Ok, I know I haven't updated in forever, but give me a break. I made drill team and I had recital so I had no time. Seriously, for drill team, I was there at school from 7 –2:30, then I had practice from 2:45-5. After that we had dress rehearsal from 6-9. So please, hang with me.

P.S. This chapter skips a little to the departure of everyone back to their homes.

"Well, I guess we'll be going," stated Goku, placing a calloused hand on his teenage son's shoulder. He was wiped and hungry and common sense told him (does he have common sense?) that Gohan had to be exhausted from the past days' events.

"Yea, I guess I should go too. Chiaotzu will be wanting to know what happen," Tien replied. Yamcha and Krillin nodded in agreement, while the Vegeta grunted in response.

"We'll be sure to visit. See ya." Goku tugged on Gohan, moving him in the direction of their home. The young demi saiyan leaned against his father for support; exhaustion ready to overcome him. His former mentor smiled softly at Gohan, before returning to his long sought after mediation.

Goku grasped Gohan's shoulder firmly, before disappearing instantaneously to their home in Mount Paozu. His friends smiled, shaking their head amusingly as they shared their goodbyes.

The father and son pair rematerialized in front of the oak door to their house, the younger of the two already leaning for support. Signing heavily, Goku scooped his son up to his chest, listening to Gohan's even breathing for a few moments. Black orbs scanned his kin's body, realization of how young Gohan really was and how much he had matured sinking in after years of neglect.

Shaking his head, Goku placed a hand on the doorknob, about to face his demon wife. The door whirled open, nearly causing Goku to drop Gohan in surprise. A high-pitched scream echoed through the forest as Chi-Chi saw her son in Goku's arms.

"Gohan! My baby!" Chi-Chi- dashed toward the pair in crazed frenzy. Goku gulped before stopping his wife with a single hand. He shook his head as Chi-Chi glared at him, about to explode.

"He's asleep. He's just wiped, that's it." Goku gently pushed past his stunned wife, strolling to the stairs, pausing only to shift the weight on his shoulders. After a few shocked moments, Chi-Chi smiled, her anger leaving her. Silently shutting the door behind her, the anxiouswife dashed upstiars to wait for her husband in their room.

Gohan moaned slightly in his sleep, curling up even tighter in his father arms. A soft smirk found it's way onto Goku's face. Chuckling, he laid Gohan on his bed, pulling back the covers. The father kneeled down next to his son, tenderly tugging off his tattered wristbands and gi top. He carefully pulled off Gohan's black boots, tossing them haphazardly to the floor.

Rising up, he grabbed the covers, tucking his son in for the night. Gohan rolled into a ball, yanking the blankets up to his chin. Goku stood, just looking at his son, savoring this minute in time. A rough thick-skinned hand brushed Gohan's spiky stubborn hair out of his face, only to have it fall back in place again.

"Night Gohan," whispered Goku, turning away to the door. A mumbled response caught his attention; hastily he retreated back to the body that called him. Gohan's inky black eyes were half opened and illuminated by the moonlight that shone through the window.

"Sshh, try to get some rest. You need it," comforted Goku. A weak nod was all that Gohan could manage. As Goku straightened back up, Gohan fumbled for Goku's hand, fingers wrapping around his.

Signing, Goku slid down to a sitting position on Gohan's bed. Calmed by the presence of his father, relaxation eased its way through Gohan. Just as Gohan was about to nod off, his hand squeezed Goku's slightly. His attention once again warranted by Gohan, Goku gazed upon his son.

"Love you Dad," muttered the teenager. Goku blinked in surprise, then reprimanded his self mentally. This was precious time between the two of them. Cell nearly stole Gohan's young life and his. It wasn't too long again that Gohan had been knocking at death's door. But now Goku had been given a second chance to be a father to Gohan. And there was no way he was letting go of it.

"Love you too, son. Now get some sleep." Gohan's lasting strength was finally gone, unable to nod or move anymore. His eyes closed and his breathing became deep and even once again.

The grip he had on his father's hand slackened in his slumber; Goku bent down and kissed his son on the forehead. He rubbed Gohan's bangs out of his eyes, before standing up to leave. Drawing the bedspread once more to cover Gohan, he walked over to the door, halting briefly to take one last look at his son and to whisper one last phrase to his son.

"I love you Gohan."

YAY! I finally updated! YAY! Did I give ya'll heart attacks? I'm sorry for the wait. I had bad writer's block…I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Now onto the epilogue!

P.S. There will be a sequel!