Warning: Language!

Facing the Future

Chapter 19

Now she knew why everyone called Bulma crazy. Athea clutched the back of her seat, sitting sideways with her nails digging into the fabric. Bulma did another sickening tilt with the helicopter. Athea grimaced. She was gonna be sick. She let out a little shriek as they flew dangerously close to a mountain, staring in horror at the woman beside her. She didn't care if Bulma was a genius, the woman was mad! They didn't even have any doors on this chopper! Athea felt a wave of nausea sweep over her again as they dipped down, then back up. Why oh' why did she agree to come with her again?

They had all been at Capsule Corp, Bulma having called everyone to meet for a barbecue. Everyone, including the saiyans, had all been getting ready to sit down for their meal, when Goku and the others had frozen, a look of intense concentration passing over them. Athea hadn't known exactly what was going on, and neither did the other women. The men suddenly dropped their plates and took off, Chichi and Bulma yelling at them as they flew away. Athea had sat there and watched the whole scene, hearing Raditz tell her to stay put, before he too left.

Bulma had declared immediately afterward that she was going to find out what was going on. Athea reluctantly agreed to go with her. Something she regretted now.

"What is that?" Bulma suddenly yelled, having to raise her voice to be heard over the engine and blades. Athea followed her gaze towards the left. She sucked in a breath. It was King Cold's ship, gleaming in the evening sun. Athea felt her insides quiver in terror.

"I'm gonna go get a closer look," Bulma yelled.

"NO!" Athea screamed, surprising the woman beside her and causing the plane to shift slightly.

"What! Why? Who is it!?" Bulma demanded, turning back towards the ship and studying it intently.

"We need to get out of here," Athea stated, swallowing with difficulty when she saw several small bodies heading towards the ship. It was the fighters. There was a flash of golden light, the brightness causing her to squint slightly. It must have caused Bulma to do the same thing because she turned her head, her eyes squeezed shut. Athea stared at her in open-mouth horror. The woman had her eyes shut, and they were flying! Athea let out a scream. Bulma was bat-shit crazy!

Bulma glared at her for a moment before tilting the helicopter to the right, making their way back to Capsule Corp. Athea gulped, her eyes shuddering closed in fear. They popped open a moment later. What was that!? She stared wide-eyed at a spot off in the distance, towards the desert part of the area. There it was again! A flash of light, as if the sun was bouncing off metal.

"Bulma," Athea said loudly, pointing a finger towards the area she saw the reflection of light, "Let's go over there for a moment. I think I see something."

Bulma nodded and changed course, following where Athea pointed. As they drew closer to the area, Athea's eyes widened. She sucked in a breath as they lowered towards the ground.

It was Trunks' time machine, smoke coming from somewhere in the back of it. And laying over the controls, was the lavender haired demi-saiyan himself. Athea blinked a few times, not quite believing her eyes. Bulma got out, Athea following a few seconds later. They approached the machine cautiously, Bulma hesitating before reaching out and touching it. She jerked her hand back, waving it around.

"It's hot," she stated softly in explanation. Athea didn't say anything, just stared at the machine. She couldn't believe that Trunk's had gotten here. When she didn't see him down at Frieza's fathers' ship, she had thought that maybe it was something else that might have changed since she got here.

She swallowed before grabbing the ladder rung on one side, touching it to make sure she didn't get burned. It wasn't that hot, so she climbed up, pausing for a moment to stare into the glass dome and studying the young man inside. He had on his signature jacket, except there were rips and burns in it, some parts still smoking. A patch of hair on the back of his head was darker than the rest, and it took Athea a moment to realize it was blood. She gasped, reaching out and trying to open the dome. She heard the occupant inside groan and glanced down, watching as Trunks moved his head, his eyes barely open as he stared at her, before he reached with a shaking hand and pushed a button. The glass dome whooshed back, startling Athea and almost making her fall backwards. She steadied herself by grabbing the top rung of the ladder, her eyes widening even more at seeing clearly what state the young man was in.

"Bulma," she called, not taking her eyes off of him, "we need to get him out."

Bulma appeared on the other side, staring down at Trunks before looking Athea in the eye.

"You know who he is, don't you?" Bulma stared at Athea long enough for her to squirm. Athea didn't answer.

They both grabbed an arm and tried to pull the injured demi-saiyan out, but it was like trying to move a boulder. He was basically dead weight. After a few tries, both women were sweating profusely and breathing hard. They both finally climbed down, looking over at hearing someone land.

"Hey," Gohan said loudly, "Dad sent me to check on you guys."

Athea perked up, knowing Gohan would be able to help pull Trunks' out of the time machine.

"Gohan," she waved him over to her, "help us get my…..friend out of there."

The boy studied her for a moment before nodding, not asking any questions. For the time being. Gohan flew up to Trunks' and grabbed him under his arms. He slowly lifted him and set him gently on the ground. Trunks groaned and turned, his face settling against the dirt. Athea knelt down next to him, reaching to check his pulse. Something fell out of his pocket. Athea's eyes widened when she recognized the case that was supposed to contain Goku's medicine. She grabbed it and stuck it in her pocket, peeking over at Bulma and Gohan to see if they saw her. Bulma was too busy questioning the boy about what was going on at the space ship that landed.

Athea turned back to the guy laying on the ground, jerking in surprise when her gaze met his. They stared at one another for a moment or two before Trunks whispered, "Hi," before his eyes rolled up into his head and he passed out. Athea blinked, not quite sure what to make of that, before deciding to dismiss it. The young half-saiyan had just gone through something traumatic. And it was obvious he had. His jacket was ripped up and burned. He had that gash on the back of his head, and he was obviously beaten up pretty badly, if the cuts and bruises all over him were any indication. She checked his pulse to make sure he was still alive, before standing and going towards the time machine. If she remembered correctly, there was a button on the side that made it capsulize. She found it, and figuring she had no choice with Bulma and Gohan there, pushed it. The machine disappeared into a small capsule that fit into the palm of her hand, and she picked it up and stuck it into her pocket.

"Okay Athea," Bulma stated, walking towards her with her hands on her hips. "Who is mystery man over here?" she asked, pointing to the unconscious young man at their feet. Athea bit her lip, not saying anything.

She finally sighed and set her features. "I can't tell you," she stated softly, cringing when Bulma erupted.

"WHAT! You better tell us something, especially if you want me to bring him back to my home!"

Athea gazed at the woman in front of her. "I…he's….a friend."

Bulma stared at her for a moment before asking, "Are you sure he can be trusted?"

"Of course," Athea stated, gulping as the blue haired woman eyed her.

Bulma studied her for another moment before nodding slowly, a sigh coming out of her. "Alright," she finally said, "Gohan, can you put the boy in my helicopter. I think it's time we headed back to Capsule Corp."

After Gohan got the unconscious young man into the chopper, they all climbed in and headed back to Bulma's home, the woman shooting indescribable looks at Athea the whole way back. Nobody spoke as they landed, Bulma having called ahead to have medics ready to put the lavender-haired young man in their medical ward. Athea watched them cart Trunks' into the compound, avoiding the curious looks of the two people behind her. She put her hands in her pockets, making sure the capsule case was still securely there. She could feel it in her pocket, she just wanted to make sure.

They all watched as the Doctor and nurses cleaned the half-saiyan's cuts, the doctor examining the gash on the back of his head. After they finished bandaging Trunks, Gohan left, stating he was going to check up on what was happening with the other fighters. Athea watched as both Bulma and Gohan left the room, the blue haired woman questioning the small demi-saiyan intently. Athea sighed as the door whooshed shut, her gaze going to the young man lying on the bed. She hadn't thought he was going to show up. So many things had been changed or delayed since she came to this world, and she had been afraid that Trunks' existence had been one of those things. Especially since Bulma and Vegeta didn't seem to like each other very much.

Athea sighed, looking down at the ground as her brows furrowed. The fact that Bulma was still with Yamcha, well maybe….and Goku not staying gone. Raditz being alive, as well as planet Vegetasei still existing. So many things have changed from what she knew should happen, should be happening. But you can't change what's already done. And you don't know what else is going to change, what other events are going to happen out of sequence. Athea bit her lip and her shoulders drooped, finally lifting her head back up. She jumped. Trunks was staring at her, blinking owlishly.

"Hi," She almost stuttered out, clearing her throat as he blinked at her again.

"Hello," Trunks croaked, blinking at her once more before slowly sitting up. He looked around the room before turning back towards her. "Who are you?"

"My name's Athea," she stated, "Me and Bulma found you." She noticed his eyes light up at the mention of his mother.

"So….you're….." He let that hang.

Athea bit her lip. "I'm a friend of hers." It wasn't exactly a lie. They were friends….sort of.

Trunks nodded, his hands absently patting his jacket. A look of panic appeared on his face as he started searching frantically.

"Oh!" Athea reached into her pocket and withdrew the case, handing to the man. "You dropped it," she stated as he took it from her. She took the single capsule out of her pocket and handed that to him as well. "Here's your time machine."

Athea looked up when he didn't reach for it. He was gaping at her in surprise. "How did you…" he stuttered out, taking the capsule out of her hand slowly.

"I know who you are Trunks," she watched as surprise flitted over his features, which quickly changed to panic as they heard Bulma coming back towards the room. "Don't worry," Athea said softly, "I won't tell."

He nodded with obvious relief, his throat moving as he gulped as the blue haired scientist came barging through the door a moment later.

"Oh," Bulma came to a stop, "You're awake." She let the door swing shut as she made her way towards the bed. She began nodding her head. "That's good. So, mystery man, you have a name?"

Trunks swallowed again before stating softly, "I-I can't tell you."

Bulma scowled, throwing her hands on her hips. "And why not? Only she can know who you are, is that it!?" She asked loudly, flinging her hand in Athea's direction.

"Are you guys having some kind of fling?" Bulma asked, a smile edging across her face.

Trunks looked thunderstruck, a choking sound coming out of him.

"No!" Athea stated in shock, her mouth hanging open in surprise. Bulma smirked at both of them.

"Because if you were, I can keep it a secret!" She winked at Athea, "Don't blame you girl. He is a cutie!"

Trunks was still making that choking sound, his face red with embarrassment. Athea felt her own face warm, not blaming the guy one minute for being embarrassed. It wasn't every day that your own mother asked if you were having a fling. Even if she didn't know the relation. Athea let out a sigh, shaking her head.

"Bulma," Athea crossed her arms, "we are not together. He's a….friend."

Bulma had the audacity to snort. "Whatever you say," she stated, before straightening her shoulders and studying Trunks more intently. He squirmed under the scrutiny. She checked his bandages, Athea suppressing a laugh as Bulma grabbed the young man's head and tilted it to look at the injury back there.

"Well," Bulma let her hands fall in her lap, "It seems you'll live."

Trunks gave a little nod, his gaze lowering to his lap. Bulma looked at Athea and winked. She rolled her eyes, turning towards the door. "I'm going to wait in the living room for the guys to get back," she stated, leaving the room before Bulma's crazy self could question her anymore about Trunks.

"Alright, young man. Tell me about yourself," she heard Bulma demand before the door shut behind her. She let out a groan, shaking her head at the woman's persistence.

XXX

Bulma appeared almost an hour later, huffing as she sat down on the couch next to Athea. The younger woman looked at her inquiringly. Bulma huffed a second time.

"He won't tell me anything," she grumbled, "keeps asking for Goku."

Athea didn't say anything. She averted her gaze, picking at invisible lint on her pants.

"You know why too."

Athea's head shot up at that, her gaze going to Bulma. The blue haired woman was scowling at her, her arms crossed.

"Why does he need to see Goku so bad?" Bulma asked as she tilted her head a little, her eyes narrowing. Athea's gaze slid away from hers as she bit her lip.

"I can't tell you," she stated, hearing Bulma let out a groan as she plopped back onto the coach, her hands going up. "Why does everyone keep saying that!?" Bulma asked the ceiling, irritation shadowing her features. She finally looked back at Athea.

It was silent for several minutes before Athea heard Bulma say, "It's something important, isn't it," she asked softly, causing Athea to finally look her in the eye. Athea nodded.

Bulma closed her eyes as she looked towards the ceiling once more, settling her hands against her stomach. "I hate being left in the dark," she finally stated, letting out a sigh.

The front door burst open then, causing both woman to turn hopefully towards the door. But it wasn't the men. It was a very irritated, and angry, mother of a demi-saiyan. It was Chi-chi.

The dark haired woman closed the door as she looked around, her face darkening with a scowl. She settled her hands on her hips.

"Where are they!? Where's my Gohan!?"

Both women on the couch blinked at her. "Um…" Athea hesitated for a moment. "They're still gone."

Chi-chi threw up her hands. "What in the world is taking them so long?"

Athea and Bulma looked at each other before announcing, "They were fighting Frieza and his father."

Chi-chi got quiet for a moment before asking, "Were they alright? You two went didn't you?"

Athea blinked, a little confused. "You were here, remember…"

She trailed off as Chi-chi shook her head. "No, no. As soon as they left I took the food back to my house. No need to waste it all." She looked from Athea to Bulma.

"As far as we could tell Chi," Bulma said softly, "they were okay." They heard the dark haired woman sigh in relief, her shoulders drooping somewhat.

"Do you need help putting it away?" Athea asked, mentally crossing her fingers that the woman said yes. Her hopes vanished as Chi-chi shook her head.

"No. Already done it," Chi-chi stated as she came and sat next to Bulma.

Damn. Athea was hoping to get away from Bulma and her prying questions. She promised Trunks she wouldn't tell anyone his secret, and the woman next to her had a tendency of figuring things out pretty quickly. She bit her lip, trying to think of some way to casually leave without raising suspicion. Her body came to her rescue.

"Uh….I'll be back in a moment," she stated as she stood up.

"Oh," Bulma replied suggestively, "going to see your man?"

Athea opened her mouth to reply, only to be cut off as Chi-chi yelled, "WHAT?"

Goku's wife looked at her as if she were crazy. "You can't go out there! You'll be killed!"

Both women looked at her in confusion. Chi-chi looked from one to the other before stating, "You're talking about Raditz….right?"

"No," Bulma sniggered, "I'm talking about our mystery guy that only Athea knows."

Athea gulped as Chi-chi narrowed her eyes on her. "Who is this guy? And does Raditz know?"

"Go on Athea. Tell Chi-chi about your maaaaan," Bulma grinned like a chesire cat, folding her arms and leaning back against the couch.

"I am not with him!" Athea stated in exasperation. She shot Bulma a look that clearly stated "Quit it!"

"He's just a friend," she stated, "and there's nothing to tell Raditz. And for your information, I was going to the restroom!"

Athea turned on her heel and left the room, huffing a she heard Bulma giggle. She didn't know why Bulma was being so annoying, repeatedly suggesting that she was in a relationship with Trunks. It was something that she didn't think Bulma would keep going on about. It was so…..juvenile. Athea shook her head at the woman's antics as she closed the restroom door. She did actually have to pee, she didn't lie about that. But it was great to get away from Bulma's suddenly irritating attitude. And her questioning.

Athea didn't return downstairs once she was done, instead opting to roam around the compound a little. She went outside, encountering Professor Briefs in the Garden, along with his wife. Athea politely waved to them, wondering again how that woman could see with her eyes squinted shut like that.

She had just stepped into the yard by the kitchen when Goku and the rest of the fighters landed. Her heart tripped over when she caught sight of Raditz, gasping in a breath. Oh no! She couldn't be in love with him. It was too soon. They didn't actually know each other that well, despite what they'd been through together. She was only 20 years old, too young to fall in love. No, it was just from….excitement! Yeah, that's what it was. It had nothing to do with the burly saiyan standing there staring at her like a piece of meat. Nope! Nothing at all.

She caught herself hurrying towards him and stopped, feeling her face heat up. Was she so damn obvious!? Athea took a breath and slowly let it out as she started towards them once more, this time at a regular pace. She reached them just as Bulma and Chi-chi ran out of the house. Chi-chi enveloped Gohan in a hug, crying "my baby!" while Bulma flew into Yamcha's arms, letting out an ear piercing squeal. Athea caught the look that flitted over Vegeta's face. She blinked. Was he actually…jealous? It happened so fast she wasn't even sure she'd actually seen it. It was the prince after all. Athea froze when the prince's gaze skimmed over her then came back. His face hardened. He did an about face and grabbed Raditz by the collar, a snarl escaping his lips.

"Have you finished with her yet?" He demanded, his penetrating gaze not leaving the taller saiyans as Raditz glanced over at Athea.

Athea stood there gaping, frozen to the spot. What the hell? She watched as Raditz eyed her before meeting Vegeta's gaze. "No."

Her mouth opened and closed, trying to say something but nothing would come forth. By this time everyone else was focused on the three of them, their eyes going from Raditz and Vegeta to Athea. Bulma had a slight pitying look on her face, which caused Athea to wince.

"Well then hurry up and fuck her already!" Vegeta's voice carried, reaching everyone's ears. He let go of Raditz with a growl. "I want to get off this mud ball and get home dammit."

Athea stood there, mortification causing her to stay rooted to the spot. She didn't know what to say. Couldn't speak if her life depended on it. Then what Vegeta said sank in. She gasped in a breath, her throat closing.

"You," she barely got the word out, but it caused everyone to look at her. She ignored it, staring at the saiyan she thought she was coming to know. Apparently she didn't know shit. "You were just trying to get me to sleep with you?" Her voice was small and wet, her eyes burning with tears that she fought to not let fall. "I thought…." Athea trailed off, averting her gaze as she gasped in a breath. Her chest hurt….no, her heart hurt. She couldn't stay here. She needed to leave. She couldn't be around him right now, if at all in the future.

"Goku," Athea choked out, not looking at anybody. She saw his boots enter her line of vision. "Will you take me back to the house?"

A hand landed gently on her shoulder as she closed her eyes, ignoring the sound of her name as they disappeared.

After a moment she opened her eyes, looking through blurry vision at Chi-chi's spotless kitchen floor.

"Athea," She heard Goku say gently. She shook her head and backed away. She didn't want to talk about what just happened. Athea practically ran upstairs to her designated room, gasping for air as she tried to keep the sobs at bay. In the end, of course, she didn't succeed.

XXX

Gohan tiptoed down the hallway, listening to his parents' low murmurs downstairs. He bit his lower lip as he heard Athea's name. His little jaw clenched. Uncle Raditz had hurt her feelings, and Gohan didn't like that at all. Athea was like a big sister to him. She was real nice. She played blocks and army men with him. She read to him whenever he wanted. She let him sleep in her bed when he had nightmares and his parents' door was shut. She was great. And his uncle made her cry today. He knew it had something to do with them hanging out with each other all the time and touching. Just like his dad and mom acted when they thought no one was looking. He'd seen his uncle give Athea the same look that his dad gave his mom. And since he knew that that was important, he didn't know why Raditz would hurt Athea's feelings like he did today.

Gohan hugged his stuffed rabbit closer to his chest, one of his favorite toys in the whole world. His mom had given it to him after dad had died, giving him something to hold onto until they wished his father back. He loved it, and hugged it so much that his mom had to resew it back together once already. It had floppy ears and was really soft. It was a great toy to snuggle against. He continued down the hall, keeping an ear out for his parents. He tucked his stuffed animal under an arm as he knocked on Athea's door.

No one answered. He nibbled on his lower lip before deciding to crack the door open, actually doing something his mother taught him never to do. Invade someone's privacy. But he was worried about his adopted big sister, with the way she'd been crying for what seemed like hours. He looked through the crack, not really seeing anything. He opened the door a little wider, poking his head into the room. Athea was laying on her bed, her back towards the door. Gohan hesitated, looking behind him before slipping though and closing the door behind him.

"Athea," he whispered as he made his way to the bed, stopping at the side. Athea didn't move. Maybe she was asleep. He poked her softly.

Athea rolled over with a gasp, her shoulders sagging as she caught sight of him. Gohan stared at her. Her eyes were puffy and her face was slightly red. He could tell she'd been crying. He climbed up on the bed and handed her the rabbit. Athea looked at it then back at him.

"It's my favorite," Gohan explained quietly, "Mom bought him for me when dad died, remember?"

Athea blinked at him before slowly nodding. She sniffled, letting out what sounded like a sigh and a sob before reaching out to take the rabbit. Gohan watched her as she brought it to her chest. Athea laid back down on the bed.

"He's great," Gohan whispered, making himself more comfortable on the bed, scooting up towards the headboard. "I know he'll help you feel better like he did me," he soft tone became more excited as he talked, "You'll see."

He watched as a tiny smile tugged at Athea's mouth. Gohan smiled at her. "See! It's working already," he stated as his grin widened. He didn't even consider that it was the gesture and his presence that made her feel better, and not the stuffed animal.

Athea sighed a little and closed her eyes. Gohan copied her a moment later, glad that he helped, even if it was just a little bit.

"What's his name?" Athea whispered, causing Gohan to open his eyes. He looked over at her in surprise. She didn't see it, her eyes were still closed. No one had ever asked what he named his rabbit. Not even his mom. Athea is the greatest big sis in the world!

"Hi-his name is Piccolo," Gohan said softly. Athea let out a surprised giggle. It was contagious because he started giggling to.

"Does Piccolo know?" She asked, still smiling. Gohan nodded, settling back down as she did the same. "Mm, I would have loved to have seen the look on his face when he found out," Athea whispered, her voice laced with humor. But he could still hear the hurt mixed in with it.

"It's going to be okay Athea. You'll see," Gohan whispered with the upmost confidence. That's what his daddy always said and his dad never lies. They were both silent for several minutes.

"Thank you Gohan," Athea whispered, breaking the silence. He nodded, not sure if she saw or not. He heard her sigh into the semi-darkness. It was dinnertime, but Athea didn't seem ready to leave her room. Gohan didn't mind, he could just eat later. He wanted to make sure his friend was okay first. They were both silent as they watched the room darken as time slipped by.

Gohan heard a sigh come from beside him before he felt her ki level out. Athea was asleep. Gohan looked over at her, still hugging the stuffed rabbit loosely with one arm. Sometimes he wished that she was his real sister, so that they could play more and spar, instead of making sure they did activities that wouldn't hurt her. But she was great all the same, never getting mad at him when he wanted to explore the woods, always going with him and sometimes staying out way past nightfall. She didn't complain when her shoes and jeans and shirt got muddy. She would just laugh and smear him with mud as well. They played hide and seek and picked fruit and climbed trees. It was the best.

She was the best adopted sister a little boy could ask for. And Gohan was mad because his uncle Raditz kept making her cry. Kept making her sad like she is now. He looked at the girl sleeping. He might be just a young boy, but even he could see the sadness on her face, even in sleep. Gohan narrowed his eyes. He needed to talk to his uncle. Maybe Raditz didn't know that he was making her sad. Gohan climbed out of the bed and hurried downstairs to eat dinner, letting his mother know that Athea wasn't coming down when she asked.

His father stated that she was asleep, noting the way her ki was leveled out. He shot a look at his son, letting Gohan know that he knew he'd been with her upstairs. Gohan just smiled at his father, answering his mothers' questions about his homework when she asked. They finally finished, and he waited for his mother to leave the table and take the dishes to the sink before speaking with his father.

"Dad," Goku looked up, the look on his face indicating he knew what his son was going to ask, "Can we go to Bulma's?"

"Why Gohan?"

Gohan twiddled his thumbs, his brows furrowing a tiny bit. Maybe he should let his mom or dad talk to Raditz. He mentally shook his head. No, he wanted to do it.

"I want to talk to my Uncle."

XXX

Eh, filler chapter…..