The party seemed to die after Vegan's episode; after Goku gave her a senzu bean, both he and Bloomer insisted that she lie down.

Things just got worse from there.

'Vegan, please just go upstairs.' Goku pleaded.

'No, no. I'm not tired.' She protested.

'Not tired?! Vegan, please! You're stumbling around like a drunk.' Bloomer flared, holding a cup of coffee.

'You'd know.' Goku said sharply.

'Excuse me?!' Bloomer growled as he turned to him.

'You heard-'

'Stop that!' Flared Chi Chi. 'Now's not the time for this!'

'Kakarotto...'

'Vegan,' Goku said quietly as he touched her face, ' please. Think of the children.'

'I want to stay down here.' She groaned. 'It is my party.'

'I'll throw you another party.'

Bloomer muttered something about throwing her a better party, Goku ignored him.

'I want to stay downstairs and to talk to people.'

'I'll stay upstairs and talk to you.'

'I want to talk to other people too.'

'Ok, just go upstairs, and we'll-'

'She doesn't want to talk to you! No one wants to talk to you!' Bloomer barked.

'Like she wants to talk to you!' Goku barked back, taking her by her hand and waist and led her away. 'You've been treating her like something you wipe your feet on since the tournament; you don't let her see Trunks! Throwing a temper tantrum all because she refuses to have an abortion-'

'Because they're killing her!' Bloomer growled bitterly. 'She could die-'

'That little stunt you just pulled could have killed her! Did you think about that!' Goku boomed; his voice made the house shake.

Bloomer glared at him then glanced at Vegan; she turned away.

'When do you ever think about somebody other than yourself!'

'Are you kidding me!' Bloomer growled. ' You abandoned your family for seven years, and now you think you can destroy mine-'

'Vegan isn't your family anymore! She doesn't want you!' Goku howled. 'You're the only person who refuses to accept it! Whatever feelings she might've had for you are long gone. You ruined your own family! You are jumping into bed with Yamcha-'

Bloomer shoved him, and Goku, who let go of Vegan, punched him in the jaw—knocking Bloomer flat on his back.

'Kakarotto!' Vegan shrieked; she started to go to him when Goku grabbed her wrist. ' Kakarotto-'

They vanished.

*

' Kakarotto!' Vegan snarled when they appeared on Odayaka. She turned to him and slapped him sharply when she whirled around to face him. ' Have you gone mad?!'

'Yes!' His fist was still balled, trembling.

Vegan stared at the usually calm man vibrate with rage.

'Why did you bring me here?' She asked while watching him.

'Peaceful.' He said as he sat down on a nearby boulder. ' Plus, no one else knows how to get here.' Vegan looked at Goku for a moment, then sat next to him. ' The way he and Chi-Chi are acting... they act like they're the only ones hurting!'

Vegan put her hand on his shoulder but said nothing.

Goku glanced over at her; he wished he could be like Vegan. She'd always been better than him at adjusting, no matter what it was.

'How do you feel?'

'About what?'

'About all of this.'

'How do you feel?'

'How do I feel?' He repeated quietly. 'I feel like I've been abandoned. I feel like... like I don't need her. If Chi-Chi cared about me, then she would have never left me.'

'Kakarotto, you don't mean that-'

'But that's the truth! If she loved me, she'd be accepting of my shortcomings. It's the same with Bloomer! If he truly cared, he could have forced himself to move past it! Or at least told you that he didn't want to be with you!'

He looked to the pink sky; the birds were pretty.

'They don't care about us; Chi Chi's never asked me how I felt about all this! I worry about them dying all the time and no one-' he stopped and turned away to her . 'Has Bloomer ever asked how you feel about your children dying?'

'No.'

'Vegan, they don't care about us. You were right; us against them.'

'So it seems.'

'No matter what we do, they won't let us spend time with our sons. The stress could kill you and the babies, and don't- we should forget about them. Just focus on the babies until they come to their senses.'

Vegan stared at him for a bit, then slowly nodded. 'Fine. I need to tell you something. The babies... only one is yours, the other...'

'I'll take care of them... Bloomer, he's,' Goku stopped ' ... I'll take care of you.'

'You always do.'

'We're all we have.'

*

It's been three months since Goku kidnapped Vegan and took her to God knows where.

No one's seen them since then; Bloomer always did hate that technique of his.

It was torture watching Trunks stare longingly at every dark-haired woman he saw.

Hoping it was her...

He missed Vegan...

He'd always been a bit of a mama's boy, but she doted on him.

So many memories of them asleep on the couch waiting for him.

Her smiling face is lying next to her in the morning after a crappy day at work.

Soothing words of reassurance...

Warm kisses and tight hugs.

He missed the days of the only danger was a bear hug from Vegan.

He should have insisted that Trunks...

Oh, God, where did Goku take her? He constantly wondered throughout the three months.

Are they still on earth?

Is Vegan alright?

Is she still alive?

Or is she... dead?

Oh, God, what if she is... dead?

The dragon balls wouldn't be able to bring her back...

Never seeing her face again... that would hurt.

OK, fine!

Maybe he missed Vegan too...

A little...

Maybe his parents were right; perhaps he should make peace.

But how could he make peace if he didn't know where she was?

Maybe 18 knows where Goku's hiding her.

*

Vegan was OK; Eighteen knew that but wished Goku would bring her back.

Either through, she appreciated what he thought he was doing.

'Goku, it's been three months,' she said tentatively, ' bring Vegan back to Earth.'

'It's better for her health to stay on Odayaka.' He said quickly.

'And I agree with you, but Trunks misses his mother. And I do too.'

'I'll take you guys to see her anytime you want.'

'What about her gender reveal party?'

'Her gender reveal?'

'Yes,' She said slyly. 'Don't you remember? I'm the only person who knows the baby's genders.'

'You're trying to trick me.' He said with a grin. ' Aren't you?'

'Don't you want to know the genders?'

Goku nodded slowly, and Eighteen smiled. 'Bring Vegan back next; I'll have the party by then.'

Not even a minute after Goku vanished, the telephone rang.

'Hello?'

'Eighteen!'

'Hello, Bloomer.'

'Uh,... how have you been?'

'I don't know where Goku took her.'

'Shit!'

'She's healthy; I know that much.'

'Trunks misses her! Seeing her bleed like that...'

'I know, but you can't blame Goku...'

'Yeah, I can!'

'Well, I don't.'

'Do you know when she's coming back?'

'I'm trying to convince him to bring her back.'

'He comes to see you?'

'Once a week.'

'Did he say where they are?'

'A planet Freiza exiled her to, Odayaka, I think. Do you know about it? She said it was their place.'

'I heard Goku mention it. What's so great about it?'

'They lived together for three months there while she was looking for him.'

The silence let Eighteen know that Bloomer hadn't known.

'Hmm...'

'It was before you got together, and you were still in a relationship with Yamcha, so don't throw that in her face!'

'Did they sleep together?'

'No, not that it matters! She never let it go that far!'

'How long have they-'

'When's your wedding?'

Silence.

'Look, just tell him that Trunks would like to see his mother.'

*

'Yes, I think we should go.' Vegan said as she brushed her hair.

Goku wasn't surprised; Vegan's heart yearned Trunks just like his for his children.

But Chi Chi barely let him see them anyway; what were three more months of not seeing them?

He did manage to see Gohan, Eighteen had told him, and he sneaked over to see him.

He'd sometimes bring Goten, who understood that this was a secret.

'I want to see Trunks.'

'I know... but Bloomer...'

Vegan stopped brushing her hair turned to him. ' It's the only way I can see Trunks.'

'Bloomer will just ruin it...' Goku said quietly. ' What if we have your party, then see Trunks?'

'I want to see Trunks...'

'But his father is a jerk!'

Vegan gazed into the mirror reflectively. 'Yes, I know that, but I turned him into-'

'You can't keep blaming yourself! What you did was horrible, but if he truly loved you-'

'I know that he doesn't love me!' She cried. 'Do you have to throw it in my constantly-' she sighed and shook her head. 'I'm sorry.'

'I know.'

'I just want my son...'

'I want you to be able to have him without being picked on.'

'It's just a day or two,' she pleaded, 'please? I need to see my son.'

'Ok, but I will never leave your side, and I or 18 will bring Trunks to see you. Bloomer will just-'

'He's Trunks' father-'

'And you're his mother!' He flared. 'Why do you always run to his defense?'

'If I was attacking Chi-Chi, wouldn't you-'

'That's not the same...' He said with a sad smile.

'He and I will have to talk eventually.'

'Are you going to tell him?'

Vegan shrugged. 'I don't want to.'

'Then we don't.'

Bloomer and Trunks came over every day; he claimed it was for a playdate.

'Bloomer-'

'Marron and Trunks should spend more time together-'

'Bloom-'

'They used to be thick as thieves-'

'Bloom-'

'Trunks mentioned something about wanting to teach her how to sense ki-'

'Bloom-'

'Vegan, she-' Bloomer's voice faltered as Trunks looked up at him.

'Vegan is coming back-'

'Is she coming back to live?' Trunks whined as he rushed to her.

'I don't know, but I think she's wearing Goku down.' Eighteen said quietly as Bloomer glanced down at him.

'When exactly are they coming?'

'The end of the week.'

'How long will they visit?'

'Maybe a few days. I'm throwing her a gender reveal party. Don't ruin it!'

'I'm not going- you know the genders of Vegan's babies?'

'What is she having?' Asked Trunks.

'You'll have to wait until the party.' Eighteen said.

Bloomer rolled his eyes but shook his head. 'I want to examine her when she arrives.'

'It feels good to be back.' Vegan said as she hugged Eighteen tightly as could or as tight as a pregnant woman could.

She looked healthy, the rosy complexion she'd long lost since the tournament. She looked and sounded like a pregnant woman should; happy and healthy.

The babies inside of her kicked like crazy when she and Vegan embraced.

They were delighted to be home.

'Feels good to have you back.' Eighteen said with a weary smile.

'What's the matter?' Asked Goku.

'Bloomer wants to examine Vegan.'

'No.'

'Kakarotto, we're going to have to talk eventually...' She said in a tiny voice.

'He's going to start a fight...'

'Probably...'

'Let's just get it over with.' Eighteen said quickly. 'If a fight breaks out, then we'll leave.'

Trunks lied in his mother's room listlessly. It was the only room in the house that made him whole...

It still smells like her...

If he could just talk to her...

'Trunks?'

He could still hear her voice...

'You look ghastly! What's wrong?'

'Trunks?'

Wait, was that Goku?

Trunks rolled over to find his mother waddling over to him. He jumped up as she caressed his face.

'You're so pale! And you feel like you've got a fever, are you sick?'

He nodded slightly as she held his face and looked into his eyes.

'Where is your father?'

'Work. There was trouble in the East City factory- are you coming back?! Are you here to stay?!'

'No, where are your grandparents?'

'I'm fine!' He wailed. 'You're not coming back to Earth?!'

'No, not yet- Trunk-'

'I'm fine!'

'No, you're not! Lie back down; I'll fix you something to eat.'

Trunks stared at her, then did as she instructed; she turned towards the door and faced Bloomer.

They stared at each other for a bit until Goku took her by the arm and pulled her behind him.

'Vegan thinks Trunks is sick.' He said in the most unGoku tone Trunks ever heard from him.

'He's got a fever!' She insisted. 'And he looks pale!'

Bloomer walked over to him and touched his face.

'He does feel warm... I'll take him to the lab.' Bloomer scooped Trunks in his arms; he turned to Vegan; she was rubbing her temples. 'What's wrong?'

'Nothing, I just...'

'What is it?'

'Nothing! Let's focus on Trunks.'

'Maybe this too much for you. Maybe we should go...' Goku replied as they touched her face.

'No, momma, don't go!' Trunks howled as he squirmed out of his father's arms and rushed to her. Don't go! Don't go!'

The boy chanted this for what seemed like forever until Bloomer said, 'Trunks, you need to calm down; your mom isn't going anywhere just yet. I was thinking about asking her to let dad examine her.'

'Oh, please, mom!' The boy's eyes begged before his voice reached her ears.

'Just for a bit.'

It was just awful watching Trunks begging like that, and from the look on Vegan's face, Bloomer could tell from she felt just as bad.

If not worse...

He hoped it made Goku feel like shit; this was all his fault!

He glanced over at the two of them; they were holding hands.

They were so close, so together.

They shouldn't be together.

'You can't blame yourself for this.' He heard Goku whisper to her. 'This isn't your fault.'

'What if something is wrong with Trunks, and it's all my fault?'

'Trunks is fine.' Bloomer said quietly. 'He's just lonely. He misses you.' She stared at him, looking ready to burst into tears. 'What if you spend the night her-'

'No!' Goku boomed.

'Why not?'

'Because of you!'

'Well, I don't want my son in your home!'

'Stop it!' Eighteen ordered.

'Maybe we shouldn't come back...' Vegan muttered.

'No, Vegan! I-' Bloomer let out a deep breath. 'You're Trunks' mother... And I said I would... For the sake of Trunks, I would like to... Can you talk privately?'

'No.' Goku flared.

'No, it's alright, kakarotto.' She rubbed his hand. 'He and I do need to talk.'