So this is a little idea that popped into my head, I couldn't get it out, so I had to write it. And then I had to take it down because I over thought it and had to rework a minor detail. What started out as a little ficlet, quickly evolved into a massive idea.

This was previously posted, but then removed for alterations. As such, I will post both the first and second chapter now.

Disclaimer: I, Jiyunamai, do NOT own any rights to Dragon Ball, DBZ, or DBGT. I do not profit financially from writing this.

Thanks, and Enjoy!

Chapter 1, What IS the problem?

He took a drag of his cigarette, and relished the feeling of the smooth smoke filling his lungs before slowing exhaling through his mouth and nose. The coffee he had been nursing steamed, creating a rich aroma. He took a sip before setting it back down on the counter at the small back water diner. As of late, he more commonly nursed a glass of scotch, but it was a little too early to start drinking.

He had really fucked up again. It wasn't what he did, but what he didn't do. And that was go home last night. He knew his young mate would be furious. But he couldn't stand the tension at home lately. His mate had been seriously hormonal. After just over a week of it, he just couldn't stand it anymore. He took another drag off his cigarette and watched as the smoke curled up and away into the ceiling fans. The waitress came by and asked if he would like more coffee, he blankly nodded, barely sparing her a glance. She didn't seem to mind, she looked to be barely awake herself, so she simple refilled his cup and walked over to the only other occupied table to see if they needed anything. Raditz glanced up to the clock mounted behind the register and sighed. It was just after 5am. It's not like he was running around on his mate, he would never- could never do that. He just could no longer handle the crying, screaming, and fighting.

The small bell above the entrance chimed, but he barely heard it, lost as he was in his own despairing thoughts about how to fix his quickly breaking relationship. He wasn't even sure what was wrong, how could he fix something when he didn't know what was wrong?

"Raditz." Came a voice from his left, somewhere between where he was sitting as far back at the end of the bar as he could and the front entranced to the diner. He knew that voice instantly. Had grown up hearing it. And he slowly turned his head to look at his younger brother. He almost winced at the serious, pissed off look on his brothers usually care free face. Instead he just went back to staring at the wall behind the bar and took another drag off his cigarette.

"Don't you dare ignore me, Raditz. I have been up all damn night, sitting in your home, trying to keep your mate from hurting herself she is so damn distraught." His words of revelation made Raditz head jerk back up to look at him. His mate was trying to hurt hermself? God, how absent had he been?

"What?" He looked at his brother in wide eyed shock now. Kakarrot took a seat on the stool beside his brother and sighed deeply. He was silent for a moment as his brother just stared at his profile. He looked like he was going to say something, but the waitress walked over just then to ask the new comer if she could get him anything. He gave her a small smile seeing the half glazed look in her eyes.

"Black tea, please."

"Sure thing." She stepped away to fix his tea.

Kakarrot looked back to his brother, who was still looking at him. Only now, his face didn't hold the look of wide eyed shock. His face looked guilty, and very concerned. Kakarrot sighed again and took a sip of the hot tea that had just been placed before him.

"Look, it's really not my place to tell you what is going on with your mate. But you really need to go home. She needs you, in a bad way bro. Every time she fell asleep last night, I was petrified to follow because I was afraid she would wake up and do something… bad." The look on Kakarrots face told Raditz that whatever it was, it wasn't just important, but urgent. "Chi is with her now, keeping an eye on her. Trying to get her to eat something… I think she will probably succeed on that front, you know no saiyan can refuse a meal for too long." Kakarrot chuckled, but it wasn't a happy sound.

Raditz coffee cup was empty now, and his cig long since snubbed out. He simple shook his head 'no' when the waitress lifted the pot to him in question without even approaching. She seemed to realize that the two were having a serious discussion and did not want to interrupt. Raditz noticed absently that she looked a little more awake now.

"I don't know what to do, Kakarrot." He drug his hands up over his face and through his massive amount of hair.

"What do you mean? All you need to do is go home."

"It's not that simple. Shit's been going downhill for around a week now. It's like she is losing it, and fast. Constantly crying over nothing and then screaming a moment later over something else." He shook his head.

Kakarrot looked a little more understanding now, and nodded such. "If you go home and talk to her, it will all make sense. She wanted to talk to you last night. She called me around 8 since you weren't home yet. She figured maybe you had stopped over at my place for a light work out before heading home. Two hours later she called again in tears, but wouldn't say what was wrong and hung up as soon as I told him I hadn't seen you and didn't know where you were. I was worried, so I went to check on her."

Raditz looked at his younger brother, waiting for him to continue. But when he didn't he asked instead, "So, what was wrong?"

Kakarrot sat up a little straighter, having just finished his tea. "As I said, it's not my place to tell." With that said, he got up to walk out, pausing to let the waitress know that his tea would be covered by his brother. Raditz rolled his eyes, "Pfft, typical…"

The waitress walked over then, "Anything else I can get you, sir?"

He shook his head, and pulled a ten dollar bill from his pocked. He usually kept a few bills in his front pocket so that he didn't have to fuss with his wallet. "No, thanks. The coffee was really good." She smiled and took the money, heading over to the register. Coming back a moment later with his change. Even though his tab was only 4 dollars, he left her a 3 dollar tip. He though she deserved it. Giving her a quick once over, she looked pretty burnt out. Even though she was obviously fully awake and alert, she still looked like she could use a pick me up. He smiled at her as he got up to leave, and she smiled very graciously as she noticed the large tip. Raditz noticed that the smile reached her eyes, and felt very satisfied at having been the reason.

The bell above the door chimed to signal his departure.

Tbc.

Thank you for reading, please review.

Jiyu