"Here you are!" Tien said as he opened the door to Mia's new room. "Ezekiel can stay with Choutsu down the hall, but you can have my room. I'll take the couch."

Mia shook her head. "No, I'll take the couch."

As she turned to walk away, he grabbed her shoulders, bringing her into a tight embrace. He squeezed tight and Mia just remained frozen. She was too tired and emotional to keep up with all of this. Vegita had become the least of her worries. Now it was her willpower against Tien.

She had fought it to the best of her ability, struggling always to remember she was happily mated to Piccolo...but what about now? Would he ever come back?

"No, I insist. Stay here." His low whisper shook her back from her thoughts.

She gently pushed him away, her face solemn and tired. "I don't want to argue with you..."

He smiled, retreating from the hug. "As you wish Mia. I'll be in the living room if you need me."

He went to shut the door to give her privacy when she said, "I won't sleep with you." She inhaled sharply, keeping her gaze averted. "I'm grateful for your help, yes, and always will, but I can't forget about Piccolo..."

He nodded. "Don't worry. I won't..." He then blushed furiously. "You know that wasn't my intention."

Mia turned and stared at him. "Good...then neither of us will be uncomfortable."

She tried her best to smile, but only succeeded in a pathetic whimper of distress. She couldn't bring herself to smile. She was alone. Even if Tien and her son was there...

Ezekiel watched as Choutsu got out a futon, rambling on about loving company. But all the boy did was watch. ~ You know...he's insignificant as well. He's weak...he... ~

`He's moms friend. I won't hurt him.' Ezekiel clutched his stuffed Pikachu, sighing. `Before it was just a buggy. Now you want me to hurt a person?'

~ Does that bother you? ~

`Uh...yeah.'

Choutsu suddenly felt his instincts twitch. There was a presence. "Ezekiel, you stay here, okay?" His little voice squeaked as he ran to the kitchen where he was sure to find Tien.

Tien stood in the center of the living room, a blanket in hand. "You feel that?"

Choutsu stopped when he saw the look on Tiens' face.

"What is it?"

Tien shut all four eyes, meditating for a moment. Then his eyes flashed open with a sharp burst of light, sending a mental chill throughout everyone in the house.

"It isn't a ki, it's a telepathic link...a strong one!" Tien looked down the hall, then to Choutsu. "Is the kid okay?"

He nodded. "Yeah, he's just getting ready for bed." The little clownish man began to shiver. "Why?"

With an uneasy breath, he calmed his psychic aura.

"The kids got a mental link of some kind...he's communicating with someone through his mind." Tien heaved a sigh of relief. "Either way, it's no threat right now. It just proves he's got mental abilities and it needs training."

"But what about who he's talking to?"

Tien shrugged. "I'll go to Kami's tomorrow and ask him what he thinks. For now, lets just get some sleep."

In his room, Ezekiel sat. The voice had left but had promised to return. He looked down at his pokemon doll, and without a moment's hesitation, ripped the head off and tossed it into the wall where it landed in a pile of stuffing and fur.

~ Very good, VERY good.... ~

She stood on the peak of a mountain, watching intently. The time was almost right. With a mighty leap, she headed north to the ship.

Flying fast, she came to her goal, a large and palace like building. She smirked, her blood red lips tugging tightly across her teeth, revealing very long yellowing fangs. Her toes touched the ground with lithe and her legs carried her with grace into the ship where her she would wait.

Vegita watched the creature retreat, obviously ignoring his presence. He was sure it knew he was there, but simply found the fact unimportant, or so he figured. He had more pressing matters to attend to. He looked up at the sky. The rotations were complete.

With a mighty leap, he closed in on the small capsule house nestled into the mountain, prepared a ki blast and shot it. It spiraled at its target, lightening the area enough that if anyone were there, you would have seen his harsh eyes had turned red. You might also have noted that he had grown fur over his back and neck. He was also completely naked.

The explosion shattered the peaceful silence and destroyed the house, but to his keen senses, he knew they had escaped. Barely...

Tien gasped, his body aching as he carried Mia away from the burning rubble. Choutsu and Ezekiel were waiting a few yards away.

`I've got to get her away...from the...fire...' His arms were burned and his cloths in shreds, and he stared at the girl unconcious in his arms. `I've got you...I'll keep you safe for ...him...'

Then he collapsed, Mia flying from his arms and skidding to a stop a few feet away. She too was covered in burns. Her lungs burst to life, coughing and struggling to stand. Then she saw Tien...and remembered.

"Tien!" She forced her self up and ran to him, slinging him onto her back and carrying him away. "Hang on...please, just stay with me...!"

"I'm...alright..." His voice vibrated from his throat, causing her to sigh in relief.

"Don't get comfortable..." A dark voice growled. "He has now become the least of your worries."

Mia's soot covered face rose up. Her eyes were desperate and still, innocent as ever.

Vegita floated a few feet in the air, staring at the now defenseless female. The time was certainly here...

Review! `smile' don't you hate me?