Penitent

PENITENT



Roll with the Changes….



“Vegeta….” He said plainly.



“No, I would have gone to him-- he would get involved and that--They would be angry at him…” Pan explained.



”No brat- he was telling you that I am here,” a raspy reply from behind her.



Pan’s faced blanched but she refused to show a drop in her shoulders. She quirked a brow toward the Namek that she had been talking to and then turned to face the Prince.



No one spoke for a second. Each was assessing the situation, and Vegeta contemplated what he had overheard….



Pieces of this puzzle were slowly taking shape. Pan’s recent reticent behavior bothered him and too many emotion and sense of misplaced honor and martyred repelled him, however, he recalled that a pregnant woman was perhaps a most savage and stubborn creature, especially toward their unborn. Pan was already far too stubborn and she was a complicated brat.



How did you find me?” Pan asked her curiosity taking hold of her tongue.



Vegeta smirked. He tossed her a Ki bracelet. Similar to the one she had previously had.



She caught it, and he inwardly smile that her reflexes were sharp.



He next handed her a card- something that he could tell was much unexpected…



Her surprise reached her body language…. She could not help it Vegeta had to have known all along…. Her own surprise reflected in Piccolo snort.



“Use it- No one knows of its existence except that its mine... Sufficient funds- I think- so no traces back t o you…”



He turned away feeling better about leaving Pan to do what she needed to do… the Namek would not leave her totally alone- his sense of honor and responsibility to Gohan’s and his family was the great factor.



“Vegeta” Pan cried out. Wanting to thank him wanting to hug him knowing that she could not…



Vegeta turned around and stared, his own insecurity over the situation was bothersome; however, he decided to ease his mind. “I just would like to know if you plan to return?” he asked finally.



“I err… I would want to I really would – I think I need to leave for just a bit- I think it would be better for Trunks.”



“So you said” the Prince ever skeptical though he agreed to help.



“I feel like I told you, can I call you?” she asked



“IF you see it necessary, I don’t go for idle chitchat as you know…”



Pan watched the Prince fly off muttering unbelievable words at her astonishment…



Vegeta sanctioned this she thought. It must be very important to him to allow me this request… how did he know?



Kame’s mind spoke to Piccolo. The Namek awareness of the former guardian was very strong when needed. In addition, What Pan needed was some practice. She needed relaxation- she needed to leave… They both had sensed some disruption... Even Vegeta noticed it. She needed to have better control with hiding the other Ki…. That is what she asked him to do….



“Where do you want to go Pan?” Asked d Piccolo



“America- California, is that close but far enough?”



; It’s fine, are you ready?”



“Yes-“



Piccolo picked up Pan tucking her safely under him and he flew…. He was constantly talking to her to help her meditate without pushing her Ki out but bringing it in, along with the babies….



’



“She’s gone. ‘He muttered. The other executives looked toward their boss. The tension that filled the room was becoming tangibly. Some pulled at their collars as the room began to get severely hot.



Montauki, whom had been talking before Trunks interrupted, glanced around the room as though he was missing something. However, he began to see a problem. Not at the word that Trunks spoke but the red glow that was surrounding Trunks. Seasoned employees carefully slipped from the room and then Trunks stood abruptly-



He excused himself from them repeating the world he had sad before, “she’s gone.”



She\' gone, they’re gone.”



He flew to where he last felt them- they had been there he could tell. This was where she last stood, he tasted the air, still sensing, her. Then she vanished, he thought, “She’s masking it.” He whispered cautiously.



Uttering to him hoping that it was true… HE would not imagine anything else. As hard as it was to get lose her now, it better knew she left on her own not due to anything Bad. However, this was BAD!



The he remembered the feeling of is unborn son. Though its Ki would change as he matured, Trunks was memorizing its distinct feel…. And he knew where she was going….



--



Trunks watched from a distance. Glad that The Namek had not sensed him… It perturbed him slightly over this betrayal… However, Pan looked determined. It was not shock to see where Piccolos loyalties laid. He would give no recourse to this... he knew where she was and that was fine… Trunks could not spend forever here in California and try to maintain his life in Japan…. However, humans have a ways of tracking people… he would use a reliable tool… He could afford to keep an eye on her from a distance. Americans loved spy games… Pan would never even assume it…There had to be a reason why she needed to run….



He would not even think today as to why she left… It was too incomprehensible. . However, not surprising… he would find out for sure.



“Pinkerton’s this is Mike Gruver” a voice replied into Trunk’s ear…



“Mike, this is Trunks Briefs”



“OH my God, how the Hell are you Trunks!”



“I’m good, hey, Mike I got a job for you.”



“Are you kidding, Trunks anything man, where’s the job? In Japan”



“No no, right here in California.”



“Damn I was hoping for trip abroad... But here, sounds easy what you need?”



“I need you follow a girl”



“Yeah buddy well that’s not, you need my help?” he asked laughing…



Trunks smiled. Mike was a jovial man, but very astute. He could trust Mike with this very delicate matter. Anything with Pan was delicate… Pan being pregnant with his kid even more so….



“How about lunch?” asked Trunks?



“Well you must be jet lagged, its 7 am”



“Right then breakfast?”



“Yeah where are you staying?”



“I am not, so I’ll meet you at Foxy\'s Restaurant.”



“Glendale, hmm, not too far…. Is this personal or business related Trunks?”



“More personal then I have ever dealt with.”



“Fine then I will meet you alone, no need to get all the boys and girls involved...”



“I appreciated the time Mike.”



“I just hope whatever this is I can help.”



“Just knowing you’re here in this particular instance is almost assuredly having me feel better.”



“I hope you say that when I bill you!”



“Me too.”



Mike hung up not sure what Trunks could need but knew it had to be important. Trunks usually had no need of his services; Trunks had an uncanny way of finding things out himself…. to be called for a personal matter had him intrigued and a little bewildered and interested… yes definetly interested…