Beyond All Expectations
Disclaimer: Well, the last time I checked, I still didn't own them or Martha Stewart.
A/N: It would seem you've hung around for part two. I guess I must have done something right in the first chapter. Well, I hope you enjoy this one as much.
Chapter 2
Some Things You Can't Forget
Looking back, as ridiculous as it sounds, I guess it was fear which caused me to vacate the premises so quickly that morning. Without a word, careful not to make a sound, I snuck out the door as a reverse thief and drove away for home. I remember hoping Puar wasn't too worried, and that spending some time with her might help me forget my near suicide attempt of the previous night.
I found myself in a dream-like state, unconsciously taking the longest way home. I simply could not believe my luck. I had found a girl who had awakened the inner Yamcha; she was not only young, beautiful, intelligent and returned my interest, but she was so far beyond forbidden, I was thankful I had escaped with my life.
As I drove, the thoughts, "I am in so deep!" and, "Krillin and Eighteen are going to kill me!" kept reverberating with an almost musical cadence throughout my thoughts. Why might they want to kill me, you ask? The picture had shown me more than just any family. Oh no, my latest conquest was standing square between one of my best friends and his wife: Krillin and Eighteen. Candy had turned out to be the sweet, innocently pig-tailed little girl sitting on my knee during the last World Martial Arts Tournament I attended – Marron.
In the end, I finally decided it would be in everyone's best interests for me to simply stay as far away from Marron as I could manage. After all, heartache seemed to follow me everywhere I went, and I certainly did not want Marron to suffer because of me. Maybe if I backed off before anything got started, Krillin and Eighteen would show me mercy, should they ever discover how I had defiled their little girl. Yes, it was best for everyone. Everyone but my heart, that is.
I remained in such a state of mind as long as I could, which, due to my inability to stop thinking about her and her welfare, was about one month. One long month of being on the road, coaching players with less talent for baseball than Yajirobe had for manners, left me lonely and bitter. Finally, I realized I could not forget her. If I was ever to have any peace, I had to see her once more. It had only taken one night with dear, sweet Marron and I was hooked. I could not continue living knowing what being with her felt like yet knowing I could never feel that way again – alive. I was addicted. Without her, I was walking around with a gaping hole through my heart, a hole only she could fill.
So, my next free weekend, I got in one of my many sports hovercars and drove back to the spot I had left my angel sleeping so peacefully in her queen-sized bed, having no clue how I would explain my feelings or absence.
I knocked on her door before I realized I had gotten out of my car, my body on auto-pilot. When I received no answer, I frowned and moved to peer into open windows showing a completely empty house, no longer someone's home. She was gone – gone without a trace.
But I couldn't give up that easily! I might not have known where she went, nor was her ki strong enough for me to track, but I had to find her! My heart demanded it of me.
As luck would have it, a couple about my age had stepped out of the house to the side of hers. Without a second thought, I called a greeting to them and jogged over to seek enlightenment to the whereabouts of my darling.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have any idea what happened to Miss Candy next door?" I asked in my most pleasantly charming voice.
Thankfully, the wife had an answer as her eyes dropped, and she shook her head sadly, "Poor dear. Always was a sweetheart. You know she used to watch our granddaughter?
"Well, things got hard at the beauty shop where she worked…. She's a great beautician. She did my hair a couple of weeks ago. Did the best job I've ever had." She modeled her hair, killing precious moments I could have used to find my world.
"Anyway, money got tight, and when it came time for rent, she just couldn't pay. Poor thing couldn't go home, something about a fight with her parents. So she ended up moving in with a friend of hers," the lady finally finished her narrative.
"You wouldn't happen to have the address?" I asked, begging Dende, or fate, or whatever would be on my side for this one precious miracle.
"Actually…" she began to dig in her purse, "I have it here, in my wallet." As she spoke, the woman retrieved a piece of paper decorated by an elegant script. "Here ya go. That's where she is now." She handed me the paper with a smile. "I need that though. I don't have another copy, and I'll probably need a sitter."
"No problem," I spoke absently as I stared at the beautiful letters and numbers on the page, all guiding me to Marron, simultaneously thanking whomever had come through for me. Dende really is a swell kid.
Pulling out my Pocket PC, I jotted the proffered information down and handed the paper back to the lady. "I appreciate all your help. Thank you, so much," I smiled knowing I was indebted to her kindness. It was about time I stopped ingesting small talk and began my search. I knew where she was! All I had left was finding the actual location. I figured it could not be too difficult, if I could ever get away from the twits in my life, always looking to drag me into useless and tiresome conversations.
"No problem," the kindly neighbor lady replied, preparing to trap me in another conversation.
"You have a nice day, and good luck," the husband spoke up, saving me from further annoyance. Living with the woman, I can only suppose he understood my predicament.
Laughing, the wife complied. "Yes, I hope you find her." After another round of quick smiles, the couple headed on their way, and I on mine. I was finished with faking congeniality. I was on a mission to confront my obsession, and no obstacle could withstand me. Had Vegeta gotten between myself and Marron, I believe I could have withstood him for her sake.
As I got increasingly closer to the address I had procured, I became increasingly nervous. I knew she would not be pleased with me and had to be tremendously stressed about her job, but I was willing to face any hardship for my Marron. Even if my reception was not a warm, welcoming one, I simply had to see her, or at least die trying.
Parking my car, I double-checked the address I had been given. I was at the correct home. If I had thought Marron's first home had been in a lower class area, this new residence could only be described as "ghetto" as I took in the gang-related artwork covering the residence between the bar clad windows. Lovely area, indeed.
I frowned deeply as I stepped out of my car, double-checking that I had locked my doors. I didn't plan to be inside long enough to need to encapsulate my vehicle. I honestly feel sorry for anyone who might think they could steal my car while within my eyesight. Just because I had not fought a super villain since Cell did not mean I could not take out a few ordinary punks, even if they did have guns. I might not be able to take Goku to the ground, but I never have been what one might call, "ordinary."
At the door, I took a deep breath before raising my hand for a good solid knock against the faux oak, more like thin aluminum really.
Almost immediately after my first rap, I heard the sounds of children running and screaming through the house. It took a few moments and a loud, "Shut up, now!" for the door to open, revealing a tired looking brunette with a cigarette in one hand, a diet cola in the other and a child behind each leg. "Can I help you?" she asked.
I put on my award-winning smile. "I certainly hope so," I opened. "You see, I'm looking for a friend and was told she's staying here. Her name is Candy."
When I mentioned I was looking for Candy, the woman's eyes changed. She began sizing me up judiciously. Once she was satisfied, the lady turned into the house and yelled, "Candy! Company!" as she began shuffling away from the open door, both her children in tow.
A moment later, my blonde beauty appeared. "Yamcha?" she questioned, obviously confused. I was simply grateful she remembered my name. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I came to see you, of course." I had still hoped my charm would be enough to worm out of any trouble I had incurred with her from my month-long absence.
"It certainly took you long enough to want to see me again. How'd you manage to find me anyway? If you had come over about two weeks ago, I would still be at my old house. Then again, I can only assume that wouldn't have changed my waking alone in bed." Azure eyes flashed angrily, her pain blatantly apparent and her appearance far too similar to her mother's when angered for me to feel entirely comfortable. I remember sending yet another prayer for her forgiveness. Dende seemed to be in a helpful mood, so I deemed it a worthy endeavor.
I nodded. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so thoughtless," I began the apology I hoped would place me in her good graces once again and hopefully, her arms and heart as well. "I intended to be there beside you when you got up. I guess I was worried you wouldn't feel the same in the morning as you did falling asleep. So, I left early.
"Since then, I've realized I made a mistake. I went to your old place, harassed your new address from your neighbors, and now that I'm here, I have an offer I'd like to extend to you," I finished, hoping she would take the bait.
"An offer?" Marron asked suspiciously as the female toddler from earlier walked up from behind her, carrying a box of juice precariously in her chubby hands.
Tugging on Marron's sleeve, the girl garbled out the word, "Juice," as she held the box up for the straw to be inserted. With a sigh Marron took the box, quickly unwrapped the straw and after firmly thrusting it into the box – obviously relieving pent up anger – she handed it back to the child. The little girl, of course, then raised her arms and demanded, "Up!" Once again, Marron sighed before lifting the babe to her hip.
"Better?" Marron asked the girl, who responded with a small grin and nod as she sucked down the juice in her box. Marron looked at me again. "You mentioned something about an offer?"
I nodded to her. "An offer."
Curiosity overrode Marron's prudence as she asked, "What kind of offer?"
"One you can't refuse." I put on my most suave smile and compassionate eyes; I should have been an actor rather than athletic coach. "Pack your things. Let me take you away from here. Come, live with me, at least until you get back on your feet. Call it…an apology package."
Just as I concluded, a "no" already forming on Marron's lips, the second toddler ran to us, buck naked, diaper in hand, his mother cussing in the background. After one look at the boy, Marron turned grateful eyes to me and silently nodded. "I'll get my things now."
Ten minutes later, with two suitcases in my trunk, we rode in silence toward our new home – together, at least for present.
Upon arrival, I retrieved Marron's bags and carried them to her room as I escorted her. "It's not four-star, but I hope you're comfortable. I'm not exactly used to having company," I apologized as I set her luggage on her bed.
Marron smiled bashfully at me, her eyes impossibly wide since we had pulled into the drive, taking in what she must have deemed opulence after her previous residences. "It's…I don't know what to call it," she finally stammered.
I could not help but find myself chuckling at her awe. "Most usually use the words 'decorating disaster' or something along those lines. I never claimed to be Martha Stewart. I don't like strangers in my home, so I never let a decorator work their magic here."
"Well, I think it's nice," Marron complimented, finally meeting my eyes for the first time since we had left, finally seeming comfortable in my company.
"Thank you." I smiled warmly, turning toward the door. Stopping just short of exiting, I turned back. "I'll let you get settled in now, Marron." I smiled before beginning to turn back and step through the doorway.
"Marron?" her tone and demeanor changed immediately, tensing with hostility. "Why did you call me that? No one calls me, Marron." Marron paused a moment, her eyes filled with a deep dolefulness. "She died a long time ago." Her sadness faded somewhat suddenly as her anger returned, "What right do you have to call me that?!"
With a deep breath, I turned to face my fate and one pair of acrimonious eyes. As a child, I had always seen so much of Krillin in her, I almost forgot sometimes she was Eighteen's daughter as well. There was certainly no mistaking it when she was angry; the familial resemblance was indubitable. I understood why Krillin was so cowed to his wife.
"It's your name, your real name," I calmly replied.
Eyes still narrowed dangerously, she challenged, "How do you know that?"
I sighed softly, releasing some of the tension within my body. "I guess you don't remember, but I've known you since you were a little girl. Your father was one of my best friends until after Buu. We trained under the same master, Master Roshi."
Marron gasped audibly as she comprehended the ramifications of my assertion.
Before she could interrupt me with an interrogation, I continued, "That's most of the reason I skipped out on you. When I woke up, I saw the picture of your family on your dresser and realized who you are-...or were. I didn't know what to do. I knew if your parents found out, there would be no place safe in the universe where I could hide from them. Not even the afterlife would be safe.
"Even more than that, I didn't think it would be good for you to become attached.
"The problem was: I overlooked one small detail. I couldn't get you out of my head. That's why I came looking for you. I was determined to find you, and here you are," I finished my explanation, hoping my angel would not be angry enough to take flight to a refuge I could not find now that I had gone to the trouble of being honest, of confessing the past and present. My future – hopefully our future – was in her delicate hands.
Looking at the plush carpet, eyes lost deep in thought, Marron finally raised a set of extremely exhausted eyes to meet mine. "So, you're not here because of my parents?" more of a statement than a question.
"No," I shook my head. "I haven't seen or spoken to your parents in well over a decade. We just-…fell out of touch." I paused before asking a deeper question, "Why would you think I was here because of them?"
Marron's eyes became clouded as she sighed heavily. "Because, I'm in hiding – sorta. My parents were driving me crazy! I was always cooped up on that island with them! I never got the chance to make my own decisions, my own mistakes! To be my own person instead of their little girl!
"Finally, I mentioned to them how I felt, and we had a huge argument. It was really bad. Later that night, I ran away.
"I haven't been home since. I've been on my own for three years now." She met my concerned gaze with one full of determination. "I knew they would come looking for me. That's why I hid and changed my name," Marron solemnly explained her story.
"Do you miss them?" I remember asking.
"Well-…" Marron hesitated before sighing. "Yeah. I do miss them." She nodded her head in admission.
Taking a few steps toward her, my body language open, unassuming, I suggested, "then, let's go see them."
Marron's eyes shot open. "What! I can't do that!"
"Why not?" was my calm counter.
"Because-…because-…because I just can't!" she articulated.
I took another stop closer to Marron, standing mere feet before her. "Yes, you can. And, I think you should." I opened my arms and hands to show her I meant her no harm, only help. "Sure, I can easily see your parents going overboard with you, but you obviously miss them. And, I'm sure they miss you,too. They would be proud to know you made it on your own this long, and grateful to know you're still alive. It's not like they would try and make you stay or anything now that you've proven you can be independent while being safe and happy."
Raising my hand to gently stroke a soft cheek not my own, I stepped even closer to finish my thoughts. "All I'm asking is that you give it some consideration. I think it would be good for all of you, and you'd be much happier."
Frowning a little, wrinkling her pretty little face, Marron looked up at me. "All right. I don't promise anything, but I'll think about it."
I smiled and nodded. "That's all I ask. Now, I'm going to let you get settled in. Let me know if you need anything."
After Marron smiled and nodded to me, I left the room to let her be alone. She needed time to think and unpack all her luggage, not just the tangible portion.
"Who's that?" a squeaky voice startled me in the hall.
Quickly glancing up, I chuckled. "That would be Candy. Or, as you and I know her better, Marron – Krillin and Eighteen's daughter." I began walking down that hall toward my spacious den.
"Didn't you go out with a Candy not too long ago?" Puar questioned as she followed me.
"Yeah…that's her." I answered without pausing or looking back toward her.
"Ah," Puar replied knowingly. "She sure turned out pretty. Is that where you were all day?"
"Yes," I answered her, growing weary of playing twenty questions. "She needs help, so she's going to be staying here."
"Okay, Yamcha. No need to get defensive. Just be careful. She's not like the rest," Puar cautioned as she continued floating down the hallway toward the kitchen, while I had stopped at the den's entrance.
I frowned. "I know that. Krillin and Eighteen would kill me for getting involved with her."
"That's not what I meant," Puar called out as she disappeared from sight around a corner, leaving me to ponder the exact implication of her words. Since when had my best friend, the blue cat, become so sophistic?
Top of the seventh inning, and the Barracudas were ahead by eight. Our next game was against the Barracudas, and if they played half as hot then, they were certainly going to give us a run for our money. To beat them, I knew I had to study their play for a strategy. We simply could not lose the game. The thought was inconceivable.
I had probably already lost Marron. Though we had parted on good terms earlier in the evening, I could not seem to suppress the overwhelming feeling that whatever spark had been ignited our first night together had been thoroughly extinguished in the dousing of cold, hard truth and weight of the past. I had searched for and found Marron, only to lose her again as she lay in a bed only a few doors down from my own. Such seemed my luck. Go figure.
Looking back at the television confirmed the Barracudas had won – twelve to three. I clicked off the television and with a sigh, got up for bed. So much for watching the game for strategy.
Wearing my favorite silk boxers, I crawled beneath the covers, clicking off the light for sleep. Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, millions of thoughts running through my head – and even more worries.
I was awakened by the sound of my door opening, a sound so soft only ears on a body honed to near-perfection from years of martial arts and living alone in a desert could hear. A shadow fell across the bed as dim light from the hall glinted on soft blonde locks.
"Do you mind if I join you tonight? I couldn't sleep alone," came a tentative request from my doorway.
Sitting up, I clicked on my lamp. Standing in my doorway was Marron in a just-above-the-knee, pink cotton nightgown. Looking her up and down, I found myself nodding. "Well, if you want to, sure. There's plenty of room," I motioned to my king-sized bed.
A light blush colored Marron's cheeks as she gracefully crossed the room and sat beside me on the bed, her body tense yet seemingly somehow more at home.
"Better?" I asked after she situated her pillows and crawled beneath the covers, looking more beautiful than I remembered.
Marron nodded a little. "Yes, it's much better."
I smiled softly at her. "Good. Well, goodnight." I leaned over to kiss Marron on the forehead, just like the father-figure I was supposed to be should do.
The next thing I knew, our lips pressed together. My fatherly affection was denied as Marron sought comfort from man – comfort, I was happy to supply.
The night later found Marron, exhausted, sleeping soundly on my bare shoulder. Only a satin sheet covered her body, pressed solidly to mine.
Still lost in a haze of bliss, I remember reaching out to click off the light, vowing to deal with any demons, after sunrise. For one more night, I would enjoy the feeling of a sleeping angel in my arms. Even if it did turn out to be only one more night.
A/N: So, what did you think? Did this chapter live up to the expectations set by the first? Once again, I can't hear you! That's why I need you to review! Let me know what you think, good or bad. I'll be waiting. Until next time, Peace and Out.