The fight had been going on for hours, it seemed, and the Red Ribbin Army was finally starting to whittle down. Goku, his new bride, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien and Chaioutszu were all in the thick of it. Goku hadn't been back from his honeymoon for more than fifteen minutes when the fight started, but, to her credit, Chi-Chi jumped right on in there and held her own.

Goku was proud of her, and even Bulma, who was watching from a relatively safe distance, was impressed that the princess was hopping in there and kicking as much- if not more- ass as Krillin and Yamcha. But, the fight was down to three of the Red Ribbon Army left standing, and our fighters, still hanging in there—until one of them grabbed Chi-Chi from behind by the hair and throat. She yelped, struggling to get out of the difficult hold, and Goku's eyes snapped.

He moved purposefully towards her, but there was a solider blocking his path. Without even bothering, he grabbed him by the head and threw him several hundred yards. When the second solider tried to get in his way, he just smacked him with a backhand to the temple, sending him crashing to the earth. He growled at the one holding his beloved.

"Let. Her. Go." He demanded in a guttural tone.

The soldier looked truly frightened, but kept his grip just as tight. "No!" he said. "I think right now this babe is the only thing keepin' me alive, so she's my ticket outta here!"

Goku took an angered step forward, but the soldier shook his head. "Nu-uh-uh, pretty-boy," he said a bit cockily. "One step too close and I snap this pretty little neck here."

Goku froze, frowning, and the soldier grinned, realizing just how many cards he was holding…

"That's right… I'm takin' her with me, and I'll let her go when I'm a safe distance away…" he said, backing away slowly.

Goku still had made no movement.

"There's no way you're fast enough to—"

But, he didn't finish his sentence, because suddenly Goku was behind him, and had snapped his neck, gathering Chi-Chi into his arms. Chi-Chi held on tightly, shaking.

"She… is with me." He said, glaring down at the twitching body, and then turned his attention to his wife, checking her over for injuries.

The rest of his friends rushed over.

"We should get out of here." Bulma said.

"She's right; they could bring reinforcements." Yamcha agreed.

Goku gathered Chi-Chi into his arms tightly, not speaking, as they all trundled into Bulma's jet. She remained on his lap and he stroked her hair constantly, as if reassuring himself she were still there, still safe…

"Stop here." He said, looking up finally.

"What? Goku, the Island is miles away yet—"

"No, but this is mine and Chi-Chi's house, and we're going home for now."

Chi-Chi looked at him in surprise. "You don't want to fight anymore?"

"I didn't say that. But you're not going to. Not ever again."

Chi-Chi looked at him, huffy. "I did just as well as you till the end of that fight—"

"And the end is what matters!" Goku said passionately. "You… if he had hurt you… I couldn't… Chi…" he sighed tenderly, cupping her face in his hands. "Please, I can't loose you, okay? I can't fight properly if I'm constantly scared for you. All I'd be doing the whole time is guarding you and not getting what I needed to get done… done. Please… I can't… I… I'm not strong enough…"

"Oh, Goku…" she breathed, climbing into his embrace. "Okay…" She sniffed. "I promise… I won't fight unless I have to."

"Thank you…" he whispered, pulling her into a passionate, claiming kiss.

And, as Bulma lowered the jet, Goku jumped down, Chi-Chi in his arms, carrying her into their own little cabin in the woods, where they promptly went and conceived Gohan that very night…

_END_