Disclaimer: All DBZ content is owned by Akira Toriyama, Funimation, and Toei Animation.

Part Two: Lux Aeterna

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine. "May eternal light shine upon them, O Lord."

Siyaka sat at the table, eyeing the family dinner dynamic they put on oddly. The blue-haired woman seemed to be nice enough, but at the same time, Siyaka sensed she felt guilty about something. The purple-haired teen chowed down on his food with the gusto of a Saiyan. The blue haired lady had explained that he was a Saiyan-Earthling hybrid, as well as his master, so Siyaka wasn't too perplexed about them. However, she was perplexed by the strange vibes she got between her own daughter, Mia, and the orange clad young man she introduced as Gohan. When Mia had returned with the man, Siyaka noted that they smelled similar. Too similar. She could usually smell Mia in heat, which reeked to her, like the strongest musk had been dumped on her. But the smell rolled off Gohan in waves as well. Yet both were acting as if nothing was unusual.

Do they think I'm an idiot?

Dinner was quiet as they ate, until Mia paused, announcing, "We got a new calf today. He's got reddish orange fur, really pretty. I was thinking of naming him Pumbukin."

Siyaka nodded, her fork pushing her rice around with her good hand, eyeing her daughter conspicuously. Well, they won't think I'm an idiot for long, she mused. She crossed her arms, careful about holding her left arm which was suspended in a sling, and sat back in her chair as she stated, "I'm more interested on when you started fucking the hybrid."

Gohan choked then spat his mouthful of rice all over Trunks who stared back at his master in wide-eyed shock, his gaze shifting slowly to Mia in disbelief. Mia stared at her mother blankly, leaning over to pat Gohan on the back to make sure he was ok. Siyaka grinned at the man's uncomfortable guilt, as he found the grain of wood of the table very interesting instead. Bulma blanched as she looked at Mia and Gohan's reactions, slowly handing her son a napkin to wipe the rice away from his face.

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't pick up on that?" Siyaka asked with a smirk on her daughter, who moved to mirror her stance.

"I didn't think you would bring it up at dinner," Mia snarked back.

Siyaka looked at Bulma now, asking, "How long have I been out again?"

"Two weeks," she stated.

"Two weeks," Siyaka reiterated, her gaze falling back to her daughter disapprovingly. "I thought you were better than that."

Mia's eyebrows almost shot to her hairline as she scoffed, "That's rich, coming from you."

Siyaka didn't want to open that can of worms, instead turning to Gohan asking, "Are you at least being safe?"

Gohan let out a broken, "Uuuuh…"

"Dear God, Mom. He's a hybrid. I'm not going to end up like you," Mia stated, pursing her lips as she realized the harshness of her words just after they tumbled out of her mouth. Her mom didn't look at her as Mia said, "Oh God, Mom. I'm sorry. I didn't mean …"

Siyaka held up a silencing hand as she stood from the table. She took in a deep breath before saying, "As long as you know what you're getting into." She wiped her mouth with her napkin and dropping it on the table as she said, "Excuse me." She left, flying back towards Orange Star. Mia quickly flew after her, leaving Gohan, Bulma, and Trunks in stunned silence at the dinner table.

"I can't believe you're screwing my sister," Trunks breathed, breaking the awkward silence, his appetite gone. Gohan's face burned red.

"Trunks, go to your room," Bulma stated, her gaze not leaving Gohan's. The teen hybrid didn't argue this time. As soon as they heard his door slam shut, Bulma let out a sigh, getting up from the table as she said, "You need a drink? I need a drink."

"Uh – no. I'm good," Gohan answered slowly, but Bulma already placed two lowball glasses on the table with ice, and sat down, opening up a bottle of whiskey and pouring some into both glasses.

Bulma took a sip, murmuring, "That hits the spot," before placing the glass back on the table. Gohan wasn't sure what to do as he watched the scientist, for some reason feeling like a little kid again. "You know, I didn't think I'd ever feel this old," Bulma sighed, fingering the rim of her glass before settling her gaze on Gohan.

"I'm sorry – ?" Gohan asked, a little confused. Bulma was fourty-six.

"It's just, I remember seeing you for the first time as an unsure toddler, just over four," she explained, swirling her whiskey in its glass. "That's how I've always seen you. As a kid. And here you are, twenty-three, and I just missed that you grew up."

Gohan blinked at her, unsure of how to respond to that. Yes, he'd grown up. The past thirteen years had been difficult between the androids and the heart virus. They'd lost almost everyone, and he had to grow up quick because of it. He hadn't been a kid in a long time, but now he could see Bulma was treating him like an adult for the first time.

"I know I'm not your mother, and that you're old enough to decide things for yourself, but I still feel it's my responsibility to make sure," Bulma started again, this time looking at him. "Because I remember before you father married ChiChi, there were always girls wanting him, and he was too clueless to notice." Gohan's brow shot up at the information, but Bulma continued on, "Are you and Mia … is it serious?"

Gohan frowned, looking at the glass. Yeah, this conversation might require some alcohol. He took a small sip. He winced as the whiskey burned its way to his stomach, warming his body as it moved. He let out a small cough before answering, "No … At least I don't think so." Bulma raised an eyebrow at his response. "We've only done it the one time." He took another sip, sensing Bulma wasn't finished yet.

"But you plan on doing it more," Bulma filled in, her eyes on him like he was a machine she was trying to figure out.

An emphatic "Yes" was the answer, but he couldn't actually voice it. Instead he downed the last of his whiskey, setting the empty glass down on the table.

Bulma nodded as if she read his mind, grabbing the bottle and pouring him some more. He took the glass back, but didn't drink, deciding to wait for her to ask another question. She took a deep breath as she asked, "And you're using … You know how to use a contraceptive?"

He blinked slowly around wide eyes as he processed what she asked, a part of his mind realizing Vegeta probably didn't, resulting in Trunks and Mia. He took a deep calming breath, taking another sip before placing the glass down. "I know how to use them, but no we didn't," he stated, and Bulma's face fell to disappointment. Gohan ignored her as he continued, "We didn't because I can't have kids." He saw her face morph again to show her confusion. "I'm a hybrid between two different species."

She closed her eyes, her expression full of understanding and pity. "Of course," she breathed, "Sorry. I should have realized."

"It's ok," he stated, looking at the amber liquid in his glass. He was angry about the news at first, but he'd made peace with it after thinking about it. The world being the way it was now, bringing a kid into it was almost cruel.

Bulma sighed, pursing her lips. "Well, the only other issue as making sure it doesn't interfere with your time with Trunks." Gohan shot her a confused look, and she waved him off, stating, "I'm not sure what brought on this relationship. Because as long as I've known you, you just didn't seem the type to just have sex with a woman." Gohan blushed again. "And maybe that's just because you've always been a kid to me, which clearly you're not anymore because you now have … urges …" she was rambling now, blushing as well. She shook her head, sorting her thoughts back into place as she continued, "Whatever urges you feel, I want you to promise me they'll be in check when Trunks is with you." When Gohan was still confused by what she was saying, she affirmed, "I want you to limit yours and Mia's PDA when Trunks is around. Understand?"

"Of course," Gohan replied, still a little confused that she would think it would be a problem. He'd lost his virginity, not become an animal.

"Good," Bulma sighed, downing the last of her drink.


The next few months seemed to fly by, and Gohan couldn't help but think the arrangement between him and Mia had helped it. They'd moved their training location closer to Orange Star City, and some days, Trunks helped Mia with the cows as a means of training. And Trunks's skills seemed to be improving some thanks to that. He'd become more agile and was able to think on his feet more than before, and sometimes bested Gohan in sparring matches. But never for long.

And on days like today, when Mia had been a particular pain, they had built a routine.

"Trunks, I think it's time for you to go," Gohan stated, his face in a half smirk and a half glare on Mia. She returned the same expression, her excitement gleaming in her eyes at what was about to happen. That look always made his heart pound with an odd sort of pleased anticipation. He could practically feel her on him already, awakening parts of him that had never been explored before.

Trunks rolled his eyes, wiping the mud off his face from his spar with Mia as he walked away from the older saiyans, muttering, "Jeez. Can't you two keep it in your pants for once?" Beyond that he didn't argue as he flew off. The first two weeks of training with Mia had been tense, but since she and Gohan had been blowing off their steam in other ways, the tension between the two during training had eased. He had noticed a marked difference in animosity between the two every day after they'd send him home early. Tomorrow would be no different.

"So, was that just for me, or were you serious?" Gohan asked. She'd been particularly nasty to Trunks again about not getting his transformation, telling him he was holding them back.

Mia raised an eyebrow at him, a trickster's smile playing on her lips. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied innocently.

He zoomed in front of her, pinning her to the fence. "Don't play dumb with me."

She kicked him off her, setting him back a few paces as her power rose. She settled into a fighting stance and he quirked an eyebrow. This wasn't their usual routine, but he settled into a fighting stance all the same. "I'm not sure what you're playing at, but you know you can't beat me," Gohan laughed haughtily.

She smirked, "That's where you're wrong." She balled up her fists and let out a yell as her aura flared to golden flames. Her hair lifted and changed to light blond, and her eyes flickered to green. Gohan's heart pounded with excitement. She'd mastered her transformation.

He powered up, mirroring her transformation with his own. "If that's how you want this to go," he smiled, the wind from his aura whipping around him. Their auras danced together like two roaring flames licking at each other, feeding off each other's energy. Their senses heightened in this state made it easier to catch her movements as she phased to his side with a kick, which he blocked with a smile. She was grinning excitedly too. They traded blows, fists flying at fists, kicks met with blocks. Jabs, dodges, parries, rebounds, and chops formed into a sort of deadly dance between the two super saiyans. Their connections making loud thunderous claps in the fields as they drove apart and rammed together with their blows. It was the most fun Gohan had had since his father first came back from Yardrat, a somber reminder of how things had changed.

Mia used that moment to knock Gohan off balance, tripping him into the outdated, and long un-used, truck. Before he could reposition himself, she pinned him to its cold metal with a victorious smirk with a ki-laced chop placed at his neck. "I win," she breathed laboredly.

He gulped in air as he gave her a small agreeable nod. "You win," he conceded.

"What do I win?" Mia asked, this time her tone held a little lust.

Gohan rested a hand on her bare hip, connecting their minds as he searched her mind for her desired prize. He could feel the beginnings of her fever starting, a feeling he'd gotten somewhat used to over the past few months. Her scent would be stronger in the morning, but right now he could barely smell the honeysuckle musk he'd learned to enjoy. He planted a kiss on her lips as more of her fantasies flooded his mind. He'd settled on his own plan as he picked Mia up, placing her on the hood of the truck.

You're sure?

You won, he replied, moving his hand down to unbutton her pants as she relaxed back, letting him do as he wished, both knowing this was just the opening ceremonies to the evening. He slipped his hand under her waistband and into her panties, cupping her womanhood as his fingers found their way down. Her breath hitched as he slipped in one finger, lubricating it with her juices. He slipped it out, trailing it back up to the little bud he'd learned to take good care of. She hissed as he rubbed it gently, feeling her ecstasy pooling out of her as the area drenched itself in juices. Her legs slipped open wide, giving him better access as he slid his fingers back down into her, two this time, his thumb continuing the circles around her sensitive bud. She cried out, and Gohan silenced her with another kiss as he continued to push his fingers in an out. He didn't mind her grabbing a fistful of his hair as the ecstatic pressure within her peaked and burst. She screamed her pleasure into him as her orgasm rippled through her, causing her to thrash against him. His hand controlled her movements a little as he helped her ride out her orgasm's affects, one of which was dropping out of super Saiyan, another was the overwhelming rush of her honeysuckle musk. As he pulled away from her panting form, he grinned humorously, noting she'd dented the metal of the car with her thrashing.

That was something he'd learned the last couple months. Sex was more humorous and quirky than gritty and romantic. And this new found heightened super Saiyan senses sex was definitely something he wanted to discover more of. Her orgasm this time had been more powerful than any of the others before. With his clean hand, he grabbed hers, attempting to pull her down from the car.

"Stop," she breathed between gasps of air, her voice raw from the scream. "Just … gimme … a minute." He quirked a curious eyebrow at her seemingly weak form.

Nothing's hurt, right?

I-I don't think I can move, she thought, wincing as she held back a laugh. And I am sooo thirsty…

What if I carry you?

Yes. That would be nice.

He nodded, picking her up, and slinging her over his shoulder. She kicked a little at him, earning a small giggle from him as she huffed, "What? No! This isn't what I had in mind!" she yelled at his back.

"I know," he chuckled back as he walked her back to the house, giving her a nice view of his ass as he walked. "But at least we learned one thing."

"What?" she snapped annoyedly.

"You can still move."

She spanked him, and he yelped in surprise jokingly. She laughed.


After they had some water, that evening consisted of a round of sex, rotisserie chickens for dinner, and some drinks that resulted in more sex. The sun had set, and the stars glittered in the night sky as he pulled himself out of her, collapsing next to her, just as out of breath as she was. Even though his body protested, he moved to get out of her bed and get his things until she reached around for his left arm. "Stay," she breathed. His eyes went a little wide at the demand. Usually, they had a no sleepover policy. "It's late," she sighed tiredly. He looked at her clock, noting it was eleven thirty at night. He remembered when they'd first started, she'd sent him home at midnight one time. But several months had passed since then. Maybe she didn't mind as much anymore.

He nodded, not really wanting to leave either. It was always such a pain to go back home after one of their nights. His stamina would be sapped, meaning he couldn't fly well until it was recovered. That usually left him walking for several minutes before he was recovered enough to fly home. And when he'd get home, he'd crash in bed.

He lifted the covers, slipping back into her bed next to her, and settled down to a comfortable position with ease. She snuggled up next to him, finding comfort in the crook of his arm, her head using his chest as a pillow, and they fell fast asleep.

The sound of the front door opening and shutting woke him. As his senses snapped into an alerted mode until he heard the coffee machine in the kitchen turn on, and whoever walked in grabbed one of the mugs from the cupboard and turned on either a radio or tv on low. He heard Mia's soft snores next to him, and his attention drifted to her, surprised by the shift in their positions through the night. At some point they ended up spooning, her whole naked form pressed against his, her hair pooling under his cheek. The honeysuckle musk had gotten much stronger as he breathed it in, closing his eyes as the fantasies began to play again. That's dangerous. He carefully extricated himself from behind her, slipping out of the bed as he got a look at the clock, which read five a.m.

He stared at her sleeping form, and his heart warmed at the sight. Her expression oddly peaceful. She appeared almost human with her soft snores and drooling. He couldn't stop the contented smile finding its way to his face as he watched her sleep. He'd never seen her so … perfect.

He frowned as he realized what he was thinking. It wasn't the first time he'd caught his mind sliding into that territory of thinking when it came to her. Usually she'd do something to piss him off right after though, so he wasn't left thinking how amazing she was sometimes. Stop! That's not what this is. That's not what we'd agreed to, he reminded himself, as snatched up his pants, shaking his head trying to organize his thoughts, stepping into the orange fabric. This arrangement was only in place to keep us from tearing each other apart. She might be gorgeous and most likely the best sex I'll ever have in my life, but she's also a stubborn, pushy, heinous piece of work. And … ok, maybe those aren't really deal-breakers. And, yeah, these past few months have made me happier than I've been in a while. But that doesn't mean I love … her.

His mind stopped all processes once his brain slipped the l-word into the equation. "Love" echoed through his mind, and his gaze fell back on the Saiyan princess. "Well … shit," he breathed, feeling his heart pounding with trepidation as he realized that in actuality, that is what it meant. At some point, he'd actually fallen in love with the heinous Saiyan woman. I am in love with her, he finally admitted, accepting the lunacy of it. He took a good look at her, and suddenly the world seemed completely different, completely new. He wanted to tell her his realization, but an overwhelming part of his brain told him it was a bad idea.

His heart pounded with fear as he remembered what falling in love meant for some saiyans. Mia had filled him in on the Saiyan monogamy gene back when things all started, citing it as the reason for this arrangement. They'd have sex and not get attached, because if one of them did while the other didn't, it would end in heartache. He agreed at the time, thinking there was no way he'd get attached to her. She was too stubborn, hot-headed, and annoying.

But that was then. This was now. She was still all those things, but he'd realized and come to terms that those things also made her strong, passionate, funny, and challenging. Those were the traits he'd fallen in love with. As he thought back on the promise they'd made to stay detached, he realized that in that moment, he'd already signed his heart over to her. He just didn't know it.

He fingered his shirt as the fear residing in the back of his mind screamed, GET OUT! GET OUT NOW! And for once, he listened to it, knowing everything between him and Mia had ended the minute he fell in love, because she didn't fall too. He pulled on his shirt and padded out quickly to grab his boots by the front door.

"You don't usually spend the night," a woman's voice crooned, causing him to freeze. He spun to see Siyaka leaning against the kitchen entryway, her thumb rubbing the rim of her coffee mug. She moved a hand to turn on the breakfast nook light. "Have a seat."

It took Gohan a minute to get his voice working as he gestured to the door, saying, "I really should be going."

"I said, 'have a seat,'" Siyaka reiterated more forcefully, her gaze more severe.

He conceded, grabbing a chair and sitting quietly, feeling a little like a child again under Siyaka's intense scrutiny. He wasn't sure what it was. Mia's fierceness, he could handle. Siyaka, on the other hand, scared him. He'd done his best to limit his run-ins with her since their first dinner when she'd outed him and Mia. But every time he'd seen her since, he got the distinct feeling she wanted him dead … maybe.

He didn't move as she reached back into the kitchen and grabbed another mug, placing it on the table in front of him. She made her way to the table with the full pot of coffee, pouring him some. He wasn't sure how to respond as she asked cordially and a little tiredly, "Cream and sugar?" When he didn't respond, she muttered, "Of course you want cream and sugar," walking back to the kitchen to grab it off the counter, holding back a yawn. She set them on the table in front of him before sitting down across from him comfortably. When she noticed he hadn't moved to do anything with his coffee, she scoffed, "It's not poisoned or anything."

He did his best to relax as he got his coffee the way he liked before taking a sip. The warm liquid trickled down to his core, providing some comfort to his panicked state.

"So, how is everything going?" Siyaka started congenially. The bags under her eyes matching her exhausted tone.

He didn't know how to respond. She was never this nice to him. "Uh – Good? How is work?" He did his best to match her friendly tone without sounding too nervous. At least he remembered her new job at Capsule Corp. Since Orange Star City was totally in ruins, there was no more Police Department there, where Gohan had learned she'd worked for the last twenty-two years. Bulma decided to give her a nighttime security position at Capsule Corp, giving Siyaka a handsome salary, benefits, and answers on Vegeta's life on Earth. Every evening, Siyaka would join the Briefs for dinner before doing some solo training as she guarded the Capsule Corp grounds. Gohan hadn't eaten as much with the Briefs since he and Mia started their arrangement. His heart began to ache as his thoughts drifted to the arrangement and his current predicament.

"Work is good," Siyaka replied amicably. She let the silence linger between them before asking, "Do I want to know what happened to the Shepherd's truck?"

Gohan tried unsuccessfully to suppress his smile as his mind drifted back to the previous afternoon, with Mia denting the car in her ecstasy. "Probably not," he said softly into his coffee. But Siyaka heard him and understood, nodding as she too took a sip.

"So, clearly things between you and Mia are good?" she more stated than asked.

Gohan wasn't sure how to respond with his recent discovery. He mumbled out a small, "Yeah, fine, I guess," even though he was fairly certain the arrangement was now in jeopardy, thanks to his feelings.

"You're lying."

His eyes went wide, seeing Siyaka's tired, but scrutinizing, gaze on him. She smirked at his stunned expression, but it told her everything about the situation she needed to know. "Men don't run away in the middle of the night if everything is fine," she stated, holding back a yawn. He blushed knowing she'd caught him. She let him stew for a minute before asking with a smirk, "You just realized you're in love with her, didn't you? That's why you're running?"

He stayed silent for a minute before uttering hopelessly, "How could you tell?"

Siyaka scoffed again, "Please," before she took another sip of her coffee and letting out a relieved sigh. "You come running out of my daughter's room, looking as if you just found out the world was ending. All after having a decent evening, given the state of the truck." He was blushing furiously now as she continued, "And your feelings for my daughter have been clear for a while. Even Bulma and Trunks have noticed and commented on the stark change in attitude from you."

His shoulder dropped as he looked heartbrokenly at the table. "I wasn't supposed to … to get attached."

Siyaka let out a small chuckle at the idea behind their arrangement. Having been through it herself, she knew where it always led. "Your feelings were inevitable. Anyone could have told you that."

"She's just so much like her father, I didn't think it was possible," he stated with a frown. "We hated each other."

Siyaka nodded knowingly, stating, "She is a lot like her father. Both of them, masters at hiding their feelings and keeping people at a distance."

Gohan frowned, not knowing what she meant by that. "I was more talking about how hard-headed and challenging she is."

Siyaka smiled. "That too."

"What did you mean, 'masters at hiding their feelings'?" he asked, leaning a little forward in his seat, feeling a small seed of hope take place in his heart.

Siyaka didn't answer his question. Only gave him a look as if he should already know the answer. Before he could push further, the radio buzzed out of a song into an alert that made Gohan's heart drop. "Turtle Village, a town 200 miles south of East City, is under an android attack! If you're in the cities limits, it's best to locate the nearest Capsule Corp Bunker, and wait for the National Guard. If you're outside the city, but still in the imminent threat zone, please evacuate to East City, Sageville, Paozu Town, Cinnamon Town, or Rosemary Harbor. Again, Turtle Village is under android attack. Please evacuate to the nearest Capsule Corp Bunker or listed town. This is your only alert."

Gohan immediately stood, forcing his feet into his boots. Turtle Village wasn't the closest town to home, but Paozu Town was only an hour drive or fifteen-minute flight from Mount Paozu. Anyone evacuating to Paozu Town was going to have some difficulty navigating the treacherous roads through Humbow Pass. Even so, the androids got a little too close to home this time. He looked back to Mia's room, then thought better of it. He couldn't bear the thought of breaking her peaceful sleep with android news. "Siyaka …" he started.

"I'll be less than useful to you now. I haven't slept in seventeen hours," she stated, holding back a yawn at the end. "I can get Mia …"

"No," he breathed, tapping a finger against the back of the chair. "Just … if she asks where I am, tell her about the attack. I'll try and come back soon." With that he ran out.


Mia took a deep breath in as she drifted awake, her heart giddy at the idea of waking up next to Gohan, rasping a small, "Good morn…" Her voice died out as she realized he wasn't lying next to her anymore. She blinked herself wide awake as she sat up, taking a look around her room, not caring about the sheets falling off her naked self. His clothes were gone. Yesterday's outfit was still strewn about the room, but Gohan and his clothes were gone. Her heart plummeted that something was wrong. He wouldn't just leave in the middle of the night, would he?

She huffed, ignoring the pang in her heart that the idea caused and instead focused her pain in a new way. If he thinks the whole morning after thing is too much, then fine. It's his loss. She swung her legs out and pulled on her robe, cursing herself for ever entertaining the idea of inviting him out on a date. She had been thinking about it for a while, but was fairly certain he would either over think it and be convinced she loved him, when in all honesty, she hadn't even thought about it. Either that, or just plain refuse her on grounds that she was a piece of ass, nothing more. She wasn't sure which one would be more humiliating. The only reason she'd entertained the idea for as long as she did was because she sometimes craved the deeper connection with him than just fucking. Not that the sex wasn't good. It was fantastic. Just … she remembered being younger and fantasizing about the deep connection her mom told her Saiyan mates got. He was her only shot at experiencing that. But with his midnight run, she wasn't sure he deserved a deeper connection with her.

She tied her robe shut, doing her best to suppress her fuming as she padded out to the breakfast nook. Like every morning, Siyaka had fallen asleep at the table, mug of coffee in hand and radio playing in the kitchen. It was amazing her mom could make it home that tired. Mia would wake her and help her to bed. "Mom," she said softly, her smile masking her emotions well by making her tone lighter. That was when the second mug of coffee caught her eye. "Who were you having coffee with?"

"Mmmm? Mia?" Siyaka asked wearily.

"Yeah, Mom. It's me," Mia sighed, helping her mom up.

"Gohan … androids," Siyaka muttered sleepily, slowly coming to, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Mia's heart plummeted, this time fearing what her mother was saying. "What happened?"

"What time is it?" Siyaka asked, taking a deep breath and yawn.

Mia looked at the clock, "Seven thirty, Mom. What happened with Gohan?"

Siyaka blinked away the last of her sleep, rubbing her cheeks back to life as she said, "The androids attacked Turtle Village. He flew out to fight them off."

"ALONE!?" Mia screeched, now running through her house in a flurry to get her clothes on, forgetting her braid. If he'd been able to sit and have coffee with her Mom while she was still lucid, that meant he'd been gone for almost two hours. Her mind ran all the worst scenarios through her head, him dead in a ditch, buried under rubble. She stopped herself, knowing she didn't have time for it. He needed her backup.

She ignored her Mom calling after her as she flew off towards Turtle Village. She'd seen it on her way to East City once. She could find it again. At her fastest speeds, it took her an hour and a half to get there. Buildings smoked and collapsed from the battle. The sounds of screams filled the air as Mia flew around, trying to find Gohan before the Androids found her. Gohan had taught her how to sense ki a little. She wasn't good at it, but she could still sense enough to find him if she focused.

She did her best to tune out the sounds of the terrified city to find Gohan's familiar ki. When she did find it, it was faint, too faint. She rushed to him, knowing that every second was critical. She found him lying under rubble in the middle of the street, not moving. His body was covered in scrapes, cuts and bruises. She didn't think to look around as she dove to him, immediately pulling rubble away from his body as she prayed for him to hold on.

"I told you, she'd come," a cool, calculating voice said off to the side, causing Mia to freeze. She looked to see the blonde android smirking at her. Her heart dropped to her gut with fear as the android's lifeless eyes connected with hers.

"Well done, 18," a cocky young man said, applauding his sister's achievement. "Honestly, didn't think he'd have it in him."

"Go," Gohan grunted, his body racked with pain.

Mia stood to guard him, keeping a close eye on the Android's movements as she turned Super Saiyan. They crouched into a fighting pose, 17 muttering, "That's more like it."

"I want this one, 17. You got the boy toy," 18 stated slightly territorially.

He scowled at his blond sister, commenting, "You didn't let me kill him, did you?"

"If you want to go fishing, you need bait," 18 retorted.

Mia ignored their bickering as she reached to the back of her neck, pulling out as many hairs as she could, infusing them with her Yin ki to make some ki golems. She threw the hairs out and they started forming into clones of Mia. Thirteen clones to be exact. As the androids looked at the group of dopplegangers shocked, they shuffled themselves together, hiding the true Mia amongst them. Then they dispersed in all directions, yelling, "Catch me if you can!"

"Dammit," 17 huffed, flying after a few of the golems. "18, take the others!" She did so, doing her best to hunt them down. Explosions sounded every 30 seconds as they would catch one, and having it explode in their faces, annoying the androids further.

The actual Mia had powered down and doubled back the instant she knew they couldn't see her, knowing they'd go after her golems, and she could escape with Gohan. She didn't mess around with removing the rubble this time, knowing her time was limited. She'd have at most three or four minutes before they caught on. Instead, she dragged him up on her shoulders, his form dwarfing hers significantly as she ran down the streets as fast as she could, hoping they wouldn't notice her escaping with Gohan's broken body. She used the smoke from a smoldering building to mask her flight, covering her mouth with her sleeve to prevent smoke inhalation as she made her way to the city limits. She dove out of the smoke column, unable to take the thick air anymore, only to just narrowly miss a ki blast.

"17! Over here! They're getting away!"

"Shit!" Mia cursed, transforming back into super Saiyan and boosting her speed with the heightened ki. She could hear 18 flying closer, 17 closing in his pursuit behind her. Mia lobbed three Chaos Bombs at them. They targeted 18 like a mob of angry hornets, causing her to drop out. 17 shot a blast at her that she barrel-rolled away from, keeping a tight grip on Gohan so he wouldn't fall, thanking her mother for teaching her such advanced aerial maneuvers. He wasn't as close as 18 was, giving Mia some time to rip out some more strands of hair, infusing them with whatever Yin ki she could spare. She dropped them, letting them morph into more clones of her that flew in formation alongside her.

"That won't work!" 17 chided, almost closing the gap between them.

What he didn't see was the ki golems charging an attack, saying quietly, "Ka-me-ha-meeeee…" They flipped in unison and stopped as they screamed and fired, "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" The three white-blue beams shot out, hitting the black-haired android and pushing him back from the surprise and strength. Mia didn't look back, knowing better than to waste the precious time the golems had bought her. She wasn't naïve enough to hope that would kill them. It wouldn't. But by the time they recovered, she planned on being long gone. She pushed all of her Yang ki into her speed, hurtling her through the skies at break-neck speeds, the adrenaline pushing her faster than she'd ever been before.

She didn't slow even as she reached the hundred-mile mark. But she did turn when the skies darkened, light and wind rushing from a large explosion from Turtle Village. She could practically feel the heat from 17's rage, and she gripped Gohan tighter as the fear gripped her heart. She could feel Gohan's heart slowing as she flew, and prayed he held on until West City.

She bolted into Capsule Corp, calling out for help desperately, barely able to stand from exhaustion. Bulma came running, seeing Mia holding a broken and battered Gohan, and helped her get him to a gurney.

"What happened?" Bulma asked, grabbing her doctor's kit. She flashed a flashlight in his eyes, finding they were unresponsive. Her heart plummeted as she pulled out a stethoscope to check his vitals, finding his pulse seriously low. She pulled over a monitor and hooked him up, finding his blood pressure at 60/28. Bulma quickly stripped him down, searching his body for any serious bruising, since the clothes he wore weren't so stained by blood to explain. She couldn't find anything on his front. "Help me flip him," she ordered frantically.

Mia did as she said, seeing a large bruise swelling in the middle of his back, recognizing its location immediately.

Bulma noted the expression of recognition on Mia's face and asked, "Well, what is it?"

"He's bleeding internally … a lot," Mia stated, chewing on her lip to hide her worry. She pooled what little remained of her Yang ki into her fingertips as she sensed for Gohan's ki. His ki was so low, she almost couldn't sense it anymore. She placed her hand directly over the bruise, knowing the internal hemorrhaging was ceasing the flow if his ki as it was located over the Chu Tanden well, the source of the ki cycle. With his Chu Tanden out of work, his heart would start failing if it wasn't already, as well as the other organs it controlled, like the lungs and diaphragm. From there, it would spread to the brain first, then his lower organs. With her ki infusion technique, she could repair the damage done to his tanden and replenish some of his ki stores. That would push his body to stabilize rather than shut down. But they would still need to go in and take care of the bleeding.

Bulma began hooking Gohan up to an IV, and was able to tilt the bed to raise his feet. Then she was at a loss. "We're going to need a surgeon," she stated gravely, seeing the growing contusion.

"I thought you were one," Mia breathed labored as she continued her work in healing his ki network.

"I'm a scientist, not a doctor!" Bulma replied exasperatedly.

"THEN GO GET ME ONE, NOW!" Mia snapped, not looking at the blue-haired woman. Instead she focused her efforts on healing his ki network to keep his heart pumping. Bulma ran out to get a practiced doctor, leaving Mia alone. She stared at the hybrid, her heart pounding from worry, more worry than she'd ever felt in her life. "Don't you dare die on my, Son Gohan. Don't you dare!"


When Gohan woke, night had fallen, jarring him awake. He'd been stripped down, and his abdomen hurt as if he'd been stabbed all the way through. He groaned a little in pain as he tried to move, realizing he couldn't really. That was when he noticed a woman's hand resting on his chest. He squinted through the dark, just barely able to make out Mia's figure, asleep in the chair next to his bed, her arm stretched over his form. A feeling of surprised relief trickled through his being. When he thought he was passing, he realized his one regret was not telling her how he felt. And here she was. Her honeysuckle musk rolled off her.

She opened her eyes, grumbling as she rubbed the sleep away and reorienting herself. "Good. You're awake."

"How long have I been out?" he asked in a hushed tone. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he realized he was at Capsule Corp, not Mia's house.

"A day," Mia stated, scratching her head.

"Ok," he sighed, still struggling with the pain. "Why does it feel like I've been hit by a truck and then stabbed?"

Mia's hand started to glow as she ran it over his chest, checking his ki network again. She'd fallen asleep repairing it. "You had a Pulmonary Vein rupture in the fight, just over your Chu Tanden, causing an Internal Thoracic Hemorrhage and clogged your ki network. We had to get a surgeon to go in and stop the bleeding before it killed you. And I used my ki infusion technique to fix your Tanden and ki network." She let out a sigh as her hand stopped glowing. "Your ki network is fine, so you should be healing faster. The doctor said you should be walking in a few days, and back to your regular activities in a few weeks. But being a Saiyan, I'd be surprised if it took you a week. You could probably walk around in less than an hour. Not to mention when the zenkai boost kicks in …"

"The what?" Gohan asked a little confused, but Mia ignored him.

She stood calmly as she said, "That reminds me." Gohan wasn't sure what to expect, but Mia slapping him hard across the face with a resounding "SMACK!" was not it. His head whipped to the side, his eyes wide with shock as his cheek began to tingle. "Don't you ever do something so reckless again!" Mia snapped. "Do you have any idea how worried I was!? I wake up, and you're gone, only to have Mom tell me you've gone off to fight the androids ALONE! I thought you'd gone off and gotten yourself killed! You almost did!"

Gohan looked at her strangely, noticing tears in her eyes. It wasn't something he was used to seeing, especially in regards to him. He remained silent as she sat back down, taking some calming breaths. "I'm sorry, Mia. I didn't realize you cared so much."

"Well, I do," she replied, a little confused herself by what she was saying. A small dawning of realization flashed through her eyes, and Gohan felt that seed of hope again.

He eyed her carefully, Siyaka's comment from earlier ringing in his head. Maybe I just have to chance it, he thought, biting his lip. He did almost die today. Maybe it was a sign. "But, I wasn't leaving because of the androids," he confessed. Mia gave him a confused look, like a dog that just heard a whistle. "I was leaving because I realized our arrangement no longer works."

"If this is about me planning on asking you out on a date …" Mia started, figuring at some point the thought crossed her mind when they were in bed together. But when she saw him frown his confusion, she pursed her lips, realizing he didn't know about her plans. "Which clearly, it isn't," she tried to recover.

"A date?" he asked, that seed of hope growing.

"Why doesn't our arrangement work?" Mia asked instead.

"I asked you first."

"Yeah, but mine is clearly more important."

"I don't think so."

"If you're breaking up with me, I think a date is off the table."

"I'm not breaking up with you."

Mia's shoulders dropped and she frowned at him in confusion. "Well, then what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to tell you I'm in love with you," Gohan answered bluntly. Having imagined professing his love to her being a little grander, he was a little disappointed with how it came out. But he'd already said it.

Her eyes went wide at his proclamation. There was a pregnant pause between them as she looked him in the eyes. "You love me?"

"Yeah," he stated, again bluntly.

"You're … in love … with me?" Mia said again, still puzzling over it.

"Yes," he grumbled, wishing she would move on.

"Love?" she asked.

"Do you need it written down?" he asked annoyedly.

Mia was grinning now, a little chuckle escaping her lips as she said, "I'm sorry. It's just you, perfect little angel that you are, has fallen in love with me, 'a devil-woman,' if I may quote you."

"Make fun of me all you want, it doesn't change the fact that I love you," he stated a little sourly, turning away from her.

"Good," she almost whispered, catching him off guard as she stood up again, leaned down and kissed him. The kiss was short and tender. Happy thoughts and feelings swirled through them, creating a cocoon of comfort surrounding them. She didn't have to tell him she loved him back. He knew through all her feelings she presented to him openly. Her attraction to him, as well as her hopes and dreams that solely resided with him. She wanted things that only he was equipped to give her. There were also things that she wanted to share with him, personal things that she'd never shown anyone. She trusted him and his judgement more than anyone else in the whole world.

He realized his feelings were the same. He wanted to show her the training grounds with Piccolo, the Lake on Mount Paozu, the Ox Kingdom, Kame house. He even wanted to introduce her to his mom.

Mia pushed the kiss into more passionate territory, letting her fever get the better of her, not worried about his stitches since he wound would be healed soon. She began to remove her clothes before hopping on the bed with him. While he was into what she was doing, he worried about what him moving would do to his stitches. She sent calming feelings through her fingertips, easing his mind as she assumed control. She moved a hand over his incision, flooding the cut with Yang Ki to help pull the wound closed.

Once she finished, he responded by springing up, pulling her into another passionately fervent kiss. She ground against him, feeling his member grow hard. He stopped her hips, his hooded eyes finding her. "What?" she whispered.

"Say it." His grip on her tightened as he urged again, "Say it."

She smiled, knowing exactly what he wanted to hear her say. "I love … your eyes," she said, placing a kiss on his brow. He growled, as her hand drifted down to his, lifting it up. "I love your hands," she said, kissing his knuckles.

He pulled his hand away and swiftly rolled her under him, his member placed strategically at her entrance. "Say it," he ordered again.

Mia smirked as she raised her legs to rest on his waist, giving him a better angle as she whispered, "Make me."

He glowered back at her, a part of him wanting her to scream her proclamations now. He seized her lips with his own, the kiss fierce and starved as he pushed himself in her. His teeth started tingling again, something he'd noticed and suppressed the last several times they had sex. His hips started slow as he pulled away with bared teeth, watching the relief wash over her face. He could feel her craving his touch on his favorite bud. His hands didn't move as he ordered again, "Say it."

"Make me."

He complied, his thumb finding her bud and rubbing small circles into it. She let out a moan as her ecstasy climbed. "I … I …" she moaned, getting close.

"Say it." His teeth tingled with anticipation, feeling the need to bite something.

She was doing her best to hold back. But as her orgasm rippled through her, she cried out, "I love you. I love you, Gohan." He seized her mouth in a quick kiss, his teeth still tingling until he pulled away and bit into her neck. She let out a moan as she too bit into his neck, cutting through his skin a little as his bite clamped down on her as they came together, leaving them drained as they rode each other through their orgasms. He let out a sharp hiss, releasing her skin from his teeth. Sorry, he thought as his senses seemed slightly heightened all of a sudden that he couldn't explain as he pulled away from her.

She let out a laugh. Sleep, she ordered as they shifted into a comfortable snuggle.


Gohan awoke to bright sunlight streaming through the windows, and he blinked to get his eyes used to the new light. In his arms, Mia still snoozed, her arms curled against his chest, her hair splayed away from him. How they both fit on the hospital bed was a miracle of itself. He noticed a twinging pain in his lower back at the base of his spine, and he adjusted his position as best he could to not wake her as he reached back to check the aching spot. When his fingers found the pain, he felt fur which caused him to pull further awake as he checked to see if Mia's tail had caused this pain only to find her tail lightly curled around her thigh, only twitching a couple times.

With his eyes wide, he gripped the furry appendage behind him and pulled it around him, finding his tail had returned at some point in the night. The twinging pain had come from sleeping on his tail wrong, having not had one for almost twenty years. He got out of bed to check himself in the mirror as well as his new tail.

The movement woke Mia, and she propped herself up to see Gohan checking his backside in the mirror. "I didn't leave scratches, did I?" Mia joked.

He looked up at her confused as he paused his puzzling for a moment. That was when he noticed the bruising at the base of her neck when he bit her. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry."

She raised an eyebrow at him, before seeing where his eyes had fallen and felt the swollen skin, feeling the teeth imprints where her skin broke. She smiled. "We claimed each other last night."

He frowned at her until she gestured to where she had bitten him, and he found a similar welt as hers. He turned to inspect it in the mirror with wide eyes, giving Mia a good look at his long tail. "Y-you have a tail? Since when!?"

"I woke up with it," he answered, still inspecting her work. "I used to have one as a kid, but I had it cut off a long time ago. It just came back."

He felt Mia sidle up behind him, grabbing his tail gently and running it through her fingers, sending shivers up his spine. "Well, I like it," Mia smiled as she petted his new furry appendage.

He gave a small eye roll as he muttered, "You would." He returned his focus to the mirror, inspecting the bruising and pierced skin from her bite as he asked, "What do you mean, 'claimed each other'?"

She smiled as her hand found his over his bruised neck, being careful with the tender skin as she explained, "These bites are mating marks. When you bit me, you claimed me as your mate, and I claimed you back." She tapped his mark a little to emphasize.

"You're my mate?" he asked, his tone still full of confusion.

"Well, for Saiyans, marriage isn't that frequent a practice, except for royals and nobility. So, for most of the lower class Saiyans, they claim the person they see as the one they spend their romantic life with. Essentially, you've claimed me as your unofficial wife, and I've claimed you as my unofficial husband."

He blinked at her, his mind somehow finding the ability to wrap around the idea of mates. "It's not always going to look like this, though. Right?"

She gave him a knowing smile as she replied, "No. The bruise will heal, and all that will be left is the mark, which will scar." She leaned against his back, their skin connecting in tingles and sparks, like their bodies were humming in tune with each other, and she grinned as she pulled her arms around him. She kissed his shoulder blade before leaning her head against his back, loving the new sensations, knowing the mating mark had awoken some parts of them as she breathed, "Let's go back to bed." He turned to face her, their naked bodies connecting from head to toe as he leaned down to kiss her. She pulled him back to the bed, still kissing him, their hands roving over each other, enjoying the new sensations from their mating marks as they made love for the first time.


The first three weeks of their official relationship had been full of excitement and love. Bulma and Siyaka were clearly happy that the couple had finally seen reason. Trunks on the other hand tried to act somewhat flummoxed and disgusted by the idea of Gohan and Mia in love, even though he was clearly happy for them. Mia and Gohan had cut training short a few days to go on dates, learning more about each other like their old dreams, stories from growing up, and passions. Mia had also taken to training Gohan's tail weakness away.

Trunks flew at Gohan for a high chop, which Gohan blocked with ease. The sun was high, and the clouds drifted ever so slowly with the light breeze that rolled through the plains they had designated as the new training grounds. The hybrids traded blows for blocks as they sparred. Trunks got too close to getting the better of Gohan one time, and Gohan immediately put a stop to that, shoving the purple-haired hybrid back and jumping into Super Saiyan. "No fair," Trunks pouted as he caught his breath, his hands rested on his knees as he wheezed a little. "You know I can't go Super Saiyan."

Gohan smirked, settling into a fighting stance as he replied, "Maybe because I haven't pushed you to it yet."

Trunks scoffed, still wheezing as he mustered, "Are you admitting Mia might be right about my training?" It would be a first.

Before Gohan could answer, they heard a yelp before something impacted with the ground with a big puff of smoke and let out a distressed cry. Gohan immediately dropped out of Super Saiyan and ran to where Mia had been training. The past few days, she had opted to train away from the two guys in favor of her own training. Mia lay on the ground, clutching her foot as she hissed and groaned in pain. He started to remove her boot to assess the damage as he asked, "What happened?"

Mia shook her head, "I dunno. I was flying, working on my ki splitting because it's seemed off recently. Next thing I know, my ki is no longer there and I fell to the ground." She hissed as she added, "I landed on my foot wrong."

He pulled the boot away, and she hissed, revealing her ankle's serious swelling. "This looks bad," he hissed. He looked at Trunks who stood over Gohan's shoulder eyeing his sister's ankle, a grimace finding its way to his face. Gohan reached down, picking Mia up bridal style with ease. "I'm going to take her to a doctor. Training's over today."

"Is there anything you …" Trunks started only to get blasted by the dust and wind whipped up from Gohan's take-off. He let out a cough waving the dust away from his face as he groused, "Yeah. Should have figured." He turned westward and headed home.


"It looks sprained," the doctor said, resting her ankle back on the patient's table. "Grade II from what I can see. You can take some over the counter pain medicine for any discomfort. For the first few weeks you'll need a boot and crutches. I'd also prescribe lots of rest and icing your ankle for the next few weeks."

Mia let out a huff, seeing Gohan in the corner eyeing her seriously.

"How did you say this happened again?"

"Running," Mia lied easily. "I slipped and tripped over a rock."

The doctor nodded, looking at his paperwork. "You've got to be careful when running. These types of injuries can crop up out of nowhere." He let out a sigh before standing. "Let me go get that boot for you." The door closed behind the doctor with a decisive click.

"Oh, Lord," Mia groaned, laying back on the patient's table, placing her fists on her forehead.

"I'm just glad nothing's broken," Gohan stated, walking over to her.

"Yeah, but I'm going to be hobbling around in some ugly boot for two weeks. I can't train in that."

"You aren't training at all," Gohan laughed. She dropped her fists and looked at him angrily, searching for an explanation. "You got injured because of something else going on with you. You said it felt like your ki just vanished?"

"What's your point?" she asked dangerously.

"My point is, if you're sick, your body needs time to recover. Resting is the best thing you can do right now, not just for your ankle," he replied blatantly.

"But –"

"No but's," Gohan interrupted, his gaze holding a finality in his statement.

Mia set her jaw and let out a growl. She already knew that if she tried anything, Gohan would tell her mother, and that was the last thing Mia needed.

The doctor waltzed back into the exam room with a smile, holding the boot up victoriously in one hand. "You got our last one!" He set the crutches next to the door as he maneuvered to put the boot on her injured leg. Mia shot a pleading look to Gohan, but his expression made it clear he wasn't siding with her on this. She closed her eyes, and resigned herself to her fate.


Two weeks had passed, and Mia was still in the boot. Her body was taking its time healing, and Gohan refused to let her train until her foot was cleared by the doctor. Because she couldn't train, she was stuck at home, sitting on the couch vegging on snacks and watching movies. She wore her new usual, sweatpants and a sweatshirt, her hair free and flowing around her. She had her bootless foot propped up on some pillows with some ice as she watched one of her longtime favorites, The Empire Strikes Back. When she was younger, she and Rito would marathon all the Star Wars movies if Siyaka had been called in for a deposition or was under cover. She'd miss those nights.

"The force is with you, Young Skywalker. But you are not a Jedi … yet." Vader called out, as Mia munched on some popcorn.

The door opened and shut, and Mia sensed Gohan walking in. Siyaka was off at work, like most nights. Gohan walked into the living room, seeing Mia in her usual spot on the couch. He'd changed out of his training gi and into some normal clothes, which had taken some getting used to, but it seemed to be his usual now. He wore a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, with a black vest. His eyes flitted to the screen with confusion. "What's this?"

Mia shot him an odd look before answering, "This is Star Wars."

"Oh," he replied blankly, pausing a minute before asking. "What's with the heavy breathing?"

Mia paused the movie, blinking at her boyfriend completely dumbstruck. "You haven't seen these, have you?" Her tone was more accusatory than intrigued.

"No?" Gohan said uncertainly. Mia let out a gasp like he'd physically assaulted her. "What?"

Mia struggled to get up, huffing, "Well you can't start here! This is the biggest reveal in cinematic history!"

He tried to stop her tirade as he walked around the love seat to the couch, but Mia was already up and hopping on one foot to the dvd player. She had the whole set sitting right next to the player, because she was planning on marathoning them. Had she known Gohan hadn't seen them, she would have waited. But she could rewatch the first one.

Once the trailers started playing, she hopped back to her spot, noting Gohan's slightly disapproving frown. She pointed to the other end of the couch and said, "Sit."

"But –"

"Sit!"

He did as she ordered, and she sat down next to him, propping herself up by leaning on him and resting her foot on her pillows again. She hit a button that skipped the ads and started the movie, settling back into place with her popcorn, draping a blanket over them.

"What's this …?"

"Sh!" Mia huffed, as the intro began to roll.

Gohan pursed his lips before stating, "You know, I made plans."

"Cancel them," Mia grumbled. "This is clearly more important."

"I don't know if that's true," Gohan muttered to himself, adjusting uncomfortably.

"Sh."

They sat in mostly silence as the movie rolled on. Every time Gohan had a question, Mia would silence him and tell him she'd answer all questions at the end. She refilled the popcorn twice during the movie. Once the medal ceremony ended and the credits rolled, Mia turned to Gohan with a big knowing smile and asked, "So what'd you think?"

He frowned, his lips pursed as he asked, "How old is this movie?"

"Almost forty years."

"Well, that explains a lot."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Mia snapped angrily.

"Nothing," Gohan defended, "just the fight scenes seemed lazy. And there were a lot of puppets."

Mia's eyes were wide, and she gasped again like she'd been physically assaulted. "This is one of the best series in history!"

"Ok," he stated, still a little confused. "I'm allowed to have opinions about it though, right?"

"Not if you hate it," Mia snapped half-jokingly, but also half hurt.

"Well, why do you like it so much? I have a hard time seeing you watching these with your mom, what with her kind of being an ex-storm trooper."

"My mom was not an ex-storm trooper!"

"She was a soldier in Frieza's army, who was an evil galactic emperor."

"Yeah, but my mom was actually deadly."

"That's another thing! Why couldn't the bad guys hit anything? Weren't they supposed to be the best marksmen in the galaxy?"

"Just shut up!" Mia huffed, getting up and hobbling away, doing her best to hide her tears. She stepped on her injured foot wrong and fell with a yelp. Gohan rushed to her as she picked herself up, grumbling to herself over her own stupidity.

"Are you alright?"

"No," Mia spluttered, letting the tears fall. She hated when she got emotional like this. Saiyans were naturally emotional creatures, which is what made them passionate fighters. When they couldn't fight, they couldn't channel those emotions, and just made a wreck of their minds. "My ankle isn't healing fast enough. Because my ankle isn't healed, I can't train! Because I can't train, I've gained twenty pounds!"

"You haven't gained twenty pounds," Gohan tried.

"I can't wear my pants anymore! It's sweatpants or a dress! Nothing else fits!" Mia snapped. Gohan's shoulders drooped a little as she continued. "On top of all that, my boyfriend hates one of my favorite movies!" She collapsed into a fit of tears and sniffles that left Gohan feeling a little lost. When it came to crying women, he was never good.

"I-I didn't hate it," he amended.

"Well, you didn't like it," Mia sniffled.

"Why does it matter?"

She let out a small huff as she said, "Those movies are all I've got to remember Rito by." He still frowned, unsure of what she was talking about. She'd mentioned Rito a couple times, and he'd helped her bury him, but other than that he knew nothing.

"Well, tell me," he offered, sitting next to her.

"Whenever he'd have to watch me, we'd marathon those movies," Mia explained. "When I was younger, they were magical. And as I got older, they were a reminder of how things were before. Kind of like, even though the world has gone to shit, we could always enjoy those movies together. But now …"

"He's gone," Gohan filled in, knowingly.

"Yeah," Mia sniffled. She ran a hand through her hair as she added, "Today was his birthday."

Gohan immediately felt saddened, knowing exactly how she was feeling. April 16th, his dad's birthday, was always a tough time of year for him. He picked Mia up, and took her back to the couch, ignoring her disheartened protests. He went to the dvd player and put the next one in. He settled back down with her to watch the next movie. "You're sure?" Mia asked. He nodded his answer and pressed play, resolving to wait on his plans.


It was almost midnight by the time they finished Return of the Jedi, and Gohan had turned around on the series a bit. "I still can't believe they're siblings," he muttered as they took their empty snacks back to the kitchen to toss them in the trash.

"I told you," Mia said with a smile.

"But didn't they … weren't they romantically involved?" he asked, some disgust in his tone.

Mia shrugged, "That's the general consensus, but it's never actually stated. And she's in love with Han in the end, so …"

"Still," Gohan continued shaking his head, "that's messed up."

"They didn't know," Mia argued.

"You said there were three more?"

"Yeah. The prequels. They aren't as good as those, but they provide some good background," Mia stated, closing the trash can. "Anyway, we can wait on those. We've got to get some rest. Aren't you flying me to your mother's tomorrow?"

Gohan's eyes went wide, as if he'd completely forgotten about that. "Shit," he breathed.

Mia's dark eyes fell on him, slightly annoyed. "What?"

Gohan started patting himself nervously as he stated, "Nothing. I just told my Mom I was going to do something, and instead, we watched Star Wars."

Mia frowned, a little worriedly now, as she asked, "Was it something important? Do we need to go …?"

He seemed to calm a little, and gave Mia his trademark Son family grin as he said, "Don't worry about it. I can handle it before bed."

"Good," Mia breathed a sigh of relief. "Because I am extremely tired!" She said the last bit with a large yawn and a stretch, showing off her slightly grown belly and muffin top. The bed rest had put a dent in her fitness.

"Yeah, I just need to make a call, and I'll join you for bed," Gohan stated, walking back to the living room for the phone. He saw Mia pad into her room, and dialed Capsule Corp. quickly. It rang a couple times before someone picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Bulma. We didn't make the reservation …"

Bulma huffed across the line. "You two can't keep it in your pants for one hour to get to …"

"No, it wasn't that. She had a friend who died last September. It was his birthday today, and she wanted to do something to remember him by."

"And you didn't clear that up ahead of time?"

Gohan pinched the bridge of his nose. "I just need some suggestions before we go to my Mom's for brunch in the morning."

There was silence on the line before Bulma replied, "Ok, here's what you do."


Mia had pulled out a nice lacey teddy, periwinkle blue with tan lace, and put on some make-up. She felt bad she essentially canceled their big date that night. With the day what it was, and how she'd been feeling, she just wasn't up for a night on the town. But as soon as she saw the look in Gohan's eye, and he told her he'd needed to do something on their date, she felt as if she'd let him down a little, and resolved to make it up to him. And her chest fell just right in this teddy, that she wondered why she didn't were them more often. She finished applying her lipstick and smiled. Perfect.

Gohan walked into the room, looking resolved until his eyes fell on her. "What's this?" he asked, his smile questioning and his eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Mia turned to him with a flirty grin as she said, "Well, I know you made plans tonight, and I kind of ruined them. I wanted to make it up to you." She placed a hand on his, and he stiffened. She opened their mind link and she could sense he was nervous, but he'd blocked her from his thoughts almost completely. Her onyx eyes found his and she gave a him a curious look. "What are you hiding?"

"N-nothing," he tried.

Mia chuckled as her hands roved over him. "Liar." She pulled him into a kiss, and she could feel he was doing his best to hold back. "Tell me." He struggled to hold the barrier in his mind, and it made her all the more curious. Her hands drifted down to his belt buckle, undoing it as she kept pushing, "Tell me."

"I … It's a surprise," he rasped out as her hand slipped into his pants.

Her hand brushed something hard and angled in his pocket, and she stopped, looking at him confused. She grabbed hold of it, feeling the shape out. "What is this?"

"Mia."

"What is in your pocket, Gohan?" she asked, stepping back his pants still undone.

He huffed. She was pushy. "I told you, it's a surprise."

"Show me."

"No."

"Show me!" she urged excitedly.

"No!"

She pouted, crossing her arms. Gohan had to admit she looked irresistible in the teddy. "Please?" she asked ever so sweetly, doing her best impression of innocent puppy eyes.

Gohan smiled at her. Try as she might to look innocent, it just wasn't in her nature. "It's not going to work," he said.

She stepped towards him, still looking up at him innocently as she asked, "Are you sure?" Her chest butted up to his, pressing him back into the wall. As her hands found their way to his body, he mentally blocked himself again to make sure she didn't try to pry the answer from his mind. It wouldn't be beneath her to do that. She pulled him in for another kiss, this time a challenging gleam in her eyes. But he wouldn't break. He closed his eyes, focusing hard on holding up the mental barrier between them. Just when he thought she was giving up, she pulled away, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she held up the black velvet box between her thumb and forefinger.

He frowned at her. "Give it back."

"Tell me what it is," Mia tried.

"I said, 'Give it back," he tried, stepping away from the wall, his hand outstretched.

"I could just take a peak …" she said, her grin more mischievous now.

He moved to swipe the box back, and she gave a playful squeal. But even with her bum leg, she was still pretty agile. She dove under his arm and ran out the bedroom door. He ran after her, but she snuck into her mom's room, shutting the door on him with a laugh. "Mia!" he called out on the other side of the door as she held the box in her fingers, so tempted to open it. She kept tapping the box with her finger. Clearly it was jewelry. But it wasn't a special anniversary or anything like that for them. Her curiosity piqued.

"I won't open it if you tell me what it's for," Mia offered through the door.

He was silent for a minute before replying, "Open the door, and I'll tell you." She rubbed the black velvet with her fingertips.

She opened the door gently, seeing Gohan standing there a little perturbed but smiling. She held up the box with a winning smile as she asked, "What's this for?"

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until morning," he asked, a little hopefully.

She smirked. "Knowing I'll find out soon, I won't be able to sleep. And do you really want me falling asleep at your mother's house?"

He nodded, knowing she was probably telling the truth on that one. Mia was nothing if not insatiably curious, something she got from her mother, he figured. "Alright then," he sighed, holding out his hand. She put the black box in his hand. He then grabbed her hand, saying, "Follow me." He guided her to the table, pulling out a chair for her. She frowned as he motioned for her to have a seat.

"Are you going to tell me?"

"Have a seat first."

She rolled her eyes, and complied, sitting down not so gracefully. "I'd hoped for a better setting, but this will have to do," he sighed as he stepped in front of her before kneeling down onto one knee. Mia's eyes flew wide and her jaw dropped. "Mia, when my dad died, I never thought I'd be as happy again as I am now with you. Since you've walked into my life you've challenged me, guided me, and even supported me more than anyone else. And I love you so much, that since I've met you, I can't imagine my life without you. So," he transitioned, pulling out the black box and snapping it open to reveal a large garnet cut into a princess cut gem, surrounded by small diamonds in a classical styled silver ring, "I'm asking you to please marry me."

Mia wasn't sure how to respond. It was almost as if her brain had completely forgotten how to speak, or what words even were. Apparently, her pause was long enough to make him self conscious as he added awkwardly, "No pressure or anything," moving the ring back. When he'd originally planned to ask, he didn't think she'd answer with anything but yes, but now her silence had him nervous.

"No no no," Mia breathed smiling, reaching to grab his hand holding the ring. "It's not that. Just, uhm, did you talk to my mom already … about this?" He quirked an eyebrow at her, clearly confused that was her first thought at his proposal. "Because, you know, she might kill you without her blessing."

He let out a bark of a laugh as he replied, "Why do you think she switched her shifts tonight?"

Mia frowned as she realized that she should have known he was proposing, and that her mom had been in on it. Siyaka had been dropping hints all week, suggesting Mia get her nails done, or buy new makeup, even go out and get something nice for the date they had tonight. Mia's go to thought was lingerie, hence the teddy, but clearly it was something else entirely. Now she was tearing up, because they had gone through so much trouble to set this up, and she'd ignorantly tried to stop it at every turn. That and she was happy. So happy she couldn't contain herself.

"Well, yes," she cried, still smiling. "Obviously yes!" She pulled him to her, kissing him passionately on the lips as she pulled him to stand with her. He was grinning as he kissed her, and she could feel his nervousness leave as it was replaced with elation. Mia mentally apologized for being difficult that night. Had she known, she wouldn't have changed the plans. And his original plans had been romantic, but this was good too. Definitely memorable.

He pulled away, taking her left hand and sliding the ring on her finger. She gazed at it lovingly as the rocks gleamed back at her. "God, it's breath-taking," she commented.

He squeezed her waist gently as he replied, "It was my grandmother's. She died when my mother was an infant. My mom only let me have it on the condition that it was on your finger when she met you tomorrow."

Mia sighed, a little nervously now. "Do you think she'll like me?"

Gohan gave his trademark Son grin as he gave her a small kiss on her cheek. "Of course she will." His smile shifted to a smirk as he chewed lightly on his lower lip, eyeing the periwinkle teddy she was still wearing. "Now …" he started, fingering one of the teddy's straps as he said, "you mentioned something about making this evening up to me?" Mia matched his smirk, her newly ringed hand intertwining with his as she guided him back to her room, letting her plans seep in through their fingertips. A shiver of arousal went down his spine as her fantasies flitted through his mind. She guided him to the bed, and gently started to remove his clothes.


The next morning, Gohan carried her through the skies to the base of Mount Paozu, where his old family home sat in a small field surrounded by forests. The previous night's festivities kept them up long after they had planned to go to sleep, but they made up their time by skipping breakfast and showering together. He wore something simple, white long-sleeve shirt tucked into grey blue dress pants and a black sweater vest over them. Mia teased him a little for looking so stiff, but relented knowing he was nervous about her making a good impression. Again, Mia complained about the weight she had gained from resting instead of training. This was especially when she couldn't find a good outfit to wear, showing to Gohan what she meant by her pants didn't fit anymore when she tried to zip them, but they wouldn't budge. Instead she opted to wear a loose-fitting jersey dress with a high-waisted belt and bolero sweater. The way the dress hung off her, it was clear she had gained some weight. Gohan even noted that her six-pack abs were gone, now replaced by some pudge.

Originally, he thought she was being melodramatic about her weight to try and convince him to let her train. Now he realized she wasn't being so over the top.

"So, you did notice it," Mia commented as he flew her through the clouds, holding her bridal style, since he still wasn't sure if her flying problems had fixed themselves. She'd also recently been feeling some cold symptoms, and was certain that was why her ki was out of whack. She'd be over it soon.

"Notice what?" he asked, focusing on the familiar scenery.

"That I've gotten fat," she replied annoyedly. He didn't reply. "You can say it. I noticed the look you gave me when I hopped in the shower this morning."

He shook his head. "I just didn't realize you'd gained so much," he stated. Mia huffed, taking his confirmation sourly. "It's not a bad thing, though."

"Well, it's not good!" Mia groused, gripping her hands tighter around his neck.

He didn't know how to respond to that, and let out a sigh of relief as he saw his family home appear in its clearing. "We're here." He landed gently on the grass, carefully placing Mia's feet on the ground to let her stand. He grasped her hand as they walked up to the door.

I bet your mom is going to comment on it.

Trust me. She won't care.

Before Gohan could even knock, the door swung open, presenting a large man, possibly a giant if they were real, with graying brown hair, a bushy beard and moustache, and a horned hat on his head. He wore a short sleeve button down shirt that was tucked into belted brown wool shorts. The man wore glasses over kind eyes that beamed down at Gohan. "GOHAN!" the man cheered, pulling the hybrid in for a large hug. "So happy you could make it! And who is this lovely lady?" Gohan opened his mouth to answer, but the man held up a finger to pause him. "Hold on, let's get your mother in here. CHI CHI! GOHAN'S HOME!"

"I heard him, father," a kind voice replied stepping around the large man. Mia was surprised to see such a young woman step forward, pulling Gohan in for a hug as she said, "I missed you, Son."

"Missed you too, Mom."

Chi Chi wasn't nearly as old as Bulma. Her peachy skin was still youthful, and her ebony hair sported only a few grays. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, showing off her silver earrings. Her smile sported some laugh lines, but they weren't deep. She wore a traditional purple silk dress with a red belt at her waist. She wore a white silk blouse underneath with her sleeves rolled up. She had a pink apron on, showing some stains from cooking. Her black eyes shifted to Mia, gaining an odd glint as she took her in. "This must be Mia?"

"Uh, yes. Mom, Grandpa, this is my fiancé, Mia Jicama," Gohan introduced, gesturing to the Saiyan princess.

"Fiancé?" the large man cheered. He whooped for joy before grabbing Mia and pulling her into a large hug.

"Carefully, Daddy," Chi Chi admonished, watching Mia closely. Her gaze shifted to Gohan, her look disappointed.

His smile fell a little as his mother looked at him like he'd done something wrong. His tail twitched, the only part of him showing his nervousness. They'd just gotten there. "What?"

She gestured to go talk off to the side, and he followed his mother curiously. His mother rounded on him, her voice hushed as she asked, "Why didn't you tell me she was pregnant when you came for the ring?" Gohan's eyebrows shot up into his hairline before he let out a bark of a laugh. Chi Chi's face fell to a glower at her son. "Do you think this is funny?"

"No … no…" Gohan tried his best to calm down, biting his lips together. "It's not funny. Uhm … it's just … she's not pregnant."

Chi Chi's sharp gaze told him she wasn't buying it. "Then explain the baby bump," his mother huffed, doing her best to subtly gesture to Mia's belly, which with Mia turned to the side, did look round.

He frowned, knowing what his mother suggested was impossible. He also knew revealing that she would never be a grandmother would be devastating for her. Gohan shook his head in slight disbelief at his mother's insistence. "She has gained a little weight recently, because she hurt herself training, and the doctor told her to rest for a few weeks." He looked at his girlfriend a little sadly, realizing she'd been right, his mother was going to comment on the weight gain. "She's been very self-conscious about it, and I told her you weren't going to say anything," he added, matching his mother's disapproving tone.

"She gained weight because she's pregnant," Chi Chi insisted.

He chewed his lip as he realized he had to tell his mother it was impossible. "Mom, I can't have kids." Chi Chi frowned, confused by what he was saying. "You and Dad are two different species, making me a hybrid. Hybrids tend to be infertile because their genes are incompatible with each other."

Chi Chi scoffed. "That's just horse-shit. Who told you that?"

"Mia," Gohan answered, "Then Bulma."

Chi Chi shook her head, shifting away from her son as she replied, "Well, clearly they were wrong." She stepped back to Mia, an easy smile on her face as she asked the Saiyan princess, "Sorry if this is a little too personal, but when was your last period?"

Mia's eyebrows shot very high, and she nervously shot a look to Gohan who only shrugged and rolled his eyes in return. She looked back at Chi Chi, and smiled forcibly as she asked, "Do you always start conversations like this?"

"When my son and future daughter-in-law seem to be in denial about their pregnancy, yes," Chi Chi answered bluntly.

"You're pregnant?" the Ox King asked, beaming between Gohan and Mia, who both looked uncomfortable.

"No, Grandpa. Mom's just being ridiculous," Gohan replied, glaring slightly at his mother. Sometimes her stubbornness was a real problem.

"Ridiculous my foot!" Chi Chi snapped back. "If I'm being so ridiculous, then the answer should be simple. Shouldn't it?"

Mia raised a surrendering hand as she said tiredly, "It's alright Gohan. I'll answer it. Just let me think." As she thought back, she began to frown. It had been a few weeks, but she hadn't thought to worry about it due to Gohan being a hybrid, and therefore supposedly infertile. Her eyes widened as she realized that not keeping track had been a mistake, and she tried to recount the weeks. How long has it been? she thought to herself. She moved to a calendar on the wall, and as she counted, she lifted her thumb to her mouth and chewed nervously on its nail.

Chi Chi grinned, turning to her son for a moment, muttering, "I know that look."

Gohan's gaze shifted nervously to his fiancé, suddenly wondering if his mom was right. "Mia?"

Mia shook her head, horrified as she found his gaze. "I don't know. God, I can't remember."

Chi Chi's grin reached ear to ear as she crossed the room back towards the kitchen, reaching into a small purse for something. Gohan only looked at his fiancé, not registering anyone else's movements or reactions to his fiancé's answer as he asked, "Well, what does that mean?"

Chi Chi made her way back to the room, slapping twenty thousand zeni to his chest, which he blankly grabbed, as she said, "It means you need to fly to Paozu Town, pick your fiancé up a few pregnancy tests, and some extra groceries for dinner." She turned to Mia conspiratorially joking as she added, "I only prepared for two saiyans. But if you're anything like I was, you'll be eating double." When Gohan remained frozen, clearly in shock at the turn of events, his mother clapped in front of his face to bring him out. "Well, go on!"

Gohan moved robotically out the door, speeding off into the air opposite from the direction they came in. Chi Chi turned to Mia, still grinning, but now less skeptical and more happily. "Why don't you come over here, and have a seat," she offered, guiding Mia over to a couch. "Do you want anything to drink? Some water? A soda? Tea?"

"Water," Mia replied blankly as she sat down, her belly looking obvious as she sat, still wondering how on earth this happened. She knew how, but some of the mechanics around the how didn't add up. He was a hybrid. He was supposed to be infertile.

Chi Chi sat down next to her, still almost beaming with excitement as she handed Mia her drink. "I'm sorry to bust you with the pregnancy inquisition. I thought it was obvious you already knew when you got here, and Gohan was just being childish about it." Mia blankly took a sip as Chi Chi continued, "You two really didn't know?"

"No," Mia replied, her heart mixed with emotions. "We didn't think it was possible."

Chi Chi scoffed, "Gohan should have known better. He knows Trunks was conceived from a one-night stand, and Goku and I had no problem conceiving him our first try either!" She let out an easy laugh, but Mia looked on at the older princess slightly mortified. "I mean, seriously, if Saiyan and Human genes were so incompatible, how come a hybrid between them is so easy to conceive?" Mia shook her head, unsure of how to answer. Chi Chi kept laughing as she joked, "Maybe Bulma needs to do some more research on the matter than just giving her scientific opinion as fact." Mia didn't look up from her drink.

After an awkward silence hung between them, Chi Chi piped up again, stating, "I'm a little relieved now that I know Gohan did propose out of love, not obligation." Another moment of silence hung before Chi Chi asked, "Can I see the ring?"

Mia slowly drifted a shaky left hand over to her, which Chi Chi grabbed kindly. "Oh, honey, there's no reason to be scared," she chided softly, rubbing small circles into Mia's hand. Chi Chi held up Mia's hand to the light, seeing the shine on the gems gleam. "It does complement you very well."

"Thank you," Mia said blankly, still almost catatonic from the whirlwind of emotions running through her mind.

"I've got to say," Chi Chi continued, placing Mia's hand back in her lap, "when Gohan came here the other day asking for the ring, he was the happiest I'd seen him in a long time. It was like I was seeing my little boy again before all this tragedy struck." She patted Mia's hand as she added, "I wanted to tell you thank you for that." Mia nodded blankly again.

After another moment of awkward silence, Chi Chi stood up. "Well, brunch isn't going to cook itself!" she announced, making her way back to the kitchen. The Ox King didn't say anything, but gestured that he was following Chi Chi to the kitchen. Mia didn't really take notice of it, stuck in her thoughts of how this had happened. How could she have a baby? With the androids being a constant threat, did they even want to have a baby? What did this mean for them? Clearly, it was a game changer, but was it something they could handle?

Gohan landed and burst through the door like a tornado. He held a bag full of pregnancy tests in one hand as he spluttered nervously, "I wasn't sure which one to get." Mia hopped up off the couch wordlessly, taking the bag from him and waltzing to the back of the house to find a bathroom. Gohan followed after her, dropping the four extra bags of groceries on the table, barely able to keep up with Mia's brisk pace. She shut the bathroom door before Gohan could get in. He nodded to himself, realizing he probably didn't need to be in the bathroom with her while she took the test. He stared at the door for a moment, before beginning to pace along the upstairs hallway. It didn't seem all that real to him. Minutes seemed more like hours as he paced along the hallway.

His gaze fell on his old bedroom door, and he moved to look at it. The old wooden door creaked open from disuse, and he flicked on the light. The room needed to be dusted, but other than that, it looked exactly as he'd left it the last time he lived there. His bed still made just beside the bedroom door. The dresser sitting right next to the closet to the left. A towering book shelf attached to the far wall, with a desk peaking out from under it, the sun peeking through the window. The books there were dusty and old, all the way up to 12th grade Calculus, which he'd finished at fourteen. He remembered those days, his mother pushing so hard for him to be an academic while the world fell apart around them. When he finished all levels of basic education, he quit, focusing only on training and fighting. Needing to find a way to beat the androids. He remembered that last argument between his mother and him when he told her he wasn't going to become a scholar. He ran away that night to train with Master Roshi, then Korin, and Mr. Popo. That was nine years ago, and the last glimpse of his room had never changed.

Seeing his room like this, the memories it brought back, he wondered what a future would hold for him and Mia. Especially if they were to become parents.

The bathroom door opened, and he sprung back to the bathroom hurriedly. She didn't step out, so he took that as an invitation in. She stood next to the bathtub her arms crossed as she looked perplexed at the toilet seat lid, where all eight tests where laid out in a line. She didn't say anything as he bent over to take a look. Two bold pink double lines. One bold blue double lines. Two plus signs. One "Yes +." And one "3+ weeks." The last one in big bold letters read, "PREGNANT." He straightened up, his heart pounding with trepidation, and his mind whirring with the realization. This was real.

"They're all positive," Mia stated, chewing on the inside of her cheek. She looked at him and saw a tear slip down his cheek as he bit his bottom lip. "Gohan?"

Before she could register what he was doing, he pulled her into a tight hug, a few of his tears dripping onto her shoulder. But the feeling radiating off him wasn't sadness, fear, or nerves. It was brilliant giddy happiness at this small miracle. I'm gonna be a dad!


AN: As always, favorite, follow, remember to leave a review!