A/N: Hello! Yay Chapter 14! Goodness it's been a while, sorry I haven't been able to keep my updates as consistent as I would have liked recently. Got a lot going on. I hope that everyone has had a wonderful xmas and are looking forward to 2019. hopefully I can get back into the swing of writing and give you regular updates next year as I am still super excited for this story and have so many plans. I do have the odd idea in mind and jolt ahead and write the chapter or part of it whilst I have the inspiration so sometimes that takes up more of my time to get the next chappy out sooner. I promise itll be worth it in the end! I cannot believe the following of this story, it is utterly insane so thank you so so much for all your love and interest! I really hope you continue to enjoy this story as much as I do writing it! I cannot tell you how pleased I am to get another chapter out to you before the end of the year!

ES x

Chapter Fourteen

Beneath The Broken Glass

xxxx

"Really Vegeta, Really?!" Piccolo roared, the smoke dissipating around them as the Galic Gun careened off into the atmosphere.

"He started it."

"Have you completely lost your mind?!"

The agitated prince snorted in distaste, opening his mouth in an angry retort when an enraged shout echoed from below them.

"THAT'S WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW!"

The two men's eyes widened, snapping their heads towards the blue-haired woman who was positively shaking with rage. Bulma snarled, peering up at them from the ground, her furious features visible through the sizeable hole in the side of the house. She looked rather wind swept, as did the rest of the Z-gang who were currently picking themselves out of bushes and trees from where they had been blown backwards by the sheer force of Vegeta's attack.

Tables and chairs had been completely knocked over and broken, the speaker system now resembling pieces of shrapnel, crockery and glasses littered the garden and the large marquee had subsequently landed in the Briefs' swimming pool. Party goers were running away and screaming, a few complaining loudly about rogue fireworks and how 'Capsule Corporation should be regulated for this sort of thing you know!' as they hurriedly left the festivities.

Vegeta's obsidian eyes followed the long line of singed grass caused by the blast as it continued to smoke and sizzle before them, wincing slightly as his beloved wife screeched again.

"What the hell do you two think you're doing?!" Bulma cried, her hands placed angrily on her hips, "UNLEASHING a blast like that in a crowded place?! I thought I told you to hold off on your freaky alien super powers until later Vegeta! And Piccolo, I expected more from you!"

The Namekian blinked, as they both became rather sheepish, "Well I, uh -"

"We didn't mean -" Vegeta started, though a burst of laughter cut him short.

"Yeah you two!" Goku chortled, floating up towards them with his arms folded, "If you wanted to spar you should have just said so! Can I join?"

"NO!" They chorused, causing the man to pout.

"Aw, why not?"

"Because Kakarot, I've had enough of you and your damned spawn for one night!" Vegeta snapped, as Piccolo gave him a warning glare.

"Huh?" Goku quirked, cocking his head in confusion, "Are you mad about the cake? Goten didn't mean to, and anyway it was Trunks that threw the frog in the first place -"

"That's it!" Bulma spat, her blue eyes narrowing at the lot of them, "No sparring for any of you! Honestly, can't you muscle heads be civil for just one night without fighting each other?!"

"Aw but - !" he started to whine.

"Bulma's right Goku," spouted Chi-Chi, standing next to hear looking equally ticked off, "No more sparring today, Vegeta has already caused enough damage. And on today of all days! What on Earth would Gohan say if he were here? I bet he'd be astounded at your behaviour! All three of you!"

Vegeta clamped his mouth shut, though it was obvious that he was trying to refrain himself from blasting her into oblivion.

"What did I do?" Goku asked his fellow warriors, who shot him a glare.

"I could write a book," Piccolo scoffed underneath his breath, which only made the saiyan even more confused, his brow furrowing into a deep frown.

"Well," Bulma huffed, blowing a stray bang out of her eyes and looking around her at the grounds that were all but empty save the Z-gang, "Looks like the party's over, though I suppose it was getting late anyway."

"Yeah most of us are wasted," a now blonde-haired Launch hiccuped, swaying slightly as she leaned on Bulma's shoulder, "We're still good to crash here for the night eh Bulms? I'd rather not have Tien fly me home right now else I'd probably upchuck on some poor bugger's head over North City."

"Of course Launch, you're all welcome to stay," She chuckled, before glaring up at her husband once more, "Although we'll have to rearrange some of the rooms seen as a quarter of my house has been destroyed…"

"I'll help you make up the beds, and Goku you're helping too," offered Chi-Chi, hoisting a sleeping Goten over her shoulder and tutting, "Honestly, you can sleep through anything. Just like your father."

"Looks like we're on garden duty," chuckled Krillin, fishing a leaf out of his hair before leading the way for the rest of the gang, "Come on you lot."

The Z-gang headed their separate ways, as Bulma yelled up to Vegeta and Piccolo to fix the mess they had made. It was lucky that the summer months were upon them, as they would have been in for a rather chilly nights sleep with half of the roof exposed. Piccolo glared at the saiyan prince, who had made a disgruntled noise over his wife's demands, kicking a brick out of his path before turning around and making a start on shifting the rubble. With the Namekian following suit, neither of them noticed the young saiyan behind them, who was giving them an amused look from where he was perched at the base of the large hole, his back resting lazily against the destroyed windowsill.

That was, until a small chuckle reached their ears, "You know, that was a bit uncalled for if you ask me."

"What the-?" Vegeta gaped, the teenager's cheeky grin all but angering him further, that and the fact that he appeared to be completely unharmed by the prince's attack, "That blast hit you dead on!"

"Yeah cheers for that by the way," Gohan jested, brushing off some space dust from his jacket, "Had a nice orbit around the Earth, enjoyed the view for a bit before I decided to come back down. And don't look so shocked, you saw what I did to Majin Buu with my pinky finger right?"

"Show off," he scoffed, as Piccolo rolled his eyes at the halfling's display. His old mentor knew that he would only come out the other end of Vegeta's attack a bit singed at the most, it was more a display of the prince's annoyance, rather than a killing blow. Though from what he had seen of Gohan's power so far - which continued to be a mystery at present - he wasn't so sure that it would have mattered if it was.

"Gohan, if you're going to keep teasing him I'll blast you myself," said Piccolo.

"Aw you know I was only joking," said Gohan, grinning widely at them both, "Man, you two haven't half gotten grumpy in your old age."

"And it seems as though you've grown into a sarcastic, sassy little shit," Vegeta growled back, as Piccolo shot the teenager a glare, though to their annoyance this only made Gohan laugh more.

"That's basically what Lord Beerus says about me," he shrugged indifferently, "But I still tease him."

His elder's eyes widened, "Are you asking to be destroyed brat?"

"Ah, it's fine," said Gohan, "He won't destroy me, he won't have anyone to replace him otherwise. Which only makes it even funnier, no matter how angry he gets, he's bound to his duty of passing on his legacy to me."

"Unbelievable."

"Gohan," Piccolo interrupted, a serious expression on his face as he addressed him, "As much as I'd love to see you rile up Vegeta all night, you still have a job to do. Do you have any sort of plan to find out how to become this Super Saiyan God?"

"No," The teenager sighed in distain, "It looks like I'll have to stick it out for a month before I can summon Shenron and ask him."

"You could always collect the dragonballs in the meantime," Vegeta offered suddenly, "It would save time and give you something to do whilst you're stuck here."

Gohan and Piccolo blinked in surprise, "Wow Vegeta, that was actually helpful."

"Only because I'm trying to think of a faster way to get you out of my hair!" He snarled, causing the young saiyan to chuckle.

"Aw come on V, haven't you missed me?" he grinned cheekily.

"Hn, like a hole in the head."

"Still, it's a good idea," said Piccolo, "The dragonballs can't be used for another month but they are still active. You could always use the dragon radar to find them. Does Bulma still keep it in her lab Vegeta?"

The prince muttered a rather haughty affirmative as Gohan sighed.

"Well that's one good thing I guess," he said thoughtfully, already concocting a plan as to how he was going to get into Bulma's lab undetected.

"Oh I don't know boy," said Vegeta suddenly, a rather evil smile playing on his lips, "I wouldn't say that was the only good thing to come out of tonight."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"I'm just saying that you seemed rather cosy with Satan's daughter is all," he smirked, causing the teenager's cheeks to blush bright crimson. "You haven't been able to keep away from the girl all night."

"That's not-!" he spluttered hotly in a poor attempt to defend himself, "I wasn't - !"

"Tell me Gohan," Piccolo grinned knowingly, "Where did you say that you were staying whilst you're on Earth?"

"At Videl's," he tried to reason, though it only made their smirks widen, "But it's not what you think! She's just helping me out!"

"Oh she is, is she?" said Vegeta, raising an eyebrow causing the halfling to glare at them.

"I am not having this conversation, especially not with you two gits."

"Why not?" the prince pressed, enjoying every moment of Gohan's torture. Piccolo too seemed rather chipper about his predicament.

"Because-!"

"I CAN'T HEAR ANY MOVEMENT UP THERE!" Came a sudden shout from one of the lower bedrooms that hadn't been destroyed, "VEGETA! YOU'D BETTER BE EITHER FINISHED OR DEAD!"

Gohan couldn't help but chuckle at Bulma's yelling, nor the way it made the vein in Vegeta's temple throb. Glad of the interruption, and for want of not being embarrassed further by their accusations, the teenager took his opportunity to leave.

"Well, I'd better leave you to it," he grinned, jumping off the ledge and making his way towards the doorway.

"You're not helping?" Piccolo asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously at him.

"Hey it wasn't me that went overkill over here and tried to wipe me from existence," he said pointedly, as Vegeta scoffed, "And anyway, I've got a radar to find - see ya!"

Scarpering from the room as he heard the prince of all PMS utter a string of obscenities after him, Gohan quickly and swiftly made his way down the corridors of the large building towards the basement where he knew Bulma's lab resided.

He was pleased to find that it was where it had always been, down two floors, close to the basement, third door on the right. The only thing that seemed to have changed about the winding corridors was the decor, that and the more up to date security system that protected Bulma's lab from intruders. A shiny, touchscreen greeted him as he faced the metal door, rather than the simple pin pad he was used to. The young saiyan swore under his breath, unsure of what to do as he didn't want to set any alarms off if he teleported straight inside the lab. Still, he reasoned, he could just teleport away should he set off an intruder alarm, and he had gotten this far, it was worth a shot.

Biting his lip, Gohan feebly tapped the screen with a fingertip where a green and blue display lit up, prompting him to place his palm upon the glass. Shrugging to himself, he did as the screen instructed and placed his hand flat against it.

A faint beeping sound reached his ears as it appeared to be analysing, and then, to his triumph a cool female voice spoke,

'Welcome, Son Gohan. It's been a while. Access granted.'

And with that, the door flew open.

"Nice," Gohan couldn't help but grin, stepping over the threshold as the door slid shut behind him.

Albeit he was now more used to being addressed as 'Lord' Gohan, it was nice to know that Bulma still had his details upon the system. He vividly remembered her giving him the access code seen as he visited her there so often in the run up to the androids and The Cell Games, and how ecstatic he had been because of it. She had even taken his fingerprints and samples of his DNA to rig into the new system she was thinking of building, but alas he had died before he had been able to try it out. He briefly wondered why she had still installed his details even though he was long gone, did she believe that he was coming back?

Either way it wasn't important, he thought, his onyx eyes darting around the lab as the lights automatically flickered to life above his head. The layout hadn't changed all that much, what with Bulma's large desk against the back wall, a metal workbench in the centre of the room and several towering filing cabinets and shelves littered with gadgets, along with various doodles and schematics pinned against the wall above Bulma's desk.

The last time he was in here, a baby's cot was perched next to the wooden work surface for Trunks, but now that he was grown it was long gone. It seemed that nowadays the blue-haired CEO worked in solitude, which may have been nice for her seen as she always used to complain about the lack of peace and quiet. Though even without a screaming baby and androids running around, she still had Vegeta to content with.

Several inventions, engines and other miscellaneous items were strewn about the lab, some tinkering and whirring in motion as large computer screens continued to update and analyse them. For Gohan, who as a boy secretly always wanted to be a scientist rather than a scholar or warrior like his parents had envisioned, it was like entering a cave of wonders. And he was grasped by the happy memories that spewed forth into the forefront of his mind.

Feeling nostalgic, the the teenager plopped himself down in Bulma's chair, running his fingertips along the smooth mahogany wood of the desk. A half drunken mug of coffee sat on the surface, gone hours cold by now. Several diagrams for a new type of motorcycle were spread out on the service, along with the old notebook that the genius used to carry around with her, filled with ideas for inventions. He was tempted to have a look through some of her plans for future technology, though quickly quelled the geek within and began to rummage through the draws of her desk.

Knowing Bulma, she would keep the radar close by at least, if not locked away. In all honesty he felt a little guilty, rummaging through Bulma's personal desk like this, but quite frankly the universe was at stake. He was certain if he ever had to explain it to her then she'd understand.

It was a very disappointing start, all he found was bits of scrap paper, pens, diagrams more notes and packets of nicotine gum and patches - though it was good that she was trying to kick the habit of smoking. He was being careful not to mess too much up for want of not rousing suspicion, but after the third draw it was starting to become frustrating.

Throwing his hands up in a mini tantrum, the young saiyan began to search through the filing cabinets next to him, which led him on a good twenty minute search, but still - no radar. He sighed in distain, not taking much notice that the lab was now upturned in a complete state of disarray. Running a hand through his spikey mane of hair, his onyx eyes darted around him, before finally spotting a draw marked 'Confidential'.

Of course it was locked, he huffed in annoyance, before he smirked to himself and unleashed the tiniest ball of Ki from his fingertip which caused the lock to explode in a small puff of smoke. Inching the draw open, he came across several marked files before spotting the familiar smooth white device at the bottom. Performing a little victory dance in his head, Gohan eagerly snatched the radar out of it's hiding place, pressing the button on top with his thumb and watching as the green gridded screen came to life, bleeping in his ears as several bright spherical lights showed him the location of the seven dragonballs across the planet.

Deciding that he should probably clean up before he went off in search of the mystical orbs, he pressed the button again and at once the lights disappeared, the screen now blank. Gohan sighed as he looked at the mess he had caused, making to shut the draw when something caught his eye. Pocketing the dragon radar, the young saiyan picked up the photograph sticking out from a pile of files with shaky fingers.

He sucked in a breath, he remembered Bulma taking that very photo all too well. It was the last time the Z-Fighters were all together.

"Oh stop sulking Vegeta, it's just a photo!" Bulma called with mild annoyance from where she stood with her camera, fixing it to a tripod in the middle of the back garden of Capsule Corp., "It's rare that we get the whole gang together like this!"

"Yeah only when the world is ending," Krillin whispered into his ear with a roll of his eyes.

"Shut up Krillin!" the blue-haired heiress snarled, causing the preteen to giggle, "Now come on everybody, into position - Goku put the hotdog down!"

"Bu' mm' eatin'ghh!" his father frowned from the buffet table, his cheeks full with barbecue and another hotdog in his palm.

His mother sighed from where she was sat on a sun lounger, bouncing a baby Trunks upon her knee, "And you've done nothing BUT eat since we got here! For Kami's sake Goku would it really kill you to put your plate down for a few minutes?"

"Probably," the man mustered cheekily after he had swallowed his mouthful causing the gang to titter and the ox-princess to shoot him a playful glare.

"Photograph. Now." She stated, though Goku's grin only got wider.

"Right you are babe," he smiled with a solute before joining the group on the grass.

Gohan laughed as his father's large hand ruffled his golden spikes of hair, and ignored Chi-Chi's protests of making his wild mane even messier.

"Stupid woman and her idiotic shenanigans," Vegeta's disgruntled voice grumbled behind him as Bulma finally managed to coax him out of his hiding place.

The young saiyan looked up at the prince, even though the year in The Hyperbolic Time Chamber had certainly given him a growth spurt, the man was still much taller than him. Though he was quickly catching him up. He couldn't help but allow a knowing smile play on his lips as the usually stoic, crass saiyan was following orders from a weak earthling woman. He must really like her. They had Trunks together after all. Mum had told him that to have a baby that people had to be in love, so him liking her was more than a strong possibility.

"What are you smirking at, brat?" he growled suddenly, causing the boy to jump.

"Oh, er, nothing," Gohan cringed, quickly turning back around to face Bulma who was busy yelling at Yamcha to get in line.

"Leave him be Vegeta," Goku chuckled teasingly, "What's gotten you so grumpy? Are you worried that Bulma won't get your good side?"

The prince merely scoffed, turning his head away as Krillin snickered beside him.

"I have to say I don't like this much either," sighed Tien, his arms folded across his chest as his three eyes positively glared at the offending camera.

"Me neither," Piccolo grunted, causing the halfling to cock his head towards him.

"Aw come on Mister Piccolo, Tien, I think it's nice!"

"You would kid," the Namekian said as he raised an eyebrow in amusement, "You're all for this sentimental drivel."

"Well I just think it's nice to have memories of the good times you know," Gohan shrugged, "You can always look back on them when the bad times come. It reminds you to fight to feel that way again."

The group of warriors stared at him, before sharing a glance. It was clear that the young boy did not quite understand just how profound his words were in that moment.

"He's right you know," said the Future Trunks, giving the boy a knowing wink.

Piccolo placed a hand on the preteen's hair, a wry smile playing on his lips, "Alright kid, we'll do it your way."

"That's the spirit!" Goku laughed, as Gohan gave his mentor a dazzling smile.

"Alright nearly ready!" Bulma shouted over them, adjusting her camera lens, "Let's have the shortest at the front!"

"She's talking to you Vegeta," he heard Yamcha mutter under his breath.

"I will MURDER you weakling!"

"Oi! No killing each other until I've at least taken the photo!" yelled Bulma, as the rest of the gang snorted with laughter, "Let's all pretend that we get along for a minute alright? Gohan, get in front."

The young saiyan obediently did as he was told, placing himself in front of his father. Though to his surprise, the man grasped him by the shoulders and pushed him to stand at the centre of the Z-Fighters.

"I think you should be centre stage for this one son," Goku smiled, when he looked at him in confusion.

"That's great Goku! Nice angle!" Bulma grinned in approvable, "Now Yamcha if you just move a little to the left - no my left! That's it, and Krillin just come forward ever so sliiiighty, and Trunks, yep that's perfect…!"

As the woman continued to organise the rabble that was the warriors of Earth, the young saiyan felt guilt creep into the pit of his stomach. Cell's tournament for the fate of the world was all but a few days away, and instead of training and getting stronger he was lounging around having a barbecue at Bulma's house. He had spoken - well tried to - speak to his father about it that morning, when he announced to the small family that they would be spending the afternoon at Capsule Corporation. Gohan had asked whether he thought it was a good idea, to relax rather than train to prepare themselves for the fight of their lives.

But alas, the man had provided him with more or less the same answer he had given him ever since they had emerged from the time chamber. He told Gohan relax and have fun, that there was more important things than training for today. It was a beautiful day after all.

His father had been right in a way, the day really was beautiful. Bright blue skies, the warm May sun beating down on their backs as they relaxed in the Briefs' garden, multicoloured butterflies dancing around Mrs Briefs' glorious flowerbeds. And the way the laughter carried on around him, no one would have thought that the world could be ending in the matter of a few days. Even Trunks, who seemed forever anxious and serious due to the horrors he had faced in his future seemed to be enjoying himself. But Gohan could see that behind the boisterous laughter and beaming smiles that the Z-Fighters were worried, there was still a tension in the air that was impossible to ignore.

Then, there was trust. Trust in Son Goku, his father. For Goku always knew the right thing to do, to say. He had overcome every single challenge, every villain he had faced - one way or another. But somehow, and Gohan did not know the reason why, it was different. His father had never been so blasé about a fight before. So dismissive and apparently uncaring that even though Trunks' presence had drastically changed their present, their future could still end up the same way - apocalyptic.

As he looked up towards his father beside him, he frowned, he was smiling so widely, aiming his grin towards the camera in preparation for the snapshot. No notion of worry or trepidation upon his features. But for the first time, the young boy noticed something in his eyes, something that had been there since he had made his comment about looking back on good memories. It was something deeper, as if there was some sort of internal struggle going on behind the emerald orbs. Just what was his father thinking?

It seemed that Goku had caught onto the sudden tension emanating from the child as he suddenly snapped his head towards him, kneeling down to his height as Bulma was now shouting at Krillin for pulling a silly face ("It's just my face, I can't help it Bulma!").

"Hey kiddo, what's up?" his father asked him, still smiling, only less than before.

Gohan felt his throat run dry, he immediately felt as though he was in trouble. Though he knew he hadn't done anything wrong, his mother had already scolded him for breaking his breakfast plate that morning and his father had given him a lecture on controlling his strength more. But the way the man was searching him with his eyes, his golden hair shining in the sunlight just as his did, he couldn't help but feel weary under his gaze.

He shouldn't be doubting his father like this after all, he was a bad son for even questioning him. But yet his lips moved before he could even stop himself.

"Dad, do you really think that we can beat Cell?"

That did it. It was only for a moment, a split millisecond at that, but Gohan was a very perceptive boy, and caught it straight away. The way his father's resolve faltered, his smile disappearing and his eyes darkening ever so slightly, before BAM, the cheery mask was back once more. Confusing the halfling even more so.

Goku ruffled his hair once more, his infectious smile prompting his own lips to twitch at the corners, "Gohan, I -"

"Everybody look this way!" Bulma's call cut across them as she waved frantically from behind the camera, one eye pushed against it, "One! Two!…"

Gohan turned quickly, forcing the biggest smile he could muster as his father threw his arm over his shoulder, grinning just as madly. He could feel the gang move into position behind him, as Bulma continued her countdown.

"…Three! Smile!"

FLASH!

The halfling blinked the harsh light out of his eyes, just as an irate shriek echoed across the garden.

"Damn it Vegeta!" Bulma snapped, "You had your eyes closed! I said after three!"

The saiyan prince growled, "Shut up woman, you said three so I went on three, you never said you would say smile!"

"I said after three monkey man!" she snarled, "And everyone knows you say smile before you take a picture! That's how it works!"

"How am I supposed to know about your pathetic Earth customs?! It doesn't even make any sense! I didn't even want to be in the blasted picture anyway!"

"Why you -!"

Gohan couldn't help but allow the laughter escape his chest, as the gang around him were sent into hysterics, all the while making Vegeta even more irate. He felt tears spring into his eyes as he continued to giggle uncontrollably. His father stood next to him, positively beaming as he watched the scene unfold, and Bulma tried to hit the prince with her very expensive camera, prompting his mother to chase after them in order to salvage the precious photo, but not before thrusting a squawking baby Trunks into his arms.

Their laughter and unfolding chaos was like music to his ears, singing a tune that he wanted to imprint into his memory for the rest of his days. And as baby Trunks clutched onto his shirt, babbling up at him in order to gain his attention, he decided that maybe his father was right, and that he should just enjoy these days of peace whilst they still could. And as his grandfather joined in the fray, attempting to stop the woman from getting in the way of Vegeta should he decide to unleash a blast or three - he realised something.

That despite his worries, the tension and fear that threatened to suffocate the world, they were still here. His friends, his family how ever mismatched and dysfunctional they were - that was families after all right? And more important than that, as he stretched out his senses and relished in the warmth of their Ki that buzzed around him, he could feeling them all living. Living and breathing off one another as the summer sun warmed their skin.

And he would not let Cell take that away.

Gohan smiled, lost in his memories as he stared at the old photograph. He had never seen it developed, he had never had the chance to. Bulma must have had it printed after he had died. He couldn't help but allow a small chuckle escape his lips as the younger Z-Fighters smiled brightly out at him from the fame.

Yamcha, Tien and Piccolo stood at the back of the group, being the tallest, and whilst Tien and Piccolo stood rather calm and stoic, the former directed a wicked grin towards the camera, his two fingers forming bunny ears behind Krillin's head in front of him. Krillin was also smiling widely, and it was with a snort did the teen realise that the shorter man had stretched his arm behind Gohan and performed the same bunny ears behind his father's head. Vegeta stood behind Goku, mid-blink with his arms folded haughtily across his chest - just how Gohan remembered. The future Trunks was next to him, smiling brightly with Tien's arm strewn over his shoulder in comradery.

The young Destroyer's smile faded a little, as he stared at himself, knowing all too well that the cheesy grin that was so identical to the blonde haired man's next to him was somewhat forced. There were so many questions left unanswered back then, so many things he had buried within himself, just like the promise he had made to himself to destroy Cell if his father was unable, no matter how scared he was. Some things never change he reasoned, he was still keeping secrets.

Still the photograph held a good memory, memories of a much simpler time in his opinion. He briefly wondered why Bulma had kept a photograph like this locked away, though it could have been because the frame was broken. He observed it in the dim light of the lab, frowning as he realised that not only was the bottom of the frame was almost completely broken off, was there a long crack in the glass that spread the length of his young face, as though cutting him in half.

A shudder suddenly ran down his spine, as his fingertips brushed the broken edges of the glass. Though he was confused as to why it had made him act like that. He wondered how the fame had broken? From the way it has been discarded in the draw it looked as though someone had just tossed it in there without a care, or even out of anger. He gulped, was Bulma angry that he didn't come back? So angry that she couldn't even bare to look at a photograph that depicted him happy and alive? He shook his head, that was crazy talk. If she was so angry she wouldn't have been reuniting everyone on the anniversary of his death all these years. The photograph could have just fallen off her desk and she hadn't gotten round to fixing it yet.

Maybe.

Shaking his head, the teenager made to put the fame back in it's place when he spotted something that made his eyes widen to the size of saucers. It was a slightly faded notebook thrown in amongst the shattered pieces of glass that read, 'Operation: Gohan'.

Hardly believing his eyes, he snapped up the notebook which was full to the brim of various papers, notes and diagrams. He flicked through them quickly, his eyes scanning the pages which were filled with tried and tested ideas to find the long lost half saiyan, and bring him back to Earth. Various scribbles, in Bulma's elegant handwriting - the majority of them crossed out with deep imposing lines of pencil - depicted the lengths they had gone through to try and find the deceased boy.

Things like 'dragonballs', 'Porunga', jumped out at him, along with lists of various planets in the Northern Galaxy, all crossed off, all places where they had looked and yet he could not be found. There were dates too, dates in the corners of pages that recounted Bulma's entries, almost like a diary.

Flicking through and picking one at random, it read;

'17th June, Age 769

Goku has returned from space again. Planet Felix was a complete dead end. Vegeta has offered to go with him next time, but I dread to thing how that will turn out! I'm working on a faster spaceship, maybe we'll try the South Galaxy next? See if there's any signs or word of lost dimensions. Though it's difficult when we don't know alien lingo. Vegeta knows enough to get by on certain planets he tells me, but even he is at a loss of what to do by this point. If I'm honest, I am too. But damn it, we can't just give up on Gohan like this! He certainly wouldn't if it was the other way around.

Gohan would be thirteen by now. I wonder what he'd be like?

I'm not sure if Goku will be able to handle another trip to space after this. Chi-Chi too. It's not fair on Goten.'

It was all there, every failed trip to space. Every desperate attempt to find him. Every disillusioned project and colossal disappointment. All documented for him to see, from the month after his death right through to the August of 772, when Bulma must have finally realised that their efforts to find him were futile. But he didn't read any more, he just couldn't bring himself to, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that the last entry was only just short of three years ago.

He felt like smashing the photo frame next to him too. He could almost feel the frustration radiating from the notebook. Bulma, a world glass genius was always able to find a way, but she could not bring him back. She must have felt as though she had failed him.

He wished he could take back the years. He wished he could have explained, given them a sign that he was fine and that they didn't need to waste their tears and energy on him. But now, it was far too late.

Drenched in memories and guilt, the young saiyan failed to realise the Ki heading towards the basement. It was only just before the beeping sound from the lab door started did his senses alert him to the familiar energy hovering only feet away from him.

He panicked, hurriedly shoving the notebook back into the draw and blindly making an effort to clear up the mess he had made when a cool female voice echoed around the lab.

"Welcome Videl, Access granted."

Before his brain could even begin to reason with him to teleport, run or get the HFIL out of there, the metal door flew open, revealing the Satan girl in all her beauty. Her hands placed over the curvature of her hips as she stepped over the threshold, her gaze coming to rest on the shell shocked half-saiyan who currently resembled a deer caught in headlights, surrounded by various files and diagrams, some fluttering through the air the aftermath of his vain attempt to clean up. He held a broken picture frame in one of his hands, the draws of Bulma's desk completely dishevelled by the side of him. The whole lab was in complete disarray, and the culprit was standing in the centre of it all.

Caught, red handed.

Videl's sapphire eyes widened, her mouth dropping open in shock, before her features contorted with anger and betrayal. And for some reason, Gohan could not move.

"What the HELL are you doing in here?!" She positively bellowed, he could have sworn she was about to breathe fire.

"V-Videl, I can explain - " he started, though he really had no idea just how he was going to get himself out of this one. This was very bad, he looked like a stranger that had just broken into the lab of the most successful, influential scientists in the world. There could be a number of reasons why a stranger would do such a thing, most of them for dangerous intent. Which was exactly what Videl was processing right now.

"Then you'd better start coming up with an explanation very quickly Beerus," she snarled, pushing the hem of her dress to the side to reveal the black holster on her thigh that held a handgun and a pair of shiny silver handcuffs. "Because if you don't tell me why your currently rifling through the CEO of Capsule Corporation's private lab, breaking and entering then I'll arrest you right here on the spot."

Gohan swallowed the very large lump in his throat, his face heating up as his eyes travelled up her thighs. Must she have done that?

"Well?!" Videl snapped, reaching for her cuffs, "I'm waiting!"

"Er…"

"How did you even get in here anyway?!" She asked suddenly, as if the thought only just came to her, "It's supposed to be secure!"

"Would you believe me if I said that I don't remember?" he tried, attempting to flash her a charming smile.

"Shut up!" Videl growled, stalking towards him with her eyes narrowed, "I don't believe that amnesia crap for one second!"

Gohan's widened, "You don't?"

"At first I did," she informed him, almost devilishly as if she was enjoying the fact that she had caught him out, "But now it doesn't make any sense. You may have 'forgotten your memories' Beerus but other than that you don't display any of the symptoms of someone with amnesia."

"I don't?"

Videl smirked, "I may not have been a police officer for very long, but I've been working with the force since I was at high school. And I've interrogated some of the biggest mob leaders and masterminds in the world. Trust me, I know when someone is trying to spoon feed me bullshit."

"I-"

"You're hiding something, something big," she continued, "Why else would you be skulking around Capsule Corp.?"

"Videl, I'm not -" he tried, but the girl was upon him before he could so much as react due to the shock.

"For example!" Videl cried, grabbing the hem of his shirt and yanking it towards his chin, exposing his muscular torso, "Where did you get those scars from?"

"VIDEL!" the teenager yelped, though sighed when he caught her glaring eyes, and opted to tell her the truth - for once.

"I got them from a really big cat."

She scoffed, "Seriously?!"

"It really was!" He protested, thinking back to the battle with the fire breathing Chimera a couple of years back that had nearly ripped his chest cavity open. But Videl didn't need to hear that.

The girl growled, finally releasing his shirt that was now all crumpled from her attack. "I told you that I've had enough of your games. I was willing to go along with them and help you at first, but breaking into my friends lab? You've gone too far. Now you tell me who the hell you are and what you're doing here you damned thief before I call the security bots, or better yet, have me and my friends force it out of you. And by force, I mean beat."

Oh dear, this was not going well.

"Videl, look," he tried to reason, "I assure you I'm harmless. I just stumbled upon this place and it was already like this. If I really were a thief don't you think I would have already robbed you these last couple of days?"

Videl pondered this for a moment, before shaking her head and narrowing her eyes dangerously towards him, "Thief or no thief, theres a lot that doesn't add up about you Beerus."

He blinked, unsure of where this was going.

"For one you appear out of nowhere in a barren wasteland in the strangest clothes," she started, her brow furrowed in thought, "With no hospital for miles, no transport on you or capsules, its debatable where you came from. You seemed to know where you were but with no memory of what had happened over the past eight years, which was why I initially thought you had amnesia. But then things started happening around you, like the robbery with The Red Shark Gang. How was it that you were able to take them all out like that without Marron noticing? The fumes from the car bomb sounded like a logical explanation. I accepted it, but then there was more.

Buu collapsed suddenly without any previous complaint of a tummy ache, and who was standing above him, but you… then you disappear after our dance and Vegeta blasts a hole through the building, something which Bulma informs me that he hasn't done for years. What makes it even stranger is that you seem completely unfazed by everything you've seen so far since meeting me. As if all this chaos is normal and you're used to it happening around you. The only time I saw you uncomfortable was when you were sat at the table with me and my friends!

Then I find you here, in the most secure laboratory in the whole of Capsule Corp. surrounded by Bulma's stuff with no clue as to how the bloody hells you managed to get in here without setting the alarms off!

And what really really bugs me is that the name Beerus doesn't turn up on any database on the planet! It's like you don't even exist! I've had enough! So spill!"

Gohan stared at her with one eyebrow raised. He couldn't help but be impressed. The girl was good. Still, he had no intention of telling her the truth, he barely even knew Videl, and for all he knew she could go running her mouth to the rest of the Z-gang and expose him.

"Well Videl," he started, giving her a winning smile, "It was really nice to meet you and all but I can't stay around and chit chat, got things to do, people to see, a prophecy to fulfil and to get the hell off this planet and probably destroy a bad guy."

"Wait what-?!" she gaped, as the young saiyan all but kissed her hand in a gentlemanly bow before winking up at her.

"It's a shame, I really did enjoy that dance too."

She failed to hide her blush, though quickly got over her shock as the teen scarpered away from her with intent of finding Piccolo and asking if he could lay low at The Lookout for a while. Videl raised her voice with fury, making to race after him, "You come back here right now! Tell me who the hell you are!"

He spun around quickly, flashing her a cheeky smirk before stepping over the threshold, "Sorry Videl, but some things are better kept a secret! Wouldn't want to ruin the magic!"

"Goodbye Son Gohan, thanks for visiting."

Gohan and Videl froze.

A thick tension swept over the room as the young saiyan gaped, couldn't that daft woman, robot, whatever it was have skipped the pleasantries and kept her mouth shut?!

All he wanted to do was bang his head off the doorframe, and he almost did, that was before he managed to refrain from doing so and turned to face the utterly flabbergasted girl behind him. If it wasn't for the situation being so serious, he would have laughed. Videl's face was a mixture of awe, horror and bewilderment - though he took solace in the fact that he had finally managed to shut the girl up.

However, her reaction was quickly taking a turn for the worst, as he followed Videl's gaze upwards to where the light from the hallway had reflected above his head, capturing his shining golden halo in a brilliant glow. Gohan felt like slapping himself, it was unusual of him to act so careless. Both Lord Beerus and Whis would be having a field day if they knew that he had forgotten to re-conceal the very thing that knowingly separated him from the living.

"Y-you…," Videl managed to croak out, her sapphire eyes finally tearing away from the offending halo to his own, "Y-you have a h-halo."

"Yeah," he said somewhat nervously, hoping to lighten the mood with a joke, "It's what they tend to dish out to you when you're dead. Sort of like a morbid trophy."

This apparently was too much for the girl to take in, and Gohan caught onto it straight away. The way she continued to stare, wide eyed at him, she did not laugh, nor did her lips even twitch in amusement. He had watched it happen in front of him far too many times to count, sometimes when he had all but appeared before someone. He was supposed to be one of the most frightening presences in the universe after all. From his experience, it could go one or two ways from here, sort of like a flight or fight response but a million times worse. For the young Destroyer knew that when someone was giving him a look like that, one of pure shock and/or terror, that they would either faint, or scream.

He watched her carefully, much preferring the former for he didn't want to be discovered - or his ear drums to be offended quite frankly.

Don't scream. Don't scream. Don't scream. Don't scream. He chanted in his mind, his onyx eyes pleading with her.

Videl's breath suddenly hitched, her lungs filling with air -

Damn it!

Thinking quickly, Gohan flicked his wrist, and in an instant the girl was encased in a spherical golden shield just before she released her scream to the heavens. He couldn't help but snicker, as the soundproof dome did nothing but make Videl look like a crazy person, her mouth agape in a silent and prolonged cry. Very prolonged.

It must have been quite the scream, he pondered, cocking his head to one side, he could even see her tonsils.

30th December, 2018.

A/N: Chimera - was, according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing hybrid creature composed of the parts of more than one animal. It is usually depicted as a lion, with the head of a goat arising from its back, and a tail that might end with a snake's head. - for anyone wondering about the giant 'cat' that gave Gohan the claw-like scars on his chest.

Also, I went a little bit more nostalgic for this chapter, I hope the change in pace was appreciated. It'll certainly pick up again next chapter. Though expect a few water works. (sobbin'hell)

Reviews:

Aaron Leach: thank you!

Lightningblade49: Videl is very smart. Gohan thinks so too ;)

Reacted : me too! itll be a couple of chapters away yet by my reckoning but I plan on a BIG reveal.

ashlovesdbz : thank you so much! really hope you enjoyed this chapter too.

FireEmblemMaster101: i see your point! I am glad you enjoyed seeing Vegeta :) and Gohan's crumbling stealth mission!

Sos Dovah: possibly ;)

MadmanJrs: absolutely. Id like to think that Vegeta would worry about Gohan, develop a sense of pride towards him. Even HE thought that Goku was an idiot for sending his son to fight. And glad you like the videl/gohan parts. I really wanted this sense of Videl as a strong young woman but unfortunately, she ends up falling for the wrong type. But is gohan the exemption?

FeathersofMemory: thanks so much for your review! I cannot wait to get to the part where Gohan is revealed. I am super super excited for you to read it!

phyre1129: thank you! glad you do!

yunayuu : pissing vegeta off is my favourite past time in story writing ;)

Knightwing20042: thanks! glad you like the greek mythology references!

TheDoodlerofWriteing: Beerus is the god of destruction and has been for billions of years so naturally he can go wherever he wants. Gohan is a destoryer in training so he cant return to earth his homeworld. If people were able too whilst still training then they may be tempted to keep going back, which slows down the whole process, ends up ignoring their duties etc. It takes centuries to become a god of destructions usually. so by the time that happens the junior destoryers family and friends would be long dead anyway so there would be no point. :) hope that helps!

Masquer Q : you literally hit this Gohan's personality on the head! ' A bit serious and responsible, but also cheeky and emotionally driven' thank you friend! xD

eliteshadow: thank you! hope i didnt dissapoint with this chapter!

romanovascap : thank you!

victor0606 : thanks!

keyblademeister88: wow thank you!

Joe: so glad youre enjoying it!

warriorofdark: im so glad youre finding it funny! :)

EleazarTheUnforgotten : thank you! im glad your found it funny. It makes my life!

Iwik:thanks so much! SO much gohan and videl coming up I cant wait to share!

Super Cyrax: on the next episode...

Leafeon12 : xD

shrushtee: thank you!

mugetsuga1998: thanks :)

X3runner : haha glad youre enjoying the story! Always wanted Gohan to be a little bit of a stud and be a bit more aware of it than Goku was!

DragonCrusader : yeah, it didnt ;)

Razz : VEGETA YES!

Gelid : hahaha yes love that reaction!

ghoul: the answer is im not sure when it will be completed... or how many chapters this story will be... but expect many more chapters because were on Cpter 14 and it is NOWHERE near finished!

LilRocboogie: thank you so much! i hope i didnt dissapoint. im aware that this chapter is FAR more nostalgic.

Drunktalez: thank you! I do aim to have Toppo make an appearance... SPOILER

N.O : thanks for your review! im excited for whats to come!

Gremlinite : wow what a fab bit of feedback! thanks so much it really does mean alot :)

Erin: thank you so much for your review. I hope you dont scare your husband if you gasp because I managed to post 2 chapters in a month Xd :P and im so so glad your are loving it!

Dezzal: thanks fair, if your loosing interest in then no worries! Videl is 19 correct, she could have had a few BFs by that time, and not all of them long term. shes a pretty girl who knows what she wants and been on dates and what not. She also is an amazing police officer and trains with Goku, so she has done a lot other than dating. She just needs to find the right guy ;) I doubt videl would put up with someone who is annoying her for more than a week. she can figure out people pretty quickly. hense this chapter. if youre still reading that is. but if not i hope its a good explanation for everyone else. I dont mind criticism at all. Gohan has not been around his family for eight years, a lot of things have changed. He wouldnt go in there guns blazing acting like a total badass at first - that comes later :)

SatanicLover666Illuminati: *in voice of Thor* ANOTHER!

JemDragons: I wouldnt judge you, but i am not really a fan of SS4. sorry! (dont hate me ppl)

Guest(Erin): happy holidays to you too! hope you had a good time and enjoy the update.

Dan2018 : thank you! here it is!