Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ WALK LIKE A MAN ❯ Chapter 18

Mai held her breath entering the sterile room Cassy laid resting in. her hospital gown hid her suit but he obvious tear stains weren't that easy to hide.

"Hey pumpkin" she stroked the curls of her hair whispering "you ok?"

"Yes" Cassy immediately tired to sit up "I'm very well"

"No...stay down . Save your strength"

"But I can't " she reached out to touch Mai's face "you've been crying? Why"

Mai was ready to give some excuse for the tears when she noticed Cassy's eyes focusing on hers.

"What you say?"

"You've been crying. I can tell. Momma and Jamie had the same marks on their face when they came in earlier"

"You can see me?"

"Yes silly" Cassy giggled "my daddy says it's a miracle" Cassy blinked several time trying to adjust to he new sense of sight.

"Daddy?

"Jamie. My daddy Jamie"

"You knew all this time?"

"Yes. You guys don't keep secrets well. I knew since I was little Jamie was my daddy"

"So you understand everything then....right"

"Yes. Momma doesn't like Ty because he loves daddy. But I haven told him or grandma I know. She's not ready. I think it'll hurt her if I tell her now.

"You know you're really smart for a shrimp" Mai straightened out her hair that was free form her bandages " and you're strong to. Aren't you hurting?"
"Yes, but I can see. so it doesn't hurt so much know that"

Mai started to tear up again.

"Mai don't cry. It's a good thing"

"I know I'm really happy. Really. It's just everything's happing so fast. I'm kind of caught off guard. So please don't think I'm sad"

"I don't. Now I can go to real school and play in the playground by myself and you, me and Trunks can go back to the zoo"

"Not so fast honey" Mai tried to slow the excited child down "you have to be 100% first."

"I am" Cassy yawned "I am.

Mai watched as Cassy fell asleep tucking her in and kissing her on the forehead. The most joyous day of her life was stilling the most horrible day. Her thoughts quickly turned back to Trunks who by now knew the whole sorted story and was probably looking for her. It would have been so easy for her to hide.... just disappear, but it wasn't her style. She danced to the music now she had to pay the piper.

"Mai honey you look sad"

"I'm good momma" she slicked back her hair and wiped away her tears "I'm just happy Cassy's all right"

"Jamie and that Ty person won't leave"

"Mom he's her father, way would he leave?"

"It's not healthy for a little girl to be raised like that"

"Says who? Jamie is a great parent. Ty is even better. Cassy couldn't ask for more loving and caring parents. It's ashamed we've lived t his lie this long. It's not Jamie's life style that's going to send her to therapy; it's our lies that are going to ruin her. Mom if you don't make this right........"Mai chocked back her tears "no telling what it will do to them both"

It was too much for her to take. Mai hugged her brother and ran out of the hospital ignoring their calls out to her. She found herself heading back to Capsule Corp. By some strange force she needed to see him face to face and make things right.

The whole floor gasped when she exited the elevator and marched right into his office. Brittany made her way across the room to head her off but was quickly stopped by Sid.

"Let her go. She knows what she's doing"

"But....."

The doors closed behind Mia and all work seemed to stop.

"Hello Trunks" her voice began to crack even before they started. She straighten out her clothing and stood waiting for him to do.....say anything.

"Mai' his back was to her as he watched the traffic on the street.

"I guess there is no easy way to explain it' she started "I've been lying to you"

He didn't move or make a peep. He just stood and listened.

"It wasn't supposed to happen like this. My intent was only to be your temporary employee and then leave"

"But things happened" he said angrily.

"Yes. Things happened. It's my entire fault. I understand if you're mad at me"

"I'm beyond mad Mai" his voice grew even angrier "I'm way beyond mad"

"I'm sorry"

"Sorry? You're sorry. I thought having you here, listening to you try to explain what you did and why you did it would make a difference. But it just doesn't. I don't know what to feel right now.

"I understand if you hate me"

"Right now hate is too good a word" he shook his head "I'm not going to press charges if that's what you were worried about"

"No....that's not why I came back. I came back to apologize. Say I'm sorry. Try to make up for what I did. I lie and deceived you. You though I was ...."

"Mike, my friend and confidant. The guy I liked having around. An honest guy. The one I told some of my deepest feeling for a girl I met and fell in love with. All the time I was talking to thatch same person. Who every day stared me in the face and lie to me"

"And it hurt me each time I did Trunks. Please believe me"

"I want to. But I can't. Right now I don't know if you're being Mai or Mike. But both of them are liars"

"Mai felt her heart drop. No matter what she said or how much she pleaded, he wasn't in the forgiving mood right now.

"I've talked to Malachi. he told me how he blackmailed you into turning over information"

Her heart sank even lower.

"You could have come to me Mai. I would have helped. I'm not that narrow minded"

"I'm sorry" by this time Mai was crying hysterically "I didn't know how to get out of it"

"Easy......fess up and have some faith in me.......and us" His hand wiped away his own tears "do you know how much i loved you? Do you know how much this hurts?"

Mai didn't even ask him for forgiveness. She just turned and left him alone in the office.

"Mike" Brittany stopped her as she made her way to the elevator "Are you ok?"

"I'm good.....call me Mai ok" she gave her a hug and whispered in Brittany's ear "watch over him. Make sure he's ok. Don't let him turn back into a T-Rex" Mai laughed a little and left the world she had created behind her.

The months passed and everything seemed to be back to normal. Trunks sat at his desk and did his daily chore of signing papers and getting mad because he had let the bulk of the paperwork unattended. It took him a while to regroup. But in his mind, he never really got over her.

"Ok Mr. Briefs" Brittany held her schedule pad in her hand "you have three key meetings today. One with Omni Corp. The president wants to do lunch. Remember this is a new client. Try to smile a little"

"What?"

"Smile"

"Oh yea.....smile" he tired to make an effort.

"Did you call your mother?"

"No"

"And why?"

"Look it's not even ten o'clock and you're badgering me."

"I'm styling on you because I need to. You know how you have a tendency to slack off"

"Says who?"

Brittany bit her lip. Mikes' name was a sore spot in any conversation.

"I'm just keeping you on track is all sir"

"Look. If you mention him ......her . I won't throw a tantrum. Don't walk on eggshells because of it ok"

"Ok. But it is a little boring around her without him"
"Brittany!!" Trunks frowned

"Look I'm just saying she didn't try to hurt anyone. Hell I thought she was a guy and I kissed her. I'm not holding any grudges"

"I just don't want to dwell on the past"

"But what about you're future. I bet she's thinking about you?"

"Maybe"

"I mean, it's been couple of months now. You can't still be mad" she grinned.

"Brittany I know you two were good friends. I don't need you to talk for her. If she wand's to see me she'll come by"

"So you're open to seeing her" Brittany squealed with delight.

"Maybe. I'm not making any promises..........do you have an number on her?" he asked timidly.

"No .......but there is always hope . It's not hard finding someone you care about. I could dig up her files for old numbers and addresses."

"If you do it's you own business......and on your own time" he grumbled continuing to work.

Brittany could tell she still had a piece of his heart. There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't think about her. Every part of his office reminded him of her. It was hard watching her walk out of his life. Even harder living without her.

"Ugh!!" He tossed the pen across the room "I'm tired of writing"

Spending all his free time in the office was getting to him. He hadn't

been out socially since.......

"Dam it Mai..........." he laid his head on the desk and closed his eyes. Sometimes he could see her smile and hear her voice. As angry as he was with her, he loved her even more. "I miss you baby" he sighed " where are you?"

Everyplace he could think of turned out empty. She wasn't in town that's for sure. And the investigator he hired was coming up empty elsewhere. The office seemed to be closing in on him so he stepped outside for a little change of scenery. The office was in high gear as usual, and everyone seemed to be concentration on work. It was one of the times he wished work was the focal point on his mind. Somehow he couldn't stop thinking about her as he headed to her office. It was still empty and her desk wasn't cleared out completely. Casually he opened the desk drawer and shifted through the papers. All were from Capsule Corp.

"Dead end" he sighed letting what little glimmer of hope fade away.

"Jamie?.........Jamie? can you hear me now?.....Good" Mai yelled into the cell phone standing on the side of the road hoping to get some bars.

"Yes.......hey sis where are you?" Jamie haled the bundles of fabric under his arm and hold the cell phone to his ear.

"Far from home that's for sure. How are you and Cassy?"

"We're Good. And you ?"

"Great. Soaking up some fresh air....... and relaxing"

"When are you coming home?"
"Soon. I need to just sort some things out first."

"Have you called him?"

"No. He's not in my life anymore. I messed that up"

"You can't just faze him out like that sis"

"It's for the best......or at least right now. I don't need to complicated him life anymore than I have right now"

"If you think he's mad at you now. Wait until he finds you"

"I'll be home soon. I promise"

"And you'll see him?"
"Yes. I'll see him. I've got to go. It's snowing out here"

"Stay warm"

The open spaces always made her happy, and with the arrival of new fallen snow it made everything just right. Mai tucked away her phone and headed towards the small cluster of shops lined up in arrow. The new fallen snow made it look like a picture out of a storybook. And old German styled town in the mountains was the perfect place to get away form the city and her problems. Until she got the nerves to go home.

"Well young lady out and about again I see"
"Yes Miss Mae. Getting some air" Mai held the hand of the older woman who owned the grocery store and a small diner.

"You need anything? have you eaten?"

"No not yet. I'm coming to eat now"

"Well you need to be off your feet. Especially in the snow. Those icy sidewalks could be dangerous" she patted Mai's small but very round belly "you've gotten a little bigger I see"

"A little" Mai winced as the small child inside her kicked "he's got a mean round house like his poppa"

"You should be calling your husband. He's probably worried sick by now"

"I'm not married to him ma'am"

"Oh.....unwed mother. Shame pretty girl like you should have a nice ring on your finger and a handsome husband to go with it"

"Well one day I might. But for now. Were all we've got" her hand rested on the top of her belly as the tight turtle neck sweater she had packed was being far stretched beyond it's fabrics capacity. she felt no need to return to the city to buy new clothes. Her old oversized clothes were soft and comfortable enough to get her through the final moths of pregnancy. Besides, running into him right now was the last thing she needed.

She sat along at her table eating and writing in a little journal she picked up. For the last three months she recorded her feelings down, the babies' progress and how much she missed her family.....and Trunks.

"Hello lady" a bright-eyed boy came up to her bundled for the cold weather.

"Hello" Mai smiled.

"You're having a baby......like my mom" he pointed to the very pregnant woman at the counter standing with her husband.

"Yes I see"

"My dad wanted to come up here for a vacation, just us. He works all the time and it made me sad"

"Why?"

"Because I don't get to see him at all. He travels. I miss him"

"But he loves you. He's taking time out to be with you"

"Is your husband here?"

"No" Mai said sadly "I don't have a husband"

"But the baby needs his daddy. Little boys always need their daddies. I know. I need mine all the time"

His mother rushed over to rescue Mai from the inquisitive child "I'm sorry. He's a bit of a talker"

"It's ok" she ran her fingers through the boys black hair "he's very smart and wise"

"You due soon?" The lady asked.

"No, still three more months I think. I can't wait for this to be over........and hold him in my arms" Mia hand gently ran across her stomach.

"So it's a boy?"

'I don't know. But I feel like I have a son tucked away in here"

"Well good luck" the woman gathered her son as the left the counter.

Mai felt her heart sink. Watching the boy and his parents together made everything she tried to convince herself she was doing for the good of everyone .......wasn't so good after all.

"Idiot" she smacked her forehead and rummaged through her purse for her cell phone. If she was going to make things better, she was going to have to do it now before she really screwed thing up.

"Hello?"

"Trunks .....It-it's me Mai"

"Hey" he sat down being taken by her sudden call "how are you?"

"Fine. I just wanted to hear your voice"

"Oh......?"

There was a moment of long dead silence. Mai held the phone to her ear as Trunks did the same.

"I miss you" they said simultaneously then laughing at each other.

"I miss you so much.......where are you?" He let out his held in breath.

"In the mountains. Look my phone is going to cut out. I'm in a little town called Alpine Village. In the 562 area."

"I'm there"

"Bring warm clothes.... it's snowing.....and some Chinese food. There isn't a decent take- out anywhere near here"

"I'll bring what ever you want " Trunks held the phone tightly in his hand felling a large weight float off his shoulder.

"Hurry........I love you"

"I love you too"

Her signal faded and Trunks shoved his phone in his pocket.

"Oh Yes!" He shouted in the hallway making everyone stop "Brittany cancel all my appointments"

"I can't"

"Then call my mother to fill in" he grabbed her by the shoulders "she called!!"

"She called?"

"Yes...and I going to get her an bring her home"

"Oh Trunks....sir I'm so happy for you both"

"First I've got to stop and get Chinese. I don't know when I'll be back. You have my cell number and I'll take my notebook in case you need something. Fill me in on the meeting after it's over" he barked orders as Brittany trailed behind him writing notes. It wasn't uncommon for him to have a bag packed to leave for a trip at a moment's notice. Mike always made sure his traveling bags that were tucked away in his private closet, was ready at a moment's notice.

"Let's see, wallet.....credit cards. Glasses. Clean Underwear...... I'm good"

"Sir. I have your car waiting downstairs for you"

"Thanks Brittany. Wish me luck"

"Tell Mai I said "Hi" and to call me"

"I doubt if she'll have time to use the phone" Trunks winked heading towards the elevators when his mother stopped him cold in his tracks.

"So you're going to get her"

"Yes. I guess not having her around gave me time to cool off and realize how much I need her. I want to marry her mom"

"Are you sure. you sounded pretty pissed when things came out"

"I know. I just reacted. I didn't stop and think"

"Good for you. I'll cover"

"Thanks"

"Shall I start making a guest list?"

"For what?"

"Well if your going to get married, you have to have an engagement party"

"What ever you want to do mom"

The roads were starting to close the closer he got to the town. He sat in traffic frustrated and impatient.

"Will you hurry up?!!" He shouted out the window laying heavily on his car horn.

"This is getting me no where" Trunks exited his car "Time to get air borne".

Hitting the switch the fully packed car compacted into it's capsule.

"Better" he tucked it away standing almost knee deep in snow.

"Sir" and officer approached him "you really should get back into your car. The road will be cleared in about a few hours"

"I don't have that kind of time"

"Well " the officer pointed out "No one else does either" he pointed to the line of vehicles lined up waiting for the snowplow to move the snow.

"You know, since I'm in a good......no a great mood, I'm going to give you a hand"

Trunks removed his gloves and walked in front of the slow moving plow signaling him to stop.

"You'll be getting home early tonight boys" He extended his hand and let loose a thunderous blast that seemed to travel forever........clearing the highway.

Both the drivers watched in shock.

"Have a good one" Trunks saluted as he began to float away.

"Tom"

"Yea Dave?"

"We really got to stop drinking on the job"

Kicking in his after burners Trunks soon saw the small town. It was covered with snow and looked very friendly.

He touched down behind a building and dusted off the snow he had picked up during his flight. Now to phone her.

"Mai?"

"Where are you"

"I'm here.......outside, behinds some old brick building" he looked up a the sing on sticking out from the wall "Key Shop?"

" I'm down the street. A little bakery with a large glass window looks like a gingerbread house"

He spotted the almost childlike decorated storefront "I'm there in a second"

Mai scrambled through her bag for her compact "I can't have him see me looking a mess" Mai ran her fingers through her hair straightening it out as best as possible. Three months was a long time both had been through drastic changes. Inside her heart began beating way to fast......she could feel him getting closer and closer. She heard the bell, then felt the cold winter air form outside circulate around the room. Sejh closed her eyes tightly waiting to hear him call her name form across the room.

"Mia?" his eyes scanned the small room.

"Hey" she stood up slowly moving the growing bangs out of her eyes.

The lump in his throat made it hard for him to say anything else. She was a beautiful as he remembered.

"Whoa!" He stopped in his stride looking down at her belly "you're"

"Pregnant" Mai grinned "Trunks?....Trunks!"

The thud of the 225 lb. very well dress sayin shook the whole shop. Mai rushed to his side trying to revive him.

"Quick! .....anybody!.....get me some water"