CHAPTER 9:

FOREVER

Goku stared unseeingly at the white polished floors of the hospital. It was almost one in the morning. They had been here for almost three hours, waiting for the doctor's word on how the emergency operation was going on. They had decided to go ahead and pump out the poison from his system as fast as they could before it spread. So far, no one had come out yet to tell them how successful the operation was.

Them, consisted of Goku, a very pale and haggard looking Vegeta, and Bardock who had rushed down to the hospital at Goku's frantic call. Serena had gone into fits of hysteria and had to be sedated. She had been placed in one of the patients' room as they waited for the sedative to work its' magic.

Bardock stared with concern at the way his son looked. Goku did not look at all like the happy, carefree boy that had left his house only hours earlier. He looked as if he had aged considerably. His face was taut and pale, his eyes held a bleak, dead look as his tears had finally stopped moments earlier. Bardock sighed and turned his head to look at Vegeta Sr. He too had been in tears and had almost gotten sedated as well. It had been Bardock who had had to calm him down. Inwardly, he mused at the turn of events, all Goku had told him was that Vegeta had been suffering from severe food poison, but some part of him told him that wasn't really all that had happened. He had heard and watched the frantic and crazed looking Serena, as she had muttered in a dazed mantra, that her son wasn't supposed to die. He decided that once this whole thing was over, he was going to get answers sooner or later. Right now, his son needed him more than ever. Getting up from his son’s side, he went in search of some much-needed coffee.

"I am going to get you something to eat Goku, is that okay? You have got to have something in your system or you might end up in a hospital bed as well."

Goku smiled wanly and nodded in gratitude. Bardock asked Vegeta Sr. if he could get anything for him as well, but also got a silent nod in reply. Giving his son a rough pat on the back, he walked off to find the cafeteria.

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Vegeta Sr. was still in a daze. How could this have happened? I cannot believe that Serena would go to such extremes to protect our son. Rubbing his hands over weary eyes, he stared at the object of his wife's temporary insanity and his son's love. He had always liked Goku and thought the world of the boy. He had watched with growing appreciation as he had taken Vegeta under his wing and had showed him the ropes, so to speak. There was no doubt that the love professed for Goku was reciprocated. His mind went back to the way Goku had howled in anguish as Vegeta collapsed on the floor. The way the boy had cradled his limp son and had cried into his neck, mumbling over and over how much he loved him, not caring whether Serena or himself was there. The icy glare that he had given Serena, that had sent shivers of fear down his spine, the fierce protectiveness, as he had refused to allow anyone carry Vegeta into the hospital, insisting that he carry the boy all the way in. The way Goku had tried to get into the hospital ward, tears trickling down his face, uncaring who saw or commented, as the doctors had had a difficult time trying to pull him out.

Vegeta Sr. had finally had to snap out of his semi shock to help the doctors calm the frantic boy who eventually collapsed against his body and cried his soul out. His shirt was still soaked with the intensity of the boy's sorrow. He somehow managed to convince Goku to call his father. In a few minutes, Bardock had come striding in, panicked at that thought of his son being in trouble. Vegeta Sr. had looked on with a tiny bit of envy at the way father and son had gone into each other's arms to comfort one another. My own son! Nearly killed by his mother. His tears were about to fall again, as he thought of his life without Vegeta. Serena! I should have done this a long time ago. Shaking his head, he snapped out of his daze as the doctor came out.

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Goku was dying. It wasn't obvious yet, but he was. Slowly and painfully dying. When Vegeta had collapsed, his mind had gone completely blank; the only thought filtering through was the fact that his lover was gone. He had completely lost it and had begun yelling and crying, lifting the small body against his to try and breathe warmth or possibly life into it. Cold...he was so cold. Unconsciously rubbing his hands against his arms, he thought about how frightened he had become, how empty his life had seemed at the time. Images of he and Vegeta began filtering through his mind.  The first moment he had laid eyes on the other boy across the street, the magic that had begun from that day. Their first kiss on the bridge, the first time he really touched Vegeta at the fair, discovering how sensitive and delicious he was, their first time in trouble together, the exhilaration and the sound of wild carefree laughter as they both let the time pass them by, the first time they had made love and how Vegeta had professed his love to him. Those deep, obsidian depths that seemed to make him feel special, wanted, loved, protected. Dear God, Vegeta I am going to die without you. His tears were about to begin again when he saw the doctor come out of the emergency ward. Bounding up with a speed that frightened the poor man, Goku began asking fervently,

"How is he? Is he alive? Did he make it? Can I see him? Please? I really need to see him!!"

"Relax young man. Your friend is fine. He..."

The doctor couldn't finish his sentence because Goku had a sudden death grip on his neck.

"I think you can release me now..." the doctor managed to croak out. Goku grinned sheepishly through a fresh bout of tears and turned to see that Bardock had arrived back with the coffee and doughnuts. Releasing the doctor, he waited impatiently for any other news.

"As I was saying," the doctor began again, rubbing his bruised neck," Vegeta is fine for now. He is still a bit weak so he can't really talk much. However, he keeps asking for someone named Goku."

"That's me!" Goku yelled happily. "Can I go see him now? Please?"

The doctor had hardly begun saying yes, when Goku shot through the doors leading into Vegeta's room. The doctor blinked in astonishment and shaking his head, turned back to the other men. "If you don't mind sir," he spoke to Vegeta Sr., a frown crossing his face, "I would like a report on what kind of food poisoning your son had. This was a very serious case and he could have died from it. If you would follow me this way." Vegeta Sr. nodded quietly and followed the doctor down the hallway, but not before muttering a quick thank you to Bardock. Bardock smiled ruefully and sat down to await his son.

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Goku walked silently into the darkened room. The only source of light coming from a small bedside lamp. Beeps interrupted the surreal quiet as Goku took in the drip connected to the machine that was attached to his lover's body. Vegeta's eyes were closed, his face pale and his breath coming out in small hitches. Goku's body shook with the intensity of his emotions as he walked up to the bed. Leaning down carefully, he breathed in the scent of his beloved. He watched as a stray tear landed on Vegeta's cheek, and slowly reaching out, he brushed it away. Goku knelt down at the side of the bed and rested his head against Vegeta's. His eyes slowly grew hooded with sleep as he watched Vegeta rest. Finally succumbing to all the strain and stress of the past few hours, he eventually fell into dreamless sleep, whispering softly, "I love you, my darling, forever."

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Serena opened her eyes to take in the harsh glare of the bright hospital lights. Wincing, she turned her head to take in her surroundings. Shit! Where am I?

"You are awake," came the quiet, cold voice behind her. Spinning around and nearly giving herself a whiplash, she confronted her husband. At least, he looked like her husband. Instead of the bright cheery Vegeta she was used to, all she saw was the cold mask of a complete stranger that stared back at her with something akin to hatred. A tingle of fear crept up her spine as she wriggled her fingers and tried to smile.

"Hey… honey. What am I doing here?"

"You were sedated. You went ballistic and the hospital had to calm you down." Still that cold voice.

Serena was now close to a sense of panic, but being the actress that she was, she swallowed it and put up the good, happy wife mask. "W...W...Where is our s...ss...son?" she asked nervously, bracing herself for the worst.

"Your son is alive. Thank God. However..."

"Oh yes!! Thank God! I cannot believe it! I thought we were going to lose him!" She scrambled off the bed and reached for Vegeta, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug.

"The same way you were hoping to loose someone else's son?" he asked coldly, not returning the hug.

Serena backed off, really beginning to feel frightened now. "Vegeta, honey," she licked dry lips and swallowed. "I told you it was a mistake. I didn't mean to..."

"That would be enough Serena," Vegeta interrupted rudely. “I am really sorry I have to do this to you sweetheart, but it seems that the law has agreed that you are unsafe to be a mother anymore."

Serena turned pale. Impossible! I am the best mother there is!! They can't take me away from my son!

"Yes, Serena," Vegeta continued dryly, as if reading her thoughts. "The law is going to take you to a place where hopefully you can get your head screwed back on in the right direction."

"I am not crazy!" Serena yelled petulantly.” They cannot take me there!'

"It is for your own good Serena." Sighing wearily, he motioned for the four men who had been standing outside the door. Serena watched in mounting horror as they began tying her up in a straight jacket. "NO! NO! VEGETA DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME AWAY!"

She kept up her screaming as she was led down the hallway. "VEGETA SWEETIE, REMEMBER THAT MOMMY WILL LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER!!" She was finally cut off as she was dumped into the back of the hospital van and driven off to her new home.

Vegeta watched his wife being driven off and finally succumbing to his own strained emotions, he sank down on his knees and wept.

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TWO MONTHS LATER:

"Darn it, Akira!! This is the last time I ever give you another piece of cake. Now scram!!"

"Meanie!" Akira yelled back, blowing a raspberry to a very indignant Chi-Chi.

"Awww...let her be. Kids will be kids," chuckled Piccolo as he nipped Chi-Chi's neck. Chi-Chi crooned in delight and then yanking Piccolo's arm, ran off to look for a spot where they could not be disturbed.

The wedding party was going great. Everyone who was anyone was there. Bardock and his new bride, Kayla, were having the time of their lives. The party was being held in the popular Gardens By The Lake and everywhere was decorated in ribbons and white flowers of every kind. Kayla looked resplendent in a shimmering silk ensemble and Bardock was needless to say, the envy of every man in the room, as girlfriends and wives alike stared at the dashing specimen.

Ayeka was now hanging out with some other weird guy and Bulma was still stuck with Yamcha, who seemed to be paying attention to everyone else but her. Laughter rang into the crisp spring air as people drifted into different parts of the park to either dance or just be alone.

"You wouldn't happen to have seen my son now, have you?" Bardock whispered to his best man, who turned out to be Vegeta Sr.

"No," he replied, mildly drunk, "But I can tell you one thing, wherever he is, my son is sure to be there."

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Goku walked away from the party slowly, hands shoved into his tuxedo pants. He had long ago loosened the tie and had his shirt unbuttoned and his jacket slung under his arms. Sinking down to the ground, he quickly untied his shoes and wriggling his toes, began walking barefoot across the banks of the sparkling lake. The sounds of the party faded away slowly as he walked farther and farther away.

Things had been going great so far. He was really happy for his father. It seemed like he had finally found a soul mate in Kayla. She was pretty cool too for a step mom and she was a year older than his dad. He was glad his sisters would now have someone to talk to about their girlish stuff and take really good care of them when he was gone. Soon I will be gone. But only for a short while. As a member of the ROTC program in school, he was required to spend at least a year at the army, so he was supposed to report to base in a week. He stopped walking and looked across the lake, his eyes darkening as he remembered the events of the past month.

Vegeta had finally recovered well enough for him to return home and had come back to the news that his mother had been admitted in a mental institution. Vegeta had of course felt sad, but had shrugged it off, hoping his mother would recover soon. Vegeta Sr. went about his daily business, taking time to make sure he visited Serena every weekend. Goku and Vegeta had gone once by themselves, but Serena had refused to see them. Goku had seen the hurt in Vegeta's face at his mom's reaction, and Goku had felt even angrier with his mother. The other really good thing to happen was the fact that his relationship with Vegeta had been taken quite calmly by his tight circle of friends. Everyone seemed supportive and wished the two boys luck. What he hadn't expected however was the blossoming relationship between Piccolo and Chi-Chi. He chuckled lightly at that thought.

"Hmmm...I wonder what could have brought that smile to your face," came the husky voice as Goku felt strong arms encircle his waist.

Goku grinned and replied cheekily, "A certain little friend." He knew Vegeta hated any or all references to his height, and so he got a jab for that remark.

"Ouch! Vegeta! That hurt!" Goku complained, rubbing his elbow and frowning.

"Then maybe I should do something to make it better," Vegeta growled, as he pulled down Goku's head to crush their lips together in a passionate kiss. Goku growled in return as he returned the kiss. Tongues danced in warm, moist mouths as they began struggling to remove their constrictive clothing.

"Please don't rip them..." Vegeta begged moaning into Goku's neck.

"So long as you don't rip mine, "Goku replied, nipping on Vegeta's ear.

"Why don't we take off the clothes ourselves, this time," Vegeta rasped out, losing all coherent thought as Goku had begun stroking him through his pants. "Right," agreed Goku. Releasing each other reluctantly, they slowly peeled off their tuxedos and shirts, not taking their eyes off each other.

Vegeta finished first and helped Goku with his pants, tossing them quickly off to the side and reaching for the warm offering of his lips again.

Goku groaned into the kiss as he slowly pushed Vegeta onto the warm earth. Trailing his lips across his jaw, he licked and nipped the bronzed skin. Vegeta writhed underneath Goku's torturous ministrations.

"Faster, Goku," he pleaded feverishly. Goku ignored the plea and continued sucking and nipping gently on taut nipples. Vegeta growled in frustration and in a surprising move, yanked Goku's head up and muttered feverishly against his lips, "Kakarott, you had better move quickly or I will fuck you so hard, you won't be able to walk in a week!" Goku felt every nerve ending in his body jerk with desire at the sound of his other name on Vegeta's lips. "Oh..." he drawled, sucking Vegeta's lower lip,” Is that a threat or a promise?" Vegeta grinned with a mischievous look on his face. Tossing Goku off him, he straddled the startled boy and pinching pert nipples, he leaned into Goku's ears and whispered, "Oh yes, Kakarott. I intend to carry that little threat out." Slipping his fingers into his lips he sucked on them and then roughly began probing his lover's tight entrance. Goku howled as Vegeta plunged into him, working those magical hands into his tight heat. His howl turned into a whimper as Vegeta suddenly removed them. "Now, babe," he muttered feverishly. Lifting Goku unto his hips, he positioned him over his swollen member. With a swift move, Goku thrust himself down unto the warm flesh as Vegeta stroked his own erection. He sucked in his breath unable to breathe or think for several agonizing moments as the pain/pleasure washed over him. "Oh Vegeta..." he moaned silently as he buried his face into Vegeta's neck, bouncing up and down fervently as Vegeta stroked him.

Vegeta felt that he was going to pass out again with the intense feeling of pleasure he was experiencing. He stroked faster and pumped into Goku harder as he began to see white spots dance across his vision. "Uuuhhhh...Kkk...karotttttt!!!!" he screamed as Goku exploded, spreading his hot semen across their stomachs. "V...Vegettaaa!!!" Goku responded just as loud as he felt Vegeta empty himself into his body. Bodies spasmed in the aftershocks of their orgasm, as both boys clutched each other, not wanting to let go.

"Fuck, Vegeta! This upcoming year is going to be hell without you," Goku muttered thickly against Vegeta's neck.

"I know, love, I know," Vegeta replied, feeling the pent up tears spill slowly down his face.

Raising velvet, dark eyes to his lover's visage, Goku stared at the one he had nearly lost to the cold clutches of death. He saw the anguish and love etched on Vegeta's face and leaning down to rest foreheads together, he whispered quietly,

"I love you, Vegeta. My promise still remains...I will never leave you no matter the odds stacked against us. You will always be my beloved. Forever."

THE END