"Speech."

Thought.

Flashback.

(Authors note.)

Special emphasis.

'Dream.'

Disclaimer. I do not own DB, DBZ, and DBGT.

Chapter Twenty-One...

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Understanding…

"What do you suggest we do?"

"For the time being our best bet is to stand back. I've known him since he was a boy and anytime he's gotten like this the worst thing anyone could do was meet his violent side with more violence."

Piccolo and Vegeta watch as Gohan continues on his killing spree. While seeing Gohan in such a bloodlust pains Piccolo it almost makes Vegeta proud. It takes a miracle for it to awaken, but his Saiyan side is very much active. The only unfortunate part in Vegeta's eyes was the painful fact that he himself would be unable to stop the brat if he had to. Though he would never let anyone know it, he knew the son of his rival still far surpassed him in strength and speed. He knew it would only be a matter of time however, before he finally reached and surpassed his rival's son.

"Will you be resurrecting his victims?" His question was bored and dry, clearly the answer was meant for his mate and not him.

Piccolo's cape flaps in the wind. "No. Their souls are still as black as ever. To bring them back would do nothing but take lives of innocent people. Gohan seems to know this although I'm not sure what's keeping him in check. I think it could be that girl though."

Vegeta frowns. "It matters not to me. As long as the brat doesn't blow up this planet then it's no concern of mine." With that, Vegeta slowly flies away leaving Piccolo to watch as Gohan goes through killing the cons.

Piccolo nearly steps in when Gohan unintentionally backhands the girl but he stops when he notices the change. His action against her had changed him back to normal, or as normal as he could be right now. He opts to continue to hang back with his power suppressed while Gohan carries the girl off. Piccolo already knew where Gohan was going so he could hang back and inspect the level of damage he had caused. Not too much damage to structures but the people of this city were going to have nightmares for a long time if they saw these bodies.

And then there was the big guy with the uniform. Piccolo glided down to him just as he lost conscious and took a knee next to him. The girl had some sort of special connection with this one and Gohan seemed to respect him a bit. Was he the girl's father? It didn't matter. The man was going to die if he wasn't treated. Piccolo scoops the man up and lifts back into the air. What knowledge he possessed from Kami told him where to bring the man for treatment.

Not long later, Piccolo located the building he knew to be a hospital and began his descent. It was the work of a moment to short circuit the cameras that would detect him and it took him just as much time to deposit the man near one of the doors. With a final glance at the man Piccolo takes flight again and heads for the rural mountains where Gohan and he often trained. He knew Gohan well enough to know why he would bring the girl out there.

He was going to try to convince her to run away from him for good.

…DBZ…

Videl had heard a lot of things in her short life. Most of the time she just scoffed and knocked the fools over their heads for thinking she was dumb enough to believe their lies. Criminals were wired that way. Guardian was not. "S-say that again?" How hard was she hit?

Guardian looks up at the sky; eye contact was hard right now for him. "My father… he came to this world as an infant to destroy everything and everyone. To make a long story short, he hit his head and lost his memory and most of his violent instincts." He couldn't believe he was telling her this but, after what he did to her and those people, she had to know.

Videl's whole body felt light. Humanity had known for almost fifteen years now that aliens existed. There was a decent sized crater where a city once was to prove that. But to be standing in front of one? To have fought alongside one? To have… wanted one… She didn't know what to feel.

"I wont tell you who my father was but you already know of him. He came from a race of warriors that were bred for one thing." He swallows and settles his stare back on Videl who was looking a bit paler than usual. "They were bred to kill. They thirsted for blood, the same way I just did Videl."

At this Videl's eyes began to widen. But then, her dream started to echo in her head again with her mother's words.

But right now you have to wake up and help the young man. He needs you right now. You shouldn't be afraid of him ether, no matter what he tells you.'

Videl stiffens her neck as she cracks a smile. "And you think this surprises me?"

Guardian stops his revelation and narrows his eyes at her.

"Listen Guardian, it's no surprise that your from some distant planet or the offspring of someone who is. The only thing here that concerns me is the bloodlust thing." She felt surprised at just how truthful she was being. She really wasn't shocked about his heritage.

"That's just it Videl. I can't always control myself. What you just witnessed is not the first time that's happened to me. It is the first time it happened like that though." He drops his head as he continues. "You shouldn't ever come near me again Videl. I took my fathers evil when I was conceived and it's rare that I actually do anything good. I will one day become that monster you just witnessed again."

"And I'll be there to stop him again." She blurts out as she resumes her approach towards him. This time it's Guardians turn to go all bug eyed. Here he was, telling this human girl some of his darkest secrets and somehow it was compelling her to come closer to him? He lifts his head back up and makes a huge mistake.

He looks her right in her eyes.

Guardian Angel, Gohan, the most powerful being in the universe, becomes paralyzed by a simple stare. Videl wasn't crying, she wasn't frowning and she wasn't glaring. She was smiling as she approached him. Guardian knew as she drew near, even if he could still move he wouldn't. That was a problem with Super Saiyan transformations; they intensified emotions. That was what made him so powerful before and so powerless now.

Videl could feel Guardians power as she got closer to him. It was intoxicating to her, the way her own hair lifted from her shoulders just slightly and the way her blood ran faster. He was dangerous, he could kill almost anybody and yet, she felt as if, right now, she could control him like a puppet. Anytime she had gotten near him before she was an emotional wreck or beaten to hell. Not this time though. This time she felt more like she had had an awesome sparing match instead of fighting crime. Her bump on the head and oddly enough, her dream afterwards put her emotions in check for now.

Guardian doesn't flinch or move away when Videl presses her body against his and wraps her arms around his waist. In fact, to his own surprise, he gently reaches up and returns the embrace. As he does so his keen senses begin their own little interesting game. His nose sifts through the smell of blood and sweat, and picks up on the flowery fragrance of Videl's shampoo and conditioner. His touch instantly tingles when it feels how firm her body is even under his yet still soft like a woman's should be. His hearing picks up on the rhythm of her heartbeat and as he looks down at her he notices just how strong she really is.

He strokes her hair lightly as the two of them just stand there holding each other. The rage in his body was dimming down and he knew if he didn't break away soon he would be in danger of reverting to his base form. That was one secret he had to hold away from her still. Although, he was beginning to wonder how long that secret would even last. This girl seemed to be picking him apart without even trying at all.

"Videl…" He begins gently.

Videl takes a deep breath. "Hmm?"

Guardian slides his hands up her shoulders and gently pushes her back. "I have to go."

"Already?" She asks feeling genuinely disappointed.

"Yes, you have a lot of work left to do in the city and I'm sure your friends are worried." He also knew she would probably want to visit the Captain. Thank heaven they got him to the hospital so fast.

Videl takes a step back and looks up at him. He was smiling back down at her and the look on his face gave her butterflies in her stomach. She nods her head in agreement. As she steps away she remembers. "Oh crap. I think I lost my jet capsule back in the woo!" Videl squeaks as Guardian suddenly scoops her up.

"Hope you don't mind." He says as he takes off into the sky.

Videl wraps her arms around him tightly as the ground fades away quickly. "No, I don't mind just next time warm me first. You just gave me a mini heart attack!" She yells over the wind.

Guardian takes his time in flying her back and Videl doesn't even try to complain. During the flight back Guardian explains the story of his father without giving too much away. In the end Videl seemed to want to know more but for the moment seemed both to distracted by the flight and satisfied with the answers she already had. At least, that's what he thought was all that was distracting her.

About half way back and a very interesting story later Videl had a sudden realization. Guardian and Gohan were the only two guys she had ever been alone with and hadn't slept with. Actually, they were also the only two that hadn't tried to make a move on her ether. The horrors of the morning mixed with the beauty of the evening had her worn out. But she still had one more place to visit before she gave herself up to nightmares and dreams.

Her friends and Alice needed to know she was all right but she would see Alice when she got home and she could just call her friends. She had to check on the Captain though. "Can you bring me to the hospital first Guardian?"

Guardian nods then asks. "Are you hurt?"

Videl shakes her head. "No, nothing I can't patch up on my own. I want to check on the Captain before I go home though."

Guardian's expression hardens slightly and Videl starts to ask why but stops herself when she realizes that the last time the Captain saw him, he was a homicidal maniac. What were they going to do if there were guards posted by his hospital room? Would they try to arrest Guardian? Would he let them if they tried? As the scene unfolds in her head Guardian asks without looking away from the horizon ahead.

"You feel tense. Why?"

Videl shakes her head. "It's nothing, just…" How the hell would she bring this up?

Guardian spares her the trouble. "I wont attack anyone Videl. I'm better for now."

As Guardians words sink in Videl begins to feel remorseful for even thinking he would revert so easily. She knew he would have to answer for his crimes but shouldn't that be between him and God? He didn't harm anyone who was innocent so in some small way could he be forgiven? If not by the citizens then at least by her.

"I don't expect you to understand any of this Videl. I only ask that you trust me for now." Guardian says tensely. It was clear he felt uncomfortable about what he did and that was enough to reassure Videl for now.

"I believe you." She says kindly to him.

…DBZ…

Not long later Videl and Guardian were arriving to the outskirts of the city and the hospital was already coming into view. "How do you plan on getting in there anyway? You must know they aren't just going to let you through the front doors."

"I'm not going through the front doors Videl." Guardian replies plainly.

"Wha? But, then how? The windows are locked on the higher floors where the Captains going to be."

Guardian responds quickly. "You let me worry about that. I'm dropping you off by those trees. I'll meet you upstairs. The Captains on the twelfth floor."

Videl narrows her eyes at Guardian. "You know, this whole you being able to sense people thing is going to take some getting used to."

Guardian shows no outward emotion but Videl can hear just a hint of amusement in his tone. "I know. But you'll get used to it soon enough."

Videl nearly squeaks when Guardian picks up the pace and quickly appears in the concealment of the darkness created by the trees. He gently sets Videl down on her feet and he can't help but enjoy the way her hair feels as it slides across his arms. Despite all that she had been through today, she was still steady on her feet, he had to give her credit, most girls wouldn't be able to stomach the sight of him at this point. But, she wasn't like most girls then, was she?

Guardian watches her closely as she walks to the edge of the darkness and peeks at the hospital. It was busy, very busy, but then again, there were also a lot of injured people, police and convicts all being treated here. It was a sight for Guardian to behold. As tired and in pain as she must be all she cared about was others. Kind of reminded him of someone he knew a long time ago. Someone he let down. He frowns at the very thought and a sudden dread washed through him suddenly. He almost relived the same mistake twice…

Videl was satisfied that there were no camera crews by the hospital and none of the families and patients that were overflowing from the waiting area seemed to concerned with who might be coming through. "Looks good to me. I'll see you up…" She turns around and realizes she was speaking to nothing. "Damn that man. Why can't he just say bye for once." She fumes as she turns and heads into the hospital.

As she steps into the light and several people notice her sudden appearance she notices that some become instantly offensive while others cower like wounded prey. At first Videl hesitates until she realizes. Some convicts must still be out there. As soon as the people recognize it's Videl they become relaxed and even relieved. She could understand why. She literally vanished from the city and the only witness was in here.

Nobody stops her as she passes through the sliding glass doors and she is greeted with a tired smile at the receptionist desk. "Oh, hello Videl. Are you checking in?"

Videl returns the smile. "No, actually I was wanting to check on someone. I know it's past visiting hours but I really would like to see." The receptionist cuts her off.

"He's on the twelfth floor. Room twelve-sixteen. You know the way right?"

Videl exhales and feels some weight lift from her shoulders. "Yes. Thank you so much."

Videl wastes no time in heading through a set of wooden double doors and walking briskly to the elevators. The air inside the hospital chilled her to the bone but after such a hot day, the air was a welcomed relief. She knew where room twelve-sixteen was but even if she didn't then the guards waiting outside would be a dead giveaway. She wonders briefly if Guardian had made it into the room.

The moment the guards see Videl they quickly step aside and greet her. "Videl. Man are we glad to see you."

Videl smiles. "It's good to see you also. How's the Captain?"

"He's pretty banged up but he'll live. He's a tough old bastard that's for damn sure."

Videl nods in agreement and pushes her way into the Captains room. The lights were all out and the curtains over the window were drawn. As she looks through the room she notices the Captains still silhouette under the hospital blanket. At his side a series of machines and tubes sustain and monitor his vitals and provide him with fluids and pain medicine. It felt strange for her being the outsider looking in this time.

Videl checks the room again but fails to find any sign of Guardian. He must not have made it in yet she assumes as she quietly closes the door behind her and moves her hand to the switch on the wall. A deep raspy voice stops her.

"Don't you dare turn that light on Videl."

Videl smiles. "You sound like hell Captain."

The Captain turns his head towards her. "I always sound like hell. You can come out also son."

Videl gasps and swings her head over her shoulder as Guardian steps around her. "How did. Where did you. But… I don't… I need to sit down."

Guardian walks closer to the Captain. "How did you know I was in here?"

"You have your secrets and I have mine kid. Lets just leave it at that." The Captain eyes Guardian through the darkness closely and wearily.

Guardian frowns as he responds. "I'm not going to kill you. You can stop looking at me like that now."

The Captain laughs lightly. "Kid if you were going to kill me youda done it by now. I wanted to see if you had any injuries. Guess I shouldn't be surprised that you don't."

Videl, having recovered from her surprise at Guardians sudden appearance, walks up beside the Captains bed and looks up at Guardian as she places her hand on his chest. "Not yet he doesn't, but if he startles me like that again he sure will."

Guardian lets his eyes roll down to the hand placed softly on him and can't fight the small smirk. "Think you could handle me Videl?" He kids.

Videl inadvertently lightly presses her nails into Guardians chest. "I'd more than handle you."

The Captain clears his throat. "Okay kids. Nice to see you two are getting along."

Videl lets her hand slide down Guardians bare chest and abs as she blushes lightly. Guardian turns his attention back to the Captain and the three stand in awkward silence for a moment until the Captain finally speaks up. "You're wanting to know if we got him back or not, right?"

Guardian nods knowing the Captain can see him clearly enough.

Videl looks at Guardian, then at the Captain. "Got who? What are you guys talking about?"

The Captain ignores Videl's question for the moment. "Any idea why you can't find him?"

"Unless he's dead or close to dead there should be no reason I can't sense him. I don't have any idea what happened to him." Guardian answers.

Videl waves her hand between Guardian and the Captain in an attempt to grab their attentions. "Who are you two talking about?"

The Captain sighs deeply and leans back in his stiff hospital bed. He didn't want to answer her question but he knew he had to. Without a body to prove he was really dead they couldn't be sure. He lets his eyes slide closed as he speaks the words that would send chills down Videl's spine. "We rounded up all of the escaped convicts today Videl. All accept one. Viper."

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(AN: That wasn't so bad on Videl's part. Not her usual freak out and storm off routine. Anyway, looks like Vipers not done yet. I think the next few chapters are gonna be a bit toned down with the violence and more with the story itself. This was also probably my laziest chapter so any mistakes let me know and I'll correct them. Onward!")