A/N: I don't own DBGT or the characters. No Flames but constructive criticism welcome.Thank-you to everyone who reviewed. It's nice to know people enjoy what you write.
Kiaora
Chapter TwoIn the living room, the natives were getting restless. Finally Gohan had had enough. He stood and faced the only person who would tell them straight what was going on. "What the hell is going on, Vegeta? Why did your boy tell us to come here if all we're going to do is sit here?"
The Saiyan prince glowered at him, and was going to take the chance to snarl at Kakarots brat when he was interrupted by an amused voice. "Don't you want to see me again Papa?"
Eons passed, stars were born and then faded. Races rose and fell. Planets perished. And Gohan could only stare at the figure of his little girl who he thought he'd lost forever. With the strangled cry of a wounded animal Gohan leapt toward his daughter. "Pan! Dende Pan, you're alive!" He swept her up in his arms, holding her with all his might, scared that if he let her go she'd disappear again. And for the first time in a long time, he wept.
Pan returned her fathers choking embrace, glad that she was at least quarter saiyan, else she would have been crushed to death. When his shoulders started to shake, she slowly disentangled her arms from him and cupped his face. "Papa, Papa. I'm sorry, so sorry. But I'm back now, I'm back." She looked into his eyes and saw the years of fear and sorrow looking back at her. "Dende Papa. I'm so sorry."
Gohan only shook his head and wrapped his arms around her again. After his tears had subsided he tugged her over to where Videl sat, clutching Gosan in her lap, tears silently tracking down her face.
"Mama." Videl handed her son to her husband and pulled Pan down beside her on the couch. They embraced tightly.
The others looked on, smiling and teary-eyed, happy a family had been reunited. After Videl had released Pan she was handed Gosan and was introduced to her 2-year-old brother for the first time. She held him up to look him in the face and he gurgled happily at her, as his tiny tail wrapped around her wrist. She grinned at him.
A peaceful atmosphere settled over the room. Of course it was not to last.
"Hey, how come no-one told me I had a new grandson?"
Chichis' head shot up in shock as she heard the familiar voice of her husband. Goku grinned as Chichi gaped at him. "Hi Honey." With a strangled gasp, she launched herself at him. They held each other tightly. When she pulled away confusion was plain on her face, "What?..How?..Wha?.." Goku smiled gently and replied "All in good time."
Turning to Gohan he embraced his son. He then hauled Goten up by the arm and squeezed him too. "I've missed you both," He smiled affectionately, "Now, where's my grandson?"
Pan handed over Gosan and Goku cradled him protectively. "He's going to be a fighter." Goku grinned as Gosan tried to bite his fingers.
Vegeta snorted in utter disgust as the Sons played happy families. It was nauseating, watching the downfall of his once mighty Saiyan race. Here they were, all reduced to cooing at babies. He shuddered.
Bulma sighed happily, as order was once again regained to their little group. Now that the reunions were over..She wanted answers and she would get them.
She stood and cleared her throat and once she had garnered everyone's attention, began to speak.
"Well, Pan, Goku. You've got no idea how wonderful it is to have you back home with us. But now you have some explaining to do. And," She continued seeing Goku open his mouth to speak, "If you don't talk you won't get fed." She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow stubborn look firmly in place. Pan and Goku looked on helplessly as all the others agreed with Bulma.
"Hey, you can't do that. We need.." Pan trailed of as she noticed the angry looks she was getting from Goten and Gohan.
Goku, seeing Pan wasn't going to get anywhere, decided he'd try and negotiate. He was REALLY hungry.
"Look, guys. We understand you want to know what happened and well, you understand we want to eat, so why don't we do both? We'll eat and tell you what happened. Please?" He turned his puppy dog eyes on Bulma and then Chichi, knowing neither of them would refuse him food. It just wasn't possible.
Chichi relented first. "Fine. How about we all go to the kitchen and you and Pan can start talking while we cook and then you can eat."
Goku beamed. "That's perfect."
So, the whole gang traipsed to the kitchen except for Vegeta who only had to turn around. As Pan passed Goku she elbowed him in the ribs and hissed, "You are such a suck-up."
"Got us fed, didn't it?" He very maturely stuck out his tongue at her. She rolled her eyes.
Once everyone was seated around the table and Bulma, Videl and Chichi were bustling around the kitchen; Pan looked around everyone truly seeing them for the first time in ages.
Her Mum and Dad looked relieved. Her papa hadn't changed at all and still had the serious air that she'd always known surrounding him. Her mother was still beautiful. She looked older though. Pan quickly moved on, not wanting to think about the implications of that.
She looked next at her Uncle. Goten still looked boyishly charming although his eyes were more serious now. Older, wiser. When he grinned though, the laughter all came back.
Smiling she moved onto Bura and her mother, Bulma. Almost identical in looks, Bura had grown up, but then so had Bulma. She was starting to look old. Bura, though had turned into a beautiful women. She had the temper of Bulma and if suited, could have the attitude of Vegeta.
She smiled when she saw her and her uncle exchange secret glances. So there was something there. Mentally Pan chuckled, deciding she'd definitely have to find out what was going on.
She transferred her gaze to Chichi who had taken a break from cooking and was wrapped again in Gokus arms. She had to laugh when she saw the look on Gokus face. Her grandmother had obviously taken it upon herself to personally chastise Goku and from his expression she was doing a good job. Other than that she looked happy. And that was all Pan had ever wanted for her grandparents.
She took in the last two of the group. Vegeta and Trunks. Father and Son. Night and Day. Pan shook her head, wondering how on Earth two people related could be so different. Trunks was open, warm and caring. Vegeta, well he was Vegeta. Pan couldn't really describe him. Neither had really changed. Trunks looked more settled, more responsible. And Vegeta, he looked. He didn't look anything. He was emotionless. Pan frowned, then shook it off. She wasn't about to start worrying about things that weren't her business.
Buras insistent voice broke her out of her musings, as she demanded, "Well are you going to tell us why you decided to go off by yourself into places unknown?"
Pan guiltily looked around the expectant faces staring at her. "Uh, well, yeah. But um, Grandpas going to tell you what happened to him first." With a satisfied grin she sat back and looked at Goku. He stared open mouthed at her.
"But Pan.."
"No, you said you'd go first."
"But.."
"Damn it, just somebody start!" The order was barked out and the pair jumped at Videls tone.
Goku winced. "Ok, ok. Well it started when the Black Star Dragon Balls..." He stopped abruptly at Chichis shriek.
"What? What?" Pan and Goku looked wildly around trying to find the danger.
Chichi slowly pointed at Pan. Pans eyes widened and she started to pat herself down frantically, looking for something wrong.
Chichi opened and closed her mouth several times and finally managed, "Tail..She's got a tail."
Pan stopped her movements and slowly started to smile as everyone, except Goku, stopped and stared at her or more specifically at the dark brown tail that had unwound from her waist and was slowly swaying behind her.
"Oh that."