Valentine's Day:

Bardock and Gine

He was a Saiyan soldier. He knew his job. He liked his job but there were days like today he didn't like telling Gine about it.

Gine was the bright spot in his life. Her optimism and happy nature were infectious. She wasn't the strongest warrior but she had the strongest heart and that was everything to Bardock.

"So, how long will you be gone?" Gine kept her tone pleasant as she seasoned meat for tonight's dinner. Her body revealed her true feelings. Her shoulders were slumped and her hands kept seasoning the same meat over and over.

Bardock knew Gine hoped he would be home for more than four days before he had to leave again. He expected it, too. He spent more time away than at home in the last eight months. After two back to back trips in space, Bardock thought he would be home for a while but Freeza had other plans.

"Are you gonna punish me for leaving by over seasoning my dinner?"

Gine stopped. She stared at the meat for a moment before transferring it to a pan. She resumed seasoning the remaining meat. "Sorry." Gine was focused now seasoning the meat like Bardock wanted before transferring them to the pan. "How long will you be gone?" she asked again.

"Five weeks."

"And how long will you be back before you leave again?"

Bardock shrugged. "Should be three weeks."

That's what he told her last time but it didn't happen. Gine placed the pan in the hot oven. Cleaning her hands, Gine smiled at Bardock. It wasn't his fault he had to leave again. She wouldn't punish him. She'd love him as she always did. Her eyes sparkled with that joyful optimism Bardock fell in love with. "That means you will be home for Amante Day."

Bardock's eyebrows went up. "Amante Day?"

"Lover's Day. It's a holiday."

Again Bardock was confused. "Planet Vegetasai doesn't have a holiday like that."

Gine dried her hands grinning so happily. "It will when you return. It will be a holiday for us."

Bardock smiled. "All right" He'll play Gine's game. "What do we do on this holiday?"

"We'll celebrate us. The day you return, I'll cook all your favorite meals including dessert." Gine giggled. "I will even decorate our home for our holiday."

Bardock wrapped an arm around Gine. His hand squeezed her firm bottom. "I'm holding my favorite dessert. Do I get to eat you, too?"

Gine's face turned a deep shade of pink. When Bardock flirt like this, Gine became tongue-tied. She didn't know how to respond when he spoke so bluntly. Instead, she giggled and buried her face in his muscled chest.

Bardock looked at the hot oven that contained their main course. With all the meat Gine prepared, it should take a while before it's ready. "How much longer until dinner is ready?"

"The meat should be ready in an hour," Gine's muffled voice answered against his chest.

An hour. Bardock grinned. They can get two rounds in. Bardock picked up Gine and carried her to their bedroom. "Let's spend the time practicing for Amante Day."

Bardock was late and Gine didn't like it. It wasn't Bardock's fault. Bardock was scheduled to return three weeks ago but his mission was delayed. The skirmishes on the planet Bardock was on took longer to settle. The people were resistant and put up a fight. One Saiyan was killed and Gine was stressed the first week when communications went silent.

In the second week, communications resumed and word reached her Bardock was alive and well. Still, Gine worried since Bardock couldn't come home. She received notice of Bardock's return the following week. Bardock was coming home today but the stress of worrying over Bardock caused her to become sick.

Sick on Amante Day. It was the worst timing.

Gine woke up with a fever and terrible headache. She lied in bed for two hours before forcing herself out to care for herself. With it being the cold season, there was a virus spreading through the city. A few fell ill. Worried she caught the sickening virus, Gine went to the doctor.

Gine displayed the usual symptoms for the virus but the doctor wasn't entirely convinced she caught it. Still, he took her blood and gave her medicine.

Gine felt the positive effects of the medicine when she reached home. Feeling energized, Gine prepared celebrating Amante Day with Bardock. Gine decorated the house with red and pink hearts. She even hung a banner welcoming Bardock home. Gine knew Bardock wouldn't approve of all the decoration but Gine couldn't help herself. It was her and Bardock's special day and she was happy after all this time he was finally coming home.

It was during dinner preparation Gine fell ill again. The virus symptoms returned. Gine felt her fever returning and sweat perspire on her face. Despite feeling ill, Gine refused to let this illness stop her from preparing a wonderful meal for Bardock. He deserved it. No matter what, Gine would not let this illness stop her from giving Bardock the welcome home meal he deserved.

"Gine?"

Bardock placed his duffel bag on the floor when he entered his home. He was delayed returning home for three weeks. He thought with the delay Gine would be waiting for him where the pods landed. He actually imagined her screaming his name and jumping in his arms.

She would want to do that but she wouldn't do it because Bardock wouldn't want her to. Affections were for them when they were alone. Though if Gine decided to surprise him, he wouldn't mind this time.

Still, it was concerning to not have Gine run to him now. They were alone now he's home. It would be appropriate. As Bardock looked around his home, he saw the decorations of red and pink hearts and balloons. A banner that read, "Welcome Home, Bardock" hung over the fireplace. Bardock noticed a plate of cookies next to Bardock's favorite chair. There was a card next to it.

Bardock munched on a cookie and opened the card. "Gine loves Bardock. Bardock loves Gine. BadaGine forever." BadaGine, Bardock chuckled at the nickname Gine gave them.

Placing the card down, Bardock entered the kitchen expecting Gine busy preparing their meal.

Wonderful smells of food filled the kitchen but not the wonderful smell of his wife.

"Gine?" Bardock called again. Sniffing, Bardock detected smoke. Opening the oven, Bardock saw a dish of his favorite food still cooking. It was a little burnt so Bardock took it out of the oven. It wasn't like Gine to burn their meals. Gine was an excellent cook.

Concerned, Bardock searched for his wife. Bardock didn't have far to search. He found Gine in bed. Sweat perspired on her face and her cheeks were flushed.

"Gine!"

Bardock rushed to Gine's bedside. "Gine, what happened?"

"Don't come near me!" Gine immediately groaned. Yelling made her head ache even more. Gine rolled over so her back was to Bardock.

Bardock refused her request. He turned Gine around so she faced him again. "Gine, what's the matter?"

Gine pulled away from Bardock. "I'm sick. I caught that virus that has been spreading around." Tears sprang from her eyes. "And on Amante Day, too!" She buried her hands in her face. "I went to the doctor and got medicine. I felt so good I spent the day decorating our home and cooking you a wonderful meal. I ruined your homecoming by getting sick."

Bardock climbed in bed and held Gine close to him.

"Bardock-"

"I've been away from you for two months. You think a virus will stop me from holding you?" He kissed her warm lips. "Kissing you?"

Gine pouted, "I don't want you to get sick. What if you need to go another mission soon?"

"For you, I'll risk anything." He hugged her again. It felt so good to hold Gine in his arms. "And after this mission, I've been guaranteed three weeks shore leave."

Despite feeling ill, Gine couldn't resist snuggling against Bardock. That was wonderful news. "I'm so happy."

"Me, too, but I'm also hungry."

"Go eat without me," Gine told Bardock. "I'll eat later. I cooked until my body wouldn't let me."

"You didn't have to do that, Gine."

"But I wanted to. I wouldn't be happy if you came home and you didn't have your favorite meals after being away for so long. So, please eat. For me?"

Gine's carefree smile. Bardock couldn't resist any request she made when she looked at him like that. "All right. For you."

Gine pulled herself out of Bardock's arms and laid back in bed. "Good. I just want to stay in bed and sleep."

Bardock tucked Gine in. He started to leave when Gine's communicator beeped. Seeing Gine look too tired to answer, Bardock picked it up and answered. Not wanting to disturb Gine, he left the room and took the call.

Minutes passed before Bardock returned. He placed Gine's communicator down and tenderly stared at her. Her face was flushed in a light pink, her wild hair was even messier but Gine never looked more beautiful than she did now. Bardock picked her up. "Come on, Gine. You're eating dinner with me."

"I can't," Gine protested. "I'm sick and I don't want you sick with me."

Bardock kissed Gine passionately. Despite fears of giving Bardock her illness, Gine returned the kiss. She gasped for breath when he parted. "I just talked to your doctor. You're not sick."

Confused, Gine raised her head slightly. Bardock had the biggest smile on his face. "If I'm not sick, then what's wrong with me?"

"Gine," Bardock smiled tenderly, at her, "you're pregnant."