AUTHOR'S NOTE: 5 months…..Sorry for the wait everyone. Procrastination and hatred born from writer's block is the culprit this time. You have no idea how many times I wanted to punch my computer, but after kicking it once I decided not to injure myself further. >-< Yep, this is the other part of chapter 44, which has now been dubbed chapter 45. I wanted an even 46 chapters with the epilogue, but I guess I'll have to settle for 47. ::sighs:: I know the cliffhanger in 44 was evil, but what can I say. ^_^ Anywho, I won't dawdle too much here. Onto the chapter!!

Disclaimer: I don't own DragonBallZ or any of its characters, but I do own Xenia and her baby!

Lost

Chapter 45…….

It's strange how one statement can change something. A simple word, or three in this case, can cause the audience to become stricken into a state of motionless shock. A million questions run rampant within every mind, threatening to devour their fronts of bravery and hope, which have taken so long to erect over their faces. Yet, what can they do, but stand there, muted by a single statement.

None spoke, none moved…in fear of bringing reality crashing down on top of them all. Instead their shocked filled orbs stared in disbelief at the trembling figure before them. To confront the subject would make it true. It would then become something that couldn't be ignored or filed for later concern. Yet, did they have a choice?

One of them knew that this could not be overlooked, knew that one fact far better than any other in the room. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to move. His mind screamed for him to comfort her, to help her, but he simply couldn't. No matter what he tried, he couldn't form one single word or take one step towards her. In this one moment when she needed him the most, he proved himself to be useless.

"You're kidding right?" The statement jarred the stone silence of the room as everyone turned to the speaker. "This is just a big joke…I mean it couldn't be true…" Chichi brushed past Goku and took one step towards her daughter, her face holding a wavering smile upon it.

Xenia's eyes widened for a moment as she heard her mother's broken words, and the raw desperation that she held. Yet, she still couldn't bring herself to look at them. Instead she simply slumped to the floor, hiding her face behind a veil of raven locks as she turned her gaze to the cold pewter.

"Turlus?" Bulma quietly asked, almost unsure of the name herself, "But-but how?"

Xenia raised her head slowly, seemingly to hesitate time after time. A few stepped towards her, but quickly reeled back as she raised her gaze to meet theirs. Incessant streams ran from her shining orbs. Path after path would be created, until all that could be seen was the shine that caused her flushed cheeks to sparkle against the bright lab lights.

"Xenia, maybe you should get back into bed," Gohan suggested softly, "You've been in a coma and-"

"NO!!" Xenia screamed hoarsely, her head shaking violently back and forth. Slumping forward, she leaned against her arms, her palms flat against the cold pewter. The small patter of tiny droplets filled the air, followed by hushed whispers from Xenia's quivering form.

A growl then tore through the air, the audible rumble causing everyone to jump for a moment. The Saiyan's fist clenched and unclenched, each time more tightly until his knuckles turned a stark white. That bastard….

He watched his daughter sit there…her fear, guilt and sadness tearing at his heart. That bastard did this to her….

"I'm sorry."

The broken statement reached Son Goku's ears, causing him to freeze as the pain behind each syllable tore at his strings.

"I'm sorry," Xenia repeated again without glancing up. Goku simply watched her break down before him as his fingers twitched from the restless calm that filled him. Like the calm before the storm, slowly but surely his stomach began to churn until his anger had transformed into the seething rage that he had become associated with many a time over this past month. She thought that she was to blame? His eyes narrowed darkly, his mouth slowly pulling back to show his canines as a growl reverberated in his throat.

"That bastard…." Hi hissed through his clenched teeth. Xenia pulled her head up to glance at his taught form and quickly found herself recoiling farther against the wall.

"That Bastard!" He bellowed as bolts of raw energy streaked down his form, shooting into the ground to cause small vibrations around the room; his obsidian orbs flashing a brief teal before returning to normal once more. Goku could feel his rage beginning to devour him as his mind tortured him with fabricated images of Turlus taking advantage of his little girl.

It was too much! He wanted to scream! He wanted to rip something apart! He-

His eyes widened as his energy almost instantly fell back to normal. The slight shriek of terror he had just heard…..his eyes scanned ahead of him and landed on the trembling form of his daughter, her arms pulled tightly around herself, as if for protection. Had he--had he scared her?

"Xenia?" He tentatively inquired, but she simply turned her head away, hiding once again from his piercing gaze.

"What did he do to you?" Goku whispered, more to himself than to Xenia. Yet, she heard it nevertheless and her body immediately froze.

"Xenia?" This time Trunks was the one to inquire, his voice finding him at last.

A violent tremor ran through her form as her grip tightened around her.

All this time she had lied to them. No matter what anyone said, she had lied to them. By feigning her recuperating behavior, hiding her worry, hiding…..Her gaze flew to her stomach and her eyes clenched shut abruptly. How attractive lying was. How she wished she could simply ignore their inquires and go about as if nothing was wrong. But now…..now she couldn't, not anymore. Somehow they'd find out, and it would be better if she told them herself.

"It's not his fault," She stated uneasily, every syllable of every word needing to be forced from her mouth almost painfully.

"Xenia," Bulma stated sympathetically, "It's natural to blame yourself, but-"

"NO!" She screamed once more, this time launching a fist straight through the adamantine pewter before her, the impact drawing thin streams of crimson against her forearm.

"Xenia!" Cried out Chichi as she tried to run to her daughter, but Goku stopped her with one hand on her arm. She was about to launch into a fit of protests when Xenia spoke once more.

"It was routine, yaw know." Xenia stated with a derisive laugh, "He'd come to my room sometimes at night. It was just a game as far as I was concerned."

She paused at that moment, a small whimper passing her lips. "We had an off-on relationship you could say. But when I got my memories back….I was disgusted with myself."

A droplet fell, followed by another and another till the familiar patter was heard again.

"He came to my room that night; the night before we were going to meet at the base."

She swallowed uneasily, but did not raise her head.

"Before I never really cared, but now I knew. I knew who he was, what he was."

Her voice began to crack as the next few words tumbled from her mouth, "I never refused him and if I did then…he'd be suspicious. Already, because I had received my memories, my behavior had begun to changed….and-and I couldn't allow anything to go wrong the next day if I wanted mom to escape safely."

She grew quiet once more, wishing she could be strong in front of them, wishing she could at least stand before them instead of sulking against the floor, but her legs were too weak.

"I didn't want it to happen," She stated softly and jerked her head upright to stare at them, "But I let it happen!"

She turned away once more, acting as though something fascinating had just appeared against the wall; her eyes roaming over every inch. She just couldn't stand their pity, their sympathy.

"You can hate me."

Everyone stared in shock as the statement fell over the room. Hate her??

"I deserve it, " She snorted derisively. "All the pain I caused you all, everything…"

Gohan took a step forward, his fist clenched at his side, "I don't believe you!"

Everyone stared in bewilderment at the usually docile man. Generally so calm and collected, Son Gohan shook at the moment with his undulating emotions.

"How could you be pregnant with his child?! How could you be pregnant without us knowing?!?"

At that she looked at him once more and placed a hand on her stomach, "Because I didn't want you to know."

She swayed a moment, her vision beginning to blur as she felt the barrier slip and the energy disperse. The absence of the shield causing her to fall over against the wall and slide against the smooth surface. Her body slid over the smooth pewter, dragging her lacerate arm from its jagged hole to rest beside her. Yet she smiled at them and stated softly, "Because I shielded it from your eyes and senses."

The small pulse of Ki was instantly felt. The small tug developed within each of them, causing their throats to run dry and hearts to speed-up. It was true, it was all true.

Chichi fell to her knees, her arms swaying almost lifelessly at her sides. It was true.

Her husband knelt down quickly beside her and collected her form into his arms, afraid that if he let go that she'd crack under the undeniable verdict.

Xenia's eyes closed at that moment as her smile relaxed. She almost seemed to stop breathing causing panic to run through a certain lavender-haired demi-saiyan.

"Xenia!" Trunks cried as he ran over to her still form. A quick check of her body and he found that her chest was slowly rising and falling, "Xenia?"

Her eyes opened a little before him, her head tilting to the side as a small smile formed on her lips, "I finally told them Trunks."

"Yes you did." He agreed quietly, happy that she was all right for the moment.

She strained to open her mouth to speak once more, but her mouth moved to soundless words and Trunks set a lone finger on her lips to stop her efforts, "Rest now."

She nodded slightly and closed her eyes, her face relaxing once more.

"You knew about this?"

Trunks's head snapped up at the statement as cerulean met obsidian.

"You knew about this?!" Gohan shouted angrily, as his aura became visible. "You knew that she was pregnant! You knew this very important piece of information and you didn't bother to tell us?!?"

Trunks opened his mouth to explain himself, but Gohan cut him off as he continued with his verbal assault.

"Did you know that the simple fact that she is pregnant could have reacted fatally with the serums we were testing?! That by keeping such a secret that you were endangering her life?! Condemning her to a quick grave?!"

Taking the almost unconscious girl into his arms, Trunks stood before them all. He was hesitant to tell them that Xenia made him promise not to tell them about the child. To blame her though, would hurt more than having them believe that he found out and held it away from them in spite. As long as he kept his promise to Xenia, he didn't care what the others thought.

"Did you know this Trunks?"

Trunks glanced at Goku, his lips twitching slightly as he itched to answer the question. Yet hadn't Gohan's accusations verified that question already?

The Saiyan's arms fell to his sides, causing his wife to gaze at him in silent wonder as he stood up. His dark raven locks hid his face from view, but he kept speaking.

"You knew that she was pregnant, Trunks?"

He took one step forward and then another till he was only a foot away from the demi-saiyan and his daughter. "You knew…."

An arm abruptly swung up, every finger wrapping around Trunk's neck in a suffocating grip as the body was heaved up and slammed into the wall.

"Goku!" Cried out Chichi desperately as she clumsily pulled herself up.

"You knew! You knew about this!" Goku bellowed into the demi-saiyan's face, aware to keep his distance so that Xenia would not be crushed.

Yet the Prince's son did not falter, his face stayed impassive and clear, "Yes, I knew."

"You…." A growl shook the saiyan's chest, more visible than audible. Yet holding the same effect over everyone in the room. With one smooth movement, Goku wrapped an arm around his daughter's waist and tore her from the demi-saiyan's grip as his other hand launched into Trunks's face. The teen's body slammed into the wall, sounds of broken metal and wood filling the air as chunks of the wall flew past them all. Yet a small light appeared around the father and daughter, each piece of debris vaporizing on contact. A small cry could be heard, most probably from the boy's mother as his body was torn against the adamantine walls that protected the lab. The dust cleared to produce the demi-saiyan hanging slightly on a split wooden beam, lacerations covering his body completely.

Bulma panicked for a moment as she surveyed her son's condition, yet the firm hold her mate had on her held her rooted in place.

"You-"

Trunks lifted his head up slowly, an emotionless expression on his face.

"You will stay away from her….I don't want to see you near her!" Goku bellowed, his rage blurring his senses. A quick turn on his heel and Goku's gaze rested on the Saiyan-jin prince, "You keep YOUR son away from my daughter Vegeta, or so help me!!" He paused, his voice thick with anger, "I won't be able to be held responsible for what I will do to him."

The Prince gazed at his rival and granted him the slightest nod in reply. What else could the Saiyan-jin Prince do, after all it wasn't as if he condoned his son's behavior. In fact, he was close to repeating Kakarrotto's actions.

Granting one last glance to Trunks, Goku started down the corridor and back to the infirmary. Xenia's eyes opened once more and she glanced at her fallen savior, her hand lifting briefly as if to reach out to him, but fell quickly as her fatigue won over her senses and her body completely relaxed in her father's grip.

Trunks quietly watched as everyone followed the saiyan out of the lab, each throwing a sparing glance at him in either scorn or confusion. He allowed his gaze to fall to his fallen form, when a shadow fell over him. He didn't need to look, he knew who it was.

"Boy."

The shadow shifted from one foot to the other as the figure waited for Trunks to answer. Yet he stayed quiet, he didn't need to justify what he did. The shadow turned away and began to slowly walk down the corridor. Yet just as it began to round the first bend it stopped.

Perplexed by his father's strange behavior, he pulled himself up slowly, hissing at the splinters of wood that jabbed him in a million different places. He stared at his father's back, his own body still submerged in the wrecked wall.

"Get cleaned up."

With that simply statement the Prince continued to follow the procession, and disappeared from his son's view.

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They all watched as she was carefully laid back down, her father making sure that every comfort was taken into consideration. However nothing could dispel the animosity that the room held after the recently bequeathed information. No one expected that such information would have such effects on them all. Placing one hand against her stomach, Goku gazed in silent wonder as he felt the small ball of energy flex within her.

"It's been a month since everything started. It took Chichi nine months to deliver and neither Gohan, Goten, or Xenia were this big by a month." He complacently stated maybe trying to credit out the present anomaly as something that was unnatural and inhuman in every way. He didn't want to believe that anything of Turlus lived inside his daughter.

Vegeta walked up to his fellow Saiyan, but kept his gaze directed towards Goku's hand. "She is a full-blooded Saiyan-jin female…..Turlus was a full-blooded Saiyan-jin male, therefore its simply logical that she'd experience the gestation period of a Saiyan-jin female's pregnancy." The Saiyan prince spoke the information in such a monotone, almost seeming indifferent when considering the information. However they all knew Vegeta, they all knew that he wasn't the sort of man to show his emotions.

Goku's hand lifted up slowly, each finger curling within to form a fist that he lightly placed back over her abdomen. "How did this happen?" He laughed slightly as if to mock his own question, "I mean, how could this happen to her? Something so pure….how could she be burdened with this?"

Vegeta snorted derisively at the comment and turned away, "Bakayaro."

At the sudden entitlement, Goku's eyes widened in complete shock. How could he say something like that? How dare he mock him?! He turned swiftly to the prince, his lips set into an angry snarl, "How dare you-."

"Kakarrotto." The name was spoken without rage, without sadness and without sympathy. "You think of her as pure, that she has not been tainted." He paused, the muscles in his back beginning to clench tightly and knot themselves together, "You believe that she is still the perfect little angel that was taken from you. Your ignorance deludes you."

"I'm deluding myself Vegeta?" Asked the Saiyan incredulously. "I'm deluding myself? What exactly are you saying Vegeta? That she's some kind of monster? That she doomed to go to hell?!?"

"Goku!" Chichi reprimanded as his raised voice caused Xenia to toss and turn in her small bed. He nodded reluctantly and tried to tone down his anger, but the task was beginning to become more difficult.

"Am I pure Kakarrotto?"

The question caught the third-class warrior by surprise and he stared in perplexity at the Prince's back. "Pure?"

If the others could see the Vegeta's face they would have spotted the sudden smirk that took form on his lips. "Yes, Kakarrotto."

Silence stretch across the room as they all waited for Goku to answer the simple question, but the Saiyan found himself at a loss of words. Pure? Was Vegeta pure?

"Your silence is a perfect answer," stated Vegeta as he turned partly to face him, "You know that I am dammed to hell. You know that when I die I will have the luxury of facing Frieza, Cell and all the other blasted imbeciles that we have been forced to encounter over the years. Yet, wasn't I just like her long ago. After all I did kill, and I did enjoy it….but when I was young, a babe maybe….did I want my life to be like this?"

He paused at that moment, allowing Goku to take in the information.

"After all is everyone born a cold-hearted killer. She wasn't, but she became that."

"She is not a cold-hearted killer!" Goku cried out, his eyes glancing back to find Xenia shift a bit as his words fell over the room.

"You'd like to believe that wouldn't you. Do I kill people anymore? Do I enjoy seeing millions die anymore? Do I truly enjoy killing people anymore? I won't deny that I have done so a million times before in the past and relished at the screams of pain or the spilt blood that landed before my feet. No, Kakarrotto, I loved every moment and looked forward to such an event many a time. Yet am I like that now?"

"That's not the same." Argued Goku, the rebuttal said through clenched teeth.

"Oh is it?" He asked, fully turning now and taking a step forward, "She killed, slaughter, millions upon millions of lives. She enjoyed every moment. She enjoyed their screams, their tears, and their mutilated bodies. You try to deny it, but we were one in the same. I know how she feels, I understand at least."

"You are not the same." Goku stated sternly, his jaw clenching tightly at the accusation.

"We are not?" Inquired Vegeta mockingly.

"She isn't like YOU!" Cried out Goku as his eyes met Vegeta's. Teal flecked obsidian stared into bottomless ebony for a moment, neither saying a word. No one interfered in the argument of the two, yet they wished desperately that they could.

"So that's your answer Kakarrotto. That's you answer to this. I've been turned into a demon while she is still held in the grace of heaven?"

Goku didn't confirm the accusatory question, yet neither did he deny it.

"Such a fool." Vegeta proclaimed as he turned back to the younger saiyan. "Such a damned fool."

"I am a fool?" Goku asked, "How am I the fool? How do YOU know how she feels?"

At that the Saiyan prince stopped, but did not grace the other by turning around. He kept his back to him, to them all, "Because she told me Kakarrotto."

Goku's eyes widened at the information, his mouth falling open just the slightest bit.

"She told me because she could trust me to understand. She'd trust me not to make excuses for what she knows she did wrong. She's accepted it Kakarrotto, she's accepted everything. You're the one who hasn't."

With that said the Saiyan-jin Prince walked out of the infirmary, his mate sending a pleading glance at Goku before following. Whether to rant at the Prince or to comfort him, none of them knew. However what Vegeta said couldn't be easily dismissed. He was true in all regards. Wasn't he?

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He hissed painfully as the bandage tightened around his calf, the adhesive tape sticky to a loose piece of skin. It was one of the few injuries that could be justified as a real wound. The rest were superficial, and he didn't feel the need to bandage them. Tearing the tape's end, he leaned back and placed the roll back on the table behind him.

"Damn." He swore to himself as his mind ran over the day's events. Within the course of a few hours he had made himself the enemy of everyone in Capsule Corp. His eyes wandered over to the instruments that had held the complete attention of his mother and Gohan over the past few days and sighed. Yet, what could he expect from them all? He wasn't proud of the fact that he had kept the information from them all, but he had made a promise.

//Sometimes friends know when keeping the promise becomes more hazardous than breaking it.//

He frowned at the stray thought. That was true, however how could he? Whenever anything with Xenia came up, he found himself completely swayed to her side. He couldn't help it. No matter what logic laid behind defying what she said or did, he couldn't find himself agreeing to it.

If he had told Gohan about Turlus's child…….what would he have done? Would he have tried to terminate the pregnancy? Did Xenia even want the baby? She never had voiced her opinion over the baby to him before. She only told him that the child was Turlus's and pressed the point that she should be burdened with some of the blame for the pregnancy. But…what did she think of it? Did she ever consider what would happen if it was born and it held features similar to its father. After all, with pure-blooded saiyan-jinn males, the likeness to the father is almost to an exact point. Would she be able to bear seeing his features on her child for the rest of her life? Had she even considered the thought? If only he knew….

The sound of footsteps filled the air and he gave a halfway glance to the corridor. He frowned at the figure, as his hands twitched over his knees. He didn't need this right now.

They stopped a few feet short of the demi-saiyan, but the figure stayed silent as they surveyed the bandaged lacerations.

"Stay clear of Kakarrotto boy."

Trunks snorted at the comment, "As if I need you to lecture me about what just happened, father."

The saiyan-jin prince shifted for a moment, his eyes fixing themselves on his son's form.

"I don't need to justify any of this to you or any of them." Trunks growled in slight annoyance as his anger grew under the silent scrutiny. The last thing he needed was his father barking orders to him.

"Oh really?" Vegeta asked.

"Its not like you would understand anyway." Trunks mumbled as he turned away, "With what happened today, no one would believe me or even try to believe me."

Trunks almost laughed at the silence that followed. It wasn't as if he expected his father to answer him back, after all, the Prince wasn't known for his communication skills. But then….why was he still here. If he had nothing to say back, then why bother?

"She told you."

The demi-saiyan's eyes widened in shock at the statement. What?

"She made you promise not tell."

He turned and gazed in surprise at his father. How did he know?

Yet, instead of an explanation, a smirk lifted the Prince's lips as a low chuckle filled the room.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure it out boy."

"But if you knew…"

"This is your affair. As my son, I expected you could solve your own problems." Vegeta finished and turned to walk away.

"Father…."

The Saiyan-jin Prince stopped and glanced back at his son, a neutral expression upon his face. But Trunks simply found himself staring at his own feet as he dismissed the conversation. What had he wanted to ask him?

"Just don't get yourself killed."

He glanced up at his father then, complete and utter confusion on his face. Was he saying…..

"The most irritating aspect of training you was trying to separate you from Xenia, or to dismiss your thoughts of her."

Wincing at the pain of his leg, Trunks pushed himself up, "Father, I…."

"Not now, boy." He laughed then, "You're mother will probably be here any moment now. You'll be busy with her. Why humans fuss over such measly injuries is beyond me."

Then true to his word, Bulma suddenly appeared down the corridor with concern evident on her face.

Trunks smiled ruefully at this, and glanced back at his father. Yet he found him retreating upstairs. Probably going to the gravity room, it was the only place his father would go in such a situation.

As Bulma came over and fussed over his wounds, he found himself pondering his father's words. Had he been telling him to go and see Xenia? But…what about Goku? Surely he would stay with his daughter at all times….Well, he couldn't hide from the saiyan forever.

"You're father takes off just like that. One minute he's right in front of me and the next he's gone. Oh dear Dende, just look at this…" His mother fussed as she proceeded to re-bandaging his wounds.

He'd have to face Goku sometime….

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"Watch over your sister Gohan." Chichi quietly commanded as she took hold of her mate's arm, "You're father and I will be right back."

"Chichi?" The saiyan-jin inquired as he raised a brow in confusion.

Gohan simply nodded, not understanding why his mother would desire to be away from Xenia at such a time.

"Come on Goku." Chichi stated earnestly as she proceeded to drag the saiyan-jin male out of the room. Yet, Goku didn't protest, instead he held an utterly perplexed expression on his face as he stared at his wife. What was she doing? What was she going to tell him that she couldn't say in the room?

"Goku…." She sighed and stopped them both. Glancing around, they'd find themselves in a small room that was an extension of the infirmary. Chichi hesitated for a moment, her hand moving down to take hold of his hand. "Goku you have to realize something."

"What are you talking about Chichi?" He was getting worried now. What could his wife be talking about?

She took a deep breath and tried to settle her nerves as her eyes watched her fingers writhe against her husbands. She knew he'd have strong reaction to what she was going to say, but he needed to understand. She had realized it a long time ago, well not a long time ago per say, but she knew. He was the only one who was truly denying it and it had to stop.

"I've realized this and I've accepted it. Yet I don't understand why you don't. I mean Xenia, she's…" She trailed off for a moment, not entirely sure on how she should word her next words. "She's not the same anymore."

"What do you mean, Chichi?" Asked Goku earnestly.

"She's not the same…..what I mean is, that what Vegeta said…."

She glanced up at him then and watched his eyes momentarily flash at the mention of the Prince's name. It didn't frighten her though. If anything she knew that her husband would not hurt her under any circumstance.

"Vegeta was right. She's different now; she's not the same innocent girl she use to be."

Goku fervently shook his head, "No, she's not Chichi. She's not like him or Turlus or any of them. She's still our little girl. I thought you of all people would be able to see that."

He turned away from her then, pulling his hand away from her. Chichi simply stared at his back, hoping that he'd just stop trying to come up with excuses and just believe them. Believe her if not everyone else.

"Goku?" She took a small step forward, her voice slightly quivering. How could she make him believe her. How….

FLASHBACK

The light broke and encompassed them forcing them to shield their eyes from its bright intensity. The pain.....the pain from their flesh being burnt and grilled by its heat.........they waited for it....but it didn't come.....Why didn't it come?
"Xenia!" came out a shrill cry, it's tone possessing both relief, but also fear. It was Bra's voice, but it sounded strained for some odd reason.
Chichi lowered her arms, to be greeted with her daughters back. She was hunched over heavily, her arms bracing themselves in front of her. The deep groove before her feet showed her strain against it, dear Dende they had thought she was gone.....but if she was here and Goku and the others.....where were they?........did she have to face Turlus alone?
Chichi gazed down to find Bra laid on the ground, her breathing slightly labored....
"Xenia?" She asked tentatively and watched as her daughter's arms fell to her sides. Blood....more blood.....her forearms were covered in it...but why was she wounded so badly, she shouldn't be........
"Go inside." Here voice was deep and gruff holding no emotion except that of pure anger and hatred. It sounded so foreign to Chichi's ears and she finally realized that the innocent little girl she had known those many year before was gone and she was never coming back........

END OF FLASHBACK

It was at that moment that she understood. It was then that she saw her daughter as she was now and the image of that little girl she once cuddled in her arms was gone.

"Goku." Chichi whispered hoarsely as she reached out to grab him, but he simply moved away. Closing her eyes, she fought off the rising frustration and walked in front of him. He wasn't going to simply dismiss her like that, she was his wife!

"Goku, now I know you don't want to believe it, I didn't want to either. But it's true. I saw it in her. When she fought Turlus I saw it. I heard it in her voice. There was not one trace of any emotion except anger at that moment. Pure and utter rage. She wanted to cause Turlus pain, she wanted to hurt him. She-"

"How could you expect her not to?!?!" Goku cried out, "After what he had done to her, how could you not expect her to feel that way?!"

"I know she should have been angry and I understand it," She acquiesced, "But not like that. I have never seen any of you like that. Even with everything that happens, all of you know to honor another's life. That is the sole reason that Vegeta is here now. You could have allowed Krillian to kill him Goku. You could have, but you didn't. Even after he and Nappa had killed Yamcha, Tien and Chaotsu. You still let him live."

"That was different."

"No it wasn't Goku!" Cried out Chichi, "It wasn't any different. You even gave mercy to Frieza, didn't you."

"And look what happened! If mirai Trunks hadn't of come or if I hadn't of known Instant Transmission, then you'd all be dead for that mistake!"

Chichi shook her head then and turned away from him. Why did he continue to deny it? All it did was make the truth hurt more and more. She found tears flowing down her face then. She hadn't even noticed them before. Yet, she did not move to hide them from him.

"Goku," Her voice broke slightly, the sound shocking the saiyan. It was rare that his wife ever showed weakness. "She's different now. If you cannot accept it, then I think you should go and ask her for yourself."

Goku gazed at his wife's back, the sudden rise of guilt hitting him suddenly as he caught glimpses of the tears that fell to the floor.

"If you don't accept it from her then….then, I don't know. Maybe there won't be any hope of you ever understanding her."

Goku watched silently as she walked out of the room then. He made no attempt to go after her, for he didn't know what to say to her if he did. Xenia wasn't like that. She was still…she was….He shook his head fervently, dismissing the stray thought. He'd go and ask her, just to prove his point. Yet, he still couldn't dismiss the nagging feeling in the back of his mind that suggested that he might be wrong.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Glancing at the small machine beside his sister, Gohan sighed as his eyes wandered to the vacant corridor that his parents had just left through. What was his mother up to?

"Gohan?"

I mean, that look…..he didn't see it often. It carried itself more within her eyes than her face. Something was truly worrying her and it had something to do with his father.

"Gohan?!"

The voice jolted the demi-saiyan out of his thoughts, or rather the large volume of the voice truly captured his attention.

"Yes Videl."

His wife crossed her arms in slight annoyance at her husband's clueless expression. Sometimes she wondered about him…..A sigh passed her lips as she simply pointed to the young girl who had been clutching her husband's leg for quite sometime.

"Pan?" Gohan inquired as he stooped down to his daughter's eye level, "What's the matter honey?"

The little girl peeked out from her little hiding place of her father's pants and displayed her puffy eyes almost shamefully. She fidgeted under the attention she received and swallowed nervously, "What's wrong with Aunt Xenia?" She sniffled lightly, her blush suddenly reddening as she felt a new set of tears threatening to spill over.

Gohan glanced up at his wife for assistance as he tried to think of some way to explain the situation. Yet, Videl simply shrugged her shoulders as she glanced worriedly at their daughter. What could they tell her? How could they explain it?

"Well, honey…Xenia is…" He trailed off as his words suddenly faltered on his tongue. What could he tell her? After all, if he told her she was pregnant, then his inquisitive little daughter would wonder who the father was and upon hearing that knowledge would lead to an entire barrage of questions. And of course concealing the identity of the father would lead to her questioning Vegeta, who would deliver her the truth within a second's time. After all Vegeta wasn't one to conceal anything from the children. Entirely mentally frustrated, he sighed.

"Pan, Xenia isn't sick." It wasn't entirely untrue. "There is nothing wrong with her, we're all just still concerned for her. You know she's been sick for a while now and we're just being…"

"Really careful…over-protective?" She suggested, hope renewing itself in her eyes.

"Yes," He sighed somewhat satisfied, but a little guilty as well. He didn't like keeping things from his little girl, but until things got a bit better a maybe till she got a bit older….He dismissed the unpleasant thoughts and simply hugged the small body that still clutched at his leg.

"Gohan?"

His eyes snapped open, the deep voice sending his body into shock for a moment. After all he didn't expect him back so soon and….He glanced up then and took a double take for a moment….and without his mother.

"Dad, Where's-"

"She went to rest." Goku interrupted and finished briskly as he walked up to Xenia's bed.

Gohan felt the tension falling off his father in deep waves and found himself pulling Pan up onto his shoulders as he took a step back.

"Gohan has her condition..."

"It's fine." He stated quietly, and motioned for Videl to take Pan, "The baby's fine as well."

At the second statement, he saw his father's shoulder's tense and then relax somewhat as the information sunk in.

"Gohan?" Goku hesitated then, his feet shuffling slightly as he kept his back towards his son. "Could you leave me alone with her? I'll call you if anything happens."

He stared at his father for a moment. It sounded as if his father had already decided on the answer to that question. He glanced at Videl for a moment and saw her motion for them to leave and glanced reluctantly back at his sister.

"Alright. You know how-"

"Yes."

Gohan nodded then and turned to his wife and felt her hand link with his own as Pan held onto both their shoulders for support. Yet, he hated the nagging voice in the back of his head…..but this was his father. He shook his head ruefully, nothing would happen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I breathed out steadily, keeping my body still for the moment. Consciousness was coming back to me, but wasn't ready to bestow itself completely on me. For now, as my futile efforts had proven, I was stuck in this abhorrent infirmary with a silent companion and an irritating heart monitor. I would have sighed in frustration then, but my body was on autopilot. The only abilities I could rely on were my senses and eyesight was presently absent at the moment and the only thing I would feel was the little clamp on my finger. I began to wonder if my sense of motion when I first wakened a second ago was merely an illusion.

I mentally jerked as a hand encompassed my own. Damn my incoherent senses. I couldn't make heads or tails of who was next to me. The list of suspects would be, well….my mind ran back to the situation before my sudden lapse into unconsciousness and I mentally frowned. Well, it wasn't Trunks. I doubted my father would ever let him near me again after what happen.

I felt guilt rack my heart then, constricting my throat and I gasped. At least I believe I did.

"Xenia?"

I knew that voice. My fingers curled against the hand that held my own and I settled back or rather tried to settle my nerves. My father. He was here. I couldn't describe the feelings I held at that moment. Was I relieved? Was I happy? Was I annoyed? I felt his other hand move then, it slide over the sheet and came to rest softly against my stomach.

The baby.

That's why he was here. He wanted to understand why his sweet little girl could have this happen to her. He probably still thinks of me that way…like I'm a sweet little girl who couldn't help what was done to her. Father….

"Xenia, are you awake?"

I tried to move again. I tried to speak, but I found my limitations quickly. So far only my fingers truly obeyed me. Though that gasp earlier left some hope.

"I don't know how I could ever ask you this if you were awake. I know its cowardly of me, but I don't know what else to do. So just listen for now."

I mentally frowned then as his hand pulled away from my own. What was going on? Why did he sound this way?

"Your mother says I'm in denial." I heard a small snort then, almost to dismiss his statement from before. "She says that I should realize who you are now. That you've changed."

I have changed. I've changed more than I ever would like to and in ways that I never imagined in any nightmare.

"But I refuse to believe it. You are still my little girl. You are still the one who wrote me this letter."

I heard a rustling of paper then and I felt a slightly crinkled piece of paper being slipped under my fingers. Was this….

"Remember I told you, I've kept it since the day we thought…." He paused and I heard a quick intake of breath. "Since the day we thought you died."

I let my fingers run over the old paper, and I felt my heart lighten as I remembered vividly writing the little letter in the cove inside the falls.

"You know I've kept it in good condition. I've held onto it all this time, somehow hoping that it was all a nightmare. That someday I'd wake up and you'd still be here."

I felt almost ashamed as his words fell over me. What could I say, if I could. What could I do to ease his pain. To assure all his doubts.

"Turlus." A low growl accompanied the name. "He took you away form us, stripped away your memories of us and branded you a…murderer."

I could hear all the animosity in his voice pour over the statement. I knew he saw everything as Turlus's fault and even though the easier road would call for me to simply follow his lead, I couldn't.

"It's his fault this all happen. He did this to you." He punctuated the statement by placing a bit of pressure onto my stomach.

"You must hate it. You must be so ashamed of what he did. To put this inside of you and…"

He trailed off then his rage making his body shake, or what I could tell from his palm.

"He's caused all this pain and suffering. He's hurt my little girl." His hand then touched the side of my face and I felt myself jerk from the contact.

"Xenia?"

I had to talk to him, to get him to realize. He was the one walking blind, while I saw everything as clear as day.

"Dad…" I heard myself hoarsely. Ok my mouth worked at least, but the eyes would take a little longer. What did Gohan give me??

"Xenia? You're awake?"

I could hear the surprise in his voice and managed a raspy chuckle, "Yeah, I'm awake."

Some water would be real good right about now.

"Thank Dende. How are you feeling? Does anything hurt?"

I felt him take my hand again, but inside both of his own this time.

"I'm fine," I muttered as I willed my arms to slightly push myself about a quarter of an inch, before falling back down on the bed.

"Don't move!"

I nearly froze at the command and I cracked one lid open. Yet all that greeted me was a very blurry mass of orange, blue and black.

"You shouldn't move right now. You still need to rest." The black almost sphere-like mass at the top suddenly turned again and again in each direction and I had the sudden urge to hid under the blanket on top of me. My other eye opened and the mass nearly jumped. Anymore of this and I'd need more medication.

"I need to get Gohan and tell him you're awake and-"

I clenched his hand tightly then, my other hand swinging over my waist to grasp it as well. What persistence and determination will allow you to do….

"Dad." I blinked a few times and observed as the mass slowly grew shape. Deja vu hit me then and my mind briefly brought up the memories of a cold alley…blood…and grim faces full of perverted lust. I gasped at the sudden memory, my eyes widening. My distress must have been apparent, for within seconds I found my father sitting next to me again; his face, now clear, was hovering over me worriedly.

"Xenia? What's wrong?"

Migraine. That's what was wrong. I brought one hand up to my head as the memory subsided and sighed. "I'm fine, just some unpleasant memories."

I felt his ki distinctly rise then and smiled as I felt my senses almost completely return to me.

"Dad, you know what?" I rubbed my temple.

He stayed silent and as I gazed at him I found the ever too familiar look of confusion upon him. I had to laugh at that, but only managed a small giggle.

"Mom is right though."

Yep. Just as I thought. His entire body had gone rigid at the statement. This would be hard to explain on both of our parts. Mine to tell and his to hear and accept. Hopefully it wouldn't take too long. This would just end up depressing me if I thought about it too long.

"I've changed daddy."

I saw his face take on a look of disbelief and……fear?

"I know this is hard to accept, especially with everything-" I coughed then and cursed my dry throat.

"Maybe I should get-"

"NO!" I shouted, my mind mentally bellowing at my throat like a sailor as the pain intensified. "Just, ummm. Well, can I have some water?"

Here at such a serious time I had to blow it with my dumb throat. At the plea, he immediately jumped from his chair and swiveled around to look for some water.

My eyes widened as I realized what was going to happen next. Uh oh. "Watch-"

I looked away quickly as he fell over the chair he'd been previously occupying and lifted a brow. I simply watched then in silent embarrassment, more for him than me, as he took a total of around ten minute to get back up. Sometimes I wondered about my father.

"Nice and slowly." I managed before my hand came up to massage my raw throat.

Within seconds he was at my side again. Brandishing a small glass of water with ice too. I took a long sip and sighed, "Much better. Not perfect, but much better."

I stared down at the glance in my hands and sighed, "As I was saying before-"

"Xenia.."

I held up my hand to silence him for a moment and raised my head to look at him. He was frightened. Frightened of what I'd say and reveal to him. Reveal to him what he had to accept finally.

"I'm not the same anymore. I know you don't want to accept it, but you kind of have to you know."

I smiled weakly and quickly looked away as I surveyed his frown. Another quick swipe at the glass and I continued, "Turlus did kidnap and brainwash me. And I know that would usually mean that I had no say in what happened while I was under his command so to speak. However, that doesn't mean I can disregard it that simply."

I paused for a moment, "I mean. When I fought him, all I could think about was how happy I was to cause him pain. I can remember the awful things I have done in the past and even though they fill me with disgust….I can't dismiss the small amount of pleasure I derived from it."

I watched the fear transform into confusion then into disbelief and finally into concern.

"I know, I know. Why do I feel this way?" It wasn't as if I hadn't debated the thought silently, "I can't expel these emotions. And in a way I don't want to. Maybe that's why I confide in Vegeta, but then again it isn't just that. All my life I've felt that we've had some sort of connection. And with this its gotten stronger and not to mention, he won't argue with me on any of this."

"But he-"

"Understands?" I prompted as I raised a brow.

I shook my head at his disbelief and felt a smile slowly creep onto my face. "You always try to see that every situation has a greater sense of good in it. Well, this time everything that resulted from this is bad as you can see." I swept my arm around me in a grand gesture, but paused, "Well almost everything." I don't know why I whispered that final statement. Yet, as I did I let my hand slowly come to rest on my stomach. Its ki was strong now. Somehow, that made my smile widen.

"Why don't you hate it?"

I glanced up at him and frowned. He simply didn't understand. "Dad, it never asked to be created. It doesn't control any of this."

"But it's-"

"Turlus's," I finished for him. "I know it is and I've accepted that."

"But what if it looks like him?"

I sighed and glanced at him from the corners of my eyes, "You make it sound as if I hadn't thought about that already."

He balked at the insinuated insult on his part and muttered a rebuttal. Suddenly a lavender haired demi-saiyan came to mind and I startled for a second. How could I have forgotten about him? I glanced at my father again and quickly swallowed. Into the frying pan and out of it and back in again.

"Dad, don't be mad at Trunks." I pleaded and saw his once paled face harden.

"But after what he did?"

Ok here we go, time to tell him the truth. Which will be hard for him to accept no doubt. "I made him promise not to tell any of you."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

His eyes bored into the pewter flooring as he watched his shadow move with the passing ceiling lights. A slight motion from the corner of his eye drew his attention to the tightly wrapped bandage around his leg. The tip of the bandage after the tape was loose and he watched it sway against his movement, the action arousing a small amount of annoyance within him. Such a small and trivial thing was able to disturb him…perhaps he was letting his thoughts get on his nerves too much.

Trunks stopped for a moment and glanced down the long stretch of corridor in front of him. Was this what his father was insinuating he do? Well the 'don't get yourself killed' remark was slightly obvious. The demi-saiyan frowned as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other.

Who would probably be in the room with her?

Well, not his father or his mother. They had retreated up to the main level, but well, everyone else might. That wasn't a reception he was looking forward to. Or worse perhaps only Goku was there, waiting for him to dare an appearance after the mishap earlier.

The saiyan-jin's face entered his mind for a brief moment and he shuddered. It was rare to see such an expression on Goku's face. Though it had become familiar to everyone over the past few weeks. Yet, as much as he feared the confrontation with Goku, his thoughts wandered back to Xenia. Her well-being seemed to override his own.

He couldn't help but feel guilty for what was happening to her. Perhaps they were all right. Maybe he had put her in more danger than necessary by keeping her condition a secret from them. He had been contradicting his own behavior all this time.

FLASHBACK

"To be blunt, the virus has become stronger and now it is spreading through her much more rapidly than we expected. This would explain her more frequent attacks." Swallowing nervously Bulma closed her eyes, "We have deduced that she has only a few more days."
"Only a few more days........." Trailed off Chichi, the shock present in her voice.
"Bulma, how-"
"But your file had said two weeks!!" Trunks yelled in disbelief as he leapt up from his chair, knocking it over in the process. "How could it change that drastically!!"
"You went through my encoded files?" Asked Bulma her voice laced with shock and betrayal.
"What did you expect me to do?!" He asked turning around suddenly on her, his arms thrown up in the air, "Just sit here like every one else?!"
"I have told you over and over again that you are not allowed to go into my computer's files. I can't believe you would hack into it!" She cried out.
"Ha!" He turned on his heel and slammed his hands down on the table, "You are one to talk! You who never told us this in the first place! You knew her time was short and you still didn't warn us, you just kept it to yourself and that stupid computer!!"
Her mouth fell agape as she glanced down at the table. She had kept it from them all this time. Yet, that didn't excuse his behavior. How dare he talk to his mother like this! That was when she noticed his hands.........they were now enclosed within tight fists. Yet, they perfectly matched the imprints that had been previously been on the table. What had happened before?
Suddenly his fists disappeared and his hands flew back. A loud roar resounded over the room as plaster rained down over them. Glancing up quickly she observed Vegeta's stance on the other side of the kitchen table, her mind running through every possible situation. Yet she wasn't prepared to see her son reaching up out from the debris that had once been the separating wall of the Kitchen and one of the corridors.
"Vegeta!" She cried out angrily at her mate, his actions shocking her utterly. Yet he simply ignored her angry rant and stared down at his son.
"Do not disrespect your mother in any way. You are a Saiyan, have some honor and dignity!" He barked angrily as his body shook with rage. He never had and never would tolerate such behavior!
Yet, Trunks simply chuckled and wiped the small trail of blood that had slipped from the corner of his mouth.
"Respect her? After she deceived us?" He pulled himself up and glared at his father through his now unruly lavender bangs, "You must be joking........."
Vegeta balled his fists tightly by his side as his body tensed up for yet another attack, but just then two strong arms pinned him within a restraining hold. He tried to fend off the interruption, but it was to no avail, "Get off me Kakarrotto! I don't have time for this! I have to teach that boy a lesson he won't soon forget!"
Yet, the younger Saiyan didn't let go instead he tightened his hold upon the Saiyan Prince, "Calm down Vegeta! Nothing good will come out of this!" Goku hissed sharply as a strong jab was made to his chest. "We can't start fighting amongst each other!"
Trunks simply smiled at the scene and leaned back against one of the support beam that had not been broken.
"Stop it both of you!" Cried out Bulma as she came in-between, "Now calm down."
Giving a low growl, Vegeta acquiesced and quickly pushed his fellow Saiyan away as he released his hold. The whole while mumbling about the nuisance of them all and how they should have let him beat the boy for a while for his impertinent behavior.
END OF FLASHBACK

You'd think after that display he would have learned. The reaction was exactly the same though in both situations he was the one who ended up in a pile of debris with another wall demolished. Though when his father had hit him there had been no injuries. A low chuckle fell from his lips as realization hit him. The man held back deliberately, who would have guessed….

His mother had held back important information as well so that the others would not be hurt. He knew that such situations had no comparison to one another, but his father's stubborn mannerisms began to take over quickly.

She had done the same, she had deceived all of them and they hadn't punished her. Yet they were so quick to condemn him. In the blink of an eye he was no better than Turlus in Goku's eyes. He frowned once again and willed his legs to move forward. It almost seemed as if there was an opposing force urging him to turn around and retreat, but he knew his imagination was simply having a field day toying with his emotions. Fear was such an interesting sensation, all embodied within one man. And the most powerful man that exists or so the rumors say. His own power was nothing compared to Trunks and he wished desperately that the man didn't wish to fight him. It wasn't out of the fear of death, but from….

His thoughts were cut short as he stared at the doorway a few feet in front of him. He hadn't even noticed till now that he had arrived at the infirmary. He pursed his mouth in indecision, his hands shoved deeply inside his pockets. He stepped quietly up to the doorway and took in a deep breath. All he could hear was his own heartbeat. His mind was so centered on his own turbulent emotions that his senses had completely failed him with every attempt he made to identify who was in the room, well besides Xenia.

"Why don't you hate it?"

He froze then and he could have sworn that his heart skipped a beat. Goku was in there. His senses came reeling back again and he cursed their tardiness silently. Goku was defiantly in there and with Xenia, but it was only the two of them. Gohan, Videl and Pan could be felt at the other end of the basement.

"Dad, it never asked to be created. It doesn't control any of this."

He listened quietly and plastered himself against the wall, praying to Dende that Goku wouldn't detect him. Though his doubts were rising as he realized that such a thing was almost impossible.

His mind dropped the matter as he assessed their conversation. Were they talking about Xenia's baby?

"But it's-"

"Turlus's." She paused then… "I know it is and I've accepted that."

She had accepted it. Well, she did insinuate as much, but he had accepted the fact that she might still have some doubts as well. Yet at the moment she seemed so sure of herself and he felt himself smile at that. At least she wasn't disturbed about her situation.

"But what if it looks like him?"

He had wondered the same thing.

"You make it sound as if I hadn't thought about that already."

Trunks felt guilt ride him, almost as if the annoyed comment had been directed at him. How could he not expect her to think of that. After all she probably knew more about saiyans now than anyone else, well not his father, but almost everyone. Silence followed her remark for a moment, before he heard Goku stammer out an apology for insinuating that Xenia hadn't thought of it yet. If wasn't for his present 'predicament' then he probably would have found himself doing the same thing. He thanked Goku silently for allowing him to get that now rather embarrassing question out of the way.

"Dad, don't be mad at Trunks."

The demi-saiyans eyes widened in shock as Xenia's words fell over his ears. He felt his hart jump this time as he detected the sincerity in her voice. He blushed besides the point that no one could see him presently.

"But after what he did?"

Suddenly, Trunks's somewhat relieved disposition did a one eighty. The anger in Goku's voice couldn't be missed. The saiyan hadn't changed his previous judgment about him. He grimaced as he realized that it would take much more than a simple chat to ease the anger radiating off Goku. Just then he heard Xenia's next few words and gasped as he heard the hesitation and shame in her voice. She didn't have to do it, he didn't want her to do it.

"I made him promise not to tell any of you."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"What?" My father stared at me in utter disbelief, "But why? Why tell him?"

I sighed and smiled at him, "Because I was scared this would happen."

"What would?"

Sometimes he was truly clueless. "That everyone would hate it."

"Xenia-"

"No!" I interjected quickly. "No more talking…well not for you anyway. Just listen, ok?"

Much to my satisfaction, he nodded in silent agreement. It was better this way. If I didn't get this out now, I wouldn't be able to ever. He wants to understand me, well he would soon.

"Vasha, she was a woman who took care of me on Turlus's ship." I glanced up and saw his expression had hardened again, but it couldn't be helped. "She was very kind to me. She was my best friend there, almost like an older sister." I avoided saying mother as I glanced at my father again. It wouldn't be wise to say that. "She never wanted to hurt me and in the end after I had defeated Turlus, she was the one who convinced me to live on."

"Live on?" He asked then, concern and confusion intermingling.

"What did I say dad?" I asked as I placed my hands on my hips. He gave me one of his trademark Son grins and apologized quickly. Some things would never change.

"Anyway, as I was saying…" I thought back to the experience suddenly. The images of Vasha's beaten and bloodied body formed in my mind and I had to fight back the overwhelming emotions that suddenly assaulted me. I didn't need to remember that at the moment. I fervently shook my head then, willing my mind to suppress the images if only for a little while. Later, when I was alone, I'd deal with it, but for now I had something more important to focus on. "I wanted to die. I had become what I hated most and I felt that after all the awful things that I had done that I didn't deserve to live. I tried to kill myself by staying in the base when it began to come down."

I snuck a peak at him and swallowed uneasily as I saw his concern. "But she saved me….yet in doing so she sacrificed her own life. She managed to give me the serum and pushed me out of the way as a piece of the ceiling came barreling down on top of me. She was dying and I knew it, but I never imagined how it would affect me." I paused and grimaced. "She told me that I should live, but not just for myself."

I placed a hand over my stomach then and felt the tears threaten to spill. "She made me realize how much it meant to me. Even though Turlus was its father, I still care for it. It didn't ask to be created. It wasn't responsible for how its father was and because of that I couldn't give up. I couldn't give up on my life," I rubbed the smooth surface of my abdomen for a moment, "on our life."

"I don't care what everyone says, I care about…" I shook my head, "I love this child. I want to keep it. I want to see it when it's born. I want to see it grow up and become someone incredible. Turlus may have been its father, but I'm its mother. With Turlus gone it won't have to suffer now." I couldn't hold back the venom in my voice as I spoke those last two statements. If I was, by some cruel twist of fate, still forced to be with Turlus then things would be different. How could I ever raise a child in that kind of world? A world so filled with pain, misery and treachery. Turlus would raise it to be a heartless murderer….and I would have rather killed myself instead of letting that happen. I hope my father understood now. At least a little, though I was being a little evasive of the subject. There would be more time later to reiterate everything, but for now this would have to suffice.

I snuck a peek at his face again and slightly startled in shock as I observed his smile. Contrary to what I thought, he didn't speak then. Yet simply pulled me into a tight hug, but I could feel the tear that strayed onto my shoulder. He sighed and I felt him tighten his hold, "You make it so difficult for me sometimes."

"Sorry, but hey isn't that what us daughters are for?" I smiled, "We have to make sure our fathers receive their honorary gray locks."

He laughed at the small joke and pulled back. Yet, then I simply watched in utter confusion as his smile transformed into a knowing smirk.

"Dad?"

He glanced back at the doorway and chuckled, "We have company. In fact we've had it for quite a while now."

He stared at me for a moment and I cocked my head to the side in confusion. What? Who could…..My eyes widened. That ki…..it was Trunks!

"Dad-" I tried to protest, but he silenced me quickly with a single finger.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt him."

I believed him, well almost. Yet, there was this dangerous glint in the corner of his eye that said otherwise.

//He's been hanging around Vegeta way too much.//

"We know you're there Trunks." My father shouted and I immediately felt the boy's ki spike. I vaguely remembered the scene from earlier so I could understand the reaction. He peeked his head out and offered a slightly goofy grin as he stepped out into the doorway.

I couldn't help but laugh at the scene. He had no clue what my father was going to do. I watched my father stand up and walk up to Trunks and I bit the inside of my cheek to stifle my laughter. After all, it wouldn't be very nice of me to make fun of the poor boy's situation.

"Trunks." My father raised a brow, "How long have you been out there?"

The boy stammered for a moment and sheepishly smiled, "For a little bit."

"A little bit, huh." My father reiterated sarcastically as he gave me a wink. "What brings you down here?"

At this question, Trunks squirmed slightly as he was put on the spot, "Well, I was wondering if I could speak with Xenia."

He was acting so polite and meek, as if one wrong word would set my dad off. Well that had been true a couple minutes ago.

"You want to talk to her?" My dad rubbed his chin indecisively and I giggled, "I don't know…."

"Please Mr. Son."

I slapped my hand over my mouth as my laughter suddenly became to hard to control. Mr. Son?!? Dear Dende this was too much. I looked up to find them staring at me, Trunks utterly perplexed, while my father simply amused.

His hand clamped down on Trunks shoulder then and I could almost swear that he flinched. "All right Trunks, but if anything happens…."

Trunks swallowed quickly and nodded, "I know."

My father flashed me a playful grin as he released his grip, apparently amused by the boy's seemingly fearful nature at the moment.

//Defiantly been spending too much time around Vegeta.//

He turned away then and Trunks's once rigid posture suddenly relaxed as he walked out of the room.

I couldn't stop it then. It was just too much. Yet once again in Trunks's presence I found myself hugging my sides as I felt the pain that came with the uncontrollable laughter that I had come to associate him with.

"Why is it that every time I come down to see you, I seem to do something that entertains you to no end?"

I glanced up at him and smiled, my ability to stifle my laughter returning. "Sorry, but you have to admit that was pretty funny."

"Hmph," He shook his head and came over by my bed, "To you maybe."

I watched him flop down into the chair my dad had occupied and lean back. Ah, now why did this seem familiar……

Flashback

"Anyway, what were you talking about before?" He shifted in the small chair, tipping it back a little as his lips pulled up a little at the question. Here we go again, and here I thought he had grown out of trying to embarrass me........
"Well, my dad said he had mentioned it to ya earlier." I stated smoothly and watched with quiet satisfaction as his cerulean orbs widened considerably. What happened next........I sighed to myself for a moment, trying desperately to bite down the laughter that was threatening to explode within me.
Trunks now laid on the floor, the chair broken and sprawled about him in many pieces as he grinned sheepishly at me. Oh yeah, that wasn't the most graceful of falls. His arms flaying out spasmodically as the chair tipped completely over and was crushed completely under his weight.
Now if only I had a camera, another perfect shot missed!
End of Flashback

A repeat performance perhaps? I smiled at the memory and sighed in disappointment when I found no camera within my sight.

"The bed's more comfy you know." I suggested knowingly.

"I'm alright. You didn't seem to mind when your dad was sitting in it." He pointed out as he sat up.

"True," I acquiesced, "However do you want to repeat what happened last time? I remember that my father was baffled at the small wooden mess left on the floor."

He stared at me blankly for a moment, but blushed when realization struck him, "Oh ya…maybe I'll take you up on your offer after all."

He got up and carefully sat next to my legs, "You don't mind?"

I shook my head and smiled. "So….what did you come down here for?"

He turned away for a moment and seemed to hesitate. Was I this hard to talk to?

"I just wanted to talk to you." He said finally.

"So I've heard." I stated plainly as I rolled my eyes. "I was in the room when, only a minute ago, you told my dad that."

He smiled partially at the comment and lifted his head, "I wanted to ask you a few things, but…" He blushed again as he glanced down at the bed, "your conversation with your dad kinda cleared up a lot of things."

I smiled at his embarrassment and tried to think back to the last time we spoke alone. It had been just before Gohan had given me the new serum.

FLASHBACK

"Why do you-"
I stopped suddenly, my mouth running dry as my heart skipped a beat. His large arms moved gently around my waist pulling me towards him in a close but tender embracement. Oh dear Dende, what is going on? What's happening? I drew in a sharp breath as I relaxed my hands against his chest. He was holding me. He.....
"Xenia....."
I glanced up at his face, his lavender locks creating a small veil over our faces. I didn't dare speak, I was too scared. What if he pulled away? What if he suddenly freaked out? I shivered slightly and he tightened his grip, being careful of my injuries as he slid his arms over my back.
His eyes were tightly shut, his face portraying a sense of utter desperation and doubt that I couldn't understand.
"I'm sorry, but please....."
Trunks.....what are you…..
"Just please don't tell me to leave you alone again. Don't tell me that I'm ruining everything."
His voice began to crack as the last few words fell from his lips. What have I done to him? How could I make him think this way? Trunks....
"I-"
He opened his eyes at that moment, glistening tears shining against those warm ocean-blue eyes. With silent fascination, I watched as a lone droplet teetered over the edge of his vision. Falling slowly it gently tapped my cheek, the warm liquid slowly flowing down before veering off to my lips. Salty tears composed of remorse and anguish, the tiniest bit of hope a speck within its lucid depths. I felt myself reach up to him. Slowly, as if my entire body had grown a will of its own. A few more inches, just a few more and then....

END OF FLASHBACK

By the rising heat in my cheeks I didn't need to be told that I was blushing. What would have happened, if I hadn't told him about the baby……I grabbed my face suddenly as the blush grew darker no doubt. What was I thinking?!? We were friends! We ARE friends!! FRIENDS!!

"Are you ok?"

I glanced up then and saw him watching me with a perplexed look on his face. "Or are you just going insane on me again?" He smiled with that remark and I blushed even more if that were even possible.

"Ummm, well I was just remembering something." I managed out quickly.

"Remembering what?" He asked nonchalantly as he shifted against the mattress.

At that moment I would have been glad if Vegeta popped in demanding a training session. This wasn't happen….But what was I fretting over. There was nothing to fret over. Nothing!

"Just when we talked last time, you know when I told you about the baby." I stated casually.

I watched his eyes suddenly drop to my abdomen as he fell silent. Then without any warning he reached out. Ok, to say I silently nearly panicked would be an understatement. What was wrong with me?!

"Can I…"

I nodded silently as I bit my lip and tensed as he rested his hand against the smooth skin. I breathed out unsteadily and tried to calm my nerves. What is wrong with me?! I watched his face and was surprised as a smile formed over his lips. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it then in almost indecision. What was he going to say? Yet, I didn't have to wait long as a playful grin appeared on his face.

"You know, I can't imagine you a mother." He stated smartly as he sat back up and removed his hand, "I feel sorry for the kid."

What?!?!?

"Hey, I'll have you know that I'll be a perfect mother!" I yelled.

"Sure….." He stated sardonically.

"Trunks…." I growled lightly.

He raised a brow then, his face the picture of amusement. "You never change. You're still so easy to fool."

"I…." I stopped abruptly in my rebuttal. Why didn't I fight it when he said it?

"Well you have changed, but then again you haven't." He smiled and pushed away a strand of hair from my face. "But I'm just repeating myself aren't I? I've told you this before."

I couldn't help the smile, and I looked away shyly. This felt so familiar and yet so new at the same time.

"Trunks…."

"Hmm?"

I writhed my fingers together and gathered my reserves. This would be interesting. I checked the surrounding area of the basement and sighed as I didn't detect anyone.

"Why don't you tell me now."

His brows scrunched up in confusion, "Tell you what?"

"If what Bra said a while back is or…" I paused, "Was true."

He balked at the question. Never saw it coming……I giggled at his expression and tried to settle myself down. "Well?"

He jerked back to reality and blushed. I just loved putting him on the spot!

"Trunks?" I asked sweetly. I truly couldn't help myself…..well, maybe I could, but I didn't want to.

He smiled then as his blush faded and his gaze lowered to his hands. The sudden change in behavior broke me out of my playful stupor as I felt my chest constrict suddenly. Why did I feel this way so suddenly?

"What do you want me to say?" He asked quietly as he lifted his head to look at me.

"I, well.." It was my turn to look away as my blush appeared once more to taunt me. The shoe is on the other foot I see.

I watched him scoot closer from the corner of my eyes and my cheeks grew hotter as his hand reached out to gently cup my chin.

//His hands are so big….//

"You don't know ?" He asked almost playfully as his smile widened.

Ok now he was being evil. "I…."

//Déjà vu! Déjà vu!//

I felt his arms encircle my waist before I saw them. I stiffened in the embracement for a moment, but quickly relaxed. He lowered his head to rest against my shoulder and sighed.

"What do you think I'll say?" He asked quietly as he drew small circles over my back with his thumbs. I didn't know what to say or for that matter what to think. All I could hear was my heart beat and his voice. All I could feel was his warmth as it soothed every fiber of my being. All I could see was him. I felt him pull back then and pull his arm up to run a hand along the side of my face.

"I know what I'll say."

I held my breath suddenly as my chest grew tighter. My stomach flopping uneasily as I stared up into his ocean-blue eyes. They were half hooded at the moment and turning every thought into indecipherable babble in my mind. This was now an officially one-sided conversation, if you could call it that.

He tilted his head forward then, his lavender locks tickling my face softly. I could feel his hot breath against my cheek, the sensation making me shiver. My hands began to move then, first from his chest then up over his shoulders till they finally joined each other behind his neck. My whole body seemed to be on auto-pilot.

//I wonder….//

"I think you know what I'm going to say."

He said it so softly, but every word rung clear in my ears. He leaned closer and I closed my eyes as I surrendered to the overwhelming sensations that enveloped my body.

//I wonder if….//

"I'm saying…"

He was millimeters away. His scent, his touch, his voice, his…..

"Yes."

I sighed contently as I felt his lips claim my own. The gentlest of touches at first that sent shivers to ever nerve ending. Then something deeper that warmed my entire body, my heart beating rapidly as I let myself fall into every delicious sensation that befell me.

//I wonder if this is how it is?//

He pulled back then and I opened my eyes slowly and gazed at him lovingly. When had it happened? When did this happen to me?

//Does it always happen like this?//

"It always has and still is." He whispered huskily as he leaned down to capture my lips once more.

//Ignorant of its existence till it suddenly hits you in the very moment you doubt yourself?//

Suddenly I knew I could; I knew could get through all this. As long as he stayed with me and I could have this warmth within my heart forever. As long as I felt his love…..

//I wonder if this is what love feels like….//

Everything was going to be fine for me and hopefully, if he would have it, our child.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Too long………ugh! Please excuse the grammar mistakes. After all with school over all my beta-writers have kinda disappeared. But if there are A LOT of them, then please tell me and I'll work on revising it more.

The ending was so hard to write. Romance, I will say once again, is NOT my forte. Hopefully it was good and left yall with a sense of completion with the romance section of this chapter. Although some parts of this chapter screamed for me to delete them and rewrite them AGAIN, I tried to resist the temptation as I realized it would post-pone the update till maybe ohhhhh, the end of June or even worse the end of summer vacation! ::dramatic music ensues:: lol, I'll just go back later incase any of you really don't like something.

Ok concerning Pan….::suddenly bursts out laughing:: Well, I kinda forgot how old I made her, so….yeah if she seems kinda kiddy, I'm sorry. I didn't realize till after I read the scene and then when I went back to try and sift through the 199 pages of Lost, well yeah I kinda gave up fast. Hey it would have delayed the chapter more. Hopefully that didn't bug any of you. Next time you will all find out the gender of Xenia's baby! (And I will work harder to get it out in a reasonable time.) Ja ne mina-san!!