Chapter 2: A surprise guess

Trunks arrived home and his mother quickly came in the front room when she heard him enter.

Bulma: "How did it go Tru-" she stopped speaking when she saw the android in his arms. "Trunks what happened?" she asked as she came closer.

Trunks: "Well when I got to city I saw that Cell was about to absorb 18. I thought it would be best not to have him reach his final form so I destroyed him before he could. After I took care of Cell I was about to destroy 18 too but, before I did I saw how badly hurt she was and she told me how she watched Cell absorb 17. For the first time she lost someone she cared about and then she actually apologized to me. She fainted after that and I just couldn't bring myself to finish her."

Bulma: "I can see why Trunks. It sounds like something Goku or Gohan would have done. Bring her into the medical room so I can take a look at her."

Trunks followed Bulma into the room and placed 18 on the bed.

Bulma: "Trunks wait outside while I treat her…and don't worry about me, with those wounds she should be out for awhile."

Trunks: "Okay mom. I'll be right outside the door if you need me."

About 15 minutes later Bulma came out of the room.

Bulma: "All she needs to do now is rest for awhile and she should be okay. That would she has would have killed a normal person, but since she's an android she's healing fast. Anyway what should we do about her when she wakes up?"

Trunks stared clueless in thought.

Trunks: What should I do? I brought her here, but what should I do when she wakes up? What do I say?"

Bulma saw how Trunks didn't know the answer.

Bulma: "Don't worry about it now Trunks. Let's just see what happens."

Trunks: "Yeah."

Trunks waited in the medical room for 18 to wake up. He was sitting on the chair that his mom used for the computer but facing the bed. It was weird seeing 18 sleeping in the same medical bed that he and Gohan had to use many times because of her and 17. Trunks noticed 18's eyes shutter then finally open. Before she noticed Trunks sitting there she tried to sit up but was too weak so went back down.

Trunks: "You're finally awake huh?"

18: "What's going on? Why did you bring me here?"

Trunks: "It would have been wrong of me to destroy you when you couldn't fight back and I'm not like you."

18 said nothing just confusingly looked at him.

Trunks: "I want to ask you…back there when you said you were sorry, did you really mean it?"

18: It doesn't matter now does it? It doesn't change anything."

Trunks: "It does too matter!" (He slammed his hand on the desk.) "I want to know if you regret what you did! Now answer me!"

18 sat up quickly despite the pain.

18: "I don't have to answer to you!"

Trunks stood up quickly out of the chair.

Trunks: "If you really did mean it you would have no problem telling me, so I don't believe-"

18: "You have no idea how I feel! I did mean it Trunks, but if I knew you would have kept me alive after I said it I would have kept my mouth shut!"

Trunks looked shocked: She thought I was going to kill her. She didn't want to face me after she apologized. "Okay 18, I believe you. I can tell you feel ashamed for what you did after what Cell put you through."

18 turned away and looked down.

Trunks: "You know a way you can make up for what you did to this planet is by starting to protect it."

18: "What?"

Trunks: "You and 17 killed most of this world's strongest fighters, but if you truly regret what you did and want to try to make up for it you can start protecting this planet from any future threats it may have. I'm here to protect it, but it's always a good idea to have others willing to fight."

18: "Not saying I agree, but if that were to happen I would have to fight along side you. How could you fight with someone you could never possibly forgive and hate?"

Trunks: "You're right I probably will never forgive you, but this isn't about me, it's about what's best for this planet. Don't you think you owe it to them?!"

18 didn't reply; just looked as if she was thinking.

Trunks: "Anyway you still have sometime before you can do any fighting. My mother and I will allow you to rest here and I'll give you sometime to think about it. If you say "Yes" we'll let you continue to stay in this house, if you say "no" I don't want to see your face anymore, and I'll expect you to leave." (he said as he left the room and closed the door.)