Easily the Sayian warrior strode to the back porch and into the kitchen. His arms wet up to the elbow from handling the water drums. Chichi, Gohan, Goten, and Videl sat around the kitchen table when he walked in unannounced. The conversation stopped abruptly, almost in mid-sentence. All eyes were on him. Nonchalantly Vegeta picked up the nearest dish rag, dried his hands then walked back out with only an initial nod.
"That was odd." Videl observed. Chichi's face turned red.
"Vegeta has been helping me out around the house this summer since Goten went to camp. Her voice sounded strained and nervous as she spoke.
"No one's seen Vegeta since he trashed the house and disappeared." Gohan, frowned. His mother's story was true, but he knew there was more to it.
"Yeah, Trunks told me that every picture frame in the whole house was broken, he said everything else was still there; money, jewelry, clothes, everything. There was still food in the refrigerator even." Goten popped another chocolate chip cookie into his mouth. Chichi got up to get another pitcher of lemonade from the fridge.
"Vegeta showed up here one evening looking like a bum and has been stipping by every so often ever since with fish or some such in return for a home cooked meal." Chichi talked from halfway inside the appliance. Videl shot Gohan a scheptical look. He got up and went to the restroom, mostly to look around the house. It was clear that a second person was staying at the house. When Gohan got back his mother was marveling over the baby. He pulled Goten into their old bedroom for a talk.
"What do you get out of that little scene in the kitchen?" Gohan stood with his arms crossed. He was more than a little pissed that Vegeta had made himself at home in the Son Goku house.
"Just what Mom said, Vegeta's helped her out this summer, she's here all by herself, I guess she needs someone to, we've been away all summer." Goten shrugged. It wasn't a big deal to him, he'd grown up around Vegeta.
"I just don't like it, that's all." Gohan frowned, his face in a dark scowl. He was really sideways when he saw Vegeta's clothes on the line outside.
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Videl cut the visit short, saying she was getting really tired. Chichi hugged her boys tight, gave Videl a motherly squeeze and held Pan close for a moment before they left.
"I'll come visit next month, Gohan make sure Goten goes to school, he's too flighty to remember half the time, I love you." Chichi waved until she couldn't see them. The house seemed empty afterward. The garden still needed hoeing so Chichi went back to it. Even Kimchi seemed sad. He didn't chase butterflies or dig up gopher holes. The mutt just sat under the shade tree and dozed.
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Gohan didn't say a word as he drove back home. His hands gripped the wheel so tight Videl thought he'd break it. It was unusual to see the half Sayian angry about anything. Gohan was so happy go lucky most of the time. Goten kept his mouth shut and looked out the window.
"I just don't understand, why Vegeta of all people?" Gohan finally erupted. His brown eyes took on a green glint that Goten knew too well.
"There probably isn't anything going on between Chichi and Vegeta, Sweetheart." Videl tried to sound hopeful.
"Then why were his boots on the back porch and his clothes on the line, my instincts tellme there's something going on, and I don't like it." Gohan shook his head.
"Even if there is, it's her life, her decision." Videl looked him in the eye in the rear view mirror. The tension was almost tangible it was so thick. Gohan was silent the rest of the trip. He didn't quite know if he was mad because he thought his mom had moved on or because it was Vegeta.
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Vegeta stayed at the house during the night but was gone for most of day for weeks after Gohan's visit. He was more distant, if possible, than before Chichi let it go. It wasn't like they had any responsibilities to each other. Vegeta came and went, usually contributing something when he came back. Since the spring began Vegeta had helped Chichi re-roof the shed, mend the house roof, clean out the root cellar, patch the water reservoir and put the rain gutter back up after the storm. Usually they worked silently but worked hand-in-glove. Chichi always started whatever chore it was and Vegeta joi8ned in. She was glad to have the help. Goku had always had to be nagged at before he's help, but then he and Chichi had talked while they worked. It was six of one or half a doze of the other.
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