Chapter 2: Eighteen
'Where are you Trunks?'
Pan stood impatiently, waiting for Trunks to meet her. Finally she saw him running towards her.
"Sorry I'm late." He managed between pants. "I had a lot of meetings today and I couldn't get out soon enough."
"It's alright Trunks. I was just worried that something had happened." She kissed him gently, then began to walk out.
"Wait, before we go. Your birthdays coming up right? I heard my mother talking on the phone about it and I think we're coming to your house then."
"Really? I surprised my father's allowing that."
"You mean he's still upset?"
"Yeah. We really don't talk anymore, and when we do there isn't much of a conversation and Mom or Goten have to interrupt us before we argue again."
"I'm sorry Pan. I feel like it's all my fault."
"Don't. You have nothing to do with it. My father is just being a jerk, and eventually he'll get over it."
"If you say so. But let's not talk about that right now. It's still not that late so we can catch a movie okay?"
"Sure."
Pan and Trunks quickly ran towards the city to enjoy their night together.
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"Where have you been?" Gohan demanded the second Pan entered the house.
"I was out with a friend. Can't I do that anymore?"
"With who?"
"Tr- Trina. A girl I met in the grocery store the other day."
"Why don't I believe that?"
"Jeez Dad. Do you have to do this every time I go out?"
"Yes, I do."
"Alright, knock it off you two." Videl demanded as she entered the room. "Gohan, try to calm down, and Pan, go up to your room and get to sleep, it's getting late."
"Alright Mom." Pan kissed her mother and ran up to her room for bed.
"Oh Pan!" Videl yelled up. "Bulma and Kuririn's families are coming over this Saturday since it's your birthday, okay?" Pan could hear her father say something about not being told about that, but couldn't make it out clearly.
"Goodnight dear!"
"Night Mom."
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That Saturday:
"Hi Bulma! Trunks! Bra! Vegeta! Thanks for coming! I'm sure Pan will be happy to see all of you. Everyone is inside, you're the last to arrive." Videl shut the front door and followed the family into the living room.
As Trunks walked in, his line of sight caught Pan's and their two eyes locked for a moment, but the connection was broken as Bra jumped at Pan, holding a brightly wrapped box.
"Open mine first Pan! C'mon open it! Open it!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"Mom, is it okay?" Pan looked up at her mother for an answer.
"I guess so. Everyone is here, why not?"
Pan moved over to sit on the couch in the middle of the room, and began to open Bra's gift. She pulled off the wrapping paper to reveal a satin purple dress.
"Thanks Bra." She pulled her friend into a quick hug, then turned to face everyone else. "So, whose is next?"
She quickly went through half of the gifts until she reached Trunks, which she opened with more apprehension. When she pulled open the box her eyes lit up, and then dulled as she pulled out a T-shirt. She frowned slightly, but caught her father's eye and continued with the rest of the gifts.
Her friends didn't leave till sometime the next morning, when Pan finally made her way to her room. She dropped to her bed exhausted and slowly began to change into her nightclothes. She stopped mid-way when she heard a small tap against her window, followed by several others. As she looked out the window Pan was hit in the face by a tiny rock.
"Sorry" a small voice whispered below her. She leaned out and saw Trunks standing below, his mouth agape and his eyes opened as far as they would go.
"What?" she asked him in confusion. He slowly pointed up, unable to speak. Pan frowned and looked above, expecting to find someone watching but saw nothing. She turned back but he still stood the same way. Suddenly she realized what he was pointing to and jumped back, pulling a shirt over her bare chest.
"Why didn't you saying anything!" She hissed, trying to yell and stay quiet at the same time.
"You caught me off guard. Hey, I hope you're not upset about what I got you."
"Why would I be?" she replied sarcastically. "A girl can never have enough shirts."
"C'mon, what would your father think if I gave you some really big, expensive gift when I haven't seen you in months."
Pan frowned, upset that he couldn't get her something more suitable. "I guess you're right" she whispered, disappointment lingering in her voice.
Trunks couldn't help laughing. "Don't worry, I got you something else too."
"Really?!"
"Yes, of course, I wouldn't leave my only love with that as a gift for her eighteenth birthday."
"Thank you. I love you Trunks, so when do I get it!"
Trunks chuckled at her childlike behavior. "Soon enough. Maybe tomorrow but I'm not sure."
"Okay. I'll meet you at the usual time?"
"Yeah. I love you. Bye."
"I love you."
Trunks blew her a kiss and ran from the house before anyone spotted him. Pan quickly shut off her light and jumped into bed for some much-needed rest.
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"I'm going out now. Bye!"
Pan quickly left her house before her father could drill her for information like he did whenever the opportunity arose. She ran to meet Trunks and saw him already waiting. Trunks sat pulling Pan down into his arms.
"I've missed you." He whispered, in the same way he did whenever he saw her.
"I know, I missed you too. So what are we doing tonight?"
"Nothing. I just have to give you your gift."
"Ooh goody, where is it?" she asked excitedly.
Trunks smiled and kissed her, laughing slightly.
"What's so funny?"
"You. You're like a kid on Christmas morning. Since when are you so giddy?" Pan cocked her head to the side and frowned. "Giddy?"
"Forget it."
"Okay. Now then, present." Pan said, nodding her head for emphasis.
"Alright..." Trunks reached into his pocket, but left it there, rather than pulling anything out.
"Umm, I thought really hard about what to get you." He began, his voice shaky. "And I had trouble thinking of something to show you how much I love you. This was really hard for me to get. I- I'm not even to sure about it now, but, I've been thinking about it ever since you mentioned your birthday, and umm"
Trunks sighed, taking in a deep breath before continuing. He slowly pulled his hand from his pocket, holding a small case.
"Pan I I want you to marry me."
Pan gasped slightly as she stared at him, unsure of what to say
"I understand if you don't want to. I know you always wanted a big wedding, with everyone you ever met there to wish you well, and I know I can't give that to you. All I know is that I love you, and I can't live without you."
Pans eyes filled with tears which threatened to spill over at any minute. She smiled, throwing her arms around Trunks. "I will Trunks, I will."
Trunks quickly slipped the small ring around Pan's finger, then pulled her against him, placing kisses all along her face and neck. His lips would have moved further down her body had he not been distracted by a figure which stood close by. Trunks jumped back from Pan, fearing for his life.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" Gohan demanded. Without waiting for an answer he launched himself at Trunks, and began choking him.
"STOP IT DAD!" Pan pulled on her father's arm, trying desperately to free Trunks, who did little to defend himself.
"Stay out of this Pan!" he demanded. "This is exactly what I knew would happen! THIS is why I kept you two separated, and you repay me by sneaking behind my back!"
Pan let go of her father, and ran for her house screaming. "MOM! MOM!"
Videl ran to her daughter, confused about what could scare Pan so much.
"Pan, it's okay, it's okay." She hushed. "What happened?"
"It's Dad!" Videl stared at her daughter, not sure of what she meant. "It's Dad and Trunks. He, we were over there, and then Dad attacked him."
"You were with Trunks?" Videl questioned. "You know your father told you not to."
"Yes, I know, but if we don't hurry Trunks will be killed. Please!"
Videl ran behind Pan to where Gohan still held Trunks by the throat. Videl grabbed her husband, trying to calm him, while Pan pulled Trunks away.
"Let go off me Videl! You didn't see what I saw. That bastard was taking advantage of our little girl! Now let me at him!" Gohan advanced toward Trunks who lay unconscious in Pan's arms.
"Leave him alone!" Pan begged as her father continued to move towards Trunks.
"I won't! He was just going to use you Pan. I know men like him. He pulls you out for the night and then he sympathizes with you till he gets under your shirt!"
"Trunks isn't like that at all!"
"And how would you know!" Gohan towered over his daughter, daring her to speak with his eyes. Pan scowled, unwilling to hide anymore.
"I've been seeing him. Since the very day I brought it up." Pan stared up at her father, her face showing no fear, only determination. Gohan stared back down at her, his eyes far less calm, as his anger increased.
"How dare you. Get back in that house now so I can deal with you."
"I WON'T!" Pan stood to face her father directly. "I'm eighteen now; you can't and won't tell me what to do. I love Trunks and he loves me and you can't keep us apart!"
"I can if he's dead."
"Then I'll kill myself and be with him in heaven."
"No you won't, cause that boy won't make it there. He'll spend eternity with the likes of Freeza, Cell and Baby. Don't you get it? He doesn't care about you; how could he. You're so much younger than he is. He needs a girl his age for love, he just want's you for sex!"
"THEN WHY'D HE GIVE ME THIS!" Pan placed her left hand in front of her father's face, showing him the ring she had just received. Gohan took a step back, and fell to the ground in shock.
"What did you say?" Videl asked, moving passed Gohan to stand in front of Pan.
"I said yes, and even if you say no, I'm going to marry him." Videl smiled, and embraced her daughter.
"I won't tell you not too. If you love him that much, enough to end your life for him like you said, then you have my blessings."
Pan looked over towards her father with hope, but he turned away and stood, walking back to the house.
"Don't worry about him Pan. Why don't you sit with Trunks? I don't think it's a great idea to take him inside right now, and I'm sure he'll be fine."
Pan nodded, and sat on the ground, resting Trunks' head on her lap. A few minutes later he opened his eyes.Groaning he lifted himself to sitting position. "Where is he?"
"He went inside" Videl answered from behind him. Trunks turned in surprise.
"Videl-san?" He questioned her, with apprehension in his eyes.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll calm down. You two are going to have a beautiful wedding."
Trunks smile gratefully at Videl, then lowered himself back down to rest against Pan.
"I love you Pan" he whispered as he closed his eyes.
"I love you too."