'...' : Telepathic communication

Chapter Twenty

Dikon was preparing their final meal for the day when he saw Spike sit by the fire to watch him. His thoughts turned dark as his mind turned to his problem.

Spike didn't like him . . . or she did but just not in the way he wanted and if he pulled another stunt like he did today then she wouldn't even like him.

Very frustrating for a male such as he, Dikon usually won female's favor without much effort but it was his craving for home that made him reject him in the end. Now he had found a perfect humanoid and she was taken

What to do? Dikon pondered seriously, she offered to become allies . . . There must be a way around her partner's claim on her . . . Dikon smiled, If I can't challenge her, maybe I can challenge him.

**

Ava seated herself near the warmth of the fire and contemplated what she was about to do.

Unaware of her captor's thoughts she took a deep breath to prepare her body for the connection. Saiyan's were, of course, slightly telepathic but it took concentration when there was any real distance involved and made the people involved extremely vulnerable to their surroundings.

Ava considered the risks one more time before shrugging them off, Dikon wanted a bride to deal with not a corpse. Besides, she needed to feel her mate's presence . . . hear his voice . . . even if it was only in her mind.

She let her eyes go out of focus and gazed blankly into the blue flames.

'17, where are you?' She reached along the invisible line that would connect them even in death.

'Ava?'

A tentative voice answered, brushing his mind with hers.

'How is Sasoli?' She smiled at the feel of his sudden elation.

'She's sleeping, Ava, are you ok? What is that bastard doing to you? Has he hurt you? I'll kill him, did he feed--'

'17!' Ava interrupted, 'I'm fine. The only thing he has done is feed me.'

She could almost see him narrowing his blue eyes.

'Then why did you feel betrayed?'

Ava blinked in surprise.

'Why are you surprised? I have been able to tell what you feel for a long time.'

She could feel his amusement and concern transmitted along with his words.

'Why didn't you tell me you could feel my emotions?' Ava demanded, feeling a bit put out.

'Why didn't you tell me we could do this mind thingy and why haven't you contacted me before this?'

'I thought you knew,' Ava shrugged, 'besides, it is dangerous to link minds in captivity.'

A pause.

'We need to work on our communication skills.'

'How long until you reach planet side?' Ava changed the topic.

'A couple hours--'

Ava jumped, grabbed the hand on her shoulder, and flipped the owner hard, nearly into the fire.

Dikon groaned and looked up at her, "What was that for?"

"Reflex," Ava shrugged trying to get rid off the sudden nervousness in her belly, "What did you want?"

Dusting himself off, Dikon studied Spike curiously. She had clocked out for several minutes.

"Food's ready."

She nodded before leaving her spot by the fire.

Should I do it? Dikon twisted his lips.

**

"Vegeta!"

Vegeta glanced up in time to see his brother-in-law burst into the room. The android seemed uncharistically excited.

"I just talked to Ava."

Yes, that would explain the show of emotion.

"Interesting," he nodded, "So I take it she's not being tortured if she felt safe enough to contact you."

17 frowned, puzzled at his words before the android's initial excitement took over, "I guess, whatever, she said she's fine and the only thing he's done to her is give her food. Though, I am a bit concerned, we were cut off."

"Hn," Vegeta answered frowning.

As if disappointed by the saiyan's lack of emotional response 17 slipped from the room to find his sister.

He left Vegeta with his thoughts.

What enemy is this? He kidnaps but doesn't torture, Vegeta thought of his niece.

Yet, he taunts his enemies as if he has the most dire of things planned, the mocking transmission flashed in the saiyan's mind. The admiration and kiss the alien administered to Ava seemed authentic but led to thoughts of perversity.

Maybe, that's it, Vegeta's frown deepened, Maybe, he was trying to make us think that she was lost and would never be recovered.

Vegeta recalled how Dikon had only faltered when he and 17 stepped forward to announce that they would go to the ends of the universe to retrieve her.

However, if that's the case, then he's wanted Ava from the beginning . . . Vegeta thought grimly, and he's not going to let go of her easily.

**

Videl strolled through the house looking for her errant husband.

Honestly, Videl grumbled to herself, Just because I threatened to castrate him doesn't mean he should take me seriously.

Videl paused to rub her temples, trying to ward off an upcoming headache when she spotted him.

The mysterious little boy saiyan that was somehow related to Trunks and Bra. What was his name? Zarka? Zarpha?

He was looking at her curiously but his eyes also held confusion.

It was strange to see her coloring almost exactly duplicated on this boy though his hair was obviously spikier and his eyes were a shade lighter than her blue.

His head tilted slightly and his bangs almost ran into his eyes, "Why do you feel like two people?"

Videl blinked at that.

"I don't know what you mean," she answered after a moment.

His dark brows lowered, "You have two different energies in your body. Why?"

Videl frowned in thought when realization made her smile, "I'm pregnant."

"Pregnant?" The little boy inched closer.

"Yes, I'm going to have a baby," Videl laughed as his expression screwed up quizzically, "There's a baby growing in my stomach."

He looked at her critically, "So you're not just getting fat?"

Videl's mouth dropped open.

"N-no," she stuttered, trying to suppress the sudden surge of anger. He's just a kid, he doesn't know any better, she sighed to herself.

She nearly jumped when she felt a small hand on her abdomen.

"Is the baby a girl?" The boy looked up at her.

"Yeah," Videl nodded, startled at the boldness of the small saiyan.

He nodded, "She feels like Sasoli and Bra. She will be a fighter."

Videl felt a chill slid down her spin.

"What makes you say that?"

"She is saiyan, it's in her blood," the kid grinned toothily at her, "or at least that's what my mom says."

Videl couldn't help but return the boy's grin, it was so light-hearted and mischievous, "What's your name?"

"Zarah, yours?"

"Videl."

They studied each other with interest, Zarah was interested in a future sparring partner while Videl wondered what kind of person he would make when he was older.

"Where are you going?" She called out when he walked past her.

Zarah paused, "I smell food."

Videl sighed to herself, "Saiyans . . ."

**

Dikon watched Spike pace restlessly as energy sparked around her. She had such power and yet, she did not touch him.

He found it very encouraging.

Maybe, I should do it, he considered, it'll put her more at ease with me.

Spike started to growl to herself.

Ok, I'll do it, Dikon nodded to himself.

"Spike, I release you."

She stiffened and all movement ceased.

"Come again?"

"Your free, I'll take you home when the ship is refueled," Dikon smiled innocently at her suspicious face.

"How long?" The question came out somewhat sarcastic.

"Just another day," Dikon ignored the unspoken accusation, "My ship is special remember. Besides, it will probably be done by the end of the day."

"No tricks?" She lifted a brow.

"None," Dikon's smile widened, just the one where I steal your heart.

"Your sincere?" Her eyes were narrow.

"Completely," Dikon nodded, I would never keep you in bondage . . . unless you wanted to be . . .

Spike studied him when, suddenly, her eyes lit up and she smiled.

"You will make a great ally," she sighed as she turned her face to the sky, "and not a moment too soon."

Curious, Dikon lifted his eyes to the purple atmosphere and paled. A round ship was coming and would soon land. He was going to lose her forever.

**

"Zarah!"

Zarah glanced up to see his cousin Bra gesturing for him to come to her.

"What?" He closed the distance.

"Come here, Mom's showing me her inventions!" Happiness flowed through her voice.

"Her machines?" Zarah's curiosity was peaked.

"Yeah! They're really cool!" Bra grabbed his hand.

**

"All right!" 17 hopped into his seat and snapped his belt in place, "Now the fun begins."

Vegeta lifted a brow at the android before turning to Bardock. The older saiyan seemed tense.

"Something wrong?"

Bardock shook his head.

"Finally," 18 snapped her seat belt shut, "After we kill this bastard we can go home."

"What's wrong?" 17 smirked, "Miss your monk?"

18 glared.

"Just because this is a family outing for you, 17."

17 glared.

"It's not like I paid for them to be kidnapped."

18 shrugged, "Might as well. Would it kill you to take your family out on the town?"

"Maybe," 17's eyes narrowed, "Ava's not one for casual flirting, unlike your monk."

18's mouth dropped open before snapping shut.

"What are you trying to--"

"SHUT UP!!"

17 and 18 jumped and turned their attention to the saiyans.

"Children!" Vegeta growled, "Can we land now or do you want to finish your meaningless squabble?"

They nodded almost sheepishly.

Bardock didn't hear any of this, instead he was watching the alien planet with a growing sense of dread. This planet . . . the vegetation is an exact replica from my vision . . . where the girl died . . .

"Where's the girl?"

17 glanced up, "She's still sleeping. She must have been exhausted."

Let's hope she stays that way, Bardock thought grimly, because I have a feeling this is the planet she is going to die on . . . unless I can save her . . .

**

Bulma sighed to herself as she removed her magnifying glasses, and glanced up.

She gasped at the sight of Bra explaining a complex machine to her cousin. What was astonishing was the fact that he was nodding with understanding and asking intelligent questions for one so young.

"Zarah."

Their eyes shot up filled guilt and disappointment.

"Mama, don't be mad . . . I was just showing him how it worked," Bra pouted.

"I didn't touch anything, Aunt Bulma, I . . . I'll leave," Zarah bowed his head upset that she was mad at him.

"No," Bulma stopped him, "Zarah, you don't have to leave, in fact, you and Bra can play with anything you want in here ok. Except for my inventions."

"Really, mama," Bra smiled.

"Yeah, why not? But anything you invent goes into the company, deal?" Bulma raised a brow, first and last, she was a businesswoman.

"Ok," Zarah nodded.

"Yeah!" Bra grinned.

Bulma smiled at their enthusiasm, she was in a win win situation. If they did invent something it could be extremely valuable to the company's prosperity and if not, then at least they're out of trouble with a healthy interest in electronics.

"All right, it's a deal," Bulma nodded, "You work for me now."

"What do we do first?" Zarah tilted his head with wide-eyed excitement.

"Well," Bulma mused to herself, "I guess you guys could come up with a list of ideas. After all, sometimes the idea is harder to come up with than the actual building."

"Let's go Bra!" Zarah grinned at his smaller cousin who returned the gesture.

"This is going to be fun!" Bra bounced happily, a trait learned from her grandmother.

Bulma watched the kids run off nearly bouncing off the walls with excess energy.

Yes, this was a good idea, Bulma looked at her list she had made when she was a little girl with fondness, and the Briefs tradition passes onto another generation.

End of Chapter Twenty

AN: Sorry, guys . . . ::Bows head in shame:: I have been slacking in my writing and just started up again now that the homework load lightened suddenly. Thanks for all your support! It means a lot to me to know that you guys don't hate me for my lapses! Let me know what you think!