."

"What do you mean?" She was quizzical, "This is my job."

"I mean," Trunks flushed, "I knew how much work he can generate by hopping from station to station and I'm sorry I couldn't put you with someone more stable."

Maron smiled.

"Don't worry about it, Trunks, he keeps things interesting."

"Yeah," Trunks sighed, "I bet he does."

"Trunks?"

"Hmm?"

"What's wrong?"

Trunks met her eyes and was met with concern. His eyes softened and became warm.

"Nothing."

"Trunks," Her voice was stern and demanding.

"It's just," his smile was melancholy, "Everyone seems to have the fun job. Sasoli is running around teaching Goten how to dance everything from the tango to the two-step. Bra and Zarah fiddle in the labs to their hearts content and now you . . ."

Their eyes met.

". . .are riding on their coattails, hip deep in all the excitement."

Her hand covered his.

"While you're stuck in the office trying to keep everyone from blowing up the building in their enthusiasm."

"Yes," he confirmed. When had she gotten so close?

"You do more than you know," Maron gave him another smile and released his hand.

Trunks could only watch as she moved about the room gathering her stuff.

"I guess I am going to call it a night," Maron waved to him, "I'll see you tomorrow, boss."

Trunks only smiled while she was in sight before he frowned. Boss? She shouldn't be calling him boss. They were friends weren't they? Why did it sound so wrong for her to call him boss?

He got to his feet and walked down the hallway sullenly.

Was that all he was to her? A paycheck?

He was surprised by how much the idea hurt and even more surprised that he cared to begin with. When had they gotten so close? When had he started to care so much?

Maron was different, that much was clear, but how was she able to past his barriers so easily?

Trunks stopped to gaze out of a window when a thought hit him with brutal force.

Was she the one?

Pan was trembling with rage.

Ryan would not let her leave. Usually she would have just flown away but today of all days she had chosen to wear a skirt and she really didn't want to flash Ryan. Knowing him, he would take it as a sign of encouragement.

"If you're married, then where's your ring?" He demanded with a cocky smirk.

Pan fisted her hands.

"He doesn't believe in rings."

"Then how do you know he's being faithful to you? I mean, if there is a he."

Pan opened her mouth to snap back when a hand landed on her shoulder and a masculine voice spoke over her shoulder.

"I guess that depends on who, exactly, is he?"

Ryan glared at the blue-eyed guy who had his paws on Pan.

"Who are you?"

"I guess I am 'he'." The guy responded without so much as a flinch at his glare.

Pan had relaxed and leaned back into her husband, relieved.

Zarah smiled at her and then frowned at the male who was starring, quite rudely, at them.

"Is he bothering you?"

"How can I be bothering her when we're going out?" The completely inadequate male stated pompously.

Zarah lifted a brow and moved Pan to the side.

"How can you be 'going out' with a married woman?"

"She's not married," the guy snapped, pissed with repeating himself.

"I beg to differ," Zarah's eyes became dangerous slits of blue.

"And who are you?" He demanded.

"I am her husband."

"You see, Ryan, he exists," Pan sighed, "There, all the proof you need."

"B-but he can't be your husband!" Ryan sputtered indignantly.

"Why?" Pan had her hands on her hips.

"'Cause you're pretty but not that pretty!"

Pan blanched and then turned red with anger.

Zarah didn't hesitate and punched the male who dare insult his mate. He made sure to use the barest hint of his power and followed through with another punch and another.

"Zarah, stop!"

Zarah held up the bloody male by the cuff of his shirt.

"He insulted you," he by way of explanation.

Pan sighed, "I realize that, Zarah, but I would like to beat him up myself."

Zarah grinned and shook the boy in his grip.

"You see, you've insulted the most perfect female on the planet. Now, you will pay the price."

Pan absently drop kicked Ryan out of the way to stare at her husband.

"I can't beat him up if you did it already."

Zarah shrugged, "Sorry, you should have said something sooner."

Pan shook her head and then stiffened at the sound of sirens.

"Shit, someone's called the police."

Zarah chuckled darkly as he wrapped his arms around her small waist.

"Let them try to catch us."

He blasted them out of sight, leaving Ryan to explain to the police that his attackers flew away. Needless to say Pan didn't see Ryan again for a very long time.

End of Chapter Seventeen