Goku breathed deeply the salty air of Kame House. Paradise was nice, but Earth beat it any time. Krilin grinned beside him.
- Good to have you back, Goku.
- Good to be back!
They looked at C-18 and little Marron playing in the ocean, a little further. The blond woman was holding her daughter gently and the child was splashing herself with joyful shouts. C-18 was smiling tenderly at her and Goku was still amazed by it. Where was the cruel and materialist android gone?
He loaded his gun, checked his pack of capsules one last time. Enough of waiting and questioning and thinking, now was time for some action.
During those endless years, he had felt himself aging, but that feeling was gone. He was young, full of energy and power, confident and determinate. Nothing would stop him from finding her. And when he would have found her... Well he would see then.
He walked out of the house, turned a capsule into a moto and jumped onto it, making the motor roar. A satisfied smirk appeared on his lips. It felt like the old days, except for a detail. His half was missing, but he was going to fix that.
The moto disappeared in a cloud of dust, its driver driving it wildly through the forest.
- Good night lil one, whispered Krilin, kissing the forehead of his daughter.
She smiled gladly as he tucker her up, almost asleep already. Krilin silently observed her dozing off.
- You're going to stand there forever or what?
He jumped at C-18's ironic voice, turned to her with a guilty smile.
- She's just so pretty.
- I know.
She smiled back, tenderly, and he walked up to her, wrapped an arm around her waist. He was happy, really happy. His best friend was back on Earth, he had a lovely wife and a charming daughter, the world was saved and safe... Whatever could happened, it couldn't ruin it all. It just felt as if it was to last, this time.
C-18 pulled him to their bedroom when he began to unbutton her shirt, a playful smirk on her lips.
He suddenly realized how he had missed that feeling of freedom, of power. The wind slapping his face and the engine under him, under his control... While driving, he was forming an action plan in his mind. He couldn't feel her energy, therefore he would have to seek her out. It was just like a game and it thrilled him. He already have some places in mind, as to where to begin his research.
Abruptly turning to the left, he headed toward West Capital.
Trunks was flying back from Goten's and was about to land in front of the main door when he noticed something strange.
A man leaning against the wall, arms crossed in his father's way. But even though the man had black hair and was smirking, it wasn't Vegeta at all. First of all, he was far from being as muscled as the Saiyan Prince. Secondly, he looked like a young man. Thirdly, Trunks couldn't feel the man's ki.
- What are you doing there? he asked with the arrogance of a ten year old Saiyan hybrid prince.
The stranger looked at him with cold blue eyes and the boy frowned.
- Wanna fight?!
He paled as the man chuckled quietly.
- You're really the son of your father.
- How do you know my dad?!
- That doesn't matter. Are you a smart kid?
- Of course!
- Then maybe you can answer my question.
The stranger's smirk grew a little wider and Trunks decided he was insane. Fortunately, he was surely able to beat that nutball in one move, so he didn't worry too much about it.
- Where's C-18? asked the man.
Krilin and C-18 were on the continent for a romantic dinner and Roshi was babysitting five year old Marron. Five year old Marron was playing in the living room and Roshi was deeply asleep, loudly snoring.
A seagull cried out and Marron, as any curious child, ran out to see what it was. Seeing it flying in circles over the water, she smiled and began to run on the sand, holding out her arms toward it.
She was already stepping in the cold water when something grabbed her little dress from the back, pulling her up.
- It's not safe by there, kid.
She didn't know the voice and although it sounded amused, she didn't like its coldness. She didn't like the man's smile either, nor his eyes. But her cries would never awaken Roshi, for the man flew away quickly, holding her firmly in his arms.
Marron whimpered, her arms tightly wrapped around her legs. She was sat on the floor, backed to one wall of a one-piece house. She didn't know where the house was, but knew it was very far away from home. It was also colder than the island she had grown up on, and much scarier.
The man was standing in the middle of the 'house', silent and thoughtful. He had kept his red scarf, but taken off his old coat, mumbling something about feeling like before while doing so. That had been an eternity ago for Marron, whose loud cries had turned into quiet sobs.
He stared at her for a moment, as if wondering if he should leave her alone or become angry.
- What's your problem? he finally asked, almost gently.
The child looked up, her huge eyes filled with tears.
- I want my daddy, she sobbed with a shivering voice.
- What about your mom? You don't like her?
- I love mommy! I want her too!
Now she was crying heavily. The man hesitated, then sat down beside her, though a few inches away.
- I love her too, kid, he confessed. I wish she was with me.
Marron's loud cries interrupted. She was still trembling and her eyes full of tears, but she was quiet and looking at him with a mix of surprise and curiosity. His lips drew a soft smile.
- We used to be together all the time. Now we had lived for more than nine years apart...
- You're mommy's lover? ingenuously asked Marron, her blue eyes all widened.
She really looked like her father. He shook his head.
- I'm her brother. Twin brother.
Marron frowned, now in deep thinking.
- So you're my uncle?
- Guess so.
A huge grin lightened up the chubby face and C-17's neck was suddenly held tightly by two short arms. Caught off guard, he didn't react immediately and the soft skin against his and the silky hair and the oceanic scent filled him up.
Finally he pushed her back, slowly.
- Why did you do that? - Because you're nice, answered Marron, as if stating the obvious. - Am I? I kidnapped you and I'm still nice?
Now she looked confused. He got up.
- Forget all of this, kid. Get some rest now.
He pointed out a pile of blankets. Marron's tears rushed back.
- I want my bed...
- Well I couldn't put it in my pocket when I picked you up. Go to bed.
- That's not a bed!
- Go to bed!
She shrank, terrified, then made her way to the pile. C-17 sighed and was about to step out when a faint voice stopped him.
- Tuck me up, please... Daddy always tuck me up...
- I'm not your daddy, kid. Just tuck yourself up.
- I can't... Please...
Sighing heavily, he gave up, walked up to her, tucked her up quickly and rushed to the door before she could add anything.
His sister sure did have a strange kid.
C-18 nearly killed Roshi. Once he had calmed her down, Krilin nearly killed his old sensei. Once he was also calmed down, Roshi almost killed himself. After all, it was his fault if Marron had disappeared!
Krilin and him were sitting at the table, thinking of what could have happen to the little girl. C-18 was pacing across the kitchen, obviously upset. Every now and then, she'd give killer glares to Roshi.
Finally, after nearly ten minutes of tensed silence, she exploded.
- That's it! I have to do something!
She immediately ran out of the kitchen, out of the house, and the two men heard a loud splash. They both jumped on their feet and rushed out as well, just to see circular undulations where C-18 had plunged. Krilin paled and was to plunge after her when Roshi caught his arm.
- Let her go, boy.
- But...
- You know her, she needs to do something and well... I'm not sure you could bring her up here anyway.
- .......Right... But what can I do then?! My daughter disappeared!!
- You can start by calming down. Let's go back inside. C-18 can take care of herself, don't worry.
- Alright...
Reluctantly, Krilin followed the old man inside. His hands were shaking a little and it was painful to swallow, but he would remain calm and try to think straight. Whatever had happened to Marron, he hoped she was fine...
He hoped she was alive.
C-18 didn't feel the icy water around her, nor realised how dark it was. Her eyes could adapt to it and she shook her head around furiously, scanning the area in hope to see her daughter. Yet in the same time, she hoped not to see her, because she doubter Marron could have survived such a long time in the water.
She swam and swam underwater, denying her need of oxygen until her lunges threatened to explode. Then she flew up and convinced herself the salty water on her cheeks was only from the ocean. Panting, she realised her power and her attitude were useless. She had lost her daughter, who meant everything to her, beside Krilin. She had lost her.
A few minutes later, Krilin was back on the beach and doing his best to comfort his crying wife. It was the first time he saw her like that, totally lost and in tears, and he couldn't have told if it hurt as much, if not more, than the loss of Marron.
Marron looked at her breakfast, then at her uncle.
- What's that? she asked.
- Bear. Eat now.
- I don't want that... I want cereals and orange juice.
- All you'll have is that and if you don't eat it now, you'll just deal with hunger, kid.
She pouted and began to eat the meat slowly. C-17 had grilled it with some energy of his and it wasn't too bad, but meat in the morning isn't exactly the ideal for anyone.
- I want to see my parents, she said after a moment of silence, sadly.
- I know.
- Why did you kidnap me?
- So she will pay more attention to me.
- Who?
- Your mom.
Marron looked confused, but stayed silent. C-17 didn't seem too happy. When she was done with her meal, he wiped her face clean with the back of his hand and pulled her onto his back.
- We're going to visit them, ok?
- Yeah!
She squeaked happily and he winced a little. Her little arms wrapped tightly around his neck, Marron giggled.
He began to fly, not too fast.
It was weird. C-17 had barely have physical contacts with anyone in his life, except during fighting, and now he was held firmly by a child who happened to be his niece. He didn't hate the contact, but he wasn't sure about liking it. It was too... New.
No one had slept at Kame House during the night. In the morning, C-18 had fallen asleep, exhausted, and Krilin was watching over her, though his mind was filled with worry. What could he do now? If Marron had drown in the ocean, it was useless to search for her body - he wasn't sure he even wanted to -, but if something else had happened... "But what?! She can't fly and she wouldn't use our capsules..." Then the horrible thought he had unconsciously blocked came.
Kidnapping.
- Mommy! Daddy!
His heart almost stopped when he heard the familiar, high and cheerful voice. Marron. Not bothering to awaken his wife, he flew downstairs. The door was opened and he understood why Roshi hadn't say a word: his daughter was in C-17's arms, and C-17 looked pissed.
Marron held out her arms toward him, happy looking, but the android held her solidly. She turned her face to him, losing her smile.
- Lemme go, please!
- Not yet, kid, he said, and Krilin was almost scared by his nice tone. I have to talk with your mom first.
She didn't understand but didn't reply either. C-17's lips hinted a smile and she put her arms around his neck again. Krilin's heart missed a beat.
What was going on?!
- Where's C-18, Baldy?
- ...Asleep. What do you want?
- I want you to wake her up. Time for a family reunion, no?
Krilin hesitated, gave a look at Roshi, who nodded to him. Sighing, he smiled to his daughter and went back upstairs.
He didn't know why C-17 had kidnapped Marron, but he didn't feel too good about it. And he wasn't sure about C-18's reaction to all this.
C-17 had Marron on his lap. The little girl was happily drinking her orange juice as if everything was normal. C-18 and Krilin were sat in front of the android, tensed. Krilin was actually more nervous about his wife.
- What do you want?
Her voice was sharp, almost hateful. Marron looked at her mother over her glass, worry, but smiled again when C-17 patted her head kindly.
"What happened to him? wondered Krilin. I never thought he could be so nice..."
C-18 clenched her teeth tightly. Her brother looked at her, a smile floating on his face.
- I just missed you, sister. It's been what, nine years? It was also about time I met my little niece, no?
- You kidnapped my daughter... I thought she was dead.
- Oh, sorry. Well she's here and safe, no? Don't need to worry anymore.
- Uncle took good care of me! suddenly exclaimed Marron. He gave me bear this morning!
C-18 and Krilin's jaws hit the floor.
- BEER?!?!
- He killed it himself!
She nodded seriously and C-17 smiled, almost proudly. The couple sat back on their chairs.
- You think I would cause a child to get drunk? Tss tss...
- You've done worse, remember?
- People change.
He stared at them for a few seconds.
- Some change more than others.
C-18 frowned.
- What do you mean?
- I never thought you would be a mother, C-18.
- So what if I am?!
He looked at her and she read a hidden sadness in his eyes. A painful feeling of abandon. She sighed.
- I had no idea where you were, C-17. They can't feel your ki, how was I suppose to find you?
- It doesn't matter anymore.
His pale eyes covered his niece. She was done with her juice and was trying to push his arm away.
- Please, let her go, asked Krilin, eyes glued on his daughter. There's no use keeping her with you like that.
- Uncle, please...
C-17 looked at the little girl, with her golden hair and her blue eyes, that could resemble so much like her mother but didn't. He suddenly noticed she didn't have a nose.
He let her go. She ran into her father's arms. The android got up.
- I'm glad you're happy, sis. Later.
- C-17, wait!
C-18 followed him out, caught his arm just before he'd fly away.
- I'm sorry.
He immobilised. What had happened to her?! She would never have said 'sorry' before!
- You can come back anytime, she added. I'm... I'm sure Marron would love to see you again.
- Would you?
- Of course! C-17, you're my brother!
- I didn't feel like your brother for the past years.
He finally faced her and his pain slapped her. He wasn't angry, just hurt.
- I can't change that. But we can keep in touch now.
- .....Yeah. Alright. I'll contact you soon, sis.
This time she didn't hold him back. She just watch him fly away, alone.
Marron ran out of the house, giggling, jumped into her mother's arms. C-18 smiled, hugging her for real, like she so rarely did.
- Good to have you back, Marron, she whispered.
Author's note: I just want to point out a mistake; C-17 doesn't know Trunks is the son of Vegeta. V_V Gomen, I realised it after writting and posting the chapter. When I'll have found a way to fix it (and stop being so lazy), I'll re-post the fic... I hope you can forgive me *puppy eyes*