Recap: Bulma readjusts to life outside of the hospital, testing Vegeta's emotional boundaries. Gohan waits patiently to reunite with her, while his father Goku and friend Krillin share concerns about all of their relationships.

Goku and Krillin sat together on the floor in Orin Temple. Krillin was pleased that the monks, who welcomed them kindly, were more service-minded than when he first trained there as a boy. The two meditated in lotus position off-and-on for hours, showing their gratitude later by helping their hosts clean the monastery's colorful, fabric-swathed interior.

It felt like old times for the childhood chums, but they lived in the present. Krillin understood this more than some other friends, and even his deceased wife, Eighteen. He saw the world as it was, especially after his biologically engineered spouse, once considered nearly invincible, died unexpectedly. He, Gohan, and Vegeta had wives whose love breathed life into them. And, like them, he felt suffocated emotionally when his wife suffered, but, eventually, he used his spiritualist training to reject dwelling on "how things should be." He also had to set a good example for his daughter, Marron.

Five months had passed since Bulma and Sorrel left the hospital, and all news came to Goku through Krillin, who had continued visiting. He stopped by less, though, because Bulma had been aloof. Vegeta didn't explain her behavior. Instead, when she wasn't around, the prince allowed liberal time with their baby. This was the proud man's silent apology and thanks, especially since Sorrel wasn't completely well. Krillin felt honored to have his trust and respect, recognizing that Vegeta felt likewise. No need to say it.

Krilln also suspected that his friends' marital relationship had become tense again. No one had seen Bulma up-close beyond a handful of trusted comrades, including Chi Chi, Hercule, and old boyfriend Yamcha. All tried hard, and lovingly, to accept her new appearance. Bulma seemed unaware of their discomfort, or rebelliously ignored it. Among themselves, they expressed uneasiness to Tights about the shockwaves that would be unleashed once Bulma appeared in public.

Goku pawed through his disorderly heap black-olive hair and stretched. "No shock that Vegeta still won't explain what's happening with her. Nope, no shock there at all."

Krillin lit another incense stick, blowing a tiny billow of rose-scented smoke. "I know. I know," he said somberly. "That's just who he is. To be fair, the guy has been through hell on Earth."

"Tch. He's been to the real one, too." They glanced at each other until Goku grinned. "Twice."

"Way too soon for that joke," Krillin said, punching his shoulder. "Too soon, man, especially in the temple." He chuckled. "You almost sound like Vegeta."

"I do sound like him, don't I?" Goku paused, listening to the winter winds howl outside. "Well, I need something to laugh about since my son shut me out. I suppose Vegeta would be okay with me finally visiting now. From what you're telling me, though, maybe Bulma wouldn't."

Vegeta probably wouldn't want Goku to visit either, Krillin thought, regardless of Bulma's desires. He had hoped the meditation would have helped his friend regain clarity and find comfort.

"Hey, man. I… talked with Gohan, you know, right before Bulma left the hospital. I asked about Piccolo."

"And you're just now telling me?" Goku's asked, attempting to withhold his anger. "Why is everyone keeping secrets? We've been through too much together. Vegeta and I…" He looked down, avoiding Krillin's gaze. "Whether he likes it or not, he still needs friends to get through this. My son needs us too."

Krillin sighed. "Goku, look, we're different. I know your instinct is to jump in to make everything right, but in this case it's just unwise. I love Bulma too, but the only thing we can do is let this play out. Hercule has continued offering help, also, since Pan and Bulla are close. At least Vegeta accepts that much, along with my support."

Goku knew Vegeta didn't hate him. They were friends despite their lifelong warriors' rivalry. Krillin, ever wise and compassionate, understood that the prince was, in a way, protecting his fellow Saiyan. As fathers who loved their families, Vegeta had to put distance between them until Gohan and Bulma's actions were addressed. Everyone knew Goku would never give up on his first-born son, understandably, no matter how terribly Gohan behaved – not as long as he felt guilty.

Krillin joined Goku to observe the craggy, shrub-lined mountain pathway leading to the temple. They would leave the same way they came, walking silently along the trail through the chilled air.

"Well, what did my son say, Krillin?"

"He saw Piccolo one night, but they haven't spoken since. I mean, yeah, we know the guy is reclusive, but he always keeps promises, you know? My students would have benefited from his training, but that concerns me less. You're the one who saw Dende recently. What has he told you?"

Goku turned around. "Piccolo said he was traveling to Andromeda Galaxy, to New Namek, using teleportation. Dende doesn't seem very concerned about his absence – yet. Also, I already knew about Gohan. I asked Piccolo to reach out, which I guess happened before he left Earth."

"Maybe a visit to New Namek is in order," Krillin said, seating himself. "Can't hurt to check on him."

Goku looked over the forest again. "Maybe so, my friend."

Many questions went unanswered - especially that penetrating look in Gohan's eyes. What caused it? Vegeta had seen it before, long ago, but the rest of the memory escaped him. He still didn't regret his response at the hospital. Before her seizure, Bulma had been so certain about her achievement. No doubt Gohan felt similarly or else he wouldn't have risked his welfare and hard-won reputation. They had become evangelists for their cause long before knowing what the outcome would be, good or bad.

Indeed, Vegeta had been considering priorities before Bulma's pregnancy. Maybe she had been somewhat right: Maybe he craved a more transformative future, like her, but what did that mean? His body had surpassed the power levels he recklessly sought through demonic possession, as well as his mental fortitude, and yet... and yet…

The prince pushed these doubtful, intrusive thoughts aside – these signs of weakness, he called them. The trauma of the past months ran deeper than he consciously realized. He found himself observing his children often. They filled him with more pride than any battle, banishing the other intrusions to an abyss, thankfully.

Bulma looked in on Sorrel, who was whimpering. "Hungry again?" His tiny face scrunched into a scowl, nose twitching with displeasure, while his mother opened her shirt to breastfeed. "Amazing. You look just like your papa when you do that."

"Is that so bad?" Vegeta asked, walking next to her. "You still created three brats with me." Sorrel, whose eyes lit up, stopped feeding. He kicked shakily and cooed, obviously pleased to see his father, who didn't crack a smile. Vegeta held out his finger, testing the baby's grip.

Bulma tried to hide her annoyance. The prince had seen Sorrel consistently when she was comatose. Of course the baby would respond this way. "Well, it looks like he's forgotten about eating," she said softly. "Want to hold him?"

"No." Vegeta shook his head. "I'm a distraction. Feed him. I'll return later to help him exercise. You know where I'll be."

Bulma mustered a thin smile. "The rose garden?"

Vegeta stopped, keeping his back to her. "Maybe after I finish training. You are… welcome to join me." He would have taken the baby then, gladly, but sensed Bulma's unhappiness. She was becoming more restless each day. They had their disagreements, which Vegeta would stop cold before frustrations escalated. Keeping the peace was imperative. Sorrel needed everyone's support in particular. His muscles and motor skills remained weak, and, like Bulma, he was still prone to having seizures. His siblings were enthusiastic helpers, naturally, doing whatever they could between their studies at home. Bulla was less distant from her mother, but tension between them lingered.

Vegeta set limits on all arguments after they had a huge blowout – the biggest one since Bulma returned home. Surprisingly, he had suggested that Bulma invite her friends over more often to lift her spirits. He would spend time elsewhere, avoiding the strains of socializing more than he wanted to. His wife couldn't believe his nerve - and said so quite angrily:

"Maybe I would have been better off comatose a few more months! You're running off to 'work' while I get to play lonely housewife. Hell, no!"

Vegeta almost crushed a glass in his hands. "You have no right – none – to chastise me about a damn thing, woman. I have fought hard not to feel sorry for myself throughout this ordeal with you, and it hasn't been easy. Try it sometime, because I won't be your whipping boy. Not today."

"I know what this is about." Bulma pinched the bridge of her nose. " I know what this is about. You blame Gohan and me for Sorrel's condition. We don't know the full story yet, Vegeta. Give Tights a chance to…"

"Don't go there with me, Bulma Brief, and don't bring that asshole into it!" Vegeta snapped. His voice reduced to a semi-growl. "Gohan is fortunate that I haven't murdered him, as I threatened to, because you are still alive. Do you want to me to say I'm trying hard not to blame you for Sorrel's condition? You're my wife! Look at yourself! What do you expect me to do? Look at yourself! Why are you pushing me like this? Can you try to show a little respect?"

Bulma stepped backward unsteadily, as if the ground had quaked beneath them."I just... thought things would be different. It's been months now. Does my change offend you that much, now that I'm past my medical crisis? You've kissed me and held me, and helped so much with the baby, but we haven't had sex once since I've been home. We can find our way back to each other. Tights told me how attentive you really were while I was in the hospital."

"I was," Vegeta replied, "and I was grateful to see your eyes open, and to hear your voice again. But, yes, I still need to get my mind straight. You owe me that. Focus less on my struggles and more on our baby. Don't forget who I am. My former life is a graveyard of horrors that almost destroyed me. However frustrated I am with you, I know you aren't trying to do that."

Bulma stared at him. "I want to go back to work, full time."

"I know you do." Vegeta crossed his arms defensively. "Do you expect me to be furious again? What you got just now is my limit for today. Try again next week."

"You don't trust me." She walked closer, touching his chest. "I need you. We need each other."

Vegeta clutched her wrist, closing his eyes. "Be patient." For months he desperately wanted to see her open hers, and now his mind roiled with those nagging doubts. What more would she ask from him?

Bulma pressed harder into his body until their hearts raced. She smelled of bergamot and roses and musk. He hadn't noticed that before. Their hands ran instinctively up and down each other's backs. Her fingertips danced over Vegeta's spinal column, his deltoid muscles and triceps. His angel, his woman, his friend, his lover kissed him like a wild horse barreling through the countryside. He felt a pulsating warmth arise between his legs. A soft moan crossed his flushed lips as she stroked his groin. He lifted her higher to kiss again, until his wife's soft tongue cascaded down the side of his neck.

"Oh god." Vegeta panted harder. "I can't…"

"Yes, you can," Bulma pleaded, until his eyes finally met hers. "Look at me." Her tail encircled his legs. "See. You're still my prince. You're still my prince. Make love to me."

Then the baby monitor went off. Sorrel was crying.

The couple quickly released each other, looking at the hallway. Vegeta's guarded posture re-emerged. His eyes fixed on Bulma until she moved away. Then he left to see their son without another word. She quietly followed behind.

Bulma consoled herself, reaffirming her toughness despite everyone else's worries. Her quality of life had improved: no more steroids, less sleep-inducing medication, and a growing power within. Vegeta felt it, and they had to discuss it eventually. She wished her friends did a better job empathizing with her. That's why she was less enthusiastic about seeing them. Her baby needed more therapy, her daughter was avoiding her, while Vegeta was perpetually preoccupied. Tights tried to be the family's secret weapon, attempting to convince Bulma to take things slow, but five months at their estate now felt like five years. Sometimes she and Vegeta sneaked out together, traveling to the nature preserve and a farm they owned. She had been grateful that he cared enough do that.

But she still needed Gohan. He was best equipped monitor her physical condition regularly, not Tights. Convincing Vegeta might be next to impossible right then, but Bulma felt confident that she could sway him over time - especially once they made love. Her dreams were rife with visions of their ascendance together. Her post-seizure mind had wandered between poles occasionally, leaving her with strange compulsions. Sometimes she felt more selfish. Her subconscious mind stamped more imprints for decoding while she was awake. Many were confusing. Others aroused her as if she had taken a psychoactive drug, leaving her less inhibited and mildly euphoric. None of these reactions put her infant son in harm's way, she believed. She could never hurt Sorrel – not ever – but telling Vegeta was out of the question.

"Hello, Cress. I wondered how long it would take to hear from you. How are the nightingales?"

Bulma's body instantly relaxed. Her thoughts seemed to float. She had enough presence of mind to realize something was off as she responded to Gohan's question, but she didn't want to regain control. There had been too much stress adjusting to being at home. His silken voice soothed the frustration of being misunderstood by everyone. Everyone except for him.

Bulma took a deep breath, leaning back comfortably into her recliner while Sorrel breastfed. "I…am fine. The birds… the birds are lovely, Kaleb."

Gohan, seated in his office, nodded with satisfaction. The hypnotic device worked perfectly on her. "I'm sure they are. That's great to hear. I take it that your husband isn't around."

"He's out with our daughter.

"So when will we meet?"

Bulma shook her head. Her eyes felt so heavy. "I am returning to work soon. I need time. Vegeta, Sorrel, my baby…"

"You need to make your debut, Cress," Gohan said gently. "Stop hiding. Tell everyone your new name soon, and find a way to see me. You can tell people just enough truth to make them think that you're not hiding anything. That's how this works. I shouldn't have to remind you."

"Yes, Kaleb."

"Good. We have work to do. Remember, Vegeta needs you as much as I do. He won't leave. You know that – and he won't kill me, not with you to convince him otherwise. How is Sorrel?"

"I'm breastfeeding. He's not growing fast enough. Not like Trunks and Bulla. Muscle weakness and movement issues. We're trying to…"

Gohan shut off his office light. "I might have something to help. We'll figure it out, okay? Maybe I can pass information to Tights through another person. We'll be in touch. Goodbye now. I need to check on my new nightingales. I've loved them ever since you gave me those first two, when I was younger."

"Yes, the birds are lovely." Feeling somewhat light-headed, Bulma rubbed her eyes after the call ended. She looked down and smiled. "Your papa will be home soon, baby boy. He'll be happy to see you."

Notes: Hi, everyone. So there's a lot going on here, and I appreciate your comments. I'm seeing more interest in Gohan's "Jekyll-Hyde persona." (That's what I'll call it for now.) Apparently he's bugging the heck out of some of you. I am happy about that, actually! I began this story with the premise that Gohan was just as susceptible to developing a personality disorder as anyone else, using DBZ's Cell Games as starting point. Check out those fights again, especially the one where he didn't kill Cell outright when he could have - when Goku practically screamed for him to. Gohan was in different psychological dimension.

The bottom half of chapter nine also touched on other triggers for his behavior. Look at the person he's trying to live vicariously through: Vegeta, of all people. Videl's death just tipped him over the edge. He's beyond the point of likability now, but I still feel badly for him when I consider the total person.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!