| Graduates Part I |
| It�s a week before graduation. Bulma is busy making the arrangements for her daughter and niece�s graduation party. Linhe is helping every way she can, but knows that Bulma enjoys doing it herself. �Well the invitations have all been sent. So hopefully we should be getting RSVP�s back soon.� Bulma said exasperatedly. �Mmm. How is Vegeta holding up?� �Oh you know him. Grouchy as ever, hates these parties and still wants to kill Goten and his father. So nothing new there.� She giggled. �He�s still not over Goten and Bra being an item?� �Are you kidding? Poor Goten can�t even come in the house if Vegeta�s around. They�ve been seeing each other for almost six months and Vegeta still can�t get over it.� She shook her head in despair. �I�ve heard a rumor that my daughter has been sneaking in to visit Oterro. Do you know anything about that?� Linhe asked with a raised eyebrow. �For you know my department is the last to know any of the gossip.� �She did it once, and from what I heard she just wanted to watch him work. I tell you Linhe, your daughter is so different then Bra. She is more mature in her relationship. I feel sorry for Goten sometimes because he puts up with her silliness. But I guess that�s `love`.� They giggled. <><><><><> �So is Oterro coming to the graduation party?� Marron asked. �I hope so. He won�t commit.� Zelena said with a sigh. �He said it�s work, but I think there is something more to it.� She sighed. �I know Toma is going. He doesn�t talk about the relationship that much. I was just wondering how your father is doing with you two? �Not very well, naturally. He keeps telling me that I�m too young to have a serious relationship. Fathers!� �I�m going to be late for class. See you later Marron.� They waved at each other and Zelena dodged into her class before the bell rang. <><><><><> �Father.� Shouted Zelena as she ran through the door. He flew down the stairs thinking something was wrong. �I only have to take one final this week.� She beamed. He regained his composure and smiled at his daughter. �Good job sweetheart. Did you tell your mother? You know she would like to hear that.� �Is she home?� Knowing the answer, she kissed Raditz and headed out towards CC. <><><><><> �Linhe your daughter is out here to see you.� Linhe heard over the loud speaker. She started the process of decontaminating her suit, then removed it and slipped into her lab coat. �Hi Zelena. What are you doing here?� Zelena handed her the exemption notices. �That�s great Zelena. But why aren�t you exempt from Chemistry?� She said a little disappointed. �Because Mr. Butthole Butters doesn�t believe in exemptions. I�m so glad that I will never see him again.� She said sourly. �This means I only have one day of school this week, and then I�m outta there.� Linhe hugged her daughter in pride. �I�m going to go tell Oterro.� She said with dread. �That secretary of his still giving you grief? Have you told Oterro?� �Why is she so mean to me? No I don�t like to get into his work life. He�s funny about that.� She moaned. She kissed her mother good-bye and watched her mother disappear into the lab. She headed back upstairs to see Oterro. She held her breath and opened the door to where his secretary sits. He was standing in front of the secretary�s desk giving her instructions when he turned around and saw Zelena come in. He smiled at her and grabbed her hand pulling her into his office. Zelena heard the secretary growl at her, and she shuddered. He closed the door behind him and wrapped himself around her. �How did you know that I was needing a Zelena fix?� he said smiling at her. She kissed him passionately before telling him the good news. �I get to ditch my finals, except for chemistry, which means I have only one day of school left. So I thought maybe we could go out tonight and celebrate.� �Absolutely, and maybe you�d want to spend the night. You know it�s been awhile since you last stayed.� He said frowning. `That�s because I want ravage your body.` she thought to herself. She gave him a kiss instead of answering that last part. After 5 minutes of mauling each other she left his office. �Tramp.� Zelena heard the secretary say as she headed for the door. Zelena whipped around. �Excuse me?� She heard what that women said. �You heard me.� Brenda said snidely. She smiled when she saw that she got to Zelena who ran out of the office. She was fuming and people gave her a wide birth as she exited the building. Oterro was prompt at picking her up and she was ready, wearing a little black casual dress and sandals. She had an overnight bag with her just incase she broke down and stayed. �Call if your not coming home so we don�t worry.� Linhe shouted after her. Raditz hated it when she slept over there and was thankful that she didn�t do it that often. He sensed that they still haven�t done anything, but each time she stayed over there it was like Russian Roulette to him. He put the top up to his convertible so it wouldn�t tangle her hair. They headed off to a restaurant that was their favorite. They sat at their usual secluded table and gazed into each other�s eyes as they waited for their dinner to arrive. �So are you coming to the party Oterro?� She said breaking the trance they were in. �Of course I�ll be there. But�� She hated `buts`. �We�re not going to stay too long because I have a surprise for you.� �Really?� She said with love. �Is that why you have been avoiding giving me an answer?� He smirked at her. Their food came and they started to eat. �Oh guess what?� She said excitedly. He waited for her to continue. �I think Goten is going to ask Bra to marry him at the party.� His eyes widened at the news. He has been thinking about it for months now, but knew she had to go to college. Not that she couldn�t continue if they were married, but he didn�t want to cheat her out of her youth. After dinner he opened the door for her and closed it when she got in. �So am I taking you home?� He asked hoping that she would say no. He held his breath waiting for an answer. �Not tonight. I need to be with you.� She said remembering how nasty his secretary was today, and the name that she called her. She shivered in her seat. �Are you cold?� He said and turned up the heat some. She reached into her purse and grabbed her cell phone. �Hi mom. I�m not going to be home tonight.� Zelena said as matter of factly. She heard a groan in the background. �Was that dad? Is he okay?� �No everything is alright. You have fun.� She said through gritted teeth. �Oh and Zelena?� �Yes mom� �I love you sweetheart.� �I love you too.� She clicked off the cell phone and stuck it back in her purse. She was taken back because her mom and dad never say that word. They believe that the love word is ridiculous for no word can describe a Saiyans feelings for one they care about. She figured there was a hidden message in there somewhere. <><><><><> He had a house that tucked back into woods which was between CC and Gingertown. He recently bought it with the money he was earning from his new job. Boxes were still unpacked which drove her nuts. So whenever she was there she would help unpack a few. Other than that the place was really clean. They entered the dark house and he directed her over to the couch. He pushed a button and the gas fireplace came alive. �Does this remind you of anything?� He purred. �Why yes it does. About six months ago, I was constantly being held by this gorgeous creature.� She returned teasingly. Then she went serious. �Hold me tight Oterro. I need you to hold me like you never have before.� She said urgently. He pulled her down on top of him and wrapped the blanket that was on the back of the couch, around her. She slid into the crook of his arm, which was her favorite place on earth. �NOOOOOO!� she screamed in her sleep. Oterro was shaking her trying to get her to wake up. He felt his chest was damp with her sweat, and he was frightened for her. She kept on screaming. �ZELENA!� he shouted. She sat up straight, her hair was plastered to the sides of her face and neck. Sweat trickled down her spine and she shivered. �You were having a nightmare again. What�s going on?� �I don�t remember what the dream was about.� She lied. She remembered it as if it was real. She dreamt that Brenda was having sex with Oterro, and she caught them on Brenda�s desk. Brenda started screaming at her, taunting her. Zelena got up to go change out of her dress and take a shower. He watched her disappear from the living room and he got up to go change his shirt. He was worried about her, for every time she spent the night she�s been having these nightmares. He asked her mom if Zelena was having them at home as well. Sure enough it has been a regular thing with her. He sighed. He went into the bathroom and sat on the counter like he has done on numerous occasions. The shower curtain was black so he couldn�t see anything. She felt better knowing that he was in there with her, specially now. �I think your lying about not remembering the dream.� He said to her. �I know you�ve been having these nightmares at your house.� �I really don�t want to talk about it Oterro. It�s something I have to work out on my own.� She hoped he would drop the subject. �Since when do we keep secrets from each other Zelena? There is nothing in this world that you should have to work out on your own.� He heard the shower turn off and he handed her robe to her. �Please Oterro. I don�t want to talk about it right now. Okay.� She said as she stepped out of the shower. He grabbed the brush and started brushing her wet hair. She closed her eyes as he stroked her hair. �I love you so much goose.� She whispered. <><><><><> It was the day before the big party, and Zelena was over at Bra�s house lounging by the pool with her. �So do you think he�s really going to ask the question.� Zelena asked her cousin. �I feel like he is.� Bra said dreamily. She looked at Zelena and saw the exhausted look in her eyes. �Aren�t you getting enough sleep?� �Not really.� She didn�t care to elaborate. �Bra?� �Yes.� �Can I ask you a very personal question?� Zelena asked hesitantly. �Of course you can. I think we�ve shared everything.� �Have you and Goten, you know?� Bra floated over to her cousin. She beamed brightly. �Yep.� Was all she said. Then she looked thoughtfully. �You mean you and Oterro haven�t?� Zelena shook her head. �BRA!� shouted Vegeta. �Goathead is on the phone for you.� He didn�t care if Goten heard him or not. Bra rolled her eyes at Zelena and hopped out of the pool. Zelena felt so sorry for the both of them. Vegeta could be so cruel sometimes. �Don�t think I wont tell mom about this Vegeta.� She threatened, and called her father by his real name. He snorted and walked away. �Hey uncle Vegeta.� Zelena yelled to him. He stuck his head out the door and growled at her. �Do you want to spar?� His eyes widened and a smirk sent half his lips up. �Fine brat. But put some clothes on, your mother tried that crap on me once.� She had no clue what he was talking about, but she threw on her shorts and t-shirt and flew over to the gravity room. Raditz would be here in a few minutes after feeling his daughters Ki flare up. He hated it when Vegeta sparred with his daughter. He turned on the machine and put it up to 200g�s. She powered up as did he. Her hair turned blonde and started to stick straight up. She took in a deep breath and lunged at him. He jumped out of the way and brought his hands down on her back and she went spiraling down to the floor. �Oh come on brat. You can do better then that.� He growled. She flew up in front of him and landed a punch in his face. Then she kept punching him in the chest. He shot a Ki blast that hit her square in the chest and knocked the breath out of her. She jumped back in and they were both throwing punches that landed on their target. Raditz flung the door open. �VEGETA!� he roared. �I asked him to spar father. It�s not his fault.� �Shut up brat I don�t need you to protect me.� He growled. �Come on Raditz and take me on.� Zelena walked out of the gravity room at the loss of her sparring partner. Bra was still on the phone, so she decided to head back home. She desperately wanted to see Oterro, but didn�t want to see Brenda. She thought about calling him, but she�d still have to deal with the nasty secretary. She sat by her phone and willed Oterro to call her. The phone rang and she jumped in surprise. �Zelena? Is everything alright? I just had the weirdest feeling.� Oterro said on the other line. She sat stunned for her prayer had reached him. �I�m fine, I was just missing you horribly. Maybe you�re psychic.� She teased. She heard a click on the phone line and new instantly that Brenda had been eavesdropping. �What was that click?� he asked. �Huh, weird. Hey I miss you too. Are you still not getting any sleep?� �Sure I am,� she lied. �Will you come over after work?� �Yeah, I�ll drop by. Do you want to come home with me?� He asked. �Oh you know I would love nothing more, but graduation and the party is tomorrow. I�m sure I will be spending the night with you tomorrow, right?� �You bet you are. Alright Zelena, I will see you after work. I love you.� �I so love you too.� She hung up and hugged her pillow close to her. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. �ZELENA! WAKE UP!� Both Linhe and Oterro were trying to wake Zelena. She started to thrash wildly and throw punches as she screamed. �ZELENA! ZELENA!� She finally woke up. Oterro was holding her down, and Linhe tried to wake her. She moaned when she saw the worried look on their faces. Raditz came busting in through the door. �What�s going on?� he demanded. He saw his sweat soaked daughter shivering on the bed. �Oh Zelena this is crazy. Won�t you tell us what is going on.� Raditz whispered, as he sat down on the side of her bed. She sat up and peeled the wet hair away from her face. �I need to shower. Will you wait for me Oterro.� He nodded and they all watched her go into the bathroom. Oterro followed her parents downstairs. <><><><><> Marron walked up to the podium to give her speech to the graduation seniors and the guests. She made it short, simple, and to the point. The three girls received their diplomas and walked off the stage. Zelena was itching to get out there and on with her life. After the ceremony the entire gang headed over to Bulma�s house to celebrate. Capsule Corp workers were all invited to join them. At sunset it was supposed to be the kids and their friends only, no parents. Goten was working up the courage to talk to Vegeta. It took all through the ceremony to feel like he could do it. When they arrived at the house, Goten scanned the area to find Vegeta. It wasn�t hard to pick him out over by the tree line leaning against a tree, scowling, with arms crossed. Goten walked over to him, as he approached he heard a growl escape Vegeta�s lips and nearly turned back. He sucked in a breath of air and held it in. �May I talk to you Vegeta?� He asked respectively. �Make it quick and get to the point.� He snarled. He wanted to hit Goten but saw Goku and decided against it. Goten cleared his throat and sweat was beading on his forehead. �Iwouldliketoaskyouforyourdaughtershandinmarriage.� He said in one long quick breath. �You want to sever my daughters hand and do what with it?� Vegeta was perplexed for he thought he heard wrong. �I�m asking for your blessing to marry Bra.� Goten wanted to laugh, but definitely knew better then to do that. Vegeta�s eyebrows raised and his eyes somewhat softened. He was not expecting this, and wasn�t quite sure how he felt about it. He knew he wasn�t angry, but something different. He thought for sure Goten was just a punk, but now looked at him in a different light. �All I have to say is that you better treat my brat like a queen.� He smirked. Goten nodded so hard Vegeta thought his head was going to snap off. �Ugh. Go away now.� Goten felt dizzy, but was walking on clouds. He went to tell Gohan what happened. Gohan slapped him on the back and was stunned at Vegeta�s response. <><><><><> Zelena saw Brenda arrive and she started to shake. She wasn�t afraid of her, and she felt like blasting her to hell, but she was afraid of what Oterro would think or do. She felt trapped. Brenda saw Zelena and sneered at her. Zelena turned around and grabbed Oterro�s hand tightly, as he was talking with Trunks. �TRUNKS, TRUNKS?� Pan squealed as she ran to him. He picked her up in his arms and gave her a hug. �Whatcha doin' Panny-chan?� She squealed at his nickname for her. �Nothing.� She said delighted. Trunks was her hero. At eleven she still felt like he was the older brother that she dreamed of. Which later in life would evolve to something more. She put her head on his shoulders as he turned his attention back to Oterro. �Is she interrupting?� Videl said to Trunks, as she had seen what her daughter did. �She�s fine Videl. You know Panny can do no wrong.� Pan shifted to the other side of his shoulder and hugged him tighter. Zelena walked away to get a bottle of water. Brenda saw a perfect opportunity to drive the nail in further and she approached Zelena. Linhe was across the crowd and watched with disdain. �Go away Brenda. Leave me alone.� Zelena pleaded. �Why don�t you just stop the shit, and leave him alone? What makes you think he wants a little girl like you over a woman like me?� She sneered. �You�re sick Brenda, and you need help.� Zelena saw the woman�s face redden with fury. �Just remember what I said. If you try and stop us from getting together I will kill him. For if I can�t have him no one will.� She hissed and walked away. The threat slapped Zelena across the face. She started shaking uncontrollably. She was so tempted to kill her right then and there. Bra had overheard the last part of the conversation and was shocked. Zelena saw the look on Bra�s face, and she moaned. �Zelena? Isn�t that Oterro�s secretary?� Bra whispered in disbelief of what she overheard. Zelena nodded. �What is going on?� �Bra, I really don�t want to talk about this. Please just let it go. I will take care of this myself.� Zelena begged. They turned their attention when they heard Goten calling out for Bra, and Bra walked off going to see what he wants. Zelena was in desperate search for Oterro but saw that Brenda was talking to him. Linhe came up to her and had a worried look on her face. �If you don�t tell Oterro, then I will.� Linhe warned. �Mom please, let me handle this.� �This is what is causing those nightmares. Isn�t it?� She knew the answer when she saw Zelena�s eyes drop to the ground. �That does it. I�m putting an end to this.� Linhe took off before Zelena could protest. Linhe found Trunks, and grabbed his arm. He was talking to an employee and cut the conversation when he saw his aunt�s face. �I need to ask you something.� She said as she yanked him to a more private spot. �I want to know who has the power to fire employees?� �Well in your department, you do. It depends on what department your talking about.� His eyebrows were raised. �What about the computer department.� She demanded, her rage was increasing as she thought about that dirty secretary. Trunk�s eyes were widening as he saw his aunts face seething with rage. �Well that would be me, because we haven�t relinquished that responsibility to Oterro yet.� He said softly. �Why, what�s going on?� She glared at him, actually through him. �I want Oterro�s secretary gone by Monday, or I will pluck her apart piece by piece. Do you hear me?� She growled, and he jumped back. �Aunt Linhe, you know I need a reason.� He said nervously. �She is harassing Zelena, and making threats Trunks.� She knew he needed more than that. Trunks saw the distraught Zelena standing alone staring off into space, and he just couldn�t believe someone could be mean to her. �There are witnesses for Kami�s sake. She�s told Zelena on more than one occasion that if Zelena doesn�t stop seeing Oterro that she would kill him. She�s a sick woman, and I want her gone.� The entire crowd turned when they heard a scream from Bra. She was jumping up and down holding her ring finger. Goten fell to the ground by the force of her shriek. Everyone started to gather around to congratulate the happy couple on their engagement. Bulma was in tears, and Vegeta silently crept up to her and put his arms around her knowing that no one would be paying attention. He whispered things in her ear, and she turned around to hug him. Trunks made his way over to talk to Zelena. Linhe walked off to try and find her mate for comfort. �Your mom told me what has been going on.� He heard her groan in agony. �Zelena why didn�t you tell Oterro or me?� �Tell me what?� Oterro said as he came up behind Trunks. He saw the seriousness on both of their faces and began to worry. �Zelena either you tell him or I will. This is ridiculous, you should have told somebody sooner.� He said calmly. �I�m a full blooded Saiyan, don�t you think I can handle this on my own?� She hissed at Trunks, angry that he was making a big deal out of this. �Obviously not, when you�re losing sleep over it.� �Someone tell me what is going on, NOW!� Oterro growled. Trunks turned his attention to Oterro and started to tell him. �No. Fine I will tell him. Thanks a lot Trunks.� She growled and turned to Oterro. She hated to tell him this, and she shook with anger at having to do so. She told him all of the threats, and accusations of them having sex, and not too mention the name-calling. Oterro�s face reddened. He couldn�t believe the torment Zelena had been going through, and he grabbed her around her waist pulled her close to him and buried his face in her neck as she rested her head in his chest. Not removing his face from her neck, he growled to Trunks. �I want that filth fired. As a matter of fact I want her gone from this party, now!� Trunks left the two alone and went to do the dirty chore of trash removal. He smirked at the thought of having to do this. �Zelena, why didn�t you tell me?� He whispered in her ear. �Don�t ever keep anything from me again. Okay?� �I�m sorry Oterro, but I felt like I would be interfering in your work. I work so hard at not mixing our life with your job.� He smiled at that, and looked her in the face. �I love it when you come and watch me work. I love you so much Zelena.� He said as he furrowed his eyebrows to show just how much. �Brenda, I need a word with you.� Trunks snarled. She knew that she had been ratted on, and glared at Zelena shooting daggers with her eyes. She mouthed to Zelena I will get you for this. Oterro saw it and he pulled Zelena closer to him. Zelena smirked back at Brenda, which sent the women into unadulterated rage. �I insist that you leave the grounds immediately, and as of this moment you are no longer an employee of Capsule Corporation.� Trunks said triumphantly �This isn�t over by a long shot.� She said venomously and turned around to leave. Zelena closed her eyes and thanked Kami that it was finally over. She smiled up at Oterro, and said �Now let�s have fun.� He smiled back at her and they went over to congratulate Bra and Goten. It was getting close to sunset and all of the Capsule Corp employees had left leaving only close relatives and friends of the graduated girls behind to party on. Goku, Raditz, and Vegeta were sparring in the gravity room, which was threatening to crumble from the power of three Saiyans. Bra ran up to Zelena and showed her the large diamond on her finger. Zelena hugged her cousin. Goten walked up to Oterro to talk. �So when are you going to break down?� Goten mumbled so the girls wouldn�t hear. Oterro only smirked. Gohan came up and punched Goten playfully in the arm. Toma, Marron, Akira, and Trunks made their way over to the group. The sun finally set in the sky, and the older adults left the party as promised. They provided alcohol but the keys were collected so no one would drive drunk. Bulma was a responsible person after all. It was time for Oterro to give Zelena her surprise. He walked up behind her and snaked his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him. He moved her hair away from her ear so he could have full access. �It�s time Zelena.� He whispered in her ear. She was finally enjoying herself, but was aching to be alone with Oterro. She said good-bye to the group, and headed to the house to tell her parents that she was leaving and grab her already packed bag. Linhe jumped up from the kitchen table and ran over to her daughter giving her a hug. �Thank you mother.� Zelena said. �You�re welcome. I�m just glad it�s over with. Now maybe you can get some sleep.� They hugged for a few seconds longer and Zelena left. She kissed her father on the cheek as she headed for the door, and he grabbed her hand pulling her onto the couch beside him. He looked at her thoughtfully and moved a wisp of her out of her face. Oterro looked at the tender moment and felt a little guilty. �I�m glad you�re alright. I just can�t understand why you didn�t blast her to hell.� He said in disbelief. She saw a sadness creep into his eyes. He felt it in his heart that this is last time that he will see his daughter as the little girl he knew her to be. For he suspected that tonight�s event will be lead to the end of her innocence. She smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek. He savored that last look of innocence, and engraved it in his memory. Goku laughed when he heard the last comment. Zelena got up and went to her uncle Goku. He stood up so he could give her a hug. He nearly squeezed the breath out of her before he released her to Oterro. �I enjoy being with your family. I�m looking forward to the day when I become part of it.� He said as he led her to the car. She smirked at him evilly. �Oh? Is there something I should be aware of?� She saw him shrug as he closed her car door. They had talked about marriage before, but he wanted to wait until she was at least half way through college. |