Dear Pickle,

I formally apologize to you for the contents of this chapter in advance

Love,

Your (hopefully still) friend

Chapter

"Wedding Dress"

"Hey, Mr. Junior," Gohan whispered, and Junior inclined his head towards the boy. He felt like he ought to complain about the terms and conditions that he had found himself locked into, but couldn't really come up with the proper argument. He was sitting on the little boy's bed—a Tweety blanket just barely covering his bulky frame, while Gohan kept his own space themed one wrapped tight around him.

Junior was far too larger for the twin bed, and thus his legs were currently cramped up around his chest, and his left elbow clunked aggravatingly against the wall every time he attempted to move. He took up the entire mattress, and thus Gohan's little cocoon rested atop his belly. He seemed perfectly content as he wriggled every so often, his hair tickling Junior's nose.

"What is it, kid?" he kept his voice low. He assumed that Chi Chi had gone to bed for the evening.

"I'm real happy to have you here," Gohan confided. His small smile tugged at Junior's heart strings, and he felt an embarrassing amount of feelings weighing heavily upon his shoulders. Love for the boy—and the constant foreboding knowledge of what was to come. He was going to disappoint Gohan and Chi Chi, he just knew it.

Not that he mattered anymore to Chi Chi. His ears pinioned themselves back against his skull, and he attempted to squash the unsettling feeling that rose in his stomach.

"I'm glad to be here." Junior figured it was a safe enough answer. He was glad. Was glad to have known the Sons at all, he supposed. They'd had an impact on his life that he couldn't shake. It almost had made Junior feel like he belonged somewhere—almost like he could be things that he'd never thought he could.

"You just seem kinda sad… since…" Gohan shifted, and one of his arms came free of his cocoon, latching itself around Junior's neck. "I'm just worried about you. You mean a lot to me and mom…" he sniffled.

Junior's brows slanted as he regarded the boy. He placed his hand on the boy's shoulders. He wanted to protest—Junior didn't matter to people. Sure, they came into his life, but never to stay. There was nobody that wanted to be around long enough to deal with him or his shit.

"Mr. Junior… are you asleep?" Gohan couldn't see his face, he supposed. Junior decided not to respond. He soon heard a small, defeated sigh, before Gohan nuzzled himself into a more comfortable position.

He stared at the ceiling until he felt himself actually fall asleep. He finally awoke when he felt a hand on his shoulders, shaking him gently. His eyes fluttered open, and he blinked up at Chi Chi, who was standing above him. She looked a little unfocused, and there was a pink tint to her cheeks—it was quickly erased with a small, half-smile.

"Hey—I'm cooking breakfast, then I'm heading down to the restaurant. You can go freshen up in the bathroom, and get Gohan going."

"Namekians don't eat," he mumbled, voice a little thick as the smell of bacon finally reached him. His nose crinkled up at the very thought, and his mind slowly played catch-up. Gohan was still clinging tightly to his neck.

"I made you a breakfast smoothie," Chi Chi replied easily. "Don't worry. I won't force you into cannibalism with fried eggs." She was bent over, and her bangs hung clumsily in her face, along with the long black hair that was usually tied up into the sloppy bun. The sight of her hair framing her face made him want to reach out and touch it. He knew Gohan's was soft—but he wondered what hers would feel like. Hair was such a strange thing for him…

"It's not cannibalism if they're goddamn chicken eggs," he muttered instead. By the stars he was getting pathetic. Waxing poetic in his head about some woman's hair.

Chi Chi rolled her eyes. "Honestly I'm not a hundred percent on your weird alien biology." Her shrug was care-free, but her eyes lingered. "Now, c'mon, big guy. Get on up. I need to get downstairs soon, and I'd like to eat before I leave."

Junior mumbled some half-hearted complaints about how Gohan was her kid—but he couldn't put much fire into it when she stood and left the room. Her wide hips rolled and—Junior gulped. She was wearing pajama shorts. He'd only really ever seen her in khakis, and at such a height that he didn't see the full parameters that the woman had. Which were very, very plentiful.

He flung his arm over his eyes and cursed the world.

Then he cursed at Gohan, managing to unravel the boy as the two clumsily stumbled out of the bedroom. He took the opportunity to go to the bathroom, while Gohan shuffled aimlessly about in his footie pajamas. Junior splashed some water over his face, and glared into the mirror. He had to get a grip. Chi Chi was married. She was human. She had a kid.

He was big, green, and ugly. Too big ears, a weird brow, and a whole cart full of issues he should have dealt with a decade ago. He shook his head vigorously, and left the restroom. He walked to the kitchen table, where Gohan was already face down, a piece of bacon hanging listlessly in his mouth as drool collected on the table.

Chi Chi was still preparing more food, presumably for her child's insane appetite. She did pause in her workings to bring him his smoothie. He gave it a ginger sniff, and realized it was some form of bananas and yogurt.

"My own recipe," she said, before sweeping past and prodding Gohan back awake. The boy chomped at his bacon, littering pieces across the wood as he sat up ramrod straight. "Gohan, baby, you gotta wake up."

"There's no school today," he said mutinously.

Chi Chi regarded him with a cool glance. "Oh? And were you just going to keep Mr. Junior trapped up here all day? He was folded up like a piece of origami on that tiny bed! I'm surprised he doesn't have arthritis!"

"After one night?" Gohan said incredulously. "Mama!"

"Hush," Chi Chi waved him off, and Gohan returned to his food. He did cast Junior a slightly apologetic look.

"I'm sorry you got stuck on a tiny bed."

"It's fine, kid," Junior waved him off in favor of staring at his mother. The grip that he'd been trying to keep had slipped thoroughly, shattering on the tiled floor. In a kitchen, Chi Chi was in her element. She moved with such confidence, and didn't even pause for a moment as she whipped up a spectacular amount of food, occasionally dropping it off on the kitchen table.

Junior was certain he could feel a bit of sweat accumulating. He stared down at his smoothie, and remember that she had been kissing Son Goku here not that long ago. She was completely unavailable. Utterly. In every way. Even if she weren't married, there's no way she'd let Junior scoop her up, and kiss her against that counter. There's no way she'd let him touch the smooth expanse of thigh that he could see now that she wore shorts. There's no way she'd let him bury his hands in her hair.

He flushed, and sipped angrily at the breakfast she'd provided. Nothing seemed to be helping. If he wasn't thinking about her in shorts, then he was thinking about her breaking Tambourine's face. If he forced himself not to dwell on her lithe movements, then he was forced to recall her stupid over-packing. Nothing was safe, and nothing made him want to leave.

He felt miserable.

"All right, boys," she plopped down at the table, and that same nervous smile was there. It twitched just barely at the corner of her mouth. "Let's get this show on the road."

Chi Chi had just lifted her fork to her mouth when there were several loud banging sounds. She slowly lowered her utensil, and Junior tensed as he rose out of his seat. He motioned for Chi Chi to remain still. Instead she stood herself, and pulled Gohan to his feet, ushering him back behind her.

The banging noises grew progressively louder, and Junior stood rigid by the door, ready for anyone to come through. He and Chi Chi both made noises of surprise when the sound of the lock turning was heard. They glanced quickly at one another, and Chi Chi pushed Gohan into the closest room, out of eye sight.

Junior reared back as the door swung wide open, to reveal a blur of white. His fist stuttered to a halt as he realized that the invader had blue hair.

"Bulma!" Chi Chi shrieked, and said woman gave her a rather toothy grin.

"Ey, I wanted to show off my dress!" Bulma waved at them, and it was then that they saw black spikes protruding from behind Bulma. Junior furrowed his brow.

"Is that… Vegeta?"

"You know it, green man," Vegeta's muffled voice sounded. He was carrying Bulma in all her fluffy white glory. Bulma jumped from Vegeta's grasp, and twirled happily about. She paused to waggle her eyebrows at Junior, who was staring in astonishment.

"D'you like what you see, Junior?" she teased.

Vegeta sneered. "I believe his tastes lie in thicker women."

Junior flushed and glared at the Saiyan. Chi Chi gave him a quick glance, before brushing it off. Gohan had slowly reappeared in the doorway, looking in bemusement at the new additions to their breakfast.

"Why are you here in your dress?" Chi Chi asked.

"Well, I wanted to show you—duh! I tried taking pictures, but none of them were turning out! I will not have a shitty selfie haunting my memories." Bulma sighed, and shook her head. "I tried getting short-stack over here to take my picture," she jabbed a thumb in Vegeta's direction, "he was utterly incompetent. Chi Chi… he tried to take my picture from his height."

Chi Chi stared at her in confusion.

"Chi—c'mon! You can't take pictures from underneath!"

"I'm not getting a stepstool to feed your vanity!" Vegeta snarled. At Junior's stifled laugh, Vegeta turned sharply on him. "Something funny, Namek?"

"Nothing, little one."

"I'll ruin you, Namek—,"

"If you ruin anything in my apartment I will break your face," Chi Ch interrupted, giving them both a harsh stare. "Now, Bulma, as much as I love you, we were eating breakfast. I'd like us to finish it."

"I was dragged out of the house and missed my meal," Vegeta proclaimed, and promptly headed over to the kitchen table. He pushed Junior's smoothie to the side with disdain, and immediately grabbed up bacon. Gohan seemed to realize that if he didn't start eating soon, there'd be none left for him. Hastily, the little boy scrabbled over, and piled food onto his plate.

"Saiyans are gross," Bulma bemoaned her fortune, before clapping her hands excitedly. "Oh! While I have you," she fluttered her lashes at Junior, one of her hands touching his bicep, "I might as well take care of this picture mess. Vegeta!"

"What woman?!" Vegeta roared, mouth full of food as he gave his fiancé a rather aggravated look. "You starved me enough today, didn't you? What could you possibly want now."

"Do you see how he treats me?" Bulma huffed, lips puckering into a pout. "You said that I was a queen, didn't you? Is that how you talk to queens?"

"When I'm the king? —yes."

"Ugh! I just want my phone, Vegeta! Hurry up."

Vegeta made a snorting noise, before chucking the cellphone at them. Junior caught it, while he and Chi Chi shared equal looks of exasperation.

"Now, handsome, I need you to take some good shots of me," Bulma ordered. Junior stared at her in bafflement. He glanced at Chi Chi, but she'd already returned to the kitchen table. He was dragged through every inch of the apartment, to every available light source, and made to photograph Bulma at a multitude of angles.

"Oo—this one's perfect!" Bulma finally proclaimed, before hurrying into the kitchen, where she promptly shoved it in Vegeta's face. "Look at it!"

"Yes, a picture of you." Vegeta snorted. "How novel. Now—I can't reach my eggs around your stupid phone!"

Bulma sneered, but did retract it.

"It's a good picture," Chi Chi observed, and Junior watched the curve of her eyebrow.

"Thank-you, Chi Chi. I should have married you instead." Bulma huffily plopped down on the couch, but remained twisted at the waist so she could talk to Chi Chi. "Veggie-dear—,"

"What did I say about that?"

"—doesn't seem to appreciate all the good looks that I have." Bulma sighed, and pressed a hand to her forehead. "It's hard for a woman my age to maintain this figure!"

Junior watched as Chi Chi grimaced, and glance down at herself.

"At least you haven't had kids," she offered. Junior frowned.

"Come now, I'm sure there's some morons who'd jump at your figure." Vegeta said this before polishing off his toast, and giving Chi Chi a rather snarky grin. Junior couldn't see from where he was standing, but he was certain that Chi Chi kicked Vegeta in the shin.

"I think you're real pretty, mom," Gohan gave his mother a shy little grin, and the fire died in her eyes immediately as she began cooing at the young boy.

As breakfast wound down, Junior finally dismissed himself, and headed home. Gohan had pleaded with him to stay, while Chi Chi stood poking around at what was left on her plate. He'd promised to see the young boy again soon, and had headed on down the stairs.

He entered Porunga's, and was surprised to see that the establishment had been closed for the day. It was rather unlike Dende. His young cousin loved to take care of the customers, and adored his flowers being seen. For him to be closed—Junior wondered if he was sick.

He unlocked the doors, and found no one to be in the shop area. Frowning, Junior headed upstairs, and heard rummaging up above him. He opened the door that led into the living room, and saw Dende sitting on the couch like a crumpled-up piece of paper. Tears covered his cheeks, and snot dangled from his nose as large sobs wracked his body.

A crying Dende typically had Nail directly nearby, and Junior was not disappointed. He saw that his cousin was hurriedly packing up a suitcase—a bunch of vests, capes, and neck kerchiefs hastily piled inside with no regard for them.

"What the hell happened?" It was jarring to leave the happy breakfast scene, and suddenly come home to a crying Dende. His little cousin visibly shook, before wailing, and burying his face in his hands. A stony-faced Nail stopped in his frantic movements, and glanced at Junior.

"We just received word," Nail said slowly, "that Kami is dead."

Chapter

"Losing You"

"What?!" Chi Chi stared, baffled, at Gohan. As the day had passed on, Gohan had wanted to go visit Junior. She'd walked him to the front door, which had been closed, but she'd unlocked it and let him in. She could see Junior's car, and knew that he was home, so she saw no issue with it. It wasn't long, however, before Gohan was escorted back over rather quickly by an agitated Nail.

Nail said nothing to her, but deposited Gohan in her care before swiftly heading back to Porunga's. Gohan had tears bunched up in the corners of his eyes, and Chi Chi had herded him into a booth. The restaurant was closed for the day, but she'd been down in it doing some cleaning. Bulma and Vegeta had left hours ago—though not quietly.

"Yeah," Gohan sniffled. "Dende said that Kami had died… and that they were leaving to go—to go get their affairs in order." He hiccupped, and rubbed his eye red. Chi Chi swatted his hand away—she didn't need him getting an infection or something worse.

"I can't believe… Kami…" Chi Chi' shoulders slumped, and she hugged Gohan to her tightly. "Wait… why did Nail walk you over? Where was Mr. Junior?" She furrowed her brow. It had been terribly odd to see Nail with Gohan—but she hadn't questioned it. She'd been too caught off-guard by Gohan's tears.

"He was up on the roof," Gohan told her, lips wobbling. "I wanted to go see him, but Mr. Nail told me I couldn't. Dende was crying too bad to talk to me, so Mr. Nail told me everything." The little boy pressed his cheek against Chi Chi's breast, and she clung tightly to him. "I hope he's okay… mama, will you check on him? You know Mr. Junior pretends that things don't bother him, but…"

"I got you, baby… but you're my top priority." She smoothed his bangs back from his forehead, and peppered soft kisses against his skin. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he mumbled, giving her a quick little smile. "I liked Mr. Kami, but we didn't know him for too long… I just hope Mr. Junior's okay. Mr. Nail said no one is to come over, though…"

Chi Chi frowned, and glanced upwards. "Well, I think there is a way we can get to Mr. Junior…" She headed upstairs, Gohan following behind her. She glanced around, and caught sight of the little staircase, tucked in the corner. It had never been used—she had thought the roof too dangerous when she'd moved in—and it had thus become cluttered with disuse. Toys, scarves, and jackets were thrown haphazardly across its surfaces. She kicked them all out of the way, and pushed up on the door. It swung wide, and warm air rushed down to her face. She clambered up the steps, and meandered onto the roof. She glanced around, and realized that her initial suspicions had been correct.

Unlike Dende's little garden, her roof was one big hazard. There were wires and uneven chips of roofing. The edge had no little fence around it, and no foliage covered up the mess that surrounded it all. She saw busted glass littering one corner of it, and suspicious stains at every turn.

"Gohan, baby—you stay inside!" Chi Chi commanded. Once glance to the right, and she could already see Dende's garden. Being in the busy city meant their buildings were connected at the seam, and she could easily walk over to where a green head was poking up above the shrubbery.

Gohan called up that he had heard her, and to tell Mr. Junior that he loved him—then the little boy backed down the stairs. Chi Chi called emergency telephone numbers after him, and swung the roof door closed. Nervously, Chi Chi tottered over to where the buildings met, and she was able to cross onto the much nicer roof top.

Junior heard her, as he quickly glanced over. He seemed startled to see her there, wobbling unsteadily as wind buffeted her. She was nowhere near the edge, however, and didn't feel afraid as she came closer. She couldn't cross through the bushes that grew around Dende's little garden, but she didn't have to worry about that, as Junior approached her. His forearms rested easily atop the shrubs as he looked at her.

"The hell are you doing up here?" he demanded. He didn't look like he'd been crying, or even very sad. If anything, it just looked like he'd been thoroughly contemplating. She wondered if Junior ever cried—especially if even the death of a family member couldn't bring a tear to his eye.

"Gohan was worried," she said, peering up at him. She kept waiting for some betrayal of the emotions he was surely feeling—but nothing. "He told me about… what happened. And he says that he loves you." She tilted her head. "Are you okay?"

Junior seemed to shift, before shrugging. It was a bit ridiculous to carry on conversation like this, but she couldn't climb through the brush.

"As you can tell, I'm very beat up about it." Junior's face was deadened, and his voice flat. It was impossible to tell if he was doing a horrible joke, or whether he was being scathingly sarcastic.

"Don't be a jerk," Chi Chi griped.

"You can head back now." Junior jerked his head, and moved to turn away.

"Hey—so, what? You're just gonna sit up here and be lonely?" Chi Chi stomped her foot, and launched herself on tiptoe. It was hard to appear intimidating. "That's not accomplishing anything?"

"And what, sitting and crying with you would?" Junior's voice sounded particularly nasty, and she bristled. His shoulders seemed to collapse, though, as he sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Chi Chi… just go home."

He moved away, then, but Chi Chi was having none of that shit.

"Piccolo Junior!" She screeched, and began muscling her way through the shrubbery. Branches be damned—not only would she be upset with herself, but Gohan would never forgive her if she left Junior up here alone like this. She was certain she heard Junior make a noise of complaint, but she didn't care. She'd apologize to Dende later if it came to it.

Her escapade was interrupted, though, as hands dipped down, and scooped her up. Junior had hooked his fingers in her armpit, and hoisted her up above the greenery. She wasn't afraid of height, but it did make her a bit woozy to be high off the ground—which happened to also be a considerable distance from the actual ground.

Junior's face was very pointedly unhappy. He didn't drop her, though, and instead pulled her over into Dende's garden, and glared directly into her face. She dangled there, with branches sticking out of her hair. She could feel them scratching against her scalp. Not daunted by his look, though, Chi Chi set her jaw, and attempted to look as angry as she could.

"You're not going to sit up here all alone, mister," Chi Chi commanded. She wagged a finger at him, but was certain it was largely ineffective.

"You're an idiot."

"Why don't you go get a mirror and reflect," she snarled back.

"By the stars… even your comebacks are from the eighties." Junior actually snorted, and she saw his face relax, just the tiniest bit. She took it as a small victory. "Now, woman, what the hell do you want?"

"To be on solid ground," she admitted. It was rather odd, though, to be held so high. She could clearly see Junior's dark eyes as he watched her, and the minute changes of his face. Typically, she guessed by the particular jump his jaw made to determine his moods—yet here, she could see him in his entirety. It was also—damn her—rather amazing that he had lifted her up so high in the beginning.

He stared her down for another moment, before stoically lowering her. His head tilted to the side as he regarded her, and his burly arms crossed over his chest.

"Now that you've brought yourself over, what do you want?"

"Gohan was sent away when he came to visit you," Chi Chi explained. "He came back home in tears. I wanted to make sure you weren't an emotional wreck up here either." She sighed in exasperation, and rolled her shoulders. "Not that you'd let me see, of course."

"Of course." Junior hesitated, then. "I didn't realize Gohan had been sent away. I'll come by later and apologize. I didn't tell Nail to do that—he probably thinks I locked myself up here because I'm so upset." He finished his sentence with a sneer, before heading over to a lawn chair, and flopping himself down on it. It was all rather inelegant, and he hunched himself over, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"So—no tears?" Chi Chi prompted, and wandered a little closer. She knew he was trying to shut her out—and knew she should let him. Wasn't she the one married, talking about going back to her husband?

"None," Junior replied. "I sort of wanted to," he admitted, and spread his palms out in front of them. He looked at them critically, as if it were their fault that he couldn't bring himself to care. "More than anything though, I just feel annoyed. I feel bad about not feeling bad." He glanced towards his door. "I came up here because I couldn't offer anything to Dende." His jaw locked. "It was mostly annoying."

Chi Chi nodded. "It's not right but—I guess it's not wrong, either." He gave her a mystified look, and she shrugged. "I like Kami well enough, but I also know there wasn't very many good feelings between you two."

"He had good feelings." Junior said this—it sounded like it should be a defensive statement, but instead it came out accusatory. "I really did think the old bastard would outlive my father, though."

Chi Chi gave him a look from the corner of her eye. "It's a shame, I suppose."

"Everything with my family is." Junior's mouth tipped into an odd, sardonic smile. "I know it's shitty, but I don't really care if any of them die."

She pursed her lips. "Except your father?"

His brow puckered, and he gave her a rather listless look. She sighed, and moved closer. She pressed a palm to his shoulder. Her hands weren't soft, but she knew how to comfort people, he did seem to acquiesce, just the slightest, under her touch.

"If Kami's dead," Junior said, voice flat, "then that means the old man's going to follow." He paused, and Chi Chi couldn't see his face from her angle, but she did murmur soothing words. Just like a child, he leaned further into her, his cheek resting against her hip as her palm worked little patterns against him. "I know—," he broke off, "—I know my old man is going to die. This made it all the more real. It's… selfish… that I'm using Kami's death as a symbol for my father."

"It is," Chi Chi agreed, and she could practically feel him prickle beneath her. Before he could move himself, though, she continued, "but so what?" That seemed to stump him, and he remained still. "I'm a firm believer in looking out for number one." She moved her hand to his head, the bald skin cold and waxy beneath her finger tips. Her fingers found the antennae, and she touched them briefly, and watched him give way beneath her ministration. It didn't seem erogenous, but it was certainly calming to him. She could see his eyes flicker closed, and his face against her hip was pressed more insistently towards her.

He seemed to collect himself, however, as he soon snatched at her wrist, pausing her in her activity. His hand was cold, clamped around her wrist, and his eyes were even worse as he leaned quickly away from her.

"No—," it was sharp, and harsh, but he shook his head, licked his lips, and spoke again. "Sorry. I think it's time for you to go home. I'm fine. Obviously." He didn't release his hold on her wrist, though. It felt like the only thing still tying them together.

Her mouth tipped into a harsh frown, and she leaned forward. The hand that he didn't hold captive alighted on his knee, her face close to his—close enough for her bangs to almost brush his nose. He reared back slightly, nostrils flared.

"I just want you to know," his hand finally released her, and she captured it with hers, interlacing their fingers, "that you and I are friends. And Junior I know things are…" she stopped. "Things could…" She broke off again, and in desperation, she settled on, "Gohan and I are always here for you. I'll leave you alone—but you have my number. Even if you just want Gohan." She swallowed, and went to stand.

She stopped, however, when she saw Junior's face. It looked broken—and emotion stood out for once. For a moment, she wondered if Kami's death had finally reached him, and that the sorrow was just a delayed reaction. She was surprised as she was jerked forward by their hands, and stumbled to her knees between Junior's thighs. Her face was pressed against his wide chest, and his arms hovered uncertainly around her frame, as if afraid to hug her.

"Junior…?" for once Chi Chi was quiet, her voice a soft whisper as she sat there. Tentatively, she shifted, her arms encircling his waist. She ought to leave… she knew that she needed to. This was no longer friendly territory. No amount of explaining she did would rectify this. And yet… her arms weren't long enough to completely encompass him, but she did her best, chest pressed to his as she held him.

"I'd…" He started speaking, and Chi Chi could feel the rumble of his deep voice echoing through her. "I'd cry if you or Gohan died." He said it like it was the most intimate thing he could ever say to a person. His voice broke around the edges when he said it, and his voice warbled in and out. Uncertainty.

"I'd cry if you died, too," she replied.

"That's—losing you two… losing you two," he repeated emphatically, "would hurt worse than if Kami died in front of me."

Losing them.

Chi Chi sucked in a deep breath, and tightened her hold on him. She craned her neck back, and stared up at Junior's face from where she knelt.

"Gohan and I wouldn't want to lose you either…"

Something in his features seemed to harden, as his face slowly reformed into its neutral mask. It upset her, but she slowly released her hold on him, and rose to her feet.

"It's happened already." Junior shrugged, his voice flat once more. "Head home," he instructed, "and tell Gohan that I'm fine. I'm running the shop until Dende and Nail return. They've got to set Kami's affairs in order."

"They were put in charge of that?"

"No—legally, Kami listed me." Junior shifted, and a wall rose between them. "I don't want to deal with it, so I'll sign off on whatever they want." He flicked his eyes towards the bushes. "I'll lift you over, if you want."

"Thanks, I'm okay," she replied with a grimace. She wanted to stay—wanted to tell him not to shut her out again. But… she needed to get home to her son. And needed to handle her marriage. It was her decision.

She headed downstairs, pausing only briefly to look back at the forlorn figure on the roof. She had a strong compulsion to run back towards him—to throw her arms around him, hell, to even kiss him. Anything to make him feel better. But she had other obligations, so she turned heel, ignored the judgmental look from Nail and the watery gaze of Dende, and headed back home.

"Goku," Krillin watched his friend do sit-ups from his potion on the bed, where he and Lazuli had taken up occupancy, "are you going to visit Chi Chi or Gohan again soon?" Beside him, he felt Lazuli tense up. As much as his girlfriend—and oh, wasn't that a surprise that he still wasn't over—had assured him that they were not to meddle, he couldn't exactly ignore his best friend's wife having a potential love interest.

He'd say that Goku would do the same for him, but honestly he wasn't a hundred percent certain how aware Goku was. The guy had strong points of clarity, and was ridiculous in fights or hostile situations. But the moment he was dealing with something revolving around social interactions it all kind of crumbled.

"Nah," Goku replied amicably. "I reckon Cheech is real busy, y'know?" His grin was wide as he hummed thoughtfully. "And hm… Gohan—he'll have school, yeah?"

"Goku, it's summer. He won't start back for some time yet."

"Huh…" Goku frowned, but returned quickly to his workout. "Either way, it's fine. I'm sure Cheech is used to not having me around. She used to complain that I get underfoot and trip her anyways."

Krillin sighed, and leaned back on the bed. He was still rattled to have seen Ma Junior with Chi Chi. It had started up several nightmares of his—old ones that he hadn't had in a while. Lazuli had taken to sleeping with him in his bed. After waking her several times with his nightmares, she just decided it was best if she stayed with him. She never even said that it was happening—but one day she was there, and it hadn't stopped.

There was a knock on the hotel door, and Krillin was interrupted from his laments. Lazuli decided to get up and answer it. She kept the door wedged just right so that Krillin couldn't see who was there, but when she turned around, her usually stoic face was rather tight around the edges.

Goku seemed to sense the alteration in mood, and paused in his sit-ups. He twisted at the waist, staring at Lazuli as she slowly approached Krillin.

"Well."

Nail and Dende had taken their leave, and that left Junior alone in in Porunga's. He'd managed to scare away almost every customer he'd gotten in, until Gohan had appeared about midday. He'd been forced to stop, as Gohan kept chasing after people, and offering them coupons or special deals. He'd forgotten how wonderful the little boy was—or, really, how their acquaintance had first been made.

Junior sat, staring at Gohan, thinking of all the time that had passed. He'd been so surly and angry to the boy at first, it was truly a miracle that Gohan had ever put up with him in the first place. To that end—it was bizarre to think he had befriended the brat's mother.

Milk.

No—Chi Chi, he reminded himself.

The thought of her disturbed him, and he didn't know how to deal with the emotions that she dredged up in him. Last night had been a horrendous mistake. He couldn't even blame being emotional, because he hadn't been. Kami's death had startled him, yes, but he'd been far more concerned with the self-loathing thoughts then he had with the man's actual passing. Yet, he'd been stupid, so stupid, as to allow himself to even remotely show his interest in Chi Chi.

He sighed, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was playing with fire. It wasn't appropriate to grab married women and pull them into hugs. Hugs that he'd wanted to last longer, hugs that he'd wanted to reciprocate, burying his face in her hair as she kissed him. Because really—as if a woman like Chi Chi would kiss him. He flushed an angry purple, remembering how hideous he was.

And yet… she'd played with his antennae—and hadn't that been wonderful? Embarrassing, certainly, but wonderful. She hadn't drawn away from him when he'd practically melted in her embrace. In fact, she'd seem content to carry on. No one had ever touched him like that before, and he'd found himself in a delirium where he imagined them sprawled out on a bed, with her lips tracing patterns along the base of them.

In aggravation, he thought of slamming his face into the counter. He was being pathetic! A miserable lump! And how morbid was it that his uncle had died and he'd been too busy canoodling with the married woman next door to even care?

He continued in the same self-loathing, yet hopeful, circuitous path, until he was dragged out of it by Gohan. The boy was suddenly behind the counter, his hands nervously knotted up in Junior's t-shirt. He blinked down at the boy, before he realized that a customer had entered.

Junior lifted his gaze, and was immediately on edge. Freeza had just strolled into Porunga's, a twisted smile curling across his face. His tail trailed behind him, and the female Saiyan that had accompanied him before stood tall behind him. Her dark eyes seemed focused on where Gohan had disappeared to.

"Well, well, Piccolo," Freeza greeted, dipping into a quarter of a bow, face and tone riddled with mockery. "I do see you've taken back over the shop. How… lovely." The words curled in such a disgusting fashion that Junior wanted to punch him, dead in the mouth. "I did hear of your uncle's untimely passing… your father was rather upset. I administered him an extra dose of his medicine, of course… I wouldn't want you to have any added pressure."

"I'm fine," Junior snarled, eyes narrowing. "And you're slipping my father sedatives? Great."

"I assure you that he needs them." Freeza's tail tip twitched. "And don't worry—I don't meddle with him directly. No, no… he was my father's friend. I merely… deal with him now, you see. He has a little entourage to keep him company in his final hours." There was something sly in Freeza's smile that made him grit his teeth.

The Saiyan woman came a little closer, and whispered something to Freeza. The lizard listened silently for a moment, before lashing out with his tail, striking the woman hard in the gut, and sending her tumbling down to her knees.

"Next time, do try not to breathe on me. It's very unpleasant." Freeza remained completely calm through all of this, but he did slowly move forward, tail hissing against the floor as he rounded the counter. The Saiyan woman was gagging on the ground.

Freeza's eyes lit up as he saw Gohan, cowering there beside Junior.

"Ah! What is this little thing… my monkey over there tells me you're one of her!" He clapped his hands together in delight, while Gohan shrunk back, a wail escaping him. "Oh, come now—I'm aware you've not had proper breeding, but do behave appropriately." Freeza snapped his fingers like he was calling to a dog, and Junior lurched from his seat. He towered up above Freeza, his fangs bared into a harsh snarl.

Freeza tilted his head back, idly observing him as if he were nothing more than a particularly angry leaf fluttering by.

"Ah, did I frighten the wee thing? My apologies." Freeza stepped away from Junior then, and headed back towards the doubled over Saiyan. "Oh, get up—you're being ridiculous." He kicked her sharply, and turned his simpering gaze on Junior once more.

Junior couldn't sit back down again, though, and instead huddled Gohan closer to him. He kept his hand rested on top of the little boy's head.

"How odd, though, that you got a monkey outside of my family… or…" Freeza squinted. "Is that perhaps Son Goku's? Oh, what disgusting pedigree. Rather unfortunate, you know? Two low-class Saiyans, marrying humans and carrying on their affair." His gaze was critical, and he seemed to mentally scourge Gohan from the Earth. "Regardless, I merely came here to tell you that the match has a set date now."

"Yeah?" Junior growled.

"Indeed. It will be two days from now, at the Z-Arena—six o' clock is when the matches will begin. Though, I believe you and Son Goku will be on much later than that." Freeza tilted his head to the side, and an odd smile flickered across his face. "Oh, yes… and I believe you have ties to that hideous Briefs woman? Let her know that I'm coming for my pet very soon." His words were icy, digging into Junior's skin. He spun sharply then, his tail sliding against the Saiyan woman's skin as she slowly clambered to her feet.

Freeza prowled out the door, while the Saiyan woman hovered uncertainly.

"You're free…" she regarded Gohan over the counter—there was no malice in her countenance, and Junior relaxed, ever-so-slightly. "Please," she whispered, voice urgent, "you must keep Prince Vegeta away from Freeza. Do not let him back into his custody."

"We didn't have any intentions of doing so," Junior muttered, releasing his sharp hold on Gohan. The little boy came forward, large eyes peering up at the woman.

"What's your name?" he murmured. He reached out, small hands grasping her large, scarred ones. The Saiyan seemed unsure of herself, and seemed as if she were ready to flee. Unlike Vegeta, though, her tail never moved, and stayed secure around her waist.

She wet her lips nervously. "Uh—Cress…" She squinted down at him. "You're really Son Goku's boy?"

"Yes," Gohan said slowly.

"His Saiyan name was Kakarott," she confided in him, and Gohan stared in rapture up at Cress. Her gaze flickered once more towards the door. Freeza clearly hadn't noticed that his Saiyan was missing yet—or he didn't particularly care what happened to her. Her face was a jagged mess, and the new cut was still freshly bleeding.

"How do you know what?" Junior demanded.

"I—," Cress faltered, voice trembling, "I knew your grandmother. I grew up with her. We were both members of Cold's entourage. She got out, along with her lover. I'd heard that they'd sent their son elsewhere... You're very lucky to be free… and please," her lips trembled, "keep the Prince away."

Gohan's brow puckered, and his little fingers tightened once more around Cress' knuckles. "Can't—can't we help you, too?"

"No, little one," Cress replied sadly, and she shifted, peeling her fingers away. "I am taking the brunt of Freeza's wrath for now. He is unhappy with the Prince gone. He… loved* Vegeta, I think."

"Like… loved?" Gohan said incredulously. Junior had to agree with the kid's tone. There was no way he could imagine Freeza loving anything other than his own scaly hide.

"He counts Prince Vegeta in close confidence. He uses me as a method to get his anger out… recently, however, something has altered his mood. He thinks he is getting the Prince back, but there's also…" Cress locked gazes with Junior. "I think he's done something to your father—that Demon King. He bullies the three that are assigned to him, and I think he's planning something. Be prepared, Namek."

"I always am," Junior returned. "Won't Freeza notice you're missing?"

"I'll tell him I was astonished by the half-breed," Cress replied, and she did, indeed, let her eyes linger on Gohan. The little boy had flinched at the name, but Junior pulled him closer, attempting to assuage his fears. "Whoever the young woman is that saved the Prince—our soon to be queen—thank her for us." Cress left swiftly then, and Gohan and Junior both gave each other apprehensive looks.

"Two days…" Gohan whispered. "Freeza said—he said two days! Mr. Junior—what—,"

"It's fine, Gohan," Junior interrupted quickly, stooping down beside the boy. "Relax. It's all going to be all right." And Junior supposed it would be—if only he could wreck both Goku and Freeza's faces at the same time.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE

I'M SORRY - life kicks your butt sometimes, and unfortunately I am not immune to it. I'd like to thank you all for your patience if you're still there, and I hope you guys review because whoo-buddy was this a big 'un

*NOT A ROMANTIC OR SEXUAL LOVE