This chapter was supposed to be up sooner but due circumstances (or just other people actually) it got delayed and well… now you get an extra-long chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z.

Chapter 37: The Darkness of Eternity

Bulma swallowed her nerves and finally found her voice again, '…What exactly do you mean?'
Again, stalling but she was curious to why he cared about such a thing.

'Well, you spend an awful lot of time together these last few days. Surely you can explain me what is exactly that you two share?' He remained a lot calmer then she had thought he would be. It almost seemed as if it was possible to view this as a normal conversation, but Bulma could feel a certain animosity hang in the atmosphere.

It could be triggered by anything, so she was wary with her words and movements. Trying to still her nerves, she lay her hands on the table, seeing them shake much like Sok's had when their conversation was so rudely interrupted. Her mind wandered back to Vegeta, wondering what it was exactly he had said to his father to make him want to talk to her about it.

'I can't actually.' Bulma answered sincere, 'It is rather complex… I don't understand it much myself. Vegeta is a…'

'A difficult person to decipher.' He finished for her. He let himself sink into his own thoughts, so a few long minutes of silenced passed between them. Instead of worsening her feelings of anxiety it seemed to have the opposite effect, calming her and making her feel some sort of companionship with him. She waved away the false feeling as traitorous and dangerous, she didn't know this man nor what could possible go around in his mind.

Perhaps father and son did not have the best relationship but there seemed to be more involved. For instance it appeared it wasn't willingly coming from both sides. She could sense some form of regret in him.

The sigh that left his mouth only confirmed her suspicion. Taking the fork in her hand and poking the food on her plate, she dared to look back at the King, noting he hadn't touched his food either and was still silently staring at it while his thoughts were elsewhere.

'Why did you send for me?' Bulma asked, keeping her tone as soft and calm as she could, hoping to create a false sense of trust between them. She hoped he'd at least clarify some things for her. There was one thing particular she was worried about and the guards that had brought her here had made her consider the idea that was now plaguing her mind even more seriously.

But she could tell she couldn't be so direct with him, he was distant and cold and her frank manner of speaking wouldn't do the situation much good.

He was the King and without Vegeta around, she was nothing more but some Earthling woman. She suddenly realized how much this would eventually affect her life, without him in the picture-

'I haven't spoken with my son for a very long time, Miss Briefs.' His answer cut through her train of thoughts and when their eyes met, she noted how bold he was and how in a way, he was much different than Vegeta.

'I don't understand…' Bulma shook her head, trying to keep up an innocent façade why doing so, 'You have not spoken? But just a day ago—'

'So far we have argued not talked.' He clarified his answer, giving her a smirk as if he was being sardonic with himself. Though she wasn't certain how to take his words.

'I see.' Bulma nodded, grabbing a the glass in front of her again, she this time took a huge gulp, as to gather her wits. Placing the pieces together, she dared to ask him.

'Is it you who is, possible, behind the Saiyans that are turning against him?'

His eyebrows shot up, his smirk widened but this time it was out of actual amusement at her question. Letting out a hollow laugh, he shook his head, 'No, Miss Briefs, I am not.'

'But on my way over, one of the guards said, the true King… Why would he say that? I just thought…' Letting her words linger a bit longer, Bulma bit her tongue, hoping her mistake wasn't fatal. Without Vegeta's protection she was doomed and here she was playing with fire. But it was stronger than her, she just had to ask.

'I admit there had been some problems surrounding my son's leadership but I have nothing to do with that.' He was still calm but she could tell this was a sensitive subject, yet her question hadn't angered him at all. She wondered if he perhaps simply had more patience then Vegeta or that this whole thing was about something else.

'I apologize.' She bowed her head, 'I didn't mean to offend you.'

Damage control, Bulma, damage control.

'I understand your point of view. For you it must seem that way.'

'It's not?' Bulma wanted to kick herself when she blurted that out.

'Tell me about your relationship with him, Miss Briefs.' Placing his elbows on the table, the gleam in his eyes betrayed how well he saw through her. Bulma suddenly felt very exposed.

Not just to him, but to herself as well, she realized how much she cared about his problems. About his… well-being.

Uncomfortable shifting in her seat a bit before answering, she settled for the only answer she could give him. The beginning of their very complex relationship.

'He and I go way back. Before the revival of your planet. Before any of this.' She let out a humorless laugh, she couldn't even imagine such time any more. 'I don't know if he has told you how he was able to revive you and the planet…?'

'He told me that it wasn't something I shouldn't worry about nor that I would be able to use again in the future and that such information was now only considered useless.'
She could tell he was simply repeating the answer Vegeta had given, she could practically hear him say that.

'Right.'

So he doesn't have a clue about Goku, Earth, Namek and the Dragonballs. I don't know if I should tell him this all or not… Oh, what does it matter? Everything is gone. Vegeta probably didn't tell because he couldn't bother to explain something that was now considered trivial in his mind.

'He killed Frieza.' He interrupted her thoughts again, 'Did he not?'

'I think so. I wasn't there when he fought him.' Bulma could feel herself become insecure over solid facts she was certain of. There was that feeling of anxiety again.

'Where were you?' He asked intrigued, using the same expressions as his son when he was confused and curious at the same time. They physically looked so much alike, it was actually a little unnerving.

'Back home.' She simply answered.

'I see.' He clicked his tongue, 'So you are not certain if Frieza is gone or not?'

'If Vegeta said so, I'm sure he is.' Determinedly looking at him, her strict voice had certainly told him she was one hundred percent certain of what she was saying. It was the truth, no part of her ever doubted if Vegeta had truly killed Frieza or not.

'What makes you so certain?' He asked, his tone as even as before.

'He would never let Frieza live.' She stated, her eyes landing on the glass of water that was in her hand, swirling around aimlessly, 'He hated him too much for that.'

'Of course.' It had come out in breath that had anxiously left his mouth, shattering his calm façade. It was hard to describe the emotions that had washed over him. Had she not catch it in the split second he had allowed it seep through, she still be clueless about the man she was talking to.

There had been agony, regret but also worry and guilt.

She didn't know him. But she knew fathers. Thinking of her own, his image made her want to run back to her own safe room. Or rather, her parents room.

Stop being so childish. She scolded at herself, finding the voice in her head sound a lot like Vegeta's.

Get it together.

Shaking her head at the thoughts. Bulma stayed quiet, letting him lead the conversation and not press things in the wrong direction. A part of her still wanted this to be over as quick as possible.

When he finally moved again, his hands grabbed the table and she was certain that underneath those gloves where knuckles white as a sheet. Of anger and hate. But again, she said nothing, simply looking back up at the man's face.

Regaining his composure, 'You seem certain. Has he… ever talked about Frieza to you?'

I offended him by comparing him to Frieza which resulted in him almost killing me. Bulma's mind dryly stated but her body tensed at the memories. She didn't know why she was thinking so much about everything that had happened, perhaps it was because he was asking so many questions.

'Not…- Just once.' She confessed, not being able to lie. 'I think…' Thinking about how she had angered him so much, 'I think he hated everything about him. I personally think… Frieza was probably very… degenerating against him, mocking his title. His existence…'

'He had him since he was five.' King Vegeta stated bluntly, startling her.

He swallowed, 'It was something Frieza wanted. My son, a prodigy in his own right,' Proud shone through in his eyes when he said those words but they fell when reminiscing further about the past, 'to serve him. I considered it an honor in the beginning but… He wouldn't let him come home.'

'He never did?' Bulma asked, feeling her heart ache inside. An overwhelming feeling of pity came over her and though Vegeta had mentioned how much he hated it Frieza, she had never considered what it must've been like to have endure the torture of Frieza at such a young age without anyone around to fall back on.

'No.' He simply answered.

To never be able to return home.

'Frieza had lied about it, destroyed everything… Vegeta knew it was Frieza behind it. I think he always had his suspicion…'

'Yes, he did tell me he knew.' King Vegeta nodded, grabbing the glass of wine and drinking it completely up, greedy and impatient. Though the conversation held something surreal and uncomfortable, the atmosphere had calmed around them. It was serene and Bulma noted there was no one to hear in on it.

Perhaps this makes him more freely to speak as well. I doubt the King can express his thoughts so casually…

'I think that is the problem.' He swallowed the last bit before continuing, 'Vegeta has practically no memories of our planet. Of me.' He looked at her plate and then back up at her, 'Please eat.'

Bulma nodded, grabbing the fork and pretending to eat. Her stomach felt no need to indulge on the delicious smelling food, so she just kept making empty gestures without actually putting anything truly in her mouth, the few bits that when passed her lips tasted foul on her tongue.

It wasn't as if he noticed, she figured he pressed her to eat simply to take the attention off of their conversation.

'He doesn't remember you?' Bulma's soft tone seem to work on him, seeing him relax when she asked him such a personal questions. It was almost as if they were to close associates simply having dinner and discussing little personal matters while doing so.

'He remembers. But only a little.' He let out a sigh, 'I am the Saiyan King… who failed planet Vegeta and above all, his son. You see, the Saiyans think I got betrayed by Frieza, which I did. But I was aware of it all, I just stubbornly kept thinking my son would outgrow him in power, I never considered the danger I was putting my planet in. So now to the outside world, I am the fallen King, who was a great leader until his death and that of his people. And Vegeta, who doesn't find our culture interesting or has any type of feeling towards us, those who actually failed him, seems like the awful eternal King who doesn't even bother to follow our traditions. His inability to feel companionship with his planet and his inhabitants makes him unpopular.'

Bulma motionlessly stared at the man, feeling flattered that he was so open with her. Taking in his words, she realized that by talking to him she only understood Vegeta better.

Nodding her head in understanding she decided to speak up, 'But you can't blame him, for him, this is just another planet. One with rules he has to obey, like with Frieza. I don't think he actually ever thought about all things that would change for him when reviving the planet. I think he viewed his planet differently then what it is. But in the end, this just isn't him.'

He gave her smile, 'No it is not.' Agreeing with her, 'He doesn't want to do much other than train… and be with you.'

The comment made her blush crimson and she didn't know why it made her feel so uncomfortable, she blamed the butterflies that had been set free in her stomach.

'Hence why I asked about you and him. He doesn't view you like a servant.' He noted, his eyes traveling up her body, as if to find out what it was exactly that made her different.
'He seeks your attention, your affection. I know he thinks I don't know of such things or I fail to see but I can tell, he's quite fond of you.'

'I don't know why he has this weird… obsession. It's not like we…' Bulma couldn't utter such words to him, especially to him he didn't seem like the type and he only confirmed it when he laughed at her struggle.

'No, Saiyans don't.' Confirming her thoughts, 'I believe at first he was rather… thorough in trying to… make your life as difficult as he could. I must admit, I'm surprised you're still here.'

'So am I.' Bulma dryly stated, agreeing when she thought of all the times he had been so close to killing her.

'There is a big part of my son's life that I don't know of.' King Vegeta explained, 'I don't seem to be able to figure out how he thinks. But you seem to know him quite well. You just casually explained what I am unable to understand.'

Bulma gaped a little at him before hesitantly answering him, 'I-I really don't know all that much… I still don't know why he bothers with me at all…'

'Vegeta likes challenges. Always had, even as a child. You must've challenged him at one point.'

'Perhaps.' She shrugged at the answer, knowing all too well how many times she had defied him.

'I think… you are the first consecutive person in his life.' King Vegeta pointed out, staring boldly in her eyes, hoping to see some type of conformation in them but she was certain he only saw what she felt, confusion and disbelief.

'For us life just continued where it had ended but for Vegeta it wasn't like that at all.' Letting his own words sink in, he stayed quiet for a moment. Obviously he was referring to his Saiyan people and himself.

'Now, let us enjoy dinner.' He then stated, finally indulging on the fine meal before him.

Bulma felt no other choice but to actually start eating. She found it awkward to eat with him and this whole ordeal was strange and surreal but at the same time it was as if she had finally been able to talk to someone about Vegeta.
She realized he was the first Saiyans she had actually talked to. Except for Goku, err, Kakarot, of course.

'How do you find planet Vegeta?'

Hell.

'I'm imprisoned.' Bulma answered bluntly, 'I can't say I've seen much of it.' She did keep her tone soft but couldn't hide the bitterness in her voice. She didn't feel like lying either though that could be because she couldn't think of one single thing she liked on the planet.

He didn't answer, simply smirking at her, as if he was relishing on her agony. It made a pang of hate go through her heart, painfully obvious making her lose the calmness and peacefulness she had had for only a few minutes after their open conversation.

She didn't say anything more and neither did he. So they ate in silence, making every noise louder than usual and every bite longer. Bulma felt as if she was chewing on rubber, endlessly and tastelessly in her mouth down to her stomach.

Now that she was here, she might as well get some information about something she had been wondering about for a while now.

After swallowing her food away with a huge gulp of water, she spoke up and broke the long silence that had taken place, 'What is your culture like?'

When looked up from his plate at her he seemed a little confused at first but intrigued at the same time.

She listened intently when he spoke and told her about the numerous traditions and insignificant things to do, what entertained them and what kept their minds occupied.

When Bulma walked back, her mind thought of hundred things. All in King Vegeta's voice, as if his words had become some sort of mantra taking over her mind. Their strange encounter had been enlightening. A part of her was seeing things so much clearer now.

The two soldiers that had brought her to him were now walking her back to her, this time they stayed remarkable quiet as if King Vegeta had said something but that wasn't possible because he hadn't been alone with them. Perhaps it was because King Vegeta treated her with respect they now did too.

They just nodded and bid her wordlessly goodbye, Bulma had simply nodded back, watched them go and then turned around herself.

He had told her plenty of things, and all in all, she found that Vegeta, who could not adjust to the planet, was more Saiyan than any other Saiyan she had encountered or rather heard of. Perhaps that was the problem, he was a true Saiyan. A real warrior that took proud in his battles rather than his wealth.

She let out a sigh, she had been feeling nauseous this entire time and now that the she was relieved of not being in the presence of such powerful man, it was as if all the stress and emotions unleashed themselves on her now, ten times more intense.
Disoriented, she stumbled towards her own room, having the need to lay down before reuniting with her parents.

She hadn't been able to talk decently with them throughout the entire day and now it was already midnight and she had yet to even see them properly.

Letting herself fall on her soft bed, she clenched on to the sheets, noting how wonderful clean they smelled and how much she had missed her own bed, in spite of the fact that Vegeta's bed had been heavenly soft and much larger than hers.

Getting comfortable, she lay on her back, resting her forearm on her head. She kept thinking of Vegeta. Her mind couldn't seem to wrap itself around the fact he was no longer here. It had all happened so fast, just like that he had left her behind.

'Bulma?'

The feminine whisper startled her and she jumped up, only now noticing that her mother was actually sitting in a chair in the far corner of the room, staring at her with great concern on her face. Abruptly getting up and running towards her, Bulma didn't say anything more but answered her embrace with wrapping her own arms around her.

'Mom!' She let out a sigh of relief, 'I'm so happy to see you.'
'Me too!' She could hear her cry, 'I thought I'd lost you.'
'No…' Bulma whispered back but a part of her cringed at the words, she almost had indeed but she wouldn't tell her about that.

'Oh Bulma, I was so foolish!' Her breath hitched and her voice trembled, 'I thought by telling you those things you'd stay or understand the madness of it all but I pushed you away instead! I'm a terrible person and I didn't mean what I said… Oh, Kami, I'm so glad you are alright!' Her entire body was shaking and Bulma could feel her almost squeeze the air out of her. Bulma had to push her off of her, not because she didn't want the intimacy but because she would truly would end up vomiting on her if she allowed it any longer.

'I feel a little sick.' Bulma shrugged, 'I think it's because of the stress of lately.'
'Of course… Of course…' Her mother just nodded, as if she couldn't believe she was seeing her. Bulma gave her a smile, to reassure her everything was fine between them. She knew better and so did her mother. It was ironic how now it all seemed so useless and stupid.

After talking for an hour, about nothing special really. For once the conversation hadn't been about Vegeta or Saiyans but about how much they both now understood the limits of their lives and how things were worth fighting over weren't worth losing one another over.

It did surprise her thought that her mother had changed her opinion about Sok and her will to fight back, she actually wanted to participate. To be a part of it and genuinely seemed to believe in their cause.

Which was ironic because now Bulma didn't. Her talk with the King and with Vegeta had sobered her up.

'I don't know, mom.' Bulma shook her head, 'I don't think we actually have much of a chance.'

'Were you… Were you able to find out about Vegeta's… secret?' She hesitantly asked, her hand caressing her hair as if she was small child.
'Yes.' She nodded, 'But I don't think it's going to change anything. I've been thinking about things and lately I just don't think we can. Like I don't know… That part that was always telling me we can do this, now is telling me we can't… I'm not giving up but I… I just matured I guess. Sok and I were perhaps being indeed a little unrealistic…'

'I do whatever it is you believe, Bulma. I believe in you.' Her eyes held something determined as if she had been wanting to tell her this from the second she had seen her.

Bulma couldn't conceal the happiness she was feeling from hearing her say that and simply answered her with another small embrace.

'I just want us to stay together from now on.' She pointed out.
'Yeah. Me too.' Bulma agreed.

'How… Are you alright, Bulma?'

'Not really. I don't know how to feel about everything…'

'Do you miss him?'

Was she that see through that this was about Vegeta? Or did her mother still had the ability to look through her when it came to these type of things? She didn't answer straight away, having to think about the answer.

'I don't know. No.' She genuinely answered.

'But…?'

'I don't hate him.' She confessed, 'I used to but now… I don't. I just… pity him.' She found that answer a lot sadder than hating him. Vegeta would be horrified if he heard her say such things.

'Give it all some rest, Bulma.' Her mother suggested, 'Just give it all some time to let it sink in and give it a place in your head.'

Bulma looked up quizzical at her mother's words of wisdom. What had happened? But she smiled, knowing this was the same woman who gave her of advice when it came down to men, relationships and other trivial matters. She was no scientist but a true mother, who always tried to do what was best.

'Stay here.' Bulma mumbled, getting more comfortable. She didn't want to let go of her again. Ever.

Well, not for the moment anyway.

Bulma had actually taken the advice of her mother and let it all rest. She avoided Sok as the plague, much to his annoyance and mostly talked to her father and mother. Well, not that any other person wanted to talk to her. Even Sprot was quit vicious against her but she ignored it all for the most part.

King Vegeta had not requested her presence again which wasn't something she found particularly saddening but it did leave her wondering why he had bothered to talk to her in the first place.

She was still uncertain about her own feelings, finding it hard now to see Vegeta as the true evil in this all. It was almost as if it was all just an unfortunate series of events that had resulted to this.
She couldn't imagine growing up with Frieza. And now his father and people didn't seem to understand him much. The Saiyans that stand against him, though she know understood them a great deal.

Vegeta was here for all eternity. And he wasn't the leader they had anticipated him to be. He was actually too ruthless, too much of a warrior to some. Which was ironic because that was what they had always strived for and now it was the exact same thing that made them rebel against him and push him out.

Bulma's heart felt heavy in her chest and she placed the palm of her hand on her chest. She still wasn't feel all too well because of the emotional stress and her body was beginning suffer from it. Because of her parents she was able to fight of the dark feelings and ideas that sometimes created havoc in her mind but now when she was alone in her working space, she couldn't help but dwell on it all again.

The past weeks had been strange. It felt like a déja-vu of her first weeks on planet Vegeta. Having to find her routine again and accept the fact that hostility was a part of her environment.

Though that was not always the case. She stared out of the tall window, looking at the people outside. After talking to King Vegeta she had to conclude that Saiyans and Earthlings did have a few things in common.
For instance, they were social creatures just like them. And thought she never thought it was possible but she had seen Saiyans and Earthlings willingly being with one another.

It made her aware that Vegeta had been right, that this was all just temporarily and things would eventually settle down with time. She was finally beginning to accept the facts for what they were. Though the mere view made her flinch and turn away.

She sighed and let her head rest on the window. Now she was back on thinking about Vegeta again, now feeling a little melancholic. She had to admit life was different without him, it was drastically calm and it made her beyond restless. Sometimes she wondered what he was doing and thinking about and if he too had to find his way around the fact that they were parted…

Hearing the door open up behind her, Bulma was only slightly surprised at seeing Sok, who looked worse every passing day. She hadn't contacted him nor had her father, so she was left in the dark on what was going on the other side, not that she was interested for the moment.

Letting out a sigh at the sight, she wished the world would just leave her alone. It was almost as if she was grieving but the truth was she was listless and her mind was trying to wrap itself around how she was feeling.

'Please, let me talk to you!' He pleaded, watching her warily, hoping this time she would not bolt out of the door and make him run after her.

'Leave.' Bulma answered tiredly, she wasn't in the mood.

'What has happened to you?' He asked, 'What did the King say?'

'Ha, nothing.' Rolling her eyes at the fact he was still mainly looking for information. Ignoring his sigh of frustration. When he cursed at her she kept pretending to not have hear him, when back to her desk and sat down to continuing her work.

'Bulma, listen to me!' He planted his fist on her desk which startled her because she hadn't heard him come over. She looked up with mild interest, noting her head was hurting again. She needed to rest more.

'What has happened to you?' He repeated, 'Are you truly telling me to believe that you no longer believe in our cause? That it was all for nothing!?'

'I don't know.' She shrugged, 'I just don't feel like it all right now. I just want to let it be.'

'Our chance is now!'

'No it's not. We have the rest of eternity to figure out what to do…' Bulma muttered.

'When all the half-lings stand in our way as a third group!?'

'Those are people's children!' Bulma yelled back agitated by him and his cold opinion towards people.

'Unwanted!' He hissed back.

'They seem to adjust to that idea just fine!' Bulma pointed out. Without thought she looked back at the window, nodding her head towards the people she had been staring at earlier.

Annoyed by him she told him to get out, 'Leave, I don't want to talk to you.'

'So you think everything is going to work out just fine? Everyone is always going to be their slave and you are alright with that? Because you been through some things and realized you'd might lose your parents? You might lose them either way!' He screamed, becoming more desperate at seeing her reaction.

'Well, at least now I'm a bit more certain.' Bulma shrugged, hearing a ringing sound in her ear. She felt disoriented and nauseous again. Maybe she should listen to her father and actually go see a doctor like he had suggested a few days ago.

If only she didn't absolutely loathe doctors. Ever since Frieza, she hadn't been too fond of going near regenerate tanks and other medical equipment's. Not even if they were maneuvered by Earthlings.

'No, you are not. Are you even going to tell me about Vegeta? Because I know you know more!' He gasped at her impassive behavior. Punching the desk again when she didn't reply.

'Stop that.' She yelled, making her flinch. 'I have a migraine…' She muttered.

'Are you ill?' He suddenly asked, sounding concerned.

'No!' She answered in aggravation at his pretense for her well-being, 'I have them from time to time, lately a bit more often than usual but nothing to worry yourself over.' She bit out the last part sarcastically and gave him a daring look to argue otherwise to her. He didn't dare to defy her.

'I know more about Kakarot' He then said, letting his panicking tone fall and settle on a more serious one, letting her know he wasn't just going to walk out.

Headache or no headache.

'I don't care anymore.' She shrugged but felt her heart pace faster. Not saying anything more, he took a chair and sat down before her, waiting for her to start to conversation.

'I'm not changing my mind.'

He didn't say anything back, as if he had finally had his wits again, he seemed to take his time and think about what to say to her.
'Have you… Have you fallen for him?'

'No.'

'Do you hate him?'

Bulma didn't answer that one, avoiding his stare.

'I see.' He nodded, taking in the information. He placed his elbows on her desk, letting his chin rest on top of his hands. After a deep thought, he decided to speak up again. 'Kakarot has had his chip removed.'

'W-what?' Now having her full attention, she gaped at him. Becoming impatient when he didn't continue talking. 'How do you know that?'

'Signal lost.' He explained, 'Weeks ago.' Shrugging it off as if it was old news.

'By whom?' She then asked, her interest piqued, he was on Earth after all so…

'Other Earthlings… The ones from home.' His eyes stayed locked on hers when he spoke those words. They held something pleading and begging, as if to remind her where home was. She knew all too well where it was and how it would feel to go back.

So she broke contact and stared at the small device in her hands, new scouter for future ships, another small project she was working on.

'But you already knew that.' He seemed surprised by her knowledge of his location, being able to put the pieces together at seeing her lack of response.

'Not about the chip being taken away.' She answered, 'How do you that anyway?'

'Last transmission was him talking to Earthling about getting it removed. When I couldn't locate him anymore…' He shrugged again, finding it unfortunate but obviously still did not care all too much about the man. 'I don't know if he survived.'

Bulma's heart froze at those words, she hadn't even considered that.

'Bulma.' He started, not noticing her scared expression, his eyes stayed on her hand staring at the device, 'I don't want to pressure you in telling me the truth and I'm aware you are under the impression that it either will not make the difference or that you think we simply have no chance against him but I beg you to consider our options. Do you want to spend you entire life in darkness? Everlasting no less because nothing or no-one will be able to kill him!'

'I though it didn't matter?' Bulma answered aloof, though she was actually listening to him and her mind was progressing his words, she couldn't help herself but debate against him. 'I thought the moment to strike was now? With him gone?'

'I admit I was being a little drastic at that time. I realize that things are not… that simple. We have to take care of the root of our problem to live a peaceful life… But I believe you can help us, you can think of a plan! I know you can!'

'No, I can't!' She answer annoyed, 'Doesn't work like that! Besides, since when do you have so much faith in my capabilities?'

'Because… I'm becoming desperate myself!' He admitted, 'I don't want this to end! Not like this!'

'I just don't know, Sok!'

'Please, think about it.' Sok pleaded with her. 'Then just tell me! You don't have to be a part of anything but tell me what you know.'

'He's… He cannot die.' Taking a hesitant breath, 'But I guess you could say you could put him in temporary state of weakness.'

'How so?' He asked intrigued, his attention solely on her. His eyes lightened up at the words.

'He heals and regenerates himself but it takes time.' She shrugged. 'Meaning you can destroy, for instance, his heart but it eventually will regrow itself but it's a slow progress that cannot be fastened. I don't think we can do much about it, he'll eventually just heal or re-attach limbs and be beyond mad.' Her sarcasm stayed unnoticed by Sok, who was deep in thought.

'How about we decapitate him?'

'Kami, he's a King but we don't live in middle ages!' Bulma pointed out, feeling utterly disgusted by the suggestion and ridiculed Sok for taking himself actually serious.

'That way he lives but not truly. He can't die but he can be weakened… Interesting…'

'What have I done?' Bulma rolled her eyes actually being able to see the wires work in his head, 'Sok, let it be. Alright? Give this all a rest before taking drastic decisions. Besides Vegeta isn't around to decapitate him.' Again ridiculing his idea.

'I wonder if he ages…' Sok muttered. Bulma gaped at him but in the back of her mind she could hear his question echo and her mind work on the answer. Did he?

Again she heard her door open without permission. Annoyed she looked at the entrance but was silenced by who had entered.

'Kakarot?' Sok gasped, hearing fear in his voice. But Bulma remained calm and shook her head, 'Bardock, father of Kakarot.' She clarified, while explaining it to Sok.

'Indeed.' He nodded his eyes immediately meeting her and gave her a small smirk as greeting.

He calmly walked towards the pair and she could see Sok become more nervous the close her came.

'I thought you were with Vegeta.'

'No, I prepared his ship and was indeed in charge of his personal army. But I am not a part of it.' He casually explained, looking at the small device in her hands and then at Sok. Quirking up an eyebrow at the man, he then took another seat and sat himself down at Bulma's desk.

'I see.' Bulma muttered, wary at what this could mean. The scene was awkward to say the least.

'I wished to talk to you about my son.' He stated.

What is it with me and fathers and their sons? Am I the missing link in their lives? Where is everyone's mother!?

Feeling insecurity wash over her, she tried to think of what to say to him 'Ahm…-'

'But I think now is not the moment.' He looked at Sok again. 'There is something else however that I want to talk to both of you about.'

Bulma and Sok stayed silent but the tension in the room was high and there was a nervous suffocating feeling clouding their minds. They stayed silent and waited for him to continue, both did not dare to look at one another.

'It's about you,' He said to Sok, 'And you.' Now looking back at Bulma, 'And the Alliance of Earthlings against the Empire of the mighty Saiyan race.'

Hopefully next chapter will be up sooner! I'm going try to update twice a week… Not sure if I'm going to be able to do that though.

I'm personally really pleased with this chapter! I loved writing another Saiyan and King Vegeta no less. I know he comes off as a hard and strict person but we know that just like Vegeta, he has softer side in him somewhere. Just like all Saiyans… I'm trying to give everyone a little bit more depth and I hope you can appreciate that and how the plot is developing...

Tell me your thoughts!

Comment/review!