Ok, I know that I promised sooner updates and I have no good excuses for not updating lately. Well, maybe one. I moved recently and didn't have a computer for a while, but that's all. No more promises. I promise. ^_~ Hope you enjoy this chapter. I know that you've been waiting a long time for it and I hope it's not disappointing. I am always reachable at necco418@yahoo.com. (this e-mail address will not be changing) And now on with the show!

I do not own Dragonball Z or GT. It is owned by the people who own it and I am not one of those people. Don't sue me. I am just a fan.

Chapter 5: That's Just My Baby's Daddy

The waiting room was thick with tension as the Briefs' and their closest friends waited for the newest edition to the family. Vegeta stood emotionless in the farthest corner of the room, waiting, like everyone else, for word of his only daughter. His seventeen-year-old baby girl, who was now bringing a child of her own into the world.

The reality of the situation hadn't really sunk in until now. Vegeta had watched from a distance, with detached indifference as the child grew in his daughter's womb. He had managed all those months, to convince himself that Bra was just getting fat from slacking off in the little training she did. It wasn't til now that he really gave thought to how his little girl got into this mess. The idea burned him more than the thought that Goku had ever been stronger than him. The image of some baka's hands on his baby's flesh, touching her in places that he didn't even want to imagine, making her moan . . . He stopped that line of thought with a growl, disgusted and infuriated beyond any reasonable meaning of the word.

His hand fisted at his side. She is a princess! His mind screamed. She should not be touched by anyone! Let alone some weak, human fool half way across the planet! His arm twitched with the suppressed rage and power boiling inside of him. He closed his eyes and took a moment to calm himself. It isn't Bra's fault that she was taken advantage of. It is on the useless pile of flesh that seduced her. He opened his eyes and smirked coldly. Someone is going to get hurt tonight.

****

Gohan, who was seated next to his mother, glanced over at Vegeta when he growled. The prince looked as if he would kill the next person who mistakenly approached him. Gohan didn't blame him. As much as he hated fighting and violence, he could empathize with the pain Vegeta was feeling right now. He could only imagine what he would do if it was Pan in there and not Bra. No, Gohan decided. He would not be the one to hold Vegeta back when he inevitably took off to do bodily harm to the one who impregnated his daughter. Vegeta has been waiting months for this and Gohan wouldn't try to stop him. He couldn't stop him. Not when he knew that he would do the same thing.

****

Trunks was pacing in front of the double doors that led to the birthing rooms. He was the only visibly distressed one in the group. Some of the passing nurses had mistaken him for the father a few times because of the way he was hounding them about his sister. He stopped and ran a hand through his lavender hair, while glancing at his watch. Two hours! They've already been in there for two hours! Why do these things take so long? He thought to himself while trying to sneak a peak into the other room.

He hated hospitals. Trunks wasn't sure what it was about the creepy place. He had never spent much time in them as a child. Maybe it was the pristine white walls and shiny linoleum floors. Or it could be the eerie lighting making the shadows dance around him, accompanied by the chilling silence that was only broken by his sister's occasional scream of pain. Whatever it was, it was making him feel queasy.

This uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach has been sitting there since they arrived at the damnable place. With every passing moment it grew worse. He didn't know what it was. There have been no signs of distress coming from Bra's room. He started pacing again.

He knew his father was pissed. He could feel his anger rolling off of him in thick black waves. It was never good to piss off the Sayian Prince. Trunks knew that at least part of his anxiety came from the knowledge that someone was going to get hurt tonight. Normally he didn't mind going out and beating on Bra's boyfriends with his father. It was good, clean fun and it was time that he got to spend with him. But, he wasn't sure that he wanted to see what his father had in store for tonight. The man was angry enough to kill, something Trunks hadn't seen shining so brightly in him since he was a small boy. He knew that Vegeta saw this as a strike against his pride and pride was something that he always took seriously.

Goten hasn't shown up yet, either. Every time he thought about his best friend he felt like he was going to break out in a cold sweat. The simple fact that Goten isn't there seems so significant to him. Alarm bells were going off in his head and it was like he could feel Goten's own anxiety. It has been years since Goten has been so distress that Trunks could feel his emotions so clearly. He didn't understand it and it sent a cold tremor down his spine.

****

Bra's breath came out in short, controlled gasps and she squeezed the life out of the hand she was holding. A few more seconds passed and the pain subsided. Slowly, she relaxed from the crouched position she'd been in and laid back. Her face was flushed red and her sweat-dampened hair clung to her face. All she could think of at the moment was the unbelievable pain she was experiencing and her desire to escape from it.

Slowly the haze from the worst part of it lifted and she realized that she was still crushing Pan's hand. Bra let go of her friend's hand and she was quick to cradle it. "Sorry." Bra mumbled tiredly, her eyes barely open.

Everything that she'd ever imaged childbirth to be was a fantasy. She never imaged that it was so difficult and exhausting. The pain of it was something she couldn't even begin to describe. It was like some monster lay thrashing in her womb, trying to tear her apart from the inside out. She wanted nothing more than for this to be over and she swore to herself that she'd never have another child for as long as she lived.

A pair of delicate hands wiped some stray hair out of her eyes from behind her. Bra looked up into the matching blue eyes that could only belong to her mother. "It's ok, Bra. It's almost over. You're doing good." Bulma said reassuringly.

"Yeah right." Bra grumbled testily as she rolled her eyes. The last thing she wanted right now was a pep talk from her mother. "This is the most awful thing I've ever felt and it like it's been going on for hours! You have no idea."

Bulma made a noise of disapproval. "You forget Bra-chan that I gave birth to two demi-sayians. That was no easy task."

Bra opened her mouth to say more, but another sharp contraction cut off her reply. Compulsively she curled up into a ball and squeezed her eyes shut as she tried to ride it out. The contractions were coming more often and were beginning to become far more painful. She wasn't sure how much more she could take. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before.

After the pain subsided again, she looked up to her mother. "How much longer?" She asked weakly.

Bulma frowned slightly and strode to the door to catch a doctor. She was concerned for her daughter's well-being, Bra was young and there was the possibility of complications. "I'll be back in a few minutes, sweetheart." She said as she left the room.

As soon as her mother was gone, Bra looked over to the other side of the room and met Pan's worried brown eyes. She knew why her friend was worried and it wasn't for her well-being either. Bra chose to ignore the question in her eyes, instead asking; "How's your hand?"

"It's fine, Bra. Look, what's going to happen to my uncle?" Pan asked getting straight to her point.

Bra sighed, not really wanting to get into the subject right now. "I don't know. Is he even here?" She asked.

"I don't know. Have you told your mother yet?" Pan questioned.

"No." Bra said looking away. "I haven't, but I think she suspects something. You know how hard it is to lie to my mother."

"So you're just going to let this be a surprise to everyone?" Pan shot at her. It was plain to see that she was upset by all of this. She had seen how angry Vegeta was before she came into the room. Pan was concern as to what he was going to do to her uncle.

"What surprise?" Bulma asked as she entered the room with a doctor. She looked between the two girls who were adverting their eyes.

"Nothing, Momma." Bra mumbled quietly. She didn't look over to see the disapproving look on her friend's face.

Bulma eyed the two of them suspiciously, but neither would say more. "The doctor is here to check you out." She said after a moment of silence.

The doctor stepped forward and offered a kind smile. "It shouldn't be too much longer, Miss Briefs. After this, we'll start prepping you for the birth."

Pan gave Bra one more grudging look before getting up and following Bulma out of the room.

******

Goten stepped off the elevator and onto the top level floor that house the Briefs' private medical wing. Bulma had thought it was only common sense that she buy her own section of the hospital for her family and friends, considering that they were always in need of medical attention at some point in time. The doctors and nurses were all top notch, the best in their class and profession. Only the best for the Briefs family.

He began walking down the long, empty hall to the private rooms he knew the others to be waiting in. The glare of light off the immaculate floor made him feel sick. His stomach had been in knots all day. Ever since he got the call from Pan that Bra was in labor. It had ruined his entire day and he hadn't even been able to enjoy the little time that he'd been able to spend with Paris.

He tried to prepare himself for anything that may lay ahead. The past week's sleep had been disturbed by nothing but endless and tormenting nightmares about this moment. This was the moment of truth. Somehow he managed to keep his legs moving in the right direction. After what seemed like eternity, he arrived at the waiting room.

What he found there didn't ease any of his troubles. His mother was sitting in one of the straight, plastic chairs, crying softly, while Videl and Pan sat on either side of her speaking in hushed tones. Everyone else that might have been there was gone. Including Trunks and Vegeta. He caught Pan's eyes as she looked up and she promptly went over to him.

"Where is everybody? I didn't miss the whole thing, did I? I thought these things took a while." He said with a grin.

Pan did not offer a smile back. "Marron is in the room with Bra." She said in an even tone.

"Where is Trunks?" Goten asked, beginning to feel uncomfortable.

Pan shrugged her shoulders. "Goten . . . " she stopped. "You should go see the baby." She said as she looked over to where her mother and grandmother sat. Neither one looked in their direction.

Goten raised an eyebrow at the way his niece was acting as he watched her walk back to her seat. He stood there for a moment feeling her last words churn with his unease in the pit of his stomach before he began walking to the hall where the child was on display.

He could feel it as he approached. A feeling he'd been ignoring all day. Now it was almost overwhelming. It was a feeling that made every nerve stand on end. He knew. He could feel it. He didn't know how, but he knew that child was his and that he was in a lot of trouble. He pushed the feeling aside. I'll believe it when I see it, he thought as he made his way down the corridor.

He turned the corner and the sight that greeted him made his blood turn cold. Vegeta stood facing the glass window with an angry scowl on his face. His brother stood next to him talking softly. Vegeta saw him first. His narrowed eyes turned to him and caught him in their heated glare. Gohan noticed that he was looking at something else and turned his head in Goten's direction. Upon seeing him, he left Vegeta's side and began walking briskly down the hall. Gohan said nothing as he passed Goten. A brief touch on the shoulder and he was gone.

Goten stood there looking in the direction that his brother had gone before turning back to Vegeta. The proud prince was no longer looking in his direction, but had turned his attention to the crying child behind the glass. Goten slowly made his way over to him.

When he reached the window, he peered in. There were no other babies in the nursery, only one bassinet with the name æVega Briefs' on it. His eyes traveled from the bottom of the cradle to the squirming bundle that lay inside. Wrapped in a soft pink blanket was the tiny little baby with a heart-shaped face, big bright blue eyes, a furry brown tail, and a mop of dark-blue hair that was of no doubt from the Son persuasion.

Goten stared into the eyes of his daughter.

With a sigh of wonder, Goten pressed himself against the glass as he took in the tiny miracle. The thought that he had any hand in creating something so perfect amazed him to no end. The little girl in the cradle stopped her fussing for a moment and turned her eyes to the man against the glass. It was like she could see right through him, that she knew without being told that he was her father. She looked him in the eye and gave him her first smile and stole his heart forever.

It was like he was in his own little world as he lovingly gazed at his daughter. All his pervious problems were forgotten as he picked out all the traits that belonged to him and those that belonged to her mother. Trunks didn't exist, Paris didn't exist, the wedding that was only weeks away didn't exist and Vegeta no was no longer there. It was just him and his little baby girl and he was already promising her the best he had to offer.

He was brought back to reality by a gloved hand gripping his shoulder. He looked back into a pair of angry black eyes. For a second Goten thought he saw something more. Something other than anger. If he tried to place it, he would have to had guessed that it was disappointment he saw there in that one second before it was gone. He didn't have much time to think about it though, as Vegeta began to speak.

"Goten, how old is my daughter?" He questioned in a low, deadly voice.

Goten was thrown off-guard by the question. His face scrunched up as he thought about it. She is 16, right? No, she'd be 17 by now. "Seventeen?" He said in the form of a question.

"Barely." Vegeta growled. "And how old are you?"

Goten gave Vegeta an odd look, not following what he was trying to get at. "I'm 27, Vegeta. Why?" He answered in a confused tone.

"27." Vegeta mumbled. "You are ten years older than my daughter, so why is it that she had your child?" He said venomously as he looked Goten completely in the eye.

Goten took a step back from the deadly tone in his voice, remembering finally that what he and Bra had done together was wrong and that the man standing in front of him was her ex-mercenary father. "I-I don't know, Vegeta." Goten said stupidly.

Vegeta growled loudly and took a step toward him, putting himself between Goten and the glass that separated him from his daughter. "You are too old for my daughter and you are certainly not good enough for her. What made you think that you could take advantage of her like this. Who gave you the right to do this to her?" He said in a soft voice lined with razors.

Goten continued backing away from the enraged prince. "Hold on, Vegeta. Bra isn't the perfect little angle you think she is . . . "

He never got to finish his sentence. With a scream of fury, Vegeta struck Goten, hitting him dead in the mouth and causing him to fly through the wall of the top floor building and out into the night sky. He had only a moment to stop his fall before Vegeta came after him. Righting himself, he wasted no time going super sayian. He knew it was the only chance he had to defend himself against him.

Goten blocked a punch aimed for his mid-section and swung out with his own hit. Vegeta disappeared before the blow could land, reappearing behind him. Using the advantage, he struck out with his leg and landed a brutal kick to Goten's ribs. He smirked evilly when he heard the satisfying snap of breaking bones.

Goten grimaced as his ribs broke. He'd never been able to beat Vegeta in a spar before and this was no spar. The man was fighting all out, controlled by his rage and Goten knew he was in deep shit. He sucked in the pain from his side and tried to think of some way to get through to him. He knew that he was fighting a losing battle. The two began to exchange lighting fast punches and kicks in the air.

Vegeta smirked as he knew that he was wearing the kid down. Goten never did keep up with his training, preferring to chase after girls and other nonsense. His anger flared when he thought that his daughter had been one of the girls that the boy had chased after.

The youngest Son was managing to land less and fewer hits as time passed. He knew that Vegeta was just toying with him. He could have finished him off a long time ago. Instead, he was darting in and out, landing the most painful blows that he could. It was like he was trying to break every bone in his body. Finally he landed a savage blow to the head and Goten went down.

He hit the ground with max force, creating a Goten-sized crater in the land. He made no move to get up, just laid there trying to focus on the twinkling stars above him. Everything seemed to stand still as he waited for Vegeta to move in for the kill. Never one to waste time, he appeared above the hole and looked down on him in scorn.

"Unworthy." The prince spat as he glared down at him. "You are unworthy to have ever touched my daughter and I should kill you for your audacity. The only reason why I will let you live tonight is because she has asked me too." He jumped down into the crater and lifted Goten's broken body off the ground with one hand, pulling it close to his face. "Know this, Son. You are never to look upon my daughter or her child ever again. It will be your last time ever looking at anything if you do."

Goten opened his mouth to reply when the world went black.

****

Time passed. He wasn't sure how much time had gone by, but when he woke up he had the distinct feeling that a long amount of time had gone by. The first thing he noticed as he regained consciousness was that he felt like he'd been run over by a semi. Every part of his body, inside and out, hurt like hell. As he opened his eyes, he realized that he was in a hospital bed. He saw tubes running to and from his body and felt nauseaous. He hated needles and was glad all of that was done while he was out.

Movement at the side of his bed drew his attention and he found his best friend sitting in a nearby chair. Goten's lopsided grin contrasted with the serious and withdrawn face Trunks wore. He sat forward and offered Goten a glass of water. Suddenly thirsty, he grabbed the glass and began to gulp its contents down.

"Thanks." Goten said when he was finished with it. "How long have I been out?" He asked as he set the glass down.

"A couple of days." Trunks replied.

Goten nodded. "Yeah, your dad really kicked my ass." He said. "Sensu?"

Trunks shook his head. "None left. We gave the last to Bra and some of the nurses she knocked out while giving birth. You're going to have to heal the old fashion way."

Goten sighed and laid back. "So, they're pretty pissed at me, huh?" He asked.

Trunks ran a hand through his hair. The habit always made Goten feel a little bit nervous. "Yes." Trunks said. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Why didn't you tell me, Goten? I'm your best friend and you didn't even tell me." He said. The betrayal in his voice was unmistakable.

Goten couldn't look at him. "I-I don't know, Trunks. I just couldn't. I mean, how could I? I just didn't know how."

"Something, Goten, is better than finding out by looking into my baby niece's face and seeing my best friend looking back at me. You could have let me know ahead of time so that I could have been prepared! She is my sister, Goten! My little fucking sister and you screwed her!" Trunks finished near yelling. "How could you? She is half your age! Damnit, I trusted you!"

"Trunks, you're acting like this is all my fault!" Goten said in his defense. "She was there too. It wasn't like I forced myself on her. If I remember correctly, she is the one who seduced me!"

"She seduced you? She seduced you. Is that your defense? Ha!" Trunks gave a bitter laugh. "Goten, she was only 16. What does she know about seduction? Do you remember being 16? You almost fucked anything that moved! You should have more willpower than that. Where do you think I'd be if I gave in every time Pan came into my room half naked and asking for it?" Shock spread across Goten's features at the admission of his niece's behavior. "I never touched her. Not once. Do you know why? Because she is your niece and friends don't fuck their friend's family. I have more respect for you and for Gohan. Where is the honor in what you've done?"

"I-I don't know, Trunks." Goten said around his shock. He had never seen his friend as mad at him as he was now.

Trunks hung his head. "You don't know." He repeated the words back slowly. "Why did you do it Goten? Were you so desperate for a piece of ass that you'd fuck a child? Tell me, Goten. I need to know why you did this. I know you have to have a good reason for all of this. Just tell me." He raised his head and looked Goten in the eye pleadingly.

Goten was at a loss for words as he stared into the hurt blue eyes of his friend. They were so much like his sister's that he was reminded of the day she had come to him and told him about the baby. He hung his head in shame. He should have done something then. Then maybe all of this could have been avoided. They could be happy right now, enjoying the first precious days of his daughter's life. He didn't know what he wanted him to say. He didn't know if there were words that would make everything better. His life had been turned upside down in less than 24 hours and he still had Paris to think about.

"I don't know what to say, Trunks. You are right. I need time to think about all of this. We'll get through this." Goten said quietly.

Trunks sighed as he shook his head and stood to leave. "You have no reasons? You just fucked her for the fun of it? You've had months to think about this, Goten. I don't think we'll be figuring anything out together." Trunks said with a hint of regret in his voice.

"What are you saying?" Goten asked almost in a panic. "You're leaving me?!"

Trunks stopped and looked over to him. "You've given me no other choice in the matter. My father is so pissed off . . . Do you know that he accused me of letting this go on? He actually thinks that I had something to do with all of this! I'm not allowed to talk to you anymore. My father forbids it, Goten. I was given the choice. You or my sister, what else was I supposed to do? I saw her, all those months carrying that child, crying herself to sleep at night. It was hell on her. And where were you? Nowhere to be found. You deserted her when she needed you and I had to watch. I can't help you, Goten. Not after I saw what you put her through." Trunks paused to let the words sink in. "Don't call, don't come by, not even at the office." He stopped again as he struggled with the rest he had to say. "You-you aren't welcome anymore. If you come by Capsule Corp., my father will hurt you and I won't be able to stop him."

Trunks turned and walked to the door, stopping just before he walked out. He turned to his still shocked friend and tossed something at him. Goten plucked it out of the air and held it in his palm. "Paris found out yesterday." Was all he said before walking out the door and shut it behind him.

Goten sat in his bed trying to digest everything that had just happened in the last hour. He'd lost his friend, the respect of his family, his child, and . . . he opened his hand to see Paris' engagement ring there, he lost both of his girls.

With an exhausted sigh, he sat back and stared at the round piece of metal that he held in his hand. He thought long and hard about everything that had happened since his and Bra's first encounter. After some time spent just thinking, Goten closed his hand around the ring.

"I'll fix every thing, Trunks. Just wait."

****

Goten landed silently on the balcony outside Bra's room. He'd been in the hospital for a week and was just released the day before when his mother found a sensu bean while cleaning. He smiled, remembering the way she'd come in and given it to him. He could always count on his family, no matter what. His mother was priceless to him.

The balcony doors were open, letting the crisp autumn air into the room. Keeping his power suppressed, he cautiously crept into the dark bedroom. Upon entering, he found the room to be deserted. Most of the furniture was covered with plastic. The wall that divided her room from the guest room next door was gone, connecting them. In the other room was the nursery and it too was covered in plastic. It looked as if the baby blue walls were being repainted in a light pink. He cursed softly to himself. Bra must be staying a guest room until the nursery is finished. He thought as he made his way across the bedroom.

Quietly, he opened the door and peaked out into the hall. The hall was empty and he sighed with relief. The last thing he wanted right now was to run into Vegeta before he had the chance to talk to Bra. He knew that if he could just talk to her they could work everything out. Picking a room that he thought she might use, he opened the door and took a look inside.

He had been right on the money picking this room. The room was empty, the only signs that anyone was using it were the clothes that were thrown about and the bassinet next to the bed. Taking a deep breath, Goten crept into the room. He could hear running water coming from the bathroom and decided that was where Bra must be. He heard a soft cooing sound coming from the cradle and went over to it to investigate.

Goten found his daughter lying there peacefully, playing with her tail. He smiled softly and knelt down next to her, she gave him a toothless grin in return. "Vega, huh?" He said softly to her. "I don't really like that name. I would have named you after my father. He was a great man." He reached a finger into the crib and she latched onto it with a tiny hand, making Goten grin wider. "You're quite strong. You get that from my side of the family." Vega frowned at him and he laughed. "You're definitely a Vegeta."

So engrossed was he with his daughter that he didn't hear the bathroom door open and Bra step out until she said something. "What are you doing in here?" She asked angrily.

Goten stood up and faced her. "I came to see my daughter."

Bra narrowed her eyes at him and went to the crib. Picking her baby up, she allowed her features to soften while she looked her over. Finally, she turned back to Goten. "No." She said simply. "You have no rights to this child. You gave those up when you told me that the baby wasn't yours. Get out now or I'll have you thrown out."

"That isn't fair. I made a mistake. You shouldn't keep her from me because of that!" Goten cried.

"No." Bra said, her face hard and her voice as cold as ice. "You don't deserve her. Get out, Goten. I'm not going to tell you again."

"You're acting like a child . . . " Goten stopped when he saw Bra take in a deep breath, preparing to scream. "No! Wait, Bra. Hear me out." Bra stopped for a moment, holding her breath and waiting to hear what he had to say. "Can't we work this out?" He pleaded.

Bra shook her head and opened her mouth to scream. Desperately, Goten made a grab for her. She agilely avoided him. "Daddy!" She screamed at the top of her lungs.

Goten lunged at her again, trying to stop her, but he tripped over a pile of clothes on the floor and she easily avoided him. "Daddy!" She yelled again.

All the commotion upset Vega and she started bawling. Goten looked up from where he landed to see a chilling smirk on Bra's face. He turned his head to the door to see a very angry Vegeta. Slowly, he stood up and faced him.

"I thought I told you not to come around here anymore." Vegeta said.

Goten looked him in the eye, unafraid. "I'm not leaving until I've had a chance to talk to Bra." He said firmly.

Vegeta smirked coldly. "I was hoping you'd say that." He said while advancing on him.

Goten held his ground as Vegeta came closer. Not wanting to upset the baby more, Vegeta made an unsuspecting move by grabbing the front of Goten's shirt and tossing him through the balcony doors. He followed him outside and immediately the foundation of the building began to shake with their fighting.

Bra stood staring at the broken glass on her floor in astonishment. Her father had moved so fast she hadn't been able to follow it. The windows in the room rattled with force of the power the two fighting sayians were giving off. She held her baby tighter, trying to get her to calm down and trying to keep herself from crying.

"You're wrong, Bra."

Bra looked to the door and saw her brother standing there. He looked worn-down and tired. His red-rimmed eyes were narrowed and his handsome face contorted in a frown. "What do you know?" Bra answered testily.

"I know that what you're doing to Goten is wrong." He answered.

"I'm not doing anything to him. He brought this upon himself." She shot back.

Trunks snorted. "Whatever. Using Vega to get back at him is wrong, Bra. You should leave her out of this."

"I thought you were on my side." Bra said angrily.

"I'm not on anybody's side. I don't agree with what Goten did and I don't agree with what you're doing. I think you're both a couple of idiots. I also think that you should stop this now before somebody gets hurt." Trunks replied.

"The only one who is getting hurt, dear brother, is Goten and that's his own fault. He wanted to hurt me before, well, now it's his turn. He didn't have to come over here anyway." Bra said snidely.

Trunks shook his head. "That's not who I'm talking about." He said before leaving the room.

Bra frowned at her brother's words, not understanding their meaning. The sounds of fighting had grown more distant. The two had probably left the city. Vega had finally calmed down and was now trying unsuccessfully to keep her heavy eye lids open. Bra sighed and ran a hand through the dark-blue mess of hair that sat on the top of her head.

"I'm making the right decision. Right?" She whispered to her daughter before finally surrendering to the tears.