It looked nice enough. A simple brick building with some flowers out front and a long path that led to the entrance. People scurried by on their way to the grocery story next door or across the street to the pastry shop which smelled so...so...good.

"Can we get a pastry afterwards?" Gohan asked it cautiously, still clinging to his father's jeans as if they were walking into an unknown dimension full of monsters and demons and maintaining close contact with family was of the utmost importance.

ChiChi, dressed in a green cheongsam with her hair left loose (a look she was beginning to use more and more) lay a hand on her son's shoulder and gave Goku a smile, "I think we could manage that, don't you think, Goku?"

The Saiyan grinned. "I think it's a requirement, Chi!"

Warmth filled Gohan's eyes a moment at that and the three of them made their way inside. There were a small set of stairs that curled to a small office door. Gohan trotted inbetween both his parents, tail half wrapped around his waist. It felt weird to be out of his usual clothes; he didn't wear jeans all that often but given this was a first impression, maybe it was best not to wear a gi.

Or not. He didn't know. Daddy chose jeans so he did the same.

Opening the small door, the family filed in (Goku ducked his head, grinning that he didn't 'wack it' this time!) and approached the small desk.

Gohan glanced about. It was a small waiting room, with green upholstered chairs, small tables, and a collection of magazines and books. In the corner, he saw a small colorfully carpeted section that had a dollhouse, plush animals and various other toys strewn everywhere.

The woman behind the counter smiled when she saw them. Older woman with black hair lined with silver and glasses that just barely cling to her nose. Looking down, she said, "Well, this must be Gohan!"

Blushing a bit, Gohan nodded, subconsciously rubbing his tail "Yes Ma'am. Daddy said he's been talkin' to one of your therapists to get tips to help me and...and we thought I should talk to her some."

The woman smiled. "Ah yes, he's seen Chiyu a few times. She told me that you might stop by but she's not here today. But she told us that Naoru could probably help you more than she could anyway! If you're open to it."

Gohan looked up at his father then his mother then back to the woman. "Can...Daddy come in with me?"

"Of course. Whatever makes you comfortable. And if you decide you'd like to come back later and talk to Chiyu instead, you can do that too." She looked at Goku. "How does that sound?"

Goku smiled at his son. "Sound good, Gohan? Wanna meet Ms. Naoru and see what she has to say?"

After a pause, though only a small one, Gohan nodded. He wanted to get better and Daddy was with him. He tried to push down all the thoughts about potentially saying the wrong thing. This was to get some advice on what they could do at home. It would be alright.

"Sure, we'll talk with Ms. Naoru. Chi, do you mind waitin'?"

ChiChi smiled, "I'll be fine. You two go on and when we're done. We'll go to that pastry shop and get some lunch and dessert, how about that?"

After two nods of acceptance, the older woman (who stated her name was Kiku over the phone) called up Naoru and stated the Son Family was here for her. There was a minimumal wait, perhaps 5 minutes until the door opened and a young woman with brown hair pulled in a ponytail stepped out of a side door. She had on a simple green dress and vest and spoke with a slight twang. "Son Gohan?"

Gohan stepped forward, his father just behind him, "Yes Ma'am?"

"Hello, Gohan! I'm Naoru. It's nice to meet you. Is this your father?"

Gohan nodded. "This is my Daddy. Is it okay if he comes in too?"

"Of course! If that's what you want." She smiled at Goku and for a moment, it was like her eyes sparkled in recognition. But neither Gohan nor Goku had seen her before. But it faded quickly. "Won't you join me in my office?" She walked through the small door and after a slight pause and a smile of encouragement from ChiChi, the two men followed.

"Lovely family, Miss ChiChi." Kiku offered. "And unless I miss my guess, expected to grow by one more soon?"

ChiChi grinned, laid a hand on her stomach. "Yes, another boy."

"Wonderful! I'm sure Naoru will be able to help your oldest. I know adjusting can be hard, especially with such a wide age gap. How old is your oldest? Fourteen?"

ChiChi shook her head with tears in her eyes. "No, but I know he looks it. He turned eleven this year."

"Only eleven?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Well, he certainly looks much older than that! The younger the better to fix these kind if problems though."

ChiChi nodded simply. "Old habits die hard, that's for sure." She pondered a moment just silently standing there, tapping her nails on the counter. Much as Gohan had things to sort through, she did too. Her anger and impulsive nature for one. She didn't even know why she reacted as strongly as she did sometimes. She just...did.

And now that she knew what damage it did and what damage it COULD do, well, she hardly had an excuse anymore. The look Gohan had given her haunted her. She was supposed to be helping, not making it harder! She was trying. As best she could, as best she knew how...

"Ms. Kiku? I know we made arrangements for my Gohan. Are there any other openings, perhaps with another therapist? I...have some things to work on myself."

OOO

The room was pretty bright. Lots of windows actually and some potted plants. Three plush chairs including a bean bag chair and scattered large pillows on the ground. Some colored art on the wall and a dish full of small wrapped chocolates in front of the chairs.

Ms. Naoru took a seat and held the dish out. "Feel free."

Gohan grinned, looked up at his father. Sweets, especially chocolate, were a treat for him. Hard to get out on the mountain!

"Go on, but don't take all of 'em." Even as he spoke, Goku took a handful himself.

Once they ate one or two, Goku asked, "Thanks for seeing us. Ms. Kiku said you offered?"

Nodding firmly, she said, "Pro bono. Mr. Son."

"Pro...?"

Gohan looked up "It's Latin, Daddy. It means 'for the good.' Means she'll see us for free." Gohan stared at her, "Ehy?"

Almost immediately, he added "Not...not that we're ungrateful but..."

Naoru just smiled. "Well, I did talk with Chiyu about you. She mentioned that your father here had been coming, looking for advice and tips. But you'd never come for a full on session."

Goku swallowed. "Yeah, Gohan hadn't felt okay with it." He wrapped his arm around his son, making a subconscious statement that he would not allow anything to proceed that did such a thing.

Her eyes remained kind. "Out of fear of not being believed?"

"Well..." she was partially right. But that wasn't really where his fear lay—

"Or fear that you might say something that would be misinterpreted and people would think untruths about your family? Truths that could put your family in danger it doesn't deserve?"

Gohan felt his face pale and his mouth drop a little. He swallowed, did a false cough to try and recover but the overall shock was clearly painted on his face.

Goku was more direct. "Wow. You're good."

Shaking her head, the woman said, "The reason I asked to meet with you is because I've made a bit of a reputation for myself working with people that have seen things the world likes to pretend don't exist."

Gohan eyed her. "Like?"

"Oh...like the highway store held up by a blond woman, a black haired man and a huge towering man with orange hair that had far too much strength. Or those who had the misfortune of being close to the cities where those alien pods crashed. Or the few hidden folk that lived to talk about what happened in Gingertown."

The two Saiyans stared at her. Goku finally caught his nerves. "I didn't think anybody remembered or dealt with they stuff."

She leaned forward. "Not many do. Me, a handful of other people here. I think the world likes to stick its head in the sand and pretend to forget." She touched her temple. "But the mind and heart don't forget. Those people need help healing just like anyone else. So when I saw there wasn't a group dedicated to that, well, that became my focus." She looked from one to the other. "And when I heard the name Son Goku, I saw it as my chance to help...in what little way I could."

The younger of the two spoke, "You looked like you knew my Daddy. But I know you don't. So, what does Daddy have to do with you wanting to help me?"

Again, his face blushed. "I'm sorry, Ms. Naoru. I'm not trying to be rude..."

"It's alright to ask questions," She reassured him. "Given what you have seen...I can only guess at it...you're being protective of yourself, of your family. If you knowing my why makes you feel more at ease, then I'll gladly tell you."

After a moment to consider, the boy nodded. "If you could tell me..." he was more than a little astounded and encouraged by her. She was talking about the Androids, about the Saiyans. How much she knew, he didn't know but the very prospect that she accepted these things as fact meant he would not have to lie...

"Of course. When I was young, about your age actually Gohan, my family and I lived in Central City, in the Palace of the King. My father was the Captain of the Guard. And when King Piccolo attacked, he fell."

Goku stared but he didn't interrupt her.

"My mother and I managed to take my father's body and flee when King Piccolo was making demands. We figured the safest place would be with my grandparents. At West City."

Gohan blinked. "Daddy told me about that story. That was the first place King Piccolo tried to destroy."

"It was. And I wasn't able to do anything about it. But then came a three eyed man and oh, the fight he put up—"

Goku grinned, "Yep! Good ol' Tien!"

She nodded. "But even he fell but then from the sky came a boy dressed in orange, with spiky hair and a tail. I didn't see all of it. It wasn't safe. But I know that my grandparents and I lived that day because of Son Goku."

She wiped her eyes. "And I'm sure that my father awoke from cold death because of you too. Don't know how but I know it had to be. And I know we owe our lives not to Mr. Satan. I don't need video to know that." Her voice rang like a bell. "If I can offer my services to help those that dared to try and protect us, little as that might be, then I will." She took a breath. "But that is all up to you. If all you want are tips, I can offer that but I'd like to do more than that, if you'll let me."

Gohan looked up at his father. The Saiyan looked equal parts stunned and relieved. He never dreamed that there might be someone that could understand...truly...understand. But something that lived through King Piccolo, someone who KNEW the role he played in his defeat. Someone that had been touched by the Dragonballs in a way that memory could not forget.

Goku gave a nod. "Whatta you think, Gohan?"

Gohan looked at her. Considered her story, felt her ki. Heard the sincerity in her voice. And he felt hope spread through his whole being.

"Yes."