Chapter Nine

Pan hit the ground gasping, sweat was dripping from her hair and down the sides of her face. Every part of her body hurt, and she was glad she was getting used to it.

The first time she had 'sparred' with her great grandfather . . . she hadn't been able to move after the first ten minutes. She now understood what he meant about fighting in the ring and battling for the right to live.

There was really no comparison.

Pan was proud to say she had lasted a solid three hours and Bardock had called a break for both of them instead of just her. Though, he had laughed when she hit the ground when he gave the word.

"Pan," Bardock set a glass of water in front of her, "You fooled me. I thought you could go on for another hour."

Pan gulped the contents of the water and returned to her feet.

"A saiyan must be collected and cool for their opponent," she replied, "or at least appear to be."

Bardock smirked at her, proud that his line had proven so strong. Pan had made so much progress during the last few days and he could honestly say he would trust her in battle.

"Pan, you must get a female sparring partner," Bardock patted her head fondly.

"I guess I can ask Bra," Pan didn't notice his gesture.

"Princess Bra?" Bardock's eyebrows went up, "Pan, isn't that aiming too high?"

"What?" Pan frowned at him, "She's my friend, why wouldn't she spar with me?"

"You're friends with . . ." Bardock shook his head, "Now I've seen everything."

Pan rolled her shoulders, "I'll call her tomorrow."

Bardock nodded absently, his thoughts elsewhere.

**

Zarah looked up as the door to his office opened to see his secretary standing in front of the door. He had half-expected Bra to be there, she had reluctantly agreed to wait to call her friend to give him a chance to find someone by himself.

"Did you want something?" He snapped, having given up hope that she would stay out of his office.

"Did you mean what you said?"

Zarah frowned at her almost dead tone. He had never heard her voice quite so lifeless before. . .

"Did I mean what?"

"You said I wasn't yours," tears leaked into her voice.

"Terry," Zarah's brows lowered, "You're my secretary--"

"But I can be so much more!" She rushed up to him and grabbed his arm desperately.

"--I am not allowed to involve myself with fellow employees," Zarah finished while eyeing her curiously.

He still didn't comprehend this woman. She tried to kiss him, caught him sleeping in his office, and then avoided him. Now she was pleading for him to expand their relationship.

"No one has to know," she leaned into his arm, pressing her chest into it.

She brought up his hand to cup her breast.

"Please, I need you . . ."

Zarah blinked at her, or more accurately his hand on her.

"Um . . . Terry ," he removed his hand gently, "I come from a very strict family and--"

"It doesn't matter! I can make anybody love me," she clutched his hand tighter.

Zarah swallowed, he could handle just about every thing a person could throw at him but this . . . he didn't have any experience to fall back on.

"Not my family," Zarah reclaimed his hand from her.

"Fine, we'll elope," Terry jumped on him and attacked his lips with her own.

**

Bra leaned over her table with an eyedropper in one hand and a beaker in another.

"Now to add the last chemical," she watched the liquid slowly drip into the beaker.

A smirk worthy of her father dawned her face as the concoction bubbled ominously.

"Success," she laughed manically when the phone rang.

She carefully set her experiment down and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Bra, this is Pan."

"Oh hey, Pan, what's going on?" Bra reclined in her office chair, "I've been meaning to call you."

"Yeah? For what?"

"For your blind date of course," Bra grinned when Pan cursed under her breath, "I take it you forgot."

"A lot's happened since then," Pan grumbled, "I need a sparring partner."

"Oh?" Bra lifted a brow, "Why?"

"Come on, Bra, will you do it or not?" An impatient edge was woven in Pan's voice.

"Me?" Bra was amused, "Pan, why don't you pick one of your Grandpa Hercule's lackeys to beat up?"

A frustrated sigh.

"Bra, Grandpa Bardock is training me to be a warrior."

"Really," Bra became excited, "Since when?"

"Since a couple days ago."

"This is perfect! Now you have to go on your blind date!"

"Bra . . ." Pan's voice was full of exasperation, "Will you be my sparring partner?"

"Sure, I would love to see what he's done with you," Bra nodded.

"I'm not a couch, Bra," Pan remarked dryly.

"No, but you're going to be a warrior!" Bra was pumped, "Welcome!"

Pan laughed, "Jeez Bra, you make it sound like a club."

"Wait until the next reunion," Bra turned to glance at her experiment, "You won't be little Pan anymore, you'll be Pan the Amazon."

"I'm not tall enough to be an Amazon."

"Don't be so literal Pan," Bra rolled her eyes, "When do you want to spar?"

"Today?"

"Sure, I get out of work," Bra glanced at her watch and shrugged, "now. Trunks skips out so can I, I'll be there right away."

"You're coming over here?"

"Yeah, I haven't seen Bardock in awhile," Bra slipped out of here coveralls.

"He'll be thrilled."

**

Zarah lifted Terry off him and set her away from him.

"You . . ." Zarah tried to clear his thoughts, "I don't know you."

"Then let's go on a date! I know a bar," she pleaded.

"Ok," he snapped, "If I go out with you and it doesn't work out will then you leave me alone."

"Yes," she answered immediately, there was no way she was going to waste this opportunity.

"Ok," he sighed with relief at dealing with the difficult female, "Just give me the address--"

She squealed with delight and dashed from the room.

What have I gotten myself into? Zarah had a bad feeling about this and the feeling didn't lesson when she returned with a piece of paper.

"You won't regret this," she smiled at him saucily before sauntering out.

"I think I will," Zarah set the paper on his desk resigned.

**

17 was in heaven.

"Are you sure this looks alright?" Ava had her arms crossed self-consciously in front of her.

She was modeling clothes for him and wasn't used to the styles. He was just happy to be witnessing this spectacle, it was priceless! Ava was never anything but confidant. Take away her armor, give her a skirt, and she was like a teenager.

"Why what's wrong?" 17 eyed his wife appreciatively, he'd never seen her in jeans before.

Ava turned her back to him to show her tail, "I know you said the jeans were cut low so they wouldn't hurt my tail but what do I do with it?"

"Your tail?" 17 swallowed as she nodded and waved her tail at him.

"Yes my tail," she snapped and turned again, "Don't want to start a riot."

"Just wrap it around your waist like Sasoli does, everyone will just think it's a fashion trend," 17 grinned at her.

"These pants are not easy to bend in," she gave him a dirty look and preceded to test the limits of her jeans by performing several stretches.

17 just watched.

"Could you have found a smaller shirt?" Ava yanked at the hem that failed to cover her lower belly.

"It's a tank top," 17 remarked dryly, "and it looks great on you."

"Did the top have to have your name on it?" Ava pointed to the numbers on her chest.

"Why? What's wrong with my name?" 17 started toward her.

"Are you going to wear my name?" Ava raised a brow.

"Do you want me to?" 17 wrapped his arms around her waist, which were enhanced by the jeans.

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Then no," 17 pecked her cheek before moving away.

Ava shook her head and chuckled as he moved away.

"17, I have one request."

He tilted his head curiously at her and waited for her to continue.

Ava entangled her fingers in her husband's bandana and ripped it off.

17 gasped, "Hey! What are you doing?"

Ava grinned and held it out of his reach, dancing around the cave in order to evade her mate's grasping fingers. She laughed when his expression narrowed in annoyance.

"Give it back," the order was unmistakable.

"No," Ava lifted her chin and tied it around her hair, "I want to wear it on our date."

17 paused as his wife smiled at him, the bandana in her spiky hair reminded him of the girl from the fast food place . . . with Bra . . .

"17?"

17 looked at his wife critically or more at her hair.

"Do you really want to wear it?"

"Yes," determination entered her eyes.

"Then how 'bout you wear it as a shirt?" A crafty light entered 17's eyes.

He just watched her silently as she took the bandana off her head and measured the length around her frame.

"Deal," she nodded, she would do anything to see him without the damned thing on for once.

17 grinned, it would be a tight fit but well worth it.

**

"Pan!" Bra jumped out of her hover car, "I'm here!"

"Bra," Pan waved her over, "Over here!"

Bra sauntered to Pan's general local when she stiffened. She could feel something . . . barely there but . . . there all the same . . .

"Careful Pan," she whispered.

Pan was about to call out to Bra when the blue haired girl suddenly flipped out of the way as the ground exploded beneath her.

"A warrior is always prepared."

Bardock's words came back to Pan as Bra came to a stop in a full stance ready to guard against anything.

Bra's eyes scanned the area only to find Pan watching her. She could still feel the slight presence but where? She felt a shiver of foreboding, Behind!

She dropped to the ground, narrowly avoiding Bardock's lunge. Bardock moved into a roll and was back on his feet only to come face to face with Bra's glowing hand.

"Hello Bardock," she greeted him pleasantly, "I haven't seen you in a long time."

Bardock grinned, "Princess, a honor as always."

Bra dropped her hand and pulled her power back into her body. Bra went to retrieve her shoes that she had stepped out of the moment she had sensed something wrong. Glad they had escaped damage Bra put them back on. Sure she could fight in them if she had to but she wasn't going to risk breaking an ankle on this uneven ground.

"Sharp as ever," Bra smirked at Bardock and turned to Pan, "Are we ready?"

Pan glanced at her great grandfather for guidance.

He frowned at her.

"You said you didn't want to be a baby. Make your own decisions."

"I'm ready," Pan nodded.

Bra simply returned her nod and removed her skirt to reveal what her mom had dubbed 'Vegeta shorts'. Bra unbuttoned her top and a matching tank top style shirt complete her training gear.

"Then let's go."

**

"Hey Gohan," Goten popped up behind his brother.

Gohan jumped, almost dropping his large stack of books.

"What Goten?" Gohan grumbled, sure he loved his brother but he had to work.

Goten put up his hands in a gesture, which pleaded for mercy.

"I just wanted to know if you felt what I felt."

Gohan frowned and reached out with his sixth sense.

"Pan is fighting someone with Grandpa Bardock . . . he's just watching . . ." Gohan shrugged, "Pan wants to be a warrior."

"So she's training?" Goten grinned when his brother nodded.

"But who is she fighting?"

Gohan shrugged, his mind was already on a million different things.

Goten headed for the door. If his brother didn't have an answer the only thing to do was find out for himself. After all, this was his niece they were talking about!

**

"You've gotten much better Pan," Bra remarked lightly as she ducked beneath a fist.

"But not good enough if I can't get my hands on you," Pan snarled in frustration.

Ten minutes later and she still hadn't managed to land a punch on Bra. The Capsule Princess was fast, flexible, and absolutely frustrating!

Bra laughed at her, and struck her to the ground with a simple movement of her hand.

"This is why you need a female sparring partner," Bardock's voice was in the air, "Your Aunt Ava trained you, didn't she?"

Bra nodded and helped her friend to her feet, "Along with Sasoli."

"Females just fight different," Bardock shrugged, "Right Goten."

Goten winced when Bra's head snapped up to glare daggers at him. He didn't have any earthly idea why she seemed to hate him, he just knew she did.

"Yeah," Goten agreed with his grandpa.

Bra had moved unlike any other person he had ever seen in combat. It wasn't that her moves were all that original but somehow the delivery was different. In fact, Goten admitted to himself, he could watch Bra spar all day.

Pan tried to get her hand back but fought to keep the wince off her face when Bra tightened her grasp.

"Bra," Pan gasped out.

Bra looked at her and quickly released her hand.

"Sorry," Bra apologized before turning cold blue eyes back on Goten.

Bardock blinked at her expression and then at the person it was aimed at, What's going on?

"Um, I guess I'll go," Goten smiled at them sheepishly and left the way he came.

Bra's expression lightened considerably, "Again Pan?"

Pan nodded and they were off.

Bardock regarded his Princess carefully before going off to find his grandson. The girls wouldn't need him for awhile and as a scientist Bardock couldn't let his questions go unanswered.

"Goten," he called when he spotted the youth walking ahead of him.

Goten answered him with a quick grin and waited for the older saiyan to catch up.

"Did you want to spar?"

"Later," Bardock eyed him carefully, "Why did Princess Bra give you such a cold stare?"

"Bra?" Goten shrugged, "I don't know, she's been that way since we were kids."

"Hn," Bardock's eyes sparked with inquisitiveness, "The way she's acting, a saiyan would think you snubbed her."

"What? But I've never . . ." Goten frowned, "That long ago . . ."

"Have you ever insulted her?" Bardock demanded, he could almost feel the answer coming closer.

"No, I've never called her names," Goten shook his head.

"Challenged her? When she was young?"

"No, I wouldn't fight her when she was small," Goten shook his head again.

"Why?" Bardock was perplexed, that was the best way to learn new moves.

"Oh, my mom told me I shouldn't hit girls," Goten blushed when his grandfather looked at him as if he had grown another head, "I know. My dad set me straight when he rescued me from Bra. He said--"

"Rescued you from Bra?" Bardock jumped at his words.

"Yeah, you see Zarah and Trunks were going at it so Bra started to fight me but I ended up just dodging because of my mom."

"You refused to fight her," Bardock's brows almost disappeared into his bangs.

"I guess you can say that," Goten watched Bardock nod knowingly, "You don't think--"

"I don't think, I know."

Bardock scratched the back of his head and sighed. These kids were going to be the death of him. Snubbing the royal family! They were lucky they didn't have a home planet anymore or his grandson would have been executed for the offense.

"She can't still be mad about that," Goten was alarmed, "I would be surprised if she even remembers the incident."

"Goten," Bardock laid a hand on his shoulder, "I wouldn't put anything past a female. They are odd creatures. Plus, there is the fact that she is a Vegeta and they are known for holding grudges."

Goten was left with a feeling of unease. If what his grandfather said was true then his problems with Bra were just beginning.

**

"So your Aunt trained you?" Pan inquired lightly.

They had agreed to take a break so Pan could catch her breath.

"Yes," Bra answered absently, "My father showed me the basics and then she took over for technique."

"So Sasoli was your sparring partner," Pan concluded.

Bra frowned delicately at her before nodding.

"Who was your male partner?"

"Trunks," Bra smiled, "Yours will probably be your dad."

"Or my uncle," Pan shrugged.

"Hn," Bra slipped on her outer clothes, "It's getting late."

Pan glanced at the sinking sun with a small amount of dread.

"When will we spar again?"

Bra pulled out a pass from her suit pocket and gave it to Pan.

"There's a room in my lab we can use, we won't be able to use our ki but at this stage, it's for the best."

"So tomorrow?" Pan pocketed the pass.

Bra nodded and climbed into her car.

"It's time for you to go as well, Pan," Bardock mentioned softly.

"Ok," Pan smiled brightly and headed for home.

End of Chapter Nine