Disclaimer: I do not own Dbz, it's characters or plotline; this belongs to Akria Toriyama and Toei Animation.

Notes: Just wanted to give you guys a bit of a warning, this chapter is a bit on the darker side and I was really contemplating including it but I really feel that it is an important topic that was never really addressed. Plus, this will tie into a later chapter!

Also, that you for all of your feedback! Shout out to Mr. SupermanNA! I plan on going back to edit most of my past chapters but I won't change anything that would confuse those that don't go back to reread!

I guess Buu wasn't taught the saying: 'ignorance is bliss'.

Gohan's POV

'Why am I seeing this again?...Why now?'

I clench my trembling hands tightly into fists, holding them stiffly at my sides as I helplessly watch Videl's fight take a turn for the absolute worst. Despite knowing the outcome, remembering her pain and anguish, I can't bring myself to look away from the fighting stage. I watch as she continues to receive a series of unrelenting hits, each one harsher than the last. With each hit she manages to land on Spopovich's body, he returns another, his strength greatly overpowering hers with each strike.

'I-I don't want to relive this...I can't.'

I try to move my body forward, needing to end the terrible nightmare, a nightmare that should have never been a reality, but an invisible force holds me back. My legs are frozen in place, preventing me from moving from my position; preventing me from saving Videl. Despite my efforts to move, the painful memory continues to play before me, taunting me with every detail.

Every smack and cry ringing in the air brings all of my traumatic emotions rising to the surface, emotions that I could only wish would disappear from my mind. The sight is just as demented and excruciating as the last time, seeing her body covered in bruises and scrapes, her skin and clothes tainted with her blood.

My stomach lurches as Videl takes a brutal kick to the side of her head, the contact sending her body skidding harshly across the white floor tiles of the fighting stage. She places her arms around her head and neck to protect her fall, sliding only to stop a few feet from the edge of the stage, keeping her in the match. Laying limply on her back, she remains unmoving as Spopovich slowly stalks his way across the stage, his sinister smile as malicious and barbarous as the first time I saw it.

'Stay down, Videl. It's over; don't get up.'

I exhale a staggered breath as Videl gradually lifts her bleeding head off of the ground, shakily raising herself into a sitting position to face her opponent. She raises a hand to her face, wiping the fresh blood from her nose and mouth as she glares up at Spopovich, her confident smirk showing no indication of giving up. I hear Dad and Krillin's worried comments on either side of me, equally as concerned for her safety as I am, but neither makes a move to help.

'No, Videl. Don't do it; you can't beat him.'

Several gasps and protests are heard from the spectators in the stands and behind the stage as Spopovich laughs dementedly, waiting for Videl to get up so he can continue the onslaught of abuse. As my fists clench tighter, I feel my power growing, the air becoming hotter around me as my ki steadily increases as does my rage. I try to take a calming breath through my gritted teeth, knowing that my anger will not save her, trying to remind myself that this is all just a painful memory; it's not real.

'I didn't save her last time either. I just stood there; I stood there watching him hurt her and I didn't stop him.'

"That's enough! Give up, Videl; please, give up! There's no way you can beat him!" Despite my cries and pleas, Videl rises to her feet, her expression etched with a persistent pride that I know will be her downfall.

'I need to wake up. W-why can't I wake up?'

Videl charges forward, her hands balled up tightly into fists as she leaps forward at her opponent. She aims several punches and kicks at Spopovich's body, pouring every ounce of strength she has left into her strikes, but her efforts are in vain. He takes every single attack, their impacts no longer having enough power behind them as his smirk grows with each futile attempt to knock him down. He quickly reaches up to catch her fist mid-punch, surprising her as he holding it close. My heart drops as the back of his large hand makes contact with her cheek, sending her falling roughly to the ground at his feet.

'I can't watch this anymore. I can't just stand by like last time; I need to move!'

As Spopovich cruelly places his foot against Videl's head, pressing her cheek harder into the ground, I reach my limit. The volatile energy I had been suppressing is drawn to the surface as I hear her cries and screams, the sound only escalating my rage. A deep seething hatred fills my heart, a hatred I didn't know I was capable of. Watching as Spopovich is pleasured by her pain...enjoying every second of the torture, I feel a scream rise into my chest and up my throat-

"Gohan!"

Videl's scream rings out, and suddenly, the force holding me back is alleviated. I ignore the inconsistencies of my memories, the sights and sounds feeling all too real. Something inside of me snaps, a sensation I have only felt a couple of times in my life, like when cell had killed 16, when Piccolo had sacrificed his life to save mine, or when I found out Buu had killed my friends and family. It is a pain that festers deep within me, and with that pain...comes a power that I both desire and fear.

'This has gone on for far too long.'

I push past the restricting force holding me back, no longer feeling the resistance of the wind or time as I rush towards the stage. I ignore the protesting calls from Dad and Krillin, feeling nothing but the uncontrollable rage that has consumed my body and mind. In one swift movement, I jab a fist into Spopovich's stomach and dig down, forcing him down into the stage beside Videl's body. The impact creates a large crater in the stage that swallows most of his body, sending debris flying through the air and off of the stage in clouds of dust.

'Somebody like this, someone that would dare to touch Videl like that...they don't deserve to be in this world.'

I move to stand over Spopovich, my fist clenched tightly as the pressure from my ki travels from my fingertips like electricity, engulfing my whole arm. I channel out all of the sounds surrounding me, ignoring chants of the crowds in the stands, the protests from my friends and family from behind the stage, and Videl's soft voice weakly calling my name.

"G-Gohan, please...please don't..."

'I am doing this for Videl. I can't let anyone hurt her like that again; never again.'

I stare down into Spopovich's eyes, looking for anything in him that could be redeemed, but I am met with his mocking grin. The sadistic expression is etched into my brain, silently taunting me with his memory. As my eyes cloud with fresh tears, no longer able to hold in my anger, I harden my resolve; I am not longer afraid. Without a second more of hesitation, my arm darts downwards, plunging straight through his chest and into the floor of the stage below him.

The stage crumbles beneath Spopovich's limp body as I pull my arm back, most of his body now disappearing beneath the rubble. I lean back and stare down at the wreckage and then my hands, taking in the weight of my actions. Looking down at what is visible of his lifeless body, I am surprised to feel nothing. The pain and contempt that I had felt...everything had vanished. The only feeling that I'm left with is the profuse adrenaline flowing through my body, a greater power than I had ever thought possible.

'This feeling-'

"Gohan..."

I look to my side, seeing Videl now turned over onto her side, staring up at me with an unfamiliar expression. Her eyes are overflowing with fresh tears, streaking down her cheeks and neck. Her eyes shift from mine to Spopovich's body, a look of shock and panic rushing across her features as she weakly kicks her legs, trying to push her body away. I crouch down to her level, lowering myself to my knees as I reach out to her, extending a hand to grab her own. Before I can come close, she flinches away, her eyes meeting mine in a way that hurt more than any attack could.

'It's not Spopovich that she is afraid of, it's...me.'

"V-Videl? No, please-"

"V-Videl!" I quickly sit up in my bed, gasping for air as the sheets slide off of my torso and onto my lap.

I...I'm awake?

I whip my head up to frantically look around my dark room, grounding myself back into reality when I recognize my bedroom and not the tournament stage. I sigh deeply, placing a hand to my chest to pull on my white t-shirt which clings to my skin. I close my eyes and concentrate on the familiar ki signatures throughout the house, relieved to know that everyone was still sleeping, having not been disturbed by my outburst.

Panting heavily, I reach up to run a shaking hand over my face and through my hair, my skin hot and damp with sweat. Still feeling the aftershock of my nightmare, sleep no longer becomes a priority in my mind. I move the rest of the sheets off of my body and swing my legs over the side of my bed, placing my feet onto the cold wood floors. I pull on my grey sweatpants, feeling my body pooling with heat. I hang my head down, looking at both of my hands resting on my lap as I recall the events of my nightmare.

D-did I...really do that? Did I kill Spopovich? That's...that's not me...and in front of Videl?

"Videl..." I quietly whisper her name into the darkness of my room, knowing that my voice wouldn't reach her.

I need to see her; now.

Videl's POV

I knew I should've let this one go to voicemail but, knowing Erasa, she will keep calling until I pick up.

"Sorry I didn't pick up earlier, Rase; It's been one hell of a crazy night." I stifle a yawn as I leave my room to pace down the dimly lit hall, making my way downstairs towards the kitchen for a snack.

"With Gohan-"

"N-no!" I clumsily fumble my phone in my hand, nearly dropping it down the stairs in the process.

I feel my cheeks heat up as I press my empty hand to my heart, feeling it pounding harder beneath my hand at the recollection of our heated moment prior to Dad's interruption. I stop halfway down the staircase, leaning against the railing and sigh contently at the memory. Reaching up to press the pads of my fingers to my lips, I try to recreate the pleasurable sensation of his lips stroking mine, but the artificial feeling could never compare.

I wonder what would've happened if Dad hadn't shown up? How far would he have taken it? With the way things were escalating, and how...forceful his touch was, would he have scrapped his plan to wait? Would he have taken me right then and there? I can already feel myself getting hot at the very thought...

After Dad found out Gohan had been in my room, Dad went into his typical overprotection overdrive. Despite changing my curfew to nine o'clock and demanding that I'm not to be alone with Gohan, I think even Dad knows that he can't really enforce those rules. His rules for 'dating someone stronger than him' certainly apply in this case. While other boys have some level of fear of my Dad, if not of me, Gohan is certainly the exception.

Still, I'm surprised that Dad's somewhat on board with our relationship. I think Gohan saving the world from Cell, and allowing Dad to take the credit and fame, has a lot to do with it though.

"Do we have to do this right now? It's only...two o'clock on a Friday morning. We've only got five more hours of sleep and I could really use all of the hours that I can get. I'm still running on the tiny amount of sleep I had the night before. We can talk during first period." I continue to make my way down the rest of the stairs and turn the corner, headed down one of the many quiet corridors.

I shift my cell phone into my other hand as I run my empty hand along the wall, searching for the light switch. Once my fingers hit the button flipping the lights on to illuminate the ridiculously oversized kitchen, I am thankful to see it empty of chefs and maids. The kitchen staff had already clocked out shortly after cleaning up the dishes from dinner, leaving me to serve myself.

"C'mon, V. You owe me answers, big time. I've been in the dark for far too long; it's time to come clean, Missy. I want to know everything." I roll my eyes and step into the kitchen, quietly cursing as my bare feet make contact with the cold marble floors.

Shit, it's like walking on ice! Stupid cold weather.

The chilling air and snowfall recently started to pull in from the mountains, signifying that the holidays are right around the corner. There are rarely more than a few inches of snow that pile up in the city and when it does, it is usually melted down by the next day. However, the blizzards can pick up in ferocity farther into the mountain area, causing massive avalanches and snow piled up to a few feet in height.

With the weather like this, I wouldn't be surprised if it snowed a bit tomorrow.

I put my cell phone on speaker and place it on top of the counter, not worried about anyone overhearing as I am certain everyone in their right mind would be sleeping at this ungodly hour. I make my way to the fridge, regretting wearing only a thin oversized t-shirt as the cold air rushes out as I pull the handle, sending a wave of goosebumps across my legs. Shivering at the sensation, I hastily reach for the milk, needing to reach up onto my toes to gain access to the higher shelf.

Of course Erasa wants answers. No gossip flies over her head, she'd see it coming a mile away in her makeup compact mirror.

"Alright, alright. If you want answers, I'll tell you what you need to know. I'm guessing you want to talk about what happened last night? Then, I'm sure by now you've seen the news-"

"Of course I've seen the news, who hasn't? Is any of it true? They say that Saiyaman totally has the hots for you; not surprising though, I mean...what guy doesn't? But the real question is: are you into him too?" My hands jerk at her blunt questions, completely missing the glass while trying to pour my milk.

Erasa's outburst causes half of the jug to spill across the counter, the milk dripping down the drawers and onto the floor. I sigh in annoyance and set the jug back down onto the counter. I reach for my phone, quickly turning off the speaker, not wanting Erasa's voice to travel to every house in the neighborhood. Grabbing a nearby towel, I start to soak up the mess, becoming more flustered by the second.

And it always has to come back to that.

"Erasa! How could you even ask me that? I already told you about my feelings for Gohan. I would never-"

"I know you would never do anything to hurt Gohan, but that doesn't mean Saiyaman isn't still interested. You two have been spending an awful lot of time together fighting crime, so it's probably just some mixed signals happening. Maybe you should talk to him; if he really is a nice guy and he cares about you, you should at least let him down easy. Then again, maybe I'm wrong; maybe love is in the air." Squeezing the phone between my shoulder and ear, I wring out the cloth into the sink, watching the murky milk wash down the drain.

At least Erasa uses her head before jumping to conclusions. She may be light-headed and a bit ditzy sometimes, but at least she's open-minded enough to see through all of the idiocy that the press manage to come up with.

"There's nothing going on, Rase. This is all just a big rumor caused by people needing something to gossip about; everybody is feeding off of this like leeches. When Saiyaman and I are together, it's strictly work. He's a great guy and I trust him, but there's nothing romantic going on between us and there never will be." I toss the damp cloth into the laundry hamper and lean back against the sink, the edge digging into my lower back.

I hate lying, especially to those that are close to me, but this isn't my secret to share. If I told her the truth about Gohan being Saiyaman, more questions would surely follow. I trust Erasa, with all my heart, but the fewer people that know a secret, the better it stays a secret.

I push off of the sink and make my way back out into the dark hallway, turning off the lights behind me. I keep the lights off, not wanting to risk waking anyone up as I use the railing to guide my way back up the stairs. I press my phone back up to my ear, hearing Erasa mumbling incoherently to herself on the other end before I cough lightly into the microphone, drawing her attention back to me.

"Oops, sorry. So, have you spoken to Gohan about it? I'm sure he's seen the news by now, or at least heard-"

"Yea, I-uh spoke to him after school when he dropped me off." I make my way up the last step and turn the corner, heading to my personal wing of the house.

"Are you sure that's all you two did when he dropped you off?"

Wouldn't she like to know.

I lift my hand to grip my bedroom door handle, my ears burning with an embarrassment that I'm glad no one is around to witness. I turn the handle and step inside, not bothering to turn the lights on as I shut the door. I quickly open my mouth to quietly chastise Erasa, becoming more and more rattled by her constant teasing in my ear.

"Erasa! I already told you-G-Gohan?..."

I look up from my bedroom floor to my balcony window, surprised to see a familiar figure standing outside. Still holding the phone to my ear, I clear my mind and concentrate on the energy, confirming it to be Gohan. I step towards the balcony doors, looking to my nightstand alarm clock which reads two-thirty in the morning.

Why is Gohan on my balcony this early in the morning? Maybe something is wrong-

"Gohan what? What's going on, V?" Erasa's confused voice forces me out of my daze, causing me to jump slightly at the urgency in her tone.

"I-uh have to go! Sorry, Rase! I'll see you tomorrow!" I lower the phone from my ear and quickly end the call, not prepared to give an explanation for having Gohan in my room at this hour.

Erasa would love that conversation all too much.

"W-wait! Is he with you-"

CLICK.

Gohan's POV

I know I shouldn't be here right now, but I need to see Videl; I have to make sure that she's okay.

I quickly raise my head up at the sound of the balcony door swinging open, relieved to see Videl standing in the frame, leaving the door propped open enough for me to see her body. Without a single word of explanation, my eyes openly roam down her figure, completely enchanted with how beautiful she looks. I notice the way her white t-shirt hangs loosely off of her left shoulder, and how the bottom of the shirt stops teasingly high on her thighs. Her flawless skin glowing under the moonlight, making her look all the more captivating, showing no signs of injury.

Thank goodness, Videl's alright.

"G-Gohan?..." Videl must have noticed my stare because I notice her hands begin to lightly tug at her shirt, fruitlessly trying to cover more of her legs than her shirt would allow.

I draw my eyes back up to Videl's deep blue ones as she steps out onto the concrete floor of her balcony, purposely lifting up to balance her weight onto the balls of her feet. She takes a few quick steps towards me, shifting from foot to foot as she looks back into my eyes with one of her brows raised in a confused expression. I open my mouth to reply, but seeing the concern in Videl's eyes stops me, knowing the extent of her tenacity when it comes to secrets.

I can't tell Videl about the nightmare. If I do tell her...then she might push farther...then I'd have to tell her everything.

"...Gohan? What are you doing out here-"

I step forward, reaching my hands out to grasp Videl's shoulders, quickly pulling her tightly against my chest. As I hold her body close to mine, I feel my fears and self-doubt slowly slipping away. I move my head to rest the side of my cheek on the top of her head, inhaling deeply to breathe in her soothing scent. I feel her posture gradually loosen in my arms as she shifts her hands which had been squished between our chests, bringing them up to wrap around my back, returning my embrace.

I don't want her to know that side of me...that could be capable of such things. I don't ever want her to be afraid of me, to look at me the way she had...

"...Gohan?..." I feel her head shift underneath my cheek,

I'm not ready to let her go.

"I'm sorry...I...I just wanted to see you." I slacken my hold on her back, allowing her to pull back as she raises her head to look into my eyes.

I had spent the entire flight here caught up in my nightmare, seeing the fear in Videl's eyes as she looked up at me. I wasted no time flying here, relieved to sense that she was still awake. After touching down on her balcony, I had felt her ki signature elsewhere in the house which had prompted me to wait outside. When I had seen her silhouette through the curtains, millions of doubts and insecurities ran through my head, taunting me with the memory of my failure.

"You don't need to apologize, Gohan; I'm glad you're here. D-did you want to...come in? It's getting a bit breezy out here, and I'm not exactly dressed for the weather." Videl pulls away and takes a step back through the doorframe, crossing her arms and rubbing them with her hands, trying to keep warm.

I should probably let her sleep; she must be exhausted. It would be selfish of me if I continue to keep her awake.

Videl continues to look up at me, waiting patiently for a response, her cheeks and nose becoming flushed from either the cold or the alternative and more...suggestive implication; likely the latter. My Feeling my own cheeks becoming warm, I simply nod in response, wordlessly stepping through the doorframe and closing the door behind me. I kick my back shoes off at the door before walking over to the center of her room, keeping my eyes focused on the opposite wall where her self holding her picture frames is hung.

I hear the rustling of the curtains before sensing Videl crossing the room, moving to stand in front of me, our chests barely touching. I move my eyes up to hers, seeing her smiling up at me, seemingly unaware of the conflict stirring within my mind, causing a deep turmoil that even her touch couldn't completely take away. Keeping her eyes locked on mine, both of her hands move to cup one of mine, watching carefully for my reaction with each movement.

"Come." Videl tugs lightly on my hand, guiding me over to the side of her bed to sit on the edge.

It wasn't that long ago that I had laid on her bed before, caught up in our moment of passion, but now...now I don't know what to feel.

Videl moves in front of me, standing between my legs as she places her hands on my shoulders, rubbing them lightly in a soothing manner. Feeling my body relax under her touch, I close my eyes and lean my head forward, resting against her chest. Her hands stop moving for a moment, allowing me to wrap both of my arms around her small waist. One of her hands leaves my shoulder, moving up the back of my neck to weave her fingers into my hair, lightly massaging my scalp.

We stay like this for a moment, neither of us saying a word as we continue to hold each other in a comfortable silence. I hear Videl sigh quietly into my hair before her hands still their movements as she pulls away, causing me to raise my head off of her. I keep my arms wrapped around her as I look up to her face, seeing her looking back at me with a soft and gentle smile.

Should I even be allowed to be here with Videl...like this? Do I deserve to have someone as special as she is?

I feel both of Videl's hands move to cup my cheeks, affectionately rubbing her thumbs along my skin as she closes her eyes and leans down to place her lips against mine. I follow suit, raising my chin to meet her lips in a slow and gentle kiss, using my hands around her waist to pull her closer. She brushes her lips She places a knee on the bed between my legs, using it as leverage to lift herself up and onto my lap, straddling my thigh.

I feel my worries slipping away as I move my hands down to the tops of Videl's thighs, gently tracing along her soft skin, moving her shirt up along her legs. She parts her lips moans quietly into my mouth, giving me the opportunity to-

"Wait..." I instantly halt my movements and pull my face back, intently searching Videl's expression for any sign of discomfort or pain.

This was too much; this was a mistake. I shouldn't have come...

Videl looks back into my eyes, taken aback by my hypersensitivity. I lift my hands, ready to remove them off of her body, but her hands quickly move down to grab my wrists, holding them in place. Her eyes become saddened and unsettled the longer she stares into mine as if being able to see right into my soul, trying to make sense of my atypical demeanor. She opens her mouth to speak, her voice as soft and reassuring as her expression.

"Gohan, I feel like you're hurting. I know something is wrong...but you don't need to tell me if you're not ready. Just...lay with me for a bit, okay?" Videl releases her grip on my wrists as she gently traces her fingers up to my forearms, giving them a comforting squeezing.

I don't know what I'd do without her, what I'd do if I ever lost her.

"Okay." I nod and reach my head forward, placing a small and gentle kiss on Videl's cheek.

As I pull away, Videl gives me a shy smile, content at the simple but meaningful gesture. Videl swings her leg to the side, placing both of her knees on the bed to crawl around me to the other side. I watch with interest as she kneels beside me, pushing my shoulders down until I am forced to swing my legs onto the bed, settling comfortably on my back over the sheets. I rest my head back against the pillows beneath me and let out a yawn, suddenly hit with a wave of exhaustion.

I look up to see Videl leaning over her side of the bed, digging around before rising back up with a large white throw blanket. I laugh quietly as she tosses the blanket over my body, tucking me into her bed as if I were a child. While tucking my feet under the end of the blanket she whips her head up to face me, sticking her tongue out in a childish manner, only causing another round of laughter.

Videl is all I could ever want, all that I'll ever need...

Before tucking in the side closest to her, she slides her own body under the sheets, shifting hold body closer to mine. Understanding her intentions, I move my arm outwards, allowing her to move over it to snuggle into my side. She lays on her side; her head rests against my left peck, her right arm wrapping around my stomach, and her right leg hooked over the top of mine, spooning the entire right side of my body.

I move my right arm to wrap around her back, pulling her close against me as I soak in the warmth and pleasure of having Videl so close to me in a way that is more intimate than any kiss could ever be. For the moment, my distress and trauma seem to withdraw from my thoughts, leaving my body and solely focused on her.

I did fail Videl, but now I need to make up for it; I need to get stronger for her.

"Goodnight, Gohan." I dip my head down slightly to place a kiss on the top of her head, feeling my own consciousness slip away.

"Goodnight, Videl. Thank you."