Authoress' Note: This shameless slow burn came to me without warning. I blame myself for thinking about a song and pairing this with our couple who were part of the Relentless Brothers' involvement in this series.

Yes, this is a sniplet of an underrated couple who pretty much fought against the odds to be together. Usually, I would not explore such a thing like this, but I had a writing bug I needed to get out.

The song I put in here was my inspiration to write this at an ungodly hour the night before I go back to work. Don't own the song, though it spurred this idea.

Lyrics are not my own, but belong to Foreigner. Yeah, I'm crediting a British-American band for this whole idea.

A Wife's Lesson on Love

________

I've gotta take a little time,

A little time to think things over,

I better read between the lines,

In case I need it when I'm older...

________

To say that last mission Bardock was on with Gine was trying was an understatement. He finally knew why she seemed so closed off to the others. Why she hated the doctors when they were around.

The thought that they were trying to slowly change her into a monster made his blood boil. He would break their arm if they tried to touch her again.

No one touched his Gine...

Wait. When did he consider her his? Was Gine even able to feel anything other than anger? Or was Bardock just wasting his time in someone he might not be able to have return how he felt for her?

He knew that he had to try.

After all, nothing ventured is nothing gained. And if things fell flat, he could at least be friends with her.

________

Now this mountain I must climb,

Feels like a world upon my shoulders,

Through the clouds I see love shine,

It keeps me warm as life grows colder...

________

Gine was staring at the scouter in her hand. She had been proud to have received orders from it, but her new job would not require her to be blasting a hole into a random civilian. Or wiping out a horde of children...

Her tail tensed at the thought of those children that tried to manipulate her back on Planet Mineral.

________

They were clinging to her, begging not to die, and saying that she should spare them. She was struggling with herself while the older children were hurting her senselessly, knowing what she was capable of doing, but reigning in the urge to hurt any of them. Sadly, the anger boiled over, and the next thing she knew, she found herself overwhelmed by the fury that blinded her from all logic thought.

By the time Bardock showed up, she had killed a large number of them, her wristband had been torn off, and the cursed mark glowing wildly on her wrist. Gine's eyes fell upon him with a snarl in her tone. If he even tried to stop her, she would ensure that he regretted it.

Instead, what tiny bit of kindness inside of Gine realized what she had done.

The look of horror on Bardock's face spoke volumes when he saw her standing there. Before she could react, he was restraining her from going a step further and continuing down the spiraling descent into the madness.

Gine struggled against him as Bardock quickly put her hand up against his scouter and shot her a knowing look to disable it. She was angry, but complied without asking any questions. Why should she be questioning her commander? Her captain who had many more questions about why she hid such a thing from him?

Anger clearly clouded Gine's mindset as Bardock held her, purring softly. That sound began to calm her down, but she was still angry. She wanted to finish the mission, but instead, he was restraining her. There had to be more, right?

"They're all dead..." Gine barely heard Tora's voice in her ear. Bardock must have heard it since his scouter was disabled, but he removed his wristband, tying it around her wrist to hide the mark, before picking her up and carrying her off.

He saved her again. Just like that. And Gine hated it when Bardock just showed up to take her away from the danger.

"Who killed them all?"

"Gine did."

"Wow, didn't think you had it in you," Borgos laughed, but she nearly tore out of Bardock's arms.

"Easy..." the captain held her gently, keeping her from beating the living daylights out of another squad member. "I'm going to take her back in my ship and make sure she doesn't act out like she did on that last mission."

No one asked any questions. They knew Bardock had a way of reasoning with Gine, and it was not the first time Bardock and Gine had to ride back together. Usually, it would be the other way around since Bardock was hurt and Gine insisted on treating him on the way back.

Bardock had not brought it up since they left Planet Mineral, but he did say that they would talk about this whole thing later. Hell, Gine even feared that he would report her to the elites. It was no secret that those that survived King Cold's heartless experiments were treated like animals before being slaughtered mercilessly. It was as though the moment they were given the life-altering drug, they were no longer considered civilized in their eyes, but devolved into mindless beasts.

________

In my life there's been heartache and pain,

I don't know if I can face it again,

Can't stop now, I've traveled so far,

To change this lonely life...

________

A knock at the door forced her to almost drop the scouter in her hand. Who was at the door? The elites? The king himself? If any were at the door, then she would not go down without a fight. She prepared a ball of plasma and opened the door...

...only for Bardock to be standing there as he quickly ducked. The energy blast sailed over his head and hit the wall, not enough to tear a hole into a wall, but it left a sear mark.

"Bardock, I could have hurt you," Gine was flustered, looking him over. Odd, he did not seem angry in the slightest. And the fact that he was brave enough to come here alone was strange. She quickly looked around, half-expecting elites to be hiding and waiting for her guard to be down, but it was just him.

"Wouldn't be the first time," Bardock joked as he noticed the fear shining in her eyes. "Mind if I come in?"

It would be rude to let him stand outside, so Gine sidestepped to let him walk in. It was not the first time he had been in her flat. He had brought her home previously when she was injured on a different mission. While it was a dislocated shoulder, Bardock had the courtesy of making sure that she recovered.

"Gine, about what happened..." Bardock noticed her back away from him after she shut the door, "...I won't say anything about the matter to the elites..."

She released a breath she had not realized that she was holding. "I thought back there that you were..."

"They're too blind to see past the kindness you show towards others," Bardock shook his head as he drew closer to her. "I hate that King Cold's doctors were merciless towards you, but I will not tolerate them continuing to experiment on you. From now on, you're not alone."

"Bardock..." Gine was surprised as he pulled her into a hug. A soft purr was heard as she seemed to close her eyes, relaxing in his grasp. He had done this one other time when she was horribly angry, but he held her, purring like crazy until she finally calmed down.

"Gine, this squad had one rule: you cannot fall in love," Bardock muttered. "It was what I was told by the former captain, Peanap. He was strict, making it a motto that we all had to follow."

She remembered when he mentioned it when she was interviewing to join the team after the catastrophic time she had with her previous squad. None of the survivors wanted her around, considering a woman like her to be more of a curse than assistance on their team. The rumors were bad when Bardock had considered taking her on, some even considering the captain utterly insane for letting such a cursed woman to become a part of his squad.

Then again, they already had quite the reputation of going on missions that even the elite would not soil their hands with, and Gine could still remember the day she was standing in front of Bardock.

________

"Disable this scouter without touching it," Bardock pointed at the device that stood on a platform. She could smell the smoking remains of those that were burnt to a crisp, a clear sign that those who tried that before had failed miserably.

It only took a snap of her fingers, but Gine quickly disabled the scouter without even touching it. She noticed the bored expression on Bardock's face change, an eyebrow raising as he seemed to consider her. Tora, who had others lined up, noticed the captain rise from his seat and cross the room.

"You said your name is Gine?" Bardock asked. "I thought you would have been a man, but I'm actually surprised to see a woman instead."

Gine was not discouraged by the false flattery. She was used to such trivial talk from the others who underestimated her abilities.

"I have other prospects that are interested in me," Gine teased him, not wanting to be fooled into such a demeaning position.

"Can they pay you more than I plan to if you choose to join me?" Bardock countered, noticing disbelief in her eyes.

"How much more?"

"Three times more than the last squad."

"Depends. Can you handle me?" Gine was considering, but not really committed. Yet Bardock ended up surprising her, showing her something no other squad had ever given her.

Absolute trust.

________

"Gine?" Bardock's voice brought her back to the present. She looked up at him as she noticed that he was looking at her.

"I was just thinking," Gine frowned, clearly confused. Why was he bringing this up? "Why did you take me in?"

"Because I saw something that the others were too blind to see," Bardock answered.

"What do you...?" Gine was silenced when he suddenly pressed his lips against hers.

She froze. What was this? Why was he...?

Bardock's tail gently coiled around hers as she felt a strange fluttering in the pit of her stomach. Her heart seemed to race as the purring seemed louder in her ears for some odd reason. A foreign emotion, something she never felt before, seemed to flood her. She began to return the kiss, oddly hungry for this strange term of affection she never encountered in her life.

________

I wanna know what love is,

I want you to show me,

I wanna feel what love is,

I know you can show me...

________

Whatever it was, Gine realized that she wanted more of it, to be filled completely with this new emotion that was overwhelming the void caused by the drugs. Bardock easily gave her more, showing that he wanted more of her, no longer discouraged as his arms wrap around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

Usually, Gine was never one to like hugs of any kind, even the friendly ones that Fasha gave in celebration. Now, she did not even want to leave such an embrace, welcoming this along with everything else the captain wanted to show her.

Soon, she felt Bardock pull away. Did Gine do something wrong? Was he planning to leave? Such a thought pained her, but he looked at her with a strange, new emotion that she never seen in his eyes before. What was this? Why did she like this?

"Peanap said that love was a worthless emotion, but I can't deny how I feel about you..." Bardock nuzzled Gine's cheek with affection.

"You... you love me?" Gine was perplexed. "Why? Why would you love me?"

"I just do, everything about how kind and gentle you were made me yearn for you," Bardock admitted. "I used to hate it. I used to hate how you were so afraid and timid, but anytime I was hurt, you were nothing but caring. I still remember when you cooked for us on our hardest mission and encouraged us..."

"Bardock, you could settle with anyone, but are you sure you want to be with me?"

"As sure as running into combat to protect you from everything that threatens your life," Bardock confirmed as he kissed her again.

Gine allowed herself to be swept up in this passion that Bardock showed her. She felt warm, safe, and for the first time, truly loved by someone who wanted her for who she is and not as a weapon.

The thought of her retiring from combat no longer seemed so bad. Instead, Gine was starting to think this was a great start for something new, something wonderful.

She was not wrong when Bardock asked for her hand in marriage a few months later. She immediately agreed. He promised that he would make her happy, and she trusted him.

Bardock was the first man she ever trusted with all of her heart and soul.

________

I'm gonna take a little time,

A little time to look around me,

I've got nowhere left to hide,

It looks like love has finally found me...

________

Years passed. Gine was happy until recently when Turles was lost on Planet Scorch. Since that day months ago, she had been so distraught that she took her anger out on both Raditz and Bardock. She had felt as though she had lost a part of herself, a part of her that she knew that she would not get back.

Due to this, Bardock had given her time to grieve, time to mourn for the loss of their son. He had tried to comfort Gine, but she kept pushing him away before he got the message. He gave her space, missing the closeness they used to have.

One afternoon though, everything changed when Tora came straight to the butchery in a panic.

"Tora? What's going...?" Gine saw the expression in his eyes.

"Those bastards... they have him..." Tora snarled.

Gine never wanted this to happen to him. Anger flooded her and for a fleeting moment, she saw red despite being color blind. The cleaver in her hand crashed into the cutting board, cracking it despite it being a very hardwood. She had been using moments ago without leaving much of a mark, but now, she had everyone's attention.

Tora quickly moved her to the break room to hide the glowing mark that was starting to shine ominously. He knew the truth due to Bardock explaining this to the crew sometime after Raditz was born. The second in command knew that the captain and his best friend would not wish for dozens of elites demanding the butchery to be shut down over her brief lapse of control so they could drag her away.

If anything happened to Gine, Bardock would challenge the king and any elite that stood between him and his wife. He made that clear when she was pregnant with Turles. He flat out refused to go back to work until he knew that both his wife and child were out of danger.

"Easy Gine," Tora held her despite her wanting nothing more than to tear from his grasp and go right to where she knew they had her husband. "I want him to be alright too, but you need to calm down. He wouldn't want you to go there in a fit of rage and with elites tailing you..."

It took a few minutes, but Gine calmed down enough to hide the mark underneath her wristbands. Tora sighed a breath of relief as he noticed the reason had returned and she managed to calm down.

"I need to get to him, but..." Gine was concerned. Bardock had put in a good word for her to get this job.

"I'll explain that it was a training accident with him, now go," Tora told Gine. It was not the truth, but knowing the man's recklessness, they would buy that excuse.

Gine nods, knowing that Tora would follow after he was done.

'Bardock, hang on...' Gine thought silently to herself.

________

In my life there's been heartache and pain,

I don't know if I can face it again,

Can't stop now, I've traveled so far,

To change this lonely life...

________

The slums. Gine hated this place. It was where the elite avoided unless it was highly necessary. It was their thinking that if anything happened in the slums, they were not held responsible for the underhanded things. Even death was overlooked considering that only low class traverse these narrow streets. Unless anyone of their rank or of royal blood was here, they would leave it alone, but the likelihood was horrifically low.

Darting down the familiar stretch, her blood burned at the thought of what they were doing to him at that moment. It was not until she was within earshot that she finally learned the horrific truth of the matter.

"Give me that damn shot and it'll be the last thing you ever do." Bardock's raised voice yelled from within the room.

NO! Gine rushed in, but the door was locked. She noticed that it was the same one they tried to keep her in as she quickly disabled it.

Those fools were truly stupid.

Kicking the door down with enough force, Gine snarled as she lunged at the doctor closest to her husband, noticing that he had already marked Bardock's wrist with that accursed mark that she wish would just disappear.

She was too late as she murdered the one that marred her husband's skin after giving him those shots. The others fled, fearful that she would try to go after them, but her eyes fell upon Bardock.

Her husband.

The one who showed her how to love. The one who reminded her of happiness and showered her with affection.

________

I wanna know what love is,

I want you to show me,

I wanna feel what love is,

I know you can show me...

________

"Bardock... Bardock... wake up... please..." Gine's voice called, sadness in her tone. She fell to her knees, pulling him into her arms. She shook him gently, hoping to hear his voice, the anger burning just beneath the surface.

Even though Bardock had barely survived the dosage, his breathing was ragged, his tail lying limp and rigid to the touch. Her husband, the one that would fight recklessly, seemed to have lost a lot of color to his complexion.

Gine felt emotions that she used to feel so easily before the doctors messed with her. Sadness. Grief. Fear.

Tears ran down her face as the thought of losing him after they lost Turles crossed her mind. If she lost her husband, she would not know what she would do. She knew without him, she probably would not know how she would survive. Saiyans mated for life, so the likelihood would be that she would feel nothing but sadness and anger. Sadness for no longer feeling his love, and anger for the ones who heartlessly did this to him without any regard to how she truly felt.

Gine was afraid that she would die from a broken heart before she is executed and...

A soft groan escaped his throat as Bardock opened his eyes, feeling overwhelmed by the burning of the drugs that were tearing away his ability to feel nothing but anger. He saw Gine, his beautiful, amazing wife, crying as he wondered who would hurt her.

"Gine?" Bardock questioned as she touched his face. Even his skin felt like it was on fire.

"Bardock... I... I thought that I lost you too..." Gine admitted. His eyes held much fury, so much unbridled rage all because of what they did to him.

"I hate this... I finally understand what you went through, and I can't stand this..." Bardock's voice hissed as he growled lowly. This frightened Gine as she tensed, but she knew it was the drugs talking. If she had not gone through this, she probably would have ran away and never looked back.

What was Gine supposed to do? Her husband was hurt, no longer the same man, and all because they wanted her to suffer. It was not right. It was not fair.

"What can I do? I don't like that you are like this..." Gine felt helpless. It was then she remembered what he had done to her. Back when she was lost.

"Gine, I feel nothing but anger... I... I can't survive like this and..." Bardock was silenced as Gine suddenly pressed her lips against his.

________

I wanna know what love is,

The love that you feel inside,

I want you to show me,

And I'm feelin' so much love,

I wanna feel what love is,

No, you just cannot hide,

I know you can show me,

Yeah...

________

'You saved me back then when I thought that I lost everything... I was wrong... you are my world, my everything...' Gine silently admitted as she poured all of her love for him into that kiss.

Her tail weakly wrapped around Bardock's and he physically relaxed in her arms. The burning was overwhelming, but not as overwhelming as his wife's love. He was the one used to showing her love, showing her that she was not a heartless monster.

Gine felt Bardock respond, his lips gently moving against hers. She had been overwhelmed with grief of her second child's death that she had selfishly pushed him away. He had been trying so hard to remind her that she did not have to mourn alone. How could she had been so blind?

A soft purr rumbled from Bardock. The same, comforting sound that he made anytime she was too angry or hurt seemed to soothe away the pain she felt. Gine had been so involved in her own pain that she finally saw the pain he had been carrying, the guilt of losing their child. He must have been carrying this guilt for months all alone without any form of reassurance.

"I'm sorry... I pushed you away... blamed you for..." Gine was silenced by Bardock pressing his finger to her lips.

"I know..." Bardock reassured, "I don't deserve you Gine... I love you... and I'm..."

"You're wrong... I don't deserve you... I was too blind to see before, but now, I understand more than I did back then... I thought you were like the others... thought I didn't deserve love..." Gine moved his hand away so she could tell him how she felt. "I love you Bardock... I don't want to lose you..."

"I would die for you... protect both you and Raditz from the universe if I could... to make up for not being able to do the same for Turles..." Bardock muttered weakly as his eyes drift shut. "The others can't see the woman I saved... they saw you as a coward, but I saw you at your worst and knew you were not for the battlefield..."

"Don't close your eyes..." Gine was afraid. While he bore the mark that indicated that he survived, he was still horrifically weak.

"Gine... share... share your energy with me..." Bardock hissed. "At least until the others find us..."

Gine had forgotten that Tora was on her heels when she ran away. She had tapped her scouter to issue an emergency signal as she pressed her lips against his. Focusing, she unselfishly shared her energy to keep him alive.

To sustain him.

To ensure that they both made it out of the slums alive.

Bardock clutched her hand in Gine's as she focused on him. He would make sure he lived for her. To keep his promise to her.

"Gine!" Tora's voice called.

"In here!" Gine yelled as she heard the footfalls of the others coming.

They were going to make it. Gine had to make sure that Bardock made it. He saved her in more ways than he would ever know.

Now, it was time for her to return the favor as she held onto him.

Gine ended up staying with Bardock for the rest of the night, making sure to not let go of his hand. She was comforted by the steady beat of his heart as she fell asleep, hoping against all odds that he would be with her when she woke once more.

________

I wanna know what love is,

Let's talk about love,

I want you to show me,

I wanna feel,

I wanna feel what love is,

And I know, and I know,

I know you can show me,

Yeah,

I wanna know what love is,

I wanna know,

I want you to show me,

I wanna feel what love is,

I wanna feel,

I know you can show me...

________

Bardock was walking down the street when he saw Gine standing there. And yet, her scent had changed since he had last seen her.

"Gine!" Bardock greeted warmly.

"Bardock, you're home!" Gine smiled softly.

It had been four months now, and while Bardock was recovering from what happened, he and Gine had made up for lost time. At times, he had trouble controlling his anger, but his wife gently guided him through it.

Just as Bardock guided her whenever she lost her way.

He quickly closed the gap and takes her into his arms as he kissed her gently.

"You smell so different..." Bardock mutters, wanting to be alone with her as he noticed his crew staring.

"Do you truly think Peanap would approve of this?" Tora teased the captain.

"Considering that he's dead? I know for a fact that the old man would die again of a heart attack if he saw the captain with a former member of the squad," Fasha shook her head at the rare public display that he was showing with his wife. "Hey Bardock! I bet she's pregnant the way you're kissing her!"

Bardock and Gine immediately froze as his hand gently moved towards her belly. The last time he was with her, he was consumed by nothing but bliss while she was with him. While the drugs made it even harder to show his affection, she found a way and he surrendered to the moment, letting her know that he felt the same towards her.

A soft energy, an energy just like hers, was felt between them. A small smile crossed Bardock's lips and he just touched the new life, cherishing the new chance that they were given.

"I... I thought you wouldn't approve..." Gine was relieved for some reason that his tail pulled her closer.

"I told you that I would do everything in my power to make you happy Gine, and if you want another baby, I won't deny you," Bardock reminded her as he nuzzled her cheek.

He remembered. Despite everything that happened, he remembered.

'I promise to make you happy Gine... now and forever...'

"Thank you Bardock..." Gine seemed happy as Bardock picked her up and carried her home.

"Always Gine..." He muttered softly as he ignored the jealous glares and hatred that the other soldiers shot in their direction.

Let them hate what he had with Gine. Bardock made it known that he would never hurt her intentionally. He would ensure that she was happy. Gine's happiness was important, just as their love for one another is eternal.

Fin

So what spurred this idea?

Honestly, I was listening to my music lately on a CD player that I had gotten for Christmas as a request. The song played and it made this idea write itself. Some of it came from what I was doing with Espeon804, but the rest was stuff I just made up.

This sniplet went much longer than my normal writings as well, but I did say slow burn at the beginning. Plus the lyrics I threw in here to guide my writing did help push it past ten pages.

Yeah, power ballad from the 80s for the win! It might be an old song, but I grew up listening to this anytime it played on the radio.

Hope no one is offended by my song choice, but considering this anime was started in the 80s, I am hoping that I did the lyrics justice writing this thing.