Chapter Nineteen

Ava paused at his words.

"I have defeated you, Spike, twice and that should cancel out the one time he defeated you," Dikon grinned, he would win this game playing by her rules.

Ava glanced at him from under her lashes, slimy bastard, he's persistent.

She smiled at him with respect.

"Tsk, tsk," she shook her head at him, "My mate challenged me properly, we both knew what were fighting for, and you were just the enemy. What you wanted was clear from the beginning, you wanted saiyans to boost your reputation. He wanted me, though, he was confused at first," her smile deepened as she remembered his apparent shock when it was revealed that she was not a rival male but the female in question.

He was so damn attractive when he was confused.

"Fine, then I challenge you," Dikon's voice cut through her memory as sharp as a razor on flesh.

She sent him an exasperated look, "Impossible."

"Why?" Dikon grabbed her arm.

"I am a taken female!" She exploded, yanking her arm away from the alien. "He defeated me in battle, a lunafair! I am his!"

Dikon's gaze became calculating as he regarded the irate female in front of him.

"So you're nothing but an object to him."

"What?" The word was startled from her as her eyes widened.

"An object," he repeated blandly, "An inconsequential thing in his life that is there for his convenience."

Dikon watched delighted as her dark eyes shot through with vulnerability. She is mine, but no sooner than the thought had crossed his mind he watched, disappointed, as her eyes hardened against him.

"You will not turn me against him," her voice was quiet, "He wouldn't have given himself to me if that was true."

Her chin lifted and her stance widened slightly as if she were facing an army and was disappointed when she realized that despite their number they would be no match.

"That was unworthy of you," she turned and walked away from him, leaving him alone.

**

"How long is it going to take to reach the planet?" 17 drummed his fingers impatiently on his forearm.

Bardock checked the machine, "Two days at the most."

"Two days?" 17 gritted his teeth.

"Patience, android, your time will come," Bardock was faintly amused with the electronic young man.

"Why so restless?"

17 turned to 18 sharply.

"Where's Sasoli?"

"With her uncle," 18 lifted a brow.

Unnoticed, Bardock's expression darkened at the mention of the girl. I will have to keep a very close eye on her.

"What's your malfunction?" 18 continued, "It looks like you're about to blow a fuse."

"Imagine your monk was abducted by a seductive alien who is trying to seduce him with all her power," 17's voice was sardonic, "and then you would be in my position."

"Oh get off it," 18 rolled her eyes, "He's not even cute, besides, you have no idea if he's trying to seduce her or not."

"How can you be so sure?" He sneered at her.

Bardock's head snapped up.

"Explain."

The two androids looked at him surprised, they had almost forgotten he was there. The saiyan was such a steady presence, like a rock.

When they continued to just look at him, Bardock growled softly, "Explain what you meant."

"About Ava?" 17 glanced at his sister.

Bardock executed a sharp nod.

"I . . . well, I've been getting feelings--"

18 burst into laughter, "Feelings!"

Bardock glanced at the blond android, "You couldn't understand saiyan connections."

18 blinked at the unexpected scold.

Bardock turned his black eyes to 17, "What kind of feelings?"

17 bit the inside of his cheek," Confusion, anger, agitation, hurt . . . betrayal." The male android paused uncertainly, "You must think I'm crazy . . ."

The comment was more aimed at 18 than Bardock.

"There is nothing implausible when concerning a bond. What are you feeling now?" Bardock frowned in a thoughtful manner.

17 frowned.

"Anger . . . and sympathy . . ."

"He must be playing with her mind as she is with his," Bardock pondered, "Though the betrayal worries me but since she is angry now indicates that she saw through his deception at the last moment."

"Yes, that is why we must get there as soon as possible," 17 agreed.

"So you're saying your getting these feelings from Ava?" 18 crossed her arms in a nervous gesture.

"Where else would they come from?" Bardock smirked, amused that she was related to saiyans but did not know anything about them.

"Yeah, 18, I know you like to think your brother is crazy but that simply isn't the case," 17 mock scolded.

"I never thought you were crazy," 18 shrugged, "just wild. I'm hungry so I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

17 watched her walk to the ladder and disappear, Wild?

**

"You see Bra?" Bulma displayed the insides of complex machine that would give an advanced technician a headache trying to figure it out.

Bra nodded eagerly, "But Mom would it just be easier if you just took the wire thingy and twisted it instead of having a long piece of the thingy."

"What do you mean Bra?" Bulma frowned as she regarded the machine.

"Like this Mommy," Bra reached forward and used her saiyan strength to snap the wire connector in two.

Not noticing her mother's gasp of dismay, Bra used her cubby little fingers to curl the wire and connect it to it's corresponding conduits. Bra turned and looked up at her mother expectantly.

Bulma checked the connections carefully before wearily turning it on. The machine whirled to life without problem, and after a few tests proved to be both faster and better than before.

"Bra!" Bulma smiled radiantly at her daughter, "You're a genius just like your mother!"

Bra giggled as her mom swung her into her arms and tickled her.

"I should let you play in the lab more often," Bulma thought out loud.

"Can I?" Bra's eyes were wide with excitement, the lab was forbidden territory.

"Of course, Bra, just as long as I or your Grandpa is here to keep an eye on you," Bulma put her daughter down, "Now let me show you some of your mommy's secret projects."

"Ok," Bra nodded.

**

"Android?"

"Yes?" 17 turned to face the saiyan and was surprised to find a grim expression on his face.

"This male should never have gotten through to the Princess' defenses. For some reason she is wavering from female protocol, the sympathy you mentioned make me believe she is relating to the bastard. Also, there is the fact that he's after your woman with a passion," Bardock rubbed his forehead, "I have a few questions and it is extremely important that you answer truthfully."

Bardock motioned for the android to take a seat.

17 accepted the offer concerned with the way the he was phrasing things.

"How long have you been bonded?"

"Six years, two months, and 14 days."

"Do you have any other offspring besides the girl?"

"Yes, a boy, Zarah. He's Sasoli's twin."

"Twins?" Bardock blinked.

17 nodded, amused by his reaction.

"You could say it runs in the families. 18 is my twin."

Bardock put the information to the back of his mind, for now.

"How did you two meet?"

"We were hunting the same animal."

"Who killed the animal?"

"I could have but she did in the end," 17 shrugged.

"Why didn't you kill it?" Bardock frowned, "did she know you could have killed it?"

"I was tracking the animal for fun so I didn't see any reason to kill," 17 smiled, "I think she knew since I fired a shot."

"I see," Bardock nodded, "Now, did you participate in the mating ritual?"

"Umm," 17 shifted in his seat, "What does that involve?"

"It involves a lunafair--"

"Yes, we did that," 17 nodded, cutting him off.

"Good, who won?"

"I did."

"Good, then you have nothing to worry about," Bardock nodded, apparently satisfied with 17's answers.

"What do you mean?" 17 tilted his head curiously.

"You are in no danger of losing your mate to this male since she sounds devoted and lost the lunafair. If she had beaten you than we might have had a problem of cross binding or loss of claim," Bardock explained, "Things we do not need when dealing with the alien bum."

"Claim . . ." 17 frowned, "That makes her sound like an object, besides, I gave her a moonstone to make us equals."

"Equals?" Bardock's mouth twitched with amusement, "Why in the seven hells did you do that? Females are insidious enough, you might as well go hunting splavoids blindfolded in drafet territory."

The saiyan boomed with laughter at 17's expense. The android crossed his arms unsure if he was being insulted or not.

"You are braver than some saiyans I knew," Bardock shook his head, "Willingly giving females more power."

"Keeps it interesting," 17 relaxed.

"Indeed," Bardock's expression became serious, "Though when we do catch up with her, it would be a good thing to show dominance."

"That doesn't compute," 17 lifted a brow.

"He means show her who wears the pants in the family, to use a human expression."

Bardock and 17 turned to find Vegeta standing in the doorway with Sasoli on his shoulder.

"Pants?"

"Women used to be forbidden to wear pants," Vegeta lowered Sasoli to the floor, "Is it really necessary?"

Sasoli yawned and crawled into her father's lap.

17 frowned as their meaning sunk in.

"Isn't it? The android has been receiving the Princess' emotions, usually this wouldn't be a problem but he felt betrayal," Bardock shrugged, "She has had more freedom than any before her, and just as we know our place, she needs to be taught hers."

Vegeta's jaw tightened and Bardock met his hard eyes head n, neither backed down nor were willing to give in. The old and the new ideals were clashing and the outcome was decidedly uncertain.

17 remained silent as his gaze slipped to his daughter, who fell asleep, before returning to the two saiyans.

"You shouldn't concern yourselves," 17 stood up with Sasoli snoozing in his arms, "I will do as I see fit with my wife."

Sending a cold stare in each of their directions 17 left the room to lay his daughter down.

**

Maron wondered down the hallway when she heard sounds of fighting. Curious, she headed in the direction of the noise and opened the door to the backyard.

Trunks, Goten, and Zarah were sitting on the grass resting after a vigorous spar.

"What are you doing outside Maron?" Zarah glanced at her over his shoulder.

"I thought I heard fighting," she fidgeted nervously as her cousin by blood sighed.

"We just finished up, Maron, why don't you go back inside," Zarah dismissed her as he turned to Goten.

Maron blinked before sadly turning back to the house when a hand on her shoulder stopped her.

She lifted her eyes hesitantly to meet Trunks'.

"You can stay out here with us if you want to," Trunks smiled.

"Really?" She smiled in return.

"Yeah, it's no big deal."

Zarah and Goten were surprised at Trunks' actions.

"She doesn't fight," Zarah said as if to explain why she should go back into the house.

Goten just looked sad at the possibility, "Why?"

"You don't fight?" Trunks frowned at the girl.

Maron looked down, "No, not really. Mom says I don't have to if I don't want to."

"Hmm," Trunks pondered, "Do you want to?"

She shook her head sending her pigtails swinging.

Trunks nodded, "Well, if you ever change your mind we can teach you, right guys?"

Goten grinned, "Yeah!"

Zarah shrugged.

"Really, Trunks?" Maron looked at him hopefully.

"Yeah, sure. No big deal," Trunks shrugged.

Maron's expression brightened as she nodded and went inside the house.

"What was all that about?" Goten went to Trunks.

"Yeah, she doesn't fight," Zarah repeated in a way that translated to she doesn't like to eat, which, to a saiyan is a horrible crime.

Trunks shrugged, "She seemed sad."

Zarah shrugged bored with the entire conversation and left unnoticed.

Goten tilted his head, "There is something else isn't there?"

"She has pretty hair," Trunks rolled his eyes, "I have only seen that shade of hair on her mom and my grandma."

Goten nodded, "Yeah, like how only your family has blue hair, white purplish hair, and blond hair but only your dad has black hair."

Trunks ran a hand through his lavender hair, "Yeah Goten, rub it in. Hey, are you hungry?"

Goten's eyes lit up, "You bet, Trunks."

Trunks laughed, "I guess I should know better than to ask."

End of Chapter Nineteen

AN:

::Pushes a neatly stacked pile of tests to the corner of a table. Gets up and takes ten quiet steps away from the table:: I'm free! I'm free!

::An evil voice:: You still have a month of school left.

::Michelle pauses in mid-jump:: Dang it!