The Collector

Chapter Seven

"Be careful you don't get that on me," Trunks warned as Pan handed Kai, who was sitting on his shoulders, an ice cream cone.

"I won't," the small boy chided in as he happily took the offered chocolate cone. "Mmmm."

"Here is yours." Pan extended the strawberry cone to Trunks.

"Thank you," He licked at the fluffy goodness, the instant cooling sensation brought back a wave of childhood nostalgia.

"So," Kai began between licks of his halfway gone ice cream cone, "Why don't I have a tail? Everyone calls me a "little monkey," and I know I'm a Saiyan, but how come my tail isn't there?"

"Your mom had it removed," Trunks replied.

"But why? Just think of how cool it would be to have a tail, Uncle Trunks," Kai gestured to the black spider monkey that was hanging from a branch by his tail, "I could do so much more with a tail!"

"Yeah, I guess it would have its benefits."

"Grandpa Vegeta said that we can turn into Oza..orus…"

"Oozaru," Pan corrected, "It translates into "Great Ape.""

"Have you ever transformed?"

Pan laughed, "No. As far as I know we need our tails and a full moon to accomplish that."

"Do you think Grandma Bulma can make me something to regrow my tail?"

Trunks shrugged, "She probably could, but you might want to talk to your mom about it."

Kai, finished with his cone, shuddered at the idea of asking his normally overbearing mom a question like that, "Nah, I think I'll pass." The two older adults shared a laugh as they walked around the zoo and finished looking at the exhibits.

Trunks looked down at his watch, "We better get going. It's almost five and I told Bulla we would be back at Capsule before then."

Pan nodded, "Yes, but look at the exit."

Trunks turned his gaze to towards the aforementioned gate and groaned. A group of reporters, more commonly known as the "paparazzi," had lined up along the gate, notebook and pens ready for an interview. Trunks lifted Kaien off of his shoulders and placed him on the ground, "Take a hold of your aunt's hand; they like to get a little overbearing and shove people around."

Trunks put his arm around Pan's waist unconsciously and pulled her closer when they reached the gate. An immediate swarm of reporters bombarded him questions as they fought to put their microphone in front of the President of Capsule Corporations face.

"Mister Brief!" A slender man with a blonde handlebar mustache and oversized aviator glasses shoved his wave to the front, "What is this we hear about you taking a yearlong vacation?"

Other reporters began to chirp in that they would like to know too, each one eager to get the story of the night.

"I am taking the time off to focus all of my attention towards personal matters," Trunks responded as he went into business mode. Pan noticed the change in his voice as it lowered in tone. She gently placed Kaien in front of her, being careful to make sure he didn't get trampled by the eager reporters.

Pan was surprised when a female reporter shoved a microphone in her face and flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Miss Son," she drawled the vowels, "It was reported that you were at Signs on opening night and had an altercation with front man of rock band Azai and former fiancé, Darren. Care to comment on it?"

Pan felt Trunks's hand tighten around her waist and give her a reassuring squeeze, "No, I really don't?"

The blonde reporter persisted, "Do you have anything to say about Darren's new fling with model Chri?"

"I did not know about it and I really don't care."

"This is the second time in less than a week the two of you have been seen in public together," The previous reporter with the mustache began, clearly agitated that the blonde woman had interrupted his interview, "Can we assume that there are more than the usual long-time-family-friend feelings going around?"

Trunks held up his hand, his eyes dark, "That is a personal question and one I feel is rather rude. If you will excuse us, I need to return home as it is my nephew's birthday. My mother has allowed a few reporters to his party and if I have time, and you are one of the fortunate ones to be there, I will answer more work related questions during the festivities." Trunks drew himself up to his full, imposing height, and forced the crowd of reporters to clear a path for them to get through to his car.

-XOXOX-

Pan swirled her champagne in her glass, watching as the bubbles rose to the surface and popped.

"There you are!" Pan turned to see Bulla coming towards her. The blue haired woman grabbed her arm and pulled her into the house. The two went up near Bulla's old room, making sure that no one was around.

Bulla shoved a hard case the size of a small wallet into Pan's hands. "Here, I have just about everything a girl might need in there. There's also a lot of gagets and a few things that I know I can't live without."

Pan placed the case inside of her clutch and closed it, "Thank you, Bulla."

"What are you planning though?"

"I have a good idea of what to do, but it's going to be harder to get the ship to take off with me on it."

"The ship is like most of mom's inventions: find the master key and hold it hostage."

Pan shook her head in understanding to this information, "Have you told Goten you're leaving?"

"Yes, he's not too happy since he thinks it is his "last night" on Earth. I told him you will be at our house around noon so he can go out and get things prepared."

"Good, that gives me time to get things ready."

"We better get back; I'm going to make the announcement soon," Bulla patted at her still flat stomach.

The two made their way down the stairs but Pan stopped when she noticed a movement in the kitchen as they passed it. She smiled to herself when she entered. Vegeta had a collective assortment of foods scattered on the counter and was assembling himself a sandwich of various meats and cheeses.

"The caterer's food not to your liking," Pan inquired as she watched him slather a slice of rye bread with mayonnaise.

"Woman told me I couldn't eat anymore," Vegeta grunted at Pan's laughter.

"Sounds like Bulma."

"That reminds me," Vegeta reached into his pocket and pulled out an object before tossing it towards Pan.

She easily caught it and held it in her fingers. It was a triangular emblem on a silver chain with an Oozaru holding a war hammer in his left hand and a book in the right. Underneath the Great Ape were the words written in their old Saiyan language: Power. Conquer. Rule.

Pan raised an eyebrow, "What is this for?"

"I don't know what you are doing, but I know you have something planned. That signifies you as an ambassador to the Saiyan race; I think it is a fitting title for you."

Pan smiled as she carefully placed it into a hidden compartment of her clutch. She threw her arms around Vegeta's neck and pecked him on the check, "Thank you!"

Not one for emotions, especially from those of the more "delicate" gender, Vegeta blushed slightly in response, "Now kid, don't make me regret it."

"I won't." Pan flashed more of her pearly whites at the man she considered a second father before she returned to the party.

-XoXoXoX-

Trunks emerged from the group of reporters that had been allowed to the celebration and watched them leave. Now that it was considered "family" time, he removed was free to remove his tie and unbutton his shirt and roll up his sleeves. He heaved a sigh of relief: he was not going to miss reporters on his trip into space.

"Feel better?" Trunks turned to see Pan. She offered him a glass of champagne, which he promptly downed.

Pan giggled, "That bad, huh?"

"Not really, I'm just relishing in the moment that I won't have to see any reporters for a very long time." Trunks noticed the slight change in Pan's eyes at the mention of the trip into space.

"Kaien is going to be opening presents soon."

"Ah," Trunks commented, "I have a feeling Bulla's going to be announcing something too."

Pan smirked, the corner of her mouth itched with mischievousness, "I'm not going to say anything."

A lavender eyebrow arched up, "Oh?"

Pan locked her elbow into his, "Let's go. He will rip through them and we will miss everything if we don't get there soon."

Sure enough, Pan was right. Kaien destroyed the wrapping of his various gifts. "You have one more," Bulla said as she placed a small parcel in front of her eager son. He promptly tore open the wrapping and held up a t-shirt, a look of confusion etched on his face. "Read it," Bulla urged as most of the guests couldn't see what was written on the shirt.

"It says: I'm the big brother," Kaien read the white lettering on the navy blue shirt, "I don't get it, Mom. I'm the only kid."

ChiChi and Bulma were the first to realize what was going on and loudly screamed like an excited sixteen year old being given their first car.

"Is this what I think it is?" ChiChi had shoved everyone out of the way and had taken the shirt from her grandson and was holding it up for inspection.

"What do you mean?" Goten seemed as equally puzzled by this as his son was.

"Everyone!" Bulla began, "I would like to formally announce that we are expecting another baby!"

Laughter, rounds of applause, and many congratulations erupted from the congregation of Z warriors.

Goten sat down next to his son, fanning himself dramatically at the thought of another baby, as several of the older men thumped him on the back with various "Atta-boys," and "good jobs."

Pan stepped back and away from the celebration to give the grandparents their chance to harass the family about baby plans. She felt a strong hand on her shoulder as she was pulled back into strong arms. Trunks's breath was hot and husky across her check as he whispered into her ear. "I think I owe you a dinner. Do you want to sneak out with me while they're all busy?"

Pan sat her champagne glass on the nearest table, "Let's go."

-XOXOXO-

The two blossoming love birds walked with their arms linked down the city park, Trunks held Pan's heels in his free hand, swinging them as they went. Both were feeling slightly buzzed from alcoholic drinks they had partaken in at a local café pub and even drunker on the idea of love.

"I like that they decided to keep lights up all year long," Pan commented gesturing to the soft pink, blue, violet, and yellow lights that accented the fountain and were strung up in the trees.

"Yeah it is nice," Trunks agreed. The effect did give a nice romantic glow to the area. "Since the bars have all closed, what do you say we head back to my place, order a pizza, and have a few drinks?"

"Sounds good to me."

-XOXOXO-

The pizza lay out on the coffee table, mostly finished and accompanied by several empty bottles of liquor. Trunks poured Pan a shot and it to her before pulling her feet back into his lap. The movie was completely forgotten as they talked.

"Oooh, that feels good," Pan groaned as strong fingers pushed gently into the sole of her foot. Trunks could feel the bones underneath the skin splay out then roll back into place. He smirked wickedly as he ran a lone finger up the arch, which elicited a jerk from Pan. Using his other hand he grasped her ankle and proceeded to tickle the foot.

"Stop, stop," Pan erupted into giggles, "Why would you do that?"

Trunks tightened his grip on her, but this time his hands began to roam. His hands massaged the back of her calves as he pulled himself up into a kneeling position on the couch. Knowing that Pan was rather ticklish on the back of the knees, he grabbed onto her calves and pulled her up onto partially up onto his lap before he began his attack.

Her response was instantaneous as she wriggled beneath him in an effort to get away. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as she desperately tried to suck air into her lungs between her laughter.

"Hahaha, stop, please," Trunks smiled to himself as Pan begged him to be released from his assault.

He pulled her up onto his lap, his arms encircling around her waist as he pulled her closely and inhaled her scent. He could feel her heart beating in his ear as her body slowly calmed down.

"Trunks?" Trunks looked up into ebony eyes, equally filled with lust. He arched his head up and brought his hand to rest in the tangles of her loose hair as he pulled her head down so that their lips would connect.

Slowly the kiss had started, and feeling the flick of Pan's tongue on his lower lip, Trunks parted his mouth and did not hold back. Each battled for dominance for the other, desperate to join, but never to depart.

Trunks brought his hand up further and with strong fingers, began to lift Pan's white dress up to her waist. He pulled her head down closer, deepening the kiss as his other hand began to explore more.

His left hand began to knead the flesh of her breast; he could feel hardened nipples through the thin fabric of her dress and lacy bra. Using his thumb, he began to roll her nipple, eliciting a moan from Pan.

They had parted, their breathing slightly hitched as Pan reached up and began to unbutton Trunk's shirt, each button coming loose with a small audible snap.

Trunks peeled off the opposing fabric and pulled Pan once more into a kiss, "I'm going to miss you."

She quivered beneath him as Trunks arched his hand around and cupped her bottom, "Then take me with you. Leave Goten behind."

He pulled her in for another kiss, this time adding a gentle bite to her bottom lip. Trunks shook his head, "It's a danger to you: you're too weak."

Once the word came out of his mouth Trunks immediately wished that he had a time machine to go back and change what he had just said. Pan froze in his arms and her eyes narrowed.

"Weak?" She whispered, the word dripped with venom.

"No, no," Trunks began, desperate to try to make amends, "That's not what I meant!"

Too late. Pan had already stood up and readjusted her dress back to its correct position.

She was picking up her shoes when Trunks grabbed her hand, "Pan, I'm so sorry. That's not what I meant."

Pan quickly pried her hand away from her. She never looked at Trunks but Pan could see from where she was standing that her eyes showed sadness and betrayal. "I'm going home," She whispered as she picked up her bag from the previous night and slammed the door on the way out.

Trunks felt her ki blast away as she took off in flight. He leaned back onto the couch, bringing his hands up to hold his head and pulled slightly at his lavender hair. He blew out a breath of air, "I've completely and utterly fucked that up." Trunks laid down on the couch and pulled the pillow up to his head that Pan had been using, her scent still strong. "Now I have to figure out how to fix this in twenty-four hours." Trunks groaned; the last thing he wanted to do was to go into space after pissing Pan off. He was going to have to come up with something big to make it up to her…

Thank you so much for the reviews. It really means a lot to me when you take the time. I'll try to update as soon as I can.