Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ

Chapter 28: Honesty

Vegeta watched warily from the other side of Bulma's lab. The blond toaster of a 'so called' fighter was passed out on a slab while Bulma, Dr. Briefs and Bardock analyzed the drug that was administered to her.

As far as he was concerned they could throw the robot out with the trash. He didn't trust her. He also didn't like that he didn't know where his wife was at the time she was summoned. When he had called her to let her know that the mission was successful her first response was to ask where he was at the moment. That immediately gave him pause because she should have been excited about her pet project but instead her first priority was his own whereabouts. He told her where he was and when he asked her why she needed to know that she laughed at his 'paranoia' and said that it was just her wifely concern…he didn't buy it.

She was up to something and he was going to find out what.

The scientists in the room spoke briefly to one another and then they all agreed on something then walked over to 18.

"What's going on?" asked Vegeta.

Bulma excitedly turned to her husband. "Well we cracked his code! The syringe that Gero had administered to 18 was exactly what I thought it was. It was not only a drug to knock her out but also a cocktail that had memory wiping and emotional cancelling properties. It's like a virus that stops those parts of the brain from not only producing cell growth but depletes it. We just created the reversal that will not only kill the virus but grow her memories and emotions."

Vegeta didn't seem to care. "And this is necessary because?"

Bulma scoffed and Bardock spoke up as he began to inject the fluid into 18. "She will be able to give us more Intel on Gero. She's been with him for years and there's no telling what she has seen and heard. Anything would be useful at this point."

Vegeta sighed with annoyance. Anything gained at this point would be better than where they were now. His father was not pleased with the report that was given to him by Turles and his men. Although they discovered his lab, or what was left of it, the human survivors, and the remaining/destroyed bots they still didn't have Gero. Gero, the other android and whoever knows what else was gone. So getting answers from 18 was actually needed. But he still didn't like or trusted her.

Moments later 18 startled awake and set up.

Bulma rushed to her side trying to calm her down. "It's ok you are safe."

18 touched her neck then grabbed her head as pain shot through her brain. "My brother…where's my brother?"

"That's what we would like to know." Vegeta said loud enough for everyone to hear.

18 ignored her pain and looked wide eyed at Bulma. "We have to find him! Gero that monster, he….he…" 18 stilled her talking as she noticed her vision getting blurry. She reached up to the corner of her eyes and felt wetness. "I'm crying?"

"You couldn't before?" asked moving closer and examining her retinas with a small light.

18 winced at the extra light that wasn't helping her splitting headache. "No. I…did you guys do something?"

Bulma smiled happily. "Turles found you with the syringe. We were able to make a cure with the contents that you were able to get. It looks like your emotions are returning and hopefully your memories are to come soon."

18 didn't know what to say and broke down into a sob, one that she didn't know she would ever be capable of doing.

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Great you made her pathetic. Now can you tell us something useful?"

"Vegeta she has been through a lot can you give her a moment?" Bulma yelled over her shoulder.

Bardock was getting impatient too. "What do you remember 18?"

18 wiped her eyes and thought about what had happened. "I had talked my brother into going first instead of getting upgrades at the same time. Neither of us trusted him. After he gave 17 the drug he tried to sneak attack me with it but couldn't get all of it in. He said that we had done this many times and he was tired…tired of repeating the same conversation." 18 cried harder as his words spilled out over her lips. "He kidnapped us when we were children and killed our mother right in front of us." 18 then cradled her head but gasped as she saw a glimpse of a woman with piercing blue eyes and blonde hair. "I remember my mother."

Bulma rubbed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Go on."

"She…she worked at a junkyard I think. That's where he found us. He wanted us and they were arguing. Then he-"

"Why did he specifically want you?" Bardock interrupted.

18 closed her eyes as waves and waves of memories washed over her. It was starting to make her dizzy and with the pain she could feel herself wanting to pass out. But she knew she had to push through in order to find her brother. "Twins. My brother and I are twins and he needs us for his ultimate creation. This was supposed to be our last upgrades and then he was going to kill us or sacrifice us for his next project." 18 snarled that last part out as she realized that Gero was right. They had the same conversation before multiple times. 17 would always go first and she would be left standing and listening to his twisted plot before she went under.

Vegeta was getting more impatient and started tapping his foot. "What else can you tell us?"

18 snapped her head up to Bardock. "You must be related to Kakarot."

"I'm his father."

"Well Gero built an android specifically for him, Android 16. He's not like my brother and I. He was never human and is nothing but metal. But he's powerful and I'm not sure where he is but your son is in danger."

Pride filled Bardock's chest. "My son will be able to take the challenge."

18 sighed with frustrations. "You Saiyans. I don't like any of you, but I hate Gero more than anything. The worker robots that were there when you found me, they are the ones that have been building the tunnels. Gero has them working 24 hours non-stop. They create new tunnels and pathways and destroy other ones all the time. But they are connected to Gero so if one goes missing or gets caught there is a fail-safe in them."

Bulma crossed her arms annoyed. "Yeah we found that out earlier. We did discover his lab although it was destroyed-"

"No you didn't."

"What do you mean?" Vegeta asked.

"There is another lab, a secret one that holds his projects that he keeps on him at all times. That's where he keeps his special project. I've only seen it a couple times. But it's too big so he wouldn't be able to open it in the tunnels."

"He capsulized it." Dr. Briefs stated.

"Yes."

Vegeta walked closer annoyed with not getting the answers he was hoping for. "How would you contact Gero right now if you needed to?"

18 choked up a bit. "My brother would come find me. Gero tried to keep me in the dark as much as possible. He still needs me. I'm the only thing standing in the way of his project."

Vegeta pointed a finger in her face. "You are not to leave. You are not to go anywhere until I or my father says otherwise is that understood."

18 flipped her hair over her shoulder. "You don't get to order me around-"

"Please." Bulma said not wanting a fight to ensue. "We want Gero just as badly you do. We need your help and when he contacts you we need to be aware of it."

18 hated the Saiyans, but she guessed Krillian was right. She felt like she could trust Bulma. "I will do as you wish and only you. I am grateful for what you have given back to me. I can never repay you for returning the image of my mother to me."

Vegeta scoffed at that. "Bulma a word." Vegeta left out into the hall and Bulma followed. Once they were alone Vegeta crossed his arms and glared warily at his new bride. "I don't trust her and I'm not entirely sure that she shouldn't be executed along with the other traitors."

Bulma's eyes became large at his assessment. "What are you talking about? You are going to kill the other Earthlings?"

"They committed treason. What do you think would happen?"

"Vegeta they are my people. They don't know what kind of a person Gero is-"

"You don't know that. They have all been interrogated and some are protecting him, refusing to give information, and have completely denounced the empire."

"Well maybe if I talk to them-"

"Out of the question!" Vegeta half yelled. "These people see you as a traitor and want to see you executed. There is no reasoning with them."

Bulma wasn't an idiot. She knew that it would probably come to this but she also knew that she still had to try. "And what about their children?"

Vegeta uncrossed his arms and looked away. As horror washed over her face. "Vegeta you can't-"

Vegeta snapped his head to her. "Do you have any idea what would happened if we raised the children of traitors that were executed? Rebellion. That's what would happen. You take care of the problem now before it festers later."

"These are children Vegeta! We can't…we have to do something else!"

"Bulma this is our law! If someone is an enemy to the empire-"

"No! I don't want to hear it! I want to speak to your father." She said determined to go past him.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her back. "Are you mad? Go to him and say what? Beg for mercy for the ones that have pledged their lives to destroy him and everything he holds dear?"

"Yes." She bit out.

Vegeta paused at her tone. He knew that she was now determined and there would be no stopping her. But perhaps he could use that to his advantage. "Hmm. Alright woman I will let it be known that their children will be executed along with them and if they are as emotional as you and the machine in there then perhaps they will consider a proposition."

Bulma raised an eyebrow at him. "What kind of proposition? Vegeta don't shut me out. These are my people. I want to know what could happen to them."

Vegeta sighed annoyed. "I will simply leave the decision in their hands, their cooperation or their children. If they choose for their whole family to die then that is their decision not mine."

Bulma crossed her arms in defense. She didn't care what the parents said, their children shouldn't have to pay for it. "And if they do cooperate what will happen?"

"Servitude. What else? Not here though, more than likely on a planet loyal to the empire with a strong military presence."

Bulma bit her lip and suggested, "What if we send them home?"

Vegeta blinked at her in confusion. "Woman you know that your planet is-"

"Not my planet. But one close to it. Remember when we did the press conference and they showed an image of what I thought was Earth?"

"Yes the planet that Bardock found. Surely you're not suggesting-?"

"Vegeta they are expecting a threat and probably already know the consequences. But if you give them hope, they might be willing to trade anything for it. Complete asylum and an opportunity to go back to the lives they had before. They will give up everything they know about Gero. I know they will."

Vegeta crossed his arms and looked at her as if they were engaged in a mental battle. "So let me get this straight, you want us to waste resources, send a bunch of traitors to a planet they don't deserve and show them mercy when I can easily torture them and get what I need? Mercy? That's what you're telling me to give them?"

"It's not mercy its diplomacy! Everything doesn't have to end in death! Everything was already taken from these people. You said it yourself that I deserved to live because I found a way to survive. Well so did them. And you're not giving anything away for free, they give you information and you give them a ride to a new planet."

"And for the ones that denies the empire and remain silent?"

Bulma swallowed heavily at that. She wanted to save them all but knew that there was only so much that Saiyans could tolerate. She also knew that Vegeta was testing her. This would surely only be the first of many conversations of mercy vs. diplomacy in their marriage. She couldn't appear weak. "If they still deny even after the offer…then execute them, but spare their children."

Vegeta stared at her for a moment longer then nodded. "I will take this information to the king and we will see what he says."

Bulma smiled then kissed him on his cheek.

Vegeta stepped back and glared at her. "Woman no more of your sneak attacks. Anyone could come out at any moment."

Bulma shrugged her shoulders. "So we are married in your culture and mine."

"And we are in a state of emergency. Openly showing affection to you while my soldiers are working over-time is careless."

"Alright fine. Later then." She said with a wink.

Vegeta scoffed as his cheeks turned a nice crimson. "Vulgar woman."

Bulma giggled at that. "And yet you wouldn't have it any other way." She said right before she went back into the lab.

Vegeta sighed and turned to leave smirking to himself in absolute agreement. Everything in Vegeta's life was routine to the point where everyone's actions and responses where expected. Bulma was an unwelcome distraction that turned into a surprising obsession. Battle always excited him because you had to readjust and adapt in order to win. Bulma was the only person that brought that excitement of the battlefield into his every-day life. He never thought he would find a woman that would entice him so. He for sure never thought it would be an alien.

As he walked down the hall towards his father's war room he couldn't help but think about how one day he would be in his war room and his son would be coming to him. Probably with some diplomatic suggestion that will also be influenced by Bulma as well. She was determined to change things, traditions, and rules. He clenched his fist at that thought. Why couldn't she just accept it? Her human sensibilities would be the death of him. They were constantly getting on his nerves and interfering with matters at hand.

As he came to the war room door he halted as a fresh memory came to him. The night she sacrificed herself for him. It was foolish and that's what her emotions always ended up in…foolish situations. And yet, it also kept her honest. Honesty wasn't something that was common in his world. Honor yes. Either you had it or you lost your life because you didn't. This was new territory for him and he appreciated and was annoyed by it at the same time. Unwelcome distraction and surprising obsession indeed.

He went into the war room and bowed to his father who was angrily looking over a digital map of his planet. His mother was in the room as well clearly annoyed. She was probably giving her advice as usual and his father was probably ignoring her as usual.

Another routine.

"Father I have an update with the robot."

His father didn't even look in his direction. "Well seeing as you didn't run in here with an anticipation for battle I assume she has told you nothing useful."

His mother rolled her eyes for probably the millionth time that day. "What did she tell you son?"

"She claimed that Gero has a lab that he actually has been using on the surface."

"That lying wench! There is no way that he could he be hiding a lab up here without us knowing!"

"He has capsulation tech."

The King finally tore his eyes from his map and glared at his son. "He is using my technology against me?"

Vegeta crossed his arms. "It was the Briefs before they gave you the rights. They mass produced it on Earth so it makes sense that he would be using it. "

The king mirrored his son's stance crossing his arms. "Or perhaps my initial theory was correct and I have more enemies than I realize."

Vegeta glared at his father for that. "The Briefs can't control what maniacs use their tech. They are loyal to us."

"These people are not Saiyans they have no honor."

"They are honest and have integrity."

The King was going to say something else but he decided to let his son have his foolishness. He knew that Bulma was doing investigating behind Vegeta's back. It was only a matter of time that this 'honesty and integrity' would blow back into his face.

Cellena had enough with the two men in her life going back and forth. "Did she say anything else?"

Vegeta warily kept his eyes on his father. He was tired of having to defend his wife to him. "She said that he will send someone, probably her brother to come for her. He needs her for some type of project and he will risk retrieving her in order to complete it. We couldn't find his tunnels because his robots were constantly making them and covering their tracks. Which is why every time we thought we had a lead the tunnel would be gone. She will probably give more information later. The doctors are still working on giving her all her memories back."

The king went back to looking at his map. "When this is over you will finish your battle with her and kill her. We cannot have abominations like her walking around."

Vegeta winced at that. Although he would love to fight her and prove his dominance, he knew that Bulma would be opposed. "I was actually thinking that she could be another bodyguard for Bulma."

The King whipped his head back to his son. "You want a traitor to guard your mate? Have you completely lost your mind?"

Cellena smiled amused at her son. "Come now my king. Let us hear why our son has requested such a thing?"

Vegeta tensed and went on. "The android is indebted to Bulma. She believes that Bulma is single handily responsible for restoring her precious memories and somewhat of her life back. As she gains more of her memories her hatred for Gero grows as well as her appreciation for Bulma."

The king half sneered at his words. "So she is loyal to your mate and not to you? Tell me son when this is all over, how many loyalists will you have and how many will your wife have, because it seems to be growing in number by the day?"

Cellena rolled her eyes. "My king you forget that I have my loyalists as well."

Vegeta raised an eyebrow. He didn't think he could ever get used to his mother taking up for Bulma.

The King shrugged his shoulders. "Don't be ridiculous. You have fans, but every one of them is loyal to me."

"As will Bulma's 'fans' will be my King. Besides with these dangerous times and Bulma being an alien, she needs all the protection she can get. Vegeta can very well kill the android later. But right now let us use this to our advantage. No one likes to play bait, but this way we can keep a close eye on her and monitor her when and if Gero contacts her."

The king glanced at his mate then looked back to his map. "Perhaps. Now what of the interrogations?"

Vegeta stiffened at that. This was definitely going to be harder to sell. "They are not budging."

"Torture them then."

Vegeta cleared his throat. "Perhaps there is a different way."

The King growled as he turned off his map and pointed an angry fist at his son. "Now what is it? Do you wish to give them rooms in the palace? Should we give them servants and private cooks as well? I swear by the God of the universe you are starting to get on my nerves with this human foolishness!"

Cellena put a calm hand on her husband's arm. "What is it?"

These were some of the rare times where he actually appreciated his mother. "These people hate us that much is clear. They will never be loyal and we can't trust the information that they can give us even if they are tortured. Threatening them can work but they knew going into their treasonous ways that this would very well be where they ended up. But if we give them something they want, something they truly want, then perhaps they will talk."

"Which is?" The King bit out.

"A planet similar to the one they lost."

"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING?"

"They don't care about losing their lives!" He rebutted. "To them they already lost their lives!"

"They have children, threaten them! Kill a child in front of them if you have to get your point across!" The King yelled back.

Vegeta calmed down a bit hoping that cooler heads would prevail. The more he defended Bulma's plot the more he saw the worth behind it. "They already know where this is heading. They are saying their goodbyes and making peace with death. But if we give them a resurrection then it would change their minds. Even if we spare their children they don't want them growing up in a life of servitude. But to give them an opportunity to live again on their home with their families like they did before, then they will tell us everything we need to know."

The king was quiet for a moment. "Fine tell them this. Grant them even a holographic display of what the planet looks like. Tell them they don't have to worry about being a part of the Empire or us bothering them in any way. Tell them we will put them all on a ship and that they will leave this planet and will never step foot on this planet or any other planet under the Empire."

Vegeta was relieved that his father actually listened to him and that Bulma would be pleased that her plan worked.

…"And once they all have boarded the ship…we will fly it straight into the nearest sun."

Vegeta's eyes widened. Even Cellena was surprised by the cruelty. "My King surely you-"

"Kings oath." The King said with finality. Once the King had put an oath on it there was no going back. The order was done. "Vegeta do not take me for a fool. I know this was your mate's plan and not your own. Next time instead of reminding me that you are mated to an alien, you should remind that alien that she is mated to a Saiyan. We have Saiyan rules and Saiyan laws. The laws states that those who have committed treason are executed. If your mate has a problem with that then she can join them on the trip to the sun for all I care. Now go fulfill my oath."

Vegeta angrily bowed to his father and left out. He wished he didn't say anything because this was much worse. The question of whether or not to tell Bulma was now on the forefront of his mind. If he did he knew that she would find a way to try and stop the order, possibly earning herself a seat on the same ship as her doomed Earthlings. He couldn't let that happen. Honor over honesty indeed…

...

While 18 rested Bulma took the opportunity to meet with Kakarot again outside the palace. They were inside an abandoned warehouse that was used to make ships and was big enough to stash her gravity room for Kakarot. "I have something for you." She said opening up what appeared to be some kind of medical kit.

Kakarot started to sweat profusely in front of her. "Wh-what's in there?"

Bulma glanced at him then did a double take when she saw how nervous he was. "Kakarot is something wrong?"

"N-nothing. What are you getting out of there?" He said obviously scared.

Bulma was still confused by his behavior but still went along with her task and pulled out a syringe.

Kakarot screamed…very un-Saiyan like.

"No! STAY AWAY!"

Bulma blinked at him as he waved his hands frantically in front of her. She then looked at the needle then back at him. "You're scared of getting a shot?"

"Please don't!"

Bulma would have laughed if the day hadn't already been exhausting. "I don't have time for this. Look you are one of the strongest people on the planet and I need to make you stronger. So please stop being a baby and come here!"

Kakarot took a couple steps towards her and shakily raised his arm.

"Seriously Kakarot, as much pain you have taken during training sessions…ridiculous." She said as she injected him.

Kakarot hollered out and Bulma rolled her eyes as she wiped up the little bit of blood that came out. "There all done. You survived!"

"Barely." He mumbled. "What did you give me anyways?"

"It's something I created myself while trying to help 18. It's a little cocktail that's going to help you unlock your emotions."

Kakarot felt nervous at that. "Is it…it's not permanent is it?"

"No! No way. Look it's just a boost or a push. Now-"She pulled out a capsule and launched it onto the ground. The Gravity room appeared and she asked him to step inside.

Kakarot felt like there was something else she wasn't telling him but decided to go along with it anyways. He stepped in and had to grasp the wall as his head started spinning a bit. It got worse and he fell to his knees.

"Kakarot!" Bulma rushed to his side and looked into his eyes. "Are you feeling ok?"

"My head hurts and I…" He started to get flashes at first but then full memories of when he was a child came rushing to him. From his first purge to every fight he's ever had. It was like his mind was open and he could remember everything at once. He stood up and then started to do different maneuvers and fighting styles.

Bulma's eyes followed him around the room. "What are you feeling Kakarot?"

He paused during a certain move. "I remember everything, every fight I've ever been in. Not just my moves but my opponents. It's amazing I…"He stopped then looked down at the ground sadly.

Bulma stood up from the floor and walked toward him. "What is it?"

Kakarot had tears in his eyes. He quickly wiped his eyes and looked down at the wetness as if it was something he didn't know he was capable of doing. "I remember…my victims as well. I…I didn't want to…but I lost control."

Bulma nodded. "I have to get something, I'll be right back." She left out the gravity room and closed the door behind her.

Kakarot felt terrible. He always felt guilty but not like this. This was something else, something more. He didn't know he was capable of such feelings.

"AAAAAHHHHHH!"

Kakarot whipped his head toward the door and ran for it at hearing Bulma's scream. Before he could open it a blast hit him and knocked him back. Then robots…So many filtered into the room. One after the other was coming at him. The moment he would knock one away another came to him.

Luckily for him he remembered how they fought the last time and was able to subdue more of them and more swiftly this time around. "BULMA?" He yelled as he fought. "BULMA?!" He yelled again as he fought and blasted more as he aimed to get to the door.

He had to save her. She was his future queen, best friend to his mate and wife of his friend and future king. Vegeta would kill him if he let Bulma die on his watch.

He gathered energy and blasted all the robots around him away. Then made a run for it but was mowed down again. This time he was pinned down, there were too many. He couldn't move!

"Ahh Kakarot."

He whipped his head around to the voice. Gero. He was staring at him from the side of the room. "You destroyed my planet. And now I will destroy yours….but first…" He snapped his fingers and then two robots brought in the last person he would want to see in this moment.

"CHICHI!"

Chichi lifted her head and wailed in pain.

"What did you do to her? Don't touch her!"

Chichi was breathing heavy as the robots held her captive. "Kakarot my water broke. The baby is coming! I Ahhh!"

Kakarot tried pushing the robots off of him but he couldn't get up!

"LET HER GO! She's one of you! Let her go!"

Gero tilted his head back and laughed. "Let her go? She chose to be with you! The worst Saiyan in the history of the universe! You destroyed our planet and killed our loved ones. So now we have to do the same to you!" He said as he lifted his hand.

"NO!"

"You can't stop me!" Gero yelled as a blast formed, spinning in his hand.

"Chichi! NO!"

Gero released the blast as Chichi screamed to the top of her lungs for Kakarot to save her and her child.

"NOOOO!" Kakarot screamed as his energy released and he knocked the robots away. He ran over to Chichi but it was too late. She was dead.

He cradled her body in his arms and shakily placed a hand on her stomach not feeling any life inside. "No…my mate…my child…"

"All gone. Just like my planet. I would say we are even but you are still breathing."

Tears streamed down Kakarot's face as he kissed his mates forehead and laid her back on the ground. "You…you monster. She was innocent. She had everything taken from her and finally was getting her life back and you…"

Feelings surged through him, energy running up and down his spine as he could barely contain the raw emotions that expanded along with his energy throughout his body. "She loved me…when I didn't deserve it….when I didn't ask for it…even after knowing what I did. She gave me a child…my child…my AHHHHHHHHH!"

He couldn't contain in any longer. His pain, his power…it had to be released!

Kakarot screamed to the top his lungs and cried out as the pain of his loved ones spilled out in waves. Energy flowed nonstop as if never ending. There was an explosion around him but he didn't' care. He didn't care. All he cared about was destroying his enemy and avenging his murdered wife and child.

Once it was all over he opened his eyes and looked around but didn't see Gero or the robots amongst the rubble of the exploded gravity room. Panic started to incase him as he couldn't find his wife's body either.

"You did it."

He turned his head to the voice to the far side of the building. It was Bulma looking at him in shock. "My theory was correct and my assimilation worked." Bulma said as she moved toward him, being careful not to hurt herself on the rubble littered across the floor.

Kakarot looked at her confused. "Assimilation? Where's Chichi?"

Bulma eyed him up and down. "She was never here. It was a hologram I created. I needed to push you."

"What are you talking about?"

Bulma looked around and pointed to some glass on the floor. "Look at your reflection." She said happily.

Kakarot took a step forward and almost jumped back. He saw the blond hair and teal eyes that he had only seen on two other Saiyans reflecting back on him.

He absent mindedly touched his hair. "I'm a-"

"-Super Saiyan."

He and Bulma both turned to the voice.

Vegeta just flew in from the newly created gaping hole in the ceiling that was created by the explosion. He along with a few other Saiyans felt the power surge and immediately came to investigate.

There were quite a few feelings that should have taken precedence over others. Shock perhaps or possibly anger that someone at a level lower than himself had procured his dream before him. But as he looked around the room and saw what was clearly used to be a gravity room, and seeing his wife who had propositioned to himself not too long ago the prospect of turning him into a super saiyan, there was only one emotion at the top of the list…

Betrayal.

"Honesty indeed."

Author's note: I know it has been a long time! I literally have no excuse so I am not going to even attempt to give you guys one. So anyway I am going to try and finish this story. I went back to read it and I felt like this needs to be completed. So that's the goal and hopefully I can complete the task. Let me know what you guys think of the story and leave a review for me.