Author's Note: I'm on spring break this week so I'm going to try to have 2 new chapters posted by Sunday night, 3 if I can manage it. Enjoy the chapter everyone and review as always!

It had been months since Goku saw Pan. He hoped that she didn't think he was a liar, that he may not come back. Goku was bound and determined to see her again. The only question that remained was when he would see her again. As different as today would be, maybe today would be the day he would see Pan again.

"Hey Goku." Bulma said as she entered his room.

Goku looked at her, "Oh hey Bulma."

"Is something wrong?" She asked.

Goku sighed, "Its Pan. Its been so long since I saw her, I hope she doesn't think I forgot about her."

Bulma smiled weakly, "I'm sure she doesn't think that. Besides I think you two have something special." She said as she quickly sat down on his bed.

Goku looked concerned, "Are you okay? You look pale."

She nodded, "I'll be fine. I've just had a bad night."

"Umm…Goku I've been told that they want you to participate in a training exercise today." Bulma informed him.

Goku rolled his eyes, "I'm guessing that the army isn't doing this for just fun and games, huh?"

Bulma shook her head, "Sorry Goku."

Goku stood up, "No problem. I'll just play along with their little games for now."

"Goku just be careful. These guys get their kicks by hurting people. They'll try and torture you as much as possible without killing you." She warned him.

Goku felt a small shiver go up his spine, "I know that. But like you said, they wont kill me. As an alien I'm too valuable to them. As long as I survive that is all that matters."

Goku looked at her, "So lets get going. I want to get this over with so I can start licking my wounds tonight."

To both Bulma and Goku's surprise they weren't taken to the normal training room but to an underground wildlife facility that resembled a vast jungle.

"What is this?" Bulma asked.

A creepy old man approached them and smirked, "I'm glad you asked, my dear. Beautiful isn't it? A grand scale artificial jungle designed based on the harshest jungle terrain on the planet. A perfect battle field to test such a marvelous specimen as this young boy." He looked at Goku like a greedy treasure hunter.

"And who are you?" Bulma asked disturbed by the old man's disgusting delight.

"Why my dear, I'm hurt. I surprised you don't recognize me. I am the genius mind behind the Red Ribbon Army. I am Dr. Gero." He answered with pride.

Bulma's jaw dropped, "Dr. Gero! But why are you working with us? I thought Gergan and the Red Ribbon Army were enemies."

The Dr. smirked and replied, "I go where my genius might best serve a purpose. The Gergan military needs my assistance in examining not only this alien boy but the female as well."

Bulma and Goku both felt their hearts sink, "Female?" They questioned together.

Dr. Gero looked at Goku, "That's right. You see you're not the only one of your kind. There is female of your race in our possession as well."

With that the doctor pulled the sheet off a cage that Pan was trapped inside.

"Pan…" Goku whispered.

Bulma quickly glared at him to make him shut up before he revealed they had already met Pan.

Pan raised her head, her eyes widened when she saw Goku and as soon as she started to say something, Goku shook his head and Pan stopped herself from talking.

Dr. Gero patted the cage and said, "I'm sure this comes as a surprise to you to see that you are not alone on this planet. I'm sure you also realize that we didn't finally bring you two together for a heart warming little picnic either."

"So what did you bring them here for?" Bulma questioned.

The Dr. sported a twisted grin, "Like you were told before. This is a training exercise. The army has observed these two specimen separately but now as they have grown older it has been decided that they should start engaging in experiments together."

"For what purpose? What is this all leading up to?" She questioned again.

Dr. Gero turned from Bulma and answered, "That is none of your business. That is classified information and you aren't approved to have access to it."

"I am assigned as Goku's caretaker, you know." She argued.

Dr. Gero sighed in annoyance, "A position you may soon be relieved of if you don't stop meddling in things that we prefer you not to know."

Dr. Gero's threat had its desired effect as Bulma decided it was best for Goku not to continue her questioning. After all he was in a far better position right now than if some uncaring brute was in charge of his well being.

Dr. Gero opened Pan's cage and immediately the girl ran toward Goku and grabbed him. Instinctively Goku put his arms around her.

The Dr. grinned, "Excellent. She barely knows you yet she already has a sense of comfort toward you."

The Dr. opened a gate which led into the jungle area, "Well no time to waste. You two have to go in here and survive for 48 hours."

Goku grinned, "That's it? You want us to hang out in the jungle for 48 hours? No problem."

The Dr. smirked, "I said you had to survive for 48 hours. I think you'll find this jungle is more dangerous that what it appears on the outside."

Goku gave the doctor an angry glare, "I've survived almost 8 years in this hell the army has put me through. 48 hours in a fake jungle is going to be like nothing."

"Bold words for a child." The Dr. responded.

As Goku and Pan began to enter the jungle Goku turned and looked at Bulma, "I'll be fine and Pan will be too. I promise" Goku assured Bulma.

As soon as the gate behind them closed Goku headed into the jungle with Pan. For whatever the jungle may hold in terms of danger, Goku was still glad he had two days alone in this place to spend with Pan.

"Goku…why were you gone for so long?" Pan asked.

Goku pulled her into a hug, "I'm so sorry. I wanted to come back sooner but there was never an opportunity for me to get to you."

Pan held to him tightly, "So you always intended to keep your promise?"

Goku nuzzled his nose in her black hair, "Always. I couldn't stop thinking about you. I wanted to talk to you again as soon as I could."

"Goku I don't want to be alone anymore. You are the only person who was ever nice to me." She admitted as tears started to make their way down her cheeks and onto his clothes.

"Pan I am so sorry. Listen to me though, I promise you wont be locked in this place forever. My friend Bulma, the blue haired lady, and I are planning a way to escape. I promise you I will take you with us and you will never ever see the inside of this place ever again. Do you believe me?" He asked.

Pan nodded, "Of course I do. I just want to be with you."

Goku blushed a deep red, "You will be Pan. I'll take care of you. Just stay strong for me until we escape and then I promise from that point on I will take care of you." He closed his eyes and relished in the moment, he was happy, really happy.

Then there was a roar and the sound of moving brush. Goku looked up to see an abnormally large mutated lion jump from the bushes. He only had a second to act and quickly moved Pan behind him so he could shield her.

Before he could react he felt the beast dig its claws into his chest. As soon as the lion's paw touched the ground Goku grabbed Pan from behind and jumped back. The lion charged for a second attack and that is when his natural saiyan powers instinctively kicked in. Before he knew it he did something he had never done before. He fired a ki blast right into the lion's face causing the monster to be flown backwards. With the lion stunned Goku took his chance, grabbed Pan, and ran into the jungle to hide from the predator.

He spotted a cave and ran into it with Pan. They hid in the darkness and Goku sat on the floor recovering from the shock of his injury.

"Goku! You're hurt!" Pan said touching his wound gently.

Goku had to admit, it hurt like hell. It stung and the pain ran deep. That animal had missed his lungs by only a few inches.

"I'll be okay. I just need a moment and I need to stop the bleeding." Goku breathed heavy as Pan ripped a piece of his sleeve off and used it to pat the wound to try and stop the bleeding.

"I guess Dr. Gero was telling the truth. This jungle is a lot more dangerous that what it seems." Goku admitted.