Disclaimer; I don't own DBZ, if I did I would be seriously rich by now and I can assure you I'm broke
A/N Oh wow, I can't believe we're up to chapter 8 already. Thank-you to everyone who's been reviewing my this or any of my fics it means a lot to me. Now I hope you like it cause it's extra long and I put a lot of hard work into it because.... It's the chap where Marron's born! Enjoy ~Deadly Beauty.
A Helping Hand
Chapter 8
It wasn't until almost 2 and a half months later that they heard from 17 again.
It was on a sunny Wednesday afternoon and Bulma was over with Trunks. Krillen was playing with him while Bulma tried to explain to 18 the birth process, she seemed to have gotten it in her head that it was going to be a breeze and all over in a matter of minutes. She had a sort of I'm-tough-it-can't-be-that-bad. Kind of attitude. Well the baby was due in approximately 10 days so she'd just have to find out when it happened. A few minutes later there was a knock on the front door.
"Krillen can you get that?" asked 18, her feet were too sore to move anywhere. Krillen, who was sitting on the floor with Trunks, jumped up.
"Sure thing babe" he said, and he walked to the door.
"Hello," Krillen stopped for a few seconds "uh, hi 17" he said. Bulma covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from screaming and 18 laughed a little.
"In here 17" she called out. 17 pushed past Krillen and walked over to the couch. "Hey sis. Man you look like the side of a house" he joked.
"Shut up," said 18 "it's his fault" 18 pointed her finger at Krillen.
"Don't blame me babe" he said. 17 sat in the nearest chair and kicked his shoes off.
"What have you been up to lately?" asked 17.
"Does it look like I could be up to anything?" replied 18. 17 looked at Krillen. "You been taking care of her?" he asked.
"Of course I have, I love your sister" replied Krillen.
"You what?" asked 17 slowly, praying he heard wrong. Krillen stole a quick glance at 18, she looked just as worried as he did, if not more so.
"Uh 17," she began, then she stopped and let out a long sigh. "Do I really need to explain it to you?". 17 shook his head, he hadn't been expecting this, not at all. His sister was just full of surprises.
"No, I don't think you do" said 17.
"Are you mad?" asked 18. She was hoping he was ok with it, but if it turned out that 17 wasn't happy about it then she would call the whole thing off. As she'd said before 17 meant so much to her. 17 looked across at Krillen. "Would you give us a minute?" he asked, but there was no room for argument in his voice.
"Uh sure, c'mon Bulma let's go upstairs" said Krillen and he lead Bulma out the room.
17 moved over and sat where Bulma had been.
"Why are you doing this?" asked 17. 18 looked her brother straight in the eyes.
"Because this life makes me happy, he makes me happy" replied 18 truthfully. 17 growled low in his throat. 18 heard him and took a deep breath to relax herself, she didn't like where this was going at all. But she wasn't going to give Krillen up with out a fight.
He had treated her like a princess these last few months, catering to her every need, and never asking why. He never made her feel un-comfortable or made her do things she didn't want to. Together they had made the baby's room look really good and she was proud to say that her baby would be sleeping in there. Krillen had spent the little cash he had in his savings to buy the bottles and nappies and baby formula, stuff like that. As well as a few new things for 18. Like a beautiful sliver necklace, which had the seven rings of luck on it. 18 never took it off now.
"I take it you don't approve" she said softly
"That's one way of putting it," 17 stood up and began to pace the floor "I just don't know what you see in this kind of life. Why is it so appealing to you?". 18 stood up and rested her hands on her brother's shoulder so he would stop moving.
"Why is it so appealing to me. Look around you 17, I have every thing I could ever need here and I have some one who loves me and I have friends now, I've never been able to say I've had friends before" said 18.
"But why him. Why must you insist on sleeping with the enemy?" asked 17.
"17 he's not the enemy" said 18 sharply "he's Krillen, he keeps me safe and warm and well fed and there's nothing he wouldn't do for me. How could you possibly call him the enemy?" asked 18. That was it, 17 had had enough crap for one day, he exploded even 18 jumped in shock.
"I am so bloody sick of this 18. If you're staying here that's fine with me but you can forget seeing me again any time soon" he yelled and he began to head for the door, but 18 wasn't letting him go anywhere until she had had her say. She grabbed onto the back of his shirt and pulled him back.
"Fine. You know what. If you want me to brake it off, just say the word and I'll do it ok. If you're so self-fish that I'm not allowed to be happy than just say it and I'll go up stairs and tell him I'm leaving." she yelled back just as loud.
Upstairs Bulma and Krillen could hear what was going on loud and clear.
"Should I go down?" asked Krillen
"Probably not, she's tough, she can look after herself" replied Bulma. Krillen leaned back against the wall of the nursery and sighed "I hope you're right" he said.
17 was speechless, he couldn't believe what 18 had just said, she had given him the chance to decide her future. He couldn't do that.
"17 I'm waiting" said 18 and she began to tap her foot on the ground.
"Do you realise what you're asking of me?" asked 17
"I know exactly..." 18 was cut off by a sharp stabbing pain in her stomach, she grabbed onto her belly and took a few deep breaths
"18, are you ok?" asked 17. The pain subsided just as quickly as it came.
"Yeah I'm fine," she said "you still haven't answered me" she said, her voice somewhat quieter than before.
"18 I can't answer that, it's you decision what you want to do" said 17.
18 smiled at her brother "my point exactly" she said, her voice was barely a whisper. 17 eyes grew wide, it had been a trick and was stupid enough to fall for it. Damn his sister, she always got her way and he'd get her back for that someday.
"Would you mind if I invited Krillen and Bulma back?" asked 18
"I don't care, I should probably go anyway" said 17. 18's face fell. "Don't go," she said. 17 sighed and fell into the chair behind him. 18 headed off up stairs.
"Hi" she said quietly as she entered the baby's room. Krillen gulped, dreading the words that were going to leave 18's lips next, he didn't want to loose her but he was almost certain he was going to.
"Would you like to be alone?" asked Bulma. 18 shook her head "No" she said. Then she looked at Krillen and smiled, just a little and Krillen knew everything was going to be ok. He wasn't loosing her, not today anyway. Krillen and Bulma stood up and joined 18 at the door "let's go downstairs" said Krillen.
17 hadn't moved a muscle when the trio re-entered the room, Trunks followed a minute later with Krillen old toy dog.
"Where'd you get that from Trunks?" asked 18 as she pried the old toy from the small boy's hands.
"Your room" he replied playfully, then he burst into a fit of giggles.
"You know better than that Trunks" scolded Bulma. Trunks stopped laughing and climbed onto his mother's lap. "I wanna go home" he said.
"Oh do you now, well I'm afraid I don't want to go just yet so you're just gonna have to be a good boy and wait" said Bulma.
18 sucked in her breath real fast as she felt that strange pang of pain again, it was a little worse this time.
"18 are you alright?" asked Bulma. 18 scrunched her eyes up and groaned. Then she nodded her head.
"Bullshit 18, you are not fine. C'mon I'm taking you upstairs" said Bulma. Once the pain went away 18 re-opened her eyes.
"No really I'm fine" she said. But she let Bulma grab onto her arm and take her up to her room anyway. Which left 17, Krillen and a very board Trunks all alone.
"Do I really need to be here?" asked 17
"Don't you want to find out what wrong with your sister" Krillen answered a question with another question.
"Hmph. I guess so" said 17.
***
"Ah 18 I think I have some news" said Bulma as she pulled a capsule out of her pocket and exploded it into a first aid kit, which she carried on her at all times. You never knew who was going to try and destroy the planet these days. She pulled on a pair of gloves.
"What would that be?" asked 18 rather calmly.
"I think you're going to have your baby" replied Bulma.
"What!" exclaimed 18
"Well it could be a false alarm, but I doubt it" said Bulma
"But...but it' not due for 10 days" said 18
"It's ok 18, just relax, it's perfectly normal for babies to be a little early, there's nothing wrong," said Bulma. "Now do you want to tell Krillen or should I?".
"You do it" said 18. She needed some time to recover from this latest shock.
***
"Krillen I need to have a word with you" said Bulma.
"Do you?" asked Krillen.
"Yes" replied Bulma.
"Ok then," said Krillen and he lead Bulma into the kitchen. "What is it?" he asked.
Bulma didn't beat around the bush she just said it. "18's gone into labour".
"I know, it's amazing isn't it" said Krillen. The next thing Bulma knew she felt a whoosh of air and saw the kitchen door swinging back and fourth. Krillen had obviously run off upstairs, which left Bulma to break the news to the young man in the next room. She let out a frustrated sigh and pushed the door again.
"Where did he have to go in such a hurry?" asked 17.
"To see your sister" replied Bulma.
"Why?"
Once again Bulma didn't mince words. "She's gone into labour". 17 took the news rather calmly, he just shifted positions in his chair and looked at Bulma.
***
"18" called Krillen as he entered the room. He shut the bedroom door and went to sit on the bed with 18. She appeared to be perfectly fine, but Krillen knew whet was coming, he was there when Chi-chi went into Labour with Goten. What with being the godfather and all, he had wanted to be there, Bulma was at that birth to.
"Hi" said 18. She was leaning back against the pillows with her legs crossed one over the other.
"How are you feeling?" asked Krillen.
"Fine," replied 18 "I don't know what Bulma was talking about, I don't feel any pain.". Krillen laughed and picked up 18's hand, he kissed the back of it. "Just you wait, you'll know what she was talking about soon enough". 18 was quiet for a few minutes then she spoke up.
"Can you believe it, our baby, our beautiful little baby is going to be born today" she said.
"I know" said Krillen. Soon there was a knock on the door.
"Come in" said Krillen. The door was pushed open and Bulma slipped in, she quietly shut the door and made her way over to the bed.
"How are you feeling 18?" asked Bulma, she was whispering.
"Fine at the moment." Replied 18 "what's with the whispering?"
"I just got Trunks to take a nap. I put him in your old room 18" said Bulma.
"Did you tell my brother?". Bulma nodded her head. "Yeah."
"Can I please see him?" asked 18.
"Sure" said Bulma.
"If you need anything we'll just be in the hall ok" said Krillen. 18 nodded her head and Krillen and Bulma left. About 3 minutes later 17 entered the room. 18 was just recovering from her latest 'contraction' as Bulma called it.
"Are you ok?" asked 17
"Not really," replied 18, she let out a long breath and opened her eyes. "Bulma says this is only the beginning." 17 laughed "I'm glad it's you going through this and not me. Do you still think this was such a good idea?"
18 sat up a little and turned to face her brother. "Of course I do" she said.
The twins stayed in there and talked for a long time, almost an hour.
All the while Krillen and Bulma sat on the floor out in the hall, giving them all the time they needed.
"I need to go in and check on her" said Bulma and she stood up. Krillen got up to and followed Bulma into the bedroom.
18 was lying on her side with her face buried in the pillow, obviously in a lot of pain. 17 was sitting by her side, holding her hand gently talking her through it. Krillen sat on the other side of the bed.
"C'mon 18, you can do it, it's almost over" he said, and sure enough it almost was over.
"18, I've got some drugs back at Capsule Corp that will help to reduce the pain, it will take me about an hour to get it back here. If you want I can go and get it for you" said Bulma. 18 looked up, her cheeks were red and tear stained, but she had a certain determination her eyes. "I don't want any drugs" she said.
"Well I need to go to capsule corp anyway to get some things and by the way things are progressing here I'd say there's at least another 2 hour wait. So would you like me to bring them back anyway?" asked Bulma. Still 18 shook her head. Krillen reached over and brushed some hair off 18's red face, he saw the look 17 gave him but chose to ignore it.
"Are you sure babe, it's only going to get worse" he said.
"I'm sure" she said.
"Ok then," said Bulma. "I should be back in about an hour. Hang in there 18, you're doing great." she said.
"Krillen I can't do this" said 18.
"Of course you can" said Krillen
"No I can't". Krillen reached over and kissed 18, she was completely taken by surprise and she also seemed to have forgotten that 17 was in the room because normally she would have killed Krillen if he had done something like that while someone else was around. But instead she relaxed and kissed Krillen back, she only pulled away when she heard Krillen clearing his throat rather loudly.
"18, you can do this. You've come this far and I'm so proud of you. Don't give up now" said Krillen. 18 didn't have time to reply she could feel another contraction coming on. Her breathing became loud and irregular and she began to sob. Krillen held her and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"Ow ow ow, it hurts". Krillen gently stroked the back of her head.
"Sshhhh, your doing good, just take deep breaths, you can do it" he said. 18 looked up at him and smiled. "That one was bad" her voice was barely a whisper.
"Should I go?" asked 17.
"No stay," replied 18 "I want you here".
"But if you two are going to get all mushy" said 17
"That won't happen again will it Krillen" 18 hit Krillen lightly in the chest.
"No babe, it just kinda happened" apologised Krillen.
"It's ok, I didn't really mind" said 18. Krillen felt himself going red.
"Would you like a glass of water?" asked Krillen.
"Yes please" replied 18
"17?"
"No".
Krillen left the room and went downstairs. When he came back 18 was leaning on her brother, clinging onto his black shirt and gasping for air. 17 looked across and Krillen and if looks could kill Krillen would have experienced another death right then and there. The look on his face was one of 'how could you put her through this much pain' and 'She should be destroying your top right now, not mine.'
"I'm sorry 17, I ripped your top" said 18 as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"It's not the first time" said 17
***
Bulma landed her plane on the ground and gently lifted her sleeping son out the back, then, since she had landed in the backyard to avoid the mobs of people that swamped the front almost 24 hours a day wanting jobs, she ran to the back door and inside.
"Mum," she called "Vegeta". Un-fortunately it was Vegeta who rounded the corner first. As much as she loved her husband, he just wasn't a natural with kids, but she was in a rush and didn't have time to wait for her mum.
"What are you squawking about woman? You'll wake the brat up" said Vegeta. Then she completely surprised him by dumping their son in his arms.
"Woman what do you think you're doing?" asked Vegeta, he sounded stunned, but continued to hold Trunks anyway.
"Vegeta I need you to put him in bed for me, I have to hurry back to Kame Island I'm only here to get a few things" said Bulma. And she began to push past him, but Vegeta grabbed her arm and pulled her back, then he kissed her. Bulma was surprised but she kissed him back.
"Mmm, what was that for?" asked Bulma. Vegeta shrugged his shoulders. "Cause I felt like it" he said. Bulma winked at him, then ran off down the hall. Vegeta looked at the sleeping boy that was sleeping on him and smiled a genuine smile, he really did love his little family even if he didn't show it very often.
Bulma rummaged around in a big draw, which was in her office in the medical wing. She had an office in just about every section off the capsule corp, as well as the big one upstairs, which she used for more official meetings.
"Where is that stupid bag" she asked herself.
"Ah, Miss. Briefs do you need any assistance?" came a quiet, almost shy voice. Bulma whipped her head up and looked at the young intern, who had been hired to work in the mad lab, he couldn't have been anymore than 24 years old but he sure was cute. Black hair, blue eyes and well built. But Bulma didn't have time to drool over younger men, even if they weren't that much younger, she was only 29 herself, she had more important things to do.
"You, have you seen a black doctors bag anywhere?" she asked. The intern shook his head and ran off down the hall. When he came back he was holding exactly what she was looking for.
"Thank-you" said Bulma and she began to dump everything she had already found into the bag. Then she pulled a hair elastic out her bag, tied her hair back and left.
***
"It's alright 18, Bulma will be back soon" said Krillen. He hated to see 18 like this, she was in so much pain, it was almost too un-bearable to watch. But like 17 he planned to stay by her side until it was over for her. After all it was his baby she was about to give birth to.
"I changed my mind," whimpered 18 "I want the drugs".
"18 I don't know if Bulma will bring them or not" said Krillen. 18's head was resting in Krillens lap and he was gently stroking her cheek.
"I think you're friend just got back" said 17, it was the first time he'd spoken up in nearly 45 minutes, he'd been watching the couple interact and he'd come to learn how much 18 really did need the midget, it seemed they were almost perfect for each other.
"I'm back" called Bulma in a sing song voice and she bounded into the room
"It's about time, get this damn kid out of me" snapped 18.
Bulma looked up at the two men. "Would you give us a few minutes guys?" she asked. Without saying anything they got up and left.
Bulma did what she had to do then went to sit by 18's side.
"There's nothing I can do at the moment, you're body's not ready yet. It's going to be at least another 15 minutes, but you're doing really good and it's all going to be over before you know it" said Bulma. 18 tried desperately to wipe the tears off her face but it was useless, more just kept on coming. It was so much worse now, before it had just been the contractions that hurt but now, she was in constant pain. She never imagined something could hurt so much and to make things worse she had almost no energy left, she was so tired.
20 minutes later Bulma announced it was time. Krillen and 17, who were back in the room now looked up, 18 hardly had the energy to move anymore.
"Alright 18, I need you to push as hard as you can" ordered Bulma.
"I can't," said 18 "I'm so tired".
"18 you have to" said Krillen and he gave 18's hand a gentle squeeze. "I know you can do it" 18 looked up at Krillen and smiled the best she could, but she was so sore and tired. But for Krillen she was willing to try. She gathered up all the energy she had left and pushed. It hurt so much.
"That's it 18, you're doing it" said Bulma. Then she looked across at 17 "I need to go to the bathroom and fill the sink up with warm water" she said. 17 didn't waste anytime, he did as he was told.
"Ok 18 I can see the head, just one more push and it will all be over" said Bulma. 18 gasped for air, she was so out of breath that she could hardly even breath. She just shook her had and whimpered something in audible.
"C'mon 18, just one more" urged Krillen. Once again 18 searched for energy she had left and while it wasn't much it would have to do. She closed her eyes, held her breath and pushed. A few seconds later a shrill crying could be heard. 18 fell back against the pillow and began to cry as well, she was just glad it was finally over.
"You did it babe, I'm so proud of you" said Krillen. 18 mumbled something and rested her head in Krillens lap. "Where's my baby?" she whispered.
"Bulma went to wash her off" said Krillen. 18 forced her heavy eyelids open so she could look at Krillen.
"We have a daughter?".
"We sure do, a beautiful healthy daughter". 18 didn't reply. When Krillen looked down he saw she was fast asleep.
***
"Out of my way 17" called out Bulma as she burst into the bathroom. 17 quickly jumped out the way and almost fell into the bath. Bulma dipped her finger into the water to test it, it was just right. She carefully un-wrapped the tiny baby from the blanket her had covered it in and dipped her in the water to clean her off.
"17, your niece is so beautiful, come have a look" said Bulma. 17 looked over Bulma's shoulder and peered at the newborn. It was true she was cute. She had a head fully of blonde hair, she lacked a noes and she was tiny, since her eyes were closed it was impossible to tell what colour they were.
"She so small" was all 17 could say.
"Well most babies usually are and it doesn't help that she's 10 days prem". Bulma lifted the tiny girl out the water and dried her off then she wrapped her in a fluffy pink blanket.
"Krillen". He looked up from gazing at 18 and saw Bulma standing in the doorway, holding a tiny pink bundle in her arms. He felt a lump in his throat and he began to shake. Bulma walked over to him and gently placed the baby in his arms. Krillen felt the tears well up in his eyes, he couldn't believe it, he had a daughter.
"Thank-you Bulma, thank you so much, she's perfect".
"It was a pleasure," said Bulma "Congratulations". 18 stirred and opened her crystal blue eyes.
"18, look" said Krillen.
"Oh my god" said 18 and she sat up, she was still struggling to keep her eyes open. Krillen handed the baby over to 18 and looked up at Bulma, who instantly got the message, she wasn't called the world's smartest women for nothing.
"I'll be downstairs".
"Krillen looked at the blonde pair, they were his family, all he had to do now was make it official.
"18" he began. She looked up at him and smiled, it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
"Yeah?" Krillen took the baby off 18 and put her down into the bassinette. He felt around in his pocket and took out a small red box.
"18, I think you know how much you mean to me, well at least I hope you do. Anyway, you're everything to me and I don't ever want you be alone again, and while I can't give you everything you deserve I want to try. 18 what I'm trying to say is, will you marry me?". 18 blinked back her tears and tried to take everything in. Of course she was going to say yes, but she really hadn't expected this.
"Of course I'll marry you Krillen".
A/N: Well what did you think. I personal thought it was good but it's up to you guys to review and tell me. Also go and read 'Secrets' by Sailor J-Chan. It's a REALLY good K/18 with a twist. Well until next time. ~Deadly Beauty