Chapter 6: Evening Hours

by Pan no Ojousan

I glared at Bra.

She glared back at me.

How could you? her eyes seemed to be asking. The plan, you idiot! I told you from the beginning, he's gonna try this and he's gonna try that. But you didn't even listen! Now you're gonna pay the price...as much as it will hurt you.

I didn't care. I didn't believe her. As far as I was concerned, there was no 'plan.' Only a jealous friend and sister who wanted something that we had.

But I set her up with Taylor. He looked just like Goten, and I know she's had a crush on Goten for a while. I don't think it was ever anything to the degree of my feelings for Trunks, but still. She should have appreciated my efforts.

No one dared to speak a word. Even the tables surrounding us were silent.

"Um...here's the last of your meal," the waitress said uneasily, rolling up a large tray of food. Trunks instantly grabbed it, and Taylor took selected parts. Bra and I took whatever Trunks happened to hand us. The waitress made a quick retreat.

I could feel the silent question being asked by my 'date.' He wanted to know what was wrong, why his sister and I were suddenly mortal enemies. And I could feel his guilt. He knew it had something to do with him. And me. Us.

A chill ran down my spine as I thought of it. I simply couldn't get used to the fact that Trunks and I were currently considered a couple. It might be a lie to Goten and Marron and Bra and Taylor, and various co-workers of mine, but to me it was real.

I was all that mattered to me.

And Trunks...he mattered, too. A lot. I wondered if this was just a lie to him, as well? There was every possibility. But I trusted him.

Blind trust; the worst kind of trust you could possibly hold for anyone. It was the exact kind that I held for Trunks. I couldn't help but laugh at myself.

Silently, of course. Inwardly.

I was still outwardly glaring at Bra.

Her cold stare softened slightly as we finished eating. Neither Trunks nor Taylor dared speak while we were in our match, waiting to see who could out-glare the other. She was the one to break the silence. "So," she said quietly. "I meant what I said earlier, about not intending to go home."

"What are you suggesting?" I asked, just as calmly. My eyes also softened, I could feel it. I could also feel Trunks' relief at the fact that I wasn't so angry anymore.

"I'm saying we should all go to your apartment."

I stared at her. Was this some kind of test? Was she trying to trick me into something? Well, whatever it was, I wasn't gonna let it beat me.

"Fine," I said coldly. "Back to my apartment. Limo?"

"No, you drive," she said, in a syrupy sweet voice.

That was it. I knew she was up to something now. I was beginning to think that Bra had been my enemy all along. "Okay. Pay?"

"That'd be me," Trunks said quickly. I shot out and hand and grabbed his before he could get to his wallet.

"No," I said, my voice just as sugary and fake as Bra's. I kept my eyes locked on hers the entire time. "I think Bra should handle this one, don't you?"

"I...no," he breathed, afraid I was going to hurt him somehow.

But I didn't.

I only seethed and let him go. He and Taylor scurried away, afraid to witness a part-Saiyan fight between females.

Bra smiled partway. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "I was just a little upset, and I couldn't very well apologize in front of them. It would take too many words."

As weird as it seemed, I completely understood that. My glare relaxed into a simple smile. "Don't worry about it. You can stay over tonight, if you really don't want to go back."

"Thanks," she said. She turned her head to the side and gave me a sarcastic grin. "Hey, maybe Trunks will stay, too."

"Now, don't go getting any ideas," I laughed. "I'm a sworn virgin 'till marriage. My dad would kill me if I messed that up."

She smiled, shaking her head. "I still think you're falling into a trap," she said honestly, her eyes glittering with nothing but concern. No resentment or anger; only concern for her best friend.

"I know," I assured her. "But...I don't know. Trunks hasn't messed this up yet. What if he genuinely cares about me? I can't risk hurting him unless I know he's gonna hurt me."

"I gave you the proof," she said stubbornly. "You only chose not to listen."

"Yeah, but-"

"I'm glad to see you two are getting along again," Trunks unintentionally interrupted, happily coming back to get us. "I really thought you were gonna kill each other for a minute there."

Bra smiled at him, hiding the sadness in her eyes. I felt bad, I truly did. But I was being true to my own heart...

Shouldn't that be enough?

"Pan?" Taylor shook me out of my thoughts, literally. I came back to reality with his hand on my shoulder, shaking me violently. "Are you with us?"

"What? Huh? Oh, I'm fine," I said, getting up. Trunks and Bra laughed at me, as did Taylor, and we all went outside. But not before leaving the waitress a nice, large tip. She didn't have to go through all that trouble just to bring us all that food.

I drove us all back to my apartment, just like Bra had ordered. I guess she had some plan up her sleeve...she just wouldn't tell me what it was.

Once we got there, though, she was quick to let me know what was going on.

She situated herself on the couch, telling Taylor to sit with her. Trunks was the lucky one, assigned to the chair, and I got the ever-so-comfortable floor.

"Pan," she said, eyes glowing bright, "I know I didn't exactly promise anything to you before...anything that looked prosperous, anyway. So now I'm gonna make it up to you. Trunks? Pan?" She hesitated a moment before going on.

I feared the absolute worst.

She beamed a smile. "Kiss."

We both gaped at her. "What?"

"Trunks? Kiss her," she said simply. "I wanna see."

"Bra, you can't-"

"I'm your little sister, I can do whatever I want. Now I say kiss. You did it for all those people at Z TV."

Trunks blushed a deep crimson color. "Yeah, but that was before..."

"I don't care," Bra cut in. "I'm not leaving you alone until you do."

I looked to Trunks, silently asking if he knew any way out of this. He had a blank expression on his face.

Sighing, I realized there was no other way out. Maybe Bra wasn't so upset by this idea as I'd thought.

Trunks looked down at me.

I looked up at him.

We both blushed and looked away.

"Sorry, Bra," I said meekly. "I can't do this. Not right now."

"And why not?" she challenged. "You don't love him enough?"

"That's not..."

"You'd be ashamed?"

"No, I just..."

"Then what is it!?"

"Damn it, Bra!" I cried. Pushing myself off of the floor, I stormed over to where Trunks was sitting and threw myself on top of him. I glanced back to make sure she was still watching. "Okay? Happier?"

"A little," she admitted. "Now kiss him. No, wait. Trunks, you kiss her."

"Do I have to?" Trunks whined.

"YES! I'M YOUR LITTLE SISTER AND I SAID SO!"

I turned back to face Trunks. "She's pushy," I complained.

"I know. I've lived with her for the past twenty-seven years. This is nothing compared to when she was two."

"I HEARD THAT!"

I winced. And she had certainly inherited Bulma's screaming ability.

Trunks stared at me. I could tell he was nervous, though he did his best not to show it. I could just...tell that he didn't want to do this. I tried to communicate something to him, through my eyes. So that Bra wouldn't be able to shoot it down right away. But he didn't get the message, anyway. Sighing, I moved closer to him, smiling when he became tense.

That was so cute. I made him so nervous.

I kissed him softly and quickly, then turned back to Bra. "Happy?"

She shook her head. "Nope. Not at all. That was weak."

"Weak, huh?" Trunks repeated, raising an eyebrow. This was the Vegeta-side of him talking, now. His Saiyan pride hated being insulted, no matter what area it was in.

Bra curled her lips into a wicked smile. "Yep. W-E-A-K, weak."

He looked at me. He was gonna do it.

Oh, Dende, I thought, breathing for a moment. The short moment I had to gather my wits before I was lost in a sea of emotion.

Yes, when Trunks was challenged in any way, it was like another person possessed him. He wanted to beat whatever opposition was before him. In this case, it was Bra's stupid challenge. So he had to kiss me.

And he did it very well, if I may say so myself.

He pulled back, mostly from lack of air, but also interested to see his sister's reaction to that. She was gently applauding, earning a smirk from Trunks. Then he looked back at me and burst into laughter.

"Pan, you look...priceless," he laughed. Bra and Taylor were soon laughing, too.

"Wha...wha...wha...wha..." I just couldn't get my mouth to work right. My head was starting to hurt. "Blah. Okay. Thank you, Trunks."

"Too bad we didn't have a camera," Bra giggled. "The look on your face...it was beautiful."

"Thanks, Bra," I said snidely. "Next time, give me at least a little bit of warning."

"Of course," Trunks said. I couldn't tell if his voice was sarcastic or sincere. I sensed the former.

"Sure," I said, giving him a suspicious glare. "You're just gonna come out of nowhere and kiss me, aren't you? Out of the blue, just to get me to look dumb again."

"Hmm...now that you mention it..."

"NO!" I cried, rolling back off of him and onto the ground. "Don't you even think it. I'll kick your sorry butt from here back to your house and across the planet."

"Interesting order," he smirked.

I smacked his foot, which was now the only part of him that I could reach because I'd crawled so far away. "Don't make fun of me," I warned.

"And why not?"

"I can get you to look just as stupid as you can get me to look."

"Oh really?"

"Really."

He paled. "Okay. I believe you."

Bra laughed lightly. Her laugh turned into a yawn as she strained to see her watch. "It's late-ish," she said. "I wanna go to sleep."

"I'll go home," Taylor offered. "I know the rest of you are staying here, but I don't really know you that well..."

"That's okay," Bra said, taking a paper off of my table. She scribbled something onto it and handed it to him. "Call me sometime. See you later."

"Bye, Bra," he said, face glowing. He shot me a look that said 'thank you' and went out the door.

Bra smiled after him, but after a few seconds, she turned around again. "This could be so much fun," she said dreamily. "It can be just like when we were little, and Mom and Dad would be out and Trunks had to watch us."

"No," Trunks said firmly. "I'm NOT reliving those days, ever again."

"Until you have kids of your own," I chimed in, earning a faint blush. I smiled in satisfaction, having made him shut up, for now.

"Come to think of it," Bra said thoughtfully, "I'm too tired to do any of that, anyway. I call guest room."

"I call my room," I joked. "Trunks you get...to sleep on the couch!"

"Damn, Pan," he said, fake hurt in his voice. "We're not even married and already I have to sleep on the couch..."

"'Fraid so, kid," I said, gently ruffling his hair. "You'll live, though, right?"

"I'm sure," he said, rolling his eyes.

Bra nodded knowingly. "See? You're more than just friends, aren't you?"

"Maybe," I taunted. "But we ain't telling you." I turned my attention back to Trunks, who I knew wasn't hurt, but I wanted to humor Bra and perhaps frighten her a little. "You can sleep in my room if you want. I'll sleep on the couch."

"No, it's your apartment," he insisted. "You should be able to sleep in your own room."

"Okay," I said happily. "I was completely serious, too, but if you really mean it..."

"No wait! I take it back! I'll sleep in your room and you sleep out here!"

I laughed. "You have no courtesy toward other people," I snickered.

"Yes, I do," he argued. "Just not you."

"Okay. But you have to help me find my blanket first," I told him. "My dad hid it when he cleaned here and I want to find it."

"Sure. You know where it is?"

"No, stupid. Why would I ask you to help me find it if I knew where it was?"

He shrugged. "It's gotta be around here somewhere."

"Yep. Come on, we have to start looking if you want to sleep tonight."

"Okay."

The pair of us went into my room and started digging through various stuff. Bra stayed behind, I guess because she was too tired to help. Or she thought I wanted ONLY Trunks' help. If ya know what I mean.

But it was nothing like that...At least, I didn't try to make it that way. And it wouldn't end up like that.

Right?

Stop worrying yourself, I scolded mentally. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

I slowly looked into his eyes. They were beautiful, as usual. Beautiful and blue. I could lose myself in them so easily...

Too easily.

I snapped back into reality, realizing that he, too, was looking into my eyes. And it was frightening me.

Those had been Marron's words. I wouldn't be able to stop it. Stop what? Anything?

Oh, Kami. I really hoped he didn't want anything from me. Because I was sure that I'd fall to him, just as Marron had predicted. Fear possessed me. What was I going to do?

"Pan..."

"Trunks, I..."

I sighed. No, it wouldn't be me. Not now, and not ever.

At least, not yet.

"You can stay in here," I said quietly. "I'll go."

"But this is your apartment..."

"I don't care. This is awkward, and I don't like it. It'll be resolved faster if we just agree on this now."

He looked away, allowing me to breathe again. I quickly left the room, before he could guilt me into anything.

I wouldn't let that happen.

I couldn't.

I hesitated upon entering my living room, not particularly looking forward to sleeping alone on a couch with no blanket. But what other options did I have? I mean, ones that my father wouldn't mysteriously know about and beat either me or Trunks within an inch of our lives, but managing to keep us breathing so that later he could do it again.

None. All I could do was sleep alone on the couch with no blanket.

Or maybe I could stay up, alone on the couch. With no blanket.

I sighed again. This situation would be so much nicer if I had my blanket. It was probably in my room, which was actually Trunks' room tonight. I didn't have a room in my own apartment.

I could always clean the kitchen...

Nope. Didn't want to. Dad would come over soon, anyway. What was the point? He needed something to occupy his time if I wasn't home.

I cringed. What if he came while I was home? Then what excuse could I come up with to get him to clean it? I'd have to clean it.

Situating myself on the couch, I found myself grabbing for my blanket, despite the fact that I knew it wasn't there. I wanted the blanket. It would make me feel more...secure. Like I wasn't completely weak and vulnerable. I needed something to hide behind to make the world a less scary place.

"My blanket is gone," I complained to myself. That suddenly seemed like the most depressing thing about the situation. I didn't have my guardian blanket.

Dad knew where it was...he could find it for me when he came over. But I wanted it now, not whenever my father chose to visit.

The phone burst into a shrill ring.

I lifted it from its cradle and put it to my ear. "Dad?"

"Panny! You're home already!"

I yawned and glanced at the clock. "It's not that early, Dad. It's ten."

"Well, I expected you to humor Trunks or something..."

"Dad, what are you suggesting?" I asked sharply. His tone didn't make it sound like something parentally acceptable.

"I don't know, Panny. Nevermind."

I growled quietly. "Whatever. Daddy, where's my blanket? You came on Saturday and cleaned my living room, and my blanket's been gone ever since."

"Oh. I think it's in your bedroom."

I cringed. Just my perfect luck. "Are you sure? I don't want to go in there unless it's absolutely necessary."

"What happened to you?"

Dad always had a way to determine what's wrong with me. I knew that if I didn't tell him, he'd figure it out by the time I hung up.

"It's nothing important, really," I said as nonchalantly as I could manage. "Bra and Trunks are staying here tonight, and like an idiot I sacrificed my room. I need my blanket."

"Panny, you don't have to do that for anyone! Go kick him out of there right now!"

"Dad, it's not just that easy..."

"Oh," he said quickly. There was a silence after that. "Ohh..."

I sighed impatiently. "Dad, I swear, it's not like that."

"Panny, I told you he'd get to you," he scolded me. "Didn't anyone warn you about that? Besides me and Bra and probably your brother?"

"Marron did," I admitted. "But there's no proof..."

"YES THERE IS!" Bra shouted from her room. I shot her door a glare and then turned back to my conversation, lowering my voice to avoid being overheard again.

"There is proof, but I'm choosing not to believe it because it's not a solid confession. I don't want to end up hurting anyone unless it's for a very good reason."

"Well, if there's proof, then there's proof, Panny. I know you like Trunks, but I was kind of hoping that you'd overcome that with this little...escapade."

My throat tightened. So he didn't honestly think I could see Trunks without being in love with him. And the only reason he agreed to this was so that I would lose my feelings for him. "Dad, how could you?" I asked, hurt in my voice. I barely choked back a sob.

"Well, if he was being dishonest, I found it as an opportunity for you to see what a jerk he is and forget your stupid little crush," he said, his anger rising. "But obviously my plan backfired, if he's sleeping in your damn bed, you-"

I could hear my mother shriek at that and snatch the phone away from my dad. "Panny, why is Trunks in-"

"Mom, I'm not sleeping in there with him!" I retorted angrily. Although I did think about it...parents don't have to know. "I am n the couch. Trunks is in my room. Bra is-"

"Right here listening," she finished, putting her ear against the phone, straining to hear what was going on. I tilted it slightly so that she could hear.

"Pan, we thought you had more sense than that!" my mother cried.

"I do! That's why I'm not in there! You don't honestly think it was easy for me to leave, do you?"

"Pan!"

"No, shut up!" I snarled. "I know you don't like the thought of us together, but if you would shut up and listen for a minute, maybe I could explain the situation to you!" I pulled my face away from the phone to look at Bra. "Please go make sure your brother is asleep and won't hear anything I'm about to say."

She stared at me for a second before getting up and running from the room, back to my bedroom. I turned my attention back to the phone.

"Pan, I know we raised you with morals and values," my mother said rationally, her voice shaking. She was on the verge of tears. "Please...don't go screwing that up for a stupid bet. A plot of revenge that might not even exist. Please, Pan, just keep your morals as a top priority."

My heart softened a little bit. "I am, Mom. Don't worry. But...you know me. I've always liked Trunks. I've always admired him and everything...always...I don't know. So it's not always the easiest thing in the world to let him sleep in my bed without me there, too. That might sicken you, but I'm sure you used to feel the same way about Dad."

"Yes," she said, fondly remembering. I smiled partway, confident that she would now talk my father out of whatever insane theories he had. "You do have a lot of shit to put up with, you know. All this friends-against-friends crap that everyone is claiming. So I can understand why you might not be all together in the head. Part of you probably wants to just be happy, and another part doesn't want to betray all the people who are counting on you. Am I right?"

I nodded, though she couldn't see me. "Yes," I whispered.

"But above it all, try to keep your morals. I did. I mean, your grandmother imposed the same thing on your father. The ideal of virginity, I mean. And he pulled through...but not without a lot of trouble."

"Hey!" I heard my father yell, undoubtedly turning crimson over the mention of anything relating to him and sex, especially when it was mentioned to his daughter.

Mom laughed, but kept her focus on me. "You can make it, too, Panny. Not too long now. I'm sure you'll find that special someone...no matter who that 'someone' may be."

If I could see her, she'd have winked at me, I knew. She wasn't totally against me. I smiled. "Thanks, Mom."

"No problem, Panny," she said affectionately, the chime of a smile in her voice.

There was a slight struggle on the other end of the phone, because my father decided it was time for him to talk to me. During which, Bra came out of my room and informed me that Trunks was asleep. Not that it mattered anymore.

"Pan, whatever your mother implied, forget it," my father's voice said loudly. "I don't know what the hell it was, because I don't speak your secret female language, but I know a code when I hear one. Forget it, hear me?"

"I hear you, Dad," I laughed. "Thanks, but nothing was communicated that you didn't hear."

"I don't believe you."

I laughed. "You're so protective! I'm twenty-six years old, Dad, and I can take care of myself."

"I don't believe you."

I rolled my eyes. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Okay," he said reluctantly. "Don't even think about avoiding me, because I'll find you."

"All right, I won't. Bye."

"...Bye..."

I had to hang up quickly, because I knew he'd find some way to keep me on the phone until he could come up with a substantial argument to give. I didn't want to give him that opportunity.

"So, what's up? Your parents gonna kill you?" Bra inquired, sinking to the chair.

"Actually, no," I said, still surprised. "Mom's not, anyway. Dad's about ready to wring Trunks' neck."

Bra stifled a laugh. "That's...too bad. Even though I was secretly pulling for him to get killed this whole time."

I smiled. It was nice to know, at least, that I could confide in Bra. "I'm going to sleep. See you in the morning."

"G'night," Bra said, reluctantly leaving me on the couch again. Alone, and without a blanket.

* * * * *

"I don't think, Honey, I know."

I didn't want to believe it. Not then, and not now, either. But I was starting to think that Goten had nothing to do with it.

If there was anything at all, he probably just wanted to crush my heart.

It didn't seem like any type of plan. It seemed like I was too in love for my own good and Trunks was using that to hurt me for no apparent reason. But I still didn't want to believe it.

I craned my neck to look at the clock. Five seventeen. Daylight was beginning to filter in through the window, lighting up the whole room in a dim and unappealing gray glow. I could see the room somewhat clearly, now.

My mother wasn't against me. She was the only real ally I had. I got the feeling that Bra was on my side, too, but she still often insisted that I stick to the 'plan.'

I hadn't slept at all. I was going to be absolutely dead at work.

Plus, I had no blanket.

I kept expecting Trunks to come out and try to talk to me...or something. Maybe kiss me. As great as that would normally be, it would only make me feel more insecure. I loved him with all my heart, but he scared me like that. Like I wasn't supposed to be with him...but I was.

Guilt always washed over me when I thought of him. I was in love with him, and that was real, but there was nothing I could do to prove that he loved me back. As badly as I wanted to know, I couldn't just ask him. What if the plan wasn't real, and he found out that I'd only been using him this whole time? He'd hate me.

But what if it was real, and I caught him? He'd still pretend it wasn't. He was a wonderful liar, I knew. There was no doubt in my mind that he could easily convince me it was a lie.

I still didn't know that one, either. Maybe he only wanted to make Uncle worry for me.

Or maybe he wants me to fall in love with him, I thought bitterly. Maybe there's no evil plot here at all. Maybe he loves me.

I wished...I hoped that was the case. I wanted him to love me. I didn't want him to break my heart. And I didn't want to have to break his.

I shuddered. I didn't want him dead, I really didn't. I hoped Dad wouldn't really hurt him. If anything, he could kill me. I was willing to sacrifice myself to save him.

Stupid of me. He was very undeserving of my life if he was planning to use me. But I was in love. I couldn't help it. And if I couldn't have him, it was as good as tearing my heart out and letting me die, anyway.

Maybe not...maybe I could try living without him. Though I didn't want to.

It had taken so much to not stay in that room with him...he undoubtedly would have welcomed me.

I heard a door creak open. One of my guests was awake. I couldn't muster up the strength or willpower to look back to see who it was until the voice rang through the cold, morning air.

"You're up early," Trunks said quietly.

"So are you," I replied, still not looking at him. "I didn't have a blanket."

"I did," he said smugly, going over to sit in what I considered 'his' chair. "I had a blanket and pillow and even a shade for the window."

I scowled at him, still not bothering to sit up. I lay on the couch, but I was looking at him now. "Let's not brag about it, mister," I said, pausing to yawn. "If this ever happens again, you're the one on the couch."

"Tell you what," he suggested. "In the event that you stay at my house, I'll give you my room."

"When there's already thousands of spare bedrooms?" I asked incredulously. "No way. I want you on the couch, buddy."

"Fine," he sighed, defeated.

"And blanket-less," I added, as an afterthought. "I wanted my blanket."

He smiled half-heartedly. "Your precious blanket was somewhere in my room, y'know."

"I knew it!" I cried. "You thief! You just wanted me to come back in, didn't you!?"

He laughed softly, turning his head so that he wasn't looking at me anymore. It was too dark to tell, but I was fairly confident that he was blushing. "I didn't take it...I just have a strong feeling that it's in there somewhere."

"Yeah, right."

"Go change your clothes, and maybe we can go somewhere."

"This early?" I asked.

"Sure, why not? I mean, we're both awake. Plus, I have to get home."

"So does Bra," I pointed out. I didn't particularly want to end up alone with him, after what happened last night. He probably didn't feel any tension, but it was almost enough to kill me. "I don't want to get up, anyway. I haven't slept at all."

"Did I make you that mad?"

I couldn't help but smile at him. "No. I just had a lot of things to think about."

"I'm sensing a lie here," he said knowingly. "I think you were upset, and I think I had something to do with that."

My smile wavered.

"And I also think it had something to do with your room."

My smile totally faded. "I'm sorry," I said softly, moving my eyes to stare out the window. "I should have planned that out a little better. I didn't exactly mean to fight over who got my bed..."

"We didn't fight."

"I know..."

"There was just..."

"Don't want to talk about it," I said quickly, propping myself to a sitting position. "My dad called shortly afterward. He wasn't all to thrilled to hear you were here."

Fear played itself over his features, though he made an effort not to show it. His effort was failing miserably. "You didn't..."

I smiled sadly and regretfully. "Yep. I told him that I was sleeping on the couch because I was stupid enough to let you take my bed. And now he's pretty set on killing you."

Trunks paled. I laughed at him. "You didn't imply anything that would further ensure my death, did you?"

"Of course not," I said nervously. "I mean...not intentionally..."

He groaned, his head falling into his hands and letting them sweep through his hair in one tense motion. "I'm dead," he grumbled.

"Yeah, you probably are. Sorry about that." I rethought that and quickly corrected myself. "No, I think I'm dead. You were portrayed as practically innocent in our conversation. I was the guilty one. But my mother still loves me..."

"Well, that's good," he said, honestly relieved. I couldn't help but look hurt. "I mean...I'm sorry you're gonna die and everything, but...hey, better you than me!"

My face fell, and he laughed at me.

"I was joking. I'll save you, Pan."

"I'm sure," I said sarcastically.

"No, I really will. I love you, Pan."

I felt like melting. I probably did. So he was worthy of me giving my life for him, after all. Not exactly the most romantic situation for the confession to come up in, but still, he said it. He loved me.

"I love you, too," I managed to choke out.

He laughed at me some more. "Aw, my princess is touched. She's close to tears. How cute."

"Shut up," I growled.

"Nope," he smirked. "I'm going home. To maybe be clean for when I go to work. I'll take my sister with me. You can also maybe wash your hair or something. I'll see you later. Maybe today."

"I have a distinct feeling that my father will be paying me a visit today," I warned, "so evening hours are probably bad. In fact, I get the feeling he'll be patrolling the area around my apartment so that you don't show up."

"Oh," he said, visibly nervous. "In that case, I'll see you tomorrow. Okay?"

I laughed. "Sure."

He left his chair again to go wake his sister, also leaving me alone. On the couch.

With no blanket.

I scoffed at myself. How long would I resent this for?

He loved me. He'd said it. Now I couldn't doubt him at all. Bra would probably know about this before the day was out, and clobber me over the head for being to susceptible to his charm. And his perfection.

Today would be a good day...I could tell. Already.

"Bra's getting up," Trunks told me, coming back out to sit in 'his' chair. "She thought we should go out to breakfast, the three of us. After she and I change and look half-decent."

"Okay," I said, a smile forming on my lips.

Today would definitely be a good day.

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One Simple Little Wish
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