Goten made his way into Orange High and sighed. He remembered last year with all the bruises and hurtful comments made by his peers. High school would never be the same without Trunks by his side. He opened his locker, got his books, and headed to homeroom. Before lunch started, he went back to his locker to put away the books he didn't need and took out the books he needed for his two remaining classes. He was about to head to the cafeteria, but he felt his body slam against the lockers.

"Hey loser, stay out of my way. Can't you see you're taking up my space?"

"Sorry Jin, I forgot how much space your body took up." Goten smirked at him. He saw the anger in his eyes as he lifted him into his arms and threw him hard into the lockers. Goten was slumped against them as Jin, and his gang walked away from him, laughing their heads off.

After Goten ate his lunch outside, he came back inside and into his next class. The bell rang, signaling his last class would begin soon. He made his way to his seat away from the jocks and cheerleaders. The professor came in and told the class to quiet down. "I have an announcement to make before I discuss the class. We have a man who has a lot of experience about business who will be with us this year, so I want you to show some respect to our guest."

Goten couldn't help but be curious about this mystery guest, and he didn't know why. He heard another pair of footsteps enter the room, and his eyes widened, his heart was beating loudly, and he felt his body start to sweat. "Why?" He whispered. He took a deep breath and contained himself to look down at his best friend who felt someone looking at them. His blue eyes went right to his, and he smirked. "I'm in trouble." He said inside his head. "Big, big trouble."

"I'm Trunks Briefs, and I'll be talking to you about my experiences in the business world this year." Before he got another word in, the girls screamed in an excitement, and the jealous boys were brooding while the jocks were cheering.

Goten shook his head as he rolled his eyes. Trunks was popular. He would always be popular while he would be the guy who everyone ignored, made fun of, or beat up. He never had these problems when he and Trunks were going to school together. He shifted in his seat and winced at the bruise forming on his back. It would be sore, but he would be ok.

The professor brought the students back to his attention. "I know how you're all excited about having Mr. Briefs here for a year, but you will treat him with respect, understand. Alright now lets get started with talking about the syllabus." Goten spaced out the professor and found his eyes wanting to see what Trunks was doing but he didn't want to risk Trunks's eyes on him. The bell rang, and class was over for the day. As Goten made his way down the stairs, he noticed a crowd of girls surrounding Trunks, and he laughed as he walked out of the room, knowing Trunks heard him. Goten came to his locker, taking all of his things out of it and putting it into his backpack. When he closed his locker, he heard a familiar voice trying to find him through the swarm of students.

"Uncle Goten."

Goten went toward the voice and picked her up onto his shoulders, so she wouldn't be crushed by other people. "Pan, what are you doing here?"

"Grandma Chi-chi is talking to a girl."

"Why should I care?"

"Grandma says she's your fiancé."

"What! You've got to be kidding me. She's choosing who I should marry now."

"She says after the scare you gave her, she realizes how short life is, and you shouldn't waste it being single."

"Well I have to talk to her and sort this out."

"Good, that girl's really stuck up."

Goten listened to Pan about her day at school while still on his shoulders. He smiled about her excitement and thought about how he use to be like that. A frown appeared on his face. Pan noticed a figure leaning against the entrance of the school, and she smiled. "Trunks."

"Hey Pan, what are you doing here?'

"I could ask you the same question."

Goten listened to Trunks and Pan talk while he just watched them. As soon as they stopped, they both stared at him. "What?"

"Your mom has gone off the deep end this time Goten," said Trunks.

"I know, but I can deal with it. I'll just tell her I don't want to get married."

"She is not going to take that very well."

"She'll just have to accept it Trunks. I'm not just going to settle down with someone I don't love."

"Way to go uncle Goten. I mean my parents got married because they loved each other," said Pan. "Grandma and Grandpa got married because they loved each other and don't forget 18 and Krillin."

"You forgot Bulma and Vegeta," said Goten as Trunks snorted. "What this time Trunks?"

"My parents, are you sure you want to go there?"

"Yeah, if any two people are truly in love. It's your parents."

"What makes you think that Goten?"

Pan was intrigued.

"Well for one their fights. It's enjoyment for both of them. When no one is paying attention to them, they stare at each other, and I think I've been over more times than I'd like to when your parents are having sex. I mean where have they not done it?"

"Hopefully not my room," said Trunks. "You know the more I think about what you said the more it makes sense. Since when did you take an interest in my parents?"

"I get bored easily," said Goten as he smiled.

Trunks laughed. "So, you want moral support?" Goten felt the warmth from Trunks's hand on his shoulder.

"No, I don't want you to be there when all the screaming happens. It's not pretty believe me."

"What are you kidding me that's the best part." Trunks smirked. "And you're my best friend, so I want to come and be on your side."

"Ok, but I've warned you."

Trunks drove Goten and Pan in his car to the outskirts of the city and to their home. Pan got out and ran to the house. When she went inside her grandma's house, her eyes widened. "Valese."

She turned to Pan with a smile. "Hi Pan, good to see you."

"I can't say the same you hurt my uncle."

"I was just telling your mother how sorry I was. I regret what I did. I love Goten, and I want to marry him."

"Like hell you will."

"Trunks, what a surprise." She noticed Goten standing behind him. "Hey Goten."

"What do you think you are doing here Valese? I thought I told you I never wanted to see you again." He turned to his mother. "I'm not getting married to Valese or any other woman you choose for me. I know you're concerned about what happened, but I'm still here. I have a life to live, and I won't spend it tied down to someone I could never love. You just want grandchildren." Goten walked out the door while Trunks and Pan followed him.

"I can't believe you stood up to grandma like that. You're my hero," said Pan as Goten smiled.

"Thanks Pan. It's good to know you're on my side. You know you're dad thinks I should settle down to."

"Of course he does, he's a momma's boy," said Trunks.

"So are you Trunks," said Goten as Pan laughed.

"Whatever," said Trunks. "I have to say though I'm impressed but more than that I'm proud of you. You know what you want."

"Thanks Trunks that means a lot to me." Goten placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder and smiled at him. Trunks thought he saw something in his eyes but dismissed it.

"Grandpa," said Pan as he gathered her up in his arms. "Hey Pan, how's it going?"

"Grandma was talking to Valese about marrying uncle Goten, and he stood up to her and told Valese to go away."

"Really, he did now," said Goku as he looked right at his youngest son. He put down Pan, and she went inside her house. Goku walked towards him. "Goten."

"I know it's not respectful to talk back to my mother but when she tries to run my life, I get defensive," said Goten.

"I understand son, but she just wants what's best for you."

"She wouldn't know the first thing dad. She wouldn't even now that I've found someone."

"WHAT!" exclaimed Goku and Trunks. "That's great son." He smacked his son on his back as Goten hissed. "Goten are you ok?"

"Yeah dad. I'm fine nothing to worry about."

"Bullshit." Trunks muttered as he crossed his arms.

"It's none of your business."

"Since when chibi? I'm your best friend remember and besides you've been in my business plenty of times. And who's this someone anyway?"

Goten watched his father go inside their house, closing the door behind him. Goten turned to Trunks who was waiting impatiently for an answer. "Well?"

"I spared with Uub early in the morning."

"I didn't feel your ki."

"How would you know unless you felt for it willingly?"

"Just what are you trying to imply Goten?"

"N-nothing, I'm just teasing you Trunks. You don't have to get so mad with me."

Trunks sighed. "I'm sorry chibi, work has been rough, but I want to know about this person you're with."

Goten was hesitant at first, but he knew if he didn't say something, that Trunks would annoy him until he did. "There's really nothing to tell. They don't know I like them, and I think they wouldn't like me anymore if I said something to them."

"Well that really tells me a lot."

"It's all you're getting."

"Oh come on Goten, tell me something." His curiosity was overwhelming.

"Well this person is the best person I know."

"If you're saying that, then I have to meet this person and help you win their heart."

"No way Trunks just let it be."

"Why? Why won't you take a chance? Maybe you'll be surprised."

"I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask."

They walked towards Goten's house as Valese walked out. She smiled sadly at Goten and then got into her car, driving away. "I wonder what that look was about?" asked Trunks.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Before they made it inside the house, Goten sensed a familiar power level and heard Trunks call out to them.

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

"You're mother thinks we need to bond."

"Why?"

"She said she wanted some alone time with your companion."

"My companion." Trunks was confused at first but then he looked at Goten. "You mean Goten?" His father nodded.

"Did she say why she wanted to see me?" asked Goten.

"No."

Trunks and Vegeta were off into an area where they could have privacy. Goten turned towards his house and decided to see Bulma before he confronted his mother. He flew off into the direction of the city. He landed at the front door of Bulma's home and rang the doorbell. He heard footsteps come to the door. His eyes faced Bulla's, and she smiled. "Hey Goten. What are you doing here?"

"Your mom wanted to see me, and I don't know why."

"Oh sorry come in."

"Mom! Goten is here." Bulla left the room and went down the hall.

Bulma led Goten into the living room, and he sat down beside her. "Bulma, what am I doing here?"

"I wanted to talk about your feelings for my son."

"Wh-what are you talking about? Trunks is my best friend."

"You can't fool a romantic Goten."

"How'd you know it was Trunks?"

"Well when you were about to respond to my question about who you loved, Trunks came through the door, and a blush spread on your face."

"Oh."

"I always had a feeling you were the one for my son."

"Wait. You would allow it?"

"Yes. I believe you make him a better man."

"Bulma, I can't. Besides the fact that he would never feel the same, I would lose my mother."

"Lose your mother?"

"She would probably disown me or better yet hate me because I don't live up to her cookie cutter life for me. I'd rather have your son as a friend then nothing at all. Even if he felt the same, she wouldn't let me anywhere near me. She would probably send me off to college far, far away."

"How about we get some air?" Goten nodded and followed her into the backyard. They sat outside. "How long have you felt this way?"

"Pretty much since I became a teenager. You won't tell Trunk, promise me."

"I promise Goten, but you know eventually you'll have to tell him yourself."

"I guess."

"So, I heard what happened today with your mother. Pan called and told me. She really loves you, you know."

"Yeah, she's the best my niece."

"You know your mother has always been an aggressive person. That's how she got your father, but he loves her to so it worked out with that situation. I understand she did it because she feared you would die before she had any grandchildren from you."

"It always seems to be about her you know. She never considers what I want and now I have abandonment issues about my father."

A frown came onto Bulma's face. She thought about Vegeta and how whenever he went out for the day, he would always come home later in the day. He stayed with her, Trunks, and Bulla. She never understood it. He could've left at any time to leave her with the children, but he stayed. Her smile came back.

"I know how much my father means to his friends and family. He's the earth's hero. He protects the earth and fights evil and although I see that, I see something else that no one else seems to see."

"And that is?"

"Someone who loves his first son more than he ever loved me and how could he? We're practically strangers."

"Goten. Don't say such things."

"It's true." He sighed. "I have to go. My mom's going to not be happy that I'm not home." Before he flew away, he turned to Bulma. "You're a great mom Bulma. Trunks and Bulla are lucky."

"GOTEN!" yelled Bulma. He didn't turn and stop. He just kept going.

Bulma sunk into the chair and cried with her head in her hands. An hour later she calmed down and looked up at the sky. It was going to rain. She got up and was about to go inside, but she noticed Trunks and Vegeta had returned from their bonding moment. "So, how'd it go?" she asked.

"You really don't want to know mom." Trunks blushed.

She turned to Vegeta and smiled. "You embarrassed him, didn't you?"

He smirked but frowned along with his son.

"What?"

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"What makes you think something's wrong?" She ran her hand through her hair.

"Your face is wet," said Trunks.

She brought her fingers to her cheek and wiped them away. "Oh well I was cutting an onion, and they make my eyes tear up."

"Bulma," said Vegeta.

They way he said her name in a soft and caring voice, though he would never admit he spoke that way to her, she felt her defenses come down as she came into his arms. "Oh my kami, Vegeta." She started to cry, and he felt her tears on his clothes. He brought his muscular arms around her. His face was full of concern, and Trunks was floored by the whole scene before him that he almost forgot about Goten.

"Mom, where's Goten?"

"H-h-he's at home," she replied.

Trunks tracked Goten's ki to find he was at Hercule's. "He's not at home. He with Videl's father."

"Go ahead son." He nodded at his father and flew off. He knew his mother was in very good hands.

Vegeta was silent as he comforted his mate with his actions. He wanted to ask what made her so upset, but he had a feeling that it was Goten's decision if he wanted to reveal himself. He felt Bulma relax in his embrace, and he pulled away to look at her but no letting her go completely.

"Why? Why did you stay?"

He looked right into her glassy, beautiful eyes and responded. "You know why."

She smiled as she brought her lips to his in a kiss. It soon became very passionate as he responded to her kiss.