AN: Hello, readers. I'm sorry for the delay, but I'm having a bit of a mild family crisis. It's not that bad yet, but it might slow Serradragon and I down some. Just be patient with us please, guys. Thanks for all your support!

Vegeta anxiously rubbed his neck as he waited with Bardock in the communications bay. He was clean and in actual clothes for the first time since he was captured and it was almost strange. His mind kept going back to Kakarot down in the medbay. They retanked him as soon as they were away from the planet, worried he could have injured himself or the cubs during his fights. Chorri was there with him and was allowed to watch the boys under the supervision of the other crew members. Seba was curious, but he wouldn't let go of either Chorri or Kome.

Kome was outright hostile towards the others, he could see the distrust they had for the cat, and how Fasha and Tora had attacked their tama. No one could blame the cubs, and Vegeta had a feeling Chorri only received the consideration she did because Vegeta had said she was coming with them and the fact the cubs were calmer with her. The older boy had not wanted Raditz anywhere near him, which meant they hadn't gotten the collar off him just yet.

Bardock was glaring at him again. His instincts screamed at him to snarl at the older male for daring to challenge his right to Kakarot, but he knew rationally Bardock was angry and hurt by what Kakarot had been subjected to and not necessarily angry at him for mating with the beta. He spent years looking for his son only to find he was pregnant and mated with two older cubs. Bardock was struggling to come to terms with the fact Kakarot was an adult and in spite of all that had been done to him, perfectly able to be mated.

He couldn't describe the relief he felt knowing Kakarot marked him first. It meant somewhere in the beta's mind, he chose Vegeta as a possible mate and bit him in hopes that Vegeta would see him as a mate as well. Chorri said that Kakarot had killed his partners before, but the prince didn't think that's what happened. There were too many other ways, better ways even, to kill someone than biting that spot. Saiyans only used that place for marking their mate.

A soft beeping from the console alerted them both to an incoming communication. Almost shakily he accepted the incoming transmission and came face to face with his parents.

"Vegeta!" The king and the consort shouted as soon as they saw their son, and the prince had to blink hard to keep tears at bay. "Thank Kalious you're alright!"

"Father, Tatama." His words shake some with the relief he was feeling at that moment. "It's wonderful to see you."

"How are you, Vege? Are you hurt? What's happened?" Yasi stared to question seeing bandages wrapped around under the prince's shirt. The younger alpha fought against the smile that threatened to overtake his face at the sound of the beta's concern. A tear escaped one of his eyes, and he brushed it away before his parents could see it.

"It's nothing. Just a few scratches from before everyone found me. They should be healed soon." He winced when one gave a painful throb.

"I knew Bardock would find you." The king smiled at his friend only to frown at the sight of the general's face. "Bardock, is everything alright? What's your report?"

"If you consider that we found my youngest son while we were looking for your son, then yes. Everything's…just fine." Bardock snarled at the floor. His hands clenched into fists and shook.

The prince winced at the sight of his teacher, and he had to fight against the urge to shift away from the older man. He had suffered through a nasty shock when they found Kakarot and Vegeta, and it was only now that things seemed to be sinking in his mind.

"Kakarot?" King Vegeta blinked in shock. "You found him there?"

"Yes! With two cubs, two more on the way, and mated to your son!" Bardock growled and punched the wall. "He's been there for fifteen years and has gone feral with what he's experienced! When I find out just who gave him that solo assignment, I'll skin the bastard and mount their skull on my wall!"

Vegeta flinched when Bardock stormed out of the room and shut the door behind him.

"Explain."

"I don't know what happened."

"That's not good enough, Vegeta!" The king shouted before Yasi placed a hand on his arm.

"Vege, talk to us. We can figure this out."

"It was like any other combat mission, except they just kept coming out of nowhere." Vegeta explained running a hand through his hair. "It all starts to blur together after the two Ginyus showed up. Nappa distracted the short one and gave me an opening to kill him. He had some kind of psychic ability. I sent him to call for back up and fought Recoome to buy time, and they blew up the ship. I'm not sure how long the fighting went after that." His hand rubbed the place he remembered his injury to be.

"I think it was Zarbon that hit me. It came from behind and damn near cracked my skull. The next thing I know I'm waking up naked in the cell next to Kakarot's confused and...concussed? Hung over? I didn't even notice Kakarot with the gods awful smells and lights."

"I didn't realize he was a saiyan until two guards subdued him. I think they took him to a medical ward, but Frieza distracted me at the time. He explained my "purpose" for being there. When the scientist came back, they discussed what happened between Kakarot and myself. Unknown to them, we mated ourselves while Kakarot was in his heat cycle. From what I can piece together, they drugged both of us and suck us in the same cell while Kakarot was in heat for the express purpose of getting Kakarot pregnant. I don't remember anything between fighting and waking up after Kakarot's heat, not for a lack of trying. Chorri…one of the medics at the base, she suspects the concussion I had mixed the drugs are the reason I don't remember."

"Well the question now is what do you want to do?" Yasi asked after he and Vegeta sat quietly after their son's story.

"What do you mean? I thought that was obvious. I mated him, it only stands to reason I do the honorable thing and take care of him. He's pregnant with my cubs, your future grandchildren." His father spoke up then.

"Son, forget about your honor for a moment, and then tell me if you want to remain tied to Kakarot forever. Bardock is a great friend, but Kakarot is damaged, even he wouldn't demand you stay with his son. Certainly not under these circumstances."

"That's what you're worried about, my mate being damaged." Vegeta growled angrily.

"No, that's not what concerns us, Vege. What we worry about is if you realize what it means that Kakarot is damaged. We have no idea if he can completely recover, son. He might always be dependent on you or servants, unable to help you rule or even raise cubs on his own. You said he's afraid of other alphas? How is he going to cope being around them all the time? What about when you have to leave?"

"And what if I do leave him? How will that help Kakarot?" Vegeta asked. "He trusts me, and if I leave him, it will crush him."

"It's not about Kakarot right now, son. You are just as much a victim here."

"I don't want to hurt him again." The prince said. "It's my fault he's pregnant. If I had been stronger…."

"Vege, no alpha would have been able to stop themselves with what you described. Even if you hadn't gotten him pregnant that first time, it sounds like they would have drugged you both until it happened sooner or later. This isn't your fault."

"I'm still staying with him." Vegeta firmly. "Even if I'm not at fault, I'm staying with Kakarot."

"Vegeta, are you sure? Kakarot's…broken. No one would blame you-"

"I love him!" The younger man snarled at his parents with his tail lashing behind him. "I've been in his mind, he might be broken now, but that doesn't mean he can't be healed either! I know he'll recover! He's gotten so much better ever since we've bonded! I won't have you or anyone else tell me different!"

Silence met his words, and it was only when he slowed his breathing did he realize just what he said. He did love Kakarot, and he wanted to keep him by his side. He knew his mate would get better, it would just take time.

"Alright, Vege." Yasi's quite voice made him look back at his parents to see proud expressions on their faces. He blinked in confusion at the sight of their faces. "We'll wait for you to come home to help. Just concentrate on healing, and we'll see you soon."

"I don't understand…." He said confused by their sudden change of heart.

"Vege, we don't want you staying with Kakarot because you feel you have to out of obligation. I won't lie to you son, it's not going to be easy to help Kakarot get better. And he may never go back to the way he used to be." Yasi said explaining.

"The last thing either of us want is for you to end up resenting Kakarot. That is not something you or him need. You have a long battle ahead of you, Vegeta, if you want Kakarot to be accepted as your partner. No one is going to be pleased with how the two of you mated. The fact you love him….it will help and give you a reason to fight for him."

"I want to know about my grandchildren." Yasi said with a smile. "You said there's two older boys?"

"You are going to love them, Tatama." He said glad his parents were on his side. "Seba is the younger cub and so curious. Kome….he's fierce, extremely protective of both Kakarot and Seba. He doesn't trust easy, but he's so smart. Somehow he and Kakarot hid just how smart both of the boys are." Vegeta explained as he relaxed and told his parents about the boys and Kakarot.

++UH++

Bardock stalked down the hall to the sickbay where his youngest was resting in the healing tank. Several crew members immediately jumped out of his way not wanting to be on the receiving end of his legendary temper.

He closed the medbay door behind him and came to stand in front of the tank. Kakarot was asleep, Chorri having informed them he would try to break out if conscious. Bardock could understand that, being locked in a tank by your enemies and helpless….he'd fight back too. Tension bled out of him as he let his hand rest on the glass and just looked at his son.

Kakarot looked horrible, nothing like the last time he'd seen his son that night. His hair was matted and tangled to the point it didn't even have the style he was born with anymore. He couldn't help but wonder if that was why Frieza never recognized Kakarot as belonging to him or even Turles. It was no secret Bardock had children. Just like it was no secret many of Frieza's men thought all "monkeys" looked the same.

The beta was covered in scars. Claw marks crisscrossed his chest and shoulders, some larger and deeper than others. He could spot burns here and there as well, and his mind immediately went back to that damn video Turles found with the lasers that shot his son. Kakarot had never filled out and achieved the full size his father was so sure Kakarot would one day reach. His son was only barely taller than before he left, his frame far too lean despite the muscle Bardock could see. To most other races Kakarot would appear lean, but healthy, to saiyans he was on the verge of being emaciated. His son had to gain weight, especially if he was going to survive the pregnancy. Dark eyes came back to the massive red scar on his son's neck. He didn't know what that scar was from, he used to know every scar on his youngest. The skin was drawn and raised in some places, signs the wound was hurriedly sewn shut. Bardock felt his chest tighten and his eyes burn. Kakarot had almost died. He was almost too late to save his kyuata.

Bardock sank onto a bench and treaded his fingers in his air as his emotions finally overwhelmed him. Horror at what had been done to his child, happiness he was alive, relief, sadness, rage, regret, confusion…The alpha silently cried not knowing what to do or feel. How was he going to help Kakarot? His son was feral….or close enough to it. Not only that his son was pregnant and tama to two older cubs as well that seemed to be no better than Kakarot with how the older boy snarled and refused to let them close. Both Kome and Kakarot still had suppression collars on. In Kakarot's case, Chorri informed them he'd never had it off in 15 years. They didn't know what his power, while admittedly low, would do. Mostly they were afraid the sudden reintroduction of ki would send him into shock or cause a miscarriage that they weren't equipped to handle on the ship. Kome wouldn't let anyone near him or Seba without getting hostile except for Vegeta and the Matu woman, and she didn't have a key that could unlock it.

Tarro he felt so lost.

++UH++

Kome awoke to the sound of muttered words mixed with slight sobs. He glanced around to see Cat Lady and his brother sleeping beside him before spotting a man near the tank his tama was in.

He was kneeling if the floor with his forehead resting on the glass. His hands were clinched tight into fists making blood drip down into his arm warmers. Clear drops fell from his chin and jaw, and the boy could see the saiyan's shoulders shake.

At first, he wanted to snarl and attack the man for being so close to the injured beta, but the words that were softly being spoken came through.

Blessed Mother

Hear my plea

Take what strength you need from me and heal this fractured soul

Almighty Goddess

Mend the brokenness inside

Allow my son to become whole once more

Merciful Tarro

Your child needs you

Light his path back to his family

The last few lines he heard, Kome recognized. His tama would whisper that whenever he got sick while carrying another cub before Seba was born. The words always made his chest tighten for some reason, and the cub shifted closer to the man in front of the tank.

Alpha had told him this man was Tama's father, and that it was alright to be with him. He didn't attack Tama even when the beta bit him first. Kome wanted to know more about this man.

The boy chuffed in the quietness around them, and Bardock turned to glare at whoever was interrupting his pleading with the Goddess before his expression softened. He wiped the tear stains off his face as he shifted to look at the cub.

"Anything you need, cub?" The man moves so that his back was resting against the tank and he was facing Kome. "You should be sleeping."

What are you doing? Kome signed. He wasn't sure if they were allowed to talk to anyone other than Alpha yet. He wanted to be careful. This alpha spoke like Tama and Alpha. But he and Alpha were hostile to each other.

"You know combat sign?" The alpha asked in astonishment. It was an older style, but Bardock could recognize some gestures from when he taught his younger son many years ago.

Tama…taught me. The boy responded after some slight hesitation. He kept an eye on Bardock as he glanced at the form still in the tank. Is Tama going to be alright? Alpha said he would be… He was worried, too much was unknown to Kome, and he desperately wanted his Tama so he knew things were ok.

"Yeah, he just needs to finish up healing from before." The alpha glanced at Kakarot before shifting back to the cub that had crawled a little closer. "He should be finished in an hour or so."

Good. Kome released a sigh as he settled on the floor. He tilted his head to study the commander while his long brown tail flicked nervously. You are Tama's...father? You look like him when I was smaller.

"Yes I am, cub." Bardock smiled slightly. "That makes me your grandfather."

So… Kome scrunched up his nose in thought. He didn't look like he completely understood. We are family?

Bardock smiled and lifted his hands to sign back hoping it might relax his grandson. We are family. Kome smiled slightly when he recognized the signs.

Are you confused? Bardock asked. Kome nodded.

Tama...he told stories but I was little. I know Tama...but not other words. Bardock nodded understanding, under these circumstances Kakarot wouldn't have been overly concerned with teaching his children a word that had no meaning for them.

I'm your tama's father, his sire. I raised him like he took care of you I think. Kome nodded. Your tama had a female barer, a mother or mama.

Female, like Cat Lady? Bardock had to think a moment about that before he realized Kome was talking about Chorri.

Yes, like her but saiyan, she couldn't raise your Tama so I did. He called me teti. Do you like cat lady?

She looks out for us. Seba likes her, says she's nice. She lets us see Tama more than Bitter One wants. Bardock frowned.

You don't stay with your Tama?

Not always... Kome signed anxiously looking away. Bitter One...he took us from Tama. They don't let us see him all the time.

Bardock didn't need an explanation to know why they would do that. The easiest way to keep a barer under control would be to take their cubs and threaten them. Kakarot would have done almost anything they wanted to keep his cubs safe.

Did they hurt you? Or Seba?

Not often, mostly Bad One... The cub shivered before his hand fidgeted with the collar on his neck. Bad One hurt Tama...that's what Cat Lady said. Bad One hurt us. He took Tama's cubs...Alpha got rid of him.

Does that bother you? Bardock signed before pointing at the silver collar. Kome hesitated but nodded.

I don't like it. It hurt when Bitter One put it on. Alpha and Cat Lady were mad.

Do you want me to take it off? Kome growled a bit and shifted a little further back. I promise I won't hurt you cub.

You didn't answer my question. Kome signed giving his grandfather a distrustful look.

Question? Then he remembered. Sorry it's not everyday a cub knows combat sign. I didn't teach your Tama until he was a little older than you I think.

Seba signs too. What were you doing? Kome signed back with a suspicious look in his eyes. Bardock could see the tips of the cub's fangs starting to peek from his lips.

I was praying cub. That look of uncertainty passed the cub's face again. His hands clumsily made the sign for 'pray' while he looked at it confused. It was clear he didn't know what the sign stood for.

"It means pray, I was asking the goddess to help your Tama." He explained verbally.

Pray? Is that what Tama used to do? Kome signed back. He still wasn't sure he should speak to this man yet.

What did he do exactly? Bardock asked needing more information. Kome's tail twitched from side to side.

When I was little, I could hear him whispering to himself when the lights were off. It was always when he was sick. I recognized some of what you were saying.

Then yes. I'm doing what he used to do. Bardock didn't want to think about what the cub was talking about right now. If he did, he would most likely go into a rage that would scare Kome. I used to pray all the time to find your tama. He had been missing for years, and I kept searching for him whenever I could.

You looked for Tama? Kome had a look of surprise on his face.

Yes. For years. The older alpha had a pained expression flash across his face. I never wanted him to go through what happened to him. No one should have to go through that. I'm so sorry I didn't find you and your Tama and brother sooner. I promise, you'll all be safe now. I won't let anyone hurt any of you. I'll make sure you're taken care of.

You…..want us? Kome asked hesitantly. No one but Tama had wanted them. None of the scientists but Chorri cared about him and Seba. Kome knew that much. He knew they kept him and Seba because of Tama, but he didn't know or understand why. Now Alpha cared about them, but he had a bond with Tama. This man didn't, did he?

I didn't know about you cub, or your brother, but yes regardless of how you came to be I want you. Bardock signed back. You are your Tama's cubs, that's all that matters. You are my family. I will never hurt you on purpose cub. Kome's hand fidgeted with the collar again nervously. He vividly remembered what it was like when Bitter One put it on. And he was always scared it would hurt him again. This man could take it off though. But would he do it or was he trying to trick him? They got rid of Alpha's though, Vegeta wasn't wearing his collar anymore. And hadn't been when he came to the sick place….

Will…..will it hurt…..taking it off…. Kome couldn't help the tremor in his hands as he asked. He knew what the collar could do. It burned Alpha, there were still faint marks on his neck.

It shouldn't. Bardock signed. We can wait if you want cub. I won't force you to let me take it off. There was no deception in his words that Kome could smell. Hesitantly he crept forward and sat on his heels in front of his grandfather, his small body tense. His mind was screaming at him to bolt, that he shouldn't trust this man while his instincts were trying to tell him the same thing he felt around Alpha. Bardock's heart clenched at how afraid his grandson was. He could hear the boy's heart pounding and smell the fear rolling off the cub.

Are you sure cub? He asked giving the boy a chance to back out. Kome just nodded and clenched his eyes shut when the older alpha grabbed the collar on both sides.

"Hold very still, Kome." With a quick flare of his energy, Bardock ripped the collar into. It wasn't the one on Kakarot, but it would due for a start; one less instrument of torture to hurt his family. With a growl Bardock's hands clenched, destroying the remaining pieces. Kome cautiously cracked open an eye and saw shards of silver metal hitting the floor.

Better? Bardock signed to his grandson with a faint smile. Kome hesitantly returned it.

Better.

++UH++

Seba woke up with a small whine as he looked around not seeing his brother, Tama, Alpha, or Cat Lady. He could smell Kome nearby, and he moved out of the room to find the older cub. He didn't know where they were and everything smelled weird.

Peeking around a doorway, he saw his brother talking with one of the Ones that took them away from the Sick Place. He tilted his head in confusion. They were signing to each other. Did that mean these New Ones could be trusted? Hearing footsteps he ducked behind another doorway when one of the really big Ones walked by. They were even bigger than Alpha! Seba didn't think he was as big as that One's foot. Seba's little tail curled around his shoulders as he hoped the Big One didn't see him. He had a lot of hair, but he didn't look very nice.

A different scent caught the small cub's attention. He glanced back at his brother and the other Alpha before following it. It was similar to Tama, and he could smell Cat Lady on the new scent too! It had that same smell that made him feel all fuzzy, like when Alpha was nearby.

Seba spotted a man that looked like a darker version of the man Kome was taking to sitting at console. He had his hands holding his head as he muttered words the boy couldn't completely understand.

He looked back through the doorways to see just how relaxed Kome was with the New One and figured that the look alike was relatively safe as well. He crawled over until he was just out of grabbing distance from Turles and gave a soft trill in greeting.

"What the hell!?" The loud exclamation made Seba scoot back a couple of feet with a slightly guarded expression. His little tail fluffed up slightly so he could try to seem bigger like he saw Kome and Tama do.

Turles blinked a few times seeing the small cub that looked so much like him and younger brother. The older boy had held onto the smaller of the pair so well that he didn't get a good look before. He ran a hand through his spikes as he glanced around for the larger cub. Kneeling in front of the semi-feral cub, he received a curious head tilt and trill from the little cub.

"What are you doing here?" Turles was honestly surprised the cub was willing to approach him. He was certainly a curious little thing. He raised an eyebrow as the cub crouched and brought up his hands.

Why do you smell like Cat Lady?

Turles blinked not sure he actually saw the cub sign. There was a confused look on the little cub's face as he hesitantly put his hands down while his tail twitched anxiously as he began inching backwards. Seba was scared he made a mistake. What if look-a-like wasn't safe?

Hey its okay. Turles signed back slower. You surprised me cub. The smile he received was blinding, and the little cub trilled softly.

Cat lady? Seba asked again with a hopeful look.

"…lady?" Turles muttered to himself. Seba tilted his head seeing the confusion. Did look-a-like not know that one? He got an idea and made ear shapes on his head and mewed at the alpha.

'Chorri.' Turles realized.

She's busy little one. She'll be back soon. Did you need something?

I smelled you. You smell like Tama and Cat Lady! Seba signed back with a small smile and wag of his tail. This was fun! Kome's with other look-a-like, so I followed the smell.

Turles blinked a couple of times at the word for look-a-like. He cocked head to the side and did the sign again before asking. What did that one mean?

The cub huffed as he thought of how to word what he wanted to say. This One couldn't understand everything he signed. His head and tail perked up before he pointed at his face.

The One that looks like me but bigger. Seba tilted his head to the side as he thought. He looks like you. And he smells like you. Turles smiled back. It sounded like Bardock was finally catching a break, and Kakarot's cubs were opening up to him…well one of them anyways.

That is my brother. He is your tama's father, cub. We are family. The alpha chuckled when Seba's eyes got big. Dear Leeke this cub looked as cute as his younger brother did before he got an attitude. He moved to sit on the floor since it seemed to make the little one more comfortable. That's why we all smell like each other.

Family? Like Tama and Kome? The small boy looked confused at the term, and he yawned as he rubbed an eye. He still felt sleepy despite having been asleep just now. Until Alpha, Kome and me didn't have anyone, just Tama. Family doesn't hurt each other?

Turles felt his chest squeeze uncomfortably. He felt horrible that a cub wasn't completely sure as to what family meant. It made him want to gut anyone that was responsible for Kakarot's capture and the cubs being raised as lab rats.

Exactly. His hands were firm and sure. And family always looks out for each other. We also protect one another.

That seemed to make something up in Seba's mind. He slowly crawled closer to Turles while watching him for any negative reaction. The space pirate just looked more amused than anything.

What are you doing, cub? Turles' smile dropped off his face when Seba crawled onto his lap with a sleepy purr. The alpha stiffened as the tiny cub shifted until he was curled up with his head pillowed on one of he pirate's arms and his tail wrapped around the other one.

Sleepy…you smell good…safe. With that said, the boy closed his eyes and dropped right off to sleep.

Turles watched Seba for a few long minutes before his lips twitched upward in a small smile. He floated back up to his chair so he wouldn't disturb the sleeping cub before something occurred to him.

"Damn it…how am I going to back to the bridge now?"