The hotel room was quiet, and Gohan laid there just as quietly, trying to stay awake as long as possible. He dreaded going to sleep because if he did, he would only have nightmares about Cell. So, he laid there for hours, staring over at his father as he slept. He noted the expression of pure bliss on his face and it filled him with so much guilt.

You look so peaceful, so calm, so happy. Why did you ever decide to give this kind of freedom up? Did mom just guilt you into marrying her? Did she force you into it...d-did she force you into having me?

The question scared him more and more as he thought about it.

Given the chance to do it all again would you bother having me?

Would you still have me even knowing all the times I've failed you?

Gohan's lip began to curl. So many times...I've failed you so many times.

I failed to stall long enough against the Saiyans for you to get there and Piccolo paid for it. I failed to protect Dende from Frieza long enough for you to get there and he paid for it. Even when you came over to me, tired, after barely managing to keep up with Cell, and asked for me to take your place, I already failed you. I was so scared I could hardly breathe. But once Android sixteen died, once I was pushed over the edge and I gained all that power, all that stupid power, I got cocky. It was my fault you had to sacrifice yourself. I'm so sorry Daddy.

Gohan refocussed his blurred, teary-eyed vision on his father's face

I'm sorry I let you die and I don't blame you for not wanting to come back. Not after how much I've failed you.

Gohan's silent tears soaked his pillow and he cried until he heard the door to their room creak open, it was Master Roshi. The old turtle hermit knew Gohan was awake and motioned for him to get up.

He sensed Gohan had been crying for hours and it had taken him off of his 'reading' so he again motioned for Gohan to follow him into the hallway. As the two stepped outside Roshi decided to be upfront with him, he put his arm around the boy and bent down to match his height

"Listen, I've been around the block a few times; I know when somethings wrong with someone, and something is definitely wrong with you. You may fool everyone else on the planet with your happy little facade but I can feel your energy. Inside you scream out guilt and sadness but why? What happened to you, Jack? Why is it every time you even look at Goku your guilt radiates? And please, answer truthfully. I'll know if you're lying."

Master Roshi tried to pry his way into Gohan's subconscious, preparing himself to read Gohan's mind if he started lying to him.

"You don't have to do that master. I'll tell you, just don't try and read my mind." Gohan said while drying his cheeks.

The old man was astounded, never before had he met anyone who could tell when they were about to be read.

"I will tell you as long as you promise not to tell anyone else. It could be catastrophic if you did."

He stroked his beard intently.

This is going to be interesting

The old master laughed "I know a great many secrets, most of which I will take to my grave. This is just another to add to the list"

Gohan smiled faintly, he knew if there was anyone that he could tell it was Master Roshi. The crafty Turtle Hermit did keep plenty of secrets and he trusted him to carry one more.

"Great, then I'll start. My name isn't Jack, my name is Gohan and I am Goku's son from a different timeline."

Master Roshi dropped his staff and his mouth gaped open. He sensed the boys' ki and knew he was telling the truth.

"Y-You're Goku's son!? That little boy can hardly spell his own name and yet he was able to mature enough to have children?"

Gohan was slightly offended, he was tired of everyone always acting like Goku was mentally inept. He knew his father wasn't the smartest but he always felt his father's real genius whenever they sparred or trained together. He spoke with a slight harshness in his tone, "He's not stupid!"

Roshi patted the boy's shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you, but you must realize how this might sound to someone who just spent the last few months training a Goku that still needs to count on his fingers to figure out what two plus seven is."

"It's okay..." He awkwardly paused unsure of how to continue the conversation. He eventually decided to start fresh. "Anyway, someone sent themselves to the past and they brought me along too. I don't know why and I haven't begun to look into it yet, but as soon as something comes up I plan on handling whoever did this and leaving as quickly as possible"

Master Roshi attempted to compose himself, he picked up his staff, stood up straight, and managed to ask a question. "Okay, I think I've got it. But why do you feel so guilty around Goku, did something happen? I can't imagine you two have a bad relationship, I mean even just today you two were basically tied to each other."

Gohan could feel the lump in his throat forming and his sight blurring as the tears started up again "I don't wanna' talk about it Master" he sniffled a little as a rubbed his eyes. "Plus it's better that you didn't know. I put this timeline in a lot of danger just telling you what I have"

"Not at all son, you being so honest even in the face of ruining an entire timeline shows conviction. You couldn't have put your faith in a better man. You can count on me to keep your secret safe...as long as you maybe bring me a magazine from time to time...".

Roshi could see his joke wasn't appreciated as Gohan stared blankly back at him.

"Hehe, relax, just a joke...Now it's time you went off to bed. No more feeling guilty, you have a tournament tomorrow, and since you are Goku's son, I am expecting big things...very big things."

Gohan turned to head back to his room, looking over his shoulder to see the old hermit stroking his beard as he slowly walked back to his own room. Strangely enough, Gohan felt a weight lift off him knowing that he isn't the only one who knows what's really going on anymore.

He reentered the room to see Goku sitting on his bed, watching as Gohan closed the door behind him.

"Where'd you go, Jack? I woke up as soon as you left but I didn't want to follow you. You seemed sad. I just thought you needed some alone time. Do you feel any better?"

Gohan's heart melted. "Yeah, Goku. I feel better, just needed to clear my head is all."

Slowly settling in Gohan still couldn't sleep, horrified of what awaited him when he did.

Despite his words, something told Goku that Gohan didn't feel quite alright just yet so he slid the covers off of himself and moved over onto Gohans bed. Although he was laying in the opposite direction, Goku gave him a hug anyway. But he knew that wasn't enough to reassure him.

"Goodnight jack, and don't worry about nightmares. Grampa always told me that if you were in good com-pain-y...Uh, erm company you always have good dreams." With that Goku affectionately ruffled his hair. "You've got Krillin and me here now so you can sleep well." Goku then hopped off of Gohans bed and back into his own.

How did he know I was struggling to sleep? I've been completely silent since I got back in bed yet he still knows when somethings wrong. I don't think ill ever figure you out daddy. Gohan turned to see his father who was somehow already back to sleep. He shook his head. Nope, not ever.

As Gohan finished that thought, he slipped into a deep sleep of his own. It was the best that he'd had in years. It was rare even before Cell that he would get a good night's sleep as he would always dream of Raditz or Nappa and especially Frieza, but it became impossible after his father died. He had no one to comfort him as his mother couldn't hear Gohan struggle in his sleep as his father could. No one was there to retuck him in and wish him sweet dreams after stopping the post-nightmare tears, that was always his father's job. Goku was always there to comfort him even in situations where no one else could tell he needed it, it was usually those situations specifically that he needed him the most.

In his dreams, Gohan saw himself graduating from college with a degree in theoretical physics. He laughed as his father read over the diploma

"Theo-rheat-ical Physiques. Gohan don't tell me you were studying muscles all this time. You could have just trained with Piccolo and me if you wanted to do that." Gohan heard his father's stomach rumble.

"Man am I starving! Hey, Gohan, if it's ok with you, let's go get a bite to eat! You can study muscles later ok?"

Gohan nodded and followed his father to the closest buffet they could find.