A Chance of a Lifetime – Chapter 20
A few days went by after everyone returned from the lookout, gathering in the living room of Capsule Corporation. They all looked at Trista and Trunks in slight curiosity as they stood in the middle of the room, waiting for everybody to settle down. It finally got quiet, all eyes on mother and son. They watched Trista hesitate for a moment, looking at Trunks before clearing her throat.
"The reason we both called you all in here is because," she paused, looking over at Trunks again before continuing, turning back and meeting everyone's gaze. "Both me and Trunks have been discussing what I've seen in my dreams, and what he knows about the androids. And we both discovered some things."
They all watched her pause, studying the floor for a moment. The fighters glanced at each other, then back to the woman in front of them.
"Well? What is it?" Yamcha asked loudly. He stepped back, face going white, as both Trunks and Vegeta glared at him.
Trista took a breath. "What I've seen of the androids, is not the same as what Trunks knows of them," she stated quietly, listening to everyone murmur.
"What do you mean?" Vegeta asked quietly. He could feel some of the others glance at him, but he kept his gaze on the woman.
She met everyone's eyes. "The androids I saw were Dr. Gero and another that looked...sort of like a clown."
She looked at Trunks. He stepped forward. "The androids that I came back to help with were nothing like that. They killed Dr. Gero in my time. The two me and my older mother fought were a beautiful woman with blond hair, and a man with black hair. They looked like normal people."
"And we," Trista spoke up, meeting Goku and Vegeta's gaze, "figured out, after talking about it for awhile, is that Dr. Gero changed himself somehow and made another android, along with the two that Trunks was talking about."
Everyone was silent for awhile. Finally Goku spoke up.
"So you're saying that there are four androids now, including Dr. Gero!?"
Worried murmurs started up amongst everyone as both mother and son nodded.
Trista wrapped her arms around herself, feeling Trunks put an arm around her shoulders. She kept her gaze on the floor for a few minutes, listening to all her friends converse about the information her and her son just gave them. She slowly glanced up, looking at Vegeta. His eyes met hers, and they studied one another for a moment, before his gaze shifted, looking at their son standing beside her. She swallowed, looking at everyone around her. Her friends. Feeling another wave of tears surfacing, she quickly left, not looking at anyone.
They all fell silent as Trista left the room, looking at one another. Their heads jerked in surprise as Vegeta suddenly stood, following the woman. Trunks watched his parents leave, his arms crossed, a serious expression on his face.
"So Trunks," Goku said softly, listening as all his friends slowly stop talking to hear what he had to say. "Could you tell us a little more about these androids that you know?"
All stayed quiet as the young man began to speak.
She bit back a sob as she topped the steps, opening the door leading onto the roof. A hand came up to cover her mouth, a tear sliding down her face. A sob escaped as her shoulder's shook. She took a couple steps out onto the landing, her eyes closed. A few minutes later she felt strong arms go around her. She didn't look up, just leaned back into Vegeta's chest, another sob escaping as she felt his comforting presence envelope her. He tightened his arms around her, gently swiping the hair away from her face as she laid her head against his chest. A hand stayed over her mouth, tears running down her face for a few more minutes until she finally quieted, a shudder going through her. Vegeta didn't say anything, just continued to hold her. They stayed like that for a while, Trista balling a hand in his shirt, listening to his heartbeat underneath her ear. She didn't look up at him. Was afraid to. In case she started crying again. The prince slid a hand up and down her back, holding her. He studied the woman in his arms, the top of her head underneath his chin. She shivered again, and he tightened his hold. He laied his chin on top of her head, rubbing her arms. She finally moved back, looking at the floor underneath her feet, the black tar filling her blurry vision. She felt Vegeta put a hand under her chin, raising her head to meet his gaze. He cupped her cheek, rubbing a tear away with his thumb. They studied one another, before the prince leaned down and gently kissed her, lifting his head after a moment. Trista sighed, leaning her forehead against his hard chest, her hands clutching his shirt. The prince rested his hands on either side of her head, settling his lips on top of her hair. He closed his eyes, absorbing the presence of the woman in his arms. He felt her move closer, her arms going around his waist. After awhile, they both stepped back. Trista looked away, staring out over the city, her eyes troubled. Vegeta grabbed her hand, and she looked back. He studied her for a moment, before opening the door, their hands still clasped together as he pulled her back into the house. He led the way to her room, pausing at her bedroom door to look back at her. He studied her eyes, noticing the heartbreak and sadness in them, before silently opening the door and pulling her into the bedroom. He shut the door behind them, looking down at her. Trista studied the prince, slightly confused. She kept her eyes on his face as he pulled her against him, a hand settling on his arm.
"Vegeta?" she whispered, her brows furrowing.
He didn't say anything for a moment, a muscle jumping along his jaw. Vegeta swooped down and captured her lips, listening to her sigh. He cupped her neck, finally lifting his head and studying her. She stared at him, a question in her eyes.
"I'm going to help you forget, even if it's only for a little while," the prince stated softly, keeping his gaze on her as he leaned over and locked the door.
They lay in the dark, her head resting on his chest, listening to him breathe in and out. He slowly ran his fingers through her hair, staring up at the ceiling. They were both thinking about the coming year. The possibility that many of the people they know would die, that there's a possibility that they might never see each other again. Trista lifted her head, resting her chin on Vegeta's hard chest, sighing and looking at the prince. He looked down at her.
She studied him for a moment before speaking. "I don't think it's a good idea," she whispered, keeping her gaze on him for a moment before lifting up on an elbow, looking away. She felt him slid his fingers through her hair, cupping the back of her head.
She looked back at the man on her bed. Trista watched him study her, his low voice cutting through the silence. "You don't want to?"
At his question, she lowered her eyes, looking at his chest but not really seeing it. She put an arm around his waist, laying her head back against him. She didn't say anything for a few minutes.
"You know that's not it, Vegeta," she whispered, tucking her arm underneath her, her fingers splayed against his stomach. "I just don't think it's a good idea right now, especially with the threat of the androids coming closer and closer, every day."
They were both silent for a while, her eyes lowering until she was almost asleep. The sudden sound of Vegeta's voice had her popping them open.
"You know I wouldn't let nothing happen to you," he whispered, watching her slowly lift her head and look at him.
Trista studied him for a moment, her eyes softening.
"Nothing's guaranteed, Vegeta," she said softly, "look what happened with Trunks in the other time line." They studied one another in silence for a moment before she spoke again. "Remember what happened to me?"
Vegeta studied the woman leaning over him, her hand resting on his stomach. He watched her move, the light from the moon hitting her, making her eyes shine a little. He suddenly rose up and captured her lips, falling back to the bed with their mouths fused together, pulling her on top of him. His tongue swooped into her mouth, a hand resting on her lower back. He held her to him, feeling her shudder on top of him. She abruptly pulled away, staring down at him.
"What is it?" Vegeta whispered, his eyes roaming her features. A hand came up and cupped her neck, his eyes going to the necklace swinging between them. She looked down as well, a hand coming up and clasping around the ring. She leaned down and kissed the prince beneath her, before moving off him and resting her head back on his chest.
"I can't consciously bring a child in the world knowing that there's a possibility that we both could die," she whispered, feeling Vegeta take a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Well woman," he said softly, laying a hand on her back. "What will you do if you're already with child?"
She lifted her head and met his eyes. They studied one another for a long moment, before she turned away, swallowing.
"Then I'll deal with it if that happens," she said firmly, feeling him tense. She looked back at him.
He had a steely look in his eyes, his jaw clenched. "What do you mean you'll deal with it!?" he whispered harshly, his eyes narrowing.
Trista studied him for a moment, watching him roam her features.
"I'll protect it with my life, Vegeta."
He grabbed her and pulled her close to him, closing his eyes as he rested his forehead against hers. A slight tremor went through him, his voice barely audible as he spoke.
"Lets just pray it doesn't come to that."
They slept together every night after that, though it never went beyond their lips touching and bodies against one another. She didn't want to further the chance of procuring a child in the not so certain future. Just in case.
The months flew by, the inevitable time of the androids descending on them coming closer and closer, and Trunks was worried. His mother wasn't pregnant with him. A slight tremor of fear went through him at the thought that maybe she would never have him in this time. He swallowed, hoping that wasn't the case. He could tell his parents' relationship had evolved. But she should be nearing the day he was born...and she wasn't. His mother hadn't even conceived him. Feeling another sliver of fear crawl up his spine, he tried to shake it off as he went in search of the woman who should be giving him life.
He found her on the roof.
Trunks studied his mother, watching her hair lift with the breeze as it wrapped around them. She had her arms around her raised legs, her chin resting on her kneecaps. She stared out, studying the sky. The woman didn't look up as he sat beside her, sighing and looking out with her towards the city. He stayed silent for a while, his hands clasped in his lap. He finally looked over, studying his mothers' profile before speaking.
"Mom," he paused, swallowing before continuing. "I'm a little...scared."
She didn't say anything, just continued to look out over the compound. After a few minutes, she finally looked over at him.
"About what," she whispered, watching the young man beside her look away, before turning back and meeting her eyes.
"That I might not be born," he stated softly, his black hair fluttering across his face as they kept their eyes locked.
Trista finally sighed, moving a little and putting an arm around him. She didn't say anything, letting him rest his head against her shoulder. His hair tickled her hand located on the middle of his back. She straightened, studying the length.
She smiled a little. Trista stood, holding her hand out to her son.
"Come on," she said softly, waiting for him to stand before heading back towards the door.
"What is it?" Trunks asked, following her. He watched his mother turn, throwing him a small smile over her shoulder. Her eyes went to his hair again.
"You need a haircut, son," Trista stated softly, watching the young man smile.
She entered the house, waiting for him to close the door and follow her down the hallway before speaking again. She stopped on the stairs, putting a hand on his arm.
"Trunks," she said softly, "I just want you to know. You're a great person, and I'm proud to call you my son." She paused, watching his eyes widen slightly. "But," the young man swallowed. "Me and your father decided to wait," she whispered, patting his arm before going down the rest of the stairs. Trunks turned his head, studying the wall for a moment before trailing behind her.
Trista sat him down in a kitchen chair, brushing his hair out before slowly snipping the dark, shiny strands. She smiled a little, studying the boy's bent head. She moved to his side, finishing half of the hair there before she softly spoke.
"That doesn't scare you. Does it son?" she asked gently, watching the side of his face as he swallowed. Trunks stared straight ahead, not speaking for a moment.
"A little," he admitted a little shakily. He didn't move his head, listening to the sound of the scissors cutting in the quiet room.
Trista finished the left side, going around and working on the right. She ran her fingers through his hair, cutting a few strays as she hesitated before speaking again. She stepped back, eying his hair before grabbing a broom. She began to sweep as she spoke.
"Trunks," she began, her eyes focused on the broom going over the floor. She heard him turn in the chair. "Don't be," she stated softly, "We...I just felt that it was better to wait until...hopefully the androids were destroyed."
She finished sweeping, dumping the hair in the trash before finally looking over at the young man sitting away from her. She folded her arms, slowly walking towards him.
"I don't want you to go through the pain and misery again," she paused for a moment. "Understand son?"
Trunks got up, and swallowing, wrapped his arms around her. A sob escaped him. Trista sighed, putting her arms around him and rubbing his back. She felt him rest his head on her shoulder, squeezing slightly. She didn't move, just let the boy finally break down with everything he had been holding in. Another sob escaped him, and she felt tears clog her throat. She turned her head, a tear sliding down her face. Vegeta stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, his eyes intent on her and the boy in her arms. Her eyes met his. They studied one another, before he slowly straightened and turned around, disappearing through the doorway.
-The Day-
He paused at the bedroom door, the sound of a sob reaching his ears. He listened for a moment, before turning the knob. He stepped in, his eyes focused on the bed on the other side of the room. He closed the door behind him, not saying a word. She was sitting in the middle of the bed, her face buried in her hands. He watched another sob escape her, before silently walking over and settling behind her, pulling her against him. He felt her shudder, wrapping his arms around her. After awhile, she finally stopped, taking a shuddering breath before grabbing a hold of his armor. She didn't look up as she spoke.
"I don't want you to go," she choked out, her voice soft.
The prince didn't say anything, rubbing her back in comfort. He focused back on her bent head as she started speaking again.
"But I know you have to," she stated, "for the sake of our lives, and everyone else's."
Trista finally looked up at him, swallowing. "I know you say you don't care," she studied his face, "but I know you do. Deep down," she whispered, watching his brows furrow. He looked away, not saying anything.
Her eyes moved over him, studying the blue spandex and armor encasing his chest. She rubbed a hand over his gloved one, her eyes downcast for a moment before looking back at his face. Vegeta kept his gaze averted.
He looked back as she climbed off the bed, her back to him. He watched her cross her arms, another shudder running through her.
"You need to go," she said softly, not turning towards him.
Vegeta's eyes widened, studying the profile of the woman standing a foot away from him. He slowly stood, walking up to her. He laid his hands on her arms, feeling her straighten slightly, her back going rigid.
He turned her around, his eyes roaming her face. She lifted her gaze, swallowing as they studied one another. Trista let her eyes roam over his body again, before closing them.
"I can't say another goodbye," she whispered.
Vegeta suddenly pulled her to him, capturing her lips. His kiss was demanding, an arm holding her tightly against him, his hand clenching in her hair for a moment before he broke from her, striding towards the door. He swiftly walked through it, not looking back as it firmly closed behind him.
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