Author's note: After four years, I've finally managed to finish this fic. Yes, you're not seeing things. I can't even really explain how it happened: all the delays, the struggles with writer's block, real life hitting me upside the head and running me over with a truck. In four years I've grown so much, that part of my difficulty with writing these last chapters has been staying true to my earlier writing style, which is very different from where I'm at now. I probably won't be rewriting this fic because I've moved on, more or less. Fallen was my first multi-chap and it'll stay close to my heart (with all its faults and mistakes and glitches), but it's finally finished. Or, as finished as it's going to be. To every reader (and especially every reviewer) who's stuck it out with me till the end: thank you, so much. This story has gotten more reviews than I'd ever expected. Thanks for the encouragement and the support. I love you guys!

See the first chapter for the disclaimer, if you will.

Enjoy!

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Chapter 9

In Love

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Her room was dark and quiet, moonlight not penetrating the thick curtains she had closed three days ago. She lay on her side, her back to the door, her eyes open yet staring into nothing. In the back of her mind, she sensed it was a beautiful morning outside; the world was turning and birds were singing and children were running around.

But here, it was so still.

She had barely moved since she had woken up three days ago, nothing dragging her from her position except her bladder and thirst. The first day, her brother had brought her food, exchanging the old for the new since she didn't touch it. He hadn't know what to say to make her feel better and she didn't know how to make him feel better about that, how to put him at ease when she felt so full. Something was building inside her, clenching her chest and robbing her of her breath, something huge and it ached.

The second day, her father had entered her room. Sat down on the edge of her bed, behind her. Stayed quiet, but she knew he was there. He was calm and almost at peace. After a few hours, he left. She'd let out a breath, acknowledging the thank you in that silent gesture of his.

She moved, slowly, and entered the bathroom, looking in the mirror. The woman of her reflection had tousled, greasy blue hair, dark-ringed eyes and a gray complexion. Her shoulders were rigid, her expression blank and the sweater she wore had a large hole in the collar. But that was okay, because she wasn't going anywhere. Because she couldn't think further ahead than the next few seconds and that was painful enough.

In cold blood, she'd tortured a monster for turning her into a shell, a husk. For her mother, who would have to carry almost the exact same weight as she did, every single day. Which was worse, she wondered as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, the fact that she sank to that level and became a monster herself or that she couldn't find it in her to regret a single second of it?

Where was her remorse?

Where was the happy, spoiled young girl she'd once been? What was she, now?

The sheets enveloped her when she sank down once more and curled up. She remembered waiting in a hospital for the results of her blood tests and the relief when she found out that no, she wasn't pregnant and no, she didn't have an STD and no, she didn't have HIV. She remembered blaming herself and nightmares and sleepless nights, waking up in the middle of the night and needing to shower because she couldn't get him off of her – his scent and his hands and his jealousy.

Her jumpiness had been annoying, but it had faded over time. On her worst days back then, she'd caught herself staring at her razor for too long. Blaming herself had become her most time-consuming pastime until throwing herself into her work had replaced it. She'd never talked about that horrible night to anyone, because she'd never wanted the stigma and the pity that came with it.

She hated that she would always be a victim now, no matter what happened to her or what she did. It wasn't something she could run from anymore.

So she hid. And waited.

Her next visitor wasn't her mother. They didn't come through the door either. She lay still, wondering who was coming for her. Who would come and take her away from the room of a girl that wasn't her anymore, from this house that was haunted with memories and tainted by her presence. She could have sensed their ki and known who it was instantly. Or she could have guessed really.

The skin of her bare thighs dimpled at the breeze from the open window, but she didn't stir on the sheets.

"Bra." Goten.

Moonlight was highlighting half of his face and would have allowed her to see the expression on his face if she had cared to lift her head. His voice was deep, soft, pained. There was something else there in his tone, something that sounded like pity and it made her cringe.

"Bra..." That same quiet tone urged her as he neared, as his knees gave out and he dropped to the bed next to her. He didn't wait for her to move, because he knew she wouldn't. And he didn't wait for her to reply, because he hadn't really asked a question. He just scooped her up, acknowledging her flinch, her stiff limbs and the tension on her face, the quiet storm in her eyes.

His hands guided her to straddle his lap, manipulated her into wrapping her arms and legs around him, before his own arms came around her and took hold. And he rocked, back and forth, murmuring to her about letting go of her pain and grabbing onto him. She was rigid during the first hour, resisting him because he was a man and he was touching her. Another man taking from her what he wanted, she thought numbly.

But he didn't relent and he didn't back down, he just kept holding her close as if he were trying to absorb her pain into himself. Gradually she felt her breathing grow harsh and her body start to loosen, leaving her drained and helpless in his embrace. Her forehead rested against his shoulder, her fingers were grabbing onto his forearms almost painful.

As tears soaked his shirt, Goten let out a quiet sigh. It wasn't over, not by a long shot. But she was holding him and he was holding her and there they were. And for now, that was enough.

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Another day had passed when Bra exchanged the quiet of her room for that of her parents. The silence there seeped into her bones and made her feel less out of place. Like the pieces of her old self were mingling with the new, slightly ragged ones of the past five years. The shattered pieces of her past and present, held together like stained glass.

The time she had been back had been an emotional rollercoaster, but the aftermath proved very different from what she'd thought it would be. Her fears about telling her family and friends about the rape, albeit in vague terms, had been proven to be unfounded. They were concerned about her and her mother and offered to do anything they could to help, even though there was little they could do.

Her revenge had been freeing in ways and burdening in others, but didn't change much in her life as a whole. She still felt different and she always would, only now there was no longer a drive to get away from something, anything. She was home, with her family, her friends. Besides, they wouldn't let her leave anyway.

Bulma had been rather quiet and had been holed up in her room for a few days since her near-rape, recovering as much as someone could from something like this. She had been dreading her confrontation with her mother, yet as she sat on the bed next to Bulma's supine form Bra found herself at ease. The conversation wasn't uplifting, that much was true, but her mother was doing better and Bra was glad just to see her and talk to her.

"What about you?"

Bra exhaled forcefully and smiled at her mother, who was lying in the queensize bed, cuddled up under the sheets. Vegeta hadn't wanted to leave the room at first (which was somewhat unusual: he was a rather private man after all), but he eventually realized he couldn't stay at her bedside forever and Bulma, though grateful for his concern, was glad for the opportunity to talk to her daughter alone.

Tracing fingers along the sheets, Bra sat silently for a minute and gazed down at her hands. "I was going to say that I was fine, but I figure you want more of an explanation," she replied as she folded her hands and glanced sideways at her mother, who smiled.

"I just want the truth, sweetie."

"I don't really know how to talk about this. After he raped me, I was so confused and I didn't know what to do. I ended up running away – which was a very childish way of dealing with things." Bra couldn't look at her mother, feeling ashamed.

"I wish you'd come to me," Bulma replied quietly, her eyes downcast, "but we can't change what happened." The resigned tone in her voice pained Bra greatly.

"It was stupid to run away. I wish I'd come to you too. But would you have believed me? Your spoiled little princess, telling you that one of your oldest friends had raped her? I wouldn't have." Bra knew all too well how spoiled she had been, how much she still was in some ways. Bulma took her hand and squeezed gently.

"You came back, Bra. You came back and you faced this, you faced him," Bulma was unable to utter the name and her fingers clenched the sheet, "and now you're back. That's all that matters."

Bra swallowed against the rising bile she felt at the mere thought of Yamcha and the memories that always accompanied his name. "On good days that's all that matters. I came back, but not before he got to you. I should've told you what happened and maybe I could've prevented all this from happening." Blinking back the tears stubbornly, she looked at her mother's almost peaceful face and wished they could both forget – to just forget everything for a little while.

It didn't work.

"No, Bra. You couldn't have know he was going to try this. You-" But Bulma knew that if her daughter had told her, they all would've been more alert. More careful. It was something Bra would carry with her always, that guilt. "You made a mistake, honey. It happens. You need to forgive yourself."

An sardonic smile pulled at Bra's full lips; that would never happen. "I'll try."

"I'll be fine, Bra. Now tell me about you and Goten." Bulma urged, smiling sweetly when she saw her daughter's astonished expression. "Honey, your father went to check up on you and said he sensed Goten's ki. The next day, you're here. So what did he do to get you out of that room?"

"Dad isn't mad?" Bulma shook her head. "Hell must have frozen over."

"No, Bra. Your father seemed to understand. Anyway, don't think I don't know you're changing the subject, young lady!" Bulma scolded playfully.

"Mom, nothing happened. He was just..." Bra paused, trying to think of the right word and failing. "There."

Bulma smiled knowingly. "That's one of the most important things, Bra. You needed him and he was there for you. He's a sweet guy, honey. He'd be good for you."

"Mom." Bra folded her hands across her face, recognizing her mother's matchmaking attempt for what it was.

"Plus, he's hot."

"MOM!"

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Things returned to a relatively normal state at the Briefs-Vegeta's. Her mother came out of her parents' bedroom and joined the living again; Bra stayed in her old room until she was ready for her own place again and Vegeta returned to his Gravity Room. Trunks, as always, was working his butt off at CC.

A week after Bulma and Bra's mother-daughter talk, Uub and Marron announced the change of plans for their wedding. They had decided to move it up a bit, feeling that everyone could use a good celebration. Everyone worked around the clock to make it happen.

The wedding took place the very next week. It was a simple and beautiful affair, different from the original plan but lovely nonetheless. They'd chosen a clearing in the woods, somewhere not far from Uub's village, for the festivities. The backdrop was a gorgeous waterfall and small lake surrounded by a multitude of green plants and trees.

Krillin gave his daughter away, while Pan and Bra functioned as the bridesmaids. Pan was also Marron's maid of honor and Goten was Uub's best man. The entire group of family and friends was gathered in that clearing and 18 was visibly happy with the way everything turned out.

A live band was playing on a makeshift-stage, courtesy of Trunks, and many people were on the dance floor. A lot of tables had been placed around the clearing and everyone was enjoying the day, forgetting everything besides the joy of seeing Marron and Uub together.

Bra was content to observe from a nearby table, sitting silently with Pan and occasionally talking. She felt her eyes constantly drawn to Goten, who was looking his best in his tux. The man was just gorgeous, his black hair as tousled as ever. Goten was tall and wiry, less muscled than his father but all the more attractive in Bra's eyes. They hadn't spoken since that night and Bra wanted to talk to him, even though she didn't know what to say to him besides 'thank you'.

Goten's dark eyes suddenly locked on hers from across the clearing, causing a shiver to run down her spine. It felt good to know that she could, in fact, still find a man attractive. And he didn't look like he pitied her, at all. His gaze ran down her frame, taking in the deep purple bridesmade's dress with the plunging neckline, to the split in the side. Goten met her gaze once more and she could see the admiration, the adoration, there in his dark eyes. She glanced away for a second, not exactly shy but unsure of how to react to such an intense look.

Before she was fully aware of what was happening, he was coming toward her.

"Bra... would you like to dance?" His voice was adorably hesitant and he shot a look at Pan, who was grinning encouragingly. Bra smiled and nodded, taking the hand he held out for her.

"Sure." And she held her breath as he led her out on the dance floor, checking her expression for permission before carefully pulling her closer to his body. The music was slow and soothing, non-intrusive. The subtle scent of his aftershave mingled with Goten's unique musk drifted from his hard body and to her nose, making her a little dizzy and lightheaded. For the first time in a while, Bra felt good.

One of his large, gentle hands came to rest on her lower back while the other held hers. Their bodies were still a respectable distance apart, though both of them wanted to move closer. She smiled and nodded, looking into his beautiful eyes when he asked: "Is this okay?"

As the song wore on, Bra felt herself drawn nearer to him, until their sweetly tangled hands were resting on his chest and her head was more or less on his strong shoulder. Goten exuded a soothing warmth that tugged at her and she surrendered to it, relieved when her past didn't make her pull away from him. She closed her eyes and let him lead her, enjoying the sound of his heartbeat.

Goten lowered his mouth to her ear and spoke softly. "I'm sorry for what happened to you. I'm sorry that I couldn't help you back then and I'm even more sorry that I can't do anything to help you now. I don't know what to do," he paused a moment, "I'm so angry."

Bra could hear the regret and guilt in his voice, but also the anger and the almost-fear at the strength of that anger. She could feel the tears in her eyes, but hid in his shoulder, until she was strong enough to lift her head and look him in the eyes searchingly. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Goten."

A tiny smile played on his lips and she returned it, studying his face silently as he did the same to her. Goten lifted his hand and cupped her face with it, gazing at her with such tenderness that she felt it in the far reaches of her heart. She felt a worldless connection between them and saw in his eyes that he felt it too.

"I'm messed up, Goten."

"You're the bravest woman I know, Bra. I hope you'll let me get to know you again."

It wouldn't be easy, telling him about her past, telling him everything he needed to know. Everything she needed to tell him. And it certainly would take a while before she was ready for more than the occasional hug and kiss, let alone more. But they would get there eventually and in the end, that was what mattered.

Biting her lip, she pushed herself a little closer to him. "I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."

.·:´¨:·. The End .·:´¨:·.

I purposefully left some things unravelled (among others, the Trunks/Pan-thing), because in real life things are not always so easily tied up. Hope those of you still reading this have enjoyed it and will leave me a review. I appreciate it!

Love,
Sleeping Fool