DISCLAIMER: The following is a work of fiction. Dragonball, Dragonball Z, and the third iterations that we do not speak of are all owned by funimation, toei animation, fuji TV, and Akira Toriyama. Please support the official release. Disclaimer pawned off of teamfourstar, because they make all the funnies.

Ch. 21: Heart to Heart

"Chichi, ma'am, this is delicious!"

"Oh, thank you dear. Have some more."

"Thanks, but I'm stuffed. You gotta give me the recipe sometime! Our chef would love to learn this one."

"Your chef? You must be rich! How many rooms do you have in your house?"

"Oh… I'd say between 40 to 50."

"Fifty?! I didn't know you were that loaded!"

"Well, when your dad is a media hound…"

"Wow!" Chichi looked at Gohan. "And this is the girl you want to marry?"

If you've seen this scene, you must know that the spit-take is indeed GLORIOUS.

Goten smiled happily. "Does that mean you're gonna be my sister Videl?" Gohan had been eating rice at the time. It sprayed all over Goten's face.

"I have no idea what you're talking about!" Gohan flailed about, eyes wide, cheeks redder than a fire truck. "We aren't even dating! We're just friends!"

Videl raised an eyebrow at Gohan. "Are you saying you're too good for me or something?"

"What?! No I'm not saying that! I just… what I mean is…" Panicked, Gohan looked aghast from his mom to his crush. Both had an amused grin on their face. He caught on to their ploy and pouted. "Thanks a lot."

Chichi and Videl broke into giggles. "You're just too fun to tease." Videl elbowed him. "Plus your mom is the coolest ever!"

Chichi blushed modestly. "Oh! You're too kind!" They'd been getting along like peaches and cream, after an initial spat. Seeing as Gohan was carrying Videl bridal style, Chichi jumped quickly to conclusions. It was a quick misunderstanding filled with angry faces, objections, and raspberries (not the fruit).

Videl grinned. "It's true ma'am. I think my mom would've liked you too."

"Oh! Well, I'll have to stop by some time and let her know what a nice young lady you are."

Videl looked down, uncomfortably. Gohan cleared his throat. "Uh, Mom? Her mother died right before the cell games."

Chichi looked mortified. "Oh! Oh dear, I'm so sorry."

"No, no it's okay." Videl took a deep breath, smiling at the older lady. "She's in a better place, anyway." She looked over at Gohan skeptically. "But how did you know that Gohan? I don't think I ever told you about mom."

Gohan stared blankly at her for a second. Ah crap. I'm not supposed to know that. He scratched the back of his head nervously. "You didn't? I could've sworn you did." He shrugged. "Maybe I read it somewhere." Buy it, please buy it Videl! I'm not ready for you to find out!

Vidle studied him for a moment. Then she shrugged. "Makes sense." She turned back to Chichi and Gohan let out a sigh of relief. Crisis temporarily averted.

"So how do you guys know the Gold Fighter?"

Or not.

"Gold Fighter?" Chichi frowned at Gohan. "You haven't told her yet?"

The saiyan teen winced. Videl pinned him with a glare. "Told me what Gohan?"

Shiiiiii- "She already found out that I'm Saiyaman. She must've figured out that I know him."

"Oh." Chichi cocked an eyebrow at her son. Her look practically said 'Really? You're really not going to tell her?' but she didn't protest. If Gohan was digging himself into a hole, he was going to have to get himself out.

"Yeah, I figured." Videl smirked. "How long have you known each other anyways?"

"He's an old family friend." Chichi interrupted, not looking up from her plate. "I knew his father quite well. He's a nice young man." She took another bite and swallowed before continuing. "Frankly I think he takes too many risks. Showing himself in public, doing dangerous stunts and all that nonsense."

Gohan bristled, a little angry that she'd call it nonsense, though he was grateful that she covered for him. "It's not nonsense! He's legitimately helping people!"

"Putting himself in danger you mean."

"Well it's the only way he can protect people!"

"That's a job for the police."

"Sometimes the police need help!"

"Well, he should keep his nose out of their business. Focus on his studies, just like you ought to."

"I thought I told you that I won't give up protecting people!"

"And I told you that if you get hurt, or your grades drop, you would stop."

"Neither of those things has happened!"

Videl watched the volley of words fly between the mother and son. She was pretty sure that this wasn't really about the Gold Fighter. It seemed like this was something they had argued about before. Chichi only wanted what was best for her son. Gohan wanted to do his best for the people around him. Abruptly, Videl understood what might've happened a few days back. When Gohan didn't want to go home. Something similar to this conversation.

Chichi looked up at her son for the first time since their argument began. "We've discussed this before. You are not to do anything dangerous. You are to focus on your studies and graduate with honors. Period."

Gohan scowled at his plate. His shoulders tensed and his eyes darkened. He stood suddenly from his place at the table. "Excuse me." He muttered before storming off into the woods.

Videl looked from the retreating back of Gohan to his mother and back. "Uuuh…"

Chichi fussed with her plate. After a moment, she sighed heavily. "Sorry you had to see that Videl. It's just with Goku gone… I worry you know?" She rubbed her eyes, giving Videl a weak smile. "I'd rather him be in school all day, where he's safe than do the things he does. I know he saves people, but it's a mother's job to worry about her kids."

"My dad is the same way." Chichi stared at her, but she just shrugged. "I'm his only daughter, fighting crime alongside the police. How could he not be worried?" She looked down at her plate, suddenly embarrassed by the admission. "I don't have the same kind of powers Gohan does, but I still do my best to protect people. Gohan, you know… he does a good job." Videl said tentatively. "He's saved my life a ton of times, saved many police officers, and countless others. He's got the power to protect. Can you really blame him for trying?"

"You sound just like my husband." Chichi smiled ruefully. "I can't help but be proud of him for that, but I still would rather have him be a successful doctor!"

"He'll be a great… something." She didn't even know what he wanted to shoot for after high school. "But he's right, we do need him in the city."

"Oh? You need a caped, helmeted, crime fighting vigilante?"

Videl giggled, remembering that ridiculous costume. "He doesn't wear that silly cape anymore."

"Hey!" Goten piped up indignantly. "I liked his cape!"

Gohan stormed through the forest surrounding his home. It wasn't like him to get so angry over a conversation like that. And in front of Videl no less! He just… he couldn't help it! Was it hormones? Was it just everything coming to a head?

The saiyan teen stood, surrounded by forest, wrestling with his conscience. He understood where his mom was coming from, but just the way she said it rubbed him the wrong way. Did she think he was incapable of protecting himself? Did she think that he wasn't good enough, wasn't strong enough to protect the people close to him? That thought alone grated on his mind, taunting him. How strong was he really? If he was strong, what could he do with the strength? Was he worth anything?

And this whole mess with the Gold Fighter! How in the world was he going to break it to the girl he liked!?

Gohan tightened his fists. This line of thinking was going to get him in trouble. He took a few deep breaths and lifted up into a lotus position. His ki bubbled menacingly under his skin, putting him even more on edge. Hovering a fair distance above the earth, he meditated silently. Using enough power to keep his energy at bay, bringing his emotions under control. Pulling his energy back in, just like how Piccolo taught him.

And it was working, until someone poked him in the butt.

"Yow!" Gohan leapt another foot in the air. Beneath him, Videl grinned, holding a rather long stick.

Gohan rubbed his fanny. "What was that for?!"

"I tried calling your name, but you were so zoned out that you didn't hear me." Videl explained. "I didn't want to throw a rock at you, so I found a stick."

"Did you have to use the sharpest stick you could find?!"

"Of course." She tossed the stick over her shoulder. "Are you done being a sore head?"

Gohan sighed, shaking his head at the girl below him. "I guess I am now."

"I take it this has happened before?"

Gohan stretched midair. "You aren't wrong… I just hate it when she does that."

"Worry about you?"

"Yes… no! Augh…. It's just… It's when she assumes that I can't handle myself. That I'm not strong enough to take on the world."

"You know she doesn't really-"

"I know where she's coming from! I know how she feels about this, but what do you want me to do?!" Gohan gestured angrily with his hands. "Not save people within my reach!? NOT try to make the world better with my own hands?! NOT find out WHY I was given this power!?" A white aura formed around him. He didn't seem to notice. "Am I not strong enough!? Am I not capable on my own!?"

Videl took a few steps back, the wind whipping her pigtails into knots. He never acted this way in class! Heck the angriest she'd ever seen him was when he challenged her to a fight! What happened to the mild mannered Gohan?

She took in this frustrated boy, muscles tight, eyes flashing with a strange light. The raven haired girl felt an immense, unusual understanding well up in her chest. This powerful, compassionate guy tried so hard to fit in, all the while dealing with this power that he tried to use for good. Her heart beat a little harder. If this was just a taste of his struggles…

"Gohan!" She called above the wind. It seemed to increase in intensity, but she did her best to ignore it. "How do you think I feel!? You're a superhero! You have powers that nobody else has! I'm not like you, but I still try my best to protect my city! Then you show up and I end up feeling like a has-been!"

Gohan looked down at her, surprised. The white aura around him faded. "What do you mean? You're the idol of Satan city."

"I used to be!" Videl rubbed her arms, regretting she said anything at all. "I never really wanted to be either! It's just, you appeared and I… it just looked like people didn't really need me anymore. Like I wasn't strong enough anymore. I kept fighting, kept trying to help, but it was hard to keep my cool whenever you showed up."

Gohan hadn't really realized this. Now that Videl was staring at the ground, admitting that she had insecurities, it hit him that he hadn't really thought about why she was tough on Saiyaman all that time. It wasn't so much that she wanted to know who he was. Well, she DID want to know, it was a big part of why she chased him, but she was also trying to hang on to a part of who she was. A part of her identity.

"Wait a second…" Gohan said, descending to the forest floor. "You're telling me that you felt like he… like I was taking your place?"

Videl winced. "Kinda."

Gohan's face cracked a lopsided grin. "Well, geez Videl! You should have told me!" Videl stared at him. "Well, you should have told Saiyaman. Me. Whatever. I wasn't trying to take your place, I was trying to help you! Two are better than one so I figured I could... I didn't know I was being… I would've … I mean I want to…" Gohan rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

Videl raised her eyebrows. "Want to what?"

"I… I want to apologize." Gohan looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry I made you feel unnecessary. You are one of the most necessary people I know."

Videl scoffed, blushing slightly. "Don't apologize. I figured you weren't in it for the glory anyways."

"No. I… I don't want you to ever feel like you aren't important."

The raven haired crime fighter blushed a little harder. "Gohan…"

"You are super important and… and I know that if anything happened to you, I'd-"

Gohan stopped short. Videl was staring at him strangely. On her face a mixture of hope and apprehension. He coughed awkwardly. "Was there something you wanted to ask me?"

Inwardly, Videl cursed. Why was she so eager to hear what he might've said next? She cleared her throat and said, "I have a few more questions for ya."

The dark eyed boy nodded, slightly relieved. "Fire away."

Together they walked back through the woods, chatting amicably. It was a bit of a relief. Both teens were trying to ignore the tension that they thought they were imagining. She doesn't like me like that. Gohan told himself every time she smiled. His heart thumped hard in his chest when she moved closer, and ached when she drifted away. As if the proximity of this girl controlled the beating of his heart.

It was driving him insane.

You know he likes you, why can't you just accept that and move on? Videl struggled with her thoughts. She couldn't just move on, something held her captive. Was it the way he looked at her? How his dark eyes captured hers so easily? Was it the fact that she felt irrationally happy every time he would smile? Or that being around him made things seem that much brighter? This wasn't the first time this had happened!

She felt like ripping her hair out.

They walked in silence for a bit. It was the love/hate relationship they had with the tension that kept them quiet. After a while it felt a little too awkward, so Gohan broke the silence with a question. "So, uh… aren't you going to miss that tournament at school?"

"Oh that." Videl shrugged. "No big deal. I didn't plan on entering this year anyway. I end up winning too often. Give the other guys a chance this time around."

Gohan nodded. "Sensible."

Another awkward silence.

"Are you going to the carnival tomorrow?"

Gohan quirked an eyebrow at Videl. "There's a carnival tomorrow?"

"Yep." She smiled. "They have one every year. It's way better than the tournament." She elbowed Gohan good naturedly. "You should go."

Gohan smiled in kind. "Yeah. That sounds cool." His smile faltered a little. "Are… are you going to be there?"

Videl's eyebrows lifted slightly and she turned her eyes to the treetops above. "I go every year."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Do… uh…" Gohan fidgeted slightly. "Do you want to meet up tomorrow?"

Videl held back a smile. "Well, I had planned on being a third wheel to Sharpner's and Erasa's date, but I suppose you could tear me away for a while."

Gohan smiled broadly. "Cool! Where do you want to…" He paused. "Sharpner and Erasa are together?"

"Yep."

"Huh." Gohan grinned. "I didn't see that one coming."

"Me neither." Videl shrugged. "But as long as he keeps his mitts to himself, I'm okay with it."

"You threatened him already?"

"Yep."

Gohan laughed. Once again the world was bathed in the golden sound. "That's so like you." He chuckled.

Videl smirked. "I have a reputation to uphold."

"Videl, don't you have to be getting home?"

The crime fighter looked up from her homework. After playing with Goten, she and Gohan had decided to work on homework to validate why she'd come over in the first place. That, and Chichi kept shooting them skeptical 'mom looks'. The ones that make you squirm until you do what she wants.

"It is getting late." She looked at the clock. It was nearing dinnertime. She'd really been enjoying herself. In all honesty, Videl really didn't want to leave. The Son family was so different. It was warm and inviting. Not so self absorbed like her household. "I guess I'd better be getting home."

Goten, who had just come into the kitchen for a drink of water, frowned. "Do you really have to go Videl? Mom, can't she stay a little longer?" Goten shot her a healthy dose of puppy eyes. "Please mom? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?

Chichi shook her head, impervious to the puppy eyes. "Goten, her father must be getting worried. She has her own home to go to."

"She's right." Videl said sheepishly. "Dad must be throwing a fit by now."

"Awwww!" Goten tugged on Gohan's arm. "Gohan! Make her stay a little longer!"

Gohan blushed. Make her stay? "Ah, sorry squirt. What mom says goes." He wanted Videl to stay longer as much as Goten did, maybe more, but there was no arguing with Chichi.

"Nooooooooooooo!" Goten refocused his attempts on Videl. "Please don't go Videl! You can stay the night! You can share my room! I'll even let you share Mr. Cuddlesworth!"

Videl smiled at the little boy. "Sorry kiddo. I'll see you some other time, okay?"

"You gotta promise."

She nodded seriously. "I promise."

"Awesome!" Goten grinned, completely okay with the situation now. "I'll see you later Videl!" He said before rushing back into the other room to watch cartoons.

Chichi shook her head. "That boy… So like his father." She smiled at Videl. "Thank you for visiting. You're such a polite guest. Stop by again some time."

Videl nodded, standing from her place at the table. "Thank you ma'am. I'll be sure to come by again." She piled her things together and capsulated them.

Gohan rose also. "I'll fly you home." Chichi nodded at him in assent and watched the pair leave the little house.

As soon as the door closed, hearts popped into her eyes. She sighed softly. "Oh Gohan's got it bad!" She didn't have knotholes for eyes. He could barely keep from staring at Videl. Watching her when she wasn't looking. Looking away and blushing when she was. He was all smiles and chuckles. It was such a difference from how he'd been all that past week. "And Videl is such a nice girl. I can't even be upset with that! Oh I can hear the wedding bells already." Another thought made her shriek with delight.

GRANDBABIES!

Gohan flinched violently. He looked back at his house with a sudden sense of dread.

Videl glanced up at him. "What's the matter?"

I thought I just heard… He swallowed. "Nothing."

Videl shrugged. "Whatever. Let's get this show on the road." She flipped her pigtails over her shoulder nonchalantly.

The saiyan teen nodded, tenderly lifting Videl in his arms and rising into the air. She threw her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him. Blood rushed to his face as he felt certain parts of her press against his chest. Concentrate on flying. Just got to concentrate on… He glanced down at Videl and found he really couldn't concentrate on anything at all.

Videl was blushing herself. She was very aware of his arms cradling her to his chest. She felt his heart beat slightly faster. The wind rushed around them, but she didn't pay it any mind. All she really could do was try not to notice that he was looking at her. That he was holding her so gently, yet so firmly. Yep… not notice him at all.

Kami, how could she not notice him? Notice ALL of him?! She was in his arms for pity sake! His firm muscles, his gentle touch, his gaze… She glanced up and saw him look away. An adorably flustered expression on his features. Her heartbeat sped up at the redness on his face. I can't look at him. She concluded. It'll drive me mad otherwise. She buried her face into his shoulder, ignoring the slight tightening of those strong arms. She closed her eyes and breathed deep.

And cursed her choice. He smelled very good. She took another deep breath before pulling her nose away from his skin. He smelled very much like a man. Not the gross sweaty kind of man. The kind of man that women write sizzling fantasies about. Later, when her mind wasn't spinning in a mushy mess, she reckoned that it should be illegal for sexy, muscular, flying guys that you may or may not like to smell that good.

She considered Gohan for a moment. He was kind, funny, brave, intelligent, caring and incredibly good looking. He made her feel so carefree. So safe even high above the world. Why was it so hard to just admit that there could be more than friendship between them? That she might want more than friendship?

Meanwhile, Gohan couldn't get enough of Videl. The faint smell of flowers from whatever soap she happened to use had wafted up to his sensitive nose. That, mixed with the sheer scent of Videl, was driving him crazy. Different people smell differently. Videl smelled better than all of them. All he wanted to do was bundle her up in his arms and never let go. To breathe in that scent as long as he lived.

Startled, he yanked his head back. In his reveling, he'd let his chin rest on the top of her head. He was sure that he did the ultimate creeper thing in smelling her hair. Gohan cringed at what she'd say when they landed. His heart sank a little at having to let go soon.

Wait, Gohan glanced down at the ground and felt a small measure of panic; I don't know where she lives! He looked to Videl with the question still on his lips. She had her eyes closed. She wasn't asleep, he could tell that much, but she looked so peaceful that he was loath to disturb her.

"Uh… Videl?"

Videl didn't open her eyes. "Mmmm?"

Gohan gulped. "I uh… I don't exactly know where we're going." He said softly.

"Oh." Videl opened her baby blues, catching Gohan slightly breathless. "The house on the southern side of the city. It's huge, so you can't miss it." She closed her eyes again. "It's got statues of Dad all over the place."

"Oh. Okay." Gohan murmured. They drifted at a slower pace around the city. Gohan didn't want to be seen flying around without his Saiyaman getup. And honestly didn't want the flight to end.

Does it really have to? Gohan was struck with the sudden thought. I'm the Gold Fighter! I know Videl has feelings for him! Can't I just come out and admit it? After all, she DID apologize to me for the whole Saiyaman thing. She handled that well enough! He looked back down to the girl in his arms. She deserves to know the truth. The whole truth.

But what if she rejects me? What if she calls me a liar? I don't want to go crazy again! His heart sank. Do I want to risk that? To risk potentially hurting her?

Neither teen spoke. Wrapped up in their own personal drama. When the Satan mansion came into view, Gohan didn't bother letting Videl know. He slowed his flight and descended silently onto a balcony.

They landed and Videl opened her eyes. "I guess we're here."

"Yeah."

Gohan held her for a moment, watching her. Then he let her down slowly. She didn't move her gaze from his face. And they stood there. Her hands pressed up against his chest. His arms loosely around her waist. The tension as they stood there could have been cut with a knife.

But we're just friends, right? The question roared through Videl's mind, cutting above the beating of her heart. Are you sure you're okay only seeing him as a friend? Her internal dilemma must've shown on her face, because Gohan moved his hands away from her waist.

Do I tell her the truth? Gohan's eyes darkened, his face falling just a little. Is she worth the risk?

"Ah!" Videl was first to break the silence, jerking her hands from his chest. "Uh… So, I'll see you at the carnival tomorrow?"

His face brightened briefly. "Yeah. I'll probably bring Goten with me."

"Cool." She rubbed her arms, missing the warmth of being wrapped in Gohan's embrace. "I guess I'll see you then."

"Yeah."

Awkward silence.

"I, uh… wanted to thank you again, for bringing my homework and apologizing and all that. It was good to see you again."

"Hey, no problem. I'll… I'll drop by again sometime. We have to keep up with my flying lessons."

"Oh… uh yeah." Gohan rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Videl."

Videl nodded. ""Yep, see you then."

Gohan hesitated. He took one last long look at Videl before lifting off into the air. Videl herself felt a kind of regret, watching him float away. Something felt undone to both of them. She was about to turn and go inside when Gohan spun back around and hovered just on the other side of the balcony railing.

"Wait Videl!" He said earnestly. "I have to talk to you about something." He shook his head. "No, I have to tell you something."

"Yes?" Videl strode back over to him, eyes bright.

"It's something that I've been meaning to tell you for a while…" He ran a nervous hand through his hair. "I just had to come to grips with the fact that you have to know."

"Yeah?" She urged him on.

"It's… it's about the Gold Fighter."

Videl felt her breath catch. There it was.

Gohan kept talking. "Listen, I know you think I know him. I do, but it's not what you think it is. I am… I mean, he's not…"

"It's okay Gohan." Videl interrupted smoothly, walking forward to place her hands on Gohan's shoulders. "I know."

Gohan was struck speechless. She does?! "You… do?"

"Erasa told me."

No… Not Erasa. If it were possible to slump whilst floating, Gohan would have done it. "She did? She… she promised she wouldn't tell anyone."

"I'm her best friend. Of course she told me." Videl leaned against the railing causally.

"I… Why you didn't tell me you knew?" Gohan rubbed the back of his neck. She's taking this extremely well. "I thought you'd be freaking out a bit more. It's kind of an important topic."

"You dummy, I'm not that kind of girl." Videl blushed. "It's just not something I thought about that much."

Wait… Gohan's face went blank. "What?"

"Well, I did think about it some." Videl put her hands behind her back and started pacing. "And I'm not really into boys or any of that drama that other girls are, so when she told me you liked me, I just wasn't sure how to react." Videl rambled on, oblivious to Gohan's shocked look. "And I know she's told everyone about how I kinda sorta had a crush on the Gold Fighter. While I am neither confirming nor denying the presence of a crush upon him, I do know that I wasn't sure what kind of answer to give you." She turned to look at Gohan. "I… Well I know that if I were to like you, Gohan, I'd have to know just what kind of relationship you're…"

Videl trailed off. Gohan had moved to sit on the railing and was now holding his head in his hands.

"Gohan?"

His voice was shaky. "She told you… that I liked you?"

Videl was instantly suspicious. "Uh… Yeah. She did."

Sweet Kami alive! This girl is bad for my heart. Gohan sighed in partial relief. "That's… that's fine." So she still doesn't know. What now? He looked up at her, dark eyes sparkling with sudden mirth. "But that's not was I was going to tell you."

"Wait… What do you mean that's not what you were going to tell me?!" Videl demanded. Her face turned red. He'd interrupted her I-kinda-like-you-but-I-don't-want-to-admit-it speech to tell her that she'd jumped the gun!?

"That's not what I was going to tell you." He leaned forward, nose mere inches from hers. "I was talking about something else entirely. But, just out of curiosity, what were you saying?"

Videl turned redder. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Oh really?"

"Don't change the subject!" Videl hollered. She had thought she'd made up her mind, but then again…

Gohan frowned. "But I want to know."

"No! I want to know what you were going to tell me!"

Gohan folded his impressive arms over his impressive chest. "You answer my question and I'll answer yours."

Videl gaped at him. He was acting like he did when they argued in the classroom. It was rather attractive. Videl's face got even redder as she said, "That's not fair!"

Gohan grinned. "It's completely fair. Just an exchange of information."

Videl grit her teeth. "Fine." She stared at him challengingly. "What was your question again?"

Gohan's pulse spiked. Easy Gohan. He dug his nails into his palms as he clenched his fists. Calm down… she's asking me to repeat the question. Not beat her in a fight. He took a deep breath. He knew what he wanted to ask. And for once, he was glad of the hormones and the adrenaline rush. It bolstered his confidence.

"You know I like you. My question is, do you like me?"

The question, four words, carried something far more serious than a usual 'do you like me? yes or no' note you'd get in school. Gohan's voice deepened slightly causing the words to have a strange heft to them. Did Videl like him? Did she like him as much as he liked her? Was there more at stake here than just their friendship?

Videl was taken aback. The weight of the question gave her pause. Do I like him? Her thoughts spun. Do I like him? She opened her mouth.

"I…"

As she watched, Gohan's face lit up with hope.

"I don't…"

And fell with despair.

"…know how to answer that."

And lifted with rekindled hope. Videl fought the urge to giggle. He was so easy to read. She sobered and shook her head. This was too tense of a moment for laughter. "I just… are you sure you like me?"

"Sure I'm sure." The dark eyed teen sighed. "I don't know how else to explain it. I'm happier when you're around. When you leave it's like someone turned the lights out. You make me feel like I'm flying when I am firmly on the ground. You're eyes catch me when I least expect it and it moves me! I am frustrated by you, intrigued by you, and in awe of you. You're strong, courageous, smart, kind, brave, insightful, stubborn, and brutally honest." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm irrational when it comes to you, to the point where I don't want anything to jeopardize our friendship. Especially when we only recently decided that we are friends! That's why I'm so reluctant to have you find out that I…"

He shook his head, looking at her earnestly. "Please tell me Videl. If there's any hope that we could be more. If not, then I just want to be friends. I care about you too much to lose you over something like this."

Videl stared down at her shoes. "You… must say that to all the girls."

Gohan looked away. "You're one of the only girls I know, much less talk to."

She knew that. He was too shy of a guy to talk to any other girls besides herself and Erasa. She didn't know Gohan thought so highly of her. Or that he could talk so sweetly. No one, not even her father, ever spoke that way to her and meant it. If he really felt that way about her, why hadn't he come to her sooner? Then again, she might've turned him away if he had. She'd never really took the time to know him. And now that she knew him, things changed. He was much more than she ever could've hoped for and yet she hesitated. Did she like him?

Videl bit her lip. She couldn't deny it. Yes. She liked him. She liked him a lot. But…

What about Goldilocks?

So Videl stood there, staring at Gohan, at a loss for words. He looked back at her, face unsure, eyes full of emotion. She couldn't deny that she liked him anymore, but what about the Gold Fighter? Sure they'd only met once, but she felt a connection to the guy. Then again, yeah she was attracted to tall dark and golden, but she knew Gohan so much better. How could she choose? What's worse, they were friends! Suddenly, an image of the Gold Fighter popped into her mind. She tilted her head, looking at Gohan. Why in the world would Gohan remind her of the Gold Fighter? Besides the fact that she had feelings for them both.

She sighed heavily. "I don't know, Gohan. I want to tell you that I like you, but I'm… still sorting things out." She turned away from Gohan's crestfallen face. "I… I like the Gold Fighter too. I want to know more about him. I don't want to… I don't want anything to change between us yet." She looked back at the boy. "And please don't tell him that I denied his best friend. That's kind of a jerk move."

It's even worse! You just shot me down for the other me! Yet Gohan found himself nodding, not trusting himself to speak. Her confession simultaneously brought his hopes up and tore his heart apart. This is the worst. Why did I ever think this was a good idea?

Videl straightened, her mouth set in a determined line. "Alright, that's said and done." She wasn't happy about her choice, but it seemed like the best option! Could she have phrased it better? Kami, she still didn't want to choose. At least now she could hear what he was going to tell her! "Now, what were you going to tell me?"

Gohan immediately felt tired. Why was it such a difficult thing to say? "I wanted to tell you something about the Gold Fighter."

"And?"

"Well," Gohan fumbled for words, "he's… not who you think he is."

Videl looked at him skeptically. "Jealous much?"

"What?! No!" Gohan sputtered. "He's really not who you think he is!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes!" He gestured to himself. "He's just a regular guy, like me!"

"And you're supposed to be a 'regular guy'?"

"Yes. No!" Gohan slapped his forehead. "I mean, he's not some high and lofty hero like you make him out to be!"

Videl cocked her head at him. "Really."

"Yes really!"

"Man… to be bad mouthing your best friend because I choose to date you. Here I thought you were a pretty decent guy."

Gohan's ki surged beneath his control. "That's not what I'm trying to say! I'm not badmouthing him! I'm saying that I'm-" Gohan stopped cold.

Videl narrowed her eyes at him. "You're what!?"

No… That energy! Gohan's jaw went slack. His eyes went wide and he spun around to gape at the horizon. Could it be? "He's… he's here!"

"What? Who's here!?"

"I don't believe it!" Gohan spun back around and pulled Videl into an embrace. "He's actually here!" She blushed at the sudden contact. As he pulled away, she saw the biggest smile on his face. His eyes were full of joy.

"Got to go, Videl!" He leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "He's back!"

Videl touched the spot with her fingertips. Her eyes were round. She couldn't believe Gohan actually did that. "W-who's back?" she said unsteadily.

He backed away and raised two fingers to his forehead, grinning for all he was worth.

"My dad!"

And just like that, he vanished.

A/N: HA! Take THAT foul writer's block!
EAT MY SHOOOOOOORTS!
Hey more drama. At least Videl friggin' admits attraction now. She's in lurve with the same guy twice! That's gotta cause some kinda trauma in the future. Also, Goku ex-machina.

For those that care, this is the crappy, daytime soap opera version:
*flower petals* "Dearest Videlu-chan," *dramatic pause* "I love you!"
*sparkles* "I'm sorry Gohano-kun," *big ol' teary anime eyes* "But we can never be together!
*shock and dismay* "But why? Why Videlu-chan?!"
"Because Gohano-kun," *dreamy expression* "I am in love with your evil twin!"
"You're wrong Videlu-chan!" *mask removal* "I AM my evil twin!"
DUHN DUHN DUUUUUUUUUUUHN!

B-waaaaah? 3 chappies at once? WHAT IS THIS MADNESS!? Hope this tides you over for a time. :)
Thanks for the Reading! And the Reviewing!
Both are great encouragements to me!