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-Really?-

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She awoke suddenly, her eyes snapping open.

She was lying on one of the flat medical tables that Bulma kept in her lab, a thin sheet covering her up. She tried to move, only to find that she had been restrained to the table.

Jerking her arms in the restraints, she caused enough racket to attract Trunks over to her side, an apologetic look on his face.

"Sorry Will, but you gotta leave them for a bit…" he said, making her glare up at him.

"Ahh...g.a…" she tried to speak, snapping her mouth shut at the gurgling sounds coming form her. She looked up at her brother, panic written all over her face.

"It's fine," he soothed, rubbing her arm," Mom had some tubes down your throat and just took them out earlier. Give it a bit and you will be able to talk again."

She nodded, shaking the restraints once more and looking up at him in confusion.

"Oh, Mom had to strap you down… You started convulsing after I got you to her…" he whispered, worry etched onto his face. He grabbed one of the metal folding chairs that stood near them, pulling it over and setting down next to her.

"How long?" She mouthed.

He sighed, hoping she didn't freak out.

"Since last night. "

She nodded shakily, but kept her composure.

"Will, listen… there's – Mom thinks she knows what's going on with you…" he began, his eyes filled with sadness. "She ran some tests, but nothing is coming back. You're in perfect health, or so the results said." He paused, taking a deep breath, before continuing.

"Mom said she thinks you're going through bond withdrawals."

Her eyes widened slightly, but she nodded.

"You knew?"

She shrugged, mouthing the word "Guessed."

Trunks sighed, leaning back in his chair.

"That's what you were trying to tell me earlier, right?"

Nodding, she closed her eyes, trying to keep from crying. It was true; and the worst part was that to some degree, Goku had to know what was happening and he didn't care…

A beeping noise jerked her out of her thoughts. Trunks got up and walked over to one of the computers, turning the signal off. He walked back to her, unstrapping her from the table and helping her sit up.

"Mom wanted to be sure that you were going to have any more convulsions." He whispered, hoisting her down from the table. He held onto her until he knew she could stand, still yet wrapping an arm around her waist.

She poked him in the side gently, mouthing "water" when he looked at her. He navigated her towards one of the work tables, getting her settled in a chair before grabbing her a bottle of water from the mini fridge his mother kept beside her desk.

He handed it to her, setting down next to her, watching her struggle to get it open.

It scared him how quickly this was debilitating her.

He took the bottle out of her hands, popping the cap off and handing over once more.

"Go easy. You don't want to make yourself sick," he cautioned, knowing her tendency to chug every liquid that passed her lips. She rolled her eyes, but did as he said, taking small sips of the ice cold water.

"That's a bit better," she whispered hoarsely. She sat the bottle down, eyeing him.

"Trunks, do you think that we could find a way to send me back?" she asked quietly, trying not to strain her voice too much. He looked up in surprise.

"What?"

"Do you think you and Bulma could find a way to send me back to my old world?" she repeated.

His eyes widened, taking in what she said.

"You – you want to go back?"

"No, but I think it's my only option right now."

She paused for another drink of water, looking back up at him, her eyes pleading.

"Do you think it would work, though? Would it make the bond go away if I went back?" she whispered, wincing as pain shot through her throat.

Trunks sighed, running a shaking hand through his lavender hair.

"I – I don't know, sis…. If they were able to send you here, I don't see why we wouldn't be able to send you back, but do you – Is that really what you want to do? I mean –"

She chuckled weakly, cutting him off.

"You heard Dad during his lectures, Trunks. And what Bulma said… If he refuses to seal the bond, I'm a goner. I don't know about you, but I'm not willing to put my life in the hands of a man that is willing to set back and let me die. If I can get back to my own dimension, I'll do it. Maybe if I go there and stay for a while, it will break the bond and I could come back…." Tears slipped down her face as she thought about leaving her family.

And even Goku…

Trunks glared sat her.

"Don't feel guilty!" he admonished. "I can tell by the look on your face, Will!" he said when she tried to deny it.

"He doesn't deserve for you to feel guilty! If anything, he deserves to have his ass kicked!" he growled, making her chuckle.

"It's not just him I feel bad about, though…. I don't want to leave you guys! If I go back, I'm going back to nothing!" she said, her eyes going to her hands in her lap.

"It will be just like before….. I – I don't think I can handle that after being here with you all." She whispered. "I'm tired of being alone, Trunks. I was sick of it before I found you all, and I don't want to have to go back to that, but I think it might be the only way to fix this."

Trunks stood up with a determined look on his face, laying a shaking hand on her shoulder, before leaving the lab.

…

Hearing someone coming in a little while later, she hastily wiped her eyes, setting up a little straighter. Turning in her chair, she saw Bulma come in, a grim look on her face.

"Trunks said he told you."

Willow nodded, biting her lip.

"He said you want to go back…." The older woman whispered, coming to stand next to her. Willow stood, her hands clasping together behind her back.

"I don't want to…. I want to see if it will break the bond without killing me." She said.

Bulma growled, slamming her fist down onto the table and making the younger woman jump.

"I swear, if those two cause you to leave, I'll kill them myself!" she snarled.

Willow laughed quietly, shaking her head.

"You'll have to stand in line, because I call dibs." She whispered, her voice still scratchy.

Bulma chuckled slightly before bursting into tears, grabbing Willow in a tight hug.

"You can't leave! I'll – I'll make him comple-!"

Willow pushed her away gently, shaking her head.

"No. If he wanted me, he would have already done it, Father be damned. I don't know if he just doesn't get it, or if he – if he doesn't want me… But I won't force him into it. I've heard the stories about Chi-Chi, Bulma. I won't have him feeling like I trapped him into a bonding."

Bulma gaped at her.

"But you – You'll die! And you wouldn't be trapping him! He does care for you! I see it every time he looks at you! Goku's just – he's a good man, and he's trying to do what's right. He just doesn't see what's in front of him is all. He needs to be told how bad it's gotten. He might just think it hasn't grew this much." Bulma said, grabbing her hands.

"Just let me tell him? Please?"

But Willow shook her head, pulling away.

"No, I don't want him to come to me out of pity! Do you know how much that would hurt? I refuse to be someone's charity case!" she seethed, her father coming out full force in her words.

Bulma placed her hands on her hips, glaring at her adopted daughter.

"You listen here missy! It's not charity! He just need to know the details! So stop acting like your pig-headed father and let me fix this!" she snapped, using the voice she usually reserved for Vegeta when he was being an ass.

Willow flared up, her eyes narrowing in a hard glare.

"And what about my pride? I'm just supposed to set back like a fucking damsel in distress and hope that he pities me enough to save me? I don't think so! I can save my own damn self by leaving!"

Bulma walked over, grabbing her by the ear.

"Forget your pride! It's that same pride that has you in this position! Is it helping Vegeta get his head out of his ass? NO! Is it telling Goku that he's about to lose one of the people he loves? NO! So don't start with me about your damn pride Okara! I won't lose you, do you understand? Get mad at me if you want to, I don't care! I listened to your father tell me how much he regretted leaving your mother before you were born! How much it hurt him that you disappeared! You're not leaving him like this, no matter what!" she shouted, making the younger woman wince as she tugged her ear.

She let her go, glaring at her.

"Your family needs you here. Goku needs you here. Stop being difficult and let me sort this out!"

Willow glared at her a moment before her lip began to quiver.

In all her years growing up, no one had ever taken the time to yell at her because they wanted her. She had been talked down to, treated like garbage, and abused for not being what her family had wanted. Her sister had tried to take care of her, but even she hadn't been this … determined.

It was one of the most amazing feelings in the world to her.

She flung her arms around the blunette, taking her by surprise. The older woman smiled into the crying girl's hair, hugging her tightly.

"Please let me fix this?" she whispered, her hands rubbing soothing circles into her back. "Please, Willow. He needs to know. If – if he already knows, or he r-refuses, I swear I'll help you get back to your old world. I mean it. But at least give it a chance."

Willow moved back, looking at her with tear filled eyes.

"Fine." She whispered, finally conceding. "But you have to keep your promise. If he – if it's not going to work out, you'll help me leave, right?"

Bulma gave her a grim nod, reaching out and squeezing her shoulder.

"I promise. Now, I want you to go and take a nap, alright. You've exhausted what little energy you have and I don't want you collapsing again, okay?" she said, her arm going around her shoulders as she led her out of the lab.

As they went down the hall, Bulla stuck her head out of her door, eyeing them curiously.

…

Vegeta landed down in the back yard, the mid-day sun glaring off of the windows of his home.

He had been out trying to collect his thoughts. He knew something was going on, especially after Kakarott found her so quickly the day before. After the warrior left, he took off, flying halfway around the world, trying to calm himself.

There was something they weren't telling him, he knew it.

Vegeta felt his daughter's KI flicker as he made his way to the Gravity Room, wanting a few hours of mindless training to help him clear his head. It was beginning to worry him how much her energy seemed to be doing that lately. He couldn't figure out why he couldn't feel her when she left, though. If he was close, he could feel it in the back of his mind, just like the rest of his families, but as soon as she was off the property, it disappeared without a trace.

He let himself in, sighing at the cool air of the room.

His mind wandered as he trained, though.

If Kakarott was able to find her, then they had a connection. If they had a connection, then a bond was starting.

But if a bond was starting, he would know, right? They would be drawn together, not spending time apart. He wasn't stupid; he had noticed they were spending less and less time together with each passing day.

And one of them would be in pain. He hadn't seen his daughter acting like she was, nor Kakarott. So what was it?

As he was winding down, he felt her again, this time her energy fell so far that he felt his heart almost stop. Before his mind had time to catch up, he was out the door and headed for the house.

He felt Bulma in their living room and headed straight for her, worry hastening his steps.

"Where's Okara?"

Bulma looked up at him, her eyes puffy and red.

"She's in her room."

He nodded and head for the stairs, when Bulma called out to him.

"Vegeta, I need to talk to you."

He looked back at her, moving back into the room.

"What about? Can it wait?" he asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. His gut was telling him not to stop, to go and see his oldest right now.

She patted the seat next to her and he reluctantly joined her on the sofa. She wiped her eyes with a tissue, wringing it in her hands as she spoke.

"She collapsed last night after you left. Trunks – He brought her to me and I had to put her in one of the healing tanks. She flat lined twice, Vegeta!" she yelled, making him pale.

"What?"

"She's going through bond withdrawals! You and Goku are killing her!" she burst out sobbing, scaring him.

"You are killing her, Vegeta! I told her what was going on…. Well, not all of it because I didn't want to scare her, but she knows she's in bad shape…. You have to let go! She needs him or she's going to die!" She cried even harder and he put a shaking hand on her shoulder.

His mind screeched to a halt.

His daughter was dying…. He was killing her with his stupid pride...

"It hurts me that she's hurting like this, you know? I love her the as much as I do Trunks and Bulla…. "

Just as she said his name, Trunks came through the door, a deep scowl on his face. He glared at Vegeta, who was taken back by the venomous gaze.

"I take it you told him?" he said, directing the question to his mother.

She shook her head, looking up at him, almost pleadingly.

"No, Trunks! Wait! She -"

"Well, if you won't I will!" he snarled, looking at his father.

"She having me see if I can contact her old dimension. She wants to go back." He said, feeling satisfaction when Vegeta paled.

"You wouldn't!"

He nodded solemnly.

"I would! She's dying, father! As long as she stays here and Goku refuses to complete the bond, she will die. You know this! I think you've been telling yourself that it hasn't gotten that far, but it has. They are meant to be together, whether you like it or not. We think if she leaves, the bond might recede and she might actually live." He said.

For the first time in his life, he watched his father break down.

His head went to his hands, his shoulders heaving with quiet sobs.

Trunks felt his own eyes begin to sting, but turned and headed for the stairs. He needed to see his sister.

..

He started to knock when he heard her talking.

The door was cracked and he peered in, smiling at the sight before him.

Bulla lay on the bed next to her, hugged up to her side, as Willow ran a hand through the younger girl's hair, talking softly. He knocked, making them look up. When she saw it was him, Willow smiled.

"Come here you." She whispered, patting the side of the bed. He sat next to her, facing them.

"Dad just broke down." He said, making her raise a brow.

"Why?"

"I told him you were trying to find a way back."

Bulla looked at her, eyes filling.

"You're not really leaving, right?"

Willow sighed, making the younger girl hug her tighter.

"Bulma said she's going to try and set him straight. But if Goku doesn't want to, I'll have to." She said.

Trunks turned away, trying to wipe his eyes without them seeing, but she grabbed his arm, pulling him down next to her. He gave up and just lay there with his sisters.

"I'll miss you two the most." She smiled sadly, hugging them tightly to her. They lay there a moment before he heard her snoring softly, her breathing rattling in her chest.

He hugged up to his sister's frail form, feeling a lot younger than his nineteen years.

…

Vegeta came up the stairs a little while later, heading for his daughters room. He opened the door, seeing all of his children hugged up together, asleep on her bed. Bulla had tear tracks down her face, her arms wrapped tightly around Okara's waist, while Trunks was hugged up to her arm, his own face wet from crying. His eldest looked sickly. Her eyes held shadows under them, and even in the span of one day, she seemed gaunt. He thought back to Bulma saying she had… died twice, that she had to bring her back, and felt his knees grow weak.

He stood in the doorway a long time just watching them.

How had he been so blind to all of this? He knew he got a little… wrapped up in his daily life. It was one of the things the woman complained about constantly, but he didn't think he was this bad.

Apparently he was, though.

He crept back, shutting the door so that they could sleep, deciding it was finally time to find Kakarott and get all of this straightened out.

…

Willow woke up, smiling as she felt her siblings laying against her, both of them still asleep. She shook Bulla, making the girl open her eyes and yawn.

"I need up," she chuckled quietly.

Bulla stretched and sat up, yawning once more. She stood up, helping the older girl out of bed.

"What about Trunks?" she whispered sleepily.

Willow snorted.

"You got any markers?"

…

He decided to calm down before he talked to his rival. He didn't want to break down in front of the man and knew that if he talked to him right now, he would.

He crept out to the GR once more, but this time settling himself down onto the floor, weeping like a child.

How could he have been so arrogant? So blind?

And how did his family still care for him?

He thanked whoever was watching over him that he was lucky enough to have their love and forgiveness, even if he felt he didn't deserve it. He almost lost his daughter because of his own stupidity. He knew that out of anyone, Kakarott would treat her as she deserved to be treated, would love her and care for her.

But he –

He could say he hated the man. He didn't; after all these years, the idiot had grew on him, even though he was loath to admit it.

Would it really be that bad for his daughter to be with him? Would it make any difference at all?

It was his pride that blocked his common sense. It was what drove him to arrogance in every situation. He felt – it was like everything he had, Kakarott was somehow connected to it. And through it all, he never acted any different. A lesser man would throw it in his face, but not Kakarott.

It was time to let go.

…

After a few hours of contemplation and owning up to his own faults, Vegeta set out to find his daughters intended bond mate.

Searching for his Ki, he followed it into the house, finding him sitting in the now empty living room on the floor, his eyes closed and body relaxed as he meditated. His shirt was slung over the arm of the sofa, showing the prince his scarred back. He took a moment to really look at the man, to really think about what he was about to do. He was going to let this fighter, this…. Idiot…. Bond with his daughter, his offspring…

He felt a slight headache coming up at the thought.

But, if he didn't he would lose her again, either by her leaving or… death.

His feelings didn't matter anymore.

"We need to talk, Kakarott."

Goku looked up from meditative stance, startled.

He looked completely worn out. There were dark circles under his normally bright eyes, which were dulled as he looked up at the older Saiyan.

"What?"

"We need to talk. Now."

Goku nodded, standing up and stretching. He grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head, following the shorter man out of the room and into the kitchen at Capsule Corp.

Vegeta leaned against the counter, glaring up at him.

"Okara is dying."

Goku felt his heart almost stop.

"WHAT?"

Vegeta glared even harder.

"Did you know that you two were forming a bond already?" he hissed, his hands tightening into fists at his sides.

Goku closed his eyes, nodding.

"Why didn't you say something? I didn't know it had progressed that much!" Vegeta shouted at him.

"I knew you didn't want me with her!"

He watched as his former enemy slumped, his eyes going to the floor.

"I know you don't think I'm good enough for her! I know she could do better than me! But I love her so much!" he whispered. "I – I didn't think it had gotten this far yet…. I could feel her emotions, but it wasn't like what you said… I thought I still had time to make you see how much I loved her."

Vegeta sighed, stepping in front of him.

"You are good enough for her, Kakarott. I – I just didn't want to lose her so soon….. I know – I know you'll be good to her and that you will protect her. I know you love her…" he said, laying a hand on the other man's shoulder.

Goku wiped his eyes furiously, shaking his head.

"No… I wasn't there for Chi-Chi… I –"

"You weren't there for the harpy because you never bonded with her! I told you this, Kakarott! That's why it never bothered you to stay away from her for so long!" he yelled, glaring up at him.

"If I tell you that you are good enough for my daughter, then you are! I wouldn't let her give herself to just anyone, Kakarott!"

Goku looked at him, and started to chuckled softly.

"No, I don't guess you would," he said, pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing deeply.

"What am I going to do?" he whispered.

Vegeta huffed, shoving him lightly.

"You're going to go and find my daughter and apologize for being an overemotional idiot who cares about her." he said, smirking lightly to take the sting out of the words.

Goku looked up and grinned. He laughed, grabbing the shorter man in a tight hug, making him squeak in indignation.

"Put me down, you fool!"

Goku spun around making Vegeta squawk, before turning him loose. He gave a loud whoop and ran out the back door, leaving Vegeta to himself.

He turned to see Bulma waiting on him, a smile on her face.

"I take it you gave him you're blessing?" she asked, tilting her head.

Vegeta groaned.

"Yes, and that means that the idiot is going to be my son-in-law! Why did I agree to this again?" he asked her as they walked by the front window.

Bulma stopped him, pointing outside.

"That's why." She said, simply.

He looked out and saw Kakarott spinning his Okara around. He set her down and they spoke before she screamed, jumping up into his arms and kissing him so hard they fell over onto the ground.

He gave a small smile, shaking his head.

Yes, he could put up with the Baka if his daughter loved him.

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