Together Again

by Lady-Ravenhawk

Feared by the Gods themselves, the first humans to walk the earth were torn into two bodies, each one half of one soul. Destined to search for each other through their many lives lived upon the earth, neither remembers who they once were. That is until a fateful meeting reunites them as they work to save an innocent child from the years of abuse no one else was able to see.

20. Soul Mates

Gohan sighed and shook his head, his arms crossed over his chest. His mother was at it again. He didn't have time for this. The caseworker was coming to his house that day to interview him and his wife and he'd hoped to be in a pleasant mood when he met her for the first time. That was NOT going to happen with his mother here, demanding that he back her up, wanting him to claim that her house was the best option for Goten simply because she had carried him for nine months. She was his mother and he should be with her, according to her way of thinking.

"Mom," Gohan tried again in a forced calm voice, "I am not going to lie for you. Frankly, I can't believe you did what you did. You're right; he is your son. You shouldn't have hit him like that in the first place!"

Chichi threw her hands up in the air. "Are you out of your mind?! You're actually going to believe your father over me?! I NEVER raised a hand against my poor dear boy! Your father was too rough in his training! Now what better place for my son to be safe than my house? My HOME." She was pacing and her face was trying to turn a new shade of red, "Certainly better than whatever house your father could provide with that tiny cabin with those acts going on! What are they going to do when they," she paused and shuddered, "do things? Shove my poor boy out in the cold?!"

Gohan squeezed his eyes shut, praying for patience because if he asked for strength, he would surely slap his mother through the wall. "Tien built that cabin himself. I'm sure they could add on a room for him." He paused and drew a long breath, "Besides, I think they're leaning more towards him coming to live with me. Why do you have such a problem with that? And don't give me that crap about Dad. I spent my whole life training under him and Piccolo. I NEVER once got a mark like that from training. I know what you did, mother. And I haven't forgotten what you did to me. You're lucky I even let you in the house anymore."

Chichi huffed and crossed her arms, "I did nothing of the sort, your father hid those marks on Goten." She sighed, "And I want him at the house because then I could make sure that he gets the proper education he needs to become a doctor! I know it's all just fun and games with you here, and I couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't be hurt. I know that he would still see his abusive father! It makes me sick! SICK to see those marks on his body," She sniffled, "Oh my poor baby boy!" She didn't even acknowledge Gohan's statement about what had happened to him when he was younger.

Lindsey leaned against the outside of the nursery door upstairs, fighting the urge to go down to the living room and tear her mother in law to shreds. Everyone knew Chichi had done this. And here she was, still lying about it.

"Quit calling Dad abusive!" Gohan shouted at the same moment Goku, Tien, and Sabriena appeared in the living room, Gramma Arthusia with them. "Oh, hey," Gohan said to them. "I didn't know you all were coming to visit." He turned his attention back to Chichi, "You need to go. The caseworker will be here in a little bit and I have things to do."

Chichi felt her rage boiling up, pointing her finger at them, "No! How dare you think you can shove me out of the door! I'm not going to let you talk to that case worker and charm her with witchcraft and spells! I should have known Goku would stoop so low to resort to tricks and devil worship to sway you all!" She glared over at them.

Goku blinked at Chichi. He hadn't been expecting this, to hear his son defending him from Chichi calling him abusive. It hurt. It hurt him deeply to hear that and to know that Chichi was still trying to spread around those rumors, but hearing Gohan defending him made him feel a little better.

Gramma felt dizzy the moment they arrived at Gohan's house. Not from the instant transmission, but from the pure evil rage that filled the place with Chichi's presence. "Devil worship?" she asked in a dangerous voice, stepping closer to the other woman. "What did you call my craft? Devil worship?!"

Gohan actually took a couple steps back and Sabriena moved to hide behind Tien, but peered out around him, hoping Grandma would give Chichi the tongue-lashing of her life.

"How dare you harm that sweet, innocent child? How dare you deny the man you called your husband the things you did! You are nothing but a pathetic, evil, ignorant cow," Gramma spat.

Chichi turned on the woman, feeling herself taking a step back, but not knowing why. Not wanting to be humiliated, she drew herself up and glared at the other woman, her face turning red, "A COW?! Listen here, GRANDMA, I'll not have my son, my poor baby boy near you or your evil magick! You were probably the one helping that stupid oaf hide his marks on my boy!" She whirled on Gohan, "You see! That's how he was doing it! You can't let him see him anymore! They've been against you this whole time! Who knows what kind of rituals and demons they've been summoning?"

Goku felt his own rage building up in him and he moved to step in front of Gramma, "Don't you dare talk to that way to Gramma, Chichi! How could you! Our son? He's so small and he trusted you! HE TRUSTED YOU!"

Gohan was getting ready to shout back at his mother, but the words just wouldn't seem to come out.

Gramma appreciated Goku's protection, but she didn't need it. Not from this miserable wench. She calmly placed a hand on his arm and stepped back around him, her eyes boring into Chichi's. She wanted a clear shot at this woman. The room seemed to darken, save for the candles sitting on the coffee table that inexplicably lit themselves, their flames dancing higher than normal. The old woman looked fierce and intimidating as she began to chant, "I call upon the dark Goddess, whose names are Kali, Hecate, Lillith, Nemesis and Morgane. Darksome powers of the night, gather round the candle's flame, send this enemy in shaded flight, send this enemy away in shame. Before the night is over, before the day is through, whatever you have done to others, shall return to you. By the powers of earth, air, fire and sea, as I will it, so mote it be!"

Chichi's eyes went wide and she was about to shout back at her. How dare she recite some rubbish mumbo jumbo spell, devil worship spell at her? Her mouth opened but all she could make was some undignified squeak, her face turned redder and redder as she tried again, but she stomped her foot like a spoiled child not getting her way and turned and grabbed her purse up off the floor and ran for the door, letting it slam behind her.

Goku blinked, watching as his ex-wife was suddenly just...gone. He felt a calmness, a peace when Gramma had placed her comforting hand on him and he let her step in front of him. The house darkened, but he felt no ill will towards him, his mates, or his son and daughter. It was, daresay, almost amusing the way Chichi's face had turned those shades of red and the noise she made almost made him laugh. He would have, if he wasn't so sure that this serious moment would strike him down as well if he did give in to the urge to laugh. He couldn't suppress the shiver that ran down through his spine and he went to her, wrapping his arms around her, giving her a hug as the air in the house cleared and already started feeling welcoming again, "Remind me never to make you mad, Gramma."

Lindsey thundered down the stairs, her eyes wide. "GRAMMA!" she cried. "You... you just...!"

Gramma turned on her, "I know what I did. And she deserves every bit of it." She still looked fierce, her eyes flashing as she fixed each of them with a hard stare. "Do. Not. EVER do what I just did. It is magick far more powerful than any of you can control."

Lindsey's head was spinning. She had never, ever heard of Gramma hexing anyone. "I thought you said witches never hex anyone," she breathed.

"I told YOU never to hex anyone," Gramma corrected her. "A witch that can't kill, cannot cure, either. That sorry excuse for a woman will pay for what she has done. Her evil poisons everything she touches. No good can come from her. And now no good will come to her." She withdrew her cigarettes from her purse, the powerful magick still coursing through her veins, making her hands shake. She marched from the room and out the back door to the porch.

"Holy hell," Gohan breathed. "I wasn't expecting that!"

Goku blinked after her. "Ah, this might sound like a stupid question, but what exactly did she just do to her?" He looked around, seeing the wide-eyed expression on his daughter's face. He looked behind him to even see Sabriena hiding in Tien's arms. He went over to Lindsey and pulled her into a hug, suddenly realizing he had just witnessed something very powerful, very ancient, and he didn't exactly know what that meant. He didn't even want to think about her any more. He was surprised he didn't hear his little grandson screaming, what with the sudden powerful hex, but the spell wasn't directed at him. In all honesty, it probably made him feel better to have Chichi out of the house.

Lindsey hugged Goku tightly, fighting the shiver that ran through her. She pulled back from him, running a hand through her hair. "She just cursed the ever-loving shit outta Chichi. Basically, all the bad things she's done will return to her times three."

Sabriena couldn't help the smirk that pulled at her lips, "Like the world's biggest karmic bitch-slap."

"Language," Tien growled warningly at her.

Sabriena pointed a finger at Lindsey, "Her fault! She's a bad influence!"

Lindsey snickered and Gohan laughed openly at that. He didn't know what to think. "Gramma said something about before the day is out? Does that mean it'll happen today?" he asked.

Lindsey shook her head, "Not necessarily. The universe, the Goddess, doesn't necessarily share our views of time. Before the day is out could mean a year. Could mean just sometime before Chichi's life is over. Or even sometime in her next life. But she's getting back EXACTLY what she's given to EVERYONE. And then some."

Goku shuddered at that, his eyes closing. Everything? He remembered the day that Gramma had revealed all the marks on Goten's skin, just a few weeks ago. And that had just been from two weeks time? Three? Combine everything she'd ever done to him and then to himself. He couldn't stop the shudder that ran through him. "Oh gods." He didn't know what to think, but deep down, he felt some justification for what had been done to Goten. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before he looked down at Lindsey, "Is it okay if I go hold Phoenix for a moment? I need happy feelings."

She grinned at him. "Of course. He's just playing in his crib. He'll be happy to see Grandpa."

Sabriena was practically wiggling with glee. "Ohhhh, Chichi's gonna get it!" she sing-songed.

Tien looked across the house, the way Gramma had left. "Should we, uh, go check on her?" he asked. He didn't feel sorry for Chichi in the slightest. He just hoped that whatever spell Gramma had cast wouldn't come back and affect them in the long run somehow. He'd never seen a hex before and he was fairly certain he never wanted to see it again. That had been almost frightening and he didn't scare easily. He looked at the candles on the coffee table that were still burning. He almost reached over to put them out, but then thought better of it and left them alone.

Sabriena shook her head. "She's just smoking. Give her a minute. She'll be fine when she comes back inside."

Goku went up the stairs, smiling as he opened up the room to the nursery, "Hey there! There's my little man." He leaned over the crib, looking down at his grandson who was gumming his own tail, staring happily up at Goku, his eyes brightening up and he immediately reached out for him with short, chubby little arms. Goku laughed and carefully took the tail out of the boy's mouth before picking him up and cradling him in one arm, "Hey now! Don't chew on that, you'll go blind!" He laughed and tickled the little baby, "Oh man! Smells like someone's got a stinky diaper! Yeah that's right, you do! Come on, let's get you changed up and go down stairs and see Gramma!"

Phoenix giggled and cooed at his Grandpa. His little black eyes stared up at him and his mouth split in a smile. He snuggled into Goku's shirt for a moment before Goku laid him on the changing table, quickly cleaning him up, and picked him back up. Phoenix's tail curled around Goku's wrist and he purred softly, grabbing his Grandpa's shirt in his little fist and nuzzling against him.

Gramma re-entered the living room at the same time Goku came down the stairs with the baby. "Oh gods," she sighed. "Well, he's done for the day. He's got that grandbaby and you know he isn't going to share." She shot Goku a wink and smiled, her temper calmed and her warm demeanor back.

Goku chuckled and moved over to Gramma, "Welllllll, I suppose for you, I could make an exception." He laughed before he snuggled his nose into the spiky black hair, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply, smelling the fresh scent of the baby power. "Mmm, but he's so warm." He grinned over at her before he moved to sit down on the couch, cooing at the little one in his arms, "Do you think I should share you with Gramma? Should I?" He rubbed his nose against the little button of the baby's nose, giggling with the little one. He caught Sabriena's look and laughed, "What? You want to hold him?"

Sabriena shook her head. "I'm good. I'll steal him later." She watched Goku with the baby, her heart warming. Gods, he was so amazing with kids. "I need to go shopping for him again," she said thoughtfully.

"No you don't!" Gohan argued. "We barely have room for all the stuff you've bought for him already."

Sabriena grinned, "Yeah, well, some things about me never change. I still like to shop."

Gramma rolled her eyes and shook her head, stepping closer and peering down at the baby. She still couldn't get over that tail. She crooked her finger at him, clicking with her tongue. The baby giggled at her and tried to grab her hand. "No, no, no," she laughed, "Gramma just smoked. She can't hold you right now. Don't you ever let me catch you doing it!" The baby tipped his head at her, scrunching up his little nose.

Dende knocked on the door to Gohan's house. He could already sense the tremendous energies inside, the unexpected visitors, even some of the backlash from whatever ancient magick had been cast. He smiled as the door opened. "Gohan!" He embraced the Saiyan warmly. "Hey! I'm sorry it's been so long, I've really been meaning to stop in and see how everyone was doing, to see if there was anything you guys needed, if I could help in any way." He stepped into the house, looking around and smiling at everyone.

"Hey Dende!" Gohan grinned, letting his friend into the house. "This is a pleasant surprise! Not too often you can come to visit."

Gramma looked over at the Namek with interest. She couldn't recall meeting him before. He looked very much like Piccolo, only not quite as tall and the features of his face were a bit softer than Piccolo's. But there was something about him, something that made him seem older, wise beyond his years.

"Well, this is turning out to be quite the party," Gohan said, eyeing his wife as if it had been her idea.

She held her hands up innocently, "I didn't do it this time!" She looked around at all of the unexpected guests. "Anybody want something to drink?" she offered, not knowing what else to do. Oh lord, what was the caseworker going to think when she showed up to a house full of people?

Dende chuckled and walked over to the living room, seeing a new face. "Ah, you must be Grandmother Arthusia. I can't say that we've had the pleasure of meeting before, but I have heard wonderful things about you." He bowed before her, "I am Dende, Guardian of Earth." He smiled at her and then at Goku, who looked over at him with a wide smile.

"Dende! What are you doing here?! Earth finally give you a day off?" Goku asked.

The Namekian chuckled, "She never gives me a day off, but I can relax a moment to spend with friends that I haven't seen in ages." He laughed and leaned over, ruffling the little babies hair, "Oh wow! He's gotten big!"

Phoenix blinked wide-eyed at Dende, screwing up his little face as he reached for the antennae that were far out of his reach. He was distracted when Goku grabbed his hands and pretended to bite them, and Phoenix squealed and giggled again.

"Guardian of Earth?" Gramma asked, cocking an eyebrow, looking impressed. "Well, it's nice to meet you." That explained the wisdom she could sense from him, the calm demeanor. But there was something more to him. It felt ancient. Powerful. Yet still calming and safe. She blatantly stared at him, trying to figure him out. Saiyans. Nameks. They were all going to be the death of her. She stared unblinking at him, her mind working furiously, trying to sense his emotions to tell her more about him. "You and I are going to have to spend some time together this afternoon," she stated bluntly after studying him for a moment. "You intrigue me."

Dende turned his attention back to her, smiling brightly at her, "But of course! Gohan and Lindsey speak very highly of you. I think I might have some questions about this magick of yours. I feel as if it is of the Earth herself. Very calming." He smiled at her, not at all phased by her intense gaze; he was used to being stared at when he went out. Rare as it was, but it happened. "And of course, I will try to help answer any questions you might have for me."

Gramma liked this young Namek. She was about to start questioning him about his position as Guardian, but out of nowhere an intense feeling overwhelmed her and she suddenly felt very dizzy. Not a moment later, the doorbell rang and Gohan answered it again.

"Oh, hello! You must be Rose?" he greeted the tall woman at the door.

She smiled kindly, "I am. You must be Gohan. It's nice to finally meet you." He shook her hand and ushered her into the house. Rose blinked, staring around at all the familiar faces. "Oh! I didn't realize everyone was going to be here today. Hi Goku," she smiled. "Hi Dende." She hadn't seen him since that day she'd played the piano for him, which had been over a week ago. Her eyes fell upon the elderly woman standing near them. She looked pale and off-balance. "Ma'am? Are you okay?" Rose asked in a concerned voice.

Gramma swayed and stumbled to sit on the couch next to Goku. Oh dear GODS. What in the world was going on? The whole house seemed to fill with a powerful energy. There was a screaming that rang in her ears; two voices. Or was it more than that? Her head swam again. She couldn't tell where it was coming from, but it was agonizing to listen to. It overwhelmed her and nearly brought tears to her eyes. She'd never heard such an anguished crying before in all of her life. This even paled in comparison to what she'd felt from Goku when his mark died.

Goku blinked a moment and reached out a hand, placing it on her shoulder to steady her, "Gramma?! Are you okay? Hey Lindsey, can you get her some water?" He was worried about her.

Dende had been about to smile warmly back at Rose, surprised though he was to see her there, but he turned back to Gramma. "Are you hurt? I can heal you if you want?" He tried to reach out to her, to feel for what was wrong with her, but his eyes widened as he realized there was something blocking him. Nothing malicious, but there was a solid wall there that just seemed to demand privacy.

Lindsey ran to the kitchen and returned a moment later with a glass of water. "Here, Gramma," she said, holding it out to her.

Gramma took the glass, but didn't drink it. She looked up at Rose, narrowing her eyes. Who was this woman? If she meant harm, well, Gramma had no problem casting another hex that day. She was in a mood as it was. She paused. No, this woman didn't mean harm. In fact, she wanted nothing more than to help them, to help Goten. There was nothing "wrong" about Rose. But where was this screaming coming from? Gramma had never heard anything like it in her entire life. It was tormented, longing, as though two lovers were searching desperately for each other, calling out to one another. She closed her eyes, concentrating. The overwhelming sadness and loneliness seemed to wash over her every nerve. She felt tears in her eyes that were not her own.

It... It was coming from the guardian.

And the caseworker.

Holy shit.

She needed a moment to think. She schooled her expression and opened her eyes, smiling as she sat up straighter and squared her shoulders. "I'm fine, dears. Now, I think this room is a bit overcrowded. I believe this young woman needs to conduct an interview, correct?"

Rose nodded, still staring at the older woman with concern.

Gramma stood, stating loudly, "Well let's leave them to it. The rest of you come outside with me." And she promptly turned on her heel and led the way out to the back porch again, eager to put space between Rose and Dende until she could figure out what on earth was going on.

Goku blinked after Gramma but nodded and stood, smiling at Rose. "Good to see you again," he said warmly and followed the rest of them who were headed outside.

Dende stood, looking at Rose as well and smiled at her. Good gods above, his heart was pounding and he didn't know why. He swallowed and followed Goku; it was just that Grandmother. He had to be worried about her, that's what it was, surely. Outside seemed odd, like the energy around him had changed, but he took a deep breath of the fresh air and the cool earth as he moved to sit on the edge of the porch. He kicked off his shoes and rested his feet on the earth, sighing deeply as he spread his toes in the cool blades of grass.

Gramma sat on the bench seat of the porch, staring at Dende. She finally took a sip of the water she still held in her hand, studying him. That was the most intense thing she'd ever experienced. It was still there, just not as strong now. She shook her head.

"Gramma, are you okay?" Sabriena asked as she sat down. She couldn't remember ever seeing Gramma look so rattled before.

"Oh, I'm fine," she answered. "Old age can be a bitch."

Sabriena laughed loudly, throwing her head back. "Gramma, you crack me up!"

Tien wasn't so easily convinced. He stepped up behind Goku under the pretense of looking down at the baby in his arms. "Do you think she's really okay? She looked like she was going to pass out," he whispered softly.

Goku smiled at Tien, leaning back against him, taking comfort in his presence. "Yeah, she's alright. If she really wasn't okay, she would say so, don't you think? She has had a long day. This was her first time traveling by instant transmission. She's probably just tired. And she did cast that hex." Goku rocked Phoenix in his arms, the little Saiyan was yawned widely and curled his little tail securely around Goku's wrist.

"It happened right before Rose walked in," Tien whispered. "You don't think maybe she sensed something about her? Something we should worry about?" He knew Goku trusted Rose, but Goku always trusted people, sometimes even when he shouldn't. And after all the things they'd been through, Tien couldn't help but be leery of her. He was polite enough when she was around, but he still had his reservations about her.

Goku shook his head, whispering back, "No. I trust Rose. I can't begin to think that she means harm to us or to Goten. She really just wants to help. She's seen some really bad things in her line of work. Gramma was probably just picking up on all those emotions that Rose has to put up with on a day to day basis. Besides, if she was really was someone who meant harm or had any ill thoughts, I'm sure Gramma or the spells around the house wouldn't have let her close. I certainly won't get in Gramma's way."

"All right, if you say so," Tien agreed and dropped the subject. He wasn't about to get in Gramma's way either. Gramma met his eyes as if she knew he questioning the things going on there that day and he looked away from her.

Gramma shook her head. 'Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn.' Still not completely letting that wall down. "Old man set in your ways, aren't you, Tien?" she teased.

He looked back at her, blinking widely. "Who are you calling old?" he asked, trying not to smirk. But the next second, his stomach coiled and he felt rather nervous. Had he really just shot a come-back at the old woman?

"Tien!" Sabriena gasped.

Gramma threw her head back and laughed, "Aha! You're finally coming around! About damn time." She looked him over, letting her eyes linger over him. "Turn around. Your husband told me your bum is better than Vegeta's. I'd like to see for myself."

"You what?!" Tien cried, his face blushing a furious red as he rounded on Goku, who side-stepped away from his husband and whistled a little tune, trying to look innocent. Tien took a step towards the Saiyan who smoothly moved to hold the baby between himself and the taller man. "Put the baby down, Goku."

"Nope," Goku answered and quickly sat down next to Sabriena, cuddling Phoenix tighter against his chest.

Gramma was more than amused by the little spat she'd stirred up and she snickered as Tien huffed and sat himself firmly next to Sabriena's other side. She scooted across the bench closer to where Dende was sitting on the edge of the porch and gave him one harsh tap on the shoulder. "Now you tell me about yourself, young man."

Dende tilted his head back, smiling at the grandmother before he turned around, tucking his legs up underneath him and folding his hands in his lap. "Of course. Um... just in general? Well, I am a Namekian, brought here to Earth by Goku to take over as Guardian. It's been quite a few years since that happened. Long story as to how we all met as well. Almost as if fate played a hand in it to be honest." He wasn't entirely sure what she wanted, so he started from the beginning, growing up on Namek, being raised to be a guardian, or at least a village elder to one day take over his father's position. How Frieza threatened to destroy his world and managed it, but how Goku came with his friends to defend them. They saved his race and made a new planet. It was some miracle that they had managed that.

Gramma listened with rapt attention to every detail. The story he told was amazing, especially the detail to which he remembered things from when he was so young. She lit another clove cigarette, never tearing her eyes from him as he spoke. There was something about him that just struck her. It wasn't his appearance. Gramma hardly noticed it, to be honest, and had been very fond of Jenny's children, thinking they were incredibly beautiful with their pale green skin. It was more the way he spoke; he didn't seem to use slang like the others his age. His speech was polite, careful, but there was an underlying oldness to it. And even though he was quiet on the outside, she could still just faintly hear that longing scream echoing from him. It sounded like his own voice, but faint, crying out for something as though it was lost and wandering. Looking for something. Gramma cocked an eyebrow. It... surely not. He wasn't even human. Could it be possible? 'Anything is possible, you old crone, you should know that by now,' her mind scolded. She tipped her head as she looked at him. "Dende, do you ever have memories that aren't your own? Or dreams that seem to be almost too real? Perhaps not even of your time or of your home planet?"

That caught Tien's attention again. Gramma was up to something, searching for an answer to a puzzle that none of them even knew was there.

Dende paused, looking at the grandmother with a curious expression. He let his brow knit together in confusion. By the gods, he wished he could read this woman, but there was a layer of mystery shrouded around her, protected by an ancient magick he dared not pass. So he nodded slowly, "All the time." He studied her expression, but couldn't pick up anything from it. "More so since I came here to earth, but when I was young, younger than I care to remember, I would have dreams of earthlings. Of lives coming and going. When I came here to earth, they grew. I have always thought of them as the dreams of the people of earth, the earth itself connecting me to those who dwell here. "

"THAT explains a lot," Gramma said softly, more to herself than to him. She stared at him for a long moment, the pieces falling into place in her mind, and she smiled at him. "You're a very old soul. Now I think I understand." She paused again and laughed, "I couldn't figure you out at first."

"Old soul?" Tien asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

Gramma nodded, "Past lives. Having lived here on the earth before. Some people can remember pieces of their old lives. There are stories of children who can recall where they lived, who their husband or wife was, how they died. And the information they give is accurate. Not everyone can remember, though. Most have to be in a very deep hypnotic state to recall these memories. They get imprinted on the soul and only after we cross over do we remember the lessons we've learned in all our journeys here upon the earth." She fixed Dende with another intense stare. "But you can remember some of those anyway, can't you? Now I see where your wisdom comes from. You're a very interesting young man, Dende."

Dende felt a hot blush flash across his cheeks and he rubbed the back of his head. "Thank you, ma'am. I might say that you are the first person to comment so that wasn't based on the color of my skin." He laughed, warm and bright, "I can't remember if they were my lives or not. Being a human is very odd to me. Or is it? I cannot remember much. Though..." He shook his head, "It's nothing."

Gramma tipped her head at him, studying him. Her eyes narrowed, her voice carrying a bit more intensity as she spoke. "If anyone judges you on your appearance alone, they are no more than a narrow-minded and hopelessly biased soul. Do not pay them any attention. You've heard the expression beauty is only skin deep? Well so is color. To HELL with anyone like that." She took a deep drag on her cigarette and exhaled sharply as if the very thought pissed her off to no end. "Now, you were getting ready to say something else. It didn't sound like 'nothing' to me."

He chuckled, resting his cheek on his hand, leaning on his elbow. "Just that when I remember these instances, be them dreams, memories, fragments in time, it always feels as though, and this may sound silly, that I am searching for something. Or someone is. There is always a feeling of pain and sorrow. I often wonder if it is an omen of things that are happening, things that have passed, or things yet to come. It is why I try my best to keep the earth prepared. I do not know what is on its way."

Gramma gave a warm laugh. "You remind me of an old story, about how humans were first created." Would it be safe to tell him the story? She didn't want to interfere with what the universe had laid out. This was so much bigger than any of them and none of them even realized it. Of course, a tiny push couldn't hurt, could it? "I'll have to tell it to everyone when they're done with their interview inside." She smiled, "Lindsey would kill me if I told it without her. She loves that story."

Sabriena grinned, "Gramma, you should do a past-life regression on someone. Those are SO interesting to watch!"

Gramma rolled her eyes and shook her head at Sabriena. "Not today, dear. I'm rather worn out from dealing with your husband's ex-wife." She smirked, "Trouble here thinks she used to be Egyptian royalty."

Sabriena scowled and crossed her arms, "Well that's what I saw!"

Gramma couldn't help but laugh again.

Goku chuckled and looked over at his wife. "Royalty huh?" He laughed and took a moment to take the tail out of Phoenix's mouth. "Now one day, you are going to bite down on that and it won't be very much fun, kiddo," he scolded. He looked back over at Sabriena, "Must be why you took up cooking, wanting to eat like royalty in the old days?" He laughed, "Not that you'll hear any complaints from me! Though, when Goten comes by for a visit again, you'll have to give him another lesson."

Tien laughed, "Explains why she's so spoiled, too."

Sabriena slapped at him and he cringed away from her, laughing harder.

Phoenix screwed up his little face at Goku for taking his tail away again and grabbed Goku's hand instead, nomming toothlessly on his finger.

"You two better straighten up, or I'll make you treat me like royalty when we get home," Sabriena threatened.

Gramma snickered at her.

The back door opened and Gohan stepped out, Lindsey and Rose following him. "May we join you?" he asked.

Goku smiled over at them, "Of course you can! Come on, Gramma was just going to tell us a story! And she better make it fast, I'm being eaten alive over here." He snickered down at the little one in his arms, "Now don't be like that, I'm doing you a favor!" He laughed as Phoenix just went on nomming, his eyes falling half lidded. Goku just shook his head and let the little one continue to gnaw on his finger. "You're lucky you are so cute," he cooed as he snuggled with the baby.

"Oooo! Story. What story?" Lindsey asked, grinning.

"Hush up and I'll tell you," Gramma said. There it was again, that overwhelming screaming and crying, the powerful emotions that filled the air. It was strange to her that no one else could feel it. But she was prepared for it this time and mentally put up a shield to tone it down a bit.

Rose sat down at the table, looking through her pages of notes, trying to ignore that butterfly sensation in her stomach again. It made her hands shake and her heart race. Gods, what was wrong with her?

"Now listen, because I'm only going to tell it once," Gramma said, waiting for them all to take seats. Lindsey sat cross-legged on the porch like a kid at storybook hour and pulled Gohan down to sit next to her. Gohan smiled at Dende and rolled his eyes at his wife's behavior. Gramma was quiet until everyone was settled and she turned her gaze patiently upon Rose, who was still sifting through her papers.

She seemed to feel the old woman's eyes on her and she looked up, a questioning expression on her face.

"Yes, you too. Now pay attention, dear."

"Y-Yes ma'am," Rose stammered, feeling her face go hot. She hadn't meant to be disrespectful. Her eyes flickered over to Dende, thinking she'd like to go sit by him for a moment, but decided against it. She didn't want to look unprofessional in front of the grandmother.

Dende glanced over at Rose, he remembered visiting her and the first day they met. He was still trying to figure out why the dragon had spoken to Rose. He wondered if it was because the dragon knew how important she was to this case and what she was doing for everyone here. She looked so very tired, he wondered if maybe she wouldn't mind some company for the night. He could cook her a meal while she relaxed. Maybe watch another movie, take her mind off the weight of the world she draped around her shoulders. He turned back to the grandmother and smiled, waiting to hear the story.

"I'm going to tell you about the very first humans that lived here on the earth," Gramma began. "They were created by the gods and each had four arms, four legs, two sets of genitalia, a single head with two faces, and one soul. The humans had great strength and threatened to conquer the gods. The gods feared their strength so much that they decided that the humans must be destroyed with lightning, just as the gods had dealt with the Titans. But the problem with this was if they destroyed the humans, they would also lose the tributes given to them by the humans. So Zeus came up with a creative solution to their problem. He split the humans in half as punishment for their pride. This, of course, doubled the number of humans and the number of tributes given to the gods. But there was one problem; the humans only had one soul. So when Zeus split them, the soul was ripped in half. These split humans were in utter misery, to the point where they would perish from such heartache. Apollo reconstituted their bodies with the navel being the only remnant harkening back to their original form. Each human would then only have one set of genitalia and would forever long for his or her other half; the other half of the soul. It is said that when the two find each other, there is an unspoken understanding of one another, that they feel unified and would lay with each other in unity and would know no greater joy than that. And that, my dears, is how humans first came into being and where we get the concept of 'soul mates'."

Dende didn't like the sound of that and he frowned. "How terrible a life that must be, to have so much pain and sorrow."

Goku tilted his head, "So are there really people like that in the world? Is it just humans who have soul mates?" He glanced over to his husband and wife, he felt for them a love like nothing else he'd ever felt. And he would never be ashamed of that or doubt that love. It was curious to him to think of these humans Gramma spoke of.

Grandma smiled at Goku in an understanding sort of way. "No, dear, it's not just humans who have soul mates. I daresay you've found yours, even if your story doesn't match the legend exactly. But that's okay. You three are not a reincarnation of one of the original humans. In fact, until very recently, I thought all the original humans had completed their cycles here on earth. But you bring up an interesting point. Soul mates, apparently, do not have to both be human. Look at you. Look at Vegeta and Piccolo and their mates."

Goku chuckled and smiled warmly over at his mates and nodded before he looked over at Gohan and Lindsey, "You're right." He laughed at the look she gave him, "Yes, you are always right, Gramma. How did you find out about the original humans? Did you meet one? What do they look like? And what do you mean by completed their cycles?"

Gramma grinned at him, so full of questions. She loved that about him. "The story is well-known in Greek mythology. I love learning about the gods and goddesses. You're never too old to learn. And I only recently met one. They look just like everyone else. In fact, they don't even realize what they are yet."

"Then how do you know?" Rose interrupted. She was intrigued by the story and wanted to know more, but she suddenly blushed, "Sorry... I didn't mean to cut you off."

Gramma gave her a kind smile, "You're fine, dear. I feel things differently than most. I can pick up on things about people before they even realize it themselves." She turned her attention back to Goku. "Everyone has many different lessons to learn here upon the earth. So many lessons, in fact, it is nearly impossible to learn them all in one lifetime. This is why we have reincarnation. You live a life, learn the lessons of that life, and at the end, you take time in Summerland to reflect on the lessons you've learned and to rest and spend time with loved ones until you choose to come back, to take a new life, and learn the next lesson. Sort of like school. You learn the lessons for the year, you take the summer to relax and enjoy yourself, then you return to learn something new. There is no set number of lives that a person will live. Sometimes the lessons have to be repeated if the soul did not learn everything they were supposed to. It was believed that all the original humans had crossed over forever, that they had completed their lessons. It would seem, however, that one has not. Or that they still have some sort of work to do here."

Goku loved it, "Wow! I want to meet this person! They're bound to have one heck of a story to tell!" He grinned and then looked surprised before looking down to see Phoenix had moved on to grab at Goku's shirt, tugging and pulling in a way he recognized. His eyes went wide and he laughed, "Whoa there little fella, best we give you back to your mommy for that." He handed over his grandson, shaking his little hand goodbye, "Someone's hungry!"

Lindsey laughed and took the baby, heading into the house with him. "Hold on, you impatient little Saiyan," she laughed.

Dende pondered on the story, it was intriguing to him as well. He wondered if there were some way to find this soul and help them on their task.

Gohan turned his attention back to Gramma, "So who is this person? Or... ah... people? I guess? That's kind of confusing, two people but one person?"

"I can't tell you that, dear," Gramma answered.

"Why not?" Tien protested. Even he was interested by the story.

"Well I can't just go around sharing all my secrets, can I?" she laughed. She looked at Dende, almost as if reading his thoughts, "They have to find their other half on their own. No matter how tempting it may be to want to help them. Believe me, I know. It's not my nature to ignore this sort of thing. I do so love to meddle in people's love lives." She couldn't help but to throw a wink at Tien as she said it.

Dende chuckled and ducked his head at being found out. "Ah yes. Well, what can I say? It's in my nature to want to help others." He smiled and leaned back, thinking on it just a moment more. "You said that this person would have immense power. Power to rival the gods." He looked concerned, "Should we be worried if they get together? As terrible as that sounds, I mean, if they get together and realize that power, wouldn't they try to take over the earth?"

Rose couldn't stop the smile that pulled at her lips. It was more than obvious that Gramma had picked up on Dende's thoughts. She looked back down at her paperwork, playfully thinking, 'How's it feel, Dende?' She ducked her head a bit at the look he gave her.

Grandma laughed loudly at Dende's question. "I am absolutely certain that these two people would never even be tempted by such a thought. You needn't worry about that." She considered him for a moment, "Take it or leave it, but I think you have enough to worry about as it is. You need to focus on YOU. They will find each other. It's closer than they realize." She couldn't help but chuckle to herself.

Gohan leaned closer, narrowing his eyes, "You know more than you're telling, don't you?"

Grandma pressed her lips together, fighting the smile, and took a sudden interest in the sky.

Goku laughed and shook his head, "Leave it at that then. She knows what she's doing! As long as this original human doesn't mean any harm, then I don't have a problem with them." He leaned back against the house, stretching his legs out on the porch, lifting his arms behind him and he yawned, "Too much excitement for me already."

Dende chuckled and nodded, bowing his head to the grandmother, "Thank you, ma'am. I will keep that in mind. And thank you for the story. It was fascinating, truly. You will have to come by the Lookout some time, I know two little girls who would love to hear that. Maybe three if you count Miss Jennfier."

Grandma smiled. "I would love to see Jenny again." She stage whispered to him, "She's my favorite."

Sabriena stuck her tongue out at Gramma and Tien lightly popped the back of her head, scolding, "Be nice."

Gramma laughed, "See there, Trouble? Both of your husbands are on my side now."

Rose snickered and shook her head. She was still trying to concentrate on her work in front of her, but she just couldn't seem to. The fascinating story kept rolling around in her brain and her nerves were all a flutter. She sighed and gathered up her papers, "Well, I should be going. It was very nice meeting you, ma'am." She smiled at Gohan, "And it was nice to finally meet you."

Gohan nodded, "Same here. Come back any time if you have more questions or need anything."

Rose thanked him and looked from Goku to Dende, "I guess I'll see you all sometime," she said and grabbed up her purse, preparing to leave.

Dende rose to his feet, going after her, "Ah Miss Rose, I was wondering, if you would perhaps like some company tonight. It has been a while since I last checked up on you. If my cooking did not put you off your appetite last time, I wonder if perhaps I could persuade you to let me cook for you again tonight? I happen to know a fantastic recipe for vegetarian lasagna. And you never did show me that other movie you were going on about."

Rose turned to him, a slight blush touching her nose and cheekbones; those damned butterflies in her stomach just wouldn't go away. "Ah, sure, Dende. I'd like that." She met his eyes, a small smile pulling at her lips. "I get off work about six tonight. So, maybe around seven? That'd give me time to get home and change out of these work clothes. I still have to go back to the office for a while and work on some cases until then."

Dende nodded. "Very well, I'll see you then," he said. He felt giddy and silly as he watched her go.

Rose couldn't stop the huge smile that split her face as she made her way back through the house, looking forward to her evening with Dende.

Everyone was looking at Dende when he turned around to them as Rose left, "What?!" His purple blush was growing on his face and he shook his head. "She works hard, she doesn't have many friends to help her out."

Sabriena crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow at Dende. "Mmhmm."

Gohan was fighting the urge to laugh at his friend's blush. "So you got a hot date tonight?" he teased.

Gramma swatted him. "You leave him alone," she scolded. Idiots. Making him uncomfortable like that for being nice to his new friend. Well, Rose and Dende were much more than that, but she didn't dare speak it out loud. She couldn't help the elated feeling she felt that Dende had made the effort to spend one-on-one time with Rose.

Dende just chuckled at them all. They were all characters, that was for sure. Very good people at that. He rather liked Grandmother Arthusia, the air of mystery around her that made him keep guessing at what she might be thinking but with the kindness in her to know she meant no harm. And if she took care of Chichi, well... He knew that as Guardian he shouldn't stand for that kind of behavior, but he would make an exception in this case. Long had he wanted to tell that horrid woman what he thought of her, but such actions were not becoming of a guardian.

Sabriena grinned and turned to Tien, sliding her arms around his waist to stare up at him. She wanted to tease Dende more, but Gramma's warning was enough for her to know better. "I'd still like to know who this original human is," she muttered.

Tien smiled down at her, "Ah, the way I figure, anyone with that kind of power will end up around us anyway. They always do."

Gohan looked over at him, "It does seem to turn out like that, doesn't it? Weird. I don't know of anyone else in the world with our kind of powers that isn't either directly a friend or enemy." He shrugged, "I bet you're right, Tien."

Goku found himself scooting closer and closer to Gramma, finally resting his head on her lap, looking over at his son, "Oh, we will probably meet them before too long. I mean, Gramma said it was going to be soon." He waved his hand in the air, "How did the interview go?"

"Oh, fine I guess," Gohan said, leaning back on his palms. "I mean, she seemed okay with everything." He shrugged. "She really doesn't seem like she wants Mom to have Goten. Thank God for that."

Tien crossed his arms over his chest and stated firmly, "He won't go to your mother either way. We're just trying to do this without causing a bunch of drama. But if custody doesn't go to Goku or you, I'm taking that boy out to our cabin myself. And I'd like to see Chichi try to stop me."

Gohan gave a nod. "If it comes to that, I'm with you."

Goku sat up, looking down at his hands in his lap. He really didn't want to take Goten by force, but there was no way he was going to let him go live with Chichi. There was no way he was going to let her touch him again. He felt stupid. So stupid for not noticing it before. Wrapped up in his own problems, he couldn't even pay attention enough to his son. If Sabriena hadn't noticed...

He blinked away his tears, Chichi's words turning over in his head, that she regretted everything they had together. If only he had realized then what exactly she had meant, that she regretted their sons, maybe he could have saved Goten a lot of pain and suffering. He closed his eyes, wondering where his littlest was, if he was being well taken care of, if he was eating enough. Gods how he just wanted to hold him tightly and never let go.

Gramma reached for Goku, pulling him closer to her and laid his head in her lap. She ran one hand through his hair, the other rubbing at his back. She could feel the guilt and the heartbreak radiating from him. She bent her head low, whispering in his ear. "Goten's safe. No one is hurting him, I promise. Remember the necklace? He's just fine. You did what was right. Don't blame yourself, dear."

Goku nodded, trying to take relief from her words, her hands in his hair, but all he could see was those marks on his skin, his back, his face. He blinked away his tears, letting Gramma's words take over in his head, calm and soothing, stable and all knowing. Goten was safe. She had given him a trinket that would never allow anyone to hurt him again.

Goku nodded against Gramma, "Right." He wiped at his eyes, not quite meeting the gazes of his mates. He was ashamed at this, how it all worked out. What they must think of him now? But listening deep down, he knew. They only offered love and support. His mates. His soul mates. He looked over at them, feeling his spirits lift as they gave him understanding looks. He sat up and smiled at Gramma, tucking a grey strand of flyaway hair behind her ear before he went over to Tien's free side and laid his head down on his lap.

Gohan offered Goku a sympathetic look. "It's gonna be alright, Dad. I didn't see it either. Don't blame yourself. Mom's the one who did this, not you."

"He's right," Tien added and squeezed at his husband's shoulder. He was not going to let Goku blame himself for this anymore. Goku would never have willingly let his boy come to harm and everyone around them knew that. It was time to stop thinking about that and time to figure out how to get Goten back.

Sabriena looked to Gramma. "You can't, you know, give that spell a little boost, can you? Make it happen, like, tomorrow? They can't award custody to her if she's dead."

Gramma gave a snort of laughter, "Unfortunately, no, dear. It will manifest itself as the universe sees fit."

"Damn," Sabriena muttered and ducked as Tien moved to pop the back of her head again. "HA!" she cried as she sat back up straight.

Goku chuckled and looked over at his older son, reaching out and squeezing his hand, "Thanks Gohan. You and Lindsey, you've both been amazing through this whole thing. I'm sorry that it had to come to this, but I can't keep making excuses. Not for me. Not for your mother. She used to be a better person, but now..." He shook his head and turned his nose into Tien's leg, looking down at the ground.

"Alright, enough of this," Gramma said and stood, squaring her shoulders. "There's no need dwelling on the past. What's done is done. She will not have that little boy back and she will pay for what she has done. Goku you are not in the wrong here. You can blame yourself all you want, but that doesn't change the fact that SHE did this. You weren't worried about your son because you shouldn't HAVE to worry about it. Now, let's go inside and have a slice of cake and possibly a stiff drink." She reached her hand down to Gohan, who took it, and pulled him to his feet. "You did hide that bottle for me like I asked, right?"

Gohan laughed, "Yeah, yeah. I'll get it out for you."

"Come on you lot," Gramma called over her shoulder as she and Gohan went into the house. "It may not be midnight, but I can still whip up a bitchin' pitcher of margaritas."