Chapter Twenty-Three

Krillin jumped as four people blinked into existence in front of him and Maron.

Goku was gone the next second.

"Mommy!" Maron ran to 18 who picked her up.

17 nodded in Krillin's direction as he ushered his family from the room. He could tell that 18 wanted to be alone with her monk for awhile. Besides, he wanted to find Zarah and lock them in a room together. 17 wasn't sure if he would be comfortable with them out of his sight ever again.

"Hey Babe!" Krillin grinned at his wife, "How did everything go?"

"It was a nightmare," 18 wrinkled her nose, "Remind me never to go anywhere with 17 again."

"Sure," Krillin laughed.

18 smiled faintly, it was finally over.

**

"Where . . . did they go?" Bardock was looking at the empty space his son had occupied.

"To earth," Vegeta answered, "It's a technique he has, like I said you can talk later."

Vegeta walked up to the Capsule ship and pushed the button.

"You have proven yourself, Bardock, you will be allowed to live."

Vegeta picked up the now capsulated ship to Bardock's amazement.

"What did you do to the ship?"

"My mate's technology," Vegeta smirked at Bardock, "She is a genius on her planet."

Bardock nodded, "And on many other planets as well I would gather. How is this done?"

"How is what done?" Goku asked them curiously as he popped in out of nowhere.

"Kakarot," Bardock tilted his head at him, "You must explain this technique to me."

"Ok! No problem," Goku grinned.

"Later, take us home first," Vegeta scowled.

"Where is earth?" Bardock frowned.

"You would know it as the only inhabitable planet in the blue solar system," Vegeta quipped as he picked up Dikon's ship.

He had decided that the fastest way to handle the foreign vessel was to just take it to earth since capulizing was out of the question, at least for now. Bulma would have to do tests and such on the metals for it to work properly but she wasn't here to do it, so instant thing it was.

"Let's go, Kakarot," Vegeta allowed Goku to put a hand on his shoulder.

Vegeta stepped on Dikon's arm to ensue the alien's journey with them.

"Bardock, put your hand on your son's shoulder unless you want to be stranded on this idiotic planet."

Bardock complied, and the four disappeared.

**

"They're gone!" An irate figure exploded with fury, "What the hell happened? They just vanished!"

He ran a scan of the planet searching for any life signs and found none.

"Well, at least I know where they're went," angry fingers tapped in new coordinates, "the blue solar system. Why would a beauty like her live in such a primitive world?"

**

Marron glanced at her surroundings with interest, she had never been in such a high class place before. She had been to expensive places like hotel rooms and restaurants but nothing like this place.

She ran her fingers along the couch and noted the fine texture of the material, she could get used to living here, yes she could.

Her search for Krillin forgotten she glanced at the pictures adorning the walls. She absently noticed that they were mostly kids in group pictures or older coupled dressed boringly in conservative clothing.

A squeal of delight escaped her when her vacuous blue eyes latched onto a different picture, unique from the rest.

Whereas the other photographs were done professionally this one had to be a snap shot. The slight blurring accounted to the fact that the subjects had been moving and unaware of the person with the camera.

Still, despite the slight blurring the picture was almost artfully taken but that didn't matter to Marron in the least, what had caught her attention was the two dark males in it.

One wore a complete spandex bodysuit while the other wore an orange jumpsuit and both were on the verge of killing the other, at least that was it looked like to her.

In actuality, they were just beginning a sparring session when Bulma had snuck up on them.

Marron studied the males with an experienced eye and declared them both really cute when two hands planted themselves on either side of her on the wall.

**

Vegeta dropped Dikon's ship next to his gravity room, figuring that no one would notice it.

"Come on," Goku grabbed his father's arm, "I want you to meet Chichi!"

"Chichi? But . . . isn't that . . ." Bardock's voice faded as he was pulled into the complex.

"Vegeta?" A giggly voice sounded behind him, "You're back!"

Vegeta stiffened as his mother-in-law attached herself to his arm.

Kakarot must have latched onto her energy when he instant thinged us here, Vegeta growled to himself.

"Did you just get here? Who was that with Goku dear?"

"That was Kakarot's father, Bardock," Vegeta informed her, sensing a quick way to escape.

"His father," she smiled, "Why that means I have more guests I should offer the man some tea and cakes. Vegeta dear, do you think he will like some cakes?"

She glanced at him imploringly.

Vegeta nodded quickly, "He would like nothing more, in fact, I don't think he's ever had cakes before."

"Oh my," she shook her head, "We'll just have to remedy this situation."

We?

"No, I must find Bulma," Vegeta supplied quickly.

"Oh of course, dear," she patted his arm before letting go of him, "I understand. I must go to the shops and buy some cakes, I'll be back soon dear."

She giggled as she nearly floated to the car. She was a strange woman.

Giving a small sigh of relief, Vegeta entered the house as well and, true to his word, went to look for his mate. But not before he threw Dikon into a random room, it was a mere coincidence that the alien landed on the bed.

**

Bulma glanced up as Zarah's head snapped up.

"They're back!" He grinned before dashing out the door.

"Whose back?" Bulma frowned at her daughter.

"Aunt Ava and Sasoli," Bra smiled suddenly, "Daddy's back with Goku!"

"Really," Bulma grinned, "Let's go find them."

They left the lab and entered the family room.

Bulma stopped in her tracks at the sight before her while Bra continued to the hallway oblivious.

"Vegeta," She said his name in a very soft and dangerous voice.

**

Goku pulled his father into the kitchen and found his wife sitting at the table with a cup of tea.

"Chichi, this is my dad," Goku released the older saiyan's arm, "This is my wife."

Bardock studied the female as she stood up to greet him warily. She had a watchfulness and a no nonsense ness about her she as stopped at her mate's side.

"See, Chichi, I told you he was alive," Goku paused, "I have to find Gohan and Goten!"

He left the room.

Chichi stared at her husband's father, it was obvious where Goku had gotten his looks. Still, there was a hardness around his features that her Goku did not contain. She stood her ground as the saiyan closed the distance between them. I will not be intimidated.

"You resemble a saiyan enough," Bardock mused aloud, "but are you worthy of a saiyan warrior?"

Chichi's eyes narrowed, "You may be Goku's father--"

"Goku?" Bardock's eye's narrowed, "His name is Kakarot."

"He is Goku to me," Chichi's voice hardened to the consistency of steel, "I am his wife and mother to his children whether you like it or not."

Chichi snatched the frying pan from the stove and hefted it threatening at him.

Bardock lifted a brow at her weapon.

"And if I should object to your union?"

Chichi glared at him.

"You would only hurt your own son."

Bardock let a cold smile cross his face, "What does that matter?"

Chichi gasped and, properly outraged, brought down the frying pan with all her wrath.

Bardock caught her wrist and then her hand when she tried to punch him. He also blocked her attempts to kick him in several sensitive places. Slowly, he twisted her wrist in order to force her to relinquish the pan. When it hit the floor, Bardock surprised her by falling to one knee while taking her hands to his forehead.

Stunned, she stopped trying to hit him and listened when he started to speak.

"You have proven worthy. I pledge allegiance to all of your house, your enemies and your allies will be mine. I will forfeit my life before you will even have to endanger yours in battle. You have my word, I, Bardock, the son of Asper son of Kakarot of third class swear fealty."

Chichi was speechless.

Bardock let go of her hands and returned to his feet.

"I . . . don't know what to say . . ." Chichi smiled weakly.

Bardock's lips twitched with amusement.

**

Vegeta paused in his stride when he spotted a head of blue hair.

There she is, Vegeta smirked as he snuck up behind her, sentimental woman, always looking at pictures.

Quickly planting his hand on either side of her to keep her from escaping, he leaned over her to speak in her ear.

"Did you miss me?"

The woman was silent.

"Bulma?"

"Vegeta."

Vegeta's brow creased. Why was Bulma's voice coming from behind him when she was right in front of him? Why did she sound mad?

The woman within the circle of his arms turned and the saiyan's eyes widened slightly. She had the exact same coloring as Bulma but-

"You're not Bulma," he stated out loud as he moved away from the look-alike.

He glanced in the direction the voice had come from to find his mate red in the face.

"Bulma?" Vegeta's gaze went back and forth between the two females.

Bulma's expression softened softly when she saw the confusion in her husbands eyes. He hadn't been hitting on another woman intentionally. Her anger increased and refocused on her new target: Marron.

Bulma would be able to recognize her anywhere.

The genius's fists tightened suddenly and she came very close to exploding as Marron did the one thing she shouldn't, hit on Vegeta.

Marron attached herself to Vegeta's arm in an effort to gain his attention. "You're cute! Let's go out," the smile that crossed her lips promised dark delights.

Vegeta wasn't sure if he was more disgusted or sickened by the woman's offer.

"Remove yourself," Vegeta growled at her.

She pouted.

"That's not very nice," she tilted her head back to expose her throat.

"I'll show you not nice!" Bulma charged forward.

**

Dikon groaned as he found himself lying on something soft. He opened his eyes to reveal a room of sorts.

"What happened?" He grumbled to himself as he clutched his head.

Wincing, he forced himself to his feet and out the door. He had to find out what was going on, the last thing he remembered was being on . . . planet 627?

Yes, that was right he had been refueling with Spike when her companions had come . . . and then Blue . . . no Sasoli . . .

Dikon swallowed, he had taken a terrible risk in trying to heal the girl and he would do it again in a second but that wasn't the problem, what he wanted to know was if it worked!

Where am I? Dikon glanced around not familiar with anything.

A scream ripped through the air.

"Sasoli?" Dikon followed the scream to its source only he didn't find a small saiyan girl.

A blue hair woman cowered behind a chair as another one was being restrained by the Saiyan Prince. An amused Prince, at that.

"Hitting on my husband, you bitch!" The woman struggled for freedom.

The other whimpered in fear. She searched for a means of escape and spotted him in the doorway.

Making a mad dash, the woman threw herself on him, and clung to him desperately.

"Save me!" She pleaded, lifting huge tear filled eyes to him.

Dikon's heart skipped a beat. This female creature was clinging to him for help and he wanted to.

He glanced up to see that the irate woman had stopped her struggles though the saiyan prince was now frowning at him. He lowered his own brow and hugged the woman to him closer.

She tucked her head into his shoulder.

Dikon felt empowered by this and met the Prince's eyes head on.

"Change your mind about fighting to the death?" Vegeta pushed Bulma behind him.

"Whose wife is he trying to take now?" 17's sarcastic voice came from behind the bounty hunter.

Dikon swallowed as he forced the woman from him, "Are you attached?"

Marron felt the strength in his hands as he gripped her upper arms and her heart started pounding, she had always liked a strong man.

"No," she whispered in her perfected breathless tone.

He had beautiful green eyes, she noticed with a smile.

Ava watched the situation with a brow raised. What was one to do when the male who had been obsessed with you drops you as soon as he sets his eyes on another woman?

"Who is that?" She grumbled.

17 glanced at her curiously before a smile started to creep across his lips.

How cute, she's jealous.

"Marron," 18's voice entered the room.

17 located her at the side of Vegeta and Bulma. What had surprised him was the quiet venom in her tone.

Marron . . . 17 pondered when the answer surfaced, That's right, her monk . . . so that's Marron.

"Well, isn't this interesting," 17 remarked softly, "Find yourself a new love Dikon?"

Dikon had put his back to a wall in order to face everyone when 17's question hit him.

He swallowed nervously as he regarded the female who had returned willingly to his arms. She was exotic from anything he had ever seen in the universe and . . . she seemed content with him.

"I guess it depends on her," Dikon answered softly.

Ava's lip curled with disdain, it was one thing to be dropped like a stone but it was another thing entirely to drop a diamond for a piece of filth.

"17 kill him," she ordered coldly.

Ava fumed when he only lifted a brow in her direction.

"No, I don't think I want to, my family isn't in danger anymore," 17 lifted her chin, "Besides what better punishment for him to be put with a girl like her."

Ava growled at her mate, sending him many angry words telepathically.

"It would be poetic justice," 18 leaned against a wall lazily, a cruel smile on her lips.

Vegeta glanced at his mate, curious for her opinion.

"Let him have her," Bulma shrugged dismissively, "She won't be missed."

"Very well," Vegeta locked eyes with Dikon and then 17, "thus far, you both have functioned according to saiyan law for a saiyan mate. However, since neither fighting party is saiyan nor particularly interested in fighting over the saiyan female in question the challenge can be taken back."

Vegeta glanced pointedly at Dikon then at Marron in his arms, "Do you wish to retract your challenge for Ava?"

Dikon felt a glimmer of hope, they were giving him a way out!

"Marron?" Dikon called softly.

"Yes?" She looked at him.

"Will you be mine?" Dikon asked her gently.

"Sure! You're cute!" She beamed.

Dikon smiled, delighted with her.

"I retract my challenge."

Vegeta glanced at 17, "Do you accept this?"

"Yeah, just as long as he stays away from Ava," 17 shrugged, not really caring at this point.

"Good," Vegeta turned to Dikon, "Now, get off my planet before I change my mind and kill you. Never tell anyone of what happened this day and you will not have to worry about being hunted by saiyans."

Dikon nodded with perfect understanding and moved to leave the complex with Marron in tow.

"Are we leaving?" She blinked up at him.

"Yes, we're going to my ship," Dikon passed Vegeta a bit wearily.

"You own a ship!"

The rest of their conversation was cut off by the door as they left the mansion.

"I guess I won't have to worry about her anymore," 18 smirked triumphantly as she made a beeline for her family in the next room.

"That was great, Vegeta! You got rid of two undesirables in one shot!" Bulma tried to kiss him but he moved away.

"What's wrong?" Bulma frowned when she realized they weren't the only ones in the room, "Oh . . . Well, I'm going to work in my empty lab."

Vegeta snorted at her obvious attempt to get him to an isolated area.

"You do that. I am going to train."

Vegeta pivoted on his heel and left the room with Bulma on his tail.

"Train?!"

17 shook his head, he had such a crazy family.

"Are you happy?"

17 closed his eyes as his wife hissed at him.

"You've disgraced me."

"I did no such thing," 17's lips quirked, "You're pride is just smarting because Dikon was so quick to choose another woman over you."

"You were supposed to fight for me," her chin lifted.

"I did," 17 put his hands on his hips, "and it is obvious I won that fight."

Ava deflated as her argument lost ground, Bastard! What is so fascinating about her?!

17 watched her almost pout.

"Ava," he wrapped his arms around her stiff form, "He just wasn't willing to die for you, I am."

Her eyes locked on his blue ones.

"You are mine," 17 chuckled, "So stop being so damn sensitive, it isn't like you."

She pushed him away.

"Don't tell me what I am."

17 gazed at her lazily, "Maybe I should take Bardock's advice."

Ava eyed her mate cautiously, "Just what exactly did he advise you to do?"

"Oh you know, show you who wears the pants in the family," 17 shrugged, as if it was nothing while he moved closer to her.

"Pants?" Ava frowned confused.

"Pants," 17 nodded solemnly before throwing her over his shoulder.

"17!" Ava struggled to no avail, "What the hell are you doing?!"

17 only smiled as he opened the front door.

"Me? Oh, I'm going home."

"What about the twins?" Ava demanded.

"They'll be fine at Uncle Vegeta's house," 17 blasted into the air.

"Put me down!" Ava pounded on his back, pissed at being man-handled.

"No," 17 laughed.

**

Vegeta watched Dikon's ship take off without any extra passengers, well besides, the blue girl. Personally, Vegeta was happy she was gone, one Bulma was enough, and this other one was even ditzier than Bulma's mother.

However, Bulma's mother was at least tolerable while this Marron was a complete headache, yes, Vegeta was happy she was gone. He was even more so at the fact that she had left with Dikon. Though why he had let the bounty hunter live was beyond Vegeta. Kakarot must be rubbing off on him.

Damn you, Kakarot, Vegeta thought absently, more out of habit than malice.

"Vegeta, I thought you were going to train," Bulma appeared at his side.

"That's what I said I was going to do but you never know," Vegeta glanced at her from the corner of his eye, "Isn't there a circuit board you have to fix in the gravity room?"

Bulma smiled, "You know I think there is but I don't know where it is."

"Then I will just have to show you," Vegeta said, feigning resigned ness.

"I guess you will," Bulma sighed.

The couple disappeared into the gravity room for a couple of hours.

**

"And this is your Grandpa Bardock!" Goku finished his introductions with a flourish.

Bardock studied his grandchildren with a great deal of interest. The oldest Gohan, what kind of name was that anyway, was most promising. Bardock recognized the intelligence reflected in the boy's, or man' s since he did have a mate, eyes.

The younger one, was a virtual clone of his son. Yes, Goten was a handsome one and strong too.

"Where have you been?" Gohan question came out a bit hard.

Goku glanced at his son in surprise, "Gohan--"

"In stasis," Bardock was ecstatic with the boy's attitude, "My ship was hit with a shock wave."

"From what?" Gohan demanded.

"Planet Vegeta's explosion," Bardock, watched Gohan's interest peak.

Yes, his son had done well with his offspring to produce these boys.

"I was going to head to this planet but knocked off course, in stasis I just drifted through space until I landed on another planet with pink inhabitants. They kept calling me . . . Goku . . ."

Bardock trailed off in realization.

"Kakarot, what does yardrat mean to you?"

"Yardrat! You've been to Yardrat! That's where I learned how to instant transmission!" Goku couldn't stop grinning.

"Yes, they were very hospitable," Bardock nodded.

"Grandpa, let's spar!" Goten pulled on Bardock's arm.

"Now Goten honey, he may not--"

"All right, let's spar," Bardock interrupted Chichi as he picked up his grandson and set the boy on his shoulder.

Goten laughed and balanced himself by grabbing a spike of Bardock's hair.

"Outside then," Chichi crossed her arms sternly.

Bardock grinned but nodded. How strange it was to be a part of a family but he felt he would get used to it.

"Kakarot, lead the way."

"Sure! Come on, Gohan!" Goku leaped over the kitchen table and out the back door.

"Hn," Bardock shook his head and followed, "Like a little kid."

"Is that a bad thing to be?" Gohan narrowed his eyes.

Bardock paused in the doorway before pulling Goten of his shoulder, "Go tell your father I will be there in a moment."

"Ok, grandpa," Goten hit the ground running.

Bardock didn't turn to face Gohan, "You have a problem with me?"

"Depends, do you have a problem with my dad?"

"Gohan!" Chichi scolded him, "That is no way to speak to your--"

Bardock lifted a hand for her silence and to Gohan's shock she quieted without a fuss. Though, she did glance at him very disapprovingly as she started to wash dishes.

"You would defend your family against me?" Bardock tilted his head in Gohan's direction.

Gohan lifted his chin, "I would if you were a threat them. Radditz was family too and he tried to kill my dad."

"He did?" Bardock frowned, "Why?"

"He was trying to make my dad join the saiyans," Gohan had a tight-lipped smile, "My dad refused so my uncle decided to kidnap me to force his hand."

"What happened to him?" Bardock let his bangs cover his eyes.

"Piccolo and my dad had to kill him to protect the earth," Gohan watched his relation carefully.

"So Radditz is dead."

Bardock shook his head with regret, "He was always a hot head. I knew he'd pay for it one day. As for your father . . . "

Bardock met Gohan's eyes.

"A saiyan would burst if he were filled with anymore pride. He is a warrior, a father could not ask for more. I pose no more threat to your family than your mother."

"It's our family, Bardock," Chichi remarked sharply.

Bardock's eyes warmed slightly, "You would have made a first class saiyan."

Chichi raised an eyebrow, not sure what to make of it.

Gohan laughed softly, "It's a compliment, Mom, Dad is considered a third class."

Chichi blushed and then frowned to cover her embarrassment.

"You boys better head out because if I know my husband then he'll be wondering why you aren't outside."

Both men nodded in agreement and stepped outside together.

"I'm sorry," Gohan whispered, only loud enough for Bardock to hear.

"Don't be," Bardock smiled slightly, "Any other true saiyan would have done the same."

**

"I have never seen him so happy," Chichi shook her head as she saw her husband practically jumping up and down in his excitement.

"Chichi, who is that?"

Chichi glanced up to see Videl peering over her shoulder.

"Oh, that's your grandfather-in-law on Goku's side."

Videl became wide-eyed as she regarded the older saiyan.

"When did this happen? He looks exactly like Gohan's dad."

"Isn't he handsome?" Chichi felt a smile slip across her lips.

Videl laughed, "He is, Chichi, he is."

End of Chapter Twenty-Three

AN: Stay tuned for the epilogue! Will be put up on Wednesday! Review! Oh also, I was wondering about writing about the kids, they have to grow up sometime! Let me what you think. Bye