Chapter 10

"Urrr. Darn boredom. What is a girl to do around here other than sit around on a huge bed? after sleeping for two days straight!...man I need something to eat. And drink. And DO!" Pan jumped off the bed, dressing into black combats, boots, her black tank top that she thought would rip from her bust at any moments and bra underneath it. She then stormed out of the room, fully intent on going to the mess hall/canteen. She intended on finding out what it was called too. But when she get outside, there were two soldiers on guard. One she knew and scowled on a war path towards him.

"Kicho! Why the HFIL are you two guarding my door?"

"We have our orders Pan. You are not to leave your room. so I am afraid that I have to ask you to go back insi."

"Let me tell you something Mister Kicho Mode. We are both Major's here and I am not a person to be bossed or ordered around by my peers and equals. Or sometimes my betters but I am working on that one. Anyway, I need to eat, I need to drink. Or I will fade away and I am cranky as it is. So get out of my way before I move you out of my way!" She shoved him to one side but he side stepped her (impressive) and caught her wrists, pinning them behind her back (not so impressive! Grr!).

"Sorry Pan but I have my orders. Sorry…" he threw her back in her room and she heard the door lock.

"Darn it all!"

"Don't worry Pan. I sent my associate to get you something to eat and drink ok?"

"Could you ask him to get me a bowl of freedom by any chance?"

"Sorry Pan. Fresh out of freedom."

"Shoot." She huffed at the door and slummed on the bed. "Now what?" she closed her eyes in thought, but opened them as the door opened. Kicho walked in and locked the door behind him.

"Hay. How you feeling?"

"Like a caged animal. You?"

"Like a lousy friend."

"Good. That saves me having to tell you how much of a lousy friend you are." She humpfed and pouted on the bed with her eyes shut and wearing her famous scowl.

"Thanks." He sat next to her and put her gun down at the other side of him. "Hay." He nudged her side, but she turned her back to him. "Don't be like that Pan. I'm only following orders. I should be the one upset."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Because I have to keep you here against my will and miss out on that coffee for a whole week. Possibly longer from the sounds of things."

"Kicho? Where you there when I was rescued from Vegeta?" Kicho's face fell and decided he didn't really like this sudden change of subject. Pan turned and looked deep into his eyes, not needing to voice her need for the answer.

"Yeah…I was there."

"How did I look?"

"Messed up. Out like a light. I had to put you on the operating table myself." Well, I didn't lie to you Pan. But I didn't tell you the whole truth either…damn I hate having to keep everything I know from you. But orders are orders I guess.

"Man…that bad huh? Oh Vegeta. He couldn't have. I refuse to believe it. He would never hurt me never!" Pan blurted out into tears and Kicho pulled her into a hug, patting her back to comfort her. "I know Vegeta; he is like a father to me. He even tried to be my father sometimes. I sometimes with he was my father. But, but, he would never, I know he, he wouldn't he."

"Shhh calm down Pan. You are talking nonsense." He rocked her in his arms until she calmed down. Tears still stained her red eyes and puffy cheeks. But she wasn't crying anymore.

"I have to see him."

"What? No way!"

"I have to Kicho. He is like my father. I know he wouldn't have hurt me unless I made him somehow. You weren't there before he attacked me. Maybe I hit him first. Maybe it was my fault. I can't remember, that means anything could have happened."

"I wont let you leave Pan. I can't."

"You don't have a choice Kicho. You have seen only a small fraction of what I am capable off. You know you can't stop me."

"But Pan…if you go you might not be able to come back." Pan became still and closed her eyes. Tears seeping through her closed lids.

"r, really?"

"Yes Pan. You will be branded a deserter and well, you can never come back if you leave."

"I don't want to be a deserter. I don't…"

"You are tired. Get some sleep. you look a wreak."

"Thanks. You look like crap your self."

"That's my Pan. Biting back as usual. Get your mind clear and I will come back with your food. My friend will probably be waiting for me to come out. I will be back with your food and water. Ok?"

"ok." Kicho smiled and got up. He headed towards the door with his gun, slowly and watching her, just encase. Pan lost herself in her thoughts as he backed away and left the room.

If I leave, I cant come back. If I leave, I will find out why PV tried to hurt me. If I stay, I will be held here and treated like some piece of meat by the soldiers. If I stay, I will never know why PV tried to hurt me. Oh Momma. Papa. I never even thought of you did I? I didn't even think about what my running away would be putting you through. And Bulma, how could I just join up to the very army that has taken away your pride and joy? Am I really that selfish that I never thought of you or my parents? Or PV. All you wanted to do was train with me. That's all. And I run away. I, I, I can't stay here. I have to go home. Home. That sounds so distant and far away. I have only been here for maybe a week. And home sounds so warm and sweet. I can see it now, Momma and Papa with open arms, teary faces and welcoming smiles. PV in the GR like usual. I'm coming Home Momma, Papa and PV. Home, here I come!

Kicho was just about to enter the room with a full tray of food and bottle of water, when a loud explosion knocked him back against the wall. He dropped the tray and ran into the room. The ceiling between Pan and the sky was now just a cloud of dust and Pan was already a dot in the sky, getting smaller and smaller by the second.

"Damn!" He pressed his com badge and patched straight through to Dr Gero. "Sir, we have a slight Problem with Pan."

"Why? What is wrong with her?"

"She isn't in the building."

"Well then why the HFIL are you talking to me and why aren't you running after her!"

"Because I cant fly sir."

"I will send the air base orders to collect her. darn I hoped she would stay of her own free will. She seemed to like it here."

"Well, she didn't quite believe our cover story of Vegeta kicking the snot out of her and went o him. And I don't think she intends on coming back Sir."

"Darn, I can't send anyone after her is she is going to them. Then they will catch on that we think she is valuable and start to wonder why. It is too risky. We will have to let her go for now. She doesn't know what we did to her or how she helped our cause."

"Very well Sir."

"To your post Major."

"Yes sir. Signing off." Kicho stepped over the rubble and back to his partner. He just hoped that Pan didn't get into any trouble out there. And a certain 'project perfection' started to feel empty, like something was missing…

Pan where are you?...I can't see you…