AN:

Hi all, it is CML! Thank you all for your patience and for your lovely reviews! I hope you enjoy this chapter as we both worked really hard on completing it. I know there has been a lot of questions about the validity of our story, and we hope that you all will have those answers relatively soon. Again, it means a lot there are supporters that seem to enjoy our work. I did start this story with the means of healing as I wanted to grieve in a therapeutic way. As the anniversary of my loss approaches, I isolate myself and become a shell while trying to muddle through what fractured memories I have left from my loss. Writing, for me, used to bring me joy until I lost this person because those stories used to make him happy before he passed. It has taken me awhile to get to this point and now, as I am able to pick up a pen and write down those plotlines he used to love so much, I am finding myself again. So, now I find that my efforts are put in a more coping kind of way and it feels good. You, my wonderful readers, may never know of what loss I endured, but I think you can feel some of that through my writing and I want you to know that with each person that reads this; thank you. You make it a little easier each time I come up with another chapter or pushed forward with this painful editing process. Thank you for enjoying the work I put forth. It may not be the most perfect or most popular story; but it is the one I hold closest to my heart. Again, thank you all for your reviews and your words-regardless of constructive criticism or praise, thank you.

Hello everyone Sanshilove here. I know you all have been waiting patiently for this next chapter. Well waiting is over here it is! A few of you were wondering how the life of 1 saiyan girl could start a war; think of it like the story of Troy. The war was never really about Helen, it was about all the groups wanting excuses to fight for power honorably. Same thing happened here, the girl is only being used as a match to start the fire. You'll learn more about all that later though so as always thanks for reading, favoriting, subscribing, and reviewing we REALLY REALLY appreciate it. On with the chapter!

Chapter 18: Arrival of the Angelic Prince

-The Lost Girl-

The days all bled together now. It was a swirling vortex of pain, torture, and sleep deprivation. She no longer remembered her own name. Currently, she appeared to be on some drug she was given to move her back to her cell. Her memories, a mess overtaken by the blur that was her life now. She felt a familiar feeling against her bruised and injured leg. What was it again? She looks at the small cat with the big eyes as it stares back at her. Hope . . . she had named the unfortunate creature Hope. 'What a stupid name, there was no such thing as hope in this place.' In the dark of her cell, she had heard the familiar sound of the main door opening with it's signature creak. She knew it, they were coming for her again. In her drugged stupor, she poorly attempted to grab purchase of the dirty ripped sheet she was allowed to have in an attempt to covered herself best that she could. The dirty and ripped chinese style slave dress barely covered her anymore. She was in a new fresh hell. She could barely remember when it was first put on her, but the foreshadowing was not lost on her. The stories and memories of the girl her father had saved slowly began to meld into her own situation. Was she the slave girl or was the slave girl her? Did she see her own future? Was this all a dream? What was real anymore?

Lost in her own labyrinth of a mind, she was so involved in her own internal ramblings that she had almost missed an unfamiliar voice whispering in the dark to her. She blinked confused as she contemplated if what she even heard was real. "Hey girl," Vegeta whispered once again, a little more loudly as she attempted to get her eyes to adjust to the light he was shining in her face. "I am here to save you, can you get out?" He kneeled down once he fully located her and took a look at her condition. His sensitive nose assaulted him with her stench that burned his nose hair at the chemicals that were coming off of her.

The girl could only watch him silently from darkness of her bed. She couldn't seem to understand what why he was speaking to her. She didn't move as he was now kneeled by her and the pair looked at each other. 'Save me? Is this some kind of trick? No one knows I am alive or who I am . . . I don't understand…' She shook her head with confusion predominate on her expression. She wasn't sure what was real or hallucination. There have been so many men that have come to and from her door...was this another one of those men? Or was it is some wild dream? That is when Hope makes his way over to the intruder and squeaks out a cute little meow lifting the drugged fog around her a little. The small creature had never seen her hallucinations or came out when there was danger. Just what was going on?

Vegeta peered down at the small cat that was now rubbing against his leg, "A cat? How did a cat get here? Wait a minute...Scratch?" He asked in realization as the cat responded familiarly at the name. It was then that the girl's confused expression blossomed into some form of comprehension. He peered at her from his peripheral vision as he didn't need to be a mind reader to acknowledged that she was beginning to realize he wasn't a figment of her imagination.

'Hope went up to that man willingly...does that mean...he is really there? I will be truly saved?'

"I-I'm here . . ." Her voice crackled dryly as it meekly spoke. It was such a sad sound even to her own ears. What had she become? Who was this broken girl that spoke like that? Was that her? How far had she really fallen. It was then that the broken child begun to realize she was just a shell of her former self. With this realization, she somehow found the unspoken will, or what was left of it, to understand that she needed to be louder. If this person would take her away, then she needed to speak up and ask for it. As she continued to work through the hazy fog, it was becoming clearer that this man was here to help. She could feel it deep inside her. "I'm right . . . here." She spoke up once more. Only this time a little louder and she found the pride within her to look up at him as she forced herself to sit up.

"There you are," Vegeta couldn't hide the pride in his tone. Here she was thin, cold, and probably starving. She looked worse than death and had a front row seat to the hell she endured, but somehow, in some small way, she remembered her Saiyan pride. She was not broken and dead inside, she was a survivor. There was no doubt in his mind that he was destined to come save this child. Weakly, she reached out and felt her eyes water as her hand landed on his real armor. She then gripped him with all her strength as he pulled her into his arms. She couldn't help but think that he was so warm…

'...like the burning sun in a world of lonely ice.'

He gently cradles her up and makes his way over by the light to get a better look at her condition. Extremely thin like he originally thought, dirty, injured, and clearly still drugged. Her eyes dilated from the narcotics as she produces the strangest smile, probably half thinking this is a dream. "Listen carefully alright," He spoke slowly and quietly so that even on drugs, the girl could understand, "I am going to inject you with the antidote to the drug that you are on, alright?" He watched in amazement as the child weakly nodded. Without prompting her, she held her arm out, revealing the injection site. The prince couldn't help himself but sigh at what those monsters did to this poor child, but he couldn't dwell on that in this place. He need to stay focused. Without a second thought, he made the injection. In a flash, her world sprung back to life as the dose of adrenaline pumped through her Saiyan veins. Sucking in a breath at the feel of it, her eyes shifted into focus as she could hardly believe her mind wasn't tricking her, the man that she saw was really here. Even now, she wondered what god she would have to owe after this. Not that she was complaining, or wouldn't pay back, she would just like to know the savior all the same.

"How does it feel? Any better?" He asked a little unsure if the child was even grasping what he was saying to her.

"Y-yes," she barely managed to speak once more. Now getting a better look at her rescuer. Hope, the little ball of black fur, once again began to rub himself on the prince's legs "Who . . who are you?" Her eyes scan his features taking in every detail, so as never to forget a single detail of this moment.

Vegeta couldn't stop his smile in spite of the question, "I am Prince Vegeta of the Saiyan Empire. You must have been on more drugs than I thought to forget your own Prince's face. Come on now, we need to hurry and get that blasted thing off your neck,"

She cowered back in his arms,"it would kill me to remove it." Her tone laced with fear and anxiety.

"Relax, I can get it off without any damage to you, but you'll need to be absolutely still," He instructed gently as he kneeled back to the ground and placed her on her back. Hearing of a possibly of getting the main object of her hell off from around her neck had her almost breaking anew into tears, if she had any left. If this was her Prince in this timeline, she would do her damndest to show no fear. Slowly, she nods and lays still at his feet.. Closing her eyes as she couldn't help but expect the worse. Her savior could only take the moment to breathe before beginning the delicate task of injecting. With steady hands, and a strong resolve, he managed to work quickly. He knew his already small window was slowly winding down in spite of his efforts. The second the guards walked past the garbage docks, it would be inevitable his ship would be found...and then all would be lost.

Before the third, and most crucial injection, he finds himself pausing a moment to wipe his sweat from his brow. With, yet another, deep breath he had to stop his mind from drawing on the possibility of failure. This one needed to go into her spinal cord from the back of her neck missing by the slightest bit would more than likely kill her. He took in her small, damaged form. She was counting on him, and without so much as a few words of their exchange, she was trusting him to save her. How far gone was she to be this insane? He couldn't help but see his own Brat in this position when he was so sick. Could he do the same injections on him to save his life, but not this girl? His answer came when he make the third injection perfectly. His heart, by now, was racing as he finished making quick work of the final two injections. With the serums in her blood, he could already hear the collar weaken against the hold of embedding in her fragile skin. This was a good sign, they were almost to the final agonizing stretch.

"Alright, now we need to attach this. Once it's off you, you need to keep your energy as low as you can without damaging yourself, do you understand?" He watched her open her eyes and look back up at him with such warmth and gratitude. She nodded once more as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the special wire. With quick work, he began pulling the wiring harness out of the collar and attaching it to Bulma's device. After a few seconds, the collar releases exposing the girls bruised neck. Carefully, he fully removes it from the girl, closes it back up, and discards it somewhere off in a corner of the cell. He watches her sit back up, a bit in shock as her battered tiny hands lightly touch her delicate neck.

Realization dawned fully on her, she was actually free and she refused to cry. This prince had come to save her like in those strange fairy tales her father used to tell her. 'Father? . . .' her memory was edging back to her from the depths of her mind. It didn't matter, she would get it back piece by piece if she had too. She glanced back to the prince who saved her, memorizing his spiky black hair which was coming into focus now that she was fully lucid.

"Tha-thank you so . . . so much, your highness." Her voice was still so quiet, dry, and weak. She didn't care though, the angel before her had found her and was going to take her away from this darkness forever. She gazed back at him with such admiration, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. Memories of the first time someone had shown him kindness brought him back to this place. She was just like him, a victim in the name of the Kolds.

"Don't thank me yet we still need to get out of here," He spoke looking at the girl and strangely finding something so familiar about her. He shook off the thought, "Can you run?" She looks away towards her legs, and for a moment remained silent. Unfortunately, she shook her head 'no'. She didn't trust her feet under her as she knew she had not really used them in weeks? Months? Didn't matter, she hadn't used them and just as suddenly, she found herself back in his arms. Hope had taken the opportunity to jump into her cradled form as it appeared he decided to come along for the ride. The feeling of being carried out of Cooler's room, secretly down the hallway, felt like a dream that she thought would never come true. She had her energy back, the drugs were out of her for now, and she was going to get away. She hugs onto her angelic prince as he make his way towards the escape area. Just when she was getting lost in her dream, the nightmare came crashing down when the ship's alarms going off.

The Saiyan Prince stopped dead in his tracks, making a quick jerk of motion, he hid them off in a nearby conference room. He silently waited with his back against the door in the darkness of the room. The girl's heart began to race as the fear of being taken back fills her like a mouse trapped in water that water slowly rising. Her breathing quickens as her grip on his armor only tightens. She began shaking, hiding her face in his chest, the small cat trying its best to soothe her. Before he could say anything, an announcement loudly broadcasted to the entire ship.

'All personnel report to battle stations immediately, I repeat all personnel report to battle stations immediately'.

"Battle stations? Not intruder alert? . . . Relax this will make it easier to get away," Vegeta practically laughed at his luck as he eyed the scared child. For some reason, he could feel a burning need to protect the girl. When the troops pass the door, seeing his small chance, he made a run for it. With the men all at battle stations, there is no one in the garbage bay. Vegeta put the girl down in her seat, first handing her a bottle of water. He then sets the small cat on her lap, and prepares himself into his own position. He did it! The impossible odds of a thousand to one, and he got the damn girl out! He quickly prepped the ship, and without so much as a second though, made his getaway. As they pass by, he glances over at the attacking ship, and his heart sinks. . . It's clearly a Saiyan vessel.

He watches the entire squadron get obliterated by Cooler's battleship as his ship secretly pulls away. His eyes doubled in size as he stared out the window at the explosions in the vastness of space. The aftershock rocked the ship, but his eyes never tore away from the obliterating mess in his line of sight. He had no idea who this group was, but he knew they were Saiyans going off to their death. Who were they? Did his father give the order for a suicide mission? Were they a rogue group taking action? He heard a whimper behind him as he knew it was his precious cargo on the ship.

"Look away, girl. You have seen enough of hell." He gruffly spoke.

"W-who are they?" The girl looked up at him with her sickly gaze, her arm around the black cat with the big eyes who was also looking at him with a cocked head. The girl had seen ships destroyed before and couldn't understand why her angelic prince looked so upset for these. He must truly be a hero.

"Fools. They are fools. Let's go before we are caught up in this mess." He steeled his nerves and returned to the controls while putting in the coordinates and boost the system to gain the maximum speed to return to the safety of the planet.

-Royal War Council-

The past few weeks had made the King of Vegeta-sei more and more agitated. With constant visits from is daughter complaining how he was doing nothing to save some insolent girl who got herself kidnapped, to these traitorous rebels who were working with the anti-royal faction to cause damage and chaos throughout his empire, and finally to the negotiations with the Kolds which were slowing falling apart. He let out a heavy sigh as he sat upon his rightful throne. What made matters worse, what really had him on edge was the fact that today his useless son would be on a publicity mission to try and rescue the same worthless girl that was the fodder for this whole mess. Being honest with himself, he hoped the whole fucking thing fell apart in all their faces. If his stupid brat died on the mission trying to please the people that had turned against the crown then it would become a tragic news piece the royal household could easily use to their advantage. He could finally put a silence to the anti-royals who's main argument was that they were heartless and didn't have the public in mind. What a fucking joke! Kings had to be heartless in order to make the right decisions and the people are pawns to be used to better the empire. He was broken out of his train of thought by his high counselor walking up and standing right in front of him.

"Shall we start your highness?" Councillor Hart says while glancing around the nearly full room a bit too theatrically. Inwardly, Vegeta senior grumbled. He had a feeling Hart and his antics were going to be the last straw on his short fuse today.

"Yes, let's get down to the business at hand." He gazed around waiting for the room to quiet before continuing. "As you all know, this morning my son left on his mission to bring back this noble girl in question," he spoke matter-of-factly, "and I would like a detailed plan to be put together, should this mission succeed, on how best to use that asset. Preferably this plan be put together before they return as proactiveness is key. On another side note, I need to know how long it will take to ready our military should this mission fail. We are all painfully aware by now that negotiations with the Kolds have totally fallen apart. This means only one thing, war." A seemingly practiced gasp makes its way through the room. He gripped the armrests of his chair as he felt his nails embed in the sacred wood of his throne. By the gods, he wish he could slaughter them all. His bloodlust was reaching a dangerous peak and if he couldn't blast someone, and someone soon, it would be the lot of them. Then, as if his bad day couldn't get any worse, Councillor Narven stands up.

"Your highness, should the mission succeed it would be best if this girl was kept close and used as the poster child for the Royal Family's generosity. This could benefit-" Councillor Narven spoke quietly, slow, and to the point till he was interrupted by the main doors bursting open as a messenger rushed in. Murmurs across the room hit an all time high as the person who dared to interrupt their meeting stumbled his way towards the King.

"Your highness!" the messenger says slamming his fist into his chest, "I have brought word that a rogue squadron vessel has taken it upon themselves to attack Lord Cooler's ship! Seconds later we received a transmission that the Kolds are declaring war on us!" The messenger voice rang out strong in the hall as he gave his report. What he had failed to notice was the ever present anger was quickly building up within his King. If one listened closely they might perhaps hear the straining of something about to snap.

"Thank you," the King coldly spoke while holding back his anger, "you're dismissed." The messenger made the appropriate salute of respect as he make a quick exit after catching the murderous glint in his grace's eyes. Having some idea what will happen next, he doubles his efforts to make haste. As soon as the large double doors are closed the room becomes an uproar of chatter. Arguments break out left and right about whose resources will have to be taken for the war efforts, who will earn the right to lead their own men into battle, and a few quiet ones about who will rule afterwords. Finally, the Kings anger had triumphantly reaches its peak with the snapping of his throne.

"SILENCE!" bellowing out a terrible roar as it shook the hall that had instantly silenced the entire hall. Eyes snapped at the enraged King that shook with anger and gave an aura of promised death at the next person to speak out of turn. War with the Kolds was coming, and these fools wouldn't even know the half of it. "We won't get anywhere in such an unorganized mess! Now's the time to plan, the Kolds will be upon us soon and hit us where it hurts. We cannot afford to be picking daisies when they approach. I am demanding all outstanding missions be brought back at once and a full scale draft be issued. All military personnel are to be ready for full scale war and there will be no questions asked. Get me information on this rogue squadron and for god's sakes find out who the fuck authorized them for take off!" His orders echoed loud and clear as no one seemed to move in the awe of their ruler. It had been a long time since he had broken out of his comfortability and reminded them all who was really in charge.

"Well did I fucking stutter! Get this done NOW!" Suddenly the room turns into a loud frenzy as the orders are being transmitted across the empire. He pinched the bridge of his nose as his Queen placed a calming hand on his shoulder. She gave him the same look for when every time someone declares war on them, the look of a faked fear masking her intense excitement. This was one of the reasons, he recalls, that he initially was interested in her. Well, besides her high standing and impeccable good looks. Coincidently, war time was also his favorite, he can use and abuse his power with zero repercussions so long as the council is there to witness it, that was true power. Power he would enjoy once more since the Kold boys completed their end.

~Labs~

Bulma anxiously sat in her seat while keeping her eyes glued to the monitor. Her gaze never wavering from the small dot on the large screen that was Vegeta's ship. When she had gotten confirmation from Bardock that he was returning and had successfully retrieved the girl, it was as if every agonizing minute was worth this single moment. Though she didn't have much time to celebrate as she knew that Bardock would need to prepare the lab medical wing with his mate, to receive both the girl and their prince. What made matters worse was hearing the news that the Kolds had declared war on the Saiyan race once again, something that the small group had more than enough sense to prepare for. Although, it didn't make it any less terrifying to know that, if discovered, the Kolds would ensure that she have a torturous end with all things considered. Now was not the time to dwell on the possibilities as all her attention was the ever growing closer dot that was headed towards Planet Vegeta-sei.

So she sat in her chair, her knee bouncing out of nervousness and agitation while awaiting their return. While she fiddled with the paperwork that was before her, worry was clearly evident on her facade. She tried to keep herself busy lest she start the process of over analyzing again. A loud voice cleared behind her as she ceased her actions and rolled her eyes. Bardock was clearly annoyed with her fidgeting nature and how she refused to go take a walk or go home and tend to her son.

"You know Bulma, we can handle things here once they return. You do have a child to look after."

"I am not leaving here. I want him to know that I waited for him to show him that he had nothing to worry about." Her tone clipped and nervous energy was coming off in her annoyance.

"Bulma, you have been up almost 24 hours, I saw the camera footage, you worked all night."

"So?"

"Maybe you should get some real rest. Go lay down on the cot, or better yet, the infirmary. My mate has already prepared a bed for you just in case you pass out from exhausting yourself."

"Bardock, I appreciate you dearly, but you need to learn to back off. I am fine, nervous, but I am fine. Besides, he will be here soon. The ship is moving in fast, so I know he is trying to get back in time. You all are going to need me anyway, so why don't you be the one to relax and leave me to my own devices."

"Well your devices are wearing a hole in my floor. You need sleep, but whatever, don't take my advice. Go and wear yourself out."

"Will do." She snapped back. She knew that the head scientist meant well, but it was working on her last nerve. She needed to focus and go over in her mind what was needed to be done so that she could be the best asset to help the pair when they returned back on the planet. That is when her mind shifted to the thought of the girl in question. She wondered how the girl was actually doing. Bulma dreaded to know the answer to that and needed to ensure her stomach was going to be strong enough to handle the coming ordeal. After all, the child deserved to fall apart around people that were strong enough to help pick her up. Sad to say, but she knew a little bit of what the girl was going through. Though, not to the excessive amount that she had endured. If she could get back on her feet and Chi-Chi to help her move past the trauma, it would do her some good to know that there was at least some way she could connect with her own shit show of a life.

Choosing to ignore the annoying head scientist, she decided to focus her energy on more productive measures, and that would be working on future projects. She must have lost track of the time before she knew it, the alarms were going off that signaled the ship's arrival. Instantly she was on her feet and saving her work as she went into ready mode. With her work saved and put away, she assisted Bardock in the docking of the ship. The doors to the lab had opened with Bardock's mate, Gine and her team of handpicked doctors and specialists enter into the lab to set up an area for vitals and medical assistance.

Finally the doors open as they all get the first glimpse of Vegeta carrying the small, injured, and frail looking girl who had something dark in her arms. Was it a rag? A bag of some kind? Suddenly the potential bag opened it's big eyes and Bulma recognized the creature immediately.

"Scratch!" She suddenly gasped out as she recognized that feline anywhere. Her heart had stilled. It was such a strange feeling seeing a familiar face when acceptance had already taken place. Her joy was short lived as she focused on what else was in Vegeta's arms.

"Here, " Vegeta rough voice held his authoritative tone, "get her to the med bay immediately."

"Are you hurt at all your highness?" Bardock asked looking him over with his trained eye.

"No I'm fine, due to someone attacking their ship from the outside." Vegeta attempted to hand the girl over but stopped short when he caught the eye of the girl and knew the all to familiar sign of distrust. "Relax, these are friends that will help you alright and I will be right here as well," Vegeta gently reassured the girl who he watched put on her bravest face for him. His attention was drawn away from the trembling figure in his arms to the kind woman that was head of the medical wing.

"Your highness, we have our station set up over here. Please lay here on the bed." She instructed. Vegeta did not hesitate as he followed Bardock's mate to where he placed her softly on the bedding. He studied the child's face as she kept a grip on his arm, she was still in denial but amazed by the things she was seeing. He had to hold back his own smile and keep his stoic expression as he saw her enjoy the simplicity of basic things. He reached out, after un-gloving his hand, and pets her oiled locks.

"D-don't leave me…" Came the child's watery whimper. She hated to admit to her prince that she was still very scared but she hoped her angel would understand.

"I'll be right here. I won't go to far, I promise." He reassured her as he continued to pet her hair back. He watched her wet eyes begin to close at the tender feel of his touch. He had to hold back his own emotion as he wondered when was the last time she felt safe? Felt a touch that didn't lead to something sinister? He forced himself to focus on the present, and not find anything deeper than what he was seeing. He didn't trust himself not to get back on that ship and kill Cooler and Frieza himself if he did. The prince paid little mind to those around him as he got lost in the connection he was finding himself in. Something about her was drawing him in and he couldn't really describe the closeness he was feeling for this helpless Saiyan child. All he knew was he wanted to stay right here by her side.

The doctors looked on at the prince, a bit stunned at his tender treatment of anything, but continued their work without fail. Scratch stayed by her head watching over her like the guardian he had become. Occasionally he would hiss at anyone who attempted to get to close.

The team works tirelessly until finally their efforts bore the fruits of their labor of getting her well enough for the regeneration tank. Vegeta could only look on at the girl in the tank whose life he had saved today. The small cat found himself curled up by the base of the tank; his gaze looking up at the floating child almost forlornly.

Bulma had, up to this point, been in the background assisting those that needed support in stabilizing the girl. She moved quietly and silently as she kept an eye on the pair. Something about the way he was treating the child made her feel a sense of longing...and maybe a little jealous of the attention that she was receiving. She attempted to push down the thoughts as this was not the time nor the place for such selfish thoughts. She shouldn't be upset over the fact that it should be Trunks that he was so tender towards instead of some strange Saiyan nobel that had no claim to him at all. No, she made that choice a long time ago. Shaking her head at every time those feelings would even attempt to rise up, she found herself working that much harder to help support the team she was with. As the medical team moved the girl into the upgraded regeneration tank. She spied Vegeta's shoulders slump and let out a relieved sigh. Taking that as her que, she silently approached him from behind.

"Vegeta…" Her voice came out meek, and tired from the weight of the day. Her mind was hazy, her stomach empty, and already she was on her last leg. Not to mention she hadn't seen her son in a good couple days, so she was sure to get an earful. Watching him with her, it hurt her heart. Perhaps it was time to leave.

"Yes woman?" He answered never taking his eyes off the little Saiyan in the regen tank.

"You should be set up for success. I just talked to Bardock and Gine and they can handle things here with you. I am going to leave. I might not be back for a few days."

"Alright, that is probably a good idea. The gods know we both need some rest, though I doubt I will get any with the war starting." He saw through his peripheral just how tired and worn out she appeared; with what her disheveled clothing and messy bun of hair.. "Thank you for this Woman. I don't know why, but I feel like I was just destined to save her."

Hiding behind her mask, she simply gave a nod. "You look like shit, Vegeta. Seriously, go get some sleep. If there really is a war coming, then she is going to need you at your greatest strength. Maybe you should adopt her?" She made sure to keep her tone light.

Bardock, choosing this moment, took a few steps and interrupted the couple with the clearing of his throat before speaking, "your highness I have her health report if your interested."

Seeing as Bardock taking a few moments with the prince, Bulma quietly slipped away to take off her coat and go hang it on the back of her desk as she began to gather her belongings. She just wanted a shower, maybe some coffee, and to snuggle up close in her son's bed while she watched him drift into happy dreams. That with the main focus in her mine. All was well now that the prince had returned safely to his planet. The scientist made sure to just keep to her line of thought away from what her instincts that were asking of her to go into forbidden territory. The whole 'Vegeta looking fatherly' was becoming harder to watch in her current mental state. That was a future that she purposefully closed off from herself a long time ago; so no sense in dragging out the past and making a mess when there didn't need to be.

"Yes I'm very interested." Vegeta, noticing her poor attempt to sneak away, simply put up a hand to excuse himself and returned back to her side. "Woman why don't I have Kakarot come pick you up? I would feel better if I knew you got home safely. Especially after all you've done."

"Hmm? No, I am sure that-" A dizzy spell hit her as she gripped her desk and a hand flew up to her head. "Ugh…that didn't feel so good…"

"Woman!" He caught her before she nearly fell to the floor. Gently, he then pulled her up into his arms. "Bardock call the moron that is your Brat and have him get over here. He needs to bring the Woman back to her home."

"Vegeta I am fine. I just got a...what are you doing?" Her eyes turned upwards as he placed the heel of his palm on her forehead and narrowed his eyes. "Vegeta?"

"You have a damn fever. Only a fool catches a cold."

"I am not a fool."

"You caught a cold, so ergo you are a fool." Amusement swirled within in his eyes as he put an end to the bickering, " now Woman, I'm going to have Kakarot bring you home with someone to help care for you. You know you really should take better care of yourself." Vegeta says, fully aware of just how hypocritical that statement truly was.

"As you command your highness" Bardock goes to the phone to call his son and pick out a member of the medical staff to go home with the human savior.

She gave him an even look as he still hadn't let her out of his embrace, "Vegeta, it is a cold. I don't need someone to take care of me. Not the first time I had to take care of myself, and it certainly won't be the last. You can let me go, you know."

"You are a member of this empire now Woman. Meaning it's my responsibility to make sure a hero of the empire is well taken care of." He gives her a gueinue stare as Goku arrives eager to sneak a peek at the young girl his prince had recently saved.

Scoffing at the notion, "Have you honestly lost your mind, Vegeta? I am not your personal responsibility! Since when has that ever been a thing!"

"Woman sometimes you should just take the compliment."

"Hey B!" Goku remarks taking a long look at Bulma in his prince's embrace. "Um ready to go?"

"Vegeta, you can put me down now…"

Vegeta wasted no time in placing her into Kakarot's arms. "Kakarot make sure that she returns home safely and to take along Fira with you." Giving the order with ease while looking straight into his underlings eyes. A firm resolve between the pair ensured a promise with is command.

"Vegeta, Goku, seriously. Put me down. Guys, it's just a cold. You both are blowing this way out of portion." The young mother attempted to get out of her best friend's hold as she felt this whole situation was quite ridiculous. Honestly, all this fuss over a common cold.

"As you command your highness," Goku stifled a giggle before giving an awkward bow with what having a human in his embrace, remembering doing the same thing back on Earth a few times before. Before she knew it, she found herself being taken to the skies with Fira close behind as Goku led them the way back to Bulma's residence.

Bardock cleared his throat after the dramatic exit of his coworker. "Well sire, now that is out of the way, shall we get on with the report?"

"Yes. How is the girl's condition?"

"She has six fractured bones and traces of more than fifty poisons in her system. She is highly malnourished and her energy appears to be quite out of sync with her body. In short, she is in one of the worst conditions I've seen in all my years. We will probably have to have her in the regeneration tank for at least about a week or so. There's something else as well." Bardock stopped his explanation to let the beginning of his report sink in. "The girl is on a special drug that alters DNA, specifically the DNA for hair color."

"Hair color? What do you mean?" The Prince of all Saiyans raised a tired eyebrow at hearing this odd, little detail.

"We think her original hair color would be a shade of purple or pink. This quick DNA test of her blood indicates that she is only around three quarters of Saiyan linage." Bardock looked over the top of his notes to gage the prince's reaction to letting this critical detail sink in. After a few moments with being unable to read him, he loudly clears his throat before continuing, "I know it's not my place, but I think it would be best to continue administering the coloring drug until after the political issues around her dissipate."

Vegeta remained quiet as he stared at an area deep in thought. Emotions were not easy to read on his expression with after years of practice of mastering. With what felt like an eternity, he blinked with a slight nod before turning his attention back to his head scientist,"That would be wise, at least for the time being. With the political climate being as it is; we don't need to add more fuel to the fire as I don't think we can contain this blaze if it got out of control. Once things have settled down, then we will cross that bridge when we get to it. That is my order for now."

"As you wish your majesty."

"Have you found who her parents are or checked her DNA in the database with anyone?"

"Not yet sire, but as you know that particular test takes about a day and a half to fully run successfully. I have taken the liberty to add it onto the schedule of tests to be performed though. I hope that you don't mind? I had figured that would be the next logical step in ruling out her parentage." Bardock could see the grateful expression from his weary prince. He could already tell that this entire mission has taken quite the toll on him. The reprieve was short lived as a few messengers stepped into the room as they were searching around looking for the prince. It wouldn't take one to vetenture the reason being to collect him for a war meeting and for him to debrief his mission to the current rulers of the planet.

"Good, I want a full report. I don't care if it is the middle of the night when you receive it. I want to make sure we know exactly who we are dealing with, and who needs to be brought to justice for a child being taken by the Kolds. I am not saying that anyone did this on purpose, but I want to find the parents at least. She should have a familiar enough face for them to recognize once she is awake and stable."

"Sire," Bardock whispers as he narrowed his eyes while watching the messengers looking for them, "if you want we can put you in a regen tank as well and give you time to rest and recover."

"Prepare one." Sensing the messengers beginning to make their way towards them after spotting their target. Without a second word, Bardock quickly went to prepare a tank quickly as to better support his prince.

"Prince Vegeta," the first messenger spoke up while giving a bow with a proper salute, "we've come to bring you to the war council if you are in healty condition." .

The second messenger clears his throat, "Your father and mother also wish to congratulate you on your successful mission. I also bring word from Kalei who says and I quote, 'what took you so long you big idiot'." The second messenger mimicked the former with his own salute and proper greeting.

"Sorry boys, but his highness needs to recover from the mission. I am afraid that this little reunion will have to wait. Sorry gentlemen." Bardock reappeared by his unamused prince's side as he fake his sincerity much to their displeasure.

"Unfortunately, it's doctors orders. Please inform my father I will be unable to attend and tell them all the mission was a success." Vegeta couldn't stop his smirk as he climbed into the machine and the green fluid fills the tank suspending him in the warmth and ushering him to sleep. His last thought was how he delayed meeting the annoyance of his father just little longer.

Seeing to the future king's rest, Bardock worked on the machine's dynamics to adjust ensuring full healing as the two messengers stood confused for a few moments, neither wanting to deliver that news to the King. "You both best get going, the message won't send itself." Bardock spoke up with humor laced in his tone at his own joke as both messengers rush off and out of the room; dreading the reaction of the King.

Vegeta secured his own mask as he began to feel the effects of the all to familiar liquid filling the tank. Although his body was close to shambles and tired from the mission, his mind was already alive with such invigorating questions that he wished he could have answered.

The girl is only three quarters Saiyan? How is that even possible? That would mean that a hybrid and a full Saiyan had a child together...explains why there was no record of the girl and why she was missed on the census…

The sleeping agent in the strange water began to seep into his senses. His mind struggled to think and contemplate all the information he knew from Bardock, but it was impossible as his mind was set adrift just as the last of the liquid filled the tank completely and the soft hum of the machine lulled him to a dreamless rest.