Disclaimer: I don't own anything cept the story so yeh :\

AN: Heh! A chapter! Yey...finally...try to be nice and not flame me...I tried my best, and if you don't like it tough luck! Just kidding...if you have any comments email me at lil808angel@hotmail.com! TY for reading and please R&R :D

Pan rang the doorbell. Silver chimes streamed through the house. She fiddled nervously with the backpack in her hands.

As the door squeaked opened, her father stood on the other side gaping at her. "Pa-Panny?!"

"Dad!" She threw her arms around him in a warm embrace. Gohan closed his eyes and welcomed the embrace from his only daughter. He'd missed her so much.

"You didn't tell us you were going to come back! When did come back Panny?? Why didn't you tell me to pick you up?? How--"

Pan held up her hand, laughing softly, cutting her father off. "Dad...I'll explain everything later. But I'm really tired and it was a long plane ride...can I come in?"

"Oh! Sorry Pan! Come in, your room's still the same...I mean if you want to get some sleep...you know..." He smiled sadly, but his eyes held the warm, loving expression she'd missed. "We didn't have the heart to change it. We knew you'd be back..." The corner of his lips picked up and he gave her the famous Son smile.

Pan couldn't help but smile back at the familiarity of it. "Where's Mom?"

"She went to do a little shopping for dinner." He helped her with her bags up to her room. "We're going to have Tuna Casserole for dinner."

Pan scrunched up her face. "Ew, that's gross! I hate fish!"

Gohan put on a shocked expression as they entered her room. "What? Hate fish? Ohh...what did the States do to you, Panny??"

Pan laughed at his satirical facade, making him laugh along with her. "Dad! When did you get a sense of humor?"

He blinked, looking offended. "I've always had a sense of humor!"

Pan grinned at him and proceeded to push him out of her room. "Okay okay, whatever you say. I need some sleep Dad. I'll be down later for," she scrunched up her face again, pausing dramatically, "fish."

Chuckling Gohan walked out the door. He turned to look at her. "You know Pan, I'm really glad you're back. Your mother and I've missed you. And I know everybody else has too, especially Tru--"

"I know. I've missed everybody too." Purposefully Pan interrupted him. She knew what name he was going to spit out at her. And she didn't need to think of him, not now. She'd deal with him later, when she has had enough time to think of what she was going to say to him when she saw him again.

Maybe it wasn't a mistake to come back, like she believed it to be. After-all, she's a strong girl...no, woman. She's a strong woman. And she didn't abhor the idea of returning, she just wasn't very confident of her choice to do so. But it was inevitable anyway, and she's capable of surpassing everything thrown at her, hopefully.

Quietly Pan closed the door and sank down into her bed. She leaned back on her pillow and smiled softly, looking up at her ceiling. Memories slowly drifted back to her and gradually she entered the world of the subconscious, via slumber.

----------------------

Something threw itself against Pan. "PAN!!!! Ohh, I missed you so much!!!!"

Pan cracked opened an eyelid and looked into the sparking blue eyes of Bra who was giving her a tight embrace. Pan's face lit up and she returned the hug eagerly. "BRA!!"

Bra smiled and sat at the edge of Pan's bed, happily. "So how have you been Pan?! Anything new in your life?" Bra winked at her before implying something. "Or perhaps anyone new?"

She sat up Indian style and laughed. Same old Bra. "I've been doing really good. I made lots of new friends in California. They're great." Her smile faded a little. "But I still missed all of you."

"Of course you did Pan, who could replace any of us?" Bra said mockingly referring to her, Goten and Trunks. Bra grinned and pointed out. "And you still haven't answered my question yet."

Pan shook her head chuckling. "No Bra, I don't have a new guy in my life yet, if that's what you mean."

Bra's grin intensified. "Yet huh?"

Pan's face paled visibly. "Y-You don't have any kind of plan brewing in that head of yours...do you?" Pan asked, afraid of the answer.

"No! Of course not." Bra said as she tried to hide her smile.

"Then why don't I believe you..." Pan trailed off as someone appeared in the doorway. "Mom!" Pan rushed off her bed and crashed into her mother for a bear hug.

"Panny!" Videl brought her hand up to stroke Pan's now mid-length hair. She pulled back and held Pan away from her at arms length, "My! You've grown so much since the last time I saw you!"

"Pan...You're wearing a...skirt!" Bra's jaw dropped to the floor as she noticed what Pan had on.

Pan tried not to laugh at her best friend's expression. "Yeh Bra, I've got some dresses too. You can look in my bags if ya wanna see."

Bra smiled happily, inching closer to Pan's luggage. "You know me!" She sat on the floor with a red suitcase in front of her, snapped it open, and started to look through it.

"You look beautiful Pan." Videl said as she gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead.

Pan beamed. "Thanks Mom!"


"We're going to have dinner soon Pan." Videl laughed at Pan's grimace at the word 'dinner'. "Your Dad has told me you've developed a certain dislike toward fish."

Pan nodded slightly, smiling sheepishly.

"I can make something else if you don't want fish." Videl offered.

"No, Mom don't bother. It's okay. I'll just grab something else to eat." Pan said.

"You can eat at our house Pan." Bra looked up from a short, dark denim skirt she was holding. "I'm sure Mom wouldn't mind. And you can even spar with Dad if you want later."

Pan looked at her mother for permission. "Can I?"

Videl smiled. "Of course, but tomorrow night, I'm making your favorite, so you better be here to eat it."

"Absolutely Mom. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I miss your cooking. Somehow in college, pizza and soda just doesn't quite cut it." Pan grinned.

Videl laughed. "I'm going to call Bulma to let her know you're going over there. Don't stay out to late, you're going to worry your father."

"I won't Mom." Pan closed the door after her mother walked out.

Pan sat down next to Bra who was holding up a short black halter-top dress. "Pan...I didn't know you were this kinda girl." Bra said arching a delicate eyebrow.

"Well, my friend insisted I buy that...so I did." Pan smiled like it was nothing, and proceeded to grab a pair of baggy pants and a tank top out of her luggage. "I'm going to change. I'll be right back." With that she walked out of the room.

Bra leaned back on the bed with Pan's black dress. She would have to get Trunks to see Pan in this. It would be perfect. Trunks would fall for her immediately. Bra did have second thoughts about what she planned to do however, because she knew her brother had rejected Pan, and that was why Pan left the country. Bra had been worried about her friend for all those years she had been away, but now that she's back and seems perfectly recovered, Bra's a little more relieved.

But still, what would happen if Trunks rejected her once more? Could her heart take it? Bra sighed and folded up the dress. She smiled when she thought of Goten and her. They wouldn't have gotten together if it weren't for Marron. Marron knew how much Bra like Goten. So she set up a little plan to make Goten realize their feelings were mutual. And voila! They were a couple. Although it did take Goten a while to realize his feelings for Bra.

Inwardly Bra laughed at the naiveté of her brother, Trunks didn't even know how much his rejection had hurt Pan. After Pan's confession he always acted as though it hadn't happened at all. Bra wished Trunks could see how much this was hurting Pan. For goodness sakes, the boy didn't even notice he was the reason she left! Sometimes Trunks could be really dense.

Bra's thoughts were interrupted when Pan came in and looked at her weirdly. "What?" She asked.

Pan shook her head and smiled. "Nothing. You just seem...different."

Bra laughed quietly, tossing the dress back into the suitcase. "Yeh well growing up does that to you."

"I know what you mean..." Pan said taking a seat next to her. Silence rested upon the room, as both Pan and Bra drifted deep into their thoughts.

"I'm sorry for not writing or calling." Pan said looking at Bra.

Bra smiled again. "It's all right. You're here now aren't you?" She stood up offering Pan a well manicured hand. "Lets go to my house...I have some clothes that would look great on you." Bra said grinning wickedly.

Pan's smile slipped as she looked up at her friend. "Uh...You aren't gonna make me look like a slut or anything right...?"

Bra smiled innocently, pulling Pan to her feet. "Of course not Pan!"

Pan gave her a skeptical look. "...Are you sure?"

"Pan, I'm not gonna make you look like a slut. You're one of my best friends. I wouldn't do that to you!" Bra said walking into the hallway.

"I'm sure." Pan muttered under her breath.

"HEY! I heard that!" Bra said smiling, sticking her head back into the room.

With a good-natured grin, Pan followed Bra out the door.

----------------------

Bulma sat working at her desk. The latest update she was giving her newest invention was going great! She grinned as she tighten the last screw onto the metal.

"Done at last!" She sat down at her computer. "Now...only to fix it's programming..."

A voice interrupted her work. "Mom!!! Pan's here!!!" Bulma froze, she hasn't seen Pan for so long! Forgetting about her programming, she practically ran to the kitchen. She arrived in the kitchen to see a refined Pan sitting down at the table. Pan looked so grown up, with medium length ebony hair and womanly curves.

"Pan! It's been so long!" Bulma said greeting her fondly.

"It has been a while Bulma..." Pan admitted, smiling.

"Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat if you want." Bulma offered.

Pan started to answer when Bra cut in. "Act-"

"Nope, Mom. No time to eat. I'm gonna let her try on some of my clothes." Bra said as she tugged the half smiling, part Saiyan upstairs.

"Well, be down for dinner!!" Bulma called after them, chuckling at the helpless Pan being dragged up the stairs.

----------------------

"I'm stuffed." Pan said as she threw herself onto Bra's queen-sized bed. They had just finished eating a 'most delicious dinner', or so Pan thought.

"You think? You almost ate more then Goten there." Bra said as she took a seat on her bean-bag chair.

Pan's eyes lit up. "Speaking of Goten. Where is he? I haven't seen him since I got back this morning."

"I'll call him!" Bra chirped already punching the numbers on the phone.

Pan grabbed a blue pillow and leaned her head against it. She listened to Bra's end of the conversation with Goten.

Bra spoke happily to the person on the other line. "Hi Goten!"

"Nope. But I have a surprise for you..." Bra smiled.

"Yep." Bra's smile grew wider. "No...You have to come over here."

"I'm positive that you'll like it. In fact I think you've been missing it for sometime now." Bra replied confidently as she started to sort through her closet.

Curious, Pan lifted her head up and watched Bra in confusion.

"Sure! We can do something after...okay. I'll see ya in a few. Bye..." Bra hung up the phone and placed it on the table. She returned to searching through her messy closet.

"Bra...What are you doing...? I thought you made me try on all the clothes you owned earlier tonight." Pan's voice half whined as she tilted her head to one side.

"I did! But Goten wanted to do something after...and I was thinking maybe we can all go to this club..." She trailed off as she started to toss garments behind her. "I know it's around here somewhere...ah ha!" Bra emerged holding black leather flares and a revealing red halter top. It was a very...small looking outfit.

Pan laughed uneasily. "Uh Bra...I hope that's not for me cause I'll never fit those."

"Yep. It's for you!" Bra tossed her the clothes. "Here...Now help me find something for me to wear..." She returned to rummage through her closet.

"But Bra...How am I suppose to fit these?" Pan protested.

Bra's muffled voice was heard. "Don't worry! You'll fit them."

Quirking an eyebrow, Pan decided to watch TV while Bra searched for an outfit as they waited for Goten to arrive.

----------------------

Goten finally arrived to the house a while later and knocked on the door to Bra's room. Pan got a mischievous look on her face, put a finger up to her lips to silence Bra, and hid behind the door. Bra giggled slightly and went to let Goten in. After Bra greeted Goten with a kiss on the cheek, Pan pounced on her Uncle's back.

"Who's that?? Trunks?? Get off me!!!" Goten said half alarmed and half whining. Pan and Bra broke out into laugher.

Pan snickered. "No...I'm not Trunks..."

"Wait...Bra...if you're there...and the voice is a girl...is it Marron?? Marron!! Get off me!!" He tried to throw her off of him, but she only held on tighter. Bra was hunched over in a fit of laugher.

"No...wrong again." Pan and Bra's laugher erupted once more when they realized Goten and Pan's reflection was reflected in the mirror.

Goten stopped squirming with his back to the mirror. "Then who can it be...?" He contemplated in confusion.

"Uncle Goten!? How could you? You don't remember your dear niece?" Pan replied mockingly, jumping off his back and stepping into his line of view.

His face broke into a wide grin and he gave her the biggest hug she had all day. "Panny!!!"

Pan's face turned red. "U-Uncle...Goten...can't...breathe..."

He quickly released her when he realized what he was doing. "Oh! I'm sorry Panny! Are you okay?!"

She grinned back and winked. "Of course I'm okay. I'm part Saiyan."

Goten's face developed a bewildered look.

"Um...Goten, you okay?" Bra questioned, giving him a peculiar look. Goten seemed to consider something before answering.

"Yeh...But I'm wondering...why are you back so fast Pan?" He asked after a moment of silence.

She smiled weakly and prepared to give her lie. "Because I finished college silly!"

Goten grinned, slightly embarrassed and scratched the back of his head. "Oh yeh...heh...heh"

"Same old Goten." Pan teased, laughing warmly at his goofy expression. "And plus Goten, 5 years wasn't fast, it seemed like a long time!" She pouted, exaggerating a bit. "Am I not wanted here?"

Goten scratched the back of his head again embarrassed. "N-No of course not Panny. We missed you."

Pan smiled sweetly. "Who didn't miss me?"

Bra laughed, plopped down onto her bed and looked up at them. "So guys, are we up for that club?"

"Sure, is Trunks coming?" Goten asked oblivious to the circumstances it would put Pan into.

Bra sweat-dropped at Goten's inane question. "Uh...Why don't I ask him." She jumped off her bed and turned to Pan. "Pan...you should consider sleeping over tonight. If we go to the club, we might get back a little late."

"What if...I don't want to come?" Pan said frowning.

Bra shook her head as she walked out the door. "Well you're going to come, 'cause if you don't I'm dragging you there."

Pan muttered something about demanding friends.

"Kicking and screaming if I have to." Bra added as an afterthought.

"Fine." Pan grumbled. "But I'm not wearing that." She lifted a finger and pointed at the outfit draped on a chair.

"Oh yes, you are." Bra replied firmly.

Pan glared at her, falling onto the bed backwards. With a defeated sigh Pan gave in.

Goten smiled in amusement at the sister-like bickering between the two. "I'll go call Gohan and tell him your sleeping over?" He suggested.

Pan grinned. "Sure Goten. You do that, you're better at convincing Dad anyways."

Soon, Pan was the only one left in the room. Her eyes landed on a picture frame on Bra's dresser. It was at a private summer beach house a ways off from where they currently lived. Her, Bra, Goten, Marron, Ubu, and Tunks were splashing each other with water on the secluded beach. Pan froze. Trunks...if he was in his room, he would be right down the hallway! Her mind started racing as she thought of how close Trunks was. She could just kick herself for forgetting he might be there. Of course he'd be here! He lives here! Her mind told her matter-of-factly.

She almost choked on the air, as she panicked. She wasn't ready to face him yet! She felt claustrophobic all of a sudden. She needed to get out of there as soon as possible. In other words...Now. Working at a mile a minute, her mind started to make up excuses to leave. Suddenly it hit her. That's it! She locked the door and reluctantly changed into the black leather flares and red halter top Bra handed her earlier.

After she was done she unlocked the door, sticking her head into the hallway to make sure Trunks was no where in sight. When she was sure that the coast was clear, she tiptoed to the kitchen, where Goten just hung up the phone.

"Hey Panny, whatcha doing sneaking around like that?" Goten saw what she was wearing and he frowned. "And what in the world are you wearing??"

Pan jumped a mile, for she didn't notice anybody in there. "Ah! Goten! You shouldn't scare people like that!"

Goten ignored her comment. "You better change out of that." His frown deepened when she didn't answer him. "Pan? Is there something wrong?"

Pan looked around apprehensively. "Oh...nothing. Uhm...you did want to go to the club right?? Well I'll be waiting outside! Hurry up and get Bra, I'll be waiting!" Laughing nervously she practically ran out the door.

"Pan! Change into something less revealing! Or at least put on a jacket!" He called after her.

He heard her soft voice responding back. "Don't worry Goten! I'm fine!"

"I'm sure other guys will think so too..." He muttered bitterly as he went off to find Bra.

----------------------

Pan stood in the yard, arms wrapped around her shoulders. Damn Goten, I hate it when he's right. Unexpectedly someone draped their jacket on her shoulders. Frightened she abruptly turned around, thinking it was Goten, ready to tell him she didn't need a jacket. A pair of azure eyes stared back at her, their faces almost touched.

"T-Trunks..." Pan said backing away slowly.

Trunks frowned, concerned. "What? First you come back and you don't even tell me. Then you back away as if I'm a monster. What's wrong with you Panny?"

She slapped on a fake smile. "N-nothing. You just scared me that's all."

"I really glad you're back Panny. I missed having someone to talk to." Trunks said smiling softly.

Pan smiled nervously. "I'm sure you found a replacement." Pan groaned inwardly at how that came out. Smart Pan, real smart. "I mean I'm sure you've found someone else to talk to. You know what I'm trying to say."

Trunks gave her a weird look, but smiled at her. "I know, it's just not the same. I feel like I can tell you anything, you are my best friend remember?"

Pan nodded and smiled at the memories he triggered. She tilted her head up to look at the moon. "So...You're coming with us?" Pan asked breaking the awkward silence.

"Yeh...Bra thought I could use a little fun in my life." Trunks said chuckling.

"That's Bra for ya..." Pan trailed off as Bra came up to her and pulled her and Trunks towards the silver Celica parked on the side of the road.

"C'mon lets go!!" Bra said half squealing.

----------------------

Pan had to use all her will power to refrain from blasting the blonde that was dancing with Trunks. She sat at a table in the club, as she watched people dancing. Growling a bit she glared at the girl Trunks was dancing with.

She didn't notice a guy walking up to her. "Hey what's a pretty girl like you sitting here for?" He smiled, his dimples making themselves apparent.

She blinked at him. He was cute, spiky blood-red hair and hazel eyes. He stood about a foot taller then her. She smiled at him. Having a little fun never hurt anybody before. "Lets dance," she said as she took his hand in hers and led him to the dance floor.

He grinned at her as he pulled her close and started to dance. "So what's your name?" He said into her ear trying to start a conversation.

"Pan. Your's?" She said putting her arms around his neck.

"Takaeru. But everyone calls me Takae." He said putting a hand on her lower back.

From a distance Trunks spotted Pan and frowned. He half glared at the guy and nudged Goten who was dancing with Bra behind him. Goten gave Trunks a confused look. Trunks tilted his own head towards Pan's direction. Goten's eyes strayed to where Trunks directed and he smiled.

"Don't worry Trunks! Lighten up!" Goten said chuckling. "She's just having fun, but keep an eye on her for me will ya? We're gonna go get a drink." He said as he and Bra walked towards the bar.

Trunks nodded a silent agreement and turned his attention back to the girl he was dancing with. Once in a while Trunks would sneak a peek at Pan, partly because Goten told him to keep an eye on her. He frowned yet again, when he saw the guy and Pan almost freaking. Growling deep in his throat, Trunks stopped dancing with the girl in his arms and promised her the next dance. He then made his way over to where Pan was. He stood there a moment before he was noticed.

"Uh...can we help you?" Takae asked, as he stopped dancing with Pan, arms still around her waist.

Pan looked at Trunks with a questioning glance. "What?" she asked slightly annoyed.

"Can I talk to you a moment?" Trunks asked taking her arm. Pan squirmed out of his grasp and looked at him expectantly.

Trunks glanced at Takae and added, "Alone preferably."

Pan sighed and nodded. "I'll be right back," she said to Takae as she grabbed Trunks by the arm and dragged him out the back door into a alley.

"What?" She asked irritated, her face flushed from dancing.

Trunks crossed his arms and kept his gaze on her.

"What?" She asked again, feeling self-conscious. "Trunks..." she growled, when he didn't answer her.

"Goten told me to keep an eye on you." Trunks said nonchalantly.

"Your point being??" Pan said trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

He smirked. "So here I am, doing what he asked."

Pan looked at him stupidly. Shaking her head, she turned around to walk back inside. Trunks grabbed her arm, "Wait."

She froze a moment before turning around and staring at him expectantly with an arched eyebrow.

He dropped his smirk and licked his lips before continuing. "Remember what you promised me?"

"What?" She asked confused at his sudden change in attitude.

"You promised me something when we were little...do you remember?" He questioned as he let go of her arm.

"Uh...no." She said still unsure of what he was talking about. "Where exactly are you trying to go with this...?"

"You promised me that you wouldn't leave Pan, but-"

She cut him off. "Is this what you wanted to talk about?? Trunks!" She replied exasperated. "Can't we talk about this later?"

He ignored her comment and continued. "But you left when I needed you the most..."

She was about to yell back at him when she heard what he said. She froze and slowly asked, "What do you mean when you needed me the most...?"

"Pan...when you left I was so depressed I almost killed myself...when I went to your house to talk to you, Gohan said you were gone, I felt like I lost a best friend! I needed someone to talk to but you weren't there!" He said with a hint of anger in his voice.

She closed her eyes to calm herself. She couldn't believe what a jerk he was! He only thought of himself! He didn't even realize that by staying it would've killed her, she had to leave. She had no other choice. She opened her eyes. "Trunks, that promise was made when I was 4, and I had no choice but to leave." She said unbelievingly, fed up with him.

"Why? I needed you Pan. I needed your friendsh-"

"Argh! I can't believe you!! All you can think about is yourself!" She yelled, enraged before storming away in the dark alley.

----------------------

Run. That was all she could do. Her mind requested her legs to run, and she complied. She ran as far as her legs carried her. Into a dim park, which mysteriously resembled a maze of lush trees.

She couldn't understand it. Why did he get to blame her for what he did to her? Somehow he twisted everything around and made himself the victim. She felt as though the whole world was against her, weighing her down with it's faults. ...But it wasn't, it was her faults weighing her down. She hated Trunks for being able to make her feel this way.

"Argh!" She growled in frustration, punching her hand into a nearby tree. If only she could forget what Trunks did to her, then she wouldn't have the added guilt of leaving him. Again she growled, she still couldn't believe he could do this to her, make her feel as if she was the criminal and himself the victim. But then again, he would make her feel like she needed him too. As though without him nothing in the world is right. He was manipulative that way. Inwardly she laughed bitterly, that's how he gets girls to fall for him.

Her mind turned serious. She couldn't understand why, why she couldn't forget what Trunks did to her. After all it was only a memory. A piece of the insignificant past she'd hoped to forget. She could kick herself for feeling this way. Feeling lonely. Feeling depressed. Feeling like she needed him. But she didn't need him! She was Son Pan, daughter of Son Gohan and granddaughter of Son Goku. She didn't need anybody! ...But then...why couldn't she handle this?

The mental battle she was having with herself got more intense as a immense headache emerged. Slowly she sank into the ground crying silent tears. Tears of sorrow, grief, and pure misery.

"Hey...you all right?"

Sobbing softly, she paid no heed to the voice. After all even if it was a murderer, what could be worse than needing something that didn't need her? Death? Ha, she'd welcome it with open arms.

"...Hey. Uhm...You okay? I mean it's pretty dark and there's lots of dangers out here if you're not careful..." She felt the stranger kneel down next to her.

The stranger's movements and unexpected closeness caused her to retreat backwards. Alarmed, Pan stared through her flowing tears into a pair of brilliant blue eyes. Shaking her head she slowly inched away, on the uncomfortable earth.

The stranger, clearly a man, took a small step forward hesitantly. "Hey...relax, I'm not going to hurt you. Just relax..." He said soothingly. Slowly, he made his way next to her again. For an unknown reason, it seemed to calm her just by looking into his deep blue depths. Perhaps because Trunk's eyes were blue too... Still breathing raggedly from sobbing, she tried to calm herself. After a moment, he timidly brushed stray strands of her ebony hair behind her ears, afraid that if he suddenly moved, she'd bolt.

It was after he brushed her hair away that he got a good look at her face. "Pan??" He asked, his eyes widening in astonishment.