Now before you say anything, let me get this clear. I...Love...DBZ. One of my favorite animes ever, I love all their characters, good and bad. Cell is my favorite Villain but Frieza is a close second. I had to create a character for him and I am pleased with the way it turned out. This is just a little snippet of my DBZ universe but I finished writing Frieza's one-shot so I had to post it before I went insane. I have a few others in the making and I will also let you know when I start writing the actual DBZ story. Oh yes, it's coming; be ready.

I Own none of these characters. Only Zera, Kiri, and Siena are mine!

All She Wanted

A Frieza One-shot

Falling in love with the Tyrant that destroyed her planet and then being forced to work under him was not Zera's first choice. Things just sort of happened that way. Forced to work under Frieza's rule, Zera's life is anything but calm. But now she's given a chance to escape from the life she's been forced to live; but can she leave it all behind? Can she leave Frieza behind?

"Zera, just how long am I going to have to wait?"

"Patience, Siena. Just a little longer."

The young child frowned at her companion. Crossing her arms, she glared. "I want to see Vegeta!"

Zera sighed and closed her eyes. "Yes, yes. You have to wait. The others are in their own training at the moment."

"But I don't want to wait! Vegeta owes me dinner!"

The elder woman lifted a brow. "He does? From what?"

Siena grinned. "He said that he could beat me in a fight and he didn't." She then scowled. "My cousin's an idiot."

Zera chuckled at the girl. At the age of seven, Siena wore her black hair short around her face with her brown eyes narrowed a bit. As she was dressed in the blue tights, she had muscles for a seven-year-old but not like Vegeta did; her body was still thin.

With light blue skin and golden eyes, Zera kept her green hair short and, unlike her brother, refused to wear any type of jewelry. Dressed in gray tights and the natural armor of Frieza's force, her form was slim.

"Well, just wait a little longer and my brother will bring your cousin to meet us, all right?"

"Fine."

Zera couldn't help but smile as the little girl crossed her arms. She wasn't going to lie. She was fond of the little girl; and her cousin, despite their attitudes. Zera saw a bit of herself in the Saiyan girl so maybe that's why she argued over who got to train her. Dodoria had wanted to do so but she had argued with their leader over it. She wouldn't let that fat, pink, tub of lard get his dirty hands on her; not after he was the one that had killed her parents. That didn't keep the bastard from trying every chance he got, though.

The two of them stood in the hall, chatting for a few more minutes before Vegeta and Zera's brother joined them.

"What are you doing, Erkin?" Vegeta demanded. "Why aren't you training?"

"I've told you before, Vegeta, that my name is no longer that atrocious title. It's Siena. Siena!" She crossed her arms. "Besides, we're already done for the day. You're just too slow."

"No," Vegeta's companion smiled. "I'm sure Zera just wants to return to Lord Frieza."

Zera glared at her brother. "Shut up, Zarbon."

"So what if she does?" Siena growled at her trainer's brother. "I don't see how that's any of your business, ugly."

Zarbon's eye twitched. "You little brat,"

"The two of you can fight later," Vegeta crossed his arms. Zera couldn't help but laugh. Vegeta and her cousin were so similar. "I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry, Vegeta," Siena told her cousin. "You're like a black hole."

"You're just jealous because you'll get fat if you eat like I do."

"Shut up, dammit!"

"Now, now, Siena," Zera smiled at the child. "That's no way for a lady to talk."

"She's no lady," Vegeta snorted. "More like a rodent."

"If I'm a rodent then you suck at being an exterminator, seeming as how the great 'Saiyan Prince' can't kill me. Seriously, you're a laughing stock, shorty."

Zera gave a sigh as the two Saiyans continued to squabble back and forth. This was a daily conversation between the two of them. Zera swore that she could quote the damn thing in her head. She loved them both, though, even if they could annoy her.

Though the two cousins argued and fought a lot, they cared for and protected each other. That was a lot more than she and Zarbon did for each other. She couldn't count how many times her brother had tried to kill her. That's why she was always on guard; except around one person. There was only one place that she truly felt completely safe…

Zarbon ditched Vegeta, leaving him in the care of his sister. Zera didn't mind. She liked looking after the Saiyan children. The other Saiyans that they did have were all out on missions at the moment.

After the destruction of Planet Vegeta, the only Saiyan female in the galaxy was now Siena. Though she was young, already the boys were pressuring her about mating with them to restart their race in the future. Zera liked to stay near Siena when the other Saiyans were around because of that but it seemed that the young girl could completely take care of herself without much effort; Raditz had learned that the hard way not too long ago. Vegeta also hadn't taken kindly to the other Saiyan making a move on his cousin and had reprimanded him a bit himself, but that didn't stop the prince from telling his cousin that, one day, she would be needed for it; it had set off another one of their fights to where Zera had to separate them.

This was a reason as to why Zera had asked for Siena to be placed in her care. Of the entire Frieza Force, Zera was one of four women in the entire army; five, now. She knew that the women had to be fierce, strong, to hold their own against the men. She had taken each woman under her own wing to train them and did so until they were able to rival the others. She planned on doing the same with Siena, though the Saiyan child seemed to be doing good in holding her own already. In a few days she was going to be going with Siena and Vegeta on a small mission to Planet 419 to see if they were capable of finally going out on their own. She had no doubt that they would be able to do so but Frieza had insisted on the trial mission.

"Eating meat is good, but you have to get your vegetables and fruits in too, Veggie."

Vegeta scowled at his cousin around a mouthful of meat. "Don't call me that."

"But it's so cute!" Siena smiled. "I'm the only one allowed to call you that though, understand? If anyone else does, then beat them up."

Vegeta just grunted as he continued to eat.

Zera found that she was actually quite jealous of the relationship that Siena and Vegeta had. They were more like brother and sister than anything else and they were on better terms than her and Zarbon.

Gods, her brother infuriated her to no ends! The bastard just wanted her position. He had always hated that, ever since being placed in Frieza's army, Zera's position was higher than his. His retaliation was trying to kill her, either by himself or with Dodoria. She was always on guard because of it.

The mess hall was rather empty for the time of night but that didn't hinder the Saiyan children. Siena was the one that happily talked, Vegeta just mumbling things here and there as he continued to shovel food in his mouth. Lord, these Saiyans could eat. Sometimes she ended up watching Nappa and Raditz eat; it made her lose her appetite.

A pair of forms passing the mess hall doors caught her attention. It was Zarbon and a woman; and woman that Zera knew shouldn't be on this ship.

"I'll…be back in a moment," She told the two children. "After eating go ahead and get ready for bed."

"We can take care of ourselves." Vegeta hissed at her as Siena gave a smile and nodded in agreement.

Zera nodded. "Of course you can." She left the room, hurrying after her brother as she searched the halls for another face that shouldn't be allowed on this ship. If he were here…

"Kiri!"

At her name, the woman turned from Zarbon and took in his sister with a smile.

"Zera. There you are. I was hoping to run into you before I left."

Kiri held a humanoid form much like Zera and Zarbon, the only difference was that she was taller and her skin was a light magenta. Her eyes were a piercing dark blue and they matched the long hair that she wore in a twist down her back. Dressed in a silk white gown and a diamond necklace, it was clear that this woman wasn't a fighter.

"It's good to see you, yes, but why are you here? He," Zera's eyes swept the area again. "He's not here as well, is he?"

Kiri gave a small laugh as she shook her head. "No, Lord Cooler is not here with me. I was…out on my own and my ship lost power. I've been floating in space for the last three days. I owe Frieza my gratitude. If your ship hadn't of come by then I don't know how long I would have been stuck floating there."

Zera gave a smile, relieved that Frieza's older brother wasn't here. Frieza and Cooler didn't get along very well. The last time the two of them met would have ended in a catastrophe if their father, King Cold, hadn't arrived when he had.

"Just what were you doing out in a pod by yourself?" Zera asked. "And alone? I thought Cooler always sent you off with an escort?"

Kiri turned to Zarbon. "I thank you, Zarbon, but you don't need to escort me any longer. It's been so long since I've talked to another woman, if you understand."

"Of course," Zarbon gave a smirk. "If you can even call my sister that." Zera gave him a glare as he gave a short bow to the taller woman. "Your ship is waiting in dock 13."

"Thank you," Kiri watched as the man walked away before turning to his sister. "I see the hate between you is still strong."

"Stronger than ever," Zera answered, turning to walk further down the hall. "But he'll get over it; eventually."

Kiri smiled. "How have you been, dear?"

Zera had always been interested in Kiri. There was no information about her in any files. She just appeared on Cooler's ship one day, a little while before the destruction of Planet Vegeta a few years ago. She didn't appear to be a fighter and so it was natural for others to be curious. Zera had learned that Cooler didn't like questions about Kiri, though, and personally, and happily, took care of the culprits himself.

"You must forgive me," Kiri silently sighed about an hour later. The two women had taken a seat in Bay 13 and talked about everything that had happened since they last saw each other two years ago. "I'm afraid that I haven't been completely honest with you."

"Oh?" Zera had known that the other woman was hiding something but she hadn't been about to pry into her secrets.

"Yes," She glanced around the Bay and lowered her voice. "I'm afraid that I didn't tell you the truth about my arrival. I didn't just lose power in the pod. I came to Frieza's ship on Cooler's orders."

Zera found herself frozen, her mind jumping to many conclusions. Cooler sent her to Frieza's ship? But what for? Sabotage? Had she planted a bomb or-

"It's for nothing ghastly, of course. It actually has something to do with you."

She frowned. "With me? But why?" Had she done something to anger King Cold's oldest son?

Kiri gave another smile. "In all reality, ever since their last meeting two years ago, Lord Cooler can't stop thinking about you."

Zera felt her face grow red. "W-what?"

Kiri laughed at the look on her face. "Oh my, let me rephrase that. It is your strength, Zera. You were the one that deflected his attack from Frieza before King Cold had arrived, remember?"

Zera did remember. She, Dodoria, and Zarbon had joined Frieza upon King Cold's ship. He and Cooler had been called in for some kind of meeting with their father and upon the sight of the other, things escalated quickly. Zera didn't know what the conversation had been about, seeming as how she was busy with Dodoria and her brother. All she had seen was Cooler try to shoot his brother and her body moved before anyone else had a chance. She had remembered the look of shock on Cooler's face as his blast was sent through a window of King Cold's ship; Frieza was laughing crazily behind her, bragging about his top General. King Cold had arrived just then to keep the fighting from beginning and she had profusely apologized for the window of the ship. She had been afraid he was going to kill her but King Cold turned out to be…more laid back than his sons. He had waved it aside like it was nothing and continued to compliment her on her speed, praising his youngest for having placed her as his second-in-command.

"Not very many possess the power to do so. It's been driving him insane, knowing that his brother has a soldier strong enough to do so. And that's why he sent me," Kiri told her. "Cooler has sent me with an offer. He would like for you to leave Frieza's ship and join his crew. Either that or their father's. King Cold has already agreed, if you would like, to give you a high rank position. It can't be a general like you are now, but that doesn't mean you can't change that in a few years."

"B-but I'm not that strong!" Zera couldn't believe her ears. "Why would Cooler even think that? And for King Cold to offer that…they don't even know me!"

"You are strong though, Zera. You're one of Frieza's Generals; you're his second-in-command. You can't say you're not strong. Both Lord Cooler and King Cold see that. You can deny it all you want but that doesn't change what others see."

Cooler wanted her for his army. Hell, King Cold was willing to take her into his. That was an honor in and of itself. You had to be the best of the best to even be considered to be ranked amongst his army. That…that was actually a dream of Zera's. She wanted to be the first female to reach the top ranks amongst King Cold's army. Hell, she might even become one of the Ginyu Force. The thought of that made her shudder, as she has seen Captain Ginyu and his men's…performances, but their strength was undeniable. And there she would be free of Zarbon's constant attacks and free of Dodoria's disgusting habits. She could leave! This was her chance!

But then, she would also be leaving…

"I understand that you'll need some time to think," Kiri smiled. "It's a hard decision, I'm sure. Take your time and you'll only need to send word of your decision when you're ready." She ducked into her space pod. "In my opinion, though, it would be a nice change of pace. Cooler and Cold both, after all, are more subtle than Frieza."

Kiri's words left Zera in a daze after the woman had set off in her space pod. She didn't know how long she stood there, staring out across the stars, but it seemed to have been a while, as most had already settled for bed. As she moved through the halls, she was busy listing off the pros and cons of each and every decision she could make at this moment. She should be jumping for joy at the chance to join King Cold's main force, so why did she feel so…hesitant?

One of the reasons why crossed her path in the hall sleepily. Vegeta was half asleep on his feet, heading back to his room from the bathroom, no doubt. The Saiyan child didn't even seem to notice her.

"Vegeta," Siena's voice came from around the corner, telling Zera that the other Saiyan child was awake as well. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

Zera stayed on the other side of the wall, just listening.

Vegeta gave a sigh. "You're a Saiyan, Siena. You can't be afraid of nightmares anymore."

"It…it's not nightmares, Veggie," Siena's voice sounded so sad; Zera chanced a look around the corner to see that the small child was staring at the floor as her cousin stared at her. "It's…Dodoria's prowling around outside my door again."

Zera frowned again but it was replaced with a smile when Vegeta grabbed the younger girl's hand. "Nappa and the others aren't here so you can stay in my room with me. When they get back though, you can't sleep there anymore, understand? We are royalty and I refuse for us to be seen as cowards."

Siena's face flipped over happily. "You're the best, Veggie!"

"My name isn't Veggie."

Zera watched with a large smile as Vegeta led his cousin down the hall towards his own room. They argued a lot in front of others but deep down they really cared for each other. Vegeta wouldn't let anything happen to Siena as long as he was alive. She wanted to believe that Siena was one of the reasons why Vegeta trained so hard, and not just because she was the last female Saiyan.

They were two of the three main reasons that she was hesitant about leaving. If she were to leave Frieza's ship, then she would leave the two children to the hands of Zarbon and Dodoria and the other men that Frieza controlled. She didn't like the thought of that at all.

What had Siena said? That Dodoria was prowling the halls by her room again? That was the alien's favorite pastime. Dodoria was the only one of Frieza's men that scared Siena. The Saiyan child even liked Ginyu better than Dodoria and that was a scary thought. Zera had lost count of how many times she had to chase the pink alien away from the children so they could train in peace. It was why she had gone to Frieza and asked to be the one put in control of Siena's training. It seemed that the bastard wasn't going to give up easily. He loved messing with the little girl, and all because he was the one that had killed her parents. He wanted to do the same to her, to torture her before he sent her off after them the moment he could. Zera hated sick freaks like him. Sadly, that was the one thing that she and Zarbon did agree on.

She did a circle around the halls, trying to catch Dodoria near Siena's room, but the alien seemed to have already left. She had a good idea where he had gone. Normally she would have just left it alone until she caught him but she felt like she needed to release some pent-up anger.

She was pleased to find Dodoria in one of the training rooms near the generals' quarters. Unfortunately, her brother was with him; they were never seen without the other lately. Not since the events on Planet Vegeta, anyway.

"And so the woman returns," Zarbon smirked, dropping the weights he held. "Come to join us? Or would you like another sparring match this time?"

Zarbon's sparring matches were how he liked to try and kill her on the ship. Normally Zera would have given him a reply but she wasn't here to deal with him this time. She wanted his partner.

"You keep away from her, you fat blob of bubblegum!" Zera growled. "And if I catch you prowling outside of Siena's room again then I will personally shove you out of the airlock myself!"

"Calm down there," Dodoria smirked, holding his hands up. "Don't get so upset. I'm just playing around with her."

"I don't care what you're doing. Stop it! Leave her alone. She doesn't need you stalking her like some kind of sexual predator!"

"Sexual predator? What the hell-"

"With the way you stalk her that's all any of us see it as, you freak!" Zera's eyes glared into the other alien's. "If I find out that you've come within fifty feet of either of those Saiyan children without me there then I will beat you within an inch of your life and hang you up by your entrails to watch as the Glorbix hounds eat what's left of you!"

Zarbon titled his head. He had never seen his sister this angry before. She threatened Dodoria often but there was something about her tone, the air around her, that told him that she might actually mean it this time. He had a feeling that she was about to transform. Dodoria seemed to notice it too and had begun to sweat. Zarbon hated transforming but his sister had no problem in doing so when the time was needed. If she were to transform here and attack Dodoria…

"A-all right, I'll leave them alone! I swear!"

"You'd better."

"Handing out death threats, are we?" Zera felt her body freeze again, all anger she had disappearing at the voice. She slowly turned to face the form that stood in the doorway of the training room. "And here I thought that was my job."

"Lord Frieza," Zarbon and Dodoria echoed each other before they dropped to a knee. Zera followed their lead, unable to look their leader in the face; not with Cooler's offer still ringing in her head. It made her feel guilty; she hoped it didn't show on her face.

This was the third and final reason why she was hesitant to leave the ship.

Frieza was only in his first form. Short, barely even 5 foot in this form, with a chestnut-shaped skull and two black horns. With a spiked tail and three talon-like toes on each foot, he was wearing the same upper body armor of his men with black shorts, leaving his arm, legs, and tail to be lightly toned in pink with black spirals. Normally in a hover chair, Frieza was on his own two feet tonight, his hands folded politely behind his back as his face held a smirk.

Frieza stared at his three generals with that smile. "Just what is it that's going on in here? Why are you threatening Dodoria, Zera?"

She refused to look at him, keeping her eyes trained on the floor beneath her. "He was stalking Siena in the halls again. I've warned him multiple times to leave the child alone but apparently my efforts aren't working. I was just giving a warning that if he does it again then I'm going to have to get violent."

"Yes, I heard." Frieza closed his eyes for a moment. "Dodoria, if I hear about this again then it's not Zera you will have to worry about. Those poor children have lost everything; I don't think having you tease them is polite, do you understand?"

Dodoria looked like he wanted to say something but gave in. "Yes, My Lord."

It took Zarbon everything he had not to laugh out loud. The Saiyan children had lost everything because of Frieza. It was quite cliché for him to-

"Is something funny, Zarbon?" Frieza's voice cut his thoughts off.

"O-of course not, My Lord," Zarbon shook his head. "Merely thinking to myself."

"Oh? Is it something that the rest of us would like to hear?" Zarbon stayed silent. "No answer, hmm? Then you can go off and take up cleaning the mess hall tonight. Dodoria, you as well. And when you're done with that, clean out the med pods and the…other necessities of the ship."

Zera blinked. Sending two of his Generals to clean up after the rest of his crew? She had never heard of that one happening before. Keeping her head down. she watched as both her brother and Dodoria ran from the training hall, leaving her and Frieza alone.

Frieza wasted no time with the silence. "You come with me. Our conversation will have to be held in private."

Zera felt fear rush through her veins. The last time she had held a private conversation with Frieza was because of one of her men faulting in one of his missions. The end results had not been good; the scar on her chest still burned sometimes.

Having no other option, and with refusal being nearly insane, she followed after Frieza. She was so used to seeing him in his hover chair. To see him actually walking; seeing his height compared to her's almost made her laugh. She knew better, though. The moment Frieza felt that his height was being questioned he would change into his second form. It had happened during the meeting with Cooler. The elder loved to point out he was taller than the younger.

Zera thought that they would be going to the cockpit to talk but Frieza led her somewhere else; to the private room attached to his sleeping quarters. She knew it was attached to his bedroom due to the several times she would have to report to him updates of planets. She had caught him in a bath once; she hadn't been able to look at him in the face for nearly a week.

Frieza moved towards the large window of the room, hands still folded behind his back, and stared out at the stars for what seemed to be forever. It left Zera standing there in silence until he decided to speak.

"Why do you care for those Saiyan children so much? Why does what Dodoria does to them rile you so?" She couldn't even bring herself to look at him. His smirk got wider as he continued to speak. "I'm surprised with you, Zera. You are the first to move at my beck and call when I want a planet over run or I want someone dead and yet it seems that you've so easily become attached to these Saiyan brats. Tell me, why is that?"

"I-I don't have an answer, my Lord." Was all that she could say.

"You don't, hmm?" Frieza closed his eyes. "Why don't I tell you what I think? I think you're so fond of them because you feel a connection to them. You and your brother were but children as well when I took over your planet. You see yourself in them, watching as a maniacal monster took their lives from them and has begun to turn them into soldiers like I had you. That's why you took them under your wing. That's why you don't like the thought of others being near them. You're trying to shelter them from a cruel fate at the hands of the others. They're your children now that they're on this ship."

Zera stared at the back of Frieza's head. How had he known? Vegeta and Siena were the youngest of the Saiyans left. She felt protective of them; Kiri had told her that it was a motherly instinct. "I-"

"Oh, there's no need to deny it, I can see it all over your face the moment one of those little monkeys walks into the room. I can also see that there's something else bothering you. It, undoubtedly, has something to do with my brother's friend boarding the ship earlier today." Frieza turned to face her, his smirk gone. When Kiri had been found, Frieza had hid his dislike out of politeness but the thought of one of his brother's men setting foot on his ship infuriated him. He had made his men begin to scrub every pathway after she left. "Tell me what she said. Do us both a favor and don't lie. I'd rather not have to get physical to get answers out of you."

Zera kept her gaze away from him, not doubting his words. How was the easiest way to say this?

"Ever since the events on your father's ship, your brother has apparently had a problem with me being on your crew. He sent Kiri with a proposition. He wants me to leave you and either join his ranks or join your father's. Apparently King Cold is attuned to the idea and is willing to place me somewhere within his Main Forces."

At the very mention of his brother, Zera could see the anger breaking across Frieza's face. She wanted to take a step back but held her ground, staring at the corner on the floor beside him.

"Even father is in on it, is he?" Frieza's voice was being forced to stay calm. "How dare he. How dare he go to father behind my back!" Frieza's tail smashed onto the table there, breaking it in half. He moved closer to her. "And just what was your answer?"

"I didn't have a chance to give an answer," She admitted. Lying to Frieza was the worst possible thing to do in a moment like this. "I don't have an answer."

That seemed to catch the alien off-guard. "You mean your answer wasn't immediately no?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling all of this was about to go down horribly. "No, it wasn't."

Time moved by slowly, Zera's mind filled with countless ways things could go horrible at this point. She gave a small jump at the feel of Frieza's hand on her left cheek, making her eyes shoot open.

"I'm too soft on you," Frieza told her. His hand lowered to her chest, that smirk returning to his face. "It's right here, isn't it?" His finger traced over the scar that hid beneath her armor. As his finger moved along the armor, it seemed to cut through it, revealing just the soft top she was wearing beneath it. "That scar I left on you. It still burns, doesn't it?"

As his finger traced over the scar through her top, Zera clenched her eyes shut again as her skin grew hot. She had always seen herself as a freak but she couldn't help the feelings she held. She had admitted to herself, long ago, that she had developed feelings for the Lord she worked for. Her brother, unfortunately, knew of her feelings as well and loved to tease her. How could someone love a monstrous tyrant like Frieza? Zera couldn't answer that.

She couldn't explain it, but she could see something beneath all of Frieza's…anger. She saw someone else beneath the tyrant that his father had created. It would slip through every now and then, much like it had when he thanked her for deflecting Cooler's attack; or when he helped stop her bleeding when his tail had left that nasty scar on her chest. Just like it was starting to peek out now…

His hand came to a stop on her left hip, his head tilted back to stare up at her face. "Do you want to leave?"

She couldn't look into his face. "I…thought about it. Getting away from Zarbon and Dodoria would be a plus and to move through the ranks to become a general of King Cold's personal force is…a dream that I've had since being added to your army, but…"

"But what?" He stared at her but she stayed silent. He almost let his voice sound again, almost wanting to beg her not to think about leaving. How could Lord Frieza feel the urge to beg? He gave a snarl and pulled back from her, turning back to his window. "Here's your chance. Take it. If you leave tonight, then I will think nothing more of it. Hell, take the Saiyan brats if you want. I'm sure that…"

Frieza closed his eyes, unable to finish his words. The very thought of Zera leaving, let alone him saying it aloud, was a new feeling to him. He couldn't explain it; he didn't want to explain it. It was a feeling that hit him whenever he thought of her, whenever she was around. He had been feeling for the last year or so that perhaps these feelings were going to get in his way. Perhaps letting her go to his father or his brother was the best idea. He didn't want distractions to pop up during important events. Letting her go now was probably all for the best.

So why did it make his chest hurt?

Zera's eyes widened even more. Frieza…he was going to give her a chance. She could grab Vegeta and Siena and take them with her. She didn't even have to go to Cooler or King Cold. She could just take the two children and got to some other planet and lead a normal life. Vegeta would get over not having the training every day. This was a chance at a life she never had before. He was actually going to let her go.

She tried to tell her body to move. This was her chance to leave Zarbon and his attacks behind, to live peacefully without fear of a backstabbing brother or mass destruction. No more killing innocent people and destroying planets.

That also meant no more Frieza, though.

She tried to move to the door, to rush out and grab Vegeta and Siena before his mind could change, but she couldn't. Instead she only turned and punched the wall.

~Dammit. ~ She shook her head. ~Why? Why?! I should be rushing out this door. Why can't I move?~

She found that her body could move, just not towards the door. It had a mind of its own as she faced Frieza again. Moving forward a few feet, she dropped to a kneel before him.

"It would be best if I were to just grab the children and go. It would be in my best interest, and theirs, to get as far away from you as possible but I…I can't. It seems that any thought of leaving you behind goes against what I know should be right."

"Is that so?" Frieza felt his mood lift; and couldn't help but smirk. "And why do you think that is?"

"In all reality, I should hate you. Hate you until I want to kill you and try and do so before you kill me. It's because of you that my home planet is dead. It's your fault that Zarbon tries to kill me every chance that he gets. You go through the solar system, killing and enslaving. You've made me kill entire races. Destroy planets. Slaughter children. I should hate you with everything that I am…and yet I can't. Your father molded you into what you are so in ways you are not truly to blame. I know, that despite your actions, somewhere there's a soft side to you. I've seen it. Its why you were giving me a chance to run with the Saiyans. I think that…if we had met in different times, things could have been different."

"Me? A soft side?" Frieza gave her a laugh. "Are you sure you're feeling alright? Perhaps you're beginning to form dementia."

"Say what you want, it won't change how I feel. I have done everything you've ever asked of me, Frieza, not because I fear you; because I love you." The moment the words left her mouth she felt a calming peace pass through her body. To admit it aloud…and to him…"I can't leave your side, Frieza, no matter how much I want to. Instead, I will stay here and train Vegeta and Siena and stay as your second-in-command until I die. Until then, I will train and train and grow stronger to prove to you that I am worthy enough to serve you."

Frieza let a grin spread across his face. "Your announcement of loyalty is touching, Zera. For a moment there I thought that you were actually going to leave."

~And you would have let her, too,~ Frieza cursed at himself. ~You soft, foolish-~

"I should have known better," Frieza turned to face her. He stared for a moment, just drinking in the pride he felt. She had chosen to stay; because of him. It was a feeling that he couldn't explain. Frieza curled his tail under Zera's chin, lifting her face up. "Remember your words, Zera, for I surely will." He removed his tail and instead grabbed her head in his hands, pulling her closer until her forehead rested against his abdomen. "I'll keep Dodoria from the children. I'll also keep a closer eye on Zarbon. I am aware that his…training sessions with you are getting more violent. It's a shame that I didn't see it beforehand."

Zera felt her skin was on fire as Frieza held her head in his hands. He had begun to run his fingers through her short hair; it sent a shiver down her spine. "My brother is my problem. You needn't get involved with it."

"Oh, I know I don't," Frieza smiled. "But I'm going to. From here on out, I'm afraid that I'm going to get involved with everything that concerns you, whether you want me to or not. You're stuck here with me now, Zera, no matter how much you beg."

Frieza's words made her smile. That was the closest that she was going to get to acceptance from Frieza. It was all she needed though.

It was all she wanted.