Part II:

"I apologize for the wait, Mr. Briefs. I'll take you to your table right way."

The gentle murmur of conversation, coupled with the warm atmospheric melodies of a live band, filled theair as the dining room overflowed with an eclectic array of people that had joined the couple for dinner that evening.

"This place is really nice," Pan said softly; distracted by the view of the moonlit horizon just outside her window. "When you told me we were going out this wasn't exactly what I had in mind."

"Well, I thought we needed a change in pace." Trunks folded his napkin into his lap. "Besides, how often do I get the chance to see you in that sexy black dress?"

Coy, Pan blushed at the remark, her breasts lifting proudly in her corset as she reached over the table for the bread basket.

"Our compliments, Mr. Briefs," a waiter came to the table brandishing a bottle of wine. He poured the wine once he set down their menus. "May I suggest the house specialty tonight? Prosciutto di Parma e Melone," the waiter said; his rich Italian accent making the restaurant feel all the more authentic.

"That sounds delicious." Pan beamed, but Trunks waved offhandedly.

"Just give us a moment to decide."

Pan watched at the waiter left their table, breaking the dinner role in her hand. She ate quietly, noticing Trunks' expression as he stared grimly at his menu.

"Is something wrong?"

Trunks sat back in his seat, feeling his hand around in the breast pocket of his blazer for his lighter. He balanced a cigarette between his lips and lit it quickly. Blowing smoke through his nostrils in a sigh, Trunks studied his girlfriend's face for a moment. "Someone I know just decided to walk in."

"Someone I don't know?"

"My ex-girlfriend," Trunks said, his eyes narrowing as they darted across the room to a young woman who had just taken her seat.

Pan couldn't think of anything to say so she sipped from her wine glass.

"It doesn't matter. Don't let her bother you."

The young saiyajin considered what she had said a moment, sparing a quick glance over her shoulder, wondering who this enigmatic woman could have been. "Do you think she saw you? Which one is she?"

"Don't look now, but it's the woman with the red dress. She's sitting a few tables behind us."

With another discrete look over her shoulder, Pan was able to see the woman, who, no less than a year ago, had still been dating her boyfriend.

"She and I never really got along." Trunks said finally. "It was a mutual break up. It was the best decision I ever made in that relationship."

The woman in red, whose golden tresses reflected off the low lights, was dainty biting from her fork, picking at a small garden salad. Pan turned back toward Trunks, taking another piece of bread and breaking it in half. After a moment she furrowed her brow and said, "I wonder why she's alone?"

Later, the couple ate and drank with gusto, seemingly forgetting the woman in red. However, at times Pan would laugh too loudly, and Trunks would pay particular attention to his posture, his head high and shoulders back. They waited awhile for their dessert, exchanging looks before Pan daringly peaked over her shoulder again.

"She's still there, you know."

"If she's bothering you we can have our dessert somewhere else."

"No, it's alright." Pan said, gingerly tugging at a strand of hair. "If anything she's the one that should be bothered by us. She doesn't look to be having a good time… if you could see her."

It was at that moment the blonde wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin and stood. She left her table; her steps fluid, yet deliberate, the red dress, a wild and wanton thing, hugging her thighs and lifting her breasts into a generous spill of cleavage.

"Trunks? Trunks Briefs, is that you?" The blonde said tilting her head ambiguously nearly passing the couple as veered through the over crowded restaurant.

"Marron," Trunks stood greeting the girl. "What are you doing here?'

Pan sat uneasily as he embraced the pretty blonde, waiting patiently to be acknowledged. She stared into Trunks' face, ruddy and regular in the woman's presence. They had an instant rapport, completely relaxed in each other presence, when only moments before she had been almost an intrusion on their evening.

Silently, Pan began to wonder.

"I was just dropping by on business. It's been awhile since I've been back to West City." She smiled, giving his arm an affectionate squeeze. "How long has it been, Trunks? Two years? You look great."

"So do you." Trunks said, automatically.

A curt clearing of her throat turned Marron and Trunks to Pan, who in turn let her shoulders fall in a derisive shrug.

Trunks quickly interjected with a quick introduction. "Marron, this is my girlfriend, Pan. Pan, this is Marron."

Marron turned to Pan with a gesture of her hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Pan smiled, wryly. "Like wise."