Vegeta sat in his royal chambers, Lema held close. He stared out the window, battling with a decision that would change many lives. "What's wrong?" she finally asked, disturbed by his silence.

"Show me your world, Lema. I want to know where and how you lived."

Lema paled, pulling away from Vegeta. "Ask me anything else but that, Vegeta."

He stood, watching her pace back and forth. Passing by him, he grabbed Lema and pinned her against the wall. Her eyes were frantic, "You must learn to face the past little one."

"You have no idea what they're capable of, Vegeta."

He traced the scar on her neck, moving to below her neck line. Lema shied away, but Vegeta grabbed her wrists and held them above her head. She looked vulnerable, but he refused to allow her to withdraw from him. "I told you not to hide these from me. They're badges of courage."

"They're ugly. It shows that I wasn't fast enough to avoid the whip's bite."

"Scars can be healed, Lema."

He saw the hope in her eyes and Vegeta wanted nothing more than to conquer all her fears and doubts. "I'll do it," she whispered. Vegeta knew how much it had cost her to agree.

"How many times were you beaten?"

"I lost count."

"Why?"

"They didn't have to have a reason..." she spat. "All commoners were beaten. If we walked, sneezed or blinked wrong, they brought down their canes and whips. Some of them had metal tips, while others were nine tails. The field masters would sneak up on me while I slept, tie me to the post and beat me until I was cut down a few days later."

"You... survived these... Do all the commoners have scars like these?" Vegeta was horrified, hating the system he had been supporting in ignorance.

"I... don't know." Lema rubbed the sides of her head, shuddering as Vegeta continued to explore the many scars on her arms and back. He was like a curious child, but an angry one.

"Lema?" Vegeta pulled away and leaned against his bed. "I want you to teach me..."

"Teach you?" Lema squeaked.

"My father said to hate your kind, that to show a commoner kindness would make them see beyond their status and hope for the impossible. I've seen what they are in his eyes, let me see through yours."

"Vegeta, you don't have to do this..." Lema whispered, finding it difficult to keep standing. "To live in my world, you have to become..."

"Do you wish to learn the ancient weapons of Vegeta-sai," he purred, biting her neck. If he hadn't been holding her, she would have collapsed. At the moment, she'd walk through hell if he demanded it of her. "I'll teach them to you and more. All I ask in return is to learn about the people of my planet? Am I wrong for such a request?"

"No... Why is this so important to you?"

"Lema, everyone of my people have accepted you! Can I say the same for myself?"

"When did you want to leave?"

"Tonight. I'll leave a message for Bardock and Turles to take care of things until my return."

"You can't tell anyone of this," Lema warned him. "Everyone in the country must think of you as a commoner, even your clothes!"

Vegeta nodded and ordered that she get some sleep before they left. As she rested, he studied her features, his fingers shaking in a blind rage. 'Lema...' he growled. She stirred, but didn't move as he knelt beside her. 'I've never had a friend before.'

He wondered if she would wake, but as his lips pressed against her soft mouth, she only gave a soft whimper. Her scent was intoxicating, but he knew better than to force Lema to his desires. Lema was more than a possession to him, a gift he would sacrifice his crown for if she asked.