Chapter 2 VV

The morning sun seeped slowly across Videl's room and over her eyes. She grumbled and put a pillow over her face. I am actually going to sleep in today...As soon as she finished her though she shot straight up. Bulma's Job! She looked over at the lonely clock occupying the nearby table. It read 7:34. Oh jeez, first day on the job and I am already late. Videl leaned over the side of the bed and saw a suitcase in front of her. Huh, I didn't pack a suitcase. She slowly got up, stretching her arms up towards the sky, much to the relief of her cracking joints. Throwing the suitcase callously on the bed, she unzipped it. Inside she found her favorite clothes, toiletries and a few of the books she used to read when Gohan was at work. Must be Pan's doing. She smiled at the consideration. Pan had matured so much within the last year much to the surprise (and albeit horror) of her parents. She spent her time trying to keep her distance from her them to,Videl suspected, seem more adult to her friends. Looks like Pan can do some nice things still...without feeling embarrassed by it. Thinking about all the things that have changed within the past year, Videl slipped into a pair of Jeans, a simple white T, and her Tennis shoes. I hope Bulma Doesn't expect anything too formal on my part. After pulling her hair back into a simple braid she stood for a moment and stared at her own reflection. I wonder if Gohan is still attracted to me. She and Gohan both understood the unfortunate rate at which normal humans aged, and also how wonderfully slow the Saiyans did. Gohan barely looked older than he did when they had met, those many years ago. Videl, on the other hand, had had to start dying her hair a few months ago after the alarming discovery of a lone gray strand. Videl smirked into the mirror condescendingly. In another 10 years I will be like an old woman, and Gohan barely his prime. She bit her lip nervously thinking about her future when a loud banging came against her door. Before Videl could answer Bulma burst in with a cup of coffee and the usual perfect smile.

"Oh I am glad to see somebody's awake." Bulma handed over the coffee to Videl and sipped at her own. Videl shrugged apologetically.

"It isn't a problem, you're still hired." Bulma winked and laughed. Videl chuckled a friendly response.

"Well come on then!"

After furiously drinking her coffee Videl followed Bulma through the maze of hallways until they reached the far side of the building. The atmosphere had changed dramatically. Employees of capsule corp rushed past them holding diagrams and paperwork chattering away about the next big developments of the company. Much bigger windows lined the hallways letting the golden sunlight enhance the mood of intellectualism surrounding Videl. This place is amazing. Videl struggled to keep up with the nearly running Bulma until they reached a much quieter and darker part of the company. On the wall was inscribed: Lab Section. Bulma swung open huge metal doors leading to a adequately sized room containing a long table with hundreds of pieces of machinery sitting on top of it.

Videl was getting excited. I wonder what kind of cool project I will be working on, side by side with my friend. Bulma stopped in the middle of the room and stretched her arms in each direction.

"Well this is it." Videl glanced confused from side to side.

"See, I am really busy all day working on the production of our next series of capsules. And I would really like it if I didn't need to be interrupted 5 times a day to fix that stupid thing." Bulma pointed out a small square window where a large dome was located.

"It is a gravity machine, Vegeta trains in there. And because of the 'not-so-perfect' design of the computer controlling the gravity and Vegeta's need for going too far, it breaks...a lot." Videl nodded still looking out the window at the large dome machine. How in the hell am I going to fix that? Bulma pulled Videl over to the long table and picked up several complicated looking parts.

"It really is not as complicated as it looks. You see the problems that happen 99% of the time have to do with a sudden overuse of the parts in the inner control panel. All you have to do is take them out and replace them with these new pieces. It will probably take you thirty or forty minutes each time" Videl nodded at the brief work description but felt a bit reassured about the task that sounded utterly complex a few moments ago. Videl looked across the room and spied a computer screen perched on the corner of the table.

"What is this for?" Videl asked as she walked over to it, shaking the mouse to make the screen wake up.

"I am glad you asked. On here you can check the status of the equipment, so you don't have to wait for Vegeta to tell you it's broken. You will already know." That's good, who needs that oaf yelling at me. Videl walked around the room picking up the various parts, inspecting them and setting them down again. Sounds interesting to say the least. Bulma continued:

"In the mean time while the machine stays unbroken you can sort and file these consumer reports on the computer." Videl smiled, she at least was familiar with bookkeeping and organizing from a brief time in college where she worked as a secretary in a office. Bulma looked down at her watch.

"Okay well I really have to go, I have a presentation in a few minutes." Videl barely had time to wave as Bulma was out the double doors, leaving them swinging wildly at her exit. Okay then...off to work.

Videl walked over to the computer and sat on the available stool. After ten minutes over sorting through files Videl's eyes wandered over to window. The day was beautiful, the sun glared onto the pristine garden outside enhancing the colors of the flowers and trees. Reminds me of my training with Gohan. Videl thought back to the days her and Gohan had recently met and he had invited her to his house to train. Everything was so exciting and new, he was like no one she had ever met: strong, empathetic, with a drive for strength that not many could match. Wow, how much he has changed since then. Gohan was so persistent after they had gotten married to have children and to live a normal life like regular people. He always resented being so different, even back in high school he desperately tried to fit in. I don't think he ever understood that it was him being different than the others which attracted me to him in the first place. But once they were married, that mysterious intrigue that drew her to him at first dissipated, rather forcefully by his hand. In the beginning she would try to keep training and encourage him to do the same. But he would have no part of it, completely convinced it was all such "nonsense" to quote his mother. It was a sad time in their marriage, and she was eventually put in the position where she needed to give up her training, just to make him more content in the normal life he created. But in time, after the thoughts of what was faded away into memories she had settled down to play the housewife to her husband. And now this...Suddenly she understood what had made her so angry about him leaving: it wasn't worry or even loneliness so much. It's spite...I am angry because he made me live this life for him. And now that I have accepted it, he runs off to live the life of excitement, that I have always wanted to experience with him. She gritted her teeth and could feel the hot wetness of tears forming in her eyes. Videl was just as upset with herself as she was at him. I should have made my dreams known...and I cannot hold him account for this. It is my own doing, my path has not gone the way I intended it. She closed her eyes, heavy with tears and put her face down. She sighed deeply as she tried to get control of herself. She wiped away her tears with her sleeve. Great now my eyes are red and puffy. I can't spend time dwelling on this, Bulma is counting on me.

As soon as she looked back down at the computer she saw a red blinking light in the corner of the screen. She moved her mouse to the light and clicked on it.

WARNING! Internal Malfunction Alert: May cause fluctuation gravitational scales...

"Oh shit!" She said and grabbed a bag nearby and shoveled various parts inside. One of these has to be right. She jogged through the hallways and out the back exit. As she walked up to the now familiar dome she could already hear Vegeta cursing and yelling inside. Videl walked cautiously inside the room and immediately Vegeta sensed her.

"Bulma, you told me you were going to fix this blasted machine, so it would stop breaking down every ten minutes!" Vegeta was turned away from her, confusing her for Bulma. She must not have told him that I am the new Mrs. Fix-it.

"Uhh...It's me Vegeta." Videl said and moved toward the main control panel. Vegeta turned and looked at her, his face clouded with an expression she had never seen on him. He looks upset...but not about the machine...he looks disappointed that its me. What does he care who fixes it? His expression was quickly replaced with his normal angry look and he spoke once more.

"What the hell are you doing here?" He asked in a gruff tone, Videl could still sense that sadness in his voice.

"Bulma needed to spend more time on her project so she said that I could help out fixing your machine when it breaks." Videl attempted a helpful smile but was stopped cold with his icy stare.

"What does a woman like you know about fixing this machine?" Videl furrowed her brow in anger.

"It isn't that complicated, anyone who knows basic machinery could figure it out. And I don't see you fixing it yourself!" Vegeta gasped. Oh no! I've offended the Prince! She thought sarcastically. Vegeta continued to give her the same harsh look. He started to say something in defense but stopped.

"Alright, well I will get this done and be gone, you don't have to get so angry." Videl pulled the metal flap open and observed the complicated mess of wires and gadgets before her. So much for being basic... As she was fumbling around the panel Vegeta jumped up to the pull up bars and continued his training never taking his eyes off her.

"Let's see...this one goes here...no that's not right...oh here!" Videl mumbled to herself and continued working, feeling his eyes watching her every move.

Ten minutes had passed since she started and she started to feel the pressure of time from Vegeta. Every minute that passed his annoyed sighs grew louder and Videl snapped.

"If you shut-up it wouldn't take as long!" Videl half turned from the machine returning a menacing look. Vegeta hoped down from the bar and walked over to Videl. He nudged her aside and pulled the bag she had off her shoulders.

"What the hell are you doing?" Videl asked, increasingly annoyed of the situation.

"You are in the wrong control panel, the one you need to access is over here." He walked over to the other side of the room and opened a similar panel, setting her bag next to it. Videl gritted her teeth.

"Why didn't you tell me that before! I was over there for 10 min..."

"I wanted to see you and your basic machinery skills figure it out." He sneered at her and jumped back on the bar continuing his routine. Videl stomped across the room and looked inside the panel, clearly seeing the parts that needed to be replaced. She rolled her eyes to Vegeta who was still looking at her, now with a smirk planted on his face. What a Jerk. After replacing the parts she heard the machine power on and the lights blink back to life. Vegeta came to the screen and began imputing the gravity info.

"Wow it only took you a hour." Vegeta said under his breath. Thank you too. Videl walked toward the main door pausing only to say:

"No wonder Bulma doesn't want this job." Listening for a snide reply she made her way outside. But there was only silence followed with a deep sigh. Videl could hear the same sadness as before.

Hey guys, I hope you like it so far, I am delving a bit more into the characters than originally anticipated. But I think it adds more depth than the typical smut story. The next chapter should come soon, I have the next couple days off from work. Lots of time on my Hands :D Leave some replies: I take them very seriously and take advice to heart. No comment goes ignored :D