"I hope she wants to come home. I feel so bad that I've been ignoring her," Cess thought as she stopped at a red light.

Now, the rain was coming down so hard she had to turn on her windshield wipers. "Maybe I'll give her, her own room." The idea sounded good. After all, their house did have seven rooms. And all the kids shared rooms. Kara seemed old enough to have her own room, and all except for what she'd done the night before, she was pretty much responsible.

"Now… if that damn light would turn-" she smiled when the light turned green.

She was happy when she arrived at her sister's apartment building. It looked like a cozy place to live. She, herself wouldn't live in an apartment; even if the rent was 500 bucks a month. "Well…" she sighed. "I guess its time to face my daughter."

When she started buzzing her sister to get in, the door wouldn't open. It was cold and wet outside and she just wanted to go in and give her daughter a bug hug. This whole mess was her fault. She couldn't blame Vegeta, he always did was he was asked to do by her.

"Hold on Cess, I'm coming down to let you in. I think my buzzer's broken!" Candy shouted.

"Well hurry up, it's freezing out here!"

Candy raced out of her suite, Kara on her heels. Cess was waiting out in the pouring rain. As far as she was comcerned, she could stay there. After the events in the last twenty four hours, Candy wasn't looking forward to seeing her sister. She ran down the stairs and bumped into Goten at the mail boxes.

"Look, if it isn't little Miss I always run back to my ex?" he remarked sarcastically. She stuck out her tongue at him. "Oh, how mature," he snorted. She sneered.

"Still jealous?" she retorted. "It's been five years, get over it. I have."

"No, of course not. I know I've got more than he does and you were a fool to leave me for him. You'll realize that," he snapped.

"Oh please," she rolled her eyes. "You're nothing to me. Neither is Trunks. Now get over it." He snarled and ripped open his mail box.

"You're such a slut," he growled. She groaned.

"What the hell is your problem?" she asked irritably.

"You," he responded as he sorted through is mail. She grinned and folded her arms.

"I know, I seem to be a chronic problem, don't I?" she remarked sarcastically. He never looked up.

"Come to think of it… You always were," he muttered. She stared at him.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, annoyed. He glanced up to meet her grey blue gaze.

"My best friend? How low can you go?" he asked obnoxiously as he threw his junk mail on the ground. She looked to it then back up at him. A smug smile crossed her rosy moist lips.

"He was more fun than you were," she snapped. He locked his large onyx eyes on her.

"What was that?" he asked.

"You heard me," she said as she began to walk past him. He wrinkled his brow in irritation.

"You always said that he was nothing," he said as calmly as possible. She shrugged.

"You were my boyfriend, I lied to you so I wouldn't hurt your feelings," she murmured innocently as she brushed her shoulder up against his.

"And clearly, you did," he snapped. She sighed in boredom.

"Too bad, huh?" she said as she folded her arms. "Now, out of my way," she muttered as she pushed by him. "I have to let my sister in." Candy opened the door and Cess came flying in.

"Finally!" she exclaimed as. "I thought you two would never shut up."

"You know, I should get my mail too," Candy said casually as she removed her keys from her belt loop. Goten stood staring at her in aggravation as she unlocked her mailbox. She shot him a smug glare and pulled out a cluster of envelopes. Slowly, she sorted through them.

"Garbage… Garbage… Garbage… Letter from Grandma… Garbage…" she sighed. "It's mostly garbage…" a small photo of a pyramid in the desert caught her attention. "Hey! Look! It's a postcard from Kakarot and ChiChi!" she exclaimed.

"Huh?" Cess made her way over to her sister.

"It's from Egypt," she flipped it over, "And they say it's beautiful over there!"

"Hey, how come you got a postcard from my mom and dad and I didn't?" Goten growled.

"Because…" she started, "In the words of their last letter… I'm the daughter they never had," she replied with a grin. He sneered.

"After you played me like that I don't know why they like you so much," he grumbled.

"Meh," she murmured. Cess grabbed the postcard from her sister and read over it. Candy continuing to go through her mail.

"Hey look… It's from Pan and Chestnut." Chestnut was the affectionate name they gave Marron, because in French 'Marron' meant chestnut. "They sent me a postcard from…" she examined the harbor on the front. "Australia." She looked over to Goten. "It seems your niece hasn't sent you anything either."

"Shut up," he snapped. She dropped her junk mail in the garbage can and headed for the stairs.

"Well, I'm going to go start dinner," she sighed. "See you later Goten," she said cheerfully. "Cause I know I will." With a chuckle, she and Cess dragged themselves to the second floor.

Reading and rereading the postcard from Goku and Chichi, Cess popped a chip in her mouth. It was neat that everyone except Trunks and Goten kept in contact with Candy. She knew the boys had their reasons, so she didn't butt in.

"Wow, that's so cool that you got a postcard from Goku and ChiChi," Cess stated as she stared at the picture on the front of the postcard.

"They send me one once a week," Candy informed her as she stirred the rice on the stove.

Cess nodded and turned to Kara, who was seated on the couch, watching TV. Every now and then she'd pop a chip in her mouth. She normally didn't approve of junk food, but since they weren't at home, she allowed it. Even though dinner was almost ready.

"Vegeta will have to supply dinner for the rest of the family. But I'm sure he can do it," she sighed, afraid that he might blow up the house if he wasn't smart enough to go out for dinner.

"OK… Dinner is on," Candy announced as she pulled the chicken out of the stove. She brought out three plates and lazily set the table. "Grab your own utensils," she said. "I'm no maid service." Cess laughed and helped her self to the forks and knives. The trio sat down at the table and dished dinner.

"Thanks for dinner, sis," she said shyly. Candy shrugged and ripped a piece of skin off the chicken.

"Anytime," she smiled as she placed the rice on the table. "Help yourselves."

Throwing herself on the couch, Candy sighed and turned on the TV. She hadn't fed herself a meal like that in ages. Well, after all, it was just her at home mostly. She decided she'd do the dishes in the morning. Kara jumped up from the table and voluntarily cleaned it off. Then she looked to her mother.

"Mom? Is it all right if I have some pop?" she asked. Cess groaned and answered hesitantly.

"I don't care, but ask your aunt," she said.

"Auntie-" Kara started. Candy smiled.

"Go for it kiddo. It's in the fridge," she replied. Kara ran excitedly to the fridge and grabbed a can of coke.

"Got any Pepsi?" Cess asked. Candy pointed to the fridge. Kara grabbed a can of Pepsi from the fridge and tossed it to her mother. Candy knew this was the time for Cess and Kara to talk.

Kara nervously played with the rim of her coke can. She wanted to talk to her mother, but she didn't know how. They didn't talk about feelings in her house. She wanted to stay with her aunt forever, and not go back to the loud, busy house at her parents.

"Mom?" she choked. Cess put down her pop.

"Yes dear?"

"I wanna stay here with auntie Candy forever," Kara murmured. Cess narrowed her brow.

"Why hon?" she asked. Kara swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Because you and daddy don't treat me fair. Here I get to do what I want and I don't get yelled at when I have a feeling," she confessed sheepishly. Cess buried her face in her hands.

"No, you have to come home. If you talk to your aunt, maybe you can work out a visitation schedule," she told her. Kara frowned. She knew this would happen. "But why don't we go home. It's getting late." Kara nodded and finished her pop. Candy jumped to her feet.

"I'll follow you out the door, since I need to run to the store for a Slurpee and some chocolate; since I'm dateless on this stormy Saturday night." Cess laughed and slipped her shoes on.

"Thanks for taking care of Kara for me."

"Anytime," Candy said as she grabbed her key off the hook and opened the door. The trio slowly exited the suite.

"Do you have your key?" Kara teased.

"Right here," Candy said as she waved it in front of her niece.

"Trunks didn't have it?" a smug voice remarked from behind them. Kara giggled as she watched her aunt's face go red. It was Goten.

"Let it go, would ya?" Candy replied obnoxiously.

"Why should I?"

"What's he talking about?" Cess asked as she looked from her daughter to her sister.

"Oh? She didn't tell you?" Goten smirked. Cess stared at him.

"Tell me what?" Cess asked, dumbfounded.

"It's none of your business," Candy retorted as she glared at Goten. "Or his."

"Come on guys, let's go," Cess sighed as she opened the door. Candy followed her sister and niece out the door. Behind them, Goten was muttering to himself.

"Why don't you come by for brunch tonmorrow?" Cess asked. Kara agreed. Candy nodded.

"I'd love to," she replied as she whipped out her keys. "See you then."

Kara swallowed as she entered her home. She was deathly afraid of what her father might do to her, after all, she had been gone all night, and took off without notice. Instead, she found that no one was up except her and her mother. "Mom, listen, I'm sorry for last night, I really am."

"Shh…" Cess whispered. "Just sit down and we'll talk this through." Kara nodded and did as told. Her mother joined her on the white, leather sofa.

"Why are you feeling this way? Tell me everything." The tears streamed down her cheeks.

"You always leave me out! I'm never allowed to go anywhere! It's no fun!" she shouted. Cess placed a finger to her lips.

"Sh," she whispered. "I know, and I realized that today. And if anyone should be sorry here, it's me," Cess said as she hugged her daughter.

"Is this all going to change?" Kara asked; her mother nodded.

"Yes, and tomorrow night, we're going to switch you over to your own room."

"Really?" Kara asked as she looked up to meet her mother's gaze. Cess smiled.

"As long as you agree to keep it clean."

"I will. I promise," Kara exclaimed as she jumped to her feet.

"So, you can talk to your aunt tomorrow and decide how often you are allowed to stay there. OK? Now why don't you go to bed so you can get up and help me with breakfast?" Cess suggested. Kara sneered and her mother laughed. "It's going to be me and you time. Alright?" Kara's eyes lit up.

"Good night mom."

"Good night, sweetheart."

Candy turned up the radio as she drove home. She'd been driving around town for the past two hours. It was raining and she wasn't quite ready to go back to her stuffy apartment suite.

"But I guess I should, the landlord doesn't like it when people come in after midnight and it is one-thirty."

With her icy blue grey eyes darting around the desolate highway, her mind drifted back to that afternoon, when she'd made out with Trunks. It had been running through the back of her mind all day. The thought lingered and so did the amazing taste of his kiss. There was no way she could want him back. They'd been foolish teenagers back then and now they were grown adults. The idea of wanting him back seemed preposterous. Then again, they were adults, and they were no longer controlled by their hormones.

"Maybe I am in love with him," she thought. "Maybe it's taken all these years to figure it out. But we messed up when we were younger." Her heart began to race as she tried to push the thought out of her head. All it was for them was good sex. She couldn't love him, or else things wouldn't have drifted apart. Suddenly she felt her heart aching.

"Maybe I should just go there and get this over with. If we talk about it, we'll find that we're just horny adults," the thought made her giggle. Even though, the more it ran through her mind, the more sense it and made. She felt better as she thought of clearing things up and making it right with Trunks.

A lump formed in her throat as she turned down the shortcut to Capsule Corporation. The rain pounded on her car roof and all she could think about is what she was going to say when that front door opened. She saw the large yellow building and took in a deep breath.

"Here goes."

When she pulled into the parking lot, she felt her pulse quicken and her heart race. She was nervous as hell and wondered what she would tell Bulma if the woman answered. She pushed the doorbell repeatedly until footsteps could be heard on the other side. Suddenly, the yellow wooden door swung open.

On the other side stood a groggy Trunks, dressed in boxers and a tee shirt, rubbing his bloodshot sapphire eyes. He lifted his gaze to meet her and shock appeared in his eyes. He stood silent for a moment before realizing who it was.

"Candy!" he exclaimed. "Wha- What- Are you doing here?"

Without answering his question, she threw herself into his arms and kissed him. It felt so good to feel his kiss, and something inside of her fluttered. She didn't know if it was love or hormones, but it felt really good and she didn't want the feeling to go away. Slowly, she pulled away and ran her fingers through his tousled purple hair.

"Wha?" he shook his head.

Pressing her body against his, she brought her right hand from his face and ran her right index finger down his cheek and over his neck. A thousand sensations raced through her body and the sound of him moaning against her soft touch. All she could do was smile and bring her free hand around his neck. Standing on her tiptoes so she could reach his left ear, she brought her moist lips close and began to speak.

"So…" she murmured seductively. "What do you say we finish what we started earlier?"

He nodded but didn't open his eyes.

Bringing her lips directly to his earlobe, her body went wild when she heard him moaning at the feeling of her soft lips against his skin. In response to her pressing herself right up against him, he wrapped his arms tight around her and led her up the stairs toward his room. Once in there, he slammed the door and pinned her against the bed. Pulling his head away from hers, his now dark eyes searched hers, and a familiar smug smile crossed his tempting lips.

"Oh god," he muttered as he brought his head closer to hers, causing their noses to touch. "How I've waited for this day for five years." They stared into each others eyes for a long, silent moment before he brushed her long, wet hair from her face.

"I love you Candice Klyne," he confessed. "I always have, I always will. We were young and stupid. Let's start over." She smiled and brought her left hand from the back of his neck and ran it gently through his soft stringy hair.

"Ok," she whispered. "I love you, too."

Candy lay awake wrapped in Trunks arms. Her left index finger traced the ripples of stomach. Those large muscular hands ran through her long, thick curls. Her heart was still racing. They'd been up all night, not just 'catching up' but actually catching up. Hearing him whisper in her ear all through the night made her heart pound and her loins burn. His right hand found the hand on his chest and grasped it. Slowly he brought it to his mouth and placed a kiss on the back of her hand.

"I love you so much," he murmured and as he squeezed her in his arms. A smile of satisfaction crossed her lips. Her head lay against his chest listening to the beat of his heart.

"I love you too," she replied as her icy grey eyes found his. A warm smile she'd never seen before was on his face. When his alarm went off, both were startled. He slammed the the clock with his fist and laughed. Candy took a quick glance to the time.

"Oh shit!" she gasped as she sprang up.

"What?" he asked as he slowly sat up and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I was supposed to be at Cess's for breakfast at eight," she explained. He chuckled and pulled her close.

"Then why don't you head over there?" he asked. "I think I can wait for you just a little longer." She glanced to him with a warm smile and shook her head.

"You're coming with me," she said as she rose to her feet, holding a sheet over her body. As she reached for his hand the white sheet slipped off. He raised his brow and stood up. She laughed and grabbed his boxers off the nightstand.

"Fine, I'll come. Let's shower and head over there," he said. She shook her head as they headed for the bathroom. With a grin, she faced him and pulled him close.

"There's something I'd like to take care of first."

Stirring the batter for her famous home made pancakes, Cess thought about the night before. Kara had wanted to live with Candy. Was her sister really a better parent than her? No, not possible. Kara just liked her because she always took the time to pay attention to each child, when she, well, she played favorites. A noise from the entrance to the kitchen redirected her thoughts. Turning slightly, she found Kara rubbing her red rimmed eyes and stretching.

"Yum…" she yawned, "Pancakes."

"Yah, I decided that since it was Sunday, and your aunt said she'd be dropping by I'd make everyone's favorite pancakes." Agreeing, Kara hopped in an empty chair next to Brian's highchair, where the young infant sat tossing her Cheerio's back and forth.

The headache she'd went to sleep with, came rushing back when Cess heard Nynevene and Drake race down the stairs. A crash was followed by a high-pitched scream, which could only be Drake. Then, the duo entered the kitchen, Nynevene laughing. Deciding not to ask, Cess went back to her pancakes. But her attention was diverted once more when a car door slammed outside then Kara hopped off her chair and made her way over to the back door. Opening it slowly, the young brunette glanced around the corner and scratched her head.

"Mom, I know you invited Auntie Candy, but did you invite Trunks?" Cess groaned. Not again.

"No, why?" Kara shrugged and pointed behind the garage.

"Because, there's his Ferrari, pulling in the driveway," she pointed out casually. Cess stood on her tiptoes to peek out the window. Sure enough, there was Trunks' black Ferrari coming to a stop outside the garage. What had Candy got herself into now? That had to be the only explanation. Trunks rarely visited and Candy was supposed to be here almost two hours ago.

She watched her brunette sister climb out of the passenger seat and throw herself around trunks. The sight sickened Cess for so many reasons. The duo made their way to the door laughing and smiling. Candy looked really happy. When they reached the door, Candy ran over to Kara and gave her a big hug. Cess noticed a large sparkling ring on her little sister's finger.

"Hey Cess!" her younger sister greeted cheerfully, putting Kara down. "I hope you don't mind me bringing a guest." Wrinkling her nose, Cess shook her head.

"Not at all," she grumbled bitterly.

Candy chuckled and took Trunks's left hand with her right. When she was about to speak, Kara shrieked.

"Oh my god! Is that real!"

Cess glanced from her sister to her daughter, who held her sister's left hand, staring at the enormous ring on her ring finger. Candy smiled and nodded.

"Yah…" she sighed breathlessly as she examined it herself. "Trunks got it for me this morning." Turning to Trunks, she kissed him lightly and looked back to her niece.

Placing the pancake mix on the counter, Cess approached her sister and took her left hand. Examining the tremendous ring on her finger, she couldn't believe it. The sapphire and diamond jewel was on a solid white gold band, all what her sister used to describe as the ring she always wanted.

"Did you guys… Pick it out this morning or something?" she asked, confused, as she reached for her pancake mix. Candy shook her head and rested it against Trunks's shoulder.

"No," she replied. "Trunks already had it." Cess glared at her stepson.

"Really? Why?"

He nodded and brought his fingers to Candy's short curly hair. Playing with it he began to speak.

"Yah," he sighed as his gaze remained fixed on the young woman at his side. "I bought it nearly eight years ago. I knew it was what she always wanted, so I got it, I planned on one day proposing to her, but instead of having that day come, she began to detest me and quit the corporation." Cess stared hard at the tall purple haired Saiya-jin.

"Do you know what your father's going to say?" Candy and Trunks stared at each other, then Kara joining them, the trio began to snicker.

"What does this mean?" Kara asked as she stared at her brother and aunt. Candy let out a long sigh and shrugged. A thoughtful look crossed her young, vibrant face.

"I'm either your sister-in-law or he's your uncle," she laughed. Kara shook her head and placed her miniscule hands on her hip.

"What did I say yesterday about this?"

Smiling and shaking her head, Candy buried her face in Trunks's shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm not even going to ask," Trunks said slowly. Cess agreed and pulled out a frying pan. Placing it on the stove, she emptied a small amount of contents into it and looked to her family.

"OK, you guys take a seat, breakfast will be ready soon." Everyone sat at the table and examined the ring on Candy's finger. Cess poured the contents into the frying pan and chose not to look at the couple.

"So you're engaged?" she asked, trying to hide her disgust. Candy's smile grew even bigger and she shook her head. Her sister was confused.

"Yes, this is the engagement ring, but we're already married," she announced through a blush as she took a seat on Trunks' lap. Cess dropped her ladle and spun around.

"What?" she exclaimed. Candy nodded.

"This morning, that's why we're late," she explained. Cess took in a deep breath and turned back to her pancakes.

"Oh dear god. Vegeta's not gonna like this," she muttered.

After spending the entire day at Cess's and shocking Vegeta with their wedding announcement, Candy and Trunks were ready to leave when night fell. Once all the goodbyes were said, the couple headed out to Trunks' Ferrari and home.

"So," Trunks began as he pulled out of the driveway. "Do you want me to drop you off at your apartment, or do you want to come back to the corporation?"

She smiled and shook her head, then leaning on his shoulder she wrapped her small fragile arms around his thick muscular arm,

"Let's both go to my place."

Quick to agree, he turned onto the main highway and laughed softly. "One thing," he began as he removed his right hand from the wheel and gently pulled it from her grip. Then wrapping it around her, he kissed her softly on the top of the head. "Where's your apartment?"

She giggled and pointed north.

"1703 Highway 9," she announced proudly.

He nodded and drove on in silence. Once they arrived, he looked the building over from the outside and shook his head. Climbing out of the vehicle, he looked to Candy, who, after getting out, raced over to him and jumped on his back.

"This place is familiar. Have I ever been here?"

"Not to see me you haven't," she shrugged as she jumped out of the car. She pulled her keys from her purse and searched for the door key. She couldn't find it. Suddenly she remembered it was in her car, which was at Capsule Corp.

"What is it, Kitten?" Trunks asked as he glanced up to meet her dazzling grey eyes. She shrugged and looked up at him with a darling smile.

"Oops?" she said as she hopped on his back. He laughed and shook his head.

"What did you do now?" he asked as he looked to her.

"My key is on my dashboard in my car, which is at your place." After sighing and shaking his head he looked to the intercom.

"Anyone you can buzz?" he asked. She smiled devilishly at the thought of disturbing Goten and the date he had tonight.

"Right ahead of ya," she snickered as she pressed the button, which read "302 GTN" in capital letters. Trunks cocked his head and looked to his much younger wife, but said nothing.

"Yes?" an annoyed voice snapped.

"Let me in Goten!" she shouted. A mocking laugh came from the other end of the line. "Why should I?" he retorted.

"Just do it!" she snapped.

Sure enough, he listened and buzzed them in. Once inside, Candy hopped off Trunks's back and glanced up to meet his glimmering sapphire eyes, which were full of love and confusion. Scratching his head, he smiled slightly and slid his arms around her.

"So…" he began. "That's why this place is familiar… But I didn't know you lived here." She pressed her body against his and slid her arms around his waist.

"I've lived here for five years, and Goten, well, yah, he's lived here quite a while. Of course, he's a selfish arrogant jerk who likes to get on my nerves." Trunks laughed.

"Some things never change."

"What?" she asked innocently. He smiled.

"That's exactly what you used to say when you would come over to go to work," he chuckled. "So I guess this means Goten won't be too thrilled about the good news?" A soft pitter-patter behind them was followed by a confused voice.

"Wha – Who – What's going on down here? And what about me?" A curious voice came from the bottom of the stairs. Standing beside them was Goten. He was with a tall, blonde woman. Trunks pulled away from Candy, allowing her to rest her head against his chest.

"Oh, hey Goten," he greeted awkwardly.

"Trunks!" Goten blurted. "What- What are you doing here?" Then, allowing his gaze to land on Candy, he scowled. "Never mind. I can see." Candy giggled.

"We were just talking about you."

"Who's this?" his date asked.

"My neighbor," he replied bitterly. "And one of my friends. Apparently her new boyfriend." Candy snickered as Trunks corrected him.

"Wife." He said casually. Goten's eyes widened.

"What!" he shouted. "Are you crazy? You actually married her!" Trunks shrugged.

"So, I guess this means you're not happy for your best friend?"

Not responding, Goten only sighed. Candy smiled and wrapped her arms around Trunks's waist.

"Face it Goten," she began. "You knew it was going to happen, from the moment you stole me from beneath him, almost literally." She giggled. Goten groaned.

"Yah… Oh well, at least it won't be my heart breaking in the end. You've already done that." Sticking her tongue out at him, she glanced up to Trunks, who was slowly shaking his head.

"I told you to get over it and grow up," she said. Goten frowned.

"Fine."

"Besides," she began as she leaned her back against Trunks. "I love Trunks. I realize that now, and I'm sorry for the heartbreak it caused you." Goten sighed and agreed.

"Fine. I'll move on," he teased as he took his date's hand. "But we have to go, we have reservations." Feeling like a burden had been lifted off her shoulders, Candy felt a whole lot better. Turning and swinging her arms around Trunks' neck, she fed him a delicious, loving kiss, which was interrupted by Goten.

"Hey Trunks?" Groaning in annoyance and pulling from Candy, Trunks glanced to his dark haired friend.

"What?" Goten's left eye twitched as he hesitated.

"Congrats." Her said as he offered a handshake. Trunks took his hand and they did their secret childhood handshake.

"Thanks man." Goten nodded then dashed off with his date.

"Now," Candy started as she led him up the stairs. "Let's go finish this."