Disclaimer; I don't own DBZ. I only own the plot for this story. If you wish to turn this into a movie, by all means, go ahead. I call dibs on all the royalties though!
A/N; Well, here it is...the last post you are going to see in this monster sized piece of writing. It's longer than I planned it to be. But I'm sure you won't mind. Just so you know, this takes place two years after the actual story finishes. Well, with all else said I guess it's just left for me tell you to enjoy. Enjoy.
Deadly Beauty
And Then You'll Know
Epilogue
Since he first exploded into our headlines 2 and a half years ago, Krillen, then Prince – now King has barely had a moment to himself. But would he have it any other way? In interviews with the planets top newspapers, magazines and journals he has repeatedly stated that ruling our fair planet has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of his young life. And what a life it has been. At only 22 years of age, Krillen is our youngest ever King, fought in the epic battle with Frieza and has just released his first book which is fittingly titled 'My Life' and deals with his childhood, the loss of his mother to Frieza, the part he played in Friezas defeat, his secret romance with his now wife – Queen 18 and his sisters struggle with insanity.
He is defiantly a 'King of the People' constantly appearing at function and events around the planet, always with his beautiful and now very pregnant wife by his side and a bright smile on his face. Unlike many other King and Queen duo's Vegeta-sei has seen in its long and rich past, this couple is destined. Anyone can plainly tell from their many interviews, both as a couple and individually, photo shoots and actions when on their many outings in Vegeta-sei that they are very much in love and will continued to be so for many years to come.
And speaking of love, how much do we all love Queen 18? In the beginning when her past was revealed, there was much debate of whether she would be a fit Queen for our people or not. But now, 2 years on, does anyone even remember that she rose up from a palace slave and before that, that she was a harem girl? Even further, does anyone even care? We have been graced with an amazing woman in our Queen.
Unlike previous Queens, she can be frequently spotted around town with her best friend, Princess Bulma, who also frequents headlines in some of the planets top scientific publications.
This fresh new monarchy we are living under is such a breath of fresh air, is it not? In recent surveys conducted by this magazine (Vegeta-sei Weekly) 92% of the survey participants stated that Vegeta-sei is now run and governed more that 60% better than under the previous ruler King Vegeta the 4th. The planet has a fresh new vibe, and King Krillen bid to wipe out homelessness and poverty are largely working. By concentration on the worst areas and building homes, shelters and schools he is ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live the best life they possibly can. And isn't that what we all really want?
Anyone who may have spotted the King around town during the last few weeks will have noticed that he has been unable to wipe a smile of his face. You may ask why he has been so unusually happy as of late? Well, the answer is simple. Any day now, he is going to become a first time dad. We are going to be graced with the first child of the new reign. Both King Krillen and Queen 18 chose not to have the sex of the baby revealed, in an attempt to protect the privacy of a child that is not even born yet.
And with parents such as themselves, who can blame them? We as a nation love them and worship them. We can't get enough of our King and Queen. But isn't it about time we say enough is enough, at least for a little while and let them enjoy the miracle of birth on their own?
Krillen sat slumped down in a chair, only half conscious of what was going on around him. He wanted sleep to come to him so badly, but at the same time, he was afraid that if he shut his eyes he would wake and find this all a dream.
He was saved from sleep by a tiny knocking on the door, which was shortly followed by a much louder, stronger one. Hauling himself from the chair, Krillen quickly visited the bathroom to brush his hair and splash his face with cool water, to at least give himself the appearance of being awake. He then walked back across the room and pulled open the door.
"Shhh" he indicated for his guests to be quiet as he ushered them into the room and gently closed the door behind them.
"Mama" "Hush Bianca" Tarie said to her two year old daughter as she picked her up and sat her on her hip. "How are you?" 17 asked, placing a hand on his brother in laws shoulder and flashing him a bright smile, "it's a pretty tough time isn't it" "17, I don't know how you managed to stay so calm and collected through it all" "Calm and collected? He was insane" Tarie informed Krillen with a smile.
"Mama" Bianca piped up again. "What is it darling?" she asked as she smoothed the girls black hair back off her face "Hungie" Bianca said Tarie blinked, "Hungry? How can you possibly be hungry, you just ate lunch 5 minutes ago". She was greeted with a blank stare, Bianca obviously hadn't gotten a word of what she had just said. She was forced to dumb-down her sentence for the sake of her child. "Later ok" she said
On the other side of the room, 18 stirred and rolled over. She could hear quiet voices and forced her eyes open. A million different thoughts rushed through her head as everything quickly came back to her. Looking around the room, she spotted the people who had been responsible for waking her. Pushing her hair back off her face, she rather loudly cleared her throat, effectively getting the attention of all the adults in the room.
As expected, Krillen was first across the room, where he greeted his wife with a long passionate kiss. "I'm so proud of you" "Where is she?" 18 asked, her voice faint and weak "The nurse took her to the med wing to run some tests, but don't worry, it's completely normal and she assured me that she is perfect in every way" 18 sunk back into the soft pillow upon hearing that good news. Her daughter was healthy. Perfect and healthy. "When can I see her?" she asked "How about I go and get her?" 18 nodded in agreement and yawned. She needed more sleep, it had been a long hard night for her.
"18" Tarie placed Bianca on the floor, but the toddler promptly scrambled her way up onto the bed and snuggled up next to her father, who was seated on the other side of the large bed. "How are you feeling?" "Sore" 18 nodded as she replied, "sleepy," she continued, "sore" Tarie nodded in agreement as she to sat on the bed. "But the hard part is over now. What does she look like?"
18 shrugged as she stifled yet another yawn, reached over and poured herself a glass of water, "I barley got a glance at her before they rushed her off down the hall to get cleaned up. And that was," 18 looked across at the clock on her bedside table, "A whole hour ago. I hope Krillen brings her back" "He will, he's the King, he can do what ever he wants" 17 pointed out.
18 tipped her head to look at her brother and smiled. If only he knew how wrong he was. Krillen most certainly could not do what ever he wanted. He made the rules which also meant he had to follow the rules. "You're an idiot" 18 pointed out, her voice containing almost no emotion. 17 playfully looked taken aback. "Well I never!" he commented, "my own sister? Calling me an idiot, I never thought I'd see the day" "Well you just did" 18 said with a weary smile
17 smiled proudly at his sister. She had been though a lot in her 22 years of life, and now to see her this happy. She deserved this.
18 heard the door creaking open, and she seemingly lost all interest in everything else around her. As the door was pushed open further, 18 laid her eyes on the small plastic crib Krillen was pushing, and in it a tiny bundle wrapped in a pink blanket
Krillen wore such a proud smile on her face and 18 couldn't stop the tears the misted up her eyes or the smile that lit up her face. Tarie and 17 stood up and moved to the side as Krillen approached them and sat down by 18's side.
"She's beautiful, honey" Krillen congratulated his wife as he picked his tiny daughter up out of the crib and placed her in her mothers waiting arms. 18's breath caught in her throat and was released as one big happy sob. She gazed down at the tiny miracle in her arms. The tiny perfect sleeping miracle who nestled closer to her mother for warmth.
18 reached out and ran her hand along her daughter's soft head, which was covered in a tuft of soft blonde hair and smiled. This was her child, the result of her and Krillens love for each other, and 18 had never laid her eyes on anything more perfect. They had decided that if they had a girl, they would name her Marron. Unlike the name 17 and Tarie had given their daughter – it didn't have any special significance, they just liked it.
Princess Marron, it had quite a ring to it.
"18, she is beautiful" 17 said as he looked down at his little niece. 18 didn't look up, she couldn't tear her eyes away from her baby. "Thank you 17" she muttered. Then decided that Krillen would probably want to hold his baby girl. "Krillen, hold your daughter" 18 told him with a smile, and Krillen gladly accepted.
18 snuggled down under the pillows and turned to look at Tarie. She was whispering something into her daughter's ear, while looking at 18 and smiling. Bianca waited until her mother had finished talking then crawled across the bed and pecked 18 on the cheek, "'atchulations aunny 18" she spoke and she wrapped her arms around 18's neck as best she could in a sloppy hug
18 smiled and kissed her 2-year-old niece on the cheek. "Thank you" she said, her voice full of gratitude. She was going to say something to Tarie, but a knocking on the door interrupted her.
Bulma pushed open the door, her face hidden behind a huge bunch of flowers, which she quickly pushed into Vegeta's hands so she could embrace her friend. "18, congratulations! As soon as I found out I just had to come straight down. Where is she?" With her eyes, 18 motioned to Krillen. Who was so mesmerized by his daughter that he hadn't even noticed his brother and sister in law walk into the room.
"Krillen" Bulma called his name, which elicited no response. "Krillen!" she called again, her voice louder and more demanding this time. 18 had to laugh when Krillens head snapped up and he almost jumped up out of the seat. "Hi Bulma" he said, feeling like a total idiot. "Oh my gosh guys, she is so beautiful. Have you named her yet?" "Marron" Krillen and 18 replied at the same time "Hmm, Princess Marron. I like it. Oh and these are for you 18" Bulma took the big bunch of brightly colored flowers from Vegeta and handed them to 18. "Vegeta, be a dear and find a vase?" Bulma asked him
18 smiled, looked across at Krillen then reached out and took hold of his hand. She wondered, how long it would be until the media got wind of this news and they would again be bombarded with publicity. The royal family got far to much attention these days.
"I love you" Krillen mouthed the words to her. She replied by squeezing his hand tighter.
Krillen watched as Bulma sat on the bed, holding baby Marron in her arms. "So, how's it feel to be Aunty Bulma?" 18 asked. Bulma stopped, blinked and smiled, "Pretty darn good" she replied. "How it feel to be mum?" "Unbelievable"
Soon there was yet another knock at the door. Only this time, it was one of the receptionists who worked for Krillen. A young man with dark brown eyes and black hair. "Sire" he asked only stepping into the room a little way. Sighing deeply, he replied, "Yes, what is it?" he wanted so badly for the first few hours of his daughter life to go by un-interrupted. But it looked like that wasn't going to happen. "You have some guests in the front parlor" "Did they have an appointment?" Krillen asked. "No sire" the young man shook his head as he spoke, then he bowed deeply and greeted 18 "Queen 18" Usually 18 would have said something, but she was far to exhausted.
"Very well," Krillen said, "Thank you. You can go" The boy nodded his head and disappeared. "I'll be right back ok" Krillen promised 18, then with one last glance at his small family, he left.
He walked down the halls with a fast pace. He had no idea who he was greeting, or how long it was going to take. But when he did arrive at the parlor he got a surprise witch brought up very mixed emotions from inside him.
"Kakkarot!" he cried, a smile lighting up his face, then glancing to the left of his best friend, his smile completely vanished. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his mood suddenly very somber.
"Krillen," Kakkarot stepped in, "it's alright" "I asked her." Krillen firmly stated. "What are you doing here, Chi-chi?" "This is my home to Krillen" Chi-chi spoke. Krillen blinked, he hadn't seen Chi-chi in months, since he last visited her at Oakridge, and this was not the Chi-chi he had seen. Her tone of voice was passive, and her body language didn't indicate that she was at all the cold-hearted bitch she had left them as. But this was Chi-chi they were talking about, how could he trust her when she had done so much wrong in the past?
"When?" Krillen asked, "When did they let you out?" Kakkarot jumped in with an answer before Chi-chi even had a chance to open her mouth, "Chi-chi has been staying at my place for about a month now"
Krillen blinked. "A month? Why didn't you tell us?" "We didn't know how you would react" Chi-chi responded as she got up from the couch she had been sitting on and stood by Kakkarot's side. Krillen got the impression that they were more than 'just friends', but why? Chi-chi had done so much wrong by Kakkarot in the past.
"Still, Vegeta and I should have at least been told she was better," he turned to look at Chi-chi, "you are better, aren't you?" "Krillen, what I did in the past was inexcusable. I know how wrong it was of me, and believe me, if there was anything I could do to make it better, I would. I'm sorry"
Krillen shook his head, "Sorry isn't going to cut it Chi-chi. It's going to take a hell of a lot more than that to atone for all you have done. You can't just expect me to walk on in here and forgive you for all you did to my wife now, can you?"
"Y-y-your wife?" Chi-chi asked, "18?" "Yes 18, my wife and the mother of my newborn daughter. Speaking of 18, I think it's best you leave before she finds out you were here" "I want," Chi-chi paused, still shocked by this latest news, "I want to see her" Krillen firmly shook his head, "No. You've hurt her enough Chi-chi. She wakes at night. Screaming. Because the horrific way you treated her still plagues her dreams. I'm not letting you anywhere near her" "Krillen," Kakkarot urged. "No, Kakkarot. This is my call. Not yours. It's my right to protect my family. And I'm sorry Chi-chi, I just...I just don't trust you"
"Krillen..." the look in her eyes had more effect on Krillen then the words she spoke, but still it wasn't enough. "No Chi-chi. Not today. I don't want to put 18 through that today." He looked across at Kakkarot and sighed, "you understand, right?" he asked. "Yeah man, I understand. We'll just go home". With that said, he gently put his arm around Chi-chi shoulders and guided her out the room. Just before she reached the door though, she stopped and turned to face Krillen again.
"Krillen" she spoke his name, her eyes begging with him to give her just one last chance. "I'm sorry. For everything I've done, I'm sorry" Krillen only shook his head, he just couldn't do it. He couldn't bring himself to forgive her. If he had though it had taken a long time to heal his relationship with his father then this was going to be hell. "I'll let everyone know that you are staying with Kakkarot. But please, don't come back. Let us come to you when we are ready"
Chi-chi slowly nodded, then with one last glance at her brother, she turned and followed Kakkarot out of the palace.
The door opened and Krillen poked his head in. He wasted little time in getting to the point "Vegeta. We need to talk"
18 and Bulma looked up at each other. Something must have been wrong.
Vegeta also looked at them, then back at Krillen and headed out of the room to talk to his younger yet higher-ranking brother. "What is it?" Vegeta asked as he shut the door to Krillen and 18's bedroom behind him. "Kakkarot was just here" "Yeah," Vegeta shrugged his shoulders, "so" Krillen took a breath before he replied, "Chi-chi was with him" "What!" Vegeta exclaimed, clearly shocked beyond all belief. He made sure to lower his voice again before he spoke, "You kidding right?" Krillen shook his head, "No. She's been living with Kakkarot for a month now. I sent them both away. I feel terrible" "Krillen. There was no way in hell you could have brought her up her. The girls wouldn't have handled it well" "You're right...but still. She was apologizing and I...." He trailed off, running his temples to relieve the stress, "it seemed like such a low thing to do to her. But I had to think of 18. Her and Marron are the most important ones right now" Vegeta nodded and placed his hand on his younger brothers shoulder. Bulma had softened him up to much in these past two years. "You did the right thing" "Yeah," Krillen agreed raking his hands back through his hair. He was exhausted, not having slept for more than 24 hours. "We should tell the girls. I think that they need to know" "I'm not so sure that's a smart idea, Krillen" Vegeta argued. "Vegeta, they're going to find out one way or the other. I think they should hear it from us before they read it in the newspapers" Krillen was right, Vegeta had been defeated, "Ok then"
The two boys walked back into the room, both wearing very morbid expressions on their faces. 17 and Tarie took that as an indication that something they were not supposed to be involved in was about to take place, and gathering Bianca, they quickly said their goodbyes and scuttled out the room.
"Wh-whats going on?" 18 asked as she readjusted Marron in her arms. "Vegeta," Bulma asked, looking equally as concerned as 18. "Look, girls," Vegeta had left it to Krillen to do the explaining. "I'm not going to stall. I'm just going to tell you. Chi-chi was here. Just then, with Kakkarot. I don't know what else to tell you"
"Chi-chi?" 18 asked. "I didn't know she was out" her voice was weak, a combination of tiredness and fear. Krillen took Marron from her and placed her in the crib, then sat down beside his wife and held her in a tight embrace. "It's alright. I sent her away" "Why?" 18 asked, astonishing everyone in the room "Well because, I didn't think you would want to see her. You or Bulma" "Krillen. I need to know that she's sorry. I need to know that what she did to me wasn't my fault" her eyes misted up as she spoke.
Neither of them noticed Bulma and Vegeta slowly back out of the room to leave the King and Queen in peace. "18. You know that it wasn't your fault. Chi-chi was crazy. It had nothing to do with you and you know that" "But...I can't helping thinking. What if it was? I want to hear it from her Krillen. You understand, right?" "Well, not really babe. I thought you would be happy she was gone for good" "Krillen, I need closure. I need to know that it's over for good" "Are you sure that's what you really want? I'm only thinking of you babe. It's not going to be easy for you to come face to face with her" "I know. But I think it's something I have to do" "I don't know 18. I don't want you to go through something you can't handle" Krillen ran his hand up and down 18's arm as he spoke.
"Krillen," 18 took a deep shuddering breath and briefly glance across at her tiny newborn daughter. "I need to over come this fear. I need to come face to face with Chi-chi and tell her that I did it. That I beat her and everything she put me through and I came out on top. I don't want to give her a second chance Krillen. I couldn't do that. I just want her to know that I'm ok and that she didn't win" "You've thought about this? You know it probably going to find its way to the front pages"
"Yeah, but what doesn't?" 18 argued with him. "Face it, this was bound to happen sooner or later, and I'm sick and tired of waking up in the middle of the night screaming. We have a child to think about now. It's not just about us, and doing things that we want to anymore. Her life is going to be tough enough already being Princess, and she doesn't need my emotional baggage as well. Let me do this for her"
Krillen sighed in defeat and kissed his wife. How could he possibly argue with that? "Fine" he gave in to his wife, just like he always did. "I'll get Kakkarot to bring her by tomorrow. I'm not leaving you alone with her though, and the second I think you've had enough, she's gone. No questions asked. Understand?"
Krillen got no reply from his wife. Looking down at her, he had to smile. She had finally fallen asleep. To be completely honest, he was surprised she had managed to stay awake as long as she did. "Sleep tight, sweet heart" he kissed her fore head and gently laid her head back against the pillows. Then picking up Marron, and giving her too, a kiss on the head, he walked out the room...
A/N: That's it. The real end. Thoughts would be appreciated.
I would like to thank God, my parents, my main man...that sounds so sappy...now the people I would REALLY like to thank.
First and foremost, I would like to thank you all as a group. You have supported me so much through out the course of this – and all my other fics, and I thank you all so much for that. With out you, there would be no Deadly Beauty. You constant support and feed back help me to improve myself and become a better writer, which is ultimately what I strive to be. So thank you all for helping me to be the best I can be and putting a smile on my face through you more than kind reviews, e-mail and IM's. I appreciate it all, so much.
xXEvilOneXx – You've been reviewing this from practically that start. But most of all I want to thank you for helping me to get the Krillin and 18 Campaign up and running. Without you there would be no K/18 Campaign Website, and probably no K/18 Campaign at all. And I want to say thanks for being such a good friend and listening to me when I have crap days, and laughing with me (or at me) when I have good days. It means a lot to me.
Acey Dearest – You always give me such kind and honest reviews, I really do look forward to reading them, and of course, your amazing writing as well. Thanks also for all of your help with the Campaign. It is more than a pleasure to have you as a staff member, and an absolute delight to have you as a friend.
Zany Enchantress – Thank you for all you kind reviews and for finally updating 'The Bet' I was quite sure you had forgotten about that.
Kelly Neptunus – For being one of my best online friends and constantly reading and reviewing my work. It means so much to me. When you start to update 'Courage' again, I'll be the first one to leave a review, I promise.
Dingrick – Big thanks go to you. Not only for writing one of my all time favourite fics 'How I survived High School'. But for being my friend as well. For listening to me, and trusting me, and never complaining that I talk about myself too much. And of course for your lovely reviews as well.
Cold Eyes For You – You have so many fics that it's hard to keep up with them all. I envy your ability to have so many active fics going and once and still being able to update them all. Thank you for you reviews. They are consistently kind
Dark Mean Me – You wrote my favourite trilogy, so thank you. Any new stuff planned? Thank you for always reviewing my work and always being so friendly towards me.
Funky Munky – I think you are the only unregistered member to have made it to this list. You reviews always make me smile, and I really appreciate every single review you have ever given me. Thank you
CraZy18gurl – Don't worry, I didn't forget you. You're reviews are always so enthusiastic, they make me smile, laugh and sometimes even worry...lol...did you ever find my house? Anyway, thank you so much for all your reviews they both amuse me and make me feel more confident as a writer
And last but not least I want to thank the member of the Krillin and 18 Campaign. I know that there are a few of you here. Your constant and on going support of my little Campaign never ceases to amaze me, and I will be forever grateful to you all for it.
Well, I think that's it. I will be back though, don't you worry about that. You can't get rid of me! I sincerely hope that you all enjoyed this story, and that you will come back to read my next one. Thank you all, so very very much.
Deadly Beauty