In Your Dreams: Chapter 48

Vegeta sat quietly on the living room couch staring straight ahead at a blank TV screen. He hadn't moved from that spot since Kakarotto had left nearly two hours before, and he'd been doing nothing but monitoring the younger man's ki. The only sounds in the room were the occasional growls that escaped his throat and the constant tap of his finger on the table beside him.

The prince had tracked Goku's ki back to ChiChi's house, and his mate had been with the harpy and her new husband the entire time. The two humans' energies were practically sitting on top of the Saiyajins', and though Vegeta knew logically he shouldn't be worried, he couldn't help but feel a small twinge of jealousy.

Why did Kakarotto run to THEM instead of staying here with him? Surely he could offer his own mate more comfort that his ex wife could.

...Right?

A sudden wave of unease coursed through Vegeta's body, leaving his skin tingling and the hair on the nape of his neck standing on end. The strong emotion had come from Kakarotto, and the prince was immediately on his feet and heading to the door.

He'd been patient enough. It was time to retrieve Goku and put an end to all this foolish behavior.

------------------------------------------

The flight out to the mountain home was a short one. Vegeta didn't bother holding back any of his energy in an attempt to mask his ki, so he was traveling at a speed that made him all but invisible to the naked eye. Anyone he passed may have experienced a strong breeze coupled with the sound of his nearly constant growling if they had a keen ear.

Vegeta descended from the sky and landed directly on the doorstep. He could feel his mate's energy from within, but something seemed off about it. It was rippling, almost as if the younger man wasn't in control of it.

The sudden realization only made the prince's mood fouler, and he didn't bother to knock before reaching for the doorknob and swinging the wooden door open.

He only took one step inside before pausing, allowing his hardened black eyes to sweep over the scene in front of him.

Sitting at the round table directly in front of him was the trio of people he sought. Victor was sitting directly across from Goku, and the man appeared rather sullen as his brown eyes darted over to meet his own. ChiChi was currently seated next to his mate, and she was rubbing the younger man's back and murmuring quietly in his ear. Vegeta couldn't hear what was being said. He could, however, clearly see Goku was upset.

The other Saiyajin sat with his arms folded on the table and his face buried within them. His tail was wrapped around his waist tightly, a position the younger man rarely held the appendage. That in itself was concerning. What was most alarming to Vegeta, however, was the uneven rhythm in which the other's back rose and fell.

He was crying.

The older Saiyajin bared his teeth and balled his hands into fists as he stalked forward.

''What the hell is going on here?!''

ChiChi wisely chose to move out of the way as the older man approached, and she moved around the table to stand by her husband as Vegeta placed a hand on his mate's back and leaned forward in an attempt to see his face. Goku only tensed up at the feel of his touch and buried his face further into his arms.

The prince growled and stood up straight again as he folded his arms over his chest. His sharp glare pinned the two humans in place.

''Explain!''

Victor raised his hands in an attempt to calm the raging man. ''Vegeta, we're only trying to help Goku sort out some things.''

''Oh yeah, and it looks like you're doing a fine job!'' Vegeta shot back as he motioned sharply toward the younger Saiyajin.

''It's all part of the process,'' Victor said calmly. ''We've only just begun to get to the root of the issue, and it can take months, even years for Goku to fully come to terms with what's happened to him.''

Vegeta raised an eyebrow at this, and when the other man motioned for him to sit down in one of the empty chairs, he did so; after a small amount of hesitation. He still felt like snapping some necks, after all.

Brown eyes turned to Goku, who was still hiding his face from everyone. ''Goku, do you have a problem with me explaining what the issue is to Vegeta? I really think he should know.''

The younger man, who appeared to have calmed down based on his smoother breathing pattern, nodded the affirmative.

Victor smiled before returning his attention to the other Saiyajin. ''After speaking with Goku today it's become very clear that he's suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It's not uncommon for this condition to develop months, even years after a person has experienced a traumatic event. Are you familiar with this condition?''

Vegeta's eyes traveled back to his mate, and he stared at him in surprise for a moment. He knew of the disorder very well. He'd witnessed the effects it had on people for himself in the past. Many Saiyajins surviving the destruction of their planet had developed the condition. During purging missions he'd seen even the most hardened warriors lose touch with reality throughout the violent takeovers. Many would experience flashbacks if they heard or saw a large explosion, and they were rendered immobile by the bloody images that would dance in front of their eyes; images only they could see.

Many warriors perished, either by the hand of the enemy while they were incapacitated, or at the hands of Frieza, who saw any warrior with such a condition as 'defective'. In fact, many races of warrior who served under the ice lizard ended up with PTSD after witnessing some of the horrors the Icejins exposed them to.

Still, Vegeta was not intimately familiar with all the details that came along with the disorder. He knew of the flashbacks and nightmares someone could suffer from, but that was about it.

''I know of it, but not much about it.''

Victor nodded, having expected an answer similar to that. ''There are many different symptoms, and not everyone suffers from the same ones. Some symptoms are more obvious than others, such as flashbacks of the event in question and nightmares. Goku has already admitted to suffering from both of these.''

Vegeta nodded in agreement. The nightmares were something he'd noticed from the first day Kakarotto had returned, but the flashbacks had only started recently. They mainly happened just after waking, but they continued for too long to simply be remnants of a nightmare.

The other man continued. ''Other symptoms can be harder to spot and understand. The disorder can cause extreme reactions to anything reminding the victim of the event that affected them. This would explain the anger Goku feels whenever someone wants him to see a doctor. It's a defense mechanism. The reaction can also cause uncontrollable shaking, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and an abnormal heart beat.''

The prince breathed deeply through his nose as his fists tightened in on themselves. His thoughts drifted back to that morning at the lake when he'd first confronted Kakarotto about his drunken confession concerning the sexual abuse he'd suffered in the lab. The younger Saiyajin had immediately gotten sick, and the way he swayed when he walked suggested a bout of dizziness as well. He'd also been shaking and extremely emotional. It all fit so well.

''Also,'' Victor continued, ''A person can become overly alert and easily startled. They regularly have sleeping problems and extreme irritability, have trouble concentrating, suffer from panic attacks and depression, and most concerning, they can feel isolated and estranged from those they once felt close too. Many sufferers have trouble maintaining a healthy relationship because they've become emotionally numb.''

That last bit caused a lump to form in Vegeta's throat. He had noticed lately that Kakarotto hadn't been as eager for his attention. He thought perhaps it was because he was still in shock over the pregnancy, but now he wasn't so sure.

The prince looked over at Goku again, who had finally raised his head and was currently staring blankly at the table in front of him. His eyes were puffy and rimmed in red, but the tears had stopped falling.

''Kakarotto, do you feel that way? How much of that applies to you?''

For a long while Goku didn't respond, but finally his eyes slipped closed and his brow furrowed. ''Pretty much all of it.''

His answer threw Vegeta for a loop. His mate had been feeling isolated and alone and he hadn't noticed?

The prince turned his attention back to Victor. ''Does any of this pose a threat to the child Kakarotto is carrying?''

A strange look passed over the man's face, almost as if he were afraid to answer the question. ''Well, the emotionally numb feeling can apply to both the victim's partner AND child. Goku might have trouble forming a bond with his child. In fact he's already stated that he feels nothing for the baby right now.''

Again, Vegeta turned back to his mate with wide eyes, and he could tell the other man's words had affected the younger Saiyajin. He had slouched down in his chair a little more and was covering his eyes with one hand, almost as if he were trying to hide from the world. Strangely, the prince didn't feel any anger toward his mate for feeling the way he did. Instead, he felt only sadness and concern.

The older man reached over and gently set his hand on Kakarotto's shoulder. He didn't miss the small flinch the contact caused, but he was pleased when the other didn't try to pull away.

''Kakarotto, it's alright. None of this is your fault. In fact, I feel partly responsible for not considering the fact this may happen. We all spent too much time worrying about your physical health and not enough about your mental health.''

Goku drew in a shuddering breath before he finally lowered his hand. Shining black eyes scanned the people seated around him before he spoke. ''Does this mean I'm crazy?''

Vegeta couldn't hold back the laugh that bubbled up in his throat, and Goku threw him a glare in response.

''No,'' Victor chuckled. ''You're not crazy. This is just something that will take some time to work through. I want to continue to have these sessions at least four times a week, ok?''

The younger man seemed a little reluctant at this, but he nodded anyway.

''And,'' Victor's expression suddenly became very serious and his voice dropped a couple octaves. ''If you ever feel suicidal or overwhelmed by any kind of emotion, I want you to call me right away. I'll drop what I'm doing and come to you immediately.''

Any amusement Vegeta might have been feeling before vanished completely. Suicide? Kakarotto? It seemed so bizarre, but again an image of Goku holding bloody shards of broken glass to his throat flashed across his eyes. Even then there had been signs...

The older Saiyajin drew in a steady breath and stood up from his chair. ''Kakarotto, are you ready to go home now?''

Goku quickly wiped his eyes on his sleeves and nodded as he too stood up. He mustered a small smile. ''Thanks, guys. I feel better now...''

ChiChi smiled in return and rounded the table before throwing his arms around her ex. ''Goku, you know we're always here for you. Stop by anytime, ok?''

The younger man gave a quick nod before he turned and followed Vegeta outside. The prince floated into the air and hovered there for a few seconds until he was sure the other Saiyajin was following before setting off toward home.

-----------------------------------------------

Upon returning to Capsule Corp Goku immediately sought out Bulma to discuss everything he'd learned from Victor. He felt guilty about yelling at her before, just like he did every other time he snapped at someone, but now he felt better knowing there was a reason and he wasn't simply being a jerk.

The blue haired woman had listened with great interest, and she had immediately dashed to her computer to do further research on the disorder while they talked. If there was anything she could do to aid Goku in his recovery, she wanted to know about it.

The most concerning detail to her, however, was the Saiyajin lack of emotion concerning his still developing child. Goku was usually such a nurturing being that it just seemed so foreign to her. Perhaps he had to 'see' the baby to begin forming a bond. There was a chance that he simply wasn't making the connection because part of him didn't believe it was real.

''Goku, you're over a month into your pregnancy now, right?''

The Saiyajin tilted his head to the side as he thought about it, and he nodded the affirmative after a moment.

''Would you like to see your baby?''

Goku's brow furrowed in confusion, ''See it? You mean with an ultra sound?''

Both Bulma and Vegeta were surprised for a moment, but then Vegeta remembered a certain bit of information his mate had shared with him.

''Villa performed several ultra sounds on him... before he knew he was pregnant.'' The prince muttered this quietly into Bulma's ear, but based on the small flinch from Goku, the Saiyajin had most likely heard Villa's name.

Bulma smiled gently and patted a padded bed located in the corner of the lab. ''Yep. The baby is old enough to see by now, especially considering he's developing faster than a human fetus.''

Goku remained standing where he was, and Vegeta could clearly see the small beads of sweat beginning to form on the younger man's forehead. Based on his experience, Kakarotto was about to slip into a flashback.

The prince quickly moved forward and took his mate's hand in his own. His gentle touch was enough to break the other man's daze, and Goku blinked himself out of his stupor and automatically followed along with the older man as he was led over to the bed.

Bulma patted the mattress with her hand again. ''Hop on up! This will be fun! The gel is even nice and warm.''

The younger Saiyajin chuckled quietly at the woman's overly bubbly demeanor, and he knew she was only trying to make him more comfortable. It was working.

After pulling himself up on the bed and leaning back on his elbows, Goku watched curiously as Bulma wheeled what looked like a small TV screen over to the bed. She set it up so they could all see it and picked up what appeared to be a strange looking remote control.

Vegeta picked up the tube of gel that sat on top of the monitor and read the side of it before smirking devilishly. ''So this warms up, you say? Can it be used anywhere?''

Bulma threw her head back and laughed as she batted the man on the shoulder. ''You're so dirty!''

Goku, who appeared to have missed the joke, frowned at the two's antics and only watched when Vegeta pushed his shirt up and opened the tube of gel. The older man was still smirking as he squeezed the clear substance onto his mate's stomach, and he made of show of spreading it around the firm flesh.

''How's that feel, Kakarotto?''

Goku raised an eyebrow as the gel heated up, and he watched the other's fingers swirl around in the goop before looking up at the older man. ''Uh... it's ok.''

Vegeta looked a little put off that his mate wasn't picking up on his sexual advances, but he carried on. ''If it feels good here, imagine where ELSE it could come in handy.''

For a long moment Goku was silent, but soon the older man saw the look in the younger man's eyes change as it finally dawned on him what the prince was getting at. His face immediately flushed a deep red and he swatted at Vegeta's hands with his tail.

''Vegeta, you pervert! Bulma is right there!''

''I don't mind.'' Bulma said quickly, earning herself a glare from Goku. She whistled a little bit as she flipped on the screen and placed the scanner she held in her hand on Goku's stomach.

''Ok, here we go.''

All eyes turned to the screen as the grainy images began to flicker across the monitor.

''Is that it?!'' Vegeta asked excitedly as he pointed to a strange mass he saw forming.

''No, that's his kidney.''

''Oh. What about that?!'' the prince asked again, pointing to a new image he saw.

''That's the other kidney.''

''Damn it!''

Goku chuckled at his mate's annoyance as Bulma continued to move the scanner around on his stomach. They were all silent as she searched, and finally she moved a little lower.

''What the hell is that?'' Vegeta grumbled as he squinted and moved closer to the screen. ''Whatever it is, it's hideous! Is it the liver?''

Bulma placed her free hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter. ''No, Vegeta. That's your baby.''

The prince's jaw dropped as he grabbed either side of the monitor and practically pressed his nose to the screen. For several moments he couldn't make heads or tails of what he was looking at, but after the image suddenly shifted, Vegeta could clearly see what looked like the outline of a little person; complete with tail.

''Kakarotto! Do you see?! Our baby!''

''No, I can't see because your face is in the way.''

Vegeta suddenly became aware of his close proximity to the screen, and he coughed as he let go of the monitor and stepped back a little.

Goku grinned at him before turning his attention back to the now unobstructed view of the screen. He tilted his head to the side in an attempt to better see what he was looking at, but it was still difficult making out the image.

''Here,'' Bulma offered as she pointed to the grainy picture. ''That's his head... and his arms... there's his tail.... You see?''

A small smile formed on the Saiyajin's lips as everything seemed to fall into place. ''Yeah... I see...''

Vegeta stood quietly and tried not to look too obvious about watching for his mate's reaction. Despite the smile on those lips, he could see that it didn't reach his eyes.

Bulma reached forward and hit a few buttons on the machine. ''There, now they're printing in the other room. We'll do this every couple of weeks, ok? It took me a little longer to find the baby because he isn't sitting where a baby would normally sit compared to a woman, but from what I can see, everything is great!''

''Good.'' Goku replied as he took a nearby towel and wiped the gel off his stomach.

''Could you see any obvious ways of giving birth?'' Vegeta asked.

Bulma shook her head as she cleaned up the scanner. ''No, but it's still early. It might become more apparent later.''

''Seeing how it's Vegeta's child it'll probably just blast it's way out of my belly when it's ready.'' Goku said with a chuckle as he pulled his shirt back down.

Bulma laughed along with him, but Vegeta wasn't actually sure if the younger man was joking.

''Well, we're all done here. You're free to do what you like.'' Bulma said as she stood up and pushed the ultra sound machine to the corner of the room again.

Goku nodded and hopped off the bed before taking a couple steps toward the door. He paused when Vegeta didn't follow.

''Woman, can I have a tube of that gel?''

''VEGETA!''

To be continue...