Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Ball Z, but I love to watch the show! Vegeta's is the best!

Author's Note: I am putting the saiyans and Planet Vegeta a little out of character, but I hope you still like the story. And I know the saiyan queen's name ended up Queen Victoria, I didn't realize I did it until after I named the character. If you haven't read "Is There Life?", then after you read this, I suggest you read my other fanfics. If they are Dragon Ball Z, they probably tie together. Look at the summaries. If it says "Is There Life?" at the beginning, then they tie together. I plan on working them this way: "Is There Life?" is the main story, not really focusing on any one or two particular characters. It is based at the end of Majin Buu and beyond. The other stories are like prequels, telling a character's story from a certain point to a certain point. For example, this story tells of Vegeta, from his childhood on Planet Vegeta to the point where he finally finds his home. I hope you read all of the ones which go together. Enjoy!

In Search for Home

Chapter 1: A Prince is Born

Victoria sat on the bench in front of the large window of her room. She looked out over the beautiful landscape of the Planet Vegeta. A year ago she was just a countess among the saiyan race, but she had been chosen by King Vegeta to be his wife. Now she was queen and awaiting the birth of their first child, the heir to the saiyan throne. "It's a beautiful view, your majesty," Mikal said. Mikal was one of Victoria's ladies-in-waiting, but she was also Victoria's best friend.

"Yes," Victoria replied as Mikal sat down next to her. Victoria smiled at Mikal. As countesses, they had grown up together; now, they were going to be mothers together. They both looked out the window, watching as the warriors trained. Even though they should be happy, Victoria and Mikal were worried. The saiyan race had been held captive by the evil tyrant Frieza for nearly ten years now. The saiyans lived day to day, never knowing which day would be their last or if they would loose their loved ones. Victoria felt the threat even more as her husband was king and their child would be the heir. Any of the three of them could be taken by Frieza at any time. Victoria flinched as she felt her child move; she would give birth within the next few days.

"Are you alright?" Mikal asked as she watched Victoria stand and begin to pace the room. Mikal rested her hand atop her own child; both her and Victoria would give birth soon.

Victoria stopped and smiled at Mikal. A few weeks before, Victoria had ordered the rest of her ladies-in-waiting from her service temporarily. Her ladies-in-waiting had hovered over her, watching her every move and jumping at the slightest sign of movement from her child. Victoria knew they meant well, but she couldn't stand it. Mikal had been the only one who let Victoria be and she was Victoria's best friend, so Victoria allowed Mikal to stay by her side. "The baby is restless. I think he is as ready to be born as Vegeta and I are for him to be born," Victoria said as she felt a small, but sharp pain run through her body. She was young and unsure of what her childbirth would be like.

Mikal watched her friend as Victoria waited for the pain to pass. Mikal walked over and placed a hand on Victoria's shoulder. "Victoria?" Mikal asked; she was worried.

"It's okay, Mikal. Help me lie down," Victoria said. Mikal nodded and helped Victoria lay down on the bed. Victoria laid her head back on her pillow and closed her eyes as another small pain hit. Mikal sat on the edge of the bed and held Victoria's hand. "I think it's time, Mikal," Victoria said softly after the tension left her body.

Mikal smiled; they had agreed long before they were ever married they would be there for the other's childbirth. "Do you want me to send the order?" Mikal asked. The king would be at the birth; he would deliver his own child. Mikal was to send for him if he was away when the child was ready to be born. Victoria nodded and Mikal stepped outside the bedroom door where two guards stood watch. She told one of them to go for King Vegeta and then returned to Victoria's side.

Shortly, King Vegeta arrived. He walked over and smiled at his wife. When he had taken her as his wife, he did so not only because it was time for him to choose a wife but also because he loved her. He gently placed his hand atop their child just as another contraction hit. He gauged the strength of the contraction and shook his head. "It's still a ways off," he said, frowning, "I wish I could stay by your side, but I can't. Frieza is on his way here. He wants an update on the Planet Necar. Hopefully, I won't be too long with him."

"It's okay, Vegeta, I understand. I'm okay right now and Mikal will stay with me. Take care of your business with Frieza," Victoria said as she held her husband's hand. They hated being at the mercy of Frieza, but they had no choice. If they did not follow his orders, he would blow up their planet. King Vegeta kissed his wife and touched Mikal on the shoulder. Then he walked out the door to go meet with Frieza.

Mikal took the small water basin next to the bed and filled it with cold water. She sat in back on its stand and draped a soft cloth over the side; she would need them later. If King Vegeta did not return in time, Mikal would deliver Victoria's child, as all saiyan nobility and royalty knew medicine. Victoria lay with her eyes closed. She would relax as long as possible before her child was born. Mikal carefully sat back down next to her queen and friend; it would be a long day.

King Vegeta sat anxiously in the great hall of his palace. He was waiting for Frieza, but his mind was elsewhere. He regretted not being able to be with Victoria during her entire labor. He did not even have any guarantee he would be there for the birth. He prayed the meeting with Frieza would be short. He stood and walked to the window. Outside, warriors were preparing to go to Necar. The planet was in a critical position for Frieza's take over of the universe. He used the saiyans, a strong, warrior race, to seize planets for him. The saiyans had been warring on Necar for three weeks now, but the Necarians were a strong race too. However, it would not stop the saiyans; the full moon on Necar was in two days. At that time, the saiyans could transform and lay siege of Necar. "Sire, is everything all right?" Recknee asked his king. Recknee was King Vegeta's top advisor and Mikal's husband, but more than this, he was the king's best friend.

"It's Victoria. She is in labor," King Vegeta whispered. Only a very select few knew the queen would soon give birth. They feared if Frieza knew the heir to the saiyan throne was about to be born, he would take the child at birth. Recknee knew what it meant. King Vegeta had to appear calm when he met with Frieza or the secret would be uncovered. Recknee placed a hand on his friend's shoulder to let King Vegeta know he understood and he would do all he could to help the king pull off the guise in front of Frieza.

Victoria grasped the sheet covering her as another contraction hit. She struggled against the pain; the contractions were getting harder, longer, and closer together. Mikal dipped the cloth in the water and gently wiped Victoria's face. There was little Mikal could do but try to keep Victoria as comfortable as possible. Victoria relaxed as the contraction ended. She struggled to catch her breath, trying to regain a little of her strength before the next contraction hit.

"Hang in there, Victoria, you're doing great," Mikal encouraged her friend, but she was also worried. She hoped King Vegeta would be able to make it back in time for his child's birth. Mikal gently placed her hand on Victoria's child as another contraction hit Victoria.

"Yes, Lord Frieza," King Vegeta said, kneeling in front of the tyrant, "Necar will be yours. We are sending more warriors there as we speak. We will have the planet in two days, when the Necarian full moon occurs."

"Very well, you better deliver it to me soon, Vegeta, or your race will pay the consequences," Frieza said, standing. If it weren't for the saiyans' great strength and strategically genius, he would have destroyed the planet already. But the truth was, he needed the saiyans to conquer planets for him.

"Yes, Lord Frieza," King Vegeta said, bowing. Frieza looked down upon the saiyan and then transported himself back to his ship. King Vegeta and Recknee exchanged glances; they had been able to hide their concern for the queen from Frieza. They both stood and ran to the room where Victoria lay in labor, praying they were not too late.

Victoria felt weak; she didn't know how much longer she could go on. The contractions were almost constant, but she was still a long way off from having her child. Victoria struggled to catch her breath, tears of pain and fear streaming down her face. She constantly said King Vegeta's name, wishing for her husband to be at her side.

Mikal stayed by Victoria's side, but she felt helpless. There was nothing she could do now until the child came, if she could even help. With her own child due at anytime, Mikal would not be able to do much for Victoria. Just as Mikal debated asking the guards how the meeting with Frieza was going, King Vegeta and Recknee ran in the room. Victoria opened her eyes at the sound of the door. She was overjoyed to see her husband; he would get to deliver their child. Recknee took a place at the queen's side, across from his wife. He should not have been at the birth, but the king and queen were his and his wife's best friends; he was there for them. King Vegeta sat in front of his wife and smiled. She offered him a weak smile as he gently placed his hands on her. As she laid her head back on the pillow, he gave her a small bit of his ki. They all knew it would be quite a while before the child was born; until then, they had to keep Victoria calm and quiet.

Mikal once again wiped Victoria's face with the cold, damp cloth. Victoria turned her head and faced her friend. She took Mikal's hand and gently squeezed it. Victoria was glad her best friend was there. Mikal looked down and weakly smiled at Victoria. Recknee leaned over and gently placed his hand atop Mikal's; this was a special moment for King Vegeta and Queen Victoria and they were getting to share in it. Recknee and Mikal smiled at each other and then looked at their friends.

After receiving King Vegeta's ki, Victoria relaxed, her strength renewed and the pain easier to bear, but she was now worried about Mikal. Mikal and Recknee were married on the same day she and King Vegeta were and both of their children were due on this very day. Despite her own pain, Victoria had been watching her best friend. Several times, Victoria had seen Mikal stop and grasp the nearest wall or piece of furniture for support and now, as Victoria still held Mikal's hand, Mikal grasped tight. "Mikal," Victoria said softly, trying to save her own strength, "Are you okay?"

Recknee and King Vegeta turned to Mikal, who was now crying. For the sake of her friend, Mikal had tried to hide the pain she was in, but in truth, she, too, was about to give birth. Victoria braced herself on her arms and, with help from Recknee, moved over on the bed. She took hold of Mikal's hand once again and smiled. King Vegeta stood, and gently picked up Mikal, laying her on the bed next to Victoria. Recknee walked around the bed to be next to his wife. King Vegeta and Recknee smiled at each other and then their wives; the four saiyans had grown up together as friends, married on the same day, and now, truly were going to be parents together. Mikal and Victoria grasped each other's hand, preparing for the birth of their children.

Within a few minutes, Mikal felt her child move, ready to be born. She grasped tight to Victoria's hand and to the edge of the bed. Just a few seconds later, Recknee was holding their child, a baby girl. Recknee wrapped her in a blanket and handed her to Mikal. They all smiled at the tiny girl and then Victoria laid her head back and closed her eyes. Her contractions had slowed down; she still had a ways to go. Mikal gently took Victoria's hand in hers; she may have her child, but she wasn't going to leave until they both did. Victoria glanced at Mikal and smiled; she understood.

Several hours past and Victoria still hadn't given birth. King Vegeta and Recknee had long since taken residence in chairs at the side of the bed. Recknee held his daughter, Vichell, in his arms as Mikal lay sleeping. Victoria relaxed as best she could, being careful not to wake her sleeping friend. Mikal wanted to be there for Victoria, but after a while, she could not keep her eyes open. Recknee, Victoria, and King Vegeta finally convinced her to rest; they would wake her up when it was time. Victoria braced herself as yet another contraction took hold of her body. King Vegeta held her hand through it, powerless to help her as he had already given her an immense amount of his own energy. "That's it, Victoria, just hang in there," King Vegeta said as he brushed a stray hair out of Victoria's face. Recknee looked on; it seemed unfair they already had their child while Victoria was still struggling to have hers and King Vegeta's.

Mikal woke up, sensing something coming. She turned her head to face Victoria just as a strong contraction hit Victoria. Mikal took Victoria's hand in hers just as Victoria realized it was time. "Vegeta..." Victoria said breathless. Just a minute later, King Vegeta was holding their child, a son. Victoria looked at her husband and son and then collapsed; she was exhausted.

King Vegeta wrapped his son in a blanket. Recknee agreed to sit in the room with Mikal and Victoria as King Vegeta presented the newest royal to the warriors. King Vegeta walked out of the room and to the grounds where the warriors were training. At the sight of their king, the saiyans stopped what they were doing and dropped to their knees. "Spread the news among the land. Today is born my son...Prince Vegeta!" King Vegeta exclaimed as he raised his son high for the warriors to see. The warriors jumped to their feet, shouting hoorays and rejoicing the birth of their prince.

Three days later, Victoria and Mikal had regained their strength and were preparing for the celebration of Prince Vegeta's birth to take place beginning that night. Saiyans from all over the planet were gathering at the royal city for the celebration which would last for days. Prince Vegeta was the first royal born in many years and it was believed the prince would become the next super saiyan. Finally there would be a saiyan who could free them from Frieza. The combination of the two events was cause for great celebration.

"I can't believe this is happening, your majesty," Mikal said as she walked into Victoria's bedroom with Vichell. Mikal walked over and laid Vichell in the bassinet next to Prince Vegeta. Growing up, they never imagined one of them would be queen or would be celebrating the birth of the prince and their hopeful freedom from Frieza.

"It is amazing, isn't it, Mikal? Can you hand me the cape? Sometimes it is too much hassle to dress up for these ceremonies," Victoria said as she put on the final pieces of her outfit. Her dress was velvet red, covered in beads, and swept elegantly as she moved across the floor. The cape was gold and nicely accented her dress.

Mikal picked up the delicate tiara and placed it on Victoria's head. Mikal hugged her friend and whispered, "You look beautiful, Victoria." Mikal never dared to call Victoria by her name out loud if the other ladies-in-waiting were around, as they were now. If Mikal was caught not referring to Victoria by her proper title, she could be imprisoned or even executed, even though they were best friends.

"Thank you, Mikal," Victoria replied. She wished Mikal didn't have to be so formal, but it was expected of her. The other ladies-in-waiting already hated Mikal because Victoria favored her; if Mikal made a mistake even once, they would make sure she was removed from her position or worse.

"Mikal! How dare you! Never shall a countess be allowed to be this near to the prince!" one of the other ladies-in-waiting chastised as she noticed Vichell lying in the bassinet with Prince Vegeta. The others were appalled Mikal would even dare to lay Vichell next to the prince.

"You will not touch Vichell!" Victoria ordered as the others were about to move Vichell. Victoria walked over to the bassinet and gently lifted Vichell into her arms. "You will not chastise Mikal for such a miniscule event again! Recknee, Mikal, King Vegeta, and I grew up in this castle together and so shall Vichell and Vegeta!"

"Thank you, your majesty, but they are right, I should not have laid Vichell next to the prince. If you would please excuse me, I will finish preparing Vichell and myself in my room," Mikal said as she took Vichell from Victoria and bowed. She turned and left the room with tears in her eyes. The other ladies-in-waiting were happy to see Mikal finally get what was due her.

Victoria was appalled. She hated seeing her friend hurting. Victoria didn't care if she was queen or not, Mikal did not deserve this treatment. Victoria picked up her son and his clothes. "Listen to me, all of you," she told her ladies-in-waiting sternly, "I do not care what you do until the celebration begins. You may stay here. You may go to your own rooms. What you may not do is follow me." Victoria left her room, leaving her ladies-in-waiting speechless.

Victoria walked down the hall to Mikal's room. She quietly opened the door and saw Mikal crying, sitting on the floor with Vichell in her arms. Victoria closed the door, walked over, and sat on the floor in front of Mikal. She laid Prince Vegeta on the floor and then took Vichell from Mikal and laid her next to Prince Vegeta. Mikal looked at Victoria, perplexed. Even if they were best friends, the other ladies-in-waiting were right; she had been out of line. "They had no right to chastise you, Mikal. I am the only one who has that right, and for laying Vichell next to Vegeta, I never would. We are friends and our children will, hopefully, grow up together. I would love nothing more than if, when Vegeta comes of age to choose a wife, he chooses Vichell. If they don't grow up together, how will it to happen? But regardless of what happens, I hope they will be friends, as we are," Victoria said as she took Mikal's hands in her own. Mikal looked at her friend through tear-filled eyes and hugged her; Mikal knew Victoria was right. "Now, come on, let's get those two ready for the celebration," Victoria said. Mikal nodded and wiped her eyes as they dressed Vichell and Prince Vegeta.

A few hours later, all the saiyans were gathered in the royal city. All of those who resided in the castle, the top warriors and the queen's ladies-in-waiting, sat at the head table, awaiting the arrival of the king, queen, and prince. Only Recknee, Mikal, and Vichell were not present. They had been asked by King Vegeta and Victoria to accompany them to the celebration. Shortly, they arrived and they saiyans all knelt in the presence of their king, queen, and prince. Victoria, with Prince Vegeta, Recknee, and Mikal with Vichell sat at their places and the other saiyans followed suit as King Vegeta walked to the podium to address his people.

"Today, we celebrate a great event, the birth of my son, Prince Vegeta," King Vegeta said as a great cheer erupted from the saiyan. King Vegeta held his hand up to silence the crowd. "As great as this event is, I ask you to join me in even another celebration. As they have taken the throne, each king of the saiyan race has chosen an honorary prince and princess to take the throne if something should happen to the royal family. As of yet, I had not chosen my honorary prince and princess, but today, as we celebrate Prince Vegeta's birth, I ask you also to recognize your honorary prince and princess. After careful deliberation and discussion with my wife, Queen Victoria, we have chosen the couple we wish to rule if something should happen to us." At this, King Vegeta looked at Victoria. She stood, handed Prince Vegeta to Recknee, and walked over to her husband. King Vegeta took a small crown in his hands and Victoria took a small tiara in hers. Then they walked over to the main table and King Vegeta yelled so the saiyans could hear him, "We have known these two for years and trust them not only with our son, but the throne and our lives as well. Please help me to recognize Prince Recknee and Princess Mikal." King Vegeta placed the crown on Recknee as Victoria placed the tiara on Mikal and took Prince Vegeta back. Recknee and Mikal both were crying; it was a great honor to be chosen as a king's honorary prince and princess. But in addition to the honor, it also meant now Recknee and Mikal no longer had to refer to the king and queen by proper title but just simply as Vegeta and Victoria. The saiyan stood and cheered. Only Victoria's ladies-in-waiting were appalled, though they did not show it for fear of their lives; now they would have to wait on Mikal, the one none of them could stand.

The celebration was grand with large feasts and entertainment by musicians and the most skilled fighters. After ten days, all of the saiyans returned to their hometowns. A few days later, Victoria waited in her room with Mikal; she had ordered all her ladies-in-waiting to come after their morning duties around the castle. Victoria and Mikal sat on the window bench, watching Prince Vegeta and Vichell sleep in the bassinet. "They're so precious, aren't they, Victoria? It still sounds weird to be able to call you Victoria again," Mikal said; she enjoyed being able to be informal with Victoria and King Vegeta once again.

"They are," Victoria smiled as Prince Vegeta yawned and turned over on his side, falling back asleep. Slowly, the ladies-in-waiting appeared and took a seat on the floor. They had all arrived and were surprised when one more lady who served in the castle appeared. Her name was Riya, the wife of Bardock, the castle jeweler. They were third-class warriors and were not allowed to appear before the king or queen unless they were called. Why was Riya in the queen's room? "Ah, hello, Riya. Please, come in. Take a seat next to Mikal," Victoria said, standing. Riya bowed and obeyed. She smiled at Mikal as she sat down. Riya and Bardock had also grown up in the castle as friends of Recknee, Mikal, King Vegeta, and Victoria, but since they were not nobility, they did not get to spend much time with their friends. Victoria stood in the middle of the room, facing her court. The joy on her face had now been replaced by seriousness. "I am disappointed in all of you," Victoria said sternly, "The way you have behaved to Mikal since you all have come into my service is appalling. I realize I favor her, but it is because she has always been one of my best friends. The other is Riya. They are the only ones who have treated me as more than just queen but as a person as well. From this day forward, all of you are dismissed from your positions. Mikal will remain at my side as honorary princess and Riya will be our sole lady-in-waiting. If your family is staying in the castle simply because you are a lady-in-waiting, you will be expected to be out of the castle within a week. If your husband is an advisor to the king, you will be allowed to remain in the castle. You will maintain your morning duties and will be given others for the rest of the day. If you hold a title of nobility, you will be allowed to keep your title. I thank you for your services. You are now dismissed." The ladies exchanged glances but said nothing. They stood and left the room, leaving Victoria, Mikal, and Riya alone. The three saiyans sat and enjoyed the afternoon together, just as it had been before Victoria became queen.