Chapter 9

The rebuilding of the city happened hours after Hirudegarn was killed. Bulma chose to use Capsule Corp. and other construction companies for the rebuilding instead of using the dragonballs. They couldn't always rely on the dragonballs and Bulma really wanted to open this branch of her work.

Bardock gazed at the construction workers as they went about rebuilding every establishment that suffered from the wrath of Hirudegarn. Many buildings and houses were destroyed in the fight, but lucky for them, Hirudegarn only attacked on city.

"I'm glad no one was killed in the fight," Tapion said as he stood next to him, his eyes taking in the world that was so different than his own.

"We came here to make sure no one died," Bardock replied, ignoring the pulsing pain in his bandaged arm. "Unfortunately, we didn't put much thought into taking the monster somewhere away from society."

Tapion nodded, "You didn't have much time on your hands, so I'm sure no one blames you for that."

Bardock squinted his eyes, "I doubt that." He straightened his stance, keeping his uninjured hand on his sling. "What are you gonna do after this?"

"I don't know yet. Now that Hirudegarn is gone, my people and my planet are safe. But it will be hard to be there without my brother. He paid the ultimate price of being half of Hirudegarn's keeper. He didn't deserve such a death." Tapion lifted his eyes from the floor and gazed at the half-alien male next to him. "What about you? I hear you're not from this timeline."

"We'll be leaving once the constructions good enough," Bardock said. He glanced at his bandaged arm, "Maybe after this is healed too. My mom and girlfriend will kill me if they see me with this bad of an injury."

Tapion raised an eyebrow, "Girlfriend?"

"It's what us earthlings call our, uh, beloved one." He grimaced slightly, missing the frown on the other alien's face. "Either way, they didn't even want me to come in the first place but I couldn't stay away after the vision I had."

"Visions?" Tapion hummed thoughtfully. "I do remember another race having psychic powers. I believe it was planet Kanassa." His lips tugged into a nostalgic smile. "My brother always wanted a power like that." The nostalgia went away, his smile growing wider as he gazed at Bardock, "You've been to Kanassa?"

Bardock shook his head slowly, "No. I've never been away from earth, technically. Not counting the Kai planet."

Oh, crap baskets.

As Tapion frowned lightly, Bardock raised an eyebrow, expressing his incredulousness and slight irritation at Bardock.

"Must be from your previous incarnation," Tapion commented, smiling when Bardock stared in shock. "A power like yours can only be from a reincarnation, Bardock. It's a power I've never felt before. You're stronger; stronger than you think."

He turned his eyes to the sky, his green eyes holding a glint Bardock had only ever seen on one other person before. "That form you took before you killed Hirudegarn was something I've only heard in legends. It was…breathtaking."

A blush itched its way onto Bardock's nose. He rubbed his neck, averting his eyes bashfully. "It was nothing. Heck, I didn't even know I could take that form. It was a surprise for all of us."

"Still," Tapion grinned. "I want to thank you for saving me and my people. If it wasn't for you and your friends, we'd all be doomed. So thank you." He placed his hand on Bardock's shoulder, eyes soft. "You're a good man, Bardock."

"Thanks," Bardock responded a bit breathlessly, his blush creeping down his neck as Tapion walked towards where Trunks and Goten were.

If I didn't know any better-

"You don't," Bardock grumbled.

"Don't what?"

Bardock yelped, startled. He whipped his head to the owner of the voice and relaxed slightly when he found Bulma next to him. He shook his head, "Nothing."

"Are you…" Bulma gazed at him, scrutinizing. "Are you blushing?"

He sputtered, "No!" He cleared his throat awkwardly, his face flushed, "Bulma, I need a favor."

"Anything, kid."

"I know I said we shouldn't use the dragonballs after Hirudegarn, but…" Bardock exhaled deeply, glancing to where Tapion was, "I think we should use them."

Bulma frowned, "But-"

Bardock shook his head once more, "Not for us." He lifted his chin towards the red haired alien. "For Tapion."

A smirk came onto the scientist's lips. "You have a change of heart from just one conversation with a handsome alien? I've been there." She nudged him teasingly. "Don't you have a girlfriend though?"

"Shut up," Bardock mumbled irritably, a smile stretching on his lips despite his indignation. "I'm just saying; Hirudegarn killed his brother and probably a lot of other aliens before he came here. I think Tapion deserves some peace after everything. Not only that, but he deserves to be happy with his people."

"I'm with you there," Bulma nodded. "Alright, I'll do you that favor. We'll get the dragonballs tomorrow and I'll have a spaceship done for him soon."

Bardock smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Bulma."

"Yeah, yeah. Now go fix that hand before I tell everyone you've been making eyes at Tapion."

His face burned bright. "Bulma!"

The ship for Tapion was finished a week later. He was very surprised and grateful for the invention. He thanked Bulma multiple times, and, after Bulma ratted him out, thanked Bardock for coming up with the idea. Bardock didn't blush until Tapion found out about the fact that he gathered the dragonballs for him to wish back his brother and any others who died under Hirudegarn's terror.

It took them a day to find all the dragonballs. They gathered them around and gazed in awe as Shenron floated in the darkened sky. Bulma and Goku made the wishes for Tapion who was overwhelmed by so many emotions he hadn't felt in centuries.

After Shenron disappeared back into the dragonballs, Tapion approached Bardock as they all stood around the spaceship. He smiled softly, "Thank you again, Bardock. I can now go home and be at peace with my people."

Bardock waved his uninjured hand, the other still bandaged and aching with a harsh pain from the burns. "It was nothing. I just thought you should have your happy ending after everything your people have been through."

Tapion caught the flailing hand and held it between his own. "It was not nothing. It means the world to me; you have no idea." He released his hand and unclipped the sword on his back. He held it out to the other male and bowed his head. "Here, I want you to have this as a token of my gratitude."

Bardock ignored the snickering of his sister and uncle, as well as his growing blush, as he took the sword. He blinked as an idea formed in his head. He took off his orange and black jacket and handed it to Tapion. He shrugged with a slight grin, "There. Now you have something to remember us by."

"Thank you," Tapion whispered roughly, gathering Bardock in a tight hug. He nuzzled his face into his neck, breathing him in deeply before pulling away. He gave him one last smile before walking towards Bulma who began explaining the mechanisms of the ship.

A deep sigh left Bardock's lips as he tried to calm the fluttering in his stomach. Tapion may be a very handsome being but his heart belonged to Gine, and damn it, his body shouldn't be betraying him this way.

He attached the sword to his hip and waved goodbye to Tapion who slowly lifted into the sky before blasting off. He smiled nostalgically at the smoke left behind.

"Sad your boyfriend left?" Pan teased, giggling. "Gine said not to come back with more scars, but I think 'don't come back with a boyfriend' was implied as well."

"Shut up," Bardock grumped, shoving her away lightly. "She has nothing to worry about anyway. She has my heart and soul." He grinned brightly in remembrance, "And I'm gonna be a dad!"

"WHAT?!" His friends and family shouted around him in shock.

He winced, "Oh, that's what I forgot to mention." He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head, "Surprise."