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Endlessly	By : Froglady15 Category: Dragon Ball Z > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 2949 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Just my Husband, laptop, my 3 dogs and a very overactive imagination. Dragon Ball Z and any songs mentioned DO NOT belong to me. I MKE NO MONEY/PROFIT!

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Just my Husband, laptop, my 3 dogs and a very overactive imagination… Dragon Ball Z and any songs mentioned in this fic DO NOT belong to me. I'm just borrowing them for my own twisted amusement.
Chapter 12
Bulma and Bardock had worked all day on reproducing the capsules. It hadn't taken them long to finish the prototype and by the middle of the afternoon they had over a dozen capsules done. They worked extremely well together.
"This is amazing, Bulma!" Bardock exclaimed. "I can't even begin to imagine how much this will help us! We can start moving weapons first thing tomorrow morning at this rate!"
"Glad to have been able to help!" Bulma replied with a smile.
"The King will be very impressed with the progress we have made today!"
Bulma nodded. "Good. I hope so. You worked hard on them." She replied, looking down at her hands. She really was hoping he'd be happy with the progress they'd made, but she knew no matter how impressed the King may be with her capsule technology or anything else she'd do, it wouldn't change the fact that she was a slave. Vegeta hadn't said much on the issue, but she knew from what little he had told her that she still wouldn't be accepted as anything more.
"Is everything alright?" Bardock asked, noticing the change in her demeanor.
"Yes. I'm fine." Bulma said with a nod and her best smile.
"You worked just as hard on this as well." Bardock reasoned. "You deserve even more credit on it as it was your design to begin with. We would still be running around in a panic over Lord Frieza's coming visit if it weren't for you."
"I know." Bulma said in agreement. "And I'm so glad I've been able to help. I like you, I like your son and I want to help Vegeta in any way I can. I just don't see how the King will be impressed enough to change his mind."
"It's slim." Bardock agreed. "But stranger things have happened. What you have given to us is ingenious and invaluable and we could not have accomplished it without you. He cannot ignore that."
Bulma nodded. Her anxiety at not having seen or heard from Vegeta all day starting to build no matter how many times she kept reassuring herself she was just being ridiculous. She knew he had been called to see his father this morning on his way back to take her to Bardock's lab. She felt guilty for even thinking it, but what if his father had convinced him that she wasn't worthy of his affections?
She knew she was being completely irrational. However, she also knew the odds were against her. Sure Vegeta cared for her. But it wasn't in his interest to pursue her any further. She knew that. She wouldn't even hold a grudge against him if he came to tell her that. It wouldn't make it hurt any less though. The feelings she had quickly developed for him both scared her and excited her. Never had she felt the feelings he had seemed to evoke. Sure she'd had crushes in the past. She'd had a long term three-year relationship with Yamcha even. She had loved him. Or so she had thought. What she felt for Vegeta made everything else pale in comparison. She didn't know why and she couldn't justify it. She just knew what she felt for him wasn't something she could easily forget or move on from.
If his admission to her last night had been true, she knew he felt the same way. She didn't doubt that. What she worried about was that his duty might over rule what he really wanted and destroy what they both felt for one another. She understood if that was the choice he made, but damn it would hurt her in a way that scared her. Then what would she do? Be damned to have to live out her life seeing him with someone like Asia? Someone who was considered an "appropriate" choice? What kind of life would that be for either of them? She knew he would make sure she was alright if it came to it and find her some place decent to work and she would rather that than be known forever as the "other woman". Bulma would never be able to handle that. She would rather not have him at all than be reduced to that.
"Are you alright?" Bardock asked. "You seem troubled."
"It's nothing, really." Bulma replied, shaking her head. "The King just scares me a little is all. Vegeta made it very clear that he's not happy with my arrival."
"You are right, King Vegeta can be very intimidating." Bardock agreed with a heavy sigh. "He will be watching you and his son very carefully."
"I know." Bulma nodded. "Vegeta warned me."
"Do not do anything to draw attention to yourself outside of your accomplishments here," Bardock warned. "He may not even appreciate your talents for all we know. He has never appreciated scientific and technological advancement the way his son seems to have over the years. I will do my best to shed as much light on the potential you could have to help us grow technologically so that he does not dwell on the fact that you share a bed with his son. But even that is no guarantee. The King is not stupid. He will figure out eventually that Vegeta is not using you for what he says he is. That may not go over well."
"What difference does it make?" Bulma asked. "Everyone keeps bringing this up."
"If the Prince is not using you as a bed slave, the King will grow suspicious that he may be developing feelings for you." Bardock said quietly, even though no one else was in the lab to hear their discussion. "I know that he feels something for you. That much is obvious. The way he looks at you. Even the way he talks about you. I knew he was infatuated when he first came to me after meeting you and told me of the technology you knew about."
Bulma blushed. "I don't think he cares that much." She lied, not sure who she was trying to convince: Bardock to keep up the front Vegeta had warned her to keep or herself so that she wouldn't get hurt if he decided to end things with her.
"If that mark on your lip is any indication, I'd say the Prince cares for you very much." Bardock said nodding at her face.
And here I thought he was the only one who wouldn't badger me about that today! Bulma thought to herself, her face growing red at the reminder of last night. "I fell and bit it yesterday by accident."
Bardock shook his head. "If that's your story, I will not pry. But make sure he does not mark you in any such way where it is visible. If the King saw that, it would be to your detriment. Do you even know what that means?" he asked pointing to her mouth.
"Vegeta mentioned something about during a Saiyan mating ritual the male will bite the female to warn others off that she is taken." Bulma replied.
"Yes, that is part of it. It is a pride thing. I cannot believe he would have been so foolish to leave a mark on you that could not be covered up." Bardock said, shaking his head again. "Since you haven't been intimate and he's still marked you, this is a very dangerous situation for you both."
"How does everyone know that?" Bulma asked, annoyed that something so personal seemed to be an open book to everyone else.
"For one, not all males are gentle with their bed partners in the throes of passion," Bardock replied, awkwardly. "You, being non-saiyan and very delicate in build, are at great risk of being hurt even if the Prince is considerate. I know Vegeta very well, and I know he would never intentionally hurt you; it is not in his nature. He is too controlled to allow it, but it is a possibility all the same. People will begin to speculate over that. Alien bed slaves tend to not last very long for that reason alone."
Bulma nodded and didn't say anything in reply. This was the second person to warn her. Maybe she should be grateful. At least Bardock seemed to share her belief in that Vegeta wouldn't harm her intentionally.
"The other reason is a lot more personal," Bardock continued, feeling even more awkward. He didn't want to discuss this, but how else would the girl know? "If the two of you had been intimate, you would carry the other's scent on you."
"Scent?" Bulma asked, confused. "I showered this morning, so if we had done anything, no one would know either way."
"No," Bardock shook his head. "You two have been dwelling together for a week or so now. Had you been intimate, you would carry his scent on you no matter how much you showered. He would carry yours as well."
"Ugh. That's different." Bulma said, thinking this through. "So that's how everyone knows. Like a pheromone scent?"
"Yes, very similar to that. You obviously don't share our same sense of smell, so you wouldn't know." Bardock said, glad that she was smart enough to have caught on to that.
"So, does it smell bad? Like, is it the kind of thing that if we had been intimate and I came here smelling like him, would it be repulsive?" She asked, trying to understand.
"No. Not repulsive." Bardock said shaking his head, not knowing how to explain it to her properly. "You would just smell like Vegeta and I would know."
Bulma wrinkled her nose at the thought. That seemed horrible! Not to mention embarrassing that everyone would know so easily something so personal.
"It's not as bad as you think." Bardock reassured her, chuckling at the funny look on her face. "It works much in the same way that if another male found you attractive and you had the scent of the Prince all over you, they would not pursue you any further because they would know that you belong to him."
"Much the same that if he marked me on my neck, they would know that I'm taken." Bulma replied, starting to understand.
"Exactly the same." Bardock nodded.
"Things are so different here than from where I'm from." She mused.
"How do people identify mates where you are from?" Bardock asked, genuinely interested. "Most of the other races that I know of on this side of the galaxy have the same rituals as ours."
Bulma shrugged. By comparison to Earth rituals, everything she had learned in the last few weeks about Saiyan rituals were so much more permanent. It made her feel silly to even tell him. "On my planet, when two people decide to commit to each other, traditionally there is a ceremony, rings are exchanged and paperwork signed. You wear your ring on your left hand, on your ring finger and that is a public declaration that you are unavailable." She explained, holding up her left hand and pointing up her ring finger.
Bardock frowned. "That is it?" He asked.
"That's it." Bulma nodded, feeling silly. "There were even people on my planet that made personal commitments to each other and just lived together and didn't go through the hassle of a marriage ceremony and all that."
"But, rings can be taken off; and paperwork can be destroyed." Bardock objected. "What kind of declaration is that?"
Bulma smiled, remembering how Vegeta had had the exact same reaction to Earth marriage rituals when she had explained it to him one day on the ship. "I know. I don't disagree with you. Sometimes, years down the line, couples split up if the relationship doesn't work out for numerous reasons and move on to find someone else. Not to say that happens to everyone. There are those that stay together until the other passes."
"That is how it should be!" Bardock exclaimed. "Why else would you not stay with your chosen mate?"
"Oh, wow!" Bulma said with a laugh. "Many reasons."
"I cannot think of one reason why I would leave my mate. We have been together over thirty years. Do tell me." Bardock insisted with a frown.
"Okay. Well, in cases where one person isn't faithful to the other. That's a huge reason why a couple would no longer stay together." Bulma answered.
"Understood." Bardock nodded. "That is not common in our race, but not unheard of. In cases of an arranged marriage, it happens, but not a reason for separation. It is either tolerated or a fight ensues and depending on the winner either the couple stays together or the other person takes the other's mate."
"Alright. Umm. Sometimes people split over the desire for children. If one wants children and the other doesn't and they can't agree, then they split." Bulma told him.
"That is silly. Who doesn't want to produce offspring?" Bardock asked with a frown.
"Many don't in my culture for whatever reason or other. There are many who have had children and made horrible parents and they should have never reproduced." Bulma said with a laugh. "Sometimes one mate wants children and the other can't reproduce, I've heard of couples leaving over that. People split over financial issues, domestic abuse, and different desired living arrangements; or even because they were too young to make the commitment and they grew apart. Like I said; many reasons."
"That is understandable, but there is always a way to make things right with your mate." Bardock said.
"I tend to agree. That's how it should be. " Bulma said. "But I had a boyfriend back home before Earth was destroyed. I loved him very much, but deep down I knew he wasn't the one for me."
"How did you know?" Bardock asked, very interested in knowing about her background.
"He wasn't faithful." Bulma simply replied.
"Excuse me for speaking so boldly, but what kind of man wouldn't be faithful to you?" Bardock asked in shock. "You are both brilliant and stunning."
"Thank you." Bulma said blushing. "I didn't give myself fully to him so he sought it elsewhere."
"And you loved this man."
"I thought I did." Bulma replied. It was good to talk about this. She hadn't since her home was destroyed. Not even to Vegeta.
"So, why didn't you want to give yourself fully to him?" Bardock asked, genuinely wanting to know more about her.
"I don't honestly know." She replied truthfully. "Maybe some part of me knew we weren't meant to be. All I know is that I wasn't ready to be intimate with him and he got angry and sought that elsewhere. After that, I just wasn't interested in being with him in that way. The more he pressured me, the less interested I was with that aspect of our relationship, I guess."
"So you weren't bound to him in anyway so you stayed why?" Bardock asked.
"I don't know. I enjoyed his company." Bulma shrugged, still trying to rationalize it herself. "I guess I always thought I couldn't do better than him."
"And why would you think that?"
"I don't know. I just did. And then my planet was destroyed, I was taken and sold to a tavern and met Vegeta shortly after my arrival and he turned my whole world upside down." Bulma said with a smile at the memory. "I was so sad and broken and then I met him and he made me feel like no one else has ever made me feel that first evening. All we did was sit and visit. He could have easily taken advantage of me but he didn't. I just felt so comfortable with him. When he left he gave me a huge sum of money for me to put towards buying my way out of there. I was so amazed, I cried when I got back to my room. Then he came back for me a week later and now I'm head over heels."
Bardock nodded. "You were wise to not give yourself to this one you were with before. If he could not be true to you, then he did not deserve you." Bardock said. "The Prince may not always be kind or be able to tell you his true feelings, but he would never be unfaithful."
"I know." Bulma said blushing. "I sense that in him. I feel guilty for falling for him as hard as I have so quickly. I was with Yamcha for three years! I have only been with Vegeta over a week. That's absurd!"
"Not in our culture." Bardock reassured. "In our culture, a courtship only lasts a few weeks."
"Vegeta told me that." Bulma said, nodding. "Why is that? I mean, if it's so serious, why not take the time to make sure you are committing to the right person?"
"It doesn't take us long to figure that out." Bardock said simply. "We just know. And then a mental and emotional bond is formed. It is unbreakable."
"I like that." Bulma said.
"What?"
"This mental bond both you and Vegeta have mentioned. It sounds beautiful. Humans don't have that kind of capability. You Saiyans are so hard and almost brutal but I think it's amazing that even with that demeanor, once you find that one you are supposed to be with, that's it and that's how it stays. On my planet, during the ceremony, one of the vows is to stay together till death do you part. Very rarely does it happen on my planet, but I do believe in it." Bulma said. "That's part of why I didn't fully give myself to Yamcha. I only want to give that part of myself to that one special someone. I thought for a long time it would be him, despite the way things were going, but deep down, I think I always knew."
"And why do you think that now?" Bardock asked.
"I don't know. I just do. The things I feel for Vegeta I can't even begin to describe and that scares me." Bulma explained. "I almost gave myself to him the first night we were together after he got me out of that tavern. It wasn't a conscious decision. I just feel comfortable and safe around him. One thing just seemed to lead to another really quickly and once I realized how fast things were moving, it freaked me out and I asked him to stop and he did. He didn't even hesitate. He didn't make me feel bad or anything. We just went to sleep and he held me all night and it's been like that every night since then.
"I know everyone keeps saying I might get hurt or have broken bones or he might break me in half, but I trust him that he won't. I care very deeply for him and when he decides, I will gladly give myself to him; and I feel guilty for feeling that way. I shouldn't. I haven't known him that long enough to be able to make that decision. I denied Yamcha for three years. It was a huge bone of contention in our relationship that I wasn't intimate with him. He would get angry. With Vegeta, not only did he respect that but he wasn't angry and didn't make me feel bad about it. He's been very respectful and hasn't tried to push for anything further, yet if he did, I would give into him without second thought."
"So you denied someone for three years who was unfaithful and disrespectful of your wishes to begin with and now you found someone worthy you want to share yourself with. What is the shame in that?" Bardock asked.
"I was with him for three years. I've known Vegeta less than a month. I don't regret what I feel for Vegeta. It's something amazing and real." Bulma tried to explain. "It frightens me because I know I won't be accepted by Saiyan standards. I don't want to cause a problem, but I don't want to be hurt if he decides to do the right thing especially since I'm in no position to leave and get away being that I am a slave. I'm stuck here. This is turning into a mess and I don't understand a lot of it. I only know bits and pieces of your culture and what's acceptable and what's not. I feel like I'm stuck on a freight train and can't jump off. "
"If Vegeta were any other Saiyan than our Prince, it would be fine. It would not be ideal and there would be those that would not approve, but it would work between you two." Bardock said. "However, Vegeta being Vegeta, he'll do what he wants. He always has and he always will. Whatever he decides will be the right thing in his mind. Trust him."
"Even if his father gets angry and threatens the worst?" Bulma asked.
Bardock nodded. "If Vegeta has decided you are his woman, you will be his woman. No amount of grief from his father will dissuade him. He has always made his own path no matter what his father or anyone else advises. He is also very loyal and does not take oaths or commitments lightly. If he says he will do something, he will do everything in his power to uphold it."
Bulma nodded. She sure hoped Bardock was right. She knew she was being very selfish, but she couldn't help how she felt.
"Forgive me, I know this is none of my business, but has he already made a commitment to you?" Bardock asked.
"He has, verbally but I'm not supposed to discuss it with anyone. I'm sorry, I've already said too much. I can't believe I even told you as much as I have, but I'm so confused and I have no one to talk to. Please don't tell Vegeta." Bulma said, with a heavy sigh, resting her head in her hands. She had promised Vegeta she wouldn't speak to anyone about their situation and here in a matter of minutes spilled everything to Bardock without a second thought.
"Do not worry. Whatever is said in this room stays in this room I can assure you that. Your Prince has come to me and confessed many of the terrible things he has endured under Lord Frieza's service and I have never repeated a word of it to no one, nor will I ever. Not even to his father, who has asked me repeatedly what happened to his son. As his father and our King, he has a right to know what his son was subjected to, but at the same time, it is not my place to repeat such things." Bardock said, trying to reassure her. "I will not repeat anything you have told me today. I understand you must be confused about a great number of things and you've lost your home and planet and everything then ended up here in a short period of time. That cannot be easy."
"Thank you, Bardock." Bulma said with a relieved smile. "I just don't want to betray him in any way and I feel like I've just done that."
"No you haven't. You've been through a lot and haven't had the chance to process everything."
"That's true." Bulma nodded. "I'm just so confused and scared by everything. I'm afraid for what I'm feeling in such a short amount of time. I'm afraid of the King. I'm afraid of Asia."
"Do not be afraid." Bardock said, shaking his head. "Vegeta, Kakarott and I will make sure no harm comes to you. You also must not show any fear in front of them; the King especially. He will be able to pick up on it. Asia will be able to as well, but just avoid her at all costs. She is no threat to you in terms of where the Prince is concerned. She has been relentlessly chasing him for the last two years and hasn't gotten anywhere with him. She is manipulative and has spread rumors all over the empire to deter anyone else from even trying to pursue him. Vegeta will never take her as a mate. You have nothing to fear there."
"Yea, Vegeta has told me that he has no use for her. I believe him, but she's still pretty scary. We ran into her this morning and she promptly informed me that she was his fiancée." Bulma said.
"She tells everyone that. Just stay away from her." Bardock said shaking his head.
"I intend to." Bulma sighed. The last thing she wanted was to get into a cat fight with her.
"Good. She is manipulative and will say anything to discredit you. The less you say to her the less ammunition she will have to twist to your disadvantage." Bardock advised. "I don't know why the King hasn't seen it. His son sure does and he would rather remain without a mate than to take someone as treacherous as her."
"I know. He's pretty much said that." Bulma chuckled. Vegeta certainly hadn't hidden his distaste for Asia from her.
"Well, I believe we are done here for the day." Bardock said, getting up from his work station. "I will take our progress to the King first thing tomorrow morning so that they can start moving weapons. I will try to convince the King that I need your further assistance tomorrow and we can find another project to start on."
"Sounds good, Bardock!" Buma said, lighting up. She was happy to have helped out with the capsules but she was anxious to get into a new project and learn about some of the technology they had here that she could learn from and who knows, maybe improve it further? "I'll wait for you tomorrow then? I'm not allowed to walk about the palace alone according to Vegeta."
"He is right. It is too dangerous. I wouldn't put it past Asia to somehow put you in danger either by her own hand or stage a convenient accident." Bardock nodded in agreement.
"Yea, he's warned me sufficiently about many different scenarios."
"I can escort you back to the Prince's personal quarters and come down in the morning after I speak with the King if you like?" Bardock offered.
"Sure. I'd like that." Bulma nodded, grabbing her basket of new clothes. "I'll let Vegeta know if I even see him today."
"You will. Do not worry about that. He has much to do right now, especially to prepare for Lord Frieza's arrival at the end of the week. You may not see much of him in the next few days." Bardock reassured. "Do not be put off if he is distant or irritable more than usual. He carries a very heavy burden from serving under Lord Frieza. The things he was made to endure are things no one should ever have to and the hate he feels towards him is something I don't know if he can ever let go. So do not take it personally if he is distant."
"I understand." Bulma nodded. She felt so bad for him. He seemed like such a decent guy. He had so much honor and yet he'd been through so much so young. She herself was only 18 and she didn't think he was much more than a year or two older than her.
"As well, if he does indeed have any affection for you, he will need to bury it away. Frieza likes to pick on him. It is a sick obsession. If he caught wind that you meant anything at all to him other than a slave, it would put you in great danger."
"Well, I can't wait until something is done about him. I haven't seen him but he destroyed my home planet and it makes me sick some of the things I've heard him do to both Vegeta and Kakarott. It's amazing they are both such decent men. I gave Vegeta my word that I would help in any way I can to destroy this person. He must be stopped."
Bardock frowned at the mention of his son. "I could not agree more. My son has suffered much as well. Not as bad at the Prince, but still more than any parent should ever know. We must find a way to get rid of him and help Vegeta. We must also keep you hidden. I fear that if Lord Frieza even finds out about your presence, it will still give him ammunition to use against Vegeta. Should something happen to you, I think it would push him over the edge of sanity. As it is, he seems to be on the very borderline at times."
Bulma shook her head. Who would want to be so cruel and vicious? What had Vegeta ever done to anyone to deserve that kind of treatment? It just seemed like the whole universe was against him.
"He hasn't cared for anyone since his mother passed and the only other time he opened up to someone, it was exploited in the worst way possible. I had feared that between his father and Lord Frieza that the capability to care for anyone beside himself had been beaten out of him."
"That is so sad." Bulma murmured. "Why would his father contribute to that?"
"The pain the King felt after his mate passed only made him bitter and angry. He reasoned that had he taken a mate he did not care for that things would have been better. Ever since she passed, he tried to beat any kindness and compassion out of his son." Bardock explained. "Since he got out of Frieza's service two years ago, he has been a very angry young man, keeping himself shut out to most everyone for the exception of Kakarott and myself. Not that anyone could blame him, but the young boy that left Vegeta-sei to learn under Lord Frieza was all but ruined. I think you've somehow found what little caring he has left."
"That's terrible. I knew he had been through a lot. Kakarott told me a little, but I had no idea." Bulma said. "I hope I can be a good influence on him, but if I cause him nothing but stress from his father, then how can I be good for him?"
"Just be there for him. Be patient. He is not an easy person to be around." Bardock said simply. He had a really good feeling about her. He had only known Bulma for two days and could understand what the Prince had seen in her. Obviously she was beautiful, but there was more to it than that. She was a very kind, caring girl who wasn't quick to judge and had a very calm serene demeanor about her. She was highly intelligent and he could tell she wouldn't be quick to walk away from a challenge. On the outside she may be very fragile and delicate, but on the inside, he could tell she was an extremely strong individual. If she had only been a Saiyan, she would have been the perfect mate for Vegeta.
Bardock didn't doubt that this had crossed Vegeta's mind. He wasn't sure what they were going to do, but it wasn't going to be an easy road to happiness for them. If they both wanted it bad enough, anything was possible but it wouldn't be easy. He would do his best to be there for them and advise them but there was only so much he could do. What he did know was that he would ensure to his best ability that nothing happen to Bulma. He had never had a daughter, but he would protect her like she was his own. The same went for the Prince. He wasn't his son, but he had been there for the young troubled Prince more than his own father had been and Bardock had come to care for Vegeta as much as he did his own two sons. No matter what, these two would always have him in their corner as an advisor and confidante.
"I will do my best to be there for him." Bulma said. "Whatever he needs, I'll do my best."
"I know you will." Bardock smiled at her. "Ready to head back?"
"I am." Bulma nodded. They had worked almost all day and she was tired.
Bardock locked up his lab and escorted her back to Vegeta's personal quarters for the evening.
EARLIER IN THE DAY
Vegeta silently cursed to himself as he headed into the council room. He had just spent the better part of two hours arguing with his father and now he would have to sit through a long boring meeting with the elders of the planet. He just wanted to go back and see how Bulma was. He hadn't seen her since he left that morning and she had still been asleep. He should have just stayed with her until she woke.
He hoped that she hadn't thought that he was avoiding her after what had happened last night. He had only left early to get in an extra training session. He needed to get stronger to achieve Legendary status so that he would be able to take her as his mate and if anyone had an objection to it, he would simply blast them away. He knew with Bulma at his side, he could accomplish anything. Once he was the Legendary, he would take the throne for himself, take his queen of choice and rid the Universe of Frieza once and for all. Then he would be the most powerful warrior in the Universe and no one would dare stand up against him. He would rule his planet the way he wanted. Make treaties with the planets he wanted and live in peace with his beautiful mate. Yes, that would be the perfect life. He thought to himself with a smirk.
If only he could keep her safe until then. His father had been on his case again this morning about not wanting to take Asia as a mate. The old bastard even had the nerve to criticize him that he hasn't been using Bulma as a bed slave. That angered Vegeta more than anything. It wasn't anyone's business. He can't believe he had been so dumb as to not consider that beforehand that it would be blatantly obvious, but there wasn't anything he could do about it anyway. He wasn't about to send her away and he certainly wasn't going to force himself on her. Although at this point, he knew she would be more than willing. He just couldn't risk losing control and bonding with her right now.
Vegeta walked into the council room and took his usual seat beside where his father sat on the end. What a waste of time this would be. He wondered how Bulma and Bardock were progressing with the capsule project. He sought out her small energy signal. She was in the lab with Bardock. That was good. Hopefully he could get out of this meeting quickly and go see her, even if only for a few minutes. Boy did he feel like a fool. What had that girl done to him that he couldn't go a few hours without seeing her? This was not good. He knew he had to watch himself. If he didn't, his father would get more suspicious than he already was. The fact that he pointed out to him that he knew they hadn't been intimate yet meant he would be watching them both very closely.
Vegeta growled as he saw Asia walk in and take a seat next to him. Why did she have to be here?
"Good morning, Vegeta." She greeted him.
Vegeta didn't even acknowledge her, much to her displeasure.
"I had the pleasure of meeting your little bed slave this morning." Asia said, knowing that would get a response from him.
"You did, did you?" Vegeta replied, trying his best to seem uninterested.
"I did. She was walking around with Kakarott this morning. Very lovely girl." Asia said sweetly.
Again, Vegeta didn't give her a response. How had they managed to run in to her this morning? He had been very specific that they were to go straight from his quarters to the lab.
"Tell me, how is it you happened to come by her? Something so delicate and breakable can't be much fun for you, unless you are only keeping her as a bed ornament and nothing more. Not a very good whore in my opinion."
"She is no whore." Vegeta said with clenched teeth. She was really wearing his patience thin.
"I thought you and Kakarott said you found her in a whore house somewhere." Asia said, trying to get a rise out of him. Maybe if she reminded him of the fact that she was a whore and obviously not a useful one at that, maybe he would cast her aside. The information that Amira had given her that morning that Vegeta hasn't used his bed slave had renewed her confidence and sitting next to him and not being able to smell her on him only confirmed Amira's story.
"It does not matter where I found her. She is none of your concern."
"I think she is very much my concern. As your future mate, I have every right to be concerned." Asia reminded him.
"I do not have a future mate." Vegeta growled.
"Really? I'm under the impression that's what you must have told her. Is that how you got her to come away with you in the first place? By hiding that crucial piece of information?" Asia asked, still infuriated by what Bulma had said to her that morning.
"What are you on about, woman?" Vegeta asked, irritably.
"She had no idea who I was when I introduced myself to her." Asia said shortly. "Not to worry though, I set her straight on our relationship. I doubt she'll come willingly to you now."
Vegeta frowned. He was really curious to speak to Bulma and find out what had been said. Had she simply pretended she hadn't heard of Asia? Vegeta hid a chuckle with great difficulty at the thought of this encounter. He knew Bulma could hold her own both verbally and mentally against Asia. It was physically that worried him. Asia could take her out with the flick of her wrist if she really wanted to. Thankfully Kakarott had been with her.
"I failed to mention you because there is no need. I have tried to make this clear to you on many occasions that you will not be my mate. So therefore, I have hid nothing from her."
"That's not true and you know it. You have no choice but to take me. There is no one else." Asia seethed. "Not to worry, as I said, I set her straight in where I stand in your life."
"What? As a desperate, bothersome wench who won't leave me alone?" Vegeta replied, sounding bored.
Asia gasped. That was the exact phrase Bulma had used this morning when alluding to her. So it was true. Vegeta had spoken badly of her in front of this girl. Asia wasn't sure what was worse; that or the possibility of him not mentioning her at all. As far as she was concerned, the gloves were off now. She had tried to be nice, follow the King's advice about not being bothered by the fact that Vegeta had taken a bed slave, but this was it. She had to find a way to be rid of her.
Vegeta smirked at Asia's non response. Something had struck a nerve there. He really wanted to know what Bulma had said to her to make Asia this angry. He really wished he had been there to witness the encounter first hand.
King Vegeta came in and sat down, followed by Paragus and three other council members.
"Lord Frieza arrives at the end of the week. We don't have much time to prepare." The King said.
"What have we done about moving the weapons?" One of the council members asked.
"I have that taken care of." Vegeta replied. "We should be able to start moving them tomorrow. I will know the full extent of the progress made by the end of the day and inform you all first thing tomorrow."
The King frowned slightly, knowing that his son had left this extremely important matter in the hands of his bed slave. How ridiculous! They were all at the mercy of a woman and her capabilities. He didn't like it. He didn't like that his son put so much faith in a mere bed slave. Maybe all the years of whatever he had endured in Frieza's service had left him mentally inept. In any case, he decided to let it be. If she failed then it might shake his son's obvious infatuation of her and maybe he would just set her aside or even better, do away with her. It would be a hard lesson for his son, but a good one. Never trust a whore.
"Very well, my Son. I leave that with you in your capable hands." The King replied.
Vegeta growled inwardly at the way that comment had been directed. He knew Bulma would come through for them. She knew what she was doing. Even Bardock had been excited by the possibilities. They had gotten everything ready to be able to reproduce the capsules today so there was no reason for him to think otherwise.
"Now for the matter of arranging everything else for Lord Frieza's visit," The King started, dismissing the issue about the weapons all together. "I don't know how long Lord Frieza is planning on staying, but we need to plan for every possibility."
Vegeta allowed his concentration to wander. He couldn't think of anything more boring than discussing Frieza's arrival. He wished he could leave to go check on Bulma and Bardock's progress or even go train for a few hours would be a more valuable use of his time then sitting here discussing the logistics of Frieza's visit.
How he wished he could just blast that arrogant tyrant lizard and his entourage away the moment they set foot on Vegeta-sei. It was bad enough that Frieza was coming, but he had heard that Frieza was bringing along Zarbon, his right hand man and first lieutenant, Dodoria and the whole Ginyu Force. All the people he hated most in this universe. He was going to do everything he could to spend as little time with them all as possible not to mention it was crucial to keep Bulma hidden from them. They were all vile. Every single one of them. Unfortunately, there were maybe only two out of five members of the Ginyu force he knew he could easily take out. The rest, he wasn't so sure. It had been a long time since he had seen them all. He knew he had grown in strength and power, but they may have too, so best not to underestimate them. He might be able to defeat Dodoria, but knew he wasn't ready to take on Zarbon or Captain Ginyu. One day. He thought to himself. One day I will take out each and every single one of them and repay them in kind for all the horrors and atrocities they had all subjected me to so that no one ever has to suffer by them again.
He hadn't paid attention to a thing that was said for the past while until Asia's voice and the mention of Bulma's name pulled him out of his line of thought.
"I think it's a great idea! Well? What do you think, Prince Vegeta?" one of the council members asked him.
"About what?" Vegeta asked, embarrassed at being caught not paying attention.
"Asia has just informed us that this bed slave of yours is a talented singer and dancer. We will need some kind of entertainment for the nightly banquets while Lord Frieza is visiting us. Why not put her skills to use?" The King said, catching Vegeta up.
"Absolutely not!" Vegeta replied.
"And why not?" Asia asked, sweetly. "Raditz told me all about what an amazing performer she was. She must have been something to catch your eye. Not to mention her exotic features. I think she would be perfect!"
"I must say, I agree with Asia's line of thinking." The King injected. This was a grand idea! What better way to get rid of this blue-haired nuisance who had bewitched his son than to flaunt her in front of Lord Frieza. She was stunningly gorgeous. There was no doubt he would be interested in acquiring her for himself. The thought had crossed his mind yesterday but he wasn't sure how to go about it. This would be the obvious way to do it without making it too obvious to his son.
"Well I don't." Vegeta spat. "She is my personal concubine. Not some attraction to be paraded around throughout the whole empire and Frieza and his lackeys."
"But we haven't gotten any new talented courtesans or entertainers in the last several months; nothing of any interest or uniqueness since Lord Frieza's last visit." One of the advisors protested. "I don't know what this girl of yours can do, but I certainly didn't miss her attractiveness when you escorted her off your ship yesterday. Her looks alone would make her presence a success."
"Raditz said she can sing and dance. I think it's perfect." Asia insisted.
"And I think it is absolutely ridiculous." Vegeta seethed. "I will not allow it."
"But I will and that will be the end of it." The King replied angrily glaring at his son.
"Father, I cannot allow her to.." Vegeta argued.
"Enough. She will perform or I will put an end to her." The King bellowed. "You need to learn to not be so possessive of your belongings; especially a bed slave. It is not fit for a prince."
Vegeta made a fist and stood up to leave. "Fine." He snapped. "But she is to perform on stage only and nothing more. No introductions. Nothing." He said and walked out in a rage.
Asia smirked. This was the best idea she had ever come up with! Maybe she could find a way to petition Lord Frieza herself and imply that she was for sale. Wouldn't that be perfect? She glanced at the King and the look he gave her indicated that he was thinking the same thing.
"Well, now that's settled, we have other matters to discuss." The King said, moving on.
Asia didn't tune into the rest of the council meeting. She was too busy gloating over this small victory today. Yes, she had accomplished much today. She could hardly wait till the end of the week for Lord Frieza's arrival and watch everything unfold.
MEANWHILE…
Vegeta stormed the palace hallways in a barely contained rage. He was on his way to Bardock's lab. Maybe the older Saiyan could give him some peace of mind or advise him of some way to get out of this. He had little doubt that once Frieza saw Bulma he would want to take her back with him. Even more sure was he that Frieza would take her once he found out that she was his personal concubine. Many times he knew the Lizard lord and his father traded women in the harems. He couldn't let this happen to Bulma. Even if he didn't feel as strongly about her as he did, he couldn't knowingly subject her to that. What kind of a horrible life would that be? She was lucky she hadn't ended up on Freiza's ship as a pleasure slave to begin with when they purged her planet.
Damned that Asia and damn his father to hell!
He made it to the lab and found it to be locked. What the hell?! He thought to himself angrily. Where were Barock and Bulma? In his rage leaving the council meeting he hadn't even thought to check in on Bulma's location. He stopped for a moment and allowed himself to calm down. Bardock wasn't anywhere in the palace, which was very rare. He practically lived in his lab.
He located Bulma around the royal wing most likely in his personal quarters. Maybe they finished everything and Bardock had escorted her back to his quarters. That made sense. He headed quickly back to his personal quarters. He looked around the living room area but she wasn't there. He could sense her presence nearby though.
She wasn't on the balcony. She wasn't in the bedroom. He didn't hear the shower on but he headed into the bathroom anyway.
He opened the door and looked in and heard a small shriek.
Vegeta ducked back out and closed the door. He hadn't seen her, just heard her.
"Is that you, Vegeta?" she asked.
"Who else, Woman?" he grated back more harshly than he had intended. He was still extremely angry with today's turn of events.
"Sorry! I just didn't know anyone was here!" Bulma yelled back. He heard some splashing around and smirked. He had obviously startled her good. "Come in."
"Is it alright?" He asked, feeling silly for even asking. It was his bathroom.
"Yes." She replied. Vegeta opened the bathroom door slowly and poked his head in.
There she was, lounging in the huge bathtub and had covered herself up with bubbles. Her hair was messily piled up on top of her head in a messy bun that still made her look sophisticated. Her face was free of all make up and she looked fresh and rejuvenated. The bubbles modestly covered up her ample cleavage, not giving much away but her lengthy legs were crossed and dangling over the edge of the tub delicately and leisurely.
"Hey," she greeted, her face flushing a little.
"Hey." Vegeta replied, feeling awkward. Should he leave her be and tell her the bad news once she comes out or tell her now? More than anything, he would love to join her and forget about everything. That was a bad idea. A very bad idea.
"So who'd have thought the big bad Prince of all Saiyans likes bubble baths." Bulma said with a smirk folding her arms behind her head.
Vegeta blushed. "Shut up." He grumbled.
"Awe, are you embarrassed?" She teased. "Don't be. Bubble baths are one of my favorite past times. I just never would have thought I'd find bubble bath in your bathroom is all. Hope you don't mind."
"Hmmn." Vegeta replied, crossing his arms and frowning at her.
"What's wrong?" she asked. He seemed way more surly than usual. I guess Bardock had been right about Vegeta being extra irritable right now.
"Nothing I care to discuss while you're in there." He replied again, more harshly than he meant to be.
"Well, either I can come out and we can talk or why don't you grab a bottle of wine and come join me, relax a bit and we can talk about it. Unless you think it's a bad idea." Bulma suggested.
"That's a terrible idea." Vegeta replied dryly. "For right now, anyway." He added.
"How about I put on a swimsuit? Would that make you feel better? The water is still really warm and I haven't had a bath since I was taken from my home." Bulma offered.
Vegeta sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was so going to regret this, but he couldn't deny her. His time with her may very well be limited. "Go change. I'll get a bottle of wine and join you in a few minutes." He grumbled and left.
Bulma frowned at the closed door after he had left. Something was definitely wrong with him. Maybe she could get him to talk to her about whatever it was that was bothering him. She just hoped that he wasn't going to tell her that he decided she wasn't worthy of him. If he did, she would understand, but she would still be devastated.
She got out of the bath and went to her makeup bag to find the capsule with most of her Earth clothes. She knew there were a bunch of swim suits in there. She found an emerald colored bikini. The top was halter style. It was flattering but not too revealing. The bottoms were like short boy-shorts. She had scandalous bikinis but she didn't think it was the occasion for them.
Bulma quickly changed and hopped back into the tub. She was starting to worry that whatever Vegeta had to say to her wasn't good. He had never been so cranky to her. Not since they had first met, anyway. She supposed she'd just have to wait and see what he had to say.
She heard a knock at the door. "Are you decent, Woman?" he asked. Bulma smiled to herself. He was such a gentleman. "I am." She replied.
Vegeta came in to the bathroom with a bottle of wine, two glasses and wearing a pair of black training shorts that left little to the imagination. Bulma blushed and moved to the far end of the huge tub. Here she had obviously chosen poorly in her choice of swimsuit. His body was absolutely perfect; not that she hadn't noticed before, but she hadn't had a chance to really check him out. He really did take her breath away.
He opened the bottle of wine and poured them both a glass and climbed in. He handed her a glass, sat on the opposite side of the tub and sighed in contentment as the hot water washed over him.
Bulma wasn't sure if she should stay where she was or go sit by his side. She wanted to go sit with him but remembered that they had to be careful and not let things get carried away. His mere presence made her not think straight. She was trying to be good.
"Rough day?" She asked.
"Hmmn," he replied. "You have no idea."
"Sorry. I missed you this morning."
"I left early to go train." He replied. "I need to make myself stronger so that I can defeat my father and Frieza. We won't be able to be together until I can do that. I was hoping to escort you this morning but I got called away to my father's."
"It's alright. Kakarott told me and he took me over to the lab." Bulma said with a reassuring smile. "We got a lot accomplished today. We made a ton of capsules. Bardock says you guys can start transporting everything tomorrow morning."
"That's great." Vegeta said dryly. He knew she'd be able to do it. He should have been thrilled with this information. He should go find his father and flaunt the information in his face, but he just couldn't find it in him at the moment to be glad about anything.
"What's wrong?" Bulma asked moving to his side and sitting next to him. Too bad it it's not a good idea.
He pulled her into his arms and positioned her comfortably on his lap so that she was facing him. He looked at her intensely as if trying to commit every detail of her face to memory. He then kissed her chastely on the lips. "I have some really bad news." He said, pulling her closer to him so she was straddling him. He really didn't want to tell her.
Great. I knew this was coming. Bulma thought to herself in despair. She just hoped she could keep herself together and not disgrace herself any further by breaking down in front of him.
"For Lord Frieza's visit, you will be required to entertain everyone during the banquets." Vegeta said without any emotion.
"Wait a minute, what?" Bulma asked, shaking her head and looking back at him in confusion.
"I'm sorry. I tried to talk everyone out of it. But my father would have none of it. He was convinced it was a good idea." Vegeta replied.
"So I have to perform for everyone nightly like I did at the tavern?" Bulma asked.
Vegeta nodded in despair.
"Well, that's not so bad. It's not ideal, but whatever, I'm sure I can pull it off if I have to. As long as I'm not required to do anything more." Bulma reasoned with a shrug. "I won't do any private dancing or anything like that."
"Not so bad?! Woman, this is the worst thing that could have happened!" Vegeta exclaimed. "We were supposed to keep you hidden during Frieza's visit. Remember?"
"Yea. But what changed that plan?" Bulma asked, still relieved and trying to wrap her mind around the fact that he wasn't leaving her.
"Asia." Vegeta replied. "Raditz apparently told her how talented you were when we first met you at the tavern and she suggested you perform for Frieza's visit. My father agreed."
"Asia." Bulma huffed. "I had the pleasure of meeting her this morning on the way to the lab."
"So I heard." Vegeta chuckled. "You told her I hadn't mentioned her to you?"
"Yea. She introduced herself as your fiancée and I told her that it didn't ring a bell." Bulma giggled at the memory. "She got really upset that you hadn't mentioned her and I told her that you'd mentioned something about a bothersome wench following you around but nothing about a fiancée."
Vegeta smirked at the memory. That was exactly what he had called her today, no wonder that comment of his had made her so upset. "I wish I could have been there."
"It's probably best you weren't. She was pretty upset. Kakarott had to intervene."
"Why? What happened?" Vegeta asked with a frown.
"Nothing. She just got mad and said I hadn't learned my place or something." Bulma said nonchalantly. "I think he thought she was going to hit me or something. I don't know. He just told her enough and dragged me down the hall way as quickly as he could to get away from her then he gave me a lecture about taunting her when it was her that started it in the first place!"
"Kakarott is right. I told you to stay away from her." Vegeta growled.
"I didn't seek her out! We literally bumped right into her in the hallway and Kakarott said hi to her and tried to keep going but she insisted on introducing herself. She was very condescending and rude. I know I probably should have said nothing, but I couldn't help myself. If she wants to be a bitch and belittle me, then she gets back as good as she gives." Bulma argued. "I know over here I'm nothing more than a slave but back on my home planet I was daughter of one of the most influential and wealthiest families. I was very highly respected by everyone and I never treated anyone that would be considered "beneath" me that way and if anyone spoke to me with such disrespect, I spoke back to them with just as much disrespect. I see her as no different. If she wants me to treat her with respect, she needs to treat me with respect. I know that's not how it works here but if someone like Bardock can treat me with respect and even her own crowned Prince can treat me with respect then so can she."
"I understand that and I respect that," Vegeta replied. "To anyone else, I would completely agree but you cannot where Asia is concerned. She may have very well just sealed your fate as a new addition to Frieza's harem as a pleasure slave or worse." Vegeta sighed. "Once he sees you and he knows you belong to me that will be it. And I know my father will agree to it. Do you have any idea how horrible your life will be? Or what it does to me to know that this is a very real possibility and there is nothing I can do to stop it or protect you?"
"I'm sorry, Vegeta. I didn't even think." Bulma said shaking her head. Me and my big mouth. She thought to herself.
"I doubt it would have mattered much anyway. My father told me she was extremely upset that I was bringing back a bed slave so I'm sure she's been looking for any window of opportunity to do away with you since she found out." Vegeta said. "Angering her this morning just did not help your case any is all."
"So, what are we going to do?" Bulma asked touching the side of his face with her hand.
"I do not know." He replied simply in despair, his black eyes shining with fear and concern for her.
"Well, we can just go along with it and hope for the best, I guess. There is no sense in stressing over what might happen and what hasn't happened yet." Bulma said, trying to stay positive for him. Inside she was absolutely terrified.
"Woman, I do not want to lose you." Vegeta said, voicing the fear that he had and at the same time berating himself for allowing himself to be so weak.
"You won't," Bulma said confidently, stroking his thick eyebrows trying to smooth out the frown that was etched there. He was so much more handsome when he wasn't wearing that angry scowl. "And should the worst happen, don't beat yourself up over it. I know you'll do everything you can to protect me but if you can't then there isn't anything you can do. Just know that should the absolute worst happen, I love you and I would never blame you for anything."
There was that word. Love. He hated that word. He thought the sentiment was weak and ridiculous. Love was for fools. Yet, here was this small slip of a woman who had come to mean everything to him in such a short span of time, telling him she loved him even though he may not be able to protect her from a fate worse than death. She told him she loved him and he wasn't even sure if he could ever return the sentiment to her even if he did find her a way out of this mess. He wasn't capable. He knew he cared very deeply for her. He would be devastated by her loss and would be more than content to spend the rest of his life with her, cherishing her and protecting her from all the horrible things this universe could conjure up. He knew he would gladly risk his life in exchange for hers if he knew that by doing so she would be safe and happy somewhere. Was that Love? He had thought himself incapable of the emotion long ago, but maybe it was there and he wasn't as far gone as he thought he was. Ever since she had come into his life, he had been feeling things he would have never thought possible.
"Woman, how can you possibly love someone that cannot even protect you?" He asked bitterly, still amazed that after his admission of the possibility of not being able to protect her from all that he hated in this universe that she could still hold any feeling other than contempt for him.
"Because I know that you would never willingly agree to something like this unless there was nothing you could do about it. I know until it actually happens, you will be looking for a way out of this." Bulma replied confidently looking him in the eye. She couldn't believe she had told him she loved him. He had mocked her on the ship before when she had mentioned love or any kind of romantic notion. Having Bardock's insight today on his past really helped her to understand him better. She knew she probably shouldn't have told him she loved him, but if he wasn't leaving her and they only had a short period of time left together she wanted him to know how she felt about him in case she didn't get the chance later.
Vegeta shook his head and looked away from her in shame. There had to be a way around this. He just had to think hard on it. They still had a few days. Now that the capsule project was complete, maybe he should send her away. Send her somewhere where she would be safe for a while. He could always send Kakarott with her. Kakarott would protect her to the best of his ability. Sending her away now though would be the worst idea. Then his father would know how strongly he felt about her and that would sign her death warrant right there.
"Hey," she said, turning his head back to face her. It killed her to see him so upset. He was always so calm and confident and collected; always so sure of himself. It frightened her to the core that these people must be really bad news that he was so badly shaken up but she couldn't let him see that. "I'm still here. And until further notice, I'm not going anywhere."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. It took him a few minutes to respond but when he did he pulled her as close to him as he could and kissed her back so deeply she thought she might pass out.
He broke their kiss, earning him a growl of disapproval from her. He looked at her bottom lip where he had bitten her last night and caressed it with his thumb and frowned.
"Yea, about that," Bulma said "I had a very difficult time explaining that away. Everyone I ran into today questioned me about it."
"What did you say?" he asked.
"Just that I fell and accidentally bit it." She said.
"And how did that go over?"
"Everyone with the exception of Bardock seemed to buy it." She said with a shrug.
"And what did he say?" Vegeta asked.
"Not much. Just that if that was my story he wouldn't pry but we should be careful in the future." She said. "He said your father would be extremely upset if he'd seen it."
Vegeta nodded. "Yes, he would." He noticed the bruise on her neck and shook his head at himself. "Were you able to conceal that one at least?"
"Yup. I have make up. It was simple. No one noticed it." She nodded.
"Good. It will not happen again." Vegeta said, leaning back against the tub and looking her over. God, she was beautiful. She didn't even have to try and she looked like a goddess.
She maneuvered herself around so that she was sitting between his legs and her back was leaning comfortably against his chest. "There's something else that came up today," she said with a slight frown.
"What's that, dare I ask?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her right shoulder.
"Well, everyone seems to know that you and I haven't been together," she started awkwardly. This would be much easier to discuss, facing away from him. "I know the reason, as we discussed it yesterday and I didn't say anything to anyone except that I didn't know what your intentions were for me. Amira seemed to accept that. But Bardock said everyone knows because they would be able to smell you on me if we had been."
"That is true. My father already mentioned it." Vegeta sighed.
"He knows now too?" Bulma asked, rolling her eyes. This was so embarrassing!
"I should have thought about that sooner, but it didn't occur to me until today actually. Nappa and Raditz brought it up this morning."
"Oh god." She huffed, putting her head in her hands. "You know, nothing like that exists in my species."
"Well, you would be the only species that I ever heard of that didn't." Vegeta replied. "Do not worry about it for now. We will cross that bridge when we get to it. It isn't anyone's business. I won't take you in that way until I am ready to take you as my mate."
"And I'll be waiting." Bulma teased, leaning back into his strong chest and sighing in contentment.
"Hmmn." He replied, worrying again about what the future held for them in only a few days time. Would they be sitting here enjoying each other's company a week from now?
"Stop worrying." Bulma said, knowing that's where his thoughts had wondered. "It'll be fine. I'll be fine. I trust you."
"I told you before; you shouldn't be so quick to trust." He replied.
"You did," She nodded. "But you've held true to your word ever since I met you. With the exception of coming back to get me, but I won't complain about that. You said before that you would protect me and I still believe that."
"You do not know what I am dealing with, Woman." He said irritably. "Some of the creatures that will be accompanying Lord Frieza are much more powerful than I am. I could never protect myself from them. How can I possibly protect you?"
"You'll find a way." she said easily. "In the meantime, what should I do about performing for these guys?"
Vegeta growled. "Just don't be too enticing." He hated the thought of her parading around on stage for everyone to see. She was his. He was proud to be seen with her if the occasion called for it but he did not like the idea of everyone else looking at her lustfully.
"Okay," she said. That didn't really help. "I'll go through my ipod tomorrow and find some songs. How many do I need to prepare for?"
"Who cares," he said as he started kissing and licking the back of her neck in an effort to distract her. He didn't want to talk about any of this anymore.
"Hmmm." She murmured. "Vegeta, how can you expect me to keep my distance if you keep teasing me like that?"
"Hmmn." He replied, continuing to kiss her from her shoulder back up her neck and nipping her earlobe. "I don't care."
"Yes, you do." She replied, trying to get out of the tub, but he tightened his grip around her waist pulling her back to him. He stopped kissing her though and just held her close. He knew she was right. They sat there in companionable silence for a few minutes.
"I'm ready to get out." Bulma said to him, turning to look up at him.
He kissed her on the lips. "I'll be out in a minute." He said. He couldn't help but stare as he watched her get out of the tub. She was pure perfection. Everything about her was perfect. If only she were Saiyan. That was her only flaw.
He got out a few minutes later and found her in bed already waiting for him. He changed into a pair of shorts and crawled into bed, pulling her into his arms, holding her tightly to him and wrapping his tail around her waist. They laid there in silence for a long time. "Vegeta?" she asked quietly.
"Hmmn." He replied. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck.
"I meant what I said."
"I know, Woman. I know." He said gently squeezing her.
"If the worst happens, remember that." She said simply. "And don't do anything stupid. Just let it be."
"What are you implying, Woman?" he asked almost offended. "If they do decide to take you from me I won't simply stand by and allow it! I will be coming after you."
"But you said so yourself, if you can't protect yourself how can you protect me?" she said, almost immediately regretting her choice in words. "If you can't defend yourself because these guys are too much for you, then don't come after me."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Woman!" he spat, immediately offended by her words and moving away from her. "As if I like being reminded of the fact that I can't protect you."
"No, Vegeta!" she cried, grabbing his arm before he left. She was surprised he stopped. He was already sitting. "That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?" he asked, still angry.
"Just that don't risk your life." She said. "I'm smart. I'll find a way to survive if I end up there. I will wait for you to come. I know you aren't strong enough right now because you told me that but that doesn't mean I don't have faith in you." She aid, curling up beside him resting her head on her left shoulder and wrapping her arm around his.
"What are you trying to say?" he asked again irritably.
"Don't come for me unless you know you can take them all out once and for all." She said. "I couldn't live with myself if you came to face them and you weren't ready and they killed you. It would be bad enough as it is but to live knowing that would be unbearable for me."
Vegeta didn't say anything. As much as he hated being reminded of his inability to keep her safe, he knew she was right. "My living with knowing you are suffering in such a manor will be unbearable to me."
"I know," She said. "but it would be a waste. You could do so much good. For your people on this planet, maybe even the universe as a whole. You're a good person. For me to expect you to waste yourself on me would be very selfish on my part. If you are the only person who can eventually rid this universe of Frieza, I don't want you doing it before you're ready is all. I have faith that you will be able to. But if that time isn't now and I have to go with him, then let it be."
"You don't understand what kind of vile creatures you will be forced to be around. They are horrible and will take pleasure in breaking you- body and mind if for no other reason than because you mean something to me. They won't quit until you're either dead or spiritless," he said sadly. "I barely made it out with my pride and sanity intact."
"I've been through plenty already, and if I'm broken in spirit when you do find me, I'll come back to you." She said.
"Let's hope so." He said, kissing her on the top of her head.
"It will work itself out." She said, looking at him. "If we are meant to be together, then we will end up together."
"Silly woman and your silly beliefs." He whispered, looking down at her and wanting to kiss her, but instead intertwining his fingers with her hand and leaning into her side, resting his head against hers.
"It's not silly." She replied firmly.
"Hmmn. I'll hold you to it then." He said, trying to reign in his emotions yet again. He could not fall apart in front of her.
"Stop obsessing over the unknown. We can discuss it tomorrow some more, hey?"
Vegeta nodded, looking up at her. It was dark in the room but he could still make out the delicate features of her face. He kissed her hungrily, letting her hand go, and touching the side of her face. He gently guided her back down to the bed, his lips not breaking away from hers, kissing her deeply.
"Vegeta," she murmured.
"Hmmn?" he replied still kissing her within an inch of her life.
"I know you said we can't, but make love to me." She said breathlessly. "Please?"
"No, Bulma. I can't," He said against her lips. "Not yet."
She noted how he had actually used her name instead of just calling her "woman" as he usually did. She nodded in reply and turned away from him, curling up in a ball.
"I'm sorry," he whispered in her ear, wrapping his arms and tail around her waist again and pulling her close to him in a tight embrace.
"It's alright," she replied so quietly, he barely heard her. "I'm sorry."
"Do not apologize. I want you too." He whispered in her ear. He could feel her nod in response, but then felt her begin to shake. He frowned and looked down at her and realized she was crying. He quietly inhaled and exhaled; the last thing he wanted to do tonight was offend her or make her cry. Did she not understand how difficult it was for him as well? "Please do not cry."
"I'm sorry, Vegeta. I am but I'm so afraid." She confessed. "Since you said earlier what might happen, I've been absolutely terrified and I was trying to be brave because I know you are upset and I didn't want you to worry more," she sobbed. A flood gate of her feelings for the last hour had been broken. "But I don't know what I'll do if that happens."
"Shhh, it's alright." He tried soothing her the best way he knew how. He had no idea how to comfort a crying woman. "I was beginning to think that there was something wrong with you that you were not worried about this."
"I just didn't want you to worry more about me. You have lots to worry about already."
"Do not worry about me. I will figure things out." He reassured. "As long as you are okay, I will be okay."
Bulma just nodded and continued to sob. She couldn't stop. Her emotions for Vegeta combined with the extreme fear she was feeling at the moment just wouldn't allow her to calm down.
"What is it?" he pressed, concerned and growing increasingly uncomfortable at the fact that she wouldn't stop crying and his inability to make her stop. Was she that offended by him? He had thought they had discussed their inability to be intimate last night.
"Nothing. I'm just tired. I had a long day at the lab and you telling me about what might happen. It's just a lot." She said, taking deep breaths in an effort to calm herself down.
"No, there is something more." He said firmly.
"Forget about it. It's embarrassing and doesn't matter."
"It does to me if you are this upset." He pressed.
"It's just that… I've never been with anyone before." She finally confessed. "As it is, the first time isn't supposed to be pleasant, but I always wanted it to be special. If I end up where you say I might, I at least want my first time to be special. I'd want it to be with you."
Vegeta cringed inwardly at her confession. How could he have been so single minded as to not figure that out for himself? "I'm not opposed to it. Haven't been for some time." He said with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood a bit but failing miserably as she continued to cry. "You are absolutely right, Bulma. But if we bond and I can't make it to you in time and you don't make it, I'll never be able to defeat them."
"How do you mean?" she asked shakily.
"If we bond, I will feel everything you do. Your thoughts, feelings, emotions, everything. If you.. die, I will follow shortly after." He said slowly, not wanting to get into it because it just made their situation seem even more helpless. Here was another way he could not help her. He knew he would for sure bond with her. He had no doubt. "I don't mind feeling what you feel. In a way it would help because I would know if you are alright or not. But the depth of my feelings for you are as such that the way a bond works is if one mate passes, the other does too out of the loss. I don't think I could overcome that, should you not make it." he said sadly, hating himself for his weakness for her.
"I'm sorry I forgot about that part of the bond. I wouldn't want that for you and I'm sorry for putting that on you." She said after a few moments of silence from him. "I'm just afraid. That's why I asked. Never mind."
"Do not be sorry for anything. None of this is your fault." He said bitterly. "I should have never brought you here."
"Don't say that, Vegeta."
"Why not? It's the truth. You'd have been safer staying at that damned tavern."
"Okay, but for how long?" She argued. "Toma caved and gave into your companions with the first bit of pressure they put on him and the promise of a ton of money. How long until someone else did the same, pressured him or offered him more money than he could have refused? Where I took you that evening wasn't meant for a casual hang out. I would say that any other patron there who had shelled out enough cash to be taken there for an evening would not have been okay with simply chatting and drinking wine all night. Eventually I would have been forced into this position.
"At least with you coming back to get me, we spent a wonderful week together on the ship and a few nights here. I know you think it's silly, but I fell in love with you during that week; hell I think I fell in love with you that first night we met, I just hadn't realized it. I wouldn't trade that for anything." She said quietly. "I had someone back on my planet and what I've experienced with you in the last week and a half is something so much better and stronger than anything I have ever felt before. Even if it's for only a short time, I'm glad I experienced it all the same and I don't regret it."
Vegeta wasn't sure how to respond to that. He understood. He hadn't felt for anyone what he felt for either. He just wished he hadn't exposed her to such blatant danger no matter how unintentionally it had been.
"I understand." He replied, wanting to choose his words carefully. "I don't regret my time with you. I regret this situation. If I had gotten you to maybe explain the capsule technology and I could have brought that back to Bardock instead of bringing you back here. I could have brought you back after Frieza's visit. I should have taken this whole scenario into consideration."
"Vegeta, you aren't a mind reader or a fortune teller." She replied. "No one could have seen this coming. I know you warned me about your father and Asia and even Frieza. But who knew it would actually come to this?"
"Now that it's happening, it just feels like it should have been blatantly obvious." He said. "I've failed you."
"Nothing's happened yet!" she exclaimed, starting to cry again. "How can you have failed me if nothing's happened yet? We don't even know if it's going to happen?"
"Please, don't cry anymore," he all but pleaded.
"I'm sorry! I should have said nothing more. I just need to sleep." She said after taking a deep breath in an effort to stop another wave of emotion threatening to take over. "We both need to just sleep on this. Tomorrow maybe we can come up with something."
"You're right." He said kissing her neck and squeezing her reassuringly. "Sleep now, Woman."
"Hmmm." Bulma murmured back, finally calmed down and relaxing into his protective embrace.
They were silent for a long time. Vegeta was too agitated to even come close to falling asleep anytime soon. He felt her begin to drift off slowly to sleep. "If worst comes to worst, we will consummate our relationship before you leave. That is the least I can do for you. I will find out a way to deal with the consequences later."
"I know you will do whatever you feel is the right thing, Vegeta. I trust you." She replied sleepily.
There it was again: that blind trust and acceptance no one other than her seemed to have in him. It flattered him yet he felt almost unworthy of it. It would make him feel even worse if she was taken from him. Knowing what she would be faced to endure filled him with a rage he had never felt before. It was so unfair to have only just found her and he had just stared allowing himself to feel things he had always dismissed as weak and silly or that he simply wasn't capable of feeling these things. To have finally had the opportunity to explore it with someone so perfect for him and possibly have it taken away before it began was more than he could handle.
He held her close all night and watched her sleep. Listened to her breath while his mind spiraled out of control desperately trying to think of a way to get her out of this without making things worse and obsessing about what could be should the worst happen. He eventually drifted off in a fitful sleep, but fell asleep all the same.
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