Who Seduced Who, Anyway?

Gohan stood and paced in the waiting room, impatient with the doctors. They weren’t telling him anything and he was getting angry. Chi–Chi had been here for hours with no news yet. Videl had arrived with Pan, and Goten had shown up as well. Videl had called Bulma, and Trunks was bringing Bra. So now all they needed was to know what was wrong with Chi–Chi.

A nurse slowly came to them. Gohan leaned down to her face, silent and glaring, most unlike himself in his concern for his mother.

“Um, she won’t let us work on her. She breaks our needles and kicked the intern out of the room. I mean she literally kicked him out of the room! We can’t get near her!” Gohan’s eyes bugged out at this, but Goten laughed.

“Good old Kaasan! She always hated to go to the doctor, eh Gohan?” Goten stopped laughing when he saw his brother’s face.

“You wouldn’t be laughing if you’d seen how she looked this morning! She was so sick, and now she is refusing care! This isn’t funny, Goten!” He said quietly. Everyone stared at Gohan; they’d never seen him so upset. He turned to the nurse, and saw Bulma coming down the hall.

“Bulma–san! Please, go tell Kaasan to let them do some tests! She’s being stubborn!” He called. Bulma agreed to try, and the nurse took her to Chi–Chi’s room…

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“Chi–Chi, why didn’t you tell me?” Vegeta asked, his voice tight. Chi–Chi wouldn’t look at him, but stared out the window, wanting to go home. She was fine now, and looked well enough. Vegeta had snuck into the room and demanded to know what was going on.

“I mean, are you sure?” He said only to have her glare at him angrily.

“Baka! I’ve taken a dozen pregnancy tests, and all of them are positive!” She snapped and then began to cry quietly. “What am I going to do?” Ever at a loss at the sight of tears, Vegeta could only stand silently as she tried to regain control.

“The real question is, what do you want me to do?” He finally asked her. She quieted and shook her head.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t ready to tell anyone, not until I thought of a good cover story. I won’t be the cause of the end of your relationship with Bulma. I’m sure she’d leave you if she found out. And I didn’t want the kids to freak out. I was going to tell them it was a one night stand.” She said, wiping away her tears. Vegeta frowned at that, since it was not really believable, not coming from Chi–Chi. He shook his head and cleared his throat.

“I, I don’t want you to do this, but, did you think of getting rid of it?” He asked. She stared at him, outraged.

“I would never have an abortion! This is my baby, you don’t need to have anything to do with it!” She snarled. Vegeta’s eyes blazed at this.

“That child, like my own, is an heir to Vegeta–sei! Of course I’ll be involved with it! And just how do you intend to hide its tail, or its Ki, lie about that too?” He said. She shook her head, but he continued.

“I wouldn’t allow myself to be involved with Trunks, and watched Bra grow up from a distance as well. This child will know that I’m its father, you understand? And I want you to know, I didn’t want you to kill it, but if you wanted to do that, I’d have helped you.” He sort of deflated and sighed. “Bulma almost had an abortion to get rid of Trunks, but we, I promised to stay with her and help her. I tried to do it, tried the best I could. I know, I’m a real bastard, but… I just don’t want you to hate me or keep me away from… from her.” He looked at her belly and then smiled.

“Her who?” Chi–Chi asked, puzzled.

“Her. Our daughter.” He said softly. Chi–Chi’s eyes widened and she placed her hand on her belly. He nodded and watched her sadly. “I’m know you feel bad about this Chi–Chi, and I know we are going to go through hell for this, but, I know that when she is born it will seem worth it.” He seemed so different, so strange. Chi–Chi had never even imagined that he’d be happy about this, or want anything to do with the baby, yet he seemed pleased. It made the dark and frightening future a little brighter, at least for a few moments…

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“Chi–Chi? Hey… oh, Vegeta?” Bulma said as she came into the room. She was startled to see Vegeta of all people here with Chi–Chi, but ignored him. No one moved or spoke, so Bulma started chattering away about how she hated hospitals, and if Chi–Chi would just get the tests done she could go home…

“I’m just pregnant, Bulma. I’m fine.” Chi–Chi said, her voice monotone. She knew Vegeta was right; she couldn’t lie about it. She had to get this over with someday, so she was going to come clean with it right now. Bulma however was stunned, her mouth moving with no sound coming out. Finally Vegeta elbowed her gently, and she gasped.

“Pregnant? How? Did… Did Goku use his 24hrs?\" Chi–Chi shook her head no. Bulma realized that Chi–Chi hadn’t looked up or met her eyes; something was wrong here, very wrong. She felt her stomach sinking as she watched her mate and her friend staring at each other. Chi–Chi cleared her throat.

“He used his only twenty–four hours at the last Tenka’ichi Budokai, remember? He doesn’t get another day.” She said, her voice still low. Vegeta’s eyes flicked to Bulma. She stared at him, her heart lurching in her chest. Bulma’s intuition was screaming at her, screaming something too terrible to be true. She felt cold as Chi–Chi spoke once more.

“I had an affair… He never meant to hurt his wife, but it still happened…”

“No. No, its not true… not… you didn’t, not with Vegeta! Not with my husband, Chi–Chi!” She said her voice rising. “You didn’t; say this is a bad joke!” She screamed. Her voice brought the others in from the waiting room, and they huddled in the hall as Vegeta stood with his back turned to the women, while Chi–Chi slowly hid her face in her hands and began to cry. Bulma was shaking with fury, teeth clenched as she looked back and forth between them.

“What’s going on?” Gohan asked. The trio was silent, until Bulma whirled on Vegeta and slapped him. She began to hit him over and over, screaming at him about what a bastard he was. They gaped at her in amazement, as Vegeta stood unmoved by her anger; Trunks finally pushed into the room and grabbed his mother.

“Mother! What are you doing?” He yelled. Without missing a beat she pointed at Chi–Chi and snarled.

“Your father has been fucking Chi–Chi! And now she’s pregnant! ” She screamed, eyes blazing. Videl nearly swooned, Pan gasped and Goten pushed into the room to kneel by Chi–Chi’s bed.

“Kaasan, what is Bulma-san saying? Why would she say that?” He whispered. She shook her head and choked something that only he could hear. Gohan came closer and stared at his brother as Goten’s face went white. He looked up at Gohan and just stared at him. Gohan stiffened and turned to Vegeta. Videl moaned and covered her face with her hands.

“I knew it! But I never thought it was Vegeta! ” She cried. Trunks was holding Bulma, his eyes cold.

“You betrayed my Kaasan with Goku’s wife? How could you? Is this some sick kind of revenge on him? He’s dead; why can’t you let this stupid rivalry go?” Trunks whispered. Vegeta snarled at his son when he heard this.

“I didn’t even think it that way! It was nothing like that!” He said tightly. He calmed himself with effort and continued. “I can’t say why we did this. It was actually over a while ago, and I never intended to leave Bulma. Chi–Chi knew this wasn’t going to last forever. Of course we never expected this child to come along either; how could we?” He said smoothly.

“Its over alright. My father is dead too, I never want to see you again!” Trunks said, his voice low. Bra was staring at them, eyes wide, tears sliding down her cheeks. Goten jumped up and went to his friend.

“Trunks come on! They made a mistake! They are being honest about it, the least we can do is forgive them.” He whispered harshly, but Trunks didn’t seem to hear him.

“I don’t even know how this is possible, Tousan and Chi–Chi having a baby,” Trunks clenched his teeth as if he was feeling nauseous. Chi–Chi stood and slowly came over to Trunks and touched his arm. He flinched and jerked away, making her wince.

“I know, you’d think I’m too old to get pregnant. I thought so too, but I was wrong. Still, I’m having this child, Vegeta’s child, even if no one helps me.” Chi–Chi said proudly. She stood straight, looking not at her own sons, but at Vegeta’s son. Trunks was torn by this news, she could see that. He didn’t want to be the jerk here, and he could see everyone was feeling sorry or even happy for Chi–Chi, with two notable exceptions…

“Trunks, please, don’t hate Vegeta. It was half my fault, you know. But there is no going back.” She sighed and sat down, feeling tired and ill. Trunks visibly weighed her words and began to give in to his better nature, to Goten’s relief. Trunks didn’t really have a hateful bone in his body and hating Chi–Chi or even his father was just not in him.

“I can’t believe this. How could you?” Gohan suddenly whispered in the uneasy silence. Chi–Chi’s head snapped up and she looked at him in surprise. He was glaring at her almost as if he hated her.

“I can’t understand this! Tousan doesn’t deserve this; he never hurt you! He loved you as best he could!” Gohan yelled. Chi–Chi felt a wave of emotions hit her, so many tumbled together that she couldn’t even name them. However, her famous temper came to the forefront.

“How dare you? What do you know of how Goku and I felt for each other? Love me? Your father never loved me, not like you love Videl, or even like Vegeta loves Bulma! He used every opportunity he could get to leave me! Rejecting Dragon–wishes to restore his life, running off to train little Uubu, going on the Grand Tour; anything, anything to get away from his wife… And I waited for him, faithful every day of his life! I always loved him, and I never stopped loving him. But just once I wanted something for me, for Chi–Chi. And this baby is mine too, and if you want to hate me, then go ahead, but don’t act like your father was so perfect! He was not perfect, not even close. Just once, just once, would it have hurt for him to say that he needed me? To say he loved me without any prompting? To stay home and be a husband to me, and a father to his sons?” She yelled. Gohan didn’t flinch, didn’t even seem to listen as she vented her hurt and anger. He turned away from his mother and looked at Vegeta, eyes full of undisguised contempt.

“And you, I still cannot believe you hated him that much, to do such a thing!” Vegeta didn’t even see the fist Gohan slammed into his jaw. The wall gave way from the impact of his body and they tumbled into the street below.

‘You must be losing your touch, missing that one coming!’ The Prince chided himself as he fended off an angry Gohan.

“Gohan! Don’t do this!” Chi–Chi cried and leapt out the hole in the wall without a second thought, with the others on her heels. To her surprise, Vegeta was only blocking Gohans blows, and not returning them. The younger man was enraged, and almost ready to go Super Saiyan in his confusion and fury. Chi–Chi had turned her ankle when she landed, but was determined to reach her son before Vegeta lost his temper and hit back. She limped after them as they moved down the street.

“Kaasan! Stop, they’ll kill you!” Goten yelled and flew down to catch her. Chi–Chi’s old fighting instincts were serving her well lately; she ducked and kept running when Goten missed her. She had to reach them before Goten got her!

“Trunks! Help me!” Bulma screeched. Trunks paused as he was leaping out the window, and turned to her.

“Mother?”

“Please, get me down there! I don’t want them to kill each other over this!” She said tightly. She was still very angry, but she did still love her mate, no matter how wrong he had been. Trunks nodded and picked her up before flying out the hole his father‘s body had made…

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“I never really liked you, you bastard! I only endured you because my father told me to be kind to you!” Gohan said as he swung at Vegeta’s belly. The Prince deflected the blow and blocked a kick as well. He couldn’t find it in him to really fight back; Gohan was understandably hurt by what he’d found out. It wasn’t the younger man’s fault after all. Vegeta suddenly blurred out and reappeared behind Gohan, catching him in a full nelson.

“Listen Kid. I didn’t rape your mother, and we didn’t mean to hurt anyone. This child may be an accident, but your mother wants it very badly. Killing me, as if you could, would mean killing your sister’s father. I know your own dumb–ass father would never have done this, and you always try to be like him. So, be like that damn Kakarrot, and trgivegivegive your mother, and maybe one day, you can forgive me too.” He said into the young mans ear. Gohan slowly stopped struggling, listening to the startlingly eloquent words.

Vegeta was right; Goku would never have done this… he’d be angry, yet understanding and forgiving too.

“Hai, I understand, Vegeta. But, I still hate you, and nothing will change that.” He said coldly. They heard panting and saw Chi–Chi running up to them.

“Go–Gohan! Please… let… let him go… Vegeta!e pae panted. The Prince released him, and they both waited quietly as she leaned against a wall. The men dropped to the ground; Gohan approached his mother and lifted her chin.

“Mother… I don’t understand this at all. I knew you were lonely, and Tousan has been dead for a while, and gone for a long time before that, but Vegeta? Of all the men in the world, Vegeta?” He said, face hard. Chi–Chi gulped for air, holding her side. She searched for some way to explain it, but couldn’t.

“I wish it hadn’t happened, but since it did, I have to live with this. I can’t tell you why I did it, I just did. Part of it is that I felt so… young again, so pretty. He paid attention to me in a way your father never did. And, I just couldn’t help myself, honestly. But now its over, and I have to get ready to have this baby! I need your help. Gohan, I can’t do this alone…” She said. Gohan stepped backwards, and shook his head.

“I’m not sure I can do that yet, Kaasan. I need some time.” He said, eyes cold. Chi–Chi couldn’t believe this was her sweet little Gohan. She swallowed heavily, feeling the barrier between them, and wondering if she could ever break through it again. She felt tears rising again, tears she didn’t have the energy stop. Vegeta came around Gohan and looked at her.

“You shouldn’t run anymore, not like that; you could have fallen. I wouldn’t have killed your son, Josei.”

“Don’t call her that!” Gohan suddenly yelled, recognizing the name for an endearment, however small its inference. He stepped between them, glaring at the Prince. Vegeta raised an eyebrow at him and turned back to Chi–Chi.

“That is my child too, and another Saiyan, a Princess of Vegeta-sei. Don’t let her or yourself be harmed, understand?” She glared at him, but nodded. She didn’t like the tone he’d taken, but the advice was sound.

“Vegeta!” Bulma yelled. He actually winced, but turned to look at her as Trunks set her down close by. She slowly came closer, but stopped by Gohan, as if shielding herself from any further harm he might inflict on her. She looked at the Prince calmly; they watched each other for a moment, the tension between them palpable.

“Um, Bulma–san, would you like us to e yoe you alone?” Gohan said; this was rather silly to say, since they were in the street, with people watching curiously. Bulma shook her head.

“No. Vegeta, I think I want you to stay away for a while. I need some time to cope with this. I don’t want to end our relationship, but… I just need time…” She said, and finally began to cry. Trunks stood behind her and stared at his father just as coldly as Gohan was staring at his mother.

“I agree, we all need some time…”

“Chi–Chi has very little time, you two. Get over your ‘need to forgive’ as soon as possible!” Vegeta snapped angrily, and took off flying. Gohan frowned heavily and caught Trunks eye. They nodded and picked up their respective mothers to get back to the hospital.

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Chi–Chi gave in to an exam, and was told she was indeed pregnant. She was in excellent health, but her doctor was still concerned about her age. She was going to be fifty when the child was born after all, rather late for most women. Still he thought she would be fine, if she took it easy. She wasn’t surprised by the news; she demanded to be released immediately. Bulma wanted Bra to come home with her, so Goten flew Chi–Chi home.

Once there, she made lunch for her hungry son and then went out to the garden. She clasped her hands together and sank to her knees. Sobs began to rip through her, and she begged the powers that besee see her Goku for just a moment. She knelt for a long time, but he didn’t appear. She wasn’t sure if he was angry with her, or just unreachable wherever he was. Whichever it was, she hoped he would forgive her, since she felt like no one else ever would.

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Four months later, Chi–Chi was weak and tired, but still managed to hide her exhaustion from her concerned family. At least the ones who were concerned; Gohan still wouldn’t come over to see her, though he did call at least once a week. However, Pan had left home to stay with her grandmother, and this probably wasn’t helping the healing process for them. Videl came often to see her daughter and to bring things for Chi–Chi and the baby. Chi–Chi was grateful yet distant, not wanting pity from anyone, especially her daughter–in–law.

Bulma had found out about Trunks and Pan, and had nearly kicked her son out of the house; however, she was now used to the idea and welcomed Pan with the same warmth as before. In light of her temper about Trunks’ choice in lovers, Bra and Goten met only at Chi–Chi’s house, fearful of discovery. Chi–Chi had no problem with the young people being there, and they tried to not be a burden to her. No one had bothered to tell Gohan about his daughter’s love life, which was probably a blessing.

Still Chi–Chi was depressed, and there was no way to deny it. Even Trunks, who’d been furious with her, was worried. He didn’t want anything to happen to her, or his new sister. But Chi–Chi kept saying she was fine, and told the doctors nothing about how she really felt, physically or mentally. Misinformed, they did nothing for her; she was getting worse and worse as each day passed…

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One day she sat in the garden, hand on her belly. She was not surprised at how small the swelling was at six months; as a Saiyan child, it was only half way to delivery. She had almost six more months to go. She frowned as she realized for the first time that she might die and leave her child an orphan. Her heart skipped at the thought; what could she do for this baby to be sure it was cared for, loved by someone? She knew Goten and Pan were supportive, but Pan was too young to be burdened with a child now; besides, this would mean she was raising her own aunt! And Goten was not really… ready, either. Gohan seemed unable to forgive his mother for her transgression, and there was really no one else she could think of to help.

Then a thought so absurd came to mind, that she almost laughed. She hadn’t laughed in months, not since that day. She stood and went to go into the house. So quiet that Goten didn’t notice her, she went to the phone in the bedroom.

“Mushi–mushi…”

“Hello.”

“What do you want?”

“I need to talk to you, about everything. It’s been long enough, I think. Will you meet me, say at the old Café?”

There was a long pause, and then a sigh.

“I guess you’re right. Sure, say in an hour?”

“Yes, see you there, and thank you.”

“I d hat hate you, you know.”

“I’m glad. I don’t hate you either.” Chi–Chi set the phone down and got dressed in a loose tent dress to hide her tummy. She didn’t want to attract attention; a fifty year old pregnant woman was a little unusual to most eyes. She snuck out and capsulized the air car, then walked until she thought Goten wouldn’t hear her take off, and set out for town.