The Last Warrior

Chapter 20: Epilogue

By: Daniel Graffio

April 27, 2005

Slade walked slowly through the crowded hospital. Many people were staring at him as he was covered with blood and various injuries. The fact that he was still wearing the Saiyan battle suit didn't help. Slade didn't care about any of them, or he wouldn't have if he had noticed them. He was completely focused on his goal. He turned a corner and saw Doc Brown coming his way, a nurse with him.

"It's a miracle she survived." Slade heard him say, "She lost a lot of blood, but it seems she just doesn't have the will to let herself die."

"Doc." called Slade. Doc looked over at him, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Slade?" he said, "Is that you?"

"Where's Eve?" Slade asked, ignoring Doc and the nurse's roaming gazes.

"Are you all right? You're friends told me you were fighting Kane." said Doc.

"Where's Eve?" Slade said, more forcefully this time.

"She...She's resting up right now." said the Doc, "We patched her up and are transfusing her some blood right now."

"Let me see her." said Slade, looking at the door where he knew Eve was.

"No, not right now Slade." said Doc, just as firmly, "She's slipped into a coma from shock. I don't know when she'll wake up, but for now she needs some peace and quiet."

"I have to see her now." said Slade, his voice deathly calm.

"Slade, you need rest too. You need to calm..."

"LET ME SEE HER NOW!" Slade yelled, punching a hole into the wall. Doc would have protested more, but the look in Slade's eyes told him the boy needed this.

"All right Slade, all right." he said gently. "Go on in." He moved aside, and Slade went inside the room.

Eve was lying on the bed, her abdomen was heavily bandaged. A spot of red was showing through the bandages. Slade looked around and saw an array of medical equipment hooked up to Eve's body, including a bag full of blood going slowly into her. Slade knelt down beside her bed. He slipped off his bloody gloves and took Eve's small hand into his own.

"Hey Eve." he said gently, his voice cracking slightly, "I did it. I avenged my family Eve. I kept my promise to you too, see? I'm still alive."

Eve continued to sleep.

"I-I'm so sorry Eve. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." He kissed her hand lightly, "If I'd never met you then you wouldn't be like this right now. You didn't deserve this. You should have been doing something better than leading a rebellion and falling in love with jerks like me. You deserved better than this, better than me."

Still no response.

"I was too scared to say it before Eve. Every single person I've ever cared about in my life has been taken from me. I thought if I got close you then you might die as well. Or that the opposite would happen. I would die and you would become like me. Angry and alone. I don't ever want to feel that way again, nor do I want anyone else to have that feeling."

He brushed his finger along her cheek.

"I'm not scared anymore Eve. I love you." Tears fell down his cheeks as he looked at her silent face, "I love you so much." He rested his forehead against her soft hand.

"You are, the sweetest person, that I have ever met."

Slade looked up and saw Eve smiling at him, her eyes meeting his. Slade had nothing to say, he could only return the smile. She lifted her hand and brushed his cheek. He held her hand to his face.

"I'm sorry." he repeated.

"No, I'm the one who should be sorry." she said, "I knew I couldn't really help you, but I had to be there. I had to be near you."

Slade didn't say anything, he just leaned over to her, and kissed her again. She returned the kiss, enjoying ever second of it. Slade bent back up again, smiled at her, and collapsed onto her lap.

"Slade!" said Eve in surprise, "Doc!"

Doc came running in. Eve pointed to Slade and Doc rushed over quickly. He looked Slade over quickly and smiled.

"What is it?" said Eve, a bit worried.

"He's asleep." said Doc with a laugh. "I can only imagine what he's been going through. Physically and mentally."

"Yeah," said Eve, smiling down on Slade, asleep in her lap.

"We probably should move him to a room." said Doc, smiling slightly.

"No, please, let him stay here. I'm sure this is where he wants to be." Said Eve, stroking her fingers through Slade's hair.

"I'm sure you're right." said Doc, leaving them alone.

3 years later...

Slade looked around his house. He had built it himself, with a little help from his friends. He looked out the window to the lake, the same lake by the old base. It was fairly large, enough space for him, his wife, and his newborn son. Slade looked at Eve sitting in a chair, holding their baby son Aaron. Eve looked back and smiled.

"Slade," she said, "I'd rather our baby grow up with a mind for more than fighting. I know I can't talk you out of it, but let's keep his training a little less intense okay?"

"I'll try." said Slade with a smile, he went back to looking out the window.

"Also, since its peaceful now, I want you to be helping me around the house more rather than training and fighting. I need you to help me raise our baby. Okay?"

Slade didn't answer, and Eve took that as acceptance. She turned away to the baby again, not noticing the smile that grew on her husband's face. A crooked half-smile.

Dragonball:Bloodines

Part 1:The Last Warrior

THE END