Life as We Know It

Phase XXI: Damaged but not broken

What happened that day was still fresh in my mind weeks later.

I didn't go back to Bulma's, instead Trunks and Goten brought my stuff over to ChiChi's for me. She let me move in with her, since I didn't have anywhere else to go. And me and Goku weren't together anymore.

I probably wouldn't have moved in with him anyways.

I spent my days helping the woman around the house, going with her on her shopping trips, since it was a long walk to and from town. I knew she was getting older, and even though ChiChi wouldn't admit it, she needed the help.

I helped with mealtime, which didn't take long since she didn't have to cook for any saiyans anymore. We hung out, discussed relationships and other stuff, just took it day by day.

We were cleaning out her attic one day, shifting through boxes and cleaning all the dirt and cobwebs out that had accumulated over the years. This kind of surprised me, seeing as how neat the woman was. I opened a box labeled "Junk". I paused, staring into the box before reaching in and pulling out a medium size picture frame. I studied it before glancing over at ChiChi.

She was humming, shifting through a hope chest full of blankets.

"Chi," I said quietly, meeting her eye as she looked up.

"Yeah," she said lightly, sending me a small smile. "Find something you like?"

I hesitated briefly, looking down at the picture before slowly turning it. Her face froze for a moment, before she slowly reached out and took it from my hand.

"It was in this box labeled junk," I softly said, swallowing and looking away as her eyes glistened. I glanced back when she cleared her throat. ChiChi sent me a small smile, before setting it back into the box.

My eyes widened. "Don't you want to keep it?" I asked gently, taking it back out.

"It's part of a period in my life that no longer exists. Why would I keep it?"

I studied the wedding photo for a moment before speaking.

"Yeah but...it was a significant turning point in your life. No matter how it turned out. It just shows how far you've come, how much you've grown."

I looked over as the woman stayed quiet. She was staring at me wide-eyed, before looking back down at the photo.

"You're right Athea," she whispered, taking the photo once more. "It does represent all that."

The room was quiet as she studied her old wedding photo, a few seconds passing before she looked back up at me.

"Thank you," ChiChi said softly, her lips curved.

I sent her a smile as well. "Your welcome," I said back, before slowly continuing the cleaning we were doing before finding the photo.

We finished around dinner time, not really finding anything else as significant as that one picture, although we did find a pair of Gohan's baby shoes, and a tattered bunny rabbit with floppy ears that had belonged to Goten. ChiChi had kept those as well. She had displayed them on the mantle beside their pictures when we came down to start cooking.

"You're right," she stated softly, making me pause in the doorway to the kitchen.

"What?" I said, a little confused as to what she was talking about.

ChiChi studied the photos and memorabilia on the fireplace mantle for several seconds, before looking over her shoulder at me. She had a smile on her face.

"I have had a great life. Despite minor setbacks, a great marriage. I have two beautiful boys who make me proud. I have great friends, and great memories," she finished softly, before turning back to the pictures, a sigh coming out of her.

I silently left the living room, leaving the woman alone with her happy memories. I started dinner, almost completely done when ChiChi sat down at the table with a sigh, sending me a smile of thanks. We paused in the process of filling our plates when a knock sounded at the door. We glanced at each other.

"Were you expecting anyone?" ChiChi asked. I shook my head.

"You?" I countered, watching her give a shake of her head.

She got up to answer it, and I resumed putting some rice on my plate. I heard murmurs before the door closed, looking up a moment later, hearing heavier footsteps following behind ChiChi's lighter ones. My fork paused in midair as Goku walked through the doorway, our eyes meeting.

"Hi," I said softly, setting my fork down.

"Hey," Goku said back, folding his arms.

There was silence between the three of us before ChiChi cleared her throat.

"Why don't you take a seat Goku," she stated, gesturing towards the table before heading for the stove. I stood as she wrapped an apron around her waist.

"I'll help," I stated, pausing as she shook her head.

"No,no," ChiChi waved a hand at me, "sit and keep Goku company. This is a piece of cake to me by now," she said, a small chuckle coming out of her as she turned towards the fridge.

I bit my lip, sighing as I sank back into my seat. I fiddled with my fork, feeling a little awkward with me, Goku, and ChiChi here at the same time. Having dinner.

It felt a little odd.

"So Goku," I said softly, clearing my throat, "how's the apartment?"

I suppressed a grimace. Why did I have to say that!?

A small smile appeared on the man's face. "It's fine...lonely, but...it's okay."

I glanced back at ChiChi. She was already working on several steaks, having already made a huge pot of rice and a basket of rolls.

"You sure you don't want no help ChiChi?" I asked, watching her flip several pieces of meat.

"Uh uh," she said without looking, waving a hand behind her as she bent to take a platter out of the lower cabinet.

I turned back towards the table, flushing a little to see Goku watching me. His gaze moved towards ChiChi, staying there for several minutes before looking back at me. He nodded his head towards the woman at the stove.

"How's everything, you know, living in a different place?" Goku asked softly, his gaze flicking back to ChiChi.

A small smile appeared on my face. "I'm enjoying it," I stated, watching an eyebrow raise on the man's forehead. I did it back.

"I'm not trying to be mean," he stated in a low voice, "it's just...ChiChi can be hard to live with at times."

I snorted. "It's a walk in the park compared to what I had to live with before," I stated, pressing my lips together when I realized what I'd said. Shit!

Goku didn't seem surprised by it. I studied him for a moment, my brows lowering.

"Gohan told you, didn't he?" I asked, letting a frustrated sigh out when Goku nodded.

"That little shit," I muttered, scowling down at my plate. My food sat untouched, growing cold as I crossed my arms.

"Hey," I looked up, meeting Goku's eyes. "It's alright. I didn't understand the extent of what was going on, with how Vegeta was acting towards us, but I do now. Gohan told me that-"

"Here you go Goku!" ChiChi stated loudly, cutting the man off. I almost screamed in frustration. What had Gohan said? What did Goku mean, that he understood Vegeta's anger now!?

The woman sat a huge platter in front of the man, Goku sending her a huge smile. "Thanks ChiChi," he said softly, looking over at me when she headed towards the stove once more.

"I'll tell you later," he promised in a low voice, before picking up his fork. I sighed.

I would just have to wait. There was no coming between the man and his food! I picked up my fork as well, slowly eating my cold dinner, listening as ChiChi finally sat down to her own food with a sigh.

"So," she said, cutting the meat on her plate. "What's been going on with you Goku!?"

XXX

Dinner was excruciating long for me. I wanted to know what Gohan told the man.

I walked outside, pulling the small cardigan closer to me. There was a chill in the air, but that was to be expected. We were in the mountains. I studied the man's figure standing a few feet away, before walking forward. Goku was looking up at the stars, his hands on his hips. He shot me a small smile before returning his gaze to the sky. We stood there in silence for awhile, the sounds of ChiChi cleaning up reaching us in the quietness.

I took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. My breath came out in a puff of white smoke, the chilly air making it visible. I watched it evaporate before softly clearing my throat.

"Goku-"

"It's so peaceful out here," he said softly, cutting me off. I swallowed, not saying anything.

"Nothing like the city," Goku whispered, finally looking over at me.

I turned my head, meeting his eyes. We were silent for a moment before I spoke.

"Goku," I paused, letting a small sigh out. "What were you talking about when you said you understood Vegeta's anger towards us?"

Goku's gaze went back towards the sky, and he let out a long sigh. "You wanted to know about that?" he asked softly, not moving his head.

"Well...yes. It was kind of...odd for you to say that, especially after all this time-"

"Athea," Goku said, looking down at me before turning slightly, studying the house behind us. "You see that woman in there?" he asked softly, looking back down at me. "I spent almost twenty-five years married to her, loving her, providing her with security the best I knew how, making a life with her. Having children with her." He paused for a moment, moving a little closer to me. "And you know what I realized today," he whispered, laying his hands on my shoulders. I silently shook my head, not even daring to breath.

"That I'm supposed to be with her," Goku was silent for a moment, letting me digest that news. I blinked up at him, waiting for the man to finish. "ChiChi is my mate, the one I'm supposed to stay with until the day I die."

"Okay," I said softly, "I understand that perfectly. And I'm happy that you want to get back together with ChiChi. You've been together since you were very young, and you have kids together. I know it would make me happy to see you happy Goku, as well as ChiChi. And everyone else will be ecstatic," I paused, swallowing.

Goku's hands slid from my shoulders, and he took a step back.

"But," he said softly, waiting patiently for me to finish. My shoulders' drooped a little.

"But what does that have to do with what Gohan told you?" I asked, my hands tightening around the edge of my sweater.

"So...you're not angry or disappointed?" He asked, his brows furrowing a little.

"No," I stated gently. "I'm not. I'm happy for you Goku, and I hope everything works out. I just hope that we can maintain our friendship."

I saw Goku's teeth flash in the darkness as he smiled. "Of course," he said, sounding a lot happier than he was a moment ago. I sent him a small grin, showing that I was indeed, happy for him.

"I'll always be your friend Athea," Goku said softly, wrapping his arms around my shoulders in a hug. I sighed at the warmth his body gave off, both of us moving back after a moment.

I smacked him on the arm. "You better treat her right this time," I stated firmly, earning a chuckle from the tall man.

"Of course," he said gently, folding his arms.

I sighed after a moment. "I'm going to have to find somewhere else to live," I stated, shuffling my feet.

"Why?" Goku asked, quirking a brow at me, slightly confused.

I scoffed softly at him. "I'm not going to stay here and intrude while you court your wife Goku."

"You won't be intruding," he said, sending me a very male grin. "I guarantee it."

A laugh escaped me. "I'm sure," I said, chuckling, "But I'm not going to stay here. I'll let you two have your privacy."

A thought hit me. "Hey Goku," I said, hearing him send me a little "huh" as his gaze returned to the sky.

"What about your apartment?" I asked, looking over at him as he turned his head towards me.

"What? My apartment? I don't think ChiChi would like it there-"

He cut off as I smacked him in the stomach with the back of my hand.

"No dummy! If you're not using it, why don't I rent it from you?"

A slow smile spread across the man's features. "Hey yeah! I didn't even think about that!"

"Sure Athea, if you want to stay there, you can," Goku stated, putting his arm around my shoulders and giving me a short hug.

"Goku," I said softly.

"Huh," Goku said, raising a brow at me.

"Have you even talked to ChiChi yet?"

I felt him tense, his face going blank. "Oh," he whispered, his head turning away. "No."

I looked behind us, catching sight of the woman moving from the kitchen to the living room. I nudged his shoulder.

I jerked my head towards the house when he looked over at me. Goku eyes widened.

"Now!" he said anxiously, rubbing the back of his head.

"Yes now! It's perfect. She cooked you dinner, she found your guys' wedding photo earlier today, she's in a good mood. Go!" I said, giving him a little push towards the door.

"But-"

"Go Goku!" I whispered loudly, shewing him along.

I watched him hesitate before walking towards the front door, glancing back at me one more time before opening it.

"Good luck!" I said, loud enough for him to hear.

He shot me a nervous grin over his shoulder, before entering and closing the door behind him.

I sighed, turning away from the house and walking towards the set of chairs near the woods. I groaned in frustration a moment later. "Dammit!" I kicked at the dirt underneath my feet, scowling at the fire pit.

I didn't get to find out what Gohan had told him.