Sometimes life has its way with you. It takes you by surprise, takes you to places you can't imagine even in your wildest dreams. Time accompanies you and before you know it you have grown and matured. The real you starts to emerge and shine. Those are the moments worth fighting for.

For me that moment came 3 years ago when I had just started my final year at west city university. I didn't consider the repercussions of my decision at the time, I just knew it was what I wanted to do. Part of me felt like it was what I was meant to do.

Earth was my home but I felt the universe calling me. It's where I wanted to be, where I needed to be. Out there, in Space.

It's not my first time but this time I felt a different pull. I was no longer that bratty little girl throwing a tantrum because she couldn't go on an adventure with her then much older saiyan counterparts.

Bulma jokingly gave me the offer, not expecting me to accept it steadfastly. After all, I was only 20 years old and thanks to my saiyan heritage I looked much younger than I was.

But this was an opportunity I could not miss. A year in Space on the Capsule Corporation Alpha 1 for their first intergalactic expedition. Well first 'official' one anyway. A team of 9 other highly trained astronauts and engineers…and me.

It might seem outrageous to the outside world, but they don't know that out of the 10 people on the aircraft, I was the only one with the actual experience of being out in space. The grand tour seems like it was an eternity ago but thanks to my time there and Trunks, I can disassemble and reassemble a CC Spacecraft with my eyes closed.

After a month of begging and pleading to my parents they finally agreed. So I took off and here I am 3 years later. A journey that has lasted longer than anyone anticipated. And I can honestly say I haven't regretted my decision once.

Sure I miss home. I miss my family and friends but what technology the way it is in this day and age it is so simple to pick up my phone and just video call the people I love. This thought just brings my attention back to the person at hand.

The white noise of the Spacecraft hums in the background but I've grown to block it out. No, now my focus is entirely on the figure frowning at me through the computer screen.

"So when are you coming home?" The familiar voice breaks me out of my silence. I look up, giving her a slight smirk.

"Soon." Is all I say in reply.

"Pan, you've said that every time I've asked in the last 3 years." The princess lets out aspiratedly.

And She's right, so I can't fault her there. I was able to complete my final year of university through correspondence while out here and through my parents' insistence I'm currently completing my masters in aerospace engineering. In 7 months I'll be done with my studies and will officially become a part of the Capsule Corporation rocket science department.

"I mean it this time." I say but Bulla just rolls her eyes clearly not believing me.

"Sure. Come on Pan, I need you here. Do you know how hard it is living without my best friend at my beck and call?" Now it's my turn to roll my eyes at her antics.

"I have nobody to talk to about all the drama going on over here."

Now this peaks my interest and the princess notices because she gives me a small smirk. I have to admit my little gossip sessions with Bulla are my guilty pleasures.

And her being my best friend, takes it upon herself to keep me updated on all things earth.

"Drama? What drama?"

Bulla ignores my inquiries and picks at her freshly done manicure knowing very well it will piss me off.

"Bulla, come on. Don't hold out on me now."

Again she ignores me and continues to pick at her nails "If you came home, you wouldn't need me to be your source of info in all things west city."

Before I know it, a sense of melancholy hits me in the chest.

"Is it Trunks?" I ask and she lets out a breath of irritation.

"How do you always know? Did he already call and tell you about it?"

Part of me wants to tell her the truth but how could I when I don't understand it myself.

"No, I haven't spoken to Trunks in a very long time. Just had a feeling. What happened?"

"He and Marron broke up."

"What!!!? Why? I thought things were going well." I say somewhat shocked. Trunks and Marron have been together for almost a year now and from what I've seen and heard on the rare occasion that I got a video call from either of them, they were happy together.

Marron was good for Trunks, it's what he needed after that mess of a relationship he had with Mai.

"I don't know… neither of them will speak about it. And Trunk won't even speak to Goten about it. He just Buries himself in his work. And when he is not working he's drinking, although it's not like the alcohol affects him that much." I can tell that Bulla is worried about him.

I'm not really sure what to say about all this. The last time I spoke to Trunks, he and Marron had just gotten together and for the most part they seemed really happy. For once I actually thought he found the right person. Maybe they are just getting cold feet, since from what Bulla has told me, they had become pretty serious.

"I think he just needs time. Marron and him are good together and if it's in their destiny then they'll find their way back to each other."

"Panny, when did you become such a romantic?" She asks, finally smiling again.

"Oh Shut it princess."

"Now now Pan, this wouldn't have anything to do with your new boy toy would it?"

"He's not my boy toy Bulla, and anyway nothing really happened."

She narrows her eyes suspiciously

"Nothing 'really' happened? So that means something did happen!!! Pan Son you better spill, you can't hold out on your best friend."

"Urrrg fine. We… kissed."

She squealed " Oh my God Pan. When? How was it? Did he use tongue?"

"Kami Bulla, don't be disgusting."

"Panny, there is nothing disgusting about a hot guy sticking his tongue down your throat. Now stop trying to avoid the question."

"Fine. It was good."

"Pan!"

"Okay okay. So remember how I said he's recently been paying more attention to me than usual?" She nods enthusiastically "And you said that it was always like, but I just didn't notice because 'I' wasn't interested?"

"Yeah…" She drags out the word impatiently.

"Well…I think that I might be interested now." Bulla lets out a loud shriek at that. "Oh my kami Pan!!!"

Bulla stop!" I say covering my face with my hands trying to stop the small blush from creeping on my face. "Sorry, go on..." she says calmly but I can still see her giddiness.

"Anyway, last night we were on night duty together, and we were just talking… and he was getting closer and voice was getting huskier and before I knew it his lips were on mine."

"What did you do then? Please tell me you kissed him back?" She is practically bouncing in her seat at this point.

"Well… no. Not at first at least. I got really nervous at first. The only other person I've kissed is my dear high school sweetheart who wouldn't even move past a peck because he was terrified of my grandpa, and not even the powerful alien one at that."

Bulla lets out a chuckle remembering those exact scenarios.

"Anyway I was nervous so I pulled away at first." I can see the disappointment in her eyes. " but then I kissed him back. For a while in fact. I've never been kissed like that before" I say as a small blush does starts to creep onto my cheeks.

"So It was good?" She asks excitedly.

"Do you really need the details?" I ask, already knowing the answer before she even starts nodding excitedly "Fine…It was great. He was gentle though. Maybe a little too gentle, but Kami, do I want to do it again." Bulla lets out another shriek at that.

"Then what the hell are you doing talking to me? You should be climbing all up in his bed right now."

"Bulla, I'm not going to sleep with him."

"Why the hell not? If I had the chance, I would be sexing up every hot guy in a 10 mile radius but unfortunately I have a scary saiyan dad watching my every move and threatening every guy that comes close to me with death. You should be taking advantage of the fact that your scary saiyan dad is light years away"

"Please, you brush off any guy who shows interest in you anyway."

"Well excuse me for having standards. It's not my fault they're all weaklings."

"Well you got me there, but if I can look past that, then so can you."

"Yeah yeah, don't change the subject. We are talking about you here. So what happened after the kiss?"

"It was actually a little awkward but I think maybe we are going to see where things go with us. We're not dating yet or anything but that might be where we are heading."

"So do you actually have feelings for him?"

"Yeah… I guess I do. But I want to take this slow. Things are usually great until they find out about our family background and I'm not even talking about our saiyan secrets."

"You mean that your grandfather is a billionaire? that kind of money intimidates people "

"You know it better than I do."

"Oh how hard the lives we live are, being so young, rich and beautiful" she sighs dramatically and I just roll my eyes. "Oh yeah, poor little rich girls and all that." We both giggle at the silliness of our problems.

"Well I should actually go now." I say catching a glimpse of the time.

"So soon? Pan, No. I have so much more to tell you. Don't you want to hear about Goten and his new conquest?" Bulla Pouts.

"As tempting as it sounds, it's going to have to wait. My captain doesn't entertain latecomers."

"Err okay, but promise you will call me again soon."

"I promise, love you B."

"I love you too Panny, see you soon."

After showering and dressing, I make my way to the cockpit for our final expedition meeting.

Our captain Amelia Clark Jones, and our vice captain Adam Anderson are already there waiting for us. It seems like I was the only one in a rush to get here as the rest of our crew is still absent.

"Good Morning Pan" Amelia says with a smile. While Adam just grunts in my direction. I return the sentiments considering I'm not his biggest fan.

"Where is everyone?" I look around and I'm a little confused at why the others are not here yet. It's not like them to be tardy for meetings.

"Well we actually wanted to speak to you first before Jane gets here. The others have been excused from todays meeting." She says as she shares a look with Adam.

"Okay." I say confused.

"So as you know, the three of us are the only remaining members of the original Ten that started this expedition, and I have to admit both Adam and I were a little weary when we found out you were to join us."

Now that's an understatement if I've ever heard one. While Amelia did put in a little effort to hide how she felt about having an 'inexperienced' college student on the team, Adam was very open with his disdain for me me, going as far as outright yelling at me at one point when I got to stay, over his long time fling when the second year of the expedition commenced.

"But we can honestly say you have been an irreplaceable member of this team."

"Thank You Captain." I say feeling touched by her sentiments.

"You know Pan, I've heard rumors that your hire came directly from the ceo's office, but I've never wanted to pry before.

I'm surprised at the silent question in the captain statement. Technically, I was directly hired by Bulma when the recruitment process was started but I wonder if I should disclose this information to them or not. The last thing I want is to seem even more under qualified to be here or that I used family connections to get in, even if thats partly the truth.

They wont understood how or why Bulma even proposed the option to me in the first place but knowing they are waiting for an answer and not wanting to lie futher, I just nod my head in confirmation.

"How is that possible, you were practically a child- "

"Adam." Amelia says sternly, cutting him off from saying more.

"Well since you were hired directly by the big boss, I don't think I need to remind you about how confidential our findings during this time are, right?" she asks and I give her a firm nod.

"While as far as the others are concerned, this endeavor was to research the different types of minerals found in our solar system. Minerals that could be used as alternative fuel sources... but I know you are aware of the truth." I open my mouth to speak but she just holds a hand up to stop me.

"You are aware of how far outside solar system we actually traveled in the past 3 years. And I also know you are aware of the galactic patrol members that we came across."

"Im not sure what you are talking abo-" I try to say.

"Pan you dont need to pretend. I know you saw the documentations and that you are now aware that there are actually other lifeforms in space. I just need to make sure that you know how confidential this information is."

I wonder for a moment if I should just try to deny it futher, but I know I cant convinced her, so I give in this one time and tell the truth.

"Captain, you can rest assured, all that has been seen and heard during this time will never be repeated to anyone outside of our Immediate team standind in this room. I do have an ironclad NDA. And in addition to that, when Dr Bulma Briefs recruited me, we did discuss our true mission and objectives, so my silence is guaranteed."

That revelation startles both of them and they stare at me wide eyed."What do you mean you know the true objectives?"

"It means that I was briefed extensively just as the both of you were. But it was made clear to me that I was not to involve myself in the negotiations but to merely observe and learn, as this would be beneficial for my degree and my future in the Capsule Corporation."I say with a firmness in my voice that leaves no more room for discussion or questions.

Now this is just a little exaggeration to appease the Captain really, when in truth I had no real investment in this journey. Bulma and I didnt discuss much about any of this, she gave me a brief overview of what the team will think this mission is about and that was it. I personally wasn't all that interested, I was just playing the part.

So even though I did prove to be an invaluable asset, or so I've heard from the team. All I wanted was to do was get back back to space and Bulma gave her that opportunity.

Now I can't come straight out and tell them that my knowledge and experience with alien life forms far surpasses their own knowledge, and that their supposed 'negotiations' with Jaco and the Galatic force is just a formality since the government is involved with this venture. Bulma had to keep up the appearance of this being a starting venture for her space pursuits after all. So she fed them this little lie to keep up that storyline. That this was CC's first ever space expedition.

"Figures." Adam scoffs but we both ignore him. "Well in that case I suppose we don't have to worry about you sticking to your NDA after what you will learn today. Commander Jensen on the 1st station back at home base insisted that since you are one of our longest lasting crew members still on task, and additionally one of the original members of the team, you along with Jane Standton should be included in our end of venture conference with DR Briefs."

"A conference? When?" I asks, confused as this was the first time I've heard of it. I was sure Bulma would have mentioned it the last time she called me to check in.

"In a few minutes actually, I know It's short notice but this just sprung on us as well." The Captain says looking a little more than just concerned.

"We have already prepped Jane, she's getting ready. Would you like to freshen up as well, Pan?" I look at captain Amelia in a confusion. Why would I need to freshen up for a video conference with Bulma. I'm in my CC jumpsuit that should be standard enough and Adam is literally in sweats so I don't see the need to change or get all done up, plus it's just Bulma.

"I think I'm good Captain" I say, not even bothering to brush away the stray hairs that escaped my high ponytail.

She raises a brow as my answer but just shrugs her shoulders leaving me all the more confused.

15 minutes later Jane arrives looking like she is going to walk the runway instead of participating in a meeting with her boss. I roll my eyes waiting to get this meeting started. I will admit that this time I am pretty curious to what Bulma has to say, considering the fuss everyone is making here.

Finally the large TV switches on and the broken look in the person's eyes was not what I was expecting to see.

"Trunks"