Goten followed Nadia through the portal and managed to only stumble this time as he exited the other side. He gasped out at the sight that met his eyes. "Egypt?" he asked, blinking over at the beautiful vampire. The hot, dry air swirled around him and a smile pulled at his lips. This place didn't seem nearly as ominous as that island had. He turned and offered his hand to Paige as she stepped through the portal, helping her to keep her footing. Phoenix was last and, as always, ended up face-first on the ground.

"I hatechu," he said again. "I hatechu so hard right now."

Goten threw his head back and laughed. "No you don't," he corrected his nephew. "We should probably make camp for the day, get some rest before we look for anything here. I'm not walking around in damp clothes and soggy boots." He frowned down at his boots, feeling them squish again as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. He looked at Nadia again and asked, "Do you know anywhere safe that we could set up camp for the day?"

Nadia chuckled. "Only if you want to sleep in a tomb," she said, peering out from under the hood of her jacket. The sun was coming up over the horizon and she hissed at it. "I remember when I used to love sunlight. Sleeping out in it all day long." She sighed and looked around, "Actually, a tomb is probably our best bet. Over there is the temple of Amun Ra not far from here. But I should warn you, we came through that portal and it's only connected to places of power."

"We could sleep in shifts, keep an eye out so we don't get ambushed," Goten said. He started walking towards the temple she indicated, linking his elbow with Paige as he went. "Come on, Phoenix," he called over his shoulder. "None of us need to get separated right now. Even if she's not here, I guarantee she's keeping an eye on us. She'll show up again." He shivered despite the heat.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Phoenix grumbled and got to his feet, brushing himself off. He hurried to catch up to them, then fell into step beside Nadia. "So you used to be human then?" he asked curiously. "How'd you become a vampire? Did you have a choice?"

Nadia gave Phoenix a look, "You really weren't paying attention were you? None of us were given a choice. Once Dracula turned down the Atlantians, our fate was sealed. It seemed as if overnight our entire way of life had changed. My family were farmers, working the fields." She looked up into the distance as she looked to the temple. "I was working in the castle, training to become a defender of our land. Farmers, they start work before dawn even rises. I lost my entire family in one swoop."

Phoenix felt bad at that. "Sorry," he murmured as they entered the temple. The air was stale and he wrinkled his nose at it. "I didn't realize you were there when it happened. I thought, you know, maybe you'd been turned after it happened. I was paying attention when Dracula was talking. I DO pay attention sometimes." He shrugged off his pack and looked around before he sat down and leaned against it. "So is that the plan, then? Sleep in shifts?" He really didn't like the idea of being vulnerable while he slept.

Nadia nodded. "Get some rest, I'll take first watch," she said as she settled near the entrance, just in the shadows. She watched as Paige went over near Phoenix, tugging Goten after her. She caught Goten's eye, giving him a look before she turned around and look out over the desert.

Paige laid out their stuff, pulling off boots and everything. "Come on, this stuff should dry while we are sleeping," she said as she laid back. "This place feels better than that swamp." She paused and looked over at Goten, "You going to lay down?"

Goten didn't miss the look Nadia gave him. He debated only a moment before he made up his mind. "No, you lay down with Phoenix. I think it'd be better if two of us kept watch. You guys rest and in a little while, we'll switch out. Okay?" he suggested, glancing over his shoulder at Nadia again. He felt his heart rate pick up a bit at the prospect of spending some alone time with her. That and the full moon was fast approaching, he could feel it in his blood. He wondered how far he could get with the beautiful vampire, if she'd even be interested. But he needed the relief, the stress of the night to be erased. "Go on and lay down. I'll be okay," he said, giving Paige a cocky grin.

Paige narrowed her eyes as she watched Goten turn away from her and head over to where Nadia was in the shadows. She huffed and rolled over to look at the stone wall. "That Nadia still doesn't sit well with me," she muttered. She didn't like the way Goten looked at her, sizing her up. She didn't know why it was bothering her so much. Normally she didn't give two flips who he was interested in, but now she didn't know.

Nadia spared Goten a look as he wandered over, "You know I am more than proficient enough to handle anything on my own. You should get some rest with your family. We don't know what surprises are in store for us here."

"Ah, I'm not tired yet," Goten said and stretched his arms over his head. "I told them I'd lay down in a bit. I know you're strong and you can handle yourself. I saw you take out those mermaids with your bare hands. That was badass. I gotta give you that." He moved to lean against the wall, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Still, I'd feel better if two of us kept watch at the same time. Couldn't hurt, right?" He looked her over and ran his tongue over his bottom lip, thinking over his words. "So your boyfriend's okay with you running off on this mission with us? We might be awhile tracking Antonia down. I don't know how long it's going to take." He was testing the waters, seeing if she was involved with anyone else. "I can't imagine your boyfriend being happy having someone as beautiful as you being gone so long."

Nadia gave him a deadpanned look. "You don't waste any time, do you lover boy?" She forced herself to not roll her eyes at his surprised look. "I'm no spring chicken. You think I haven't heard all those lines before, those cheesy movie tactics?" She snorted, "I'll give you props for the balls though. Not many consider courting a vampire in their list of things to do. It's hard to feel alive again. It's hard to get our blood boiling when it is so cold to begin with. No one has done that to me in a long time."

Goten felt the challenge, the invitation in her words. His length hardened at the idea of doing that for her when no one else had done it for her in so long. "I don't waste time when I see something I want," he answered, his voice slightly husky. "I was always taught to go after what I wanted and to not let opportunity pass me by." Feeling bold, he stood up straighter and moved to stand in front of her, not quite touching her yet as he stared into her unnaturally bright eyes. He slowly peeled off his shirt, flexing his muscles as he moved. He never broke eye contact with her as he stood over her short frame. Even though she'd jumped into that canal and fought the mermaids, she still looked amazing, her slightly damp hair tousled. He ached to touch her, to peel the leather outfit away from her pale skin until she was completely revealed to him. His length throbbed against his jeans, his pulse pounding in his veins.

Nadia looked at him, really looked at him since the first time she had joined their group. He was strong, she could feel it in the air around him. She could see his length, pressing out against his pants in clear want. She barely paid a glance over at Paige, she knew that woman lusted after this man. She gave Goten a toothy smirk, let it not be said she took what didn't want to be taken. She could see it clearly. "A wise policy. Who knows when this opportunity will pass and not many will be able to say that they have lain with a vampire and lived to tell the tale."

Goten's breath caught in his throat and he quickly closed the gap between them, capturing her lips in a heated kiss as he used his body to press hers back against the ancient stone wall. Her lips were cold, but she tasted sweet and tangy as his tongue slipped into her mouth, carefully avoiding her fangs. He didn't want to know what would happen if he nicked himself on one of them. He slid his hands down her slender body and grasped the backs of her thighs, lifting her to wrap her legs around his waist. A low moan escaped his throat as his length throbbed again and he rubbed it against her, the friction only making him harder.

Nadia sighed out against him, he was hotter than she remembered a body being. His length pressed up against her cool center as he ravished her mouth. He was certainly daring as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She slid back against him, drinking him down as she trailed her fingers over his shoulders and down his back. She did not even pause at the scars there. He was a warrior, was he not? Probably left by some glorious battle. He was indeed worthy of her time and attentions. The vampires at the castle were all the same, cold, uncaring. Hardly any passions left in them. This was what she needed and she ground back against him as she wrapped her legs securely around his waist.

Goten tensed as she touched his scars and he immediately grabbed her by the wrists and pinned them above her head. He didn't stop kissing her, grinding his hips between her thighs as another moan escaped him. He reluctantly stepped back after a moment and slid one hand down her back, finding the zipper to her outfit. He leaned his forehead against hers and smirked as he unzipped it, holding her gaze as he peeled the clothing away from her. "Goddamn, you are sexy," he purred as he moved to suck at her neck, working his tongue over her cool skin. He kissed his way down her chest, moving to capture a taut nipple in his lips, sucking it harshly as he laved his tongue over it.

Nadia hissed out at him, not liking to be restrained like that, but the next moment she loudly moaned as his lips sealed around her flesh. She had not felt a heat like this in ages. "Gods, yes, Goten," she cried out as she arched her back, pushing her breast against his face. She frowned as she tried to take her wrists back from him, only to find that they were in an immoveable grip. She couldn't believe it. What man could overpower a vampire?

Goten tossed away her clothes and pulled back to admire her body. His cock strained even harder against his jeans and his hands released her, quickly going to work his belt loose. He stepped out of the jeans and his boots, his length standing tall as he let her look him over for a moment. He swallowed harshly as he reached out to trail his fingertips over her sides, down to her hips. He could see the disbelief in her eyes, he'd felt her try to pull away from him. "Heh," he chuckled as he gripped her hip, his other hand sliding down to cup her between her legs. "I guess Saiyans are stronger than you thought we were, huh?" He trailed his finger along the wet line he felt there, seeking out the little nub at the head of her folds, teasing it with the pad of his finger. He leaned down to breathe in her ear, "Sorry. I won't restrain you if you don't like it."

Nadia spread her legs to him, bucking up into his grasp as he let go of her. She curled her fingers around his biceps and leaned up to his ear, trailing her lips over the edge, "You should not be afraid of your scars. They are a testament to survival." She spoke firmly as she then reached down and grasped his hand, shoving two fingers into her, "I have waited centuries. Do not make me wait a moment longer."

Goten felt distracted at the mention of his scars. "Don't talk about them," he answered in a whisper. "Please." He groaned out as he plunged his fingers into her body. Although her skin was cold to him, her center was wet and warm. He shivered at the tightness on his fingers as he worked them in and out of her for a moment. "I can't wait either," he purred and lifted her to wrap her legs around him once again as he drove his cock into her in one swift, powerful motion. "Oh gods," he gasped out as he found himself sheathed within her body. He pinned her against the wall again as he kissed and sucked at her neck, driving his hard length into her body. "Oh gods, Nadia, that feels so good."

Nadia cried out at being filled so completely, her shout echoing in the stale tomb. He was bigger than she had anticipated and she moaned out as she sank deeply onto his cock. She felt herself tear a little, the heady scent of blood filling her senses. Her nerves were set on fire, her blood boiling as she clenched around him, wrapping her legs around his waist tighter. She tucked away that bit of information for later. It could prove to be interesting talk at a later time. Now, she wanted to do nothing else but to moan out her pleasure of him. How he worshiped her body so. "Harder, Saiyan. I am not made of glass," she hissed. "HARDER."

Goten needed no more encouragement and he slammed his cock deep into her body, grunting with the effort. Again and again, he repeated the action, loving that she didn't cry out in pain. He'd never fucked a girl like this before; no one else could handle his strength the way she could. He was going crazy with pleasure. Surely his hips would be bruised by the time they were done. He grabbed her knees and spread her legs wide, letting him drive even harder and deeper into her body. He was ravenous for her. "You're amazing," he groaned as a wave of gold flashed over his hair. He fought to press his energy back down. He'd never gone super Saiyan before during sex, he didn't know if he could control his power if he did it now.

She nearly growled, "No pretty talk." She moaned as he pounded into her. "Don't you hold back on me. Do you... ngh… know how much I hate being called those things? Pretty, kickass, beautiful, amazing. Keep your flattery and show me through your actions," she demanded as she pushed her hands against the wall, throwing him off balance as she landed on top of him and lifted her hips before slamming home on his cock. She threw her head back. "Gods yes, right there!" she shouted and clenched on him as she fucked herself on his cock. A flash of green appeared out of the corner of her eyes and she smirked.

Goten roared in pleasure as she took control and he arched his hips up to meet her. "Fine," he growled. If she didn't want to be told those things, then he wasn't going to waste his time. Most women enjoyed that sort of thing, he'd only assumed she would, too. Apparently he was wrong. He sort of liked that, that this was just physical for her, that she didn't need all the emotional garbage to go along with it. It would make things much less complicated on their journey. "I won't hold back," he panted, gripping her hips to slam her down harder on him. "As long as you're sure you can handle it." He gave in then, letting the transformation wash over his body, his hair flashing to gold as his muscles bulged, his cock swelling within her. "Now fuck me," he commanded in a rough voice.

Nadia screamed out as he transformed, his length spreading her wide open. "Oh gods, yes! Just like that!" she shouted as she looked over her shoulder, winking at Paige who watched on with fire in her eyes. She turned back to Goten and raised herself up, slamming herself down on the cock. This was what she had been missing. Their skin slapped together obscenely as she fucked him.

Goten was oblivious to Paige's presence as he pounded himself up into Nadia's tight body. He loved how demanding she was, how she could handle his strength. He'd never been fucked like this in his life. A whine escaped his throat as he felt his balls draw up against his body, the orgasm creeping up on him sooner than he'd expected. He slid his hand between their bodies, furiously rubbing at her clit, determined to push her over that edge first as he held himself back. "Come for me," he growled at her, using his other hand to pull her down harshly over his cock.

Nadia rocked herself onto his cock and into his hand as he touched her. "YES, YES, YES!" she cried as she came, clenching down hard on the length inside of her as her essence poured out around him. "Fuck yes! Fuck that's so good. Come for me. Fill me with your seed."

Goten roared out in pleasure again as her body contracted around him, her essence drenching him as she came. "OH FUCK, NADIA!" he screamed out as he came, his cock pumping hot rivers of cum deep into her body. His whole body tensed; he'd never come so hard in his life. He finally collapsed beneath her, his hair returning to black as he panted. He was covered in sweat as he smiled weakly up at her. "Damn, that was a good fuck."

Nadia sighed contently and squeezed his cock inside of her once more before she lifted off of him. "Quite. Very good show, if I have to say so myself," she said as she stood, feeling the trickle of cum and blood out of her body. "I haven't been fucked like that in ages. Looks like your friend enjoyed it as well," she smirked as she gathered her clothes off of the floor.

"Do what?" Goten asked, confused, but nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Paige standing there. "Paige!" he cried and pushed himself up on his hands. "I thought you were sleeping." He didn't know what to think, why he almost felt guilty at being caught by his best friend. He moved to pull his clothes back on, always conscious of keeping his back away from her. "Are you alright?" he asked as he dressed.

Paige didn't know what to think. She had heard them when they started their little sexing. Hearing the moans of her best friend and then watching him as he fucked Nadia. She thought what it would be like to be on the receiving end of that cock. She also felt a little hurt that he had lied to her about keeping watch. More so, she didn't know why, but watching him make love to another woman stung. It hurt. She snorted, jealous? She was jealous. "You can do better," she sneered and turned around and stalked off back to where she had set her bag down.

Goten was completely confused at that point as he fixed his belt and bent to pick up his boots. "Don't listen to her. She's in a mood," he said to Nadia. "I don't know what's gotten into her." He ran a hand through his hair as he watched her dress. "So, ah, thanks for that. We might have to do it again," he said with a wink. "Gimme a minute to see what's wrong with her. I'll be back to help you keep watch." He hurried after Paige and set his boots down by his pack. "What's the matter? Why are you all pissy?" he asked. Paige had never been hateful with him before.

Paige growled at him and turned over on her bag. "Fuck off. Oh wait, you already did that," she said in a biting tone. "You know, I suppose I didn't believe it, but you really do fuck anything that has tits, don't you?" She rolled her eyes. There had to be some reason why she felt like she had been betrayed, like they had been on a path or something. But she could see the truth now, she was just another warm hole for him. "Away with you."

Goten felt as if he'd been slapped. He didn't understand where her anger was coming from, but that comment about him fucking anything with tits stung. Most of their family felt that way about him, he knew that, and certainly any other friends he had thought the same. But Paige had never treated him like that. Never. His eyes stung at her words. "Seriously? You're going to say that to me? You've never had a problem with me like this before. What the hell changed now?" he demanded. He paused as a realization set into him. "You're jealous."

Paige rolled her eyes. "Stupid, isn't it? Amazing what a lifetime together and a few sexual explorations will do for you. I didn't ask for this, I didn't ask to care for you like this. Don't worry, I know you don't think about me that way, so whatever. Go on, spend the day with her, fuck her brains out. Maybe go sleep with a local girl. I know the full moon is coming soon. Hate to see you get a case of blue balls."

Goten couldn't believe the words he was hearing, the things she said to him. "What the fuck, Paige?" he asked in disbelief. "I thought we had an understanding. That's why we didn't do more than we did. We're friends, best friends! We weren't supposed to be more than that!" He dragged his hands through his hair. What a right mess this was now. He dropped his hands to his sides again, his shoulders slumping. "Why didn't you tell me?" he whined. "Paige, you CAN'T feel that way about me. You're my best friend. There weren't supposed to be those kinds of emotions in this. It'll ruin everything!"

Paige sat up straight and looked at him with bright eyes, her energy crackling around her. "Yes, let's just lump it on me. It's my fault I'm not some mindless blowup doll. It was a good arrangement at first, but now I want something more. Something that you don't freely give." She laughed, cold and mirthless, "But you do give out freely don't you? Come on. Let me suck your dick. Will that make you see? No? Damn. I want something more from you."

He covered his face with his hands and groaned. He never should have gotten into the friends with benefits situation with her. He should've known better. "And this is why I didn't fuck you," he said as he dropped his hands. "Don't you understand how this could fuck up our friendship? If we dated, got emotionally involved, then what? What happens when it ends? I lose my best friend. Not to mention your dad and Vegeta hunt me down to rip MY heart out. No one wins! Don't you get that? We both end up hurt and if I don't have you as my friend anymore, then I don't think I could…" he trailed off and shook his head violently, his heart aching at the very thought. "Why would you risk our friendship for some silly romance?!"

"That's all you see isn't it? A silly romance because that's all that you have ever had. I don't want a silly romance with you. I want everything, the best. I want a REAL romance. A real relationship. It's not about fucking or being fucked. I could give you something more that stupid, silly one night stands. Since when have I ever abandoned you? Huh?"

"You haven't. Can't you see that's why I don't want anything to change between us?" he countered, an anger growing in his voice. "If this is what you wanted, you should have said so from the beginning. Gods, you girls just can't separate your emotions from sex, can you? I thought you were different, Paige." He snorted and turned away from her, shaking his head. He'd never thought in a million years that she would feel like that about him. He tried to picture a relationship like that with her. What if he messed up, if he broke her heart somehow? He didn't want to be her first, he didn't want to be responsible for her heart like that. It would kill him if he hurt her like that. She was already hurting and he couldn't stand it because he couldn't fix it. He couldn't do that to them, to their friendship.

He turned and dropped to his knees in front of her, feeling defeated. "Paige, you can't feel that way about me," he said in a soft, pleading voice. "Please don't do this to us. I want you in my life forever. If we turn this into something more, I'm going to lose you. I know I will. I don't know how to do the relationship thing. It never works out right. Don't do this to us!"

Paige drew back her hand and slapped him on the cheek, looking at him with a fierceness in her eyes. "Don't you dare compare me to those ditzy, pathetic GIRLS that you date. I am nothing like them. Nothing. I know you, Son Goten. I know the good, the bad, all of your secrets. And I am still here. Do you really think that is going to change if we take this to the next level? I want you, dammit," she said with a passion she didn't know she had. Faced with the prospect of losing him to this vampire, of this becoming his life, forever stuck in the same cycle of one night women scared her. It scared her badly. "I won't be a one night stand. You know I play for keeps."

He drew back from her, a heat stinging his cheek where she slapped him. She'd hit him countless times before in sparring matches or playing around, but this time she meant it. A dark look crossed his features as he got to his feet. "Then play a different game," he growled in a low voice. He was hurt and confused, but more than that, he was scared. Terrified, more like. He should never have messed around with her. He was going to lose her as a friend now anyway. He pressed his lips to a thin line as he stared down at her, an anger burning through his veins. "You don't know me as much as you think you do," he stated bluntly and turned on his heel to storm away from her.

She reached out and caught his arm, stopping him short. "I would if you told me. I heard everything tonight, Goten. I am sorry that you don't trust me enough to share your secrets. I don't want to lose you. That could happen anyway. I'm just... I am hurting for you. I see you with all of these women who don't understand you, who take you for granted. Tell me right now what would change between us. Not the bullshit. We are thick as thieves. The only thing we don't do is live with each other."

Goten slapped a hand to his forehead before he turned towards her, yanking his arm out of her grasp. "Don't you get it? They don't need to get me, to understand me. That's why I have you! Those bitches don't mean anything to me. You know that. I've told you that. It's just a fuck, Paige. It doesn't mean anything!" He was so frustrated with her, he could hardly see straight. "But you're different. You get me. You understand all this shit because you grew up with it, too. There's no one else out there who would ever understand us, what we are. And that's why I won't risk fucking this up!" He took a step back from her, deflating a bit. "But I guess it doesn't matter. I already fucked this up. We should never have done what we did."

Paige's heart gave a leap as he spoke and she tightened her hold on him, hauling him closer to her and crushed their lips together in a passionate kiss. She broke it a moment later as she looked him in the eyes, threading her fingers through his hair. "Don't you hear what you are saying? If they don't mean anything to you and I do, why even bother with them? You aren't going to fuck us up. I won't let you," she said as she nuzzled at his cheek. "We are perfect for each other," she breathed as she kissed him again, nipping and licking at his lips as her fingers slid through his hair, lightly scratching at his scalp.

Goten kissed her back, almost against his will. He didn't know what the fuck he was doing now. He wrapped her up in his arms, holding her tightly. "I don't want to lose you," he gasped out, clinging desperately to her. He didn't know what he wanted, but he knew he didn't want to hurt her. He tangled his fingers into her hair and pulled her back before he kissed her furiously again. "Goddamn you, Paige," he growled in frustration as he kissed her. "Damn you." It was as if he could feel her emotion in the kiss, so passionate, so determined to prove something to him. He pressed fast, hot kisses across her cheek, down the side of her neck before hugging her tightly to him again. "WHY are you doing this? Don't do this to us!"

Paige felt her chest aching for him. She had never felt that before with her night romps with boys who didn't know her, who didn't care about her. "I care about you. I love you," she said firmly. "I love you, you idiot," she breathed before she drank him in, sucking on his bottom lip before she kissed his cheek, down to his neck, sucking a hickie to life. "Gods, the things you've done to me, the way you have honored me. I want this. I want to see where it goes. I know we could be great. When you stand on the precipice of change, you can't be afraid to leap. I want you. I want to see what happens when I wake up every morning and you are there by my side. I want to show you the difference between fucking and making love. Don't you deny me this."

Goten sighed harshly through his nose. Did he really want that? He didn't know. He knew he didn't want to lose her. He'd never had a serious relationship before. Not really. There were a few girls he'd dated for periods of time, but he'd never been too emotionally involved with them. Something about the idea terrified him. He was so used to living his life the way it was now, he was used to his freedom. He wasn't sure he could give her what she wanted from him. He finally met her eyes, deciding he would do anything in that moment to make sure he didn't lose her. "Alright," he breathed. "If that's what you really want, I… I guess we can try. But it's going to be different with us if you really want a relationship. I don't want to just, you know, start it off with sex." It almost killed him to admit it. But if he was going to do this, he wanted to feel like he was doing it right.

Paige nodded, giving him a genuine smile. "I want that," she said softly, reaching up and cupping the cheek she had slapped earlier. "I'm sorry I hurt you, Goten. I was really afraid just then. I honest and truly want to try this with you. Not as some fling or spur of the moment idea." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Nothing changes between us if it doesn't work out. I promise you that. I'm not that kind of girl. You will still have me if this goes up in flames, but I seriously doubt that," she said looking into his eyes, "Now lay down with me. I'm exhausted."

Goten nodded and moved to pull his sleeping bag out of his pack before he rolled it out on the floor. He felt exhausted as he flopped himself down on it, not bothering to crawl inside. It was too hot. He let her lay next to him and slid his arm around her waist. He felt a coiling in his stomach and he wasn't sure if he liked it or not. He was so afraid of screwing this up. His hand trembled as he lifted it to brush her hair behind her shoulder. "You know I love you too, right? That's why I don't want to fuck this up," he said in a quiet voice.

Paige leaned her head into his touch, before she rolled over in his arms to face him. "Goten, you know I'm not a hard woman to please. I want food, a sparring partner, and sex. Well, okay, sex isn't needed. How about a warm bed at the end of the day? I'm not the best roommate, I'm messy and all that good stuff. I shrink the laundry and burn clothes I don't like."

He chuckled softly. "Well then we're just going to be naked all the time cause I don't like doing laundry either." He sighed and rubbed his nose against hers. "You are fucking spoiled, you know that? I don't think I've ever seen you NOT get your way. And you are hard to please, I don't give a damn what you say. You have high expectations. I blame Vegeta for that shit." He gave a jerk at the mention of the Saiyan prince. Oh gods, Vegeta and Piccolo were going to have his head for this. His eyes went wide as he looked at her. "They're going to crucify me when they find out we're dating. You know that, right?"

Paige giggled and cupped his cheek. "I imagine there are worse things they could find out about that they would kill you for. Don't you worry about those softies. I'll take care of them. There's little I can't get Papaw to do for me if I give him the look. Modeled it after Goku's puppy dog eyes," she chuckled. "Thank you for giving this a chance." She leaned her head against his. She felt a connection between them now that the waters were clear, it made her heart soar.

"I'll just hide behind my brother," Goten snickered. "Your dad always favored Gohan anyway." He pulled her even closer to him, taking comfort in her presence. This was crazy to him. But something about it tugged at his heart, making it seem to soar. He'd never felt that before for anyone. He knew he loved her. He always had. But now there was something more to it that he couldn't quite explain. His throat felt tight and he hugged her even tighter, hiding his face in her hair. "I don't want to hurt you," he whispered fiercely in her ear. "I don't want to hurt you."

Paige smiled against him. "You couldn't hurt me if you wanted to. I could never hurt you. It's just not possible, Goten," she insisted as she trailed her hands over his skin before she nuzzled into his warm chest. He smelled like himself, despite the recent sexcapade. She vowed to herself that he would never go wanting for a partner again as long as she lived.