A/N: Thank you very much for your reviews and I'm incredibly sorry that it took so long to finish this chapter! My new life at university has been more hectic than I had imagined. There are so many things that I have to read, both in English, Danish! And then there's still the third subject that we have to take! Even though I only have to be at university for about eighteen hours a week, there's still so much to do at home!

Maybe another reason for the late post, or that I somehow couldn't get this chapter written, was my inner reluctance to finish this story, because after this chapter, only the epilogue is left, which I will try to post as soon as possible! I promise!

So, I hope you forgive me for the late update and that the length of this chapter somehow makes up for it…

Chapter 46: The Trial

"So, who's this friend you wanted me to meet," Bardock asked curiously, as he followed Goku across the backyard of General Kaiou's mansion.

Goku gave him a grin over his shoulder, replying with a shrug, "You'll see."

Son Goku was in an exceptional good mood that day. Maybe it was because he had finally realized that he was home after a long and strenuous journey. Maybe it was because the sun was shining brightly with no cloud to be seen at the sky. Or maybe it was because he had spent a wonderful night with his fiancée in his arms. He didn't know for sure, and to be honest, he didn't particularly care, but he sincerely doubted that anything could ruin this good day.

It was shortly after noon. Goku had spent the morning with ChiChi and Gohan, being out in the gardens of Gyuu Mao's country house, just being a family. He had truly enjoyed those few hours and it was then that he had made his final decision.

He wouldn't go to sea anymore. Never again. His home, his family, was here. After having already missed enough of their lives, after having missed Gohan's first steps and first words, he couldn't bear to miss any more. As a sailor he would have to spend months, or maybe years apart from them and this was unacceptable. It was time to settle down, find another profession and then, as soon as he and ChiChi were married, move into their own home. His own savings, along with the money his grandfather had left him, should suffice to buy a nice house and some land for their little family.

A smile lit up his whole face, as he thought about his future life with his family. Now, to make everything perfect, he just needed to help Bulma to be as happy as he was. And he could only do this by doing his best at defending Vegeta at court. The trial was set to be the next day, beginning at ten sharp in the morning, as General Kaiou had told him, when he had met him and his father a few minutes ago.

Now that he thought about it, the general and his father seemed to be getting on rather well. Honestly, Goku didn't know what he should think of this development.

They reached their destination within a few minutes and Bardock looked at his son suspiciously, as he recognized the building they were walking up to as stables. Several young boys and youths were running around, the older ones of them greeting his son in passing. The smell of horses and straw reached his nose and somehow, it was a comforting scent. It just smelled of life, unlike the smell he had been forced to experience the last twenty-five years of his existence.

He had had a horse on Frieza's Island, before Frieza's man had captured him, and he wondered, what had happened to the stallion he had called his own. A good beast he had been, always loyal but also rather spirited. His spirit had also given the stallion his name – Seishin. A wave of sadness washed over him, as he realized that Seishin must be long dead already. Pure black he had been, just as a starless night and yet, in the light of the moon, his raven black skin had shone almost a dark blue.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, causing Goku to look at him worried. "Are you alright, father?"

Bardock looked up and gave his son a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Don't worry, son. Just remembering some things. Does your friend work here?"

"You could say that," Goku replied, still with a mysterious grin on his face. "Just follow me."

And follow him, he did, as Goku entered the stables and went directly to one stall near the end of the building. He raised his brow in confusion, when his son simply leaned over the wooden dividing wall and clicked with his tongue. Coming to a halt next to his son, he now saw the beautiful white mare lying in the stall. She had turned her head towards them and now got up. "She's yours?"

"Yes," Goku answered, gently stroking along her long neck. "That's Chikyuu. Chikyuu, this is my father. I hope you'll get along."

"Hey there, girl," Bardock mumbled softly, as he raised his hand in front of her nostrils. The mare appeared to hesitate for a few seconds, but eventually nudged the older man's hand, either accepting him or looking for something to eat. "She's beautiful."

"She is, isn't she?" his son said fondly. "Leaving her behind was always the hardest part, when I went to sea. But she never forgot me. Only sometimes, when I was longer gone, she was a bit sullen and wouldn't listen to me for a couple of days, but that's going to change now, isn't it, girl? I'm going to stay here."

Bardock looked at his son thoughtfully. He had had a long talk with General Kaiou during and after dinner the previous night. Kaiou was a good man and like everyone, he made mistakes. Keeping his son's heritage from him was just one of them, but it was a major one. But after having heard the general's side of the story, Bardock could understand both of them.

Kaiou cared for his son, that much had been clearly obvious in the way he had been talked about him the whole time and Bardock was sure that the general had only had Kakarotto's best interest at heart, when he had decided to keep his heritage from him. He had wanted to protect the boy, youth and later young man.

On the other hand, his son had been hurt by his actions, by having been deceived by the one man he had trusted so much. Only now Kakarotto had accepted who and, most importantly, what he was and Bardock hoped that his son would someday forgive the general for his actions.

"So, you decided to stay?" Bardock prodded gently, now massaging the mare behind her ears. A soft snort escaped her nostrils, as she inclined her head to give him better access.

Goku nodded, the grin gone from his face, and answered, "I won't go to sea anymore. I don't know yet, what I will do, but I want to find work here in the Western Capitol, preferably before ChiChi and I get married."

Bardock hesitated for a few seconds, before he eventually said, "General Kaiou offered me to work in the navy. He asked me to instruct young sailors in the arts of physical combat and strategizing. He also said that you were welcome to do the same, if you didn't want to go to sea anymore. He…" The father glanced at his son out of the corners of his eyes, waiting for any reaction, but there was just a stoic expression on the young Saiyajin's face. "He told me what you said, before you left. That you wanted to quit working for him." The rest remained unsaid, but Bardock simply knew that his son was aware of the fact that Kaiou had let him in on the exact words Kakarotto had used a few months ago.

Goku didn't remove his eyes from the mare in front of him, who seemed to have noticed the sudden change in their moods, as she now tried to gently nudge Goku, as if to cheer him up. Ignoring what his father had said last, he only asked, "Did you accept the offer?"

"I did," Bardock replied honestly. "And you should do the same, or at least consider this option. You're a bright young man, Goku." Goku looked at his father, surprised. This was the first time that his father had addressed him by his Human name. "I'd hate to see you doing some work that would be clearly beneath you. You also shouldn't forget about ChiChi and Gohan and the other grandchildren that I'll hopefully get. Just… Think about it, alright?"

Heaving a sigh, Goku nodded. He had known that he wouldn't have many options that would satisfy him and bring him enough income to support his family. He wasn't a trader or something like this. He was a sailor. According to many the best in this region, and the only other business that offered good payment and fulfilling jobs was the navy. He had worked long and hard (well, maybe not as long as others, but still, he had put much effort into his education) to become what he was today and if he were completely honest with himself, he wasn't quite ready to give that up. Maybe imparting his knowledge and experiences on other young men, who wanted to become what he was, was the right thing, even though he would have to work for the general.

The following morning dawned bright and early. The sun had risen high since showing itself at the horizon and its beams were shining mercilessly through the small trellised window directly under the ceiling of the cell at the fort. They fought their way down to the man who was lying in the filthy straw, as if teasing him. However, the man was already awake, had been for a few hours already, and he simply ignored the sunbeams, as one thought was omnipresent in his mind.

Today's the day.

General Kaiou in person had come to him the previous day to announce the date of his trial. He hadn't reacted at all, simply accepted it without a blink. There wasn't much he was able to do about it, was there? He had highly doubted that they would let him get off without a trial and he still doubted that they would let him get off at all. He was no idealist. He knew that all evidence spoke against him, no matter what the woman had promised him.

You don't need to die, if you don't want to.

How wrong she was. She wouldn't be able to get him out of this predicament. Only a miracle could help him right now and he didn't believe in miracles, even after everything he had experienced. He still didn't want to die, but death was waiting for him inevitably. The wish to the spheres to resurrect him had only given him a few more weeks. They would condemn him for all the things he had done, all the murders he had committed, all the destruction he had caused by attacking towns, villages and islands. He had accepted this, knowing perfectly well that those crimes couldn't be redeemed, at least not by doing two or three good deeds. There simply was no way out.

I love you.

Those were the words, she had said to him only merely seconds before she had left the last time they had spoken to each other. He had felt a bit strange afterwards. Somehow, he had felt something warm spreading through his chest and an uncharacteristic tug at his lips, which he had quickly turned into one of his smirks. His heart still jumped, when he recalled her words now and there was this other, rather unfamiliar emotion, which he couldn't quite place... It made him want to smile, to do things he would normally never do, but he didn't give in to this feeling. He was still Vegeta, after all, and displaying emotions like those was something he would never do.

But still, never before had anyone said those three words to him and to hear them now, when his life was forfeited, was somewhat ironic. As a child of three or maybe four, he had longed to hear them from his father, but in vain. Then, later, he had quickly learned to disregard those feelings, knowing that they had brought him only pain in his young years. But now, the woman had managed to unbury them, only that it was too late…

A low chuckle escaped his lips, causing the sole guard in his corridor to look up confused, but Vegeta didn't pay him any heed. He didn't care what others thought of him. To them, he was just the pirate, just the Saiyajin. They wanted to see him dead anyway, so why should he care? Why should he show them something that wouldn't fit in their prejudiced world?

Closing his eyes, Vegeta found that he immediately saw her in front of his eyes, felt her fingers moving over his body, her lips upon his, and if he just concentrated hard enough, he might even be able to smell her, feel her body and pretend that this was real, if only for a moment. As soon as he was in court, he couldn't allow any feelings to resurface. He needed to be indifferent to everything, when his sentence was announced. He couldn't allow himself to show anyone a weakness, when he faced death.

"Vegeta, it's time."

The pirate opened his eyes, having already recognized the other younger Saiyajin by his voice, and got up, carefully dusting himself off. If he was about to face his judge, jury and executioner, he at least wanted to appear unsoiled, even though this proved to be quite hard, seeing as he was still forced to wear his bloodied shirt and hadn't had a decent wash for ages.

His face was schooled into a mask of indifference, as the door to his cell was opened and a guard walked in and he didn't react at all, when the guard put iron manacles around his wrists and ankles.

"I will take it from here," Goku said with authority, glaring at the soldier, as he didn't obey. The guard immediately left the cell and Goku grabbed Vegeta's arm to lead him through the many corridors of the fort to the large courtroom. Their footsteps and rattling of the chains echoed through the stone halls, as they were walking next to each other in silence, but as soon as they were out of earshot, the young man whispered, "I will speak on your behalf. I will tell them, how you've helped us several times and that you've changed. I promised Bulma that I'd do my best to get you out of here, so I would really appreciate it, if you'd cooperate."

The only answer Goku got was a quiet snort, but he was satisfied with this response. At least it was a reaction, unlike to the apathy he had come to despise, while Vegeta had still been a prisoner on the Ouji.

The hallway, where the door to the courtroom was lying was well lit and Goku was surprised to see Bulma there, sitting on one of the wooden benches. Her face was pale and drawn and she was nervously wringing her hands. She looked up, when she heard them and Goku noticed a slight widening of her eyes, when her gaze rested on their prisoner. She jumped up and quickly crossed the distance between them. "Goku," she said worriedly, but first removed her eyes from Vegeta, when she asked, with nervousness in her voice, "Please, may we have one minute?"

A glance at the door and then to the Saiyajin at his side, who was trying to keep his eyes averted from the woman in front of them. Goku believed, he understood his reasons, but he couldn't deny Bulma to talk to her lover for what might very well be the last time. He nodded. "One minute."

Bulma looked after the retreating form of Goku, until she was sure that he was out of earshot, and then turned to Vegeta. "How are you?" A sigh escaped her lips, as he didn't answer, but it was more of frustration and anger than of worry. "Listen, Vegeta, don't you dare giving me the silent treatment again. I thought we've moved past this stage. So, how are you?"

Something that sounded a lot like "Fine" came over his lips, but Bulma didn't believe him one second and told him this with one fierce glare. Suppressing a sigh that would sound as annoyed as the woman's had been only seconds ago, he eventually snarled, wanting to sound meaner than he actually did, "How do you suppose I feel? I'm about to walk into a room, where probably ninety-nine percent of the people already condemned me before having even heard whatever Kakarotto wants to tell them."

"I know," she simply answered softly. "But do you remember, what you told me on board? Did that change?" Vegeta hesitated, but at length he shook his head and Bulma was a bit relieved. He still didn't want to die. That was good. "See? Don't give up, Vegeta. There's still hope. The judge and the members of the court hold Goku in high regard. Whatever he tells them, they might be inclined to believe it."

"Woman…" Vegeta tried to contradict, but she quickly silenced him by putting a finger on his lips.

"Don't," she said forcefully, looking directly into his eyes. "I don't want to hear anything. Just don't give up and remember what I said." Removing her finger from his lips, she stood on tiptoes and gave him a short and soft kiss on the lips. There was a grin on her face, as they parted. "I still mean it, you know."

I love you.

"I know," he simply answered and walked past to where Goku was waiting in front of the door.

The younger Saiyajin again grabbed his arm and opened the door to the courtroom. All chatter in the room immediately quieted down, as the two men went inside. The door fell close and Bulma stared at the dark wood, teary-eyed but still with a slight grin on her face, before she eventually sat back down on the bench to wait for the outcome of the trial.

It didn't look good.

Kaiou closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, tuning out the prosecutor, one of the most overzealous men in court, who listed each and every crime, of which it was known that Vegeta had committed it. The list appeared to be never ending and the prosecutor had already been reading for several minutes, droning on in his perfect speech, which nicely complemented his perfectly ironed clothes and neat white wig. Kaiou clearly couldn't stand him.

At first, at the beginning of the trial, Goku had gotten the chance to inform the judge and the whole court about the good deeds Vegeta had done in their mission to fight against Frieza and the battle versus Jinzoningen Cell, also brining it to their notice that Lady Bulma hadn't been harmed by him. Of course, just as he had said before, Goku didn't let it slip once that he and Gohan had been the ones to get rid of those threats.

The members of the court had seemed to be impressed by what they had been told, but as soon as it had been the prosecutor's turn, all evidence clearly spoke against the pirate, outnumbering the good to the bad at least fifty to one. If the trial went on like this, there was no doubt about the execution that would take place the following day.

Finally the prosecutor was finished with his list and folded it neatly, before putting it down on the desk of judge Emna, an abnormally large man, who looked rather threateningly, as evidence for Vegeta's crimes. "As you can see, your honor, this pirate is clearly guilty of his crimes. Not even Son Goku, his solicitor, says otherwise. Even if I hadn't listed the crimes Vegeta has committed in his life, we all know that he is a pirate and besides, alone the fact that he is a Saiyajin, a member of the most ruthless races on Earth, should be enough to sentence him to—"

The loud clearing of a throat could be heard and all heads turned towards Son Goku, who had risen from his chair and was now walking up to the front, where his opponent was facing the judge and the members of the court. "I'm sorry, your honor, but I feel the need to contradict what has just been said. The fact that Vegeta is a Saiyajin clearly isn't enough to execute him. Because, if it were, there would be two more persons in this room that would join him tomorrow on the gallows."

"What are you talking about, Son Goku?" Judge Emna questioned in his usual booming voice. "Are you saying that there are two more Saiyajins, not just alive, but in this very room as well?"

Quiet whispers broke out among the members of the court and the few guests that were allowed to watch. They were all wondering about the same thing – who were the two Saiyajins?

Kaiou heard a quiet sigh next to him and saw that Lord Briefs had wearily closed his eyes. They had talked earlier this morning, about the trial and of course about the pirate's relationship to his daughter and the Lord had then come to the conclusion that even though he wanted his daughter to be happy, he couldn't just override the judge's decision, if clearly all evidence spoke against Vegeta. Bulma would find someone else, someday, Lord Briefs had said he was quite sure of that. She was an intelligent and beautiful young woman and she had found love once, so why shouldn't she find it again? It wasn't as if she had a steady reminder of Vegeta, once he was dead. Soon she would get over him and forget.

At the same time, the general noticed that Bardock, who was sitting next to him on the other side, tensed and straightened his back, obviously ready to react to whatever was going to happen. The general didn't blame him – the Saiyajin had already spent too many years caged as an animal and had just regained his freedom. If they really wanted to arrest and execute him and Goku for what they were, he was sure that a fight would break out.

But still, Kaiou trusted Goku to know what he was doing. He had to know that he was not just putting his own life, but also the life of his father and maybe even Gohan's, if the public ever found out that Goku was his real father, on the line by revealing who, or more importantly, what he really was.

This was exactly the reason, why Kaiou had kept Goku's heritage a secret – the reactions and prejudices of the others.

"Yes, this is what I'm saying. Vegeta isn't the only Saiyajin present today." Goku looked over to the narrow, man high cage in which Vegeta was locked for the duration of the trial, and briefly their gazes met. Goku's lips twitched slightly, as he noticed the momentary slip of the other Saiyajin's mask. His eyes had looked confused and angry for a moment, as if asking him, what the hell he was doing, before once again turning indifferent. "If you really believe that being a Saiyajin is the cause for being evil, you'll also have to sentence me and my father to death."

All was quiet for a few seconds, but then a loud commotion broke out, some called out in protest, others in disbelief, still the only man who appeared to be speechless was the prosecutor. He obviously couldn't believe that the famous grandson of the legendary sailor Son Gohan was supposed to be one of them, one of the Saiyajins, because now all he had said was worth nothing.

Everyone knew Son Goku and those, who had had the chance to get to know Bardock, his long-lost father, just as he had shortly before the trial began, as they had still been waiting for the prisoner to arrive, had found out that the older man was nothing like the rumors of the Saiyajins. Even though now most of the things made sense, for example the success the young sailor had at his age or his strength, there was nothing that even indicated in the slightest that he was part of the murderous race they had all come to fear. Son Goku was a good man, had always been and would most likely always be.

It was now impossible to sentence Vegeta because of his heritage.

"SILENCE!" Judge Emna roared, hitting his desk with the wooden gavel, effectively shutting the members of his court up. "Is this the truth, Son Goku? Are you a Saiyajin?"

Goku simply nodded. "I am, even though I only found out a few months ago. Your honor, I've learned many important things during my mission and one of those things is that not all Saiyajins are evil. Before Frieza appeared, they've been a rather, I daresay, peaceful race, but then most of them were corrupted, either out of fear or by promises of power. My father belonged to the small group of Saiyajins that made a stand against him, but he had to pay for it by being imprisoned in Frieza's infamous dungeons for twenty-five years. Vegeta had still been a child, when Frieza had gained power over the Saiyajins and he had been given as apprentice to the Beast in the hopes that Frieza might let them live, but you all know what happened. What I want to say is that it is not Vegeta's fault. He had no choice but to become the man he is today, but he has begun to change. The changes are small and subtle, but I can see them. He isn't the ruthless killer he once was anymore. If given the chance, he can be part of this society, he can do more to redeem himself. He can and will be a good man."

Bulma nervously walked up and down the cool hallway, hugging herself to keep from shivering. The sun was shining through large windows near the ceiling of the high hall, but not even its warmth helped her to feel better. Three long hours had already passed, since Goku and Vegeta had disappeared behind this door and she had given up on sitting idly on the wooden bench about one hour ago.

She wondered, what was going on in there. There had been times, when it had been loud in there, but also others, when she hadn't been able to hear anything. She didn't know, what had been more unnerving – hearing everyone talking at once and not understanding a thing or the silence. Unfortunately the door was too thick, so she also hadn't been able to hear, what had been said, when there hadn't been a commotion or complete silence. She just wanted the trial to end and Goku to come out and tell her that everything would be alright, that they had cleared Vegeta of his crimes and that she would have her happily ever after.

It shouldn't be taking that long.

As soon as that thought had shot through her mind, she heard a quiet creak and whirled around, watching with wide eyes as the door was opened and several men began to file out. Most of them she knew, if not by name, then by seeing them around the palace, but they all ignored her, as they passed her silently.

Her eyes strayed back to the door and her heartbeat began to quicken, when she saw Goku stepping over the threshold. He looked around for her, but when their eyes met, her heart fell. The defeated look on his face wasn't right – he ought to be looking jubilant for winning the trial. However, at the slight shake of his head, the world came crashing down on her. Tears sprung into her eyes, and she squeezed them shut, shaking her head vehemently. "No…" she mumbled. "No… NO!"

Suddenly she felt herself being engulfed in a strong but gentle hug. "I'm sorry, Bulma, I'm so sorry… I did my best, but it hasn't been enough."

"No…" Bulma still mumbled, not wanting to believe that it ended just like this. All her promises had been lies. She opened her eyes again and turned her head, looking past Goku once again to the door, where right at this moment Vegeta was led away. "Vegeta!" she called out, desperate to hear him say that everything would be alright. That it was just a mistake and that he would be free in only a matter of hours. But deep inside she knew that Vegeta would never say this. He didn't even react to her calls, but held his head high. Beginning to struggle against Goku's strong grip, she yelled again, "Vegeta! No! Let me go, Goku! Vegeta! Wait! I need to speak to him! No! VEGETA!"

Bulma almost managed to break free, as Goku didn't have the heart to hold her any longer and see her in this much pain, but then she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked into her father's apologizing dark eyes. "Bulma…"

"Daddy…" Suddenly, Bulma felt as if all energy left her and her legs gave in, only barely noticing that Goku's hands caught her, before she sagged to the ground and everything went black around her.

A wet cloth on her forehead.

"It's so terrible…"

ChiChi…

"I know. I wish it would be different, that I had done more…"

Goku…

The cloth on her forehead was removed for a few seconds, before it was laid down again. It was cooler now. Soothing.

"Lady Bulma needs a lot of rest. After the last strenuous months, she has already been exhausted, but this shock today has been the last straw. But please tell me, when she's awake. I still have to ask her a few questions…"

A familiar voice. A man.

"Of course, doctor. We'll send for you immediately."

Her father…

A low groan escaped her lips, as she forced her eyes open. This was worse than waking up from the dead.

"She's waking up," ChiChi said.

Where was she? Finally her eyes were open and wandered around the room. They briefly rested on her parents, then on ChiChi and on Goku, who looked miserable. The last person in the room, the man with the familiar voice, was their family doctor, an elderly man with small round glasses, whom she knew since her early childhood and who had always treated her, when she had been sick. Then her eyes wandered around the room and she noticed at once that it was her own room at the palace.

"What happened?" she whispered, trying to remember, what she could have done to end up in her bed with both her friends, her parents and her doctor fussing over her. Actually it took only a split second, but it seemed to her that a few minutes had passed, until everything came back. No! At once the tears were back in her eyes and she felt as one slipped down her cheek. "Vegeta…"

None of the others dared to meet her eyes, but her doctor sat down on the bed and said with his gentle voice, "I've heard about the… relationship between you and the pirate and I'm sorry that it had to turn out this way. But you shouldn't get worked up. It wouldn't be good for your health…"

Bulma wanted to scream, to yell at him that she didn't care about her health, when the man she loved was about to die, but instead she only sniffed and nodded once. Already her mind was working again, trying to find a solution to this problem and it didn't take long for her to find one.

"Alright… Lady Bulma, I need to ask you a few questions, concerning your stay on your ship and your health during and after your captivity. Is this alright with you?" Again, Bulma only nodded and the doctor seemed to be relieved. "This is good. Now, would you like that your parents and friends stay for this or do you want us to do this in private?"

"In private," Bulma whispered. "But first, I would like to talk to Goku. Also in private, if possible."

Without exchanging any words, the doctor rose again from the bed and quickly ushered ChiChi and Bulma's parents out of the room, leaving only her and Goku. He knew her since she was a small child, almost since her birth, and he knew that it would be better to give in to her wishes in a situation like this, otherwise she would just get even more upset.

The door closed with a quiet click and Goku sighed, running his hand through his wild black hair. He seemed tired, Bulma noticed, and there was none of the usual sparkle in his dark eyes. "I'm sorry, Bulma."

Shaking her head, she only said, "It wasn't your fault, Goku. You did your best, I know you did. You wouldn't be Son Goku, if you didn't." A small smile appeared on her lips, hoping that it would help her friend to reassure him. "And I wanted to thank your for trying."

"Don't… It didn't work… I just wished…" He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a brief moment. "I just wished there was something I could do…"

"There is…" she whispered, not daring to meet his eyes. "There is something you could do for me. If you don't want to do it, I don't blame you, but…"

Goku sat down on the bed, on the exact same spot that the doctor had vacated only merely minutes before, and gently took her hand. "I'm listening…"

Bulma motioned for him to lean down and he complied, allowing her to whisper something in his ear. He stiffened momentarily, but eventually, when Bulma fell silent, nodded. She gave him a grateful smile and he squeezed her hand once again, before leaving her room without another word to send the doctor back in. There was a determined look on his face. Tonight, he had one last mission to fulfill.

Bulma sighed and forced a smile on her lips, as her doctor entered her room again and closed the door behind him. He sat down on one of the chairs and Bulma more or less patiently endured the questions he asked her about her stay on the ship.

Reluctantly, she revealed that one of the pirates had almost violated her, but that Vegeta had stepped in just in time. He asked her more after that, about their relationship and Bulma admitted with a deep red face that they had slept with each other. From this moment on, the doctor pried further, almost forcing Bulma to open up, saying that he couldn't find a proper diagnosis if she didn't tell him everything. So he found out about nearly everything, as Bulma only left out her death.

Eventually she also told him about health problems on their way back, about her insomnia and sickness. She tried to ignore the scratching of his quill, as he recorded her every word, while she was speaking, first stopping when she reached the point of her sudden blackout after the trial.

"Thank you, Lady Bulma," he said with a slight smile on his face. "I know that it hasn't been easy for you to tell me all of this, but may I ask one last question?"

"Of course…"

"May I ask, when you had your last period?"

Bulma looked at him with wide eyes. This certainly was a question that she hadn't expected at all. "I-I…" she spluttered, trying to remember. It slowly dawned on her that it had been quite some time ago… Only how long? She hadn't noticed that it hadn't been there with all the happenings, even after they had started they journey home. Maybe her subconscious had dismissed the absence of her period as a result of the stress she had been put through, but now that she thought about it… "Do you… do you suspect that I'm…"

"My lady, when?"

After having taken a deep breath, Bulma admitted, "The last time had been before Vegeta and I became lovers."

"This is what I thought," the doctor sighed and removed his glasses to clean them. He hesitated for a few seconds, before he placed them again on his nose and continued, "I assume you already know what I'm going to tell you now. All of your symptoms point to one diagnosis. Lady Bulma, you're carrying the pirate's child. You're pregnant."

It was close to midnight and not many soldiers were at the fort. Goku kept mostly to the shadows, trying to stay out of sight of the remaining ones, because even though they probably wouldn't think anything of his presence at the fort now, they might think otherwise in the morning. He pressed his back against a corner in the darkness and watched warily, as two soldiers walked past him. They didn't notice his presence. Slowly Goku crept around the corner and walked through the open door, which would lead him down a staircase to the cells.

He knew that he would be breaking the law by doing this, but he couldn't refuse Bulma's request, not after he had failed. No one would know that it was him – at least he hoped so, as he stepped through another door and stood now in front of the row of the cells. There, in the first cell, he saw in the weak light of the moon Vegeta sitting in the straw and leaning with his head against the cold stonewall. The eyes of the Saiyajin opened, when he had heard the footsteps.

"What do you want?"

The voice sounded arrogant and indifferent, but Goku believed he knew Vegeta better than this. It simply was his way of dealing with his predicament. "To help you." Three simple words, but immediately he felt the pirate's eyes boring into him, as if daring him to declare that he was joking. Goku didn't. Instead he took a few steps along the corridor, aware of the pair of dark eyes that was following his each and every move, until he was standing in front of a hook in the wall, where a key was hanging. "Bulma asked me to do this, but I'm not only doing this for her. I'm doing this also for me. I believe that you deserve a second chance Vegeta, even if it isn't in this city and even if it isn't with Bulma. I'm going to offer you this chance." He took the key off the hook and put it on a rock directly in front of Vegeta's cell, where he could reach the key without problems. "The only thing you have to do is to take it."

Vegeta didn't know what to say, as he watched the other Saiyajin turn around and leave the corridor with the parting words to Use this chance wisely. His mind was whirling with thoughts and questions. Never before had anyone done something like this for him. His father had betrayed him, as had his crew, so why should he trust Kakarotto?

A small voice in the back of his mind whispered that this other Saiyajin was different from everyone else he had met. In a way, Kakarotto was a lot like his father – they were both honorable men. Bardock hadn't betrayed him and was still loyal to him after all those years and after everything he had done to besmirch the reputation of the Saiyajins. It seemed as if Kakarotto was truly helping him to flee, but somehow Vegeta couldn't find any solace in this fact.

Did he even deserve this? No, and Vegeta knew this very well, but he didn't care. He had thought about this often before – he was a pirate and he had always been ruthless, until that damn woman had turned up and changed his whole world. It was her fault. Without her he would be long dead, killed by Frieza.

But now, here he was. Still alive, though not for long anymore. He could choose the life of a fugitive – Kakarotto had given him this choice – but would his pride allow this kind of life? Wouldn't death be much more preferable? Only a few weeks ago, he had decided that death was indeed better, but now, when he thought about the woman's words, he wasn't so sure anymore.

With a thoughtful look on his face, his eyes landed again on the key.

Bulma couldn't sleep. Though she had already suspected it, when the doctor had asked her this question, she had a hard time to believe his words. Pregnant. With Vegeta's child. And Vegeta was going to die in only a couple of hours. Without knowing that he was going to be a father. Would she ever be able to tell him this? How would he react? Somehow, she had a hard time to imagine Vegeta being and acting as a father. But it was too late now. She was sure that after this morning at the trial she would never see him again – no matter if her plan worked or not.

However, even if she ever got to terms with this, how could she break this news to her parents? Would they force her to get married to a stranger, just so they could pretend that her child's father was not a pirate? But according to the doctor and her own calculations she was already two months along! This simply wasn't possible! Besides, she would never marry someone she didn't know at all. The fleeting thought of Yamcha crossed her mind, but she quickly shook it off. He would know that the baby wasn't his.

Fortunately the doctor was bound to professional discretion, so he wouldn't tell anyone about this without her consent. How long could she keep her pregnancy a secret? Maybe one or two more months until she would start to show? But what would she do then? She couldn't abandon her child, but it would also be scoffed at, if she raised it all by herself. She was Lord Brief's daughter for heaven's sake! Women of her station simply didn't get pregnant by pirates. People would never understand!

A frustrated groan escaped her lips, as she flung herself on her other side, trying desperately to find a comfortable position, so that she could finally fall asleep. But somehow she knew that it would be in vain. She was too worried about what was going on to get any decent sleep.

Bulma only hoped that Goku did what she had asked him to and that Vegeta would take his only chance to escape death. She'd rather have her child grow up with his father on the run, but alive, than dead and displayed as a warning for other pirates.

When Goku descended the stone steps along with other guards the next morning, he prepared himself for the sight of the empty cell, with its door standing wide open and Vegeta nowhere to be seen. Closing his eyes for a brief second, he once again stepped through the door, but his hopes all vanished, when he saw the pirate still sitting in his cell. The key had remained untouched throughout the night.

Their eyes met and Goku sighed heavily. The pirate's eyes were defiant and shining with pride. He was going to face death with his head held high, showing neither fear nor defeat.

This would break Bulma's heart.

The two guards rushed passed him and opened the cell, only sparing the position of the key a questioning glance, obviously thinking that someone had dropped it there by accident, but since the prisoner was still there, they didn't pay this curious fact any more attention. They once again put manacles around Vegeta's ankles and wrists and pulled him into a standing position. None of the Saiyajins lost a word, as Vegeta was led past Goku and up the stairs to the courtyard of the fort, where the execution was about to take place in less than half an hour.

Bulma awoke to some rustling in her room. Slightly disoriented, she opened her eyes and looked around. The sun was shining brightly through the gaps of the curtains and Bulma had to blink a few times until her eyes had adjusted to the small beam of light. When had she fallen asleep? She turned her head and sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes.

She immediately spotted a maid, who turned to look at her startled and apologizing. "I'm sorry, Miss," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to wake you, but your parents asked me to check up on you, if you were still asleep at this time."

"My parents?" Bulma asked confused. Why did they send a maid? Normally her mother would check up on her herself. "Where are they?"

"At the fort of course. To watch the execution of this vile pirate…" Obviously the maid hadn't heard yet about the rumor about Bulma and the pirate, otherwise she probably wouldn't have said this.

Bulma clenched her fists and she almost noticed how her face was drained of all its color. "What do you mean?" Oh please, don't tell me that Vegeta's still here. Tell me that he's fled.

"Well, the execution of the pirate Vegeta. It was set up to be today, in about fifteen minutes to be precise…" The maid paused confused, as Lady Bulma nearly jumped out of her bed and threw a cloak over her nightgown. "Miss? Lady Bulma? Is everything alright?"

Without even reacting to the maid's concerned words, Bulma hurried out of her room. Her bare feet carried her down the stairs into the foyer and through several corridors to the back door that led to the stables. The grooms, both young and old, stared at her disheveled appearance – the bare feet, her state of undress and long aqua-colored hair flying open. But Bulma didn't stop once, as she simply ignored all of them and the pricking of tiny stones underneath her feet – this was nothing compared to her trek through the forest without shoes -, as she looked around for an already saddled and bridled horse, because it would simply take too long to get her own mare ready.

Finally she spotted one and without even bothering to ask if she could take it – she was the Lord's daughter after all – she mounted the brown gelding and urged it into a gallop before she had even left the stables.

Only one thought was running through her head. She had to get to the fort before Vegeta was hanged.

The last time Son Goku had seen so many people at once had been on Ginger Island, during the festivities of Frieza's defeat. It had been a happy occasion then – it wasn't a happy occasion now. After everything he had tried, even after having been ready to violate the law, Vegeta was still going to be hanged. Once again, Goku realized disappointed, he had failed.

The Prince of the Saiyajins was already standing on the gallows, with his head in the noose, but still he was completely calm. It almost seemed as if he had accepted this. This saddened Goku. He didn't understand how someone could choose death over life so willingly. Maybe, if he didn't have anything left to live for, but he had seen how Vegeta and Bulma interacted with each other. Wasn't she reason enough for him to live? Why not? Goku would first give up on life, if all of his friends, ChiChi and Gohan were gone, if none of them was left. What could be so important for Vegeta that he couldn't live without it?

He was standing along with ChiChi, Gohan, Bardock and all members of his crew, who had been part of the mission, at the side of Lord Briefs and his wife and General Kaiou on the top of some steps, from where they could watch the whole spectacle. Below them the townspeople were gathered, all of them eager to watch a pirate, and one so famous at that, hang.

"This is wrong," he heard Juuhachigou, who was standing right next to Krillin, mumble.

Goku looked over to her. This was the first sign of compassion she had ever shown in his presence. But she was a Jinzoningen. He believed that maybe she could relate to Vegeta more than anyone else. But she was right. This was wrong, but it was the decision of Judge Emna. There was only one person present, who could override his decision, only that this person wasn't about to do anything.

His eyes rested on Lord Briefs, who was staring straight ahead. Goku knew that he was just doing what he believed was right, following the law – only that his decision wasn't right for his daughter.

His attention was once again drawn to the gallows, where now the crimes that Vegeta had committed were once again listed, this time for the public. This was much too familiar for his taste, as he had been in Vegeta's stead only a few weeks ago. Still Vegeta kept a straight face. Goku sighed. Only a miracle could save him now.

Several minutes later, when the end of the long list was finally reached, Goku wished he was anywhere but here. He was only glad that Bulma was still at the palace and didn't have to watch this.

Drums began to play, their cadence getting steadily quicker. In only a few seconds everything would be over. Goku's gaze once again wandered over to Vegeta, who met his eyes and gave him one nod, as if thanking him for what he had done, even though it hadn't been enough. The younger Saiyajin returned the nod, though he still wished that he had been more successful in his attempts to save Vegeta.

Suddenly, only a split second before the drums stopped and the hangman pulled the lever, a cry echoed through the courtyard and all heads turned away from the gallows. All had come to a complete standstill.

"Don't!"

Goku's eyes widened, when he spotted Bulma, still wearing her nightgown under a cloak, running up to them.

"Don't kill him!"

Goku's head whirled around to Vegeta, and for the first time that day there was something on his face that resembled surprise.

"Bulma!" Lord Briefs exclaimed surprised. "What are you doing here? The doctor said that you should stay abed for the next two days to recover."

"Father… Daddy, please don't kill him," she only said, when she came to a stop in front of them.

Her father sighed. "Bulma… darling, we've already talked about this. You know that I can't do any—"

"I'm pregnant!" The words left her mouth, before she could even think them and her hand flew to her lips, the moment she had spoken them. She noticed the widening of her parents' and her friends' eyes, but she couldn't take the words back now.

"What are you talking about, Bulma?" Goku asked.

"Bulma," her father said softly, not wanting to believe this. "You're just confused. Come on, one of the guards will bring you home."

"No, father! You don't understand! The doctor told me yesterday! I'm pregnant, with Vegeta's child. You can't kill him!"

Bulma studied her father's face, waiting for any kind of reaction. He had his eyes closed, obviously fighting an inner battle. She hoped, no, she prayed that he would listen to her plea.

Finally, after endless agonizing long seconds, he opened his eyes again. "Bulma… Are you completely sure? Do you really love this man?"

"I am, daddy. I do…"

"Son Goku," Lord Briefs now said directed at the young man. "I know you've said this before, but can this pirate, can he truly be a good man?"

"Yes my Lord, if given the chance…"

Another sigh came over the Lord's lips, as he at last looked at his wife, who was smiling and nodding at him, before he turned to the gallows and declared, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Due to recent developments, Vegeta will be cleared of all charges. Let him go." Protest and confused chatter broke out in the crowd, while everyone of Bulma's close friends were still speechless. Lord Briefs simply ignored his soldiers and advisors, who were questioning his decision. "Go to him, Bulma."

Vegeta couldn't believe this. What had the woman said to her father to convince him to do this?

He barely noticed that someone removed the shackles at his wrists and ankles and the noose around his neck, but the noose was almost instantly replaced by the woman's arms.

For a few seconds, he stiffened in surprise. He didn't know how to react. In only merely moments, his life had once again been turned upside down. He should be dead by now and not alive. He had accepted this. In the end, he had even wanted this! Those last few days, he had only held onto the belief that he didn't want to die for the woman, but then, after Kakarotto had offered him the chance to flee, he had given up.

What was he, a Prince without a kingdom, whose destiny had been stolen by those inferior to him, going to do in a world filled with people who loathed him and wanted to kill him? The promise of death had started to sound rather appealing, but he had wanted to set the terms for his demise. He was no coward and he had wanted to die with the air of a true Prince to show everyone that while they could take his life, they could never take away his pride.

Rather roughly shoving her away from him and gripping her by her upper arms, he looked straight at her and almost yelled, "What have you done?"

"I asked my father to let you go," Bulma replied, not caring what the crowd might think and completely unfazed by his demeanor. She had spent by far enough time with him to know how to deal with his moods and right now he only needed to know the truth. "Vegeta… I'm… I'm expecting. You're going to be a father."

He immediately let go of her, as if he'd been burned and took a step back. His gaze flickered to the back, where her friends were still standing, all of them still looking equally astounded, and then again to the woman. His mind barely registered her words, so he asked only one thing, "How?"

A small grin tugged at her lips. "I believe you know exactly, how this happened."

Shaking his head, Vegeta suddenly said, "You shouldn't have done this. You shouldn't have asked your father to spare me." Damn it! This made everything even more complicated. If he had only never found out about this! His pride would now never permit him to give up his life. The woman was carrying his heir – something he would have never thought possible. Even while he had been with the woman, he had simply known that they would never be together like she wanted them to, let alone that she would bear him a child.

But what should he do now that he couldn't seek release in death anymore?

His gaze once again wandered to the Lord and slowly a plan began to form in his mind.

"Why?" Bulma asked confused. "I love you, Vegeta. I already told you this before. I want you at my side. I want you to be there, when our child grows up!"

"And I already told you that I wouldn't crawl on my knees before your father and your friends!" Vegeta was once again on the defensive and he almost flinched, when he saw the hurt look flash through her eyes, even though it was quickly replaced by fury. But it had to be done.

"Damn it, Vegeta," she now yelled. "Why do you have to be so proud? Be glad that you are alive! Everything has changed! Frieza is dead!"

"Maybe I'm alive! But I lost everything! My kingdom, my crew, my ship, my destiny! I am nothing!"

"No," Bulma contradicted, shaking her head. "You haven't lost everything. You have still me and our child. Isn't this enough?"

"No," Vegeta simply said and brushed past her.

Tears sprung into her eyes, as she watched him fight his way through the curious crowd, which had watched their exchange with much interest. It took some seconds until she had recovered from his outburst, but once she had, she followed him at once. "Vegeta! Vegeta! Wait! What are you doing?"

Vegeta didn't listen to her, as he purposefully strode up to Lord Briefs. If the old man had already done him one favor, he certainly wouldn't mind doing him another. Yamcha put himself between Vegeta and Lord Briefs, but the Saiyajin simply pushed him aside. He had to give the old man some credit – he didn't even flinch. Goku stepped up to them, but remained quiet.

"Lord Briefs," he said shortly, fully aware of Bulma, who had reached him. "I need to speak to you in private, but if you wish, Kakarotto and Bardock may be present."

Lord Briefs regarded the pirate in front of him thoughtfully for a few moments, before he eventually nodded. "Alright. General Kaiou, is there a room here at the fort that we could use?"

"Of course. Please follow me."

Bulma watched helplessly, as the five men left the courtyard, unable to move. She had been so sure that he would stay with her, now that he was free, but obviously she had been wrong.

It was already growing dark, as Vegeta stood in front of the large merchant ship that would bring him away from the Western Capitol with a bag slung over his shoulder, which contained new clothes – similar to the fresh ones he was wearing now, black boots and pants and a dark blue shirt.

A silent sigh escaped his lips. The ship wasn't the Ouji and it wasn't his, but he wouldn't spend much time on this ship anyway. As soon as they reached the crew's first destination, Yadrat, he would be off. From that moment on, he would be completely alone on his quest, his quest to find that legendary power inside of him that two lower members of his race had already found.

Lord Briefs had been rather complaisant, when Vegeta had described his request, or rather his demand, to be allowed passage on a ship and to spread the news of his acquittal. The last thing he needed right now was someone hunting and killing him, when he had just decided that he couldn't die anymore.

There was only one obligation he had had to accept before the Lord had agreed to his terms. Somehow, the fact that Lord Briefs had regarded his grunt as consent, wondered him greatly. What if he didn't keep his promise? Would they then start to hunt him again? Even if, as long as he lay low, they would never be able to find him.

Vegeta just wanted to take the first steps along the plank to board the ship, when he heard some footsteps behind him. Without even looking around, he knew who it was.

Bulma couldn't believe her luck, as she arrived at the harbor, along with Goku, who had offered to accompany her there, and saw that the ship hadn't left yet and that Vegeta was still standing at the quay. Her steps quickened, hoping that he wouldn't be gone, when she got to the ship, but she slowed down again, when he paused in his steps. She noticed that Goku was right behind her, but she didn't care. She just wanted the chance to say goodbye.

Her heartbeat began to quicken immediately, as he turned around and her blue eyes met his dark ones. "Vegeta," she whispered breathlessly.

"Woman," Vegeta only acknowledged her with a nod. "Kakarotto."

"Vegeta," Goku replied. Then, to Bulma he whispered. "I'll be at the carriage, if you need me."

Silence fell between them, after Goku had retreated, as Bulma simply didn't find the words she wanted to say. She had rehearsed them over and over again in her head, while they had been sitting in the carriage on the way to the harbor. There were so many things that she had wanted to tell him. That she loved him. That she needed him. That he shouldn't go. But all those words were gone.

Bulma had once again been devastated, when her father had told her about Vegeta's request to leave the city, but he had tried to cheer her up, by promising her that Goku could bring her to the harbor to say goodbye that very night. It had helped, somehow, to know that she would be able to do this and also, that, even though he wasn't at her side, she knew that he was at least alive.

Her mind wandered back in time, to when she had first met him and a small grin hushed over her face. Oh, how she had hated him then! He had been so arrogant all the time and she had believed him to be a coldhearted murderer, but slowly, she had begun to see a side of him that others hadn't seen before. She had seen that he wasn't as cold as he wanted to make believe, that underneath his rough exterior, she could find a heart. He had, after all, supplied her with food the whole time, even after her failed attempt to flee on Namek, and he had taken care of her, after he had rescued her from Nappa. When they had been together, she had seen him, the real Vegeta, and fallen in love with him. She still didn't know much about his childhood, but she thought that she had learned the gist of it and knew that it was truly a great feat to even be able to care after everything he had experienced.

She admired him for that.

Bulma opened her mouth, hoping that she would find the right words to convince him to stay, but then thought the better of it and instead just crossed the distance between them to press her lips upon his. At first, she seemed to have caught him by surprise, however, after a few seconds he began to let himself go in the kiss. Bulma could feel everything that he couldn't tell her. All the feelings and emotions he usually kept buried deep inside of him. And suddenly, she wasn't worried anymore. Somehow, it gave her the feeling that she was truly loved and cared for. She simply knew that everything would be alright in the end.

Vegeta stood at the bow of the ship, staring out into the night sky, while the men around him were working. They had left the harbor only merely minutes ago. A smirk tugged at his lips, as he once again looked at the small note the woman had slipped him just before he had had to board the merchant vessel.

'You truly are legendary, Vegeta. Never stop believing this, because I know it. I have seen you. Don't laugh at me, but I saw a golden Angel saving me from drowning. Don't give up hope.
Love,
Your woman'

He had snorted at first, when he had read this. A golden Angel! But then, it had suddenly hit him. How he had survived in this storm. How he had been able to not just save himself but the woman as well. If what she wrote was true, it would relieve him of a heavy burden. If what she wrote was true, his destiny wasn't lost. He was no longer nothing.

With the note once again neatly folded and safely stored in a pocket of his pants, he let the wind hit his face, feeling free for the first time in a very long time.

I won't stop believing, woman. I won't give up hope.

There were tears in Bulma's eyes, when she returned to the carriage, where Goku was still patiently waiting for her. He was worried for a moment, but then saw the smile on her lips. Putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, he asked, "Are you alright?"

She nodded weakly and smiled up at her best friend, laying her hand above his. "Yes. I think I am… I just miss him already… And I…" Bulma took a shaky breath. "I know this sounds selfish, but I want him to be here, when our child grows up. I don't want our child to never know his father…"

Much to her surprise, Goku flashed her a wide grin. "I wouldn't worry about this. Believe me…"