The Note: This chapter is shorter than I had originally planned, however I've decided to cut it where I did instead of dragging it on further and then cutting it off again. I had posted a note earlier requesting anyone who had access to a tape/clip/whatever of the first episode the Cell Games started to let me know what the reporter's name was, and I thank all of you for answering the note and especially to reindeer sausage for finding the name. It shall be used in the next chapter XD I really hope to have the next chapter posted by the end of the week, but its turned out to be such a crazy week I'm not sure if I'll get the chance. I guess my assumption on ending the story this week flew out the window--which I'm sure excites many of you. I'm guess two more chapters...perhaps more, but I won't know until I come to it. We'll see. If I don't post before Sunday, a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanchakah (I hope I spelt that right...), Happy Kwanza...(and anything else I'm missing) to everyone! I hope you guys have fun!

Chapter 18: Judgment Day

I had somehow managed to get comfortable one last time on the hard, cold surface of the fighting ring for the night. It was strange to think that I'd be getting my last night's sleep away from my own plush bed, under a pathetic blanket that barely covered my feet. Cell had parked himself in the exact same spot he had since I first saw him—dead center of the bloody surface. I had hoped maybe he'd come over here and sit down—an extra body could've blocked the cool night's breeze, but alas, he hadn't.

The morning of the tournament was bright and warm. Cell was standing as tall as could be, his head held high and a smile pasted over his perfectly etched face. He was ready. He was more than ready. I could tell that the blood was rushing through every vein in his body with anticipation, and the closer the time came the more excited he'd become. I sat up and cracked my back, a habit I wish I never started because I had heard there were risks of arthritis later on in life when you cracked joints or whatnot. Although I guess it didn't matter anymore, since this world might never see another dawn. It had frightened me the night before, to think that I would never look up at the sky and see the stars, or I'd never have a chance to tell my parents how much I loved them. Now, however, I came to the realization that I'd die eventually, whether it being now, tomorrow or fifty years down the road. It didn't matter anymore. I had escaped death several times in the past week—my luck had to run out at some point.

Cell looked over at me and his smile grew a little bit wider. "The day has arrived, Layrial. Are you excited?"

"Hardly," I said as I got to my feet and folded the blanket up.

He chuckled to himself and turned to me completely. "Come now, don't you believe there's a slight chance, although an extremely small one, that I might just lose?"

"It's crossed my mind," I replied. "But I doubt it. I'm over it now, though, Cell. If I die, I'll die knowing that my life wasn't all that bad compared to some."

He said nothing and looked up at the sharp blue sky. "Only a few more hours until they come. I can hardly wait any longer. Ten days was far too long and boring."

"I'm sure you were almost dying with eagerness," I said dryly and pulled out the mini box of cereal I brought along. I opened it up and started using my hand to pull out pieces and popped them into my mouth.

"The offer still holds," he said. "You can still decide your fate, Layrial."

"I have. I'm staying here. I don't want to live knowing that I'm the only surviving human and I watched the rest die." I started pouring cereal into my mouth directly from the box now. I didn't care about manners. I guess you could say I was in a bad mood.

"So be it," he answered.

"Cell, you'd end up killing me anyway," I continued. "I can't defend myself or anything. How do you expect to tolerate that for more than a few days?"

Again he grew silent. He either was tired of fighting this particular battle out or I had caught him on an issue he didn't completely think through. It didn't matter. I had finished my cereal soon enough and I started packing up my junk to bring back to the car. When I had jumped off the edge of the ring and started walking away I heard him.

"Where are you going?"

I turned and stared at him. He looked concerned for some reason—was it because he thought I was ditching him? I was tempted, but I knew I wouldn't. "No, I'm throwing this stuff in the car. I don't need it anymore."

I had tossed everything in the back seat—including the keys to the car. There was no point on keeping anything with me. It no longer had a use. When I turned around again, however, I nearly plowed right into the large green, black and gray figure of my supposed lover. "Nothing like warning me!" I snapped. Yeah, I was really grouchy.

"Layrial, I want to know what this attitude is all about," he said in a slightly demanding tone. "I understand that—"

"You understand what, Cell?" I snapped again, moving around him so I wasn't sandwiched between him and the side of the car. "You understand that I'm annoyed and aggravated because I spent my last night of life freezing my ass off and sleeping on the damn floor again? Or do you understand that I'm agitated because I didn't do half the things I wanted to accomplish in life because it's suddenly coming to an abrupt stop? Do you even care that you may understand that I'm mad at the world because I grew up not giving a damn about anything until this moment?"

Cell's head leaned back only a hair, but his eyes had gotten considerably larger with my potential releasing of anger. He might be an android and he might be powerful, but he probably realized that the wrath of a woman could be fearful. Could be, remember. Then again as soon as I took a chance to catch my breath his eyes narrowed and he gave me a look to kill.

"Your behavior is getting out of hand," he said coldly. "I merely asked a simple question."

"Oh go blow up another mountain," I threw out and I marched away.

I don't think I made it ten steps before he was in front of me again, his chest puffing out as if showing that he was the man and I was nothing but the pathetic, crybaby woman. "Don't think I'm letting you off so easily."

"What the hell are you going to do about it? Are you going to punish me in some psycho way?"

"Are you implying that I'm psychotic?"

"Maybe!"

At that point he grabbed my upper left arm and yanked me towards him. "I'd watch yourself Layrial…you may have caught my attention long enough to get you this far, but I have no conscience for you."

"Pity," I replied. "Then you don't mind if I tell you to take your bullshit and shove it up your ass."

His eyes grew wide again, but my sudden remark must've caught him off guard; I was able to pull my arm away from him and start my walk back to the ring. I had a terrible urge to look over my shoulder to see if he was creating one of those little balls of light in his hands, but I restrained myself. If he killed me, then it'd be over quicker—what's the difference?

I had actually made it to the ring before he appeared again. I turned away and so did he, the two of us acting like fifth graders after having a fight over a toy. The only difference was he could beat me up before I had a chance to kick his shin and run. But I had to ask…I was in this rebellious mood now and the urge to say something more to him was overwhelming. I guess I was set on pissing him off beyond anything else.

"What, did I hurt your feelings? Or more like, bruise your ego?"

"I'm refraining from speaking to the likes of you."

"Oh, I'm so sad now," I said. Then I stopped and sat down. I was acting like a child. This wasn't how I wanted it to go; but he had gotten me so mad I lost sight of everything else. I glanced over my shoulder to see he remained constant in his posture.

I sighed and let my head fall as far as it would go. I was such an idiot. Why did I get like this? This is how I messed up every damn relationship—friend or otherwise—I was ever in; not that it mattered anymore, but I didn't want to keep going like this. For once, I was going to swallow my pride and try to mend things before it was too late.

"Cell?" I had said meekly after approaching him. My hand reached up to touch his wing again, but it stopped in midair the moment he spoke.

"Do not bother."

"Cell…look, I'm sorry for the way I acted. It was childish."

"It was repulsive."

"Yes," I agreed. "Please…don't be cross with me."

"Oh I'm not cross with you," he assured me. "You just made me realize that I was extremely irrational for thinking of you as more than just another insufficient human. I should've killed you before things got out of hand."

"Well, here's your chance again," I said softly. "But please…do it so I can see your face while I die."

Cell turned his head, his magenta eyes meeting my face softly. "No, Layrial, I will not."

"It's the least I deserve after I just acted like that towards you," I started. I don't know why I felt the need to start begging for him to kill me—he was letting me off the hook for what I said.

"Do not make me repeat myself," he said sternly. "I will not kill you. And I would never look directly at you while doing so. I refuse."

I said nothing more. Instead I let my actions speak; I moved around and put my arms around his slender waist and pressed my face against his torso. I waited several moments before I finally felt his hands rest on my shoulder blades. The next thing I knew I was being pulled away while his fingers ran through my hair.

"I will say this once and only once, Layrial," he started in a husky voice. "You have done something to me that I still don't completely understand. And while I will not go back on Dr. Gero's wishes, I will say this—you have made the time waiting for this tournament amusing and pleasurable…for more reasons than one."

With that Cell stepped away and flexed his wings. I knew he was leaving for another one of his warm up sessions. His eyes gleamed as I stared back at him; a moment later he was up and gone. I didn't watch him disappear into the distance this time. Instead I sat in the center of the ring with my legs folded Indian-style. My heart beat at a faster-than-normal pace and the only thing I could think of was what he had just said.