Beyond All Expectations

Disclaimer: I have yet to procure the rights to DragonballZ or find anyone stupid enough to pay me for my stories.

A/N: Wow! We're really on the third chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 3
Our Next Steps, Part I

I lifted my eyes for what must have been the fortieth time from the biography I had been reading as I watched Marron slowly turned the page of her latest romance novel. Shortly after she moved in, we had established a nightly reading time, since we both enjoyed reading, and it seemed no matter how stressed we were, a half-hour of such relaxation always promoted a good night's rest.

Only days before our six month anniversary, and I knew, I loved her. Did she return my affections? Only everyday. To put it simply, we were wildly in love.

Yes, I loved Bulma at a time. I guess a small part of me always will love the girl who became my first girlfriend. Though this time with Marron, things were different. Our love was mutual, for starters. Not only that, but the feelings were different; I was different. Instead of being star-struck with puppy love, I found myself loving with my full mind, body and spirit.

Mine and Marron's first date had only been a taste of the things yet to come. I had begun to find myself smiling for no reason at all. I began to hum often when I worked on any project. My wrinkles, mostly frown lines, all but disappeared. Sometimes, I almost didn't recognize myself when I looked into a mirror.

Sometime around month four, I think, I began seriously pondering the idea of "popping the question" and letting go of bachelorhood to better hold the spring which had entered my life.

Month five's celebration encouraged me to even pick out a ring.

Then, along came month six...

"Is there something I can do for you?" Marron snapped irritably, as she caught my stare.

I shook my head, not surprised to find a smile on my lips. "No. I'm happy just looking at you."

Marron sighed and rolled her eyes before going back to her novel. She had been getting snappish like that more and more often. Something was tearing her up inside, and I had a good idea what that something was.

Marron was a stubborn soul, and she certainly had her pride. She never backed down or admitted defeat, even when she wanted to do nothing more. It was this conundrum, which plagued her. I knew she longed for some semblance of reconciliation with her parents. She just did not want to be the one to apologize or make the first move she knew she'd have to make since her parents still had no idea she was alive.

Well, if she wasn't going to make the first move, by Dende, I was!

I closed my book loudly, causing both Marron and Puar to jump and look at me, Puar quizzically and Marron with a frown at the interruption.

"I have decided, I'm taking a short trip tomorrow, and Marron, I would like you to accompany me," I plainly stated my objective keeping my destination purposely-vague.

Marron's frown was replaced by curiosity, as she played right into my hands. "Sure, I'd love to go with you. Where are we going?" I did have a tendency to take her on surprise weekend getaways to some of the world's best resorts with little or no warning. She had no reason to suspect my devious ploy.

I almost couldn't help grinning as I replied nonchalantly, "Kame House."

Half a second passed before it sank into Marron exactly what I meant. As realization dawned on her, her pretty face turned from curiosity to surprise to fury so quickly a less astute man might have missed the change entirely. "I am not going there! If you want to go to that wretched island, have fun! But I am not going, and there is no way you can make me!"

I couldn't resist as a smirk crept across my lips. I've always had the tendency to rub it in my opponent's face when I have gained the upper hand. In fights, it usually became a matter of gloating while I could since I knew it would not last long. Fond memories.

"Well, I hate to break it to ya, princess," I exchanged my smirk for a friendlier smile, "But, you already agreed to the trip. You wouldn't want to be known as a reneger, would you?" I grinned from ear to ear in triumph. "What do you say we depart around eleven or so?"

Marron's eyes grew wide once again before narrowing to slits as she realized I had tricked her and my exact method. Angrily snapping her book closed and setting it on the coffee table, she turned to me. "You are a sneaky, manipulative jerk!" she yelled, rising to her feet before stomping off toward the bedroom.

I simply sat still in my chair as she stormed from my presence and into our sanctuary, wincing as I heard the door slam loudly. I looked over to Puar. "Have to admit, that went better than I thought." A smile crept across my face becoming a lewd grin. "I figured she'd assault me!"

Puar only shook her head. "I should have known you'd pull something sneaky like this. You can be a real prick some times."

I nodded, rather pleased with myself, still grinning. "You don't date Bulma for as long as I did without learning a few tricks to getting your way and survival techniques for the aftermath."

"She's gonna be pissed and wary of you for a long time," was Puar's only warning before going back to the magazine before her.

Still grinning to myself, I nodded. "Probably," I said with a shrug before once again diving into my adventure. I knew it would be a lonely night alone in the guest bed, but forcing Marron to reconcile with her parents was worth the loss. She was miserable with guilt and regret, the same sentiments I was sure ate at Krillin and Eighteen daily.

Confident my actions were in everyone's best interests, I pressed tenaciously ahead.

I remember glancing at Marron at a rate which seemed like five-minute intervals throughout the trip. During the first portion of our journey, across land, she seemed content to inspect her perfectly pink nails and cuticles with her brow furrowed deeply in thought. While she had willingly left home in my company, she was less than eager to engage in any conversation. I suppose the night before hung too heavily in her thoughts – along with our destination.

Once we were over the ocean, Marron's attention was diverted from her nails and toward the seemingly endless waves. This was more her environment; she was headed home.

Neither of us spoke. I don't think either of us wanted to voice the worries on our minds, neither wanting to fight.

Did I have my worries? You bet I did. She worried about her parents' anger or acceptance; I worried if I would survive the encounter. If Krillin or Eighteen learned of the things I had done to their little girl, my girlfriend, whom I hoped soon would be my fiancée, then wife – if I survived the reunion that is – my life could potentially become a living hell.

My other worries revolved around the possible repercussions of Marron's reconciliation with her parents. Even if things went well for my girlfriend's family, what would happen to us? Would Marron leave me for the safe haven of Kame House? I simply had no idea what might transpire that day or afterward. I remember earnestly hoping my decision would prove perspicacious - only time would tell.

As we neared Kame House, Roshi's island emerging on the horizon, Marron began fidgeting nervously in her seat. She was seemingly, definitely beginning to regret agreeing to accompany me.

With a soft, reassuring smile, I placed my right hand on her left, giving it a gentle squeeze. When Marron lifted her eyes to mine, she gave a timidly grateful smile in return before turning her attention to the almost full-sized island beneath us.

Slowing my hovercraft to land on the beach, I noticed Krillin and Master Roshi opening sleepy eyes from their vigilant posts in hammocks between the sparse palm trees. It only took a moment's observation before the duo sprang from their favorite napping spots to take fighting stances, automatic preparations for the worst. Normally, I would have called before showing up out of the blue. This time was different. After so many years, I had no idea how I would be received, and Marron had to make it to the island, no matter how her family might view me for my disappearing act.

After carefully landing my craft with its tail in the shallows, I turned to Marron. Taking her hand, I smiled encouragingly. "It's show time."

Marron looked over at me and nodded her head as she gave me a brave smile. "I think I'm ready or at least as ready as I'll ever be."

As the door opened, Krillin and Master Roshi crouched slightly lower to the ground in anticipation of a potential enemy. The Kame House has a long history of having diabolical visitors appear with little or no warning. Think back to the Red Ribbon Army and Radditz to name two.

Stepping into the sunlight, I blinked behind my sunglasses in the blinding light of the tropical sun. After looking around to see what might have changed after so many years, which turned out to be nothing except Krillin's graying hair, I focused on my old friend and our master.

After a second, Krillin blinked in confusion and relaxed his guard. "Yamcha? Is that you?" He seemed unable to believe I was standing before him. I suppose after all those years and all my womanizing, he must have thought I was either my own son – I did look good after all – or possibly an apparition.

I remember smiling at my longtime friend and nodding. "In the flesh!" I laughed across the sand, "You guys look like you've seen a ghost!"

Recognizing I was speaking the truth, Krillin and Master Roshi completely relaxed their guards, and with a smile, Krillin began walking toward my craft as I approached him as well, intending to meet him midway in this as with so many other cases today.

"How ya doing?" Krillin asked as he heartily shook my hand.

"I can't complain, that's for sure," I laughed, pulling my old friend into a quick, masculine embrace.

Krillin smiled brightly. "So, what are you doing here after so long?"

Eighteen stepped out the front door to see who had landed on her island.

I nodded acknowledgement to Eighteen before answering Krillin, conscious of Marron hiding just inside the craft's open doorway. "It's far too long since we've seen each other." I gave Krillin a warm smile before continuing, "That-...and I found something important you lost."

As Krillin and Eighteen blinked confusedly at my statement, I turned back toward the doorway, offering Marron my hand to help her to the ground. A moment's hesitation and Marron, a look of resolve upon her face, faced her family.

The look on Krillin's face was priceless as joyful surprise filled his every cell. "Marron!" I remember Krillin, tears running down his cheeks, embracing his long lost daughter before her feet were solidly on the sand.

When I glanced over at Eighteen, still beside the door of Kame House, I noticed a change in her eyes. For years, I had no idea what Krillin had seen in the seemingly completely inhuman android – at that moment, I understood.

As I watched Eighteen, Krillin had disengaged one of his arms from around his beloved daughter and brought me into a group hug. "Thank you," was all he seemed able to muster, his voice was wrought with emotions.

"Why don't you invite your friend and our daughter inside, out of the sun?" Eighteen called in a seemingly emotionless tone. The emotion was there, though – trust me.

Releasing Marron and I from his bear hug, Krillin smiled at us both, not bothering to wipe the tears of jubilation from his cheeks. "Sorry about that. I'm sure neither of you enjoy baking in the sun. Let's go inside and catch up."

Turning toward Kame House, Krillin beckoned us to follow. Eighteen was already inside, waiting for us to join her. Master Roshi had shrewdly returned to his hammock, figuring we did not need or wish for his assistance. Sometimes, the old coot shows a little breeding.

As Marron and I started after her father, she reached for me, wrapping her arm securely around mine. I smiled down at her and spoke softly, "See? That wasn't so bad."

A blush crossed Marron's cheeks as she nodded. "You're right."

Smiling, I helped Marron up the stairs and through the doorway.

"Drink this," Eighteen met us at the door, handing Marron a tall glass of iced tea before she took a seat beside her husband around the low table, beers all ready placed at everyone else's disposal.

With a smile, Marron took a sip of tea before moving to sit close to me on the other side of the table, facing her parents. An uncomfortable silence ensued.

After a moment, Krillin eyed me; "I saw the Taitans' game last week. You're lookin' good. You blew the Jellyfish out of the water!"

Laughing, I replied, "Yeah. They really lost their edge when their old pitcher retired. Besides, with the Roshi-style training, I expect no less from them. We're going to win the pennant," I confidently foretold. It happened to be the simple truth, after all.

"So, work's good, basically?" Eighteen summed everything up in that simplistic way she has. You can always count on her to cut out the fat.

"Yeah, basically," I could not help but chuckle. "Right now, I think things are going pretty well."

"Anything cooking in the love department?" Krillin waggled his eyebrows as I felt Marron silently tense beside me.

"Well-..." I took a pregnant breath and glanced at Marron for strength in preparation of answering such a simple question with such significant potential ramifications.

A/N: I know; the ending is an evil cliffy. Sorry about that guys. Here's hoping I get the next chapter fixed soon so I can post it as well. You all know you want to know what happens next. Right? Well, if that is the case, you know what to do...REVIEW so I will be motivated to post ASAP!