Chapter Seven

Safe in Love's Embrace

The next day broke with sunlight through the lingering winter clouds, the light reflecting brilliantly off the snow that layered the ground. Winter birds sung to the morning as they finally had respite from the heavy snows of the past two weeks. The sunlight glittered through the large windows of Videl's balcony doors giving the room a sense of summer despite the chill temperatures. Stirring in the warmth of her blankets, the young woman sighed and vainly tried to force herself back to sleep. A moment later she sat up with a gasp as the fog of sleep slid away and the memory returned.

Feeling her lips she shivered and glanced at the skirts of her dress, "Was it all just a wonderful dream?" Her voice was bemused as she could not sort the reality from the dream. Leaning back she resting her hand on the pillow she was surprised to find a flower there. Slowly she lifted the lily and her lips curved into a serene smile as she inhaled the sweet scent. Hopping out of the bed, her steps light as if she walked on a cloud, she swirled about letting her skirts dance around her legs. It was almost ten in the morning, but as it was Saturday she knew she would be free for awhile...free to revel in the feelings that she had feared would never be known to her.

"Erasa will want the all the juicy details..." she mused to herself as she set the flower down and lifted the cordless phone from it's holder, "But I just have to do this first..."

She grinned as she dialed the number from the directory, a few moments passed where the other end rang. Finally a child's voice she knew well answered, "Hello Son residence..." he quickly spoke to someone else, "Did I do that right momma?"

Videl giggled as he came back to her after hearing an exasperated confirmation from Chi-chi in the background, "Good morning Goten."

She could hear him grinning happily as he spoke excitedly, "Good morning Videl! How are you today?"

"I'm...wonderful Goten, is Gohan there?"

"I'll see if he's up..." the phone was set down and she heard commotion in the background, "Gohan...Gohan! Wake up wake up wake up!"

"Goten..." her boyfriend's voice was a mumbled groan, "I had a long night kiddo...go get mom..."

"But Gohan! The phone's for you...it's Videl...HEY!" there was a sound of a young boy falling off his brother's chest as the older boy jumped out of bed and ran down the hall. He slid to a crashing stop into the wall before rising and grabbing the phone before his brother could scramble for it.

Taking a moment to calm his voice he spoke quietly, "Hello..."

Giggling on the other end she wanted to laugh in her elation at his voice alone, "Good morning Gohan..."

Sitting up with a wince the young man rubbed the bump on his head with a sigh and smiled, "I am glad you called...was last night..."

She smiled and laid back on her bed finishing the question into a statement, "A dream...only if we both had the same one...and if so I don't have a desire to wake up."

He sighed softly and nodded, "I was almost afraid to ask, I hope you're not mad for me not waking you..." he hesitated and glanced to where his mom was working in the kitchen before he spoke with a grin, "You just looked beautiful sleeping like that and I didn't have the heart to wake you."

She almost giggled as she blushed furiously rising up and beginning to gather some clothes together as she talked to him. Her movements were light and she spun around in small circles feeling happier than a child at Christmas, "So Mr. Charmer, do you have any plans today?"

"Well, honestly, there's only one thing I absolutely have to do, but otherwise I'd like to see you..." his voice was hopeful and she sighed softly.

"Nothing would make me happier, I have to return my dress to Ms. Corwin and I am meeting with Erasa so she can get all the details...what is it you have to do?"

He smiled and looked over to the woman who had raised him lovingly, "Well, I am planning to have a long talk with mom regarding you." She nodded slowly and sighed shimmying out of her dress and sliding into a pair of blue jeans that rested at her flat stomach. Searching she found a sky colored blouse that hugged her curves flatteringly.

"Alright well, I'll call Erasa and we'll meet you at the dance hall in a bit alright?" she sighed softly as he replied in that gentle Son voice.

"Sounds like a plan, I'll meet you there," he hesitated a moment and spoke softer, "And Videl...I still love you."

She felt like she was going to melt at that simple phrase as she held the phone and treasured every syllable, "I love you too Gohan, I'll see you soon." He bid her goodbye and she turned the phone off with a giddy sigh. She called Erasa and merely asked her to come over with her dress so they could return them. In spite of the blonde's persistent questioning, Videl would only say to come over and she would find out everything when she got there. Once she hung up the phone, Videl leaned against the door of her balcony and gazed out into the shimmering snow of the gardens with a smile. Even though she could see the fresh clouds on the horizon it seemed the world was celebrating the new joy with her for a short time.

The flower was spun slowly in her fingers as she closed her eyes and let the memory of last night come over her. The moment was broken by the insistent knocking on her door and she was surprised to find Erasa standing, somewhat breathless, at her best friend's bedroom door. Her dress from last night dangled on the hanger over her shoulder and she was wearing a simple pair of slimming jeans with a dark green turtleneck sweater. A moment passed where Videl regarded her friend in shock and the young blonde struggling to find her breath.

Videl was about to speak but Erasa grinned and held up a hand, "Details..." she gasped and sucked in a long breath, at this time she truly regretted ignoring exercise and gym classes, "I want details..."

Giggling in spite of herself, Videl swept her own dress into her arms and nodded slowly giving the other girl a chance to collect herself before she began the story. They talked as they walked down the large staircase and out into the streets of Satan City. Already it was abuzz with activity despite the early hour and cold weather, but for once the crowds did not bother Videl the way they normally did. Her steps were still light and at any moment she felt like she would break into another dance. Her voice was warm as she shared what had happened, she did not skip a single moment nor did she water it down at any point no matter how embarrassing it might have been.

Erasa walked along clinging to every word like a star struck child, and as Videl came to the end of the conversation with Gohan this morning the blonde stopped and sighed with a hand to her chest, "That was, like, the most beautiful story ever...Girl! I am so psyched for you!"

With a giggle the two women embraced and Videl smiled stepping back and holding the smaller woman's shoulders, "I wanted to thank you Erasa, you really helped me get through the tough times and I know what you did for me. Talking to Gohan and Ms. Corwin...it really means a lot to me."

Her green eyes glittered under the praise and she touched Videl's toned arm gently, "You're my best friend girl, it's the least I could do." Her voice was soft and warm with affection for the sister she had always wanted. Again they shared a hug before they made their way along the sidewalk towards the school. The front doors were locked but they found the side entrance open and made their way inside the all but deserted school building.

Arriving at the doors to the dance class they found the room occupied by their teacher and the partner that Videl had left at the competition. Sharpner was in his typical white slacks, but the scowl on his face warred with the platinum blonde hair framing his face as he spied the two women. Videl took a moment to scan the room and spied two figures wearing dark suits and sunglasses nearby, she sniffed a moment contemptuously at the bodyguards and dismissed them a moment later. A warm smile towards her teacher was all she managed before the boy stalked towards her, his eyes alight with anger.

"You! How dare you embarrass me like you did last night! You thought you could just come and go as you please without any regard for anyone else..." he raised a finger and she moved swiftly to catch it and jerked it down almost to the point of breaking with a hard glare.

"And you would know about regard for others wouldn't you Sharpner? You, who cared so much that you and your father manipulated me into dancing with you on the stupid thought that I might start to like you and even want to date you. Well I want you to look in my eyes Sharpner, because this is the last time I will say this..."

He struggled against her grip and looked up into her eyes as she spoke calmly, but her words were strong as the mountains, "There's only one man I love, and he will never be you, so stay out of my life!" With that she all but threw his hand away and walked towards her teacher, the two men in suits moving to help their client. Erasa giggled and leaned down to grin towards him.

"You know, it's rare to get dumped without ever dating a girl, but hey...you did it," and she winked as the blonde boy muttered and rose slowly his hand massaging his wounded finger. Unfortunately there was no aid for his wounded pride.

"You know what you are Videl!" his voice echoed through the dance hall as the entire occupants stopped to regard him, he was about to tell her when another voice spoke behind him, stilling his tongue.

"The loveliest girl you've ever had the fortune to speak with Sharpner?" Gohan stood in the doorway a slight smile on his lips. Erasa smiled big and waved with a glance at her friend. She had never seen the daughter of Hercule Satan blush so, but the signs were all there as he drew a hand from his coat pocket to wave back genially.

The sound of his voice caused Sharpner to spin with an almost animalistic growl, his two bodyguards moved in front of him and Gohan blinked in a classic imitation of his father scratching his head, "Gee, all this for me Sharpner? Whatever would you need bodyguards for?" A moment later the confusion was gone as swift as the morning mist and his eyes glittered with the dangerous air that caused the blonde boy to shrink back nervously. The three women watched with interest but none of them said a word to stop him.

He almost laughed as the two guards moved to stand shoulder to shoulder between him and Sharpner, but he moved swiftly and a flurry of steps later he stood within arm's length of the blonde aristocrat, "After all, it's not like I had any reason to want to hurt you..." His voice was a whisper as he drew back and swung his fist. He stopped just short of connecting with Sharpner's face but the force of the movement sent him skidding across the wooden floor. The two guards hired by Sharpner's father spun around in shock as the boy slid to a stop and looked up in fear only to find his enemy was kneeling before him once more.

"If you ever make Videl cry again, if you or your father try to meddle in her life again, that punch will find it's mark and I guarantee that it will not be the last...do you understand me?" Their eyes met, and gone was any of the gentle boy he had once made fun of, instead there was this dangerous force that he wanted no part of.

Struggling to keep the panic out of his voice, the blonde boy managed little more than an affirming nod. With that Gohan rose and walked past the two men in suits without a word and smiled to his girlfriend and good friend. The two men with Sharpner took a step towards him, but Gohan's glance over his shoulder halted them as effectively as a wall and they helped Sharpner his feet. His footsteps were swift in finding the exit leaving the occupants to laugh as they gathered together near the seats they had learned from, and the teacher they had come to love and respect.

Giggling happily, Sharon looked at her three students with a mixture of pride and joy, "That was certainly worth getting up this morning for Gohan, and while I should lecture you I just can't help saying well done."

He grinned and gave a bow with a smile, but the dance teacher did not miss the joining of his hand with Videl's. She smiled inwardly, 'Seems Erasa was right, they do make a good couple.'

Videl drew the dress from where she had set it down and shook her head, "I am sorry I didn't get to dance in it..." she was stopped by Ms. Corwin's hand covering her own and pushing the dress back towards her.

"I want you to keep it Videl, as my best student you taught me as much as I could ever have taught you."

The young woman's amethyst eyes regarded the dress in her hand and she blinked as a mist formed in her orbs. Setting the dress down she moved and hugged the older woman gently. Ms. Corwin sighed and hugged her student in return grateful for the happiness she felt radiating off of her. Erasa smiled to Gohan and nodded her head drawing him aside and looking at him for a moment. She seemed to be weighing him as he stood before her, and her eyes showed nothing of what the scales said.

"I want to make sure you understand something Gohan, I like you as a friend and as a person I think you're great...but Videl's been my best friend forever..." she met his eyes and he was startled by her serious gaze, "I want you to know, if you hurt her...in anyway..."

He nodded and touched her shoulder, "If I do, I'll walk off the first cliff I find, for my heart would break if I did. You're a good friend Erasa, and I'd hate to do anything that would make you unhappy with me. Honestly, I don't have too many friends I can count on so I have to keep the ones I have close."

The green eyes glittered with affection and she nodded once giving him a thumbs up and a wink, "Good answer Gohan, keep that attitude up and we'll be set for life." And they rejoined the other two women. For awhile they just sat and shared stories from the night before, again Videl told the tale of her chase and the confessions they had shared which left both women in need of tissues. Once their tale was finished, Ms. Corwin relayed last night's events after the two had left.

"Sharpner was having a fit, his father walked out the moment it was revealed that you weren't going to dance..." she met Videl's eyes knowingly, "So we did what we could, fortunately the Paso Doble' is much more in Sharpner's style, he and Erasa did very well. Unfortunately he did win the competition and will receive his award at the Winter Homecoming dance," she muttered the last, it seemed like rewarding him for his scheming and arrogance.

Videl shook her head, "There'll be no living with him after this you know?"

"Well, the good news is, he hasn't signed up for next semester with me thank goodness, but I hope you three will be in attendance?" she was gratified to be given three nods, it wouldn't have been the same without them in her class. They spent the next half hour just talking about what had passed and enjoying their time without the stresses of the past few weeks. Gohan finally had the chance to learn what had transpired between Ms. Corwin and Sharpner's father.

He looked at her for a moment, "But, what if they come after you for letting it go?"

But she only smiled and shook her head, "If they do they do, I am not going to let you suffer anymore because of me. Besides, I have a few friends out there who can help me out if I need it."

The three students bid their goodbyes and went out into the chill morning, Erasa bubbling about how good the two looked together. For her part, Videl was content to slide an arm through her boyfriends and lean her head on his shoulder. Their footsteps carried them towards the park where the two lovers had revealed the feelings they had been holding in. As they came to the bridge that spanned the frozen creek Erasa jumped excitedly and began fishing in her small bag.

"Oh! Hold still you two, I have so got to get a picture of the two of you, so I can say I was the first to know about the two of you," Gohan moved and slid his arms around her toned torso with a smile and she rested her back against his chest. They watched as the blonde pulled one item after another from her bag, and not for the first time her friends wondered if there was a vortex within the purse's confines.

After several moments she held the camera up triumphantly before drawing it to one green eye, "Wow...that is too perfect..." she whispered as Gohan's strong arms held the young woman to him gently and a light breeze sent a swirl of snow dusting behind them creating an almost magical air. She swiftly pressed the button before the diamond like dusting vanished and then waved the two over to see the shot through the preview on the digital camera's window.

"That is...wow..." was all Videl could muster as she squeezed her boyfriend's hand in hers.

"I've never seen better," Gohan added giving a soft squeeze in return. Erasa beamed at them and promised to get that picture printed for them by week's end. After that the three went to get something to eat just enjoying the company of people who cared for them. As they sat there Erasa began to gush once more, "Gohan, the way you freaked Sharpner out was amazing, I've never seen him so shaken it was awesome. I hope I never make you that mad."

He shook his head, "I don't think you'll ever have to worry about that Erasa, but he deserved it, him and his father..." he looked at Videl and smiled warmly.

She nuzzled closer, it was nice to feel that she was the one being protected instead of having to defend another. True she doubted she would ever feel vulnerable, still it was a good feeling that she was safe letting her guard down for a short time. The others in the small café gave her a glance, it wasn't everyday that Hercule's daughter was seen relaxing in a public venue. As Erasa and Gohan talked, the young celebrity was shaken from her content by the vibrations of her pager, forgotten in the routine of carrying it. Lifting it she stopped the vibration and regarded the number, her home number followed by two-four-six. She knew what that code meant and she hefted a sigh of resignation.

"My dad is paging me," she glanced at them for a moment and smiled, "Besides the clouds are closing again, might be a bad one, you'd best get home before it hits..." she hoped to hide the worry she was feeling but Gohan touched her hand.

"Do you want me to go with you?" he met her eyes her concern all but palpable and she softly touched his cheek with a shake of her head.

"It's alright, but I'll call you later alright?" he nodded and they stepped out together before bidding each other goodbye as the first icy raindrops began to fall. Flying as fast as he could, Gohan still found himself drenched by the frigid droplets as he stepped into the hallway running a hand through his hair he could feel the frozen shards fly. Hanging his jacket on the coat hanger and sliding his boots to the side of the rug, the young half-sayjin went to the living room and sought the solace of the fire that was burning there. He could hear Chi-chi in the kitchen as she was washing the dishes, and the silence meant that Goten must be still asleep, he had definitely gotten that from Goku.

Taking a deep, calming breath, the young man walked into the kitchen bracing to tell his mother. She was many things, overprotective, obsessive about his studying and she seemed to feel that he was destined to live with her forever...but above all else she was the woman who would always be first in his heart. Silently he hugged her gently from behind causing her to start before giving a gentle smile and hugging her oldest son in return.

"Not that I mind, but might I ask what brought that on?" she turned to face him, wooden spoon in one hand and a warm smile on her face.

Gohan smiled and shrugged a bit, "Well, I just wanted to hug you...but I do need to talk to you about something...kinda important."

She regarded him intently for a moment and nodded for him to speak, "Something happened last night, at the finals of the dance...well later that is...kinda in the park..." she could tell he was nervous, Goku was the same way when he was nervous.

"It's alright sweetheart," she took his hand in hers, "I love you and won't get mad...you can tell me." She knew her son was growing up, and while it scared her to no end, she did not want him to be afraid to tell her something.

He met her eyes and nodded, "I apologized to Videl, and she came and told me...well we told each other we loved each other as friends and partners, and more...and then..." his blush told a long story and she sighed remembering her romance with Goku fondly.

"So, the daughter of Hercule has earned your love...I knew there was something special about that girl," he blinked, no yelling? No outburst of how she disapproved.

When he voiced his surprise she shook her head, "Gohan, you are growing up, and for the life of me I wish you never would, but I know you are too special for others not to notice. Videl's a good woman, and as long as she treats you well I am happy."

He smiled and rose to kiss her on the cheek and as he hugged her he whispered, "No matter who I bring into my life, you will always be the woman I hold most dear."

She blinked back tears of warmth and love as she hugged him close, the moment was welcomed before she sniffed and smiled, "Go on with you, I have some cooking to do if I am going to satisfy you and your brother in one meal." She giggled and shooed him with the spoon playfully as he grinned and stepped out of the kitchen content with happiness.

Entering the living room, Gohan slowly lowered himself into the large armchair and propped his feet up on the footstool and leaned back contentedly. Drawing a blanket from the couch nearby he let the heat wash over him and felt the last of the winter chill leave his body. Moments passed like hours and he felt his eyes grow heavy with the steady rhythm of the clock that rested on the mantle above the fireplace. Soon his body slipped into the folds of sleep and it seemed like years when the ringing of the doorbell brought him back to the midday reality.

The sound of ice hitting the window caused him to scratch the back of his head and wonder who could be out at this hour. His mom's voice carried through the hall asking if he would answer the door. Rubbing sleep from his eyes the young man stepped to the door and opened it only to find the last person he would have expected. Still dressed in her jeans and sky colored blouse, her hair clinging to her scalp and shivering with lips that were suspiciously close to blue, Videl looked the worse for wear, her reddened eyes betrayed that she had cried recently, and the ice covered bag looked like she had plans for traveling.

"Videl...what are you doing out in this weather?" he spoke as he gently pulled her inside and shut the door. He pulled her coat from her shoulders as she shivered even in the warmth of the small house.

"Who was at the doo...oh my!" Chi-chi took one look at Videl and shook her head, "Goten get some towels, Gohan you boil some water for soup. As for you young lady, I want you to come with me and we'll get you warmed up quickly."

Gohan noticed his brother, still in his pajamas, hovering near the kitchen. Giving Videl a gentle hug he lifted his brother by the collar of his shirt and carried him down the hall. Once he saw his brother begin his task, the older boy went to the kitchen and soon had a bubbling pot of soup mixed up as well as a steaming mug of the special hot chocolate mix his mom had made. By the time he returned to the living room he found the girl bundled in a thick bathrobe that he doubted Chi-chi had ever worn. Videl was covered with a blanket and Gohan was relieved to find some of her color had returned.

Seeing him she smiled a bit and he knelt beside the chair his hands cupping her still cool fingers massaging them gently and she smiled savoring the warmth of his touch, "What were you thinking Videl? This is terrible weather to be out in."

She sighed and looked down as Chi-chi and Goten listened worriedly, for a few minutes the only sound was the slight crackle of the firewood, "I...got into a fight with my dad...and he yelled at me for...well for seeing you Gohan."

Chi-chi met her son's eyes but he shook his head and looked to Videl as she continued, "He and Sharpner's dad said they were going to transfer me to Fayette City to go to a girl's private school, so I told him I was going to leave before he could. At first I was going to go to Erasa's but he knows where she lives and I didn't want him to find me, I didn't want him to take me away from you..."

She stopped as she looked at Chi-chi, realizing for the first time that this might not have been her best idea. But her concern faded as Gohan rose and smiled gently to her and handed her the bowl before turning to his mother slowly, "I know it's a bit sudden, but would it be alright if she stayed mom?"

Videl's amethyst eyes met the woman who had been the only one in Gohan's life forever, and Goten beamed from the hall, "Can she mom? Please?"

The older woman seemed to be weighing her decision before she smiled and nodded once the ringlets of her hair bouncing as she did, "Of course she can, and if that blowhard father of yours wants to get to you he'll have to go through me." They all laughed though Gohan doubted that Videl knew how difficult that would truly be for the World Champion.

Goten bounded over and was caught in mid-pounce by his brother and drawn to the bedrooms down the hall. Gohan knelt to look the younger boy in the eyes, "Listen Goten, Videl's going to be staying with us which means you have to be careful with what you say and do. I haven't told her about Sayjins yet so act like you do when mom takes you to the store."

Giving a mutter the boy sighed and gave his affirmation, satisfied for the moment they returned to the two women who were waiting. As they arrived, Gohan's mother smiled gently, "So, why don't I hear the whole story of your new relationship..." Videl rose and moved to the couch to rest against Gohan's shoulder with a smile as Chi-chi took the vacated chair and her youngest child leapt into his mother's lap happily. For the next hour or so the story was retold and by the end Chi-chi felt a strong connection to this woman who had stolen her son's heart. The steady beat of the rain had not slowed but all inside felt comfort and warmth from the presence of the others.

As the day drifted into the evening Gohan showed their houseguest to his room, Videl carrying her dry clothes to change into, "You can sleep here, just lock the door in case Goten forgets you're in here and comes looking for me."

"Where will you sleep?" she ran a hand on the straight sheets as she took in his room. A desk with a lamp and a small library on the corner, a bookshelf and his dresser...simple and spartan but she could almost see his energy about the room.

"The couch is pretty comfortable, sometimes I'll just fall asleep there until morning, don't worry too much..." and he stopped to kiss her gently, "Goodnight Videl."

She bade him goodnight and closed the door softly with a sigh, but as she lay under his sheets she found sleep escaping her. Rising from the bed she stepped into the darkened hallway. Goten's door was closed and yet she could still hear the soft snoring from within. She was careful to make no sound as she came into the living room. Gohan lay with a blanket over his slumbering form, he had shed his shirt and the woman could not ignore the sight of his bare chest and shoulders. She also noticed a few scars marking his flesh, though she could hardly imagine what could have caused them.

Moving slowly she slid onto the couch next to him and as her head fell to her shoulder he blinked in surprise speaking in a hushed whisper, "Videl..." he blushed realizing his state of dress but was unable to move without pushing her to the floor, "What are you doing?"

She merely moved closer seeking his warmth and she closed her eyes, "I just...don't want to be alone Gohan...please...just hold me so I don't feel like I am alone?"

After a long moment he leaned close to kiss her cheek and gently drew a fleece blanket over both their bodies. His muscular arms slid around her waist as she rested her head against his chest with a sigh. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat soon lulled her into a soft slumber and he smiled slowly watching her peacefully sleeping. His last thought as he followed her to sleep was a dark one.

'Mom's going to freak when she sees this...'