CHAPTER 5:

Goku stared blankly at the baroque style ceiling. Hands clasped behind his head on the soft comfort of his pillows, he stole a quick glance at his sleeping partner. Their earlier attempts to have sex did not turn out so well. He had been too upset about the failed mission to really give it his full attention. Yamcha hadn’t been too willing, either. Come to think of it, Yamcha wasn’t really giving anything much attention of late.

Goku shifted restlessly on the sheets. Their relationship had been going on for almost a year now and had had its’ shares of ups and downs. Goku wasn’t really sure of how a decent relationship should really be. The one time he had really come close to anyone had been in college and his memories of that experience hadn’t been fun. He had found out that the girl he had fallen head over heels for had been using him all the time as a quick way to pass her classes. He had walked in on both of them, screwing away like crazy. He smirked, remembering how dumb, numb, hurt and confused he had been, then. ~ Never again. I will not let myself get burned like that again. ~

His introduction to crime had started from his father, Bardock. Sometimes during his breaks from school, he would follow his old man into the several solo heists that he carried out. Needless to say, Goku had learnt quickly. He shut in eyes in anguish, as he remembered the way his father had died. They had both been trying to steal several antiques from one of the rich assholes that lived in the high-rises of the uptown area. Unbeknownst to them, they had been watched under surveillance cameras. As they had begun making their way out, they had come face to face with several police officers. Being young and quicker than his father, of course, he had taken off, yelling for his father to run along. Bardock had taken off as well, but was quickly slowed down by the dogs that were sent after them. Goku had watched helplessly, screaming out his rage as his father had been gunned down mercilessly.

Clenching the sheets tightly and feeling the tears stream down his cheeks silently, he had sworn to himself never to let his father down. He had worked hard in college, passed and had chosen this life for himself. He would have it no other way. He had sacrificed a lot and had trained himself over the years to be near, yet distant from other people. He had perfected that skill for years and years. And then Yamcha came into the picture. He glanced once more at the peaceful face of his mate. ~ Peaceful, my ass…~ Goku chuckled slightly. The man was as feisty as he was, when he chose to be. That had been one of the main reasons why he had found himself attracted to scarred face man. The chemistry was there, both on and out of the sheets. The perfect team….until the moment Yamcha had blurted out his feelings for him, on one particularly heated night.

Kuso! That had complicated matters. He did not want to get too emotionally involved with anyone and he could see the hurt in the other man’s eyes when he had not replied back or whenever he refused to go all mushy in public. At one time, he had even thought of dropping Yamcha as a partner, but had quickly dismissed the idea when he realized that he couldn’t hurt the man any further. ~ Hn. I am getting way too soft.~

Leaning across the bed, he looked into the sleeping face. ~ What am I going to do with you, koi? ~ Kissing him lightly on the forehead, Goku slipped out of the sheets, clad in only his boxers, and slipped quietly into his casual slacks and buttoned down shirt. Shrugging into his long, winter coat, he made sure he had his gun tucked in carefully, and then tiptoeing out of the hotel room, he walked out into the Paris streets.

“We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

And a happy new Year!!”

The laughing and happy sounds of Christmas on the streets brought a small smile to the usual scowling face of Goku. He had been walking aimlessly for about an hour now, staring at the brightly lit shops and sparkling decorations. He had stopped inside a chocolate Shoppe and had been dazzled by the delicious, sinful treats in front of him. He tucked the box of caramel toffees he had bought for his mate under his arm, smiling broadly, as he envisioned the joy that would, no doubt, be on his face. Yamcha was a sucker for candy.

Tossing a few coins into the “Ho, ho, ho” singing Santa Claus, he could almost forget that he was here for an important job. Frowning slightly, he thought about what he had to do.

“If necessary eliminate!” Remembering Piccolo’s instructions.

He had killed before and would do it again, if necessary, but Goku wasn’t really sure he wanted to do it anymore. All he wanted to do was continue at what he was good at, which was stealing and leave it at that. Oh well…since that apparently came with the territory, he would just have to deal with it.

Strolling along the crowded street filled with gift-laden people, he spied a little bar in the corner. ~ Just a quick drink and then I am outta here. ~ Walking swiftly across the street, he walked casually into the bustling bar.

The three men looked at each other glumly. No one had said anything for the past hour or so and none of them seemed in a hurry to break the uncomfortable silence. Finally, the biggest of them all spoke up.

“I can’t believe you bakas actually left me out of it! I had a right to be there, you know. Bejita’s orders.”

“Please, Raditz.” Trunks said exasperated. “We have covered this already. You were too smashed to do anything. And we were sure as hell not going to take you into a heist of that magnitude with a stupid drunk like you.”

“Excuse me for breathing, Mr. Lavender Locks. But in case you have forgotten, YOU made me get smashed!”

Trunks snorted in irritation and watched his partner’s face as it changed from expressionless to anger in one swift move. Trunks stared towards the direction of his lover’s gaze and saw the object of their frustration for the past few months. Goku had just strolled into the crowded bar and was making his way up to the bar stools. Both men gripped their glass cups and gritted their teeth in dull fury. Looking at each other at the same time, they nodded in unison, silently agreeing on finishing the man off here and now. Slipping hands into their jackets, they upholstered their weapons, and began rising up from their conveniently hidden table. Radditz watched the events unfolding, bewilderment in his eyes. It was then that he turned around to see what the others were staring at. He spied the telltale spiky locks and grinned in devilish delight.

~ Ah ha! Lookie what Santa Clause brought in. Now I will finish him off myself and Bejita will make me his right-hand man for sure.~

In a move, that stunned Trunks and 17, Radditz shot off the table, nearly overturning it, and causing the customers to stare at him in surprise, he began heading towards the unsuspecting man.

“What the hell does he think he is doing?” 17 hissed angrily, tucking the gun back into his jacket.

“We’ve got to stop him, before he makes a mess of things.” Trunks whispered back, as both men ran after the big man.

Goku ordered the brandy, feeling pretty good tonight. Tapping his hands impatiently on the table, he slyly glanced around the crowd. Many of them were French people, of course, boisterously loud and noisy. A group of burly men had begun singing several Christmas carols, and doing a pretty horrible job of it. Smiling slightly, he turned around and came face to face with sharp, obsidian eyes that stared at him with an unreadable expression. Feeling his skin prickle with awareness, Goku stared back, his smile disappearing rapidly from his face. Why did the man look so familiar to him? Giving the man a quick look, he took in the hat covered head and the casual suit he wore beneath a similar wool coat like the one he had on. He watched mutely as the man raised his glass in greeting to him, a small smirk lighting the handsome face. Feeling suddenly too hot beneath the coat, Goku gave a quick nod and turned back to the bar keeper to get his drink, which he swallowed down in a gulp. Gesturing for another, he tried to look anywhere but at those piercing eyes. He did not get it, but there was something definitely wrong about that man. He reminded him too much of someone.

“May I join you?” a deep voice suddenly spoke up beside him.

Jerking around quickly, he saw it was the man he had been trying to avoid. Nodding numbly, he motioned for the man to sit. Facing towards the shelves of alcohol, he deliberately ignored him, trying to finish his drink and get the hell out of there. Somehow there was trouble brewing up and he didn’t want to be a part of it.

“You do not look French.” the man began asking conversationally.

“That’s because I am not.” Goku answered a bit too sharply.

“That’s all right. Because you see, Goku, I am just like you.” Goku turned to face the man sharply, wondering what the hell that sentence meant. ~ And how did he know my name? ~ Sparkling dark eyes danced with mirth and something else that made Goku’s skin crawl. He was about to ask the man what he meant when a strong hand slapped itself on his shoulder.

“Well, well, well. It looks like I just got my Christmas present pretty early, ne, Goku?”

Goku and the man both spun around slowly to meet the deadly calm eyes of Radditz. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, he saw that 17 and Trunks were heading his way as well. Things didn’t look too good. The hand squeezed harder on his shoulder, making him wince in pain, as he glared at the satisfied look on the larger man’s face.

“Let’s take this outside Radditz.” He spoke through clenched teeth. “ I don’t want anyone getting hurt in here.”

“Don’t worry….” Radditz replied lazily, “I only intend to hurt you.” And with that he gave Goku a swift punch that knocked him out of his stool.

Everyone in the bar got up in surprise and began racing towards the exits, screaming and generally causing a commotion. Trunks and 17 approached the fighting men, only to be stopped by someone that looked eerily familiar.

“Going somewhere, boys?” Vegeta smirked as he folded his arms and stared point blank at the men.

17 felt his skin grow cold. ~ Nani? It can’t be…that voice… the alleyway…~ Turning panicked eyes to his mate, he saw the same recognition dawn in the bright blue eyes. 17 curled his lips in a sneer and lunged forward to attack the smaller man. Vegeta ducked sharply and plunged his fists into the stomach of the flying man, lifting him up in the process and dumping him across several tables. He felt a blow at the back of his head as Trunks had wound up with a roundhouse kick behind him. Staggering a bit, he flipped over neatly and landed with a light thud, grabbing one of the chairs in the now mostly emptied bar. He swung the chair and watched as it hit Trunks across his face sending him crashing into one of the many glass cabinet displays.

Meanwhile, Radditz and Goku had somehow ended up fighting behind the bar itself. Bottles and glasses were knocked and crashed to the floor as both men struggled and pounded each other. Radditz grabbed an empty wine bottle and smashed it, wielding it as a weapon and began pointing it towards Goku’s chest.

“Haha…now you are gonna get it, pretty boy.” He laughed harshly, as his face was streaked with blood from the gash on his forehead.

Goku, who did not look any better, wiped the trail of blood that trickled down his cheek. Smirking he leapt up, spun around in mid-air, and gave Radditz a crushing kick to his face. Landing lightly, he watched as the big guy stumbled around in disorientation, a stream of blood now seeping out of his mouth, and then crash to the floor unconscious.

Breathing a sigh of relief, he spun around quickly at the light tap on his shoulder,

“Hey…its’ only me.” Vegeta smiled, raising his hands in self-defense.

Relaxing a little, Goku saw that 17 and Trunks had both been knocked out as well. Turning confused eyes to the smaller man, he raised his brows in question.

Shrugging, Vegeta answered lazily, “I don’t like people interrupting my drink. Look, we better get out of here. I think the police are coming.” Not waiting for Goku’s reply, he grabbed his arm and began pulling him towards the back of the building. Goku could barely think straight as he let the man drag him through back doors and secret alleys. The sounds of the sirens began sounding in the distance and he wondered if the others had gotten out of there on time. Turning back to look at the man that had helped him, he began to really notice him. He froze as he saw the spiky, gravity defying hair. Only one other person had that kind of hairstyle. Bejita.

“Hold it now.” Goku said suddenly, causing Vegeta to stop and glance back at him. Looking sternly at him, Goku began withdrawing his gun from his inner pockets and pointing it straight at Vegeta, he said in a cold voice.

“I want you to tell me who you really are and how you know my name. And if you try any thing funny, I will not hesitate to kill you.”

Vegeta sighed as if in extreme distress, and turned fully to face the stoic face of the taller man. Folding his arms, he cocked his head to one side and smirking wickedly, he answered,

“I am Vegeta, son of Bejita. The one you call ‘The Don’. And I believe I have something that is of importance to you.”

Goku blinked in confusion for a few minutes. Bejita didn’t have a son. This man was lying! Except for the fact that he looked so much like the bastard.

“What is it that you have?” Goku asked, finally finding his voice.

“Maybe if you put that gun down, I could tell you.”

“Don’t try to be slick here Vegeta or Bejita or whatever the hell your name is. What is it that you have?”

“I have over fifty billion worth of gold and diamonds with me, Goku. Something that both your boss and my father want. Now if you killed me, would you know where it was?”

“So, it was you. You were the one who took it before us.” Goku hissed through gritted teeth, pulling the trigger as dull fury clouded his eyes. This baka had made him fail his mission and by Kami he was going to pay.

Vegeta’s eyes narrowed as he heard the click. “Listen Goku. There is no need for both of us to start arguing. What’s done is done. I have the goods and I have a proposition for you. One that I think you will find intriguing.”

“Fuck you and your proposition!” Goku yelled angrily. He stepped up to Vegeta, part of his mind admiring the fact that the man wasn’t flinching. He stopped as he pressed the cold weapon against Vegeta’s forehead. Hissing through clenched teeth, he said coldly, “You will take me to where the gold is and you will give it to me or else…DAMMIT!!”

He suddenly screamed as in someway, Vegeta had seized the gun from him and had wound up twisting Goku’s arms behind his back.

“No, Goku.” Vegeta whispered, breathing harshly against the taller man’s ear. “I don’t want to hurt you or get in an argument with you. All I want is for you to work with me. I want you to meet me at the Hotel d’ Bolivar tomorrow. I will be waiting for you. If you do not get there before 3 o’clock, I would have no other choice but to ask for the other team’s cooperation. Do you understand?”

Goku didn’t reply as Vegeta released him. He glared daggers at the smaller man, rubbing his wrists. Vegeta held out the gun to him, a wicked glint in his eye. “Come and get your weapon, Goku. Unless you want me to take it with me.”

Goku stalked up to the other man, intending to snatch his gun and walk away. “Can I have it now?” he asked icily.

“Sure you can.” Vegeta smiled and then in a move so quick that Goku barely had time to register it, he found himself being kissed! By the smaller man. Goku opened his mouth in shock only to feel the soft warmth of Vegeta’s tongue as it twirled delightfully within its depths. Moaning softly at the sensation, he found himself responding. Dipping his own tongue, they both gasped at the jolt that ran through their feverish bodies. Sinking his hands into the upturned, spiky locks he increased the pressure of the kiss, deepening it as his brain tried to register the fact that he was kissing a man he had just met. And Yamcha! ~Oh Kami! What am I doing?! ~

Tearing his lips away from Vegeta’s, he nearly gave up the fight as he saw the lust and want in the hooded obsidian eyes. Turning away, furious at himself for letting go like that, he picked up the gun and tucked it back into his coat.

“So will I see you tomorrow, Goku?” Vegeta asked softly, breathing harshly as he tried to get his own breath back.

“I don’t know….yet.” Goku replied numbly. “I guess I should thank you for tonight, though.” Several awkward minutes passed before Goku spoke up again. “Goodnight, Vegeta. I do intend to get that gold back and I will.” Not looking back, he began strolling back out to the main streets.

Vegeta watched him walk away. Smiling slightly, he stuck his hands into his coat pockets and strolled the other way. ~ I will be waiting, Goku. ~