Chapter 33

18 flew forwards and protruded a clenched fist, aimed for Moray. When it met with her face she was angry to see that Moray was scowling at her, but unaffected by her punch.

"You know, to hurt me, you need not use your fists."

"OH?"

"No, the simple fact that you would strike me, that you would expel me from your heart because of whom I have fallen in love with, that you, my mother, would want to inflict pain on me because I am different. You think I am a monster don't you?"

"Yes."

"I am the same. I am hurt, but the same. We will talk later but right now my lover is dying in my arms and you are stood between me and his life. I will not let you kill him. I love him and that is all that matters. Accept it or not. But do NOT stand in my way."

18 stood still. She had planned to make this abomination pay. But it was talking like her. It wasn't her and she would never believe it was. But, it was stronger than her so she couldn't stand up to it now. If she let it go...she could train hard and kill it later. That is a plan worth following.

"Then leave. But never come near me or my family again you monster!"

Moray took Cell in her arms again and walked inside CC.

Bulma was sat with Vegeta on the couch, obviously being filled in. she walked up to Bulma slowly and addressed her.

"Bulma? Do you know me?"

"Moray?"

"Yes. Please, I have little time. I need." Bulma cut her off.

"This way."

Bulma knew what Moray was after. When Vegeta went overboard in training or when he had returned from a battle with Goku, he would be seriously injured so Bulma recreated the Regeneration Tank. Bulma led Moray down the hall to the basement and pressed the T button on the wall. Instantly a third door appeared and she led her down another hall. They soon came to a laboratory with a huge Tank in its centre. It was empty but not for long. Moray sat Cell in the Tank and ensured that his tail was inside too. She placed a loving kiss on his forehead and closed the Tank door. Bulma pressed the controls and the Tank filled with a blue liquid. Luckily, Cell didn't breathe so the fact that the air mask was missing didn't matter. The computer flashed with the words "Rejuvenation Tank filled to the Maximum".

Moray didn't move from the front of the Tank and placed her hands on it, over where his face was. she pressed her forehead against the glass and for the first time since he was hurt, allowed herself to sob hysterically. She fell to her knees and wept uncontrollable. Bulma didn't like the idea of helping Cell, but when she saw the mess the Moray was in, she couldn't feel anything but the need to comfort her. She ran to Moray and kneeled at her level. She draped her arms around her shoulders in an attempt to stop them shaking. They didn't but she received a sorrowful look from her.

"Bulma, will he be ok?" Bulma left her to the monitor and punched in a few codes. A health screen came up and she motioned for Moray to join her. however Moray couldn't even raise to her feet. Bulma in the end had to return to her and half carry her over to the screen.

On the screen was a computerised shadow outline of Cell if he was stood up. There were many different lines waving slowly besides that and numbers underneath that.

"Bulma, what does all this mean?"

"well if his body changes colour it means that his state has changed. It is black now because he is in the recovery state. If he gets better, it will go to blue and then Green. But...i know you won't want to hear this...but if he doesn't get better it will go read and then the screen will go blank. It only has images on it when there is life in the Tank."

"Do you mean that he might not get better? He has to get better he HAS to!"

"He will I am sure. I just wanted you to know how it works, that's all. She I continue?"

"Yes."

"Well this wave next to his State image here." She pointed to the top one. "Is how his heart beat should be. But this one underneath...is how it actually is." Moray whimpered as she noticed that his actual heart beat was slower and weaker than it should be, by far.

"And what are those numbers for?"

"Well it says how much he has healed. See, it says .009. that is how much he has healed. Listen." Bulma turned from the screen and held Moray close. I understand that you will need somewhere to stay and I know that you will not want to leave him. so you can stay here, ok?"

"Oh thank you so much Bulma."

"It's no problem, and it is getting late. You should get some sleep. Let me take you to one of the spare rooms."

"NO. I mean no thank you. I want to stay here. I need to stay here."

"Ok. But let me know if you need anything ok?"

"ok, and thank you."

"No problem" Bulma turned to leave her but turned back. Moray was staring at Cell and holing herself. Bulma remembered back to when Vegeta came back from his battle with the androids the first time. He was close to death and she almost died inside. She stayed in this very room with him, every day and every night. The only way she ate was if her mother brought her food. She hardly slept and as for the toilet, she made her father build one into the lab just so she could be near him at all times. She saw a lot of herself in the way Moray was looking at Cell. "You love him don't you?" Bulma didn't have to wait very long for an answer.

"With all my heart. That is what is in there. Not a body, not a person, but my heart. My heart is in that Tank and if Cell does die, then he takes my heart, my life and my soul with him. He is everything to me. I wouldn't survive without him. He is my heart. And I would die without him."

"I will talk to your mother. I will help you learn how to care for him with the machine tomorrow. You don't need to do anything for him tonight and you don't have to do anything you don't want to. I am here for you if you need to talk and I will always listen. Ok?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Here." Bulma took a chair from the side and rolled it to her. "sit here, you will have to wait for quite a while."

"thank you. I will never forget this, I promise."

"Good night. Try to sleep, if you can."

"Good night. Thank you." Bulma left the room and shortly after Moray broke down into tears again. She found herself talking to Cell, even though she knew he couldn't hear her.

"I am sorry. I am so sorry. This is my entire fault. My fault."

"Meep!"

Moray turned round to see the screen had changed. She ran to it and smiled as she saw that not only had his heart rate increased, but the percentage had changed to 10. He was healing and she felt so relieved. She went back to the chair and stared at him. good night my love. I will sleep tonight so that I will be able to take care of you tomorrow. Have pleasant dreams. I love you." She closed her eyes and fell to sleep, by crying herself to exhaustion...