AN: This is more of a teaser then anything but lucky for the readers that are still there, today is a typing day. I have pages and pages written but haven't found the time to type it all up soI am going to try to catch up. I'll probably update again later on tonight if anyone is interested. The more reviews I get the faster I'll upload the chapters, otherwise they'll come out every other day or so. It all depends on my mood, I've been sick lately and can't seem to shake it so I type to feel productive. Anyway I'm sure you're more interested in the story so I'll leave you to it.

Michelle

Chapter Fourteen

Everyone stared at the former president of Capsule Corporation, heir to an extinct kingdom, and Sasoli's blood with mild panic. He had collapsed for no apparent reason and wasn't responding to stimuli.

"Trunks?" Sasoli pleaded with him to wake up.

"Mr. Briefs?" Beasely took Trunks' pulse, "I'm going to get an ambulance."

Himbon glanced around wildly for help but in the end did nothing.

"No," Sasoli grabbed Beasely's arm, "I know what's wrong."

"What's wrong with him?" Chief Dumass hadn't moved.

"It's a rare condition that runs in our family."

Everyone turned again to see Bra and Maron standing in the hallway with pale faces.

"Trunks?" Maron immediately joined Sasoli at his side and touched his face. "Answer me."

Bra crossed to Trunks with purposeful strides but did not kneel.

"Dad's looking for you."

He snapped awake and tried to sit up but ended up sinking back into Sasoli's arms.

"What happened?" Was his dazed reply.

All eyes were drawn to Bra as she joined Maron and Sasoli at Trunks side and took his hand.

"Squeeze," she ordered.

Trunks shrugged and squeezed.

Bra rolled her eyes, "As hard as you can, Trunks."

His eyes hardened as his hand visibly tightened.

A worried look settled Bra's face and she got to her feet, "Stand him up."

"I can stand," Trunks protested weakly as his cousin and girlfriend obeyed the order.

"He's lost a lot of weight," Maron remarked glumly.

"What's wrong with him?" Beasely was clearly the only male concerned.

"He suffers from an increased metabolism, Carnivorous Immorta, the body is forced to consume vast quantities of food or risk the body feeding on itself. My brother is slowly starving to death, he needs sustenance immediately."

"When you say vast . . ." the chief frowned, "How much food are we talking about exactly?"

Sasoli took this opportunity to draw attention to herself. "We could discuss the details in your office."

She left her lips slightly parted as she took the man's arm.

"Of course, Ms. Briefs. Beasely, take him to his cell." He smiled indulgently, just as eager be alone with her.

"But what about Son Goten?" Himbon demanded.

"What about Son Goten?" Bra frowned at the mention of her fiancé's name.

Sasoli winced.

"Um, Bra. . ." she swallowed, "I can handle this . . ."

"Handle what?" Bra snarled.

The chief scowled as he took in the situation. The famous Bra Briefs was browbeating her less famous relative into submission. Obviously, not all the Briefs got along and he now felt guilty about his snide ness earlier. He hadn't realized that he was taking his frustration out on the wrong Briefs.

"Ms. Briefs," he announced arrogantly.

"Yes," Sasoli and Bra answered simultaneously.

Dumass was momentarily startled and then smiled at Sasoli as he patted her arm comfortingly.

"I am willing to make a deal," he frowned when Sasoli's expression became worried.

"What kind of deal?"

Bra's forehead creased as she realized how meek Sasoli was acting. Usually, Sasoli would have slammed the man against the wall until he did what she wanted. . . at least that's what she did in their company.

"Nothing to worry about, my dear," Dumass' eyes softened, "Just find out why Son Goten smuggled in a ring and, as long as the reason isn't malicious, he can go."

"But Chief-" Himbon protested.

"It's my decision," the chief glared at him before smiling charmingly at Sasoli.

Sasoli took the cue and blushed while making his eyes shyly.

"Really?"

Dumass nodded and was pleasantly when she pressed her lips against his cheek and dashed into Goten's interrogation room.

Bra was shocked, this woman was not her cousin.

Himbon was at a loss. Who was Sasoli . . . really . . .

The Chief pressed a hand to his cheek, she was a lovely girl and-

"Did I miss something?"

All eyes turned to a confused Uub.

"Uub," the chief nearly squealed as he went to stand next to him, "Where have you been?"

"Yes, golden boy, where have you been?" Himbon remarked snidely.

"Himbon," Dumass pouted, "Go do something important."

"Fine," Himbon turned on his heel and stomped away.

Bra raised a brow and smiled with amusement. Obviously, Chief Dumass liked Uub a little too much while Himbon was jealous.

Uub unconsciously inched away from his boss and whispered to Bra, "Why did Sasoli-"

"Uub," the chief interrupted and laid a hand on his arm, "When are you going to solve this case?"

Uub stiffened just managing to not flinch.

"Maybe if you gave me the files on the case, I could move faster."

Dumass pouted, "I guess."

"Am I . . ." Sasoli glanced at Uub with his chief and then Bra, ". . . interrupting?"

"With them, maybe," Bra smirked at Uub's distressed yet helpless expression, "Now I worry about the prisoners. They can't say no."

Sasoli locked eyes with Uub, her concern clear.

Chief Dumass chuckled, "No worries, Ms. Briefs, there was never any appeal in criminals. Not when you have such dedicated workers."

Uub took a very quick step away from Dumass while Sasoli crossed her arms and arched her brows.

Bra was still amused.

Uub was trying not to squirm.

Undeterred, the chief turned to Sasoli, his expression more serious.

"Well?"

Sasoli opened her mouth then closed it, almost regretful shrug, "It's a secret."

Dumass frowned along with Bra while Uub was puzzled.

"Are you serious?" Bra hissed at Sasoli then turned to Dumass, "This determines whether or not he stays in jail, correct?"

"Correct," Chief Dumass crossed his arms and tilted his head.

Bra refocused on Sasoli.

"Did you find out what the ring was for?"

"Yes, but he didn't tell me," Sasoli turned pleading eyes on Dumass, "On my word, the reason was not malicious."

"That's not good enough."

"Sasoli this is serious," Uub took her arm, gaining her full attention.

"Tell us."

She glanced at them mildly panicked, "I . . . it's Maron's engagement ring."

Bra gasped softly, her gaze softening as it landed on her fiancé's interrogation room. Goten, of course . . .

The Chief tapped his fingers against his forearm. He was getting tired of this . . . really fast. He eyed Uub and Sasoli's position with something akin to envy. He couldn't even hear what they were saying anymore. . .

"That's not helping, Sasoli," Uub's voice lowered as he pulled her closer. "Do you want Goten to be in prison or not?"

The chief raised a dark brow as the one with blue hair snarled and . . . growled . . .

He watched completely flummoxed as the women started to growl back and forth until, finally, Bra Briefs spoke actual words.

"Damn you, Trunks!" The heiress stomped down the hallway.

"Sasoli," Uub regained her attention by taking her other arm as well. His eyes were dark and compelling as they demanded answer only she could give him. "What is the ring for?"

"I can't tell you," she breathed, her eyes full of regret.

"You can trust me," he pulled her even closer, forcing her to tilt her head back in order to keep eye contact.

"No, I can't," her eyes became unbearably sad, "Not with this . . . not with many things. . ."

Unbelievably hurt, Uub widened the space between them but didn't let go of her.

"You'd tell him," Sasoli's eyes flashed to Dumass, "and then he would have to tell the press why he let Goten go."

"Sasoli-"

"I gave my word before all this happened," Sasoli broke eye contact, "I will not break it."

She took a step back and Uub released her.

He almost didn't hear her soft voice say to his boss, "I'll meet you in your office."

Uub's hands were on his hips with his head slightly tilted back. He was confused and . . . hurt. . . mostly confused about why he was hurt.

After all, other people hadn't trusted him before Sasoli. Trust was something that had to be earned and they had only known each other for a couple of days, for goodness sakes.

And she was of Vegeta's family, making her more suspicious of everyone and everything in general.

So why was he hurt to learn that she didn't trust him?

"Did she tell you?"

Startled, Uub was surprised to see his boss still in the hallway. His countenance darkened when he recalled the question, "No."

"Then Son Goten will go to jail."

End Chapter Fourteen