Misery Loves Company
***

A/N: This is a story idea that I got from reading Jadedbest's story Willpower. I was reading that, and, for some reason or another, that day I was thinking about what most of my favorite fics would be subtitled as, and it occured to me that the best subtitle for that story would be "Willpower (Misery Loves Company)" And bada-bing, bada-bang! This story popped into my head! Like a sign from the heavens! So, this story is dedicated to Jadedbest and her talented writing, and if she's reading this, thanks a whole bunch for writing so well!

A/N: This is very slightly AU in that Videl can go places without dealing with the whole 'daughter of Hercule Satan' schtick.

A/N: This may seem very contrived, but-hell! I love it anywho!

A/N: I am fairly certain that most people who are reading this have also read my longer story, "Saiyaman Won't Save You This Time, Videl." In that story, there was much dislike of Sharpener going on. Well...please leave your prejudices at the door, people: Sharpener's batting for our team now. And while he might seem to be the baddie in the beginning, he's an integral part of the GrandMaster HookUp in this story. So, all, be nice. If that's not too much to ask.

A/N: Buu might've happened, then again, he might not've. Either way, it's irrelevant; you'll see no mention of him in this ficlet. Videl knows the deal with the whole Saiyaman gig, the Saiyan thing, Cell, etc.,

A/N: What does the average high school sophomore know about Business Life in the Real World? If you guessed 'nothing', then you're right! Keep that in mind as you read.

A/N: I reccommend that you download the song 'I See You In A Different Light' because it rocks and I think that it makes an excellent background song for this story, particularly the last part. Of the story, that is.

Disclaimer: If Akira Toriyama were to come across this story in the woods with no one around, would he really care? Plus: I don't own 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing."
***

Thursday, February 12th

"Okay now, these are the R&D people. You won't have to deal with them personally, but you should know who they are."

"Gotcha," Andrea said to Candy. It was Andrea's first day at Capsule Corporation, as an assistant secretary to Marketing. And Candy, another secretary there, had arranged to give her a tour of the complex, to help her out a bit on her first day.

"Now, we'll be heading to the Accounting department next...hey.." Candy looked back, after realizing that Andrea was no longer with her. Andrea was standing stock still, with her jaw dropped, looking directly ahead of her, stunned.

"Hunh?" Candy's black hair flipped as she looked ahead, her perfectly plucked eyebrows raised and brought together in confusion.

When she saw the cause of Andrea's shock, her eyebrows unfurled and that satisfied and understanding smile that women use was all over her face.

"Ahh..."

Six feet and two inches of tough hard muscle were topped by an artfully tousled head of black spikes, one single lock hanging between two blazing black eyes. The legs were long and muscled well, even visible beneath loose black slacks. The slacks were belted loosely at the waist, and his shirt, a shiny, silken slippery navy blue button-up was also tucked in loosely at the waist. It seemed to be quite loose, considering his slender waist and hips, but the reason for the shirt size became apparent as one went up his torso; the buttons were straining to hold the shirt together over his pectorals. [1] Indeed, he couldn't button the collar or top button. Just as well, the loose collar provided an excellent frame for an impeccable set of shoulders. His neck was shaped by muscle, but not disgustingly so; and his face was a chiselled and flawless study in male beauty.

Quite the looker, that Son Gohan.

Gohan simply strode past the both of them, not even bothering to notice the young blonde woman literally undressing him with her eyes. He walked down the aisle and out the door, also not noticing the redhead right behind him with her eyes glued to his posterior.

Candy rolled her eyes, just as Andrea snapped out of her trance. Andrea opened her mouth to speak, but Candy cut her off, already knowing what she would say.

"Don't even think about it."

"Wha-" Andrea squeaked, before crossing her arms in a huff. "What, do you want him?"

Candy laughed. "Honey, every female in this building wants him, and half the guys too. But he turns them all down."

"Why? Does he have a girlfriend?"

"No,"

"Well then, why?"

Silence.

"Do you know?"

"Yes."

"Then tell me."

Hesitation. "Wait for lunch, kid. It's...involved."

***

Videl chewed on her pen, leaning back in her chair as she glared at her computer.

"Dammit, listen to me, you prehistoric pile of bolts," she said to her brand new, cutting edge desktop, "If you don't quit reformatting my word documents, I'll be forced to practice my ki-blasting techniques on you. Capiche?"

When the computer just sat there, Videl growled in rage and flung her pen at it, which bounced harmlessly off the screen.

When she had graduated, the first thing she had done was to get her own apartment with Daddy's money. She now earned her money writing articles for a major martial arts magazine, also publishing some poems and short stories in a literature magazine. She'd been working at it for about seven years now, and was getting along quite comfortably, without her daddy's help.

Videl glared at her computer again, before spinning around in her swivel chair and getting up. She grabbed her winter jacket from a coatrack near her apartment door, slipped into some sneakers, and was about to go on a satisfying five mile jog when-

RING-G-G-G-G-G!!!!

Videl slumped her shoulders and heaved a deep, pitying sigh.

RING-G-G-G-G-G!!!!

The phone.

Videl stalked over to her sofa and plopped down on it. She leveled a glare worthy of Vejiita at the phone.

RING-G-G-G-G-G!!!!

Growling, Videl picked up the phone and shoved it under her chin. "Whaddaya want?" she snarled into the reciever.

However, her demeanor did a U-ie when the voice at the other end of the line identified himself. Her eyes brightened and her eyebrows returned to their normal position. Her smile, indeed, her entire facial expression, suggested that the person on the phone held the key to her heart.

"Hello, sexy....Yeah....Yeah, my computer's on the blink-yes, AGAIN...yeah...Saturday?...No, I don't have any plans....sure...Sounds great...You know, it being Valentine's Day....uh-huh...::laughter::...uh huh. Seven it is. Yes. Bye. Oh, by the way-I love you...No, I love you more! ::laughter:: Yeah, buh bye, Sharpener."

Considerably happier, Videl walked out the door. Forget the run. It's time to catch lunch and go visit Erasa during her lunch hour.

When Videl realized what she had just thought, she almost laughed. If the Videl of her high school days could see her now...well, the first thing she'd do would be to beat her up. Or try to. Videl was indeed much, much stronger than herself seven years ago. And, of course, it was all due to.....

No. Wait.

Don't think about that, Videl. She commanded herself. Think about this Saturday. Think about this holiday of love.

And, like it always was with the love of her life, her mood immediately rebrightened, and-Videl was certain her past self would commit hara-kiri at the sight of this- she twirled around and giggled.

Love sure does strange things to a person, after all.

***
HA! I bet y'all thought that that was Gohan on the phone with her, didn'cha! Well, it ain't gonna be that easy, chums!
***

Andrea sat down with a trayful of french fries, soda-pop, and a Great Biggie McKing, much to the shock of Candy, who was picking at a PartySalad.

"Damn, but I wish I could eat like you do, Anda."

"Yeah, yeah," Andrea said, the blonde digging into her burger, "So, what's the scoop on Son Gohan?"

Candy sighed and leaned back in hr chair, sipping at a StellarDollar's Frozalatte. "I'm gonna give you the Cliffs Notes version, Anda: Now, from what I know, Gohan used to be with a girl back in high school. They were great friends before they became great lovers, and they seemed to be inseperable.

And this girl, she was just as beautiful as Gohan was handsome. Naturally, some men were jealous of Gohan, one more jealous than most. He was also a friend of this girl, and he, very carefully, suggested to her the possibility that Gohan had been cheating on her. Of course, it wasn't true, but that didn't matter. The seeds of doubt had been planted. This girl, suspicious of her man, snooped around a little in his personal belongings. She didn't find evidence that he had been cheating, but she discovered another secret of his. A big one. And after this, his girlfriend just couldn't trust him again, so...she dumped him. She starting dating the man who had placed those ideas in her head, even, though Gohan kept on trying to get her back. He's still trying to this very day."

After Candy finished talking, she looked down from the ceiling, where her gaze had been fixed. Andrea was staring at her open-mouthed, with half a fry dangling out of it.

"Close your mouth, girl, or you'll have fly ketchup to go with that fry there,"

Andrea obediently closed her mouth and swallowed the fry.

"Well, whatcha think of our little Gohan now?"

Andrea swallowed. "Wow.....I...Wow. I had no idea he was so...devoted to her. Who is this girl? And when did this all happen?"

"About six years ago, and the girl was-you won't believe this-THE Videl Satan."

"NO WAY!!!"

***

Erasa walked out of her store, stretching. After sitting in one spot for so long, she needed to stretch her muscles.

"Hey! Hey Erasa!" Videl was standing on bench about twelve meters away from the toy store that Erasa worked at. Her hand was waving in the air, and she was even hopping up and down on the bench, attracting the stares of passerbys.

"Erasa! C'mon! Let's get some lunch!!"

"All right, then! I'll race you to my car!"

"You're on!"

Of course, Videl won.

Erasa pouted. "No fair, Videl! Let me win every once in a while!"

"Nope, sorry girl!"

"Why, you-"

Amidst the cheerful banter, Erasa and Videl drove off in search of pizza. Preferably with extra cheese. [2]

***

"So, Erasa," Videl said through a mouthful of pepperoni with extra cheese, "How'd your date go?"

"Eh..." Erasa said, bring the corner of her mouth up and the eyebrow down in a wincing gesture, "He was a little too eager, if you ask me. I dunno about you, girl," this was said with a sly smile, "But I won't go all the way with a guy on the first date."

"Erasa!" Videl said, pretending to be shocked as her best friend smiled self-satisfiedly, "I thought you knew me better than that!"

Erasa just laughed. "Can'tcha take a joke, Vid?"

"Of course I can!"

Erasa laughed harder, and Videl gave in to the big smile threatening to creep its' way across her face. When Erasa composed herself, she said, with a very familiar sneaky look on her face, "So, enough about me...How's Sharpener been?"

Videl leaned in, with a look on her face that suggested a secret she was simply dying to tell. "I think he's the one."

The sneaky look was replaced by one of goggle-eyed surprise and happiness. "Oh my God...Are you sure? You really think he's the one?"

Videl bit her lip and looked down; if Erasa hadn't known better she would've sworn Videl was almost scared. "He's got to be the one, Erasa. He's just gotta be."

"Videl?" Erasa said, sounding concerned as she reached out and held Videl's arm. "Vid, are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Oh...Nothing," Videl rubbed at her temple with one hand. "No. Just...thinking about some old flames."

"Ah," Erasa said, with a nod of understanding and a one final pat on her arm for sympathy. Of course, right about then, her eyes were drawn to the imposing presence of a man about four meters away and closing fast.

"Speak of the devil..." she said, nudging Videl to look behind her.

Gohan reached their table before either of the two ladies could say anything further.

"Good day, Erasa," He cocked his head deferentially in greeting, before focusing all the intensity of his black eyes upon an obviously uncomfortable Videl.

"Videl."

Why me? Videl thought desperately. He just has to say my name, and...the way he says it...ohh...WHY ME?!

You could have blinked and missed it, but a triumphant look crossed Gohan's face before regaining its' previous seriousness.

"I'd like to speak with you, Videl," He shot Erasa a look, "Alone."

"Absolutely," Erasa grabbed her purse before literally running out of there, tossing over her shoulder that Videl could catch a ride with Gohan.

Some friend you are, Videl thought bitterly before turning to face Gohan.

"Ah...sooo..." Videl dropped her gaze to the tabletop, scrabbling for something to say. "Gohan...how-"

"I've been fine, Videl, and you have too, or so I gather." He left unsaid but blatantly implied that he had heard what Videl had said about herself and Sharpener. And whatever doubt she might have had about what his implications meant were erased with his next words:

"Marriage, hunh?" Gohan, with all the fluid grace of mercury, slid into the chair opposite Videl, where Erasa had been sitting not three minutes earlier. And to think; before now, Videl would never have described someone's sitting down as a stunning and sexy thing. "I do hope you're...certain about this whole thing. Marriage is a big step in a relationship. Granted, not as big as some..." Gohan paused significantly, Videl choked on air, "Such as having children. Parenting." Videl breathed again. Unaware, of course, of Gohan's next sentences. "But also, this is the person that you intend to marry, to spend the rest of life with, to...love...exclusively..."

Gohan had been speaking off into space and had not looked at Videl directly yet. However, he seemed to be perfectly aware of how his words were affecting her. He seemed to know exactly when Videl would tense from his well-placed pauses. To know how Videl would read into his choice of words and interpret the double meaning behind them. Now, though he chuckled, mostly at himself, and Videl felt a wonderfully sinking sense of foreboding. "I am aware that most people are of the opinion that fate and destiny are bull product. That nothing is ever 'meant to be'. I, however," And now, Gohan turned and looked Videl dead in the eye. And from somewhere, Videl summoned the courage and the strength to return his gaze.

"I, however, believe that some things are fate. Are destiny. And I believe that one of these fated things are soulmates. Your soulmate, the one person in your life that you will love unto eternity, and he will reciprocate. Your match." Gohan's gaze had not wavered, he had not even blinked. And his tone of voice had changed from an offhand tone of speech taken with an old friend to somewhere between the softest lovelorn whisperings; sweetnothings, and a broken heart's pleading for mercy.

"Your mate."

Videl dropped her gaze, though Gohan did not drop his. He reached out and ran his fingers over the crook of her neck, lovingly touching her in an odd, very chaste way, that somehow made it damned difficult to think of Sharpener the way she usually does.

"Gohan," Videl tried, Oh, god, why does he make it so hard for me to breathe?, "Gohan. It was six years ago. I got over it. I suggest you do the same."

"Have you, Videl?"

Videl returned a gaze of iron to counter Gohan's. "Yes. I have."

She flinched away from Gohan's hand. which still lingered longingly at the part where her neck met her shoulder; a more complete rejection, more total, more absolute, than any words could accomplish.

Gohan turned his eyes cold and hard, to match Videl, and pulled away totally. He settled against the back of the chair and crossed his arms over his chest. Gohan turned his head, pointing it at an imaginary point about three feet to the right of Videl's head. His soul-burning regard was still locked dead on her face.

"Does everyone still believe that ridiculous story you invented, about cheating and secrets?" Gohan's tone had become cutting and bitter, obviously resentful. He no longer cared to dance around the point, or to dress it up in sugared words or a silver tongue's eloquence. Cutting straight to the chase.

A deep, painful cut as well.

"In a way, Gohan," Videl's tongue had gained a forked tip as she spoke, befitting the venom that flowed from her mouth. "In a way, it was a truth. You did have one more secret left. And yes, it was a big one. Christ, Gohan, you can't just drop that on someone and expect things to be all...all hunky dory."

"And why not?" Gohan demanded belligerently. "Why not? You took my other secrets without so much as the blink of an eye; why did you react like that to it?"

"This is different, Gohan!" Videl said, angry and frustrated and sad and confused, all at once. "It's...You don't understand, Gohan! You..you couldn't! I...you wouldn't have problems with it! Not like I did...Jesus Christ, Gohan, I was nineteen! Nineteen!"

"You don't think I have problems with it, Videl?" Gohan's voice had fallen, low and deep and dangerous. "You don't think I have to deal with the after effects, day after day? Well, here's a news flash for you: I do. I have the same damned problems as you do. You just can't deal with them."

"Can't deal with them?!" Videl's voice rose to a near shriek, and she stood up in outrage. "What do you mean, can't deal with them? I did deal with them! You're the one who's living in the past! That's over and done with, Gohan: If there ever was an 'us' , it's been dead for six years now."

"No," Gohan said, standing up out of his seat and towering over little Videl. Gohan's anger had boiled itself away and left the vaporous traces of pleading and sorrow behind. "Videl, it's not over. It didn't end six years ago; that's when it began. Videl..."

"Gohan." Videl was no longer screaming, but was no less angry and frightened. "Gohan. We dated for a while. Then I broke up with you. There that's it. End of story. Nothing left to say. Over. And. Done. With." Videl's face had been jerking closer to Gohan as emphasis to her words, and was now about three inches away from Gohan's face. Both of them were leaning over the table; leaning and nearly meeting in the middle. "Do I need to draw you a picture?"

"Why?" Gohan's voice was very quiet, surprising Videl.

"What why?" Videl was trying to sound belligerent and failing miserably.

"Why did you break up with me?"

Videl's voice suddenly shrunk, small and shy and brave. "You know why."

"Do I?"

"Yes, you do. Quit playing dumb."

"I know what you told me. You told me that you were too young. You told me that you didn't think you were sure."

"Yes, your point?"

"You never said it was because you didn't love me anymore."

"Gohan!"

"You can't say you didn't love me."

"Why not?"

"Because that sure as hell weren't the way you were acting that night-"

SLAP!

Videl didn't have enough strength in her entire body to ever hurt Gohan, but the slap was unexpected enough to snap Gohan's head to the side and cause him to step back maybe half a pace and fully straighten up. Videl herself had stood to her full, somewhat less than impressive height, and stood her ground, looking at Gohan, fury fused into her glare.

Gohan brought his head around, slowly, cradling his cheek in one hand. The look in his eyes...oh...

I'm beginning to understand how Cell felt, Videl thought. Oh, no, she never backed down, never shrunk away, and never showed any fear on her face. But she was feeling it. The first time she had ever been afraid of Gohan. She knew his capabilities (one of the strongest beings in the universe), she knew exactly what he wanted (her), and most importantly, she knew that there is a great and terrible strength in knowing just what you want, with no doubts whatsoever...

"Gohan. Be reasonable." Videl admonished the tall, deeply offended man in front of her.

"No. Don't want to be reasonable."

And with that Gohan reached out and caught her chin and pulled her up in toward him and he leaned down to her level and seized her lips with his own.

All coherent thought was banished from Videl's mind as she felt Gohan's lips massage her own. It was not slow and sweet and gentle, no, it was hard and rough and demanding.

Gohan had never kissed her like this when they were together; this sort of thing seemed so out of character for the sweet, gentle half-alien she knew that she had a hard time believing that it was actually Gohan who was doing this.

On the other hand, she was very definitely positive that this sort of wonderful, wanting, almost-dare I say it?-lusty kissing wasn't and would never be a part of Sharpener's repertoire.

Sharpener.

That name jolted Videl back into reality, from that one fantasyland; her personal favorite fantasy, in fact, where Gohan had told her the truth about...well, told her about it beforehand, at least. Anyways...

Videl, with much effort of body and will on her part, pried Gohan's face and hand off of her. Of course, the effect was to have her arms wrapped around his shoulders with one of his arms almost wrapped around her neck, so the manuever was not quite as effective as she would have hoped. Also, her face was maybe a bare inch from his.

"I'm a soon-to-be-married woman, Gohan." she said, with a finality about her voice that firmly stated the end of the conversation/fight. "And not to you."

Gohan's mouth was set in a firm line, and his eyes were searching hers, looking for what, she did not know. But with a deep, tortured breath, he, seemingly, concurred.

"As you wish."

He unwrapped himself from around her so quickly, her balance faltered and she had to put a hand on the table to keep from falling to the floor in a sickeningly feminine heap.

He removed himself from her presence so quickly; walking out the door in merely a second. He never faltered. Hesitated. Never looked back.

And, Videl thought irrationally, left too quickly.

She had been staring after him when she realized what was happening out in the rest of the restaurant, out beyond hers and Gohan's little argument. A small crowd had gathered around the ex-couple as they fought; every patron was staring at her, the servers had halted in their tracks, the chefs had even walked out of the kitchen to see what was so interesting.

Normally, Videl would bowed out an apology and left the establishment as quickly as possible, but right now was not a normal time. Right now, 'normal' was the last word she would use to describe the situation. So, in a method her juvenile self would applaud, she lashed out at everyone in the pizzeria.

"Hey! Whatsamattah with you! Turn around! Go away! Nothing to see here! Nothing!" Videl had moved from lashing out to full-fledged raging; she stomped over to the chefs who refused to go back to the kitchens and ranted in their faces, "What? You ain't never seen people fight? Hunh? Is that your problem? You wanna fight or something? GO!"

Videl whirled around, red-cheeked and breathing hard. She searched the crowd, looking at the shocked and surprised faces surrounding her. Videl opened her mouth to speak but could not find the words to say. She wanted to scream some more, she wanted to apologize, she wanted to run out in embarrassment.

Videl seized the last choice and snatched up her purse, walking to the door nearly as fast as Gohan did. She was aware that as soon as her back was turned, the people of the restaurant immediately began muttering and speculating, with concepts that would probably appear in Sunday's gossip column in the paper.

But she was preoccupied, as she rushed out, with a question that had been plaguing her mind ever since she had dumped Gohan six years ago. The question was usually shoved to the back of her mind; and she had had varying difficulty keeping it back there where it belonged over the years. Right now, the question was as persistent as it had been right after she officially broke up with Gohan.

Did I do the right thing?

***
Oooh..wonder what's gonna happen next! And, also, what was all that about? That big fight? You've probably figured it out by now; it plays a big role in many romance stories....particularly DBZ ones....
***

Friday, February 13th, 7:00 PM

"Erasa." Sharpener spoke to the blonde past the giant teddy bear currently on the checkout counter.

"Sharpener. What's up?"

"I...need to speak to you."

"Really?" Erasa was currently bagging the great big bear holding a giant red heart, on which was written in flowing script, "I'll Always Love You"

"Yeah."

"About what?"

"Um....Videl."

Erasa handed him the bag and leaned forward onto the counter with a very interested and eager look on her face. "Ooohh...Let's hear it."

The big blonde man was biting his lip as he pretended to be utterly fascinated with the pattern of black and white checkered tiles on the floor. He lifted only his eyes to Erasa as he spoke. "Do you....ah...um...Are you...no..."

"C'mon, C'mon, spit it out already!!" Erasa said, bouncing from one foot to the other in anticipatory excitement.

"Oh...Fine...How, exactly does Videl feel about me?"

Erasa looked at him as though he were an idiot. "She loves you. Duh."

"I know that!...I mean, what is the extent of her love...um..."

Erasa's eyes lit with understanding "Ohhh....well, she loves you. A whole lot."

Sharpener's eyebrows rose slowly, as his face took on an expression of something like hopeful. "Really?"

"Really really. Why d'you wanna know?"

"Why do I wanna know? Why do I wanna know if my girlfriend of six years actually loves me? Come on, Erasa, you're not that dumb."

Erasa decided to ignore the playful slight. "No, that's not what I meant. What I mean was, why are you asking me? Why don't you just ask Videl, if you and her are so in love?"

Sharpener looked down again, you could tell just by looking at him that he was going to stumble over his next words. "Ah...umm..well.."

"Is it a surprise?" Man, Erasa just could not quit the overeager socialite attitude today.

"Well, yeah...at least, I hope it is..." Sharpener said. I know it's a surprise... Sharpener thought but didn't say out loud.

"Is it a big surprise?"

"Yes."

Erasa smiled in triumph to herself, confident that she had figured out the big man's surprise. I knew it! He's going to ask Videl to marry him! Aieeeee! Erasa squealed mentally.

"Is it the biggest possible thing that could ever happen in a relationship?"

"Yep. The defining event." Well, I'm not lying... Sharpener rationalized.

"Oooh....Well, I mustn't keep you! I'm sure you have plenty of arrangements to make!" Erasa was literally pushing Sharpener out of the door. This is so cool! I've gotta tell Videl! Erasa thought, throwing the "Closed" sign over the door of her store.

EEEEE! A double proposal!! How romantic!!!!

***
Well, you can't say I'm not keeping Erasa in character...
***

At her apartment, Videl was lying on her couch, covered up to her chest in a huge, fluffy down quilt. The couch was right underneath a rather large window, which had the shades drawn up, showing the snow that covered the city. The TV was on, though muted, showing some ridiculous 'reality' TV show. However, the radio was on and tuned to a variety station, where the song currently playing was, "Full Moon" by Brandy. Videl's laptop computer was sitting on her stomach as she furiously typed out a heartfelt article on the plans for the Tenkaichi Budokai taking place later this year.

Damnit, Videl thought, I'm being far too emotional and unreasonable in this article. I'll need to do some heavy revising later. My editor will not be happy about this. Videl looked back at the paragraph she had just written about how her father was becoming the Head Judge and winced. The censors won't appreciate this either...

Just that moment, Videl's thoughts were torn from the sheer volumes of profanity in her first draft by a very loud rapping on her apartment door.

Erasa.

No, not because of the loud rapping. Or because of the very fast, persistent rapping. No, it was because Erasa was screaming as she knocked, which, although rather muted by the door, was nonetheless quite loud, and very clear.

"AAAAAAAAH!!!! Videl! VIDEL! I GOTTA TALK TO YOU!!! AAAAAHH!! IT'S ABOUT SHARPERNER, AND....AAAAAAHH!!!"

By now Videl, who, under the comforter, had been wearing nothing but a long, baseball-ish styled shirt, had reached the door and opened it to let Erasa in.

"Oh, hi Videl-ohh, have I got-" Erasa paused as she looked at Videl's choice of attire. "That's Sharpener's shirt, isn't it?"

Videl blushed, though she didn't know why. "Yeah."

"Thought so. Anyways- OHHH MY GOD!!!! I have GOT TO tell you this!!"

Videl had been leading the hyperactive Erasa over to her couch, trying to get her to shush some and actually say something worthwhile. However, Videl's subtle hints to calm down were not being picked up on by Erasa. This was just one of those situations in which more drastic measures are called for. So Videl grabbed Erasa by her upper arms, effectively pinning her arms to her sides, and plunked her down rather roughly on the couch. Fortunately for the both of them, Videl had set her laptop safely on top of the endtable at the other end of the couch, and Erasa was surprised into a momentary silence, in which she could be reasoned out of her gossip mania.

"Now. What is so important, and please keep it under a thousand decibels."

Erasa looked at her strangely, and Videl added, "Keep it down, I do have neighbors, ya know."

"Oh...okay. Anyways, I was working at the family store, when who walks in but Sharpener!"

"Really?"

"Really! And he asked me what you really felt about him!"

Videl looked at Erasa blankly. "Duh. I love him with all of my heart. Why on Earth would he ask you that?"

Erasa nodded her assent. "I know! That's exactly what I told him! And he said-get this-" Erasa lowered her head closer to Videl, with that eager yet secretive look she was so fond of plastered all over her face, "That it was a surprise."

Videl just looked at Erasa. "A surprise."

Erasa nodded brightly. "Mm-hmm. A surprise. 'The defining event' of a relationship." Erasa stated, making the little hand gestures for quotes.

Videl just continued to stare at Erasa blankly until the blonde reached over and whapped her upside the head. "Think, dummy! The defining event...he loves you....he wants to know that you love him too..." When Videl's face still registered as clueless, Erasa grabbed her by her shoulders and shook her lightly. "Videl!-He's gonna ask you to marry him."

There was a momentary pause before both women hugged each other and squealed like twelve-year-olds at an *NSYNC concert, their squeals dissolving into laughter.

"Oh my.." Videl said, running one hand through her hair and down the side of her face. "Oh, my...This is so unbelievable...I mean..." It was now Videl's turn to grab Erasa by her shoulders, her eyes shining bright with wetness. "Erasa-I'm gonna be getting married."

"I know," Erasa reached and gently stroked Videl's face, "And you've gotta tell me every single detail of married life, right?"

"Right." Videl hugged Erasa, sniffling as little.

"And I get to be the maid of honor."

Videl laughed a little bit into Erasa's shoulder as she replied. "Of course."

Erasa laughed a little too. "And Sharpener will pick Gohan to be best man."

Videl's laughter and cheerful-tearful smiles were suddenly wiped off her face, replaced by a look of worry.

"Speaking of Gohan, what did he want to talk to you about yesterday?"

Videl released Erasa and wiped at her cheek, wiping a tear that probably wasn't there anyways. She had a look of such utter seriousness on her face that even Erasa's usually impregnable cheerfulness faded somewhat.

"Erasa, I don't know that I'm even going to invite Gohan to my wedding, let alone have him in the wedding party." Erasa looked shocked for a second, before Videl continued. "When we talked yesterday-Erasa, he still wants me."

"Ohh..." Erasa looked understanding and sympathetic, as she bit her lip before responding. "It's been six years, Videl. Don't you think something's a little wrong with that?"

A little? A little?! Erasa, you're in way over your head in that subject, Videl thought, somwhat cynically. "I know. He....he overheard what we were talking about, so he knows that I'm going to be getting married." Erasa, sucked in a breath of air in a flinching gesture.

"He wasn't happy about it, was he?"

Videl snorted. "Heck no. He tried to hide it, but I could tell."

"We-l-l..." Erasa looked to be thinking quiet deeply about something; an odd expression on her, "You two were pretty close-"

Closer than you could ever imagine. Videl thought with a slight blush.

"-And then you dumped him so suddenly...Why did you dump him, anyways? Back then, I'd never thought I'd see two people more in love."

Videl squirmed under Erasa's inquisitive gaze. She didn't want to lie to Erasa, but the truth...the truth...

"You wouldn't understand." Videl said without thinking, absorbed in her own thoughts.

"Try me." Was all Erasa said, catching Videl unawares.

"Ah...umm.." Videl stalled, trying desperately to think up a palatable and believeable lie, "Uh...well...I was scared!" she blurted without thinking, slapping her hand over her mouth about two seconds too late.

"Ahh...The truth comes out!" Erasa said, the expression on her face stating that she fully intended to pick this subject clean and leave its' bones lying out in the sun with so little left even hyenas and vultures would find naught to nibble upon.

And that was no exagerration, either.

"Now.. little more detail here, V-chan.."

"Oh-do I have to?" Videl , for some reason unfathomable to Erasa, was blushing redder than Mars on fire.

"Absolutely."

"Oh, fine. Uh-Gohan, he wanted too much in the way of commitment from me."

Erasa's features stayed stock still, except for one eyebrow that rose nearly to her hairline.

"Really!...Erasa, we were only nineteen, and he practically wanted us to get married!" Videl said.

Hunh..."Practically"...That may be the biggest understatement since General Custer reported some light troubles with the Indians.

"Videl...there's nothing wrong, per se, with getting married right out of high school. My parents did and they're very happy!"

I was right...you wouldn't understand Videl thought.

"Well, it was wrong for us. We...I..."

Erasa had already started nodding sagely. "I see...you weren't soulmates."

Videl's throat suddenly went very, very dry. "What did you say?" She managed to croak out.

"Soulmates. You know, meant to be. Two people who belong together, who don't just talk to each other, who...whose souls speak to each other...Videl! Videl, are you hearing me!"

This last bit was said because Videl had grown excessively pale, and had just about toppled over.

"Oh, oh no, Erasa, I'm fine, really I am, I'm just....Tired! Yeah that's it! I'm tired!" Videl, of course neither looked nor sounded even remotely tired. She seemed to be almost hyper.

"Videl? You aren't acting tired..." Erasa said suspiciously, as Videl steered her roughly towards the door.

"Oh yes I am! You know how manic I get when I'm tired!" Videl had almost gotten Erasa out the door. Just a few more feet... "Now, I just need some sleep! Yes...gotta be all rested for my proposal to Sharpener tomorrow."

Videl had said the magic words. Erasa turned around and almost ran out the door.

"You mean yours and Sharpener's mutual proposals! Byebye!"

And Erasa was gone.

Videl leaned against the closed door, breathing a deep sigh.

"Shit."

She slid down the door into a slump.

"Shit."

Videl raised her head from her arms and looked to the sky, from the open window above her couch, offering a plea to the little green man running the world.

"Dende, I know you like me...and I know you want me to be happy...so a little divine intervention right now would be nice." Pause.

"Or, failing that, I suppose I could use some good advice right now."

Silence.

Except for the wind in the curtains.

And the radio.

And the radio.


I've made up my mind

There is no turning back

She's been good to me

And she deserves better than that


Great, Videl thought. Just great.


It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to do

To look you in the eye

And tell you I don't love you

It's the hardest thing I'll ever have to lie

To show no emotion when you start to cry


Feh. What kind of a name is 98 Degrees, anyways? Videl thought as she walked over to the radio, turning it off. She looked sadly at the radio.

I wanted advice, Dende. Not a blast from the past.

She then picked up the remote, turning off the TV, and saved and shut down her computer. Videl walked to the corner lamp and switched it off, too, so that the only light was the etheral, bluish light of a city made reverant by winter night.

The blue-eyed woman reached up to the cord, to pull the blinds shut, but before doing so, she looked outside. At first her gaze was peaceful and appreciative, but soon, as she gazed upon the night, her brow furrowed and her eyes gained colors of anger and sadness. She yanked the windowshade down, a bit harder than necessary, before turning around sharply and stalking back to her bedroom.

However, to look at her face, one would have not seen anger so much as distress, worry; as she moved into her lonely bedroom and closed the door.

Gohan, you're only hurting yourself.

***

The man crouched on the building. He was wearing office clothing, with a navy blue sweater thrown over it his only protection from the swirling snow. He had been crouched there, not moving, since about sunset, and it was now into the depths of a winter night, with the wind blowing the loose powder snow about like a dust storm. He had been watching a building below him, watching inside a particular apartment, to be exact. In said apartment, he had watched a young woman, lovely in face and figure, emerge from a bedroom down the hall, dressed in nothing but a long shirt, lime green and dark blue. She had wrapped herself up quickly in a heavy down quilt and laid down on a couch, turning on the television and muting it, then turning on her radio. He then observed her reaching out to get a laptop computer, and, when it had booted up, begin typing something in Word. Although he could have read what she wrote, he didn't. Instead, he seemed content merely to watch the ravishing lass write, all wrapped up in a comfy quilt, with the radio playing, in her pajamas. Truly, he stayed and watched her, engrossed, do this for up on three hours. Then, things changed. A visitor appeared, a friend of the man's lady, who seemed to be very excited about something. The brunette spoke with her, and the man could hear their entire conversation with exceptional hearing. They spoke of hope, and romance, and joy, and loss, and truth, but first and foremost, they spoke of love. Although, by the end of their conversation, his lady became very distressed, and she bade her friend goodnight and goodbye, and went about turning off lights and and closing down for the night. she went to draw her shades, and the man saw her looking up. He knew that her limited senses could not see him, but he knew she knew he was there. She glared up before closing the drapes and going to bed.

The man stayed crouched on the building for several minutes after the apartment ceased to be of any interest. His brow was furrowed and his jaw was set, most likely in thought. Then, he stood, and brushed the snow off his shoulders and legs and gave one final look, down at the blank window below.

"Be careful what you wish for," Gohan said, to no one and someone in particular. "Good medicine tastes bitter in the mouth."

And he turned around and flew away.
***

[1] - WHOA. I may drown in my own drool here, people.

[2] - So I'm projecting my own tastes onto the characters. So sue me.

A/N: BOOOYAH! How was that sweet thang?!
Egro: It sucked.
Tiffany: It rocked.
TGG: ::needle eyes::....hmph. I, apparently, can't trust my two so-called 'assistants' to give me good answers, so I must, instead, ask you!! Oh most wonderful readers, REVIEW! and tell me how my story was! Indeed, please do so. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to continue this. If I hear from a whole bunch of people that they want me to continue it, then I will, but I'm not so sure that I'd continue writing w/o the support.
No Fic of the Day!

Last Words: "And how is the coke bottle today?"