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Saiyan Foster Parent	By : Polymer Category: Dragon Ball Z > Het - Male/Female Views: 1714 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DragonballZ, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Twin
Dilemma

Disclaimer: I don�t own the concepts of Full Metal Alchemist, Dragon Ball Z. Funimation
controls the rights to these two! KISS and the comic book and Elder album
concepts are owned by KISS Catalogue incorporated. This is a work of fanfiction incorporating these loves of mine. Only the fancharacters Dragon Womyn, Atomique, Bohr and Fermi, as well as the KISS Next
Generation cast are my creations. I don�t get paid for this, so please don�t
sue me!
Inside the
playroom, Trunks and Goten were engaged in a game with the twins. Like always
the blocks floated on their own accord, while Trunks tried to zap them with ki
out of the twin's mental grasp. Goten leapt up and began to snatch each block
out of the air. Suddenly, Fermi and Bohr stopped their playing. Both dropped
the blocks they were using to build the tower along with Goten. Standing up,
the twin boys looked at one another, then at Gohan standing by the door. They
said nothing as they walked forwards.
"Guys?"
Trunks asked. "What's up?"
"Don't
you feel it? My Dad's here," said Goten.
Fermi look at
Bohr, both sets of dark brown eyes sparkling with violet ki. "Mommy,"
they mouthed.
"Wait
here, guys," said Gohan. He opened the door to see the three women rush
through, one of them the stranger his father had taken in.
"Fermi�
Bohr? Is that you?" she gasped, dropping to her knee. Both boys wandered
up, glancing at her with dark eyes. She reached out her arms, feeling sadness
and joy as they moved quickly forwards.
"Mommy?"
they both said at once.
"That's
right� you know me?"
"Mommy!"
they said in unison, gliding into her waiting arms. Their small hands pulled at
her hair, squeezing her neck in a combined hug.
"I'm so
sorry� I couldn't�"
"Mamma
don't cry," the one called Fermi whispered.
"We're
okay� we knew you'd come�" answered Bohr.
"We
always knew," Fermi added.
"Daddy
said so," said Bohr.
"But your
father�" she stammered, wiping away her tears.
"Is dead
and not dead� we know mommy�"
"And it's
okay� he said to take care of you," Bohr insisted.
"How old
are you� four� oh god� oh god," she sobbed, as they held her close. Both
four-year-olds kissed her neck, hugging her tightly.
"We love
you mommy, please don't' cry," they whispered. "We're not angry.
Please don't cry�"
From a two-way
window in the side of the nursery, Prince Bejita watched the reunion with an
air of disdain. Next to him, Buruma stood with a smile plastered on her face,
hands folded along the side of her face with joy.
"How
saccharinely sentimental," Bejita mumbled to Buruma.
"Shut
up," she snorted. "I don't know what you were trying to pull
insulting their mother like that� but you'd better have a DAMN good
explanation�"
"I'm not
unaffected. I'm glad those brats are with their proper mother. They were a pain
in the ass," Bejita snorted.
"I swear
you're going to see the couch for a YEAR!" Buruma snorted.
"Woman,
don't piss me off. You know I'm right. That woman has no cause to feel sorry
for herself when I sense the ki off her. She's perfectly capable of defending
herself," Bejita snorted in distaste.
"What are
you talking about? She's been through a rough time."
"Boo hoo,
so have her two friends, and they aren't wallowing in misery. That woman may
have lost her mate, but she's all too eager to dwell on it and make herself
some sort of martyr that's suffered far more than the two she calls friends�
what makes HER special, ne? Why should I treat her like she's worth my respect
when she's not�"
"Bejita�
what crawled up your ass?"
"If she'd
desired her children so much, why did she let them become captured in the first
place�"
"You son
of a bitch� how dare you!"
"She's
proved she has the guts to face me in a verbal battle, me who's taken her brats
in. But if she's going to prove herself worthy of taking over their care, she
needs to show that she won't be so easily intimidated by every bump in the
road. Taking soul responsibility for those Destroyers. Give me a BREAK! They
would have attacked regardless of whether she came here or not!" Bejita
grunted.
"Okay,
I'm seeing it from your twisted perspective, but what gives US the right to
judge her?"
"Because
we're caring for her brats. As Kakkarot has been. And I've heard much from the
one known as Dragon Womyn. She's not unlike you, woman� smart and intelligent
but incapable of caring for herself without a mate to look after her. And not
having the sense to keep her mouth shut when the male should take
responsibility in matters she has no business attempting," Bejita snapped.
"Dig
yourself deeper, dork," she glared.
"What
business does she have thinking she has a prayer learning to fight? Unless
she's willing to properly train. And if not her, that idiot Kakkarot seems all
too eager to�"
"WHAT?"
Buruma asked.
"Look at
him," Bejita snorted, pointing to where Goku moved alongside her. He
scooped up Goten, hugging him tightly as Gohan looked on.
"What are
you saying?" she demanded.
"It
should be obvious. His mate dumped him, and he's already protective of that
female and her brood. It's Saiyan instinct to seek another mate to replace the
one who's been killed or rejected�"
"I can't
believe you're saying this, Bejita�" she snorted, whirling on her heel,
turning her back to him.
Bejita
snorted, nodding in Goku's direction, "Kakkarot's brat told me the woeful
tale. That loud mouthed harpy found someone else more suited to her shrewish
ways while Kakkarot was in the great beyond, and left him with both his
brats�"
"Even so,
she's human like me. And Goku's just trying to help her and her sons feel
better� he's dealing with her absence in the only way he knows how�"
Buruma shook her head. "By focusing on helping other people like he always
done."
"He's not
sobbing like a sentimental fool, strangely enough. He's acting more Saiyan than
I've ever seen him in the last ten years�" Bejita said quickly. "If
you ask me, that harpy's absence is the best thing for him. Maybe he'll stop
acting like a clown and a freak� and start kicking ass�"
"I don't
get what you're doing with all this, Bejita�" she sighed.
"That
weakling needs a mate to look after her, is what I'm saying. Her mate's dead.
And she has two brats with exceptional potential. Kakkarot is in need of
something weaker to protect. Like a fool she's rejecting his offer of
protection and insulting his honor as a warrior. It would do her better to
accept and let him do what he does best, caring for her brats�"

***

In
the living room sat Goku, burying his head in his hands. He had slipped out,
not wishing to disrupt the reunion of the Alchemist and her two friends.
Wrestling with raw emotions he struggled to grip his self-control when Buruma
found him sitting there on the sofa. He hunched over, rubbing his face while
she strode over towards him.
"Son-kun�
what are you doing out HERE?"
"Buruma�
I�" Goku said quickly. Tears formed in his eyes when he leapt up from the
couch.
"Goku�
I'm so sorry, Bejita didn't mean to� I mean I know it wasn't your fault she
left you�" she said. Sniffling he wiped away the tears that dropped down
his face. She held out her arms to him, as if he were a child.
"I
thought I'd gotten over it, because it's been a few months now... but
still..." he mumbled. He buried his face in Buruma's shoulder. Slowly she
rocked the young man who was a brother and best friend to her since they were
both young. Finally he allowed his emotions to burst out freely in the presence
of one he knew wouldn't judge or treat him like a fool.
"I can't
bring her back," Goku whispered. "No matter what I did; it wasn't
good enough for her, was it?"
"Son-kun�
that's not true� and you know it! You were doing what you could! Nobody doubts
that� and who cares what Bejita says!" she snapped.
"It
wasn't her fault. It was mine," Goku whispered, sobbing into Buruma's blue
hair.
"You'll
carry on. You said Chichi taught you to cook and houseclean before she left�
well I set up a little fund to take care of the house and kids if this
happened. I took your remaining assets and set up a trust fund�"
"So no
money problems?" Goku asked.
"Not if
you don't handle the finances. Leave that to Gohan. If he wants a job he can
come work for Capsule� when he's graduated college. And Goten can come and stay
with Trunks when he needs to�"
"But the
woman�" Goku said helplessly. He backed away from Buruma, flopping down on
the nearby sofa.
Next to him,
Buruma gracefully lowered herself to sit. She slid his hand overtop of his to
pat it gently, saying, "Her friends will care for her� and her sons. Now
that they're reunited�"
"The boys
need a father," Goku mumbled.
"What?"
Buruma asked, not quite making out what he said.
"They
need someone to train them, take care of them, protect them," said Goku,
blushing at his mistake. "With their powers� and those creatures after
them� and her husband is dead�"
"Goku,
you want to take care of them? How sweet� but are you sure?" Buruma asked.
"You don't have a lot of room in that house of yours!"
"Well, it
makes sense to me� I mean I could train them how to fight� and she could stay
in my grandpa's house� with them� and she'd be only a few miles from me and the
boys�" said Goku quickly.
"She
feels guilty about this, Goku. I don't know if that would be wise� she should
stay with her friends�"
"Her boys
need a protector," said Goku quietly. "And she needs someone to keep
her happy. Cheer her up. I was with her husband before� well before�"
"That's
incredible sweet� but she won't just do it because you think it's a good idea�
I mean she hardly knows you� and� don't you think it's sort of� well� maybe she
might think that you'd want her�" Buruma clicked her tongue at him. Goku's
black eyes widened with horror, and he blushed profusely at Buruma's knowing
glance.
"I don't
want her THAT Way!" Goku protested. "Jeez Buruma, you've got a SICK
mind!"
"Well, I
keep forgetting you're Mr. Pure of heart," Buruma chuckled. "I'm just
teasing you, Goku. I'm sorry� I just want you to know that you're gonna be
lonely now that Chichi's gone, and I don't want you hurting yourself by thinking
this woman is a replacement for�"
"I
don't," Goku said angrily, making fists and pressing them down on the tops
of his muscular thighs. "It's the honorable thing to do. Her husband asked
me to�"
"What?"
Buruma asked, widening her azure eyes in surprise. "Care to explain?"
Not able to
meet her blue gaze with his dark black one, Son Goku quickly explained, "I
met him in Other world, during one of the big tournaments the Kais held. There
was no way he could go back, so her husband asked me to take care of his sons
and wife, if anything happened to him�"
"Take
care of her?" Buruma coughed, blinking at him in confusion. Her nose
scrunched in that way that told Goku she wasn't buying any of this.
Son Goku
groaned, shaking his head as he continued, "I'm tellin' the truth here!
He'd seen that they were being chased by those Destroyers from dimension to
dimension� and that they needed a home. And since her own world is ruined� she
could stay here, and raise her boys in peace till they were old enough to protect
her�"
"If it
were anyone else, Goku, I'd say they were nuts. But since you're who you are, I
think I'll do whatever I can to make sure your house gets rebuilt� and that she
has everything she needs�" Buruma shook her head in confusion.
"She's
just seen them after two years," said Goku, scratching the back of his
neck. "And she's a bit nervous around four year old boys� if she needs
help� and Gohan and Goten�"
"Gohan's
almost engaged to Videl. He can't baby-sit�" Buruma sighed exasperated.
She folded her hands on her lap, leaning forwards in her seat. She angled
herself to face Goku.
"That's
why if she stayed at my home, I could help her baby-sit," Goku said
brightly. "Chichi always said I was good with kids� especially boys. And
if their powers are strong, I can withstand anything they'd throw at me�"
"Only if
she agrees� and I don't know if she will, given her current state of
mind," Buruma sighed. "But I'll give you a Capsule house while we're
fabricating one for you� that she can stay in, and you and the guys can live in
your grandpa's old place..."
"Yeah of
course!" Goku nodded. "And we can all eat together� like a family� or
sort of� face it. She only has her friends. Her husband is dead� and her
family� who knows�"
"Then you
should ask her, before jumping to conclusions, Son-kun. Don't take advantage of
her� she's lonely and confused enough�" Buruma warned him.
"I
won't," Goku said quickly. "I'm not like that� you know as well as
anyone else�"
Buruma let out
a resigned sigh, and smiled. She reached over to pat his shoulder, in much the
manner of a small child. For the first time, Son Goku realized how annoying it
was. Lately he noticed more and more how people often tried to talk down to
him, like he was stupid. Normally he didn't mind, but lately he was getting
really sick of it.
With a
patronizing smile Buruma said, "Of course. You're pretty much interested
in fighting and eating. I don't think you'd even� well� I guess it's my dirty
mind. Remember I couldn't ride Nimbus�"
"Yeah,
so?" Son Goku blinked, although he knew the implication of bringing that
fact up.
Buruma patted
her lap with the flats of both hands, indicating the discussion was over. She
said, "Anyhow, let's get you a capsule house and some food� and as soon as
you're ready to go back, we can install it�"
"Thanks
Buruma-san," he smiled at last, inclining his head. He rose from the sofa,
and tugged down on the front of his sleeveless top, before waiting for her to
get up and exit the room.

***

Elsewhere
within Capsule corps main building, the three friends exchanged notes about the
last few years. They came to the conclusion that they were possibly trapped
here for far longer than they realized. Through the stories of her two friends,
she came to learn that for the past six months before they arrived, two of
their worst enemies had their hands on the boys. The Bandit and the Princess
had managed to rear the children, with difficulty. The Bandithad temporarily
confused the children into thinking that he was their father. As their powers
had grown in strength, their mental abilities pierced through the veil. At age
four they managed to escapeonce and grab a dimensional belt, having seen the
Destroyers use one. Once appearing on Chikyuu,they were found byEarth's Special
Forces.
"It was
Yamucha and Krillen that managed to fight her off and determine the children
aren't hers," Black Widow, aka Christine related. "They took them to
Krillen's place at Kame House� for temporary care."
"We
hardly knew� later when we ran across them� we found out that some guy� named
Dende to figured out whose children they were. When they finally they
discovered that Bejita was training two similarly powered beings�."
Jeannie aka Dragon Womyn added, sipping hot coffee that rested on the table
before her. She shifted her position on the sofa, next to Black Widow.
"Imagine
how amazed we were to find that these children are alive�" Black Widow
said. "But even though we offered to care for them, the Z fighters decided
it was better if 'foster' parents cared for your kids� till you showed
up�"
"So�
that's why Goku knew them� he foster cared for them," Tryni shook her
head.
"Originally
the Son family took Fermi in, while the Briefs took Bohr," Dragon Womyn
nodded.
"I owe
them a lot, but damn� if I'd known," the alchemist mumbled."But they
must have realized both twins would be better off together�"
"That's
why they finally placed together under our care� considering my own son�"
Dragon Womyn trailed off, squeezing her eyes shut. "But now that you're
back� you're gonna take over right?"
"Is there
any doubt?" Atomique demanded, leveling her dark eyed gaze on the
draconian-featured female.
"What are
your plans?" asked Black Widow. "I mean now that you're here� you'll
be looking for a job and a home..."
"What
plans?" asked Atomique softly.
"I mean�
since Paul� and well," asked Dragon Womyn. "He's dead� and this world
isn't too bad�."
"I don't
know. Trying to return to our world isn't the best idea� not with two
children�" said Atomique quietly. "They've been hopelessly
traumatized already�"
"Maybe we
should stay here till we know more," said Black Widow. "This world
has much to offer. And besides, we're far stronger�"
"Have you
any word from the others?" asked Dragon Womyn, chugging down the rest of
her coffee. Atomique sipped a huge swig of hers, swirling the milk in the mug.
"Nothing.
The dreams I had from Elliot have ceased. As far as I know� if any of them want
to look for us, they'll find us if we stay put. I can't help but think that we
need to remain where we are�" said Atomique pragmatically.
"One day
we will go back and take our world again. But not now. We aren't strong enough
to face Blackwell yet. But every day of training we're one step closer�"
"How
could we get back� unless we stole those teleport belts� from Leader�?"
said Dragon Womyn.
"This
world is rife with them. But the Special Forces can hold them at bay� and
sooner or later they may give up�" said Black Widow. "And anyway,
what have Gene and the others done to try and help us? Either they can't or
won't help�"
"Paul is
dead� and Gene�," said Dragon Womyn quickly. "Let's just say that I
have had infrequent contacts, and they've all basically said we're to lay
low�"
"How has
he contacted you?" Atomique demanded.
"Through
dreams. Though lately they've grown more infrequent. And Elliot's mind has been
closed to me. I don't know if he's dead or alive. It's like there's a gray
curtain cutting him off�"
"I barely
hear him, even if I scream in my mind," Atomique whispered. "He's off
looking across space and time spiritually for your son�"
"I know.
And we're stuck here�"
"We
should stay, I say," Black Widow said. "When they're ready, they'll
come to us. We've done enough running. It's time to keep training, and then
when we're ready, we can attack leader and get a transport device�"
"Then
what? With everyone scattered across space-time�" asked Dragon Womyn.
"Dad can't help us. Ace's scrambling spell was to protect the children and
us till we learned the skills to fight Blackwell and his minions. Only when
Mona and Ace learn to use their powers can we hope to be reunited. I've played
enough games with fate�"
"Yes. I
want to become as strong as our mentor does. Then we'll destroy the
Destroyers�" Black Widow nodded. "And you'd be wise to stay here, and
raise the kids in safety� you've been through enough�"
"Their
powers aren't something that�" Atomique protested.
"Son Goku
and his friends are strong warriors. If anyone can insure your safety it's him
or her. Paul would want you to stay," said Dragon Womyn.
"And who
are you to say what Paul would want?" Atomique demanded.
"She was
just�" Black Widow started to say.
"Stay
where it's safe. Like he always told you," Dragon Womyn interrupted.
"As you
say," Atomique nodded quietly, giving Dragon Womyn an odd look. Black
Widow moved after her, blinking in surprise.
"What was
THAT about?" she asked.
"Nothing,"
Atomique muttered.
"I'm
going to train," said Dragon Womyn pointedly. "And I'd suggest you
get back to your sons�"
"That's
what I mean to do," said Atomique. She inclined her head, still meeting
her gaze to the other warrior, but taking a defensive stance as if she
anticipated an attack. Angrily the two women faced one another, their eyes sparkling
with wild random chikara.
"Hey
guys, chill!" Black Widow urged, pushing between them.
"There
you are� my dad's been looking for you," said Gohan as he walked up to
them. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Nothing
important," said Dragon Womyn. "Excuse me. My condolences� later
girls�"
"What did
you want, Son Gohan?" Atomique asked.
"My dad
has something to ask you� something important� but if this isn't a good
time�"
"Maybe
you'd better go while I talk to Jeannie," said Black Widow. "We can
talk later�"
"It's
nothing� I tell you�" Atomique said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Pretty
big nothing when you two look about ready to kill each other�" Black Widow
snorted, resting her hands on her hips. Hazel eyes narrowed, indicating she had
seen far more then her friend wished. Sensing the tension hovering around the
room, Gohan wondered if he had picked a bad time.
"I can
come back later�" Gohan stammered.
"I don't
know what it is," said Atomique softly. "But she's changed. And she's
scaring me�"
"You're
not the only one. Look, I'll try and pick her brain. You'd better go see what
Son-kun wants�" said Black Widow. "Call me if you need to�"
Hugging her
friend, Black Widow then shook Gohan's hand before leaving. Atomique swallowed
hard, glancing at Gohan, who hung his head in embarrassment. "Sorry�"
"Don't
be�" said Atomique softly.
She followed
him out to the living room, where Goku was slowly swinging one of the twins,
Fermi on his shoulder. Next to him, Goten was wrestling with the other, named
Bohr.
"Careful�
will you!" Gohan cried as he walked over. Videl moved to intercept him.
"It's
okay� I think he's holding back," she reassured him. "Are you both
okay?"
"As we'll
ever be," Gohan mumbled. "Hey dad!"
"There
you are� someone save me from this guy� he's getting strong!" Goku laughed
as he swung Fermi around. The boy laughed and squealed as Goku tossed him
through the air, and he landed square in Gohan's outstretched arms. Atomique
flinched, till she realized for a split second that the boy had hovered in mid
air.
"He can
fly Daddy! Just like Gohan and me!" Goten crowed. "Show 'em
Bohr!"
"What
the?" she gasped, seeing one of her sons slowly levitating next to Goten.
"All
right, that's enough� for one day!" Videl clapped her hands. She caught the
levitating boy as Gohan plucked Goten out of the air. Immediately she handed
Bohr to Atomique, who set the boy on her hip shakily.
"How�"
she blinked.
"You
stinker� you aren't supposed to show them that!" Gohan protested.
"They're too young to train!"
"Aww
they're NEVER too young!" Goku interrupted, striding up. "I'm sorry I
didn't mean to scare you� they just sort of did it�"
"Incredible,"
she shook her head. "Were you FLYING, Bohr?"
Fermi leapt
out of Gohan's arms, when Goten did, and flew past Atomique, squealing and
laughing. "Mommy look we can fly! Look!"
"So can
I!" Bohr pouted.
"Hey,
easy there!" Son Goku urged, grabbing Fermi from taking off. He set the
boy on his shoulders with one hand, while helping to hold him in place.
Clutching a pouting Bohr, Atomique shook her head at him. Fermi tugged a
handful of Son Goku's stiff hair, laughing.
"Dad,
you're nuts," Gohan shook his head.
"What was
the big question you were asking?" she turned to him. Videl held out her
arms and grabbed Goten who was pulling at her leg. Gohan grabbed his brother,
swinging him on his back as Goku walked over with the other twin.
"You'll
need a place to stay. I was wondering if you'd consider staying at my grandpa's
place� I mean till you find somewhere else� I mean the boys already know�"
said Goku quickly.
"You want
me to stay at your place? Any reason why?"
"Well, if
you think it's silly� and well� those guys are still trying to chase you�"
Son Goku said. "If you really don't wanna�"
"Please
Mommy, can we live with the nice man?" asked Bohr.
"I like
him, he's funny!" Fermi squealed.
"Can they
stay, daddy? They don't beat me up like Trunks does!" Goten pleaded.
"Aww
jeez," Atomique groaned.
"I guess
they're already sold," said Videl, blinking at Gohan.
"So,
you're welcome if you want�" Gohan said, glancing at her. "If you
REALLY want�"
"Fine,
we'll try it. But only temporarily," Atomique relented. "And no funny
stuff. You two boys can't make Mr. Goku and Mr. Gohan do anything that your dad
or I wouldn't allow!"
"All
right!" they chorused.
"What did
I just agree to?" she mumbled to Videl.
"Trust
me, it's gonna be okay� if anyone can deal with unruly kids, it's his dad�
especially since he's one himself," joked Videl, reassuring her.

***

Nighttime
fell on the Son residence. Already the new capsule house had been installed,
giving them a whole mess of space that had not originally been intended. Since
Atomique's sons insisted on sleeping in Goten's room, Son Goku had schlepped
the bunk beds into his younger son's large room. This made one large common
area where they could be together. To the boys it was like a sleepover party.
It was a relief to see how well they got along together. Because of this
development, Atomique wondered if she would be sleeping in the small pagoda
house with Videl and Gohan instead while the others shared the new dome shaped
dwelling.
Such answers
would have to wait. For the last few hours, she had tutored Gohan and his
fianc�e for an upcoming mid term. Videl and Gohan sat out on the couch, pouring
over chemistry texts under the watch of Atomique. Bowls of popcorn, potato
chips and other snacks festooned the coffee table, along with stacks of
notebooks and textbooks here and there. Videl nestled her orange juice between
her knees, shifting forwards in the sofa next to Gohan. He pushed his black
framed glasses more securely on the bridge of his nose, riffling through his
meticulous notes.
"Gimme
those� your notes are better than mine are�" she said, leaning over his
thigh and playfully snatching the book from him.
"Hey,
your handwriting's more clear than mine," he protested, tugging it back.
"Please?"
she said, giving him the best set of puppy dog eyes.
"Aw no
fair!" he groaned.
"Thanks
sweetie," she grinned, kissing his cheek. He blushed profusely, turning
his head to the side.
"Okay
lovebirds, what's next� The Bohr Model of the atom� and its shortcomings�"
Tryni, a.k.a. Atomique in this dimension smiled. She enjoyed seeing the cute
blushes on the two teenagers faces for the past few hours. Whenever Videl
wanted something to Gohan's left she always leaned over his jeans clad leg,
inadvertently pressing a shirt covered breast over the top. Judging from the
gleam in her blue eyes, she was doing it deliberately. Not that Gohan minded
much, yet he still shyly squirmed and protested.
"More
popcorn?" he asked her, passing the bowl to her after digging out a huge
handful for himself. Half of the particles spilled onto his lap and Videl's to
his embarrassment. She picked up the stray pieces, popping them into her mouth
eagerly. Gohan took the chance to watch her nibbling on the white chunks she
popped into her shapely lips, piece by solitary piece.
Atomique drew
her finger down the line of facts as they worked problems back and forth.
"Now tell me the equations for quantum numbers�"
Gohan dragged
his pencil across his paper with one hand, while popping the rest of his
handful of popcorn into his mouth with his other. Through the chewing he
mumbled, "Oh, I remember this from a long time ago�"
"You
would," Videl said, throwing a piece of popcorn at him. From the back
room, Atomique's son Fermi wandered in to see where his mother was. He wore a
long t shirt that hung to his knees, overtop the flannel pajama bottoms
decorated with purple and blue stars. Seeing Atomique and the others in the
living room, he padded his way over and rounded the sofa. Atomique gave a small
smile and motioned for him to sit next to her. He smiled back, climbing up next
to her and leaning his arm on her lap.
Gohan laughed
and tickled Videl in the ribs, "So sue me� I remember all sorts of stuff
from then� considering I thought I was gonna be a scholar or a doctor�"
Fermi crawled
over to sit on Atomique's lap. She pulled him over to give him a hug while she
opened Gohan and Videl's encyclopedia sized chemistry tome. Mimicking his
mother, Fermi traced his finger down while she read from the chapter overview
notes.
Unseen by the
others, another observer stood in the doorway, holding Bohr on his hip. Son
Goku had carried the other twin along with him when the boy asked where
everyone else was. Goten had already darted into the bathroom to take his
nighttime bath while the tub was free. Bohr curled his fingers into the fabric
of Son Goku's blue sleeveless top, and leaned his head on the man's muscular
shoulder. Effortlessly Son Goku shifted him so he held the boy with one hand,
pointing to the assembly in the living room with his other.
"Mommy's
playing teacher," Bohr whispered.
"She's
really smart, isn't she, Bohr-kun?" Son Goku whispered back. His mop of
black unruly hair tickled the boy's nose, making him sneeze. He blinked
sleepily, settling comfortably against Son Goku's chest.
"Uh oh�
someone's talking about you," Son Goku teased.
"Your
hair tickles my face. It's all stiff like Uncle Bejita Sama's� but he always
gets cranky and never wants to hold me for long�" he made a face.
"That's
Bejita for you�" Son Goku laughed, amazed at the thought of the Saiyan
prince even consenting to hold a stranger's child. Yet there was the one time
when Buruma, Christine, or Jeannie wasn't around, and Bohr had hollered at the
top of his lungs along with his brother because of an accident when they were
much younger. Trunks had grabbed both boys and run to the GR, looking for an
adult because he wasn't sure what to do to quiet them. As an eight-year-old,
Trunks had a good sense of what to do about toddlers, but even after changing
their training pants and checking to see if they were hungry. Finally Bejita
had grudgingly stopped the training room to grab one howling boy and hold him
while Trunks quieted the other.
"I gotta
go�" he whispered.
"Okay�
better see if Goten-kun's outta there first," Goku nodded, carrying the
boy off to the washroom.
Back in the
living room, the study session continued. Fermi tucked a pencil behind his ear,
much like his mom did. She continued her latest explanation; "The trick to
remembering equations is to picture in your head just what the math is trying
to say. Get beyond the letters and learn it like a foreign language�"
"It IS a
foreign language," Videl mumbled. While Gohan scribbled down her
directions, Videl almost flopped over as she fell asleep.
"Somebody's
sleepy mommy," Fermi whispered in her ear.
"Sorry!"
Videl groaned.
"Where's
your brother?" Atomique asked her son curled up leaning his head against
her chest.
"Picking
out his bunk," said Fermi. "In with Goten-kun�"
"I dunno
about you guys, but I think it's time for little scholars to put in some
shuteye," she said, lifting him off her lap. She tossed down the book, and
glanced at her two scholars rapidly folding their notes away.
"That
means us too?" Videl joked. "I can't keep my eyes open a second
longer. If I see another equation I'm gonna scream! No offense,
Atomique-san�"
"None
taken�" she said with a smile.
"I think
we'll go take this party into Grandpa's house� right?" Videl said as she
nudged Gohan in the ribs.
"But I
thought I was gonna stay there�" Atomique said.
"Please
Mommy, Goten-kun said we'd sleep in his room tonight," Fermi said. She
felt what seemed like a rush of air burst past, and a loud squeal.
"What the
heck?" she wondered. Goten burst out of the back of the small area, his
feet pounding on the carpeted floor. Hovering just at Atomique's shoulder was
the missing twin.
"Mommy look!"
Bohr laughed.
"What are
you doing up THERE?" she said, resting her hands on her hips.
"No
flying in the house! Darn it you KNOW that!" Gohan groaned.
"Sorry
Nissan� I told him, but he forgot! You guys KNOW better than that okay? We'll
do it tomorrow� but you have to follow the rules!" the younger brother
scolded Bohr, waving his finger at him.
"I think
both of you need to try out those new bunks now, don't you?" Atomique said
as she rested her hands on her hips.
"First
one in bed gets out of breakfast duty tomorrow�" Gohan reminded them.
"C'mon
guys� race you there�" Goten laughed, tugging down his silk pajamas with
the dragons on them.
"Uh uh,
no racing!" Gohan insisted.
"Does it
count if the grown ups carry them?" an alto voice laughed. Goten groaned
as his father swept him up under his arm.
"C'mon
dad put me down I'm too OLD for this!" he yelped.
"I know
someone who isn't," Son Goku laughed, transferring Goten to his back while
he swept Bohr out of the air and set him on his shoulders.
"Mommy I
wanna ride!" Fermi complained. She shook her head and marched after Son
Goku towards the back room.
"Good
night Atomique-san! Have fun!" Videl called. She grinned like a Cheshire cat while
Gohan cast her
a questioning look.
"What was
THAT about?" he asked her.
"What was
what?" she giggled.
"That
'look'� that 'I know something you don't know cause I'm a girl' look!"
Gohan said frustratedly.
"Oh, just
thinking that maybe you and I should share the guesthouse tonight� because your
daddy and his houseguests are gonna have a heck of a time getting those rowdy
boys to bed�" Videl giggled, poking him in the ribs.
"You're
worse than Krillen!" he yelped, blushing deeply.
"We're
practically engaged� so why are you so shy about bunking with your lady?"
Videl further needled him.
"My DAD's
in the house across� that's why," he gritted, hiding his mouth with one
hand pressed to the side of it.
"Relax. I
think they're gonna be way too busy to check up and see if we're behaving�
besides there is a sofa, and a bed� and what he doesn�t' know won't hurt
him�" she winked, kissing him on the cheek.
Mortified,
Gohan protested, "Videl� he could walk out at any minute!"
"C'mon,
your dad's begging us to get married! Unlike my pops�" she rolled her
eyes. "Hurry up before your dad and his little friend come back�"
"Little
friend?" he winced, squeezing his eyes shut.
"Oops,
slip of the tongue� c'mon� move�" Videl urged, leaping off the sofa and
grabbing Gohan's hand. He let her pull him to his feet, and half drag him out
the door. Taking the hand she held, she wrapped it around and over her head so
he held her against his side.
"I guess
it can't hurt� I mean knowing Dad, he'll take forever telling a story�"
Gohan grinned mischievously.
"C'mon
tiger� that's the look I wanna see�" she cooed, pulling him along as she
raised her lips to kiss him. She snagged her backpack, letting him walk her out
the front door to Grandpa Gohan's house.
In the boy's
room, Son Goku plopped Fermi in the top bunk, while dropping Goten on his
single bed across the room. He took a seat on the side of his son's bed, and
leaned back against the wall comfortably. Atomique sat down on the bottom bunk,
repositioning pillows so she could lay on her side, and pull Bohr to lay
alongside her.
"Tell us
a story, Mr. Funny man!" Fermi clapped his hands.
"Fermi,
you know perfectly well that's NOT his name!" Atomique groaned, hiding her
face at Goku's amused grin.
"Are you
gonna get it!" Goten started to laugh, shaking his head.
"Fermi-kun�
it's Son-sama!" Bohr gasped, with a horrified look. "He's such a
kid!"
"I've
been called worse by my own kids," Goku said, reaching across to ruffle
Bohr's hair.
"Sorry,
Son-Goku sama!" Fermi blurted out.
"Quiet
will you, or he won't tell us a story!" Goten shushed them both.
"Please,
tell us a story, we like yours the best�" said Bohr, hugging his mom.
"Mommy, please stay, you'll love this�"
"I
suppose I can," she said. Fermi slid down out of his bunk, and sat on her
other side. Bohr leapt down and went over to sit on Son Goku's other side,
while Goten sat on top of his covers.
"Is it
about the Dragon Balls?" asked Fermi.
"I just
know I'm gonna want to listen to this� I've been dying to know what the heck
they are�" Atomique whispered to Fermi.
"Listen
Mommy, he'll tell you everything," Bohr hushed, holding a finger to his
lips.
"I dunno�
I kinda forget where I last left off. Do you remember, Fermi-kun� or you,
Goten-kun?"
"I
remember!" Fermi blurted out, crawling onto Atomique's lap. "You were
telling us about how you and Auntie Buruma first met in the woods� and then you
ran into the Scaredy cat man�"
"You mean
Uncle Yamucha?" asked Goten. "I don't think he'd be too cool being
called THAT, dad�"
"He was
scared to death of any girls, that were his age," said Son Goku with a
grin. "Every time he saw a pretty girl, he'd run away. So Auntie Buruma
and Chibi Goku were always free of him snoopin' around. But then there was that
night when Crazy King Pilaf decided he was gonna capture us all an stick us in
this dark, dark dungeon."
"You
would, showoff," Bohr pouted, folding his arms across his chest much like
Paul Stanley himself.
Time passed
along with the chapters of Goku's story. Everyone's eyes inextricably grew
heavier with each passing minute. Although the story was exciting, Atomique and
her sons were having more and more difficulty staying awake. On either side of
Son Goku, Goten and Bohr leaned against him. Finally he drew Bohr into his lap,
while helping Goten to slid under his covers. Atomique curled up on Fermi'
lower bunk, hugging him in her lap.
"Then
everything went BLACK poof� after the moon came out�" Son Goku continued.
"What
happened? Were Auntie Buruma and the Bandit Uncle Yamucha stuck in that
dungeon?" asked Bohr, sitting in Goku's lap. Goten lay with his head and
shoulders resting against Goku's hip while he continued to tell his tale.
"Well
Chibi Goku suddenly found himself without a stitch of clothes on� they were all
torn up� and he had a headache� and Auntie Buruma and Uncle Yamucha were
huddled in a corner� Poor Pilaf was so scared, because his whole castled was
busted up into little piles�"
"How did
THAT happen?" asked Fermi.
"Well,
Chibi Goku had magical powers," Son Goku said with a mysterious smile.
"You remember he had his tail, right?"
"His
monkey tail," nodded Bohr.
"You used
to have a tail Daddy like I did, till�" Goten remembered, then silenced
himself at Goku's patient wink.
"Well,
turns out that in the light of the full moon, that tail made him grow really
big. But he didn't know that� but Auntie Buruma and uncle Yamucha saw him grow
bigger and bigger. He grew thick fur over his body, and long fangs, and swung
his arms and feet back and forth cause he didn't like being captured, no
way!"
"Yikes�"
Bohr whispered. "Sounds like Uncle Tyler San�"
"The
kitty man?" asked Fermi.
"Kitty
man?" asked Goten, shaking his head. "Who's that?"
"Another
story�" Fermi nodded.
"Anyway,
Chibi Goku had turned into something called a GREAT ape�" Son Goku
continued.
"Like
king Kong!" Bohr squealed.
"Sorta�
but he didn't swat any planes. He just tore that castle apart brick by brick
till the moon set, and then they were ALL Free�"
"What
happened to Chibi Goku's tail?" asked Fermi.
"Kami
removed it, right Dad?" Goten said. "Just like mine� and Prince
Bejita's� and Nissan's�"
"You mean
you really TURN into a big monkey during the full moon?" Fermi said.
"I thought that was just a story!"
"It sure
does happen� cause Chibi Goku ain't no normal human kid. He was a Saiyan kid,
but didn't know till much later when his big bad brother Radditz came an'
kidnapped his little Gohan-kun. But that's ANOTHER Story," Son Goku said,
squeezing a nervous looking Bohr to his side.
"You guys
are gonna love that story�" said Goten, yawning deeply. He slid out the
covers, letting his daddy tuck them around him. Bohr and Fermi both yawned in
unison. Son Goku gently picked up Bohr, and deposited him in the top bunk. When
he turned to check on Fermi, he noticed that his story had put their mom to sleep.
With a smile he lifted Fermi off her lap, and pulled the covers aside. He
placed Fermi into bed, then lifted Atomique-sama gently into his arms before
pulling the covers around her son.
"Gnite
Daddy," Goten whispered. Son Goku leaned over and kissed his son on the
cheek. He did the same to the other two boys, who held up their arms to him as
if they were his own.
"Mommy's
all sleepy�" Fermi murmured, hugging Goku tightly around the neck.
"That's
why I'm gonna go tuck her in too," Son Goku said, holding a finger before
his lips. "Shh, keep quiet okay. Don't wanna wake her up, right?"
"Right.
Gn'ite Son-Goku san," Bohr muttered, slipping into sleep shortly after the
others.
"Nite
Funny man-san�" Fermi giggled.
Treading
softly, Son Goku carried their mother through the capsule house in the dimness
of dark. He could see as well as if it were day, thanks to his superior Saiyan
senses. Once in the master bedroom, Son Goku carefully set her on the middle of
the large double bed. He sat her up, leaning her head against his shoulder
while he reached down to take off her shoes. Modestly averting his gaze, he
slipped off the outer tunic and tossed it over a chair. Then he peeled back the
covers, rolling her gently between them.
"G'nite,
Atomique-sama," he whispered, gently touching his lips to her forehead
before he caught himself. She seemed peaceful, dark lashed eyes fluttering. He
turned and left her in the dark room, making his way to the guest bed next
door.
***
No sooner had
he prepared himself for bed, and then he heard a soft cry. He tugged on his
pajama bottoms and concentrated. Shrugging, he slid under the covers and
struggled to get into a comfortable position to sleep. After a time, he blinked
awake at the sound of a woman screaming,
"Paul�
no! Blackwell! Don't� don't leave�"
"Kuso�"
he murmured, sitting upright. He threw the covers aside, touching his fingers
to his forehead. An instant later and he stood right next to her bed. Covers
tangled around her legs as she flailed and thrashed her arms wildly.
"Atomique-sama�
wake up� it's a bad dream�" he urged, sitting on the edge of the bed. One
of her fists flew and socked him hard in the jaw. While it didn't hurt, he
figured he should hold her down before she really hurt herself. Gently he took
her wrists in his hands and pinned her flat on the bed.
"Shh�
easy� you're okay� it's me� Son Goku� you're safe here� nobody's gonna hurt
you!" he repeated softly, shaking her.
"No� no�
Paul� don't leave� don't you care� don't you�" she sniffled, tears
escaping through her dark lashes. Blue energy crackled around her fingertips,
slamming into Goku as he held her back. For a moment her chikara or ki flared
to a level that surprised him before receding.
"Wake up�
wake up," he urged.
She blinked open
dark brown eyes, yelping up at him in confusion. "Where� how� oh thank God
you're here� I thought you'd left me�" she sniffled, twisting her wrists.
"I'm
here� you sounded like you were having one heck of a nightmare� you gonna be
okay?" he asked, releasing her wrists. She sat up, glancing at the
disarray of dark hair back-lit by the starlight seeping in through the windows.
A muscular male frame with long strong fingers reached out to fold her in his
arms as she lay her head on his chest. Automatically Son Goku folded her into a
platonic hug, patting her back soothingly as he shushed her.
"You
didn't leave," she whispered, burying her head in his shoulder. He
wondered if she thought he was her expired husband, and scrunched his face in
momentary disappointment at the choking sobs of relief.
"What did
you see?"
"Blackwell.
And Dragon Womyn. Then you� I mean� wait� you're not Paul, and I'm not home� am
I?"
"I'm
sorry, but you're in my house� on Mt. Paozu, on Chikyuu� the Son house� my
place� do you remember me?"
"Son Goku
san� I'm so sorry� I didn't meant to wake you� are the children�" she
asked, twisting a lock of hair around her finger. Without it pinned up in its
french braid she seemed so much younger then the authoritative tutor role she
portrayed. While Chichi had been strict, this woman had a much softer touch
when it came to enforcing rules.
"Sleeping
soundly. Don�t worry about THEM� are you gonna be all right?" he asked,
lips close to her ear. He squeezed her reassuringly to his broad muscular
chest, glad that she took comfort from his physical presence.
"I don't
know� I hadn't dreamed of Paul for a while� but now� seeing the boys�" she
trailed off. "I miss him so much�"
"I know
it hurts. It's okay� but he's not really left you right? He's still here� in
your heart and memories� ne?" he reminded her. "And you can still
dream about him�"
"But I
saw something else. As if he were so far away he couldn't hear me then� the
rest is hard to remember�"
"If you
had something of his, maybe if you kept it close� you'd know he was there with
you. I always have the Four-Star Dragon ball so I'm close to my Grandpa
Gohan�"
"All I
have is the wedding band� and my children�" she whispered.
"Best
part of you, right? Just try and sleep. You'll feel better in the morning� and
you'll be safe tonight� want me to sit up with you?" he asked, still
hugging her at arm's length.
"If it's
no problem�" she whispered. "Tell me more about those Dragon Balls�
because I�m totally clueless� from what I gather� they grant wishes� but only
under certain conditions�"
"You need
all seven for starters� and they only work once a year� then turn to stone�
just like in the story I told Fermi-kun and Bohr-kun�" he recounted,
shifting up to sit next to her on the bed. She leaned her head on his chest,
letting him stroke his fingers through her long hair to soothe her. Lulled by
the motion of his strong fingers and heartbeat under her ear, she surrendered
to sleep again.
***

Fresh
breakfast smells drifted through the house, causing Son Goku's nose to twitch.
He murmured and shifted on the bed, blinking in the morning sunlight streaming
through the blinds in vertical strips. A woman's dark hair spilled across his
chest, and he glanced down to see his fingers tangled in it. Her head rose and
fell with each of his breaths. Mumbling, Son Goku curled up and immersed his
fingers in her hair, not wanting to get up right away. The need for more sleep
temporarily overwhelmed his appetite for food. Soon he snored gently away;
enjoying the warmth of the woman curled up next to him.
From the
kitchen came distant voices. Hearing them, the woman lying with her head on his
bare muscular chest slowly opened her eyes. She mumbled at the bleary haze,
realizing she had forgotten to put her glasses on. For a moment she had
forgotten where she was. All she cared about was that she felt deliciously
warm, and did not want to get up from the bed and the marvelously firm pillow
under her cheek.
She heard a
medium pitched voice say, "Goten-kun� don't spill the coffee� Fermi-kun,
don't fly in the house, sit down! Bohr-kun� put the bowls over there will
you?"
"Why
haven't you woken your Dad yet?" Videl's voice asked, ending in a yawn.
The dragging scrape of a chair heralded her sitting down at her place.
Footsteps thumped like an elephant stampede while the three boys took their
places.
"He needs
a break, he's been working so hard getting all of us together. Besides he'll
wake up the instant he smells the food," Gohan joked.
"Save
some for mommy!" Bohr's high-pitched voice called out.
"Hers is
right here� next to mine�" Goten's distinct voice answered. "How much
more rice?"
"Two
whole pots� and get ready to wash the empties� I'm almost done�" Gohan
again announced. Clinks and thumps followed the sounds of clanging plates
against a solid surface.
Inside the
master bedroom, Atomique shifted reluctantly at the pastiche of breakfast
noises. A brawny arm well featured with hard muscles tightened overtop her
shoulder, holding her down. The opposite hand of the occupant of the bed next
to her immersed long fingers in her hair, twisting the dark locks around them.
She started when she realized the firm surface rising and falling was a
masculine chest, bare of hair and smooth with a bit of sweat. Into her nostrils
drifted a faintly musky scent.
"What the
hell?" she murmured, blinking as she lay there. An alto voice groaned,
resounding noisily through her ear pressed to his pectorals. A loud gurgling
growl made her flinch momentarily.
"Breakfast�
someone forgot to wake me again!" he groaned, feeling the empty pangs in
his stomach.
"Oh no�
what time is it?" she gasped, feeling a wave of heat spread from head to
toe. She inhaled deeply, realizing nothing had happened. HE must have simply
remained with her to make sure she would be safe from nightmares, reassuring her
with purely platonic presence. For a minute she felt disappointed, then scolded
herself for such thoughts. Little did she know that the Saiyan had similar
thoughts as well.
"Seven
thirty� hope they left us some�" he muttered, clearing his throat and shifting
under her ear in the bed.
"Gohan
and Videl have that big test� they might be late if�" she gasped, sitting
bold upright. For a moment she glimpsed him leaning under her, bare chested,
wearing little more than long blue and green plaid flannel pajama bottoms.
Alongside her he curled his muscular body, lying on top of the covers while she
lay underneath.
"Whoops�
I told them to wake me!" he groaned, leaping out of the bed at the same
time she did.
"I'd
better go help out� start pulling my weight�" she said, staring at an
invisible spot on the wall while he turned his blushing face away from hers.
"Now wait
just a minute! How am I supposed to treat you like a guest if you keep talking
like that!" he protested with a childish pout. "You stay here and get
freshened up and changed. I'll be sure to save you some food� okay? You've had
a rough couple days already!"
"Knock it
off will you?" she yelped, pounding his shoulder. He grabbed a stack of
orange clothes from the closet, and a pair of boots and other assorted items.
"Sorry�
gotta go get dressed myself� don't take too long or else you'll miss
chow!" he chuckled awkwardly. "Later!"
"I'm
never going to get used to that� it's just as bad as Ace," she shook her
head with a chuckle. Grabbing a change of clothes, she began to get dressed
once more.
***
After Atomique finished dressing, she set about making the bed. To do so
she had to round the sides every so often to even things up or smooth the
blankets down. Her toe caught on something solid, tripping her up.
Automatically her fingertips glowed with her alchemical power, producing a long
thin sheet of plastic to arrest her fall, stretching from window to door. When
she untangled herself from the plastic safety net she dispelled it. A quick
search for the object that tripped her up revealed a black boot she recognized
as one of Goku's. However she couldn't pick it up easily because it felt like
it was made of solid fifty pounds worth of lead. To her left on the chair by
the bureau, the blue shirt draped overtop caught her eye next.
"Why am I not surprised," she muttered, barely able to lift the
garment up due to the same unexpected mass issue she encountered. With
interest she flipped the garment over to examine its structure. Judging from
the feel between her sensitive fingertips metallic chainmail was sandwiched
between a double layer of blue cloth. Generous pores allowed sweat to pass
through during a workout. On shelves in the closet she saw the various outfits
folded, many of them orange training gi, while others were more conventional
clothes.
She reached into her small backpack to remove her toiletries and
hairbrush. Walking out into the living room of the Capsule house she finished
French braiding her long black hair. Approaching the living room she caught
sight of Goku's mop of unruly hair crowning his sturdy shoulders clad in bright
orange gi. Only the top fourth of the circular emblem on the vest's back was
visible over the back of his chair. Flanking him was an empty space at the dining
room table, while Videl sat to his left. Fermi and Bohr whizzed about the
kitchen, one of them plopping fresh bowls of food before Son Goku while the
other dumped the empties into the sink. Goten dunked his hands into sudsy
water to keep up with the already increasing stacks of serving plates. Son
Gohan stood setting another place next to his dad with fresh dishes.
"Why didn�t' ya wake me up?" Son Goku mumbled in between
shoveling bites of his meal down the hatch. His left hand moved so fast it seemed
a blur. Only the continuous clink of chopsticks on the bowl indicated the pace
of his eating. Son Gohan sat down next to Videl, grabbing his own chopsticks
to finish the meal he'd started.
"Because we were giving you a break," Videl laughed. "You
worked hard getting Fermi-kun and Bohr-kun to bed�"
"Please that's nothing," he answered with a chuckle. Food flew
over and almost hit Videl in the face. She held up a hand and reassured a
horrified Son Gohan that she was perfectly used to this occurrence by now,
simply taking the napkin he handed her and letting him help wipe her face off
of Son Goku's debris.
"Dad, watch it will you?" Gohan groaned, slapping his hand
against his forehead. Not for the first time he wished the floor would swallow
him up. Never mind that Videl thought the whole scene was cute.
"Bombs away," Goten joked, tossing another set of bowls into
the wash tub.
"Good thing you already finished," Fermi whispered. It dawned
on the approaching alchemist that her son was floating six feet above the floor
with his latest handful of soiled dishes.
"Good Grief� are you� flying again?" she gasped.
"Mommy! Come eat�" Bohr insisted, leaping down from his chair
and running over to grab her hand and drag her over.
"Move over Goten-kun, I'll take over the dishes�"
"No you won't, you'll sit down an' eat!" Son Goku interrupted.
He leaned out of his chair, throwing his chopsticks down. Before she could
protest he shot out an arm and grabbed her up bodily, then deposited her in the
empty chair Bohr pulled out.
"Wait a second�" she gasped, trying hard not to laugh, but
failing miserably because she giggled at the smooth teamwork that just elapsed.
"How are we supposed to treat you like a guest if you keep wanting
to help, huh?" Son Gohan teased.
"Kame, we're going to be late, Gohan-kun!" Videl exclaimed,
leaping up from the table. "Kuso�"
"Watch the language!" Gohan groaned, running his fingers
through his hair.
"Is that a bad word in English, Chinese or Japanese?" Fermi
whispered to Goten.
"In Japanese," said Goten with a smirk.
"Um, I don't think you should be flying in the house, right
Son-Goku-san?" asked Tryn-sama, grabbing her other son in midair. He
chuckled and landed on her lap, pushing a pair of chopsticks into her hand.
"Mommy you gotta eat� Mr. Funny man san said so�"
"That's my dad, you silly!" Goten rolled his eyes.
"All right, all right, everyone settle down! It's hard to eat with
all this fuss!" Son Goku interrupted, strangely managing to talk coherently
through the mouthful of food pouching his cheeks out like a pet hamster.
"Sorry dad� man I'm gonna be late�" Gohan groaned, flicking his
wrist up to check his watch. "Maybe if we take Nimbus�"
"Have a good day, and don't forget to be back for dinner!" his
dad called, motioning him and Videl over. She leaned down to give her future
father in law a kiss on the cheek and a squeeze, then turned to do the same to
the alchemist, who seemed taken aback at such a familiar display. However she
thought twice about questioning it till later, while Gohan and his father
embraced, patting each other on the back. He squeezed each boy's shoulder in
turn, then grabbed Videl's wrist. She caught her bag as they shot out the
front door in a blur.
"Good luck!" Atomique-sama called, masking her nervousness in
the bowl of hot breakfast she picked up. Her fingers fumbled with the set of
ivory chopsticks, almost dropping them.
"No flying in the house Nisan!" Goten called as a parting
shot. The door slammed shut, and everyone resumed what he or she was doing.
"Are you sure you guys don't want some help with those dishes,"
she asked, barely keeping the cluster of food on the chopsticks before it ended
up on her lap.
"Eat it fast like Dad does, and you'll make it to your mouth,"
Goten suggested. He began to dry the increasing stacks of dishes passed his
way. Bohr climbed up on a nearby stool and started dipping his hands into the
tub while Goten switched to drying. Amazingly for a three year old, Bohr had
good dexterity, managing to keep from chipping or dropping anything breakable
as he passed it over to be dried. Out of the corner of her eye Tryn watched
him in amazement, realizing he was obviously familiar with this routine or else
he'd be much stiffer.
Fermi stared at a pot of coffee, slowly extending one small hand. It
began to rise into the air, and drift towards his astonished mom's outstretched
hand. "Look at what I can do, Mommy!" he called proudly.
"Now THAT'S new�" she whispered. "Let it go. That's it� thanks�
but let me know when you're going to do that� next time�"
"Sorry� it just happened on accident," he shrugged. She
steadied him on her knee, moving out from the table while eating with her other
hand.
"Oops," Son Goku widened his eyes. "Gotta use those
powers responsibly, Fermi-kun. Your mom's not used to it� after we finish up
here, we can show her what you've learned�"
"Who taught them that?" she asked suspiciously.
"Oh� first time I noticed the blocks and toys were flying around I
figured out he could levitate things, and decided I had to do something to get
him to stop," said Son Goku. "I'm not able to levitate THINGS, but I
thought he should learn how to control it� so I started blocking him with my
own ki till he learned he had to use his hands�"
"Your own ki?" she swallowed hard. "His dad could NEVER
levitate things� I mean he could with his star beam� but he wasn't
telekinetic�"
"Both of 'em are able to talk to each other I figure without moving
their lips. I can just feel their ki churning there� they're really powerful�
so I hope you didn't mind that I kinda started training 'em in
Kame-sennen�"
"No of course not� but how young is too young?"
"I started with Nisan when I was their age," Son Goten chimed
in. "Me and Trunks together� and then� Mommy worked with me� till before
she left and Daddy here came back to life and took care of us�"
"That explains why they can fly, right?" she asked, managing to
finish one bowl of hot cereal. Another was placed before her by Goten.
"Fermi-kun can, but Bohr-Kun has a little more trouble," said
Goten. "Fermi-kun likes to fight more� and Bohr-kun moves things with his
mind a lot� right?"
"Are you able� to communicate with them, telepathically?"
"Uh, well I kinda learned how to refine that from King Kai� and I've
taught 'em what I know� and Goten here works with them when I can't be with
'em� Bejita sorta did some work with them� but most of the other stuff about
mental powers your husband taught me through a mind link�"
"When did this happen? In Other world?"
"Yep. We mind linked, because he wanted to show me what he was up
against. Then I got wished back for a day to attend the Budakai� and then we
fought Majin Buu� and I ended up alive again� me and Bejita that is�"
"It was a pretty nasty fight, Dad�" Goten shook his head.
"But Trunks and me kicked butt!"
"There's so much I owe you all, for caring for them when I couldn't
be there�" she trailed off, putting her face in her hand. "And I had
no idea if they were alive or dead� I was so afraid that the Bandit and the
Golden Princess had them�"
"Only for a little bit�" said Goku. "But Yamucha and
Krillen rescued 'em� and we've only had 'em for the last year�"
"They were barely two when they were taken from me," she
swallowed hard. "I was so afraid they'd forget me�"
"They had pretty clear pictures in their minds, of who their Mommy
was," said Son Goku, reaching across to squeeze her hand. "No kid
forgets that� at least the one who bonds with their parent the most�"

"I haven't even met my daddy
till a little while ago," said Goten. "I was born while he was
gone... but Mom always told me about him... before she... you know..."

"Hey, enough with the sad
stuff," Son Goku said, tossing his chopsticks down. "Let's get these
dishes washed and put away, then we can start trainin' today� don't wanna lose
a minute cause the weather's so nice. And maybe we can teach some of you guys
how to fly�"

"If you can teach ME to fly,
that would be a miracle," she laughed, rolling up her sleeves as Fermi and
Bohr took her dishes to dump in the sink. "Hey, lemmie do that� and you
can start warming them up�"

"You sure?"

"Yes. I'd like to. Gotta do
something around the place since you invited me and my kids to live here till
we get our own place," she smiled. "But I still don't know anything
about cooking�"

"That's my favorite job� almost
as much as eating it," Son Goku grinned.

"Come soon, Mommy� see us work
out!" Fermi urged, giving her a kiss as he levitated to the height of her
shoulder. Bohr climbed into Son Goku's waiting arms and let the Saiyan hold
him up for a kiss to her cheek of his own.

"I'll help ya put these away,
Ma'am," Goten volunteered. "You haveta learn where everything goes�
and Dad always puts it in the same place so HE doesn't forget�"

Sweeping up Fermi he placed the kid
on his shoulder next to Bohr. They both held onto his shoulders or hair as he
strode out the door. Goten grabbed up a towel and began to dry the dishes that
the alchemist grabbed from the table. Together they finished up in record
time, anxious to see what sort of training session was commencing outdoors.
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