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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
- 36
- 37
- 38
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.
Huge thank you to fellow author Dragonbabezee for beta-ing this chapter for me!!! If you guys haven't, check out her stories Broken Down Universe and Never Ever Land!
Chapter 37
Bulma made her way carefully and quietly down the halls of Frieza's massive ship. She only vaguely remembered where the ship deck was. She sighed in frustration, looking at a map on the wall next to what appeared to be an elevator. She'd been wandering around aimlessly a good hour, she estimated. She had contemplated taking down her wall and asking Vegeta how to get there but stubbornly dismissed the idea.
She hasn't missed the sense of amusement radiating from him after that dream she'd had about them. How embarrassing! She lamented to herself. The last thing she needed now was asking him for help. She'd find the ship dock all on her own without him.
Bulma studied the map on the wall. Everything was written in a language foreign to her, and even then, it wasn't a very good map to begin with. Nothing gave away much. Not even her current location. It was just a large oval with a bunch of squares and rectangles. There were five levels on the ship from what she could tell. She was able to make out Frieza's throne room on the map; and she knew the science wing was two levels down beneath that. Her room was the same level as Frieza's throne room as well.
Bulma decided the dock had to be either on the top or the bottom level. As she analyzed the map, she had a brief sense of déjà vu when she remembered Vegeta telling her that the barracks were down below. When did he tell her that? She wondered with a slight frown. It hadn't been earlier that day; though today was already a blur to her. She thought back on the memory and recalled taking an elevator when she had arrived here and for whatever reason, Vegeta had told her that the barracks were down below.
She decided to go with that and take a peek upstairs. She sighed as she pushed the elevator button and waited patiently for the elevator, praying not to run into anyone.
Damn it! She cursed internally as the elevator doors opened, revealing Lord Frieza.
"Why hello, Ms. Briefs," he greeted. "Fancy running into you here."
"My Lord," Bulma nodded.
"And what are you up to at such a late hour as this?"
"I was," Bulma started. "I was heading back to the lab, my Lord. I could not sleep and had a brilliant idea to add on to our project that we have been working on. Bit by the inspiration bug you could say. I wanted to jot it all down before I forgot it."
"I see," Frieza replied, watching her closely in a manner that made her feel uncomfortable. "And just what did you have in mind?"
Shit! "Well, I remembered on my planet we had these ships called stealth bombers. They could not be detected on any radar of any kind so enemies had the element of surprise." She explained, telling him the first military thing that happened to cross her mind.
"A cloaking device. Yes. You are already working on that for our soldiers battle ships," he nodded.
"Well, I thought why not give this ship that ability?" she said quickly.
"Hmmm. That is an interesting idea." He nodded. "And what of the laser weapon?"
"It would be concealed as well." Bulma nodded. "But I have actually been giving it a lot of thought these past few days, a laser isn't really that special. I have thought up something much better and much more damaging than a laser."
"You have my attention. What is it you have in mind, my dear?"
"A nuclear bomb," she replied quickly.
"And just what is that?" Frieza asked with interest.
"It's a bomb that creates an explosion so powerful it could decimate an entire planet."
"I can do that already with the energy contained within my little finger, my dear," Frieza replied in a bored tone.
"True, but this way you wouldn't have to expend any of your own energy. Plus, if there was a planet you wanted to destroy, you could just send the bomb in stealth mode to do it instead of wasting valuable time and energy on space travel. You could conceal it. No one would even see it coming."
"Hmmm. I like that," Frieza nodded, a small grin taking shape. "I could control the masses from anywhere in the galaxy without even having to lift a finger."
"You could, yes," Bulma replied.
"Does Dr. Gero know anything of this wonderful weapon?"
"He probably does. I would assume he would, anyway. Everyone on our planet knew about it and feared it," Bulma shrugged.
"I wonder why he did not tell me of this possibility?" Frieza mused, narrowing his eyes at her suspiciously.
"He more than likely figured you wouldn't be interested. You said so yourself that you have the power to decimate an entire planet with the point of your finger," Bulma said. She had only wanted to distract him from enquiring of her wandering around.
"Perhaps." Frieza conceded. "And you know the theory behind such a thing?"
"More or less, yea." Bulma nodded. "I've never actually done it myself, but I'm sure I could figure it out. I am a genius after all."
"You most certainly are," Frieza chuckled. "Either way, I am most intrigued, my dear." He finished, smiling at her. "How did it go escorting Vegeta back to his quarters? He did not give you any hassle I hope."
Bulma shrugged, wanting to choose her words carefully. She didn't trust Vegeta, but she had promised to help him. "He was alright."
"Just alright?" Frieza pressed. "He did not try to change your opinion or poison your mind against me?"
"He tried to persuade me, yes," Bulma admitted. "However I can see through his lies."
"Can you now?" he asked, taking a step closer to her. "Tell me, what did you feel when you saw him?"
"I felt nothing."
"Nothing?" he repeated, narrowing his eyes at her. "I find that somewhat difficult to believe. You were so upset over his arrival earlier and in the days leading up to it. Now you feel nothing?"
"Well, maybe not nothing. He pisses me off," she admitted, looking down at her hands. "I, I just feel really anxious and angry in his presence," she said truthfully. That was probably the best way to describe how he'd made her feel, though she felt he didn't need to know that she also found him very physically attractive, that his presence made her uncomfortable; not only because she hated him but because she didn't trust herself around him. Not after that dream, anyway.
"Yes, Vegeta does have that effect. He is rather insufferable at times. I am glad you were so accepting of the truth about him; he is an extremely selfish and self destructive individual. In the end, I am afraid, he cannot be counted upon. It saddens me deeply when I think of how much he manipulated you," Frieza said almost soothingly. "Both you and your child will have a most brilliant future here, unlike on Vegeta-sei."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, Vegeta never told you?" Frieza asked in surprise. "It is strictly forbidden to produce half-breed Saiyans, especially with royal blood. What a contamination! The Saiyans as a race are so barbaric in their thinking and beliefs. Your child would have never been accepted in their society and most likely would have been euthanized almost immediately following his birth. And on the very narrow off chance he was spared, he would have been nothing more than a slave his whole life, with no future and no prospects, I am afraid."
Bulma gasped, but something nagged at the back of her mind that this wasn't entirely correct. She hadn't missed Vegeta's concern and relief when he had touched her and checked in on the child's progress. He had not recoiled in disgust. He had smiled somewhat and had noted with pride that the child would be strong. Why would he act like that if the child would be destroyed? No, she had a feeling that Frieza was wrong. Vegeta had not acted like a man who did not care for their well being. He had even told her he would not hurt her and for whatever reason, she believed him. She didn't quite trust him, but she believed him enough that she decided that he could get her out of here, and the first chance she got she would be leaving him as well.
"Now, now my dear," Frieza said comfortingly. "I will ensure that your child is kept safe and has an excellent station in life. Nothing will befall either of you."
"Thank you." Was all she said, not wanting to give away her doubts on his word with regards to her child. Was there no one she could fully trust?
"You must be very tired my dear, you are looking somewhat peaked," Frieza noted, watching her intently. "No doubt this has been a most trying day for you. I do not wish for you to exhaust yourself. You are an extremely valuable commodity what with your brilliant mind and the child you carry. As I said, you have a glorious future ahead of yourselves. I will deny you nothing, so long as you remain loyal to me."
"I am grateful, my lord," Bulma said feeling very uncomfortable. She truly had no idea what was the best thing at the moment; she felt like she was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Lord Frieza seemed to be kind and generous and seemed to have her and her child's future best interests at heart, but at this exact moment, she felt alarm bells sounding off, accompanied with an uncomfortable drop in her gut. By contrast, the thought of leaving with Vegeta made her feel nervous and just the mere thought of him made her hackles rise. "And touched by your concern and generosity, however I will not be at the lab long. Only long enough to jot down a few notes and equations. I will not be able to sleep if I don't."
"My, what a strong work ethic you have. I am impressed." He nodded appreciatively. "Very well, see to it you don't tire yourself out and get some rest."
"Of course, my Lord," she nodded, stepping into the elevator. Assuming Lord Frieza may be suspicious still, she pushed the elevator button to head to the floor of the lab just in case he stayed and observed which floor she was getting off on. Maybe her father was there, looking for her? Either way, she decided it was just as well: she needed to grab the key to Vegeta's Ki collar. She could manually shut it off, as she had hidden a switch in it; but he would still need a key to unlock it so that he could take it off. She exhaled in relief when the elevator doors opened and there was no one there.
Bulma headed over to her work station, opened the drawer and discreetly slipped the key in her pocket. As she went to close it, a blue sparkle caught her eye. She frowned and picked up the delicate ring, examining it for a moment; it was beautiful. It was a square cut blue stone the same color as her hair with two smaller black stones on either side. She had tossed it in the drawer in a fit of anger a few days ago when she had woken up. She wasn't sure why, but she decided to bring it with her. She closed the drawer and left, slipping it on her ring finger on her left hand for the time being; that's the finger it had been on when she had taken it off.
Noticing that the lab was empty, she quickly grabbed a sheet of blank paper and poorly drew out a crude schematic for a stealth bomber and a poorly-balanced chemical equation for the beginnings of a nuclear bomb. Just in case Dr. Gero did not know how to do it, she did not want to leave it lying around. She also decided to leave it on her desk incase Lord Frieza came back to verify her story. She added a few notes scribbled here and there to look like she had put a lot of thought into it and then left the lab as quickly as she could.
Vegeta? she called out hesitantly.
What? he replied after a few moments.
I'm leaving the lab to go find Kakarott now.
Now? What the hell have you been doing all this time? he asked irritably.
I was trying to find the ship dock, you big jerk! And then I ran into Lord Frieza who wanted to know what I was doing wandering around. So I had to lie and tell him I had this great idea that I had to write down or I'd never be able to sleep so then I had to go to the lab and write some of it down just in case he didn't believe me and comes to check. He- Bulma explained in a huff.
Alright! he interrupted her. The short version would have sufficed. Hurry up!
I am! I don't know where I am going, she admitted.
Come back down here, he said.
But I have to find Kakarott and my father.
Never mind them. I do not want you wandering the ship by yourself. It isn't safe.
I'm fine. I just don't know which way to go. Is it on the top floor? The maps here suck.
No. It isn't, he replied. Just head back down here and let me out. I will escort you there myself.
Why can't you just tell me where it is?
Because you wandering around the ship all alone is not a good idea.
Why not?
Because it isn't! Now just get down here! he growled irritably.
Fine! she snapped at him and began heading back down the hall and back to the elevator. She didn't want to waste any more time arguing with him. She just wanted to use him to get off this damn ship so that she and her baby would be safe. She knew he wouldn't hurt her, she trusted him that much, but once they were out of here she would leave. She wasn't going to be fooled a second time by him.
Bulma exited the elevator and headed into the dungeon, where Vegeta was standing on the other side of the cell door impatiently waiting for her.
"It took you long enough," he huffed, his face set in a deep scowl.
Bulma looked at him a moment, wondering if this was such a good idea. He looked rather menacing at the moment. How could she be sure he wouldn't hurt her?
"Well?" he growled. "Are you going to let me out or just stare at me?"
"I'm letting you out, yes," she said, punching in a key code for his room. "But you will take me to the shipping dock."
Vegeta nodded and reached out of his room the second the door had opened, pulling her back inside with him. "And you are going to shut this damned collar off."
"Not before you take me to the shipping dock," she said firmly, frowning at him for yanking her around.
"No," he said, shaking his head and closing the door just enough that if someone glanced at it, it would not appear as though it had been open. "You will shut it off now before I take you anywhere. You will do it now," he said, backing her into a corner.
"And why would I do that?" she asked angrily, realizing that she was trapped now between him and the wall with nowhere else to go.
"Because should anything happen between here and there, my potential will not be locked down."
"I don't trust you," she said after thinking about it for a moment.
"And why not?"
"What would stop you from hurting me?"
Vegeta shrugged and crossed his arms. "Nothing, I suppose. However, what is stopping me at this very moment from not hurting you, hmm?"
"Without me, you'll never get that thing off. I was the one who designed it, remember?"
"I guess. However, I could threaten you," he replied with a smirk, walking closer to her.
"You'll get nowhere that way."
"No?" he asked in a mocking tone, cocking his head to the side. "Well, what is the fun in that?"
Bulma frowned at him, realizing that he was just playing with her. Damn him and his sexy smirk and dark eyes! He was still scowling at her, but she could tell from his eyes he wasn't angry. She wasn't even sure how she knew from that, but she did. She didn't like how he was now invading her personal space, but didn't have the strength to push him away, and had nowhere to go to put any space between them; he had her trapped and he knew it. Damn him! She cursed to herself. "Screw you," she said angrily, knowing it was a pitiful comeback, but couldn't think of anything else to say to him.
"Is that an invitation?" he asked with a dry chuckle and a raised eyebrow, amusement flitting in the depths of his dark eyes.
"No!" she hissed. "Letting you touch me in the first place was a mistake. It won't happen again."
"It did not seem like a mistake to me," he said, his frown deepening again.
"Well, you made it very clear to me before that it was. You regretted everything. All of it," she said accusingly. "I tried to find you, and you were angry and told me how you'd regretted all of it. You-"
"I was angry you risked your life and safety in the manner that you attempted to find me," he interrupted her quietly in a very deep tone that made her stomach flip. "I told you that. I would have rather you remain lost to me than have you caught and end up here, though that is what came to pass anyway."
"Alright, fine," she replied, scowling at him. "But you still made me feel like I was nothing more than a bother to you; just a weakness and a stumbling block. There's a lot I don't remember, but if I think hard on it, I remember wanting nothing more than to find you for almost a year; to show you that Kakarott and I had been fine. You ignored me and broke our bond, and then told me you had no room in your life for me once I had found you."
Vegeta sighed in frustration. "We do not have time for this, Woman," he said irritably. "We need to get out of here. We will hash everything out on the ship on our way back to Callisto. Alright?"
"No," she replied firmly, shaking her head. "We're going to hash this out now, end it on that, and then I will help you out of here and leave. You will not follow me; I want to be left alone. But I do need to know what the hell happened."
"You will not be going anywhere without me, and we are wasting very valuable time here talking about nonsense," he growled, beginning to grow impatient with her.
"Well, either we talk about it now, or I'll leave and go find that ship all on my own and just leave you here, conveniently forgetting where that off switch is," she replied haughtily, sticking her chin out.
"You will not be leaving here without shutting it off!" he growled, placing his hands on either side of her against the wall and leaning in menacingly.
"Fine," she shrugged petulantly. "And I won't shut it off until we discuss it, so we're going to be here a while then, I guess."
Vegeta sighed heavily and hung his head in aggravation. "What does it matter at this point? You've obviously decided you want nothing more to do with me. You do not recall anything but the horrible things they have embellished. Nothing I have told you thus far has swayed your decision, so why rehash this now?"
"Because you told me earlier to not blindly accept what they are telling me," she replied softly. "You told me to look into this on my own so I am."
"I appreciate that, but now is not the time," he said, looking back up at her, noting that she wasn't scowling at him anymore.
"I can't think of a better time. No one knows I'm here. As far as Frieza knows, I'm either in the lab or asleep and you're here. There is a tracking device on that thing too, you know. So if he decides to look in on you, it'll show that you're here."
"We cannot discuss this on the ship when all is said and done?"
"No," she said, shaking her head. "I'm leaving. I'm leaving you here and you can fend for yourself. You'll be fine, I know you will."
"And where will you go?" he asked tonelessly.
"Probably to go find Chi-Chi." She shrugged. "Then away where you can't find me."
"Woman, the universe is not a safe place for you to go out and about, gallivanting wherever you please," he said looking at her intensely, resisting the urge to touch her. "Not only that, but we still share a bond. I will find you. You will not be able to hide forever."
"Then sever it! Or what's left of it," she snapped back. "I don't want it and I can't believe I agreed to such a thing to begin with. My god I must have been naïve and pathetic!"
"It does not work that way."
"It must. You severed most of it all on your own before!" she shot back. "It couldn't have been that difficult. The doctor severed most of it already; I'm sure with a little hard work, you could finish it off yourself. I would, but I don't know enough about it!"
"Correction, I thought I had, and I only did that because I thought you were dead. The way a bond works, when one mate passes, the other follows shortly afterwards; I had wanted to destroy Frieza and my father and the rest responsible for your death before I died too."
"Even though I kept trying?"
"Woman, we went through this many months ago," he said warily.
"And I don't remember!" she insisted. "So we are going to go through it again!"
"Fine!" he shouted. "What do you want to know?"
"Do you love me?"
Vegeta glared at her long and hard and growled before answering. "You know the answer to that."
"No, I don't!" she said with an equally piercing glare. "I know that I loved you, for some reason. I'm having a hard time understanding why. You tell me I'm a weakness and that you don't have time for me. You rejected our child; ignored me for almost a year. Let's see, what else?-"
"Enough!" he growled. He really did not want to do this here.
"Either you do, or you don't, Vegeta," she pressed. "I don't see what the problem is; unless you are ashamed of it."
"I am not ashamed of you," he sighed. What did it matter now? She had clearly made her choice. He was not about to demean himself and beg for her, only to have her stomp out and leave. However when he thought about it from her point of view, he wouldn't blame her for leaving. Still, he would not allow it. At best, he may give her a head start on him before pursuing her. Then he would make things right with her. Not here. Not now. "I…"
"What?" she asked, frowning at him as he cut his thought short and stepped away from her, looking at the door.
"Frieza is coming," he said quietly, grabbing her and shoving her up against the wall next to the door where she would not be seen, and quietly closing the door.
Shit! She said to him.
I told you we did not have time for this bullshit! he raged angrily at her. But no, you want to sit here all night and discuss your blasted feelings!
Don't blame me! You're the one who wouldn't cooperate!
You were the one who wouldn't just shut this damned collar off like I asked! If you had done that, we would have been long gone by now. Idiot woman!
I refuse to take all the blame over this!
Where is the switch? he asked as calmly as he could manage. He was beyond angry at the moment; angry at her and angry that he had to at least talk to Frieza. He may not be able to fight him now, but he didn't want to be anywhere near him without being able to defend himself at least.
To his surprise, Bulma did not argue, but reached for him, slid her hand underneath the right side of the collar and felt her click something. She retracted her hand and shrugged at him with an innocent look on her face.
Thank you, he grumbled grudgingly. Was that so difficult?
Whatever! she replied, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms petulantly, leaning against the wall in the corner as far from the door as possible. She did not want to been seen by Lord Frieza. If he looked right into the room from the other side, she shouldn't be able to be seen, and she moved away enough that she hoped she wouldn't be smelt either.
"Hello, Vegeta," Frieza greeted. "I thought it would be most rude of me to not drop in and see how you were this evening."
"I am fine," Vegeta replied. "There is no need to go out of your way to check on me."
"Oh, it is no bother at all I can assure you, my dear Prince," Frieza replied, crossing his arms, looking him over. "As a guest on my ship once again, I would like to ensure everything is to your liking."
Vegeta chuckled darkly. "What's not to like? I have all the basic amenities and am enjoying the scenery."
"True, but I was wondering how you were holding up?" Frieza taunted. "I know you must be beyond devastated over losing your mate. I for one find it quite amusing. I never saw the point in such things, and you never struck me as the type to want to settle down with a woman. Really, Vegeta, why tie yourself down that way? I can provide everything you could ever want or need: riches, companionship. I am most lonely now that Zarbon is no longer a part of the fold. I was hoping you might step up and fill that void, but you have not."
"I am nobody's whore. Look elsewhere." Vegeta snarled. "Zarbon got exactly what he deserved."
"That may be, true. He always was very weak where attractive women were concerned. That woman of yours is beyond exquisite. I must admit that if my tastes ran that way, I may be tempted to take her as my mate. She is every bit the genius you professed her to be. With her at my side, I could have this entire universe under my thumb. It would be a most beneficial union, indeed," Frieza said calmly, watching Vegeta closely for any reaction. "That is why you chose her, was it not? I had a very difficult time trying to figure that out at first. Why would one of the most powerful and promising warriors in the universe choose such a physically weak individual, in every manner that matters, as his mate? It plagued me, actually.
"Especially once I found out that she was alive and that you had left your service under me to return for her. I was initially worried for your well being; I care very much for you, Vegeta. I know you do not return the sentiment, but I do care very much for your well being. I was so relieved to know you were alright when Captain Ginyu discovered your whereabouts and that your woman was indeed alive and well. I assume it was she who had caused so much grief with regards to the bombs going off on Bellatrix? They miraculously stopped going off once you disappeared and took up with her once again. Since I now know that you ignored her all those months, I assume she was doing it in hopes that you may be sent eventually to investigate the situation. Am I right?"
Vegeta merely scowled at him, refusing to acknowledge or deny anything.
"She is indeed a genius of epic proportions just as you said. I was not disappointed once she was able to work in the lab. So I now understand your insistence on taking her as a mate. I am pleased to add her to my team of brilliant scientists that are helping my cause to enslave the universe. With her around, I know I will succeed. I have a feeling she has not yet begun to tap into her full potential, and now what with my brilliant doctor effectively turning her against you thereby ridding her of those sickening amorous feelings she seemed to hold for you, you are no longer a distraction for her and I have gained her unwavering loyalty.
"However, I am most excited over the prospective birth of a half Saiyan hybrid child, the possibilities shall be endless! I will assume all responsibility where your son is concerned. I shall raise him as my own and succeed with him where I failed with you, Vegeta. I so wanted to give you a position and power beyond your understanding. It was simple, really; all I wanted was your loyalty, Vegeta. That was it; yet you refused to conform and fall into line time and time again."
"I will never yield to you," Vegeta said angrily. "And neither will my heir."
"Never is a long time, Vegeta," Frieza chuckled. "Where are my manners? Come with me, we shall discuss things in a more civilized manner. I am sure you must be hungry. As a guest on my ship, I will not leave you to go to bed hungry. Come. We shall set matters straight," he said, punching in the code to open the door.
"I am not hungry. I would much rather remain here."
"Oh, come on, Vegeta. I so miss our time together," Frieza said, mock pouting. "Surely you would want to catch up on days past? I am most curious to know how you could find someone as weak as your little mate satisfying to you; especially after what we shared?"
"I have no interest," Vegeta replied with distaste, alarm trickling through him. He did not wish to discuss any of that with him, ever, especially with Bulma present.
"I am simply fascinated, Vegeta. She had indicated to me that you had never lifted a finger to hurt her while you had her way with her."
"That is not your business."
"You see, it intrigues me very much. Did I teach you nothing of the satisfying result of mixing pleasure with pain during our time Vegeta? From what I recall, you found the results quite gratifying," he said with a sick smile.
Frieza's words sent and explosion of rage and humiliation through Vegeta's veins, and his heart pounded for fear of what Bulma would make of them. What more would the monster reveal if Vegeta let him go on talking? He wanted to power up and blast a hole through him, but he couldn't with Bulma in such close vicinity. He'd have to get him far away from her before attempting it; and before Frieza let any more mention of those particular lessons slip. His stomach twisted at the thought, but he shook his head, trying to calm himself. "On second thought, I am hungry," he lied.
"I knew you'd see things my way, Vegeta." He smirked. "Come with me. We'll eat and drink."
Vegeta quickly glanced at Bulma, who had a look on her face he wasn't quite sure how to read. Get out of here. Go back to your quarters. I will deal with Frieza and then come get you, he said to her, following Frieza out of his room.
But what about my parents?
They are fine. Kakarott will ensure they have made it to the ship safely. I am sure he is already there. I am not sure if he was able to locate your mother or not, but in any case, I am sure he was able to get your father there safely, where they will both await our arrival.
So let me go. Tell me how to get there.
No. Go back to your quarters and wait for me there, I will not tell you again. Just do it! He said angrily. She had never been this stubborn or argumentative with him. It is the safest place for you. If you want to get away from me so badly, I will let you go after this is finished. He added after hesitating a moment. Of course he wasn't going to just let her go. However, if that's what he had to say to get her to just go back to her own room where she would be safe, then so be it. He would deal with the rest later.
Fine. I'll go and wait there. But you'd better win.
I will. I do not intend to lose.
Bulma could not help but take heart from his confidence and smiled to herself as he left. She waited until they were out of sight and a few moments longer for them to have taken the elevator before heading out of Vegeta's room and back to her quarters. She decided she would trust him and wait.
She could not stay here. She hadn't missed what Frieza had implied; what the hell had he done to Vegeta? She had sensed something horribly sinister going on between them. She knew she had not imagined it. She wasn't sure she wanted to know what, but whatever it was, Vegeta obviously hadn't wanted her to find out. He had changed the subject and had decided to leave. It was disturbing her. There was no way she would allow her child to be born and raised in this environment! She already knew that, but she hadn't known that Frieza's sickness extended to…what exactly?
She felt the hair on the back of her neck raise on end at the thought. She searched the recesses of her memory and could not recall Vegeta ever mentioning anything to what Frieza had alluded to before to her.
Come to think of it, she tried to think of when they had met. She could not remember. She could remember her planet being destroyed and being attacked by a handsome green alien and making her escape down below the ship and hiding with the other humans that had been taken. She remembered being sold at an auction. Toma. She remembered Toma. He had been so kind to her. She remembered having to perform every night and hating it, but being thankful she had not been forced into doing anything else.
Bulma thought some more and the next thing she remembered was Vegeta beating that handsome green man who had tried to violate her when she had first been taken, to death. She remembered that with disturbing clarity. She frowned. Had they met at the tavern? Why could she not remember anything between arriving at the tavern and Vegeta pummeling that guy? Had that been the first time she and Vegeta had met? Had he saved her from him? It was the first memory of him that she seemed to have. It was frightening and horrific, but it was a memory of him none the less.
She frowned as she tried to remember, but came up short. She remembered waking up in a small spacepod with Kakarott. She could not remember having met him either, but did not feel alarm or anxiety about him. She recalled returning to the tavern and trying to contact Vegeta through their bond,and him dismissing her. She could remember the feelings of despair and abandonment about it.
The next thing that came to mind was Vegeta roughly shoving her up against a wall on the street and then shaking her. He had been angry, but why? She wondered. She remembered him coming to visit her in a hotel room and arguing with him. She remembered him saying that she was nothing more than a weakness and a distraction to him and that he'd had no place in his life for either. She also remembered him mentioning that he hadn't thought things through before taking her as his mate, that he'd regretted her. She remembered it clear as day, yet, he had told her just hours ago that he had gone after her and things had been perfect between them. She could not remember that. She remembered how hurt and disappointed she had been that he had wanted her to terminate her pregnancy. She remembered that vividly and now all she knew was that she was here. She remembered nothing in between.
She sighed in irritation. This whole situation was so confusing and while she wanted to go against her better judgment and trust him, it angered her that he couldn't tell her how he felt about her. Why was that? He had apologized for not telling her he loved her before all of this, insisted she knew how he felt before all of this yet would not or could not tell her that now. Why was that? That is what bothered her the most. If he had at least confirmed it with her earlier when she had confronted him with it instead of avoiding it, she would have felt much better. Now she was second guessing her decision. If the guy couldn't tell her he loved her, when what was the point? Though if she was honest with herself and thought back on that dream she'd had and the way he'd touched her, she knew he must have felt something for her. Even the way he'd kissed her and touched her. He obviously cared for her in some capacity.
Even Frieza had alluded to and more or less admitted that she had been in love with him and that he had treated and handled her with care. He was being crude, but she had not missed the reference and meaning behind what he had said.
Bulma sighed in frustration as she stepped into the empty elevator. She punched the button that would take her back to the floor where her quarters were and hoped Vegeta was right; that going back there was the safest place for her.
-0-0-0-
Vegeta followed Frieza back to his throne room.
"It must be eating at you that your mate wants nothing to do with you."
"It is for the best," Vegeta said.
"I agree," Frieza replied, grabbing a glass of wine for himself. "Women are a nuisance. This woman in particular has caused nothing but trouble; for not only you, but your father and myself. However, now that she works for me, she will be an asset rather than a nuisance. If you are good and follow my wishes, I may be kind enough to allow you to use her on occasion."
Vegeta clenched his teeth and fists in disgust.
"I am sure we can strike up some sort of agreement where she is concerned. Should this brat you conceived prove to be useful and as promising as I am anticipating it to be, I may allow it just for the purpose of acquiring another hybrid. Then I would have two loyal soldiers at my side to keep this universe in line," Frieza continued, sipping his wine as casually as though he were discussing a business deal. He smirked at the look of contempt on Vegeta's face. "Oh, don't look so upset. I gave you the opportunity to stand at my right hand. You had the most amazing potential. Still do. However you choose to waste your attentions on a woman and have forgotten everything I tried to teach you over the years."
"You taught me nothing," Vegeta spat.
"Nothing? I find that rather harsh. All of the time we spent together and you say you learned nothing?"
"Nothing I care to remember," Vegeta said, biding his time, wanting to make sure Frieza's guard was completely let down before making the first move. As it was, it was a miracle he had not noticed that he was no longer stifled by the collar. He was suppressing his energy as much as he could, but would have assumed that if Frieza tried, he would be able to sense that he was not as low as he should be. "You ruined my youth. Taught me nothing but pain and death. I worked my ass off for you in hopes that you may leave me be, but the harder I worked the more you tormented me."
"Oh, Vegeta, always so melodramatic." Frieza sighed, looking him over in such a way he had to resist snarling at him. "Would you like a glass of wine, my dear Prince?"
"No, I do not," he replied, watching him, trying to keep his emotions and anger in check. He could not afford to lose his head before he even started this battle.
"Oh, come now, Vegeta. I like to think of today as the beginning of a wonderful partnership. I have your family here. I wish to include you into mine. This does not have to be a bad thing. Why do you act as though it is?" Frieza asked, pouring him a glass of wine anyway and handing it to him. "I shall ensure a bright future for your child and that brilliant woman of yours. Should you fall into line and do exactly as I say, nothing will befall either of them. You may even return home to your father and take your place as King; however the woman and child will remain here. You will run your planet and go on missions as I decide. You will not take a mate; not even that exquisite female your father had chosen for you."
"I already have a mate," he growled.
"And that mate wants nothing to do with you the last I spoke with her," Frieza replied with a smug grin. "Such a shame. The two of you were such a handsome couple. In any case, now that your union is no more, you can begin to put all of that behind you and focus on serving me without distraction. Your woman is here, safe and sound and will remain as such, so long as you keep your end of this bargain. In fact, let's have her come down here and celebrate our new agreement. Since it includes her as well, I feel it very important that she understand the terms of this."
"There is no need to bring her here," Vegeta said; that was all he needed. "She will do as you say. She is finished with me no thanks to your doctor."
"No, I think she should be here to witness what you are agreeing to, since it concerns both her and your unborn child. I would hate to have one of you in breach of our understanding and then have someone hurt over it," Frieza said, shaking his head with an evil grin. He picked up his scouter off the nearby table and placed it on his ear. "Captain Ginyu. Yes, I am fine. Please do me a favor and bring Miss Briefs down to my throne room. There is some urgent business I have to discuss with her. Yes. Immediately."
Frieza disconnected his scouter and smiled at Vegeta. "She will be here momentarily to celebrate with us."
-0-0-0-
Bulma was almost at her quarters by this point. She was so tired; between all the drama today that had happened and her pregnancy, she was bone exhausted but could not shake the anxious feeling at the pit of her stomach. Vegeta could be heading down to get her at any moment. When he came, she knew they would have to hurry. Frieza's men would not be happy their leader had been destroyed.
What if Vegeta couldn't defeat Frieza? She wondered. Then what? She should have never listened to him and returned to her quarters! Now if he failed she would be stuck here forever. Something in the back of her mind told her that he wouldn't fail though. She wasn't sure what it was, but she decided to cling onto it. Vegeta had been so adamant that he would get her out of here once he dealt with Frieza. She had felt the confidence radiating off of him as he left his cell with Frieza. She hoped he was ok. She still could not shake the feeling that something beyond horrible lurked between the two. Whatever it was, now that she'd had time to think about it, it was bothering her more than she wanted to admit. She had initially shaken it off as concern for the future well being of her child, but knew deep down it was more than that. She was worried for Vegeta. What had happened to him? Was he safe right now? Why had he not wanted her to know?
She decided she would lay down when she made it back to her quarters. Just for a moment; she was so tired. She would lie down until Vegeta came to get her. She would wait for him. She didn't know why she was putting in so much trust in Vegeta, but she was.
Woman. Where are you? Vegeta asked, a slight edge to his voice.
I'm almost back at my quarters like you told me to be. Why?
Lord Frieza wants you here.
What? Why?
He has proposed an arrangement and wants you here. He is sending Captain Ginyu to come bring you here. Go and get to the ship.
What? Vegeta, I'm almost back at my quarters! I'm tired. I need to lie down! she said in annoyance.
Get to the dock. It's on the second floor. Not far from the elevator.
Oh, so now you tell me?! And it was that easy the whole time?
Never mind! Just go! I was wrong. It's best you get off this ship.
Bulma didn't say anything to him for a moment and swallowed her anger. She hadn't been expecting that from him. If Lord Frieza was sending someone to bring her to him that was a bad sign. A very bad sign. Had he beaten Vegeta? Now what? Are you alright? She asked him, stepping back into the elevator.
I am fine. Nothing has happened yet, he replied. Just try and get yourself out of here. Tell Kakarott to go. Get as much distance as you can.
What about you?
Ha! I will be fine and catch up with you later on. Did you forget who I am, Woman? he replied arrogantly. I am the Prince of Saiyans, the Legendary. I cannot be beat.
Bulma rolled her eyes. Uh huh. Alright then. I'm just in the elevator now.
Good. I will come find you when this is done, Woman. Make no mistake about it. Then we will set matters straight between us one way or another. You have my word.
Bulma felt her stomach flip flop at his words. She wasn't sure how to respond. On one hand, here she had her golden chance to get away from him. On the other, she found his desire to try and work things out between them endearing. He was about to enter into a serious battle and still found the time to tell her in his own way he was concerned for her well being and wanted things to be right between them. She couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips. He hadn't told her he loved her, but he wanted her to be safe. That said something, didn't it?
The smile disappeared off her face the second the elevator doors opened and she saw one of Frieza's henchmen on the other side. Oh, Shit! she thought.
"Well there you are!" he said to her. "Lord Frieza sent me out to go find you."
"He did, did he?"
What? Vegeta asked.
That guy is here. Right at the elevator.
Get away from him. Vegeta said quickly. Talk your way out of it and get the hell out!
"Yes he did." Captain Ginyu nodded. "It concerns the Saiyan Prince I think. He asked for your presence in the matter."
"Oh, well, you see, I have something I need to get done," she said sweetly. "I'll head down right away as soon as I've tended to another matter."
"No, I have to bring you down there immediately, my dear. I'm afraid orders are orders," Captain Ginyu said, blocking the elevator exit.
"But this is an extremely important matter," Bulma objected.
"So is anything Lord Frieza requires," he said stepping into the elevator.
Bulma saw her chance and took it. She ducked under his arm and booked it down the hallway. She had no idea where she was, what floor this was or anything. She just ran, hoping to find a room she could duck into and hide.
She didn't get very far and the henchman that she was running from phased in front of her. "Now where do you think you're going?" he asked in amusement. "Lord Frieza's throne room isn't that way, my dear."
"I really don't think he needs to see me right now." Bulma said, nervously, backing away while looking for something, anything to throw at him. Unfortunately, the halls were bare.
"I don't know if he does or what," Captain Ginyu shrugged, following her. "But I was told by him personally, that he wanted to see you."
Bulma frowned and kicked him in the shin as hard as she could as he closed in on her and took off running down the hall again, back towards the elevator. Maybe the doors would close before he made it.
Ginyu growled and took off after her. He hurried as he saw her dart back into the elevator.
Bulma kept hitting the button to close the elevator repeatedly, hoping and praying it would close already. She exhaled in relief as the doors began to close but then cursed under her breath as Ginyu's arm blocked the door, prompting it to open again.
"There you are." He greeted cheerfully. "That wasn't very nice of you. I am only doing my job of escorting you safely to Lord Frieza's throne room. It's not safe for someone as delicate as yourself to be wandering the ship alone. So, be good now, and come with me," he said, grabbing her wrist in a vice grip and pushing the button to the third floor.
"Please don't," she said. "I just want to be left alone."
"No can do, my dear," Ginyu replied, yanking her closer to him. She fought back a yelp at the force of which he'd yanked her; thankful her arm didn't pop out of its socket.
He caught me, she said to Vegeta. I tried to get away, but he's just too fast.
For fuck sake, Woman! he growled.
Hey! I tried! This is all your fault anyway! I was only doing what you told me to do! If it had been up to me, I'd have gone straight to the ship dock, but no. You insisted I go back to my quarters! she shouted mentally at him. She wasn't going to take the brunt of his annoyance. Especially since it had been her idea in the first place to head towards the ship dock and he had talked her out of it.
I know! he snapped back at her. Just try and stay out of the way. When you see the first opportunity, I want you to leave though.
Bulma looked warily at Captain Ginyu as the elevator stopped on the third floor where Frieza's throne room was and let him lead her down the hall. Alright, then. Was all she said.
-0-0-0-
"Ah, welcome, my dear." Lord Frieza greeted her.
"I found her in the hall." Captain Ginyu said, pushing her in front of him towards Frieza.
"She was working late in the lab, Ginyu, I hope I did not disrupt you my dear." Frieza said, ignoring Ginyu.
"Not at all, my Lord." Bulma replied cautiously. "I was headed back to my quarters for the evening."
"Good. Then you won't mind joining us for a little chat. It concerns you."
Bulma nodded and looked at Vegeta, who looked very tense.
"It does, does it?" She asked, casually, not setting foot further into the room just in case they started to fight. She wanted to head more into Vegeta's direction, but she remained. She didn't want to be in Vegeta's way and didn't want to give Lord Frieza any leverage against him either. So decided her neutral position was safest at the moment.
"Indeed it does," Frieza said, beckoning for her to come closer. "Come in my dear, I won't bite. And I can assure you, Vegeta is of no threat to your well being. This is a time to celebrate."
Bulma glared at Ginyu as he shoved her in closer towards Frieza. "What are we celebrating?" she asked in confusion, glancing ever so briefly at Vegeta, who looked like he was about ready to explode. He was currently watching Ginyu very carefully and did not look happy.
"Our union." Frieza replied happily, gesturing to all three of them in the room. "You see, Vegeta works for me. He will do as I say when I say. You and your child will remain here with me, your child under my tutelage, learning the ways of ruling an entire galaxy. I have no heir to speak of and since Vegeta has made it clear he wants nothing to do with me, I shall pass him over and bestow the honor to your child instead."
Bulma glanced at Vegeta again as she heard him growl deeply.
"He shall receive all the same treatment as you have, my dear Prince. He shall have all the opportunity in the universe I had offered to you." Frieza continued, sipping his wine casually. "However, the difference where I think I shall have the advantage with this child compared to you, Vegeta is I shall begin teaching him as a youth. He shall not be corrupted by you or his grandfather. You were already too set in your ways, too unyielding to be shaped into what I desired most. Now I may start from scratch.
"A fresh warrior. Untainted by your barbaric upbringing and undeserved sense of pride. Really, Vegeta, your father did you no favors by raising you to believe you were anything but a slave to me and my Empire. If anything, it has been your greatest downfall. That pride has gotten you nowhere. I tried to beat it out of you by any and all means possible, and while it is admirable that you possess such a strong sense of self and it gave me many hours of amusement, it is, in the end, such a waste. You choose to hang on to something that does not exist. You could have chosen to have pride in being my right hand and standing behind me as I continue my reign as galactic overlord, but you continue to deny the very thing you have been put on this universe for. That, my dear Prince, is to serve me." Frieza continued, walking up to Vegeta.
"Do you think I like to hurt you?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. "Did it ever occur to you that I do tire of having to punish you time and again?"
Vegeta snarled at him. "I think the only thing you like to do is beat down and terrorize and destroy," he said quietly, the subject matter of this conversation once again, dangerously heading in a direction he did not want Bulma to be privy to. "I will be damned before I will ever submit to you willingly. And you will never have the opportunity to catch even a glimpse of My heir. Mark my words, Frieza," he said dangerously.
"It hurts me that after all these years you still deny me so," said Frieza softly, leaning into Vegeta's space, causing the Saiyan to step back away from him. Frieza put a hand to Vegeta's cheek. "But not any longer. I do so like this little ki collar device. It suits you, my little humbled monkey."
Vegeta went rigid with suppressed rage and disgust. He tried to step away further but Frieza clamped a hand around his arm and pulled him closer. If he resisted enough to get away from Frieza, the lizard would know something was up.
"Ah-ah Vegeta. You have your collar; I have your female… There is no way to fight me now. You might claim to have forgotten my lessons to you, the things we shared…" Frieza ran his free hand down Vegeta's side and gently grasped the base of Vegeta's tail in his hand. "But I'm willing to teach them to you all over again. Perhaps your woman may find it enlightening as well for future reference. And wouldn't it be nice if both Father and Son could serve together under me? There would be no need to separate you. All you have to do I yield to me, quit denying me what I want and I will reward you."
As Vegeta felt the hideous tyrant's caress combined with his sick proposal, the rage he'd been holding back all his life unleashed wildly. Even the woman in Ginyu's grasp was forgotten for a second as he screamed wordlessly and pushed Frieza off him with all the grace of a cornered animal. He saw red, and could barely think as he stood over Frieza who tumbled back against his throne with a sudden look of shock on his face. Ever since Frieza had begun his unnatural interest in the young prince, all Vegeta had ever wanted was to fight the lizard off. He'd just never had the strength before. He stood, panting, torn between triumph and terror. But then he heard Bulma's gasp.
He looked over to her. She still seemed fine, but the horror in her face made a part of his soul run screaming in shame. He'd never wanted her to hear the worst part of what Frieza had done to him. And definitely not now, when she couldn't even remember that she loved him. How could he fix things with her now that she knew these things? Even if by some miracle she did regain her memories, would she still want him after knowing what had happened to him? How could she possibly still want him after that? How could she ever want him to touch her again? He shook with rage and shame and embarrassment.
Bulma blinked back tears as she picked up on the torrential downpour of emotions coming from Vegeta; the shame and self hatred over it. Even if they hadn't shared a bond, the look on his face said it all. It's not your fault. She said to him cautiously, unsure if she should acknowledge this or not.
Ginyu was still staring open mouthed at Frieza on the ground. Vegeta came to his senses as he heard Frieza moan. The jig was up.
"How is it that your power is not stifled?" Frieza said, leaping back to his feet, all his suggestive tone replaced by anger, his features twisted into a hideous snarl.
"You think you are so clever! My woman may have built this Ki collar, but it was also My woman who shut it off!" said Vegeta proudly.
Frieza looked to Bulma. "Why you lying little bitch!" He leapt at her and Ginyu held her out towards him. Frieza never made it though. Vegeta tackled him to the ground and the two rolled together towards Bulma and Ginyu. She screamed and tried to jump into the air, but she was still firmly in Ginyu's grasp. Her feet cleared them and the tumbling bodies slammed into Ginyu's legs, knocking the man over and sending Bulma flying. She slid along the ground and fetched up against the wall, a bit bruised but unharmed.
Bulma looked up, still a bit dazed from the impact of hitting the wall. She looked over and saw that Vegeta and Frieza were grappling on the ground. For a second Vegeta looked like he had the upper hand, smashing his fist into Frieza's pink cheek and managing to elicit a cry from the monsters lips.
"Woman, get the hell out of here!" roared Vegeta. "Now!"
As Bulma scrambled to her feet Frieza roared, and Vegeta had the unpleasant sensation of Frieza exploding outwards underneath him, nearly doubling in size. Vegeta looked down in a confused manor and saw his enemy's face distort as it grew. "What the hell is this?"
Frieza's suddenly oversized hand grasped Vegeta by the front of his training suit. "Stupid little monkey. Bitten off more than you can chew, yet again." Even his voice was deeper. Normally Freiza was around the same size as Vegeta, but now Vegeta found himself straddling the massive chest of an eight-foot giant, and he could sense that Frieza's power level had increased in a similar manner. Vegeta had just enough time to be gripped by dread before Freiza head butted him.
Bulma screamed as she saw Vegeta knocked half senseless by the monster. As unpleasant as Frieza's purple-lipped, pink-faced countenance normally was, he hadn't looked truly monstrous. Now doubled in size, sporting foot long horns and thighs bulging with muscle, this was rectified.
He flung Vegeta off him and stood. Bulma was halfway to Vegeta when she realized how ridiculous this instinct to protect him was. Poor Vegeta. Whether he had treated her badly or not, it was clear that he was a victim of Frieza's and no-one deserved to be treated like he had been. Vegeta struggled to his elbows and spared her an exasperated glance.
What are you still doing here Woman? Did I not tell you to run! Go to the ship now! Nothing else matters.
But-
But nothing! There will be no point in me winning here if you and our child end up dead in the crossfire!
Bulma was stunned by the sentiment the words implied. Okay. she said, and turned heel. As she ran she heard Frieza order Ginyu.
"Captain, don't let her go anywhere."
Even sprinting as fast as she could to the throne room door it was only a second before she felt the Captain's arms come crushing down around her again. "No!" she screamed in despair. She wasn't sure if Vegeta's low growl was mental or vocal or both.
"I'd give up trying to get away if I was you," suggested Ginyu. "A flimsy slip like you doesn't stand a chance." He then dragged her back into the room where Lord Frieza now stood at full height, glaring at her.
Vegeta got to his feet, feeling the situation spiraling out of his control. Now he'd have to fight Frieza, who was even stronger, with Bulma in the same room! Why hadn't he sent her away to the ship in the first place? And how had he not known that Frieza could transform? Still, he hadn't had a chance stretch his own powers yet. He was done hiding and keeping his full potential to himself. If Frieza was laying all his cards down on the table, so was he.
"So you have another form to call on?" he asked, standing proudly. "I wouldn't get too comfortable if I were you… Because so do I!" Despite Frieza's power increase he was still sure that his own outstripped it. He let the power of the Legendary rip through him, fuelled by his hatred and his fear.
Frieza's face slacked into surprise as the golden light of the Super Saiyan bathed him, but then relaxed once more. "So you can turn blonde, eh?" he said, smiling mockingly. "Well I still prefer brunettes, but go with whatever works for you my dear."
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