Okay, so thanks to my reviewer. I don't like leaving anyone unhappy so here's the next chapter of the story.

No…I don't own DBZ…sad face…

Two hours later and Bardock was still waiting. The sun was just beginning to rise and he knew he didn't have long before he would have to meet up with Kane and the rest of his team for their assignment.

There was a light knock on his door and he knew, immediately, who it was.

He threw open the door to find Shasta waiting for him, but she was different somehow. She seemed older; like the weight of the planet had been dropped on her shoulders. A bruise was beginning to form on the side of her face.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"The queen—" someone said behind her, but she cut them off with a wave of her hand.

Bardock looked up to see that the royal guard had followed her back. He was confused for a moment.

"Queen?" he asked before looking at her again to see that she wasn't in her normal gear. She was in royal gear. It dawned on him then, "Oh no…" he almost fell against the door, but caught himself before he did.

Shasta turned to the guard, "Wait for me here." She commanded.

"Majesty, I–" One of the guard members protested.

"Wait…Carva."

They let her walk into the room alone.

Gently, she pried Bardock's fingers from the door so it could slide closed.

"Bardock," she said hesitantly, "Sit down."

"No." He turned to face her, "No, no, no. You were mine first. I already marked you."

Absently, she rubbed at the teeth marks on her shoulder.

"The king says…that…that inter-level breeding is corruption and should not be tolerated." She told him, "He says that…that low-levels are not meant to mate with elites. They're just…servants." She choked on the last word, knowing what he would hear in them.

"Am I corrupt to you, Shasta? Am I just a servant to you?" he asked angrily.

"No. He said that, not me. But everyone else will know…his mark overrules yours."

"What mark?" he said, suddenly terrified, "Shasta, did he touch you? Is that where the bruise came from?"

She ignored him, "And apparently, I'm the perfect candidate for the king's son's mother."

"He doesn't have a son. Answer me, Shasta. Did…He…Touch…You?"

"He wants me to birth the prince."

"Shasta!" He stormed over to her and grabbed her shoulders, pushing her long, black hair behind her. She wouldn't meet his eyes as the shock crossed his features.

There, next to his own mark, was another one, still bleeding.

He couldn't stop the pathetic sound that bubbled up and out of his mouth. He released her and pulled at his hair like something was attacking him mentally. Frustrated, he turned to punch the closest wall, "Damn it!" he shouted, but she prevented his hand from making contact with the wall by appearing in front of him and blocking it.

"Don't do that." She warned, "They'll come in here." Her eyes shifted to the door.

He grabbed her and lifted her up against the wall, "You were mine." He hissed.

"Yes." She agreed, letting him hold her there.

"And you gave yourself to him."

"What? No, I didn't. He commanded me to do it. He's the king. I had no choice."

"You could've fought, Damn it! You're elite!"

"Not with the entire guard at my throat, Bardock."

"He was all over you." He dropped her, "Birth his son. That's disgusting."

She looked away from him, "I think I'd better go and let you get ready for your assignment today."

"No. Don't go." He cornered her body with his.

"I have to go, Bardock. I'm sorry." She moved to push past him but he caught her arm.

"Wait…just…" he pulled her close and laid his mouth on hers.

She didn't have the will to fight him; to hurt him anymore than she already had. So she let him kiss her and she kissed him back, unable to stop the emotions from flooding out.

She sobbed as tears poured from her eyes and left her clutching him with all her strength. She knew it would never again be anything more than this last kiss, but her body burned for him; for any solution to their separation, but she knew she had to stop it before it escalated any further.

She broke away from him, gasping and leaving him the same.

"Don't do this, Shasta." He begged her; all of his pride and dignity vanished.

She would've given anything to remove the pain in his eyes, but his life was the exception, "Come to see me at the palace soon." She said, wiping the tears from her face. She reached her hand out and touched his scar before turning on her heel and leaving him standing there.

There we go. Another chapter all up and ready. In the next chapter, I'm introducing Bardock's brother, Kane, into the story and giving some info on Raditz so….R&R if you want more.

Thanks for the reviews so far. (Well…review…)

Love you all :)

-Andantino