Hercule, Chi-Chi and Goku quickly rushed down the hall to Gohan.
"Honey! What's going on," Chi-Chi demanded.
"Videl woke up!" Gohan exclaimed.
Hercule ran into the hospital room.
"Videl! How could you do this to me," Hercule yelled, half angrily, half relieved. He ran to her side and embraced her.
"Daddy, What are you doing here," Videl asked.
"Of course I'd be here," Hercule said.
Just then the nurse entered.
"Alright everyone. I'm going to need you all to clear out so I can check Videl's vital signs and talk to her," the nurse said. "There will be plenty of time for visiting later."
Everyone started to walk out and Gohan reluctantly followed them. The swinging door closed behind him. It seemed like the waiting was just as painful as when they were waiting for Videl to wake up. What was the nurse asking her? What was going on? Did Videl have brain damage?
Gohan placed his head in his hands and sighed deeply. He felt a hand brush up and down his back and looked up to see Chi-Chi, sitting with him through the whole thing, just as concerned as he was.
"Relax honey. It's going to be okay," she whispered softly.
"Yea Gohan, I wouldn't worry much. At least she woke up," Hercule said.
The four sat quietly for what seemed like hours, but in reality was only about a half hour until the nurse came back out.
"How is she," Gohan asked as he looked up at the nurse hopefully.
"Well…there's not brain damage," the nurse started, as everyone seemed to look relieved. "She doesn't have any idea how she got here or how so much ethanol got into her system. She also denies anything about an eating disorder," the nurse said staring at Gohan.
"Can I talk to her," Gohan asked.
Before the nurse could continue Hercule stood up. "Now listen here son! My daughter may have had alcohol poisoning, but she's beautiful the way she is. There is no way in hell she has an eating disorder."
"Sir, with all due respect, I've seen your daughter and how her health has been. She weighs a measly 70 pounds. When I met her she was well over 100," Gohan argued.
"You don't know anything!" Hercule screamed.
"I know plenty! Because I actually take the time to pay attention to her!"
"She looks just like her mother did when she was her age…there's nothing wrong with her!"
"Her mother wasn't healthy!" Gohan screamed. He ran down the hall.
Hercule walked in the opposite direction out the door. He needed some time to himself to think. Gohan was right, as much as he didn't want to accept it. He knew he had neglected Videl, and therefore couldn't tell she was struggling with her health. He couldn't believe he let it get this far. He should've noticed when Videl weighed 70 pounds. He should have known that wasn't normal. He was so tied up on the woman he lost all those years ago...Videl's mother. He missed her so much he almost lost his daughter because of the things he said and neglect he inflicted upon her. As much as he hated to admit it, Videl had a problem, and he didn't help it at all.
Gohan walked down the hall and got to Videl's door. The nurse quickly followed and caught up with him.
"Please, just let me talk to her. Just for a few minutes," Gohan begged.
"Alright…I'll give you five minutes," the nurse said agreeably.
Gohan walked in to see Videl lying in her bed and staring around the room.
"Hey Gohan! What's up," Videl exclaimed happily, as if she hadn't seen him in years.
"Hey Videl," Gohan responded blankly. He came in and took the chair next to her. She held out her hand as if reaching for his and he clasped it with his. He kissed her hand and then stood up to give her a long awaited kiss on the lips. He ran his hand through her messy hair.
"Gohan how did you get in here," Videl asked. "The nurse said I still had a checkup."
"Videl…are you telling the nurse the truth?"
"Of course Gohan," Videl laughed. "Grow up, I'm not twelve."
"Well you're not healthy either," he said, stroking her ribs.
"Gohan…what are you saying," Videl asked nervously.
"Videl…come on. I love you and I know…about everything. We can get you help."
"Help for what? I don't need help! I told you, I drank and now it's done with. I don't ever want to go near alcohol again," Videl defended.
"Videl…you know that's not what I mean," Gohan said calmly.
"Well then what do you mean," Videl asked.
"I mean…your weight."
"Gohan! Please! My mother was this light at my age."
"And from what your father tells me she was a lot shorter than you are now and still quite a bit underweight."
"Gohan…I'm fine. You've been around me. You know I'm fine," Videl smiled.
"I wish I could believe that," Gohan mumbled.
"How can you not believe me, Gohan? Because some stupid nurse says that I'm too thin? What does she know! She's just jealous!"
"Videl…please. Don't do this," Gohan begged.
"Gohan! There's nothing wrong with me!"
"Well then you obviously forgot…"
"Forgot what," Videl asked.
"When you were drunk you told me you were starving yourself to death and that you were scared you were so skinny," Gohan started.
"I never said that," Videl snapped rudely.
"You did, baby."
"Well I was drunk! I probably said other stuff too," Videl defended.
"Videl…please don't do this to me. I love you. Don't put me through this. And my family…they love you. And your father is out there. He loves you so much he can't bare to see you like this."
Tears started to well in Videl's eyes as Gohan looked deeply into them, searching for an answer. She felt as if she was being ripped apart. He stroked her hand and she started to fight back the tears.
"Videl…stop trying to be the hero. We all know you're not healthy right now and you need help," Gohan continued.
Videl continued to fight, but in vain. A tear dropped down her cheek and onto Gohan's hand.
"Videl…"
"I need help Gohan."
"What?" Gohan looked up at her.
"Please help me! I don't want to die," she muttered, sobbing into his arm.
"Videl…you're breaking my heart," Gohan said as a tear fell down his cheek.
"I don't want to hurt anyone anymore," Videl said. "I'll do whatever I have to. Just get me better."
"You're going to be okay, Videl. You just need to tell what you told me to the nurse." He held her hand for what seemed like forever and kissed her wet cheek.
Just then the door opened and the nurse came in.
"I'm sorry Gohan, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," the nurse said.
"Wait," Videl called. "I…I…"
"Miss Satan, is there something I can help you with?" the nurse asked.
Gohan clasped her hand, letting her know he was there for her.
"I need help…I've been starving myself," Videl said simply.
Gohan smiled through his tears. She finally did it.
"Alright, Mr. Son, I'm going to have to ask you to leave," the nurse said seriously.
Gohan walked out of the room to see his parents, clueless still about what had happened with him and Hercule. Gohan wondered if Hercule would even come back. He explained to his parents and Bulma what had happened with Videl. After that, all they could do was sit and wait.
About ten minutes later, Hercule came back.
"Sorry…I just had to blow off some steam," Hercule said.
"It's fine, Hercule. If there's anything we can do to help just let us know," Goku said.
"Thank you. But your being here is enough," Hercule said, forcing a smile.
"We know how hard this must be," Chi-Chi said placing her hand on his arm.
"Thank you…I just…I can only blame myself for her size," Hercule said. "I always wanted her to be like her mother, I forced her to be living and breathing exactly like her." Hercule stopped. "And now…" He began to fight tears. "Now…she might die."
"Hercule…I'm sure your daughter won't die," Chi-Chi started. "Of course as a loving parent you're going to blame yourself, but this isn't your fault," Chi-Chi said.
"It really isn't…she's right," Bulma agreed.
The nurse slowly walked into the waiting room.
"Alright folks, I think we have a plan," she started.
"Is Videl alright," Hercule asked.
"Well, she isn't, but hopefully she will be. Here's the plan…Videl has a long way to go. We're going to transfer her immediately to the eating disorder unit, where she will be an inpatient for at least three months. There she will receive counseling, both for her and family or people she chooses."
"So she told you she has an eating disorder," Hercule asked.
"Yes Mr. Satan. It appears your daughter could quite possibly be suffering from anorexia and bulimia," the nurse said.
"So what is there for us to do," Gohan asked.
"Well, there's no need for you to be here anymore since she is going to be transferred. You are free to go home. You may of course visit the eating disorder clinic during the appointed visiting hours," the nurse said.
"Can I see her," Hercule asked.
"Videl is having a very rough time. I don't believe it is good for her to see anyone right now while we transfer her to the eating disorder unit. You may come back tomorrow when we get her settled and you can always call her."
"Can she call us?" Hercule asked.
"She is free to use the phone as well," the nurse said.
"Okay. Thank you for all your help," Hercule said.
"Not a problem, Mr. Satan. Now all of you go home and get some rest."
Goku got up and stretched. He took Chi-Chi's hand and looked back at Hercule.
"Remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call," Goku said.
"Thank you very much," Hercule said, walking out in the opposite direction.
"Well Gohan, do you want to come back to my house? You could train in the gravity room with Vegeta. It could take your mind off of things," Bulma said with a smile.
"Actually, I think I will," Gohan said. "Thanks Bulma."
"We'll swing by and get Goten," Chi-Chi said.
"Oh no! Leave him! Him and Trunks are having so much fun. You two take some time to yourselves," Bulma said.
"Really," Chi-Chi asked.
"Yes! My treat," Bulma said.
"Alright…thanks Bulma," Chi-Chi said. "And Gohan…we'll call if we hear at all from the hospital before you do on your cell."
"Thanks mom," Gohan said, hugging his mother.
"I love you," Chi-Chi said. "You're a good kid."