Part 6: Apology Is Polite

OH MY GOD!

Scully put a hand over her mouth, her blue eyes widening like saucers. Are those Krispy KremeTM doughnuts?! She hitched up the pants of her new gi (compliments of Piccolo) and leaned over the box, where Goku, Trunks and Goten were already cramming their mouths full of the glazed delights.

Scully drew one sticky doughnut out, took a dainty nibble and closed her eyes as she slowly chewed. she sighed. Mulder took one out of the box, looked at it, turned it over once, then glomped a huge bite. Yup. Krispy Kreme tee-em doughnuts, he said with a wink.

Scully opened one eye and turned it on her partner. Where's your outfit? she asked, noting that he still wore suit, tie and FBI-issued shoes.

Not my style, he said, taking a moment to admire Scully's new white gi with green sash and tee-shirt. But definitely your style.

Bulma approached the pair, took a ribbon out of her pocket and pulled Scully's red hair back into a ponytail, tying it off.

Blue eyes met cerulean. Bulma smiled. Now you're ready to save the world.

And when exactly does that begin? Mulder asked, turning his gaze toward the Saiyans.

Vegeta, leaning with crossed arms and one foot flat against the wall, snorted. When Kakarot finishes stuffing his face, he growled with a smirk.

Behave yourself, Vegeta, Bulma said affectionately, latching onto his arm. Vegeta glared at his wife, but his black eyes twinkled, and he made no move to shake her off.

Kakarot thinks it's more important to gorge himself than to save the world. Isn't that right, Kakarot?

Goku said, and pounded down the food with his fist. No mercy, Vegeta. You have no mercy, he said, grinning.

Unlike you, Kakarot. You're too soft.

What exactly are we saving the world from? Scully asked, scarfing the last of the doughnut and eyeing the box once more.

We need to ask the ancient kai that, Goku said. All I know is that negative energy was released when we used the dragon balls this last time.

And that's a bad thing? Mulder asked.

Imagine all life as we know it suddenly ceasing to exist, Bulma said.

Why does that sound like a line from Mulder muttered.

It's not unlike that, Bulma said with a tiny smile. Don't cross the streams and all that.

So we have negative and positive streams? And if they cross...

Bulma said.

How do we find those streams? How do we contain them?

Ah, there's the rub, she said.

Goku began rubbing his head. I think we better take Bulma with us.

Vegeta snapped to attention and ground his teeth. Absolutely not! he roared.

Oh, Vegeta, Bulma said, squeezing his arm. Loosen up. What can happen?

My wife is not running around the universe with us! You have to ... to... fix the gravity room!

Mulder said,

Scully and the Z-Warriors glared at him. Gravity room! they shouted.

He held up his hands and backed slowly away.

Mom, why don't we just look for the dragon balls again? Trunks asked.

Because, son, your father blew up the dragon radar. Bulma's blue eyes flashed. Vegeta crossed his arms and harumphed. Besides, these dragon balls didn't scatter around Earth. They scattered around the universe.

Scully sidled next to Mulder and raised her eyebrows. Mulder nodded, leaned down and whispered, Scully, they're almost too weird for me.

So, finding them without the radar is impossible. It would be simpler to see what else we can do to stop the Earth from exploding.

Can't you make another radar?

I — I... Bulma put her hand up to her mouth to hide the color that crept into her cheeks. I lost the blueprint, she finished in a small voice.

Vegeta snickered. They were lying on the bed during one of our more energetic —

Bulma's faced turned crimson. I was supposed to file them and they — um...

We get the point, Mulder said. So what comes next?

Goku said, We go to the ancient kai and see what he has to say. Grab on!

Like a daisy chain, Goten took his father's hand, Trunks took Goten's, Vegeta put his hand on Trunks' shoulder and Bulma latched onto Vegeta. Scully and Mulder looked at each other, shrugged and completed the chain.

You're not going! Vegeta growled.

I AM! Bulma snarled.

Aren't you coming, Piccolo? Goku asked.

I'll stay here in case I'm needed.

Goku nodded and put two fingers to his forehead, taking a minute to search for King Kai's signal. Seconds later, they landed in Otherworld, and from there Goku found Kibito-Kai's ki. Seconds later from that, they landed on the kai's planet.

Scully and Mulder blinked and stared around at the terrain. There were several moons visible in the sky, and walking toward them were two strange purple beings with pointy ears.

Scully, any minute now I'm going to wake up and find out this is all a dream.

The shorter wrinkled one was scowling, but the tall one was beaming.

It's so good to see you all! Kibito-kai cried.

You brought humans to our sacred planet! the old one grumbled.

Elder kai, Goku said, holding up both his hands. I can explain.

I know what the trouble is, the old one growled. You've used those dragon balls again and now you're in trouble!

Yeah, and we have a real dragon, too! cried Goten.

Goku grinned sheepishly and put one hand behind his head. It was an accident, elder! But we have a year to fix it, don't we?

You think you can fix just anything, don't you. The elder kai peered up at Goku, pouting. Goku backed up a step.



It's not going to be that easy, young man! No, you don't have a year. That was in the Grand Tour. This is reality!



Vegeta's wife is correct. The streams can't cross. The problem is... The elder kai scratched his chin and looked at Bulma. The problem is that there aren't two streams.

Bulma groaned and put a hand to her forehead. There are fourteen, she said in a tired voice. Seven negative and seven positive.

Right again! the elder kai cried and smiled. You have a smart wife, Vegeta. How'd she end up with you?

Vegeta uncrossed his arms, clenched his fists and growled. Bulma giggled.

Just lucky, I guess.

I'm lost, Mulder said. What do we have to do?

Find the streams, young man, and obliterate them. The elder kai finally turned his eyes on the agents. And this all started with pictures of the dragon.

Scully and Mulder gaped at him. How'd you know that?

I know most everything, young man. He looked at Scully, a tiny smile curving his lips.

I guess, she said quietly, lacing her fingers, hands hanging loosely in front. I guess it's time for me to say I'm sorry.

Mulder stared at her. Sorry for what?

She sighed and hung her head. For deceiving you all. I took those pictures.

...continued...