Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ A New Start Book One ❯ Book One ( Chapter 1 )

Pairing: Gohan/Bra (no jailbait stuff, she's "grown up")

Time frame: A/U---5-6 yrs after the end of GT

Disclaimer: Characters not mine, and the songs mentioned belong to their composers and performers Puddle of Mud and Backstreet Boys respectively

Rating: NC-17 A bit of bad language, violence and major Lemon

A New Start: Book One

by

Barbara Sheridan

June 3

I can't believe I found this old journal, today of all days. The last entry was written four years ago today-it was the day that changed the course of my life and I hope I've finally reached the end, gotten to the place I always wanted to be.

The one true love of my life is coming home soon after two years away and I pray to Kami that he'll finally see me as the woman I've become and not the child I was. It's because of him that I've become who I am and I'll always love him for opening my eyes even if the unthinkable happens and he turns me away....

B-Chan! Come here!"

Bra was thankful for the sound of her mother's voice even if she did call her that annoying childish nickname. She was going to be eighteen in two days, she wasn't a chibi anymore.

"What is it mom?" she said going to the top of the stairs.

"I just got a call from Gohan."

Bra's heart leapt into her throat. Please Kami don't let him have changed his mind. He has to come home! "Yeah?" she forced the reply out. She noticed her mother's questioning look at the choked sound of her voice and coughed to cover it up.

"You're coming down with something aren't you? I told you not to go out without a coat last night."

"I'm fine mom. What, what did Mr. Son say?"

Bulma's face glowed with happiness and Bra felt the cold fear clenching her stomach ease. "Gohan and Pan have been bumped to an earlier flight. They're coming home this afternoon."

Bra's spirit soared.. Thank You Kami, thank You! Thank You! Thank You! "That's great. I can't wait to see-Pan-- again. It's been so long."

"I know. And Gohan sounded like his old self," Bulma said happily. "When he lost Videl I was so worried that he'd never smile again."

"I know," Bra answered softly. She remembered the day, how shocked they all were. She wanted so much to take away Gohan's pain that it tore her in two. She even thought of gathering the Dragonballs to wish that she had died so Videl could come back, but then she remembered that a natural death couldn't be reversed.

She pushed the old memories away and drew the future hopes closer around herself. "Oh, but Goku-san and Daddy are still at the European tournament with the boys."

"Until tomorrow anyway," Bulma said. "I'm going to pick Gohan and Pan up at the airport. They can stay here tonight. Do you want to come to the airport with me or do you have to work?"

Bra beamed a smile. "Professor Shu took his leave of absence yesterday. I'm free to make my own schedule until the Fall term."

"Let's go then. We can hit the mall first for new outfits. I'm going to throw the best party..."

****

As the plane touched down at the airport, Bra's mouth turned drier than the sandy beach where she loved to meditate. Her heart was beating so fast she felt certain it would rip through the front of her sweater. He was coming home. He was really coming home!

"Oh my," Bulma sighed. "Pan looks exactly like Videl at that age."

Bra nodded, having seen old high school pictures of her friend's mother.

"And what have we here?" Bulma asked as Gohan emerged from the plane by the side of a beautiful blonde woman, carrying a child.

Bra gripped the straps of her purse and willed her knees not to let her collapse. He remarried, had a baby? How could he? Her life was over. Totally over. She felt an immense black hole begin to open beneath her feet.

"Bulma!"

The sound of his happy, glorious voice was like a knife plunging straight into Bra's heart. She forced herself to focus, hoping that her expression did not betray her agony.

What was this? The blonde and baby were going, rushing towards a man in a military uniform. He hugged them, kissed them and escorted them away.

"B-chan!"

Bra was almost knocked over by the force of Pan's hug.

"You're so different in person than the pictures you e-mailed! You look great!"

"So do you," she said, hugging her old friend, trying to pick up on the conversation of her mother and Pan's father.

"So, I take it you haven't gone Don Juan and won over the heart of that blonde bombshell?"

Gohan's cheeks reddened in a way that made butterflies flitter in Bra's stomach. He rubbed the back of his head in that cute, nervous the way his father and younger brother did.

"No chance of that, Bulma. She sat next to us on the flight from New York. Flying is not her favorite thing, especially across oceans. She asked if she could talk to me to get her mind off the flight. I think I her know her life story better than my own." He paused, and grinned a sexy grin that sent a flame through Bra. The heat turned to a delicious chill when he looked her way, his dark eyes skimming her from head to toe..

"B-chan is that really you?"

"It's really me." She smiled and ordered her pounding heart to slow down. "How are you Mr. Son?"

"Glad to be home." He placed his arm around his daughter's shoulder. "Right, kiddo?"

"Right."

Bulma hugged and kissed them both on the cheek and Bra found herself wondering what it would be like to kiss, really kiss Gohan.

It would be like a dream come true! her heart cried out.

"I know," she mumbled.

"You know what, honey?" Bulma asked.

Bra felt her cheeks flush. "I-I know Goku-san will be very happy to have you both back."

"I hope so, especially since we need to stay at his place," Gohan answered as they made their way to the baggage claim area.

"You're welcome to stay with us for as long as you like," Bulma said. "We have more than enough room and I'm sure the girls have a lot of catching up to do."

"I wouldn't want to impose."

Bra smiled as her mother landed a playful punch on Gohan's well muscled arm. "If you don't stay with us, at least a little while, I'll harass you until you do."

****

To Bra's disappointment Gohan decided to keep to himself after they returned to the house in the Capsule Corp. compound.

"I can bring a lunch tray to your room," Bra offered. He smiled a smile that made her insides feel like butter sliding across a slice of fresh, hot bread.

"Believe it or not, I'm more tired than hungry. I'm getting too old for those late night flights."

Bra laughed. "You aren't old at all. You look like a college student and not a professor." Gohan winked and she wanted very much to swoon like the Victorian ladies in the old movie she watched recently.

"Tell that to my aching back."

I'd be happy to massage it for you....

Gohan lightly touched Bra's arm and she swallowed hard to contain the thrill that shot through her. She hoped he didn't notice.

"I know Pan wants to see some of her old friends. Would you help her get in touch with them?"

"Sure."

"Great. Thanks."

"Anytime."

He smiled. and headed towards the hall. When he reached the stairs he glanced back towards Bra who was staring off into space. She was only a year older than his own daughter and yet she seemed so different. As children they'd been inseparable and were like halves of the same coin, but now, something had changed about Bra but he couldn't put his finger on it.

****

Pan seemed more interested in hearing every detail of Trunks' past two years than in visiting their old school friends.

"There's not much to tell. He still lives here and spends most of his time being Mr. Capsule Corp. CEO. You can practically hear all the secretaries's hearts thud when he walks in the door, but I doubt that he's ever given them more than a passing glance. He isn't seeing anybody, but I'm sure Marron would change that in heartbeat if he'd pay her one minute of attention."

Pan hugged one of the ruffled pillows from Bra's bed to her chest and sighed. "He still hangs out with Uncle Goten doesn't he?"

"Every spare minute."

Pan grinned and Bra did likewise.

"I guess you and Uncle Goten are finally an item?"

Bra stared blankly. "Me and Goten?"

"Duh. You were madly in love with him forever. You still are, aren't you?"

She hadn't thought of Goten as anything other than a friend since she was fifteen.

"What happened? Don't you like him anymore?"

"Of course I like him, silly. He's like part of the family." Bra turned to look out her bedroom window. "I guess I grew up..."

Her voice trailed off as she caught sight of Gohan walking alone on the grounds and she ached to be beside him, hand in hand, or maybe his strong arm snugly around her waist. He was so handsome, so smart, so absolutely perfect. He stopped and gazed up at the sky, turning his head slowly in her direction.

She spun from the window, her heart begging her not to. "How's your dad been? Did he have a girlfriend in New York?"

Pan shook her head. "A friend of his from the university kept fixing him up with blind dates but they were just one time things. I guess he knows no one will ever compare to my mom."

Bra closed sank down to the window seat as an invisible knife plunged into her hopeful heart. "I guess I never thought of that," she mumbled.

"Huh?"

Bra shook her head and forced herself to smile. "I was just thinking of something else." She glanced out the window. Gohan was gone. "Did your dad get another teaching job yet?"

"He has an interview at the university this week I think."

"Orange Star U.?"

"I think so."

Bra's second smile was genuine as the hope filled her heart again.

****

At the party the next night Bra was standing near the overflowing buffet table with her father and Goku when Krillen and Gohan came over.

"Hey, Goku," Krillen said. "Who won the tournament? Master Roshi's tv blew out during the opening ceremonies."

Trunks and Goten never made it past the semis," he said, obviously not pleased.

Vegeta grumbled and glared at the younger Saiyans who were with Pan and Krillen's daughter, laughing and clowning near the entertainment center where Trunks was playing DJ. "What a disgraceful display from them."

With a frown, Goku agreed. Suddenly he smiled brightly. "Both Vegeta and I won."

Vegeta tensed, Bra winced and Gohan unknowingly aggravated the wound to her father's pride.

""How could you both win, Dad? Was it a tie?"

"Nope, no tie. I won the regular division--"

"Kakarot----"

"And Vegeta won the senior citizen division where they made him enter after checking his age on the entry form."

Goku, Krillen and Yamcha who had come over howled with laughter. Gohan made a valiant effort to contain his amusement to a grin and Bra grabbed her father's wrist and gave him an eggroll when he raised his hand to blast them.

He devoured the snack then grumbled again, crossing his arms across his chest. "I'm going to the training room."

"Be careful, Gramps," Yamcha called.

Vegeta spun around and Bra rushed to him, hugging him tightly. "I love you, Daddy."

He growled, offered her a fleeting smile then stalked away.

She gave the old family friends a scolding look. "You three know better than to tease him like that."

"We're sorry, B-chan," Goku said giving her a quick hug. Yamcha and Krillen did likewise then walked over to Piccolo and Master Roshi..

Gohan chuckled softly. "If you decide to blast them in Vegeta's absence let me get a running head start."

She laughed then looked towards her brother when a new song came on. It was one she listened to constantly since she'd first heard it.

I wonder what you're doing

I imagine where you are

there's oceans in between us

but that's not very far...

Trunks winked at her and she cringed inside wondering how long he'd known. If he told Goten--

Gohan tapped her on the shoulder. "B-chan?"

Her thoughts skidded to a halt.

He did tell Goten, who naturally told his brother.

Those two were history.

"Y-yes?" she said, almost afraid to face Gohan.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked softly. "Or not," he added as the song came to a halt and silence descended as Trunks searched madly through the stack of CDs at his side.

In a moment another song played and Gohan smiled, held out his hand. "Shall we try that again, Miss Brief?"

"I'd love to Mr. Son."

"Gohan, please."

Show me the meaning of being lonelySo many words for the broken heart

It's hard to see in a crimson love

So hard to breathe

Walk with me, and maybe

Nights of light so soon become

Wild and free I could feel the sun

She died and went to the Other World the instant he took her in his strong arms. He didn't hold her close, far from it, but it was enough.

For now.

They moved to the slow, sad song and Bra felt the happiness well up inside her. Unexpectedly, Gohan drew her closer, little by little as if he were afraid. The end of the song faded into another and they kept moving to the slow tune.

Slowly Gohan pulled her even closer. Their bodies touched. She felt the spike in his ki, felt hers do the same. He rested his cheek lightly against her head and she closed her eyes, letting the music and the heated sensations take her away.

She's a kid. She's your daughter's best friend, Gohan's mind reminded him.

She's a young woman. A beautiful, soft, young Saiyanwoman...his heart chimed in.

"It's warm in here," he said, reluctantly letting Bra go when the music stopped.

"It is," she agreed. "Do you want to get a drink?'

"I don't we can without a battle," Gohan joked, gesturing to the buffet table where everyone was clustered. The Saiyans were devouring everything in sight while the others nudged in between grabbing what they could.

Bra laughed. "My mom has a fridge in her lab, we can get something there."

Gohan ordered himself to stop gazing at Bra's legs as she perched on the edge of Bulma's large desk. He finished the can of orange soda in three swallows. "You've changed so much," he thought aloud.

"I hope it's a good change."

"Absolutely," Gohan answered, tossing the can into the recycle bin. "You're so much more mature than Pan. Maybe I'm not the father I thought I was."

"You're a great dad," Bra insisted. She looked down into her can of cola. "In fact you're the reason I stopped being Miss Air Head."

"You were never an air head."

Bra looked up and met Gohan's gaze. He grinned and she thought she caught the hint of a flush to his cheeks.

"Well maybe you were, a demi-air head at times."

Bra smiled and sipped her soda, the memories filling her mind."I think I started growing up that one time when mom and dad went out of town and I stayed at your house and tagged along while you and Pan trained." She felt like a babbling idiot and stopped, peering down at the top of the silvery can.

"I remember," Gohan said quietly.

"You've got Saiyan blood in your veins, girl, and royal blood at that. I'm sure he'd never say it to you, but you dishonor Vegeta by ignoring your heritage...."

"I came on a bit strong."

Bra stood. "Don't apologize. I should thank you." She stepped forward and looked up into his gorgeous, questioning eyes. "You were absolutely right. I think a part of Daddy was disappointed in me. I don't think he even realized it until I went to him when you and Pan moved to New York and I asked him to continue the training I started with you."

She smiled, remembering the day. "He told me that I wasn't the type, that I was too old, that I had too much of my mother in me for him to even bother. I acted like a baby and whined that you trained Pan why wouldn't he teach me? He turned around and hit me with his open hand and sent me flying across the training room."

Gohan winced. "Were you hurt?"

"A little and I wanted to cry but I knew that would only prove his point that I was just some little weakling ningen at heart. The way he stood there with that smirk of his made me mad so without really thinking I hit him between the legs with an energy blast.

Gohan winced again. "And?"

Bra chuckled. "When Daddy caught his breath he said I had bigger balls than Trunks and that if I could prove I was truly dedicated that he'd think about it. I badgered Trunks and Goten to help me without telling anyone and when I thought I was 'worthy' I challenged Daddy to spar with me."

Gohan smiled and rubbed the back of his head. "I see you lived to tell the tale."

Bra blushed. "He held back and kept smirking at me until I showed him I could go Super Saiyan. That caught him off guard just long enough..."

Gohan felt a spike in his energy at the thought. "Do you and Vegeta still train?"

"Every morning." She finished her soda then tossed the can and turned towards the door. Suddenly, the spacious lab felt too confining. Gohan held the door open for her and as she passed him she inhaled his scent. It took all the self control she could muster not to throw herself into his arms. Maybe she could get Trunks to play some more slow songs when they got back to the party.

"How are things with your schoolwork?" Gohan asked, telling himself again that she was a kid, his daughter's best friend. Bra stopped walking and turned towards him. The soft light coming from Vegeta's training capsule bathed her in a warm glow that accentuated the maturity and poise that had been intriguing him since he'd seen her at the airport.

"Once Daddy started training with me I got so wrapped up that I hated wasting time in school so mom let me get into an accelerated program on the weekends at the university. I got an Associate's Degree the end of last term and have been working as a research assistant to Professor Shu in the history department."

Gohan simply stared, as his mind processed it all. This girl was incredible, so different than the kid he remembered, so unlike any woman he'd ever known. "Wow," he found himself saying.

Wow? Ugh, can you sound any more ridiculous? I can see the sign on the office door now-- Son Gohan, Professor of Doofus-ology.

"Is something the matter?" Bra asked.

Gohan cleared his throat and shifted his gaze. The girl's eyes went right through him. He started walking back to the house. "There's nothing wrong at all. Bulma and Vegeta must be very proud of you."

"I think so. I hope so." She stopped again, touched his arm, peered up at him with those beautiful blue eyes. "I owe it all to you. I accomplished things I wouldn't even have thought of if it hadn't been for you and what you said that day."

Gohan smiled down at her. He told himself to stop letting his mind wander where it had no business going. She was a kid, just another student thankful for what little inspiration and guidance he offered. That's all it was. That was all.

Wanna bet a few thousand zeni on that? That's not the look of a grateful student. That's the look of a woman who wants to kiss you as much as you want to kiss her.

Time stood still when Gohan's hands reached out and took hold of hers. He pulled her closer with agonizing slowness, trailed his strong fingers up her bare arms and gently cupped her face in his hands. His lips brushed hers lightly at first as if he was as nervous as she and Bra felt a fire ignite deep inside of her. It was almost like the feeling when she turned Super Saiyan.

Gohan felt Vegeta's ki, felt the rumbling growl of the Saiyan Prince before the sound reached his ears. He pulled away from Bra long before he was ready. "I'm sorry. Forgive me," he muttered striding back towards the house.

Bra spun around, zipping to her father's side to grab his upraised hand. "Don't you dare hurt him. He didn't do anything. I'm eighteen. I'm not a little girl anymore, Daddy."

Vegeta clamped a protective arm around his daughter's shoulder. "You're my little girl." He indicated the training capsule with a nod of his head. "Come here. I want to show you something."

Bra watched Gohan disappear inside the house then grudgingly followed her father.

Gohan stood on the tiny balcony outside his room. The party had broken up a few minutes earlier. Pan went with his father and Goten but he'd decided to remain behind, mumbling something about his interview at the university and not wanting to be late. It wasn't for three days. He had more than enough time to prepare and get to it on time, but he couldn't. He didn't want to go all the way to Mt. Pazou, not yet anyway.

From the corner of his eye he saw Vegeta and Bra returning to the house. Not surprisingly, Vegeta had Bra close to his side, his arm draped around her shoulder. She broke away to give Pan, his father and Goten a goodbye hug, and he remembered the feel of her body against his when they danced, the taste of her lips when they kissed.

Vegeta glared up in his direction.

Gohan averted his eyes, took a deep breath, and then soared up into the black sky. He had to clear his mind, get himself back on track before he did something he'd regret. He flew faster than he had in ages, instinct taking him to the place where Piccolo had trained him as a boy.

He felt his mentor's presence behind him moments after he touched down.

"Do you believe in love at first sight, Piccolo?" he asked, turning.

The Namek's ears twitched. "Why would I?"

Gohan shrugged and for some reason was reminded of the Shakespeare line Methinks thou doth protest too much. He lowered himself to the ground, lay back gazing up at the stars. "Ignore me, Piccolo. I think the jet lag has fried my brain."

Piccolo hovered cross-legged beside him and made a noise that sounded like a laugh. Gohan raised himself up on his elbows. "What?"

"I didn't say a thing."

"No, but you're thinking it."

"You'll figure things out for yourself. You always do," Piccolo replied before disappearing.

A frown on his face, Gohan lay back down. "Well thanks for the non-advice." He stared up at the sky, the air still around him. He was alone with his thoughts, alone in all ways imaginable and for the first time in his life it bothered him.

****

Bra relived the evening in her dreams. Her flesh heated at the memory of Gohan's strong fingers gliding up her arms before he kissed her. A soft moan escaped her lips as she shifted in her sleep, her arm brushing against her breast. Her insides tingled recalling the feel of his hard chest against her when they danced.

She began to wake, wavering on the edge of sleep. She remembered the one real date she'd had with Goten. It was after a party, they'd both been drinking and he'd teased her about being sweet 16 and never kissed. She'd dared him to change that and he had, going a bit further, kissing her breasts, his hand snaking up under her skirt...

Murmuring once more she clamped her eyes shut, tried to go back to sleep. It was useless. She felt the sensations collecting, building to the point she couldn't ignore them. Slowly she pushed the covers down, tugged her sleep shirt up, let her hand slide into her lace trimmed panties.

Gohan considered flying to his boyhood home after leaving Piccolo, but decided against it. He was awfully tired and he did have to start prepping for that job interview. He twisted in the air, flew on his back. Maybe he'd try to get some training in with Vegeta. If anything could knock these crazy thoughts of Bra out of his head that would be it. Of course Vegeta could very well knock his entire head off his shoulders. If it wasn't for Pan he'd probably let him.

He landed a few miles from Capsule Corp. And walked the rest of the way. He must be losing his mind or going senile It was the only reasonable explanation for his thoughts and actions earlier this evening. Bra Brief wasn't just an attractive woman he was free to flirt with and kiss.

And what the hell was he doing flirting anyway? He hadn't even done that in his younger days with Videl.

Videl.

She hadn't entered his mind in hours. That was one for the record books, but was it a good thing or a bad thing?

Unable to come up with the answers he shrugged the questions off and cleared his mind for the remainder of the short journey.

He entered the house quietly and grabbed a piece of fruit from the kitchen before heading upstairs. He paused half way up the stairs to rub the base of his spine, hoping to ease the tingly sensation in the vicinity of where his tail had been. Trying to ignore the maddening itch, he continued upstairs and became all to aware of Bra Brief's unique scent the closer he got to her bedroom door. He paused and took a step back when the blood surged through his veins and settled low in his groin. He reached out towards the doorknob.

"Gohan? What are you doing?"

Gohan froze despite the annoyed growl that wanted to rise in his throat. He turned to face Trunks, slipping the peach into his pocket. "Nothing. I-I was just wondering if I should grab a snack before bed."

"My snacks are off-limits," Vegeta said, appearing in the hall.

The door opened behind Gohan, and Bra's musky scent hit him. Hard.

"What's going on?" she asked.

He whipped his head around, stifling a groan as his eyes took in the sight of her standing so close wearing a short, jade green silk robe and a satiny white tee underneath. He rubbed the back of his head. "Nothing's going on. Sorry to wake you. Goodnight everyone."

Bra watched curiously as Gohan hurried away like a boy about to be punished. Shrugging it off she turned to her brother. "What's up?"

Trunks shook his head. "Nothing. I was on my way to the kitchen. Dad?"

"I thought I heard a rat scurrying in the woodwork."

Bra looked at her watch. It was three in the morning. "Whatever. I'm going back to bed."

"Lock your door," Vegeta told her.

"Why?

"There may be a rat. A large, disgusting one."

****

"Mom, I don't want whatever those two already had," Trunks joked early the following morning when he came into the kitchen to see his sister and Gohan seated at the large table, both looked like they'd been up for days and both were staring at their full plates as thought the food before them was at a stage past repulsive.

Gohan looked up and attempted a faint grin. "Jet lag," he muttered.

Bra grumbled a reply then yawned.

The phone rang. Bulma answered. "B-chan it's for you."

She looked at her watch. Who would be calling her this early? "Hello, Professor Shu." She frowned. "No, I wasn't planning on going to the office today. Yes, I can if it's important." She rolled her eyes. "I can have detailed notes on that for you by the end of next week." She gasped. "Tomorrow? That's impossible. I can't possibly. Fine. I'll find a way." With a miserable grunt she tossed the cordless phone onto the counter top. "Jerk."

"Professor Putrid-1 zillion. B-chan-Zip, " Trunks quipped on his way out the door.

"What does he want you to do this time?" Bulma asked, refilling Gohan's coffee cup.

"Nothing much just spend the next twenty four hours up to my neck in ancient books on the validity of the Miyoshi Theory as it relates to the 15th Century Imperial Dynasty."

"Oh," Bulma said simply.

Don't do it. Don't. Gohan's common sense warned. "I can help you with that," he said looking up at her lovely, indignant face. Incredible was the only way to describe the angry fire that blazed within her pretty blue eyes. I published a paper on the Miyoshi Theory last quarter. I think I have it in my bags."

"That would be a big help. If you don't mind."

"It's no problem. In fact, I have some books on the various Imperial Dynasties in storage you might want to look through. I doubt the university has them, they're pretty rare."

Bra's face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. Child, Gohan's common sense repeated. Child, remember that.

"That would be great! Let me run up and get dressed. " She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek "Thank you, so much." .

Vegeta chose that moment to enter the kitchen.

Gohan stood and took his breakfast plate. "I'm going to look for those papers. Thanks for the food, Bulma. I promise not to impose on you too much longer."

"Don't be silly. We love having you here. Don't we, Vegeta?"

The Prince replied with his customary sneer.

This is strictly business. All I'm doing is helping an old family friend in need, Gohan told himself as he drove with Bra to the firm where his furniture and books were in storage. She sat on the slip covered sofa while he rooted through the crate of books and he tried with all his might to stop remembering her as she'd been last night, so close, so sexy smelling and wearing not much more than that jade silk robe.

What on earth had come over him last night? He hadn't experienced anything like that in ages not since the first time he and Videl had been intimate. They'd been dating for a long time and with each "make out" session it became harder and harder to tear themselves away until finally they'd given in to the feelings.

"Did you find it yet?"

Gohan jumped. "Oh, yeah. Here they are," he said handing the large antique volumes to Bra. He took a few others then resealed the crate. "This should do it."

She looked up at him, her blue eyes so wide and entrancing.

"I really appreciate this. Are you sure you have time?"

Make an excuse.

"I have all the time in the world," his mouth said without his permission.

Her smile sent a bolt of heat shooting through him.

****

The hours flew by once they reached the office of Bra's boss and began the arduous research. Gohan was in his element, pouring through the books, jotting down the relevant passages and giving Bra an overview of the ancient Imperial Dynasties.

"I wonder if it was like that on Vegeta-sei."

"I really don't know. Have you asked your father?"

"He doesn't seem to like to talk about it much."

Gohan nodded. It was too bad really. He'd always been curious to learn about the world where his father was born, the people who'd lived there. Bra's voice brought him back to the present.

"Oh wow, it's almost ten o'clock."

"Time flies when you're having fun."

She laughed and Gohan felt a warmth in the pit of his stomach. "We can call it a day. You look tired."

"I'm fine," she said, rubbing her eyes and trying to stifle a yawn. "I really need to finish this by the morning. You can go if you want. You've done more than enough to help me."

"I'll stay. I can take over the typing if you want to dictate."

Bra's stomach growled loudly. She blushed and Gohan chuckled.

"How embarrassing."

"Hey, you're Saiyan. It comes with the territory. You want to grab a bite before we finish this?"

"That would be great."

Over burgers, fries and pizza, Bra regaled Gohan with tales of the goings on at Orange Star University.

"It's like a dimension unto itself, where common sense flies out the window and absurdity rules."

Gohan laughed before finishing his third burger. "I'm afraid absurdity is normal for universities the world over."

They shared more anecdotes as they finished their meal then strolled back to the campus. Gohan felt happy, really happy for the first time in a long time and he immersed himself in typing the research project while Bra's silky voice recited the passages he'd bookmarked. After a time her voice trailed off but he didn't realize it at first, having memorized that particular section. When he turned to ask her a question he saw that she'd fallen asleep at the desk.

He got up from the computer and lifted her in his arms, laying her gently on the small leather sofa in the office reception area. He couldn't resist the urge to stroke her soft cheek and place a gentle kiss upon her lips before returning to the inner office to finish the research paper.

The office phone rang at dawn and Gohan rushed to answer it before it woke Bra.

"Where is my daughter?" Vegeta's voice boomed.

"She's sleeping."

"What?"

"She fell asleep in the office and I decided to let her rest while I finished typing the research paper for her."

Vegeta hung up.

"Good morning to you too," Gohan said wryly. He sensed Bra and looked to the door. He smiled and handed her the envelope containing the paper.

She took it and the warmth of her smile made Gohan feel as though he were bathing in the light of a sunny day.

"Why didn't you wake me? You didn't have to finish this for me."

"You were tired and it was no trouble, really."

"I don't know how to thank you," she said stepping closer.

The scent of her filled Gohan and he felt his blood begin to race.

"Thank you so much," she said.

Though Gohan tried to fight the impulse he was powerless and the next thing he knew he was pulling Bra to his chest, bending his head, kissing her slowly, his tongue teasing her lips until they parted and their kiss deepened.

Bra melted in Gohan's strong embrace. This was like a dream come true. She'd had dates and had been kissed by boys but it was nothing like this, nothing at all. She wanted more. She needed more.

"Oh my."

Bra and Gohan froze at the sound of the female voice. They broke their embrace and turned towards the office door. Professor Shu's secretary stood there.

Bra cleared her throat and took up the envelope Gohan had given her earlier. "Could you send this to the professor? It's the research paper he called me about yesterday."

Gohan gathered up his books. "We'd better get going," he said, berating himself as they went to Bra's car.

In an attempt to get back to his senses, Gohan stayed at his father's that night. He wouldn't have returned to Capsule Corp. At all if it hadn't been for his interview at the university. He was on his way upstairs to change clothes and get his briefcase when Bulma stopped him.

Oh, great.

" I tried to get you at Goku's but you'd already left. "The university called this morning. They're rescheduling your interview for tomorrow at the same time."

"Thanks Bulma. Is it okay if I stay here till then? I'll take my stuff to my dad's tomorrow."

"You can stay as long as you like, Gohan." She gave him a questioning look. "Is it Vegeta? He isn't fond of house guests but he'll get over it, if I tell him to."

"It isn't that at all. Pan wants to stay there and dad has the room so..."

"But won't it be a ridiculous commute for you with the new job?"

"I might not take it after all."

"But that's ridiculous-"

"I have my reasons, okay?"

****

"I might not take it after all."

Gohan's words rang in Bra's ears. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop but she'd been coming from the kitchen and had heard the conversation.

What an idiot she was to come on to him the way she'd been doing. What was wrong with her? Miserable, she stayed in her room, wondering what if anything she should do.

Gohan kept to himself as well fighting with himself. It was ridiculous to pass up a job he desperately needed, but what else could he do. Of course it wasn't as if he'd be running into Bra that often. It was a large university, odds were that their paths would rarely cross and he'd be able to get this insane fascination with her under control in short order.

There was a knock at the door and he groaned. It was probably Bulma again. She'd been bugging him most of the day. He heard the door creak open.

"Please, Bulma. I'm fine. Really.""

"I'm not Bulma."

Gohan's blood turned to a mix of fire and ice at the sound of the unexpected female voice, and he turned, instinctively knowing that he would find her in her silk robe. The robe he'd been fantasizing about for days on end. Scraping his chair back again the oak floor, he took a deep breath before standing and turning to face her. Kami, but she was a vision, a sultry angel awash in a cloud of embroidered jade silk, her waist-length blue hair hanging loose down her back.

Those piercing eyes of hers locked on his, looking deep inside, and he shifted his gaze just a touch, afraid that she'd see his lonely heart.

"I need you, Gohan," Bra whispered. Pushing the door closed behind her, she leaned back against it.

Ordering his mind to stop picturing the soft feminine body so close for the taking, Gohan met her gaze again, regretting it instantly. "Go back to your room, Bra, before I forget that I'm a gentleman." She offered him a smile that caused him to do just that and he shifted uncomfortably, as the blood in his veins turned tide and went south.

"You are a gentle man," she said, twisting his words. "You're also a handsome man. The most handsome man I've ever seen." She paused and smiled again. "I want you."

Gohan turned and stared down at his paper strewn desk. "You shouldn't be here."

"It wasn't easy for me to come here."

It isn't easy having you here, he thought. He looked down, a war raging within him.

.

He could smell the sweet scent of her and he took a long slow breath.

He flinched when her hand touched his shoulder and he gripped the back of his chair lest he turn and ravish her like a hungry animal. "Go back to your room, Please," he said, his voice so unlike his own.

"I don't want to. I can't.

"You have to. For both our sakes."

"Why?"

Why, indeed?

Turning, Gohan was captured by her eyes, tortured by the beauty of her face, her long slender neck, the gentle slope of her shoulders encased in the rich fabric of her robe. "You'll regret this night if you stay."

"If I thought that, I wouldn't have come."

With a muted groan, he swept her into a fierce embrace, his mouth devouring hers, his tongue searching and insistent. Her fingers ran through the hair at the nape of his neck, sending a shiver down his spine. Gohan responded by drawing her closer, his hand on the small of her back, pressing her against his taut body, fingers brushing back and forth across her sensitive tail spot.

She murmured deep in her throat and he pulled away, staring deep into the fathomless pools of her eyes, loving the way her hands rested, trembling slightly upon his shoulders. "Change your mind, Bra. Change it while there's still time."

She shook her head, leaning forward for another kiss.

Gohan let her take the initiative this time, while he reached around to cup her breast. The ripe, soft globe that fit so well in his large palm and he felt himself grow giddy, imagining that this body had been created just for him, that it would fit his perfectly in every possible way.

He tugged at the belt knotted at the front of the robe and pulled the robe edges apart, dipping his head down to sample the silky feminine fruit he coveted. Her skin tasted divine. Sweet and salty, it was like nothing he'd sampled before. Tugging the edges of the robe further apart, Gohan

mumbled an apology as the thin fabric belt tore. He gave the robe a single pull that made it fall to the floor.

It was Gohan's turn to tremble when he set eyes upon Bra's naked body. It was a delicate ivory, flushed here and there with the heat of her desire. He took a deep breath, inhaling the musky feminine scent that clouded his brain and sent his own hormones racing.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, running his large hands over her shoulders and arms. "Incredible," he added, dipping his head down again to flick his tongue across her nipples. They were large and rosy pink in the soft lamp light coming from the desk. Glistening and erect, they seemingly begged for more.

Gohan felt his erection straining for freedom, but he willed it to wait, taking the time to sweep his eyes over her once more, across the flat belly, the slim hips, the long legs then back up, towards the thatch of curls at the juncture of her thighs. He whispered her name and kissed her again, his hand reaching out to stroke those silky curls. He thought he'd die when she opened for him and arched her hips forward. His fingers acted of their own accord, stroking her hot dewy flesh. She moaned as they kissed, the sound vibrating between them.

Bra pulled away this time, crossing the room to the wide bed, praying that her shaky knees would hold her up. She tingled all overs as if someone had set off a ki blast in her belly. She was hot, hotter than than after a solid day of training and more lightheaded than she been the first time she'd gotten drunk with her brother at a frat party .

She lay back on the bed watching as Gohan stripped off his shirt, tie and shoes. She felt a rush of fear when he reached for his trouser button, but one look at his warm dark eyes calmed the

fear.

It was plain to see that he wanted her as much of not more than she wanted him and he would not hurt her in any way.

He hesitated, his manhood straining at the fabric and she wondered what was holding him back. "Gohan---"

"Touch yourself," he said quietly. "Please," he added, suddenly unsure, afraid that once he took possession of her body she would retain possession of his soul for all time. No woman had ever affected him like this. Not even Videl. He wanted Bra, craved her in ways he didn't fully understand, but he needed a push, something that would rouse him to the point of no return.

The sight of Bra's slender hand drifting across her hip was that push. "Go on," he said, feeling his shaft expand to the limit. "Touch yourself. For me." Her dark eyes gleamed wickedly as she did and he stepped out of his trousers.

Suddenly Gohan was beside her, taking hold of her hand. He raised it to his lips and licked the wetness from her fingertips then covered her mouth with his, giving her a taste of her own essence as he rolled over, pinning her beneath the soft, cool sheets and his hard, burning body.

His lips skimmed her mouth, her cheek, her neck, her shoulders, until her mind swam and body ached for fulfillment. She parted her legs and he settled himself between, his shaft long and hard and pressing at her entrance. With agonizing slowness he began to ease forward, stopping abruptly.

Gohan's breath caught in his throat. It couldn't be. It wasn't possible. No woman this tempting, this bold, could be a virgin. He couldn't take a virgin, not one he'd practically watched grow up with his own daughter.

"Bra," he said raggedly, raising himself on his forearms, pulling back his protesting hips. He groaned when she wiggled beneath him, trying to bring them together. Her fingers gripped his sweaty shoulders, her hot tongue flicked the perspiration beads from his brow.

"I want you, I want you, I want you," she chanted, running her hands down the corded muscles of his back, arching her hips until she found her target. Insistently she rubbed his tail spot the way he'd so wanted Videl to do. But she never had, not for more than a second or two. It was as if she'd never really resigned herself to his Saiyan heritage, the fact that he was part "alien".

"Please, Gohan. Please."

Crashing his mouth upon hers, Gohan plunged forward, stopping for a moment while her untried flesh accustomed itself to his size. He felt her stiffen then relax and she moaned into his mouth when he began their bodies' sensuous dance.

He'd never felt this way, never felt these flames licking him like a feverishly stoked fire. His body surged the way it did when he went Super Saiyan. His thrusts became harder and Bra responded in kind, her small hips rising and falling in concert with his, her hands gripping his buttocks, urging him on, pulling him deeper inside her slick passage. He was ready to burst, ready to spill his burning seed within her, but he couldn't. Not yet. She wasn't ready, but she was close. So very close.

Gohan slowed then rolled over onto his back, pulling her with him, grunting when his shaft slipped from her. "Raise up," he ordered gently. Straddle me."

Bra did, a little confused until he reached between them and positioned himself. Instinct took control and she lowered her body onto him, sighing as that exquisite feeling of fullness enveloped her once more. Her sigh turned to a moan when Gohan touched her as she rode him. She cried out when the first spasm rocked her. Her second cry was cut off by the press of Gohan's mouth as he pulled her down for a kiss while he rolled her back over, thrusting once more as they came together, shaking with the kind of intense climax she'd never imagined and he'd never experienced.

It was if they were alone in the world, alone on a vast dark ocean, alone on a ship that rocked gently on the waves of their mutual passion.. Bra's blood still pounded in her ears and she felt Gohan's heart thudding against his thick chest wall, faster even than her own. Her senses slowly returned and she felt every hard plane of his body, felt every cushy feather in the mattress below her. She smelled Gohan's scent, so unique, so strong. She smelled the mingling of their sex, so sinful yet so beautiful.

She ran her fingers through is damp hair, kissed his ear, flicked her tongue across his strong jaw, licking away the salty beads of sweat as he did the same to her shoulder before rolling over. To her delight, he remained within her, locking one long, muscled leg over her hip to keep them

joined. He was still hard and pulsing and she felt a thousand tiny shivers run through her when he moved his hips just enough to wring the last of the climax from her.

He chuckled, and smoothed her hair back from her forehead, planting feathery kisses where his fingers touched. "My, sweet, precious, Bra."

She smiled, her cheeks blushing a little more. "I think I fell in love with you when I was a little girl."

"That was a lifetime ago," Gohan replied, stroking her hair, her flushed cheek.

"But I knew," Bra whispered, closing her eyes. "I knew then that I would love only you."

Gohan untangled himself from her and lay on his back, taking pleasure in the way Bra rested her head upon his chest, the way her arm fell across his waist. He moved the blanket with his foot until he could get a grip on it, then pulled it up over them, having no desire to let this

woman go. Ever.

And soon, Son Gohan fell into the deepest, most restful sleep he had ever known.

"HOW DARE YOU!"

Vegeta's rage vibrated the domed house to its very foundations and Bra was shocked awake to find her father grabbing her lover by the hair and flinging him towards the picture window. Bloodied shards of glass shot through the air like a hail of bullets when Gohan crashed through.

"Daddy! No!" Bra shrieked. Grabbing Gohan's shirt from the floor, she pulled it around her as she flew out the window after her father. The two men hovered high above the Capsule Corp. compound.

Vegeta powered up. Gohan raised his arms defensively, his face and upper body cris-crossed by bloody trails from the glass.

"Vegeta, listen to me. It isn't what you think."

"You'll pay for violating my daughter, you piece of low-level trash!"

Bra tried to grab her father's arm but was thrown back by the energy pulsing around him as he readied the attack.

"Gallick...."

"Daddy! Stop!"

"Gun ...."

"Vegeta! Listen!"

"Fire!"

As the final word left her father's lips, Bra screamed and zipped in front of Gohan. Vegeta struggled to divert the blast. Gohan tried to pull her behind him to block the force of it.

They almost succeeded.

Please, Kami, no! Gohan pleaded silently as he rushed to the unconscious Bra..

"Get away!" Vegeta yelled, tossing him aside like he was a child.

Bulma's anguished scream filled the air as she and Trunks rushed forward.

Gohan could only watch as the stricken Saiyan Prince lovingly scooped his battered daughter into his arms and smoothed back her bloodied blue hair from her face. "You'll be all right, B-chan. You'll be all right."

"Bulma, I--"

Trunks blocked Gohan's path. "Just go, okay. We'll take care for her."

Gohan's world shattered around him, harder than it had when Videl died. "I can't leave her."

His face ashen, Trunks watched his parents carry his sister inside, then turned back to his old friend, his expression hard, his voice cold. "Please, get out of here, Gohan, or I'll make you."

****

Goku and Goten watched helplessly as Gohan's pain came out in a fit of anger.

"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" Gohan bellowed. "If I wasn't such a fucking idiot, none of this would have happened!" He pounded his fist on the old wooden table in his parents' kitchen. The sturdy maple creaked and split from the force of his blow. He stood, his tall body tense, his hands balled into fists at his sides. His anger grew. "She might be dead and it's all my fault!" The kitchen resounded with the surge in his ki.

"Calm down, Gohan," Goku ordered. "Destroying my house isn't going to help Bra recover."

Gohan sagged back down to the chair and hung his head in his hands. "I'm sorry. I just feel so helpless." He looked up, his scratched face haggard, his dark eyes large and filled with unspeakable pain. "If I could just be there and see for myself how she is..."

"Not a good idea," Goku said. "Vegeta will kill you."

"That might be a blessing," Gohan mumbled.

"I think I can get into the house," Goten said. "If not, I know Trunks will fill me in on what's happening."

"Would you, bro? I'd really appreciate it."

Goten offered his brother a sad smile. "No problem." He turned to his father. "Dad, could you..." He gestured to his forehead.

"Sure," Goku said. He clasped Gohan on the shoulder. "She'll be fine son, you have to believe that."

"I'll try."

Goku nodded then teleported himself and Goten to Capsule Corp.

The few minutes dragged endlessly and Gohan's heart ached like it never had before. A few hours ago he'd been the happiest man alive, filled with love and hope for a joyous future and now it was gone. If Bra succumbed he was as good as dead. He couldn't possibly live with himself knowing that he'd caused her death. He'd let Vegeta take his revenge. It had to be less painful than this.

Oh, Kami, please, he begged as his father rematerialized.

Goku's expression was grim at best. "Goten stayed behind. Trunks isn't taking it well."

Gohan stood, his shaking knees barely able to support him. "Is she--"

"No, but she's barely hanging on." Goku came forward, placed his hand on Gohan's shoulder. "The Dragonballs can't be used, Korin has no senzu and Vegeta and Bulma are listening to the doctors who won't allow Bra to be moved. I wanted to take her to Dende."

Gohan blinked back tears and went outside. How could this have happened. Why did it have to?

We need a miracle.

Gohan didn't notice the strange vibration in the air but when the odd double voice called his name he jumped.

"Gohan."

"Supreme Kai--'er Kai-bito?"

The fusion of the Supreme Kai and his servant Kibito smiled and reached out his hand. "Take me to her."

****

"Get out!"

"Vegeta!" Goku said. He stepped in front of his old adversary.

"Gohan must remain," Kai-bito said. "I can help your daughter but only if Gohan remains. The power in his heart is great. I cannot heal her without it."

"C-can you really make her better?" Bulma asked.

"There are never any guarantees, but I will do what I can."

"Then do it!" Vegeta snapped, hugging Bulma to him.

Bulma nodded to the doctor who opened the door.

After Gohan entered, Kai-bito turned blocking the others. "Leave us alone with her."

Vegeta growled.

"No harm will come to your daughter. No more harm that you have already done her, at any rate."

Vegeta's broad shoulders sagged. Bulma clutched him, buried her face in his chest and cried.

Trunks sunk down onto the nearest chair. Goten knelt beside him.

Goku nodded. "We know you'll do your best. Thank you."

"Oh, Kami, no," Gohan whispered when he saw Bra. She looked so tiny, so lifeless in the large bed with the various tubes and wires connected to her. It was like seeing his mother and Videl again only worse. Much, much worse. They had succumbed to illness. This was his fault. His fault alone.

"No," Kai-bito said. "This happened because she loves you and gave herself to protect you. Now you must sacrifice yourself, let your love heal her."

"How? I'll do anything. Tell me."

Kai-bito placed his hand on Bra's bandaged chest. "Her life force is ebbing."

Gohan's eyes darted to the various monitors. He remembered them from before and he watched helplessly as the electronic lines began to fall. "Do something!"

Kai-bito placed his left hand in the center of Bra's chest. "Place your left hand over her heart and place her left hand over yours." Gohan did. "Now, project the strength of your love into her."

Please, Bra. Please, Gohan's mind cried as his gaze riveted itself to the monitors once more.

"Focus, Gohan! Focus!" Kai-bito ordered as the monitor lines continued dropping and buzzers began to sound.

The doctor pounded on the locked door. Bulma cried out. Vegeta cursed.

"Focus Gohan! Your love must keep her heart beating until I can get the energy to restore her."

Gohan clamped his eyes shut. He concentrated on the feeling of perfect completion that he'd felt with her last night. It became as tangible as the energy he called upon when fighting. He locked on to the tiny pink orb and projected it from his center down into his arm and into Bra.

"Keep focusing, Gohan," Kai-bito said quietly as a warm force emanated from his hand and was absorbed into Bra's damaged body.

The monitors stopped buzzing. The lines inched upward.

"Is she going to be all right?"

The monitor lines dipped down. A buzzer went off.

"Keep focusing!"

The doctor pounded on the locked door. Bulma cried out. Vegeta cursed.

"Focus Gohan! Your love must keep her heart beating until I can get the energy to restore her."

Gohan clamped his eyes shut. He concentrated on the feeling of perfect completion that he'd felt with her last night. It became as tangible as the energy he called upon when fighting. He locked on to the tiny pink orb and projected it from his center down into his arm and into Bra.

"Keep focusing, Gohan," Kai-bito said quietly as a warm force emanated from his hand and was absorbed into Bra's damaged body.

The monitors stopped buzzing. The lines inched upward.

"Is she going to be all right?"

The monitor lines dipped down. A buzzer went off.

"Keep focusing!"

Stay with me, Bra. I need you, he pleaded silently, the feeling in his heart gathering and flowing slowly into her.

Vegeta bellowed his impatience in the outer room

Gohan's concentration wavered.

"Focus!"

Gohan closed his eyes and softly stroked the back of Bra's hand with his thumb. He pressed her hand tightly to his chest and prayed for his heart to be strong enough. In his mind's eye he saw her as she'd been last night, so vulnerable, so willing, so thoroughly in love with him that it made him ache all over. They'd bitten each other in the heat of passion when their Saiyan blood awakened inbred instincts.

The wound she'd left burned from within and Gohan embraced the pain, willed his inner strength to grip the force of that passion again and keep Bra alive.

I want you. I need you with me. I willhave you with me.

He felt an energy build that he'd never felt before and it flustered him for a moment.

"Gohan, Focus!"

He gripped the strange new energy with every ounce of his being, gathered it and let it flow through his fingers.

Behind him the monitors whirred and crackled. Finally, he felt Bra's ki begin to rise.

It built quickly.

Too quickly it seemed.

The force of Bra's ki swelled, filled her.

The electrodes began to melt, the monitors raced and short circuited. Bra's ki began to expand then explode, throwing Gohan and the Kai back through the wall and into those clustered around what had been the room's window.

Shouts and screams filled the crackling, smoky air.

Vegeta pulled himself from beneath broken chairs and made sure Bulma was all right. He scanned the room, his dark, wrathful eyes finding one of their targets. "I'll kill you, both!"

"Wait!" Kai ordered, holding up his hand, freezing the enraged Saiyan in his place.

Gohan flung a hunk of plaster from him and stood. Oh Kami, no--

His thoughts broke off as the dust settled and he began to see Bra hovering in the remains of the hospital like room. She was becoming Super Saiyan II. She cried out as the transformation took place then collapsed, returning to her normal state.

Gohan was the first by her side and he cradled her in his arms, his heart thudding with a mixture of panic and adrenalin.

"Get away!" Vegeta thundered, trying to throw the younger man out of the way.

Gohan would not be moved.

He caressed Bra's face with feather touches of his trembling hand. "Bra, can you hear me?"

Her eyes fluttered open. "Gohan?"

"I'm here."

"Are you hurt? Daddy--"

"Daddy is here."

Bra ignored the voice of her father, her attention anchored on Gohan's soulful eyes. "Are you okay? Daddy hurt you."

"No he didn't. I'm fine. You were the one hurt." Gohan hugged her to him. "Why did you do that? Why did you get in the way? You could have been killed."

"I-I love you."

Vegeta's angry snarl echoed.

"Stop it!" Bulma snapped. She knelt down beside her daughter. "Are you all right, honey?"

"I think so." Bra looked up at the worried faces hovering near her. There was one she'd never seen before. The large man reached out and placed his hand in the center of her chest and smiled.

"She has recovered."

All present breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"You're lucky, boy," Vegeta grumbled.

Bra gazed lovingly at Gohan, enthralled by the look in his eyes. He cared. He really cared.

The large white haired man smiled at them before speaking softly. "Treasure each other and the child you have created."

"Huh?" Gohan said.

Bra's blue eyes grew wide. The large man nodded at her and she could hear his strange voice in her head. "Fear not. Your wishes will be fulfilled."

"Did he say what I thought he said?" Bulma said.

"Time will tell," The Kai replied before fading away.

Gohan stood, Bra still cradled lovingly in his arms. He kissed her gently, and hugged her to him. "I love you."

"I'm glad," Bra said, laying her head on his shoulder, her arms clasped around his neck.

The End