A/N: Thank you so much for reviewing.

Disclaimer: Nope. I still don't own Vegeta's p... princely self.

The group from the future smiled as they watched Radditz and Nappa dump food at their feet.

"Here." Radditz said. "Vegeta will be released in about an hour. Then we'll help you with the rest. You better have that thing done fast before he loses his temper."

"If he wants to leave then he'll have to be patient." Bulma said, kneeling down next to Goku and grabbing one of the smaller pieces. "The machine is far from done."

"Don't you backtalk to me you piece of shit." Radditz growled.

"Hey, why are you so rude? How old are you anyway?" Bulma said, glaring at him.

"What do you care?" Radditz said.

"I don't." Bulma said, shrugging. "Just trying to make conversation."

"I'm fourteen." Bulla said, shoving meat into her mouth.

"What do I care?" Radditz said, shrugging.

"He's sixteen." Nappa said, a little smirk on his lips. Radditz glared at him. "We're going to train. We'll come back with Vegeta in a while."

There wasn't much to do around, so Goku and Trunks soon fell asleep while Bulla and Bulma talked about different things. The little prince went to them after he had eaten, flanked by his two men. He glared at them and cleared his throat. Goku and Trunks's eyes shot open and they stretched before sitting up. Goku scratched the back of his head and yawned, the corners of his eyes wet from his sudden wakening. Trunks was more alert, frown in place and prepared to defend himself and his family if necessary.

"Hurry." Vegeta said. "What is it you need?"

"Well," Bulma said, getting up and walking over to the machine. "We'll start with the first control panel. It seems the morphers have exploded, so first we'll need to replace the cables. If you could get me a replica of this and…" while Vegeta walked over to see what Bulma needed, Radditz and Nappa began to talk silently between them, not aware that Trunks, Goku and Bulla had also inherited the saiyan's hearing.

"Frieza told me we'll be sent in a mission soon." Nappa muttered. "But he's still deciding whether to send the three of us or not."

"That could be good. Some time away could do us some good. Especially Vegeta."

"I don't know. That would delay the whole… machine thing. Besides, Dodoria kind of laughed when he told me. That means they'll send us on a difficult mission again."

"We've been sent on hard missions before. There's nothing we can't handle, Nappa. As for the machine, they'll have to wait. How long did he tell you the mission was?"

"A week."

"A week?" Bulla exclaimed. "You can't leave us alone for a week. We'll starve!"

"What?" Vegeta said, turning around. "What is she talking about?"

"Dodoria told me about a mission Frieza is thinking of." Nappa growled, glaring at Bulla. "It's about a week long."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Vegeta said.

"Dodoria told me a few hours ago and he said he wasn't sure." Nappa answered.

"That will delay the machine."

"Forget the machine." Bulla said. "What about us? We can't go an entire week without food!"

"What do I care?" Vegeta snapped.

"If we die of starvation, there will be no escape route for you, kid." Trunks hissed.

Vegeta sighed and rubbed his little temples. "This is what's going to happen and none of you will contradict me. I will get what you need as soon as possible so that you can fix your little toy as much as possible before we have to go on the mission. When we leave, we'll take you with us. You'll get into the pod with us, hoping you won't be clumsy idiots and let yourselves be seen by someone. You'll accompany us to the mission and then we'll be back and continue fixing the machine. Then you'll be fed when we're there and we'll be sure nobody sees you while we're away. Understood?"

Bulma didn't really agree, but she didn't mention it. There was no other way out and she knew it. She just didn't want to be there when Goku realized what their 'missions' consisted of. Goku was a protector. He protected the inhabitants of any planet and he couldn't bear to see an innocent man getting killed, let alone an entire population getting sent into oblivion. But they'd sort that out later. Maybe she could convince him of backing down because the civilization was dead now anyway… but Goku became an animal when it came to injustice and so did Trunks. It bothered her, on top of all, the fact that it was an entire week. She didn't want to be there an entire week. She knew Vegeta would already be head over heels now that they had left for a few hours… The note was meant to keep him at bay for a little time, not entire days on a row! She felt the back of her eyes getting burnt by an upcoming migraine and she sighed.

PRESENT

Vegeta rubbed his eyes and sat back on the couch. He had already trained for hours and couldn't get them out of his mind. He wasn't overly worried of something actually happening to them, because everyone in that timeline was weaker than Kakkarot and Trunks, and maybe Bulla. There was one thing bugging him, though: the possibility of them not being able to return. Besides, when Dr. Briefs was done with the new machine, he was worried about a number of things. First of all, the collapse of time and space and whateverthehell Dende had mentioned when they were on the Lookout. The possibility of Frieza staying alive and trying to conquer other dimensions bugged him immensely as well, or his younger self dying in the hands of Frieza because of hiding something from him, even when it wasn't his fault. He was also worried, although he hated to admit it, of seeing that place again. Frieza's base and ship held all of his deepest fears and was the place where most of his nightmares took place. He didn't want to put a feet on it, even when Frieza was unable of even touching him without Vegeta killing him on the spot. He sighed and looked at the clock. Soon it would be night again and the first day of torture would have passed. He suddenly felt two kis on his door. He growled when he recognized who it was and walked over to the door.

Yamcha and Krillin were preparing to ring, both nervous as hell, when the door slammed open revealing the prince. He crossed his arms and glared at them.

"What the hell do you want?"

"Oh, hi Vegeta." Krillin said. "Uhm, how've you been?"

Vegeta growled at him. "I don't know what has you humans believing that I am, or will ever be, in the mood to chit-chat with any of you. Why are you at my door?"

"We came to visit Bulma." Yamcha said, trying to sound brave.

"She's not here."

"We know that." Yamcha answered. "Why can't we feel her? What did you do?"

Both cringed and stepped back when a growling sound began to emanate from Vegeta's chest. He curled his upper lip, showing his long fangs, and glared at Yamcha.

"Are you implying that I did something to my mate? Is that it?"

"No, no!" Krillin said, rising his hands defensively. "We just thought you might know where she is. Her ki disappeared suddenly, along with Goku's and Trunks's and Bulla's. Since you're the only one… uhm… closest to all of them we thought we'd – "

"Gohan and Goten are around for your silly questions."

"Yeah, but they're here." Yamcha said.

Vegeta sighed when he realized that the sons of his archenemy hadn't left yet.

"So what? They don't know anything either."

"What happened, Vegeta?" Yamcha growled."Tell us."

"Why would I? You have no control over me, you silly human."

He was about to close the door, when Gohan appeared behind him.

"Hey, Krillin! Hey, Yamcha."

"Hi, Gohan."

"What are you two doing here?"

"They were leaving." Vegeta growled.

"No, we weren't!" Yamcha argued, feeling safer now that Gohan was there to protect him from the prince. "We noticed the sudden disappearance of Bulma's and Goku's kis and wanted to find out what was going on."

"It's kind of a long story." Gohan said. "Vegeta? Why don't you let them come in?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes and walked away. He was in no mood to argue with Gohan. He frankly just wanted to lie down and get rid of the headache that was taking over.

PAST

After they had given Bulma some of the things she needed, the three saiyans went to a training room to get some steam out. Vegeta sparred with Nappa while Radditz watched. The prince was way stronger than the oaf, but Nappa had much more experience, so he taught Vegeta how to be witty and use his strength to his advantage. The prince was much more hyperactive than ever, having eaten and been cured. A few hours later Nappa fell to the ground with no hopes of getting back up, knowing full well that the prince had been holding back despite himself. The big bald man sat up with a groan and cleaned the blood from under his nose while Radditz laughed.

"Come here and I'll teach you a lesson or two, thirdclass." Nappa growled.

"No, thanks. I'm good here." Radditz said, grinning.

"I'm hungry." Vegeta said. "We better enjoy the food while we're allowed. Come on."

…

"There you go." Bulma said. "I think I fixed one of the control panels, for now. I'll need more stuff, but I think we're done for now." She stretched and sat next to Goku, who was gazing up at the sky.

"Do you think we'll be here long?"

"I don't know." She admitted. "But I hope not."

Bulla and Trunks looked at their mother.

"Do you think dad's looking for us?" Bulla asked.

"That's an understatement, sweetie." Bulma said. "It would be a miracle if he hasn't blasted something now looking for us."

"We shouldn't have come here." Trunks said.

"It's too late to take it back, Trunks." Bulma said. "Next time we won't be so reckless."

They got interrupted when a few pieces of meat landed before them. Vegeta looked down at them. He was alone.

"It's going to be dark soon and I suppose you won't be able to work, so I'm heading to my room now."

Bulma smiled when she realized that he had come out only to bring them food.

"Wait!" Bulla said. "You can't leave us out here. We'll freeze to death."

"You won't die." He growled. "It's only a bit cold, that's all."

"Vegeta, let us sleep in your room!" Bulma said, realizing what her daughter was saying.

"Why would I? My room is small as it is."

"But we won't bother you." Goku said. He really didn't want to be out in the cold.

None of them really knew that Vegeta didn't want them to be in his room because more often than not, the child had nightmares. He didn't want them to think he was weak.

"The two of you will sleep with Radditz." He said finally, pointing at the men. If someone was going to find out about his deepest fears, it might as well be the girls. They seemed weak enough to kill if he got angry with them. Besides, he was sure the men would laugh at him, and he didn't want that. He had enough of that every day. "The girls will sleep in my room."

Goku was about to argue, but decided against it. Bulla could defend herself and her mother fine, and Goku would sense if there was any trouble. He nodded and they followed Vegeta inside the base. The prince quickly spoke to Radditz and both men entered the young saiyan's room. The girls followed the child into his own room.

Vegeta sighed and climbed onto his bed. Bulla looked at her mother and they sat on the ground, looking at the prince. He glared at them and turned around, giving his back to them, hoping against hope that no nightmares would haunt him that night. He took his armor off and threw it aside. He then took his gloves and boots off and lay down on the hard bed. It was still early, but he didn't want to go out of his room. He just wanted to sleep and forget everything. His hopes were broken, however, when his door slid open. He sat up suddenly and looked at the door, his eyes wide.

His little heart seemed about to explode when he noticed who was standing at the door.

"Well, hello, my little prince. It's a bit early for bed, isn't it?"

"I was tired, master Frieza." He said. "We just ate and headed back to bed."

"Are you enjoying your meals, monkey?" Frieza purred, getting closer to the bed. Vegeta nodded, not trusting his voice. "You didn't thank me."

"Th-thank you, master Frieza." Vegeta muttered. He swallowed.

"I was hoping we could get a little training session right now." He said. "What do you think?"

Vegeta looked away. He really didn't want to have a training session, but saying no would mean he'd be punished. He didn't know what was worse. Frieza smiled as he realized the little prince was trying hard not to tremble.

"I… I was in the tank only a few hours ago, sir. I-I don't think…" he swallowed.

"Well, we agree at that, don't we? Monkeys are incapable of thinking on their own." A deep red blush spread across Vegeta's cheeks. "I came to tell you that you and your companions will be going to Planet Yarned to deliver some of my payment."

"What? But I'm not an errand boy!" he exclaimed. Before he knew what hit him, Frieza's tail lashed out and struck him on his cheek. A deep cut began to leak blood.

"You will do as you are told, monkey." He hissed. "Planet Yarned's inhabitants are hostile. They will attack you if they don't like you."

"Why wouldn't they like us? They are getting paid." Vegeta said quietly.

"You see, my little monkey, the Yarnedians are waiting for me to come to them. They have never been on the saiyans side. You know what I mean? Yarnedians kind of liked the Tuffles." Frieza said, laughing quietly.

"Why would you send us there, then? Why not send another soldier?" Vegeta asked, glaring at the lizard.

"Because, my little monkey, what's a mission without a bit of action?" he purred. He got closer to Vegeta until he was sitting on the bed, his face inches away from the child's. He caressed the cut and Vegeta winced. The lizard drove his finger to his mouth and licked the blood. Both Bulla and Bulma winced in disgust. "You will be leaving in three days."

"Yes, master." The child said quietly.

The lizard leaned over to see the clock and smiled.

"I expect you in the Throne Room at 7891 for your training session. We can't let you get lazy now, can we?" he chuckled as he hopped off of the bed and walked away.

Vegeta sighed and looked at the clock. 6891. He rubbed his temples and looked at the girls.

"Seems like I'll be gone tonight." He muttered.

Goku and Trunks entered Radditz's room. The boy sat on the bed and glared at them.

"If it was my decision, you would've been dead long ago." He said.

"But it isn't." Trunks said.

"So when is that thing going to be ready?" Radditz asked.

"We're not sure yet." Goku said.

"Not like you should care. We probably won't take you anyway." Trunks spat out. He didn't know why, but for some reason he really didn't like this guy.

"I don't care." Radditz answered. "I just want the prince out of here."

"Why?" Goku asked.

"We already told you. It's not an easy life for the soldiers." Radditz said. "And he's just a kid."

"Well, you're not very old yourself." Trunks said.

"Frieza begins to hire soldiers around their fourteen years of age. Sometimes thirteen, but that's rare. There's not a six-year-old child anywhere, though." He said.

He lied down on the bed an put his hands behind his head, one leg crossed over the other as he stared at the ceiling.

"Radditz?" Goku began tentatively. The young man looked at him without turning his head. "Does… the prince have it worse than you because he's, well, the prince?"

Radditz closed his eyes and sighed. Then he opened them again and looked at the ceiling. "Vegeta has it worse than everyone for being the prince of saiyans." He said quietly. "We're soldiers to Frieza. Vegeta is more like… a pet. A trophy, if you might." He said. "Now go to sleep. I'm tired."

And with that, the thridclass boy turned around and closed his eyes, giving his back to them. Goku sighed and lied down on the ground, Trunks following suit.