Disclaimer; I don't own DBZ.

**************

"Good afternoon passengers. We'd like to thank you all once again for using our airline..."

The view from the window was endless, the sky pure without the usual distortions of clouds not seen at our 'current elevation of 34,000 feet.' Coversation between Aaron and I had ceased awhile ago. We were both content sitting in our seats, drinking to the others misfortune.

Silence was a comforting thing in a way. I wasn't too sure I wanted to talk about what this plane was taking me too. Visits with my mother were never on pleasant terms. Don't take that too seriously, though. It's not as though we hate eachother, but she does put some of her anger on the misgivings of my father towards me. She never recovered from 'the affair' as they call it that my father had. She'd killed the woman anyway, so whatever had happened wasn't going to happen again. At least, not with the same woman.

My drink was running low, and it was my third of the flight. I shouldn't have much more. Don't want my sense dulled in an area where I'm most at risk.

There were smaller chains of gansters and such that held a grudge towards my mom, and wouldn't think twice about killing me. They didn't have much of a chance though. Not to sound arrogant, but they'd have to be pretty damn good to get me.

I pressed the button for service and waited only a matter of seconds until an attendant came. Lucky for me it was the dark haired one of before.

He was closer than before and I could smell the appealing aroma of vanilla and chocolate, an odd combination I would normally think of as foul. But on the man's tanned skin, that thought need not apply.

His smile was young and cheery though he couldn't be any younger than I was. The smile he possesed was something my face had never had. Innocence was never a high priority in my line of work. Not unless you wanted to be killed.

"Would you like anything else, sir?" I blinked up at him and gave a small smile.

"Yes, a coffee. Strong." The man laughed and nodded.

"I'll be right back."

Well, at least I had *something* to look forward to.

**************

Gohan sat at his desk, rummaging the files in a hurry to make up for the time he'd lost taking a lunch. His confidence in his ability to catch the group tonight was fading fast. All this information's pattern of certainty before was beginning to fall apart. One location clashed with the people who were said to run it, and money was found in places it shouldn't have been...

Things weren't going his way.

Pan had returned to her own desk, rummaging less important files of missing or stolen items. She was only twenty and didn't have enough experiance to help her father at his fourty-four years of age. She was content though.

She sighed and her eyes looked to the photo on her desk. She was two years old in it, and her mother, only eighteen at the time, was holding her as her father stood beside them. She'd taken his police hat and put it on her head, not caring how it'd clashed with her Power Rangers shirt and green pants.

It'd been taken only a few weeks before her mother had died. She'd been killed in a car crash and it had changed her fathers in ways Pan believed were forever. He'd never been the same since then.

Growing up with him had been hard, coming home to a sulken and sometimes drunk face, making your own lunches and washing your own clothes. When she was six her aunt on her mother's side had taken her in and had Gohan taken to a recovery center. Pan didn't see her father for three years until her third grade play where he came looking as he used to with a small bouquet of flowers for her.

He was still closed off and dedicated to his work, but at least he was able to take care of her as he should, and that was all that mattered.

The phone rang and Pan was taken from her memories. She pushed the red button and answered in the same old way.

"New York Police Department, Detective Son speaking."

"Yes," came a gruff reply. "I'd like to speak with Sergeant Son, please. It pertains to his case." Pan's eyebrows raised and she covered the mouthpiece.

"Dad." The short black-haired man didn't respond, his motions continuing just as involved as before.

"Dad!" Gohan stopped and looked up at her.

"What is it, Pan?"

"There's someone on the phone for you." Gohan raised his hand and shook his head to say 'Forget it, I'm busy,' but Pan continued.

"He said it pertains to your case." This caught the man's attetion.

"Transfer him." She nodded and uncovered the phone.

"I'll connect you to him now." Pressing the necessary buttons, she gave a thumbs up. He nodded and picked up the phone, spinning the chair to face the window for a little privacy.

"Sergeant Son speaking. Ms. Son informs me you might be able to help me." The voice on the other line gave a deep laugh.

"That's true, though I may add it will help me also."

"How so," Gohan asked.

"Let me explain..."

**************

The briefcase hung over my shoulder loosely, my arm comfortable in what could be considered the opposite. The airport was crowded as usual, but not to the point of making contact with all of them. My mood wasn't as easy-going as it had been. Nothing had happened between dark mystery man and I. Some woman had complained about how the cookie had made her child cry. I had my gun, so I must have very good self-control if you ask me.

Aaron was beside me, carrying his bags own bags. He looked around the airport to make sure there weren't any FBI or such around. Why there would be an FBI agent looking just for the two of us was beyond my imaginative capabilities, but Aaron...well, he'd always been a little paranoid.

"Hey, Aaron. I'm get a juice, k? Wait for me over there." He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Jesus, Briefs, you drink any more liquid your toilet's gonna overflow."

"Ha. Ha." My eyes narrowed but he just laughed at his own joke and headed towards the newspaper stand.

Exiting the small shop a few minutes later, I joined him and we continued towards the outside, only a few five hundred feet before us. No problems had occured yet.

"HEY!! HEY YOU!! STOP IN THE NAME OF THE LAW!!" At first, I just assumed the guy to be talking to someone else, but we both turned around and there this officer was, dressed in uniform waving his badge above his head as he ran towards us.

"Shit."

"Run, boy, don't just swear!" Aaron grabbed my arm and pulled me along as we ran towards the exit at topspeed. A gunshot resounded through the air, missing my leg by a few inches.

"Damn, that guy's got some good aim for being a police officer." My feet picked up the pace and Aaron began to fall behind. He may be a tough guy, but he wasn't the one to perform hits anymore making him lose his peak physical shape. A second gunshot rang through the air and I bit my lip before releasing Aaron's hand and turning as I jumped through the door, gun drawn and my finger on the trigger. I fired and crashed the glass.

The fall left me stunned for a moment, but when I looked up to see the police man on the ground, my worries left me. Scrambling to my feet, I ran from the airport and down the block to flag down a taxi.

There were some more places I need to be, and sadly...

Aaron couldn't be there with me.

**************

Gohan hissed through his teeth as he struggled to get himself up off the floor. The bullet had ripped right through his shoulder and blood was trickling down the clean cut. His hand pressed against it and pain shot through his arm. His grimace thickened, but the small shine of triumph rang in his mind. He'd gotten one of them which was enough of a sedative for him.

Getting to his feet, Gohan looked at the body.

"Shit," he muttered, turning the body over. He'd gotten the guy in the head. He repeated his curse and turned away.

This was not good.

**************

Colors danced along the floor through the intricate stained glassed windows of the church. It was small and simple, but memories of my childhood in it were vivid. I shake my head. It's hard to believe someone like me who's killed so many has the moral to go to a church, eh?

There was a couple at the front of the church before the altar conversing with the priest. A small bundle was in they're arms, and that combined with the glow of their faces, it was obvious they're child was going to recieve baptism. Whether I had this act myself, is a question never to be answered knowing my mom.

With my mother, things were always business. Let's just say she never cuddled me as a child. Respect was more important than love when you were a Briefs. It's really all we can afford to be. That's why my 'obsession' as my sister calls it with love is so criticized by her.
It's something to love for, in my opinion.

The priest notices me and smiles, waving me over.

"Why, Trunks, I didn't expect to see you here anytime soon!" I smiled and hugged him.

"Same to you Father O'Brien. The church is growing I see." I gesture to the couple. The woman smiles with her husband.

"This is a great church, especially with this lug leading it." I winked in his direction and shook the fathers hand.

"I wish you only the best."

"Thank you sir. We'll see you Sunday, Father." He nodded and they exited. O'Brien sighed and lit various candles. I followed in silence. O'Brien was so much older than I remembered him to be. The thought that maybe *I* was the one getting older frightened me.

"Not much has changed, it seems," I say after awhile, noticing the chips on the stations of the cross still there since I was in middle school. He shrugged.

"Funding isn't high in this district. The people are happy though." My frown was deep, but he didn't notice.

"I could change that." The elderly man shook his head and blew out the wick.

"Now, Trunks, I've made it this many years I can make it many year. I'm not that old, you know," he added, laughter dancing in his eyes. It seemed the church wasn't the only thing that hadn't changed. I sighed and patted his back.

"I suppose. Just take care of yourself, okay?"

"Only if you promise the same." I laughed at his fatherly tone and nodded.

"Deal." The answer pleased him and he started to walk away.

"Well, I must be going. You may feel free to stay, Trunks. You know your always welcome."

"Thank you, Father." He waved and walked out. Moving to the front once again, I slid myself to the front pew and relaxed. Today was sure to be a long day.

Fifteen minutes passed before I heard the familiar sound of sneakers on the churches un-carpeted floors. My head turned and met the dark eyes of the enigmatic flight attendant. I blinked before standing. He looked meek and gave a small smile.

"Uh, hi. You were on the flight today weren't you?" I nodded.

"I thought so. Hi," he said once again, extending a hand.

"I'm Goten. Son Goten. Nice to meet you." His handshake was perfect for a person of neutrality. Not too hard, not to lanky.

Perfect.

"Trunks." His face showed surprise at the lack of last name, but that was too bad. I don't share that much at a first meeting. I'd just met the guy.

"This is a beautiful church," Goten comments, glancing around at the sculptures and windows. I nod my agreement.

"It's seems so old. I like old churches. They have that aura, you know?" He turned to me, his darker features brought out by the candles surrounding us. "You can feel what it's been through."

He looked away and smiled, sliding his eyes shut to absorb the feel. I just stared at him. Sure, I liked the church, but I've never been one to think that deeply about it.

After a few moments, my just standing there becomes a little awkward, and since I've never enjoyed that feeling, it's going to stop now.

"Do you live here in New York?" His head turns to me and those dark eyes are staring at me again, seemingly absorbing the light reflected only moments before. Those eyes are so innocent... I look away.

"No, I'm just visiting. The airline gave me my vacation on short notice. I'm staying with a really good friend of mine. I don't usually get to visit her though, so it'll be quite enjoyable. What about you, you live here?" I shake my head and walk towards the back of the church.

"Nope. I was born here, but Chicago's my home sweet home." He nods and looks to a nearby statue.

A half an hour passed, filled with the simple conversation of strangers who aren't disgusted by the other enough to not get to know them. It made me forget the events of only an hour or so ago. My shoulders sagged.

How was I going to explain to my mom about him? She was not going to be happy at all...

"Are you okay, Trunks?" Blinking, I straightened and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. What were you saying?" He didn't seem to believe me at first, but didn't question me. Good quality in a person.

"I said I'd better get going. I'll be here for awhile, and I should get myself settled..."

I nodded, though I wasn't very happy with losing his company quite so soon. Surprise for me. Not one to lose my manners in situations of emotion, I extended my hand.

"Well, it was nice to meet you Goten." He smiled back and returned the shake.

"You too, Trunks." I watch as his gravity-defying head of hair exit the doors and feel the cool brush of the rain held wind before my gut instincts run over my common sense and I run out after him.

"Goten!!" He turns to me, surprise etched on his face as I catch up to him.

"I know this may be a little bold, but would you like to have dinner with me?" Goten searches my face, to check me for a creep factor, before he sighs and pulls his jacket tighter around him.

"Sure, that'd be nice."

**************

Gohan winced as his superior's voice boomed at him, surrounding the man's small office. He was on fifteen minutes, going on sixteen, for yelling at him at 5.2 decibels.

"I'd have expected more from someone of your reputation, Son. But, since I know how closely related this group of people are to your wife's accident, I'll let it go. But you make another mess up like this one, killing another so needed information source, your ass is MINE!!"

A smart comment was about to roll off Gohan's tongue, but he held it. Talking in anyway other than full of respect and gratitude would not do him any good right now. The comment about Videl had hit him too. Had that really been why he'd suddenly gotten such a rush about getting the two of them? Was that why he hadn't felt remorse at killing a man?

He sighed and exited the office to sit at his chair. His hand rubbed his forehead, a motion Pan had recognized since she was twelve as a signal of her father's frustration. She'd picked up most of the conversation, not that it was hard with the boss yelling at the top of his voice.

The comment about her mother hadn't only affected her father. She was confused now... How could that man be associated with her mother's car accident?

Now that she thought about it, there were plenty of ways. She could have been conspiratorized against, but the chances of that were so small... Her mother had been at teacher after all. Who would kill someone over they're children's bad report cards?

Moving to her father's desk, she leaned against it and tapped his spiky haired head.

"Dad?" A rough grunt was her reply.

"What'd Jones mean? About mom, I mean?" Gohan's head rose, his eyes wary as he thought about the situation he was now in. His daughter was twenty years old now..she could handle the truth, couldn't she? The childhood tale of the car accident had been more for his benefit then her's anyway...

He sighed and leaned back in the chair.

"Pan..about you mom. She didn't die in a car accident." Pan, who'd begun to sit down in a chair across from him, looked up at him, surprised.

"What do you mean?"

"I'd only told you that because you were so young, and I didn't think you could handle it. Well, that's not true..But you'd grown such an Olympic image of her that I couldn't bear to take it down for you. I could take it."

Pan frowned.

"I don't understand..."

"Pan, this isn't the place for me to give you the whole story, but I can tell you the flat out truth. She wasn't killed in a car accident, and her death wasn't accidental, either. She was murdered."

**************

Goten's laughter filled our small booth as the rain still poured down, even as the sun had set ten minutes ago. The Italian resturant itself seemed to carry warmth and heartyness within it, and I was swept up within it despite myself. My body relaxed, my worries of a dark haired cop breaking in slipping from my mind.

"Seems this friend of yours is quite the character, Goten. Not many people would do that just to get you outta trouble."

"Ah, that's not half as bad as some things," he replied, taking a sip from his wine. "I tell ya, she's great. This food was delicious, by the way. I don't think I'd have ever found this resturant.."

He was right. It was placed in a not-so-cheerful part of town, and wasn't likely to be found by a tourist. I'd known it because I'd grown up with the manager's son.

"It is nice. One of the few places where I won't feel guilty stuffing my face." I laughed. I didn't let myself fill up on foods so I kept my body in shape. It's hard to explain, but it works.

"Wow, it's almost eight. I really should get going now."

"It is," I ask. I had to be at the meeting in a half an hour. I better get my butt in gear. He reached for his wallet, but my hand stoped him.

"My treat. I asked you after all, right?" My smile was persuasive and worked like a charm, as always. I put the money on the table and put on my coat.

We stood in front of the resturant, rain drizzling around us and wetting our hair.

"Do you want me to walk you home? This neighborhood can be kinda rough." He shook his head and smiled.

"That's fine. I'll just get myself a taxi. Thank you for the offer though Trunks. This was nice. We should do it again sometime." My agreement was shown through my nod. Handing him my card, I turned and waved goodbye. I had twenty minutes to get to that meeting, and it was a thirty minute walk.

Figures.

**************
That's the end for this chapter! It's quite longer than most of my chapter, and I think it turned out pretty okay. I don't know what to think of my writing anymore. A certain review on my one-shot really hurt what little writing ego I have, so I definately have a damper on my reasons to write list too. Well, anyway, please review and let me know if I should continue! Thanks.