Comforting a Widow: Chapter 3 - Homework Perks

"No way! You are just messing with me right?" Came Bulma's loud voice from the other end of the line.

"No Bul, and what made you think I was joking?" Asked Goku sounding a bit irritated since truth be told, a part of him couldn't fathom why his old friend was having such a hard time believing him. Taking his fingers to his mouth, the Saiyan warrior slowly traced across his lips as he recalled how the blonde goddess tasted.

It was sweet just like strawberry and other delicious delicacies, and the more he savored her unique flavor, the more he's sure they've shared something special last night.

And having someone question this undeniable fact made his Saiyan blood boil.

"O-oh wow..., well congratulations. So tell me, how did Eighteen enjoy the kiss? What did you two did afterwards? Please Son, you've got to tell me!" The scientist's disbelieving tone now sounded outright intrigued and Goku could tell her old, gossipy schoolgirl personality had returned in full.

"W-well, about that...,"

Suddenly, a shame unlike anything the alien warrior's ever felt filled him, and he knew it's got nothing to do with disappointing his undoubtedly now drooling friend. The handprint from less than twenty-four hours ago still burned intensely, a constant reminder it's the only achievement he had for show.

"Huh! I knew it! Of course the low class couldn't do it!" A completely different voice, one belonging to none other than the Saiyan Prince assaulted his ears, ripping the already gaping wound wider.

"Hey Vegeta! Don't be so rude!"

"What? It's true woman. Had it been me, I would've claimed her right there on the spot! Only a half-assed Saiyan would let their woman turn her back on him." Shouted the sole surviving Saiyan royalty.

"But,"

"No but my mate. Take you for example, have I ever let you disrespected me? Of course not. In fact last night...,"

As the couple waged their war on the other end, Goku's mind was already elsewhere back in that underground fighting tournament. Still touching his lips, the Saiyan kept on pondering whether he could've done anything else or even, to claim her there. No matter how he processed the encounter though, he always came to the same conclusion, that with how captivating the kiss was and how it's his first time kissing a woman, nothing else could've be done.

"But I ended up walking with a limp today Vegeta! Are you suggesting Goku to do the same?" Complained Bulma, the first sentence that Goku heard clearly since daydreaming.

"And why not? He'd leave her with more than limping legs if he's a true Saiyan!" Declared the Saiyan Prince.

As much as his listener hated being told what to do, the spikey-haired Saiyan nevertheless nodded silently, especially once he thought back to the teeth mark on Bulma's shoulder.

"Hey Kakarot! Don't go all quiet on me. So what are you going to do huh? Are you going to seek her out again or what?" Demanded Vegeta despite technically not speaking on the phone.

"Well about that, actually I have to go pick up Goten from school soon. And then I'll need to tutor his homework." Admitted Goku already knowing what's about to come from the prince.

Loud laughter bashed against his ear just as predicted.

"A Saiyan tutoring his kid's homework! Oh wow now that's a first. Shouldn't that be your mate's job? But of course I guess it's your duty now that your so-called mate had left you!" Chided Vegeta but Goku could still sense traces of sympathy in those words.

For the second time, the Saiyan warrior's blood heated up. He's not all that sure whether being taunted or taken pity to was worse.

"Now that's enough from you mister almighty Prince of all Saiyans. One more remark like that and you won't be getting any tonight." Scolded Bulma, not aware she had just added salt onto her friend's injury.

"You wouldn't dare woman!"

Following Vegeta's roar was a loud gasp from Bulma then came a loud, nerve wrecking, groin steering moan. Without being there, Goku could still imagine the kind of actions taking place yet all he could do was languish in the agony brought upon by those suggestive audio cues. With a quick, "Thanks Bulma, I'd better get going!" he hung up the phone.

While on his way to pick up Goten, the Saiyan noticed just how vacant his countryside home felt. Every corridor he turned were more empty rooms that should've been filled with occupants or more precisely, his mate and descendants. For a split second, he almost considered calling Gohan to see if Chichi was there, only to be reminded harshly of how she had ordered him to not bother her and her eldest son's family.

"This has got to change! I can't let things remain as it is forever!" Shouted Goku loudly before taking off into the sky.

Unbeknownst to him, thousands of miles from his place in the suburbs of Satan City, a lone woman was napping on the kitchen counter, her slender fingers touching her lips much the same way he had.

"Mmm...Go-Goku...yes...yes!" Purred the blonde in all blacks, undoubtedly very immersed in her dream as she snuggled closer into her arms folded in front and probably, most likely thinking she's pressed against someone sturdy and tall.

As she dug her head deeper into her own limbs, suddenly a loud ringing awakened her from her dreams and she jumped up to find an alarm clock screaming at her.

"Alright alright, I get it already!" Groaned Eighteen as she silenced the buzzing device, only to be reminded of just how unwelcoming quiet the room felt. For starters, there weren't any sounds, let alone anyone's presence. All she had for comfort were photos of her once complete family, whose smiles she'll forever miss.

Picking up a nearby portrait of her deceased husband, the not-yet middle-aged woman gazed at the midget in full police uniform. Promises of how he'll always be there for her and everyone dug at her heart till she couldn't take it anymore and put the picture face down against the counter.

"Oh curse you Krillin! Why'd you have to go die on me like that?" Yelled Eighteen in defeat before dragging her feet out of her empty two-story house. The only being on the cyborg's mind was her little girl, the one person who could keep her company.

"And maybe Goku could be there too? Marron and Goten do share the same school after all." Thought the blonde, unaware her cheeks had turned red.

When the Saiyan arrived at his son's elementary school, all the other children and their respective parents were gone. In fact, not even his poor child was in sight and for a split second, he was worried if his miniature version had run off elsewhere. On closer inspection however, he was delighted to hear three distinct voices, one belonging to his son and another from his muse.

Sure enough, upon turning a corner, Goku found his son chatting lively with Marron, a girl who had evidently inherited her mother's beauty. Standing behind them was the woman with whom he had shared that special kiss, his first kiss just last night. Although still in her all black turtle neck and jeans, the blonde goddess was acting much more feminine with her hands placed on each of the children's shoulder. At that moment, she was looking just like a mother talking to her two kids, a mother who as he recalled could really use a partner.

Suddenly, his face grew hotter and a familiar feeling stirred deep within him once again. The Saiyan Prince's taunts came back in full force too and it was only by utilizing all the restraints he had that the warm-blooded alien warrior was able to keep himself in check.

After all, they were out in the public and even he realized how absurd it would be to take her here.

Eighteen was listening to her daughter and her best friend chatting lively about school, completely lost in the cozy atmosphere when she sensed someone's eyes on her. Despite of knowing who the said person was since after all, his son was with them, the blonde still wished it's someone else as she wasn't confident how she'd reacted to the tall and handsome warrior. Already though, the taste his masculine lips could be felt on hers and she knew things would only go south from here.

"Oh there you are Goten! And look who you've brought along!" At last came Goku's voice, making his presence undeniable. To Eighteen's surprise, the Saiyan sounded quite calm if not innocent, a complete reversal of how he'd behaved last night.

"Perhaps things wouldn't go as poorly this time?" Thought the mostly human blonde, hoping she wouldn't have to boo him away and feeling quite bad she'd slapped him too.

For the innocent kids however, they couldn't be more happy to see the new arrival and both rushed toward him. Within seconds, they had wrapped their hands around the Saiyan, telling him all sorts of tales.

"Wow really, that's excellent Marron! I didn't know you are such a great student!" Commented Goku picking the young girl up onto his shoulder, his other shoulder already occupied by Goten.

The sight of the Saiyan warrior, her former spouse's best friend carrying both kids and laughing with them sent a completely different kind of realization across Eighteen. No longer just a fighter, the alien appeared more like a father, a man who could hold down the fort and keep a family happy.

"But wow Marron, I never knew you shared the same school as Goten!" Said Goku in genuine bewilderment.

"That's cause you never bothered paying attention to this kind of small details you moron!" Chided Eighteen shaking her head, not believing how someone could be so dense and thinking to herself the Saiyan still have ways to go.

"Oh yeah, I realized that now. Thanks Eighteen!" Apologized the Saiyan also mentally admonishing himself for acting so careless in front of her. To make up to the mistake, he tried giving her one of those disarming smiles he knew worked on most occasions. It did the tricks too, as the woman's beautiful blue eyes beamed back at him.

"But anyways, thanks for keeping Goten company you two. I sure hope we can have more run-ins like this." Continued Goku, knowing he was pressing his luck but reasoned such advances wasn't too out of bounds.

Eighteen's eyes narrowed at the Saiyan but before she could mount a protest, her daughter had already responded in a sad voice, "I agree with you Uncle Goku, it's too bad Goten and I get off from school at different times so we've never seen each other here before!"

"Yeah Marron, it'd be great if we can hang out more. My mom's not here and Gohan's with his new family and...," All of the sudden, the always sunshine boy appeared distressed.

"Yeah, and I miss my daddy...," Agreed the blonde girl sounding no better.

"Now now kids, it will be alright okay?" Said Eighteen, quickly running over and gathered the children in her arms but not without throwing Goku a dirty look.

The Saiyan warrior meanwhile couldn't scorn himself more if he wanted as he couldn't believe anything he did and said resulted in worsening the situation. Suddenly, he felt his stomach growling slightly and said the one thing he was sure he'd regret forever.

"Common kids, cheer up. Say, why don't' we all go to a nice restaurant and you know, get food and hang out there?"

The cyborg woman was just about to give him a piece of her mind for mentioning food at a time like this when the kids burst out in fits of joy. "Yay! Let's hang out at a café! Let's go!" They shouted together, even started dancing in front of the school.

Totally flabbergasted himself, Goku blinked several times but then decided to act like it was all according to plan as he gave her a triumphant smile. It appeared to do the tricks too, as Eighteen first looked at him all puzzled then nodded in agreement.

"Perhaps this Saiyan knows more about children than I gave him credit for." Thought the mother, her heart beating slightly faster and body temperature rising.

The two families ended up getting themselves a buffet-styled restaurant. There they got dishes of hot food that warmed themselves and for the moment, the kids appeared to have forgotten about their past and lived in the present once more.

Eighteen had gotten herself some simple drinks and deserts, her mind more focused on her daughter and the half-Saiyan. To her surprise too, rather than devouring food like an eating machine that he's well-known for, Goku only had five full plates, which were a lot by human standard but nothing according to his Saiyan appetite. Instead, the alien warrior chose to keep the children occupied and chatted to them like a parent.

Already, she was finding herself falling more for the handsome man and even starting to regret some of her earlier assumptions of him.

"And that Marron, is why girls get flustered when they saw a boy she likes."

The statement from Goku was so random and out of the blue it caught Eighteen off guard completely. She blinked a few times, wondering if the Saiyan had gone nuts and dared talking about her in such a way before realizing her daughter had her textbook and several sheets of papers out. Sitting beside her girl was Goten, also with his school material out.

"Goku?" Asked the blonde woman, not believing what she's seeing.

"Oh sorry Eighteen, but we've decided to start on the kids' homework. Don't want them to miss their bedtime you see." Said the Saiyan beaming at her again.

"Yeah mommy, Uncle Goku is teaching me health class." Added Marron innocently.

"Oh...oh right health class." Muttered Eighteen dumbfounded, feeling relieved the Saiyan hadn't pointed out her daydreaming in front of their offspring.

"By the way daddy, do you have an answer to this math question? It's killing me." Asked Goten this time, scratching his head and tugging at his father's sleeves.

Feeling like all eyes were on him and that he's been put on the spot, Goku had no choice but to look at the strings of math equation. Ever since he was left to care for his son alone, mathematics, science, and any other subjects that involved numbers had been his major weakness and he had lost count of the times he'd spent staying up all night, just trying to solve a problem often to no avail.

This time though, he felt the pressure to be much greater since failing would not only mean disappointing his son and Marron, but the fair-skinned, blonde goddess sitting right across from their small table, looking at him as if gauging how he'd respond. Suddenly, he felt his Saiyan pride in jeopardy, over a measly homework problem no less.

"By god, if Vegeta was here, he'd be cracking up and down at this disaster I'd caused myself." Thought Goku already sweating on the inside but managed to look like he's studying the problem calmly.

"Well let's see, five plus five divided by five would make two right?" Said the Saiyan trying to sound confident.

While his son had nodded and was even about to write the answer down, Eighteen quickly stopped him with her hand.

"But Auntie Eighteen?"

"Your father's made a mistake Goten. The division comes first so it's actually five plus one, making the answer six!" Stated Eighteen warmly but sternly, once again giving Goku the dirty look.

"Oh-oh yeah right, how could I have forgotten about that? Thanks Eighteen." Admitted Goku feeling rather embarrassed but decided to own up to it anyways.

His straightforwardness seemed to have a positive impact on the cyborg too, as the blonde actually gave him a small smile and some compliment too. "Hey, not bad for a member of the warrior race. I don't think Vegeta would've gotten that far, let alone admitting his mistake."

"Really, you mean it Eighteen?" Asked Goku feeling rather smug, his head already giving himself a score against the prince.

"Yes you knucklehead, just don't go congratulate yourself already cause you still have ways to go." Replied Eighteen, sounding only somewhat cold as truth be told, she's rather impressed by his progress.

"Hey, I'll just have to keep trying right?"

In his excitement, Goku had accidentally patted on the Eighteen's shoulder. Suddenly and visibly to all, the blonde woman gasped aloud, her face turning red by the contact. It was such a cute reaction that the full-blooded Saiyan chuckled despite knowing how much she might hate him for it.

"Hey Uncle Goku, do you think mommy's adrenaline is rushing through her, is that why she's blushing?" Asked Marron before her mother could snap at her "uncle".

"Yes Marron you clever girl." Goku pressed his luck and was awarded by an even redder face.

"That's enough all of you. We should get back to our homework if you kids want to hit the bed early." Shouted Eighteen.

Despite her protests, the whole table burst into laughter which made Eighteen wanting to slap the Saiyan again but she restrained herself. After all, it wasn't everyday she could see her daughter smiling so brightly and besides, seeing the man abandoned by his wife to be so happy, even if at her expense was quite a sight.

Unbeknownst to the Saiyan and cyborg family, outside of the restaurant camping by a street lamp was a man hiding in trench coat. With eyes appearing more like binoculars that zoomed in on the blonde woman, he was without a doubt making careful notes of his subject.

"How dare you betray us and associating with that bastard! I swear I'll make you pay for this!" Cursed the individual, his hand holding a familiar remote that should've been destroyed long time ago.

It was nearly eight when they left the restaurant, the meal paid in full by Goku who had insisted in handling the bill. Now standing by the doorway with teary eyes, the children were about to bid each other goodbyes when the full-blooded Saiyan once again came up with an idea that might just work.

"Hey Marron, what do you say me and Goten walk you girls back home?" Asked Goku feeling honest to god sorry for the adorable little girl and couldn't be happier seeing his dead friend's daughter smiled at him.

"Why that's a great idea daddy." Agreed Goten immediately as he held onto Marron and the two did a little dance.

At first, Eighteen wasn't too keen on the idea, especially since she couldn't quite guess what Goku's intentions were but the mother simply couldn't say no to her daughter who moments ago looked like she's about to burst into tears.

"If it makes you happy Marron then of course mommy will say yes." Comforted the cyborg in a warm voice but then made sure to give the Saiyan a warning glare that had the word "distrust" written all over her eyes.

"Awesome, well it's settled then. Let's go!" Declared Goku unaffected by Eighteen's coldness since he knew his intention was right and besides, such a trip together was quite precious. Despite knowing their children shared the same school, the Saiyan wasn't sure how many of such occasions they'd get to spend together and he could only try to prolong it to both his and the children's benefit of course.

As they walked from blocks to blocks and busy intersections to intersections, that same lone figure continued to stalk the four, hiding in the safety of the crowd. Eventually though, the spikey-haired Saiyan's battle instinct seemed to have picked up the abnormality as he glanced back, forcing the man to blend himself even deeper amongst the passersby.

"What's the matter Goku?" Asked Eighteen quietly only for the Saiyan to hear. She had to admit, it made her feel safe having him nearby even if everything's safe at the moment.

"Oh it's nothing Eighteen, just checking the view." He lied trying to sound convincing least she become worried.

Thankfully, it did the trick and the Saiyan smiled to himself seeing the mother went back to chatting lively with her daughter and his son. It was a sight he swore to himself he'll die to protect.

They were nearing the cyborg's house and Goku was debating whether to go for broke and suggest a stayover. The streets had gotten quiet too as the crowd from downtown had long dispersed. All that remained was the four of them and a truck coming toward the intersection they were about to cross but posted no discernable threat at all.

"Thanks Goku but you and Goten should probably head home. It's getting late already." Said Eighteen firmly as despite how she's glad the trip had brightened up the frowning kids, it had to end somewhere.

"Sure Eighteen, next time then?" Asked Goku hopefully.

"Mayb,"

Before she could even finish her sentence, her eyes suddenly went blank. Like a doll, the blonde collapsed onto the middle of the street.

"Mommy!" Shouted Marron rushing to her mother and tried to shake her awake but the cyborg was out and unresponsive.

If that wasn't bad enough, a barely audible bang that sounded like gun fired using a silencer cut across the night and immediately following it was a much louder sound, this time of tires popping, sending the truck swerving uncontrollably toward the fallen woman.

"Quick Goten, grab Marron!" Shouted Goku fearing for someone's life since the Tournament of Powers. Just like back then too, he had picked up Eighteen protectively in his arms and carried her away from harm.

Unlike his last save however, there was no joy this time as all the Saiyan warrior who could wield power beyond that of gods found himself unable to wake the blonde. Yet again, he was powerless to prevent the tragedy and what's more, he suspected the culprit was none other than their stalker, an enemy he should've handled before he managed to lay a finger on the comatose blonde goddess.

"Phew, that was too close dad, what should we do now?" Asked Goten floating in mid-air and holding a terrified Marron in his arms.

"I think there's only one thing for us to do now son. We have to take auntie Eighteen to Bulma's." Replied Goku holding onto the unconscious woman tightly, afraid of even letting her go the slightest.