Hey ya'll. Bet your wonderin' why I posted that interlude- writer's block! Besides, it was just in case ya'll were wonderin' why Videl didn't have a holiday spirit. kk, well, here's a real chapter! Yea! And I am really really really sorry I took so long to update. I was out of town for two weeks and had no computer! Now I'm trying to catch up with the stories that I missed! Ok, here we go.

To all those who reviewed: Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ

Chapter Seven

Videl heard her doorbell ring. 'Yippee' she thought enthusiastically.

She looked at her digital clock beside her bed- 7:30… AM!

She grumbled as she somehow pushed herself out of bed. She pulled a black robe over her blue boxer shorts and white spaghetti tank top.

'Damn, it's cold.'

Without thinking, she quickly grabbed her comb as she walked to her door. Strange…

She tossed the brush onto the couch and opened the door.

Standing there sheepishly was Gohan. He held some papers in his hand.

Videl narrowed her eyes slightly, but before she could say anything, Gohan spoke first, "Look, I know you're mad at me, and waking you up real early isn't helping that much either- but I was out the rest of the night last night to think about what you said. I don't know what happened. I guess you could say that I had a lot on my mind and needed to talk about something else for a while. I'm sorry. And, if that doesn't cut it, I got some people to help us and 40 more signatures. Well, actually, I asked someone but I don't think they'll do it because I don't like them around complete utter strangers alone together in public and…"

"Gohan."

Gohan stopped talking and looked into Videl's eyes, which was no longer full of anger or sadness, but of softness and kindness.

"You're babbling."

Gohan laughed. "Yes, my mom warned me about that since I was born. 'Never babble in front of someone.'" He mimicked a voice in resemblance to ChiChi's. " 'The person would think you're crazy.'"

Videl giggled, "Well, I already thought you were crazy to begin with."

Videl looked at him as he said, "So… do you forgive me?" He gave one of those nervous grins that no one could stand up against…

Videl looked down bashfully and said in a quiet voice "Honestly Gohan, I don't know whether I should smack you for waking me up or invite you in because you've apologized."

She looked at him, as if studying and said "Ah, what the heck, I'll do both!"

She playfully smacked him over the head and dragged him inside.

"You drink coffee?" she asked as she walked into the small kitchen.

He mumbled "Yeah", then, as if remembering something horrible from the past, he quickly said "But not black!"

Videl laughed and said "Party pooper."

Her back was turned to Gohan as she made coffee.

Gohan looked around the small, yet cozy apartment. His eyes fell to the chestnut desk, where he pondered on how Videl must have sit in that very desk, thinking of all her ideas. But on the desk was a paper, not of signatures- but a note.

Gohan looked back to Videl as she was in the kitchen. She still had her back to him, reading a magazine.

'No, Gohan, don't do it', one part of his mind thought. The other thought 'Go on, Gohan, see what caused your friend all this trouble.'

He went with the latter and started to read:

Dear Videl,

Hey, it's Max. But, you probably knew that. Anyway, just wanted to tell you some good news and bad news. Maybe the good news would be best. Angie had a successful birthday. She loved your gift. She just won't put it down. Henji thinks it's Angie's new best friend. And sorry about the petition thing that's going on. That's real sad. I'm coming down there and there's no stopping me. Don't worry; I'll bring Henji and Angie. Well, now for the bad news. Your father was on a plane back to your place. The plane had malfunctions and crashed. Not a lot of people survived, Vi. I'm sorry, but your father was one of them. Not many people know about this. Only the people in my city. I'd thought I'd give you a heads up when Satan City finds out. That's the main reason I'm coming down to see you. I'm sorry again. I'll be there to help you get through it. I promise.

Your friend,

Boudishi Max

Gohan stopped reading and unconsciously looked up. There he met Videl's big ocean eyes filled with tears, with a coffee pitcher in one hand and her other hand rubbing her temples.

"I can't keep a secret can I?" Videl stated as she placed down the pitcher. She walked over to Gohan and took the note- she threw it into the trashcan. She started to pace.

"I mean, Erasa was the one who delivered the note. Nat was there when I read it. And now you found out. And now my best friend is coming to tell the whole city! The city is going to be so sad their 'savior' died in a stupid plane crash!" Videl's voice cracked as she went on. "Ever since my mother and brother died, my dad just had to take these stupid risks just to keep his mind off it. Then he ended up 'saving (at that time, Videl made quote marks with her fingers) the world'. The stupid Jackass. And now, he just leaves me here in my time of need in the damn plane crash because he had to make a freakin' speech! Can you believe it? Of course I told him about my trouble, but he's all worked up about the speech. He didn't even care about me after half my family's death! He didn't even care about anyone else after they died. I tried to make him proud I really did, and now when I feel like I'm actually doing something right in my life, he has to leave me here all by myself!" Videl sobbed and looked at Gohan who was looking at the ground sadly. She took a breath and whispered, "I'm sorry. I must have sounded so selfish." She knelt down on the ground. "Maybe you should go."

Gohan looked at her surprised and said quietly, "You've been holding that in haven't you?"

Videl kept her eyes at the carpet and nodded slowly. "Ever since I was eight."

Gohan walked to her and knelt down beside her. "I guess that's why you don't have anyone else to ask." He paused, "They're all gone."

Videl nodded again.

"Well, maybe you should come to my parents' place. They'll cheer you up."

Videl looked at Gohan as if he was crazy. 'Did he just ask me to meet his parents?' she thought.

As if taking the look on her face as a different sign he said , "They'll be there. It's supposed to be family night."

She looked at him curiously and said, "But I'm not part of the family. I don't want to intrude."

"We can make an exception. Don't worry about it. Just come over and meet new people for a change."

"Shouldn't you ask your parents first?"

"Maybe I should, but they won't eat you alive if you come unexpected to the door. They're very nice."

"Ok, I'll think about it."

Gohan smiled and helped her up.

"Um, I think I should go."

Videl agreed and walked him the short distance to the door.

"Thanks, Gohan."

Gohan smiled and said "Think nothing of it." Then he left.

As Gohan got to his car, his mind raced with all the things Videl had said. She just let it all out. 'She must have kept that in for a long time if she just did that."

As he put the keys into the ignition, he thought 'Wait a minute. Did she just say her dad was Satan Hercule?'

TBC!

Ahahahahahahahaha! Bet you weren't expecting that! Well, neither was I. But, anyway, tell me what you think- go ahead and give suggestions or flames. Flames, not fires! Thanks for the reviews!

Bye-Z!