Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Pan and Trunks walked into Bulma's house and at the sight of her grandfather already there she called, "Grandpa!" Goku's head rose and he smiled for her before his son, Gohan, looked up as well and his eyes went wide. "Trunks," he said. And then, all eyes and head turned to their direction. Trunks forced a smile while Pan accepted her grandfather hugging her tightly. Gohan rose from his seat next to his wife and walked straight up to Trunks and Trunks expected him to be angry with him, and he let his eyes shut as he prepared himself for Gohan's lashing tongue, but when a hand touched his shoulder his eyes opened once more. Gohan stared at him and he said, "Its good to have you back," then quietly he said, "she would not have survived without you."

Trunks's eyes widened and he looked just over Gohan's shoulder at Pan. He saw his father take her bag, and walk off while Videl and Chichi laughed with her and greeted her. Gohan stepped away and Trunks watched them before his skin shuddered at the sound of an old voice. "Trunks," they called and he looked over and found Marron smiling at him. She eased over to him and he found her smile to mirror that of Merona's. A smile that was a predator's grin. She leaned up to him, hugged him, and he felt her hand touch his forearm, squeezing it gently. "If you need anything while you're here, don't be shy," she said softly. And then she walked over to Pan and his brow furrowed when she asked, "Pan, how are you?" Pan's attention was caught by the blonde and Trunks watched in confusion as Pan said, "I'm doing very well Marron, yourself?" Marron shrugged, "Well, I just got back from my modeling trip in Paris. I can't complain." Pan smiled for her. "Of course, you are just as busy as the rest of us, it's nice to see that you made time for us." Marron watched Videl and Chichi step away to head over to the kitchens and she softly said to Pan, "I didn't make time for you, a birdie told me he was home, I will not lose to you again." Pan's eyes widened as did Trunks's and before Trunks could say something Pan said, "Good luck."

Everything was too loud and too busy. He felt a nerve tic in his jawline as the laughter and the voices overtook the home. He was still not used to being around so much. And although he had spent time with Merona in space, there was still noise, sounds, but not the laughter and happiness that was still here on Earth. His hands tightened into fists and Pan's hand touched his arm. He jumped and pulled it away from her. He looked down at her and knew then he could not pretend as if he was enjoying himself just then. She had a worried look and asked, "Trunks, would you like anything to drink?" she pondered and he arched a brow, before walking away. She frowned and watched him go, and Trunks said, "I'm going for a walk." Her brow knitted further together and she followed after him. He took off outside into a brisk walk, towards the gardens, and she had to struggle a bit to keep up with him. She noted he had cut through towards the gardens where she knew their families would not see them. "Did I say I needed you to come with me?" he groused at her. Her eyes widened and she stopped, she said, "I thought, well, I-"

She awkwardly laughed at herself, he made a valid point, she could feel her leg throbbing from trying to keep up with him and she went to turn away, leaving the conversation at that. He heard her ever so gently say, "I'm sorry." And Pan felt an emotion she had not felt in a long time. Embarrassment, flustered, she felt as if she were a child once more. She felt his hand touch her wrist. She didn't look back at him, because tears burned her eyes. "Pan," he began. His touch loosened enough for her to slip her arm away. "I'm fine, go for your walk," she said and with that, she walked back into the home. Trunks watched her go and he sighed.

A voice said, "She understands." He looked at his father and Vegeta crooked a finger. "Let's go on this walk," he said. Trunks followed after his father and he and Vegeta walked in silence before they reached the gardens. Vegeta said, knowing no one would hear them, after all, no one knew they were out here. They both could just barely hear the laughter that was pouring from out of the house. "It will take time for you to get used to the noise again," Vegeta said. "I know our time in the chamber helped with meditation, but you have to remember to have patience." Trunks nodded and continued to follow his father through the path that led them through the gardens.

And they continued like that, in quiet, in silence, until they exited and it was as if Trunks was thrown back in time. There before him was their family, the Son family, and Krillin's. And more visitors, Tien, Chaiotzu, and Roshi. All there to welcome him home. And as they approached the table that was covered with food Vegeta said, "You're a Saiyan warrior, and they are here to welcome you home."

And his words struck Trunks. And forced him to realize that this was so much more than his sister's birthday party. And on cue his sister walked up to him not a day changed her. Her blue hair and blue eyes sparkled like their mother's and she came up to him and took his hands. "I have missed you," she said. And Trunks reached around her and held her. A hug from brother to sister and her hands held him. He said to her, "Happy birthday," and from her to him, she said, "Welcome home brother."

Laughter sounded around the table as Roshi did something ridiculous. And Bura clapped while Goten turned to Pan and asked, "So , this is déjà vu," he observed. Pan's head tilted to one side and she smiled, and asked, "How so?" Bura said, "How's your love life Pan?" And Pan's jaw fell agape and she blushed madly. "Do we always have to talk about this?!" she hissed. Trunks' attention was pulled in when Pan said, "I hate it when you guys tease me like this."

"Well, you're our little Panny," Goten reasoned as he rubbed his hand into the top of her head. Pan arched a brow and pouted for a moment before Trunks asked, "Well? How is it?" Pan blinked at him and Goten nervously laughed while Bura rammed her elbow into his side. "Idiot," she hissed. Pan's hand fidgeted and she swallowed slowly. "Eh, my love life has been rocky to say the least," she reasoned, "it really isn't anything to write home about." Marron said, "What about that guy from the office? I heard you two are pretty close." Trunks rested his hands underneath the table. She was speaking about Najin. And this was something he too, wanted to know. Pan smiled, a gentle blush staining her face, and she explained. "It is true that he and I had some chemistry when he first came to the company over a year ago, but nothing ever amounted from it."

"Nothing? Not even when you were working late nights together?" Marron pressed and Pan felt her chest tighten. Her breathing almost stopped. Marron knew. Someone had told her that Pan had, had a brief affair with the man. And she nodded, she knew she had nothing to hide, "There were times when I was lonely. But it was nothing more than a physical attraction." And Trunks lost it. "WHAT?!" he demanded. Pan felt her anxiety spike and her heart stopped. Her affair with Najin was nothing to be ashamed of, and it was hardly her worst secret. She rose from her chair and ignored him, Bura looked at Goten, eyeing him and said, "You started this." He merely sighed as she too rose from her seat to go after Pan. Trunks ripped himself up from his seat and followed after the young women. Pan had just made it to the edge of the house, to escape inside before Trunks caught her arm and whipped her around to face him. "That's why he's so close to you?!" he demanded and she ripped her arm free and said, "Yes!" Trunks felt his anger spike and Bura touched his arm. "Trunks, please," she whispered, "you have to understand-"

"Understand what?! That I spent years of my life being used while she happily enjoyed herself?!" Pan felt herself begin shaking and noticed then that their rest of their families were starting to stare at them. Her hands tightened into hard fists before shooting open and shoving themselves into his chest. His eyes went wide from the sudden attack and he stumbled back. Pan's anger radiated out of her and he went to snap at her again until she said, "I was lonely! What do you expect?!" The pretending was over. The play time was done. And she was through with whatever else he had to throw at her. She huffed and stood before him not letting her emotions control her words just then, she knew he was hurting. She knew he thought it was unfair. And honestly it was, she knew it was.

And then her eyes widened once more as Marron made her presence known. She attacked Pan as well and said, "You dare treat him this way? After all he's been through?" Pan focused on her breathing, but she was becoming light headed. Marron leaned into him and held his arm and Trunks frowned at her and pulled away as his sister opened the door behind Pan, Pan's eyes rolled, she couldn't breathe. And Marron pulled Trunks back. "Everyone knows you're a little pent up," she reasoned softly. "Bura," Pan said and Marron laughed. "Really? You're not even strong enough to fight me, so why not just give in?" Trunks merely stood there stunned while Goten came up and caught Pan as she sank. Marron winked and traced a finger down Trunks's chest. "You know where you can find me," she reasoned.

Goten groused, "That was dirty Marron. Are you okay?" His hands brushed Pan's hair back and she blushed as Goten treated her like an uncle would his niece. Pan felt her heart trying to beat up and out of her chest and she said, "Please, I need to lie down." Yes, playtime was over. And her secrets were starting to spill out. Goten nodded and helped her into the home. Pan forced a smile and then Bura caught her hand and pulled her with her. "I need you inside," she said quickly and Trunks merely watched his sister pull Pan away from the scene. And just as they reached inside his mother's home, and the door slipped shut, he just barely caught Pan collapsing against Goten. He leaned over, taking her up into his arms, catching her as she fell against him.

Trunks brow furrowed and he looked back at Marron and their family and said, "What happened to her?" And they remained quiet. All except Videl. She rose from her seat and said, "Pan was hurt when Merona took you both, she doesn't, well, she doesn't have the best quality of life." Marron touched his shoulder once more and said, "She can't help you." And his eyes fell upon her with such anger she felt her heart stop. "You really are no different than Merona." Her eyes went wide and her sultry look was wiped clear off her face. "How dare you-" 18 began until Trunks said to her, "You raised her this way, doing as she liked, and allowing her to torment others." 18's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak before once more Trunks caused her to keep quiet. "Remember you're in my mother's home, not yours, watch your tongue." 18 snapped her mouth closed and Trunks added, "Marron, you haven't changed since then."

And with that he left the eyes that bore into him and walked into the home. He found Goten slipping out of the inside kitchen with a glass of water and caught his arm and yanked him towards the house. "Whoa man! What do you think you're-" The door to the kitchen re-opened and Trunks found his sister eyeing him. He said, "Where is she?" Goten arched a brow and bit out, "Stay away from Pan." Bura stepped up and Trunks eyed her. She stiffened at the dark look in his eyes. "Where is she?" he asked and Bura stammered, "Eh, she-she-"

"Bura!" Trunks head rose at the sound of Pan's voice coming from a back room and he rolled his shoulders and walked through the living room and towards the long hallway that led to a guest bedroom at the back of the house. "Trunks," Bura called and he ignored her. The bedroom door was open and he found Pan laying out on the bed with her hands covering her face. They slipped away and she stretched her arms out wide taking in slow and steady breaths. He saw her and her eyes slipped up to look at him. They widened and she meekly asked, "What are you doing in here?"

"Checking on you, I saw you fall," he said. And for the first time since he had returned she saw the concern in his eyes. She saw his worry for her and he eased over to the bed and took a soft seat next to her. His hand rose and she winced. "Don't touch me," she whispered, she slipped out of his grasp and shook her head. "Pan," he began and she shook her head. "I couldn't breathe," she reasoned, then added, "I can't handle you touching me right now." He eyed her and moved closer to her and pulled her up to sit up and he placed himself behind her. His hands came up and lifted her arms above her head, stretching her. "Open your lungs," he said, a small moan fell past her lips and he continued. "Focus on breathing with me," he said softly. Her eyes slowly shut and she felt his chest rise and fall and in time hers too fell in time with his. She listened and took in a slow breath through her nose before he said, "let it out. Slowly." She did. And the pressure in her chest lessened, her eyes looked upon him and he gulped. He moved away from her and took a seat back onto his heels. He shook his head. "You can't look and me like you did," he pleaded. Her eyes widened and her lips parted, but he rose and said, "Don't look at me like you don't trust me."

She rolled onto her side, avoiding him. "There hasn't been one moment in my entire life that I hadn't trusted you with my life." He reached over to her and brushed his fingers through her hair. "What about your heart?" he whispered softly. His hands loosen just enough for her to slip away like sand disintegrating through his fingers. "My heart is broken," she whispered softly. His eyes widened for a moment before he laughed nervously, and sighed running his hands through his hair, pulling his touch away from her. "Pan you know I don't want her," he commented. He saw a smart brow arch from behind the glasses she wore and she reached up to remove the glasses revealing tired eyes. She was jealous, that she didn't have the will Marron did to take what she wanted. She leaned up to him and kissed him, ever so gently. She pulled away and looked at him, so deeply, his heart stirred.

"I was lonely, I'm sorry," she said. His heart broke and he sighed. "I don't know how to control this anger," he said sadly and she said, "You will heal with time." He rose from the bed and looked at her. He was at a loss for words because when he entered the home he was still angered, but when he had come upon her laying in the bed with her face paled and sweat upon her brow. The anger dissipated because he remembered what she had yelled at him, 'I was lonely!'