At World's End

Chapter 4: It's Not Really That Complicated

Ha ha ha. Thank you to all my readers and a special thanks to my reviewers. You people are awesome! It might take me a while to post new chapters because I'm in the middle of creating my very own RPG for the PC. Now, on with the story...

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"Gohan, I," Videl felt like she was choking on air. She didn't know what to say. Of course she enjoyed kissing him - he was a great kisser - it was just that it seemed a little out of character for Gohan to be kissing her and asking her out. 'Maybe being dead does that to you.' "I really don't know what to say. I wasn't really expecting this kind of question now."

"Sleep on it," he said and flew off before Videl could say anything else. Videl knew how nice Gohan was and she appreciated it that he was different from all the perverted guys in the world. But when it came to dating, Videl didn't know what it meant. She had never had a boyfriend and since her mother's death, she had promised herself that she would never care for anyone ever again. Videl didn't like getting hurt and it scared her to think about that possibility. But on the other hand, it was Gohan. Videl knew how much courage it must have taken him to ask her and she would feel just awful if she turned him down because she didn't want to get hurt. 'Seems to me like this is a no win situation,' she thought. 'But on the other hand, being Gohan's girlfriend would be a definite plus side to life. I just don't want to get hurt by him. Guys have a way with hurting people that they don't realize they are hurting until it's too late for help. It's just not fair.'

Videl sighed and leaned again the railing of her balcony as she over looked the garden. 'Maybe I shouldn't be so afraid of getting to know people. Gohan's been hurt before too, and he knows how I feel. It's not easy to stick Gohan in with all the other guys I've always stereotyped. He's different. Like how he wasn't perverted about the fact that I was in my pajamas. He didn't even notice because that's not the kind of thing he's looking for. He's so sweet and innocent. Since I know that he isn't going to hurt me, why am I so afraid?' Videl sighed and sat down on a lounge chair she had set up on her balcony. 'Things are getting far too confusing for me.'

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Videl was shaking. She thought that maybe she was cold, but it was summer and very hot out. She opened her eyes to see Melissa standing above her, shaking her shoulders to wake her. "Miss Videl, are you all right?" she asked.

Videl was puzzled. "Yes, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

Melissa straightened herself. "Because you are sleeping out on the balcony."

Videl groaned. 'Well that explains the back problems I'm having.' "I was just, uh, looking at the stars last night and I fell asleep."

Melissa smiled. "And by 'stars', you really mean that nice young gentleman that was, ah, 'talking' to you last night when I came to check if you needed an extra pillow." Videl blushed. "Yeah, by stars, I mean Gohan. Please don't tell anyone. If anyone finds out, they might tell my father and if my father finds out, then I'm totally dead. I don't want to die young, so please let's just leave that little incident between the two of us. Please, Melissa?"

Melissa smiled and sat down on the folding chair. "You are the first boss I've ever had that bothered to remember my name. I am quite fond of your kindness, Miss Videl. I will not tell a soul. I think it's wonderful that you are starting to have a love life. No boy has ever come to the mansion and asked to talk to you before. And no one has dared to sneak up to your balcony just to um, talk to you."

Videl smiled. "Gohan is a very nice guy."

"I bet he is," Melissa smiled.

Videl glanced at Melissa, but then stood up and stretched. "Well, I'd better get dressed. I'm supposed to meet with him to discuss a few problems with him concerning school."

"I bet so." Melissa let herself out of the bedroom.

Videl stared at the closed door. 'Now she's just starting to freak me out.' Videl quickly changed into another tank top, which like the one she wore to bed, didn't even come close to covering her stomach. She also threw on a pair of gray sweatpants. She put her hair back into one ponytail and tossed on her sneakers.

She was about to head out the back door when Melissa came up to her. "There is someone here to see you, Miss Videl."

Videl hurried into the hallway, where Gohan was standing. Videl took in a deep breath and just kept reminding herself to breathe. "Hi!" she said in a cheerful voice.

"Hey. I know you're probably getting annoyed by me by now," Gohan stated.

"Not at all," Videl smiled. "I was just going to head over your way."

"Do you want to go for a walk? We can talk."

Videl nodded. She slowly reached and grasped his hand in hers. "Follow me. I want to show you my favorite place in the world." Videl dragged Gohan through the house and out the kitchen door into the back yard. They passed the pool and entered the garden. "Here we are."

"Yes, we are here," Gohan repeated.

Videl let go of his hand. "Look, Gohan. I've thought about what you asked me yesterday. I thought about nothing else all night and I didn't even get a lot of sleep. I fell asleep on the balcony. And I thought I had an answer for you, but I'm still a little nervous. I mean, I've never had a boyfriend before. And..." she trailed off.

"And what, Videl?" Gohan looked into her eyes.

Videl felt like she was going to melt. She turned her gaze away from him. "I promised myself I would never have feelings for anyone since my mother's death. I just don't think I would be able to handle it if I got hurt again. I mean, with my mother dieing and my father losing it, I promised myself I wouldn't get hurt and end up like my father."

"Videl," Gohan said and he rested his hand against her cheek, "I would never hurt you and I think you know that."

Videl closed her eyes and leaned into his soft touch. "You would never hurt me on purpose," she corrected him. "And I would never hurt you on purpose either, but things happen, Gohan. People and events happen that change everything."

"You worry too much, Videl. If anything wrong happens, I'm sure I can fix it. If I can blow up an evil monster bent on destroying the planet, I think I can handle whatever mother nature throws at me."

Videl looked up to meet his gaze again. She rested her hands on his shoulders. "You make me feel safe, Gohan. That feeling of being safe from everything is scary because I've never felt this way about anything or anyone before. Just promise me one thing," she whispered, pulling herself closer to him.

"Anything, Videl."

Videl sighed, "Promise me that you'll always protect me - from bad guys, you, myself, and mother nature."

"I promise you, Videl."

Videl took in a long, shaky breath. "Gohan, I would be honored to be your girlfriend."

Gohan smiled. "You see? That wasn't that hard now, was it?"

Videl shook her head and laughed. "You live to tease me, Son Gohan."

"Yes, I do, Videl Satan," he whispered softly into her ear. Videl went to rest her head on his shoulder, but halfway through the motion, Gohan caught her lips with his. Videl shut her eyes and let Gohan kiss her softly. She ended up being the one to pull away. Videl opened her eyes softly and smiled at him. "Well, that was very different, Son Gohan."

He took her hand in his. "Yeah, well, I thought you might enjoy that."

Videl blushed slightly. "Maybe..." she whispered.

Videl started walking through the garden, Gohan's hand in hers. "So, Mr. Gohan, where did all of your new courage and boldness come from?"

Gohan shrugged, "I guess is was from the fact that, while I was dead, I couldn't help but think about you. And since I am alive again, I should do something about that. This is the best idea I had. Does it get your approval?" he asked.

Videl nodded.

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Announcer Dude says, "Next time on Dragon Ball Z..."

"Wait a minute!" Anti Darth Ani yells. "This isn't Dragon Ball Z! Get your act together! This is At World's End! I didn't pay you to come here and publicize another person's work! Are you insane? Here, let me have that back!" Anti Darth Ani grabs the computer, I mean the microphone, from the Announcer Dude and clears her throat.

"Next time on At World's End, Videl motto - kidnapping doesn't help the situation at hand. Oh how true!"

A preview for the next chapter: Videl's Little Visit

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Videl closed her eyes. She was too weak to search for Gohan's signature and teleport. She just wasn't able to. A tear ran down her cheek. 'Gohan, please come find me. I don't want to die.'

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