Chapter 4: Recovery

Vegeta let out a shaky grunt as he rolled onto his back and off of his son. He had to take just a moment to catch his breath after the ordeal. The moment was very short lived as his fatherly instincts couldn't let him rest without knowing his son had survived.

"Trunks," Vegeta turned his head, opening his eyes.

The eleven-yr old lay limp and somewhat flushed, his eyes closed and head turned in the direction of his father. Vegeta's heart began racing so fast he felt light-headed. Ignoring whatever pain that wasn't dulled by his body's natural pain-killing methods, Vegeta pushed himself into as close to a sitting position as possible so he could have a better look. There were no gapping wounds or excessively bleeding areas that he could see, but also no sign of movement.

Vegeta blinked a few times, fighting back tears. He absolutely refused to let them out. Nobody was to see him in such a state. "Trunks…," he repeated, barely above a whisper. He took a quick breath, hesitating, before placing his hand on his son's cheek. He wasn't sure he'd ever in the boy's life had the courage to touch his face, but something inside of him seemed to be dictating his actions and telling him the touch would let him know if his son was still alive.

Trunks twitched the slightest bit, letting out a very shallow and shaky breath that was so faint Vegeta had to think twice about whether he'd really heard it. Letting out a breath that almost sounded startled, Vegeta quickly removed his hand and watched, his eyes wide. He was alive. That much he knew. How badly he'd been injured was yet to be determined. Even the question of whether he'd survive in the end lingered in the corner of his mind. But for now one thing was sure. He was alive. Vegeta fell back to the ground, his energy drained. For one more moment he looked at his son from there on the ground beside him, then his vision went black.

X X X X X X X X X X

Bulma was right in the midst of explaining something about radio waves went Gohan sensed a surge in Trunks' power. His head snapped up in bewilderment and he couldn't keep from muttering with confusion. "Trunks?"

Bulma looked up, unalarmed. "What? Did you say something about Trunks? What about him?"

Gohan concentrated on what he'd felt and his eyes widened. "Oh no," he didn't speak loudly. It was more a tone of irritated disapointment.

"Gohan…what's going on?" Bulma asked and then her eyes widened. "He left! He left and followed his father didn't he?!" her tone was angered as she realized the obviousness of the situation. How could she be so stupid? She'd been so excited to help Gohan with his science project that she's ignored it! He'd been moping all afternoon about being left behind and he wanted so much to impress Vegeta lately. Nap indeed! What eleven-year old took a nap no matter how tired he was?!

"I think I'd better go help them out," Gohan started toward the door.

"Wait a minute," Bulma stopped him. "That's my son out there. Tell me what's going on," her eyes widened, "He hasn't gotten hurt has he?"

"Not yet, but I'm afraid he will if I don't go now."

"Oh no you don't! Not without me!" Bulma protested.

"Bulma, I don't think that's a very good idea," Gohan's apprehension grew.

"Now you look here!" Bulma yelled. "That's my son out there! If you try to leave me behind I promise you'll regret it!"

"But Bulma," Gohan's voice was shaky. She was so obnoxious! "It's not safe enough for you and besides that, Bulla needs you here."

"My parents are perfectly capable of looking after her. She'll be fine."

Gohan scratched his head nervously and smiled as he sweat-dropped. He couldn't take her. His father would lecture him about it later and Vegeta would kill him. On the other hand he didn't really want Bulma's wrath either. She may not have had the strength to hurt him physically, but, like his own mother, Bulma had other ways to make his life miserable.

"If I take you with me you have to promise to stay out of the fight no matter what, ok? And don't let yourself be seen."

"I just want to see that Trunks is ok, now let's get moving," Bulma tactfully avoided making any promises.

"Something tells me I'm going to regret this," Gohan followed Bulma out of the room.

X X X X X X X X X X

"Vegeta," Vegeta slowly opened his eyes to see Goku standing over him. "Are you alright?"

"Trunks," Vegeta's voice was strained.

"He's alive," Goku didn't change his line of vision at all. "Are you hurt?"

Vegeta ignored him and ignored the pain as he turned his head to see his son. He looked exactly the same as what Vegeta had last seen. It wasn't a comforting picture.

"We've got to get you two to Dende. He can heal you," Goku gave up trying to get the stubborn prince to answer any questions and knealt down to lift him instead.

"Kakarot, don't touch me!" Vegeta irritably yelled, though he was too weak for it to be very forcefully. "I'll be fine on my own! Take Trunks to Dende."

"Vegeta, you're hurt too, just look at yourself."

Vegeta grunted as he pushed himself to a sitting position with much effort. "Stop arguing and take him!"

Goku didn't move.

"Don't just stand there, Kakarot, get moving! Hurry!" Vegeta was getting down-right angry. Trunks needed help immediately and that clown was lingering, letting him die!

The fear in Vegeta's voice didn't escape his fellow sayain. They both knew Trunks was in bad shape. What Vegeta didn't know was that he wasn't much better off and Goku didn't know that he wanted to leave him out there like that.

"GO! GO, you stupid oaf!" Vegeta clenched his fist, screaming as best he could before letting out a few coughs.

Goku sighed and lifted Trunks into his arms. "I'll be back for you."

"I'll be so pleasantly awaiting your return," Vegeta glared in the direction of Goku's retreating form, with sarcasm dripping off his tongue.

Vegeta was still attempting, through worlds of pain, to get on his feet when Gohan showed up. "Oh perfect," he muttered.

"Vegeta! You're hurt!" Bulma ran to his side with concern.

"Bulma?!" Vegeta's eyes widened with surprise and annoyance. "What are you doing here?!"

"Making sure Trunks is ok, of course!" she began looking around with worry. "Where is he?"

Vegeta clenched his fists and growled. Not only had the kid nearly gotten himself killed, but had his mother come any earlier in her search for him, she may very well have gotten killed too! If that arrogant delinqant survived this, Vegeta would teach him a thing or two about obedience! Again he coughed, having gotten himself worked up again. His chest felt incredibly heavy.

"You don't look so good, Vegeta," Gohan observed.

"I'm fine!" Vegeta shot a short glare.

"Vegeta, you never answered my question," Bulma cut in. "Where's Trunks!" she demanded.

"Kakarot took him to the lookout so Dende could heal him!" Vegeta spat. He didn't want to tell her, nor did he want to think about it himself.

"Oh no!" Bulma's eyes widened and water began to collect in the rims. "My baby is hurt."

Vegeta only grew angrier. She couldn't cry! That was one thing too much for him to take! "Don't you dare start bawling! He'll be fine!" his eyes were intense trying to believe his own words.

"We need to get you to the lookout too," Gohan approached.

"I'll make my own way there!" Vegeta protested, but Gohan ignored him and tossed him over his shoulder anyway. Vegeta grunted angrily, though it was partly over the pain of being jostled.

"Wait, you're not going to leave me here…?!" Bulma complained as Goahn took to the sky.

"I'll be back for you in a few minutes, Bulma, I promise!" Gohan called.

"Ah! Gohan! You put me down this instant!" Vegeta ordered.

The prince was still spouting threats when Gohan landed on the lookout and set him down. Goku was just walking out and was surprised to see his son there.

"Gohan? Oh good, you brought Vegeta," he noticed, turning to the green teenager behind him. "Here he is, Dende."

"Where's Trunks?" Vegeta asked with irritation.

"He's inside resting. Dende healed his injuries, but he hasn't waken yet," Goku answered.

"You don't look too well either, I see," Dende approached.

"Just get it over with," Vegeta scowled, folding his arms and staring forward.

Dende stretched his hands over him and began the healing process. Vegeta could feel the pain leaving his aching limbs.

"I suppose I'd better retrieve Bulma now," Gohan was nervous. She was sure to be annoyed with him.

"You brought Bulma?" Goku's eyes widened a little.

"I had to, dad, she insisted!" Gohan defended. "If I hadn't brought her she would have followed on her on and I thought that would be even more dangerous."

Goku sighed with disapproval, though he understood. Bulma was tough to argue with. After Gohan left he turned to see that Vegeta was half way across the patio and headed to the house. "Hey, wait up!" Goku called, jogging to catch up.

"Butt out, Kakarot, this is family business," Vegeta didn't turn.

Goku stopped, eyes a little wide and let the prince retreat into the house alone. He felt a little sorry for Trunks. A little. Vegeta was likely to be pretty harsh, but Goku did agree he deserved punishment for this one.

Vegeta opened the door to the large room where Trunks lay, apparently sleeping. He stood just to the left of the door, crossing his arms as he watched with a frown. There were so many mixed emotions and questions swimming around beneath his stoic expression. The fear he'd felt for his son's life was still very fresh. What could possess him to think he had any chance against this enemy? Was he truly that naive about his own limits in strength? Trunks had generally been obedient in the past too. Why such a drastic change in this, of all, situations?

The worst question caused Vegeta to bow his head slightly and sigh heavily, closing his eyes as a wave of pain washed over him. What would have happened if he'd been killed? He would have to be wished back with the dragon balls that was all there was to it! Vegeta didn't want to think any further than that. There was no way of denying how strongly he cared for the child. He'd tried to bury the feeling from the time he was born, but it was a lost battle. He'd pretty well given it up inside himself when they'd fought Majin Buu. On the outside he maintained his emotionless front.

His eyes snapped open when he heard Trunks stir and his eyes flutter open. Although his frown and furrowed eyebrows were firmly set on his face, seeing those youthful blue eyes made Vegeta feel a small surge of love and relief. Trunks blinked a couple of times and then his eyes began scouring his surroundings. Moments later he spotted his father and a brief expression of fear passed through him. Vegeta didn't move a muscle, but the expression hadn't gone unnoticed by him. The kid had every reason to fear what was coming to him.

"Dad," the word escaped Trunks' lips.

"Son," Vegeta's words came out in a very calm, intimidating tone.

Trunks drew in a silent breath and tensed. He knew he was going to be in big trouble.

"Trunks?!" Bulma burst through the door with worry.

Both father and son's eyes darted to the excitable woman, who, upon seeing her child, ran to the bed and grabbed him in a tight hug.

"Oh Trunks! I'm so glad you're ok! You are ok, aren't you?" she pulled away and began examining him with concern.

Trunks cheeks turned pink with embarrassment. "I'm fine mom."

"Oh, my baby!" she grabbed him again.

Trunks hated being fondled so. It was humiliating and the color in his face deepened.

"How could you?!" Bulma suddenly let go and slapped her son upside the head.

"Ow! Mom!" Trunks was surprised as he grabbed his head.

"You know better than to disobey like that! You could have gotten yourself killed!" tears began to well in Bulma's eyes.

Trunks looked down, his eyes furrowing with irritation. He wasn't a weakling! Why were they being so overprotective?!

"Enough of this," Vegeta spoke. His eyes remained hard as he looked at Trunks. "You and I have a few things to discuss, son."

Trunks eyes widened a little and he let out a nervous breath, turning to his mother.

"You won't be getting any support from me, young man. I'm fully behind your father on this one," Bulma's expression was hard too.

Trunks fear grew a little and he air supply showed it as he looked back to his father once again. He looked far more intimidating and strong now than he had earlier in the day.