Disclaimer: This story features characters created by Akira Toryiama and I do not claim ownership of them. I have just borrowed them for my own stories. I only own the plot and Kayla

Chapter 14: Heartbroken

Just a few hours later and Raditz was almost ready to leave for his new mission. His space pod was being prepared by the launch crew but, as he waited, he was trying to secure his scouter to his little face. When he saw Bardock put his on, it looked simple. But now he realised it was more awkward than he thought.

"Come on!" He muttered impatiently.

But his frustration blinded him to the help approaching him. He jumped slightly when he felt a pair of soft, delicate fingers brush against his face. When he looked up, he met the stunning green eyes of his mother.

"Forcing it on won't help," She said, smiling softly, "You'll just rip your own ear off. Here, let me."

As she adjusted the scouter for him, Raditz could see the sadness in her eyes. She was worried about him and didn't want him going. But she wanted to help him either way. That's when he noticed they weren't alone. When Kayla finished, Raditz looked up over his shoulder to come eye to eye with Bardock. His father was here too.

"Nervous, Raditz?" He asked.

"No, no way." Raditz replied, trying to lie.

"It's ok if you are," Kayla explained, "You're still young. Only old dogs like you dad don't get nervous."

"Hey! I'm not old!" Bardock growled

The old dog comment got a giggle from mother and son. But before they could laugh anymore, one of the launch crew appeared.

"We're ready for you, Raditz," He informed, "you need to get going now."

"Good luck, sweetie," Kayla said.

"Thanks, mom."

Mother and Son hugged firmly as Kayla savoured the feeling of her little boy in her arms. Bardock gave him an affectionate ruffle of the hair as Kayla kissed him on the cheek.

"Love you"

"Love you too, mommy."

Then, finally the little saiyan dashed off to get settled in his pod. As he was helped in and shown the controls, Kayla stood up straight and watched, longing to run over and put a stop to all this. As she stood, she was relieved when Bardock stepped closer, put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in to him, kissing her temple. From the warmth of her mate's arms, Kayla watched. But even as her little boy prepared to leave, she couldn't help think about the news she received yesterday. Even though Bardock was supporting her now and they were looking out for each other, she was worried about how he would take the new situation. Finally though, it was time for Raditz to leave. The door to his pod closed and was finally launched in to the vastness of space. Once the pod was out of view, Kayla and Bardock went home.

For rest of the day, Kayla was really quiet. Bardock thought he knew what was wrong. She was upset about Raditz leaving so soon. It was easy to see why. He was a little boy, saiyan or not, and still had a lot to learn. If the scarred warrior had his way, Raditz wouldn't be allowed off the planet for a few more years. After all, Bardock himself was a teenager before being allowed to take on assignments. But Raditz leaving again so early in his life highlighted the changes being made to the Saiyan race, thanks to the manipulation by Frieza. His demand on the warrior race meant children were being dragged in to his service as soon as they are born. Although he hid it well, from even Kayla, Bardock hated the way things were. It pissed him off that his only son was hundreds of miles away from home and alone with no one else to rely on to have his back. At least when Bardock was away, his back was covered by his team mates. Since Kayla had returned, he had wondered if they'd ever extend their family with another baby. Seeing his stunning mate pregnant with his child the first time made her even more beautiful and he'd love to admire that sight again. But right now, he remembered why he knew it wouldn't be a good idea. A few hours after Raditz left, Bardock walked in to the living room to see Kayla sat on the window ledge staring out at the sky.

"You can't see him."

"I know, I'm just thinking."

"About?"

"Not much, just remembering the day he was born. That tiny, hairy little monkey."

That caused a giggle between them both as Bardock kissed her head. She turned and looked in to his eyes.

"You've been really affectionate lately." She said.

"What?"

"You just seem to be kissing me more than usual."

"Well, maybe because I love you and know how damn lucky I am to have you."

Kayla smiled then kissed him lovingly on the lips.

"I'm going to catch up with Tora and the others for a drink. Coming?"

Kayla thought about it for a moment. She wanted to be with Bardock right now but not in a bar with other saiyans. If she knew only Bardock's crew would be there, she'd jump at the chance but she didn't want to be in a crowd.

"Not tonight. I'd rather be alone for a while."

Although disappointed, Bardock understood. With a quick kiss on her hand, he left.

Once alone, Kayla turned back to the window and sighed heavily. Hearing Bardock declare he loved her normally gave her butterflies but right now, it hurt. She kept thinking about her secret and how Bardock could react. It could ruin everything. But what could she do? Nothing, except tell her mate the truth. One thing she and Bardock had always had was trust, no matter what happened. She had to be honest. But what was she going to say? And, as she kept worrying about, how was Bardock going to take it? As she sat at the window, she looked down at her abdomen and gently rubbed it, where the shape would change.

Meanwhile, Bardock and the others were sitting at the bar, at the counter as usual but the mood was rather sombre. Tora and the others were updated about Raditz and his assignment. Like Bardock, they were irritated by the news that the little boy was on another dangerous mission so soon after returning home and with so little training. After all, the babies just had to wait for a full moon to complete their tasks. Now, Raditz had to fight for his survival.

"It's unfair, that's what it is." Fasha spat.

"Yeah, as if the whole planet is against you two being parents." Borgos agreed.

"That's how it feels," Bardock replied, "And I know that Kayla's more upset by it than she's admitting to. It's because of all this that another kid wouldn't be a good idea."

"You're pretty convinced by that, aren't you?" Tora asked.

"Yeah, I am. Another baby would end up with a low power level so will be taken from us immediately. Kayla would be crushed by that then we'd probably end up going through all that anger and pain we went through when Raditz was first sent out. Couldn't go through it again."

"But you're still having sex with her." Fasha pointed out.

"I know, but we're careful about when we do it. "

"Accidents can happen though."

"Hey, if I had a mate as hot as Kayla," Shugesh said smirking, "I'd take any opportunity to get in the sack with her."

"Shugesh!"

"What?"

That was enough to lighten the mood a little, laughing at Shugesh's comment. But despite all this talk about not having another baby, Bardock was oblivious to the information that Kayla was keeping from him.

That night, Kayla had planned to tell Bardock about the baby but when he arrived home from the bar, he was far too drunk to take things seriously. He wasn't blind drunk but Kayla wanted his head clear before talking to him. So for the night, she settled for snuggling up against him, savouring the feel of his skin, his fingers through her hair and the sound of his heart beating. But as he slept deeply, thanks to the alcohol, Kayla just lay wide awake. The baby wasn't even big enough to create a bump but he was already causing his mother heartache. Had things been different, she'd be telling the whole planet about her new baby. But right now, she was almost terrified to tell even Bardock. But, he needed to be told before he found out on his own.

The next day, Kayla woke up later than usual. It had taken her a long time to fall asleep so she had over slept. As she became aware of her surroundings, she realised she had the bed to herself. She opened her eyes to find Bardock had already got up. She sat up concerned. But before she could worry, he stepped in to the room with some of Kayla's favourite things to eat for breakfast. The sight left Kayla a little stunned.

"Who are you and what have you done with my Bardock?" She teased.

"Hey, you were sleeping and I didn't want to wake you," He said, "But I knew you'd be hungry."

With a grateful smile, she took the food from him and starting eating. As Kayla ate, Bardock went for a warm shower. She knew what he was getting ready to go training with Tora and the team. But she needed to get the secret off her chest and now was the chance. After he finished showering and drying himself off, he returned to the bedroom and started dressing as Kayla admired her mate's physique. But, as he pulled his armour over his head, he noticed her expression had changed and she look sad. He sat next to her on the bed, brushed away some hair from her eyes then kissed her cheek, his hand holding hers.

"Hey," He said softly, "Raditz will be ok, you know."

"Yes, but that's not why I'm down. I've got something that need to tell you but I don't think you'll like it."

That sent anxiety through Bardock's body. What could Kayla tell him that he may not like? All kinds of situations ran through his head. Kayla looked deep in his eyes and could see him trying to decide what she was going to tell him and prepare for it.

"Just tell me." He finally said.

"I…" She started, "I'm pregnant again."

The words hit Bardock hard in the face, sending his mind in a spin. The very thing he wanted to avoid had happened anyway. Just as Tora warned, an accident happened and now Kayla was carrying their second child.

"A-are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes, I had Plenthor check it out. Trust me, it wasn't a pleasant piece of news."

"H-how far along?"

"Not long. I believe it was that night before you left and just before Raditz came home."

Bardock remembered immediately the night she meant, when they began standing at the window and ended up wrapped in each other's arms.

"But you weren't in heat then, were you?" He asked, "We always get it right."

"I must have been," She replied, "How else could this happen?"

Almost suddenly, Bardock let go of Kayla's hand and turned away. The gesture didn't go unnoticed but that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"Bardock, please," She said, softly, holding back any tears, "I don't want this any more than you do."

"Really?" Bardock replied, bitterly.

Kayla recognised that tone, though she had only heard it once. It was the tone reserved for when talking about Bardock's father, Bozek. Her mate was angry. Abruptly, he stood up and stormed out of the bedroom. Kayla stood and followed him to the kitchen. She needed him to listen.

"Don't blame me for this, Bardock," She growled, "You are as much to blame as me. Either way, it's too late to change things."

"I know!" He snapped.

Feeling his rage boiling, he kept his back to Kayla and rested his hands on the table, breathing deeply. A range of emotions ran through him. Anger that they had allowed this to happen, hurt that the fate of the child was decided and the anxiety of the heartbreak that would follow as well as a voice trying to reason with him, convince him Kayla needed him. Kayla could feel tears appearing in her eyes. Her glimmer of hope that Bardock would welcome the news was gone. She desperately wanted him to hold her. Her heart was urging her to touch him but she held firm in case he shrugged her off. For a long time, the two saiyans stood close but neither touching or speaking to each other, caught up in each one's thoughts. But soon, Kayla relented.

"Bardock?" She said softly.

"I can't do this, Kayla." He said, quietly, "I can't go through all the shit we went through when Raditz was taken."

"Like what?"

"The bitterness, the hurt if you piss off again, I just can't go through it all again."

Suddenly, before Kayla could reason with him, he turned and stormed out of the room, heading for the front door. Again, she followed only to realise what he was planning.

"Bardock, don't please." She begged, "Don't leave."

"I need to. I'm sorry, Kayla. But I can't do it, things will be easier this way."

"How? Please, how?"

"It just will."

That was the final straw, Kayla could feel her tears flowing but sadness was replaced by pain, anger and rage. But also, there was a hint of fear. Could she cope without Bardock? But she was too heartbroken to care.

"I-I never thought I-I'd say this about you," She said, shakily, "You're not the man I fell for. No, you are weak! You're pathetic!"

It hurt hearing Kayla call him these things, but he needed to get away from this, convinced it was best for both of them.

"I'm sorry, Kayla."

With that, Bardock finally walked out of the door then flew off. Kayla dropped to her knees and finally let herself sob hysterically.

So what now? Is this the end of Bardock and Kayla's relationship? And what about Raditz and Goku? All will come to light in next couple of chapters. Watch this space and please feel free to review.