Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Stealing Time ❯ Goodmorning Vegeta? ( Chapter 16 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Warnings: Language, mild sexual content. And whatever I might have missed to warn you about I say if you still need a warning by now it serves you right if you read something you don't like or can't handle. Cause its pretty obvious how this story is going and how its going to continue to go. This chapters pretty clean though.

Summary: Vegeta's losing his mind or gaining more of it? While his family and friends try to figure it out, Trunks to gain his father's love and Goku to gain Vegeta's love. (I know thats so lame but its what you get)

The Alters: Envy/self loathing Playful/crazy Anger Sad/confused Loving/fatherly lust/need

Stealing TimeChpt 16- Goodmorning Vegeta?

Vegeta writhed in bed sleeping through another nightmare, after having been awake for hours. Moments before that Goku came in asking why he was still awake. Vegeta gave him the silent treatment having been partially out of it from delirium to really answer the question anyway. Knowing the Saiyan prince was "not quite right" Goku didn't take offense, instead he pulled out Gohan's old desk chair and sat himself down making small talk with himself mostly. He would glance at Vegeta once in awhile noticing the exhausted look in his heavy lidded eyes. The next thing Vegeta knew Goku was telling him to just go to sleep and that he'd be there with him until he woke up and he was out like a broken light. It wasn't a peaceful sleep however, because the words of his alters continued to scream in his head. So he was fidgety in bed unaware of his former rivals presence hovering over him as he did so.

In this nightmare Vegeta was flying fast and flying high using all the ki and energy he had. Beneath him water was rising rapidly. Hands reaching out from the wet surface grabbing at Vegeta's heels trying to grasp his ankles wanting to pull him under. Familiar voices called out to him from below. Trunks, his friend, Kakarot and his eldest son, even the Namek.

"Come with us dad."

"Come back Vegeta."

"Let us help you."

Vegeta shut his eyes tightly then opened them trying to speed up and get away from them all. Above him the alters were luminous in the sky taking up its entirety, calling out to him as well.

You'll drown with them Vegeta.

Let us help you.

We'll take over for you.

Make it all better.

We can stop you from drowning.

Not noticing the water had risen to his feet and the hands below grasped him at the ankles tugging Vegeta downwards. "No!" He tried to pull free and fly higher, towards the alters but their grasp were too strong. "Ah!" He was forcefully yanked down and going under, sinking quickly as if he held the weight of a dinosaur. The last thing he heard was one of his alter voices telling him, 'You should have let us take over Vegeta... you can't handle this life.' Water washed into his lungs and the hands holding him down disappeared leaving Vegeta alone... sinking.... drowning....

"Huuh!" He gasped out of his sleep, eyes flung open, his head lying on a sweat soaked pillow. He was breathing heavily, gasping for air. Taking a few minutes to calm down Vegeta tried to relax and swallowed dryly. Turning his head he found out that he wasn't alone and his face grimaced. "Don't you ever sleep, or do you prefer being a creep and watching me do it instead?"

Trunks shifted in the desk chair that Goku had previously occupied and sighed. "I was asleep but I couldn't get myself to stay there. I was... worried about you."

"Hmph." Vegeta turned his head away from his sons emotion filled stare. "Yes, well I'm awake now. You can go."

Trunks wasn't rattled by his dads stand off reply. He stayed put a moment debating whether he should ask him what he was dreaming about that caused such an abrupt wake up or if he should keep his mouth shut and not risk upsetting his dad more. Sighing again he stood from the chair pushing it back under the desk. "I'll bring you some water. We'll eat when the others get up." He left the room leaving the door cracked for someone to hear if anything happened. Once Trunks was gone Vegeta's first instinct was to get up and flee. Unfortunately as much as his mind wanted to move, his body was too weak and tired to listen. So he stayed there dropping his head back down on the pillow heavily. He tried to relax and keep the nightmares and events of the night before out of his mind.

Trunks returned shortly after with a large glass of water and a look of surprise was visible on his young features. Vegeta managed a tiny smirk. "Hn, didn't think I'd still be here did you?" Trunks brought the drink over to his dad.

"Kinda." He admitted.

Taking the glass. "Well you'll be happy to know I won't be going anywhere until my strength returns." He took the water down in one long drink. The cool liquid was welcomed in his hot, dry throat, going down in gulps and running through his body. When he was finished he shoved the glass back at Trunks, who placed it on the night stand.

"You'll have plenty of time for that once we get you to the hospital."

Vegeta sat himself up again. "I'm not going to any human hospital."

Now it was time for Trunks to grimace. "Last night you agreed that we could help you and taking you to the hospital is the only way we can do that properly." Vegeta scoffed. "You need to be examined dad, even if we all have to drag you down there by force."

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. "And you assume I'll go easily."

"With the condition you're in right now you don't have much of a choice, you said it yourself."

"My son the comedian." Vegeta spat out and said nothing more. Trunks crossed his arms in satisfied victory for having won the battle against his father so easily.

"Don't try anything crazy now. I'm gonna start breakfast. Goku should be up soon and he'll be in to check on you."

"I'm so honored the great Kakarot will put me before his precious feeding time."

"Ha! My dad the comedian, you should tell Goku when you see him."

"Tell Goku what?" The man himself asked entering the room while stretching his arms.

"Nothing, glad you're here. I'm gonna wake Goten and we'll start breakfast. Could you keep an eye on him?"

"Sure." Goku scratched his head confused as Trunks left them alone. He turned to Vegeta who was slowly getting himself out of bed. "So what's going on?" Vegeta ignored him and made his way to the door on shaky legs. "Vegeta? Hey." He blocked the door from the other man spreading his arms unnecessarily to keep him in.

"I'm going to the bathroom for Kami's sake. Now get out of my way." He shoved the other man aside.

"Oh.. sure." Goku laughed off his awkwardness and let Vegeta pass. Even though it looked like the prince was struggling Goku knew better than to offer his help, he instead watched without being obvious as Vegeta made his way into the bathroom and slammed the door behind himself. Goku crept near the door but not too close to give the other his privacy but close enough to make sure he wouldn't try escaping or something.

'Poor Vegeta, he must be wiped. So much happened to him this month and he's been struggling with it on his own.'

"Hey Goku where's my dad?" Trunks and a yawning Goten came by on their way to the kitchen. Goku pointed a few feet ahead of them at the bathroom door. "Oh right, guess I should calm down a bit. Come on 'Ten let's get breakfast."

"I vote waffles!" The teens left Goku again bickering about what to make and what's faster.

Goku sighed. 'You're not the only one that needs to stay calm Trunks.' Goku crept closer to the door and lightly placed his ear to it. 'Water.. the shower?' Goku was briefly reminded of past times he'd encountered Vegeta in the shower. Feeling his face flush he quickly shook it off and knocked on the door instead.

"Hey Vegeta, you still in there?"

"Of course I am you idiot, where else would I be." Came the gruff reply on the other side.

"Heh heh right, well.. uh.. don't take too long the boys are making waffles." There was no reply to the light hearted cover up of Goku being caught spying. In the bathroom Vegeta was standing near the wall away from the hot shower spray and remembering the nightmare he had. The thoughts of drowning making him uneasy, even though he knew the alters or whatever they were spoke metophorically, he couldn't help but feel nervous about where he was. To make it all worse everyone knew his hardly kept secret and now they were going to force him to some hospital to be poked and prodded, examined like some zoo monkey in a cage.

'I have to get out of this, but how? Its impossible with those hounds following my every move.' Forcing himself under the water he finally began to wash while thinking of an escape plan. Goku waited patiently outside the door.

Down in the kitchen Trunks and Goten were busy cracking eggs into a large bowl and keeping their eyes on a pan of bacon that is frying. Goten didn't lose the battle for waffles they instead came to an agreement to make both meals feeling everyone would need to fill up and regain their strength for the day ahead.

"Hey?" Goten called to get Trunks' attention away from beating the eggs. "Since I kinda fell asleep before we could talk last night, what happened with your dad? Did things get all weird and stuff?"

"Not really. He was so worn out and frazzled I couldn't even bring it up." He went back to whisking the eggs. "I felt bad for him actually and what he did to me just wasn't important." He paused to pour the egg mixture into a hot pan. "And even if I did ask him about it I don't think he'd know what I was talking about. Goku said he was having trouble remembering things lately."

Goten was busy listening and whipping up the waffle batter. While Trunks flipped over the bacon. "Yeah, did he know anything about Vegeta?"

Trunks frowned briefly and leaned against the counter by the stove where he tended to the eggs. "Yeah I guess. Apparently he and Piccolo have dealt with my dads strange behavior a few times before."

"And they didn't say anything?" He plugged the waffle iron in to let it heat up.

"No. I guess they didn't want me to worry until they knew if something was actually wrong or not." He straightened up looking Goten square in the eyes. "But we already knew right? We've seen him being... not like himself that night you stayed over at my place, remember?"

"Yeah," He poured some of the batter into the iron after greasing it with cooking spray. "but that could have been anything. Vegeta in a good mood or messing with us." He shrugged.

"But it wasn't, it was whatever this thing going on inside of him is. And Goku told me that whenever anyone tries to confront him about it he acts like they're making it up. He can't remember anything and has no idea what anyone's talking about. That's how he acted that night only worse because he seemed like he didn't even know who I was."

"Freaky stuff," Goten pointed to the bacon that was on the verge of over crisping and Trunks quickly turned the stove off and removed the pan to a cooler stove top. "So he's either lying, in denial or has some kind of disease. Hey! Maybe its that old persons disease, altimers, old timers allz-"
"Alzheimer's?"
"Yeah thats the one." Trunks smiled shaking his head. "I mean I know Saiyans age slower than humans but come on Vegeta's already kinda up there in years. No offense."

"None taken, just don't let him hear you say that."

"Right." They both shared a brief chuckle before focusing back on the task at hand.

"I wonder what's taking them so long up there." Goten asked.

"Hopefully nothing to be concerned about."

Getting out of the shower to dry himself Vegeta was suddenly hit with a solution to his problem, it was right there in front of him the whole time. With a mischievious smirk he leaned into the door and called through. "Kakarot!"

Goku was startled away from the door where he'd been leaning and nearly fell over. "Huh!... yeah something wrong?" He straightened up.

"Yes, I need clothes."

"Oh yeah I forgot, well Goten might have someth-"

"My own clothes Kakarot and that boy of yours is so scrawny I doubt I'd fit anything he had." Goku was momentarily hurt at the insult to his youngest sons physique but Goten wasn't much of a fighter but never lost most of the muscles he did have when deciding to just be a normal teenage boy. He was taken from his musings when Vegeta spoke again. "Just take me to my place and I'll get my own things."

"I don't know if Trunks would approve of that."

"Nonsense. With that instant transmission of yours we'll be back before they even notice we're gone."

"Makes sense I guess." With a hand to his chin Goku pondered the possabilities of how things could go wrong. 'With the boys downstairs I can't really go alone or Vegeta might sneak out, ha! naked and all. Asking one of them to go over there would take too long and I'm kinda hungry. But if I bring Vegeta with me he might try something once we get there. Ah geez...'

"Today Kakarot its cold in here."

"Alright I'll take you."

'Excellent and as soon as we get there I'll knock you out and make a run for it. No one's taking me to any prison for sickies.'

"Before you come out could you leave the towel on this time?"

"Fine whatever," Vegeta emerged from the door. "Let's go."

"We have to kinda hold onto each other in some way ya know."

"Yes yes I know." Vegeta mumbled something under his breath about the stupidness of this technique but grabbed Goku's hand nonetheless. Placing two fingers to his head in concentration Goku sent them away to Capsule corp. It was as its name sake an instant transmission, neither having been here or there for the briefest moment until they reappeared outside the Capsule Corp home. Vegeta immediately let the other go and stepped away from him.

"I think your aims off Kakarot. Shouldn't we have ended up inside the house?" Was Vegeta's snide remark.

"Heh, yeah sorry about that." A cooling breeze caressed their skin causing Goku to momentarily shiver. He watched Vegeta stride towards the front door baring nothing but a towel that hugged around his slim waist just right. The thought of following the other into the large and very empty house where they'd be alone caused another shiver to course through him. A primal urge wanted to make itself known in Goku's body but he fought it off. Pushing away all thoughts of what Vegeta had been doing to hiself the other night and what he had implied. He kept telling himself Vegeta wasn't himself then and he was hurt and broken now. Anything that could happen between the two of them would be like taking advantage of Vegeta. Something Goku promised himself he'd never do to anyone, no matter how strong his Saiyan sexual needs got.

'Snap out of it Goku this isn't the time.'

Coming to his senses he followed the other into the house not wanting to lose him. They walked in silence up the stairs to Vegeta's bedroom stopping at the door. Not turning around Vegeta asked, "Well can I get dressed in private or do you plan on babysitting me the entire time?"

Frowning Goku replied. "I'll wait out here but-"

"Don't worry Kakarot I won't run away." He went inside his room only closing the door part way to appease Goku's nerves. The other man let out a breath of air and leaned against the side wall by the door, crossing his arms, to wait.

Vegeta went straight to a dresser drawer pulling it open to take out his boxers and a pair of slacks. After slipping them on he straightened up and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He was disturbed at the image he saw there. His face looked aged and scruffy. He was worn out and tired, small bags had begun to form under his eyes. Worry lines were making themselves present on his forehead. "Hmph."

'There's nothing wrong with me. I'm perfectly fine. And I certaintly don't need any white walled prison time for sickies.'

Turning his head to see where that obnoxious light reflecting off the mirror was coming from he froze. The window had been broken out leaving shards of glass on the floor and windowsil. He felt a small panic not sure if he should try and remember how it happened or not. He could already feel a dull ache forming in his right temple at just the thought of knowing what went on. Turning back to the mirror he was startled at what he saw. His reflection was still there but it was different somehow. He looked less stressed, and more alive. Then the reflection moved on its own making him jump back a bit.

Stop lying to yourself Vegeta

'No not this again.' Trying to ignore his mirror image he looked down to yank another drawer open searching for a shirt. Looking back up to put it on he saw that his "other" image was still there.

If you can't handle this Vegeta I can do it for you. Thats why we're here, to help

"No you're not. You're trying to make me think I'm crazy, trying to make everyone think I'm crazy." He walked away going to the closet to grab a pair of boots. "I'm not crazy and I won't listen to some stupid mental image in the mirror." He pulled them out walking to the arm chair so he could sit.

Goku straightened up when he heard the quiet mumblings of Vegeta. "Everything ok in there?" He asked through the door crack.

Vegeta was yanking the boots on and yelled back. "I'm fine stop babying me!"

The aggitation in the prince's voice disturbed Goku despite his words of reassurance. "I'm coming in."

Hearing this Vegeta sneered. 'Good then I can put my plan into action and get the hell away from this place.' Standing to find something he could use to clock Goku over the head with Vegeta suddenly felt dizzy and began to sway on his feet. Vision blurry he managed to catch the image in the mirror fading away with a smirk on its face. Before he could crumple to the ground Goku ran in and caught him. Both men rose to their feet slowly. Goku made sure to keep a hold of Vegeta's arms incase he lost his balance again. He watched his former rival gather himself, then his eyes caught a glimpse of the broken window. 'Right, I think Trunks mentioned that when he called the other night. Maybe Vegeta noticed it and freaked out.'

"Are you alright, what happened?"

Vegeta slid himself carefully from Goku's grip and looked at the other man in a way that made Goku quirk a brow. "I'm fine Kakarot." Straightening himself out Vegeta adjusted his navy blue tank and looked himself over from the black pants to the boots he wore most of the time, that weren't for battling or training. "Good enough I suppose." He mumbled to himself.

Goku continued to watch in confusion noting that there was something different about the man from when he saw him moments ago. He'd seen it before, this sudden change in attitude just not in this way and he felt uneasy. "A... are you sure? Cause you look kinda funny." He tried again.

"I'm all right Kakarot, just a little dizzy." He stared at the other who stared back, impatience taking over he spoke up. "Well, don't just stand there I'm starving. Lets go back." He grabbed hold of Goku's slack hand bringing the man out of dazed confusion.

"Oh right." Absent mindedly Goku went through the routine of instant transmission and took them back to his place. This time he made sure to land them inside the house. Their noses were immediately assaulted with the smell of breakfast coming from the kitchen and Vegeta headed that way being stopped by Goku's hand on his arm.

"Vegeta wait." The Saiyan prince paused in his step. "Are you sure you're alright? Nothing strange happened while you were getting dressed did it?"

"No, I'm fine and I'll be better once I've eaten." He broke Goku's hold and went into the kitchen. His voice was calm and normal as far as Goku knew but that was the problem in itself. 'Something must have happened in that short amount of time but what? And is Vegeta aware of it and pretending he's not or is this even Vegeta?'

Getting into the kitchen Vegeta greeted the others. "Boys." Both looked up a bit startled at the other mans entrance.

"Uh.. hey dad."

"Just in time, hope you're hungry." Goten said. They were in the middle of setting the table and Vegeta walked over taking the four glasses from Goten's hands.

"Here let me." He began placing them beside the plates that were previously put down.

"O..k, thanks." Goten spoke unsurely but watched as Vegeta continued to the fridge pulling out the carton of orange juice proceeding to fill each glass. Trunks and Goten shared a confused look but Goten shrugged it off and went back to getting the food from the oven where it was kept warm until getting it on the table. Goku walked in at that moment catching Trunks' questioning eyes. The teen pointed in Vegeta's direction letting Goku know what he wanted to know. The Saiyan could only shrug in response and decided to act normal.

"Mm smells great guys." He sat at the table beside the already seated Vegeta. Once all the food had been placed down Goten and Trunks joined them. Plates were filled and everyone began eating in an awkward silence not sure what to say. The sound of clinking dishes and swallows of juice were the only thing heard until to everybodies surprise Vegeta spoke up.

"This is very good. I didn't know you boys could cook so well."

Everyone froze momentarily until Goten smiled. "Yeah, you like it?"

"Hm."

"Well it was nothing really anyone can make breakfast."

"Then maybe you can show me sometime. I'm sure Trunks could use a break at home."

"Sure."

During Goten and Vegeta's conversation a bewildered Trunks got Goku's attention mouthing "Is he ok?"

Goku responded with an, "I'm not sure."

The phone rang just then distracting them both and Trunks jumped up to answer it. "I got it." Leaving the table he went out into the livingroom retrieving the phone. "Hello, Goku residence."

"Trunks? This is Gohan."

"Oh hey Gohan what's up?"

"Well its about your dad. Is my dad with you? I think I should talk to him."

"He is, everyone's here but if its about my dad tell me please."

The other end was momentarily quiet. "Alright. I don't know how much my dad told you but Vegeta's been having problems lately and he asked me to look into it."

"Yeah. I've experienced this "problem" a few times. So what is it?"

"Well I had to ask one of the neuro doctors about his symptoms, change in attitude, acute memory loss of time and actions..." Gohan paused keeping Trunks in suspense.

"And?"

"Vegeta might have a brain disorder thats affecting his behavior."

"Really," Trunks was left in shock, never once having thought it could be something so serious. "How bad is it, can he be cured?"

"I'm not sure. You guys have to bring him to the hospital so the doctor can give him a full exam before anything's determined."

"Easier said than done but we'll try."

"Good and the sooner the better. Can I talk to my dad for a minute?"

"Alright I'll get him and thanks Gohan."

"Of course." Trunks put down the receiver and went in the kitchen glancing at his dad who was still making small talk with Goten and Goku. Even if the other man didn't know what was going on with Vegeta he figured he'd take advantage of the mans good mood. Trunks tapping him on the shoulder got his attention and he turned around to see what was going on. Trunks pointed towards the phone.

"Gotcha." Shoving a few more bites of eggs into his mouth he got up and went to the living room.

"Hello?"

"Dad its me."

"Oh hey Gohan."

"I don't know for certain but from what I researched Vegeta might have a multiple personality disorder."

"Whoa really?"

"Its possible from how you've described his behavior over this month and from what I've wittnessed myself that night."

"So what do we do?"

"I already told Trunks you guys need to get him to the hospital for a real exam and let a professional diagnos him. There are certain levels to this disorder and we need to know how far along Vegeta is. What's he doing now?"

"Having breakfast with us, and being creepily nice about it."

"Well I guess thats a good thing. I'd take advantage of it if I were you but don't tell him what's going on yet better he hear it from the doctor incase something happens."

"Sure, good work Gohan I appreciate it."

"No problem dad, see ya."

"Bye." The line went dead and Goku stood there a moment processing what he'd just heard. 'Multiple personalities?... That would explain alot if its true.' He looked into the kitchen at the relaxed and good mooded Vegeta then recalled half an hour ago when he was irritable and bitter. 'Huh, this could be tougher than I thought.'

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A/n: I apologize if the chapter is a bit short I'll make up for it in the next one. I love all your reviews you guys are too nice and I appreciate it more than you know.
-Linkin