Chapter 37-In Times of Peace (Part 1)

Vegeta woke with a start, disoriented and with the vague sensation that he was still dreaming. He waited a moment for something strange to pop out of the wall, something to tip him off that his recent memories of Earth and his family were nothing more than a Xiee-induced hallucination. Nothing happened.

He inhaled deeply, and the scent of lavender overcame him. The smell was so familiar, so welcoming, that if filled his senses for a moment.

This is real. He reminded himself. Xiee can never get the smell right. This has to be real.

Lazily, he turned his head to look at the clock. 10:37—definitely not his usual rising time. Slowly, silently, as if too much movement might cause his surroundings to flitter away, he pulled himself out of bed.

A small smile graced his features when he remembered the scene a few hours before. After seeing Bulma's stunt, he'd had relatively good dreams. They'd reminded him of warmth, acceptance, and loads of food. Rather suddenly though, the good dreams had gone sour, and odd whispers and shadows had crept into his thoughts. They had caused his heart rate to speed up, his head to twist and a light sheen of sweat to cover his skin. Until finally one of the shadows got too close. He'd woken up then.

The sound of a yell outside drew his attention, and he moved to the window to peek out. Trunks was running away from Goten, slowing every few steps to bend down to scoop up a handful of snow. Goten had snow in his hair. He too grabbed a rather large handful of snow before taking off after Trunks.

It was no great mystery what had just happened.

"Didn't I ask you boys to go get some fresh water?" Chichi's voice suddenly joined the fray. Vegeta glanced to the side to see the dark-haired woman leaning out of her kitchen window. "If you're not back in five minutes, you'll cook lunch!"

The two boys actually squawked at the threat, grabbed a pair of buckets, and took off. Vegeta shook his head and smiled at the sight. It was so simple, and yet so…charming. Or something. He couldn't quite name the feeling he got watching them. It certainly said something about these people that a war was waging, and their biggest concern was getting water to cook lunch.

Letting the curtain fall back into place, he turned away from the window. A shower was in order.

His shower was quick, taking only a few minutes. He didn't particularly enjoy the hot spray, but it was certainly better than the cold jets he'd gotten before his execution.

He shuddered at the memory, and suddenly feeling cold, he turned off the water. He didn't know what he wanted to do. He didn't know if he really wanted to do anything. Going back to bed sounded nice, but he immediately recognized that as a symptom of depression, and forced the thought away. So freshly clean, he wandered out of the room into the capsule house's living room.

"Morning, sunshine." A cheerful voice called from across the room. The sound of something metal dropping carelessly onto the table rang in his ears, and he turned to see Bulma making her way over to him. "You missed breakfast." She announced, wiping her hands on her old sweatshirt.

He frowned at that, and a moment later his stomach growled loudly.

She giggled and stole a quick kiss, letting her hands linger on his chest. He tensed slightly at the contact and saw the ghost of a frown flit across her face. He could tell that his reaction had hurt her somewhat, but he could think of nothing to do to remedy that situation.

Forcing a smile back in place as if nothing had happened, Bulma dropped her hands. "Don't worry, I saved you some." She nodded her head toward the fridge in the small capsule house kitchen before guiding him over to it.

He followed her silently and leaned against the counter as she moved about, taking dishes from the fridge and putting them into the microwave. His eyes roved over the small room, and eventually settled onto the familiar machine sitting on the table.

"Is that a Meiyochi." He asked, although he already knew the answer.

"Yes." Bulma placed a newly heated plate into his hands, and turned to reheat a second one. "Shiro and I have been studying it. We're trying to make a radar that can track them since we have no idea where the one that is keeping all of your energy suppressed was hidden."

"Hm." He didn't bother to sit down, but just began inhaling his food right there. He could tell that Chichi had done most of the cooking. No one made sausages quite like Chichi did. He quickly polished off his plate and dropped it into the sink. While waiting for the second one to finish heating, he asked. "Where is your new alien boy-toy anyway?"

She gave him a mock-scolding look. "He's still sleeping off whatever Piccolo did to him." She replied pointing toward the second bedroom. "Ah, coffee's done." She quickly filled up two mugs and handed one to him.

The microwave signaled that the second plate had finished heating, and she handed it to him as well.

Deciding that juggling his coffee and food in his hands would have been too complicated, he finally settled himself at the table, frowning slightly at the idea of having breakfast at the same table on which a Meiyochi sat.

"What's this?" He asked, picking up a small device and moving it out of his way. He hadn't been terribly curious. The question had been born more out of annoyance at having to actually clean the table himself before he could sit and finish his breakfast.

"That's what we've got so far." Bulma announced. "Of the radar I mean. I've managed to isolate the compound that is used to harness the energy used by the Meiyochi, but it's strange…" The microwave signaled that a third plate was finished heating, and she placed it in front of him before sitting down. Vegeta glanced away from the contraption to his wife. Bulma's eyebrows were furrowed as she thought about a problem that she had apparently encountered before. She propped her chin in her hand and stared at the Meiyochi as if an answer would jump out at her. Vegeta just continued wolfing down his food.

Whatever problem Bulma was thinking about, it was apparently a tricky one, because Vegeta finished his entire breakfast long before she spoke again. He picked up his coffee mug and noticed that it was empty. With a small frown, he grabbed hers instead, and waited. He knew better than to interrupt her while she was thinking.

Her coffee was a little cooler than he liked it, and his first thought was to use his Ki to warm it more. He nearly growled when he remembered that he couldn't, and a sudden nervousness crept upon him. Bulma couldn't finish this radar fast enough.

"It's…" He turned his attention back to Bulma. "It's like the energy isn't generated by the machine…only held there." She ran a hand over the green crystal that they had scavenged from a grounded Tik vessel months before. The gem was dull now. "As much as we've tried to recreate it—to understand how it works—we couldn't do it. It never turned on."

Vegeta stood and moved closer to the crystal. That was probably the same problem that all of the Krimzon scientists had encountered, he mused staring down at the crystal. "I thought the energy source was the crystal itself." He admitted. "From the few accounts when people have actually seen the Meiyochi before they destroy it, they say that the crystal glows."

"Yes, 17 said the same thing." Bulma nodded.

With a frown, he laid a hand on the crystal. The moment he touched it, he felt a strange energy course through his body. He tensed, as it rushed through his veins—not a torrent, just a swift stream. He recognized it. He'd felt it before.

His heartbeat thud in his chest as familiar images rushed through his head—images that were still fresh in his memory, but that he wished he could forget.

He suddenly knew. He knew how it worked. What had taken the Krimzon scientists years—and Bulma months—to research, had taken him a few seconds to discover.

"Vegeta?" Bulma gazed at him worriedly, clearly noting his far off expression and tensed frame.

He snapped himself out of his thoughts and looked down at her, surprise clear on his face. Just then, a door opened, and a small gasp drew both of their attention.

Vegeta whipped his head around, quickly studying the thin, pale-green alien. He was even paler than normal, but Vegeta had no way to know that. He had only seen the man a handful of times.

"Shiro!" Bulma said in surprise, standing up and turning toward him. "Are you alright?"

Shiro's eyes were locked onto Vegeta. It was as if he was seeing a ghost—and in his own mind, he probably was.

"You!" He finally found the words. "How are you…" He shook his head, and took a step back.

Bulma quickly pushed her way in front of Vegeta.

Vegeta simply took another sip of coffee and stared at the green man.

"You're dead!" Shiro finally shouted. "Oh, by the spirits of Perspis! How have you…? You…"

"Shiro," Bulma held up her hands to quell his anxiety. "It's okay. Vegeta's not dead."

"How?" Shiro looked to Bulma now, clearly wanting to believe her. "I saw the execution!" "I saw you die! You…" And then he blinked as something came back to him…his conversation with Piccolo just after the execution.

The Nameckian's deep voice still rumbled lowly in his ears. "You say his body disappeared?...Then there's probably nothing to worry about…Just don't worry. Things may not be what they seem."

"You…What Piccolo said…You…you didn't die then…" Vegeta and Bulma glanced at each other, and then wordlessly decided to let the alien make his own rationalization for why Vegeta was suddenly alive before him. He was mumbling lowly to himself. Bulma leaned forward to catch what he was saying. Vegeta stood still, having no difficulty hearing everything. "When his body disappeared, it was clearly transported somewhere else. Probably to a healer given that he's all better now. But what kind of power could have…perhaps Kurenai? No, she would have said something. Unless…hmm…or perhaps, he's just that powerful. An instantaneous movement technique that can get past even Tik blockers. Is he really that powerful? What if…what if the rumors are true? Maybe he is immortal."

"Are you done talking you yourself?" A harsh voice snapped.

Shiro jumped and darted his eyes toward the Saiyan prince, a fearful look in his eyes. "Oh, sorry I…it's just that…"

Bulma quickly stepped in. "I guess it would be surprising." She said, giving Shiro a sympathetic smile. "To see someone you thought was dead suddenly alive again. But he's as alive as you and me." She winked and patted Vegeta's chest just hard enough for the sound to be audible. "See?"

Vegeta frowned, but Bulma ignored him for the moment. "Are you hungry?" Bulma asked Shiro politely.

Vegeta just rolled his eyes and turned back to the Meiyochi, running his hand over the crystal again to make sure that he actually felt what he thought he felt. How does he do this? He wondered. His eyes glazed over as the memory of that same power, exponentially stronger came over him.

"Vegeta?" He hardly heard Bulma, so deep was he in his thoughts. "Vegeta!"

His head snapped up.

"What is it?" She asked. Her eyes were full of worry.

To his other side, Shiro was staring at him curiously. Somehow he had procured a strange green drink, and was sipping idly on it.

"I…It's not the crystal that powers the Meiyochi." He announced, drawing his hand away.

Shiro came closer, his brows furrowed. "But…there is no other source of power. It has to be…"

"The power source is not here. Somehow…" He furrowed his brows in thought. "I don't know how, but I think this thing runs off of Hui's power."

"Hui?" Shiro squeaked out the name and backed away from the Meiyochi as if it might suddenly come alive and kill him.

"Yes." Vegeta responded. "The crystal, it has traces of his magic still on it."

"How can you…?"

"I can sense Ki." Vegeta told him. "And recently, Kurenai taught me to sense magic as well. Hui's power is overwhelming. Even someone who has no sense for energy at all would feel it." He finally glanced at Shiro. "I've felt his energy before. He was at my execution, remember?"

"Oh…right. Umm…how exactly did you escape from that anyway?"

"That's my secret." Vegeta told him turning away.

Suddenly the door to the capsule house opened saving Vegeta from having to bear Shiro's curious regard any further. A cold wind rushed into the room, before the door was hastily slammed shut.

The three adults turned to see that Gohan and Videl had entered.

"Hi, guys." The two chorused.

"Son Gohan!" Bulma's hands fisted on her hips, as she noticed the young, demi saiyan's attire. "Where is your coat?"

"Oh come on, Bulma," He said, placing his shoes neatly beside the door and moving over to the table. Videl busied herself with hanging up her coat. "It doesn't even take a minute to walk from our house to here."

"You'll catch your death." Bulma informed him. "And don't expect me to help you when you do."

He just smiled at her. "So what's going on? You all look so serious?"

As Bulma started explaining Vegeta's "theory," Vegeta rolled his eyes and decided that he could definitely find somewhere else he'd rather be. As he started to walk off, Gohan pulled something out of his back pocket. "Oh Vegeta, here."

"Hm?" He paused and looked down at it. It was a small paperback book. Vegeta just cocked an eyebrow.

"I just finished it. It's really good, so I thought you might like to give it a try. Dad and the boys are down at the lake ice-fishing. Mom kinda chased them off after one of them over-threw a snowball and cracked the window. Piccolo hasn't come back since Bulma chased him off." He shrugged and concluded. "There's not much else to do around here."

Vegeta just nodded, and mumbling a quick "thanks," walked off.

It came as no real surprise when the two other Krimzon officers, Chairo and Momo, dropped into the clearing later that day. Apparently an impromptu war council had been called. 17 and 18 had also been invited and had flown in to meet them. It didn't look as if anyone was particularly thrilled to be there, but the three Krimzon officers were chattering excitedly, occasionally throwing glances toward Vegeta.

Trunks, and Goten had been sent upstairs with strict instructions to babysit Marron and not come back down. Everyone else had crammed into the Sons' dining room, making the room seem decidedly small.

Everyone seemed to hesitate before asking any questions. Surprisingly, it was Yamcha who started. "So…we've all been cut off from everything here." He looked toward the Krimzon officers. "We have no idea what's going on." He continued. "Can we expect the Tik to let up anytime soon?"

Most gazes settled on Vegeta, but he, in turn looked at Shiro for assistance. Shiro however had his head, down hastily typing on his communicator. He was apparently ignoring everything around him. No help there. So with a sigh, Vegeta turned back to face the others. "I'm actually not sure. As of…I guess…two months ago, it was complete chaos. The Tik were gaining ground, and some of…" He paused, seeming to remember something quite dark. "some of the Krimzon's strongest allies defected to them." He looked between Piccolo and the Krimzon officers. "Have you heard otherwise?"

"We don't get much news out here." Chairo admitted. "Only Shiro's communicator works. All we know is that… after your "execution," Kurenai's been having trouble keeping states from defecting. Your "death" seemed to make Hui unstoppable. Everyone's scared."

"What about before the execution?"

"Hm?" Goku suddenly piped up. "Don't you know?"

"I don't know anything before…about a month ago."

"A month?"

"Well…" He shifted, obviously uncomfortable. It was an odd thing to see. "I was captured I guess about a month before I was executed." He said, turning his eyes toward the Krimzon. "Right?"

"Yes.

Suddenly, Shiro's communicator started beeping, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "Sorry." He mumbled, quickly running out of the room.

Momo and Chairo glanced at each other knowingly but didn't say anything. Turning back to Vegeta, Chairo continued. "Things only got worse after you were captured. That was the real turning point, you could say."

Only moments later, Shiro came back into the room, making a beeline for Vegeta. "You've got a vid call."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Who on earth knew that he was even alive? "From who?"

"Midori."

Vegeta glared darkly at the Krimzon soldier, knowing instantly that it was him who had reported his reappearance on Earth. He turned his glare on the other two, but unlike the frail, green man, the two women met his gaze evenly. "Fine." He snatched the communicator and stomped out of the room, leaving a room full of curious people behind him.

Dropping onto the Son family's couch, he held up the screen. "Yes?"

The shocked face of Midori greeted him. He scowled at her. He would have preferred not to see her and Kurenai for a long time...or ever really.

"Oh Kami." Midori whispered. Suddenly she gasped, and turned away in an odd mix of laughter and sobbing. Visibly working to control herself, she turned back to him. "Is it really you?"

"Unfortunately." He mumbled. "Did you want something or are you just calling to spoil my vacation?"

Sniffling, she wiped her eyes. A watery grin lit her face. She made no effort to answer his question. "Hold on." And then he could see the walls of Kurenai's palace flying by the screen. The sounds of her boots pounding the ground and the occasional shout of surprise were all he could hear. Everything was bobbing and blurred as Midori apparently sprinted toward her destination.

Vegeta furrowed his eyebrows. He hated when people had such weird, confusing reactions.

Finally, he heard the sound of Kurenai's great doors slamming open. It was a sound he had become accustomed to, as he occasionally liked to make dramatic entrances. Midori was practically hyperventilating as she related the strangely woven tale that Shiro had apparently fed her.

A moment later, Midori thrust the communicator into Kurenai's hands.

The old woman, whose face he hadn't seen in ages, stared slack-jawed at him.

Vegeta stared back before eventually getting annoyed. "Was there a reason that you called or did you just want to stare at me looking like a pair of fish?"

"Vegeta?" Kurenai finally found her voice. Though he was secretly reveling in having rendered her speechless, he was finding it somewhat disconcerting.

"Yes." He said, as if having to explain something to a particularly slow child.

"How…how did…how is this possible?" She asked. "I…we all saw you die."

Vegeta dropped his gaze and looked away. "I can't tell you that. Just trust that it's nothing that concerns you or your war."

"But…you're really alive?"

He spread his arms. "As you see."

"Hmm…I need you to answer a question then, to prove your identity."

"If I answer incorrectly, will you leave me alone?" He hazarded.

"It's definitely him." He heard Midori say with some humor somewhere off screen.

Kurenai just rolled her eyes. "When was the only time that you got me so mad that I left the room?"

It was his turn to roll his eyes. "That only happened once? You mean when Midori got dumped and we both got drunk. And then you randomly called us you your office, and got mad because we took the train and people saw us?"

"Ok, one more. I had you borrow something from Kuro once." She looked as though she was going to enjoy hearing his answer. "What was your disguise?"

"You know what it was." He snapped, eyes narrowing.

"Need I remind you that I have ships hovering over Earth's atmosphere right now protecting it from further invasion?" Kurenai asked. "I can always recall them."

He scowled and then glanced over his shoulder before mumbling. "I was a buxom wench." He could hear Midori crack up laughing and glared.

Kurenai grinned, wiping a little wetness form her eyes. She took a deep breath. "Well then, now that I know you're really you…" Her eyes got that determined expression that Vegeta had grown to dread. "I need you to prove it to the rest of the universe."

"Ugh!" Vegeta dropped his head in frustration. "How?" How nearly whined. "I can't get off the planet. Your ships aren't authorized to land, remember?"

"Yes, yes, I know all that." She waved the idea away. "You will conduct a battle for me."

"What? Did you not hear what I just said? I'm stuck on Earth!"

"Shut up, you dolt! You'll give orders from where you are, just like you've done dozens of times before. Only this time, we'll be controlling the media. Before the week is over, the entire universe will know that you are alive and still capable of destroying the Tik."

Vegeta half expected her to start wringing her hands like those villains in the Earth movies.

"And you've got one of those battles just sitting there waiting on me?" He drawled.

"No, no, but don't worry. I'll find one. While we're waiting though, let's just make sure that the situation is clear. You're still needed here, but there are a few things that I need to prepare for your arrival. So, it's no rush. As long as you are available to conduct battles via vid chat, there is no reason for you not to get…ohh two months off."

"That's surprisingly reasonable of you."

"Don't say that I never did anything nice for you." She said. "Now, I'm very busy, so I have to go." Her smile was so big that it was making every wrinkle stand out on her face. "Oh yes. And…get that block off of the Earth's communication system." The screen went black.

Vegeta sighed and stood, heading back to the Son kitchen to listen to hours of political and strategic babble. He should have just stayed in Otherworld.

It was dusk by the time the Chairo and Momo rose into the sky on their hoverboards. The Z gang couldn't be happier to see them go. They were all antsy from sitting in one place for so long, but they were for the most part glad that they at least had a better idea of what was happening in the rest of the universe.

The large group of friends began breaking off into groups. The kids were finally allowed to come downstairs, and they had all immediately grabbed their fathers and a very unwilling Android 17, and dragged them into the backyard. Apparently during their confinement, they had decided that it would be the funnest thing in the world to make a fire in the yard and roast marshmallows for dessert. Chichi and Bulma had feared for the safety of the inhabitants of mountain if the boys started playing with fire, and so they consented as long as their fathers accompanied them.

Piccolo decided that he had gotten enough evil stares from Bulma that day, and he gratefully retreated back to the Lookout. Gohan and Videl disappeared upstairs. Most of the rest moved into the kitchen to begin preparing dinner.

It was when Goku and Krillin were on their own in the woods, looking for fallen branches that were not too covered in snow that Goku finally brought up the topic that had been on his mind for the past few hours. "So…how exactly did Vegeta die?" He asked. Krillin glanced over his shoulder at his oldest friend. Goku looked down at him seriously. "You know don't you?"

Krillin nodded, and picked up a large branch. "He will tell you when he wants." He responded, turning to head back to the house. A moment later, he corrected himself. "If he wants." "Oh come on. We both know Vegeta. He'll never tell me." Goku whined, following after him while hefting his own large branch over his shoulder.

"And you'll just have to live with that." Krillin said.

"Hmm…" Goku looked down at his smaller friend. "You two were in other world together." He concluded.

Krillin simply nodded.

Goku actually grinned. "I can tell. You two are way less tense around each other than you used to be. That's great!" He said honestly, apparently getting over his earlier disappointment. "It's good that you two have gotten over your differences."

"Yeah." Krillin agreed. "He's not so bad once you get to know him."

"Haven't I been telling you that all along?" Goku asked cheekily.

Krillin pouted. "I have to learn some things for myself." He mumbled.

"Speaking of learning things, did you pick up any new techniques in Otherworld?"

Krillin grinned, and the conversation quickly took a different course.

Bulma stared out the window as she washed dishes. Dinner had gone quickly. Everyone had been hungry and the food disappeared in a matter of minutes. The kids had been jittery and excited, glancing outside every few minutes to where logs were piled high awaiting their return.

The minute dinner finished, they had darted outside again, trying every method they knew to get the fire going. It had been a comical sight, especially when Vegeta had come back inside and snatched the cigarette lighter from Bulma's pocket. She and Chichi had given him quite a ribbing about his and the boys' supposed experience in the wild while Tien and Chaotzu had laughed along.

He had merely given them a mock-glare and a comically snide quip and disappeared back outside.

Outside she could see the men and the kids gathered around a now-blazing fire. They all looked so cheerful. Krillin was apparently telling a story that had everyone engrossed. She could see Trunks and Goten occasionally get up to try to enact some technique that he was describing, only to fail when it came to a point where Ki was necessary.

Goku, Yamcha, and Marron laughed at their antics, while 17 and Vegeta cracked reluctant smiles.

Her eyes locked onto her husband. Vegeta had never liked the cold, but he was putting up with it rather well. His mood had degenerated as the evening wore on. She could tell that whatever he had talked about with Kurenai had bothered him a bit, and having to talk about the war for hours on end had only put a damper on his mood.

She wanted to heal him. Had he come to her bearing burns or gashes, any physical signs of his torture, it would have been easier. However, his trauma was a purely emotional one, and that was one thing that he still had trouble dealing with—even after all these years. She had tried to talk to him. Tried to get him to open up, just as she had done all those years ago.

He had simply said that there was nothing to talk about. He was fine. That was clearly not the case. She could see the shadow of terror and pain in his eyes. She noticed the way he stiffened when she touched him, shied away from proximity with others, and jumped at the slightest noises. She didn't know what to do. There was no telling how long he would stay on Earth, and once he was in space again, it was out of her hands. She needed to help him, and unfortunately, there was only a limited time to do it.

So she did the only thing she could think of. She would go to Goku.

She set the last dish onto the drier rack and dried her hands. "Alright, we're done. I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to go see if they left us any marshmallows."

"With that bunch, I wouldn't hold your breath, Bulma."

She just laughed and pulled on her coat and gloves. Her boots crunched in the snow as she made her way toward the bright fire. The air was bitterly cold, and she could see her breath despite how dark it was.

Quietly, she sat on the log beside Vegeta, smiling at the warmth of the fire and the general feeling that came with such times. It was so peaceful, so cozy. So good to have everyone safe and together.

Vegeta glanced at her as she stuck her hands out toward the fire. After glancing around quickly to see if anyone would notice, he reached inside his coat pocket and inconspicuously pulled out a nearly empty bag of marshmallows. There were two left, but she knew that he had saved them for her.

She grinned at him, wishing that he would accept a kiss in response. He merely shrugged and turned back toward the fire.

Yes, She mused, putting her marshmallows on a stick and sticking them near the fire. It's times like this that make it all worthwhile.

"It's good to have everyone together isn't it?" Goku asked wrapping an arm around Chichi's shoulders. The two were sitting on the back porch, both nursing mugs of hot cocoa. The embers from the fire were still cheerfully glowing red, but the pit was left abandoned. Lights were glowing in the windows of the capsule houses across the lawn. Smoke danced from the chimney of the house Bulma and Vegeta were staying in.

Above them, Goku and Chichi could hear Goten and Trunks talking excitedly about the video games that Trunks had brought from space. The faint sound of music could also be heard coming from Gohan's bedroom window. Chichi was keeping a sharp ear on that particular room, but at the moment Gohan and Videl were only innocently chatting. From the few words that she had picked up, it seemed that after a short argument over who had the most artistic talent, the two had challenged each other to a draw off. Whoever could produce the most realistic portrait of the other was the winner. Chichi hadn't heard what the prize was, but clearly Goku had, for he had been chuckling about it for the past few minutes.

Chichi wrapped her blanket more tightly around her shoulders. "It is." She agreed. "Although it would also be nice to have the house to ourselves."

He chuckled and the two lapsed into a peaceful silence, happy to just have the other next to them.

After a few moments, Goku finally broke the silence. "Chichi…" He hesitated. "I'm…I'm going into space. Vegeta's leaving in two months, and I plan to go with him."

He could see on her face that her heart sank at the statement.

She'd known this was coming, and she had done everything to avoid it.

"I…I just thought you should know. I've recently realized that…it's not fair to not at least tell you before I leave."

She huffed at his belated revelation, but then turned her attention back to the matter at hand. "But Goku, can't—"

He cut her off. "Sorry Chichi, but we're just not getting anywhere just fighting them on Earth. And…people are being killed all over the universe. If I'm able to stop it…I should, don't you think?"

"Goku there's an entire army, and—"

"And they haven't been able to beat him yet." He could feel her tense, and he began rubbing his hand idly up and down her arm. "Do you really think…"

"Yes." She snapped. "Let them handle it for once. It's not your responsibility to solve all of the universe's problems. They've got the army, and that sorceress lady, and Vegeta, and Dende-knows-who-else. I'm sure that they can handle it."

"Chichi." He said her name in a tone that let her know that she was being silly.

She wouldn't give up though. She had one last defense. One last trump card. "But if even Vegeta was killed…"

"Come on Chichi. Just because Vegeta was killed doesn't mean I will be. I've always been stronger than Vegeta." At least he thought so. He was definitely challenging Vegeta to a nice brawl once the Meiyochi had been found. He had two senzu beans saved for the occasion. The thought brought a grin to his face, and he realized that he couldn't wait until the Meiyochi was gone. It had been so long since he'd had a good spar with Vegeta. The others were strong sure, but there was just something about Vegeta. The power that nearly matched his, the ruthless cunning. It thrilled him. Maybe tomorrow…

Then again, Vegeta had looked tired. He had dark rings under his eyes and he was pale. He had forgone searching for wood for the fire in favor stacking the logs neatly—and sitting down when there was nothing more for him to do. His arms were so thin. It hadn't been only Goku who had noticed. He'd seen Bulma and all of the boys and even Chichi, adding more food to his plate during dinner—until he'd snapped at them all to stop, anyway.

Now that Goku knew a bit more about what had happened to Vegeta before, it wasn't hard for him to imagine what had happened. He would eventually find out the whole story. He wasn't sure how though.

Chichi's voice drew him out of his thoughts.

"But…" Had Chichi seen more of the universe—had she become more accustomed to the way things actually worked—she would have easily found an argument. There was a flaw in his logic that was evident to anyone who wasn't from Earth—and now even to a growing number of Earthlings.

However, Chichi was not one of that number. In her experience, victory always went to the strongest fighter—not the most seasoned or cunning. And the strongest fighter had always been her husband. By that logic, there was no way he could lose. He was strong, he was noble, and he was possibly the luckiest man alive.

Even with the Meiyochi in place, it was hard for her to imagine him defenseless. Even when he'd come back covered in mud and blood—apparently his own, although she had never discovered how bad his injury had been—she hadn't really taken seriously the notion that maybe, just maybe her husband was not capable of defeating this emperor—whatever his name was. Even if she worried and fretted each time he or one of her sons left, she always had confidence that, should any trouble come their way, they would be able to take care of it.

Nonetheless, she felt her eyes fill with tears at the thought of him leaving, tearing off across the universe again in search of a good adventure. There must be something—some way to keep him on Earth.

"But what about the Meiyochi?" She asked.

He just shrugged. "I'll find some way around it."

"Goku…"

He frowned. "Chichi, don't worry. I'll be okay."

She sighed and glanced up at his face. His expression was determined, unyielding, and excited. All of her arguments suddenly abandoned her. She knew she had lost.

A/N: Alright, so another chapter. Something nice and light after all of that dark, dramatic stuff. As you've all probably gathered, this is only part one of the little arc that will cover Vegeta's time on Earth. The others will be a bit more eventful, but I had to get things started here. I've got a little Goku/Chichi in there by request. It was high time they had a talk. For all of you who made suggestions, thank you all very much, I will try to put as many of them in as possible, especially the Goku/Vegeta fight. I also have to cover the second part of the Trunks/Vegeta talk.

Thank you all so much for all of the time you take to leave me such nice, enthusiastic, and detailed reviews. I'm so glad to hear how much you're enjoying this. All of your advice and support have made this story much better than it would have been otherwise. Thank you! You're awesome!