A Chance of a Lifetime – Chapter 14

He was able to convince them not to hang around his mom so much. But...not fully. Because, he reasoned, how else would she get to know the man who ended up being his father? He also tried to convince them to...kinda...sorta try to forget about it. Because this isn't how his mother got with his father...at least he didn't think so. His mom never told him this part, though. But the men basically ignored him, when they weren't trying to pry the information out of him. It was frustrating, to tell the truth. He would be happy to tell them, ecstatic really...but he was afraid that if he did that, he would never be born. Armed with the knowledge, they could change his life and theirs. And the only thing he planned on changing was, the androids! That's the main reason he came back! That and the heart virus. And the fact that his mother asked him to. That was her last request of him, and dammit! He fulfilled it!

Trunks came out of his musings as he caught sight of his mother making her way across the compound. Towards him. He felt happiness rising up, silently thanking his older mother for sending him back here. At least he had her back. Sometimes, in the months he's been here, he often wandered if his mother knew she was going to die. That's why she was adamant about him leaving...and staying in this time line. He swallowed with difficulty, pushing those thoughts back as his younger mother stopped and sat beside him. Trunks watched in amusement as Vegeta slowly walked towards the training pod, studying Trista the whole way. He disappeared inside, a few minutes later Goku appeared. He did the same thing, eying Trunks mother until he disappeared in the pod as well. Trunks bit back a laugh. It was killing them not knowing who was his father was. He looked at Trista. It was bugging her too, she was just a little more...mature about it. He snorted, shaking his head. He thought it was hilarious that his nineteen year old mother was acting more mature than two grown men.

Trista sighed beside him, hiking a leg up and turning towards him. He raised a brow.

"What are you doing today?" she asked, watching him curiously.

Trunks looked at her for a moment, thinking. "Nothing really," he finally said, shrugging his shoulders. "Why?"

He watched in amusement as she shifted, as if she was uncomfortable.

"Thought you might want to go with me to the city. I need to get a few things, and Bulma asked me to pick up groceries."

Trunks grinned. "Yeah! I'd be happy to mom!"

He watched a small smile appear when he said "mom". She studied him for a moment, before standing.

"Okay, I'll be leaving in an hour," she stated, watching him nod before turning and walking back towards the house.

He snickered as Vegeta and Goku suddenly appeared. Apparently they had been watching. He shook his head. It's funny to watch my father make a fool of himself. Those two can't stand being in the dark! Poor mom! He snorted a laugh. According to his older mother, she had thought it was amusing to, how his father acted sometimes. Trunks studied the ground, sighing. He felt a little bad having never gotten to know the man before he died. Of course, he was only four months old, but still. If the androids hadn't been created, he would have had his father in his life. Standing up, he walked the same path his mother took, towards the house. He smiled, noticing the two men weren't around. Probably stalking my mother again! He laughed out loud at the thought.

As promised, an hour later they were landing outside the city, strolling towards the bustling center of town. And someone followed them. They both looked back as Gohan landed behind them, sending them a sheepish look. Trista smiled, holding her hand out. Gohan grinned, not saying a word, running up and grabbing her hand. Trunks watched, a little sadness going through him that he never had a little brother or sister. Apparently his mother had loved his father deeply, not taking another to replace him. He had known she was lonely often, but always said no one could replace the man who gave her him. He loved her all the more for that. Although he had wanted her to be happy. Trunks watched the two in front of him interact, a pang going through him at the memory of him and his older mother doing the exact same thing. He smiled at the questions Gohan kept firing at Trista, his eyes round.

"So, how are the grocery stores where you lived?"

Trista smiled down at Gohan. "About the same, although you do have a bit...weirder food here."

"You don't have anyone there who can eat like my dad, do you!?"

His mom chuckled. "No Gohan. Your father is one of a kind."

Trunks watched the boy beam, looking forward again as they neared the store. He noticed she didn't linger over everything like Bulma did. He winced, remembering the one time he came with the woman. I think we spent a good four hours in the store, and we only got a couple things! His mother, thankfully, just grabbed what was on the list and threw it in the buggy, not bothering to look at fat content or calories. Then again, he thought, she is only nineteen. He perked up. He thought about what day it was. He smiled, looking over at his mom. It was almost her birthday! Only...he furrowed his brows...yeah! Two weeks away! She'll be Twenty! His was right after, but wasn't going to tell her. After all, she'll almost be the age where she gets together with his father. He watched the interaction of Gohan and his mother, a small smile on his face. She's such a great mom, and doesn't even realize it! He tapped a finger on his chin, quirking his lips. I think I'm gonna have Bulma throw a surprise party! Watching Trista hold up two varieties of peanut butter for Gohan to choose which one he wanted, Trunks felt a grin starting. She suddenly looked up, catching him. She smiled back, before throwing the jar Gohan picked in the buggy. Within twenty minutes of entering, they were already heading out the door. Trunks smiled.

She sent them back to CC with the groceries, sighing as she watched them leave. Although Trunks had been a little worried about leaving her by herself, she had used the mother card, although it had still felt a little weird. I mean, come on! We are the same age! Who am I to be bossing around a young man! She turned, after they had disappeared, walking towards the huge mall a few blocks over. Skirting the cars turning and other people, she sighed with relief as she entered the store she was looking for. The Martial Arts Division. Scanning the clothing, she saw some outfits that just...would not be comfortable to spar in. And some that were just slutty. Her eyes finally found the regular ones. For serious fighting. She walked over to that side of the store. An associate headed her way, but she waved him away, not wanting anyone bothering her. She studied the outfits, finally choosing two that she liked. She went into the dressing rooms. The first one she picked was an indigo blue, the shirt underneath a little lighter. It looked just like Goku's, but more feminine. She looked at it with a critical eye, studying it for a moment before taking it off. She set it aside, studying the other one, not real sure about the purple color. This one was a little more...along the lines of what Bulma would pick out. Instead of pants, it provided shorts. Biker like shorts. And the top was a little snug, the neckline drooping a little. She grunted. No, she would pick the blue one. She wasn't trying to catch anyone's attention after all. She studied herself in the mirror, lifting a few strands of hair. It was passed her waist now, constantly put up in a pony tail or braid. She slowly smiled. Quickly paying for the clothes, she headed out to tackle her hair.

They all looked up from the television as a strange woman walked into the house. Trunks eyes widened a moment later.

"Mom!"

She quirked a brow at him, crossing her arms. "What?"

"Your hair!"

She ran a hand through the short, layered strands. "I got sick of it," she stated, and not saying anything else, headed for the stairs. They all watched her go, a bag hanging from her hand. When her footsteps faded, the group shot glances at the two saiyans. They silently snickered. Goku was staring at the spot Trista disappeared from, a grin on his face. Vegeta had his eyes narrowed, watching the same spot. Interest blanketed their faces. Krillin finally let a chuckle out, getting the attention of both of them.

"What?" Goku asked, lifting a brow.

"You two are so obvious!" Krillin said, snickering. He squeaked as Vegeta glared at him, quickly looking down at the floor.

There were a few more laughs, before Bulma got up and headed for the kitchen.

"So when's dinner, Blue?" Trista asked as she came back down, a smirk appearing as Bulma stuck her tongue out at her.

"It will be done faster if you help!"

"Okay," Trista said, walking towards her, snickering as Bulma's mouth fell open. "You might wanna close your mouth, Blue. You're attracting flies."

She chuckled, along with everyone else, as Bulma sputtered.

"What are you trying to say!? My breath doesn't stink!"

A brow rose on Trista's face as she strolled towards the kitchen door, not saying anything. A small smile stayed on her lips.

"It doesn't!" Bulma protested at the woman's silence.

They all heard Trista snort as the door closed behind them both.

She finally got to try out her new training outfit a few days later. She had finally gotten Trunks to quit his sparring with Goku and Vegeta for the day so that they could get a few hours in. Trista looked down at her outfit, tightening the belt into a knot as she surveyed herself. She had gotten boots as well, sorta similar to Trunks. But they were black, less clunky, and the soles were the same color as her outfit. Running a hand through her short strands, she sighed before leaving her room. She adjusted the little wristbands that had came with the outfit, the soft material feeling at home on her wrists. She made her way towards the training room, where Trunks was waiting. She only had to stop once, when she ran into Bulma.

"Hey Blue," she said, not stopping as Bulma came towards her. The woman stepped into her path. She scowled at her.

Bulma smiled, looking her up and down. "You look good!"

Trista rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "That's not why I bought it. It's for sparring," she stated, starting to go around the woman.

Bulma yelled at her back. "You look hot anyway!"

"Whatever Blue!" she shouted back, not turning. She could hear the woman chuckling as she went through the kitchen.

The training pod door was open as she walked towards it, quickly climbing the steps and walking in. She paused.

It was not Trunks that greeted her. She frowned, her eyes narrowing. Vegeta and Goku stood with arms crossed, conversing softly amongst themselves. They stopped when she appeared. Both seemed to be studying her.

"Where's Trunks," she asked, folding her arms. She eyed them when they remained silent. Rolling her eyes, she turned to leave.

"Wait!"

She stopped, looking at Goku over her shoulder, her brows narrowed. She watched him as he slowly walked forward, his eyes raking over her. She narrowed her eyes.

"What?" she asked when he finally stopped, two feet from her. His eyes raked over her again, a small smile on his face. She frowned at him.

"Trunks asked us to train you," Goku stated, his gaze focused on her face.

Trista eyed him, silently cursing the damn boy. What the hell are you up to Trunks!?

"No," she stated, turning and going down the steps. Goku's next question stopped her.

"What are you afraid of?"

She turned, glaring at him. "I'm not afraid of anything! I don't know what Trunks is up to, but I'm not falling for it."

She started walking away, her arms crossed. She came to a sudden stop. Goku was in front of her. She scowled at him, a frown on her face. What the hell are you doing Trunks? Why are you having them train with me? It's like you're practically throwing me to the wolves!

"Come on woman. We're not going to hurt you!"

Trista looked over her shoulder, throwing Vegeta a glare before turning. She stomped up the steps, pushing passed the man.

"Fine," she bit out, keeping her arms crossed as both men stepped further into the room.

A slight thrill went through her as the pod door slowly closed. She suddenly felt apprehensive, licking her lips in nervousness. She narrowed her eyes at the two saiyans. They were watching her.

"Well!" she said loudly when they just stood there. "Are we going to train or what!?"

They both slowly smiled.

Oh shit!

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