Meri Kurisumasu

Chapter 6: Gohan

Although there are many who would like to spend the holidays with there loved ones, there are some who cannot. They are restricted because they have to work, or live far away and can't afford to travel. Though they try desperately to make it up to those they care about, it is something that can only be done once a year, and once missed, another 365 days will pass before it can happen again.

Gohan exhaled through pursed lips and continued staring at the computer screen. He looked out the window longingly as small white flakes fluttered to the ground. His wife was sitting at home alone now, he was sure, and he knew she wanted him to be there, but he couldn't. Someone had hacked into the university computers and disabled the security. Before any more damage could be done, it had to be fixed, and Gohan was chosen to do the fixing.

Suddenly a small box popped up on the screen; a DOS prompt. He maximized the window and read the message it contained.

No matter what you do, there is no way you can stop me. I can get into any computer in the world, so give it up and go on home sucker!

The Jumping Rabbit

Gohan slammed his fist down on the desk, making it shake violently. Had he not pulled back at the last minute, the desk would be in several pieces now.

Suddenly, something about the message stood out in his mind. "Jumping". He had heard Trunks mention that a few days ago, when he was trying to get into his company files from an outside computer. With a new hope, Gohan began checking login files.

Before long, he could see the pattern of movements. The hacker would enter a low level security section. From there, it was easier to move up to a more restricted area, until eventually he reached the main system. From there he could do anything he wanted. Gohan smiled at the stack of papers next to him of possible ways to hack in. He had never even considered the person had taken a round about route. He just kept looking for an error in the program that would allow entrance from outside, rather than in.

Now knowing what the person did, he began making modifications to the security program code. He completely removed the layering that had allowed the hacker entrance. Now, once you got into an area of the system, you were stuck there till you left. If anyone wanted to get into the main system, they had to do so directly, a near impossibility without a large number of passwords, programmed cards and keys. Naturally when everyone went to work the next day, no one would be able to use the system except for himself, but that would keep things safe until the new program could be installed.

Before entering the final command, Gohan opened up the message screen and typed a quick reply.

Thanks "Jumper". Doubt I'll be seeing you around again.

Gohan finished up his work, then left a memo on his bosses desk explaining what he had done. He quickly headed out into the cold, and jumped into his car.

On the way home, Gohan noticed a bakery closing up. His eyes widened in shock as he remembered that he didn't get a cake that morning, not planning to be back in time to need one. He swerved around the next corner, heading towards the shopping district to find a bakery.

Arriving at "Gutteokupanja", a German bakery, he ran in and picked out one of the few remaining cakes. The woman working there smiled at him and wished him a Merry Christmas on his way out. In a rush he didn't bother to answer, but simply waved at her, the rushed out the door.

At home, Videl was sitting by the fire drinking tea. On the small table next to the couch was a wrapped gift for her husband. She knew he wouldn't be home for her to give it to him, so she had decided to leave it there for him to find when he did get home. Suddenly, she heard the door open and slam, so she ran to the hall to see who it was. Standing there was Gohan, covered with snow and smiling brightly at her, bakery cake in hand. Without hesitation she ran over and kissed him with great affection, then walked him to the couch so he could warm up.

After hanging up Gohan's wet clothes, Videl snuggled up against him and smiled. "I'm glad you made it home for Christmas."

"Me too." He said, wrapping his arm around her. "Say, where's that disobedient daughter of ours?"

"Oh, she's at Capsule Corp. I think. She's probably stay there for the party. The main hall must look beautiful, all decorated and filled with sweet sounds and happy laughter. Gohan squeezed his wife tighter, then turned to her. "Well, why don't we go there then?" He asked.

"Oh could we?" Videl replied happily. Gohan smiled again and Videl quickly dashed off to change.