Kakarrot, how much do you love your son?

Goku shuddered. Very little got under his skin. Being a fighter, it was vital to let most threats roll off your back, otherwise, you ended up a mess. For the most part, he'd done pretty well at that.

This battle with Broly had broken his composure.

Grunting, Goku made his way to his feet. With Vegeta, Trunks, Piccolo, the alien survivors, Krillin, Roshi and Oolong along with himself and Gohan, the tiny Capsule Corp ship was stuffed to the gills. But now that they were well along in the journey, everyone had gotten situated enough to form a walking path—somewhat.

Vegeta and Piccolo had all but planted themselves in the far corners of the ship, as far from the crowd as possible. Not surprising. Goku was surprised he hadn't had to break up a fight as of yet.

But he was settled on another goal.

He side stepped around a collection of folk, smiling at the relief painted on their faces. He wasn't sure what they'd do when they got to earth. Mount Paozu was big; maybe they could set up a new home in one of the valleys or glens.

Slipping up around one of the windows, Goku knelt and set his hands on Gohan's shoulders. The boy startled, just a bit but turned his head up with a smile. "Hey, Daddy."

"Hey, little man, whatcha doing?"

Pointing out the window, Gohan grinned. "Watching. I don't usually get to see stars from this angle."

Goku followed his gaze. "Guess you don't, do ya?"

"Nope." Gohan pointed at a large cluster of stars, reflecting multiple colors. "Saw a little on the way to Namek but this is different. It's a whole different section of space. I think that's a nebula. Aren't they amazing?"

While Goku couldn't follow all of what his son found amazing, he could certainly appreciate all the neat sights. You didn't usually see reds, yellows or greens in space!

"They are pretty neat, ain't they?"

The two of them just sat there, watching the sights as they flew by for a long time. Goku loved to see his son's eyes light up like that. When he gazed out into space, that was all Gohan was focused on and Goku loved to see it. He would be glad to just sit and watch his son lose himself amid the star gazing.

Kakarrot, how much do you love your son?

Shuddering again, Goku shook his head, trying to dislodge the threat from his mind. Broly was dealt with. There wasn't a danger anymore.

Gohan, hanging limp, almost lifeless and for all his strength, Goku hadn't been able to reach him. Despite all his efforts. If Piccolo hadn't shown up when he did, his son…

Goku wasn't an idiot. He knew all too well what a blast like that would have done against a ten year old that was unconscious and had no way to raise his ki to defend himself.

Without Piccolo, there wouldn't have even been a body to bury.

Kakarrot, how much do you love your son?

Goku wrapped his arms around his son and held him tight. The boy gave a low yelp in surprise but relaxed and responded by hugging back. Goku relished in the moment.

"Daddy? Are you okay?"

Goku knew fear. It was a common emotion. As excited as battle might get him, fear was usually tight on its heels. In a way, that was good. It heightened the senses, improved the reflexes.

This went deeper than fear.

This was terror.

Goku hated the feeling. A sick, twisted burning in the gut that traveled to and infected every cell of his body. Gone was the focus, the energy, the raw power.

Terror had gutted him. His limbs had ached, his heart pounded, his lungs burned. All he could think of was getting to Gohan. Enough that he missed clear and obvious body and environmental signals that he would have singled in on otherwise.

Kakarrot, how much do you love your son?

"Daddy?"

Goku shook his head, rested his chin on Gohan's head, savoring the boy's heartbeat. It was music in his ears, a rhythmic promise that all was right in the universe.

"Daddy's fine, Gohan. How about you? You took more damage than me."

Wrinkling his nose a moment before he realized his father was talking about the battle, Gohan laughed. "I don't think so, Daddy." But he gave a grin. "But I'm okay."

"Good. Bet your mom is gonna be pretty upset with us."

Wincing a little, Gohan nodded. "Did you get to finish the interview this morning at least?"

Goku rubbed the back of his head. "Not really." With an awkward laugh, he said "They'd just asked me my hobbies when King Kai called. So I instant transmitted out."

Despite it all, Gohan laughed. "Ah! I bet their faces were great!"

"Probably." Goku squeezed the boy again.

Kakarrot, how much do you love your son?

"I bet Mom handled it though. Least you didn't have to sit through that."

"True." Goku smiled, ruffled the boy's hair. "How 'bout we take Mom cherry blossom viewin' tomorrow, eh? Since we both kinda missed out today."

"Another picnic?" Gohan beamed. "Sure!" His face fell. "Unless Mom wants me to study to make up for today."

"You let me worry 'bout your mom. I betcha I can convince her."

"Really?"

"I can be persuasive if I want." Goku stood, hand still his son's shoulder. He knelt again, briefly, resting his forehead on his son's.

Kakarrot, how much do you love your son?

" Did Mom quiz you this morning?"

Drawn back to the present, Goku grinned. "Yep. Maybe it's best I got pulled outta that interview. Dunno how well I woulda done."

Making his way down from the window, Gohan shook his head. "I think you woulda done okay. Hobbies is an easy question. What else were they asking?"

Scratching his temple a moment, Goku said, "Favorite words."

Blanching a bit, Gohan shrugged "That's a weird question. I dunno what mine would be. Maybe creativity?" He looked up. "What would you have said, Daddy?"

Kakarrot, how much do you love your son?

Eyes warm, Goku smirked. Pulling the boy tight into his side, he cherished it. His son was alive. Unspoiled. And nothing was going to come after him.

He was safe.

How much do I love my son? Dunno, Broly. Don't think they make words that can describe that. It's deeper, wider, stronger than you could even comprehend.

With another laugh, Goku pulled Gohan up and settled him on his shoulder. "What would I have said?"

"Yeah. Your favorite words."

"Hard question, little man. But…I've grown pretty fond of 'Daddy.'"