Sorry this took a little long to post. I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off. But Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you enjoy! And I'm sure you all know where I got the inspiration for Nurse Roberts. She seems to fit very nicely in this story.

Mjmusiclover: Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy this chapter and I know right? That story was amazing. A definite archive.

Revised 01-03-12

Thinking of You

Goten's POV

Usually after a night of heavy drinking I can fall right to sleep. But for some odd reason I just couldn't submit to such a thing. I was in and out of sleep all night tossing and turning. I just couldn't force myself to do such a thing. I maybe got four or so hours tops of needed slumber.

I didn't want to think too much into what happened but I have to admit it confused me. I didn't understand why Trunks would do such a thing. And like I said, I'm not mad or even the slightest bit upset just…. bewildered.

I glance at the clock; 6:15 AM. Defeated I get up and decide a cup of coffee would probably make me feel better.

After making my routine pit stop to the bathroom I head out to the kitchen and start the pot. Of course it was some fancy-shmancy coffee machine that I never quite understood so I was grateful for Trunks teaching me how to work the basic functions. Put coffee grounds in, press green button.

As I reach for a mug I can hear Trunks in his room just getting out of the shower and searching for a clean suit to wear to work. It's not often we're up at the same time to go to work. He's lucky though; he has a set schedule and mine is all over the place but, that's what comes with being a doctor. I'll usually work fifty to sixty hours a week; it becomes very exhausting.

I pour the scolding hot liquid in my mug and add probably more sugar and milk than needed. I sit at the table and set it down before me. The steam rises and lingers about my personal space. I smell the strong aroma and close my eyes.

"Hey," I hear and look up to the entrance of the kitchen doorway.

"Hey."

A sudden nervousness washes over me. Maybe he doesn't even remember what happened. But then again we weren't that gone and I still remember. Is this something we should confront or something we can just pretend never happened to save ourselves from awkward circumstances.

"Finally figure out the coffee pot?" he asks lifting it to a thermos that he brings to work. He mentioned something about the nasty coffee his secretary buys. He had asked to get a different brand but apparently she continuously picks the no name brands.

There's an eerie silence hanging in the air. I just keep my eyes trained on my mug while he finishes up on the last details of his coffee. I can hear the lid of the thermos slowly spin shut and he remains focused on it. I can almost feel his want to say something. We both know how bizarre that innocent little peck was so why was it so hard to lay out on the table before us now?

I guess he swallowed all of that previous hesitation as he says, "Hey… about what happened last night… that was… well…"

I look up and smile to try and lessen the tension, "Its ok. It was just… a weird thing."

He blushes, "Yea… really weird. I don't know where that even came from."

I wonder, "In all seriousness and I won't think any less of you but… are you… ?"

He instantly knows what I'm insinuating. I can tell he most likely knew I would ask this by the quickness of his response. "What?" he suddenly get excited over a simple little question, "No way! I promise I'm not gay."

I find it odd he's awfully jumpy, "Really… it's totally ok if you are. We're best friends, you can tell me anything."

He begins walking toward the front door, "I promise… I'm not like that. You have nothing to worry about." He picks up the briefcase off the floor, "See ya' later."

He turns the corner and practically flees out the front door. What would I have to be worried about?

Trunks POV

I shut the door behind me and begin my trek down the hall and to the parking garage. It's hard to pay attention to where I'm going having so much on my mind. What was I thinking? Why in my drunken stupor would I do something like that?

Goten is my best friend; has been my entire life. I had always found him easy on the eyes but in a way people always judged other people on looks. He was someone I would admire from afar and I often find myself staring at him but…

I scold myself. This was something normal. People look at people all the time, it's a constant habit of human nature. If people didn't judge one another who knows what this world would be and look like. Besides, I've had plenty of guy friends tell me I was good looking enough for any woman I wanted and I never found any fault in that. So why should I be ashamed to say Goten is too?

I finally get to the garage and slid the key into the lock of my car. I flop into the driver's seat and start the engine. I know I need to get to work but all I can do it stare at the concrete wall in front of me.

How could I let myself do that? I still can't believe I was so careless. But at the same time a small part of me felt… relieved? I can't understand why I would want to kiss him. Was it the sum of years of watching him and the constant presence of him? I was so in the moment I had no idea what I was doing. All I can remember is just closing my eyes and leaning forward. I can also remember wanting it.

I try and shake my head clear of these crazy thoughts and get my composure back. I back out and make my way to Capsule Corp.

I drive down the main strip; its morning rush hour. Traffic is crawling. I hate sitting in traffic when I know I could easily just install the capsule feature on this hunk of metal and just fly instead of driving everyday but my mother says driving a company car looks more professional. Unfortunately this is every day. Sometimes I wish I had Goten's work schedule. He never hit traffic on his way to the hospital. Maybe I should have been a doctor too. But then again that kind of option was never written in my fate as an heir to the Briefs namesake.

As I come to yet another red light I look over to the shops and restaurants lining the street. Outside of a clothing boutique I see two men sitting on a bus bench. Both hold coffee blended drinks in one hand and the other holding onto the other man's hand. I can easily tell the two guys were a couple and it honestly didn't bother me. In fact, good for them, to find that special someone you can share everything with, someone you will answer their every beck and call without question, and someone you can truly say 'I love you' too. That was Goten to me, except he was my best friend… just my best friend.

I look away to halt my envy of them. I can feel my previous thoughts coming back with vengeance. I really wish I could stop thinking about last night and just move on like it didn't happen. Even though Goten said he wasn't the slightest bit mad we will always hold that memory of what happened and there will always be that moment that'll follow us everywhere we go; where ever that may be.

After my thirty minute drive to work I park the car and head inside. I walk through the halls and long corridors; women employees flanking to my sides asking me if I need anything. They're all beautiful women but nothing I would put time and effort into. The last thing I need is a disgruntled employee harassing me with phone calls or a picket line of women I've indulged in outside of the main entrance.

I walk into my office closing the door and leaving them outside of my four walled 'safe-house'. I pray that maybe I'll have enough paperwork to sift through to get my mind off of these plaguing thoughts.

Goten's POV

After a failed attempt to go back to sleep I shower and make myself decent. I figure I'll visit my mother for a little while then head to work afterward.

I dress myself and head to the balcony then taking off into the air. Our flat is so high up people down below never notice anything suspicious. The only time Trunks and I drive our cars is when we go somewhere within the city. But thankfully most of our local hotspots were just a few blocks of walking away.

But on the days I work night shift I always headed to my mother's house ever since my father up and left yet again. She lives alone now so I try and keep her company as much as possible. Of course Gohan lives ten feet from her front door but he works all day and so does Videl. My little niece is probably at school right now. My brother and I had made a deal with one another to keep her company. Too many times has she been left alone at home for years on end and now that she was growing older we didn't want her to grow old alone.

I don't think I would ever be able to forgive my father for all of the time he's selfishly left us behind to fulfill his own needs.

I land on the front lawn and make my way up to the door. I open it, "Hey anybody home?"

"In the kitchen Goten!"

I walk toward my mother's voice. I step into the kitchen and see her washing dishes. "Did you have company?" I ask.

"Oh no, I just made breakfast for Pan and sent her off to school. Gohan and Videl had to go to work early today." She places the dish in the drying rack, "Did you eat yet?"

"I had coffee," I offered.

She sighs, "That's not food, sit down."

She's such a mother. I know she's not mad but she does get easily agitated with my eating habits. Actually come to think of it, both her and Trunks do. They just don't understand how my appetite isn't as big as my father's or brothers. I know it worries my mother but it shouldn't. Sure, I'm a little lean for my height but I'm not underweight or anything. I just push it off as it's just the way she is with her son's.

But then why does Trunks care so much? Sometimes he can be just as bad as my mother when it comes to me and my meal portions.

"Goten?"

"Huh?" I didn't even hear her call my name.

"I said, what do you want to eat?"

"Surprise me."

She laughs and gets to work. Through her cooking she asks me, "Something bothering you? You seem lost in thought all of a sudden."

I shrug, "No, nothing in particular." I'm not about to tell her my best friend kissed me in a drunken haze last night for no apparent reason.

"Are you sure? I know when something is bothering you."

"No, I promise."

"Ok then." She leaves it at that and finishes up on my breakfast. I know the second she sits down I'll be getting an interrogation of what's on my mind. She knows how I tick. I've been one to put my problems on someone else; I usually keep things to myself for me to figure out. But is she ever persistent… she will sit and drill me until I crack at my seams. But I have to admit, whatever it is I spill she's always been there to clean it up. Like I said, she's a professional mother.

She sets down a variety of plates and I don't hesitate to dig in. But I soon slow my pace and see her looking me over. With a mouth full of food I ask, "Yes?"

"I know something is bothering you."

"Ughh…"

"Come on Goten; talk to me. I'm your Mom, you can tell me anything."

Not really…

She presses the matter, "Was it something that happened at work? Was it a bad dream? Is something going on with Paris and you?"

I'm quick to remember my oddball dream from last night and decide I'll tell her about it to satisfy her. "Well now that you mention it… I had the weirdest dream last night."

She leans forward, "Well what happened?"

"Well, I came home from work and walked into the apartment to find it completely empty. Everything was gone; just up and disappeared. Then I went down to the street and it was the same thing. Nobody was on the street, no cars, and even all of the stores were empty. But as I was freaking out in the middle of the street I heard someone call my name and then I turned around and saw Trunks standing on the corner."

Her face relaxes, "Oh really? What happened next?"

"Nothing really. I ran up to him and just before I got to him I woke up."

"Hmm…"

"What's that face for?" I ask afraid of what assumption she's come up with.

She smiles, "Oh nothing. Just finish your breakfast and we'll go take a walk," she stands up from her seat, "I have to stay in shape if I want to see great grandkids."

I'm not so convinced, "Seriously; what are you thinking?"

She picks up a few of my emptied plates and drops them in the sink, "Well, your dreams are images of your true thoughts. It kind of sounds like even if everybody had left you, you will always have Trunks by your side."

She was right.

I walk out to the nurse's station in the ICU of Satan City Hospital. Tonight has been pretty slow so far and all of my patients were stable. It's only 9:00 PM and I have about nine more hours to go. I figured I would go sit down in the on-call room until I was paged again. But before I do that I headed to see if anything needed my attention.

I lean on the side of the tall counter, "Hey Nurse Roberts, got anything for me?"

She smirked knowing full well the clipboard she was about to hand me would most likely put me in a bad mood for the rest of the night. "Here, have fun with that."

I grab the clipboard and read it over. There was a patient that was just admitted a few minutes ago. I read it over then look at the name. "Ughh…"

She laughs, "I told you so. He ain't gunna' learn. He'll just keep coming back until the end."

I roll my eyes and start walking over to room 13. What a conveniently unlucky number for this guy.

Remember how fondly I talked about repeat patients? Well Ralphie Mae was one of them. Ralphie was shorter than me, well over four hundred pounds, and still wonders why he has diabetes and an entire list of other health problems.

I walk in and see him lying on the bed and I wonder just how much longer the bed is going to hold him up. God forbid this man ever broke a leg; he would be using I-beams for crutches.

I stand at the end of the bed, "Alright Ralphie, what is it this time?"

"Dr. Son," he tries so hard to sound innocent, "I'm having really bad chest pains. Can you figure out exactly what it is?"

"I already know what it is. Your heart is overworking itself. I thought you said you were going to try and lose weight? Your chart says you gained."

"I didn't mean to."

You didn't mean to? I'm usually a very gentle and care-free spirit but when it comes to people like Ralphie who just expect to have everything given to them I get irritated and pretty upset. But even through my mild anger I keep a calm façade.

"Well the doctor that admitted you scheduled an MRI in ten minutes. So when we get the results back we'll figure everything out ok?"

"Yes sir."

I place the chart into the holder that hangs off the end of the bed. I head back out to the nurse's station as one of the interns passes by. I stop them, "Take 13 down to MRI." They nod complying and go to retrieve Ralphie. I watch him look in the room then ask for assistance from another intern to help push the bed. It has wheels but of course Ralphie even makes that task difficult.

I turn back around, "Hey Nurse Roberts, can I have the phone?"

"Makin' personal calls again?" she laughs placing the bulky telephone on the counter. She was a spunky older woman that kept this place alive. When things got quiet and disoriented she was the glue that held all of us together. I often find myself talking with her when we work the same shift.

I pick up the receiver and dial Paris's number. It rings and rings then goes straight to voicemail. I don't bother leaving a message and hang up. 'Maybe she just wasn't by her phone,' I think and pick it back up re-dialing her number. It rings a few times but she finally does answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me."

"Oh hey, you're at work?"

What gave you that clue, the caller I.D.? "Yea, I'm working all night. Are you busy tomorrow?"

I can hear some shuffling in the background, "Yea, actually."

"You don't have any time at all to meet up? We haven't seen each other in over a week."

She sighs into the phone, "Yea I know but I promised Shel I'd go car shopping with her."

"And you'll be doing that all day?"

"By the time we get done you'll be going to work again."

Now it's my turn to sigh, "Alright well, I guess I'll just see you whenever."

"Oh come on, don't be like that."

I should have kept my mouth shut, here is not the place to argue with her. Nurse Roberts is only a few feet away from me and I know she's listening in on me. She may have been a great ally in this joint but she was also the Queen of Gossip. "Never mind Paris, just call me when you get some free time."

"Ok… I love you," she says.

"I love you too," I hang up the phone. I feel that phrase isn't being properly used between the two of us; like it doesn't hold that true meaning anymore. Did it ever? Trunks always had time for me and we both had full time jobs unlike her who had no job at all. Even though I had the tone of sadness stitched into my words she didn't bother to comfort me. I can't stop thinking of how Trunks would bend over backwards and do whatever to make me feel better. It's one thing I loved I about him. Why couldn't I find a girl who cared for me as much as Trunks does?

Nurse Roberts is on me the second the phone is placed in the cradle, "Now what's goin' on?"

I rub my eyes trying to clear my thought once more of Trunks. But I'm quick to turn my attention to her, "None of your business," I smile.

She laughs, "You finally learned huh?"

"Yes, yes I have," we laugh together but soon interrupted by the intern I asked to attend to Ralphie.

"Dr. Son, Ralphie is back in his room."

"What? There's no way it's been forty-five minutes."

He shrugs, "Dr. Koi took him in then sent him right back up. I think he left a note in his chart."

"Great." I walk back into room 13 that held the bane of my careers existence.

I pick up the chart and read it over. I have to go back a reread what Dr. Koi jotted down and can't believe what I'm seeing.

Ralphie sees my contorted face and asks, "What is it?"

I lean the chart on the end bed rail and look him in the eyes, "We can't give you an MRI here Ralphie. We have to send you to North City."

"I didn't know North City had a hospital. I thought they only had a clinic."

"North City doesn't have a hospital; they have a public Zoo that has a veterinary hospital."

He's not understanding what I'm trying to say, "I don't think I understand."

"Ralphie, you're too big for our machine. You have to get an MRI in the same machine bears and elephants get one."

He looks to his folded hands on his large stomach, "Oh… I didn't realize…"

"Look I told you from the beginning this is serious. You have got to start trying to seriously start losing weight."

"Can't I just have gastric bypass surgery."

"We went over this, you're insurance doesn't cover it."

Silence quickly fills the room as I wait for him to accept the news. I want it to sink in so he can finally understand he can't live like this; who knows how much longer he really has. As much as I try to tell him nicely that he's literally killing himself with every bit of junk food he takes he still doesn't heed my warning. And what kills me is that he just expects me to fix his problem with the flick of the wrist. If I could really do something that great, not only would Ralphie be forever out of my hair but I would be one very, very rich bastard.

I can see tears swelling in his eyes and I feel like maybe we finally made a breakthrough.

He whimpers, "But… it's not easy trying to lose all this weight…"

I walk over to the side of his bed and place a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Ralphie, nothing in this life worth having ever comes easy."

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