Yes, yes, I have a habit of not updating until it seems I'll never update again. However, for some reason I decided to type today. I keep these things in my notebook far too long.

It was the first time since being home she hadn't gotten a peaceful night's sleep. Her dreams were neither nightmares nor distorted impossibilities but something more…troubling.

"What are you doing, brat?" Even in her dreams he called her that. With him, though, it was as close a term of endearment as you could get.

"Do you always have to be so grumpy?" She retorted with a playful smile.

"'Grumpy', am I? Then why don't you put me in a better mood?"

This was the most vivid dream she could remember. Whether she had blurred the others out on purpose or if the ill fate of most dreams was what occurred, she wasn't sure. But she could remember his touch, his breath upon her skin, and the tumult of emotions he'd stirred within her.

…

"Serena? You're still in bed?" Her mother's voice greeted her.

"I was just getting up. I didn't sleep well." Serena rubbed her eyes.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just couldn't get comfortable for some reason." She fibbed. "Did you want something?"

"I need you to go to Capsule Corp. to pick up Goten." Chi Chi told her as she picked up some clothes Serena had been meaning to get at herself.

"Sure thing." She replied.

This was going to be an adventure. Truth be told, these dreams had her really shaken.

Why on earth did this house have to be so big? Sure it was a home and business, but this was criminal. The boys could be anywhere, and, for all she knew, they decided to play hide and seek. She was 'It'.

Sighing she rested against the wall behind her. No, not a wall. It was too warm and had…abs?

"What are you doing, brat?" Serena's eyes widened—it was just like in the dream! She stepped away quickly.

"Well?" Vegeta continued, impatient as always. Composing herself, Serena turned to face him.

"I'm here to pick up Goten."

"Then I'm afraid you'll have to wait." He said, arms crossed, leaning against the wall.

"What?"

"Trunks needs a sparring partner, and you will not interrupt him." Obviously, he believed his son to be superior, but Serena couldn't judge that yet. It was certainly possible; Trunks had a whole year over Goten and Vegeta as a father. Serena got a light smirk on her face, which she'd picked up years ago.

"Why don't you train with him? I'm sure he can take you." She teased. It used to be her favorite hobby; perhaps, she'd start again.

"I train alone."

"Not how I remember it." She smiled.

Vegeta smirked to himself as he strode off to the kitchen. The tingle where her hand had touched the 'wall' that was his abdomen still lingered.

"Serena! Hey!" Serena whipped around as a blur of lavender and black ran into her.

"Whoa! Hey boys. Well, don't you two look roughed up?" Serena smiled.

"My dad was helping us train!" Trunks proclaimed excitedly.

"I see." Serena cast a glance over her shoulder in the direction of the kitchen. 'That liar.' She humored to herself. Turning back to the boys, she asked.

"Are you two hungry?"

"Yeah!" They both chimed. She should have known.

"Wow, this is great!" One messy boy with his mouth full said.

"Like a restaurant!" The other concurred.

"Well I owe it all to a friend of mine." Serena cast her eyes down for a moment, before brightening. "Are you finished Goten? We should get home."

"Can I go too?" Trunks blurted, he was clearly taken with Serena. It wasn't a boyish infatuation but an admiration which he didn't show lightly.

Serena was a bit taken aback, what she'd gathered from everyone around her was that Trunks did not take to new people with ease, but the look he was giving her seemed like he was asking permission from his own mother. Serena looked at Vegeta, who was staring at his son like he'd never seen him in his life. His expression reverted quickly to his usual scowl, and he nodded his consent.

"Okay, let's go." She smiled down at both boys, who bustled about excitedly grabbing clothes and other essentials. She spared one last glance at Vegeta who hadn't moved from his spot.

Only when they were clean out of sight had he dared move. He was baffled by his son's new behavior. Trunks had been known to light fire to a newcomer's pants not for hugging them. Serena certainly had a spell over most of the people she came in contact with; no one seemed to hate her. Now she was casting a different kind of spell on him, and it was driving him mad. What had changed? She was the same seven year old female he'd met the first time he came to earth—only grown up.

What was she doing to him?

He turned to the refrigerator to make something to eat. It had been his original objective, but he had gotten so wrapped up in his thoughts, he'd forgotten. He watched her cook for the boys and clean up after them, never moving.

Finding nothing much appetizing inside, a platter caught his eye on the counter. A tiny note was placed on the side: In case your appetite hasn't changed.

Apparently, she'd seen he hadn't eaten. It was routine for him to be hungry after training, and she, of course, knew it all too well. It was just like her to care for those around her, as always. Just like when she was seven.

The flight home was uneventful, aside from her occasionally smiling and nodding as the boys chattered away. Something was plaguing her mind. There was a new sadness in Vegeta's eyes, granted it was buried deep. He had years of practice at keeping everyone out, but she could see it. She always had had a knack for picking out the emotions he was hiding, although it was getting harder to decipher them.

"What has happened to you, my Zen?" She whispered to herself, flying onward.

Sorry for any spelling, grammar, character, etc. errors. Now that I've typed it, I am kinda rushing to put it up. ^^;