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.

Bardock's story

Chapter 18: Second chance

It was close to midnight as Kolra paced the floor of her front room. She had been told about Kayla running out on the King and was now furious. Right now, Roka was out searching for her but he had been at it for hours.

"This is pathetic," Kolra told herself, "How could she been so stupid? King Vegeta practically threw himself at her and she runs away? What am I supposed to do with that girl?

Kolra's train of thought was disturbed by the front door opening. She dashed to the hallway only to stop and meet the eyes of her son, and only her son.

"Where is she, Roka?" She demanded.

"I've searched everywhere, Mother," Roka replied, "There's was no sign of her. Even that old kook doesn't know where she is."

"How could she do this to us? Does pride mean nothing to that girl?"

Roka stood and watched as his mother started pacing again. He had an idea where Kayla might be but he knew his mother wasn't in the mood for guessing games. He had to be certain that Kayla was where he thought. But, while Roka debated with himself and Kolra paced, there was a firm knock at the door. Blinking, Roka turned and opened it. When he did, the sight made him kneel. Caliry looked around the door, only to copy her son.

Meanwhile, still lying in the cool grass, Kayla started waking up after a little nap. For a few moments, she completely forgot where she was. She opened her eyes to find herself outside the city and it was night. But she didn't feel cold, thanks to the heat wrapped around her. As she lay on her side, she looked down to see Bardock's arm wrapped securely around her and she could feel his tail coiled around her thigh. Her tail was draped over his waist. Right here and now, she felt warm, safe and content, just how she wanted to feel. Smiling softly, Kayla removed her tail then carefully rolled over on to her back so she was looking in to Bardock's sleeping face. Gently, she touched his face and stroked the skin while her eyes took each detail of his handsome features. Despite the hardened saiyan warrior Bardock was, Kayla was surprised at how gentle and careful he had been as he claimed her. He had held her securely all the way through and took things slowly. It never once felt wrong.

Before Kayla got lost in the memories of the previous few hours, Bardock's eyes opened just a crack, enough to see Kayla looking at him. He gave her a satisfied smirk.

"Hey, how are you?" He asked.

"I'm fine," She smiled back, "You?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

He gently lifted her chin with his finger and softly kissed her lips, something she returned. But before the kiss became more passionate, Kayla gently pulled away.

"What's up?"

"Nothing, but I'd better get going. Mother and Roka don't need a reason to try and find me and I've been out later than normal."

"You have a good reason to be late."

"Hmm, but probably best I don't say anything. I'm in enough trouble as it is after running from the palace."

Bardock nodded in understanding then they got to their feet and pulled on their armour and spandex.

'It's a shame to cover up that beauty with armour' Bardock thought as Kayla dressed.

Once dressed, they kissed once more then Kayla flew off home, Bardock setting off a few moments later.

Kayla flew home unable to wipe the smile off her face. Even though there was the pressure from her mother and brother to mate with King Vegeta, her thoughts were purely on Bardock. Yes, he wasn't nearly as powerful or as refined as Vegeta, but Bardock his own qualities that were certainly attractive, handsome and brave, to name but a few. She was glad that they finally slept together, even it was secret. But soon, she was in sight of her home and it deflated her mood. She stopped in the air for a few moments, bracing herself for her mother's scolding. Finally, she glided down to the front door and slowly opened the door. However, she was in for a shock when she stepped over the threshold.

Kayla's eyes were immediately drawn to the blue cape and tall dark brown hair and fear swept over her. She stood frozen as Kolra and Roka spotted her. A few seconds later, King Vegeta turned to face her too.

"Kayla," Kolra called, moving toward her, "Where have you been?"

"I-I was..."

"I believe it is my fault." Vegeta said.

The family turned and stared at the regal ruler in confusion. Never before had the King of Saiyans admitted fault. He stepped closer, his eyes fixed on Kayla.

"My proposal for you to move in to the palace was rather premature," He explained, "After all, we'd only met once before. Even for a race as sometimes impulsive as us saiyans, I was expecting too much from you."

Kayla was still stunned. She was expecting the King to grab her and drag her to the palace against her will. But here he was, apologising for making her feel trapped by him. She watched, bewildered, as Vegeta stepped closer to her and took a hand.

"But I still wish to get to know you better," He said smoothly, "So I would like for the two of us to meet for one hour every evening until the time is right."

Kayla didn't like this idea; she was still being pressured in to something she didn't care for. But King Vegeta was still the King and his orders were final.

"That'd be a much better arrangement, Sire," She smiled, "Thank you."

"Excellent," Vegeta's smile grew, "Let us start tomorrow night with dinner, the finest food on Planet Vegeta."

He kissed Kayla's hand, nodded politely to Kolra then, with a swish of his cape, he left for the palace.

Even when the King had disappeared in to the night, Kayla stayed standing where she was. She could feel her mother's eyes glaring at her, like they were boring in to her back. A few moments later, Kolra stepped in front of her daughter, making her look at her.

"What is the matter with you?" Kolra demanded, "The King was handing the most desirable offer to you on a plate. And you turned it down? That throne and crown was within your grasp. How could you be so stupid?"

Kayla didn't answer straight away. She knew the real reason, Bardock. But there was no way she was going to let her mother or brother hurt Bardock, he was precious to her.

"It just didn't feel right," She finally said, "He may be the King, but I hardly know him. I can't be the queen to a man I don't understand."

"That is a load of crap. All you need to know is that he is King Vegeta and he wants you as his queen."

Kayla's expression didn't change. This made Kolra angrier.

"Kayla! You could be the most powerful saiyaness on this planet and our family's honour would be greatly improved. We would be untouchable!"

That made Kayla glare at her mother. "That's what you want? You want me to mate with Vegeta just so you can play Lady of the Manor?"

"Luckily for us, the King is still interested in you. So it's not too late. Now, if you two don't mind, I am off to bed."

Carrying her head ostentatiously, Kolra turned and disappeared in to her bedroom, leaving Roka and Kayla alone.

Once again, Kayla was stood in the same spot feeling a pair of eyes boring in to her back. Roka's brow was furrowed as he watched his younger sister stand completely still.

"I know where you were tonight." He finally said calmly.

"Oh, really? Well, enlighten me, brother."

"You were with that low-level again, Bardock. And don't deny it. I may not have seen you with him. But I know."

Finally, Kayla turned to face Roka and, straight away, he could see he was right. The twinkle in his sister's eyes was obvious.

"What do you see in that bastard? He's weak, pathetic and primitive, nowhere near our level."

"Bardock is not what you think. He's stronger than any low-level I've met and… I don't know why I care so much about him. All I know is that I do."

"You are disgracing this family's honour. We are one of this planet's aristocracy and both of us have duties to fulfil. Yours is to become the King's mate."

"What if I don't want to?"

"Tough, we all have to do things we don't want. Also, if I catch you with that Bardock, I won't hold back on either of you."

Roka glared in Kayla's eyes once more then left her for bed too. Now, all Kayla wanted to do was rip everything in the house in to pieces. What was she going to do? She didn't want to mate with King Vegeta but her family were making almost impossible to go against them. What to do…?

Meanwhile, Bardock had returned to the barracks and was sneaking back to his bunk for the night. Luckily, most of the other saiyan soldiers were either still in the bars or were fast asleep. Some of the sleeping ones could be heard snoring. Once over in his team's area, Bardock was relieved to see no sign of Shugesh, Borgos or Tora.

'Still at the bar,' He sighed, 'good, they won't miss me too much.'

Quickly, Bardock started undressing, starting by pulling his armour off. As he did, he was suddenly aware that he was being watched. Carefully, he glances over his shoulder and could just make out Tora's shadow.

"You're waiting for me?" Bardock asked.

"Yeah, but you don't need to try and lie about where you were," Tora said coolly, "I know you were with Kayla again. And you were having a different type of sparring session, weren't you?"

"It's none of your business, Tora. Anyway, it's more than just fooling around."

Tora's eyes widened as Bardock bit back the rest of what he was going to say. The scarred saiyan knew saying more would reveal his emotions. But Tora could work it out.

"Y-you love her, don't you?"

"And so what if I do? What are you going to do about it?"

"Look, Bardock, I'm glad you've found someone that makes you smile. It's great to see after all you've been through. But, is she worth the risk? And I'm not talking about her brother. Her mother, Kolra, will do anything to take her family's status higher. There's no doubt she'll make sure Kayla marries a guy in the super Elite, most likely Commander Nappa. If that happens, you might as well reserve yourself a grave, they'll kill you."

Bardock and Tora stared at each other in silence. Bardock was just glad Tora didn't know who actually had their sights set on Kayla.

Hope you're all ready for the next two chapters, this is just the calm before the storm.