Dragon Ball Z: Alternate Love

Chapter 18: Tien and Launch.

It was early the next morning. Around four am. After Bulma's break on the ship, Gohan and Chi Cha playing with Videl and Erasa, and Raditz visiting his brother while spending time with Maron.

Now, we focus on another couple.

Currently, both Tien and Launch were laying in bed. Launch was on her back, with her nearly seven month pregnant belly causing a bump in the covers. Her blue hair was around her head. She was sound asleep, snoring quietly.

Meanwhile, Tien wasn't. He just couldn't sleep right now.

It was very early in the morning, so he should've gone back to sleep, but he just couldn't.

The Triclops had a lot of thoughts going on these days. Not only was he doing mental training with Launch until she gave birth, and he could start training her for real, but he kept having to come back to Capsule Corp for his replacement arm. Eighter and Dr. Briefs had been working on it non-stop. It was nearly done, and Tien was beyond grateful for that. Tien wanted to be able to fully spoon his wife in the morning and at night.

And he wanted to be able to hold his child easily. In roughly two months, he'd be a father.

All of these thoughts had Tien up at this hour.

Slowly, he gazed down at the stump that once held his arm.

It was a constant reminder of the attack with the Saiyans. Tien hadn't just lost his arm. He had lost his best friend. No, more than that. Tien had lost the closest thing to a brother he had.

And his arm being gone was a glaring reminder of it.

And Tien had been prepared to sacrifice his life in order to avenge Chaotzu.

But his friends dying wish stuck with him.

Even as Chaotzu was about to die, he wanted his friend to live and protect their family.

Launch and the baby.

So, Tien was gently running the stub, getting lost in his thoughts.

As if she could sense it, Launch softly woke up. She looked at her beloved and said, "Tien? Are you alright?"

Then looked at her and snuggled close to her, pulling her into his chest.

Tien, "I'm fine Launch. Just having some trouble sleeping. You should be resting though. Plenty of sleep is good for the baby."

Launch snuggled into the triclops's embrace, "it wasn't your fault. You know that right?"

Tien, "..."

Launch, "you did all you could against that Saiyan who took your arm. You honored Chaotzu's dying wish. Nothing is your fault honey. Remember that."

Tien felt tears in his eyes as he gazed down at the woman in his life.

Tien, "can you turn onto your other side? I'd like to spoon."

Launch, "sure thing honey."

Launch carefully maneuvered her way around, and soon had her back pressed up against Tien's. His hand started rubbing her belly, caressing it softly.

Launch, "mmm, that feels nice."

Tien, "do you know what it is? I haven't had the chance to ask if you knew or not."

Launch, "I never learned."

Tien, "what?"

Launch, "I wanted it to be a surprise for the both of us when the day comes."

Tien, "hmm, I like that idea."

And so, Tien was finally able to fall asleep with his wife. And as he did so, he remembered when he had first decided to ask Launch out….

….

Flashback within a dream begins

The event took place about three months after Goku defeated Piccolo.

Tien was pacing around the living room, pondering what he should do.

Chaotzu was looking at his friend in mold confusion. He knew what Tien wanted to do. He wanted to ask Launch out on a date. What the Triclops was struggling with was HOW to do it?

It was no secret that Launch was interested in Tien. Both of her personalities went head over heels for the former crane school fighter. And Tien felt the same way. He was very stoic, but knew that he couldn't keep his deep feelings for her at bay any longer.

Launch was currently outside, in her blonde form, doing target practice.

Tien, "how do I ask her? She deserves something special for me to ask this. Some sort of grand gesture. But, that might set the bar too high."

Chaotzu, "you should just ask her Tien!"

Tien, "it's not that simple Chaotzu. I want this moment to be special."

Chaotzu, "I feel like any way you ask her, it will be special to you both."

Tien, "but how do I even broach the subject Chaotzu?"

Chaotzu, "just try to take it slow."

Tien, "how are you so knowledgeable about dating?"

Chaotzu, "I watch a lot of shows explaining this stuff."

Tien, "okay. So I should just, go for it?"

Chaotzu, "yeah. Go for it. See what happens."

Tien took a long sign before saying, "alright Chaotzu. Here goes nothing…."

Tien went up to the door and slowly opened it, seeing Launch continuing her target practice. He slowly approached the blonde woman shooting rapidly. He then gently tapped her on the shoulder, and immediately ducked under her rapid fire. The dire went on for a few seconds before Launch realized who she has fired at and stopped, "oh, sorry Tien. Didn't know it was you."

Tien, "Who else would it be?"

Tien rose and now stood before the blonde woman now shouldering her machine gun.

Launch, "so, what's up?"

Tien, "well, uh, I've been meaning to ask you something…."

Launch, "does Chaotzu need some new clothes and you want me to take him shopping?"

Tien, "no, no. It's, uh, a little more than that."

Launch, "well, what is it? You can talk to me Tien. Whatever you need to talk about, say the word."

Tien took a deep breath.

Tien, "... alright, here it goes. Launch, I was wondering…. If you'd, uh, like to…."

Launch, "... to what?"

Tien, "g-g-go on a d-d-d-d-d-d-date?"

Both of them stood there, stiff as boards.

Launch, "a-a date?"

Tien, "y-yeah. I figure, you've been living here with me and Chaotzu for so long, and, well, we've been getting a lot closer as time's gone on. I just figured, maybe you would wanna try going out? Say, this Saturday?"

Launch, "well, before we start something, I've got something on my mind."

Tien, "well, what's that?"

Launch, "which Launch do you wanna be with?"

Tien, "p-pardon?"

Launch, "which side of me do you like? The sweet blue one? Or the violent blonde one?"

Tien stood silent for a moment before he caressed her face with his hands, "I love the woman in front of me. No matter what personality is in control, I'll love you either way."

Launch grinned happily at Tien as the two embraced, hugging each other tightly.

Launch, "seven pm."

Tien, "it's a date then!"

And thus, the two had begun dating. They were the happiest they had ever been in a long time.

And with Chaotzu with them, they were like a family. And things seemed like they were gonna get even better as soon as the two got married.

And when they learned Launch was pregnant.

But some of that went away once the Saiyans showed up….

Flashback within a dream ends

….

Hours later, at nine o'clock am, Tien woke up before Launch. Despite the fact that he got a little less sleep then she did, he made sure to get up early. He wanted to treat her to breakfast in bed, for putting him at ease earlier.

And so, Tien gently pried himself out of Launch's grasp, and made his way out of the bedroom. As he stepped into the kitchen, he stopped in his tracks at a certain sight.

Chaotzu's hat sat in the corner of the kitchen. A few small candles sat nearby, having burnt out, as well as a small vase of flowers. Three pictures sat nearby.

The first one was of Tien, Yamcha, Krillin, Roshi and Chaotzu, standing together in front of Kame House, taken before they went to the World Martial Arts Tournament and reunited with Goku and the others after three years.

The other was of Launch with her blue hair and Chaotzu sitting on the couch, sleeping with the shorter fighters head resting on her left arm.

And the final one was the oldest one, with a much younger Tien holding a baby Chaotzu. The day the two had first met, and began their journey with one another.

The Triclops quickly wiped away the tears gathering in his three eyes as he began preparing breakfast.

He decided to make Launch's favorite breakfast. Four pancakes, two eggs, a glass of orange juice, and a small separate plate of bacon.

As the bacon was frying, Tien suddenly got a call on the phone.

Tien picked it up, "hello, this us Tien?"

"Hello, Tien? This is Dr. Briefs. Bulma's father?"

Tien, "I know who you are Dr. Briefs. We've been working together for the past few days, remember?"

"Right. Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know, me and that Eighter fellow have nearly finished that new arm of yours!"

Tien, "really?! That's remarkably fast."

"Well, Eighter being an android helped speed up the process. If you can come here in the evening, we should have it ready by then. It looks like a real arm, but it'll be a little painful when it attaches itself to your nerves and such. Alright?"

Tien, "sounds great Doc. I'll see ya then!"

"Goodbye Tien."

Tien, "Goodbye Dr. Briefs."

Tien ended the call and went right back to cooking.

It took him roughly fifteen minutes to finish breakfast, and getting everything on a test for his beloved.

Tien took the tray and made his way out of the kitchen, and into the bedroom.

As Tien slowly sat down on the bed, holding the tray, Launch started waking up.

Her eyes blinking her sleep away as she caught the enticing smell of breakfast. Hormones made a lot of stuff taste like freaking liquid gold.

Launch, "awwww, Tien! Thank you!"

Tien, "hey, nothing's too good for you."

Tien and Launch sat on bed, and Tien started feeding Launch. He just felt like pampering his wife that day. She indulged what he wanted to do, and happily ate whatever he skewed on a fork. She had to drink the orange juice on her own though.

It made breakfast go on for like thirty minutes, but it was worth it for that time they spent with one another.

Eventually, it had to come to an end.

Launch was smiling happily as Tien took the plate, glass and tray to the kitchen.

She started rubbing her belly and said, "you liked that meal, didn't you baby, hmm?"

A few minutes later, Tien entered the bedroom, now wearing a dark green jacket.

Launch, "you going somewhere honey?"

Tien, "Dr. Briefs and Eighter said they managed to finish that new arm of mine. I'm heading off to Capsule Corp to get it."

Launch, "oh, let me know how it goes when you get back, okay?"

Tien, "of course honey. Love you."

Launch, "I love you too."

And with that, Tien made his way out of the house, rising to the air and speeding off towards Capsule Corp.

While Launch simply laid back down and enjoyed the relaxation.

….

About ten minutes later, Tien arrived at Capsule Corp, and was greeted by Panchy Briefs.

Panchy, "oh, hello there Tien! How are you doing?"

Tien, "good Mrs. Briefs."

Panchy, "ih, sweety, you can just call me Panchy."

Tiens, "right then. Anyway, I'm here to see Dr. Briefs and Eighter. They said they should be finished with my replacement arm by now."

Panchy, "oh yeah, I remember. They're in the lab right now. Go on ahead."

Tien ran past her and said, "thank you Mrs-, er, Panchy."

Panchy, "best of luck Tien!"

Tien made his way into the lab, spotting the two men he was looking for.

Eigher and Dr. Briefs.

Dr. Briefs was a shorter, slightly rotund old man with purple hair and mustache. He wore glasses and a lab coat, had a cigarette in his mouth, and a small cat hanging onto his shoulder.

Dr. Briefs turned to the one armed Triclops and said, "ah, Tien! Good to see you. You're just in time. We've finished all the modifications to your arm."

Tien walked forward and looked down at the table they were huddled around.

It looked like an exact copy of his left arm, with a slight curve at the end, so it could attach to the stub easier.

Tien, "i-it's perfect."

Dr. Briefs, "we spared no expense my boy. With Eighter's help, this arm will replace your old one like new. Now, if you would please, I need you to sit in the chair here."

Tien nodded and sat down in the chair. Eighter and Dr. Briefs strapped the fighter into the chair, around his chest, waist and other arm.

Dr. Briefs, "now, when we attach the arm, it's gonna sting like the dickens. It's gonna insert many wires and servos that will attach to your nerves, connecting the arm to you like it was always a part of you."

Tien, "how long is it gonna take?"

Eighter, "approximately seven seconds. You need to relax your muscles, and let the arm connect to you, understand?"

Tien, "yes. Just please, make it quick."

Eighter, "we'll do our best."

Dr. Briefs picked up the arm as Eighter held Tien's stub in place. Slowly and carefully, Dr. Briefs moved the arm in place and soon, skin met metal.

And then, everything felt like agony to Tien. Wires, servos and various inner mechanisms plugged into the stump, attaching to every nerve and vein within Tien's stump. A heat like no other seeded the stump and arm together. It felt like hours of pain to the Triclops, when it was merely seven seconds.

And just as quickly, it was over. Tien was breathing heavily, with a thick layer of sweat on his forhead.

Dr. Briefs, "good work Tien. The arm has successfully been grafted to your stump."

They unstrapped Tien, and the man slowly made his way back into his feet.

And then, he slowly and carefully lifted his new arm up. He began testing it's reflexes, moving the fingers, having it bend and unbend over and over again, flicking his wrist.

Eighter, "how does it feel?"

Tien, "a little weird, but I'm getting used to it."

Dr. Briefs, "glad to hear it. You're free to head on home, alright?"

Tien, "right. Thanks Dr. Briefs. Thanks Eighter."

Tien made his way out of the lab, and took off into the air, nearly knocking Panchy on her butt.

….

Another ten minutes later, Tien was back at home, and entered the house quietly. He slowly crept through the house, and made it to the bedroom, where Launch was reading a random book.

Tien quickly hid his new arm behind his back as Launch looked up at him.

Launch, "oh honey, you're back. How did it go?"

Tien, "it went well. But, I want you to close your eyes for something. Okay?"

Launch, "okay, sure."

Tien crept up to Launch, and sat in front of her on the bed. And then he placed both hands on her cheeks and kissed her face. As the kiss ended, she opened her eyes wide at what she had felt. She looked to see her husband with two hands once more!

Launch, "they did it!"

Tien, "yep. I've got two arms again!"

The two hugged each other in joy and laid back on the bed.

Launch, "I'm so happy for you honey."

Tien, "I'm just happy that I have two arms to be able to hold you and the baby. It may not be real, but if it makes it easier to show you both love, I'll deal with it."

The two smiled at one another before snuggling into each other's embrace, deciding to take a nap with one another.

….

Reviews:

PokemonFreak90: cool. Glad you like that idea. I've been trying to think through every story thread I have planned.

Jxcamacho04: that's one reason why I had the three of them meet as kids. They would spend so many years getting to know one another, that Gohan wouldn't be able to choose who he loves more, Videl wouldn't be as jealous, and so the three end up deciding to try a 3-way relationship.

honter11: I'm still new to lemons, so thanks for the constructive criticism. And yes, eventually, when Gohan and his girlfriend's are adults, there will most likely be a lemon between the three.

Ariadne Venegas: Bulma being his mom made sure he wouldn't be a crybaby, since Bulma's a tough cookie, and Yamcha mellowed Chi Chi out so that doesn't happen to Chi Cha.

A simple chapter with Tien and Launch spending some time together, seeing how they first began dating, seeing how Tien copes with the death of his best friend, and Tien getting his new arm.

I usually make the fighters, Goku, Raditz, Tien, etc, shy when it comes to romance, since that's not really their areas of expertise.

No lemon this time, but maybe I'll do one for this couple in the future.

When Launch is no longer pregnant, most likely.

Also, I'm gonna start a new poll. If I were to write another story, with a small focus on romance, what world would you want it to be in? As this story goes on, that poll will be up, and have a various number of worlds. From Batman, to Ben 10, to Fallout, to War Craft, and a few more options. Vote if you wanna see what one of my next stories might be! The poll will be on my profile, like the last one.

With all of that said, all of you have a good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night.