7/12/06

A/N: Hi there. I've been reading at some old and new TP's that I really like and are really good, and I guess I just got inspired to write. So this is my attempt in redeeming myself because I am really embarrassed of the previous fics I have written on here. I'm going to try to make this a short one. Please tell me what you think of it!

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ. If I did then I wouldn't be writing this.

-

Her Indigo Dress

Chapter One:

She looked down at the almost empty glass that her slender fingers clung lightly to. With another swirl, she tilted its edge to her fine cherry lips and sipped the remaining liquid. Her eyes eased shut as she concentrated on the cool, smooth brandy that slipped slowly down her throat, hoping it would help drown away her heartache. The damned alcohol was not working its usual magic tonight.

She lifted her head, and her gaze met with a compassionate smile from the middle-aged bartender. Managing to curve her lips weakly back at him, she sighed and hung her head once more, letting strands of her silky raven hair cascade over her sad, tired eyes. Her hand reached onto the counter top and landed upon her tiny black purse. She opened it, fumbling with the contents within, finally pulled out some amount of money, and placed it under her lipstick-stained glass.

"Thank you." She nodded wearily towards the barkeep.

"Be safe, miss." The bartender returned politely, a concerned expression fitted upon his bold face.

She stood and paused for a moment, allowing herself to regain her balance. Tugging at her sleek, indigo dress, she finally managed to adjust to her elegant heels and began to shuffle sloppily to the exit.

The streets were quiet with the exception of the soft clicking of her shoes and occasional cars that rushed past. The crisp night air nipped at her exposed skin, sending shivers down her spine. Her gown didn't work well as a heater, with a slit that traveled up to mid-thigh, an uncovered back, and a tastefully low cut front. Her fingers were turning blue and she was freezing like never before, but she couldn't care less. Her head throbbed with thoughts of what happened earlier that night: the bliss of being with Trunks at the party, and then having the world crash around her upon hearing Bra's words. Just reminiscing it made her knees buckle and her heart twinge in a dull pain.

"Pan," A dazzling blue-haired lady in a classy silver dress tapped her on the shoulder, calling to her. "I need to talk to you."

She spun to face her friend, Trunks' masculine arm still wrapped tightly around her slim waist, playing with her glossy dress. A bright grin danced on her full lips. "Bra! I was wondering when you'd get here. Where's Goten?"

Bra smiled hesitantly as she glanced at her brother's protective embrace. She looked so happy, and they looked so perfect. A pool of sorrow began to swell in her heart as she contemplated whether to tell her or not.

"Can I talk to you?" What was she thinking? Of course she had to tell her! She was her best friend, and she wouldn't have anyone do something like that to her... even if it were her brother. Her brows knitted in frustration. "Alone?"

Pan noted the serious tone in her voice and nodded, giving Trunks a light peck on the lips before she wandered away with her friend. As they walked in silence an undeniable tension grew - not even the soft, golden glow of the chandeliers, cheery clanging of wine glasses, and hearty chuckles of guests could undermine it. They ended up in a small garden accompanying the gargantuan ballroom they were in a few moments before. Bra stopped and turned towards her friend, a troubled sigh escaping her lips.

"Bra, what's wrong?" Genuine worry was plastered on Pan's face.

"Maybe we should sit down." Bra glanced toward the stone bench that stood a short ways away. The blue-eyed beauty trudged over toward the seat, still obviously uneasy.

"Bra, stop stalling, and tell me what's wrong." Pan was almost desperate to know now - she hated seeing someone so dear to her be plagued with something awful.

"Pan... this isn't something easy for me to tell you." Bra paused, sucking in a deep breath.

A deeper look of worry shone in Pan's dark, coffee brown eyes. "What is it? You know you can tell me anything. I promise I will do anything I can to help. What does it have to do with?"

"You."

"Me?" She asked, confused.

"It has to do with you..." Bra paused, staring intensely at her. "And Trunks."

"Trunks? How does this have to do with Trunks?" Pan uttered, her face showing sheer disarray.

"I know things have been going great with you two, and you both look so happy, like you belong together. And I know that you love him, Pan. I don't doubt that for a second. But what he's doing isn't right. He's hurting you, and you don't deserve it. You deserve better!" She threw her hands in the air, frustration and anger flowing from her words.

"What?" Pan was still in a mix of confusion. "Bra, calm down. You're not making any sense. Trunks hasn't done anything wrong."

"I'm so sorry, Pan." Tears brimmed Bra's crystal blue eyes. "I really wanted you two to work out, I honestly did!"

"Bra, don't cry. Come on, you'll ruin your make-up." Pan patted her friend's back gently. "What is Trunks doing? He hasn't done anything."

"Yes he has! He's doing everything wrong. He's a lying, deceitful, cheating bastard!"

Pan was shocked at Bra's sudden outburst. Sure she was her best friend and Trunks' sister, but calling the love of her life a lying, deceitful, cheating bastard stung. "What? How? ... Why?"

Bra calmed herself by taking in another gulp of the cool evening air. "He's cheating on you."

Pan froze, her face paling and pulse stalling. "He's... what?" She slowly slurred the words unbelievingly.

"Trunks is cheating on you."

Her onyx eyes dulled, as she slumped onto the cold, stone bench in a daze. "With who?" Her voice quivered; she was devastated by the news.

"Marron." Pan whispered quietly to herself as she continued to stumble along the sidewalk. Her mind went numb with heartbreak. Marron was supposed to be her friend, one of her closest friends, and she was supposed to be with Ubuu. How could Marron do this to her? To Ubuu? How could Trunks do this to her? Was he not in love with her anymore? Was she not good enough to satisfy him in bed?

Hot tears began to cloud her vision, and trail down her pale cheeks. She shook her head in effort to rid herself of these hurtful thoughts and regain composure. Her head was already spinning from the alcohol she had just consumed.

It must've been past three o'clock in the morning, nearing four, and she still wasn't home. Her mother and father would've been going eccentric if she hadn't moved out into her own apartment months ago. She wondered if anyone was looking for her... if Trunks was worried about her, or if he was fooling around with Marron instead. She shook her head once more to clear her mind. He was the last thing she wanted to think about.

-

He glanced down at the watch that was strapped to his wrist. 3:49 am. Where was she? She should've come home by now. She would've been home long before this time on any other night. Did something happen to her? Was she alright?

Sighing, he ran his fingers through his already messy lavender locks, and held his head his hands, elbows propped upon her kitchen table that he was sitting at. He reached into the pocket of his black slacks and pulled out his cell phone. His thumb jammed on the green send key, redialing his beloved's phone number. Again, he was only greeted with rings and a message machine. Why wasn't she answering her cell phone?

His whole body ached for sleep, but he knew he wouldn't be able to get any without knowing Pan was safe. How he longed to have her in his arms, rest his head on the crook of her neck, breathe in her heavenly scent, and caress her under that lovely dark azure dress. He felt hopeless and overwhelmingly worried. He had spent the last three hours flying around the city looking for her, trying to track down her ki.

'Well at least she's well enough to suppress her ki...' He said silently to himself, in hopes of reassuring himself. 'Either that, or she's lying in an alleyway on the brink of death.' He smacked himself for being so negative.

He had no idea what made Pan disappear like this. After Bra had a talk with her, she came back to him bitter and depressed. She hardly talked to him, only responding with one-word answers, and she flinched at even his slightest touch. She wouldn't look directly into his eyes, and the fire that usually burned within them no longer seemed to be there.

What did Bra say to her? He then recalled that Bra had also been shooting him cold glares the whole night. Well, not just tonight - she had been distant for nearly a week now.

His heart throbbed with a terrible feeling as he pounded the side of his fist against his forehead. Why was she so suddenly drained? What the hell had he done? His brows furrowed and his forehead scrunched.

Could she know? Could she have found out about his affair with Marron? No, she couldn't have. They hadn't been sloppy in keeping it secret, and he was ending it tonight anyway. He loved Pan, and only Pan. Not anyone else, not Marron. He was positive of it.

Using his freehand, he reached into his other pant pocket, and pulled out a small box. His fingers stroked the velvety surface, as he flipped open the cover to reveal a ring held in place. He ran his eyes over the silver band studded with a single beautifully cut diamond.

Tonight was supposed to be the night.

His eye caught a hold of the woman he was in love with. No words could describe how she looked tonight - gorgeous certainly underplayed her beauty. She was charming, sexy, breathtaking, feminine, exquisite, and ravishing. In addition to her looks, she was also strong-willed, open-minded, smart, fun, and funny. No other woman could even come close to comparing with her. He was a lucky man. A twist of guilt jumped into his chest. No, no other woman could even come close to comparing with her - not even Marron.

His cerulean eyes sparkled as he watched her approach him, trailing his sister's footsteps. Her midnight blue dress clung to her body like a lover's touch, making her curves look all the more voluptuous and alluring. Her dark hair was pinned, partly up with most of it falling down her back in soft curls, and framed her delicately featured, naturally glowing face. Just the sight of her made his soul stir and his body temperature rise.

She finally arrived at his side, glancing up at his roaming eyes. His arm hooked around her thin waist, the silky material of her indigo dress feeling pleasantly smooth to the touch. He leaned down to entangle her in a kiss, but she turned away, and his lips landed on the side of her mouth. He frowned as he pulled back, cupping her cheek delicately with his hand as he stroked her with his thumb. She shifted her stare to him, eyes dull and watery. His stomach churned at the sight of her, sensing that there was something greatly bothering her. She looked away once more.

"What's the matter, baby?" He spoke in a low and concerned tone. She didn't respond. "Pan?" Nothing.

He looked toward his sister, standing with a tall, slick Goten with his arm around her shoulders. Bra noticed her brother's gaze and shot him the most frigid look possible. He raised his eyebrow in question, and Bra immediately shifted her attention elsewhere.

He felt a figure brush past him, and he realized it was Pan. He hastily grabbed a hold of her upper arm, not wanting her to go without telling him what was on her mind. She didn't turn to face him. He felt her shiver.

"Where are you going?" He asked softly, slightly hurt by her rejecting him.

"Restroom." Her voice wavered, sounding muffled. Was she crying? She lightly tugged her arm from his grasp and headed away, never looking back.

He wanted to run after her and hold her until she'd tell him what was wrong, but he knew she wouldn't respond, and it'd only create a commotion. Deciding to wait until she returnedand then slowly work it out of her, his hand reached into the pocket of his slacks, gripping the small velvet box tightly.

Tonight was supposed to be the night.

-

As Pan approached her apartment complex, she let out of a breath of relief to see that her floor wasn't illuminated. That meant that Trunks wasn't there, waiting up for her to come home. She didn't want to face him, not now anyway.

Her feet stung as she dragged herself through the main lounge to the sturdy silver elevators. Her hand trembled as jammed her index finger against the up arrow. With a small ding, the heavy doors to her left slid open, and she stepped inside, pressing the number eight.

The elevator hummed as she looked at her reflection in the shiny doors. Her once perfect curls were now tossed and frayed due to the wind, her skin was pale and almost blue as a result of walking for the past hour and a half, her eyes had tired rings around them, and her lips were flaming red from the cold. She looked like shit, and she couldn't care less. She felt like shit; that was the only thing that mattered.

-

Trunks' ears perked as he heard the small noise of the elevator and shuffling outside the door. He sat up as he listened to the fumbling of keys before one was inserted into the lock. He couldn't help but smile, a weight of worry lifting off of his chest.

The door swing open weakly, and she stepped in, fatigued. She shut the door behind her before turning and noticing a figure sitting at her kitchen table. She jumped, startled, and her heart skipped a beat. She realized who it was shortly and almost let a groan slip, cursing silently. What in Kami's world possessed her to give him a key to her apartment?

The pale moonlight spilled into her small, yet cozy living room from the undraped glass balcony doors. He could see the expression of hurt and anger on her, and he could tell that she was extremely exhausted and worn out. She looked like the life had been sucked out of her.

She flicked on the lights, and he squinted, vision adjusting to the sudden brightness.

"Hi love." He tried to sound as soothing as possible, hoping for an answer.

A pause. "Hi."

-

A/N: Thank you for reading! Questions? Comments? Thoughts? Insights? Please leave them. The next chapter will be out soon, I promise. I just had a surge of inspiration, and put it to good use, haha.