Lema painfully traveled across the sky, the weight of Vegeta becoming heavier and heavier to bare. She couldn't explain it, but the farther she went with Vegeta, the weaker she became. It was as if she was dying with him, slipping away into an eternal darkness. Why did she save him? So many questions and so few answers.

Shifting Vegeta's weight, Lema found a safe place to land and lowered King Vegeta onto a field of grass. His pulse was weak, slow and irregular. If she didn't get him to the castle within the next few hours, he would die.

As they rested, Vegeta's tail had found its way to her wrist, refusing to let go or be moved. 'He's afraid of something.' She didn't know the Saiya-jin very well, but the terror was coming off of him in waves. Why couldn't he be awake?

After a few moments, Lema started to move Vegeta again when his eyes opened. "Don't let them take me..." he half growled, half stuttered.

"Who..."

"Enemies, in the castle. Trust no..." he didn't finish, slipping back into unconsciousness.

Rumor was, the King's father had been assassinated almost four years ago. The killer or killers had never been found. Vegeta had no friends and Lema knew she would never allow any harm to come to him. The mark on her neck was making it hard to concentrate. After resting for several minutes, she carefully lifted Vegeta onto her back and continued to fly towards the castle.

Lema dropped a mile from the castle, Vegeta's warning in mind. "I need to find a way into the castle without being spotted."

Giving him to the guards was dangerous and she didn't know who to trust. He had said no one and she rather follow Vegeta's instinct than guards that had beaten her in the fields all her life. Besides, they would blame her before they realized the truth.

Sneaking onto the castle grounds proved to be too easy. "Where is everyone?" She was thankful that they weren't paying attention, but disgusted at the same time. Lema had expected a little difficulty, not to walk down the corridors with no one in her way. She dimly remembered the labs and was relieved to find them.

Several of the technicians gasped, but quickly rushed over and grabbed the unconscious king. "Can you save him?" She asked, watching them hook the different wires to his nose and mouth.

"Hai."

"How long?" She asked them.

"A couple of hours."

Lema blinked in surprise. The flag was within her grasp, but she refused to leave until she knew he was out of danger. Five minutes before they were to release him, she thanked the doctors and left, heading for the arena. Her eyes narrowed in determination. Nothing would stop her now.

Turles leaned back against the wall, Raditz, Cyan and Bardock beside him. Two days after the six month dead line had passed and there was no sign of Lema. Suddenly the crowd was on their feet, cheering as a figure walked on to the arena. She looked exhausted, but proud as she walked towards the flag. Lema expected a fight, but when Saiya-jin after Saiya-jin bowed, she knew then that she had won more than the trials, but respect, pride and honor.

The flag was within her reach, but she knew then that it was more than a stick that won a victory. Smiling, she left it, turning to see King Vegeta standing close by. He had fully recovered and there was something in his expression that hadn't been there before. His eyes softened and he moved in her direction. Would she run from him?

Lema knew her place was not on the battle field, but beside her King. He needed a friend, one that asked for nothing in return. Sinking to her knee, she bowed, fully pledging her life into his hands. Vegeta stopped in front of her and helped her rise. "Lema, I don't need another guard."

"I wasn't offering you one," she laughed. He frowned. "Of all the things that you have or ever wanted; what is the one desire that you've always lacked?"

Vegeta had never been so wrong about a person until then. Never again would he find another female like her; proud, courageous and a warrior at heart. "A mate that I can call a friend," he whispered. Vegeta brushed her cheek, expecting her to pull away. She only smiled, moving closer.

"Are you satisfied that I'll be enough? I already know who would win the challenge if you should issue one?"

"Who?"

"Myself, of course!" Vegeta glared at her, but realized that she was teasing him. Lema knew she couldn't win and had submitted her life to him.

"You saved my life; you could have continued without me."

"A test was not worth your life, Vegeta. What kind of repayment is that? I was an intruder in your bed chambers. I could have been an assassin; yet you went out of your way to spare my life. Everyone has always wanted something from you; has anyone ever asked what you wanted. Ask, and I'll do everything in my power to give it to you."

"Lema, you're all I want. However, it goes both ways. From what your friends and family say, you've always sacrificed your happiness for theirs."

Lema smiled; "I want my father as a royal guard, if he'll except. He could have finished, but chose to let me continue."

"Hai. Raditz and Cyan will join him next week for training."

Vegeta knew he could trust the girl, despite her natural distrust of him. He had sensed it the first time they had met, even if she wasn't completely aware of it. Her reaction to the officer in the cafeteria verified that suspicion and he knew then that he also had a powerful fighter who needed to be trained. He would never let her go, Lema knew this as she stared into his ebony eyes. Vegeta had yet to harm her.

"I have a question?"

"What?"

"You're not afraid of me, are you?"

"No."

"I could have killed you."

"Death means nothing to me."

"You're aware I have to issue the challenge?"

"Don't expect an easy fight, Vegeta. I may not win, but you'll need that tank to heal again."

"I want nothing less from you, little one."

"Stop calling me that," she growled.

"No," he teased, moving to the center of the arena. He crouched, Lema doing the same. The crowd gasped, Turles leaping to his feet. Before he could stop her, Bardock grabbed his arm and shook his head.

"She's insane!" Turles roared.

"Lema's made her choice. Besides, isn't it obvious. Vegeta will never kill her."

"I don't..."

"Look at her neck. He's already marked her. This is for those that would try to deny her claim to him. By Saiya-jin law, he has no choice but to fight her here. The crowd will approve of this match. Turles, let the past go. He can protect her."

"That's not his job! I promised Leana..."

"Then give her to Vegeta! Lema can't go back to the fields Turles! We owe her this and so much more."

Several guards appeared and bowed, surprising Turles and Bardock. "We've been ordered to prepare you in the royal colors of Lema's personal guard. Cyan and Raditz will join you shortly."

Bardock started to leave, but was grabbed by the arm. "You, Bardock, will become Vegeta's personal guard."

"But... I never participated in the trials!"

"You were once a royal guard, which means that you had in the past. Will you refuse Vegeta's command?"

"Dammit! Did I say not to interfere with Lema's decision?" Bardock scowled, storming off into the castle. Turles gave a last look at Vegeta and Lema. Bardock was right, he had nothing to fear. He would still be able to protect her and the past was easier to let go.

Vegeta and Lema vanished, disappearing into the air in a sonic clash. The stadium shuddered at the force of their power, but no one seemed to notice as they tried to watch the blurring images. 'Who was this girl?' they all asked.

"They're so fast," Cowli whispered, unable to keep up with them. "I don't understand; how'd she get so powerful?"

"How many times has she nearly died?" Raditz asked them.

King Vegeta and Lema landed, their breaths coming fast and hard. Both were sweating heavily, smiling from ear-to-ear. "They're enjoying this!" Arico growled in dismay.

Lema knew he was holding back. She couldn't beat him, but running was never an option. Her muscles still ached from carrying Vegeta all the way to the castle, 'Perhaps I should have used the regeneration tanks after all.'

Vegeta respected Lema's pride. He was aware of her refusing artificial healing. Prolonging the battle was an option, but he knew that would be a fatal error when it came to the small fighter. Vegeta saw a lot of potential in the girl. "You're still not afraid, are you?"

"Should I be?"

Lema didn't see him move behind her, placing her in a choke hold. She struggled to break free, but his tail wrapped around her body, pinning her arms down, his free arm holding her waist securely. "Why did you save my life?"

"I..." Lema had asked herself that a thousand times. "You... you didn't deserve to die."

"Is that the only reason?"

His grip tightened, bringing a small whimper of pain from her. Lema was being tested; what did he want from her? "You're..." what was he to her. "I've always defended my friends."

"A friend?" he sounded disappointed. "That's all I am to you?"

"I'm what ever you need me to be, Vegeta. I..." No one heard the conversation passing between the two fighters. Would he kill Lema? All the spectators were on their feet, too tense to breathe. "I don't want you to die."

Vegeta nipped her neck, intrigued by the red hue of her skin. Was she angry? Tilting her head back, he gasped. Her eyes were a deep black, telling him everything he wanted to know. "Lema, the choice is yours. Will you become my personal guard, guardian and protector to the throne of Vegeta-sai? Your training will be savage, almost impossible."

He released her, whirling her to face him. "Do you know what I saw the first day I found you beneath that rose bush, Lema?" She shook her head, trapped by the whisper of his voice. Vegeta was capable of killing thousands, yet he was always so gentle to her. "I see a fighter that isn't afraid to face impossible odds, even if it means her death or defeat. Please Lema, I don't need just *another* soldier. I need someone I can trust, what you call *a friend.* I want you as a mate. I want you to carry our child and no one else. There is no other that I will ask."

She started to say something, but he touched her lips with the tip of his finger and shook his head. Her eyes softened, all the aggression and fight leaving her small body. "Will you accept little one?"

"Hai."

Taking a black sash from his belt, he tied it around her left arm. It was a symbol to all that she was now a royal guard and more. The crowd roared in agreement. Not one person would question her status, she had proven herself in the trials.