The next morning at breakfast Ice noticed a big difference in the way Eja and Piccolo acted toward each other, but she was too tired to mention it.
�Piccolo I hate to be a bother but after we finish could you possible go with me to the city? I�ve got a few thins to attend to and I could use your help,� Xenta smiled bitter sweetly.
�Well seeing as I am heading that direction myself I see no reason I cannot go with you for at least a little while,� Piccolo agreed. Ice watched as the two talked and exchanged glances. She could just tell something was going on and she knew it had to do with the noises she�d heard.
�You know I�m going into the city myself,� Ice started
�Actually your Father wants you to stay home,� Xenta interrupted, �he wants you to check the equipment.�
�Alright,� Ice caught the looks between Xenta and Piccolo, �I guess I can wait to go back to the store.�
�Good idea,� Piccolo said pretending not to understand, �you were just there yesterday. Too much one of store can be bad for you.�
�It�s not like it�s going to blow up,� Ice chuckled. Xenta laughed reminiscing about something she�d heard Jescele say before.
�Shit happens when Wal-Mart explodes,� she laughed. Ice and Piccolo stared at her confused.
�Where did you hear that,� Piccolo maintained his composure as Ice bust into laughter.
�It�s something I heard a friend say once,� She said absent mindedly, �it must have been a bad day for her or something.�
�We�ll that�s funny,� Ice continued laughing.
�I think it�s just something a blonde would say while talking to themselves,� Piccolo almost smiled.
�I�m not blonde,� Xenta growled a little. <And you�ll pay for that! > Piccolo looked at her oddly but it seemed to him that Ice hadn�t heard that last comment. Had he heard right or did he just imagine it? Had she intended him to hear her? It looked as if she didn�t know he�d heard her. I�m losing it. He shook his head and stood up from the table.
�Come get me when you�re ready to leave,� he said to Xenta as he left the room.
Frieza say alone in his room. Breakfast was the last thing on his mind. His life had now become so complicated and he missed his Silver. He needed someone to help Ice with her Jadeon side. He also needed to stop his heart from breaking anymore. So many years had passed yet he could not seem to let her go. Throughout his room were pictures of his beloved and there was one, the only one in the palace, of his Silver with a baby Ice. No one, not even ice knew of this pictures existence. No one was allowed in his room.
�Come back to me Silver,� he whispered, � I can�t do this alone.�
Jescele trained hard in her private room. She�d been there all morning. No one was supposed to find her right now. The dream had haunted her all this time. She kept seeing things that she didn�t understand, dreams she�s never had before, and voices long since dead to her.
Come back to me.
�I don�t even know who you are,� she cried out load pounding her fists into the punching bag.
I need you.
�Who are you?�
I can�t do this alone.
�Do what?�
You�ve got to remember.
�I can�t,� she screamed running from the room.
You can�t get away from me. We need each other.
�I don�t need anyone,� she yelled, �get out of my head!� she passed Bulma as she ran down the hall.
�Jescele are you all right,� Bulma�s asked but before she could wait for a response Vegeta entered the hall and caught Bulma�s eye. Damn! He�s getting sexier each day. And with that thought Bulma followed Vegeta down the hall.
Xenta and Piccolo stood at the door to apartment G-7 of the Lone Wolf apartment complex.
�How did you get this information,� Piccolo asked, �no one knew about this location.�
�I have my ways,� she winked, �but you don�t need to know at this exact moment.� She pulled out a key and opened the door.
�How did you get a key,� He asked irritation in his voice.
�Shh Piccolo. I told you that you didn�t need to know. Some things are in your best interest not to know.�
�But��
�Try not to think about it,� Xenta laughed lightly leading him into the apartment in silence. How the hell does she have a key to this palace? I told Gohan not to let anymore else know about this place. There are so any memories here.
�Come on Piccolo don�t sand in the doorway. The neighbors tend to question the number of people that come in and out of here,� Xenta told him. Piccolo shook his head sadly. They�ve turned my safe haven into a sex house. The door closed behind him and suddenly the past flashed into the present.
~Flashback~
�I know it�s small but at least it�s ours,� Piccolo said. He stood in the living room to his apartment with his girlfriend.
�This is the greatest place for us,� she had started, �now we can do things without others barging in.� a few weeks later she was out of his life and he was alone again. He had hoped that she was different but his hopes were dashed when he found her with someone else, another woman actually. He had only brought one other woman to his secret hideaway.
�Welcome to my place,� he told her.
�It�s perfect,� she smiled, �a place to get away from everything and just be alone. I�m glad you decided to share this with me.� He looped arms with her and walked her though the place. She gets it. She understands. This was the one for him. They spent many years together but when Goku died things fell apart and they no longer could be together.
~End Flashback~
�Piccolo come on he�s in the bedroom,� Xenta shouted at the dazed man. He snapped out of the past and followed her. They found Goten asleep on the bed.
�Get up Goten,� Xenta demanded, �we need to talk.� Goten remained sleeping.
�Goten get up,� Piccolo�s deep voice boomed through the room.
�Piccolo what are you doing here,� Goten asked angrily looking t Xenta.
�Xenta and I need to talk to you,� he demanded.
�Why did you have to tell him,� Goten asked childishly.
�If you hurt her,� Piccolo ignored the interruption, �you will pay. She is very important to me.�
�What are you, oh this is about Ice,� Goten realized, �how do you know her?�
�She�s the only child of a friend whom I have promised to protect. She�s fragile so take care. Treed lightly for your own safety and well-being,� Piccolo threatened.
�So basically,� Xenta interrupted, �hurt her you die. But now the question is posed, can Piccolo hurt the son of his dead best friend?�
�If I have to,� Piccolo growled at both of them
�Calm down Piccolo,� Xenta laughed lightly, �no need to get all worked up over this. There�s no way Goten could really hurt her. He�s too stupid to and she�d kill him before you could get a hold of him.� he turned to her fire in his eyes,
�I can always take it out on the one who orchestrated all this.�
�Ooo, a punishment!� she got her cat look in her eyes, �how about we hot wait to find out. Goten get out of the bed I get to be punished.� Silently Piccolo glanced sideways at Goten, who started to move from the bed, then back at Xenta. He gave her a �wait until later� look and walked out of the room.
Natalie sat at an empty table near the dance floor in her club. So much had happened since she had last seen Chibi. She wanted him, there was no doubt about that but Miari had given her the warning. It had been awhile and she was still unable to decide what she wanted. She didn�t want to think about children because of her past but she knew she had feeling for Chibi. What the fuck am I going to do? I see him tonight and he�s going to want to know what�s wrong.
�What can I say? �Our future selves have conflicting issues about our unborn son�,� she said out loud.
�What, you�re having a kid with him,� Natalie�s younger brother Mango asked slightly amused yet still alarmed.
�I�m not having a kid with anyone,� she assured him. Yet.
�But you just said,� he trailed off.
�Ignore what I said. It wasn�t meant for you to hear,� she almost snapped at him.
�Sorry Fruit,� he called her by an old nickname, �I know you still miss Pic�
�This has nothing to do with HIM,� she couldn�t bring herself to say his name, �it�s been a long time since that. It�s over and I�ve moved on. As has he. Chibi makes me happy and that�s all that matters.�
�I still don�t like the fact that you�re going out with him. I mean you�re afraid to tell your own friends whom you are dating,� he pointed out for the millionth time.
�At least they get to know he�s there,� she defended. I couldn�t do that before. Mango looked at his sister with such admiration. She�d been through a lot, even more then she would even tell him, and she still stood strong on the outside.
�Do what you feel is right,� he sighed, �I�ll love you no matter what. I just want you to be happy. Your heart will know.� This was the same old shit he gave her ever day but it worked for her.
�Thanks Wango Mango,� she smiled at him, �you�re the best.� She was almost child like in her demeanor as she left the room knowing what she had to do. I�m staying for my future�s sake.
Dende dozed on his throne for the first time in years. It seemed that the more he tried to control Agent Silver the weaker he became. These naps were needed to keep up hip power level in case he needed to call in Silver. His faithful servant Moondust was off on her normal duties about Den-Corp. Dende stirred from his peaceful rest as a guard entered.
�My Lord Kami of earth,� the guard bowed, �Mika has been sent out as per your request.
�I did not tell anyone to send her out,� Dende growled.
�The order came from Moondust,� the guard trembled,� she said to send Mika to find the one who can bring back the dragonballs.�
�Ah, yes,� Dende sank back into his throne, �I remember now. My rest had clouded my mind for a second. Good, have Mika report to me all that she finds out. Now be gone.� Once again the guard bowed and exited leaving Dende alone again.
�Why do I put up with all of this,� Dende asked himself.
�Because without the girl you would not be where you are today. Remember Dende she make you but I can take it away,� a cold dark seductive voice flowed from the darkness.
�I don�t want that,� he replied coldly but somewhere deep inside a little boy disagreed.
�Out of my heart! You no longer exist,� he hissed.
�Lord Dende whom do you speak of,� Moondust asked appearing on the floor beside his throne.
�None of your concern,� he said angrily but she knew. With a sharp evil grin dropped the subject.
Back at the underground palace Piccolo had taken refuge in his room. He�d been avoiding Xenta all day, since he�d seen her cat look. What in the name of HFIL made her look at me that way? And what�s worse I enjoyed that look and gave her one of my own. I know her kind; she thinks I�m going to� I can�t even think about it, I won�t! I didn�t want to be involved and now look. Damn Jescele for this. He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
�I need to meditate,� de decided.
Xenta was also in her room contemplating the events of her morning out with Piccolo.
�First he comes close to knowing I�m having a baby then he tells me it�s my fault Ice likes Goten,� she spoke to herself, �what next? I killed Goku?� she was far from all right about all of this, �then he gets me all fired up and that look, the look that would make any woman be his only. I know he didn�t mean it but damn!� she paced around her room.
�It�s just a couple more weeks then I�m gone. I can handle this,� she attempted to assure herself.
After what seemed like an eternity Xenta�s planed month at the palace had passes. Though it was difficult to avoid Piccolo she managed to get though the time. Ice had gone out with Goten a few times. Xenta followed them and Piccolo followed Xenta.
�Eja do you have to go,� Ice sat on the bed in Xenta�s room watching her pack.
�I�m sorry ice but my friend is waiting for me,� Xenta sighed. That and anymore time here would blow my cover.
�But can�t you call her and tell her you�ve been delayed, �Ice asked, �we still haven�t done much really.�
�I know but I�ll be back in a few months,�� Xenta reminded her, �I�ve got responsibilities that are going to be keeping me busy.�
�Alright, see you then,� Ice said defeated.
�Besides I�m sure you�ll be so busy with Goten while I�m gone,� Xenta winked. Ice�s smile brightened and she rushed out calling, �I�ll see you when you get back.� Xenta laughed and went back to packing. That poor girl is going to find out what the Son boys are like the hard way.
A few weeks had passed since Natalie had seen Chibi. She was lucky enough to avoid him asking about their relationship but he told her he wanted an answer by tonight and she was actually ready. The two sat at a small table in a fancy restaurant. She was eating Shrimp and broccoli with white rice and he was calmly enjoying a steak. In the background soft string music flowed and mixed with the hum of lovers at their getaway dinners.
�Thanks for coming with me,� Chibi broke the unnerving silence.
�I love coming here,� she stated softly, a little detached from him.
�Is everything all right,� he asked with real concern.
�Everything is perfect,� she smiled back at him convincingly. What�s wrong with me? The silence once again descended upon them. It was a nervous silence that only added to her tension. He glanced up at her a few times secretly watching her. Kami she�s beautiful. I know is should heed my older else but I need to live my own life. Unsure, he looked back up at her meeting her gaze, for that one instant he felt a deep connection.
�Let�s get out of here,� he suggested to her softly. She nodded, grateful that the night was almost over.
Chibi brought her to Liberty Park. He walked her to the center of the forest to a hidden area. She had never been that far into the park before. Feeling suddenly tired she sat down on a nearby bench. Wordlessly he sat down next to her. The first thing she noticed was that they were all alone.
�Not many people know about this place,� he told her. She nodded seemingly off in her own world.
�We need to talk,� he reminded her in a soft voice.
�I�m so confused,� she broke in, �all of this is too much for me. All I wanted was t get on with my life and forget the pain of the past.� He listened attentively.
�I moved on. I met you. We have fun,� she continued, � then people started telling me that this is wrong, that I shouldn�t keep you a secret but they wouldn�t understand. Then so much more shit happened and now I have to decided.�
�Decide what,� he asked softly lost in all that she was confessing.
�What happens next,� she stated then turned to face him, �I love you trunks.� She turned back around. They sat in silence again but her heard was breaking again. I didn�t expect him to feel the same way so why does this hurt so much?
�Nat I,� he stopped, �I love you too.� She didn�t turn around or even move. These were the words she�d been longing to hear but they did not have an affect on her. She did not feel loved.
�I want you,� she whispered. I need you. He rose from beside her to leave. It was just as well that he left. It was what she knew he would do. she cast her eyes to the ground sadly. When she finally looked back up there he stood, in front of her arm extended waiting for her to take his hand. Doubtfully she looked at him afraid to take his hand fearing that he was not real.
�It�s all right Nat,� he told her, �take what you want.� She took his and he helped her up. Oh I will. She kissed him passionately while he used instant transmission to take them somewhere more private.
Xenta walked into a bank and went up to the checker.
�Hi how can I help you today,� he asked giving her a once over.
�I need to speak with Dusthana,� she told him. He glanced at her again noticing that she wasn�t really his type but she had something about her that seemed rather enticing.
�Let me go see if she�s available,� he said eyes glued to her. She waited while he went into the back.
�There is some really fine woman here to see you,� Xenta heard him say. Moments later he came back followed by Dusthana.
�Xenta what are you doing here,� Dusthana asked coming around the counter.
�I need a place to sat for a few months,� Xenta told her.
�What�s wrong,� Dusthana asked worried for her friend.
�Nothing�s wrong really, �Xenta smiled, �unless you count being pregnant a problem.�
�Where�s Vegeta,� Dusthana asked, �why isn�t he with you?�
�He doesn�t know,� Xenta sighed, �no one knows. That�s why I came to see you. No one can know especially not Vegeta. He just can�t find out.�
�No problem. I wouldn�t tell anyone and no one will come search me out,� Dusthana smiled. The man behind the counter cleared his throat.
�Oh yeah,� Dusthana laughed, � Xenta this is Chris, Chris this is my cousin Xenta.�
�It�s a pleasure to meet such a beautiful creature such as yourself,� his voice curled around her in a warm way.
�Back off Chris,� Dusthana warned, �she�s taken.�
�I was never with Vegeta,� Xenta whispered.
�I was merely complementing her on appearance,� Chris said, �She looks great.�
�Xenta flashed him a �you�re luck� smile and turned away from him.
�Lets� get out of here,� Dusthana suggested leading Xenta out of the bank.
�Sorry about that,� Dusthana apologized once they were outside.
�I�ve got to get used to it,� Xenta sighed, �in a few months from now I won�t be able to hide it.�
�Are you sure you want to go through with this,� Dusthana asked, �There are other options.�
�I�m not aborting my child,� Xenta defended, �but I can�t keep it either. And I just can�t leave a new born with just anymore especially with someone I know. �
�Forget about all that now. Let�s just focus on having the baby first,� Dusthana soothed.
�At least I have you,� Xenta smiled, �and my halo tapes.�
�Can I ask you something,� Dusthana wanted to know. Xenta nodded.
�Did you love him,� she asked, �was your child a product of real love?�
�I wish I could say yes,� Xenta looked at her friend, �but lying about it would solve nothing. My child is a child of lust, and I need to be with someone.� But I won�t hold that against you.