Twisted mind II

Father and Daughter

AN:You would think such a short chapter would have been finished long ago. It would have been to, except for one thing. I have very little experience in the sort of things this chapter deals with. Very little meaning none. So I wasn't really sure if this was would achieve what I wanted it to, and so I hesitated to post it. But just letting it sit won't make it better, so here it is. Please anjoy.

Gohan's eyes slowly drifted open as awareness began to return. He took a moment to recall where he was, and the memory brought a smile to his features. He was in bed with Videl. Well, it was his bed now too, he thought. He looked overhis shoulder at Videl who was dozing peacefully beside him. Gohan lay back and just allowed himself to relax as he listened to her breathing. It was a nice rythmic sound that might have lulled him right back to sleep if he hadn't been savouring the moment.

A slight change in Videl's breathing let him knew that she was waking up. "Good morning." He said.

"Morning." Videl replied softly.

A moment of silence. "You wanna get up?"

"Not yet, let me jsut enjoy this." Videl replied. The two lay there in contentment for a time before Videl dozed back to sleep. Gohan waited a moment, then quietly extracted himself from the bed and went to the kitchen.

Videl finally pulled herself out of bed about twenty minutes later. The first thing that greeted her upon exiting he rroom was the pleasant aroma of bacon and eggs. Sure enough when she reached the kitchen she could see a place set at the table for her with a plate covered in scrambled eggs bacon and hashbrowns along with a glass of orange juice.

Gohan stood at the sink washing up his dishes, a fair number of them from the looks of it. At least six plates had been used.

"That smells so good." Videl commented as she moved towards her seat.

"Thanks." Gohan looked over his shoulder at her. "Iwasn't sure when you would get up so I ate already."

"Thats alright, just don't do it again." Videl said.

Gohan chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."

The food was decent, which was quite impressive given that Gohan probably hadn't cooked a single meal in his entire life, at least to Videl's knowledge. Although she supposed knowing how to prepare food was probably a skill saiyans were born with.

Gohan poured himself a cup of coffee and joined Videl at the table. "So, when do I get to meet our daughter?"

Videl swallowed a mouthful of eggs before responding. "I was thinking today."

Gohan nodded, then leaned forward as his face turned serious. "So how are you going to introduce me?"

Videl set her fork down. "I don't know. I think we should wait until she's older to let her know who you are, until then we can introduce you as a friend."

"Just a friend? But I'm her father." Gohan said.

"I know that." Videl replied. "But don't you think it might be a bit of a shock? You need to earn her trust, her affection. You can't just drop that kind of a bombshell on a child her age."

"I get that, I really do. But you have to understand, I've waited for years knowing nothing about my daughter aside from the fact she exists." Gohan said, a pleading note entering his voice.

"Gohan." Videl began sternly. "Think about how she would react. She's never met you before, she doesn't even know what you look like. The only thing she knows is that her father has never been there for her. If you say you're her father now she might resent you. Is that what you want?"

"No." Gohan said.

Videl nodded. "You will get to meet her,and know her. But you have to let her get used to you, let her learn to trust and like you before you drop this on her, ok?"

Gohan nodded. "Your right of course. So where am I a friend from?"

"You could say you knew her father." Videl suggested.

"Yeah, that way I could tell her about myself without letting her know. Does she know my name?" Gohan said.

"No." Videl shook her head.

"I suppose that'll make things a bit easier." Gohan decided.

"Just wait here today, get used to the place. I'll bring Pan home and introduce you then. " Videl said.

Gohan nodded with a sigh. "Alright."

"It'll be alright Gohan." Videl said as sheclasped his hands. "You'll get to tell her eventually, you just have to wait awhile."

Gohan nodded again, and smiled. He decided it didn't matter right now, either way he could finally meet his daughter.

The day passed slowly for Gohan. He looked through Videl's movie collection but could not find anything he would like, nor were there many books to enjoy. He started on one about space travel, but quickly gave up on it. Finally he simply stepped outside and began to do some stretches, before sinking into some light training. It wasn't long before even that failed to distract him, and he finally resigned himself to pacing back and forth across the living room waiting for Videl to return with Pan.

It was about three in the afternoon when he sensed them approaching. He stood still and waited. Before long he heard the door opening.

"Now remember what I said honey, mind your manners." He heard Videl saying.

"Ok mommy." He heard a little girls voice respond. They rounded the corner, and Gohan's breath caught as he saw his daughter for the second time.

"Pan, this is a friend of mine, Gohan. Gohan, meet Pan." Videl introduced them.

"Hi mister, nice to meet you." Pan said with a polite bow.

Gohan returned the bow. "Nice to meet you to,Pan."