~And Everything Nice~
Saturday, March sixteenth. The day when Gohan would have the biggest question of his young life answered. Or rather, the evening. Calm and collected were not two words which could be readily used to describe the teen at this point.
"Good Kami, Gohan! Just calm down would you? And drop your hands, hold still. I'll tie the thing since you obviously can't. Are you even going to be able to open the ring case shaking like this?"
"I'm sorry, Bulma. I'm just a little nervous is all…"
Blue locks shaking , Bulma gave her young charge a pointed look. "Nervous, Gohan, is what you feel on say, your first day of school. Whatever this is, it counts more like a virgin's first time!"
"Bulma!" The demi-Saiyan felt a blush burn itself onto his cheeks. "I… no! I mean, I'll be all okay. I mean, I hope the jitters go away…"
"Face it, you don't know what you mean. And you won't be okay until you get your answer." She focused for a moment, knotting the gray tie and tugging it a tich tighter than absolutely necessary. "Gohan, everything will work out just fine. We have a nice table reserved for you at the Plaza, you look fantastic, and the ring is securely in your grasp."
The teen demi closed his eyes and let a long breath. "You're right, Bulma. Thank you for everything. Just… wish me luck?"
"All right then, kid. Good luck." The woman smiled and gently turned her charge around by the shoulders. Giving him a shove to the door a pop to the tush, she laughed, "Now get out of here, or you'll be late to your own proposal!"
Gohan found himself blushing again, yet he obediently headed towards the Capsule Corps side entrance. He new better than to argue with Bulma, especially a pregnant Bulma. The teen stopped and cocked his head back towards the living room at the clearing of a throat. "Yes, Bulma?"
"I was just going to suggest that you stop by a gas station on the way and pick up some… you know."
No, he didn't know. Gohan drew his eyebrows together and turned to face Bulma completely. "I'm sorry, some what?"
The blue haired woman cast her eyes towards the ceiling as if asking Dende for guidance before looking Gohan in the eye again. "Some condoms, kid. Having sex is fine, but make it safe sex."
Was it him, or had the floor just dropped out six inches below his demi-Saiyan feet? "How did you know! I mean… Videl and I…"
Bulma smirked. "Oh come off it, Gohan, you're a horrible liar. How did I know? Because you haven't quite been acting yourself and this sudden urge to propose, right now. Because of a particular look between you two when everyone was here for dinner last week." She snorted then, "Because Vegita informed me after that supper, in no uncertain terms, that you two had mated and he could smell it."
"I… oh. Well, uh… yes we have sort of…"
"The night of Prom, am I right?"
Gohan blinked. When had Bulma taken up telepathy? "I thought so. Prom is the usual night when highschoolers loose their virginity. There a sort of mystique about it. I know I had sex for the first time on my prom. I wonder whatever happened to that guy, anyway?"
"Uh, Bulma!" Gohan squeaked, "I really didn't need to know that!"
And Bulma laughed at him. Laughed! "Kami, aren't you easy to scare! All right, all right. Just, get some condoms, good luck, and call me tomorrow to tell me if your engaged or not!"
The half Saiyan cautiously nodded and be lined for the door before his surrogate mother could embarrass him further. Running through the Capsule Corps still half frozen lawn, he pressed the button on his watch and Saiyaman took off into the sky. And thank fully, at least to him, he avoided any run ins with the Saiyan Prince himself.
It was kind of odd, that. Why would Vegita care if he had… er… mated or not? Unless maybe the Saiyan royalty cared more than he let on… Gohan shook his head. Probably not. He probably just told Bulma that because he knew Bulma wouldn't leave him alone on it. For that matter…
How could he smell that they had mated?
The teen shook his head again. It didn't matter. He had bigger things to worry about right now. Like not forgetting the script he had memorized and agonized for hours over. On how to propose. No one had ever bothered to tell him how hard this was! But then, who could? His mom had basically told his dad that they were getting married. Bulma and Vegita never got married. Maybe he should have asked Krillen.
No, no. The he would to have told Krillen. Krillen would have found the whole thing funny and been meaner than the Prince of the Saiyans in his verbal jabs. Gohan didn't need that right now. He needed love and support. He needed Videl to tell him yes!
Oh dear Dende, Gohan only hoped he could manage to not give it all away before the right moment. He and Bulma had plotted out a nice restaurant, very nice, that was known for its more romantic settings. A candle on every table, wine served with every meal, soft music in the background. All Gohan had told Videl was that they were going out tonight, to the Plaza. He hoped she wouldn't guess what he was up to before he found just the right moment to ask her…
To ask her to marry him.
That should be simple, right? Right? Anyone could handle that. After all, even Krillen had gotten married. Son Genetics or no Son Genetics, Gohan was perfectly capable of proposing and not making a complete idiot of himself. He hoped.
The caped crusader flew straight for Satan City, or rather, one Satan Mansion. He would pick up Videl there and walk to the Plaza. It was only a few blocks away. He made a light landing behind some of the more decorative bushes before the building and prepared to face Mrs. Mill and his future as Son Gohan.
The reminder of stopping at a gas station completely slipped his mind.
Grandiose mansion doors greeted the young man. He couldn't help but stare at them for a moment. Had they somehow grown larger? More intimidating? Could doors even grow? Of course not, but in the moment of indecision… All he needed to do was press the door bell. Or, he could turn and walk away. Videl would be mad at him for a while. Not to long, right? There would always be another chance.
Flashbacks, glimpses of so many past incidents in Gohan's life, made themselves known. He'd seen too many people stripped from him. Most were brought back, true, but death was a sinister lurking thing. He'd once thought he would always have that chance to tell his father that he loved him…
The demi-Saiyan closed his eyes, swallowed hard, and pressed the doorbell. Second chances couldn't be guaranteed.
Expecting the jovial Mrs. Mill to greet him, as she always had in the past, Gohan fairly choked to find Mr. Satan himself answering the door. Automatically sketching a bow to his elder (no matter who the man may be) the teen quietly addressed his potential father in law. "Good afternoon, Mr. Satan, sir. I've come to take Videl to dinner…. Is she ready?"
Satan nodded. "Boy." Stepping back he gestured curtly towards the inner realm of the house. "In."
"Uh- yes sir."
Stepping just inside, Mr. Satan closed the door behind them. Gohan noted that his two tag alongs, namely Bee and Buu, were no where to be seen. Ki sensing abilities told the teen that Buu was somewhere in the upper levels. His attention was brought back to the man of the house by a gruff clearing of the throat. "Boy, you know that I don't like you, right? You're a threat to me, both in the role I play as my daughter's father and in how much truth she thinks I've told her. You know that."
Gohan slowly nodded, but held his tongue. There was a somber tone in Satan's voice that was unnatural, yet strangely paternal in the 'World Champion'. "Good. I also know you don't like me. I took credit for something that you… that you won. And I have the power to stand between my daughter and you."
The demi-Saiyan's jaw tightened ever so slightly. Apparently Satan noticed as he backed up, just a fraction of a step. "I just, I wanted to tell you that even though you're a skinny no good worthless runt," A deep breath was taken, as if to calm or steel himself, "Even though I despise all the things you stand for in my little girl's life… You have my permission to ask her hand in marriage."
The large man raised a hairy hand at Gohan's surprised look. "I have the feeling you were planning on it with or with out my permission. But, even though I dislike you… my little sweet pea, my Videl… she thinks the world of you. She hasn't been happy like this… since before her mother died. If there is one thing I can't deny, it's my little girl's happiness."
Gohan bowed his head slightly again. "I… thank you sir."
Satan grunted. "But don't take this to mean our deal from before is off, runt! I mean it, if you hurt her in anyway… alien boy or no alien boy I will personally make your life a living hell!"
Pulling himself to full height, still shorter than Mr. Satan if only by a margin of inches, Gohan nodded. "Understood, sir."
"Good, then I'll tell my little Videl that you're here for her."
That involved the so-called 'World Champ' walking to the stairs and bellowing that the 'runt' was here. The teen took a moment to glance around and catch his bearings. "Umm, Mr. Satan, sir?"
"What is it?"
"I'm… I'm sorry, sir. It's just… where is Mrs. Mill?"
The large man grunted again as both of them heard Videl call back that she was coming. "I gave her an early night off. I wanted to talk to you."
The woman at the top of both men's minds choose to make her appearance at the top of the stairs then. She smiled at Gohan, who managed a slightly dazed smile in return. She glided down the stairs in a comfortable yet classy pair of black shoes. Not high heels. A pair of tight black pants that flared over her shoes and hugged her in all the right ways but kept a modest front. Not a dress or a skirt. A light blue blouse, open enough in the front to tantalize the imagination, revealed her mother's necklace. As she came closer, Gohan found that his glasses had not deceived him; there was a hint of eye shadow on her features.
Gohan's smile strengthened. This was his Videl. And this was how she was comfortable dressing up for him. Knowing that… she looked more beautiful to his love struck eyes than she had decked out for prom. He'd fallen for her… not some image of a prissy girl in a dress. He felt his convictions strengthen as well. Tonight was the night. No matter what happened.
Stepping between the two men, Videl turned to her father and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "Good night, Daddy. I'm guessing that I won't be home very early."
Mr. Satan's hands engulfed his daughter's shoulders as he offered her a paternal smile. "Okay Sweat Pea. You enjoy your night then." He shot Gohan a pointed look over Videl's head. "You two be good."
Gohan raised an eyebrow at the man, but shrugged it off and held out his elbow to Videl. The young woman pulled away from her father and grasped his arm. A more dainty gesture than most would think she was capable of. "We will, Daddy. Besides, I'm sure if we did find trouble, you'd see it all over the nine o' clock news." She shook her head then. "Come on, Gohan. We don't want to be late for our date."
The teen Demi grinned at her, and taking a moment to nod at Satan Hercule, he lead his beautiful date from the mansion and out onto the street. Away from the man that was turning out to be the bane of his existence. And yet, he glanced down the woman at his side, and yet Satan seemed to be a blessing in disguise sometimes.
As if sensing his eyes on her, Videl looked looked up at him. "So… the Plaza. You know, Gohan, you haven't told me what possessed you to take me there yet. And believe me; I know there is a reason behind this. You and subtle just don't get along."
"You ah, you can't just pass this off as me wanting to take my wonderful girlfriend to a wonderful restaurant?"
"No, actually. Considering where you live, you haven't even heard of the Plaza on your own. I think Bulma helped. And if you've involved her in some plot, then it has to be serious. Then again, if you've involved her, that means this is more complicated than you would come up with on your. Which means twenty questions may not work as well as usual."
Gohan blinked. "I'm… sorry? I think you just lost me…"
Videl snorted and snuggled into Gohan's side. "I'm just putting to much thought into this. You're taking me to the Plaza, and that alone makes me nervous."
"I… oh. Well, if you would prefer to go somewhere else…?"
Videl didn't move from her position. "No. I haven't been to the Plaza since Daddy had to make some speech there a few years ago. I want to go there."
Gohan nodded. "Okay."
"So- what was Daddy out to threaten you with today? He was pondering it all day."
"Unspeakable tortures if I ever hurt you in any way."
Videl laughed lightly and tightened her grip. "You deserve them if you do. But I know you won't, so that makes Daddy's threat an empty one."
Gohan laughed as well, maneuvering his arm behind her back and forcing her to find something else to latch on to. "I hope to keep it an empty threat, too."
"Good. You know, if you're taking me out for a romantic candle lit dinner, I presume we have post dinner plans as well?" Videl smirked suggestively at Gohan.
And the half Saiyan blushed. A month gone and he wouldn't have understood that look and the suggestion behind it. However, after a few times… well, mating… he knew. Yeah, as in that had happened twice since prom. As in there was something more exciting about it as they each grew more practiced. As in he defiantly understood that suggestion now. And it sounded like a –good- idea. "If, well… I, um… sure? He he…"
Of course, that just made Videl laugh harder. In fact, she continued giggling all the way to the Plaza. However, being the supposedly well breed and well raised girl that she was, Videl did manage to contain herself once they entered the fancy little place. Gohan quietly gave the attendant his name and the two were escorted to their reserved table. As promised, equipped with candle and bottle of wine.
They each choose a favorite item off the menu, and even considering the price and upper crust reputation of the Plaza, the service was markedly quick. To the two young lovers, who enjoyed each others company, it took no time at all. It was a small portion to Gohan, but he kept his pace in the 'normal human' range. It wasn't hard while smiling and talking with his girlfriend about everything and nothing.
Videl took another sip of her wine; they were both far from drunk it was served to clear the pallet, before leaning slightly toward Gohan who sat across the table from her. "Once again, Gohan, I'm asking you what your reason for all of this is. Not that I'm not enjoying it, but…"
Gohan sighed and quietly dipped his hand into his pants pocket, feeling the velvet coated ring case with in. Was now the time? In this darkened atmosphere with her smiling and happy. It was a decent opportunity. The ring case was slid slowly out, but not brought above the table. "Well, Vidy… actually I brought you here because…"
Those naturally dark and sculpted eyebrows rose. "Keep going."
"Well, I… Duck!"
Videl ducked beneath the table on instinct and Gohan went down slightly as well as the sound of semi-automatic gunfire echoed about the dinning room. A group of guys not unlike the typical Satan City bank robbers stood at the entrance weapons in hand. Gohan groaned from his kneeling position on the floor. "Why me? Why NOW?"
The apparent leader of the band called a halt to the gun fire and yelled across the room, "All right all you rich old bats! I want all yo' jewels and yo' money left on the tables. Now you slow old bastards!"
A scream from some elderly woman nearly cut off his last words as the woman cried out, "Ahhh!!!! Fire! Oh, my dress is on fire!"
Videl took that moment of distraction and was on the move toward the bandits. Gohan took a moment to get his bearings first and discovered that it was more than the lady's dress that was on fire. One of the fallen candles had ignited the plush red carpet. As the teen watched, the flames ate towards a wine spill near the draperies on the wall. In one great flare up the wall was aflame and the fire was three times its original size.
The flare had startled the robbers back to reality… back to where they noticed Videl. Gohan swore under his breath and slid undetected through the growing smoke behind the robbers, conveniently disarming two of four. Videl quickly dispatched them. But this left the two teens with another problem. A burning second floor dinning room full of elderly, hysterical people. Not to mention four robbers who now needed to be carried out.
Videl, her practice and experience coming through, took control. "Gohan, you carry these four out, I'll start getting everyone else out of here!"
"Right." Was the demi-Saiyan's grim reply as with out a thought he picked up all four and headed out the door. Coming down the stairs he ran through the entrance doors in time to see the police chief himself coming in. The bearded man grunted as he found four bodies dumped at his feet. "These guys tried to rob the place at gun point… started a fire on accident. I have to go back up there!"
"Woah, son! The firefighters are on there way. Their trained professionals and so are my colleges. You stay."
"You don't understand, sir! There is a dinning room full of people up there! The elevator is out and they need help. Videl is up there!" And with that he tore from the officer and was flying up the stairs. Literally. He met Videl half way, as she herded/carried a group of he patrons down.
"Gohan! The back of the room is fully engulfed and with so many flammables in there, I'm afraid it's going to hit flash point soon!"
The half Saiyan nodded and boosted his speed. He maneuvered quickly about the dinning room, gathering the stragglers and urging them to stay low to the floor and go down stairs. Gohan himself ended up coming down the stairs with two old women who couldn't walk clinging to his neck and an old man who had passed out caught in his arms. Much to his relief, the firefighters meet him at the bottom of the stairs and alleviated his burden, pushing him out the doors.
Gohan came out coughing a bit. Even half Saiyans that inhaled enough smoke would cough on it. He was wet, the indoor sprinklers had come on, for what good they were doing. The fire fighters also had their hoses going, soaking the area and the building now that all of the innocents were out. Gohan didn't have the chance to fully catch his breath before someone had a micro phone in his face. A dozen more circled him. "Hey Kid, what is you name?"
The demi blinked as a bunch o flashes began going off around him everything else illuminated in the darkening day by the record lights on news cameras and the last vestiges of flames fro the building. "I… My name is Son Gohan… but…?"
"Now is that Gohan as in cooked rice? Or is it spelled differently?"
"You are one of the hero's of the day!"
"What brought you here tonight…?"
"The mayor is ever so grateful that you carried him out!"
"You've saved some of the richest People in Satan City!"
"Do you have a statement for us?"
That last was chorused between all of the reporters up in his face. Gohan wiped the water from his face only to have all the drips return with a pass of the fire hose. "Umm, yes… where is Videl?"
"As in Satan Videl?"
"Are you her much talked about but never seen boyfriend?"
"Were you here with her tonight?"
With a loud bang the windows of the upper story exploded outward, flames that were white at the center licking out into the night sky. The reporters turned, Gohan left. Calling out amongst the crowd of watchers, saved, police, even reporters, Gohan was determined to find his girlfriend. "Videl! Videl where are you?"
He 'spotted' her Ki in amongst a particular knot of Police personnel, her own group of reporters surrounding. The Demi was painfully aware that his own group was tailing him. By the time he managed to squeeze his way trough the mess the firefighters had gained control of the flames that were slowly loosing strength. Pushing his way through everyone with out abandon Gohan found his girlfriend and with out a word pulled her to him in a tight embrace. He didn't care what the reporters had to say about it.
"Oh, Vidy. I'm so sorry. Tonight was supposed to be special… but trouble just follows me."
The girl, who was just as wet as he was, hugged him back before standing up on tip toes and kissing him. "Trouble trails both of us. We deal."
That set the reporters all a buzz, and the police kindly backed off leaving a small open circle around the couple. Gohan closed his eyes and dipped his hand into his pocket again. There were no second chances in this.
Gohan bent to one knee right there, and took Videl's sooty wet hand in between his own for a moment before pulling out the ring case. He was covered in soot himself, his normally gravity defying hair weighted by water. Videl's own outfit was in shambles, the blouse see through. Her modesty protected by a bra. Soot smeared her features and water plastered her ebony hair down to her head. The glow of the dieing fire illuminated them.
Gohan swallowed hard before bringing the ring case to his eye level between them and gently flipping it open. "Satan Videl, will you marry me?"
The teen held his breath. The Police held their breath. The reporters held their breath. The fire fighters, the crowd, mother Earth her self seemed to hold her breath. And for those few seconds… time came to a halt. There was only Gohan, Videl, and that ring.
And that pale sooty hand stretched forward, a finger gently caressed the diamond inlet. A smile touched those perfect elfin features. "Yes." It was quiet at first but with a shake of her sodden hair Videl threw herself at the kneeling Gohan, arms wrapped about his neck and yelled for all to hear, "Yes!!!"
____________________
"Oh my Kami, Sharpy! Did you see that? On the TV? Gohan actually proposed to Videl! Their getting married! So… when am I getting a ring?"
____________________
"All right Gohan. Good boy! And I thought he wouldn't be able to open the ring case. He thought he wouldn't have the courage… Way to go, Kid!"
______________________
"Yes, yes, YES!!!!! Oh, Goku! I have a daughter! I'm going to have grandbabies! Goten, hunny! Videl's really going to be your big sister! And I get my grandbabies!"
____________________
"That skinny little runt sure as hell didn't waste any time snapping that offer up! You were just waiting for that, weren't you, Boy! Ah well, may be good for my publicity."
____________________
"So, Gohan. You promised me desert…"
************
To be Continued….
So, kiddies. Was it all it was cracked up to be? I know, a tad short, but this wasn't a chapter I was looking forward to writing. Now I can get into the real fun *Evil Smirk*.
Now then, you guys had a blast with the reviews on the last chapter; I'm going to take a few moments of your time to respond to some of what I found to be the more pressing issues:
To 'The Great One'- Thank you for being concerned/interested enough to tell me how you really feel. Now then, may I explain myself? Part of your argument will be squared away in the next chapter, but let me say this. Videl, in this story, is an approximately 17 year old teenage girl. She cares deeply for Gohan, hopes to be his wife someday. Teenagers… even adults do not always think straight when faced with what 'they' consider a crisis. Hence, she jumps to the first idea she comes across. We all ready know that Videl is nothing if not stubborn and persistent.
To 'majunior7'-First off, thank you for the compliment on my writing skills ^_^ I really must say I appreciate your concern especially. However… I don't know if that makes me all right with you mocking my other reviewers. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. And, to address yours, this is how I explain myself on the 'OOC' problem.
I'm assuming your referring to Videl being out of tact with the 'crying' scene? *Nods* I can see where your coming from. Now then, may I say crying is not entirely out of line for Videl when she's frustrated. Learning to fly? Big fat crocodile tears. No one believing her when she says Gohan IS alive? Yelling, urging, big fat crocodile tears.
As for her mushy moments with Gohan, well, she did that on the series too!
Gohan… I like to give him the benefit of the doubt. Considering as a child, there were many points in the series when he figured out things that he shouldn't have. That know one else could. It isn't uncommon for him to over think things either. I also have to say I'm drawing on what I have done with the characters in the past three stories in this series. I've been making a vague effort at building.
But, I have been relying heavily on those scenes in DBZ to save me. And you are absolutely right in pointing the OOC out to me. I hope that I can hopefully bring them part way back for you.
Perrin- Thank you as always for giving me the detailed sort of reviews that are so uncommon (And bloat my ego beyond words….)
Everyone else out there… Thank you too! You have all been very honest with me on this story, and very helpful! Please, if you have any more constructive criticism, or just taunts to make me type faster, I'm happy to except all. At least I know I've got you thinking, which isn't something many fan fiction writers can say anymore.