Meri Kurisumasu!
Chapter 3: Pan
Sunlight reflected off windshields as air cars and other vehicles careened down the highway. In the air various planes and jet flyers went on their way, unrestricted by roads. Also in the air were other travelers, less restricted than any others. One such person looked down and spotted a familiar car, then lowered toward it.
Outside her car, Bulma heard a tapping and looked out her window. She nearly swerved into the next lane when she found Pan floating there. After a moments hesitation, she pulled back the roof of the convertible to allow Pan in.
"You know Pan dear." She spoke, re-raising the roof; "You could have called to tell me you were going to drop by. You nearly gave me a heart attack."
"Sorry about that." Pan apologized. "I wasn't planning to, plus I don't have a cell phone."
"Oh really? Well here, take this." Bulma reached to the backseat and began fishing around in a duffel bag, eventually pulling out a black cell phone. "This is the latest phone we're working on. It's supposed to be a portable visa-phone, but unfortunately the engineers are having trouble with the LCD display, so you can have this one."
Pan smiled a bit and took the phone. "Guess I have to wait a bit before I can see the person I'm talking to. Although just going to them isn't all too hard."
"Perhaps for you it isn't, but for 99.999% of the population, these phones will be a brilliant invention."
"Guess so. So, what are you doing out here anyway? Tonight's Christmas Eve, and you aren't with your husband yet?"
Bulma looked at Pan rather quizzically, then began laughing. "Hah hah hah ha ha. That's a good one. Vegeta won't allow other people to celebrate around him, do you think he'd actually celebrate himself?"
"But Christmas is the time you're supposed to spend with the people you love, isn't it?"
"Yes, but I can be with him anytime. I'll have a much better time at the company party. In fact, that's why I'm here right now. Things ran a bit behind schedule so I had to run out to get things together for the party. You can help me if you'd like."
"Sure thing."
Bulma continued speeding along, desperate to finish things up. Hopefully with Pan's help, things might go a bit quicker. No need for a ladder with her around.
Arriving at Capsule Corp. the two went in to where the main hall was still being decorated. The tables and chairs were all set up and a few of the caterers had arrived and were already setting up. Bulma gave a sigh of satisfaction, then turned to Pan. "I won't be needing your help for a little while. You can do whatever you'd like till then. Bra is at the mall, Dende bless her for braving it, but Trunks is up in his office.
Pan nodded and headed down the hall. She smiled kindly at the employees she knew or even just recognized. Being so close to the Briefs, she had grown up here almost as much as in her own home.
Stepping onto an elevator, she saw a woman she had worked with a few summers ago. "Hi there, Miss Haruna." She greeted. The woman glanced at her in confusion, then her face brightened. "Pan, is that you? You've gotten so much bigger, I can hardly recognize you! You finally let your hair grow out, huh?" Pan blushed and hugged the girl. "I didn't grow that much." Pan said modestly. The girl smiled brighter and looked Pan up and down. "Well you're at least a foot taller, plus you've gotten a bit bigger in other areas." Pan blushed profusely while Miss Haruna just smiled and moved toward the door. "Well, this is my stop. It was nice seeing you again." Pan nodded, speechless.
Reaching her floor, Pan stepped out to the busiest area of Capsule Corp. She headed down the hall, but suddenly a hand came down on her shoulder. "Just where do you think you're going Miss?" She turned to face a young security guard. "What do you mean?" She asked. "This area is for personnel only. I'm afraid you'll have to leave." Pan rolled her ayes and shifted on her feet. "I happen to be a personal friend of the president, and I'd like to see him."
The guard scoffed and smiled sarcastically. "Yes, I'm sure you're his friend, I bet he's even known you all your life, just like every other girl that tries to come through here."
"Yes. I mean no. I mean…"
"Yes. No. Yes. No. I'm so confused." The guard teased. "Come on Miss, I'm gonna have to escort you off the premises." He took her arm and began walking. "Get your hands off me!" Pan yelled, shifting to pull away.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The guard stopped and turned in a huff, then froze. "P- President."
Pan smiled smugly and pulled away from the guard, walking towards Trunks. "I told you I was his friend."
Trunks nodded and the guard left, then he turned to Pan. "Sorry, but I'm kinda busy. Did you need something?"
"Not really. Just thought I'd stop by. Working till the party?"
"Actually, I'm gonna work all night. I have a lot to do and I wasn't really interested in the party. I'll make it up at New Years."
"That's too bad."
"Yeah, well, I don't mind. I gotta go."
Trunks walked down the hall, leaving Pan behind. "Yeah…." She whispered to his retreating form, then headed for the elevator.