To say Bulma was startled when Goku appeared in front of her with a trembling Piccolo in his arms would be a lie. The news of an attack in Ginger Town had just hit the airwaves, and Goku had used the Instant Transmission so many times it was almost considered weird when he used the door.

"We didn't know where else to bring him." The Saiyan pleaded.

Bulma was never one to be called lazy or inactive. She immediately found a place for Piccolo to lie down and proceeded to run a series of tests, while Goku explained the whole ordeal.

"Well, from the looks of things, I'd say he's suffering from a severe anxiety attack resulting from one major affective stressor." Bulma stated.

Goku blinked.

"He's suffering from a phobia." Bulma explained.

"Oh!" Goku nodded. "But... which phobia?"

"Genophobia?" Bulma suggested. "I don't know. But it's really bad. And I don't think the term 'phobia' applies here. This is a serious anxiety disorder."

"What can we do?" Goku asked, trying to stick to less psychoanalytical terms.

"We need to calm him down, reassure him. We can help him figure out his pseudo-phobia once he's reasonable again. Where's Gohan?"

"He's coming with ChiChi. They should be here soon."

"Okay, I'll send him in when they arrive. Try and help Piccolo for now, Goku, do what you can. Hmm, maybe it's a dissociative disorder..." Bulma walked off, muttering about Truddi Chase and amnesia.

Goku unlocked Piccolo's hand from his shirt and took it with his own.

"Don't worry Piccolo, we're all here for you..."

Piccolo could hear the words Goku told him. He could hear the tone of voice he was using, soft and reassuring. But none of it made sense. The meaning behind it all was lost. Why? What did it mean? What was he trying to say?

You fool. You think you can run. You think these are your friends.

He could feel Goku's hand holding his own. It was so rare that Piccolo ever felt direct contact like that. In fact, it was such a long time since anyone had ever made physical contact with him.

And why do you think that is? Nobody would want to go anywhere near a pathetic monster like you.

I'm not a monster! I'm just different. Just a Namek. I'm a person too!

Is that why people cower at the sight of you?

Shut up!

I've always taught you the truth, Junior. I've never hidden anything from you. Knowledge is the surest defence, isn't that right?

I know they're my friends! They're trying to help me. They care!

About you? Or winning this fight?

Go away!

I could never go away. I'm a part of you, and no matter how many times you throw me into the darkness, I'll always come back.

Not listening!

Yes you are.

"Can you believe it? I completely forgot I could Instant Transmission!" Goku chuckled weakly.

He looked at the frozen Namek lying on the bed next to him. Could he hear what he was saying? Was he helping? It was so hard to tell.

"I do that so often. You'd think I'd be used to the Instant Transmission by now, but I keep forgeting..."

Gohan and ChiChi raced through the glass sliding doors into the Capsule Corp building. Gohan skidded to a halt outside the hospital wing, barely missing Bulma.

"Gohan!" Bulma exclaimed as the young man seemed to appear before her eyes. "Your father said you were coming. Piccolo's had some kind of a psychotic episode, like a phobia or dissociative coma. Talking to him should help, so if you--"

Gohan was gone.

"Poor kid." Bulma turned to ChiChi, who had just come jogging up the corridor.

You're a selfish brat, you know that?

Selfish? I only want what others have!

You would force others to your will only for your own ends?

No! I... I just...

Selfish.

No, I'm not selfish!

What about the brat, Gohan? He obviously doesn't want you. Yet you still desire him.

I... I love him!

Is that it? Love?

Shut up! Stop it!

Evil laughter erupted in his mind.

Go away!

The laughter continued.

[A/N] FYI: Genophobia is the fear of sex.