Chapter 9: Friends?

Trunks landed at the lookout with 18 asleep in his arms. Bulma and Dende were already near the ledge.

Bulma: "Trunks, Dende filled me in on what was happening while you were fighting, I'm so glad you were able to defeat Vail. I was so worried about you."

Trunks: "Sorry mom, but don't worry I'm okay. Dende can you heal 18?"

Dende: "Of course, after all she's done that's the least I could do."

Trunks placed 18 down: "Thanks Dende."

Bulma: She did do a lot didn't she? If it wasn't for her Vail might still have you by the tail right now. I'm really glad 18 was there. You really owe her a thank you."

18 (as she opened her eyed.): "No, he doesn't owe me anything. (She then stood up facing Trunks.) You now saved me from Cell and Vail. (she crossed her arms.) Are you just trying to always one up me? (she said jokingly.) But anyway thank you."

Trunks nodded his head and smiled.

Mr. Popo came towards them: "Dende I brought the sacred water." (He was carrying a jug.)

Dende: "Thanks Mr. Pope. (He then turned towards Trunks, 18 and Bulma.) This water can heal the people affected by Vail's poison gas."

Trunks in relief: "That's great Dende."

Bulma: "Yes, but how are we suppose to distribute it to everyone?"

Dende: "Leave that to me. (He walked to the edge of the lookout and opened the cork. The water slowly came out and started to flow.) The water will spread through the entire planet and once it reaches someone's lungs who is effected they will be cured."

Trunks: "That's incredible Dende. I knew you would make a good guardian."

Bulma: "Well we should be going now. I'll meet you and 18 at home, Trunks." (Bulma said as she walked to her hover car.)

18 and Trunks took off flying towards capsule corp, of course faster than Bulma's hover car.

Trunks: "Hey 18, I didn't get a chance to say this before but…Well Vail was right you could have took off and easily got away, but you didn't. You stayed and got him away from me long enough where I could recover. You really risked a lot to help me, so Thanks for that. You're really starting to show that you do care what happens to the earth."

18 looked away with mixed feelings.

Trunks: "What's wrong?"

18: "You don't get it…Yes I did it because I care what happens to the earth, I owe the people on this planet a lot, but I also did it because I care…what happens to you."

Trunks looked stunned.

18: "I mean after all you've done for me it would be impossible for me not to care what happens to you."

Trunks still looked shocked about what 18 just confessed but then smiled at her. After a minute of them still flying Trunks looked at 18 questionably.

Trunks: "There's something I've been wanting to ask you for awhile."

18: "So what is it?"

Trunks: "What's your real name?"

18: "What?"

Trunks: "Well you were a normal human before Dr. Gero turned you into an android, so you had to of had a real name; not just an experiment number. So what is it?"

18 looked away and answered: "Well actually I don't remember my real name."

Trunks: "Really?"

18: "Yeah I don't remember much before I became an android. All I do remember is bits and pieces of Dr. Gero kidnapping me and my brother from a foster home when we were teenagers. I guess he made it where we would forget most of our past lives to help take away our humanity. I guess it ended up working didn't it?"

Krillin's voice popped out of Trunk's memory: It was Dr. Gero who made her into an android, she hasn't done anything wrong.

Trunks: "I'm sorry to hear that 18. I had no idea."

18: "Don't think I'm trying to use that as an excuse or anything. I'm really sorry for what I've done."

Trunks: "I know you are 18. It shows." (He said as the landed at Capsule Corp. They walked in at once.)

18 started to walk upstairs: "I'm going to get out of these clothes that freak ruined."

A little but later Bulma came in. She saw Trunks at the table drinking a soda.

Bulma: "Hey Trunks, where's 18?"

Trunks: "I think she's up for the night. As soon as we got here that's where she went."

Bulma: "Oh that's too bad I wanted to thank her for what she did today."

Trunks: "That's okay mom, I already did."

Bulma: "Good for you Trunks. I'm glad you are putting in such an effort to get along with her. I know it must not be that easy for you."

Trunks: "Actually it's a lot easier now than it was in the beginning."

Bulma: "Yeah it looks like you guys are not only becoming allies, but also becoming friends."

Trunks eyes widen: "Do you think that's okay…I mean after all that's happened/'

Bulma: "Well do you believe 18 regrets what she did?"

Trunks: "Yes."

Bulma: "Do you think she's capable of doing some of the things she did in her past again today?"

Trunks: "No."

Bulma: "Then yes, I do think it's okay."

Bulma left then with Trunks still in thought.