Chapter 25: A Fresh Restart

A familiar knot began to tie in Bra's stomach as she followed behind her mom, heading towards the entrance of her childhood home. It felt just as nerve racking as it did a month ago when she first step foot inside, hoping once again that Goten would not be there. Please don't be there. Please don't be here. Please not here. Not yet. Don't be here. She shut her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath in and exhaling as she tried to prepare herself.

"Bra!" A surprised voice brightly called out to her. She looked over as Marron got up from the couch with Keiko in one arm, the other outstretched for an embrace.

"Trunks said you weren't coming till tomorrow. Long time no see." she giggled. Bra smiled happily as the statement felt more welcoming and loving this time around. Perhaps it had something to do with her stay being more permanent than just a visit.

"Bra, have a seat with Marron. I'm going to check on dinner and call your father down and let him know you're in. Your brother should be arriving soon as well." Bulma proceeded, heading toward the kitchen.

As they took a seat, Bra reached out to hold her niece. "How's my favorite little niece?"

"Now that you're here," Marron started out, her tone quiet and curious, "tell me the truth, did anything happen with you and Kenzo?"

"Wow, you don't miss a beat do you?" Bra looked slightly annoyed at her forwardness, "you're not going to ask how I've been, how the move went, how I felt about leaving to come back here, nothing like that?"

"If you simply answered me when we talked on the phone, I wouldn't be asking, would I?" She cocked an eyebrow, looking at her pointedly.

Bra's mouth fell agape as she looked at her facetiously. "You asked at such horrible times, always when he was right next to me. But to answer your question, no. Nothing happened with us…"

"Really?"

"How could it? You both knew the reason I was moving."

"So, absolutely nothing? No feelings changed while you were around each other twenty-four, seven?" She asked, dissatisfied with her answer.

Bra shook her head and smiled, "no Marron. It was never like that from the beginning. Things were different with him... Feelings were never really involved between us... at least none that evolved into anything romantic..."

"Did you at least get laid one last time by him?" She asked, hoping for a better answer.

"No," she chuckled, shaking her head, "what's with you? I haven't had sex with him since that night I ended up at the hospital."

"Tsk, how boring," she teased, scrunching her nose. "I thought you'd have one more go at him before coming back… at least I would, he just seems irresistible."

"Well, he is good, I'll give you that. Like, really good." They giggled like two high school girls gushing over their crushes.

"But I think I've had more than my fair share of sex with him. Besides," Bra raised a curious eyebrow at her, "weren't you the one pushing me to figure shit out with Goten and now that I have, you're asking me to if I had one last hoorah before committing?"

"It was merely a question," she shrugged, "and I was only implying that you figure out your feelings in general. I never specified it to be about him. But speaking of Goten, have you talked to him since you left?" Bra shook her head.

"I'm scared he might be mad at me." Bra went on to tell her about the night she saw Goten and Paris. Fear crept its way up as she thought more about it, was he mad that Kenzo was with her? It seemed like the case. She pulled her phone out from her back pocket and flicked it on. To her dismay, there was still no response to her message. Goten was always so quick to respond to her messages before that she thought he was ignoring her on purpose. Now it was a matter of time when she would run into him now that she was back in West City.

The front door opened and the sound of laughter came from it. The two women peered from their seats toward the noise. Trunks walked in followed by the one man Bra wasn't expecting to see so soon. Goten took a couple more steps then froze where he stood when he noticed her. His eyes grew large, their expressions mirroring one another as they held their breath.

"Oh, hey babe." Trunks said looking over at Marron then to Bra, oblivious of the situation, "well, isn't this a surprise? Welcome back sis. I thought you weren't coming till tomorrow morning?"

"Ah, uh... ch-change of plans," she stuttered embarrassingly, her eyes still locked onto Goten's. "I-I thought it would be better if... if I used this night to sleep well and get a head start in the morning instead."

"Oh. Why didn't anyone tell me then? Where's mom? I hope there's enough food for an extra saiyan mouth," he snickered and pointed at Goten, who laughed nervously in response.

"Hi Goten." Bra finally said shyly, testing the waters.

"Hey," he simply said then turned his gaze in the same direction as Trunks, looking faintly aloof.

Goten elbowed Trunks discreetly and leaned toward him, "is Bra working back here again?"

"Yeah." He said nonchalantly.

"For how long?"

"I don't know, whenever she decides to leave again at her own convenience apparently." Trunks said bitterly.

During dinner, Goten and Bra were seated next to each other. Both of them feeling the tension between them. While the family seemed distracted talking about business or new discoveries with Keiko, Goten wanted to take the opportunity to ask Bra what he was inquiring in his mind since he arrived. He tapped her arm with his elbow, whispering her name as he leaned closer.

"What're you doing back so soon? Is everything ok?" His mind went through different types of reasons from family matters to personal matters, like Kenzo.

"Everything is fine Goten. I just decided to move back is all," she tried to add nonchalantly. Goten sat up and turned his body toward her at attention

"Move back?" he echoed questioningly. He never thought she would make the decision to return to West City when she seemed so content in Tokyo.

"Yeah, surprise," she said frivolously, a faint smile crossing her face.

"When did you decide this and for how long? Why didn't you tell me? Why haven't you called me?" He continued firing off quietly.

"I, can we talk about this after dinner?" her blue eyes pleaded with him once again, wishing their private moment wouldn't be so public.

"Just tell me how long this time Bra." His tone was even as he seemed a bit angry with the discovery. Bra stared into his dark eyes, staring at her intensely. Her blood ran hot as she hesitated to answer. She could feel a nervous chill run down her spine and that familiar itch of wanting to run off and leave, thinking she might have upset him by moving back without a word. But this was the reason she moved back, she wanted to be with him.

"Bra?" He waited impatiently for her answer.

"For as long as you want me to," she whispered, swallowing the nervous lump in her throat. Goten's eyes instantly softened at her answer.

"Bra?" Bulma called out to her.

"Yes mom?" Bra turned her attention to her, finally feeling like she could breathe after being under the weight of Goten's stare.

"The movers will be at your new condo around 9 tomorrow. Did you need any help? Your father and I could come with you if you'd like." Bulma suggested.

"Oh no, no need to. I'll be fine, thank you."

"Oh alright. Will Kenzo be-"

"Ah. NO, no, no," Bra quickly interrupted. Her hands waving in front of her.

"Well ok then hun. If you need any of us, just call."

"Thanks mom, but actually, I was wondering," she turned her attention to Goten, "if you weren't busy tomorrow, would you...want to come help...me?"

Trunks scoffed, causing Bra and Goten to turn their attention to him, "I thought you didn't want his hel-"

His sentence was cut short, when Marron reached across from him for more food, intentionally hitting his glass of water and spilling its contents onto the table and his lap. "Oh! I'm so sorry honey."

As everyone turned their attention to the other couple, Goten turned his attention back to Bra. "Tomorrow? I... I can't. Karume has a recital at school and we had planned on other things afterwards."

"Oh. How about the day after?" She asked with hope in her eyes as she felt a tightness in her chest. We, he said we.

"I still can't Bra. Paris and I had previous plans to take Karume somewhere." The sentence alone made Bra feel like a bubble burst in her chest as he continued, "I never would've expected you to show up so suddenly like this without having heard a single word from you since you left."

"I messaged you earlier today." She said, avoiding the topic that was bothering her. Did the couple retreat work? Were they back together after all? Did efforts to uproot her life to come back home already wasted? Did she finally push him too far?

Goten turned back to his food, cutting a slice of meat. "Lets just talk after. There's a few things I need to discuss with you." His tone was flat, cold, and seemingly demanding.

"Ok." Bra said, suddenly feeling a horrible knot in her stomach, dreading whatever it was he needed to discuss with her.

When, what felt like a long night had ended and her brother and his family left, Bra stood just outside of her parents home as Goten stood before her. Her nerves shooting up and down her entire body, heating her up like a furnace. She wasn't sure what to expect as he seemed guarded and closed off to her the rest of the night.

Bra clasped her hands behind her, taking in the full view of the man she never thought she'd have another chance with. Goten leaned against the driver's door of his SUV. His ankles crossed, his bold arms folded across his thick chest, his head hung down, eyes shut and brows furrowed as if he was contemplating what to say.

As the time ticked in silence, Bra's patience was growing thin. It was unlike her to stay silent for long when she was kept waiting for the other party to speak, but this was different. There was a fear in her that kept her from asking what it was he wanted to discuss.

"Goten-" Bra tried to start out but was cut short.

"You must think I'm stupid don't you?" Goten said quietly, keeping his head down.

"What?" Bra said, shocked at his rhetorical question.

"I'm not going to ask and I don't want to listen to anything you have to say." Goten demanded. "I know I said we needed to talk, but it's hard enough to be around you so suddenly like this." Bra's heart felt shattered and her body paralyzed by his words. Her facial expression grew grim with concern.

He scoffed as he pushed off of the car and opened the door, pausing in the opening. "Why couldn't you have just told me the truth?"

Goten sat inside, placing his hands on the steering wheel. Panic set in when she realized she was losing him.

"No, Goten." Bra reached over, quickly placing a hand on the frame of the door.

"Don't go, please?" She begged, her eyes beginning to well up.

"Let me explain." Bra pleaded. He instantly stood up and turned to her as if he were ready to defend himself to her. His black eyes piercing into her like freshly sharpened knives.

"No. You moved back, fine," he threw his hands up in defeat. "It's obvious you didn't want me to know… But you didn't even have the slightest decency to tell me you were going to be seeing Kenzo till you were 'ready' to be with me. That's fucking bullshit Bra and you know it." He kvetched. His expression pained.

"No Goten-" The tears started streaming down uncontrollably. The hurt in his eyes was unbearable.

"I'm tired of everything having to be on your watch. Each time I feel like we're taking a step forward, we take a giant leap back. I'm tired of being deceived Bra. This time I'm choosing to leave." He pushed her hand off of the door, giving her a once-over before closing it shut, locking it before she could attempt to open it.

Before she knew it he was driving away. Her legs giving out from under her as she sobbed quietly on the street. Bra never thought things would go such a wry. His reaction was one she had never seen before. He was livid with her and she wasn't sure how to fix it.

She scooted back weakly. Sitting on the edge of the sidewalk, feeling cold and alone, reflecting on her actions. It was all a misunderstanding. How did everything go so wrong in a matter of minutes?

The next couple of days came and went. Bra stayed busy with the move, physically. Mentally, however, she was occupied with Goten once again. Her need to see him weighed heavy in her heart. The nights were ruthless, making it impossible to sleep. Her thoughts and feelings she had pushed away during the day would come crashing down all at once, causing her to cry out again for him. All of the reservations she had about starting a relationship with him felt non-existent. All she wanted now was him, nothing else mattered. She had finally realized how Goten felt and what he meant. But was she too late?

Over the weekend Bra had kept to herself, refusing to see anyone. Telling whoever asked that she was busy or didn't need any help. A few times she called and messaged Goten, simply asking if she could talk to him, but to no avail. Desperate to see him, she flew by his home one evening, but noticed no one was home. She sat outside waiting for a couple of hours, but left when he didn't show up.

On her first day back at work in the main office, she continued with her work as usual without missing a beat. Kenzo proved to be a non-issue as he was busy with his own work, only popping into her office to welcome her. That morning she had made up her mind. She wanted him to hear her out and refused to let his assumption be the end of it. Since he was unwilling to speak to her, she was going to where she knew he would be. Before the work day was over, Bra left early and headed towards Rei Technologies in hopes that he would be there.

Bra stood outside of the automated doors, watching as the streams of people began to leave for the day. She waited and tried to sense his ki, but her heart and nerves were racing too much to concentrate. Soon enough Goten appeared, walking out without noticing her. Her feet suddenly felt glued to the ground, her voice mute. She felt paralyzed as she watched him walk off then pause. He was patting his body as if he forgot something and turned around. It was then that he saw her. Their eyes instantly meeting and locking in on each other.

"Goten!" Someone called out to him, breaking the tension. Bra glanced over to see Kirei coming out, her hand reaching out to hand whatever it was he forgot. She watched their exchange and waited for her to leave, turning around so Bra wouldn't be noticed by Kirei.

Bra turned around once she felt Kirei left. But Goten began walking off again, ignoring Bra's presence. Noticing his reaction, Bra ran to him and grabbed his arm.

"Goten." She stood next to him as he turned around and looked at her darkly. "Can we talk, please?"

He pulled his arm from her grip and said, "I have nothing I want to talk to you about right now."

She grabbed him again. "Well I do Goten, please…" she pleaded.

"Fine." He muffled. "Follow me."

She did as he asked till they arrived to his car. Goten opened the door for her but still refused to look or say anything to her. He got in silently and began to drive off.

The tension was thick and the silence was booming. Bra wasn't sure how to start as her nerves began to take over. She looked over at him as his eyes were fixated on the road ahead. She had him next to her just as she desired so desperately since that horrible night, but she was afraid to speak. Fearing that even if she explained the situation with Kenzo, he would still be furious with her.

Just as she began to open her mouth to speak, the car stopped and was now parked. Before she knew it, he was at her door and opening it up for her. She glanced around to see where they were, only to notice that he had parked outside of her parents home. Is he dropping me off? She hesitantly got out and stepped aside as he closed the door behind her and leaned against it. Crossing his arms and ankles, looking down as she noticed he was waiting for her to speak.

"Um, so about what happened…" she started but then was cut off by him.

"Just tell me Bra," he demanded, keeping his eyes down, "who did you move back for me or him?"

"What? Who?"

"Is this why you needed a little more time? To see if Kenzo was more fit for you than me?" His angered eyes lifted at her.

"Are you serious?" Her hands dropped to her sides as she looked at him, flabbergasted at his assumption and tone. "Is that what you-"

"Were you serious when you told me we could start over?"

"Of cour-"

"What's your ploy here Bra? Is the whole point of your move to force the issue down my throat that you've moved on? Is that your way of telling me to get over you?"

"N-no, Goten-" Bra was starting to get frustrated. She couldn't squeeze in an answer through his gunfire of questions as if they were facts. Her heart raced at his heightened anger.

"Kenzo is no prize of a boyfriend either you know. When he was with Kirei he was never around for her. He cheated on her. He used her just like he's probably doing to you too."

"Goten." Her hands rolled up into tight fists as she gritted her teeth.

"He beat up her husband when he found out they were getting married after only a few months of dating because he was jealous Bra. Did he tell you that?"

She couldn't take it anymore. She had heard the story from Kenzo while he helped her move. He was ashamed of what he had done in the past. It angered him to know she was only marrying the guy because of a business arrangement. Especially when Kenzo and Kirei carried on an affair after the fact. Which was discovered not too long after and Kirei had turned her back on Kenzo, blaming him for everything and acting like the innocent party.

Bra needed to do something to stop his outbursts. She understood his anger, but hated that he wouldn't allow her to have a word in. She was tired of him thinking it had anything to do with Kenzo.

"He's no better than me. He's seducing you to get what he wants."

"No he's-"

"He's a jerk and a coward and-"

Bra had heard enough. She lunged forward grabbing at the collar of his shirt and pulling him toward her. Using her body, she pinned him against the car. Pushing at the balls of her feet and with perfect aim, capturing his lips with her own in mid sentence. They stood perfectly still as she waited for his body to release its tension. Her eyes were tightly shut, unwilling to open.

The city surrounding them seemed to vanish. Her heart pounding up to her ears. Fear and adrenaline pulsed through her veins. She couldn't believe her own actions. She wanted to let go and take a step back, but she was too scared to stop, let alone breathe. Afraid he would say something else, maybe even admit that he was back together with Paris.

Suddenly she felt his hand press at the small of her back and his lips beginning to kiss her back. The tension in their bodies began to melt away in the kiss. Her fists loosened their grip as her heels lowered down slowly till they touched the ground below her. Their kiss began to grow with more fervor. Their mouths opening to one another. Goten's hands moved steadily on her body, cautious and eager.

Bra felt the fear lifting from her shoulders. The kiss felt as if she was finally accepting him. That this was her way of telling him how she felt. She never wanted to pull back, relishing in the feeling that this was where she belonged all along.

She tried to hold back the joy bursting inside. Her eyes straining to hold back the moisture beneath them. A single tear managed escape and roll down her cheek. The salty taste of it meeting their lips causing Goten to slowly pull away from the kiss. With their breathing heavy, their faces blushed bright red as they looked deeply into each other's eyes. Her gaze moved lower, watching as his bottom lip tucked in slowly, as if he was tasting the tear on his lips. He lifted a hand to her cheek, wiping away the stain it had left on her cheek. The simple gesture felt satisfying.

Bra smiled embarrassingly, "can I speak now?"

Goten looked at her blankly as she chuckled lightly, trying to hide the fear that surfaced, "it was never about Kenzo, Goten. If anything, I used him to distract me from you. I have an odd relationship with him, I know... but he helped me see things I was too stubborn to let go. He helped me decide to move back to face my fears. But I didn't come here for him. I moved back for you… and maybe my family and niece," she added light heartedly.

"But mainly for you... that is, if you'll still have me... unless you're back with Paris of course, then I feel pretty stupid..." she deadpanned, trying to not let the fear get the best of her.

Goten slowly moved his hands off of her, his glance moved down, almost shamefully. He leaned back against his car. His thumb grazed along the bottom of his lip almost as if he were trying to savor the memory of the kiss.

"Paris..." He paused, looking at his thumb as if he were searching for any traces from Bra. Then rubbing his thumb against the side of his index finger, distracted. "There's something I need to tell you Bra..."

Bra began to brace herself for the news and hoping it wasn't what she suspected. "Are you two… back together again?" She asked, quickly wanting to crawl back into her shell. Her heart beating loudly against her chest and the knots in her stomach tightening as she anticipated his answer.

He shook his head, "no, we aren't... We're completely over, romantically anyway."

"Oh," she said nonchalantly. The little piece inside her secretly jumped up and down with joy as she tried to seem collected.

"But I'm not going to lie to you Bra. Seeing you there with him, of all people, it had an affect on me… I wanted to bash his skull in... I couldn't wrap my brain around it... Just what were you and Kenzo doing there, together?"

"He was just helping me move and get my shit together… and to be honest Goten, he really isn't as bad of a guy as Kirei makes him out to be."

Goten snickered, "I guess... I still don't like the guy... but I thought you lived in Tokyo?"

"I moved within the first year, but it's still around the Tokyo area. Didn't you know that when you booked the retreat?"

"Not really," he smirked, scratching the back of his head. "I'm not even sure where you lived over there. Besides, I kind of booked it out of sheer panic and quick research. I didn't know it was so close... Paris was actually the one that spotted you there. She just about chewed my head off when we got back to the room. Said I did it intentionally so I could try to run into you. It was an honest mistake."

"How was the retreat by the way?"

"That's another thing." He looked away, embarrassed as he scratched the back of his head. "First of all, is there anything going on between you and Kenzo, I mean anything at all- physically, romantically…"

"No." Bra instinctively placed her hands on his chest, "no… not anymore, at least not since the night I ended up at the hospital."

"Not even while he was there with you?"

Bra closed her eyes and shook her head. "Nothing Goten. He really was there to help me move and clear out my fears." Why are people assuming things happened between me and Kenzo at my condo? Is it so hard to believe nothing happened?

"Why did it have to be him? You could've asked anyone else, me even."

"I know. I know... I could tell you all the specifics of each person I considered but it wouldn't matter. I have a lot of reasons Goten. Ones that really only make sense to me... and Kenzo was who I needed there for this. I promise you I don't have feelings like that for him and him for me. In fact, he's still in love with Kirei... But I was serious when I said I needed time to think about things. I'm still scared Goten. More so because I don't even know where I stand with you right now or what I mean to you because of what happened and how angry you were. But all I know is that I haven't stopped thinking about you and want nothing more than to be with you." She proclaimed.

He looked at her, surprised with her confession. "Well then I need to come clean with you because I want you to trust me and know that I would never do anything to hurt you." He said with fear in his eyes. Cautious of how to tell her.

"I know." She worried about what was to come, anticipating what he would say.

"That day, after seeing you with him, then Paris going off on me, I was convinced that you only wanted space so you could be with him. To test yourself if I'm really who you wanted to be with. I was so angry with you and it got into my head. So much so that I ended up sleeping with Paris that night." Goten watched her closely, gauging her reaction as she stood there amazed by what she heard. Her hands moved down slowly, hanging languidly at her sides.

"I see…" she suddenly felt the tightness in her heart grab a hold again.

"I was so sure that that was what you wanted. Even moreso when you told me you moved back. I immediately assumed it to be because of him."

"But it wasn't."

"I know that now. But in that instance I had a momentary lapse of judgement and it was out of anger from both of us. There was no meaning to it, I swear… I'm sorry Bra." He looked at her with sorrow in his eyes. Paris was usually the cause of rough times for them and Bra hoped that it wasn't going to happen again.

"It's ok Goten. There was no need to apologize." She smirked with empathy, thinking of her own past.

"I understand why it happened. It's not like we're together yet anyway," she smiled, "but are you certain it didn't cause her to think of you that way again?"

She had her doubts about Paris and felt a concern over her future relationship with Goten. Afterall, Paris and Goten shared a child and spent so many years together. What if that simple act reignited the way Paris felt about him when they were at the retreat, just like it had when Bra and Goten kissed for the first time since they broke up? Bra had to be sure.

"I don't think so. I told her it was a mistake and didn't change how I felt about her. She knows the only relationship we share is the one involving our daughter. She knows how I feel about you and it wouldn't do her any good to try to convince me otherwise… we've been down that road for too long." He shook his head, smiling at her convincingly as she smiled back.

"And here I thought we were completely over this whole time." She chuckled, "but it looks like we were both fighting an internal struggle."

Bra looked down embarrassingly. They stood quiet in the night. Both not knowing what to say or do next as they were both taken aback by the impromptu night.

"But Goten?" She started, a worried looked painted on her face. He hummed questioningly.

"What if... what if she's pregnant again from this incident?" She questioned, panicking slightly.

"I wouldn't worry about that. She's been on birth control since Karume was born." He assured her.

"Ok... I hope so." she lingered.

"Would it be a deal breaker if by some odd chance she is?" He tested.

Bra thought about it for a second then shook her head and smiled, "no. I know better now. But what if by some odd chance I happen to be pregnant and am not sure if it's yours or Kenzo's. Would that be a deal breaker?"

Goten thought carefully. The silence was making Bra uncomfortable as her smile was starting to turn into a frown. Her mind worrying about her current birth control.

"Well... I would want to just claim the kid as my own, regardless..." he shrugged. "I don't know Bra. But as of now, I just want to work everything out with you... one day at a time, right?"

"Yeah." She smiled slightly. The current situation adding to her pile of fears.

"So…" he trailed off, adjusting his posture to stand. He smiled coyly, his hands sweating nervously. With a slight hesitation, Goten reached to hold her hand in his, their fingers intertwined, swinging happily like a kid, "are we starting over yet or are you going to keep me waiting again?"

"Hmmm," she paused. Lifting her index finger upward, winking one eye closed, teasingly. "Not just yet. I want to go on a proper date with you. Are you available later on in the week? Maybe for dinner some time?"

He groaned playfully and rolled his eyes. "You drive me completely insane, you know that?"

She giggled, "I could say the same."

"I will work something out. Just give me the date and time and I will pick you up." Goten could feel himself smiling foolishly at her.

"Ok then," her smile touched her eyes. Her stomach fluttering. She took a step back, their hands dangling between them.

"I'll see you in a few days. I'll be in touch."

"You better be this time."

"I will." Before her mind could stop her, she leaned in and gave Goten a peck on the lips. Her face blushing scarlet. Bra felt like a giddy high school teenager that just asked her crush out. She couldn't believe what was happening to her. She began walking off slowly, keeping her sights on him and holding onto his hand till their reach wasn't long enough.

"Goodnight Goten." She turned away, increasing her pace.

"Goodnight Bra." His heart felt light and completely elated. He was beaming just as much as she was. He felt so happy and in love. Even if he had to wait a little longer, it had been the happiest he'd felt in a long time.

Bra walked into her parents home, completely elated. She closed the door behind her and took a blissful breath in then out. A giant smile stretched over her face. She felt relief wash over her and her head in the clouds.

"Oh hey Bra, what're you doing here?" Bulma asked as Bra had realized she still had to go back to her own home, forgetting that Goten brought her there.