Summary: Chi-Chi cheats on Goku after extended periods of lack of attention, as well as an inability of Bulma and her sons to help make up the difference. Can Goku forgive her? Can their relationship be restored to the marital bliss they once shared? Rated M for later lemon, drugs, sex references, alcohol and otherwise strong language. The idea for this belongs to Charismatic Beauty
Author's Note: I do Not own DBZ or the characters nor do I profit from any. Same applies to any references made about songs, movies, books, or shows. The plot ideas belong to Charismatic Beauty and the first 16 chapters were written by Petros24. Copy the link to the first chapter to catch up. s/11306208/1/When-a-Woman-Cheats
Charismatic Beauty and Petros24 can be found on
Goku and Chi-Chi flew for several miles into the night sky. Several tears streamed down Chi-Chi's face as the harsh reality of her actions had now been put out into the open. Goku was in a state of disbelief as he desperately searched for a place to land. He wasn't sure how much longer he could be this close to his unfaithful wife before the tears he concealed in his heart made their way to his eyes in full force. How could she? How could she betray him in such a way after he began trying to be a better husband. Sure he hadn't really done a 180 but he WAS trying.
After several minutes of flying Goku spotted a small clearing by a creak that would be perfect for them to talk. Chi-Chi wasn't sure what she should expect from Goku. She had made the biggest mistake of her life and had ultimately betrayed her loving husband. All she wanted was for this to be a nightmare. For her to wake up in her bed with Goku next to her as if none of this had ever happened. 'But it did happen' said the small voice in her head.
Goku landed gently and set Chi-Chi down by a large boulder that would allow her to sit down. He on the other hand didn't think he could be still with how his mind was racing. He had so many questions. So many emotions he couldn't quite identify. So he paced. He paced along the side of the creek trying his best to pick one emotion to deal with at a time. He picked betrayal. 'You cannot be angry. You need to hear her out. It may hurt like hell but being angry won't make things better, although I'd love to punch the shit out of something right about now' he told himself as he took in a deep calming breath.
Chi-Chi could only sit and watch as the only man she ever loved prepared himself for the answers he needed to hear.
"Why?" he asked slowly turning to finally face her and look her in the eye. "Why did you betray me and our family?"
Chi-Chi exhaled the deep breath she had been holding since they landed. "I...I just... I just felt so unloved. I know you love me but I have human needs and one of those needs is reaffirmation of your feelings towards me. You hadn't touched me in over a year and I was in so much need. In need to have a man that appreciates me as a woman and not just a cook and a maid. I just felt so neglected and alone..." she trailed off as her voice cracked at her last admission. There was nothing that could ever justify what she had done and she knew it.
Goku watched as his wife struggled to come to terms with chaos she had caused. And she was blaming him. He may not have the brains to equally match his brawn but this was loud and clear. "I don't understand Chi-Chi. You've only talked to me once about not giving you enough attention, and now you're blaming me for this? I did not make you cheat. The decision to lay with another man was all your own. I know I haven't been the best husband but I have been trying lately." Goku sighed. He needed to know more details but he wasn't sure he could handle them.
Chi-Chi remained silent after Goku spoke. He was right. He didn't force her to do it yet she couldn't fight the feeling that he should still be partially to blame.
"How long?" Chi-Chi looked up only barley having heard the question. "How long were you doing this? How...how intimate were you?"
Chi-Chi thought back on the time line as much as she could. It wasn't hard to remember the details that were now burned into slowly breaking heart. "I met that man for dinner the night I went to the city to start the Christmas shopping" she said and lowered her head in shame.
"I had previously met him at Bulma's masquerade gala and when I ran into him in the city he asked me to dinner. I honestly thought that he only wanted to be friends and thought it'd be great to have another friend besides Bulma. But...I later realized that he had intended it to be a date, only after I had been drinking." Chi-Chi began to hold her breath again. She knew Goku was about to piece together the time line.
He took a deep breath as he remembered the night he had to go pick her up in the city because she was too drunk to drive." You're saying that this all began the night after we talked? You didn't even give me a full 24 hours to TRY and make things better before running off with another man?" Goku was more than disappointed. He was heartbroken that his devoted wife of over 20 years had given up on him so quickly.
"How intimate were you?" asked Goku for the second time while trying to brace himself.
"I...We..." Chi-Chi didn't have to finish her sentence for Goku to know what she was going to say. He simply looked down trying harder to conceal the tears trapped in his shattering heart.
"Why would you do this Chi-Chi? I didn't even know you had an issue with my training until that night we talked" said Goku in somber tone.
"Goku, I've always been upfront about your constant training. I have always tried to get you to stay nearby. I do so much and all you do is train!" Chi-Chi was once again letting the tears flow freely down her cheeks. "I just wanted a husband that wants me! You even said it yourself that you could train and be a father but being a decent husband was just too much strain on your schedule. I can't comprehend why you always have to train and save the world!"
Goku put a hand on the back of his neck as he tried to keep his breathing steady. He felt that they had had this conversation before. "I have to train and be the strongest so I can protect the world because YOU ARE my world. You and the boys are everything to me. If I have the power to protect you and the entire world in the process then that's what I'll do. We've had far too many close encounters to believe that nothing bad will happen again. I just want to be ready to do what I have to in order to keep you safe."
Chi-Chi was hit with an instant wave of regret. "Oh Goku...I'm so sorry" she whispered as she broke down again for what seemed like the thousandth time this
"If you want to leave me I completely understand" she said softly while looking at the ground. She wanted to leave herself after all she had done.
Goku took a moment to calm his heavy heart. Could he actually leave her? Would abandoning the mother of his children make him feel better? No. No it would not.
"Chi-Chi...I don't think abandoning you would be something I could do" Goku finally replied. "But I hope you can understand that I will need my space. I dont think I'd be OK sharing a bed anymore. At least until we can work things out" he said while staring out over the creek. "If they can be fixed" he added in a low voice.
"Oh" was the only response Chi-Chi could form. She felt her heart clench tightly in her chest. She was somewhat glad that Goku was willing to stay but she still felt heartbroken over having to be the cause of his pain. And now he didn't want to be close to her. She took in a shaky breath with her eyes closed and decided this was better than nothing. "If thats what you want Goku then I will do whatever it takes" said Chi-Chi finally opening her eyes to find Goku's sad eyes watching her.
"You can still sleep in the bed and I'll take the couch." Goku knew the couch wasnt very comfortable but he could sleep just about anywhere, while Chi-Chi often had issues falling asleep.
Chi-Chi couldn't help but ask one more question. "Goku? Why are you staying with me? After what I did I deserve worse from you."
Goku looked her in the eyes while still figuring out the words to say. "Because I've always believed in giving second chances to those who do wrong. Why should you be any different? "
After several minutes of silence as he watched Chi-Chi's chin quiver from her trying to suppress more tears, Goku took her home. It had been a long night and Goku needed to do a very unlike him thing. He needed a drink. So he headed to the city to find a bar that wouldn't be too crowded, leaving Chi-Chi to be alone with her thoughts for the first time in 24 hours.
**************Capsule Corp************
After Goku took Chi-Chi into the air, Bulma invited Gohan and Goten to Capsule Corp to talk. With the current events weighing on their minds some ventilation was needed. With what Bulma had witnessed just moments ago, these 2 boys were only going to continue to lash out at Chi-Chi for what she had done.
"OK I completely understand why you boys are upset with your mother. Considering how strict she had always been with you guys, something like this is completely off the charts insane for her to do. But you boys need to try and at least understand where she was coming from. Granted this isn't something I would condone but she needed Goku to be a husband, he had ignored her far too much! Chi-Chi was a loving and devoted mother for the vast majority of the time I've known her and she is responsible for what she has done, BUT Goku should have spent more time paying attention to her and stop making excuses." Bulma had been trying to give the boys some quiet time for thoughts the whole plane ride back to Capsule Corp and now it was time for some perspective.
Vegeta stood in the doorway of the room as his wife tried to make the boys understand how their mother had felt. He made the mental note to ask if she would do the same if given the chance.
Gohan simply gave Bulma a stern look. "If my so-called mother felt that my father was inadequate in any way then maybe she should have asked him for a divorce. It would have put her point across to him and been more honorable than...THIS" he retorted and gestured with his hands to try and emphasize the point. "I'd sure as hell would have a hell of a lot more respect for her if she had not been running around behind his back, our backs."
"That clown might be flawed in far more ways to count but even I don't think he deserved this betrayal" piped in Vegeta actually defending Goku for once. "That woman's constant harping is enough to drive any man away if you ask me. I'm surprised Kakarot stuck it out for as long as he has."
"Hn, I think I'd have to agree with Vegeta there" said Goten speaking up for the first time since he had attempted to attack both Gohan and Chi-Chi after the confession. He was still pissed off that his brother had known all along but not as pissed as he was with his mother.
Bulma was absolutely appalled that Goten would even say such a thing. "Goten! That is your mother we are talking about!"
"She's not a mother, she's a whore!" He shouted as he began to walk away. "I'm going to find Trunks" he said in a low voice as Vegeta allowed him to pass.
They all watched as Goten disappeared. He was taking this harder than Goku had. "That boy isn't going to let up on that woman after she came down so hard on him for his behavior at that party. He might do something drastic if he gets a moment alone with that hypocrite" said Vegeta crossing his arms over his chest. He wasn't by any means attempting to protect that woman but if Goten unleashed his full power on her it would be pure devastation for Kakarot. Vegeta had been keeping track of Goku's energy in case he lost his control, then Vegeta would likely have to step in to reduce the amount of destruction. He could sense he wasn't irate which only meant that he might be attempting to forgive the harpy.
Bulma sighed and silently agreed with her husband. "Maybe we should consider some different options for Goten to stay while he comes to terms with this. Let him have time to cool off for a while" she suggested trying her best to keep Chi-Chi's physical health and mental health in mind. Goten was being exceedingly harsh even with his words.
"Goten can stay with me. He should stay with family at a time like this" said Gohan obviously offended that he had been overlooked. He was perfectly capable of watching over his brother
"I don't think that would be a good idea Gohan" said Bulma trying her best not to further offend him. "Goten is just as mad at you right now for not telling anyone when you caught Chi-Chi. He DID try to attack you earlier."
"I can take anything Goten can dish out! I may not train anymore but I haven't gotten so weak that I can't defend against my little brother!" Gohan said in an aggressive tone while taking a step towards Bulma. He immediately backed up again seeing Vegeta take a step towards him.
"I never said you couldn't Gohan. I'm not trying to offend you but Goten needs time away to reset himself. He's upset with you and your mother at the moment. It won't take long for him to lash out whether its physical or verbal, and I doubt your dad wants to be playing referee while trying to get through this. He has his own feelings that he needs to sort out right now too. We don't need him taking a chance to hurt someone or any innocent bystanders" explained Bulma. Hopefully Gohan caught on that the innocent bystanders would be Videl and Pan.
Gohan sighed in defeat. "You're right Bulma. I still have to work so I wouldn't be able to watch him full time. I'm sorry for my tone" he said as he hung his head in embarrassment. He knows Bulma is only trying to help and considering the amount of emotional turmoil going around, they needed it.
"I'll talk to your parents about it tomorrow. For the time being I think he should stay the night and you are welcome to as well if you'd like" Bulma said as sincerely as she could.
"Thank you Bulma but I should really get home. I have a lot to catch Videl up on" replied Gohan. It was going to be a long night for him if he didn't get home soon. Videl was surely wondering where he was after these past couple of hours.
After Gohan left, Vegeta took it upon himself to let Bulma know that Goku wasn't with Chi-Chi anymore and instead in the city. "Maybe you should go and see if he's OK" suggested Bulma earning an eye roll from Vegeta before being told he's not Kakarot's keeper.
**********Mount Paozu************
Chi-Chi laid in bed staring at the ceiling. She felt the weight of her guilt fully crushing her now. She betrayed the purest man on the planet and turned her own son's against her. 'How could I have been so selfish' she thought to herself no longer able to shed tears. She was exhausted but she doubted she'd be able to sleep. Thinking back on the night's events she couldn't help but remember the look of pure hatred Goten had as he charged towards her. He hated her. She had come down so hard on him for his delinquent actions and here she was doing something somewhat similar. Will she ever be forgiven? Could they get past this and become a family again?
With all the questions floating around in her head, she finally felt her eyes lids droop. The events of that night had finally taken their toll on Chi-Chi and she fell asleep asking one finally question. Will Goku ever forgive her?
**********West City Bar************
Goku sat at the bar alone drinking down a double of scotch on the rocks. He had already finished one whole bottle and the bartender had just cracked open a new one for him. Outside Bulma took a deep breath and tried to steel herself for yet another talk full of emotion concerning Chi-Chi's indiscretion. Only this time she would have to be talking to her best friend. The one friend that connected her to all of her friends including her ex and her husband.
She walked in and found him easily. He was wearing his signature orange gi and drowning his sorrows. This was going to be the worse talk yet. It had taken Bulma 10 minutes of continuous prodding to get Vegeta to pinpoint his exact location for her, and now here she was trying to find the right way to approach Goku.
"Hey" she said walking up slowly to the bar chair next to him. "Are you OK, Goku?"
"Hey Bulma. I'm not quite sure if I am to be honest" replied Goku in a sorrowful tone.
"I know you probably don't want to talk but I think it could help a little. If you want to." Bulma tried to sound a little encouraging but knew he was having a hard time considering he was in a bar, drinking.
"Bulma, what did I do so wrong to deserve this?" asked Goku taking a big gulp of his drink.
Bulma tried her best to be supportive but she needed Goku to understand Chi-Chi's perspective. If anyone needed to understand, it was him. "I think, even though her actions were all hers, you weren't spending any time with her. She had mentioned to me that all you had been doing was training, but living with someone isn't the same as spending time with them. She was left feeling unloved and this just put her in a tempting situation to find it somewhere else. Women have needs, Goku./"
"I know that now, Bulma. But even then she admitted to going on a date the day after we talked. I forgot what we had talked about the next morning because it was late when we had that conversation, so I wasn't off to great start. Then I started trying hard to fix things. I asked Vidal for advice and went from there just to find out it was all for nothing. She didn't give me 24 hours before finding another man." Goku downed the rest of his drink and tried his best not to break down.
Bulma ordered herself a martini. She needed something strong to help her cope with how horrible this night had been. It was almost midnight now and the night would surely drag on if this kept going. "Goku, I know this isn't easy but please hear me out. Chi-Chi is devastated. She's in absolute agony over what she has done to you. I will help you both on any way that I can but she will need someone to help her through this. She's facing losing her entire family over her stupid mistake."
"Bulma, I'm not gonna leave her. It would be unfair to abandon her for one mistake when I've been known to give even the worst of people second chances" explained Goku. "I understand I hadn't been very attentive but...she didn't even give me a chance."
There were no words that could possibly be said to Goku at that moment. He was upset but he seemed to understand how Chi-Chi may have felt. 'At least we are already taking the steps needed to love forward' she thought as she placed a comforting hand on Goku's shoulder.
... To be continued...
A/N: Thank you for reading and I hope this chapter lives up to the pace already set by Petros24. Big thanks to Charismatic Beauty for allowing me to pick up the story and further enhance my writing skills.