Author's Note: Hiya! Is anyone still here? Well, I don't blame ya if you don't want to read anymore, since it's been months since I've last updated this story. I'm kinda ticked, though, that I've been missing all of the new DBZ episodes because I don't have cable (or the internet, for that matter) anymore. Oh, well. Knowing Cartoon Network, I'm sure they'll play the episodes again.

Nope, I don't own DBZ.

II. Dark Passions

*~* Chapter Thirty Seven *~*

Three

For the next forty-eight hours, the regimen was filled with nothing but rigorous training and strenuous excursuses. And, whenever the boys trained hard, Chichi worked hard in the kitchen. This time she was accompanied by Bulma, of all people, who decided that while everyone was busy working out, she would have time to score a few recipes from her friend.

Chichi was stirring a giant bowl of batter with two hands and a huge spoon, all the while keeping an eye on Bulma's progress with one of the many turkeys they had to bake that day. The younger woman's face screwed up as she frowned.

"This is sooo disgusting," moaned Bulma as she shoved her arm into the bird's body, taking out the innards. "Why don't the turkey people just take them out themselves?"

"They're fresh, just plucked, in fact. Dad was kind enough to bring us a bunch," said Chichi, her voice a tad bit strained from stirring. "Or maybe you'd like to pay for them?"

She grumbled underneath her breath. "Yeah, well, I'll be glad when this is all over. Then everything will be normal again."

"Things are never normal around here."

"You know what I mean."

Videl stomped angrily into the kitchen and yanked open the refrigerator, nearly ripping the door off its hinges. As she removed several bottles of water, Chichi asked, "What did Vegeta say now?"

Vegeta, as they wall knew, was very serious about his training and had adamantly protested against having Videl present at their workout, declaring that she'd just hold them back. After Gohan and Goku came to her defense, he'd backed down, but his attitude hadn't improved a bit.

"He forced me to leave the gravity room again!"

Bulma shook her head. "Why?"

"Vegeta said that I was distracting Gohan or something and told me to 'be a good little girl and fetch the men some refreshments'! The nerve of that jerk!"

Chichi sighed heavily, turning away from her work. "They're still going at it? They know that Shin will be here any minute to give Gohan your energy."

Videl rolled her eyes, opened one of the bottles and sipped at the icy liquid. "Yeah, well, everyone seems to feel the need to bash in Gohan's face or work him until there's nothing left. Secretly, I think Vegeta wants to off Gohan so he can take his place in The Big Fight."

Bulma snorted and moved away from her bird. "Well, I wouldn't put it past him. He's very eager to defend his title as the true Saiyan prince." Then she returned her hands to the bird's insides, wrinkling her nose at the same time.

"Yeah, well, he can take his eagerness and stick it up his . . ."

"Good morning everyone!" Shin popped in from no where and stood in the middle of the kitchen, surprising the three women. Bulma was caught off guard so much that she tossed her turkey over her head, and it flew over the table where Videl sat and onto the floor.

Chichi scowled. "Bulma! You wasted a perfectly good turkey!"

Videl grinned. "Feed it to Vegeta. He'll never know . . ."

Shin smiled. "So, where are the others?"

"Working the poor gravity room to death," replied Videl, beginning to get up. "I'll go get them."

"Oh, no need. I'll just call them."

They waited a few seconds and, sure enough, the men came bounding into the kitchen, with Gohan in the lead. Despite his bloody face and clothing, he wore a big grin and looked eager to get things going. "Are you ready?"

Shin approved of his attitude and nodded once. "It appears that you are. Now, who will be making the trip with us this time?"

Gohan looked around, then turned his fellow fighters. Each of them stared back and waited for him to say something. "Say, could someone stop by Dende's and tell him to ready the chamber? And see if there's a good supply of senzu beans? And ask him whether or not . . ." He glanced hesitantly at Videl, who raised an eyebrow. "Ask him if Videl can stay up there while we fight . . . when it's time?"

Videl jumped up. "Oh, no you don't! I'm coming too!"

Vegeta gave her a look. "I don't think so. It'll do none of us any good if you keep running out onto the battlefield every time the brat here gets socked in the face . . . which," he smirked evilly and replied sweetly, "will be bound to happen many, many times."

"Ha, ha, Vegeta. And Videl, you'll be safest up there, okay? That's the only place where I feel would be best for you to stay."

She sighed. It wouldn't do anyone any good if Gohan worried about her safety the whole time that he was supposed to be fighting. "Fine. Whatever."

Gohan gave her an encouraging smile. "Thanks. Piccolo, Vegeta and Dad, you guys can come with me. The rest, I guess, can go up to see Dende. And take Videl- she might be there for a while."

With that, the selected fighters lined up and grasped hands, forming a small chain with Shin at the head, and were off. Krillin and Tien turned to Videl and stared for a while.

"Well?!" she exclaimed angrily. "Let's go already!!"

"Okay, okay! Geez, don't have a cow . . ." muttered Krillin. "It's quite a flight . . ." He looked Videl over skeptically, then glanced up at Tien, who shrugged his shoulders. "Think you can keep up?"

Videl glared. "Keep up? Keep up? I'll show you keeping up!"

*~*

Vegeta scowled furiously as Gohan, wearing a goofy smile, waved to his father before jumping into the pod in which his mate had been in just days before. I can't believe this! That brat! It'll take much more than some added energy to get him up to where he should be, to a point where he can defeat that imposter prince. I should be in there right now . . . I should be the one to take back my title . . .

He whirled around and crossed his arms, feeling the rage build up again. Every time he thought of someone else being called the prince of all Saiyans, it infuriated him beyond belief. HE was the one and only prince, and some punk was ripping of his title.

If the boy can't take out that fake, then I shall! I will put an end to his farce, and regain my former glory!

Vegeta's face began to form a sinister smile. He hadn't forgotten about the new Saiyan planet that existed out in distant space, just waiting for him to come along and truly make it what it once was. He could imagine the throngs of Saiyans bowing down at his feet as he reigned supreme over them all . . .

But you have a family now . . . here, on earth. A son, a wife . . . they won't want to leave their friends, their home planet, just as you didn't want to leave yours.

Well, now, this did present a bit of a problem. Could he just pack up and leave? A few years ago, he would've answered yes without a second's thought. But now, he had a son, a son who's strength and fighting ability looked promising and a woman whom he . . . well . . . whom he cared for- although he'd never admit it to anyone.

What a predicament! Return to his title, or stay on earth, with his new life . . .

Goku turned away from his son, who was now unconscious and absorbing Videl's energy, to look at Vegeta. Piccolo's attention was also on the man, which Goku thought was strange. Piccolo hated Vegeta, but now he was gazing at the proud Saiyan with worry in his eyes. Goku approached his friend and whispered, "You feel that?"

"Feel what?" grunted the Namek, although he knew perfectly well what Goku was talking about.

"Vegeta's always been the king of hiding his emotions, but now . . . I can feel that he's in a battle with himself."

There was indeed a stricken look on Vegeta's face, as if he'd just realized something horrible. Piccolo struggled to fight back his concern. That arrogant man deserved no worry from anyone, as far as Piccolo was concerned. Whatever he'd done, or whatever he was going to do that made him so unsure about himself was Vegeta's problem, and had nothing to do with Piccolo.

The Namek quickly turned to Goku, his face going blank. "I'm going out to meditate. Feel free to join me at any time." He exited the lab with haste, not looking back. Goku's eyes followed the anxious Piccolo until he was out of sight, then sighed and returned his gaze to his fellow Saiyan, only to find Vegeta already staring at him.

Their eyes remained locked until Vegeta very slowly turned around and walked off.

*~*

"You'll be totally comfortable up here, Videl," Dende assured happily, trying to ease the unhappy look off of her face. "Besides, I'm sure with the Supreme Kai's added measures, Gohan will easily take the victory and you'll be back with him in no time."

"I sure hope so," muttered Videl. She still wasn't too excited about the thought of staying up at the lookout while the fighting was going on below. But what could she do? Absolutely nothing.

"Gohan also wanted us to ask about senzu beans and the Hyperbolic Time Chamber," Krillin spoke up. "Everything in order?"

Dende nodded, recalling the work he'd done early that morning in preparation for his friends. "Yep. We've got a new batch of beans, and the chamber is still in working order. So when can I expect him tomorrow?"

Tien grinned. "As soon as possible- you can count on that. Maybe the crack of dawn. And it won't be just Gohan- I suspect Piccolo, Vegeta and Goku will want to take advantage of the opportunity too."

"Yeah. And it seems as if Gohan's really fired up, ready to defend his woman's honor!" cracked Krillin, giving Videl a wink.

"Whatever." Then a familiar, sly look appeared on her face as she inched closer to the young guardian. "Say . . . Dende . . ."

Krillin looked at her suspiciously, his eyes moved up and down her frame. "Hey hey hey! I know that voice! What is it now? What do you want?"

"I wanted to know if it would be possible for me to join Gohan in the time chamber thingy. You know, be his back up, his . . . cheerleader or whatever?"

Tien snickered. "Right. You'll be more like a distraction. He'll be too busy sucking face with you to get any work done."

Videl narrowed her eyes and growled, "Grow up, will you guys? He knows how important this is. He wouldn't do anything like that. And you know it."

"Maybe," Krillin replied, but his voice didn't sound too confident. "Anyway, I'm sure the minute you ask him about it, he'll say no."

Tien nodded in agreement. "So don't even bother asking."

Videl scoffed and turned her back to them. What an encouraging bunch of people they are! Really! Well, I don't give a rat's ass about what they think. I'll convince Gohan to let me in the chamber with him. I have to.

*~*

Chichi waltzed into the kitchen with a cardboard box in her arms, plopped it on the table and, although it was addressed to Gohan, eagerly began tearing at it with her hands. Bulma, who'd come in only for a cup of coffee (most definitely not to cook), turned from the counter and raised an eyebrow.

"What are you doing?" she asked apprehensively.

"Give me a knife!" Chichi grunted instead of answering as she whacked on the box with her fist.

"What's in there?" She came around to look at it. "This is Gohan's! Chichi, honestly . . . he's a big boy now. I think he can open his own packages," Bulma muttered sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She moved to take the battered box from the woman.

Chichi slapped her hand away. "Look! Look who sent it! And guess what's inside . . ."

Bulma scanned over the address. "Oh . . . ohhhhhh . . ."

Chichi's face lit up. "Let's open it! Let's open it!"

Like two young girls on Christmas morning, they attacked the box until nothing was left but little pieces of cardboard, some of which had somehow ended up in their hair. Panting, they stared wide-eyed at the two small black boxes that lay before them.

Bulma turned to her friend. "You're the mother . . . you do the honors."

Chichi didn't hesitate. She snatched up one of the boxes and cracked it open. "WOW!!! This must've cost a fortune!!!!!! It's so beautiful . . ."

"Sure is. And it probably did cost a fortune. After all, he won one at the . . . hey! What are you doing?!"

Chichi slipped the band onto her finger (with much difficulty) and held it up to the light as the stone glistened. Her eyes began to water with motherly joy. "Oh, Bulma, look at it. It's wonderful. It's beautiful. It's perfect . . . it's . . . it's . . . it's stuck!!!"

Bulma choked back a laugh as Chichi began to pull furiously at her hand. She watched the theatrics for a while before saying, "Okay, okay, good one Chichi. Now, take it off before Gohan gets back, or worse, before Videl gets back and sees."

"What . . . does . . . it look like . . . I'm trying . . . to do?! It's really stuck!!!!!"

" . . . Gohan's gonna kill you . . ."

"NOT if he doesn't find OUT!"

Bulma snickered. "Well, he's gonna know that you tore open his private box-"

"ME?! YOU helped too!"

"Hey, it was your idea! AND you started it!"

While they argued and bickered, neither heard the front door opening, nor did they hear Videl, Krillin and Tien reenter the house until Krillin loudly announced that he was 'in the mood for some grub'. At that moment, the two women froze for a second, then began a flurry of movement, each sweeping up a ring box and stuffing it into their pocket. Chichi grabbed an oven mitt and stuffed her hand into it to hide the ring from the eyes of the others.

The three entered the kitchen, then stopped, eyeing the guilty looking women as they stood there with nervous smiles plastered on their pale faces. They all knew, instantly, that something was up.

Videl noticed the cardboard bits on the floor and in their hair and on their clothes. "Whose package was it?"

"What?" they squeaked at the same time.

"You opened a package, didn't you? Must've had some pretty interesting contents, huh?" Videl grinned slyly. "C'mon, you can tell me what it was."

"What what was?" asked Chichi innocently.

Videl snickered, then turned around and left, calling over her shoulder, "I'm sure Gohan will tell me what it was when he gets back!"

Bulma let out a squeal of surprise. How had she known?!

Tien and Krillin, not wishing to be in the crime scene when the others returned, quickly decided to go out for something to eat.

Chichi yanked off the mitt, tossed it to the floor and searched the fridge for some butter. Finding it, she covered her finger with it and yanked. Nothing. This time, Bulma helped to pull it off, but the ring remained on Chichi's finger.

"Well, now we have no choice but go to the boys for help. Maybe they're strong enough to get it off," supplied Bulma when they'd given up.

Chichi wasn't to wild about having two strong little boys pulling on her arm, but agreed and went out back in search for them. They tore around the side of the house, yelling for Trunks and Goten, who appeared to be nowhere in sight.

"Damn it! Where are those brats when you need them?" muttered Chichi after they'd circled the house several times.

"Let's try the gravity room," Bulma suggested. "Where else would they be?"

So off they went, peeking around corners stealthily to see if Videl was anywhere around before darting down the hallways. When they reached it, the red light above the door was glowing brightly. Bulma kicked in the door to find Vegeta, not the boys, working in the room.

"What do you want, woman?" he scowled angrily. "You interrupted my training."

"I was looking for Trunks, or maybe Goten. Have you seen them?"

"They flew out to that onna's house over there-" Vegeta gestured to Chichi, "-to pick up something or other. Why?"

Bulma swore, then frowned. "What are you doing here anyway? The others aren't back yet."

Vegeta hesitated, then answered while turning away, "I didn't feel like sitting there, staring at Kakkarot's brat float in goo all day. I have better things to do with my time."

Chichi stepped forward. "You sure do. Bulma, we need his help."

This caused Vegeta to whirl around, a perplexed look on his face. "What did you say?"

"You heard me. I need your help."

He looked suspicious. "With what, onna?"

Bulma gasped. "But he'll find out! He'll know!"

"Well, I'd rather he know than Videl. So, since no one else is around, he's the only person," Chichi calmly rationalized.

" . . . okay . . ."

Chichi stuck out her hand and flashed the ring at Vegeta, who raised an eyebrow. "I need to get this off. Now."

Vegeta looked between his wife and Kakkarot's, then at the ring. Gears began turning in his mind and suddenly, things clicked. A tiny, evil grin spread across his face. "Well, this is certainly interesting! How did you two get yourselves into this one?"

Bulma sighed. "Are you going to help or not?"

Vegeta made them squirm for a few seconds, then nodded. He snatched up Chichi's hand a little roughly, examined the finger and the stuck ring, and then laughed. "How on earth did you manage to fit this on your fat finger?"

"Fat finger?! My fingers aren't fat, you . . . ouch!! OUCH!!!"

Vegeta twisted the ring, yanked, twisted again and pulled it free. He looked at it a bit, then gave it back to Chichi, who pocketed it and raised her chin.

"Well . . . thanks."

" . . . you're . . . welcome . . ." Hmmm. Those words were very foreign to Vegeta's lips. He turned back around and eyed the controls. "Now, if you will, I'd like for you to leave. There's still work to be done."

The women quickly left, securing the ring in its box with relieved sighs. They wearily went back to the kitchen, only to find Videl sitting in Gohan's lap with a pile of cardboard chips lying on the table in front of them. Gohan, who looked a little sleepy, was eyeing the chips nervously, licking his lips.

"And so I came in here, and they looked incredibly guilty and really pale, with this stuff all over the floor and on them, and of course they denied everything." Videl appeared to think, tilting her head this way and that. "It was weird, because your mother had on an oven mitt, but I didn't smell anything cooking . . . still, don't as a matter of fact . . ."

"I wasn't expecting anything," Gohan lied, setting her on her own two feet. "Really, I wasn't."

"Oh, so it's going to be like that, huh? Okay. But you know I'll find out."

Gohan smiled. "I'm sure you will."

Videl left the kitchen, but not before stopping to eye the two mothers.

Chichi and Bulma unloaded their pockets guiltily and told him the whole story. Gohan took the boxes and laughed. "I guess you've learned your lesson then."

Chichi immediately nodded. Her hand was still sore from Vegeta's yanking.

"So, how'd it go at Shin's?" asked Bulma.

"Everything's fine. I should be going up to bed, though. Got a big day tomorrow." He got up and stretched. "See you in the morning."

*~*

The morning began early for Gohan. He was ready to start his intense training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, to put Videl's energy to good use. The sun had not even risen yet, and Gohan was already tying up the sash on his gi.

Heading down the stairs, he felt the ki's of his dad, Vegeta, Piccolo, and . . . Videl, gathered in the living room of the Capsule Corp. building. He smiled a tiny smile. So she wants to see me off. Of course. Gohan felt uneasy about having to leave Videl behind while he aged a whole year, about being away from her for that long. Since they'd been together, they'd rarely been separated for an extended amount of time. But what else could he do? This had to be done.

He joined the others in the living room, first going up to Videl and hugging her. "Are you going up there with us to say goodbye, Videl?"

"Actually . . ." she began.

Vegeta groaned, Goku looked apprehensive, and Piccolo just shook his head. Gohan knew what they were all thinking. 'What is it now?'

"I was thinking that I'd could come in with you. In the chamber, I mean."

Vegeta exploded. "NO! Absolutely not! You'd serve no other purpose other than to distract the boy from his work!"

"Gohan's a big boy, Vegeta. I think he can deal," sneered Videl.

Goku gave Videl a concerned look. "The time chamber is NOT an easy place to be in. It's . . . very intimidating for first timers."

Piccolo said nothing, just looked a little thoughtful.

"In other words," Vegeta wrapped up, "you'd only be a hindrance and a nuisance."

Gohan stared into his girlfriend's eyes, seeing her honest desire to be with him. "You'd really like to come, Videl?" he asked softly.

" . . . Yeah."

" . . . once you go in, you can't come back out till it's over. It'll be a year with just me, Dad, Vegeta and Piccolo. No one else, no other women. No tv, no phone, no-"

"I know, Gohan. I know all of that already. I talked to Dende about it and he explained everything."

"Well . . . if you're sure . . ."

Goku stepped forward. "Gohan, you can't be considering this. It's dangerous."

"Videl can handle it. She's not as fragile as you guys like to think," Gohan asserted. "And I can handle it. I'm not going to screw up something this big."

The room remained silent for a few tense moments. Piccolo suddenly barked, "If we're going to go, then let's do it."

Videl grinned and slung a bag filled with personal items that she'd packed the night before over her shoulder with excitement. The guys wouldn't regret taking her along. She would make sure of it.

*~*

Few words were spoken once they arrived on Dende's Lookout, and only then were they used to converse with the guardian and to see if everything was set. Dende tried to hide his surprise, that Videl had actually gotten her way as he gave them a bag of senzu beans, told them to only use them in emergencies, wished them luck before they stepped foot into the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

As the doors were slowly opened, Gohan whispered to his girlfriend, "There's still time to back out . . ."

Back out? Satan Videl didn't back out. She just shook her head and followed the others inside, staring at the white expanse before her. When the door shut with a bang, she jumped and whirled around, then turned back to the never-ending background. "Wow . . ."

As the others immediately began surveying their living conditions, Gohan squeezed Videl's shoulder. "Okay?"

"Just peachy."

"Gohan . . ." called Goku, "there are only four beds!"

Gohan and Videl looked around. Sure enough, there were only two sets of bunk beds, and no extra. Gohan shrugged his shoulders and moved to sit down on one of the lower beds. "So? Videl and I can share."

Goku, playing the worried father, frowned disapprovingly. "I don't know . . ."

Videl rolled her eyes and tossed her sack onto the bed on which Gohan sat. "Oh, yeah, we're really gonna do the wild thing with his dad and his friends sleeping less than five feet away."

Gohan and Goku blushed. "Well . . . ah," Goku cleared his throat. "Seeing that I am Gohan's father, I think I should take the one above you two. It's the fatherly thing to do."

Vegeta glared. "Enough of that. Let's get to work already." Piccolo nodded in agreement.

"Wait!" exclaimed Gohan. "I think . . ." he glanced over at Videl, who was looking around the living area with innocent curiosity, " . . .that a few ground rules need to be set."

Exasperated sighs erupted from the others as they shifted their weight.

"Hear me out, okay? Now, I think a little . . . propriety . . . is in order. A lady is present, after all." Gohan turned red again, shooting Videl meaningful looks.

She looked his way. "Huh?"

Goku also seemed confused. "Propriety? What do you mean?"

"Is that word too big for you, Kakkarot?" Vegeta snarled. "Well, I'll tell you what it means. It means that you can't go running around the place butt naked anymore!"

It was Videl's turn to blush as she quickly turned away. Goku . . . running around the place naked? Figures. He WOULD do something like that.

Goku's face began to resemble a tomato. "Oh. Oh! Well, of course I wouldn't do something like that with Videl around!" He quickly walked off, leaving Piccolo and Vegeta to follow.

Gohan began to laugh with Videl, and the two plopped down on the bed together. Gohan pulled her close and buried his face in her hair. "Say . . . what do you have in that bag?"

" . . . nothing. Don't worry about it. Just some . . . personal things."

"Personal things? Like what?"

Videl giggled into his chest and smacked him lightly. "You know what I mean."

" . . . no, not really. I don't."

" . . . you're serious."

"Yeah."

She laughed even harder, getting off of him. "Get out of here. Get to work."

"But . . . but . . ."

"Go on!" As Gohan walked off to join the group who'd already begun to spar with his shoulders hunched over in confusion, Videl shook her head and stuffed her bag underneath the bed. How had she managed to fall in love with someone so naïve?

*~*

In beginning, things went a little rough for the group, specifically in the propriety area. Gohan made a effort to make sure that the men were fully clothed most of the time (Vegeta made a big deal about having to go around with a shirt on), made sure that Videl had her privacy when she bathed, and tried to stop the others from yelling out harsh obscenities while they were training . . . and while they weren't.

After time, everyone settled in and (relatively) got along. And Videl turned out to be more of an asset than previously thought. When she wasn't training herself, she kept the living area neat and tidy, picking up torn gi's from the middle of the floor, making up beds, preparing hot baths for the men when they finished a long round and so forth.

But Videl really spent most of her time watching Gohan fight. He was getting much better, regaining the strength he'd lost during his lax seven years. Within just a few months, he could now take on both Piccolo and Vegeta at the same time, and he could only get better.

A strange sense of pride filled Videl as she realized that it was technically her strength that had cause Gohan's drastic improvements.

However, this pride slowly began to ware off as she began to suspect that Gohan was overworking himself. As more time passed, Gohan spent barely any time asleep, and every single hour training. If the others were tired or resting, he would go out and work on his own. Even Goku began to show signs of worry as he tried to coax his son into relaxing once and a while. But Gohan would not give in and resisted any and all temptations, working himself to the bone.

Goku privately approached Videl to speak to her about it. He sat on the floor next to her, directing his gaze to the same area hers was pointed to- Gohan. "What do you think?" he asked quietly.

"I dunno. We can't stop him- we've already tried, so what is there to do?"

" . . ."

"Goku . . . could you explain to me the levels of Super Saiyan again?" she asked nonchalantly.

Goku was surprised, but went on to tell her anyway. He explained that Saiyans gained another level through desperation and anger. Very strong emotions could trigger the change at any time.

"I see . . . So, that's what he's after."

"Excuse me?"

"He's after the elusive third level of Super Saiyan. The only way to defeat Rattai is to be stronger than him, and gaining a level would be a sure sign of his strength."

"Hmmm . . . maybe you're right. So I should be encouraging him?"

Videl shrugged. "I guess. As long as he eats and gets some sleep, then he should be fine."

So Goku took her advice and worked with his son, now knowing what he was trying to achieve. But time was running out, and, with just two months left in the chamber, Gohan had still not reached the desired level. Vegeta believed that there was no third level and that Rattai had been just making it up since he'd been "working his ass off without any gain."

Yet Gohan did not give up, and neither did Videl. When the others slept at 'night', Videl stayed up with Gohan as he fought, even though he was so far out that she could barely see him. Gohan knew that she was there- she was always there, and he drew more strength from her loyalty.

I've got to reach the next level. It's the only way . . . Gohan took a second to glance at Videl, who sat alone in the living area with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. If I don't do this, then Videl will be turned over to the creep . . . He resumed his training, working faster and faster, his fists and feet just blurs. If I fail, then Videl will have to be subjected to that bastard's advances . . . His eyes narrowed to slits as he envisioned Rattai before him, and began to attack with even more fury. If I am defeated, then he'll rape Videl, he'll beat her, she'll be miserable and unloved . . . I don't want that. Gohan felt his desperation building until his heart felt ready to explode. I won't let that happen . . . I won't . . . I won't . . .

"I WON'T!!!!!!!" bellowed Gohan. What he'd felt building up inside of him was suddenly released as he tossed back his head and screamed.

Videl jumped to her feet and began to back up. "Go-Go-GOKU!!!!!! Wake up, something's happening to Gohan!!!!!!!!"

But he and the others were already up, and had been the second they felt Gohan's ki spike. Barely dressed and groggy, they watched as Gohan's body was engulfed in blinding light and the whole place began to shake. Videl immediately hit the floor and covered her head, yet all the while peaking through her fingers. The others steadied them selves by grabbing onto a wall or a bed or a table, momentarily blinded by the intense light.

After what seemed like an eternity, everything was silent. Vegeta swore loudly, then took off in Gohan's direction. Piccolo and Goku followed suit, leaving Videl still cowering on the floor. She hesitantly sat up and brushed back a few locks of hair from her face. "Gohan . . ."

He'd fallen from the air where he'd been sparring and was now on the ground with the other three fighters standing above his still body, murmuring to themselves.

What had happened? Had he reached level three?

Determined to be of some help, Videl sprang into action, filling the tub with hot water, gathering some towels and removing one bean from their stash, which had remained untouched until now. She was sure that Gohan would need it.

She anxiously watched as the three began carrying Gohan back to safety, but was most certainly not prepared for what she saw when Goku carefully placed his son on the bed.

"Level three," Vegeta whispered. "It is possible . . ."

"Once again, he's upstaged us all," mused Piccolo with a hint of pride in his voice.

Goku grinned. "That's my boy."

Videl scoffed and shoved them roughly aside, kneeling down next to the bed. "He's lying here practically dead and you guys are just staring and gawking like he's some side show or something . . ." She shoved the senzu bean into Gohan's mouth, sweeping back his . . . extended hair, only to have it fall back in place. "Damn spiky hair . . ."

Vegeta sat on the floor and scratched his chest, then yawned quite loudly. "He'll be fine, woman. Back off."

Goku rubbed his hands together anxiously. "I can't wait till he's awake! I want to see what he can do now that he's in this level! I-"

"Oh no you don't!" Videl protested furiously, whirling around to face the older man. "He can rest for a few days first, then you can let him kick your asses, but-"

"A few day's?!" whined Goku. "I can't wait that long!"

"And neither can I."

Everyone returned their attention to Gohan, who was sitting up on the bed, flexing his hands and pulling at his hair. He could barely fit in the fresh gi he'd put on earlier; now, the fabric was strengthening against his newly enlarged muscles. He felt power surging through them, and now that he was refreshed from the senzu beans, he was ready to test drive the new level.

"Gohan! But-"

"Just for a while, Videl, and then I'll go straight to bed. I just need to figure out some things first," Gohan replied calmly, although inside, he was buzzing with excitement.

"Yeah, like how to get out of level three," said Goku. "And then, of course, how to get back without using too much of your energy."

"That will be crucial in the battle," Vegeta added. "All of the work the brat did will be useless if he wears himself out getting there."

Piccolo nodded. "And learning a few new moves while there's still time wouldn't hurt. Given that the enemy has already seen you at work, and vice versa, having something to surprise him with would be a benefit."

Videl threw up her hands in defeat. "Okay, I get the point. There's a lot to be done, and in very little time."

Gohan leapt off of the bed. "Let's get back to work."

*~*                 

It turned out that it took only a single thought about Videl in some kind of trouble to send Gohan to level three, but he decided to keep that little piece of information to himself, even though his dad and Vegeta pestered him to death about how he was able to achieve it so easily. Gohan skirted the issue by replying that if they ever reached level three (and Vegeta had barked, "You mean when,"), that his method for reaching it would probably not work for them. This got them to back off a bit.

Gohan had begun to notice when he allowed himself to take a small break every once and a while, that Videl was getting stronger along with the rest of the group. Now she worked while the others slept, and rested while the men returned to work. Due to her backwards schedule, most of the time she worked by herself, unless Goku or Gohan began to feel a little bad and spent some time with her; but despite the lack of help, she was making remarkable improvements.

One 'day', while Piccolo was busy meditating on his bed and Goku and Vegeta were stuffing their faces at the table, Gohan took Videl out as into the training area as far as she could go, and asked, "How about a rematch?"

"What?" she demanded.

"A rematch. Remember that fight we had at your place, and your dad made us stop . . ."

" . . . oh, yeah! I did say that we'd have a rematch, didn't I?" She grinned. "Well, I'm ready now. Careful, Gohan, I'm not the girl I used to be. I've gotten stronger, you know."

"I'm hoping you did. So, how do you want it?"

"Level two would be just fine," Videl answered confidently with a strange smile on her face.

Gohan momentarily hesitated, then leveled up for her. Videl immediately went on the offense, catching Gohan off guard with a punch in the face. He flew back a good distance before stopping himself, then realized that there was blood dripping from his mouth. Ow . . . that HURT! She HAS gotten better. Now let's see by how much.

Gohan attacked . . . and missed! Again and again, he missed every punch and kick. Videl just neatly dodged out of the way and slapped him on the back of the head roughly. "Don't hold back, dummy! I told you, I've gotten better!"

By now, Vegeta had begun to notice that something was up. He turned away from his food and caught sight of Videl ducking and dodging every one of Gohan's attacks. "Oh, goody," he announced loudly, drawing the Namek's and Goku's attention, "let's watch the brat's make kick his ass."

Gohan stopped and stared at her. "I . . . well . . . okay, you're right. I won't hold back, okay?"

"Good. That's all I want. Now bring it on." She socked him in the face again, then in the stomach and knocked him to the ground. Gohan watched with interest as she flew backwards and shouted. "Get ready, Gohan! Here it comes!"

"What on earth is she doing?" wondered Goku as he continued to munch on a turkey leg the size of his arm.

Vegeta snickered. "I have no idea, but this should be interesting . . ."

Videl concentrated hard, cupped her hands and took the position that she'd seen the others do so many times before. Softly, she said, "Kame . . ."

Gohan just blinked and squinted at her. She was saying something, but what was it?

" . . .hame . . ." louder this time so that the others could hear.

Vegeta laughed outright. "Who is she kidding?"

"HAAAAA!!!!!!!!!"

A bright blue ball erupted from her hands and sped in Gohan's direction. He stood there stunned for a few seconds, then darted out of the way. Videl's energy ball crashed to the floor, missing its target, but was still, in her eyes, a major victory.

Goku's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates and he suddenly began to choke on his turkey. His face turned red, purple, and then blue until Piccolo roughly slapped him on the back, dislodging the meat from his throat. Goku spat it out and got to his feet, throwing his hands in the air and doing a little dance. "DID YOU SEE THAT?! SHE DID IT!!!! ALRIGHT, VIDEL!!!"

Vegeta was stunned, but hid it better than Goku contained his excitement. "Well . . . the next thing we know, she'll be turning her hair blonde." He returned to his lunch.

Gohan grinned with pride. "Hey, good job! When'd you learn that?"

"While your dad and the others were busy pummeling your face into gravel. Wait till you see what else I can do!"

Gohan looked apprehensive. "There's . . . more?"

"There sure is!"

" . . . Why don't you show me? Now I'm more than a little curious."

She looked devious. " . . . maybe later. You've seen more than enough already."

"No fair, Videl! You can't bait me like that and not deliver!"

"Sure I can. I just did!"

"That's not right!"

"Hey, a woman's gotta keep something to herself, you know? Besides, it's not that big a deal."

Gohan stuck out his tongue. "Fine!"

She laughed, then gave him a tight hug. "Later, okay? I promise. I'll show you later . . . when you return from the fight." And you will come back. You have to.

Author's Note: I cut this a little short, to make sure I got this out when I said I would.