(Continued Day 50…)

Tessa flew towards her condo with a relieved heart. They'd won, defeated Garlic Jr, his men and saved the Earth from his dark water mist; and all without Goku. Krillin had departed the ruined Lookout first, needing to retrieve his bimbo of a girl friend while he still had a chance to save their relationship.

While Kami and Mr. Popo had set about beginning to rebuild, she had watched with growing fondness as Piccolo allowed Gohan to recover against his lap. The boy that she had once see him treat with such roughness was on the receiving end of affection she would expect out of his father; it was truly heartwarming.

An hour later, they had accompanied Gohan home and she had helped to ease ChiChi's unease over the day's events. She could only hope Gohan's punishment for running off would be lessened by the fact that he had saved the world.

Piccolo had accompanied her from there, no words exchanged between them as they sored across the evening sky until they'd reached the space above her home and she had turned to the Namekian. "So, what will you do now?"

The green skinned warrior looked perplexed for a moment before a smirk spread across his face. "Plan my own world domination, what else?"

Tessa laughed, causing his own crooked smirk to soften. "We both know that isn't going to happen anymore."

Piccolo crossed his arms, although the smile remained. "We'll see."

Shaking her head, Tessa felt a familiar flutter. "You wouldn't disappoint Gohan for anything in this world, and we both know it." Their eyes locked again. "Thank you, by the way…"

Confused, the Namek turned slightly from her. "For what?"

Tessa smiled. "For one, saving me from date that couldn't have possibly been worst if he'd tried. And two, for believing that I could help in this fight. I'm not exactly anyone's first pick, you know."

Piccolo shrugged, his eyes focused on this woman before him as he considered his words. "You're welcome, although you were the only one I could reach so my hands were a bit tied."

Tessa laughed, causing his smirk to return. "Well, blame that good luck on my date's genius plan to wine and dine me on the roof of the tallest tower in town." She flipped her hair. "Keep me above the mist."

His expression softened, as a purple hue crossed his checks. "I'm grateful you were there."

Tessa smiled and floated directly in front of him. "Me too." With the slightest hesitation, she closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around his bare shoulders; he tensed immediately. "I thought we were going to lose you again, today."

Frowning, Piccolo floated back, breaking the contact but still staring at her. "I'm not one of you, Tessa."

Tessa for her part simply shrugged off his discomfort and the menacing glare she was now receiving. "Maybe not, but you're not really our enemy anymore, are you?"

With a growl for his answer, Piccolo launched back into the sky; the force of which pulled Tessa forward and a smirk returned to her face. "That wasn't exactly a no."

Tessa awoke from her dream with a smile. So much had changed from those days and she had received the honor of spending most in Piccolo's company. Rolling over, she scanned the immediate area and found him mediating not far from the landing, his back turned as usual.

As she stood and made her way to the kitchen her thoughts remained on her Namekian partner as she prepared for the day.