Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Crossing the Boundaries ❯ Difficult Choices ( Chapter 11 )

~*~*~*~*~*~

I didn't move until many hours later. Every so often I could hear the sound of shuffling and muffled voices from the other side of the door, but no one knocked. What would have been the use? Nothing they said now would heal the humiliation I'd suffered or cure the gaping wound in my soul that felt as though it would devour me whole. I was truly lost.

When I did, at last, open my eyes the room was fairly dark. Only the pale moonlight through the window gave any illumination, and that was just enough to see the shamble my once lovely bedroom had become.

Someone had cleaned up most of the mess caused by the fight between Goku and Trunks. The mirror above the dresser had been removed as it was unsalvageable, and the same fate had befallen the various pictures that had once adorned the walls. The curio cabinet in the far corner had been smashed along with its fragile contents, but that pile of debris still lay as a glaring reminder of what had taken place.

I forced myself to stand though my legs and back ached from sitting against the door for so long. Remaining perfectly still I listened closely for sounds of movement in the house, but there seemed to be nothing stirring at this late hour save for the wind through the trees. Somewhere in the woods behind the house a cricket chirped and was echoed by a second then a third. Turning my weary gaze to the window I could see a dozen and more fireflies flickering softly in the darkness.

The truth had finally come to light, and I could no longer deny my place in his world. I didn't belong there anymore now than I did before I knew him, but what did that mean for the future? The child I was carrying was partly Saiya-jin - not of this world or even this dimension as far as I knew. There would be so much that I didn't know, and Goku's warning about protecting the child was important to consider. Merely going to see a doctor could put the child's safety at risk, and this was considering that I could carry the child to term without suffering a miscarriage...or death.

There was also the matter of the bond between Trunks and me. Enough evidence existed to support that the link it had instilled was not just a product of my imagination - even if he had the ability to shut it down to an extent. I couldn't imagine living the rest of my life with that connection now that I knew his feelings. He wanted nothing to do with me or his child...those final words still haunted my thoughts.

What if he left? Would the mark he'd given suddenly vanish with the man who'd put it there? Or would I be fated to bear that reminder for as long as I lived?

I went to the dresser and picked up my purse then opened one drawer where I had been putting aside money for a vacation. There was only a little more than two hundred dollars there, but I had more in the bank. A quick stop at the ATM would give me enough for gas and lodging for a couple weeks. Then would come the task of finding a new job.

When my unexpected visitors had made their appearance, I'd taken some time off from my job as a waitress at a little restaurant and bar about twenty minutes from my house. It barely paid the bills, but I was the proverbial starving artist in the midst of writing a best selling novel - or so I liked to think. Now I'd have to find something more substantial to support myself and my child.

Quickly I packed a single bag with clothing and a few precious keepsakes with which I couldn't bear to part. Soon, the only other things I had left to add were the disks containing all the stories and poems I'd written over the years, and those were by the computer in the living room. I could grab them on my way out.

Cautiously I approached the bedroom door vaguely recalling the night that Gohan had been standing guard there. I eased the door open, but the hallway was clear. 'Everyone must have gone to bed' I thought making my way to the staircase with a heavy heart.

Trunks hadn't returned. If he were in the house, I would have known. I wasn't sure how to react to that knowledge. Could it be that some part of me was still holding out for a happy ending? No. But I still had feelings for him. It was as simple as that. My life had become a Lifetime movie version of The Twilight Zone.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I double checked that I had my keys then tossed my bag in the back seat of the car. Where would I go? The thought of showing up at my mother's held no appeal, and I couldn't tell her what had happened. She'd never believe me anyhow. I had a few close friends who would let me stay with them, but it felt wrong to impose. This situation was far to complicated to involve anyone else. I had to figure this out on my own.

" I don't suppose you're just going for a leisurely drive. "

It was very difficult to get used to the way those guys had of sneaking up on you. Their movements were quick and soundless even without any effort to be so on their part. It was just another thing about them that just...was.

" How'd you guess? " I tried to pour a little humor into the words, but it was a vain effort.

" Lucky, I suppose. "

Gohan leaned against the car, arms crossed over his chest in a casual manner, and looked up at stars. I'd seen very little of Goku's eldest son. He appeared naturally reserved and had spent a large portion of his time away from the house. When he had been home, the time had been passed talking with his father and brother - or occasionally Trunks. He didn't seem to have much to say to Vegeta, but that was only judging on what I'd seen with my own eyes.

I watched him warily recalling that the single encounter I'd had with him had resulted in several bruises and a nasty bump on the head. Had Goku sent him after me? I couldn't think of any other reason he would have to be out here.

" You know, I really miss my wife. "

The statement caught me entirely by surprise. " Videl? " I confirmed.

He nodded as a sad smile crossed his face. " We've been apart before, but never like this. And my little girl...my little Pan...I wonder what she's doing right now. "

I didn't know what to say. There was so much emotion in his voice as he spoke of his family, but I wasn't really in a position to be giving comfort to others. " I'm sure you'll get back to them, " I said finally.

He looked at me then. His eyes shone with unshed tears, and I was so startled by that sight that I nearly dropped the keys I'd been holding. I searched his face curiously wondering if looks weren't the only thing Son Gohan had inherited from his human mother.

" She puts up with so much from me, and I feel like I've abandoned her. But I know she won't blame me, and sometimes that just makes it harder. If she would get angry or scream at me or refuse to forgive me just once, then maybe I could find some justification for putting her through all this. That wouldn't be fair though, huh? Rather selfish of me really. "

Speechless, I couldn't find any words suitable to respond to such a confession. He hardly knew me. Why was he pouring his heart out in such a way? Saiya-jin were undoubtedly an enigma that I would never figure out.

He spoke again - just as calm and sincere as before, " I'm not going to try and stop you from going if that's what you think. "

" I - " What could I say? That had been my initial expectation.

A small laugh temporarily eased the sorrow in his eyes, " I know it crossed your mind. You've had nothing but intrusion and interference from us.

Truthfully, I was just sitting in the back thinking about things, and I heard you come outside. I wanted to make sure you were all right. "

" I appreciate that, Gohan. Being here is just too much after tonight. " I could feel a dull ache building in my chest and a renewed dampness in my eyes. I could understand why Videl was so forgiving of her husband. His love for her was unquestionable, and his compassion a rare commodity indeed. It reminded me again of what I would never have.

" There is something I have to ask from you though. "

One brow arched as my gaze turned suspicious. I couldn't imagine what he was going to ask since he'd already said that he wouldn't try making me stay.

He looked back to the sky before continuing, " No one can promise that we'll get back home. I may never see my family again, but Trunks has always been like another little brother to me. I don't condone what's he done. He's being a fool, but for my sake, don't vanish completely. Promise that you'll check in now and again. "

I swallowed hard and blinked back a few tears. My goal had been to break the ties completely, so that I could try to forget the man who had destroyed me from the inside out. Gohan's plea was so heartfelt though, and I could almost understand why he would ask such a thing. He and Trunks were obviously closer than I'd suspected which would make this child like a niece or nephew to him.

" I'm sorry, but I can't make that promise. I - I'll let you know when the child is born. " I opened the car door and slid into the seat. " Tell Goku and Goten good-bye for me.

And Vegeta, too, " I added after a moment. The prince didn't care for me much, but he had shown some concern when I wasn't looking, and from what Goku had said, I sensed that he may well be devastated by the loss of his grandchild. That thought actually made me hesitate wondering if I was making the right choice, but the injury was too fresh in my mind...the wound too deep to ignore. No. My intention wasn't to hurt Vegeta, and I could only hope that the Saiya-jin no Ouji could see clearly enough to place his blame for this loss where it belonged - on his son.

Gohan stepped away from the car, " I'll let them know. You be careful. "

I found that I couldn't look at him as I pulled the door shut and started the car. I was taking a big chance in leaving, but my heart just couldn't survive the alternative. I dared one last look at my home, though it now seemed somehow ominous and foreign to me, then slowly backed the car down the driveway.












< br>