-----Chapter Four-----

Since Goten hadn't been to the park in so long, as soon as they got there, he nearly forgot why he'd gone in the first place. All he wanted to do was play! Looking around, Goten realized they hadn't arrived yet. He could play until they got to the park. Leaving his brother on the park bench, Goten took off for the playground.

Gohan sat on the park bench, pulling out a book to read. He hadn't gone out on a weekend in such a long time. For once he actually felt like a regular guy. He looked up when he heard a familiar voice. He recognized Trunks almost immediately, followed by Bulma. Gohan waved to her as Trunks zipped right past him.

"Gohan! What a coincidence! Are you with anyone," Bulma asked as she sat next to him also pulling out a book.

"Goten's with me this weekend," Gohan replied. "He wanted to come here."

"Yeah, Trunks too. He was driving Vegeta crazy so I got him out of there before trouble could start."

They sat in silence, reading their books. Suddenly, Bulma gasped causing Gohan to look up.

"Gohan. Isn't that, Videl?"

His heartbeat slowed as he followed Bulma's gaze. Sure enough, there were Erasa and Videl sitting on a bench not far away. Erasa seemed to be waving at him while Videl sat next to her, eyeing him. He waved back uncertainly.

"You should say hi," Bulma suggested as she giggled.

Gohan got back to his book. "No, it's okay."

Videl frowned. "Are you sure he's my boyfriend? He doesn't look very glad to see me," she said.

Erasa laughed nervously. "Well, it's probably—He's really shy."

"I wouldn't know, I can't remember."

She was pulled out of her seat and dragged to the bench where Gohan was seated. As she got closer, her heart began to beat wildly in her chest as if indicating that it knew him…

"Gohan!" Erasa grinned. "Fancy meeting you here. It's been so long."

He seemed uncertain of what to say or how to react to their presence. He put his book aside and stood up. He gave them a smile but Videl had a feeling it wasn't a real smile…

"It's good to see you both," he shook their hands. "How've you been?"

"Great! How about you?"

"I'm doing pretty well," finally turning to Videl, he said, "Hi Videl. How are you?"

The young woman couldn't respond. She'd opened her mouth to speak but nothing could come out. Stupidly, she nodded. Gohan smiled. She found it somewhat irritating that his smile was so phony.

"Oh, this is Bulma. She's a friend of mine," Gohan introduced them. "Bulma, this is Erasa and Videl. I went to school with them."

Bulma's smile softened. So, he really wasn't ready to talk about his past with Videl…

"It's very nice—"

"I've met you before," Videl said suddenly making everyone turn to her. "I just can't… Remember where or when."

"Gohan introduced us! He brought you to the house—"

"That's enough." Gohan cut in. "I'm sure these two have somewhere—"

"No, we don't! We should totally hang out today Gohan," Erasa said in a pleading tone.

"I have to—"

Videl stepped forward. "Please, come hang out with us. I'd… Like to get to know you better… Again."

Gohan stared at her. He really did want to be her friend again but… He couldn't. He couldn't just start all over again. Well, he could, he just wasn't sure…

He hung his head. "I can't. I'm sorry. It was—"

"You can't or you won't?" Videl replied. "Do I make you sick or something? You can't even look at me. Look, I know you were my boyfriend before and—"

"I'm sorry, I have to go," Gohan cut her off even though it was such a rude thing to do. "Bulma, just tell Goten to go back to my apartment when he's done. It was nice seeing you again. Bye."

Erasa sighed, watching him go. Was he that hurt? It wasn't Videl's fault she couldn't remember him. Her father had somewhat reprogrammed her memories. He did want her… Didn't he?

"Did… Did something happen with him and I while we were dating? Like, before the accident took place?" Videl asked.

"No. No you guys were great… It just… Maybe he just isn't ready yet, you know?"

Videl nodded. "I guess. Erasa, what if… What if he doesn't—"

"Oh stop it Videl. I'm sure he's just very… He just isn't ready. Give him some time."

Videl turned to see Gohan still walking away. Not today, not tomorrow, but someday, he wouldn't be walking away from her. He'd stay.

-----

"Oh no," Goten frowned. He'd been watching the scene from afar and saw the whole thing take place. He tried to read his brother's facial expression and saw that he looked very upset.

Trunks, who'd been taunting a pudgy looking boy, came to stand beside him. He immediately noticed the look of utter disappointment on his friend's face. He looked across the field to find that Gohan wasn't anywhere near the women.

"The plan was a bust," he shook his head. "Goten, don't you think you're kind of rushing this? I mean it's been four years. You can't just force them into a delayed relationship."

Goten looked up at him. Was he really rushing this? It had been four years but surely Gohan's feelings hadn't changed? Maybe he should have listened and not interfered.

"Do you really think so?" Goten asked worriedly.

"To be honest, yes. You're sort of forcing Videl on your brother. If… Maybe you should leave them alone now," Trunks replied. "They've met. If they want to be together, they'll see each other again. On their own."

Goten nodded. He was going to take Trunks' word for it. Maybe, even without his help, things would work out just fine.