The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)

It didn't take very long for Aimee to regain most of her strength back. When she woke up the very next day she did feel better and not so groggy. To her disappointment though, Frieza wasn't with her in bed when she got up. Which was strange because she thought after their intense conversation they had the night before that he'd still be there with her in the morning. She could tell there was more he wanted to say. But for whatever reason; he didn't.

Even Aimee will admit, there was so much more she wanted to say to him. She certainly was a bit caught off guard when he told her he was sending her home. She was being honest when she told him she was happy to hear it. Yet, a part of her was feeling crushed about it too. Because she knew there was a good chance she may never see him again. A sharp pang shot through her heart while thinking about it.

The doors slid open, and she thought he may have come back. Only to see it was Berryblue and she had a trey of food with her. Aimee smiled when she saw the alien woman, whom she started to see as a friend during her time onboard.

"Hey, Berryblue." Aimee said.

Berryblue floated over to the side of the bed she was on with a small smile.

"Good Morning, Miss. Are we feeling better today?" She asks, as she hands Aimee the trey.

"Yeah, thanks for asking. Should be good enough to be able to walk. Hell, even if I just end up crawling I really don't care. All I know is I'm not staying in bed all day." She declared.

Amusement danced around in the alien woman's eyes. Because she has no doubt that the young woman would make good on her word.

"Glad to hear it. You were in pretty bad shape when you came in yesterday. Good thing those healing tanks are very fast and efficient." Berryblue replied.

Aimee wasn't too far into her breakfast when she asked her next question.

"Where's Frieza this morning? Was surprised when I woke up and her wasn't here." She said.

"He had to talk with a few of his soldiers. And he had to help prepare for the departure of the servant girls to their Home Worlds." The alien woman replied.

"Wait, they didn't leave yet did they? Because I really wanted to say goodbye to them." The young woman said.

Berryblue shakes her head, "No, no one left yet. So you still have plenty of time for goodbyes."

"Did he say how they are going home? I can imagine it would take quite sometime dropping them off one by one. Especially, if they are all from different worlds spread out all over the Universe." Aimee said.

"We have numerous one man space pods here. It won't be much sparing a small handful of them. The pods will have the coordinates to their perspective Home Worlds. They will all be dispersed at the same time. It's the quickest and most efficient way for both them and us. Because you're right. If we did have to drop them all off one by one, it would be very time consuming. Especially, since we are all very busy here and cannot take that time to do so. So this is the best way." Berryblue stated.

Aimee nods in understanding. She recalls seeing these pods a couple times before. She remembers how they don't look like spaceships at all either. They looked a lot like large metal hamster balls. She almost laughed out loud when she saw the confused look on Frieza's face when she told him this once. Though she was pretty surprised when she saw a couple of them jettisoned out into space from the Docking Bay below. They moved extremely fast, resembling shooting stars as they flew through space. With how fast they go, the girls would be home in no time.

"That makes a lot of sense. Those things move really fast too." She replied.

Berryblue's smile faltered a bit. "I also hear you will be leaving us soon as well."

Aimee gave her a sad smile back. "So he told you that too, huh?"

Frieza's top subordinate shrugs her shoulders. "Lord Frieza confides in me with a lot of things. I have known him the longest out of anyone here. And one of the select few he trusts. I also happen to know that this decision is deeply affecting him."

The young human woman looks down at the trey of food in her lap.

"Believe me when I say; It's affecting me just as much." She says, barely above a whisper.

Of course, Berryblue already knows this. She's well aware that the headstrong girl has deep feelings for Frieza. Just as he does for her. Hell, even Berryblue herself is quite sad to see Aimee go too. But she understood as well. That after these latest events, it really wasn't safe for the human woman out here in space. Even if they were to tighten security, it wouldn't make much of a difference. And Frieza couldn't be with her 24/7 either.

"It is a difficult decision. But it really is what's best. What happened back on Planet Tyrek just proves how unsafe it truly is for you here in space. The only thing that will guarantee your safety, is sending you back to Earth." She says.

"I know, and I am happy to be going back home after all this time. Though I doubt things will ever truly be the same again." Aimee says. Then finally looks up from her lap and back to Berryblue.

"It's going to be hard because...I will miss him. Things may have started out rather twisted between us. But throughout my time here, I saw a different side to him as well. Through all the bad, there were still many times he had gotten me to smile and laugh. And in the end, he saved my life." She finally admits.

"You certainly do bring out a side of him that no one has seen since he was a small child. Even I thought at a time, it was a part of him that had died a long time ago; with his Mother. These last few months, I saw glimpses of the carefree boy he use to be. And I have you to thank for that." Berryblue said.

"Your Welcome. And I'd be lying if I didn't say he brought out another side of me as well." Aimee confessed.

"And that is why your connection to one another runs so deep." The alien woman replied.

They didn't say much more after that. Aimee finished her breakfast and Berryblue said she would escort her to Frieza. She kicked off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She cautiously set her feet on the floor and slowly stood, to see if her legs will support her this time. To her relief, she didn't collapse again, and took a couple experimental steps forward.

When she was satisfied that she wouldn't fall, Berryblue led her out of the bedroom. She brought Aimee into the Main Room. Kikono was already in there talking with Frieza. A couple minutes later, he was dismissed. Aimee approached his high rise chair in the center of the spacious room and came to a stop right before the first step.

He jumped out of his chair and met her down the few steps. Their was an awkward silence between the pair for the next few moments. At this time, Berryblue had left the room to give them some privacy. The silence was broken when he cleared his throat.

"I take it your feeling well today." He stated.

She nods, "Yeah, thanks."

Some more silence follows with both unsure what to say next. At some point, Aimee did speak up.

"I hear your sending the girls home in those small individual pods." She says, as matter of fact.

"Yes, it will be much more efficient that way. We just put in the coordinates and the ships will automatically bring them to that location. For some of them, it may take a little longer than the others. But either way, it will get them to their destination." He said, then paused on what he was going to say next.

"They will get you to your destination too." He finally got out.

Aimee's eyes widened slightly in surprise. This is not how she viewed herself saying goodbye to him. She maybe thought he was going to take her back himself. It hurt knowing he was going to send her off just like that. Frieza could tell she didn't like that answer either.

"So, that's how we're saying goodbye then." She said, a small lump started forming in her throat.

Frieza took a another step closer to her.

"I'm sorry, Aimee. But this is the only way I can send you back. I can't take you myself. My presence on Earth would only send Goku and the others running towards us and most likely stir up trouble." He tried explaining.

Though, it still did little to numb the heartache between them.

She let's out a shaky exhale, "And when did you plan on sending me and the others home?"

That is one question he almost didn't want to answer. But she had to know.

"Sometime later today." He replied.

"That soon?" She gasped.

He nodded, "Yes, the longer you remain out here; the more unsafe for you it will be. It's best to send you back where you will be safe, as soon as possible."

Tears started gathering in the corner of her eyes.

"Is that really the reason? Or is it something else?" She asked.

Frieza went to cup her cheek, but Aimee pulled away, making him drop his hand back down to his side.

"Don't think you're the only one affected by this outcome. Because I can tell you right now, that your not. But when I nearly lost you yesterday, it finally made me realize that this life really isn't suited nor fair to you. Not only that but it...made me also realize just how important you really are to me." He admitted.

"I understand you're reasoning behind it. But I also just can't accept the fact that I may never see you again." She says.

By now a couple tears rolled down her cheeks as she said that last sentence. Something that really tugged at his already battered heart.

"Does it have to be today? Can't I at least have...a little more time?" Aimee added.

Sadness decorated his face, "I fear that will only complicate things further."

She closed her eyes as more tears cascaded down her pale cheeks. At which point, Frieza couldn't hold back any longer and pulled the petite woman into his arms. Aimee weakly wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her cheek against his shoulder. He held her as they stood there for quite some time. In a way, it felt like their whole world was coming apart.

Here Frieza found someone that has awakened his humanity and his heart, and now; he had to let her go. Whereas Aimee had to come to terms that she was letting go of someone who in a way has come to understand her like no one else ever had, and strengthened her own feelings and bond with him. Out of all the inhumanity and cruelty she has come to witness, for some reason this is turning out to be the cruelest outcome of her life.

They spent the rest of their time together while they could. Until it was finally time for her departure. To say Geeta and the others were shocked at these revelations was understatement of the year. Some of them thought it was too good to be true. Especially, after all the hell they have endured over the years under their brutal servitude. It probably wasn't until they were all escorted down to the Docking Bay that it finally became a reality to them.

Aimee never seen Geeta so happy before. The teen was positively glowing at the notion of being able to go home to her family. This is what help numb the heartache and torment for the human woman.

"I cannot thank you enough for all you've done for me and the others. Because of this, I will never forget you, or your kindness, Aimee." Geeta said, as tears of happiness flowed from her eyes.

The older woman pulled the young girl in for a heartfelt hug and could barely contain her own tears. She was surprised when she felt multiple arms surround her and Geeta. Apparently, the other women wanted to share their unending gratitude as well. They never would've thought that such a woman would come to liberate them and give them back their lives and freedom. All this; they owe to her.

"We all thank you and are forever in your debt." Cylia said.

The other women happily chimed in too with their own 'Thanks'.

Eventually, they all parted, and dispersed to each individual pod. A medium size hatch opened above them and one by one, each pod was jettisoned out to space. The last thing Aimee saw was Geeta's tearful smile as she waved goodbye, before her pod followed suit with the others. She then felt a hand encompass hers and her attention was once again brought back to Frieza.

Despite the small smile he sported, pain and anguish were ever present in his gaze.

"The coordinates we put into your pod should send you straight to Vegeta's Residence. From here, you should be back in a few short hours. Seeing as we passed back into the Northern Quadrant at some point last night while you slept." He said.

He led her over to the pod. Berryblue was there waiting for them. For once, she wasn't sporting her usual grin, and had a somewhat sad look about her. She pressed her hand to the side of the pod's door. A moment later, it slid open with a hiss. She briefly told Aimee which button inside opens the door for when she lands. Not long after, did Aimee pull the small alien woman in for a brief hug before pulling back.

She then turned back to Frieza.

"Can you abide me for one more request?" Aimee said, in a slightly strained voice.

"Yes." He said.

"Please, don't make this our last goodbye. My door will always be open for you." She choked out.

At this point, Frieza didn't care who was watching, as he pulled her in for one last kiss. A kiss they poured every single emotion into. It lasted until they had to pull away for air. He knew he shouldn't give her any hope. But as he gazed into her pleading blue orbs, he couldn't agree on never seeing her either.

"As you wish." He said.

It gave her some reassurance and hope to hear that. Eventually, she got her legs moving again, and she was able to duck down into the pod. She was a bit claustrophobic so the small space inside didn't help much. But Berryblue told her there was a system in there that projected sleeping gas into the pod for long trips. She reached in and activated it real quick for Aimee before the door closed all the way.

Aimee's last vision before she fell asleep was that of Frieza's face through the thick glass window of the tiny pod. She was completely out by the time the pod cleared the main ship and headed straight for Earth.

The tyrant only stuck around until the hatch up top completely sealed afterwards. Then he made a quick B-Line for the exit. He power walked all the way back up to his quarters. Frieza made it to one of the large viewing windows near the back of his room, before he had to place his hands on the rim to steady himself. His breathing was rather shallow and his chest hurt.

He was so focused on the pain that he didn't notice when someone else came through the double doors to his room. He then felt a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, child." Berryblue said.

She knew he was hurting. It was radiating from him like a furnace.

"After all we discussed earlier, why didn't you tell her?" She asked.

After a few moments, Frieza finally lifted his head up, and stared ahead out into the void of space.

"Because if I..." His voice caught slightly. "If I told her I love her, it would've just hurt us even more."

Frieza didn't say anymore after that. Just stayed there and continued to gaze out the window. Berryblue didn't leave his side during that whole time.

Don't kill me. I promise this isn't the end for these two. There is always that chance that they will be reunited again. Until Next Time ;)