Twin Dilemma
Inside the playroom, Trunks and Goten were engaged in a game with the twins. Like always the blocks floated on their own accord, while Trunks tried to zap them with ki out of the twin's mental grasp. Goten leapt up and began to snatch each block out of the air. Suddenly, Fermi and Bohr stopped their playing. Both dropped the blocks they were using to build the tower along with Goten. Standing up, the twin boys looked at one another, then at Gohan standing by the door. They said nothing as they walked forwards.
"Guys?" Trunks asked. "What's up?"
"Don't you feel it? My Dad's here," said Goten.
Fermi look at Bohr, both sets of dark brown eyes sparkling with violet ki. "Mommy," they mouthed.
"Wait here, guys," said Gohan. He opened the door to see the three women rush through, one of them the stranger his father had taken in.
"Fermi… Bohr? Is that you?" she gasped, dropping to her knee. Both boys wandered up, glancing at her with dark eyes. She reached out her arms, feeling sadness and joy as they moved quickly forwards.
"Mommy?" they both said at once.
"That's right… you know me?"
"Mommy!" they said in unison, gliding into her waiting arms. Their small hands pulled at her hair, squeezing her neck in a combined hug.
"I'm so sorry… I couldn't…"
"Mamma don't cry," the one called Fermi whispered.
"We're okay… we knew you'd come…" answered Bohr.
"We always knew," Fermi added.
"Daddy said so," said Bohr.
"But your father…" she stammered, wiping away her tears.
"Is dead and not dead… we know mommy…"
"And it's okay… he said to take care of you," Bohr insisted.
"How old are you… four… oh god… oh god," she sobbed, as they held her close. Both four-year-olds kissed her neck, hugging her tightly.
"We love you mommy, please don't' cry," they whispered. "We're not angry. Please don't cry…"
From a two-way window in the side of the nursery, Prince Bejita watched the reunion with an air of disdain. Next to him, Buruma stood with a smile plastered on her face, hands folded along the side of her face with joy.
"How saccharinely sentimental," Bejita mumbled to Buruma.
"Shut up," she snorted. "I don't know what you were trying to pull insulting their mother like that… but you'd better have a DAMN good explanation…"
"I'm not unaffected. I'm glad those brats are with their proper mother. They were a pain in the ass," Bejita snorted.
"I swear you're going to see the couch for a YEAR!" Buruma snorted.
"Woman, don't piss me off. You know I'm right. That woman has no cause to feel sorry for herself when I sense the ki off her. She's perfectly capable of defending herself," Bejita snorted in distaste.
"What are you talking about? She's been through a rough time."
"Boo hoo, so have her two friends, and they aren't wallowing in misery. That woman may have lost her mate, but she's all too eager to dwell on it and make herself some sort of martyr that's suffered far more than the two she calls friends… what makes HER special, ne? Why should I treat her like she's worth my respect when she's not…"
"Bejita… what crawled up your ass?"
"If she'd desired her children so much, why did she let them become captured in the first place…"
"You son of a bitch… how dare you!"
"She's proved she has the guts to face me in a verbal battle, me who's taken her brats in. But if she's going to prove herself worthy of taking over their care, she needs to show that she won't be so easily intimidated by every bump in the road. Taking soul responsibility for those Destroyers. Give me a BREAK! They would have attacked regardless of whether she came here or not!" Bejita grunted.
"Okay, I'm seeing it from your twisted perspective, but what gives US the right to judge her?"
"Because we're caring for her brats. As Kakkarot has been. And I've heard much from the one known as Dragon Womyn. She's not unlike you, woman… smart and intelligent but incapable of caring for herself without a mate to look after her. And not having the sense to keep her mouth shut when the male should take responsibility in matters she has no business attempting," Bejita snapped.
"Dig yourself deeper, dork," she glared.
"What business does she have thinking she has a prayer learning to fight? Unless she's willing to properly train. And if not her, that idiot Kakkarot seems all too eager to…"
"WHAT?" Buruma asked.
"Look at him," Bejita snorted, pointing to where Goku moved alongside her. He scooped up Goten, hugging him tightly as Gohan looked on.
"What are you saying?" she demanded.
"It should be obvious. His mate dumped him, and he's already protective of that female and her brood. It's Saiyan instinct to seek another mate to replace the one who's been killed or rejected…"
"I can't believe you're saying this, Bejita…" she snorted, whirling on her heel, turning her back to him.
Bejita snorted, nodding in Goku's direction, "Kakkarot's brat told me the woeful tale. That loud mouthed harpy found someone else more suited to her shrewish ways while Kakkarot was in the great beyond, and left him with both his brats…"
"Even so, she's human like me. And Goku's just trying to help her and her sons feel better… he's dealing with her absence in the only way he knows how…" Buruma shook her head. "By focusing on helping other people like he always done."
"He's not sobbing like a sentimental fool, strangely enough. He's acting more Saiyan than I've ever seen him in the last ten years…" Bejita said quickly. "If you ask me, that harpy's absence is the best thing for him. Maybe he'll stop acting like a clown and a freak… and start kicking ass…"
"I don't get what you're doing with all this, Bejita…" she sighed.
"That weakling needs a mate to look after her, is what I'm saying. Her mate's dead. And she has two brats with exceptional potential. Kakkarot is in need of something weaker to protect. Like a fool she's rejecting his offer of protection and insulting his honor as a warrior. It would do her better to accept and let him do what he does best, caring for her brats…"
In the living room sat Goku, burying his head in his hands. He had slipped out, not wishing to disrupt the reunion of the Alchemist and her two friends. Wrestling with raw emotions he struggled to grip his self-control when Buruma found him sitting there on the sofa. He hunched over, rubbing his face while she strode over towards him.
"Son-kun… what are you doing out HERE?"
"Buruma… I…" Goku said quickly. Tears formed in his eyes when he leapt up from the couch.
"Goku… I'm so sorry, Bejita didn't mean to… I mean I know it wasn't your fault she left you…" she said. Sniffling he wiped away the tears that dropped down his face. She held out her arms to him, as if he were a child.
"I thought I'd gotten over it, because it's been a few months now... but still..." he mumbled. He buried his face in Buruma's shoulder. Slowly she rocked the young man who was a brother and best friend to her since they were both young. Finally he allowed his emotions to burst out freely in the presence of one he knew wouldn't judge or treat him like a fool.
"I can't bring her back," Goku whispered. "No matter what I did; it wasn't good enough for her, was it?"
"Son-kun… that's not true… and you know it! You were doing what you could! Nobody doubts that… and who cares what Bejita says!" she snapped.
"It wasn't her fault. It was mine," Goku whispered, sobbing into Buruma's blue hair.
"You'll carry on. You said Chichi taught you to cook and houseclean before she left… well I set up a little fund to take care of the house and kids if this happened. I took your remaining assets and set up a trust fund…"
"So no money problems?" Goku asked.
"Not if you don't handle the finances. Leave that to Gohan. If he wants a job he can come work for Capsule… when he's graduated college. And Goten can come and stay with Trunks when he needs to…"
"But the woman…" Goku said helplessly. He backed away from Buruma, flopping down on the nearby sofa.
Next to him, Buruma gracefully lowered herself to sit. She slid his hand overtop of his to pat it gently, saying, "Her friends will care for her… and her sons. Now that they're reunited…"
"The boys need a father," Goku mumbled.
"What?" Buruma asked, not quite making out what he said.
"They need someone to train them, take care of them, protect them," said Goku, blushing at his mistake. "With their powers… and those creatures after them… and her husband is dead…"
"Goku, you want to take care of them? How sweet… but are you sure?" Buruma asked. "You don't have a lot of room in that house of yours!"
"Well, it makes sense to me… I mean I could train them how to fight… and she could stay in my grandpa's house… with them… and she'd be only a few miles from me and the boys…" said Goku quickly.
"She feels guilty about this, Goku. I don't know if that would be wise… she should stay with her friends…"
"Her boys need a protector," said Goku quietly. "And she needs someone to keep her happy. Cheer her up. I was with her husband before… well before…"
"That's incredible sweet… but she won't just do it because you think it's a good idea… I mean she hardly knows you… and… don't you think it's sort of… well… maybe she might think that you'd want her…" Buruma clicked her tongue at him. Goku's black eyes widened with horror, and he blushed profusely at Buruma's knowing glance.
"I don't want her THAT Way!" Goku protested. "Jeez Buruma, you've got a SICK mind!"
"Well, I keep forgetting you're Mr. Pure of heart," Buruma chuckled. "I'm just teasing you, Goku. I'm sorry… I just want you to know that you're gonna be lonely now that Chichi's gone, and I don't want you hurting yourself by thinking this woman is a replacement for…"
"I don't," Goku said angrily, making fists and pressing them down on the tops of his muscular thighs. "It's the honorable thing to do. Her husband asked me to…"
"What?" Buruma asked, widening her azure eyes in surprise. "Care to explain?"
Not able to meet her blue gaze with his dark black one, Son Goku quickly explained, "I met him in Other world, during one of the big tournaments the Kais held. There was no way he could go back, so her husband asked me to take care of his sons and wife, if anything happened to him…"
"Take care of her?" Buruma coughed, blinking at him in confusion. Her nose scrunched in that way that told Goku she wasn't buying any of this.
Son Goku groaned, shaking his head as he continued, "I'm tellin' the truth here! He'd seen that they were being chased by those Destroyers from dimension to dimension… and that they needed a home. And since her own world is ruined… she could stay here, and raise her boys in peace till they were old enough to protect her…"
"If it were anyone else, Goku, I'd say they were nuts. But since you're who you are, I think I'll do whatever I can to make sure your house gets rebuilt… and that she has everything she needs…" Buruma shook her head in confusion.
"She's just seen them after two years," said Goku, scratching the back of his neck. "And she's a bit nervous around four year old boys… if she needs help… and Gohan and Goten…"
"Gohan's almost engaged to Videl. He can't baby-sit…" Buruma sighed exasperated. She folded her hands on her lap, leaning forwards in her seat. She angled herself to face Goku.
"That's why if she stayed at my home, I could help her baby-sit," Goku said brightly. "Chichi always said I was good with kids… especially boys. And if their powers are strong, I can withstand anything they'd throw at me…"
"Only if she agrees… and I don't know if she will, given her current state of mind," Buruma sighed. "But I'll give you a Capsule house while we're fabricating one for you… that she can stay in, and you and the guys can live in your grandpa's old place..."
"Yeah of course!" Goku nodded. "And we can all eat together… like a family… or sort of… face it. She only has her friends. Her husband is dead… and her family… who knows…"
"Then you should ask her, before jumping to conclusions, Son-kun. Don't take advantage of her… she's lonely and confused enough…" Buruma warned him.
"I won't," Goku said quickly. "I'm not like that… you know as well as anyone else…"
Buruma let out a resigned sigh, and smiled. She reached over to pat his shoulder, in much the manner of a small child. For the first time, Son Goku realized how annoying it was. Lately he noticed more and more how people often tried to talk down to him, like he was stupid. Normally he didn't mind, but lately he was getting really sick of it.
With a patronizing smile Buruma said, "Of course. You're pretty much interested in fighting and eating. I don't think you'd even… well… I guess it's my dirty mind. Remember I couldn't ride Nimbus…"
"Yeah, so?" Son Goku blinked, although he knew the implication of bringing that fact up.
Buruma patted her lap with the flats of both hands, indicating the discussion was over. She said, "Anyhow, let's get you a capsule house and some food… and as soon as you're ready to go back, we can install it…"
"Thanks Buruma-san," he smiled at last, inclining his head. He rose from the sofa, and tugged down on the front of his sleeveless top, before waiting for her to get up and exit the room.
Elsewhere within Capsule corps main building, the three friends exchanged notes about the last few years. They came to the conclusion that they were possibly trapped here for far longer than they realized. Through the stories of her two friends, she came to learn that for the past six months before they arrived, two of their worst enemies had their hands on the boys. The Bandit and the Princess had managed to rear the children, with difficulty. The Bandithad temporarily confused the children into thinking that he was their father. As their powers had grown in strength, their mental abilities pierced through the veil. At age four they managed to escapeonce and grab a dimensional belt, having seen the Destroyers use one. Once appearing on Chikyuu,they were found byEarth's Special Forces.
"It was Yamucha and Krillen that managed to fight her off and determine the children aren't hers," Black Widow, aka Christine related. "They took them to Krillen's place at Kame House… for temporary care."
"We hardly knew… later when we ran across them… we found out that some guy… named Dende to figured out whose children they were. When they finally they discovered that Bejita was training two similarly powered beings…." Jeannie aka Dragon Womyn added, sipping hot coffee that rested on the table before her. She shifted her position on the sofa, next to Black Widow.
"Imagine how amazed we were to find that these children are alive…" Black Widow said. "But even though we offered to care for them, the Z fighters decided it was better if 'foster' parents cared for your kids… till you showed up…"
"So… that's why Goku knew them… he foster cared for them," Tryni shook her head.
"Originally the Son family took Fermi in, while the Briefs took Bohr," Dragon Womyn nodded.
"I owe them a lot, but damn… if I'd known," the alchemist mumbled."But they must have realized both twins would be better off together…"
"That's why they finally placed together under our care… considering my own son…" Dragon Womyn trailed off, squeezing her eyes shut. "But now that you're back… you're gonna take over right?"
"Is there any doubt?" Atomique demanded, leveling her dark eyed gaze on the draconian-featured female.
"What are your plans?" asked Black Widow. "I mean now that you're here… you'll be looking for a job and a home..."
"What plans?" asked Atomique softly.
"I mean… since Paul… and well," asked Dragon Womyn. "He's dead… and this world isn't too bad…."
"I don't know. Trying to return to our world isn't the best idea… not with two children…" said Atomique quietly. "They've been hopelessly traumatized already…"
"Maybe we should stay here till we know more," said Black Widow. "This world has much to offer. And besides, we're far stronger…"
"Have you any word from the others?" asked Dragon Womyn, chugging down the rest of her coffee. Atomique sipped a huge swig of hers, swirling the milk in the mug.
"Nothing. The dreams I had from Elliot have ceased. As far as I know… if any of them want to look for us, they'll find us if we stay put. I can't help but think that we need to remain where we are…" said Atomique pragmatically.
"One day we will go back and take our world again. But not now. We aren't strong enough to face Blackwell yet. But every day of training we're one step closer…"
"How could we get back… unless we stole those teleport belts… from Leader…?" said Dragon Womyn.
"This world is rife with them. But the Special Forces can hold them at bay… and sooner or later they may give up…" said Black Widow. "And anyway, what have Gene and the others done to try and help us? Either they can't or won't help…"
"Paul is dead… and Gene…," said Dragon Womyn quickly. "Let's just say that I have had infrequent contacts, and they've all basically said we're to lay low…"
"How has he contacted you?" Atomique demanded.
"Through dreams. Though lately they've grown more infrequent. And Elliot's mind has been closed to me. I don't know if he's dead or alive. It's like there's a gray curtain cutting him off…"
"I barely hear him, even if I scream in my mind," Atomique whispered. "He's off looking across space and time spiritually for your son…"
"I know. And we're stuck here…"
"We should stay, I say," Black Widow said. "When they're ready, they'll come to us. We've done enough running. It's time to keep training, and then when we're ready, we can attack leader and get a transport device…"
"Then what? With everyone scattered across space-time…" asked Dragon Womyn. "Dad can't help us. Ace's scrambling spell was to protect the children and us till we learned the skills to fight Blackwell and his minions. Only when Mona and Ace learn to use their powers can we hope to be reunited. I've played enough games with fate…"
"Yes. I want to become as strong as our mentor does. Then we'll destroy the Destroyers…" Black Widow nodded. "And you'd be wise to stay here, and raise the kids in safety… you've been through enough…"
"Their powers aren't something that…" Atomique protested.
"Son Goku and his friends are strong warriors. If anyone can insure your safety it's him or her. Paul would want you to stay," said Dragon Womyn.
"And who are you to say what Paul would want?" Atomique demanded.
"She was just…" Black Widow started to say.
"Stay where it's safe. Like he always told you," Dragon Womyn interrupted.
"As you say," Atomique nodded quietly, giving Dragon Womyn an odd look. Black Widow moved after her, blinking in surprise.
"What was THAT about?" she asked.
"Nothing," Atomique muttered.
"I'm going to train," said Dragon Womyn pointedly. "And I'd suggest you get back to your sons…"
"That's what I mean to do," said Atomique. She inclined her head, still meeting her gaze to the other warrior, but taking a defensive stance as if she anticipated an attack. Angrily the two women faced one another, their eyes sparkling with wild random chikara.
"Hey guys, chill!" Black Widow urged, pushing between them.
"There you are… my dad's been looking for you," said Gohan as he walked up to them. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Nothing important," said Dragon Womyn. "Excuse me. My condolences… later girls…"
"What did you want, Son Gohan?" Atomique asked.
"My dad has something to ask you… something important… but if this isn't a good time…"
"Maybe you'd better go while I talk to Jeannie," said Black Widow. "We can talk later…"
"It's nothing… I tell you…" Atomique said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Pretty big nothing when you two look about ready to kill each other…" Black Widow snorted, resting her hands on her hips. Hazel eyes narrowed, indicating she had seen far more then her friend wished. Sensing the tension hovering around the room, Gohan wondered if he had picked a bad time.
"I can come back later…" Gohan stammered.
"I don't know what it is," said Atomique softly. "But she's changed. And she's scaring me…"
"You're not the only one. Look, I'll try and pick her brain. You'd better go see what Son-kun wants…" said Black Widow. "Call me if you need to…"
Hugging her friend, Black Widow then shook Gohan's hand before leaving. Atomique swallowed hard, glancing at Gohan, who hung his head in embarrassment. "Sorry…"
"Don't be…" said Atomique softly.
She followed him out to the living room, where Goku was slowly swinging one of the twins, Fermi on his shoulder. Next to him, Goten was wrestling with the other, named Bohr.
"Careful… will you!" Gohan cried as he walked over. Videl moved to intercept him.
"It's okay… I think he's holding back," she reassured him. "Are you both okay?"
"As we'll ever be," Gohan mumbled. "Hey dad!"
"There you are… someone save me from this guy… he's getting strong!" Goku laughed as he swung Fermi around. The boy laughed and squealed as Goku tossed him through the air, and he landed square in Gohan's outstretched arms. Atomique flinched, till she realized for a split second that the boy had hovered in mid air.
"He can fly Daddy! Just like Gohan and me!" Goten crowed. "Show 'em Bohr!"
"What the?" she gasped, seeing one of her sons slowly levitating next to Goten.
"All right, that's enough… for one day!" Videl clapped her hands. She caught the levitating boy as Gohan plucked Goten out of the air. Immediately she handed Bohr to Atomique, who set the boy on her hip shakily.
"How…" she blinked.
"You stinker… you aren't supposed to show them that!" Gohan protested. "They're too young to train!"
"Aww they're NEVER too young!" Goku interrupted, striding up. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you… they just sort of did it…"
"Incredible," she shook her head. "Were you FLYING, Bohr?"
Fermi leapt out of Gohan's arms, when Goten did, and flew past Atomique, squealing and laughing. "Mommy look we can fly! Look!"
"So can I!" Bohr pouted.
"Hey, easy there!" Son Goku urged, grabbing Fermi from taking off. He set the boy on his shoulders with one hand, while helping to hold him in place. Clutching a pouting Bohr, Atomique shook her head at him. Fermi tugged a handful of Son Goku's stiff hair, laughing.
"Dad, you're nuts," Gohan shook his head.
"What was the big question you were asking?" she turned to him. Videl held out her arms and grabbed Goten who was pulling at her leg. Gohan grabbed his brother, swinging him on his back as Goku walked over with the other twin.
"You'll need a place to stay. I was wondering if you'd consider staying at my grandpa's place… I mean till you find somewhere else… I mean the boys already know…" said Goku quickly.
"You want me to stay at your place? Any reason why?"
"Well, if you think it's silly… and well… those guys are still trying to chase you…" Son Goku said. "If you really don't wanna…"
"Please Mommy, can we live with the nice man?" asked Bohr.
"I like him, he's funny!" Fermi squealed.
"Can they stay, daddy? They don't beat me up like Trunks does!" Goten pleaded.
"Aww jeez," Atomique groaned.
"I guess they're already sold," said Videl, blinking at Gohan.
"So, you're welcome if you want…" Gohan said, glancing at her. "If you REALLY want…"
"Fine, we'll try it. But only temporarily," Atomique relented. "And no funny stuff. You two boys can't make Mr. Goku and Mr. Gohan do anything that your dad or I wouldn't allow!"
"All right!" they chorused.
"What did I just agree to?" she mumbled to Videl.
"Trust me, it's gonna be okay… if anyone can deal with unruly kids, it's his dad… especially since he's one himself," joked Videl, reassuring her.
Nighttime fell on the Son residence. Already the new capsule house had been installed, giving them a whole mess of space that had not originally been intended. Since Atomique's sons insisted on sleeping in Goten's room, Son Goku had schlepped the bunk beds into his younger son's large room. This made one large common area where they could be together. To the boys it was like a sleepover party. It was a relief to see how well they got along together. Because of this development, Atomique wondered if she would be sleeping in the small pagoda house with Videl and Gohan instead while the others shared the new dome shaped dwelling.
Such answers would have to wait. For the last few hours, she had tutored Gohan and his fiancée for an upcoming mid term. Videl and Gohan sat out on the couch, pouring over chemistry texts under the watch of Atomique. Bowls of popcorn, potato chips and other snacks festooned the coffee table, along with stacks of notebooks and textbooks here and there. Videl nestled her orange juice between her knees, shifting forwards in the sofa next to Gohan. He pushed his black framed glasses more securely on the bridge of his nose, riffling through his meticulous notes.
"Gimme those… your notes are better than mine are…" she said, leaning over his thigh and playfully snatching the book from him.
"Hey, your handwriting's more clear than mine," he protested, tugging it back.
"Please?" she said, giving him the best set of puppy dog eyes.
"Aw no fair!" he groaned.
"Thanks sweetie," she grinned, kissing his cheek. He blushed profusely, turning his head to the side.
"Okay lovebirds, what's next… The Bohr Model of the atom… and its shortcomings…" Tryni, a.k.a. Atomique in this dimension smiled. She enjoyed seeing the cute blushes on the two teenagers faces for the past few hours. Whenever Videl wanted something to Gohan's left she always leaned over his jeans clad leg, inadvertently pressing a shirt covered breast over the top. Judging from the gleam in her blue eyes, she was doing it deliberately. Not that Gohan minded much, yet he still shyly squirmed and protested.
"More popcorn?" he asked her, passing the bowl to her after digging out a huge handful for himself. Half of the particles spilled onto his lap and Videl's to his embarrassment. She picked up the stray pieces, popping them into her mouth eagerly. Gohan took the chance to watch her nibbling on the white chunks she popped into her shapely lips, piece by solitary piece.
Atomique drew her finger down the line of facts as they worked problems back and forth. "Now tell me the equations for quantum numbers…"
Gohan dragged his pencil across his paper with one hand, while popping the rest of his handful of popcorn into his mouth with his other. Through the chewing he mumbled, "Oh, I remember this from a long time ago…"
"You would," Videl said, throwing a piece of popcorn at him. From the back room, Atomique's son Fermi wandered in to see where his mother was. He wore a long t shirt that hung to his knees, overtop the flannel pajama bottoms decorated with purple and blue stars. Seeing Atomique and the others in the living room, he padded his way over and rounded the sofa. Atomique gave a small smile and motioned for him to sit next to her. He smiled back, climbing up next to her and leaning his arm on her lap.
Gohan laughed and tickled Videl in the ribs, "So sue me… I remember all sorts of stuff from then… considering I thought I was gonna be a scholar or a doctor…"
Fermi crawled over to sit on Atomique's lap. She pulled him over to give him a hug while she opened Gohan and Videl's encyclopedia sized chemistry tome. Mimicking his mother, Fermi traced his finger down while she read from the chapter overview notes.
Unseen by the others, another observer stood in the doorway, holding Bohr on his hip. Son Goku had carried the other twin along with him when the boy asked where everyone else was. Goten had already darted into the bathroom to take his nighttime bath while the tub was free. Bohr curled his fingers into the fabric of Son Goku's blue sleeveless top, and leaned his head on the man's muscular shoulder. Effortlessly Son Goku shifted him so he held the boy with one hand, pointing to the assembly in the living room with his other.
"Mommy's playing teacher," Bohr whispered.
"She's really smart, isn't she, Bohr-kun?" Son Goku whispered back. His mop of black unruly hair tickled the boy's nose, making him sneeze. He blinked sleepily, settling comfortably against Son Goku's chest.
"Uh oh… someone's talking about you," Son Goku teased.
"Your hair tickles my face. It's all stiff like Uncle Bejita Sama's… but he always gets cranky and never wants to hold me for long…" he made a face.
"That's Bejita for you…" Son Goku laughed, amazed at the thought of the Saiyan prince even consenting to hold a stranger's child. Yet there was the one time when Buruma, Christine, or Jeannie wasn't around, and Bohr had hollered at the top of his lungs along with his brother because of an accident when they were much younger. Trunks had grabbed both boys and run to the GR, looking for an adult because he wasn't sure what to do to quiet them. As an eight-year-old, Trunks had a good sense of what to do about toddlers, but even after changing their training pants and checking to see if they were hungry. Finally Bejita had grudgingly stopped the training room to grab one howling boy and hold him while Trunks quieted the other.
"I gotta go…" he whispered.
"Okay… better see if Goten-kun's outta there first," Goku nodded, carrying the boy off to the washroom.
Back in the living room, the study session continued. Fermi tucked a pencil behind his ear, much like his mom did. She continued her latest explanation; "The trick to remembering equations is to picture in your head just what the math is trying to say. Get beyond the letters and learn it like a foreign language…"
"It IS a foreign language," Videl mumbled. While Gohan scribbled down her directions, Videl almost flopped over as she fell asleep.
"Somebody's sleepy mommy," Fermi whispered in her ear.
"Sorry!" Videl groaned.
"Where's your brother?" Atomique asked her son curled up leaning his head against her chest.
"Picking out his bunk," said Fermi. "In with Goten-kun…"
"I dunno about you guys, but I think it's time for little scholars to put in some shuteye," she said, lifting him off her lap. She tossed down the book, and glanced at her two scholars rapidly folding their notes away.
"That means us too?" Videl joked. "I can't keep my eyes open a second longer. If I see another equation I'm gonna scream! No offense, Atomique-san…"
"None taken…" she said with a smile.
"I think we'll go take this party into Grandpa's house… right?" Videl said as she nudged Gohan in the ribs.
"But I thought I was gonna stay there…" Atomique said.
"Please Mommy, Goten-kun said we'd sleep in his room tonight," Fermi said. She felt what seemed like a rush of air burst past, and a loud squeal.
"What the heck?" she wondered. Goten burst out of the back of the small area, his feet pounding on the carpeted floor. Hovering just at Atomique's shoulder was the missing twin.
"Mommy look!" Bohr laughed.
"What are you doing up THERE?" she said, resting her hands on her hips.
"No flying in the house! Darn it you KNOW that!" Gohan groaned.
"Sorry Nissan… I told him, but he forgot! You guys KNOW better than that okay? We'll do it tomorrow… but you have to follow the rules!" the younger brother scolded Bohr, waving his finger at him.
"I think both of you need to try out those new bunks now, don't you?" Atomique said as she rested her hands on her hips.
"First one in bed gets out of breakfast duty tomorrow…" Gohan reminded them.
"C'mon guys… race you there…" Goten laughed, tugging down his silk pajamas with the dragons on them.
"Uh uh, no racing!" Gohan insisted.
"Does it count if the grown ups carry them?" an alto voice laughed. Goten groaned as his father swept him up under his arm.
"C'mon dad put me down I'm too OLD for this!" he yelped.
"I know someone who isn't," Son Goku laughed, transferring Goten to his back while he swept Bohr out of the air and set him on his shoulders.
"Mommy I wanna ride!" Fermi complained. She shook her head and marched after Son Goku towards the back room.
"Good night Atomique-san! Have fun!" Videl called. She grinned like a Cheshire cat while
Gohan cast her a questioning look.
"What was THAT about?" he asked her.
"What was what?" she giggled.
"That 'look'… that 'I know something you don't know cause I'm a girl' look!" Gohan said frustratedly.
"Oh, just thinking that maybe you and I should share the guesthouse tonight… because your daddy and his houseguests are gonna have a heck of a time getting those rowdy boys to bed…" Videl giggled, poking him in the ribs.
"You're worse than Krillen!" he yelped, blushing deeply.
"We're practically engaged… so why are you so shy about bunking with your lady?" Videl further needled him.
"My DAD's in the house across… that's why," he gritted, hiding his mouth with one hand pressed to the side of it.
"Relax. I think they're gonna be way too busy to check up and see if we're behaving… besides there is a sofa, and a bed… and what he doesn't' know won't hurt him…" she winked, kissing him on the cheek.
Mortified, Gohan protested, "Videl… he could walk out at any minute!"
"C'mon, your dad's begging us to get married! Unlike my pops…" she rolled her eyes. "Hurry up before your dad and his little friend come back…"
"Little friend?" he winced, squeezing his eyes shut.
"Oops, slip of the tongue… c'mon… move…" Videl urged, leaping off the sofa and grabbing Gohan's hand. He let her pull him to his feet, and half drag him out the door. Taking the hand she held, she wrapped it around and over her head so he held her against his side.
"I guess it can't hurt… I mean knowing Dad, he'll take forever telling a story…" Gohan grinned mischievously.
"C'mon tiger… that's the look I wanna see…" she cooed, pulling him along as she raised her lips to kiss him. She snagged her backpack, letting him walk her out the front door to Grandpa Gohan's house.
In the boy's room, Son Goku plopped Fermi in the top bunk, while dropping Goten on his single bed across the room. He took a seat on the side of his son's bed, and leaned back against the wall comfortably. Atomique sat down on the bottom bunk, repositioning pillows so she could lay on her side, and pull Bohr to lay alongside her.
"Tell us a story, Mr. Funny man!" Fermi clapped his hands.
"Fermi, you know perfectly well that's NOT his name!" Atomique groaned, hiding her face at Goku's amused grin.
"Are you gonna get it!" Goten started to laugh, shaking his head.
"Fermi-kun… it's Son-sama!" Bohr gasped, with a horrified look. "He's such a kid!"
"I've been called worse by my own kids," Goku said, reaching across to ruffle Bohr's hair.
"Sorry, Son-Goku sama!" Fermi blurted out.
"Quiet will you, or he won't tell us a story!" Goten shushed them both.
"Please, tell us a story, we like yours the best…" said Bohr, hugging his mom. "Mommy, please stay, you'll love this…"
"I suppose I can," she said. Fermi slid down out of his bunk, and sat on her other side. Bohr leapt down and went over to sit on Son Goku's other side, while Goten sat on top of his covers.
"Is it about the Dragon Balls?" asked Fermi.
"I just know I'm gonna want to listen to this… I've been dying to know what the heck they are…" Atomique whispered to Fermi.
"Listen Mommy, he'll tell you everything," Bohr hushed, holding a finger to his lips.
"I dunno… I kinda forget where I last left off. Do you remember, Fermi-kun… or you, Goten-kun?"
"I remember!" Fermi blurted out, crawling onto Atomique's lap. "You were telling us about how you and Auntie Buruma first met in the woods… and then you ran into the Scaredy cat man…"
"You mean Uncle Yamucha?" asked Goten. "I don't think he'd be too cool being called THAT, dad…"
"He was scared to death of any girls, that were his age," said Son Goku with a grin. "Every time he saw a pretty girl, he'd run away. So Auntie Buruma and Chibi Goku were always free of him snoopin' around. But then there was that night when Crazy King Pilaf decided he was gonna capture us all an stick us in this dark, dark dungeon."
"You would, showoff," Bohr pouted, folding his arms across his chest much like Paul Stanley himself.
Time passed along with the chapters of Goku's story. Everyone's eyes inextricably grew heavier with each passing minute. Although the story was exciting, Atomique and her sons were having more and more difficulty staying awake. On either side of Son Goku, Goten and Bohr leaned against him. Finally he drew Bohr into his lap, while helping Goten to slid under his covers. Atomique curled up on Fermi' lower bunk, hugging him in her lap.
"Then everything went BLACK poof… after the moon came out…" Son Goku continued.
"What happened? Were Auntie Buruma and the Bandit Uncle Yamucha stuck in that dungeon?" asked Bohr, sitting in Goku's lap. Goten lay with his head and shoulders resting against Goku's hip while he continued to tell his tale.
"Well Chibi Goku suddenly found himself without a stitch of clothes on… they were all torn up… and he had a headache… and Auntie Buruma and Uncle Yamucha were huddled in a corner… Poor Pilaf was so scared, because his whole castled was busted up into little piles…"
"How did THAT happen?" asked Fermi.
"Well, Chibi Goku had magical powers," Son Goku said with a mysterious smile. "You remember he had his tail, right?"
"His monkey tail," nodded Bohr.
"You used to have a tail Daddy like I did, till…" Goten remembered, then silenced himself at Goku's patient wink.
"Well, turns out that in the light of the full moon, that tail made him grow really big. But he didn't know that… but Auntie Buruma and uncle Yamucha saw him grow bigger and bigger. He grew thick fur over his body, and long fangs, and swung his arms and feet back and forth cause he didn't like being captured, no way!"
"Yikes…" Bohr whispered. "Sounds like Uncle Tyler San…"
"The kitty man?" asked Fermi.
"Kitty man?" asked Goten, shaking his head. "Who's that?"
"Another story…" Fermi nodded.
"Anyway, Chibi Goku had turned into something called a GREAT ape…" Son Goku continued.
"Like king Kong!" Bohr squealed.
"Sorta… but he didn't swat any planes. He just tore that castle apart brick by brick till the moon set, and then they were ALL Free…"
"What happened to Chibi Goku's tail?" asked Fermi.
"Kami removed it, right Dad?" Goten said. "Just like mine… and Prince Bejita's… and Nissan's…"
"You mean you really TURN into a big monkey during the full moon?" Fermi said. "I thought that was just a story!"
"It sure does happen… cause Chibi Goku ain't no normal human kid. He was a Saiyan kid, but didn't know till much later when his big bad brother Radditz came an' kidnapped his little Gohan-kun. But that's ANOTHER Story," Son Goku said, squeezing a nervous looking Bohr to his side.
"You guys are gonna love that story…" said Goten, yawning deeply. He slid out the covers, letting his daddy tuck them around him. Bohr and Fermi both yawned in unison. Son Goku gently picked up Bohr, and deposited him in the top bunk. When he turned to check on Fermi, he noticed that his story had put their mom to sleep. With a smile he lifted Fermi off her lap, and pulled the covers aside. He placed Fermi into bed, then lifted Atomique-sama gently into his arms before pulling the covers around her son.
"Gnite Daddy," Goten whispered. Son Goku leaned over and kissed his son on the cheek. He did the same to the other two boys, who held up their arms to him as if they were his own.
"Mommy's all sleepy…" Fermi murmured, hugging Goku tightly around the neck.
"That's why I'm gonna go tuck her in too," Son Goku said, holding a finger before his lips. "Shh, keep quiet okay. Don't wanna wake her up, right?"
"Right. Gn'ite Son-Goku san," Bohr muttered, slipping into sleep shortly after the others.
"Nite Funny man-san…" Fermi giggled.