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The stare down went on for several minutes and it was obvious that no one knew what words to say. I knew that this hurtle would be the hardest for Trunks and I. My whole life, or at least part of it, would be laid out in the next few minutes.
Dad was looking at Trunks in a way that didn't tell me anything about his thoughts. Vegetas scowl was the same as always. After a few more moments of tense silence, I couldn't take it anymore and I stepped towards my father.
"Dad? Please don't be upset." I tried to sound confident but I was completley unnerved. I'd never done anything to make Dad really unhappy. At least until now.
His gaze softened when our eyes met. I saw his eyes dart to Trunks and then back to me before I saw his unhappy face reappear. "Upset?... Pan, what am I supposed to be thinking? Trunks is 11 years older than you. He has always been like a little brother to me and hes been like an uncle to you. Then before I knew it, Bulma comes running downstairs and tells your grandmother that she found you two in bed together... and you tell me NOT to be upset?!"
It suddenly occured to me that Dad thought that Bulma had walked into a more obscene scene then she really had. "WAIT! Dad, its not what you think!"
His face twisted into one of complete frustration and annoyance when he turned to Trunks. Before I could do anything to stop him, Dad flew at Trunks and punched him right in the face. Trunks did not even have time to brace for it and his body flew straight into a tree.
"STOP!!!!" The scream escaped my lips immediately. Once I realized that Trunks was laying limp up aganist a tree, I flew past my father and straight to Trunks side.
"Pan. Go home. Let me work this out with your father. I will see you later. I promise." His voice came out in a harsh whisper as he tired to climb to his feet.
I grabbed his arm to steady him. "I'm not leaving Trunks. We're in this together, right?!" I flashed him a tight grin which he returned with a nod. I couldn't have left him alone with Dad, even if I had wanted to escape the sitsuation. I knew that Trunks would allow Dad to beat on him, until he had it out of his system and I'd be damned if I would allow Trunks to be hurt because of me.
Trunks steadied himself and took a step away from me. I felt hands take me by the shoulders and move me aside. Then I saw Dad approuch Trunks again, speaking in a harsh whisper. "What the hell is wrong with you Trunks?! She's my daughter! She isn't one of your nightly bimbos!"
Trunks' head snapped back as though he had been slapped and he met my fathers gaze for the first time. "Gohan, I've known you forever. You should know better than to think that I'd do anything... ANYTHING to hurt Pan!" His voice can out slow and calm but it was obvious that he was fighting to control his ki.
I saw Vegeta watching everything unfold with the same scowl he always had. I didn't know what else to do. Desperate times, call for desperate measures so I got up all my courage and made for Vegeta at a run. I stopped about 5 feet from him and I could see his surprise in his eyes.
"Vegeta! You have to help Trunks!" I was pleading with the man who seemingly didn't care for anybody or anything, but we all knew him better than that.
"No." His answer was firm, simple and impossible to argue with. He glared at me a moment before turning back to watch Dad and Trunks.
I followed his gaze. Until I looked, I hadn't noticed that they were now yelling at each other.
"You'll break her heart! I'd never forgive you!"
"I love her, Gohan! Can't you see that?!"
Dads look softened a bit as though his will had been broken but it was only for a moment. Dads second cheap shot for the day hit Trunks in the stomach. He crumbled to the ground in a heap at Dads feet, gasping for air. I couldn't read the look on Dads face when he turned to look at me.
I looked from Dad to Trunks and back, over and over. I kept feeling angerier everytime. The rage began to boil in the pit of my stomach. I saw Vegeta smirk to my Dad. That was the last straw. I let out all of my frustration in the most unholy scream I could produce. My whole body warmed over with a sensation that was beginning to feel like second nature. Then the rage boiled over and I saw the yellow glow surround me again.
Dad, Trunks and Vegeta all turned to me with shocked faces. (I seriously doubt it was fear.) "I said STOP IT!" My eyes darted to each man with a scowl on my face. I know I shouldn't have power up and I would be lectured about controlling my power later but at the moment, I didn't care.
The rage in Dads eyes seemed to fade as our gazes met and my anger lessened but I didn't power down. He had to know how important this was to me and I had to show him how irrational he was being about the entire sitsuation. Trunks' was one of his closest friends in the world and he was beating him to a pulp!
"Dad, Vegeta. Stop this now." I tired to sound tough but I ended up pleading with them instead. "I am an adult, Dad. How ever much you and Mom hate it, I am a grown woman. I got my education like you and Mom wanted, and now I am just looking for happiness. If you think about it, Trunks is the best choice for me anyway."
Dad and Vegeta glared to each other, then looked at Trunks, obviously confused. I took that as a sign of weakness and powered down before continuing.
"You are right when you say we've always been close, like a family. It would make sense for us to want to be together." Dad flashed me an unamused look but I kept on my train of thought, pacing between all three of them. "Trunks is the best person for me because we are so close. Our families like each other..." I heard Vegeta growl in responce to that comment and I almost started to laugh but instead I continued to talk. "He's smart, handsome, and has a WONDERFUL job.But most important to me, he understands my powers, my family and my heritage. He'd never try to do anything to change that and I'd never want to change it. Nobody could understand me and my family like he does and you know it!"
Dad and Trunks' jaws dropped open, while they stared at me in shock. It was as if they could not believe that I had just made perfect sense out of an unpopular sitsuation. Even Vegetas face had softened and he looked at me with a bit of that sayajin pride of his.
Once I had said my piece, leaving all of my favorite men speechless in the wake, I felt my anger fade away and fatique set in. All the power that I had used to power up, had left me feeling drained. It took everything in me not to pass out from exhaustion. Instead, I collasped to the ground.
"PAN!" Dad and Trunks both broke there silence and started for me at a run. Trunks got to me first and kneeled next to me, picking me up into his arms like child. I looked up to see his beautiful blue eyes looking down at me with concern. "Are you okay?"
I nodded sleepily. "Just tired. I am not used to using up so much power." I grinned and he returned the gesture.
"You'll get used to it Pan. We all feel that way in the beginning. I'll help you." He flashed me a loving smile and for a few moment I completely forgot that our fathers were watching.
"Did I make any sense? Did Dad hurt you?" I suddenly remembered how much Dad had been beating Trunks and my heart jumped with concern. At least the blood had dried, so I knew he'd survive.
He squeezed me gently in his arms. "I'm fine... and I think you made perfect sense, Panny. And you know what?"
"What?"
"You are right. I'll never try to change you. I fell in love with you and I'll always love you just the way you are."
The rush of emotion brought tears to my eyes and gave me enough energy to wrap my arms around his neck and kiss his lips softly. "I love you too, Trunks."
I heard a noise behind us and we turned to see Dad looking at us. I could tell his eyes were a bit misty. He looked at me and smiled. "Pan. I'm so sorry. I don't mean to be over protective. It must be your grandmother in me."
I returned Dads smile. "Its okay. We'll survive. I love you, Dad."
We exchanged an understanding look, then Dads eyes feel upon Trunks with an embarrased, apologetic look. "I'm sorry Trunks. I was wrong. Please take care of Pan. I can tell that you truely do love her and I couldn't ask you for anything more than that." He stuck out his hand to Trunks.
Trunks set me on the ground gently, before standing to face my father eye to eye.
"I promise to take care of her." He took Dads hand. Then when Dad pulled Trunks into a hug, tears started to roll down my cheeks. "Thanks, Gohan." The men smiled to each other a minute and understanding was clear in there eyes.
I sensed Vegeta behind me and turned to see him looking right at me. I grinned to him, hoping to see at least a hint of approval in his eyes. (He never was very vocal about anything anyway... unless he was bitching to Bulma.) After a moment, Vegeta smiled at me. An honest smile that I had not seen in years. Then, before Trunks and Gohan turned around, he nodded to me and then took off, flying towards Capsule Corp. My heart leapped with joy and feeling renewed with energy, I jumped to my feet and threw my arms around Trunks neck.
Dad and him both turned to me with a smile and took a peak for Vegeta. "Where'd Dad go?"
"Home" My grin was ear to ear and Trunks eyed me amused.
"What happened to make you so happy? What did Dad do?" It was obvious that Trunks knew that only his Dads approval could make me so happy so quickly.
"Ask him. I'm sure he'll tell you."
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Dad smile at us. "Lets go home and calm the women down, okay?"
I nodded and the three of us took off for Capsule Corp.
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Okay... Do you think I should end it here, or continue. You, my reviewers, can decide. I hope you are enjoying this. (I hope FF.net is back up so I can post this!) Have a great day everyone!
Sarah