Author's Note: Wheee, this took a heck o lot longer than I had originally thought it would take. So I apologize to those that feel the ending was rushed or what not, but frankly, I didn't want to be tied down to this story forever.
Special Thanks to *-Michi-* and DBZ Obsessed for reviewing all the way. *waves*
Chapter Eight: Of Life's Crossroads and Final Orders
*But Zach likes me, and I like him. It could work. In fact, I know it could.* With burning confidence, Pan stood tup straight, finally knowing exactly what she was going to do. She knew where her life would be headed. She had hope for a future without anymore tears. And deep down, she knew it was the right choice too. This was her last chance to control her life, and she knew right where she was headed. With a burning smile, Pan turned to Zach who began to speak.
"Pan and I are..."
*But it's not what I want.* Pan reached over and pulled the 'mike' away from him. Zachary turned to look at her. He was handsome; chestnut hair grazing across emerald eyes - but he was not her handsome. She gently slid her ring off of her finger, and lifted his hand out, where she placed the ring on his palm, and closed his hand. "I once made the most terrible mistake in my life. I'm now at a cross road. One path leads to assured relative happiness, and the other leads to blissful love... save the ring for the one you love." She whispered, a few tears brimming in her eyes. Lifting up her dress, she quickly walked away from Zachary. The audience began to murmur quietly, and one body slipped out of the crowd, heading for the doors.
Stepping outside, Pan felt as light and free as she had never felt before. The air was freezing on her bare arms, but she felt intoxicating warm in the inside. She was just about to make a beeline towards the café, when she heard someone walk up behind her. Fearing it was Zachary, she slowly turned to face the man behind her.
"You." Pan said, startled to see the unnamed author from before.
"Yes, me." He said with a smile. He walked up to her, and turned his head towards the stars. "Beautiful aren't they?" He said, raising an arm and sweeping it across the sky, motioning it towards the heavens.
"Yes, they are." Pan admitted.
"I had the impression that all young people were full of mistakes, and that it would lead to the downfall of our race eventually..." He said quietly. This statement caught Pan as odd, so she reared her attention away from the stars and towards the man. "But you changed my belief in that." She raised an eyebrow, eagerly waiting to see what he would add. He finally turned his gaze from the night sky and let his deep dark eyes land on Pan. "You proved that not all young people are mindless twits and that some of them not only think for themselves but also make the right decisions." Pan smiled gratefully at the man, but he returned it with a frown. "What are you waiting for? Go get your president." Pan grinned, made a slight bow, and turned back to the street to dash away - but stopped. She slowly turned back around and stared at the man. Taking a few short steps back towards him, she paused and whispered;
"Thank you..." Before flinging herself into his arms, giving him a hug. "I may very well owe my life's happiness to you - and I don't even know your name."
"Names have no meaning. Now - go!" He cried, giving her a small push towards the street. Pan giggled, a huge smile on her face and ran.
***
"She's gone." Trunks repeated to himself for the millionth time since she had left. Those two worlds seemed to bring armageddon to his life. He should have stopped her. He should have run after her; done anything, but he hadn't. He had let her slip through his fingers. His hands were one of the strongest pairs in the universe, yet he couldn't hold onto the thing that meant the most to him; Pan.
He sat slummed over at the counter, his upper body almost completely flat on the table top. The café was silent; only five minutes until official closing time. The kitchen was dark, all the ovens and stoves had been shut down for the day. The table tops had all been wiped down, the mugs washed and put away. The leftovers already packed up and taken by a charity company. The only sound heard was the CEO of Capsule Corporation muttering about his girl and the gently hum of the furnace; keeping the place warm. Aside from this, the café had a gently, peaceful quiet to it that was comforting to a person; unfortunately it made Trunks feel even worse.
The silence was shattered abruptly as the familiar jingle of the door's bells echoed through the café. The ringing died out, and the door slammed closed. Trunks didn't bother to look at the newcomer, he heard it walk towards him, gathering it was female from the soft 'click-clack' the shoes made on the polished wood floor. He brought his arms closer to his face that was buried with in them, hoping that the person would get a hint to leave him alone. He didn't hear her move away, so he assumed that she didn't understand.
"I'm sorry we're closing up." Trunks mumbled from the safely of his arms, his voice slightly muffled by his shirt's sleeves. He heard a soft thud in front of him, and from working all day in a coffee shop, was able to tell it was the sound of glass being placed on the counter. He slowly lifted his head from his arms, and looked at the object placed before him, expecting to see a misplaced coffee mug. What he saw, made him lift his head fully away from his arms, and stare at it intently.
Sitting on the all-familiar-rock was the angel. Her wings spread to her side, making room for another body to sit beside her. A man. He too had wings, and his arms were wrapped around her waist, each of their gazes directed right to each other. 'Dare to Love'.
Trunks glanced up to see the owner of the figurine. It was Pan. He shot straight up, and looked at her carefully to make sure it really was her. Her raven hair was slightly damp, due to the dribble that had started outside, but it only made her more the beautiful.
"Pan...?" Trunks asked cautiously, not really sure if it was her or not. A small smile was playing on her lips, and she held her hands in front of her, gripping the cloth of her dress in nervousness.
"I would like forgiveness - all that you have in stock, one sayian CEO, and a small kiss would be nice... and since you're closing up - I'll take it to go." Pan said, quietly, keeping her smile and letting her gaze fall into Trunks' stare. Trunks blinked, letting what she said sink in. When it finally had a wide smile burst onto his face. He brought his hands up to the counter, and pushed himself over it with ease, landing directly in front of Pan.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid you already have all the forgiveness we have, that sayian CEO was and always will be yours... and we don't give out small kisses." He murmured, snaking his arms around her thin waist and pulling her close to his own body. Gently, he tilted her head up, and brought his lips to her with confidence and love.
He kissed her forever. All of the pain they had gone through, all of the uncertainties, the trials, the mistakes, and the battles both lost and won were forgotten with that one kiss. Their old tainted, shattered wings were replaced with new ones which they would use to sore to the newest heights that they imagined.
"Besides..." He finally murmured, breaking apart from her, "none of that can be 'to go'... only 'to stay'." He said, smiling tenderly, and looking into Pan's tearful eyes.
"Forever? Promise?"
"Yeah."
And outside - it stopped raining.
***
Epilogue
"No honey - please, ahh! Stop, ugh, let go!" Goten cried, desperately attempting to de-tangle his daughter's hand from his hair. She merely giggled, and pulled harder. "Sweetie - ow, can't you be good - eie! - even on your birthday?!" Goten continued to whimper, whine, and use futile attempts to get his daughter away from his hair, until Marron walked over to them.
"You are hopeless, Goten." She said with a laugh. Bending down she took the girl's arm in her hand and said, "leave daddy's hair alone. No touch." The girl giggled and immediately let go, while Marron gathered the one-year infant in her arms and brought her over to the girls.
The café was filled with family and friends gathered for the baby's birthday. It had been an entire year since Marron had been flown to the hospital, leaving Trunks and Pan in charge of the restaurant.
"Goten you really have gotten weak. Can't even defend yourself from a baby." Trunks said, walking up to his best friend and taking a seat beside him.
"Shut up. We'll see how 'strong' you are when you become a father." Goten said with a sly grin. Simultaneously, both Goten's and Trunks' eyes found their way over to Pan. She was letting her hair grow back out, and was now past her shoulders. She still adored the colours black and red, and that was about all she owned, although she, on occasion, wore other colours. Today was one of those occasions, as she had a white turtle neck on with black slacks.
"Perhaps we will." Trunks commented, with a small grin.
"Um hmm. We'll see how well you can play it off when she comes to you in tears that she's 'too fat'." Goten said, grinning.
"Pan's not fat."
"Not yet. That's because she's only a few months. Just wait. You'll see. No more of those tight nighties you buy for her, uh uh. And if you thought them woman were bed hogs before, just wait - once that baby grows there'll be no room what so ever for you."
"Really?" Trunks asked, somewhat nervous.
"Oh ya!" Goten said, fully enjoying himself. "And once it's born, no sleep, no free time, just feed the baby!" He said, taking pleasure in seeing Trunks squirm. "Well, that'll come in due time. Just dread one thing at a time. I guess morning sickness will come next for you, eh?"
"Too late. Pan was up all last night emptying her stomach's contents in the washroom." He turned to Goten with a quirky grin. "I didn't get much sleep."
"You know what? I think it's all a big act. You know, the sickness, the cravings, mood-swings... it's all some huge female conspiracy to get their husbands to do what they want them to do." Goten said, being careful to keep his voice low to avoid the ears of the girls.
"Goten... you're an idiot." Trunks said simply. The door bells jingled, and many turned their heads to see who had arrived. Pan quickly put down her glass of juice and ran to the door.
"Zach!" She cried, hugging him tightly. "I'm so glad you came!" She said.
"Heh heh, me too, but, gosh... Panny, let go." Zach cried, losing his air supply.
"Whoops, sorry." She said with a laugh.
"Pan..." Pan turned her head to see Bra walking towards her.
"Oh hey! Uh, Zach this is my friend Bra, Bra this is Zach." Pan said, introducing them. Bra seemed to stare at him for a minute, then she gasped.
"You're editor?!" She shrieked. Zach and Pan nodded, and she just stared. "You gave this guy up for my ugly brother?!" Pan giggled, and turned to Zach.
"I'm sorry, but I can't stay. The baby takes a lot out of me, I have to go to bed earlier than I would like. But, I'm sure Bra here can make sure you have a good time. Eh, Bra?"
"Sure thing." She said with a genuine grin. Pan smiled and walked over to Marron.
"I have to go. I'll see you later." She said, while placing her finger in front of the child for her to grab. Marron nodded and hugged Pan; giving her thanks for coming. When she got to where her uncle was, Trunks had left to grab their jackets, leaving him alone. "I have to go." She said simply.
"Yeah, I know. Thanks for coming Panny." He stood up and gave his neice a hug. He gently laid a hand on her stomach. "You know you make me feel really old."
"You are old." She said with a grin, and he lightly kissed her forehead. Trunks came back with his coat on, and hers in his hand. He helped her get into it, before shouting 'good-bye's' to everyone. Trunks held the door open for his wife, and him and Pan walked over to their sport's car. Pan slid into the passenger's side while Trunks took the lead.
"It's great seeing everyone together again." Trunks said, starting the engine up. Pan tugged on her seatbelt and fastened it securely.
"Um hmm. Did you see your sister and Zach? They really hit it off." Pan said with a grin. Trunks shrugged, concentrating on the road.
"I guess so." Trunks didn't have anything against Zach. That's not to say he didn't at some point, because he did. Even after they were married, Trunks refused to be home if Zach came over to help Pan with her novel. It still hurt him that he nearly lost his Pan to that guy, but he got used to it. Pan was his now, and Zach wouldn't be taking her away. Pan had wanted to invite him to their wedding but he had openly refused. He sort of regretted that now, seeing as Pan and Zach were good friends and she hadn't turned down any of his friends on the invitation list. Pan hadn't been too sour about it, and he doubted she ever really thought about it. Trunks took a second to take his eyes off the road and look at his wife beside him. She was leaning on the door; fast asleep. Trunks didn't bother to hide his smile, but he did wish he wasn't driving at the moment. He loved to watch Pan sleep. It was like an obsession almost. She looked so peaceful and happy - and he just really enjoyed watching her. One of the best part of the day was to curl up with Pan after a long day at the office, and watch her sleep on his shoulder. It was the most relaxing thing for him.
He pulled into their driveway, and as quiet as he could, he climbed out of the car and walked around to her door. Careful to keep Pan from falling out, he opened the door, and unfastened her seatbuckle. He reached in and easily lifted her sleeping form from the car seat, and kicked the door closed with his foot. He was able to hold Pan with one hand while using the other to unlock their large victorian house, and still keep his wife in peaceful sleep.
Carrying her over to their bed, Trunks gently laid her down, and turned on the lamp so he could see what he was doing. He tugged on her shoes, and then her socks. Her pants were the next thing to go, but he wasn't careful enough because Pan woke up while he was taking them off.
"What are you doing?" She asked sleepily. "I'm too tired." She mumbled. Trunks chuckled and sat down on the bed. He began to untie his own shoes before turning to answer his half-awake wife.
"I know you're tired. I was just getting you dressed for bed." Trunks explained. He kicked his socks off, and then unbuttoned his dress shirt, tossing it beside him. "Here, let me get that..." He spoke quietly, leaning over to Pan and taking the ends of her shirt in his hands. He carefully lifted it over her head leaving her only in underwear and her bra. "I'll get you your pajamas, okay?" Her shirtless husband turned and walked off towards their closet to find something for her. Pan looked behind her at the huge mound of pillows which looked extremely inviting to her tired body. She glanced towards the direction where Trunks had gone, but saw no indication that he would be showing up anytime soon. Shrugging, she reached behind her back and undid her bra clasp, tossing the lingerie to the ground. She reached over for Trunks' dress shirt and pulled it over to her lap, slid her slender arms into the sleeves and fastened a few buttons. Satisfied, she collapsed onto the pillows, and slowed her breathing to relax her body.
Pan rested her hand on her stomach, where at that moment, a new life was being grown. The child would be the final outcome of a hard fought war its parents raged against one another and the world. It was the resolution to their pains, and the beginning of their happiness. Pan didn't care what new trials came their way - this time they could face them together as a team.
Trunks walked back in the room with some plaid pants and shirt for Pan, and walked over to the bed until he stopped short after he stepped on something. Trunks lifted his foot and looked down, pulling up a white-lace bra, he looked at Pan with a raised eyebrow. Holding back a chuckle at the sight of his wife in his large dress shirt with the buttons placed in the wrong holes, he set the bra and unneeded pajamas on a chair. Sliding off his pants, leaving him only in boxers, he shook Pan lightly on the shoulder.
"You have to sit up so I can pull back the covers." He ordered softly. Pan complied seeing as she wasn't asleep yet, for if she was Trunks would have met with a foot in his face. Pan was a light sleeper, so when she wanted sleep, she wanted sleep! Anyone who disturbed her before her desired amount of hours were spent, had hell to face. Trunks shoved the pillows aside, and yanked the covers back, then replaced the pillows. Pan had a thing for pillows. She loved lots on the bed, despite the fact that she almost always used Trunks' shoulder or chest for her head's resting spot - not that Trunks minded of coarse. Pan wiggled under the sheets and comforter, but instead of lying down, she sat up in bed, leaning against the head board. Trunks crawled across the bed to his side and snuggled in beside his wife. Pan reached over to her night stand drawer, and opened it to take out her newest manuscript.
"I thought you were tired." Trunks commented, seeing Pan grab a ball point pen in her hand as well. After they had gotten married, Pan found less and less time to write since she enjoyed her time with Trunks, normally she would just write a page or two at night.
"Yeah, well, I'm just finishing this up." She explained, turning to the beginning of the clipped papers where she always left a blank page to do the dedication at the end. She pulled the lid off her blue pen, and immediately inscribed the message before gently placing it back in the drawer. "See, that didn't take long." Pan murmured, sliding down so she was lying down, and moving her position so that she could rest against Trunks. "Now I'm all done." She said with a smile.
"Good job, Panny." Trunks whispered, kissing her forehead lightly. He wrapped a hand around her waist and pulled her close up to him. "Good night, love." Trunks added.
"Night. I love you too." Pan murmured before both slipped into the dream world of happiness to match that of their reality. The couple were entangled in each others arms, keeping warm by each other, and beside them in Pan's drawer lay her finished, unpublished novel with a dedication from her heart;
Dedicated to my husband Trunks;
who is the beginning and the end of the novel that is my life,
and the love that we share fills the content of the remaining chapters.
The End
