Thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorited! It means so much. I'm really enjoying writing this story, so please let me know what you think!

—

There was a tugging feeling inside of Isla's chest. It started small at first, sitting at the center, right between her breasts. But this feeling grew, gaining strength until she could hardly stand it. The tugging began to feel like a ripping, trying to rend her soul from her body. A white hot pain shot through her as she felt her energy tear away from her muscles and flesh little by little. When she was completely separated, she realized that she couldn't move or speak. She was totally still, the feeling of herself being taken away.

Then, all at once, she fell back into her body and her eyes popped open.

The first thing she felt when she opened her eyes was the intense dryness of her throat, verging on sore. The second thing was that no matter how much she tried to move her left arm, it stayed in place.

Her eyes traced down her arm until they reached a bulging white bandage that covered her hand and a strap that fit snugly over her wrist, holding it down to the bed. Confusion took over her brain, her arm jerking against the felt strap wildly. The small IV line tinged against the bed as she shook her wrist in an attempt to free it. The shoulder of the hospital gown she was dressed in, drooped revealing the upper part of her chest.

"Hey! Stop!"

The sudden voice caused her to halt her movement. Her eyes scanned the room around her, taking in the soft recessed lighting that bathed it in a blue hue. It looked like a standard hospital room, small bedside table, a portable desk, a sink, a small mirror on the wall. There was nothing out of the ordinary.. except that she couldn't find the source of the voice.

The feeling of something soft rubbing against her bare arm made her jump in surprise. Looking down, she saw a familiar, yet confusing sight. Rex sat purring in her lap, leaning his head into her palm as she stroked down his side.

"What are you doing here, Rexie?" She mused out loud, "Hospitals don't let animals inside."

The cat opened one eye, peering at her.

"This isn't a hospital." He said quietly.

Isla froze, her hand still dangling above Rex's head as he tried to continue the soft pats, but failed.

Her cat just spoke to her. It wasn't some trick of the light either, he opened his mouth and talked. He. Spoke. To. Her. He was right. This couldn't have been a hospital. This was a mental institution.

—

"Don't you ever stop to think, Kakarot?!" Vegeta yelled at the taller Sayian as they stood in Bulma's lab waiting on the blunette to make an appearance with the results from Isla's scan. Bulma had insisted on putting her through her machine when she found out that Isla came from another dimension. She thought that the inter dimensional travel couldn't have been good for Isla's body, so she just wanted to make sure that everything was in order.

Goku just shot him an innocent grin, scratching the back of his head.

"It wasn't on purpose, Vegeta! I never intended to bring her here!"

The prince crossed his arms over his chest, "Yes, you just intended to continue watching her through your private, trans dimensional glory hole."

The other Sayian's eye brows knitted together, frowning at Vegeta.

"Ew, don't be gross, Vegeta."

Vegeta snapped, his finger flying into the Goku's chest in an accusatory manner.

"You're the one being gross!"

"Who's being gross?" A feminine voice rang out from the hallway before a petite blue haired woman entered the room with a small flash drive in hand. Vegeta crossed his arms again and turned his head toward her.

"No one, now tell us if that girl is permanently injured or not."

Bulma waved him off, making her way toward her computer and pulling up the contents of the drive on the screen. Her finger shot to her lips as she poured over the results.

"Huh," she said, causing the Sayians to lean into her words. "Interesting."

After a moment of silence, Goku was ready to burst with anticipation.

"What is it, Bulma?!"

Bulma cast a look over her shoulder before turning back to the screen.

"Oh yea, sorry. She's fine."

The taller Sayian sighed in relief. He hadn't caused her any lasting damage. His chest felt a little less tight knowing that she was ok, however, that tight feeling returned when Bulma tilted her head to the side and let out a, "But..."

Vegeta moved closer to the screen, his pointer finger highlighting a small red dot in the center of her chest.

"What is that?"

Bulma sighed and turned in her chair, "That's my 'but', I can't figure out what it is. Her body has done amazingly well healing from the travel here and whatever that guy gave her was a hell of a drug, but her system has done a fantastic job filtering it out. She's taken this like a champ."

A small wave of pride washed over Goku as he looked at her mapped out body on the screen. She looked strong and healthy, she looked perfect.

"Let's just hope her mind takes the fact that she's in another universe just as well." Vegeta said. Bulma nodded slightly, her lips pressed together in a tight frown.

"Let's hope."

A sharp scream pierced the quiet, causing the Sayians to drop into an alert stance. Goku's breath quickened as he looked toward the door.

"It's Isla."

—

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she pulled her knees up to their chest, trying in vain to get as far away from the cat as possible, but still held down by the strap on her wrist.

Rex's eyes filled with concern as he tried to comfort her.

"It's ok, Isla." He purred, but that only made her fight more. She screamed again as he took a small step toward her. Violent sobs wracked her body as her mind raced with possibilities. She had gone insane and they locked her up in a cell. She was hallucinating her cat and he was actually in her apartment wondering where she'd gone. They tied her down to the bed so she wouldn't try and leave. Now, she was stuck here forever.

"Get away from me!" She cried, pushing the covers that the cat was on away from her with her feet. "Just go away! I'm not crazy!"

She closed her eyes and continued to pull wildly against the bed, willing herself back into her apartment, back into a movie night with Quinn, back into dancing into her living room mirror.

A strong warmth wrapped around her, holding her still with its firm grasp.

"Isla." A stern voice said from above her, "Isla, stop."

She knew it had to be an orderly, coming to calm her down so she didn't hurt herself.

"Let go!" She yelled, trying but failing to pull herself away from the stranger. He was so strong that she could barely wiggle in his hold. The only thing she felt was hard muscle every time his grip tightened.

"Look at me!" The voice demanded. When she didn't comply, the man forced her head back with his hands. Her eyes slowly opened to see a smile. The man it was attached to gazed down at her, his thick black hair going out in every direction as if he hadn't every brushed his hair before, and yet, he was undeniably handsome. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she had met him before.

Immediately, she calmed, narrowing her eyes at the man.

"Have we met before?" Her voice was almost nothing but a small squeak, but he didn't seem to notice. He simply continued to smile.

"I'm Goku and these are my friends, Vegeta and Bulma."

Isla leaned to look over his shoulder at the two other people standing in the doorway. A woman with blue hair stood straight, her matching blue eyes filled with concern, while another man with shorter black hair leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

Bulma crossed the room, pushing Goku out of the way and smiling at the woman on the bed. Leaning down, she removed the strap from around her wrist.

"I'm sorry about that. I just didn't want you to wake up confused and rip out your IV."

Isla nodded slightly, giving a weak smile in return.

"Good call."

Quickly, Bulma cut the tape around Isla's bandage and unwrapped it, revealing an IV port. Goku jumped slightly, his eyes widening.

"What is that?!"

Bulma rolled her eyes, ignoring his question to look up at Isla with an amused smirk.

"You'd think a big strong guy like him wouldn't be so scared of needles, but here we are."

Isla laughed lightly at the thought of someone as built as Goku being afraid of anything.

"You'd think." She agreed as she watched the woman slip the thin tube out of her hand and toss it in a biomedical waste bin. A quick bandaid later and Isla's hand was all hers again.

Spreading and flexing her fingers, she relished in the freedom. Pulling her hand to her chest, she shot Bulma a grateful look.

"Thank you," she whispered as she rubbed the skin on the back of her hand. Bulma just smiled and made her way toward the foot of Isla's bed, her hand falling softly on the head of the small black creature that Isla had momentarily forgotten about. Her blood turned to ice as she remembered the cat talking to her. She opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off by Bulma's voice.

"You said you'd come get me when she woke up."

The cat simply yawned before jumping off of the bed. Isla's face fell as the little thing made its way toward the door without replying to the woman. Maybe she had gone crazy. However, her chest swelled with vindication as the cat turned its head back to the small group.

"You need to tell her right now."

Goku jumped slightly, grinning and nodding at the cat who was narrowing his eyes at the Saiyan.

"We were just about to do that! Don't you worry!"

Isla's confused expression joined Bulma's as they stared at the man nervously rubbing the back of his head and grinning like an idiot in the corner. Rex slunk his way out of the room, his tail grazing the doorframe as he left. Goku seemed to relax a bit as he watched the cat go.

"You're afraid of cats, too?" Isla couldn't help but laugh in disbelief. This dude was huge and could probably crush her skull with his bare hands. Why was he such as chicken?

A blush crept across Isla's face as his eyes connected with hers.

"Uh, well," He started only to trail off and let his eyes fall to the ground like a little boy who had been caught cheating on a math test. "Ya see—"

A frustrated growl emanated from the doorway as Vegeta, who had been completely silent until this moment stepped forward, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. Isla shrank back a bit as he approached her. Even though this man was shorter than her, his large build and ice cold glare sent a small wave of concern through her as he stood over her, however his gaze was fixed on Goku.

"Just spit it out Kakarot! You're wasting everyone's time with this beating around the bush!"

His eyes snapped to meet Isla's, catching her breath in her throat.

"Look, girl," His rasped voice was threatening, "This idiot found a window into your world in cave near his home. One night a man was in your apartment, beating the shit out of you, and Kakarot went through the window, rescued you, and brought you here. You're in a different universe now."

Isla stared blankly at the man, his gaze never wavering in intensity. A laugh built up

in her chest, spilling out of her. The laughter continued, only building, causing her to double over an hold her aching stomach. Tears welled up in her eyes, falling down her reddening cheeks as she fought to breathe through her vomitous convulsions. Bulma pushed Vegeta aside, taking Isla's arms in her hands to steady the girl. Isla's hands reached up to Bulma, copying her actions, her fingers gripping the woman's arms as if she were holding her to the earth.

"Isla! It's ok, Isla. Take a breath!" She shouted, shaking the girl slightly. Bulma felt her concern switch to pity as the cacophonous sound of roaring laughter quickly turned to sobbing.

This sudden outburst of emotion set the Saiyan prince on edge, causing him to glare at Goku.

"Just look at her! You've broken her because you couldn't leave well enough alone!" He whispered harshly as Goku watched on, his fists tightening and his teeth gnashing. He couldn't help her anymore. Maybe this was his fault.

Bulma pulled Isla into the crook of her neck, stroking her sweat soaked hair and gently shushing her.

"You're ok, Isla."

The woman on the bed shook her head violently as her sobbing slowed.

"No!" She cried, pulling away from Bulma to look at her face that was painted with worry, "I've really gone crazy. I'm being punished for something. I'm in a mental institution!"

Bulma gritted her teeth, "No you are not. What Vegeta said, ever so abrasively, is true."

She shot her husband a glare before turning back to Isla.

"My name is Bulma Briefs. You're in my home. I've patched you up and taken scans of your body to make sure you're fine. That man didn't rape you because Goku got to you before he could. We're only trying to help you. You have to believe us when we say that you're in our world now and we're going to get you home."

Isla's breathing gradually returned to normal, fighting off the aftershock of sobs that emerged every now and then. After what seemed like an hour, she lifted her head, meeting Bulma's eyes before looking at the men standing in the corner.

"Are you ok?" Bulma's voice was quiet, as her thumb grazed the woman's cheekbone, pushing a stray strand back into Isla's damp tangle of hair. Isla gave her a shaky nod.

"Yes," She croaked, clearing her throat, "I'm fine."

Maybe it was the sincerity in her voice or that fact that her own cat had talked to her a few minutes prior, but she couldn't help but believe Bulma and Vegeta's claims to her being in another universe. Upon closer inspection, even their clothing seemed... off. Vegeta wore a suit of armor and spandex. Goku wore a... was that a karate training outfit, but in orange? Bulma had on a lab coat over a sweater and a pair of jeans, which seemed normal, but her lack of reaction to the other two made it seem like that's just what they wore every day.

The technology in the room looked strange, as well. Computers built into the walls, keyboards jutting out underneath them waiting for someone to need their assistance. Plus, there was an odd dome shape to the room that she hadn't noticed upon waking up. It was like everything in her universe, but off by a few degrees.

Taking a deep breath, she exhaled and met Bulma's gaze once more.

"Ok," Isla's voice was filled with conceit as though she had just lost a major argument. "I believe you."

"Great." Vegeta stepped forward again, his arms falling to his sides, "Come on. Kakarot will show us to your window and we'll push you back through. Let's go."

"What!" Goku and Bulma both shouted, sharing a look of surprise as they looked toward Vegeta as if he'd just suggested they'd throw her into a volcano. Bulma's surprise turned to a hard glare as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"We're not taking her through tonight! Her body just went through a serious change and you have no idea what it could do to her to go through a portal to another universe twice in a day! She's a human, after all. Not everyone is as indestructible as a Saiyan!"

Goku nodded vigorously, "Yea! What Bulma said! She can't go back yet!"

Vegeta narrowed his eyes at Goku before turning his back on the three and walking toward the doorway. He stopped just as his foot crossed the threshold, speaking as he continued to face forward.

"It's a mistake, Kakarot. Keeping her here is not a good thing."

Bulma turned back to Isla, an over enthusiastic smile on her face as she waved her hand.

"Forget him." She said in a sing-song voice, "He's the Prince of all Sayian's and melodrama. Let's get you into a nice, warm bath and some actual clothes. I bet you're freezing in that gown."

Isla was cold. Why had it taken her so long to realize it? She wrapped her arm around her midsection, nodding gratefully.

"And you." Bulma turned to face Goku who snapped to attention at her command, holding his hands in front of him once more as if he'd been caught doing something he shouldn't. "Go find Whis. We might need him to help us with this."

Goku's face fell, "Aww, why do I have to tell him?"

Bulma crossed the room, raising her fist and knocking Goku on the top of the head with it, hard. Isla winced at the impact, but Goku didn't really seem phased, aside from rubbing the spot she'd just assaulted.

"Ow, Bulma!" He whined, backing away from her. She just pointed a finger into his chest.

"Because what Vegeta said is right. You're the one who brought her here, so you're going to break the news to Whis and Beerus that you've broken a barrier into another universe!"

The man opened his mouth, his face twisted in complaint, only to be met with another raised fist.

"Ok, ok!" He said quickly, raising two fingers to his forehead before disappearing without a trace. Isla blinked, trying to take in what she'd just witnessed.

"He, he just—"

Bulma nodded apologetically, "It's called 'Instant Transmission'. It's not a common thing in our universe either. I'll try not to surprise you with anything shocking like that anymore. How about that bath? I bet you're muscles are aching."

Isla nodded, her mind still racing with incomprehension. Her hands reached up, cradling her forehead as she closed her eyes. She felt as though she was spinning until she felt a smooth hand take hold of hers.

Taking a deep breath and opening her eyes, she saw Bulma smiling softly at her.

"I'm fine," She assured the bluenette, returning the smile, "I just have a question."

Tilting her head, Bulma raised an eyebrow at her, "What's that?"

Isla knitted her finger together and sat them in her lap.

"What is a Saiyan?"

—

Whis was a tall, thin blue man with a long swoop of white hair that openly defied gravity as he stood in font of Isla, looking down at her from his great height. All things considered, he was one of the most breathtakingly beautiful beings Isla had ever seen. The small crowd of Bulma, Vegeta, Whis, Goku, and herself stood in a small courtyard that was hidden from the street by a row of hedges. The sun was setting behind them, bathing the sky in a purplish glow. Again, she felt as though it was just like her sky at home, only maybe a shade or two different in color. That part of this world was growing on her. She enjoyed playing spot the difference.

In the passed few hours, she'd woken up from a coma-like sleep, heard a cat speak English to her, learned about the existence of different universes and aliens, taken a bath, changed into grey sweat pants and a t-shirt that had 'CAPSULE CORP' written in bold letters all over them, and was currently being assessed by an assistant to a god of destruction, or at least that's how Bulma explained him.

Whis clicked his tongue, "Well, Lord Beerus is not going to be happy about this at all. However, he is still asleep and does not need to know about this as long as we can fix it before he wakes up."

Isla was taken aback by how melodious his voice was. He didn't sound nearly as overbearing as his appearance may have suggested.

"What did you say your name was?"

"It's Isla," Isla shifted in the canvas sneakers Bulma had given her, sending her weight to one foot then the other, "Isla Marsden."

Whis's lips curled slightly in a smile, sending a rosy blush across Isla's cheeks.

"You certainly are a pretty little thing, aren't you?" Whis shifted his eyes to Goku who stood directly behind Isla, his body noticeably close to hers. "You did choose wisely, Goku."

Goku's hand wrapped itself around Isla's shoulder, pulling her back slightly. Isla realized that he was pulling her away from Whis. There was something in his demeanor that had changed from the goofy man that Bulma had berated in the hospital room to now. As Isla stole a glance at his hardened face, he seemed... darker.

Whis turned his attention to Bulma who stood beside him, casting a look down to her.

"I'd say your plan of waiting a few days to send her back is the best option. I've heard stories about humans being shredded going through those portals. You are such delicate things."

Isla's breath caught in her throat, her hand flying to it to secure herself.

"What do you mean by 'shredded'?"

Whis gave her another effortless smile, "Your molecules all being torn apart at once, then bursting and sending you into nothingness as if you never existed. I hear the pain is quite excruciating. Honestly, I'm surprised you made it through the first time."

As much as she wanted to go back home, the thought of being shredded dampened her enthusiasm to jump through the portal. Isla sighed.

"So, is there a way for me to go home?"

Whis pursed his blue lips, apparently in thought. His thin fingers tightened around the long staff he held in right hand. After a few moments, his eyes flicked to her.

"Maybe."

Isla's shoulders slumped forward in disappointment, "Maybe?"

Whis shrugged, "We'll just have to wait and see."

Isla felt Goku's hand tighten a bit on her shoulder. She shot him a weak smile. He was trying to reassure her, but her hopes not so high at the moment. Whis approached her, dwarfing her as he neared. Goku's grip tightened as Whis's hand occupied her other shoulder.

"In the mean time, just rest. You're going to need all of your strength."

That was something she could do. She could feel the energy leaking out of her body each moment she stood there. The sun had already worked its way below the horizon and the moon was beginning its climb upward.

"Rest sounds great." Her fingers reached up and rubbed her eyes, stifling a yawn. Whis's hand dropped as he turned away from her and walked back toward Bulma. He muttered something to which she nodded in reply before walking toward Isla and taking her arm in her own.

"I'll take you to a room. It won't be much because I'm having some rooms renovated, but it has a bed and a bathroom."

Isla shot her a grateful look, "Please, I'd sleep on a rock if sat still for too long. I feel like someone's drained the energy out of me."

Bulma simply laughed, pulling the woman along with her as they made their way back into the Briefs house.

—

Bulma must have been out of her freaking mind when she said Isla's room was nothing special. Isla could hardly believe that that was where she would be staying. The moonlight shimmered through the balcony widows, making the place feel cozy and inviting.

"This is actually the size of my apartment at home." She had said, stunned by the sheer size decor of the 'not so special guest room'. "What do the renovated rooms look like? Do you have actual families that live in those?"

The blue haired woman laughed as she handed Isla a key.

"Oh please, you're exaggerating. Here's the key and there's extra clothes and towels in the closet."

Bulma stood by the door as Isla wandered inside, flopping back onto the bed and letting out a loud sigh of contentment. Rolling over onto her stomach, the cold silk of the comforter greeted her.

"I'm gonna sleep forever!" She cried into the thick, downy blanket, her muffled voice causing Bulma to laugh again.

"Well, when you get done doing that, there's a kitchen down the hallway. Help yourself to whatever you find."

Isla rolled over onto her back, sitting up and looking at the blunette.

"Thank you for this, Bulma." Her voice was quiet as she smiled to her new friend, receiving a smile back in return.

"No problem, Isla."

—

She was asleep. She had been asleep for a few hours when Goku landed on the balcony of her room and watched her through the bay doors. She looked so content, her arms framing her head as they lazily reached above it, her body free from any tension, her face completely relaxed.

Leaning against the balcony railing, he dropped his chin in his hand. He hadn't really meant to bring here into his world, but now that she was here, he knew he wouldn't let her leave. The things he felt watching her through the portal was only a small drop in the bucket compared to when she stood right in front of him. She was so small, yet she wasn't as fragile as he'd expected her to be. When he held her in against the hospital bed, he'd sensed a dormant strength inside of her waiting to be unlocked. It was a small, radiating potential that called out to him to free it. He wanted to unlock her.

Maybe that was why he'd been so on edge when Whis was there. The way she looked at him—in total awe of his presence. And he was relishing in the admiration. It made his heart race to think about. He'd never felt threatened by Whis, but he knew the priest could feel Goku's erratic energy spikes when he put his hand on Isla's shoulder.

"Mirror Man."

Goku's head snapped to the side, seeing the small black cat had joined him in his thoughts. He couldn't sense this thing and he didn't like it. He also didn't like that the cat knew more about him than he did about it.

"Hey, Rex." He greeted blankly. The cat walked along the railing, sitting closer to him. His paw reached up as he gave it a short lick and rubbed it along the top of his head.

"I appreciate you keeping your end of the deal," Rex stated, his voice eerily calm as he cleaned his face. Goku scoffed.

"It's easy to do when the other person has dirt on you."

Rex eyed him, a slight smile on his face. He'd seen Goku every time the man had a voyeuristic session through Isla's living room mirror. He sat and watched as Goku watched Isla clean, cook, watch TV, or (the thing that he could tell Goku enjoyed the most) dance around in provocative ways that made the man's eyes dilate in lust. However, he trusted Goku would do the right thing. That's why he knew he could trust him when Isla was in danger.

"I won't tell her," Rex repeated his promise that he'd made earlier to the Saiyan, "As long as you take care of her. She saved me once, so now I'm returning the favor. She's my human and she will be protected."

Goku nodded, echoing the sentiment.

"I can respect that. I have humans, too."

"Goku?"

The two beings turned to see Isla standing in the balcony doorway, a thin blanket wrapped around her shoulders, but dressed in a Capsule Corp t-shirt and a pair of short cotton pajama shorts donated by Bulma. Rex hopped down from the railing and trotted to her, brushing against her as he made his way toward her bed to sleep. Isla let out a small laugh.

"I guess he's just as interested in my bed here as he was in our world." She stepped closer to Goku, leaning her elbows against the railing as she gazed out over the dotted lights of Satan City. "This place is so strange. It's like my world, but slightly off kilter."

The man glanced over at her, "It must be really weird being in another universe."

Isla bit the inside of her lip. Really, she was just trying to wrap her mind around it. She hadn't actually felt the full force of what her situation was.

The two stood in silence, listening to the sound of the quiet night. It reminded Isla of being on the roof top of her apartment and watching her city at night. Almost no one was around, the peace of knowing everything was still made her mind calm. Surprisingly, it was the same feeling here. The presence of Goku only added to the peace. She glanced over at him, watching the breeze tussle his wild hair.

"You know," she grabbed his attention, causing him to fully face her, "I never told you thank you for saving me from Paul."

Goku grit his teeth. So that was the Paul he'd heard about. He hated that son of a bitch. Now, he was wishing he'd just ripped his head off like he'd had the urge to. Isla turned her body to him, pulling her blanket up as it slipped down and closing it tighter in front of her chest. This made Goku pull all of his attention to her, filing away the thought of Paul to seethe about later.

Isla's lips softened into a small smile as she regarded him.

"You're a hero." She said. The statement was simple and one that he'd heard before, but now it felt different as it came from her. Without warning, she closed the gap between them, raising on her toes a bit and brushing her lips against his cheek. His eyes widened at the act, but before anything else could be done, she'd uttered a "Thank you, Goku.", then turned on her heel and made her way into her room, shutting the door behind her.

—

Thanks for reading! Love y'all!