Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ The Group ❯ Chapter 5

Disclaimer: Could've have been me…then again maybe it wasn't. *shrugs*

An: Now I could go into a whole list of reasons why this update is late but instead I'm going to just smile and say enjoy. So…um…Enjoy!

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Brianna stepped out of her bathroom fully dressed just as her alarm went off. She turned off the appliance wondering why she even set it anymore. For the last three weeks she'd been awaken almost thirty minutes early with her own personal wake up call. Not that she was complaining. Hearing the deep tones of his naturally husky voice first thing in the morning was not all that unpleasant. As a matter of fact, from the time she got off the phone with him at night to when it rang again the next morning she did nothing but anticipate the next time they spoke. It was all kind of pathetic really but she just couldn't help herself. Ever since that first night, she hadn't been able to deny him a single date let alone a phone call.

She'd already had her mind set that she'd have a horrible time. She knew him well enough to know that Trunks Briefs liked to wow his dates with expensive dinners, passes to the most exclusive clubs, and front row seats to sold out concerts and shows. She however was not impressed by men who tried to dazzle her with the depths of their wallets, which she was sure he would do. With this grim vision of the evening in mind it was no wonder that it was the surprise that caught her.

Upon opening the door that night she couldn't forget how good he looked in an ordinary pair of comfortable khakis and navy blue knit top.

"Ready to go?" he smiled eagerly.

"Look Trunks, I've been thinking and maybe we shou-" she started hesitantly.

"Bri it's just one date," he coaxed gently taking her hand. As she gnawed her lip with indecision, he tugged slightly pulling her out the door. The next thing she knew they were in his car speeding towards some unknown destination. She silently brooded the whole trip paying no attention as they moved further and further away from the city. When his car came to a stop she looked at the shadowy parking lot in confusion.

"Trunks?" she questioned.

"Come on," he smiled mysteriously. With no other options, she followed him out the car to a tall wooden staircase. No words passed between them as they slowly made their way up. It wasn't until they were at the top that the crystal water of the calm flowing river came into view. He smiled at her awed expression and once again took her hand, leading her across the overpass that connected the bridge on the other side with staircase they had just come from.

The bridge itself was a large structure spreading as wide as the river. It was made of the same wood as the staircase and the overpass with the exception of a few concrete observation areas that branched out for the main structure. Brianna took it all in quietly as they started down the bridge. It was not at all what she had been expecting and that meant she was in serious trouble.

"Something wrong?" he asked finally breaking the hush.

"No," she answered softly. "It's so beautiful," she continued as though it was a bad thing.

"Yes it is," he agreed looking out over the water. "I have a confession to make."

"What's that?" Brianna asked her voice a mix of suspicion and fear.

"Well, I never thought I'd be saying this but I actually stole this idea from Goten."

Her chocolate eyes widened in horror. "You told Goten about this!"

Trunks quickly shook his head setting her fears aside. "Of course not. He told me about taking a date here. He said it turned out pretty well."

"Oh, good," she breathed heavily.

"Would it have been so bad?" Trunks asked quietly as he stopped.

"Yes it would have," she answered, pausing beside him.

The hurt in his eyes affected her more than she wanted to admit. She started walking again, turning into one of the observation areas. She immediately regretted her decision when she spotted a young couple making out in one corner of the deck. Sighing in frustration she walked to the other end of the look out and leaned on the solid wall watching the water flow beneath it. It was a few moments before she heard him settle next to her.

"Why are you fighting this so hard?" he asked when she didn't acknowledge him.

"You know why," was the reply.

Trunks took a deep breath before closing his eyes in an attempt to reign in his growing frustration. "It's just a crush."

"That's just it Trunks. You don't even understand! This is not just a crush to her. Her feelings are real. It's no matter if they're not reciprocated," Brianna tried wanting desperately for him to understand as she looked at him for the first time.

"And so we're just supposed to forget about what we want?" Trunks demanded moving towards her.

She took a counter step back. "I never said I wanted you."

"You didn't have to," he answered taking another step.

She tried to take another step back but found that she was literally backed into a corner. It was also then that she realized that the other couple had long since gone. "You can't always have what you want."

"Not true." He continued to move towards her. "I always get what I want."

"No matter what the cost?" she asked as his very essence began to invade her senses.

"No matter what the cost," he confirmed as he reached out to stroke her cheek.

She closed her eyes against the sensation that his touch sent down her spine then snapped them open again. "And what if the cost is the heart of a friend?"

His fingers paused, his frown telling of how deeply this really concerned him. "All good things come with a high price," he finally muttered as he leaned towards her.

"Trunks don't," she whispered in a panic.

"Just once Bri. That's all I ask. Just once," he murmured inches from her lips.

She didn't know why she nodded but nod she did. His lips were on hers before her head even stopped bobbing. At first he took her lips gently, trying to coax her into joining him. She fought it as long as she could but the desire was much too strong. With a moan of defeat she sagged against him just as he wrapped his arms tight around her waist and pulled her flush against him.

She'd been lost after that kiss. They spent almost all their spare time together and away from prying eyes. She knew he hated hiding their new relationship from family and friends but he simply didn't understand her dilemma. He didn't have to listen to Marron and things only seemed to get worse with her. It wasn't that Marron talked about him anymore than usual it was simply that she noticed it more now.

She was in deep shit. Her feelings for Trunks were growing stronger with each passing day and she couldn't bear the thought of having to crush her beloved friend with the truth. There was simply nothing she could do at the moment.

She frowned at the bleak turn her thoughts had taken and decided it was time go. Grabbing her keys off the dresser, she left her room.

* * *

Brianna smiled brightly as she reached her department.

"Hey Mandy!" she greeted her boss as the customer the woman had been helping moved away from the counter.

"Good you're here," the older woman said bending over.

"Oh and why is that?" Brianna asked as she made her way around the counter.

The woman came back up as she sat a vase full of soft pink carnations down on counter. "Because now you can pick these up."

Her eyes lit at the sight and she leaned in to inhale the plants' fragrance.

"Okay spill it," Mandy demanded.

"Spill what?" Brianna murmured as she searched through the bouquet for a card.

"`Spill what?'" Mandy mimicked. "Don't play coy with me. For last two weeks you've been getting an arrangement like this everyday. I want to know who he is and where I can get one."

Brianna chuckled, only half listening to redhead. If she knew the true reason behind the daily delivery she probably wouldn't think it was all so romantic.

Like before the start of their romantic relationship, she and Trunks continuously got in these stupid little bets. This particular bet started when they'd been watching some sappy love story where the hero sent his girl a bouquet of flowers everyday until she fell madly in love with him. She commented that sending a woman a batch of dying plants could never win her over in the real world. Trunks disagreed, saying that he had done it many a time. This bombardment of flowers was no more than his way of proving his point. As much as she hated to admit it she'd have to say she was starting to come around to his thinking.

Her smile widened as she found what she was looking for. She quickly opened the card and read,

Meet me at Micolo's at 12:00 for lunch.

Your Secret Admirer

She had barely finished reading when the card was snatched from her.

"Secret Admirer, huh?" Mandy read. "That is just too sexy! Okay is it somebody I know?"

Brianna snatched the card back as she answered. "Don't you have work to do or something?"

"Nope, that's the plus of being the boss. Okay let's see. It would have to be someone that I wouldn't notice if they started spending a lot of time around here," Mandy thought out loud. "Ohmigod! I know who it is!" Brianna looked at her completely shocked as the other woman smiled knowingly. "It's Goten!"

Brianna had to fight a sigh of relief. "You think so huh?"

"Oh don't try to make me think otherwise. I always figured you two would hook up. He's so cute and sweet!"

"That he is," Brianna agreed as she tried to contain her amusement.

Mandy sighed contentedly. Happy with her detective work for the day, she decided to head for her office. "Well good choice kid and have fun at your lunch."

"Thanks Mandy. See ya," Brianna called after her. She sniffed the flowers one last time before returning them to their place under the counter just as a customer walked up.

The rest of the morning passed without event and when 11:15 rolled around she practically ran to her car. Micolo's was pretty out of the way and the very idea of the perfect quaint little restaurant meant for a secret rendezvous. The scenery on the forty minute drive was pleasant and added to her already good spirits. Those spirits jumped a little higher as she pulled into the restaurant parking lot, conveniently finding a spot right next to a cute guy leaning against a familiar looking red mustang.

Her movement out of the car was intentionally slow taunting him as he waited for her. When she finally made her way over to him, his eyes were narrowed to slits in mock anger.

"Tease," he admonished before wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her in for a kiss. She leaned into the kiss fully, lightly cupping his face with her palms. His mouth strayed from her lips after a moment, moving down her jawbone to her neck.

Brianna chuckled softly, enjoying the attention as much as he was enjoying giving it. "Aren't we supposed to be having lunch?" she reminded him as she tilted her head to give him better access.

"What do you think I'm doing?" his lips murmured against her skin.

She laughed out right at that one. "Oh just what a girl wants," she started dramatically as he lifted his head, "to be compared to a ham sandwich."

"Oh you're much more than a ham sandwich to me Bri," he said sincerely.

"Oh yeah?" she questioned as her hands rested on his chest between them.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "You're at the very least a turkey sandwich maybe even two."

Brianna slapped his chest playfully. "Well thanks a lot!"

"No problem," he smiled as he placed a peck on her nose.

Rolling her eyes, she stepped out of his arms and grasped his hand to pull him towards the restaurant. Seeing as they had become regulars at the establishment, it wasn't long before they were seated at their usual table. After their orders were taken and drinks served, Brianna glanced across the table to find an intense pair of blue eyes watching her.

"Something on your mind?" she asked with raised brow.

"Tell me something I don't know," he requested after a pause.

Her eyes widened slightly at the strange question. "Something you don't know?"

"Yeah something I don't know."

Brianna paused a moment wondering if she should take the opportunity. After her behavior at Pan's birthday get together, she'd called Bra and apologized. Bra had told her it was okay and that she would forgive her if she did one thing. Tell Trunks about her and Goten.

She really didn't want to spoil their lunch with news which would obviously piss him off but he seemed in a particularly good mood today maybe it wouldn't be all that bad. Decision made she took a deep breath and dived in.

"All right, I'll tell something you don't know. Bra and Goten are dating." She watched his face closely watching for any sign that he was about to explode. Much to her surprise all she got was a small frown.

"I said something I don't know," he told her.

"You know!"

"Of course I know," he shrugged. "You don't honestly think Goten would keep something like that from me do you?"

The weight that was lifted from her shoulders was indescribable. "I can't believe you're not freaking about this. I mean don't you think he's a little old for her?"

He once again shrugged, as the waiter appeared to set their food before them. "Not really. I mean physically, yeah he's way too old but mentally she's light-years ahead of him. I think they balance each other out personally. Plus I figure if Dad's okay with it why should I sweat it?"

Brianna nearly choked on her drink. "Vegeta knows and Goten's still in one piece!?"

"Yep. He said, and I quote `At least the ingrate she chose this time is Saiyan-jin,'" Trunks mimicked. "I think that translates into he's pleased."

Brianna chuckled. "I guess so. I'm going to kill Bra for putting me up to this only to have me make a fool of myself. She could have called and told me you already knew."

"You would have made a fool of yourself even if I hadn't known, because that's not what I was talking about. I wanted you to tell me something I didn't know about you."

"You already know everything there is to know about me," she shrugged.

He let his eyes lower meaningfully to her chest before returning his eyes to her laughing ones. "Well not everything."

"Maybe if you play your cards right you might know that soon too," she answered blushing lightly.

"I'll hold you to that," he said wiggling his eyebrows suggestively. "However, you still haven't told me what I want to know."

She thought for a moment. "All right," she said after mentally mulling over each one of her deep dark secrets. "When I was little, before I met you, my favorite show was DBZ-"

"I already knew that," he interrupted.

Brianna raised a brow. "Can I finish now?"

"Sorry," he shrugged.

"As I was saying, DBZ was my favorite show and from it I developed my first crush…"

"On…" Trunks asked his interest truly perked.

"Well, you better not laugh! It was on Vegeta," she said as if confessing a great sin.

"Dad! Are you serious?!" Trunks practically cried.

"There you have it. My deepest darkest secret laid out before you," she said lifting her glass.

"That's so sick," Trunks said shaking his head. "Now every time you and my dad are in the same room I'm going to have to worry about you hitting on him and stuff."

Her jaw dropped, as he had expected it to, and she threw her napkin at him across the table. "Here I am baring the darkest parts of my soul to you and you're teasing me about it. I'm never going to be able to live this down, am I?"

"Hell no," Trunks said with growing amusement. "Especially when I tell Dad."

Her face paled. "You wouldn't!"

"Oh, he is going to get such a kick out of this," Trunks continued.

"Stop it you!" she chastised. "Anyway, I was in awe of him the first time I met him but then he opened his mouth. His sarcasm and bad attitude isn't as attractive in real life as it is on the small screen."

"I don't know. Mom seems to like it," Trunks smiled.

"I guess. Anyway I'll tell you something else you don't know," she said.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Aunt Ashley's throwing a press party next Friday, big formal gala type of thing where everyone's invited. And I was wondering if you'd be my date," she finished sweetly.

"Really?!" he asked obviously pleased.

"Yeah really."

"You mean like a real, everyone knows it's a date, date?" he asked hopefully. Her small gasp dashed that hope.

"Trunks you know we can't," she said quietly.

"Why?" he demanded.

"You know why," she said dropping her eyes to the tablecloth.

"Damn it Brianna! This is stupid. Why should I be force to continue hiding my love for you over a crush that will never come to light?!"

As always when this conversation came up, she felt her eyes begin to water. "Trunks I just can't do that to her. Not yet. You still don't understand you can never-" she stopped on another gasp as his words finally sunk in. "Your what for me?" she murmured in utter disbelief.

He dropped his eyes a moment before he sighed and looked at her. "You heard me."

"Oh Trunks," she muttered placing a hand over her mouth. The silence that followed was so heavy that she'd have done anything to break it. "All right," she finally conceded. "We'll tell her."

"When?" he asked pressing for a bluff.

Her visibly gulp told him she hadn't expected the question. "The day after the party," she almost whispered.

He'd been hoping for a little sooner than that but this was better then the `soon' answer he normally got. At least it was an exact date. "All right. I can live with that."

"I really don't want to do this to her, Trunks."

"I know. Neither do I. But it has to happen sometime and the longer we wait the worse it will be," he tried to soothe then smirked. "Besides, Marron's too good for me anyway."

Her brows practically hit the ceiling. "Oh and I'm not?"

"Nope we're pretty much on the same level," he baited.

"You're just a plethora of compliments today, aren't you?" she half snorted.

He chuckled as he stood held out hand to her. "Always. Come on. I want some time to make out before you have to go back to work."

Several heads turned their way at her laughter, but none of their eyes fazed the happy departing couple.

* * *

"You know you get more and more like your brother every day. I could get in serious trouble for this," Goten murmured next to her ear.

"You are my brother. At least that's what you told the attendance office," Bra smirked back at him as she finished talking to Micolo's friendly greeter. "This is like the perfect scam! Do you realize that you can get me out of school anytime we want?" she brainstormed as she wrapped her arm around his neck.

"You don't seriously think I'm doing this again, do you?!" Goten exclaimed.

"I'll make it worth your while," she spoke against his lips as she reached up on her tip toes.

Goten leaned into her mouth deciding that a couple of times more couldn't hurt.

The clearing of a throat separated the young couple. "Your table is ready," the cheerful young woman informed them.

Bra took her, now not so reluctant, co-conspirator by the hand and followed the hostess' lead. They were seated not five minutes before she stood again. "I have to go to the ladies room. Order me whatever you get."

"Think you can handle that much food?" he questioned.

"Oh I can handle anything you can dish out," she answered stopping next to his chair and leaning over to once again press her lips to his. After rubbing the lipstick off his lips with her thumb, she made her way to the bathroom.

Five minutes passed before she re-entered the lobby that the restroom was stationed near. She was heading back to her table when she stopped dead her tracks. She did a double take out the large window and moved closer for a better look, squinting her eyes against the sun. The picture of the tall purple hared man and the lip lock he had on the petite brunette in his arms was undeniable.

"Ohmigod," she murmured covering her mouth.

* * *

Ack! They've been spotted! Oh well... wait no what do I mean `oh well' that's a bad thing! Terrible shame really *shrugs*. Thanks for reading.