Waiting (Epilogue)

BY Noseless Wonder

Disclaimer: If you haven’t figured out by now that I don’t own DBZ, I’m sure as heck not going to say it again. =P

Author’s Notes: Scene opens in a dark, damp and gloomy laboratory. Suddenly, lightning flashes and the silhouette of a crazed Noseless can be seen against the wall. “Bwahahaha!” She laughs evilly, holding up a well-worn notebook in her rubber glove covered hands.

 “Finally! It is completed!” She yells in a thick, eastern European accent, clutching the notebook to her chest and cuddling it, slightly hindered by her thick, black pilot’s sun glasses and her bulky lab coat. “My work is finished! Now I can take over the world!”

 *Ahem* You didn’t hear that last part. Anywho, thanks once again to Presea for the ideas and the encouragement to finish this thing. ^_^   

 *~*~*~*

 Pan walked out of the room slowly… sensing her loved ones ahead of her. Her hair blew lightly, coming over her shoulder and into her view. Its increased length served in reminding her of her time in the mystical room… the time she had spent alone… or fighting to survive in the variable and extreme climates the room threw at her. As she slowly neared the group of people at the end of the walkway, she had to remind herself to act normally. One full year of being practically alone with the exception of her uncle had taken its toll on her, but she didn’t want that fact to appear obvious.

 She was glad to see her parents after all this time, but her focus was on the purple-haired man in the background. He smiled at her, his eyes examining every inch of her, as if he was trying to decipher exactly how much she had changed. She stopped her advancement a few feet in front of them… her eyes searching his. With a small smile, she ran toward him, jumping up and wrapping her arms around his neck. He laughed and embraced her back… taking this as a good sign.

 Gohan stood back and watched, a sigh escaping his lips. There was no doubt now. Videl looked on worriedly at her husband. His expression solemn and sad… yet his eyes were proud. He looked like a father who had just realized that his child was all grown up. Gohan noticed his wife’s concerned look and smiled reassuringly. ’I’m not losing a daughter… I’m gaining a son.’ He repeated mentally, though it was of little consolation.

 Trunks lifted Pan off of the ground, burying his nose in her neck and inhaling deeply. She smelled worn… and tired. He could even smell a hint of scorching that came off her clothes… but Dende, did she smell good. “I missed you.” He murmured into her ear.

 “Let’s take a walk.” She said.

 She glanced at her parents, silently communicating that her and Trunks needed to talk alone. Gohan smiled and nodded as he watched his daughter walk off with her future. They wouldn’t go very far… only to the other side of Dende’s lookout, but when they returned, he knew, they would be returning engaged.

 ******

 Golden hair mixed with midnight black as the wind rushed past them. Goten sped up to incredible speeds, hoping not to hurt the woman in his arms, but very eager to get home. Marron was laughing… enjoying herself as her husband flew daringly over the landscape towards their home. Finally, he slowed, climbing higher in the sky so that the small, populated village below them wouldn’t think he was anything more than a bird or a plane if he were spotted.

 “Goten…” She began.

 “Hmm?” He asked.

 “So tell me about what went on in there…” She said, combing her hair behind her ears.

 “Um… can we do this later? I really just want to get home.”

 Marron sighed. “You don’t want to talk?”

 “Of course I do… I would rather do it when I have more time though.”

 “Goten…” Marron started, brandishing her patented glare, yet full of playful mischief at the same time, “I don’t want to do any talking when we get home. There are better things that we could be spending our time on, you know.”

 Goten caught the naughty glint in her eye and smirked. “Well, we trained… ate… trained some more… ate some more… slept a little… took a bath every couple of weeks…”

 “Goten!” She snapped, playfully punching him in the arm. “I meant about Pan! What did she decide?”

 “I don’t know… She never told me… I think she wants to talk to Trunks first.”

 Marron sighed with impatience. “Well, then what happened with you?”

Goten shook his head, “I don’t know if you want to know.” 

 His wife’s expression changed to one of concern as he slowed down in flight. He knew he had to explain sooner or later. “Marron…”

 “Goten, what’s wrong?”

 “Marron… Pan and I… we’re very… strong.” He stuttered out.

 Marron lightly laughed at her spouse’s ability to state the obvious. “Duh…”

 “Marron, I’m serious.” He said with gravity as he stopped completely.

 “What’s wrong?” She asked, beginning to understand his severity.

 “Honey… Pan and I are the strongest fighters… for now… Unless somebody manages to catch up with us, we’re the first ones up to fight the next time something bad comes along. We could end up…”

 “I know what the risks are… You don’t have to tell me this again.” She said, running her hands through his hair.

 “Yeah, I do.” He said emphatically, clasping her hand tight within his own. “I don’t want to spend the few years we have together fighting and nit-picking over stupid stuff.”

 “I’m sorry.” She said quietly, thinking that his words were directed towards her.

 “No, don’t… You didn’t do anything. I’m sorry. I’ve been so caught up in my own mortality and fears of what may or may not happen… that I wasn’t even able to look past the end of my own nose to see how much I was hurting you. I’ve been trying to live my whole life in a few months and it’s not fair… to me or to you. After spending another year in that room, I realized… we have time. We don’t need to rush to have a family just because I’m scared of becoming what my father is. If something does happen to me, then I’ll die happy knowing that we cherished every minute we had together.” He said. “I want to have a family some day… but not if it means alienating you. I can wait… until we’re both good and ready.”

 Marron sighed as a smile spread wide across her face. These types of words were unique to Goten… who seemed, at times, to be as ignorant about romance as his father. “Thank you,” She said softly, “ but I’ve been doing some thinking too.”

 “About what?”

 “Maybe… maybe we can start, but start slow.  I want to have a family too, you know. Now that the pressure’s off, I feel a whole lot better about it.”

 “What are you thinking?” Goten asked.

 “I’m thinking that we shouldn’t start trying, but we can stop taking ‘preventative’ measures too.  You know… to see what fate deals us.”

 Goten’s face lit up like a light. “Are you sure?” He asked excitedly.

 Marron chuckled at his enthusiasm. “Yeah, I’m sure. I love you, you goof… and I want to have a baby with you.”

  Goten laughed and hugged her tightly,  “I love you too… and I promise I’ll be less insane about it this time.”

 “No you won’t,” She joked, “but at least you’ll be back to your old self again.”

Goten smiled and resumed his flying. Things would be back to normal… at least for a little while, which Goten was looking forward to. Now he and his wife could settle down again, their greatest worry being about whether or not their niece would marry.  True, there would be more trials ahead for them, but Goten wasn’t concerned about them. All that mattered to him at that moment was getting the beautiful woman in his arms to their little house in the woods.

 ******

 Hand-in-hand they walked slowly to the other side of the dome–shaped rooms, silently passing through columns of white stone intricately carved by Dende’s own hand. Pan had a peculiar smile on her face as she closely observed her surroundings. Trunks was watching her attentively, still surveying the changes she had undergone in the mystical room. She sighed contentedly, breathing in the fresh oxygen from the higher sky around them.

 “It’s been so long since I’ve even seen a blue sky.” She commented. “I had almost forgotten what it feels like to be outside.”

 Trunks chortled, remembering the vast and eerie white void that seemed to go on for eternity. “That room can do weird things to a person. I’m surprised Goten didn’t make a mad run for the exit before your year was gone.”

 Pan’s smile fell slightly. “He knew he had to stay… we both did.”

 “Pan…” Trunks started, grabbing her shoulders and turning her around to face him, “what happened in there? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It was just strange… The transformation…”

 “Strange?” He asked, concerned about where this topic was going.

 She began to explain, staring off into nowhere. “At times, it was almost like we weren’t in control anymore.  It felt like we had ventured outside our bodies and were watching from above. The detachment was very frightening. It felt like something was reaching inside of us and pulling. Uncle and I… we felt like we weren’t the ones fighting at all. We got a lot of work done… I can feel it. We’re both a lot stronger now…”

 “…But?” Trunks said, sensing there was more to the story.

 “…but it felt… wrong.”  Her brows furrowed and her expression darkened.  “I don’t know…”

 “Did Goten behave okay?” He asked, afraid her uncle may have been too hard on her.

 “Yeah, he did. He felt the same way, though.”  She said. “This really stinks. I finally gained enough power to turn into something strong enough to compete with the rest of you guys… and the transformation is no good. Uncle and I both agreed we shouldn’t use it unless we really need it. We lose too much control when we fight. Our minds get cloudy and our bodies seem to disobey our commands. If we fight for a prolonged period of time, our bodies seem to deteriorate and disconnect completely from our minds. We could end up dying if we remained transformed for too long. So much power shouldn’t be given to someone who can’t control it.” She said sadly. “If we’re ever in a situation where we have no other choice, we’ll use it. Other than that, I don’t want to risk my life by fighting in that form just for competition.”

 “I’m sorry.” He said sympathetically.

 “No… it’s better like this.” She admitted. “Besides, at least I can go Super, thanks to you and Uncle.” 

 He smiled softly. “So, what else did you find out in there?” He hinted.

 “I found out that my Uncle snores louder than my Grandfather… which is impressive. I don’t know how Marron stands it.”

 “Earplugs.”

She chuckled, “Probably. I also found out that I have a very low tolerance for cold weather. Uncle beat me every time the room iced over. He could never keep up with me after lunch, though. He always took advantage of the refillable food cupboards and by the time he was done, he could barely move, let alone fight.”

 Trunks laughed lightly. “So…” He started, “did you have very much time to… think?”

 Pan sighed. Not having much experience with this sort of discussion, she was finding it all rather difficult. Even though she had an entire year, nothing could’ve prepared her for what she had to say to him. “Yeah…” She simply replied.

 “And…?”

 “…And… I think we need to confer on some things before I can give you an answer.”

 “Pan, you’re starting to sound like one of my business partners. Haven’t we been through this already?” He asked, growing edgy.

 Pan cocked an eyebrow. “You were willing to wait seventeen years, yet you become Mr. Impatient at the idea of waiting five more minutes?” She asked.

 A sheepish smile spread across his features as he put his hand behind his head. It did sound kind of stupid, but there was only so much indecision he could take before he dragged her to the alter himself.  “It’s my ‘CEO mentality’.” He said innocently, “I need to know that we’ve ‘sealed the deal’.”

 Pan scoffed, “You are your mother’s son.”

 “Maybe.” He denied. “Whatever your concerns are, we can work through them.”

 “I know… I just need… confirmation from you.”

 “About what, that I love you? Do you want me to hold a press conference and tell the world? I will!” He shouted excitedly, realizing how easy it was to say those three precious words to her. “I love you. Just say the word and I will build a space ship and travel around the galaxy, just so I can tell everyone in existence that I love Pan Son.”

 Pan laughed. “No, we’re not going through that again.”

 “Then what do you need?” He asked emphatically, taking her hands in his.

 “I need to know… that you’re not going to get bored of me.” She admitted quietly.

 “Bored with you?!” He asked with surprise. “Every time I turn around, you’re getting yourself into some kind of trouble. How can I get bored with you?”

 She gave him a dirty glare for that one, but continued. “I just… I need to know that you can separate me from Kara.”

 “Pan… I promise… Kara existed a long time ago for me. I’ve fallen in love with Panny only because of Kara.” He said earnestly.

 “What about my age? It’s…”

 Trunks put his fingers over her lips to silence her. “Pan… Stop it… You know I don’t care about the age issue.”

 She shook her head ‘yes’, unable to answer any other way due to the fact that her mouth was covered.

 “I know you have doubts. I know that there are still some things we need to work through before we can really get married…” Gently, he took his hand away from her mouth and got down on his knees in front of her.  “I just want you to know that I mean it when I say I love you. I… love… you. I’ll make any sort of promise or swear that you want me to, but I know I don’t need to. I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this. I wouldn’t have even asked if I wasn’t absolutely sure. I’m totally aware that we have a fourteen year gap between us. Trust me, this is something I figured in a long time ago. I’m not sure how everyone else will take it. I’m not even sure how our family will act. If you have a problem being with such an old man, then we can talk about it… but I promise you that I’m okay with it.  You’re a beautiful, intelligent, spunky and strong woman and I love you very much. I want to be with you for the rest of our lives.”

 “I love you too,” She replied softly, slightly choked up from his words, “but your feelings for me appeared virtually out of nowhere. Of course I’m going to have some doubts.  I can work past them, though. I know how you feel already… I just needed to hear it from your own lips. It seems so unreal that a person who I’ve loved so much for so long can possibly love me back. I needed to hear it one more time.”

 A light blush dusted his cheeks. “Well, I do.” He spoke. “So how about it? Will you marry me, Panny?”

 She was silent at first, twirling the ring around on her finger. Releasing her bottom lip from between her teeth, she replied, “Only if you stop calling me ‘Panny’.”

 Trunks jumped up and pulled her into his arms, immediately taking her answer for what it was… a ‘yes’. Joyfully, he laughed as he swung her around, her arms circling his neck. Her giggles filled his ears like music as he kissed up her chin and her face.

 “I’ve always hated that nickname.” She added.

 Finally, his lips met hers. They savored each taste and moment like it was their last. Finally… finally, Trunks felt complete. For seventeen years he waited. For seventeen years, he felt like there was a piece of him missing. She was in his arms, filling in all the holes and gaps that plagued his heart... kissing him with a love and a passion like neither of them had ever felt before. He knew that the coming months would be difficult. There would be lots of planning, crazy family members arguing over dress style and color, one very strong Saiyan father watching his every move and of course, media exploitation. He could see the headlines already. “Capsule Corp. CEO Marries Granddaughter of Satan; Single Women Everywhere Mourn”. 

 ******

 As the sun rose directly over Dende’s tower, it was announced. No one was really surprised. Gohan gave his daughter and his soon-to-be son-in-law a hug then flew off. Videl stayed behind for a while and talked to Pan about some girl issues. Mainly, Videl and Gohan had discussed it and decided to put Pan on a temporary curfew, but only if she agreed on it. Pan was surprised and slightly insulted by it. Videl simply explained that it was a way for her to keep herself accountable for keeping her promise, not a way for Videl and Gohan to parent her for just a little while longer. Pan agreed, thinking it was a good idea. She really wanted to keep her promise. Plus, making Trunks wait until their wedding night would probably make for a much “better” honeymoon.

 As the weeks turned into months, things began to take shape. Gohan had many “talks” with Trunks. It was practically a weekly routine. Gohan wanted to make sure that Trunks’ head was on straight before he just walked into a lifetime commitment with his daughter. Their talks ranged everything from the basic ‘hurt my daughter and I’ll kill you’ speech to a talk about whether or not Pan would work or stay home. He even went so far as to ask him about birth control. Having such a conservative and over protective father ask him about their future bed habits unnerved Trunks, to say the least. Then again, one of the only upsides about a father losing his daughter to marriage is the prospect of grandchildren. Even though Goku Jr. was still very young, raising grandchildren was a whole different ball game to parents, and Trunks knew that. He could only begin to picture all the text books, tutors and college funds that their child would have, courtesy of his or her grandparents.

 Gohan became a lot more comfortable with the idea of Trunks taking Pan away… though he still refused to believe Pan was going anywhere too far from home. Nevertheless, Gohan would keep a close eye on Trunks up until the very day of their wedding. He even insisted on robbing Goten of the best-man’s honor of planning a bachelor party… for obvious reasons. Trunks didn’t really mind, but he was really embarrassed when all of his friends gave him special ‘wedding night’ gifts. He seemed to have forgotten to tell everyone that the bride’s father, grandfather and uncle were coming to the party too. The worst part was when Goku, having the innocence and ignorance of a child, piped up after each present to ask them what it was and what it did. And some people wonder why ignorance is bliss… Trunks was just thankful Gohan had decided to leave Goku Jr. at home that night.

 Despite Trunks’ troubles, Pan probably had the worst of it. Bulma, Chichi, Bra and Videl dragged her from store to store for hours on end during several weekends, seemingly uncaring about Pan’s hatred of shopping. When it was all done, she had chosen the perfect dress. It wasn’t big and puffy and it didn’t show too much, but it looked good and she could actually move in it. She also had the perfect bridesmaid’s dresses picked out… or so Marron and Bra thought, at least. Oh well… they were the ones who had to wear them.

 Pan was grateful when Bulma piped up and offered to pay for most of the wedding. After all, Videl and Gohan were well-off, but not nearly rich enough to afford the wedding Bulma and Chichi had already planned for them. The cake was five tiers high and was decorated by the most expensive baker around. The food was prepared by a world-renowned chef and the flowers were brought in from several exotic and hard to reach islands. All of this, Pan had the pleasure of choosing. She was rather content with the thought of never shopping again, but she still wasn’t out of the woods. Bra and Marron dragged her lingerie shopping one night, which she would have enjoyed if they wouldn’t have brought Bulma along… who commented on what exactly she thought Trunks would like and what he wouldn’t.     

 Finally, after the men and women had their respective planning, shopping and ceremonial traditions finished, they were able to plan together about the actual wedding. A location was chosen out towards South City. It was an old castle-turned-church with stone walls and huge windows. It was one of the only nice places that could accommodate the large crowd that was expected that day. Trunks and Pan tasted samples from the chef so they could decide on what food would be served at the reception, which was to be held in Capsule Corp’s main hall. Goten gladly jumped in to help the couple sample and decide on what they wanted. Unfortunately, he ate all the food before they really had chance to taste and compare.

 One week before the wedding, Trunks and Pan finally had some time alone, which they spent planning on where to go on their honeymoon. They cozied  down in the living room of their house and went through brochure after brochure. Eventually, they had the perfect plan. They would spend a week in the mountains, snowed into a tiny, but cozy cabin somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Then, after they grew tired of the cold, they would venture south, toward the southern tourist islands where they could enjoy the sun and the ocean off of their private little rented beach. Lastly, they would spend a week or so at their new home… alone. Parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles were forbidden on the premises during that week, for fear that they would never get any private time. Sure, it was a long honeymoon… but Bulma offered to cover for Trunks while he wasn’t there. This was a major surprise to Trunks, who never was able to even call in sick for fear of his mother’s wrath. So, he figured they might as well take advantage of the time. 

  At last, the wedding was set. They planned for a spring wedding… exactly eight months from the day that Pan exited the Room of Spirit and Time. Everything was taking care of itself now, thanks to Bulma and her desire to be a full-time wedding planner. The couple could just sit back and relax until the big day… which was approaching fast.

 ******

 “I can’t believe this is really happening.” Trunks said, his head spinning.

 “Just take short breaths. You look better. I think some of your color is coming back.” Goten said, looking down at his friend in an awkward position. “Just keep your head between your knees and breathe.”

 Trunks glanced sideways at Goten. “How can you be so calm?!” He asked loudly.

 Goten laughed loudly, putting his hand behind his head innocently. “It’s not my wedding!”

 Gohan chuckled from the corner. “Don’t worry Trunks. This is the scariest part of the whole ordeal. Once you get up to the alter and see her there… you’ll wonder what on earth you had to be so afraid of.” He said, with more than a hint of remorse.

 “Yeah, you should really listen to Gohan here.” Goten stated sarcastically. “After all, this is coming from the man who practically had to be carried to the alter.”

 “Yeah? Well your big day didn’t go so well either… Unless you consider puking your guts out on the minister as normal wedding tradition.”

 Trunks paled and returned to breathing between his knees. “Look, just remember one thing and you’ll be fine.”

 “And what’s that?”  He asked, poking his head up and hoping that Goten suddenly had a cure-all solution to the way his body was betraying him.

 Goten smiled brightly, playfully jabbing him in the side. “Keep your mind on what bed will be like tonight.”

 A loud thud resided in the room as Gohan’s hand connected with the back of his brother’s head. “Jeez, Gohan! I was only kidding!” Goten yelped, nursing the newly formed goose egg on the back of his head.

 An amused scoff sounded from the doorway. “At least Vegeta thought it was funny.” Goten grumbled.

 Trunks looked up, surprised to see that his father even bothered to show up. “Ah… I see you wore your ‘dress-gi’.” He said, slightly frustrated that his father donned black spandex and armor as opposed to a tux. “You know, when Mom sees that, she’s not going to let you…”

An angry glare from the Prince stopped him in mid sentence. “You should feel honored.” He said sternly, fastening a deep blue cape around his neck. Trunks stood up and quirked his head, his father never wore a cape. It was then when he noticed a white circle on his father’s left shoulder, directly over his heart. The writing, etched in gold, was strangely familiar, and yet Trunks couldn’t discern what it said.

 “It is our family seal.” His father answered the unspoken question. “I… I was… Well…” He stumbled, finding the words frustratingly hard to come by. It was rather humiliating. “Your mother replicated more, and it would be shameful to the royal family of Vegeta if you were wedded without wearing the crest you’ve inherited. I’ve given one to your bride as well. She has earned the right to wear it and I will not have my new daughter walking into our family without official approval from me.”        

 Trunks’ jaw dropped as his father placed the pendant over his left lapel. Gohan and Goten were silent behind him, watching in amazement at Vegeta’s words and actions. His face still set in a deep frown, Vegeta said nothing more as he swiftly walked out the door.

 “What… what just…?” Trunks began, still staring wide-eyed at the spot where his father had been standing. He looked down at the symbol on his chest. Ironically, he felt a sense of pride by wearing it. More so, he was touched by the step that Vegeta had taken. He had no idea his father felt so strongly about this joining.

 Gohan sighed in the background. Now, even Vegeta had accepted Pan as a part of his family. They were really going through with this thing… “I’m going to go get Pan.” He said quietly. “You guys better get lined up, this is your five minute warning.”

 Suddenly, Trunks remembered how sick he had felt just a moment before and nearly collapsed onto the ground. Only five minutes… Only five minutes…

 “Oh, no you don’t.” Goten said, hoisting his friend back up to his feet. “Just remember to keep one knee bent at all times, and don’t puke on the minister. You’re going to get through this day alive if it kills me.”

 ******

Gohan walked down the hall and around the sanctuary of the large, stone church. The women were on the other side of the building, undoubtedly still fussing over each other despite the short time they had left. The walk gave Gohan a chance to see the main church. People were buzzing all over the place, trying to find their chairs before everything started. Gohan really didn’t know most of the people in the building. He figured they were business associates or extended family of the Briefs. There were even members of the press present, cameras excluded, to cover the ceremony in detail. These people seemed to know Gohan though. He wasn’t able to go two steps without someone walking up and shaking his hand while offering congratulations.

 The nervous father smiled politely and nodded as person after person stopped to bid well the father of the bride… but he didn’t really feel like being congratulated. Eventually, he made his way to the bride’s room. Hearing the loud giggling and arguing going on behind the door, Gohan debated whether or not it was worth getting in the middle of. They sounded busy… and he knew from experience that proceeding unguarded into a room full of emotional women was asking for trouble.  Gently, he knocked on the door, wondering if they were even aware of the time.

 “Who is it?!” Bulma snapped, suspicious that Trunks would try to grab a sneak peek before the ceremony.

 “It’s Gohan.” He answered timidly.

 Loud shuffling and even more excited noises came from the room as Gohan continued to stand there.  He could only imagine the torture that his daughter was going through. Suddenly, the door opened and his wife was standing in front of him, though blocking his view from the rest of the room.

 “Is she ready? We’re supposed to get lined up now.” He asked.

 “Gohan…” Videl started, not as gleeful as Gohan would have thought she would have been.

 “What’s wrong?” Concern laced his voice.

 “She’s so nervous.”  Videl whispered. “I don’t know if she’s going to make it through this thing.”

 Gohan’s jaw dropped slightly. “What?”

 “Look, I know you would probably like nothing more than to hear her say she’s changed her mind, but she could really use your encouragement right now.  I know you probably don’t want to…”

 “Videl,” Gohan interrupted. “Let me in so I can see her.”

 Videl sighed and opened the door for him.  Pan was standing in the middle of the room… the sun beating in the window and casting a golden glow on her. His heart sank as she turned to face him. Her white gown flowed around her form and hugged her waist. Her veil poured down her back into a small puddle on the floor. Her face was bright and perfect, done up with makeup and rosy from her anxiousness.

 “Hi Dad.” She greeted softly.

 “Hi.” He responded in a whisper, still taking in the sight in front of him.

 “Well?” Pan asked, laughing nervously. “What do you think?”

 “You’re beautiful.” He said solemnly.  “It’s not fair that Trunks gets to keep you.”

 She laughed again, playing with her fingers and blushing. “Is it time?”

 “We have a few minutes.”

 “Oh…”

 “But we should be heading out to the lobby. Everyone else is about ready.”

 “I should go make sure my son is… still conscious.”  Bulma said, hoping to allow Gohan and Pan one more moment alone.

 “We should go get lined up too…” Videl added, literally shoving Chichi, Marron and Bra out the door before her.

 Pan watched them go as the butterflies in her stomach increased ten fold. So close…  Why was this taking so long?! Gohan looked down at her, concerned. She was about in as good of shape as Trunks was when he left.

 “Did you see what Vegeta gave me?” She asked, suddenly perking up as she turned and showed him her pendant. The small circle of gold was fastened securely at her waistline, just where her bodice met her flowing skirt. She kept it at her left side, directly under her heart, as Vegeta had instructed.

 “Yeah… Who would have thought Vegeta would do something like that…” He trailed off. “I don’t have anything to give you.” He realized, wishing he would have had the foresight, and feeling ashamed that Vegeta had presented such a meaningful symbol, while he had come empty handed.

 “Dad…” Pan started,  “You’ve already given me my wedding present.”

 Gohan looked up at her, slightly confused. Pan smiled and held out her bouquet. The ribbon holding the flowers together had something hanging from it. Gohan held it in his hand, smiling as he recognized it. Her promise ring…

“I won’t exactly be needing it after today,” She said, blushing as she realized the implications of what she had just said. “but I wanted it with me when it was replaced by another ring. If I ever have a daughter, I would hope that it would mean as much to her as it meant to me…”

 Gohan smiled. “Do you have any idea of how proud I am of you?”

 Pan laughed awkwardly and turned her head away. “Isn’t a little late for this kind of talk?”

 “You’re right.” He said. “You and I are due for a little walk right about now.”

 He held out his hand to escort her down the hall… and the aisle. She smiled and put her hand in his. His head snapped up. “Pan, you’re shaking like a leaf! What’s wrong?”

 Pan shook her head and smiled, as if there wasn't anything wrong at all. “It’s nothing, Dad… I’m just… scared to death.” Her face fell as moisture gathered in her eyes.

 Gohan’s mind was screaming at him to do the wrong thing, though his heart knew better. What he wanted to do was to tell her that she shouldn’t go through with it, that her fears were justified and that there was a warm bed waiting for her back at home. What he needed to do on the other hand was to tell her the truth.  Her happiness meant more to her than his life, after all. “Everyone gets scared, Pan.”

 “It’s more than that.” She admitted, water falling freely down her face from her eyes.

 “I know…” He answered her, wiping the tears away before they fell on her dress. “I’ve been through this too.”

 She smiled softly, though she really didn’t feel any better. “Wasn’t there ever a time where you might have felt… tired, or disappointed of your marriage?”

 He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, not sure at first how to answer that. “Well…”

 “You can tell me the truth. I need to know what it’s like for you... as a man.”

 “Honestly,” He started, “yes. I can’t lie to you. There have been many times when your mother and I have had to take a break from each other. There were times where… we really had to sit down and discuss how important our relationship really was to us.”

 Pan’s expression became worse as he continued. He knew of her insecurities… Trunks had mentioned them in one of their many little ‘pre-wedding’ talks. “Pan… It’s natural. When you share so much of your life with someone for such a long time… your patience is going to wear thin once and a while. I love your mother more than anything. I wouldn’t throw away thirty years for nothing… No matter how tired or frustrated I get.”

 Pan expression still remained the same. Obviously, she still wasn’t feeling any better. “Pan… Trunks is not going to be disappointed in you. If he is, I swear I will beat him so hard that he never recovers. He loves you, and right now, he is at the other end of that aisle waiting for you.” There… he said it… the ‘right’ thing.

 Pan smiled and hugged her father around his neck tightly. With a renewed sense of joy, despite the few words said, she took his arm and headed off to the front lobby. 

 By the time they got to the two closed doors leading into the sanctuary, everyone else was lined up. Bra was at the front of the line, being the maid of honor. Bulma had thought it would look better for each person to walk down the aisle as a pair, so Goten was places next to her, instead of at the altar, ready to escort her to the front of the church. Marron was next, walking with the head usher, whom she did not know. She had heard that the guy worked at Capsule, and Bulma thought he would look good in the wedding. Videl was behind her. Normally, the mother of the bride would walk the aisle alone. However, Bulma was strictly enforcing the ‘pair’ rule… and Pan really wanted her Grandfather Goku to be there too.  Since Goku and his wife never had a daughter, Chichi thought it would be really nice to see Goku get to walk  at least someone down the aisle.

 Goku Jr. covered the end of the line. Being the ring bearer was a big responsibility, but he was up to it, and was rather curious about this ‘wedding’ thing. All he knew was that Trunks would be his brother as soon as this thing was over, which he was elated about. The small boy eyed the pillow cautiously. His Uncle had threatened his freedom if the small rings got lost. What was so important about a couple of stupid gold things anyway? He looked over at the girl next to him. Alysa was the six year-old daughter of the Senior Vice President of Capsule Corp. She was kind of pretty, Goku thought, even with her finger stuffed up her nose. Her job was to throw flower petals on the floor… Go figure the adults would let her have all the fun with making a mess.

 Finally, Pan and Gohan took their place in the back. Slowly, the double doors were opened, and the music started. Each couple slowly made their way in, stepping with the soft, gentle beat of the music. Pan squeezed her father’s hand one more time as the rest of the party made their way to the front and took their places.  Sooner than Pan expected, the organ started playing the ageless classic that cued her in and every person in the room stood up and gazed at her. Her heart seemed to skip a beat as they took that first step and her feet met the red carpet and rose petals below.  Panic struck her as she realized that the hem line of her dress was just a little too long for her.

‘Dende, PLEASE don’t let me trip on my dress! Please don’t let me trip on my dress! Please don’t let me trip on my dress!’ She repeated mentally.

 Trunks stood straight up as the wedding party made their way past him. To him, it seemed to take an eternity. Why did the wedding party have to have to many people in it?! Goten took his place at Trunks’ side and elbowed him in the ribs lightly, just to make sure that Trunks had any sensation left in his body at all. As soon as the organ started playing his stomach tied up into hundreds of little knots. His eyes glued forward, he saw his bride coming into view.

 His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her. She was so beautiful… Silently he wondered how on earth he had waited seventeen years in the first place. He longed to run his hands through her black hair and embrace her right then and there. His hands shook as she stopped right in front of him… only inches away. Even through the veil, her eyes managed to pierce his being yet again. She looked almost as nervous as he was.

The hardest moment of Gohan’s life came seconds afterward… when the minister asked who it was who was giving the bride away. Gohan placed her hand in Trunks and answered that it was he and his wife. Nothing on earth could have prepared him for the deep feeling of  heart break that came to him as he walked back to sit next to his wife. Fighting Cell and Buu had nothing on this…

 The rest of the ceremony went quickly. Short and sweet, just the way they wanted it. As Trunks delivered his vows, the room was led to tears. He really didn’t want to open up so much in front of so many people, but what he wanted to say had to be said. He had eight months to try his best to put his feelings into words. He had waited so long for this day so he could tell her, finally, exactly how he felt and he wasn’t about to chicken out.

“I spent my life

Trying to survive.

Walked down these roads,

Hoping each one might lead me home.

I learned early on,

That trust can come undone

And leave your heart

Guarding its deepest part.

But you got through the marrow and bone;

Shed some light where none had shone.

How lost I felt

I was missing love, missing love.

I fought to stand my ground,

But I was missing love, missing love.

Can you teach me

To live as one who’s free

From fear and from shame

And the lie that I’ll never change?

Help me to see myself through my lover’s eyes;

No more mask, no disguise.

You found me and made me whole again…

My savior, my friend.”

 The rings were placed on the fingers and the vows were made, yet it wasn’t sealed yet. The minister gave Trunks his permission to kiss the bride. No one had to tell him twice. He lifted up her veil, savoring the sight before planting a small taste of what was to come on her lips. The crowd roared at this motion, setting off a flood of tears from the female portion of the room. Pan smiled in embarrassment, parting from him as she realized just how many eyes were on them at that moment.

 Trunks took her hand and pulled her forward. They ran down from the altar, stopping momentarily to hug and kiss their family, then out the door. The crowd was still cheering when they left, blowing bubbles and throwing rice on them as they passed by. The Sons and the Briefs stayed behind a while, making sure that most everyone who went to the wedding made it okay to the reception.

 Trunks and Pan, however, hurried to the limo that was waiting out front to take them to Capsule Corp. As soon as they left the building, they were bombarded with flashes from hundreds of cameras, microphones and tape recorders nearly being shoved in their faces from nosey reporters who wanted to get a glimpse of the bride and groom on their wedding day. A few security guards were fatally attempting to hold the crowd back as the couple rushed by. It took a little while longer than expected, but they did eventually get to the limo.       

 The reception started only half an hour later. The wedding party sat at the front of the room, the bride and groom next to each other, and the recently united Sons-Briefs clan on either side. People filled the large room, making it seem much smaller than it actually was. Cooks and waiters littered the floor, serving appetizers and drinks to the crowd as they danced and mingled with each other. Pan followed Trunks around the room as they said their ‘hello’s’ to every one who had come. Most of the people she met were board members and CEO’s of affiliating companies… People who were only there because Trunks and Bulma had felt it important to invite them for the benefit of the business.

 After the toasts were over, and the cake was cut, the dance floor was opened. Pan had to practically drag Trunks away from his business partners to get to dance with him at all. The ordeal finished late… the last of the invites left well after ten at night, followed by most of the family. Gohan, Videl, Bulma and Vegeta stayed, however, just to say goodbye one more time before the newly weds took off in flight to the airport, just in time to catch their late night, private plane north, to their snowy cabin honeymoon.   

 ******

Cold air blew in from the window of the cabin, which was open, despite the freezing temperature outside. A roaring fire was burning in the fire place, warming the couple that laid in front of it. Pan shivered, feeling the cold air invade the room, despite the large source of heat in front of her… and another covering her back.

 A large arm covered her waist as lips traveled their way up her shoulder and across her neck. She shivered again, but this time, the cold had nothing to do with it.

 “Do you want me to shut the window?” He whispered in her ear, pausing to nibble on it.

“No…” She said, turning so that she was underneath him, looking directly into his eyes. “I’m warm enough, thank you.”

 Pan giggled, feeling his light touches tickling her waist. He smirked, enjoying her smile as he continued to tickle her under the giant blanket that covered them. They were in bliss… laying in front of an open fire, having been in each other’s arms for the last three hours. Hearing that the phone lines had been knocked down and that they were snowed in temporarily only seemed to fuel their fire. It was late at night. Actually, early in the morning. Ah, who knew anymore? The snow had stopped, and the sky was clear… the moon casting its shine and glistening off of the snow on the ground. The view was breathtaking, but neither Pan nor Trunks had bothered looking outside.

 “I am so glad we got that wedding over with.” Trunks admitted, kissing her hand.

 “Yeah. I know it’s been a hard day… but it was such a beautiful service. I’m glad we let our mothers take care of it.”

 “True…  If we had done what I wanted to do, we would’ve been married on the day you walked out of the ROSAT… and we probably would have had an instant wedding in one of those drive-up chapels.”

 “Trunks!” Pan objected, slapping his arm playfully. “Well, that would have depended on how long it would have taken your mom to send Vegeta to kill you.”

 “Well… what can I say? After seventeen years, I’ve become a little impatient. You’re lucky I didn’t snatch away from your bed one night and forced you to marry me.” He said, leaning down and kissing her softly, before laying back down on his back.

 She sighed and moved again so that she was laying on his stomach. Her eyes pierced through his as if she were trying to read his mind.

 “What’s wrong?”

 “I never thanked you.” She said.

 “For what?!”

 “For waiting.” She replied, her voice a whispered.

 He sighed deeply, trying to find the words. “If I hadn’t waited… I would have been very miserable. I love you too much. I couldn’t have lived with myself.”

 “I love you too.”

 Pan smiled and laid her head down on his chest. No more words were spoken that night from the exhausted pair. They spent the rest of their honeymoon in each other’s arms. Their lives were sealed from that point on… and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

*~*~*~*~*

 THE END

13c / Bulma’s Hideout