Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters.

Vegeta casually strode down the stuffy halls of the least likely place he'd ever go. He received a call earlier from the police department—a surprise for certain. A young woman called to schedule a time to ask questions and take a statement about the attack on his men and the murder of his cousin. Normally, Vegeta would deny an officer. After all, law enforcement and his business did not mix. Still, there was something about the woman's tone that indicated she was indifferent. Honestly, she probably just wanted to know if Vegeta knew anything about the gunman who shot up his section of the harbor. Of course, Vegeta knew. He'd lie.

A raven-haired lady approached Vegeta the second he came into view. "Vegeta Ouji," she greeted curtly. "I have some questions for you."

"Do I need my lawyer?" Vegeta retorted, his voice aloof and dismissive. This woman better make his trip down there worth his time.

"Why? Is there a reason you'd need one?"

It was a challenge, Vegeta knew, and that attitude intrigued him. This woman was unlike any officer he ever encountered. Usually, his presence exuded a threatening aura strong enough to disarm even the toughest of men, and his nonchalant, bored demeanor usually grated on them.

"Let's get this over with, Officer…?"

"Mai," the woman replied. "Come with me."

Vegeta allowed Mai to lead him into one of the interrogation rooms so they would have their privacy. She motioned for Vegeta to sit and then asked if he wanted a coffee or water. The mob boss chuckled and shook his head. He was surprised this officer was treating him like an individual instead of the criminal he allegedly was.

Any other person involved in organized crime would be anxious being called down to the station, but Vegeta wasn't bothered. He hadn't committed any crimes, something that irritated those still loyal to his father. He still made deals with other mafia families, smuggled in certain goods (but not drugs which, according to the late Zorn, was the most profitable), and committed murders solely if he had to, and nothing that could be traced back to him. Honestly, his only goal for the accursed organization was to take Frieza down and maintain order between the other families so that there wouldn't be a dangerous mob war. Once Frieza was dealt with, Vegeta would disintegrate the damn organization, and whoever didn't like it could answer to him. He was not afraid.

The other members of the organization were getting restless over Zorn's murder. They demanded blood for his untimely death, but Vegeta could hardly give an iota of a crap. Although it was expected of Vegeta to retaliate immediately, he knew he couldn't. He wouldn't, no matter what pressures he faced. Other than his complete dislike for his father's cousin, Vegeta could not bring harm against Trunks's friend.

When Raditz told Vegeta about Kuriza's 'crime' against the Ouji family, Vegeta felt sick. Kuriza protected Trunks from Zorn. He wasn't an evil, malicious monster like Frieza or Vegeta Sr. He was just a boy who didn't want to see his friend die. There was no other way. Vegeta respected this. That is why he decided that he would eventually tell his men, after some more 'thought', that it was too early to start a war against Frieza. He wouldn't 'commit suicide' for Zorn of all people.

Now that Vegeta and Officer Mai were settled in the room, the woman spoke up again. "Thank you for coming down to the station," she dutifully said with a politeness Vegeta never experienced from law enforcement. "I have to ask you some questions regarding the attack on your employees."

Vegeta crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair. "And you're certain I don't need a lawyer," he haughtily remarked with a smirk that stunned Mai. It reminded her so much of Trunks.

Unbeknownst to Mai, Vegeta caught the glint of familiarity in the woman's eyes before her features sharpened into seriousness. "This is standard procedure, and really you were the victim, so the sooner we get this formality out of the way, the sooner you can leave."

Cocky as ever, Vegeta replied, "Ask away."

Mai opened her mouth for a moment, surprised by his complacency. Finally, her stern mask dissipated, and her eyes filled with fear. She heaved a heavy sigh and bowed her head. Vegeta was stupefied by her reaction. "Please, Mr. Ouji," she breathed out. "Please don't retaliate against Kuriza or Trunks for what happened. This wasn't supposed to happen."

Realization filled Vegeta's eyes, and his expression softened. The confident woman who brought him into the room refused to meet his gaze and shook with apprehension, frightened for her friends, and Vegeta assumed more than friend. He'd asked Trunks about his girlfriend, asked him for a name and description so the kingpin could watch out for her, but Trunks said something so perplexing and then left without describing the woman. This woman, who was protesting on his son's behalf, must be the woman involved with his son.

"You're her, aren't you? Trunks's girlfriend."

Mai finally met his gaze, shocked by the softness of Vegeta Ouji's voice when he mentioned Trunks. He didn't sound angry or dangerous in that moment, and he wasn't trying to manipulate her with words. His dark eyes reminded her so much of Trunks's—open enough, but heavily guarded to protect his secrets.

"Trunks said he told you about me, somewhat," Mai revealed. "He said…he told me he believed you'd be on our side. I know Kuriza is the son of your enemy, but he was protecting Trunks. Trunks contacted me after… He told me to ask you to spare Kuriza."

Vegeta crossed his arms again as he mulled over the words, the plea. He decided, since Trunks trusted this woman with such a request, that he could admit a little bit to her.

"There is a lot of pressure pushing me to kill him." Vegeta admit this so casually, and Mai gasped, her eyes full or terror. "Good thing I never gave a fuck about any of that. Kuriza protected my son and, if anything, is more like me than anyone else. He has nothing to fear from me. Tell that son of mine he can rest easy. I will not harm his friend."

Mai breathed out a sigh of relief and then smiled at Vegeta. "Thank you, from all of us. This is a delicate operation as it is. Things are…very tense right now."

Concern filled Vegeta's eyes. "Why? They just killed a high-profile target. They should be over the moon, those bastards."

Mai nodded in agreement. "They are, but…" The officer hesitated and wondered if she should disclose information to this mobster, even if it was about his son. "Frieza is…not thrilled that Trunks ended up in a position where he could nearly get 'offed' so easily." The room grew a few degrees colder. "Trunks told me he's back in training. He won't tell me what it entails, wouldn't tell me what happened last time. I just know how these people operate." She left it unsaid that she and Trunks had seen it all before.

So did Vegeta. He remembered the time when he heard his son and Kuriza after one of Trunks's 'training sessions'. It was the night Vegeta met his son for the very first time and he admitted his past to the youth. "Trunks is strong," he attempted to comfort the girl. Mai's eyes held a flint of adoration and faith. Vegeta remembered that look, one reflected in Bulma's eyes whenever she looked at him. "He will be fine."

"I know that," Mai relayed. "He's been through a lot of these cases. He always comes back."

There was a disinclination in Mai's tone, and Vegeta wondered if there was some kind of double meaning to what she said. The way she said it made Vegeta wonder about Trunks's past cases. Were they any easier than infiltrating Frieza's organization? Were they worse? Vegeta shook his head. Nothing could be worse than Frieza.

Kuriza was terrified. Since his self-defense kill, the youth refused to go out at all. As paranoid as it sounded, Kuriza was certain that the second he would step outside, it would be his last moment. Of course, Trunks tried to be reassuring, despite his own demons. Frieza decided to train him hard again, and it always left the undercover detective worse for wear. Still, his optimism and reassurance got Kuriza through the days.

"Hey, this is my father we're talking about," Trunks offered as the two sat in Kuriza room. It was their free day, and Frieza was out with Zarbon and Dodoria meeting with another family head for negotiations. On what, neither Trunks nor Kuriza knew, and with this heavy situation, they did not try to dig for info at the moment. "He won't kill you."

Kuriza sent his friend a withering look. "You don't know that, Trunks," he returned. "He cares about you, obviously, but I'm a Cold. I killed a family member. If he doesn't come after me… The rest of the men will turn on him, Trunks. That's how it works. He needs to keep the peace or it will be anarchy."

Trunks grimaced. He knew Kuriza had a point, and he couldn't shake the words. It was why he tasked Mai with getting in touch with his father to request he not go after Kuriza. The cop was still waiting to hear from his girlfriend, and the anxiety ate away at him. He was able to stave it off, much like he had in other jobs in the past. If he couldn't conceal his turmoil, he'd be dead. It was a learned trait he mastered after so many terrible infiltrations.

At that moment, Trunks's burner phone received a text. He breathed out a sigh of relief and took out the phone. When he read the message, any inklings of doubt he had vanished. A wide smile grew on his face. He flipped the phone around and practically shoved it in Kuriza's face.

"See," he smugly crooned. "I told you we can trust him."

Kuriza breathed out a sigh of relief and laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Good to know."

What neither boy knew, though, was that Zarbon returned from the meeting. Frieza sent him to check up on Kuriza and Trunks. For some reason, Frieza had a feeling. Ever since Kuriza admitted to killing Vegeta Ouji's cousin to protect Trunks, the kingpin suspected that there was a friendship brewing between the two youths. It seemed like, as always, Frieza was correct.

Of course, Zarbon only reached the door at the tail end of the conversation and cursed his timing. It seemed they were discussing something important, but all Zarbon heard was that they could 'trust' someone. It was a line that could be taken out of context, but something didn't feel right about it. Zarbon reasoned that he would need to keep a closer eye on those two. For now, he had nothing to report to Frieza.

It had been a long time since Vegeta last saw his brother. When he left the police station, Tarble called to set up an appointment to discuss the advertising budget for the gym. It was about time to plan a new commercial. The old one was becoming stale.

Of course, this was just a pretense. Really, Tarble and Vegeta wanted to see each other and catch up. It had been months since Bulma called Vegeta and they talked for mere hours. Vegeta wanted to know how the woman was doing. He needed to know she and Tarble were safe, even more so now while his son was in the hands of Frieza. When Tarble called, Vegeta jumped at the chance to meet with him.

After work, Tarble and Vegeta met at a diner to 'discuss their business deal'. They were set up in the back corner, and Vegeta handed the waitress a large sum of money to cover multiple orders and tips. He requested they not be disturbed for they were going to discuss private business. The woman was just so dazed by the sum that she sectioned off the place. The brothers ordered their meals. When the food came, they finally, truly talked about life.

"So, how are you?" Tarble asked, his eyes and voice soft. "It's been a really long time. I wanted to see you before Christmas, but that didn't happen."

Vegeta hesitated, but he finally admitted, "I'm worried." Tarble tilted his head in confusion. "I met Trunks."

Tarble's black eyes widened and then his face twisted in panic. "He's investigating you?"

"That was Bulma's first reaction, too," Vegeta relayed, "when we talked about a month ago."

His brother relaxed. "She mentioned she spoke to you. I thought she meant by letter."

Vegeta shook his head, and then he looked off to the side. He was so full of guilt over the fact that he lied to Bulma. He really needed to talk to someone who knew Trunks and was not a part of the mafia world. "I lied to her," Vegeta confessed, "when she asked me who he was investigating. Tarble…it's Frieza. Trunks is undercover at Frieza's organization."

Tarble paled, turned ghost white. "No…" he breathed out. "How the heck…? He's just a kid… How could they put him…?"

"It's the whole reason Trunks wanted to become a cop," Vegeta explained. "His friend, Kuriza…he's Frieza's son, and he wanted to take his own father down just like—"

There was a silence, but then Tarble finished the line. "Just like you." Vegeta nodded. "I met Kuriza once when I came home early and found Trunks with a friend at home. I never would have guessed…" Tarble watched his brother's expression darken in worry. Vegeta covered it up quick, but Tarble knew something more was bothering him. "What's wrong, Vegeta?"

The reluctant mob boss sighed and met his brother's gaze again. "I shouldn't tell you any of this, and you cannot tell Bulma. At all. Not right now. Not only would it put Trunks's life in danger if she tried to involve herself, but Frieza's men know of our past connection. Everyone does. She needs to keep away. You have to promise me…"

"Vegeta, I promise," Tarble sincerely asserted. "Talk to me, please. What's going on?"

"Kuriza killed Zorn." Surprise flickered over the younger brother's face. "Zorn was going to kill Trunks. It was self-defense. But…"

Tarble flinched. "But Dad's men want to retaliate," he determined. "Are you?"

"No," Vegeta flat out rejected. "I couldn't do that to Trunks. He's already found a way to plead on his friend's behalf. I won't be like our father."

At that, Tarble smiled. "Of course you aren't like him," he assured. "Everything you've done for all of us… Vegeta, I know what you're involved in, but…you've never hurt someone who didn't deserve it. You've never committed full-fledged crimes."

Vegeta snickered. "No, I just make the real criminals think we do. Still can't believe they think we're smuggling illegal merch. If the cops ever caught us, you got me all the necessary permits I need to get out of it."

Tarble shook his head. "How long?" he asked. "How much longer can you do this?" Vegeta shrugged and took a sip of his soda. "Vegeta, you have to get out. You can't keep living like this. I know…I know you have to for certain reasons for now, but how much longer until you can dismantle Dad's business?"

"If Trunks succeeds," Vegeta mused, "then it won't be much longer. Once Frieza is gone, I'd be happy to deal with Father's underlings."

Sensing Vegeta no longer wanted to talk about the business, Tarble changed the subject. "So, you met Trunks. How did it go?"

Vegeta's eyes filled with pride and fatherly love, and Tarble could see just how much the boy meant to him, not that he thought Vegeta would feel any differently. "He's so brave, Tarble," Vegeta remarked, a slight strain to his voice. "I couldn't be prouder of him if I tried. But…" Again, he faltered. If he told Tarble how he met Trunks, his brother would be worried over his nephew's safety. "Trunks…he's made a couple mistakes so far."

"Mistakes?" Tarble questioned. "What mistakes?"

"He let one of my men go, for one thing," Vegeta monotonously replied. "And now, he let Zorn get the drop on him. Frieza put him through rigorous training the day we met, and he's back in 'training' now. You and I both know what that means."

Tarble did. He remembered the type of 'training' Vegeta experienced when their father was still alive. His older brother took the heat from their father and demanded the man not touch Tarble. Not even Bulma knew about that horrific time. "Frieza is just like him, huh?"

"Unfortunately," Vegeta agreed. "Trunks will be okay, though. He's strong and his resolve is amazing. Still, this is why you can't say anything to Bulma. Discretion is needed to ensure he gets through this assignment. Just…I needed someone who knew him to know. Just in case…"

"Don't even think like that," Tarble cut in. "Like you said, Trunks is strong. He'll beat Frieza. I know it."

Of course he would, because Vegeta would make sure that happened, come hell or high water. "Bulma did a good job with him," he told his brother. "Thank you for being there, for both of them."

"How could I not be?" Tarble told him. "You and Bulma were there for me. You're more my parents than Dad was. We're family."

Vegeta nodded and went back to his meal. Tarble followed suit, and a comfortable silence descended upon them. Of course, what neither of the men knew was that one of the servers was not a server at all. The blonde woman was an undercover reporter who planned to write an exposé on the diner for underpaying their wait staff. Right now, she was clearing a nearby table, one that would be far enough away from the two brothers that the clientele would not hear them.

But the woman recognized Vegeta almost immediately, saw him plenty of times when her sister was young. Covertly, she listened in on his and his younger brother's conversation. She paled and went back to the kitchen with the dishes. After she discarded the dishes into the sink, she left the kitchen and headed towards the exit.

"Tights," a fellow employee greeted. "You going on break?"

Tights put on a smile and turned to face the guy. "Yeah, I just need a breather. I'll be in my car if I'm needed." The man gave her a thumbs up, and Tights left the diner.

Once in her car, Tights finally let herself fall apart. She had no idea where Bulma had been all these years, and she never expected that her sister would have a baby—with Vegeta especially. Tights had nothing against Vegeta. He was always a good friend to her baby sister. When he joined his father's alleged criminal organization, though, everything changed. Bulma became more withdrawn and depressed. In the recent years, Tights tried to find her sister on social media only to see that Bulma hadn't touched her profiles since around the time their mother died. Was she really okay?

No, no she couldn't be, not when her son, Vegeta's son, was working undercover against Frieza of all people. Everyone in the city knew of the feud between the Ouji and Cold families. This could only end badly for everyone. Tights needed to do something.

"Come on, come on, pick up," Tights muttered as her cell phone rang. Finally, there was a click. "Jaco? Where are you? I need your help."

A/N: Well, I bet that was an unexpected twist. Who knew Tights was hanging around the city still? And what does she really think she can do? Tune in next time to find out. Hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy. Take care!

Efri14: Yup, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!

AnotherFan101: Can't spoil anything for you yet, but I'm sure everyone can make some predictions after this chapter. ^^' Hope you liked the chapter!