This was a challenge sent by a reader wanting to see a Goku and Pan story. Don't forget to send challenges if there's something you want to see done.
No more missing moments
To say it was a pleasant surprise would be an understatement. It had been months since anybody had heard from Videl or Gohan since the birth of the baby. So, when they showed up at the Son house spontaneously, Goku and Chi Chi were more than a little excited.
"They live!" Chi Chi shouted the moment she answered the door.
Goku came to see what was going on only to break out into a huge grin to see his oldest son with his wife and their three-month-old daughter. They young couple had been busy with not just Pan. Gohan opening the dojo with Nia and his teaching career were also keeping them on their toes.
"Well this is certainly a nice surprise," Goku said as he hugged the pair.
"Gohan finally got a whole weekend off so we're making the most of it," Videl explained.
"Where's my pain in the butt of a little brother today?" Goha asked.
"Getting into trouble with Trunks somewhere no doubt," Chi Chi said as she hugged her son and daughter in law before turning her attention to Pan. Videl gently placed the baby into the other woman's arms.
"It has been far too long since I held you last sweet girl," Chi Chi cooed at her granddaughter. Baby Pan smiled contently as her tail slithered out from under her blanket and wrapped around Chi Chi's arm.
"I miss this part of babies," the ox princess sighed.
"Well you could try holding Gohan honey but I don't see that working out to well," Goku joked.
Chi Chi glared at her husband before she went back to enjoying her first grandchild.
"Well speaking of your children mom, we have a bit of a surprise for you," Gohan said.
The ox princess sighed at her son before she asked, "What did you brats summon this time?"
Gohan rolled his eyes before he replied, "Why do you always think that Goten, Nia and I have wished for something dumb with the dragon balls every time we do something nice for you?"
Chi Chi just stared at him before Gohan crossed his arms and pouted as he looked away.
"It wasn't a dumb wish," Gohan mumbled.
Videl chuckled at her husband before she explained, "Nia thought it would be fun for us three to have a girls' day out. You know go out for lunch, maybe a bit of shopping."
"My daughter…offered to go shopping?" Chi Chi asked in genuine shock.
Videl smiled before she replied, "She's been super busy helping Gohan and she finally let herself have some free time. I think she misses you."
The ox princess couldn't help the smile that crossed her face. She too had been missing her adopted daughter.
"Well you know you don't have to twist my arm to go shopping with my two girls," she said to Videl.
Gohan turned to his dad before he said, "We're on baby duty."
"No spar then?" Goku asked sounding a little disappointed.
It had felt like a lifetime since he had last spared with his oldest son. He missed challenging Gohan's strength which far surpassed his own. The man rarely let his full power come out to play in fear that he wouldn't be able to control it. This didn't stop his father however from trying to see how much he could get Gohan to power up to.
"Of course, we're sparing," Gohan replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Seriously?" the ox princess said looking at her son disapprovingly.
"Sorry Chi Chi but that girl is a saiyan through and through. Every time we go to the dojo to watch Gohan train her eyes light up and her tail wags," Videl explained.
The poor ox princess looked as though she wanted to cry. All she wanted was to have one girl in this family that didn't live for fighting. Chi Chi sighed before she replied, "I have faith in this one. If Nia can indulge me then there is hope for her."
"That's the spirit," Videl said encouraging her mother in law.
Videl then turned to Gohan and Goku before she joked, "You two better not destroy the house before we get back."
"Yes dear," Gohan replied sarcastically. The young mother shook her head before she went over and kissed her husband.
"Seriously Gohan rest today," Videl whispered into the man's ear.
Goku couldn't help hearing the private conversation and noted that Videl sounded worried. He turned to see his son smile as he nodded his head.
'His eyes are closed…he only does that when he doesn't want anyone to worry about him' Goku thought to himself.
After a quick goodbye to the saiyans and the baby, Chi Chi handed Pan over to Gohan and left with Videl to meet up with Nia. Once they were gone for a day of much needed rest Gohan turned his attention to his dad and his daughter.
"So, did you want me to kick your butt in front of Pan now or later?" Gohan teased.
Goku chuckled at his son to distract him from the fact that he was giving the young father an inspection. The fighter had become quite stealthy at checking his children over for injury or sickness when they're power levels were off. The older saiyan didn't need to check Gohan's power level to see that the young man was exhausted. Besides the fact that he had huge circles under his eyes and his posture was slouched, there were small gestures that gave Gohan away. His smile wasn't as bright and his eyes seemed slightly dull compared to their usual luster.
"Well I was thinking of a nap," Goku answered his son casually as he picked up Pan from his son's arms.
Gohan gave his father a deadpanned look before he said, "You can't be serious."
"Oh, I am," Goku replied in his dad tone of voice.
The older saiyan was enjoying the bewildered look on his oldest son's face before he rhetorically asked, "Son this surprise visit wasn't so spontaneous, was it?"
Gohan stared at the ground looking guilty before he mumbled, "Videl is under the impression that I'm wearing myself out. To quote my lovely wife 'I'm taking you to your father cause I'm out of ideas on how to actually get you to sit down'."
Goku found himself once again grateful for the blessing that was his daughter in law. He had lost count of how many times he had thanked the universe for bringing Videl into his son's life. She brought out the best in Gohan and supported him fiercely. She also understood better than even Gohan when he was burning out and needed a rest. Gohan could become obsessive over the things he was passionate about and could go days without stopping if no one was around to remind him to take care of himself.
The saiyan rested his hands on his son's shoulders before he said, "Gohan, we've talked about this son. I'm happy you've found your passions and I'm proud of the father you are becoming...but you aren't invincible. You need to prioritize yourself."
The young man looked like he wanted to argue. He wanted to tell his father he was fine and he could handle it. However, it was against his nature to lie.
The younger saiyan looked at his father defeated before he replied, "I just don't want to let anybody down…Nia depends on me at the dojo and I love teaching. At the same time, I have this beautiful kid and I don't want to miss anything in her life either."
Goku put a finger to his chin looking deep in thought before he sarcastically said, "Not wanting to let anyone down or miss anything important…that doesn't sound like my little man at all!"
Gohan glared at his father making Goku chuckle as he thought 'this kid hasn't changed at all'
"Son, even Superman has to rest sometimes. Go get some sleep. We can spar after lunch," Goku said in a tone that Gohan knew all too well meant that he had lost this discussion.
Gohan sighed before he replied, "You talk like I have a choice in this."
"Of course, you get a choice. You can go up to bed by yourself or I can help you up to bed," Goku said with a big smile on his face. The younger saiyan couldn't help chuckling at his dad.
"Fine I'll go to sleep," Gohan mumbled in defeat.
"That's my boy," Goku replied as he prepared himself for the new dad instructions he knew he was about to receive.
"Let me just put Pan's milk in the fridge. She has her books and toys in the diaper bag…"
"Gohan"
"Videl changed and fed her before we came over but she'll be hungry soon in about half an hour…"
"Son."
"Do not, I repeat do not lose ducky. As for-"
"Gohan!"
The younger saiyan instantly stopped talking when his father sharply called his name.
"This isn't my first time taking care of a baby. Go to bed," Goku scolded his son lightly.
Gohan rolled his eyes. He then turned to his daughter with a smile and kissed her on the head. Goku quickly pulled his son into a hug before sending him to bed.
Goku listened intently as he followed his son's power level up to the once shared bedroom. Once Goku was sure Gohan was asleep he turned his attention to Pan.
"Hi princess," Goku said smiling at his granddaughter. Baby Pan smiled up at her grandfather with her big beautiful blue eyes.
"What do you say we play while daddy gets some sleep?" Goku cooed at the baby as he carried Pan's diaper bag to the kitchen to put the milk away.
The saiyan would be lying if he said he didn't miss having a baby around the house. He truly wished he could have been there for his youngest during those first few years of his life. Heck he wished he could have been there for every stage of all his children's lives.
Suddenly it dawned on him why Gohan was trying so hard.
'He doesn't want to make the mistakes I did' Goku thought bittersweetly.
Gohan was working hard at his teaching so that he could provide for his family. He opened the dojo with Nia so that he had a place to share his passion with his daughter and build memories with her. Unlike his father, Gohan quickly learned to take advantage of the window of opportunity he had to be with his daughter while she was small. He would never miss a moment of this little girl's life.
A new sense of determination filled the saiyan as he thought 'I will be there to watch her grow to. No more missing moments.'
The saiyan was tired of missing important moments. It was his turn to be selfish. He had a new goal and for once it wasn't to get stronger. He would not fail this little girl the way he felt he failed his sons and daughter.
Without realizing it Goku's tail had come out and wrapped itself around the baby's tail.
"You, my little warrior, are one loved little girl," Goku said tenderly.
A smile graced the saiyan's face as an idea formed in his head.
'I wonder if the dojo could use some volunteers.'
…
"Come on Gramps quit going easy on me," a six-year-old Pan demanded before sending another punch flying at her opponent.
Goku only laughed as he continued to spar with his granddaughter. Like her father, Pan was already incredibly strong. Goku had no doubt in his mind that this child would be as strong as Gohan even if she was only a quarter saiyan.
It had been six years since he began helping his son and daughter at the dojo. True to his word, the warrior never again missed another moment of his childrens' lives or his granddaughter's. Goku found that he was a natural born teacher and never had more fun than when he was teaching children. He was over the moon when Pan was finally old enough to join his class. He only laughed when his granddaughter taught all the little kids to start calling Goku 'Gramps'.
"Careful what you wish for Pan," Goku teased as he blocked Pan's attack.
The little girl jumped back with a big grin on her face. Suddenly her power level exploded as she transformed into a super saiyan.
"I think I can take it," Pan replied confidently.
Goku shook his head as he to powered up into his super saiyan form before he said, "You're gonna get me in trouble with your parents again."
"I won't tell on you Gramps," Pan replied innocently with a cheeky grin.
The warrior discovered long ago that the one disadvantage of spending time with your adorable granddaughter is that you can never resist her.
"Alright one round in super saiyan and that's it," Goku said using his best dad voice.
Pan smiled at her grandfather before she replied in a sing song voice, "we'll see."
…
Videl walked over to her husband curiously when she found him staring at something. She couldn't help smiling when she saw her daughter sparing Goku.
"There they go breaking the rules again," Videl chuckled as she wrapped her arms around Gohan's left arm.
"I'll let it slide if they don't break anything this time," Gohan replied with a smirk.
Videl laughed at the memory of Goku and Pan covered in dust after they broke through some dry wall in one of the private sparing rooms.
"Those two really are kindred spirits, aren't they?" Videl asked her husband.
Gohan nodded his head as he continued to watch happily. The saiyan grew up watching his father always fighting, always sacrificing himself to protect his home and everything he loved. Even when Goten was small they were fighting Buu. For the first time that Gohan could remember he had the pleasure to watch his father enjoy the world he protected with the people he loved. For the first time Goku had uninterrupted free time to play.
'Dad maybe the only one who can get me to relax, but Pan is only person in the whole universe that can bring him peace' Gohan thought.
That's it for this one don't forget to review and send challenges!