A/N: Hello, people! Recognise me ;)?! Lol I'm back! Everything is back on track and life is better than ever XD! So, I can finally get around to posting the rest of this story! Woohoo! This chapter here actually wasn't a part of the original fic I wrote. In fact, I came up with it about a week or two ago XD. I know this one is a bit of a filler really but I hope you can forgive me :)! I have been away, after all ^-^.

Before I let you guys get on and read this, I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you to everybody who reviewed with words of sympathy and sent me lovely PM's. It was really overwhelming to recieve that level of support, so thank you very much everyone :). Also, while I'm here, I'd like to give a shout out to one of my best friends, Kaylee. You really helped me out back there, my friend ^-^. Thank you so so SO much for being incredibly awesome, sis ;) XD, even when I skive P.E lol!

Right, enough of all the sap XD! Enjoy!

Trading Places

"Sorry, we haven't been in to visit him yet, Bulma. Gohan and Chi-Chi have just gotten over colds and we didn't wanna pass it on to Trunks," Goku apologised, nursing his newly-bandaged wrist.

"It's fine, Goku," Bulma replied, with a tired smile. She returned her gaze to her son.

An uncomfortable silence filled the air. Bulma sighed quietly, thinking of her husband. She couldn't believe Vegeta had gone on a rampage like that. He was in a private room right now, recovering from a heavy dose of sedative. When he'd woken up in the middle of the doctor resetting Goku's wrist, it hadn't been pretty. Bulma had had to ask for him to be sedated.

Mind you, she thought. If I had his kind of power, I might just wanna kill someone right now, too. She sighed again. Goku laughed nervously.

"Bulma, do you think I could borrow the Dragon Radar? I know now isn't the best time to ask but...all those people..." Goku's voice trailed off.

"Sure, Goku. If you go to my house, my Dad knows where it is," Bulma said, eyes never leaving her son's flushed face.

"Thanks. I'll come back when I'm done, okay?" Goku put his good hand on his oldest friend's shoulder. She just nodded. Goku put two fingers to his forehead and vanished as he used Instant Transmission to get to Capsule Corp.

Bulma laid a hand on Trunks' forehead and realised it was quite warm and sweaty. She picked up a damp flannel that had been resting in a bowl of water off of his bedside table and gently wiped it across his forehead. She dunked it back into the water, letting it soak up some of the moisture and repeated her mantra. She wished she could do more for Trunks but this was all the nurses would let her do.

The door clicked behind her and she jumped, looking back over her shoulder to see who it was. It was the flame-haired Prince. She eyed him nervously. Was he over his 'funny five minutes' yet? He glanced at her and took a seat in the corner of the room. Bulma licked her lips, suddenly wondering what she should say.

"Feel any better?" she asked, in a small voice.

He nodded. "You must have been worried. I-I'm sorry," he said, his voice equally small as he tried to swallow his pride and apologise to his mate.

Bulma looked away and back at Trunks.

"S'okay," she whispered, knowing full well his Saiyan ears could hear that he was forgiven. Actually, she'd never been mad at him in the first place.

"You got over that sedative fast," Bulma noted. Vegeta just shrugged in a manner that clearly said Saiyan thing.

"What was wrong with him? You know, before I..." Vegeta struggled for the right word to describe his killing spree. "...left?"

"It was a reaction to the antibiotics, the doctor said. I don't remember it all. Something about blood pressure and stabilising his heart," Bulma replied, uncharacteristically taking in less information than she normally would concerning Trunks' well-being.

Vegeta looked down at the tiled floor. Bulma got up suddenly.

"I need to get home. Mom and Dad are bringing Bra to visit later and I wanted to make sure she's fully prepared. I'll probably bring them just after Bra's had her dinner. You mind taking over?" Bulma asked, gesturing to the flannel and bowl of water.

Vegeta nodded and took Bulma's seat. She squeezed his arm and left, shutting the door behind her. Vegeta picked up the flannel and continued where Bulma had left off. Trunks' closed eyes narrowed and the heart monitor quickened briefly as he silently fought the pain in his coma.

Vegeta could feel a lump form in his throat. With a gentleness he doubted he'd ever exercised before, he stroked the flannel across Trunks' forehead, mindful of the lavender strands. He remembered the day Trunks had been born. He hadn't been there by choice, but Bulma had needed him to get her to the hospital when the car wouldn't start.

It had been quite a cold day, considering it was Spring, and Vegeta could still remember his shock as his mother-in-law took him by surprise and handed him a newborn Trunks. He could even remember the little fluffy white hat that Trunks was wearing which hospital had provided. It had looked ridiculous and Vegeta had pulled it off in irritation. The mess of fluffy purple hair that had spilled out underneath had almost made him laugh and cry. He refused to be proud, though. He would not be weakened by foolish emotion for the pitiful human female and the weak half-breed.

Vegeta smiled to himself. Fool, he thought. Trunks' head twitched briefly, eyes still narrowed. Vegeta cautiously raised a hand and stroked his son's cheek. He hadn't realised he'd been welling up until an unruly sob escaped from his mouth and tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Please, my son. I'm sorry for...for what I did, what I said. Please, get better. For your mother...for me," he whispered. Then, the hard-hearted Saiyan Prince collapsed his head in his hands and wept profusely, unseen by anyone, by his son's bed.

-

Dr. Druck peered round the door of Trunks' private room in the ICU. He had been residing there for a little over two weeks now, thanks to numerous allergic reactions to various medications. Saiyan blood was a master at healing but Dr. Druck had no idea how it could also be so delicate to work with. The fact that Trunks' blood was mixed with that of a human's didn't really help the situation either.

Shaking his head, the doctor was thankful that they'd finally found a medication Trunks wasn't allergic to. He wasn't sure they hospital could cope with the casualties if the boy's volatile father freaked out like he had the first time Trunks had suffered an allergic reaction.

Tapping the door, Trunks' parents looked up sleepily. They were both still rather tired after numerous sleepless nights watching over their son and making sure he didn't have any more allergic reactions but Dr. Druck could see that the dark circles were starting to fade from beneath their eyes.

"Mr. and Mrs. Briefs," the doctor whispered quietly. It was still quite early. "A colleague of mine has a bed available in the Coma Ward. Since Trunks hasn't had an allergic reaction in over five days, we thought it might be better for him to move up there and make this room available to other patients."

When they didn't look convinced, Dr. Druck tried again. "If Trunks is moved to the Coma Ward, he'll be treated by more knowledgeable doctors than myself. Neurosurgeons, in fact," the doctor informed them. When Bulma's eyes glinted, Dr. Druck knew he had them.

"It is clear my limited knowledge of the human brain is not enough to treat your son. We were hoping that the doctors up there might prove more effective in his recovery," Dr. Druck finished, hopefully.

Vegeta growled and stood up, his fist raised at the doctor. "If you are so useless and are not able to look after my son properly, then why is he still here?!" Vegeta demanded. "Why haven't you and your team of idiots moved him up there sooner?!"

The doctor backed off and raised his hands slightly, irritated when he heard the giggling of some of the nurses behind who were watching the scene unfold. It wasn't often that the serious and stern Dr. Druck was met with someone he couldn't defy.

Bulma stood up and placed a hand on her husband's chest and took over. Vegeta stiffened slightly but he pulled his fist down and settled for crossing his arms and glaring instead.

"Will they know about his Saiyan heritage?" Bulma asked the nervous doctor. He nodded.

"Of course, they will be informed at your permission. You can count on Dr. Evers to give Trunks the best care in the hospital," Dr. Druck promised.

Bulma looked sceptical. "I don't suppose this saintly doctor will keep my family's secret for free, will he?" Bulma asked.

Now, Dr. Druck looked awkward. "Of course, a small donation on your part may be required," he stammered.

Bulma rolled her eyes and Vegeta hissed, terrifying Dr. Druck even further. "Your species sickens me," Vegeta spat and Bulma prodded his chest angrily.

"Hey! Your wife belongs to that species, bud!" she reminded him. Vegeta rolled his eyes and smirked.

"Your point?" he asked. Bulma squealed in frustration and tried to reach up and swat him around the ear. Vegeta caught her wrists and held himself away from her. Eventually, Bulma gave up struggling and settled on blowing a raspberry and wriggling free. Vegeta rolled his eyes again and found himself unable to take his eyes off his wife.

Dr. Druck watched the scene unfold in wonder. He had to admit, for all the formidability that man held, he sure loved his family.

"How much?" Bulma asked suddenly, turning back to Dr. Druck.

"Well, let's just discuss that when we get there, hmmm?" the doctor offered. Bulma nodded, unhappy that people no longer did things 'out of the goodness of their hearts', but willing to pay any sum to have her baby open his eyes again.

"The Coma Ward is in the East of the hospital. I hope to be able to move him directly. If you wouldn't mind spending some time in the Family Room or even visiting home for a couple of hours…" the doctor's voice trailed off. "This process could take a while."

Vegeta grunted and Bulma nodded. "Kami! I can't believe I forgot!" she cried suddenly, clamping her hands over her mouth in shock. Rushing to her son's bed, she kissed him on the nose quickly and brushed his hair out of his eyes. "We'll be back later, sweetheart. I promise."

Taking Vegeta's hand, she gestured for Dr. Druck to begin Trunks' relocation and dashed out of the room, dragging Vegeta out behind her. "Where are we going, woman?" he asked her, confused at her sudden energy.

"We're going shopping and then we have to pick up my parents and Bra," Bulma replied. Vegeta winced slightly and wondered what was so important that they'd require the help of her – he shuddered - parents.

He must have said it out loud, because Bulma replied, "It's Trunks' birthday!" and Vegeta's eyes widened at the realisation. He'd completely lost track of the dates since Trunks' admission to West City Hospital and had forgotten that today was the 1st of May.

Trunks was fifteen years old today.

Fifteen was a pretty significant age in the Saiyan calendar. There was so much Vegeta and Trunks had to share on this occasion but Trunks wasn't even conscious for it.

Vegeta's eyes dropped to the ground, watching the tiles zoom underfoot as he and his mate walked briskly out of the hospital. His chest felt heavy and he gripped Bulma's hand a little tighter. Bulma paused and turned back to look at him, chewing on her lip, an unreadable expression shining in her blue eyes.

"I know," she whispered, softly, leaning forward to rest her head on his shoulder. "I wish he was with us to share it too."

Vegeta touched her arm in recognition and the pair fell into step again, moving a little distance from the hospital before Vegeta swept Bulma into his arms and flew upwards, heading for Capsule Corp.

Gritting his teeth determinedly and clutching his wife tighter, Vegeta picked up the pace.

No matter whether Trunks was awake or not, today had to be his best birthday ever.

-

A/N: Phew! Hope that wasn't too bad a comeback XD! I know it's a bit of a boring one but the next chapter will be better! Okay, so I admit, I haven't actually written the next chapter yet XD. It's not often I go back to stories I've already written and find stuff to add but this is an exception. Therefore, if anyone has any suggestions for the next one, I'm all ears! Or eyes lol XD! Just PM me or let me know in a review, okay?

And one last thing - I kept my side of the deal, Kaylee, now it's YOUR turn to update ;) XD!

Speak soon, people!

Love Racy

-x-