Recap: Bulma has awakened from her coma after she almost died becoming Saiyan. Her family is searching for stability, especially Vegeta, that may not return anytime soon. Gohan's mental merge with his alter-ego Kaleb is complete, and he's in no mood for obstacles. He's preparing to take his goal for Saiyan dominance on Earth to the next level.

The sarcastic joke slipped out as if they were at home. How normal and reassuring it felt. Vegeta buried his face on the bed to hide emerging tears, unable to withhold them after glimpsing the smile he first fell in love with. Each passing day without her companionship, seeing her comatose and ill, had increased his grieving. Nightmares about her seizures were the worst. He was relieved that their children didn't witness the first one at the lab.

So this is what it feels like to be on the other side, he thought. Seeing a loved one near death felt more agonizing than the death itself. Bulma had long accepted Vegeta as he was, but her trauma from repeatedly tending to injuries from various missions, or from his training alone, was strenuous nonetheless. For years her argument had been that his motivation didn't require freakish, ill-focused obsessiveness to the brink of suicide, even as a Saiyan. Winning and savoring victory long enough to enjoy them were worthy goals. "Make yours a noble death if I have to accept it," she told him. "You don't have many lives left to lose." He eventually understood. But now…

"You can go… back to sleep," Bulma said weakly. "I'm sorry. You're tired."

He kissed her hand. "Now you're being silly. I am exhausted. I suppose you are forgiven for being imprecise." She wasn't awake long. He listened to the pace of her breathing, and he stroked her tail. The massaging relaxed her. He could tell, remembering how the sensation once felt for him.

Looking as bleary-eyed as her brother-in-law, Tights crept in carrying a large cup of freshly brewed coffee. She wanted to hug him but touched his back instead. Vegeta stiffened reflexively. He was in no mood for uninvited advice, which he anticipated, although he appreciated her thoughtulness.

"This is the blackest, strongest coffee I found. How is she?"

"I want her off the drugs completely," he said, taking the cup. "She woke me up. Said my name."

Once again, Tights berated herself for hoping that Vegeta would be more patient. Each positive breakthrough would likely worsen his exasperation, but being his part-time psychologist was tiring. She had to tell him eventually. Her distress was as significant as his. Krillin visited often, sitting with Bulma when Vegeta left during the day. Tights would talk with him, unburdening her emotions. His patient listening encouraged her.

"That's fantastic. Let the team and me continue from here, Vegeta. We can't empty the drugs from her body all at once. I told you that. It's too much of a shock. Go home for a while. You can bring the kids back later."

"I am not leaving, Tights. Not now - so save your breath."

"Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?"

Vegeta grabbed a handful of his hair, which was slightly tangled. He waved for Tights to follow next door. She was correct about his weathered appearance, but he didn't care. Vanity was the least of his concerns.

"Gazing at myself isn't a habit normally," he replied. "How is Iris?"

Definitely not the first question Tights wanted or expected from him, but she was already preparing for a longer conversation about the nurse.

"Her condition will improve. She had a broken arm and a concussion. Her cousin Myra is a student researcher – also her only family. She's checking on her."

Vegeta looked up. "Tell this woman we will pay for Iris's medical care, full salary, and incidental expenses during her recovery."

"That's generous of you."

"It is also practical. We don't want a lawsuit, though this was an accident. Iris wouldn't win in court, of course, but we don't need publicity either."

"I didn't know you were so well-versed in personal injury law. Not bad for an old pirate."

Indeed, Vegeta was being practical, and yet Tights wondered what the limits were of his practicality. Some people applied that mindset to justify anything they did, no matter how terrible. Vegeta was a changed man, to be sure, but he certainly wasn't above it, especially if family was threatened. Tights knew that after he choked Gohan within an inch of the man's life.

"Tch. I followed an honor code during my galactic travels with those who earned my respect, even when I disliked them," Vegeta said. "Capsule Corporation has been sued repeatedly based on others' lies. Humans can be just as treacherous and greedy and stupid as anyone else."

"You've always thought most humans weren't that smart."

"All except for my wife – and now, perhaps, even you."

Tights stifled a laugh. "You are such…"

"An asshole." He smirked. "Yes, I know. It's my second name."

Vegeta thought about the needle he saw on the floor. Bulma's medication schedule shouldn't have been heavy. His eyes fixed on the video cameras.

"How often did you check Bulma's chart since yesterday?"

"Every time I visited," Tights said, "before and after Iris's accident." Her eyebrows furrowed. "Why?"

"What's her medication regimen?"

"Vegeta, I told you…"

"You have said little." He was tired of being told enough information to placate him. "Be upfront. What else is she on now? Are certain tranquilizers still involved because of what happened?"

Tights nodded. "Yes. She's on a drug cocktail, and we must careful with removing the stronger medications. Patients can be aggressive sometimes when their bodies are withdrawing. I should have planned better."

"You should have," Vegeta snapped back. "Others on the medical team should have been with you and Trunks. Your worry about me blurred your judgment. Keep that in mind before you decide to play rebel again."

"Damn it, Vegeta! That's not fair! You can't have it both ways!"

"What the hell does that mean?"

"You've been on my back about managing Bulma's treatment since she was admitted. I'm doing the best that I can, not only because you demand it but also because you and the children are the only family I have left! I'm tough like my sister but I'm tired, just like you! Do you understand? I am tired! You're open with me as much as you can be, but I need my emotions and effort validated too."

Tights exhaled to slow her heartbeats. Vegeta, whose face was unreadable, blinked and stared at her.

"Feeling better now?"

"I swear to god, Vegeta! Are you fucking kidding me?!"

"I am merely validating your emotions," he replied quietly. "I could have rudely defended myself, ignoring your side altogether. I know what you've done. I… know." He folded his arms. "We're an abnormally strong-willed family. Don't doubt your place in it - or where you and I stand anymore. Okay?"

Tights smiled ."Okay." As infuriating as Vegeta could be, he also had a knack for being strangely charming at times, she thought. He never gave anyone reason to doubt his earnestness, though. He meant what he said, undeniably.

Vegeta sipped his coffee. "Good. We are not off the hook when we make idiotic choices. I expect you to say when I do, because I have no intention of stopping with you when necessary."

"So why the questions about the medication schedule earlier?" Tights already knew his mind was spinning around. She had to be quick on her feet.

"Because I saw a syringe on the floor when we found Iris."

"You were there when clean up happened, so it's gone. She was likely giving Bulma a lower dose of one drug to keep her stable. Each dose will be reduced. It's not on the chart, I guess, because she didn't have time to enter it."

Although the nurse had been a trustworthy member of the medical team for years, the prince remained troubled. He wanted to know what happened from the beginning.

"I want to see the video."

"Do whatever makes you feel comfortable," Tights said soberly. "However, would you at least try to eat? Bulma would ask the same of you."

Vegeta closed his eyes. "Of course she would." Then, his jaw tensed. "Tights, I have to go right now."

"What are you talking about? What's happening? Where?"

"Home. Do not leave here. You will hear from me." Looking back once more, he rolled up his sleeves and raced out.

It's not like I'm going out on a date anytime soon, Tights thought. Their conversation was far from finished. She planned to tell Vegeta that Myra was one of Gohan's students. He had to know, and he would likely want to know more, coming directly from Myra herself. How in the hell would that work?

She re-entered her sister's room and sat down. "This is your big sister, kiddo. You've got a good husband. Can you believe that I'm saying this? Me, of all people. That should give your recovery a boost." She took Bulma's hand, interlocking their fingers. "He loves you so much."

Though her mind was cloudy, Bulma heard her sister's voice. Tights was stating the obvious, she thought. Vegeta would continue loving her no matter what happened.

No matter what.

Their time would come, when she and king of all Saiyans would rule. Tights would choose their side. She would become like them. She would want to. Bulma vowed to ensure it.

They were family.

Bulla's silence was common now. Trunks tried engaging her when his father couldn't, asking the normally talkative girl questions, tutoring, or simply playing with her. Vegeta hadn't pushed her to train with either of them him since Bulma had been hospitalized. That bothered Trunks, but it wasn't worth mentioning. He just remembered how proud he was when his father explained the significance of becoming a Super Saiyan. Ironically, this happened shortly before and after Vegeta accidentally punched the boy dead in the face while they trained. Trunks was powered up for the first time with his father. Vegeta dared him to land a solid blow, which the boy did. The prince instinctively hit back harder than either expected. Shocked, Trunks broke down into tears. He also learned a lesson: overconfidence in one's powers could be foolish. Skill mattered, always. The rest was history. During lighter moments, Trunks enjoyed poking fun at his father over these memories until they both laughed. After Majin Buu's reign of terror ended on Earth, Vegeta finally kept a promise and took his son to the amusement park. The prince's unspoken apology covered much more than that single punch.

Much more.

Trunks wanted Bulla to feel the same confidence he had back then. The thoughts consumed him until Tights' texted, saying his father would be awake soon. She didn't ask him to return, but it was implied. He allowed Bulla another hour of quiet time outside while he considered Vegeta's reaction after the accident. The man had withstood torture, genocide, parental abandonment, extreme violence, death, post-traumatic stress, loneliness, and loss of identity. But he had risen above them, albeit imperfectly, because he was a dogged fighter. Trunks also knew how his father's past made him vulnerable. Theoretically, Bulma's transformation could be interpreted as a form of respect. But in this case, she challenged an identity that took years to rebuild. What would Bulma really want from him now? Maybe the prince didn't have it to give and never would. Maybe Bulma would decide eventually that he wasn't enough for her. Trunks understood his father's fear.

"Hey, princess, we're going to the hospital to meet papa and Tights and see mom."

"I don't want to," Bulla said, walking in the opposite direction. "I want to see Pan. Mr. Satan won't mind if you bring me there."

Trunks sighed as she turned her back on him. "This is not a request, Bulla. If you want, we can see Sorrel first. Mom will want to hear your voice, even though she's not completely awake yet."

"Oh, yeah? Mommy didn't think about us when she almost killed herself. You and papa may not be angry anymore, but I am. She hurt you, Trunks, and papa has been sad ever since. He's trying to be there for us, but I can't see him like this anymore. Did mommy hate being human? We are part human. Was she ashamed?"

Trunks had to calm the situation, but finding the right words suddenly became more difficult. "Look, we don't know everything yet. Let's give mom a chance to explain when she's able to. Can you at least do that for me? I know this has been hard, but…"

Bulla's fists clenched. "I said no! No! No! No!" The more Trunks talked, the angrier she became. Her head flailed from side to side. He wasn't listening. She didn't want to be touched. Everyone expected acceptance of their decisions – their commands – and it was time to fight back. "Leave me alone! Don't you understand?! Mommy is jealous of us, Trunks! I'm not stupid. I figured it all out. She was jealous of papa paying more attention to me. I didn't do anything wrong! Why didn't she talk to all of us first?"

He lowered his voice. "Honey, listen, I need you to stay with me. Papa wouldn't want this. Focus."

A flash of light burst from both sides from Bulla's direction, and from above, enough to push Trunks backward. He crossed his arms over his face before levitating over ground. The surge was instantly familiar. Bulla's eyes, now teal-colored, fixed into a hard stare as she screamed at the top of her lungs. Her hair spiked blonde. The aura surrounding her illumined like gilt.

Fight or flight were her only options. Trunks felt confident that he could stop her without powering up considerably – or at least try reasoning with her again. Then Bulla had shot skyward like a surface-to-air missile, spinning like a rotating centrifuge. He did nothing like that during his first transformation, even though he could fly. He quickly ceased underestimating her unbridled rage. Had she transcended to a second-level Super Saiyan? Already? It couldn't be. Nope. No way.

Shit! Of all the times this could happen! When did she start flying too? That's a stupid question. Papa would have told me! I started flying much younger when I was a kid.

Vegeta definitely would've told him. Trunks' arms flew backward as he transformed to Super Saiyan at full power, flying in front of her. Startled, Bulla reared back with her hands raised parallel: Vegeta's Galick Gun attack pose. The energy wave shot past her brother's right side. She wasn't aiming for a direct hit. Her emotions were muddled. She just wanted to distract him, to get away faster.

Angered, Trunks' eyes narrowed. "Look here, little girl. Unless you want me to knock you into next week, which I still can, you better drop that posture! You got me? You are not ready to fight like this."

"Trunks Brief! Stand down - right now!" Vegeta snatched Bulla from midair, turning her to face him. "Look into my eyes, princess! Look at me! Remember our training. Control yourself. I won't leave you. I won't leave you."

"Papa?" Bulla's voice trembled. "I'm sorry, papa. I just...I just didn't want go. Trunks, I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to hurt you!" Sobbing softly, she nestled further into Vegeta's chest.

"Yes, we know." Relieved, Vegeta exhaled. "You are safe. I am sorry your ascension happened this way. It should have been different for you." He looked at Trunks. "I will meet you at the hospital later, son."

Trunks kept his eyes on him, wondering whether his father and sister should be left alone. "But…"

Vegeta shook his head. "Please, just do this for me. I am not upset with you."

Bulla must have been training alone when she could, he thought. How could he and Trunks have not known? He tried not to neglect her, so she wouldn't feel completely traumatized by their family's upheaval. Bulla was sensitive child, though. She felt intensely angry when others were wronged, and she expected justice. While noble, the girl hadn't grasped that certain situations would never be black and white. Such was the case with Bulma's choices, and Vegeta had to explain the nuances carefully to his daughter.

He had been a brutal killer once. Many of the dead would never receive the justice others would expect. He pondered this until Bulla stopped crying. She rested on his back as they flew to a park near the hospital.

"Remember when I asked you to always come to me? Can you tell me why you waited? I have never seen you this angry before. I understand it, but I am also your father. I am here to help."

Bulla jumped from his back as they landed. "Because you need help more than I do."

"Hm." Vegata tapped his chin. "Why do you think that?"

"You and mommy were arguing more before this happened, and it seemed like you were always backing down. It wasn't how you guys normally argue, like a weird married couple. I could tell. I see now that she took advantage of you."

Vegeta nodded in the direction of the playground. He stood behind while she positioned herself in a swing. "I think…you should wait to pass judgment on others. It's hard. I have struggled with it my entire life. It would be dishonest to say that I haven't questioned your mother's reasoning and sincerity - and quite angrily - but I am no saint either, Bulla. Far from it. One must train to respond thoughtfully in the moment. Do your best. I haven't done well at all lately, but at least I'm aware of it. She is still my wife and your mother."

Bulla reached for his hand. "I want to see my baby brother. Can we do that first?"

"Of course."

Iris felt horrible - and trapped. Knowing what she had done for Gohan, being alone in a hospital bed was terrifying. He could do anything. She wanted to leave immediately.

"Myra, get my…get my things. I'm feeling better. Take me home."

"Are you crazy? You won't be able to work for weeks, Iris. Your breathing stopped. This is serious."

Iris fell back onto her pillows. "No, no," she protested, grabbing the bed's guardrail. "You…you don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"I'm so tired." Iris fought to stay conscious, but her exhaustion won the battle. "I'm so… tired. Stay…with me. Please."

"Okay, dear. Okay." Myra checked her cousin's patient chart. The medication list didn't appear abnormal, but Iris's initial reaction almost seemed like an anxiety attack.

Instead of returning to the research lab, she opened her computer tablet and sat down to work. The attending physician told her earlier that Bulma had been startled while still sedated, which led to the accident, but said nothing more beyond that. Iris was bound by a legal non-disclosure agreement not to discuss the Briefs' health care with anyone outside of the private medical team, and had been for years. Myra understood why. Privacy was crucial for an important family like Bulma's, but the young woman also felt angry. Something strange happened.

She felt it.

Gohan leaned against the nurses' station near Iris's room, casually jiggling loose in his pocket. Myra hadn't seen him, although he would have been fine regardless. Iris knew the rules, and the nurse was frightened enough to believe that he was capable of murdering her.

He was fully capable. He hadn't finished with her yet, though. He and Kaleb. He strode down the hall when his phone beeped, debating on whether to answer it.

"Dr. Son here."

"Hey there, buddy. It's Krillin. Did you lose my phone number or something?"

"You would never let me, master," Gohan said, pretending to joke with him.

"Have you seen Piccolo?"

Notes: Hello! So this chapter was a little longer. The summary of your questions from the last chapter focus on whether Vegeta will continue to recognize and support the woman he loves. Well, it's a yes and no deal, as you may have figured out, and that should become clear later.

Also, brainwashing Bulma completely wouldn't serve Gohan's higher goals. Now that she's awake, the question is how long will it take for them to meet again.

Thank you for supporting my work. Please take a moment to leave a comment, because I love hearing from you. I know it's taken longer sometimes to post new chapters. To be honest, this is the hardest story I've written. I want everyone to enjoy it. Cheers!