Summary: 27-year-old Goten lives vicariously through his best friends. His life takes an unexpected turn when he falls for the local bartender, who plans to move to North City to begin her life after college. His father who has been in and out of his life, finally decides to stay for good. A confused Goten doesn't know if this will help him move forward or fall back.

Almost Friends: Prologue

Goten loved spending time with his niece. Gohan would ask her to babysit her since they have a new baby to keep her entertained. Gohan also knew Pan would tell her Uncle what was bothering her. He wanted to understand why Pan had been fighting some of the girls at her school.

Goten told Videl that Pan acted out due to a lack of attention, so he wouldn't mind babysitting her occasionally. Spending time with Pan will allow him to keep his mind off of his anxiety and how his life is currently going.

Goten's life isn't where he thought it would be. Besides having his own Dojo/gym, he hasn't accomplished anything he set his mind to do.

He never said anything to his best friends, Marron, and Trunks about this because, to the son of Goku, he felt they would never understand. They were able to accomplish everything and then some more.

So, Goten is living vicariously through his best friends until everything works out for him whenever that happens for him.

"Uncle Goten, you don't have to babysit me!" She whined as the two of them went on a walk. "I'm thirteen, I can handle myself!" She added.

Goten couldn't help, but laugh at her, "I was saying the same thing at thirteen and look what happened to me." He admitted with a sad tone.

That alerted his niece, "What's wrong Uncle Goten?" She asked.

That was a question he was hoping she wouldn't have asked. It's not like he is upset with his life, he wants better for himself. He has his own Dojo/gym which he dreamed of owning since he could remember, but that was the only thing he accomplished.

He wants to settle down with someone but he hasn't found the one yet. It doesn't help that Trunks, his long-time best friend, has been looking at rings because he wants to propose to his long-time girlfriend.

Goten also dreamt of being a world champion fighter, and after his injury, he couldn't bring himself to train like he used to. Trunks always try to convince him to try again. It took Goten almost nine months to recover from his nearly career-ending injury. As much as he appreciates Trunks' kind words, he knows it is better if he doesn't. Marron is more understanding, but she hopes one day he will try again.

He would never have thought that at 27, he would be so confused with his life, but here he is. Sometimes he wishes his dad was back from training Uub, so he could talk to him, but he doubts his dad ever had anxiety about life.

He patted Pan on the head, "You will understand in a few years. I have anxiety about my life, that's all." His niece looked at him concerned, "I'll be all right Panny, don't worry about me."

She stopped walking, "I'm going to worry about you, Uncle Goten, but I know whatever you are feeling, it will pass." She started walking again.

He smiled at her, "And when did you become so wise?" He asked.

"I have always been wise, Uncle Goten! She admitted. He couldn't help, but laugh at her. "Now, Pan, why have you been fighting girls at your school?" He asked. Gohan and Videl knew she would never tell them anything. Goten knew his brother wanted to know and he knew that Pan would tell him the truth.

She sighed, "It's embarrassing," She pouted as she saw a bench and sat down. Goten sat beside her on the bench, "That's why I haven't told Poppa and Mom."

"They are worried about you, that's all." He explained. She looked up at the sky and took a deep breath before she looked at her Uncle. "You can tell me, Pan. It doesn't matter how embarrassing you think it is."

Goten has been a teenager before, so he knows that opening up to an adult is scary. He also knows that every teenager needs at least one adult they can trust and rely on. He wanted to be that adult for Pan. He doesn't want to pry, but it's not normal for his niece to fight, especially at school.

She cleared her throat, "This boy named Kai asked me out and I was super happy. I was going to go on my first date with him that weekend. This girl named Skylar started this rumor saying I pay guys to date me." She started, "She started this rumor because she and I like the same guy! I had no idea."

Goten felt Pan's power level increasing. He knew she was still angry about this.

"Of course, she scared Kai off." Pan cried, "He was the first boy I like-"

Goten cut her off, "So is this why you fought her?" He asked. She shook her head. "Oh, no. I'm not getting to the worst part"

Pan wiped her tears and sighed, "I was so upset about this happening, Gia, my best friend wanted to cheer me up. When I was leaving school last week, I saw Skylar kissing Kai." The hybrid saw his niece make a fist, "And I lost it. I went over to her and punched her so hard."

Pan looked at the sky and shook her head, "It's not my proudest moment, but I was so angry!" Pan screamed, "It's not fair! Of course, the rest of her friends came to her defense and I fought them off easily."

Her uncle couldn't help but laugh at her, "So that's how you got suspended? Over a boy?" He asked her. She nodded his head, "He's not worth it." He admitted. "If some rumor scared him off, he's not worth your time."

She looked at her Uncle, "Why do you say that?" She asked.

"Because the rumor shouldn't have scared him off. If he liked you, he wouldn't care. You're special and some guy will realize that immediately."

A smile formed across her face, "Thank you, Uncle Goten!" She hugged him, "You're special too, Uncle Goten and everything that's supposed to come your way will. No more anxiety for you!"

He smiled at his niece. She's right, everything that's meant for Goten will come for him.

Maybe finally his anxiety will ease.

Another's Note: Hello! It's been a while, and I am back with a new story! I'm looking forward to writing this story. I cannot wait to see everyone's reactions. I know it starts short and slow, but I promise it will take off! It's been some time since I wrote, so I appreciate all constructive criticism.