Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or the characters

Mai sat in the hospital chapel hunched over the kneeler. Her folded hands hid her face. Her body trembled in her fear. The man she loved had been shot in the line of duty.

The second things went south, Mai got everyone to spring into action, but when Trunks was shot, she dropped everything and raced to the hospital. She was thankful that Special Agent Gowasu hurried her off. He knew where she was really needed. However, when she got to the hospital, there was hardly anything she could do. Trunks was raced into surgery the moment she arrived.

Please, God, she prayed. Please, please let Trunks make it through this.

Mai heard footsteps, but then they stopped. She twisted to look next to her and saw Kuriza. Blood was caked on his clothes, Trunks's blood. Kuriza was incredibly shaky, and one could hardly blame him. His eyes were full of grief, fear, and dread. He could hardly make it to the woman before he fell to his knees.

"I'm so sorry, Mai," Kuriza expressed his regret. "I was so stupid. I shouldn't have involved either of you. I'm sorry…"

Mai stood up from the kneeler and closed the distance between herself and Kuriza. She joined him down on the floor and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Kuriza, it's not your fault. Trunks loves you like a brother and he wanted to do this for you. This is no one's fault but Frieza's. There's news on him, by the way."

Kuriza's gaze shot up to meet Mai's. His eyes were hopeful with a glimmer of cynicism. She smiled weakly at him, prepared to give him the bittersweet news. "Pilaf just called in. With Trunks's cover blown, and Pilaf's close proximity to the mansion, the chief had him come out of hiding. They arrested your father. He's in police custody."

Stunned, Kuriza was stunned. He was certain that his father would have been dead by now since he left the man with Vegeta Ouji. Why didn't Trunks's dad kill his long-time enemy? This conflict had gone on for so long. Kuriza had been hopeful that his father wouldn't leave his mansion alive that night. He shook that idea off. Depending on someone else to end his father was what got him here. Besides, Frieza being in jail and Trunks's father killing an enemy, Zarbon, in self-defense was the best-case scenario. At least Vegeta wouldn't go away for murder.

His heart struck. Murder. That's what his own father would go away for if Trunks didn't make it.

The police chief entered the chapel and saw the two on the floor. Mai noticed him and abruptly stood. "Chief Piccolo. Is there an update?"

"You're needed, Mai," Piccolo firmly stated. "The mother just came in."

Mai grew serious and looked to an anguished Kuriza. "Understood, sir," she said as calmly and indifferently as she could. The crack in her voice betrayed her. "I'll take care of it."

Bulma was a nervous wreck when she got a call from Mai to come to West City General. It was a fifteen-minute drive, but it might as well have been hours.

"Trunks was shot in the line of duty," the officer said, her voice full of both forced professionalism and emotion all at once.

Bulma quickly alerted Tarble. He helped her get into the car and jumped into the driver's seat. As they left the suburb, Tarble's speed increased. Bulma didn't care.

"Trunks was shot in the line of duty."

Bulma didn't even ask for any information from Mai. Now she regretted it because she didn't know what was happening. Was Trunks okay? Alive? What the hell went so wrong this time?

"Trunks was shot in the line of duty."

Tears formed in Bulma's eyes. She'd left Vegeta all those years ago to prevent this kind of thing from happening, and now Trunks could be dying, and neither of his parents were with him.

"Trunks was shot in the line of duty."

Tarble clicked on the radio. The heavy silence in the car plus the rage in his heart did little to help him focus on the road. His mind thought back to Vegeta and the warnings his brother gave him about Trunks's mission. Tarble never believed this would happen. As far as he knew, Trunks was in a stable position. Unfortunately, Tarble knew this type of operation came with risks, and it seemed Trunks's luck ran out with Frieza. The fearful uncle's mind reflected on a conversation he had with Vegeta the month before Trunks was born.

"I need you to look after Bulma and our child," Vegeta pled, and of course Tarble eagerly accepted. He acted to Trunks as Bulma and Vegeta did for him during his own childhood. Tarble helped Trunks with his homework, encouraged the boy to pursue his dreams. The uncle never expected Trunks's dreams would lead him here.

"I need you to look after Bulma and our child."

When Tarble met with Vegeta at the diner, and Vegeta confided Trunks's mission in him, Tarble swore he wouldn't tell Bulma to protect her from worrying. Now, though, he wondered if keeping his knowledge from her was her benefit or for his own guilt over keeping her in the dark.

"I need you to look after Bulma and our child."

Maybe now that Trunks's cover was blown and this happened, Tarble could tell Bulma without affecting the promise he made to Vegeta.

"I need you to look after Bulma and our child."

Tarble sighed. "Bulma," he called softly, testing the waters. Bulma slowly turned her head to Tarble, her knuckles white as they clenched and fidgeted with the straps of her purse. "I'm sorry."

His whispered apology surprised and confused Bulma. "For what?"

Tarble kept his eyes on the road, but his head sunk down past his shoulders. "I knew…" he admitted. "I knew who Trunks was investigating."

"What?" Bulma breathed out.

Tarble nodded. "Back when I met up with Vegeta, he told me."

Betrayal filled Bulma for a second, but she snuffed it out. Of course Vegeta wouldn't want her to know or else she'd be hysterical and she would have blown Trunks's cover. Still, she asked, "Vegeta knew? Why didn't he tell me?"

"Because, Bulma." Tarble hesitated. "Trunks…he was investigating Frieza."

At the mention of her lover's archnemesis, Bulma felt the true extent of the evil man's name. Her body grew frozen, rigid, and ten degrees colder. In a mousy voice, she breathed out, "What?"

Tarble nodded again, though this time his motions felt weaker. "Kuriza, Trunks's schoolmate, he is Frieza's son. The boys planned to take him down together. That's why Trunks wanted to become a cop. For his friend, to free him."

"Oh my God," Bulma gasped. Her heart ached for both boys. "I can't believe it. Why didn't I see the signs? I should have known it was Frieza the moment Vegeta said he couldn't tell me."

"Please, don't be mad at Vegeta," Tarble begged. "He wanted to protect you, and he's been looking out for Trunks. I told you about Zorn. It was Kuriza who killed him, because Zorn was going to get Trunks. Vegeta looked the other way."

Bulma felt so many emotions fire in her heart. Anger, despair, fear, hope, love, and betrayal flared like neurons. It hurt so much she felt like she could suffocate at any moment. "Faster," she mustered out. "I need to see my son."

"You got it." Tarble pushed harder on the gas. The sound of the engine revved. Minutes later, they reached the hospital.

Vegeta was in Trunks's hospital room. He gazed down at his son, unconscious after his brush with death and surgery. The monitor beeped, indicating a weakened heartbeat, but it was a heartbeat nonetheless. The sound of Trunks's breath through the oxygen mask sounded in cadence with the heart monitor. His son was incredibly lucky to have survived.

The bullet hit near Trunks's heart but didn't hit his heart. It got a couple of vessels, but it was a clean shot, and the doctor was able to repair the major damage. The medical team gave Trunks a blood transfusion to replenish what was lost. It would be a while before Trunks would fully heal, but his boy made it. Trunks survived the hit, and he'd recover.

A few tears escaped Vegeta's eyes, and he quickly wiped them away. Thank God his son was going to pull through. The father gripped Trunks's hand tight, the hand a bit cool to the touch from the loss of blood, but thankfully still a tinge of warmth. Vegeta was never going to let Trunks go, not after this, never again.

Kuriza entered the hospital room, having snuck passed the doctors. They said Trunks could only have one visitor as a precaution, but Vegeta didn't give a damn about that. Kuriza finally stood face to face with Vegeta. Earlier, when Vegeta appeared behind Zarbon and shot him dead, he and Kuriza met eyes, but both their concern was getting Trunks help. Now, with all the chaos behind them, Kuriza was meeting with his father's worst adversary for the first time.

Vegeta noticed that Kuriza looked terrified, like he was about to wet himself from fear, probably because of Vegeta's harsh gaze. The mob boss released a puff of air and allowed the tension to release so that he didn't appear like he was about to kill the next person to enter the room.

"Kuriza Cold," he greeted. "It's a pleasure."

Kuriza was taken aback by the kindness in Vegeta Ouji's tone, and Vegeta mentally reminisced how Mai reacted the same way upon their first meeting.

"You have nothing to fear from me," Vegeta assured the youth with words he once told the female officer that day in interrogation. "You're my son's best friend, and you have every right to be here with what you two went through tonight."

Kuriza hesitated, but he slowly moved to join Vegeta at Trunks's bedside. "Yeah, but I'm also the son of your enemy. Doesn't that mean…?"

"If you were gunning for my life, maybe," Vegeta cut in, "or Trunks's. But I know you wouldn't do that, not when you risked your life to protect him from Zorn."

"Trunks said…said you were going to let me walk. I…why?"

"Actually, I changed my mind about letting you walk," Vegeta admitted. Kuriza panicked, but Vegeta held out his hand to silence him. "Earlier today, I went to the station and asked Mai if I could get permission to 'kidnap' you and Trunks and stash you both in a safe house until my father's men got over the attack. Perhaps I should have followed through. Then neither of you would be in this mess." He looked down at Trunks. "Be here."

Kuriza's body trembled, and he shook his head. His shoulders hunched as his fists clenched. "I don't know how he knew," Kuriza murmured. "We were so careful."

Vegeta had some idea since Mai texted him earlier. "Frieza knows. Overheard conversation." There was only one conversation that could have been overheard, and the guilt intensified for the father.

"It was my fault," Vegeta deduced. His admission astonished Kuriza. He didn't think Trunks's father would be the one to blow his cover. "I met with my brother to warn him in case… If things went south, I didn't want…" Vegeta cleared his throat and squeezed Trunks's hand harder. "I should have stayed quiet. Thought we were alone… This is my fuck up, not yours or his."

"No," Kuriza denied. "It wasn't your fault either. Trunks wasn't even my father's target. It was me. All of this was because of me. The day Trunks reached out to me and became my friend was the best day of my life, but it was also the worst day of his. He decided to fight my battle for me, because I was too spineless to do it myself. I should have never let him do this. That bullet was meant for me. He saved my life, and he tried to convince me to run."

Kuriza was whimpering by this point as all of his anguish poured out of him. Vegeta listened, only because he knew the boy needed to let this all out. He was wrong, of course, that this was all his fault. Kuriza never wanted to be part of his father's line of work. Vegeta knew that feeling all too well, and if it wasn't for Raditz and Nappa, Vegeta would have lost himself a long time ago. Kuriza, thankfully, had Trunks. For now, Kuriza could feel his guilt, but by the end of it, Vegeta planned to make sure Kuriza would know just how tough he truly was.

"It was because of me Zorn got the drop on him, and my father hurt him so much because of it," Kuriza continued. "I should be the one in that bed, not him. If he dies…" Kuriza couldn't finish this sentence because he broke down into sobs, fell to his knees, and pressed his face against the bed. He lightly punched the mattress as he wept with Vegeta's shadow looming over him.

"That couldn't be the furthest from the truth," a familiar, warm, and feminine voice reached Kuriza's ears. The boy was enveloped in a hug. Kuriza's head shot up, and he saw a strand of blue hair against his shoulder. His breath caught in his throat. It was…Trunks's mother? "Trunks is a stubborn young man who wanted to help his friend."

"Ms. Brief?" Kuriza questioningly groaned. "Oh God," he wailed again. "I'm so sorry."

"For what, hun?" the woman asked, her voice still full of compassion. "For saving my son from his cousin? For getting him to the hospital tonight? Our son is alive because of you. You're a hero."

Kuriza allowed Bulma to hold him as he processed her words. A hero? Him? He couldn't be a hero. He was weak and cowardly. He was timid and soft-spoken. Trunks was the brave one, the hero, the optimist, and confident one who could always smile, even in the face of death. Kuriza was not like that. He could never be…

Kuriza pulled the gun and took off the safety. He held the gun on his father, only mildly shaky in his stance.

"Put the weapon down," Kuriza ordered. Frieza made no move, and Kuriza's grip on the weapon tightened and grew firmer. "Now!"

Frieza rolled his eyes but finally complied.

"You're going to let us go," Kuriza murmured as calmly as possible. "I have to take Trunks to the hospital, and you're going to let. us. go."

Frieza chuckled sardonically. "What is this? Your Star Wars programs you were always obsessed with? You're no magician. You can't convince me to let you leave, at least not outside of a body bag."

"You don't scare me," Kuriza said with honesty. For the first time in his life, he wasn't afraid.

He could never be…but he did. Kuriza stood up to his father for Trunks. He did defend Trunks when Zorn was going to kill him. Despite Kuriza's guilt and fear, he protected his friend and got him to the hospital in time. Trunks was going to live. He had to.

Bulma released Kuriza as he stood, and then she looked to Vegeta. Her lover was not surprised to see her but did not know what to say. Bulma approached him, and he half expected her to scream at him for keeping her in the dark and slap him a few times. Instead, she took his free hand in hers and laced their fingers together. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and Vegeta released a long, slow breath at the relief that slight pressure brought him. He tightened his grip on her hand and then broke the contact to wrap his arm around her and hug her close to his body.

"Thank you for helping him. Mai told me… The reason Kuriza was able to get him here was because you broke into Frieza's home and prevented him and his second from following."

"What else would you have me do, woman?" Vegeta asked fondly as he pressed his cheek against hers. "He's our son."

Bulma sighed when Vegeta kissed her hairline. She turned to him, and their lips touched for a brief moment. The two nuzzled their noses together as they met their hands on their son's, lending strength and comfort to one another.

"Eh-hem," a throat cleared. Bulma, Vegeta, and Kuriza turned to face the newcomers. Chief Piccolo and Mai were at the door, and it was Piccolo who cleared his throat, red from embarrassment. Raditz and even Tarble entered the room and closed the door behind them. Nappa decided to stand watch outside for any doctors who might give the group trouble.

"We need to discuss what happened tonight and get statements from everyone as soon as possible," Piccolo abruptly declared. "Not right now, but we do. Tonight was a train wreck, and it was not supposed to go down like this, but thanks to the wire recording, we have plenty of incriminating evidence. Death threats, shots fired, an officer down. Frieza is not going to walk from this."

"What about Vegeta?" Kuriza asked determined. "You heard what happened, and forensics is going to pull a bullet from Zarbon. I swear, it was self-defense."

"That's a completely separate matter and case," Piccolo explained. "The forensics team is already there sweeping the area and investigating the body. We'll get there, but like you said, it was self-defense. Right now, it's low on the list of priorities." The chief's eyes shifted to Vegeta. "That being said, don't leave the city."

Vegeta turned to look at his sleeping son, his eyes stern. Then he faced Piccolo. "Not likely. I'm not leaving the hospital until Trunks is awake and discharged."

The chief's expression withered for a moment, but his stern façade returned. Now, his attention was on Kuriza. "In the case against your father, are you willing to testify?"

Kuriza released a bitter laugh. "My father tried to kill me tonight. Of course I'll testify. There's already a target on my back. Better make it worth something."

"We can offer you police protection in the meantime," Piccolo suggested.

"I'll do it," Mai volunteered.

Chief Piccolo shook his head. "You're too close to this case, Mai."

Mai hesitated, and she met eyes with Kuriza. There was a silent understanding between them. "Look, chief, you know that some of the other officers who weren't involved with this operation don't like Kuriza because of Frieza. If we leave him with anyone else…they might try to kill him, and we'll be right back here. You know I can separate my emotions from the case. I can keep Kuriza safe."

"I have another option," Vegeta interjected, earning the attention of the two officers, Kuriza, and everyone else. "I can protect Kuriza."

Piccolo appeared unamused. "I know of your connection to Trunks. He explained it to me once, that his father was in the mafia and sent him and his mother away for protection. But that's just it. You're still mafia, regardless if you're on our side in this one instance."

"Tch," Vegeta scoffed.

Kuriza was a little leery over the offer, especially when he noticed Raditz staring him down. Earlier, though, Kuriza and Vegeta had a good talk. Still, it didn't explain what his motives were to protect him. "Why would you do that?" he asked Vegeta sincerely.

"You and Trunks risked your lives for each other," Vegeta observed. "No matter what, I'm going to honor that friendship." Vegeta then looked to Mai. "You're welcome to join him at the safehouse. I'm sure you'll feel more comfortable then."

Mai nodded in agreement and then looked to the chief. "Well?"

Piccolo sighed. "I'm not thrilled with the idea, but it does seem like the better option."

Vegeta nodded to Raditz. "Take them to Mountainview. Make sure no one follows. Change cars if you have to."

"Noted," Raditz agreed. The long-haired man said to the two, "Let's go. There're clothes there you can change into. We'll check in on Trunks later."

Kuriza and Mai both looked at their friend. Kuriza withered for a moment but approached to bed. He placed his hand on Trunks's shoulder. "Be safe," he whispered.

Mai joined him and gave Kuriza a comforting hug from behind. Kuriza sniffled before he went over to Raditz. The female officer stroked Trunks's hair. Her boyfriend's brow furrowed for a moment, and his lips moved but no sound came out except for his breathing. "Rest up, Brief," she softly murmured. "I expect a full recovery."

Once the three were gone, Vegeta tossed Tarble his keys. His little brother blinked at him. "Can you go to my old place on fifth?" That place was his old home, his getaway from his father's citadel, the place where he and Bulma conceived Trunks. "I need you to get it ready so I can bring Trunks there to recover. I'm sure he doesn't want to be too far away from his friends."

"Gotcha, Vegeta," Tarble replied. "I can do that." Then, Tarble looked to Bulma. She seemed bewildered by Vegeta's offer. "You good?"

Bulma blinked out of her surprise and smiled at Tarble. "Yes, I think we are. Thank you, Tarble, for everything."

Tarble grinned at the woman and then at his brother. He noticed that Vegeta still had his arm wrapped around Bulma. The two had been apart for so long. This bittersweet reunion would be good for them both. Tarble had no doubt that they would get each other through this. "I'll check in later."

With that, Chief Piccolo decided to leave the family be. Once alone, Bulma finally walked away from Vegeta to close the door. She wanted privacy, especially now. Vegeta didn't seem bothered when she walked away. His eyes remained glued to her, though. Bulma couldn't blame him. She'd changed quite a bit in the past couple decades.

"You look good," Vegeta stated after he cleared his throat. Bulma offered him a sad smile, and he looked away. "I…I'm sorry, Bulma."

"Don't be," the woman reassured as she approached him again. She wrapped her arms around Vegeta. The two stood in a loose embrace as she conversed with him. "Like I said, Trunks is alive because of you and Kuriza. I won't lie; I felt a little betrayed that you didn't tell me. Still, I know I would have been a basket case if I knew, and the fact that you were looking out from him helps make it easier."

"Not telling you was one of the hardest things I ever had to do." Vegeta stroked her back and shoulders, a reassurance to him that he really was there with Bulma. "I wanted so desperately to keep Trunks safe, but it was me who nearly got him killed."

Bulma shook her head. "Tarble told me about your meeting, and Mai confirmed that Frieza found out. But even if he hadn't found out this way, there was always the risk. The only one at fault for this is Frieza, and thanks to you he's in police custody. To be honest, I was surprised you didn't kill him too."

Vegeta sneered and averted his gaze. "I wanted to. Oh boy, did I want to. I just figured it would be better if Trunks and Kuriza got to put him away. They deserve justice the way they want it."

Bulma smiled and was about to speak again, but Trunks's voice silenced both her and Vegeta. Even their breathing ceased. "Mom?" Trunks weakly called as he awoke.

The two parents looked over to the bed where their son tried to sit up. When Trunks tried to move his left arm, he groaned and stopped moving. Bulma and Vegeta both went to the side of the bed into Trunks's view. Blue eyes widened when he took note of Vegeta.

"You're…here…?" Trunks mustered before flashes of his rescue returned to his mind.

"Get him out of here, now! Car, outside."

Realization filled his eyes, and Trunks sighed in relief. "You were there," he whispered, but then he grew alarmed. "Is Kuriza hurt?" the officer hurriedly asked as he tried to sit up and hurt himself once again.

Vegeta gently pushed his son back down on the bed. "Relax, son. Everything is okay. You're safe now. You have nothing to worry about."

Trunks calmed as he listened to the soft dulcet of his father's voice. Moments later, he blacked out again, but felt incredibly safe in the presence of both his parents.

Review Responses

daughterofrisingsun: Thanks so much! I never really stopped writing. Just barely had a moment to do so during the summer semester (never try to do school and full-time job at the same time). I'm so happy you enjoyed the chapter and took the time to give feedback. I do have that Italian blood in me, plus Mom and I are big fans of General Hospital soooooo… XD Anyway, maybe when I complete this story I'll rework it a little bit and take your idea into consideration. I am already working on a few non-mafia related works, but again, haven't had time to work on them in ages. Maybe when school's over. For now, FFN is my stress release. ;) Lol! Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D