A/N: I'd like to thank all my reviewers... heh, hopefully you're still keeping up with this story...
SAWNYA - Heh, you were the first and I recognized your name right off the bat... last couple days I've been reading Dragonspaceballs and just left you a review today :)
SOSORU - My second reviewer, I realize that this story had some problems, it took me awhile to start writing again and this was my first. Trust me, this chapter is MUCH better. I only had to write 12 other stories to get better *bleh*
HAWK - Thanks, you weren't the only one with the age problem. My bad...
TRISHA - Thanks for the compliment! I love exclamation marks!!!!!!!
BURA - Thanks for coming over and reading when I suggested to in Tangled Web (which is finished in case ya didn't know *wink*) I usually don't like original characters, but this puppy is my baby!
LILY - I'm writing a book... "Hiding Places Saiyan's Wouldn't Think To Look For You In When You Are Busy With Another Saiyan." What ya think?
BANANAGIRL - Just believe in yourself and you can be worthy!! I say you are worthy. I'm the one not worthy of your gracious compliments. On the other hand... I AM rather great *hehe*
LOVING YOU - I'm glad I had an emotional effect on ya. *offers you a hanky*
PHILLIP - Trunks CAN'T die, cuz I'm in LOVE with him!
SEVENTEENS STALKER - I'm usually up at 4 am posting these damn things. The least you can do is review at 4 am! oh ya, ya did :)
BLUEYDMNSTR - I know you love this more than Tangled Web, and I was thinking of ya while I was finishing this part up... :)
REVIEWER #100 - I just find so many songs that I love and find appropriate for the situation... this part is no exception ^_^
VEGETA'S TOO SEXY FOR YOU - Hope you are back and haven't forgotten about me!
A 2nd N: Man! So much time has passed... I hope I'm not forgotten with this one... Don't forget my other fics... they are worth the time, I promise. And the song is Will You Be There (In The Morning) by Heart. I love '80's. If you can't tell, then yer a Blind-Fool (heh, Sawnya *wink* *go read Dragonspaceballs*)
A fine crystal champagne glass shattered in Gohan's hand and a low growl permeated the room. Mikayla lowered her head and continued.
"So now what? I didn't function as a woman, but I was a woman? I again had to come to terms with fact number one. Even though, for years, it blared through my head that I would never be able to bear children, I was still a woman, and had to remember it. And until the last few years, that was all I had to deal with. Then Gohan found me."
Gohan squeezed her tightly with both hands now that the other was free. No one made a move to clean the shards from their place on the floor. His face never lost that thoughtful scowl.
"That threw something else into the mix... my anger. I felt helpless all over again, remembering all those feelings I had when I left. I was angry at everyone and blamed everyone but myself. Then, one day, as I was laying down carpet in one of the dressing rooms, I realized something.
"I had a bar, a kitchen, workers at my disposal, money in my pocket, and for the first time, a future. Doing something I could be proud of and happy with. And I had it because I did it. I look back on my life and I regret only one thing... the loss of my parents. Nothing else. Not even missing anatomy," she smirked. She raised her glass and the others followed suit.
"Here's to sunshine, and here's to roses." She took a drink and again, the others followed. She raised the crystal to Gohan's lips and let him take his drink. He relaxed only then, and everyone sighed in relief.
They laughed and drank through the night and Pan crashed early in the guest room. It had already been set up for her. When Mik started to fall asleep in Gohan's arms everyone took their leave. He carried her to her bed and reluctantly made his way to the couch.
If you scream, I'll kill you.
She woke suddenly, gasping for breath, not daring to scream. Another nightmare. Another goddamn nightmare! When was this going to end??
She turned on the nighttable lamp and pulled a notebook and pencil out of a drawer. She began to sketch an image there, of a likeness only seen in visions. A name escaped her attention, tugging innocently in the recesses of her subconscious, a simple game of tag, hanging just beyond reach. She drew a figure with imposing violet eyes with a physique and stance that held the promise of destruction.
There was one thing that no image could ever depict. That was the definite clink of metal as the figure moved.
All her employees were gathered together an hour early for a meeting. She went over everyone's strengths and mistakes, letting them all know that even though they may have felt pressured and nervous, every single one of them did remarkably well. And as a bonus, the profits of the previous night got split evenly between all. An equal portion for Piccolo and Mikayla to the last bus boy. Cash. And it was substantial. As the computer tech, Rick, passed out the proceeds everyone silently vowed to do even better with a smile on their face.
"Call this a good job on the grand opening bonus. I guess we can consider ourselves a success now." Mikayla's speech earned a round of applause and cheering. Piccolo silently thanked Kami for remembering his earplugs.
Gohan stood on the sidelines watching his woman. His woman. She was his now, not 'officially' as Pan was going to help him pick out the ring today, but in every other sense, she was his. And he couldn't be happier.
She walked over to where he was sitting, and Pan was bouncing up and down, and gave them a smile. Pan beamed back and Gohan gave her a lazy, knowing smile. She wrapped her arms around him and he kissed her softly, but thoroughly, before she finally pulled away after a couple of minutes, blushing.
Pan began humming an annoyingly familiar tune about a tree and lip activities done therein. It earned her a swat on the shoulder from the older woman.
"So what are you two going to be doing today?"
"We are going shop-ping!" she wiggled her eyebrows at Mikayla.
Mik giggled, "I won't ask."
He smiled at her. "You wouldn't get an answer anyway." She blushed at his wink. She looked back to Piccolo who was glancing at them between barking orders to the 'troops.' Time to get back to work.
She faced him again. "I hope you have fun then, meet me back here when you are done, okay? Dinner is on me."
He grinned evilly at the hidden implications behind her last statement and winked again. She looked puzzled for a moment before it dawned on her what she had said. She smacked his chest and let out a frazzled, "not like that! Perv! In front of your own daughter, too!"
She turned a deep shade of crimson as the said daughter hollered out a, "way to go, dad!"
"Both of you, OUT!" she ordered with a smile.
They complied, giggling on the way. Mikayla returned to work, blushing.
This was the fourth jewelry story they had been in. Pan was not satisfied on a single engagement ring. Then she had an idea.
"Dad? When is Mik's birthday? Do you remember?"
Gohan smiled dreamily. How could he ever forget that day... it was the day he lost his virginity to her...
"May..."
"PERFECT! THAT ONE!"
The jeweler removed a band with five stones. A larger center diamond ring, two emeralds on either side of that, and an amethyst on the ends.
"My birthstone, her birthstone, and your birthstone. April, May, and February."
He smiled at the thought of the surprise party Mik was planning for Pan's birthday next Saturday. He nodded his approval to the man behind the counter and he removed the ring for further inspection.
"We'll take it," he said, placing a gold card on the counter.
"And the lady's size?"
Pan pulled a pilfered ring out of her pocket. It was measured and found to be the same size as the displayed one. There would be no need for re-adjustments. They could take it with them. They left the store happy with their purchase, Pan jumping around her dad and Gohan clutching the red velvet box protectively in his hand.
"Want some ice cream?"
"Oh wow! Do I ever!"
He laughed at her exuberism and they headed to the nearest ice cream parlor.
When they got back to the club, it was in full swing. They were immediately ushered in through the front door ahead of the line earning a few groans and complaints. Inside, the only empty table was the front center table they were led to. They looked at the stage just as a new song was beginning. There... there was his love...
I'm lying beside you, just thinking 'bout us
To tired to go to sleep, I'm too much in love
He smiled at her words, knowing they were meant for him.
I know I'm crazy, but I can't close my eyes
I'm scared you won't be there, in the morning when I rise
She caught his gaze and smiled back.
Will you be there?
She was dressed in a green off-the-shoulder dress with black sheer flare sleeves and flare skirt, that stopped a little higher than mid thigh.
Now who do you dream about
When you're alone in your sleep
To who will you reach out
Oh let it be me
Her dancing became more pronounced, her hips swaying exaggeratedly. His smile broadened.
Now baby
You're my obsession, my addiction, my drug
Don't want to be with out you when I wake up
She crouched low to the stage slowly and slowly stood with a gleam of a naked shoulder and a wink.
Will you be there in the morning
Will you be there when I want you
Will you be there when I wake up
I need you to be there in the morning
He made his way across the dance floor, gently pushing his way past the congregated couples. His face beheld innocence, but his eyes gleamed with a secret.
Will you be there?
He fingered the velvet box in his pocket.
Well you're so close to me, but I feel so alone
The more that I touch you, the more I want
Don't know what to do, about me loving you
But I pray to Kami that you feel it too
The crowd noticed his mission to the mischievous glint in her eyes and they parted for him, watching with great interest. Some recognized him from the previous night.
Now baby
You're my obsession, my addiction, my drug
So let the candle grow into the great fire of love
The bouncers allowed him access up the three steps, to the stage, to his lady's side...
Will you be there in the morning
Will you be there when I want you
Will you be there when I wake up
I need you to be there in the morning
At the lyrical break he gave her a soft, sudden kiss.
I want to love you forever
Don't want a love that's now or never
Can't you see you've got me down on the floor
I want more... more....
He produced the box, opened it, and presented its treasure to his lady. She faltered only a moment in her song as he removed the ring and slipped it to its rightful place.
Will you be there in the morning
Will you be there when I want you
Will you be there when I wake up
I need you to be there in the morning
Later that night, Pan, Piccolo, Mikayla, and Gohan were in her apartment again. Pan was fast asleep in the guest room. Mik and Gohan were snuggled up together as she listen to the two males talk of strategies, sparring, and attacks. It was Sunday morning, just after five o'clock. It was after they heard the soft, deep breathing from Mikayla, indicating sleep, that their conversation changed.
"I wasn't meant to help her with this business forever, Gohan."
"What do you mean?"
"She thought once she had established herself she wouldn't need a 'male back-up' to get the respect she deserves. Some of our business associates won't talk to her, because she's female."
"I see." He put his chin in his hand thoughtfully.
"Isn't it gonna be hard on your relationship if you work days and she works nights?"
He looked down to her head in his lap and began stroking her hair.
"She doesn't know I was gonna talk to you about this."
"I won't tell her. And I'll think about it. Maybe hang around for a bit and see exactly what you do."
Piccolo let a sly smile cross his features.
There was another one this time. His name a whisper on the others' lips. Like a shiver, it passed through her. His small, sleek body shone like liquid silver and his thick, menacing tail would send her flying for yards. Would leave deep red welts that marred her skin wholly.
"Scream and die! Scream and die!"
She wouldn't give them the satisfaction. She kept her horrors to herself, grunting and groaning from the pressures and beatings. They wanted her to, oh yes, they wanted it very much.
But she would not scream. Instead, she bolted upright, awake, and drenched in sweat.
She was alone in her bed.
It was an automatic motion now, light, drawer, sketch, back to drawer, and cry. She had no idea why she was dreaming these things. Had no idea her mind was capable of creating such monsters. But the proof was in her sketchbook. Pages and pages of monsters and creatures that would slip into her dreams, shadows with no known origins, that would beat mercilessly on her. The same threat loomed in every visit... Scream... and die...
So she never screamed. And still she lived. Worked, slept, and dreamed. Like clockwork. She prayed once she had Gohan back, they would end. Hoping against hope it was her subconscious punishing her for being far from the one she loved. But these last two nights were far worse. And as her pencil flew across the pad, she noticed something bright on her skin. Pulling up her sleeve from her pajama's, she saw a deep, red welt...