A/N: I just want to say thank you so much to all of my reviewers and say just how much they mean to me. I really appreciate you guys taking a few minutes to leave your thoughts with me. It always encourages me to update asap

On a side note, if you're a Goten fan then check out my other story 'To Love What's Left Behind'. It's not a TruTen fic but it does included Trunks. That story only got a handful of reviews but were phenomenal and praising. You can find it in my profile if you decide to read it while waiting for chapter seven.

So enough of my babbling; enjoy the chapter!

Crimson Lei-Kancher-I'm glad to see your open to new and different pairing and yes of course I shall continue

xXKimi2k5Xx- That's awesome about your own TruTen fic and I can't wait to check it out. Good luck! And I'm glad my updates make you happy lol

slaxl- I always try and add comedic relief to all of my stories so I'm happy you thought it was funny.

BlueSkiesSunrise- You are 110% right about rereading for grammatical and spelling errors and yet even with this knowledge I still end up missing something. But I went through this one carefully so hopefully there's little to no mistakes.

Mjmusiclover- yes we shall see who Goten gets set up with but unfortunately itll have to wait until chapter seven.

Taking Action

Goten's POV

Getting switched back to day shift is a God given gift. But then again every good has its bad and my bad is dealing with Dr. Yun Song, Chief of Medicine; my boss. We've also dubbed him as Satan and Napoleons lovechild. A fine example of his idea of running a hospital is bouncing a patient without insurance faster than a worthless check. He schedules his employees hours they don't like working, makes them work his own duties, and I'm almost positive he has sacrificial rituals in his office every now and again.

I usually spend my day shift in my patient's rooms and out of the halls just to avoid Dr. Song. Being somewhat new to the hospital, makes me the underdog and I take more crap from him than anybody. He finds joy in making me work nights and weekends. I'm lucky if I only come into contact with him once a day.

Thanks to some divine intervention, he's busy today dealing with a colleague's malpractice suit with his minion and Satan City Hospital's lawyer. So now I roam freely to deal with my own dwellings.

After completing my rounds and finding everything in order I take a minute for myself and continue my debate to try dating. I had been with Paris for so long I think I may be moving on a little too fast. I'm not confident that I'm completely over her. I still think of everything we had together and the life we tried building and how it was crushed and crumbled at my feet. I can sometimes still feel that emptiness; that blank void that sucked up my heart.

I remember the news of Videl's pregnancy and how my brother had his life set up and moving along smoothly by the time he was twenty-four and here I am in my early thirties with not even a girlfriend let alone a wife and child. But I know I can't let myself feel this way forever, I have to move on. I have to keep strong and look at the positives. Like how I'm single and how much freedom I have and how she's being punished with an STD. I know it's awful to wish anything bad on anyone but come on… she was unfaithful in the worst way and for an extended period of time.

I guess I could thank Trunks for helping me through that rough patch by staying by my side, hanging out with me, listening to me… and keeping my mind occupied in other ways. And that is what I believe to be my driving point to date. I honestly want to believe Trunks is playing games with me and nothing will come of it but I get the haunting feeling that my intuition is trying to tell me something else. I think I really do need this to define what exactly it is I'm feeling.

So I make my final decision to ask Trunks to hook me up with someone. This will be my deciding factor.

My short break comes to an end so I start making my way to Mrs. Morley's room. Today she's being released but I know that she'll be back soon once her new medication starts wearing off. It's a shame to see such a nice person, such a wonderful soul, deteriorate before your eyes. The worst part is watching them waste away and still be expected to care for them and discover some sort of miracle cure for them. I'm a doctor, not God.

And she knows this. She tells me all the time how we're just prolonging the inevitable. I tell her to enjoy it while it lasts.

I knock on the door and make my way in, "Hello Mrs. Morley."

She's lying in bed flipping through channels on the TV. "Hello, Dr. Son. Are we all set?"

"Yep, just waiting for you ride to get here."

She looks me over in my dark blue scrubs. Her eyes making some sort of assessment of what stands before her. Did I have something in my teeth?

"Looks like something is bothering you again," she says folding her hands across her lap.

Well, I've been pulling my hair out with madness thinking in vicious circles but I'm not about to pour it all out to her. Sure, we've known each other for some time now seeing as she's here often but not long enough to have a one on one session of true confessions. I know she won't leave the subject alone as long as we're in contact and I'll be the one escorting her downstairs.

"Well," I begin, "I'm just having problems with other patients is all."

"What kind of problems?"

This woman does not let anything go.

"Oh, it's nothing; trust me." I pick up her chart from the end of the bed to try and show her I'm not longer interested in the conversation.

"Your body language tells me something else."

I am defeated… so I decide to tell her about the infamous pain in my ass, Ralphie. It's not the whole truth but it's not a lie either. "Ok, so I have this patient, named Ralphie, whose is more or less, overweight. He has type-two diabetes but won't change his lifestyle to accommodate it. I really don't know how else to get through to him."

"Diabetes is very serious," she says.

"Yea, try telling him that. He won't listen; he doesn't even try."

She suddenly changes the subject, "So how's the home life?"

What?

She was so infatuated with what was bothering so badly and now she was wondering how my home life was? I find it odd how quick her focus shifts and I'm on my toes to figure exactly what she's plotting. Does she suspect something? Is she digging for more clues? Am I really that obvious or is the new medication I gave her have awry effects?

"Fine… why do you ask?" I'm still polite even though I feel invaded.

"Because one patient alone cannot possibly have you this tangled up and for this long. Especially considering how small of a problem it is. Now why don't you tell me what's really bothering you."

Damn she's good…

"I don't know… I don't usually mix my work and personal life."

She laughs, "Oh so I'm just work now? We're not friends?"

"I guess not…"

"Come on now. Telling someone is always good for you. Bottling it up will only result in disaster later on."

Maybe she can help and just maybe she's right. I haven't really told anybody my true feelings about what's been going on and they have been haunting me for what seems like forever. But on the other hand I really don't think I'm ready to admit anything just yet. I think I'm afraid.

Maybe I can twist the story up and get some real advice; Lord knows I need it.

"Ok… so my roommate has been having some really conflicting feelings towards… other people and doesn't really know what to think and what to do. He came to me for advice but I have no clue what say. And now he's starting to have some pretty unusual feelings towards his best friend."

Her eyes burrow into mine, "Now when you say other people, what exactly do you mean?"

"He's… umm… well… I guess you can say… questioning himself? But I think he's just afraid to admit it but I don't know how to help him."

Her eyebrows are raised, "Sounds like your friend is in quite the predicament."

"How do I fix this?"

"You know Goten," she always used my first name when being totally genuine, "Sometimes actions speak a lot louder than words. Maybe you should show Ralphie how important and dire this all really is. Think about that."

My eyebrows quirks up. I can honestly say this is the first time I've ever had two conversations at once. I'm leaning more toward severe side effects.

I decide to let it ride and see how she is in a few minutes when I walk her out. I then stand and assume maybe now is a good time to go take care of other business while I wait for her ride to pick her up and take her home.

"Thanks for the talk," I say pushing aside how confused I am, "but I must be going now. I'll be back when it's time to go."

I turn and walk away toward the door. Opening it, I hear her call my name, "Oh and Goten, don't be afraid of who you are. Sometimes the raw truth brings about the people who love you for who you are and nothing more." I smile knowingly and leave the room.

I should have known I wouldn't be able to hide anything from her. Did I mention her full name was Dr. Hazel Morley? She's a retired psychologist. Trying to lie to her is like trying to hide food from a Saiyjin… it's just not happening. But I have to admit… I do feel a little better having said everything aloud for the first time. Well maybe not the whole truth but enough truth for me. I'm just taking baby steps.

Actions speak louder than words… She's right, and I've got an idea to get Ralphie Mae off his rear and get in gear.

Trunks' POV

To say I've been stressed out would be the understatement of my life, past life, and maybe even my father's life. Well maybe not him; he had a pretty rough childhood to say the least. I couldn't even fathom living directly under a galactic tyrants iron fist as a slave for one third of my life. My father has always been rough on me and has pushed me like no one else has dared. Most children would grow up to have some blood debt to such abuse but I'm not most people. I understand the hardships he's suffered whether or not he would admit he was ever suffering. He pushes me because in his eyes, this is lite training and tough love.

And my whole life I've been ok with it to a point; what sane person wouldn't hold some type of grudge? But with the bad comes good. Today I've asked my father for a training session to relieve some tension. I ask him because I obviously can't go to Goten with my problems; he's the platform to this house of cards ready to fall. I ask my father because I know he'll push me, make me forget even if for only a few hours, and he won't ask questions.

So now I find myself panting from a rapid heartbeat and deep breaths bent over, hands on knees. I feel sweat drip from my brow as I stare into the tiled floor of my father's gravity chamber. He's tuned the machine to manipulate 200x that of Earth's gravity and it has most certainly taken its toll on me. My father hasn't even broken a sweat yet and I realize just how out of shape I am.

Of course he wouldn't let something of this standard go unnoticed. "Trunks," he calls out, "Break time is over let's go!"

I know I'm going to be soar later if I don't break every now and then but the more I stop the more frustrated he becomes. I know that is a storm I want to avoid so I stand back up straight.

The second my back is erect, he launches himself to me and begins his tirade of punches. I leap back and block to the best of my abilities but he's just too quick. I see his fist lined with my nose and duck. I uppercut into his abdomen but he's quick to recover and elbows me in the temple.

My body soars backward onto the hard porcelain floor and I don't get right back up. I'm panting even heavier now and I get the feeling my face was just rearranged. I hear his footsteps close in and can almost feel the heat of the fire in his eyes look me over.

"Pathetic," he spits. "I can't believe you're out so soon… I can't believe how weak you've become."

All I can do is stare at him with the eye that isn't black, blue, and swollen. "Becoming president of this damned company has severely weakened you. Instead of training, you've been spending all of your free time behind a desk sitting on your ass or your with that other half breed and loose women. Tell me, what's happened to you?"

I sit up groaning as I feel pain shoot through my body. Everything is begging me to lay back down and go to sleep but my pride won't let me fall that far. "What, are you trying to encourage me?" I ask.

"I don't even pity you."

My arm is wrapped across my midsection as I try and stand up. I fail and stumble to my knees. My hand supports my dead weight and I decide to wait just a moment longer.

"What's wrong with you?" he asks, "When did you become such a pansy?"

"A what?"

"A pansy I said. A pansy, a weakling, a little woman. Your mother harnesses more strength than you right now."

"So your saying you don't like pansy's?" I know imitating him is like is like hammering in the last nail in the coffin but the only advantage I have right now is my intelligence and sly way with wordplay.

He places his foot on my shoulder and pushes me over on my side. "You bumbling idiot, of course not. And it's my misfortune my own son is one, let alone to even be in the presence of such blasphemy. What Saiyjin just lays down and submits? Where's your pride?" He crosses his arms over his thick chest awaiting my answer.

I groan landing on strained muscles, "I have pride!"

"Such tripe-"

"I do!" I shout, "I may not be as strong as you but I have pride and dignity whether you see it or not." He just keeps staring at me like ice waiting for me to continue. I push myself up and balance my broken body on my knees once again, "And I'll prove it to you! I've been trying my whole life to prove to you I am worth it and I'm something to be proud of. I'll prove it to you… right now… I'm not a pansy!"

Through a red, anger like haze before my eyes I notice his smirk. He reaches out a hand for me, "That's enough; it's plain to see you've astonishingly grew a pair of stones within the last five seconds. You're obviously done for today… and you bleeding all over my floor."

He pulls me to my feet and instructs me. "Go walk yourself to the infirmary downstairs and get in the healing tank. We'll continue training as soon as you're well again."

I turn on my heal and begin my trek to the hallway. Before I walk out I hear him shout, "Don't be lazy; take the stairs. No warrior should ever be seen riding an elevator listening to fruity music."

I turn away and shut the door behind me.

I it's plain to see now why I'm having such a hard time coming to grips with myself. My subconscious knows who I am and what I'm feeling, and even what I want but on the surface I could never ever admit to such a sin. I can't be that person; I'm not like that.

So in the end… am I truly turning away all of the accusations, or am I really in denial?

What am I afraid of?

Goten's POV

It's almost the end of my shift and I'm becoming antsy waiting to finally execute my devious plan to once and for all stop Ralphie Mae in his tracks of every ten Zeni buffet in a five mile radius. Considering I've tried everything from talking in great detail to sending him to a zoo for a larger than life MRI machine. I don't know why I didn't think of this sooner… that's a lie. I do know why and it's because, what I'm about to do, is very impractical and maybe unprofessional. But on the plus side, I know this will work.

I glance at the clock in the hallway; twenty minutes until I'm released. Now is the time so I walk with a longer than usual stride toward his room. I arrive knocking on the door then making my way in. "Ralphie?" I ask.

"Hmm?"

I gape at him, "Ralphie! What are you eating?"

He frowns like a child being scolded, "Chocolate pudding…"

My hands are placed firmly on my hips ready to take charge. "And why, may I ask, are you pouting?"

He put the small plastic container on the table tray. "Because I know I shouldn't be eating it…"

I sigh, "Then why, pray tell, do you continue to eat junk food? I don't get it, I really don't understand."

"My therapist says it's comfort food."

Unbelievable… he even has a therapist that tells him he has a bingeing disorder. If my math is correct, that's two doctor's with legal PHD's telling him to change his diet. That's it; I've had it. If this doesn't work then there is nothing else I can possibly do but sit back and watch this train-wreck resume its destructive course until the bitter end.

I walk over to his trey and pick his inhaling handing it to him. "Get up," I demand.

"Dr. Son, you know I can't walk too well anymore."

"Get up Ralphie; we're going on a little field trip."

He sees the seriousness in my eyes and doesn't argue. I watch him struggle to push himself into a sitting position then swinging his chunky legs over the edge. He tries to use the theory of counter weight and haul himself into a standing position by rocking back and forth. His effort pays off and he's finally on his feet.

"Follow me," I order. He doesn't hesitate and does what he's told. We walk at an incredibly slow pace down the long corridor. I know it was a miracle to get him up and walking so trying to get him down three flights of stairs isn't happening. I push the button to call the elevator forth and we wait.

As the bell rings the metallic doors slide open and Ralphie walks in first. I hit the 'G' button for ground level. The ride isn't too shaky as we descend. Once again the doors open and I walk out. I can hear his heavy panting behind me.

I no longer hear his heavy footfalls and turn around. He's leaned up against a wall using his inhaler. The panting has stayed the same as I walk back to him.

"Are you happy like this?" I ask him.

"Of course not."

"You know this won't get any better right? You're banging on Death's door to let you in at this rate."

"I know."

"You obviously don't Ralphie or you wouldn't be here right now. You don't understand the caliber of just how serious this is getting and where you're going to end up."

He looks confused, "End up?"

"Yes, now follow me."

The rest of our trip was mostly silent except for the occasional huff and puff from my tag along. The walk was fairly short but at the pace Ralphie was traveling made it seem like we were walking across town. But I knew this would be worth it, this was that click that would spark an epiphany for him. He will finally see reason and understand the incredible danger he's in. He will finally figure out that changing his lifestyle will be the key to turning back time on his body, and he'll go on to live and be able to do whatever he pleases.

We come to two large stainless steel doors; a small sign reading 'Morgue' is screwed to the wall above. He stares at it as I swipe my ID card and unlock the impenetrable doors. They open and he hesitates to step forth until I motion him to move inside. With a deep breath he places one foot in front of the other entering and I follow.

The room is completely sterile and dim lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling; a very good setting for what lies behind the small stainless doors lining the walls. It's a little cold in here but with my heart rate going as fast as it is it doesn't faze me. The only thing colder than this room might be my attitude right now but Ralphie can see just how serious I am.

He breaks the silence asking, "What are we doing here Dr. Son?"

I don't answer and only walk over to one of the doors. I'm completely calm as I open the door and pull the bed out. The body lying on top is of a woman in her early thirties.

"This is Ms. Cho. She was thirty two years old and passed away maybe a day or two ago."

Ralphie leans over her to get a better look from the opposite side of the sliding tray. "How did she die?" I can tell he already knew the answer but for some reason hoped I said the opposite of what he was currently thinking.

"Kidney failure… she had type two diabetes."

"… I have type two."

"Yup. This could be you within months if you don't shape up. I can set you up with a dietician and health specialists and your insurance will even cover gym fees with a trainer."

I watch him stare and Ms. Cho. No smile adorns her face and her skin pale and cold. To me it looks as though he's envisioning himself and tuned out from my options that were being laid out for him.

I ask grabbing his attention again, "Can you imagine your mother looking at you the same way you're looking at Ms. Cho? Can you see her crying over her loss?"

His eyebrows are knitted together trying his best to hold back his tears. He only nods to acknowledge he is listening to me.

"Wouldn't you feel guilty in the afterlife knowing you could've changed it?"

He stands up straight keeping his eyes trained on the dead woman. "No," he says. I'm a little taken back by what he just said but he goes on.

"Because this isn't going to happen to me… I'll do it. I know it'll be hard and it won't happen overnight but, Dr. Son… I'm going to do it."

I smile. I can see he really means it this time and I know I've done my job no matter how unprofessional it may have been.

He looks me in the eyes, "Thank you."

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