It can't be! Such power...where did she come across such power? Within minutes she's arrived, touching down softly on the grass, and all I can do is stare in shock. I could have mistook her for Fasha! Her hair...where is her hair? And...a tail! "Aricota!" I manage to gasp out. "What happened to you?"

She sweeps her now short hair out of her eyes, and I see a different glint to them; determination, pride. "Bulma helped me. I'm a true Saiyan now, Father! And I'm here to help you!"

"...How? What did she do?"

"I don't know. One minute I was here, and the next I was lying on her table, completely healed."

She must have given Aricota a Senzu Bean. I know she'd squirrelled away at least one. I'm still in shock, unable to take in the sight before me. My daughter, she...she truly resembles the princess she always ought to be. "You have a tail..." I murmur. "How?"

She chuckles and releases it from her waist, waving it around slowly. "I'm still getting the hang of moving it. Bulma had made a prototype Blutz generator, and she used it on me. It nearly went wrong and I almost transformed, but she stopped it before it was too late, and it had grown back my tail! It's amazing...I feel so much stronger!"

"You are stronger. I can feel it. She must have unlocked the power sleeping within you. I knew you had it in you somewhere. And because you were brought back from the brink of death, your power will have only risen further."

Aricota nods, and casts a glance over to Sutopri. Her face falls. "Oh no..."

"You've seen this before?"

"Once, when I was younger. An alien race taught her how to draw energy from her surroundings and use it within herself. There's no way you can get to her until she's done."

"Dammit!" I groan, clenching my fists. "That infernal woman!"

"Oh, speaking of women...Father, please don't worry, but-"

"What's happened to Bulma?" The words are out of my mouth before I even realise it.

She blinks in surprise. "Father, she went into labour not long ago."

My heart stops. She's having our baby...and I can't be there to help her. If I go to her now, Sutopri will no doubt be on my heels, and I know the first thing she'll do is attack Bulma and the child in an attempt to get to me. A feeling of horrible guilt clutches at me, and I stagger, sitting down heavily, unable to process this. She needs me! What can I do? "Why now...?" I whisper, running a hand over my face. "She's not on her own, is she? Tell me you didn't leave her on her own!"

"Gohan was with her when I went."

Well, it could have been Kakarot. "This can't be happening..."

"Well, it is, and there's nothing we can do!" Aricota says firmly, grabbing my shoulders. "We have to stop my mother! And if you can't do it, we'll have no choice but to call in Goku!"

"No!" I snarl. "There is no way that idiot is coming anywhere near my fight!"

"Then pull yourself together!"

I stare at Aricota in surprise, and she pulls back, evidently ashamed of herself. She won't look me in the eye. "Aricota..."

"I'm sorry, Father."

I can't help but laugh. "You really are a true Saiyan now, girl. Your mother's been like this for a few minutes now; how much longer will she take?"

"It depends on her surroundings..." Aricota closes her eyes, extending out her senses. "She'll be finished anytime now."

And right on cue, Sutopri opens her eyes. They widen as she beholds Aricota, but her surprise is gone as quickly as it came, and she stands, flexing her arms with a triumphant expression. "My, haven't you recovered quickly," she chuckles.

"You made a mistake when you attacked me," Aricota says, folding her arms. "The injuries you inflicted upon me only made me stronger! You won't get away with your actions anymore, Mother! Take a good hard look at me, and witness the daughter you wanted, for it will be the last time we see each other."

"You talk big, Aricota. Your head has become as inflated as your father's."

"I'll give you one chance, Mother. Leave this planet, and I will allow you to live. Stay, and fight me, and I will prove myself to you that I am not to be pushed around any longer! The day of your death will be the happiest of my life."

A swell of pride rises in my chest for this brave little girl. My little girl. You tell her, Aricota. You damn well tell her. This is your battle now. She must think the same thing, for she turns to me, face set. "Father, you should go. I can take this from here."

I raise an eyebrow. "And miss the opportunity to see how much your skills have grown? I would rather die. Do me proud, Aricota. I'll be watching from over here."

Sutopri laughs hysterically. "Vegeta, you coward!"

"I've had my turn," I shrug. "Aricota has this covered, I'm sure."

"How wrong you will be."

"No child of mine shall be weak!" I spit. "I will allow this slander only because she will wipe that silly smirk off your ugly face. Aricota, go, now!"

She nods. "Yes." And she jumps towards her mother.

That's my girl.

Oh man! It's really starting now. And what with Chichi flapping around me, I just want to scream forever at anyone and anything! Dammit Vegeta, this is all your fault!

"Bulma, for crying out loud, you need to breathe!" orders Chichi. "You're holding your breath and she isn't going to come out that way!"

"You have no idea how much this hurts right now!" I yell.

"Well excuse me, missy, but I've had two Saiyan children, both of them boys, and do you know how much bigger boys are than girls? So don't lecture me about not knowin' the pain, because believe me I do. Now stop your whinin' and start pushin'!"

Thank goodness for Videl. She's just sat beside me, wiping sweat from my forehead with a cloth and squeezing my hand. She's keeping her cool surprisingly well considering she's pregnant herself. After my contractions really started to hit home, Chichi had Gohan move me into the room I used to put Vegeta in when he was injured, and asked Trunks (well, more like ordered) to find some necessities for the delivery. I think the poor boy's been scarred for life by all this. I mean, how would you feel if you watched someone undressing your poor mother so she had room to give birth? He's just kind of sat in the corner now, looking worried.

"I think the pain's getting a bit too much for her," Videl says. "Do you think Capsule Corp. ever developed any sort of gas and air mechanism?"

Bingo! That's just what I need! "Trunks," I gasp out, "head down to daddy's storage room. You know which ones are which now." He gets up with a nod and runs off. Poor boy. I didn't want him to have to see all this, but I know he'd just worry himself sick if he stayed elsewhere with Goten. Without Vegeta here, I need at least one member of the family that isn't my parents.

Trunks returns from dad's storage room, holding a yellow capsule. "This it?" he asks, holding it up.

"Yeah," I groan, feeling another contraction about to hit. "Give it here, now!"

"Okay, okay...careful." Trunks presses the button and throws it over to me; in a puff of smoke appears my salvation. Oh, thank goodness...I grab the mask and jam it over my mouth, breathing in deeply. Oh, wow...I'd forgotten just how much this helped when I had Trunks. "Easy now," Chichi murmurs, rearranging a towel underneath me. "Don't make yourself sick like you did last time."

"She's doing well though," remarks Videl. "Four hours without any pain relief."

Gohan looks anxious. "This isn't going to scare you, is it, Videl?"

"Ha!" She looks like she could punch him. "It's going to take more than this to put me off having our baby! Who do you think I am, Gohan?"

"Okay, okay! Wow, you are spending way too much time around these two..."

"What did you say?!"

"N-Nothing, dear...uh...love you?"

Videl rolls her eyes and pats my hand. "Remember to push, Bulma. We're all really proud of you."

"I'm doing the best I can," I gasp.

"We know. Come on now. Not much longer, I'm sure."

Another hour and a half in and I'm starting to despair. I can barely feel my legs and I'm so exhausted...I should have eaten something today to keep up my energy, but I had no idea I would go into labour! Vegeta, where are you?

"Push, you idiot!" Chichi yells at me. "What do you think you're doin'?!"
"Mum, lay off her!" Gohan protests. "Can't you see how tired she is?"

"It doesn't matter that she's tired! If she doesn't push, this baby is going to be stuck in there! You know how embarrassin' it is starin' between the legs of your best friend? I at least wanna see some results!"

"Chichi!" gasps Videl.

"Now, listen here, Bulma-!"

"Everyone, stop the damn shouting!"

Everyone falls silent. I thought it was Trunks, but he doesn't have such a voice on him...Trunks can't bellow like that. Through my haze of exhaustion my eyes linger over the door, which was thrown open with a loud bang. I can't help smiling. He came!

"Dad!" Trunks jumps up and hurries to his side. "Are you okay? You look beat up!"

"I'm fine," he growls, approaching me. I can see worry in his eyes. He's scratched, beaten and bloody, and his breathing is laboured, a hand to his chest; he must have broken a rib or two. But I know better than to have someone patch him up. "Get out of the way, you lot. I want-"

Chichi draws herself up to her full height and stops Vegeta's approach with a firm hand to his chest; he flinches automatically, despising her touch. "I want doesn't get, especially in your situation. You are not fit to be near her while you're covered in blood and dirt, it's not a safe environment for her or the baby! Go get showered, change your clothes, and then you can see your wife!"

He stares at her as if she were speaking Namekian. "...Fine, have it your way! With the amount of you here, you had better be taking care of her!" He turns on his heel and stalks out as quickly as he arrived. But seeing Vegeta seems to have restored my energy somewhat, and I manage to start pushing again.

Does this mean the fight is over? He's come back, alive and well, but where is Aricota? Panic suddenly grips me, and I beckon for Trunks. "Trunks, where is your sister?!"

"I-I don't know! Let me check..." Trunks frowns for a moment, trying to sense her. After a moment he gasps. "She's still out there. She's fighting on her own! Dammit, dad just left her there!"

Gohan shakes his head. "I don't think so. I think Vegeta realised this was more her fight than his. Right now, he has to be here for Bulma. My dad's on standby anyway just in case. She'll be just fine. I know that girl."

Trunks grips my hand. "Mum...that's the first time you referred to Aricota as my sister. That's really nice of you."

"Well, she is your sister, sweetie. And she's family. I've come to accept that. This little one coming is Aricota's sister as much as yours."

"You're gonna be okay, mum. I know it."

"Don't worry so much," I manage to smile. "I'm stronger than I look."

A few minutes later, a washed, dried and dressed Vegeta bursts back in. He hasn't even bothered to tidy his hair. "Videl, up," he commands, gesturing, and she does so, moving to sit with Gohan. Vegeta drops heavily into the chair beside the bed and puts a hand on my forehead. "Hold still."

My eyes close as I feel him funnelling energy into me, giving me more strength. "Dad," Trunks calls, "don't exert yourself. You must be tired-"

"I'm fine!" he hisses. "Stop worrying after me, I'm not going to drop dead." He continues to give me his energy, feeding it into me slowly.

"Is Aricota okay?" I whisper.

He nods. "She's holding her own better than I ever could have imagined. You...you've done so much for her, Bulma. I couldn't be happier."

"It's okay. It was just what she needed."

"Shhh. You've got more important things to worry about now. Let me worry about Aricota."

Did I say I wanted to kill him? Yeah, scrap that. I love this guy so much! I cling to him and groan into his shoulder, feeling another contraction, and he just holds me, urging me to stay strong.

Suddenly Chichi lets out a squeal of delight. "The head, the head!" she cries. "Trunks, throw me that towel! Gohan, warm water, cloth and scissors, and snap to it, the both of you! Videl, find some rubber bands in Bulma's study! Quickly!"

The three run off as quickly as they can. It's happening...Vegeta is watching me, utterly mesmerised. I grab blindly for the gas and air, and take one long, final breath...and a piercing cry splits the air. Weak and tired, my head falls back heavily, but Vegeta catches me, breathing quickly, a tremble running through his body. "Bulma..." he whispers, stroking my hair gently. "You did well."

"Is she...is she okay?" I manage to gasp out.

Chichi is laughing with delight. "Oh, Bulma! Let me clean her up and you can have her straight away! Vegeta, come here a moment."

He scowls, tightening his hold on me. "Why?"

"Because you have to cut the cord! It's what daddies do!"

"I am not daddy," he growls, but sets my head back down nevertheless and slides off the chair. I can't see the baby from where Chichi is holding her, but Vegeta takes one look at her and inhales sharply, mouth falling open slightly. I wonder if he's ever even seen a newborn before. I mean, they're not exactly the prettiest things, all wrinkled and smeared with blood, but then I see him smile, and I know everything's okay, because Vegeta would normally rather die than smile anywhere Chichi could see him. She nudges the scissors over to him, and he stares at them for a moment before taking them in his hand. "Okay, where?"

"Just there. Gently does it..." Snip. "There we go. Now I'll just wrap her up...there we go, baby, all nice and snuggly warm. I bet you want your mummy to give you a cuddle now! Let's take you over."

As I manage to sit up and Chichi passes her over, I notice Trunks, Gohan and Videl staring. Trunks is grinning widely, evidently pleased, and Gohan looks pale, but Videl is almost in tears of joy. I look down at the little bundle in my arms and smile. "Hello, baby," I whisper. "Welcome to our world."

"Another one that bears no resemblance to me whatsoever," Vegeta says, but he's chuckling as he sits back down beside me. I can see the emotion in his eyes...he's happy. I smile at him, and he smiles back, putting an arm round me and kissing my forehead.

"Let me see her!" Trunks exclaims, rushing over.

"Hey, not so loud!" Vegeta scowls. "You'll startle her."

Gohan stares, nudging Videl. "Did Vegeta just...actually act like a parent?"

He just rolls his eyes. "I've got three children now, Gohan. Get used to it." He shifts aside so Trunks can clamber up beside me to stare at the baby. He's acting like a kid again, but it's so cute as he smiles and coos over her. I can't wait to show her to Goku. I bet he'll actually cry with happiness.

"So, Bulma," smiles Chichi, washing off her hands as Videl gathers everything up, "what will you name her?"

Now that's something I haven't actually thought of. But Vegeta speaks before I do. "She looks like you...she ought to be named after you."

"I am not calling her Bulma," I laugh.

"I never specified that she be named exactly after you," he replies, touching the tiny arm that has wriggled out of the blanket. Just that simple gesture touches me immensely; Vegeta doesn't care about what everyone thinks for once, he just wants to touch his baby girl. "Just...something similar."

"What about Bulla?" Trunks suggests. "It's similar."

I smile. "Bulla is nice." Gohan, Videl and Chichi all nod in agreement.

Vegeta ponders a moment, then gives an affirmative grunt. "Bulla it is."

"Hello, baby Bulla!" I laugh, stroking the tiny tuft of blue hair atop her head. She begins to nuzzle against my chest, and I realise she must be hungry. "Trunks, you might wanna look away now," I say, loosening my top; he blushes furiously, as does Gohan, and the both of them retreat into the corner to have an arm wrestle. Vegeta watches with an unreadable expression as Bulla feeds. He was like this when Trunks was a baby; of course he understood that babies need their mother's milk, but I think he was just a bit pissed that he wasn't able to do that to me anymore. Vegeta, jealous of a baby...how hilarious. But suddenly Vegeta stiffens and growls. "What's wrong?" I ask, instinctively clutching Bulla tighter.

"A sudden flare of energy..." he murmurs. "Aricota...either she's in trouble, or...oh, I don't want to think about it!" He clutches at his hair. "Damn girl! What if she's hurt?"

"Go to her, Vegeta. Go help her."

"Woman, I cannot leave-"

"I'm fine!" I reply. "I've had the baby now-"

"You've still got the afterbirth to go," Chichi points out.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious. Really, Vegeta, it's okay. Go check on her. But for goodness' sake, grab Goku if anything's going wrong, there's no shame in it!"

"No shame?" he spits. "I'd rather die!"

"Vegeta, put your damn stupid pride aside for once! You've been on this planet how many years now? Someday you have to put this shit aside, you hear me? You're only going to lose friends and loved ones! You lost me once because of your pride, don't lose Aricota because you were too scared to admit you needed some help!"

He takes a step back, stunned by my words. I sigh and look away from him, tightening Bulla's blanket. Chichi and Videl are staring open-mouthed at me. Trunks just looks the same as ever, he's pretty used to me yelling at his father by now. I continue, in a softer tone, "You love your daughter, Vegeta. I know. But you can't always do everything for her."

"You think I don't know that? I tried to mould her into a warrior and failed. I know I can't do everything for her. But Kakarot...he would not understand."

"Goku is your friend, however much you choose not to believe that. He wants to help you, and I'm sure Aricota would appreciate it."

"...You think?"

"Yes! Now get your Saiyan ass out there, pick up Goku, and help your daughter before she digs herself an early grave."

He sighs. I can see he's given in at last. "I had better get something good from you after all this," he mutters as he leaves the room. Trunks has gone bright red at his father's words. "Not like that!" I yell at him. "You think I'd be in any fit state after squeezing this thing out of me?"

"Whoa, too much information, mum!"

"Vegeta!" I yell. "Take the last Senzu bean!"