Disclaimer: *See Prologue*

Author's Note: It begins with a flashback to when Lygoren was six and dealing with his father the first time...probably the only real warning for this part...

Part Nine: Nightmares Return

Sir. That was what his father's name had become over the years and NO ONE argued it...not if they wanted to live passed that night. Eyes closed, breathing staggering before evening out, the brunette struggles to remain calm, to show no weakness. He couldn't afford it and he would NOT make this worse than it was already going to be. Stopping before the study, he swallows again and wishes he knew what they had done to deserve this; what HE had done to deserve this. The ominous wooden door makes a lump form in his throat but the six-year-old Saiyan raises his hand and knocks regardless. "Enter!" comes the deep timbre of his sire's voice and it takes all Lygoren has in him not to turn and see how far he could run before he was caught up to. However, he was fully aware how stupid that would be to even contemplate and forces himself inside. "Ahh, Lygoren, punctual as always."

"You wanted to see me, Sir?" he struggles for a tone that didn't show how utterly terrified of his father he truly was, however, he was sure that his sire was well aware of how much EVERYONE feared him and it was apparently how he liked things.

"Close the door and come here, Lyo." There was something about his sire's voice, something dark and sinister that has the boy's hair starting to stand on end and his tail to puff out but he does as commanded and steps beside the male's chair because NO ONE disobeyed Sir, NO ONE. "Such a good boy, you've become, Lygoren; you've surpassed most of the adults in terms of combat skills. I'm QUITE proud of you, son."

The words SHOULD have pleased him instead they instilled a GREATER fear that something bad was about to happen, something that he wasn't going to like at all. "I...live to please you, sir."

"And you do, Lyo, you do VERY much...and I'm about to show you just HOW pleased I am with you..."

Somehow those are not reassuring words to the child who knew something was VERY wrong with this situation. However, he couldn't even fathom what was about to happen as the older male slowly moves back in his chair and pats his lap. "C'mere, Lygoren." It was a trap that was all the boy could tell but he had no choice because refusal was not tolerated so he slides up onto his father's lap wondering just what horrible thing was coming now. "Such a pretty boy," the other murmurs as he brushes his hair back from his face. It takes all of Lygoren's will power to keep from recoiling from the other.

It becomes that much harder when his father tugs his shirt over his head leaving him in the pants and feeling more and more ill at ease with the situation. He was uncomfortable in the older Saiyan's lap because he was sure this was a BAD situation and because he could feel something pressing against him that made him want to squirm to get away. "S-sir..." The tremulous tone makes the older Saiyan chuckle before he lifts him up far enough to have his tail tug the pants down his hips leaving him vulnerable and more terrified than he'd ever been. It takes all his will-power to keep from curling his tail down and hiding himself from his father. Something told him it would be a BAD idea. The feel of his father's fingers tracing down his chest and stomach makes Lygoren want to jerk away and flee for the door. But he doesn't...because he knew better, because he was conditioned to obey the male he was being touched by. Because he was too afraid of the repercussions for NOT showing complete and total obedience to his father's will...

Lygoren sits straight up sweat pouring down him. It had been YEARS since he'd remembered that, since THAT memory had reared it's ugly head. The brunette Saiyan slides out of the bed and stumbles to the window before pushing it open, the cold air spilling against his wet skin making him tremble. Goddammit, WHY did he need to remember that now? He slides a trembling hand through his hair and struggles to collect himself. "Lygoren?"

"Erisel..."

"Normally, I'm the one up all night...what's your excuse?"

He slowly turns to glance at the pregnant woman standing in the doorway. "I..."

"Your father again?" she asks softly, quietly.

"It's nerves, I think," he admits.

"You're afraid that..."

"Don't...please...just..." He clenches his fists. "He...WON'T lay a hand on our cub, Erisel...I PROMISE you this."

Slowly, she walks over to him before gently stroking the side of his face. "You're scared and it's normal given the circumstances," she tells him, "We ALL live in fear of him, YOU most of all. I'm just sorry that you're going through this much torment. I know you'll protect our child, I KNOW that Lygoren. You've never failed in a thing you've set your mind to."

"Except..."

"Don't," she says placing a finger up against his lips, "Don't start with that. You do what you can and the rest will work itself out. You need to go and shower and I'll redo the bed."

"You're eight months pregnant. There is NO WAY..."

She snorts. "I am a Saiyan, Lygoren. I can handle ONE set of sheets and a blanket."

"Just...don't overdo it, okay?"

She smiles. "I won't. Now, go on. If I lay down with you I don't want to feel your sweaty skin. I had to deal with that while I was in Heat."

He steps into the bathroom before stripping and heading for the shower before turning the water on. Things had calmed very little in his life though the reprieve from his father had helped somewhat. The nightmares though weren't and the thought that there was a chance his father would go near the cub he'd created with Eris was almost unbearable. Closing his eyes, he rests his forehead against the cool tile. 'Please...please if you refuse to help us at least protect my child. Do NOT let my father touch him. Please.' Part of him wondered why he even bothered anymore as it was becoming more and more painfully obvious that no one was listening where their clan was concerned.