If That's What It Takes – Epilogue
[Author's Notes: I had a few requests for a sequel to If That's What It Takes, and solely because I have no idea what I would write about, I decided to make an epilogue instead. Just to assure you that everything stays fluffy and pink. This is probably the longest thing I've done in my life, and I really like how it turned out. As always, many thanks to those whose suggestions and comments made this possible. I'd also like to thank my fellow cookie eater for reading it over for me.
A shrill scream pierced the hazy, dreamlike atmosphere of the Son household, and within moments, Gohan and Videl hurriedly rushed toward the source of the noise: their daughter's room. Bursting through the wooden door, anxious eyes searched the perimeter of the room before landing upon Pan's shaking figure. Worriedly, Videl flew to her daughter's side, "What happened?"
Fear flashed through her eyes, and for a moment, she said nothing. Letting out a sigh of relief, Pan opened her mouth as if to speak, then reconsidered. "Nothing, mom. It was nothing." Beads of cold sweat ran down her reddening face, and tremors still zapped through her spine. Slowly, she repeated her answer, as if she were trying to make herself believe it. "Nothing."
Gohan cast his daughter questioning gaze, but was too tired to pursue it. Yawning quietly, he murmured, "Try to go back to sleep. Talk about it in the morning?" Kissing Pan's forehead, he left the room as stealthily as he had entered, the remnants of drowsiness still clinging to him tightly.
"Mom, I'll be all right," Pan insisted, seeing the hesitation in her mother's eyes, "I can take care of it myself. Really." Videl's expression softened, and a gentle smile found its way to her face. Throwing her arms around her daughter, she whispered, "Sweet dreams." Then she, too, exited the room, leaving Pan with her thoughts.
~ if that's what it takes
Pan pulled the covers over her head and closed her eyes tightly, a feeble attempt to protect herself from the insecurities that followed. The nightmare had come again, the same nightmare that came whenever everything was going right for a change. Though time had passed and the terror was slowly fading, she could still remember everything as if it were a memory and not a premonition. She could see herself in his arms, a smile brightening her features, and then, suddenly-- the world would collapse around them.
As windows broke and people screamed, she saw herself clinging to him; looking into his eyes. Hoping that everything would be all right. But it wasn't. It never was. Powerful hands rose from the ground and pulled her away from him, and everything that had once stood between them opposed them once more. Words she hoped she'd never have to hear slipped off of the tip of his tongue, and icy eyes met hers. As she turned to see who it was that held her back, who it was that started it all, she saw herself. And it confused her all the more.
Sometime before the sun began to rise, sleep claimed her once more, drawing her into a restless slumber. Dreams and nightmares came and went, but never one strong enough to rouse her from her trance. Her eyes finally opened when the sun shone proudly above the sky, daring clouds or rain to try and come close. Clumsily, she stumbled out of bed, still not completely awake. She was half asleep as she changed out of her pajamas, a routine so ritual that her mind had stopped controlling it, and as she splashed cold water over her face, she was returning-- bit by bit. By the time she had left the kitchen, stomach filled, Pan was herself once more-- or at least, she was everything that was left after the nightmares took their course.
Just as she was ready to escape through the front door, the customary ringing of the telephone distracted her, followed closely by her mother's yell, "It's for you, Pan." A mixture of dread and anxiety washing through her veins, she reluctantly reached for the phone that was hanging so lifelessly against the wall. "Hello?"
"Panny, is everything okay?" A familiar voice rang out from the line, concern obvious in his voice. She could almost see the worried eyes and the wrinkles that would form above his eyebrows, and the thought brought a grin to her face.
"I'm fine." Pan replied bluntly, knowing that Trunks was hoping for a better answer. Closing her eyes tightly, she willed herself to go on, to tell him that she was scared; that she couldn't bear to live another day without seeing his face . . . but her voice wouldn't cooperate.
"Well I'm always here," Trunks murmured, "do you want to go get lunch later?" His voice was hopeful, and she knew that Trunks was always desperate to get out of the office. She could feel the quirky smile on his face as he spoke, and as she drowned in the details, the question was lost to her. "Pan?"
The excuses were the first to float to the top of her head, the countless excuses that she knew so well. She could tell him that she'd be gone by then, that she was watching movies with Marron or shopping with Bra. She could say that it was her night to cook, or that Gohan had grounded her for staying out too late. There were a million things she could've said, a million things that she would have said, if only he was someone else. But after an eternity of hesitations, it was her fear that spoke, "I can't."
~ if that's what it takes
There was something on her mind. That was as clear as day to him-- something that had stolen the glowing smiles from her face and the childish twinkle from her eyes. And though she had been acting strange lately-- more shut off, more vulnerable, it only sparked his determination to make the sun shine once more. And though things were different between them, he loved her more with each day. Pushing the thoughts away, he turned to the mirror. Studying himself closely, he brushed back his lavender locks and flashed an innocent smile. He pantomimed his every action for the mirror, imaging the expressions that would dance across her face.
The clock behind him struck noon; bells clinking, chimes banging, and stirred him from his reverie. Knowing that countless hours still remained proved little consolation for his nerves, and though he hid his uneasiness well, it was still there. He wasn't used to this, this feeling. The feeling that he was walking in a mine field and that he could destroy everything he worked for, everything he loved, and everything he needed with a single misplaced step. And though physically stepping on a land mine may not be what it takes to kill a Saiyan, a mine field within the heart is dangerous no matter what your race.
Trunks had so many things to do, and that was the only reason he couldn't stand in front of the mirror all day and brood over his situation. There was so much left undone, and if tonight was to be perfect, he had a busy day ahead of him. And though Trunks had never liked work-- be it calculating figures at the Capsule Corporation, or be it running little errands, it kept his mind occupied . . . and words couldn't express how wonderful it was for him to be able to throw his thoughts away, even if it was for a moment.
~ if that's what it takes
Pan slipped into the house quietly, closing the door behind her, and sneaked into her room without a word. Shopping had always been boring for her, even if she was with friends, and today was no exception. Marron and Bra had basically spent the day ogling a bright sundress that to her, looked no different than the twenty others beside it. As she changed into more comfortable clothes, a bouquet of brightly colored flowers resting on her bed caught her eye. She examined them carefully, pulling the card from amidst the assorted leaves to read.
Panny –
Waiting for you at the clearing around six.
Hope these brighten your day as much as
your voice brightened mine.
Love,
Trunks
~ if that's what it takes
The cool air brushed against her face as she glided through the air, her path illuminated by the moon's eerie glow. Miles of forest lay beneath her, and above, miles of sky. She hovered just over the treetops, concentrating on finding the clearing that laid ahead. Closing her eyes tightly, she let her senses take over . . . and though she couldn't see, other senses painted vivid images of what could be seen below. The clearing came into view moments later, and as she descended through the treetops, she could feel his ki nearby. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she emerged through the leaves and found herself lost in the depths of his eyes.
He wrapped his arms around her instinctively, and for a moment, all of her doubts were at bay. For a moment, the storm cloud that hovered over her was forgotten, and the worries that had pestered her all day were gone-- but for only a moment. Déjà vu washed over her as their eyes clashed, and everything she had been trying to forget was back with a vengeance. Seeing the pain in her troubled eyes, Trunks flashed a mischievous smile and pulled another bouquet of colorful flowers from the air, "For you."
She couldn't help but smile, and as he leaned down to kiss her, watery tears sprang to her eyes. A rush of thoughts ambushed her mind, and though she tried desperately to mask away her feelings and push back her tears, neither worked. Sensing something amiss, Trunks backed away and gazed into her dampened eyes with a strange intensity. Gingerly, he wiped the stray tears from her cheek and lifted her gaze to his, "What's wrong?"
The tears were threatening to spill again, and in a vain attempt to keep them back, she bit her lip, "It's just that . . ." She snuck a gaze into his eyes and all of the barriers around her heart cracked and shattered in that one moment. Warm tears flowed forth, trickling in streams down her face, and she ripped her eyes from his. She couldn't bring the right words to her lips when he looked at her like that-- with so much love, with so much hope. She couldn't bear to tell him that it wouldn't last forever, that one day their differences would catch up with him. She loved him too much for that.
Trunks took her into his arms again, letting her cry, knowing that something was terribly wrong. He closed his eyes tightly, knowing that now, he had the courage . . . and if he waited any longer, it would surely leave him. 'Now or never,' he thought to himself, and swallowing the lump in his throat, he whispered, his warm breath grazing her ear, "I want to help, but I can't if you don't tell me what's wrong." She jerked away, her breath ragged and fear dominating her blurry eyes. Shaking her head furiously, she cried, "I—I'm fine." Clearing the tears from her eyes, she added, "Really." He didn't believe her, and did little to hide those thoughts. As he opened his mouth to speak, she placed a finger over his lip, "No."
"Hear me out," Trunks whispered, squeezing her hand reassuringly. Slowly, he knelt before her, his own anxiety hidden away, "I don't have all of the answers. And I'm no psychic, I can't tell you why you're hurting. But I promise that I'll try to help if you tell me." He fought the urge to turn and hide from his feelings again, "I love you Pan. And I can't promise you that we won't have doubts in the future, just like I can't tell you that it'll never rain again. But we'll get through it!" His whisper grew to a plea, and in her loving eyes, he found strength, "We'll make it, together. Marry me, Pan?"
~ if that's what it takes
"And do you, Son Pan, take this man . . . " It was amazing how quickly time had passed as she drowned in the depths of his eyes. How he could make her every doubt disappear with one touch, and how his smile shed light onto the darkest of her insecurities. And though she was still scared that her nightmare held a prophecy . . . though she would never cease to worry about the day their love might vanish, being with him made everything all right. And as the priest's words echoed through the vast chapel, and across the ocean of friends and family, she had no doubts, no fears. This was what she wanted.
"I do."