Self-edited; I kinda lost contact with my beta. D: And fanfiction is 'effin with my dashes, so sorry for the over-abundant amount of parentheses.

Big shout out goes to SierraLarson!

...

Gohan took a deep, calming breath as he ran a shaky hand over the smoothness of his white head scarf. Currently, he was standing outside of the Satan Residence, his gloved right hand alternating between a clammy fist and a jittery pointed finger as he focused his ebony irises on the steel black gates that framed the beautiful estate of the World Champ and his daughter. He was really debating on whether or not he should return back to Capsule Corp. or follow through with his initial plan of talking to his girlfriend. Did he forget to mention that he was positioned outside of her home as none other than the Great Saiyaman?

He hadn't spoken to Videl since she yelled at him a few days ago and it was eating at his heart like some type of starving parasitic bug. All he knew was that she was angry at him, but for what reason, he had no idea. He tried piecing together the last few words she had barked at him, but it simply wasn't making any sense to him. Everything that she had said had made sense, in a way, but she couldn't seriously be angry at him for disagreeing with her, could she?

Sure, his father had a way of coming off as unappreciative to his mother, but Gohan couldn't deny that Goku cared about her, nor could he deny that he appreciated her either anymore than anyone denied him of being abnormal. Anyone who spoke out against the "unjust" (seriously, doesn't anyone realize how silly that sounds? Gohan thought) relationship of his parents were either completely blind or just didn't know and in this case, Videl just simply didn't know. She had only ever saw bits and fragments of what Goku and Chi-Chi presented, but she had never seen with her own eyes just how much those two doted on one another when they were around just each other.

Gohan had caught on more than one occasion the sneaky kisses his father would deliver to his mother when they thought he wasn't looking, the playful nudges they'd send one another when one or the other was in a bad mood, the hugs Goku would give to his mother from behind, the sweet, yet out-of-the-blue "I love yous" they'd murmur back and forth when he and Goten were around.

She never saw those extra food portions Chi-Chi would pile onto Goku's plate. Most people would take for gluttony what was only an act of adoration. She never saw the, as sickening as it is, dreamy stares Chi-Chi and Goku cast one another or the lame jokes Goku would crack about his wife's hair, cooking, smile, or something to that effect just to see her smile that shy smile of hers.

Videl had never witnessed any of that for herself and Gohan supposed that he couldn't blame her for being upset. She had only ever caught one of his father's many infamous disappearing acts and his mother's shrewd attitude over something or another. The loving, not to mention icky, reunion atop Kami's Lookout had probably been the only act of love Videl had ever witnessed between his parents, so again, he couldn't blame her for having a negative opinion of their relationship.

But Gohan was hoping he could change all that with a long-winded explanation, as well as with a heartfelt apology for upsetting her, one that he had been working on for the better part of the day. He wasn't too keen with being ignored at school nor was he even a tad bit excited over being sent straight to voicemail after calling her phone day in and day out. The only way he could think of getting any sort of reaction out of her would be if he showed up to her house unannounced. If she didn't want to speak with Son Gohan, then maybe she'd listen to the Great Saiyaman. It was a long shot, but anything was better than nothing right about now.

With another deep breath, the superhero cleared his throat and pressed down on the tiny red button positioned underneath the voice box of the Satan Estate.

And he waited with baited breath.

...

It had been a little over an hour since Goku had left Kame House.

After the warrior had declined another meal from his best friend, he had bid each fighter farewell before he took to the skies in a slow, but steady burst of ki. He hadn't realized how long he'd stayed at Master Roshi's, so the heated gaze from the sun took him by surprise.

Normally, he'd head home after a few hours of training and/or fishing with Gohan and Goten, but he wasn't exactly in the mood to head home just yet. Chi-Chi would probably want to be alone right now anyway and Goku didn't want to upset her anymore than what he already had by showing up. Krillin had suggested that he head on over to Bulma's place if he was seeking out advice. If anyone had a better opinion/outlook on marriage, especially considering who she was married to, then it'd certainly be her. Goku had agreed to the idea, for more reasons than one, and immediately set out for the hustle and bustle of West City.

The distinct sounds of the daily traffic jam gave Goku the impression that he was nearing the large urbanized area. What was clear blue skies nipped with white fluff and squawking seagulls, crystal clear ocean waters down below equipped with dancing fish and dolphins evaporated into nothing more than large industrialized city limits surrounded by topples of mountains and cliffs. The honking of cars and the yelling of passerby replaced the birds above, and layers of gray of streets, edifices, and cars swapped out with the waters he'd seen minutes before. Buildings of all sizes, some small, some flat, some large, and some tall, rose into the sky and framed the heavily populated parts of West City.

Tufts of smoke, invisible to the human eye unless thick and laced with chemicals, replaced the once clear and breathable air; yet, Goku was able to make out one of the largest and most popular (as well as one out of many of the Z-Fighters' headquarters) buildings in the city. It was practically the only place he'd ever visit in the city. The blinding yellow of the dome-shaped mansion that was locked within the confines of a large black gate seemed to smile almost as bright as the sun as Goku touched down on the grassy lawn that was Mr. and Mrs. Brief's home.

Not a second after he touched down on the lawn, however, did the front door burst open and out toppled his son with his purple-haired best friend following behind in hot pursuit.

"Daddy!" Goten yelled, rushing into his father's arms with a burst of speed. Taken completely by surprise, Goku tossed the young hybrid a large grin as he caught the bristling young boy in his arms.

"Hey, little man!" Goku greeted, returning his hug with full force.

Goten jumped down from his father's arms and tossed Trunks one of his famous grins. "See! I told you he was comin'! Didn't you feel his ki?"

Trunks rolled his sea blue eyes. "I was in the middle of playing video games," he fired back, but then he grinned. "Just because I don't monitor my parents like a robot doesn't mean I'm not good at sensing energy."

"Hey, guys," Goku interrupted with a chuckle, placing a hand atop Goten's head and ruffling his black locks in a playful gesture. "No more arguing or do I have to separate you two?"

Goten stuck his tongue out at the heir of Capsule Corp. and he turned his attention back to his father, his black eyes shining. "So Dad, what brings you all the way out here? I thought you were with Momma at home."

Goku's smile never faltered as he answered, "I was just stopping by before I headed on home, little guy. Say, have you two seen Bulma?"

Goten and Trunks exchanged looks before they replied in unison, "In the lab."

"Aunt Bulma was working on some super secret project, but she kicked us out of her labaratorium. She said it was dangerous and that if we didn't leave, she'd make Uncle Vegeta train us," Goten shuddered. Just the mere thought of being knocked around by a scary Super Saiyan in 100 times Earth's gravity sent chills down the hybrid's spine. It was a good thing they hightailed it out of there before Bulma could call her husband's name.

"Think you can lead the way for me?" Goku asked the two boys, who both nodded eagerly.

"Sure!" Goten yelled, bounding up next to his best friend, who had immediately set for running inside.

"I'll beat you to my mom first!" Trunks hollered, sidestepping Goten's outstretched arms. Goten nearly fell to the ground, but he caught himself just as Trunks ran through the front door.

"Hey! No fair, Trunks!" Goten called back as he chased after the other hybrid.

As their voices dimmed with each leap they took towards Bulma's lab, Goku's smile broadened. It was nice knowing that Goten wasn't in a bad mood, considering what had been going on and he could only be thankful that his two dearest friends offered to take the young Super Saiyan for a few days. It was best that he didn't know what had transpired since he left. It didn't take Goku long to reach Bulma's workshop; of course, it wouldn't be Goku unless he got lost. He had forgotten how large Capsule Corp. actually was. Normally, he'd use his Instant Transmission to appear in Bulma's lab, but he had opted to take the long way instead, thus getting confused as he tried to weaver through the mansion.

A few dead ends and wrong turns, as well as a small snack break later, in which Mrs. Brief offered him a fresh plate of steamy snicker doodles and gingersnaps, Goku was face-to-face with the metal door that hid Bulma away from the world. Goten and Trunks clung to his pants leg in anticipation, and Goku tossed them both a look before he raised a fist to knock on the door. To his surprise, it was already opened, the blinding glow resonating from the lights attached to the ceiling temporarily blinding him when it pushed open. And then came Bulma's annoyed voice.

"I thought I told you two that I didn't want you in here!" she screeched not a second after Goku opened the door, though she hadn't bothered looking up from her work. "Do you want me to call Vegeta down here?" Goten and Trunks shut their eyes and gulped, but before they could retort, Goku spoke, his fist still raised in the same spot it had been since he knocked.

"Uh ..."

Bulma sighed as she pulled the pair of goggles from over her piercing blue eyes, her glove-clad hands slamming what looked to be a broken headset onto her work desk. "Don't tell me you're both hungry again 'cuz I swea- Goku?"

Goku gave the fierce woman a sheepish grin as he scratched the back of his head. "Hey there, Bulma," he greeted, placing both his hands atop the boys' head.

"Hey, Goku," the scientist greeted slowly, her eyes trailing to the fearful children hiding behind her friend's legs. "Don't tell me they manipulated you into getting in here."

"Oh, of course not," Goku said, ruffling the children's hair. "The boys were just showing me the way to the lab, weren't you, Trunks? Goten?"

Both boys nodded their heads in unison.

"That's right!" Goten agreed.

"Yeah, Mom," Trunks said. "It's not like we were trying to sneak a peek at what you were doing or anything, right Goten?" Said boy bobbed his head in agreement, but when they caught the frightening look of Vegeta's wife, they immediately ran back from whence they came, closing the door roughly behind them.

Bulma sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I swear, those two are one in the same. It's unnerving sometimes."

Goku chuckled, his eyes trailing from his friend to the trinket she had been tinkering with and he pointed at it. "What's that you're working on?"

"Oh, this?" the woman asked as she raised the device towards her face as she turned it over and inspected it. "Well, this is Raditz's broken scouter from when he first came to Earth. I remembered it had blown up when we used it to keep tabs on you during your battle with Vegeta before Fortuneteller Baba showed up. I was supposed to have worked on this darn thing ages ago, but I kept putting it off until now, although it looks like it won't be half as good as it used to be. This thing is completely busted."

She placed it on the table and tossed him a half-smile. "But enough about this old thing," Bulma continued. "What brings you to Capsule Corp.? Here to pick up Goten and Gohan?"

Goku quirked an eyebrow at the genius. "Gohan was here?"

Bulma's facial expression now matched Goku's. "He's been here for the past few days now, although he isn't here at the moment. I thought you knew."

"Not exactly," Goku answered truthfully as he scratched the back of his head. "I've been ... uh ... busy for the past few days, so I haven't heard anything about Gohan until today."

"I see," Bulma replied warily, her blue eyes staring Goku down intently. "Is that why you're here?"

Goku gave her one of his many grins, although this one didn't quite reach his eyes. "You know?" he asked, glad that he didn't have to explain his situation for a third time today.

"Krillin called," was Bulma's two word answer as she gestured to one of the many seats scattered across the laboratory. Goku took her offer with his same grin and he sat down, his stomach bubbling in anxiety. "So, you and Chi-Chi really aren't married anymore?" Bulma asked, prodding at the broken scouter on her desk.

Goku nodded his head. "It looks that way. I talked to some of the gang earlier today and some think that I should marry Chi-Chi, some ... not so much; I don't know. What do you think?"

Bulma hummed to herself for a moment, her eyes still trained on the alien device. "Honestly, Goku, what do you think?"

Goku arched an eyebrow.

Said woman merely laughed at her dear friend and she made eye contact with him as she waved off the question. "As a mother, I'd say stay with her. I can't imagine how Goten and Gohan would feel knowing that their parents aren't together. Gohan, I'm sure, is old enough to handle it, but Goten is just so young. This is the first time in seven years that he's had his parents together. I'd hate to see that get torn away from him over something like this."

"Wait," Goku said, stopping Bulma before she could go any further. "Aren't you and Vegeta married?"

Bulma laughed again, the random question taking her by surprise. "Well, not exactly, but it's not like that's something we go crazy over. Considering all the things he's been through and plus having to deal with the androids, Cell and Majin Buu, I don't expect him to marry me anytime soon and I'm perfectly okay with that. I mean, it's not like we don't love each other or anything."

"Oh," was the only syllable Goku could form. It was something about the way Bulma phrased her answer that gave the Saiyan the impression that she wasn't telling the whole truth, but he dismissed it. He didn't know why, but he always figured that Bulma and Vegeta got married while he was dead. But looking on it now, he supposed it would've been hard to imagine Vegeta getting down on one knee with a ring asking Bulma for her hand. The thought almost made Goku laugh out loud.

"But back to your problem," Bulma reminded him. "Maybe if this kind of thing were brought up way back when we were younger, I'd tell you no. I've always had such a negative view of Chi-Chi; I mean, all she seemed to do was yell at you, and Gohan ...," she trailed off, her eyes skirting towards the scouter on the table again. "But over these past few years, I've bonded with your wife and it was nice knowing that I had someone to relate to, considering that we don't exactly have normal men or about as normal as you can get anyway."

Goku chuckled in response.

Bulma took a deep breath. "Chi-Chi is one hell of a woman and I imagine you being the only one capable of handling someone of her caliber. Trust me when I say that. She reminds me of myself in more ways than one. The guys might think she gets on your ass for no reason, but you aren't exactly all smiles and no flaws, buddy."

Goku gave Bulma a sheepish grin and she returned it with a smile of her own.

"Chi-Chi's stayed faithful to you while you were gone for seven years. Seven years, Goku," Bulma emphasized. "Imagine how you'd feel if she remarried while you were dead; and there's been plenty of people that have been wanting to marry her. But you know what she did?" Bulma asked Goku, who shook his head "no".

"She declined because there's only one man good enough for her; she said so herself," Bulma answered, recalling a particular memory where Chi-Chi had ranted about a marriage proposal from some idiot in a far off kingdom. "How would you feel if she accepted any of those proposals?"

Goku's heart ached at the mere thought of Chi-Chi moving on. She was one of the few people on the planet that kept him sane and if he ever lost her ... he wouldn't know how he'd react.

Bulma took Goku's facial expression into consideration and she tossed him a friendly smile. "I'm not married, so I'd tell you it doesn't matter. If you love each other, shouldn't that be all that matters? So, I'll ask you again; what do you think? Or better yet, how do you feel? And I want you to really think about it."

Her last question had gave the warrior something to think about.

How did he feel about remarrying Chi-Chi?

...

Videl wanted to die. Literally.

Three days of ignoring her boyfriend had turned out to be quite the challenge and her steely resolve to stay pissed at him dwindled into nothingness as they sat on the front porch of her home.

Erasa had been one of the best distractions she'd ever had in her entire life. The blond really knew how to keep a person occupied when they didn't want to be bothered. It was, quite frankly, a living hell walking in the opposite direction whenever she saw Gohan coming towards her. It was bad enough that they sat near each other in nearly every class they took together. It was unnerving to walk down the hall where she'd catch fleeting glances of that pained look on his face just before she passed him up. It was heart-wrenching just thinking about him, but she supposed that this sort of thing had to happen sooner or later.

She just wished it didn't have to happen so soon, especially while he was dressed as his superhero counterpart and especially while Majin Buu monitored them.

Apparently her father got the idea that the Great Saiyaman wanted to do more than just talk with her and while Videl had assured her father that she wouldn't possibly do anything with the hero, he still gave her a chaperone. She just wanted to know why it had to be someone (or something) that was just as big and just as powerful and just as awkward as her own boyfriend. Majin Buu didn't know a single thing about male-female relations. Hell, he barely understood a basic friendship!

However, that didn't keep the loveable, yet deadly pink man-child-creature-thing from holding to his best friend's promise. Videl imagined the scenario quite clearly, her cheeks flaming an indignant pink at the casual way Buu agreed to this entire thing.

"Now Buu, I want you to make sure that freak with the shades doesn't lay a finger on my daughter, understand? Why, I don't even want them within two feet of each other! If he tries any funny business, I want you to kick his tail all the way to kingdom-come!"

Majin Buu scratched his head with an enlarged finger as he answered in that high-pitched, nonchalant voice of his, "Buu don't quite understand, but Buu do."

This would be the one time Videl wished that her father knew the Great Saiyaman's identity, but she highly doubted that it would've made a difference. Majin Buu would still be seated awkwardly between them with his hands placed gently on his lap and his over-sized golden boots rocking to and fro as he kicked his feet. Then he'd peel those beady little eyes open at Gohan and observe him, his gargantuan pink body blocking them from each others' view. As innocent and loving and kind and sweet and gentle as Buu was, he was still quite intimidating, especially when he opened his eyes.

Gohan was the first to clear his throat.

"So ... uh ... Videl?"

"Bandanna Man call Videl "Miss" Videl," Majin Buu corrected, not bothering to make eye contact with Gohan as he continued to kick his feet.

Videl resisted the urge to slap a palm to her face as her cheeks set ablaze.

"Right," Gohan replied hastily as he coughed into his hand. "Miss Videl, I'm so-"

Gohan caught himself. If Majin Buu was anything like Videl said he was, then apologizing directly to her while he was in their presence would definitely bring about a chaotic situation. He was even more protective of Mr. Satan's daughter than the man was himself and the last thing Gohan needed was to be interrogated by the most non-human - not to mention scariest - creature in the face of the universe. He racked his brain for any possible outlets that he could use to talk to Videl and so far, the only things he came up with were telepathy, talking regularly, and speaking on behalf of his "friend".

Telepathy was ruled out, simply because Videl didn't know how to use it. Plus, Gohan was positive that Majin Buu could pick up on brain waves. And talking regularly was a definite no-go. As silly of a creature as Majin Buu was, Gohan was sure that the pink blob would run and tell his best friend everything that transpired between Videl and himself. Plus, he didn't want to risk revealing his identity. Friends and family were the only ones who needed to know and Gohan was planning on keeping it that way for as long as he lived. That left him with his last, not to mention his most embarrassing option - talking in third-person.

This would've been so much easier if their unwanted guest wasn't present!

Gohan coughed into his hand again, his cheeks tingeing pink. "Vide- er, Miss Videl, my friend," he emphasized, hoping to Kami that she'd catch on to his plan. "Wanted to ... apologize to you, but he ... um ... couldn't make it," Gohan finished lamely.

For awhile, it was silent, only the sound of Majin Buu's casual humming filling the void. Videl quirked an eyebrow at her boyfriend's odd behavior, but something clicked inside of her head and she immediately understood what he was doing.

She replied, "Why is your friend apologizing? Does he even know why he's apologizing in the first place?"

For a brief second, Gohan and Videl's eyes skirted towards the main source of their trouble, hoping against all odds that he wasn't catching on to anything they were saying. So far, so good.

"Well," Gohan answered as he scratched his head. "Perhaps I ... he may have been a little ... careless when he disagreed with you. He didn't mean to upset you, but if you give me ... him a chance, I- he'll be able to explain."

Videl didn't say anything for a few seconds and Gohan was starting to get the feeling that she was going to tell him no, but he nearly breathed a sigh of relief when she said, "I'm listening."

Majin Buu was still as clueless as ever and that was just perfect.

"Your friend ... he wasn't sure if he hit a sensitive subject when he talked about his parents, but he hoped that he didn't and if he did, he's really, really sorry," Gohan indirectly apologized, his voice sincere.

Videl didn't answer him, so Gohan took a deep, shaky breath and continued, his shielded eyes shifting to his watch.

"His parents have been through a lot, more than you could ever know, but they love each other. A lot. Your friend's father may seem thoughtless, unappreciative, and selfish, but everything he's ever done has been for his family, especially his wife. And your friend's mother ... in a nut shell, she's crazy." This earned Gohan a giggle and he found himself smiling. "But she'd do anything for her husband, even die for him. Just like two other people we know," Gohan continued, referring to himself and Videl. "Your friend understands that you're mad at him, but can you ever forgive me- I mean, him?"

Videl was almost thankful that Majin Buu's pudgy body blocked Gohan from her view. How could she be mad at him in the first place, especially when he knew his own parents better than she did? She supposed it wasn't fair of her to compare her father and her mother to Goku and Chi-Chi. She didn't know the full story behind either of their relationship, including her own parents and she'd definitely have to ask next time before she made a bold accusation like that. It made her feel all the more guilty for yelling at him and Videl was more than thankful that Gohan was the one to apologize. Kami knows her pride would never let her do such a thing.

Videl smiled. "Ask your friend, what took him so long?"

Gohan smiled too as he released a breath he didn't know he held. "He's sorry for that too."

"Apology accepted, idiot. And ... I'm sorry too," she mumbled.

And they both laughed.

Between them both, Buu sat with a confused look on his face.

Did he just miss something?

...

I'm not sure if Bulma and Vegeta married during the seven year gap, but for the sake of the story, let's just pretend that they didn't.

Anonymous Reviewers:

Ghostkid33 - Thanks for reading and reviewing! Let's hope that Goku makes the right decision.

Nh unsigned - :D Of course I mention my reviewers. You guys took the time out to read and review, and I greatly appreciate it.

Kaiya - Rofl, I'll take your idea into consideration my friend. XD Videl and Gohan are only in high school. I'm sure they aren't focused on marrying; they're only teenagers after all. Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D