A/N: Hello everybody! *ducks rotten tomato* Sorry it took me so long. ^^; I've been sitting in front of a writer's block the size of my house for the last… *counts on her fingers* Five, six months? Has it been that long? I'm so sorry! Anyhow, I smashed my writer's block into a zillion pieces yesterday, and added a whole lot to my fic over the night, and I figured I should put it up before I get killed. Enjoy! I'm finishing it as fast as I can!

Skye gave herself a pat on the back for a job well done. She'd heard Videl's  yelling loud and clear, and it was music to her ears. Feeling immensely happy, Skye dismounted her horse and led her into the stall, then patted her on the neck. She loved it when things went her way. Winding her way through the garden, Skye found Trunks cutting some of the larger roses. She smirked evilly and silently crept up behind him. Skye drew a breath, then shrieked as Trunks wheeled around and caught her in his arms, pinning her against his chest.

"Oh damn." Trunks grinned and shook his head.

"You thought you could sneak up on the king of all Saiyans? Shame, shame Skye." Skye rolled her eyes and tried to slip out of his grasp, but Trunks had his arms locked tight around her waist.

"What am I going to do with you?" Skye sighed and twisted around so she could look at him.

"You could let me go."

Trunks chuckled and whispered in her ear, "But that wouldn't be any fun." Skye giggled and disappeared, leaving Trunks empty-armed and off balance. One push, and the mighty king toppled into the grand fountain, splashing water everywhere. Trunks sat up, looking annoyed, and tapped his fingers on the marble rim of the pool he was sitting in.

"May I ask what that was for?" Skye shrugged and smiled sweetly.

"That? That was for fun." Trunks stood up and wrung out his dripping clothes.

"I knew I should have worn armor today." Skye laughed and pecked him on the cheek, then darted back down the path before he could catch her again.

"I'll make it up to you later!"

Gohan sighed and squinted up at the sun again. Skye sure was taking a long time. He heard the door to the courtyard open as Skye strode in, then turned and bowed to her. Skye smiled and pulled her hair up, wrapping a dark blue ribbon around it as she walked to the center of the yard.

"Sorry it took me so long. I never knew being a queen was so hectic." Gohan laughed.

"Try being a Captain. Sir, we need this. Sir, help these troops. Train these recruits." He shook his head and half-smiled.

"It's insane." Skye bent over to stretch her legs out.

"I know. I'm surprised Bulma and Vegeta didn't lose their minds." Gohan ran his fingers through his hair. "Well, Bulma is used to being in charge of things, and she keeps a pretty cool head… when her life isn't in danger." Gohan sweatdropped, remembering the way Bulma would have a fit when they were on Planet Namek. Skye just kept on stretching, trying her best not to burst into giggles.

"And Vegeta…"

Gohan just suppressed a smile and said, "Well, he's Vegeta. He was just made to be a royal snot." Skye rolled her eyes in agreement.

"I'm glad I never met his father." Both Saiyans managed to keep a straight face for a few seconds, then they both collapsed to the ground, laughing.

Vegeta folded his arms and leaned against the wall.

"Of course I was made to be royalty." Skye and Gohan jumped up and stopped laughing, worried that Vegeta had heard a little too much of their conversation. Vegeta smirked and watched their rapidly paling faces.

"I think you'll have to cancel your little… sparring match." Vegeta's grin widened as both Skye and Gohan swallowed.

"The Queen's birthday party is starting soon, and the woman insists that you wear a dress." At this news, Skye groaned.

"Not again." Bulma poked her head through the door and smiled cheerfully.

"Yes again! And you're going to stay in it this time. For the rest of the day."

Skye rubbed her temples and muttered, "You've got to be kidding me." Bulma clamped her hand around Skye's arm and dragged her around the corner.

"You may be the queen now, but you still answer to me. Now move it." Gohan tried not to laugh as Skye looked back at him and mouthed the words 'help me.' Then Bulma gave a vicious tug, and poor Skye was pulled around the corner. Vegeta shook his head.

"To think, a half-blood as powerful as her, getting dragged around by my human wife. And it happens to me as well. It's positively humiliating." Bulma poked her head back around the corner and smirked mischievously.

"Oh, come on. You know you like it Vegeta." Then she was finally gone, and Vegeta's ears turned a slight shade of red.

"We'd better go get ready." And with that, an embarrassed Vegeta was walking as fast as he could towards his rooms. Gohan snickered.

"I'm glad I don't get dragged around." And that brought his thoughts back to Videl. Bitchy Videl. Stubborn Videl. Pig-headed Videl. But still, his Videl.  Gohan sighed and ran his hands through his hair. It would be so easy to apologize for not believing her, but she was acting so immature. And the fact that she'd practically beaten the crap out of him… She wouldn't have done that if she really cared about him. She was just being a sore loser. So she rubbed her minor victories in everyone's face. And Gohan couldn't bring himself to overlook that. And since she proved she hated him, Gohan was returning the sentiment. He wasn't being that mature either, but he had a right to be hurt. And he had more than enough reason to be angry.

Videl examined her reflection in the mirror, very pleased. She'd found even more of her clothes from Earth, in good condition even. And they still fit nicely, if a little tight. She didn't mind though. In fact, that was what she wanted. Because she had an agenda that day, and she would have to flaunt everything she had. Although, in the outfit she was wearing, she wouldn't have to work very hard.

Gohan picked up one of the wine glasses, trying not to crush it in his hand. The wine was dark burgundy, conforming to the smooth curve of the crystal. He stared at it, almost fascinated. Sadly enough, it was the most interesting thing in the party at that time. Sure, the room was practically packed with guests, and the queen was weaving through the room greeting and chatting with them, but it was still incredibly dull. Of course, there was always the flock of girls that seemed to follow him everywhere, but all they did was bat their eyelashes and giggle. Maybe, if he drank a little, things wouldn't be so boring. So, picking up another glass in addition to the one he already held, Gohan made his way to a deserted table, off to the side of the room. Luckily, none of those idiot girls followed him. Vegeta strode by, looked at the two glasses in his hands, and smirked.

"Don't drink too much boy. That wine is stronger than what you're used to." Gohan shook his head and plopped down, set his extra glass on the table, and began to sip the first one. Soon, he was staring at the bottom. So he drank another. And another. And then a few more after that. In what seemed like only a minute, he'd begun to show the typical signs of drunkenness. Slurred speech, blurred vision, a sudden urge to chat with anyone and everyone, and most importantly, trouble staying on his chair. The first few times Gohan tipped, he managed to right himself. But then someone scooted by, rocking Gohan's chair and tipping him off the side. Gohan's eyes focused for the first time in an hour, and what he was seeing was the carpet rushing towards his face. He squeezed his eyes shut and waited for his nose to smash into the floor… but it didn't happen. Gohan opened his eyes again, and found himself staring at the neck, and cleavage, of a young woman. Gohan sobered up enough to blush, then shakily stood up.

"Th-thanks." Raising his eyes to those of his rescuer, Gohan blushed even more. The girl who'd caught him was the loveliest, sexiest creature he'd ever seen. About half of her long, ebony hair was pulled into an elegant knot at the back of her head, while the rest fell to below her waist. Eyes the blue of a clear autumn sky framed by dark, thick lashes looked back at Gohan as her cranberry stained lips curved into a smile. Gohan's gaze couldn't help but slip down to a silvery-gray tube top that seemed almost too small, the way it clung to every curve. His eyes slipped further, to an ankle length black skirt with a slit that reached to her mid-thigh, revealing sheer black stockings. The girl smirked and reached down, gently pulling Gohan's chin back up so he could look her in the eyes.

"You're welcome." She pulled him up and helped him towards the door.

"Umm, where are we g-going?" The girl frowned, an expression of concern flitting across her face.

"I thought you would want to go to the sick ward. You are trashed." Gohan swallowed the lump in his throat. What he wouldn't give to just kiss her then, right on those full, pouting lips and wrap an arm around her waist.

"I'm uh, fine. Yeah, I'm fine." He slapped on the typical Son family grin and gestured toward the table. "You wanna s-sit back down?" The girl smiled and nodded, making her hair ripple down her back like water.

"I'd like to." She moved past him, her hand just barely brushing his. Gohan inhaled and detected the slightest trace of jasmine. Ahh… heaven. Even if he hadn't been drunk already, he still wouldn't have been able to think straight. The girl turned around and tilted her head to the side so her hair hung over her shoulder.

"Are you having trouble walking?" Gohan shook his head and started after her, swaying from side to side every few steps.

"I am perfectly f-fine." Gohan's foot caught on the leg of a chair and he stumbled, surprised when the girl again caught him by the arm, moving too fast for him to see. She shook her head and hoisted him up, his arm draped over her shoulder and hers around his waist. Gohan flushed dark red when he noticed that he could very easily look down her top in this position. Sighing in welcome relief, Gohan sank back into his chair and winced as the girl sat down beside him. How could he keep from making a fool out of himself when he was too drunk to talk without stuttering?

"S-so, you know the Queen?" The girl shrugged, averting her eyes for a moment.

"We're acquaintances." Oops. Bad subject.

"Umm, you know many people on New Vegesai?" The girl half-smiled.

"People, no. Saiyans, quite a few. Not personally, mind you. Just a few friends here and there." Ah, progress.

"How long have you been around here?" The girl tilted her head to the side and propped it up on her wrist, resting her elbow on the table.

"Hmm… almost a decade now." A decade? How many years was that? Aw, who cared about math when you were talking to a gorgeous woman?

"You fight?" The girl smirked.

"Very well, I'd like to think."

"How long have you been at it?"

"Ever since I can remember. My father was a famous warrior." Alarms went off in Gohan's head, this was waaay too familiar. Gohan decided to ignore them though. After all, this girl was a Saiyan, right? And what Saiyan didn't start sparring the minute they were old enough to walk? The girl snapped her fingers an inch away from Gohan's nose, bringing him back to reality with a start.

"Am I really that boring?"

"No! Of course not, I was just thinking. Sorry about that." The Son grin was back in place and he placed his hand behind his head, exactly the way Goku did. The girl returned the grin and stood up, holding her hand out.

"Want to dance?" Gohan glanced at the dance floor, where Skye and Trunks were embracing and giggling, both of them looking slightly intoxicated, surrounded by dozens of additional couples.

"I, ah, I'm not that good." The girl pulled him up by the wrist and started leading him away from the table. She looked over her shoulder and winked, making Gohan's head spin even faster.

"That's because you're drunk."

Gohan had warned her. He really had, but she'd ignored the advice. Instead, the girl had pulled him onto the floor and gently pulled his hands around her waist, completely oblivious to the furious blush that was climbing up from the base of his neck. The blush only darkened when she rested her hands on his shoulders and her head just below his collarbone, which made her well-rounded bosom press against his chest. Gohan felt his Saiyan side kick in, the voice in his head urging him to pick her up, bring her back to his room, and mate with her. The planet's largest moon was reaching its fullest soon, signaling that it was time for him to claim a female before he was forced to wait alone for the next season. She was beautiful, probably strong, and, his Saiyan side reasoned, having progeny with her would be, in all honesty, quite enjoyable. Gohan's conscience and his common sense were quick to follow, quieting the animal urges surging through his system to a whisper. Of course, they were still there, still insisting that Gohan make this creature his before she was claimed by another, or worse, before she decided that she disliked him. Of course, his body was siding with his Saiyan instincts, and Gohan's arms reflexively tightened around the girl's waist, pressing her to him. The girl didn't protest, in fact, she didn't react at all.

Good, Gohan's Saiyan side declared.

Now we will find an excuse to leave, and we will bring her with us. Gohan quickly pushed that particular voice to the recesses of his mind. He could think about mating all he wanted later, but for now he was going to be a gentleman. The girl sighed, tugging him back to reality. Gohan realized his hold on her had tightened considerably, to the point where her entire bust was pushed against his chest. To make matters worse, one hand had slipped up her back to the crown of her head, and was stroking her hair softly, while the hand on her waist had crept somewhat lower. She definitely wasn't angry though. Gohan was shocked to hear her purring, like a contented cat. Gohan's Saiyan side resurfaced, the voice louder than ever.

She is pleased with our attentions. If we mate with her now she will consent without a single complaint.

No, Gohan insisted. I am not going to do that. The Saiyan side gave in and sank back into the depths of Gohan's consciousness, leaving him with an interesting little dilemma. How could he communicate the fact that he liked her without being forced into mating? His thoughts were put on hold though, as another drunken Saiyan stumbled over to the girl, pulling her out of Gohan's arms and into his own.

"Hello gorgeous." The girl made a face and pushed the drunkard off her, sending him sprawling to the floor. The other Saiyan started to stand up when Gohan stepped between the two. The Saiyan on the floor whimpered submissively as Gohan grabbed him by the throat and squeezed, his hair flickering blonde and a low, guttural growl issuing from his throat.

"Get away from her." The Saiyan scrambled as fast as he could off of the dance floor, which was pretty quickly considering that he, like everyone else, was drunk at the time. The girl smiled as Gohan turned back to face her.

"Thanks." Gohan's power level dropped back down and he took a deep breath.

"And here I was thinking you didn't care, Gohan." The gears in his head ground to a halt as Gohan tried to process what the girl had just said. She knew his name, even though he hadn't told her. She was also under the impression that he disliked her for some reason. The gears started turning again as Gohan narrowed his eyes and took another look at the young woman. Black hair, blue eyes, well-toned muscles, obviously Saiyan but no tail-

"Videl?!" Videl smiled cheerfully.

"Ding ding ding! You've just passed the sobriety test."

"What are you doing here?" Videl cocked her head and looked at Gohan quizzically.

"What do you mean what am I doing here? Everyone is obligated to attend the Queen's birthday celebration." Gohan threw his hands up.

"What are you doing here with me?"

"I caught you before your nose got flattened, you invited me to sit with you, I asked you if you wanted to dance, and you came along."

"You lied to me!" Videl smiled sweetly.

"No I didn't. I never said I was someone else. You were so drunk you didn't recognize me, but that's not a lie." Gohan's mouth hung open as he realized she was right. She'd just made him look like an idiot.

"But… but…" Videl clucked her tongue and patted Gohan on the shoulder.

"It's alright. I don't mind that you were looking at mine. Your ass isn't so bad either you know." Gohan jerked away angrily and raised his arm to slap her, but before he could bring it down, Videl caught him by the wrist.

"You might be SuperSaiyan, Gohan, but you're also drunk." Her eyes glinted evilly.

"You do the math, boy genius." Gohan frowned and pushed Videl away, turning away to leave the dance floor.

"I'll see you tomorrow then!" Videl flashed a bright smile as Gohan glanced over his shoulder, then she disappeared into the crowd of guests.

Beyond humiliation, Gohan decided to go back to his apartment. It would be easier to avoid Videl that way. He was almost home free when a hiccupping Vegeta slapped him on the back.

"And where are you going, brat?"

Gohan stared down and mumbled, "I'm going home." Vegeta laughed.

"Oh no you're not! You're not leaving unless it's with one of those girls!" Gohan turned around and groaned, as his apparent fan club began to close in. Gohan looked to Vegeta for help, then started to whine as Vegeta gave him a shove.

"But they're so annoying!" Vegeta actually smiled, looking very cheerful for a change.

"Exactly. So if you leave with one of them, the rest will follow you. And then they won't be following me." Gohan gave up, grabbed another wine glass, and swallowed it all in a single gulp.

"I guess if I get really drunk it won't be so bad." He was right. After another nineteen wine glasses, it wasn't bad at all. Gohan stumbled around the room, laughing uncontrollably, with several women attached to each arm. The rest of the group followed behind, snatching up every single object he dropped. Even the boot Gohan lost as a result of a particularly nasty fall was buried under a heap of crazed girls. Of course, there was still a group of girls chasing Vegeta around. Eventually though, he gave in and drank another twenty-three glasses of wine, ending up even farther gone than Gohan. The scene was enough to make Videl sick. She was leaning against the wall, watching with narrowed eyes as Gohan flirted and wrestled with every female in the room… every female except for her, that is. And Skye, of course. Gohan might be a prick, but he was far from stupid. And suddenly, inspiration. The perfect way to get back at Gohan was to flirt with someone else. And seeing as he was drunk and his wife was flitting about like a hummingbird, Trunks was the perfect target.

Trunks was sitting at the bar, trying to out drink Goku… and he was definitely losing. Goku had never been the brightest star in the galaxy, and after having a good sixty-eight shots of Jose Cuervo, he was about as intelligent as your average toddler. Chi Chi was straining to keep him on the barstool as he laughed and rocked back and forth, tipping down another shot about every twenty seconds. The poor woman looked almost sorry that she'd left her quiet home in the outskirts, where Goku's friends could hold him up instead of her. Videl slid onto a stool next to Trunks and gave her cutest smile.

"Can I have a shot?" Trunks hiccupped as his face reverted to his usual half smile.

"Sure!!! On the house!!!!!" Videl tried not to laugh, since everyone already knew the drinks were free. Picking up a shot glass, Videl clinked it with Trunks' and gulped down the tequila. The alcohol went straight to her head, sending it spinning and buzzing as both Saiyans laughed. There was another Saiyan that wasn't laughing though. The fur on Skye's tail bristled with fury as a low growl rose in her throat. She watched as Videl flashed another smile at Trunks and left. Her vision clouded from the combination of alcohol and rage as she started moving in the same direction as Videl. Everyone has a point where they have to hurt someone, and Skye had just hit hers.

Videl shed her skimpy clothes and pulled on her typical training outfit- her heavy armor over spandex shorts and a T-shirt. She'd had enough of the party, and since she couldn't tease Gohan anymore, she had better things to do. She trotted down the hall to the gravity room and closed the door behind her.

"Let's see…." Videl cocked her head, trying to decide how much gravity she'd train under.

"Maybe… 109." There was a beep as the machine set and Videl felt the change. Everything suddenly felt like lead, dragging her down towards the floor. Of course, that was expected. She'd been increasing the gravity every other night for the past month. Videl dropped to the floor on her forearms and lowered her body until she was an inch from the floor, then pushed back up, clapping her hands together before catching herself. She grunted and half-smiled to herself.

"One. Only 999 to go."

Skye teetered to the door of the gravity machine and caught the edge of the door, hiccupping. She would like nothing more than to kick that little whore's ass right then, but even Skye could recognize when she was drunk. Besides, Videl seemed to be bent on proving herself to everyone, training almost as often and as hard as Vegeta. All in all, Skye decided that a fight was out of the question. Besides, there were easier ways to get revenge. Skye shoved the door to the gravity machine open and stumbled in, having a little bit of trouble with the gravity. Videl froze in the middle of a push-up and sprang to her feet, glaring at the intruder.

"I'll be done in fifteen minutes. Think you can wait, your highness?" Skye smiled like the drunk she was and shook her head.

"That's alright. I just thought I'd tell you what your boyfriend- oh, I mean, your ex-boyfriend is doing…" Videl wiped the sweat from her brow and cocked an eyebrow.

"What are you trying to pull now?" Skye shrugged.

"I just thought I'd give you the heads up, seeing as I, unlike you, am a civilized person." Videl's eyes narrowed. The bitch was pushing it now.

"And what are you being so kind as to warn me about?" Skye ignored the note of contempt in Videl's voice and smirked.

"Well, I might have been hearing things, but I saw Gohan leaving with some other girl, and I had to take Trunks back to his room before he passed out, and, well…" Skye averted her eyes and paused, watching out of the corner of her eye as Videl fumed.

"Just say it!"

Skye moved her eyes to the ground and frowned, "I was walking past Gohan's apartment, and I thought I heard... moans." Videl laughed and shook her head, but inside it felt like someone had stabbed her.

"Nice try." Both women looked at each other and their eyes locked, and Skye smiled in triumph when she saw the doubt behind Videl's bravado.

"Just warning you." Skye spun around and managed to keep her balance, then strutted out of the gravity machine with as much dignity as a drunk could have. Videl plopped down, cross-legged, on the floor, and held her head in her hands. She had pushed Gohan away, and because of that, maybe, just maybe, what Skye claimed could actually be true. Of course, there was only one way to find out.

Videl jogged across the open courtyard, towards the complex where Gohan lived. There were no lights on anywhere. Still trying to decide what to do, Videl stopped just outside the door. His window was only five floors up. She could fly up, take a quick peek, and be gone before he knew she'd been there. Videl made up her mind and lifted off the ground, keeping as close to the wall of the building as possible. She stopped just outside Gohan's window and carefully took a quick peek. The room was almost pitch black, but a little filtered moonlight was enough for a Saiyan to see by. Gohan was lying in bed, with another girl, petting her auburn hair sleepily. Their clothes were thrown carelessly around the room, and as Videl watched, the other girl smiled and wrapped her tail around Gohan's wrist. Gohan growled and grabbed the girl by the hips, and Videl quickly dropped to the ground before she saw any more. She'd already seen more than enough. Videl clenched her fist and bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming. This was not what was supposed to happen! Gohan was supposed to beg her to come back, not sleep with some bimbo from a party! Videl looked up at the nearly full moon and swallowed the lump in her throat.

"If that's the way you want to play it, Gohan. Fine. I don't need you. I never needed you! I never loved you. Never even liked you! Never did, never will!" Somewhere in the back of her head, Videl knew she was lying. This was her fault, and it might be permanent. Faint sounds, a sort of thumping, as if someone was banging on a wall, drifted down from Gohan's window. Funny how something so small and quiet could seem so much like mocking laughter.

Gohan yawned and rolled over. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and stared out the window. The sun was almost directly overhead. He'd overslept!

"Shit!" Gohan immediately threw the sheets off the bed and crawled off, or he tried to. Gohan's knee hit something, rather, someone, and he tumbled off the edge of the bed. It took a second for Gohan's vision to stop swirling before he noticed there was a girl peering into his face.

"That was my hip, thank you very much. Jesus, you weren't half this clumsy last night." Gohan blinked again.

"L-last night?" The girl's frown twisted into a smirk and her tail twitched in amusement.

"What? You don't remember? I can refresh your memory…" The girl leaned forward to kiss him, but Gohan rolled to the side, letting her crash to the floor.

"What the fuck was that for?!" Gohan quickly pulled himself up, grabbed a pair of boxers, and tossed the girl's clothes to her.

"Get dressed, and get out." The girl huffed indignantly and stomped out, muttering something about men and PMS. Gohan couldn't have cared less. Less than thirty seconds later, Gohan was sprinting out the door and to Vegeta's wing of the palace.

"Vegeta!!!" After about a minute, Vegeta opened the door a crack and peeked out.

"You woke me up, brat! What do you want?!" Gohan shoved the door open and let himself in, then crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at the shorter Saiyan.

"What was being served at that party last night?" Vegeta cocked an eyebrow.

"What, that wine?"

"Yes, that wine! What the hell was in it?!" Vegeta smiled proudly.

"That was my idea. The woman was insisting on having some of that weak vintage crap, but I wanted everyone to have a good time, so I added a little vodka. That's all."

"You mean you spiked it?!" Vegeta made a face.

"If you want to put it that way."

"You got me drunk, dammit!" Vegeta looked at Gohan the way a professor would stare at a college student who'd just figured out that 2 + 2 = 4.

"So?"

"So I'm not a virgin anymore!" Vegeta smiled and slapped Gohan on the back.

"Good job! So, you made up with Videl? Did you make her scream?" Gohan shoved Vegeta's hand away and narrowed his eyes. 

"No, I don't like her anymore, remember? I slept with a whore, Vegeta. I was so trashed that I slept with a whore." Vegeta just smiled again.

"Congratulations. Two firsts in one night. I never thought Kakarot's brat would have it in him." Gohan threw his hands up in exasperation.

"I didn't want to lose my virginity to a slut!" Vegeta shrugged.

"Neither did I, but things never happen the way you plan them, do they?" Gohan grabbed the smart-ass Saiyan by his T-shirt and pulled him off the floor.

"Vegeta! I am NOT happy about this! I love Videl, and then I sleep with a fucking prostitute!" Gohan's eyes widened and blushed as Vegeta pried himself out of Gohan's grip and dropped to the floor, with his signature Prince-of-the-Saiyans smirk plastered across his face.

"I thought you didn't like her anymore…" Gohan growled in frustration.

"Well, I do sort of miss her, but I'm not apologizing just because she went on a power trip and decided to knee me in the gut because I didn't side with her! I am NOT apologizing because she was being a bitch!" Vegeta folded his arms and glared at Gohan.

"Then why are you being such a dumbass? If she's going to treat you like that, then forget about her." Gohan sighed.

"I can't do that. Yeah, I'm mad at her, but I still miss her. I still want to be with her..." Vegeta rolled his eyes.

"You're just like your father. A big sap. Here's a little advice from a real man- We all have to do things we don't want to, but sometimes that one little thing, in your case, an apology, will help clean up the mess you're in. If you apologize first, the woman might wise up and apologize to you. If you want her that badly, then have some balls and just tell her you're sorry." Gohan's eyebrows arched and he stared at Vegeta.

"I never knew you could give good advice." Vegeta snorted.

"I'm royalty. I deal in politics. And politics are just like handling women. Kiss their ass until they give you what you want, then do whatever." Gohan managed a half smile and ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay, I'll remember that." Gohan started walking towards the door, then turned back to Vegeta.

"Thanks Vegeta, you really were a big help." Vegeta shoved Gohan out the door.

"Don't get used to it, brat." Gohan blinked as the door slammed shut, and then sighed. Vegeta had always been a little weird.

Gohan scratched his head, trying to think. It was almost two in the afternoon, so where would Videl be? Probably not in her room. The gravity machine was a much more likely choice. The girl was definitely starting to resemble Vegeta, the way she was always training. Gohan jogged down the hall and smiled to himself when he heard a series of thunderous crashes. That machine was going to be trashed again within a week. Rounding the corner, Gohan was blinded by a flash of light, followed by another explosion. If Videl was the one in there, her ki attacks were definitely getting stronger. Gohan went up to the door and timidly peeked in.

Videl was standing in the center of the room, surrounded by a dozen training droids. Two of the droids swooped towards Videl from either side while a third fired a ki blast from behind her. Videl quickly dropped to the floor and let the two robots fly over her head, and then back flipped onto her feet again in time to deflect the ki blast. The attack glanced off the side of one of the droids, disabling its engines, but the second droid flew straight into Videl, smashing into her right shoulder with a sickening cracking sound. The droid spun wildly away from her shoulder, and then joined its partner as both droids dove straight at Videl again. Videl gritted her teeth against the pain in her arm and whirled around, delivering a hard roundhouse kick that sent both droids flying into the disabled one. Those three droids clattered to the floor, while the remaining nine tightened their circle around Videl. This time, four droids fired ki blasts while the other five zoomed out and around Videl, then back in to attack her weakened shoulder and head. Videl jumped up this time, and used her good arm to fire ki blasts at five of the droids, and then she quickly blocked as one of the faster droids swooped towards her face. The little droid ricocheted off of Videl's forearm, then was sent crashing to the floor with a solid axe kick. Videl groaned as one of the droids caught her by surprise, smashing into her kidney, while the last zoomed up and fired at point-blank range. Videl lost her concentration and fell to the ground, with her working hand clutching the right side of her face. Both droids circled around Videl, one hovering on her left, while the other stayed on her blinded right side. Videl opened her left eye just as both robots dove for her. Videl rolled to the side and managed an awkward roundhouse that sent the droid from her left side crashing into its partner.

Both droids wobbled unsteadily for a few seconds, giving Videl enough time to raise her good arm and shout, "Kamehameha!" Both droids clattered to the floor in burnt pieces, and Videl collapsed onto her back.

"Note to self: twelve droids set on advanced attack mode in 136 G's is not a good idea…" Videl started to smile, then winced as she remembered that over half of her face had been burnt. Bulma sure knew how to build a droid, that was for sure. There was a whooshing sound as the door opened, and Videl propped herself up on her good elbow as Gohan stepped into the room.

Gohan tried not to look too panicky as Videl sat up. Her right arm was splayed limply on the floor next to her, and the entire right half of Videl's face was burned and scratched, with a deep gash above her eye dripping blood. Gohan swallowed as Videl shot him a dirty look to rival Chi Chi's. She did not look happy to see him.

"Umm, hi." Gohan rubbed his neck and took a deep breath.

"I don't wanna interrupt your training or anything, I just came to talk to you." Gohan paused a moment, hoping for a response, but Videl didn't even blink.

"If you need it, I could help you to the sick ward. You do have a pretty bad gash." Gohan touched his forehead, just above his eyebrow to illustrate his point. Videl sat up completely and raised her hand to the cut, gazing silently at her blood-soaked fingers. Gohan stepped closer and held out his hand. Videl pushed his hand away and climbed shakily to her feet by herself. Gohan bit his lip and followed Videl down the hallway. Every now and then, Videl would stumble, but she would always catch herself before she hit the floor. Gohan felt nervous as Videl continued to walk silently, so he cleared his throat.

"I, uh, when I said that I came to talk to you, what I wanted to talk to you about was the whole rape thing." Videl glanced at him coldly, but at least she was listening.

"I'm… well, I'm sorry. I really should have listened to you better than I did, and I can understand why you're mad at me." Videl gave a sharp, bitter laugh and shook her head.

"Yeah, you should understand it." Gohan was confused, but shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and kept going.

"And the reason I was being so mean to you was because you really hurt me, when you hit me like that. I guess I was so hurt that I sort of pulled away from you. I didn't mean to come across like I hated you, but I guess that's the impression you got, huh?" Videl nodded slightly, then stopped to yank open the doors to the sick ward. The doctors were nowhere to be seen, so Gohan opened the door to an empty room and they both walked in. Videl plopped down on a bed and Gohan rummaged through drawers, looking for bandages.

"But I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, and I shouldn't have acted that way." Gohan turned back around with a handful of bandages and a washcloth. Gohan bent down and gently pushed Videl's hair back so he could see the gash better, but Videl flinched away from him. Gohan frowned.

"Sorry if I hurt you, but this needs to be cleaned."

Videl folded her arms and hissed, "I can take care of a little cut by myself. If I were you, I'd be cleaning your goddamn sheets!"  Gohan's eyes widened and he grabbed Videl's chin and jerked her face around so she was looking at him.

"What was that supposed to mean?!" Videl grabbed Gohan's wrist with her good hand and shoved him away.

"Don't touch me! You know exactly what I mean, you horny bastard!" Gohan felt the bottom drop out of his stomach. She knew. She knew what he'd done. Gohan lowered his eyes to the floor.

"So you found out?" Videl's voice was loaded with enough venom in it to put a rattlesnake to shame.

"I didn't just find out… I saw you. I saw you screwing that stupid whore, and that hurt worse than any damn gash!" Gohan's eyes narrowed.

"Look, I'm sorry! I was fucking drunk! And maybe if you hadn't been teasing me like that, I wouldn't have been thinking about sex!" Videl jumped to her feet and stared up into Gohan's eyes.

"I was drunk at Skye's wedding, but I still remembered who my boyfriend was!"

Gohan glared back down at Videl and spat, "Well if I remember right, you kneed me in the gut twice, kicked me in the kidney, and then kicked me in the head, so I don't really think you were still my girlfriend at that point. I got drunk, you'd been teasing me, and I met a girl who wasn't going to rip my heart out and stomp on it! So I'm sorry if I chose her before you!" Videl shoved Gohan backwards and into the medical cabinet.

"I hit you because you didn't believe me! You sided with that goddamn bitch that calls herself queen! You called me a liar!" Gohan lashed out and kicked Videl in the gut, making her slump to the floor.

"I did not! I saw Skye pulling those ass-holes off of you! I don't know what you thought you heard, but Skye did not give them permission to rape you! No one goes that low, except maybe you." Videl sprang to her feet and grabbed Gohan around the neck, slamming him against the wall and using her body weight to help pin him there.

"I had every right to do what I did! You betrayed me, for her! Just because she's so beautiful and strong and perfect, you left me alone! You left me to be beaten and raped! I remember you surrounded by all those damn girls at that damn wedding!" Gohan grabbed both of Videl's hands and threw her down on the bed, then tackled her and pinned her down.

"Skye is married! And those girls wouldn't leave me alone! If you hadn't been standing so far away drinking your damn whisky, none of that would have happened! I wouldn't leave someone I loved like that, and I loved you!" Videl writhed and tried to kick Gohan off of her, but he was too heavy and she was too tired.

"I don't believe you! Why should I?! You don't love me!" Gohan squeezed his eyes shut and swallowed the lump in his throat.

"You're right, I don't love you. Not anymore. You're complaining about me double crossing you… well, let's look at it this way- I've tried to apologize, I've tried to help you, I've tried to stay out of your life seeing as you didn't want me. I could never forget you, I could never discard you… but you threw me out the door without a second thought. So, yeah, I used to love you. Not now." Gohan stood up and gazed at Videl again.

"At least a whore doesn't pretend to care about you." Videl sat up, blinking back tears.

"I don't pretend! I do love you!" Gohan snorted and imitated Videl's voice.

"I don't believe you! Why should I?! You don't love me!" Videl buried her face in her hands and sobbed, knowing he was right.

"I-I'm sorry… I wasn't thinking…" Gohan rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, that's pretty obvious. But you know what? I don't care anymore. Apologize all you want, I'm not listening. I don't give a crap." Videl leapt to her feet and threw her arms around Gohan's neck, crying even harder when she felt his body tense at her touch.

"Please! I'm sorry! I really am!" Gohan glared at Videl coldly and pulled her off of him.

"You don't hear too well." He shook his head and turned to leave, but Videl grabbed him around the waist. "I know Gohan! I'm still sorry! I was wrong! Please! I honestly do love you…" Gohan sneered as his hair flickered blonde and his cold eyes turned a pitiless turquoise.

"You really don't get it, do you? Maybe if I put it in simpler terms for a self-absorbed bitch like you…" Gohan grabbed Videl by her neck and hauled her up until they were eye-to-eye, then slapped her across the face.

"Stay…"  Gohan drove his knee into Videl's gut, smiling cruelly as her eyes widened and she gasped desperately for air.

"Away…" Videl dropped to the ground, wheezing, then she cried out as Gohan delivered a sharp kick to her kidney.

"From…" Gohan watched as Videl tried to climb to her feet, coughing up blood, then he gave her a solid kick in the head. Videl skidded across the floor, barely breathing, eyes unfocused, as Gohan slowly walked over to her and bent down.

"Me…" Videl managed a tiny sob, and Gohan growled and lifted her up by the neck again. Videl gasped again and squirmed weakly, then hung limp when Gohan started squeezing.

"I'll give you a real reason to cry if you ever come crawling to me again." Gohan tossed Videl into a wall and shot one last dirty look at her before he walked out. A pair of doctors was huddled around the corner, and they both shrank away from Gohan as he stopped to glare at them.

"Take care of the girl in room #19. She's not in very good shape." Both doctors scurried out of sight and Gohan walked out of the sick ward.

Videl's eyes fluttered open, then she quickly squeezed them shut from the stinging. The burns on her face were still healing, and she was floating in a rejuvenation tank of water and chemicals. Videl opened her eyes again and ignored the pain, pressing her face up against the glass door. There were a couple of people out there, but their shapes were too blurred, she couldn't identify them. Videl started pounding on the glass with her fist, finally catching the attention of a doctor. The liquid in the tank drained, and Videl tore off her oxygen mask and stumbled out the door.

"How long… have I been… in there?" The doctor who'd drained the tank glanced at the clipboard in his hand.

"Almost three days. I must say young lady, you sustained some very serious injuries. I would give up training for about a month, just to make sure that you don't hurt yourself again." Videl ignored the doctor's comment and quickly tossed her wet hospital gown to the side and slipped into a new one.

"Whatever. Have you seen Captain Gohan?" The doctor shook his head.

"He hasn't been here since three days ago, when you two fought." Videl glared at the doctor as if she was contemplating killing him, but wrung her wet hair out and stalked out the door instead.

Gohan had been training for the past few days, trying to keep himself from thinking. After Gohan had finally lost his cool on Videl, he'd started feeling guilty. He'd retreated to the gravity machine to help keep himself busy. Thankfully, Bulma had a healthy supply of training droids. Gohan was using fifteen this time, twelve hadn't been challenging enough. Already, five droids were smashed, their pieces scattered across the floor. Another was coming at Gohan's head, while two more were zooming in from the back. Gohan jumped over all three droids as they collided, then kicked them into the ceiling. Four more droids were flying in from the front, while two more sneaked behind Gohan and fired ki blasts. Gohan dropped to the floor and rolled behind the group of four, then stood up and used a roundhouse to send all of them across the room. The two ki blasts bounced off the other droids and ricocheted back to the ones that had fired them, smashing both of them. There was one left. Gohan took a deep breath and focused, trying to pinpoint that last droid.

Videl smiled sadly. Gohan had always been a graceful fighter, and a powerful one at that. He'd trashed all those droids without breaking a sweat, while Videl would have been beaten half to death. She'd always loved that about him, always felt safe in his strong arms. Videl shook her head and quietly opened the door, closing it behind her. Gohan would probably beat her down for bothering him, but she had to try. She had messed everything up, and now she was going to try and fix it.

Gohan sensed the motion behind him. So the damn droid was trying to sneak up on him.

Nice try, Gohan thought, as he spun around and planted a hard side kick in Videl's gut. Gohan's eyes widened, then he folded his arms across his chest and tapped his foot.

"Why are you here?" Videl looked up at Gohan from her position on the floor and opened her mouth to talk, but the remaining droid was hovering behind Gohan.

"Umm… look behind you." Gohan rolled his eyes and backhanded the droid, smashing the thing into dozens of pieces.

"Damn machines." Gohan folded his arms again and frowned.

"I thought I told you to leave me alone." Videl took a deep breath to make her head stop spinning.

"I know, I know. But you remember me, I never listen." She looked up at Gohan and smiled weakly, then let the smile fade as he glared at her.

"Am I going to have to tell you again? Because I could use a workout." Videl shook her head.

"Could you just please her me out?" Gohan's eyes flickered for a second, threatening to turn aqua.

"Why should I?" Videl lowered her eyes.

"Because you're a better person than I ever will be." Gohan laughed bitterly.

"Now that's a good one. You should know that I've given up on the 'be a good person approach.' I told you I'd just kick your ass if you tried to talk to me again." Gohan grabbed Videl by the neck of her hospital gown and picked her up, then let his hair flash blonde and his eyes change to aquamarine.

"So, what should I break first? Your arm? Or maybe your back? Or should I just snap your neck and put us both out of our misery?" Videl squeezed her eyes shut.

"I know you really hate me now, and I wish that I could take everything back, but no one can do that. I'm just sorry that I was such an idiot. I'm sorry that I did this to you." Gohan rolled his eyes.

"That was touching. It really was. I think you should get the Oscar for the best bullshit speech. But really Videl, do you actually think I'm going to go easy on you?" Videl felt the knife in her heart again. He had meant every word he said. She could never get him back.

"I know you want to kill me Gohan, and you know what? Maybe you should just go ahead and do it!" Gohan smirked and held Videl a few inches away from his nose.

"Don't tempt me." Tears started trickling down Videl's cheeks, she couldn't hold them in any longer.

"I mean it Gohan! Just fucking do it! I want to die almost as much as I want you to forgive me!" Gohan looked disgusted as he slammed Videl into the wall.

"You really are pathetic. Pity parties don't work on me." Videl moaned as her skull cracked against the wall, then she slumped on the floor. Everything was spinning wildly, and Gohan's voice was painfully loud in her ears.

"After toying with me for so long, you really ought to know me better." Videl opened her eyes and tried to climb to her feet, but she collapsed onto all fours, breathing heavily.

"Oh look, Videl Satan is on her knees… as usual." Videl looked up at Gohan, her eyes clearly reflecting her pain.

"At least I'm still a virgin!" Gohan growled and grabbed Videl by her neck, hauling her up to her feet and twisting her arm up and behind her back. Videl screamed in agony as a sense of déjà vu crept up her spine. The last time she'd been held like this had been at that damn wedding, where her life had started falling apart. Gohan's face twisted into that vengeful smirk again as he jerked Videl's arm up a little higher.

"You know what Videl? Virginity is overrated. I might have been drunk, and I might have still liked you at the time…"

Gohan leaned close to Videl's ear and whispered, "But it was still the best night of my life." Gohan jerked Videl's arm up again, until her wrist was almost touching her shoulder blades.

"And I have you to thank for that. Ironic, isn't it?" Videl whimpered and tried to wriggle out of Gohan's grasp, but Gohan only slammed her into the wall again. Stars danced across Videl's vision, and then she felt something warm trickling down the side of her face.

"Aww, look at that. Little baby got an owie? Here, let me make you feel better." Gohan jerked Videl's arm up until her wrist was touching the back of her head. Videl screamed until there wasn't any air left in her lungs.

"STOP IT! PLEASE STOP IT!!!" Gohan snickered.

"I'm afraid it's too late for that. I don't think you can use that arm any more. What a shame." Videl closed her eyes and sobbed weakly as blood ran down the side of her face and stained the wall she was pinned against.

"Gohan… please…" Gohan sighed.

"What now?" Videl sucked in another breath and tried to keep from passing out.

"Please kill me… I'm begging you…" A look of genuine surprise flashed across Gohan's face.

"You really do want to die?" Videl felt herself slipping into unconsciousness.

"Please…" Gohan hesitated.

"Why?" Videl was starting to go limp in Gohan's arms.

"If I can't live with you… there's no point in living at all…" Gohan laughed again, but there was an edge of uncertainty this time.

"I think we've established that bullshit doesn't work." Videl struggled to open her eyes, they felt so heavy. "I mean it… and if you don't kill me… I'll do it myself…" Gohan shook his head.

"There is no way you'd go that far. Give me a break." Videl's eyes closed again and she surrendered to sleep and darkness.

"See you… in Hell then…" Videl's head lolled to the side like her neck been broken, and her already weak breathing was almost inaudible. Gohan frowned, then let go of Videl and watched her body flop to the floor. Had she meant that? Gohan shook his head. She'd never kill herself. And she wasn't unconscious either. Videl had always pretended to faint, and when Gohan would rush over, she'd always grabbed him and pulled him down for a kiss. She was just pretending again. Gohan turned to leave, but paused. What if she wasn't faking this time? She had seemed so sincere when she'd tried to apologize, and she'd looked so hurt when Gohan taunted her. "Dammit!" Gohan punched the wall and glanced back at Videl's motionless form. There was another thing Videl had been an expert at- the guilt trip.