Author's note: I'm slowly (very slowly) going through this fic and fixing typos- they make even me grimace, so just bare with me.

Follows the series until before the Majin Buu arc, then AU.

Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ etc…

III

The ringing of the alarm woke Vegeta, startling him into a frantic frenzy. His armor was already on and he didn't hesitate as he ran out of the room and into the hallway. Soldiers of all types were running in a state of panic, screaming about the invasion in the spaceship.

Now that Vegeta knew what the chaos was all about, he felt calm. In battle was the one place he could rise above all of Freeza's men and become the Saiyin Prince he was born to be. Purposely he walked in the opposite direction of the fleeing soldiers.

What is fear? None cursed through his veins.

One man caught onto his arm, "Are you mad? Run for your life!" the coward cried, eyes wide with fear.

Vegeta flung his arm away glaring at the filth that had dared placed its tainted fingers on his armor. "I don't run," with that said Vegeta produced a tiny energy ball and killed the soldier without any remorse.

He felt like every cell in his being was pulsing as he strode forward, he would rise above them all. The corridor was dark with a lone light bulb flickering on and off emitting a buzzing sound. Irritated Vegeta blasted it, besides he didn't need the light. He was a far more superior race. He turned a corner and found himself staring at a disfigured shape at the far end.

He squinted slightly and watched as Freeza hung in mid air by the neck. His tail the one Vegeta loathed so much hanging limply to the ground, an indication of the owner's now lifeless status. Although a part of him rejoiced at the demise of the evil tyrant another part, the part that had suffered countless humiliations at the hand of that monster, shook in fury. Who dared to have the honor that was rightly his?

"You, what have you done?" he demanded from the tall figure, hands curling into fists.

The man dropped the now lifeless figure to the ground and turned slowly to face Vegeta.

"What you were always too weak to do, Vegeta," the voice mocked. It took him a moment to recognize the voice as it had never held so much malice and contempt before.

"Kakarot," the name stumbled out of his mouth automatically as if it lingered there even in his subconscious. Now that he'd said the name, the shadows shifted and he could clearly see the younger Saiyin.

"You're a disgrace Vegeta, what kind of Prince can't even save himself," the words struck deep, because these were the same words that haunted Vegeta continuously whether he was sleeping or he was awake.

"How dare you call me disgraceful you third class-" Vegeta stopped in mid rant as Goku let out a cold laugh cutting him off."How dare you laugh at me?!" he barked enraged, but that only seemed to make Goku laugh harder.

Never before had Vegeta held so much hatred towards one being as in that moment as the binds of self loathing twisted mercilessly around him.

With great anger Vegeta seemed to snap and when he spoke he could barely control the rage, "Don't you dare laugh at me Kakarot I'm the Prince of all Saiyins! I am your Prince…I am the Legendary!"

Vegeta woke startled, his Ki already on the defense. His mind raced madly as he tried to decipher where he was. There were no screams here, no sounds of explosions or the ringing of alarms. He sat up sniffing the air somehow knowing there wouldn't be the stench of blood nor burning skin, but to ease his mind he did it anyways.

His mind slowly began to piece back his memories. He was on Earth; he stared at the figure of the woman sleeping soundly besides him, Bulma. He expanded his senses, two doors down Trunks slept. He was fine. There was nothing to fear. He lay back on the bed staring at the ceiling and allowed the dream to replay itself in his thoughts.

You are disgrace Vegeta.

He knew Kakarot would never utter those words, but he Vegeta would. Subconsciously he thought that of himself. The dreams had never stopped, they just changed scenery now and again, but when once he'd dreamt of watching planet Vegeta explode, he now dreamt of Kakarot surpassing him in every aspect. It demoralized Vegeta to no end to know someone, who didn't care about power as much as he did, continued to beat him at every turn.

No matter how hard he trained, no matter the pure undiluted dedication he put himself through - Kakarot is always just one step ahead.

He let out a frustrated growl, what more could he do? How long before one day his will just broke? His pride had taken so many beatings he doubted whether he could continue to keep his head held high. Vegeta felt like he was very close to losing his sanity, everyday he seemed to edge closer. Towards that primal darkness lurking just beneath his calm veneer-

"Vegeta what's wrong?" it was Bulma.

She stared up at him with eyes that still looked sleepy, her face twisted into a frown, concern for him evident. He'd unintentionally woken her, but he'd be damned if he apologized.

"Go back to sleep woman," he said irritated in his gruff voice.

Bulma sighed, it irked Vegeta how much she knew him, when at times he barely knew himself. He hadn't said anything, yet he knew she knew exactly what had awoken him up.

"How can I help you Vegeta if you won't let me?" she asked him in despair.

"I never asked for your help woman and I sure as hell don't need it!" he didn't know why he was taking out his frustrations on her, but he couldn't control his temper. His emotions were still too raw, the feeling of being omnipotent fresh in his mind.

Her eyes flickered with hurt but she kept quiet for a moment. Finally, she broke the tense silence, "Everyone needs help." She'd said it more to herself than him but Vegeta heard her loud and clear. It's a bitter taste in your mouth to admit defeat and he couldn't, not even to her. He heard her turn her back to him as if to go back to sleep, but he knew she wouldn't be able to. She was upset and he was being cruel. He growled angrily, but turned her gently back to face him.

"I don't want to talk about it," he stated allowing no room for argument.

"That's your problem Vegeta you don't talk about it, none of it and it hurts!" her voice was rising now and Vegeta wasn't in the mood for some petty argument.

He rolled himself on top of her, "Shut up…Bulma," he used her name simply because she always seemed to calm down when he did. It worked she wasn't shouting at him anymore, but she lay glaring at him.

He bent his neck laying a soft kiss on her neck. "Vegeta if you think sex will just magically make everything peachy then you are sadly mistaken," Bulma stated dryly turning her head slightly away from him.

She hadn't shoved him off so Vegeta took it as a good sign and nibbled her ear. Bulma sighed but said nothing. Vegeta knew he was avoiding the real problem but throughout the years, he found he could only lose himself completely in her arms. There he never felt inferior nor as if he lacked in anything. She made him feel and Kami knew how he needed to feel. Her soft unscarred body under his touch made him feel.

He began to make love to her, needing to shred every feeling of unworthiness from his being and just before they came in unison, he crushed his lips to her. "Say it," he commanded through his rugged breathing.

It was stupid but he wanted to hear her say it, damn it he needed to hear those words that kept him going even when all his will and pride had been battered.

"I love you Vegeta," Bulma said between pants still clutching onto her lover. Vegeta thrust once more deeply and they came together.

I love you Vegeta.

Those words made him forget if only for the remainder of the night. Slowly he allowed himself to succumb to slumber, clutching his mate close to him. He slept but didn't dream, who needed dreams if they were worse than his reality?

He had nothing to fear.