Ch 20

Trunks was hard at work the next morning on his laptop at home, sitting on the couch. He hadn't been feeling well the past couple days because of his saiyan condition. Some days he felt fine to go into work and other days, it was just too much for the young President of Capsule Corporation.

He didn't want to worry his family, friends, or Goten, but he wasn't doing so well. The pain in his body was more intense, and he felt weaker, but it didn't show in his face or body in front of others. He was Trunks Briefs, son of Vegeta, he was strong and more than capable of handling his condition by proving it didn't rule his life.

'What life? You're dying Briefs, don't you remember,' he thought to himself as he sighed and truthfully he didn't want to die. It wasn't fair. There was so much he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to see his parents grow old, to see his sister marry Uub and have kids, and he wanted to grow old with someone himself. He wanted more than anything for that person to be Goten.'

A snore interrupted his thoughts as he looked to his friend sleeping away on the couch beside his. He was clutching the blanket to his body as he shifted his position to be facing Trunks. A half-cup of warm tea has been forgotten on the coffee table.

'He looks better,' thought Trunks as he put his laptop down, got off the couch, and felt his friend's forehead. 'Fever's way down, he should be all better tomorrow.'

Suddenly, Trunks sensed a presence outside and went to check it out. As he opened the door, he saw the Ox King. Trunks could practically feel his blood boil as he walked towards him. "What are you doing here?" Trunks demanded.

"I've come to see my grandson."

"He's not feeling well, and I doubt he'd want to see you anyway."

"That's not for you to decide."

"He's not going back with you and Chichi so if you're here to convince him to leave, then you can turn around and leave right now."

"This is not the environment for him Trunks. He needs stability and structure in his life. The city is no place for him."

"Structure and stability, huh? I don't think letting your daughter beat your son for years and then beating him yourself is far from structure and stability. It sounds very chaotic to me, and I won't let you bring him back to that misery."

"And what could he possibly have here with you? You'd drag him to hell to fulfill your own sexual needs."

"First of all, that's ridiculous and second of all, that's not who I am. I love and respect Goten unconditionally, which is far from what you feel towards him. "You've damaged your own family for your own selfish needs."

"It's not selfish to save your own family from hell."

"No one's going to hell but you if you don't leave my property right now!"

"I can't do that Trunks. My daughter's in the hospital, she had a heart attack. She needs her son."

"What? Mom's in the hospital."

"We need to get to her right away Goten," said the Ox King.

"Go Goten, I'll meet you there," said Trunks as Goten nodded and followed his grandpa.

"Gohan!" Goten exclaimed as he run towards his brother.

"Goten," said Gohan.

"How's mom?"

"We don't know yet," said Gohan as Videl held her husband's hand. "She's in surgery."

"What happened?"

"She was making lunch and suddenly she dropped something as she clutched her chest. Before she fell, I caught her and came to the hospital as soon as I could."

"Mr. Son Gohan," said the doctor as he walked towards the family.

"Yes, how is she doctor?" asked Gohan as Videl squeezed his hand tightly.

"You're mother is going to be fine. She needs to take it easy Mr. Son. It's important that she not get stressed out. She needs to relax. She's asleep right now, but I would request that only one person can go in to see her."

"Go ahead Gohan," said Goten.

"Thanks little bro," said Gohan as he held his brother tightly before he went in to see his mother.

Goten sat beside Videl in one of the chairs and sighed. "I can't believe it."

"She's a strong woman Goten. She'll be all right," said Videl.

"As long as she's not under any stress," said the Ox King. "I think she'll feel better if you come back home Goten. It's a son's duty to take care of his mother. She needs you."

"Are you trying to guilt Goten into doing what you want?"

"Trunks," said Videl.

"He belongs at Mt. Paouz with his family," said the Ox King.

"It's NOT your decision to make. It's Goten's."

"His mom is in the hospital. You should both be ashamed," said Videl.

"Sorry Videl," said Trunks. "I'm sorry Goten."

"She's going to be fine," said Goten. "That's good news," he said as he stood up from the chair and looked to his friend. "Thanks for coming Trunks."

Trunks smiled at him. "Hey, you know I'll always be here for you."

Videl smiled. "You two have kissed, haven't you?" she asked.

"What?" exclaimed the Ox King. "Goten, how could you? You've disgraced your family. This behavior will stop once you move back home."

"He's not moving back so just forget it Ox King," said Videl. "Chichi won't die if Goten doesn't come home. You need to let him live his own life. Gohan, you, and I are capable of taking care of your mother. Besides, he's been taking care of her when Goku left. He's been a rock for her. Besides I think having Goten under the same roof as his mother will cause her more stress."

"Videl," said Goten. "I—you have your own family. I can't ask you to—

"You're not asking. We're family Goten."

"I'm going to visit when I can. I promise," he said as Videl smiled. "You're a good man Goten," she said as she looked to Trunks, "don't let whatever thoughts your mom or grandpa put in your head stop you from following your heart."

Gohan came out to see his brother hugging his wife. "Well this is a surprise. Anyway, visiting hours are over but I'm staying to make sure she's all right."

"I'm staying to Gohan," said Goten as he sat beside Trunks. Trunks nodded.