Chapter 12: Emotion
A/N: Another update, a bit slower than normal just things are picking up and it's a struggle to get that rthymn that I'm used too when writing. Well anyway, I'm in need of a new Beta reader (none too surprising I think i've gone through 6 in a year) If anyone wants to try and pick up that mantle and help me out with my stories feel free to leave me a PM or review as EpicWolf can't keep doing it due to personal reasons.
Her quick and self entitled vacation quickly ended and she returned to West City with a buzz of new energy. Chi-Chi's first order of business was to begin quickly condemning these targeted attacks alongside many of the cities prosecutor's.
So many people were gathered together, Chi-Chi having Goku at her side as they stood in the background. The messy front was led by the district attorney Mike Wallace was the one out front speaking to the gathered media blitz.
"Today is a day I have wanted to stand before and speak about, but it is also a sign of the unfortunate times that we all live in none more so than this last week. While it is true that in years past a lawyer, police officer, and public servant could be easily shot and killed on the street. What our current problem shows is the complete undermining of our justice and legal systems. While it is not perfect and nothing ever is, the sheer act of violence, intimidation, and outright barbaric tactics that are being brought down upon us are not going to be tolerated! This small gathering of our best and brightest in west city are here to show that we are not going to be backing down. We are not going to let this attack upon our buildings and officers of the court regardless of the side stand!" The podium shook as he let his hand smack down upon the wood. "I will not rest until the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice!"
The crowd joined in applause, those standing in attention also joined in as well. The press was all around, as it had been the biggest story for awhile and the fact that it kept happening pushed the agenda into the forefront of people's lives.
Exactly how I want it. Chi-Chi said smiling, her hand being held by Goku who was just at her side. As the press jumped at the chance to begin throwing questions towards the district attorney and those gathered Chi-Chi looked towards her loyal dog and smiled. "Wonderful work," Running her free hand over his palm gently.
Goku forced a smile back as he looked down at Chi-Chi who seemed so pleased with herself. "This is going to be perfect, it'll just be-"
She was grabbed and thrown back towards the staircase a loud ringing filled her ears as a warm body covered her as a rush of dust, blew past her. She blinked finding that she could still hear nothing except the steady ring.
Coughing Chi-Chi felt the tight arms wrapped around her protectively. Turning slightly she looked at Goku who had his eyes closed slightly but was breathing steadily. Her lips spoke but she couldn't hear herself, her hands reaching up, shaking as they touched his face. Mouthing more words that she could not speak she watched Goku just slide down to the ground and just beyond her Chi-Chi looked just over Goku's shoulder and was met with horror.
Someone… they planted a bomb or… what? What happened? She could see the massive scorch marks over the ground. Though just around she could see the aftermath. 'Everyone… Dear Gods…' She managed though she could not hear herself. But just as the shock of one event came another as she grabbed Goku. Her hands moving to this back which he had apparently used to shield her from the blast, his inhuman reaction more than likely protecting her from the force of the blast using his own body. Her hands pulled him onto his stomach, tearing open the back of his badly burned shirt she quickly looked for injuries.
A rush of emergency personnel came from all around as police, fire, and medical arrived in droves. Those in the media not injured set about helping the colleagues that weren't injured by the sharpnel. The grounds of the steps in front of the courthouse was alight with flashing lights. Rows of people being set up on stretchers, gurneys and anything that could have them be shuttled to the nearest emergency care center.
Just as the quick rush to save survivors several bomb dogs were on scene sniffing for other explosives, their handles moving quickly with partners at their backs as the block was searched from the explosion outwards. Clearing the most lethal area of and danger zone filled with first responders and injured alike.
Chi-Chi looked at Kakarot's back and found nothing but small burns, cuts. "Goku?" The intensity of the ringing of her ears fading. "Goku are you okay?" She asked again bringing her head down to his ear.
The sound of his breathing was still there so she knew that was still happening and fortunate for that at least. "I'll get some help just-"
His hand touched her knees just beside her head. "It's fine." He told her quietly, "Chi-Chi i'll be alright."
Breathing a sigh of relief, she brought her head down on his shoulder. "God's Goku… what, what was that?"
Keeping his voice low, "A military grade high explosive, it was underneath the podium. I saw the blast start there." Not opening his eyes or moving. "I know you want answers right now… but Chi-Chi we have to look hurt. Myself in particular if people discover that we both get up and walk away from this blast." But he released a sigh and cracked his eye open to look at her. "But i'm happy that you're alright. Sorry about that rough treatment I saw the blast and just grabbed you."
She smiled and stroked the side of his face. "It's fine you idiot." A teasing tone as she let body process everything. Her analytical mind kicking back on mentally and putting things back as they should be to bring her body back into balance. The rush of adrenaline and the flood of emotions quickly following suit as Chi-Chi let herself take some heavy deep breaths. She could cry right now out but didn't allow herself too. Her pride unwilling even to shed some tears just to aid in the stressful release of this moment.
Their moment was short as first responders came towards Goku and Chi-Chi. "Sir! Mam! Are you okay!?" His voice shouting as they laid out a bright yellow stretcher.
"I'm alright, a major headache but i'm fine for now." Chi-Chi admitted as she looked up at them. "Can you get him out of here?"
"Where is he hurt and did you move him?" The medic asked quickly coming over and checking for Goku's vitals.
"No, I just opened up the back of his shirt and I don't know where he's hurt." Chi-Chi brushed the hair from her face as she showed her concern for Goku. I should've been an actor.
The other paramedic checked Goku's back noting the minor burns and blood marks but wasn't able to see anything beyond superficial. "Let's just load him up and get him out. I can't tell if there isn't anything else from what I'm seeing here and now."
"Alright, You take his legs i'll get his upper body." The two quickly rotating to a set position. "And, lift!" They both strained hauling Goku up and onto a stretcher. Both noting the heavy weight for such a moderate sized man, but they didn't reflect too much as they picked him up more securely and carted him towards an awaiting life squad transport with Chi-Chi following with them. There was a fair amount of chaos in this situation and as Chi-Chi stepped in the back of the ambulance with Goku who was moved to a stretcher they were rushed out the chaos.
Yet as Chi-Chi sat back in the ambulance a fresh reality of the situation fell over her. The entire reason everyone had gathered there today, her orchestrations had led to shit outcome. Never had she imagined this would've been the result, she had simply wanted to create a more picturesque scene for herself.
I caused this… I may have not of done the actual act but I created the right circumstances for all of this… All of those previous ideas she had planned were pointless now, there would be massive investigations for all of this. No doubt federal, county, and local government efforts would push this to the forefront of everything.
The only good thing is that I was actually there, I was a victim. People won't rush and look at me for being the fault of this. She rubbed her face with her hand as she struggled to put this back into perspective. Trying to turn this massive negative into a positive. Yet she found her motivation to do so decreasing less and less.
Rarely did she question her motivations, her actions and overall planning for events and future. But this entire incident no doubt wouldn't have been as bad as it was had she not of pushed Goku to further her own political agenda.
I just wanted a stage for myself, I had no intentions of harming anyone… Though not entirely true she had Goku do a little extra when it came to where Rei and Gregus had worked. But that was more personal, those two deserved more shit from her than they deserved.
Yet, irregardless this would fall into her lap. District Attorney Wallace, Judge Suroka, and so many other prominent members of the law and justice field were killed because of the pressure she had placed on them and her desire for advancement. Now I have to make sure everything I do is dotted, crossed, and signed to perfection. I'll also need to see if there's anymore information on this blast and create some sort of plausible cover story incase Goku is seen in some manner that shows his unnatural origins. Some random man survives a bomb blast without injury? No she couldn't have that, perhaps putting Goku on another Vacation or just have him in her home for a few weeks stating recovery?
She nodded her head, though peering at the paramedic who had several monitors hooked up to Goku's chest, the beeping and light flashes of the green and black screens showing his vitals to be normal though of course as he didn't respond yet.
Ignoring the verbal jargon the first responders were saying to one another she ran her hand down into his fingers and gently curled hers into his palm. Thankful though, that she had Goku, the man who had saved her life, no doubt if he hadn't of taken the explosion for her in the split fraction of a second she would probably be dead or heavily maimed.
You are just a lovable little dog. She sighed in her mind feeling Goku subtly squeezing her hand back. The two remained that way until they arrived at the hospital several minutes later.
[***]
Chi-Chi pulled out her cellphone as in all the comotion had forgotten to turn it back on. Not expecting the event to go the way it had left her a bit numb to the idea of getting back in contact with anyone as she probably should have.
No doubt her father would be having a heart attack as he had probably heard the news if not been watching it at the time. Flipping it on she had to slightly roll her eyes. 11 missed calls, thirty texts, and six voicemails.
Settling the only one that mattered Chi-Chi quickly typed up: 'Dad i'm okay, i'm not hurt, i'm at West City Metro with Goku. I'll call you.' Tapping the send button Chi-Chi quickly browsed the listed voicemail callers and deleted most of them without bothering to listen. They'd get their information when her father talked to them.
Releasing a sigh Chi-Chi watched as Goku was taken out of the urgent care area and then transported back to a normal patient care room. She could guess that his inhuman abilities probably kept him from being to serious of an issue.
Not bothering to ask if she could leave or even follow, because who would tell her otherwise. Even if she was covered a little dust and debris she was still one intimidating woman. Chi-Chi just followed through the linoleum hallways just a dozen or so steps behind. As they pushed Goku into a room Chi-Chi felt her phone vibrating, Looking down she saw the number of her father.
Shaking her head, Chi-Chi brought it to her ear and answered, "Dad I said I would call you and that i'm okay."
"Oh poppet I had to hear your voice, I also had to know that you were okay and what happened, they're saying it was a bomb was someone trying to kill you dear? If so we need-"
"Father slow down before you give yourself a heart attack," Hearing her father becoming more high pitched and erratic. Chi-Chi was well aware that he lost his calm and intimidating persona when it came to her well being. Not that it wasn't comforting but she had told him that she was fine and that she! Would call him. She didn't want to have this conversation right now. "Dad I'm alright, i'm just at the hospital with Goku. He took the explosion for me, i'm just here to make sure that he's alright."
"Oh, well thank goodness you and him are okay." taking a moment to breath a sigh of relief. "Call me when you can and take care of that boy, I owe him so much for saving my little girl. His fatherly tone making Chi-Chi blush slightly.
"Yes, of course Dad, now i'll call you later." Clicking off the phone, she released a groan of frustration. Shaking her head she turned and made her way towards where Goku had been taken. Just before she entered she heard a tone that she was very unfamiliar with.
"Ahh-! Get it away from me-! Get it away from me-!" Goku almost screamed in fear.
Chi-Chi's face turned to see the powerful inhuman man, and her lover backed into a corner his hands at the walls edges. "Sir, calm down it's just an IV line for you to hydrate. Please just-"
"Never! I'll never take a needle!" Goku shouted back at them, his eyes flicking towards the nurse holding the small-spear of death, pain, and suffering- or just a small surgical needle but he wasn't about to correct them on their misinterpretation of that fact. "I hate needles." He growled eyeing the piece of metal with the intensity of a wolf watching its prey.
"Please it'll be fine just-" They attempted to move forward and Goku bounded upwards and cleared both nurses heads in a instant.
"No-!" He said growling until the sound of laughter burst from the doorway. Goku's head and those there watching looked and saw Chi-Chi nearly doubling over laughing. Grabbing at her waist she was laughing so hard.
"Are you- Are you seriously-!" Chi-Chi found it far funnier than it should've been. But really Needles! Seriously he's afraid of needles, the guy takes a bomb blast and is worried about a tiny piece of metal! She slumped against the side of the door, tears forming visibly at her eyelids as she struggled to stop laughing so hysterically.
"You're such a big baby!" She began to start heaving air as she slowly dropped towards the floor. The ludicrosity of a man who was so much more than just a human having a fear that a toddler could overcome.
"Hey. Needles are no joke." Goku said frowning as Chi-Chi wiped her eyes with the side of her hand still laughing though nowhere near as intensely.
"Oh Goku, that was too much." She didn't understand why she found it so funny. It was juvenile humor, then she found herself breaking. It was quick and unexpected, Chi-Chi just felt the tears coming. The laughter turning into sobs, as she covered her face. God's this… all of this was my fault! So many innocent people are dead because of me and my damn ego. You're father could've died had he come with you, you probably should've died, were it not for Goku you never would have seen it coming.
The pent up volume of emotions finally came rushing out, no matter her mind's mental fortitude she could only hold herself back for so long. She knew many of the people that had been killed today, even if just business relationships they were good people in her eyes.
She felt a pair of arms wrap around her body, and she brought her hands around his neck and squeezed herself against him. Her tears running from her face as she felt the consoling touch up and down her back. "It's alright, it's alright." He repeated gently in her ear as her face buried in his shoulder.
If only I had planned for something like this. Why didn't I think this through.
Goku looked to the nurses with some measure of remorse. "Can we have a moment?"
The two women who were once dead set on putting an IV in his arm decided they'd had enough crazy for one day. They both weren't dying and it was clear the one woman was having a bit of a break down.
Walking out it left Goku alone with Chi-Chi, he closed the door as they left before walking with her still clinging to him and found a small chair. Sitting back with her still in his arms Goku just rocked her slightly feeling some measure of the pain she was exuding. "Chi-Chi, you can let out what you need i'm here for you." He told her softly resting his head against hers.
"I-I didn't see this." She whispered against his neck.
"I know…" He told her, "but you just have to make up for it. You have to do what is right. It's not much different when I lost control when my Grandpa died." That feeling of doing something one should never do. That feeling of where you lost control of yourself and have to make do with the repercussions of one's actions.
He had killed out of anger other people because he couldn't stop himself.
Chi-Chi had let her passion and pride cause the unintended deaths of others because of her personal motivations. In her mind she was just as guilty as those who pulled the trigger, even if she could defend her actions more than likely in court.
Sometimes morally wrong doesn't outweigh the legally right.
"I'll be here to help you Chi-Chi, together we'll set things right okay?"
Pulling back Chi-Chi looked at Goku's face. That gentle smile and expression. Chi-Chi saw his face so many times, yet today it looked different. She brought her hands to softly caress his cheek. When did I ever take his opinion to mean more than I do now? Months ago she wouldn't have seen him as any other way than just another one of her loyal hard working drones.
Yet now he wasn't, she trusted his words. Believed in his sincerity, perhaps she had hit her head during that blast?
Or maybe you've let yourself open up to him. How much she had changed from the cold ice-queen, the too stuck up and snobbish woman in so many other people's eyes. Yet this non human, a man called Goku saw beyond that facade that was perpetuated by so many.
Is it amazing that I use this man so much and he's aware of it and he still is here.
"Chi-Chi?" Goku asked seeing that small smile on her lips and soft look in her eyes.
"Thank you." She told him, pressing forwards she softly kissed his lips. "Thank you." Chi-Chi repeated repeating the gesture.
Goku wrapped his arms around her, "I'll be here for you, always." His forehead resting against her own. Chi-Chi closed her eyes and let herself remain like this. In the comfort of his arms, she felt safe and protected from the world right now. That guilt and shame faded from her mind as his warm embrace comforted and washed all of those negative emotions away.
Cradled in his arms Chi-Chi felt something stirring that she had not felt in so long, an emotion that she had exchanged in order to protect herself from the pain of it.
For a brief moment, she felt something called… love.
R&R
Kerghan
