23- Liberated
Pan felt like she was going to be sick. She was regretting telling Trunks that she would be okay to meet Chi-Chi by herself. She had thought it would be for the best, but now she wasn't so sure. Nerves and anxiety rattled her body.
She had dreamed of her Mama often, but it had been so long since she had seen her in person. Pan wondered how different this Chi-Chi would be compared to the one she had known. They were the same person - just different counterparts, so they shouldn't be too different.
A restless feeling was gnawing its way into Pan's gut. She was worried that this Chi-Chi wouldn't like her. What if she decided that she didn't want anything to do with Pan or didn't want to see her again? And Pan couldn't blame her if she did, since she was the daughter this Chi-Chi had never known.
A gentle knock on the door stirred Pan from her thoughts, and she let out an anxious breath. She straightened her back from her spot, sitting on her bed.
"Come in-" she could hear her voice wavering with nerves.
Slowly, the door open and Pan held her breath. The woman that entered was a few inches taller than her. She had a slim, fit body, and the purple dress she had on fit her well. Her graying hair was pulled into a neat bun. Her dark chocolate eyes were wide as she stared at Pan. There were a few lines around her face, showing her age, but to Pan, she looked beautiful.
Pan's eyes were hot, and she swallowed back a sob as she stared at the woman. Chi-Chi seemed to be holding it in as well as she let out a shaky breath and closed the door behind her. She walked over to the bed and sat down beside Pan, their gazes never breaking.
It was silent for several moments as both of them stared at one another. Pan couldn't believe she was seeing her Mama again. She was shaking, itching to touch her and hold her.
"I've always wanted a daughter," Chi-Chi's voice trembled. Her hands were twitching too. "I know that I cannot replace your mother, and I am not asking to. Gohan is irreplaceable as well. Both of us, we have holes in our hearts-" her voice shook more as she reached up and placed her hand over her chest. "But I do have room in mine for more love, and I hope you could make room for me as well. The pain of missing those we've lost will not ever go away, but maybe we can help each other to heal."
Pan's throat was tight as she whispered, "I would like that."
Chi-Chi couldn't hold herself back any longer. She reached out, her arms wrapping around Pan's shoulders as she brought her close. Pan clutched her immediately, her hands grabbing the back of her dress as her sob let loose. Both of them were crying, and both of them were holding each other.
Pan wasn't sure how long had passed before she and Chi-Chi leaned back. The older woman's eyes were red, and Pan imagined that her eyes looked similar. Chi-Chi reached up and tucked a piece of Pan's hair that had fallen out of the ponytail back behind her ear.
"You're so beautiful," Chi-Chi said with glittering eyes.
Pan let out a small sniff, "that's because I take after my Mama."
The smile that she shared with Chi-Chi warmed her heart, and for the first time in years, her heart didn't ache so bad.
Pan stared at her reflection through the mirror hanging on her wall. Her dark hair tumbled down to her waist neatly. Her complexion was pale but healthy now. She no longer had dark circles under her eyes and her skin, which would rash up from stress, was clear.
It had been one month since Pan had arrived in her new timeline, three weeks since she had met Chi-Chi, and the older woman moved into the Briefs house to be with her, and one week since her last nightmare. Pan would say that she was adjusting well. Chi-Chi and Bulma were nothing but kind to her, and Trunks was her savor, the anchor that kept her grounded.
With a huff, Pan narrowed her eyes at her reflection. It had been a month, and she had barely left her room. The others hadn't judged or questioned her for it. They had all chipped in to help make it as homey as possible. Bulma decorated it in light grey walls and hung up lights that glittered like stars. She had gotten Pan wardrobes and a TV. Chi-Chi had gotten Pan a deep purple comforter for her bed and other decorations for her room. Trunks had gifted her with movies and music, some Pan remembered from her timeline, others she had never heard before. The room was her own, and it was her safe place. A place Pan truly felt like Axel couldn't find. But it was also suffocating. A whole new world was waiting for her, and she just had to take the first step.
With shaking fingers, Pan reached out and grabbed the scissors sitting on her vanity. She held up a strand of her hair and held her breath as she cut it. She half expected it to grow back instantly, as it had for years, but it didn't. A breath of relief escaped Pan as her body relaxed. She was free.
Pan wasted no time grabbing the rest of her hair, and frantically she began snipping at the strands. She wasn't paying attention to whether it was straight or not. All she could see was the weight falling off of her.
"Panny!" Chi-Chi called as she opened up the door. "I brought you-" she stopped suddenly.
Pan turned to face her, her breath coming out in short, excited pants. She could feel the warmth of adrenaline on her cheeks. She was sure her hair looked like an uneven chopped mess, but she still smiled at Chi-Chi.
Chi-Chi met her smile with one of her own. "Looks like you've decided it's time for a haircut," she said as she stepped into the room and placed a bag on Pan's bed. "Would you like for me to even it out for you? I'll cut it as short as you want it."
"Yes, please," Pan nodded.
"What are you working on now?"
Bulma turned and smiled as Trunks walked into the basement, which was also her lab. "I'm working on strengthening Capsule Home structures and other buildings as well," she said with a small sigh. It had been years since the Android attacks, and the earth had rebuilt itself stronger than ever. Still, Bulma worried about the what-ifs. What if another threat came? They needed to be ready.
"Interesting," Trunks commented with a twist of his lips. "Is that something CC is working on, or something you're working on solo?"
"Solo for now," Bulma let out a small sigh. "Just like the time machine," she grinned. "But once I get the structures the way I want them, then I'll share. How was patrol?"
Ever since the defeat of the Androids and Cell, the people had turned towards Trunks as their savior. They trusted him and came to him for their problems. She hadn't been surprised or disappointed when he had declined the offer to step up at Capsule Corp. His eyes and ears were needed throughout the city.
"It was quiet," Trunks said with a small sigh as he leaned against the table Bulma had been working at.
"Why are you down here, bored, and not with Pan?" Bulma raised a knowing eyebrow.
Trunks raised one back to her, and she held his stare. She knew he would rather spend his time with Pan. She saw the way the two of them looked at each other - like they couldn't believe that the other was there. She and Chi-Chi had shared many looks over the last few weeks when it came to their children and just what would bloom between them.
"I went to her room, but she was in there with Chi-Chi. So I gave them some privacy," he said.
"Hey, you two," Chi-Chi walked down the first few stairs of the basement. "Panny and I are about to start on supper," she informed them.
Trunks turned to face her. "Pan's helping?" He asked softly.
Bulma was surprised to hear that as well. It was rare for Pan to leave her room.
Chi-Chi's smile lit up her whole face. "Mhm," she nodded before she turned around to go back into the kitchen.
Bulma got up and followed Trunks as they headed up the stairs towards the kitchen. It was just as Chi-Chi said, Pan was in the kitchen with her, and her hair, which had been down to her waist, was now above her shoulders!
"Pan, you're hair!" Bulma gasped.
Pan turned to face Bulma and Trunks, a small smile on her lips as she reached up to touch her hair. "I thought it was time for a change," she said softly. Her eyes were timid and seeking approval. They were staring right at Trunks.
Trunks smiled as he reached out and brushed his fingers through her short strands. "It's beautiful."
Pan's smile lit up her whole face. Bulma looked across the room and met Chi-Chi's eyes, both of them sharing a secret smile.
"When did you learn how to fight with a sword?" Pan asked Trunks as they walked around the backyard behind the Brief's house.
Pan had ventured out more over the last few weeks. She was comfortable going anywhere in the house, and as long as she was with someone, she could travel along the back or front yard. She still hadn't gone into the city to go shopping. The mere thought of being surrounded by so many people caused her heart to race.
"I was fourteen," Trunks said. "Gohan had just passed away from the hands of the Androids. I was devastated. I needed a distraction, and learning how to fight with a sword was a good one. It took me many years of studying books and movies before I was actually able to fight with it. I used to cut myself all the time accidentally, and my Mom would always scold me."
Pan's lips twitched. "Training paid off. You're amazing, and you're a good teacher too." He had been helping her with her stances and how to strike properly.
Trunks smiled, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "Well, you have a natural talent, Angel."
Pan's cheeks blazed at the nickname.
"When did you first being practicing with your saber?" He asked.
"I was about fourteen as well," Pan said. "Axel wouldn't let me train in ways that engaged my Saiyan abilities, and I could never call on the magic like he wanted me to. So I trained with my saber. I guess swords are one more thing we have in common," she told Trunks.
He seemed pleased at that.
"Panny," Chi-Chi smiled as they entered in through the backdoor. "You're just in time. I was just looking into registering you into homeschooling."
"Homeschooling?" Pan repeated.
"Yes," Chi-Chi nodded. "You said you were about halfway through your second year, right?"
Pan nodded slowly. At least Axel had let her study academically. Though he had forced her to do it through homeschooling and away from others her age.
"Does it have to be home school?" Pan asked softly. Chi-Chi looked at her with a gentle expression. Pan could feel Trunks' curious gaze on her as well, and her cheeks grew warm. "It's just, I think it would be nice to go to school," she trailed off.
"If that's what you want," Chi-Chi told her. "It's up to you, Panny."
Pan honestly wasn't sure how her nerves would react. Surely, she would be fine. The kids would be around the same age as her. She'd be able to blend in with them and make friends in no time. "I want to try at least," she gave a determined nod.
Chi-Chi smiled brightly. "Alright then, that settles it."
Trunks wondered if Pan was nervous. She didn't look nervous. She was smiling brightly, all dressed up in her new school uniform, which she looked adorable in. She had her new backpack strapped across her back as she talked to Bulma and Chi-Chi about how excited she was.
Maybe Trunks was the only one nervous, then. He couldn't help it, though. Pan was taking a big step by going to public school. She still didn't even go grocery shopping, and he was afraid it would be too much too soon. But Pan had been happy over going to school and the possibilities of making friends so Trunks couldn't say anything. All he could do was support her.
"Pan, it's about time," Chi-Chi said as she checked her watch. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Pan nodded with a smile. She turned around to face Trunks to say goodbye.
He smiled at her, trying his best not to show how nervous he was for her. "Do you have your phone?" He asked.
"Yes," Pan patted the pocket of her jacket. "It's with me."
"Good," he said. "I'll be patrolling around the city today. If you need me for anything, just give me a call, okay?"
"I will," she told him softly. Trunks was half tempted to reach out and grab her into a hug but restrained himself. He didn't want to overstep any boundaries.
"Okay, Kiddo," Chi-Chi said as she grabbed her purse. "Time to go."
Pan looked at Trunks for one last encouraging nod. He lifted his hand and waved. "Have a good day."
Pan grinned brightly, and she waved back with both hands as she skipped backward to follow Chi-Chi. "I will!"
It wasn't until the door closed behind Pan that Trunks let out a heavy sigh.
"You're worried about her," his mother said as she walked up and leaned against the counter beside him.
"Yeah," Trunks said. "But she wanted this, so what could I say?"
Bulma smiled softly and reached up to par Trunks' shoulder. "Maybe this will help her. She'll be around kids her age. She was deprived of that for so long."
"I know," he said. "And I hope it helps her." He let out a small sigh and shook his head. Everything would be alright.
Pan was panting. Her body shook as she slammed the janitor's closet door shut. Her chest was painfully tight, and she fell onto the floor before she closed her eyes as she rocked herself.
The school was amazing. The teachers were friendly, and the students seemed nice. It was too much.
It wasn't until Pan had been seated and her classmates started asking questions that the tightness in her chest began. Everywhere she looked, she saw strange, curious faces. She could feel the damp sweat and nausea coming next. She hadn't been able to pay attention to the lesson - her body felt as if it were going to explode.
As soon as Pan had a chance, she dashed out of the classroom. The janitor's closet was the closest thing she could find. It was small, but she was the only one in there, so it was fine.
Pan's chest was still spasming, and her fingers shook as she dialed Trunks' number.
He answered it on the first ring. "Angel?"
His voice released something in Pan, and she started to cry. "Trunks, come get me, please."
"I'll be right there," Trunks said. "Where are you?"
Pan sniffed, "the second floor. I'm in a janitor's closet."
"I'm on my way."
Pan pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them as she hugged herself tightly. She focused on trying to catch her breath, but she was still gasping and shaking.
Suddenly, the doors opened, and Pan gasped in surprise as she looked up. It was Trunks - he was there already?
"Are you okay?" He asked as he stood in the doorway. His shoulders were rising and falling quickly as he caught his breath. He had rushed over so quickly.
Pan could feel the tears running down her cheeks. Relief flooded through her. He was there. She jumped up and grabbed him. Her arms wrapped around his waist, holding him tight.
His arms reached up and wrapped around her, so he was holding her. "I'm here," he said.
Trunks held her firmly as she cried, and it was there in his arms that she felt herself relaxing. The tension was leaving her chest. Her shaking had stopped.
A bell overhead ring and Trunks shuffled them into the closet more before he shut the door before anyone could see Pan. He leaned against the door, taking her back with him. Her cries had turned into sniffs, and they listened to the murmurs of passing students for several minutes. Another bell went off, and then it was quiet.
Pan leaned back, and Trunks loosened his grip on her but didn't let go.
"I should have known this wouldn't work," she said softly. "I can't even go to the grocery store - why'd I think I could go to school?"
Trunks shifted, and one of his hands came up and grabbed Pan's chin. He tilted her head up to look at him. "You tried, and that is what's important. You did good, Angel. Just take everything one step at a time; I know that in time, you'll conquer anything you put your mind to."
Pan's face was warm as she stared up at Trunks. She was sure that as long as he was by her side, she really could do anything.
She smiled at him, "can we go home now?"
Trunks' lips twitched, and his fingers brushed up Pan's jaw and across her cheek. It sent a flutter through her. He reached down and grabbed her hand. "Yes," he told her. "Let's go home."