"Stolen Youth"

Written By: Debs-Dragon

Disclaimer: I don't own the DBZ gang, a rich Japanese man does.

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Angst, sap, Lemon, violence, nasty Trunks.

Notes: A New Years eve party is in full swing at Capsule Corp. Goten and Trunks sample the punch which gets them drunk. Pan has admired Trunks for some time and when he makes his advances she doesn't resist. What happens destroys her trust and faith? Alone and hurting Pan disappears.

Authors Notes: I have taken a few liberties with the timeline. Pan is older in this in order for the story to work, I'm afraid that under age sex is not something I condone and as such I have tweaked the time lines to make all characters of consenting age. :)

Feedback: Is craved and adored.

"Stolen Youth"

January 2003 Debs-dragon

 

Chapter 17

 

Trunks looked up as did Martha when Pan and her parents came in thorough the back door of the diner. Pan flashed Martha a warm smile and nodded her head to Trunks. Martha beamed back, she could tell from that smile that Pan had come to some sort of arrangement and while she had an idea what it was she would wait for Pan to tell her.

Martha moved over to them, picking up some menu's on the way. "Can I get you folks anything to eat?"

Gohan smiled as he took the menu and slipped into the booth, Videl and Pan opposite him. "I think that is an excellent idea." he replied as he studied the menu. "What can you recommend Pan?"

Pan glanced up and smiled. "The steak sandwich is great and so is the pasta. Joe's a really good cook."

"Then I'll have the steak sandwich with an extra order of fries. Videl?"

"I think I will try the fish, with salad, no fries, thanks."

"Pan? What would you like?" Gohan asked.

"I think I'll settle for Joe's special." Pan said quietly.

"Okay folks. Won't be long." Martha collected the menus and passed the order through to Joe who immediately began to cook it.

Trunks continued to sit on the stool at the counter and sip on his coffee. He hadn't been invited to join Pan and her parents and he wasn't about to head over there without their permission. Martha topped up his cup and gave him a wink. She leaned in close. "I think they have sorted out most of their problems."

Trunks nodded. Now if only he could get the chance to talk to Pan himself and straighten out the mess he had made. The calling of his name jerked him from his thoughts and he looked up to see Pan beckoning for him. His heart lifted a little as he got up from the stool and taking his coffee with him went over to their booth. He slid in next to Gohan.

Pan stared at him, her heart was still in love with him... hell it had never given up on him but she wasn't about to let him know that. She needed to talk to him, to find out exactly how he felt. She needed for him to prove to her, to show her that his interest in her and the baby wasn't because he felt compelled to. Until she was sure of that then she would guard her heart carefully.

"Pan is coming home." Videl said softly.

Trunks gave a sigh of relief. "That's good."

"You two need to talk." Gohan said. "But it can wait until Pan is home and settled."

"That's fine with me." Trunks replied and then turned to Pan. "Just let me know when you're ready to talk and I'll be there. We have a lot to work out."

"I know." Pan lowered her eyes.

Martha returned with coffee for Gohan, Videl and Pan. She gave Pan a reassuring smile before leaving to fetch their food. Moments later she was back and placing the plates in front of the various people.

"I should be helping you Martha." Pan said as she looked into the kindly eyes.

"Hush now, I don't need no help. The place is quiet in case you missed it." Martha replied. "'Sides, you are needed more here." Seeing Pan about to protest again Martha lay a hand on her shoulder. "If it makes you feel better you can help me clean up once we close."

Pan nodded. "Okay."

Martha went back behind the counter to start to tell Joe all he had missed out on while she cleaned up at the same time.

Pan looked at her food and began to dig in. She hadn't realized just how hungry she was. Her thoughts soon came back to her parents though. "I'd have you all stay with me but I haven't got the room." she said quietly and hoping her parents would understand.

Videl looked up. "I know that Pan. The apartment is only big enough for you without us lot turning it into a shoebox. Don't worry, we will find a hotel once we have eaten."

Pan smiled gratefully. "There's a nice hotel two blocks from here."

"Okay. We can go there once we've finished eating." Gohan replied as he lifted up his steak sandwich. "Mmmm this looks really good." He bit into the sandwich and savored the taste.

"I told you Joe was a great cook." Pan giggled.

"Great is an understatement. Ow!" He turned to look at Videl who had poked him.

"I agree the food is good but I might add you have never complained about my cooking." Videl tried her best to glare.

Gohan gave a rueful smile and turned to Trunks. "Rule number one... Think before you praise someone else's culinary skills... You just may end up starving to death."

Pan laughed, Videl joined in and even Trunks gave a smile. "I'll have to remember that." he said.

The rest of the meal was finished rapidly and the three sat back to finish their coffee, Trunks having already finished his. "I think we should go and find that hotel now." Gohan said. "Before it gets too much later."

Trunks stood and went to the counter to pay.

"Trunks..." Gohan started.

Trunks turned and looked at Gohan. "You forgot your wallet remember?" A small smile played on his lips.

"Oh yeah, I did too." Gohan said sheepishly. "Thanks. I promise I'll pay you back once we get home."

"Okay." Trunks turned back to the counter and paid Martha for their food.

Martha followed him back to the table and proceeded to collect the dishes. "I'll give you a hand." Pans said as she stood and picked up her plate.

"No need to honey, I can manage." Martha replied.

"No I'll help." Pan returned a little firmly. She gave the older woman a *look* which clearly stated I want to talk to you.

"Okay then honey." Martha collected some of the dishes and left Pan to bring the rest. Once they were out in the kitchen she turned. "Now what did you want to say?"

"I'm going to go with my parents and show them the hotel where they can stay tonight, I won't be long. When I get back could I talk to you and Joe?"

"Sure honey." Martha's eyes twinkled. "Just come around the back door, most likely we will still be cleaning up."

Pan gave the woman a hug. "Thanks."

Pan took her parents and Trunks the two blocks to the hotel and waited while they organised their rooms. She followed them upstairs and sat on one of the beds looking around. "So what time in the morning do you want to head home?"

"Best to get going early I think." Gohan said as he flopped onto the other bed.

"Would you come to the diner then and we can have breakfast together before we leave?"

"Sure honey." Videl replied as she sat next to Pan and pulled her into a hug. "We'll come to the diner for eight, how's that sound?"

"Great. I should get going as I have a few things to take care of and not to mention the packing."

"I'll come back and give you a hand." All three said at the same time.

Pan laughed. "Thanks but I'm really better off doing it myself. I haven't got much so it wont take me long."

"Are you sure Pan? I mean I don't want you straining yourself, you have the baby to think of as well." Trunks spoke.

Pan glared at him. "I am well aware of the fact that I am pregnant Trunks." she snapped a little more harshly than she had intended to.

Trunks winced as the barb hit. "I'm sorry, I guess I deserved that."

Pan sighed. "No you didn't. I'm sorry Trunks, I shouldn't have snapped but I'm not in exactly the best forgiving mood at the moment."

"I understand." Trunks looked up. "I'll be going to my own room then. I'll see you all in the morning." With that Trunks left to go to his own room and get some rest.

"Come on Pan, I'll walk you back." Gohan said as he stood.

Pan took his offered hand. "Okay Dad." She bent to kiss her mother. "See you in the morning mom."

Videl placed a kiss to Pan's forehead and hugged her tight. "You bet you will sweetie."

Released from her mothers embrace Pan took her fathers hand and allowed herself to be led from the room and back out to the street. They walked in companionable silence until they reached the diner. Pan led her father around to the back door where she hugged him close. "Thanks dad."

Gohan held her close. "Oh Pan, it's so good to have you back safe and sound. You have no idea just how much both your mother and myself have missed you and worried over you."

"I know dad. I missed you guys terribly and I'm really sorry that I took the cowards way out. I should have stayed and talked this out with you."

"I didn't really give you much of a chance to."

"Lets forget all that for now dad and start anew."

"Fine." Gohan dropped a kiss to the crown of Pan's head. "I'll see you in the morning princess."

"Look forward to it." Pan replied.

Gohan released his daughter and turned to return to the hotel. Pan slipped inside the warm kitchen of the diner where Joe was just finishing mopping the floors. Martha was turning off the dishwasher and hanging up the tea towels to dry. "How did it go?" Joe asked in his deep drawl.

"Better than I expected." Pan replied. She shifted uneasily for a moment as she thought about her next choice of words. "Ummm Martha... Joe..."

Martha and Joe both watched as Pan struggled for words. They knew what was coming and knew that Pan had to say her piece, so they waited patiently for her to begin.

Pan twiddled a piece of her black hair between her fingers as she was apt to do when nervous. "I don't know how to thank you both for all you have done for me... I mean not only the job and the apartment but being well... sort of surrogate parents to me as well. I really hate to do this but I have to. My parents want me to go back home with them. We had a really good talk and straightened out a lot of things but there is still a long way to go. I want to go back, to see what I can do to mend this rift.... " Pan paused for a moment. "I'd also like to try to figure out Trunks as well. See if he's genuine or not..." Pan's voice trailed off.

Martha smiled. "You don't have to explain to us child. I knew this was going to happen and I couldn't be happier for you." Martha moved over to the girl. "Honey we were glad to be able to help you out. You're a sweet thing and just found yourself in way too deep. You needed time to figure this out and come to terms with it. Now you have and you're ready to move on. Go... and go with our blessing"

Pan began to cry. She had tried so desperately to hold her tears but couldn't any longer. "Ohh Martha... You're just too good to me. I'm going to miss both you and Joe terribly."

Martha held the quietly sobbing girl. "Now get away with you. It was our pleasure to have you here. Besides you worked hard and paid your rent. I can't say I wont miss you because I will. If you ever need a job again you make sure to come here first!"

Pan had to chuckle at that. "I promise Martha."

"So when you leaving honey?"

"Tomorrow morning. Mom and Dad are going to come here for breakfast and then we will head back home. I'm sorry it's such short notice, I'll pay you a weeks rent in lieu for the apartment."

Martha snorted. "No you wont! Don't worry about the rent. We will call it quits and as far as your job goes, Suzie the part timer has been wanting some more hours so she can take over from you and I'll just hire another part timer."

"I feel awful about this," Pan continued to protest but Martha's finger against her lips silenced her.

"No honey. Don't ever apologize for putting your family first. They are the most important thing in your life."

"I second that." Joe said as he ruffled Pan's hair. "You just git yourself back home where you belong young lady and take care of yourself and that babe. And give that young man a break too." Joe winked.

Pan stared at him and laughed. "I guess you're right Joe but as for that young man... well he can stew for a while. He has a lot of making up to do before I can even think about giving him a second chance."

Joe patted her back. "That's my Panny girl." he chortled.

Martha and Pan joined him in the laughter. "I guess I should get back upstairs then and sort through my stuff. I haven't a lot to pack but there is some food stuffs in the cupboards and 'fridge. If I leave them stacked for you would you and Joe take it?"

"Anything you don't want or cant take just leave behind. Joe and I will sort it out later." Martha replied. "Now you best get up there and get started."

Pan gave the woman one last hug before heading out to the stairway to her apartment for possibly the last time. Her heart that had been light only moments earlier to know she was making things right between herself and her parents was suddenly heavy again with sorrow at having to leave behind the two people she had begun to care deeply for. But it was like Martha had said... family came first. Pan inserted the key and opened the door, shutting it firmly she went to her small bedroom and drew out her battered duffle bag and began to sort through her things.

~ * ~

 

Chapter 18

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