Trunks came ready to fight. This wouldn't be a battle of brawn – not unless it had to be – but, rather, one of wits and strategic bluffing. The prince may have been reeling from shock, but he was the reigning virtuoso of making every moment count to crush his opponents. His son wouldn't get special treatment.

"Now tell me," Vegeta said as his body disappeared from view, "just what are you looking for?"

His father's choice to cloak himself meant one of two things: Either Vegeta suspected that the compound had been breached by another person, or he was seriously preparing to "contain" him physically. The latter idea was crazy, Trunks thought, considering the significant damage a battle between them could do within this part of the lab.

"Paozu."

Triggered by Vegeta's utterance, a hazy green shadow covered the lab's interior. Trunks' eyes widened. He just activated the equipment shield! Is he serious?!

"Dude, if you're trying to intimidate me, it's not working. It's not like I can't shut off the force field myself."

Neither of them moved from their respective positions.

"Here's my first guess," Vegeta continued. "You were trying to discover who else might have access here. This person will eventually show themselves once they find out about your mother, but I cannot imagine whoever it is being stupid enough to come here now. Besides, I highly doubt Bulma provided full admission to the compound. Most of the experimentation must have happened somewhere else."

"What makes you think the person will show up at all?"

"Trust me, Trunks, they will want to know what happened… and, perhaps, do something about it. They took a tremendous risk helping your mother. Now then, my second guess is you have the Dragon Balls. Lying to me would be unwise, so hand them over."

"I can't, papa," he said, ending their telepathic connection.

"You can't?" Vegeta's voice shifted to a low growl. "The hell you won't."

Sighing, Trunks restored his visibility and faced him. "You know, I really hoped that I could make it past graduate school without you or mom going off the rails again."

"Going off the rails?" Vegeta deactivated his cloaking mechanism. He looked more peeved than angry, although this intervention was taking longer than he preferred. "Just what the hell does that mean? You're bringing up old resentments now? I thought...we were long past all of that part of our history."

"Of course you and I are past that, but it doesn't erase the fact that you and mom still struggle with being self-centered. Being that way doesn't disappear overnight."

Vegeta's dark eyes locked on his son's face. "Trunks, I really do not need this from you. Not today."

"Well you need to hear this, papa – out loud. You owe me."

"I owe you?"

"You're damn right you do. I love and admire you greatly, but it just is."

"Tch," Vegeta muttered, waving his hand in the air. "Well, please forgive us for our multiple sins against you as of late. I had no idea that being one of the wealthiest people on Earth, having the best education, and being taught the strongest fighting skills known to mortals were such burdens these days."

"Stop it," Trunks said quietly. "I'm right. I never said either of you thought Bulla and I were less important to you, especially now, but you both have extreme personalities. But this time mom has taken it too far. I mean, she almost died."

Drawing in a breath, Vegeta closed his eyes. "Please don't hate her for this. It's not her fault. It's mine."

"You know what? I really don't care whose fault it is. Bulla is the one I'm most worried about. She's just a little girl. She's only seen you happy together until now. She doesn't know..."

Vegeta shook his head to quiet him. He had to take control of the situation differently, like his wife normally would.

"Come here, son."

"Are you crazy?" Feeling his chest tighten, Trunks backed away. "What kind of fool do you think I am?"

"One foolish enough to believe that the Dragon Balls would help this time," Vegeta said calmly. "They won't. Now come here. I need this… as much as you do."

Trunks' head and shoulders dropped as his father embraced him. Vegeta tightened his grip until he finally broke down. His heart ached hearing his son weep so bitterly, but it needed to happen.

"You are right about your mom and me. You have always been wise, Trunks. I promise that I will do everything I can to make your sister feel safe."

"I'm sorry, papa," he said, covering his face. "I shouldn't have lost it like that in front of you."

Vegeta smirked at him. "Let me tell you a secret. This is perhaps the only time in my life that I would not have thoroughly enjoyed knocking you unconscious to prove that I am still smarter and stronger than you."

Finally hearing his father's resonant laugh felt reassuring. Trunks handed him a small metal box containing the seven capsulized Dragon Balls.

"Why did you hesitate?" Vegeta said, inspecting the contents. "You certainly could have tried using them before I got here. You spent all of this time hiding yourself, and then…"

Trunks shrugged. "I don't know. I came here convinced that using them would help mom and stop you from doing something you might be sorry for later. I guess I didn't want to ask for the wrong thing and make the situation worse."

"And using them only for your mother would be dishonorable. Believe me, I want to, but we just cannot to that."

Vegeta recalled the promise he, Bulma, Goku, and the other fighters made to Earth's guardian, Dende, not to use the Dragon Balls again unless the planet or universe were faced with urgent danger. They had long stopped using them for lesser requests, because the negative energy the mystical orbs absorbed to balance each wish risked leaving them useless for years. They also had to be hidden since Earth had already endured enough hardships from them getting into the wrong hands.

His eyes felt heavier as he yawned. "Look, son, I want you to get some rest. We've been up all night."

"But what about you?"

"I'll manage," he said, turning toward the exit. "I should get your sister now."

"No, papa, let her sleep. It's almost sunrise anyway. I'll get her and explain what happened later. You really should be with mom."

While he waited, Goku wondered why it had taken so long to find Gohan. He had tried giving his son the emotional space he asked for recently, but it was hard. Gohan had become so cold and withdrawn since Videl died. His father craved the closeness they once shared, much like what Vegeta had with Trunks now. They looked much calmer when they returned to the house, which he hoped would last for a while.

Vegeta shook his forearm. "Let's go, Kakarot."

"Gohan is at the hospital with her," he said, trying to be more upbeat. "Maybe there's positive news."

"Maybe so," Vegeta replied irritably, "but we won't know if you keep talking, will we?"

After they left, Trunks laid across his bed thinking about how easily he had fooled his father. He got exactly what he wanted, but he took no comfort witnessing how much Vegeta's awareness was off base. He hadn't come for the Dragon Balls at all.

He was relieved at how quickly Tights agreed to lie before he left the hospital that night. Asking was more of a test, really, to determine her willingness to lie for him in the future. She weighed the benefits against the risks of leaving her nephew largely to his own devices and decided to take a leap of faith that whatever he had in mind might help while she focused on immediate concerns. Fortunately, Goku and Vegeta had been preoccupied long enough for Trunks to consider his options.

He removed a capsule stored inside of his watch, twirling it through his fingers.

"Hope one."

This world's time has passed, Cress. It needs new leadership that only the Saiyan race can provide. Humans here have relied on our families for too long to carry their burdens and defend their lives. It is time for them all to live up to their potential - to rid themselves of fear and weakness. Vegeta needs your help. You chose each other as mates for a reason. I have come to love you as he does, but he is my king, and you are his queen. All of our children will inherit the empire that they're owed for our service to Earth, and Saiyans will reign as the most powerful beings in this universe.

"Hello, Dr. Son."

Gohan nodded a silent greeting at the two nurses checking Bulma's vital signs. Their calmness and professionalism tending to the heiress impressed him. They didn't seem outwardly disturbed by her physical changes. The Brief family had a cadre of loyalists who cared for their medical needs, and cared for them personally because of Bulma's generosity, which meant the likelihood of misinformation spreading publicly about her condition was low - for now. That issue would have to be addressed carefully because, given her position, there would be shock and confusion and suspicion worldwide – and, perhaps, the appearance of formerly hidden enemies looking to exploit the situation.

The advantage for Bulma was her long-time status as "one of the good guys." That would be the key to keeping people agreeable and willing to listen. She sacrificed her welfare for the greater good, and that was the message everyone should hear, he believed. Their loyal support for what would come later depended on them feeling encouraged – from having their doubts soothed. That was a matter of politics. Unfortunately, some well-meaning friends and loved ones, too, would likely threaten the "Great Transformation." They would have to be dealt with intelligently and harshly to discourage other rebels – and maybe with less nobleness than he preferred. He thought about his former mentor, Piccolo, and his own father. He hoped his brother Goten and Goku made the right choice. They had to.

He unfolded a chair next to Bulma's bed to read her medical record. Indeed, she was very weak. The induced coma was necessary, and a few more days had to pass before the doctors could bring her out of it safely. If any brain damage occurred, they would know then - and he had to be there to observe. He drew a vial of blood from her arm to take with him for further testing. He had to figure out how to bypass the negative reaction she had to successfully repeat the results in others.

"This is just a setback," he said, bending over to kiss her cheek. "You took a big risk, but you're still here with all of us – with me. Your bravery will be rewarded. This is your victory, Cress."

She looked more beautiful than ever to him. His deliberate effort to create a full-blooded Saiyan baby during their experimentation provided even more satisfaction. He estimated a shorter gestational period, expecting her to give birth in three months. This all but guaranteed that attempts by anyone else to reverse her rapidly progressing physical changes would be restrained, to avoid harming the child. He knew Tights' careful approach well because he had once studied with her. She wouldn't pursue more aggressive changes to Bulma's treatment routine until she was sure her sister's body could handle them.

He had given thought to Tights possibly suspecting his involvement, but it didn't worry him much. He held the winning cards. When Bulma recovered with her mind whole and strength increased, nothing would stop them.

"Gohan?"

"Yes, dear." He reached for Tights' hand. "Come sit down. I'm so sorry it's taken so long for me to get here. I was totally preoccupied and working late. I'm sorry."

She smiled and hugged him. "No, I'll stand. It's OK. You're here now, and that's all that matters, especially since you haven't had any sleep. So your father contacted you?"

"Dad knows I'm here. I rushed over from my other work site after seeing multiple messages from my brother and Hercule. I can't believe my eyes, Tights. I just… can't believe it."

"Yes, I know," she said, placing her hand of Bulma's leg. "Vegeta is trying to be strong, but he is beside himself. I'm worried about him as much as I am about my sister."

"Which means you're worried about what he will do next. What can I do to help?"

"Stay here with her for now. The full medical team will come in later. I'll update you completely when I get a little more sleep. I suspect Vegeta or Goku will return shortly. They were trying to find my nephew."

"We are back," Vegeta said from the entrance. "Trunks is fine, and if I hear another person speculate about my response, I swear I will blow a crater straight through a mountain – so just stop it."

Tights stepped aside for him to observe Bulma, while Goku sat next to Gohan. No one spoke as Vegeta stood over her. Watching the ventilator rhythmically pumping air into her chest, he thought about their baby.

"Her… heart will grow larger," he said as he stroked her face. "You know that, right?"

"Yes," Tights replied, glancing at Gohan. "I'll make sure everyone is prepared to…"

"And the tail?"

"Vegeta, please…"

"Tights, the tail must be attended to like any other important body part, or else my wife will be in pain. Understand?"

Getting him to listen throughout this process was going to be the mother of all pains in the ass, she thought. "I do, but maybe it's time for you to take a break. You are exhausted."

"Yes, I am!" he said angrily. "But I have stayed away from her long enough. I am not going anywhere, at least until Trunks gets his sister. Thank you for what you have done, but now I want you and Kakarot to leave. Gohan stays here, with me."

Goku stood up before she could say anything else. "That's fine, Vegeta. Come on, honey." He was curious about his request for Gohan to remain there but figured that the reason was good.

Vegeta waited until the door closed before he sat down. "You look like hell."

Chuckling, Gohan looked over at him. "I'm not as young as I used to be."

"Hn." Inhaling tiredly, he leaned forward to grasp Bulma's hand. "That is true. So, what do you think?"

"About what, Vegeta?"

"Are you not surprised by all of this?"

"Of course I am," Gohan said, keeping a straight face. "Who wouldn't be?"

"Yeah, I suppose you're right, considering how foolish it was for you to help my wife." Vegeta's eyes blazed with white-hot fury as Gohan met his piercing, murderous gaze. "The only reason I am holding her hand now is to stop myself from crushing your scrawny throat. All it takes is one hand, boy."

Notes: I will try to get a longer one out after this. Thank you for the comments on the last chapter! I'm glad you liked it.