A/N – :lifts shot glass: Here's to all of my fellow Soldiers and Airmen fighting in Afghanistan, that they may kill, maim, and take prisoner as many of those terrorist bastards as they can. Here's to peace and love, may it prevail in this time of war and sadness. Remember that yesterday is history, tomorrow is the future, and today is a gift. :slams the shot: Happy Memorial Day, all.

Changing Faces

Part 2 – Choices They Make

Chapter 25 – Would Love Prevail

Videl padded down the hall to her room. Upon entering the chamber, she slammed the door shut, fell to her knees, and cried her heart out. Sniffles turned to sobs, and sobs became great heaves of tears and air for her starved lungs. She fell again to a heap; she pulled her hair down and cried into it, clumping the strands together with moisture.

Finally, when she thought she could cry no more, Videl sat up.

This is pathetic. What a warrior I am. Crying over something... that a... a woman wonders over... until... fresh tears streamed down her puffy eyes and red cheeks.

I've got to stop crying. My personal distress is mine alone, and my people need me.

She rose and strode to her vanity and peered at the image staring back, "Look at you. Stop your nonsense. Do you realize what something like this means?" She turned to view the bite mark, "This is your damnation as crown princess. He is simply a man."

Her face ran long, but he makes me feel so good inside, like I'm complete when he is near.

"Complete? You are complete. A complete... mess. Look, your hair is a disaster; your cheeks are red and puffy. Fix yourself up, now," she commanded.

Following her own order, Videl combed her hair. She gathered half the amount from her head and pulled it into a tight bun, secured with gold clasps, the rest stayed down, covering the fresh wound like an embarrassing blemish. She rearranged her bangs to their original place. A warm washcloth returned her cried cheeks to their normal healthy color. She peered at her reflection once more.

But I love him.

"I know. I do too," she replied with a defeated sigh.

At dinner, Gohan joined the royal family in his orange gi. Queen Matiko offered him a change of clothing, but he politely refused. There was no discussion of the ensuing battle between Gohan and the Ruani, only of past sparring matches held for entertainment, or significant honor duals between noble families.

All seems to be going well with this female ruse. If only Videl would look at me, I feel so terrible about presuming her feelings reflected mine.

Videl, unbeknownst to Gohan, could not stop thinking about what had happened earlier.

Gohan, I can sense your distress, her eyes caught his in a fleeting glance, Please be patient; I cannot yet decide my position in this matter as it involves everything I have ever wanted. Or loved.