Chapter 4

48 hours later Zarbons eyes finally flickered open. Every part of him felt like it was on fire. Getting up groggily he detached himself from the IV and removed the monitoring equipment- setting an alarm off and sending a team of medics rushing in just as he was pulling his armour on.

Despite the medics protests Zarbon left the med bay, stating that he'd finish resting in the luxury of his own quarters instead. He'd just returned and laid down on his large bed when Dodoria came in. ''Medics said you did a runner.''

Zarbon rolled his eyes ''Hardly. Besides you know what it's like in there- so open and clinical. You should have seen the gown they'd put me in!'' The green man expected Dodoria to have a mini rant about not listening to the medics, but instead he sat down on the bed next to Zarbon looking serious.

''I've got a mission. It's only for 4 days, but I leave in 6 hours.''

''…oh'' was all Zarbon could think to say, suddenly feeling oddly vulnerable knowing the others presence wouldn't be there to occupy his mind. As his eyes drifted to the floor Dodoria hesitantly put what he hoped has a reassuring hand on Zarbons shoulder.

''You need to keep your head for 4 days ok? Then I'll be right back here.''

…

It only took a few hours for the remainder of the drug and the doctors medication to work their way out of Zarbons body, then he was strait back into work. No one could be sure whether Zarbon had been poisoned as an assassination or kidnap attempt against the Frieza Force, or if it was just someone trying their luck to get into his pants- thank fully Frieza didn't berate him TOO much for his rare bout of carelessness.

Zarbon thought as the hours passed things would get easier as Dodorias arrival would be closer, but to his surprise instead things got harder. The first night he downed half a bottle of vodka before passing out on his bed- barely managing to make it to his squad for training the next day. The next night he drank less but took a line of cocaine knowing that he had to work in the morning, and by night three his anxieties had come back full force. He'd been on late shift and had only just managed to reach his door and close it behind him before he was on the floor. He cursed himself as he shook violently and his chest got so tight he couldn't breathe; his mind going both manic and blank at the same time. As he tried to collect himself the distress inside him just got worse, he felt like a huge pressure was inside him- threatening to burst open. In a panic and with his heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears he stumbled into the bathroom and pulled out a box from the cupboard, cursing as shining razor blades fell out all over the floor. Disguarding the box he slid to the floor before grabbing the closet blade and pulled his sleeve off; slashing his arm over and over.

6 deep slashes relived the suffocating pressure inside him, and as the blood flowed out he felt the tension slipping away with it, leaving him once again feeling more peaceful. He lent back against the cold tiles and closed his eyes, his breathing finally returning to normal as his heart rate slowed down. After several minuets he opened his eyes again…. ''SHIT!'' he suddenly cursed jumping up, there was blood EVERYWHERE. Frantically trying to think what was wrong the memory of the doctor at med bay giving him blood thinners came back to him. As he cursed again wondering how to stop the bleeding his scouter started beeping- he whipped his head around looking for it before realising that it was still attached to his face.

''Gen… General Zarbon here. What is your request?'' he asked trying to stop his voice from shaking; the next voice he heard made his heart jump a little bit in relief.

''Hey Z'' grumbled Dodoria ''I've just got back early, thought I'd check in with you before going to the mess hall.''

Zarbons heart rate increased as he looked around at all the blood in the room, still pumping out of his arm. Swallowing hard he pressed the button on his scouter again; ''Actually Dodo… I need help, right now. Please, will you come?''

Dodorias mind started whirling instantly; Zarbon said please? It must be desperate! He walked briskly to Zarbons quarters before opening the door and closing it behind him. He looked around the empty room puzzled, ''Zarbon?'' he asked in his gruff voice.

''In here'' came the reply from the bathroom. Wondering what on earth Zarbon wanted help with in the bathroom just puzzled him more, but as he walked over and pushed the door open he froze at the sight in front of him.

There was blood splattered up the walls, over Zarbons body and accumulating in a puddle on the floor. Zarbon sat lent up against the wall, pressing a blood soaked arm warmer over his forearm. The two locked eyes and time seemed to pause before Zarbon managed to break the trance; ''….I can't stop the bleeding Dodo.''

Completely in shock at the scene before him it took a few seconds for Dodoria to come to his senses. ''Yes… yes'' he confirmed to no question before falling down in front of Zarbon and removing the stained cloth to view what the other had done. Dodorias breath caught in his throat at the length and deepness of the cuts. Looking around he grabbed a fluffy white towel and held it very firmly over the wounds, ''Zarbon, hold this firmly whilst I grab a first aid kit ok?'' Zarbon placed his other hand over the towel and applied pressure whilst Dodoria ran off with blood covered hands.

Finally the bleeding slowed enough for Dodoria to clean the cuts and he started dressing the others forearm. As his hands wound the bandage around and around the large pink man finally felt able to speak; ''….what happened?''

Zarbon started at the bandage as if hypnotised by it ''…I panicked'' he whispered.

Dodoria met his eyes ''Panicked over what?''

''…I just panicked. Then I couldn't breathe, then I panicked more and then… I just needed to release it, somehow… it was all building up.''

Dodoria tied off the bandage then filled the sink with water and proceeded to use a flannel to remove the blood from Zarbons body, after he was clean and in a fresh spandex suit Dodoria sent him to rest in bed whilst he cleaned up the bathroom, still at a complete loss over how someone would do such a thing to them self.

It was very late by the time Dodoria collapsed next to the elegant man on the bed. Dodoria rolled over to see slightly glowing eyes looking at him.

''You ok?'' he asked quietly.

Zarbon nodded slightly ''Just sore. I'm sorry Dodo'' he said looking away.

The pink spiky man reached out and cupped the others face gently ''It's ok, don't apologise. And thank you for asking me to come here, I know it wasn't easy for you.''

Zarbon looked at Dodoria almost questionably ''Were you always this compassionate? I've never noticed it before.''

''Of course'' retorted Dodoria ''Why do you think my squad always out ranks yours?'' he smirked.

Zarbon nudged him playfully ''They so do not!'' Dodoria just chucked in response.

Dodoria was almost nodding off when Zarbon spoke again; ''How was your mission?''

Dodoria opened a sleepy eye, gold eyes still watching him. ''Text book. Arrived, blasted, conquered, left.''

''More paper work for me to do in the morning then…'' lamented Zarbon before they lapsed into silence again for a while. Dodoria fort to stay awake, wanting to make sure the other was asleep and therefore safe first. The deep accented voice finally broke through the silence again; ''Dodoria?''

''…Yes?'' asked Dodoria closing his eyes trying not to sound too exasperated.

''….I know your race doesn't really do the whole touchy feely thing… but… could you hold me? Just until I fall asleep?'' Dodoria opened his eyes quickly, meeting golden ones again.

After what seemed like an eternity of tense silence Dodoria finally shifted himself onto his side and hesitantly laid a thick spiky arm over the other, being careful not to touch his bandaged arm. Dodoria held himself stiff and tense, very uncomfortable at their close proximity. To his dismay Zarbon shuffled forwards so he could gently nuzzle into his chest, his green hair tickling Dodorias chin. Dodoria closed his eyes and tried to relax- soon he realised his comrade had fallen asleep. Dodoria went to instinctively pull away now that he'd held up his end of the bargain, yet something changed his mind at the last second. With Zarbon asleep Dodorias muscles finally started to relax, and he felt quite comfortable holding the sleeping broken beauty. Soon he too drifted off into one of the most peaceful sleeps he could ever remember having.