A/N: I don't own DBZ. This story is AU…Characters are OOC. Warning: m/m coupling, also swearing the list goes on and on… If you don't like it, don't read. Rated R.
"A Saiyanjin Lullaby"
Chapter 23
It took Gohan a long time to fall asleep. He had been spending time alone in one of the many guestrooms at Kami's place, crying. "I'm not going back. He treats me like a child!" He bit back another quiet sob, muffling it so no-one could hear. "Running away, I suppose I am one." He rolled over on his side and pulled up the sheet he'd been using to wipe away his tears, and tucked it tight under his chin. "I don't need him." Another sob. "We don't need him. I can do this on my own. I can raise a child by myself if I have to." The red hot tears streamed down his cheeks. "I'll show him. We will be alright jr." he said forcing himself to believe at the same time trying to fight back the agony that threaten to choke him. He closed his eyes. Eventually the need for sleep washed over his drained tired body, while he still quietly prayed for the pain to leave him alone.
"We don't need him…."
…
"VEGETA BACK OFF!!"
"KAKARROT HAND HIM OVER!!"
"DON'T!!" Yamcha pleaded from behind Goku as blood dripped from his torn and battered face. He sported a bloody lip, all swollen and cut, and he was nursing an angry bruise that had swollen his right eye complete shut. His face displayed a permanent wince with the razor-sharp pain slicing through him due to a few broken ribs. The prince wasn't exactly in a chit-chat mood when they got together last. He thanked his friend Goku profoundly for saving him from another attack. Vegeta wasn't overly happy with his little get together with the desert bandit being delayed once again preventing him from his main objective of doing as much bodily harm as he possibly could to the guy that kissed his lover.
With a grunt Yamcha fought to stand on his twisted ankle, an injury from his latest encounter with the prince. He was knocked down and had twisted it then when he tried to run away from his attacker. Vegeta successfully cut through one of Goku defences had ploughed him deep into the nearest mountain mercilessly. The rest was just a vague memory at best. It all happened so fast and his mind was still trying to comprehend how he got from the club to out in the middle of nowhere. The only reason Goku and he had got this far was because Vegeta had made up his mind to fire upon them sending them both freefalling towards the ground. That's when Vegeta came in for the kill and had effectively swooped down and had snatched Yamcha with Goku hot on his heels.
The two gold warriors were at a stand off, both ready for the others attack. Eyes were locked, alert and sharp, ready for action. They had been fighting for the best part of an hour. The only thing that was accomplished was Vegeta's temper rising dramatically to new heights frustrated of not, being able to lay a hand on the guy who needed a lesson on who not to mess with was starting to show. When it comes to Gohan, Vegeta was what you might call over protective and maybe a tad possessive over the boy. He could only see red, blinded and directed by his own rage that burned deep inside of him. The boy was his and his alone, and he wasn't going to tolerate anyone believing different.
"Cool it Vegeta! We have yet to hear Gohan's side of the story."
"You're wasting my time. Now hand him OVER!"
"NO Vegeta, you can't kill just because he kissed Gohan…"
"JUST? …Just… kissed him?! Why the hell NOT?!…I've killed for much less!" He scoffed. He took a determined step to get past Goku who in return stepped forward blocking his path.
"I said no Vegeta. If you want him, you'll have to go through me!" Goku said firmly.
Vegeta's eyes darkened and narrowed. With his thumb he wiped away the small amount of blood that spilled from a cut on his lip, eyes remained locked firmly with Goku's. "Suits me just fine!" He hissed and with that he flew at him with a powerful punch aimed at Goku's head. Instinctively Goku ducked and dodged each one. The fight stormed into the air with all the strength and power only two super Saiyans fighting can produce. A sharp kick collected the prince in the gut then a quick blow to the back of the neck sent him hurtling back towards the ground. He managed to pull himself up fast millimetres before impact, preventing a small crater from been formed in the rocky terrain. With an angry war-cry he shot back up at lightning speed towards Goku, temporarily forgetting Yamcha, who was now struggling to his feet. He'd been watching the two figures in a thunderous flurry lightning up the sky. Both warriors showed off their incredible Saiyan power as they battled it out in the night sky above.
"I'm not going to survive this." Yamcha thought. He knew he was no match for one pissed off Saiyan, and especially with it being Vegeta. He was slowly resigning to the fact he wasn't going to live to see another day when he nearly jumped out of skin feeling a firm hand squeezing his shoulder from behind.
"AAAHH" Yamcha cried.
"Hey bro take it easy!" Krillin, not able to see his friend face, frowned. Yamcha started to turn around as Krillin pointed up at the two Saiyans. "What got into them….WHOOOOW MAN! What the hell happen to YOU?!" Krillin asked shocked at seeing his friend in this condition.
"Oh man, am I glad to see you." Yamcha's voice was full of hope. Krillin went to help steady him when his eyes caught a bright blue thread soaring their way.
His eyes bulged out. "SHIT!" With less than a second to escape, Krillin quickly grabbed Yamcha and rocketed off. The ground around where they were standing moments ago exploded sending earth and rubble raining around them.
"BLAST!!" Vegeta cursed when he missed his targets, anger swelled. "DROP HIM!!" He demanded taking off after Krillin only to have Goku cut him off again with another hard right centred on the prince's jaw. Vegeta's eyes were on fire as they snapped back at Goku who was preventing him from getting to his true objective.
Yamcha clutched onto Krillin's smaller frame for dear life when Krillin asked. "What the fuck did you do?!" The small warrior gathered as much speed as he possible could.
Yamcha bit his low lip as they speed off to somewhere safer, he hoped. "Um…er… kinda of uh …kissed er Gohan."
"FUCK!"
"Yeah!" Yamcha agreed totally.
"I'm carrying a dead man." Krillin summarised.
"Thanks man! I gathered that part without your help."
"You need a place to hide out for a few months."
"I was thinking years." Yamcha corrected him while clutching his bubby small frame. Still hearing the battle raging behind them, Krillin nodded as he concentrated on leaving the area fast.
In time both warriors were breathless, their chests rising and falling hard and sweat dripped from their brows. Small cuts and abrasions dotted their bodies from their little encounter. Their tight fitting jeans were covered in dirt and shirts were torn away.
"Kakarrot, let me GO!" Vegeta growled as he tried to twist and pull from Goku's strong hold. A stabbing pain shot up both his arms as Goku yanked back hard, pinning both arms up high against his back while jarring his knee hard in the small of Vegeta's back forcing him to lay flat on the ground. Twisting and grunting to be free, the prince's eyes were an angry red and narrowed. "LET ME GO!" He demanded.
"NO!"
"Fuck THIS!" And with every bit of strength he had left he powered up with an explosion that forced Goku back and down hard on his butt. In a blink of an eye, the tall warrior was back on his feet after Vegeta. In a blinding flash the prince was rocketing towards the direction Krillin had taken Yamcha.
"SHIT!" Goku cried as he shot up into the sky after him praying that he could catch up to him before Vegeta gets his hands on both his friends.
…
"Piccolo, do you think there will be any trouble?" Dende asked hoping he would say no.
Piccolo raised a brow up high with a look that read stupid question. Dende sighed and his shoulders sunk. "I thought as much."
"I'm going of to meditate I suggest you do the same. It's going to be a long night." And with that Piccolo walked off to the far end of the palace preparing for what could be a bloody battle once the Saiyans reached them. He knew for certain Vegeta wouldn't take the news of Gohan leaving him any better than someone asking him to cut off his right arm. Knowing it going to be ten times worse with Gohan coming to him, and of course Piccolo knew Goku will be pulled into the whole grizzly situation.
But the boy came to him for help and he had never turned the boy down before and he wasn't going to start now. Gohan was his first friend and now the boy was becoming more special to him. He saw the boy like a son, even if he never would say it out loud. Safe from any eyes, his lips curled in a small smirk. "I guess that makes me a grandfather soon." Shaking his head, he returned to the moment at hand to meditate and wait patiently for their visitors to show, and hopefully prevent this from getting any uglier.
Dende was staring off into space wishing to be anywhere else at this point in time. Reluctantly, he walked off to do some of his own meditation as Piccolo had advised. "Maybe I should start working out or something…" He sighed. "…or move far away would be a good start." He trailed off.
…
"Master Roshi. He needs a place to hide out. Got any ideas?" Krillin asked from the kitchen as he hunted around in the draws for a sensu bean. He wasn't holding his breath in finding one with it being the wrong season and all.
"What about the lookout? We can get Dende to look over his wounds as well." The old man suggested.
"No that would be the first place they would look for him." Android 18 stated. She watched on as master Roshi cleaned away at Yamcha wounds as he lay on the couch in front of the TV. "Get on your feet!" She ordered.
Yamcha turned to Krillin who just walked into the livingroom. "What are you going to do?" He asked, unsure and a little nervous.
"I know a place my brother and I used to hide out in. Now get up. We're going!" With that Master Roshi and Krillin watched as Yamcha was yanked to his feet. His face was full of concern.
"I don't think this is such a great idea, but thanks anyways." He smiled sweetly as he went to sit back down. Android 18 glared at him and in a flash, and a yelp from Yamcha, he was tossed over the tall blonde's slender shoulders. Yamcha looked back at his friends for some form of support. When they just smiled sadly at him, Yamcha sunk defeated over her shoulders, disappearing out the front door with Android 18 not knowing what would become of him.
Master Roshi shook his head as turned towards the kitchen. "I'll say one thing for your wife Krillin. She's not one to argue with."
Krillin nodded from previous experience. "Aint that the truth!" He turned back to the TV and plonked himself on the couch and called out. "Grab the chips while you're out there, willya."
"Get 'em yourself!"
…
After lunch Vegeta stormed towards the gravity room after spending the best part of the night and morning hunting for Yamcha with Goku hot on his heels. Once they hit Master Roshi's Island, Vegeta had got his hands on Krillin, who looked physically sick when Vegeta told him what he would do with him if he didn't produce Yamcha to him and fast. Krillin didn't look any better when he had to tell Vegeta he didn't know where Yamcha was. After some damage done to Master Roshi's house and Krillin, Vegeta spent a further few hours searching for Yamcha.
He was livid when his search came up with no sign of the bandit. Goku was worried he was going to blow a fuse. Instead Vegeta headed straight for the GR to release some built up tension. Goku raced up to him just as he was pressing the codes to open the door. He went to place a friendly hand on Vegeta shoulder. "DON'T touch me!" Vegeta snapped.
"Aren't you going to talk to Gohan about this?" Goku asked.
"It would be safer for the boy if I didn't." Vegeta said controlling the urge to hit someone. He turned to step into the room when he heard Bulma yell out his name. They both turned to see her running up to them.
"Guys" She stopped and clutched her side, massaging the cramp from the run. She took another deep breath. "Guys …"
"What is it woman?! I'm in no mood for any of your…"
"Vegeta… its Gohan…"
"What?!" He tuned to her, fear taking over his rage.
Bulma took another deep breath and tried again. "He's…he's…"
Vegeta grabbed her by the arms, tighter than he normally would. "What about him?" His eye's piercing into her anxious blues. Goku frowned, concerned.
"He's gone!" She said. Vegeta frown his eyes never leaving hers.
"What you mean he's gone?" He snapped feeling a sense of dread on the horizon.
"He left sometime last night or early this morning. I don't know when." She tried to explain as she raced to keep up pace with both Goku and Vegeta. They were heading for the house. "I've being searching for him since breakfast, when he didn't come down. Most of his clothes are gone too and so is his wallet. His jeep is still in the garage. I checked. That's a good sign, right?" Both men said nothing as they entered the livingroom together. Vegeta took the stairs two at time as was everyone else behind him. "I've rung all his friends and they don't no where he is. Vegeta I'm scared. What do think has happened to him?"
"I don't know, but I'm about to find out!" He burst into his and Gohan's bedroom. His eyes scanned the room. He noticed the unmade bed on his partner side, the closet half bare of Gohan clothes and the dresser draws were left open.
"It looks like he was in rush." Goku said stepping beside Vegeta with Bulma standing behind them at the doorframe. Her blue showing the concern she felt.
"Spur of moment thing?" She asked.
"The way his emotions are going at the moment nothing should surprise me, but this?" Vegeta growled as he stormed the few short steps over to the open window and looked outside. "He's gone, but why? I don't like it…" Vegeta eyes narrowed. "…he needs my ki to help him with the cub. Someone has to know where he is. He can't have gone far by himself."
"But where and with who?" Goku asked as he stepped up to him. Vegeta turned and glanced opposite the bed his eyes fixed onto the bare wall where once a large photo hung. His eyes darkened his jaw tightened.
"I think I know." He sneered as he took off out the door with Goku turning to Bulma who shrugged her shoulders as she lent against the frame.
"Go with him, and bring Gohan back. When you see him tell him his little brother is worried about him. It was Goten that told me Gohan wasn't in his room. Both boys made him breakfast this morning. They wanted to apologise for what happened yesterday."
Goku nodded. "Stay with the boys and don't worry, I'll see what I can do." He said as he stepped up to her, meeting her eyes.
"Okay." She nodded. Goku leaned forward and kissed her quickly on the lips before heading off after Vegeta. He wasn't worried about losing sight of the prince with the way his ki was escalating. In a short few seconds he was outside and leaping up into the sky towards Kami's where Vegeta was heading at an alarming speed.
…
Gohan woke up from his deep sleep drained of emotion his eyes stung from all the crying. He was feeling disoriented. "Where em I?" He asked aloud. Heaving himself up on his elbows he looked around the dimly lit room. Blinking rubbing at his eyes, slowly realisation dawned on him about last night's events when he called Piccolo to come and get him and how he got up here.
Wearily he pushed the covers off and grunted as he rolled himself out of bed. His bare feet hit the cold tiled floor and he used the headboard to heave himself up. "Geez you weigh a ton." He complained when he finally got to his feet. Gohan went over to where he had put his bag with all his clothes. He searched for his soap and shampoo so he could take a shower to freshen himself up. With a clean set of clothes he left for the bathroom down the hall. He was pleased to see there was a heap of clean towels waiting for him. In the rush he had forgot to bring one of his own. Once in the spacious bathroom, Gohan turned the taps on and stripped off and stepped into the relaxing spray. "Ah yeah… this is nice." He moaned letting the water wash over and massage him. The baby kicked, and automatically Gohan hand went to the spot where he felt it, and with a grunt he mumbled, "Go back to sleep. It's not time for you to wake up yet." He complained as he reached up for the shampoo. He went through his normal recial of washing himself. Occasionally his mind would wander back to the night and wonder if Vegeta had even noticed he was gone yet, but he quickly pushed it from his mind and with it a fresh set of tears. "We will be alright." he told himself and his unborn child. Finishing off what he came to do, he got out and grabbed a towel from the pile.
It wasn't long before he was dressed into his long sleeve off-white shirt hanging neatly off his shoulders with the collar and cuffs left open. It fit comfortably over his belly and went well with his rustic denims. After last night he felt the need to feel comfortable and look good. Brushing his still damp hair from his eyes, he noticed how it was desperately in need for another cut. With a sigh he tried to brush the stubborn locks away from his eyes. Giving up he collected his stuff and headed back to his room and grabbed his socks and shoes. Satisfied that he looked as good as he could, he headed off to find his friend determined not to let his previous mood ruin a perfectly good Sunday. Walking out, he saw Piccolo at the far corner of the palace meditating. It brought a warm smile onto his face. It was like old times again.
"Piccolo."
The Namek opened his eyes. He knew Gohan had been watching him before he called out his name. He'd being monitoring him since he got up. He noticed that the boy was trying to forget his troubles by pushing them away, something he knew from past experience Gohan did quite a lot. But he also knew that it would come back crashing down around him ten times worse if he dosen't do something about it.
"Hungry?" Piccolo asked as he unfolded himself and stood up in front of the boy.
Gohan rubbed his large round belly. "Yes. I could eat a horse." Piccolo allowed a smile to curl on the side of his lips.
"No horse I'm afraid, but I'm sure we can feed you up. Come alone kid let's see what we can find." Gohan's whole face lit up being with Piccolo again. He felt safe. Piccolo glanced down at the boy looking up at him before looking forward again. The way Gohan's eyes would light up reminded Piccolo of the boy he came to love. With his arm over the boy's shoulder he led the way. "And we need to talk."
Gohan whole posture sunk. He knew Piccolo too well to know he couldn't get out of this. Piccolo will want to know all the little sordid details that Gohan had purposely forgotten to tell him last night. "I suppose….but can we not talk while I'm eating. I might lose my appetite." Gohan said in a small voice. His eyes lowered feeling his heart ache all over again. The familiar knot was forming at the back of his throat as he tried to prevent a sniffle from escaping. Piccolo squeezed his shoulders and gently pushed the boy towards where he knew they could feed him and talk in private.
After a good feed, a meal made for a king, Gohan felt a lot better but sleepy in a warm way. Piccolo had been watching the boy finish the ten hefty meals. Nothing for a Saiyan he thought. Gohan's eyes glanced over at him. He knew what was to come next, and he didn't want to have to spill out his emotions to Piccolo like some baby. With a heavy sigh he sat back in his chair and lowered his eyes, looking at his denims and picking and rubbing at the material wondering if he could get out of it. Then he heard his old mentor's gruff voice. "So are you going to start or are we just going to sit here until you do?"
Gohan's dark eyes flicked up, and through the tears that blurred his vision and threatened to spill. "I got mad…" He said with a shaky voice. Piccolo nodded but wasn't going to interrupt him now. Gohan took a ragged breath and tried again as a tear spilled onto his cheek. "I got mad …at him." Gohan looked up hesitantly to meet his friend's dark eyes. They were fully focused on him as he squirmed in his seat rubbing at his thighs trying to gather the words he needed. He prayed that Piccolo wouldn't get mad. Under Piccolo's intense stare he wondered briefly whether he did the right thing, but then the anger swelled back with revenge thinking about the way Vegeta had been treating him lately.
Feeling the boy's mood swing, Piccolo waited seeing the boy stewing over whatever was on his mind. He pushed the boy further. "So you're mad at Vegeta. What's new?" Piccolo had to stop himself from smiling when the boy's head snapped up. But when he saw the fire in his eyes the amusement left him.
"I HATE HIM!"
"No you don't hate him. You're mad at him. There's a difference." Piccolo said.
Gohan looked away angrily. He knew his friend was right, but he was tired and confused and it was Vegeta's fault he told himself. It had come about with the stress of the baby's arrival, and how trapped and confined he felt these last few weeks after leaving school and his friends behind. The thought of what Matt will do. Will he 'out' him at school? His life was one big disaster he thought. Not to mention the shock that Sharpener's grandmother knows about him. How many more will know by the end? It seems he didn't have any control over his life anymore. It felt like it had been ripped away from him by a fast moving tide. He was constantly worried about when his father was going to up and leave him and his little brother. How will he explain to Goten why his daddy left him, again? Then there was Bulma to think about too. Was it his fault that she'll get hurt because of something he wanted? He so desperately wanted her to become his legal mother. He remembered how abandoned and alone he felt when he was a child. Will he do the same to his own child? His mind wouldn't shut up, and he felt he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Nothing ever went right for him he thought. The flood of tears could no longer be held back. His shoulders shook uncontrollably as he buried his face in the palm of his hands, ashamed and trapped. He wanted OUT he wanted to ESCAPE from this living hell he seemed to have created for himself. Why can't life be much more simple, more carefree?
He felt two strong hands pull him from the chair. Then his body was embraced in warmth and love. He let his head press against the firm chest of his mentor. His own hands clinging onto his friend's shirt as his tears soaked the material. "It's okay kid. You can stay here as long as you want." The only reply Piccolo received was small nod while the boy clung to him for dear life. Muffled cries of heartache escaped now and then. Piccolo, softly stroked the boy's silky hair, calming him like he had so many time in the past. He rocked the boy that would soon be a father himself. So young, he thought for this type of responsibility. But he had no doubt that Gohan could pull it off. Like everything else in his life.
Piccolo eventually helped Gohan back to his room, but once there the boy asked him to stay for a while. "Please don't leave me." He pleaded from where he lay. Piccolo nodded and Gohan padded the small space next to him for Piccolo. It was nothing they hadn't done before when Gohan was a child. Gohan's body melted and relaxed as Piccolo held him tight. He was the only one who could get this close to the Namek without the fear of the consequences. In no time the boy was asleep leaving Piccolo to wonder what the next few hours had in store for them.
…
Time ticked away very slowly in the near barren room with the two on the bed one sleeping, the other awake thinking. It was then he felt the raw power of a Saiyan approaching at top speed. Piccolo glanced down at the boy who kept him hostage. Gohan was clinging to his arm that rest over the boy's chest even asleep the boy was making sure he wouldn't go anywhere. Piccolo tried to worm from beneath the boy without waking him. He need to be outside before Vegeta came looking for him. Slowly he managed to free himself from the boy legs and arms without waking him.
As Piccolo reached for the door his sensitive ears could pick up yelling, and someone running his way. Quickly and quietly he exited the room before Gohan could be disturbed. His legs moved swiftly towards the main doors that would lead him outside. He could hear the anger in Vegeta's voice. Once outside, he was confronted with Dende coming to a skidding halt. The relief on the boy face was comical at best Piccolo thought. "Piccolo! Vegeta's here and he looks pissed!"
Piccolo raised a single brow at the boy's choice of words and simply added. "I can imagine." He held back his amusement as he passed the boy. "Come along we have guests and I don't think Vegeta would appreciate it if we don't show up."
Dende gulped. "Kay."
…
Vegeta came to an abrupt halt. His stance was guarded and full of rage ready to fire on anyone that stood in his way of bringing the boy back with him. He got a glimpse of Dende running off in the opposite direction. His eyes narrowed. "GET BACK HERE!!" He yelled.
His strong shoulders stretched back as he stepped towards were the green teenager had run to. As he did Piccolo, with his white cape flowing off his broad shoulders, stepped out into the open. Vegeta's eyes darkened and narrowed even more and his jaw tightened in time with his fist. "Vegeta. We have been expecting you." The Namek said calmly.
They were momentarily distracted with Goku's speedy appearance. The tall warrior lowered himself next to the prince, his sharp eyes taking in the situation. "Hi guys." He said with a little wave to Dende and Piccolo." Vegeta cringed at his friendly action when all he wanted to do was rip someone apart. He turned to Goku biting back the urge to beat the crap out of him.
"What the hell are you doing?" Then when he saw Goku was actually going to answer him he held up his hand to shut him up before he could say something more annoying. "Forget it!" Vegeta turned back to Piccolo. "Where is he?!" He demanded.
Piccolo, with arms folded in front of him and with Dende nearly welded into his side, answered with the same calmness. "By 'he' I say you're speaking of Gohan?"
Vegeta could feel his patience running away on him. He closed his eyes and tried scanning for the boy's ki. His eyes snapped open he turned to the door Piccolo and Dende had just emerged from. Then his eyes snapped onto the Namek he went to take step, but Piccolo took few steps to block his path. "He's resting."
"Vegeta, we don't want to cause any trouble here. Let's just talk about this…" Vegeta looked over his shoulder at Goku who only smiled. "There's no harm in talking."
"I've had enough of talking! It's time for action, and I want the boy out here NOW!!" He commanded. Goku sighed and shook his head. Dende went behind Piccolo who only shook his head too.
"And what makes you think he wants to come out here? From what I've heard it might take sometime before he is willing to listen to anything you might have to say, let alone return with you. He can stay here until he sorts it all out and then, if he chooses, I'll return him."
"You got it allllll wrong! He's my partner, and he's carrying my child. He has no say in this matter! I'll not have him living here with YOU! I don't know what's going on, but I'm sure as hell won't leave without HIM!" He spat firmly. He felt desperate what had got into the boy to leave him twice in a year? He has never had so much trouble as he had in this last year. Before, everything was so simple. It was just Gohan and him. Sure it was hard for the kid when his mother wouldn't have anything to do with him, but Vegeta had sorted everything out. He gave the boy a home when he didn't have one. He was willing to do everything for the boy. Back then Gohan had relied heavily on him for everything physically and emotionally. Vegeta was his world when no one else could be. No-one could even get close enough to the boy like Vegeta could, and that how the prince liked it. It made him feel like he was giving something back to the boy that no one else could. It made him feel special, loved. This boy that has stolen his heart captured his dreams and made them come alive. This place had final became a home because Gohan was at his side. And now the boy was changing growing fast and Vegeta was scared the boy would not want him soon.
And what about their baby? He couldn't bear the thought of being separated from them both. From something they had both created through their love for each other. This was all wrong and not how he imagined it to be. It shouldn't be happening, not now, not when he understood where his heart lay, were his desires lay. He knew he was meant to be here with Gohan. He needed him he need them both.
It was then that Gohan showed himself from behind the door. His eyes were flushed red from crying and the anger of what he had just heard. His jaw was hurting from been pulled so tight with the rage he felt. "I'm just property to YOU…. AREN'T I?!" He screamed. Vegeta's mouth opened but quickly closed again momentarily stunned. "I don't need ANY OF YOU!!..." Gohan turned to his father the rage turned on them both. "GO… like I know you WILL!! I just want all of you to just leave me ALONE!" He screamed over his tears and quickly turned back to the door. Both men were stunned. Dende quickly followed after him leaving the three adults to absorb what had just happened. Piccolo watched as life slowly returned back into both the warriors' eyes.
Vegeta was the first to pull himself together. As he did Piccolo saw something flash through his eyes for a second. They showed pain, but the prince quickly masked it. Vegeta's brow pinched together. "This isn't over Namek. As soon as the boy settles down. I'll be back for him. I won't let him go. Not now, not EVER!" With that Vegeta shot into the sky and sped off towards an unknown destination to be alone and to think. Goku stood shocked. He slowly looked up at Piccolo, his mind racing over what was said and the tone that it was used in. The pain the hurt the rage was all partly addressed at him. Goku thought it sounded like a lifetime of grief directed at him. Rage built up inside of him but not towards his son but towards himself for leaving him with an ungrateful mother for all those years, for leaving him to face the world alone. For not helping his son come to terms with who he is; a demi Saiyan the first of his kind. He couldn't imagine how hard it would have been for him with no one to talk to, relate to. Goku needed to talk to him, to see him, to apologise. He went to follow his son. Piccolo blocked his path and his long arms un-folded to his sides.
"Goku he… didn't mean to…"
"Yes he did. He hates me!"
"No he doesn't hate you. He hurts inside. He's tired and most of all he's scared. What he said back there was the opposite of how he really feels. He's scared of being alone. He's scared of being hurt again. The kid could be in a thousand battles with the most powerful opponents and never break, but when it comes to his heart. Well that could destroy him so easily. It's his weakest and I think the strongest point about him. But over the years the boy has again and again watched you leave him and now when he needs you the most… Well the kid's just waiting for the day when he'll wake up and find you missing once again. He needs both you and Vegeta. He depends on you both being there for him even if he would like to believe different. He is growing into a young man Goku. Things are changing so fast for him he can't keep up and it's frightening him. The boy has only wanted one thing in his whole life, a family."
Goku stood there quietly listening and taking it all in. Others had told him the same thing but this time it was really starting to sink in. He watched as Dende came back out the door and approached them. They both looked at him. "He's a little better. He wants to see you Piccolo." Dende said feeling little awkward saying that when Gohan's father was standing right there. Goku thought how it had always been Piccolo that the boy turned to whenever there was a problem. A sting of jealousy swept through him but it was quickly gone. He didn't blame Gohan or Piccolo the boy need a dad and Piccolo was there when he wasn't. It made him realise he was doing the same with Goten too. Will his youngest son end up feeling the same about him, unloved? Then what of his grandchild? He will be missing out on that little one's life as he did with his own sons. Then there was Bulma to think about. He turned to Piccolo.
"Let me go and speak to him for a little while at least. I won't be long." Goku asked knowing he could easily force his way in, but it wouldn't be right. He wasn't out to make trouble. There were a lot of things that needed to be said and the time looked right.
"I think it would be best."
Goku nodded his thanks and he went off with Dende in front showing him the way. When he turned the handle he found his son on the bed his dark locks curtaining his eyes from his view. He could hear quiet sobs as Gohan twisted a hankie tightly in both hands. Dende left quietly leaving the Earth Saiyan to close the door behind him. Goku just stood there for what felt like years. A lot of pain and anguish had to be allowed to be released and he was sure it would be aimed at him. He approached the bed slowly. Gohan never looked up, but Goku had no doubt in his mind the boy knew he was there as he lowered himself down at the foot of the bed.
"We need to talk."
…
"So what did he say next?" Videl asked.
"A lot." Gohan said sitting up on one of Videl's kitchen stools with a soda in his hand. His friends all gathered around him. Eraser and Trevor, Sharpener, Ryan they were all there.
"Like what?" Ryan asked with his arm hanging limp over his girl's shoulder while leaning up against the fridge.
Gohan looked up him. "Like how sorry he was and how he blames himself for a lot of stuff that happened to me. He thinks if he was around things wouldn't have got this messed up for me." Gohan chuckled sadly. "He wants to make it up to me." The words were caught in his throat.
"Wow man." Trevor gushed. "Heavy."
"Yeah he's wants to make it up to you? That's real cool. Better than anything my old man ever said." Ryan said with a hint of anger. His useless father had left him, and his mother and baby sister when he was nine.
"Yeah, I suppose I should be grateful. It's a start anyhow." Gohan said quietly.
"What do you mean it's a start?" Trevor asked.
"Well he hasn't exactly said he was staying. He said he has lot to think about what with Bulma and Goten being a big part of the picture now. Before it was only me and my mother and now there are more people counting on him." Gohan explained in a quiet voice. "Maybe they can do what I couldn't. Maybe they will convince him to stay. I don't know. He did say he was looking forward to the baby arrival. Maybe jr's arrival will convince him to stay." Gohan said a little hopeful.
"What about Vegeta? Have you heard anymore since he blew up the gravity room?" Videl asked stunning the rest of the boys.
"No shit?! I didn't know that!" Trevor said stunned sitting with Eraser behind him with both her arms over his shoulders clinging to him while sitting next to Gohan.
"Geez, I wouldn't want piss him off." Ryan stated looking over at his friends with the same stunned expression.
Gohan looked down at the soda he held with both hands. "Yeah well that's old news. Dad said as soon as he got back on Sunday he complete destroyed it. It's just a pile of rubble now." And then he scoffed. "Bulma's real pissed. Now there someone you don't won't to rub up the wrong way." He chuckle for the first time in a few days.
"Yeah? Shit and I wanted to check that place out." Trevor said disappointed.
"Well don't worry after Bulma settled down and dad had a talk to her she's going to build a bigger and better GR." Gohan chuckled again. "She said something about it being Saiyan proof what ever that means."
"Cool, coz I wouldn't mind checking out it as well. When she finished do you think you can get us in there?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, sure." Gohan said with warm smile. "Why not." Both Trevor and Ryan smiled at the thought.
"Me too." Sharpener said feeling a little left out of the picture. Gohan turned to his best friend with the same smile.
"Yeah you too." Gohan said patting him on his back bringing a gratifying smile to Sharpener's face.
"And what about Vegeta? Have you guys talked yet?" Videl asked moving over to the bench opposite Gohan and pinching a handful of chips. The smile left Gohan's face and his eyes lowered to his empty soda can that now sat in front of him.
"No. We just get into fights" Gohan looked up at her, angrily. "I found out he got stuck into Yamcha the other night. I was real pissed at him when I found that out. Krillin told me all about it when he came up to visit Dende the other night."
"Yeah? Wow… I remember you tell me about kissing that guy." Sharpener said sitting on his left side munching on some chips that Videl put out for them earlier.
"Yeah, so we haven't exactly had a civil conversation since." Gohan explained getting up and stretching his long legs to stop them from cramping with the extra weight he was carrying. "It doesn't matter anyway."
"Why's that? You haven't told him about the camp, have you?" Ryan asked as they all headed for the livingroom. They all flopped onto the couches getting ready to watch a DVD that Trevor had brought over. A week had already gone past and they all decided to meet up at Videl's for a little get together and talk about the up coming camp.
"No and I don't know if I will." Gohan said as he lowered himself back into one of the single lounges, carefully. Everyone got ready for what ever action movie Trevor had got them to watch. Videl frowned as she leaned forward to see Gohan better.
"Gohan are you planing on dumping Vegeta?" That got everyone to glance over at Gohan who quickly looked anywhere but at his friends.
"Leave him alone Del. It's none of our business." Ryan said using his pet name for his girlfriend.
"Yes it is. We are his friends. He needs us." She protested.
"Yeah, but some things should be discussed in private." Ryan argued.
"Hey guys I'm right here and I really do thank you for your concern, but to be truthful I don't know what's going to happen. I don't want to leave him, but we aren't exactly talking at the moment. He's expecting me to come running back to him. He is probably waiting for me to ask his help in feed jr his ki. I've been tempted. I've been real tired lately but dad asked Bulma if she could help. He was worried about me and said I looked a little drained. So what Geta doesn't know is Bulma gave me the tablets she was using when she was pregnant with Trunks. It's not as good, but it will have to do. I know I could ask Piccolo but that would just cause more trouble and I don't need that right now." Gohan explained as Trevor sat back with remote controls in his hand.
"Yeah, guys are like that though aren't they? Arrogant I mean." Eraser said in a matter of fact tone as she sat back next to her boyfriend. Everyone was staring at her with a puzzled expression.
"How do you figure that?" Trevor asked slightly annoyed. Ryan bit back what he wanted to add. He felt it was wiser to stay quiet with Videl sitting next to him.
"That's a bit sexist, isn't?" Sharpener asked. He hated girls saying crap like that. Mainly because they normally were saying it about him - his ex's mostly.
Gohan raised brow. "What do you mean? I've known some girls that take the cake on that subject." He glanced quickly over at Videl and back before she saw him.
"Oh it's just all the guys I've ever dated seem to think I'll just drop everything and run after them. You know to their football practice and stuff like that. Gary was terrible like that." Eraser said with Trevor frowned next to her.
"Hey babe, I'm not like that…" He protested. "…and who the HELL is this Gary dude?!" Trevor asked his whole expression changed while he was trying to figure who this Gary dude was.
Videl nodded she couldn't always keep up with all of Eraser boyfriends, but that guy stood out. "Yeah, I remember him it was about year ago, right?" Eraser nodded pleased she remembered him. Videl shook her head. "Gary Walters … wow…Now there was a real asshole!"
Horror slapped Trevor hard in the face. "Gary Walters?! You mean you went out with HIM?!" His temper was rising. The guy thought he was god's gift to women, and he was right. Girls would fall over backwards for him. Trevor hated the guy. He was on his team last season before he moved away.
"Hey sweetie, Gary is way-gone, old news." She said cheerfully while kissing him lightly on his face, reassuring him. "Yeah, ancient history. I've dated plenty of guys since then." She smiled sweetly at Trevor's stunned expression as his jaw dropped. Videl quickly snatched the controls out of Trevor's limp hand before Eraser could open her big trap again. Gohan fought back his laughter. Sharpener turned to him with the same smirk on his face, and wiggling his brows with the amusement of it all. Gohan was struggling not to laugh even harder now. Ryan was shaking his head not believing the mouth that girl had sometimes. The movie began to play while Trevor sat stunned.
"Oh, I love this movie!" Eraser cheered. Videl couldn't help but wonder whether her friend's attention-span was less than that of a goldfish. They all tried to get involve in the movie and hoped that Trevor would eventually snap back into the present.
…
"How was your night?" Piccolo asked as Goku left after dropping Gohan off.
"It was great and the movies weren't that bad, neither." He said with a smile Piccolo hadn't seen on his face for while. "So you stayed up for me?" Gohan asked nudging him in the arm feeling gigged enjoying the time he had with his friends.
Piccolo rased his brow with amusement. "It's good to see you smiling again kid." He said dodging the question all together.
"Thanks it feels good too. Well I'd best hit the sack. I'll see tomorrow Piccolo, and thanks again for waiting up for me." He winked and walked off with more of a spring in his step than he had for sometime.
"Bloody kid." Piccolo smirked just then he felt a high power level approaching them fast. Gohan stopped and turned back towards Piccolo when he felt the power.
Gohan frowned. "What the hell?!" Knowing what was about to come.
"Vegeta?" Piccolo asked as he watched the prince lower himself a few feet away. Vegeta's eyes were locked on Gohan's ignoring the Namek all together.
"Boy?" Vegeta said.
"Piccolo, tell Vegeta I'm not talking to him." Gohan said angrily.
The Namek turned to Vegeta. "He's not talking to you."
Vegeta's eyes snapped to Piccolo, annoyed. "Tell the boy I'm not leaving until he does!"
Piccolo raised a brow and turned to Gohan who was clenching him fist at this stage, glaring at his lover. "He says he not leaving…"
"Tell him I'm not interested in what ever it is he has to say!" Gohan growled. Piccolo turned to Vegeta.
"He not inter…"
"Tell him I'm not that easily gotten rid off!" Vegeta demanded. Both Gohan and he were in a battle of glares leaving Piccolo looking back and forth between them both, slightly amused.
"There is nothing you have already said that I haven't heard a thousand times before." Gohan snapped.
"Maybe, if you weren't so stubborn."
"Look who talking ass!"
"Your so damn pig headed!"
"BASTARD!!"
"BRAT!"
"Vegeta, Gohan…" Piccolo went to gain back some sort of order when their heads snapped and glared at him. He raised his hands up in the air surrender as he turned to leave them there to quarrel.
Gohan was glaring, burning holes into his partner. "Why did you have to come?! I was happy before you showed up!" He snapped hurting Vegeta with his words. He saw the pain pass in his lover's eyes. Gohan bit his bottom lip in regret. The prince went to turn and leave when Gohan took a step with his hand stretched out. "Geta …I-I'm ….sorry." He said in a low voice. With Vegeta's back to him Gohan couldn't see the prince eyes and the flash of pain.
"So am I…" Vegeta whispered as he turned to the boy that could destroy him with single word.
Gohan lowered his head. "I miss you…but I need time…I need to work out a few things. Can you wait a little longer? I've got a lot going on that needs sorting out…" He tried to explain looking back up at Vegeta. His lover's liquid pools captured his they held the same pain of separation, both longing to be in each others arms.
Vegeta nodded sadly not wanting to leave him. The distance between them was distressing for both of them. He wished the boy would let him help him. "I won't ever give up on you boy." And with that Vegeta tore himself away and leaped into the sky and back to CC alone.
Gohan stood there watching as the tears streamed down his cheeks. "I'm counting on it…" He whispered as he turned back with a lot less bounce in his steps. "We are both counting on it Geta." He patted his belly as he disappeared through the doors for another lonely night.
…
"Hey guys, what you think?" Eraser said looking at cute light denim jeans with a short pink ruffle top for a toddle. She took it off the rack and showed her friends.
Gohan shook him head and chuckled. "I don't think so. It too big for starters." It was a lovely warm Saturday morning and he was enjoying his friends' company as they spent it at the Mall.
"How small do they come?" Trevor asked.
"This is size one." Eraser said looking at the tag.
Trevor shook his head. "No, I mean the kids, babies. What size are they when they pop out?"
Videl frowned at him. "They don't 'pop out' idiot! They get pushed out."
Trevor thumbed at Gohan standing next to him. "Well not with him, they don't. He's getting his cut out." He reminded everyone. Gohan cringed. Videl quickly looked around they were getting a few stares directed at them. She reached over and back hand him across the head.
"Oww… Why you do that for?!" He whined rubbing his head. Eraser came up and glared at Videl.
"Hit your own boyfriend this one is mine!" She snapped. She turned back to Trevor. "Poor baby." She cooed.
Videl shook her head and glanced over at Ryan as he quickly jumped behind Sharpener who quickly moved away.
"Hey! Keep me out of this." Sharpener said raising his hands surrendering. Gohan smiled and wandered over to the jump suits where his fingers glided over the soft material.
"It's weird." He said not to anyone particle. They all moved over to him glancing around at the different things on display in the same aisle.
"What's weird?" Videl ask looking at the tiny jump suit in his hands.
"I'm going to have a baby." He said tapping his belly with a smile that quickly turned into a full blown laugh. One of the other customers standing nearby looked over at him with a raised brow before hurrying off. Videl and the others laughed with him.
"Way to go, bubby." Ryan said slapping Gohan on the back. "I think you scared her good." He laughed.
"Yeah I did. I'll have to be more careful." Gohan said with a chuckle enjoying himself.
"Hey guys what's this do?" Sharpener asked holding up a breast pump, looking down the tube.
"What's it look like?" Videl asked sarcastically
"I-I don't …that why I'm asking!" He said.
Trevor snatched it off Sharpener and lifted up his shirt and placed the pump over his right nipple. "It's a breast pump you moron!" He said showing him how it worked setting the boys off into fits of laughter. Eraser frowned and snatched it off him with a loud popping sound followed by a yelp. "OUCH!! Crikies, whydya go and do that for?! I was only showing him." Trevor growled.
"Hey Trev, how did you know in first place?" Ryan chuckled clapping his hand with Gohan's in a high five. They were all laughing except for the girls and Trevor who was still rubbing his nipple furiously.
"You don't do that in a SHOP!" Eraser snapped at her boyfriend, embarrassed mostly because he did it in public.
Just then a sales assistant came up to them. Her blonde hair was set up high in a bun. She gave disapproving glace at the teens. "Can I help you?" Her acid toned voice wiped away their smiles for a second until Sharpener reached over and took back the pump from Eraser.
"Yeah, can you tell me what this is used for?" He asked keeping a straight face as he handing her the pump. The expression on her face was priceless they all burst out laughing as they hurried out of the shop.
"That was not funny!" Videl said trying holding back her laughter.
"Yes it was. Did you see the bitch's face. Oh man… I can't believe you did that." Ryan gushed.
"Yeah I surprised myself too." Sharpener chuckled.
Gohan chuckled. His whole face was glowing from all the laughter. They walked on a little ahead when the girls said they needed to do few things so they separated and the boys headed over to look at some CDs in Sanity why they waited for the girls.
All four boys started searching for their favourite artists and commenting on them.
"I really like this song." Gohan said pointing at the CD single, 'The Reason' by the Hoobastank. It sort of reflected his feeling perfectly at the moment.
Ryan nodded. "Yeah they are real cool." He smiled and then looked up to see Matt up at the counter purchasing something. He quickly glanced around to see if Matt was alone, he wasn't. The rest of his gang were hovering at the front of the shop talking. It was obvious to him that Matt hadn't noticed them yet. He felt someone nudge his arm glance over to Trevor and Sharpener. They turned to see Gohan eyes locked onto Matt's back as the boy waited for his change.
"Are you alright bub?" Ryan asked.
Gohan just nodded not saying a word as he watched the boy bounce out of the store back to his large group of friends and head off further down into the Mall laughing.
"Come along. I think the girls will be looking for us." Ryan said waiting for Gohan to snap out of it.
"Yeah come on. Lets grab something to eat I'm starving!" Sharpener said trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, me too. Come on." Trevor said as he and his two friends watched Gohan nod solemnly allowing them to lead him out of the shop.
They met the girls at the food court and Sharpener and Trevor grabbed some more spare chairs and brought them over to the table. They sat together with their mound of food and sodas chatting about the camp and what they were going to do.
"So whose car are we going in?" Eraser asked.
"Will there six of us. We will need to take two cars." Trevor stated. "What are the roads like up that way?" He asked.
"I wouldn't call them roads." Videl scoffed. "They are goat tracks. There's no way I'm taking my car up there."
"That bad, huh?" Trevor raised brow at Ryan thinking about whether it such a good idea to offer to bring his beloved Firebird on the trip. It was part of who he was a reflection of his alter ego. Plus the chicks loved it and the boys envied him. He was sure of it. Who wouldn't?
"Well I can fit two others in the truck." Ryan said before he bit into his burger.
"One being me!" Videl cheered as she leaned closer to her jock boyfriend. Ryan smiled as he continued to stuff his mouth.
"Well I don't care." Said Sharpener; stirring his vanilla thick shake with his straw. I guess I'll go with you."
"Hey Trev if you want you can drive my jeep. It's back at CC. It can fit four comfortably and it can take on any type of road." Gohan offered. "Though, I doubt I will be able to fit behind the wheel." He chuckled patting his belly.
"That will be great man. Thanks…I was little worried about driving my car out there. But that be great!"
"Well it's all settle then. Sharpener will come with us and Gohan and Eraser will go with you Trevor." Videl said. "Now what time should we leave?" She asked. Ryan quickly scoffed down his food.
"As early as possible. I want to beat the traffic." He said taking another bite.
"What about seven?" Videl asked everyone.
"Sound good to me." They all agreed the only person who didn't voice his opinion was Gohan.
"Hey dude. What ya reckon are you okay with that?" Trevor asked.
Gohan was distracted when Trevor nudged his arm. "Hey? Oh yeah I'm fine with that. I um just have to organise getting the jeep from CC."
"We can go around there Friday morning. I'm taken the day off." Ryan stated. "Which would be great. That gives me a longer weekend." He chuckled.
"Lucky you… I can't. I've got to hand in my English project on Friday or I'm sure I'll get an F." Sharpener said tossing his empty cup into the bin next to him.
Gohan zoned out again as he watched Matt and his buddies up ahead laughing and causing a storm around them. No one else in Gohan group had caught sight of them and continued talking about the camp. Gohan found himself unable to drag his eyes off them. It scared him that Tina, Sharpener's ex girlfriend, would have told him everything she knew about him. It was then while he was staring at Matt that the teen in question turned around like he knew someone was watching him.
Their eyes met and Gohan gasped getting all his friends attention. They frowned and followed line of vision. "Ahhh great! Matt again." Ryan growled throwing his burger down with the loss of his appetite.
Gohan watched as tiny smirk curled on Matt lip. The kid turned back to his friends and said something they all looked Gohan way. "Now what?" Trevor asked. They watched as Matt and Derrick and with two other buddies headed there way. The rest of the group just stayed watching. "Shit, here comes trouble." Sharpener sumerred.
"Every one just keep cool, Kay." Ryan said. The tension around the table was high. All eyes were on Matt threading his way through the crowd to reach them.
He stopped a few feet away from Gohan. Matt eyed Gohan up and down with his smile broadening. "So they let freaks like you out?" He snickered. His goons beside him laughed on cue.
"What do you want Matt?" Trevor asked. He was ready to spring out of his chair if he had to. So were the others. Gohan was weary after the nightmare he had the other night with Matt appearing in it. He felt uneasy being this close to the guy. He knew he wouldn't be fast enough to fight the guy in his condition, and he would be the one coming out worse off. Matt had the advantage over him now. But he didn't want the guy to know that. Gohan put on his poker face.
"What is it Matt?" Gohan asked.
"It's been a long time pretty boy!" Matt smirked he knew what buttons to press to upset Gohan. "A bit on the plump side huh?" His smug smirk grew.
"What's it to you?" Eraser snapped. Matt momentarily glanced her way and looked at her up and down before returning his attention back to Gohan.
"I've heard some very interesting things about you of late." Matt said glancing over his shoulders grinning at his friends then turning back. "Weird stuff. How about we go for a little walk? " Matt reached out and grab Gohan arm and tried to pull him up on his feet when Ryan and Trevor jumped to their feet nearly toppling over their chairs as they did. Sharpener took a threatening step behind the three goons, blocking there exit. He was taller by a few inches than them. They looked back up at him and turned back to Matt waiting for the word.
"Get lost you creep!" Videl spat as she stood up getting others around to look their way. Matt's eyes were fixed on Gohan who had stayed pretty calm through the whole thing. He kept his cool and pulled his arm away from Matt hand.
"If you want to talk do it here or go away." Gohan stated. Ryan shifted next to Sharpener on guard. Trevor's eyes stayed fixed on them for any sudden movement. Eraser and Videl looked as ready as the boys. The silence was drawn out and until they were all interrupted by the Mall security guard arrived on the scene. He spoke very softly into his walkie talkie before stopping in front of them. Trevor noticed that Matts other friends further up took off. So much for friends he scoffed to himself pleased.
"What's going on here?" The guy demanded
Without looking back at him Matt kept his eyes firmly fixed on Gohan. "Nothing. We were just leaving. Catchya later." He winked at Gohan then walked away with his friends.
"What was that about?" The guy asked warily not liking teenagers at all.
"Nothing sir." Sharpener said with friendly smile. "Just a misunderstanding… It's all sorted out now."
"Right well don't stay too long." He pointed at all of them and walked away. When his back was turned Eraser poked her tongue at him nearly getting caught as he swung around again glancing at them.
"What an ass."
"I'll say. Come on lets go. Hey maybe head to the park." Trevor said. They all agreed and headed out of the Mall and got into Videl's and Trevor's cars and headed towards the city park not far from their school. It was the same park Gohan had told Sharpener about himself months back.
A lot had happened since then and some things hadn't changed at all. Gohan thought as he sat on the bench watching his friends play ball in the warm sun. He'd been enjoying watching his friends for the best part of an hour. It was lovely under the winter sun for a change. It almost made Gohan sleepy. He glanced over at the pond watching the ducks splash themselves as they frolicked around so carefree.
Gohan called out to them as he got up. "Hey guys! I'm just going for walk!" They all nodded before their attention turned back to Sharpener kicking the ball and Trevor and Videl making a dive for it only to come tumbling down on each other with laughter around them. Gohan shook his head as headed over to the pond to watch the ducks. He was thinking about what's happened in the lasted few days. He unconsciously rubbed the top of his bulging belly soothing the movement he was feeling. The baby was getting restless. "Hungry I bet?" Gohan giggled. "I know what you're after your daddy's ki, huh? Well you'll have to get used to those tablets. Not as nice as your father's ki but it will have to do." He said like the baby could hear him and sometimes he could swear that jr could understand every word.
"What if his father wants to help?" Vegeta asked as stepped out from his hiding place scaring the hell out of Gohan in the process.
"GETA!!" Gohan said with his hand covering his pounding heart. "What are you doing there?" He asked as he relaxed and moved over to the bench between them.
"I was in the neighbourhood and I thought I'd say hi." His eyes roamed over the boy. How he liked to look at him. It was candy to the eyes.
"Neighbourhood huh?" Gohan scoffed. He didn't believe him and knew Vegeta wasn't asking him too. Vegeta approached him cautiously and sat down next to him. He kept his eyes on Gohan who squirmed under his powerful stare.
"So the woman gave you those damn tablets?" Vegeta asked. Gohan gulped and lowered his head and nervously rubbed his large belly and nodded. "They're not as good or as healthy as what I can do for our child." Vegeta said in a quiet and caring tone he only used for the boy ears.
Gohan glanced up at him. "I know, but jr will just have to get used to it." Gohan said defiantly, studying Vegeta's eyes in the process. They were cleverly masked, but the caring under-tone he was being fed through their bond was still warm.
"Why? Why does it have to be this way?" Vegeta asked. He was finding it inconceivably hard to stay away from the boy. "We are so close to becoming a family now with jr arriving in the next few weeks. Koi I need to be with you then. I'd hate to think that anything bad could happen. It's too dangerous to be separated from each other, especially now. I know you don't want me around. I can sort of understand that, well I'm trying to. I know everyone needs space, but why now?"
Vegeta reached out and held Gohan's hand in his and when he noticed the boy didn't pull away he continued. "I love you koi it hurts being separated from you. I miss not being able to feed my ki to our child. Come back koi, where it's safer. If anything happened to you I would …well I couldn't go on without you. You mean everything to me. You have showed me what love is."
Gohan bit his lip holding back the lump that was forming in the back of his throat. He looked down at their fingers entwined. He opened his mouth only to close it again. When he did manage to get the words together they were broken and strained. "Geta …it …it's not that I don't want to be with you…" Nervously he glanced up at Vegeta. "…it's far from the truth. I guess I'm just scared…" Gohan quickly glanced up to see Vegeta totally focused on him. He looked away. "I guess …I'm acting like a child but I feel trapped, like everything is closing in on me. Everything is happening at once. Nothing is as simple anymore." He smiled sadly. "Nothing about my life was every simple. All I wanted was to be normal." Gohan shrugged his shoulders as he found Vegeta thumbing the back of his hand affectionately. In a choked voice "I need time Geta I need time to sort this out." A tear spilled onto their hands. Through blurred vision he looked up at his lover. "I just need some time. Give me two weeks at the most. I'm going away with my friends for a while…"
Vegeta's eyes flashed. "Where?"
"Ryan's uncle has a cabin somewhere up in the mountains. We are going to stay up there for a few days. I think it will do me good to get away for a bit. I'm actually looking forward to it. We're going to leave Saturday morning." Vegeta turned and looked away for a second. Gohan could see that he was processing everything. He didn't look to happy but at the same time he didn't look like he was going to argue.
Vegeta turned back to Gohan grabbing the boy's hands and looked him squarely in the eyes. "If this is what you want koi I'll accept it, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. I want you to promise me to be careful and call me or your baka of a father if you need anything, anything at all. "
At that moment all Gohan could do was nod. His throat was choked up. The tears spilled again he mouthed a thank you when Vegeta pulled him and wrapped both arms around him tightly.
"I love you koi. Be careful." Gohan fought back a choked cry and nodded in to Vegeta's shirt. A sad smile crossed the prince's face. "Good. Well at least we are talking again." Vegeta smirked.
Gohan choked and laughed. "Yeah"
Vegeta smiled and brushed away his lover's tears. "Yeah." He said softly.
Gohan felt so much lighter after their talk. He thought it would end up like the other times, a screaming match. "Thank you Geta."
"It's okay boy. I just worry about you, especially now. You are so close to giving birth and I'd hate to think of anything happening to you. You are very special to me, you know that?"
Gohan nodded with a coy smile. "Yeah… so I'm finding out." He glanced up at Vegeta who was smiling affectionately at him.
"Forgive me yet about Yamcha?" Vegeta asked.
Gohan took a deep breath and with a slight comical frowned. "Don't push your luck!" Then he smiled. "I'm trying."
"Fair enough." Vegeta smirked. "If it helps I've forgiven you for kissing the asshole in the first place." Vegeta chuckled as Gohan swapped him hard across the chest.
"Bastard!"
"Brat!"
Silence fell over them again as they sat there. Then Gohan looked away shyly. He felt like this was a first date or something. It was a weird feeling. "Um …you know… if you want to do that …um feed jr you can." Gohan quickly glanced back at Vegeta who was grinning like the cat that got the canary.
"I would like that." Gohan's smile lit his whole face. Vegeta shifted back on the bench and pulled Gohan up close to him. He wrapped one arm over the boy's shoulders while the other hand sat comfortable over the boy's belly. Gohan leaned into Vegeta and closed his eyes with his head resting against his lover's. Feeling that familiar warm glow surge through him again a contented smile slipped and curled over both their faces as they felt jr bathing in its father's ki.
Both were unaware of Gohan's friends watching from behind them. Smiles slipped on all of their faces as they returned back to their game pleased to see their friend back in his lovers arms once again.
"Things look like they might be picking up." Ryan said wrapping his arms over Videl's slender shoulders.
"Yeah it does, doesn't it." She grinned as she pushed him away. "You're it!" She yelled as she took off with Ryan chasing after her.
"Get back here Del! Who said I was playing?" He laughed with his friends all rushing to get away from him as the new game started. No one saw the broad grin across Derrick face as he slid from behind a large tree and hightailed it back to Matt with the news he had just heard.
He streaked across the busy street as fast as his legs could go. "I can't wait to tell Matt this. He'll love it!"
TBC…
A/N: Well I hoped you liked it? The song 'The Reason' by the Hoobastank is what I was listening to while writing this chapter.
I can't wait till they all get to the camp. Why, not telling! Oh and we will see more of Matt too ;)
I know you have been waiting a long time between each update. Sorry about that! It takes me about a week to do a chapter if I find time around everything else I need to do. Then I send it of to be edited and that take few days. My poor long suffering editors. :P…. soooo I best start now, huh? Kewl? Catch y'all later.
Oh yes and I have devilish idea on how I'm going to end this story. LOL can't tell you though!
Thanks sooo very much for reviewing. :)