Disclaimer: Don't own DBZ, characters, places or any related indicia.

Chapter 10: One Last

Goku gave a moan of pain as his wife tightened her death grip on his hand. Goku bit his lip to keep from complaining. His memories took him back to the birth of his first child. So much had changed since then, but here he was again, at his wife's side as she brought their second child into the world. He kissed her on the forehead as the contraction finished and she gasped for breath.

"OK, last one Mrs. Son. This should do it," the doctor told her. Chichi gave a yell of pain and, suddenly, a piercing cry filled the air. Tears rolled down Chichi's face as the doctor hander her their son.

"Look, Goku. He looks exactly like you." It was true. Even now, as a newborn, they could see that their son was already developing his father's characteristic unruly hair. Chichi handed the baby to Goku, who looked down at his son in adoration.

"Goten," he whispered. All of a sudden people began filing into the room. Krillin and 18, who hadn't been there for the birth of Gohan, and Vegeta and Sarah. During the last few months of her pregnancy, Chichi and Sarah had become very close. Sarah had no children of her own. They quite often joked that, with her beanpole model figure which even pencils envied, carrying a baby would split her in half. But nonetheless she enjoyed spending time with Gohan and was thoroughly excited for Chichi. She had almost, in a sense, taken the role Bulma had played.

Sarah and even 18 cooed over the baby for a while, while Krillin and Vegeta congratulated Goku then stood back. Sarah kissed Chichi on the forehead, smiling beautifully.

"Congratulations, Chichi and Goku. He's beautiful. You guys should be so proud." Chichi and Goku smiled their thanks.

Vegeta watched the scene before him. He'd never decided he would have children, but he'd never dismissed it either. Sarah would make a good mother, if she survived the pregnancy. She loved children but had never 'met the man' to settle down with.

Vegeta and Sarah had had a huge fight about how he had treated her at 18's and Krillin's wedding, but they'd sorted it out since then and were better for it now. It had been Chichi that had asked Sarah to be there for Goten's birth and that had made Vegeta feel a lot better about choosing her as his girlfriend.

He had also been surprised not to see his ex there. Despite their damaged relationship and the fact that Bulma hadn't been there for he friends' wedding, he had not even considered the prospect that Bulma would miss her godson's birth. Yes, her godson. And his. He didn't know if Bulma knew, but just before Goten's birth, Goku had asked him to be godfather to both of his sons. Bulma had agreed to be godmother to all of the Sons' children before Gohan had even been born. Vegeta hadn't realized that. But even now, looking at Kakkarot and his child, Vegeta felt a little pride. He wondered if Bulma had felt this way when Gohan was born. And he wondered is she even knew that she had just become a godmother for the second time…

"Welcome home, hon," Goku sighed as he and Chichi walked through the door of Capsule Corporation for the first time since Chichi had gone to hospital. Chichi smiled, the newborn baby in her arms. The house was empty. Gohan, who had spent the duration of his mother's hospital stay at a friend's place, was out with 18 and Krillin buying dinner for everyone. Goten made gurgling noises as his parents sat down on the couch together. Chichi looked up at Goku.

"Thankyou," she said quietly. Goku looked back at her.

"For what?" he asked.

"For my children. For always being there for me, for sticking by me, for loving me." Goku smiled back at her.

"Thankyou, Chi." Goku kissed her and then his baby on the forehead. "For everything." The moment was broken as the front door burst open and Gohan bowled into the room at 100 miles an hour.

"Goten!" he yelled upon spotting the baby. The four year old bolted towards his new brother as 18 and Krillin stumbled in, laden down with pizza. Gohan watched his little brother incredulously.

"He's, little!" Gohan said in awe. His parents laughed and helped the kid to hold his brother. Goku turned around and spotted the pizza.

"Dinner!" he yelled excitedly.18 and Krillin laughed.

"Ever predictable Goku," Krillin said with a grin. The four of them settled on the ground around the pizza as Chichi took Goten upstairs to put him into bed.

Bulma looked up in surprise as the phone started ringing. Normally, she wasn't allowed to answer the phone. But Chris wasn't home so she supposed this time wouldn't matter. She picked up the receiver.

"Hello, Bulma speaking."

"Bulma! Hey it's Goku!" Bulma felt tears well in her eyes.

"Goku," she whispered weakly. Finally, a chance to tlak to her friends without Chris breathing down her neck.

"How are you?" Goku asked. Bulma swallowed, trying to gather herself.

"Good. Good. What about you, Chi and Gohan?"

"We're all fine. Celebrating our newest family member. That's kind of what I wanted to call and say. Goten was born two nights ago. Congrats, B, you're a godmother again." More tears filled Bulma's eyes, and for the first time in ages, spilled over her eyelids and rolled down her cheeks. Her best friends had had a baby. She hadn't even been there for them. She'd known Chichi since primary school and her and Goku's parents had met when their mothers were in hospital.

"Oh Goku! I'm so sorry! I had no idea! I feel so awful. I should have been there. That's awesome for you and Chichi! How is he? Healthy?" Bulma felt more life at the thought of the Sons' baby than she had felt in more than a year.

"He's fine. Healthy and everything. Chichi always has quick pregnancies, she's lucky like that. We got home yesterday. He looks just like me." Bulma felt more tears. Perfect, she thought, that Goku had finally got the child that was the spitting image of him. It was just fitting. More tears ran down Bulma's face.

"So there were people there with you? In the hospital? You guys weren't alone?" Bulma asked.

"Nah," Goku said. "Krillin and 18 were there and Vegeta and Sarah." Bulma felt her heart skip about ten beats.

"Sarah?" she asked, in what she hoped was a curious voice.

"Oh, didn't you know?" Goku suddenly became very awkward. "Erm, sorry Bulma. I didn't think I'd have to be the one to tell you this. But you couldn't expect Vegeta to wait around forever. You turned him down and hurt him pretty harshly Bulma. He can only stand so much."

"His girlfriend?" Silence on both ends.

"Yeah, B. His girlfriend." Bulma swallowed. That had been the model-like girl she'd seen Vegeta with in the dairy that day. But Bulma could feel no anger towards Vegeta. Absolutely none of this was his fault. None at all.

"Don't worry, Goku. I moved on. It's only right that Vegeta does the same," she told her friend, trying hard to hide the fact that her heart was shattering. She wondered if this was how Vegeta had felt when she'd finished it with him that day at the soccer game.

"I'm glad you see it that way, B. Vegeta's done nothing wrong."

"I know."

"Anyway, Chichi wanted me to ring and invite you to the baby shower slash mid year BBQ," Goku laughed. Bulma smiled slightly.

"When?"

"Next Saturday. At Capsule Corp." For a moment Bulma was struck by the irony that she was receiving an invitation to her own house, but it quickly passed.

"I'll just check the calendar." The conversation with Goku had revitalized Bulma so quickly that already she was forming in her head a way to get to Capsule Corp that night, without tipping Chris off. She checked the date. Chris was out of town on a promo tour. Warm, glorious relief washed over Bulma, the first good feeling she could remember since living with Chris.

"Alright," Bulma said to Goku. "I'll be there."

Vegeta sat at the beach, supporting himself with his hands as he leant backwards. Sarah sat between the V formed by his legs, her head resting back on his stomach. The dull roar of the sea and crashing waves was the only noise, aside from the seemingly distant rumble of city life behind them.

"Do you think about Bulma often?" Sarah asked him. Vegeta stiffened, not knowing how to answer. He decided honesty was his best bet.

"All the time."

"Do you miss her?" Sarah asked. Vegeta growled, brow furrowing. Both of them knew that his personal life was his own story. He wasn't very open to sharing it. "Please, just answer this for me, Vegeta."

"Sometimes. Rarely," he grunted, making it clear the conversation was closed.

"Do you wish it had worked?" Vegeta flinched and started to stand up, withdrawing the physical contact. "Wait," Sarah said, turning around to face him. She'd dyed her hair lately. Now it was dark brown, almost black, a strong contrast to her snow white skin, but she was still beautiful. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm sorry." Vegeta stood anyway, walking down the beach. Sarah jogged to catch up with him.

"What do you want," he snarled viciously, beginning to walk faster.

"I want to talk to you, that's what I want."

"Well I don't want to talk to you."

"Why do you hate people so much? The world's not against you, Vegeta."

"You want to bet on that?" he snapped back.

"Just calm down Vegeta."

"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!" he yelled. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH! JUST LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE." Sarah looked at him, annoyed. A culmination of emotions were pooling somewhere in his soul. He looked confused. But overriding all of that was the anger that he'd just let forth.

"Fine," she said sadly and turned, walking back up the beach to where their dogs were playing in the waves.

Vegeta didn't turn to look back. He stripped off his shirt and down into his boxers. Vegeta sprinted the width of the beach, crashing into the water. It was about 4.00 in the afternoon but the beach was pretty deserted.

It was six years to the day since he'd left for Police College. Six years since he'd made the biggest mistake of his life.

"I'm open!" Krillin yelled, waving his arms like a maniac as Goku dribbled the ball across the backyard of Capsule Corp. He ducked in behind a tree, passed it up to Krillin who sent it up to Vegeta. Vegeta headed straight to the goal, changing legs as he did so. Sarah was standing in between the goal (two plant pots) and looking thoroughly terrified. Vegeta smirked as he ran at her, kicking the ball hard into the goal. Sarah screamed and it missed her by millimeters, scoring the boys a point. Sarah threw her arms up in resignation. Vegeta grinned cockily and headed over to Krillin and Goku, who high-fived him. The game started again, with the girls kicking off. 18 tried to pass it off to Chichi, but Goku intercepted. He took it up the field, the rest of them in pursuit.

Suddenly, as if in slow motion, Goku seemed to stumble, and hit the ground hard. The others started laughing, but it became awkward when Goku didn't move. Vegeta and Chichi walked over to him and Vegeta knelt, rolling his friend over. Goku gave a gasp of pain, wincing. Vegeta frowned.

"What's wrong, Kakkarot?" he asked concernedly.

"Think… winded," came Goku's gasping reply.

"Lie still, Kakkarot." Vegeta had been winded enough times in his life to know exactly what Goku was going through. But it'd pass.

Eventually, the pain subsided and Goku sat up. The others looked at him in concern. He laughed.

"Don't worry. I think I accidentally stood on the ball," he laughed, scratching the back of his head guiltily. Everyone rolled their eyes, laughing, and headed over to the table.

Vegeta, Goku and Krillin set about getting the barbecue started and the girls sat down at the table. Goten was sitting in a baby seat on the ground next to the picnic table Chichi rocked him absent-mindedly, looking around for Gohan. She spotted him on the swing, talking to his imaginary friend. The week before he'd hired "Dino-saucers" from the video shop to keep him entertained while Chichi settled Goten. He'd discovered a fascination for dinosaurs and, after watching "Dine-saucers", had informed Chichi that he'd made a new friend. Curious, Chichi had asked who. Her four year-old son had gone on to inform her that it was a blue and purple flying dinosaur he'd named "Ikarus".

"I thought you said Bulma was coming?" 18 said as she looked over at Chichi. Sarah shifted nervously in her seat, feeling rather conspicuous.

"Yeah, Goku talked to her and she said she was coming." Chichi shrugged. "Guess we'll see." As if on stage cue, there came the slamming of a door from inside the building. Chichi looked up. "Bulma!" she cried.

Bulma's face broke the first true smile it had seen in a long time. Chichi asked Sarah to look after Goten and rushed over to her friend. The two embraced in a long hug.

"Chichi. Oh gosh, Chi, I'm so sorry for not being there. I can't believe I missed Goten's birth. I feel awful, Chi, I really do."

"It's alright, B, I forgive. Come in, come and meet him." Bulma stepped into her back yard for the first time in as far back as she could remember. She looked around, smiling, memories of a happier childhood flashing through her mind. Her mother in the garden, her father inventing things on the picnic table while he was supposed to be watching her. Bulma looked over to the same picnic table and saw, now, that there was another baby there. She walked over to Goten, kneeling to look at the sleeping baby.

"He's beautiful," Bulma whispered. Chichi blushed with pride. Bulma stood up, then saw 18. "Hey, 18," Bulma smiled. She hadn't seen 18 very much at all since high school, not since she went to Tokyo.

18 nodded stiffly in reply. Bulma sensed the coldness hit her like a tidal wave. Immediately she could tell 18 was angry with her for something.

"18? What's wrong?" 18 said nothing, by now, the back yard was still. 18 lifted her hand and for a moment, Bulma thought the blonde girl was going to pull the fingers. But she didn't. She just held her hand there, her icy gaze never once leaving Bulma's. Bulma flicked her eyes to 18's hand in confusion. She was almost blinded as the bright sunlight caught on the ring and reflected into her eye. Bulma's confusion deepened.

"But- when- who?" She looked over to where Krillin was standing at the barbecue, only taking a few seconds to notice his ring. Dread filled Bulma. Bulma sat next to 18, looking her in the eyes. "18, I had absolutely no idea. How were people notified?"

"Mail," 18 said coldly. Bulma groaned in despair. Chris checked her mail. She hadn't been given a piece of her mail in the entire time she'd lived with him. There was no way she could have known.

"18, it's the same as Gohan's birth. If I'd known anything about either of them, I would have done everything I could to get there. You guys were my best friends in high school. And I know I haven't been a friend to any of you lately, but I still care about all of you. If it's any consolation, I'm so happy for you and Krillin. It was a long time coming," she said with a half smile.

18 sighed. If Bulma said she'd never received notification, 18 believed her. It still hurt. She'd intended Bulma to be a bridesmaid and had had to call in Naomi from Tokyo at the last minute when Bulma hadn't R.S.V.P.ed.

"I forgive you B. But it still hurts." Bulma nodded and the two girls hugged. Bulma cast her glance over to where Krillin was at the barbecue. He had just been joined by Goku and- Vegeta. Bulma began to get the shakes as she watched him. There was a bottle of beer in one hand, the other in his pocket. He wore three-quarter jean shorts, and a white zip-u hoody. His hair was as unruly as ever, swept upwards in the pattern she knew by heart. His face was impassive, chiseled features unmoving. His cold, black eyes that she'd learned to love stared back at her with an unreadable expression.

Bulma turned away from him and looked at Goku. The goofy grin plastered on his face, same as it had been for his entire life. His hair defied gravity even more than Vegeta's. Bulma ran up to him. Goku grinned and opened his arms as Bulma leapt into a bone-crushing hug. It was like being re-united with her brother that she hadn't seen for years. Bulma buried her face in Goku's shoulder as she hugged him tightly. It was the safest she had felt in a long time. Eventually they let go.

"It's nice to see you, B. Even if you are looking a bit on the skinny side." Bulma grimaced guiltily. In her time with Chris she had dropped from a healthy, size 12/14, to a size 6/8. She said nothing and turned to Krillin. She laughed, rubbing her hand over his head.

"What happened to your hair, Krillin?" Krillin grinned.

"Like it? I decided I might give it a go. I dunno, maybe I'll grow it back like a winter coat. We'll see." He hugged Bulma too, then turned back to the sausages and steak he was supposed to be cooking.

"Bulma, this is Sarah. She's been round for a while now." Bulma looked to where Goku was indicating.

It was her.

It was definitely the girl Bulma had seen Vegeta with in the store. She was beautiful, there was no denying it. Bulma had always been considered gorgeous, easily the best looking of her three friends. But now, with her too-small figure, black bags under her dull blue eyes and face sunken from stress, Bulma felt far inferior to Sarah. Immediately, Bulma had the feeling that the girl could wear anything and look like a movie star. She was wearing huge black glasses which complemented her long, wavy dark hair. She was like something out of a movie. Vegeta had chosen well.

A stab of jealously like nothing she had ever felt, stole through Bulma. She couldn't help but feel that this was her replacement.

"Hey, Sarah. I'm Bulma," Bulma said, trying her hardest to smile naturally. Sarah seemed nervous. She walked up to Bulma, and took the hug that Bulma offered. She seemed relieved that Bulma wasn't being nasty to her. Bulma remembered what she'd said to herself, that she'd be proud of Vegeta if he could move on and live happily. She'd damaged him enough, she wasn't going to get in the way of this if this was what he wanted, not matter how much she wanted things to be different.

"Nice to finally meet you Bulma." There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief that the girls hadn't killed each other. Bulma turned away from Sarah to face the man she had once called the one she loved. Back in high school, she would have bet Capsule Corp and all its money, that she and Vegeta would end up married. She was glad she hadn't.

"Hey Vegeta," she said softly. He nodded, not moving his line of vision from where it was planted, the barbecue. Bulma sighed and turned around. It was going to be a long afternoon.

Vegeta watched her out of his peripheral vision. He had to admit, he'd been surprised that the girls' meeting had gone so smoothly. He'd expected blood, or at least bruises. But then again, he couldn't kid himself. It wasn't like Bulma wanted him enough to warrant scrapping over it, not after the way she'd dismissed him. He doubted it would ever stop hurting, just like the murder of his parents and brother. But like those, he could deal with it, then bury it. And he had done that. Sarah was proof. Vegeta had never seen Bulma look so awful as she did at half her natural size. Though she was actually quite away from it, she looked, to Vegeta, like a victim of a concentration camp. He remembered the way he used to admire her curves and her body. The curves were gone, replaced by bones. Her breasts, which had always been quite eye-catching to the male specimen, had diminished to the point that she looked like a twelve-year-old on the verge of puberty. But worse than her physical lack of condition and well-being, was the despondent look that haunted her eyes. The last time he'd looked her properly in the eyes, there was nothing. But now, he could see, they spoke a thousand words. There were traces of defeat, the absence of the fire and spirit that had been what drew him to her, and a look that chilled Vegeta to the bone.

He didn't know what was wrong with her, and he didn't care.

The seven of them sat at the table as soon as Krillin had finished cooking the barbecue. Bulma and Sarah managed to hold a conversation. Bulma was updated on the wedding, the Sons' baby, and learnt (though not from Vegeta himself), that Vegeta was living on his own on the other side of the city, not far from Sarah. She had also learnt that he'd been accepted into the dog force. She was pleased that he was doing something good with his life. At least one of her dreams could come true, that Vegeta would have a happy life and not be affected by how much of a bitch she'd been to him and how awfully she'd treated him.

"That was yum, thanks, Krillin," Goku sighed as he leant back a little, his stomach so bloated he looked pregnant. Chichi smiled. Gohan was sitting next to his father, trying to copy him. However the little boy leant back too far and fell backwards of the seat to a chorus of laughter from the others. Goku helped his son up.

"Well," said 18 standing up, "I think it's time for the baby shower part." There was a murmur of agreement and everyone dispersed, going to get their gifts. They returned ten minutes later.

Chichi and Goku still had a lot of stuff left from when Gohan had been a baby. But everything they didn't have was pretty much covered by the others. 18 and Krillin had also given them a voucher valid for fifty hours worth of babysitting. Slowly, everyone started to do their own thing. Sarah offered to help Chichi do the dishes, 18 and Krillin set about trying clean the barbecue and Goku supervised his children playing. Bulma sat nervously at the table, aware of Vegeta across from her. Vegeta stood up, walking around to stand behind Bulma. He put his hand on her shoulder.

"Come on," he said. Bulma stood obligingly, having long ago forgotten how to disobey people. She walked next to Vegeta, not sure where he was leading but not having the courage to ask. Eventually he stopped at the far end of the back yard by the swimming pool. Vegeta sat down in the swing chair that was at the far end of the pool. Bulma sat next to him. This was the first time she had been alone with Vegeta since the day he'd left.

"We're finished for good?" Vegeta asked emotionlessly. Bulma felt her heart catch in her chest. What could she say? She knew that if she told him now, he would understand. He'd always understood her. She knew he'd protect her, she knew he'd never let Chris hurt her again. But she also knew that Chris could have killed in an instant.

"We are," she said, as definitely as she could. Vegeta leaned back. Hands knitted behind his head. He looked up.

"I wonder what we would have been like. Listen to me now carefully, woman, because you'll never hear this again." Vegeta looked down at her. "I loved you more than anything. I actually believed you would be the woman who gave me brats. I guess, for a short while, I finally began to believe in soul mates." Vegeta shifted and sighed. "I don't know what made you do it. I don't know whose fault it was. I don't understand it at all. But I accept that."

"Vegeta," she whispered. God, she loved him. So much she thought she'd explode. And he was right there. She'd heard the saying "the worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right next to them and not be able to have them," and she finally felt the true weight of that saying. "I would tell you if I could." They sat there in silence and Vegeta stood. He began to walk and Bulma stood too. "Vegeta," she said, reaching out a hand as if to hold him back. "Wait, please." Vegeta stood still. Bulma walked up to him and looked him in the eyes, like she had so many times before. She took a deep breath.

"We can't be together, Vegeta. But I just want you to know, I'll never stop loving you." She mumbled for a moment, trying to get her words together. "I never did. One last kiss, Vegeta? To remember you by?" Vegeta studied her, her words confusing his brain and striking odd chords. But his eyes gave no hint to the turmoil that was tearing up his insides. He leaned forward, swallowing as his lips brushed against hers. Vegeta's arms snaked their way around her back, feeling her arms go up around his neck as they kissed. Bulma brought her hands over his shoulders, up to hold his cheeks. He looked at her intensely, lips slightly swollen. Her eyes tried to burn the moment and the memory of his face into her brain, not wanting to let go. Bulma slipped her arms around his neck in a hug, burying her face in the crook of his neck. She felt his strong arms that she knew so well cross across her back and pull her in tightly to him. Tears rolled down her cheeks, wetting the collar of Vegeta's shirt. Vegeta held her tightly, resting his head in her hair, eyes closed.

They stood that way for a full five minutes, Bulma trying to create memories for herself that would keep her sane during Chris's beatings which she knew she would have to go back to. Memories in that, for the few minutes that they contained, she felt safe and nothing else mattered. She let go reluctantly, looking up at him. He leant down and kissed her gently on the lips.

"This is how it has to be. But I never stopped loving you, Vegeta," she told him when he drew back. "Please know that." Tears rolled down her face. A single tear escaped Vegeta's left eye, barely noticeable. With a final kiss, he turned and walked away. Bulma watched him go, tears pouring freely from her eyes.

"I love you," she whispered.

He was gone.

Next Chapter: What could turn out (if I don't get sidetracked and start writing other bits in), to be the biggest event in the entire series (TDDWP included). It's gunna be a big one.

Author's Note: What'd you think? I felt pretty sad writing it. I was like L poor V&B. I quite enjoyed this chapter, it was easy to write. Anyway, I'm obviously back from holiday now. I got my exam results, passed EVERYTHING! I was so pleased! All the study and withdrawal from my stories did pay off. I start school in four days so yeah that should be interesting.

Please drop a review, guys. The response to the last chapter was awesome and I love hearing from you. You all really help me. Thanks for everything guys!

Just a note: this story is getting an upgrade. I have my friend beta-ing it. She started from the beginning last weekend so the upgraded versions should only be a couple of months away.

Enjoy!

Love,
Kaibun