Disclaimer: I do not own DBZ

Chapter 22: Because Our Love is Cosmic

Kakarot looked at his father like he was crazy as he watched him come out of his dazed state. "We need to find what?"

Bardock grasped his son's shoulders in an almost panicked state. He stared into his eyes and tried his best to push forward the hope that sprang into his soul so that his son could feel it too. With all seriousness he whispered to him, "The dragon balls."

Kakarot blinked in confusion. "What are dragon balls?"

Bardock shook his head once to try and get his thoughts together. He knew he would sound crazy but he also knew that what he was about to say was true—unbelievable—but true at the same time. "They are 7 magical orbs that can grant any wish."

Kakarot started to wonder if his father's visions had done something to his mind. "Magic?"

Bardock growled in frustration. He knew this was going to be hard. "Just hear me out. I had a vision of us collecting 7 orbs called dragon balls and calling upon a dragon to wish back everyone that died."

Kakarot looked back at him with concerned eyes. "Father, you sound crazy."

Bardock dropped his arms to his side and stepped away from him. "I'll prove it to you. I know where one is right now. Follow me." Bardock took to the air and Kakarot hesitated but he followed his father anyways.

Kakarot was a bit concerned for his father but as they flew across the sky he couldn't help but look at the destruction of his second home. Turles had really done a number on this planet. Actually he had done a number on everyone. He still couldn't believe everything that just happened. He was grateful that his family wasn't hurt, but Bulma…she was like a sister to him. An annoying, stubborn and selfish one, but still she meant a lot to him. And now he would never see her again and there was nothing he could do about it. It was almost as bad as what happened with Raditz. But what made it so bad was that it was still the same person behind it. He should have listened to his father more and tried harder to track down his uncle. Now his best friend was dead.

And Earth…that was another story. The planet was war torn all over. As he looked down at the crumbled buildings and abandoned streets he silently vowed to himself that he would get the planet back up to where it should be. This was his home too and he wasn't going to let it fall apart. He followed his father to Capsule Corp and raised another curious eyebrow.

"Father, are you serious? This is where your magical orb is?"

Bardock landed and nodded his head to his son that landed right after him. "Yes it is."

Kakarot was pleased to see that the capital was still in good condition, but he was starting to get a little upset about his father's crazy mission. "Father, I lived here for many years, I doubt you will find any magic here."

Bardock ignored his son and went into the building and straight to the vault. Kakarot raised another eyebrow. "Are you telling me that Bulma has kept magic here this whole time and never did anything with it?" Kakarot asked skeptically as he leaned against the wall.

"I'm not saying anything to you. I'm just going to show you." Bardock looked around, trying very hard to remember exactly where it was placed in his vision. There were quite a few locked cases inside of the room that all looked exactly the same. He stopped his searching when one spot looked very familiar.

"Here it is."

He said with confidence as he punched through the case and smirked as his hand grabbed onto what he was looking for. He heard Kakarot gasp as he pulled his arm out and held the ball into the light. "There you are."

Kakarot walked over to it and was surprised to see that his father was telling the truth. "I guess you were right."

"Kakarot, if I start to go crazy your mother will be the first to notice, not you." He then turned to his son. "This is only one. I'm not sure where the other ones are, but I know that if we get all of them we can make a wish."

"Just one?"

"That's what it seemed like in the vision. We had the dragon balls and I called upon the dragon to wish everyone back."

"Well one wish should be enough. This could work. If your other visions have come true there's no reason to doubt this one as well."

"We have to get back to Vegeta and tell the others. And perhaps Dr. Brief and I can come up with some sort of tracker or radar to find the other dragon balls."

Kakarot nodded his head in agreement. "Ok but let's get our story straight because if we go in there excitedly talking about magical dragon balls then everyone is going to think that the both of us are crazy."

Planet Vegeta

Vegeta was on his throne hearing all the damage that was done to his Empire. Even though Turles and Able was defeated they still caused a lot of harm. There were uprisings everywhere and no one knew who to trust or what to believe. Everything was a mess and he honestly didn't know where to start. He had elders screaming and arguing with each other on which move to make and how to make it. And he still couldn't get what happened to Bulma off his mind. He couldn't believe that she wasn't with him right now. She had been with him every day since she got back to the planet. And now she was trapped floating in a tank. But at least she was still alive.

Bra, Trunks and Ninjin were all in the room as well. His children didn't want to leave his side after what all just happened. And Ninjin didn't want to leave his friend and his fiancé.

It was then that Kakarot and Bardock appeared before them.

"And where have you two been?" Vegeta asked. "What makes you think that I wouldn't need my general and one of my top scientists immediately in a time of crisis?" He snapped angrily.

Bardock stepped forward ignoring Vegeta's anger and bowed slightly. "We have some good news."

"We could use some good news." Trunks said.

Bardock lifted up the dragon ball for everyone to see. "I had a vision that we gathered 7 of these orbs and called upon a magical dragon. This dragon is capable of granting whatever wish we desire."

Everyone was silent after Bardock's statement and Vegeta was about to laugh at the ridiculous words that came out of Bardock's mouth but Trunks blurted out, "You mean the dragon balls? My mother told me about them but I thought they were only a story. And you had a vision about this?" Trunks asked curiously hopeful as he approached Bardock.

Vegeta's eyebrow rose at that. "You can't be serious."

"It's true. I had the vision and knew exactly where the first ball would be and I found it inside Capsule Corp. This ball is proof alone that what I saw is true."

Vegeta kept a still face as he listened to the information that Bardock was so desperately giving him. An atmosphere of hope settled into the once devastating throne room. But before anyone could vocalize anything, Vegeta said, "And what would this wish be?"

Bardock blinked a little confused. He would assume that the wish would be obvious. "To bring back everyone that died because of Turles and Able's actions."

"Except for Turles and Able you mean. If your vision is correct and I was to ever see either one of them breathe again I would kill them instantly." Vegeta said as a matter of fact.

"Fair enough." Bardock said.

Bra was a little sad about her father's choice. Even though Able had done some terrible things, she still loved him like her brother. Everything still seemed like a horrible nightmare that she was trying so desperately to wake up from.

Trunks only winced. He regretted killing his brother, but he wasn't sure if it would be better if he came back. His father at his most merciful state would have him imprisoned and isolated for the rest of his life, but not before he made him a mockery before the universe. Sad to say but it was probably better this way. All Trunks knew, was that this was the best way to get his mother and Lila back.

Vegeta had heard enough and was ready to get back to trying to sort out the mess that his Empire was in. "Go on your little adventure. I have other important things to do."

Everyone was a bit surprised that he dismissed the whole thing like that. Surely he understood what this could mean. Bardock stepped forward and said, "Sire, there is something that needs to happen in order for that wish to truly work."

"What is it?" Vegeta said almost bored.

"We only get one wish. And if we make a wish that everyone comes back to life then that means that Bulma can't be in the tank when we make it."

Vegeta was silent for a moment and then slowly he let out a sinister chuckle as he looked at the former head scientist. "You want me to kill my wife because of a vision?"

Bardock narrowed his eyes at him. "I'm telling you the truth Vegeta."

"I have had it up to here with your visions!" Vegeta snapped. "What good has it done? You never prevented anything; all you did was warn us about things that were going to eventually happen."

"But we were aware of the danger-"

"What danger were we aware of that made us able to prepare ourselves from this? Did you tell me this would happen? Did you tell me that an imposter would infiltrate my home and kill my child, kidnap my daughter and hurt my wife?"

"She will be revived along with everyone else."

"How about you wish so that Bulma is healed instead?"

"So choose your wife's health over billions of lives?" Bardock was appalled.

Bra couldn't believe her father's response. "Dad?"

Trunks was upset about his father response. He wanted his mother back too. He even felt partially responsible for her being in the state that she was in. He should have stopped Able before he hurt her. But he hesitated and it cost his mother's life. But he knew that choosing his mother's health over billions was wrong. His mother would have never wanted that. Plus there was someone else that he would never see again if his father had his way.

"Father, what about Lila?" Trunks asked warily.

Vegeta sat back in his chair with a high and mighty attitude that he gained quickly as a child and always reverted back to when he felt he was being threatened. Bulma was the only one that could battle properly with his childish state of arrogance. "Last time I checked she killed herself; I don't see how that has anything to do with this conversation."

The room was quiet as Vegeta's harsh words hung in the air. Trunks himself was a bit taken back but he quickly grew angry and exploded. "You are a selfish jerk!"

"Watch it, boy-"

"I miss Mom too but if you think for one moment that she would want you to choose her life over billions then you don't know her as well as you think you do! She died sacrificing her safety for-"

"She's not dead!" Vegeta yelled back.

Kakarot jumped in. "Vegeta, you can't do this. You have to take Bulma out of there. You can't just-"

"No!" Vegeta hollered as he stood up. "Don't tell me what I can't do! I am King! I say what happens and what doesn't happen. You can make your wish but if any one of you takes one step toward that machine, you'll get blasted..." Then he looked back to Trunks. "...whether you're my blood or not."

Everyone knew that Vegeta's threat was real and they all were mad at him for it. Especially Bardock who growled out, "And when everyone else is revived except for her who will you blame? My visions or yourself?"

Vegeta sat back down quietly on his throne as he glared at Bardock. He didn't want to believe the vision because if there was a chance that it was wrong then Bulma would never live again.

"Get out."

Bra was upset by her father's words but she knew that he was really hurting on the inside. Like her mother she was an expert at reading him and she knew that he was only hanging on by a thread. "Dad-"

"I sad get out!" He then glanced at his daughter. "All of you." He said dismissing her as well.

Bra was hurt by that. He had never treated her like that before. She had never seen her father like this and she was deeply worried for him. She bowed to him and left out, and everyone else followed her lead. She kept her head held high but what she really wanted to do was run into her mother's arms and cry out the torment and painful hurts of the day. But she couldn't do that. She had never felt so alone in her entire life.

"Bra! Bra wait!"

Bra didn't even realize she was walking that fast until Ninjin finally grabbed her shoulder to stop her. She blinked at him and hung her head. "I'm sorry. I just had to get away and-"

"You don't have to tell me. I understand."

Bra was trying her best to not cry anymore. It seemed like she had been crying the whole day. Her tears were even exhausted. She turned to Ninjin and gave him a small smile trying to get her mind momentarily off her father's coldness. She loved her Saiyan side but sometimes she wished her Dad would act more human. She just lost her mom. She needed her dad. She needed someone. So she was very glad to have Ninjin with her. "Hey, I never properly thanked you for saving me."

Ninjin turned away for a moment. It was true that he got Bra out of there but he couldn't help but think that if he would have moved a little faster, then Bulma might be alright.

Bra saw the look on his face and was a bit worried. "What's wrong?"

"I'm a Super Saiyan and I was still too slow. Your mother-"

"Don't do that to yourself." Bra said hurriedly. "If anyone should feel guilty it should be me. She was coming for me and now she's...she's...I killed my mother." She said breaking into a sob.

Ninjin hugged her as she collapsed into his arms. Ninjin rubbed comforting circles on her back as he tried to calm her down. "And don't you do this to yourself. Your mother did the right thing; she was protecting her child the only way she knew how. Don't blame yourself for that."

Bra held onto him tightly. She clutched his sides hoping to soak in some of his strength because she needed it badly. "I just feel so terrible. Every second of every minute; it all feels so bad."

Ninjin hugged her tighter. "I'm here and I'm not going to leave you." He confessed.

Bra laughed a little sadly as she wiped her eyes and pulled away. She still loved Ninjin but as she remembered their conversation at the party she knew that he was more loyal to Trunks than her. "You're a good friend."

Ninjin knew that this wasn't the best of times but he didn't want her to go on thinking that he was the guy that was only nice to her because she was best friend's sister. He also didn't want her to think that she was stuck with the guy that didn't love her while the one that did was dead. "I don't have to stay your friend." He blurted out.

Bra blinked at him then narrowed her eyes. "I don't need your pity." She said bitterly as she believed he was about to offer his engagement as a form of sympathy.

Ninjin thought he would be more confident once he was around her again but he guessed wrong. "I don't pity you. You have to know that I had to save you."

Bra blinked in slight confusion as she was trying to read Ninjin. "Well you didn't-I mean I told you that you weren't considered-"

"No. I had to." He said as he stepped even closer to her.

Bra looked at him hopefully then she had realized that she was talking to her brother's best friend. "You mean because of Trunks." She said hanging her head.

Ninjin lifted her chin with his fingers until she was looking at him again. "No. Because of you."

Bra was very confused. She had told him that he wasn't considered anymore. He was free and had no obligations to her. "I don't under-"

Bra's words were stopped by his kiss. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but one that was assuring and at the same time comforting. She cherished that moment. With everything that happened to her she needed that love and support that she felt from him.

Ninjin pulled away and placed his hands on the sides of her face. "I love you. I don't know how you feel about me anymore, but all I know is that I have four more years to prove to you that I'm the guy you should marry. And so I want you to reconsider me."

Bra was happily surprised. She had started to think this would never happen. "That...that can be arranged."

"Good. Now come on. If anyone needs some rest it's you."

Bra nodded to him as he led her to her bedroom. He was right; she did need to lay down. After all tomorrow was a new day.

Elsewhere…

Bardock, Kakarot, and Trunks were explaining to Dr. Brief about the dragon balls. Hope had once again sprung into the old man's eyes.

"She must be taken out! I've heard stories of the balls, but I only chalked it up to a fairytale myself. I never thought they were actually real. It is too much of a coincidence. Your vision must be true."

"But there is a problem." Trunks said upset.

"What is it?"

"Dad doesn't want to take Mom out the tank so that she can be revived and we only have the one wish. So if he doesn't then-"

"She'll be stuck floating in a tank forever." Dr. Brief shook with anger. Neither of the three men in the room had ever seen him this angry before. Trunks jumped back as his grandfather screamed and swiped his lab table throwing papers and machinery on the floor.

"Darn you, Vegeta! Your obsession will be the death of my daughter. I tried, I tried so very hard to protect her, even if that meant making her sad in the process, but now her life, her very life depends on whether or not he can finally let her go...and I don't think...I don't think he can."

Trunks felt sorry for his grandfather and placed a comforting hand on his back. "I'll talk to him again. He has to know that Mom would want this."

"It'll take a miracle." Dr. Brief whispered depressed.

Kakarot looked at the dragon ball and said out loud, "Well, we already believe in magic, we may as well believe in miracles too."

It didn't take them long to figure out a device that could detect the dragon balls. By the end of the week they had invented the dragon ball radar. Kakarot and Bardock had just finished collecting the dragon balls and were ready to summon the dragon.

"What now?" Kakarot asked as he looked at the balls.

"You are going back to Vegeta."

"Why?"

"Tell Bra and Trunks to talk to Vegeta one last time. I won't be able to live with myself if Bulma is not revived. She's…" Bardock bit his tongue cutting off his words.

Kakarot placed a hand on his father's shoulder. He knew what he wanted to say. Bra was just as much like a daughter to his father as she was a sister to him. She was family. And they couldn't let her die.

"I'll be back."

Meanwhile…

Vegeta was in Bulma's tank room. The lights were off and the only light that was being shown was the one generated by Bulma's tank. He stood in front of it staring at her, as he told himself over and over that he was doing the right thing. He knew that they had already collected the dragon balls and that it was only a matter of time before they made their wish. He just had to stick it out a little longer. He didn't want to admit it to anyone, but the arguing shook him more than everyone thought. He knew he was being selfish, but he always was when it came to her. The idea of seeing her laughing and smiling again pleased him very much. But what if it didn't work? Was he prepared to lay her body in the ground? He didn't-couldn't-…

"Dad?"

Vegeta turned around to see the spitting image of his wife as his daughter approached him. He turned back around to look back at his floating wife.

Bra swallowed as she was beginning to lose the bravery she had thought she came in there with. But her father's cold back was really getting to her. She exhaled a shaky breath and stepped forward.

"Dad, they're finished collecting the dragon balls. Everyone is waiting-"

"For what?" He snapped.

Bra narrowed her eyes. "They are waiting for Mom."

Vegeta didn't say a word and Bra shifted her weight on her feet waiting for him to respond. Just when she thought he wasn't going to say anything he stiffened his back and slightly turned his head to see his daughter out the corner of his eye. "I already made up my mind. You are wasting your time." He ended by turning back around.

Bra started shaking with such anger toward her father that she had never harbored before. She exploded as tears fell from her eyes. "I love her too! And I want her back! She's in there because of me!" She ended by breaking into a sob.

It was then that Vegeta turned around. He didn't see a young woman at that moment, all he saw was his baby girl crying her eyes out. He always hated seeing her like this. Vegeta took a slight step forward but hesitated. He was never good at these kinds of moments. All he did was narrow his eyes. "It is not your fault."

"It is. She came to the ship because of me."

Vegeta growled as he realized he was getting angry. "I forbid you to blame yourself for this!" He yelled.

"But it is my fault."

Vegeta walked towards her and grabbed her shoulders. "You will not suffer a survivor's guilt when your mother is right there!"

"But that's just it!" Bra shouted back as she shrugged away from her father. She pointed an angry finger at her mother's body floating inside the tank as she glared at her father.

"She can't hold me! She can't laugh with me! She can't give me advice! She can't yell at me or teach me how to be a woman! That's not my mother…" She stopped as another choking sob assaulted her. Then she hung her head in shame as she whispered, "…and she's like that because of me."

Vegeta could stand it no longer and exploded himself…

"No she's in there because of me!"

Vegeta yelled back shocking both of them. Vegeta never really admitted when he was wrong. But it was at this moment that Vegeta realized that the anger he was feeling was mainly aimed at himself. Of course he was angry at Turles and Able. He was angry that his children were upset. He was angry that his little girl blamed herself. He was angry that his wife was hurt. But mostly he was angry because he couldn't prevent any of this from happening. He was the biggest fool in the universe and he had paid dearly for it.

Vegeta turned his head to the side, not wanting her to see him so vulnerable. "If anyone in this family will be blamed it will be me, not you. So you are to stop this at once."

Even though she knew that her father would probably find it awkward and uncomfortable, she ran up and hugged him as she cried into his chest. She had been wanting her father's comfort ever since she saw her mother floating in the tank. She needed his strength more than anyone's.

Vegeta hesitantly hugged his daughter back. He soothingly rubbed her back as he saw Bulma do many times when their daughter was upset. He was not a nurturing man and he would never be one. This was Bulma's job. A job she wasn't capable of doing anymore…for his children or for himself.

"Please let them wish her back." Bra whispered.

Vegeta shook his head and stepped back. "I can't-"

"Daddy please?" She whined.

"Don't you see that I can't? If this goes wrong which it very well could we will have nothing! There will be nothing left but a casket inside of a very large tomb with her name engraved on a plaque. I'll never see her again and I...I can't do that. They can make their wish but she stays. That's final."

Bra squared her shoulders and with a fearful future said, "If you don't do this I'll never forgive you."

It was like a cold slap went across his face. He never imagined his daughter would say such things to him. He narrowed his eyes in hurtful anger. "You'll get over it in time."

Bra had heard enough. She turned on her heels and ran out the room not giving her father another glance. She saw Trunks standing next to Kakarot and he looked like he was about to say something but she just shook her head and went on her way not wanting to say anything else. All she could do was pray, pray that her brother would do a better job than she did.

Trunks watched his sister practically run away in a mood he had never seen before. But if anyone could cause such a mood it would be his father. He braced himself as he stepped into the lab.

"If you've come to petition your mother's death warrant I suggest you leave. I am not in the mood."

'Right from the start. This is going to be harder than I thought.'

Trunks ignored his father's statement and walked up next to him and looked at his mother's floating body. She looked like a pale ghost floating in the tank. He observed her for a while as he tried to gather his thoughts on what to say to his dad.

"You know it took me calling Kakarot 'Daddy' in order for Mom to give in and show me a picture of you." Trunks watched his father out the corner of his eye. He didn't move, only kept staring at his mother. Trunks cleared his throat and went on. "She said it was because she was too afraid of me asking too many questions and eventually uncovering the truth but I realized it was because she didn't want to face the truth herself...the truth that she had questions of her own."

"And the moral of your story is?" Vegeta snapped.

'Ok, here we go…'

Trunks fully turned to face his father's profile. "Sometimes…sometimes you have to let go in order get what you want."

"Trunks-"

"I know. But if this works she'll be back."

"And if it doesn't?" Vegeta snapped again as he turned around to his son.

Trunks stared at his father; searching his eyes, and was surprised at what he found. All this time he had thought his dad was just being selfish and stubborn. But as he looked into his eyes he now knew that his father was actually afraid. Even with everyone around him he was afraid of truly being alone. All his father ever wanted was his mother. And he was holding onto whatever he could get. Trunks knew the feeling all too well. He had felt so alone as a child and then everything changed when he won that tournament and his parents got together. Perhaps it was the same with his father. Perhaps they were more alike than either originally had thought.

Trunks gave his father a determined look and said, "If it doesn't work then you would still have to say goodbye either way."

Vegeta turned away from his son at that. That's not what he wanted to hear. He didn't think he could ever say goodbye...not to her.

Trunks feeling a bit desperate now continued on. "Dad, Mom wouldn't want this for you. You know she wouldn't. The last thing she would ever want is for you to be locked away in a room holding on to a shell of her former self. But there's a chance that she can come back and be with you. Isn't that better than holding onto a body?"

Vegeta winced as he looked at his wife...or what used to be his wife. Did he really want to keep her this way? The things that made him crazy about Bulma weren't even there anymore. He couldn't see that fire blazing in her eyes or hear her defiant and clever voice. And he couldn't smell her wonderful scent that drove him to want to be around her as much as he could. She couldn't touch him and give him that smile that always made him feel like a king even when he was a prince. As Trunks' words settled in he hung his head as he realized...

This wasn't his Bulma. And there was only one possible way of getting her back.

"Tell them."

Trunks blinked. "You mean-"

"Hurry before I change my mind." Vegeta whispered.

Trunks knew how hard that was for him to say. "Dad-"

"GO!" Vegeta screamed as he closed his eyes and argued with his pride that this was indeed the right thing to do. Trunks silently nodded and ran out the room.

Vegeta heard the door hiss shut and looked back up at his wife and reached for the controls. His fingers shook with the deepest fear he had ever felt in his entire life. He pushed it back and pressed down on the release button. He heard the beep of confirmation that the tank was about to be drained and he thought it was the worst sound he had ever heard as he watched the liquid drain out of his wife's tank. She stopped floating and her body slumped down and the hatch opened. Vegeta slowly stepped forward and gathered her in his arms. With tears he hadn't known he was shedding he reached down and pulled the mask from her body and pulled her out. He kneeled on the ground and draped her body across his lap. He tried not to pay attention to the slow beating of her heart and focused on moving the wet strands of hair from her face. By the time the small task was done he knew that she was already dead. He buried his head into the crook of her neck and sobbed once as he realized he couldn't sense her energy. Her scent wasn't the same, probably from being in the tank for so long or perhaps because there was no life to it, but he wanted so badly for it to be the same. He wanted her to wrap her arms around him and smile at him with her eyes like she did every day.

He knew that he was being emotional but he didn't care. After all, how else were you supposed to react when your obsession suddenly died?

"Woman...if you don't come back to me...then I will never forgive myself for not trusting my instincts and locking you up in your room. I should have never...I should never have let you...I'm sorry Bulma. I should have protected you. I knew he would hurt you. I knew he was capable of it and I did nothing. I'm so sorry."

Earth

Kakarot appeared before Bardock and nodded to him. "We're ready."

Bardock gave a sigh of relief. 'I guess miracles do happen.'

Bardock outstretched his hands over the balls and inhaled then exhaled as he shouted, "Shenron rise!"

Energy like a powerful beam shot out the balls as a huge dragon came out of it. Both of the Saiyan men were in awe of the powerful creature. And both were surprised that it actually worked.

The dragon opened his mouth and boomed out, "Make your wish."

Bardock took a shaky breath then prayed to the God of the Universe that this would work. "We wish back everyone that died because of Turles and Able, but only those that were loyal to the house of Vegeta."

"It shall be done."

On Vegeta

Vegeta was holding on tight to Bulma's body. He was waiting for either one of two things to happen; either she would wake up or Bardock would appear before him apologizing for his failed dreams. If the latter happened he would blast Bardock into oblivion.

He looked back down to his wife's pale face, hoping that she would come back to him.

'Woman, please wake up.'

Then slowly but at the same time suddenly, his hope was manifested as he felt energy being stored into her body. Bulma gasped loudly with a new breath and Vegeta could have sworn she took his away as she did so. And then her eyes opened wide in almost shock.

"Bulma." He said softly almost not believing his luck. How this woman could keep coming back to him with everything that kept happening was almost unbelievable. But then again he was cursed or extremely blessed. Depends how you look at it.

Bulma clutched onto Vegeta and her eyes darted around the room in confusion she had the wildest dream of being in a field and floating around. "What happened?"

"You're alright." He said as he held her tighter and kissed her lips. He was so happy that he rained butterfly kisses on her cheeks, lips and all over her face.

Bulma giggled and Vegeta realized how much he missed that sound. Bulma had never seen Vegeta like this and pulled away from him slightly. "Ok, you have to tell me what is going on. The last thing I remember I..." She reached her stomach as her eyes grew large. "The baby?"

Vegeta quickly placed his hand on her stomach and sighed. "The child is there."

Bulma's jaw went slack at that then she closed her mouth then opened them again as she formed words. "How is that possible? I thought for sure I lost my baby."

Vegeta couldn't stop gazing into her eyes. He had thought he would never see them again. "Bardock found these devices called dragon balls and they were able to grant wishes. We brought back everyone from the dead that were killed by Turles and Able."

"Dragon balls?" Bulma narrowed her eyes then they became large again as she recalled them. "You must mean that orange ball at capsule corp. I remember finding out about them but I thought it was just a story."

"Well it's true. And I'm glad that it is. I thought I'd never..."

Bulma could see that Vegeta was about to get choked up and she knew that he hated showing such emotions so she decided to save him from doing so. "Hey you can't get rid of me." She said as she rested her forehead against his. She placed her hands on his face and stared into his eyes. "It doesn't matter what the universe throws at us we will always be together, Vegeta. Our love is cosmic."

Vegeta snorted. "You and your corny lines."

"Oh, shut up and kiss me."

Vegeta took her lips slowly and deepened the kiss as he promised himself he would do whatever he could to never let this woman leave him again.

"Mom?"

Bulma and Vegeta broke apart as their daughter rushed over to them and fell on the floor as she cried and hugged her mother.

"I'm so glad you're alright!" Before Bulma could say anything she was hauled off the ground and out of her daughter's arms as Trunks picked her up and spun her around. He had tears in his eyes as well. He hadn't felt this happy since he won the tournament. "Mom, you're back."

Vegeta and Bra stood up as Bulma looked at her family. "I guess I am. But what happened?"

Bra was about to open her mouth when she heard…

"Bra!"

She turned to see Yarrow at the door. "Yarrow?" She took steps towards him and he was already there embracing her.

It was then that Trunks's eyes widened. "Lila?" He then turned to his mother. "Glad to see you again Mom but I have to-"

"I understand. Go to her."

Trunks nodded to his parents and left out the room. He had Lilla placed in a glass coffin. And if he knew her she would be freaking out right about now…

Meanwhile…

Kakarot, Bardock, and Ninjin all appeared in front of Vegeta and they were all ecstatic to see Bulma alive and well.

"Bulma, hey you're back!" Kakarot said as he hugged his friend for a much too long of a time to Vegeta.

"Alright that's enough, Kakarot." Vegeta chimed in as he pulled his general off his wife. He never did like their close relationship.

Bulma rolled her eyes at her husband. She could foresee the obsessive increase in her safety precautions already. But she would ignore him for now. "Come on, Bardock I know you want to!" Bulma said as she stretched out her arms.

Bardock did want to but he still had his pride. "Alright, but only because you died." He said as hugged the little girl that had been in his life for a very long time.

When Bardock pulled away Ninjin bowed to Bulma in shame. "Forgive me, your highness. If I had moved faster then perhaps-"

"I don't want to hear it, Ninjin. You did what you could, end of story. I went to that ship for my daughter and she was the priority. You got her out safe, and I thank you for that."

Ninjin was beyond relieved to hear that.

"We're all thankful." Bra said.

Ninjin turned to see her and blinked when he saw Yarrow standing with Bra. He walked over to him and outstretched his hand. "Welcome back."

"Thanks. Now that I'm back I won't be leaving again." Yarrow said said determined. As far as he was concerned he was going to be with Bra for the rest of his life.

Ninjin caught his double meaning and smirked. "I know what you mean. I don't plan on leaving either."

Bra looked back and forth between the two boys who were currently starring each other down. 'Uh-oh.'

Kakarot looked around the room and raised an eyebrow as he said, "Where's Trunks?"

"He went to go see Lila." Bulma said smiling.

Ninjin's eyes bucked and he ran out the room without a word. Bulma instantly became worried. "Is something wrong?"

Bardock sighed and said, "We only wished back those who were loyal to the House of Vegeta. There's a chance that she didn't come back."

Bulma's eyes became saddened for Trunks. "Oh no."

Ninjin ran down the halls until he got to the room where he knew Trunks would be. He was slowly getting deja-vu and knew that it would not be a pleasant scene when he opened that door. He opened it none the less and saw his friend shedding tears over his fiancé's body.

Trunks looked up at him and then back down. "She won't wake up. I don't understand."

Ninjin looked at the floor and closed his eyes as he was about to destroy his friend's resolve. "My grandfather only wished for those who were loyal to the House of Vegeta to be restored. I'm sorry Trunks." He said as he opened his eyes.

In a flash Trunks pushed Ninjin against the wall. "Why would you guys do that?" He yelled. "She didn't have a chance. She didn't know! Able tricked her. She doesn't deserve this!" He said as he slowly let his friend go and slid to the floor absolutely defeated. He had been filled with such hope that he would hold her again, but all that faded quickly as reality gutted his insides and clawed at his belly. She died believing him to be a traitor and a liar. She died believing her love was one sided.

Trunks sobbed into the palms of his hands as he said out loud, "She didn't know the truth…"

Months Later…

It took some time but things were starting turn around. With the help of Bardock and her Father, Bulma was able to get out actual proof of Able and Turles' crimes and broadcast it across the universe. With most of the traitors dying and all the loyalists being wished back because of the Dragon Balls, people everywhere were learning to trust the Empire.

Some planets were still upset about the kill switches which Vegeta didn't want to reveal was true, but Bulma had assured him that the best way to move forward was to be as honest as possible. Most were angry even though it was the former King's idea, but even without the Kill Switches the Saiyans were still very capable of doing the job. And the planets knew that. Some planets rebelled against the Empire all together and demanded to be separated. Vegeta wanted to destroy them but Bulma talked him out of it, saying that there had been enough blood shed. So Vegeta said that they could be separated but that meant no trading or help from the Empire as well. About half of those planets came back after realizing that they would lose their benefits. Vegeta was still angry about the rebellious planets but Bulma kept reassuring Vegeta that the people would appreciate his honesty and mercy in the end.

The queen being pregnant also brought about a new change and new hope. People were already welcoming the new child and saying that the babe was bringing a new beginning to the universe.

Everyone was moving forward it seemed like except for Trunks. After months of depression Vegeta had finally had enough. His son had blown off half his responsibilities and he was done 'playing nice'.

Bulma and Vegeta had sat down for dinner waiting for their son to come in. Bra was going to have a dinner with Ninjin and Yarrow that night so she wouldn't be joining them. Bulma was trying her best to sooth Vegeta as she could feel a storm coming.

"Vegeta, I still think it's too soon."

"I've heard you for the past couple months and this ends tonight." He seethed.

Bulma sighed as she watched her son come in and bow to his parents. Both of them nodded and before Trunks could fully sit down Vegeta started.

"You need to get a hold of yourself." He snapped at his son.

Trunks blinked at his father then rolled his eyes as he caught on to what he was saying. "I know I have been slacking-"

"Slacking hardly describes it!" Vegeta yelled.

Bulma rolled her eyes and rubbed her swollen belly. "Vegeta, let the boy speak."

Vegeta ignored her and continued. "I know you are still upset about Lila-"

Trunks was ready to push himself away from the table. He was not in the mood to hear a lecture from his father about moving on when it took everyone to convince him to do so. His mother would still be floating in a tank if he had his way. Trunks was about get up when Vegeta grabbed his arm.

"Sit back down or I swear you will regret it." Vegeta seethed out.

Trunks sat back down and crossed his arms as he said in his own defiant way, 'continue'.

Vegeta cleared his throat. "I know you have gone through something terrible but we all have. And to be honest the girl was not the one."

"Vegeta!" Bulma gasped.

Trunks snapped his head up at that. "You don't anything about her!" Trunks yelled.

Bulma saw how emotional Trunks was about to get and touched Vegeta on his shoulder. "Vegeta, it's too soon." She warned.

Vegeta ignored the both of them. "Better now than dragging it out. Look if she really cared for you as much as you did for her she never would have killed herself in the first place or accused you of killing her people. I've done a lot of evil stuff in my day, but your mother always came crawling back."

"I was chased down and tackled is more like it." Bulma said as she crossed her arms and glared at her husband.

Vegeta ignored his wife and continued. "The point is, is that you don't give up. You need to find someone that won't give up on you. This life is hard and you're lucky if it gets better. So you need to find someone that will appreciate that luck and stick it out for the rest. You're a prince that will be a king someday. You need to find a queen, not a princess." He said narrowing his eyes.

Trunks took in his father's words and even though he thought some of it was uncalled for, he understood what he was saying.

"Your father has a point." Bulma added. "I know that there were times where I wanted to give up, but he pulled me back in." She said smiling at him. "Our love is so furious that we burn each other out."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. As her pregnancy went on, so did her corny lines. But he put up with them as long as it led to some love making later on. "Do you get it boy?"

"Yes, Father, I do. Thank you both." Trunks said as he scooted away from the table and bowed to his parents. He lost his appetite and was in some need of some fresh air.

Meanwhile…

Bra was in heaven.

She had two gorgeous men completely in love with her. And she was totally going to milk it for the next four years.

Yarrow and Ninjin were glaring at each other from across the table. Yarrow had thought he was the only one left in Bra's life. He didn't think that Ninjin would actually be competition but he proved to be wrong. He saw the way that Bra looked at Ninjin and was completely jealous. His father, who was also resurrected, told him to be patient, but what he really wanted to do was knock Ninjin out.

Ninjin smirked at Yarrow. "So how's the Super Saiyan training going?"

Yarrow sneered at Ninjin. He knew that he was trying to get under skin. "My training sessions are always great. You should stop by one day. You might learn something."

Bra grinned at what was about to transpire. She loved seeing her boys fight over her. It made her feel like…a queen.

Ninjin dropped his smirk as Yarrow plastered his own. "I'm a Super Saiyan. What could you possibly teach me?"

"Power and strength is nothing if you don't have great skill."

"Is that a challenge?" Ninjin asked standing up ready to fight.

Yarrow stood up as well. "It is!"

Bra busted into a fit of laughter and the two boys turned to her. "If the two of you don't learn to play nice then it's going to be a long 4 years." She said wiggling her eyebrows.

Ninjin then growled out, "Well, there wouldn't be any waiting at all if you tell him that you love me already!"

Yarrow glared at Ninjin then turned to Bra. "Princess, will you please put this madman in his place and tell him to go away. Everyone here knows that I have always been faithful to you."

Bra tilted her head to the side as if she was thinking really hard. "Yes, but who is to say what could happen in four years. I could grow tire of the both of you." She ended by popping a chocolate covered strawberry in her mouth. Both of the boys were appalled at her words and went back to glaring at each other. Bra just smiled at the display.

'Yep the next couple years are going to be so good.'

Elsewhere…

Trunks needed to clear his head. His parent's words were ringing in his head and he needed to think. He was torn because he knew that he loved Lila but he also knew that his parents weren't really lying. But regardless of rather or not things could have worked out between them, he still wanted her and her family to be alive. She didn't deserve to die over this.

He sighed heavily and flew to his mother's oasis. A nice relaxing dip in some hot water was definitely needed. He landed on the grass outside the pool of water and waterfall and started to take off his cape, armor, and boots. Just when he was about to strip off his pants too, he noticed some armor lying on the ground a little ways away. He looked around suspiciously and then sensed an energy coming from inside the cave. He hesitated but flew through the waterfall. He swiped his wet hair back and called out to the energy he felt.

"Who's there?"

"Hello, your highness."

Trunks narrowed his eyes as he went deeper into the cave and saw a beautiful Saiyan woman lounging in the water. He gasped when he recognized her. "Cellena?"

"It's been a long time." She said as she smirked at him.

Trunks was completely shocked. Cellena was his first girlfriend and first kiss. She was the granddaughter of one of the elders. Her mother had always bugged him about her identity but he didn't want her to make a big deal out of it especially since the girl was an elite and would be a great prospect for a future queen. He saw what went down with Bra and never had any intention of being in a similar situation. Her parents were elite soldiers but she would use her grandfather as an excuse to come and see him in the palace. He hadn't seen her since he broke up with her.

"What are you doing here?"

Cellena raised an eyebrow and looked Trunks over before speaking. "I come her quite a bit actually. It's a good place to clear your head. Are you really that surprised to see me?" She said giving him a sexy smirk.

Trunks gulped at the look she was giving him and swallowed a bit. All he could think at that moment was that he was really glad he kept his pants on. "Um…yeah I am."

"Well, you shouldn't be. You are the one that showed me this place. And by the way, you are very welcomed to join me." Cellena said as she nodded her head to a side of the cave.

Trunks hesitated a bit. He couldn't help but think it was a bit of a coincidence that the moment his parents give him a speech about moving on, he runs into Cellena. A very grown up Cellena. Trunks sat down in the hot water but he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. He didn't understand why he was. 'She's just a woman. Calm down and pull yourself together.'

Cellena looked sad for a moment. "I heard about your fiancé. I'm sorry for what happened."

Trunks nodded. "Thank you."

There was an awkward silence after that until Cellena smiled at him and said, "You fought very well during the battle."

Trunks cocked his head to the side at that. "You saw me?"

Cellena nodded. "I'm an elite soldier. I was there. Seeing you and your father fight like you did was inspiring. And that sword of yours was pretty fancy too."

Trunks couldn't help but smile as he re-called his energy sword he created during the battle at Kusatta. "Yeah that was pretty cool."

"You were always cool. I mean you are always cool." Cellena said blushing.

Trunks noticed her blush and couldn't help but have one of his own. As he looked at the gorgeous woman to his right he couldn't help but think that maybe his parents were right. Perhaps it was time to move on…

1 Year Since the Dragon Balls Were Used

Vegeta looked out over the balcony at Capsule Corp into the city. He couldn't see why his wife and Kakarot were so found of this mud ball.

"Are you going to stand out there all day? You said this was my vacation and ever since we got here all you've done is chill out on the balcony."

Vegeta turned around to see his wife in their new room holding their almost 3 month old baby in her arms. Vegeta smirked as he looked at his second born son. He finally got his Vegeta Jr. He looked just like him too; hair and all. The only difference was that just like his other children; the boy had his mother's blue eyes. Vegeta walked over to them and crossed his arms.

"Woman this is only our second day."

"Yes well you could have gone to the beach with me and our children."

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Yes I completely missed out on seeing those two idiot boys fawn over my daughter while she wears little to no clothing. It's disgusting."

"Vegeta, if you're not going to complain about my swim suits then you can't complain about Bra's. This is Earth. Not Vegeta."

"Don't remind me." He said as he looked back out to the sky.

Bulma walked over to a crib that she had placed in her room and laid her baby down for a much needed nap. He had a lot of fun at the beach and he was worn out. she couldn't help but smile at her baby boy. She then turned and walked over to her husband. He was leaning against the entrance way to the balcony and Bulma huffed as she placed her hands on her hips. "Alright. What's going on?"

Vegeta's eyes widened then narrowed as he turned his attention to his wife. "What are you talking about?"

"You're up to something. You were the one that suggested this little trip. Saying you wanted to please me and also give Trunks and Cellena a go at running things. Which I'm not entirely sure was a good idea. There is just something about that girl that I love and hate about her at the same time." Bulma said as she lost her train of thought.

Vegeta snorted at that. "You love that she's just like you and hate that she stole your son away from you."

Bulma frowned at her husband. Ever since Trunks married Cellena two weeks ago, Vegeta had been accusing her of being jealous of not having her son's full attention. "For the last time I am not upset about Trunks mating Cellena!" She seethed out.

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "Right, because you loved the girl before they were mated but as soon as they walked down the aisle-"

"Oh whatever we're getting off track. The point is, is that ever since we got here it's like you've been waiting for something. Now tell me what's going on."

Vegeta looked at her for a while then sighed. "Do you trust me?"

Bulma was not expecting that. "What?"

Vegeta stepped closer to his wife and whispered as gently as possible. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes. Of course I do."

"And you love me? You will love me forever?" Vegeta asked sincerely.

Bulma definitely wasn't expecting that. "Vegeta, you're scaring me."

"Just answer the question, Woman."

"You already know the answer. I'll always love you, Vegeta, no matter what."

Vegeta stared into her eyes for a while then leaned into kiss her passionately. Bulma kissed him back with just as much passion and she suddenly wished she hadn't just laid her baby down a few feet away from the bed. Vegeta wrapped his arms around her waste bringing her closer to him. Bulma sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. Just when Bulma had thought Vegeta was going to take things up another notch he pulled away from her and stared into her smoldering eyes.

"I'm going to go put your answer to the test. You might be angry with me at first but with time you will forgive me. Now, I must go."

And before Bulma could ask another question Vegeta levitated into the air and was gone. The wind had picked and she was left reaching out to him with her hair blowing back. She touched her lips and wondered about his odd behavior.

'What in the world was he talking about?'

Bulma's mind began to swim around different theories as to why he would ask such things. All of them led to him doing something stupid. 'Think Bulma…what else is here on the planet that he could be…'

She gasped out loud as realization slapped her in the face. "God of the Universe what is he about to do?"

On a Desolate part of Earth

Vegeta landed on the ground with pure confidence in what he was about to do. After Bulma came back to life he made up his mind that he was never going to let someone he loved be taken away from him again. And he was not going to put any of them through that same torture with him dying either. Twice he had thought he lost her forever and it wasn't going to happen a third time either. It was the worst feeling in the world and he refused to experience it anymore. He was King of the universe and he wasn't going to even let death stand in his way.

"I was starting to think that you were never going to contact me. Bulma knows that something is up."

Bardock rolled his eyes and uncapsuled the six glowing balls that he already had collected. "Of course she is. I still can't help but think that perhaps this is a bad idea. I mean putting up with the two of you for all eternity is a bit crazy."

Vegeta knew that Bardock was joking but he narrowed his eyes anyways. "I'm going to make this clear. Whether you would have had a vision or not, I would still be doing this with or without you. It is only because of your help that I won't mind letting you make your wish next year."

He didn't tell anyone else but he had a vision of him and Vegeta coming back a year later and making another wish. But it was the wish itself that made them both keep it a secret. But he knew that once Vegeta saw the power of the dragon and what it could do, he knew that he would be making this wish regardless. At least with getting involved his family could keep an eye on Vegeta's.

Bardock nodded to Vegeta. "I'm not backing out of our deal. I told you about the vision; I just expect our bargain to be held come next year."

Vegeta reached into his armor and pulled out a capsule. "My family this year and your family next year." He then uncapsuled the dragon ball that he kept on his person. Once he realized the dragon balls worked he wanted one for himself. Bardock gave it to him knowing that they would eventually use them and also so that no one else could use them either.

Vegeta placed the dragon ball down and watched all 7 of the magical orbs glow. His eyes almost glowed with them as if he was soaking up the power for himself. Bardock raised a brow at Vegeta once again questioning if what they were about to do was the right thing to do. After all, he knew that once everyone found out the truth, they would all be ticked off. This was a big decision that they were making for everyone.

"Shenron! Arise!"

The dragon rose from the balls greatly and massively into the sky, emitting a power and energy that was unmatched by anyone or anything. It was truly a magnificent thing to behold.

As the dragon peered down at Vegeta he said, "Make your wish."

Vegeta smirked at the Dragon. Now he and his family would never die. He felt like he truly was going to have everything now after he made this wish. Of course his children would feel indifferent and Bulma would be mad but they all would eventually get over it. After all, who wouldn't want to be immortal?

THE END

Authors Note: Well I hope you all enjoyed my story. It's been a long ride. I might do a one shot later on so you can see which boy Bra chooses. Why did I end it like that? Because I thought it would be in Vegeta's character. His obsession was Bulma; he had almost lost her twice. So of course he would use the dragon balls for her and also for his own selfish reasons. I think it was the most in character thing I did with Vegeta.

Just to clarify some things though, Ninjin is Goten not Gohan. I didn't put Gohan in the story because the story is mainly about Bulma and Vegeta and their family. Gohan was a mentor to Trunks but I didn't need him because Goku was the mentor in my story. Plus my least favorite characters in all of DBZ are Gohan, Videl and Pan. So you more than likely won't ever see those characters in my stories. Plus Goten and Trunks have a very good friendship that I wanted to explore.

I took a lot of inspiration from writing this story from the Bible. Cosmic Love was more about David becoming King while Cosmic Love 2 was more about David's children. I came up with the whole concept of both the stories because I really like the story of how God was so pleased with David's son and heir, Solomon, that he asked him what he wanted. And instead of asking God for riches he asked for wisdom instead. So I thought, 'Hey that would be a good story if Trunks was placed in that position but instead of wisdom he asked for honor.' And Able was actually taken from two biblical stories, Cain and Able being the obvious one, and lucky for me the letters in Able are still in the word 'Vegetable' even though it was Cain who killed Able, but you still get the hint of the tragic story of the two brothers. And the other story is Amnon, Solomon's half-brother. Amnon was actually King David's first born and heir and he became infatuated with his half-sister, Tamar, so much so that he raped her. Amnon was later killed by Tamar's full blooded brother because of his actions. That was one of the most drama filled stories in the Bible so I wanted to create this character based off of Amnon. But I wasn't going to have Able rape Bra. That would have been too much.

And I had thought about this story almost two years ago, but it wasn't until I heard Florence and the Machine's Cosmic Love that I felt inspired to write. Music is always a great gateway to working. At least that's what I think.

Lastly I really want to thank each and every single one of you that has read this story and left reviews. Especially the ones that leave reviews. Because that really encouraged me to write more. And you guys have actually encouraged me to write period. I have been writing songs for years and I never really thought about writing books, but if this many people like my work then perhaps it is something that I can pursue. And I read every single comment and I also noticed who had been with me on this journey since the very first chapter of Cosmic Love and I really appreciate your support. You have supported me in ways that you don't even know. You all have made my dreams expand and I appreciate you greatly.

Thank you so much,

Katrina Barr aka Katrina GG