Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters

Well… I just went back to work a couple weeks ago, and three days later fell thanks to a pothole and sprained one ankle and broke my other leg which needed surgery (so two very traumatic days). So…back home again, laid off, had to move out of my apartment (I had to send family and friends to clear it out). I can't really seem to write right now either (despite the strong desire to do so…stupid painkillers).

Anyway, I wanted to post something, anything really, and this is the last pre-written chapter I have for this story and requires the least amount of work of just proofreading and writing review responses. Maybe doing that will give me the energy to write at least a little bit of this story or some of my others. I hope you enjoy it. There's a very intriguing meeting about to take place. ;)

Trunks settled into the Cold household. He and Kuriza made sure to have minimal contact except at meals. The two determined an appropriate level of camaraderie that wouldn't set off Frieza's alarm bells yet allowed for interaction. After all, Trunks was the help. It wouldn't look good at all for Kuriza and him to act like longtime friends in front of Kuriza's demon father.

Since the first job Zarbon had given him, Trunks had been sent on a couple more. There were no others where he needed to murder some unsuspecting person. Instead, he was given smaller tasks like providing security detail as shipments came in and collecting money from those who purchased the goods they were bringing into the city. Trunks didn't yet know what the shipments were, so he couldn't call it in as of yet, but each small job brought him closer to a trusted position. Frieza was definitely one wary tyrant.

When Frieza ordered Trunks to accompany Zarbon and Dodoria to take down some competitors from another family, Trunks was a bit nervous. Under the watchful eye of Frieza's two major henchmen, he'd probably have to seriously wound if not kill someone. The cop in him could not rationalize that act, even if the end justified the means. It didn't even matter that it was another group of criminals he'd be going up against. Something inside of him was warning him away. Despite the uneasiness, he accepted the job anyway.

The three men came to the pier and hid among the unloaded crates. Workers were still removing the load from the ship; a man with long hair watched the men and barked orders. Trunks's eyes widened when another man who couldn't have been much older than him came into view. He's just a kid, the undercover officer thought. How'd he get caught up in all of this?

"Alright, we're all clear on this end, Uncle Raditz," the security man declared. Trunks's mental question was asked and answered. He kept his expression neutral, though inside his heart broke. Yet another man brought into this hellish career by a family member…

The man overseeing the other men, Raditz, turned to look at his nephew. He cast him a nod. "Okay, Goten. I've got things here. Go check the other side of the warehouse. Keep your gun at the ready, just in case. Your mother will kill me if something happens to you."

Goten blushed and frowned. "My parents don't even know I'm working with you," he huffed. "Besides, nothing is going to happen."

"Just do as I say, kid."

Dodoria released a low and quiet chuckle. "Sounds like an interesting family squabble."

His answer was an eye roll from Zarbon. "Hardly. It seems like the brat is their lookout." He looked to Trunks and gave him the rundown. "That man giving the orders is Raditz Son, Vegeta Ouji's right-hand man. He needs to be taken out."

Trunks's eyes widened. They were going up against the Ouji family? Vegeta Ouji was another top gang runner in this city. If they were to go after his men, that would certainly add fuel to the already heated war. Shock flooded the officer, but he managed to push it down. He knew how to play this. He'd pretend to do his best, make it look like he was aiming for Raditz, but he would not harm or injure them, even if they were professional criminals.

"Is that a problem?" Zarbon questioned, snapping Trunks out of his daze.

"No," Trunks replied curtly. "I was just surprised you were putting me against some big fish. I've heard of the Oujis. They seem to be as powerful as Mr. Cold."

"No one is as powerful as Frieza," Dodoria chuckled. "Those goonish monkeys have nothing on our boss. Today, we'll be taking out a few more."

Dodoria readied his gun and aimed for Raditz. Trunks could hardly believe it when Zarbon followed suit and looked to Trunks to do the same. The officer knelt down low and readied his gun. He was about to pull the trigger and aimed slightly to the right of Raditz. His eyes carefully watched the fingers of the other two men beside him.

Zarbon was the first to shoot. However, his aim was off as he was distracted the security man's voice ringing out. "Hey, Uncle Raditz, we're—"

The bullet hit the ground between the uncle and his nephew, and Raditz immediately pulled out his weapon as did the other workers aside from Goten whose gun was still in its holster. They had no idea where the shooters were gunning them from, but soon it all became chaos. The rival's men all spread out which caused Dodoria and Zarbon to spread out as well leaving Trunks to handle his end. Trunks used the crate as protection, but soon he needed to move. These men were surrounding them.

Trunks rounded the maze of crates and hoped to get on the other side and at least appear like he was making some headway. He was completely startled when he ran into the lookout boy. Goten stared at him with wide eyes, hands at his side and no weapon at the ready. The officer's was, but he made no move to shoot. He put down his weapon. "Get out of here."

"What?" Goten returned, completely shocked. "Why?"

"Just get out of here," Trunks insisted before he heard the sound of running coming from behind him. He could tell by the click of the shoes that Zarbon was headed his way. "Now!"

Goten didn't need to be told an additional time, and he ran into the maze of boxes, just in time for Zarbon to see what had just happened. He did not look pleased, but said nothing except for, "We need to get out of here. They had too many reinforcements. We'll get them another time."

"Right," Trunks agreed. "I'm coming."

The two men ran to catch up with Dodoria, shots still being fired by Ouji's men. Trunks breathed out a heavy sigh when they finally got far away only for his jaw to be met with Zarbon's fist. His body crashed into the pavement. "Hey, what are you—"

"You let the brat go," Zarbon hissed. "For what purpose?"

"He didn't even have his gun drawn," Trunks returned, "and he's not even that important. He's just some inexperienced kid."

"So what?" Zarbon rasped. "How do you know that altercation won't push him to get better? That brat could become a competent adversary with experience. Plus, it was one extra body we could have been rid of."

"If anything, that encounter will scare that mama's boy straight," Trunks reasoned, feeling a little bad for speaking ill of a guy he barely knew. Still, he saw nothing but fear and inexperience written all over the kid's face. There was no way he got into this business knowing what was up. His and his uncle's interaction earlier had made sense, now. Raditz was trying to look out for his nephew. "It's not a big deal."

"For your sake, you better hope not."

Trunks got up from the ground and dusted himself off. He met Zarbon's glare with one of his own. Dodoria found humor in the whole exchange, indicated by the chuckle. They made their way back to Frieza's mansion, guns hidden beneath their clothes once again. Neither man alluded to whether or not they would tell Frieza. Trunks decided that the lines he fed Zarbon were exactly what he'd feed Frieza later if they did. He could only hope Frieza wouldn't attempt to murder him. He knew his chance of getting out of this unscathed was low. Still, he had to continue to play his part.

Goten practically ran up to his uncle after the 'all clear' was given, and the men returned to work. The look on his uncle's face upon seeing him was that of relief. "Thank God. I had no idea where you ran off too. I was worried you'd run into whatever freaks were firing at us."

"I did," Goten said, his face as white as a sheet. Raditz looked completely shocked. "He let me go."

"What?"

"That's what I asked," Goten breathed out. "It was the most terrifying and surreal experience. The guy…he looked like Auntie Bulma's father."

Raditz's expression turned hard as his mind processed what his nephew just said. Life had been strange since Bulma left the city. He knew that she kept in touch with Vegeta about the baby. Vegeta confided in Raditz that nature of his son's chosen profession. The boy's name was Trunks, and he was an undercover cop. Vegeta promised Bulma, and in turn demanded the same compliance from Raditz, that his son was to remain unharmed. When Raditz pointed out that he didn't even know what the boy looked like, Vegeta admitted to him in a hushed whisper that the child looked like Bulma's father. Despite the fact that his nephews, Gohan and Goten, never met Bulma, they had seen many pictures and heard many stories. They had seen her father on television.

"Son of a bitch," Raditz hissed, remembering that he had caught sight of a bright pink suit. That was that bastard, Dodoria's, signature getup. Even if it was only a flash, Raditz knew that the men who attacked them were part of Cold's employ. "Goten, who you saw and what happened, you tell no one. I will communicate it to Vegeta, but you cannot mention it to the other men."

"Why not?" Goten asked, his brow furrowed. "Uncle Raditz, what's wrong?"

"Goten, for once, do what I say."

Trunks wasn't surprised when Frieza asked to see him in the living room. He assumed that Zarbon decided to tell the gangster what he had observed. There was no sense in denying it or running away. The only thing he could do was face Frieza and pray that everything turned out well. If not, he would most likely be taking a dip in the harbor that night.

He kept his gun on the table and stared at it as he debated what he should do. If he pulled the gun on Frieza, his life would definitely be over without any chance to speak for himself. No, he needed to leave it in the room.

Slowly, he walked through the halls and entered the living room with purpose. Trunks's eyes widened slightly when he saw Kuriza in the room with Frieza and no one else. The officer thought that Zarbon would be there for sure. One thing was certain, though. Anger glistened in Frieza's eyes, and horror and confusion consumed his old friend. "Mr. Cold," Trunks greeted coolly.

Frieza didn't reply, but instead moved faster than Trunks had ever seen a man move. When Frieza assaulted him, he could hear Kuriza call out for his father to stop. Trunks's vision nearly wavered, the pain of Frieza striking him, beating him down, overwhelming his senses.

"Father, stop this!" Kuriza shouted desperately. "Why are you doing this to him?"

"I heard about your little run-in from Zarbon," Frieza shrieked. He punched Trunks hard in the gut which forced the youth to cough up a wad of blood. "How dare you let the enemy go?"

"He was a kid," Trunks coughed out as he tried to pull himself away only to have Frieza grasp his hair and bang his head hard against the floor. He managed speak through gritted teeth. "He was harmless."

"Wrong!"

Frieza practically threw Trunks into the wall, the officer staggered and caught himself on the brick. It was when Frieza drew a gun that Trunks's eyes widened, especially when Kuriza got in between the two of them. Alarm bells rang out in the cop's head. What are you doing? he silently demanded of his friend. He's going to figure something's up!

"What the devil?" Frieza questioned before his eyes narrowed at his son. "Kuriza, move. Do not make me tell you twice, or I'll kill you too."

"Father," Kuriza breathed out, his voice pleading, "this boy is young and not trained in our business. He didn't know. Can't we give him another chance?"

"Kuriza," Frieza growled out in warning, surprised that his son was practically on his knees groveling for some stranger. It was such a humiliation to witness.

"I can train him," the mobster's son offered. "We all can. Please, father."

Frieza put his gun away and walked around his son to regard Trunks. The lavender-haired youth stared at his attacker, dumbfounded, as if Trunks hadn't expected Frieza's son to speak on his behalf. The criminal moved swiftly once again and kneed Trunks in the stomach which caused the officer to choke. Trunks was on his hands and knees; he gripped his abdomen as he tried so hard to catch his breath. "Good news. You survive another night; however," Frieza droned monotonously, "by the time I'm done with you, you'll wish I would have killed you."

The boss turned to his son; heated eyes made the boy cringe. "You can do what you want, but this is his only chance, understand?"

Kuriza nodded to his father before the cruel man took his leave. Instantly, Kuriza was by Trunks's side and tried to help him up. He couldn't believe how violent his father had been with his best friend. Of course, the youth had seen worse, but Trunks didn't deserve that just for letting someone go. "Why did you do that?" Trunks rasped out, though not angrily. If anything, Kuriza thought his friend seemed curious.

"I couldn't just let him…" Kuriza trailed off, not wanting to utter those terrible words. "You're my only friend, Trunks. I can't face him alone."

Trunks managed to smile through his pain, though his eyes conveyed just how agonizing his injuries were. "I'm okay," he attempted to assure Kuriza. "I promise. We'll finish this. We'll take down Frieza for good, somehow."

Vegeta could hardly believe what Raditz told him. Frieza's men attacking while his men unloaded a shipment was alarming enough, but for Goten to see someone resembling Bulma's father… Vegeta knew it meant that his son, the cop, was gearing to take down Frieza Cold. The fact that Trunks was an active part in the shootout meant that Frieza trusted the kid, though if the bastard ever found out that Trunks let Goten go, that would be a problem. Vegeta didn't even want to think what would happen then.

As a result of his concern, Vegeta wrote Bulma to ask her if she heard from their son. The woman grew terrified after that and explained that she hadn't heard from him in a while, and that usually meant he was on assignment, undercover. Then she asked him why. Vegeta lied and told her it was nothing. He didn't want to worry her. If Frieza ever found out Trunks was an undercover agent, or worse, that he was Vegeta Ouji's son, Trunks would be killed without a second thought.

Instead, Bulma drove into the city one day and walked into Trunks's precinct to demand answers. It was a woman named Mai who moved to quell the concerned mother and inform her as to what was going on with the woman's son. Mai brought Bulma into an interrogation room and told her everything—except for who her son's target was—including the fact that she was Trunks's girlfriend and was keeping tabs on Trunks. She told Bulma that her son was okay and alive. Still, Bulma grew worried, not knowing if Trunks was in danger.

Since Vegeta found out about his son's involvement with Cold, he sent his people to keep watch, using the cover that he wanted intel on Frieza's new gunman. He found out through those sources the types of 'training' Trunks endured, and the knowledge made his stomach curl. It turned out that Frieza's son vouched for his son, protected him from death by offering to train Trunks. Kuriza, though, was not the only one to train Trunks. Zarbon and Dodoria had their hands in it, also. They prepared Trunks for much, including interrogation through torture. Vegeta could not get the horrid images out of his head as to what the boy must be suffering. His imagination was awful, though truthfully he had never even laid eyes on his son to see the damage.

That changed when Vegeta was informed by Bulma that no one at the precinct had any contact with Trunks. She visited again to check on Trunks since they wouldn't give her information over the phone for their paranoid reasoning. It was then Vegeta decided to take matters into his own hands. He skulked around Frieza's mansion, gun readied in case he was caught, and found Trunks outside with Kuriza. It seemed that Kuriza was bandaging up a wounded Trunks. Vegeta could not help but be flabbergasted by the idea that the son of his nemesis showed his son any kindness along with the fact that Trunks looked so much like his mother with those same, blue eyes. At the same time, he could see his own resemblance in his son. It was in facial features alone, subtle, but it was there. This…this was his boy?

"I'm so sorry," Kuriza uttered with a shake his head. His apology snapped Vegeta out of his daze. "This is my fault. I didn't think they'd be this hard on you."

"Hey, it's better than being dead, right?" Trunks joked morbidly, and then grinned at Kuriza. "You know, doing this in public might not be the best idea. He might catch us."

"My father never comes out into the gardens," Kuriza admitted. "I don't even know why he has this forest. When I was forced to come here when I was young, I remember trying to get lost in the tall grass, but he'd always threaten to send one of his goons on me if I didn't come back."

Trunks frowned and shook his head. "I'm sorry you grew up like that. I remember you were always quiet when you came back from visiting him. You'd be distant from me at school." Vegeta's eyes widened when he heard that. Trunks knew Frieza's boy since his school days? "Did you ever tell your mother?"

Kuriza looked alarmed. "No!" Kuriza nearly shouted, before he whispered. "Trunks, my mom didn't even know my father was really in the mafia. She thought it was just a rumor. I don't even know how they got together. I mean, it was just a hookup I'm sure, but she always talked about him like he was this kind, suave man."

"Yeah, okay," Trunks scoffed. "She was never even curious?"

His friend shook his head. "I couldn't tell her anything. You were the only one I could confide in. She'd tell him everything I said. When I told her I wanted to be a cop, she told him, and that's why I had to lie and say I wanted him to use me as a mole. That's when he told me he didn't trust me because I didn't have the stomach for this business."

"And that's why I promised I'd do it instead," Trunks reminded him, and Vegeta saw the two boys exchange secretive grins. So much came together, like why their son had been so hell-bent on joining the police force. All this time, he was trying to protect a friend, free a boy who, much like Vegeta himself, was forced into this terrible lifestyle. Vegeta was awed by his son and so immensely proud of him. However, it just panicked him more. Frieza would figure it out. He would see something between the two boys, and he would use them against each other. Even if Trunks kept all of his family protected, his closest friend would be the bargaining chip. There was no doubt in Vegeta's mind that Frieza wouldn't think twice about spilling the blood of his own child.

"So, my father will be leaving soon," Kuriza informed Trunks. "He has a conference to attend for his legitimate business. Do you want to order a pizza and watch some movies?"

Trunks offered the auburn-haired youth an apologetic smile. "Honestly, after my 'training' earlier, I'm really not that hungry. Your father packs a wallop of a punch." Kuriza looked to his friend, horrified. "Don't worry about that. I can take it. You go ahead and order something. I'm just going to go for a walk in the park, stretch my legs a little bit, okay?"

"Yeah," Kuriza murmured, his voice sad. "Okay. Be careful out there, Trunks. I don't know who that Goten kid was that Zarbon mentioned, but if he saw your face and if he sees you again when you're out…"

"I have my gun if I need it," Trunks assured Kuriza, his eyes growing hard. "But I meant what I said. He was just a kid like us, and he only seemed to be on security detail. I'd be surprised if I run into him again."

"Still, just…be safe."

Trunks beamed at his friend and said, "I promise I will be."

Trunks stood up and made his way out of the garden to the outer sidewalks. There was no fencing separating Frieza's backyard from the real world. The forest of trees acted as a wall. Trunks seemed to know the way through, and Vegeta quietly moved behind him.

Vegeta was practically stalking his son and followed him all over the city. He watched from across the street when Trunks took out some cash and paid for a bottle of water from a local vendor. He saw his son stop to watch some street performers play such lovely music before he dropped money in their guitar case. Finally, Trunks went into the park, blended into the dark surroundings. Vegeta was far back from him, but now he wanted to be closer.

Silently, Vegeta followed his son's path, careful as to not let his steps make any noise. Trunks looked up at the trees, perhaps admiring the fall trees surrounding them. Deeper and deeper Trunks went into the wooded area of the park before he finally stopped and simply stood in the middle of the path. Vegeta watched the boy reach for his gun. In a whisper, Trunks stated, "Whoever you are, you've been following me for over an hour." He removed the safety from his weapon carefully and said, "You have three seconds to walk away. If not, I'll end you. One…"

Vegeta smirked. He suspected that the words were nothing but a bluff. "Two…" Honestly, even if it wasn't, Vegeta had no plans on going anywhere. He was ready to meet his son. If Trunks allowed it, he would offer whatever support he could in this endeavor to bring down the Cold bastards. "Three."

Trunks whipped around with narrowed eyes and gun ready, but he was shocked at who he saw standing in front of him. It was none other than Vegeta Ouji, another one of the cities tops professional criminals. He was a different breed, though. Trunks studied all of the cases that were thrown out against this man's organization. Where Frieza's men didn't care who or what they killed, Ouji's group had a pattern, albeit somewhat of an honor code. Never in the reports did Trunks read about them going after the women or children associated with their rivals. Never did they kill unless it was self-defense. His men only shot to injure their adversaries unless it was anyone from the Cold organization. If Vegeta Ouji was there himself, Trunks feared he was coming to end him for targeting his men in the shootout. But something was off about the man. Where was his gun?

"Vegeta Ouji," Trunks called out, unknowingly announcing his father's name. He aimed his gun at him and took advantage of the fact that Vegeta hadn't yet drawn a weapon. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Trunks Brief," Vegeta returned, and Trunks's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "I've been longing to meet you."

Trunks was more frightened now. A million questions fired off in his head. His finger touched the trigger, and he was ready to pull if the man in front of him gave him any indication that he would go after and harm his mother. "How do you know my name?" Trunks demanded angrily. When Vegeta remained silent, Trunks shouted, "Answer me!"

Vegeta simply started to walk closer to the boy and noticed that Trunks's hands were shaking. "Relax, boy," he ordered. "I would never harm your mother. Bulma and I go way back."

The puzzle pieces fit together almost instantly, and Trunks immediately lowered his weapon. His curious, aqua eyes met Vegeta's dark orbs. All those times Trunks eavesdropped on his mother came rushing back to him, about how his father was a mobster and how the man never wanted to be a part of that world. Whoever he was, his father wanted him and Bulma to be safe and sent them to the suburbs to protect them. Trunks's brow furrowed when he didn't detect a lie on the man's face. Could this really be true? "F-Father?"

A smirk splashed itself onto the older man's face, a nod was Trunks's only answer. Trunks dropped the gun in his shock.

"I don't believe this," Trunks marveled as he sat on a park bench next to the man who gave him life. The youth turned to face him. "You're really my father?"

Vegeta snickered. "If I wasn't, I would have shot you by now," he remarked blandly. Trunks actually cracked a smile at his dry humor. "So, Kuriza is the reason you wanted to be a cop." The officer froze, paralyzed that the man just admitted to knowing he was an officer and that he knew about Kuriza. "Your mother informed me of your desires when you were a boy. I overheard you and Frieza's kid talking tonight."

"I had no idea," Trunks started. He swallowed nervously. "If you know I'm a cop, how…how am I still alive right now?"

"Trunks, look at me." The youth did, and he only saw understanding and pride reflected in his father's eyes. "I'm not Frieza, and I'm not my father. I was born into this war and forced to partake. My father threatened your mother countless times and planned to kill her when he found her pregnant. I'm talking to my son right now, not an officer." Trunks nodded, accepting his father's unspoken demand that what he was about to say would stay between them. "I killed him," Vegeta admitted which astonished Trunks. "If I hadn't, he would have killed you and your mother. I couldn't allow that. I loved your mother far too much to let her life be ended like that. That is why I sent her to live with my brother, Tarble."

"Uncle Tarble is your brother?" Trunks gasped. "But, why has he never…?"

"Bulma and I agreed that it was best you didn't know," Vegeta explained. "Honestly, we both feared you wanting to get to know me and making yourself known to my enemies. Tarble took our mother's last name, Kurobushi. I have my father's, obviously. Bulma and I, we raised Tarble in secret and never let my father's rivals know of him. My father truly didn't care what we did with him. I meet up with Tarble from time to time to check up on him, but it's always under the guise of a business meeting. I own a gym, and Tarble advertises for it."

"Whoa," Trunks breathed out, amazed. "I just…this is really all too wild. I feel like maybe I got knocked out really hard in training today and now I'm hallucinating."

Vegeta frowned and crossed his arm. "This is no hallucination, boy. And what the hell were you thinking?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why did you let Goten go?" Vegeta remarked. "You didn't know him, had no idea he's the son of your mother's friends." Trunks's eyes widened. "I know she hasn't told you of Kakarot or his harpy, Chi-Chi. So why?"

"Because he was just a kid," Trunks growled out. "One who seemed clueless. His uncle warned him to ready his weapon, but he never did, and then he ran into me. We were alone for the moment, but Zarbon saw him retreat. I'm not looking to kill anyone on this job."

"You're going to have to if you want to survive," Vegeta stated. "Why would Frieza even put you in that situation? You're new. How did you earn trust so quickly?"

"My first job was to take out a fellow officer," Trunks stated, not understanding why he felt comfortable discussion all this with another career criminal. "He was wearing a vest. We made it look convincing." Vegeta nodded but said nothing more as if he were silently pondering something. "You've been asking me questions, so now I have one for you." His father looked back at him, eyes granting Trunks permission to go on. "Why did you get involved in the mob when I heard Mom say you never wanted to? There has to be a reason."

"There is," Vegeta confessed. "Frieza ordered a hit on my family. My mother, Kalina, was killed in the crossfire. I found out the name of the underling who committed the act and sought revenge." All of a sudden, Vegeta graced Trunks with a hard look. "I'm warning you. If you have any attachments, keep them hidden, even Frieza's son. Blood won't stop him from gunning the kid down in front of you."

"I know," Trunks replied. "That's why I never talk about my family. As far as they know, my mother is dead to me and I have no contact with her. Though…now I'm going to have to think of some other cover in case I ever piss him off again."

"Any other attachments?"

Trunks looked to his father skeptically, still shocked that they were having this conversation. "Actually, yes. I have a girlfriend. She's a fellow officer, but we kept it fairly quiet before I got on the case. The only people who know are those who work in the precinct. Mom doesn't even know."

Vegeta nodded, taking all of that into consideration. "Tell me about her."

Panic and distrust settled in Trunks's heart. "Why?" he demanded. Even though he knew he was talking to his father, there was no telling what he'd do to a cop that wasn't his son.

"Just wondering," Vegeta remarked. "I'm not looking to go after her, Trunks. I wouldn't do that to you."

Trunks believed him, and somehow found himself letting his guard down as he told the man all about her. He explained to Vegeta how they met and how she kept tabs on him during the case, though he hadn't told her any news lately because he knew she'd be worried. Then, when Trunks was done, Vegeta gave him a promise. "No one in my employ will ever hurt the woman if she ever crosses paths with us. What does the woman look like?"

Trunks was uncertain. "Father…"

"I need to know so that I can look out for her," Vegeta pointed out. "Again I say, she will not be harmed. I wouldn't put you through what my father did to your mother and me."

"Wow," Trunks whispered.

Vegeta caught it, his brow raised. "What?"

"Just…you're nothing like I expected," Trunks confessed. A small smile graced his features. "Ironically, I'm glad you're on my side."

With that, Trunks stood up after he stated that he needed to head back, and then he walked away. Vegeta watched him without saying anything in response. He waited and listened to Trunks's footsteps until they disappeared. Once alone, his lips curved into a smirk. I'll always be on your side, he mentally promised.

A/N: And now, father and son have met. Frieza is showing his true colors because of Trunks's kind and moral nature. Trust is easily broken in this business, but Trunks will get by. He's a tough one!

And now, review response time!

Guest: Yup, it was quite the time skip, but we're in the major plot of the story. Glad you enjoyed it!

EFRI14: I hope the first meeting between father and son was to your liking :)

AnotherFan101: It's funny everyone was so ready for Trunks and Vegeta to meet and that's exactly what happened in this chapter. Hope you liked it ^_^