Goku stayed with Chi-Chi the entire week, only eating when his boys joined him in the room and brought him deliveries of home cooked food. Still, the Saiyan ate much less and seemed uninterested in sustenance, an usual thing for him.
Early one morning, Goku had fallen asleep in the chair next to his beloved when the doctor entered the room. He lightly shook the Saiyan awake and gave him a smile. "Are you ready for this?"
"Am I ever! Please, tell me this is going to work…" He looked worried about his wife and soul-mate.
The surgeon gave Goku a confident nod before he began to wake Chi-Chi from her coma. "Remember, though, there may be lasting issues that we are not able to determine just yet. We hope she'll be fine though, for everyone's sake."
With that, the doctor initiated the process and adjusted the monitors while they waited for her to wake. After a few minutes with no results, Goku began to panic. He rested his elbows on his knees and placed his hands over his face. "Chi-Chi, please Chi-Chi. Wake up… I need you!"
When he spoke, Chi-Chi moaned and began to stir from her slumber. Her eyes opened at a slow pace, and Goku's big goofy grin was the first sight to greet her.
Chi-Chi smiled back, but it faded quickly when she realized she didn't know why she was smiling. "Hello?"
"Chi-Chi! My Chi-Chi, you're awake, finally!" Goku took his wife's hands and kissed them individually at first, then together.
An odd expression came over her face as she pulled away from him. "I'm sorry? Chi-Chi? Ow… What's going on, where am I? Who are you?"
Goku's heart fell. He shot a confused look at the doctor, who began to shine a light in her eyes, a concerned look on his face.
"Hmm. It seems you have some memory loss, Son Chi-Chi. You were in an accident and you were hurt fairly bad. Your head was damaged and you've been in a coma for over a week."
Her eyes went wide as she looked from Goku to the doctor, and back again. Fear was plain on her face. "Coma? Accident? Memory loss? I… I don't remember anything. You're right..." Suddenly she began to cry and tears spilled down her cheeks.
The Saiyan went to comfort his wife, but she pushed him away out of confusion and fear. She didn't know the man, and she wasn't sure that she wanted to just yet.
It pained Goku when she did so, but he had to force himself to understand. He didn't want to scare Chi-Chi away; he only wanted to keep her close, but he backed off for her sake.
Chi-Chi sat up as best she could, but the doctor stopped her. "Son Chi-Chi, I need you to remain still until I've finished reading your vitals and running some final tests."
While the physician completed his checkup, Goku stayed and watched. He wanted to make sure his wife was all right, and there weren't any other complications, outside of total amnesia, of course.
Once the doctor left and they were finally alone again, Chi-Chi kept stealing glances at him from the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry. I don't remember you, sir."
"Oh Chi-Chi, just call me Goku. You are my wife after all, we have two boys together," he insisted.
"Two? We have two sons? Oh… Wait, how old am I?" Chi-Chi looked up at him with a slightly horrified expression.
When Goku didn't answer, she began to cry. Chi-Chi cupped her face in her hands to collect her tears and hide her shame. The Saiyan reached out to comfort his wife, but stopped himself; he didn't want to scare her any further.
"It-it's okay, Goku. I think I could use the comfort right now. You're so kind to stay with me all this time! My doctor told me that you haven't left my side all week. You must love your wi- I mean, me."
"Very much so." Goku nodded in agreement, then lowered his head. "But I've hurt her in the past by leaving all the time to train and never calling when I'm gone. She must hate me…"
Chi-Chi looked at him with a sad expression before she reached out and placed her hand on top of his in a gentle manner. "There's no way she could, Goku. You're so kind, so sweet… Any girl would be lucky to have you."
Her words brought tears to Goku's eyes and he reached over to hug her close. When he did, she didn't pull away. Instead, Chi-Chi wrapped her arms around him and embraced him in turn, rubbing his back lightly. "I'm scared… What if I never remember?"
Goku paused and thought about her question before replying. "I guess we'll just have to start over, Chi-Chi. I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy, I swear it."
"Oh, Goku… Thank you for staying with me." Chi-Chi sniffled and reached for his hand once again. This time, she did not let go, for fear of being alone. "So can you tell me what Chi-chi - I mean - I was like? You know, before …"
"Sure! You're a great cook, you know, and you like to clean!" Goku smiled in hopes of making her happy and seeing her smile. "You're also really good at martial arts, and you LOVE being a mom."
Chi-Chi just listened as Goku prattled on about her supposed likes and dislikes for what seemed like hours. Next, he started to tell her about himself, but he left out details such as Saiyans, aliens, Dragon Balls, and magical wishes. He didn't want to overwhelm her just yet.
Everything Goku told her seemed innocent enough, and she enjoyed listening to his stories as he filled her in on her previous life. After a while, Chi-Chi began to worry about the age difference; Goku looked much younger than she was. "… Am I a cougar?"
"No … You're human, Chi-Chi!" Goku replied firmly.
Goku looked a bit confused when she burst into loud peals of laughter, but he laughed along with her, enjoying the moment. It struck him that Chi-Chi really seemed different now. She was kinder, not as harsh as she used to be. As a matter of fact, this Chi-Chi could almost be the complete opposite of his own.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Chi-Chi. I was so scared that I was gonna lose you. I mean…I suppose I lost the old you, but your memories might come back! If they don't, that's okay too. We'll make the best of this, I swear it. I won't ever leave your side again." He gave a firm nod.
"I know you won't, Goku. I can tell. I don't remember anything yet, but I feel so close to you already. I'm glad that you're my husband. I really am." Chi-chi's cheeks flushed and she averted her gaze as she spoke.
Goku felt beyond happy about her confession and he grabbed her hand again to reassure her. "Thank you, Chi-Chi. I've always loved you, ever since I met you, and I always will."
Chi-Chi was cleared to leave the hospital several days later, but the doctor wanted to see her back often to continue regular check-ups. Her sons were there waiting when Goku wheeled her out to the waiting vehicle; by now she had already met them and was very fond of the two and their significant others.
"Mom!" Both Gohan and Goten spoke at the same time before they rushed over to help her out of the wheelchair, but Chi-Chi insisted on doing it herself. When she couldn't, Goku scooped her up into his arms, bridal style, and gave her a loving smile.
"Boys, we're going to go home now. Would you like to come by tomorrow? I know you want to join us, but I think your mom needs a break from so many people. I know I do!" He laughed lightly and then placed Chi-Chi into the front seat of their vehicle.
"All right, Dad. Goten and I will come by tomorrow. We hope you feel better, Mom." Gohan patted his father on the shoulder.
Chi-Chi smiled at her sons and gave them a nod before buckling herself up. When Goku got into the driver's seat, he gave her a reassuring smile, then started it up. "I'm sure glad you made me get a license, Chi-Chi, otherwise it would have been a lot harder to get you home."
"I made you? Was I mean or something?" Chi-Chi looked a bit concerned.
"Not mean, just stern sometimes, that's all." Goku gave her a sad smile before taking off for their home on Mount Paozu.
The explanation didn't make Chi-Chi didn't feel any better about the situation, but she let it go for the moment.
Once they got home, Goku took her arm and helped her inside. Chi-Chi was pleasantly surprised to see the house was beautiful and clean, just as he said it was. Goku, however, was surprised to see that the wall in the domicile had been fixed. He wondered who had taken care of it … He had a good idea of whom, but he was still sore about the incident.
"Welcome home, Chi-Chi. Are you hungry? Tired? I could help you to bed or make you food. I'm not the best cook, but fish is my specialty!" He tried his best to make his wife feel comfortable and at home.
"No, no … I do think I would like to see the rest of the house though. I think I'd like to walk around by myself a bit, see if I remember anything." She smiled up at him.
Goku refused to let her go, a worried expression across his features. "I dunno, Chi-Chi - "
"Please Goku, I'm fine. I can walk, I swear it."
"All right, but if you have any trouble, it's straight to bed for you. Oh… and if it makes you more comfortable, I could sleep on the couch until you're ready." His cheeks turned slightly pink.
It struck Chi-Chi that she hadn't considered their sleeping arrangements until that moment, and she also turned a bit pink at the thought of lying next to him. "All right, it's a deal."
Once Goku set her down, Chi-Chi stood on her own feet and took a few steps around and then looked back at him. He seemed so eager and anxious that she smiled. "Goku … do you want to show me around?"
"Oh! Of course, silly me. This is our living room and the comfortable couch that I will be sleeping on." The Saiyan chuckled at that. "Back here is our bedroom, where you will be sleeping. We have two other bedrooms that aren't used much anymore. They were the boys'." Goku continued to lead his wife through the house, keeping an eye on her the entire time.
When they finally reached the kitchen, Chi-Chi sat down and sighed a bit. She was tired from all of the exercise. "Maybe I am hungry… I suppose that's a good thing."
"Oh, well, allow me to make you some food. All right?" Goku turned to leave when she stopped him by grabbing his arm. He faced her, then knelt down beside her with a worried expression. "What's wrong, Chi-Chi?"
"Maybe we could just have some rice? I don't want to be alone right now… I don't want you to go." Chi-Chi gave Goku a warm smile, then wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close.
This was the first hug they had shared in a long while, even before the accident. Goku couldn't remember the last time they had been so close that it almost hurt, but he chose to let this moment be special. Soon enough, he wrapped his arms around his wife and pulled her tightly to his chest.
They remained like that for several moments before Chi-Chi pulled back, looked him in the eye, and smiled. "That was nice…"
"It really was… Before, we didn't touch much anymore. I was gone a lot, and I blame myself." Goku looked down at his feet, feeling guilty, and gave a heavy sigh.
"Goku, it takes two to argue and it also takes two to make a relationship - a marriage - work. We'll fix this. We'll start fresh now, and we'll learn to love each other all over again. From what I've seen so far, it won't be hard…" Chi-Chi turned a deep red and bit her bottom lip lightly.
Goku chuckled and gave her a firm nod, then went to make the rice. It didn't take long for him to burn it though, and he scratched his head in confusion. "Jeez, you always made this look so easy, Chi-Chi."
"Let me do it." She stood up then joined him at the stove, fully prepared to make them both some food.
Goku placed his hands on his wife's shoulders to try and stop her. "Huh? No way, Chi-Chi! You shouldn't have to. Let me try it again."
"Please, Goku. I want to do this. Let me?" Chi-Chi looked up and smiled to reassure him. It worked, Goku yielded to her beautiful face.
"Fine, but one dizzy spell and it's bedtime, got it?"
Chi-Chi laughed at that and gave him a nod and a smile. She threw away the burnt rice and started a new pot. After a few minutes, she served up two heaping bowls.
"Mmmm, it's delicious! Thank you, Chi-Chi," Goku said as he shoveled a large mouthful down his throat, barely chewing.
Chi-Chi watched him and laughed a bit, then took a bite of her own rice. "Thank you. I'm glad you like it."
"You're welcome, I mean it." Goku nodded and finished off his helping before reaching for seconds.
They ate in relative silence, then Goku cleaned up the dishes for her. "Tired? The bed's all made up for you."
"Yes. I appreciate everything you're doing for me, Goku." Chi-Chi slowly stood up, then beamed up at him.
"Oh Chi-Chi, you're my wife. I would do anything for you. I would die for you…" Goku thought about all the times he had died before and left her all alone, then his smile faded.
"I wouldn't want you to. I don't want you to ever go away again." Tears filled Chi-Chi's eyes as she spoke, and she quickly wiped them away. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm so upset."
"I do, Chi-Chi, but that's a conversation for another time. Let's get you to bed." The Saiyan scooped up his wife and grinned at her before heading toward the bedroom.
Chi-Chi laughed a bit and held onto his neck until Goku placed her onto the bed. "Thank you, Goku. Um, where are my night clothes?"
Goku turned deep red, and cleared his throat before scratching the back of his head. "Well, usually you... uh… slept without…. ya know."
Chi-Chi flushed and looked away before chewing her bottom lip in a nervous manner. "I see…"
"You can wear one of my shirts to bed. They would be plenty big and comfortable for you. All right?"
She gave a solid nod, then pulled the covers back. Chi-Chi fluffed her pillows and nervously fiddled with the bedside light a bit until Goku returned. "There. Oh, thank you, Goku." Chi-Chi took the garment from him with a bashful smile.
"Good night, Chi-Chi. Sleep well." Goku selected his own sleepwear and walked out of his own bedroom without another word.
Once he was gone, Chi-Chi changed and looked at herself in the full mirror that adorned the back of the bedroom door. "He was right about the shirt. Hmm… I sure hope this relationship will work out. He's so sweet, and handsome."