The sound couldn't have been anymore recognizable. The gravity machine had exploded yet again. The explosion of energy, the crashing noise, Vegeta's screams from outside; yes, Bulma knew what had happened, but there was something strange about the noises. They didn't seem as extreme, but the importance of her being out there seemed to sky rocket. She yelled for her son, then ran outside to the machine, which was still fully functional. But if it wasn't the machine that had exploded, then what had made the noise? She knocked on the door. "Vegeta?" She spoke quietly as she opened the door. "Vegeta? You in here?" She already knew the answer, but she begged he would say no and show up behind her and surprise her like he frequently did.
Trunks landed behind her and followed her in. "Father?" He called into the machine.
Bulma suddenly ran over to the other side of the machine and kneeled down next to a fallen Vegeta, who seemed to be struggling with intense pain. "Vegeta, what's wrong? What happened? Are you okay?" She cupped his face in her hands and lifted his head onto her bent knees. "Trunks, call the infirmary." Trunks' eyes widened and he hesitated in pure shock, his father, the man whom he had always thought to be invincible, was lying on the ground growling and sweating from holding back screams from the pain he was feeling. "Trunks!"
"Sorry… right. Sorry…" He stammered, then flew off to the infirmary. It was always easier to talk to them in person than over the phone, you can't hold someone against a wall by their throat over the phone. Trunks knew this from experience.
"Vegeta…" Bulma whispered as his hand reached up and grabbed her upper arm tightly. "What happened?" The Saiyan prince crawled painfully into the woman's lap, resting his head on her chest. He was thankful that their eldest had left them so he could find comfort in his mate. His breath caught in his throat as he felt a sharp pain in his arms, which instinctively clung around his woman's chest. "Shhhh…. It's okay, just tell me what happened…"
"I… I'm not sure. I was training and… this sharp pain in my arms… fell to the ground… felt like I was… dying and…arms were broken…." He choked out, gritting his teeth to hold back the tears he regretted even existing. How can I be so weak? What is this pain that ails me… it comes from nowhere yet it envelopes my entire being….
"It'll be okay, Vegeta, I promise. Trunks went to the infirmary to get you help, they should be here soon…" As if on cue, several men from the hospital came running in with a stretcher and carried the Saiyan away with them. Bulma sit on the floor for a few moments, knowing that just years ago she would have had to hold Vegeta down while they examined him. She wasn't sure if he was well-mannered enough now, but she was hoping. She sighed and stood up, then looked to the door where her two children stood. Trunks looked genuinely concerned, knowing that there was something seriously wrong with the situation, but he also looked absolutely confused. Bulla just wanted to know what was wrong with her daddy.
Bulla ran to her mother, who hugged her tightly. "What happened to daddy? Is he okay?" The young girl looked up to her mother, then buried her face in her chest again.
"You know your father, Bulla, he'll be just fine." Bulma smiled reassuringly, whether to herself or her daughter she wasn't sure, but when she looked back at Trunks, the smile faded into an unknowing grimace. "Would you like to stay with Gohan for a few days while your father is resting?"
"Sure!" Bulla smiled and wiped her eyes, running back into the house.
Trunks slowly walked over to his mother, arms crossed over his chest. He looked slightly downward to make eye contact and saw her lips tremble. They both knew this was something more serious than a few days rest, but Trunks had to be strong for her. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on top of her head, letting her cling to him momentarily. When she let go, he smiled down at her. "I'm sure he'll be fine. You know dad… but hey, he probably needs you right now. You know how he gets around medical personnel." They both smirked in good humor, then Bulma walked out toward the infirmary.