It's finally here! No, I haven't forgotten! This last chapter has been through 8 re-writings until you have #9, the finished product. I just wasn't happy with it until now, but now I am content. I added a quick finish-up chapter next, so don't forget to read it, and the last chapter, Letter From the Author, I would love for anyone who has read this story to read it. I really would like that. I will quite jabbering, you want to read it already. :)

Pan watched helplessly as they left the mall; Trunks hadn't heard her. Four flights up from where they stood, Pan bit her lip, shoving away a tantrum. With a disheartened sigh Pan began the trek back to the store she had left her parents at.

The mall door shut behind Trunks, and his feet stopped, his eyebrows furrowing. He could have sworn someone had said his name, but he was probably imagining it. Even if someone had called his name, it was probably someone chasing after Trunks Brief's, most eligible bachelor in the world.

If someone were to look at Pan—in her present state—they'd probably think she was doing some sort of advanced yoga, or even playing a game of twister by herself.

Pan was attempting to wrap presents, and that was an acrobatic act in itself. Tape in one hand, scissors in the other, holding wrapping paper in place with one foot, holding the present in place with the other, Pan just couldn't reach her lips—which had a strip of tape in between them—to where she needed to apply tape.

With a grunt she shoved her head forward and finally the tape connected. Smoothing it with her chin, she released everything and fell flat on her back, breathing heavily. Rolling her eyes up, she bit one corner of her bottom lip, wondering what she had gotten herself into.

Sitting up and looking around, she—with dissatisfaction—noticed she had only gotten one fourth of her presents wrapped. Deciding she needed a break, she adjourned downstairs to grab something to drink.

Her feet plodded happily down the carpeted stairs, her sweater socks padding like a feline paw. Her mother was in the living room reading, and her father was watching some mystery movie.

"Pan?" Her mother asked. Pan touched the door to the kitchen and turned her head towards her mother. "Do you need something?" She asked good-naturedly without looking up from her read.

"No, I'm just getting something to drink." She started to push the door open, but stopped. "What are you reading?" She asked, and Videl looked up.

"One of those murder mystery's. This one's called Murder on Christmas Eve." Pan nodded and walked into the kitchen. Her mother was always in search of the best murder mystery. However most had come short of her expectations.

Pan opened the fridge and grabbed a soda, popping it open and taking a sip. She opened the cupboard in search of some eats when her mother called from the living room.

"Don't eat anything!" She called, as if she could just sense Pan's plans. "We're going to go to your grandparent's soon enough for Christmas Eve dinner!" Pan rolled her eyes; dinner at her grandparent's wasn't for another three hours.

Trying not to make a sound, she grabbed the quietest munchie she could find and stuffed it down her shirt, creeping past the living room and back to her own room.

She'd have to get a move on if she expected to take half of the presents to dinner tonight.

Trunks slouched in his chair, running a hand through his lavender hair. He was starving, but his mother wouldn't let him have anything to eat. Nothing at all. And dinner at the Son's wasn't for another two hours! He had serious munch-need, but his mother had programmed the kitchen not to let him in.

Sometimes she was just too extreme with her measures.

Turning off his radio he got up and climbed in his bed, ready for a power nap before the big shindig that night.

Pan smoothed her hair with a touch of hairspray, combing her thick locks through with a brush.

"Pan, let's go!" Her mother called and she flipped the light switch off in the bathroom, dashing to her room to grab her shoes. Pulling on her coat, she hopped down the stairs.

Her mother had food in her arms, as did her father, and she was signaled to grab a casserole dish on the table. Gripping it tight in her arms, the bag of presents hanging off her wrist, she followed her parents out the door to where snow fell thickly in powdery sheets.

She climbed in the car and the lights clicked on, opening up the world in front of them, and they began their little trek to the Son's.

It didn't take long to get there, but with the nervousness Pan was experiencing, it seemed like forever. Finally there house loomed in the distance, seeming bigger and darker than usual, but Pan swallowed and let out a breath to calm herself.

The car rolled to a stop and they all got out, their feet padding on the snow as they made their way to the door. Knocking several times—Pan could never tell you how many times—Chi-Chi opened the door with a warm smile and pulled Pan into a big hug.

"Oh, I've missed you so much, Pan!" She exclaimed, and Goku and Goten appeared behind her with matching, goofy grins. Goku took her into a hug next, and Goten—who had seen her only last night—gave her one also, although it lacked the surprise her grandparent's had.

"Come in, come in." She said, grabbing their coats and hanging them up in a small closet. "Krillin and Eighteen are here, Marron too, but we're still waiting on Bulma and the gang." She said, and the huge weight in her stomach dissolved. Suddenly her smile wasn't forced, and she followed the women into the kitchen to lighten her load.

Chi-Chi took the dishes and sat them down on the long, slender buffet table, and bustled them out of there as if she didn't want them present. They found seats in the living room with everyone else, and conversations started, all involving her and her trip.

Finally she was able to escape to the bathroom, and she shut the door, awkwardly unusual silence ensuing. She looked herself over in the mirror and put some lotion on her hands, thankful for the peace and quiet she could get before dinner.

Straightening her necklace, she shut off the light and stepped out into the hallway. The living room was still and quiet; dinner must have started. She made her way into the kitchen where everything was noisy and hectic, people crammed in like sardines, and grabbed a plate from the stack without looking; for her eyes were occupied elsewhere.

She topped in her tracks though, when she realized someone else had a hold of the same plate too.

She turned to see Trunks holding the other side of it, and a jolt to her stomach made her knees start to cave in on her. Taking a breath to steady herself, she let go with an embarrassed smile.

"Sorry about that." She explained, and he shook his head with a smile. "Hi." She said, this time with a genuine smile herself. His grin turned into more of an alluring smirk, and she wondered if she was visibly swooning. (She knew she was inside!)

"Hi." He said back. "How was your trip?" He asked as she grabbed another plate, beginning to make her way down the line by scooping some mashed potatoes.

"Oh, it was great. London's great." Felling more at ease, her expression altered agreeably. "I was sorry to leave, but there are things here that I value more." She punched herself. Why did she have to make it sound like that? He took the spoon from her and scooped some potatoes himself.

"It is, I love London. I've only gotten to visit once, but maybe someday I'll go back. I hope to." He looked down, then back up at her. "Did you get to see much of the sights?" She shook her head.

"I tried, but school made me just too busy. I tried to eat at historical places, and I tried to study near famous sites, you know, read near the Tower of London and all," She smiled, realizing it sounded funny. "but I didn't really get to see much. I want to go back, most definitely, for a pleasure trip."

Small talk ensued, and soon the end of the table came. Trunks said a quick goodbye as he searched for a seat, and she stifled the urge to reach out and grab his arm and ask him to stay.

She found a seat next to Bura, and they began talking.

"So how are you and Donny?" Pan asked, and Bura's eyes fell a bit. "Oh, what happened?" She questioned, and Bura smiled.

"Oh, nothing." She said quickly, and Pan tilted her head to the side. "Well, we're still going out. Pretty seriously now. Um, well, I was going to surprise you somehow, but, uh," Pan raised an eyebrow, waiting for Bura to spit it out.

"We're engaged." She giggled. Pan's jaw dropped. Bura, engaged? Bura would be single when she was thirty! Running some big fashion company and being one of those "power" women. No, Bura couldn't be engaged this young!

"Bu—" Pan began, and Bura grinned.

"I know, I know. I'm way young. But we aren't getting married for a bit. Definitely not until I get out of high school. Probably a year after that. I dunno', maybe less. We're still talking about it."

"You'll have cute kids." Pan blurted, and Bura giggled.

"Won't we?" She asked with an ear-to-ear grin plastered on her face. Bura was happy, and Pan—much to her dismay—knew it.

Pan shivered against the cold air, her arms hugging her body. Her new dress simply wasn't warm enough to keep her warm outdoors. Glittering snow fell upon her, making her sparkle like a wintry enchantress.

She sat on a swing under an oak tree, and it swung lazily by the breeze, for she didn't push it. Her hair blew delicately across her face, and she sighed, her gaze falling on the full moon. Patches of fluffy clouds spread across the sky, bringing snow, but the moon was nonetheless glorious and visible.

She could hear Dean Martin in the background, "Everybody Loves Somebody" naturally. She knew the old fogies were sitting around and talking about Christmas pasts, and she definitely knew all the kids had disappeared somewhere.

It may be an old song, but Pan had grown up loving it. She didn't know how it happened, but Goku had gotten a hold of a Dean Martin CD, and the music reminded her of hearing her grandpa listening to it.

She smiled, remembering a picture of Goku listening to it, and it just seemed too comical, as if that couldn't happen. But he had loved that CD, and it had become planted in her memories.

She looked up at the moon again, this time without a sigh, and gave a small jump when someone grabbed the ropes on either side of her and pushed her softly. Before she could try to guess who it was, he spoke.

"I'm sorry, I scared you." He said softly, and Pan was happy to hear his voice. The conversation at the buffet table had hardly been personal.

"It's ok." She returned, and she could just picture the soft smile on his face. Pleasant, not cocky, and sweet, not arrogant. He continued to push her silently, but it wasn't awkward. Both were caught in their own thoughts.

Perhaps Pan was caught up too much in her own thoughts, for when he pushed a bit harder, her grip slipped and she flew forward and onto all fours. Trunks looked, a little shocked, and then rushed to her side.

"Pan, are you—" She picked up some snow and shoved it in his face with an evil smirk. He opened his mouth and blew out a puff of snow from it, and her smirk spread to a grin. "Pan Son." He said like a father catching a child doing something they ought not, and she stood up and grabbed her skirt like a little girl at play.

"Trunks Briefs." She returned, taking a step back, her eyes not leaving him. He smirked evilly and took a step towards her. "You wouldn't dare…" She started, then drew it out.

He nodded slowly, knowingly, and she took off at a run, throwing snow at him behind her. She had slipped out of her shoes by the swing, and although she didn't favor running in heels, perhaps her feet wouldn't be as cold with them.

She kicked up snow as the chase was in full, and she knew he was just behind her. He could have caught up with her, he was fast enough, but she had a feeling he was enjoying the game too much to do so.

While both laughed, Pan feared being caught, for who in their right mind cares to be caught? He was stronger, faster, smarter, and quicker than her, and although she knew he'd never hurt her—she'd never even think that—there's always the desire not to be caught, and Pan was in the majority.

She ran with a smile in her face, and she knew they must have been far into the woods by now. The house no longer shed light onto the scene, and the trees were growing thicker. With a burst of speed that surprised them both, she dodged a tree and sped into a small clearing, ascending a small tumble of a hill covered in snow.

Trunks grabbed her arm, and with a gasp she spun around to look at him. Their eyes met in a clash of sea and night sky, and with a thud they both tumbled down the small hill, unbalanced by her swift turn.

They rolled to a stop at the bottom, his arms on either side of her shoulders, and she grabbed them out of instinct. He looked at her unblinkingly, and she stifled the urge to take in a deep breath.

Instead she let one out as she looked at him. Subtly, and she doubted he even noticed. His gaze only grew more intense, and looking at his eyes was like gazing into the brilliance of the sun.

His sea-blue eyes seemed to pierce every emotion and thought that was rushing through her, every concern and every fear. Looking at his eyes was a daunting task, but she couldn't move her gaze from them.

He closed them and leaned forward, kissing her on the forehead slowly. She grasped his arms tighter and leant into the kiss, and he slid a hand through her jet locks, now kissing her on the mouth.

"Pan," He murmured against her lips, drawing away. He buried his face in her thick black hair that smelled like the very essence of her soul. Everything that she was he took in with every breath, and he wanted to hold her tight and never let go.

"I love you." He confessed, risking everything, not caring what she felt, what she thought, or what she said. "Pan, I love you." He said in earnest, drawing back, looking at her face, brushing her cheek with a finger.

Every pain, every anger, frustration, every hurt, every joy, every sorrow, everything she had ever felt in relation to him brimmed to the surface, forcing tears to fall. She bit her lip against them to no use.

"I can't live without you—I couldn't! Every single day I counted down until the day you would come home, even though I knew you wouldn't want to see me after what happened."

"No, I—"

"I almost went to see you." He mused with a weak smile. "I bought the ticket and everything. But I didn't think you would want to see me, so I didn't go. And I also knew there was someone else that you liked, and it kept me from going the second time I bought a ticket to come to you." She raised a brow.

"Someone else?" She questioned, and he looked at her, confused. "What do you mean?" She could feel his hand slack on her cheek, and he looked at nothing at all for a split second.

"But, when you left, Larkin brought you flowers and saw you off—"

"Larkin only came to say goodbye, and to wish me luck with everything." She leaned her head into his hand. "But, how did—"

"I came for you." He said simply. "When I found out you were leaving I left for the airport I left that second. I thought…" He bit his lip, and for a brief, timeless moment, she saw the most vulnerable Trunks she had ever seen. She was hit with the desire to hold him like a young child, hold him like he held her when she was scared of the thunder so many years ago.

"I thought that it was more." She shook her head and smiled. He leant his forehead on hers, an unbelievable smile spreading across his face. "I came to tell you. I didn't take the money, Pan, it didn't matter to me anymore."

"I know." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I saw Conner in London, and he told me everything." She hugged him close.

"None of it mattered then." He whispered. "All I cared about was that I had found the most beautiful, perfect person in the world." He kissed her forehead. "And all I knew was that I couldn't live without her, I couldn't even imagine my life without her. And then my stupid, stupid mistake, you found out, and I was so embarrassed, so scared that I would lose you." He kissed her again. "I thought I had."

"This person meant everything to me. She was the air that I breathed, every sound I heard, every sight I saw. She was every bit of the world around me, and I loved her more than life itself." Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, the winter wind blowing her snow-frosted hair about her face.

"I love you, Pan, more than anything else." He buried his face in her hair, squeezing her tight. "Oh, Pan, do you forgive me for everything I've done? I've made so many stupid mistakes,"

"Oh, yes!" She sobbed, sliding her hands around his waist, her hands clenched to fists at his back. "I—I love you."

"Pan," He said, sliding back on his legs and drawing her up with him. "Marry me? I will never be happy until I know you'll be mine until the day I die." He brushed her tears away with his thumbs.

"Yes, Trunks." She answered. "Yes, I will."