*~*
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ.
*~*
EDITING COMPLETED: 4/10/2004
*~* Chapter Two *~*
Sharpner's Idea
Gohan slowly made his way to class that morning. As he walked through the halls of Orange Star High, he could only think of how he was going to face Videl after the dream he'd had last night. Before he entered his classroom, he took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for what might happen when he saw Videl.
"Morning, Gohan," said Erasa with her usual smile on her face.
"Hey, Erasa, Sharpner . . . V-" His voice squeaked and he cleared his throat before continuing. "Videl."
Videl looked him over with her usual glare but said nothing.
Gohan slid into easy conversation with his other two friends, careful to keep his gaze off of Videl. He was afraid that he'd start to blush uncontrollably if a scene from last night's dream popped into his head.
Then came the announcement.
"All students report to the auditorium for a special announcement, all students report to the auditorium for a special announcement," said the principal over the intercom.
"I wonder what it could be," Gohan muttered as they headed down to the auditorium.
Videl crossed her arms over her chest. She could not believe that her father was actually going to go through with his dumb idea, despite all of her protests. But that was just like her Dad- going about his business no matter what others thought. "It's probably about my Dad's stupid contest," she gritted out angrily.
"A contest?" asked Erasa.
The other girl nodded. "I'm not going to stick around and watch the principal announce it to the whole school." She walked off, shoving her way through the crowd of people in the hallway, knocking several scrawny freshmen to the ground.
"What's wrong with her?" Sharpner wondered.
Gohan sensed her distress and decided to follow her. "Hey, Videl! Wait up!"
Videl streaked throughout the halls, and, after finding an empty hallway, stopped and leaned against a group of lockers. She buried her head in her hands and sank to the floor. "H-how could he do this to me? He d-didn't even a-ask if I was o-okay with someone staying at our house!" She forced back some tears that had gathered in her eyes. "I- I don't want anyone to see how he acts at home . . . w-when he's drunk all the time and the way he just sits around watching his old fighting videos . . . the way he stares at himself in the mirror for HOURS on end and the way he doesn't speak to me unless I beg him to . . ."
Gohan stared at Videl as she sat there against the lockers, his sensitive Saiyan ears picking up her muffled speech. He frowned out of concern. Gosh . . . I didn't know she had it that bad . . . No wonder she's so grumpy all the time . . .
Gohan forced all thoughts of his dream out of his head as he came closer to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It'll be alright, Videl. I'm sure your dad wouldn't do anything to embarrass you or himself in front of someone . . ."
She shook her head furiously. "You don't know him, you d-" Videl cut off mid-sentence and froze. Oh . . . no . . . "G-Gohan?"
"Yeah? I'm here."
Shit . . . "I would really appreciate it if you didn't mention what I just told you to anyone at school. I really didn't mean for you to overhear me . . ."
"Oh. Sorry. I promise that I won't tell anyone."
She glanced up at him. "I hate liars and secrets, Gohan. Please remember that."
Gohan gave her a tiny smile. Oh, boy . . . "Right. Are you feeling better now?"
Videl nodded and stood up, rubbing her face with her hands.
"A-are you sure? Because you looked pretty upset and-"
"I'm FINE, Gohan."
"Oh." He hesitated, and then pulled a scrap of paper and a pen from his pocket. He began to scribble something down onto it. "H-here's m-my p-phone number, Videl. If you want to . . . talk or something, you can just . . . give me a call any time . . ." He handed the slip of paper to her.
Videl stared down at it and blinked several times. What is he up to? She wondered suspiciously as she jammed the paper into her pocket. "Uh, sure. Thanks."
Gohan's cheeks turned pink. "So . . ."
Videl cleared her throat and stared straight at him. "So."
"How about we go to that assembly now?"
"Gohan . . ." moaned Videl.
The boy shook his head. "I never thought that you were a quitter, Videl. You always like to fight to the very end. Now, walk into that auditorium with your head held up high and don't let this get to you."
Videl squared her shoulders. "You're right. You know, Gohan, you're a pretty descent guy after all."
"Thanks, I'd like to think so."
*~*
"There they are!" cried Erasa as she pointed to Gohan and Videl as they walked down the isle together, looking for a place to sit. She stood up and began to wave her arms around. "Over HERE!!!!"
Sharpner glared at the way Gohan placed his hand on the small of Videl's back as he guided her over to where they were sitting. "My, my, my. Don't the two of you look comfy?" he sneered when they took two empty seats next to them.
"Huh?" muttered Gohan. "What are you talking about?"
"Ignore Sharpner," Videl grumbled. She kept her eyes locked on the stage where the principal would soon be announcing her sentence for a crime she hadn't committed.
*~*
"I wasn't THAT bad, Videl," said Gohan as they walked back to class. The assembly had ended just a few minutes ago.
"Oh, yeah? You have to admit that the video about my Dad's school was pretty cheesy. And I don't remember me giving my consent to be in that thing, either," Videl replied. "Dad or whoever made that piece of shit obviously stole some home videos or something."
Erasa looked up at Gohan. "Are you going to enter the raffle?" she asked. "I know you're hiding some muscles under that shirt . . ."
Sharpner snickered and Gohan flushed.
"N-no, Erasa. I'm not going to." He looked down at Videl, who smiled thankfully up at him. "Besides, I'm not really into that fighting stuff."
"Well, I'M entering," huffed Sharpner. "There's no way I'm passing up a month's worth of free lessons at Hercule's school. Do you know how much money it takes to get into that place? Even thought my Dad's loaded, we couldn't possibly pay for it."
Videl paled. "I really wish you wouldn't, Sharpner. Please don't enter."
He shook his head. "Sorry, babe, but I'm working on becoming the World Champ one day. I've gotta take my opportunities as they come."
"Fine," snapped Videl. "Let's go, Gohan."
"Oh . . . uh, coming!"
Sharpner watched as Videl and the little bookworm quickened their pace, leaving him and Erasa behind. Damn that Gohan! Why is Videl falling for that string bean instead of ME? I've gotta get Gohan out of the picture . . . Hmmm . . . I could enter him in that contest and make sure Videl finds out. She'd hate him for life after lying to her! Brilliant, Sharpner, brilliant!
*~*
That afternoon, Sharpner left lunch early and went to the office where students could sign up for the contest. He spotted a box labeled 'Hercule Raffle' and grinned. This must be it!
Sharpner picked up two entry forms next to the box. He quickly filled out the first one with his information, placed a kiss on it, folded it up and slipped it into the box. He moved to the second entry form.
Name? Son Gohan
Age? 18
"I hope that's right . . . that kid probably skipped a couple of grades . . ."
School? Orange Star High
Sharpner was lucky that the entry form didn't ask for more info, because that was all he knew. Ha! Take that, Son Gohan! When Videl finds out that you entered that contest behind her back, she'll be furious!!!!!!!
*~*
Videl stared blankly out of the window as her English teacher began to read from a book. She stifled a yawn and closed her eyes. Please, SOMETHING save me from this place! It feels like I'm rotting away . . .
She glanced over at Sharpner who had fallen asleep on his lesson book and Erasa who was busy humming to herself while painting her nails a vibrant pink. Videl shook her head when she caught sight of Gohan taking notes and carefully listening to the teacher.
He can be a real nerd sometimes. He never hangs out after school with us- he goes straight home like a momma's boy. But then again . . . His words from before flashed into her head.
"I never thought that you were a quitter, Videl. You always like to fight to the very end. Now, walk into that auditorium with your head held up high and don't let this get to you."
She sighed and focused her attention back to the window. Just because he did some smooth talking earlier doesn't mean that I'm going to forget about his secret. Oh, no, there was no way in hell that she was going to forget.
Just then, her phone rang. The teacher continued on as if nothing had happened, accustomed to her phone going off in the middle of class. Erasa looked up from her nails, Sharpner opened one eye lazily and Gohan dropped his pen as he leaned in to hear her conversation.
"Videl here, what's up? The bank? With hostages? Okay, I'm on my way." She stood up. "Sensei . . ."
"I understand, Videl. You may go."
"Thanks," she muttered and ran out of the classroom.
Gohan frowned. The bank? Like . . . my dream? He shook his head as he flushed and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. NO, NOT like my dream at all! But still . . . she might need my help . . .
Gohan faked several loud coughs to get the teacher's attention.
The sensei looked up from her book. "Would you like to get some water, Gohan?"
He leapt up. "Yes, of course. Be back in a while!"
*~*
When Videl arrived on the scene, the police officers informed her that most of the hostages had been released, but there were a few still inside with the robbers. She thanked him and went around the back of the building and snuck inside.
She crept down a long, dark hallway. If I were a robber, where would I be . . . ?
The loud voices of the robbers gave away their location. "Hurry up Lance!! The cops have probably called that chick already!"
Videl headed to the lobby. Sure enough, two big thugs were standing there with huge guns while another was lugging several bags of money over to them. Several people were huddled in one corner, shaking with fright.
"She's just a girl. We can take her!" cried the one she assumed was Lance.
Videl approached them with caution. They look strong . . . but just because they have big muscles doesn't mean anything. Take my Dad for instance . . .
*CREAK!!*
Videl froze and looked down at the loose floorboard on which she'd just stepped. "Damn it!"
It was too late to try and hide anywhere-- the thugs had spotted her.
"There she is Lance!" one of the thugs exclaimed. "That's the one!"
The Lance guy grinned and flexed his muscles. He looked Videl up and down, then let out a laugh. "Hahahahah!!! Look at 'er boys. She's a little thing! Doesn't even reach my shoulders!!"
Videl was ticked. "Oh, yeah?! Well take THIS!!!" She landed a punch right in Lance's gut.
He stumbled backwards and rubbed his belly. "I think that . . . tickled!!" The other thugs laughed.
Lance attacked. With one swift punch, Videl was sent flying into the wall. The thug grabbed her by her hair and pulled her to her feet. He grabbed her shirt and tore it away.
"Well, lookie here boys! She's been hidin' stuff under that ugly t-shit of hers!" he bellowed.
Videl's stomach heaved with nausea. These guys were pathetic. Maybe Dad was right . . . guys only want one thing . . .
The thugs were leering at her as she stood there in her sports bra. Then she gathered up her courage and hit Lance in the face. Then she placed a kick in his groin.
The big guy fell forward onto his face with a groan.
"HEY! You took down Lance!" exclaimed one of the other thugs.
She rolled her eyes. "Really? And what are you boys gonna do about it?"
Before the two robbers could rely, Saiyaman flew through a window, shattering class and sending shards flying into the room, and then landed next to Videl in a brilliant display of theatrics. Videl shook her head and rolled her eyes warily.
"Are you alright, Miss?" he asked in his deep voice.
Oh, great. It's Saiya-jerk. Today has not been my day . . . "Yes, I'm fine. I don't need your help," she snapped angrily.
"I'm . . . sorry to hear that, Miss, but I'm going to have to help you anyway."
Videl rolled her eyes again. I guess the guy can't take a hint.
Gohan eyed the thugs who were standing there with a look of surprise on their face. "D-did he just fly?" asked one of them.
"I sure did, fellows," said Saiyaman. "And you two are in a heap of trouble."
"Oh, yeah? Says who?"
"Says me!" cried Gohan. "I am the defender of love and justice! I am . . . the GREAT . . . SAIYAMAN!!!"
The thugs began to laugh. "Let's get this clown." They ran towards Saiyaman with their fists raised, ready for a punch.
Gohan phased out. The thugs looked around, dazed. "Holy . . . where did he go?"
Videl snickered. "Behind you, boys . . ."
They turned around and each received a punch in the face. The two men collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"That'll teach you to . . . rob . . . b-ba . . ." Gohan drifted off as he caught sight of Videl standing there half-naked with her hands on her hips. He blushed wildly underneath his orange helmet. "Uh, what h-happened to your s-s-shirt?"
"It was ripped off," she stated bluntly, pointing to the white fabric on the floor.
"Oh. Y-you must be c-c-cold . . ."
Videl just stared at him.
Gohan shifted uncomfortably. He then removed his green tunic and tossed it to Videl. "There you go. Just . . . uh . . . put that on and . . . uh . . . you'll be . . . just fine!"
Videl stared down at the fabric in her hand, then up at Saiyaman. Hmm . . . He doesn't look so bad without this thing on . . . She slipped it over her head. It was a bit heavy, way too big for her and the cape dragged on the ground, but she'd manage. "Thanks."
"Um, no problem, Miss. You be careful now." Gohan turned to fly away.
"Oh, Saiyaman!"
He froze. She'd called his name like that in his dream. He was tempted to fly away, but once again, he found himself rooted to the spot, unable to move.
"I'm going to find out who you are," she said in a low, husky voice.
Gohan chuckled a bit. "Yes, you've . . . told me MANY times before, Miss."
"And when I do . . . I'm going to challenge you. In front of a large crowd. Without your costume on."
"Really?"
"And I'm going to beat you."
"R-really?"
"Yep."
"Uh . . . okay. Can't wait till then! See ya!"
*~*
"My mom thinks he likes her," said Trunks wisely into the phone.
"Well, MY mom says that Gohan should marry this Videl girl. Because she's rich, I think," replied Goten. He was sitting in the middle of his bedroom, a phone up his ear.
Trunks snorted. "So. I'm rich but you don't see your mom telling Gohan to marry me, do ya?"
Goten wrinkled his nose. "Ewww, Trunks! You're being gross!"
"I'm trying to make a point, Goten. You don't get married because one person is rich."
"Then why DO you get married?"
"Because you love each other, dummy!" Trunks sighed. "Don't you know anything?"
"What's love?"
"That's when you're nice to a person and you kiss them a lot."
Goten frowned. "But . . . your Dad doesn't kiss your Mom. And he's not nice to her either. Your Dad's a poopy head!"
"He is not! He could whip your Dad's butt any day!"
"Uh-uh! You don't know that. You've never met my Dad! And besides, I thought we were talking about love and marriage."
"Oh. Right. Anyway, you don't want your brother to marry THIS girl."
"Uh . . . why not?"
"Her Dad is Hercule. That guy claimed that HE beat Cell and got all rich and famous for it. And I bet she's all mean and stuff."
Goten giggled. "Hercule's a poopy head too!"
Just then, Goten heard his brother enter the house. "I'm HOME!" he called.
"Ohhhhh, Trunks, Gohan's home. I'm gonna ask him if he's gonna marry that girl. Hold on!"
Goten clutched the cordless phone in his hand and bolted down the hallway. "Gohan, Gohan, Gohan! Trunks wants to know if you're gonna marry Videl! I wanna know too!"
Gohan stared down at his little brother. "Where'd you two get that idea from?"
"Momma said you would. And Trunks' Mom said that you like her and that would mean that you're gonna marry her. Are you gonna marry her?"
Gohan turned red and began to sputter incoherently until her managed to get out, "No! I . . . NO!!! Has everyone lost their minds?!"
Goten blinked as his brother stormed off towards his bedroom, muttering under his breath the whole way. He put the phone up to his ear. "Trunks-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard him. He sure is cranky."
*~*
Not Goten and Trunks, too! This continues to get worse and worse . . .
Gohan slumped down onto his bed. "And what was I thinking, giving her my number like that? She probably thinks that I was trying to hit on her or something!" He buried his head in the palm of his hands with a moan. "And WHY can't I get that image of her standing in the bank out of my head?! So what if she was half naked . . ."
He fell backwards onto his bed and gripped his pillow. He placed it over his face and let out a scream of frustration.
"MOM!!!!! GOHAN'S TRYING TO KILL HIMSELF!!!!!!!" shouted Goten as he barreled into his brother's room and hopped on the bed, jumping up and down with the phone in his hand.
"Go away, twerp," mumbled Gohan.
Chichi rushed into the room. "What the . . . what happened to you Gohan?"
The older boy sat up and threw the pillow across the room, just missing his younger brother. "Nothing Mom."
Goten giggled. "Trunks said that you need to beat Videl up! His dad said it too!"
Chichi glared at her younger son. Why do I let him hang around barbarians like Vegeta? "Be quiet, Goten. Can't you see that your brother obviously needs some help here?"
Goten bounced off of the bed and let out a squeal. "Guess what, Mom? Gohan gave her his PHONE NUMBER!!" He made some kissing noises, darting out of the room as Gohan leapt up from the bed and tried to grab him.
Chichi shook her head as Gohan slouched back to the bed. "What's this about phone numbers?"
"I gave Videl our number. She was . . . having some personal problems and I thought that she might want to talk to someone, so . . ."
Hearts formed in Chichi's eyes. "Oh, Gohan! That is so sweat!"
Gohan gave her a nervous grin. "It was a friendly gesture, Mom. Nothing more."
Goten bounced back into the room. "And what was that about her being HALF-NAKED?!!"
Chichi's eyes widened. "HALF WHAT?!! Gohan . . ."
"I-it's not what you think, Mom . . ."
"Then you'd better explain, mister!"
He told her about how he'd rescued her from the clutches of two goons, slightly exaggerating on the part where he'd taken down the crooks.
"That's even more romantic!" cried Gohan's mother.
Gohan sighed. "That reminds me . . . I need to go over to Capsule Corp. See ya later, Mom!" He hopped out of his window and flew off.
*~*
"Well, hello, lover boy!" snickered Vegeta as he eyed Kakkarot's eldest spawn with mild interest. "Trunks has kept us well updated on your love life."
Bulma smacked the back of her husband's head. "Ignore him. Come on, Gohan. Let's go into the kitchen."
Gohan followed her. "Thanks Bulma. I thought we could talk."
She smiled and shook her head. "So Chichi was no help, huh?"
"No. All she talked about was romance and marriage and all that stuff."
Bulma laughed and took a seat at the kitchen table. She waited for Gohan to do the same before continuing. "So what's happened this time?"
Gohan filled her in on the details of the day's events, guessing that it was okay to tell her about Videl's problem.
"Poor girl. I didn't know things were that bad in the Satan home," muttered Bulma. "But I'm glad you're trying to be Videl's friend, even though she's less than polite to you sometimes."
"She's a good girl. And okay, once you get to know her. But if she ever found out that I- little Gohan, the resident bookworm at Orange Star High- was really Saiyaman AND the Gold Fighter, I'm sure she'd flip. She probably wouldn't even speak to me again." Gohan rested his chin in the palm of his hand.
"I think you should just tell her everything then. She said that she hates liars and secrets, right?"
"Yeah . . . but then imagine what she'd do if she found out her father is the biggest fraud on the face of the earth . . ."
Bulma thought that over, then nodded. "Okay, so, leave the Cell stuff out. If she found out about THAT, I'm sure it would ruin her life."
Gohan shook his head. "I can't do it, Bulma. I just . . . can't. If she knew I was Saiyaman and the Gold Fighter, she'd probably put two and two together and come to her own conclusion that I was there at the Cell Games. Videl's really smart."
Bulma threw up her hands and stood up. "So what was the point of you coming over here if you're not going to take my advice?!" She poked Gohan in the chest, causing him to back up a few steps. "I'm telling you Gohan- tell her NOW! Women hate to be lied to."
"But . . . Videl's just a girl."
She let out an exasperated sigh. "You get it from your father . . . Look, it would be better if she heard the truth from YOU, not someone else."
"I'll just have to be extra careful, okay? She- or anyone else- WON'T find out. And besides, the real reason that I came over here was to have you fix the Saiyaman watch. I don't think that it'll work now that I've given Videl my tunic."
"No, it'll work. Just try it."
"Okay . . ." He pushed the red button. The Saiyaman costume appeared, tunic and everything. "Wow!"
"It'll automatically replace any part of the costume that's missing."
"Thanks, Bulma."
Trunks came into the kitchen at that moment, a cordless phone in his hand. "Oh, Gohan, you're here."
Gohan stared at the phone in the young Saiyan's hand. He could hear Goten's loud voice on the other end, screaming something about some chocolate pudding Chichi had just made. "Gee, you two must have a lot to talk about . . ."
Trunks blinked several times. "Oh, sure, sure. Why are you here?"
"Oh, no reason." If I tell you, then you'll blab it to Goten, who will then tell Mom. "I should be going now. See you later guys."
*~*
Videl tossed her shorts onto the floor with a sigh and slipped into a loose pair of sweat pants. It was Friday night and she had noting planned, as usual. She flopped onto her bed and turned her tv on, then began to channel surf, not really paying much attention to what was on the television.
Videl's thoughts were on her latest encounter with Saiyaman. She snickered. The guy was obviously embarrassed when he saw her without a shirt on. She glanced at Saiyaman's tunic lying on her dresser. I don't understand that guy at all. He's an awesome fighter, yet he seems to lack some discipline or something. Not to mention the fact that he's a bit goofy . . .
Suddenly her door flew open, startling the young raven haired girl. Hercule stepped into her room and looked around.
"What's all this stuff in the floor?" he asked, nudging a pile of clothes with his foot.
"Clothes."
"I can see that. I meant, what is it DOING on the FLOOR?"
She let out a huge sigh and snatched up the shorts that she'd just taken off. Something white fluttered out of the pocket and landed on the carpet. Videl quickly picked it up so that her father would not see.
She picked up the rest of the clothes and shoved them into her father's arms. "Could you take these downstairs for me? I got a little ruffed up at the bank today . . ."
"Oh, uh, sure . . ." muttered Hercule. He peeked over the mountain of clothes in his arm, noticing the strange green shirt on his daughter's dresser. "What's that? That looks like . . . part of that clown Saiyaman's costume!"
Videl said nothing.
"What are you doing with that? Is he stalking you? I'll have every cop in Satan City looking for him-"
"No, Dad, it's not Saiyaman's. It's for a play at school," she neatly fibbed, knowing that her father would buy it.
"Oh. . . Say, Videl . . . do you think a lot of kids at your school were interested in the contest? How many people do you think entered?"
"I don't know Dad. A lot, I'm sure."
"Right. I'll . . . uh, be going now."
Videl shut the door behind her father once he'd left. She then looked down at the slip of paper she held in her hand. What's this? She read the series of numbers written on the paper. Gohan's number. Gohan's . . . number, huh? This gives me an idea . . .
