Chapter 3

The days after Bardock revealed his vision to the others were filled with Gohan, Bulma, Trunks, and Bardock working on the time machine, and training for what was to come. They had no idea if the enemy was going to be stronger than Kid Buuly, and they desperately hoped the others from the alternate timeline were stronger than the last time they saw them.

Bardock and Pan spent what little free time they had fussing over Gine. After seeing Bardock's reaction to the pregnancy news, Gine had enough courage to tell everyone else about the new development. Needless to say, she was feeling the love from everyone in the Z Fighters; well, mostly everyone. But with all the love she was receiving from Bardock's family and friends, it made her long for her own family who had long passed.

That wasn't her first concern. Her main concern was seeing off her best friend and her boyfriend as they went to an alternate timeline with their dad to stop another all-powerful enemy, hell bent on destroying the world.

The 2 weeks had passed quickly for them all. It was as if they blinked and the time machine was ready to go again.

"The time is set in, the coordinates are in, and the seating might be a little snug but not too uncomfortable," Bulma explained once more as she hopped out of the time machine with Gohan's help. She smiled, nodding in satisfaction, "Some of my best work if I do say so myself."

"Always, Bulma," Gohan grinned. "You go above and beyond and we're all grateful for that. If it wasn't for you, we probably wouldn't even be here."

Bulma smacked his arm playfully. "Well thank you, Gohan. Now get a move on. I didn't spend every day on that thing just so everyone can look at it."

Gohan nodded with a chuckle and turned to the rest of his friends and family who were hugging his grown children goodbye. He walked over, giving Krillin and Yamcha a bear hug. He laughed at their yelps at the unnecessary increased pressure.

On the other side, Bardock hugged Hercule tightly, trying not to cringe at the snot that was now on his jacket. "Oh come on, G-pa. We're not gonna be gone that long. You don't need to cry so much."

"I'm still gonna miss ya, kiddo," Hercule cried into his shoulder.

"Okay, Gramps. We still have to say goodbye to everyone else." Pan came in as a godsend, slowly pulling the two away. She pushed Bardock to the kids who had almost as much tears and snot on their face as Hercule did.

Bardock's heart flipped in his chest at their crestfallen eyes. He gathered Goten and Bra in his arms, cooing, "It's okay, guys. We're gonna be back soon."

"Will you bring us back something?" Goten asked, wiping the tears from his face.

Of course that would be what he asked. Bardock resisted the urge to snort, though he heard Pan let out her amusement in a snicker, and nodded, "I'll try to find a toy none of you guys have, okay?"

Goten beamed while Bra was a little more subdued in her excitement, "Okay!"

With the kids happy, Bardock moved over to Trunks, Minako, and their two beautiful daughters Blouse and Bulma Leigh. He smiled down at the girls as he bent down to hug them tightly, "Oh, don't you two get any bigger when I'm gone."

Blouse snuggled into his shoulder, her blue eyes filled with tears. "Do you have to go, Uncle Bardock? I'll miss you."

"Oh kids," Bardock murmured, his stomach constricting uncomfortably. "Even though I'm leaving, I promise I'll be back. Nothing can keep me away from my family." He gave them each a kiss to their head before letting them go.

He stood up straight and gave Minako a hug. "Take care of Trunks, will ya? That loser gets so caught up in his work he forgets to eat sometimes."

Minako giggled, nodding, "Of course, Bardock. You be safe now, okay?"

"You got it." Bardock released her and moved over to Trunks. He brought his longtime friend in for a hug, patting his back. "Take care of everyone, okay? We won't be gone long but I just want to make sure everyone's safe."

Trunks hugged him back just as tightly. "You don't need to tell me twice. I know you'll take care of your dad and sister, so make sure you take care of yourself. I don't wanna see you with more scars."

Bardock chuckled, nodding as he pulled away. He grinned when he stepped up to his grandparents. A laugh was pushed out of him from the force of Goku's hug, "Okay, Grandpa, like I've told everyone else, we're not gonna be gone long. It's gonna be a month at the most."

"Will you call us if you need help?" Goku pouted as he pulled away.

"If somehow we're able to contact this timeline, I won't hesitate, Grandpa," He replied with small smile.

Chi-Chi patted his cheek, tears in her eyes. "You make sure the me from the past feeds you well."

Bardock nodded enthusiastically, "You know I will. I can't get enough of your cooking; whether it be from this timeline or the other." He pressed a kiss to her head and moved over to his mother, best friend, and girlfriend.

Videl, who had just finished saying goodbye to Pan, wrapped her arms around her son and gave him one of the longest hugs he had in that week. It reminded him of the hug she had given him when he first left for the past. At that thought, he felt tears sting his eyes. He had to reassure himself that he was coming back as soon as he could because no matter how much he loved the others in the past, he loved his actual family just as much, if not more.

"I'm gonna miss you, Mom," Bardock whispered into his mother's hair, his throat closing and his breath hitching in his chest. No matter what the situation was, his mother was one of the only people caused him to feel so strongly.

"I'm gonna miss you too, baby boy," Videl whispered back. She pressed a kiss to his scarred cheek. She pulled away, rubbing her hands over said scar. "I want you all back in one piece, okay? Don't do anything reckless if it's not needed."

Bardock nodded, "I promise." He gave her one last hug before moving over to his best friend. He smiled slightly at his tears and brought him in for a tight hug, "Take care of my mom and Gine. And take care of yourself while you're at it. Pan won't be happy if she finds her boyfriend wilting away."

Tekka sniffled, nodding, "I promise, B."

With one last pat on the back, Bardock moved over to Gine who gazed at him with those sharp black eyes he loved. His own eyes burned from the tears he kept at bay. He cleared his throat and stepped forward, placing his hands on her cheeks, "I love you. And I promise I'll be careful."

"I just need you to come back," Gine whispered, grasping his wrists.

"Just try to keep me away." The two shared a chaste kiss, aware of their family and friends gathered around them. Bardock pulled away and placed a hand on her stomach. He smiled in astonishment, still stunned that he was going to be a father, "Take care; the both of you, and when I get back, we'll start our family without having to worry about another threat like this."

Gine hugged him tightly. "I love you. Be safe and come back soon."

Once they pulled away from each other, Bardock stood with his father and Pan. The three waved to everyone, saying goodbye once more before they floated up to the open hatch. They took their seats inside; feeling the snugness Bulma was taking about.

After Gohan started it up, the machine floated in the air and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Bardock and Pan felt the familiar darkness encompass them. It lasted all of two seconds and suddenly, they were in front of Capsule Corp. It looked the same but it was something about the atmosphere that indicated that they weren't in their regular timeline anymore.

The three jumped out and landed on the ground, taking in their new but similar environment. As Gohan put the machine back in its capsule, Bardock inhaled deeply, "It's good to be back."