I awoke to the feeling of someone caressing my cheek. I opened my eyes and found Frieza sitting next to me on the bed. His lips twisted in a smirk when he saw me open my eyes.

"Was my pet all tuckered out?" he taunted. I yawned and stretched my arms out, arching my back with a mewl. When I was done, I pushed my body into a sitting position and rubbed my eyes.

"I am afraid I will not be around much," he said. "I will be training while we are here."

"Training for what?" I asked sleepily.

"An upcoming battle," he replied. "You are free to roam the castle and surrounding lands at your leisure. But you are not to leave the palace without an escort."

"Is there anything to entertain myself?" I questioned.

"There is a library, gardens, a game room," Frieza listed off. "Outside the walls there are shows you can attend and shops. Anything you wish to purchase will be charged to the palace and as long as you do not go crazy, I can't see the harm in letting you buy trinkets and entertainment."

"Anything else I need to know about palace life?" I inquired, standing and smoothing down my dress.

"You are to behave," he told me. "Your behavior reflects on me. Act as though that means something to you. If I hear you have been misbehaving, you will be punished." I nodded.

"I'll make sure to be good," I sneered. "You'll be the only one I subject to my foul moods."

"Lucky me," he drawled. "Would you like a tour of the palace?"

"Sure," I said. "That would be nice." Frieza moved to the door, but I didn't follow him, struck with a sudden thought. He turned when he realized I wasn't following him and looked at me, a brow raised.

"Why me?" I asked. Frieza stared at me confused.

"Why you what, pet?" he inquired.

"Why make me your pet," I clarified.

"You amuse me," he said. "I find your company stimulating," he paused, his eyes trailing lewdly over my body, "in more ways than one."

"So you're not going to return me to earth?" I asked. He laughed.

"Oh no, pet," he replied in a low voice. "I'm afraid you will be here for awhile."

"And when you grow sick of me?" I demanded.

"As I said, if you behave, I will let you go home," he replied with a sinister grin.

"And if I don't behave?" I inquired.

"I may give you to one of my men, sell you into slavery or just dispose of you altogether."

"You're a monster," I spat.

"Now, now my dear," he cooed mockingly. "That is not nice. You may hurt my feelings."

"You would have to have feelings for me to wound them," I sneered. He chuckled.

"Oh, but I have many feelings," he said. I glared but he only grinned in return.

"Come," he said, beckoning me to him. "Let me show you the palace."

I followed him out of the room, letting him lead me down numerous halls, pointing out specific rooms I was allowed to enter. We stopped at the landing bay, Frieza giving it a brief introduction saying I had already seen it. I glanced in, seeing large round pods lining one of the walls. I pointed to them, looking at the Emperor.

"What are those?" I questioned.

"Single man ships," he replied. "They travel much faster than the large ships, but have few comforts."

"They don't look like ships," I pointed out. "They don't have anything to propel them."

"Of course they do," he replied. "You just don't see it." I shrugged and followed him to the next place. It was the last stop on our tour, the library. The guards pushed open the doors and I stared in awe. It was very grand, almost like something you would see in a movie. Two massive stories of floor to ceiling bookshelves split by a balcony that circled the entire second story. On the first floor was a massive fireplace that looked like it would have no trouble heating the entire room and a small seating area with a large sofa and several plush chairs surrounding a low table. For some reason, Frieza didn't seem to be the reading type to me, though if I were to have judged by the age of some of the tomes, he was not the one who procured them.

"You seem intrigued," he said, watching me as I skimmed along one of the shelves, reading what titles I could.

"I like to read," I said.

"Well, then I am sure I will find you in here many evenings," he drawled, but I could tell from the twitching corner of his lips that he was pleased, whether it was because I was happy or that he had something to show off that I appreciated, I couldn't say. He allowed me to linger for a moment more then told me it was late and dinner was waiting for us.

We left the library and went to the dinning hall where Kuriza was waiting for us. A small stool sat next to the seat at the head of the table and I didn't need to see Frieza's dark grin to know it was for me. I walked forward, dropping into it. It was about the size of the other chairs and was, in face, much more decorated. Kuriza smiled at me shyly, then looked at his father and bowed his head.

"Hello, Papa," he greeted.

"Son," Frieza returned with a nod of his head. He walked to the table, taking his seat and calling for the meal to begin. I looked as a simple stew was placed before me with a piece of what appeared to be bred and a glass of juice. I stared at it for a moment, confused about why it was different than the much richer meal presented to the two royals. As if sensing my confusion, Frieza reached over, stroking my cheek.

"Your meal was planned out by the doctor," he explained. "Your next few meals will be so until your stomach can better handle the food. Wouldn't want you getting sick again."

"Didn't know you cared," I said without thinking, picking up my spoon and stirring the thick broth.

"Of course I do," he replied, his fingers tucking an errant strand of hair back into the net I wore. "Although my pet was very sweet and clingy when she wasn't feeling well." I rolled my eyes and shrugged the comment off, knowing if I persisted our little back and forth would blow up in my face. I began eating, the plainer food sitting better with me than the other food had.

"So, are you glad to be home, Kuriza?" I asked. The little boy jumped when I addressed him, looking at me surprised.

"Yes," he said softly. "It's nice to finally see Papa."

"What are your plans now that you're here?" I inquired. "Gonna train, too?"

"No," he said. "I have studies."

"Sounds like fun," I said.

"Not really," he replied. I giggled.

"Yeah, school was never much fun for me either," I hummed. "Got any subjects you like?"

"History," he said.

"That was mine, too," I said with a grin. Frieza's eyes flitted between his son and I, his expression unreadable. He seemed to be listening intently, but I couldn't understand why. By his own admission he had little to do with his son, so why did he seem so interested in the small talk I made with the boy.

Our meal ended and we stood, moving to retreat from the room.

"Thank you for your company, Papa," Kuriza said, bowing to his father. "And you, Madam. Goodnight."

"Don't you want to be tucked in?" I asked. Kuriza jumped at the question, looking up at me with longing before casting cautious eyes to his father.

"Do not look at me," Frieza said. "She asked you. Tell her your desire."

"I would like that, yes," Kuriza said, so low I almost didn't hear him. I grinned and bent down, lifting the small child into my arms and walking to his room, his father in tow. I entered the room and moved to put him on the bed, but Frieza spoke up and stopped me.

"You may want to allow him to change out of his armor," he said. I looked down and nodded, gently tugging the flexible material over his head, taking a long sleep gown that was handed to me and slipping it over the boys head. I placed him in his bed, pulling the blankets up to his chin and bending down, dropping a kiss to his domed head. Kuriza smiled at me and snuggled into the bed, closing his eyes.

"Sweet dreams, Kuriza," I said softly, standing up. I heard him mutter something that sounded like;

"Sweet dreams, Mama." But couldn't be sure and didn't bother to ask him to repeat it. Frieza and I left the room, walking to the Emperor's own bedroom. He pushed me towards one of the side doors which turned out to be a dressing room. A servant waited for me, quickly taking off the dress and cleaning the makeup from my face. I was dressed in another long night gown and ushered back to the main room where Frieza waited for me, sitting on the sofa, his armor gone and a robe in it's place. He motioned for me to join him and I did, pouting.

"What's wrong, pet?" he asked, amused.

"I wanna sleep," I said. He chuckled as I sat down, putting his hand on my shoulder and pushing me so that I lay with my head in his lap. His fingers carded through my hair as he sipped his wine.

"There, you can sleep now," he said.

"I don't trust you," I deadpanned. He chuckled.

"Oh, pet, you wound me," he teased.

"Lies," I yawned. "Big fat dirty lies. I couldn't wound you if I tried to poison you."

"Hmmm, well, you're not wrong," he chuckled. "But I will behave myself. It's no fun unless you're fully awake." I nodded and allowed my eyes to drift closed, soothed by the gentle caress to my hair.

"Tell me something, pet," he said in a low voice.

"Hmmm?" I hummed, not bothering to move, soothed by the gentle caress to my hair.

"Why do you seem so interested in my son?" he asked. I paused. I knew this was a touchy subject and I would have to tread carefully. The tyrant may indulge my attitude most of the time, but he had made it very clear where my lines lay.

"I like kids," I said simply.

"It's not only that," he pointed out. Damn. He couldn't have just left it at that. I was full and tired and wanted nothing more than to drift off to sleep while he gave me a spine tingling scalp massage.

"Maybe I feel bad for him," I said. "It can't be easy not having a father and having a mother who has no interest in you."

"You wish to be his mother?" he inquired in a surprised tone. All thoughts of sleep flew from my mind and I shot up, the back of my head almost hitting Frieza in the face if he hadn't moved as quickly as he did. I looked at him, our faces inches apart as I propped myself up with my hands on his thighs.

"What? No!" I cried. "That would mean...No! Just no!"

"That would mean what?" he asked.

"That would mean, like, marrying you, right?" I asked, wrinkling my nose. "Ew!"

"Thank you, pet," he snapped in a dark tone, casting me a dirty look.

"Well, I don't want to be your wife!" I said. "I don't even want to be your pet, I certainly don't want to marry you!"

"I will have you know scores of women would be happy to be presented with such a prospect," he told me with a sneer. I stared at him for a long moment before I burst out laughing. I couldn't help myself. It was the exact same exchange we had had when I first met him, only now it was reversed. I collapsed on his legs, unable to remain upright as I fell into peels of laughter. He stared at me, confused while I pointed at him and tried to gasp out just why I was in hysterics.

"Well, the dress suits you," I managed to gasp out. "Maybe I spoke too soon." His eyes went wide before he quickly turned his head, pressing his lips into a thin line. His shoulders shook and his eyes clenched as he tried to hold it in but it was no use. He burst out laughing, deep gasps that I had never heard from him before. He tossed his head back and howled with laughter, leaning back against the couch. We stayed like that for a while, laughing hysterically over our inside joke while I lay collapsed across his legs and he pressed back into the couch. Finally we were able to calm ourselves and catch out breath. I rolled over so I was on my back and grinned up at him. He looked down at me, his lips twisting into a smile as well.

"That was funny," I said.

"Indeed," he replied with a chuckle. "I cannot remember the last time I laughed that hard." I reached up, cupping his cheek in my hand.

"Are you quite the stud?" I teased. He smirked and grabbed my wrist, leaning down and trailing his tongue along my lower lips.

"Perhaps I am," he purred. "Would you care to find out?" I pulled back, letting my eyes trail over him like I was considering the offer.

"Meh," I said with a shrug. He gave a soft laugh and dropped my hand.

"Come, let us go to bed," he said.


DHMB: Next time on 'Changing'

"Tell me something, son," Frieza spoke up, startling us both. He had been so quiet that I had forgotten he was there. Kuriza looked to his father, his hand coming up to twist in my gown.

"Yes, Papa?" he asked, nervously.

"My pet, you are very attached to her, yes?" he asked. Kuriza hesitated.

"Y-Yes, Papa," he stammered.

Posted two chapters because the first one was kind of short. I'm nice like that, ne? Anyway, Reviews make me update! And if you want to be informed of updates, just hit the little 'follow' button. FF sends it to your e-mail I think.