Piccolo:

Piccolo stepped outside and took a deep breath of the fresh air. He walked to the edge of the platform, stopped for a moment, then turned around again, stopped again and then turned back to the edge of the platform. He pushed himself off the ground and flew off. He had no idea where he was going and just flew until he realised he was coming to the area where Gohan lived with Chi-Chi. Piccolo stopped in mid-air and was about to turn back, but that was when he sensed Gohan's aura. He hesitated and then flew to his house.

He landed in front of the door and knocked. Chi-Chi opened the door. Her eyes were red from crying so much, but she proudly pushed her back through. Her husband had sacrificed himself to save humanity and her son had dealt the final blow to evil. She probably wouldn't admit it, but she was proud of her men.

Piccolo bowed his head slightly. "My condolences, Chi-Chi."

Chi-Chi, surprised to see the Namekian at her front door, lowered her eyes gratefully. Then she looked up again, passing to the right and left of Piccolo. "Where is Kera?" she asked.

"Still upstairs, in the palace of Kami." Needless to say, Piccolo pointed a finger up at the sky.

"Is she all right?" Concern spoke from Chi-Chi's voice.

"Yes. Sure. So far ..." Piccolo broke off.

"Why don't you come in?" Chi-Chi stepped aside and gestured invitingly into the house. "I'll get Gohan." She turned away. Hesitantly, Piccolo entered and closed the door behind him. What was he doing here anyway?

Chi-Chi placed a kettle filled with water on a cooker top and disappeared from the kitchen. Seconds later she came back into the room with Gohan.

"Piccolo!" Beaming with joy, the boy ran up to Piccolo and hugged him. Piccolo felt a little caught off guard and lapsed into a brief stupor before patting Gohan on the head. He had to admit to himself that it felt good to be hugged. He wondered if it would feel the same if he had children of his own.

"Would you like some tea?" The kettle whistled and Chi-Chi took it off the cooker to pour the tea.

"I'd love some," Piccolo replied. They sat down together at the table. Piccolo noticed that Gohan was now wearing normal everyday clothes again, rather than his battle suit. It gave him a little sting. Gohan noticed his look.

"Your battle suit was all torn up. Can you please make me a new one when the opportunity arises?"

Piccolo grinned. "Anytime."

"How is Kera?" asked Chi-Chi the question from earlier again. Had Gohan told her that Kera had fainted after the fight?

"She woke up a few hours ago. We saw Trunks travel back to the future from above," Piccolo replied.

"Too bad you guys weren't there. I think Papa was watching too," Gohan said.

"I think so too, kid."

They were silent for a while, drinking their tea. Then Chi-Chi spoke again.

"Is Kera seriously hurt?"

Piccolo didn't know how to answer. Chi-Chi seemed to have a sixth sense. Actually, he didn't want to say anything, but Chi-Chi looked at him so openly that he couldn't help himself.

"No, she is fine. Dende was able to heal her injuries. She has used almost all her energy to the point of self-sacrifice and is still a little wobbly on her feet. She's ..." Piccolo broke off. He just didn't know how to phrase it. The words felt so strange.

"Could Dende tell you why she expended so much energy all at once?" Puzzled, Piccolo looked up at Chi-Chi. It was as if she already knew the answer. Or could she read his mind? He couldn't remember when he had felt so unsure.

"Kera is ..." Piccolo took another deep breath. "... She's pregnant." Gohan's jaw dropped while Chi-Chi smiled knowingly.

"When is it due?" Why was Chi-Chi asking such difficult questions?

"We don't know. Kera's home planet and all the Saiyans were destroyed when she was a child. Dende is trying to find out."

"Will it be a boy or a girl?" Was this woman actually quiet at any point? Piccolo was already annoyed that he had come here at all.

"Don't know," Piccolo brought out between clenched teeth. Then he added. "There are two."

"Two what?" asked Gohan now.

"Two babies."

Chi-Chi squealed with delight. "You're having twins?! How exciting!" She jumped up, pressed a kiss to Piccolo's forehead and then pranced to the cooker.

Piccolo glanced after her, then looked questioningly at Gohan, who shrugged. "I think it's distracting her from Dad's death," he whispered to Piccolo.

Chi-Chi came back to the table with a plate of biscuits and sat down again. "Why didn't you bring Kera then?"

"I ... we just found out and I needed some fresh air," Piccolo replied, glancing at the table.

Chi-Chi jumped up from her chair. "You just left her sitting up there? After that message?" Her aura changed. She became fiery and made it seem like she was burning everything around her. Piccolo swallowed.

"Yes. I ..." He cleared his throat, not knowing what to say. In fact, he didn't know a clever answer. He had simply flown away.

"Poor Kera. How do you think she will feel? Left alone by the man she loves? With two little babies." As quickly as Chi-Chi's aura had flared up, it had gone out and she sank down on the kitchen chair, seemingly exhausted. Her head slumped on her forearms, which she had rested on the table. Piccolo did not understand these emotional outbursts.

Piccolo's gaze wandered to Gohan, who shrugged. "Mom, we're going out for a bit, okay?"

Chi-Chi nodded, her head still on her forearms.

Gohan stood up, left the kitchen and stepped outside. Piccolo followed him. Gohan waited until Piccolo was outside and slowly closed the front door.

"I think Mum's pretty upset because Dad's not coming back," Gohan said. He walked towards the river and Piccolo followed him. Gohan sat down on the bank of the river and threw a stone into the water. Piccolo sat down next to him. "I'll try to cheer her up as best I can."

Piccolo secretly admired the boy. For his age, he was unbelievably grown up. He patted the boy on the shoulder.

"You're doing really well. I'm sure it will get better."

They were silent for a while before Gohan spoke up again. "Papa Piccolo it is. Are you happy?"

Piccolo had expected the question at some point, but he didn't know the answer. "I don't know. I've never given it much thought."

"I'm sure you'll make a great dad." Gohan looked directly at Piccolo at those words.

A warmth spread inside him that he had only felt before when Kera and he had trained Gohan intensely for a year. They had been like family. Deep inside, Piccolo had already wished that Gohan could be more than just his pupil. He hadn't wanted to admit it at the time, but Gohan had been like a son to him. And also for Kera.

"I'm happy for you guys. It's like I'm getting siblings," Gohan said.

Piccolo marvelled at the boy's words. When had he grown up and Piccolo had regressed? He smiled.

"Thank you, kid." He patted Gohan's shoulder again and rose. "I have to get back to my wife."

"Give her my love and come visit us soon." Gohan was still waving to Piccolo, who had already taken to the skies and was flying towards Dende's palace.

Piccolo wanted to get back to Kera as soon as possible. How could he be so stupid as to just leave her there? Such news had to be processed first. Together. Not every man for himself.

He flew as fast as he could and landed stumbling on the platform. He ran to her room. There she sat huddled on the bed, her head on her knees, crying. Piccolo rushed to her and hugged her.

"I'm sorry. I just needed to process this information. I wouldn't have dreamed of leaving you alone." He kissed her on the crown of the head and felt her fear turn to relief.

Piccolo sat down on the edge of the bed and held Kera close. She shivered slightly and pressed herself tightly against him.

Nestled together, they sat in silence on the edge of the bed until Dende entered the room. He stopped rooted to the spot in the doorway, regarded them both for a moment and then regained his speech.

"You gave Kera quite a scare," he said sternly to Piccolo.

Piccolo looked down to earth in dismay. "I know. That was not my intention."

Dende sighed and walked towards them. He stood directly in front of Kera. "May I?"

Kera nodded. Dende put a hand on her stomach and was silent for a moment.

"It all feels good so far." He took his hand back down. "I'll try to find out how long pregnancy lasts among Saiyans. I'm just not getting my hopes up too high, unfortunately. But maybe I can compare it to human pregnancies."

"Thank you, Dende," Kera said, smiling at him.

"Can we go home or do you still have to watch her?" asked Piccolo.

"You can go home. Kera needs to recover a bit until her energy is completely restored," Dende replied.

"So no training?"

"If you are well, you can train. You should, since you are used to training. If you stopped right away, your body would not be fine. Listen to your body and take it slow," Dende advised her.

"Okay, I'll take care of myself," Kera assured him.

"Please come back next month so I can check on you."

Kera slid down from the bed, got on her knees and hugged the little Namekian, who happily returned the embrace.

"Thank you, Dende. For everything," Kera whispered and then rose.

Piccolo offered his hand to Dende and left the room with Kera. Outside, he took her in his arms. Kera half-heartedly protested that she could fly herself after all, but he sensed her relief and gratitude that he was so caring. She leaned her head against his shoulder and let him take her home.

Kera:

Piccolo landed next to the hut and carefully set Kera down. She looked up and smiled. Then she gave him a peck on the upper arm. "I'm not made of sugar."

She didn't wait for a reply, but entered the hut. In each room she opened the windows and then stood in the middle of the living room and turned slowly. With her back to the front door, she stopped. Piccolo had stopped in the doorway and was watching her.

"Do you think there will be enough room?" she asked quietly. She didn't dare turn to face him. She was a little afraid of his reaction. What if he preferred to be alone after all?

A breeze brushed her upper body. Then she felt his arms wrap around her from behind.

'Kera,' he spoke in her mind. His voice seemed to caress her soul. 'You know I can't lie when I talk to you on this level, don't you?'

She nodded, the back of her head grazing his chest as she did so.

'I will love these children as I love you. It took me by surprise, I must admit. I've often thought about what it would be like to have children of my own, but I didn't want to indulge in any reverie. These children,' he put a hand on her stomach, 'are a miracle.'

A tear ran down Kera's cheek as she slowly turned to face him. She put her head back to look at him. Piccolo kissed her lightly on the lips.

'We can always attach the hut. But now: get some more rest.'

Kera enjoyed the whole of the next day. She lay in the sun by the river, had Piccolo bring her drinks and food, and dozed off briefly every now and then. Towards evening she noticed a certain restlessness, which intensified the following morning.

"Do you know where Vegeta is?" she asked Piccolo after breakfast, while they were still sitting together by the river.

He grinned. "I was wondering how long you could go without asking about him." Kera rolled her eyes, but smiled at that. "He was going to take you to see Bulma after the fight. I managed to convince him that Dende would take better care of you. He vehemently refused my help, by the way."

Kera sighed. "He is and always will be a stubborn man." She fixed her gaze on a vague point in the distance. "I have to go see him." Then more quietly, "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologise for that. I understand why you need to see him. Although, to be honest, I'm not that happy about it."

She stood up, hugged him and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

His hand moved to her stomach. "Take care of yourself."

Kera nodded, stroked his cheek once more and flew off.

She landed on the Briefs' large balcony. Inside, Bulma sat on the sofa, had drawn her knees to her chest and rested her head on them. Was she crying?

Cautiously, Kera tapped on the window. Bulma's head jerked up in fright. When she recognised Kera, she smiled briefly and jumped up to open the patio door. The two women embraced.

Kera pushed Bulma an arm's length away from her and regarded her. "What's wrong?"

Bulma bit her lower lip. "Vegeta," she said softly.

Kera was getting restless. "What's wrong with him?"

"He's hardly eaten anything since he got back. He doesn't talk to me. He just squats in his room." She shrugged her shoulders. "I just don't know what happened. He won't tell me anything."

"Have you talked to Chi-Chi yet? Or with Yamcha?"

Bulma nodded. "Yes. Goku ..." She sobbed.

Kera pulled her close again and suppressed the rising tears. She would miss Kakarrot too.

"How are you doing, by the way?"

"Fine. I was injured and had lost a lot of energy. Dende healed me and I needed to regenerate. Piccolo took good care of me." Kera smiled.

"You and Piccolo." Bulma shook her head slightly. "I'm still not sure I'm comfortable with that."

"Piccolo's not the bad guy he was back then. I'm going to try and talk to Vegeta now."

"You know where to find him."

Kera gave her friend another quick hug, then walked out into the hallway and headed for the room where Vegeta had always stayed. The door was closed. She put an ear to the door, but heard nothing. Then she felt for his aura.

Vegeta was behind the door, but his aura felt different. Weak. As if it was being overlaid by another aura, but not as if another person was standing next to him, but as if another aura was inside him.

Kera knocked. "Vegeta, it's me, Kera. Are you alright?" She waited for a moment. There was no reply. "Bulma and I are worried." Again, nothing. "Vegeta, I'm coming in now." Determined, she pushed down the handle and entered the room.

Darkness and cold hit her. The shutters on the windows were down, but that wasn't what worried her. The blackness in the room was more than simply the absence of light. It was as if it were tangible. As if someone or something was hiding in the blackness.

Kera shivered. Why was it so cold in here? It was summer. She left the door open for light and went to the bed. Vegeta was sitting at the foot of it. His arms hung limply, his head was bowed and he stared at the floor.

"Vegeta?" Kera spoke softly, walking slowly towards him. She didn't want to startle him. He did not respond.

She knelt in front of him and looked up at him. He didn't seem to recognise her. As if he wasn't even in this world.

"Vegeta!" This time she spoke louder and with emphasis. Again, no response.

She grabbed his shoulders and shook him gently. His head bounced back and forth as she did so. As if he were in a trance.

Kera cursed and put her hands to his cheeks. She tried to look him in the eyes, but they fixed on a point far away. When she turned his head slightly so she could look at him, the light from the hallway fell on his eyes. She almost pulled her hands back in shock.

His pupils looked pale. As if he had gone blind. What had happened in those two days that they hadn't seen each other? Bulma had only said that he had come home and not talked. Had he been in that room the whole time? In that state of mind?

"Vegeta!" Kera was screaming now. Panic mixed into her voice. "Enough that Kakarrot died, you don't have to go now too!"

"Ka ... ka ... rrot ..." Vegeta spoke so softly that she could barely hear him. She leaned closer to him.

"Yes, Kakarrot. The one you always measured yourself against."

Vegeta took a deep breath. Kera watched his eyes. Had his pupils become more distinct again? Kera had a guess as to why Vegeta was in this state.

"We can find other opponents. Bulma can build spaceships for us to travel elsewhere. Space is so big. There are others who are even more powerful."

Vegeta's shoulders twitched upwards once. Kera was sure now that she had identified the problem and continued talking. "Vegeta, you don't think Kakarrot was the strongest in the entire universe. There are many more. We'll go looking for them." Then she added more quietly. "I'm very worried about you, Vegeta. Your family and I need you."

A flicker ran through Vegeta's eyes. "Bulma ... Trunks." Then his head jerked up. He looked at her. His eyes clear as ever. "Kera!" He seemed surprised to see her.

Joyfully, she fell around his neck. "Boy, did you scare me."

Only hesitantly did he put his hands on her back. Then he pulled her closer to him.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what that was about."

Kera sighed and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "It's okay. It's okay now." She stood up. "I'll get Bulma." She turned towards the door, but Vegeta held her by the arm.

"No." Questioningly, she looked at him. "I don't want to talk to her yet. Can you ..." He faltered. "Can you please stay a little longer?"

She looked at him for a moment. She hadn't known him to be so vulnerable. Then she nodded. "All right. I'll just let her know you're okay and get something to eat."

"Thanks," he murmured.

Kera stayed the rest of the day and the following night. She had only briefly told Bulma that Vegeta was fine and needed some more time to himself. Then she had told Piccolo that she would stay. With her arms full of food, she had finally gone back to Vegeta's room. There they had eaten together, talked to each other and finally fallen asleep in each other's arms. Kera had remembered earlier, when Vegeta had given her warmth after Frieza had abused her.

They were already two pretty broken people, Kera thought before falling asleep. They had been through so much together that they would probably always understand each other best.

The next morning she set off to fly back to her forest. Vegeta had thanked her once more and then gone to Bulma, which surprised Kera a little, but also made her happy. Just before she arrived at the forest, two things occurred to her: After Vegeta had become responsive again, it had suddenly become warmer in his room. And: She hadn't told him about her pregnancy. She would make up for it as soon as possible, she swore to herself.