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Saiyan Foster Parent	By : Polymer Category: Dragon Ball Z > Het - Male/Female Views: 1714 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own DragonballZ, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 25
- 26
- 27
Recovery

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z. Toriyama does, and so does Toei Animation Co, and Funimation. I don't own the comic book characters of KISS, Dark Horse does, and so does Marvel and KISS Catalogue. I only own Atomique (Tomique) and Jeannie Dragon Womyn. Bulma the Babe owns Christine Black Widow. This is fan fiction, not meant to harm or demean. I don't get paid for this.

***

"Computer, code zed alpha tango, then reactivate per our entrance," Christine barked over her scouter.

Tomique saw her face drawn into a pensive frown, far more serious than one her age should see. Nevertheless the young friend had seen horrendous sights that many her age had, and survived them all. Now Black Widow was hardened and tested as a true fighter, tempered steel that little dared challenge. "Christine, I'm sure we can use the regeneration tank to help him�" Tomique reassured her.

"I hoped that as well�" Christine nodded.

Radditzu shouldered Gene on his massive armored back in a fireman carry. With no effort he landed at Capsule, then bore Gene towards the main medical complex. Christine and Tomique had landed mere minutes before him.

"This way, hurry!" Tomique called. "I think Buruma� I mean the Princess told me there was a regeneration tank this way�"

"She did say so yes� but we didn't know because we never had the occasion to use it," Christine said.

"Someone COULD have informed me, but they failed to," Radditzu complained. "Great Galaxy how in the hell am I supposed to KNOW these things if I haven't been briefed!"

They reached the medical research facility. Punching in the code, Tomique let the door shoot open. "It must be because it's only just been completed� Buruma said that she had made one before, but it wasn't yet perfected� after all, the technology looks light years no pun intended beyond even what her father could engineer�"

"She DID have one yes, but it only worked at a fraction of the pace of a real one," Christine said. "Radditzu, put him in�"

"All right Lieutenant," Radditzu said, laying Gene down on a lab counter after he shoved glassware out of the way.

"What are you doing?" Tomique asked.

"I must remove his clothing for this to work� or rather would YOU care to since he's your mate, Lieutenant�"

"Of all the stupid pain in the ass�" Christine started, before shifting to German. Quickly she worked to find where the armor fastened, jerking at it to remove it.

"I know, I know," said Tomique. "But he's right� now� the control's over here�"

"His body seems quite resistant to damage much as a Saiyan's is� fortunately for him," said Radditzu, moving over to where Tomique huddled over the control console on the side of the large bubbling vat.

"Quick fire it up," Christine called, finally grabbing Gene's talisman and concentrating. His armor dissipated in a flash of scarlet.

"Why haven't you started it up?" Radditzu asked.

"Because genius, this damn thing's beyond me. I didn't get a crash course in how to USE it?" Tomique shot back.

"Well you're a scientist you should know!" called Christine. "Radditzu, help me! He's heavier than he looks�"

"Coming," Radditzu said, rushing over. He hefted Gene up, and carried him bodily towards the tank.

"Well isn't there a START button somewhere?" Christine demanded, glancing around her friend's shoulder.

"Yes� but Bulma's controls aren't exactly self explanatory�"

"You're a scientist, come on!" Christine urged. "Damn it� wait a minute� Radditzu, can you�"

"I may be a Saiyan but I'm NOT versed in operating regeneration tanks!" Radditzu snorted indignantly. "We used standard field med-kits� it's a miracle I even know anything about how to put him in!"

"Tomique�" Christine urged.

"Get him in Radz� I'll try to figure this out�" Tomique mumbled.

"I recall it opened here," Radditzu said, pressing buttons on the side. The top shot open, allowing him to levitate up and drop Gene in. He grabbed the mask and slid it over the Demon's black and white face, then puzzled over the electrodes. Grumbling he glanced back at his mate.

"Just look for a damn START button! Isn't there an instruction manual?" Christine snorted, glancing around at the console. "Isn't anything MARKED?"

"It's in Hiragana!" she shot back. "I can't read Japanese!"

"That button looks familiar� it looks like Hiragana for start�" said Christine.

"Wait, I haven't connected him!" Radditzu called. "It's no good without the leads set up!"

"Shit, wait� Radditzu, isn't there any files in your database that tell you how to operate a regen tank?"

"What good would THAT do?" Christine grumbled. "Shit!!!"

"Buruma had a bunch of files she downloaded from Saiyan archives� wait� I've got a file� but� it's in Saiyago�" said Tomique.

"Read it to me," said Radditzu. "I'll try and work it out�"

"Crap," mumbled Tomique, glancing at the computer console to her left. "It says to connect the electrodes above the seventh meridians of the body� to access major ki sources�"

"I'm hoping it's the same as a Saiyan because I didn't take human anatomy," said Radditzu, positioning the electrodes.

"Your FATHER was a scientist wasn't he?" Christine cursed.

"Yes but I'm NOT a�" Radditzu shot back. He leapt down and hit the button that closed the tank. Nudging Tomique aside he punched buttons on the computer, tracking his eyes over the instructions.

"Well?" Christine asked.

"Stupid fucking manuals are always written like some foreign�" trailed off Radditzu. "All right� look for a 'fill nutritive' button� which is usually HERE� and then�"

"Pain in my ass," grumbled Atomique, pressing switches and buttons on the console. Christine struggled not to interfere with the pair, but knew she wouldn't be much help except from a common sense perspective.

"That should do it," Radditzu huffed. "All we can do is wait�"

"Great� thanks guys, I'm sorry I lost it� it's just�" Christine apologized. She flopped into a nearby chair, after dragging it towards the tank.

"No need to apologize. I know that I'd feel the same way� if it were my mate in the tank�" she said, glancing at Radditzu. He nodded gravely.

"Nappa and Cabernet picked a great time to get away," said Christine. "I wonder if one of them�"

"Not Nappa," Radditzu said, rolling his eyes. "Intelligence isn't his strong suit�"

"I know," said Christine. "That's why I figured you'd be the one to ask�"

"I regret not knowing more, but I was an explorer, not a medic. It took a year or more to learn the basic functions of operating one of these, and that was for Freeza's advanced medics� we didn't have regeneration tanks where I would go during a purge mission. Usually any casualties were either killed or sent back to base� after being put in suspension in their pods�" said Radditzu.

"How long will it take?" Christine asked.

"Twelve hours by the look of it," said Radditzu. "From what I recall of my father's mention of these the regeneration systems accelerated healing to twenty four times that of normal processes. Since your mate's humanoid, not Saiyan I'm basing my estimation on a slight deviation, taking into account his near invulnerability�"

"This thing seems to say, and if I get my Saiyago right, that his ki level was down to almost a quarter of what it should be� so since my last reading was only 2500�" said Tomique.

"His power level's an equal to Nappa's when he's not pissed," said Christine, getting up and moving over to rest her hand against the tank. Her young brow twisted into a stern worried frown. Slowly she rubbed her palm over the transparent surface, as if to touch her mate's body floating there. Long black hair swirling around his head and shoulders like an undersea plant, occasionally disrupted by bubbles of the regenerative blue fluid.

"Impressive for a human. What I'm seeing on my scouter tells me he's definitely far from ningen. In fact his readings are in line with what I'd see from the Draconoid beings in Freiza's service. They were reptilian in appearance, but were warm blooded� not like the Destroyers however," said Radditzu.

"Can you STOP with the damn science babble!" Christine snapped.

"My apologies," Radditzu said.

"Maybe we should let you alone with him?" asked Tomique. "You haven't seen one another in two years�"

"Two and a half," Christine said quietly, slumping to the chair that Tomique pushed before the tank. "I can't believe he's back�"

"I know�" Tomique swallowed hard. Squeezing Christine's shoulder she nodded. Then she turned away hugging herself tightly.

"Inform us if there is any change. We shall be outside in the complex�" said Radditzu.

"Okay. Thanks guys," said Christine.

"You want me to stay?" asked Tomique.

"No I'll be fine," said Christine. "Go take a walk and get some fresh air� I wanna sit here with Gene�"

***

Tomique felt a twist of pain in her gut. Memories flickered through her mind, accompanied by long buried feelings she thought she had pushed away. "Excuse me� I need a few minutes�" she said, rushing away before Radditzu could say anything.

"Tomique�" he said sharply, then rushed after her. He hesitated as a wall rose up in his mind, followed by guilt.

She rushed down the hall, pounding booted feet against the ultramodern hallway. Anger burned in her stomach, followed by liquid fire swirling down her arms. Sheer rage filled her, unrelentingly pushing for a target. Rushing to the main lounge area, she stopped to glance around. Her breath hitched in her throat, rumbling in a low feral growl that startled her.

"God DAMN it!" she howled, raising her hand. Chikara exploded from her fingertips, slamming hard into a nearby target. Which just so happened to be bits of decorative sculpture, soon a heap of dust shattered against the far wall with the force of her beam.

More emotions burst through the dam she had constructed. What would Gene say seeing her like this? Would he condemn her for not remaining loyal to Paul's memory? Guilt replaced outrage, then followed up with self-loathing. Glancing at the remains of the sculpture she looked down at her gauntlet fingertips. Her tail unhitched from her waist, lashing about fiercely. Hissing through clenched fangs she suddenly felt the urge to smash and crush something. Rushing forwards she slammed her fist into the floor, shattering tile and other building material. Cracks snaked from the repeated impact of her fist. Such violence seemed the only outlet because she was ashamed to cry.

"Saiyans don't cry, they smash," she gritted over and over again, forcing away tears in shame. "Why can't I stop this� fury�. It's� all I want to do is destroy something! Gaahhh!"

Seconds later she dropped to her knees. Heaving her breaths in and out she struggled for focus. Her fist withdrew from the crater it made in the floor. Still purple lightening crackled around her form, wanting to seep out of her body. Twisting her face into a frown she squeezed her eyes shut, rasping and growling audibly. She could not stop the flood of memories seeping down through the damn she had erected for her own sanity.

Somehow the wall had been breached, but not by her means. An outside force had done this, Tomique sensed. Desperately she focussed her ki, strugglign to probe who was responsible. It had all the earmarks of a psychich attack. Angrily she pushed back, retreating into the fortress of her mind. Images blurred, and she was once again inside herself.

***

"Who are you! Explain yourself! I'm not going to stand meekly by and let you invade me!" she called out. Darkness swirled around her while she looked over the surface of the vast fortress. A violet cloud surged out of a bright star that beckoned like a supernova. Her astral form was clothed in Saiyan armor, and she strode forwards out of the maze to confront the intruder.

"You know who I am. I must speak to you�" came the thoughts. Yet they had no voice, only a strange crystal chiming like stars.

"I don't know you!" she called out. "How DARE you make me feel things that aren't�"

"Those emotions come from your self. You can't deny them. It's wrong to push them aside. I above all should know the workings of the heart�" echoed the thoughts without a voice behind them. It was a voice without flesh, only a remote echoing like crystals tingling.

Strikingly beautiful, and etherial. It took the form of a man's voice, but part of it was the voice of one that she thought she would never again hear. "Is that you Blackwell?" she called. "Show yourself!"

"You won't let me in� I cannot force my way. Your walls are too strong. It was the only way I could get your attention. Like I do now� only base emotions can get through because you're blocking me�" answered the voice.

"So it's MY fault you're throwing feelings at me?" she asked.

"Your mind is changed almost beyond recognition. Human minds I can reach, but yours� the walls are so high that only emotions could push through. I had to get you to listen to me somehow�"

"You've got it. What's your point! Why are you doing this, whoever you are?"

"Do you really pretend not to know me? Perhaps this memory will refresh yours�" answered the purple glow. Tomique wondered if her sub conscious was somehow clouding her memories to protect her own sanity from recongizing these probes. The mind behind them was most powerful. Yet a haze of gold chikara crackled between them not letting her see. Beyond that was a thick series of breakers that rose, separating her from the mind.

More guilt flashed through her, with images of Gene standing over a pile of bodies, overlooked by Paul's shameful remorseful face. "Why Gene� why did we have to slaughter them�"

"You don't get it Paul. We can't be nice. This is WAR and the fuckers have to PAY!" Gene snarled, eyes glowing red.

"I� this was on Earth� where I came from�"

"You remember this day, don't you? When Gene lost his temper. Just after we rescued Jeannie and Elliot. Tyler and Mona were still nowhere to be found. The Kittens were gone� taken by Leader�" the chiming music entoned. Slowly it was forming into a more masculine voice, layered and formed of many tones. IT sounded much like a voice of two beings undergoing fusion.

"All right then, show me," she mumbled, letting down enough of one barrier so the thoughts could be fed to her in a stream towards her. The bubbles floated like spheres, and she caught one to see within.

Tomique remembered standing there alongside Simone and Christine in the heat of battle. Both males had just returned from another raid shortly after their children had been taken away. Gene had roared angrily at Paul, then threw himself into the sky to be alone. Christine stopped Paul with a word.

"We're better than that Gene. We're not murderers. WE have to find a more civilized�" Paul trailed off.

"Don't. Let him alone," said Christine.

"But� he's my FRIEND!" Paul shouted, grabbing her arm. Christine turned, glaring at his hand catching hold of hers. With blood tipped nails she took his hand and pried it loose before stepping aside.

"He's my mate. He wants to be alone," said Christine. "I can feel it�"

"Damn it, he can't just fly off the handle! One of these days his rage will KILL him and us!" Paul cursed.

"Just because YOU keep a lid on it doesn�t mean that's the best way for the rest of us to handle it," said Christine icily. Her eyes flared red, as she wheeled on it.

"Who do you think you are to tell ME how to handle it! You're just a girl!" Paul yelled, his star covered eye flashing bright purple. Energy crackled around his hair, and his form.

"Excuse the fuck me?" Christine asked, hissing. Paul's beam flickered out towards her.

"You don't understand! You don't GET it! You weren't even BORN yet when I first met gene!" shouted Paul. "Don't get in my way!"

"You are so out of line, Star Child� don't piss me off!" Christine answered, releasing a load of pheremones into her face. "Am I gonna have to put you down?"

"Don't play with me, girl. You won't like what I can do. If I have to, I can pacify you all," said Paul angrily, aiming his beam at her.

"Paul, don't!" Tomique called to him. Angrily she transmuted the air before him to a shimmering barrier of plastic that deflected his beam. The refractive index caused it to skitter back in the prismatic surface.

"Tryn?" he gasped.

"LISTEN to me!" she called, grabbing his arm and squeezing it. "You're out of line!"

"Tryn, she's got to learn!" Paul yelled, wheeling on her.

"It's okay. Just leave me alone okay? I'm not some CHILD!" Christine yelled at him. "Just� stay out of my business! I'm going after him, but you'd better give him and me some space�"

"Let her go Paul," said Tryn, lowering her barrier. The plastic crumpled, leaving Paul heaving his breath in and out. Nodding to Trynia, Christine spanned black wings and took off after Gene.

Sadly Paul shook his head, and gripped Trynia's wrist. He snorted, "Who the hell does she is? Damn it� she's way out of line�"

"Paul, don't," said Atomique, who was called Atomic Girl at the time. "She needs to do this her way�"

"We're supposed to be better. But we're just blowing up like� like animals. Gene's getting worse and more violent each day� it's scaring me�" said Paul with disgust. His red lips twisted with it, marring his white chiseled features with a frown.

"Maybe that's the only way to handle it. Fight fire with fire�" said Atomic Girl, her eyes flaring scarlet.

"But where does it end? Must we become like our enemies to fight them? We're human beings� not monsters�" Paul asked.

"Gene thinks he's a monster," said Jeannie. She walked out of the shelter, glancing at the two of them standing there. "And excuse me, but we can't be squeamish. Maybe you star children can be touchy feely, but that won't win this war�"

"Jeannie, not you too�" Paul said softly. A whistful look came over his face that was not lost on Atomic Girl. Jealousy flared up in her, because she and Paul alone among them remembered what had transpired between the Star Child and Dragon Womyn. In a fit of loneliness, Paul had found solace with her, and angered Gene. Shocked by what he had done, Paul decided to alter Gene's memories, erasing them of the relationship he'd shared with his best friend's daughter. Then at Jeannie's request he wiped her mind clean of their forbidden love.

"Had he chosen me out of guilt for what he'd done?" Tomique asked herself.

"Grow up Paul. Save your sentiment for your children. Some of us have an adult task to perform," Jeannie said coldly. Glaring at him, she snarled, then stoped off on tall dragon boots.

"Jeannie wait�"

"Let her go," said Atomic Girl.

"But�" Paul said. "You don't understand� she's not like that�"

"Paul�"

"Just� just leave me alone�" Paul said angrily as Trynia reached to touch him.

"Excuse the hell me," Trynia answered, shoving him away and turning her back at him in anger.

"Jeannie�" Elliot said softly, rushing after her.

"Not now, El," she said with a low growl. Hurt filled Elliot's eyes.

"Okay, I'll back off," he said. Jeannie mumbled and walked away, glaring angrily at Paul. Elliot turned to run after her, seeing the hurt in his father's eyes.

"She didn't mean it, Dad," said Elliot quietly. "She's just angry� bitter�"

" Hard. She's hard like her father," said Paul with a sigh.

"But someone else needs you to apologize to them, Dad," Elliot pointed towards where Atomic Girl stood hugging herself.

"Tryn," he asked, turning and striding over ot her on star covered boots. She flinched as his hand closed over her shoulder.

"What?"

"I'm sorry.. I apologize for being a jerk. I just�"

"I understand. It's not your fault," she said quietly. Tomique held Paul's hand, and he hugged her tightly. Tears flowed down their faces as they shared an embrace.

"Paul� don't worry," she said.

"When we stop feeling and having compassion, we're no better than the Destroyers," Paul whispered. "Don't ever become hard and cruel, Tryn. Please� keep your heart soft and kind� don't let me lose you to this as well�"

"Paul� can we afford to be anything else?" she said through tears. She rubbed a hand over her swollen belly, seven months pregnant.

"Some of us have to feel even if the others don't. Some of us have to feel compassion, love, hurt and sorrow even if the rest of us feel hatred, rage and fear� because there wont' be any beauty left�" said Paul.

"Now do you know who I am?" asked the voice of the Star Bearer. A clear image formed, moving across the chikara that crackled. Tomique stomped forwards, standing before the figure. He stopped when a ki barrier slammed into him.

"Stop right there!" Tomique called out. "Don't come any closer!"

"Tryn� don't shut me out�"

"How DARE you say that!" Tomique yelled at him, snarling. "you have a lot of nerve coming here now� and demanding that I listen to you after what you pulled�"

"I know you're angry� but I had to do what I had to do� I was needed�"

"Son Goku said the SAME thing to CHICHI, and look what it got him!" she snarled. "How DARE you!"

"Please, you've GOT to listen to me�"

"You've said enough! Get AWAY from here!" Tomique roared.

"Please� for what we once shared!"

"Sentimental fool!" Tomique snarled, pushing the memory away. "You made it abundantly clear you didn't want to share any bond with me after death� so I'm doing what you said�"

"I didn't mean for you to forget who you were because of me! You're so angry and bitter�all this hatred and rage� it's not you!" he called.

"How would you know? What the HELL good did your emotions do? You DIED! And I was WEAK because I didn't KILL. Because I was compassionate you DIED. I could have killed Leader� and then�" stammered Tomique.

"No Tryn. You know that's not true," echoed his voice. "You're better than that�"

"You don't get it, Paul, do you? I killed to survive. And if that damns me, then so be it� is THAT Why you rejected me? Because I wasn't good enough for you?" she asked herself.

"I had a duty. You know it as well as I do, love. I can't do anything but say I'm sorry. You and I shared such love� but it's better to taste that love for an instant then to have never�"

"I wish I'd never met you, Paul," she answered, wiping away tears. "To love me and give me your heart only to take it away. That's the cruelest of all�"

"I love you Tryn� always remember that. Our sons will always remind you of it�" Star Bearer said sadly, purple tears rolling down his cheeks.

"You gave your HEART to many women. I know that, Paul. But you gave JEANNIE your soul! Why?" she demanded.

"I gave you my soul, Tryn," said Paul.

"No you didn't. I took what you gave freely. But you severed the bond� because your soul belonged to another. It belonged to the Star Bearer. You did what you had to. And so did I�"

"Tryn� you know there was no other way� but to see you� reduced to this�" Star Bearer shook his head. "You're fighting, killing, taking lives� and you're growing hard and powerful, but where is the gentle scientist?"

"I'm not a human anymore, I'm a 'monster' Paul. I know you'd never love something like me now that you know what I'm capable of. I'm Saiyan, Paul. There's no going back�" she responded. "I can't afford to have a bleeding heart..."

"Where's the woman I loved? Tryn, you're still the same�" said Star Bearer in a voice more like Paul's.

"I'm not the woman you loved Paul. Not anymore� you made it clear that you had more important things to do. And you released our bond. I release you� because if I look back it will destroy me�" Tomique thought.

"I know that you have to be free to love another. Why else did you think I let you go? But I wanted you to be safe and happy, raise our sons in peace�" Answered the Star Bearer.

"I want to be strong, and pay them back for the pain they caused. I wasn't there for your children when you needed me�" she answered.

"You know that isn't true, Tryn. You had no control� don't blame yourself for that by becoming what you most hate�"

"I could have used my powers to fight. But I was soft hearted and my sons paid the price. Now they know another man as their parent. Son Goku's more of a parent then I ever was� or could be� and you loved JEANNIE who was a warrior. I was a weakling who hadn't a chance to fight," she yelled.

"You chose Radditzu over him. Why?" Paul asked. "Son Goku's wife left him. He loved you� he loves you� and you two could have�"

"Because he was married. His SOUL belonged to Chichi. I don't dare interfere with that. You told him to care for the boys, and he's doing it. What does that leave me? Once you cut off the memories and the feel of your love I had nothing. Memories are a poor substitute for a husband�" she answered.

"Then you're not the woman I loved, because the Tryn I knew would treasure every memory and hold it forever in her heart. She wouldn't let petty jealousy stop her from being herself and being happy," answered Paul sadly.

"I'm not your innocent GIRL anymore, Paul. I'm powerful and strong. I can protect them. Protect our children like I never could before�" said Tomique.

"He's a murderer, Tomique� it will take much to atone for his sins�" Star Bearer said, flaring into his astral form.

"I know. But he is loyal, and he loves me. Besides which, you could forgive Jeannie for killing Leader� what makes ME different?" she asked.

"I cannot say. But this isn't you�" he said quietly.

"Then perhaps you don't know me as well as you first thought, Paul," she answered. "You have no say anymore�"

"But I still�" he said, reaching a sleeved hand to her. "Damn it Tryn, what do I have to do to make you see that you're wrong!"

"Just leave me ALONE!" she yelled, pressing her hands to her head. Hunkered down on the floor she pushed hard against the sadness flooding her.

"Tomique�" called a deep voice inside her mind.

"Get out of my mind, you traitor," she shot back to the voice. If it was a memory or an echo she was outraged at the thoughts that weren't hers. A golden moon rose, full and fat in the courtyard of her mind. A loud snarling echoed over the walls that Star Bearer was disintegrating with his purple beams. Tomique sobbed as he slammed into the thick hard walls she had constructed.

"I want you to be what you once were� please� I can help you rid yourself of the pain!" Star Baerer called.

"I don�t' WANT your help!" she howled.

"Leave her alone. You have no business here," Radditzu's voice growled. A large golden Oorzu smashed the purple barrier aside that Star Bearer had erected. He raised his face to shot a beam towards the Saiyan transformed. With contemptuous ease he slammed the beam aside, opening his mouth to shoot a blast that crashed into Star Bearer. Grunting, he was shoved back into the darkness around them.

"I�" he gasped.

"I said LEAVE her, damn you!" the great ape roared, pounding his chest. "You have no business here human! You rejected her� and I am her mate now!"

"Please� I can help you�" pleaded Star Bearer.

"How dare you, how dare you judge me!" she snarled. "DAMN you!"

"Be happy in the life you've chosen," someone seemed to say before a door slammed shut.

"I'm sorry, but I can't let you. You'll destroy me," she whispered softly, lifting her head and glancing into the purple mist separating her view from his. The purple mist vanished, leaving her alone. She huddled on the floor, curled up in a fetal position hugging her knees.

***

"Tomique, I'm here� cast him out," said the voice of her mate aloud. Angrily she dug her fingernails, now sharper into the arms of the being who now lifted her off the floor. On one knee Radditzu crouched, pulling her against his body protectively. It dawned on her that she had been fighting a mental battle, and that she was in reality huddled on the floor of the lounge of Capsule Corps. Over her loomed Radditzu's armored shape, his face fraught with anxious worry and anger for her wellfare.

"How can he do such a thing? I don't understand� he rejected me and he has the gall to�" she cursed.

"He has no say, Tomique. He gave up whatever claim he had on you when you became my mate," Radditzu answered darkly. She blinked up at him, and he frowned before cupping her face in his hand.

"How did you� you mean that he really WAS? But�" she gasped.

"I sensed his presence. Through our bond," said Radditzu angrily. "When you left the room and didn't report in, I grew concerned. It's been nearly six hours and I've been looking everywhere for you. Something was blocking my thoughts from yours, but I found you here�"

"Blocked you� but� damn it�" Tomique cursed, squeezing her eyes shut. Radditzu drew her to kneel before him, steadying her body with his large hands. She lay her head against his armored chest, burying her face in his hair.

Radditzu bound her in his strong arms. Carefully he got up, pulling her along with him so she leaned against his standing body. Tomique let him raise her, then hid her face in his chest, accepting his comforting embrace. From around his waist his tail loosened, to wrap carefully around her hips as if to assert his claim. Idly hers wrapped loosely around his upper thigh because she was not sure of where else to put it. Lips close to her ear he whispered, "It was him. Blocking my thoughts from yours. It took much but I broke through it� He invaded your mind, a very private place. By Saiyan law that's the worst disgrace� to invade another's unbidden�"

"Shimatta� but he's not done that before� wait a minute he has� when he put the memory blocks on Gene's mind�"

"Yes. You told me, and so did Kakkarot, that this Star Bearer once used his power to change people's thoughts. So he has no place to judge you for what you do, Tomique-chan," Radditzu said. "What I don't understand is why he chose now to invade your thoughts after so long� and in this manner."

"Perhaps it was because Gene came here, and it triggered memories," said Tomique. "Maybe somehow it called out to him like a beacon. Star Bearer is the master of dreams. If he's as powerful as Goku's friend King Kai, he can see into anyone's mind�"

"Why? What purpose would it serve, unless he was trying to establish contact? But he could have done so without attacking your character," said Radditzu angrily.

"But he's got a lousy temper when he's pissed. Perhaps he's seen all of what I've done, and it was his way of lashing out in frustration�" said Tomique sadly.

"A coward's way," said Radditzu.

"Paul wasn't a coward. He was too pure to do that�" she muttered.

Radditzu stiffened, growling, "Was he? Perhaps you didn�t' know him as well as you thought. He was ningen, human, and fallible. Why do you still defend him?"

"I'm not� I just can't believe that�"

"So it seems you and he did not know one another as you had thought," Radditzu grumbled, releasing her.

"You're angry with me� jealous� because I don't hate him?" she asked.

"Of course, idiot! Why wouldn't I be jealous?" Radditzu angrily snorted.

"Wait Radditzu, that's the answer. It must have been jealousy pure and simple�" she shook her head in disbelief.

"That sounds like the case. He sees that you gave your love to another, and now that he cannot have it even from beyond the grave, he can't stand to see it so�"

"That makes me wonder, Radz-chan� when a Saiyan's mate dies, you say that another male may bond with the female. But in death� does the bond with the first get negated?" she asked.

"I cannot say. But sometimes one thinks someone is their chosen mate, and they are not," Radditzu explained, trying to give words to things he was not used to expressing. "Not all females who lose their mates survive the shock of death. Those that do are fortunate or damned. Not all of them chose to soul bond to their new mates. Very few do. Among Third class perhaps yes�"

"Were your parents� soul bonded?" she continued, folding her arms across her chest.

"Yes," Radditzu said quietly. "I've not met many who are. My brother� and the Prince perhaps� because Kakkarot told me when he completed the bond with Chichi, their souls touched on another�"

"I thought it was considered a weakness. That's what I heard Nappa say," she snorted.

Radditzu rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't put too much faith in what he has to say. He's not known for his intelligence!"

"That being what it is�" she sighed.

"Tomique� those that don't understand true Saiyan culture would say it was. My mother was fortunate because she was on the planet with my father when it exploded. So doubtless they joined one another in death. But when Nappa's mate was presumed lost, he went mad. Only his thirst for violence gave him any measure of release, and made him the killing machine he is now."

"I killed today, Radditzu. And I enjoyed seeing them pay for what they did. I suppose that's a Saiyan thing� and Paul was shocked to see that I had such a side. I'm sure he's been watching Gene because the FOUR had a telepathic rapport. Doubtless he�"

"It is indeed. You cannot change what you've become, only move forwards. Perhaps he disapproves, but perhaps he was not meant to be your mate after all. When Kakkarot and I were in your mind fighting him and the other, we sensed that a piece of him was forever given to another. My brother said that Star Child had admitted he couldn't give of his whole self to just one. He had mistakenly given the soul bond to Jeannie because he had no idea he'd find someone else he loved. Then when he encountered you, he transferred the bond towards your mind. But then he severed it, because of so called duty�"

"Doesn't duty supersede love?" she asked.

"A Saiyan doesn�t sever a bond with their chosen mate. It's just not done. Sure one may block the other, but the link is never terminated. It would cause insanity if it were cut for too long�" said Radditzu.

"Even for those that don't soul bond?" she asked.

"Yes. The blood and children are enough for most. Let it go, Tomique. You owe nobody any explanation. Take full responsibility for your own choices, and accept what you've been given," Radditzu said. She nodded, letting him help her to her feet.

"I can't go back to what was. Let's go see what's happening�" she nodded. Radditzu held out his hand to her. Reaching out she put hers in it, letting his large fingers intertwine with hers. He grunted in approval, leading her after him towards the main complex.

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Saiyan Foster Parent