Chapter Four: One Month Ago

NOTE: This chapter does not count as ATS canon. It was just a writing exercise that I decided to release while I worked on the real "Chapter Four", which is actually Chapter Five. Read if you want, but you won't miss out on anything if you skip it. This topic will be revisited in a canon chapter somewhere down the road.

"You're the best Goku!"

"You did it, Vegeta!"

"Mr. Satan did WHAT?!"

"Gah… I can't believe the fat blob and the loudmouth were the ones to save me…"

Celebrations were everywhere on Dende's Lookout. The return of Goku and Vegeta, along with the good Buu and Mr. Satan, sparked joy amongst even the sternest of individuals. A couple of people were notably missing from the large group, though.

The young man, now the strongest in the universe, even surpassing his father's highest form, was drained. After giving up so much energy to help his father's Spirit Bomb, Gohan was on the verge of collapsing. Luckily, he had found himself a bench hidden in the shade.

"Gohan! There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" A relieved and cheerful voice called out. "What's wrong?"

"Just a bit tired, Vi. That's all." He replied, smiling at the girl as she plopped down beside him. "Just thinking about the last couple months. Pretty crazy, huh?" Gohan then said. "Heh, and it's all your fault, y'know… Making me enter the tournament and all." He said with a laugh. He couldn't say he hated it, though. She made his trips to school interesting, with her constant chasing. Being able to train her and get to know her was even better for him. Of course, he didn't enjoy watching her get pummeled by Spopovich, a sin that he wanted to avenge himself, but thanks to Babidi, he didn't get the chance. "Yeah, it's been a wild ride, Vi, but I'm glad it happened."

"Gohan… Can I ask you something?" Videl piped up.

"Of course! Anything!"

"Have you ever thought about… I don't know how to put this…" She paused, visibly nervous and embarrassed. "Have you ever thought about us?" She finally asked, her face red as a beet. Gohan was shocked. Yeah, he liked her and all… Ok, "liked" was a bit of an understatement. He couldn't stop thinking about her, but he never figured he had a chance with Videl. If anything, he was just a geek in her eyes, but now, here she was, pretty much asking him out!

"I know this is kind of sudden and all, but I have to be honest. I've truly fallen for you." She continued, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Please… Don't reject me…" She thought to herself. She had never felt anything like this for anyone in her life before Gohan came around. She liked him from the very beginning. The only reason she had been so mean to him was because she didn't know what else to do. She used the rude insults and threats as a defense mechanism for her true feelings towards him. She had held off on revealing her feelings, however, until she got to know him a bit better. That was part of the reason she made him train her. Of course, she wanted to fly, but she wanted to see how he acted outside of school. Sure enough, she fell head over heels. "I've never wanted anything more… Please… Don't say no!" She yelled, a stray tear falling from each eye.

Gohan just sat there, unsure of how to respond. He wanted this to happen, but he wasn't sure if it was really happening. "Am I dreaming? Does she really feel this way for me?" He thought. He, too, had fell for Videl back during the flight training. He never stopped thinking about her. Chi-Chi's comment about marrying her only made the thoughts and feelings intensify.

"Videl…" He nervously started.

"Don't tell me! You don't feel the same, do you! You like Erasa, don't you?!" She yelled, propelled by fear, tears starting to stream down her face.

"No! No way! Please, let me finish." Gohan pleaded. "Videl… You have no idea how strongly I feel for you."

That was the response she wanted. Her tears stopped, and whatever stray ones were left, Gohan gently wiped away.

"Really? Why don't you tell me how you feel?" She curiously asked. "Let's see how romantic you can be, Son…" She thought.

"The entire time on the Kai planet, you were my inspiration. With every swing I made with that sword, I saw your face, smiling at me. When I was fighting Buu, I saw your face with every punch I took." Gohan said. "I love this planet and all of my friends here… But what I did in this battle… I did it for you and you alone."

Gohan then took her hands in his, and looked deeply into Videl's deep azure eyes. "Videl… I love you…" He then leaned in and kissed her deeply. Finally, after waiting so long, they were able to admit their true feelings for each other, in a long, tender kiss…

Hidden behind a pillar, Goku, Goten, and Chi-Chi watched the moment unfold, Chi-Chi with tears of joy in her eyes. "My son is all grown up! And I'm gonna be filthy rich!" She tearfully cheered.

"Congrats, Gohan. You've got yourself a class act of a lady there." Goku said under his breath, as not to disturb the two lovebirds.

"Ewwwwwwwwww! Kissy moments! Gross!" A visibly disgusted Goten said as he shielded his eyes from the scene.

Another set of heaving sobs could be heard behind them. It was, of course, Mr. Satan. "Darn him! He stole my daughter!" He cried, Dende and Buu behind him each with a hand on his shoulders.

After about ten minutes, Gohan and Videl's long first kiss finally ended, with them falling asleep on the bench, Gohan holding Videl tightly against his chest, both with smiles on their faces. He awoke long enough to whisper one thing to his newly acquired girlfriend.

"I love you, Videl. I always will."

"I love you too, Gohan…" She muttered as she began to hold him tighter, and nuzzle his chest a little. They then fell asleep again, the happiest they had ever been, and with a large load lifted off of their backs.

On that day, a day of celebrations and joy, their destinies and hearts intertwined. Never again would they be apart from one another.

End of Part Four