Thank you to my guest reviewer SLee, & LVR4Trunks-n-Vegeta for your reviews! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

P.S. Last chapter's title was a song by Breaking Benjamin :)

Chapter Two: Welcome to the Masquerade

Pan looked at herself in the full length mirror in her room. She was clad all in black, from her angel wings to her knee high boots & she couldn't help smiling at the reactions she was going to get from her family. The only part of the costume she wasn't comfortable with was the skin tight dress that came down to the middle of her thigh & had a plunging neckline. Frowning, she thought, I wish stores would sell a woman's Halloween costume that wasn't slutty. Even a simple nun costume left little to the imagination! Shaking her head & appraising her appearance once more, the young woman thought about adding some make up for a more dramatic effect, but decided on just some lipstick. It was a masquerade after all, so what was the point if no would be able to see half her face? Make up wasn't really her thing anyway. Aside from wearing eyeliner & mascara on occasion, the 22-year old was completely clueless when it came to that stuff. That's too be expected, however, when growing up around mostly boys. So, Pan sneaked a tube of Videl's dark red lipstick & applied it carefully, proud of herself when she managed not to get any on her teeth.

More or less satisfied with her appearance, Pan donned her simple black mask & left her room. Everyone else had already left for the party, which Pan was grateful for. Although she wasn't zombified this year, she didn't want to risk her mom making her change. Videl was less likely to make a scene in public. Chi Chi on the other hand…

Taking to the sky, Pan imagined her wings were real & that those were what kept her afloat, not her energy. It brought a smile to her face. That smile quickly vanished, though, when she fully realized where she was going. Capsule Corp. The place where Trunks works & his family resides. Maybe he won't attend the party. He didn't bother to show up the last couple of years, why would this year be any different? Too busy working probably. With that thought to comfort her, she continued flying towards West City.

Damn that woman & her constant parties. Vegeta, dressed in a form fitting black suit with a red tie, red mask & devil horns, was sulking in the corner of the ballroom while the party raged on around him. He despised anything that kept him from his beloved gravitation room, especially Bulma's parties. Every time someone approached him trying to strike up a conversation, his fingers twitched with the urge to punch them in the face. Luckily for the humans, the Saiyan Prince didn't have to resort to violence; a glare from him was enough to make them turn right back around. Again, he absolutely loathed these types of things.

However, he had to admit some of the parties weren't that bad, but that was only when she showed up. Pan Son, granddaughter of his greatest rival. Over the years, Vegeta found himself becoming increasingly more drawn to her. She had grown up to be a beautiful Saiyan female. Strong, fearless, intelligent. He longed to have her, just once. Longed to finally know what it was like to be with a Saiyan woman.

Unfortunately for him, his spoiled, half breed brat had gotten to her first. When that happened, he was sure she was lost to him forever, assuming that Trunks would mark Pan & claim her as his own. But that never happened. When Trunks would bring his girlfriend over, Vegeta couldn't help but scan her neck for bite marks, which would signify the bond between the two hybrids. Once or twice he saw red marks; it filled him with jealously to see them, to see the physical proof that his son had touched her in ways that he could only dream of, but no teeth marks were present, so he quelled the feeling.

But the girl was free game now. Pan had left Trunks, something the older man never thought would happen, & she was attending tonight's festivities. The Son family arrived around 9pm & Vegeta searched for the young girl among them, but she was no where to be seen. He detached himself from his corner & walked up to Goku.

"So, Kakarot," the shorter Saiyan said, trying to keep the disappointment from his voice," it seems you're missing a brat tonight."

It took Goku a moment to figure out what he meant. Moron, the prince thought. Finally,he replied with a small chuckle. "Oh, you mean Pan. She should be here soon. She wasn't ready yet, so we left without her. Didn't want Bulma to yell at me for being any later than we already are." He chuckled again. As if on cue, the two men felt a familiar ki approaching.

"There she is now. She'll be happy to see you, Vegeta. She's been talking nonstop about sparring with you again. Poor girl doesn't get to train enough." Goku's comment brought a smug smirk to the prince's face. So she's been thinking of me has she?

"There's more to life than just training, Goku," said Chi Chi.

Before Goku could reply to his wife, the ballroom doors opened & the group couldn't help but stare at the new arrival. For a moment, Vegeta wasn't sure it was even Pan, but there was no denying that it was her ki signature he was sensing. For the first time in his long life, he was speechless.

"That's…Pan?" Chi Chi couldn't believe her eyes. This was not what she had in mind when her granddaughter said she was going to be an angel. There wasn't a speck of white on her costume. Even her halo was black. .

"Um…yeah, Mother, that's her." Gohan was shocked as well. His little girl never dressed this provocatively & he didn't like all the attention she was getting from the male party goers, although Pan seemed oblivious to their stares.

Goku didn't seem to have a problem with the way she was dressed. He was easily the most cool headed of the group & took most things lightly. "Look on the bright side, you guys. She's finally dressing more feminine like. That's what you wanted right, Chi? Videl?"

"I told her to dress appropriately, this isn't appropriate!"

"It's not that bad, Videl. At least she's wearing a dress."

"Goku-"

"Hey everyone."

Pan had finally reached them, smiling with dark red lips. Vegeta couldn't stop staring; he was transfixed. A fallen angel. Her costume complemented his perfectly.

"Pan, sweetie, please explain your outfit," Videl asked with a tight lipped smile.

"What's to explain? I said I was going to be an angel. What's the problem?"

Gohan chimed in before his wife lost it. "Honey, when you mentioned being an angel, we thought you would be a traditional angel. You know, white wings & such."

"Papa, that's so boring. Please don't make a big deal out of this. I am an adult you know?"

"She's right," said…Vegeta? He was defending her? That was new. "Compared to some of the other half dressed women running around tonight, this brat is absolutely Amish."

Pan smiled. "Thanks, Vegeta, or should I address you as Lucifer?"

Vegeta smirked, but didn't reply. Her parents & grandma had decided not to argue with her anymore, for now at least, & were now conversing with Krillin & 18 who had wandered over. Goku, of course, found his way to the buffet table & got down to business. Pan & Vegeta stood together, apart from their small group.

"I've heard you've been neglecting your training, brat."

Blushing, Pan said, "Oh, yes, unfortunately. Now that I'm done with school, though, I have more time to train. Maybe we can spar sometime?"

"Yes, your clown of a grandpa mentioned you can't stop talking about me." He smirked.

She blushed even more. "Grandpa & I talk about training a lot & your name might have come up a couple of times. I'm excited to get back into it."

"That eager to get your ass handed to you, huh?"

"Bring it on, old man."

"Don't underestimate me. I'm still young enough to handle you, little one." Pan chuckled lightly at that, but she couldn't help but think he meant something other than sparring.

Silence descended upon the pair as the quarter Saiyan repeated his words over & over in her head. Was Vegeta flirting with her? She didn't think he saw her that way. Growing up, Pan had a huge crush on her ex-boyfriend's dad. As she got older, it became clear he only thought of her as a child, so she started dating Trunks. She truly loved Trunks at the time, but the young girl couldn't help but think that she only dated him because he resembled Vegeta. It unsettled Pan to think she was so shallow, but that's how deep her feelings for the prince of Saiyans ran.

The Saiyan warrior was worried that he may have come on too strong, too soon. He didn't want to scare her away before he could seduce her. The silence grew between them & he was about to break it when his daughter ran up to them, enveloping Pan in a hug.

"Six months & you can't pick up a phone to call your best friend?"

"Hello to you, too, Bulla," Pan greeted the blue-haired girl. "I'm sorry it's just been weird with the whole Trunks & me thing. I thought you might be mad at me."

"Why would I be mad?" Bulla asked.

Pan stared at her friend, puzzled. "Because I broke your brother's heart of course."

"Seems like he's doing fine to me." Bulla pointed behind Pan at…Trunks. He was near the refreshment table & there was a girl all over him. She was dressed as a nurse & he a doctor. Both wore masks, but Trunks' lavender hair stuck out like a sore thumb. There was no denying it was him. Oddly enough, Pan didn't feel any sadness or jealously. Instead she was happy that he had found somebody new.

"I should go say hello." Pan excused herself. While walking towards where Trunks was, she glanced back over her shoulder to find Vegeta staring at her with narrowed eyes. Weird.

Trunks didn't notice the dark angel until she was right in front of him. Not realizing it was Pan, he bowed his head at her & smiled politely.

"Can I help you, miss?"

"Don't recognize me, Trunks? It's only been a few months."

"Pan! S-sorry. I couldn't tell with the mask &…everything." He eyed her attire & then glanced nervously at the girl beside him. "I didn't think you'd be here."

"Your mom wouldn't let me hear the end of it if I missed another one of her parties." Pan laughed, but then the smile slipped from her face. "I wanted to talk to you. I still care for you & I'd like us to be friends again. Besides, it looks like you've already moved on." Turning to his date, she held out her hand. "Hi I'm Pan, an old friend of Trunks'."

The blonde, busty nurse took Pan's hand & shook it. "Cecilia, Trunks' girlfriend. Nice to meet you. I love your costume."

"Thank you. You two look great. So Trunks, where'd you guys meet?"

The lavender-haired man seemed uncomfortable as he mumbled, "Work."

A sad smile appeared on her face. "Of course. You never go anywhere else. I'm not surprised you met her at the office. Congratulations, really. How long have you two been together?"

"Three months," Trunks quickly replied at the same time Cecilia said "A year & a half."

Pan stared at the couple in shock, speechless. A year & a half? They only broke up six months ago! What the hell is going on? "Excuse me?"

"Yeah, we started dating after a Capsule Corp convention in Parsley City. It's a bit embarrassing. We hooked up in my hotel room & the rest is history. Since we work so closely with each other, Trunks insisted we keep our relationship a secret. That was until a few months ago when he said he just didn't care anymore & he wanted to go public." Cecilia smiled lovingly at Trunks who had become noticeably paler.

The convention in Parsley City. Pan remembered that. Trunks was out of town for a week. It was after he got back that things between them started going downhill. Now she knew why. It all made sense. The bastard was cheating on her. He may have been at Capsule Corp like he said most of the time, but she doubted he was "working". Dende, she was so stupid.

Angry tears formed in Pan's eyes. She wasn't sad, she was pissed. "I'm glad you had someone to keep you company during all those long nights at work, Trunks," she said through clenched teeth. Keeping her eyes on the asshole in front of her, she addressed Cecilia. "Let me guess, Cecilia, he never took you to his place before a few months ago, right?"

The blonde's brow furrowed in confusion. "How'd you know?"

"Because I was there, in our apartment. We dated for four years until I left him half a year ago. I didn't know about you. I broke up with him for different reasons. You should know that he's been playing us both."

Trunks finally spoke up. "Pan, I'm-"

He was cut off by Pan's hand across his face. A loud "smack" reverberated through the huge room & everyone went silent. The enraged Saiyan's ki was rising rapidly.

"You're what? Sorry? No, you're not. But you will be." Pan raised her closed fist & was about to swing it forward when another hand grabbed her arm & stopped her. It was her father. He, & the other Saiyans with impeccable hearing, overheard their conversation & knew exactly what was going on.

"Sweetie, don't. I know he deserves it, but it'll ruin Bulma's party. Please, just calm down."

"But Daddy he-"

"I know, sweetheart. I heard everything. I'm sorry. Why don't you go get some fresh air? It'll clear your mind." While Gohan was trying to calm down his daughter, Cecilia had also slapped Trunks & exited the room, tears running down her cheeks. Trunks went after her with one final glance at Pan. "Looks like he'll pay for his deception anyway. I doubt that girl will stay with him."

Pan pulled her arm away from her father & swiftly made her way outside. Vegeta had been watching since she first went over to Trunks. He was angry that his son had hurt his Pan. Wait. His Pan? He obviously meant Trunks' Pan…right? Shaking his head of those absurd thoughts, Vegeta watched the young woman slip out the balcony door & outside.

Now is my chance. She's alone. Time to claim my prize. Smiling to himself, the sneaky devil trailed after his prey.

Author's Note:

I'm sorry I ended it there. I didn't want to, but it was getting to be too long. Next chapter will be up within the next couple days, I promise.

Chels xoxo