Yamcha had come over a few weeks later to see how things were. At this point, it was being downright nosey. He wanted all the gossip between the two of us to be the one everyone went to to get the latest. Still seeing if we are the new flavor of the week. It was almost as if my friends were counting down the moment when I am no longer with her through my own fault. If I didn't know any better, I would think they had a bet placed against us to see how long we would last. It may have been my troubled mind. They had me convinced I would screw this up with my inexperience with women. But I would prove them all wrong. Somehow.

"Any plans this weekend?" She asked me as she sipped on some tea she just brewed. The mountain was just above freezing this morning.

"I plan on training sometime today." I said as I filled in a long sleeve shirt.

"And I was hoping we could go to the zoo."

"Is it even open? It's freezing."

"The zoo has a lights display and I want to see it. And there's some animals out this time of year."

She showed me on her phone the times and events going on. It looked like fun and finally I had a chance to prove to her, and myself, that I can be on my best behavior. These last few weeks have been less than favorable in my mind. I didn't act on my impulses once when I was around her, but I couldn't help but force some free time in my training to ease the tension as I found pleasure in my own company. It helped only for a while until my eyes met hers upon my return. At least I didn't bend her in half and had my way with her. Then, the need to see her under me was slowly taking me over. I hoped to Dende I wasn't becoming a monster. This was the ultimate test to see if I can control myself in public with her. I barely have been able to when I am alone with her.

"That sounds like fun." I finally said, trying to sound as excited as she was.

And the test begins.

The zoo was overcrowded with people and children. Parents corralling their kids and some, who were out of control, managed to get inside the enclosures. I could only hope this was fun for her because it sure wasn't for me. I lost my patience more than once, having to fly into the penguin exhibit to get the little hellions back to their parents. This is not how I envisioned our day going. I thought about taking her out of here, but she kept pulling me to other sights. She was also snapping away with that phone of hers. Many of them had background chaos and me being disgruntled in every single photo. Everytime it lead to her scolding me, telling me to "take a better one."

It was much colder once that sun went down and I saw her shivering. There was a rather large building in the center of the city-like zoo. Inside, she defrosted and asked if I wanted hot chocolate.

"I'm fine." Was my deadpan response.

She came back and had purchased me one anyway. Our hands brushed in a brief moment and again, I felt myself slipping on control. What was it with me in her touch? I was too distracted by the kids and the cold to get bothered by her close contact and innocent pecks on the cheek to get that bothered again by her.

I excused myself to find somewhere quiet. Which was a task with the warzone inside and out. The sky proved to be a nice quiet place. Mostly to cool off my head. A fast meditation and I was back to myself. Helping the most was how cold it was under the black velvet sky.

Her look was all it took to make that a wasted effort. She had no idea the affect she was having on me. This time, it was only me losing control again.

"Are you feeling okay?"

I nodded. Not sure I should trust my unconscious mind. I was making it through the moment as she still sipped on her hot chocolate. I offered her mine once she was done. I knew full well the heat would not help at all.

"There's a few more things I wanna see before we go. There's a snow leopard exhibit and I wanna see the new cub." She pointed to the map.

I hoped at this hour there was less people. Especially the kids. I silently hoped mine weren't as bad.

"Yeah. We can go. It's not far from here."

She led me on and her eyes went bubbly at the cub. There wasn't many kids around and I felt myself actually enjoying this time. The cub was toying with a small barrel and the crowd was adorned instantly.

I felt tugging on my pants and there was a little girl at my side.

"Mister? Can you help me?"

Being the tallest in the crowd, I figured she wanted to get a better view. I lifted her above my head and she giggled. This earned a smile from Sharon at my birthing fatherhood. It didn't matter to me the attention I was getting from her. I would not have made it a big deal.

Eventually, the mother came and got her and we were thinking about heading home. I feel I passed my own test of keeping myself under control with flying colors. For a moment, I thought I was becoming another Master Roshi. And it seems like being a hermit does that to you. Not knowing how to act with a woman. And only having mostly male friends made it worse.

"I saw you back there." She said as we walked and held hands around the zoo. It seemed our time here was done.

"Don't go around telling everyone about that." I joked.

"Your paternal instinct kicked in. I find that attractive."

I don't know if it was my mind again hinting at flirtation, but it definitely didn't head in that direction any further. Thankfully. I felt like I had a steady hold on it.

"It was only for a few minutes. And she wanted to see the cub. I wasn't going to be a jerk and not let her see it."

She nudged me playfully. "It's cute."

I blushed a little. That kid was cute. She was probably the best behaved out of every kid there.

"All right. No need to rub it in. It was a small gesture."

She laughed at my embarrassment. I felt like things were becoming normal. I was finally out of my beastly thoughts. If she'd now just let myself heal from those thoughts, I'd be okay.

I lit a fire once we were home. I wasn't trying to be romantic. It was just cold. Even below freezing at this late hour. We stayed up, watching the flames. A loud pop from one of the logs made her jump from the sofa.

"Sorry, baby girl." I comforted.

She minimized herself under my arm and was able to relax for a moment. I wasn't too sure, but I think she had a fear of fire. I didn't confirm it. Just a hunch.

The movie she chose was incredibly lame. Another thick romance one. There was enough sap to make syrup from it. I didn't let her know my displeasure. I just sat through it, making small mental comments on how unrealistic it was. Then it dawned on me. Our relationship was like that movie. Almost unreal.

Her lion yawn pulled me out of my deep thoughts.

"I'm getting tired. What about you?"

I took a deep breath. Possibly from boredom from the movie. "I am not that tired."

She moved from the sofa and stretched in front of me. Damn her!

"I think I'll get in bed and see what happens."

Damn her again! Why can't she stop flirting?

"I'll join you in a little bit. I need to take care of something." Vagueness wasn't my strong suit.

"It's nighttime. What the heck do you have to do at this hour?"

I pretended like I lost the ability to speak. This made her shrug at what was so important that I had to do right this moment rather than wait till morning.

"All right, sweetheart. I hope it doesn't take you long." She kissed the top of my head and dismissed herself to bed.

I just sat there. Staring. The TV was off. And I did nothing for the next two hours. I was hoping to make myself tired. And whatever she had planned in that bedroom was laid to rest as I heard her snore. My body was not tired in the slightest but my brain sure was. From all the thinking I had to do.

The room still had the lamp light on as I saw her sprawled out in some red lacy lingerie. I felt bad that she went through the effort of dressing sexy for me only to be let down in the end. I scooted her over so I can crawl on the bed with her. She didn't even make a sound and my body melted away under the blankets.