Chapter Three
Pan blinked away the sweat that had dripped into her eyes and was glad she'd had the forethought to wear a headband or else she'd also have her hair to contend with.
One-thousand and two...
She'd been working out for nearly four hours, but had not yet felt the exhaustion that should have taken her two hours ago. All the frustrations she felt, all the boiling emotion inside her was being taken out as she exerted her body.
She let out a hissing breath between her teeth and forced herself to do a hundred more push-ups before stopping. She rested on her stomach on the green lawn behind her parents' house. Her white gi was soaking wet from her sweat, and clung to her body uncomfortably.
Shower time.
"I was wondering when you'd stop."
In the blink of an eye she was on her feet and facing her unexpected visitor, her fists ready in the air. In response, he shrugged out of his Capsule Corp. jacket and went into a defensive position. His muscles flexed eagerly, visible even through the white t-shirt he wore and drawing Pan's admiring glance. She quickly averted her eyes and focused on the matter at hand.
Trunks smiled almost wickedly at the challenge she presented. Pan nodded and attacked, her fists flying. He blocked them easily. She let him block her again and again until she could see the cockiness in his stance and his face. Then, her foot swept across his knees, knocking him on his back. She threw herself on his stomach, sitting down comfortably. She waited for him to catch his breath before speaking.
"Getting a little soft, are we?" she mocked, although the makeshift chair beneath her was far from soft.
"You just took my by surprise," he explained, still gasping. "That was very nicely done, Pan."
She grinned and leaned forward until her elbows were resting on his chest. She cupped her face in her hands and looked down at him.
"So, what did you stop by for?" she asked.
"I wanted to see if you wanted to go out to dinner," he replied.
She felt as if fireworks had gone off inside her head until he added, "Bura and Marron wanted to go see a movie, so Goten and I volunteered to take them. We were thinking about dinner after."
Pan tried not to feel disappointed that it wasn't just her and Trunks. He waited patiently as she made her decision, staring up at her as if they sat like this often.
At least you'd still be able to go out with him, she reasoned.
"It's settled then," he said, satisfied.
"What?"
"You're coming with us," he said. "You better shower first, though. I don't think it's me that's smelling like..."
"Moron," she cried, yanking hard on his hair.
She got up and flew up the stairs. Trunks had brushed himself off and turned around to go in to wait for her when he ran right into a figure blocking the doorway. He raised his head slightly and smiled at Gohan.
"Hi. I just came to pick Pan up," he said.
Gohan smiled—a little tightly in Trunks' opinion—and gestured for him to come in. Trunks wiped his feet off and entered the house. It was much smaller than his parents' house, which was a veritable compound. In fact it could probably be fitted inside his house, but Gohan and Videl had made it comfortable and homey. In some ways, Trunks preferred their home to his. His house sometimes made him feel agoraphobic.
"Where are you taking her?"
"To the movies and to dinner."
Trunks started to feel a little nervous. There was something in Gohan's face that didn't sit well with him. He was watching him like a hawk.
Does he think I'm taking Pan out on a date..?!?
"Marron, Bura, and Goten are coming too," Trunks said hurriedly. "We're going to be picking them up afterwards."
"I see."
Trunks shifted restlessly. Gohan just stood where he was, watching Trunks.
"Um...is something bothering you, Gohan?"
Gohan only put on an innocent face and cocked his head to one side. "No. I'm perfectly content. Why would you ask that?"
Trunks averted his eyes and stared at his boots. "I don't know. You just don't seem like yourself."
"I'm just acting like any father would when he finally realizes that his daughter is no longer a little girl and he finally sees things that are right underneath his nose."
Something in his voice made Trunks' head shot up. "Gohan—"
Pan bounded into the room and interrupted whatever he was about to say. She was dressed in a dark green sweater and a pair of faded jeans. The scent of her shampoo made Trunks' body tingle. However, he quickly smothered the feeling when he remembered Gohan was nearby. Sure, Gohan didn't train as often as he used to, but he could still beat Trunks to a bloody pulp—if not worse.
"We better get going," Pan said, tugging Trunks to the door.
Quickly, Trunks bade Gohan farewell and went to start the car. When he was out of an earshot, Pan whirled to her father.
"Did you say anything to him?" she demanded.
"Of course not."
"Then why did he run out of here?"
"Because he doesn't want to be late for the movie," Gohan answered matter-of-factly. "You better go."
Pan frowned at him, but did as she was told.
Trunks was unable to concentrate on the action/comedy they decided to see. The others enjoyed themselves immensely. They were still talking about their favorite scenes during dinner. On the other hand, Trunks sat quietly, laughing when appropriate, but other than that he contributed nothing to the conversation.
Pan peeked at Trunks from time to time, a little disturbed over his silence. She was sure her father must have said something. His sprits had dampened since they had left her house. No one else seemed to notice.
Trunks turned over the idea in his head. Could Pan have feelings for me? He should have realized something was going on when they had nearly kissed in the park, but he'd just assumed that it was an isolated incident since she never gave him any reason to suspect she had feelings for him.
He wondered why he was having such a hard time with this. He was not inexperienced when women were concerned, but this was new territory for him. Not even his experience with Marron could help him out because the two situations were so different. He was much closer to the Sons than he was with her family. Her uncle was his best friend after all. He wondered if he had it in him to start seeing Pan in more than a casual basis. He glanced at her quickly. She was just so different from Marron and the other women he dated. She was so innocent, yet at times worldly. He appreciated those qualities, but...?!? Trunks felt his head begin to throb. He needed to think long and hard about this one.
Finally, it was time to drop everyone off at home. Trunks was that night's designated driver. He dropped Goten off first. Marron was next. When they got to their house, it was dark, so Trunks walked her to her door. Pan watched them as closely as she could without pressing her nose against the car window. Bura was blissfully unaware of her friend's emotional turmoil as she tapped idly against her leg to the beat of the song on the radio.
"Is something wrong?" Marron asked Trunks as they walked up to her door. "You were so quiet all night. I wanted to ask before, but it didn't look like you wanted to talk about it."
"I'm fine," Trunks reassured her as best as he could. "There's just a lot of things on my mind."
Marron smiled fondly at him. She patted his cheek. "Well, I hope you figure it all out." To his surprise, she got up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the lips. Trunks felt blood rushing to his face and a surge of something erupting inside him. "Good night," she whispered huskily.
She went inside and shut the door on him. Trunks was immobilized. That was the last thing he had expected to happen. It had been nearly ten years since he and Marron had been together and he thought they had put it all behind them. I guess she's changed her mind about us. He sighed as he walked back to the car.
Suddenly, he felt a very powerful ki flare up. He stopped and concentrated, trying to find it. Then, as quickly as it came, it disappeared. He hurried to the car to check on his sister and Pan. He was shocked to find only Bura there.
"Where's Pan?" he asked, panicked.
"She said she didn't want you to have to make any more trips so she flew herself home," Bura answered, studying Trunks' wide eyes with interest. "Calm down, big brother. Why so worried about Pan all of a sudden?"
"Because Gohan's going to have my head if anything happens to her," Trunks replied evenly
.Fortunately, Bura's favorite song came on and she began singing along, thereby making it impossible for her to ask him any more questions. He silently withstood his sister's screeching to save him face.
I wonder why she left so quickly?
Pan let the tears run unchecked down her cheeks. She sniffled loudly as she flew over the twinkling lights of the city. Over and over, she saw Marron and Trunks kissing. It was in that exact moment that she felt her heart break. But then again, it wasn't the first time she'd felt that kind of pain. Even thought this was the second time, the pain had not dulled.
At least some things never change, she thought bitterly.
She turned on her back and stared up at the stars. Her hair fluttered around her, tickling her neck and cheeks, but she ignored it. She took deep breaths, calming her pounding heart. Her head was beginning to spin and she needed to find some inner peace. It was all she could do to stop herself from throwing herself on the ground at high speeds. She smiled without humor.
Well, I always was prone to tantrums.
When her tears had dried and she could shed no more, she went home. She went in through her window instead of the front door. Her answering machine blinked, indicating that she had 3 messages. She had her own phone line, put in when for her sixteenth birthday and her parents decided that they could no longer put up with her phone hours.
"Pan, where are you?" Trunks' voice implored. "I nearly had a heart attack when I went back to the car and you weren't there. Call me when you get home."
Pan scowled. This time instead of tears, she felt rage. Stupid idiot! Why did it have to be him? She should have fallen in love with a man closer to her age, and appreciated her as a woman. Trunks would probably never see her as a woman. She swore under her breath.
"Okay, are you out partying without me? Pan, if you're there you better pick up the phone or I swear to God I'm going to wake your parents up next. You better call me when you get home. I'm worried sick. See? I'm starting to sound like your grandmother."
Pan chuckled softly. Stupid idiot, she thought with a little more affection. Then, she remember him kissing Marron and she glared at the answering machine.
"Uncle Goten here. Trunks is driving me crazy. He thinks that just because we're related that I would know where you were! Seriously, though, Kid, even I'm wondering where you are by now. It's getting late. Call me when you get home."
She was relieved that at least she wouldn't have to call Trunks. She dialed Goten's number and waited for him to pick up.
"Goten here."
"Hi."
Goten let out an irritated breath. "Where did you go, Pan?!? Trunks is worrying himself sick and he's got me going too. Why'd you fly off on him like that anyway? You know he'd drive you to Siberia if he had to."
"I thought I was doing him a favor," she said weakly.
Goten sighed. "Well, as long as you got home safe. So, where did you go?"
Pan floundered. "I, uh, just flew around. I needed to work off all that pizza we ate."
"I don't think you need to lose any weight," Goten said amusedly. "Well, you need to call Trunks before he busts a gut."
"Can you do it for me, Uncle Goten? I need to do some stuff before going to bed."
"Sure. I'll talk to you later."
"Thanks. Good night."
"Sweet dreams, Panny."
Pan laughed at the old nickname and replaced the phone in the cradle. She stretched. She felt some satisfaction at worrying Trunks. Of course, they were far from even since he had broken her heart. A thousand more nights like this for him...
Humming softly to herself, she went to take a shower.
"Okay, what did you do to my niece?" was the first thing Goten asked when Trunks picked up the phone.
"Nothing? What makes you say that?" Trunks answered.
"Because I think she's avoiding you. She didn't want to call you and gave me some lame excuse about having something to do."
"Me? But I didn't do anything..."
Ohmigod, Trunks thought, his words forgotten and realization dawning on him. She saw Marron kissing me.
He thought back and realized that he had sensed the powerful ki when Marron had kissed him, but his shock had prevented him from tracing it accurately. He should have known.
I'm so sorry, Pan.
"What?" Goten questioned, knowing something was up.
"I don't know," Trunks lied. "Maybe she really does have something to do."
"Uh-huh," Goten grunted.
"I don't know," Trunks repeated. "I'm innocent. I didn't do anything."
"He did kiss Marron," Bura interrupted.
"Bura!!" Trunks roared. "Get off!"
Bura walked fearlessly to stand by her brother, the cordless phone in her hand. "He did," she said to Goten. "I saw him."
"I didn't kiss her," Trunks corrected irritably. "She kissed me."
"Right after that, Pan shot off, but not before giving a little blast of power. I felt it," Bura informed Goten.
"Well, the puzzle is complete then," Goten said cheerily.
"What are you talking about?" Trunks raged. "Can someone clue me in?"
"Bura," Goten said, "explain to your brother what has taken us nearly two weeks to solve."
Bura turned to Trunks. She steered him towards the couch and sat him down. She rested her hands on his shoulders and looked him in the eye.
"Pan is in love with you," she said carefully as if speaking to a child.
Trunks felt his mouth dry up and knew he was turning red. "I—I—"
"So, what are you going to do about that?" Goten asked. "You know Gohan is going to come after you. He knows too. I told him."
"You did what?!?" Trunks yelled. "No wonder he looked like he wanted to eat me. You idiot!"
"Hey, I'm just watching out for my only niece. Well?"
"Well what?" Trunks said sulkily.
"What the hell is all this racket about?" Vegeta demanded irritably from the doorway. "I'm trying to get some sleep. I thought you two were old enough to stop from yelling in the middle of the night."
"Sorry, Daddy," Bura purred, hugging her ornery father. "We'll keep it down."
"Who wanted to eat you?" Vegeta questioned, looking at Trunks.
"No one, Dad. Just go back to bed."
"Are you telling me what to do?" Vegeta said menacingly.
Trunks swallowed. Goten chuckled in his ear. "No, of course not," he amended. "Sorry."
Vegeta glared at him and Bura one more time before going back to bed.
"Now, where were we?" Goten prompted.
"This is none of your business," Trunks said in a much quieter tone. "Let me handle it."
Bura rolled her green eyes. "Whatever."
"Watch your back," Goten said. "If you hurt Pan Gohan's not going to be the only one after you."
Trunks sighed. "I would never hurt her," he assured him. "Never," he repeated softly.
Bura stared at him. "Do you love her, Trunks?"
He looked at his sister and saw her completely serious for once. This was the sister he knew he could confide in.
"I don't know."