Madness

Chapter Ten

The End.

No, just kidding.

Goku opened his eyes, his head throbbing. He heard a soft wail nearby and was at attention at once. "Ve- geta-" he mumbled, trying to sit up. He managed to turn his head and saw Vegeta struggling to his feet. Piccolo was there; he gently pushed Vegeta down again. Goku gulped down a scream of agony and finally succeeded in sitting up. "Piccolo..."

"You two are the luckiest bastards I've ever met," said the Namek gruffly. "You were dead. Literally. He shut off entirely and you went with him. How are you feeling?"

"Well..." Goku thought for a moment. "I think I'm still in the process of dying, but I'm not hearing voices anymore."

"That's... good? I didn't know you were hearing voices."

"Oh, no; you're getting the wrong idea. It was through the link." Goku chuckled weakly. "But they're gone. I hope that's a good thing."

"So do I," Bulma said as she walked in. "Hey, Vegeta," she greeted briefly, rubbing his head. "Goku, you doing ok? You guys both went down and I had to jumpstart you to save Vegeta."

Goku brought his legs over the edge of the bed and rubbed his forehead. "Got any pain pills on hand?" he asked. "And what do you mean by jumpstart?"

Piccolo answered. "Well, we tried ki at first, but neither me nor Gohan could get you back. Then we tried electricity. That took a minute, but it worked."

"Oh, God; no wonder I'm all tingly." Goku nodded his thanks to Bulma when she handed him a few pills and a glass of water. He swallowed it quickly, going to where Vegeta weakly fought against restraints. He could tell that he'd had a senzu recently due to the fact that his hands were healed. Goku nearly collapsed beside him, pressing his forehead to Vegeta's. "Oh, Vegeta... Are you ok? I'm so sorry. Are they gone for you too?"

Vegeta crooned unhappily, fighting to get closer to him. Goku obliged. He lay down against Vegeta and closed his eyes. "I almost lost you. I love you so, so much; I know you can't help it. I will do anything and everything in my power to get you back." He kissed Vegeta's temple, and smiled sadly when Vegeta pressed his face into the place between his shoulder and neck, right at the mating scar.

"Frrr-mu-nm."

Goku jumped slightly. He looked down at Vegeta, surprised. "What?"

Vegeta seemed confused, and frowned. "Nee...trilru?"

"Guys," Goku whispered excitedly. "He's talking again."

"If only it made sense..."

"Shh!"

Vegeta growled at the interruption. "Skr- t- t- wrrrrr..." He bumped his head against Goku's chest, seeming aggravated.

"I didn't do anything," said Goku, a bit offended. "I can't help that you're cranky. What do you want?"

Help me.

Vegeta's voice, calm and clear. Not the strange high voice that had replaced his own. It was directly through the link and it was Vegeta.

Goku fell off the bed. "The fu-!? Vegeta!?" He dived up again, scaring the smaller Saiyan. "Vegeta, Vegeta, Vegeta! Was that you!? Can you hear me!?"

Vegeta yelped in fear and hid from him. Goku hugged him. "No, no, no; c'mere, it's ok, shh." He was nearly in tears. "Guys, he-" He choked slightly. "Guys, he just contacted me through the link, and it was him."

"Are you sure?" Piccolo asked, unable to keep both suspicion and excitement out of his voice.

"Yes!" Goku held the Prince tighter. Can you hear me?