A/N: As the summary suggests, this is an AU where everyone is a human (except for Cell and Piccolo - that will be explained as the story progresses) and there are no power beams, ki blasts, etc. Just straight up martial arts. I've always wanted to post a longer GoChi story since most of my work of them are one-shots.

This might be a little OOC with a grieving Chi-Chi, a jealous Goku, etc. I'll do my best to keep them in character but when they are all humans things get emotional.

Videl looked down at her black gloves. She fiddled her free thumbs together and decided to let out a heavy sigh. "I guess there is no sensitive way to put it, so I'll just come right out and ask. Why doesn't your mom just move on?"

When Gohan didn't answer, the teenage girl felt her cheeks burning. She thanked the good Kami upstairs her pigtails were voluminous enough to cover the sides of her face. She learned in an outdoor education class not too many years ago that being out in nature made people vulnerable to deep conversations. The plethora of twinkling stars in the sky couldn't save her from this mess.

Videl didn't even dare to look at her partner she was forced to be with. She was suppose to have gone home hours ago, but the mysterious - and just straight up psycho - vibe that his house and the members of it were giving out just couldn't go on in silence. She needed to unravel why Gohan was such a freak. It was the main thing that was keeping her going through the drag of a school year.

Gohan never shuts his trap. He would mumble and grumble and sound scatterbrained all too much around her. Erasa told her it was due to the fact Gohan had a crush on her, but Videl didn't believe that. He was intimidated by her because he knows she knows something is up. Something big. Something juicy.

For once since they've met, Gohan was dead silent.

Was I too... upfront?

"I mean, you said it has been seven years, right? That's around the time my dad started dating again after my mom passed away. I'm not a psychiatrist but... I dunno. Just seems like the healthy thing to do."

Videl wasn't trying to be the antagonist in Gohan's life story. She actually wanted to help him out after witnessing his mother talking, laughing, and dancing with herself. The little brother, although a cutie, wasn't quite right either. She caught him throwing a baseball to himself.

Before she could try to reason with the boy beside her, he stood up and was offering her his large hand. She arched a thin brow while looking up at his serious face. "You know I'm probably stronger than you, right? If you try anything funny I'll kick your ass six ways from Sunday."

He lifted her up so she was now standing on the bottom of her boots. Her bottom was wet from the cooling grass. "You have my word as a Son I will not cause any harm to a young lady."

The ends of her pigtails seemed to roll in the same direction as her sapphire eyes. "Well, you have my word as a Satan that I will cause harm to a goofy young boy. Why are you still holding my hand?"

"Give me your other one and I'll tell ya."

Videl wasn't liking this. The last few weeks Gohan was starting to gain more confidence and she wasn't sure how to handle it. In fact, this is what raised her suspicion even more. He'd turn from nerd to some kind of jock and it wasn't sitting comfortably with her.

She was almost certain drugs were involved.

Somehow.

"Alright, but remember as a junior member of the Satan City police-"

"For the last time, I'm not on drugs! You need to look me in the eyes and be as serious as you possibly can!" Gohan's dark orbs were trying their darnedest to absorb her light ones. She seemed a tiny bit frightened (if it were possible for this Medusa woman), so he loosened his hold on her hands and spoke softer. "Videl, what I am going to tell you might freak you out but I need you to listen. Nod if you understand."

Almost in a trance-like state, Videl gulped to regain her composure and nodded her head. This was finally going to provide her with the answers she has been searching for.

"Do you remember Cell?"

Her eyes suddenly became piercing. Cell is still Satan City - hell, the world's - most wanted criminal. The only explanation of how he was able to kill so many people and get away with it was because he was a mutant made in a lab, but the only people who ever got a glimpse of him were murdered.

Videl couldn't even begin to explain how hard it is to search for someone with no face to put to the name.

"Do you remember who my dad was and what he did?"

The girl nodded. For crying out loud, her dad had a poster of him in his man cave. Goku was huge in the martial arts world. Although he never admitted it, Videl knew her dad copied moves from Son Goku. She had always wanted to see him fight in person, but he passed away when she - and Gohan - were eleven years old.

"My dad didn't die from a heart attack. That is just what we tell people so they wouldn't bother us," Gohan took a deep breath before continuing, hoping that he was telling this to the right person. "Cell personally tracked down my dad to fight since he was getting bored with all the others who tried to go up against him. He granted my dad a week to train and prepare. For a reason I still don't understand... my dad thought I was strong enough to go to the fight with him. When Cell went after me, and my dad saw I couldn't take it..."

It took a few minutes for Videl to absorb the information, and another few to see if Gohan would finish. When he wasn't speaking, she pushed it him backward. He stumbled on the wet grass but caught himself before falling.

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I am."

To Gohan's surprise, she began stamping her foot like a petulant child. Her little fist curled up and trembled like she was about to punch him. Was she this worked up about Cell killing his father?

"AGH! YOU'VE KNOWN WHAT CELL HAS LOOKED LIKE FOR SEVEN YEARS AND HAVEN'T REPORTED IT!?"

"...That's not the point of what I've been trying to tell you."

While the angry overgrown toddler began to kick up the dirt and punch random villains in the air, Gohan sighed and looked over his shoulder. A tall, muscular man with messy hair shrugged.

"I told ya she couldn't see me, son. I think you guys have to have some kind of connection before it happens."

Gohan's face dropped. "Aww, what? I thought we really had something going."

The man chuckled and placed an un-felt hand on the teen's large shoulder. They were watching the pig-tailed girl dig in her pockets frantically. "With this one, ya gotta try harder. You should break her phone before she calls someone to report your ties with Cell."

"Oh, crap!" The teen had just noticed the yellow device the girl whipped out and tackled her to the ground. During their fall, Videl had released her snitch-technology. Crawling on top of her to get to it, Gohan stretched a fist out and began smashing it. "Miss Videl, I am going to have to keep you overnight since you cannot be trusted with the top secret information I have provided!"

"AND I'LL MAKE A CITIZEN'S ARREST!"

The messy haired man shook his head but wore an amused smile as Videl reversed the role with Gohan and was now on top of him. She held his wrist behind his back and put all her weight on his back so he could only wriggle.

"Dad, what do I do!? I don't want to hurt her!"

"Asking help for upstairs, huh? Nothing can save you this time!"

"Just tell her the story, Gohan. And try not to get your wrists broken. Sheesh, she's tough! Remind ya of someone?"

Gohan's pained yell traveled through Mount Paozu, scaring the bats out of the trees and waking up the snoozing cattle.

"I think it would be wise at this point to start investing in another car, Mom. Not that I don't love you, but this is getting a little embarrassing."

"What is?" Chi-Chi looked away from the review mirror that was aimed at a pouting Goten and then rolled her eyes when she saw her oldest in the passenger seat pointing to the red kiss mark on his cheek. "Oh, stop. There are worse things I could do."

Gohan sighed and picked up his backpack from the floor of the car. For the last seven years, he'd always been on his best behavior for his widowed mother and didn't want to stop now. After all, she was right. A kiss on the cheek was embarrassing, but at least he could wash it off in the bathroom sink. At least she made him an amazing lunch every day. At least she never stopped loving her sons through this entire mess.

Gohan looked at her and felt his slight anger fully disappear.

At least she kept her smile.

"Love ya," he gave her a kiss back and reached back to give his brother a noogie. "See ya later, little dude. Don't give mom or the principal too much trouble at the conference, alright?"

"Mmm."

Chi-Chi waved and blew kisses to her oldest as he got out of the car. He didn't look back once and started running, presumably to the bathroom before anyone caught him with Mama's kiss mark on his face. The still young widow began to pull out of the drop off section when a light blue car nearly grazed her from behind.

"YA MORON! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING! I HAVE A KID BACK HERE!"

Hearing his mama "cuss" perked the seven year old right up. "Yeah, moron!"

Chi-Chi gave her youngest child a glare through the mirror she'd been watching him in all morning long. "Goten, you know better. You're not allowed to use words like that until you're old like me. Don't forget I'm not very happy at the moment with you, mister."

The child once again donned a pout and looked out the window at the trees of the big city zooming past them. The trees back home are much bigger. If Mama was home right now instead of going to a meeting with Big Bad Baldy, she'd just be sitting in the grove she made in the couch watching soap operas and munching on trail mix.

Gohan said she needed to get out more, so shouldn't this be a good thing?

Goten released a breath so deep that the window fogged up. He wiped it with the sleeve of his button up shirt. His mom wanted him to look extra professional and extra cute in order to make Big Bad Baldy forgive him for acting up on the playground.

"Mama, I told you it's not my fault. It's the man in orange."

Chi-Chi puckered her lips and felt the moisture of the red liquid rub against each other. The last time she'd worn make up - and the last time she did anything social - was go to the wedding of Krillin and Eighteen. Everyone stopped asking her to go to any event or just hang out when they realized she'd never stop turning them down.

"Honey, your friend-"

"Mr. Pumpkin!"

"...Mr. Pumpkin, is imaginary. One day he'll disappear when you start making friends who are a better influence. If you keep telling your teacher that Mr. Pumpkin dropped wood chips down a kid's pants, you'll be sent to the funny farm and Mama will be sad."

"Okay Mama," the boy sighed. "But Mr. Pumpkin is really real! He said he loves you!"

Once Chi-Chi pulled into the parking lot, she turned over and gave her youngest a squeeze on the knee. "That's sweet baby, but tell Mr. Pumpkin I'm not interested."

Goten closed his door gently but hard enough to make sure the battery wouldn't die like the last time he didn't shut it tight. He watched as his mother straightened her black pencil skirt and checked in the window to make sure her bun was as neat as it could be. She wiped her sweaty hands on her sides and took in a breath.

"Is that why Mr. Pumpkin says you're one hot mama? Because your hands are sweaty?"

Chi-Chi couldn't believe the words that were coming out of that child's mouth. Had he been up late listening to her stories on the TV? Did that one, single desperate time she had Roshi babysit taint him forever? Although disturbed with the imaginary friend's words, Chi-Chi decided not to address that until after tonight's dinner. "Alright, kiddo. Lead the way."

Goten stuck his chest out, proud to be the tour guide of the elementary school. They had arrived to the campus before the majority of teachers and students arrived. The only other cars in the parking lot were the principal's, the counselor's, and the teacher on duty who caught the entire reason why the conference was happening in the first place.

Chi-Chi smiled at the back of his little head. Seeing the spikes that were pointed out in all different directions didn't ache her heart as much anymore. She came to be honored to have a son who looked exactly like the mini version of her deceased husband. If anyone ever forgot that handsome face, they'd just need to take a look at the child.

Goten would've been tripping on the little black pants he wore if Chi-Chi didn't alter them for him. He was tiny for his age and way too sweet, which was a huge reason why Chi-Chi never wanted to send him to a school. She wanted to keep him protected and trapped inside the house while she home-schooled him just like Gohan was for the longest time.

Gohan and Ox had change her mind on the matter, pointing out that Goten needed to socialize with other children especially since he rarely got to see his one and only friend, Trunks, after Bulma placed him in a school in West City. Chi-Chi's father also pointed out that she needed time on her own during the day to make friends and socialize herself.

"Funny," she told him. "I don't remember ever seeing you date anyone ever."

"Ohhh ho ho, you don't know that!"

"Papa, gross."

"My point is honey," Ox had wrapped his large arm around his petite daughter and squeezed her tightly. "Your mother and Goku never want us to be unhappy. Nothing can and ever will replace Goku. But you have to face the fact that you are a single, beautiful, strong willed woman and your heart is big enough to grieve and find love with someone new. You sure do have a lot to give."

"Mrs. Son, please come in."

Chi-Chi had zoned out to the point she hadn't realized Goten was already sitting in the principal's office. He legs were so tiny that they kicked freely while he looked at the walls full of false motivational posters. The bulky bald headed man holding the door open was Mr. Pen, and he didn't seem too happy that she was wasting even more of his time. She shook his hand limply and sat down next to her son. As soon as Mr. Pen took a seat, Chi-Chi noticed the school counselor and the teacher who reported her son were standing behind him with judgmental glares.

"Mrs. Son, are you aware of what Goten did at lunch recess earlier this week?"

Chi-Chi shot a glance at the counselor who adjusted his glasses before turning her attention to Mr. Pen. She faked a smile and used her best motherly voice. "Oh, yes. I heard all the voicemails and received all the emails. Goten was getting bullied by another child and instead of one of your people coming to stop it, he had to defend himself and put woodchips down his pants."

"Don't forget I punched him, Mama!"

"Oh, yes, that too."

Mr. Pen blinked. He looked over his shoulder at the teacher, who was bright red. The counselor coughed and dropped a binder loudly on the principal's desk. "Look, Mrs. Son. We have a large number of student here who have lost a parent."

Goten watched as his mother crossed her arms over her chest and gave Blind Bat "the stare". "Ooooh you're in for it now..."

"Quiet, hush. Please. Continue."

Blind Bat adjusted his tie and stood up even straighter, trying to be intimidating to the woman he was slowly becoming afraid of. "Well, all of those children but yours actually knew their parent. According to your file, Goten's father was dead before he was even born. The way he acts comes from what he learns from you at home. There comes a point when we stop feeling bad for widows, Mrs. Son, and time to take the blame for bad parenting."

"Are you done?"

Goten chuckled and whispered under his breath. "Oooh boy, here it comes."

"I'd just love to hear your response, Mrs. Son."

The response was an unexpected right hook to the face. Blind Bat went down, holding his bloody nose while Chi-Chi stood over him with her hands over her hips. The teacher in the room began to cry and the principal frantically called for security on his walky talky.

"Any child of Son Goku is going to defend himself from bullies just like the wife of Son Goku. I hope that's good enough of a response for you!"

"Dragged out of an elementary school by officers. That's a new low, huh, Mom?"

Chi-Chi dumped a clump of steamy rice on Gohan's plate and nudged his forehead with the wooden spoon. "Just a lot of built up anger that got released on the right person. Eat your greens."

"Mama was totally awesome!" Goten swallowed his food before speaking with his mouth full, trying to respect his mom's wishes. "She kicked him soooo hard he fell out of a window and broke his back and left the road all bloody!"

Gohan took a sip of his water and wriggled his dark brows. He could see the back of his mother's head shake as she turned the stove top burners off. "Dang, I feel bad for whoever had to clean that mess up."

Chi-Chi shot him a glance, unsure if she was happy or upset he was going through with his little brother's exaggerations. "That's exactly the reason why I need to go grab my computer real quick and find a new school that can educate Goten as well as that one could. The people are just awful, but I love the curriculum. Make sure you boys eat all of this chicken, okay?"

"Yes, ma'am!" they replied in unison, and Chi-Chi smiled while she walked to her bedroom. She always took in a jagged breath before entering, as if it hurt her to be there. After so many years, she knew it shouldn't. But whenever she glanced at her king-sized bed, she couldn't help but remember seeing a sleepy husband there, exhausted after training for a big fight.

That was the last place she saw him alive.

Doing her best to rid that thought, Chi-Chi headed to her dresser and removed the fully charged laptop. As she picked it up, a paper had fallen to the floor. This was strange as she never had papers lying around her extremely cleaned up and clutter free room. All papers belonged in specific folders. Her children could back her up on this.

When she bent down to pick up the paper, her neat bun had fallen apart. She grumbled and took out the hairband, letting her long hair rest freely against the small of her back. The side that faced her was blank, but when she turned it around there was a black and white image of her husband wearing his old fighting gi and striking a pose in the ring of the World Martial Arts Tournament.

The King Returns was written at the top.

It was a flyer for the tournament he never lived to fight in. Chi-Chi remembered switching the channel when the tribute to her husband began. The word around the grocery store was that a man named Hercule Satan won that year.

Chi-Chi felt a lump in her throat. She had thought she'd gotten rid of any fighting memorabilia of Goku. One of the boys must have found this on the internet and printed it out.

"BOYS!"

Gohan and Goten knew by that tone of voice that they had to be wherever she was ASAP. Goten scarfed down his chicken leg and followed his brother, who was blocking him from entering through the door way.

"What is it, Mom? Is it a cockroach?"

"Did you leave this here?"

Gohan took the paper from his mother and examined it. His smile disappeared and he handed it back to her immediately. She didn't want to accept it. "No. I didn't. And Goten can't reach the printer. Maybe it's one you forgot to throw out?"

Seven years later?

Chi-Chi began to feel her heartbeat increase. The rhythm of her chest was moving up and down faster than normal. The harsh words of the pencil necked counselor she decked rang through her ears. Images of Goku's face bruised and bloody was coming in with clear images. The sight of her son holding his dead father's body in the middle of nowhere was bringing back the pain she tired to suppress.

"I need you to watch your brother for a few minutes and keep all the doors locked, alright? Don't worry about the dishes I'll clean them when I get back."

His mother spoke so fast that Gohan knew something was up. Using his hand that wasn't holding the flier, he gripped her small wrist. "Mom, why can't you just talk to me about it?"

"Gohan. Please."

The son knew by the look in her eyes that she needed to be set free. He let her go and received a kiss on the cheek in return. Goten got one too, and a promise of ice cream to be brought back. The small child peered at the image on the flier his brother was holding while listening to the sound of his mother backing out onto the dirt road.

"Hey, that's Mr. Pumpkin!"

Chi-Chi put on a classical music station, the same one she played for Gohan when he was a child during his studies. If only he had stuck to that instead of getting involved with his father's lifestyle, if only Goku wasn't so accepting of challenges, if only Goten was more informed about who his father was or what he looked like...

"Was the counselor right? Am I doing this wrong?"

Chi-Chi's hands tightened on the wheel. She was shaking and not because she was cold. Everything was hitting her at once like the punch to that poor man's nose. Maybe he deserved it, but maybe she needed to listen to what he was saying. Was she in denial? How could she move on like everyone said when she lost something that could never, ever be replaced?

What about Gohan? Was he suffering in silence? He was the one who was there when it all happened... Who does he have to talk to when she always tries to change the subject? Nobody knows Goku fought Cell but them.

"Dammit, it's not fair!" Chi-Chi's eyes were swelled up with tears as she tried to focus on the dark road. She had driven so far that the dirt road had turned to asphalt. "Those boys deserve to have their dad around! He was taken too soon! I've never hated anyone more than I hate Cell! He should have died! He should be locked up or in hell or anywhere but in hiding! It's just not fair! I need my G-"

Chi-Chi didn't have time to react to the impaired driver going full speed on the wrong side of the road. His giant truck collided into her tiny vehicle and sent her flipping backwards towards a tree. In her haste to leave, she had forgotten to put her seat belt on. She looked to the side of the window before the hood hit the asphalt the first time and noticed someone in orange centimetres from her. She reached out a hand before fainting.

The driver of the truck was dead on impact. Chi-Chi's car was against a large oak tree, both of which were in flames. The woman was being dragged to the side of the road, unharmed except for the small shards of glass on her exposed legs which her savior had not seen in years. He stopped in a safe area and waited with her for the ambulance. He brushed her bangs on her forehead to the side and kissed it, knowing she would never feel it.

When the first responders placed her on the gurney, the older of the two shook his head. "Now this is the darnedest thing. This is the first time I've encountered an accident this serious where someone survived. She doesn't even look injured, but we'll let the doctors determine that."

When the ambulance turned on their bright and loud sirens and drove off speedily, Chi-Chi's savior turned his back from the scene.

It was time to head home.

A/N: I'm going to Forrest Gump this for awhile until the past and present intertwine. That is the format of this story. Forrest Gumped.

Thanks for reading! :-) Hopefully Chi-Chi wasn't too bad in this first part. I promise i'm just trying to make her emotional and work her out as time goes on.