Gohan had been walking slowly to the study lab, where his interns worked, until he heard a familiar voice bellowing down the hall. Cursing to himself, he approached the hulking figure from behind and shook his head. The man was purposely blocking the door, trapping everyone inside.

God help me. Why is he here?

His father-in-law was having a fit.

"Don't you know who I am?! I'm the champ, Mr. Satan, and I have a right to be here as much as any of you nerdy scientific types! I help pay for the work you do around here, and I know my son-in-law Gohan would never…"

"Stop it, Hercule!"

Once again, Mr. Satan had ignored the tiny voice in his head telling him to play nice with others. He had once been a revered martial artist, so he understood humility - conceptually. His inability to apply that virtue consistently was the problem. His ego had been bruised that day, and he was yowling like an old hound dog about it. He knew there would be hell to pay later, but his reasons for wanting to see Gohan were pure.

"Uh, hey there, Gohan!" he said with a toothy grin. "I've waited to see you for more than an hour. Your helpers said they couldn't find you, and I know when I've been lied to. In my younger days, I told some whoppers myself to save my ass too. They should know better."

Some is an understatement, Gohan thought. I really don't need this now.

Myra, Gohan's lead assistant, was fed up and decided to speak for the group. "This is ridiculous, Dr. Son. He is such a joke and has no good reason to be here. We know about the sacrifices your family and the other fighters made when Earth was attacked. This guy finally admitted as much - finally - after convincing everyone that he helped win those battles. It's amazing that he still shows his face in public."

Gohan walked toward her, stopping inches from her face. "You know nothing - not about me or Mr. Satan - so do yourself a favor and be quiet! You all were aware that I couldn't have my phone where I was. Someone should've paged me, full stop. If this is the standard to which you hold yourselves, then maybe you shouldn't be here."

By this time Gohan's face had darkened. His interns were visibly disturbed by the change, along with Myra. She had crossed a line by mocking Hercule, but something else was affecting Gohan's behavior. To be sure, he was a demanding instructor, but he had always been a kind person.

"I… I apologize, Dr. Son," she said. "It didn't seem that serious. We just thought you didn't want to be interrupted."

"Well, just thinking got everyone double shifts, starting tomorrow," Gohan replied, "and you'll have plenty to do."

Hercule touched Gohan's shoulder to calm him. "It's fine. The young lady is right. You know I can be an old fool sometimes."

"They work with me now, so I expect discipline." Gohan began to shut off the lights at their workstations. "And folks, while you're working this weekend, don't forget to thank Myra for not exercising restraint with her mouth. Perhaps that will teach you to be more careful about letting others speak for you. Now go."

Hercule wiped his broad forehead with a handkerchief as Gohan's newly depressed interns exited. He appreciated his son-in-law's defense. For as long as they had known each other, not once had Gohan ever acted embarrassed of him. He loved him for that.

Gohan pushed a chair toward him to sit. "What the hell were you thinking, Hercule? You better have a damn good reason for hazing them. That's my role, not yours, especially since you're on the board. Throwing your weight around doesn't help either of us."

"I wasn't hazing - or I wasn't trying to, at least. I'm sorry, Gohan. It's just that you barely said two words to Pan and me this morning. That's why I'm here. Let's visit the cemetery before sunset. You haven't been there once since Videl died."

Gohan hoped he could get through at least eight hours that day without being reminded about his wife's death. Leaving his bed had been hard enough. He even asked his parents not to discuss the subject.

"And why would I want to?" he said. "Don't do this with me. I have a lot on my mind today."

"You should want to because my granddaughter needs us, and Videl was my only child," Hercule said as his eyes welled up with tears. "Look, I understand how you feel. Even though we were divorced, I struggled when Videl's mother died too, but you can't let your loss consume you. I'm seeing more of that in your eyes every day."

Gohan turned to gather his belongings. There would be no crying today - none. "I will meet you at home for dinner and have a gift for Pan," he said. "That's the best I can do, and there's nothing in my eyes besides fatigue."

"Fine then," Hercule replied. "Let's have your parents and the Briefs over for a late meal, and maybe Krillin's family too. I mean, it's summertime now. I can have food and wine delivered quickly for all of us. Pan will be delighted to see Bulla."

"Hercule, I'm not up for a crowd, and that includes my parents. Pan will spend the weekend with them. Vegeta and Bulma wouldn't be able to come tonight anyway, either."

"Why? Everything OK with those two?"

"I'm surprised Pan didn't tell you. She and Bulla share almost everything."

"Tell me what, Gohan?"

"Bulma is pregnant. She hasn't been feeling well lately."

"Well, hot damn!" Hercule roared with laughter. After stopping to catch his breath, he slapped his knees and hooted louder. "I wonder how that cranky son of a bitch Vegeta feels about that. They officially have a little Saiyan army now."

Exasperated, Gohan looked at his watch. "Fatherhood has mellowed Vegeta's personality over the years. Now then, I need to transcribe some research notes."

"OK, I'm leaving," Hercule said. "You know old guys like me feel good when people listen to their advice. I'm glad you're willing to take a break. See you tonight. We'll still have a feast. Also, please reconsider your punishment for those young folks. I will apologize to them."

After the door closed, Gohan covered his face with his hands, while his body dropped to the floor. He could barely breathe, but he was determined to regain control - to maintain it. Several minutes passed before he noticed an encrypted text message on his phone. He immediately knew who sent it:

Hi there. I was so distracted by my own problems that I failed to ask about you. Please accept my sincerest apologies. I know this is a really rough day for you. As you tell me often, hang in there. Thanks for letting me cry on your shoulder. - BB

He erased it.

###

Vegeta found Bulma fast asleep when he returned to their bedroom, which he had expected, so he decided to take a stroll outside before dusk. He hadn't paid much attention to his appearance after showering, until his saw his reflection in a mirror near the back door. He looked like a wild man, unshaven, with his hair spiked in every direction - well, more than it typically was. Yet his swarthy skin and chiseled, muscular frame retained their rugged youthfulness. No one could mistake him for a 25-year-old, though. He was still "of a certain age." This visage amused him because he felt comfortable in his own skin. He was a fighter, lover, father, and, most surprisingly, a loyal defender of people who had legitimate reasons to reject him. It had been a long time coming.

And yet the proud Saiyan prince felt sadness at times, when he thought about the birthright that had been brutally stripped from him as a child. He had suffered for years under Frieza's colonial rule - and, later, inflicted terrible suffering on others, for which he paid a high price. When he was younger, the power he craved and fought for was a fervent attempt to dull the pain. And he was fucking furious - furious! He wanted everyone who had the misfortune of meeting him to share in that misery. Then he learned that love, forgiveness, and great power were attainable and could coexist. They made him stronger.

Life was far better now, miraculously, but in some ways he still felt like an orphan in strange land. There would be no further heart-wrenching discussions about his ambivalence, though. Bulma didn't deserve that. She had endured the worst of his identity struggles already. His desire to visit Sadal was for closure: to see what could've been for the namesake planet he had once been destined to rule. His people's corruption and Frieza's oppression destroyed Planet Vegeta.

After walking a few miles, he decided to lie down in a secluded area teeming with bluegrass and dandelions. He had to gather his thoughts before seeing Bulma again. Goku, in his plainspoken way, had managed to hack Vegeta's emotional state with ease - and, as usual, it rankled him. He needed the support, but it was one more damn thing that Goku could do well, without any pretension.

He had almost drifted to sleep until a familiar stench assaulted his senses. A tall, well-dressed woman was walking toward him with an expensive cigarette in her hand. Ringlets of smoke wafted around her body-hugging jeans. Her stark white hair and lavender-grey eyes made her even more striking in the twilight.

Vegeta's face betrayed a mix of mischief and revulsion. Fuck. This is what happens when I let my guard down. Fuck.

"I cannot have a moment of peace," he said, rolling over on his back. "Why are you here?"

Tights took a long drag from her cigarette as she observed Vegeta's appearance. Her brother-in-law was still an asshole, but his motivations had become less mysterious to her over time. No one could argue that his devotion to his family hadn't changed him dramatically. Bulma had long refused to discuss his entire personal history, straining the sisters' relationship, but Tights eventually accepted it to keep the peace. She also wanted to maintain close ties with her niece and nephew.

Still, she would have loved it if her sister had married another human. This much Vegeta knew, but Tights felt this way about all marriages like his. Her opinion didn't trouble him, considering his once brazen prejudice against "lesser" mortals. Insecurity had been the catalyst that drove the behavior, but not anymore. He had nothing to prove now.

"It's a lovely area, Saiyan," Tights said. "Why can't you admit that you like nature? Mother discussed it incessantly. Now that you've knocked up my baby sister again, I'm kind of sad that our parents won't get to see the kid.

Vegeta stood and dusted debris off his pants. "If you continue smoking, you might not live long enough to terrify this child either. That would be a shame."

"Perhaps I won't, Vegeta. We all have our vices."

Stretching her arms, Tights looked like a Siamese cat ready to pounce. Vegeta, on the other hand, resembled a peeved canine. It took tremendous restraint not to bare his teeth at her.

"I can do without your unnecessary goading today," he said. "Go see your sister. I am sure she is awake by now and would be pleased to see you, even if I am not."

"I couldn't give a rat's hairy ass if your royal highness cannot deign to speak," Tights scoffed. "I'm not done with you yet."

Vegeta was floored by her attitude. Does this harpy have a death wish? Perhaps this conduct is genetic in Bulma's family.

"What do you want then, woman?"

Tights' eyebrows twitched. "Do not call me woman, you prick. I don't know why my sister tolerates that from you."

Vegeta stared at her with detachment. He usually reserved the response for rivals who had no chance of winning.

"I do it to infuriate you, and I will continue doing it until you stop provoking me," he said. "Besides, the last time I checked, you are a woman - but then again…"

"I'm going to ignore that," Tights replied. "Bulma sent me to find you, but I wanted to talk first. Now that we're warmed up, let's try to be civil. Just what the hell is going on with you two? And why do you look like an old grizzly bear? I almost didn't recognize you."

"Hmm, let me see." Vegeta scratched his chin and looked around. "What is the question again?"

"I'm serious, Vegeta! I know you and Bulma have had relationship problems lately. She didn't have to tell me."

Vegeta turned his back on her. "Even if we were having problems, why would I tell you?! I suppose I could share more if you were not interrogating Trunks already. You are taking advantage of my son's fondness for you."

Tights cupped her hands to light another cigarette. "And you are deflecting, brother-in-law."

"And this discussion is over, woman. You are welcome to walk back home… without me."

Vegeta levitated above her head. He hadn't planned to fly, but enough was enough.

The look on Tights' face softened. "You are such an insufferable bastard sometimes. Just hear me out, please. I'm concerned about her. She seems depressed."

Vegeta crossed his arms. "And you think I cannot see it - that I do not feel it? Damn it, Tights. You have not been here, so you have no right to judge me. Bulma is my life - my life - and I am not the man I once was. You support her in your way, and I will support her in mine. That is all you get from me tonight."

Then he flew off.

###

Bulma was finishing a small plate of pasta when Vegeta entered the kitchen. Knowing that he'd be hungry again, she pushed a heaping tray of roast beef and potatoes across the table to him. He attempted to study her physical condition without being conspicuous. He recalled small changes before they learned of her pregnancy: the hand tremor, the hyperactive bursts of energy, followed by noticeable lows. Dark streaks were more visible in her hair too. He didn't expect her tresses to retain their lavender hue forever, but her indifference surprised him. That said, she looked much better this evening.

"So I heard you let my sister walk alone in the dark."

"Hn." Vegeta leaned back in his chair. "I see. It certainly did not take long for her to tell you. I flew overhead without her knowledge, actually. Her martyrdom is appalling. She could have requested car service, you know."

Bulma took a sip of water and looked at him. "I tried messaging to tell you she was here, but you left your watch. I do appreciate that you left a note."

"Bulma, you sent that woman to the place where we conceived one of our children. I mean, really?"

"What did you two talk about, Vegeta?"

"You know damn well that Tights and I never talk."

"OK, so what did you fight about?"

"Your sister dislikes like me. There. Now can we move on?"

Bulma sighed. "Look, I need you to visit the lab tomorrow afternoon after you train. I'm not working in the morning."

"All right," Vegeta said. "How about sharing more details first?"

"Tights is leaving around 1 p.m. I prefer for her to be gone while we talk. She will return in a few weeks."

Vegeta tried to hide his delight over that news. "I see you are feeling better, although you could eat more."

"I got a boost of energy after sleeping today," Bulma replied. "You left the bathroom a total mess, by the way."

Vegeta smirked at her. "I am heading upstairs now." Before he could turn away, Bulma gripped his arm and rubbed her cheek against it. Her gentle kisses on his hand made him truly feel wanted again - loved. Her scent was different, too. His breathing slowed as the fragrance grew stronger. It intoxicated him.

Her mouth opened partly when his right hand reached for her breasts, which she moved down to stroke his growing hardness. He pursed his lips and placed his left hand on her shoulder. Guttural pants emerged from deep within his chest. Bulma did not blink or smile. How far could she take it? She needed to see the primal in his eyes again: the pain, the fury, the desire. Whatever happened between them the following day, she wanted the image of his face and the sound of his voice from that night burned into her memory.

"Tell me how it feels, Vegeta. Let me hear your voice. I know how the scars on your hands make me feel when you touch me. How do they feel on you?"

His eyes slowly closed and opened. "I… I… not yet."

Bulma forced his hand to rub harder, while she slipped her other hand down the back of his pants. "Yes, darling. Yes. It's OK. That's right."

He tried not to moan when he finally pulled her up into his arms to kiss her. As he carried her upstairs, she sank her teeth into his shoulder - hard. He gasped.

"God damn it, Bulma."

"Shut up. You know that didn't hurt."

A narrow smile inched across Vegeta's face. "We can do much more than biting after we have the baby. Be patient."