Her mind is still messed up from the trauma and now it seems that
something strange is happening to her...

Loren awoke with a start, the image of Demar fading from her
mind. She gazed frantically about the room as she tried to remember
where she was. Scraps of unrelated memories lingered in her mind
like an overflowing recycling bin. There were things, visions from
her immediate past and possibly...dreams and fantasies from a
previous time. She tightly clutched the brightly colored blanket as
she tried to sort through her memories. She could no longer
distinguish between what was real and unreal and it disturbed her.
Ridel yawned and glanced up at her. Loren leaned forward to
pet him when the realization that she was not alone crept into her
mind. There was something inside her, she could sense it.
Something horrifically unnatural was happening within her body. She
could sense its parasitic mind; its sole intent was to use her body
as a host until it developed enough to move out on its own.
Loren slowly stood up and walked to the full-length mirror.
She gazed at her body, specifically her waist area. There was no
sign of anything out of the ordinary but she knew it was there. She
stared at her reflection, tears falling to the floor as Trunks
walked into the room. He ran up to her and placed his hands on her
bare shoulders as she continued to stare fearfully at her
reflection. He kissed her neck as he tried to calm her down.
"What is it, dear?" he asked as he wiped her eyes. She
sniffed as he moved his hands to her breasts. She cried out in pain
and Trunks drew back.
"I am SO sorry. You aren't usually so sensitive there. Now
what's wrong?"
"Everything."
"Everything?"
"Yes."
"What do you mean?"
Her entire body shook and Trunks sighed. He hated to see
her like this but he didn't know what to do. She was not in a state
of mind to explain what was wrong and his usual methods of comfort
were not working. It had something to do with the mirror, that much
he had derived from her actions but the actual problem was what he
was still unsure of.
He withdrew from the room and walked downstairs. They had
just moved into the cedar two-story house and things had been going
fine until Loren had awaken in the morning. He picked up the
telephone and began dialing. He let it ring a few times then spoke
to the person who answered it.
"No it's not Maron. Get Mom will you? Look, I don't have
time to explain. Mom? Are you busy? She's staring at her reflection
in the mirror and crying. She’s got this look of terror on her face.
I don't know what's wrong. All right. I'll see you soon," Trunks
said as he hung up the telephone.

**************

Hooray for Bulma! She figured out what the problem is. Trunks seems
to be a little slow on the uptake but he is being extremely patient
with Loren. This is not natural for her...

Bulma walked into the bedroom and Loren ran up to her. She sobbed
profusely as Bulma tightly embraced her.
"Calm down honey. Now what's wrong dear?" Bulma asked.
"There's something inside me," she sobbed.
"What?"
"There's something alive inside me. I don't know why. What's
happening?"
"Calm down dear. Take a deep breath. There you go. Now
listen honey. You're pregnant."
"What?"
"You're pregnant."
"What's wrong with her Mom?" Trunks asked as he walked into
the room.
"Apparently she's more human-like than you realized," Bulma
said.
"What do you mean?"
"You're a father."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"How can you tell?"
"She can feel it. Comfort her honey. She's terrified. I
need to get back home but keep me posted on her condition. Be very
understanding with her. This is a new experience for her. Everything
is going to be all right, dear," Bulma said and kissed Loren's
cheek. Loren watched her walk out of the room as Trunks sat beside
her. He tightly embraced her as he pushed her back onto the bed.
"I wasn't aware you could," he said and kissed her stomach.
"Could what? What's happening? I don't understand. It's
there, constantly growing. Multiplying. I...I don't like it. Is this
a relapse? Am I going to be sick again? Will it...will it...?" she
sobbed and Trunks took off his shirt. She gazed up at him through
tear-filled eyes and slowly smiled.
He allowed his hair to fall to the length that she preferred
it at and took her hand. He tightly clasped it and gazed warmly at
her, understanding the shock that her system was in. When she had
made her decision to give up the god-like status she had not been
aware of the recourse...or perhaps she had been. So much had been
stripped from her since his death at the tournament that the only
thing that Loren could be was almost human. she had digressed
enough to a state that Trunks had never considered. Reproduction.
For an immortal asexual being to suddenly become fertile...he gently
ran his fingers down her waist.
Her crying stopped and he gazed up at her. She had fallen
asleep although he knew that her sleep was anything but restless.

********************

Even Vegeta doesn't believe it. And when they speculate on the
sex, he is firmly opposed to it being female..

"NO way," Bra said in amazement as she set the table.
"It's true. The poor thing is terrified about it. She's
afraid that it'll kill her," Bulma said.
"It's got to be a shock. I mean, she used to be an immortal
god and now she's seeing the result of Trunks love for her. It's got
to be terrifying."
"I just hope he's being very understanding with her."
"What's the problem now?" Vegeta asked.
"We've got some news for you, Daddy," Bra said and Vegeta
raised and eyebrow.
"I'm not giving you any more money."
"I don't want money, Daddy. It's about Trunks."
"What now? What's she done now?"
"Actually, they both did it dear," Bulma said and Vegeta
looked at her.
"What?" he asked.
"Trunks is going to have a real child," Bra said.
"What?"
"She's expecting," Bulma said.
"She can't."
"A lot has changed since she gave up her status. She's in
her early stages but she can feel it."
"That just doesn't make sense."
"None of this makes sense. You said so yourself that she's
completely different from when you ran into her."
"I didn't know she was THAT different."
"Wouldn't she be more similar now? Before she was
different," Bra said as she placed a glass on the table.
"I guess so. You'd better clean up. Maron will be here
soon," Bulma said.
"Boy have I got some news to tell Maron. She'll never
believe it."
"I don't believe it," Vegeta said as Bra walked out of the
room.
"Go see for yourself then. I wish she had someone to comfort
her. I don't think Nameks would know how to deal with this
situation."
"Nameks don't know how to deal with any situation."
"That's not true. Piccolo has been the most understanding
towards her."
"The Namek's had to put up her longer."
"Still, he can't offer her any advice on her current
condition.:
"Why did I end up with her?"
"Oh quit complaining. You can't do anything about it now.
Besides, you should be happy about it. There'll be another one in
the house."
"What if it's a girl?" Bra asked and Vegeta looked at her.
"There are enough women on this planet. Saiyens are a minority
in this universe."
"That's not our fault," Bulma said.
"Don't get high and mighty with me woman!" Vegeta snapped.
"Well it isn't our fault."
"Just shut up!"
"All right then. See if I'll cook for you any more."
"Just get the food on the table. We'll discuss this later."

**************

Isn't Piccolo wonderful? Only he could explain it in a way that she
would understand...

"Please smile," Trunks said as he sat next to Loren. She gazed
silently out the window, her mind in a state of utter confusion due
to her current condition and what little she had of the past. Since
her body had been thrust into a state of creation, she saw snippets
of a past life that she could not understand. Even her ability to
change had fallen on a deaf mind. She had felt torn between forms
and now there was a literal fusion between her and another mind.
Was she being punished for her decision and if she was, then by whom?
Loren, just think of it as getting another puppy."
"But puppies come from stores and not..." she sniffed and
Trunks forced her to lean back onto his chest.
"Yes they do. Didn't you learn that on Namek?"
"I...I don't know. I didn't know that this body could do
this. I want to be the way I should be. I don't like this body any
more. I want to go back to the way things were."
"Shhh. Baby, it's all right. You should be happy."
"Happy? Why? It's uncomfortable. I don't like it."
"You're bringing someone new into the world. I'm coming."
Ridel climbed onto her lap and she listlessly petted his
fur. She wanted to stop the feeling. She didn't like the
nightmarish sensation of something sentient growing within her
body. She wanted to go back to the way things had been.
"Loren, Piccolo wants to see you," Trunks said as he opened
the door. "She's been like this ever since she woke up."
"It must be a great shock to her. To become mortal and have
a broader ability to regenerate..." Piccolo said.
"I can't even talk to her. I don't know what she's thinking
but it really worries me. She's never been like this before."
"This is not natural for Loren. She's having a hard time
understanding the process."
"Didn't she learn about it on Namek?"
"She saw the results but not the process."
"But..."
"You also have to understand that her memory has been
shattered. She's still trying to piece her past together and we both
know that she'll never accomplish that."
"So what can we do? It's not good for her to be this way."
"I don't know. Perhaps you can remind her of the simple
things. After all, you WERE the reason she stayed."
"What sort of simple things?"
"I don't know. Why do you think she stayed? Those kinds of
things."
"Loren, do you remember when I brought Ridel home the first
time?" Trunks asked as he sat beside her. Ridel glanced up upon
hearing his name and trotted over to Trunks. He licked Trunks hand
and Trunks scratched his ear.
"A new life is beginning. Does that mean mine is ending? I
don't understand. I want to go back to when we were little. I
understood that," she said as her eyes welled up with tears. "I feel
like I've been taken over, ravaged by disease. I've never felt this
way before. I don't like it."
"Loren, are you even listening to me?"
"Let me talk to her. I've had experience with fusions,"
Piccolo said and Trunks stood up. The Namek sat beside her and
embraced Loren. He gently ran his fingers through her hair as she
continued to gaze out at the forest.
"It's only a temporary fusion. When the time comes, the
child will be taken away to live on its own."
"Child? Like a puppy?" Loren asked and Piccolo smiled.
"Yes. Like a puppy," he said and took her hand.
"But why me?"
"Because this is what you wanted. You've always searched for
a place to belong and you have it. When your happiness was
threatened, you fought back. You've stayed close to him through
terrible events. You don't remember what happened before
the...illness but you have a strong desire to remain stationary.
you've always wanted a real family. Now you're getting one."
"But..."
"No. That's what you've wanted. You were always intrigued by
the animals on Namek and when you came here, you immediately started
a bond with Bulma. You wanted to be accepted in that family and you
were but you wanted something more, didn't you?"
"I did?"
"A family to call your own. That's why others call Ridel
your son. You treat him like one."
"I'm the only one that can understand him."
"True, but to you he's more...human than animal. Now I know
this is a new experience for you but this is what you've always
wanted."
"Do you think so?"
"I know it is. Now dry your eyes. You're going to have what
you never experienced. A real family."

**************************

Short post. Krillin has been informed of the situation and he's
shocked. Of course, everyone is shocked. They weren't aware it could
happen...

"WHAT?!" Krillin asked in shock.
"It's true. Bra told me last night," Maron said and Krillin
shook his head.
"Well this is certainly unexpected news."
"We should do something for her."
"How's old Vegeta taking it?"
"He doesn't believe it."
"Does Goku know?"
"Bra's supposed to tell Goten."
"Man, Vegeta a grandpa. That's hard to picture. Of course, I
couldn't picture him having two kids. Boy, I bet he's feeling old
now.
"I doesn't surprise me, considering how involved he gets
with her," Master Roshi said.
"Yeah but for almost seven years he had nothing to worry
about."
"He's got something to worry about now."
"I wonder how he's doing. I'm gonna call him."

********************

Well Trunks is happy with the way things have turned out. Also, we
learn the gender of the child. Can you imagine how strong the kid
will be once it's full grown?

"I can see him now. Your stomach is pushing out. It's all right
baby. It's supposed to that," Trunks said as he lay beside Loren.
He rubbed her stomach and kissed it.
"Don't do that," Loren said as he licked her skin.
"Does it hurt?"
"No...it just feels strange. Please don't put your fingers
there."
"Come on, baby, lighten up. Everything's going to be all
right. Piccolo was right, wasn't he?"
"Yes. I think so but I didn't know things would turn out
this way."
"I'm pleased with the way things turned out. Do you know how
long it's going to take?"
"How long is what going to take?"
"When will the child be born?"
"I don't know."
"Do you know how long?"
"How long? How long what?"
"How long have you been like this."
"I don't know but it's gotten bigger."
"I can see that. What do you think he'll look like?"
"I don't know. I can't sense his thoughts yet."
"Is it a boy?"
"Yes."
"That'll make Father happy. But honey...how can you tell?"
"I don't know."

*****************

Typical Vegeta. His son having a child is inconsequential. Of
course, he still doesn't believe what everyone says but what do you
expect? It's Vegeta.

"Well I hope you're happy," Bulma said and Vegeta looked at her.
"What are you going on about, woman?" he asked.
"You're getting a boy."
"How do you know?"
"Trunks told me."
"How does he know?"
"Because she can tell. She can sense his sex. Don't assume
that she's similar to us because she isn't. For all I know, she
could be giving birth right now."
"Don't make me worry about inconsequential things. I'd
rather not waste my time on something as meaningless as that."
"THIS is inconsequential?"
"Yes."
"Your son having a child is inconsequential?"
"I'll believe it when I see it myself."
"You can be so stubborn at times. Just be civil when you see
them."
"He could have chosen someone more stable than she is."
"It was fate when she crashed back then. I didn't know he
would bring her back to the present with him but now I can't imagine
life without her."
"I can."
"Mom, Gohan's at the door," Bra said as she poked her head
into the room.
"Well let him in dear," Bulma said and stood up.
"Kakarot's family better not be ridiculing me. I've never
liked this arrangement," Vegeta said.
"Would you stop complaining? She's a lot better than those
young woman in the city. She's got a strong fighting background so
you should be happy about that. Are you still upset by the fact that
she beat you?"
"Hey, congratulations. I just heard the news from Dad. You
must be proud," Gohan said as Bulma walked into the room.
"I am. Vegeta's not ecstatic, though," Bulma said.
"Why not? My dad was overjoyed with Pan."
"Yes, well Goku's different. I was planning on visiting him
in a little bit. You can come with me if you'd like."
"Sure. I just find it funny that we had a conversation on
the subject a few days ago. He said he couldn't handle those two AND
children."
"I'm surprised that he can handle her at all," Vegeta said.
"Why do you put her down so much?" Gohan asked.
"That's what I'd like to know. Are you coming with me?"
Bulma asked.
"Fine. Whatever," Vegeta grumbled.
"Bra, do you want to come as well?"
"Sure! I'll come along and give him a hard time," Bra said.
"Don't tease him so much this time, honey," Bulma said.

****************************

Lots of free time for me! Check out the Goku picture album. I put a
picture I designed in there. It's nice that Trunks is being so
gentle with her. This is certainly taking a lot of her energy away
from her...

"How are you doing honey?" Trunks asked as Loren slowly stood up.
He placed a robe around her body and kissed her neck.
"I'm tired," Loren said as Trunks placed his hands on her
stomach.
"You're getting big baby. Do you think you can get dressed?
Mom and Gohan are coming over."
"I'm going back to sleep."
"Are you sure? You've been sleeping a lot lately."
"This tires me out. I'm sorry."
"Don't be honey. You've done nothing wrong."
She yawned as Trunks tightly embraced her. She brought a
hand to his hair and tightly stroked it. He licked her neck and she
sighed. She closed her eyes as he ran his hands over her body.
"Honey..." Trunks whispered as she drowsily dropped her
hand. Her legs buckled underneath her and Trunks caught her.
"I'm glad I'm so strong. You've gotten heavy darling."
His muscles tightened as he picked her up and carried her to
the bed. He laid her on the mattress and covered her body with the
blanket. Ridel tugged on his pants leg and Trunks glanced at him.
"You want to sleep with her? All right."
He picked the dog up and laid him on the bed. Ridel crawled
onto Loren's body and lay down. He yawned and closed his eyes.

*******************

The family comes to visit. How sweet. Or is it? With Vegeta there,
it's anybody's guess.

"Nice place," Gohan said as Bulma rang the doorbell. Trunks opened
the door and brushed his hair back.
"Hi Mom. Hey, Gohan. I didn't think you were coming Dad,"
Trunks said.
"He wanted to come," Bulma said.
"Thanks Father. Come on in."
"Where is she, honey?" Bulma asked.
"Upstairs. She's asleep."
"So she's become lazy. I hope she hasn't made you weak
because her condition has taken your mid off of training," Vegeta
said and Trunks wryly smiled.
"No, Father," Trunks replied.
"So how is she?" Gohan asked.
"Heavy."
"You can handle that."
"I know. All this has really worn her out. She wakes up for
a bit then goes back to sleep."
"At least you don't have to worry about her appetite or her
getting sick."
"Yeah."
"You wouldn't have to worry at all if you hadn't been so
enraptured with her boy," Vegeta said and Trunks flushed.
"Sorry. What's done is done. I can't change the past,"
Trunks said.
"Where's that time machine woman?"
"Vegeta!" Bulma hissed and Gohan grinned.
"Man, what a family to get born into," he said.
"Oh and your family is better? Come on, Gohan," Bulma said.
"I never meant that. I just meant the kid isn't going to
know what to make of you all."
"If it's that girl's child, it won't know what to make of
anything," Vegeta said.
"Father!" Trunks protested and Bulma folded her arms.
"Would you be nice about it?" she asked.
"Ironic, isn't it? You were firmly opposed to children in
our conversation and now look at you," Gohan said and Trunks flushed.
"Well that was before I knew she could..." Trunks said as
Ridel padded down the stairs.
"Hello there," Bulma said as she petted the dog's fur.
"I bet father's missed you."
"Come here, mutt," Vegeta muttered and Ridel ran happily
over to him.
"Do you mind if I go upstairs and look at her?" Bulma asked.

*************************

Short post but a very important part. It's time. I wonder if the
guys downstairs know what's happening in that bedroom? Probably not.

Bulma walked up the stairs and opened the bedroom door. She gently
shook Loren who yawned and opened her eyes. She slowly sat up and
glanced at Bulma.
"What are you doing here?" she asked as she pushed the
blanket off her body and stood up.
"We're paying you a visit dear. MY goodness, you look about
due. How have you been feeling?" Bulma asked as she laid a hand on
Loren's stomach.
"Really tired. I'll be glad when it's over. I don't like
having two sets of thoughts," Loren said as she winced.
"I'm sure it's only been a few months since it all started.
You have a fast reproduction rate."
"Is that good? I've never done this before. This really
hurts."
"It's all right honey. I really think it's time. Lie back
down dear and don't panic. This is the hardest part."

******************

The wait is finally over. As of now, that title is officially
inaccurate. But no matter. Trunks is going to show off his son to
his family and Gohan. He's a happy man!

Trunks restlessly paced back and forth and Vegeta folded his
arms.
"Would you sit down boy? You're bothering me," Vegeta said.
"I've never seen you so nervous Trunks," Bra said.
"This has never happened to me before," Trunks said and
began pacing once more. Vegeta glared at him and Trunks sighed. He
sat down and gazed up at the ceiling. He hoped that everything was
going well.
"You know, I've always wondered where Mom had us. I mean, we
lived in the middle of nowhere, just like you two. Videl went to the
hospital. Man, I think I was just as nervous as you are now," Gohan
said as Trunks began to tap his foot impatiently.
"Well, she's asleep again," Bulma sighed as she walked into
the room.
"How's...?" Trunks asked as he stood up.
"Go on up honey but let them sleep."
"Them?"
"Hey congads man. The shock will pass," Gohan said as Trunks
stood there with his mouth wide open.
"Don't just stand there looking stupid. Get up there boy,"
Vegeta said gruffly as Ridel licked his hand.
"What's he look like?" Gohan asked.
"He's got hair just like Trunks," Bulma said.
"Another purple haired freak? Shopping for him is going to
be a pain," Bra said as Bulma gently pushed Trunks forward. He
shook his head and glanced at his mother.
"Go on dear. She needs to feel your presence," Bulma said
and Trunks nodded his head.
He left the room and walked up the stairs. He opened his
bedroom door and walked over to the bed. He sat beside Loren and
gazed down at her. She slept soundly with the child in her arms and
he smiled. He kissed her cheek and she opened her eyes.
"Hey honey," he murmured and she glanced up at him. He bent
forward and kissed her lips. She slowly smiled as he drew away and
gazed down at her.
"Hi," she said as he ran his fingers through her hair.
"How do you feel?"
"Tired. I know I must look like a mother dragon but all I
want to do now is sleep. I'm sorry."
"Oh baby, it's all right. Believe me, I'm not upset. What
are we going to call him?"
"I don't know."
"Can I hold him?"
"All right. I need to sit up then."
"Do you need help?"
"No. I can do it."
She sat up and picked up the child. She held out her arms
and Trunks took the baby from her.
"Can I take him downstairs?" Trunks asked as the child
opened his eyes.
"If you want," Loren said as she yawned.
"Would you like to come?"
"I'm REALLY tired. I shouldn't be, but I am. I really AM
sorry Trunks."
"Loren, it's okay. I don't fault you for anything that's
happened. We've been through a lot. You showed a lot of commitment
staying here. I admire that. Come on, let's go introduce you to
Father and my sister."