Gomen....gomen...gomen...ne? Assume the position: on hands and knees, bowing vigorously. I know you probably think that I'm 6 feet under or something but this holiday season has been hellish. Aside from the stress of Christmas shopping, work and kids...(yes I'm a mom)...I've been totally blanked out in the creative department. It's slowly flowing back, folks....and since I want you to know that I'm pretty much alive and kicking....I'm making this chapter short so I can get it out to you quickly. I'm furiously typing as we speak so the next chapter will be out in a few day....cross my heart!

Thank you everyone, for the kind reception and patience!!!!

Usual Disclaimer...I do not own DBZ or it's characters....sniff...sniff....




Past Perfect - Chapter 6: Homecoming - Part one
By: Moonraven


Trunks ran right into his father as Vegeta was leaving the kitchen. "WHAT THE HELL!" Vegeta Cursed. "@!!$$#!" ***insert your own colorful metaphors***

"I'm sorry, father. I need to talk to you and mom." Trunks gasped, peeling himself off the wall he was thrown into.

Vegeta glared at him, "Can't it wait until morning?"

Bulma came out of the kitchen with a glass of milk in hand. "What's up, Trunks?" If Vegeta wanted to wait 'til morning, she'll want to talk NOW. She send chilling glares at her mate.

Trunks looked from one parent to another and sweatdropped. There are two things he could do: walk away now and not get tangled in one of their communication misfires or get them involve in his problem so they'll forget theirs. If he walked away now, he'll have to wait until Kami knows when to get to the time machine. If he involved them in their present mood, they will most likely argue and nothing will be solved. WHY CAN'T HE HAVE NORMAL PARENTS?

"I...Um....I...CanIborrowthetimemachine?" Trunks rushed through his question.

"WHAT?" Both parents yelled simultaneously. "Most kids ask to borrow the car, yours ask for the time machine!" Bulma glared at Vegeta.

"MINE? He's yours too you know." He barked back at Bulma. Turning back to Trunks, "I thought you were staying with us."

Trunks looked down, suddenly became much interested in the floor tile pattern. "WELL?" Vegeta yelled.

"I forgot about Cell." He said softly. Vegeta's eyebrows raised in surprise. He did too. Of course the first time Trunks came back 30 years ago, he told them that he had destroyed androids 17, 18 and Cell. But this time Cell was not mentioned.

"It's not your fault, Trunks." Bulma came over and put a gentle hand on Trunks' shoulder. "So many things happened. And as I recalled, you had to rush out of there without much warnings."

"You're hiding something, boy. What is it?" Vegeta frowned at his son. **well sort of his son**

"Vegeta! Why must you be suspicious of everything and everyone?" Bulma cried, exasperated. She looked from her silent son to her glowering husband, then back to her son again. "Trunks? Are YOU hiding something?"

Trunks let out a sigh. "Mom, father....I'm.... not coming back." He said sadly.

Bulma gasped, her hand flew to her throat in surprise. "But....Trunks....why?" she looked to her mate for support but Vegeta continued to frowned at their son silently. "Aren't you happy here? What's back there for you Trunks?"

Trunks was silent.

"Does Pan know?" Bulma asked.

Trunks shook his head, afraid to speak. He did not want to leave. He really liked it here. He had his mom and dad back and he wanted to have a normal life. But the guilt he felt for deserting his own world was overwhelming and he needed every ounce of self control to keep down the lump rising in his throat.

"How do you think she'll feel, Trunks? And what about your bond?" Bulma was not happy. She didn't know her son had inherited such thoughtless, self-center characteristics from his father. "Trunks, what are you thinking?"

Trunks remained silent.

"Answer your mother, boy." Surprisingly, Vegeta spoke up.

Trunks let out another sad sigh and swallowed the ever growing lump in his throat. "I'm thinking of returning everything to normal. I'm thinking of defeating Cell, I'm thinking of breaking the bond so that Pan can find someone else that is not....fucked up...like me." He grunted when he heard Bulma gasped at his language., "Sorry for my French, mom, but that's how I feel. She needs to be loved by someone who can be with her. Someone she won't have to worry about all the time. Pan deserve someone better."

"Better than YOU?" Bulma was semi shocked. Why does Trunks have such low self worth? "I can't imagine anyone better than YOU. YOU saved the entire world from the androids. YOU risk your life coming here the first time to help save THIS world. YOU brought your father and I closer together. You didn't know that did you? Well if it wasn't for your future self, who knows what would have happened between me and your dad. YOU are the heroes for so many people, Trunks. WHO can be better for Pan, Trunks? Tell me! WHO?" Bulma was so angry, she was yelling.

"I don't belong here, mom." He muttered. "I can't just leave them, I have to be with them, the people in my world. I can't abandon them. There's no one left to protect them." Tears trickled down his cheeks. "Please, I need to go back." He whispered.

Vegeta scowled some more at his son. So...it's not that he's unworthy of Pan, it's guilt for being happy while others are suffering. Vegeta snorted, exasperated. The boy had not changed one bit. Still thinking of other people before himself. "You think it's so damn easy to break a bond? I know I told you that it can be done but do you realize how painful this will be for both of you? Let me stress the word PAIN."

"Even if you're willing to deal with that pain, Trunks, how well do you think Pan will handle it?" Bulma asked, calming down a bit. Her son wasn't such a thoughtless jerk after all.

Trunk swallowed hard. He was sure his father did NOT mention pain the last time they discussed the mental bond. He certainly did not want Pan to be in any pain. Too late for that, you moron! He reproached himself. You're leaving her, she'll be in pain.

"It'll be temporary. She's strong and in the long run, she'll find someone else." He whispered, looking up at his parents with determination. "I must go back. You know this. Cell must be destroyed."

"Yeah, we know. We just think that you should come back after that." Bulma told Trunks. Her eyes then lit up as she turned to her husband and said "Why don't you go with him?"

"WHAT? Are you nuts?" He yelled at her.

::This way we can make sure he comes back.:: she send her thought to him.

"Nice try, mom. Uh-uh." Trunks shook his head. "We don't have much time, mom. Please let me go. I'll visit, I promise."

Vegeta looked at his mate. "There is nothing we can do. He's made up his mind. Even if I beat him to a pulp to keep him here," looking meaningfully at Trunks, "He won't be happy. He needs to figure this out on his own. Nothing we say is going to change his mind."

"Thanks a lot, Dr. Vegeta! Have you been listening to that inane radio psychologist again?" Bulma glared at him while Vegeta just shrugged.

"Do YOU want me to beat him senseless to keep him here?" He asked.

"OF COURSE NOT!"

"SO WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO THEN?"

"TALK TO HIM!"

"WE DID! IT'S NOT WORKING!!!"

Trunks looked from one yelling parent to another with resignation. ::I knew this was going to happen.:: Trunks thought to himself and powered up to get their attention. The screaming couple stopped short and stared at him.

"Can we get back to ME, please?" Pleaded Trunks. "Father's right, mom. I need to do this by myself. As much as I love you and Pan and being here, I need to go and figure this out on my own."

Bulma sighed sadly. She did not want to let him go a second time. Her sad little boy will go back to his time and remain alone and sad. What mother wouldn't feel aching pain at the thought of her child suffering? She also knew that Vegeta was right. She knew enough from her rebellious youth not to be surprise when kids don't listen to their parents.

"I can have it ready by tomorrow...let's say...noonish?" She told him.

Trunks hugged her and whispered, "Thanks, mom. I love you." And disappeared outside.

Vegeta looked at Bulma silently. He knew what she was feeling; the same thing she felt the first time he left. Without saying a word, he walked over to her and folded her in his arms. Bulma surrendered to his embrace and cried silently.


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I know it's short, but I just want you to have something to keep you going....**Big smile** Thanks again for your support and KNOW that with out you guys...this story wouldn't exist...I know corny as hell! Hugs and blessings to all!!! Happy New Year!

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