Two: A Surprising Alien

- 2 -

A Surprising Alien

With the stirring of consciousness, all he knew was anguish. A mind consuming pain that sang throughout his entire entity. It was the pain the likes of which he had never known before, and that was saying something, for he knew pain. It was his constant companion throughout life and he hardly ever went a day without feeling mistress pain's presence. This, however. This made him just want to die. To finally end it all and feel no more. But then again, he had lived through far too much to die now, hadn't he?

He tried to open his eyes, yet only found darkness. Whether his eyes were opening or not remained to be seen. He tried to move. That too didn't work as it felt like massive boulders were on him and he could only groan in pain as he barely moved an inch. This all left him feeling rather disorientated as the burnt scent of flesh and mechanics embraced him. Where was he? Was he back on that gods-forsaken ship of endless nightmares? it would explain why he was having difficulty breathing, moving, along with everything else.

He started to drift off again, wanting and even letting the darkness begin to take him when he heard someone's awkward approach. It was weird sounding. Like it was through something and it didn't help that his ears were ringing, but there was someone coming closer. His instincts kicked in, and he waited unmoving (which wasn't all too hard), waiting for whoever it was to get closer and to hear what they were doing. Straining his wounded ears, he faintly heard someone muttering, it was light, and high pitched... A woman? Not many workers for his tormenter were females, at least not in the torture department. The pleasure quarters, now they were another story. Even so, he stayed there, listening, waiting until it was the right time to attack. If he could summon up just enough strength, he was sure he could get the upper hand.

And then he felt movement overhead... which was puzzling, but he ignored it as he commanded his body to move, for him to open his eyes from this darkness and to see who was foolish enough to come this close to him without restraints. Everyone knew never to go near him, never to let the ploy of him being unconscious lull them into a false sense of security. But as he went to move he found that his body was lame... still crushed under that huge weight that laid on top of him. He was only able to get his arm free, reaching out from whatever he rested in and seizing the petite wrist of the female.

He winced at her high pitched scream that cut through the ringing in his ears and her arm jerked away from his hold. Mentally he berated himself for not being able to hold on. Now this girl was going to run off and tell others... He might as well give into the darkness now and die, for he was going to be worse than dead when someone reported back to Freeza that he tried to hurt her. Yet again, maybe not. He didn't hear her move after the initial shock of it all. Why wasn't she fleeing?

"Oh Kami..."

As her startled voice drifted down to him, it was then he remembered that he had escaped that hell hole, fleeing in one of the one-man pods. He wasn't sure what that meant for him now. How he had gotten like this or if he was even in enemy hands... but at least from what he could discern the small female was alone. With what strength he had left he could just maybe kill her and disappear unseen.

.~-~.

Bulma couldn't believe it. The alien was alive... ALIVE! How could anyone survive this? Shaking her head, she had no idea, but right now that didn't matter. Getting to her feet again, she cautiously made her way back to the hand, still a little unnerved. The details could be figured out later when there wasn't a dying being... with a surprisingly human hand she might add... pinned under the bulk of the wreckage. Gently she grasped the hand in hers, wanting to show the poor being some compassion.

"Hold on... I'm here..." Squeezing with her left hand she was amazed to find the hand return the gesture. "Don't worry." She started to hastily move all the debris and dirt around the arm. "I'll get you out, just try and..." pausing shortly she grimaced, "Just try and stay alive."

As she worked to free the alien's head, she continued to ramble on. In the back of her mind she felt somewhat foolish considering in all likelihood (if this man was an alien, which she really was hoping he was), he didn't even understand any of the frantic words of comfort she was saying. Whatever, at least he would know she was there trying to help. Yet, little did she know he understood fully what she said. Lying there, he felt her move whatever lay on top of him. Biding his time, saving his strength...

As she worked, spiky black hair came into sight. Lifting one last, somewhat heavy piece with a grunt, she turned back and froze. Before her was a man, a human man... disappointed, she stared at his cut, bloody, and dirty face. Kneeling down next to him she couldn't help but be her disappointment, having imagined some strange outlandish creature. But he was simply a man... Or was it he just looked human? She really wished this wasn't some man testing some prototype... she would be seriously bummed.

Her fingers went to his neck and she sighed, "Okay... your pulse is really slow, but at least it's somewhat steady." She moved a few more pieces before leaning down closer.

He caught a sudden blast of a sickly sweet scent as the side of her head drew close to his nose and mouth. "And you're breathing so your windpipe isn't blocked..." her voice trailed off as she got back up, biting her lip as she examined what was left. "Okay well, I can't move the rest of the pieces." Hastily she reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out the emergency capsule case, only to realize that she had no way to get a hold of anyone. She started to get up, leaving her capsules there. "I'm going to get help. Just don't go anywhere..." Then she gave a nervous chuckle, "Well, obviously... just hold on."

All he could manage was a soft groan as he heard her clumsy and awkward foot falls running away. Of course he had to be found by a moron. Lucky for him, it was going to be easier for him to dispose of her. Hopefully whoever she got was an idiot too.

As Bulma climbed from the crater she wondered who she should call? Her mind first went to Goku, but it was late and ChiChi would be furious if she woke them, especially now with Gohan. Also, he was the farthest away out of her friends. It didn't seem all that logical to contact him. Then of course there was Yamcha... she wrinkled her nose. There was no way she would call him, dying man or not. Which left only Krillin.

Arriving at her vehicle, she reached into the side to grab her bag. Carelessly she dumped out all the contents onto the floor, her cell phone landing on top. Swiftly she grabbed it and punched the numbers in, impatiently listened as she started back for the man. Come on, come on... pick up!


On what had to be the last ring a rather sleepy sounding Krillin answered, "Hello?"

"Hey bud, sorry it's so late but I need your help."

It must have been the tone of her voice for he was abruptly awake and his reply was laden with concern, "Bulma? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Huffing as she nearly slipped on her ass, she retorted, "Well... Other than almost dying, yes. But the alien man who nearly crashed his spaceship into me isn't." There was a few seconds of silence as she waited for him to say something. When he didn't she continued, "Which brings me to why I called. I need help getting him out under the wreckage." Finally reaching the man again, she knelt down beside him and looked through her capsules for the first aid.

"Krillin?"

"Yes!" he said suddenly, "I'm sorry..." His tone was one of bewilderment, "Did you just say alien and spaceship? In like from outer space?"

She rolled her eyes and sighed as she pushed the top of a capsule and let it fall next to her, a two foot first aid kit appearing there and she opened it. "Yes, Krillin... I didn't misspeak. I'll tell you more later, just get to this location..." Glancing up at the stars, she estimated her location and told him the coordinates.

"Right, I'll be right there..."

Hanging up, she pulled out a few wipes and a bottle of water, setting it to the side before dialing the number to her father's lab, knowing he was most likely still up. She had faith she could somewhat stabilize this man alone, but to have everything ready at home when she got there and her father to help with the rest would be a huge relief. He could also alert the specialists they had on call just in case if they were needed...

"Bulma dear. I thought since it was so late you would be staying," he said after picking up on the first ring.

"Daddy! A spaceship with a humanoid alien almost crashed into me on the way home..." she started jabbering quickly unable to contain her excitement, "I nearly died, but the alien has definitely seen better days... Can you believe it? An actual Alien... or at least I hope he is, he looks human." Breathless she continued, "Oh, I hope it isn't some stupid idiot who decided to test a prototype or something... But if he is the real deal can you think of all the intelligence will get?"

"Bulma... calm down, sweetie," he cut in, "You said he was still alive after crashing? Are you sure?"

Taking a few quick breaths, she reeled in her exhilaration and grimaced. "Sorry... Yes, he's just barely hanging in there at the moment." She leaned over, once more checking his pulse. "Krillin is going to be here shortly, hopefully, to help me get the bigger pieces of the wreck off him, but I can't really do anything until then."

"Do what you can dear. I'll be ready here." This supposed alien-man could hear the man's reply, barely, it seemed she was using some sort of communicator. "You don't happen to have one of those huge storage capsules on you? I would hate for the... er... ship to be found by..."

Near unconsciousness and frustrated, he managed a groan. Bulma cut her father off as she put her hand on his cheek, growing concerned. "Yes, Daddy. I'll have Krillin collect everything when we get this guy out from under the wreckage."

"Okay, be careful, sweetie."

Hanging up, she put the phone into her pocket, then grabbed the bottle next to her and opened it. Her mind was on her course of action after she got him out. Shooting him full of adrenaline would be bad if he had any internal bleeding... and considering the circumstances she was sure he did. But she hated the feel of his pulse just now... it was so slow.

"It's okay... I'm getting you out of here." She cupped her hand under his mouth and poured some. "Drink. It's water." She was surprised to find that he actually swallowed. Did he understand her? Or was it just instinct?

After a minute or so, she stopped and capped the bottle before starting to clear more of the debris from around his head and upper body. Shortly after she had cleared enough for her to sit with his head in her lap and his shoulders free, but she gingerly checked his neck before doing it. Breathless she looked up at the sky, searching for Krillin before turning her attention back to him. Giving him more to drink, she then opened one of the medicated wet pads and carefully started to dab his face to clear the dirt and most of the blood from it.

Pausing in her work, she checked his pulse again. "Stay with me..." Then under her breath muttered, "Hurry Krillin."

With the wet pad dirty beyond recognition, she opened another and repeated. She was too anxious to not dosomething, even though she knew this mattered little compared to all the other wounds he had to have had. Even now she could see a little jagged piece of the ship protruding into his chest. She turned her gaze back to the task at hand, knowing it was no good to fret over it while she couldn't do anything about it. It was while she was trying to calm her mind and concentrate on wiping his face that she noticed how his wild black -well, dirty and bloody wild black hair- that jutted out from his head and reminded her an awful lot of someone she knew. Her brows creased in thought, only for her eyes to widen when the realization hit her. His hair was like Goku's...

Hesitating, she brought her hand back, her breath catching. Okay, so other than the hair they didn't really share any key features... but the man lying in her lap was nonetheless just as good looking as her friend. Even with the raw and angry cuts on his face, which was a pity for they would most certainly leave scars. But even then... he was handsome in a more rugged way than her friend, and scars would only add to that. As if in a trance she just sat there staring at him, not really thinking about anything as the wind stirred slightly around her, making her hair flutter.

Her free hand went to his face, her thumb rubbing. "Where are you from?" Only silence answered. She sighed, "Sorry your first experience on Earth had to be this... I promise you it's a wonderful place."

His brow wrinkled slightly. Earth? Where had he heard that name before? He was sure he had heard it somewhere... But where? Damnit. His mind refused to work. And the way her thumb rubbed his face... He felt himself relax, which was unforgiveable. A warrior never relaxed. Gritting his teeth he forced himself to concentrate on the pain to stay awake.

Mistaking his abrupt tenseness for discomfort, which he was no doubt a great deal in, she muttered softly, "It's alright, I'm not leaving you."

Minutes passed like this, when finally Krillin landed a few yards from her. "Geez..." His head turned as he took in the crater. "You weren't kidding about a crash..."

"What took you so long?" she snapped back, shooting him a glare.

He paled. "S-Sorry. I-I a..."

"Forget it, just get these last few pieces off him." She waved her hand dismissively, trying to calm down. He nodded, eyeing her and the man in her lap as he positioned himself to lift the first piece that was lying on his chest.

Bending down, he started to raise the white hunk of ship when she cried out, "Careful... its imbedded in his chest."

Nodding, he more carefully hauled it off the man and with it off she grabbed the sides of his tattered... body suit -from the looks of what remained- and ripped as Krillin worked on the three pieces that were layered over his legs. A startled gasp lurched into her throat as her eyes fell on his mangled body. The ship had clearly punctured his right lung and crushed a few ribs. And there was so much blood. She just couldn't believe he was still alive... it was... There were no words for it. She frowned shortly after her initial reaction as she noticed yellowing bruises and other older looking wounds that didn't look so good.

"Oh wow..." Krillin shook his head after removing the first two, standing there amazed after getting a look at him. "Do you think you can pull him out when I lift this last piece up a little, it's wedged under more..."

She bit her lip. "Um..." Then nodded as she carefully sat the man up and wrapped her arms around his upper chest, she stood. "I'm ready." Groaning, Krillin raised it as she tried to pull him away.

Feeling himself free from the heavy weight and this woman trying to move him, he jumped into action, his eyes snapping open as he turned. His hand wrapping around the pathetic girls neck just before he landed on top of her. His vision was blurry, but he could just make out blue hair and her wide sapphire eyes as she stared up at him too breathless to even scream. Behind him the one named Krillin let the piece fall not realizing what was happening. The man commanded his fingers to tighten around the girls neck, to snap it before her friend was any wiser. But nothing happened. His body, suddenly ignoring him... all energy fleeing him. A low growl rumbled up through his throat as his body succumbed to the darkness and he collapsed on top of her.

"You didn't have to move him that far Bulma..." Krillin said, surprised at finding her a yard away from the spot the man had been laying. When she didn't answer, he grew concerned. "Bulma?"
"I-I'm okay," she answered weakly, her hand barely touching the man's head as it rested on her shoulder.

Frankly she wasn't sure what just happened or what else to say. To suddenly be knocked over by a man who -in human terms shouldn't even be living- stare at her with those black eyes and growl at her before passing out... Had he been trying to say something? She didn't think so. That sound was more animalistic than anything and that look in his eyes. It was like he saw her but couldn't focus, but she could have sworn there had been malice in his dark eyes... She quelled a shiver, knowing she had to be imagining things.
Krillin had started to move to help the man off her when he fell backwards from shock. "H-He has a t-tail!"

Managing to sit up, she looked, her eyes widening. He was right... This man had a tail. Just like the one Goku used to have and the one Gohan had. She had always wondered where Goku got all that strength and power from, not to mention his extra appendage. Now the answer was staring her blankly in the face... Goku was an alien! Now it also made sense why the man was still alive... Goku was nearly indestructible. Tilting her head she frowned, noticing the tail was broken in three places as it lay at odd angles.

After wiggling her way out from under him she sighed, "Okay get him to my aircraft." Krillin nodded before hoisting him on his back and levitating off the ground... slowly making his way. Feeling the weariness reach her, she stood shakily and dusted herself off. A small cry escaped her lips as she noticed the condition of her outfit that was stained with blood, dirt, and what looked to be grease. "Damnit... I really liked this dress!"

Muttering things about crashing aliens being such annoyances under her breath, she headed for her car somewhat flustered and confused. Now unsure if what she was doing was the right thing... if he had been trying to hurt her... She shook her head, biting her lip. What reason did he have to do that? She had talked to him, comforted him, and gave him water. No, he must have been afraid. There was no other explanation that fit. Unless he was a bad alien... running from the space law. Was he a space pirate? The image of the man that Krillin was currently loading in her vehicle wearing an eye patch running from even funnier aliens came to mind. She giggled as she shook her head.

"What?" Krillin asked as she drew closer and he jumped out.

"Nothing..." She smiled as she stopped next to him. Then remembering the gravity of the situation she frowned. Going back to her capsule case and grabbing the storage one she turned to him, "Here catch..."

"What's this for?" He studied it before looking back at her.

"I would appreciate it if you could collect most of the pieces of the ship..."

His brows rose, "I can do that I guess... Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"
She glanced sideways over the back of the seat at the man, her thoughts from before not as troublesome after picturing him as an eye patch-wearing space pirate acting on instincts. Even so, he was unconscious now. She was of course going to stabilize him before she left. Most likely giving him sedatives... there really was no need to worry.

"Na... I'm good." She flashed him a smile, "Thank you for doing this..."

He blushed and scratched the side of his head, "Ahh its nothing." He then started for the crater.

Climbing into the back of her aircraft, she grabbed the IV bag from the front seat and hung it on a hook in the back, put there for instances just like this. She proceeded to unroll the tube, making sure there were no kinks in it. After prepping the needle she stopped, then looked at him...Maybe I should get the needles meant for Goku...It would make sense that normal needles wouldn't penetrate his skin if they shattered on her friend if they were the same... Nodding, she pulled out the huge first aid capsule again and fished out the special needles. With the needle in place in his arm, she taped it off and connected it to the tube. Rechecking everything twice before she turned the knob that let the fluids flow, she stepped back, running a hand through her hair. She had thought about sedating him... but then again she really didn't want to give him any when he already had a weak pulse. Deciding against it, she finished getting him stable.

One last time she confirmed that his vitals were in fact satisfactory before packing everything up and hanging out the door. "I'll see you back out at my house, Krillin."

With a piece of the ship under his arm he waved. "Good luck!"

She waved back before closing the door and sitting in the driver's seat. With the engines started she took off, amazed at all that had happened. The trip from Roshi's house to hers took all of four hours and she was roughly an hour and a half away from her house when this man's ship nearly hit her... So many things could have made it so she had never been there or it could have been someone else entirely in her place. To go from having a pity fest for herself to saving some unknown alien man who was clearly like Goku... she glanced back at her charge as the machine that reported his vitals beeped steadily... was this Kami's answer?

Frowning she looked forward.

If so he had a strange sense of humor. All that time she spent with Goku, practically raising him... helping him through their adventures. Watching him grow into the man she knew. She had been so jealous of ChiChi when she tricked him into marrying her. Hell, she still was. Who would have known the wacky, innocent and naïve boy she met so long ago would turn into such a catch... Let alone, she knew better than anyone he wasn't really as stupid as he let others believe. Part of her wondered if he really did know that it was him that killed his grandpa, but was unable to cope knowing it was him and not a monster. She had a suspicion that was the reason why he had his tail removed... he loved that thing. She had been beyond surprised when he had it removed.

Sighing, she slid a little into her chair. Well, even if this wasn't some funny joke from Kami... hadn't she wanted another adventure? A small smiled turned the corner of her lips... Oh, hell yeah! She was ready.

.~-~.

The monitors beeped with life as she finished cleaning the other minor wounds. Leaning back, she exhaled, feeling exhausted. Having stayed up through the rest of night and well into the day with her father to fix all the major complications -including the punctured right lung, the countless broken bones and then taking care of everything else while her father disappeared downstairs with the man's blood work, she knew she deserved a good rest. But she still needed to dress all the wounds and wait until her father got back so they could make solid casts for his leg, arm and tail. She glanced over at the clock... the green glow stated 4:00pm. Her father had been in his lab studying this man's blood for over 3 hours. Normally she wouldn't be worried, but giving the nasty surprises they found under the wounds he received from the crash.

Sighing, she folded her arms on the bed next to the man and rested her forehead on them. No. Worst thing out of all of this was learning this man had clearly been tortured previously to the wreck. How else would you explain the hundreds of shadows in his x-ray that were from fixed and unfixed broken bones? Or the oozing wounds from what could only be from his last round of torment. From what her father could tell this man had spent his whole life in a hellish world plagued with unimaginable misery. Rubbing her head on her wrists, she then looked up at him. He was sleeping, but who was to say it was peaceful? Such horrors he must have known...

She grimaced at the memory of setting his recent broken bones and breaking a few to fix the ones left to heal wrong. Even unconscious people would make some kind of noise of pain or even scream in most cases, but he just lay there... unflinching... without a sound. That was not normal... She couldn't even imagine what he had lived through to become so unaffected by pain. The only time they had ever heard a peep from him was when they fixed his tail. He had growled in his sleep, a deep horrible sound that had set both her and her father on edge and even made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Needless to say, they were glad to be done when they fixed it. But still.

She didn't know what to think. Or even what to say if this broken, battered man happened to wake up that very moment. Sorry? It sounded useless even to her. Her life, other than guy troubles, was perfect. What did she know of such things? Not to mention, he probably didn't even want to talk about it... Kami knew she wouldn't. At that very moment she decided she would never let him know she knew. When he awoke she would just pretend that she didn't know. It was probably better that way.

Biting her lip she stood, leaning over as she touched his face. "I promise. You are safe now."
He grabbed her arm suddenly as she went to pull away. Somewhat startled she studied him, his eyes were closed and he still looked as if asleep... well, other than the small scowl on his face. With all the drugs they were pumping into him to keep him sedated and pain free... he should be out for a million years. She looked down at his hand, bringing her other hand to it and covering his. When she looked back up she found that his eyes were slightly open, his dark gaze on her.

She gave him a sad smile before reaching up for the morphine drip. "Please rest. Nothing here will bring you pain. I swear." She turned the knob releasing more into the tube, then watched as his eyes closed and his hand fell limply off the bed.

Sighing, she put his arm back on the bed. Not looking forward to the task at hand... dressing his wounds and seeing all the horrors written in his flesh once again.

.~-~.

Dr. Teddy Briefs studied his notes, then looked down at the man. He had proved within seconds that Goku and the young man were of the same species after comparing their DNA. But upon comparing the two blood samples he noticed a huge abnormality... one that if he was right could prove fatal yet if he couldn't figure out what caused it or, more important, how to treat it. As of now he gave him the treatment for Fuscus Morbus, a horrible disease that attacked the heart and blood cells... because he knew of no other thing that could cause such a deformity in blood cells... but he knew for a fact that it was impossible for this young man to obtain such a disease, for he had already tested Goku's blood with all known Earth diseases and he never contracted any of them.

Frowning, he closed the folder. Something told him that he was trouble or he was going to bring trouble judging by the wounds he had received prior to the crash. Either one was normally never a good thing. He sighed as he scratched his chin, glancing over at his daughter who had fallen asleep in the chair. She had been great, working herself ragged to help and never complaining about how dirty she got or the blood like she usually did. But then it had been a shock to both of them to find his other wounds. He hoped he wouldn't regret saving the young man's life later...

Grabbing a spare blanket from the closet, he covered his daughter, then kissed her head and turned off the light as he exited the room.

~~~~ .~-~. ~~~~

Beta read by LPphreek.