A/N: Here you guys, a new chapter! I really appreciate the reviews. This chapter was much harder to write, it was hard fitting all I wanted into one chapter, but I managed. It ended up being quite a few pages longer obviously. xD I hope you guys enjoy it!

Exhale
Chapter 10: If I Go, I'm Goin'
DeepxWater

I stood staring at the luggage carousel that was mindlessly circling in the airport's lobby. My bag was coming around the corner and this time I wouldn't miss it. I quickly snatched up my suitcase before it disappeared out of sight for the third time. Proof that my mind was adrift somewhere else. Traveling from airport to airport had become such a routine for me over the past few years. I worked for one of the busiest modeling agencies in West City which required me to be all over the country. I ended up spending the majority of my time at work or sitting at home making plans for the next big shoot, which I really didn't mind, I loved my job. Being passionate about my job was what led me to Declan, and unfortunately, further away from Goten. Though he would never admit it, my job was the one thing he didn't like about me. It had been the source of many of our fights in the past, but even still, he had stuck around.

Declan came up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist. "Hey sweetie, you ready to get out of here?" I nodded my head. "I don't know, can I just crawl into a hole instead?" I joked. "It's not like you've never broken up with someone before Paris. I know it's never easy, but just think of when this is all done and over with." He kissed the tip of my nose, and cordially took my luggage off my hands.

"Yeah, but he's like head over heels for me, Declan. This is different. I'm not sure how he'll ever get over this," I said sadly. "I love you, I do. I just wish I would have met you before Goten and I had gotten so involved. It would have saved me so much trouble and guilt."

He thought about what I said. "I know babe.. but I'll be here for you when it's all over. Goten.. he.. he'll move on. Everyone does," he assured me. We walked side by side to the sliding doors that led to the parking lot. Declan and I had worked together for years, he was one of the head producers of the West City modeling agency. We had gotten to know each other a year after Goten and I started dating, and became good friends at work. Goten had met him a handful of times, but there had never been anything between us until now. I had never cheated on Goten until this weekend, but I had known all along that it would end here. I was going to tell Goten the partial truth and end things before it was too late.

I had received his text message last night as I lay awake in bed panicking over today's events. I knew I had to spit out the truth before Goten had a chance to tell me about his trip. He would be excited to tell me, he would be happy that I was back, and I couldn't put him through another second of being happy while I was carrying around the truth that would end us forever. He didn't deserve this, not from me, not from anyone. Goten was a gentle, caring soul. I wondered how much that would change once this was all over with. I knew remaining friends would be out of the question. He would hate me after today. The thought hit me like a brick through a window, I would not only lose his love, but most importantly his friendship.

As we stepped out of the airport lobby and into the crisp, cold November air, I pulled out my cell phone and typed out a text to Goten before bundling my jacket tightly around my body.

I'm back, Goten. We should meet up and talk. West City Café, 1pm.

xx Paris

Taking a final look at my phone I saw that it was almost 11am, as the minutes ticked by I became more and more nervous. The guilt that had begun growing in me a few months ago was almost suffocating me now. I had loved Goten and we had shared so many memories together, and now all that would come to an end. I was going to miss him dearly, but this was the sacrifice I had to make in order to move on with my life, a new life with someone else.

I gave Declan one last kiss before we parted ways. He walked off, my gaze following him with every step. He turned around and his eyes met mine, he smiled and I swore I fell in love all over again. I realized the next time we saw each other, we would no longer have anything holding us back. I would find lifelong happiness with this man. I only hoped that Goten would find the same.

oOoOoOo

It was 12:45. Paris would be here any minute. I was hardly ever early for anything, but this meeting was all I could think about since last night. Bra had seemed so sure of herself when she accused Paris of cheating. What if it was true? And if Paris had been cheating on me, why didn't Bra tell me sooner? Who else knew? Again my mind became flooded with questions that I just didn't have the answers to. I needed the truth. I needed to know that this was all just some big misunderstanding and that this wouldn't change anything.

I was pulled from my thoughts as I heard the bell above the café door jingle, letting me know someone had entered. Without turning around I knew it had to be Paris, the familiar clicking of her heels hitting the floor told me so. I looked in her direction and I immediately knew something wasn't right about this scenario. Paris looked quite grim, which actually wasn't far from her normal expression she displayed these past few months. Had Bra been right? Was this why Paris had seemed so distant lately? It would make sense. My heart sank at the thought. It can't be true. She couldn't do that, she loved me. Right?

Paris forced a smile as she sat down across from me at the booth. We were in a secluded area away from the many customers that had poured in during lunch time. I knew this conversation could turn sour quite fast, I didn't want to make a scene. But mostly I wanted privacy.

"Hey, sweety," I said as she adjusted herself in her seat. I could have sworn she winced at the name. She didn't seem the least bit comfortable. She looked as if she hadn't properly slept in days. It must be from all of the traveling. I wondered what was on her mind.

"Hey, Goten," she said, her voice wavering. Something was definitely wrong.

"What's wrong, Paris?" I asked, secretly hoping she would say nothing. "Goten, we need to talk," she said hurriedly, avoiding the question. I had a gut feeling that my world was about to come crashing down. I knew what those four little words entailed. I had dated enough girls to know that a sentence like that never led to anything good.

She reached across the table and gently took my hand in hers. "Goten, I don't want you to hate me after I tell you this. I didn't want it to be this way," she said, tears glistened in the corners of her eyes. My heart sank to the floor. I knew what was coming. I instantly snatched my hand away from her grasp. She was taken aback, but it was of no concern to me now. "What do you mean?"

"Look, Goten," she began. She clasped her hands together tightly. She could barely look in the eye. "There's been something I needed to tell you for awhile now. I just.. I don't think this relationship is what I want anymore," she said, a small tear had escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek, glistening in the dim light.

I lowered my head, it was all beginning to add up now. The distance between us, her not coming on the Vegas trip with me, and Bra's accusation all began to flood my head. "She was right," I said to myself. Bra was right. I shook my head as the realization took over. I looked at Paris, her expression softened and her eyebrow raised out of curiosity. "Who was right, Goten?" she inquired. It was my turn to avoid her question.

"You've been cheating on me, haven't you?" I asked. My voice cracked as I began to feel the fear growing inside me. All this time I was afraid of losing her, but it turns out I already had. She stared at me with shock, her silence said enough. "G-Goten listen.." she tried to begin. "Kami.. Y-you have." I felt the sadness in me turn into tears as I held them back. "Goten, I-I fell in love with someone else, but I couldn't bring myself to tell you until now. I wasn't ready," she uttered. I glared at her until the words sunk deep into my being. She's in love with someone else?

"So you strung me along all this time because YOU weren't ready to tell me? How the hell do you think that makes me feel, Paris. We loved each other, what the hell happened?!" I began to raise my voice. Paris tensed at my harsh words. Her eyes darted around the room, in hopes that no one had noticed my sudden outburst.

"I was afraid of hurting you Goten, I needed time to think how to approach this. I love you, I do. I'm just not in love with you anymore. I tried so hard not to fall in love with him, Goten, I really did," she confessed. Her voice shook with sadness as tears fell from her eyes.

"W-who is he?" I choked. I instantly wished I could take back those words. I really didn't want to know. Some man had swooped in and taken my place in her heart. For a minute I almost felt relief, but that feeling diminished as anger and hurt took over. She wiped the tears away, leaving her eyes strained and red. She glanced out the window and shook her head. Her eyes once again met mine. And I mentally prepared myself for what I didn't want to hear.

"It's Declan, from work.." she placed her fingers on her lips as if she wished she could take the name back. I clenched my fist at the thought of her being with someone else. I had only met the guy a handful of times, and I never once thought about there being anything between them. I had come here with the intention of not wanting to be with Paris anymore, but this was not how I wanted things to end. The thought of her being with someone else while she was supposed to be with me really pulled at my heart strings. I had shared so much with her, how could she not have had the decency to tell me before things escalated. I had wanted to marry this girl before, and she had been thinking about someone else for Kami knows how long. There was one more question that I needed to know, and I blurted it out before even thinking about it.

"How long?" I questioned her.

"Goten, it wasn't like that."

"How long Paris?" I demanded.

"A few months, Goten. But I never did anything more than kiss him until this weekend. I swear," I got up out of my seat and walked off before she could finish what she had to say. That was all I needed to hear.

oOoOoOo

I was angry. Bra had known. It didn't matter how long she knew, but the fact that she hadn't told me sooner was enough to send me over the edge. We had just spent the weekend in Vegas on a trip that Paris and I had intended to spend together. She had more than enough chances to tell me yet she chose not to. I didn't care if she thought she was protecting me or not, she should have told me, as soon as she had found out.

I followed Bra's ki to the photography studio she worked at in the city. It was late, I had spent the rest of the day trying to make sense of everything that had happened. Darkness had already fallen over the area, but the streetlights managed to light the way. The soft jingling of keys could be heard as I rounded the corner to Bra's studio. She was locking up the door just as I had arrived. She took the keys and shoved them into her purse. Bra looked up, her hand smacked against her chest and she gasped at the sight of me. I looked at her sadly, swallowing back the lump that had formed in my throat. It was too dark for her to notice. She swiftly regained her composure.

"Goten?" she asked, her hand falling to her side. "What are you doing here?" I never came to her studio unless it was important so the fact that I had shown up, she instinctively knew something was wrong.

"How long have you known about Paris?" I said blankly.

She looked at me with guilt in her eyes, clutching her purse tightly. "She told you?" Her facial expression showed concern. I darted her question. She already knew the answer.

I dug my hands deep into my jacket pockets as a cold wind blew around the corner. "I need to know, B." Before, I could talk to this girl about anything, I confided in her about stuff I had never told anyone, not even Paris. But suddenly it was like talking to stranger. Who knew one little thing could damage so much.

"I found out last week. Pan and I saw her at the mall with some guy, they were holding hands and she kissed him," her voice faded. She brushed the wind-blown hair from her face and shifted her body uncomfortably.

"Let me get this straight, you've known for a week now and you didn't bother to tell me?! You let me go on this damn trip to Vegas knowing Paris was cheating on me behind my back. She spent the fucking weekend with this guy while I was away, Bra! And who knows how many times she's done this before!" I growled. I was in no mood for being Mr. Nice Guy, I had already put up with enough shit.

"Goten, I didn't know how, I wasn't sure you would even believe me, which you proved right last night," she asserted. Her eyes glistened in the dim streetlight. Had the bitter wind caused her eyes to tear or was it me?

"Whether I believed you or not, you should have told me sooner! You're supposed to be my best friend. I tell you everything, good or bad! Why the hell did you keep this from me Bra?"

"I-I just, Goten I wanted you to have one more weekend of fun before you found out. Y-you had planned so much for this trip, you wouldn't have enjoyed it if you had known beforehand," she stammered. From the look on her face, I knew she had realized she had made a mistake.

"Exactly Bra! I wouldn't have enjoyed it, so fucking what!? I spent the whole weekend moping about her not being there, Bra, and you know it! Instead you tried to cheer me up and have fun, and avoid the worst that was to come? You've been completely fake with me the whole time you knew." She looked at the ground out of shame. She couldn't even look me in the eye and tell me it was true. I grew angry at her silence. I would regret what I was about to say.

"You know what I think, you took this as your opportunity to get with me. Paris couldn't go so now you had your fucking chance," I barked. She stared up at me, her face was filled with disbelief. Her lips parted and her cheeks flushed red.

"What the hell are you talking about Goten? W-why would I do that?" she probed. She was becoming defensive, and I knew I was about to cross the line of no return.

"Because you're in love with me that's why!"

"…." Bra went to speak but nothing came out. I had just dropped the mother of all bombs on her. What could she possibly say after that?

"When we were drunk at the hotel you fucking told me, not to mention everyone else telling me you're in love with me," she was jolted from her silence at my declaration.

"I.. I don't.." she said quietly, her voice quivering. She tried her best to sound truthful, but her voice gave way to the truth that she just couldn't deny.

"Oh, c'mon Bra. Just admit it already, you're in love with me!" I challenged her. My voice had grown eerily hollow.

"Fine! I love you, okay? I've loved you all these years. Is that what you want to hear, Goten?" Her voice cracked as tears threatened to fall from her lucid blue eyes. It was the first time I had ever heard her say those words to me and mean them.

"All those times you avoided hanging out with Paris and I, it was because you were jealous," I said delicately. I hadn't meant to sound so warmhearted, but it came out that way, yet Bra interpreted it as sarcasm.

"You're an asshole," she was about to rush past me, but I touched her arm. She looked up at me with empty eyes. Her heart was surely broken. I should have taken her in my arms right then, told her I was sorry. Told her I loved her too. But I didn't.

"You want to know the best part. While we were drunk, you came on to me, Bra. You were all over me." Her face paled and her eyes widened. I had mocked her so cruelly. For a moment, it was as if I was once again possessed by Bebi. That was far from what she had expected me to say, and it wasn't exactly the truth, I had played a part that night as well. She yanked her arm from my touch, and slowly shook her head. "No I didn't.." she hissed, her voice trailing off.

"If I hadn't stopped things as soon as I did, we probably would have slept together," I affirmed coldly. She gawked at me in horror. After a moment, her eyes filled with realization as the memories she had unconsciously stored from that night came back to her. She shook her head as her eyes lined with tears. Looking into her eyes, it finally dawned on me just how spiteful I had been towards her these past few days. I couldn't fix this now. What the hell is wrong with me? Before I could say anything, Bra brushed past me and flew off towards Capsule Corp.

"Bra.." I whispered as she disappeared out of sight.

Little did I know, that would be the last time I would see her for a very long time.

oOoOoOo

I flew home as fast as I could, the tears trailing behind me as I cried. All the memories from that night were so vivid now. It just took hearing those few words to bring it all back. I didn't want to remember. I had made a fool of myself. I had told him I loved him, forever crossing that line we had drawn in our friendship. How were we supposed to go back to being friends after that? The one relationship that had meant the most to me was now far beyond repair.

I wiped the tears from my eyes, accidentally smudging my black mascara all over my hand. I felt entirely too miserable to speak to anyone. I was in no way presentable to see my family right now so I landed on the balcony outside my room. My breath shown in the moonlight, the temperature had dropped drastically since I left Goten. His callous behavior had been as cold as the wind. He had been so damn heartless and why? Because of something that I didn't even do. I quietly opened the doors leading to my room and threw myself onto my queen-sized bed. The sheer curtains blew peacefully in the breeze. The pale, winter moonlight bled into my room, lighting the smallest amount of hope into this dark setting.

I don't think I have ever cried as much as I have in this past week, I thought.

I knew our friendship would never be the same, even if he were to forgive me. He had trusted me, and I had betrayed him by letting him live this lie. Pan and I should have told him as soon as we found out. I sat on the bed staring out into the cold night, the stars shimmering brightly in the sky. I laid on my stomach and buried my face in my arm as another round of sobs wracked my body. I hugged my pillow securely against my body.

I wanted so badly to be with Goten right now, yet at the same time I hated him for making me feel this way. He would have been the first person I would have turned to in a situation like this, but that lifeline had been severed. I would have to deal with this one on my own for now. The howling wind eventually died down and the ticking of my clock could be faintly heard.

If only I could turn back time.

oOoOoOo

I was walking past Bra's room, but stopped in my tracks as I heard a soft shuffling come from her balcony doors. After a quick scan for her ki, I knew she had arrived home. But why had she not come through the front door? It wasn't like Bra, she rarely liked to draw attention to herself, she had grown accustomed to doing things the 'human' way as she always put it. I held my breath and remained quiet to listen for any clues as to why she had avoided us. A soft sobbing could be heard. I listened for a moment, hearing her cry only tugged at my heartstrings. It wasn't like to me interfere when it came down to showing emotions, but I needed to comfort my daughter.

She was hurting over something or someone. Hmph. It was Kakarot's boy, it had to be. His ki had spiked earlier at an alarming rate, out of anger I had assumed. I may not seem like I care most of the time, but I almost always knew what was going on. The brat must have found out the truth about that wretched girl of his.

I gently knocked on her bedroom door. She did not answer, but she would sense it was me. I slowly opened the door to her bedroom. The balcony doors were open and the room was slightly freezing. The faint light from the moon illuminated her body, I could make out her disheveled head of hair on the pillow. She was attempting to drown out her sorrows.

"Bra?" I asked in the softest voice I had ever spoken.

"Daddy?" her voice quivered. She sat up, her face streaked with tears. Without saying a word, I sat down next to her. She buried her face in my shirt and I wrapped my arms around her protectively. It was the second time I had to console my daughter in the past two days. I now knew the extent of her feelings for Kakarot's boy. I had known along, but her behavior confirmed it. She was deeply in love with the boy.

"It's going to be okay, Princess." My chest tightened as she cried. I had a poor feeling things would get a lot worse before they got better. She was strong, she was a Saiyan, but I wasn't sure if this was a battle she could fight.

oOoOoOo

I hurried into my office, accidentally knocking over a pile of papers on my desk. Shit. Nice going Trunks. I picked up the phone that had been ringing off the hook. It had been an incredibly busy work day. Usually I wouldn't be bothered by calls, but the ringing had been persistent, it had to be important. It was my personal line that only close friends and family knew. I answered, "Hello? Trunks speaking."

"Please tell me you didn't know." I knew immediately who it was. I knew his voice anywhere. Goten.

Bra must have told him the truth last night, but I never had the chance to ask her how things went. I paused, trying to figure out what to say without hurting him. Nothing I said would make it better anyway. "I just found out last week, Goten. Pan and Bra told me," I said bluntly. I knew sugarcoating the situation wouldn't help the least bit.

"Who else knew Trunks? Uub, Marron?" Goten sounded distressed. It was obvious he was deeply hurt.

"Goten, I don't think it really matters, but yes, they know too," I admitted. I took a deep breath and sighed, "Look, I'm sorry, man. We just felt Bra should be the one to tell you. She's the closest to you."

I knew it wasn't what he wanted to hear, but the guy couldn't take any more lies at this point. Without being told, I knew he was beating himself up over not realizing it before. He had told me a month ago how distant Paris had been lately. During his relationship with Paris, I had seen him sad and I had seen him mad, but that was the first time I had ever seen him worry. It pained me to know he was hurting, he was like my brother after all.

Silence fell over the other line. "Goten, are you okay man?"

"I just need time to figure this out," he hesitated. His voice was tired and distant.

"I get it man, my door's always open though," I assured him.

"I know, Trunks. Look, I better go."

"Okay, Goten. Just take it easy, man." I barely had time to get my words out before he hung up. The poor guy had been through enough. I made a mental note to drop by and talk to him tomorrow in person.

oOoOoOo

I sniffed the air as I stepped in from outside, the heavy aroma of food hit my nostrils immediately, evoking a growl from my stomach. I had just spent the last hour indulged in a mini training session in the forest and managed to work up quite the appetite. I followed the aroma into the kitchen. "Hey guys, you need any help," I asked my parents. My dad was busy slaving away over the stove as my mother set the table.

"I think we're good here Panny," my dad said with a grin.

"Yeah, sweety. Should be ready any minute," my mother added.

There was a knock at the door. "I'll get it," I declared. I opened the door and was a bit surprised to see Trunks here. He didn't usually come unannounced, but I was more than happy to see him.

"Hey Trunks," I said, I made way for him to come in. He was always welcome in our home. I could sense there was something a little off, he seemed pretty tense.

"Hey, Panny," he said, leaning in and giving me a soft kiss on the lips. I closed the door behind him and I directed him into the dining area. Food had been freshly placed on the table, and I couldn't deny a Saiyan a free meal. I encouraged him to take a seat following my lead. He had been to dinner here plenty of times, my parents absolutely loved the company. To my surprise, my parents had been ecstatic when we announced we were dating. They knew he had a good head on his shoulders, and they also knew he could protect me, more so than a human could.

"Hey Trunks," my Dad greeted. "What brings you here?" he inquired, giving him a pat on the back. "Well, actually I was I needing to talk to Pan about something," he said carefully. "What is it?" I asked, catching the concern in his voice. He raised his eyebrows unsure if he should speak in front of my parents. "Is it Goten?" my father asked as he took a bite of his food. Trunks looked amazed. "H-how did you know that Gohan?" He smirked, "I figured it was, his ki spiked outrageously earlier, is everything okay with him?" Trunks lowered his head, "Not exactly, Bra finally told him about Paris." I gasped, "You're kidding."

My parents looked at us quizzically. "What about Paris?" My mother asked. I was too shocked to answer so Trunks continued, "Long story short, Paris has been cheating on him, and Bra was the one to tell him. He's not taking it very well."

"Wait, what?" my Dad questioned. "He was just here yesterday, we had a talk and he told me.." my Dad's voice trailed off quietly. His knife hit his plate rather loudly. "Told you what Dad?" He looked as if he hadn't meant to say that. "Uhm, he told me that he was ending things with Paris," he mumbled. "Is that all?" I asked, I knew he was leaving something out. "That's all," he said. My mother eyed him curiously. I knew she would be able to find out the truth. I let it slide this time. "I wonder why he would be so upset then, if he was planning to end things with her," I asked. "His pride I guess," Trunks stated.

"Maybe we should head over and check on Bra, Trunks," I suggested. I wasn't in the mood to finish my dinner. I hadn't heard a thing from Bra, which made me concerned. If she had told Goten, I would have expected her to call me and spill all the details. Things must have went horribly wrong.

"Yeah, sure. You guys don't mind if we bail, do you?" Trunks asked my parents kindly. He was always such a gentleman.

"No, not all. You two head over there and check on her, she needs you right now," my mother encouraged. Trunks nodded. We stood up, he reached for my hand and held on tightly as we walked to the door. I knew it was getting late, but I needed to know she was okay.

oOoOoOo

Trunks and I had made ourselves comfortable on Bra's bed as we hung out with her like we usually did. It was obvious she hadn't slept well, she looked unbelievably drained.

"I take it things didn't go so well with Goten yesterday," I said softly.

She shook her head sadly. "I've never seen him so angry before guys. He didn't believe me, and earlier he came by my studio when I was leaving and said some really fucked up things. Apparently, Paris came clean and he decided to take it all out on me." She sank back into her chair.

"Seriously, Goten flipped out on you? What did he say?" I asked. I couldn't imagine my Uncle having a bad bone in his body, unless it came to fighting for his loved ones. I would have to yell at him later.

"I don't really want to fucking talk about it, Pan. I can't relive it right now. But I do know he pretty much fucking hates me, and that's that." Trunks and I eyed her suspiciously. Bra was never the one to be so blunt and moody. Yes, she was Vegeta's daughter, but it was a side of her we had never really seen until now.

"Bra he doesn't hate you, he'll get over this," I said softly. I wasn't sure how long it would take, but I knew eventually this would all blow over.

"Yeah, Bra. Just give him some time, okay? Things will work out sooner or later," Trunks comforted her. He pulled her into a hug, I had rarely witnessed such a delicate moment between the two siblings. They had always been very close, but seeing Trunks comfort his little sister was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. He held her tightly and whispered something inaudible in her ear, which made her shed a few tears. I wondered what he said, but I felt it was better left between the two of them. I couldn't help but smile at the scene. He let her go and Bra quickly wiped her eyes.

"I know," she said, her eyes lit up briefly as she smiled genuinely for the first time. Uncomfortable with the situation, she quickly turned the focus to Trunks and I. "So when are you two getting married, huh?" Trunks and I looked at each other, both of us blushing. "We haven't really talked about it yet. Give us a few years," I giggled. Trunks threw his arm around me and pressed a kiss on my forehead.

As I glanced back at Bra, I noticed a trickle of blood running from her nose. "Bra," I said, I gestured to my nose, "you're bleeding." She looked at me and raised her hand to her nose. "Fuck," she said, "not again." She held the back of her hand to her nose, and hurriedly rushed to her bathroom. I looked at Trunks worriedly. "Again?" He shrugged his shoulders, and glanced in her direction. I walked to the bathroom door, peeking in. "Are you okay?" I asked. She swiped a tissue from her tissue box and held it to her nose as she sat on the edge of her bathtub. "I'm fine really. It's just a little nosebleed. I get them sometimes. Must be from stress." I furrowed my brow, since when had that been a problem? "Maybe you should go to the doctor, Bra. They could take a look at it."

"Don't be silly Pan. It's just a nosebleed," she said as she washed her face off with soap and water. She lightly dabbed at her face with a nearby hand towel, it seemed it had become too familiar of a routine for her. It worried me. Everything she had been going through lately had been affecting her more than I initially thought. I was concerned for my best friend. I never knew she had these nosebleeds.

What else had I been missing?

oOoOoOo

A few weeks had came and went. Bra had attempted to contact me several times, which I had ignored. I couldn't talk to her. I felt betrayed, by Paris, by Bra, by everyone around me. Our whole group of friends had known, and not one of them had the heart to tell me. I scanned through my phone at the many missed called I had received. They were all from Bra.

I wanted to answer, I wanted to hear her angelic voice one more time before I left this place. But my pride just wouldn't let me. I had decided a few days ago that I needed to get out of here. I had nothing holding me back now. I had family and friends sure, but the memories everywhere I looked were overwhelming. I had loved Paris. To the point that I would have married her. And then Bra, I had fallen for her. Just as Paris had fallen for someone else. But I wasn't the least bit ready for this, I needed more time to figure things out. I needed time on my own. Away from my family and my friends. I needed time to get over this.

I grabbed a bag out of my closet and packed a few of my belongings. I reached over and grabbed some photos out of my nightstand drawer. They were photos of family and friends. I didn't have time to look through them so I carefully slid them into the side pocket of my bag.

The clock flashed brightly, it was 5:00am. I would have to be out of here by sunrise if I didn't want to get caught. I reached back into the drawer and pulled out a small device. It was a bracelet, a device Bra had ingeniously created. She had been so proud of this accomplishment. After hearing stories of the many battles our parents had faced in the past, she had created a device that would mask our ki from future enemies. Once you slipped the bracelet on, your ki was no longer searchable to anyone. It would come in handy while I was away. I knew everyone would be out looking for me, but I would come home when I was ready. I sat down at my desk and quickly wrote out a note explaining that I would eventually be back and to not worry about me.

I would miss everyone dearly, but this was something I needed to do. When I came back, I could start fresh here. Everything would be perfect or so I thought. I only hoped Bra would be able to forgive me for leaving. My departure would undeniably hurt her the most.

oOoOoOo

The sun had just began to rise as I made myself comfortable in the airplane seat. Thankfully, I had a whole row to myself. I placed my bag on the floor and swallowed hard as I glanced out the window. Everyone's at home sleeping right now, they don't have a clue that I'm about to be long gone, I thought. I hope I'm doing the right thing.

My eyes fell from the window and landed on a photo protruding from my bag. I removed the photos from the pocket where they had been so carefully tucked in place. I flipped through them on by one, smiling at each photo as they held funny memories of my family. Then.. I came to a photo of Bra. I studied her for a moment, every little detail from the highlights in her hair to the shimmer in her eye. She looked incredibly beautiful, it had been weeks since I saw that smile. I frowned knowing she wouldn't be smiling like that for awhile. I brushed my fingers across her face as if to wipe the tears I knew I would cause her. I had broken her heart like a ruthless bastard, and she had no idea that I felt the same. I finally understood why she had done what she did, but it just wasn't enough to keep me here.

We could work things out once I returned, right?

I would come back, eventually. I took one last look at her before slipping the photo back into the side pocket.

I loved her, I didn't want to forget her.

A/N: Next chapter will most likely be up late next week. I have a few other priorities to attend to, but I'm hoping to fit some writing time in this week. As you will notice I'm not trying to make Paris out to be a bad person, I feel including her point of view is crucial because this won't be the last we'll see of her. And as for Goten and Bra.. I'll have to keep you guys in the dark for now. You'll just have to see how things work out. I'm curious as to what you guys think about this chapter. Leave your thoughts, please. ^_^