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Dude Looks Like A Lady	By : RavenPan Category: Dragon Ball Z > General Views: 2412 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DragonballZ, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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A/N2: Several people have asked what the age difference between Marron and Trunks is - and though I answered them in R.C. - I figure it'll be best if I say it in an author's note, that way it doesn't get asked again :) -- Marron's roughly only four years younger than Trunks, she's in her graduate program. So, she's in her late twenties, he in his early thirties still.

Innocence is Futile

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Dude Looks Like A Lady
By Raven Pan and Alison Sky
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Chapter Sixty-Nine
November 26, 799 - Monday
()()()

Marron was in the back bedroom with the children, trying to get Truten to lie down for a nap, but the child kept on blowing raspberries. "Stop it," she laughed. "It's nap time, you're suppose to sleep!" she tossed another pillow onto her bed - which Truten immediately plopped onto with a giggle.

Goten was in the kitchen, working to make the hot chocolate. "Want marshmallows?" he called out.

"Yes please!" she called back.

Truten pulled herself up and started to reach for Marron's hair, "Yellow!"

"No no no no no, sleeeeeep..." Marron said, trying to push Truten to lie back down in the pillow fort.

"You're going to have to just lock her in the room... she'll put herself to sleep," Goten stated.

Truten laughed and squealed as Marron called back, "You sure?!"

"Yeah.... she'll scream a bit, but that's about it."

Marron looked at the toddler then sighed, "If you say so..." and went to the door, closing it behind her. True to form, the child started some horrendous screaming.

She winced.

Goten walked over and took Marron's hand, leading her away. "I have to do it everyday. Trust me, she'll be fine."

"But she sounds so distressed," she bit her lip, looking over her shoulder at the door, as Goten led her away.

"Once she realizes we're not coming back, she'll go and play with her toys until she falls asleep," Goten explained.

"Well.. she's your daughter I guess..." Marron seemed unconvinced, but a moment later the crying stopped and there was a happy squeal, then a thud of blocks.

Goten chuckled, "See?"

Marron just shook her head, "Why doesn't she just go to sleep then?"

"She has my hyperness," Goten chuckled, sitting down at the kitchen table and stirring his hot chocolate.

She sat down in a chair to his side, stirring her own, "Thanks for inviting me over, Things are really crazy right now with finals."

"I'm sure... I remember them very well... thank Kami Trunks and I were good cheaters," he smirked.

"Cheaters?" Marron laughed, "And here I thought you didn't have a dishonest bone in your body, Goten."

Goten just sipped his cocoa. "I'm not all sweet and innocent, Marron... I have three kids to prove it."

"What does being a father have to do with anything?" Marron asked lightly. "Innocent people have children all the time."

Goten rubbed his neck. "Yeah, well, it's more like how they were concieved..." he chuckled.

Marron blushed slightly, chuckling as she took a sip of her cocoa as she watched him.

"So, how do you think you're doing so far?" Goten asked. "I mean, think you'll graduate on time?"

"I think so, unless I flunk my final next Wednesday," she said with a smile, "Which I really doubt - I've pretty much got it in the bag, I think."

"That's awesome," Goten smiled. "We'll all have to go out and party afterwards. I bet my mom will watch the kids for the night."

"That would be great!" Marron grinned.

"So... um..." Goten looked into his cup. "How are you and Trunks doing? I don't see him that much anymore since you two started dating."

She smiled, "Things are going really well, he's probably one of the more attentive boyfriends I've ever had," she said with a chuckle, taking a sip of the hot cocoa.

"Yeah..." Goten sighed, then stood up. "Come on, let's watch a movie while the kids sleep."

"Sure," she smiled, standing up. As his back was turned she frowned slightly... wondering.

Walking to the movie rack, he scanned the movies until he found one. "Wanna watch 50 First Dates?"

"Oh I love that movie! Yes!" Marron went to curl up a little on the couch.

Goten smiled and flopped onto the couch next to her, holding the controller. "I love Adam Sandler."

"Me too, though I have to admit, I get a real kick out of Sean Astin's lisp," she giggled.

"The lisping hobbit," Goten chuckled, leaning over to wrap his arm around Marron comfortably.

Marron leaned into him, grabbing a throw pillow and hugging onto it while she rested her head on his shoulder as the movie opened.

Goten smirked and watched the movie, engrossed in it.

Marron watched as well, though she found herself, part way through, looking up at Goten and wondering. She'd been with Trunks for a few months now, and she wouldn't say she didn't enjoy her time with him. She knew he may want to pursue something a bit more serious - but she had to know.... She really enjoyed spending time with Goten too, he was a good friend. What if she was making the wrong choice?

"No! Watch out penguin!" Goten laughed and covered his eyes.

Marron giggled, "You know, I think he has a thing about penguins," she said philosophically.

"Oh, and what do your big textbooks say about men and penguins?" Goten teased.

"Not sure, but there's something fishy about them," she chuckled. "Seriously though... well okay, I haven't really seen many of his movies, but the two that I have seen, have prominent penguin presence."

Goten thought. "You watched Billy Madison, huh?" Goten smirked.

"It was disturbingly hilarious," she nodded, smirking back.

"You so need to watch Happy Gilmore," Goten nodded.

"Does it have penguins?" she giggled.

"No, but it has a midget on a trike," Goten smirked.

"Hmmm, is he dressed like a penguin? Because I kind of like my "Adam Sandler is Obsessed with Penguins" theory," she said, looking up at him.

"He's also obsessed by crocodiles... cause he has them in Happy Gilmore and the Waterboy."

"Maybe that's what happened to the Penguins," she laughed.

"Croc chow," Goten laughed.

"Grraawwww!" Marron clapped her arms like they were croc-jaws. "Next week on Crocodile Hunter... Adam Sandler, and why Penguins are a Croc's favourite food!"

"A special one hour musical adventure!" Goten added.

Marron laughed, falling back against him to their original position. "You're silly, Goten."

"That's my lot in life, keeping my friends amused."

She tilted her head a little to look am, sm, smiling sweetly, "You're good at it."

Goten tilted his head down and smiled. "I've had a good many years to practice."

"Practice makes perfect."

"Yeah," Goten smiled. "So, you have any thoughts about what you want to do after college?"

"A few," She looked at him a moment, then pushed up a bit and closed her eyes as she kissed him.

Goten's eyes opened wide, and he pulled himself up and away. "Mar?" he asked, confusion in his eyes.

She bit her lip slightly and sat back looking at him, "Yes?"

"Um... what was that for?" he asked.

"Well I... because I like you too, Goten and, well," she looked down at her hands. "I guess I wanted to see... you know.. if there was a chance-"

Goten pulled back a bit, biting his lip. "Well, you're a nice girl and all, Marron... and if things were different..." he said softly.

"How different, Goten?"

"Well, you're with Trunks... and I, well..." Goten rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, but... Goten, I want to know if I could have had a chance with you... if I weren't dating Trunks?" she asked softly.

Goten just lowered his head and stood up, walking to the kitchen. "I'm thirsty."

Marron waited a moment, then stood and followed him, "I made you angry, didn't I?"

"NO!" Goten turned, looking at Marron. "It's just... well... I love someone else, Mar... that's all."

"... Oh," she looked down. Then she shrugged with a sigh, and looked up. "Who?" she asked, curious.

"Just drop it, Mar, ok?" Goten asked softly, opening the fridge to look for a soda.

She sighed, still standing in the doorway, watching him.

"Mar ple please, just drop it, ok?" Goten begged.

"I didn't say a word!"

Goten just reached into the fridge and pulled another can of soda out, tossing it to her. "I think Truten's asleep... I don't hear her playing."

"Probably," Marron said, still watching him curiously.

Goten sighed. "What?" he asked, feeling her gaze on him.

"Who is it, that you're so in love with it makes you this melancholy?" she asked softly.

"Marron, please... trust me when I say you don't want to know..." Goten said softly.

"Goten... you know me - you tell me that, and now I know that maybe I need to know. Tell me, Goten... who is it?"

Goten slammed the fridge door shut. "It's Trunks, ok? I'm in love with Trunks. Happy now?" he bit out, pain in his eyes as he glared at her.

Marron blinked in shock. "You...'re in love with Trunks?" she moved over to the closest chair and sat down. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because he doesn't love me... he can't stand the fact that we're both guys... so he's happy with you, and I'm not one to let my best friend be miserable on account of my stupid needs," Goten muttered.

"That isn't fair to you," she said softly, looking up at him.

"Yeah, well, you can say the past year hasn't been that fair to me at all," Goten shrugged. "I'm used to it."

Marron frowned, looking at the floor, "I think I understand...."

Goten looked up. "What do you mean?"

"Everything that's been going on," she waved a hand. "I'm so sorry Goten, I never wanted to hurt you, you're one of the best friends I've got here in the city."

"Mar, I'm not hurt. Not at all..." Goten turned back to her. "It's not your fault Trunks can't let himself love me as a guy... I'm just going to have to live with it, that's all."

"That's just not right," she shook her head. "That shouldn't be it at all."

"Well, it is, and we both know Trunks is too stubborn to sway his opinion differently." Goten sat down at the kitchen table, burying his face in his hands.

"Y'know... at this point in time, with what all the papers, gossip rags and real, keep saying about him.... I'm about the only person who doesn't believe them anymore..." she said mostly to herself as she went over and rubbed his shoulders a little.

"What are they saying?' Goten asked, not lifting his face. He had learned long ago not to read those papers.

"Well," she sighed, "Short form consensus is that Paris, a friend of Trunks briefs," she gagged purposefully over the name.

Goten just groaned.

"Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Anyhow, she's come forward to tell the shocking truth - that while he was away on his supposed 'Peace Corps' mission - He'd gotten a few women pregnant, and - once the children were born - had their mothers eliminated, giving them to his best friend to raise - in order to keep his reputation unsullied. Furthermore, blah dee blah dee blah," she shook her head. "It's absolutely horrible."

"This coming from an unmarried woman with triplets that are raised by a nanny," Goten growled.

"Oh, she's claiming they're his too - but refuses to have the doctors take blood tests because she 'just knows the Briefs will pay them off.' Pfah! they don't even favour him one bit."

"HA! They can't be his cause Truten is around the same age and he was in the 'Corps' at the time," Goten chuckled. "Everyone can vouch for that."

Marron laughed, "Doesn't stop her from saying it... something about, 'a quick visit home, and just LOOK at what happened! doesn't even pay any alimony!' - Some days Trunks just wants to go hire a hitman, except it'd be traced back to him, and he feels horrible for those kids as it is, without depriving them of their... 'wretched bitch of a mother', I believe was the term..."

"Yup, I think that's the one," Goten sighed. "And to think I was going to marry her..."

Marron shuddered then leaned over and hugged Goten from behind. "Everything's gonna turn out okay, Goten. Call it women's intuition?"

"Mar... promise me something..." Goten said softly.

"What's that?"

"You're not going to let what I told you change what you have with Trunks," Goten stated. "I love him, yes... but I want him to be happy too... and he's happier with you than I have seen in a long time, Mar... promise me you won't do anything rash?"

"I'll always keep his best interest in mind," she nodded kissing the top of his head before she stood.

Goten nodded and smiled. "Thanks Mar."

"No problem."

.()()()

November 29, 799 - Thursday

.()()()

Three days later, at about seven in the evening, and Trunks had a slight spring to his step as he made his way to knock on the door to Marron's suite.
Marron opened it, dressed in a pair of khaki's and a loose blouse. "Hey, you're early!" Marron smiled.

Trunks smiled back, leaning down to kiss the corner of her mouth, "I got out of work earlier than I thought I would," he explained.

Marron chuckled, letting him kiss her. She knew she had to figure a way to give Trunks back to Goten... they made sense. But how?

"I understand if you're not ready yet - I found a really nice place on the coast I thought we could go tonight?" he asked.

"Sure. Are we going to bring Goten and the kids?" It was becomming a common question... Marron didn't want Goten left out anymore.

He winced slightly - was there something wrong with his company? "Well... I guess I was kind of hoping we could just go... just the two of us, this time?"

"Okay, that's fine," Marron smiled, poking his nose. "Want me to drive?"

Trunks chuckled, kissing her forehead, "I thought that was my job. But if you really want to," he shrugged.

"Well, you know the way, so you'll have to give me directions... and I borrowed Bra's car for the day cause mine is in the shop..." Marron grinned.

"It's really easy, mostly a straight shot on the skyway," Trunks said with a smile. "Ready to go?" This is perfect, we should get there at just about sunset.... "Don't forget your jacket."
"I won't." Marron grabbed her jacket and shut the door, letting Trunks lead her outside.

He slipped his hand about hers, walking down the steps and leading her into the chill November air.

Parked out in the lot was Trunks's red convertable, the prize Bra had won from her bet with Trunks two years earlier.

"Hn...." he didn't miss a step, though he felt a pain in himself, as though something were trying to warn him away. As usual, he stubbornly held on. "Can't believe she still has this thing."

"She loves it," Marron stated, handing him the keys. "Says it's her prized possesion."

"She would," he took them, "Change your mind on driving?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I figured you might miss her... " Marron smirked.

"Nah," Trunks shook his head. Sure, he'd lost her to Bra on a bet.... his sense of foreboding was begining to grow, "It's kind of cold, so why don't we just take my car then? No drafts," he suggested.

"If you're sure about it..." Marron reached over and capsulized the convertable, then put it into her purse.

"Yeah," he nodded, giving her the keys and leading her over to his blue porche, helping her into the passenger seat, before taking the driver's.

Marron leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes and smiling as she relaxed. It had been a hard day in classes.

The car was started with a soft hum, and soon they were making their way toward the coast. Several times, Trunks would glance over with a soft smile - she looked so pretty in the early evening light. His mind turned to a small box in his left pocket.... And he smiled, returning his attention to the road. "I take it you're tired?"

"It was a long day..." Marron said, then squeaked a yawn, trying to stop it. "I'm glad the classes are over though."

"Long semester, ne?" he asked with a soft chuckle.

"Yeah, but only two more to go and then I'm DONE!"

"I'd applaud, but I'm kind of driving right now, Marron," Trunks chuckled. "That is a happy thing though. Ready for the holidays?"

"Yeah. Mom and Dad want to take me skiing at Uncle 17's mountain home," Marron smiled. "Uncle 17 doesn't have company often, and Mom thinks we should invade him every now and then."

"Brrr," Trunks fake shuddered. "I'll have to drop by sometime, make sure you don't forget about me," he smiled, glancing over to her before returning his eyes to the road.

"I don't think I can forget about you," Marron smiled, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.

She knew she had to do this... but she knew she was also going to regret it.

Trunks smiled, "That's good to know... here's our exit," he said, carefully turning down it, and starting along the streets toward the seaside restaurant he'd heaboutbout.

"It's a beautiful area," Marron commented.

"It is," Trunks agreed. "I hear the sunset out here is really gorgeous."

"Well, if we stay long enough, we'll see it," Marron stated.

"I don't see why not... It's nearly time for it anyhow," he said, wending through the streets toward the shore.

Marron smiled and watched the seaside as they drove along, playing with words in her mind.

Trunks had his own words playing through his mind... he had to do this perfectly, and the cool seaside seemed the right place. He hoped Marron would approve of what he wanted to speak to her about... it was important to him.

More important to him than he cared to admit.

It wasn't long before they were parked just outside a seaside restaurant, and though he parked, he didn't turn off the warmth of the car just yet. He smiled, "Look, the sun's about to set."

"It's so beautiful..." Marron said softly, watching.

He wasn't so much watching the sunset,n cln clouds drifting across the sky, a pinkish purple hue dancing along them just as the line of night began to ride down. "At risk of sounding corny, I think my view's lovelier," he said softly, watching her eyes dance with secrets untold. Captivating.

Marron blushed and looked down at her hands, playing with them.

He reached out, placing his hand atop hers, "Why do you get embarassed? You're a beautiful woman, Marron."

Marron sighed. "Thank you Trunks... but... well.." she looked up at Trunks, smiling softly. "We need to talk...."

He'd heard that tone of voice one too many times. His smile faltered, "What about?" he asked, his eyes confused.

"Well... I've been thinking..." She turned a bit more to him, focusing on him. "We've been going out for how long now?"

"Three months, give or take a few days," he answered.
"Yeah... well... Trunks... it's just..." Marron sighed. "Trunks, I really care for you, but I don't think I'm the right person for you."

His face fell, "I don't understand. Marron, I thought things were going well, better than well...."

"They are, Trunks... and I wouldn't trade in a day with you for anything... but... I just don't think it's meant to be for us... what we have, it's like a fairy tale... it's so beautiful... I don't want to ruin it...."

"If you don't want to ruin it then... why do you want to change things?"

"Because... I know it's not going to last," Marron said softly. "I enjoy our time together as friends... but I don't think I can love you the way you want to be loved."

His eyes shuttered down as he withdrew his hand from hers, looking blindly at the sunset. "Is there nothing I can say... do... to change your mind?" he asked softly.

Marron shook her head. "No... but that doesn't mean I don't want you to still be my friend, Trunks."

He dropped his head, letting out a small mirthless laugh, a faint smile touching his lips. "I see...." He looked over at her, his eyes closed off, but he smiled. "I won't take it back though - you are a very beautiful woman, Marron, and I would be honoured if you'd let me treat you to supper here anyhow."

Marron leaned over and hugged him. "It's be an honour, Trunks."

He closed his eyes tightly as he hugged her back, kissing her cheek as he pulled back.

Marron smiled. "Come on, I'm hungry," she smiled, winking.

He smiled back, an empty smile, as he turned off the car and got out - to help her out and escort her to their last meal together.

.

As every time before, Trunks helped Marron out of the car, though he did not hold her hand, as he escorted her back to her dormroom.

"You don't have to escort me this time, if you don't want to," Marron stated. "I'd understand if you just want to go home...."

"It's alright, Marron."

Marron looked at Trunks and smiled. "Are you really going to be ok?"

"Do I ha cha choice?" he asked, smiling slightly in return.

"No, cause I know Goten will kick your butt if you don't cheer up," Marron stated.

He nodded, "Probably," and they were at her door. "Goodnight, Sweet Marron," He said, touching her cheek with his fingertips sadly, before he closed his hand and turned, walking away.

"Goodnight Trunks..." Marron whispered softly. "I hope you'll soon open your eyes and find out the one who really loves you...."

His keen hearing caught her words. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and made his way swiftly down the stairs, capsulising his car and flying as hard, and as fast as he could.

.()()()

November 30, 799 - Friday - Two-thirty A.M.

()()().

Trunks was sat, perched on the corner of the low rail about the living-room Balcony, staring at something small, glinting in his hand.

Goten had laid out on the bed in his jeans for a bit, hoping Trunks and Marron would have come back earlier. He glanced over at the clock, realising it was past two in the morning. Usually they would have called if they were going to be this late.... He walked out of the bedroom, stretching from sleep as he walked to the kitchen for something to drink.

As he walked through the livingroom, he turned to look at the balcony, stopping at the sight of Trunks. He rubbed his eyes and walked over and knocked on the door before opening it. "Hey...."

"Hey..." Trunks's voice was quiet... empty seeming.

"What's wrong?" Goten asked, hearing the change in tone of Trunks's voice.. one that had been so happy recently.

"Took Marron to the coast... to see the sunset..." he turned his palm, the stars and streetlights causing the something within to glint. He sighed, looking at it.

Goten looked at it, then bit his lip. "I take it it wasn't a happy thing?"

"I was going to propose...." He said softly, gripping his fist around the ring in his hand.

"Oh..." Goten said softly, then looked up. "Going to?"

"Never got the chance... Marron broke it off," he said quietly, closing his eyes tightly.

"I'm... I'm sorry Trunks," Goten said, looking away. A spark of anger rose. He was going to kill her.

"She said it was too much like a fairy tale... she didn't want to ruin it.... She said she didn't think she could love me the way I wanted to be loved," he scoffed, turning on the rail and landing on the balcony, leaning back against it, opening his hand to look at the ring; his palm began to glow.

Goten looked at Trunks, his eyebrows raised. "I don't understand.... Wait... what are you doing?"

The gold of the ring began to melt, splashing onto the deck. "They say diamonds are forever... the hardest substance.... I bet I could break it," he said quietly, watching the gold melt away, rolling off his hand and leaving the clear stone behind.

Goten walked over and placed his hand on Trunks's shoulder. "Trunks..."

His face was etched with pain, his eyes empty seeming - the stone cracked, "See? Nothing lasts... nothing," It cracked again, breaking in his palm, and he turned it slowly, dropping the diamond shards into the gold on the balcony floor.

"You want to talk?" Goten asked. "You know I'm here to listen..."

"Hn," Trunks closed his eyes. "Goten.... I don't get it. What's so terrible about me... that no woman wants anything to do with me? Am I still that horrible a man?" he asked quietly. "What is it that makes it so bad to stick around, even if it's a so-called fairytale?" the light in his palm died out as the last shard of diamond fell to the ground.

The gold on the balcony was already cooling, the diamond shards sparkling in it as though a pendant.

Goten knelt down to poke at the mess, trying to form it a bit into a nicer shape, not really sure what to say. "I don't know, Trunks... probably because there's just one thing that keeps them from being able to admit their true feelings...."

"Just because I can't love, doesn't mean I don't care," Trunks said softly, turning and heading to open the door back into the house. It doesn't mean I can't be hurt....

"You know how to love, Trunks... you just won't show it when it counts," Goten muttered softly to himself.

Trunks didn't respond, stepping through the door and closing it to a crack, going back to their room to fall into his bed, still clothed, his feet hanging off the edge as he dropped into a dreamless sleep.

Goten sat on the edge, waiting and watching the gold cool back into a solid form. He poked the diamond shards every now and then, making them form shapes in the gold. He also took off the saftypin on his jeans and stabbed it through the top to make a hole.

When it was cooled, he scraped it off the balcony and walked it into the kitchen, washing the concrete and dirt off the back, then looking at it in the kitchen light. It was beautiful pendant now... maybe he would save it for later.

But he planned on having a LONG talk with Marron tomorrow.

()()()

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