Disclaimer: Anyway, I don't own anything to do with Dragonball Z. The amazing Akria Toriyama does. I only own the plot and my own characters.

A/N: Bardock isn't in this chapter alot but he's still involved and Matrika's memory is still strong in this one.

Bardock's story

Chapter 16: What choice…?

A few days later, after some recovery time, Bardock and his crew were finally back to work and were getting ready for their next assignment. They put their scouters in place then set off for the launch deck. But as they walked together, talking happily, Bardock spotted a familiar face. It was Kayla walking towards the technology lab of Doctor Sports. He smiled only for the smile to disappear. Kayla looked different. Normally she walked confidently, proudly and with dignity. But right now, she seemed distant and her shoulders were hunched.

'She looks crushed,' He thought, 'I wonder what's up?'

But before Bardock could go and see what was up, Tora shouted him.

"Hey, are you leading this mission or am I?"

"Keep your tail on, Tora!" Bardock barked back, "I'm coming."

He looked Kayla's way one last time, only to see her walking away, her tail low. Reluctantly, Bardock climbed in to his pod, ready for deployment.

As Bardock and his crew were blasted in to the sky, Kayla soon reached the lab of Doctor Sports. He was one of Planet Vegeta's eldest residents and also one of its most intelligent. When the saiyans won the war against the tuffles, it was Dr Sports who first understood the technology they left behind. He created the space pods, created the fake moon to help the saiyans transform whenever they needed to and he made the armour expandable as well as strong. And now his purpose was to repair and update the scouters, repair damaged pods and maintain the healing pods for Plenthor. Kayla often stopped by to help him with his work load. In fact, Kayla was his only regular visitor. The rest of the saiyans just thought of him as an old kook who needed to pass away. But for Kayla, he was the closest person to her father that she knew. Since Commander Sage had died, Doctor Sports always had time for Kayla when she needed help.

When Kayla arrived at the lab, she found the scientist stood by a workbench with his back to her. He had one hand fisted on his hip with a long thin tool in his grasp. His other hand was rubbing the back of his dark grey hair. He was also muttering out loud, something he did regularly.

"Blasted thing! What is wrong with you?"

"Doctor" Kayla called.

Surprised, Doctor Sports turned around, his dark eyes wide behind small round glasses. He sighed in relief when he saw Kayla.

"Kayla, I wish you would not sneak on me like that," He said, "You could've been Frieza for all I knew."

"I'm sorry, Doctor. What's got you confused?"

The Doctor huffed heavily.

"It's this scouter. That brute Paragus has done something to it and now it keeps malfunctioning. However, I can't see the problem."

"May I have a look?"

"Of course but I'm not sure if you'll see anything."

She sat down and took hold of a long thin tool that was specifically designed to go amongst the circuitry of the scouter and grasp the tiny components inside. She also held a magnifying glass in the other hand to get a better view. She then pulled out a tiny piece of soldering that had become dislodged.

"Here's the problem," Kayla smiled, "This has come off so the wiring is loose."

"How did you spot that? Well done my girl."

She just smiled.

Kayla helped her old friend repair the scouter, listening as he called Paragus a clumsy oaf and a fool. She smiled as she wondered if Bardock had crossed the Doctor's path.

"Have you ever repaired a scouter for a saiyan called Bardock?"

"Bardock… I have heard that name before. Though, I'm not sure from where. Why do you ask?"

"No reason, I've met him and I was just curious."

Then the Doctor spotted Kayla's smile, one of affection, rare in saiyans.

"You really like this Bardock, don't you? That smile tells me he's more than a casual acquaintance."

"We've sparred a few times and he's a great guy. He's charming, in a kind of roguish way, he's a little cocky but he's so laidback and natural."

Kayla noticed that the Doctor's eyebrows had lifted in an amused way.

"And…"

"And he's very handsome." She admitted, blushing slightly.

Doctor Sports chuckled deeply as they returned to work. It was certainly a rare thing to see a young saiyan talk so candidly about another. He wasn't surprised; he knew Kayla lived as an open book, revealing her thoughts willingly.

However, a few seconds later, Kayla's expression fell back to the downheartedness Bardock spotted earlier. It didn't take Doctor Sports long to notice.

"I sense that there's more," He said, "And that it's not good."

"No," She replied, "No matter how much I like Bardock, I know my mother will be furious if she discovers."

"Why?"

She sighed, "Bardock is a low-level saiyan."

Doctor Sports slowly nodded in understanding. Kolra was a very snobbish and proud woman, to have a low-level in the family would be the greatest disgrace to her.

"Plus, mother seems to be pinning her hopes on the fact we met King Vegeta a few evenings ago and he was being very charming with me."

"Kolra is hoping you'll be his queen?"

Kayla nodded. "I feel trapped. I respect Vegeta as a King and he is impressive. But I don't think I could be queen to a king who is so under Frieza's control. And I can't seem to resist Bardock, it feels right with him, but I know my mother and brother will be after his blood. Roka's already threatened to kill Bardock if he sees us together again. I just don't know what to do."

Doctor Sports could see Kayla struggling with this dilemma. It didn't help that both of the men involved were clearly and equally attracted to her. The old scientist could see the stress on the young saiyaness.

Rather than see Kayla get more distressed, Doctor Sports tried to return the conversation to if he had come across Bardock before. After a few moments, his mind found a light bulb.

"Bardock, huh? Was his mother called Matrika?" He asked Kayla.

"Eh… Yes, he told me about her." She replied.

"That's why I recognised his name. Matrika came to see me a few days after giving birth. She needed her scouter updating and she brought her new baby with her. That must have been Bardock."

"He made her sound like a brilliant woman."

"She was."

Kayla smiled as Doctor Sports confirmed everything Bardock told Kayla about his mother, beautiful, charming and smart.

As they talked and carried on working, they were suddenly interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. When they turned to look, they were met the face of one of the King's officials. He was tall, slim built and wore a short blue cape over his pristine white armour and a green scouter. On meeting Kayla's eyes, he bowed low.

"Lady Kayla," He said regally, "King Vegeta has requested your presence at the palace. He has asked me to escort you there now."

"Right now?"

"Yes, Miss."

Worried, Kayla looked at Doctor Sports who nodded slightly, signalling that she should go. With a reluctant sigh, Kayla stood up and followed the official out of the lab. All the way there, her mind raced. Surely the King wasn't going to try and make her his mate so soon, was he?

At the palace, Kayla was led straight to the King's throne room via a door at the side of the huge room. Normally, those summoned by the King would have to walk through the huge double doors and walk a long distance to the King's feet. But Kayla was taken through a more private entrance. There, King Vegeta was sat on his throne listening to a group of his advisors updating him on the latest planetary take-overs. Kayla could hear what they were saying too.

"And finally, my Lord," one man said, "We have just received word that a team of low-levels, led by Bardock, have just claimed the planet Coreeine."

"Bardock, you say," The King asked, "His name is popping up more often these days."

Hearing Bardock's name made Kayla smiled unconsciously. It was great to hear he was safe and fighting hard.

"Very well, if that is all, you may leave."

With a bow from each man, they left the King in peace. As they walked out, the official with Kayla cleared his throat and bowed as the King turned to face them.

"My King…"

But the official didn't get to finish his sentence when Vegeta spotted Kayla, her head bowed respectfully.

"Kayla," He smiled, "As beautiful as the last time we met. Thank you for coming to see me."

Kayla was surprised the King took her hand, encouraged her to stand straight then kissed her cheek. It was a rather tender kiss; she could feel his beard brushing her skin.

"It's quite alright, My Lord," She said.

"I asked you here because I wish to get to know you better. You made a huge impression on me the evening we met."

"You did on me too, Sire."

"However, I am usually busy and I'm sure in it's an inconvenience to have my men interrupting your plans."

Suddenly Kayla didn't like where this was going. It wasn't a proposal to become mates but it was still not what she wanted.

"I want to move you in to the palace, for you to live here as my guest. You will have your own quarters and you will have free run of the entire palace."

Kayla's ability to speak ceased as she took in the King's words. Although it wasn't an official mating proposal, it felt like Kayla's control on her own fate had been chosen for her.

"My people here will treat you like the queen you deserve to be. Please allow me to show you."

Her heart screamed at her to run away, run and not stop until she was far away.

"I-I n-need time to think, my Lord."

Before the King could reply, Kayla darted out of the throne room and out of the palace. Where she was running, she didn't know nor did she care, she just had to get away.

What is Kayla going to do now? And what's Bardock going to do? How do you compete with King Vegeta? Next chapter is up soon.