A/N – don't worry, by the end of this story, your questions should be answered. If they aren't, feel free to email me.
Changing Faces
Part 2 – Choices They Make
Chapter 14 – Videl's Request
"Videl, that was quite an entrance," Gohan commented with a grin, "You better come in the window before people below think you'll jump."
"Jump?" Her voice was a little deeper, maybe a twinge of sadness too, "Oh right. Not everyone here can fly... I keep forgetting that."
"That's okay," Gohan said as he stood up.
Videl gave him a once over and suddenly Gohan realized he was wearing boxers! With a face crimson red, he offered her the couch as he raced to his room for real pants, emerging seconds later. He pulled up a table chair and sat backwards.
"So, what brings you back to Earth, Videl," he asked.
She shifted as a stab of pain ran up her spine, "Although it is good to see you again, Gohan, I've come under much more somber matters than the first time we met."
Finally she gave up and stood, alleviating the uncomfortable sting.
"Things are very different on Pandova now. We've been invaded by a ruthless bunch, bent on making everyone their slaves, killing the stronger minded, and growing their monster," her voice turned bitter, "It's been awful, Gohan. People die every day, more become mindless slaves, tending to their 'special work.' We have tried everything," her tone and expression softened, "Everything. Some gave everything."
Gohan's face remained blank as she started pacing. He noticed the light limp.
"You favor your left leg," he commented evenly.
"Yes," she hesitated, but continued, "Pain is the price of my failure. I accept the exchange."
"Right," he murmured.
She stopped pacing and looked at him.
"You do not have to answer my next request immediately; I would perfectly understand if you strait out refuse," she paused for added gravity, "We need your help, Gohan. No one on Pandova has the amount of power you wield. With your assistance, my people might live another day, and something that could affect the entire universe will be stopped."
Gohan bit his lip thoughtfully, "So you're asking for my help, against this thing that not even your strongest warriors could defeat."
"I know this might be overwhelming, and as I said before, I understand if you refuse. But being turned down was worth the trip here if it meant I might actually get your consent."
Wow... Videl is asking my help, just like she asked my help before. Man, why not? If this thing is as bad as she said it is, I might as well take it out now before it can get started on the rest of the universe.
"Let's see, if I send my mother a note telling her not to pay any more semesters until I write back, I should be fine," he said with a smile.
Videl momentarily forgot all pain as his answer decoded itself. "You mean you agree?"
"Sure. I help my friends when they need it," he said in all honesty.
Friends? I like the sound of that. She smiled back.
"Good. Let me write a letter to my mother, pack, and then we can go."
His stomach grumbled.
"Uh... heh, I guess I'd better eat too," he laughed lightly.
