Hi all,

This is an experimental story. I'm trying my hand at DBZ. Bulma/Vegeta, AU. First try at this so please be merciful. Characters might be OOC.

CP

Part 1

"Next time he can do the dirty work." A woman grumbled as she shimmied through the heating duct. The small, cramped space making her edgy as pieces of metal continued to catch on her body suit. "The movies made this look so easy."

The female was agitated, hungry, sweaty, and she wanted to get this job done and get out quickly. Her blue hair clung to her neck as pieces continued to unravel out of the tight bun atop her head. Air seemed to be lacking as the heated air continued to pump in her face. This was her only chance and her task, while the air moved through the vents it muted the noises she made as she continued on her path. The stench of sweat was in the air. Thousands of people were below her, but there was only one she was looking for.

"Bardock had better be right about this." She huffed and wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of a gloved hand. There was just a few more ducts to go in her quest. The heated air made it difficult for her to keep moving, especially since she knew that soon she would start to become dehydrated. The metal beneath her knees continued to feel harder as she kept up her pace. Darkness began to settle as she reached the lower areas of the ship.

Freeza loved keeping his most sacred prisoners on this level. There was one the resistance was interested in. One of the lizards best kept secrets, the one everyone thought to be dead. With a scowl, the woman pulled down her light weight goggles and turned on the night vision feature. Instantly her world turned from black to green as she continued on her journey. Finally she reached her destination above the very last cell in Freeza's jail.

Working the many bolts loose that held the vent grate she eased it up and moved it out of the way. With her enhanced sight she gazed upon the figure crouched in the corner of the cell. The smell of feces and urine hit her nose hard and she saw in the opposite corner a bucket filled to overflowing. It seemed that Freeza's treasure was not being cared for.

"If you're here to kill me then know that I won't go down easily." The voice rasped, male and decidedly raw from lack of water. She was surprised that he even produced any waste at all.

"I'm here to get you out of here." She replied. "We have to move quickly."

He turned around then, his face a marred countenance of creases all seeming to converge to cause his visage to be a permanent frown. She'd seen many pictures of this man and knew that he'd never once smiled.

"You should know that it's impossible to leave." He looked upon her as if she were stupid.

"I managed to get in just fine." She countered. "I can get us out."

He stood then, or at least tried to; the extent of his malnourishment being seen in the state of his body beneath his prison clothes. She wondered if he would be able to even make it the long journey the same way she came.

"There's also the problem of the collar around my neck." He pointed at said object. "If I start to move or if it is removed Freeza will be alerted."

"That's not a problem at all." She had come prepared for this. With a flick of her wrist a tiny pin came from beneath her wristwatch and into her hand. The small metal barb big enough to fit inside the locking mechanism that kept the collar engaged. "This little gizmo goes inside the lock and will set off a mini EMP causing the collar to disengage but keeping the signal away from Freeza."

"Hmph."

Taking that as a sign to continue, she pushed the pin inside the lock and watched as it fizzled causing the collar pop. She eased the metal from around his neck and placed it gently on the floor. Her blue eyes watched as he cracked his neck and then met his dark gaze with her own.

"What are those ridicules contraptions on your eyes?"

"Night vision goggles. It's the only way I can see you right now."

"What species doesn't have night vision?" He grumbled. "All right woman, you have my attention. How do we get out of here?"

"The same way I got in." She looked up. "Welcome to the Resistance, Prince Vegeta."

He eyed her cautiously before approaching her, she had her hand extended out and then she rapped a rope around him before they were hoisted into the vent. She closed it behind them and sealed it just as it was before.

"Will they detect you before we leave?"

"No, my power won't be regained for at least a day or two. That collar has been on me for years." He sighed. "Why are you here?"

"Because, you are needed and I know you want to get back at that tyrant just as much as we do." She sighed. "Now we need to be quiet and move quickly. The heat won't be on for too much longer."

"May I at least know who is taking me from this place."

"My name is Bulma."

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Vegeta didn't make it easy on her as they finally made it out of the prison barracks and back on her ship docked outside. The cloaking keeping it hidden from Freeza and his men. As they boarded her ship she peeled off the skin tight suit revealing a tank top and pants beneath, and pulled her long blue hair out of the tight bun it had been pressed in. The blue waves cascaded down her back and she shook the rest of the strands free.

"So, I come to assume that the only reason this 'Resistance' freed me is because they want to use me?"

"No." Bulma sighed as she steered the ship towards the base. "It would be your choice. We've been freeing people from Freeza's clutches for a long time now. We only recruit the willing. If you wanted to walk away, there would be nothing stopping you. There are volunteers to the cause, most of them warrior races like yours. None as strong as the Saiyans, but there are only so many of them left."

"We are the strongest race." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Who is left of my people?"

"A family under Bardock and a large guard called Nappa. He has been upset since your supposed passing. Bardock had a vision of you in that place and I took the mission to get you out." She looked at him. "There are protein packs and various vitamins in the pantry. Help yourself. It may not be the best of food but you've been starved and I think your stomach will handle it better."

"Very well. I'd also enjoy the use of a cleaning stall and fresh garments."

"I have a small shower but there are no new clothes. I only travel with the essentials."

"Mmm." He walked away. As she felt his presence leave she felt as if she could finally breathe. The prince was definitely intimidating. His stature was topped off with his gravity defying hair. A black wash of pointed flame trailing down towards that permanent scowling face. His body, although malnourished, held a decent amount of muscle. He was rather good looking.

Bulma let loose a sigh as they were finally well enough away from the ship to finally put the vehicle into auto pilot set for the base. The planet hadn't been discovered by Freeza's army and that was good enough for her. The prison hadn't been an easy feat by any means, she was just glad that her energy was so low and Vegeta's didn't exist at the moment to make the job that much easier. She figured since he had that collar restraining his ki that the lizard didn't have to keep track of his precious possession.

XXXXXXxxxxx

Vegeta looked down at his feet watching the built up dirt and grime wash down the drain. It swirled around the metal coated hole before disappearing entirely. The white surface stained with years worth of muck as his skin finally resumed it's normal color. In truth, it seemed like he couldn't get the water hot enough or scrub his skin enough with the frilly smelling soap that the woman kept on hand. He wanted to be picky, wanted to scream at her to find him something more appropriate to wash with. Yet, he would not complain.

He gripped his fist tight with the need to suppress his stubborn pride. This had been the first time he could cleanse himself properly and he would not let the fact of fruity soap stop him from getting the tarnish off his very soul. Vegeta leaned his head back into the steaming stream of water, his hair weighted down with the water it seemed to absorb like a sponge. Even though he wasn't at full power he could feel the woman around the ship.

Her energy was like no other, weak, but a strong will and a purpose. He felt as she came closer to where he was. The swoosh of the sliding auto doors the only indication of her presence. "I actually forgot I had some clothes left on board. They may not be much but it'll be better than what you came in with. Left you some fresh towels too."

He didn't even acknowledge her presence until she spoke again. "You okay in there?"

"I'm fine." He said gruffly. "You may go."

"What, no thank you?"

"No." His tail twitched in agitation. "Leave."

"Fine, your highness." Vegeta heard her stomping feet before the door swished closed leaving him alone with his thoughts. He would not show her gratitude. She only did what was expected of her.

XXXXXXxxxx

Bardock had warned her about Vegeta's sour disposition. It seemed that time in captivity had not changed or dulled his temperament. If she didn't have a speech to prepare she'd be more into arguing with him until he gave her an act of gratitude for the trouble she went through. He probably felt that she was one of his subjects only doing what was required of her. Well his kingdom was gone, he was no longer a prince. The title only served as that; a title. It held no bearing or meaning in this new world.

"Woman, I require food."

She grit her teeth before putting her tablet down. "It's in the pantry."

"There is no REAL food in there."

"Your body can't handle that."

"I am a Saiyan, I am ready for food."

"I don't care what you are, you've been starved for months. Whatever you eat you'll just throw back up unless it's something easily digestible." She marched towards the small kitchen area watching as he looked through the cabinets for any type of morsel. Bulma smirked, he wouldn't find any; she'd prepared for his rebellion.

"See here, if I ask for food you will bring it to me." He ordered.

"You are in no place to be ordering me around. You will ask me where the rations are that you desperately need to re-regulate your system. I am not your subject, this is not your planet and you are no longer a Prince. You are just Vegeta now." She poked him in the chest. "My name is Bulma. I am the one that drug you out of that shit-heap of a cell and you will thank me, you will show me the respect I deserve and you will listen to what I have to say or I will put you back."

She watched his eye twitch as he came closer to her, yet she wouldn't back down. "How dare you talk to me that way. I am the Prince of all Saiyans!"

"Yeah, on Vegeta-sai. You are no longer there. The planet is gone along with your title." She shot back.

"You think you're a match for me? I read your power level, your just a puny mortal. What would you hope to accomplish?"

She pushed her hand against the center of his chest watching as he clutched it in pain before falling to his knees. "You see this little gem?"

Bulma watched as his dark eyes connected with the device settled in the palm of her hand. "It's a stun chip. I designed it myself. It takes a lot of electricity to stun other planetary beings. I used only half the energy this time because I want you to be able to recoup your strength. Next time, don't challenge me. I may not have muscles but I have the brain power to make you wish for death."

"Wait a minute ..." He eased himself into a standing position. "You're Bulma Briefs. I've heard Freeza talk about you. You've caused him a lot of trouble."

She smirked. "I'm surprised you've heard of me."

"It was all he could rant and rave about before I was thrown in the pits. There's a huge bounty on your head." He shook his head with a scoff.

"Well, I see my reputation is still intact."

"Can you show me the food now, woman?"

"There is no food. Only the rations. I can't carry large quantities of anything. If I do, that's stuff that could get raided if I happen to get caught. Not to mention, those rations will give you the vitamins and nutrients you need and make you feel full until we can get you checked out."

"Woman ..."

"For the last time, my name is Bulma." She huffed.