AN: Yeah, I know Vegeta's OOC ^^;

1- Finding Sanctuary
Vegeta's POV

Tears stung my eyes as I sped through the chilled night air, the shock combined with the usual symptoms of my recent pregnancy made me feel nauseous and disorientated. As I touched down beside the Son's house, I suddenly felt like I shouldn't be there, too ashamed and upset to even bother asking, but where else could I have gone and what else could I do? I knew that I would need care during the pregnancy and the only way for that to happen was to go to someone and somewhere I trusted. I knew I trusted Kakarot, the problem was; what if he didn't trust me? I'd be in trouble, then, because I was sure Krillin wouldn't want anything to do with me and I was . . . afraid of what he would do if he found out I was carrying his child.

The Son's home seemed to be glowing with warmth; so inviting compared to the bitter-chilled night air outside. Hesitantly, I walked up to the front door, though I halted when it was flung open, the sounds of laughter danced around like the icicle snowflakes as they drifted slowly and elegantly to the snow-covered ground. I gulped and suddenly felt sweaty even in the cold weather; Kakarot was standing in the doorway, of course, but he was accompanied by my one-off ex-boyfriend. Our relationship, if it could be called that, was beyond difficult; when he had sex with me, I had been a fool and thought that it meant that he loved me, but when I tried to get it to work out; he went and called me a slut, and many other things I wished to forget.

I wasn't entirely sure of its meaning but I knew it was definitely not a compliment and wasn't what some people liked to be called. On top of that, he added to the hurt by saying that I didn't deserve to be loved and I didn't deserve to be treated any differently from Frieza, which I was assuming he meant that I should have stayed in hell and rot away just like Frieza did. That had hurt the most; I never thought that I was ever as low, or rather, as bloodthirsty as the freak who had made me who I was. The laughing had come to an abrupt stop, and I looked up to see a pair of curious and a pair of angered eyes stared back at me as if expecting me to do something that they'd expect me to do, like call on Kakarot for a late night sparring session, not that we've ever done that. Consumed by emotions, which I was guessing was because of the mood swings, I hung my head as new tears threatened to emerge.

"I-I'll come back later," I managed to say without my teeth chattering or bursting into tears.

"Huh? Vegeta, what do you mean?" Kakarot blinked, obviously confused by the lack of my usual 'personality' and 'drive'.

I didn't blame him; I'd been acting entirely different than what I'd allow myself to be over the last few months, even though, I think, I was only a month pregnant. I had begun crying openly, knowing it was no use trying to hold it in; they'd have noticed anyway.

"A-ah, Vegeta what's wrong?" I felt Kakarot's warm hands touch my, by then, freezing bare shoulders as his face loomed in close, though not close enough to have invaded my personal space.

I looked up at him, noticing, by the light of the moon, that his eyes were a warm, chocolate brown colour. I knew, by the same light, he had seen that my eyes were a dark sapphire, not the dark, soulless ones everyone claimed I had. It was peculiar what beauty of someone's inner-soul was shown when the light of the moon reflected our irises; only in the moonlight was our true forms revealed. Ironic, isn't it, that not more than thirteen years before, everyone saw me as a beast under the moon, which I would understand due to a Saiyan's transformation on a full moon . . . too bad they refused to see that I did, despite what they thought, have a soul, and that I wasn't as 'dark' as they made out I was.

I gulped as I realised I had prolonged the silence, and I hopped I hadn't given him the impression that he was the one at fault. No one was at fault except for myself . . . if I hadn't tried to start something with his best friend, maybe I'd be in a different situation. That being said, I wasn't sure if people liked me the way I was normally.

"I . . . I-I d-don't have a-anywhere to live," I whimpered through tears.

"W-what?" Kakarot asked, even more confused, "What do you mean; what happened?"

"D-Dr Briefs k-kicked me out," I explained, noting the shocked look that came over Kakarot's face.

"W-why would he do that?"

"I-I don't know, he told me to get out after . . ." I gulped and became silent; he hadn't known what had happened between me and Krillin, though I was sure he would've spilt the beans to him, telling him how 'slutty' I was. Speaking of whom, I gave a quick glance towards him, and then hung my head; it was a sensitive topic and I already had someone insult me about it and drown my temporary happiness of the miracle growing inside me. I might not ever forgive Krillin for what he said, but, his child or not, I was going to cherish every moment of my pregnancy no matter how absurd it seemed to other people.

I gulped again; the words and the explaining seemed so simple in my mind, but spoken words was going to be difficult.

"I-I . . . I-I'm . . . p-pregnant," I winced, expecting words of insult and hatred; telling me how disgusting I was, but, instead, I was greeted by an awkward silence, that didn't break for at least two minutes.

"W-who's the . . . father?" I was surprised to hear Kakarot's voice so close, and I realized he had moved closer to me, as if he knew that I couldn't say it out loud. Discreetly, I pointedly shot a glance towards Krillin, "Y-you serious?" Kakarot gasped.

I nodded then flinched when Krillin approached.

"It's mine, isn't it?" he asked, his tone of voice and expression unreadable. I didn't get time to answer before he grabbed the front of my shirt; a look of anger was clearly seen, "If it is, go get an abortion; I don't want any reminders,"

Saying this had only made me feel even more protective of the developing fetus within me, though I was surprised he hadn't said that I was disgusting or a freak. Seeing me wrap my arms around my middle, he sighed and gently let me go, obviously knowing it was going to be hard to convince me to do it.

"Whatever then, just don't expect me to be a part of that devil's life,"

"Devil?" I frowned sadly, "You're calling an innocent being a devil before it has a chance to prove itself?" I knew and felt that I was being out of character, much more than usual, but it was true.

"Nothing from you or about you is innocent," Krillin spat.

"Everyone starts out innocent," I countered back, "I was born innocent; it's what happens as you grow up that decides on whether they stay innocent or not,"

"Krillin," Kakarot said suddenly before Krillin could say anything, "He's right,"

"Whatever," Krillin sighed, then glared back at me, "But don't bother following me home; you have no place there," an expected reply, but it still hurt.

That had only left only one other option, because doubted anyone wanted me around on the Lookout. I tried not to seem like I was pressuring Kakarot in letting me stay as I looked over towards him.

"O-oh," Kakarot quickly caught on, "I-I'll have to ask Chichi; what here,"

I noted the tone of his voice he had used when he had told me to wait there and winced; he hadn't seemed to trust me. Remembering that Krillin was still there, I tried to make conversation to lessen the discomfort around us.

"S-so . . . u-um . . . how've you been?"

Krillin gave me a look that seemed to have said 'you're kidding, right?' but he replied nonetheless.

"Good . . . if you must know,"

I nodded then shivered a little against the cool wind and cold touch of snowflakes.

"WHAT?" we both jumped at the sound of Kakarot's mate, and I hung my head in dismay, immediately knowing the answer was 'no'. I heard a sigh and looked up at Krillin, who gave me an, almost, apologetic look before suddenly leaving. A part of me wanted to cry out for him to come back, but I know that, even if I did; he'd think less of me. The Prince of Saiyans begging a human, such as Krillin, for companionship, it was ridiculous to think that, after all those years of being a strong, independent man, I had become soft and wanted and needed the support of those around me, who I had come to trust but . . . to no surprise, was hardly given any in return. Save for my son, Trunks.

I winced when I hear stomping feet, and looked up to see Chichi storming out towards me, a look of hatred and anger in her eyes and on her facial expression, accompanied by a frying pan in her right hand. I couldn't help but fear what she would do to me, even if she was a human with an insignificant power-level.

"What gave you the idea that you'd be allowed here?" she cried.

"I-I-. . ."

"And after what you did?" she continued, interrupting me as she waved the frying pan in front of my face threateningly.

"W-what?" I frown a little at this; what had I done recently to get her this angry at me?

"Don't play dumb with me; I know what you did," Still riddled with confusion, I blinked and shook my head; I really hadn't the faintest idea of what she was talking about, "Don't fucking lie to me; Goku told me everything!" Chichi cried, reading my expression.

I flinched at this; Kakarot? Kakarot had told her about . . . what? My heart sank; maybe Kakarot told her something, either truthful or not, to make her disagree with the idea of me spending a few months with them, or at least long enough to get myself back on my feet. Unwillingly, tears began to trickle down my cheeks, my hope disappearing; he really didn't trust me. Now what was I going to do?

"Chichi, please; I think he's had enough bad news for today," I didn't bother looking up, already knowing it was Kakarot, and I hung my head in shame.

"I don't care, he's not staying here!" Chichi yelled before storming back inside.

That only left Kakarot and me alone, and a long silence between us.

"What did you tell her?" I whispered, breaking the silence.

"I . . . I was . . . a little . . . angry the other day, and I happened to . . . mention you," Kakarot explained, not needing to say anymore, as I knew what he meant.

"You don't trust me, do you?" I asked hesitantly, fearing the answer.

"Honestly?" The tone of his voice made me cringe and my chest tighten; he had practically growled it, in a 'don't remind me' kind of way, "I don't trust you," those four words seemed to make my heart sink further, "Yeah, I know you've been trying and I know how hard it is for you, but after that little 'Majin stunt', my trust in you is close to nothing; I thought you were better than that! I thought that, maybe, you were beginning to be a better person, guess I was wrong about that one, huh?"

I couldn't help the tears that fell freely from my chin; it hurt having him say that about me and it hurt to know that I had let him down, but, in all honesty, I felt I deserved it; I deserved to be punished by him in the way that he chose, whether it be verbally, physically, or even mentally. I gulped as closed my eyes, waiting for his punishment, expecting to be beaten to a pulp.

"However," I opened my eyes in shock; his voice had become soft and gentle, "I still care about you, Vegeta, and I don't want to see anything bad happen to you; I don't want to be the one who leaves you outside on a cold night, with nothing more than the clothes you're wearing; I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you . . . or your child . . . that's why I'm going to sneak you in,"

I felt my heart skip beats with his words; he was willing to defy Chichi and let me stay, despite having said that he didn't trust me? I couldn't believe it.

"Come back in half an hour, that'll give me time to set up some bedding for you and it'll be long enough for Chichi not to be suspicious. Meet me at the back door; she'll be busy getting Goten ready for bed," Kakarot told me in a hushed voice.

I nodded, still a little shocked.

"Oh, before you go," Kakarot disappeared back inside for a moment before reappearing with a jacket, "Here you go," he pulled the jacket on me, then, before I had time to do it up, he shoved a handful of gold coins into my hands.

I looked up at him, completely stunned.

"Go somewhere warm and get yourself something to eat, okay, and then meet me at the back door at nine," he said, a little rushed as he looked over his shoulder.

"Th-thank you," I said, though my voice was barely a whisper. I surprised myself and Kakarot as I jumped up and embraced him as more tears streaked my cheeks, "Thank you so much,"

"It's okay," Kakarot soothed, "It's going to be alright,"

I knew that I'd be naïve to believe it, but I did; for some reason, as his fingers laced through my hair, I felt safe and content.

I took my time eating the food I brought, though I didn't spend much of it; I felt guilty enough accepting it. I was in a partially-crowded takeout house where, I hoped, no one I knew was there, and I had chosen a table away from the other filled tables, nibbling the pie I had brought and sipping occasionally from the bottled soft drink. I still didn't feel all that great giving in and asking Kakarot for help, but I kept reminding myself that I had nowhere else to go and no one else who would take me in. All I had left to worry about was Chichi finding out; keeping my baby and myself safe; and, most of all, to figure out how to pay Kakarot back.

I looked up at the clock on the opposite wall and sighed; it was less than five minutes till nine. Knowing that I'd better head back towards Kakarot's house, I drain what was left of the drink before throwing my rubbish in the bin and headed outside. I'd barely gotten far, before I was confronted by a tall, bulky man who quickly pinned me to the wall.

"H-hey, what are you doing?" I demanded, but I cried out when he clamped a hand over my crotch and squeezed, "N-no, stop," I gasped, trying to pull away, but, unfortunately, due to my pregnancy, I didn't have the strength to get out of his hold.

The man laughed as I struggled against him.

"N-no, please stop," I whimpered as he latched onto my neck. I then realized that the only way for him to stop was if . . . if I told him . . . what I told Kakarot, "P-please, I . . . I-I'm pregnant,"

As expected, the man halted, looking at me with a look of disgust and confusion. Taking this as an opportunity, I kneed him in the groin then brought my elbow down to strike the back of his head. He collapsed, unconscious, leaving me free to leave. Obviously, thanks to that bastard, I was late getting back to Kakarot's house. I touched down just as the back door was opened, a relieved look on Kakarot's face.

"Thank God, I thought something may have happened- . . . w-wait, did something happen?" he asked, concern laced his vice as he approached me, "Y-you look pale; are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I whispered, "Just some . . . curious jerk,"

"W-what do you mean?" a frown creased his features, and I knew he didn't mean what happened, he meant what had I done.

"I didn't kill him, if that's what you're asking, I just left him unconscious," I explained, "I was defending myself,"

"He started the fight?"

"S-sort of . . . i-it wasn't a fight,"

A look of understanding crossed over Kakarot's features.

"He . . . tried to- . . ."

"Yeah," I quickly replied, not wanting a replay of the memory.

"Okay," Kakarot nodded, then smiled, "Come on, I've got a bed set up for you,"

He gently led me into the house, rubbing my arm gently to comfort me. Feeling heaviness in my pocket, I remembered the remaining coinage; I sought them out before I placed them in Kakarot's hand. He looked up at me in shock and confusion.

"I felt guilty about spending it all," I explained.

"Oh . . . a-are you still hungry?" Kakarot asked as he led me along.

"N-not really," I replied; I was feeling nauseous more than anything.

"Okay, but if you do get hungry, you know where to go, right?" Kakarot smiled.

"Yeah," I managed to smile back.

With that, he led me to a built-in cupboard in the lounge and pulled open the doors. I gasped; somehow, he had managed to fit in two mattresses piled on top of each other, a bedside table with a lamp, and a table at the end of the mattresses. The small room was dimly lit by the small lamp, creating a breath-taking aura as the light reflected off the silk red and gold duvet and matching pillows; the gold silk was woven in as a pattern of a Japanese flower. It was overwhelmingly beautiful despite the limited space, and my breath caught in my throat.

"I know it's not much and it's a tight fit, but it's all I could do without Chichi getting too suspicious,"

"Not much?" I gasped, eyes wide, "You've practically saved me, Kakarot; I have no idea how I'll pay you back,"

"Hey, don't worry about it, Vegeta," Kakarot assured me as he squeezed my shoulders gently.

"B-but . . . you've helped so many people and you get nothing in return," I couldn't help the rebellious tears as they trickled down my cheeks, "I should at least do something for you in return,"

"Vegeta," Kakarot's voice was firm but gentle, "Don't worry about it, it'll be okay," he smiled and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

I would have left it at that, but my worried mind reminded me that he didn't trust me.

"W-what exactly did you tell her?" I whispered, hanging my head, "When you were . . . talking about me?"

I felt his hands stiffen on my shoulders and I realized, with a sinking feeling, that I shouldn't have asked; I should've kept my 'dumbass' mouth shut and just thank him, but no; I had to question him. Even though he had told me, flat out, that he didn't trust me, he was still helping me; I should've just let it go.

". . . I-I . . . was ranting . . . about that time you knocked me out . . . you know . . . after I had suggested we'd beat Buu together. . ." he said slowly.

For some reason, my heart sank; although, at the time, in my Majin form, I knew I had to fix the problem I had caused, but at the cost of Kakarot worrying that, whenever I was around, he'd be hit over the head and knocked out? I felt sick and disgusted at myself; obviously this mistrust would have started from point one, when I had begun it all; insulting him just because of the class he was put in, and threatening to kill him, even when I'd help him, I'd always have to make a remark of defeating him myself. Yet, here he was, risking his relationship with Chichi to help me? I knew I didn't deserve it; I knew I deserved to be thrown out like an unwanted and disobedient pet, or to be cast aside like torn clothing. I shook my head and headed toward the back door.

"W-what? V-Vegeta, where are you going?" Kakarot seemed shocked by my movement, catching my arm quickly before I could reach the door, "What's wrong . . . ? I-I . . . I did something wrong, didn't I?"

I spun around to face him, completely shocked; he thought that he had done something wrong?

"N-no, you didn't do anything wrong, Kakarot," I gasped through tears, "It's me; I don't deserve this, I don't deserve any kind treatment,"

"Vegeta . . ." Kakarot sighed and shook his head, "Don't believe that; you've already made up for your mistakes, and I'm sorry I brought it up . . . it's not that I don't trust you, it's more of . . . I'm worried; I don't want you to be coaxed into that 'stuff' again,"

I didn't have a comeback for that, but at least I knew that Kakarot wanted me here to, not only to look after me, but to make sure that he could keep an eye on me; to keep me safe; to keep other people safe. I nodded, then realising how tired I was. I heard Kakarot chuckle as my eyelids drooped.

"You've had a long day, haven't you?" he said, amused.

"Well, considering that I was dumped today, got told I was pregnant and to 'get out of my house', plus my raging hormones, I'd say, yeah, it's been one of those days," I replied, trying to rid the depression by making fun of it.

Kakarot chuckled softly, though became solemn as he led me back to my makeshift room.

"So . . . what happened between you and Krillin?" he asked.

I dropped onto the bed, feeling uneasy again, and became silent for a while.

"It's so you don't have to worry about it tomorrow," Kakarot explained.

I nodded, understanding; it was better to explain it all at once so that everything would be out in the open and I wouldn't have to worry that I was 'keeping things from him'.

"Well . . . h-he told me, afterwards, that he only had s-sex with me . . . because he was dared to; . . . he had pretended to love me for three whole months before telling me that . . . that . . ." I became silent for a moment as Kakarot knelt down in front of me, lightly stroking my leg in a soothing way. I gulped and tried to continue, "I know you might think that I'm being unjustified when I say this, b-but he said . . . he said that . . . he s-said . . ." I broke down in tears once more, huddling in on myself as I gripped my hair, "He said that I was an ugly piece of shit!"

I felt Kakarot's arms come around me after a while, hushing me I cried.

"Come on, Vegeta; h-he didn't mean it,"

"He did, Kakarot!" I insisted, "He practically screamed it to my face!"

". . . O-okay . . ." Kakarot whispered, then decided to change topics, "Oh, um . . . morning sickness . . . uhh . . . hmm . . ."

Despite how much having Krillin insulting me hurt, I chuckled as Kakarot nervously scratched the back of his head; he really was trying to make sure that I was comfortable.

"Don't worry; it's usually at three or four in the morning . . . a-and sometimes in the afternoon," I sniffled, trying to cheer up.

"Well, Gohan gets up at five, so you better be careful around then because Chichi will be up too . . . I'll try and see if I can get you out during the day, because I'm sure you wouldn't want to spend the whole day in here," Kakarot chuckled.

"Thanks," I smiled.

Kakarot smiled and playfully ruffled my hair.

"Get some sleep okay?" he said, "Oh, and there's some pyjamas in the draw there," he pointed to the bedside table.

With that, he stepped out of the room, leaving me some privacy to pull on the slight-blue silk sleepwear. They were a little long but they were quite comfortable. I still felt nervous as I pulled the blankets over myself, snuggling down in the warm bed; it felt strange having to be snuck in and having to hide and sleep in a cupboard, but it wasn't where I was sleeping that fazed me . . . it was . . . the fact I was staying here with only the one person knowing. Kakarot re-entered then, carrying a plate and a glass of milk in his hands.

"Just in case you do get hungry during the night," he explained with a chuckle as he set them on the bedside table.

I couldn't help but smile when I saw the cookies, besides those who were lactose intolerant, who could resist the good ol' cookies and milk?

"Thanks, Kakarot," I smiled tiredly before yawning.

"That's okay," Kakarot smiled back as he knelt down beside me, stroking my hair.

The motion almost lulled me to sleep, but I was stunned when I felt his lips press onto my forehead. I stared up at Kakarot confused and curious; was that how friends wished each other goodnight? I thought that was only for . . . lovers. He was at it with the stroking-my-hair, and, before long, I had fallen asleep.

Goku's POV

I smiled down at Vegeta as his head lolled to the side, finally asleep after a hard-filled day. I know that keeping him out of Chichi's sight was going to be difficult, but I had to; Vegeta didn't have anyone else to turn to. I doubted that he had asked Piccolo; he probably wasn't the best person to go to when one was pregnant, and knowing that, I knew that Vegeta needed me and I couldn't refuse him help . . . not when I was the only one who seemed to care. It was sad to think that I was the only who gave Vegeta a chance, even if he had made some mistakes that were irreversible.

I wished that I hadn't yelled at him earlier; I knew that he had changed and I knew that he was a better person than from when he first settled down on Earth, and it tore me up when he cried after I said all those words and I knew he was beginning to wonder if he had a proper purpose.

I sighed and looked back down at him; I couldn't help but think of how angelic he looked in the soft glow of the room. I smiled and played with a loose strand of his hair, taking time to wonder why it had begun to do that; it was as if his fringe was returning after he had pinned it back so many years ago. Caressing his cheek, I kissed Vegeta's forehead again, thought I craved to taste those peach-coloured lips of his, wondering if they did taste like peaches or like the cinnamon and vanilla aroma that emanated from him. His partially parted lips were tempting, and I almost did kiss his lips, before he moaned quietly and rolled onto his side, huddling against me.

I shook my head and smiled; 'sneaky bastard'. I reached for a spare blanket that I had put underneath the table, at the end of the mattresses, and pulled it over Vegeta gently; it was going to be a cold night and, even though I really wanted to, I couldn't stay with him to make sure he stayed warm. I knew Chichi would be suspicious if I didn't come back to bed, so, with one final kiss on Vegeta's cheek, I headed back to my room.

To avoid suspicion, I grabbed Chichi from behind and kissed her like I usually did when she readied herself for bed. She smiled a little before a frown creased her brow.

"Hmph, that Vegeta is always getting into trouble; I wonder what he's done this time to come crawling to you for help," she said irritably, "Arrogant jerk; who does he think he is asking for help after what he's done?"

I shrugged, going along with her; I couldn't have her knowing just yet that Vegeta was in the built-in cupboard, not until I convinced her to 'officially' let him stay. I had a long way to go before that happened, but I had to try . . . for Vegeta's sake.