One year and six months later, the morning of May 12th had arrived. Bulma, baby Trunks and I are flying to the cliffside to meet up with everyone. Gohan returned to Tien's cabin shortly after Trunks was born. Poor kid couldn't sleep with Trunks' powerful Saiyan lungs.
Trunks is the product of the charity ball flirtation between Bulma and Prince Vegeta. Between Bulma and I, he was a pretty happy baby, but once he'd have his inherited scowl on his face, Vegeta was the only one who could handle it.
Vegeta is surprisingly more attentive of Trunks, with some encouragement from Bulma and myself. Granted, the timing of Trunks' birth wasn't ideal, but not unwanted nor regretted. The elder prince tries to hide his pride in his son, yet Bulma and I see otherwise in his eyes.
Soon, Bulma and I are joined by the other warriors. As Gohan plays with baby Trunks, I pull Goku aside. "I told Vegeta to stay close, when Yajirobe brings the beans, tell him to avoid the city when he leaves. Dr. Gero and the other android he's with are above the city." I turn to Bulma, "did you remember to bring the picture?"
She nods and pulls out her phone. After a few moments, Bulma hands me her phone to show the others. "Gohan, did you remember your dad's medicine?"
"Huh? Yeah, right here. Should Dad take some now?" Gohan looks away from the baby to me.
I stop and think. Maybe a small swig now will speed up his recovery time. "Yeah, just a small sip, though. Then Goku, give the bottle to Tien. He's going to be the first one to notice something is up."
Tien walks over to me, his back to his comrades. Quietly, he asks. "what symptom will I see first?"
"Labored breathing after leading them to a place a way from the city, to prevent further damage. Breathing like he's been fighting for hours or days without rest. Have Yamcha take him to the Lookout. He won't be safe at home. That's where Bulma and I are heading now. Watch each other's backs. Come back to me, Misiu."
Tien's expression softens. "Don't worry, I will be fine." At this point, Yajirobe arrives and hands Krillin the sensu beans. Goku tells him to avoid the city lest he wants to be shot down. Surprisingly, the fat man listens to the leader of the group and heads away from us until he's completely out of sight. I nod to Bulma and she deploys her drone.
As it nears the city, the drone explodes. The fighters stand at attention. "Alright, guys. This is it. Split up and power up as soon as you come across them." Goku instructs.
A unison, "Right," is all he receives for a response. The five men and preteen take off for the city.
Vegeta lands beside us. "I'll stay here until they leave the city. My senses are locked on Kakarot, as soon as he weakens, I'll step in. Both of you, take my son and get to the Lookout."
As we take off for the Lookout, I call Chichi and Master Roshi. I suggest grouping together at the Lookout for safety. Master Roshi, Oolong, and Puar are easily persuaded, while Chichi is not. I simply hand the phone over to Bulma and turn around to make faces at the baby.
"She's coming. Took some explaining, and threatening, but she and the Ox King will meet us up there. The guys will be alright. They always are."
As we land on the blinding white tile of the Lookout, Mr. Popo and young Dende come to greet us. "Hello, Dende! Hello, Mr. Popo! I hope you don't mind that we come up here for what's to come. Those guys have a long battle ahead."
"Of course! There is plenty of rooms to accommodate everyone. Mr. Popo and I can only repeat the same conversations so many times." Dende giggles.
"Thank you both. Mr. Popo, Goku is going to need a room as soon as possible in order to battle that heart virus and a room large enough for Bulma to make a makeshift lab." No sooner do I finish, Mr. Popo's eyes widen, at the urgency and rushes off, with Bulma in tow.
Dende and I venture to the Southwest corner of the temple and wait. Just as Chichi and the Ox King land, Yamcha arrives with a near unconscious Goku slung over his shoulder. Dende directs Chichi and Yamcha to find Mr. Popo and stay with Goku. The scarred warrior is told to restrain Goku if he starts swinging punches in his feverish state.
Dende silently walks to a northern corner of the tile. Vegeta must have torn apart Android 19 and Dr. Gero fled to his mountainside lab. I've warned the others to stay alert of each other as Dr. Gero would attack Piccolo for energy. I've given Tien the task of finding Gero's sub-laboratory to destroy the incubating Cell of this universe.
Other than those instructions, I didn't give any other clues. I didn't want to alter the outcome any more than this. This way the battle happy Saiyans still get their fights, but each warrior is more prepared. Gohan is who I'm most worried about. Thanks to the prince, the young man has learned that fighting is what Saiyans have always done. Sure, compared to earthlings, the Saiyans were, in a word, barbaric, but there was a joy and finesse to their way of life. Vegeta, Bulma and I assure Gohan that as long as he is fighting a battle that he deems righteous, like saving the whole, then he should give the fight everything he's got. Though, with his gentle heart, we aren't sure how he'll act in the moment. Or if he's got enough confidence in himself.
"Vegeta is fighting someone whom I cannot sense. The boy from the other timeline just arrived."
"That will be Android 18 that Vegeta is fighting. The others will be here in a few hours. I'll go see if Mr. Popo would like some help getting the rooms ready." I turn away from the young Namekian to find the demigod within the temple. I find him in the hallway outside Goku's room, head down, lips moving in a soft prayer. For a being with limited facial expressions, he feels much like the rest of us. "He'll survive, Mr. Popo. As helpless as we feel, Goku has always pulled off the seemingly most impossible feats, and this illness is no different. Could I assist you in getting the rooms ready for our warriors?"
"You are quite right about Goku. He never ceases to amaze me with everything he's accomplished in his young life. No one has ever offered to help me before; I think I'll enjoy having someone to talk to. Might make it go a bit faster. Thank you."
"Mr. Popo, we are imposing on you, it's the absolute least I can do to thank you." Suddenly we hear Goku scream in his fever-induced pain. The being next to me and I share a helpless look and sigh. We know we'll be hearing his screams for a better part of a week.
Mr. Popo and I quietly get all rooms ready for everyone, including a crib for Trunks. As we exit the sanctuary, Piccolo, Gohan, Tien, Krillin, and older Trunks land on the tile. The look fine and my heart swells at the sight of Tien. I break away from the demigod and run as fast as I can into his arms. "You're alright! I've been so worried!"
Tien chuckles and catches me. "We're all perfectly fine. Thanks to your heads-up." He pulls back and wipes my wet cheeks. I didn't even realize I was crying. "I'm sorry we worried you, but we're okay." He gives me a small, reassuring smile.
Goku releasing another fevered scream followed by a shout from Yamcha sends everyone running to his room. We find Yamcha and Chichi struggling to hold him down. I grab Gohan up in a hug while Piccolo and Tien rush to help prevent the ill man from hurting himself or his wife.
Chichi grabs the small bottle and pours another dose down her husband's throat. Tien pinches Goku's nose and covers his mouth to make sure he swallows. Tien quietly chants and apologizes to his friend for being so forceful.
"Daddy..." The boy in my arms whispers. Tears are in his eyes, the muscle in his jaw working. He is scared of losing his father, anger at Dr. Gero for targeting his hero. I can feel his energy rise, but I continue to hold him. His hair turns gold and his fists clinch tighter and tighter. My body is screaming in heat and pain, but I refuse to let go. His energy is dangerously close to the barrier of the second level of Super Saiyan again.
"Gohan, break it. Feel that power again. If you don't, Cell will kill you father. He will not stop until your dad breathes his last. You are the only one who can protect him now. Protect your mother, Piccolo, Dende, all of us. Break through it again, or else your dad will die and not come back." I say firmly and quietly into his ear.
With tears in his eyes, Gohan screams and ascends again. He hasn't gone Super Saiyan 2 since training in the Time Chamber with Goku. I scream in pain and fall to the floor. His bioelectric aura shocking and burning me.
We gain the attention of the other men in the room. Tien rushes to my side on the floor. Piccolo is yelling at Gohan to calm down.
"Let him adjust to it, the power." I say weakly. "The sooner he adjusts before facing Cell, the better."
"Shh..." The tall man shushes me as he carefully gathers me into his strong arms. "Let's go find Dende. Why did you hold onto him for so long? That was so stupid of you. He could have killed you with his energy alone." Dende is just outside our room and leads us into it.
The tall warrior lays me cautiously onto the mattress and takes a step back, a frown on his face. Dende sits beside me on the bed, his hands glowing yellow to heal the burns and other marks from Gohan. "Tien, if she hadn't guided his emotions in order to lock into that level, he wouldn't have achieved it again until Cell was in front of him. He must get use to the power before the rage blinds him in battle and he will be unable to think and strategize when it he need to. If that scenario came to pass, Goku would sacrifice himself, again, for Gohan." Dende conveys.
Tien's eyebrows shoot up at Dende's explanation. "You never said exactly what led to Goku's dying before. Why didn't you tell us that huge detail?!" Well, he's pissed at me, again.
I sigh in relief as the young guardian finishes his task. "Thank you. I didn't say anymore because I didn't want to tempt the Fates by changing every single detail of this. If I give you all the answers that I know, would you guys have learned to work as a team? Would Vegeta and Goku have come to an understanding about their rivalry? Would Gohan and Goku learned anything about their heritage? Would YOU still love me? I understand you think I lied, but I can't change EVERYTHING! We still don't know who or what brought me to you. I love you too much too lose now! I've already lost my husband and my son coming here! I can't lose you now! I would die of a broken heart, Tien! I don't want to be forced to leave you!" I end my ranting in tears. I'm standing, panting for breath, and crying my eyes out. I hadn't really broken down in front of Tien, not like this... And I just revealed to him my greatest fear. That I'd be torn away from someone I love for a second time.
Tien blinks at me. "If you love me like you say you do, why did you leave me for the last 2 ½ years?! Why do you STILL push me away? How will you be forced away when you won't give us a real chance? For the first time since meeting Goku, I FINALLY have someone I WANT to protect more than the rest of this planet! I would throw down my life for you in a heartbeat." He huffs and puffs, trying to catch his own breath. "Am I just not worth the chance to make you happy, or are you too afraid to LET yourself be happy? I love you, Alicia. I want to marry you. I want a family WITH you. Do you want that with me AT ALL?"
"Yes! More than anything, Tien, but I've told you that I've always fallen in love too quickly and gotten my heart shattered. Every. Single. Time. I keep you at arm's length because, what if I get taken away again. We will BOTH get hurt by that. I'm afraid to be happy at all. I was happy with Thomas, and now I'm dead there! Who's to say that that won't happen again when I'm happy with you?! Damnit, Tien, I don't want to hurt you! I don't want you to die for me!"
Before Tien can continue arguing with me, Vegeta rests his hand on his shoulder. "Tien, look at her tears. If she didn't love you, would she look as broken as she does now? She loves you. She loves more fiercely that Kakarot and Gohan. She's trying for the best of everyone involved. For Kakarot to live, so Gohan will not grow up without his father to guide him. She wants to guarantee that boy's future before following her own here. She's already chosen you for her mate. She's told me that much. Soon, Cell will be disposed of and she'll be yours." Tien looks over his shoulder, listening to the Saiyan prince. He sighs and lowers his head before retreating from our room.
Vegeta crosses the room as I sit back on the bed and sob. "I... I did... didn't m-m-mean to..." I inhale to calm myself. "to push him away. I ruined any chance at happiness with him because I'm too afraid of losing him. I'm such an idiot!" I sob harder. "I'm sorry you have to see me in such a state."
Vegeta wordlessly gathers me into his arms and sits me on his lap, tucking my head under his chin. "I may not be experienced in proving comfort to someone in sadness and pain as Kakarot or the others, but if there's one thing I've learned about earthling women from you and Bulma, they are emotionally stronger than even Kakarot's physical strength. Everyone has their emotional breaking point. Cry. I will not think less of you."
I cry even harder at the comfort the prince is providing. But I want Tien. I want him to hold me like this in his strong arms. To shield me from all other eyes. Shield me from my self-inflicted pain. To smother me with his love again. But he doesn't want me anymore. My breathing slows and I fall asleep in the prince's arms.
I wake up with a splitting headache. As I groan, Dende approaches with a glowing hand. He rids me of my headache. "Goku's already feeling much better, he should be up and about much sooner than you predicted. Tien isn't angry anymore, but he does want to talk to you. Vegeta and Gohan are in the Time Chamber, now, while the ascended form is rich in Gohan's memory. Do you want to see Tien, now?"
"Please." I whisper. Dende leaves to retrieve Tien and I think about our...disagreement. I bow my head in shame of myself. I really am an idiot. I never meant to hurt anyone like that. There's a knock at the door and I lift my head to see Tien in the doorway. "Tien..." I gasp and tear up again. The tall man rushes to my side and takes me into his arms. The arms I've been wanting to embrace me after our spat. The floodgates of my mouth open as soon as I'm secure in his strong arms. "I'm sorry! It's not that I don't think you are worth it, because I love you. I want to be with you and I want a family with you." I pant. "But I'm so scared that once we do have that, I'll be torn away from you. And who ever or whatever sent me here could take me away at any moment. I don't want to leave you. If I piss them off, I'm gone! Please, please forgive me, but I'm so scared to love you and be forced to leave you and break your heart! I love you, more than I probably should."
"Shush. Calm down. It's me who should be begging for forgiveness. You said after Cell is dealt with, we can be together. Cell is just appearing; we have light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sorry I can be such a hothead. I just want to keep you safe and unharmed." Tien sighs and chuckles. "Aren't we a pair? You sure you want the too serious guy of the group?"
I give a watery giggle. "You're not too serious. You are a realist. You want to win, understand the dangers, and can see all possible outcomes. You're level-headed. You're such a smart fighter..."
Suddenly, Tien goes rigid and runs out of the room to the tile. I follow as quickly as I can. Yamcha, Krillin, Piccolo, Dende, and older Trunks join us soon. By the disbelieving and horror filled expressions, whatever just happened, isn't good. I grab Tien's left hand and lay my free hand on his forearm, getting his attention. "Tien, what just happened?"
"Cell's power level just went through the roof. But how?!"
"He found Seventeen and Eighteen! He just absorbed Seventeen! Go stall him and give Eighteen a chance to get away." I push, well more like nudge, Tien and Piccolo.
"Right." Tien kisses me swiftly, nods to Piccolo and takes off as fast as they can. I watch until I can no longer see the specks of them in the distance. "Please be careful." I pray.
We hear a scream from Goku. It's been a long and worrisome day. Thankfully, everyone has made it up here without much issue. All were safe and together.
"I think I'm going to go shower and help Mr. Popo make supper." As I turn to leave, I'm struck with a thought. I turn back to the small Namekian. "Hey, Dende? I know you can't completely cure Goku, but do you think you can help ease his pain? Everyone is on edge as it is, and worrying about Goku isn't helping that."
"I can try!" The boy follows me to Goku and Chichi's room with a bit of hope. Chichi looks up at me with fearful tears in her eyes.
"Hey," I begin softly. "Dende has healing abilities, Chichi. Even though he can't cure Goku, we want to see if he can, at least, ease Goku's pain so he can rest and recover easier. Can he try, Chichi?"
Chichi straightens up with a shimmer of hope in her eyes. "Please, try. I can't lose him again."
Dende hands me his staff and cautiously approaches Goku on his bed. He climbs up in order to place his little hands over the Saiyan's heart. The Namek takes a calming breath before a more concentrated golden yellow healing waves glow around his hands.
Within moments, Goku sighs and already seems to be resting more peacefully. Chichi bows her head with a relieved thanks. A few tears fall down her cheeks.
Dende smiles and nods, happy to help his best friend's father. He climbs back down and walks back out to the ledge, never uttering a word.
As I walk down the hall, I come across Vegeta and Gohan walking towards me. Vegeta holds his hand up, stopping me in my tracks. "Gohan has something to say to you."
Gohan bows to me. Thank you for helping me re-regain my second transformation. I'm ashamed of the fact that I hurt you so badly and causing an argument between you and Mr. Tien. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Gohan, Dende fixed me right up." I look up to Vegeta. "How was he in the Chamber?"
"he did better than I thought he'd do. He is certainly is proving to be Kakarot's son. He stayed in his ascended form until he became aware of himself, meditated in that form. It's now as natural for him as his base form." The prince smirks. "He does the Saiyan race proud. He works hard, is smart, and adjusts himself accordingly to surprise attacks. He will defeat Cell easily."
"That's what I've been waiting two years to hear." I look back at the son of Goku. "I'm so proud of you, Gohan. Just remember, if you hear your dad or Prince Vegeta telling you to finish it, you finish it. Don't play with Cell."
"Yes, ma'am. I promise." The boy nods.
Gohan and Vegeta leave me to check on the bedridden Saiyan. I head straight for a shower to wash my stress away.
I leave my room and smell food cooking. Deciding to stay out of Mr. Popo's way, I venture to Bulma's makeshift lab. Hopefully she has made some leeway in finding something about the androids from the days of the Red Ribbon Army to give us an edge now.
Knocking on the door, I hear a faint, come in. I slowly open the door and find my closest girlfriend leaning over papers from decades of interviews and Gero's own research. Off to the side, she has a couple note pads with franticly written notes. "Finding anything, Bulma? Can I help you with anything?"
Bulma sighs. "I haven't made much of a dent in all of this. As soon as I start really digging, Trunks needs something or just wants attention."
"Let me take him, then. He knows me enough to where he shouldn't fuss too much." At her smile, I turn to baby Trunks. "Hey there, cutie. Wanna go for a stroll with Auntie Alicia? Huh? You don't mind, right?" I pick up the baby and wave his chubby little hand to Bulma.
I bounce Trunks on my hip while making him giggle with silly faces and sounds. We exit the temple and find Tien and Piccolo back to have Dende heal them. I look down at the babe in my arms and smile in relief. I stroll quickly to Tien. "How did it go, Misiu?"
Tien eyes Trunks in my arms with a small smile. "I stalled Cell long enough for Eighteen and the other one to run. Damn near wore myself out. Piccolo fought him until he was knocked into the sea. So, I threw a few Tri-beams at him, pinning him into the crater, forcing him deeper and deeper into the hole. I know I couldn't completely beat him, but I think I stalled him enough."
"I knew you both could keep that storm at bay. Are you alright now?" Shifting the child in my arms to the other hip.
"Never better." Piccolo smirks. "So, why are you babysitting Trunks?"
"Well, Bulma wasn't getting much work done, so I offered to keep the ornery boy entertained while she works in peace and quiet." I rub noses with the scamp in my arms, making him clap and giggle. I grin back and hug the lavender haired baby to my chest.
"Want me to hold him for a bit? Give your arms a rest?" Tien asks, looking extremely unsure of himself. Something I never knew he could ever be.
"Are you sure? Trunks is a bit of a squirmy wormy! Yes, you are." Trunks squeals and pats my cheeks. He is definitely Vegeta's son, the pats sting just enough, but I've gotten use to the little boy's affection. It's always brought me joy, holding babies and making them so happy. Like I can actually protect them from all harm and heartache.
"Yeah, maybe if I got some practice with babies, I can be more sociable with the gang. Just don't go too far, just in case." He chuckles as he outstretches his powerful arms, waiting for me to pass Trunks over.
I rub noses again with Trunks, whispering a soft introduction, reassurance that I wasn't going anywhere, and to be nice. With a smile, I pass Trunks over to Tien.
Tien gets as far as holding the baby out at arm's length, his hands under his armpits. Trunks scowls at the new man holding him.
"Uh, Tien? Have you ever held an infant before?" I question with my head tilting to the side in observation.
"Well... No." I smile and step closer, guiding Tien's arms to bend and help shift Trunks to sit in the crook of Tien's elbow and place his free hand on Trunks' shoulder blade. Tien smiles softly at me and whispers, "Thank you."
I simply smile and step back. Trunks watches me. "You're ok, buddy. He may look kinda scary, but he's super nice." Looking up at Tien, "Smile at him. Talk to him. Show him that he's safe with you. It's ok to be entertaining to a baby, it's how they learn to like you."
Tien nods and looks to the bundle in his arms. "Hey there, squirt. My name is Tien. I've been friends with your mommy since we were younger. I won't hurt ya." The large man smiles at the little boy. Trunks squeals in laughter and grabs at Tien's cheeks.
"He likes you! I'm so glad. Keep talking to him, make faces at him. For being Vegeta's son, he's pretty happy and joyful. If you sit down with him, let him grasp your thumbs and stand on the ground."
"What will he do then?" Piccolo questions.
"He'll bounce up and down. It helps strengthen his legs. The more he does it, the stronger his legs get, the sooner he learns to walk." I explain to the inexperienced warriors beside me.
Tien's mouth opens in silent understanding. "Ah, I get it." He looks back down to Trunks. "What do ya think, kid? Wanna show us how strong baby Saiyans are? Huh?" Tien crosses his long legs and lowers himself to the floor and stands Trunks out in front of him. Trunks' face brightens and immediately grabs the man's thumbs.
Tien smiles with the child as Trunks bounces while still holding tightly to the large warrior's thumbs. The older of the two speaks words of encouragement, making faces at the boy. It is warming my heart watching as Tien plays with his friend's child. He'll make a wonderful daddy to our children one day. That much is clear to me.
My love looks up at me and smiles as Trunks continues to bounce up and down, laughing at the fun he's clearly having. Yeah, I think we will be fine whenever we start a family. He's been my steady place ever since I appeared in this reality. He makes me feel happy, content, and even more so, protected. If the butterflies are anything to go by, I don't think I could ever leave him now. I've missed him while I've been at Capsule Corporation working with Bulma.
Now I'm finally ready to be with him. Completely. Well, as soon as Cell is taken care of anyway. I walk to stand behind Tien and lean down, whispering into his ear. "You're doing fantastic with him. I can hardly wait until we start a family." Kissing his cheek, I walk away to check on Goku.
As I walk into the room, I'm surprised to see the younger full blooded Saiyan sitting against the headboard, awake. "Goku! You look like your feeling much better."
Goku turns his head toward me and smiles. "Yup! Vegeta and Gohan were just updating me on what's been happening. Do you think we should go take care of Cell now?"
"Once you have a sensu bean, you guys probably should." I turn to Vegeta. "Is Gohan ready? Can he keep a level enough head?"
Vegeta considers me for a moment. "Yes, though Kakarot and I need to go with him. He understands that when his father or I give him an order during battle, he follows it. He's ready."
Tien, still holding Trunks, and Piccolo walk in. Piccolo hands Goku a bean. Tien passes Trunks to me and I can smell the issue. "Come on. Let's go change your pants." I look up at the three eyed man. "Do you want to learn this one?" The tall warrior nods and follows me out of the room.
Once I grab the diaper bag from Bulma, I lead Tien into our room and lay the sour-faced trunks onto the bed. I slowly change the baby's diaper, allowing Tien to attain the information for our future together. I pick up the baby and smile at him. "Does that feel better, buddy? Let's go see your daddy, Uncle Goku, and Gohan off."
Everyone was on the tile courtyard surrounding Gohan, Vegeta, and Goku. As Tien and I walk up, the warrior beside me sets his hand on the preteen's shoulder and gives him a fierce nod, turning to Goku and repeating the gesture, before stepping back allow me to wish them luck.
"Remember, Gohan, you need to completely obliterate him. Every molecule and atom of him MUST be erased from existence, otherwise he can regenerate like Piccolo."
"Right. I'll do my best. See you all in a while!" Gohan shouts as the trio take flight.
FINALLY! I got this chapter done! Took me FOREVER to write this. Stay healthy! Stay happy! STAY RESPECTFUL of others. Love ya'll!