A/N: Decided to start the chapter with a small section from the previous one since it has been a looooong time. That makes me so sad because this story makes my heart so damn happy but I just felt like people weren't waiting for updates ._. I'm so sorry for those that have been waiting. I hope to finish this story up soon, and hopefully post more than one chapter before the week is over.

Enjoy!

Unbidden, Gine's gaze rose. Her face contorted into a mask of sudden hatred she never felt before. When her lips curled into a snarl, Bardock raised his brows in surprise. It was only once before, back when they first got left behind, that he had seen her be anything but sweet. He actually felt like he was staring into the cold orbs of a Saiyan warrior.

"What are you going to do?" he smirked. "Cry?"

The immense trembling of her body would indicate so, but something was brewing underneath that wasn't sadness or frustration. It had been an emotion she'd long to release on all those who considered her nothing but dead weight. She knew she was more than people gave her credit for. Some messy-haired devil wasn't going to ruin that.

Her little fist connected with the jaw of her boss, but the action alone wasn't enough to move him. Bardock's smirk grew against her fist, looking down at her with an admiration that was rarely given to someone. His arms gripped her dainty shoulders, pushing her back against the tree while she huffed.

"Even with all that rage I caused you," he traced the outline of her cheek with his thumb, noticing her features immediately soften. "You're still...weak."

Gine sniffed, giving in to his touch. She just wasn't a fighter, never was and never could be. She gave him a faint smile and grasped his wrist. "Yeah, but you know what?"

"Hn?"

"Well, I don't think your inexpressive anymore!" Gine blushed and tried not to look down. "I figured it out... You didn't kill the snake..."

"H-o-l-y shit!" Tora laughed, while the startled stranded Saiyans jumped in response. A flushed Bardock had his back facing him, while Gine immediately dived her naked body into the bushes. "You two sure are lucky Fasha fainted during the landing! If she knew the mating was a success, you'd never hear the end of it!"

Bardock swiveled his body around in a clumsy motion that very unlike his character. Tora was pumping his fist in the air, absolutely thrilled that their plan had work.

"It's not what you think!" was all the scarred Saiyan could say. His words didn't help his conviction; for the naked woman in the bushes had reemerged with a quick bikini she made out of leaves and twigs. The slender female took a look down to make sure her goodies were completely covered and took a stance beside her boss, who was still flushed bright pink.

Acting as casual as possible, Gine pranced her way over to the pony-tailed rescuer and propped her elbow up on his high shoulder.

"You'd be surprised how much living among the Stratreons has changed us! We have adapted to their practices of becoming nudists!"

Bardock groaned into the palm of his hand the same time Tora arched an eyebrow. The stupid little woman was making this situation worse instead of better.

"Just tell him the truth dumbass," the boss growled. His could feel his cheeks getting hotter and hotter, wondering why Gine wasn't as mortified as he was. "About the snake you saw while bathing and you ran away like a coward."

There was downward turn of Tora's mouth, understanding now that the mating trick had failed. Of course Bardock, of all people, would never fall victim to anyone. He just thought there was something truly special about the newly proclaimed nudist that could have really changed his old, stubborn friend.

"Ah, so your clothes are still back wherever you were?"

Bardock released a sigh of relief. His second in command was disappointed by the half-truth, but at least it would save him from the torture of his face burning. All of his holly-jolly, red-faced shit didn't start happening until she happened.

The leader gritted his teeth together when he looked at her. She was still holding herself up by leaning on Tora, but brows were scrunched together in confusion. Bardock was beginning to drive himself to insanity with his new found anger for this... scrawny, weak, gentle, butcher-aspiration having woman. He clenched his fist to stop him from becoming violent when she smiled at him suddenly.

It was like that little beautiful twitch of the muscle was a light switch to all sorts of unwanted energy, a wrong button that was pushed and sent electricity down his spine.

How dare she make him lose control, and in front of his very own crew member.

"Yeah that's right Tora," he spat. The coldness of his voice caused Gine to slump away from Tora's shoulder and frown. "It's pathetic how much fear she has. She's not worthy to be called a Saiyan, among other things."

The poor sweet Gine who had done nothing or said anything wrong looked like a floating spirit with nowhere to go. Her already large eyes grew more, filling up with an emotion that could only be described as lost. She blinked her saddened irises at her boss, but he had turned his attention to the bark on a nearby tree.

Tora awkwardly rubbed the sweat off his neck. He had known Bardock for years, and the guy has always been a bit hostile. Still, the words were even harsh to the ears of a man who wasn't even part of the attack.

What exactly had happened here?

"Okay then... Are you going to get her clothes, at least? That snake must have been quit the creature to make her leave without them..."

When Gine saw the sweatdrop form on Bardock's turned face, she placed her hands on her hips in a sassy manner. Unlike her counterpart, she wasn't violent or ever muttered cruelties. She did, however, love revenge.

"Oh, there was no snake at all! It was Bardock's-"

Tora jumped back when the leafed-up woman's mouth was covered by two large hands. She was still trying to talk to him in a muffled voice despite for a reddened Bardock doing his best to prevent it from happening.

"We'll meet you back at the ship!" he shouted out of spite. Gine was flailing her arms as if she was being kidnapped, and Tora actually considered taking her with him instead. But that just meant he'd have to explain a nearly naked Gine to Fasha.

"Uhm...alright, Bardock. Hopefully you're both well rested, we have another mission right after we leave here."

"OKAY BYE."

Tora blinked rapidly hearing Gine's muffled screams as Bardock flew away with her. He shook his head, unsure of whether he made their relationship better or worse. The tall warrior took flight, his jump into the air causing almost all the leaves to fall off their branches and collect in piles on the ground. He located Fasha with his trust scouter, relieved to find her awake now although she was still sitting in the rescue ship.

"You haven't found them yet?" were the first words out of her mouth as soon as Tora climbed inside to sit beside her. He began fiddling with the control panel, only adding to Fasha's suspense. She gave him a hard punch on the shoulder.

"Ow!"

"Why haven't you found them!? Did something happen!? I could have sworn I picked up Bardock."

Tora nodded to himself when the lights came back on inside the ship, signaling that it worked and would soon be ready for take off. He looked over at Fasha and gave her a half smile. There were very few times he looked into those piercing dark eyes and saw a light. Although he knew what would result of it, he draped his muscular arm over her shoulder.

"They're alright, just needed to ready themselves before this next mission."

Fasha drew herself away a little so she was able to look at his face. One of her thin black eyebrows became arched. "I really do hope I'm wrong, but you sound...oh shit, what's the word... sad?"

Tora shrugged his shoulders slightly when he let out a short laugh. With all the laughs and grins he got out of working with his crew, he was beginning to wonder if the purpose of the Saiyan race was really only to fight and die. There was no in-between. Sons and daughters that were born were sent always, always sent away, and mates never cared for each other.

Maybe Bardock had fought so hard against Gine for that very reasoning, for his boss was the absolute definition of what Saiyans stood for.

"What's wrong with you, asshole? Talk to me."

Tora's hold on Fasha's shoulder tightened at her form of terms of endearment. His eyes had left hers to look at the control panel while he was lost in thought.

"I'm just thinking about the next mission. Please do your best not to scar your face, it would be terrifying to look at a face of another Bardock."

She snorted, but remained silent after that. It was a comfortable silence. They waited patiently for their formerly lost crew members to return, and Tora tried to ignore the fact that she didn't shy away from his hold.

"Why do you always have to be like that?"

Gine glared at the back of Bardock's stupid head as she slipped into her black tights. The male was standing with his back to her and was looking up at the mid-afternoon sky, which was painted golden by the sun. He hadn't spoken a word to her since he hi-jacked her back to the lake. She continued to speak anyway.

"Like, you're so mean when it's really uncalled for. I understand you're not an emotional guy, but I'm starting to think you have dual personalities."

Two white boots placed on either foot, followed by unnecessary grunting.

"That's pretty serious if you do. It would explain a lot."

A dress-like top with built-in chest plates slid down her thin body, and she shook until it fit just right.

"I think that deer you wanted to eat may have peed on my armor. Yuuuuck!"

Once her pink wristbands were in place, she tapped Bardock on his shoulder blade until he finally let out a groaning noise. She huffed when he didn't turn around to greet her or even acknowledge her.

Bardock was about to turn around and yank her by the wrist back to the ship when he felt cold arms wrap around his torso. He shifted uncomfortably when Gine's nose pressed against his back. Sometimes he didn't realize how short she was in comparison to him.

"I don't like when you say those cruel things to me, and I'm not going to let you push me around. But now that I know you have a split personality, I'll do my best to understand and I'll always be your friend."

"I DON'T HAVE-" Bardock sighed loudly and pinched the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath and could feel Gine's arms moving with his ribs. She had absolutely no idea of Tora's and Fasha's plans to have him mate with her. Her mind was as innocent as her body was pure. She was one of the few people that didn't deserve his hate. "Look... let's just move on from this whole experience, alright? I'm your boss and your my crew member. Let's keep it that way."

Gine's eyes brightened when she felt him turning around in her arms. He was now looking directly down at her, and got a firm grip on her small shoulders to keep her from rubbing up against him.

"I never thought anything different!" she beamed. "Although I prefer 'friend', crew member is just fine with me!"

His lip twitched upward into something that could be described as a smile, but the woman wasn't sure. He took a deep breath again, closing his eyes while doing so and opening them when he heard her giggle.

"What?" his eyes narrowed. Why the hell was she always happy, even after being treated like shit?

"I was just thinking that since we are all 'professional' now, how about when we finally return to Vegeta I'll show you my butchering skills and cut you up a nice hunk of deer!?"

Bardock's stomach rumbled at the thought. He removed himself from Gine but motioned for her to follow him, hoping to the gods that Tora and Fasha had packed some food on that ship. Crow on the cob just didn't do it for him.

A noise next to him was causing his ear to twitch.

"What do you think your doing?"

"Humming...?"

"Well, stop that."

She did.

For twenty seconds.

"...You've got a friend in me..." she sang out, but lowered her voice when Bardock glared at her.

"What did I just tell you?"

"You've got troubles and I got 'em too," she leaned her head against his shoulder as they walked, causing his left eye to twitch. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, we stick together and can see it through. You know why?"

"..."

"You've got a friend in me!"

Bardock flung the woman over his back in one swift move and took off into the sun-setting sky. She began making dramatic noises to annoy him, but secretly she enjoyed being carried so much. Her boss, on the other hand, had to do this.

He felt a smile coming on.