Author's Notes: Thank you very much for your reviews. I understand that I will have to change some things in order for the fic to appeal more to you guys. Forgive me for that, I didn't expect reception like this. So thanks again for your support...


"Get out," Trunks growled at the raven-head in front of him. He just couldn't stand the sight of her. Even if she did protect him all those weeks ago, she was still his most hated enemy. The thought of her still living while his comrades and friends met swift deaths served as a constant reminder to destroy 18 whenever the chance arrived, and boy was he waiting for that chance.

He hated her so much. Behind that flawless body was nothing more than a machine in his book; every single day spent with 18 was a constant pain that drove him to the brink of madness.

He should have killed her; he should have! But thanks to his indecision and stupid plan to preserve the android for research, he was stuck living with her every day. He didn't know how long it would be before he snapped and just killed her on the spot. Restraint was one thing he was never good at, his Saiyan heritage reiterated the fact. He inexorably convinced himself that the opportunity would come; he would just need to hang on for a little longer, just a little. It was the only way he could get by these days. The tension was as thick as it could get.

18's passive stare only infuriated him. She didn't care; she didn't care that she killed so many people; she didn't care that some of those people were close to him. She was nothing but a monster. To hell with her! She didn't deserve to live, not after everything she did to this world.

"Your mother's calling you for breakfast," 18 said monotonically. "I'll be taking a shower."

"Don't even think about using mine!" Trunks gritted out.

18 nonchalantly shrugged at his venom and made to leave.

"I mean it, android!" Trunks roared as he stood from his bed and marched after the girl.

18 stopped and rolled her eyes. Every single day of this was slowly becoming unbearable.

It didn't help that she was literally forced to live with the Saiyan and his mother, but to be constantly threatened was getting old.

She hated his guts. In fact, she hated everything. Living with Trunks was a repulsive predicament that was driving her off the wall. She was reaching her boiling point, the extent where she wouldn't care whether she lived or died. It was only a matter of time before the tension indeed turned murderous.

"I'm talking to you, android!" That was it. She had put up with so much in her captivity and she finally had enough of him. He killed her brother and forced her to co-operate in this ludicrous scheme. No more.

She whirled around and fixed a hate-filled glare at the lavender man. "What are you gonna do about, huh?!"

Trunks bristled at the shout. If he had to be honest with himself, this was the first time in months that he had ever seen 18 show such malignity towards him. He mirrored her blaze. "Listen, bitch-"

"No, you listen, you freaking bastard!" 18 screamed while stomping to the Saiyan. "I've had enough of your bullshit! You think you can just talk to me like that forever!? I'm not your punching bag and I will not take this crap anymore!"

Trunks growled at her, the warning missed by the irate raven-haired girl.

18 provokingly started poking his chest. If she had been in her right state of mind then she would have known she was mere inches away from death. "I killed your friends but you're not that innocent! You killed my brother, the only person that mattered in this ugly world and I'm never getting him back! I hate you! I wish I could kill yo-"

18 felt the wind knocked out of her as Trunks grabbed the collar of her shirt, shoving her hard against a wall. She couldn't even gasp out her surprise when she felt the heat and static electricity of a ball of ki near her face.

Trunks snarled like an animal. His face had become flushed with anger and all he could see was red. "I've had enough of you!"

The ball of energy drew nearer, the slow pace agonizingly more foreboding with each second.

18 could tell that Trunks was losing himself in hate.

But so was she.

She pumped as much strength into her hands as she could, preparing to shove him away, but Trunks surprised her by throwing her across the corridor. She hit the end harshly and fell in a heap.

Trunks' breathing was haggard. He continued to struggle and calm himself. All he wanted to do was bash her face in, but his mother...

18 regained her footing and stood up leisurely. As soon as she regained her poise, she fixed the Saiyan with a look that greatly surprised him. Those eyes; it was the same look he had the displeasure of seeing throughout his suffering at her hands. It didn't matter that she was still disguised; she looked like the 18 of old.

"No more, monkey. Let's cut the bullshit. Fight me."

She was met with stunned silence.

"I said fight me!"

"..."

"If you don't... The first chance I get, I'm turning your mother into a corpse." She looked like she meant it and Trunks' glare turned arduous.

"You bitch. Fine, I'm going to kill you, consequences be damned."

18 took a fighting stance.

"Not here," Trunks said. "We gonna finish this without involving anyone else."

"... Fine; I lead." No sooner did she say those words, 18 shot into the air outside, breaking a window in the process.

Trunks would have fumed if he was calmer, but killing 18 was his main priority. He shot after her and watched as she flew in a seemingly random detection. To make sure he didn't lose her, Trunks expeditiously followed - circumspect to keep his distance. He would let her choose her deathbed; it would be the least he would give.

18 glanced over her shoulder as she flew at high speeds. There he was, following her. He must have thought so highly of himself. Taking time to measure her and then finish her off. That fucking bastard.

She stopped suddenly, and Trunks was quick to follow. They never took their eyes off each other. Both bodies begging to release pent up emotions. Trunks could see her cool and calculated anger, but she was not like him.

He felt absolute rage.

She ruined his life, and for the better part of the year, kept ruining his life. He would apologise to his mother when he got home. Right here and now, it was time for his revenge.

18 stared at the demi-saiyan in front of her. It was no fact that the time they spend together would lead up to this, but she wasn't going to sit idly by while these humans destroyed her. If she was going to die then it would be by her terms. She knew she was meeting her end, but so what? What was there to live for? No one in this world would ever accept her. No one would ever be there for her.

No one would ever love her.

So this was it. This was her last stand. She would be shocked if she even survived Trunks' wrath, but then again, it didn't mean she would let up on her side. She was going to die fighting.

Trunks starting gathering ki in his body. He could feel the life force strengthening both his soul and senses. He didn't plan to enjoy what was to transpire, but he planned on making the memory last for as long as the android could move.

18 increased her power level to maximum capacity. She knew he couldn't detect her at all, and as little advantage as that gave her, she planned on using it.

She attacked first, going straight at him with an arm cocked back. As soon as she was in reach, she shot her hand forward - she might have just a chance if Trunks remained in his base form and didn't change...

Only to barely miss him.

Trunks evaded by moving his head to the side. She nicked his cheek, but left herself quite open. He took the opportunity to blast a punch of his own, pointedly missing the android with the blow and allowing him time to get closer.

18 realised the deception too late as Trunks kneed her in the gut. She hunched over in the air, her eyes as wide as saucers. She was sure that if she was human, she would be vomiting all over the place.

Trunks' knee lifted her a little higher, providing the Saiyan with a perfect angle to pick a strike. He was ready to deliver another punch, but 18 beat him to it, using her seemingly helpless form to punch the Saiyan in the face - forcing Trunks to fly into some already damaged buildings before hitting the ground with a large explosion and plump smoke.

18 was finding it difficult to breath. He was still in his base form, right? If that was so, how come he wasn't easy to beat?

Trunks slowly ascended from the rubble. His face was a mask of anger as he glared at the girl.

18's eyes widened a fraction as she stared at Trunks' form. She could finally see what made it difficult to defeat him. His aura, as small as it was, emitted a gold hue. She could see faint lines crisscrossing all over his body. So, he wasn't using that blonde power, but something in between? She should have expected it. He wasn't taking any chances, but he was choosing to fight close to her level, probably just to spite her; she felt her anger flare at the thought.

She charged at him, intending to drive her head through his abdomen. She stiffen her body and increased her speed.

Trunks just raised an eyebrow at such a audacious tactic. What a fool, he thought condescendingly. He raised his hands into the air and molded them together. Using her momentum against her, he moved to her opposite, and slammed both arms on her back.

She shot like a bullet, hitting the ground with bone-shattering force. A crater large enough to swallow a building prominently displayed.

Trunks hovered over the gargantuan hole. The smoke made it difficult to peer inside, but he was prepared for anything that came out.

A small hole formed in the smoke and 18 emerged, looking worse for wear. Her breathing was laboured and erratic. Cuts and bruises were all over her.

She was used to it by now.

Trunks stared hard at his enemy. He noticed her eyes had shifted. No longer did they hold callous malice, only grim resignation. He could tell she would never submit willingly. She wanted to die with her head held high instead of cowering in a corner.

He would be more than happy to assist.

He roared as he transformed into a Super Saiyan. This fight was as good as done.

Watching as her slim chance at survival slipped away, 18 shook her head. She looked at Trunks and screamed herself, charging at him with everything she had. It was all or nothing at this point.

Trunks could easily see her movements as clear as day. She was even more desperate to finish him off. He raised a hand, and when 18 came near, smacked her face - causing her to fly into building after building. The abandoned city they found themselves in was looking sorely like useless wreckage.

All 18 could do was grunt as she hit wall after wall. She was sure once she landed on the ground Trunks was going to finish her off. She could do little but brace herself. It did little good; the ground was still harsh when she made contact. She was barely clinging on to consciousness once she realised her situation.

This was really it. No more fighting; no more hurt and anger; no more tolerating Trunks's presence. She was going to see 17 again. The thought bought her a strange sensation of content. Finally, all her pain will end...

Then she heard something.

At first, it was too feint - whether it was from the pain or distance - but once she focused, she could hear someone crying.

Who the hell would be here? Past survivors? The possibility was there. But if that was the case then they picked the wrong place and the wrong time to be here.

She looked to her side and was shocked to see a blurry image in front of her. She could scarcely tell that a little girl was a few distances away from her. More than that, the child was in danger. The ceiling above her looked ready to give in, but the little girl seemed to be focusing more on a prone body that she was clinging to. 18 just watched it all.

Motionless.

Humans were so pathetic and fragile. It just took the smallest of things to set them off into self destruction. The girl looked ailingly skinny, probably due to lack of food. Maybe dying would do the little thing a favour.

A huge chunk of roof crumbled and started falling to the ground, heading straight for the child. The kid gasp in shock as she stared above her, but it was too late; she would never be fast enough to dodge something like that.

What a horrible way to die.

"Damn android," Trunks murmured as he searched around different buildings. He berated himself for putting too much power with the slap he gave the blonde now raven-haired.

"How can killing something so weak be so hard?" What was it about 18 that made it burdensome to kill her? It should be easy, but Trunks was finding it very strenuous.

It wasn't the fact that he was more powerful. It seemed like it was more on the fact that 18 had really good luck on her side - not that he believed in that sort of thing.

She won't last for long. It would only be a matter of time before he found her.

A random building crumbled a few meters away from him. He could have ignored it, but he wasn't leaving anything to chance. He flew to the abolished building and looked at the large debris of broken infrastructure. If 18 was in there then it was going to take a while to remove the rubble and find her.

However, his job was done for him. A ki blast alerted him to 18's most likely location. Trunks' head whipped in the direction of the light.

"Found you." He flew to the spot, all the while preparing his "Burning Attack" finisher. He was careful to remain cautious since he couldn't detect her energy. When he saw something eerily similar to black hair, he landed delicately on the ground. He stared at the mop just a few feet away from him. It was definitely 18. She wasn't even moving, but he stopped caring as soon as he gave in to his rage.

"Haaaa!" He started forming a bigger attack. "No more excuses! Here and now, you -" he couldn't finish as he gasped.

He hadn't noticed it before, but 18's body was covered in rocks. Not just that...

There was a girl with her.

That's right, 18 body was over a little girl's. Trunks could see another mop of raven that belonged to a little head. Said head was peaking visibly over 18 shoulders. To anyone, it looked like 18 protected the child by using her own body as a shield against fallen ruin. Trunks had suspicion that he wasn't far from the truth.

She saved somebody, again? She risked her own life, again?! What the hell was wrong with that android, or cyborg, or whatever! No. This had to be a coincidence. 18 was fending for her own life; there was no reason she'd risk it.

He cancelled his attack and approached the pair. Yep, it was a little girl alright, looking no older than five-years-old. Her eyes looked lifeless, making the Saiyan sigh. So it was just another dead body that 18's own conveniently landed on. Great, he just needed to move the little girl away and then finish off the android.

As he got closer, he noticed that the girl was clutching to 18's body quite painfully. Wait, wasn't she supposed to be dead? She didn't look like she was moving.

Oh well, Trunks shrugged, all the more reason to get her out of harms way.

He drew nearer, until he was just inches from the raven duo. He heard the girl whispering something repeatedly, confirming that she was indeed alive. The Super Saiyan was surprised he missed the signs. He focused his hearing to discern the girl's speech...

"... M-mommy... M-mommy..."

Trunks thought that his ears were playing with him. Did she just say mommy? Was she trying to call for her mother? The poor thing. He would help her out as soon as he dealt with the android.

He crouched down. Careful to be slow, he grabbed a hold of the girl's hands and started pulling them away from 18's body.

"No! Mommy, wake up!"

Trunks retracted his hands as if he had been burned. He fixed the girl with a warm smile. "Hey, don't worry. Everything will be just fine. I'll help your find your mommy, okay?"

Frightful eyes pierced into his green. The girl didn't utter a word. Only silenced existed as the two continued to look at one another.

Deciding to try again, Trunks offered a friendly hand to the girl. "Come on, let's get you somewhere safe and find your mother."

The moment he said mother, the girl's stare shifted to 18. For some reason unknown to him, alarm bells were blaring in his head.

"Come on," he coaxed again. "Let's get you out of here."

"Mommy?" The girl called while gently shaking 18's unconscious form. "Mommy, wake up; a scary man wants to take me away."

Trunks felt like fainting. He could do nothing but gape at the girl. 18 was the mommy she was calling for?! The girl thought 18 was her mother?! Trunks didn't know if fate loved to play with him, but he was started to believe that very fact.

"Hey now," he called gently, trying to be reassuring to the little thing. "That's not your mommy, but I'll help you find her."

The little girl frowned at him, life slowly coming back in her eyes. "She's right here." Her frowned soon turned to tears. "Mommy, the man you send to protect me is dead! Bad men shot him!"

With that, the girl started bawling her eyes out, with little hiccups escaping on occasion.

Trunks could only look on in awkward silence, wondering what the hell was wrong with this planet.

After some time he decided that enough was enough. "I'm sorry, but she's not your mother. She's a bad-"

"You're wrong," was the anguished cry.

Trunks chalked off her behaviour to shock. Maybe she was using 18 as a way to shield her from memories of the people she lost? Maybe her real mother was actually dead and she was using 18 as a replacement? That only made Trunks pity her more.

The girl shifted out of 18's grasp, allowing Trunks to see what she was wearing; a white dress filled with dirt, black sneakers and a little denim jacket. She rummaged through the jacket, producing her slightly torn photo.

"Look!" She irritably said, shoving the picture into Trunks' hands.

Not possible, not possible, not possible, Trunks mentally repeated - too afraid of what he might see. He slowly looked at the picture, and his wide eyes increased in size.

This could not be real. This had to be someone's idea of a sick joke. What he was staring at was a mirror image of 18's disguised self. Even though her eyes were a bit off, her hair was significantly longer, and she was pregnant, she looked like 18's twin.

What. The. Fuck?

"See!" the girl exclaimed. "I told you so!"

If it wasn't for seeing life blossom into her eyes, Trunks would have childishly rebuked her. All he could do was sigh and shake his head.

"It's one problem after another. God, why me?"

What was he going to do now? It was obvious it would be impossible to convince the child that the person she was staring at wasn't her mother.

"What's your name?" Trunks settled for.

The little girl huffed. "I don't talk to strangers."

Trunks' brow twitched, but he understood the girl's reluctance.

"Okay, let's not be strangers anymore. Hi, my name is Trunks -" He stretched a hand -" and you are?"

The girl looked at him suspiciously, no doubt untrustworthy of him so far.

"... Blair."

"It's nice to meet you, Blair."

"..."

"Okay! So... um... your mommy isn't feeling well. We need to get her out of here and some place that will help her."

Blair looked at him waringly, but nodded her head in consent.

Trunks smiled at her. He was feeling much more calmer after venting on 18. With that came the guilt of taking things too far. He had to convince himself on more than one occasion that 18 was nothing more than a monster, but looking at her now, so fragile and beaten, he didn't know what to think. She saved someone's life, someone she didn't even know. Could monsters do that, twice?

Trunks was so confused. He didn't know what to think anymore; his emotions were numb when he looked at 18. He always wondered if there was a reason his mother was giving her a chance to just live her days...

His mother! Oh crap, he was in the deepest shit imaginable. Bulma would surely scold him to no end for losing himself in anger and nearly killing 18 again.

It just felt wrong now. The fight felt wrong. He was trained to never give into emotions like hate, and he conceded that 18 had been through the same thing since she lost someone that meant more than this world to her. He could never forgive her for what she did. There will always be hate in him for as long is he lived.

But did he really want this? To live a life where his being festered with revenge and a taste for blood. Hate changed people into blood-thirsty animals, and he could feel the emotion rapidly changing him as well. Was it worth his humanity if it was for the greater good? His mother had been much wiser in her decisions concerning 18 than he had. All he had stuck to was a one-tracked mind that only seeked vengeance. Gohan would be disappointed in him - all those lessons for nothing.

Did that mean he was the bad guy though? He was avenging his master's death; he was avenging the death of his friends; his father. Didn't that mean he would be changed either way? That he would lose what little innocence he had left and turn into a monster himself?

"Hey, Trunks! Hurry up! Mommy's hurt!" Blair shouted, effectively snapping the Saiyan from his musings - if he could call it that.

Trunks stared at the prone woman. It was than he made his decision.

"Sorry about that, I had a lot on my mind," Trunks said.

He took out a capsule from his pocket and threw it at a distance. There was a poof sound accompanied by smoke. Once the smoke dissipated, a small craft stood proudly.

Blair stared at the contraption in awe while Trunks scooped the android in his arms. It seemed so contradictory. A few minutes ago, he was close to killing her; now, he was saving her. This was the second time that he let her live and he didn't know if he was getting soft or not.

"Come on than. Let's get her to safety." He knew full well that since Blair thought 18 was her mother she would not leave her, and as bad as it was, he couldn't hope to convince the girl of anything concerning 18.

Blair nervously followed Trunks into the aircraft. Once everyone was in place Trunks operated the system and guided the aircraft off the ground.

Blair whimpered and sought her mother's hand for comfort, enduring the turbulence.

Trunks glanced at the girl, taking note of how easily affectionate she was to 18. "Is this your first time flying?"

A stiff nod was his answer and Trunks couldn't help but smile at how cute Blair's determined face looked. "Don't worry. Once you get used to it, it's actually really nice."

He stared ahead of himself and flew to Capsule Corp.

Bulma had been worried sick. She had asked 18 to bring her son to breakfast and she honestly thought nothing of it. They didn't like each other, but at least they tolerated each other, right? Wrong, she had ran upstairs when she heard rough noises, only to witness Trunks' shoot out of a broken window. She had screamed after him, but he was long gone.

She knew Trunks' and 18 fought, the damage to her corridor upstairs was proof of that. She was worried about them, both of them. 18 may have been someone she despised in the beginning but giving her a chance to live like a normal person would was the best decision Bulma ever made. It gave 18 a glimpse of what it was like to be human again. In sparing her life temporarily, Bulma was treated to instances of the real 18, who was just someone lost and lonely.

18's crimes were unforgivable, but Bulma felt more resolute in allowing the blonde to live. She might never forgive 18, but she could still accept her.

That was if she was still alive.

Knowing Trunks and his hatred for the cyborg, Bulma feared the worst. Any moment now, Trunks would come home and tell her that he had no choice but to kill 18, and even add an apology to soften her annoyance.

"Oh God," she moaned, running a hand over her face. "I should have seen this coming."

She heard the familiar roar of the aircraft she knew Trunks used. She scrambled for the front door, already expecting a long process of tongue lashing.

She opened the door and saw Trunks' craft in the front yard. She frowned and started approaching it.

When she saw the doors of the machine opening, she called, "Trunks, you better have a good explan... ation."

Trunks looked sheepish, which surprised Bulma immensely. She had been expecting to see him angry or something close to the feeling, but this?

"Hey, mom." Trunks greeted with a nervous chuckle.

Bulma fixed him with a stern look. "Talk."

"O-okay," Trunks nervously stumbled. "Uhh... 18 and I got into a fight."

"Mmhm," Bulma nodded, waiting for him to continue.

"So... We went to this abandoned city to... you know... and..."

"And what? Did you kill her?" Bulma questioned, failing to hide her irritation.

"No!" Trunks blurted out. "... But I was close."

"Trunks Briefs," Bulma started, only to be cut off by her stuttering son.

"I-I'm sorry! You can yell at me later. She needs your help," Trunks rambled.

Bulma huffed. "And whose fault is that?"

"She said she was going to kill you!"

"And you believed her?"

"W-what?"

"If she really wanted to kill me, don't you think I would be dead by now? She had plenty of opportunities to take my life, especially when you weren't around the house. She was probably saying that to provoke you, and you fell for it."

Trunks bowed his head in surrender.

Bulma sighed. "I know it's hard, sweety, but I don't like this. Haven't you had enough of the constant fighting and hate? Don't you want to move on from this?"

"I can't move on from this," Trunks stated. "It would be like forgetting all our loved ones and what they stood for."

"You shouldn't forget those close to you, Trunks, but it doesn't mean you should let this... hate run your life. You will never find happiness."

"What about you, mom? You lost dad, a man you loved so much. How can you ever move on from this and be happy?"

"I have you, don't I?" Bulma stated as if it were obvious. "You're what keeps me strong... You don't have to forgive her, you know?"

"..."

"It's all up to you, find peace within yourself, Trunks."

She started walking to the aircraft, leaving Trunks with deep - troubling - thoughts.

"Eh, Trunks? Mind explaining this to me?" Bulma queried from the side of the ship.

Trunks turned his head to his mother, and promptly face-palmed.

"Who are you, lady?" Blair questioned in her seat, still holding her mother's hand.

Bulma fixed Trunks with an expectant stare and all the Saiyan could do was sweat-drop.

18 slowly opened her eyes. Once they adjusted to the harsh light, she could tell she was in Bulma's underground bunker.

"I'm getting tired of this," she muttered. She made to move but felt something on her middle. She looked down and noticed the girl from the abandoned city, using her belly as a make-shift pillow. This was not expected.

"You've been out of it for two days."

"Screw you," she retorted without even turning to see you had talked to her. Who else would it be with that voice?

"Ouch. This is how you repay the guy that spared your life?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" 18 said as she turned to look at Trunks, huddled in a corner. "Why the hell won't you kill me and just get it over with?"

Trunks stood from his position and walked to 18. "You know, I've been asking myself that very same question lately."

18 blinked at him. She had not expected such an open answer.

"I keep telling myself that you're this mindless demon that only thirsts for blood. For months I convinced myself that there was nothing to you but evil personified."

"Oh bite m-"

"But I was wrong."

18 stopped her tirade when she heard him. She just stared at Trunks, not sure what to say.

"Did you really mean it when you threatened my mother's life?"

"What does it m-"

"Just answer the question."

"... No, I didn't mean it... Are you happy now?"

Trunks looked over at the girl sleeping on 18's belly. "You saved her life."

"So what?!" 18 demanded.

"I'm not going to ask you why you did it or even your reasoning for saving mine all those months ago."

"And?" 18 prompted.

Trunks chose to change the subject. "She thinks you're her mother."

18 blanched, visibly surprised. "She what?"

"She thinks you're her mother, and won't listen to anyone who tells her otherwise."

18 stared hard at the demi-saiyan, then a gaze shifted to the little girl sleeping on her. For minutes 18 did nothing, but then, just as slowly, started stretching her hand.

Trunks' instinct to protect anyone against the android kicked in. He was a breath away from stopping whatever 18 was doing, but for some reason, he chose not to make a move and watch.

18's hand reached the little girl's head. It lingered for what felt like an eternity before slowly caressing the black locks.

"Her hair is dirty," the cyborg murmured as she continued to run her hand gently on the girl's bristles.

Trunks stopped trying to dissuade the picture in front of him. This was really 18, plain and simple.

He briefly wondered if pigs were flying somewhere.

"I'm not her mother," 18 said slowly, but she sounded... indecisive?

"No, you're not. Her real mother is dead." Trunks said.

18 stared at him with wide eyes. "How do you know that?"

"We asked her a few questions while you were out. We came to the conclusion through her explanation. She told us that she never really knew her mother, but the man that her mother send to protect her said that her mother died when she was a baby due to illness, and her father left before she was born... Blair didn't believe him and chose to stick to hope that she would see one, of not both her parents someday."

"Blair?" 18 asked.

Trunks nodded to the girl. "That's her."

18 looked at Blair while Trunks continued.

"She held on to a photo of her mother, since her father was never in her life."

Trunks took out the photo from his pocket. He drew nearer to 18 and handed it to her.

18 stared at the photo in shock. "I-I..."

"Scary, isn't it?" Trunks said from the side of the bed. "To think there was someone out there that looked so much like you."

18 was surprised with the similarities she had to the woman in the picture. But... This woman looked kind and innocent, with a beautiful smile for accentuation. Even if they shared a face, they weren't that much alike, were they?

18 didn't know what to make of the situation and was even more surprised with what Trunks said next.

"I want us to form a truce."

She looked at the Saiyan as if he grew a second head. "Have you been drinking?"

"If you meant drinking juice then yes, I've been drinking plenty." Trunks supplied. "My mom believes there is some good in you and out of the respect I have for her and the respect I have for Gohan's teachings, I'm opting for a truce."

18 processed his words and replied, "What are the conditions?"

"You never harm a human again and you'll help out whenever possible."

"Tch. Isn't that what I've been doing for the past few months?"

"I mean it, 18. In return, I will give you the space and time you want," Trunks replied.

She sighed. "Fine, I agree on a truce."

Trunks stretched his hand. "I don't think I can ever forgive you for killing my comrades."

"I don't think I can ever forgive you for killing my brother." She mimicked his movements.

They shook hands.

"I wonder how long it will be before we're at each other's throats again?"

Trunks shrugged. At least they could settle for temporary peace.

Their thoughts were interrupted by a yawn. They both stared as Blair opened her eyes and looked at 18.

"Blair," 18 said, more on experimentally trying the name out, but she realised too late that she said it out loud.

Blair's eyes lit up like a christmas tree and 18 felt something in her chest lurch at the sight.

What the hell was that?

18 decided not to focus on the feeling and keep her concentration on the girl. She was startled with what she saw.

As tears of joy streamed down her face, Blair stared at 18 with so much adoration and love that it stunned the android.

"Mommy," Blair whispered happily.

18's mouth hung open with no sound. She had originally planned to tell Blair the truth. But who would the child go to if she did?

Blair was basically alone with no one to care for her. Hell, she looked unhealthy now.

Should that be 18's problem though? She never liked humans due to her past. Why should this moment be any differen-

"I'm so happy," Blair screamed as she crushed 18 in a hug. "I was so worried, mommy!"

18 instinctively hugged back. She was surprised with herself. She would never give in to a human this easily. She should be throwing the girl off her. She was supposed to hate everything and everyone. So why...?

Trunks just stared at the interaction as if someone told him the dragon balls were back. He never would have thought that 18 allowed anyone to be close to her, but here it was, as clear as day.

That made him think though.

What did he really know about 18, aside the fact that she was the bane of humanity? What was 18 really like without all the anger and hurt? Should he even care? They made a truce, but should he go further than that?

Nope, he still didn't like her, and found her somewhat still unbearable to be near. He knew one thing for sure though, since 18 now had a 'daughter' that refused to leave - which the blonde didn't seem to be objective to - he was going to find his life much more irritating.

'I just knew letting her live would come to bite me in the ass.'

In a far distant area, near mountains, two figures floated in the air.

"Quite disappointing. This world holds little competition. We could just blast it to pieces."

"Patients. Dr Gero didn't design us to be impulsive."

"... Yes he did."

"... Okay, but not pig-headed. We'll find something worthwhile soon. Just be patient."

"Right... patient."


Author's Notes: Sorry guys, I kinda rushed it, but please let me know what you think.