Zarbon had thanked and dismissed the Ginyus for their assistance and he now stood in front of the rejuvenation tank tapping his foot in annoyance; 'Stupid Dodoria flying about when he should be resting. Now I'm going to have to cover his share of work too. He'd better not try and blame me if his injury is worse. It's a good job we're on a refuel. Stupid thoughtless fat pink Dodoria… Though maybe… maybe I shouldn't have run away…'' his eyes clenched shut as conflicting emotions swirled round in his head.

''General Zarbon?'' Came a voice from his side, caught off guard Zarbon jumped about 2 feet in the air before landing very ungracefully.

''What is it doctor?!'' he snapped irritably, embarrassed.

''Urm, well, it's just that erm… you can go now, sir…'' the medic trembled bowing low.

Zarbon stared at him for a while before returning his gaze to the tank ''I would rather stay here, thank you'' he said arrogantly. The medic twirled his thumbs anxiously.

''Maybe, sir, if you forgive my mentioning of it… you should head down to the canteen and get yourself something to eat, or at least drink, you've been here an awful long while. I promise to update you immediately should anything come up in regards to general Dodorias condition.''

After some thought, the green man nodded and left for the canteen, still slightly unsure at leaving his comrade. He was slowly picking his way through a plate of vegetables when Jeice plopped himself down at his table.

''How's big pink holdin' up?''

Zarbon swallowed his mouthful which seemed devoid of any taste ''Ok, I guess… I think the medic said they'd give him another 2 hours or so, then let him out if he's stable enough.''

Jeice nodded looking thoughtful ''How did he get such a nasty wound in the first place anyway?''

Zarbons eyes fell down wards, he felt them start to brim with hot tears ''….me'' he barely whispered.

Jeice became alarmed at the usually stoic mans rare show of emotion ''Zarbon!'' he hissed ''We're in the canteen!''

''…. I don't care'' lamented Zarbon, feeling too confused to think strait.

Jeice took pity on him and pulled him up by the hand ''Come on mate, come back to the Ginyu's quarters, away from prying eyes ye?'' With a thoughtless nod Zarbon allowed himself to be led away.

Zarbon lifted his head slowly as they entered the Ginyus quarters ''I don't want to see them right now'' he muttered quietly.

''Hey mate come now, we're all associates here!''

''…..you're a team player, I'm not….''

Jeice thought before sighing ''Ok mate, I guess so…. Come on, let's go straight to my room.'' Zarbon followed Jeice to his room and sat down on his bed, Jeice sat next to him ''So, what did Dodoria do to get so injured, an why do 'ya think it's your fault?''

With a sniff Zarbon relayed how Dodoria threw himself in the path of the blast, then how they argued and finally what Dodoria has said to him before collapsing.

Jeice listened patiently until Zarbon had finished before he spoke ''So how do you feel about Dodoria?''

Zarbon hesitated before shrugging ''I'm not sure, I'd just never considered him like that, you know? I mean he's pretty far from my usual type…''

''Ye I'll say!'' laughed Jeice before continuing ''but in all seriousness, he's a genuine guy who obviously really cares for you, maybe someone grounding like him is just what you need?'' Zarbon didn't reply as he continued to stare downwards at the floor.

…

Zarbon returned to the med bay and watched nervously as Dodoria stepped out of his tank. The doctors gave him the all clear and orders to rest- Zarbon insisted on escorting him back to his room. It felt like the longest walk ever for Dodoria as he wondered what Zarbon was going to say to him after his little confession. As the door slid shut behind them Zarbon crossed his arms across his chest and looked away to the side of the room; ''….I'm not really sure what to say, Dodoria.'' He admitted.

Dodoria shrugged as he pulled off his spandex top ''Then don't say anything. You can tell me when you've thought it over.'' As the pink man looked up he saw Zarbon nodding, but the man's golden eyes were staring at the wound on his stomach. ''Do you… do you want to touch it?'' he asked half jokingly expecting the vain green man to blanch at such an idea, but to his surprise Zarbon nodded slightly and made his way over, sitting on the bed in front of him. Dodoria stood still, suddenly nervous as the other reached out and tenderly ran his long elegant fingers over the lumpy scar tissue, inspecting the damage.

''…I never did say thank you, did I?''

Dodoria just shrugged again ''You didn't ask me to do it, I took the blast so it's my fault. Besides my body's more resilient than yours; could you imagine the damage caused if it had struck your scrawny body?'' a smirk on his lips knowing that would last comment would wind the other strait up. It did.

''What?! I'm NOT scrawny! I'm physically perfect thank you very much! We can't all be as wide as you- the ship would never get off the ground!''

Dodoria chuckled ''And there's my feisty little counterpart back.''

Zarbon blinked a few times before smiling. ''Thank you Dodo. And thank you for coming out to find me after I shouted at you.''

…

The next few weeks went by smoothly, Dodoria was on training duty to his and Zarbons elite squads whilst Zarbon covered Dodorias missions. Finally Dodoria was given the all clear and everything went back to normal.

Zarbon lay on his bed one evening, he still hadn't talked to Dodoria about his confession yet. As he flicked through his holo-pad he had an idea, and went to find the large pink man, who was surprise surprise- in the cafeteria.

Zarbon picked up a piece of fruit and sat down with him. ''Hey Dodoria, I was wondering what you were going to do when you're on leave next week?''

Dodoria just shrugged ''Nothing planned. No where I particularly want to go, might just hang around the ship.''

The green man smiled ''I was going to go to planet Krystaline for a few days, I wondered if you wanted to join me?''

Dodoria seemed thoughtful as he chewed his mouthful. ''I've not been there before. It's not filled with shops is it? I don't want to be your walking bag holder.''

Zarbon chuckled lightly ''No, it's not. It's more known for its landscape and it's natural hot springs.''

Dodoria pondered for a few seconds before nodding ''Yes ok, I'll come along.'' Zarbon gave him a big smile in return and left. Dodoria finished tucking into his meal hoping that next week wouldn't include any shopping or spa days. Those tiny white robes did nothing for his figure.

…

As they stepped out of their space pods Dodoria was pleasantly surprised, the planet seemed to have a peaceful aura about it and he could see what Zarbon meant about the views. The lilac coloured grass stretched as far as he could see, many trees similar to cherry blossoms but with crystals growing from them instead of flowers- which sparkled mystically in the light, dotted the landscape.

''Whoa…'' he pink man gasped.

Zarbon shot a triumphant smile at him ''See?''

''So… are we camping or something?'' asked Dodoria looking around for any signs of civilisation.

''Oh dear god no!'' exclaimed Zarbon ''Come on lets head off and check into the hotel.''

They took to the air, the planet under them seemed to sparkle as the crystals refracted the light. After about 5 minutes flight Zarbon touched down in front of a huge tree, and went through a door which was carved into the bottom trunk of the tree. A strange creature gave them a key and their room number and they took the lift which went straight up the trunk of the tree. Once it stopped Zarbon used the key to open the lift door and they stepped into their room. Dodoria was a bit surprised- it wasn't luxurious like he'd expected Zarbon to choose, if anything it was plain and sparse.

Zarbon walked over to a wardrobe and pulled out two fluffy robes, two towels and two pairs of slippers.

''Come on, put these on and we'll head over to the springs.'' Dodoria watched dumbfounded as Zarbon turned his back to him and stripped nude before putting on the robe, apprehensively he did the same.

…

They'd flown for quite a while- Zarbon said he wanted to be sure they found a nice secluded spring away from anyone else- they finally touched down at a small sized spring with one of the crstyal covered trees growing right at the edge- making a cooler spot for Dodoria whilst Zarbon was happy to absorb the boiling sun.

Zarbon slipped out of his robe and entered the water, he was up to his hips when he turned to face Dodoria puzzled; ''Aren't you getting in?'' He raised an elegant eyebrow as Dodoria seemed to blush. ''…there's no use trying to act coy, you've seen me in the showers plenty of times.''

Dodoria nodded and as Zarbon turned back around he forced himself out of the robe and stepped into the hot water. Dodoria found a spot at the edge which was only chest deep and in the shade of the tree, he hitched up his elbows onto the side of the spring and relaxed back. He watched Zarbon with fascination as the green haired man let his hair down and dived under the water, twisting and turning elegantly before diving down deeper. Dodoria was starting to wonder how long the other could hold their breath for when Zarbons head reappeared above the water, his long wet hair trailed down his back and over his shoulders, the water droplets sparkled on him in the sun. He swam over to the side of the pool which was in the full sun and relaxed back like Dodoria was.

''I forgot about your reptilian ancestry, it certainly shows with your swimming ability'' the pink man mused.

Zarbon smiled and flicked his tongue out like a snakes. ''What about you Dodo, don't you swim?''

My home planet was mostly rocky terrain, the only water was deep underground and we pumped it up to the surface for drinking and washing- there wasn't any to swim in. I can move through the water using my ki, so not real swimming, but it gets me by.''

After a few hours relaxing Zarbon stretched himself out. ''Guess we should head back, it gets cold very quickly when the sun goes in.''

…

Back at the hotel room Dodoria flopped onto the bed, feeling so relaxed he felt like a jelly. Suddenly something occurred to him for the first time and he lifted his head to look around the room- ''…there's only one bed?''

''Hmmm? Of yes, all of the rooms are doubles. It's ok, I don't take up much space'' he said shrugging. ''Now, how about we go and get a bite to eat?''

On cue Dodorias tummy rumbled loudly ''Sounds good Z, anywhere in mind?''

''I know a nice quiet little place, posh but large portions'' he smiled nodding to Dodorias tummy as he brushed through his hair.

''Posh? Any special occasion I should know about?''

''No'' shrugged Zarbon before turning away ''Perhaps just think of it was a date?''

Dodorias jelly like body suddenly went completely ridged with both fear and a hint of excitement.