famoso – AH I couldn't do that to Gohan lmao… I feel bad for Trunks, too.

Amcm74– Sorry about the long wait again… Thank you so much! Yeah Gohan is well aware lol. I will try to be as inventive as possible :D

LVR4Trunks-n-Vegeta – ah, we'll find out soon, I hope hehehe…Hope you like the next chapter.

msanimegeek– Yep… It does, I had a hard time writing it lol. Thanks Becca, I appreciate it :D I'm not sure what I'm going to do as far as Pan's concerned yet. I have a general idea and as usual I'll wing it as I write hehehe… Sorry for leaving you hanging so long!

KaitAstrophe95 – I know, right? I had shivers writing it lol. Yeah, it took them long enough hehehe… I know how you feel, I'm sure he will. Thanks, Kaidy XD

animelover4242564 – Thank you so much! Sorry for the long wait…

Charismatic Beauty– Yeah it has been, and sorry about the long wait again… Pan will make an appearance. I know it's been hard on him so far.

Awesomegirl789 – Ah… you'll find out soon :D Here ya go!

Natellah– I'll get to it soon hehe. Here ya go…Thank you so much :D

Kasumi Michaelis – Here ya go! She's in this chapter lol…

trunkspanlover89 – It'll all be revealed soon, hopefully.I love naughty Trunks, too hehehe. Sorry you had to wait so long. Thank you so much!

Vegetable lov3r – Yay :D I know, I feel the same way. Soon hehehe… There is a reason, I just hope I can bring it across convincingly lol. My wrist is good! All done with physio etc :D

Chapter 11

+/- 20 years

Pan sighed as she familiarised herself with her new surroundings, grabbing her indoor shoes and slipping them on her feet. She placed her outdoor shoes neatly in the space provided, and grabbed her schedule and bag. She was now in her second last year of high school which meant moving to the senior block. She hoped this year would be better than the previous one, she felt renewed and more mature thanks to Trunks. He was her rock, and all she needed to keep her going.

She turned and walked straight into someone, nearly falling back if it weren't for the person's quick reflexes.

"You should pay attention to what's around you, daydreamer." She heard him chuckle amusedly and looked up, gently pulling away from his grasp.

It was then that she noticed the other kids around him, but none of them were laughing at her. And, most weren't even paying attention- busy with their own conversations and getting reacquainted after the summer holiday.

"Thanks." She squeezed the strap of her bag.

"Looks like we're neighbours. He pointed to the locker beside hers.

"Yeah…"

"What's your name?" He was intrigued by this girl. There was something different about her, and he wanted to know more… He was already hooked.

"Pan Son, second year."

"Nice to meet you, Pan Son. I'm Jude Takashi, third year." He held out his hand and she shook it, albeit nonchalantly. Yes, he was interested in her, and wanted her to notice him more than anything. He had never had trouble getting a girl, but this Pan Son looked like she would be a challenge, and one he didn't intend to lose.

###

Present Day

Trunks leaned back in his chair, tilting his head back as he carefully squeezed eye drops into each eye- scrunching up his nose and blinking rapidly as the cool liquid soothed his tired, burning eyes. His mother had insisted he take some time off work to sort through his feelings- as she put it. After a week of overthinking and constant consoling from the Briefs' women, he was more than ready to dive back into work... Though his mother had been pestering him constantly since his return a few days prior, and he was about ready to explode!

He had spoken to Gohan a few times, but still hadn't seen Pan. Gohan had mentioned that she wasn't feeling well, and that he suggested she take a few weeks off work to spend time with her family- he never told her that he knew about Yuki, or questioned her. Apparently, Pan was in worse shape than Trunks- yet, no one knew why and she wasn't talking.

And, to make matters worse, Chi-Chi had invited them over for dinner. A sort of welcome home party for Pan, whom she believed was overwhelmed after being away from her family and friends for so long. She thought it would do her granddaughter good to be surrounded by her loved ones… The matriarch was in for a huge surprise!- Trunks shuddered when he imagined Chi-Chi shrieking and fainting…- There was no way he could refuse, especially when Chi-Chi made it a point to call all of them individually- that alone was enough to know there was no way out…

###

Trunks let out an uneasy breathe before lifting a trembling finger to the bell… He raked his hand through his hair just as the door swung open. Clear, baby-blue eyes meeting his troubled azure ones.

"Hi..." His voice soft with a slight waver.

"She pulled him into a hug and he relaxed instantly. "It's been a while Trunks… I'm so happy you came." She stepped back and smiled… Inviting him in and taking his coat.

"Videl…" he hesitated.

She looked at him expectedly…

"I-I-"

She touched his arm briefly, "I know… I can't say that I'm not disappointed about your past history with Pan… especially the aftermath. Gohan has already spoken to you, and I stand by what he's said. I pray to Kami that the two of you sort out this mess!" She shook her head.

"Vid- oh hi, Trunks." Chi-Chi smiled brightly, rushing over to hug him.

Oomph… He chuckled, she had a hell of a grip for an old woman. He must remember not to let that thought slip… She was so happy, and he knew it was because Pan was home. Chi-Chi always doted over Pan, even though at first glance it never looked like they were very close.

"Hi, sorry I'm late… Work," he shrugged as she dragged him to the dining room, ending the discussion between him and Videl.

He looked around greeting everyone. Some happy to see him, others looking at him sympathetically.

"Trunks!" Krillen laughed in that infectious way that only he and Goku could, and he couldn't help but grin at the short man.

He made small talk with everyone, careful to keep a stoic expression. Smiling, laughing and commenting when necessary, yet well aware of the woman talking quietly to his sister and Marron on the opposite side of the table. He couldn't bring himself to look at her, and knew that as soon as he did he would fall apart at the seams again.

Dinner went over smoothly, and Chi-Chi could not have been in higher spirits, she had made it a point to thank Trunks a few times for bringing Pan back home. She didn't seem the least bit worried about the condition her granddaughter was in, and still believed it was because she was overwhelmed and over-worked. Insisting that a few months at home would do her good, and that she shouldn't force herself to work at Capsule so soon after her return- while giving Trunks and Bulma a challenging look. They knew not to step on her toes, and agreed that Pan could take as much time as she needed. Both silently praying that the truth wouldn't put the matriarch in her grave.

###

He stepped outside, sighing as the cool breeze kissed his cheeks. He looked up at the stars, thanking Kami that he managed to keep his faculties in order that evening. Everyone had left apart from Goten and his family- they were staying over at Chi's- and Trunks was so caught up in his light hearted conversation with the Son men that he hadn't even realised how much time had passed. They were all seated in the family room having hot cocoa and chatting quietly, he noticed that Chi-Chi had a delightful smile on her face as she started dozing… And, that's how he left them, thankful for a night without any added drama or questioning looks.

He stopped in his tracks and felt someone's eyes on him, he knew exactly who it was as well. He turned his head in the direction of her room window- nothing- only darkness. He whipped his head in the direction of the house next door, and saw her peering through the window of her grandmother's room. She had slipped out a few hours before- whispering quietly to her grandmother, and then her parents before leaving.

Without another thought, he flew up to where she was, the only thing between them now was the window. He felt young again, like he was sneakily visiting her like before.

She slid the window open and stepped back, allowing him to enter. He shut the window behind him, the breeze ruffling his hair.

He turned to face her, his face flushed from the cold air and his windswept hair making him look extremely attractive as he stared at her with stormy blue eyes. She was trembling, holding on to the banister of her grandmother's bed to steady her feet.

He dropped his gaze to the bed and saw one of Goku's gi's crumpled on it, the bedspread untidy as if someone had been lying there. He looked at her tear stained cheeks, knowingly.

"I wish he were here…" She whispered unsteadily. "I've been talking to him, hoping he would magically appear. Hoping he would save me from the depths of this pit I have dug myself into…" she sniffed.

He said nothing. He didn't know what to feel at this point. He didn't know what to say without exploding, he didn't trust his emotions right now, and knew it could only go one of two ways…

"You know it feels like a lifetime ago that I couldn't bring myself to even step foot in this house, now it's my only source of comfort. Where I can forget-"

He scowled. "Forget… forget what? What you did? Throwing away our child! Casting our love aside for some low-life, snake!"

She laughed and sobbed simultaneously, the sound tearing at his heart. She looked like he felt, utterly defeated… But, why? She chose this path, so why did she look so broken?

"Dende is punishing me something fierce. I bet his got an 'I told you so, and you deserve whatever you're dealt' look on his face." She looked at him, her eyes an empty abyss…

Kami help him, he didn't know why the sudden urge grasped at him, but before he knew it he had swept her up into his arms. She grabbed his shirt as her legs gave way. He wrapped and arm around her waist to hold her up while his other hand held onto her right arm as her fingers coiled around the fabric between them… Her gut-wrenching sobs gnawing at his soul as she clung to him.