Author's Note - Once again this is off the presses. My schedule has been hectic, but the story continues. Thank you all for those who've been waiting. Peace and enjoy.
Noticing that Videl had an expression hard enough to crack a mountain on her face he placed his hand gently on her shoulder. He felt her shake with barely controlled rage as Videl focused on Frost who was smirking. Gohan held her close then put his lips close to her ear. "Stop thinking of reasons to make her smirk and she won't. Focus on what's important." He stepped back and placed his hand on her belly. Videl placed her hand atop his as she looked up at him.
"I understand." She kissed him and he returned it. Gohan noticed the frown on Frost's face and walked towards her. He looked down at his son, then back at his mother.
"May I hold my son?" Frost beamed up at him as she handed Saiai over into his arms.
"I thought you already knew that I would deny you nothing." Gohan walked over to the sofa and sat as he studied his son.
"On the outside you are a miniature version of myself. Though I wonder just how much of me did you inherit. This entire time I haven't had a thought in my head. I originally thought it was because I was hiding my thoughts from your mother." Gohan didn't move but could somehow feel Frost's discomfort. He carried on. "These past two years I've been a bit more open with how I feel. I don't keep much on the inside unless I truly think it's necessary.
I bring this up because I can't find it in my heart to trust your mother. She did things to me a better person could forgive her for. Unfortunately, I'm not that person. I don't know what you might think of me. It scares me a bit that you might even hate me, and if you do I can accept it." The baby reached out to him and babbled what may have been the word "No" to him as he continued. "I'm going to be honest with you Saiai.
I had no idea that you existed. My wife was sure that she killed whatever came of your parent's exertions. I am however glad to see you, happy to have you here in my arms. I have a son. In all the realities out there those four words are barely ever spoken by whatever iteration of me that is out there. I don't know much about you, but how could I when you're this young? I look forward to thinking about your future and everything you could possibly accomplish.
I am getting ahead of myself however. Let's start with the few things I've noticed and would like to put to the test. You can understand every word that I'm saying, correct?" The baby babbled out words close enough to "Yes" and nodded as he went on. "That's interesting. You inherited my looks, but I have a feeling that you inherited a few other things from your mother." Saiai, if you can hear my thoughts I want you to reach out and touch my hand. Saiai reached out and placed his palm in Gohan's hand. He smiled down at his son and cradled him a bit in his arms.
He stood then returned Saiai to Frost. His son reached out for him for a moment before resting his head on his mom's chest. Saiai babbled out words similar to "Daddy". Each attempt tugged at his heartstrings. Refusing to give his mind a voice to be heard he looked into Frost's eyes. She shivered as if cold. "I'd like to introduce him to his grandparents, uncles and other siblings. With everything that you've done it doesn't change the fact that you are a part of my family now." Gohan extended a hand out to Videl that she took as he looked toward the kitchen. "Kashu, wash your hands and come here. We're going to visit your grandparents."
Half a minute passed when the boy appeared in the room. His jaw dropped when he saw Frost. He regained his composure then stood straight saluting her. Videl extended his hand out to him which Kashu took while he turned to Frost. "You're going to have to-" Frost leaned against chest and put a finger to his lips.
"No need to explain. I know." Frost looked to Videl who had an expression on her face cold enough to freeze beer. Frost smirked. "You know, I can read your facial expressions as well as your mind. The only thing you've proven to me is that you really are brain dead up there after all. I know it sounds like an insult but I do envy you. Perhaps if I were as deficient in intelligence as you he'd love me like he does you. I just can't bring myself down you your level which pains me. Oh well, I'm done praising you. Let's meet the woman who should've been my mother in law." Trying his best to put the closeness and warmth of her body out of his mind he focused on his father's Ki signature and used Instant Transmission to appear before him. Goku smiled.
"It's nice to see you! Feel like doing some spar-" Frost stepped next to Gohan which caused Goku to pause a bit in thought. "Son, I take it that she's not an enemy?" He nodded as his father stepped towards her and noticed the baby. He took one glance at the child then at Frost and back to him. "Wow, I became a Grandpa sooner than I expected. Congrats! I can't wait to see what this little tyke is capable of." Frost turned to Videl and started laughing.
"Why don't you say what's on your mind? I have this feeling that if you word it just right the meaning will fly over his head. Try it, see what happens." Videl started towards Frost but Gohan stopped her as Frost went over to Goku and with Saiai in the crook of her right arm she performed the Dogeza in front of him. Gohan's jaw nearly dropped. With her head to the ground she slightly trembled with what must have been grief. "My name is Frost. You've killed my father and brother. I bear you no ill will.
Because of you and your wife I was able to meet the man that I'd fall deeply in love with. People have told me that I've done terrible things to your son. I'm still coming to terms with how our cultures differ though I have no excuse. In another reality I probably would've been your daughter in-law. I would like my son to know his grandparents. I want him to know your stories and how they eventually molded the man I'm deeply besotted with." The door to the house opened as Chi-Chi appeared.
"Who are you talking to Goku? I've told you several times not to talk to strangers-" Chi-Chi saw Frost and in an instant she looked as if she wanted to hurt her before she noticed the baby in her arm. Chi-Chi slowed a bit as she walked over to Frost then went into the Seiza position in front of her. "Raise your head. I want you to see my eyes." Frost complied as she slightly flinched from the barely contained rage she seen in his mother's eyes. "I'll never forgive for what you've done to my son. If slapping you would actually pain you in the slightest I would, but it won't.
So here we are. I noticed the deference you've shown. It's been a long time since I've seen the Dogeza. I have a feeling that you know what that gesture conveys but don't understand how little it means to me. My son told me everything and I figure that the best way for you to understand me is to read my mind. You may want to put my grandson down before you do." Frost placed Saiai on the ground next to her then looked into Chi-Chi's eyes. A moment later the word "Oh." Escaped Frost's lips as a torrent of tears and soul weary sobs wracked her frame. Chi-Chi's expression didn't change as she observed Frost.
"I understand that you're a Queen. Listen clearly and don't stop reading my mind. I want you to understand my pain and resentment towards you. In my lifetime I've watched my home burn. I've lost my beloved Prince twice and on top of that I've done nothing but worry over my firstborn son for almost all of his life. No amount of apologizing will ever make up what you have done. My children are more than just sons. They are Princes! You disgust me!" Frost looked sick and hurt as if she'd received blows to her stomach. Frost looked pleadingly at Chi-Chi as if asking a question. His mother just sneered at her then stood.
"That will do for now. I look forward to holding my grandson soon. I will feel up to it in about a half hour. I feel sick. Welcome home Gohan and it's nice to see you Videl. Talk to me soon." She gave Kashu a warm smile then left. As soon as Chi-Chi turned a corner the sound of her violently vomiting was heard for thirty seconds followed by dry heaving. Goku looked questioningly towards the sound and smiled.
"Either she's eaten something bad or you might have another brother coming soon." Gohan shook his head and sighed.
"Is Bito here?" Goku shook his head.
"He's at school right now." Gohan looked down at Frost. That's unfortunate. Frost, I think we should talk. She looked up at him then stood and nodded as he turned to Videl.
"I'm going to talk to Frost alone for a short while." Videl watched as Frost as she picked up Saiai then looked up at him with a mix of weariness and anger.
"Have you lost your mind?!" Gohan grinned as her face reddened. "Sorry, I forgot. It's just…why?" Gohan hugged her.
"While I wasn't myself completely not too long ago and with Erasa I'm sure that I have enough modesty in me not to give into any of my alternate's carnal whims here of all places. Trust me. I don't plan on being alone with her past five minutes at best." Videl rested her head on his chest briefly before looking up at him.
"The way you hold me. I trust you because I feel that it is you." She stood on the tips of her toes then kissed him possessively. "Come back to me." Gohan let her go and turned to Frost as they walked a ways from his parent's house. They sat down on a meadow as he held his son again. He smiled down at his son.
"Saiai is your name. You know, had I known that you existed your name probably would've been Gen, Gouki, or Go? I guess it's for the best." Gohan turned to Frost. His smile faded as he regarded her. "It's been a long time since we've seen each other. Silver and Violet, what have they been up to?" Frost had lain down and extended her right hand to him.
"Please, join me." Gohan had lain beside her as Saiai crawled a bit on Gohan chest before tumbling off and joining his parents in the middle. Frost smiled as tears ran down her face. "This is the happiest I've been since Saiai's birth. If there was a way that I could erase your memory and start over I would." She laughed briefly then looked pained. "Of course, now that I've spent enough time among your kind I've noticed that the action itself would cause you to hate me.
My beloved, I said once a long time ago that I would never lie to you. Whatever information you want me is yours. Like what Silver has been doing lately, Violet's work regarding alternate realities, or the last time I touched myself when I thought of you." Frost sighed. "I think my fingers are developing callouses." She turned to him and smiled. "Why is your face red my love? Was it something I said?" Saiai crawled over to him and patted his face. He shook his head.
"Have you no shame at all? Our child understands what we are saying." Frost looked up at the sky and laughed.
"Sure he can understand us but he doesn't understand everything yet. And even if he did it's not as if he'll be able to do anything with that knowledge anytime soon except know the obvious that we have been intimate." Frost donned a coquettish expression. "I still remember the first time we were together. I thought that all the fights, battles and skirmishes that I'd fought before was rough but oh my." Frost's looked melancholic. "Those are my sweetest memories my beloved.
So while I know that there will never be another time like that for us the best I can do is make new memories like this." She squeezed his hand briefly. "This hand of yours will never touch my cheek lovingly again. This hand will never roam down my body again. This hand will never know how wet you make me. The warmth from this hand will never replace the warmth I felt when your body was atop mine." She studied his face then sighed. "I suppose I'll never see you blush again." Saiai rolled onto his back and laughed while Gohan sat up then offered one of his fingers to the boy. Saiai reached out and squeezed two of his fingers.
"You're thinking that you'll never see me again." Gohan turned to her and found a look of shock that he expected. "Don't look that way. I don't need your abilities to read people. A part of me feels immense joy at the thought of never seeing you again while the other wants and worries deeply over you. If you don't believe me, look into my eyes." Frost shook her head.
"I believe you. Besides, I think I've gotten all the information I can handle today. Your mother…I've never known hate so strong. Also, I'm not sure I'd be able to bear any kind of hatred from you that I can't deny. You're right Gohan, I do think that there's a chance I may never see you again and it frightens me.
There's not much to tell you except for everything I've already alluded to. Within a year's time Silver should have a group of God Tier Saiyan's to fight whatever it is that is destroying realities. So far he has one. His name is Raditz and he's been training or son. Saiai likes him a lot." Gohan felt his eyebrows rise at that before he shook his head. Not every version of my uncle has to be like the one I met. Frost smiled. Gohan sighed then turned onto his side to look at Frost.
"I have one parting gift for you." Frost turned and looked at him for a moment before darting her eyes and blushing.
"And what would that be?" Gohan tickled his son a bit which caused Saiai to loosen his grip enough to free his hand. With his other hand he reached out to her and placed his hand on her cheek.
"Look at me." Frost turned her head slowly to reveal a stronger blush. Gohan felt himself grin then grew agitated that he had. "You want memories, I can provide that. Would you like to know what true love between us looks like? At least a variation of it that where the feeling is mutual?" Frost nodded.
"Yes." Gohan brought his face closer to Frost's.
"In my eyes you will find what you are looking for, but in return you must endure something else that I want to show you. Do you agree to these terms?" Frost nodded then looked into his eyes as Gohan summoned the memories of his alternate self. Frost laughed, cried, shivered, and held herself the best she could with one arm. When it was over she seemed to be in awe of it all as it took her awhile to get words out.
"You…he, really loved me. They had been through so much together. I think I understand now why we could never be like them in the end." Gohan shook his head.
"No, you don't. Not quite yet. Here's what I want to show you." Gohan thought back to the first time he met Videl and their relationship. How they met and slowly started to feel for each other. The first time they told each other what how they felt. The first time they had made love, and Frost's appearance into his life. From there her eye's widened and a look of horror that she couldn't escape from seemed to appear. Gohan let her experience what he had felt up until the end of the battle between Videl and herself. Frost shuddered.
"I'm a monster. I'm so sorry for putting you through all that. I never knew." Noticing that Saiai was upset Gohan released his hand from Frost's as he picked up Saiai and cradled him.
"There's no need to make that face. Everything is fine." Gohan stood then extended his arm out to help Frost up. She took it but couldn't meet his eyes. Saiai went quiet as he looked at Gohan and his mother. Saiai looked as though he were about to cry. "Frost." She turned to face him.
"Y-" Whatever she was about to say got cut off as he kissed her. At the end of it she seemed breathless as she panted against his chest. Saiai laughed and patted Gohan's shoulder as he started babbling. When she caught her breath she looked up at him. "I guess I have our son to thank for that." Gohan nodded.
"It pains me to know that I won't be the father our child deserves. When I look back on my earliest childhood memories the only thing I can dredge up is my mother yelling and people around me dying. I want Saiai to be happy but because he's our son I doubt that he'll ever know peace." Frost frowned, and then sighed.
"Thank you. Before I go I plan to talk to that Earthling…your wife." Gohan looked down at her.
"Why?" Frost gently took Gohan out of his arms and cradled him as they started walking back towards his parent's house.
"I've gained a new…perspective on things. As I've said before I will never lie to you. I still hate her a great deal but I don't have any plans to hurt her. She's carrying your child. I won't harm or kill any part that is you…even if I detest the vessel. I love you that much. She makes you happy in ways I can't. I can accept it, grudgingly. Talking to her will help me move on." She stopped walking and extended her hand out to him. "Please?" Gohan took her hand.