Finding your way home...... Part 3

By Saiyan Chaos

Gohan turned into the drive, and shut the car off. Sighing, he turned his head and looked at his daughter. She had changed into a pink t-shirt with a black cotton jumper, the pleated bodice emphasizing her growing belly. In a little over two months, she would be a mother.

"Are you ready?" He asked, holding her hand.

Pan took a deep breath, then turned her frightened eyes to the house. Nothing had changed. It was the same house that papa had grown up in, the same place she had grew to womanhood. Time had seemed to have frozen here, since her Grandpa went away. She knew that her mother would be in the kitchen with Grandma, and that Goten would be out back, talking on the phone with Paris. She knew, as well, that there would be a stack of papers on the dining room table, waiting for her father to grade them, and that her room would be just as she had left it. It was just proof that life goes on even when you step out for a while.

Pushing her breath out, she turned back to her father and nodded. Gohan climbed out of the car, then opened her door to help her out. He walked her up to the front door, his hand pressed firmly to the small of her back, as if he was afraid that she would bolt again.

"Daddy.. it's ok. I think you're making me more nervous, though." She teased, reaching for the door herself, and quickly twisting the brass knob.

Walking into the kitchen, she could see her mother at the sink washing dishes, facing the window into the back yard. Her grandmother was cutting up a watermelon at the table. Neither had seen Pan come in with Gohan.

She gave her father a mischievous grin, then, waiting for Chichi to set the knife down, she called out.

"Hey, Mom! I'm home. What's for lunch?"

A glass shattered as it hit the floor, and twin gasps sounded through the room as they spun around to face her. Her mother reached her first, her hand cradling her cheek as she pulled her into a hug. The baby chose that moment to kick, drawing Videls confused eyes to her stomach.

"Pan?" She asked, shocked, "How? Dende! Is this why you left?"

"Oh, Mama! No!! I had to deal with some things, but trust me, I knew that you and Daddy wouldn't have thrown me out or anything."

"What kind of things would have taken you from your family?" Videl was trying to understand, her confusion written on her face. Chichi was about to add her two zenni when Gohan caught her eye and shook his head.

"My fiance' died." She said it quietly, trying to get past this moment of homecoming. "I was three months pregnant, grieving, facing a lifetime of raising a child by myself. The last thing I wanted to deal with was pity, and I knew that I would have to. Can you understand, Mama, why I left? I just needed some time to myself."

"Panny.." Videl enfolded her daughter in her arms, comforting her, doing the only thing she could think of, even though pity was the last thing her daughter wanted.

Chichi had been cutting up the watermelon, just staying out of the confrontation between mother and daughter. Now, seeing that a change in subject was needed, she started handing out the plates.

"She's home now, where she belongs. Here, sweetheart, go bring this to your Uncle." She looked at the expression on Pan's face, and kissed her cheek. "Just tell him to mind his own business, Baby."

"Oh, like that's going to work." Pan mumbled, taking the plate outside.

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In Other world:

Mike watched as Panny went outside, bemused. It was not every day that a guy realized that he was going to be a father. It didn't help, of course, that he had to be dragged over to Baba's magic ball to find out.

He glanced over to the freaky haired man in front of him, his eyes wide, not knowing what to do. He didn't like the fact that his girl was going to be on her own, without a partner. From the 'I'm about to hurt you really bad' look in his new friends eye, neither did he.

"Um... what do I do now?" He asked, wincing.

"We play matchmaker, and find someone good enough for my granddaughter." Gokou said, ignoring Mike's outraged squawks. "Look, raising a kid is hard enough! She doesn't need to do it alone! Stop thinking of yourself, here."

"You're right, but I don't have to like it! Who did you have in mind?"

The older man smiled, then motioned to Baba. Minutes later, they were staring into an office, watching a purple haired man in a business suit play solitaire on his computer.

"Him." Gokou smiled. "They were practically made for each other. Both of them are part saiyan, both of them are heavily into martial arts, and they've known each other since childhood. They already have deep feelings for each other. All we have to do is help them to realize that they could be deeper. Besides, I really wouldn't trust anyone else."

"But.. but.. but.."

"Put your personal feelings aside. We only have two months to get them married!"

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Back On Earth:

"Pan, what do you mean you have to get going?" Chichi asked, pushing her back down into her chair.

"Grandma, I'm scheduled for the supper rush! I have to go home and get ready for work!" Pan explained, once again pulling herself up.

"Work? You shouldn't be working in your condition! You go home, and get your things! You're coming home." Videl said, her mother in law echoing the sentiment.

"No! I will NOT be moving home. I HAVE my own place and a good job! Besides, I've been making my own decisions long enough to not want to hand them back over to my parents." She kissed her mother, then her grandmother goodbye, then waited at the door for Gohan to get up. "look, Mama.. I'll call tomorrow when I wake up. Maybe you can help me get some baby things together, ok?"

Videl nodded, grumbling under her breath. Chichi, however, wasn't nearly as quiet. "You should be here, at home, with your feet up! Not carrying a load of heavy dishes and dealing with obnoxious truck drivers in that diner!"

"I love you, too, Grandma, but they're not like that! Honest! URRGH!! I gotta go! I love you!" She called, making a break for it while she could. "Daddy.. I think Grandma's going to be a problem."

"Hehhehheeh.. You think? Panny, she's not going to give in until you are home. Maybe you should just give in now."

"Don't start. I LIKE my job. I LIKE my independence. I am NOT moving back home."

Gohan waited until she was buckled into her seat before he started the car. Sighing, he gave in, and headed for her apartment. "Well, as long as you do know that you have someplace to go, ok?"

"Thanks, Dad."

They drove the rest of the way in silence, both deep in thought. Finally, as they neared the diner, he brought up what was bothering him.

"Pan... How do you expect to afford this child on your own?"

"Daddy.. I still have my trust fund from Grandpa Satan. I knew that I would need the money, so I held onto it. Don't worry. I'm not too proud to come home if I need help."

She leaned over, and hugged him before getting out of the car. "Tell Mom that I'll call her after lunch. Tomorrow's my day off, so we'll have all day to shop."

"Ok. Don't work too hard, Panny-chan. I don't want my grandson coming too early!" He ordered, before driving off.

Pan sighed, relieved that it went well. Then, turning, she walked into the diner to get a fresh uniform. Halfway to the back room, she stopped, staring at the door.. and who was leaning against it.

"Panny, you are NOT working here." Trunks ordered. "If you need to work, fine. I need a new assistant. At least that way, you won't be on your feet all day."

Without giving her a chance to respond, he grabbed her elbow and ushered her back upstairs and to her apartment.

"Trunks! Let GO! Who do you think you are?"

"Your boss." He said, "I bought the diner to be sure that you wouldn't overwork."

"UUGHHH!!! Again, you go TOO FAR!"

Without thought, she brought her hand back, and slapped him across the face. Then, she stood, frozen, staring at the red hand print on his cheek.

"Maybe, Pan.. Maybe I didn't go far enough."

He pulled her into his arms, harshly kissing her lips as he stole her breath. He drove his tounge deep into her mouth, stroking her tongue tasting her anger in his mind. Then, he pulled away, shocked.

"Pan.. I'm sorry...I didn't mean to do that." he apologized, neither able to see the two spirits in the corner, cheering them on.

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Stay tuned for part 4.. something tells me that the angst part of this fic is disappearing.....

~~ Chaos ~~