Chapter 6: Resolutions

Goku looked up in hope as Vegeta entered through his bedroom window and landed neatly with a click. "Did Bulma have any suggestions?"

Vegeta, dressed in jeans and another cropped T-shirt, this time in purple, looked a little nervous. Goku stopped pacing. He hadn't changed since he got up and was still dressed in a loose blue gi pants. "So Bulma couldn't help?" His face fell in disappointment.

"No, she had an excellent suggestion...in fact, in all probability you would be able to retain custody of your brat. That wasn't really why I'm nervous..." Vegeta clutched the hem of her T-shirt in trepidation. Shit, this is worse than going into battle...how do I say this? I thought I got it all planned out last night...what's wrong with me now? She opened her mouth a few times to say something but her tongue feels laden. A slight blush had started to work its way up her cheeks. Goku watched in puzzled fascination.

Vegeta took a deep breath. Right, I'm the Saiyan no oujo, I'm brave, I'm cool, I'm in control here. She strode determinedly over to the larger warrior and pushed him back onto his bed. Goku landed on his seat with a huff of surprise. Vegeta stood in front of him, her eyes now level with his. Placing her hands on his bare chest, she asked softly. "You have maintained an interest in me since Namek?"

Goku nodded, a faint hope abruptly springing forth in his heart. "Since I first fought you on Earth in fact."

"How committed are you?" Her slim fingers trailed circles around his nipples, raising goosebumps.

Goku slid his arms around her slim waist. "If you would have me, forever." His voice became a husky whisper.

Her hands trailed up his chest and along his corded neck to entwine in his spiky black locks. "I accept." She leaned forward to nuzzle her nose in the crook of his neck, inhaling his spicy masculine scent. She had never noticed he smelt so good before. "I accept you as my mate." A playful, sensual nip on the sensitive skin of his neck sent shivers down his back.

A low rumbling purr from his chest resonated forth and Goku growled, tightening his embrace and falling backwards on his bed. Vegeta squeaked in surprise as she lost her balance and fell between his legs and onto his chest. Their breaths hitched as flashing ebony eyes locked. Goku broke their gaze and started to plant soft kisses up her creamy throat, still purring. "You have no idea how happy that makes me, how I've wished for this moment."

Vegeta arched her throat at the delicious sensations, an answering purr breaking forth. Now that she had finally admitted her feelings to herself, she dropped her prideful barriers and indulged in the animalistic heat of the moment. Squirming and moaning, the lithe princess was inflaming Goku's already sensitive senses. Trailing kisses and licks up her jaw, his large hands roamed feverishly along her body and back.

A tentative knock on the bedroom door broke their passionate embrace. Goku barked in irritation. "Yes?"

"Dad? Are you all right?" Gohan stood nervously outside. He had felt his father's and Vegeta's ki spiking, however it doesn't sound like the two were fighting. Some sixth sense warned him not to simply step into his father's bedroom as he always did.

"I'm fine." He sighed ruefully as the two disengaged themselves, the mood broken. Vegeta ruffled his hair playfully, smirking. "Is it time for you to go to school?"

"Uh huh."

"Alright, give me five minutes to change and I'll see you downstairs."

Vegeta gave a quick lick along his ear and a saucy grin. "I'll love to kiss you now but you're still sick." At his puppy-dog pout, she continued more seriously. "How do you feel today?"

Goku stood up, combing his fingers through his thick mane into some semblance of order. "I feel better...I'm not coughing as much and I don't feel as weak. My chest doesn't hurt as much as well."

Vegeta frowned. "Saiyans don't fall sick easily." That fact had been nagging at her; in fact she cannot remember the last time she fell sick.

Reaching out for a white T-shirt, Goku froze, a memory returning to him. A memory of a lavender-haired teen a few months ago. ...heart virus...you died of a heart disease...falling sick on and off...too weakened to fight the androids... The teen's words came back to haunt him.

Rummaging frantically through his dresser, he sighed when he found the precious vial. According to the teen, a drop or two should suffice. Tilting his head back, he squeezed a drop onto his tongue. When Vegeta looked at him in puzzlement, Goku decided to explain. Who knows, Vegeta may also be in danger from this heart virus...Trunks said that Gero had engineered this for me but Vegeta is a Saiyan too.

Vegeta was shocked, no flabbergasted, at Goku's tale. Her wide eyes blinked rapidly as she examined the small vial in her palm. A son...that was my son? Ok, technically not my son...some male Vegeta's son. Handing the vial back, she shook her head. "I do not feel ill at the moment." Goku looked anxious but did not press the issue, turning to keep the medicine back in his dresser.

Feeling better already, Goku got dressed and headed downstairs with Vegeta. Gohan was waiting in the living room with his school bag.

"Dad! You are feeling better?" The young demi-Saiyan chirped excitedly.

Goku laughed and ruffled his son's hair affectionately, looking at Vegeta meaningfully. "Never felt better."

However, as the trio headed towards the door, they heard the dreaded sound of an air-car whine outside. Chi Chi walked up the path like the grim reaper.

"Gohan! Are you ready to leave with me?" Before Chi Chi could reach for her son though, Vegeta stepped in front of her, a cold smile on her face. "The boy will not be leaving with you."

"And how do you plan to stop me?"

"It can be proven that Kakarotto can provide a stable and loving home environment."

"How? With only a single parent..."

"Not any more. I have accepted Kakarotto as my mate." Chi Chi's smug smile fell off her face. Vegeta continued evilly. "And since you have initially abandoned Gohan with his father when you left, you have negated most of your claim on the boy."

"Still, Goku has to show that he can provide for his family." Chi Chi hissed. "And that bum does not hold a steady job."

Pride stung, Goku was about to retort that he had earned some money from the tournaments in his past when Vegeta replied loftily. "As the Saiyan no oujo, all Saiyan investments and holdings...are mine. And there are a few here and there." She crossed her arms smugly and smirked.

Chi Chi glowered angrily, rendered speechless for a few minutes. "Goku still owes me alimony payments."

Vegeta's smirk grew positively vicious and pulled out her ace (figuratively). While the two women had despaired over the alimony demands, Vegeta had off-handedly made a remark about how ugly the harpy's new boyfriend was and Bulma had of course listened with interest. Bulma had found the description naggingly familiar and called Yamcha, who had confirmed the mysterious boyfriend's identity. The popular baseball player had seen them around town a few times.

"Your boyfriend outside," Vegeta indicated with a flick of her head, "is the richest man in the city other than Bulma. You hardly need alimony payments." As the furious woman started to splutter, Vegeta continued coolly. "If I am not mistaken, much of his income derives from the tournaments he wins."

A pause. "If he wishes to be able to maintain such a lifestyle..."

The two males were clueless while Chi Chi was now turned red with rage. "You dare??"

"Kakarotto might decide that it would be fun to enter tournaments again. After all, he *would* need a source of income if he had to pay alimony." The oujo cracked her knuckles eagerly. "Who knows? I might find it ... amusing to take part as well." She smirked maliciously. "That would be a sight, wouldn't it? The Champion...beaten by a woman half his size."

Chi Chi paled. Looking at the smirking oujo, she knew she was beaten. Clenching her jaw, she gritted out. "Alright. You win."

"You will give up claim on the boy." Vegeta stated in a harsh tone.

A reluctant nod.

"You will also not pursue alimony claims." Another reluctant nod.

Father and son stared at Chi Chi's fuming back as she stalked back towards the car. "What happened here?"

Vegeta smirked wickedly. "Oh nothing much. Just that Chi Chi won't bother us again."

"But..what's all that about the alimony?"

"Didn't you realize?" Vegeta widened her eyes innocently. "Her boyfriend out there in the car is Hercules Satan. The richest man, aside from Bulma's father, in Satan City."