A/N: This is an A/U, set in Dragon Ball Z after Freiza is defeated.

A/N: I do not own DBZ or any of the characters they belong to Akira Toriyama.

The Third Wish

It was cold, I shivered as I turned on my side reaching for him but coming up empty. A sigh escaped my lips as I sat up, I flipped on the light switch next to the bed and scanned the room. The balcony window was still open, that accounted for the draft I was feeling.

Usually he was courteous enough to close them when he left. What a stubborn man! Would it kill him to spend one entire night with me? It wasn't like I went around telling everyone that we are involved, no one knew not even Chichi.

I glanced at the clock, shit it was already five am, time to be up anyways. I hopped out of bed reaching for my discarded robe. I showered and dressed rushing through each step without really thinking. Today I had an important client I really needed to impress and my mind was trying to come up with the perfect hook. I wanted to get into the office early so I would be properly prepared.

"Dear, you're up earlier than usual." My mother greeted me as I strolled into the kitchen, my hands furiously combing through my aquamarine locks.

"I have a busy day ahead," I replied almost making it out of the room before I got a whiff of whatever my mother was cooking. My stomach did a little turn and I paused to glance at the stove and the array of dishes she had set out.

"Oh my, you are always rushing about." She turned to me with one hand on her hip the other she clutched a wooden spoon. I have never wondered where I got my good looks from, even in such a pose she was beautiful. "Have some breakfast."

"I-" an excuse started to form on my lips but then my stomach answered for me with a low growl.

"Anyways" she sighed, "I made so much and I don't think Vegeta's going to come down." At the mere mention of Vegeta's name my stupid heart skips a beat. That bastard, he treats everyone like we are second class citizens in his imaginary kingdom. Only gracing us with his presence when he deems fit. And yet I can't help but feel a little tingle at the thought of him.

"Forget about that jerk mom." I grabbed a plate and loaded up with some fresh fruit and eggs. "I don't see why you are always trying to be nice to him." before I even made it to my seat I was shoveling the aromatic food into my mouth.

"I could ask you the same thing." My mother responded her voice light and said eggs went flying from between my lips.

It took a moment to regain my composure, I chanced a glance at my mother but she either was feigning innocence or really didn't know how close a nerve that remark had struck. I decided to pretend like it wasn't said, that always works.

My mother started humming as she finished cooking but every once in a while she would glance towards the door as if she was expecting someone to waltz in, maybe Vegeta but more than likely my dad. He seemed to sleep in later than everyone else in the house.

In record time, I finished my breakfast hoping to avoid any more talk. Bunny gave me a knowing smile as I walked out, making me wonder if she really knew what was going on.

"Good Morning Ms. Briefs, everything has been prepared for the presentation." My secretary greeted me with a steaming cup of coffee and a genuine smile.

"Thanks," I replied taking the cup and heading towards the office, "let me know when the Karis arrive."

"Of course MS. Briefs," Orumi answered and went back to her desk.

The moment I closed my door I breathed a sigh and took a sip of the hot liquid. Every time I set foot in my office I get a feeling of confinement. I'm not a young girl anymore but I still yearn for some kind of adventure every now and then. Dealing with clients, pushing the Capsule Corps brand, paperwork! I just wish everything hadn't returned to normal so quickly.

Sure I don't want to experience anything like what happened on Namek again, and I definitely didn't want some Alien trying to destroy Earth, but is a little spontaneity so much to ask for? Drudging into work every day is beginning to make me go crazy.

I set my coffee cup down and pick up the Kari's file. I had just opened the folder when my office door swung open. Orumi wouldn't just barge in, I glanced up my fingers freezing midair.

"Vegeta, what are you doing here?" my voice came out a little more surprised than I would have liked but I cleared my throat and lowered it just a little, "I'm at work, I told you not to disrupt me."

He grunted which I took to mean he didn't give a damn about what I had said, "You have not completed my training pod." His deep baritone as always sent a little shiver down my spine. He sounded irritated but at least, he had left off the derogatory nickname.

I rolled my eyes, my hands on my well-dressed hips, "I've been busy Vegeta if you haven't noticed I have a company to run. I can't spend my time fooling around with some stupid machine!" I pointed my finger in his direction and wagged it from side to side, "why don't you just train the old-fashion way like Goku?"

His frown deepened and he took a step towards me, his eyes narrowing in anger. Shit that was the wrong thing to say! Sometimes my mouth was quicker than my brain. "If it wasn't for you I would not be stuck on this ball of shit." He grumbled still prowling closer.

I took a step back, what could I say to assuage his anger? I stopped in place, I keep forgetting that he wouldn't hurt me, "look VA-ge-ta," I emphasized his name with what I hoped was a firm tone, "I was saving a surprise for you but since you want to act like a jerk I'll let you know." A sly smile came to my lips.

I was saving this little trump card just in case Vegeta went pyscho for some reason, this was as good a time as ever. "But first, if I tell you-you have to promise to leave me alone for the rest of the day." Negotiating with Vegeta was like trying to pull teeth.

"What is it?" he snapped impatiently, "out with it woman!" of course, he would not accept my terms until he knew what was on the table. Typical Vegeta.

"I know how much you wanted the dragon balls on Namek, so I-" I looked into his face, I wanted to see what kind of emotion would flash across it when I told him. "I gathered Earth's dragon balls for you, all seven!"

I was disappointed. I expected, at least, a bit of a smile or a smirk or a twitch of his eyebrows - anything! - But his facial features remained stoic. I sighed, "Do we have a deal? After I'm through here I'll tell you where they are and you can wish for whatever it was you wanted so bad."

"Humph." He answered if you can call it that, and within a second the room was empty except for me, with a shake of my head I took my seat behind the desk.

"Orumi, can you send in the clients." I've wasted enough time with Vegeta, and to top it all off now I'm a bit flustered. I glanced down at the file in front of me and I realize I didn't have any time to prepare what I was going to say. Shit, I think, hopefully my genius will get me through this meeting without blowing it.

xxxxxxxxxx

As promised, the moment I stepped outside Vegeta was at my side. "I'll meet you at home Vegeta Ahh!" he grabbed me around the waist and we were airborne. My hair billowed in the wind, whipping against my face painfully. "Vegeta!" I yelled but even I couldn't hear my own voice so I doubt he was listening.

It took less than a minute for us to reach Capsule Corps when we landed he dropped me to my feet, I stumbled forward trying to catch myself before I fell. His hand reached out and steadied me on my feet before just as quickly dropping to his side.

"Take me to the dragon balls." He commanded.

"Next time just let me drive," I muttered leading the way, my cheeks stung and I'm sure they are red and bruised. "It's like five minutes away." I continued as we walked towards my old lab I wondered what the hell I was doing with my life.

Here I was young, beautiful and rich and I was chasing after a jerk like Vegeta, you would think I would have learned my lessons after all those years with Yamcha. But no, something about bad boys tickled my genius fancy. I should try and settle down find someone who wasn't an alien from another planet, no offense to Chichi and pop out a kid or two.

We reached my lab and nostalgia hit me the moment I entered, it literally has been months since I stepped foot in the place, but it was as immaculate as ever. Vegeta glanced around but didn't make a move to enter any further.

I find that I roll my eyes a lot when I'm in his presence, either from annoyance or frustration. I don't feel anything else most of the time, any happiness I should be feeling by being in a relationship is constantly buried beneath my mounting ire. I try to smile my way through his abrasive attitude but sometimes a girl just wants a simple hug or kiss that doesn't precede sex.

"What are you waiting for woman?" he asked, I can feel his eyes bearing into my back. Sometimes I wonder what he's thinking when he looks at me. He's never called me pretty, or complimented me or even looked at me with anything but a guarded façade.

"Hold your horses would ya?" I'm putting in the code for the safe, I can't concentrate with him staring at me the way he is. Finally, it clicks and the door swings open, there gleaming in the bright lights are all seven orange dragon balls.

I hear a faint sound behind me and turn just in time to see Vegeta looking stunned, a new expression for me. He must have thought I was lying, the bastard. For once the smug look was gone and a feeling of triumph washed over me. Ha! I scoop them up and without pausing to say anything to him headed outside.

Once we were far enough away I laid them out and took a step back, I vaguely remember Vegeta saying something about immortality, what kind of wish is that? If you were immortal everyone you knew would eventually die and you would go on living. I realized that Vegeta wasn't really big on friends and he didn't have any family left so that wouldn't affect him.

I get the feeling that I'm somehow gonna regret this, but I stay silent as he contemplates his wish. If anything I have a little trick up my sleeve just in case he wished for something detrimental to earth or Goku. Immortality was one thing but if he still had that evil streak buried inside somewhere there was a mountain of horrible wishes he could make.

"Well go ahead." I prompted when he remained silent, he glanced over at me. Again his eyes held mine something off-putting lingered there.

His lips curled into a smirk, "Step aside woman." He pushed his way in front of me. With his arms spread wide he yelled into the open sky "Eternal Shenron by your name I summon you forth!" instantly the sky darkened and a gust of wind scooped up all seven dragon balls.

There was a loud rumbling and flashes of light then Shenron's massive form appeared, I took a step back as the wind pulled me forward.

"I am Shenron, I shall grant you any wish. Now Speak!" the dragon's boisterous voice commanded.

"Shenron," Vegeta started his voice loud over the continuous thunder, "My wish is simple. I wish Planet Vegeta had never been destroyed and I had never come to this dreadful planet."

"As you wish, so it shall be done." I turned to stare at him, my mouth agape. That bastard made both wishes! Before my mouth caught up to my mind Vegeta had disappeared.

"You bastard Vegeta! I wish I could forget you!" I shouted to the empty spot he had just been standing in. How could one man be so cruel?

"As you wish so it shall be done." Shenron's voice swirled around in my head, then with a deafening clash the dragon balls split and sailed through the air.

-Two years later –

I woke up splayed in the middle of the large bed, my fingers gripping the sheet tightly. If the lights had been on, I would probably find that my knuckles were white. Another nightmare, waking up like this was becoming a common event that I could do without.

I sighed running my fingers through my disheveled hair, it was a good thing I didn't wake Trunks, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. I eased out of bed, slipping on my slippers and tiptoed over to his bed.

A smile came to my lips, he was absolutely perfect. His tiny limbs this way and that. I reach down and brush his sparse hair, tucking the blankets a little tighter around him. After watching him a little longer I decided it was time to get back to sleep.

As I slipped the blankets over my bare shoulders I thought back to the weird occurrence that was my pregnancy. I was a virgin, sure Yamcha was my boyfriend but we didn't do anything but kiss and light touching. After I broke up with Yamcha I decided that I didn't need another man that was going to cheat on me so I focused on my friends. Helping Goku and Krillin finding the dragon balls.

It was a conundrum, how did a woman who never slept with someone end up with a baby? Chichi had begged me to tell her who the father was, if only I knew! I had even accused Yamcha of doing something inappropriate but Trunks wasn't his.

It was shameful having to go through each of my male friends. For more than a month Chichi had refused to speak with me. How could I accuse her husband of doing something so disgusting? I don't even know myself. I was just desperate to find out who fathered the baby growing inside me. I turned on my side listening to his faint breaths as he slept, trying to clear my mind of those thoughts.

I know what I have to do if I want to find out but something inside me always freezes at the thought. My heart races erratically and my blood seems to boil, a deep pain cradles my mind and for a fleeting second, I feel time stand still. Does it really matter who the father is? A part of me wants to live in the bliss of not knowing, not having to share my precious baby with anyone else.

But then I will look down into his beautiful eyes, or feel the soft fur of his tail the curiosity comes back, deeper than before. I realize I'm not going to get any more sleep with my mind racing through these thoughts. The covers feel excessively hot so I throw them off and walk to the windows. The air is dry and cool, the slight wind rustles the floral curtains as I step out onto the balcony.

Being out here always seems to calm me as I watch the stars and the moon and listen to the quiet of the night. Maybe later when Trunks has grown into a young man he'll decide he wants to know his origins and that would be something he will do on his own. Am I being a bad parent by thrusting that responsibility on him? It was because of my carelessness that he was brought into the world.

I can see the first rays of the sun on the horizon, in that moment, I make up my mind. I'm going to swallow my pride or fear or whatever the hell it is that is holding me back. I'm going to go to Vegetseii and find Trunks' father.