Chi-chi was still up, staring at the empty space beside her on the bed. She brought her shaky fingers across the cool sheets and left her tears there. As she turned to sit up, a figure appeared out of thin air before her. Her eyes widened as the figure came into the lamplight. "G-g-goku." His face was so serious, and his eyes were only looking at her.

"Hi Chi-chi. Sorry I've been gone for so long. I just couldn't stay away. I'm not leaving you or our family anymore. I'm here for good."

"Goku." She watched as he sat beside her on the bed and took her hands. "I just hope you can forgive me someday for leaving you all those times."

"There's nothing to forgive. I love you Goku."

"I love you to Chi-chi."

He gathered her in his arms and held her close as they drifted off to sleep with smiles on their faces.

Trunks woke up to hear loud voices on the other side of the door.

"Goku," said Videl.

"Grandpa," said Pan.

"Dad," said Gohan.

Goku was back. He smiled as he turned to the empty spot beside him. He heard the shower running, and he rushed right into the bathroom. "Goten! Your dad is back. I can't believe it. I thought it was impossible. He heard nothing from his best friend. "Goten, did you hear me?"

"I-I know Trunks. I'm the one who got him back here."

"What? How?"

"I got into contact with King Kai. I did some research on how to bring my dad back, and I explained it to King Kai. He suggested to my father and here he is."

"Goten, what you've done. You've got to tell your family."

"No, I don't want them to know. I did it for them. They love him and now they have him back so lets just leave it at that." Goten held his legs to his chest and rested his head on his knees. "Please Trunks, don't tell anyone."

Trunks pulled back the shower curtain to see Goten's red eyes pleading with him not to say anything. "You know I won't Goten but what you did it's completely selfless."

He rested his hand on Goten's bare, wet back and rubbed the skin. "Are you going to be ok, seeing him again?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Well I'll let you finish up in here but before I go I want you to know that I think you're amazing Goten." He watched Trunks leave the bathroom and a blush formed on his face. He smiled, turned off the shower, wrapped himself up in a towel, and rushed into the bedroom and jumped onto Trunks's unsuspecting back, wrapping his legs around Trunks's waist. "Woah Goten, what are you-?"

"You're the best Trunks." Goten wrapped his arms around his neck.

"Why are you on my back, Goten?"

"I'm just having fun."

Trunks blushed with all the images entering his mind. He would never admit it to Goten, but he loved the closeness. He craved it and all he wanted to do was be with Goten forever but who was he to be the one for him? Goten could choose who he wanted to be with, and Trunks wouldn't stand in the way of his happiness.

Videl went upstairs to check on Goten and Trunks. She figured they were still sleeping so when she opened the door to see Goten on Trunks's back she smiled. Goten smiled at her while Trunks's face went red again.

"Hey Videl," said Goten as he jumped off of Trunks's back and landed beside Trunks.

"I won't say anything, but you're dad is down stairs."

Goten grabbed some clothes, got dressed, and went downstairs with Trunks and Videl. He watched as Goku greeted Trunks and then his eyes went right to his son and smiled. Goten stood before his father. "Hey dad, you look good." Goten smiled at him. Before he could get in another word, Goku took him into his arms and held on tight.

"I missed you son. I promise I won't leave you. I love you."

"I-I love you to, dad." After he got all his tears out, they all sat in the living room and heard Goku explain how he was able to make it back without the dragon balls.

Trunks couldn't help his eyes wander to Goten when Goku told his story. He frowned. They would never know what Goten had done. What an extraordinary person they had in their lives. He could feel his eyes well up with tears. He walked out of the room as his cell phone rang.

"Hello."

"Son."

"Dad, why are you using the phone?"

"Never mind that. Your mother is ill."

"I'm coming home. I'll see you when I get there."

Trunks rushed back into the living room. "I'm sorry I have to go my mom's sick. I have to help take care of her."

"Alright well I hope she'll feel better," said Chi-chi.

"Thank you.'