| Disclaimer: Yeah I don't own DBZ. *** Hey all! It's cold out today and I'm freezing so I don't want to move my fingers to type more than I need to. So for that reason: bye. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER CHAPTER ELEVEN Gohan entered the kitchen to find Videl writing a paper at the kitchen table. "Morning," he commented. Videl looked up. Gohan wore some long dark blue pajama pants and a white T-shirt. Both items hugged his body, outlining his muscularity. "Hey, Gohan," she mumbled. "What are you doing?" he asked, bending over to look over her shoulder at her writing. "I'm writing that paper for history on the National Assembly," she answered, glancing towards her history book. "Fun," he commented, laughing. "Don't laugh at me, Son Gohan," she warned. "It's not that," he said. "It's that all you have written is `National Ass-'... just looks funny." Videl laughed and added `-embly' to her writing. Gohan took a seat across from her, rubbing his face. "I had the /worst/ dream last night." "What happened?" "I was at Orange Star, I was standing in the middle of the classroom, and I realized that I was totally naked." "I've had that dream," Videl stated. "Actually, most people do." Gohan continued. "Then I hear someone shout `Alien!' at me." "That's never happened in /my/ dream," Videl commented and Gohan laughed. "But Gohan, yesterday everyone did find out you're an alien, and you were in the middle of our Orange Star homeroom. The only thing different is you weren't naked, but with what you were wearing you might just have-" "Don't finish that thought, please, I already have bad memories." Gohan stood up. "Yeah, well, I came in here to take you up on that sparring offer, right after I eat breakfast of course." *** Gohan and Videl were somewhere in the middle of the millions of acres of Son property that sat in the area of the 439 District. Both were dressed in gis. Gohan wore the blue one (from `The Newest Super Saiyan') and Videl was wearing one similar to the one she wore in the episode where she busted the punching bag. "Put `em up!" Videl challenged, raising her fists to her face. Gohan did the same and began his attack. Gohan, being a Saiyan and one of the strongest, always had her on her guard. Videl sighed inwardly. She always was the weak sparring partner because she was human... what she lacked in brawn she'd have to make up in brains. Videl blocked both of his next punches, pulling him up close, she said, "By the way, you're a great kisser." Gohan's eyes widened, and he was unguarded. She punched him in the stomach, hard. When Gohan regained his breath he laughed. "Perfect distraction, Videl. No man will be able to fight you and win." Gohan continued his assault, thinking. Goten was a strong little kid, but he had an excuse, he was a Super Saiyan. Videl, on the other hand, was a human, not exactly known for strength, but still, her power had gone up drastically since the first time he had met her. Videl threw a fury of attacks at all of the places where Gohan wasn't guarding, however, he moved so fast that he could higher his guard whenever he needed to. Finally, she got a fair punch to his face, but let her own guard down; immediately, she was thrown to the ground by a kick of Gohan's. Gohan stopped and ran over to her. "Are you okay Videl? I didn't hurt you did I?" Gohan asked, bending over Videl. She smiled to herself, when he got all worried about her he was just so... sexy. "I'm fine," she stated, pulling herself off the ground with a hand to her side. "Are you sure Videl, your side-" "I'm fine. C'mon, if you had hurt me I'd've kicked your ass. " Gohan laughed. "I'd love to see you kick my ass." Videl weakly raised her leg and hit his butt. "There... I kicked your ass," she said stubbornly. Gohan laughed again. "Well, let's just take it easy, we don't have to spar all day..." Gohan suggested. "As a matter of fact, I have to hone my Kamehameha skills." Videl smiled. She wished she could do a Kamehameha wave. Honestly, it was cool, it was powerful, it was kick ass. However, she didn't want to spend fifty years of her life learning it. Videl watched as Gohan sent off a few weak Kamehameha waves, slowly feeling his energy draining with each one. Videl was about to ask him how many he could do before he wouldn't have the energy when he began calling out long and slow. "KA... "ME... "HA... "ME... "HA...!" The beam stretched along the landscape, eventually hitting a small mountain of rock that didn't stand a chance. Videl clapped as Gohan lowered his hands, his breath coming in pants. He fell to the ground besides Videl and looked up at the now orange sky. "It's getting late," he stated through breaths. Videl nodded. Gohan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Want to go watch the sunset?" Videl shrugged. "I would but I don't want to get up." "Aw, that's no problem. I've got a plan for that." Gohan stood up and shouted "NIMBUS!" Videl watched in amazement as a fluffy yellow...cloud... dropped from the sky. Gohan hopped on. "C'mon, Videl." He offered her his hand. Videl took it and apprehensively climbed on top of the cloud. "See? No problem," Gohan commented. After about a minute of flying through the air aboard Nimbus, the cloud stopped at a grassy break in a cliff that had a tree casting a shadow across it. Gohan helped Videl off and then jumped off himself. He laid on the ground, spread-eagle looking up at the sky that had turned a beautiful shade of blue-purple. "I used to come here a lot," he stated, after a few minutes of silence. "Oh? With who?" Videl asked. "No one," he answered. After a minute, however, "Actually... Icarus. I used to come here with Icarus." "Icarus?" "Did you know... that I have a pet hidden in the woods?" Videl lifted her head off the ground to look at Gohan, who continued looking up at the sky. "No, I didn't. Why is it...hid?" Gohan laughed. "He's not dangerous or anything. Hiyaa Dragon? Dangerous? No..." "A dragon?" Videl asked worried. Gohan continued like he'd never heard her. "...only problem is his spit really. Sometimes he was a little too friendly...he was a little stubborn, too..." Gohan broke out of his little trip back into time, when he was five. He leaned up against the side of the cliff and Videl joined him. They sat in silence once again. Videl began to pull out some of the grass and fiddle with it, thinking about Gohan. She cast a glance at him to find that he was looking once again at the stars. Videl had to hide a smile as she admired his good looks. She wrapped a blade of grass around her finger, still thinking. His good looks wasn't his only star feature though, he also had his brilliant mind, his caring spirit, his- Gohan grabbed Videl's hands with his own, stopping her fiddling with the grass. "What?" Videl whispered. Gohan smirked. "Why are you whispering?" He whispered. "I dunno. Why are you?" They both laughed. "Look dead ahead," Gohan said softly, pointing to the horizon where the moon was now rising. "I thought you said Piccolo blew up the moon?" Videl questioned. "And Roshi did, too, when my dad turned Ozaru at his first tournament. But it keeps coming back. I think it's Piccolo and Roshi both pulling a fast one on us. They want us Saiyans to /think/ they blew up the moon, but it keeps coming back." Videl looked at Gohan and burst into laughter. "That's so ... silly." Gohan didn't reply. Videl rested her head on Gohan's bare arm, moving closer to him for warmth. She yawned and closed her eyes. "You tired?" Gohan questioned. Gohan felt her head shake a `no.' He smiled. "Yeah you are, liar," Gohan accused gently. He wrapped his arm around her slightly cold form, using his other to run his hand through his hair. He stopped this motion halfway through to look down at Videl, eyes shut and snuggling up to his arm. He wanted to laugh, but began to think back to yesterday at school. Everyone knew. Everything. Gohan wanted to sigh but was afraid to move for fear that he might disturb the half-asleep Videl. Videl. She had been pretty cool about finding our he was Saiyaman /and/ that he had beaten Cell. And then their was the Saiyan thing... it had been a warm day and they were sitting on the lawn after a sparring session when he had to tell her. He hated keeping it from her and everyday it bothered him. He was half alien. She, human. In her eyes, he would be a freak, someone who didn't belong, and he was afraid that it would ruin his friendship with her. Oh, yeah, he had told her everything, the plain truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; every hardship, every horror, every/thing/ he had endured in his lifetime. Videl had been terrified. But, oddly enough, it had somehow made them closer. And for that, Gohan was glad. Gohan realized he was still staring at Videl when she opened her eyes. Gohan quickly averted his own eyes and looked up at the stars once again. Videl did the same. Unconsciously, at the same time the two looked at each other, their eyes locking. Gohan slowly bent over to his side, nearing her lips. Videl lifted her head off his arm to meet his lips halfway. Their lips met in a brief moment of euphoria. Gohan honestly wanted to return to watching the stars, but instead allowed the gentle kiss to become slightly move passionate. He began to feel himself being pulled in by her kiss and started to feel nervous. He wanted to take her in his arms and fly away to where they could never be disturbed and- Gohan cut off the thought and pulled away gently. With an incredible amount of willpower, he forced his instincts under control. Videl leaned up against his arm again. She felt a slight tremor run through Gohan's body but figured he caught a chill from the now cool night breeze. Both continued to sit there for another half-hour. Videl, asleep, and Gohan, bothered. Gohan gently shook Videl. "I think we should go home," he said softly. Videl looked up at him. The way he said it sounded shaky and almost afraid. "Is everything okay, Gohan?" Videl asked. Gohan quickly nodded. "You were asleep. Do you want me to fly you home?" he offered. Videl thought that sounded like a good idea but shook her head. As long as she was up she might as well take the five minute flight to the Sons. They stood up and Videl smiled at Gohan as a sign that it was okay to take off. Gohan smiled back and both took off into the night air, straight up into the stars as high as they dared. Both laughed and headed towards the Son house, criss-crossing paths and flying past each other for the fun of it. *** SUNDAY MORNING (NEXT DAY) It was ten o'clock in the morning and Chi-Chi sang as she opened all the windows throughout the house letting in a beautiful breeze. Krillin, Yamcha, 18, Marron, Bulma, Vegeta, etc. were all there for breakfast. Chi-Chi was serving up waffles by the dozen and basking in the spotlight as her food was complimented. She narrowed her eyes as a shriek was heard from down the hall. Videl came running out with Gohan on her tail. "Give it back!" He was saying through laughs. Videl jumped over a toy of Goten's while shouting back "No!" Chi-Chi grabbed Gohan's arm, stopping him. "What does she have?" She asked. Videl, sitting on a windowsill in the living room laughed as the Z-Senshi looked on, amused. "My paper for history! And she won't give it back." Gohan laughed again and bent over, hands on his knees supporting himself. Videl began cracking up as well. Chi-Chi kept a strict look on her face despite the fact she wanted to laugh too. After all, her son was obviously getting chummy with Videl, and she didn't mind it one bit. "Just go outside and make noise," she ordered. "You heard her!" Videl exclaimed, letting herself fall out of the window. As she was about to hit the ground she caught herself and zoomed towards the sky. Gohan pursued her. Everyone watched as Gohan grabbed Videl in mid air, tackling the paper from her grip, laughing his head off. Videl tried her best to hold her own but to no avail. They dropped to the ground where Gohan's chest moved up and down quickly from exhaustion and laughter. He could hear Videl's ragged breathing next to him. His exhaustion faded and he stood up, offering Videl a hand. Videl took it and they flew in together. "I call shower!" She exclaimed. "Me next!" Gohan shouted as Videl walked off and shut the bathroom door. Gohan sighed and placed his paper on the table. "Hey, wassup, Gohan?" Krillin asked. He got no response. "I take it you had a good time last night?" Chi-Chi asked and the rest of the Z-senshi laughed. Gohan didn't respond to that either, instead he tuned them out as he thought about the kiss and how he had wanted to- "What'cha thinkin' about?" Krillin asked slyly. Gohan snapped out of his thoughts. "Me?" He said nervously. "Nothing!" He sighed. "What is that awful smell!" He commented. Chi-Chi looked offended. "Waffles! Gohan you love waffles!" He made a face, disgusted. Goku stood up worried. "What's wrong with you?" He asked, walking over to his son. Gohan moved away. "Nothing, dad... my minds just not really on eating right now. Just leave me alone okay, I have to think a few things out." Everyone face vaulted. "What's got you so temperamental this morning?" Bulma asked from her seat by Piccolo, who was trying to ignore the conversation and sat with his eyes shut. Everyone looked at him expectantly for an answer. "I don't know," Gohan said rather sharply. "Saiyan rage, maybe?" Vegeta laughed. He actually laughed. "Right kid," he said through a smirk. "Why don't you tell them the truth?" Everyone looked at Gohan expectantly. After a second of silence Vegeta stood up straight, no longer leaning against the wall and began to explain. "Fine if you won't tell them, I will. Saiyans mate for life. Gohan here wouldn't be doing this pathetic human courtship shit called `dating' unless he truly cared for that girl. Don't give us that `Saiyan rage' bullshit... You want her as a mate," Vegeta accused. Piccolo opened an eye. "It's only been a month and a half! You're wrong Veg-" "No, boy! You know deep inside that I'm right and that thought scares you to the very core!" Bulma sighed. "Alright Vegeta. Chill. Let's not let our tempers get the best of us." Vegeta glared at her. Krillin laughed. Gohan glared at him. "I was right!" He exclaimed. "So how far have you gotten with her, huh? First kiss? Well, we know that... Anything else, hmm?" He grinned. "Stop Krillin! Knock it off! I'm serious!" Gohan said quickly, uneasy. "I have to- ah- go- ah- take a shower or something-" "With Videl?" Krillin asked. Everyone laughed. "Shut up, Krillin!" Gohan began to turn red. "Why do I not like this?" He asked himself under his breath. Goten was skipping around the living room now, singing. "Gohan's going to marry Videl, marry Videl, marry Videl. Gohan's going to marry Videl-" "I- NO! Have you all lost your minds?!" Vegeta laughed. "Fine. Go on! When she comes out here kiss her and get along. Ignore the fact that is clear as day. You and your father are too damn innocent for your own damn good," Vegeta stated, very Vegeta-esque. "Look at it this way, something had to tip you off to let you recognize you have feelings deeper than a friendly boyfriend- girlfriend relationship." Gohan looked down. "Well, yesterday-" "You did it?" Krillin asked. "No! But there was a second where I wanted to- I guess I lost control or-" He stopped. "I am not going to talk about this in front of everyone!" Gohan was stuck. I want Videl as my future mate, he thought. "My mate..." he paused. "Did I just say that out loud?" "No," Krillin said. "You just thought it really loud." Goku looked at his son. It was true, then. Everything everyone had suspected since the day he brought her over for flying lessons. He was never hiding the love he had for that girl and now... Videl entered the room in jeans shorts and a black T-Shirt, her hair wet and clumped together. "You're turning red," she commented to Gohan teasingly, unaware of what they had been talking about. "I am?" Gohan asked quickly, trying to cover it up. She looked into the room and noticed everyone staring at her with a smile on their face. "What's up?" She asked slowly. Gohan wanted to slam his head into the wall. He swore he would personally see to the death of anyone who dared to open their mouth. Just then there was a knock on the door. Gohan quickly went to open it, only to find a dozen or so reporters outside. "Ah! Mr. Son Gohan! We were hoping you'd be home. Can you say a few words to the press?" Gohan just stood there. *** Okay! Hopefully I'll have the Valentine's Day one written by Valentine's Day. (Or maybe that weekend.) `Til then - adieu! And yes, I /am/ evil! **** **** **** **** **** Disclaimer: Guess what I got for Valentine's Day???!!!! Yes. That's right! Well, of course it has to do with DBZ... Uh huh. A GREAT SAIYAMAN ACTION FIGURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So now I do own that lovely piece of DBZ merchandise. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (He's really cute and had a little piece of candy tied to his arm. He's so sweet. *** Ahem. Hello. I'm grinning as I stare at my GS action figure. How cool is that? I may not post as often now because I have a toy to play with... (He's already flown around my room like seven times, I taped him to my fan blade and put it on slow for like .983247 seconds.) BEST FRIENDS FOREVER CHAPTER TWELVE Videl awoke to find her clock reading 4:23. She sighed. She didn't have to get up for school for another two hours! She tried to relax back into bed when she saw a light on from under her door and decided to investigate that instead. From the hall she smiled as she looked out into the living room. Gohan was curled up on the couch, reading by dull lamplight out of a beat-up looking book. He had dressed carelessly again, which was unlike him, but incredibly cute. His hair, for one, probably hadn't seen a brush since he had gone to bed the night before, and was obviously just finger-combed. His face was pale, his clothes rumpled around him and the shirt buttoned in the wrong holes. The strangest thing was: he wore glasses. Videl came out of hiding. "What's up, Gohan?" she asked. Gohan looked up quickly, startled. "The sk-" he began. "Besides the sky, the ceiling, or Goten..." "Everything that's not down then." Videl sighed. "I hate you." She paused and sat down next to him. "What's with the glasses?" She asked. Gohan took them off and turned them in his hands. "I'm just trying them. I haven't been able to see up close lately." "When'd you get `em?" Gohan shrugged. "Week or so ago. I haven't really used them though." Videl sighed. "So what's with this sloppy look, and what's in the book?" Gohan turned his attention to his clothes. "Sorry about that," he said as he began rebuttoning his shirt. "And the book's nothing really..." Videl picked it up. " `With words that made them known,' " she quoted. " `But thy vile race, though thou didst learn...' Is this Shakespeare?" "Partly, yes." Gohan took the book back and stood up walking halfway across the living room. Videl sat silently on the couch musing for a second and then looked straight into Gohan's eyes. " `I might call him a thing divine; for nothing natural I ever saw so noble.' " She quoted. Gohan's eyes widened. "I didn't know you knew ... anything like that." "'Nor could imagination form a shape besides yourself to like of...' I do read my English assignments, ya know, Gohan." Gohan laughed. Videl continued to watch him. "That was meant for you," she said softly. Gohan looked back at her and sat besides her. Without looking at her he said: "O wonder, what is the beauty of the trees, sun, ocean, earth without thy own beauty to look upon? In the eyes of this poor man, you are his sun, ocean, earth and life. Stay with me and should the world end, my only wish wouldst be to exist by your side at the end of all strife." Videl sat speechless and Gohan timidly looked upwards. "For you are the love of my life." Videl found her voice. "I- I don't remember that one at all-" "You wouldn't. I wrote it." Gohan smiled and looked down at the book in his hands. "I- I write in my spare time and I guess inspiration struck me this morning so I just had to- I dunno. Um..." he looked around and then at his watch. "I guess it's pretty early, I better get back to bed. Uh- Happy Valentine's Day, Videl." With that he quickly left the room and Videl continued to stare where he had disappeared down the hall. "Happy Valentine's Day, Gohan," she whispered back. **** Gohan stood in front of the bathroom mirror, his mother fussing over him. School that day had gone as normal... but tonight was the Valentine's Day dance. Gohan had on the beginnings of his tux: the black pants, white shirt, and that cute colored vest thing (his is shiny light blue thread... when I went to buy my homecoming dress I picked out a tux for Gohan... I'm such a dork.) Presently, he was putting on his tie, observing himself in the mirror and adjusting his reflection. While Chi-Chi fussed over his hair, doing the best she could with it. She hovered over him as if he were still five and about to go on one of his great adventures with Hiyaa Dragon. Gohan smiled at his reflection as his mom finished. "How do I look?" He asked. Chi-Chi studied him. "Hmm... How do they say it nowadays, Gohan? You look `hot'." Gohan laughed. "But I don't know if I have any dancing skills... mom." He looked at Chi-Chi with puppy dog eyes and held out his arms. She sighed and allowed Gohan to twirl her around the house in joy. Gohan mentally laughed at the irony of the difference between the older women he was dancing with now and the young girl who was getting ready for the dance in his parent's bedroom. Gohan carried the woman who had carried him all these years, but he was ready to move on. He had found who he believed to be the special girl in his life. Videl. Gohan ended the short dance and bowed. Chi-Chi clapped and helped him into his tux jacket, straightening it here and there. Just then, Goku walked in from outside, probably from a swim as could be gathered from his wet hair and slightly damp clothes. Goku laughed. "I saw you dancing," he commented. "Oh?" Gohan questioned, adjusting his cuffs. "Yeah, but you might want to add this to your repertoire." He gracefully pulled Chi-Chi into his arms, spun her and dipped her. "Nice, dad!" Gohan stated. "I know," Goku grinned. "But you always want to end it like this..." Still with Chi-Chi dipped, Goku kissed her on the lips. It reminded Gohan of a few romance movies he'd seen on TV. Goku brought Chi-Chi back up, smiling. "Videl should be preparing to have her socks knocked off, Gohan," he stated. **** Chi-Chi entered her bedroom that she shared with her husband to find Videl fully dressed. She wore a full length gown of light green. It was a simple but elegant spaghetti strapped bodice with a slightly pouffy skirt. "Darling you look wonderful!" Chi-Chi exclaimed. Videl blushed and looked down. "Thanks." "You have to work on excepting compliments, Videl," Chi-Chi remarked. "Because I know Gohan has at least a dozen planned. When he thought I wasn't looking I caught him practicing in the mirror." The two girls laughed as Chi-Chi circled around Videl approvingly. "I think you're all ready for your big dan-" There was a knock on the door and a second later Gohan's head peeked in. Chi-Chi ushered Videl out of view. "Is it safe?" Gohan asked, looking around. "I don't see why not, I have the two strongest men in the world living here." "Mom, I didn't mean it like that, I meant like `could I come in' safe?" Gohan's head bounced agitated. "I know what you meant... sure come in." Chi-Chi turned. "Videl..." Videl took this as her cue and walked out. She twirled before looking at Gohan and she froze when she did so: he looked marvelous. Gohan had about the same reaction. "Y-Y-You look... good," he managed. Videl blushed. "That's because I'm wearing a dress that accentuates my curves," Videl said, laughing. Gohan laughed as well. "Really?" Videl sighed. "Actually /I/ didn't say that... Bulma did." They both laughed again. "But really," Gohan said, sobering up. "You do look great, I mean..." Videl nodded. "I know..." They stood there awkwardly for another moment before Videl cleared her throat. "You look handsome, Gohan." "Handsome? Me?" Gohan grinned. "Yeah, you," Videl affirmed, smiling. Another silence. Chi-Chi smiled. "Well, Gohan, you should go start the car, okay?" "Sure." He gave a smile to Videl and left the room. Chi-Chi sighed. "Videl, I don't know what you're thinking or feeling but be clever with your heart okay?" Videl looked at the woman oddly for a moment before nodding. "I am- I will be." She grinned. "I followed mine and..." She looked out the door where Gohan had just left. Chi-Chi grinned with Videl. "I'm glad. You and him are so cute together-" Gohan swung around the door frame. "Ready, Videl?" He asked, holding out his hand and slightly bowing. Videl nodded, accepted his hand, and began to walk out with him. Goku walked by. "You guys are so adorable!" He half-yelled. "You," he said, looking at Videl. "Keep him in line. And you," he looked at Gohan. "Show the lady a good time." He laughed and hit Gohan on the shoulder. "I will!" Gohan responded. Chi-Chi was glowing. "You know what I want?" She asked, holding up a camera. "Pictures?" Gohan said, unsure." "Grandchildren!..." "Mom!" "Chi-Chi?" "Mrs. Son!" ".../and/ pictures. Have a good time!" Gohan and Videl walked stunned out the door. *** Upon entering the auditorium Gohan took in his surroundings. "What I Like About You" was blaring from the DJ stand set up on the stage on the opposite side of the auditorium, a light fog coated the floor, and, oh yeah, an absolutely gorgeous girl was standing right beside him. Sharpner ran up to them. "Gohan! Videl! Hey!" Erasa was right behind him. "Hi, Sharpner!" Videl said. "You guys are like a half-hour late!" Erasa exclaimed. "Well, my mom had to have everything perfect..." Gohan said. Sharpner clapped his hands. "Anyways, I'm just glad you guys are here. This dance is so lame, we need a couple to start dancing to get everyone else into the spirit." Gohan's eyes widened. "You want us to dance in front of these people?" Sharpner shrugged. "You danced at the club-" "But I didn't know the people there! I. Can't. Dance!" Gohan allowed his arms to drop to his sides. "Pleeeeeeeease?" Erasa prodded. "Can't you and Sharpner? Gohan has a phobia-" "It's not a phobia, Videl..." Sharpner sighed. "We've danced already and no one cares we need someone people love." "People love you guys," Videl began. "Not as much as they love you, now c'mon!" Erasa ordered. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No! Erasa please!" Gohan gave up as Sharpner hopped up on the stage. Sharpner cleared his throat and tapped the mic. "Hey, Orange Star Seniors and underclassmen," there was some booing. "It's Valentine's Day. Let's Dance. We'll start with a song /everybody/ knows!" The DJ tapped a button and the beginning notes to "I Knew I Loved You" by Savage Garden played. No one moved so Sharpner signaled to the DJ to stop. The music halted. "Fine, we need a couple, a really cute couple like... ah!" He watched in the back as Videl was leading Gohan up to the floor. "Let's give a round of applause to the most beautiful girl in the city, who can only compare to Erasa-" Erasa giggled. "Hi sweetie." He waved to her. "-And everyone's favorite alien: Videl and Gohan!" The auditorium clapped. The DJ once again began "I Knew I Loved You". (A/N: Sorry I can't help it. I had to pick this song because the words are so Gohan and Videl in this fic!) Everyone joined in as Gohan and Videl began to dance. Gohan sighed in resignation as they began to dance. "What was that for?" Videl asked. "Something wrong?" "Not anymore," Gohan chuckled. "Maybe it's intuition..." He sang. Videl laughed. "But some things you just don't question. Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant, and there it goes, I think I've found my best friend." Gohan pulled Videl up against his body so that he was whispering into her ear. Videl gave a small squeak. "I know that it might sound more than a little crazy but I believe I knew I loved you before I met you. I think I dreamed you into life. I knew I loved you before I met you. I have been waiting all my life." Gohan slowly spun her out and then back into his arms. "There's just no rhyme or reason, only this sense of completion...and in your eyes, I see the missing pieces, I'm searching for, I think I found my way home. I know that it might sound more than a little crazy but I believe, I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life. I knew I loved you before I met you, I have been waiting all my life." The bridge began to play as Gohan moved away, adjusting his position so he could dip her. He did so. "A thousand angels dance around you... I am complete now that I found you..." People began to stop dancing to watch Gohan. /Here goes nothing/ he thought, leaning forward to whisper into her ear. "I love you, Videl." Videl laughed into his ear. "I love you, too. But what-?" Gohan couldn't hear the rest as he moved to position his own lips in front of hers, kissing her. A few people made `Awwww`... and `Oooooh...' noises... except for Sharpner, who had to be the loud one. "French kiss her Gohan! BE A MAN!" He cheered. A few other people whistled. Gohan flushed. He'd never French kissed anyone before and didn't exactly know how to. Tentatively, Gohan slipped his tongue into her mouth. Videl responded by doing the same. People began to hoot as the song ended and Gohan broke the kiss, laughing with Videl as he stood her back up. Videl was all smiles and slightly ruffled. "Gohan? Wow!" She said under her breath. Gohan raised his eyebrows quickly with a smirk. Sharpner walked up. "Dude, that was awesome! But you're suppose to save the romantic stuff for the end!" Gohan continued to smirk as he walked off the dance floor with Sharpner to get drinks. Erasa was already waiting at a table with a drink for Videl. **** "Oh, oh my god! Now, you're making me look bad, Gohan," Sharpner remarked, handing him a Sprite. "Didn't mean to," Gohan began. "And I honestly hadn't meant to kiss her yet it's just-" "What?" "She's... I don't know... I look at her and I just /want/ to kiss her. Her eyes are like... enthralling." **** "He's a sweet one, Videl!" Erasa commented. Videl was still kind of stunned. "I didn't know he could do that..." she whispered. "Kiss like that?" Erasa asked. Videl nodded. "I mean, I never saw him as someone to do that. Uh! That's it! He's sweet, cute just so... winsome... and... and..." Videl didn't finish her thought but opped to drink. **** Gohan exhaled into his cup as he and Sharpner walked towards the Erasa and Videl. Sharpner asked, "So what's your opinion? Where does Videl stand now?" Gohan looked at Sharpner disdainfully. "Sorry, didn't know she was a touchy subject." "Not `touchy' just... private." "Hey, you!" Erasa said standing up by Sharpner. "I'm going to go request Alanis Morissette." Sharpner rolled his eyes. Videl had regained her wits and was eating a piece of pie. She offered Gohan some and he sat down to eat (who's he to refuse food, anyway?) Erasa came back belting out "Head Over Feet.": "You're the best listener that I've ever met. You're my best friend...Best friend with benefits!" Videl look up from her cake at Gohan, he did the same. They both smiled. "What took me so long? You've already won me over, in spite of me, and don't be alarmed if I..." "Erasa, please!" Sharpner was saying. Gohan cringed, all of the noise and lights getting to him. "Do you want to step outside, Videl?" Gohan asked, noticing she was looking bothered as well. Videl nodded and the two exited through the back, stepping out onto a concrete sidewalk with trees on either side. Red Christmas lights were strung through the trees for a Valentine's day effect. The music could be heard softly from inside. Gohan sighed contentedly as he felt the cool air on his face, also seeing it as an excuse to hold Videl. "You okay?" He asked. Videl nodded. "Good." It was silent for a minute or two. Gohan stepped away. "Listen." "Hm?" "The song..." He looked at Videl. "Could I, perhaps, ask the most captivating, charming, spellbinding girl on the planet to dance with me?" Videl stepped towards him "May the girl ask what she did to deserve the privilege of dancing with such an attractive man?" Gohan laughed. "She may. You see, this girl is one of the reasons I look forwards to living another day, she's one of the reasons I smile at all..." he trailed off and Videl looked at him, taken aback. "Then you may." Gohan carefully wrapped his arms around Videl, dancing slowly to the music. (A/N: I believe this song is by Hoku and it's another good one. I think it`s titled `You First Believed.' I think it`s perfect for them (again) and it`s fate `cause I just heard it for the first time this Valentine`s Day while I was writing and I said `I must have that for my fic!!!!!!!!!') - :::How many times did I pray You'd find me How many wishes on a star Gazing off into the dark Dreaming I'd see your face Safe at home unafraid Captured in your embrace - So many times When my heart was broken Visions of you Would keep me strong You were with me all along Guiding my every step You are all that I am And I'll never forget - It was you who first believed In all that I was made to be It was you looking in my eyes You held my hand And showed me life And I've never been the same Since you first believed - There were times When I'd thought I'd lost you Fearing forever was a dream But it wasn't what it seemed Placing your hand in mine You could see in the dark You were guiding my heart - It was you who first believed In all that I was made to be It was you looking in my eyes You held my hand And you showed me life And I've never been the same Since you first believed - How many times did I pray You'd find me How many wishes on a star::: - "We better get going," Gohan stated stepping back from his dance with Videl. "Why?" Videl asked looking up. Gohan didn't answer but held her tight and close as he hovered above the ground. Videl couldn't help but laugh as she saw a news crew arrive at the dance. "Avoiding the press `Mr. Son.'?" She asked. "Yes." Gohan replied simply, flying home. *** Gohan and Videl entered the Son house laughing their heads off. The first thing they saw was Goku and Chi-Chi dancing in the living room to quietly playing music. "Oh, sorry to disturb you," Videl remarked quickly. "Don't worry about it," Chi-Chi said as her husband spoke up. "I thought you teenage kids were suppose to stay out late at parties?" Gohan scratched his head. "We were both getting kind of bored with it." "Hmmm..." Goku mused. "Erasa and Sharpner called and said you left after they played like three songs." Gohan shrugged. "It was boring," he repeated. "We figured it would be more fun to hang out here." "That's all you to do," Goku began. "Yeah, but now Goten's not around so we can actually just sit and talk," Gohan explained. "Whatever," Goku gave up. Videl walked to her room to change as Gohan peeked in on his baby brother to make sure he ws peacefully asleep. Satisfied that he was, he knocked on Videl's bedroom door. "Come in," he heard her whisper. Videl sat on her bed in khakis and a black tank top. Gohan sat on the bed, leaning against the wall. He had taken off his jacket and vest and his tie hung loosely around his neck. "You know you looked really nice tonight, Videl." He commented. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Gohan," Videl remarked, smiling. Gohan shoved his hands into his pockets and grinned at her. "What?" She questioned. "Nothing, you're just pretty, like I said..." "Huh?" "Really, really pretty..." he took his hands out of his pockets and moved forward. "As a matter of fact..." He let out a throaty laugh. "I think I'm going to kiss you..." "You think?" "Yes." "Well you better!" "Well if you won't give me a choice-" Gohan kissed Videl tenderly on the lips. Videl laugh quietly as she pulled away. "What's gotten into you lately, Gohan?" She asked, jumping off the bed and grinning. Gohan looked at the bed and then back at her. "I wish I knew the answer... you see, Vegeta kind of freaked me out the other day..." He stood up. "What'd he say?" "Absolutely nothing!" Gohan said quickly. He ran his hand nervously across the bedspread in front of him, fidgeting with a loose thread. "Just some Saiyan thing, a phase, I'm sure, don't worry." Videl smiled. "As long as it's nothing..." "/Absolutely/ nothing!" Gohan corrected. "Fine," Videl laughed as they kissed again. Gohan pulled Videl into his arms and kissed her more passionately. He moved Videl so that she was pressed against the wall and she responded by wrapping her legs around him. Unknowing to them, Goten silently opened the door, eyes half shut. He sighed as he shut the door and walked half-asleep back to his room. Chi-Chi saw the littlest Son out of bed. "Goten! You're suppose to be asleep!" Goten's eyes opened. "Sorry, just I heard a thump against the wall, just Gohan and Videl woke me up." "Where are they?" Chi-Chi asked. Goten innocently looked up at her. "Mom, they're playing tongue-tennis in the bedroom." Chi-Chi was shocked at what her son had said. 'Tongue Tennis?' Where had he learned such language? Probably that Brief child. Then his words registered. "WHAT?!" "Making out, kissy kissy, that's what they're doing." Goku walked up. "Was' going on?" He asked. Chi-Chi opened Gohan and Videl's door to reveal the two teenagers conked out on the bed, sleeping peacefully. "Goten! You are not allowed to tell lies in this house, go to bed!" Goku looked at Chi-Chi. "Wha'd he say?" Chi-Chi hmphed. "Something about Gohan and Videl making out. I'm disappointed. Wouldn't it be so cute if they got married? Am I the only one that thinks that?" Goku laughed and ushered his wife out of the room, shutting off the lights and closing the door. As soon as he did so Gohan and Videl both giggled. "Fooled them," Videl whispered. Gohan laughed silently. "Yes, we did." He got up. "That'll show my little bro, trying to tattle on me." Videl laughed. "Guess I should head off to bed." "Yeah, `night." " 'Night." *** `The littlest Son.' Doesn't that sound like it could be the name of a book? Oh and for God's sake man! They did not do 'it', they made out. My gosh the sickos in this world! It's Valentine's Day! Just because the people in everyone else's fics do 'it' on Valentine's Day doesn't mean they do it in mine!! Geez! My Great Saiyaman figure is backing me up on this one! **** **** **** **** Disclaimer: We all know by now that I don't own this anime. For Dende's sake! *** I'm back again with my Great Saiyaman action figure! Geez- He's such a dork! But that's why he's so friggin' cute! BEST FRIENDS FOREVER CHAPTER 13 Gohan smiled as he turned over in bed. It was Sunday morning and he was going to relish in laying in bed. He glanced at the sky and noticed the impending threat of rain, knowing that, if it did in fact rain, he'd be cleaning off a very muddy Goten in a few hours. Gohan sighed and looked over at his brother, pushing the thought of laying in bed out of his head for an equally great thought of toast... and eggs... and milk... and muffins... Gohan continued to dream about his favorite breakfast foods as he dressed. He exited the bedroom and walked into the kitchen. And then he realized it: He never cooked, his mom always did that. She was always up and cooking at this time of the hour. She had probably decided to rake advantage of the cloudy day and sleep in. How hard could cooking be... really? Gohan frowned and took out a pan, coated it with butter, turned on the burner, got out some eggs and cracked them into the pan. "I can do over-easy eggs," he whispered out loud for confidence. He smiled as they each landed in the pan, unbroken. "Ha!" He said, grinning and doing a little dance over to the cabinet, where he got out the cups. It was only when Videl cleared her throat that he noticed he'd been watched. "Nice little jig there, Gohan," she commented. He froze and blushed. "You know, I thought you guys could sense ki," she continued. "I've been watching you since you took out the milk." Gohan cleared his throat. "When Saiyans are hungry we become incapacitated," He stated. Videl laughed. "Your eggs are burning," she said, nonchalantly. "NO!" Gohan turned around grabbed the pan and whined. "Damn it!" Videl laughed again. "I'll cook," she offered. *** Goku smiled in his sleep. Somewhere, eggs were being made. He slowly slipped out of unconsciousness to find that something was burning. Goku wrinkled up his nose and turned to Chi-Chi beside him. "Honey, why aren't you up yet? I think Gohan's cooking, and if that's the case, we're not going to have a house in fifteen minutes because it will have burned to the ground." Chi-Chi opened one eye and glared at him. Goku squirmed under her study. "Or, you know, /I/ could get up and help him." Goku rose and walked out to find Videl cooking as the young demi-Saiyan gladly walked around, helping her to gather ingredients. Without saying a word, he went back to his bedroom and collapsed on the bed. "Videl's cooking, I'll get up in twenty minutes." Chi-Chi punched him in the back. "Slacker," she said. "What's with the slang?" Goku countered. There was no response so Goku shrugged and turned towards his wife. He smiled and placed his head back on his pillow, shutting his eyes, and yawning. "Wake me up in twenty minutes," came out as one long word through his open mouth. Chi-Chi found herself smiling and cuddled up to her husband and they both fell back to sleep. *** "Dende! We've got flames!" Gohan yelled, staring at horror at the ruined pancakes in front of him. Videl frowned and sprayed the griddle with a fire extinguisher. "Gohan, you're making pancakes, not flamb�!" Gohan grinned. Videl frowned. "Wipe that grin off your face mister! If you don't make pancakes that's one less thing you're going to get to eat for breakfast." Gohan abruptly stopped grinning. "You know," Videl continued. "You're the only person I know who can set pancakes on fire... I didn't even know it was possible to do until just now." Gohan smiled sheepishly. "Well, I'm sorry, I've just never-" "Stop apologizing. Now c'mon, I'm serious. Let's try this again, just next time don't do anything but watch the pancakes!" "I was watching the pancakes!" "Bullshit!" *** Chi-Chi opened her eyes sleepily. "I'm going to kill those kids," she mumbled. Goku chuckled from beside her. "I don't think we have to be extreme now, Chi-Chi, let's just-" "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Came Videl and Gohan's voices. "-just go help them." Goku ran out of bed to find that a milk carton had exploded in the kitchen. Milk coated everyone and everything, `cept Goku. "Is everything - um- under control?" Goku asked slowly. "'Course!" Videl exclaimed, hitting Gohan on the head with the ruptured milk carton. Goku looked around to find the kitchen covered in fire extinguisher spray, milk, and smoke; combined with the smell of burnt eggs and pancakes. Not to mention the kitchen looked like someone had thrown a grenade into a pile of food. But Goku decided to ignore this. "So when do we eat?!" He asked happily. Videl looked at Goku in disbelief and was just about to tell him off when she saw a few large vans pull up in front of the house. "Do we have company today?" She asked as Goten walked in, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. "No," Goku said, about to ask her why she had asked. "Oh, okay, that's why ZZTV and a bunch of other people just pulled up," Videl said sarcastically pointing to the window. "What!?" Gohan exclaimed. "ZZTV?" Goku said questioningly. "Cool! C`mon, Goten, let`s be on TV!" Goten opened his sleepy eyes. "Yea!" Gohan pulled them both back. "No!" He said abruptly. "I have a feeling they're not here for fun." *** (Okay the reporter is the woman from the tournament (who asked Goku about his halo) and the camera dude is the same guy) "We're on the air in three, two, one," a woman reporter said to the cameraman. "On air!" He called. "Hello! This is Patty Hughes for ZZTV! Today we bring you breaking news from the home of the boy who really beat Cell, Son Gohan. We've had this information for about a week, now, and the reason we're here today is because of a rather interesting protest." The cameraman panned to the background where a large group of people held signs that read things like, `Phone home, go home,' and `A NASA experiment lives here.' "You may be wondering," Patty continued. "What NASA has to do with Son Gohan. Well, many of you already know, he is half alien." *** Gohan had turned on his TV and was watching the report that was going on right outside his door. He watched as the camera panned to his windows, trying to catch a glimpse of someone inside the house. Then it panned to a protester who screamed something about wanting to live in a safe society. "However," Patty explained. "There is more to this young alien that meets the eye. "After extensive research, we've found that him, and his father fought a band of these aliens about fourteen years ago. One of these aliens are still here today. You know him as Vegeta Brief, husband of the famous Bulma Brief. Now we're going to Jim who is on location at Capsule Corporation." The screen changed and Gohan saw Capsule Corp. in the background. A man in his late forties who already had grey hair, obviously Jim, began speaking. "Well, I don't know what to say. A short man with vertical hair came out, destroyed a few trees and shouted, and I quote, `If you <bleep> humans are not gone in five minutes I'm going to do the same to you!' End quote. That's all here, because then everyone left." Patty shook her head. "Thanks Jim." "Way to go, Vegeta," Gohan said sarcastically. He turned around to Videl but found that she wasn't there. "Videl?" He called. "She went outside," Goten stated. Gohan's eyes widened as he saw the camera pan off Patty and to his front door where Videl was emerging. "Oh no." Goten smiled. "It's Videl!" He exclaimed. "She must be used to being on TV, huh? Don`t you think so Gohan?" Gohan swallowed as Chi-Chi entered the living room. "What the hell?!" She exclaimed when she saw the TV. Goku grabbed her. "We're going to let Videl handle this one, honey." On the TV, Patty smirked. "Well, hello Videl! We weren't expecting you here." She turned to the camera. "That's right folks, it's Videl Satan." Gohan clenched his teeth. "I'm going out there," he said. Goku looked at him. "Gohan, I think you ought to calm down first, after Vegeta's little display we don't want you to suddenly, you know, go Super Saiyan and `blast them all away.'" Gohan opened the door. "Believe me, I'm as calm as I'll ever be." *** Videl swore under her breath when she saw Gohan exit his house. She smiled sweetly into the camera. Patty was ecstatic. "Oh my gosh! Here we are in the 439 District and I'm about to talk to Son Gohan himself!" Patty looked at the two. "So how do you guys feel, being the most controversial pair of the century?" (A/N: I mean, this is even bigger then Monica and Bill! :-P) Videl calmly looked at Patty. "I have to say, that for once in my life I feel normal," Videl said to her. "Normal?!" Patty exclaimed. "So normal to you is moving out of your father's and dating an alien?" Videl nodded and flashed the camera another sweet smile. Patty looked at Gohan and held out the mic to him. "Same," he said quickly. Videl gently elbowed him in the side. **** CAPSULE CORP. Trunks watched the TV laughing his head off. "Gohan's so stupid sometimes," he stated. Vegeta was smirking. "That kid's going to ruin us all," he tried to sound upset but there was an element of amusement in his voice. Damn that brat of Kakarott, he thought. Bulma was in tears she was laughing so hard. "Never a dull moment," she was saying. Dr. Brief came in, drinking coffee. "All I know, Vegeta, is that you better have not given Capsule Corp. a bad name: saying all that stuff about killing humans." Vegeta scowled. "I never said I'd directly kill them." "You blasted the trees and said you'd do the same to them," Dr. Brief said, upset. "You got `kill them' from that?" Vegeta smirked. Bulma started laughing again. Trunks frowned. "They should just put Goten in front of the camera..." he said to himself. **** At Erasa's house the phone rang. When she answered it this was all she heard. "Damn it, Erasa, hurry, hurry, hurry! Put on channel 37 quick! Go! GO!GO!GO!" "Sharpner?" She asked, stunned. "Do it!" Erasa did so. "Holy shit, that's Gohan and Videl." Sharpner nodded. "Read the bottom of the screen!" He commanded. Erasa did so. "After seven years the truth of the Cell Games surfaces." The words switched. "Hercule admits to not defeating Cell in moment of rage at Orange Star." Again the words switched. "Videl Satan, Hercule's daughter, living with man who defeated Cell." There was silence on the line until Erasa shouted. "I TOLD YOU 'TABLOID'!" *** KAMI TOWER Dende was trying hard not to start laughing at his friend down below on Earth. But as soon as Popo started chuckling the two were in hysterics. The guardian of the Earth could only shake his head as he laughed, leaning on his staff for support. "Ah, Gohan..." *** KAME HOUSE Roshi was pissed because ZZTV had interrupted the broadcast of his usual fitness program. Krillin, who was in the room, thought that the urgent broadcast might be another enemy and laughed when he saw Gohan and Videl. Eighteen cracked a smile and Marron pointed to the screen laughing. "Oh, shit," Krillin said. "That kid... I don't know how he does it." *** Goku answered the phone. "Hello, Son resid-" He was cut off by the voice of Yamcha. "Tell your son to get off the screen!" He shouted, laughing. Goku started laughing too. "This is kind of funny, but I don't think that Gohan and Videl see it that way." "I /IS/ funny, I mean-" He stopped when he saw a large green caped figure drop behind Gohan, arms crossed. "F***!" Yamcha shouted. "Piccolo's on the TV!" Goku just laughed again and didn't notice Goten sneaking out of the house. *** On the TV one could now see a very nervous Gohan standing next to a calm and smiling Videl. Piccolo stood behind Gohan, looking mad and one could see Goten, in the background, running at his unsuspecting brother. "GOHAN!" Goten shouted as he jumped in the air and smacked into Gohan. Gohan made a noise like "oof!" as the wind was knocked out of him. "Hey, squirt," everyone her Gohan say quietly through the TV. Videl smiled. Good, she thought, if there was anything that could melt the public's heart it would be Gohan and Goten... and Goku. She looked at Piccolo, who glanced at her. She smiled at the Namek as Patty went up to him. "And you sir... are green." Gohan, smiled. "Piccolo!" Videl quickly began speaking. "He's an alien...um... from Namek... and he's not going to hurt any-" "What lovely fangs!" Patty exclaimed. "-one. So don't worry about him and-" Patty cooed at Goten. "And who are you, little boy?" Goten smiled up at Patty. "My name's Goten!" "-he would be Gohan's brother-" Goten smiled. "Yup I am! And Gohan's soooooo cool! So is Videl! They're going to get married!" Gohan froze and so did Videl. Piccolo cracked a smile and Yamcha and Krillin's laugh could be heard from the Son residence. "Really!" Patty exclaimed. "An unknown turn of events!" "No, no, no, no, no, not- not- not- really!" Gohan sputtered. "C'mon, Gohan, pleeeeease?" "No, GOTEN!" *** A hundred feet away, Goku decided his eldest Son could use some help. He hung up on Yamcha and grabbed Chi-Chi, instant transmission-ing besides Videl, who was choking on whatever words she was trying to get out. All of them made quiet a scene. Goku looked into the camera. "Hi, I'm Goku! I'm Gohan's dad, and this is Chi-Chi, Gohan's mom." Chi-Chi beamed. "I'd just like to mention that Gohan has a perfect GPA at Orange Star High Schoo-" "Not now, mom," Gohan said. Goku continued. "I'd like to say `hi' to all my human and alien friends: Roshi, Yamcha, Krillin, Eighteen, Marron, Trunks, Bulma, by the way, tell your husband to calm down!, Vegeta, I know you're threatening to kill me right now, um... who else? Tien and Chatzou... if you're out there how come you never call?" He turned to Patty. "Hey! Wanna see a Kamehameha Wave?" "Dad...please..." Goku grew quiet as Hercule stepped out of the group of protestors, riling them up. "Daddy?" Videl said stepping forward. Hercule turned around. "Videl." "Dad, what are you do-" Hercule pulled her aside looking into the camera. "They're aliens and dangerous! Dangerously powerful! What's worse off is that I don't think they know that! All it's going to take is one accident and that power of theirs that beat Cell is going to be released. That's why we're here! They`re lying about what they know!" Patty turned to Gohan for a response. But Videl grabbed the mic out of her hand. "Alright dad, two can play at this game. What about you? If you lied about the Cell games then what else are you lying about, huh?" Hercule began to sputter. Videl continued, "No one owes you anything." She looked into the camera. "Gohan did beat Cell, my dad admitted it this week. He's the one that rightfully deserves the credit." Goten laughed. "Yeah! My big brother kicked Cells butt!" Videl smiled. "Doesn't that fact prove to you that he's not here to destroy the Earth. I mean, his dad's dies twice saving this planet! I'm not going into explanations now but-" Gohan smiled at Videl thankfully. Patty took the mic back. "Son Gohan, a few words?" Gohan straightened and spoke into the mic. "I don't really know, um, what to say. I guess that- I see it this way. I'm half-human, I'm an earthling, this planet is just as much mine as it is yours. While my dad is full Saiyan and was born on Planet Vegeta he- he has always seen Earth as his home as well. And then Goten- well, Goten wouldn't hurt a fly so- "Vegeta, yeah, he's a little bit harder to mess with, but if he ever goes around blowing people up or something, Bulma can kick his - um, butt - and, I mean, Trunks, no one's ever even suspected him, I mean, he's got the human hair! "Piccolo stands out but you've probably never seen him before because he - lives elsewhere and I - I don't see why - why everything's so different now. I don't want it to be - I just always hoped that-" The sound of car doors shutting caught everyone's attention. Sharpner and Erasa bounded over. "Hey, Gohan!" Erasa shouted. "Sharpner did like 180 down the road to get here in time..." Sharpner looked into the camera. "Gohan's the best! And I thought that before I knew he'd saved the world." Erasa nodded. "Yeah, Gohan's great. Uh, If you're interested, my name is Erasa, I'm eighteen, 5'3'', my number's 555-8472..." "Hey!" Sharpner scowled. Erasa laughed at him. Gohan smiled. Chi-Chi walked over to the camera. "This has been fun but I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave my property. I will not allow my son to be the headline of every day's newspaper. I'd invite you inside for some drinks before you all go but we had a little- mishap- in the kitchen this morning so I'm afraid that unless you like burnt eggs and pancakes you'll have to excuse yourself." Hercule fidgeted in the corner looking as if he were going to start up again. "NOW!" Chi-Chi exclaimed. She smiled sweetly as the news crew left and the protestors filed into vans. "Geez, mom," Goten said. "You're scary!" Chi-Chi smiled. "I know, how do you think I keep the strongest men in the world in line?" Everyone laughed or smiled but Gohan. Videl pulled him aside. "You okay?" She asked. Gohan thought for a moment. "No, not really, not at all actually, I think, that I'm going to go off, um, thinking." With that Gohan smiled weakly and flew off. Videl was going to say something but decided it was probably best for him to just go. She looked over at Goku, who smiled in a `he'll be fine' kind of way. Erasa and Sharpner came up. "I was on TV!" Sharpner exclaimed. Videl smiled. "You guys want breakfast?" She asked, maybe cooking would take her mind off everything. "Sure!" They both answered walking towards Gohan's house. *** "I've never been in his house before," Erasa stated. "Let's go snoop through his room!" "Erasa!" Videl yelled. "Haven't you, ever?" "No! I respect his privacy." Videl turned her attention to cooking eggs, while Erasa frowned.. Minutes later Videl served Sharpner and Erasa eggs as thunder boomed overhead. Erasa drew in her breath. "It's looking nasty out," she commented. "Yeah, maybe we better hit the road right after we finish eating. Getting a head start wouldn't be a bad idea, since I do drive a classic and all. I wouldn't want it to get stuck in the mud," Sharpner downed some milk. "But, if you want us to stay, Videl, we will." Videl shook her head. "It's fine Sharpner, go ahead and go." Erasa and Sharpner both said their goodbyes to Videl and then left. Videl sighed as she slunk down on the couch, wondering how long Gohan would stay outside. Goten came running into the room and jumped on the couch. "Can I go and play in the rain?" He shouted to his parents in the other room. "No," Goku said as he entered the kitchen. "Why not?" Goten frowned. Goku shrugged. "Because it's time for lunch!" "But we just had-" Videl began. "So?" Goku asked innocently. Goten shouted in excitement but was silenced when Gohan walked through the door. He nodded to everyone before looking at his father. "Dad, can I talk to you...privately?" "Sure," Goku said, following Gohan into his bedroom. Goten and Videl looked at each other. "I wonder what's up?" Videl asked, slightly worried. Goten nodded. "Let's eavesdrop!" Videl grabbed Goten. "Or not... so what do you want to eat?" *** Yeah, there's something definitely up with Gohan...and once again, I, Christine, am behind it! **** **** **** **** Disclaimer: Hahaha! I don�t own Dragon Ball Z! Hahaha! *** Sorry. I�m just weird today. I had a snowball fight with my Great Saiyaman action figure like two weeks ago! It was pretty one-sided. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER CHAPTER FOURTEEN Dusk was falling as Gohan frowned. �We have no food!� Gohan exclaimed, opening the refrigerator door. Videl, arms crossed, sighed. �Tell me.� Gohan threw a glance over his shoulder and sighed. Videl asked again. �What were you and your dad talking about?� Gohan turned back to the fridge. �It�s just been a long day, okay? I mean, I love the way the whole world saw me on TV, they should�ve just gave me a neon sign to wear on my ass that said �I am alien.�� He looked at her and smiled. �We have no food!� He repeated. Videl smiled weakly and brushed a few ebony locks out of her eyes. �That�s �cause your fat ass eats it all.� Gohan feigned a hurt expression. �I resent that!� �Likewise.� Gohan grabbed a carton of blueberries and began to eat them one at a time. Videl gave him a questioning glance. �What? I�m bored.� Videl snorted as Gohan held up a blueberry. �Searching for target� searching for target�� he said, moving the blueberry around. Videl raised an eyebrow. Gohan smiled. �Target located!� He half yelled and threw the blueberry at her. Videl didn�t move and definitely wasn�t amused. Gohan cleared his throat. �Sorry, I�m just in one of my moods.� �Ah!� Videl said, rolling her eyes. She grabbed a blueberry and ate it. �Not bad,� she commented. �How pathetic are we?� Gohan asked. Videl shook her head and laughed. Gohan ate another blueberry. �I have to use the men�s room, be right back!� �Thanks for announcing,� Videl responded sarcastically. Gohan left and Videl sighed again. A minute later Gohan came back. �One of the simple joys of life is pissing when you really have to.� Just then the phone rang and Videl jumped over the counter to answer it as Gohan dashed toward the living room, both laughing in a desperate scramble to get it. Videl answered the phone and stuck out her tongue after saying, �Son residence. Hi!� Gohan stuck his tongue back out at her. �Real mature,� he commented. Gohan watched as her expression changed. �Yeah, this is Videl,� Videl rubbed her neck. �I understand.� She nodded to herself, her smile dropping off her face. �I guess that would be for the best, don�t you?� Without saying goodbye she hung up the phone. �That was Laura, Gohan.� At his blank look she explained. �Laura, the house maid.� (Remember her from LL?) �And?� Gohan prompted. �My dad�s going to be out of town for six months.� �So?� �So� I�m going to move back and manage the place.� Gohan sat up. �Wait- what?!� He raised his voice. Videl stood up. �Yeah, Gohan. I mean, the reason I moved here is because he was there and that�s why you told me to come here. We both knew it was temporary.� Gohan looked down. �You�ve got to be kidding, right?� Videl frowned. �What are you saying?� Gohan shook his head. �Nothing, Videl, nothing. I just don�t think it�s a good idea. Why would your dad just up and leave for six months?� Videl shrugged. �Exactly.� Videl glared at him. �I am not having this conversation!� Goten entered. �Oh, hi guys,� he said. Then he looked up at his brother. �Is Videl moving out?� Gohan began to speak but was cut off. �But you can�t move out Videl!� Goten exclaimed. �Gohan likes you and he told Vegeta and everyone else that he-� Gohan clamped his hand over his baby brother�s mouth. �Said that what, Goten?� Videl asked. �Let him go, Gohan,� she ordered. Gohan blushed, but tried to play innocent. �Kids! They don�t know what they�re talking about, sometimes they just get an idea in their heads and-� �Let him talk, Gohan!� Gohan released Goten. He stood behind Videl and shook his head violently. Goten didn�t get the hint. �He said that he wanted to m� m-something. Trunks knows.� Gohan jumped out. �Goten, this-� he shook his head. �Means shut the hell up!� Videl wore a look of surprise. �You can�t talk to your brother like that, Gohan!� Gohan grabbed her arm �You don�t understand�� he said under his breath. �If I don�t understand then explain!� Gohan stood there speechless. �Okay, that does it Son Gohan!� Gohan stood there speechless, with a worried expression. �Explain! This wouldn�t have anything to do with what you were talking to Goku about, would it?� �I�m sorry, I can�t-� �Wrong answer!� Gohan clenched his teeth. �Fine, if you don�t understand that I can�t tell you now, then you never will! What do you expect from me, Videl? You know things are a little more complicated in my life, only a little-� �Complicated! What about my life, maybe I just want to find-� �You can�t just expect me to tell you all the answers at your convenience, to be your boyfriend at your convenience!� Videl stood back in shock. �Excuse me?� Before allowing him to reply, she walked passed him and into her room where she began packing whatever she could quickly into a small duffel bag. �Listen, you mean the world to me, really, and that�s why I can�t say anything right now!� Videl froze. �Speaking of the rest of the world- I think that maybe if you have so many problems you should think about what you�re doing here!� Gohan stepped back. �What?� Videl almost put her hand up to her mouth but caught herself. �What?� Gohan asked again. Videl cleared her throat. �Nothing.� Gohan�s eyes widened. �No, I definitely heard something! Is this just a joke to you? Hang out with a half-alien for the attention or what? I mean-� Goten snapped his fingers. �I got it: mate!� Videl turned and slowly looked at Gohan. �The truth comes out�� She went back to her packing. Gohan pushed his brother out the door. �Adult conversation time, bro,� he whispered. After shutting the bedroom door he quickly went over to Videl, touching her on the back. �I can explain, it�ll take a while but-� �Get your hands off of me!� Videl pulled away. �You�re asking me if this is a joke? Maybe I should be asking you the same thing. For all your supposed naivet� I should think that maybe you are just a perver-� Gohan shook his head. �It�s not like that, I swear-� Videl nodded. �That�s what everyone says. Everyone. The criminals I stop, my dad�you.� Videl zipped the duffel bag shut while sniffling a bit and wiping her eyes. Deftly she slung the duffel over her shoulder, walking out to the living room. Gohan right behind her. �Oh, shit,� he said under his breath. �Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit.� He ran in front of her. "Please Videl, don�t go, just let me talk-� �Because that would be fair� to you. Listen, you didn�t want to talk all the times I asked you myself and so� goodbye.� Videl opened the door. She turned to face the living room. �Well, I guess I�ll see you around. Thanks for the last few months and all.� Videl looked past Gohan where she saw Goku emerge from his bedroom. He smiled and looked down as if he knew something she didn't, and then went back into his room. Videl pursed her lips and left, shutting the door softly behind her. Goten came out of his bedroom and watched silently as Gohan sat down on the couch and placed his head in his hands. Goten quietly sat down besides his brother, kicking his legs against the couch. �Why did you and Videl fight?" Goten asked, looking at his brother. "� you�re suppose to marry her.� �I know,� Gohan whispered, taking his head out of his hands and seeing his brother had tears in his big black eyes. Gohan took a deep breath trying to keep from crying himself� he could always save that for after everyone else went to bed. *** Videl knocked on her door and it was answered by Laura. "Videl!" The lady exclaimed, hugging her. "I thought I'd never see you again, except for on the news!" Videl nodded. "I'm just going to bed," she stated distractedly. She slipped past Laura, walking up large marble steps to her room. She shut her door and zipped open the duffel bag, pulling out a sweat shirt. The night flight to her house had been chilly. She quickly pulled the sweat shirt on and hugged herself. But something was wrong here. Videl brought the fabric of the shirt up to her nose and smelled it. Gohan's. Had to be. Rather than take it off, she hgged herself tighter and laid down on her bed, a tear dripping down her face. Maybe she should have just let him explain, but she had been her stubborn self, and now the whole thing was probably her fault. *** THE NEXT DAY In a word: Shit. Gohan looked like shit. Sharpner popped a chip in his mouth. He was sitting on the arm of the couch as Gohan lay on the floor with his back against the piece of furniture. Erasa was making some tea and humming softly. Sharpner smiled. �Hey! All /right/!� He said, mouth full. He flipped over the headline for that day. � �The Satan Scandal�! Ha! �Videl Satan Hides At Alien House for Drug Abuse� That�s a new one. Ooooh! My favorite. �Hercule�s Daughter Carrying Alien Baby�!� Gohan coughed and slid his head in between his knees. �C�mon, Sharpner,� Erasa said. �Quit it,� Gohan commanded weakly. "You can�t believe everything that�s in there.� Sharpner nodded and ate another ship. �You�re right, the weather�s always wrong.� Erasa and Gohan both gave him a look. Erasa came over with a cup of tea. �Here Gohan, now let us take you to your room, you need your sleep, and the tea�s decaffeinated so-� Gohan�s eyes shut and he rested against the couch again. He had finally fallen asleep. Erasa was about to grab a blanket to put over him when he sat up abruptly. �I mean why? That�s all I wanna know!� Sharpner stood up. �Okay, it was a stupid fight. You guys will get over it. Videl was stupid. You were stupid.� �Well, I wasn�t terrifically intelligent, no,� Gohan let his head fall. �I just want to know what went wrong. Seeing Videl like that was just so-� he made a sound like a whimper. �-so hard.� Erasa�s eyebrows knitted in worry. �Gohan, you�re coming with me and you�re going to get sleep. We all have school tomorrow.� Gohan allowed himself to be picked up with the combined efforts of Sharpner and Erasa. �I just wanted to tell her that- it was all said wrong.� Sharpner circled his finger around his temple to indicate he thought Gohan had gone mad. Erasa shrugged. Sharpner laughed. �Go to sleep, man. You know, Erasa and I had bets going. Erasa said that you guys were secretly married. And I had bets that Videl was an alien, too.� Gohan smiled faintly. �She is.� �Huh?!� �To me that is. And so are you!� He pointed to Erasa. �And you!� He pointed to Sharpner. He began to laugh. �Made bets! What truly great friends I have!� Sharpner and Erasa looked at each other seriously then back at the chuckling Gohan. Erasa turned off the lights and followed Sharpner out the door. *** Videl shrugged nonchalantly. "Listen, you don't know what he said, Erasa." Erasa folded her arms across her chest. "Videl! The poor man didn't sleep at all last night! The guy is insane! If I didn't know better I would think that he was seriously ill!" Sharpner nodded. "He's acting like he's piss ass drunk." "Poor, nosy...bastard," Videl said under her breath. "What?" Erasa asked. Videl shook her head. "I don't care how he is! If you had been there you would have taken my side! He is just a sick, sick person! I thought he might be different but I guess not: he's a typical guy and an ass!" Sharpner raised an eyebrow. "What did he say to you exactly?" Videl shook her head. "Nothing, as a matter of fact, I heard it from his brother." She exited the living room abandoning her two friends. Shutting her bedroom door, she sighed. So he wants me, she thought. Do I want him, too? C'mon Videl, you've already confessed that he was charming and a great friend, and kind, sweet... sexy... a great kisser...NO! See there ya go! That's exactly what he wants you to think! Now his thinking perverted thoughts is making me think perverted thoughts and- Her train of thought was interrupted as she heard a door shut. Next, she heard high heels come up the stairs. Laura's voice spoke from the other side of the door. "I think you made a mistake." *** Gohan shut his eyes as he opened his locker. Two boys came up behind him and hit him on the back. �Feeling a little /alien/nated?� They asked. Gohan looked up and found most of the kids avoiding him. If anything, the majority of the people at school hadn�t minded that he was an alien - until ZZTV had shown up at his house and gone on about how some of the Saiyans had come to Earth with malevolent ambitions. Gohan filed into class to see Videl, Erasa and Sharpner already there. Erasa nudged him gently on the arm as he sat down. �You look better today,� she said under her breath. Gohan smiled. �I feel better. I never got to thank you and Sharpner for coming over.� Erasa winked. �No problem.� Videl reached over and punched him lightly like she always did. �Hey Gohan, what�s up? Wanna do something this weekend?� Gohan sighed inwardly. So this is the way they were going to play it? Act like nothing had happened and that they were a normal couple? A group of kids a few rows down pointed at Gohan and smirked. �I�ve been better.� Sharpner looked at Gohan�s binder he was carrying and laughed. �Gohan, you have an entire rainforest in that binder!� He joked. Videl laughed. �Save the trees, wipe your ass with an owl.� All four laughed. Gohan looked over at Videl and Videl moved over and sat beside him. �So, Gohan�� Gohan didn�t respond. �How�s Goten?� Gohan looked at her. �Let�s not pretend like last time we spoke you were never pissed and I was never hurt, okay? It�s not my day and I don�t feel like small talk. Already at least twelve people have ridiculed me since the television report. Maybe we could have a pole! Do you like Son Gohan? Yes? No? Maybe? Do you think that he�s a total freak? Yes? No-� �Fine,� Videl said sharply, leaving. *** Last period, he only had to get through last period, and if he did, he�d be alright for one more day. Just then, Videl�s wristwatch went off. The teacher paused class as a male voice said, �Videl! We have a crisis down at he bank, several men have decided to rob it and they have hostages! We need your help!� Videl didn�t respond but glared at Gohan who glanced at her. �Time to bash some skulls. Ready, Videl?� Videl stood up. �I think I can handle this on my own.� Gohan began to protest, �But the Great Saiyaman always goes!� Videl sat down. �Then I think the Great Saiyaman can handle this on his own.� �What?� Gohan asked. �I am not fighting crime with you. I�ll go alone, or you�ll go alone,� Videl said calmly. Gohan didn�t want her to get hurt so he stood up. �May I go?� He asked the teacher, he didn�t have to worry about coming up with an excuse because now the whole world knew who he was. Hell, just the thought that he was an alien might scare off some crooks. �Sure, um, but, um, Videl, are you going to go too?� �Saiyaman will do fine,� she said coldly. Gohan left and as soon as he did the last bell rang. Videl practically ran out of class and leapt into the sky as soon as she was out of doors. She took off and just as she arrived home, Gohan arrived at the bank. *** Duh, duh, duh!!!!!!!!!!!!! What�s going to happen at the bank? What�s going to happen at Videl�s home? Who�s going to make an unexpected entrance and save the couple? (It ain�t Hercule!) I�ll keep ya guessin�. Til then, happy reading! * * * * * * * * * * Disclaimer: Of course and as always I do not own Dragon Ball Z. The day that I do all of my great ideas will be on the TV instead of my site and ff.net. *** It's me and my action figure here! Last time Gohan left to fight crime at the bank and Videl was on her way home. What's going to happen? I'll leave you in suspense. BEST FRIENDS FOREVER CHAPTER 15 Videl got out her house key, about to unlock the door when it was opened. Videl�s eye�s widened in shock. �D-dad!� Hercule grinned. �Hi, Videl! Have a good day at school? Why aren�t you off fighting crime? I�m sure your little friend could be using some help right about now.� Videl threw her backpack down. �What?� �Let�s just say that alien boy is very popular at the moment.� *** Gohan arrived at the bank, in his normal school clothes. Un- charismatically, he pushed past the cops and, seeing the robbers inside, opened the door to the bank. Leaning up against the wall and folding his arms, Gohan sighed, �It�s not nice to rob a bank or shoot at people.� He rolled his eyes. �I�ll give you one chance to put your weapons down and turn yourselves in peacefully.� All of the men put down their guns and placed their hands in the air. �Wow,� Gohan remarked in a whisper to himself. �That almost never works.� Just then there was a shout from above and a net fell on top of him, almost immediately the doors were blocked by iron rods. �Hey!� Gohan exclaimed. *** �What do you mean?� Videl asked sharply. Hercule shrugged. �I don�t know, that boy�s stupid and he�ll fall for anything.� �You set him up?� Videl began laughing. �What�s so funny?� Hercule demanded, loosing his cool. Videl stopped laughing long enough to ask, �What are you going to do? Put him in jail? Shoot him?� Videl erupted in another set of laughter, but soon grew serious. �I can't believe you'd do something like that! I have to go- go help him or something.� Hercule blocked the door. "Or not," he said. *** The subject in question had gone super Saiyan, bursting the netting. (Back at he Son house Goku quickly sat up - his son's ki had just spiked dramatically - and that was almost never a good thing.) Gohan had then proceeded to bend the steel bars enough so he could fit through. �Okay! Who�s idea was this?� Gohan�s question was answered by every single police officer pulling out a gun and aiming it at him, three helicopters turned spotlights on and pointed them toward him. (Think �The Mask� right before Jim Carrey starts singing. Oh course, it�s the afternoon in my fic so the cops could see him fine without the spotlights, but you know how dumb the Satan City police force is.) �Oh, great!� Gohan said. Now a crowd had gathered and different shouts trickled from it. All seemed directed against him, and all were negative. Gohan noticed someone pushing their way through the crowd. That someone appeared, and it was Mark. Mark glanced over at Gohan before punching him hard in the stomach and whispering in his ear, �Just play along." The words registered and Gohan lurched forward, acting as if he were in pain. Mark grabbed Gohan's shoulders and bent over again. "Back to the bank." Gohan looked at him questioningly before feigning pain when Mark punched him in the face. He allowed himself to 'fall' a few feet back into the bank. �What are you doing?� Gohan asked, allowing himself to be pulled behind the counter of the bank where the cops couldn�t see them. �It�s Videl,� Mark said. �Give me some of that damn fairy dust and get us the hell out of here!� �You mean fly?� Gohan questioned. �Whatever!� Gohan looked at Mark without moving. Mark shifted. �Listen, I know you don�t like me�� �That�s an understatement,� Gohan said, cutting Mark off. �I�m doing this for Videl.� Gohan looked at the ground. �I wouldn�t believe you in a million years but it just so happens that I know my own egotistical friend who never does anything for anyone and sometimes he surprises us all.� Mark looked at him quizzically. �Vegeta,� Gohan said simply. �Oh, yeah.� Both boys smiled before Gohan grabbed Mark by his shirt and ran through the bank looking for a back exit. However, at ever turn there were police waiting outside. Just then, Goku materialized out of thin air. "Holy shit!" Mark exclaimed. Goku looked at him humorously and then remarked to Gohan while looking at the police. "You're not in trouble with the law, are you?" Gohan smiled. "Course not! Thank Dende you're here though." Goku nodded. "No prob. I noticed you went super Saiyan and figured something was up." "Yeah," Gohan glared at Mark. "Apparently something's wrong with Videl. So what�s wrong?� The question was meant for Mark. �Hercule�s back. You were suppose to come here and be captured while Hercule would force Videl to move back into the Satan residence. And, well, he wasn�t figuring on her already being there because she is mad at you. So he only had to set you up. I don�t know what you did, Gohan, but you have a way with that guy -Hercule. He hates you more than anything.� Gohan�s eyes widened. �I don�t know /why/! During the Cell Games /I/ saved his life. That ungrateful bastard.� Goku laughed. Mark looked at Gohan. �Listen- you can't be mad at her.� Gohan didn�t meet Mark�s eyes. �Word on the street is you went clubbing a while back. Good ol� polite Gohan went clubbing, at a place where girls wore skimpy clothes� there was flashing lights� loud, foul music�� "Gohan!" Goku exclaimed. �She wore a skirt!� Gohan interrupted. Mark laughed. �I guess there�s a first for everything. But see what I mean! This proves my point, she�s changed you and you�ve done the same to her.� Gohan didn�t respond. Mark ran his hand through his hair. �Okay, Gohan, I have a question. If you never spoke to her again or saw her again would you miss her?� Gohan looked up with a troubled expression. �Of course! Why? Is she leaving?� Mark sighed. �No! But just- Damn, get over whatever you�re moping about and get her!� �Why me? Why is it always me? I�m always the one to say �sorry�, I�m always the one to-� Mark punched him across the face. �Shit! Gohan! You're a fricken' rock!" He rubbed his hand. "My point is: wake up and smell the coffee. She looks a gazillion times happier with you then with anyone. I mean, she actually /loves/ you, man. Don�t let that get away.� Gohan, hand on his face, spoke. �Why are you doing this?� Mark chuckled. �I don't really want a half alien who beat Cell and Hercule, with his eyes shut nonetheless, on my ass. I almost pissed my pants punching you!� �Riiiight.� �But that�s besides the point. Go get her!� Mark pushed him. �But what do I do?� Gohan asked. �I don�t know! That�s why I�m glad I�m not in your shoes.� Mark thought. �Why don�t you just go there, catch her off guard with a really good kiss and be her knight in shining armor? Let her know that- I don�t know! Be spontaneous, women love spontaneous.� �I don�t think she�s going to be spontaneous about what I should tell her.� Gohan cast a glance at Goku. Goku smiled. "Hey, why not? It can't be that bad!" Mark eyed Gohan suspiciously. �Fine then, don�t be spontaneous, but do /something/.� Gohan turned to leave but then looked back at Mark. �I just have to ask. How did you know I was the Great Saiyaman? You know, when you told the class?� �I heard you talking about a newspaper article while I was going out with Videl. Something about crime being down� Telling the class, oh yeah, that was fun.� Gohan glared at him. �Hardly. It wasn�t /fun/ fun, it was like sick fun where I wanted to blow my brains out.� Mark smiled. �Well, sometimes that�s fun, too.� Gohan gave him a funny look before Mark and Goku both shouted, �Just /go/!� *** Videl was arguing with her father when there was a loud and firm knock on the door. Hercule answered it to find Gohan standing there. �Sir-� "You!" "Gohan?!" "Videl!" "VIDEL!" "Dad..." SLAM! Lock. Great. Gohan tried the doorknob but did indeed find himself locked out. He thought hard. He was going to get into the Satan residence without Hercule knowing. He flew off a ways to where he could still see the house. If he could only remember where Videl's room was... Just then it began to rain and he sighed audibly. "Wonderful," he muttered. He sat there for a long while and had just about formulated a plan when the Satan City Police Department pulled up and scattered around the house. He cursed. *** Gohan had finally decided that zanzoken-ing was the key. He was simply going to move so fast that the police weren't going to be able to see him. He was going to zanzoken to a window at the far end of the grounds that was hidden in shadow and conveniently not guarded. Zanzoken. Through window. Inside. Because right now Gohan didn't really care about breaking and entering. "Here we go," he whispered, and zanzokened across the lawn to the window. Next, he slowly pried the window open, and he was about halfway through when a loud beeping noise sounded. An alarm. "That'll wake 'em up," Gohan commented to himself, throwing himself inside and shutting the window. He quickly exited the room in case someone would check it and hid himself in a large closet. He heard some people talking outside of the closet and after five minutes he hadn't heard anything more. Except now it sounded as if Hercule was up somewhere upstairs. Gohan exited the closet and began hovering up the stairs, keeping himself in the shadows. He knew Videl's room was on the second story, but she could honestly be anywhere. He began to open doors, not finding anything fruitful. After a few minutes, though, he saw Hercule storming down the hall. Gohan rapidly flew up to the ceiling, pressing his body against it, hoping that no one would look up. He saw Hercule open a door farther along the hall and ask if someone was okay. The only someone he could think of was Videl. Hercule left and Gohan let himself into the room, turning around to see Videl starting to scream. Quickly he covered her mouth. When Gohan was sure she wasn't going to scream he took his hand away and hugged her as tight as he could. "Wha'da'ya doin'?" She asked. "I only want talk to Gohan right now!" Gohan stepped back and noticed that her breath smelled oddly like... alcohol. "Videl... it is Gohan," he said. Videl smiled devilishly. "Then in that case we're alone," she stated, moving over to Gohan. Gohan returned the smile nervously and scratched the back of his head. "It appears that we are..." he began when Videl grabbed the fabric of Gohan's shirt and coat and pulled him over to her, kissing him on the lips. Gohan found himself walking backwards as she pushed him. His path was blocked by something and before he could turn around and see what it was, Videl pushed him forward onto her bed. She fell on top of him and continued kissing him. This, Son Gohan, he thought, can not be good. Look! You're on Videl's bed and Videl just happens to be on top of you /and/ kissing you and- terribly bad situation! Gohan pulled her away. "No, Videl- Wha-? I'm not comfortable with this. You're drunk and I know that- but I'm not going to take advantage of you. This just isn't going to happen." Gohan's eyes widened as Videl smiled. "But Gohan-" "No, no, no and no, Videl," Gohan said to her, sitting her on the bed. "I think its nap-nap time." Videl shook her head exaggeratedly but at the same time she crawled under the covers. "Hey," she called weakly as Gohan turned around to leave. "What?" He responded. "Aren't you going to stay?" She laughed. "Wha's my dad gonna say when he sees me drunk?" She laughed harder. Gohan bit his lip. He didn't want Hercule to find her like this. But hadn�t Hercule just been up in there asking if he was okay? Hercule was probably drunk himself. But the girl had a good point. His thoughts were broken as Videl exclaimed, "That big blue thing's gonna get you Gohan!" Gohan turned around. The only large blue things was a stuffed animal, a bear, that was smiling. Gohan laughed. "That?" He questioned, pointing. Videl nodded. "He's coming at you right now." Gohan turned back to see the bear sitting there, smiling at him. "Videl, you're loaded," he commented. Gohan picked up the bear and opened her closet. He spent the next five minutes trying to shove the bear in the already tightly packed space. Eventually he just decided to close the door as best he could, with the bear's nose still sticking out. Gohan sat down on her bed. "You really need to sleep." Videl hit him on the arm. Gohan rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist, laying it on the bed. "Are you mad? You seem mad. Mad or sad. Hey that rhymed!" Videl chanted. "And it's cold," she added. Gohan stood up and pulled the blankets around her tighter. "It's still cold." Gohan took off his coat, which was now dry and laid it on top of her. "Still cold." Videl pouted. "Please stay." "I'll stay." "Right here?" Videl pointed to the pillow beside her. Gohan sighed. "I don't know." "You're sweet." "What?" Videl started giggling again. And then singing. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOh... NINETY-NINE BOTT-" Gohan bolted over and clasped his hand on her mouth while Videl started giggling again. He laid down, exhaled and collapsed against the headboard of the bed. "Don't do that," he said sharply. �Singing is a bad idea.� Videl looked hurt for a minute before saying once again that she was cold. Gohan grabbed her hand and found it to be freezing despite the layers of clothes and covers that she had on. Before he could protest, Videl moved over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Uh-Videl," he began when he was cut off. "I used to have a teddy bear that I slept with." "That's great, but I'm not a teddy bear, I'm a living breathing Saiya- human." Videl giggled. "That's funny, but I think you're a teddy bear." "Why?" Gohan asked. "Because you're cute, you're warm, and you're cuddly." Gohan, despite himself, laughed. "What exactly did you drink Videl?" She acted as if she hadn't heard him and asked, "So why are you mad?" "Mad?" "Yeah, you seem mad, mad or sad. That rhymed again!" Gohan put his hands behind his head, giving up his fruitless labors of releasing Videl's grip on him. Dende knew she'd start singing again if he left. "I'm not mad, Videl, just a friend of mine and I are having a - disagreement. You see- this is dumb." Videl laughed. "Tell me, tell me or I'll sing." Gohan sighed. "Fine. She's mad at me because my brother said something that was just not... um... cool. And I didn't - well he didn't - mean it that way." "What'd you mean?" Gohan looked at Videl. She had her eyes shut and was already half asleep. "Well, I can't tell her right now because it's definitely not the right time and I don't know how she feels. It would screw up our whole relationship. But, if I /don't/ tell her she's going to be just as mad at me because she wants to know." "What d'ya want to tell her?" Gohan smiled. "That... I am not at liberty to say." Videl smiled. "But I hope that she'll forgive me and understand that she's just going to have to trust me until I feel it's right to explain. Because I don't know what I'd do without her." Videl smiled again. "She must be lucky." Gohan smiled. "Yeah, I guess." Videl moved closer and tighten her hug-grip on his waist, she then rested her head on his side. Gohan suppressed his laughter so he wouldn't startle her and lightly ran his fingers through her hair. Gohan felt her take a deep breath and let it out as she began a quiet snoring. "Cold," she said softly in her sleep and Gohan put his arm around her. "I'm the lucky one," he whispered. "And I meant that- that- it really doesn't matter, you seem like you're not mad at me now but you're not going to remember any of this in the morning so..." Gohan gently rubbed her neck to find that the necklace he gave her was still there. He smiled to himself and shut his eyes. Right before he fell asleep he was awakened by Videl whispering. Sitting up slightly to hear her better he heard three words. �I�m sorry, Gohan.� Gohan laid back down, knowing he�d have to get up and leave before Videl awoke, in only a few hours. *** "I'm home!" Chi-Chi stood in the living room with her arms crossed and a spatula in hand. "Where were you young man! I was worried sick. Don't you have the manners to call? Or- or -or /something!?/ So! Where were you?" Gohan yawned. "Videl's." Chi-Chi smiled. "Reeeeally?" She looked at the clock on the wall. "And just /what/ were you doing there /all/ night?" "Nothing, mom." Chi-Chi took an envelope off the kitchen countertop and handed it to him. "And what's this?" Gohan took the envelope and opened it. After quickly reading through the letter a smile appeared on his face. "This is great! Mom, well, I didn't tell you but I signed up for some college exams." "College exams?" "Yeah, you know, I was home schooled and everything and the stuff that I'm doing in high school is really easy. The exams are incredibly easy, too. So, I figured, why not sign up to take college level exams?" "And?" Gohan smile grew. "I took 'em! But I thought that I wasn't going to be hearing back because it was two or three months ago, before Christmas sometime. Anyways, it turns out I passed every one of them!" Chi-Chi hugged her son. "My son, a scholar, just what I've always wanted!" Gohan shrugged. "I don't know. I still have to go to college." "Why Gohan? You passed all their tests. Why do you still have to go? I think you should talk to someone about this! This is amazing! You're not even out of high school yet and you may not even have to go to college! You may even just start a job /teaching/ at college! Which college was this?" "Just the Western Capital University... by Capsule Corp." Chi-Chi was jumping for joy. "Great, just great!" She said pleased. "You have to tell everybody!" Gohan laughed. "You're right! I have to tell Videl!" Gohan was about to leave when he stopped. Unenthusiastically he whispered, "But I guess I'll tell dad and Goten first." Chi-Chi nodded as Gohan left, crestfallen. As soon as Goku and Goten had begun to celebrate Gohan's good news the phone rang. Goku ran to answer it. "Hello! This is the Son's!" He said cheerily. After listening to it for a second his face grew somber. "Sure, let me get him." Goku covered the mouthpiece to the phone and indicated for Gohan. "It's Videl," he said. "And she doesn't sound happy." *** Don�t worry, I�m getting there. It just ends up I keep getting side tracked. ;-P |