Author's notes and answers will be moved to the bottom of the page! THANKS TO ALL MY REVIEWERS! And sorry for the wait!

(REVISED: July 7, 2005)

Chapter 4

If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.
A. A. Milne

After yesterday's events, Krista and Jasper separated at Stalianos, only to meet back again as Gohan and Videl. Not that neither of then knew of course. They spent their evening watching television while eating take out since none of them had time to cook (Gohan's excuse was over time at the school. Videl's excuse was that another big case was dropped on her and she had to work O.T.) What a bunch of liars…

Morning of the next day, in Gohan and Videl's house…

Self discipline

Patience

Perseverance

These are only some of the many qualities any man would need when tackling a task of this magnitude. Many say it's hidden inside of you, like a natural gift that comes with birth, natural potential. Or maybe…..that's just a load of bullshit.

Gohan stood with his back straight, his brows furrowed in deep concentration, sweat dripping down his forehead. He lifted his hand gently over a glass bowl, an egg firmly clasped on his grip. Careful not to apply too much force, he lowered it to the side of the bowl as gently as he could…

But it cracked nonetheless, splattering all over his hand. That was the tenth egg this morning.

Yet evidently, though Gohan maybe smart in many things, he is as good in cooking as Goku is good in math.

Yes, as impossible as it may seem, our favorite demi-saiyan Son Gohan, is cooking in the kitchen. Dende have mercy on us all…

He pulled on his hair with a wild cry of frustration. "Damn it! Why won't you crack properly!" He yelled angrily at the broken remains of white shell, flinging it to the garbage with a growl. Turning on the faucet, he rinsed his hands clean, ripped off a paper towel and sourly dried himself.

'Why'd they have to make eggs so damned fragile anyway!'

Videl snickered from the door way, gaining Gohan's attention. She approached him dressed in a baggy teddy bear shirt and blue short shorts, amused eyes met irritated black orbs.

"Imagine my surprise this morning when I woke up to an empty bed," Videl said, giving her best friend a tight hug around the waist. "Now imagine my bigger surprise when I found you cooking in the kitchen. My aren't we full of surprises today, and it's still early in the morning."

Gohan shook his head with a crooked grin. "I guess cooking isn't my thing huh? I guess cooking is hereditary."

Videl laughed lightly, shoving him aside with her hips, away from the stove. Boy did she know how true that statement was. She never met Gohan's adoptive mother, no one probably ever has, but boy was she a terrible cook. Videl could still remember the horrible taste of that fried rice Gohan once brought to school for lunch. "Stand aside amateur and let me do the cooking."

He obeyed gloomily and sat down on the marble island of their kitchen table, resting his chin on his hand. Gohan watched as Videl worked her magic in the kitchen, attracting his eyes every time her alluring hips swayed. He shook his head with a small grin.

"What were you trying to cook anyway?" Videl asked and turned to him, amusement dancing in her big luminous eyes, her hands tying the knot of her apron at her back.

Gohan looked down, his cheeks tinted with embarrassment. "Eggs," he whispered meekly.

"Eggs? Kami Gohan, you're more hopeless than I thought!" Videl taunted with a smile. He stuck out his tongue at her childishly, and Videl made a face back to him.

"What would you men do without us women here to clean up after you?"

"We'd probably be eating bacon while reading a good book and talking about the issues and the stock market."

Only Gohan would say something like that.,..

"……Gohan, you are such a dork. You know that right?" Videl stated with a smile. "Most guys would've said they'd be playing football or at least something masculine."

"Well, I'm not like most guys now am I?" Gohan replied and chuckled, grabbed an apple from the fruit basket and took a huge bite off.

'You have no idea how right you are,' Videl thought to herself, stirring whatever it was she was cooking.

"And besides, if I play football, I'd break everyone I tackle down." He added smugly, finishing off his apple and launching it for the garbage. It flew over to the cereal box, bounced over a ketchup bottle, then hit the wall and slid down the counter, falling inside the small garbage can on the other side of the kitchen.

'SCORE! Good thing Videl didn't see that or she'd wonder…'

"Oh yeah, sure Gohan," Videl snorted sarcastically. "Everyone knows how 'super' strong and 'skilled' you are. One would even thing that you are a secret agent!" Videl laughed mentally, flipping the frying pan so that all its contents hovered in the air for a second then with the plate on her other hand she scooped it all up and handed the plate full of delicacies to her best friend before she turned the stove off.

Gohan's eyes lit up at her and he smiled his thanks, before wolfing down on his plate. Videl watched him eat for a while, happy that he didn't eat like any other man she's ever known. She wasn't the type to serve someone else, cook or clean for someone else, but for this goofball right here, she believed she'd do anything. Well, almost everything…

"I'll go head upstairs and get changed to my uniform, then we're leaving Gohan or we'll be late.. ……Are you listening to me mister? Jeez, swallow Gohan, swallow! Don't go chocking on me now. I doubt any Heimlich maneuver would help you with the amount of food you stuff in you face."

He paused and nodded for her, his cheeks so packed with food that he looked like a squirrel that swallowed too many nuts at the same time, before continuing his shameless assault. 'Oh boy, this tastes great! I'm so lucky Videl's a wonderful cook, or it would've taken me hours to crack just one egg. Then I would've starved……Gosh, what a torture-

He stopped and swallowed, lowering his bowl from his face. He turned to the window, spotting several shadows creeping its way to the back door. He growled annoyed and placed his plate back down on the table, cracking his neck to the side. 'How the hell did they find me?' His eyes widened, then narrowed darkly in realization. 'Trunks, damn it. Why are they here so early, in daylight? If they hurt Videl….man can't this wait until I'm done eating!'

"Hey Videl, I'm going to go outside and start the car okay! Take your time up there, we're not in a hurry."

-

"Okay Gohan!" Videl yelled back, grabbing her gun and tiptoeing to her closed bedroom door. She could hear sounds coming from inside, whispering and footsteps. 'These guys are good at suppressing their ki. How did they know where I live?... That means they know who I really am. Oh man, I'd have to take care of them immediately before Gohan finds out, or worse, gets hurt.'

Through the door cracks, Videl could see at least four of them, huddled up in a dark corner probably attempting to jump her once she enters the room. She smirked and aimed her gun, there wasn't any clear shot to any of them, but if she angled her gun right…

"Shhhh….you dumb asses! She's coming! If she hears us we're dead," one assassin, who appeared to be the boss of their little squad, grounded through his teeth. "Can you guys hear anything?"

It was quiet. Too quiet.

The man next to him shook his head, his sweaty palms clenching and unclenching his gun uneasily. "No boss, I don't hear-

click

Videl squeezed the trigger and watched as the bullet shot through the barrel of her gun, ricocheting of the lamp, bouncing down from the roof and burry itself right in the second guy's neck, who fell limp to the floor. She smiled.

"What the!"

Before the boss dude could finish, Videl kicked the door open and ran inside the room, gun ready. 'Here I come ladies!'

-

'A big promotion. That's what I'm going to get once I kill the Great Jasper! Pshhh….what the hell is so great about him? What does he have that I don't? No matter, he'll be dead once I'm done with him.'

I turned briefly at my comrades, seeing fear in their eyes as we made our way to the back door. 'Fear. Hah! They shouldn't fear him! They should fear me!' Pathetic. That's what they are.

Careful to make sure my feet didn't make any 'crunching' noises, we finally made it to the plain wooden door as my heartbeat starts increasing. Of course it's not because of fear. I know no fear and I fear no one! I am Kudigo! My heart increases for excitement! MWAHAHahahahha- ha…ha….ha ha….Man, I got to stop talking to myself. It couldn't possibly be healthy.

Slowly turning the doorknob, I pushed the door open without so much as a creak and smiled. There he was, eating so obliviously, so unprepared for death. Perfect.

Lifting my gun and aiming for his forehead, I lick my lips in anticipation, a smirk on my face, ready to end his life when something blinded my eyes. I turned away quickly to shield my eyes…

-

Gohan scooped up a spoonful of rice onto his mouth as he heard the door creak open with his sensitive ears. This was going to be easy as long as Videl didn't come down. After he swallowed his food, he tilted his plate slightly to the sunlight and reflected its blinding glare directly at the assassin's eyes, impaling his vision and forcing him to turn away. Gotcha…

Cracking his knuckles and jumping out of his seat, he charged for the door and kicked it open, sending the door and the man behind it soaring to the sky, never to be heard from again. Gohan turned to his side, where the other men froze with fear, eyes bulging out of their sockets, their guns pointing carelessly at the ground. He smirked. "Hello…"

-

Mr. Shabahogicoga (A/n: try saying that name again and again) looked out his window with a small frown. He was Gohan and Videl's neighbor, the typical grumpy old man down the street. He was actually the first one who helped them move in those many years ago, and ever since then, he made it a habit to watch over the young couple just incase. Why? Because his neighbors were WEIRD! From the last six years alone, he'd seen people appear out of nowhere, he'd seen a man and a woman fly off into the sky, AND he'd seen people shoot glowing fireballs from their hands! But no ones ever believed him! Any time now, he'll get his proof! Then he'll report those two to the police!

This particular morning, his chance finally came. Men dressed in camouflage army clothes were sneaking for the back door of his neighbor's house. Being the caring old man he is, he quickly snatched his camera with a devious smirk before looking out again. 'Oh yeah, I got you know Gohan and Videl! Are you two leaders of some mafia gang or something?' He blinked in surprise.

The men seemed to have disappeared from sight, except he could hear faint cries of pain and cracking bones. Mr. Shabahogicoga's eyes widened when out of thin air, one by one, those men he spotted just moments ago dropped to the ground from thin air, puffy eyed, bruised and broken, their arms and limbs tied together, stars floating around their heads.

"Oh dear dende….I really got to lay off those Viagras." He didn't even get the time to take his pictures, his camera fell to the floor.

-

Gohan dusted his hands after blasting the remains of the assassins into oblivion, a cheesy smile on his face. He looked up to the window of his old neighbor, waving innocently as old Mr. Shabahogicoga stared back at him in awe and fear, his jaw comically down on the floor. 'Should I take care of him too? Nah…..no one would believe the old geezer anyway.' "Hey Mr. Shabahogicoga! Good morning!"

The old man's eyes rolled to the back of his head before falling to the floor, unconscious. Shrugging his shoulders, Gohan walked back to the house through his now doorless backdoor, whistling to himself.

-

Videl opened the window to let out the smell of burning flesh. It was suffocating her.

"Ugh, there has to be a better way of cleaning up bodies than ki blasting them to ashes."

Angry and worried, she whipped out her cell and dialed J's number, pacing around anxiously. She bit on her lower lip, tapping her feet.

How the hell long does it take to answer a damn cell phone!

Hello, J speaking. Who's this?

"Don't play with me J. I'm the only one who has this number."

Oh, Videl! I was just about to call you-

"They just attacked me, at my house, in daylight. Don't we get working hours? Isn't there a fucking rule that says 'NO ONE CAN ATTACK DURING 10PM TO 9AM?'" Videl growled in a pissed off mood, fixing her hair with her other hand.

You know there's no such thing as that in this business, now calm down.

"Don't tell me to calm down, I AM CALM! What if Gohan saw them? What if he got hurt! I…." She paused, her eyes widened. "Hold on a sec J." Covering the phone with the palm of her hand, she yelled "Gohan? Are you okay down there?"

She could hear some shuffling downstairs before the reply came. "I'm fine! When are you coming down?"

"In a minute!"

Satisfied that he was okay, Videl returned to her phone call with a sigh of relief. "Oh god, he's alright, thank dende! If something ever happened to him, I'll- Gohan isn't a fighter J! He'll get killed!"

Videl, stay calm. We're already working on concealing your address from the public. Don't worry yourself too much, Gohan'll be fine as long as he has you around. Jasper already called, he got attacked too apparently. Now what we want you to do is to go back to the Moneylot's mansion and meet Jasper there. We'll brief you once you get to the mansion.

Videl nodded, hanging up and straightening her clothes. Satisfied, she strolled downstairs, stopping just at the foot of the steps when she saw Gohan standing by a door shaped hole. "What the hell happened to the door?"

Gohan smiled at her innocently, scratching the back of his head, wracking his genius brain for a genius excuse. "I- you see, there was this….here's how it happened….uhmm, there were these big guys that- that got loose from the…er…Department of Mentally Retarded! Yeah, that's right! These big retarded guys came here and uhh, tore through the door, looking for-" his eyes reverted to the kitchen, "an EGG! Yeah, and I told them we didn't have anymore."

'I think I covered that one up pretty well,' Gohan thought, smirking to himself.

"So a bunch of retarded guys tore through our door for an egg," She rolled her eyes, a sweat drop running down her neck before making her way outside. "Come on Gohan, if you have to make up such a bad lie like that then I don't even want to know what the hell happened."

-

In the Moneylot's mansion…

"Okay, good news, bad news?"

Gohan and Videl (Jasper and Krista) glanced at each other, before glaring at the screen in front of them. "Just get on with it!"

J winced at their outburst, rubbing his ears gingerly. 'Jeez, someone's going through their first period.' "Well, good news is that it has been confirmed that Trunks Ouiji Briefs is the master mind behind all these attacks. We have found no other motive thus far besides the one he already provided."

"I highly doubt that he'll go to great lengths just to eliminate competition," Videl said knowingly. "There must be a deeper motive."

J nodded in agreement. "And that's what you two are going to find out."

"What about the bad news?" Gohan asked in a monotone voice.

"Well, the bad news is that Mr. Briefs is not only the President of the Richest Company in the world, which means endless resources, he is also The Great Vegeta's only son, trained personally by," J provided hesitantly. "You two maybe the best, but this guy is the son of a known legend. You two are like legends unknown."

"And that is our advantage," Gohan responded, straightening up and stretching his arms. "No one knows us, except for Boxers himself, so we can work behind the scenes easily."

Videl and J (through the screen of the laptop) stared at him weirdly. "Who's Boxers?"

Gohan regarded them confusedly at first, then smacked himself mentally when he realized his slip up. "I- ah, it's a nickname, for Trunks Briefs I mean. You know, Trunks, Briefs, Boxers….forget it." He answered with a crooked innocent grin.

'Nickname? Does Jasper know Trunks Briefs personally too? Well, if he knows Bra then he MUST know Trunks. And yesterday Bra called Jasper her long lost brother. Is Jasper also a Briefs no one knows about? He practically knows the entire Briefs family.' Videl thought to herself, eyeing Gohan wearily before shaking off her suspicion, for now at least.

Gohan scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Ah, how about we go grab a bite to eat?"

Videl straightened herself, nodding with a big smile. "Sure, we can go to Capsule Corporation."

"Capsule Corporation?" Gohan questioned, his brows wrinkling in confusion. "I was thinking more like the Pizza place or something."

The female agent shook her head, shutting her laptop and capsulizing it before yanking on Gohan's shirt and dragging him with her to the car. "There's a big party at CC, they'll be serving lots of food there. And guess who else will be there Jasper?"

His eyes widened and he mumbled, "Trunks."

Videl nodded at him with a smirk. "Oh so you do have a brain! Better we get to work while eating, it's the perfect opportunity to snoop around."

-

3 hours later….

Videl took off her shoes and socks, stuffing her socks inside her shoes before laying them beside her. Lowering herself carefully, she slowly dipped her feet into the cold waters of the pool, sending tingles up her body, refreshing her.

'Finally, alone. Peace and quiet.'

She sighed and leaned back on her hands for support, lightly flicking her feet under the water, creating river-esk ripples into the vast ocean of sparkling blue. She had to admit that the pool looked rather inviting at the moment but the sudden memory of a certain kiss in that same pool made her push the idea away, far FAR away.

What the hell was wrong with her?

Why is she getting all worked up about some, SOME GUY! Especially when the guy is an annoying cold manipulative conceited jackass who spends most of his time in front of a mirror admiring himself…

Videl stared at her reflection and scrunched up her face, clearing her throat and lowering her voice. "Hey sexxay baby, I'm Stripes, Jackass Stripes. I was wondering if you'd want to come to my place and have some fun?"

She changed her facial expression again, this time making her voice high pitched. "Oh I'd love too! I mean, I'm just some stupid girl who wants nothing more than to wipe the shit dripping from your ass."

Videl went back to her Jasper impersonation. "I'm sorry miss, but that's my face your looking at, not my ass. Either way, I think they both look sexy."

"Do you always make funny faces when you're alone?" Interrupted an all too familiar voice, except this time it sounded amused.

Her eyes widened dramatically and she stiffened. Great. Just great. Dende why don't you just strike me down now?

Trying really hard to snap back at him with a witty comment while still seeming dignified, Videl turned to him with a small smile. "If you consider your face funny, then yes."

Gohan shook his head with a smirk, removing his shoes and his socks. He was about to roll up his pants when Videl stopped him.

"What are you doing?"

"Umm, rolling up my pants so I can get in the pool too."

Videl stared at him as if he had just confessed to her that he was a gay alien from a powerful race of merciless killers. Well, at least half of it was true. The part about being an alien killer one….

"You can't sit with me."

Gohan straightened up and plopped down beside her, his feet buried under the cool water, his suit opened wide and his sleeves rolled up. Smirking, he turned to face her and whispered huskily to her ear, his warm breathe sending shivers down Videl's spine, "Stop me then."

Besides the small amount of exposed flawless tanned skin covering well built muscle and the air of strength and arrogance that surrounded him, Videl almost thought of Jasper as a normal guy. He just looked like everyone else sitting beside her, relaxed and calm. It was as if she was staring at a different man, someone more human.

What is he trying to do?

What is he thinking of?

What-

Her eyes widened.

What the hell is wrong with me!

There she was again, talking to herself….honestly, if someone could read her mind, can anyone say RETARDED?

No one talks to themselves. It's just not normal okay! You have to stop talking to….your..self. Gah, I'm still talking to myself.

"You know, I'ts not polite to stare?"

Videl snapped back to reality, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. "I'm sorry, did you say something?"

Gohan shook his head and laid down on his back, his hands beside his head, eyes closed. Videl watched him for a moment before reluctantly following his example, except her arms were at her sides. It stayed that way for a while, the only sound that could be heard was the sound of their feet in the water. At least until Videl decided to open her big mouth. It's not surprising, she wasn't really one to keep her mouth shut. She's a very opinionated person.

Videl turned to her side to face him, her cheek propped up on her hand. "I don't mean to sound like I care or anything but, what the hell are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be back at the C.C. party flirting with a bunch of brain dead women going all gaga over you?"

Gohan opened an eye to look at her before closing it again with a snort. "It was too loud there, and the food was bad. Bulma probably cooked it. Besides, Trunks wasn't there anyway, what was the point in staying? And by the way, you didn't look like you would leave the party anytime soon either with the way you let all those guys hang on you."

She rolled her eyes and laid back down. "That's actually why I left the party. And from the looks of how you ate a while ago, it didn't look like the food tasted bad. You were stuffing your face as if the dead roasted pig with the apple on its mouth was going to stand up and run away if you didn't get it inside your belly. You know, you remind me more and more of this guy I know."

Gohan's eyes lit up, suddenly feeling choked. "W-wha- er…who would that be?"

"Oh he's just the most caring and perfect man I know who just so happens to also be my best friend."

No way! It can't be…..

He gulped, sitting up and brushing his arms clean. "And uhm, ho-how do you..er…how do you feel about him?"

There was a slight pause before Videl answered firmly. "I love him. He's everything to me." Her eyes fluttered open, sadness marking her beautiful face. "But I- he only sees me as his best friend…..and I don't," She stopped herself, locking eyes with Gohan (even through Gohan's shades she knew she was staring straight at his eyes) for a moment before shooting to her feet, her hands on her hips and a growl on her lips.

"Hang on, why am I telling you this?"

Startled by her sudden change in mood, Gohan too stood up and crossed his arms over his chest. "Hey, I didn't force you to share. Besides, I couldn't care less anyway. This man you're talking about sounds like a wussy."

Videl flared, her face going hot red with a huge throbbing vein popping on her forehead. "Take that back! Gohan is NOT a wussy!"

Gohan snickered, enjoying his torment on the young hot tempered woman. "I bet he is. I bet the only reason he's staying with you is because he's scared of you. Maybe he-

He stopped, frozen dead in his tracks, all the blood on his face drained away. "W-what did you just say?" He squeaked in voluntarily.

Please don't say it! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON'T SAY IT!

Videl stared at him weirdly, her brows knotted in confusion. "I said, Gohan is NOT a wussy. Why? You act as if you know him."

Gohan suddenly felt his knees go weak as he staggered backwards, tipping on the edge of the pool and with a big SPLASH, fell right into the water.

Oh boy…

Well, that was it! I know it seems kinda early for Gohan to find out that Videl and Krista are one and the same, and this chapter seems so boring to me (definitely not my best), but trust me, it will get better! I'm guessing by next chapter, this fic will have a big turning point! Trunks will have his first appearance!

Please bear with me and have patience!

Important Author's note: As you may or may not already know, my computer time has been cut drastically short. Yes, yes I know its bad isn't it? Well, the reason being is that I just found out that I need to get glasses because I now am a proud owner of bad eyes. SO my parents are all trippin and blaming the computer for it, so now I may not be able to update as fast. So for that, I am really sorry! BUT if I get A LOT of reviews, then maybe I'll try to sneak onto the computer once and a while! While you guys are waiting, you could read my other fic which happens to be complete right now! It's called "The Greatest Gift you can Give." It's a more serious romance but it also has humor on it and has A LOT of twists that would knock your socks off! I really recommend it to you readers, it was my first fic so the start may seem a bit slow but it gets better! Please read it and review it while I write the next chapter for this story! It would REALLY mean a lot to me! Thank you!

Answers to Questions:

Rose Vaughn: Uhmm, Videl still doesn't know that Jasper is Gohan. It's just that in chapter three, instead of referring to Gohan as Jasper, I just kept it as Gohan since it's narration anyway. But you'll see that every time Krista talks to Gohan, she calls him "Jasper." Sorry for the mix up!

Lov3the3vil: Not sure if Goten will be in the story yet. I don't even know how the story goes! LoL. And yeah, Gohan and Bra seem like they're really close don't they? Hmmm….maybe there's something going on. Or maybe I'm just trying to throw you off. LOL! Thanks for reviewing!

DemonVidel: You're righthe should've recognized her shouldn't he? Hmmm…how about let's just say Videl's clothes hid her scent. Fair enough? Lol. Thanks for reviewing!

Hi: Yeah, I do feel bad about making Trunks the bad guy. I like him too! But you are right, I couldn't just pick anyone else. As the story reveals itself, you'll know why I had to pick Trunks.

Again, THANKS TO MY REVIEWERS! AND PLEASE REVIEW! It won't take long!