Surviving Together: Retribution

Chapter 5 - Search for the Truth

"Are you sure you are ok, Dad?" Trunks inquired worriedly after landing a few too many punches on his clearly distracted parent. Under any other circumstances, he was certain to have missed more than made.

"I'm fine," Vegeta assured falsely as he attempted to reorient himself once more for a better showing against his son in their sparring match. It was no easy task forgetting what had happened last night. That single kiss had been replayed in his mind hundreds of times ever since. And he was certain she was feeling the same.

He had shamefully hidden in the shadows of the washroom, eyeing her every movement with a hunger that was far more devastating than it should have been. But how could he turn away from the woman who mirrored his greatest loss? Every inch of her body, as he had found out last night, exemplified that of his dead mate. Every sensual movement, every moan of gratification, every sway of her body was parallel to that of Bulma, his mate. How could two people be so much alike?

The familiarities had been too much for the former Saiya-jin prince, and for the first time in almost a year he had caved to sensations of lust. Dreaming of his mate as though she were still alive, joining with him in the everyday passion of two lovers. But the crashing reality was that she was not there, and she never would be again. But, Atae… She was there.

Radditz was a non-factor. The weakling had been a fool to bring such a prize to him without considering the likeliness of her being drawn to a better man. If he lost her, that would be solely his fault. Lost her… Is that what he really wanted to do? Take this woman, this replica of his mate, for his own? Would that heal the pain of his loss of Bulma?

No… That was obvious, but as Garock had suggested the other day, would it be so wrong to seek companionship again? To find someone who could be a mother figure to his offspring… Bra… The little girl popped into his mind suddenly. Could he steal a daughter from her father? He could if the father was Radditz! Vegeta had no doubt the man only kept the child to humor his mate. It was the only reason that made any sense. The brute certainly was not interested in parenting, which was obvious by his lackadaisical attitude both towards the infant yesterday and Trunks as well.

Trunks, would he accept the woman? That seemed obvious by the child's adamant insistence that Atae was in fact his mother. That misconception would have to be cleared up first, but what then? Could he merge the two families into some sort of successful clan? Mother, father, son and daughter? The thought seemed preposterous. He was barely an adequate father of one, how would he handle two?

'But I would not have to do it alone.' The realization dawned on him with blatant clarity. Atae would be aiding in the endeavor. She would be sharing his responsibilities; she would become his new mate. New mate? Could he really replace Bulma? Or is the more pressing question, would it be fair of him to take a mate who he could never give all of himself to? He could never love this woman, no matter how much she emulated his lost mate, as much as he had Bulma. It simply was impossible. There were parts of him that were forever sealed, lost along with his mate, but…

But, he could care for her. Lavish her with everything her heart could desire. He could make her happy, he was certain of it. But would that be enough for her? Could she settle? Of course she could! She was doing that now with Radditz. He would be doing her a favor by taking her away from the buffoon. The rationalization came so easily to him. Yes, perhaps he could not love her, but surely she did not love Radditz, or lust after him as a mate should. If she had, her body would not have responded to him so powerfully, her lips would not have cried out for him in the throes of passion, he would not have felt the chill run down her spine as he whispered into her ear.

Yes, it was clear she wanted him. But could he persuade her to willingly come to him? A smirk unconsciously lifted upon his lips. There was no doubt he could easily win her over if her susceptibility to his charms last night was any measure. But was he ready to make such a bold move? His body seemed more than ready, but had his heart healed enough to welcome another woman into his arms, into his bed? And gods, what if he grew attached to her, and she too was taken from him as Bulma had been. How would he ever survive losing two mates?

The frightening possibility had numbed Vegeta's body to the core, forcing him to reconsider his musings. But Trunks was not about to give him much of a chance as he rammed his fist into his father's face, "Oh, shit… Dad, I'm sorry!" Trunks rushed over to the fallen man who was ever so ungracefully laying flat on his back. "I wouldn't have put so much force into the punch, if I knew you weren't going to block it!"

Vegeta groaned as he allowed the younger man to help him sit up. Shaking his dizziness off, he turned to scowl at his son. "I think that is enough for today."

"I'd say so," Trunks nodded with some relief as he plopped back across from his father. Stretching his arms out behind him for support, he casually observed, "You didn't get much sleep last night, did you?" After receiving a slight nod of affirmation, Trunks continued understandingly, "Me neither. I couldn't stop thinking about Mom." His mood suddenly sobered. "I have missed her so much." He opted not to add, 'which makes having her back so exciting.' He understood his father was still in denial about Atae really being his mother. It was ok, Trunks assured himself. He was not certain how, but he would find the proof to dissuade the lie. He knew his mother, and even as impossible as it seemed to fathom, he knew the woman he met last night was her. He just had to find a way to prove it.

"Me too," Vegeta added, if the boy was being honest, he might as well be as also. "Do you think…" he whispered after several moments of pause, the subject brought forth a question within him that he was not certain was appropriate to breach with his son.

"Do I think what?" Trunks egged the man on, if his thoughts were leaning towards Atae, he wanted to weigh in his opinions.

"Garock suggested I seek out a relationship. Find a companion, a female parental figure for you. He thinks it would be healthy." He took the coward's way out and blamed the suggestion upon his advisor. So any and all offense the boy took could be easily deflected away from himself. Fortunately, no shifting of blame was needed as the boy saw right through his superficial question to the heart of his curiosity.

"You are attracted to Atae, and you want my permission to pursue her," Trunks stated bluntly. He smiled as he saw his father's eyes widen. "Don't act all surprised, I saw how you were looking at her at dinner. And the way you were holding her daughter, all father like. And after meeting the jerk she is with," the boy growled at the memory of being thrown across the room, "I say go for it."

Shaking his head as if he had just been hit again, Vegeta raised a brow. "It would not bother you, at all?" Then it suddenly dawned on him, "because you still believe she is your mother through, what, perhaps reincarnation?" Vegeta taunted, he had hoped the boy had the delusion out of his mind.

"Why can't you even consider the possibility, Dad!?" Trunks bellowed; it was insane his father was being this obstinate. "She looks like her, she talks like her, she smells like her, she acts like her, the only difference is-"

"The only difference is she isn't her!" Vegeta cut in, his back stiff as a board. It seemed he needed to take a different approach to dissuade the boy. "Think for a moment, Trunks. If that was truly your mother, why the hell would she not recognize us? Why would she call herself 'Atae?' Claim a completely separate life? Have a mate, and a daughter?! If you can logically explain all that to me, then I will consider the possibility."

Growling in frustration, Trunks crossed his arms in defeat as he mumbled, "I don't know." He sat sulking for several moments before adding, "But if there is some logical explanation out there, I fully intend to find it!" The boy jumped to his feet and turned to exit the room.

"Trunks, where are you going?" he called after the child, but received no answer as the half Saiya-jin disappeared from the room. 'Damn it!' the elder man cursed; he feared the crushing blow that would inevitably await his son once the truth finally stung him, the truth that his mother was dead, and the woman he so dearly hoped was truly she, is revealed to be nothing more than a beautiful carbon copy.

Deciding to end his training for the afternoon, Vegeta headed for the washroom. Somewhat wary of the memories he would inevitably face from the night before. Concluding a quick shower would be wisest; Vegeta was in and out, dressed and heading for a late afternoon lunch. After his meal he would have to address what had transpired the night before. It was weighing too heavily on his mind to be ignored much longer.

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"I am not in the mood, Radditz." Bulma gently brushed her believed mate's hand away after he boldly placed his large palm atop one of her breasts in a playful manner.

"You said that last night," the large man hissed as he crossed his arms to glare down at his mate. "Why the sudden cold shoulder? You are not still angry about the 'Bra' issue, are you? Because if it truly angers you that much, I will leave her to grow into an energyless creature like yourself. After all, I am more than enough man to protect both mate and daughter adequately. See, problem solved." He truly did not care how the child was reared; he had only made an angry point of it last night because he was so hot with rage after his pseudo-battle with Vegeta and Trunks. He should have controlled his temper better. He could have avoided all this.

"All right then," Bulma passively agreed. She was still feeling too damn guilty over her mental affair the night before to muster her normally colorful argumentative disposition. It was hard enough to look her mate in the eye without spilling the shameful truth of her actions. "I never meant to snap the way I did yesterday, but I am a new mother, and dangerously protective of our daughter. Her Saiya-jin heritage sometimes scares me. I am sorry for being out of line." The feel of two large arms encircling her body followed her forced apology, as she was lifted to sit in her lover's lap.

"Forgiven," Radditz whispered huskily as he moved a few strands of hair behind his mate's ears. Gently pulling her head down towards him, he placed a protracted kiss upon her luscious lips. Running his hands up her shoulders, he clasped the thin straps of her shirt, and slowly attempted to pull them down. He did not make it very far.

"I should go retrieve Bra," Bulma tactfully pushed her mate's hands away as she rose from between his legs to straighten herself out. "Garock was kind enough to take her for walk around the common area, it would be wrong of me to infringe upon his time any longer."

"Atae," the darker, more dangerous tone of her Saiya-jin lover reverberated through the room as the man rose to his feet, towering over his false mate. "How much longer will you deny me?" The question had been boiling in his mind for weeks, he would have never dared voice it, but now, after he had finally secured some alone time with her, he had assumed she would be out of excuses to lay with him. Apparently he was mistaken.

"Radditz, please," Bulma tried to divert the difficult question. "I need to get Bra."

"No!" the demand was followed by her arm being restrained, locking her in place as she was turned back around to face her companion. "Not until you answer my question, Atae."

She felt her breath catch. Could she tell him? Did she dare admit that she was not ready for such intimacy with him? That, even though he had been so kind to her, so compliant, so caring, so nurturing during her recovery, her pregnancy, and her struggle to deal with the loss of her memories, she still had not reignited the passion he insisted had blazed between them before her accident? Could she ever admit to him that though her feelings were warm and affectionate, they were nothing like the fiery eruptions of sensuality she experienced after a simple kiss from a stranger? How could she ever tell him she was more attracted to a man she had no familiarity with than her own mate?! "I am just not ready yet." Her eyes hit the floor, her voice not strong enough to say anymore, her heart too weak to stand the sight of his disappointment.

Releasing her arm, Radditz crossed his own in a poor attempt to feign indifference. He was far from it. Spinning on his heel, he showed his back to Bulma, not daring to look at her as he asked. "Is there another you desire?" He had been worried seeing her true mate would rekindle a flame he had worked damn hard to snuff out, but it was a calculated risk. His vendetta was too important to be overwhelmed by possibility.

"That could never be relevant, Radditz, I would never betray you. I am committed to us, to our family." She ignored the act of indiscretion last night; she would be dammed before allowing herself to selfishly indulge in the fantasy of a widower at the cost of her mate. Last night would never happen again. "Please, just give me more time. I am sure that is all I need." She prayed it was. She owed him her undivided love and loyalty.

Radditz felt a tight smile pull on his lips; such devotion was unfamiliar to the typically cruel man. A part of him hoped she meant every word she said. "You have all the time you need," he vowed while turning around to gently grasp her face. "Though I will not stop trying to influence your desires," he pulled her towards him in a passionate kiss. He would not force her, but he would not live the life of a parson either. "Don't keep me waiting too long," he breathed heavily as he pulled away from her, quickly explaining that he had some business to attend to, and would meet her and Bra for dinner in a few hours.

After agreeing to the plan, Bulma watched her mate depart from there room with a heavy heart, guilt overriding her senses. Collapsing upon their bed, she closed her eyes, willing whatever deity would listen to enlighten her as to why she could not return the feelings of her mate. Why, with her amnesia, did her feelings simply evaporate?

"Perhaps they were never real to begin with." The suggestion sent Bulma flying to her feet as she rose to see Garock standing in the doorway of her room, holding her daughter. "I did not mean to intrude, but the door was ajar." He tentatively entered, and returned a very much pleased child to her mother's arms.

Once the girl was situated, Bulma could not help blurting out, "What did you mean when you entered? About 'they' never being real?" It unnerved her to no end that this man had, at a rather impromptu time voiced a secret fear she had never wished to confront.

"Oh," Garock cleared his throat, disgraced by his comment. "I should not have said that, it was just the first explanation that came to my mind after overhearing your dilemma."

"O-Overhearing?" Bulma stuttered, "But I hadn't been speaking."

"Not vocally, no." He cleared his throat again; the woman's intimidating scrutiny was eerily close to that of his leader's late love. "I am telepathic. I should have told you sooner but…" he paused in seeing the look of horror cross the female's delicate features. "Please do not be alarmed. I do not make a point of listening to people's thoughts; it is only that yours were so potent they could not be blocked from my mind. I apologize, I should not have said anything; I was so terribly out of line-"

"Did you mean it?" Bulma ignored the ending of his explanation; she was still much too lost in her own woes to worry about technicalities. "Do you think a person can truly lose all emotional attachments with amnesia? Or am I deluding myself?"

Taking a step back, the elder man shook his head in ignorance, "I can not answer that, my lady. I have no experience with circumstances of physically inflicted memory loss." The dejected nod of understanding was enough to make the man regret his abilities, but believing he could do little more damage, he quietly asked, "From your thoughts I gather you had an accident, would it be insensitive of me to ask what happened?"

Shifting her daughter in her arms, Bulma returned to her seat on the bed, and while rocking the young girl slowly, she explained all the details of her life since she could remember, adding in the details Radditz had offered as well. "I can not complain," she concluded lightheartedly as she steadied her child once again. "Radditz has been so amazing to me, and our daughter, I just wish…"

"Wish you felt for him what one mate should feel for another." A silent nod was enough for the advisor to sum up the rest of the details. It had been as he surmised from the brief interlude he had witnessed between the two at dinner the night prior. "How long has it been that you felt this way?" he asked gently, not wanting the woman to feel pressured by his inquiry.

"About a year since the accident, since then," as she looked up, her answer seemed to have held some hidden meaning as her counterpart stiffened slightly. But as quickly as the reaction came, it disappeared as Garock began taking a few steps back, quietly offering his apologies for being so curious, and then briskly leaving without further word on the matter.

Once he was gone, Bulma couldn't help but smile down at her daughter. "It seems I have a knack for scaring men away today. Too bad neither of those men are the one I need to keep the greatest distance from." Her thought was lost as her mind drifted back to Vegeta, and their interlude the night before. 'I have to stay away from him,' she vowed to herself before looking across the room to a clock and then back down at her daughter. "Well, look at the time, I bet that Saiya-jin stomach of yours is already eating itself!! How about some lunch?" the mother chuckled before pulling her shirt down and offering her nipple.

After she finished feeding her daughter, she would have to locate Radditz and insist that they hasten their departure. She did not trust herself around the handsome monarch of the planet, and with his advisor now knowing her indifference to her mate, she was unsure if he was the kind of man who might take advantage of such information.

Hoping against the worst-case scenario, Bulma tried to think more positively. Her feelings for her mate were irrelevant. He was bound to her; hell, she had the mark to prove it! She would be damned before allowing anything to interfere with their little clan, even if that meant denying herself a craving she had so dreamed of experiencing.

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"Oh, Rock, I am so glad I found you!" Trunks stopped mid track as he ran into his elder friend. "I need your help, like back when I wanted to get Mom together with Dad, remember?"

Garock frowned at the memory, "but we had no success with your plot. Why in the universe would you wish to recruit me once again?"

"Because we can't rely on Mom and Dad getting together on their own this time, this time we have to do the work!" Trunks smiled broadly, he was going to get his family back, he was certain of it.

"Did you just say your 'Mom and Dad'? Trunks, you are not insinuating that-" Garock raised a brow; Vegeta had warned him of the boy's insisted belief that Atae and his mother were one and the same woman. Curious after the conversation he had had with the female moments ago, he dared to ask, "Have you any proof that this woman is your mother?"

"That's where you come in," Trunks snapped his fingers, then pointed at the taller man. "Look, I know Dad thinks I am nuts, but I am not. Mom is here, alive and in the flesh. No, I can't explain why she has a daughter. No, I don't know why she thinks her name is Atae. And no, I can't explain why she wouldn't remember me, but I have a suspicious hunch the jerk she came with has something to do with it. I don't like him. He keeps his ki so suppressed that Mom seems stronger than him, and he acts much too smug around Dad, like he has something up his sleeve."

"And you think it is your mother?" Garock filled in the gaps. The jovial nod he received in return proved there would be no diminishing the boy's enthusiasm short of proving or disproving beyond a reasonable doubt whom this woman really was. "All right, I'm in."

"Wow, really?!" Trunks tried to control his shock. He expected a similar reaction as from his father. He was pleasantly wrong.

"On two conditions, of course," the pouting and sullenly crossed arms of the younger man upon hearing his words only served to bring a smile to Garock's face. "One, this search for the truth works both ways. If we find proof your mother is truly alive, I will personally escort you to your father to present the facts to him, BUT, if we find concrete evidence that this woman is who she says she is, you must swear to offer apologies to both your father and Atae. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Trunks was quick in his consent. He knew his mother when he saw her; he would not have to offer any apologies at the end of their hunt. "And?"

"And… We keep this from your father." Garock felt guilty even suggesting the deceit, but he felt Vegeta's delicate mental state could suffer otherwise.

"Definitely agree on that one too," Trunks was not as sympathetic in his reasoning, he knew his father would try to stop him from trying to prove his 'delusions.' He did not want to be halted from proving his mother was alive and back in his life. "Ok, so since we are all agreed, where do we start?"

Taking a deep breath, Garock instructed the younger man to follow him into his study. It was wisest that he start out by informing the boy of what he had learned today from the woman in question. Learning more of her circumstances would make verifying her story much easier. But such tasks had to be done discreetly, and standing shouting at one another in the middle of a public hall was not the way to go about it, especially not with Vegeta in the non-too far vicinity.

Garock had sensed his heightened emotional state moments before directing Trunks in the opposite direction. Another clearly agitated being was with him, Radditz, and judging by the slowly increasing fury of the man, the location the two Saiya-jins were in was about to get very dangerous.

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Author's Note: Hmm… So Trunks and Garock are cooking up a plan to prove who Atae really is. Will it work? And what about Vegeta and Radditz? I wonder what topic has them so on edge? Find out next time…