Oh gosh, I’m sorry I took so long to get this published.  I’ve been working on it for a while, really since I published the 2nd chapter, but I’ve been VERY busy with my school play.  I’ve had practices 4 or 5 days a week, from 6-8:00 at night, and then there’s always homework…  Anyway, I’ll do my best to get the next chapter up sooner than this one.  ^_^;  So, here ya go!  Please review…

 

            Videl smirked, adding sarcastically, “Sure.  But you better be ready, Gohan’s a strong one…”

           

And with that, it hit him.  Mr. Satan looked at Gohan, seeing the familiar sheepish grin, that black spiky hair, the innocent eyes… that’s when he realized who he was.  His eyes seemed to bug out of his head as he stepped back a bit, trying to think of a good excuse to get out, and fast, without the fight.  “Y-you’re…” he gasped, almost giving away that he was scared, and that he remembered Gohan and his friends from the Cell Games.  “You’re sure you wanna go through with this fight?” he said, saving himself narrowly.  “Because… I, uh… I can tell you’re a good guy, and Videl really seems to like you, so.. uhm… well, I wouldn’t wanna be beating you up or anything and making my little Videl upset, so, um… you two have my permission to date or whatever,” he finished, saying the last part of the little speech very reluctantly before dashing out of the room and to his gym as fast as he could.

 

(A/N: Sorry.. I know we could all stand to see Gohan beat up some Satan butt, lol.. but I’m no good at writing fights.. even if it probably wouldn’t be much of a fight.  =Þ  Maybe in a later chapter.  ^_^;)

           

The two teenagers blinked, staring at where Mr. Satan had been in shock.  Gohan smiled slightly, and Videl returned the smile as their eyes met.  “Well,” he laughed, “That was… uh… a little easier than I thought it would be…”

           

“Yeah, way easier.  Funny, he almost seemed scared of you…” she said, confused.  “You think he figured out who you were?”

 

“Uhhm… maybe?” he sighed, shaking his head.  “If so, he knows a lot more about me than I’d like him to.”

 

Videl looked at him with growing curiosity, “Really?  Gohan… be honest, is there anything you haven’t told me?  I’d like to know…”

 

“Well, uh.. no?” he said, as usual not doing a good job at all of covering up the lie.

 

She smirked, “Gohan.  Could you be any worse at lying?  C’mon, just tell me?  It’s not like you’re some kinda alien or anything, I’m sure it’s nothing I’m not used to.”

 

Gohan smiled weakly, “Heh-heh.. you’d be surprised..”

 

“Oh…?  Now you’ve got me wondering,” Videl grinned, sitting next to him.

 

So he reluctantly told her everything he knew about Saiyans, and of all the battles he’d fought in.  She smiled, looking at him with admiration.  “Wow… Well, there’s way more to you than I’d ever thought possible in a person.  You never cease to surprise me, Son Gohan.”

 

He laughed, “Thanks..” looking at the floor in slight embarrassment.  He still couldn’t believe that Videl, the girl who seemed so tough and unapproachable at first, yet he had somehow fallen for, also liked him.  Something almost made it uncomfortable, but he was sure it would improve quickly.

 

“Well,” Gohan sighed, “I guess it’s getting kinda late… maybe I should be going home before my mom starts teasing me about being here so long…”

 

Videl nodded slightly, “Yeah, you’re probably right…  I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”

 

“Yep!” he nodded, starting for the door, but was soon interrupted by Videl.

 

She blushed lightly, though it was hardly perceptible in the dim lighting, as she walked slowly over to him.  “I’m glad you could come…” she said quietly, “I still can’t believe I ever… fell for you,” she teased, “But I’m pretty glad that I did…”

 

Gohan smiled, taken aback a bit at the whole situation, and was even more shocked as Videl wrapped her arms around him in an appreciative hug goodnight.  “I-I’m… glad too,” he stuttered, returning the hug.  “Goodnight, Videl…”

 

“G’night,” she grinned, not believing she had just hugged Gohan, but not feeling regretful about it at all.

 

About two weeks had passed since, in Videl’s terms, Gohan and she had been ‘going out,’ and it was becoming harder and harder to hide it from their family and classmates.

 

Gohan sighed, sitting down at the lunch table.  “Finally!  I’m starving… they should really change the senior lunch on the schedule, this is way too late,” he whined.

 

Videl elbowed him, “Aw, Gohan… you know they’re not gonna change the lunch just for a hungry Saiyan.  Plus, when aren’t you hungry?”  Gohan just blushed, not admitting that she was right.

 

Sharpener and Erasa exchanged glances, then immediately burst out laughing, practically falling off their seats at the lunch table.

 

Gohan blinked, confused. “Um… did I miss something?”

 

Videl looked at Erasa questioningly, “What’s so funny?”

 

Erasa managed to stutter between giggles, “I-it’s… you… guys!  Could…. you be…. any MORE obvious?”

 

“Obvious about what?” Videl asked, still confused.

 

“About being together, duh!” Erasa laughed.

 

Gohan blushed, “T-together…?  As in… going out?  What would make you think that?”

 

Sharpener smirked, saying dryly, “Oh… I wonder… well, how you seem more and more comfortable around each other lately, the way you seem practically attached at the hip and never leave each other’s side, and, of course, how you’re always together outside of school… I practically never spend any time around either of you anymore because you’re always busy!”

 

“Plus,” Erasa giggled, “You can’t deny that one time I caught you writing ‘Videl’ all over your notes for class, Gohan… And Videl… I know I’ve caught you staring at Gohan during class more than once…”

 

Videl stood up quickly, glaring at Erasa.  “You have NOT!  And that doesn’t mean anything!  We’re just friends!  Now would you stop being so… YOU, and stay out of other people’s business for a change?!”  She stormed off to another table, dragging a very startled Gohan behind her.

 

Gohan looked at her, now more confused than ever.  “If you don’t mind me asking…” he said timidly, “What… was that all about?”

 

Videl sighed, finally starting to eat her lunch.  “Erasa’s the biggest mouth in the school,” she said dryly, shaking her head.  “If we’re gonna prevent anyone from knowing about us going out, it’s her.  It’s not that I’m embarrassed about being with you, Gohan.. it’s not that at all.  But you know how things are with my dad… if the press found out that I had a boyfriend, they’d be all over us!  I’m doing this for our sake.. I hope you don’t mind..”

 

He nodded slightly, “I understand… and no, I don’t mind at all.  I agree, let’s just keep it quiet for now..”

 

“Thanks,” Videl smiled gratefully, “Now… how much of a jerk was I to Erasa, anyway?”

 

Gohan nearly choked on his food, “Uh…” he coughed, “Not at all.  I’m sure she’s fine.. heh…”

 

When the day finally ended, Videl once again followed Gohan out of the school.  “So,” she smiled, catching up to him, “What are you doing after school?”

 

He shrugged, “Nothing that I know of… you?”

 

Adjusting the strap on her backpack, Videl hovered above the ground a little bit when she was sure she was out of sight of the other students.  “Same…”

 

“Cool… you wanna come over?  I’m sure my mom wouldn’t care,” Gohan smiled.

 

So the two flew to Gohan’s house, attempting to sneak in the house without Chi Chi noticing Videl. 

 

“Shhh…” Gohan whispered, “If we go in through the back door, I don’t think she’ll see you… I just want to avoid all the teasing, you know what I mean?”

 

Videl nodded, following Gohan in through the door.

 

An ecstatic Chi Chi nearly knocked the couple over, beaming with happiness.  “GOHAN!  You brought your girlfriend!  Why is it that you were sneaking through the back?  Didn’t want me to see you?  Oh… I wasn’t trying to interrupt any plans for going into your b---“

 

Gohan cupped his hand over his mother’s mouth, “No!  Nothing like that,” he laughed nervously, glancing at Videl’s look of anticipation, as if she was trying to remind him to say something… “Oh,” he added, “And she’s NOT my girlfriend!”

 

“Oh,” Chi Chi smirked, “How could I be so foolish?  I knew that.  Of course she’s not your girlfriend,” she said sarcastically.  “Now why don’t you two go upstairs and do your homework?  I don’t want your schoolwork being neglected just because of your.. friends.”

 

Gohan sighed, pretty much giving up.  “There’s one setback.. my mom’s always going to be convinced that we’re dating.. she’s been like that since long before we actually were,” he mumbled as they started up the stairs.  “I don’t think it should be a problem.”

 

“True,” Videl smiled slightly, “You’re right about that…”  She took out her backpack, looking at her small pile of books, then noticing that Gohan seemed to have brought all of his home.  “What did you do, bring your locker with you or something?”

 

He laughed, “Yeah, pretty much.. my mom’s always insisting that I study everything, every night, even though I learned all this stuff when I was five.”

 

So, the two started on their homework and.. studying.  Gohan soon finished, and Videl completed her work not long after.  She sighed, brushing a stray bang away from her face after putting all her books away.  “That was torture… I hate homework.”

 

Gohan nodded, “Tell me about it…”

 

After a few moments of silence, their eyes met.  Gohan looked away quickly, still not used to looking at her as a girlfriend, not just a friend.

 

Videl frowned, “Would you stop doing that?” she asked, sitting closer to him.

 

“Stop what?” he inquired, looking up from the floor.

 

She shook her head, not knowing how to say it.  “Just do me a favor,” she said, resting a small hand on his chin and turning his face so his eyes once again were looking into hers, “And look at me.  Is that too much to ask?”

 

“N…no…” Gohan stammered, her fiery blue eyes piercing his, “It’s just that..”

 

“What?” she leaned forward, wanting to test him.  She knew she made him nervous, and enjoyed playing with that fact.

 

“Nevermind,” he said quietly, beginning to look away again but stopping immediately as he felt her lips on his.  His eyes widened, and his face immediately turned bright red as he looked down, realizing Videl had actually kissed him.

 

Videl stifled a laugh, knowing he reacted just as she had thought he would.  She wrapped her arms around his neck, and just as Gohan was starting to come to his senses, his bedroom door swung open.

 

“Gohan, Videl, di— OH, MY DENDE!” Chi Chi yelled, startling both teenagers as they practically hurdled away from each other.  “I knew it!  You ARE going out!  I told you, I could tell.  It’s sooooo obvious.. and now look!  I’m almost wishing I hadn’t come up here yet… oh, this world can be so cruel.. I’m sorry you two!  Anyway.. it’s dinner time… but you can come up to work on your, uh… homework later,” she winked, leaving the room to serve Goten and Goku their dinner.

 

The couple exchanged embarrassed glances, as they both stood up to start downstairs.  Videl smiled weakly, “She doesn’t overreact too much, does she?”

 

“Nope..” Gohan laughed, “Not at all..”

 

Before he could reach the door, Videl stopped him again. “I’m sorry to embarrass you like that.. I admit, that one was my fault.”

 

“It’s okay…” Gohan said quietly, blushing again.

 

“Oh, so you didn’t mind, then?  Hah.. I’ll remember that,” Videl said cheerfully as they headed downstairs to eat.

 

A/N: Hehe, that’s it for this chappy!  Hope you liked!  Once again, I apologize that it’s out so late…  I’ll honestly try and get the next one out sooner.  And, I’ll try and think of a more.. well... interesting plot!  Sound good?  I hope so… ^^;  If you have any suggestions, just review…  I like constructive criticism, it really helps me improve my writing… Especially when it comes in the form of reviews… I loooooooove reviews.. (hint, hint ^~)

 

Anyways, before you go off to review… (::cough::hint again::cough:: eh-heh.. sorry.. but I like reviews!  Who doesn’t?)  I’d like to take this chance to advertise a little!  First of all, my bestest online buddy, Christa.  Her pen name is kewis, and she’s an awesome writer!  If you like G/V, I know you’ll love her stories, ‘cause so far they’re only G/V.  ^-^  And secondly, B-chan!  Belinda’s another good online friend of mine, and she’s also a great writer!  Her pen name is Zenyu… I recommend Sleepless Nights, it’s my favorite fic of hers.  ^^  And, last but not least…  Christa’s and my Gohan and Videl site!  Once again, the URL is https://www.angelfire.com/anime4/gvparadise/splash.html, and we’ve even (*gasp*) updated!  We’ve got a new layout, and we’re continuing to add new subpages, so I think it’s definitely worth a visit…  Now, off with you!  Shoo!  Go review, or read another fic, or.. something!  =D