Babble: It's almost over and that's so hard to believe! You guys are being so good ;) But then again, I guess I am getting these out fairly quickly. I'm finally finished with classes, so I'm going to take a gamble that the end will be sometime late next week. The next chapter may be up Sunday or Monday, depending if I stop being lazy and finish my Christmas shopping or not.

Anyway…enjoy lovelies.

Chapter 16: The Last Day

The fact that I had just finished kissing the very same person who was moments away from killing me was a large bubble that kept floating around in my head. Was I really that far out of my mind to allow such a thing to happen? There are always the stories that my old news company covered on how some woman had to divorce her man because he was trying to kill her; or those court cases where the man actually did. And here I was allowing myself to freely be embraced by the world's largest murderer to date. I was really gone.

Yet there was something about the kiss that made me think that he might not have killed me. First off, he said that he didn't want to hurt me. If you think about it that makes no sense—he didn't want to hurt me, yet he was about to blow me into microscopic bits? Go figure, right? But it wasn't just that that made me think that there was something there besides his curiosity over strange feelings he allegedly wasn't supposed to know about, unless he was really good at hiding it. The way his hands touched my arms and shoulders, or how his thumb gently stroked my cheek gave me such a chill I forgot that he wasn't the Prince Charming every girl wishes would sweep her off her feet. His mouth was warm and gentle, unlike the cold bitter feeling one would assume he'd give off. It was strange….

Cell looked at me with a questioning glance; then he turned and stepped away from me. "You should leave."

I was so happy for those few moments our faces were locked together like magnets, even if I was standing on my toes to the point I thought they'd break off. Then he comes out with a statement like that. "But…why? We just—"

"I know we just," he said almost bitterly. "Do you not understand, Layrial? I'm your worst nightmare, whether you see it directly or not. Tomorrow the fate of your planet will be decided and I will not back down from my mission."

"I thought…"

"You thought I'd give up because I said I've grown fond of you? I'm afraid your mistaken, my dear." He half turned and his head glanced towards me. "If you stay here you'll be in grave danger. I don't plan on restraining myself to this small arena for the entire event; and when I do break lose things could get rather ugly."

I could only imagine what sort of ugly things he was referring to. I'm sure he was ready to kill whoever tried to fight him tomorrow, but just how would he do it? "No," I said suddenly, catching myself by surprise in a way, but a split-second later I looked up defiantly.

"I beg your pardon?"

I shook my head. "I said no. I'm not leaving. It's my choice to be here, right?"

Cell tilted his head back a bit and looked down at me with wider eyes. "I suppose…"

"Then it's my choice to stay and watch. I'm not afraid—damn it, if I'm not afraid to be standing here with you right now then I'm not afraid of freaking watching a damn martial arts tournament."

Cell stood speechless for what felt like hours. He said nothing or made no attempts to move or blink. I don't know what he was thinking at that moment, but I'm guessing along the lines of wondering what had gotten into my head.

"Very well," he said, a smile breaking his lower face and his eyes closing while his head bowed respectfully. "I'll allow you to stay, but if I were you I'd keep my distance. I can't and won't watch out for you—make sure you understand that."

"Cell, I'm a big girl," I said with a small chuckle, although he has just blown my little thought out of the window, "I can take care of myself…" Yeah, sure thing…I'll just fly away like you do if something comes up. Damn, I was hoping he wouldn't say that and that he'd make sure I was safe. Maybe he still will….doubtful though.

"Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have important matters to attend to."

"Huh?" I thought we were over with this nonsense! Now he was leaving? What the hell? "What sort of stuff now?"

"I'd like to stretch my muscles before the big fight. It's only fair that I be at my best when the others line up tomorrow to sign their death warrants."

I frowned and stomped my foot. "Damn it, Cell, I'm tired of being left out here by myself." I can't believe that came out of my mouth. I didn't realize it had until his eyes grew wider at the sound of my attitude.

But instead of receiving another lecture, I heard his suave chuckle. "You should've thought of that before you came out here. We've spent enough time embracing each other for now."

I crossed my arms. "What do you think this is all about? Do you think I want you to be holding me constantly and sweet talking me under the moonlight?" I laughed. "No…no, no, no; I just don't like being out here by myself! I have no defense, don't you realize that? If something came out to attack me, what would I do?"

"Run," he said with a very high level of amusement. "I'm sure you're capable of that—especially now that you're not wearing that ridiculous pair of footwear you had when we first met."

I gasped at him as he floated into the air. His smile was so stunning I wasn't able to fight back with another outburst of protests. He gave me a wave that consisted of only two fingers and then he was gone seconds later.

- - - -

He had been gone for so long it was starting to get on my nerves. I don't care if he was an android or not…he still acted like a guy. It just got me so mad! I mean, I come out here and almost get myself killed and what does he do? Leaves! What the hell?

I probably had gone over those six sentences at least ten times. For a while I went back and sat in the car, listened to the radio, or just stared at the dashboard while having the air conditioning blowing in my face. The days were growing hotter; if this tournament was not until another month I'd consider giving up and leaving. Being out here in the dead of summer wasn't my idea of fun.

I returned to the ring with my duffle bag of stuff I grabbed before leaving the apartment. I opened the bag of chips (how healthy) and munched on them until the bag was nearly half gone. It wasn't the first time I'd gone through half a bag of chips in one sitting—I usually ate like a horse when I was nervous or upset over something. I assume this could count.

Whatever was keeping Cell was going to get a piece of my mind though, whether it was someone trying to destroy him now or if it was his own fault….

I paused at that point after thinking of the possibility. I wasn't thinking that he was in danger now, but I wondered if it'd come to that point tomorrow. I knew that Goku character was bound to show up tomorrow and by the looks of him, he wasn't someone to pass by without considering. Cell seemed intrigued by that guy and I'm willing to bet Cell was itching to meet him in the ring. But my question was what was the chance that someone could overpower Cell?

Could Cell die tomorrow? Could someone actually be…I gulped…more powerful than him? It was a scary thought, but as long as they were on the right side I guess it wouldn't be that bad. Then again, there was me to think about. What would I honestly think and do if that moment came? Would I mourn the android's death if it came to that? Would I…cry for him?

I guess that brought me to the question of whether it was lust or love. Obviously I had no intentions of doing anything further than what we had done in those few moments earlier, but…was it just his voice and face that caught me (not to mention his perfectly etched body no matter how unusual it was) or was it more than that? Did I actually love Cell?

The answer I told myself was no. It was impossible. I barely loved my last boyfriend; there was no way I could fall for a guy like this one. It was impossible and I didn't even want to consider what my life would be like. Even if I did love him I knew it wasn't a mutual feeling. If it were, he would realize that if the Earth was destroyed, I'd be gone with it. Unless he was one of those people who could easily shrug things off and move on with life. I wouldn't put it past him.

"Deep in thought, are you?"

I jumped, feel blood rushing to my appendages quickly. I turned in my spot on the floor to see the android who invaded my thoughts standing there with a peculiar smile spread across his angelic face. What was he thinking…?

"No, not really," I said shortly later after remembering he had asked me a question. Actually it was more of an insinuation than a question.

"I'm sure," was the reply and he walked over to me; the squeakiness of his feet repelling off my eardrums to make me remember that he wasn't human and definitely not normal. I couldn't love someone like that.

"Took you long enough," I commented as I got to my feet.

"Oh trust me, I could've been gone a lot longer," he said, "but I felt that you might die of starvation since you're only mortal."

I laughed. "And you're not?"

"You should know by now, dear Layrial, that I don't require food or water for survival. Its part of my design—I can live anywhere."

"All the more fun for you," I said.

"But of course. Though I see I wasted my efforts coming back since you came prepared this time. I had wondered if you had been smart enough not to take any chances and go hungry."

I crossed my arms and tapped my foot—old habit—and gave him a mean look. "Are you enjoying the cracks you're making at me?"

He continued to smile, but no words emerged from his pale lips. He turned around and slowly made his way back to the center of the arena, like always. His back was towards me and his silence remained, which made me wonder what he was thinking and what he intended to do for the rest of the time between now and tomorrow morning.

"Layrial, may I ask you something?"

I had never heard anyone, even him, ask something like that in such a polite manner. I replied with a yes after getting over the suddenness of his question.

"Do you love me?"

My mouth dropped. My eyes felt like they popped out of my head. My stomach jumped then came crashing down and twisted over itself repeatedly. Did he…had he…just asked me what I thought he had? And in such an innocently curious tone it hurt to even consider backing away from the whole thing and ignoring him? I couldn't believe it. Now what was I supposed to say? I hadn't even figured it out for myself and he wants to know?

"I don't know," was what came out—I guess that was close enough to the truth. I feared what he'd say or do if I said no. "Why?"

"I'm aware of how human emotions operate and I was merely curious to see how quickly it would work in a situation such as this. Now you're either lying to me or you truly don't realize it yourself." He paused for a moment, but even then he remained still and with his back turned on me.

"So let me ask you this, Layrial—if you had to choose yes or no without any consequences, but no other options for answers, which would be the first choice?

I hesitated. I didn't know what to say except that I should say what my first instinct told me to say. "No."

"Surprising, I must say."

"Why?" I asked dully.

This time his head turned slightly and I could see his right eye. "I figured you'd say yes, perhaps in hopes to strengthen your chances of living after tomorrow when I destroy the planet."

"I wish you'd stop talking about that," I replied and sat back down, pulling my knees up to my chest.

"Are you afraid to die, Layrial?"

"What the hell do you think?" I asked rudely. "Wouldn't you be?"

"I fear nothing, especially something as unlikely as death. In my case, it would take someone very gifted and very, very lucky to overpower me."

"So I figured," I said and then I buried my face in my knees. I now wished I hadn't come out here. I wished I had the courage to get up and leave this whole thing and never look back. I was such a bloody coward.

I heard him walking, and by the increasing volume of the sound I figured he was coming towards me. When I looked up, I wasn't surprised to see him standing there, but I was amazed to see his hand outstretched for me to take it. I looked at his long, grayish fingers for a long while before finally taking it. He grasped my hand lightly and pulled me to my feet. I had thought that'd be all he'd do, but when he pulled me closer so the side of my face was pressed up against his torso I became very tense.

"I vowed to leave no one alive," Cell said softly. "You must know this."

"Please stop talking about it," I asked again.

"Why have you not asked me?"

I looked up at him, a little confused at to what he was implying with such a quick change of topic. "Ask you what?"

"If I feel the sentiment of love towards you."

For some reason I let my face go back against his warm body. The thought of asking if he loved me never crossed my mind for the mere reason that I didn't think I had to wonder or ask.

"I figured I already knew the answer."

"Oh?"

"If you loved me you'd reconsider destroying me and the world I live in. Therefore, there is no reason to ask you since you've been constantly reminding me that I will die tomorrow and you had said earlier that it's a foolish emotion."

"So I did," he said dryly, but surprisingly didn't back away. I figured he'd take that chance to push me aside so he could go meditate or do whatever he did. But he didn't. Instead he stood there with his hands on my waist. I didn't know what to say or do. I even wondered if I had made him feel bad at what I just said.