Here is the final installment of my first ever TruPan story! It's a lot shorter than the other chapters but I rewrote it several times and I'm just much happier with the shorter version so that's what I'm sticking with! Needless to say, I am officially hooked on this couple and am brainstorming a possible sequel. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing! Thanks again!

The drive to Capsule Corp. seemed longer than usual, the dark road stretched out beneath her hover car. Pan tapped her fingers against the dash nervously, hoping she was making the right choice in just showing up to Trunks's house. There was no going back now once her headlights shown brightly as she pulled into his driveway. She searched her car for her phone, considering giving him a courtesy call before realizing she had left it under her bed. And on silent. Crap.

She turned off the engine to her car and took a moment to just breathe before stepping out and walking up to his door. There were a few lights on inside signaling that he was probably home. She gulped hard, finally forcing her balled fist to knock on his door. She waited patiently, hearing rustling from within the home. Then the door opened, a disheveled Trunks waiting behind it.

He had on a Capsule Corp. tank, grey sweatpants, glasses, and a toothbrush dangling from his mouth. He was completely taken back to see Pan standing there, still wearing the clothes she borrowed from Bulla that morning.

"Pern?" He almost choked, his mouth full of toothpaste. Somehow he was still unbearably attractive, even in his natural habitat. He took a step out of the house to spit into a plant by the door, wiping the back of his mouth with his hand.

"Cute." Pan teased, not even close to being grossed out by him.

"I wasn't expecting you! Did you get my texts?" He leaned his hand on the doorway, his body angled so that Pan could see every rippling muscle in his figure.

"Honestly, I haven't checked my phone since I got home this morning...sorry about that. I was a little distracted." She admitted.

"Well, it was no big deal, just making sure you were ok. Come on in. I was just going over some paperwork before bed." He walked into his home, Pan shutting the door behind her.

He took his place on the couch, the table in front of it scattered with papers and binders. It looked like a box of school supplies exploded in his living room.

"Is this a bad time?" Pan stuttered nervously, her confidence wavering a bit at Trunks's casual nature.

"No, never a bad time for you, Panny." He offered her a smile, patting down the seat next to him.

She sat beside him, still keeping her distance. Even though nothing dramatic had happened between the two, she still felt awkward that this could be it for them. She was ready for whatever outcome he threw at her. She just needed to be there for him.

"Is this all stuff to get ready for your new job?" She asked boldly.

Trunks took off his glasses and set them on the table, "No, just some work stuff I'm a little behind on."

She twirled her thumbs together, wishing she knew what to say to get him to open up to her again. Trunks stared at her, waiting for her to explain why she was at his door at 8pm on a Sunday night.

"I...I was just wondering? If you were ok? You seemed pretty down this morning and I just got to thinking that maybe you don't have many people you can talk to about this whole job offer thing and I thought maybe if you were comfortable you could talk to me but it's not like I'm great at advice but I feel like I should be here for you since after all you are my friend and and..." Pan finally took a breath in between her rambling, noticing Trunks stifling a laugh behind his fist.

"I'm your friend?" He let himself giggle.

"Yes! And I'm trying to be serious here! What are you laughing about?" She snapped, her self conscious side talking for her.

Trunks scooted in close to her, taking her body into his arms, hugging her. Her eyes scanned the room, confused by his gesture. She desperately needed to hold him, latching her arms around him, as well.

"Thanks for coming over here. I've had a lot on my mind all day," Trunks separated from her, keeping his hands on her shoulders. "But I gotta be honest, the decision about the job was officially made this afternoon."

Pan's stomach churned, her heart doing somersaults in her chest. She had a terrible feeling, but she kept smiling in hopes it would keep away any tears that were about to form.

"Oh...and?" She managed to squeak out.

"Someone else wanted it more, so I offered it to the CFO. He was certain about it while I was just too on the fence. I'll still have to make trips there every once in awhile to ensure its being run the way I want it to be, but my headquarters is here. My home is here. Where I belong." He turned away from her, casually shuffling the papers on the table into a pile.

Pan was speechless. She didn't actually think he'd pass it up, but he did. And he did it without even needing to talk to her or his family or anyone. Gohan was right, when Trunks made a decision, he really made it. She still felt like she was a factor, but then remembered Piccolo's words: it's not her choice to make. She has no control over this outcome.

"So...you're staying here?" She asked, just to be sure.

"Sure am."

Pan couldn't control herself. She torpedoed into his chest, a death grip around his waist, her eyes flooded with tears.

"Whoa, Pan?! What's wrong?" He panicked, catching her in his arms.

"I'm just so happy! I mean, I'd support you no matter what choice you made but I just don't know what I'd do without you here!" She confessed in between sniffles.

"Dende, Pan. I didn't know you felt that way..." He ran his fingers through her hair, trying to comfort her as best as he could.

Pan looked up at him, her eyes still filled with tears.

Don't say it, Pan.

Don't say it.

DON'T say it!

"I love you, you dumbass! I don't know what I'd do without you here to piss me off and yet make me so undeniably happy that I can't even think straight!" She gasped at her profession, putting a hand to her mouth.

"Ohhhhh, Dende. What did I just say?" She turned from him, her face flushed.

Trunks smirked, pulling her back into his arms. He lifted her face toward his, gently placing his lips on hers.

"You know I've always loved you, Pan. I just honestly never thought it'd be quite like this." He paused, "But I'm glad it is. It's different, but it's exactly what I want."

Pan finally stopped crying, only able to stare into his eyes, unsure if she actually heard him right.

"You mean...?"

"For being so smart, you sure are dense. I'm trying to say I love you, too."

It should have been weird to be professing her love so quickly, but she had known Trunks forever, loved him forever. This was the only natural course of action at this point.

She buried her face into his chest again, holding him as tightly as she could.

She didn't know if they were going to stay together forever, get married, have kids, continue the inner-breeding between a long line of best friends. There was no guarantee they'd even last the next month. But that's how life always worked for the Sons and the Briefs. There were no guarantees in anything. What mattered most was in that moment, two souls found one another.

And it was truly only the start.