Sorry for the long update. I had this chapter typed, deleted, and then re-typed it again. This happened quite a few times because I didn't like how the chapter was written. I wasn't very happy with it, and still not fond of it, but it's something.

This is the chapter where Gohan sees Goku for the first time. I remember how I originally did it, and wasn't fond of it, so it's slightly different that before. Like I said, not entirely fond of this chapter, but it's an update! (Wow…I used fond a bit too much there, didn't I?)

Disclaimer: Still do not own.

It was a very busy night at the Kamehameha. Owen and Ziggy were the waiters, Moth was in the kitchen, and Gohan was helping Seymour and Mai at the bar. They had time before they needed to perform on stage, so Seymour put them to work.

Everything was going well. People were getting their drinks, food was being prepared and served, and people were awaiting the performance from Masiko. Even though things were going smoothly, the drinking service came to a sudden halt.

Gohan perked up his head and looked towards the door. Before the door even swung open, Gohan quickly ran to the kitchen without saying a word. Seymour couldn't even get a word in, but once he saw who was at the door the beer bottle he had in his hand dropped on the floor.

(Minutes earlier)

Goku and Vegeta were making their way down the sidewalk. They passed the bar, and Goku stopped to read the sign.

"Hey, is this the place where your friend works," Goku asked as he pointed to the sign that said 'Kamehameha.'

Vegeta froze. He wasn't paying any attention to where they were going, and if he was he would have taken a different route back to Capsule Corp.

'Shit,' Vegeta thought.

"Hey, maybe we should see if your friend is working today," Goku suggested.

"He's not working," Vegeta yelled.

"Darn." Goku pouted, but the pout quickly disappeared. "But there's that guy who loves martial arts! That's why they named the bar Kamehameha. Maybe he's there!"

"Kakarot you can't go-" but Goku was already through the door. Vegeta was quick to follow, and once he got in he quickly looked for Gohan. He was nowhere to be found.

Seymour quickly cleaned up his mess as Goku and Vegeta made their way over. Guests were awaiting the performance from Masiko, but without the singer there was no band. Seymour nudged his head towards the kitchen door. Vegeta noticed Owen as a waiter, and remembered that he was a "huge fan" of the tournaments.

"Chicken fingers and fried coming right up," Owen said as he smiled at the customers. When he turned around he saw Vegeta standing there. Vegeta was mad, and before Owen could escape Vegeta grabbed him and pulled him towards Goku.

"He's the fan," Vegeta said as he pushed Owen towards Goku. Owen stood there shocked. He knew nothing about the tournament, but he knew who his best friend's biological father was. Vegeta quickly left, leaving Owen alone with Goku.

"Hi, I'm Goku!"

"I'm…I'm…" Owen couldn't even form words. He looked at the bar where Gohan was supposed to be, and found his friend missing. Seymour was too busy trying to catch up at the bar. "I'm a huge fan!"

'I know nothing about fighting,' Owen thought as he faked a smile on his face.

Vegeta glanced through the kitchen and didn't see Gohan anywhere. Moth pointed to a door leading out to the dumpsters, and Vegeta quickly made his way out. Sadly, Gohan was not by the dumpsters. The smell of a cigarette did linger in the air.

Since a saiyan's senses were much higher than a normal person, and Gohan was hiding his ki, Vegeta quickly followed the smell. Vegeta jumped up on top of the Kamehameha. Gohan was here, then hopped on a few buildings, and then disregarded his cigarette on another building.

Vegeta lost his trail.

'Well, at least he escaped,' Vegeta thought as he made his way back to the bar. He went through the entrance, and found Seymour alone at the bar. Owen was nowhere in sight. Goku was sitting at the bar with a cup of water. A beer, which was for Vegeta, was sitting next him.

"Hey! You're back," Goku said with his usual smile. Vegeta rolled his eyes, and made his way over. He grabbed his beer and took a drink. "The band will be performing soon."

Vegeta spit out his drink.

"What," he exclaimed. How can the band perform if the lead singer was missing?

The lights dimmed on the stage, and Vegeta watched as the band members slowly appeared. Owen went to his guitar, Moth to his drums, and Ziggy to his bass. They each tested their instrument, plucking a few strings and testing the snare. The crowd was cheering, but it grew louder when the singer appeared on stage.

Gohan appeared in front of the microphone, and noticed Vegeta sitting in the crowd.

He, Gohan, was not happy.

There were no introductions. The band began playing, and Gohan began to sing.

"Father of mine, tell me where have you been. You know I just closed my eyes, my whole world disappeared," Gohan said as he looked his father directly in the eye. "Father of mine take me back to the day when I was still your golden boy back before you went away. I remember the blue skies, walking the block. I loved it when you held me high, I loved to hear you talk."

Vegeta quickly drank his beer, and Seymour was quick to fill it. Both watched as Gohan performed, singing his heart out to a man right next to them.

"I was ten years old doing all that I could. It wasn't easy for me to be a scared white boy in a black neighborhood."

Vegeta was quick with his second drink. He looked over at Goku, who just sat there with a stupid smile on his face. Goku had no idea that the person on stage was his missing son, and he did not know the song his son was singing was for him.

"Daddy gave me a name, then he walked away."

The song soon ended. Goku looked over at Vegeta.

"He's pretty good," Goku said. "The music is a bit loud though."

Gohan was passed up a Jack on the rocks. It was his drink of choice. Drinking is not the answer, but it sure as hell did clam him down.

He knew one day he would have to see his father, but a bit of a warning would be nice. Vegeta was chugging down his beers. If he did it on purpose, a cocky smirk would be on his face. Vegeta's face was not cocky, but more of a bit of a panic. Gohan started to assume that they were walking, Goku saw the bar, and walked in.

Seems legit.

"Welcome to the Kamehameha," Gohan said. Owen played a few cords on his guitar. The crowd cheered, and he had to put on a smile. "I'm glad to see some regulars, some cute girls, and Veggie-chan sitting at the bar!"

"Must have had a fight with his wife," Owen said. "He's been drinking pretty heavy."

"You see the guy he's with? Son Goku, your role model."

"We've met."

"So what amazing questions did you ask him?"

Owen slowly looked away. He carefully brought the microphone to his face.

"I asked him what color socks he wears," Owen confessed. The crowd went into laughter. Even Gohan got a good laugh. "You meet your role model out of the blue! What questions would pop in your mind?"

"I wouldn't ask what color socks they wear," Gohan said taking a small sip of his drink. "I would ask…" his mind went blank. "Uh…" There were millions of questions that he could ask the man in the orange gi, but which one to ask first. What the hell was he doing here? Why are you an asso? Gohan said the first question that came to mind.

"Do you like hippos?"

The crowd went into laughter again.

"Not as easy, is it Boss," Owen said with a smile. Gohan stuck out his tongue.

"The next song we will play is 'Fixxer.' I'll dedicate this one to you, friend of Veggie-chans!"

"Hey, he's going to sing a song for me," Goku said. Seymour had Vegeta's third beer ready.

More songs were played, and the band needed a break. After a few Jack on the rocks, Gohan took a deep breath. He put his guitar on a guitar stand, and knew that today was the day he was going to talk to his father.

One, he had to control his temper.

Two, he had to pretend not to know him.

Three, oh dear Kami he had to talk to his father!

"It's going to be okay," Owen said as he placed his guitar on a speaker. "You met your mother and brother, and you did pretty good. You've even seen your mom on more than one occasion."

"But I don't hate my mom," Gohan said as he sat on the stage with Owen. Toki flirted with the ladies so Gohan and Owen could talk.

"Just remember this Boss, your parents are still alive. Why don't you get re-know your dad, as Goku? Don't see him as your dad."

Gohan looked at his friend.

"I guess I can try," Gohan said throwing his arms up in the air. He got up from the stage. "It shouldn't be too hard just to go up to him and introduce myself, right?"

Owen gave Gohan a thumbs up. With cigarette lit in hand, Gohan made his way over to Vegeta and Goku. With each step Gohan could feel his stomach turning, his breaths shorten, and his throat going dry. His steps were shaky, and his nerves were getting the best of him. Just a few more steps and he would be near his father. In a few more steps, he was going to face the man he hated. In a few more steps, he was out the door smoking his cigarette.

Once outside Gohan realized that he took a wrong turn somewhere. He looked down the sidewalk and saw people walking by him.

This wasn't the bar.

"Nothing wrong with fresh air," Gohan said to himself.

"I'm not sure how fresh air involves a cigarette."

Gohan jumped. He turned and saw Vegeta standing next to him.

"Kami Vegeta! You can give a man a heart attack doing that!"

Vegeta smirked.

"If I wanted to kill you I would simply do this." Gohan titled his head in confusion. "Kakarot, I found my friend."

That's all Vegeta needed to say before Gohan took off.

Okay, he didn't really take off. Vegeta managed to grab Gohan's arm before he could run away.

"Let go of me," Gohan yelled tugging his arm hard. His scratches from Shasta were not fully healed. Vegeta's grip and Gohan's tugging were making it worse. Either Vegeta had to let go, or Gohan had to stop pulling. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"He walked into the bar, and I went to find your pathetic ass and you returned here! Why are you so afraid?"

"I'm not afraid!"

"Then pull your balls out of your pussy and be a man!"

Gohan froze. He looked over at Vegeta.

"Just how much have you had to drink," Gohan asked.

Here are a few facts about a drunken Vegeta.

One:
He's a bit more vulgar when he talks. He tends to curse a little more, and uses more inappropriate words than normal. It's not always as noticeable.

Two:
He gets really protective of Bulma, and more flirtatious around her. Gohan had seen it many of times, and the couple is gone before Gohan could finish his first set.

Three:
Depending on what he drank he was either friendly, or really incoherent.

"It's none of your business," Vegeta yelled. Gohan saw the pink cheeks.

"Nice shoes Vegeta."

"That's such a nice thing to say. Thanks."

Gohan chuckled. At least he was in a good, semi-decent mood.

Vegeta released Gohan's arm. Gohan could feel some of the cuts open, but at least it was bandaged up.

"So, is this your new friend?"

Gohan couldn't breathe. The voice, his face, and the smile that shined brightly near the end of the night. The urge to run was flowing through his veins, but his legs were numb. His whole body was shaking…

…on the inside.

Gohan stood face to face with his father. His right hand was in his pocket, his left hand holding his cigarette, and his face sharing the same scorn as Vegeta. Gohan brought his cigarette to his lips, inhaled, and breathed out the tobacco smoke over his shoulder.

"So you must be Goku," Gohan said as he flicked his cigarette. Goku smiled as he reached out his hand.

"And you must be Boss," Goku said. Gohan pulled his right hand out of his pocket. "It's finally nice to meet you."

Gohan grabbed Goku's hand.

Both men made a face, as they felt a weird electricity shoot through their arms.

"Nice grip," Goku said as the feeling in his arm subsided.

"It's my jerking off arm," Gohan said. Goku quickly released his hand, and Gohan mentally slapped himself.

'Way to keep your cool,' Vegeta thought.

"Sorry. I get a bit nervous around new people," Gohan said. A small blush on embarrassment appeared on his face. He could have said he worked out, but nooo! His brain decided otherwise. Good going brain. "So what brings you to this part of town?"

"Bulma kicked us out of the house," Goku said as he put his hand behind his head. "She said that there was too much testosterone in her house, so we went for a walk."

"And ended up here?"

"Hahaha, yeah I know! Vegeta was leading the way, and when I saw the sign-"

"Kakarot you got us lost," Vegeta interrupted. Goku laughed some more.

"So are you guys staying for the second half," Gohan asked. 'Please say no. Please say no.'

"Well, your music is loud," Goku said.

'Great! So you'll leave.'

"But the food is good."

'Dammit!'

"And it's getting late."

'You are getting very sleepy Goku.'

"But you sang a song for me, so we can stay for the second half!"

'I really hate myself right now.'

"Great," Gohan said, putting on a fake smile. 'Fuck me.'

The trio went inside, but Gohan snuck into the back room with his band. He plopped on the couch with his legs on the cushions.

"So…how was it," Owen asked.

Gohan pulled out his cell phone out of his pocket.

"I told him I jerk off with my right hand," Gohan answered.

"So better than expected," Ziggy said. Gohan looked up at the ceiling, and then nodded his head. It was better than punching his father, or accidently calling himself Gohan. "Did he leave?"

"Nope. He's staying, and Vegeta won't be able to walk afterwards."

"I would be drinking too if I had to hang out with your father at a bar."

Gohan laughed.

"Too bad Goku doesn't drink." Gohan's phone went off. He looked at it and frowned. "No fair! Videl can't make it over! Stupid school!"

"Yeah, because high school dropout looks so good on a résumé," Owen said. Gohan, Moth, and Owen all dropped out of high school. Gohan failed his Sophomore year due to his accident, and never went back to school. Moth and Owen were expelled their senior year, didn't take summer school, and found part time jobs. Instead of going back to school they decided to work.

Ziggy was the only one who was still in school. He actually goes to Orange Star High, but he had no classes with Videl. He's never passed her by in the hallway, and they didn't have the same teachers. Ziggy knew she went there, but didn't get to know her. As long as he kept his grades up he could stay in the band. It also helped that his older brother ran the bar they performed in.

"I guess I'll call her tomorrow," Gohan said as he put his pocket and pouted. "I just want to see her!"

Gohan kicked the couch like a two year old throwing a temper tantrum. He stopped kicking the couch.

"Feel better," Moth asked.

"Yeah."

"So are we ready to perform?"

"Let's kick ass!"

(PG)

Vegeta drank a bit too much, so Gohan helped Goku carry Vegeta on their shoulders. Vegeta was half awake, complaining about how he hated flip flops. They would flip, and they would flop, and it annoyed the hell out of Vegeta.

Once they reached Capsule Corps., Gohan rang the doorbell, and left Goku alone with Vegeta. While running away he could hear Bulma's voice yelling at Goku.

Totally worth it.

Gohan lit a cigarette as he walked the empty streets. A few people were walking around. Some had a bit too much to drink, but no one seemed to bother anyone.

It wasn't too bad of a night. Gohan was able to see his father without killing him, and Goku took the blame for a highly intoxicated Vegeta. Gohan could picture Bulma calling Chi-Chi. Poor Goten. Once Goku got home he would get an earful from Chi-Chi, and wake up the poor kid. Maybe the night would go better than expected.

Gohan stopped walking.

He looked to his left, then to his right. Even though he hasn't trained in years he knew that he was being followed. After getting a better feel of what was around him, Gohan looked over to one of the buildings.

Nothing.

'They're hiding,' Gohan though breathing out smoke. 'And usually they're behind me.'

Gohan turned around.

Still nothing.

"Dammit!" Gohan turned around and saw a green chest three inches in front of him. "WAHHHH!"

He felt flat on his ass, clutching his chest in hopes to calm down his quicken heartbeat. Apparently his stalker was behind him. Once his heartbeat went to normal, Gohan looked up and saw his old best friend looking down at him.

'Piccolo,' Gohan thought, trying to hold back a smile. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?! What the hell!"

"So you're Vegeta's new friend," Piccolo said looking down at the teen.

"Yeah that's me."

Piccolo glared down at him. Gohan got up, dusted his behind, and looked at the seven foot tall Namek with his arms folded. His cigarette was nowhere to be found. Piccolo eyed him a bit more, and his eyes went wide.

"I remember you," Piccolo said. Uh-Oh.

"Piccolo I can explain," Gohan said putting his arms up in defense.

"How do you know my name?" Gohan stood there, realizing that he made a mistake.

"Piccolo I can explain!" Or did he? "Wait, remember me from where?"

"You wouldn't remember."

Why wouldn't he remember?

"So tell me kid, how do you know who I am?" Piccolo lowered his arms to his side. Yep, Piccolo was getting into his no nonsense mode.

"I'll tell you what Piccy-san," Gohan said putting his hands in his jacket pocket. Piccolo glared at the new nick-name. "Tell me how you remember me, and I'll tell you how I know you."

"How about I send you flying into a building instead," Piccolo growled. Gohan looked at the abandoned building behind him. There was a chance he would survive, but if there was too much pressure on his lungs he would die.

"Well…it's not a bolder like last time," Gohan mumbled. "And he can't really grab me by the head and toss me, but he can blast me." Gohan rubbed his chin. "I don't want him to Special Beam Cannon my ass." He turned back to Piccolo, who was furious. Gohan remembered how sensitive his hearing was. He took a step back. "Piccolo I can explain!"

"What the hell kid," Piccolo shouted. "Do you know how long we've been looking for you?! Why did you just leave like that?! You didn't even talk to me Gohan!"

"I couldn't talk to you Piccolo!"

"Why not?"

"Because you would have sided with him!"

"Him?"

"Goku." Gohan brushed his fingers through his hair. "Listen, I couldn't do it anymore. I didn't want to be an adult when I was a still a kid. It's a long story, and I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Kid…" Piccolo grabbed Gohan's head and placed it on his chest. "You had me worried sick. I thought you did something stupid."

Gohan was a bit taken back. Was Piccolo…giving him a hug?

"Piccolo I…" Gohan couldn't find the words. "Please don't tell anyone."

Piccolo released Gohan. The young boy was grown up now.

"Tell me what happened after Cell," Piccolo said. Gohan found himself telling Piccolo about his life. How he met Mu-Ma and TJ, his life with them, his horrible accident, and how me met Vegeta. Gohan kept it short, and when all was said and done they were both still standing on the sidewalk, Gohan with a cigarette in his hand.

"So that's the story," Gohan said as he took a puff of his cigarette. "It's not rainbows and unicorns, but I really enjoying myself. I have great friends, a wonderful girlfriend, and my family is fantastic. I was worried when I saw Vegeta, but we've became good friends. I never thought I would be BFF's with Vegeta."

"And Vegeta has kept your secret this whole time," Piccolo asked. Gohan nodded. "And you expect me to keep it as well?"

"It's been what…almost eight years since we last saw each other?"

"You could have came to me kid."

"And done what Piccolo? Convince me to stay? Tell me that everything will be okay? I couldn't do it anymore Piccolo. I hated it." Gohan took his finale inhale and dropped the cigarette on the ground. He stepped on it with his foot.

"You didn't give your energy to Goku, but you helped get the energy," Piccolo said. Gohan titled his head confused. "I'm sure Vegeta told you about Majin Buu."

"He's mentioned it. I can't remember since my memory has been wiped out, but I'm pretty sure I got drunk off my ass."

"That's how I remember you."

(Flashback)

People were ignoring Goku and Vegeta. Goten, Trunks, and Piccolo, were trying to get the people of Earth to give some of their energy. No one was listening, and no matter how matter times he tried people would just ignore him.

Then there was that one guy, standing in the middle of the street, watching him as he flew around. The guy just watched, and it was frustrating Piccolo. Growling under his breath, Piccolo flew down to the guy. Leather jacket, pierced ear, and folded arms were clear signs of a rebellious punk. Maybe if he was lucky the punk would give some of his energy to Goku.

"If you are going to stand there you may as well help save the planet," Piccolo said. The punk rolled his eyes. In his one hand there was a bottle of liquor.

"I'm not going to give my energy to anyone," the punk said. He spat on the ground. "And you can't make me."

This guy was getting on Piccolo's nerves.

"Listen here punk, the guy asking for your energy saved your life and everyone here on the planet. Do you want to die again?"

"Listen here Mr. Green Giant, if I don't feel like giving out my energy to people then I don't have to."

"Fine, then you and everyone else here can die all over again!"

The punk was slightly distracted. Piccolo looked over to where the guy was looking, and saw a stage with drums, guitar, bass and piano.

"I'll do you a favor," the guy said as he pulled out his phone. "I'm not going to give my energy, but I know a way to get 'punks' like me to help out."

The kid pulled out his cell phone, and Piccolo took off. He really didn't want to deal with that guy right now.

After some time, Piccolo came back to the punk kid. Near the stage there was a crowd, a good handful of people.

"What the…" Piccolo mumbled as he lowered himself to the ground. People were talking amongst themselves.

"Hello people of…where the hell are we?" Piccolo looked up on stage and saw the punk kid. There were three other people on stage as well. One guy was by the drums, one on a bass, and another one with a guitar. "Okay, I don't know where I am exactly, but I'm not hung over so that's a good thing."

'What is he doing,' Piccolo thought to himself.

"My name is Boss, and I'm sure all of you are hearing voices in the sky to raise your arms up in the air. And I'm pretty sure you watched people collapse to the ground who did raise their arms. I think we should…lend a hand."

"You want us to pass out as well," one guy from the crowd yelled. Some people cheered around him.

"Only if you want to," Boss said. He saw a girl in the front row and winked at her. "You would look better in my bed baby."

The girl flushed a few colors of red. Piccolo rolled his eyes. He did not have time to deal with this, and decided to leave the punk and his friends.

"Useless," Piccolo said to himself. He powered up and took off into the sky. He needed to find Trunks and Goten. Piccolo stopped midflight as he heard a few notes on the piano. He looked down and saw the punk of the piano. "How is playing an instrument going to help get energy for Goku?"

Soon the rest of the band was playing as well. Boss looked up at Piccolo, and smirked.

"I found a note with your name, and a picture of us. Even though it was framed and covered in dust, it's the map in my mind that sends me on my way," Boss started to sing. "They say it's never too late to stop being afraid, and there is no one else here so why should I wait? And in the blink of an eye the past begins to fade.

"So have you ever been caught in a sea of despair, and your moment of truth is the day that you say I'm not scared? Put your hands in the air, if you hear me out there. I've been looking for you day and night. Shine a light in the dark, let me see where you are, cause I'm not gonna leave you behind. If I told you that you're not alone, and I showed you this is where you belong, put your hands in the air one more time."

The crowd started to cheer. Piccolo was confused. This concert was not helping Goku create a spirit bomb. Singing was not going to get Goku-

"Ah! They're giving their energy," Piccolo exclaimed as he saw people raising their hands.

"Put your hands in the air, one more time," Boss sang. He played a few notes on the piano as the band continued to play. Suddenly it was just the piano, playing the same tune as the introduction. "Put your hands in the air!"

The entire crowd raised up their hands. Piccolo's eyes went wide as their energy flew passed him.

"Put your hands in the air if you hear me out there, I've been waiting for you day and night. Shine a light in the dark, let me see where you are, cause I'm not gonna leave you behind." Boss looked up at Piccolo, smirking. "If I told you that you're not alone, and I showed you this is where you belong, put your hands in the air one more time. Put your hands in the air…one more time."

The crowd cheered, and their energy went to Goku's spirit bomb. The cocky punk was smirking up at Piccolo. He grabbed the microphone off the piano.

"There you go Mr. Green Giant," Boss said. He dropped the microphone on the ground, and grabbed the cute blond in the front row. He gave Piccolo the one finger salute, and walked away.

(End flashback)

Gohan's mouth dropped. It sounded like something he would do. Hell it's been a dream to have an outdoor concert, and he did! He just couldn't remember because his memory was wiped with the rest of the planet. He even got a hot chick, and probably banged her! He could bang her again and…no wait.

He had Videl, and that thought put a smile on his face.

"So we didn't go out for drinks," Gohan asked. Piccolo shook his head. "Well, sorry for acting like a punk."

"You're still a punk, kid."

"Even as an adult, you still call me kid. So…you won't tell Goku? Chi-Chi? The whole gang and what not?"

"I want to talk to you more Gohan," Piccolo said as he turned his back towards Gohan. He looked over his shoulder and smirked. "But I'm not going to tell anyone. I don't want you running off again. By the way…why is your ki different?"

Gohan shook his head as he walked passed Piccolo.

"We'll catch up Piccolo," he said as he walked by Piccolo, and throwing his hand nonchalantly in the air.

END CHAPTER!

Once again, I am sorry for the long update. I couldn't decide how Gohan should meet Goku, and when I bought the new Shinedown CD, Amaryllis, I heard this song and thought about LML. I couldn't see Gohan helping Goku, or Vegeta, or even Hercule for that matter, but he still wanted to help in some way. CAUSE HE'S A NICE GUY!

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter.