Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Butterflies & Hurricanes ❯ Chapter 26 ( Chapter 26 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Froglady15 
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Hentai / Romance / Suspense / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 02.14.2016 | Pages: 20 | Words: 11.2K | Visits: 329 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Drama / Hentai / Romance / Suspense / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 02.14.2016 | Pages: 20 | Words: 11.2K | Visits: 329 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. Just my
Husband, laptop, my 3 dogs and a very overactive imagination…
Dragon Ball Z and any songs mentioned in this fic DO NOT belong to
me. I’m just borrowing them for my own twisted amusement.
Chapter 26
The two space pods crashed landed in a large, field on the planet Callisto. A moment later, Asia and Raditz emerged.
Raditz stretched as he stood up to his full height and looked around. His shoulder was still stiff, but altogether not as bad as he’d thought it would be. Four months in stasis and no movement had been enough for it to heal on its own.
It was about mid-day he estimated as he looked around. “You alright?” he asked as he noticed Asia stretching as well. “It took a bit longer to get here than what Vegeta had said.”
“I’m fine,” she nodded, also looking around. “So this is it?”
“I guess so,” he replied, grabbing his scouter and putting it on. “There’s like nothing here, everyone is weak.”
“Great,” she sighed. “So how are we going to find them?”
“Don’t know,” Raditz answered, pressing buttons on his scouter, sifting through the readings. “There’s a strong power over in that direction. Maybe it’s the Namek?”
“Could be,” Asia shrugged. “Want to go check it out? If he knows Bulma, maybe he can tell us where she is and it would save us a whole lot of time instead of flying around aimlessly here until we find her. That could take all day.”
“Let’s go,” Raditz agreed, levitating into the air.
“What about the pods?”
“Leave ‘em,” he shrugged. “We can come back for them later.”
Asia followed him and they flew quickly towards the strongest energy level on the planet in hopes that it was the Namek they had been told about. As they flew, Asia couldn’t help but feel remorse that she and Raditz were the only ones to have made it off Isotope and hoped that Vegeta and Kakarott had made it off as well. She supposed that she would know as soon as they found Bulma and at least she could get an update that way.
Relief flooded through her that she’d had the foresight to entrust Bulma with her son. They should have made it here by now and hopefully were settled in. She wasn’t sure what she would do now; if she would stay here or go back to Vegeta-sei. She shuddered at the thought of going back to the King. That was something she knew she did not want to go back to.
Well, Vegeta, Bulma and Kakarott had resided here for a year or more, maybe it wasn’t that bad and she could make a life here for herself with her son and Raditz if he was still interested. Either way, whether he was or not, she would not be going back to her father and King Vegeta. That much she was certain about.
Raditz slowed down somewhat as the power level they were heading towards seemed to be drawing closer to them a lot quicker than he thought it should be. He continued on nonetheless at the rapid pace he’d set.
Within a few short minutes, they were met mid-air by their large power lever; a Namek to their surprise.
“What business have you here, Saiyans?” he asked suspiciously.
Raditz lowered himself to the ground and the Namek and Asia followed. “We were sent here by Prince Vegeta and are to meet his mate, Bulma here,” he answered. “We mean no harm.”
Piccolo eye them cautiously, as if trying to decide whether or not they were a threat. “You came here in search of Bulma?” he asked. “Vegeta sent you?”
“Yes,” Raditz nodded. “She would have brought back her son and possibly Kakarott’s mate with their son and another child she was caring for in his mother’s absence.”
“My son,” Asia clarified.
The Namek frowned in confusion looking at them both. He wasn’t sure, but he sensed they did not pose a threat and that they both truly believed Bulma was in fact here. Did they not know that their own planet had been destroyed?
“Are they here?” Raditz asked, the Namek’s drawn out silence beginning to set him on edge. “Look, we mean her no harm. Kakarott is my brother, I know his mate personally. Ask them. Bulma will even tell you. Vegeta would have told her through the bond that we were coming here. Ask her if you don’t believe me. We will gladly remain here while you consult with her if that is what you want to do.”
“I would do that, however she is not here,” Piccolo finally said.
“What?” Both Asia and Raditz exclaimed.
“I have not seen Bulma, Vegeta, Kakarott or Chi-Chi and their children since their departure for Vegeta-sei months ago,” he clarified. “Where are you coming from? You must have heard the news of your own planet.”
“We are the only remaining survivors of the soldiers Prince Vegeta brought with him to Isotope to defeat King Cold,” Raditz told him. “Everyone else was killed and so Prince Vegeta sent us away to come here and meet up with Bulma. Kakarott remained behind with him and that was the last we heard.”
Piccolo shook his head. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Prince Vegeta has fallen to King Cold. So far as I know, he was tried and executed already. Not only that, but King Cold destroyed Vegeta-sei a couple of months ago.”
“What!” Raditz shouted. “When?”
Piccolo shrugged. “Three, maybe four months back?”
“It took us four months to get here,” Asia whispered as her stomach dropped in dread. “Oh god, was it destroyed before Bulma had a chance to leave?”
Raditz shook his head, completely unable to form a response or wrap his mind around this information, sinking to the ground in shock. “You’re sure about this?”
“It was all over the news,” Piccolo replied. “How could you have not heard about it? It is all anyone has talked about.”
“We escaped in single escape pods and went into sleep mode for the duration of our trip,” Raditz told him in a daze as he took in this information that not only was his home destroyed, but worried about Asia would take the news that Bulma was not her with her son as expected. “We were only awakened ten minutes before our landing.”
“I see,” Piccolo commented. “Well, I am not sure what to tell you and I regret to be the one to have told you all of this. If it is any consolation, Bulma’s parents reside here. You may speak with them, perhaps they have heard from her.”
“Bulma’s parents?” Asia asked.
“Yes, after the death of Lord Frieza, they returned here with both of them. When they left to return to Vegeta-sei, they both decided that they would rather remain here and help advance our technology. Her father is a technological genius and has been a great help to us. I am forever in their debt.”
Raditz looked at Asia, deferring to her.
“Sure,” she shrugged. “Couldn’t hurt, could it? Maybe they have heard from her and we can go to her and we can figure out for the time being what to do?”
“Alright,” Raditz nodded, still in shock that Vegeta-sei had been destroyed. That meant his parents were gone as well, what was he going to do?
“You both may reside here until you decide for yourselves what you want to do, however this is a peaceful planet. If you are found to be causing any trouble for any of our inhabitants, you will be made to leave.”
They both understood and nodded.
Piccolo nodded once and the threesome took off into the air.
It didn’t take them all that long to make it to a small village; they landed in front of a small house and Piccolo knocked on the door.
Within a moment, a beautiful middle-aged blonde woman came to the door. “Oh, Mr. Piccolo! What a surprise! Come in!” She greeted cheerfully.
Raditz and Asia both looked at each other in confusion, was this Bulma’s mother?
“I am afraid I cannot stay long,” Piccolo replied, turning down her offer. “I am leaving two visitors here who know Bulma and Vegeta. He is apparently Kakarott’s brother.”
“Oh, how nice!” she exclaimed. “Come right in! Maybe you have some news for us! We haven’t heard from any of them since they left, what with the destruction of Vegeta-sei Trunks and I have been absolutely beside ourselves!”
Raditz and Asia looked at each other again awkwardly. “Well, actually, the reason we came to see you is we were hoping-” Raditz started.
“Trunks! You have to come down here!” She hollered, ushering both Raditz and Asia into the house. Piccolo strategically maneuvered himself in such a way that he could leave. The blonde haired woman always made him uncomfortable.
“I will be leaving now,” he announced. “If there is anything else I can do to help, you are welcome to find me.”
“Thanks,” Raditz nodded once, almost afraid to be left here stranded with the bubbly blonde woman.
“Now have a seat, you two.” Mrs. Briefs insisted. “I just finished making lunch and a rather large amount of pastries that I was going to give out to some of the villagers, but since we have guests to entertain, you all can sample them instead! Trunks, hurry! There are friends of Bulma and Vegeta’s here to visit!”
Asia looked at Raditz and shot him an odd look. This woman didn’t even know them and was insisting they sit and dine with her.
“Don’t be shy!” she insisted, pulling out a chair for each of them. “My goodness aren’t you a strikingly handsome young man! Are all of the members of your culture so handsome? I swear to you if I wasn’t a happily married woman, well, I suppose it doesn’t matter because I am but you understand, I am sure.”
“Uhhh,” Raditz stood there with his mouth agape for a moment before kicking himself mentally and taking the seat she was offering to him. “Thank you, I, I can see where Bulma gets her looks from.” He said in recovery.
“Oh, thank you, you are so kind,” she giggled. “Unfortunately, Bulma didn’t inherit any of my culinary skills. Are you two hungry? Eat as much as you want, I made far too much food. And you, my lovely dear, what is your name? Have a seat, don’t be shy, I don’t bite, I promise!” She addressed Asia.
“My name is Asia,” she replied, sitting across from Raditz and wondering for a moment if she was actually awake or still dreaming in the space pod. This whole scenario was just too weird.
“What a pretty name! It suites you, dear.” Mrs. Briefs gushed as she began placing several dishes full of food on the table. “Now dig in, I just need to go and get my husband.”
They both looked at her as she scuttled out of the kitchen in an almost whirlwind fashion and the small kitchen was silent.
“What the hell?” Asia hissed. “This is too weird!”
“Yea, just a bit,” Raditz agreed eyeing the assortment of food on the table. “But I’m hungry, so whatever.”
A few minutes later Mrs. Briefs emerged with Dr. Briefs. “Oh good! I’m so glad you didn’t wait! You both must be famished from your journey. This is my husband and Bulma’s father, Trunks Briefs.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Mr. Briefs said, sitting down.
“They named their son after you?” Asia asked. She had wondered where they had come up with that strange name.
“They did,” the older gentleman nodded.
“I’m Raditz,” Raditz introduced himself. “I’m actually Kakarott’s older brother and this is Asia; she’s the que-”
“I am pleased to meet you both.” She cut in, not wanting her title to be made known just in case there way some off chance that King Vegeta or her father had survived the destruction of Vegeta-sei. She was still somewhat in shock that it was gone, but a part of her was alright with that. It meant that she could now be whoever she wanted to be for the first time in her life. To grieve the loss of her home would be to grieve the loss of her father and mate and everything she had hated about her life, with the exception of her son. However, she still held on to some hope that maybe he still lived? There were a number of reasons why Bulma may not have made it here yet; maybe they’d had mechanical failure with the ship and were stranded on another planet awaiting repairs? Maybe they changed their course and took a longer than necessary route to make sure they weren’t being followed?
Asia knew how seriously Vegeta took Bulma’s safety, so if she knew that, Bulma had to know that and so maybe she was just being extra cautious? She hoped that was the explanation for her not being here before them.
“So the two of you know Bulma and Vegeta and Kakrott, obviously?” Dr. Briefs asked.
“Yes,” Raditz replied.
“Do you know how they are all doing?” he asked. “We haven’t heard from them since they left here to go back to Vegeta’s home planet. We simply assumed for the longest time that no news was good news, especially with Bulma, she’s not always good at remembering to keep in touch but she’s always fine. We weren’t concerned until we had heard that Vegeta-sei had been destroyed. Do you know anything of their whereabouts? Are they on their way here?”
Asia and Raditz exchanged a concerned glance between them. “We were kind of hoping you would have some answers for us, actually,” she answered cautiously, reaching for a second helping of some kind of meat and cheese with noodles dish that was absolutely superb.
Between the two of them, they filled Dr. and Mrs. Briefs in on everything since Vegeta and Bulma had arrived back to Vegeta-sei. Asia told them about how she had given Tarble over to Bulma to care for and Raditz told them about the war on Cold’s planet and how they were the only survivors as far as they knew, unless Vegeta and Kakarott had managed to survive and Piccolo had been ill-informed about Vegeta having been executed.
“Maybe Vegeta and Kakarott got out and are on their way here?” Mrs. Briefs suggested. “And that boy loves our Bulma so much that I’m sure he sent her someplace safe and instructed her to lay low there until he was able to come for her.”
Dr. Briefs gave his wife a fleeting look at her optimism. “He specifically told you that he advised her to return here?”
“Yes,” Raditz nodded. “He said that he instructed her to return here to you both. So when he ordered us to leave, he advised us to return here so Asia would be reunited with her son.”
“I wish I had some insight to give you two, I cannot imagine what you must be going through,” Dr. Briefs said, pouring himself a cup of black coffee. “However, you are more than welcome to remain here and wait for them both if you think that there is the possibility that Bulma was perhaps delayed for whatever reason. If Vegeta told her to leave, I do not know why she would have stuck around. She knew how seriously that boy took her and Trunks’ safety; she would have followed his instructions; that much I am certain of.”
Asia and Raditz both refrained from chuckling to themselves, it was the second time one of Bulma’s parents had referred to Vegeta as that boy and it was clearly in an affectionate tone rather than as an insult.
“You would let us stay here?” Raditz asked dumbfounded. “You don’t even know us.”
“You are Kakarott’s family and he is considered family to us and you are friends with Vegeta and my daughter, therefore that makes you family as well if you so wish.” Dr. Briefs said.
“Not to mention that your home has been destroyed,” Mrs. Breifs added. “We’ve been there, we understand how devastating that is! Please at least consider staying here until you decide where you would like to go. It has been awfully quiet here since everyone left.”
Asia looked down at her plate guiltily. How could she accept hospitality from these people after everything she had put their daughter through? If they only knew, they’d have her thrown out. Not to mention what kind of people just blindly invited people they just met to stay with them based on the fact that they knew their daughter? It wasn’t normal. She looked up at Raditz who shrugged indifferently.
“We could stay for a bit, I guess and wait to see if they’re coming,” he suggested, picking up on Asia’s hesitation. “We don’t want to impose though.”
“Nonsense!” Mrs. Briefs weaved her hand dismissively. “The upstairs bedrooms are free. Are you two a couple? There is one large bedroom and a second smaller bedroom up there and then Trunks’ office is up there.”
The two looked at each other and blushed. That was still very much undecided. “We, um, we are still figuring that out.”
“Well whatever it is, there are accommodations upstairs for the both of you,” Mrs. Briefs waved her hand as though it was all so easily solved. “You two finish your lunch and I will prepare both rooms and then you can both decide on the sleeping arrangements.”
The older woman got up and left promptly, not giving either of them a chance to decline or accept.
“Don’t mind her,” Dr. Briefs said once she was gone, picking up on the fact that they both were extremely uncomfortable with this scenario. “She means well and is the most hospitable person I have ever met. Do not feel you are imposing. In truth, this is a good thing. She has been quite lonely since Bulma and Vegeta left. If you decide to remain here, it will be good for her.”
Asia and Raditz nodded. This whole situation was somewhat surreal.
“What’s your son’s name?” Dr. Briefs asked them.
“Oh, he’s my son actually. His name is Tarble.” Asia answered awkwardly. “Raditz isn’t his father. I guess if Vegeta-sei is gone then his father is deceased now.”
“I’m very sorry,” Dr. Briefs said awkwardly. “I can’t even imagine. Well, I can, but still. That’s very sad.”
“Its fine,” Asia replied quickly. “We weren’t on the best terms when I left to fight. I just hope Bulma got off Vegeta-sei with Tarble before it was destroyed. That’s all that matters now.”
“Yes,” Dr. Briefs agreed. “Let’s hope that she did.”
The three of them finished the rest of their meal in silence before Mrs. Breifs returned, announcing that everything was ready for their new guests.
After they were finished, they went to check out their new accommodations, which were more than adequate. They both agreed for the time being to remain in separate rooms.
After deciding on who would stay where, Asia yanked Raditz into her chosen room and closed the door. "What are we going to do?" She whispered in panic. "We can't stay here!"
"Why not?" He asked. "Where else can we go? It's not like we can go home!"
"I wouldn't go back there anyway!" She snapped. "Unless I knew that Tarble was there beyond the shadow of a doubt. I would never go back there."
"Then what's wrong with here?"
"What's wrong?" She repeated, looking at him like he was an idiot. "What's wrong, is that I can't stay with Bulma's parents. That's one thing that's wrong here, very wrong."
"Awe shit, seriously? You still hate on the girl that much?" He asked in frustration. "I thought you were past all that; you let her care your son for fuck sakes!"
"No, this has nothing to do with anything between me and her, you moron!" She snapped at him. "If you recall, I'm the one responsible for ratting her and Vegeta out way back when and then Frieza destroyed the ship she and Kakarott were in."
"That was you who told on them?"
"Yea," she sighed. "What? Don't look at me like that!"
"You nearly got my brother killed," he said to her accusingly. "We all thought he was dead, Asia. Not only that but you consoled me in my time of grief."
"I didn't know Lord Frieza would blow up the ship!" She said defensively. "They were looking for her and I saw her and told them where she was. That's all. It's not my fault Kakarott got caught up in it as collateral damage."
"But you never told me,"
"I never told anyone but for the few people in the throne room and that was only because they happened to be present at the time," she replied, crossing her arms.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked in a hurt tone.
"What was the point?" She huffed. "I felt bad enough about it. I like Kakarott. Honestly, the only thing I was thinking at the time was-"
"Getting Vegeta," he spat. "Yea, I know all about that and your one track mind; don't remind me. I only sat on the sidelines as a spectator for how many years while you chased after him."
"I'm sorry!" She said. "Can't you understand why I can't stay here and accept their hospitality?"
Raditz nodded.
"They are nice people, I can see that but I just don't feel right about it," she said. "Even you have to admit that you can see how upset they are that Bulma isn't here and she and Trunks may have been killed if they were still on Vegeta-sei. They're upset about Vegeta having been captured and executed. How can I stay here with them when all I can think about is my own son and how I plotted vindictively against their daughter?"
"I understand that, I do, but where else do we go?" He asked. "Maybe Bulma is on her way here still. There could be a bunch of reasons why she's not here yet. She's smart. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation; there has to be. Not to mention running into and having her parents embrace you like a long lost comrade is almost like karma biting you in the ass."
She punched him in the shoulder as he chuckled at the irony of her situation. "So what are you suggesting we do then?"
"I say let's wait it out here and see if they turn up." He shrugged. It wasn't great, but it was the only plan he did have. "I can't believe Vegeta-sei is gone."
“I know,” she nodded. “I’m not sorry though.”
Raditz looked at her in shock. Sure she had been trapped in an unhappy union with the King, but that was still her home.
“Don’t look at me like that and don’t judge me.” She snarled.
“I wasn’t,”
“Yes, you were,” she accused. “You have no idea what it was like for me being stuck with him and being nothing more than a pawn to advance my father’s political agenda’s. I’m sorry you’ve lost your family and our home but I’m not sorry and I will not grieve Vegeta-sei’s destruction. I will, however grieve for my son.”
“You don’t know that he’s gone, Asia.” Radits said comfortingly. “We already discussed it; there could be a hundred reasons why they aren’t here and another hundred places they could be. If I had any idea of where, I’d say let’s go find them; but we have no way of knowing. Don’t give up on that just yet. I’m sure Bulma is on her way with them, she has to be.”
“I hope so,” she sighed, trying to convince herself that maybe Raditz was right. However her instincts were telling her otherwise and she sat down on the bed as the full weight of the last few hours began to sink in. “What am I going to do if she didn’t make out with him?”
Not knowing how to respond, Raditz simply sat down next to her but didn’t say anything; what could he say?
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said again, covering her mouth as she tried to keep herself from getting emotional in front of him. “I have a bad feeling they didn’t make it out, I just do, Raditz. She, she should have been here by now. Why isn’t she here?”
“I don’t know,” he said gently. “Maybe, she-”
“Maybe she didn’t make it off Vegeta-sei at all.”
“And maybe she did,” he insisted. “Don’t give up yet. There has to be another explanation. We will wait here until they show up; both of us.”
They eventually settled into some sort of routine on planet Callisto with the Briefs, hoping every day that either Bulma would show up with Chi-Chi and the boys or they would at least hear something of their whereabouts.
-0-0-0-
In the four months since the trial, Bulma worked nonstop in the lab for Gero on little projects here and there while he inflicted whatever horrific experiment on Vegeta that he could think of; currently he had her mass producing capsules, much to her resentment. It was both a blessing and curse that she was not allowed in the main medical lab while Gero was conducting his research on Vegeta.
While she wished she could be there for Vegeta in terms of moral support, she also was relieved because she almost didn’t want to know what Gero was doing to him. Especially since as of late the brutality of experiments were becoming increasingly worse and she was beginning to wonder how much longer Vegeta would last.
Just a few weeks ago, Gero had decided to open Vegeta up to determine how his body was able to heal itself and he wanted to investigate the difference in anatomy. Mid way through his exploration, Vegeta’s body had shut down completely due to malnutrition and the fact that he could not regenerate and heal himself because of the ki collar’s effects. Gero had been able to get Dende to repair and help out until he was able to move him into the regeneration tank and bring him back.
Vegeta had been in the tank for a whole week, but she had felt for several minutes what it would feel like to lose him permanently. It was horrible and painful but she told herself it was nothing by comparison to how Vegeta must feel going through the things Gero had been putting him through. All in the name of science.
It disgusted her.
Since then, she did her best to sneak him any extra rations of food she could get her hands on; he was so weak physically by this point that they didn’t even bother keeping his hands bound anymore. It broke her heart to look at him, he was so gaunt-looking and his pallor was no longer that healthy olive tone that had made him look so exotic. He now looked more like a hospital patient in the ward for the terminally ill.
Bulma was surprised his muscle mass hadn’t quite started depleting yet; a good sign if there was anything positive about their situation. So far it was all in his face and neck that that looked the worst but she knew that was only his outward appearance; internally, his body had to be reeling from the lack of nourishment alone.
She hadn’t had the chance to even consider finding a way to break out of the lab. For one she was monitored at all times by an android except for when she was sleeping, using the bathroom and eating. That was how she was able to get Vegeta extra nourishment; she would eat about half of her meal and capsulize the rest. Since Dende seemed to have more lab access and Gero’s trust, she would sneak him the capsule and he would find a way to give it to Vegeta being that he seemed to have unlimited access to Vegeta’s room as well.
It wasn’t great, but it was the best she could do and the only way she could help him at the moment.
Reality had finally sunk into her about two weeks ago when she had talked Dende into giving her his access card to the lab in an effort to do some late at night poking around and investigating. Instead of doing that, however, the temptation to go to Vegeta had been too much for her to resist. She brought him a blanket and had gone into his room in an effort to offer him some warmth and comfort.
It had been her plan to only stay for a few minutes, but she could not bring herself to leave him; he was freezing cold and broken on the floor from whatever it was Gero had done that day to him so she had wrapped him up in a blanket and held him close until they’d both fallen asleep, clinging to each other only to have been discovered by the Android the next morning.
Bulma insisted that she had stolen Dende’s lab access card without his knowledge, for fear of the Namek child being punished for her actions and was ready to claim full responsibility for it, however that resulted in Vegeta taking the fall for her actions and he had received a fair beating from the Android that resulted in his going back into the regeneration tank for a few days and Gero thoroughly pissed off at her because he had to delay in his studies until Vegeta was well enough to get out.
Today, she was working on more capsules for Gero and was out of one of the elements she needed. She knew they were in the main lab where Vegeta was, but she did not want to go in there. Seeing him was just too hard.
However, Gero had been called away to a meeting with Cold and Dende told her that if she wanted to see him, now was a good time as the Android was gone as well. He would take the opportunity to see if he could find anything to aid them in their escape plan because if he was caught looking around, no one would question it since he had full access to everything.
She reluctantly agreed with him and quietly walked into the exam room where Vegeta was tethered to the wall instead of being put away in his room.
As soon as she saw him, she lost her bearing and resolve and decided to only get the supplies she needed and go back to her work station. She didn't say a word to him as she walked by, unable to say anything to him. After the last time, she couldn't bare it to get into trouble again. She knew it was destroying him that she was ignoring him but she reminded herself that keeping her distance from him was the safer option so as to not attract attention and have him hurt again over her weakness.
Bulma, he said to her finally after several minutes of watching her scuffle clumsily in the lab in search for whatever it was she was looking for.
She turned and looked at him, but avoided direct eye contact with him. She was drained. Mentally, physically and emotionally. She just couldn't cope seeing him like this, enduring all of this.
Look at me, he demanded.
She didn't want to. If she did, she would break down and wasn't sure if she would be able to bring herself back up.
I can't.
I need you. He said. It was the truth but he hated himself for having to admit to that.
I know, she said, finally looking at him. I’m sorry I, I just can’t bare it if we’re caught together again and I’m sorry I haven't figured out a way out of here yet. I'm working on it but I can’t-
I know, he said, reaching his hand out towards her. When you do, just go. Find Trunks and Tarble and the three of you are to go. Leave me here.
No, Vegeta. She said, relenting and walking up to him, taking his hand and interlocking her fingers with his after looking around to make sure no one was anywhere near by looking. She knew if they were caught like this they would hurt Vegeta again solely based on the fact that Bulma was the one who could choose to stay away from him.
Yes, Woman, he insisted. If you see a chance, you take it.
I can't leave you, she said sadly. I know it's the smart thing to do, but I can't. I need you.
No, you do not. You are stronger than you know. I will be fine here.
Yeah, right, Vegeta, she scoffed. I don't want to even think of what they will do to you if I take the boys and make a run for it. As soon as they discover us missing they will take it out on you.
You do not think I know that already? He replied dryly.
I can't bear the thought, Vegeta. Knowing that we are safe and you'd be living in pure hell.
I already am living in pure hell, Woman, he said. Knowing that you and our son are alright somewhere would be worth it to me.
I know, but I can't. I would not be able to live with myself, Vegeta.
And if Trunks and Tarble turn into homicidal maniacs, destroying everything and anything without a second thought or remorse as I was brought up to do, you could live with that? He challenged her. The last thing I ever wanted was for Trunks to grow up like I did, and I know this is not what Asia would have wanted for her son either. Get out of here, take them and go find her. I told her when she left here to go to Callisto. That is where you would go. I am almost certain that Raditz went with her. He will keep you and Trunks safe as well. You could trust him; I have full confidence in him.
I know. You're right, she nodded. I'll find a way. I have to go. She said, looking at the door. She had thought she'd heard it open and close a moment ago.
When she saw no one there, she quickly stepped back up to him again and threw her arms around his neck. It was a stupid, risky move, but she needed to feel him; even if it was just for a moment.
Bulma crashed her lips against his, much to his surprise. It took him a split second to respond, but he did; kissing her back fiercely with everything he had, trying to impart as much feeling and strength to her as he could.
"I love you," he whispered against her lips before his brain could catch up with his mouth.
"I know," she replied, her voice catching in emotion. Why was it now that he was able to say it so freely to her? "I love you too." She buried her face in his neck, not wanting to leave him just yet.
"Hmm, and look where that got you." He said quietly to her in a dark tone.
"Don't say stupid things."
He smirked at her.
She held onto him a moment longer and kissed him again before abruptly stepping away to leave.have to go before someone sees us."
I will try and get some more food for you so that you can keep your strength up.
Do not risk discovery. If you cannot do it then I would rather you didn't. He said, watching her longingly as she left the room.
It ended up being a good thing she had left when she had; within moments the Android returned with Gero.
“Namek!” He barked and Dende raced out of the other room in a hurry.
“Yes, sir?”
“You are required in the barracks immediately,” Gero informed him. “There is a ship of soldiers that have just returned from a mission; nearly all of them quite severely injured, some critically so and there are not enough regeneration tanks. You are to work there today.”
“Yes, Dr. Gero.” He nodded and took his leave.
"I need your help, girl,” Gero said impatiently, walking to the door and glaring at her. “Now.”
"What am I helping you with?"She asked.
"I am opening him up today."
"Again?" She objected in disgust. "What for?"
"Doesn't matter, I need your help," he snipped at her as he turned away, leaving the door open and began preparing the exam table. "You are a scientist. I would have assumed you would he grateful for the experience. You never studied anything surgical?"
"No," she sighed. "Technology only."
"Well today is going to be a great day for you then," Gero chortled as the Android dragged Vegeta over and plunked him down none too gently on the table and began fastening his wrists out to the side so his arms were splayed. "Excellent! How are you feeling?" He asked Vegeta eagerly, leaning over his prone form.
Vegeta did not reply, he only turned his face away from him and kept on his mask of indifference. He made eye contact with Bulma a moment before looking away from her and mentally checking himself out completely as he usually did.
“I refuse,” she said boldly.
“That’s too bad because you do not have the option to refuse,” Gero reminded her nonchalantly. “I didn’t let Cold know about you stealing the Namek’s access card and your little rendezvous and night you shared with Vegeta the other week. I’m sure he’d like to hear about it.”
Bulma glared at him.
“I thought so,” he snipped at her. “You wouldn’t want your two boys to be punished for your brief lapse in judgement.”
“Why do this today?” she asked, trying to not get emotional. “Dende’s not here to help you if the same thing happens and he shuts down again.”
Gero shrugged. “That’s a chance I am willing to take and I know it won’t happen with you here.”
“What does my presence have to do with any of this?” she cried. “For someone so smart, you’re an idiot! He’s worn down to the point of nothing! You’ve starved him and keep him from recovering because of that stupid collar! How much trauma do you think he can sustain before his body decides it’s had enough? You say you want to know how and why he can heal himself. It’s because of his ki!”
Do not give him any information about anything pertaining to me. He advised her.
But maybe I can convince him to take off that thing?
I do not want him to know anything more than he already does.
Alright, fair enough but what if this kills you this time?
He didn’t say anything for a moment but he looked at her and replied: Then it does.
She nodded; covering her mouth to hide that her lips were trembling. How could she deny him or talk him out of thinking that way?
“You’re presence here will ensure that he does not shut down because you are going to monitor him since I don’t have Dende here if he crashes.” Gero replied, still flipping through many pages of research absent mindedly, not noticing that they were having a silent conversation.
Bulma frowned slightly as an idea began to form in the back of her mind but she dismissed it before it could really come to fruition.
Do it. He commanded, having caught it through the bond.
I don’t know if I can, Vegeta. She replied, feeling guilty for even thinking it.
I told you when you arrived here that if this is to be my existence you are to either find a way to end me or give me the means to do so. He reminded her. You may have the opportunity here.
I know that, I thought about it but I don’t know if I can go through with it is all!
You can.
And what if they assume I did something and kill the boys? You heard what Cold said.
Doing it the way you thought is the best way because they will not be able to prove it one way or another.
“Alright, I’ll help you,” she sighed trying to pull herself together. “But on one condition,”
“You, my dear, are in no position to be negotiating conditions.” Gero chuckled, snapping his binder shut ad giving her his full attention.
“If you put him out by use of a general anesthetic, I will help you.” She said.
“He does not need it,” Gero waived his hand in dismissal, reaching for his tools.
“But maybe that’s why he shut down last time!” she objected. “If he’s put out, that’s less stress on him and maybe his body will be able to handle the trauma you are about to inflict on it.”
“True enough, but anesthetic will slow his system down and I will not be able to properly study him.”
“You can’t anyway with that stupid thing you have around his neck!” She shouted. “Put him out and I will be able to monitor his vitals accurately and let you know if we are about to lose him before it happens.”
Gero looked to consider it a moment but then shook his head. “No. I am not so stupid to trust you enough that you wouldn’t poison or overdose him with anesthetic so he never wakes up.”
Bulma glared at him, neither confirming nor denying his suspicion that she would do such a thing. Sorry, Vegeta, I tried.
Gero chucked at the sour look on her face. “Now that we’ve wasted enough time, shall we get started?”
Bulma sighed in dread in an attempt to settle the knots in her stomach at the thought of aiding the mad scientist in opening up her husband for exploratory surgery. She just hoped she wouldn’t be sick.
-0-0-0-
Trunks and Tarble walked out of the chamber together, exhausted, but feeling stronger than ever.
“You did good, but I’m still stronger than you.” Trunks said to Tarble, shoving him.
“Not for long.” Tarble retorted.
“Enough of your simpering and bickering!” Jeyice barked at them. “Get down to the barracks and get yourselves cleaned up. Cold will want to see you and the evidence of the progress you’ve made.”
“Yes, sir.” The boys nodded and headed off in the direction of the barracks.
“Little gits,” Jeyice grumbled under his breath. “Exactly what does Cold think I am, a bloody babysitter?”
He made his way to Cold’s throne room to report to Cold the results of the boy’s most recent training. Jeyice hoped he would be satisfied with the results.
“Jeyice,” Cold greeted as he walked in. “That was fast.”
“Two days,” he answered. “Though it felt like the full entire two years to me.”
“Indeed,” Cold agreed. “How did they do? They are eight years of age now?”
“Yes, sir.” Jeyice nodded. “They did well; Trunks especially. The other is still lagging quite far behind. I cannot figure out why.”
“How far behind?”
“It’s hard to say, my Lord.” Jeyice answered. “I suspect that Trunks does not show his full potential for fear that the gap between them will be made more obvious than it already is. I would have to work with them separately to know for sure.”
“Are they finally ready to be sent on missions or do they need more training and another two days in the Time Chamber to mature?” Cold asked.
“I am confident Trunks is ready,” Jeyice said. “Tarble, no.”
“And why not?”
“I don’t know, my Lord. I have tried everything I know to train them; I have trained them both the same. Trunks continues to excel and Tarble remains the same. He is average at best, if that.” Jeyice reported honestly. “I really do not wish to be sent in there again. Do you realize that I have been aged eight years in four months? You realize what that is doing to my skin? Send someone else to train with them next time. I would rather not continue babysitting.”
“Noted,” Cold nodded. “Where are they? I wish to see them.”
“I sent them to the barracks to clean up before reporting to you.”
“Go and get them,” Cold demanded. “I wish to see them and assess them.”
“Right, sir,” Jeyice nodded and turned to leave and get the boys.
-0-0-0-
Freshly showered and clean, the two boys dressed quickly, not wanting to be in trouble for taking too long. They both put on blue flight suits and reached for new armor.
“My armor doesn’t fit anymore,” Trunks commented, reaching for another set in another size.
“Mine still fits.” Tarble said with a shrug.
“That’s because you’re a runt,” Trunks said in a teasing tone, yet his features clouded over in concern. “You need to start working harder, hey? I can’t keep holding back on your account. They’re eventually going to notice and Jeyice is getting pissed.”
“I’m working as hard as I can, Trunks!” he objected in a hurt tone. “I just can’t keep up to you. I don’t know why. I can barely breathe in that chamber. I don’t know how you can do it.”
“Because we don’t have a choice, Tarble.” Trunks said. “I hate it too, but they keep making us go.”
“I know,” he agreed. “I’m trying though, I really am.”
“I know you are,” Trunks sighed. “I just, I can’t take it when he’s mean to you because you aren’t progressing as fast as I am and I can’t keep holding back or they’ll punish us both for not progressing. You know that.”
“Then don’t.” Tarble said bitterly. “You’re the favorite.”
“Am not,”
“Are too!” Tarble insisted. “Why did I get mom’s weak genes and you didn’t?”
“Hey, mom’s not weak!” Trunks said angrily.
“Do you even remember mom?”
“Yea, of course I do,” Trunks nodded. “Can’t you?”
“No,” he shook his head. “I don’t remember dad either.”
“I remember dad a little,” Trunks admitted. “Not as well as mom though. Don’t worry, Jeyice said if we did good this time in the chamber we could go see her, remember?”
“Ya,”
“Then you’ll remember her.” Trunks said optimistically.
“I still don’t get why you remember her and I don’t.”
“Because you’re a big stupidy, that’s why.” Trunks joked.
“Am not, you are!”
“Hey! Just what do you think you’re doing?” Jeyice shouted at them. “Get your arses going now! Cold is waiting on you two little monkeys!”
“Sorry, sir,” the two boys apologized, putting their armor on hurriedly and slinked past them.
“Ow!” Tarble whined as he got a boot in the butt as he scurried past Jeyice.
“Get going!” he shouted at them again.
“Do we get to see mom later?” Trunks asked once he was a fair distance from Jeyice to not get decked or kicked. He wasn’t sure, but he had a feeling he was at least as fast as their sensei if not faster, though he hadn’t tested that theory for fear of making his brother look bad. He had been consciously holding back since they had gotten out of the chamber last time.
They had come out and Cold had given Tarble quite the beating for not being at the same level as Trunks. Trunks had felt so badly about it that any friendly competitive streak he’d had with his brother had vanished and so he deliberately held himself back in his training so that Tarble wouldn’t get in trouble. They were both treated bad enough as it was.
“Maybe,” Jeyice smirked. “I’ll go look in on her while you and your brother are meeting with Cold. He wants to send you both on missions if you are ready.”
Trunks lit up at the thought but then remembered that there was no way Tarble would be strong enough to go on anything that was too difficult. “I don’t know,” he said cautiously, looking at his brother who had a panic stricken look on his face.
“You can stop playing stupid, boy,” Jeyice snarled at him. “I know you are a lot stronger than you let on to protect your weakling brother. Don’t think I don’t know and don’t think I didn’t report that little bit of information to Cold, because I did.”
Trunks swallowed back a weave of fear. “I am not. We’re the same.”
“Right,” he snorted. “Well matters little to me. Cold can get rid of you both for all I care. I’m sick of being the one responsible for you useless brats. The only reason Cold puts up with your lot is because your father had an amazing strength and was an outstanding warrior. So you both better buck up and get with the program or Cold will get rid of you both.”
“Yes, sir.” Both boys replied quietly, both worried about facing Cold. It was never a pleasant time for either of them.
They made it to the throne room and Jeyice opened the doors for them, letting them in.
“Here they are, my Lord,” he announced as they walked in.
“Excellent!” Cold exclaimed. “Come over here, you two; let me have a look at you.”
The two boys cautiously walked up to Cold, not wanting to get too close but close enough to make him happy. They both wanted to stay out of range of his long tail; it wouldn’t be the first time he decided to whip one of them across the head with it suddenly.
“My, Trunks you have grown,” he commented appreciatively. “At least two feet since I last saw you a few days ago, impressive. Tarble, I see you must be inheriting your father’s laughable height. A pitty I hear you seem to not be inheriting his immense strength. You know he was one of the universes most powerful warriors despite being a pint sized Saiyan?”
“Tarble has grown,” Trunks cut in. “And he’s stronger too. We both are.”
“I hear you have excelled, yet like to hide your progress.” Cold said pointedly at him.
“No I don’t,” Trunks answered, shaking his head.
“I know better than that,” Cold chuckled, standing up and walking towards the boys. “You think you are protecting him by hiding your progress?”
“No,” Trunks insisted and before he had a chance to react was whipped with a tail lash from Cold that sent him crashing into the ground.
Trunks grit his teeth and stood up, slowly, glaring defiantly at Cold trying to hide how much that had hurt.
“Are you sure?” he asked, advancing at him.
“Yes!” Trunks shouted in reply, blocking a blow from Cold that had he not anticipated it, was sure it would have probably knocked him out cold.
“Not only have I heard that is a lie, but I think you are holding back as well.” Cold said, knocking him down again with his tail. “Jeyice,”
“Yes, my Lord?”
“You may leave us.” Cold said dismissively to him. “Come back in a half hour or so.”
“Right, my Lord.” Jeyice nodded, turning and leaving as quickly as he could before he was in trouble from the lizard Lord for the boys’ lack of progress.
He did feel the slight pang of guilt for telling Cold about the one covering for the other’s inadequacies but at the same time, he’d lived through his fair share of beatings since his arrival and enlistment in the PTO. It was harsh, but this was the way of it. He was hard on the boys as his sensei had been hard on him because that was his job.
Jeyice decided to pay a visit to the lab since he had the time. He had not forgotten about Bulma.
He had propositioned her last month and still had yet to receive an answer from her. She and Vegeta had been here a total of four months and either Jeyice had been stuck training the two brats in the time chamber two days at a time, once a month or he had been sent on missions.
The boys, Trunks in particular, had been pestering him about seeing his mother since the second time they had gone into the chamber. After they had emerged, he had approached her to make a proposition; she could see the boys if she performed a favor for him.
Of course his little proposal had been met with anger and out right disgust from her but it amused him. He had left her to think on it and reconsider. Unfortunately, that had been a month ago and he had been away on a mission for Cold and then sent immediately to train with the two boys. A month was a long time for a mother who had not seen her sons in four months total. Maybe she would be a little more open to the suggestion now?
Jeyice chuckled to himself on his way down the halls towards the science wing where she most likely was. Who knew? Perhaps today would be the day he could finally have her. It was a thought that had plagued him ever since they had taken her off Vegeta-sei.
He walked into the lab to find an absolute blood bath all over the place as Dr. Gero and the Android lifted Vegeta into one of the regeneration tanks. There was blood everywhere, indicating that something may have gone wrong with whatever it was they had been doing.
Jeyice swallowed back the squeamish feeling in his stomach; sure he had seen his share of carnage and death in his time but something about Dr. Gero made him feel ill and a small part of him pitied Vegeta. Sure he hated the arrogant little shit, always had, but to go from being one of the universes most strongest and envied warriors to being reduced to a project to be examined and cut up was something even Jeyice thought Vegeta didn’t deserve.
“What are you doing here?” Gero barked. “This is a sterile area. Leave at once!”
“I am here to speak with the woman.” Jeyice announced.
“She’s not available,” he grunted, tossing his bloodied up lab coat into a garbage can. “I am going to require her assistance in cleaning up this mess!”
“Right, however it concerns the boys and I think she would be very much interested in what I have to say.”
Gero glared at him. “Very well, I need to shower this filth off of me and decide what to do now. You have ten minutes with her.”
“Right,” Jeyice replied, wincing as he walked in and tried to step around the bloody mess that was all over the floor.
Gero punched in a code on the wall, unlocking a door. “She’s in there,”
Jeyice nodded and walked in, closing the door behind him.
“Get the fuck out of here!” Bulma shouted at him. She was sitting on the floor curled up in a little ball. “I will hit you.”
He smirked at her. “I do like my women with a bit of fire,”
“Get out!” She screamed at him, standing up.
“I only came to see if you had given any thought to our little arrangement that I proposed the last time I saw you?” he asked, ignoring her defensive stance and advancing on her. “You know they keep asking for you and I just have to keep telling them that you won’t see them. It’s quite tragic, really.”
“Bullshit!” she spat at him, trying to keep as much space between him and herself. “They’re only ten months old! They would have no comprehension at this point to be able to ask you such a thing.”
He chuckled at her. “They’ve matured a whole lot more in three months than you can even imagine.”
Bulma glared at him trying to keep her mind clear. Now of all times for him to pay her a visit; she was a complete emotional wreck. The surgical exploration Gero had started had been nothing short of a disaster. Vegeta’s heart had given out and they had lost Vegeta again before Gero was able to get him into the regeneration tank. Without Dende to start healing him before they moved him to the tank, she had been sure that had been it.
It had been more than she could take and as she watched Vegeta breath his last breaths she’d shut down as well. Gero had removed her from the scene and locked her in this room as Vegeta had crashed.
It had felt like she was crashing down with him. Part of her had hoped they couldn’t bring him back, but of course, he was in a regeneration tank again in record time and within a few minutes it was determined that he was still alive; however he was extremely weak. So weak that she could barely feel him through their bond and her head and heart were almost excruciating. She wondered of he would be able to come back from such a traumatic procedure a second time and again, as horrible as she felt wising death on him, she almost hoped he didn’t.
On the plus side, she could not be blamed for his death if he did not pull through and that was the only relief that she had at the moment.
Bulma hated herself for not being able to find a way out yet for them. She was under such strict surveillance from Gero that she could not chance trying anything for fear of him reporting back to Cold and have the boys take the brunt of her misbehavior.
“I, I’d like to see them,” she said.
“And see them you shall, but I want something in return.” He chuckled, looking at her in a way that made her skin crawl.
“No,” she said.
Jeyice closed the gap between them and pushed her against the wall, pinning her there. “You know I could just take you and use you now,”
“Get off me, you pig!”
“But I would rather play nice.”
“Well, I don’t want to play at all,” she seethed.
“Not even to see your boys?” he asked mockingly.
Bulma frowned and thought about it; it was tempting, and to her everlasting guilt and shame she had actually considered it but decided no. As much as she wanted to see Trunks and Tarble, she couldn’t do that to Vegeta or to herself. “No,” she answered.
“Pity,” he shrugged, moving away from her and leaving.
“Wait!” she called after him. “Are they alright?”
“Hmmm,” he tapped his chin. “They were when I left them with Cold, but he’s a little more than pissed with the both of them for their apparent lack of progress so, they may not be so alright when he’s through with them.”
“They’re only babies! And they’ve only been here four months!” she cried. “How much progress could they possibly make!?”
“I’d tell you more, but you have to do something for me,” he said snidely.
“Just get out,” she whispered. “And don’t come back here.”
“Suit yourself, though I think you’re making a mistake,” he shrugged. “Not only are you missing out on a potentially good time while trapped on this shit hole, you are abandoning your boys; but what’s it to me, right? I’ll just tell them their mother is here and simply refusing to see them.”
Bulma glared at him as he gave her a winning smile and closed the door behind him, leaving her there in her thoughts and misery.
-0-0-0-
Chapter 26
The two space pods crashed landed in a large, field on the planet Callisto. A moment later, Asia and Raditz emerged.
Raditz stretched as he stood up to his full height and looked around. His shoulder was still stiff, but altogether not as bad as he’d thought it would be. Four months in stasis and no movement had been enough for it to heal on its own.
It was about mid-day he estimated as he looked around. “You alright?” he asked as he noticed Asia stretching as well. “It took a bit longer to get here than what Vegeta had said.”
“I’m fine,” she nodded, also looking around. “So this is it?”
“I guess so,” he replied, grabbing his scouter and putting it on. “There’s like nothing here, everyone is weak.”
“Great,” she sighed. “So how are we going to find them?”
“Don’t know,” Raditz answered, pressing buttons on his scouter, sifting through the readings. “There’s a strong power over in that direction. Maybe it’s the Namek?”
“Could be,” Asia shrugged. “Want to go check it out? If he knows Bulma, maybe he can tell us where she is and it would save us a whole lot of time instead of flying around aimlessly here until we find her. That could take all day.”
“Let’s go,” Raditz agreed, levitating into the air.
“What about the pods?”
“Leave ‘em,” he shrugged. “We can come back for them later.”
Asia followed him and they flew quickly towards the strongest energy level on the planet in hopes that it was the Namek they had been told about. As they flew, Asia couldn’t help but feel remorse that she and Raditz were the only ones to have made it off Isotope and hoped that Vegeta and Kakarott had made it off as well. She supposed that she would know as soon as they found Bulma and at least she could get an update that way.
Relief flooded through her that she’d had the foresight to entrust Bulma with her son. They should have made it here by now and hopefully were settled in. She wasn’t sure what she would do now; if she would stay here or go back to Vegeta-sei. She shuddered at the thought of going back to the King. That was something she knew she did not want to go back to.
Well, Vegeta, Bulma and Kakarott had resided here for a year or more, maybe it wasn’t that bad and she could make a life here for herself with her son and Raditz if he was still interested. Either way, whether he was or not, she would not be going back to her father and King Vegeta. That much she was certain about.
Raditz slowed down somewhat as the power level they were heading towards seemed to be drawing closer to them a lot quicker than he thought it should be. He continued on nonetheless at the rapid pace he’d set.
Within a few short minutes, they were met mid-air by their large power lever; a Namek to their surprise.
“What business have you here, Saiyans?” he asked suspiciously.
Raditz lowered himself to the ground and the Namek and Asia followed. “We were sent here by Prince Vegeta and are to meet his mate, Bulma here,” he answered. “We mean no harm.”
Piccolo eye them cautiously, as if trying to decide whether or not they were a threat. “You came here in search of Bulma?” he asked. “Vegeta sent you?”
“Yes,” Raditz nodded. “She would have brought back her son and possibly Kakarott’s mate with their son and another child she was caring for in his mother’s absence.”
“My son,” Asia clarified.
The Namek frowned in confusion looking at them both. He wasn’t sure, but he sensed they did not pose a threat and that they both truly believed Bulma was in fact here. Did they not know that their own planet had been destroyed?
“Are they here?” Raditz asked, the Namek’s drawn out silence beginning to set him on edge. “Look, we mean her no harm. Kakarott is my brother, I know his mate personally. Ask them. Bulma will even tell you. Vegeta would have told her through the bond that we were coming here. Ask her if you don’t believe me. We will gladly remain here while you consult with her if that is what you want to do.”
“I would do that, however she is not here,” Piccolo finally said.
“What?” Both Asia and Raditz exclaimed.
“I have not seen Bulma, Vegeta, Kakarott or Chi-Chi and their children since their departure for Vegeta-sei months ago,” he clarified. “Where are you coming from? You must have heard the news of your own planet.”
“We are the only remaining survivors of the soldiers Prince Vegeta brought with him to Isotope to defeat King Cold,” Raditz told him. “Everyone else was killed and so Prince Vegeta sent us away to come here and meet up with Bulma. Kakarott remained behind with him and that was the last we heard.”
Piccolo shook his head. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Prince Vegeta has fallen to King Cold. So far as I know, he was tried and executed already. Not only that, but King Cold destroyed Vegeta-sei a couple of months ago.”
“What!” Raditz shouted. “When?”
Piccolo shrugged. “Three, maybe four months back?”
“It took us four months to get here,” Asia whispered as her stomach dropped in dread. “Oh god, was it destroyed before Bulma had a chance to leave?”
Raditz shook his head, completely unable to form a response or wrap his mind around this information, sinking to the ground in shock. “You’re sure about this?”
“It was all over the news,” Piccolo replied. “How could you have not heard about it? It is all anyone has talked about.”
“We escaped in single escape pods and went into sleep mode for the duration of our trip,” Raditz told him in a daze as he took in this information that not only was his home destroyed, but worried about Asia would take the news that Bulma was not her with her son as expected. “We were only awakened ten minutes before our landing.”
“I see,” Piccolo commented. “Well, I am not sure what to tell you and I regret to be the one to have told you all of this. If it is any consolation, Bulma’s parents reside here. You may speak with them, perhaps they have heard from her.”
“Bulma’s parents?” Asia asked.
“Yes, after the death of Lord Frieza, they returned here with both of them. When they left to return to Vegeta-sei, they both decided that they would rather remain here and help advance our technology. Her father is a technological genius and has been a great help to us. I am forever in their debt.”
Raditz looked at Asia, deferring to her.
“Sure,” she shrugged. “Couldn’t hurt, could it? Maybe they have heard from her and we can go to her and we can figure out for the time being what to do?”
“Alright,” Raditz nodded, still in shock that Vegeta-sei had been destroyed. That meant his parents were gone as well, what was he going to do?
“You both may reside here until you decide for yourselves what you want to do, however this is a peaceful planet. If you are found to be causing any trouble for any of our inhabitants, you will be made to leave.”
They both understood and nodded.
Piccolo nodded once and the threesome took off into the air.
It didn’t take them all that long to make it to a small village; they landed in front of a small house and Piccolo knocked on the door.
Within a moment, a beautiful middle-aged blonde woman came to the door. “Oh, Mr. Piccolo! What a surprise! Come in!” She greeted cheerfully.
Raditz and Asia both looked at each other in confusion, was this Bulma’s mother?
“I am afraid I cannot stay long,” Piccolo replied, turning down her offer. “I am leaving two visitors here who know Bulma and Vegeta. He is apparently Kakarott’s brother.”
“Oh, how nice!” she exclaimed. “Come right in! Maybe you have some news for us! We haven’t heard from any of them since they left, what with the destruction of Vegeta-sei Trunks and I have been absolutely beside ourselves!”
Raditz and Asia looked at each other again awkwardly. “Well, actually, the reason we came to see you is we were hoping-” Raditz started.
“Trunks! You have to come down here!” She hollered, ushering both Raditz and Asia into the house. Piccolo strategically maneuvered himself in such a way that he could leave. The blonde haired woman always made him uncomfortable.
“I will be leaving now,” he announced. “If there is anything else I can do to help, you are welcome to find me.”
“Thanks,” Raditz nodded once, almost afraid to be left here stranded with the bubbly blonde woman.
“Now have a seat, you two.” Mrs. Briefs insisted. “I just finished making lunch and a rather large amount of pastries that I was going to give out to some of the villagers, but since we have guests to entertain, you all can sample them instead! Trunks, hurry! There are friends of Bulma and Vegeta’s here to visit!”
Asia looked at Raditz and shot him an odd look. This woman didn’t even know them and was insisting they sit and dine with her.
“Don’t be shy!” she insisted, pulling out a chair for each of them. “My goodness aren’t you a strikingly handsome young man! Are all of the members of your culture so handsome? I swear to you if I wasn’t a happily married woman, well, I suppose it doesn’t matter because I am but you understand, I am sure.”
“Uhhh,” Raditz stood there with his mouth agape for a moment before kicking himself mentally and taking the seat she was offering to him. “Thank you, I, I can see where Bulma gets her looks from.” He said in recovery.
“Oh, thank you, you are so kind,” she giggled. “Unfortunately, Bulma didn’t inherit any of my culinary skills. Are you two hungry? Eat as much as you want, I made far too much food. And you, my lovely dear, what is your name? Have a seat, don’t be shy, I don’t bite, I promise!” She addressed Asia.
“My name is Asia,” she replied, sitting across from Raditz and wondering for a moment if she was actually awake or still dreaming in the space pod. This whole scenario was just too weird.
“What a pretty name! It suites you, dear.” Mrs. Briefs gushed as she began placing several dishes full of food on the table. “Now dig in, I just need to go and get my husband.”
They both looked at her as she scuttled out of the kitchen in an almost whirlwind fashion and the small kitchen was silent.
“What the hell?” Asia hissed. “This is too weird!”
“Yea, just a bit,” Raditz agreed eyeing the assortment of food on the table. “But I’m hungry, so whatever.”
A few minutes later Mrs. Briefs emerged with Dr. Briefs. “Oh good! I’m so glad you didn’t wait! You both must be famished from your journey. This is my husband and Bulma’s father, Trunks Briefs.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Mr. Briefs said, sitting down.
“They named their son after you?” Asia asked. She had wondered where they had come up with that strange name.
“They did,” the older gentleman nodded.
“I’m Raditz,” Raditz introduced himself. “I’m actually Kakarott’s older brother and this is Asia; she’s the que-”
“I am pleased to meet you both.” She cut in, not wanting her title to be made known just in case there way some off chance that King Vegeta or her father had survived the destruction of Vegeta-sei. She was still somewhat in shock that it was gone, but a part of her was alright with that. It meant that she could now be whoever she wanted to be for the first time in her life. To grieve the loss of her home would be to grieve the loss of her father and mate and everything she had hated about her life, with the exception of her son. However, she still held on to some hope that maybe he still lived? There were a number of reasons why Bulma may not have made it here yet; maybe they’d had mechanical failure with the ship and were stranded on another planet awaiting repairs? Maybe they changed their course and took a longer than necessary route to make sure they weren’t being followed?
Asia knew how seriously Vegeta took Bulma’s safety, so if she knew that, Bulma had to know that and so maybe she was just being extra cautious? She hoped that was the explanation for her not being here before them.
“So the two of you know Bulma and Vegeta and Kakrott, obviously?” Dr. Briefs asked.
“Yes,” Raditz replied.
“Do you know how they are all doing?” he asked. “We haven’t heard from them since they left here to go back to Vegeta’s home planet. We simply assumed for the longest time that no news was good news, especially with Bulma, she’s not always good at remembering to keep in touch but she’s always fine. We weren’t concerned until we had heard that Vegeta-sei had been destroyed. Do you know anything of their whereabouts? Are they on their way here?”
Asia and Raditz exchanged a concerned glance between them. “We were kind of hoping you would have some answers for us, actually,” she answered cautiously, reaching for a second helping of some kind of meat and cheese with noodles dish that was absolutely superb.
Between the two of them, they filled Dr. and Mrs. Briefs in on everything since Vegeta and Bulma had arrived back to Vegeta-sei. Asia told them about how she had given Tarble over to Bulma to care for and Raditz told them about the war on Cold’s planet and how they were the only survivors as far as they knew, unless Vegeta and Kakarott had managed to survive and Piccolo had been ill-informed about Vegeta having been executed.
“Maybe Vegeta and Kakarott got out and are on their way here?” Mrs. Briefs suggested. “And that boy loves our Bulma so much that I’m sure he sent her someplace safe and instructed her to lay low there until he was able to come for her.”
Dr. Briefs gave his wife a fleeting look at her optimism. “He specifically told you that he advised her to return here?”
“Yes,” Raditz nodded. “He said that he instructed her to return here to you both. So when he ordered us to leave, he advised us to return here so Asia would be reunited with her son.”
“I wish I had some insight to give you two, I cannot imagine what you must be going through,” Dr. Briefs said, pouring himself a cup of black coffee. “However, you are more than welcome to remain here and wait for them both if you think that there is the possibility that Bulma was perhaps delayed for whatever reason. If Vegeta told her to leave, I do not know why she would have stuck around. She knew how seriously that boy took her and Trunks’ safety; she would have followed his instructions; that much I am certain of.”
Asia and Raditz both refrained from chuckling to themselves, it was the second time one of Bulma’s parents had referred to Vegeta as that boy and it was clearly in an affectionate tone rather than as an insult.
“You would let us stay here?” Raditz asked dumbfounded. “You don’t even know us.”
“You are Kakarott’s family and he is considered family to us and you are friends with Vegeta and my daughter, therefore that makes you family as well if you so wish.” Dr. Briefs said.
“Not to mention that your home has been destroyed,” Mrs. Breifs added. “We’ve been there, we understand how devastating that is! Please at least consider staying here until you decide where you would like to go. It has been awfully quiet here since everyone left.”
Asia looked down at her plate guiltily. How could she accept hospitality from these people after everything she had put their daughter through? If they only knew, they’d have her thrown out. Not to mention what kind of people just blindly invited people they just met to stay with them based on the fact that they knew their daughter? It wasn’t normal. She looked up at Raditz who shrugged indifferently.
“We could stay for a bit, I guess and wait to see if they’re coming,” he suggested, picking up on Asia’s hesitation. “We don’t want to impose though.”
“Nonsense!” Mrs. Briefs weaved her hand dismissively. “The upstairs bedrooms are free. Are you two a couple? There is one large bedroom and a second smaller bedroom up there and then Trunks’ office is up there.”
The two looked at each other and blushed. That was still very much undecided. “We, um, we are still figuring that out.”
“Well whatever it is, there are accommodations upstairs for the both of you,” Mrs. Briefs waved her hand as though it was all so easily solved. “You two finish your lunch and I will prepare both rooms and then you can both decide on the sleeping arrangements.”
The older woman got up and left promptly, not giving either of them a chance to decline or accept.
“Don’t mind her,” Dr. Briefs said once she was gone, picking up on the fact that they both were extremely uncomfortable with this scenario. “She means well and is the most hospitable person I have ever met. Do not feel you are imposing. In truth, this is a good thing. She has been quite lonely since Bulma and Vegeta left. If you decide to remain here, it will be good for her.”
Asia and Raditz nodded. This whole situation was somewhat surreal.
“What’s your son’s name?” Dr. Briefs asked them.
“Oh, he’s my son actually. His name is Tarble.” Asia answered awkwardly. “Raditz isn’t his father. I guess if Vegeta-sei is gone then his father is deceased now.”
“I’m very sorry,” Dr. Briefs said awkwardly. “I can’t even imagine. Well, I can, but still. That’s very sad.”
“Its fine,” Asia replied quickly. “We weren’t on the best terms when I left to fight. I just hope Bulma got off Vegeta-sei with Tarble before it was destroyed. That’s all that matters now.”
“Yes,” Dr. Briefs agreed. “Let’s hope that she did.”
The three of them finished the rest of their meal in silence before Mrs. Breifs returned, announcing that everything was ready for their new guests.
After they were finished, they went to check out their new accommodations, which were more than adequate. They both agreed for the time being to remain in separate rooms.
After deciding on who would stay where, Asia yanked Raditz into her chosen room and closed the door. "What are we going to do?" She whispered in panic. "We can't stay here!"
"Why not?" He asked. "Where else can we go? It's not like we can go home!"
"I wouldn't go back there anyway!" She snapped. "Unless I knew that Tarble was there beyond the shadow of a doubt. I would never go back there."
"Then what's wrong with here?"
"What's wrong?" She repeated, looking at him like he was an idiot. "What's wrong, is that I can't stay with Bulma's parents. That's one thing that's wrong here, very wrong."
"Awe shit, seriously? You still hate on the girl that much?" He asked in frustration. "I thought you were past all that; you let her care your son for fuck sakes!"
"No, this has nothing to do with anything between me and her, you moron!" She snapped at him. "If you recall, I'm the one responsible for ratting her and Vegeta out way back when and then Frieza destroyed the ship she and Kakarott were in."
"That was you who told on them?"
"Yea," she sighed. "What? Don't look at me like that!"
"You nearly got my brother killed," he said to her accusingly. "We all thought he was dead, Asia. Not only that but you consoled me in my time of grief."
"I didn't know Lord Frieza would blow up the ship!" She said defensively. "They were looking for her and I saw her and told them where she was. That's all. It's not my fault Kakarott got caught up in it as collateral damage."
"But you never told me,"
"I never told anyone but for the few people in the throne room and that was only because they happened to be present at the time," she replied, crossing her arms.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked in a hurt tone.
"What was the point?" She huffed. "I felt bad enough about it. I like Kakarott. Honestly, the only thing I was thinking at the time was-"
"Getting Vegeta," he spat. "Yea, I know all about that and your one track mind; don't remind me. I only sat on the sidelines as a spectator for how many years while you chased after him."
"I'm sorry!" She said. "Can't you understand why I can't stay here and accept their hospitality?"
Raditz nodded.
"They are nice people, I can see that but I just don't feel right about it," she said. "Even you have to admit that you can see how upset they are that Bulma isn't here and she and Trunks may have been killed if they were still on Vegeta-sei. They're upset about Vegeta having been captured and executed. How can I stay here with them when all I can think about is my own son and how I plotted vindictively against their daughter?"
"I understand that, I do, but where else do we go?" He asked. "Maybe Bulma is on her way here still. There could be a bunch of reasons why she's not here yet. She's smart. I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation; there has to be. Not to mention running into and having her parents embrace you like a long lost comrade is almost like karma biting you in the ass."
She punched him in the shoulder as he chuckled at the irony of her situation. "So what are you suggesting we do then?"
"I say let's wait it out here and see if they turn up." He shrugged. It wasn't great, but it was the only plan he did have. "I can't believe Vegeta-sei is gone."
“I know,” she nodded. “I’m not sorry though.”
Raditz looked at her in shock. Sure she had been trapped in an unhappy union with the King, but that was still her home.
“Don’t look at me like that and don’t judge me.” She snarled.
“I wasn’t,”
“Yes, you were,” she accused. “You have no idea what it was like for me being stuck with him and being nothing more than a pawn to advance my father’s political agenda’s. I’m sorry you’ve lost your family and our home but I’m not sorry and I will not grieve Vegeta-sei’s destruction. I will, however grieve for my son.”
“You don’t know that he’s gone, Asia.” Radits said comfortingly. “We already discussed it; there could be a hundred reasons why they aren’t here and another hundred places they could be. If I had any idea of where, I’d say let’s go find them; but we have no way of knowing. Don’t give up on that just yet. I’m sure Bulma is on her way with them, she has to be.”
“I hope so,” she sighed, trying to convince herself that maybe Raditz was right. However her instincts were telling her otherwise and she sat down on the bed as the full weight of the last few hours began to sink in. “What am I going to do if she didn’t make out with him?”
Not knowing how to respond, Raditz simply sat down next to her but didn’t say anything; what could he say?
“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said again, covering her mouth as she tried to keep herself from getting emotional in front of him. “I have a bad feeling they didn’t make it out, I just do, Raditz. She, she should have been here by now. Why isn’t she here?”
“I don’t know,” he said gently. “Maybe, she-”
“Maybe she didn’t make it off Vegeta-sei at all.”
“And maybe she did,” he insisted. “Don’t give up yet. There has to be another explanation. We will wait here until they show up; both of us.”
They eventually settled into some sort of routine on planet Callisto with the Briefs, hoping every day that either Bulma would show up with Chi-Chi and the boys or they would at least hear something of their whereabouts.
-0-0-0-
In the four months since the trial, Bulma worked nonstop in the lab for Gero on little projects here and there while he inflicted whatever horrific experiment on Vegeta that he could think of; currently he had her mass producing capsules, much to her resentment. It was both a blessing and curse that she was not allowed in the main medical lab while Gero was conducting his research on Vegeta.
While she wished she could be there for Vegeta in terms of moral support, she also was relieved because she almost didn’t want to know what Gero was doing to him. Especially since as of late the brutality of experiments were becoming increasingly worse and she was beginning to wonder how much longer Vegeta would last.
Just a few weeks ago, Gero had decided to open Vegeta up to determine how his body was able to heal itself and he wanted to investigate the difference in anatomy. Mid way through his exploration, Vegeta’s body had shut down completely due to malnutrition and the fact that he could not regenerate and heal himself because of the ki collar’s effects. Gero had been able to get Dende to repair and help out until he was able to move him into the regeneration tank and bring him back.
Vegeta had been in the tank for a whole week, but she had felt for several minutes what it would feel like to lose him permanently. It was horrible and painful but she told herself it was nothing by comparison to how Vegeta must feel going through the things Gero had been putting him through. All in the name of science.
It disgusted her.
Since then, she did her best to sneak him any extra rations of food she could get her hands on; he was so weak physically by this point that they didn’t even bother keeping his hands bound anymore. It broke her heart to look at him, he was so gaunt-looking and his pallor was no longer that healthy olive tone that had made him look so exotic. He now looked more like a hospital patient in the ward for the terminally ill.
Bulma was surprised his muscle mass hadn’t quite started depleting yet; a good sign if there was anything positive about their situation. So far it was all in his face and neck that that looked the worst but she knew that was only his outward appearance; internally, his body had to be reeling from the lack of nourishment alone.
She hadn’t had the chance to even consider finding a way to break out of the lab. For one she was monitored at all times by an android except for when she was sleeping, using the bathroom and eating. That was how she was able to get Vegeta extra nourishment; she would eat about half of her meal and capsulize the rest. Since Dende seemed to have more lab access and Gero’s trust, she would sneak him the capsule and he would find a way to give it to Vegeta being that he seemed to have unlimited access to Vegeta’s room as well.
It wasn’t great, but it was the best she could do and the only way she could help him at the moment.
Reality had finally sunk into her about two weeks ago when she had talked Dende into giving her his access card to the lab in an effort to do some late at night poking around and investigating. Instead of doing that, however, the temptation to go to Vegeta had been too much for her to resist. She brought him a blanket and had gone into his room in an effort to offer him some warmth and comfort.
It had been her plan to only stay for a few minutes, but she could not bring herself to leave him; he was freezing cold and broken on the floor from whatever it was Gero had done that day to him so she had wrapped him up in a blanket and held him close until they’d both fallen asleep, clinging to each other only to have been discovered by the Android the next morning.
Bulma insisted that she had stolen Dende’s lab access card without his knowledge, for fear of the Namek child being punished for her actions and was ready to claim full responsibility for it, however that resulted in Vegeta taking the fall for her actions and he had received a fair beating from the Android that resulted in his going back into the regeneration tank for a few days and Gero thoroughly pissed off at her because he had to delay in his studies until Vegeta was well enough to get out.
Today, she was working on more capsules for Gero and was out of one of the elements she needed. She knew they were in the main lab where Vegeta was, but she did not want to go in there. Seeing him was just too hard.
However, Gero had been called away to a meeting with Cold and Dende told her that if she wanted to see him, now was a good time as the Android was gone as well. He would take the opportunity to see if he could find anything to aid them in their escape plan because if he was caught looking around, no one would question it since he had full access to everything.
She reluctantly agreed with him and quietly walked into the exam room where Vegeta was tethered to the wall instead of being put away in his room.
As soon as she saw him, she lost her bearing and resolve and decided to only get the supplies she needed and go back to her work station. She didn't say a word to him as she walked by, unable to say anything to him. After the last time, she couldn't bare it to get into trouble again. She knew it was destroying him that she was ignoring him but she reminded herself that keeping her distance from him was the safer option so as to not attract attention and have him hurt again over her weakness.
Bulma, he said to her finally after several minutes of watching her scuffle clumsily in the lab in search for whatever it was she was looking for.
She turned and looked at him, but avoided direct eye contact with him. She was drained. Mentally, physically and emotionally. She just couldn't cope seeing him like this, enduring all of this.
Look at me, he demanded.
She didn't want to. If she did, she would break down and wasn't sure if she would be able to bring herself back up.
I can't.
I need you. He said. It was the truth but he hated himself for having to admit to that.
I know, she said, finally looking at him. I’m sorry I, I just can’t bare it if we’re caught together again and I’m sorry I haven't figured out a way out of here yet. I'm working on it but I can’t-
I know, he said, reaching his hand out towards her. When you do, just go. Find Trunks and Tarble and the three of you are to go. Leave me here.
No, Vegeta. She said, relenting and walking up to him, taking his hand and interlocking her fingers with his after looking around to make sure no one was anywhere near by looking. She knew if they were caught like this they would hurt Vegeta again solely based on the fact that Bulma was the one who could choose to stay away from him.
Yes, Woman, he insisted. If you see a chance, you take it.
I can't leave you, she said sadly. I know it's the smart thing to do, but I can't. I need you.
No, you do not. You are stronger than you know. I will be fine here.
Yeah, right, Vegeta, she scoffed. I don't want to even think of what they will do to you if I take the boys and make a run for it. As soon as they discover us missing they will take it out on you.
You do not think I know that already? He replied dryly.
I can't bear the thought, Vegeta. Knowing that we are safe and you'd be living in pure hell.
I already am living in pure hell, Woman, he said. Knowing that you and our son are alright somewhere would be worth it to me.
I know, but I can't. I would not be able to live with myself, Vegeta.
And if Trunks and Tarble turn into homicidal maniacs, destroying everything and anything without a second thought or remorse as I was brought up to do, you could live with that? He challenged her. The last thing I ever wanted was for Trunks to grow up like I did, and I know this is not what Asia would have wanted for her son either. Get out of here, take them and go find her. I told her when she left here to go to Callisto. That is where you would go. I am almost certain that Raditz went with her. He will keep you and Trunks safe as well. You could trust him; I have full confidence in him.
I know. You're right, she nodded. I'll find a way. I have to go. She said, looking at the door. She had thought she'd heard it open and close a moment ago.
When she saw no one there, she quickly stepped back up to him again and threw her arms around his neck. It was a stupid, risky move, but she needed to feel him; even if it was just for a moment.
Bulma crashed her lips against his, much to his surprise. It took him a split second to respond, but he did; kissing her back fiercely with everything he had, trying to impart as much feeling and strength to her as he could.
"I love you," he whispered against her lips before his brain could catch up with his mouth.
"I know," she replied, her voice catching in emotion. Why was it now that he was able to say it so freely to her? "I love you too." She buried her face in his neck, not wanting to leave him just yet.
"Hmm, and look where that got you." He said quietly to her in a dark tone.
"Don't say stupid things."
He smirked at her.
She held onto him a moment longer and kissed him again before abruptly stepping away to leave.have to go before someone sees us."
I will try and get some more food for you so that you can keep your strength up.
Do not risk discovery. If you cannot do it then I would rather you didn't. He said, watching her longingly as she left the room.
It ended up being a good thing she had left when she had; within moments the Android returned with Gero.
“Namek!” He barked and Dende raced out of the other room in a hurry.
“Yes, sir?”
“You are required in the barracks immediately,” Gero informed him. “There is a ship of soldiers that have just returned from a mission; nearly all of them quite severely injured, some critically so and there are not enough regeneration tanks. You are to work there today.”
“Yes, Dr. Gero.” He nodded and took his leave.
"I need your help, girl,” Gero said impatiently, walking to the door and glaring at her. “Now.”
"What am I helping you with?"She asked.
"I am opening him up today."
"Again?" She objected in disgust. "What for?"
"Doesn't matter, I need your help," he snipped at her as he turned away, leaving the door open and began preparing the exam table. "You are a scientist. I would have assumed you would he grateful for the experience. You never studied anything surgical?"
"No," she sighed. "Technology only."
"Well today is going to be a great day for you then," Gero chortled as the Android dragged Vegeta over and plunked him down none too gently on the table and began fastening his wrists out to the side so his arms were splayed. "Excellent! How are you feeling?" He asked Vegeta eagerly, leaning over his prone form.
Vegeta did not reply, he only turned his face away from him and kept on his mask of indifference. He made eye contact with Bulma a moment before looking away from her and mentally checking himself out completely as he usually did.
“I refuse,” she said boldly.
“That’s too bad because you do not have the option to refuse,” Gero reminded her nonchalantly. “I didn’t let Cold know about you stealing the Namek’s access card and your little rendezvous and night you shared with Vegeta the other week. I’m sure he’d like to hear about it.”
Bulma glared at him.
“I thought so,” he snipped at her. “You wouldn’t want your two boys to be punished for your brief lapse in judgement.”
“Why do this today?” she asked, trying to not get emotional. “Dende’s not here to help you if the same thing happens and he shuts down again.”
Gero shrugged. “That’s a chance I am willing to take and I know it won’t happen with you here.”
“What does my presence have to do with any of this?” she cried. “For someone so smart, you’re an idiot! He’s worn down to the point of nothing! You’ve starved him and keep him from recovering because of that stupid collar! How much trauma do you think he can sustain before his body decides it’s had enough? You say you want to know how and why he can heal himself. It’s because of his ki!”
Do not give him any information about anything pertaining to me. He advised her.
But maybe I can convince him to take off that thing?
I do not want him to know anything more than he already does.
Alright, fair enough but what if this kills you this time?
He didn’t say anything for a moment but he looked at her and replied: Then it does.
She nodded; covering her mouth to hide that her lips were trembling. How could she deny him or talk him out of thinking that way?
“You’re presence here will ensure that he does not shut down because you are going to monitor him since I don’t have Dende here if he crashes.” Gero replied, still flipping through many pages of research absent mindedly, not noticing that they were having a silent conversation.
Bulma frowned slightly as an idea began to form in the back of her mind but she dismissed it before it could really come to fruition.
Do it. He commanded, having caught it through the bond.
I don’t know if I can, Vegeta. She replied, feeling guilty for even thinking it.
I told you when you arrived here that if this is to be my existence you are to either find a way to end me or give me the means to do so. He reminded her. You may have the opportunity here.
I know that, I thought about it but I don’t know if I can go through with it is all!
You can.
And what if they assume I did something and kill the boys? You heard what Cold said.
Doing it the way you thought is the best way because they will not be able to prove it one way or another.
“Alright, I’ll help you,” she sighed trying to pull herself together. “But on one condition,”
“You, my dear, are in no position to be negotiating conditions.” Gero chuckled, snapping his binder shut ad giving her his full attention.
“If you put him out by use of a general anesthetic, I will help you.” She said.
“He does not need it,” Gero waived his hand in dismissal, reaching for his tools.
“But maybe that’s why he shut down last time!” she objected. “If he’s put out, that’s less stress on him and maybe his body will be able to handle the trauma you are about to inflict on it.”
“True enough, but anesthetic will slow his system down and I will not be able to properly study him.”
“You can’t anyway with that stupid thing you have around his neck!” She shouted. “Put him out and I will be able to monitor his vitals accurately and let you know if we are about to lose him before it happens.”
Gero looked to consider it a moment but then shook his head. “No. I am not so stupid to trust you enough that you wouldn’t poison or overdose him with anesthetic so he never wakes up.”
Bulma glared at him, neither confirming nor denying his suspicion that she would do such a thing. Sorry, Vegeta, I tried.
Gero chucked at the sour look on her face. “Now that we’ve wasted enough time, shall we get started?”
Bulma sighed in dread in an attempt to settle the knots in her stomach at the thought of aiding the mad scientist in opening up her husband for exploratory surgery. She just hoped she wouldn’t be sick.
-0-0-0-
Trunks and Tarble walked out of the chamber together, exhausted, but feeling stronger than ever.
“You did good, but I’m still stronger than you.” Trunks said to Tarble, shoving him.
“Not for long.” Tarble retorted.
“Enough of your simpering and bickering!” Jeyice barked at them. “Get down to the barracks and get yourselves cleaned up. Cold will want to see you and the evidence of the progress you’ve made.”
“Yes, sir.” The boys nodded and headed off in the direction of the barracks.
“Little gits,” Jeyice grumbled under his breath. “Exactly what does Cold think I am, a bloody babysitter?”
He made his way to Cold’s throne room to report to Cold the results of the boy’s most recent training. Jeyice hoped he would be satisfied with the results.
“Jeyice,” Cold greeted as he walked in. “That was fast.”
“Two days,” he answered. “Though it felt like the full entire two years to me.”
“Indeed,” Cold agreed. “How did they do? They are eight years of age now?”
“Yes, sir.” Jeyice nodded. “They did well; Trunks especially. The other is still lagging quite far behind. I cannot figure out why.”
“How far behind?”
“It’s hard to say, my Lord.” Jeyice answered. “I suspect that Trunks does not show his full potential for fear that the gap between them will be made more obvious than it already is. I would have to work with them separately to know for sure.”
“Are they finally ready to be sent on missions or do they need more training and another two days in the Time Chamber to mature?” Cold asked.
“I am confident Trunks is ready,” Jeyice said. “Tarble, no.”
“And why not?”
“I don’t know, my Lord. I have tried everything I know to train them; I have trained them both the same. Trunks continues to excel and Tarble remains the same. He is average at best, if that.” Jeyice reported honestly. “I really do not wish to be sent in there again. Do you realize that I have been aged eight years in four months? You realize what that is doing to my skin? Send someone else to train with them next time. I would rather not continue babysitting.”
“Noted,” Cold nodded. “Where are they? I wish to see them.”
“I sent them to the barracks to clean up before reporting to you.”
“Go and get them,” Cold demanded. “I wish to see them and assess them.”
“Right, sir,” Jeyice nodded and turned to leave and get the boys.
-0-0-0-
Freshly showered and clean, the two boys dressed quickly, not wanting to be in trouble for taking too long. They both put on blue flight suits and reached for new armor.
“My armor doesn’t fit anymore,” Trunks commented, reaching for another set in another size.
“Mine still fits.” Tarble said with a shrug.
“That’s because you’re a runt,” Trunks said in a teasing tone, yet his features clouded over in concern. “You need to start working harder, hey? I can’t keep holding back on your account. They’re eventually going to notice and Jeyice is getting pissed.”
“I’m working as hard as I can, Trunks!” he objected in a hurt tone. “I just can’t keep up to you. I don’t know why. I can barely breathe in that chamber. I don’t know how you can do it.”
“Because we don’t have a choice, Tarble.” Trunks said. “I hate it too, but they keep making us go.”
“I know,” he agreed. “I’m trying though, I really am.”
“I know you are,” Trunks sighed. “I just, I can’t take it when he’s mean to you because you aren’t progressing as fast as I am and I can’t keep holding back or they’ll punish us both for not progressing. You know that.”
“Then don’t.” Tarble said bitterly. “You’re the favorite.”
“Am not,”
“Are too!” Tarble insisted. “Why did I get mom’s weak genes and you didn’t?”
“Hey, mom’s not weak!” Trunks said angrily.
“Do you even remember mom?”
“Yea, of course I do,” Trunks nodded. “Can’t you?”
“No,” he shook his head. “I don’t remember dad either.”
“I remember dad a little,” Trunks admitted. “Not as well as mom though. Don’t worry, Jeyice said if we did good this time in the chamber we could go see her, remember?”
“Ya,”
“Then you’ll remember her.” Trunks said optimistically.
“I still don’t get why you remember her and I don’t.”
“Because you’re a big stupidy, that’s why.” Trunks joked.
“Am not, you are!”
“Hey! Just what do you think you’re doing?” Jeyice shouted at them. “Get your arses going now! Cold is waiting on you two little monkeys!”
“Sorry, sir,” the two boys apologized, putting their armor on hurriedly and slinked past them.
“Ow!” Tarble whined as he got a boot in the butt as he scurried past Jeyice.
“Get going!” he shouted at them again.
“Do we get to see mom later?” Trunks asked once he was a fair distance from Jeyice to not get decked or kicked. He wasn’t sure, but he had a feeling he was at least as fast as their sensei if not faster, though he hadn’t tested that theory for fear of making his brother look bad. He had been consciously holding back since they had gotten out of the chamber last time.
They had come out and Cold had given Tarble quite the beating for not being at the same level as Trunks. Trunks had felt so badly about it that any friendly competitive streak he’d had with his brother had vanished and so he deliberately held himself back in his training so that Tarble wouldn’t get in trouble. They were both treated bad enough as it was.
“Maybe,” Jeyice smirked. “I’ll go look in on her while you and your brother are meeting with Cold. He wants to send you both on missions if you are ready.”
Trunks lit up at the thought but then remembered that there was no way Tarble would be strong enough to go on anything that was too difficult. “I don’t know,” he said cautiously, looking at his brother who had a panic stricken look on his face.
“You can stop playing stupid, boy,” Jeyice snarled at him. “I know you are a lot stronger than you let on to protect your weakling brother. Don’t think I don’t know and don’t think I didn’t report that little bit of information to Cold, because I did.”
Trunks swallowed back a weave of fear. “I am not. We’re the same.”
“Right,” he snorted. “Well matters little to me. Cold can get rid of you both for all I care. I’m sick of being the one responsible for you useless brats. The only reason Cold puts up with your lot is because your father had an amazing strength and was an outstanding warrior. So you both better buck up and get with the program or Cold will get rid of you both.”
“Yes, sir.” Both boys replied quietly, both worried about facing Cold. It was never a pleasant time for either of them.
They made it to the throne room and Jeyice opened the doors for them, letting them in.
“Here they are, my Lord,” he announced as they walked in.
“Excellent!” Cold exclaimed. “Come over here, you two; let me have a look at you.”
The two boys cautiously walked up to Cold, not wanting to get too close but close enough to make him happy. They both wanted to stay out of range of his long tail; it wouldn’t be the first time he decided to whip one of them across the head with it suddenly.
“My, Trunks you have grown,” he commented appreciatively. “At least two feet since I last saw you a few days ago, impressive. Tarble, I see you must be inheriting your father’s laughable height. A pitty I hear you seem to not be inheriting his immense strength. You know he was one of the universes most powerful warriors despite being a pint sized Saiyan?”
“Tarble has grown,” Trunks cut in. “And he’s stronger too. We both are.”
“I hear you have excelled, yet like to hide your progress.” Cold said pointedly at him.
“No I don’t,” Trunks answered, shaking his head.
“I know better than that,” Cold chuckled, standing up and walking towards the boys. “You think you are protecting him by hiding your progress?”
“No,” Trunks insisted and before he had a chance to react was whipped with a tail lash from Cold that sent him crashing into the ground.
Trunks grit his teeth and stood up, slowly, glaring defiantly at Cold trying to hide how much that had hurt.
“Are you sure?” he asked, advancing at him.
“Yes!” Trunks shouted in reply, blocking a blow from Cold that had he not anticipated it, was sure it would have probably knocked him out cold.
“Not only have I heard that is a lie, but I think you are holding back as well.” Cold said, knocking him down again with his tail. “Jeyice,”
“Yes, my Lord?”
“You may leave us.” Cold said dismissively to him. “Come back in a half hour or so.”
“Right, my Lord.” Jeyice nodded, turning and leaving as quickly as he could before he was in trouble from the lizard Lord for the boys’ lack of progress.
He did feel the slight pang of guilt for telling Cold about the one covering for the other’s inadequacies but at the same time, he’d lived through his fair share of beatings since his arrival and enlistment in the PTO. It was harsh, but this was the way of it. He was hard on the boys as his sensei had been hard on him because that was his job.
Jeyice decided to pay a visit to the lab since he had the time. He had not forgotten about Bulma.
He had propositioned her last month and still had yet to receive an answer from her. She and Vegeta had been here a total of four months and either Jeyice had been stuck training the two brats in the time chamber two days at a time, once a month or he had been sent on missions.
The boys, Trunks in particular, had been pestering him about seeing his mother since the second time they had gone into the chamber. After they had emerged, he had approached her to make a proposition; she could see the boys if she performed a favor for him.
Of course his little proposal had been met with anger and out right disgust from her but it amused him. He had left her to think on it and reconsider. Unfortunately, that had been a month ago and he had been away on a mission for Cold and then sent immediately to train with the two boys. A month was a long time for a mother who had not seen her sons in four months total. Maybe she would be a little more open to the suggestion now?
Jeyice chuckled to himself on his way down the halls towards the science wing where she most likely was. Who knew? Perhaps today would be the day he could finally have her. It was a thought that had plagued him ever since they had taken her off Vegeta-sei.
He walked into the lab to find an absolute blood bath all over the place as Dr. Gero and the Android lifted Vegeta into one of the regeneration tanks. There was blood everywhere, indicating that something may have gone wrong with whatever it was they had been doing.
Jeyice swallowed back the squeamish feeling in his stomach; sure he had seen his share of carnage and death in his time but something about Dr. Gero made him feel ill and a small part of him pitied Vegeta. Sure he hated the arrogant little shit, always had, but to go from being one of the universes most strongest and envied warriors to being reduced to a project to be examined and cut up was something even Jeyice thought Vegeta didn’t deserve.
“What are you doing here?” Gero barked. “This is a sterile area. Leave at once!”
“I am here to speak with the woman.” Jeyice announced.
“She’s not available,” he grunted, tossing his bloodied up lab coat into a garbage can. “I am going to require her assistance in cleaning up this mess!”
“Right, however it concerns the boys and I think she would be very much interested in what I have to say.”
Gero glared at him. “Very well, I need to shower this filth off of me and decide what to do now. You have ten minutes with her.”
“Right,” Jeyice replied, wincing as he walked in and tried to step around the bloody mess that was all over the floor.
Gero punched in a code on the wall, unlocking a door. “She’s in there,”
Jeyice nodded and walked in, closing the door behind him.
“Get the fuck out of here!” Bulma shouted at him. She was sitting on the floor curled up in a little ball. “I will hit you.”
He smirked at her. “I do like my women with a bit of fire,”
“Get out!” She screamed at him, standing up.
“I only came to see if you had given any thought to our little arrangement that I proposed the last time I saw you?” he asked, ignoring her defensive stance and advancing on her. “You know they keep asking for you and I just have to keep telling them that you won’t see them. It’s quite tragic, really.”
“Bullshit!” she spat at him, trying to keep as much space between him and herself. “They’re only ten months old! They would have no comprehension at this point to be able to ask you such a thing.”
He chuckled at her. “They’ve matured a whole lot more in three months than you can even imagine.”
Bulma glared at him trying to keep her mind clear. Now of all times for him to pay her a visit; she was a complete emotional wreck. The surgical exploration Gero had started had been nothing short of a disaster. Vegeta’s heart had given out and they had lost Vegeta again before Gero was able to get him into the regeneration tank. Without Dende to start healing him before they moved him to the tank, she had been sure that had been it.
It had been more than she could take and as she watched Vegeta breath his last breaths she’d shut down as well. Gero had removed her from the scene and locked her in this room as Vegeta had crashed.
It had felt like she was crashing down with him. Part of her had hoped they couldn’t bring him back, but of course, he was in a regeneration tank again in record time and within a few minutes it was determined that he was still alive; however he was extremely weak. So weak that she could barely feel him through their bond and her head and heart were almost excruciating. She wondered of he would be able to come back from such a traumatic procedure a second time and again, as horrible as she felt wising death on him, she almost hoped he didn’t.
On the plus side, she could not be blamed for his death if he did not pull through and that was the only relief that she had at the moment.
Bulma hated herself for not being able to find a way out yet for them. She was under such strict surveillance from Gero that she could not chance trying anything for fear of him reporting back to Cold and have the boys take the brunt of her misbehavior.
“I, I’d like to see them,” she said.
“And see them you shall, but I want something in return.” He chuckled, looking at her in a way that made her skin crawl.
“No,” she said.
Jeyice closed the gap between them and pushed her against the wall, pinning her there. “You know I could just take you and use you now,”
“Get off me, you pig!”
“But I would rather play nice.”
“Well, I don’t want to play at all,” she seethed.
“Not even to see your boys?” he asked mockingly.
Bulma frowned and thought about it; it was tempting, and to her everlasting guilt and shame she had actually considered it but decided no. As much as she wanted to see Trunks and Tarble, she couldn’t do that to Vegeta or to herself. “No,” she answered.
“Pity,” he shrugged, moving away from her and leaving.
“Wait!” she called after him. “Are they alright?”
“Hmmm,” he tapped his chin. “They were when I left them with Cold, but he’s a little more than pissed with the both of them for their apparent lack of progress so, they may not be so alright when he’s through with them.”
“They’re only babies! And they’ve only been here four months!” she cried. “How much progress could they possibly make!?”
“I’d tell you more, but you have to do something for me,” he said snidely.
“Just get out,” she whispered. “And don’t come back here.”
“Suit yourself, though I think you’re making a mistake,” he shrugged. “Not only are you missing out on a potentially good time while trapped on this shit hole, you are abandoning your boys; but what’s it to me, right? I’ll just tell them their mother is here and simply refusing to see them.”
Bulma glared at him as he gave her a winning smile and closed the door behind him, leaving her there in her thoughts and misery.
-0-0-0-