"THE UNPARDONABLE SIN" A V/M 'fic. Anything is possible.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN DBZ


Author's Note: All the characters belong to Akira Toriyama. I wrote the 'fic. Many arigatou's for the reviews. This one's for you!


CHAPTER 2: TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT

~*~

Marron lay awake in her old bedroom at Kame Island later that night, staring up at the ceiling as sleep eluded her. Sleep was the furthest thing from her mind. Her head raced with thoughts of what happened earlier at the party, and her encounter with Vegeta.

Things like this never happened to her. She had known Vegeta all of her life, well at least from a distance, anyway, and she had never given him a second thought. Hell, she didn't even like the man. So why did he affect her like that?

"This is just wrong," she admonished herself. "You're too smart of a woman to fall for a man like him...even if he does make your blood race with excitement." She put the pillow over her head, muttering, "Baka, baka, baka."

"Good morning Marron-Chan," Krillin greeted his daughter cheerfully.

She managed a smile despite her lack of sleep. "Morning papa. Where is everybody?"

"Your mama mentioned something about taking out the trash. I don't know where Roshi and Oolong are."

At that moment, the old turtle master along with Oolong stumbled into the house, both wearing a garbage can over their heads. Juuhachigou came in shortly after, dusting off her hands. That would teach the two perverts to steal her underwear from the clothesline.

"I see things haven't changed THAT much since I've been gone," Marron said in amusement. Their antics were a welcome diversion from the inner turmoil she was experiencing.

Krillin just sweat dropped in embarrassment. "And I wanted it to be such a nice homecoming for you."

She shook her head negatively. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Krillin smiled fondly at his pride and joy. "You look more and more like your mama every time I see you Marron-Chan."

"Really?"

"Mmm hmmm. So, what are you going to do, now that you're back home?"

"Well, I've got a couple of days before I have to go back to work. I was going to go out today to the mainland to look for apartments."

Her overly protective father frowned in disapproval.

"It would be easier for me. I wouldn't have to travel back and forth so much," she added quickly.

"I don't know if I like the idea of you living all by yourself."

"Don't you trust me?"

"That's not the issue here."

"What IS the issue then?"

"You don't know how to defend yourself. There's a lot of crime in the cities. What if you met up with some weirdo or even a burglar?"

"I know how to defend myself, papa," she corrected him.

"That's impossible. We never taught you how to fight."

"You never taught me. I didn't say that Mama didn't. Don't worry, she just showed me a couple of self defence moves, that's all."

Krillen looked at her for a moment in contemplation. "You're determined to go through with this, aren't you?"

"Does that mean you're okay with me moving out?"

"You'll be careful?"

"Yup."

"And you'll keep the lock on the door?"

"All the time."

"Okay," he replied grudgingly.

Marron went over to hug him warmly. "Thanks papa. You're such a pushover."

Krillin smiled sheepishly. "Oh, by the way. I left my wallet over at Bulma's place last night. Do you think you could swing by and pick it up?"

"Bu...Bulma's?" she repeated nervously.

"Well, yeah. I mean, you're going out to the mainland today anyway, aren't you?"

"Okay. I'll leave right away."

"Don't you want any breakfast?"

"No. Suddenly I've lost my appetite."

When she reached the haven of her room, she leaned back against the door. If it were up to her, Marron would've avoided CC mansion for the rest of her life. Then she wouldn't have to see Vegeta again.

"Oh, snap out of it!" she admonished herself severely. "Stop acting like an idiot. What happened last night was just in the heat of the moment and it will never happen again."

After all, this was Vegeta, the same man who had been responsible for indirectly killing her father when he first came to Earth. Marron did not doubt that he had changed his ways, concerning his thirst for hurting people and world domination. He had already proved that by his involvement with fighting off evil Majin Buu, but she also had no doubt that the same intensity and thirst for combat still surged through his veins.

With a new resolve, she was determined to put the entire episode out of her mind.

~*~

"Marron! How nice to see you again," Bulma greeted her warmly.

"Hi Bulma-san. Papa left his wallet here last night and asked me to pick it up."

"Yes, I have it right here. Please come in."

"By the way, thank you for hosting the party last night. You must be getting tired of hosting these things."

"Oh don't mention it. And no, I'll never get tired of it. That's the only time the entire gang has a chance to get together."

"Um, is everything okay?"

The least she could do was to attempt to get Bulma and Vegeta back together.

"What makes you ask that?" Bulma asked warily. She knew that the news of her separation from Vegeta had spread around like a wild fire.

"Trunks told me what's been going on. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry," Marron replied with genuine concern.

The older woman smiled sadly. "Yeah, me too."

"Isn't there anything that..."

"If there was, I would have tried it by now," Bulma interrupted. "Vegeta has always been headstrong and stubborn. He's not going change his ways for anyone. And if he expects me to come crawling back to him, he's got another thing coming to him."

"He still cares for you, Bulma-san. Why else would he still be here?"

"He only stays here because it's convenient," she replied bitterly. "He has his children and a comfortable roof over his head. Not to mention that precious gravity room. He isn't willing to give anymore of himself. And I'm tired of trying."

"Don't say that."

"Why not? It's true. Look Marron, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it's not worth the effort. The only reason I'm letting Vegeta stay here is because of Trunks and Bra."

"But..."

Just then, a voice came over the intercom paging Bulma.

"I'm sorry Marron. I have to care of some business. You can see yourself out, right?"

"Yeah, sure."

When she was alone, she sighed. "I tried."

"Do you make it a habit of interfering on a regular basis, or is it a part of your 'charming' personality?" a familiar voice came from behind.

She whipped around to find Vegeta leaning against the wall, staring intensely at her.

"I wasn't...I mean, I was just..." she stammered nervously.

"Spit it out, girl," he demanded.

Marron folded her arms, fed up with his attitude. "I came on my father's behalf. I didn't think it would hurt talking to Bulma to see if she wouldn't change her mind."

"I thought I told you to mind your own business."

"I don't respond to threats, especially from you." Marron replied belligerently. She would not be intimidated by him.

"If you insist on imposing yourself, I will have to do something to rectify the situation," he said huskily.

"Another veiled threat Vegeta? Why am I not surprised?"

"Take it as you wish. Don't say I didn't warn you," he replied, before sauntering off.

Marron didn't like the sound of that one bit.

~*~

One week passed since her last encounter with Vegeta, and so far he had done nothing. Marron was convinced that he was just bluffing to make her nervous. She wouldn't put it past him. It wasn't until two weeks later that she was in for a rude surprise.

"You're firing me?" she asked her boss incredulously.

"I'm sorry Miss Kuri, but I'm afraid we're going to have to let you go."

The words rang in Marron's ears as she sat back against the park bench after being given the bad news. It wasn't fair. After working for 4 years at Matsuma Textiles, the idiots in charge had decided to cut back on several departments, starting with hers! The news had come from out of the blue, with no warning whatsoever. It would have hurt less if she had seen it coming.

"Oh well, no sense crying over spilt milk."

Things like this happened all the time. She would just have to pick herself up and start all over again. At least she wasn't concentrating on Vegeta anymore.

~*~

"Hi, you've reached Marron Kuri's number. Either I'm not home, or I don't want to answer the phone. In either case, please leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can." Beep!

"Marron, it's Bra. Pick up the phone, so I know you're still alive."

"I'm still here," Marron said, picking up the receiver.

"Oh good. I was getting worried. How's the job hunting going?"

"I start at Tsuruta Corps. tomorrow."

"That's great! This calls for a celebration."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Pizza and a movie? Trunks is paying."

"Did he say that?"

"Well, not in so many words."

"Not in ANY words," Trunks voice suddenly interrupted on the other line.

"Trunks! Get off the phone!" Bra yelled.

Marron chuckled to herself. She could use some amusement after the week she had.

"Okay, count me in."

"Great! We'll pick you up in about an hour."

"Sounds like fun."

~*~

"I swear, I am NEVER going out with you two again," Marron vowed for the tenth time since Trunks, Goten, Marron, Pan and Bra came back from the movies. The group entered the living room of CC mansion after an interesting evening.

"What?" Goten asked in mock innocence.

"You can't go anywhere with these two," Pan agreed.

"All we did was make some friendly conversation," Trunks said, backing up his friend.

"Yeah, with every girl you set your eyes on," Bra corrected, hitting her older brother behind his head. Goten was becoming such a bad influence on Trunks.

"Ouch! Hey, cut it out, Bra!"

"What about you and Pan? You two were just as bad."

"When?" the two younger girls responded at the same time.

Goten pretended to be Bra, and batted his eyelashes in flirtatious manner. Of course, he was overdoing it. "Oh my, could you help me pick up my handkerchief, you big strong hunk of a man?"

Trunks played along and flexed his muscles like a wrestler and replied, "Duh...sure lady. You look real purty."

"We didn't do that!" Pan protested hotly.

While they continued to bicker, Marron left to use the bathroom to freshen up a bit. Just her luck, she had to pass by the gravity room where Vegeta was training. Against her better judgement, she stopped and peered around the corner discretely, making sure she was hidden.

He was practicing under 800 g's, releasing some of the pent up rage and frustration out of his system. Marron had to admit that he was the most determined man she had ever known. He was constantly pushing himself to the limit and even over his limits. It was a credit to his endurance and willpower.

Her eyes were riveted to his finely sculptured and toned body, as every muscle and sinew rippled with every punch and jab. His intensity only made him all the more irresistible.

He stopped and went over to the controls to shut off the gravity, slinging a towel over his sweaty shoulders.

"Didn't anyone tell you it's impolite to stare?" he asked with his back still turned to her.

Marron stepped back automatically. It was like he had eyes in the back of his head. She forgot about how Saiyajins had sensitive hearing.

"I was just leaving," she replied, turning to leave.

"Not so fast, girl."

She turned around abruptly and walked into the room.

"My name is MARRON," she replied angrily.

"Whatever. Trunks mentioned that you have found other employment."

"Not that it's any of your business, but yes I have. I was laid off from my previous job. Why should you care?"

He turned around and gave her an evil smirk. "I just wished I could have seen the look on your face when you got fired."

"You'd really like that, wouldn't you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes I would. I guess I'll just have to be satisfied, knowing that I was the one who got you fired."

Marron stared at her tormentor in complete shock. "What?!"

"It's amazing the results you can achieve with a little 'friendly' persuasion. I told you to stay out of my business. Next time, you will learn not to cross me."

"I can't believe you did this. What kind of monster are you?"

With lightning speed, he closed the gap between them and slammed both of his hands past her head, to pin her against the wall, sealing off any route of escape. His patience had worn thin.

"The kind that could easily break you in half, if I wanted to."

Marron refused to back down in submission, and lifted up her chin defiantly.

"Go ahead. It would just show your true colours. Tell me Vegeta, does it give you pleasure to threaten defenceless women with violence?"

Vegeta was momentarily silenced. He had never laid a violent hand to any female, no matter how annoying they were. But this insignificant wench had pushed him to his limits.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" she taunted.

His eyes glittered dangerously, as his hand wandered to the curve of her cheek. She was even softer than he imagined.

Marron flinched at his touch, not from fear, but from the sensation she was feeling. His touch sent a surge of electricity through her body. Before she could react, his head bent down and covered her mouth with his in a passionate kiss. She put her hands against his chest to push him away, but the moment she felt his warm flesh beneath her fingers, she lost control of her senses. The intoxicating smell of his sweaty body tickled her nostrils as she inhaled his male scent. She closed her eyes and melted against him.

"WHAT AM I DOING?!" her mind screamed.

Marron tore herself away from him and ran down the hallway as fast as she could until she bumped into a solid wall of flesh. A pair of strong arms steadied her. "Marron, are you okay?"

"Goten! I'm so glad to see you. I...I need to go home. Can you give me a lift?"

"What's the matter?"

"I'm really not feeling well," she replied lamely.

Marron's heart beat unevenly as she left the house. She didn't know what was worse. The fact that Vegeta had kissed her, or that she enjoyed it.



TO BE CONTINUED...