Disclaimer: It is hereby common knowledge that all goats are now to be banished to the nether regions of the world, while sheep are now to be sent to heaven. Where they shall be heartily feasted upon.

A/N: I'm listening to cake, btb...and yes, Pia, I like pie.

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Petrified Tears
chapter 103



"Roar!"

Gohan started as arms flung themselves around his shoulders, a soft, giggling body snuggling against his back. Startled, he laughed, reaching back and wrapping his arms around his daughter, clasping his hands behind her. She laughed again, setting her chin on his shoulder.

"Scared ya," she giggled.

He smiled, remembering when she had been six and had done this on a regular basis. Oh how he had taken those days for granted.

"You haven't done this in a while," he allowed, but heard her pfft his response. He shook his head and turned his eyes back to Trunks and Vegeta, knowing that their conversation wasn't one that would exclude her. As much as he would love to see what his little girl looked like all grown up, that would require making her let go, and he was loath to do that. He was enjoying deluding himself with the thought that she was still six years old and that there was no one else in the world that his little girl wanted to hang on.

Vegeta's eyes were thoughtful, his face not so impassive or cold as it normally was. Gohan abruptly remembered the harsh blows that had come between Vegeta and Pan the week before, the verbal blows he hadn't heard, and the physical one that had made Bulma that door to the outside that she'd always wanted in the big room. His hold on his daughter tightened, the knowledge that he could play protector this time not about to let him let her handle this.

Trunks, on the other hand, was having trouble keeping a straight face. His gaze was blank, impassive, the face that he and Vegeta reserved for battle. A smile fought for control over the boy's lips, quirking up one corner into a friendly smirk; his eyes were absolutely alive. Wonder filled them, like water does the sea, and he fought a losing battle to keep from staring at even the small glimpse of her he had as she hid behind Gohan.

Curious now, and more than amused at the way the boy's eyes darted from a random object to his daughter, and then abruptly back at another random object as he caught himself staring, Gohan followed the boy's gaze to Pan, pulling away to get a look at what Bra had done.

Black eyes widened, a melancholy grin kissing his lips. The way the dress clung to her figure, the way the blue fabric matched her eyes, accenting her hair, the way the silver embroidery reflected the light in her eyes and the studs in her ears… Gohan shook his head lightly and let a scowl settle on his lips; the smile faded from her face, her eyes hesitant. She licked nervously at her lips and shifted her weight, waiting for his response, wondering what didn't meet his approval.

His heart soared at that realization as he averted his eyes, not about to let the smile in them betray him. Finding his mother and Bra walking towards them, he let the pride in knowing that she still valued his opinion fill a part of him that had been terribly empty over the last few days, taking away much of the heartache he had put himself through since she'd returned home. As his mother and Bra joined the group, he clasped Panny protectively to his chest and glared at the older woman, knowing this was just as much her doing as it was the younger's.

"What did you do to my little girl?" he demanded playfully, mock hurt in his voice as the smile that he'd been fighting found its way into his eyes and onto his mouth. Against him, Panny laughed, wrapping her arms around his back, tilting her face to look up at him accusingly, her eyes sparkling.

As Bra turned the Finger of Blame to his mother and she in turn smiled with a sense of victory, he looked down at his little girl, deep, dark indigo eyes shining up at him through the ebony strands that feel over and past her forehead.

"You look beautiful, Panny," he assured her tenderly, brushing aside her bangs and looking down into the blue diamonds that shone up at him. She blushed, relief spreading across her face as she nuzzled against him, punching him lightly in the spleen. Chuckling to himself, he turned them both until he was facing the group and she was slightly in the center of the circle, raising an eyebrow at his mother. "But someone seems to have forgotten that this was an informal party."

Bra didn't miss a beat as she bounced up to grab her brother in a headlock. The shock fell away from him as he struggled to dislodge her arm, weakly tugging away, pulling at her hands as if he weren't able to simply duck out.

"It's fair retribution-she's dressed casual for every other party we've ever thrown. Besides," she added with a shrug, freeing her brother who immediately turned the tables on her and his gaze back to the object of conversation. "She destroyed the casual dress I planned to shove her into on her own volition."

Gohan looked down at Panny, one eyebrow raised. She blushed before ducking out of his arms, and turned to face Vegeta.

Blue eyes started him down in a defiant challenge; it was quite a relief to know he hadn't broken her. According to his mate and daughter, the girl had spent much of the last seven days in a shattered state-like his son had spent the last four years.

Vegeta smirked and met her gaze, crossing his arms over his chest. He had to admit, begrudgingly of course, that she was the best subordinate he had. The strength of Kakarot and the intelligence of Gohan, matched with the temper of the devil woman and the feisty, never-take-no-for-an-answer attitude of Gohan's mate, had made the perfect-although extremely gentle-saiyan woman.

No one better for his son.

The others around them shifted awkwardly, Gohan protectively, Trunks with nervous and guilty apprehension, the others with fear of a repeat performance-unlikely. He was and would continue to be on his guard this time.

But the girl-woman held his gaze evenly, challenging him to try and destroy her again.

He smirked-who was he to deny a challenge?

"Just as I said," he intoned, making himself sound condescending so he couldn't be openly accused of complimenting her, "never amount to nothing."

Her gaze grew flat and dark, she bristled angrily, hands clenching into tight fists at her sides. She moved to snap at him, but then blinked as if struck with a sudden thought. Blue eyes shifted to the side, her arms crossing over her chest automatically as she mulled on his words. Around him, the others shifted their weight, trying to understand what was going on.

Amused, he watched his son out of the corner of his eye, saw him clench and unclench his jaw. He knew the boy understood, but he also knew the boy's emotions were thrown into an upheaval when it came to the girl-woman, who hadn't understood the previous week.

He ignored the others and focused his attention solely on the granddaughter of Kakarot.

The affronted look on her face had passed, anger fading into thoughtfulness. She skimmed a fingernail back and forth across her elbow, layers of black hair blocking much of her face from his gaze.

As he watched, she started slightly, straightening her posture, arms coming slightly unfolded. She looked back at him without turning her head, her eyes bright and curious. He nodded once, a practically imperceptible movement of his head that he doubted the others noticed.

A grin broke out across her face, the same smile that Kakarot had always had. Silently, he crushed the memory of his friend and rival. She had been right that Kakarot had meant a lot to him-but she was wrong that he had abused that friendship. Kakarot had understood his pride, and he had understood that imbecile's view of things; quite often, when he had a problem understanding something, he imagined the world through Kakarot's eyes-of course that view was always jaded and cynical for him, and he'd never admit it if his life and the world depended on it. But he'd done it once or twice.

Or more than that…

"Thank you, Vegeta," she said quietly. She was referring to more than the compliment-she seemed that have realized earlier and on her own that he'd said what he had to push her that last step. Past that barrier that had restricted her for so long.

He nodded, braced for the impact of the hug he knew was coming, but she surprised him with a formal nod. Around them, the others breathed a sigh of relief, his offspring smiling with the knowledge that their friend understood. Gohan blinked, then nodded to himself. The devil woman showed nothing.

"Panny?" The girl-woman turned to her father, who held out an arm. "Let's go find your mother, shall we?"

She grinned, grabbing his arm and letting him lead her away. Trunks released his sister, and she and the devil woman tagged along behind, eager to see the reactions Pan received.

The boy stayed.

They stood in silence, watching the others mingle. The silence was comfortable, father and son falling into a routine that had fallen into memory as the boy had aged. Vegeta know the boy was troubled, and he knew exactly what about. As the boy shifted awkwardly, he turned his gaze to watch him out of the corner of his eye.

Feeling his father's attention on him, the boy let go of the act and shoved both hands into his pockets, looking after the girl-woman intently, watching as she chatted with Videl and Bulma.

"Father?"

Vegeta turned his head to look at his son. One real look at him answered everything. With a silent sigh through his nose, Vegeta nodded.

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A/N: Wow...chapters have been long for me lately...know what that means. ;P

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-Panabelle ;P
All will be explained in time and time is coming to an end.