Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ A New Start Book Two ❯ Book Two ( Chapter 1 )

Sequel to A New Start Book One

Pairing: Gohan/Bra and Pan/Yamcha

Time frame: A/U---5-6 yrs after the end of GT

Disclaimer: Characters not mine, and the song mentioned belongs to its composer and performers-Nickleback

Rating: NC-17

A New Start: Book Two

by

BarbaraSheridan

Seventeen year old Son Pan's expression was eerily passive as she listened to her father, but slowly her dark eyes began to change, to narrow, to harden, revealing the disgust brewing inside.

She stood, her furious gaze never leaving the ridiculously innocent face of her father Gohan. "You bastard. You never loved my mother."

Gohan shot to his feet, his own expression chilling. "Watch your mouth, girl. Videl was everything to me."

Pan placed her hands on her hips. "Define everything."

"Stop it."

Pan's thin frame trembled with anger. "Stop it? What do I have to stop? I'm not the one acting like some horny frat boy! We've been away for two years and we just came back, what, less than a week ago and suddenly you're madly in love with my former best friend and having another kid on top of it?"

Gohan ran his hand through his inky black hair. "Technically, yes, but it isn't the way you make it sound."

"Then what way is it, Dad? Tell me. I have a right to know."

Pan jerked away when Gohan tried to hold her hands. Her father's broad shoulders seemed to sag and she almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

"I can't explain it, Pan. All I know is that it's real. Bra and I have this connection that defies explanation. I loved your mother very much and I always will, but this time it's different. Maybe it's because she's half Saiyan like me..."

He looked at her, his dark eyes virtually pleading for her acceptance and her blessing.

"I hate you both."

Gohan watched his daughter bolt from the little mountain house they were sharing with his father and brother, but made no move to follow her. He sank down to the old sofa, hung his head in his hands. He could feel Bra's mind reaching out for his and he let his thoughts grasp hers and hold them tightly.

I heard. I'm sorry, Gohan.

You don't need to apologize. It's a shock. I guess I can't blame her.

We can put off the wedding or cancel it if you think that would be best. I don't need a governmental paper to tell me that I love you and I'll always be yours.

I'm marrying you, Bra Briefs and that's final. Gohan felt her smile and he smiled as well. I'll be there in a little bit. Maybe Pan will talk things out with my dad or Goten when she comes home.

I hope so.

Me too.

****

Never made it as a wise man

I couldn't cut it as

A poor man stealing

Tired of living like a blind man

I'm sick of sight without

A sense of feeling...

Yamcha sung along with the song wondering just how those guys had gotten his life put down so precisely. He paused long enough to polish off the whiskey in his hand.

And I've been wrong

I've been down

Into the bottom of every bottle

These five words in my head

Scream

Are we having fun yet?

Yamcha tossed the silver flask onto littered coffee table. Yep he'd been down to the bottom of every bottle-well maybe not every last one, he amended catching sight of something under the leather couch. He bent down and pulled out a half empty bottle of vodka then plopped onto the floor as the song repeated for the dozenth time.

Having had enough of it he sent a lame ki blast towards the wall mounted stereo. The cd compartment blew out and Yamcha groaned. Shit. He couldn't even blast anything right anymore. He probably couldn't even fly if his miserable life depended on it.

Of course that might not be such a bad thing considering. It's not like anyone would miss him. Maybe his old fans and the guys he still worked with within the baseball organization, but who else? Old man Roshi? The pig? Krillen possibly, but that was doubtful. The only ones who'd ever cared were Bulma and Puar and Puar had been dead for almost a year now, poor thing. He'd never realized how important the little shape shifter was to him until she'd taken ill and now it was too late to tell her how much he cared. And as for Bulma, well, he saw her once a year if he was lucky. Or cursed.

Cursed, definitely. Seeing her with Vegeta still bugged him even after all these years. It didn't matter that he and Bulma were essentially from two different worlds and had never connected on a deep level. He didn't care that she and the arrogant Saiyan were a lot alike in so many ways. All Yamcha knew for certain was that she was the first woman he ever loved and probably always would love.

He polished off the vodka in two swallows then threw the bottle against the wall as he had to the others. The next door neighbors banged on the wall for him to be quiet and he flipped his middle finger towards them. He owned the damned apartment building. If they didn't like it they could find accommodations elsewhere.

He pulled himself to his unsteady feet then tried to remember if he had any more liquor stashed. The doorbell rang. Yamcha stared. Who the hell could that be? The neighbors? Good. He'd evict them on the spot. He staggered over and yanked open the door to find a uniformed delivery man bearing a cream colored envelope.

"For you, Sir."

He took the envelope, the large blue CC logo gripping his attention. He slammed the door in the delivery guy's face wondering just what this was about. Was his royal pain in the ass pissed about the senior citizen jokes he'd made at the party and having Bulma ban him from future invitations?

He ripped open the envelope and blinked, ordering his eyes to focus on the delicate handwriting as he tried not to remember the love letters that had once been written to him in that same flowing script.

Yamcha,

I tried to call but your phone is out of order. You need to get it fixed ASAP.

Anyway, I have great news! Bra is getting married soon! Can you believe it? It seems like yesterday she was crawling around and playing with blocks and now she's getting married--to Gohan of all people. It's totally unexpected, but you should see them together. I thought Vegeta and I had a strong attraction but B & G are so totally connected...

Yamcha closed his eyes as the old pain surged forth within him. He didn't need this, certainly not today. And yet he had to read on, had to keep this vague connection with Bulma going if only for a little.

Vegeta isn't real thrilled with the whole thing (a long kind of scary story that is. I'll fill you in on it later), but I think he'll come around in time to give Bra away. After all she's his little princess and he wouldn't disappoint her for anything. (Wink)

I'll be sending a formal invitation once we've nailed down the when and where. Do you have a date for the wedding? If not I know a couple women you might like. Let me know. I might invite them anyway just in case. You take care of yourself, mister. You looked like shit the last time you came over.

Till later,

B

Yamcha let the letter fall from his hand. Little Bra and Gohan huh? It was weird but they did seem to have some sparks flying when they danced at that party. He hoped it worked out for them, he really did. It was hell to be alone and worse to be so freaking lonely that you could hardly bare to live.

With a sigh he sank back against a black lacquered cabinet. He stared out the streaky sliding glass doors leading to the balcony. What was the point any more? Why was he even bothering?

Yamcha walked forward, his head clear, his purpose set firmly for the first time in a long time.

****

Pan's anger clouded her vision and she flew blindly. How could they do this to her? How could her best friend forever come on to her father? How could her father even think of having that kind of relationship with someone who was only a year older than she was? It was sick. Was he some kind of psycho child molester that she didn't know about?

Bra is hardly a child, her common sense reminded her. She's 18, out of school, she has a career...

That didn't matter. The point was that her father was in love or lust or whatever with a girl who'd been like a daughter to him. What was wrong with him? He couldn't have loved her mother. He couldn't have. If he had he'd never even think to look at another woman again. He'd pine away for Videl for ever and ever until they met one day in the Other World.

Somebody needed to talk some sense into him before it was too late. She couldn't count on Grandpa Goku or Goten they were no help at all. Maybe grandpa Satan could lay a guilt trip on him. That was it, she'd head over to West City.

****

Yamcha's dark eyes were fixed on the distant horizon as he stepped out onto the 15th floor balcony. The song he'd been listening to all morning played in his head as he reached the waist high brick wall surrounding the balcony. He climbed up.

Tired of living like a blind man

I'm sick of sight without

A sense of feeling...

He glanced down to see the city spread out below, so small, so insignificant just as he was.

These five words in my head

Scream

Are we having fun yet?

Not quite yet, but maybe soon, in Other World....

Yamcha smirked then stepped off.

****

"Dende!" Mr. Popo yelled.

The Guardian rushed forward and peered over the edge of the Lookout."Oh no you don't. Not on My watch!"

Dende waved His hands.

****

What the hell? Pan wondered as a strong wind slammed into her. She struggled to right herself in mid air as something caught the corner of her eye. Someone was falling. Thoughts rushed through her mind as she sped towards them. They must have been caught by the wind too somehow. Weird. They didn't seem to be struggling or afraid. Maybe they were unconscious.

The person's identity registered as she reached out to grab them. It was Yamcha. And he was fully awake.

"Let go!"

"No!"

Pan dodged the punches and kicks as best she could while retaining her grip on the angry and obviously drunk former Z fighter. What was wrong with him?

"Stop it!" she screamed seconds before catching a hard left to the face. Her grip faltered and he broke free. She shook off the blow then zipped down, grabbing him from behind, arms under his shoulders hands clasped behind his neck.

"Let go of me, you stupid bitch!"

"No!"

Yamcha grabbed her wrists and she felt his ki energy burning her skin. She winced then loosened her grip enough to squeeze the artery in his neck rendering him unconscious. His dead weight unbalanced her and they plummeted. The weird wind blew again and Pan was able to gain a strong hold on the unconscious Yamcha and pull back up into a level flight..

"Thank Kami," she muttered.

You're welcome.

****

Yamcha's head pounded and a strong citrus smell assaulted him, making him gag.

"No! hold it!"

He forced his eyes open in time to see a woman rush forward and shove a bucket at him. She dropped it on the floor in front of the bed and grabbed a handful of his hair, forcing his head over the bucket.

"I am so not cleaning that up again."

"Let go. I'm not throwing up," he growled.

"You sure?"

"Yes!"

The strong grip released him and Yamcha looked up, blinking to clear his vision. "Pan? Is that you?"

"Well Duh," she said, hands on her slim hips.

She had a very Chi-Chi-pissed-at-Goku look on her face that made the corners of his mouth quirk upward. The action made is face hurt. How long had it been since he'd actually smiled? He sat up quickly taking in his surroundings. He was home in his bedroom. His remarkably clean bedroom.

"What happened?"

"Only about a million things-my father lost his mind and knocked up Bra Briefs, I almost sucked up into Oz by some wannabe tornado and you punched me in the face because I tried to stop you from killing yourself." She paused to take a breath.. "Oh yeah, and I cleaned up this pig sty you call an apartment. And I cleaned you after you puked up all that booze you downed. Man, that was gross."

Pan leaned back against the lacquered bureau. It hadn't been all that bad, but he didn't need to know it. Her eyes skimmed his battled-scarred bare chest. For an old guy, he's really not too bad looking

Now where on earth did that thought come from?

****

"Dende--"

The Guardian grinned sheepishly at Piccolo. "Sorry. I couldn't resist."

****

Yamcha leaned back against the headboard of his wide bed. "I guess I owe you some thanks and an apology. I don't know what got into me today. I got this letter from Bulma about the wedding--"

He broke off as a bolt of pain flashed across Pan's pretty face.

"I'm sorry. This must be hard for you."

"Big time."

"You want to talk about it?"

Pan folded her arms across her chest and shook her head no. Still the words poured out on their own. "It's crazy. I don't see how he an suddenly be madly in love with Bra. She was like my sister forever. How could he even look at her like anything other than that? And now she's pregnant on top of it? We just came back from New York a week ago. How could this happen? I know how it happened, but you know what I mean."

Yamcha suppressed the urge to grin at Pan's rambling. "I don't know what to say," he answered softly wishing there was something more he could do to ease the tangle of emotions teeming inside her.

When she looked at him with so much pain and confusion in her eyes his empty heart ached for her.

"It's like my mother suddenly means nothing to him. How can he do this? Didn't he love her? Does that mean he doesn't love me? Once this new kid comes along I'll be nothing."

"Don't say that," Yamcha told her as he got up. He went to her, placed a comforting hand upon her small shoulder.

She looked up at him and he wanted more than anything to help her. "You've known my dad his whole life, right?"

"Uh huh."

"Did he love my mom?"

Yamcha smiled, remembering back to the long ago tournament when he'd first met Videl. "He was crazy about her, Pan. He really was. I think it was a love at first sight thing. And she felt the same. She was the only one who believed Buu hadn't killed him when we all thought otherwise. They loved each other a lot and they both loved you. Your dad loves you with all his heart and he always will."

"But--"

He silenced her with a gentle press of his fingers against her lips. "Your dad loves you, Pan and nothing and no one will ever take that away. Trust me on this."

"I don't know if I can."

"I can't make you believe it. Some things you have to take on faith."

Faith. That was joke wasn't it? He didn't have much faith in anything. Who the hell was he to tell this girl to have some?

Woman.

She's a young woman.

A beautiful young woman.

****

"Dende!" Piccolo growled.

"Okay. I quit. I promise," Dende said, His fingers crossed behind His back.

****

Chapter 2

The Rebellion Begins

A self-satisfied gleam lit Pan's eyes when the veins began to bulge on her maternal grandfather's forehead.

"The nerve of that little bookworm!" he roared. "If he thinks he can defile the memory of my daughter then he's got another thing coming! And who does he think he is carrying on with some pre-teen little gold digger." He puffed his once massive chest. " Why she's probably trying to weasel her way into the trust fund your mother left you."

"I doubt that," Pan muttered. "She's already rich."

"Huh?"

"My dad is marrying my former friend Bra Briefs. Her mother owns Capsule Corp."

"Capsule Corp? Then that means that her father is----"

Pan frowned as the wind quickly fell out of Hercule's indignant sail. "Vegeta?"

"Uh, yeah," Hercule mumbled before turning and heading towards the liquor cabinet.

Pan slouched down in the overstuffed leather chair. What was it with old guys hitting the bottle today? Well at least Grampa Satan had a butler to clean up after him. Without meaning to she wondered how Yamcha was.

She didn't really know him, but the Yamcha she'd seen at family parties --always laughing and joking and usually with a babe on each arm-- was not the same guy who'd thrown himself off the balcony of his apartment building today.

Pan thoughts were interrupted by Hercule.

"So, Panny, I think your dad will come to his senses soon enough, but if you want me to talk to him I will."

"Never mind." She got up. "Is it okay if I stay here tonight?"

"You can stay here anytime, Panny. You do have a room of your own here you know."

Hercule polished off his martini. "You better call and let your dad know where you are so he doesn't worry."

"He won't worry because he doesn't fucking care. Why can't anyone but me see that?"

"Panny!"

"And don't call me that, it's a stupid chibi name!"

****

"Thanks a lot, Dad. I thought that's where she might be. See you in little while."

Bra reached out and smiled when Gohan took hold of her hand after hanging up the telephone.

"Hercule just called my dad. Pan is spending the night at his place."

"I told you she'd be okay."

"Yes you did," he said pulling her gently to him and wrapping his arms around her. "I was worried, though.. I still have a bad feeling."

Bra placed a soft kiss upon his lips. "She'll be fine. After al she's staying with the 'strongest, bravest man in the world'." She smiled when Gohan groaned then grinned.

****

can you take it all away

can you take it all away

when ya shoved it in my face

this pain you gave to me

"Forgive me, sir," the butler said trying to be heard over the blare of the stereo. "The staff is finding it hard to concentrate on preparing your dinner with that song constantly playing so loudly. He tapped his employer on the shoulder after getting no reply.

Hercule jumped up from his chair and tried to assume a fighting stance. As it was he fell over his own two feet. He pulled cotton out of his ears after struggling to a sitting position. "I can't hear you, this damn music is too loud."

"Yes, Sir that's what I was trying to say. The staff and I are quite bothered by it."

"I guess I should tell Panny to turn it down then, huh."

"That would be most appreciated, sir."

Hercule replaced the cotton as he went upstairs. He should never have let that salesguy talk him into getting the kid such a good sound system. His teeth began to vibrate from the pounding music the closer he got to Pan's door.

He knocked then entered and was thrown off balance by one particularly screeching note from the band's lead singer. He tripped and hit the stand the stereo system rested on. It toppled to the floor and died with a thud. He saw Pan's mouth going a mile a minute but thankfully couldn't hear her between the cotton in his ears and the partial deafness caused by the blare of that stuff she called music.

He fished a few rumpled bills out of his pocket and tossed them to her. "Sorry about that, Panny. Why don't you go take in a movie and we'll think about getting you another radio tomorrow."

"One with no volume control," he added once she stalked past him.

****

"Pan! Pan! Over here!"

Pan's dark eyes scanned the crowd entering the multi-plex until they found the source of the masculine voice. It was Yamcha.

"Hey, kid, whatcha up to?"

She shrugged. "Grandpa Satan fell into my cd player and trashed it."

"He hurt himself I hope."

Pan tried to contain her grin. "Be nice, Yamcha."

"I'm always nice, that's why everyone loves me so," he quipped gesturing to the people passing by who paid him no heed, except to grumble about him blocking the way.

Pan smiled and gave him a playful punch on the arm. "So where's the babe of the week?"

Yamcha groaned. As always he wondered how he'd gotten the reputation as such a ladies man. Sure he liked to look, but in terms of actual scoring his average was nonexistent. "My little black book self-destructed from over-use so I'm flying solo tonight. Want to share a mega pop-corn with me?"

"Sure. Why not."

They chose to see the next film starting which was a cheesy horror parody that was as amusing as Hamlet and yet one small section in the back was laughing uproariously as Pan and Yamcha kept on with their own running commentary.

"I've eaten overcooked chicken tougher than that guy," Yamcha said about the feeble whose martial arts "hero".

"That woman's legs are hairy than Grandpa Satan's back," Pan added of the heroine.

Following the movie they were stopped and thanked repeatedly by those who'd heard the impromptu comedy routine. A few people recognized Yamcha from his baseball heyday and asked for autographs. He noticed Pan's increasing boredom as one fan droned on about one World Series and he didn't want her to leave because he wanted to know if she'd patched things up with Gohan.

That's the only reason, he told himself. He needed to know how she was doing. It wasn't like he was enthralled with her company despite the fact that he felt happier in these past two hours than he had in months.

"And then in game five it was great the way you-"

"I hate to cut you off, friend, but it's getting kind of late."

"Oh hey, no problem."

Yamcha walked over to Pan who was looking at a lobby poster for an upcoming attraction. "Sorry, about that."

"It's okay. "You going home?"

He shrugged. I guess unless you'd like to grab a pizza or something." He smiled as her eyes gleamed at the mention of food as only a Saiyan's could.

"Yeah. Sure."

"Great." He checked his wallet. He had enough cash to feed himself and two regular companions but not enough to feed a hungry teenage Saiyan. "I know a good place near here but let's stop at the bank across the street first."

He was placing the zenni in his wallet when a car horn honked.

"Hey Pan is that you?"

He watched warily as a sleek convertible with a bunch of teen boys pulled up. A tall blond got out the passenger side.

"Don't tell me you forgot me," the boy said.

"Chad? Chad Sharpner?"

"Dingdingding and the young lady gets the prize," he joked grabbing Pan in a hug and kissing her swiftly.

Yamcha tensed, and instinctively shifted his weight in the case the need to attack arose.

"On my last trip to the Principal's office I saw your name on the student roster for the next term. You're in my class just like old times."

"Cool."

Yamcha cleared his throat. "You ready Pan?"

"Having a daddy daughter night huh?" The Sharpner kid said, giving a covert look that Yamcha wanted very much to smack off his rat-like face.

"This isn't my dad. It's a family friend I ran into at the movies."

"An old family friend, huh?"

Yamcha's hands balled into fists.

Pan gave the kid a swat on the arm. "Oh stop. We were going for pizza you want to come?"

Yamcha gave the kid a look that dared him to accept.

The kid smirked then looked to Pan. "Nah. The guys and me are going to a party at Kenji's wanna come?"

Don't do it, Yamcha pleaded silently. He had a bad feeling about this guy.

Pan glanced his way but couldn't or wouldn't meet his gaze. "I'd love to. I borrowed a car from my grandfather want to ride with me?"

The Sharpner kid draped his lanky arm possessively around Pan's shoulder. "Let's roll, sweet thing."

"It's a school night isn't it, Pan?" Yamcha asked.

The Sharpner kid smirked. "We have this week off between terms, gramps. Don't worry, I'll take real good care of P-chan."

An angry growl rumbled deep within Yamcha's chest as the two teens walked away.

****

At three in the morning Yamcha was awakened from an already fitful sleep by the ringing of the phone.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry to wake you Mr. Son, but this is Sergeant Akima of the West City PD. We have your daughter here--"

"My daughter?"

"Yes, sir. Your daughter Pan was involved in an accident a short time ago. She's uninjured but her grandfather's car was heavily damaged. She and the boy driving were drinking..."

***

Chapter 3

Rebel Without a Cause

Pan winced as she got into the front seat of Yamcha's sports car.

"Are you sure you're okay? We should get you to a doctor."

She grabbed his arm. "Please don't. I'm okay really. I'm just a little sore from bouncing against the door when we went off the road."

"You're going to have a black eye. How will you explain that?"

"You and I were sparring and I didn't dodge in time?"

Yamcha gave her a skeptical look. "Like anyone would believe that and if it was true Gohan and Goku both would kick my ass."

"No they wouldn't." She paused. "Well Daddy does spaz now and again."

"Well he's going to spaz big time as soon as he sees you."

"Please don't make me go to Goku-san's. I'm supposed to be staying at grandpa Satan's anyway."

Yamcha breathed a quiet sigh. "Hercule isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer but he's not going to be too happy either when he sees you and finds out what happened to his car."

Pan groaned and looked at him with a puppy dog expression. She grabbed his arm again. "Can't I stay at your place? I won't be a bother I promise. Besides Grandpa Satan thinks I'm staying with a girlfriend."

Though Yamcha's common sense told him otherwise he found himself caving. This kid needed a friend and right now he was all she had. He'd try to talk some sense into her tomorrow when things had settled down.

"Okay, you can crash at my place." He started the car's engine. "You could have been killed you know. Why did you let that idiot drive when he was drunk?'

"I was driving."

Yamcha stopped halfway out of the parking slot. "What?"

Pan wouldn't look him in the eye. "I can drive but I don't have a license yet and Chad said he'd take the blame because he didn't want me sent to juvenile court." She looked up now her eyes filled with girlish adoration. "He's a great guy."

"Uh huh," Yamcha muttered, driving away from the police station. He's a great guy who has some serious blackmail material to hang over your head.

***

Chapter 4

"We need to stop meeting like this or people will begin to talk."

Pan turned and looked at the man who'd spoken to her as she waited to buy a ticket to the late night movie marathon. He looked familiar but she couldn't quite place him.

He grinned. Her expression remained wary. She studied his ruggedly handsome face. She knew that face.

"It's me, Yamcha."

Pan blinked. Yamcha? It couldn't be, could it? He looked so different, so attractive. He'd cut his hair short and darkened it and he was wearing a perfectly tailored black suit with a crisp white silk shirt and a rich burgundy tie. "Wow, look at you."

He laughed and slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "Yeah well, the ratty Desert Bandit look was getting old. And I had a banquet to go to earlier."

She simply nodded, her eyes skimming him from head to toe. Wow she thought again.

"So, what's playing tonight?" Yamcha asked turning towards the sign near the ticket counter. He already knew what the movie selections were but he had to turn away from Pan's gaze. He'd seen that look many times before during his baseball days but certainly didn't expect to have young Son Pan eyeing him like a sexually hungry female fan.

It wasn't unpleasant, quite the contrary. It was far too inviting.

"The pickings appear to be pretty slim," he said. "I think I have a better movie collection at home."

"We can go there."

A shiver raced up Yamcha's spine. His ears were failing him in his dotage. They had to be. He did not hear a propositional tone come out of a seventeen year old's mouth. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you," he lied, turning back towards her. He was more than a bit unnerved to see the hungry look still there.

She looked down at the strap of her purse which she was twisting in her hands. "I guess I'm not really in the movie mood. I should probably go."

He didn't want her to leave. "Do you want to get a pizza or something?"

She looked up, a different hunger lighting her pretty eyes. "Sure."

Yamcha watched with amusement as petite Pan polished off her second large pizza alone. Goku's blood ran strong in her veins.

"Yougonnafinishthat?" She asked pointing to the untouched slice on his plate.

He slid the dish across the table to her. "Be my guest. I think I had a few too many hors d'oeuvres."

He watched her chew, his attention riveted to her full red lips when she licked a spot of sauce from her fingertip. He felt himself stiffen and shifted on the hard chair. He was glad when she spoke diverting his straying thoughts.

"What was the thing you went to?"

"A banquet hosted by ZSPN. They like to trot out us old timers when they have something new to promote. I was offered a job which was a surprise."

"Tell me about it."

She seemed genuinely interested and Yamcha found himself smiling. "They want me to do a series of interviews--'A week in the life a hero' of it'll be called. They want to do Hercule first."

Pan laughed. "Grandpa Satan is such a publicity freak he'll probably want it to be a month in the life of."

That wouldn't be so bad at all, especially if it means seeing that pretty face of yours,Yamcha thought. "I haven't accepted the job yet." Pan placed her hand on his and he felt his skin heat.

"You have to. I wouldn't want some stranger hanging around us for a week."

"You're still staying there?"

He regretted the question the instant it came out and pain flashed across her features.

"Yeah. My dad bought a new house last week but I don't want to be there when Bra moves in after."

"After?"

"The wedding." She made a gagging motion with her finger. "They don't have an actual date yet but she keeps trying to call me and get me to be part of it."

"You were her best friend since you were kids."

Pan leaned forward in her seat. "A real friend wouldn't seduce my father and trap him into marrying her."

Yamcha reached across the table and took hold of her hand. "Do you really believe she did that?" She didn't answer but her felt her tense. Instinctively, he stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "Somehow Bra never struck me as the wicked temptress type."

"And you're an expert on those huh?" she asked roughly pulling her hand away.

"Actually, I've met my share."

Pan shook her head and he wished he could erase the conversation completely. She was so withdrawn all of a sudden that it left a cold spot in the pit of his stomach. He needed to change the subject.

"If I take the interview job do I have to bring blindfolds for the camera crew in case you decide to have some sleep-over with your schoolgirl friends?"

"And you wouldn't look at a bunch of girls running around in their underwear?"

"Me? Never in a million years," he joked, wondering if she was wearing those red lacy things today.

Pan grinned and playfully smacked Yamcha's hand. Before she could say anything a male voice interrupted.

"Hey babe!"

Yamcha turned in his seat. It was that Sharpner kid. The bastard who'd let her get drunk and drive. He stood and glared down at the smirking teenager. "This is a private conversation."

"It's okay Yamcha." Pan stood and went to Sharpner. "Did you get done with soccer practice?"

"What? Oh. Oh yeah. We just got finished a little bit ago."

Liar, Yamcha thought, noticing the faint trace of lipstick on Sharpner's neck.

Sharpner's smirk widened and he draped his arm around Pan's shoulders. "It's time me an' Pan had our own conversation. Right, babe?" Without waiting for her to reply he swooped in for a long kiss, his hand sliding down her back to cup her rear.

Yamcha's wanted to pull the little toad away and toss him through the restaurant's window. How could Pan let herself get involved with such a slimeball?

Sharpner ended the kiss and stared leading Pan towards the door.

"Want me to see if grandpa Hercule wants to do that interview thing?"

"Yes, please," Yamcha said, making a note to hire a private security guard to keep Sharpner away for the duration.

Yamcha paid the bill then went back to his apartment. He called the vice president of ZSPN and accepted the interviewer position then put a call through to Hercule. The so-called hero was hesitant at first but once Yamcha said the magic word-Cell-Hercule's massive ego took over and he began reciting his version of the Cell Games.

Yamcha feigned interest in the fabricated account while scenes of the real event passed though his mind. He interrupted when Hercule finally paused to take a breath. "My guess is we'll be ready to start filming in a day or two is that okay with you?"

"Uh, yeah sure. Anything for my fans."

****

The words and pictures began to blur in Bra's mind as Bulma shoved more menu plans and gown design photos in front of her. This had been fun at first but now it was just a pain. She didn't want some mega production number of a wedding to show off for half the people of West City. All she wanted was to be Gohan's wife.

She looked at Bulma's beaming face. She didn't want to break her mom's heart especially since she was determined to orchestrate the lavish wedding she never got to have herself, but this was too much. She held her hand up when Bulma tried to hand her another sketched seating arrangement.

"Please stop."

"Have you decided? Oh good.." She took the stack of papers from Bra's lap and began leafing through them. "Which did you pick?" She held up a picture of a voluminous wedding gown that was straight out of a fairy tale. "This is so you."

If I totally lost my senses maybe. "Mom I haven't decided on anything other than stopping this craziness."

The paper fluttered from Bulma's hand. "You're breaking off the wedding?"

"Maybe I should," she said thinking aloud as she remembered Gohan's misery when Pan refused to have anything to do with the house they'd selected.

Bulma set aside the stack of plans and photos on her lap. "Your father and I will support your decision no matter what."

Bra gave her a skeptical look. "And that's why Daddy nearly blasted Gohan's head off this morning? He came by for breakfast. It's not like I'm thirteen and he was a boy sneaking out my bedroom window."

Bulma winced. "I'm working on his attitude. And Vegeta insists that he was aiming for the gopher that keeps digging up the tulip beds."

"A gopher?"

Bulma shrugged. "He said it was a big ugly one."

Bra shook her head. "How about if we compromise on the big society wedding..."

****

Gohan sat in Pan's unused room. He'd brought the things from storage that had furnished her room before they left for New York. She belonged here why was she being so difficult? It wasn't as if he'd fallen in love with some woman he'd met on the plane. She'd known Bra Briefs her entire life. They'd been inseparable friends forever. True, Bra had matured drastically during the time they were away, but surely she and Pan could still be friends.

He wasn't trying to replace Videl. He'd never forget her or their years together but he knew deep down that their relationship wasn't all it could have been. They were hardly more than kids when they got together They'd changed through the years and if she hadn't gotten sick (and kept it from him) it was entirely possible that they would have grown apart.

The entire fact that Videl concealed her illness for so long was proof of that. She'd left him a letter saying that she'd done it for him, so that he wouldn't be as upset as he'd been the previous year when Chi-Chi took ill, but it was more than that. Videl had always had a mean control freak streak and they'd had their share of clashes which he tended to let go in her favor just to avoid the struggle.

How dare she think she could control his grief, too? He'd been a mess in the days that followed Videl's hospitalization, shuttling between his job, the hospital and trying to keep things together for Pan while coping with the unexpected news that Videl's days were coming to a rapid close.

Thank Kami that Piccolo had intervened and dragged him off to meditate as often as he could.

Gohan broke off his reverie at the sound of a knock.

"I can leave if you're busy" Bra said, hovering just outside in the hall.

"No. It's okay." Please, not the whole how about this menu/seating plan again.

Bra's blue eyes gleamed wickedly. "I promise my bout of wedding insanity is over." She held up her hands. "All I have to show you is me."

Gohan scratched the back of his head forgetting that she could tap into his thoughts, something he and Videl never shared. I'm sorry. The plans are important to you. I know that."

She came forward and slid her arms around his neck. "Wrong Professor Son. The planning was fun at first but the whole big wedding thing was my mon's fantasy. I talked her out of it, though we still have to do the engagement party thing since the invitations went out yesterday."

"So, we're just going to shack up?"

"I'll do anything you want to, Gohan. I told you a marriage license has nothing to do with how I feel about you."

Searching Bra's mind, Gohan knew that his happiness was more important than her own. He gazed deep into her eyes. This thing between us, the difference in our ages, it's scary, and it almost seems like a dream.

She tensed in his arms. Oh. I know, but--

Let me finish. It's scary and I don't understand how it happened so fast, maybe it was always there. One thing I'm sure of is that it's real. You're part of me, Bra. You fill an empty space that was inside my heart.

Her eyes brimmed with tears. She tried to blink them away.

"What's this?" he asked before kissing the tears away.

She cried harder and clung to him.

I'm happy!

Then why are you crying?

She pulled back, wiped her eyes with her hands. "I don't know" She sniffed. "I can't help it. Trunks shared a candy bar with me yesterday and I lost it. Mom says my hormones are responsible. She said it's a baby thing."

Gohan smiled remembering his father's tale of Chi-Chi's mood swings when she was carrying him. "Want to go for a walk?"

"Okay."

Gohan led her from the room, closing the door behind them after taking a last look at the unused bed.

Pan belongs here. I feel responsible. Maybe---

Don't even think it. Gohan told her silently. It's me she's mad at. I just have to figure out a way to get through to her.

****

Pan pulled her clothes back on as Chad Sharpner got back into the front seat of his car. She frowned. So that was it. That was what sex was all about. What a let down. It wasn't like that in the movies she'd seen and the books she'd read. Especially not the first time. It was supposed to be special wasn't it?

She got out of the car, shame filling her as she spied the used condom on the ground. Chad started the car before she got into the front seat. "Where are we going?"

"I have people to see. I'll take you home unless you want to come along." The look her gave her clearly canceled the vague invitation.

"No. I'll see you in school tomorrow."

"I thought we were cutting again. Now that you finally came around we have something to keep us busy."

Pan felt her stomach churn.

***

Chapter 5

Hercule pulled Yamcha aside while the camera crew reset their lights. "I thought this was a Day in the life show. You've been hanging around here for two weeks. Should I start charging ZSPN rent?"

Yamcha cleared his throat and ordered himself not to gag or burst out laughing.

"I told the producer that a single day isn't any way to do justice to the man who saved the world. We owe it to your fans to give them what they want."

Hercule's ego puffed him up. "Of course you do. How a bout a few more shots of me training?"

Yamcha swallowed back the bile wanting to rise in his throat. He'd seen babies train harder with their little crib mobiles."Great idea. Hey, why don't we get a couple more shots of you sparring with your granddaughter."

Hercule paled then bent to tie his shoe to cover up. "I don't know. Panny has lots of homework keeping her busy."

If only she did, Yamcha thought miserably. He was worried about Pan. It was almost as if she was leading some double life. For Hercule and the cameras she was just another sweet kid. But he'd caught onto her game soon enough. She passed off disciplinary notes from school by folding them and having Hercule sign them like they were autographs for friends. She'd even gotten him to sign a few blank sheets. Kami only knew what she was doing with them.

He'd caught her intercepting quite a few phone calls apparently from the school as well. She told them Hercule was away making a personal appearance and that her father was out of town and didn't have a local address or phone number yet.

"I have an idea," Hercule said breaking into Yamcha's contemplation.

"Why don't you splice in some of that Cell recreation and I can comment on it. Sort of let the fans in on my strategy."

Yamcha coughed and swallowed hard. He almost lost it that time. "Great idea. Let me tell the guys."

While Hercule babbled on in front of the wide screen tv playing the hokey "recreation" video Yamcha went outside for some fresh air. Pan was sitting alone on an old swing set in a corner of the mansion's back lawn.

I wish you'd tell me what's going on in your life, Pan. I want to help.

Pan looked up him, glum expression brightening for a flickering moment. "Hi Yamcha. You still working on the show?"

"We got all we need a couple days ago." He sat in the swing next to hers. "I extended it without proper authorization and the producer is not happy. He was such a spaz at our meeting today."

Pan laughed. She suddenly realized she only seemed able to laugh or smile in Yamcha's presence these days. "A spaz huh? I think you've been around me too much."

"Not nearly enough." Oh shit. He looked away, hoping the comment slipped by unnoticed. He doubted it judging from the silence that fell around them.

Pan began to swing slowly back and forth and he glanced over telling himself for what had to be the thousandth time that she was just a kid, that she was the granddaughter of one of his oldest friends.

"Does it bother you?" she asked finally breaking the silence.

"What?"

"The way my grandfather has been taking the credit for what happened with Cell."

"Sometimes I want to clue the world in but I suppose it's not that important, as long as I know the truth." He paused. "I imagine it drives your dad crazy though. He's the one who really took care of things. I'm still amazed by it all."

"He's stupid," Pan muttered. "Only an asshole would keep his mouth shut about something like that."

Yamcha stood and grabbed hold of the swing to stop it. "Don't talk about Gohan like that. He was eleven years old, he was almost killed himself and yet he managed to pull himself together and save us all. And that wasn't the last time he risked his life for this world and those in it. Your father is a great man. Why don't you see that."

Pan stood and looked up at him, defiance glowing within her eyes. "My father is just a guy who doesn't care about his own flesh and blood."

She tried to push past but Yamcha wouldn't let her.

"Let go."

"Not until you hear me out. I don't know what you're doing with your life these days but I do know you're deluding yourself about Gohan. You have no idea how many times he's come by here and called trying to see you. You're not here or blow him off. I've seen the letters and cards he's sent and I've seen you throw them away without opening them."

He released the light hold on her arm. "Your father is reaching out to you, Pan. Don't blame him because you don't want to be bothered."

"What's bothering me is you," she snapped.

****

"I guess that pretty much wraps things up," Yamcha said once Hercule finally finished his verbal stroll down Fabricated Memory Lane. I'll let you know when it's ready to air. " He shook Hercule's hand and was amazed that the 'World's Strongest Fighter' winced. He wasn't even trying to squeeze his hand. Hell, he'd been working out lately but his power level was no where near where it had once been. "Say goodbye to Pan for me."

"You can say goodbye yourself."

Yamcha looked towards the curving staircase. Pan was gorgeous as hell in a purple sweater and purple print skirt. She's a kid and stop oogling her because even Hercule isn't that stupid. "You look nice," he said when she approached. He glanced at his watch. "Kind of late for going out isn't it?"

Pan flashed him that hungry look that she had at the movie theater. "Not if I have a big tough man to protect me."

"Gee, Panny I have a dinner date," Hercule said.

Maybe Hercule was that stupid. Yamcha slid his hands into his pockets and averted his gaze. He felt a spark of energy when Pan slipped her arm through his.

"I guess that just leaves me and Yamcha then. "I'm bored I want to go out."

"Isn't it a school night?" Hercule asked.

"No," she avoided Yamcha's disbelieving look. "It is, but my class has a free day. One of the perks of being a Senior."

"Alright, then. You're in safe hands."

"I hope not," Pan mumbled.

"What?"

"I said, the safest." She kissed Hercule's cheek. "Have fun. I'll probably be in bed when you get back."

Yamcha fought hard to suppress a groan. Movie. Pizza. Home. Alone.

He held the car door as she climbed inside. Telling himself that she did not just purposely hike her skirt up. "So, we doing the movie and pizza thing?"

"I want to go clubbing."

"Clubbing?"

"Duh. I can get into a club. And I can drink if you buy it for me."

Yamcha gave her a hard look. "And tomorrow's headlines read: Former Baseball Great Corrupts the Morals of a Minor. Then your father kicks my ass into the next dimension and if anything is left of my miserable hide Goku, Goten and Hercule will destroy it."

Pan rolled her eyes then slouched down in the seat. She pouted and he was relieved to see the Evil Temptress look gone. "I am bored."

"And I'm starving. I know a nice restaurant and they serve big portions."

She brightened and sat up. "A real restaurant. A fancy one?"

"It's been a while since I've been there but if my old brain remembers correctly it was pretty fancy." He was certain he heard his credit card let out an anguished cry.

"Why do you do that?" Pan asked as they pulled out of the driveway.

"Do what?"

"Whenever I talk to you keep making 'old' comments about yourself."

"Do I?"

"You know you do." He said nothing and she held her tongue as long as she could. "You're a really cool guy, Yamcha and I never think about your age until you mention it."

"Once you get to be as old as me age is all you think about."

"There you go again."

"I'm sorry."

Me too, Pan thought unhappily, turning to peer out the car window. He really was an awesome guy. Why did he have to be so hung up on the age thing?

Yamcha glanced over at Pan. Don't cave. You're doing the right thing. Okay, so right now she seems very together and mature but a couple minutes ago she was looking at you like some hormone crazed teenager. You don't need that headache and she doesn't either.

****

Yamcha's resolve almost crumbed during the course of the evening. If this had been an actual date it would rank as the best he'd ever had next to his early days with Bulma. They laughed and talked about more things than he could possibly list. Pan even persuaded him into dancing in the restaurant's bar.

"This music isn't your type," he said as they entered.

Pan gave him an indignant look. "I like all kinds of music and I even know how to dance to ballroom type stuff."

"I'm impressed."

She grinned. "You shouldn't be. I was only ten when my mom made me take those classes. Haven't done the cotillion thing since I was twelve."

He led her to the dance floor and took her into his arms. She fit perfectly. Too perfectly. "I guess you're all set to tear up the dancefloor at the party then."

"Party?"

"The engagement party. You are going aren't you?"

Pan tensed and tried to get away. Yamcha pulled her closer. Surprisingly she relaxed.

"I'm not going."

"You have to. At least make an appearance then give them the old I'm not feeling well line."

"I really don't want to."

"If you won't do it for Gohan then do it for me. Bulma threatened to fix me up with a date if I didn't bring one. If I'm dancing with you all evening she'll back off."

"I'll go but no longer than an hour."

"It's a deal." He smiled.

She did likewise then laid her head on his shoulder as the band continued the set of slow songs.

I could really get used this, Pan thought as they danced the night away. She felt so happy, so safe in Yamcha's arms that she didn't want it to end. But end it did long before she was ready.

"I guess we have to go," Yamcha said when the bandleader announced the last song. He looked around. They were alone. The bartender had finished closing the bar and the lights were dimming. "I've closed many a bar but never sober."

Pan laughed. He did the same then took her into his arms, hating the thought of having to let her go. When the song ended he handed the musicians a hefty tip.

****

"You want to come in for awhile?" Pan asked when Yamcha walked her to the door of her grandfather's mansion.

"It's pretty late and I have a meeting early," he said hoping she didn't notice he was lying. If I go inside I'm afraid I won't be able to leave. The happiness in her eyes seemed to dim, but he refused to speculate on it. He wanted very much to kiss her but fought the urge. "Well, I'd better be going," he said, making no move to leave.

She nodded not bothering to open the front door.

They stood there gazing at one another, their lonely hearts voicing pleas than went unheaded.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Yamcha said, his stomach twisting slightly.

She looked away as if debating with herself then looked back up, clearly uncomfortable. "It's kind of a weird question. It's really weird but it's something I've been wondering about for a long time now."

This can't be good.

"Um,,," She stared down at her feet, took a breath then looked up again, the words blurting out. "What's it like to make love? I don't mean just sex I mean really make love with someone who loves you."

Yamcha stared and hoped his mouth wasn't hanging open. He had no idea. He sort of did if he used his first times with Bulma as an example but that was it and the realization that he hadn't a clue twisted his stomach further. He cleared his throat. Twice.

"Well. I don't think I can describe it." He paused and ran his hand through his hair as he struggled for an answer for her, for himself. "You know how it feels when you're gathering the energy for a kamahemeha?" And then the rush that goes through you when you let it go?"

She nodded.

"It's kind of like that. But not." He frowned. "I just can't explain it, but I know it's the most incredible feeling in the world."

"I think I understand. Thanks."

She opened the door and Yamcha grabbed her arm. She couldn't be thinking it. Certainly not with that sleazy Sharpner kid. She couldn't do it. She shouldn't.

"You won't, I mean you aren't thinking--"

"I was just wondering that's all," she said coldly, closing the subject in no uncertain terms.

Yamcha released her arm and backed away. "I'm sorry. Goodnight" He turned and walked away stopping when she called to him. She rushed down the walk to him and he wanted desperately to sweep her into his arms.

"Thank you. I had a good time. A great time."

He smiled and found himself unable to keep from taking hold of her hand. "I had a great time too. Thank you."

She looked up at him, her pretty face so captivating in the soft light from the lamps flanking the walk. She edged closer. He tried to back away but his feet refused to move.

Without his consent his hands pulled her into a loose embrace. He inclined his head towards Pan's, his lips aching to taste hers.

He heard the sound of a car slowing but his brain refused to process the sound. It was too caught up in this moment, his attention too consumed by the beautiful young woman in his arms.

A car door slammed shut.

"Pan!"

Shit. It was Gohan. He was a dead man, but part of him didn't care. He pulled away reluctantly, grabbing hold of Pan's hand when she tried to flee.

***Chapter 6

"Excuse us, Yamcha."

"Sure." He let go of Pan's hand, she clung to him. He looked at her, gently pried her fingers loose from his wrist. "You and your dad need to talk. I'll call you later."

Curiosity flickered in Gohan's eyes then was gone.

Yamcha walked away slowly, ordering himself not to stop and listen. However, Gohan and Pan's loud tones made it impossible not to eavesdrop.

"Let's go inside."

"Fuck you."

"Pan!"

"Let go of my arm or I'll scream. The cops will come and I'll cry child abuse."

"Be my guest. Then you'll be put in a foster home and I can stop worrying about your safety. Let's take this inside."

"Just say what you came to say and leave me alone."

"I went to school to see you today. You weren't there and have only been there ten days since the new term started. And on those days you skipped out at lunch time. Tell me, just why did Hercule sign all those absence slips and early dismissal forms?"

"Ask him yourself."

"I did. He signed autographs on blank sheets of paper."

"He's lying. You know he's a pathological liar."

"Not about this."

Yamcha breathed a sad sigh and turned to look at Gohan and Pan. It pained him deep down to see them like this and he was reminded of that old phrase "You only hurt the ones you love".

"You're coming home with me where I can keep an eye on you." Gohan told his daughter.

"I need to go in and get my clothes."

"All the clothes you brought back from New York are in your room waiting for you."

"I need to go in and get my books for school."

"Your books were in your locker at school. They're also now in your room."

"You can't make me go."

"You will go. And if it's not home with me then it's a boarding school, foster home or correctional boot camp. Take your pick."

The tears in Pan's eyes as Gohan propelled her to his car tugged at Yamcha's heart but he knew it was for the best. He was glad that Gohan finally had Pan under control before she got herself into a real mess.

Your father loves you, Pan, he thought as he watched the car pull away. And Kami help me, I do, too.

****

"Remember, if you try to sneak off it's farewell West City hello boot camp," Gohan reminded Pan when he walked her up to her room.

"Fu-fa la la, Father."

Gohan rubbed his temple. He was doing the right thing and he was not going to let her goad him into apologizing. "Goodnight, Pan. I love you."

She replied by slamming the bedroom door in his face.

Angry and frustrated Pan cried herself to sleep, hugging tightly to the plush dinosaur toy she'd had since she was a baby.

She woke at three in the morning softly calling Yamcha's name and reaching out for him. When her hand fell on nothing but the blanket she'd pushed off herself she whimpered. It was only a dream. But it was so real. She was in Yamcha's arms on the walk of her grandfathers's house and Yamcha was kissing her. They'd gone inside and upstairs and he'd made love to her. Sweet romantic love.

She turned on the bedside lamp and dialed his number. She hung up just before it rang. What's wrong with you? He's so not interested. He was just being nice and trying to be a fill in father.

Yamcha was just drifting off to sleep when the phone rang. He waited for a second ring and wondered if he'd imagined it. He looked at the caller ID. It was Gohan's number. Had Pan run away? Was she all right? Was she the one Who'd called?. He reached for the phone then replaced the receiver without dialing.

She was fine. Gohan probably had under lock and key. And if she did call it was better not to talk to her now, not until he got this longing under control.

He switched off the light and stared up at the ceiling. Why couldn't this just be a case of the hots? At least he could conquer that with cold showers and his hands. He was powerless against this craving for companionship-Pan's companionship-- that ate away at him.

****

"Do you need me to have mom cancel the engagement party?" Bra asked a few days later during her and Gohan's lunch break at the university.

"No," Gohan said flatly, taking care not to let his thoughts betray his true feelings. "I need a break from this paperwork Shu keeps dumping on me."

"Is Pan coming?"

"Whether she wants to or not."

Bra frowned. "I wish she'd talk to me. I wish she'd talk to you. " She massaged Gohan's tense shoulders. "At least she hasn't tried to cut school or sneak out of the house."

He looked skyward. "Thank Dende for small miracles huh?"

****

"C'mon, c'mon," Pan muttered as Yamcha's phone rang endlessly. She looked at the clock on the cafeteria wall. If she was late getting to class her Gestapo father would send her off for sure."

"You're here but I'm not," Yamcha's recorded voice said. "Do the message thing and I'll get back to you."

"Hey, Yamcha, it's Pan. I just wondered if you're still going to that joke of an engagement party for my dad. If so I'll see you there. You owe me a dance. Bye."

I miss you. I love you. She added silently.

"Hey babe!"

Pan jumped at the sound of Chad Sharpner's voice. Her skin crawled at the feel of his hand sliding around her shoulder, brushing against her breast.

"What's this about a party?"

"My dad is marrying Bra Briefs. There's a big party at Capsule Corp on Friday."

"You mean Bra who used to go to school here? And your dad?" Chad leered. "I guess I can see why she went for him if he's as good under the sheets as you."

Pan cringed, catching sight of heads turning her way. Just broadcast it on ZTV you jerk. Pan broke away. "I need to get to class."

"Class? What's wrong with you? It's Wednesday, we hang at Yoshi's house and party on Wednesdays."

"Not me. Not anymore. My dad busted me. I'm grounded."

Chad laughed. "I get it. You have to be Miss Goody Girl for a while. It's cool. I'll see you at that party. I'm sure we can find a nice quiet corner to settle some business."

Pan's stomach twisted. "The engagement party? It's invitation only."

"I think my dad has an invitation. He's photographing some society thing for the newspaper and he wrote CC on his calendar."

Chad swooped in for a kiss that made Pan want to throw up. She tried to imagine he was Yamcha. It didn't make her feel any less dirty but at least it kept her lunch down.

****

Yamcha smiled as he listened to the answering machine message for the third time. He was acting like some flustered school kid listening to Pan's soft voice but he didn't care. The sound of her reminded him of the sweet smell of her, the way she'd melted against him on the dance floor, the pleasure that washed over him when he kissed her. Almost kissed her. Yamcha's practical side reminded him. You never got to the real thing Romeo. You just dreamed it.

Still, spending time with Pan at Hercule's and then taking her out to dinner had been the happiest hours he'd had in a long time and he was looking forward to the engagement party even if he had to subject himself to being in the smirking presence of Vegeta.

Vegeta as a father-in-law. He didn't envy Gohan that at all.

****

"Don't make us be late, Pan!" Gohan called up the stairs.

"I ripped my pantyhose I had to change them!" She yelled back.

Gohan looked at his watch then looked up at the sound of his daughter's footsteps. Although her hair was freshly washed and curled and her face lightly made up her expression made it look as though she were headed to a funeral not a party.

"You look very pretty," he aid sincerely. "And I'm glad you're coming to the party."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really."

She smirked a very Vegeta like smirk.

"Is that the dress you got from 18's shop?"

"Yeah and she gave me a discount if you're worried about the price."

"The price doesn't matter. I was just curious. " It seemed awfully low cut in front but he couldn't tell with her leather trench coat on. "Please be civil to Bra."

Pan rolled her eyes and then brushed past him towards the door.

"Is Yamcha coming to the party?" she asked once they were on their way to CC.

"I guess so. Bulma invited all the guys and half the city from what I understand." Heavy silence descended again and Gohan desperately wanted to reestablish the communication he and Pan had always shared, "Yamcha sure has done a turn around. I almost didn't recognize him the other day."

Pan smiled, remembering how good the former Z fighter looked in a suit and she wondered if he'd be wearing a tuxedo tonight since her father was. "I guess he did the make-over thing since he got that ZSPN job. He's doing some series: A Day in the Life of a Hero. Grandpa Satan is the first one."

"And this should surprise us?" Gohan said. He was caught off guard by the sound of Pan's laughter and he reached over to pat her hand. The smile fell from his face when she jerked it away. A little progress was better than none.

****

"I think it was a mistake to let your brother handle the music," Bulma said over a loud rock tune. She waved her hand to get the attention of Trunks who was talking with the DJ he'd hired. She pointed to her ear then signaled him to lower the volume. The music went lower but it was no less irritating.

Bra returned her brother's wave and continued bouncing to the quick tune. "I like it."

"You would," Vegeta grumbled, coming up between his mate and daughter.

Bra hugged him. His usual scowl almost faded. "Please promise you'll be nice to Gohan. You can't scare him away the way you did to the boys I tried to date when I was in school."

Vegeta grumbled. "I will never accept that you've mated yourself to the spawn of Kakarot."

Bra and Bulma both groaned. "Give it a rest, Daddy. If nothing else he has Saiyan blood. I could have fallen in love with that boy I wanted to go to the Senior prom with. You remember Idasa don't you?"

Vegeta smirked. He'd shaken the boy's hand when he'd arrived to pick up Bra and the baka had wet himself. "Fine. I won't punch the brat. Tonight."

Bulma watched Vegeta as he stalked off towards the buffet table to "supervise" the placement of the food. She'd hired four cooks and bought a truckload of food.. She hoped that would be enough so that the human guests would get to eat.

Your father looks good in a tux, too bad we can't get him a spandex one to train in."

Bra laughed. "There's Gohan and Pan. Talk about looking good in a tux," she said with a sigh."

Bulma looked towards the front door, her jaw dropping when Pan handed her coat to the hired maid. "Oh my," she said taking in the black dress with the plunging neckline, dipping back and thigh baring side slits. "I don't believe Gohan let her buy that."

"I don't think he knew," Bra said hearing Gohan's protest within her mind.

How could 18 let her get this? Even an android has some kind of common sense don't they?

He took Pan's coat and tried to get her to put it back on. She refused and stalked over towards Trunks and Goten. Male heads whipped around as she slunk past.

"Well," Bulma said. "At least she came to the party."

"True," Bra answered, smiling as Gohan wove his way towards her, accepting engagement congratulations along the way. Pan's ploy for attention fell by the wayside when Gohan took her in his arms and kissed her.

It's been so long, she called to him. I want to come home with you tonight, Please?

I'm sorry I've been so caught up in everything lately, Bra. Of course I want to be with you tonight. I can't wait to hold you. I love you.

A brilliant flash of light startled them both.

"Sorry to interrupt but I had to get a pic of the happy couple."

Gohan blinked. "Sharpner is that you?"

"Of course it is, Gohan old buddy." He punched his former classmate in the arm. "I'm back working for the paper again. Introduce me to your lady and let me get a nice pose from you both."

"Is Chad here yet?" Sharpner asked when he finished taking the picture.

"Chad?" Gohan asked.

"My son. He's been dating your daughter for about a month now."

"Uh, well..."

Chad Sharpner? The Chad Sharpner? Bra wondered.

The Chad Sharpner? Gohan asked silently.

Is Pan really seeing him?

I don't know. Not since she's been back home."

I hope it's not true. He's bad news. Very bad news.

"I'll get back to work and let you two lovebirds moon over each other."

Bra and Gohan never broke their gaze.

Chad Sharpner has been a trouble maker since Kindergarten. Before you moved to New York he really took a turn-he was arrested, dealt drugs, you name it. I'm worried for her Gohan.

So am I.

Gohan hugged Bra and said a quick prayer of safekeeping for his daughter.

****

"Don't even think about it, Dende."

"But--"

"The girl has lessons to learn and if she needs to learn them the hard way, so be it," Piccolo said.

His shoulders sagging in defeat, the little Guardian nodded.

****

"Move it or lose it, Trunks. I'm cutting in."

Trunks grinned at Yamcha and stepped away from Pan taking the folded sheet of paper Yamcha handed him.

"Look at you," Pan said, her eyes sweeping over the tall warrior. He was the handsomest man she'd ever seen. No one else here looked so good in their tuxedos. "Wow."

"Wow yourself," he said smiling. "That dress is something else," he added, tearing his eyes away from the swell of her cleavage. He turned and gave a thumbs up to Trunks when the DJ put on the first song on his list. It was one of the songs he and Pan had danced to at the restaurant.

"Shall we, Ms. Son?" He held out his hand, loving the feel of the way she wrapped her fingers around his, the way her smile lit up her pretty dark eyes and took away the cold emptiness in his heart.

You could be my someone

You could be my savior

You know that I'll protect you

From all of the obscene...

Yamcha's blood surged when his fingers made contact with the bare skin of Pan's back and he was painfully reminded of just how long it had been since he'd been with a woman.

Pan stared up into Yamcha's eyes, her body heating as she pressed closer, and felt her unbound breasts push against the hard plane of his chest. The song neared its end and she dug her fingers into the smooth jacket fabric covering his shoulder. "Please keep dancing. Don't let me go."

"I couldn't if I tried," he whispered, gently brushing his scarred cheek against her hair when she laid her head on his shoulder.

****

Chad Sharpner smirked at the sight of that geezer dancing with Pan. Use your hand and dream about her old man, she's mine.

***

Chapter 7

Yamcha ignored the tap on is shoulder.

"I need Pan."

"Like hell you do," Yamcha muttered thinking aloud.

"Huh?"

Yamcha stopped dancing he and Pan both gave the intruder a cold look.

Goku grinned and scratched the back of his head. "Bulma wants a big family photo. And you know Bulma. She made me come over."

"I know Bulma," Yamcha said, reluctantly releasing his hold on Pan. She pouted and he winked at her. "I'll be here when you get back. The night is young and I'm wearing my dancing shoes."

Pan smiled and kissed his cheek. "I'll be right back."

Bra clasped Gohan's hand. That is exactly what Pan needs. Some serious stability in a man.

Huh? You don't mean Yamcha.

Of course I do. They've been dancing since he got here. There is definitely something developing between them.

No way. Not Yamcha. It's not happening. Ever.

Bra was at a loss she simply stared.

He's been around the block too many times. He's too old. He's older than my father for crying out loud.

But between Yamcha and Chad Sharpner, Yamcha is a knight in shining armor. Trust me.

Gohan cupped Bra's cheek in his hand and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips. We'll get into this later, okay?

Pan's good mood began to sour as she watched her former best friend and her

father. Once the wedding happened and Bra moved in her life would be hell. And she didn't even want to think about what would happen when their kid came around. It was disgusting.

Chad's dad made her stand close to Bra. "So did you get a big deal wedding gown?"

"Yeah. It's not really elaborate but it's pretty. I wish you'd have come shopping with me."

Pan smirked. "Is it white?"

"Yes."

"Really?" She raised her voice. "You're wearing white? Can you do that? I mean, didn't you lose your virginity to Trunks and Goten when you were twelve?"

Bra spun around. "That's a lie!"

"I'm just repeating what you told me. So when is the baby due? That's the only reason my dad is marrying you isn't it?"

"Pan!" Gohan snapped. "Stop this!"

"You stop it! You're the one fucking teenaged girls!"

Bra suddenly became conscious of the stares and whispers of the throng of guests. She burst into tears and pushed through the crowd. Bulma followed her. Goku, Trunks and Goten were in shock. Vegeta glared and took a menacing step forward.

"Get your brat under control or I will."

"Touch her and die, Vegeta," Gohan growled.

Goku stepped between them. "'geta. Let's go to the gravity room and have a quick spar."

The furious prince glowered at Gohan and Pan. "Fine. I need to hit something . Now."

Yamcha watched helplessly as Gohan turned slowly and faced his defiant, smirking daughter. He'd only seen that look in Gohan's eyes one other time. Just before he blasted Cell into oblivion.

Kami help us all.

Trunks and Goten wedged their way between father and daughter. Goten managed to drag his brother away to the bar while Trunks pulled Pan to the side and read her the riot act.

Yamcha breathed a sigh of relief as the guests milling around the confrontation area went back to the business of partying. He saw Bulma return and speak with Gohan who slipped out of the room, presumably to speak with Bra. Goku and Vegeta returned with Goku (despite the formal clothing) looking as though he'd been run over by a bus. Vegeta wore his usual self-satisfied smirk.

Trunks joined the lecture Goten was giving Pan (who seemed indifferent to all of it). Maybe he should go over. Perhaps he could get through to her or at least find out why she kept behaving like this. He'd only taken two steps forward when that slimeball Sharpner kid approached Pan.

"Get lost," Goten sneered.

Sharpner slid is arm around Pan's shoulders. "I just want to take my girl out to get some fresh air while everybody settles down."

Trunks and Goten looked at one another then stepped aside.

Yamcha cursed under his breath then hurried forward intercepting the teens at the door leading to the rear lawn. "I owe you a dance or two, Pan." He held out his hand.

Pan averted her eyes ashamed at the way she'd behaved. "I'm really not in the mood right now. I'm sorry."

Sharpner pushed past Yamcha. "You heard the lady, Gramps."

Pan pushed Chad away after he groped her in a dark corner of the yard. "No. Not here."

"Then let's get out of here."

"I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

Pan said nothing. She stared past Chad into the house. Yamcha was talking to some tall, shapely blonde.

Sharpner glanced over his shoulder following Pan's gaze. He reached out, gripped her waist and pulled her to him. "Looks like Gramps is going to get himself some tonight."

Pan closed her eyes. Chad tried to kiss her. She didn't respond.

"What is with you? You dress like you're all hot and ready and now you're going to play Miss Innocent?"

Yamcha had walked away from the blonde and was moving towards the patio doors.

"I'm thirsty. I'm going inside," Pan said.

Yamcha was talking to Bulma and Pan went towards the bar. "Gingerale please.".

"Beer for me," Chad said. He turned to Pan. "Why don't you grab those seats over there and I'll bring the stuff over."

"Okay."

Pan felt a flush of heat wash over her after she finished her soda. "It's awfully warm in here."

"Is it?" Sharpner asked, containing a leering grin. "You want another drink?"

"Yeah."

Wanting to open the window to her right she stood never expecting the wave of dizziness that caused her to grab onto the chair back for support. What the hell? She sat back down, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe she was hungry. She hadn't eaten in hours.

"Here ya go, babe."

Pan took the glass of gingerale and drank it quickly. Thankfully the dizziness passed. She looked for Yamcha but didn't see him. She looked around the room feeling the sour mood that had been plaguing her since the picture session lift. The DJ began to play a series of dance tunes and Pan let the music fill her. She knew these songs but suddenly they sounded different and the music seeped deep down inside of her. "Dance with me," she said, grabbing Chad by the hand and pulling him to the front of the dance floor.

Pan let the music and the euphoria it brought carry her away. She closed her eyes and moved to the beat.

Yamcha was blotting at a wet spot on his tux jacket as he came out of the restroom. It was just his luck to have someone spill wine on him the first time he wore it. He heard a muffled. "Look at that." from a woman nearby and scanned the crowded room curious to see what had elicited such a disgusted tone.

Oh no.

Pan was gyrating like an exotic dancer, caressing and sliding herself up against that Sharpner creep like he was the metal pole in the center of a strip club stage and he was loving every minute of it, the bastard.

Yamcha hurried through the crowd and took hold of Pan's shoulders. "What are you doing?"

She gave him a drunken grin though he didn't detect the smell of alcohol on her.

"Dance with me, " she said, trying to grind herself against him.

Gohan appeared and thrust Pan's coat at her. "Home. Now."

The Sharpner kid was gone before Pan's father arrived.

"Bye, Yamcha!" she called as Gohan steered her towards the door.

"What has gotten into that girl?" Bulma said coming up beside Yamcha.

"I wish I knew," he said, trying to acknowledge the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was the same feeling he had seconds before being killed by that Saibaman.

****

Pan felt too good to let her father's stupid lecture bring her down. She wanted to party and dance and have a good time. Her father was no fun. Yamcha was no fun. Even Trunks and Uncle Goten were no fun. Chad was fun. He liked to party.

"Have you heard anything I've said young lady?" Gohan demanded to know as he pulled into the driveway in front of his house.

"Yes, I heard it all," she answered in what she hoped was a serious voice.

He grumbled something then got out of the car. He came around and opened her door. Taking hold of her elbow he led her to the house. "Go to your room," he told her once he opened the front door.

"I'm going. I'm going." But if you think I'm staying there you're crazy.

Chad Sharpner was lurking in the bushes outside the Son house. He saw Pan by the window of her room and tossed a tiny stone up. Before he knew it Pan was standing before him. He was higher than he thought. She couldn't have flown down could she?

"Let's go finish the party. My car is around the corner."

"I don't want to go back to Capsule Corp."

"We're going to a private party with the guys."

***

Chapter 8

Crouching behind the cover of rocky landscape, shielding him from those inside Frieza's ship, he looked around. Where was everyone? They'd been behind him a second ago and now they were gone. He was alone. Alone to rescue little Puar who was trapped inside the ship and begging him to get her out. He could hear her pounding, her plaintiff voice pleading...

"Yamcha! Yamcha, please let me in. Please..."

"I'll get you out, Puar, I promise."

The knocking became insistent. "Yamcha please let me in...."

Finally his sleep-fogged mind processed the information. This wasn't part of the dream. Someone was knocking--on his glass balcony door. But he was fifteen floor up.

Bolting upright, his senses quickly erased the sleepy haze and he tensed before hedging towards the dark livingroom, ready to face the intruder.

The barest hint of the coming dawn illuminated the slight figure leaning against the sliding glass door for support.. It was Pan. He flicked on the nearest lamp and brought her in. With a wracking sob she collapsed against him. He scooped her up and carried her to the leather sofa, setting her down gently, placing a pillow beneath her head.

Her face was streaked with dirt and scratches. Her makeup was smeared as if she'd been crying. Her hair was matted in places. She was wearing nothing but her soiled leather coat.

Once he found out who was responsible they were his.

They were dead.

"What happened, who did this to you?"

She opened her eyes, tried to blink away the tears still trickling between her thick lashes. "C-chad, his friends...."

Yamcha released his anger in a low growl. They would pay. As Kami was his witness they would pay dearly.

"We need to get you to a hospital. I'll carry you to my car, or better yet I'll fly you there. Then we'll call the police." He reached out to take her in his arms but she held up her hands.

"I can't. You don't understand. I let them..." Her words dissolved into fresh sobs.

Yamcha knelt on the floor beside the sofa. Pan clung to him, her words flowing together.

"I -don't-understand-I-couldn't-stop-it-I-couldn't-fight-back-it's-like-I-was- powerless-it's-like-I-wanted-them-to-touch-me-to-use-me-to-make-me-Chad-was -gone-when-I-woke-up-the-others-were-passed-out-I-was-afraid-and-I-knew-if- I-was-with-you-I-wouldn't-be-afraid..."

Yamcha held her tightly and closed his eyes. Why? Why did this have to happen to her? He knew only too well what she must have gone through and he also knew that the emotional pain of it would be with her always.

Gently he tilted her face towards his and wiped her tears with his fingertips. "We have to take you to see a doctor."

"You'll be there and stay with me?"

"I'll stay with you as long as they let me."

Crying once more, Pan nodded.

****

Gohan and Goku arrived at the hospital within minutes of Yamcha's call. "She's with the doctor and a policewoman. They should be out in a few minutes. I told them you were on your way."

"Where was she? How did you find her?" Gohan asked, giving Yamcha a hard look. "I searched for her all night. I couldn't pick up her ki at all."

"She came to my apartment. I think that Sharpner kid drugged her. She was probably semi-conscious or unconscious for a long time. The doctor said they'd have the results from the lab soon."

Yamcha felt Gohan's ki spike in anger. He stalked towards the window of the waiting room. Goku patted Yamcha's shoulder.

"Thank you."

"No thanks are necessary. I wish I could have stopped it. I wanted to pound that little sleaze into the ground the minute showed up at the party. I should have done it.. If I had--"

Goku interrupted. "Pan is alive and safe and that's al that matters right now."

"Mr. Son?" The doctor said as he and policewoman arrived.

"How's my daughter? When can I see her?"

"In a moment. Pan has no serious injuries other than a few contusions and abrasions. We found a large quantity of 'Hyper-T' in her system. It's chemical name is hypernitrol. It's commonly referred to as a date rape drug.

Yamcha felt the anger spike in both Goku and Gohan.

"Pan was raped?" Gohan asked as if not believing it was possible.

"Repeatedly, judging from the seminal evidence we've collected," the policewoman said.

"Um, guys," Yamcha said, feeling the Saiyans' power about to explode.

Goku clamped a hand on Gohan's shoulder. "When can we see her?"

The doctor swallowed. "She requested that no one go in except," He consulted Pan's chart. "A Mr. Yamcha."

Stunned, Yamcha remained silent as Gohan's furious gaze impaled him. Luckily, the policewoman's voice diverted the Saiyan's attention.

"This is a common early reaction, Mr. Son. Your daughter is undoubtedly feeling ashamed and afraid of how you'll react to her. My advice is to let her decide in these next twenty four hours or so w ho she feels comfortable seeing. I'm sure that if Mr. Yamcha tells her you just want to see for yourself that she's fine, that she'll agree."

Grumbling, Gohan stepped back towards the windows.

"When can Pan go home, Doctor?" Goku asked.

"I'd like to keep her under observation today and let one of the staff psychologists have an opportunity to speak with her before discharge. I'll release her tomorrow morning."

"Thank you."

The doctor nodded and turned to Yamcha. "Would you like to see her now, Sir?"

"Yes."

"Yamcha," Gohan called. "Tell Pan that I love her and don't blame her for what happened."

****

Pan looked physically better after having been allowed to bathe and wash her hair, but Yamcha could see in her eyes that her ordeal was just beginning.

"You're dad and Goku are here. They'd like to see you."

She grabbed one of the pillows behind her and hugged it to her chest. "I can't see them. Not now. Not ever."

He pulled a chair close to the bed. "I know how you feel, Pan. Believe me."

"You don't have clue."

"Yes, I do."

Pan wanted to pull away when Yamcha took her hand but she didn't once she looked into his eyes and saw the torment she'd seen reflected in her own eyes when she'd looked in the mirror a while ago.

She felt her own pain begin to ebb when he spoke and told her of the man his divorced mother had married when he was twelve.

"Yusaki loved his gambling so of course there was never enough money. My mother took a promotion even though it meant she had to travel two weekends a month. Our house became party town those weekends and one night, Yusaki had his truck driver friends over for a card game. He lost. He ended up owing over 1,000 zenni. They wanted paid he didn't have the cash, but he had me..."

Pan's heart ached for Yamcha and she let her fingers glide through his thick dark hair, hoping she could bring him some small measure of comfort as he finished his tragic tale.

"It hurt so much I could hardly stand, but I knew I had to get away. I took off through the bathroom window when they went back to their drinking before 'round 5' as they called it. I didn't have any clothes on but ran until I collapsed. I don't know how or why but Puar happened to be there in the woods. She shape shifted into a blanket and covered me until daylight then found a way to lead a policeman to me. I never forgave my mother for leaving me alone with that animal and I ended up running away to the desert."

He paused and offered her a faint smile when she kissed the top of his head.

"I was afraid to get close to anyone for a long, long time. And forget it about girls. I thought for sure they'd know what had happened to me back then and think I was a freak or something."

"But it was different with Bulma."

"Yes it was. She was a friend. And it took a while but I let myself feel again. I trusted her and let it show."

There was a knock on the door. It was one of the staff psychologists.

Yamcha rose to leave. Pan kept her fingers clamped around his. He gently pried them away. "I'll be in the waiting room."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

***

CHAPTER 9

Apathy seemed to be Pan's new calling following her release from the hospital. It was as if the life had been sucked out of her and she were a wind up doll simply following routine tasks only because she was prodded to.

The only thing she showed any emotion over was returning to school. She wouldn't go, wouldn't face the peers who knew of her shameful ordeal.

Although Gohan's first instinct was to push her into going, to hold her head up and show t hem that she had nothing to be ashamed of, he let his heart rule his head and agreed, setting up a home schooling plan for Pan to finish out her Senior year and graduate with her class. He left his position at the university and took a senior editorial position with a textbook publisher which allowed him to work from home if necessary.

His heart ached for his daughter and he wished there was something he could do to ease the pain she was putting herself through. He secured her a psychologist whom she refused to see. He tried to get her to participate in a support group to no avail. He tried speaking with her himself as did his father and brother to no avail.

She was cutting herself off and wallowing in her own pain and there was nothing he could do to help her. The only person she expressed any interest in having contact with Yamcha and even with him she was reserved.

Yamcha watched Pan throw rocks into the little lake they'd found while taking one of their long walks. They walked every day he could get free from his ZSPN duties, always for miles, always in silence. She wasn't interested in small talk or trying to express the turmoil rending her soul and he didn't push her.

He knew exactly what she was feeling. He knew it entirely too well and he knew that a rage was buried inside her and that it would either eat away at and kill her spirit or it would manifest itself in an outwardly destructive bent, the same kind that led him into being a desert bandit.

He wasn't a pleasant person back then, especially at first and if it was for the gentling influence and support of Puar he might very well have turned to a life of complete violence. Bulma helped him as well and with her he learned that despite what had happened to him he was still the person he'd been before, still decent, still deserving of loving and being loved.

Yamcha studied Pan and continued to watch as she collected small rocks and threw them, aiming at the small fish surfacing to grab bugs and at the little frogs doing the same.

The rage she felt at that Sharpner creep and his friends was there and it was growing.

He took a senzu bean from his pocket and chewed it slowly. He had a plan and if it worked it be worth getting his brain scrambled.

"The trial is next week isn't it?"

Pan said nothing but he noticed the tension stiffening her back.

"I imagine you have to go."

Again silence.

"I don't envy you having to sit there and watch Sharpner smirking at you while you sit on the witness stand and tell the judge what he did to you."

Pan's ki spiked. She threw a rock hitting a small frog in the head, killing it instantly.

Yamcha took a deep breath. He'd rather rip his heart out than cause her pain but he knew that she had to let out the torment she'd been holding inside.

"They'll probably make you tell in detail what went on and I bet Sharpner's lawyer will say it's a lie and that you wanted to take that drug."

The ground vibrated as Pan's anger grew.

Steeling his nerves and readying his body or a fight he stood and walked towards Pan. "When the police interviewed you, did you tell them what you told me, that you let them use you, that you couldn't bring yourself to stop it?"

The ground shook harder.

Bracing himself in a fighting stance Yamcha hit her with the ultimate cheap shot. "Sharpner's lawyer will have a field day with that. He and his friends might even get off if there's enough doubt that you were forced. The judge might think you asked for it."

A wave swept across the lake.

Pan flew to her feet and charged at him, punching the the leering, smirking face of Chad Sharpner. "You bastard! You drugged me!"

Yamcha blocked the kicks and punches as best he could without hitting her back. She slammed him into a towering tree with enough force to crack the thick trunk from root to top."

"You raped me!"

She pulled him up, ripping hairs from his scalp before throwing him in the air and kicking him across the lake. She flew over the water and leveled him with another vicious kick to the midriff that made him spit up blood. " You let your friends rape me!"

Crying, Pan pounced and punched him again and again. Chad Sharpner was going to pay f r what he'd done to her. He was going to pay with his miserable life. She pulled back her hand preparing to deliver a killing blow to the face when the fury clouding her vision began to dissipate.

It wasn't Chad. It was Yamcha. She'd beaten Yamcha to unconsciousness.

Wiping the tears from her face she scrambled off him. Oh Kami what have I done?

Blood tickled from his mouth, the corner of his swollen eye. His left wrist was at an unnatural angle and his torn shirt revealed ugly bruises and what might be broken ribs pushing towards his skin.

What have I done?

Afraid to move him, not knowing what to do, Pan knelt beside the fallen Z fighter and cradled his head on her lap. She kissed his bloody forehead and smoothed back his tangled hair. She looked around. The forest was silent. Even the animals had deserted her. She had to do help Yamcha. She had to do something, but what?

"Stand aside."

Pan looked up. It was her father's friend Piccolo and another Namek. It wasn't possible was it? Dende?

"Please move," the little Namek asked in a gentle tone.

Pan scrambled to her feet. "He didn't fight back. He didn't even try to protect himself."

"Quiet," Piccolo ordered.

Dende touched his hands to Yamcha's wounded body.

Pan felt the air crackle with the healing vibrations of the Guardian and she watched in amazement as Yamcha's injuries healed.

"Piccolo, could you please bring some water?"

Piccolo scowled but walked towards the lake.

Yamcha still looked deathly still. "Will he be all right?"

Dende stood and smiled. "He'll be fine. He was willing to give his life to help you recover from this all. He loves you very much."

Tears brimmed in Pan's eyes. Yamcha loved her? Was it really possible?

"It isn't possible it's a fact," Dende assured her as Piccolo returned bearing a cup he'd fashioned from wood. He took the cup and gave it to Pan. "Help him drink this."

Pan took the cup and nodded. "Thank You."

Dende smiled before whisking away with Piccolo.

Pan knelt beside Yamcha again and laid his head on her lap. She softly called his name and felt her heart soar when he opened his gorgeous dark eyes and looked at her. She helped him sit and gave him the water. "Dende healed you," she said.

He finished the water and studied her ki. It was much calmer than it had been since her ordeal. He set the cup aside and took her hand in both of his. "I didn't mean those things I said. I know you were forced, but I know how it feels to hate the person who did that to you and I knew you had to get that hate out before you could start to put it behind you."

"I almost killed you," she whispered.

"It was a risk I had to take." He reached out and caressed her dirt streaked cheek with his fingertips. "I didn't want you to be the way I was for so long. You deserve to live at peace with yourself. You're a wonderful person, Pan, and no one and nothing can take that away. You need to forgive yourself and not feel guilty about this. You didn't do anything wrong but trust someone who used that trust."

She clung to Yamcha and cried. She cried for herself and for him and what they'd gone through at the hands of heartless men.

****

The friends of Chad Sharpner whom Pan named as taking part in the date rape plead guilty and were awaiting sentencing, but Sharpner himself had refused to plea bargain and pushed for a formal court hearing. Yamcha came to lend moral support the day of the trial. As they waited for Pan to come downstairs Gohan thanked Yamcha for being there for Pan.

"I don't know what you did," but I think the worst of it is over. She finally talked about it to me and Bra." He paused. "I think she's still uncomfortable with me remarrying but she's accepting it now and she told us to stop postponing it. Once this trial is over we'll have a quiet ceremony, just family. That includes you of course."

Yamcha smiled and shook Gohan's hand. They turned when Pan came down the stairs. She looked nervous but strong enough to handle whatever they threw at her.

Pan hugged Yamcha. "Thank you for coming with us."

He kissed her forehead. "I'd do anything for you, you know that."

Gohan cleared his throat. "We'd better get going."

Waiting outside the courthouse for them was the rest of the extended "family", Goku, Goten, Trunks, Bulma, Vegeta, Bra and Hercule. Reporters tried to snap pictures and speak with Pan but suddenly their equipment short circuited. Gohan looked around for Piccolo but didn't see him.

"You can do this, honey," Bulma said to Pan giving her a hug.

Pan was accepting a hug from her maternal grandfather when Chad Sharpner arrived with is mother. His father refused to have anything to do with him and offered to be a prosecution witness.

Yamcha took hold of Pan's hand, noting the fear that leapt into her eyes when Chad smirked up at her as he spoke to a reporter. "It will be all right," he whispered. "We're all here for you."

She nodded and gripped his hand tightly.

They turned and were about to enter the courthouse when a woman's scream shot through the crowd. It was Chad's mother. The cigarette he'd been smoking fell from his hand and was burning his pant leg. Suddenly the fire flared as if ignited by force. Chad wailed in agony and thrashed, throwing himself to the ground as the flames spread out of control and burned him. The crowd of terrified onlookers fled backward as police pushed through them with fire extinguishers.

The Z senshi looked at one another, each shaking their head, denying any involvement in the macabre incident.

Vegeta who'd remained silent throughout grunted. "I didn't think the Namek had it in him." He inclined is head towards a small stand of trees across the street.

Something moved away at lightning speed and though none of them could be certain, it looked like a blur of green and white.

****

"You look really nice," Pan told Bra when she arrived at Capsule Corp for the simple wedding ceremony.

Bra hugged Pan. "Thank you. Are you sure you don't want to be my Maid of Honor? I really want you to and I know Marron would understand if I explained--"

"No, but thank you," Pan said. "I'm going to go back downstairs."

"Did Yamcha come with you?"

Pan breathed a quiet sigh. "No. He had to do an interview out of town and I guess he got hung up. I haven't heard from him since the day before yesterday"

"He's a great guy."

Pan smiled. "I know," she said going downstairs to take a seat in one of the ribbon bedecked chairs set up on the back lawn.

She and Yamcha had been spending a lot of time together these past few weeks when he wasn't working. He talked her into going back to school and had even coerced her into going to the Senior Prom with the kid in her history class who had a crush on her.

She hated every minute of prom night because it seemed so childish. She'd always felt a bit different from other kids because of her background and family ties but the incident with Chad changed her forever, matured her in ways her peers weren't.

Pan stopped her musing when her father approached her. "We're going to get started. "

"It's about time."

Gohan suppressed a grin and rubbed the back of his head. "Nothing is going to change between us, Pan you know that don't you?"

She stood and hugged him. "I know. And I want you to be happy, Daddy. I really do."

"Thank you,' he said sweeping her into a tight hug.

He went to the front to wait for Vegeta to walk Bra down the short aisle from the house.

"This seat is for me I hope."

An looked, her face lighting up like the sunny sky overhead. "Yamcha, you made it."

"Barely. I missed my flight from Kyoto so I had to fly my own way." He sat in the chair next to Pan and took several deep breaths. "I'm getting too old for this stuff."

She laughed and playfully punched his arm.

Yamcha chuckled. "Get a load of Piccolo in the tux. How did your dad talk him into being best man?"

"I have no idea." Pan looked at Yamcha who was very dashing in a three piece black suit with a rich red tie. "No one looks as good in a tux as you, though."

He squeezed her hand and she thought she saw him blush.

There was a small reception following and Pan felt happier than she had in ages as Yamcha stayed by her side and danced with her nonstop until it was time to cut the cake and toast the new couple. Trunks wished his sister all the happiness the world had to offer, Piccolo sent Dende's blessings and Vegeta muttered something akin to "Good luck with the third class baka." which earned the prince a very unplayful punch from Bulma who stepped forward to give Gohan and Bra their wedding gift, a week long cruise.

"Your plane leaves in an hour."

Bra paled. "But I have to pack."

Bulma grinned. I packed for you and Pan packed for Gohan. Your bag are in the car."

Gohan grinned at his daughter. "That's why I couldn't find my blue blazer yesterday."

"I told you you'd find it when you least expected it."

He hugged her. "Are you going to be okay? You can stay with dad or I can ask Goten to stay at the house."

"I'll be fine, Daddy. I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself for a week and I promise not to even think of cutting school those last three days."

The party continued after Gohan and Bra left but Pan wanted to be alone. Not exactly alone.

"Do you want to take a walk?" she asked Yamcha when he was finished speaking with Krillen.

"Sure."

They flew to the outskirts of the city then walked hand in hand in the woods as they'd done so many times in recent weeks. They walked in silence until they came to the lake. Yamcha pushed over a dying tree to make a bench and placed the silk pocket square from his suit jacket on the fallen trunk for Pan to sit on.

Yamcha slid his arm around Pan's shoulder as the sun began to set casting a warm orange glow upon the calm waters. "What's the matter? Still bothered about your dad and Bra?"

"No, not really," Pan said, laying her head upon his strong shoulder. She wound her arms around his waist and inhaled his masculine scent. She was remembering the day she'd beaten him, thinking he was Chad Sharpner. She also rememebred what Dende had said.

He loves you very much.

Did he? He cared, that was obvious, but apart from that one time when he'd almost kissed her, he hadn't shown any serous romantic interest.

Yamcha tried to deny the emotion he felt when Pan was with him. She was young. She had her whole life ahead of him. She certainly didn't need to be tied down with a broken down old relic like him.

But can you live without her? His lonely heart asked.

He needed to try for her sake.

"Yamcha?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember what I asked you once about what it was like to make love?"

"Yes."

"I've been thinking about it."

She felt his body grow tense and she pulled away to look at him. He moved his arm from her shoulder and she began to regret the whole thing and yet the tiny voice in her head wouldn't let her remain silent.

"I-I want to know what it's like. I want to make love with you. I love you, Yamcha."

She bit her lower lip and held her breath. There she said it.

Say something you fool! Yamcha's heart commanded. Don't let her slip away.

The words wouldn't come. Mere words simply weren't enough to tell Pan how he felt. He smiled and reached out, stroked her silky cheek with his index finger, then gently cupped her chin and leaned forward to kiss her sweet lips.

Pan whimpered as Yamcha's mouth covered hers, she wound her arms around his neck when his tongue coaxed her lips apart and softly explored her mouth. The kiss seemed to go on forever and he pulled her close, his fingers weaving themselves into her hair, urging her closer still.

The kiss ended and Yamcha looked deeply into Pan's beautiful eyes seeing his own love and need mirrored in their shining dark depths.

He stood, held his hand out. They flew up still holding hands and went to his apartment.

Landing on the balcony Yamcha pulled Pan into a tight embrace. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

She smiled and he felt a happiness the likes of which he'd never known existed.

"Make love to me Yamcha," she said, leaning up for a kiss.

***

CHAPTER 10

Everyday is a new day

I'm thankful for every breath I take

I won't take it for granted

So I learn from my mistakes

It's beyond my control, sometimes it's best to let go

Whatever happens in this lifetime

So I trust in love

You have given me peace of mind

chorus:

I feel so alive for the very first time

I can't deny you

I feel so alive

I feel so alive for the very first time

Pan's heart pounded as Yamcha carried her inside and into his room. He laid her in the center of the wide, soft bed and gave her a quick kiss before going to the diningroom. He returned with several silver candle holders supporting thick pillar candles. He placed them on the black lacquered bureau and mirrored dressing table then lit them with tiny blasts of ki energy. Soon, the scent of jasmine filtered through the room.

Pan watched Yamcha as he turned off the electric lamp then peeled off his suit jacket, vest and tie. He climbed onto the bed and gathered her in his arms.

"You have no idea how much you mean to me, Pan," he said softly, rubbing his cheek against her hair.

Pan shifted and looked into his eyes. "I do because I know how much you mean to me." She stroked his cheek wit her fingertips skimming along the prominent scar. She let her hand drift down to undo the buttons of his shirt. Pulling the edges aside she scattered a myriad of kisses across his chest.

She smiled to herself when he groaned after she skimmed her tongue across his flat belly then back up. She licked his nipples until he pulled her up for a deep, searing kiss.

Her heartbeat quickened further when he slid down the zipper of her dress then pushed it down past her shoulders. She straddled him then pulled the dress off before tugging off his silk shirt and tossing both garments aside.

Yamcha coaxed Pan onto her back and knelt beside her, his gaze roaming the length of her exquisite body. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever known," he murmured, swooping down for a swift kiss to dull the mad craving he had for her. Straightening a bit he looked at her once more, his hands tentatively gliding across her soft warm flesh. She purred his name and he bent to kiss her again then licked a path from her neck to her navel.

He knelt directly over her and slid his hands from her shoulders to her hands then back again with agonizing slowness, finally allowing himself to stroke and cup her lace-covered breasts. He sucked her taut nipples through the sheer fabric, loving the way she arched up, ran her fingers through his hair.

He shifted and let his right hand drift down to stroke her thigh. She stiffened and he stopped. "If you're not ready, I'll understand. We can stop and I'll take you home."

She cradled his face in her hands. "I'm not afraid. I love the feeling of you touching me. I've never felt anything like it." She took hold of his hand and slid it across her leg, let it slip between her parted thighs. She arched up and shuddered. The feel was incredible, the slight friction of her lace panties rubbing her sensitive swollen flesh was almost too much.

Closing her eyes she murmured, her own hands rubbing Yamcha's well muscled thighs. She smiled when he groaned and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her on top of him when he rolled over onto his back. He slid his hands down her back, lightly gripped her hips and rose up just enough for her to feel his hardness.

His voice was husky, insistent. "Feel what you do to me, Pan."

"Feel what you do to me," she teased back, gripping his hand, slipping his fingers inside her panties, letting him feel her moist heat. She shifted and he let two fingers dip inside her.

She shuddered.

"I love you, Pan."

"Oh Yamcha," she sighed, moving off him. She took his hand, licked her wetness from his fingertips, sucking them slowly in and out between her lips. She kissed him, stroking his tongue with her own then pulled back enough to speak. Her voice was low, husky with desire. "I want you. I need you." She kissed him again. "I love you."

Smiling, he slid off the bed and stood, held his hand out to her. She took Yamcha's hand and stood before him. Countless invisible sparks shot through her when he undid her bra and let it fall. Her cupped her breasts, bent to kiss each one in turn, his hot tongue flicking across her nipples. She ached for him and moaned when he pushed her panties down. He knelt before her, his hands on her hips. He kissed the soft skin of her belly, his tongue circled her navel the traveled lower.

She cried out when he kissed her sex and sought out her most sensitive spot. She shuddered, her legs quaking as he probed further, stroking her with his tongue. Her knees gave out and she sat on the edge of the bed.

"Lay back," he whispered, settling himself between her thighs, loving her with his mouth.

Pan twined her fingers in his thick hair, her hips bucking up as the pleasure mounted. He slipped his hands down to grip her bottom and continued his sweet, expert assault on her womanly flesh.

She chanted his name breathlessly and Yamcha felt himself swell to the limit, stretching the fabric of his trousers taut against his arousal. He lapped at her sweetness, holding fast to her hips as the orgasm took hold and made her quake beneath him. He let the waves of pleasure wash over her then lay beside her, contemplating the beauty of her in the pale candlelight.

Her eyes were closed and a satisfied smiled played upon her full lips. Yamcha stroked her flushed cheek and called her name until she opened her eyes and looked at him. "You can still change your mind about this---"

She pressed her fingers to his lips to silence him. "No I want you. I need to feel you inside me..."

"I want you so much it hurts," he confessed, standing to remove his trousers and silk boxers. He slipped on a condom then lay over her, supporting his weight with his forearms. She shifted beneath him, parting her thighs wider, lifting her hips until his erection was poised at her entrance. She whimpered when he entered her and he almost went over the edge when her tight, burning flesh gripped him and drew him in.

"Pan, my Pan," he whispered, sliding all the way in, stopping until her flesh accustomed itself to his size. Slowly he began to glide in and out, knowing that it wouldn't be long until he reached his peak. Before long, Pan clutched his shoulders, arched up to meet him, increasing the tempo.

She cried out his name as her pleasure mounted and when her hot inner folds clenched his shaft, Yamcha could hold back no longer. Her drove into her, her orgasm causing his own. He slowed then stopped, feeling the last sweet contractions of her slick passage drain his seed.

He turned onto his side, draping his long leg over her hip to keep them joined. He kissed her lips, her neck, her face, stroked her hair and peered deeply into her gorgeous dark eyes. "I love you, Pan and I want you with me always."

Happy tears brimmed in her eyes and she hugged Yamcha tight, loving him more than words could say.

They lay together in each others arms and drifted into a light sleep, each voicing the same heartfelt plea.

Thank you, Kami....

****

High above the Earth, Dende smiled. "You're welcome."

The End

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