Hi All,

Thank you again for the continued reviews and feedback. I'm happy a lot of readers are liking this one as it unfolds.

Thought I'd address some comments from the last post.

1: Goku wasn't necessarily saying he prefers training over everything else; but was explaining that he has a difficult time maintaining that with the pressures of being the planet's guardian while also taking care of his family life, or more accurately, his love life. The point I was trying to get across is that he basically takes his relationship with Chi Chi for granted, in that he doesn't really see a need for continued reinforcement of their affection—so he allows it to slide.

wingsofseyfert12: Congratulations on being the first one to at least explicitly pick up on the Godfather reference. I suppose Vegeta's overall level of concern might seem a bit OOC for him given his past; but as the series goes on it becomes undeniable that he deeply cares for Bulma and his children. You have a point that Chi Chi does kind of take the brunt of sacrifices Goku makes as Earth's protector. At least if he took Kami's place then the sacrifice would only fall on him. Your compromise is interesting; but then Goku would have to take a lot of time (by his standards) out of his training schedule. And I'm not sure he thinks Goten has the natural ability that Gohan does.

Charismatic Beauty: Hopefully I'm not depicting Goku as being terribly neglectful. My goal is to show him as being conflicted between his family and his obligations, and Chi Chi not being able to handle him always opting for the latter anymore.

LVR4Trunks-n-Vegeta: Kind of the same thing. It's not that Goku thinks that other things are necessarily unimportant; but that he honestly believes if he takes his foot off the gas then it could be lights out for the entire planet if trouble comes knocking.

Wthtonibelle: Thank you.

Disclaimer:

I do not own or profit from any Dragonball Z content or characters. The same applies to any popular songs referenced in the story, any publications, movies, or other cultural references. Any original characters not in the Dragonball Z universe are named at random, and not intended to mirror any living or dead individual.

The idea for this story belongs to Charismatic Beauty.

Chapter 8: Dinner and a Tree Lighting

A/N: Things get real in this chapter.

Goku was completely drained from the first half of his day. He realized early on that he completely forgot some of the things he and Chi Chi discussed the night before. He felt terrible. He tried to bury his emotions, much feeling like Vegeta, by training until he dropped.

He decided he was going to test using the Kaioken attack while at Super Saiyan 3. He figured being able to have a surge of power in that form would be pretty handy. Of course, testing that on Earth would lead to a lot of destruction. Even though he was in the wilderness. He Instant Transmissioned to King Kai's planet, scaring Bubbles upon arrival.

"You know you could give a notice that you're coming," King Kai greeted.

"Hey King Kai. Sorry about that. I want to test something; but it will create too much damage on Earth."

"I see, so we'll just come over and potentially destroy my planet…for a second time."

"…Well, there is a lot less to destroy here."

"What are you trying to do anyway?"

"mmm…Kaioken as a Super Saiyan Three."

"ARE YOU CRAZY! You won't just destroy my planet and me, but yourself as well."

"You've said that every time I've tried pushing the limits of the Kaioken attack, and yet I'm still here."

"Why are you doing this Goku?"

"Because it might be useful in the future."

"I'm not going to talk you out of this am I?"

"Nope."

King Kai sighed, "Bubbles, Gregory, inside the house. He who has no brain is going to kill us."

When the three entered the house Goku powered up to level three, which had become pretty easy over time for him. He then concentrated his energy to elevate further. Wind started howling around the small planet. The few trees there snapped as Goku's body began to bulk up. King Kai's seemingly useless car went flying. Bricks started ripping off his house. King Kai was ducking for cover.

Goku's body was engulfed in a white light, followed shortly by a red, fire like aura. King Kai picked his head up to look. His jaw dropped. Goku took off at a speed King Kai couldn't follow. He flew around the planet quickly and landed a punch squarely onto the grass, cracking the ground and creating a tremendous quake on the planet with noise reverberating into the space surrounding it.

Goku held his position with his fist in the ground for a brief moment, and then immediately lost his red aura, along with his Super Saiyan form. He fell back to his base state and dropped to the ground in exhaustion. The attack took almost everything out of him.

King Kai ran over to ensure Goku was still breathing. He was, but very heavily.

"Satisfied?"

"Ye…yea," Goku weakly replied.

"At least you didn't wreck the planet. But tomorrow when you recover you're coming back here to replace the masonry that broke off my house. It's the least you can do."

Goku lightly chuckled and smiled.

"Use the rest of your energy to get back to Earth. You don't have much left."

Goku targeted Goten's energy and Instant Transmissioned back home, where he was still on his knees from exhaustion.

Sensing a very low power from his father Goten ran down to see what was happening.

"Dad! What's wrong?!"

"Nothing son. Just pushed things a little too hard in training."

"I'll get you some water."

Goten fetched Goku an entire pitcher of water, which Goku drank in almost one gulp. He was able to sit up now.

"What did you do?"

"Just tried something a little nuts. Kaioken attack as a Super Saiyan Three."

"Dad, you are nuts. Did you at least pull it off?"

"Yea, for a really short period; but it zapped me of almost all of my energy. Whatever I had left I used to get back from King Kai's planet."

"Oh, no wonder I didn't feel anything."

The two sat in silence for a period as Goten helped his father to the sofa so he could rest. As soon as Goku sat down his stomach grumbled.

Goku laughed, "I guess that was to be expected."

"Yea…hmm. Do you know where mom is? I haven't heard her pattering around the house like usual."

"Umm…no. Now that you mention it I can't sense her around here either."

Goten got up and looked outside, "The car's gone. Maybe she went into the city."

He walked over to the fridge and noticed his mother made lunch prior to leaving. Judging by the portion size it looked like it was only for one of them. If he had to guess, that person was probably him since she would want him well-nourished for his studies. Goten found it a bit curious and made a mental note of it.

"Hey dad, there's some food mom left in the fridge. I'll bring it over to the coffee table."

***In the City***

Chi Chi was in and out of stores, really making things up as she went along when buying gifts for people. Frankly, she didn't think the outcome was any worse than it would have been had she actually made a list.

As she made her way around, she was placing things back in her car in between stops at various shops and locking the vehicle. Given the amount of foot traffic, and that she was only four blocks from Capsule Corp, she assumed this would be a pretty theft-free area.

The light snow started to make the sidewalk lose traction as she walked. She mentally thanked herself for wearing flats after all. She also had a spring in her step-mostly because of Enzo, even though she didn't want to admit it to herself. As far as she knew, he just wanted to be friends…there was nothing mischievous about that-certainly nothing that should give her any reason for concern. But this was the first time she enjoyed being in an urban environment. The decorations, light snow, crisp air, and constant movement of other people gave her energy she hadn't felt since she was young. She was absolutely enamored with it as she cracked a smile looking at the large festive tree at the city-center.

***Back at Mount Paotz***

Goku ate and rested for a bit. Goten grabbed his work and did it next to his dad to keep him company.

"How's your work been going Goten?"

"I mean, okay. I'm making a decent amount of mistakes in math work. Mom has me doing calculus, which I wouldn't be doing for another three years in public school. She's been reasonable about it, telling me that mistakes are necessary before mastery. So I guess it's a process. I can't believe Gohan did these kinds of things for so many years."

"Well, your brother is a different kind of person. For example, both of us may find…these things boring, while your brother likes it enough to make it his job."

Goten didn't reply and just looked at his work, which he had almost completed.

"Too bad Mom can't understand that," he thought to himself.

Goku now started to think back to things with Chi Chi. His stomach started to sink again. He stood up.

"Hey Goten, I'm starting to feel a little bit better. I'm going to head over next door and say hi to Pan and Videl. If you're done with your work, you should come."

"Uh, yea I actually just finished. I'll head over with you."

"Cool," Goku noted without revealing his intention for the visit.

The two wandered over and were greeted by the now ambulatory Pan who outside with her mother in the garden.

"Grandpa!" Pan exclaimed as she jumped to hug her grandfather.

Goku, still rather fatigued was moved back a couple steps by the toddler's strength

"Hey Pan!," he exclaimed, managing to hide his emotions.

Before Goku could process his next thought Pan was off to her uncle, "Hi Uncle Goten!" Similar to Goku, Pan greeted Goten by jumping at him and waiting to be caught.

"How are you two?" Videl then greeted them in her usual loving voice.

"I figured we'd just come over for a bit to catch up. Chi Chi is out and about…probably in the city," Goku noted.

Videl noticed a suggestive look in Goku's eye that something was wrong. She made quick work and invited the two inside the house and started a kettle of tea. Things going according to what she hoped, Pan immediately started distracting Goten with roughhousing and some of her toys. She grinned at how much Goten truly seemed to enjoy spending time with his niece.

Goku sat down at the kitchen table with a discernable expression of pain.

"I didn't know Saiyans developed arthritis issues," Videl joked.

"I don't think we do. I went a little overboard today," Goku replied with a brief laugh.

As the kettle started bubbling in the background, Videl immediately addressed Goku, "I take it this visit has more to it than catching up, at least judging by the look in your eyes."

"You're pretty good Videl."

"Gohan has the same look when things aren't going well. So what's up?"

"Umm, Chi Chi and I are in a really bad spot," Goku now speaking in a whisper so his son and granddaughter couldn't hear in the other room.

"The reason I wanted to speak with you is because there are a lot of similarities between your relationship with Gohan and mine with Chi Chi; but I also get the sense that…

The tea kettle started whistling in the middle of Goku's sentence.

"Hold that thought Goku. You don't take milk or sugar, right?"

"…No."

Videl returned with two cups. She wanted to wait until after she and Goku were done talking before offering any to Goten since Pan was currently providing a great distraction.

"So you get the sense that…"

"That you're the primary reason your relationship works. Gohan never seems to have the time for it."

"Before I answer that either way, what exactly is the deal with you and Chi Chi? The night of Bulma's gala, Gohan was paranoid about you two. Specifically that Chi Chi danced with another man. I told him he was being ridiculous. Are you suggesting he was right?

"Uh, well, I didn't know about that, or that Chi Chi danced with someone…that doesn't really concern me. But we just haven't been able to get on the same page recently. I've been training a ton, more or less as usual, and now with the things that happened with Goten and him now staying at home, I guess a lot of the burden has fallen on her. Not to mention that she is really upset about the fact that we never do anything together anymore, or seem to have much in common outside of our sons…"

"I think you just answered your own problem Goku."

"But there's more. She tried to have a talk with me and asked me to do a few basic things to make things around the house a bit easier, like leave her a note if I was going to leave the house early to train. But then I forgot that. Even something that simple. She also continued to lament the fact that we really don't have much of a relationship at this point. I told her that I really couldn't balance everything. It's too hard for me to be a good father and husband, and then also keep up my training schedule. Something has to give there."

"I'm going to get another cup," Videl interpreted, noticing Goku hadn't taken a sip.

"So you were saying you think you and Chi Chi have a relationship similar to that of mine and Gohan's?"

"Yes. If you accept my training as work, the way Gohan's job is work, we both have a really hard time balancing things at home. That's why I said it seems like you're the reason for why your relationship works. I guess my question is, how do you two manage?"

"Before I explain that, one more thing. Why do you train so much?"

"Do I have a choice? Whenever something goes wrong, it always falls back on me-especially since Gohan doesn't fight anymore. If he did, he'd be a lot stronger than I am. And no offense to Vegeta, but he's not in my league. By any absolute standard, he's insanely powerful; but often he gets defeated where I need to step in. And to be honest, Goten just wasn't born with the natural and raw power Gohan was."

Videl put her cup down and rubbed her temples, "Okay, to finally answer your overall question, Gohan and I work because we both work really hard at it. We have to. Otherwise it wouldn't work. Yes, Gohan is rarely at home. So a lot of raising our daughter falls on me. But he doesn't ignore the obligation. When he's at home, he spends a lot of time with Pan. I know you do that as well with Goten. He also calls her from his work when he can…or more specifically calls me and then I put her on the phone. As far as we're concerned, Gohan will often come home with surprises. Even when it's late at night, he comes home with flowers or some kind of jewelry. And a lot of times, if it's not too late, he takes me out-even though he has to get up early the next day. He can do that because he's half-Saiyan. Ergo, you could ostensibly do that same sort of thing without collapsing."

Goku put his head down, almost in shame. The answer was fairly obvious and straightforward, and yet he could never think to do something like that.

"And I have to work at it too. We've both accepted that at least for now, his work schedule is a given. We can't change it. So I try to make sure he has a welcoming home to greet him. I make sure Pan is there to see him if she's not sleeping yet. Sometimes I message him at night. Sometimes I setup a bath with candles and bath salts and I join him…"

"Whoa, okay. I got the picture."

"…Yea sorry for planting that image of your son in your head. Anyway, point is this: we both work at it. We both know we have to work at it. And just because Chi Chi is a bit older now doesn't mean that you two shouldn't be doing similar things."

"…Okay. Thanks a lot Videl. That makes a lot of sense. Though in most cases it's usually the younger generation asking the older one these things; but thank you nonetheless."

Videl shrugged her shoulders, "Every relationship is different. By the way, I think it's only fair that I tell Gohan about this conversation. It may put him at ease at least knowing what's going on."

"Yea, sure. I agree," Goku rose from his chair, still in pain.

"You're welcome to stick around if you want and relax," Videl offered.

"Thanks, Videl; but I think I'm going to head home and try to relax there. If you don't mind having Goten, he's done with his work for today; so he can stay as long as he wants as far as I'm concerned. I don't think Chi Chi will mind either."

"Of course. I wouldn't disrupt the fun he and Pan are having."

Goku nodded to Videl and left for home. At home, he sat down and tried to let his body heal.

***Later, In the City***

Chi Chi walked through the city and managed to find the address Enzo gave her earlier.

She looked up to see the name of the place, "Limbretto's."

"Of course, Italian," she thought to herself.

She looked around and didn't see Enzo. She was ten minutes late so she figured he'd be there by now. For the first time, she used his number and texted him, asking if he had arrived. She stood outside and waited for a reply.

After a few minutes, Chi Chi received a reply, "Held up at work a bit. Be there in 15. Go on in and grab a table. Should be fine. I know the owner."

Chi Chi walked in based on Enzo's reply.

She acknowledged the hostess,

"Hello ma'am, how many?"

"Two."

"I assume you're waiting on the other?"

"Yes."

"Okay, do you have a reservation?"

"I don't know. Maybe under Enzo."

As soon as Chi Chi said his name the hostess perked up further.

"Right this way Ms."

Chi was brought into a private room with only a few other tables. The room had similar decorations of Enzo's bakery, along with items from Italy's most recent World Cup team and a chronological tale of the Roman Empire. She was the only one there and was fascinated by the surroundings. She took them all in and without realizing the passing of time.

"Chi Chi?" the server asked her.

"How do you know my name?" Chi Chi asked.

"I was told in advance. Would you like something to drink while you wait?"

Despite being a little creeped by the server knowing her name, Chi Chi continued to play along, assuming Enzo would pick up the bill-if only because he struck her as being at least somewhat traditional.

"Okay, gin and tonic please," Chi Chi asked.

"Very well Ms."

Chi Chi knew of Bulma pulling strings like this; but she had never really met anyone else who had the ability.

Shortly after, Chi Chi was interrupted again.

"Hi Chi Chi. Hope you're enjoying the décor."

"Yes, it's very…interesting," Chi Chi replied earnestly.

Chi Chi turned her head and realized it was Enzo.

"Oh!" Chi Chi exclaimed and proceeded to engage Enzo in a 'platonic' hug.

"Sorry about my being late. We were really busy toward the end of the day; so cleanup was pushed back. Anyway, I'm glad I got to see you. Have a seat."

Chi Chi sat down with her drink. It seemed Enzo was rather serious. He did know the owner, based on everything that transpired.

"So how do you know the owner?" Chi Chi asked.

"We're childhood friends. Whether it's for the better or not, children of ethnic groups tend to stick together."

"Interesting. You have some connections," Chi Chi remarked with a smirk.

"Only if the person is Italian, or Bulma Briefs," Enzo replied with a chuckle.

"Enzo can I interest you in a drink?" the server asked.

"Get me a Peroni, Francesca."

"Certainly, Enzo."

"What's Peroni?" Chi Chi asked innocently.

"It's just a well-known Italian type of beer. It's like Budweiser or Molson in North America. You don't strike me as a gin and tonic person, by the way."

"It serves its purpose," Chi Chi replied with the same grin she had since Enzo asked her to dinner earlier.

"So what happened at work?" Chi Chi asked

"Nothing terribly unusual. Sometimes we get a slew of customers toward the end of the day, which delays clean-up. The bakery is still open though. I told everyone I had an engagement. All the people working there would have teased me to no end if I told them I was meeting a woman for dinner."

"Why?"

"Well, the older generation thinks marriage should happen at a younger age-certainly younger than my age. As far as they're concerned, I'm an old stallion. Even if the rest of the world thinks differently."

"So this is a date..." Chi Chi thought.

"You're work schedule seems hectic. Have you had much time for your personal life? I can see where finding someone you want to marry of all things would be difficult." Chi Chi asked, simultaneously thinking of Goku.

"Well, no. I guess I've technically had time; but I've always been really invested in continuing my father's and grandfather's work. So I've haven't give much time to personal life."

Strangely, this man was somewhat like Goku. Committed to his work. And, naturally, she was attracted to him.

"So how about you? What do you do? I imagine you have a family given your shopping patterns," Enzo noted.

Without hesitation, Chi Chi responded, "Yes, I have a younger son who still lives with me, and I have an older son who is married but lives next door to me."

"Oh, that's great. The children living next door thing is really old fashioned. I firmly believe family is the most important part of life. We'd be all alone otherwise," Enzo noted.

Chi Chi's stomach sank.

"So are you separated from your sons' father then? I just ask because I've never seen you with a man, including at Bulma's gala. I apologize if I'm wandering into a touchy subject. We don't have to discuss if you don't want."

Chi Chi gulped on her drink. She thought quickly for what she thought was the right answer, "No, it's okay. My husband passed away," Of course, that would have been true multiple years ago, and in many ways, may as well be true.

Though Chi Chi was overtly dishonest, she didn't care. She liked spending time with Enzo. And at this point, she was tired of Goku's inability to be at least a half-way decent husband.

"You continue to wear your wedding ring in his commemoration then," Enzo noted.

"Umm…yes,"

As Chi Chi finished her reply, the tree lit up. She and Enzo had a great view through the window from where they were sitting.

"This is incredible. It's like everything is setup for me to fall for this man," Chi Chi thought to herself.

"I guess we got to see it after all," Enzo remarked with a smile.

After a couple seconds, it occurred to Chi Chi, "You planned for this to happen."

Enzo did not say anything and gave a coy grin that would make Bulma proud.

Chi Chi and Enzo continued to chat for hours. Chi Chi continued knocking back gin and tonics, with the occasional glass of red wine with dinner. The server didn't cut her off since she was with Enzo. After four hours of conversation (some of it drunken) on life, family, values, and childhoods, Chi Chi noticed several missed phone calls and texts from Goten, Gohan, and Videl asking her where she was. Wondering what Goku was up to, it occurred to her that he really doesn't use phones. She immediately panicked realizing that she lost track of time. She immediately got up from her chair.

"Excuse me, I have to make a phone call," Chi Chi told Enzo with a drunken haze in her eye.

Chi Chi stepped outside and called Goten back on his mobile.

"Mom! Where the hell are you? Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine honey. I'm in the city. I was doing holiday shopping and I suppose I lost track of time."

"Thank God. We've all been going crazy! Even Dad couldn't pick up your energy signal because it was so muddled with tons of other people."

"Well, I'm okay. Ah, look, can you hold on for a second?"

Chi Chi realized she had to go home. She put her phone on mute and returned to Enzo. Of course, she had a great time; but this was more than she planned.

"Enzo, I think I have to go. My sons and my daughter-in-law are very concerned about me. I'm not usually out this late."

"Oh okay. Sure. We have been here for a long-time. Why don't you go along, I'll pick up the bill," Enzo offered as Chi Chi expected.

"At least let me contribute," Chi Chi protested.

"It's no big deal. Like I said, I know the owner. They give me discount prices. Don't worry about it."

"Okay then. Thank you very much. Have a good night," Chi Chi parted as she touched Enzo's shoulder.

She then quickly walked outside and away from the restaurant and unmuted her phone to proceed speaking with Goten.

"Goten? Yea, listen I had to settle a tab. Um, I've had a few drinks and I really can't drive."

"Um, okay," Goten surprised by his mother's uncharacteristic behavior.

In the background Chi Chi heard Goten yell, "Hey Dad, can you go get Mom?"

"Hey Mom, where are you?"

"About three blocks from Capsule Corp."

Within seconds Goku found her with Instant Transmission and brought her home.

Chi Chi was met with everyone at her house, including Gohan, Videl, and Pan.

"Hi everyone. I'm sorry about the scare. Kind of just got lost in the shuffle."

Goten quickly motioned to hug his mother, grateful that she was okay. There was a level of emotion between the two that had resurfaced since disappearing after the incident at the gala. Videl and Goku also surrounded her.

Gohan kept some distance and viewed his mother with a contemplative and suspicious facial expression. Lost in the shuffle? His mother never made those kinds of errors. Not to mention 'accidentally' having too many drinks before potentially driving.

As everyone parted, Chi Chi moved into the kitchen. Gohan noticed that she pulled out her phone.

Chi Chi read a text from Enzo, "You didn't drive home, did you? You definitely aren't fit to be behind a wheel right now."

Chi Chi quickly replied with another lie to cover her lie about Goku, "No, no. I asked one of Bulma's pilots to fly me home. I would never take that risk. But thank you for your concern."

Chi Chi moved back into the living area with everyone else. Gohan still hadn't said a word to her as his eyes stayed locked on his mother.