-Company-

Trunks and Android 18 made their way into the local hotel, and purchased a one night's stay. Trunks noticed the standard room had two double beds, so he purchased the one to save his limited amount of pocket money.

Trunks: "Can I get a standard room, please? One night only. And, do you guys have a restaurant here?"

Hotel Manager: "You bet, partner, best in town. Right through those doors and dinner's free with your stay."

Trunks: "Thanks, pal."

The manager noticed Android 18 standing away from Trunks, unfocused on any one thing in particular.

Hotel Manager: "So, if you don't mind me sayin' so, that's a beautiful woman over there. You're a lucky man, my friend."

Trunks was immediately taken back by the manager's compliment. He didn't exactly know what to say, so he responded.

Trunks: "Oh, uh… Thanks. I know."

Hotel Manager: "You two have a fine evening."

The two proceeded into the hotel's restaurant to eat dinner. They didn't say much to one another until later in the meal.

Trunks: "I figure we see what's going on in the morning, and then make a break for it later in the day. If we do things right, we could be able to make it back to my house in only a few days."

Android 18: "Why exactly are we going to your house?"

Trunks: "I… It's just safer there, okay? Trust me. I can ready myself better there."

During the meal, Trunks' Z-Gear began to ring.

Android 18: "Are you getting a phone call?"

Trunks: "Yeah, sorry. Do you mind?"

Android 18 shook her head.

Trunks: "Hello? Hi, mom. So you got my message? Okay. Okay, good."

Android 18 immediately smirked when she heard Trunks talk to his mother.

Trunks: "Alright, I'm keeping low, I should be home in a few days. Alright. I love you too, mom. Good night."

Android 18 looked at Trunks and smiled.

Android 18: "Not gonna lie, that was pretty adorable."

Trunks blushed.

Trunks: "Ah-… Hmph."

Android 18 smiled again in amusement. Trunks immediately noticed it and blushed one more time. Android 18 noticed Trunks looking at her.

Android 18: "Are you watching a movie or something? Take a picture it'll last longer."

Trunks: "Sorry, it's just… Your smile."

Android 18 grew self-conscious.

Android 18: "What?! What's wrong with it?! Do I have something in my teeth?!"

Trunks: "No, no… It's just that… It's really pretty…"

Android 18 wasn't expecting this compliment, and began to blush herself.

Android 18: "Oh, uh… Thanks… I guess…"

The two finished dinner and proceeded to the room.

Trunks: "I'm sure you wanted your own room, but I don't want to waste too much money. I'm sorry."

Android 18: "It's fine. I'm going to take a shower."

Trunks: "Should I, uh, leave or something?"

Android 18: "You don't have to. I'll undress in the bathroom."

Android 18 continued into the bathroom, and Trunks continued to watch TV while lying on the bed, thinking to himself.

Trunks: (To himself) "Man, I really got myself in a bind here. 16… I hope you're okay…"

He began now to think about Android 18.

Trunks: (Again, to himself) "And that girl; or, Android, Cyborg, whatever. She's not like the other one… And she's so beautiful… But she's no good! The plight of the innocent doesn't make up for the sins of the evil, Trunks! When we get home, it'll be easy… Just d…"

Trunks was distracted by Android 18 as she exited the bathroom, where a robe and a towel which was wrapped upon her head.

Trunks: "Hey."

Android 18: "Hey…"

Trunks detected a bit of worry in Android 18's voice.

Trunks: "Is… Is something wrong?"

Android 18: "I… Ugh… My brother's always been the one who had to stick up for me. When we were kids, he'd always help me when the other kids would pick on me. Back when my parents were alive, he'd always take the blame when I got in trouble, which was often. And now he made the ultimate sacrifice, for me…"

Tears began to flow from Android 18's crystal blue eyes.

Android 18: "I've lost everybody, Trunks. My parents, my brother… I… I just don't know what to do anymore…"

Trunks stood silently, in awe of Android 18's display of emotion.

Trunks: "You really love your brother, huh? I had someone who was like a brother once. As a matter of fact, he was the closest thing I ever had to a father. You – er – I mean the other you killed him a few years ago. It was hard, so I know what you're going through… Not that that makes it any easier, just thought I'd share."

The two were silent for a brief moment, and then Android 18 continued as her tears were drying up.

Android 18: *Sniff* "Trunks?"

Trunks: "Yeah?"

Android 18: "This is going to sound strange, and it's fine if you say no…"

Trunks sat up and gave Android 18 a suspicious look.

Trunks: "What is it?"

Android 18: "It's just that… Well, the last time I actually slept was in the house I grew up… And every time we'd go away, I'd be scared to sleep alone, and I'm not scared… But can we sleep in the same bed tonight?"

Trunks was taken by the request, and in a second, he relived the horror he'd experienced at the hands of this person sitting across from him. However, it was then that he realized that this being was truly different from the one he'd met – and destroyed – ages ago. He smiled at the concerned-looking girl.

Trunks: "Sure thing."

Android 18 looked like all her worries in the world had just been lifted off of her shoulders. She jumped towards Trunks and kissed him on the cheek.

Android 18: "Thank you so much!"

Trunks immediately blushed, and at length. He lied back next to Android 18 and turned his head away.

Android 18: "What're you looking at?"

Trunks: "Nothing. We should probably get some sleep. Good nigh…"

Android 18 sprung up and turned Trunks' face towards her.

Android 18: "Aw! You're blushing! That's so sweet!"

Trunks: "Stop it! C'mon… It's just…"

Android 18: "Never shared a bed with a woman?"

Trunks answered with a ramble.

Trunks: "I have. You're just the best-looking… I get nervous around pretty girls, it happens to a lot of guys leave me alone I'm going to sleep."

Android 18: "You don't have to be nervous around me. Trust me; I'm sleeping next to the best-looking guy I've seen in years, I'm nervous too. You just have to take it easy…"

Trunks: "…Hey, I have a question… How old are you? Do you age or…"

Android 18: "Dr. Gero turned me into an Android when I was 20. After that, I show no physical signs of aging. No wrinkles, no post-hormonal issues, no hair growth or loss… That was 20 years ago, so by that logic, I'm 40. But that's stupid logic and I'm not old so I'm 20."

Trunks snickered to himself.

Android 18: "Hey! What's so funny?! I don't recall telling a joke!"

Trunks: "You're old."

Android 18 turned red in anger.

Android 18: "Hey! I am not! You're so mean! I'm going to sleep!"

Trunks turned over towards her.

Trunks: "Haha! Hey, c'mon. I didn't mean it like that. Don't be mad at me…"

Android 18: "Too late."

Trunks: "Listen, regardless of what your age is, at least you don't have purple hair. I look like a 14-year-old girl in her Goth phase."

Android 18 giggled out loud, and then forced herself to stop.

Android 18: "I'm still mad at you!"

Trunks: "Okay, then I guess I should sleep in the other bed…"

Android 18: "NO! *Ahem* I mean, you don't have to…"

Trunks smiled.

Trunks: "Ha, good. I'm sorry for insulting you…"

Android 18: "It's fine, it's fine. Come on, I'm tired."

Trunks: "Right… Good night, 18."

Android 18: "Good night, Trunks."

And with that the two fell asleep. While Trunks was fast out, Android 18 awoke to think to herself, noticing Trunks had put his arm around her. She didn't move an inch.

Android 18: (To Herself) "He put his arm around me! Oh my God, that's so cute! Hey! Snap out of it, 18! He's just a guy, that's all… Oh, An… I'm sorry. For everything… I only wish I could make that asshole Gero pay for what he's done. But Trunks took care of that before I could… Oh well."

Android 18 turned over to face the sleeping Trunks, his arm still around her.

Android 18: (Again, To Herself) "He's really handsome and so nice… Even if he is a rugged. He's battle-worn. Apparently, An and I did a lot of bad stuff to him.

She started rubbing the side of his face.

Android 18: (Still to Herself) I would never do anything bad to you… Not to anyone. Not after everything that's been done to me. Oh, why do I feel this way about him?! He threatened to kill me! Why can't you find a doctor or something, 18?! No, you go after the guy that's been to the past and future and the other… Whatever. Regardless about how I feel now, I don't want him to know…"

Android 18 kissed Trunks on the forehead, turned over, and quietly fell back to sleep.