Chapter 2: A new hope

Rena hadn't been home a lot lately but she figured it wouldn't hurt tonight. As she approached her home she spotted Vegetas (since it was very close to hers) and knew that Trunks would be home. Lately, he was the only person she would talk to and they had always been a little sweet on each other before. Bre never seemed to mind though so she gently knocked on the door. Vegeta answered with a harsh…

"Wha-a.…!"

…Before he could finish, he realized it was Rena and stopped. Seeing that she had been crying he quickly turned his head away and opened the door all the way. He knew why she was there so he left it opened and walked away. Rena slowly walked in and shut the door. She found trunks in his room, and he looked a little weary, but as soon as he saw Rena in the doorway he jumped up from his bed and ran to her because he knew that she had been crying. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. Rena hadn't expected this so she was taken back a little, but she soon returned the hug. He was now the closest thing she had and she wouldn't let that go so easily. After the hug ended she sat on his bed and they talked for a little bit while he tried to comfort her. When she got ready to leave she walked to the door but saw him coming right behind her. He gently whispered her name and kissed her on the cheek, she blushed softly and told him goodnight. As she walked through the living room she stopped by the kitchen to check on Bulma (Bre's mother) and then headed for the door. When she got close she heard someone call her name,

"..Rena..."

It was rough yet sad and she then realized whom it came from.

"Don't worry, I was just leaving", her voice rang out bitterly.

She got to the door and placed her hand on the doorknob…

"Wait..."

She froze, why would he be asking me to wait? He can't stand even being around me. She stood there, hand still on the doorknob when he finally looked at her and said,

"Maybe we could talk outside...no arguments," he said firmly.

Rena still feeling uneasy took a deep breath and slowly opened the door to walk outside. He followed. She sat on the swing and pulled her legs to her chest almost trembling in fright and partially because it was cold. He walked over to her and sat on the railing beside it with one leg against his chest and the other hanging feely over the railing.

"I've been thinking...", he started, "about Bre… and myself… and I thought maybe… you could help me…with something"

Rena was very shocked at this statement but still continued to listen intently without saying a word.

"I know I'll probably never see Bre again...

Wonder what gave him that idea, she thought sarcastically.

"But I could still start over...with you."

Now she was really taken back but she still held firm.

"What are you getting at?", she said bluntly.

"A second chance!", he shot back as soon as she finished.

A second chance, she thought, that's right...Goku...dad. (She remembered back six years ago when her father fought with cell and had given his life to beat him. Even after, when they finally gathered the dragon balls to revive him, how he asked to stay so he could train with King Kai, and be ready the next time if he had to fight someone stronger. He has now been spending the last six years training very hard in Snakes Way, and awaiting the day he is able to return home once again.)

Rena hadn't really talked to him in a very long time too, since six years ago. She could talk to him through King Kai if she really wanted to, but she was still upset at him for leaving in the first place. She did get to one last time when he asked to stay in snakes way, but that was it. She also remembered how Trunks and Bre had to carry her off the field kicking and screaming when Goku had asked them to leave because he knew that he was going to die, and he knew that she knew it too. She remembered the crystal necklace he handed her, and how he told her that it held great power that would unleash when she was ready. She also thought back to Bre, and wondered if he knew about her. Then it suddenly hit her as to what Vegeta was "getting" at.

"A father?", she spoke. Not really meaning to say it out loud, she ducked her head. He cleared his throat.

"Precisely " he answered.

At this she sat up straight, "….A chance to learn how to be a dad while being mine till Goku gets back".

She was very shocked that she had said this out loud also, but he still didn't seem to care just nodded in agreement.

"Alright then", she said, "What exactly do you want to learn?"

"Everything", he answered.

"Okay then, we start tomorrow"

He looked up at Rena and for a moment she started to feel uneasy, especially when he said bluntly,

"Tomorrow? Why do we have to start so soon? I didn't say I wanted to start tomorrow anyway".

She was a little taken back but she knew she had to stay firm if she was ever going to get him to open up someday so she replied,

"No you didn't say tomorrow but you didn't say exactly when either so I took it upon myself to set a date and if you don't like it, then tough I'm the one training you so your listening to me now got it?"

At this Vegeta seemed to be a little taken back and Rena sat very uneasy in her chair waiting for his reply. Finally he spoke,

"Whatever."

She couldn't believe what she just heard; he had agreed with her and about her bossing him around too. Vegeta, noticing that she was a little surprised, slowly smiled a kind of half smile, and this time it wasn't because he was about to kill something. Rena just simply smiled back as she watched him get up and go back into the house. Maybe this whole thing with Bre has changed him in some way...maybe things will get better...maybe

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Bright light shown through a windows as Rena slowly opened her eyes. She saw the scenery, but something was different. She suddenly sprung up and sat straight up in bed. She had slept in Bre's room, but how did she get here? The last thing she remembered was talking to Vegeta. He didn't bring me up here did he, she shivered at the thought. Vegeta, being across the hallway, walked by and must have noticed how confused she looked. She saw him but he answered her before she could speak,

"You fell asleep on the swing and something trunks said about how you haven't looked to peaceful or beautiful... something like that, but anyway he brought you up here so you wouldn't freeze outside."

Rena just blushed at the thought that trunks said she looked beautiful and that he had actually carried her up stairs. Vegeta just put on a confused look and then began to walk away.

"One more thing", he spoke up, "when do we start today?"

"Soon"

That was all she could say and he must have accepted it because he left the room. She figured she would go home to freshen up, change clothes, eat something, and then they could get started. Then the thought struck her, what was she supposed to teach him anyway. It was easier just saying that she would instead of actually doing it. At least she had a couple hours or so. She finally decided what they would do and headed home.