Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Bummer, I know, but I try to live with myself anyway.
A/N: Thanks again for the reviews! I know you guys hate me for the T/M that's going on in this story but…it's only going to last for like three more chapters. And I think this chapter is the worst, and it's not that bad. I promise you, he has to be with Marron, otherwise there is no rest of the story. It's essential, I wouldn't do it if it wasn't. But…moving on…I hope this chapter doesn't seem too weird, you see, right after I wrote chapter 2, I changed my mind about the entire plot of the story. So, if there's a big shift, this is why. The *'s indicate a change in scene. The **'s indicate a significant change in time, sometimes I'm not very clear about the time…sorry.
The Beginning of the End
"That's it." Marron smiled at the man standing across from her and tapped his shoulder playfully, surveying the room around her.
"So there's nothing else?" He shrugged her hand off and looked around him as well, at the boxes that lined the floor.
"No, Trunks is bringing the rest tonight." Marron smiled again and blew a piece of blond hair out of her face. Her eyes searched his for any sign of emotion and he nodded in understanding.
"Well then, if that's all…" He moved awkwardly on his feet and she seemed to get the point. Her eyes fell down to her watch as she nodded.
"Right, you probably have to go then." He nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. I have to meet Paris. You know how she gets if I'm late." Marron forced a laugh and walked over to the door politely showing him out. As he walked out of the door she called to him, keeping him frozen in that spot.
"Goten…did you like the place?" He poked his head in the door and did a last second look around. It was a nice size apartment, he could only see the kitchen and living room from his view, but everything looked nice. He nodded and inched out of the door again.
"It's a great place, Mar." She smiled proudly and gave him a good-bye hug as he exited the apartment.
"Don't want you to be late for Paris." She called after him in what could have been mistaken as a mocking tone. He lifted a curious eyebrow at what he thought he heard before lifting his arm in a good-bye wave and descending the stairs.
She closed the door and sighed, leaning against it and not wanting to look at all the boxes she had to unpack. Whose idea was it for her and Trunks to move in together anyway? She laughed at herself while thinking this. They were engaged, it was about time they lived together, three months into the engagement and still no date was set. Nothing but the promise that they were going to get married some day. (A/N: that means this is three months after chapter 2 ^-^)
So…what was bothering her? Really? It seemed like her life was moving fast and speeding out of her control. But she and Trunks weren't moving that fast. They dated for three months, got engaged for three months, then moved in together. That led her to the current. Fast, yes, but she had known him all her life. They did know all the little details about each other, so it was more like they'd been dating all their lives…something like that.
If she looked at it that way, she couldn't use rushing as an excuse for her foul mood. Was it that she had to unpack all this stuff without Trunks' help? Was it that she was just in a bad mood, no excuse? She didn't know. But what she did know was that she had just been rude to Goten for no apparent reason. She wasn't obscenely rude, but it was snappier than is usual in her personality. Mocking wasn't nice, even if she didn't like her friends' girlfriend.
It didn't matter, he wasn't particularly offended, so no harm was done. Anyway, she didn't see any reason for her to be in a bad mood…and yet she was. She found herself picking up boxes and ripping the tape off. Then she gathered a big mass of tape and slammed it into a trash can.
Maybe these were just mood swings. She reasoned as she sat down on the hardwood floor. Or maybe this was a tell-tell sign of something bad about to happen. She might be making a huge mistake. Or she was spooking herself for no good reason. Trunks was good to her and she was good for him. That's the way things would stay. As long as they were in love things would be okay. And she loved him…right….?
"Of course I love him." Marron smiled, standing up and unloading boxes more calmly this time. She was only overanalyzing things, trying to make something bad out of the good. She'd always been afraid of things that were too good to be true. She supposed they all were a little afraid of that. It was a Z gang curse. Whenever things were going well their parents were always looking over their shoulders waiting for the worst. It rubbed off on all of them, some unconscious paranoia.
Yes, that's all it was. She reasoned. She loved Trunks more than anything. And he loved her. They were each other's perfect match, she just knew it. The only thing wrong was that she was looking for the bad. Well, she wasn't going to do that anymore. She was going to make things work.
The phone sitting by her on the floor started to give a high pitched ring and she jumped, dropping a picture frame. "Damn." She spat, looking down at what it happened to be. It was her and Trunks, the glass on the frame cracked right down the middle, slicing through each other's hand so they were no longer linked to one another.
"Hello." She spoke and there was almost anger in her voice. The person on the other end was startled, it was evident in their voice as they spoke their greetings.
"Hey Mar." Pan called out, her voice slightly shaky. "Did I…interrupt…something. Is Trunks…is Trunks there?"
"No." She coughed, the frown on her face deepening. "No he's not here. He won't be home until tonight but he can't go anywhere with you, Pan. We have unpacking to do." Her tone of voice took that of a mother telling her child to go to bed.
"I was actually calling for you." The voice was cold, as if she were retracting the statement now, upset the idea had run through her head. Marron suddenly felt bad, realizing that her friend-that was what Pan was-had called to talk to her. Not calling to be bothersome or ask for her fiancé. She coughed again, but this time it was out of guilt, not annoyance.
"I'm sorry, Pan. Things have been a little hectic." She cleared her throat and forced a smile on her face, in an attempt to make her voice sound lighter. "What can I do for you?"
"Oh, it's nothing important. I'll just see you some other time." Marron could hear her about to hang up the phone, really she wouldn't blame her-she probably would have done the same thing if Pan had treated her that way. But she called out just the same.
"No, really Pan, it's no bother." Pan sighed and kept the phone to her ear.
"I was just wondering if you needed a little help unpacking. It is the week-end and I don't have classes again until Tuesday, I figured it'd be a chance for us to hang out. But never-"
"That would be fantastic!" Marron spoke, honestly enthusiastic. Pan was a great person, and now she found herself wondering why she'd acted that way only seconds before. The girl wasn't anything like an annoying younger sibling, she wasn't even close to being rude, so why had she behaved so rudely toward Pan? For the life of her Marron couldn't figure out what switched her mood so suddenly. A word was lingering at the tip of her head when Pan sighed again and agreed to come over, drawing Marron out of her state of mind.
"Great!" She cheered, glad to have someone help with the unpacking. As she hung up the phone and stood up, she found her foot crushing something that must have been sitting right next to her. She swore and looked down, seeing the picture frame again. The huge crack that was separating her and Trunks spread farther and she remembered what it was. The reason her mood had shifted so easily with Pan. Trunks. It was Trunks…
For as long as she could remember, everyone had gotten along with everyone else. But no one more than Trunks and Pan. Ever since Pan jumped on that stupid ship to help Trunks find the Black-Star Dragon-balls nothing had been the same. It wasn't Trunks and Goten after that. No, it was Trunks and Pan and Goten. That left Marron and Bra to sit around with their dolls and dream about what it would be like to be Pan. She had never admitted it before. She never would. But that's what they used to do, admire Pan.
It wasn't her fault she was born to play dress up and wear lipsticks instead of throw mud and fight. But that's what always left her out of the equation anyway. For as long as she could remember, it had always been Trunks, Goten, and Pan. How was she supposed to compete with that? But just as quickly, she was feeling ridiculous, who said she would ever have to compete with Pan? Trunks loved them both…in completely different ways.
**
"What are you doing tomorrow?" The man asked, a mischievous smile playing on his face as he wrapped his arms around the girl. She smiled back, falling into his embrace and closing her eyes to enjoy the feel. She relished in his touch before she even considered responding, sighing and turning her face to look into his deep blue eyes.
"I have to work. But only for half the day, I promise." He laughed and kissed the top of her forehead, not even seeming bothered by the news.
"That's what you said last week and I didn't see you at all." He pretended to pout, rubbing his hands up and down her sides softly. "I miss you sometimes."
"You'll have the rest of your life to miss me, Trunks." She laughed softly.
"You'll have the rest of your life to work, Marron." He countered, kissing the nape of her neck suggestively.
"Well, I'm not working now." She giggled as he turned her around so that their faces were to each other. His lips came down on hers and she smiled into the kiss but he didn't release her. Soon she became serious again and her lips pushed back on his with just as much force. Then he pulled apart and for what seemed like centuries, but what couldn't have been more than a few seconds, they just stared in comfortable silence.
"I didn't know it was possible to love someone this much." He smiled down at her and she blushed, not knowing what to say. He didn't bother to wait for her to speak, though, he was too busy pulling her back into his embrace. "I'm never letting you go." He whispered as his lips trailed her neck, leaving soft, warm, kisses everywhere along the way. She sighed into him, not objecting at all to the statement, and closed her eyes again. The phone rang.
Marron made a move toward the end-table where the phone was politely resting but Trunks tightened his hold around her. "Leave it alone." He commanded, lips still buried near her shoulder, but she gave him a serious look.
"What if it's the Lab? I have to get it." She pushed her hands into his chest and began to walk off as he whimpered objectively.
"The only thing you have to do is stay here." He tried to pull her back but her hands had already slipped through his and she was at the phone. He groaned as she said hello and gave her the meanest glare he could summon. "I warned you." He mouthed as she dejectedly handed him the phone.
"I just couldn't risk it Trunks." She whispered softly into his ear, letting her breath caress the lobe gently. He shivered, forgiving her instantly.
"Your mother needs you to come into the office. An important meeting has come up and she's too busy to make it. Sorry Mr. Briefs." He heard his secretary say all in one breath and he grumbled, nodding his head.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be there in ten minutes." Sighing heavily, he hung up the phone.
"I'm sorry?" Marron tried as he shot his deathly eyes at her. "I'll make it up to you when you come home?" He growled and she walked over to him, running her hands through his hair.
"No, Maz, you know I hate that." He protested, trying to get away from her dangerous hands. "Don't mess with my hair!" She laughed and, with unusual strength coming from her, pulled his head level with hers. Her lips pressed firmly to his and he didn't even try to resist. His arms outstretched and he drew her body in, kissing her so deeply her knees got slightly weak. She pulled back quickly and caught her breath.
"When you get home." She warned in a 'final' tone. He nodded dismally and headed for the door, mumbling about how he told her not to answer the phone. "I had to!" She yelled back as the door slammed.
"That boy." She whispered, a smile playing on her lips as she fell into the chair.
Her peace only lasted for about two minutes, however, before the phone was howling again and she slowly leaned over to pick it up. It was probably Trunks, still complaining, she thought as she greeted the person on the other end.
"Trunks, I said later, now don't start to-"
"Mar?" A distress sounding voice rung out to her on the other end. It wasn't Trunks, she realized with a quickness.
"Goten? What's wrong?" Her voice was urgent, for she had never heard him sound so down before. This was Goten, he'd never been so upset.
"Do you really want to know? I honestly just called for Trunks…but I guess he's not there..." His voice choked and panic shot through her. She wondered if he were crying.
"Goten, you can talk to me. What is it?" She was sure he heard the panic in her tone because of the hurried way she spoke, as if she would pop if she didn't get it all out. What could have her friend so upset that he couldn't even form whole sentences without pausing to regroup himself? He heaved a long sigh and was silent for a long few seconds, seconds that made Marron's heart pound louder and almost through her throat.
"Goten…" She said after the dramatic pause he had taken.
"Yeah, Mar…I just…I can't talk about it right now. Not like this." She pulled her hand to her mouth and sat for a second, dumbfounded. He was genuinely hurt over something, she'd never heard him this way before.
"Well…would you--I mean, you know, do you want to meet somewhere and talk about it…? Whatever's bothering you, I'm here. Always." This time her voice was soft, filled with love and concern, and it brought his defenses down. He sobbed loudly and reluctantly found himself agreeing.
"Yeah, maybe at the diner near your Lab? Around four?" She smiled, glad that he was willing to talk to someone about his problem, and not sit around all day and wait for Trunks, wallowing in whatever was the matter.
"That would be fine, Goten." After courteous good-byes they hung up the phone and Marron glanced at the clock. A groan escaped her lips as she realized she only had thirty minutes to get ready and get there before she was late. She had to get a move on.
*
She moved her hands around to the other side of her waist, switching the weight from the books she was holding around to the other arm. She used her free hand to move a piece of hair out of her face and sighed. Could this day get any longer? She glanced at a campus clock and her heart almost stopped. Two minutes left before she'd be late to class. Her legs broke out into a run as she dashed from one side of the collage campus to the other, hoping she'd make it there in time without having to show her saiyan strength.
Before another thought could even enter her head, her body collided with someone else and they both went tumbling to the ground. Her books scattered all over the pavement and she swore under her breath, getting quickly to her knees and gathering some wandering papers before they had the chance to fly away. She tucked her hair back again and sighed, picking up the books that were close to her, mumbling an apology to the person she'd swung into.
"Sorry." They both spoke at the same time, both carrying a tone of one that would rather not be where they were.
"No problem." The girl responded, blowing off a bit of steam and getting to her feet. Her counterpart was doing the same and, as she rose, their eyes met. Brown with captivating green.
"Pan?" The boy questioned, a smile dancing on his lips.
"Toby." She greeted, her voice filled with obvious distaste and uncensored anger.
"Don't be like that." He whimpered while awkwardly trying to grab at a piece of paper threatening to fly away from the middle of his stack of books and work.
She snorted and started to move past him, upset that she was late for class. That was the one class of hers that was on the lock-out-policy; get there on time or miss the entire class. So, she was missing sociology study again. Third time this semester, couldn't be good for her final grade.
"What do you want?" She asked shortly, switching her hip weight from one leg to the other. Her mouth was turned to a frown and her brow was wrinkled as she glared at him.
"Can't a guy say hi? I missed you." He stated, sugarcoating the sentence for all he was worth.
"You didn't call." She replied shortly, trying to make it look like the books she was holding were heavy to her, so she'd have some excuse to walk away from him.
"I did call. Four times I called and you never called me back. What's that about?"
"You never called." She stated again, this time with more force. She pushed past him with determination and began to stalk off.
"Listen, Pan!" He called after her, a desperate tone to his voice. "Just listen, please?" She didn't know why she stopped, why her feet backtracked those steps she had so determinedly taken to get away from him. The only answer she could come up with was Trunks. His voice resounding through her head, you're always sending off every guy that tries to talk to you. You can be…really intimidating…Suddenly the urge to prove him wrong overtook her.
*
Marron tapped her fingers on the table, making a rhythm that her head bobbed to out of boredom. Where was Goten? She had gotten here ten minutes late and she was sure that he was going to be angry with her, but he wasn't even there. At first she was scared, afraid that his patience had grown thin after five minutes and he left, thinking she wasn't going to show. But the more she thought about it, the more she was sure that he would never do something like that to her. He wouldn't leave, and he was too upset to consider not talking to somebody.
So he was later than she was. Maybe this was worse than she imagined. Her head began to reel as she considered all the things that could have gone wrong. Her heart caught in her throat. Chi-Chi. She was okay…wasn't she? She found her left hand had made it to her mouth, her fingers being bitten at without mercy.
"I've got to calm down." She softly chastised herself, hoping that no one walking by could tell she was talking to herself. That would be too weird. Anyway, it wasn't Chi-Chi, he would have said something right away if there was anything the matter with his mother. And that was good, because Marron loved Chi-Chi as if she were her own mother.
So what else could it be? Marron sighed. There weren't that many things that could make a man so unhappy. Either someone was sick, in trouble, or pregnant…Oh, Dende! Her mind shot out that possibility before she could control it. Paris was pregnant. That was it, she knew it. But that was horrible. Goten was going to have to marry that hag. Her body was rigid as she considered, anger searing through every fiber of her soul. Goten was going to marry her. She'd finally found a way to trap him to her. Damn…
The other terrible things Marron could have thought up to call Paris were interrupted by the waiter clearing her throat. She looked disapprovingly at Marron, smoothing her red-brown hair with her hands, and smacking noisily on her gum.
"Can I get you anything? Other than a refill on water?" Her tone was clear, order or get out. Marron sighed.
"I was trying to wait for my friend, but…" She let her eyes scan the menu, feeling her stomach churn at what was being offered. This was a greasy type of place she wouldn't like to be eating at.
"No need to wait." She heard a voice speak, strained as he pulled out the chair and sat down. "Order already." His attempt to smile was failed as his glossy brown eyes looked down at the menu before him.
"Just a hamburger." She managed to speak, trying to calm the bile in her stomach.
"I'll have the same. Along with a strawberry milkshake." Marron looked up with curiosity.
"That's all you're having?" She spoke with disbelief. The waitress snorted and walked away from the two, obviously not pleased with something or other.
"What's wrong, Goten?" She questioned, feeling the dread in her stomach as she prepared to hear the worst. "It's Paris, isn't it?"
He slowly nodded and opened his mouth to tell her the entire story…
*
"I don't know why I'm doing this." She sighed, shaking her head and writing something down on a piece of paper. Her eyes danced lightly over his before she handed it to him with a small smile. "Don't mess the numbers up this time."
He laughed as he took the paper from her hands, his eyes showing exactly how happy he was feeling. "I won't. I promise." He crossed his hands over his heart and smiled brighter. Pan got a fluttery feeling in her stomach, but it wasn't because of him. It was that smile. She knew that smile. It was a Trunks' smile. The only reason she ever dated Toby in the first place was because she had seen him use that smile before, and it immediately reminded her of the love she could never have. She wanted to back down, but she wanted to prove Trunks wrong more.
She could allow herself to date. She could be like the other girls. She could flirt and smile and laugh at corny jokes. And she was going to. No matter how much it annoyed her. No matter how unnerved she was with the way Toby's eyes eagerly searched her body. She shifted beneath his stare, feeling nervous and naked all at once.
"So…I'll see you tonight?" He spoke slowly, letting the words glide off his tongue. She sighed and reluctantly nodded her head.
"Yeah. That's the plan." A cute smile pursed her lips as she turned around, letting her hips glide while walking away from him. "Tonight." She called back, over her shoulder, knowing he was still standing there without having to look back at all.
She didn't know what she was doing. How could she have made a date with Toby? She didn't actually believe his bogus story about how he had called her and she never called him back. Talking about he must have had the wrong number. She snorted at the thought. He just hadn't thought about her since their last 'date'. So what was it then? Purely Trunks, she supposed. He got to her so much that she would do anything to prove him wrong. If she couldn't have him, she might as well make her life worth it and have somebody in it to cherish with. Who knew, maybe Toby would prove to be more interesting this time around. Maybe…
*
"Is that all?" Marron asked, a smile of relief filling her face. He raised his eyebrows in anger and surprise.
"All?" He questioned, the anger not bothering to be hidden from his voice. "What do you mean, is that all? After what I just told you, that's all you have to say?"
"I'm sorry, Goten, I didn't mean that the way is sounded. It's just that…Well, I thought it was something serious."
"What's more serious than this? My entire life is on the line! It could be over with Paris and I, and you mean to tell me that you don't consider that serious?"
"I do. I promise I do. I just thought you were going to tell me…well…that she was pregnant or something. I was afraid you were going to be shoved into something you didn't want, like a quick marriage. But…"
"What makes you think I wouldn't want to marry her? I wish she were pregnant." The confession startled Marron. She wasn't sure why. But it was something about Paris that she didn't trust. The girl was mean. And it was no surprise that she was putting this pressure on Goten. He deserved better than what Paris had to offer. He deserved someone who would love him without question. And Paris wasn't that someone. She was proving it yet again. Just by telling him what she'd told him, by doing what she did, she was letting him know that he needed to move on.
"You know, Goten, maybe…just maybe…" She started hesitantly, stretching the 'just' so she wouldn't get yelled at once again. "Paris has a point." She held up a hand in defense, signaling that she wasn't through. "Let me finish, will you?" He nodded and sat back in his chair, a scorned look ever-present on his face as she talked.
"You see, I don't think Paris is looking for an escape route in your relationship, I really think she's just trying to be sure you're the right one. You see, when you love someone, sometimes you just have to give them a little room to find themselves before they can be sure that you're the right one. Sometimes you have to let the person breathe before they're ready to just fall right into your arms and accept everything you have to offer. So, in a way, it's a good thing. It's not just about her 'wanting to see other people', it's about wanting to be sure you're the one, the only one for her. So…it just means that she's thinking seriously about you and her and she wants to be absolutely positive that there's nothing else out there. She doesn't want to make some huge mistake and find out years down the road. Okay?"
"So you're saying that I should agree to this? Let her go out with other men?! You think it's okay?" He ran his hands through his hair, fighting the angry look that was trying to take over his face again.
"Yes. I think you should not only accept the suggestion, but take it as well. You know what they say, 'when you love someone, let 'em go, if they come back their yours', try it, won't you?"
"That's so crazy it might just work." He spoke dully at first, letting the idea play around in his head for a second.
Marron bit her lip hoping she was doing the right thing. Sure, she wasn't exactly being honest about what she really thought Paris was up to. Wanting to 'see other people' usually meant the woman was bored. But, she wasn't going to break Goten's heart that way. Also, she didn't want him to mope around, or tell Paris he didn't want her to do that. Or, worse yet, ask the stupid girl to marry him. That would be a disaster.
No, she wanted her friend to find some other person. Any other person would do. Paris was so bad it was amazing that he hadn't moved on already. But she just couldn't imagine Goten being married to that hag. He'd be so upset, solemn and gloomy all the time. She couldn't bear to see this Goten everyday, it just wasn't right. He was supposed to be smiling and carefree.
And slowly, the smile spread across his face. He was buying it. Great. Marron smiled also, feeling her conscience pounding guilty words loudly into her ear. She forced the smile on her face to remain though, as he stood up from the table. He crossed the round wood excitedly, throwing his arms around her in complete relief. She was smiling genuinely then.
"Thanks, Mar. You make things sound bearable. You're the best chick friend a guy could ask for." A goofy grin was already all across his face as he pulled away from her and she blushed, unsure of her emotion at the time.
"Thanks Goten…I think…" A small giggle escaped as her mind caught up with what he'd said. 'Chick friend'? That was a Goten remark, she was just glad to see his spirits lifted. "I'm just glad I could help."
"So am I, Mar. Really, I really, really, appreciate this."
"Anytime, Goten. Anytime."
*
Pan slipped into her tight black slacks and zipped them from the back. She straightened out her shirt and smoothed down her hair, examining the look in the mirror. She couldn't believe she was doing this. A date with Toby? Oh well. Her mind chanted as she smoothed a small amount of chap stick over her lips. There was no color but it was enough to keep them looking nice.
She slipped her feet into the black sandals that lay waiting at the foot of her bed, on the floor, and grabbed her jacket, running down the stairs. Record time. Her mind noted, glancing at the clock. It had only taken her ten minutes to get ready. Maybe that was part of the problem…
Her eyes traveled over her wardrobe as she examined herself nervously. No, she was dressed normally for her. Not too overdone, but not too played-down. She wasn't looking like a tomboy, at least, and that was the important thing. Just because she wasn't wearing some flimsy skirt didn't mean guys shouldn't be interested in her. But her mind, not her body. That's what she wanted.
It wasn't long after that Pan heard the doorbell sound and she knew her date was standing outside the door. She hurried toward the entrance, hoping to beat her curious father before he could intimidate anyone away, and out the door. She didn't waste time looking over Toby before she grabbed his wrist and pulled him away before her father could catch them. By the time she got to the car, however, another kind of surprise awaited her.
Her eyes traveled curiously over the back seat, danger in her face as she looked back up at Toby. She placed her hands on her hips, a scowl on her face, and spoke.
"You didn't tell me about this." She said, rolling her eyes at his apologetic look.
"I was hoping you wouldn't mind…I couldn't help it…" He shrugged with an apology waiting to roll off his lips if she turned away from him. But she didn't do anything of the sort, she only sighed and climbed into the car.
"Might as well get this over with." She mumbled, still frowning, as Toby climbed in as well and began to drive away, taking sideways glances at Pan the entire time…
*
"Where's that make-up I was promised when I got home?" His voice rang out as he walked into his bedroom, allowing his eyes to glance over the woman he adored more than life. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a messy pony-tail and her glasses were slipping off of her nose as she scribbled words on paper, completely involved.
"Hi Trunks." She didn't even look up and a tinge of jealously flowed through him. He sat down on the bed letting his weight sink her papers a little, and pulled her hands away from her work.
"That doesn't even begin to cover the debt." He informed her, rolling his eyes and pulling her over to him. His lips came down on hers and her arms circled his neck. Then, as he was pushing her back closer to the bed, she did something she'd never done before, she pulled away.
He lifted his head up, away from hers, shock written on his face. "Is something wrong?" The words were out before he could even stop them, and she was shaking her head right after he asked.
"No, nothing really. I'm just…I'm just tired, Trunks." There was a long silence as he stared at her, gathering the full meaning of what she was saying. She was 'tired'. He sighed, nodding, and moved away a little more; he was more hurt than he'd like to admit. He glanced at her as if she'd thrown water in his face and stood up, unbuttoning his shirt without further discussion.
Soon his pajamas were on and he was sliding into the bed that she'd cleared while he was undressing and getting comfortable. Her soft voice echoed through his head for the rest of the night, as she spoke to him one more time, a feeble attempt to make up for what had just happened.
"I've had a long day." He couldn't believe she'd had the nerve to say that. Wasn't she preaching to the choir? Hadn't he had the longest day, and because of her? And still he'd found no problem coming home to her, he wasn't that tired. Never would be when it came to the woman he loved. It wasn't so much that he was deprived from touching her skin, or tasting her on his lips, as it was that she didn't want him to. They had gone all week without really being intimate and it hurt him more than he'd like to admit when she pulled away from him. Was it good to be this dependent on someone? He just hoped he wouldn't ever have to find out what life was like without her. No, he was never letting her go, never…
She didn't sleep that night, energy surged through her and she could feel his rigid body tossing beside hers. She knew he was up too. And wasn't it her fault? She was just being ridiculous, and she couldn't point out why, but for some reason his touch had alarmed her. A guilty feeling had spread through her like wildfire when his lips came down on hers. She felt as if she were betraying someone and she couldn't point out exactly why she was feeling so out of it. She was upset, she decided, and the sooner she figured out why and worked through it, the better things would be.
A/N: I hope the T/M wasn't that bad. And see, they're having problems. Don't hurt me! I'm not sure if I can update on Wednesday or not, but if I don't I'm really sorry. School is killing me right now, and I'm just trying not to be murdered over and over.
Oh, and please, please review. I appreciate your input and I value your thoughts. So if you're reading, just take a second and say that you are. Tell me what you think. I'm begging.
Here's thanks and replies to all of you who have reviewed:
My sincerest thanks to:
YunaAngelofHell, Cherry Son, Pia Bartolini, AnimeQueen5, dragon agility, qui, Hanamaru285, Young Ji, Juunanagou4ever, cocoa bear, Animechick, chibigoten124/SSJ3MysticPan, DBZChicky501, lysie3000, bella, Morgause Nokami, SaiyanPrincess33, nicki-gurl, dbzggundamgurlie, violet, and DBprincess116.
Response and thanks to:
Parron-de-gekke-meid- There's nothing wrong with a 14-year age difference. I've just always known that if I ever wrote a T/P and made their age differences accurately 14 years apart, it would have to be good. The way they got together would have to be believable. So when I said I didn't believe I had the nerve, I only meant, I'm not sure if I'm good enough yet. That's all. I love T/P, honestly.
SorrowBehindTheMask- there will be some drama in the way Trunks and Pan get together, but it's not going to be life threatening. Although, there might be a death in this fic (actually I know whether or not there will be one, I'm just not going to say) ^-^
dbz obsessed- I'm expanding on the Vegita thing in the next chapter. He's going to do something that I absolutely looove him for.
AnimeFreak-TrunksPan-luver4evr- He's not going to stay with Marron forever. I promise! Keep reading, if you can get through the beginning, it'll be worth it…I hope.
Ying FA- Trunks is an idiot. But in his defense he will realize that she loves him without her yelling it off the rooftops. Just…not before everyone else realizes it…
Deidra- Don't worry, Pan's love life will get more interesting. And Trunks is not going to like it. It's all a part of the 'grand plan' for this story. And Trunks is going to be blind for the majority of it. He's a guy…it's not his fault.
DarK AnJeL- Man those marshmallows were good. But I hope you liked the story despite my stench. And I just took a bath and washed my hair, so…hopefully I'm smelling much better. ^-^
I hope I didn't leave anybody out. And I hope I responded to everyone with questions. I really appreciate when you leave comments and this is just my way of thanks (expect it after every two chapters). Keep commenting!