| I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! And we all thought that would never happen! I've practically had to beg for my computer (for those of you who don't know, I was grounded until my mother said I could have my computer back. Well, I got my computer returned to me about three days ago and here I am with another chapter. My vacation in the Florida Keys, for those of you who want to know, was fun, and I'm tan! It was great and while on the beach I saw some like twelve year old wearing a DBZ shirt! It had Gohan on it so I went up and talked to him. He was cool. Anyways, for those of you who want to know about 'When the Stars Fall' my fic that will be coming soon and takes place on Planet Vegeta, I'll let you know that Meg and I are working on that together. That means we don't know how often chapters are going to be getting out and how long they're going to be. If you have any questions about it just ask. And rating-wise it will be R. ********************** Disclaimer: Dragonball Z and all characters, places, etc. associated with it are copyright Akira Toriyama. I don't have anything to do with Dragonball Z except obsession. Anything that's mine (which is not a lot) is � me, Christine! BEST FREIENDS FOREVER CHAPTER 22 "Gohan, I-I-I- yes!" Videl practically shouted. (A/N: WHO DOUBTED???) Gohan blinked. It took his mind a few seconds to catch up after the initial shock, but as soon as he realized she has said 'yes' he lightly took Videl's hand and slipped the ring on her finger. Videl stood up as Gohan did the same. Gohan reached out for Videl's hand, linking their fingers and squeezing her hand gently, keeping his hold on her hand. He wanted to hold on forever, and now he knew that he would never, ever, have to let go. Moving closer to Videl, and placing his forehead against hers, he smiled. "Thank you," he said softly. Videl let out a small laugh. " You act like I'm doing you a favor." "The biggest," Gohan answered quickly. "...and I swear I'll make it worth your while." Videl unlocked her hands from his and brought them up to his chest, where she placed them as she leaned in and kissed him, an action he gladly returned. Patty Hughes, the only reporter lucky enough to have been at the restaurant when the proposal had taken place on such short notice, was having the best day of her life. She was jotting down notes furiously. This was what the people liked. This was news. Front page news. **************** "What?!" Hercule demanded. "Mark just called to inform us, apparently your daughter and Gohan are engaged," Laura, the house maid, stated. "When did this happen?" "About a minute ago." "Damn! Tell my chauffer to get me to that restaurant on the double! Why do I always catch her at a restaurant doing something she should not be doing?" The large man asked rhetorically. ***************** Gohan pulled away, eyeing the security guards. "Okay, I have to go to prison now but can you tell my family we're engaged." Videl looked at him, a little puzzled. "You're going to jail?" Gohan brought a hand to her face and caressed her cheek. "I kind of walked in when the man said I wasn't allowed back here." He brushed back a few stray strands of her hair. Videl smiled. "I love you." "I love you, too." "I'll bail you," Videl said quickly. "I'll bail you," everyone whirled around to see a large green Namek sopping wet in the corner of the restaurant. "Piccolo!" Gohan exclaimed. The Namek didn't turn to look at his former student, but continued to watch the guards. "Here's four times the bail money- if you'll let him go now. He didn't do anything wrong at all. You would have done the same thing." "But how did you...?" Gohan began. Piccolo rolled his eyes. "Goku called Krillin who called Bulma. Bulma sent a quick message to Dende- he does here you, you know. Dende sent the message to me from Bulma. I went to Capsule Corporation. Bulma told me what was going on. I was going to watch it on TV whenever footage started to run, but it turns out she wanted me here with money. You're too predictable. Saiyans leave damage costs everywhere they go. If we weren't going to pay for reparations, I figured we'd have to bail you out of something. just not literally. Good enough explanation?" Gohan smiled. "Thanks Piccolo, it means a lot." Piccolo smirked mischievously. "I bet it does." He looked down at Videl. The Namek's face showed that he thought her apt enough to be Gohan's wife... and Piccolo wasn't going to judge that candidate lightly. "She measures up to my standards," Piccolo said nonchalantly. "You know, I feel like I'm losing you bit by bit, kid," Piccolo said reverting back to calling Gohan what he had since childhood. "I also know she makes you happy." Gohan looked down. Piccolo continued. "Now you don't need me watching over you all the time, making sure your head's screwed on straight." he looked back at Videl. ". that's your job. Which is kind of a good thing because I'm so busy with fixing all the mistakes Dende's making as guardian-" "Hey!" a voice said from behind. "I was just kidding, Dende," Piccolo stated, unapologetically. Gohan smiled and bear-hugged his mentor. "C'mon, Piccolo, I'm not stupid. You'd do anything for me and-" "Shutup, Gohan." "Pic-" "I said shut up," Piccolo said sternly. He threw a glance at the reporters, who were getting too close for his comfort. A few backed away, remembering the green guy enjoyed destroying equipment. "Now try and wipe that idiotic grin off your face, there's someone else that's here to see you and Videl." Piccolo motioned for them to turn around. Goku appeared, smiling at the pair. He stood there, obviously thanks to Instant Transmission, with the rest of the Son family and Z-fighters touching his back and arms. "You're kidding? I hear you're marrying Gohan! What are you going to do that for?" Goku questioned Videl, laughing. Chi-Chi was balling her ass off trying to say something like: "This will be a story for the grandkids." "God-awful women," Vegeta muttered, referring to both Chi-Chi and his own wife, who was in a rant. "Goku! You knew Gohan was going to do this and you... never... gave... me... a hint... until Krillin called! I'm going to kill you!" Bulma's speech was punctuated by pauses as she attempted to beat the tall Saiyan up. Goku shrugged. "If I had said anything you'd probably have freaked and told everyone. And we couldn't have that, could we?" "You're right, of course," Bulma pointed out. By now reporters were stampeding through the restaurant doors, wielding video tapes and getting live coverage of the hottest couple of the century. Squeezing their way through the crowd of reporters were Sharpner and Erasa. "I call best man!" Sharpner screamed, running over to Gohan and Videl, where he gave Videl a quick hug and Gohan a congratulatory pat on the back. Erasa shouted, "Maid of honor!" Videl quickly nodded. Gohan sighed. "Sharpner, without taking offense, I have to extend the 'Best Man' privilege to Piccolo." Piccolo's eyes widened. "No you don't. I'll watch the wedding from the back of the congregation but I refuse to be in charge of a jittery half- Saiyan on his wedding day, nor be in charge of some infernal bachelor party!" "Okay, Sharpner, you're my man!" Krillin, Yamcha and Tien then surrounded the couple. "What about us?" They all shouted at him in between congratulations and jokes. Mark was walking around in a state of disbelief. "You're out of your mind," he said to Gohan, turning to Videl. "And you're saying yes? That's crazy! The guy's," he pointed to Gohan. "self- destructive. "He's- he's- It sounds like you're all morons!" Yamcha looked at Mark matter-of-factly, "No, it sounds like they're getting married!" Goku laughed as Videl walked away from Gohan and approached the older man. Goku gave her a grin and looked at her with a sense of unrivaled authority. "Yes, Videl?" "I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier, when Gohan left, and yelled at you. I didn't mean any disrespect." "I understand, you're forgiven," Goku said giving her his famous smile as he embraced her as a father does a daughter. Goten pulled on her dress to get her attention. "You're going to be my new sister!" He exclaimed. "That's what daddy said!" Videl knelt down on the floor next to him. "You bet, little guy!" Goten's face lit up and he sprung into Videl's arms, almost knocking her back. Videl laughed and hugged him, closing her eyes. She had a family. A real family. Family. Dende, what was her dad going to do when he found out? Gohan, seeing Videl preoccupied, walked over to Dende. "I hope you had fun with this," he commented. Dende smiled, trying to contain his laughter, but failed miserably. "Believe me, the most fun I've had in years, old friend." Gohan mock scowled. "I'll remember that," he noted. As Gohan walked away Piccolo leaned toward Dende. "Last time he said that to me he came back three years later, pissed as hell." "What did you do to him in the first place?" Piccolo shrugged. "That's none of your business," he said enigmatically. Dende looked at the older Namek for a moment and then sighed. "Kami never had to put up with this crap," he muttered. "Some of the world's worst villains maybe, but hormonal half Saiyans, no." Piccolo shrugged and turned his attention to Krillin and Tien. "Clich�, but, it's quiet, too quiet. Where's Hercule?" As if on command the former 'world champion' arrived, the crowd parting. His face read few emotions, namely shock and an expression that was pure 'what-the-hell-happened?' Gohan quickly came forward to shoot the shit with Hercule. He guessed that Videl would be getting a speech for this. "Hercule, sir, uh, don't be too hard on-" "What did you do to her?" He demanded. "M-Me? Nothing. I-" "I'll know if you're lying!" Hercule stated. "I demand an explanation! You are the worst-" Vegeta interrupted. "Kakarott's son isn't the worst brat on this planet." Gohan put his head in his hands. Every time that man opened his mouth something bad happened. Hercule turned to Vegeta. "Oh? So if you had a daughter you'd let her marry him?" Vegeta began laughing. "Puh-lease. Most definitely not! But then, I'd have killed him by now, something you don't have a chance of doing." "Gee, thanks, Vegeta!" Gohan called. "Listen, Mr. Satan, look in my eyes and tell me if I'm lying about the way I feel for your daughter." "I told you to stay away from her," Hercule ordered. Gohan let out a half-hearted laugh. "And I told you that's not going to happen. I love Videl and there's nothing I can do about it. Nothing at all." Videl bit her lip. "Gohan, maybe you should just..." Hercule cut her off. "You think you're going to protect my little girl from all the bad things that could happen to her out in the real world?" Gohan glared at him. "Someone has to, obviously, since you're unable to." Gohan paused. He knew he had just gone over the line. Silence reigned throughout the restaurant. Hercule, instead of yelling and carrying on as Gohan thought he would, allowed his shoulders to fall. "I do love her." Gohan was afraid to move. "Then you know how I feel." Hercule looked up with a small smile. "I think I do." A pause. "You warned her about Mark and were right." Mark scowled as Gohan shrugged. "It was no problem." "You took her home that night when," Hercule eyed the reporters. "when I told her to leave." There were a few gasps from the group in the restaurant as Gohan and Videl stood frozen. "It's alright," Videl began. Hercule sighed. "And then you let her live with you, bought her new clothes." "It's okay." "You gave her protection." Gohan took a deep breath. "That's right." Hercule smiled. "And that's the kind of man I want my daughter to marry: someone who could be stronger than me and protect her more than I could." Gohan brought his eyes up to meet Hercule's. "Wait. Are you. encouraging me? I thought-" Videl nervously smoothed her hand over her dress, the blue material's shimmer being the only moving thing in the room at the moment. Then she walked over to her father, throwing her arms around him. "Oh, dad." Hercule returned the hug wholeheartedly. "Baby," he whispered. "I'm sorry." Goku shook his head, an ironic smile on his face. He looked over at Vegeta. It's not often that you find that another person could fill your shoes, Goku mused. But when you do it hurts. Must've been how Vegeta felt when he found out I was going to be the one to avenge the Saiyan people and not him, must've been how Hercule is feeling right now. Gohan can be the man he isn't. But no matter, Videl was still going to need her father, and even I couldn't give her that, as much as I might try. He sighed. You only appreciate people when you find they aren't going to be there all the time anymore; whether they've died, grown up, or grown apart. Master Roshi, breaking Goku's thoughts and unsympathetic to the moment, clapped his hands together. "So when's the big date?" Gohan and Hercule both looked at him. "She has to finish her education," Gohan began. "My girl still has college to go through," Hercule started. Videl laughed. "Maybe in a few years." She smiled at Gohan. "Now that I know that you're mine I don't have anything to worry about." Gohan scratched the back of his head, typical Son style. "But I was the one chasing you." Videl laughed. "I was playing hard to get," she stated, pulling him into another kiss. ********************* (Newspaper Clip) SATAN CITY- Announcing the engagement of Videl Satan, daughter of Hercule Satan and Anne Satan (deceased), to Son Gohan, son of Son Goku and Son Chi-Chi. Videl Satan is reported to be attending Satan Eastern College next semester. Son Gohan is reported to be taking up a teaching position at West Capital University which should begin next semester. The wedding date is still to be set. (Newspaper Clip) SATAN CITY- Son Gohan, the world's savior, resident alien and small- town super-hero, surprised everyone Friday, June 14th, when he forced his way into a downtown restaurant, which doesn't have a name because the author doesn't want to think of one after her first French Restaurant Experience. Despite the fact that he was about to be arrested, a rushed proposal delivered to the famous Videl Satan left everyone shocked. Even more shocking, she said yes! After a few minutes of celebration with friends and family (which somehow, appeared as if out of nowhere, reportedly due to a technique called Instant Transmission) Satan's father Hercule Satan appeared. Through a rather personal dialogue, it was astonishing to find that in October, when Satan was theorized to have run away, she had actually been kicked out. Hercule Satan, an avid fighter against Son Gohan in the past months, gracefully accepted the proposal. (ZZTV News Channel Footage) "I'm Patty Hughes for ZZTV- Here we are at (un-named) Restaurant, where, only thirty minutes ago, Son Gohan, 19, proposed to Videl Satan, 18. What you see behind me is a man known as Master Roshi ordering rounds for everyone." <Footage of Master Roshi and Z-fighters celebrating at restaurant.> "Of course, drinks are virgin for the newly engaged couple, who aren't yet 21." <Behind her we see Vegeta swig an alcoholic beverage, yelling something at Goku.> "Let me look at my notes here, I guess I was just at the right place at the right time. I saw Ms. Satan arrive with Mark Sullivan an hour, maybe an hour and a half ago. When I questioned her, she refused to give a statement." <In background Vegeta tries to punch Goku, who, of course, dodges the attack. Krillin, Yamcha, Tien, and others begin to chant, "Brawl! Brawl! Brawl! Brawl! Brawl!" As Gohan sighs and Videl laughs.> "After following them back into the restaurant I sat down at an unoccupied table waiting for events to unfold." <Vegeta grabs Goku by his shirt and throws him onto the table top, Goku, in self defense, forms a small ki blast and fires it at Vegeta.> "Little did I know that I would be witnessing one of the most touching moments in history." <Vegeta is attempting to strangle Goku as Goku pries Vegeta's fingers off his throat.> "After Ms. Videl answered with a firm 'yes' to his proposal, it looked as Son Gohan would need to be carted off to jail for trespassing. But luckily a green alien form Namek named Piccolo, who stated that 'Saiyans leave damage costs everywhere they go' Son Go-" <Transmission is abruptly ended as a ki blast hit's the camera. Before this happens we see an all out bar fight where Vegeta is walking toward the camera yelling "You want a statement, I'll give you a statement!" and brandishing his middle finger (which is censored out.)> ******************** Sorry, I'm high on sugar. (Because we're out of pot.) Just kidding. I'm really not myself at all, not having my computer has changed me! I'll get going with Meg and see when I can get the first chapter of 'When the Stars Fall' out. By the way, I know this chapter is rushed and sucks. Next chapter: Beach party! One question: Do you guys want me to do a chapter where Gohan tells Videl the Cell Games story, more in depth then he has yet? I've had several requests for this. Also: My Great Saiyaman and Teen Gohan action figures are doing quite peachy! ~Chris |