The Book of Atlantis

by Lady-Ravenhawk

Fourteen years of peace have blessed the earth. But all good things must come to an end. A vengeful enemy reappears, shaking the Z-Warriors to their core when one of their own ends up murdered. Hellbent on revenge, Goten sets out with his nephew & Piccolo's daughter to track down the killer with nothing but a book to guide them on the most frightening adventure of their lives.

3. Never Again

Chichi parked her car outside her oldest son's house, not entirely sure how she'd gotten there. She didn't know what time it was, only that it was dark, she was hurting, and she might've had a few too many drinks that night. She was so tired of it all. On top of the constant feeling of failure, now her husband had admitted he had girlfriends on the side and he didn't seem to think that she should have an issue with that. She'd seen the secretary he'd hired - younger than her own children, blonde, beautiful. Chichi covered her face with her hands and sobbed. What on earth had she ever done to deserve this? She got out of her car and tipsily made her way onto the porch, knocking loudly at the door. She swayed on her feet and hiccuped.

Gohan yanked the door open, looking half-awake. "Mom? What are you doing here? It's nearly midnight!" He blinked at her and stepped out onto the porch, the warm night air curling around him as he closed the door behind him. His mother's eyes were bloodshot and he could smell the alcohol on her breath.

"Oh Gohan! I don't know what to do!" she sobbed, sniffling and choking as she tried to calm herself. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I made Maxwell so angry earlier when I came home. I guess he wasn't expecting me…" She trailed off and pressed her lips together so hard they trembled. She shook her head, trying to erase the memory, but it was all she could think about. Even the alcohol couldn't wash that memory away.

Gohan blinked at his mother, usually so well put together, but this. He wasn't expecting this. His eyes went to the bruise that was on her cheekbone and he sighed. "What happened, mom? What did you see?" he asked as he reached out and carefully drew her into the house, leading her to the kitchen where he sat her down in one of the chairs and went to the freezer to get some ice that he wrapped in a towel before he went back over to her and held the ice to the discoloration on her face. "Did he hit you?"

More tears welled in Chichi's eyes as she looked up at her son. She started to shake her head no, to lie for Maxwell yet again, but this time she couldn't manage it and she slowly nodded her head. "I walked in on him and his… his…" She hiccuped before she blurted out the word, "girlfriend!" Another sob escaped her and she bowed her head, leaning slightly into the ice that Gohan held to her face. "He dragged me down the stairs and slapped me for interrupting them. He threw me out of the house and told me not to come back until later."

Gohan swallowed the thick lump that formed in his throat. True, he hadn't much felt like checking up on her over the years. A few visits here and there, but not more than he had to. "Can't you go to the police? That's abuse mom." Even as he said it, he stopped short. It seemed as if the shoe was on the other foot now. "How long has this been going on?"

Chichi shrugged and took the ice from Gohan, pulling it away from her face for a moment to fumble with the towel wrapped around it. "Since we got married," she said sadly. She brushed the tears from her face and winced at the pain in her cheek before she pressed the ice there again. "I can't go to the police! How would that look? He and I would both look like trash! I can't do that!"

"Oh Mother," he said as he shook his head, amazed that this had been going on for so long. What was it Lindsey had once told him? Everything back times three? He wasn't sure if he wanted to know what else Maxwell had put her through knowing what he had seen of Goten and his dad. How many years had his mom accused Goku of being unfaithful and now she had a husband who was and apparently didn't care about hiding it from her. He wanted to say this is what she got for hurting Goten, but he held his tongue. The state she was in, he didn't doubt that she would just forget it anyway. "Why are you here then? If you don't want me to go to the police or help you get a divorce lawyer, why?"

"I don't know," she answered and swayed in the chair, her head buzzing painfully. How was it possible to be drunk and still in that much pain at the same time? She didn't even remember driving out to his house. That was a long drive from the city. "Maybe because you're the only one who doesn't completely hate me," she squeaked and closed her eyes, trying to stop more tears from falling. "I don't have any friends anymore. Except for the people Maxwell wants me to talk to at his work. Business parties and what have you. I don't have any real friends." She sniffled again and dug in her purse, pulling out a mini-bottle and twisting off the top of it. "To hell with everything," she muttered to herself and drank it down.

Gohan reached for the bottle, but was too late as she downed the thing in one go. He took her purse and pushed it away from her. "Stop it. Mom, you already know what everyone thinks of you, so why would going to the police be so bad? No one really cares and it's about your health and safety." He vaguely thought that perhaps the curse was clouding her mind, making it harder for her to think clearly. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of justice for what his father and brother had suffered, but seeing her like this was hard.

"They won't listen to me," she whispered, staring at the bottle in her hand. "He has friends there. I went to them once," she admitted, thinking back to when Maxwell had first started abusing her. She swallowed and gave a little sob. "They took the report I gave them. I went there really late at night so no one would see me. They said they'd look into it. But by the time I got home, someone had already called him from the police station and told him what I did. I nearly ended up in the hospital by the time he finally stopped." She covered her face with her hands, the bag of ice dropping to the floor, and she sobbed again.

Gohan pressed his lips together, she may have been a terrible person, but she was still his mother and it hurt him to hear that. That was another thing that was coming back to bite her in the ass. She had always gotten onto his father about money, how he needed to have a job and provide for the family. She had left and gone out and found the richest guy she could, his influence was strong and he had friends in high and low places. He didn't know what to do.

Chichi gave a little lurch and clapped a hand to her mouth. Oh, the alcohol was fighting back. She quickly pushed past Gohan and ran out onto the porch, doubling over the railing as she vomited. She whined pitifully as her head throbbed even more and she just hung there, sobbing miserably as she spat on the ground.

Gohan followed her, frowning at her as she bent over the rail. It was as if she were becoming a former shell of herself. Everything she had put Goku and Goten through she was getting back. He ducked back in the house and got a glass of ice water before he came back out, locking the door behind him, "Mom, drink this and stay here. I'll be right back."

He took to the sky, his mind working furiously. He'd never had to handle a situation like this before. He hated to wake his dad, he knew they went to bed early, but he didn't know what else to do. He landed outside the cabin a short time later and knocked nervously on the door.

Goku sensed his son's energy the moment he started awake, after Tien had elbowed him a couple of times, he rubbed at his side and fumbled for some pants before he went to open the door. He could see the worry in his son's eyes and he woke up fully, his eyes narrowing. "Gohan, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Dad, I'm sorry I woke you up. I just... I didn't know what else to do," Gohan answered. He could see Tien and Sabriena over his dad's shoulder and he looked down at the porch as they hastily pulled some clothes on. "It's Mom. She just showed up out of nowhere, crying her eyes out. She's drunk." He looked up at his dad, pleading for help. "I don't know what to do. She's not faking it this time. Mom's crying for real. I've never seen her cry like that before."

Goku blinked for a moment at Gohan, his mind had jumped to Sabriena at the mention of mom, but then he realized his son was talking about his ex-wife. A flash of anger went through him, remembering the last time they had spoken had been after the custody trial, when he had seen the video of her hitting their own child. He felt nothing, no urgency to go and see her, to go and right all the wrongs that had befallen her. However, his son was clearly distressed and if Chichi was drunk and causing trouble, he didn't want to think about what would happen if she got her hands on Goten and heaven forbid Phoenix or the twins. He let out a heavy sigh. "She just needs to sober up and she will be fine. Why is she drunk?" He looked back over his shoulder at his mates, "I have to help him with this. I don't want anything bad to happen to the kids when she's over there like this."

Sabriena crossed her arms, a vicious look on her face. "Put her in the car and tell her to go home." She had no sympathy for that woman at all after what she'd done to Goten. It would serve her right to die in a fiery car crash.

"She's drunk," Gohan protested.

Sabriena smirked, "Exactly."

Tien scowled at her. "Knock it off."

Gohan shook his head. In all reality, it was probably what his mother deserved. "She's all upset about her husband, he's been abusing her and apparently cheating on her out in the open. I don't know how to deal with her."

Sabriena sighed and rolled her eyes. "Goku, don't go over there. She's just going to upset you again. You know that."

Goku nodded, "At least if I'm there she won't take it out on them, on Goten," He looked at Gohan, "or you or Lindsey." He sighed, it was weak reasoning. "I won't let her hurt me, but I can at least hear her out." He looked at his mates, the pull to just climb back in bed with them was strong. Stronger than his need, his obligation to listen to another manipulative sob story Chichi had come up with. "Will you guys come with me?"

Sabriena sighed through her nose and stared at the floor for a moment. She had absolutely NO desire to see that woman or for her husband to have to listen to her. But she knew Goku. He was too kind hearted for his own good and he was going to go help his son no matter what. She looked up at Tien. "It's up to you," she muttered, her arms still crossed over her chest.

Tien placed a strong hand on the back of Sabriena's neck, squeezing it in a reassuring sort of way. He could see Goku didn't really want to go, but Gohan looked like he was at his wits end. "We'll go with you, Goku. We'll just stay off to the side. I don't want to get into it with her and I don't want to see her and Sabriena get into it again. But if you want us to, we'll go with you."

Goku nodded, giving them a moment to get dressed before he reached out for them before he looked to Gohan to grab a hold of him as well. He lifted his hand, pressing his fingers to his forehead. He hesitated only a moment before he closed his eyes and transmitted them to Gohan's porch. He opened his eyes, hearing the sobs before he saw her. The intense anger he felt hadn't diminished in the slightest over the years, but seeing her like this. He didn't know. He let go of his mates, squeezing their hands for comfort before he did, and stepped forward towards the mess on the ground, approaching her with a caution he would normally save for his most dangerous of enemies. "Chichi," he said, his voice chilly at best.

Chichi gave a jump and looked up, over her shoulder at her ex-husband from her spot on the porch stairs. "Oh!" she cried. "Hi." She looked back down at the ground, not knowing what to think. She'd finished off several more bottles since Gohan had left. She hadn't expected him to go get his father.

Tien eyed the woman warily before he took Sabriena's hand in his own and walked her to the edge of the porch, both of them sitting on a railing in the dark to listen to this vile woman. Gohan stayed where he was, somewhere near the middle, and sank down the wall to rest his forehead on bent knees.

Chichi gave a shuddering breath, reaching for her purse, and pulled out another small bottle of liquor and swallowed it down. Her face screwed up again in agony. "He hates me," she sobbed.

Goku walked over to her, taking the purse from her hands and peered inside. She had several unopened bottles, even more empty ones. He didn't know for sure, but he was certain that if he held a match up to her breath, it would catch fire. He had never seen Chichi like this. Never. He dumped the alcohol out onto the porch, handed the purse back to her, and shoved the bottles away. "Who hates you?" he asked. He didn't hate her. He despised her. After having everything laid bare, all the cold years of sleeping on a couch, never being good enough for her, finding out she had beaten his child, he despised her with a depth he could barely fathom.

"E-Everyone!" she cried. "My children... my husband... even you." She looked at him again with bloodshot eyes. "I try. I try to do everything the way he wants me to. But no matter what I do, it's just n-never good e-enough!" Big, genuine tears were streaming from her eyes and she tried to wipe them away, but they kept coming. "D-Didn't I keep the house c-clean and nice for you?" She took a deep, shuddering breath before she sobbed again. "And you st-still didn't want to be there. He doesn't want to be at home, either. He doesn't want to be around me. He doesn't want to be with me."

Goku blinked. It was a slap in the face and what was more, it all sounded familiar. It was like Chichi was in his shoes now. He remembered, with great clarity that day that Gramma had cast her spell on Chichi. She had said that before the day was out, Chichi would get what she deserved, what was coming to her. He shook his head. He felt no pleasure from this. Chichi was experiencing what he had for twenty years and she still didn't understand the lesson. But it wasn't his lesson to teach. "I wasn't home because you pushed me away. You don't love me. You made me sleep on the couch, denied me the most basic of needs, you served me cold meals or no meals at all. You didn't let me help with chores, you didn't let me do anything on my own. And the most unforgivable thing of all is that you BEAT Goten. You abused our children. MY children." He sighed. On some level, he was glad he had come. He certainly didn't want Goten to see her like this. Surrounded by liquor bottles, grabbing onto him and demanding to know why he didn't love her.

Chichi stared down at her hands in her lap, listening to his words as she cried. If it hadn't been for the alcohol surging through her system, she never would have considered speaking to Goku. But she was far too drunk for logical thinking in that moment. "I know," she whispered. "I'm a terrible m-mother." She hiccuped and groaned, grabbing her head as the world around her seemed to spin for a moment. She saw the bottles pushed away from her on the porch and laid over on her side to grab one. She sat back up and twisted the cap off, yanking it out of Goku's reach when he acted like he was going to take it from her hand. She gulped it down like she was dying of thirst. "E-everything I accused you of, that you didn't do, he does," she admitted miserably. "He's never there. W-When he is, he's so rough with me." She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes, sobbing again. "He's cheating on me! He doesn't even b-b-bother to h-hide it! He's with her r-right now..." Chichi's sobs had nearly turned to screams at that point as she leaned over her knees, covering her face with her hands.

Goku didn't feel anything, her tears, her sobs didn't move him. He found himself wanting to scream at her, but he couldn't. He wouldn't change anything the way it happened, save for wanting to spare Goten and Gohan the horrors of living with her. She was in this mess because of her own doing. If she couldn't see that, then there was no talking to her. She kept drinking though he took them away. She didn't want his help at all. "Then divorce him. You divorced me for less. Not that I regret it. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. If you hadn't done that, I never would have found true happiness." He stood up, "But you don't want help, so no one can help you. Go home. Just stay away from my family when you're like this."

Chichi blinked up at him, more tears sliding from her eyes. "D-Divorce him?! I can't do that! I - I love him!" She looked panicked, her lip trembling and she grabbed the leg of his pants desperately. "Do you have any idea what it's like to love someone so much and they give you nothing in return?! They act like being with you is a chore, like it disgusts them to touch you, and you try and try and try and nothing is EVER good enough! Do you have any idea what that's like?!"

Sabriena sneered from the end of the porch, taking a few steps closer. "Oh, he knows. After all, he spent twenty some-odd years being treated like that from you!" she snapped. She looked at Chichi with disgust. "Sounds to me like you can dish it out but you can't take it," Sabriena smirked.

A look of horror washed over Chichi's face and she let go of Goku, her hands shaking. "I... I did..." she breathed in horror, the realization sinking into her. She looked up at her ex, a pleading in her eyes. "Goku, I'm so sorry."

Gohan's head snapped up, staring at his mother in shock. She was actually apologizing for something? Was this... was this her turning point? Was his mother FINALLY going to realize the error of her ways and try to become a better person? He knew that it would never, EVER make up for the things she'd done, the way she'd treated his father and his brother. Nothing she did could ever make up for that. But perhaps if she could try to change now, maybe the future wouldn't be so horrible with her. Maybe she could at least have a civil relationship with her children, her grandchildren.

"Save it, bitch," Sabriena spat. "He doesn't want to hear your lies anymore."

"I'M NOT LYING!" Chichi screamed drunkenly. "I never... I didn't realize... Goku, I'm sorry!" she sobbed miserably.

Goku stepped back from her, closer to Sabriena, pulling his mate to him while he shook his head, "Chichi, you're drunk. I wish you meant it, but when you sober up, you'll be the person you are. If you want this to mean anything, then say it when you are sober." He wanted to say she deserved this. That she could finally feel what he felt those twenty long years. It hurt. It hurt so much. He looked down at her, his eyes barely seeing her, seeing himself instead. Her words, said drunkenly, were still getting to him. Twenty years. He remembered how he had tried to be the best husband he had known how to be. How he tried to be gentle with her, to help around the house and she divorced him so easily. After twenty years with two of the most amazing children on the face of this earth and she loved the lying, cheating bastard who was rough with her more. "You've brought this on yourself."

Chichi curled up on her side, unable to speak any more as she sobbed desperately. She didn't want to go back to the house, she didn't want to see that woman he was with again. She knew, even in her drunken state, that Goku was right. She'd done this to herself. She gingerly touched the bruise on her cheek and whined, "Owww."

Sabriena hugged Goku's waist protectively, trying to put herself between him and Chichi. She could see the slightly haunted look in his eyes, the hurt, the anger there.

Tien quietly stepped up behind Goku, placing a strong hand on his shoulder. He leaned in, whispering in Goku's ear, "She's not your problem anymore." He turned to Gohan, "You're going to have to get her home somehow. Let her sober up. She'll be her old self in the morning."

Gohan looked up at him and got to his feet, his heart sinking at Tien's words, at his dad's words about her not changing when she sobered up. "She's never going to change, is she?" he muttered sadly, staring down at his mother who looked like she was starting to drift off to sleep, the alcohol finally overwhelming her.

Goku's lips were pressed thin, the world was trying to right itself and still that woman was finding ways to hurt those around her while she did it. He looked over at Gohan. "She's not going to be happy when she wakes up. Promise me you'll keep everyone in there safe." He snorted lightly, "Maybe I should just get a satellite phone or something just for these emergencies." He sighed. He had almost asked her if there was something he could do. Something he could try. Maybe talk some sense into her husband, but he wouldn't dare interfere with the Fates and if this was Gramma's doing, he knew better than to get in the way of this, "Gramma's lessons are rough, but they do have purpose."

Gohan let out a quivering sigh. Why couldn't he just hate her and be done with it? Because she was still his mother. Like it or not, he just couldn't seem to break that bond, however weak it was.

Sabriena pressed her lips to a thin line and went to Gohan, hesitating for a moment, then wrapped her arms around him in a big hug. "You don't need her," she said softly. "You have your dad."

Gohan hugged her back, "I know. I just wish she was different. Different for me and Goten, more than anything. I'm glad Dad has you and Tien. I'm just being selfish," he muttered and let go of her.

"It's not selfish to wish you had a mother," Sabriena corrected him softly. A rueful smile pulled at her lips, "Believe me. You're not the only one who's felt like that. She's no mother to you or Goten."

Gohan looked to his dad, an apologetic look washing over his features. "I shouldn't have bothered you. I'm sorry, Dad. It was a mistake to involve you. I should've just shoved her in the car and taken her home to Maxwell." Gohan frowned. He hated that man. Pompous, arrogant, rich. He'd lavished Chichi with gifts and charm when they first met, but once he'd married her, he'd turned into the biggest jerk Gohan had ever met. It was like he'd tricked her into marrying him. A cold settled in Gohan's core as the thought hit him. Everything his mother had done to his father was now coming back to her. He clapped his hands to his face and groaned. "Dammit, Arthusia! That blasted curse!" He dropped one hand to his side, the other sliding down his face to cover his mouth, squeezing at his chin as he stared at his mother. She HAD brought this upon herself. The curse was fulfilling itself and it had been for several long years now. But then, what about the things she'd done to Goten? It had all started with her mistreating his father. The things she'd done to Goten hadn't even started to come back to her yet. Gohan paled at the thought. "She's getting back exactly what she gave. And it's only beginning. The things she did to Goten... what if that piece of shit she calls a husband does that to her?! I... I can't just stand aside and let someone do that to my mother!" He grabbed at his hair, his mind racing. He didn't know what to think. "He's already beating her!"

Goku shook his head. He felt, well, he didn't know how he felt. What good was a curse if she didn't even know it or recognize it as such? Perhaps she would, but perhaps not. She was as blind as he had been when he had been trapped with her. "Chichi is a strong woman. You know she would defend herself from him if she wanted to." He looked at Gohan, hating to see his son so distressed. He left his mates' sides and picked up the bottles of alcohol before he moved to the side of the porch and poured them out, one by one. He turned back and put them into Chichi's purse, looking down at the drunken woman. "Chichi's hurt both of you for years. Goten will always have those scars on his back because of her," he said sadly, thinking about the mess his son's back was. A crisscross pattern of scars left behind by the welts and lashes. Chichi's words echoed in his head, telling Goten to lower his energy level so she could punish him. He sighed and moved down, picking Chichi up in his arms before turning back to her car and opening the back door, putting her inside, tossing the keys in with her before shutting the door behind him. He put his hand on the top of the roof, "Where does she live now?"

"East City," Gohan answered. "Dad, I can drive her there. I don't want you to have to go to her house. I can fly back." He walked to the top of the steps, staring sadly at his mother. He knew they were right. His mother was never, ever going to change, no matter how bad he wanted her to. "Really, Dad. I'll do it. You take Sabriena and Tien on home. I know you guys are tired and have a lot of work to do at your cabin. I shouldn't have bothered you."

Goku shook his head, "Do you have a picture? I can just put her in the driveway and be right back." He winced, that sounded heartless. Maybe it would be better if Gohan took her back home, but it was quite the drive. "I can at least take you to East City and we can be back in no time." He looked at his mates, seeing their tired expressions. The anger on Sabriena's face, Tien's cool expression. "What do you guys think?"

"I still say wake her up and make her drive," Sabriena muttered, but winced at the looks Gohan and Tien gave her. "Sorry," she mumbled.

Gohan sighed, "Yeah, I think I've got a picture her husband sent me of his new car. It was parked in the driveway." He went back in the house to retrieve his cell phone, listening carefully to see if anyone else was awake, but heard nothing. He returned outside, muttering about how ridiculous this whole thing was.

Tien had walked out into the driveway with Goku, trying to help him decide what to do. "I'd rather you just leave her in the car and be done with it. But if she's that drunk, you can't just leave her. Goku, it's the middle of summer. I mean, if she got too hot or something. I hate her, but I don't want to be responsible for her dying, either, you know? I don't know what to tell you to do. She shouldn't have bothered your son in the first place. She has no business here."

Goku looked at Chichi and pressed his lips thin. "True, but I don't really want to leave her here either. If she wakes up, angry and shouting, I don't want Goten to hear that. He has been through enough." He didn't know what to do. He supposed he could crack a window for her or good gods, he didn't want to be in that house with her. "Have you been inside, Gohan? Do you know where her room is?" he asked looking at the picture. "You could take her in and then we will just come right back here."

Gohan nodded. "Yeah, I've been in there more times than I care to admit. You won't have to go inside, Dad." He walked out to meet his dad, setting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry about all this, Tien," Gohan apologized.

Tien shook his head, "It's okay. That's what we're here for. You two just get back here as quick as you can, okay?" He almost leaned in for a kiss, but he didn't want Gohan to feel uncomfortable, so he grabbed the back of Goku's neck in a comforting squeeze, covering the mark with his fingertips for just a moment. "We'll see you two when you get back."

Goku transported them to the driveway he had seen in the picture. It was a big, beautiful house and even in the dark, he could tell it must have cost a fortune. He wondered if Chichi had fallen in love with the man or the money. He paused when he heard the front door open, thinking maybe the husband had been waiting up for Chichi to come back home, but no. There was a sleek, business looking man, his hair disheveled, his pants barely up on his hips, his shirt untucked, and his arm around a woman that had to be younger than Sabriena. Emphasized curves, huge breasts, long legs. Hell, the longer he looked at her, the more he realized she might've been younger than Goten.

Maxwell pulled the young woman into his arms, smothering her mouth with a kiss for a moment, both of them laughing against each other's lips for a moment before he noticed Chichi's car in the driveway and his stepson standing beside it, looking murderous. He smirked and pinched the blonde on the ass. "Get your ass home. I'll see you at the office tomorrow."

She tossed her long hair over her shoulder and strode over to her car, giving both Gohan and Goku a long, sweeping look before she got into her car and drove away.

Gohan shook his head; he recognized her as a secretary from Maxwell's office.

Maxwell fixed his belt and tromped down the steps. "Your mother in there?" he asked, nodding at the car.

Gohan pressed his lips together and gave a nod. There were so many things he wanted to say to this man. He could feel his power level rising and he fought to press it back down. If he attacked Maxwell and got charged with some kind of assault, he could lose his job. And he had worked too hard to get it to just throw it away on some piece of shit his mother decided to marry.

Maxwell looked at Goku, seeing how much this man looked like Gohan, and realized this had to be Chichi's ex. A smirk touched his lips, and he spoke to Goku in a cool, uncaring voice, "She showed up at your house, huh? Let me guess, she's drunk and crying her eyes out again."

Goku didn't like this man. There was something about him, the coldness in his voice, the uncaring way he spoke about Chichi. The overall vibe he got from him was not pleasant. "She showed up at Gohan's. He came and got me." He didn't know what to do. It was obvious, like the elephant in the room, but how did you begin to talk about it? It was ironic, he never cheated on Chichi, but she got furious whenever he tried to speak to his female friends that weren't her and here, her husband was openly doing it and she just broke down in tears. He felt nothing, and wondered if it made him a bad person for thinking that she brought this on herself, that she deserved it. "I don't want my family around her when she's like this."

Maxwell snickered. "Can't say I blame you. She's downright irritating even when she's sober," he said, raising his eyebrows in amusement as he went to the car door and pulled it open. "Wake up, Chichi," he said sternly. She didn't rouse or give any indication that she'd heard him at all. "I don't blame you for getting out while you could," Maxwell said over his shoulder as he started to pull Chichi out of the car by her ankles. "She's useless. Can't do a damn thing right to save her soul."

"Then why did you marry her?" Gohan demanded. It wasn't right. None of this was right to him.

Maxwell stood up straight and turned around to look at Gohan. "Because having a modest, proper housewife my own age looks good to my clients. Think of it as a business venture," he answered matter-of-factly. He turned back to the car, "Chichi! Wake up and get your ass in that house before someone sees you like this! You'll ruin our reputation! Now move it, woman!"

Goku blinked at the man, the familiarity of the situation was hard hit and he could see himself in Chichi's shoes for a moment. No, he had been in that situation before. He had never done anything to deserve the cruelty from Chichi. Everything Chichi had done, the cold meals, the even colder bed, the verbal abuse, the physical. When she had burned Lindsey's precious items back when they had first met. When she threw down the towel saying Lindsey was not her daughter and those grand kids were not hers. When she divorced him for no reason other than the simple fact that he was never home when he had no reason to be. He put a hand on Gohan's shoulder, wanting to go before Chichi woke up. Would she still be drunk? Would she see her new husband and throw her arms around him, hoping everything would be alright?

Maxwell heaved an impatient sigh and pulled Chichi all the way out of the car. She woke as her rear hit the pavement and she blinked as though she didn't know where she was for a moment. She looked up at her husband. "Maxwell?"

He tucked his hands into his pockets and stared down at her, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "You've made a fool of yourself again. I can't trust you with anything, can I?"

Gohan cringed. The way this man spoke to his mother reminded him too much of the things she used to scream at Goku. But instead of the loud, emotional screeching, Maxwell said it in a bored, cold tone. He forced himself to look away, his eyes wrenched shut as his hands curled into fists at his sides. He tried to tell himself over and over that she deserved it, and yet it hurt him deeply to see it happening.

Chichi staggered to her feet, not noticing her ex or her son. "Max, I'm sorry," she said in a soft, hurt tone. Her eyes went wide for a second and she flinched as if she expected to get hit. He hated when people shortened his name. It seemed like anything could set him off these days. She whimpered and clutched her purse to her chest, ducking her head fearfully.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and grabbed her purse, digging through the empty bottles, shaking his head. "Can't trust you to do anything right. Can't take my eyes off you for one minute. Honestly, woman, it's like you're nothing more than an ignorant child." He pulled her credit cards, her keys, and her driver's license from her purse before handing it back to her. "Now get your ass in that house and fix me something to eat. Oh, and those bedsheets need washing."

Chichi ducked her head, clutching her purse to her chest, and hurried into the house without another word, stumbling a few times as she went.

Maxwell looked at Gohan, "See ya later, kid." And he headed into the house, walking with a cocky swagger and shut the door firmly behind him.

Goku didn't know what to think, his son certainly didn't need to see that. He didn't like Chichi, but that. That had been rough, but then, not as rough as some things she had done. Maybe they'd go to see Gramma tomorrow. He didn't realize he had spoken until he saw Gohan looking at him, "Well, just to put us at ease." He wrapped his arm around Gohan's shoulders and took them back to his house. He looked over at his mates with an odd look in his eyes, he would be forever grateful that he had found his soul mates. "Get some rest, Gohan; we will go see Gramma tomorrow."

"Okay," Gohan said in a shaking voice.

"Everything okay?" Tien asked, startled at the look on Gohan's face, the look in Goku's eyes.

Gohan shook his head. "I know she deserves it," he said softly. "But it's still hard to watch. It just. It's like watching you go through it all over again," he said to Goku. "And I know it's only going to get worse." He heaved a sigh, looking up at the door to his home. His safe, stable, loving home that he and his wife had worked so hard for. "Promise you'll come get me tomorrow, Dad. I want to go see Gramma. I gotta get my head straight about this." He managed a small smile when Goku gave a nod, then he turned and went in the house.

"You okay?" Sabriena asked in a soft voice.

Goku didn't know how to honestly answer that. He just gave her a sad smile, walking over and into their arms. "I will be. It's just even after everything that's happened, it's hard to see even though she deserves it." He said bitterly, "but it's hard to watch anyone be treated that way." He pressed his hand to his forehead and transported them back home. He looked at the door that lead to the cabin, and turned away from it, going to the fire pit and started stacking the logs in the middle. "I'll be in in a little bit."

Sabriena and Tien looked at him curiously, wondering why he was building a fire outside if he was planning on coming into the cabin, but he seemed like he needed a moment to himself. Sabriena nearly protested, but Tien put a hand on her shoulder. "Come on, give him a minute," he said softly and steered her towards the door. "Goku, you let us know if you need anything, okay?"

Sabriena frowned sadly at her Saiyan husband. "I love you," she said quietly and went into the house with Tien.

Goku nearly called out to them, to stay with him, but he held back. His soul scrabbling at the back of his mind, trying to go with them. He built the fire and lit it carefully with a small blast of energy held to the kindling. He laid back on the grass, arms crossed behind his head as he looked up into the sky, at the millions of stars twinkling overhead. He wanted to feel something, but he was so confused. This wasn't like him. All he wanted to do was forget her, to forget the pain she had inflicted on him and after what she had done to Goten. What was happening to her wasn't right, but he couldn't bring himself to think that it was worth his trouble to help her out. Did that make him a bad person?

Sabriena watched Goku through the glass, a sad expression on her face. She wanted nothing more than to go to him, to throw herself into his arms and hold him until all memories of that woman were gone. She was fighting angry tears. Goku didn't deserve to have to deal with Chichi tonight, and neither did Gohan.

"Leave him be, Sabriena," Tien warned. "He said he'd be in in a bit. Leave him alone."

"But it's killing meeeeee!" she whined and threw herself into her chair, letting her head fall to the table with a loud bang. Tien stared at his wife in the darkness, the only light in the cabin was from Goku's fire outside that shone through the window and just a bit of the waning moon. He reached for her hand and held it tightly, fighting his own urge to go to Goku. His hand shook, thinking about how much hurt that woman had inflicted on everyone already, now she was starting to get into Goku's head again. Tien let his own head slump to the table, his hand still joined with Sabriena's, neither of them knowing what to do or say to make it better for their husband whom they loved so much.

Goku mulled over his thoughts for longer than he cared to admit before he angrily stood up and blanketed the fire with ashes. Chichi had gotten herself into her current mess willingly, she would have to find her way out on her own, like he had to do. He was willing to bet that it was going to take twenty years or longer before she figured it out. She was his past and once again, he was letting her control his life. She was nothing to him and while that made him less than happy to admit, he was fine with it. He had a new, better family and they were in there worried about him while he was out here worried about a woman who beat her own children and abused him for years. "No more, Chichi. Not ever again," he said with an air of finality and turned, walking back into the cabin, blinking in surprise to see that Tien and Sabriena were still sitting at the table. He felt a pang of guilt and moved to sit in his normal chair, putting his chin on his hands, watching them in interest.

Sabriena blinked up at Goku in the darkness, not really sure if he was there or not. She'd just slightly dozed off as she'd waited for him, her stomach clenching in knots. Tien seemed to have done the same, awake, but not completely. It was so late, after all. Sabriena concentrated for a moment a tiny ball of light forming at the tip of her finger and she let it hover a few inches above the table like the light of a candle. She smiled when Goku's face was thrown into the light and she reached over to cup his cheek, searching his eyes. She didn't know what to say, so she said the only thing that came to her mind. "I love you."

Goku felt a weight lifted from his shoulders at her words. She looked at him with such trust, such love. He could hardly believe it. Maybe, just maybe, it was okay to be selfish for once. He smiled at her and scooted closer to her. "I love you, too." He looked over at Tien, tilting his head to the side, catching his eye. "I love you too, old man." He sighed and leaned his cheek further into the palm of Sabriena's hand, nuzzling at the warm flesh there, sighing happily, "You guys would let me know if I ever started becoming something bad, like someone with a bad intent, right?"

Tien chuckled at the "old man" comment. He was too tired to even try to argue back. He sat up at Goku's question, staring intently at his husband. "I don't think you could be that kind of person," he answered. "Really, I mean, Sabriena always says you're far too nice for your own good. I can't see you having bad intentions towards anyone."

Sabriena ran her thumb over Goku's cheekbone, turning his attention back to her. "Don't you dare, for one second, think that you're a bad person just because Chichi's getting what she deserves. It's not your fault."

Goku nodded, smiling at her. He couldn't think on this and he was fairly sure Gramma was going to tell him the same thing. He couldn't help it, it was his nature to care for others, even if they were the scum of the earth. He wasn't sad the way it turned out. He had the best mates in the world because of it and he would never regret them. He leaned over and kissed Sabriena soundly before moving to stand up. "Come on, let's get him to bed. His back is going to be aching in the morning if he sleeps there. Though, I suppose we could make it up to him." He winked at their husband.

Tien got up with a groan and kicked his boots off. "Too tired to even think about that right now," he yawned. He lazily threw an arm around Goku's shoulders as Sabriena held Goku's hand and they walked over to the bed, stripping their clothes off before crawling onto the soft mattress.

Sabriena laid her head on Goku's chest, kissing at his collarbone. "Now you rest," she said softly. "You've got to go talk to Gramma tomorrow and I don't want you falling asleep when you're with her." She yawned and let her eyes fall closed, snuggling tightly to his side as Tien curled up around her back. "Goodnight, handsome," Sabriena said sleepily as she drifted off to sleep.