AN: I just wanted to thank you reviewers for all the incredibly nice reviews and support throughout all my stories. To think I was embarrassed to be writing fanfiction but no longer, thank you.

Chapter Twenty

Videl and Pan rushed to Zarah's immobile form and fell to their knees. He looked awful, every inch of his skin was covered in either bruise or blood.

"Zarah?" Pan reached out to touch his face, while her mom was trying to figure out the best way to move him.

"Don't touch him."

Pan turned to see her Great Grandpa B watching with a veiled expression.

"Why?"

"His body is hypersensitive due to his tail being . . . smashed," respect filled his eyes as he studied the beaten young man, "A lesser saiyan would have folded."

"How are we supposed to move him into the house then?" Videl got off her knees, "He needs treatment."

"We're not," Bardock sighed, "He is a saiyan. Give him a moment."

A groan drew all their eyes.

"Pan?" He croaked.

"I'm here," Pan spread out next to him on the ground so he could see her, "Are you ok?"

A small smile graced his lips, "No. Did he pass me?"

"I . . ." Pan glanced at Bardock, ". . .don't know."

"I will find out," Bardock nodded, "Pan, it's best not to linger. You must declare yourself an adult or follow your father's wishes."

"Wait for me," Videl stomped after him, "I need to have a few words with my husband."

Pan ignored the retreating figures and concentrated on her . . . whatever he was. Her only thought was he looked like road kill, the only thing she could recognize were his blue eyes and they were warm.

"Why have you done this for me?" Pan searched his face for clues, "You don't even know me."

"I've known you since I was five years old. I forgot you, though, in my pursuit of knowledge but I found you again. I will not let even death separate us if you will have me."

"I don't understand, I thought you said we were already married," Pan whispered softly meeting his expressive blue eyes.

"When I won our fight I won the right to mate you . . . but I will only complete the ritual if you are willing. I would never force you into something you didn't want . . . If the ritual is not completed by the setting of the full moon then I lose my claim."

"So everything you went through today will be for nothing," Pan frowned.

"Only if you don't accept me, Pan," his eyes turned sad, "and then I would never bother you again."

"I . . ." Pan's eyes lowered, "What if I didn't want you to stop bothering me?"

"Then I would gladly go through this again."

Startled Pan met his eyes, they were full of determination and longing. They drew her to him.

"Pan!"

She sat up reluctantly and saw her mother calling for her.

"Go," Zarah whispered gently.

She nodded and started to leave.

"Pan . . . the full moon is tomorrow night."

Pan glanced at him alarmed.

"I will be in my office until the moon sets, if you don't come I will have my answer."

"Pan!" Videl called again.

"Go . . ." He urged softly.

She left but not without looking back.

**

"It's over," Vegeta acknowledged, "and your cousin still lives."

"Why can't we go to him now?" Bra had her hands on her hips.

"I can barely feel him," Trunks had his eyes closed in concentration.

"Tomorrow you may check on him in person," Vegeta crossed his arms in a gesture his kids knew was the bottom line.

"But dad-" Bra tried anyway.

"No buts!"

**

Sasoli released all the tension from her body, it was finally over.

A hand covered her mouth.

"Not so high and mighty now are you bitch?" A blade was placed at her neck.

Never a dull moment, Sasoli narrowed her eyes as she recognized the spurned pretty boy's voice.

He never had a chance.

**

"He said he'd only talk to you," Videl informed her daughter.

Pan swallowed nervously and followed her father's energy signal.

"Dad?" She entered his private library.

"Is he ok?"

"He seemed to be talking ok," Pan winced as she recalled Zarah's condition.

"I went too far," Gohan had his head cradled in his hands, "I never should have thought about stepping on his tail. I just . . . didn't want you forced into something you didn't want and he was . . . so determined."

"He said it was my choice," Pan sat in front of her dad.

"He did?"

Pan nodded, "Yes, he did."

"Then I pass him."

Pan threw herself into her father's arms, "Thanks daddy."

"He'd better take care of you," Gohan returned her hug.

"I'm sure he wouldn't dare to do anything less," Pan smiled.

**

The next morning, Zarah limped through Capsule Corporation with only his will keeping him moving. His night had been hell. After he had managed to get home he couldn't sleep all he could think about was Pan.

"Zarah! Are you ok?"

"Don't touch me!" Zarah stumbled away from his well-meaning cousin.

Bra fidgeted helplessly, she wanted to help him somehow, ease his pain.

"I'll be fine as long as you don't touch me," Zarah grimaced when Bra's eyes filled with tears, "Bra . . . It's ok, I just need a couple more hours and then I'll just look bad."

"Dad explained what you had to do," Bra pushed away her tears, he hated it when she cried.

"Did everyone pass you at least?"

"I don't know," Zarah's eyes became distant.

"It was Goten wasn't it? That bas-"

"No, Bra, Goten refused to fight me," Zarah's eyes sharpened, "He stood up for me, passed me without a second thought."

"But-"

"What? You think Goten did this to me?" Zarah took on an insulted air.

"Then who did?"

Zarah sniffed derisively as he turned to his male cousin, "Let's just say I wouldn't advise you to piss off Gohan."

"Why did you come to work?" Trunks shook his head at Zarah's condition, "I would have understood."

"I have work," Zarah looked away.

"All right then," Trunks directed his eyes at Bra, "We should all go back to work."

Bra set her jaw in defiance only to be waved away by her cousin.

"I'm fine," he limped away.

Trunks glanced at his sister curiously, "Don't you have a phone call to make?"

Bra nodded.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Your office is closer," she threw over her shoulder.

He rolled his eyes at her back before turning back to watch Zarah hang his head low to get past all the secretaries unnoticed. I'll check on him later.

**

Zarah let out a small hiss as he settled behind his desk. He was still a bit sensitive but the effects were wearing off. Then the real healing would begin and by nightfall he would be back to himself.

He closed his eyes and relaxed into his chair. Work could wait for a minute or so . . .

His brow creased as he heard the door open accompaned by a gasp.

"Bra, I'm FINE . . . Terry . . . What are you doing here?" Zarah sat up wearily, he hadn't seen her since she left to go on their date.

"What happened?" Terry was absolutely horrified, he must have been jumped by . . . ten guys!

"I don't want to talk about it," Zarah snapped, "What do you want?"

"Want?" She blinked at him, "I want you."

"What?"

Terry grinned what she hoped was a sexy grin and posed to show off her super model body.

"You didn't know? You took the risk of firing me and you didn't know if I returned your feelings or not?" Terry licked her lips, "Well, honey, you just hit pay dirt."

Zarah was confused or perplexed might be a better word. All he wanted was for her to go away and leave him alone. He had thought he was perfectly clear about his wishes when he didn't go on their date and then had her fired.

He rubbed his forehead, Why me? Why now? He stopped breathing when he heard the unmistakable sound of a zipper. Oh no . . .

Slowly he lifted his eyes and immediately wished he hadn't. Sure enough, Terry had taken off her dress and was only in her underclothes.

"You don't have to be shy," her voice was throaty, "I know it's your first time."

Zarah's mouth fell open.

"Zarah!" Pan smiled as she walked in only to fall short.

"Pan," Zarah's voice was full of relief, "Please make her go away."

Terry placed a hand on her naked hip, "You heard him, go away."

Pan's expression hardened, "I think he was talking about you. In fact, I know he's talking about you. He was expecting me."

"Oh?" Terry's expression was equally dangerous, "and who are you?"

"I'm his wife," Pan declared possessively.

"What?" Terry paled, "When did this happen? He's not wearing a ring. . . It's not true!"

Zarah leaned forward intently, ignoring Terry completely.

"Truly, Pan, you accept?"

"Yes," a slight blush covered her cheeks.

"NO! He's mine!" Terry dove across his desk and grabbed his scissors.

She slid into Zarah and unbalanced the chair. He saw stars as he hit the ground under their combined weight.

"I saw you first!" Terry raised the scissors.

At first Zarah thought she was going to stab him when , to his surprise, she started cutting off his shirt.

"Zarah, are you ok?" Pan came around the desk.

"Get out!" Terry screamed at her.

Zarah shoved his former secretary off of him and quickly got to his feet. As fast as he was able to.

"Good idea," Terry followed closely, "This gives me better access."

Pan lifted a brow. This woman couldn't be serious. It was obvious he didn't want her attention and yet she was all over him.

"Pan," Zarah pleaded, "Get her away from me. She won't leave, I had her fired."

"You hear that," Terry smiled triumphantly as she got the last of his shirt off, "He had me fired."

Pan might have been suspicious about his relationship with the wacko if he didn't look so miserable.

"You are so hot," Terry ran her hands down his chest.

Zarah flinched as her hands ran over his scratches and discolored skin.

Terry's hands settled on his belt.

"Terry . . ." Zarah's voice turned desperate, "Don't-"

She yanked the appendage hard trying to loosen it.

Zarah hit the ground with a yelp as all his limbs refused to obey his commands.

Pan gasped.

Terry was left holding his belt confused. She didn't see how it connected at all . . .

A hand grabbed her wrist and tightened until Terry was forced to let go.

Pan shoved the woman aside roughly and was on her knees.

"Zarah? Are you ok?"

"Ow . . ."

"What's wrong with him?" Terry crawled up to them but Pan quickly blocked her access to him.

"You grabbed his tail! You bitch! Get out of here before I throw you out!" Pan snarled at the lunatic.

"He's mine."

"No he's not!"

"Then explain our secret love letter," Terry snatched a paper from her bra.

Pan snatched the paper and read it out loud.

"Terry Britham, as of now you are dismissed from being an employee in Capsule Corporation due to gross misconduct . . ."

"See! The hidden message is so obvious! It really says 'I love you Terry' though I couldn't find the v for love but I'm sure it's there! Now get out of my way!"

Pan punched the woman, sending her across the room and into a wall. She was both unconscious and was bleeding profusely from the nose. Pan could care less.

"Call security," Zarah pouted as he examined his bruised appendage.

He could barely curl it around to his face but he managed.

"What's the number?" Pan picked up the phone.

Zarah blinked up at her, "I don't know . . . Never had to call them before."

"Zarah, I . . ." Trunks paused in the doorway as he was greeted with a very strange sight.

An unmoving half-naked woman lay crumpled against the far wall while Pan was holding the phone while standing over Zarah's prone body. He was also only semi-clad.

"Um," Pan set the phone down, "It's not what it looks like?"

Trunks quickly shut the door after making sure no one else had seen inside the office.

"Trunks," Zarah curled on his side," We have a problem."

A lavender brow lifted.

"I would say so. Every time someone enters your office you don't have a shirt on with women whose clothes aren't always intact."

**

"Yeah, dad, he's ok . . . just very bruised," Bra nodded into the phone, "He's very sensitive . . . Gohan stepped on his tail . . . Yeah, I know . . . I didn't think he had it in him either . . ."

Goten watched her talk on the phone with interest, good he's ok. He had been looking for Trunks when he'd stumbled upon Bra.

"He said Goten passed him . . ." Bra flicked her hair, "He didn't want to talk about it . . . ok . . . I'll talk to you later."

Bra slammed the phone down and pointedly turned around.

"How long have you been listening? What are you doing here?"

"Not long," Goten automatically took a step back, "I brought Pan-"

"Pan?" Bra's brow cleared, "Where is she? I want to talk to her."

"She's with Zarah," Goten smiled, "I think we're going to be relatives."

Bra felt herself soften involuntarily with the good news. Zarah was going to be so happy . . .

"Bra . . ."

She glanced up.

"I just wanted to say thanks for looking out for Pan and, even though you weren't too successful, it means a lot."

"I would have gotten there in time if you hadn't got in the way," Bra dismissed his gratitude irritably.

Goten's eyes narrowed, "You forget Sasoli was there too."

"You doubt my abilities?" Bra's lip curled.

"I refuse to get into this argument with you," Goten frowned, "I like to learn from the past not repeat it. I'm sorry if I insulted you when I was four and I'm sorry it took so long to realize why you couldn't stand my presence but it's over. Pan is married to your cousin and I am going to make sure she is happy."

"What's that got to do with us?" Bra snapped, not caring that she was making him mad.

"It always upset her that we never got along," Goten lashed back.

"Bullshit, she would have said something to me!"

"When? When was she supposed to tell you?!" Goten exploded, "When you left the lab? During one of your numerous visits to the house? Oh wait, that wasn't you that was Trunks! You were always to busy, knee-deep in some project with Zarah of all people."

Bra flinched as the truth hit her and left her breathless. The rawness was surprising and could only be met in one way, retaliation.

"Like you are any better? Disappearing with Trunks to god knows where! You dare blame me Son Goten! I am not her kin. Don't point fingers at me, I'll bite them off."

The space between them was nonexistent.

"Then I'll warn you now, Bra, I bite back," Goten felt the growl in the back of his throat and it surprised him.

Bra's hand flashed up to his face and the slap he had anticipated was not fulfilled.

Her hand slid to the back of his neck and his face was pulled down to hers.

It was amidst the swirling emotions they shared their first kiss.

**

"Damn it," Trunks glanced up, "If it's not one thing, it's another. They better not trash my office."

Pan raised her eyes to the ceiling while idly stroking Zarah's head. She had felt sorry for her intended when he couldn't manage to pull himself off the ground and had generously offered him her lap.

"It doesn't feel like they're fighting," she muttered.

Zarah opened his eyes sleepily, "Who?"

"Uncle Goten and Bra."

"Oh," he almost yawned.

Having Pan run her fingers through his hair was incredibly soothing and . . . stimulating. Truthfully, he had been about to get off the floor when she had made her offer. Intrigued and unable to resist, he allowed himself to flounder and accept her proposal. Now he was nice and comfortable with no plans on leaving anytime soon.

"I'd better go and break them up," Trunks frowned at his watch, "The last thing I need is Dad to come blasting through the walls."

"Bye Trunks," Zarah buried his head in her lap.

Pan blushed, "I guess I'll see you later."

"Hn," Trunks winked at her and left.

A heavy silence settled in the room.

"Um . . . Zarah . . .?"

"Hmm . . ."

"Maybe I should take you home . . . I mean you're not in any condition to work . . . and . . ."

Zarah swallowed as all thoughts of sleep disappeared.

"You want to go home?"

"No, I left home to be with you."

"My home is your home now," he tilted his head up at her, "We are mated."

"Oh right," Pan bit her lip.

Zarah sat up, though, he was sure to make it look very difficult.

"Zarah?" The concern in her voice made him smile.

"I'm ok Pan," he let her see the curve of his lips, "Besides, I still need to mark you as mine."

Pan glanced at him wearily as she helped him to his feet.

"How exactly do you mark me?"

He nuzzled her neck, drawing her attention to his shirtless condition.

"I'll show you when we get home."

"I don't know where it is," Pan gulped when he didn't let go of her and his hands started to wander on her back.

"I'll show you," he smiled against her neck.

End of Chapter Twenty

AN: Oh one more thing before you go, my dad is curious about where you guys are from so if it's not too much trouble please review and let me know. ::Whispers under her breathe:: So he'll stop bugging me. ::Voice volume returns to normal:: Thanks again!