Is There Life?
Chapter 2: Vegeta Remembers
Seeing Bulma and Trunks mourning for him at the Lookout really shook up Vegeta. He missed them dearly and seeing Bulma that upset didn't help. What was wrong with her? Was she sick? Slowly, Vegeta began remembering his time on Earth, from the time he first arrived to the birth of his son. This planet and this woman and boy meant more to him than he was willing to admit to anyone.
-Flashback-
He had come to destroy Kakarot and to take over Earth. He was a ruthless warrior and killer. He was the prince of the saiyans. But even when he saw her for the first time, there was something about her. He shrugged it off, thinking only of his mission. He could not be distracted by a woman. Yet, what was it about her that intrigued him so?
After failing his mission to kill Kakarot, Vegeta returned to Frieza's ship to heal. They went to Namek to find the Dragon balls so Frieza could wish for immortality. Once again, Vegeta found himself looking at her, the blue-haired human. She and her friends had also come to Namek in search for the Dragon Balls. Why did she have to be here? And why did it bother him so much?
With Namek on the verge of blowing up, Vegeta found himself transported to Earth. "Why did I have to be brought here?" he thought. He had no place to go. Suddenly, she answered him. He could come live with her at Capsule Corporation. Sure, she invited the Namekians to come to, but she invited him. What was she doing?
After learning Kakarot was still alive, Vegeta took a space ship to find him, but had no luck. After about a year, Vegeta returned to Earth, to Capsule Corporation. He didn't know why he returned to Capsule Corp., but he did; he was just drawn to it. And when he landed, there she was, just standing there. What was it about her? She even ordered him to take a bath and he obeyed! He didn't obey anyone; why was he listening to her? Why did she make him act this way?
After learning he was to die in a battle three years later, Vegeta began training hard. After nearly killing himself in a gravity chamber made by Dr. Briefs, she stayed by his bedside while he healed. He was lying in bed once again but this time when he awoke and looked at her (he had come to expect her at his side) she was awake (she had been asleep all the other times).
"Why do you keep hurting yourself like this, Vegeta! You're gong to get yourself killed!" she screamed at him. She couldn't understand why anyone would want to hurt themselves that badly.
"Why do you even care!" he yelled back, surprising them both. Why did he even ask her that? Why did he feel he needed to know the answer? He ignored the pain he felt from his injuries; they were nothing compared to what Frieza did to him. Instead, Vegeta stared at her intensely, awaiting her answer.
"Because, I care for you," she said softly as she moved to sit on the bed next to him. He wanted to move away but found his body would not obey. Why was he afraid of her? Even Frieza did not make him feel afraid like this, so why her? Or was it even fear? The saiyan prince was confused and he didn't like it.
"But..." he started before she quieted him by placing her finger on his lips. His heart began to race, but he didn't try to pull away this time. For some reason, he didn't want to pull away. Suddenly, she did something he had wanted her to, but he was still surprised when she did. She kissed him! He didn't understand why she made him feel this way, but she had done it to him since he first saw her. She sat back up and looked at him, smiling sweetly. He struggled to catch his breath, surprised at her actions. She wasn't afraid of him even though he was the prince of the most powerful warrior race in the universe and he had killed millions of innocent souls. Struggling against the pain from his injuries, he sat up next to her.
He said nothing and neither did she; they just looked at each other. Then, slowly, carefully, he put his hands around her waist and pulled her to him. For the first time since he lost his parents, Vegeta felt safe with another being; why it was her he didn't know or care, he just knew he belonged with her. She was surprised by his action, but not scared. Carefully, so as not to cause him anymore pain, she laid her head on his bare chest. She felt safe in his arms, even though she knew what he had done and what he was capable of. She just laid there in his arms, listening to his heartbeat. Gently, he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him and was surprised at what she saw in his eyes. It wasn't pain of anger like it was normally, no, it was something different. It was compassion and care. She knew he had to be capable of these emotions but she was still surprised it was her who saw it first. Again, he leaned down and kissed her, this time it was on her lips, but still gently. He knew his strength and did not want to hurt her. This time it was Bulma who struggled to catch her breath. She couldn't believe this was happening between her and Vegeta! But it was, and she enjoyed it. She returned his kiss and looked at him. He was so gentle, not like the arrogant prince she had always seen before. Struggling against his own pain, he lifted her and laid her down on the bed. Then he leaned over and kissed her, first on the lips then he moved to her neck. She closed her eyes, just enjoying the softness of his touch. The once enemies turned to lovers as they embraced each other. That night, she fell asleep in his strong arms, more content than she had ever been before.
The next morning, Vegeta awoke first. It was still dark outside. At first he couldn't figure out why she was laying there with her head on his chest, but then he remembered. Surprisingly, he wasn't angry at himself for being with a weak human. He knew she was his match. But he still wondered, could he let himself bond with her? The night before he had just kissed her, nothing more; could he claim her as his mate, as his wife? He wanted to, but what about her, would she claim him as her mate and husband? He had to know. He never cared about someone like this before and now that he did, he didn't want to loose her. He had lost every other person in his life, he would not loose her. Gently, he kissed her on the head. Slowly, she woke up. Forgetting where she was, she stretched, her elbow hitting him squarely on the chest where he had injured himself. "Ugh..." he grunted, the pain intense. Why did it hurt so much when she touched his injuries? He had never been bothered by such miniscule injuries before that he couldn't figure out why they bothered him now.
"Vegeta! Oh, I'm sorry...I didn't realize...I forgot...I..." she said remembering where she was. Quickly, she sat up to take her weight off of his chest. This time he silenced her by placing his finger on her lips. Ignoring the pain he was in, Vegeta braced himself on his arms and pushed himself up to sit next to him.
"Please, Bulma, don't talk," he said. He startled her. First, he had always called her woman, never Bulma. Second, he had said please. Despite her surprise, she did what he asked as he continued. "Never before in my life have I felt the way I do now. Never before have I cared for someone like I do you. From the first time I saw you when I came here to kill Kakarot, I knew there was something about you and the feeling only grew each time I saw you. I cannot bear it anymore. I cannot stand being without you. Bulma, I want to bond with you, to claim you as my mate and my wife."
He braced himself for her reaction. He expected her to be shocked but, surprisingly, she wasn't. She calmly replied, "I've felt it too. Ever since the first time I saw you and after last night I knew, I knew you were my match. I don't know what you mean by bonding, it must be a saiyan ritual. But I do understand about being your wife, and I would feel honored to be your wife and your princess."
He was shocked. She had said what he hoped to hear. She wanted to be his, his mate, his wife, his princess. His princess. He couldn't believe it; for the first time he truly felt pride from the fact he was a prince. Before it had just been something to keep him going, but now he truly felt pride from being a prince and from her wanting to be his princess. He looked at her; she awaited his reply. "Yes," he said, "bonding is a saiyan ritual, similar to what you humans call marriage. But a bond lasts forever, stretching across time and space."
"How is it done?" she asked. She wanted to be his, but she wanted to do it his way, the saiyan way. Since he had come to earth, he had been force to do things the human way. She wanted to allow him a small part of his heritage, of his being.
He was startled. She truly meant she wanted to be his and not just that, but she wanted to do it as if they were both saiyan. He knew the ritual might hurt her; he didn't want that, yet a part of him told him that she could handle it. He explained it to her, "It's a series of actions. I can't really explain it. I would have to show you. I can tell you this much, we have to share our kis with each other."
She looked at him. She was a little afraid she wouldn't be able to do it, but she knew she had to, she wanted to and he needed to. He needed to claim her as his wife in the saiyan way, not the human way, and she would have it no other way. She looked at him nervously and asked, "Will it hurt?"
His heart began to race. He was pushing her too far, she wasn't ready to bond with him. He knew of the human ritual of marriage, maybe he should claim her as his wife in that way first and then claim her through a saiyan bond. But he didn't know if he could do it like that. She had said herself, they were each other's match. He felt panic well up inside of him; was he about to loose her? Or would she really endure the ritual of a saiyan bond? He felt tears coming to his eyes. He had not cried since he had been on Namek and told Kakarot of Frieza's treatment of the saiyans. Suddenly, he felt her hand on his face as she gently kissed him. She was smiling at him. Was she really willing to go through with the bond? Was it just she was nervous and scared about something new and unknown? Though he was afraid of her reply, he decided to take a chance, "It might. I don't want it to hurt you, but you are not saiyan and by my sheer strength I could hurt you."
She didn't know why she had asked. She knew the answer before she had asked and she had only succeeded in upsetting him. Why had she done that? They had been having a wonderful time together and she had been ecstatic when he asked her to marry him. She was still a little scared as to being hurt when he bonded with her but she knew he would be as gentle as he possibly could. She wanted to give this to him. She wanted to give herself to him. She placed her hands in his. "I trust you." He raised his head to look at her. "I trust you, Vegeta. I know you won't hurt me, not on purpose. I want to be yours, but I want to give myself to you in your way, in the saiyan way. I trust you."
He felt that weird, prideful feeling return to him once again. She was his. She wanted to bond with him. As he looked at her just to make sure, she nodded. He felt warm inside, a feeling he had not felt in a long time. He also felt new control of his strength; he could bond with her, and he could do it without hurting her. Carefully, he placed his hands on her waist and pulled her to him. He knew he would have to perform the ritual slowly or he would scare and possibly hurt her. He kissed her gently, moving his hands to her shoulders. She felt like she was melting in his arms. Her heart was racing and he was taking her breath away, but she didn't want him to stop. He needed this and she wanted to give it to him; she wanted to be his. He held her at arm's length and looked at her. He didn't know what this feeling was he had for her but he knew he never wanted it to go away. It had made him whole. She looked at him, waiting for him to continue. She placed her hand on his bare chest just above his injuries. How much was this hurting him? She didn't have time to think about it as he began again. This time he placed his hands on her waist underneath her over shirt. Surprisingly, his hands were smooth against her bare skin. She didn't know why she did, but she pulled off her over shirt, revealing the tube top she had on underneath. He was slightly taken back but also relieved. This would make the ritual easier. He knew his hand had to be against her bare skin over her heart in order to transfer their kis to begin forming the bond. Even though she did not know how to control her ki, they could still bond. He knew how to take her ki from her. Slowly, he moved his hand in place and began to transfer their kis. It was a new sensation for them, but it was warm, like it had always been there. She began to feel him, his feelings and his fears and he began to feel hers. The transfer was short, only a few seconds, but it was all that was needed to begin the bond. But it was just the beginning. He leaned over and kissed her. He knew it reassured her and kept her calm. The transfer of the kis was the easiest part of the bond and now came the hardest, the part where he could hurt her. He concentrated his ki so he could control it better. His hands were still on her waist. She waited for what was next. Her heart was already racing and her breathing was labored. She hoped she wasn't scaring him. He leaned over and kissed her bare shoulders. He continued, gently, passionately, all the while moving his hands further down her waist. She knew what was coming and why he was scared of hurting her, but she didn't resist. She took his head in her hands and kissed him. Suddenly, he stopped. He pulled away from her with pain in his face.
"Vegeta?" she said, scared. Were his injuries hurting him that bad or was it something else? He pushed her aside as he struggled out of bed. He grasped at the desk next to his bed but fell to his knees. "Vegeta? What's wrong? Did I do something?"
"No, it's not you..." he said, breathing heavily. Why had he concentrated his ki? He knew this could happen and concentrating his ki had only made it inevitable. Normally, he could bear the pain, but added to the pain from his injuries, he couldn't stand it. Why now? Why, when he had finally found his mate and was bonding with her? He knew it would be over soon, but the pain was intense.
She sat on the bed, scared. They had barely begun to bond but it was already enough of a bond she could feel his pain. What was happening to him? Had she caused it? She slid to the floor to sit next to him. He was on his hands and knees, panting. She didn't touch him for fear of hurting him more or of him hurting her. "I'm right here, Vegeta. Tell me if there is anything I can do."
"There's...nothing...you...can...do..." he said between breaths. There was nothing she could do but he was glad she was there with him. He was glad to know someone cared, truly cared about him. It made the pain a little easier to bear. He needed to fell her touch. He looked at her and, gathering what strength he could, took her hand in his and placed it on his shoulder. She understood. She placed one hand on his back and the other on top of his hand. "It'll...be...over...soon," he said. He felt it, he knew he was almost out of the pain and her being there helped him to bear it. Suddenly, he fell onto his stomach, it was over. He was still conscious but he was trying to catch his breath.
"Vegeta," she said, worried, "What happened? Are you okay?" He hadn't caught his breath, so he couldn't verbally reply. Instead, he wrapped something around her waist. It was his tail! He had regrown his tail. "I didn't know you could regrow your tail," she said, shocked.
He regained his strength, sat up next to her, and wrapped his tail around his own waist. "Under certain circumstances we can. When bonding just happens to be one of them. I should have warned you."
She was fascinated. She had seen Goku with his tail when he was a child, but that was years ago. She wanted to touch Vegeta's but she remembered that doing so caused a saiyan pain. She lightly placed her hand on his tail. He flinched but didn't pull back. "Does it hurt when I touch it?" she asked, curious. She hoped she hadn't hurt him as she removed her hand.
"No, not really. It only hurts when someone grabs it," he said, standing. He was still in pain from his injuries and his tail, but he wanted to finish the bond. He leaned down, picked her up, and gently laid her down on the bed. She knew what he was doing. He let his tail relax and uncurl from his waist as he sat down next to her. She ran her fingers along the tip of his tail. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. No one had ever cared for him like this before. Feeling even more drawn to her, he leaned down and kissed her. Soon their bodies became entangled as she resigned herself, bonding with him and becoming his wife.
A couple of hours later, the sun began to shine through the curtains on the window and onto the new couple. She lay with her head resting on his chest, his arm and tail wrapped around her. She was invigorated but he lay nearly asleep. Because she had not known how to control her ki, he had to do the transferring of ki himself, causing him to use most of his energy while he bonded with her. She ran her hand down his chest, careful not to touch his injuries. His breathing was still labored and with each breath he tensed up from the pain. She looked down at him, hating seeing him in pain. "Vegeta, I'm sorry," she said, touching him tenderly, "We should have waited till your wounds were healed."
"No," he said, opening his eyes to look at her, "It's not your fault. I was the one who knew what it was going to take to bond. I knew it would hurt me, but I did it anyway." He winced as the pain hit him again. He laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes as pain washed over him. She placed her hand on top of his, she felt his pain. She wished she could help him and then she realized she could.
"Vegeta," she said softly, "I'm going to check the gash on your chest and change the dressings, okay?" He nodded. She slipped out from underneath the covers to dress and he saw it. She had a bruise on the side of her hip from him. He thought he had controlled his strength and hadn't hurt her, but he had. He felt bad; he hated he had hurt her. She realized he was staring at her and he had seen the bruise. "It's okay, Vegeta," she said tenderly, "It doesn't hurt and I know you didn't mean to. Besides, no one else will see it; my pants cover it." She was trying to keep him calm so he wouldn't be in anymore pain. Her hip was sore, but she knew he hadn't meant to. He was simply so much stronger than she was. She leaned down and kissed him, then left to get the supplies she would need to change his dressings.
When she returned a few minutes later he was sitting on the edge of the bed. Despite the pain he was in, he had gotten up and put his shorts on. His tail was relaxed and laying on the bed, the tip of it twitching back and forth like a cat's. She smiled at him as she laid the supplies on the desk, gently lifted his tail up, and sat down next to him, laying his tail in her lap. She ran her fingers across the tip of his tail like she had done before as he asked, "Are you sure I didn't hurt you?"
"I'm sure, Vegeta. It's just a little tender, like any bruise, but I'll be fine," she said and then stood up, "Now, lay down so I can check on your wounds." He obeyed without a fight. It no longer surprised him he obeyed her without question but he still didn't know what to call the feeling he had for her. He just knew he was glad she was his and hoped they would be together forever. Gently, she removed the bandage from across his chest and saw why he was in so much pain. She clasped her hand over her mouth and then realized he was looking at her. "Your wound has opened back up. It's bleeding pretty badly. That's probably part of the reason why you don't have any energy left. I'm going to stitch it up," she explained. She had a feeling that's what had happened and brought a kit just in case. She was grateful now her father had suggested she go to medical school. As she cleaned up the wound and put in the stitches, she talked to him to keep him calm and still. "Vegeta, do you know what?" she said softly.
"Hm?" he asked. He felt so safe in her care, though it didn't make sense to him. Was he not the stronger one? Shouldn't he be caring for her?
"I love you," she said as she finished and covered his wound with a fresh dressing. Love, that was what he felt for her. No one had ever told him they loved him. When she leaned down to kiss him, she realized he was crying. "Vegeta, what's wrong?" she asked, taken back. Had she hurt him when she was clearing his wound?
"I've...never...had anyone care for me like this, before," he said, amazed at how much she truly cared for him, and he cared for her. His feeling for her only deepened when they had bonded.
"Shh," she said, laying her finger on his lips, "I will always be here for you. Now relax, I'm going to give you something to help you sleep, you need to get your energy back up." She gently pulled the covers over him. She never imagined she would ever have a husband to care for and she never guessed it would be Vegeta. She hung the IV bag on the bedpost and then pricked his skin with the needle. "I'll stay with you till you fall asleep," she said as she ran her hand softly down his cheek.
"Are you sure your hip doesn't hurt?" he asked as he began to feel sleep overtake him.
"I'm sure," she replied. Recognizing the drowsiness in his eyes, she leaned over and kissed him. Then she whispered in his ears the last words he heard before he fell asleep, "Goku's not the only super saiyan, you know." He had transformed for the first time when they bonded and he hadn't even known but her bruise was proof of it. His love for her gave him his power. "So that's how Kakarot did it..." he thought as he drifted into sleep.
About a month had past since Vegeta took Bulma as his wife. They hadn't told anyone yet; he wasn't ready and she wasn't going to force him. He had returned to training, though he was easier on himself and came out with fewer injuries than before. Yamcha returned to Capsule Corporation, to Vegeta's dismay. Bulma had broken up with Yamcha almost six months before, but they were still friends, good friends and since he had no other place to go, she offered for him to stay at Capsule Corp. Vegeta and Bulma gave no hints to Yamcha or Dr. and Mrs. Briefs they were married. Every night after the household went to bed, he came to her room where they spent the nights together.
That day, Yamcha had spent taking care of Bulma. She had been a little under the weather for a few days but that morning she had been so sick she couldn't get out of bed. Vegeta was worried about her and looked in on her when Yamcha wasn't in the room. That evening, Bulma was finally able to get Yamcha to leave her alone and a few minutes later Vegeta came in. "It's okay," she said softly, "He's gone for the night."
Vegeta came in, closed the door, walked over to the bed, and sat down next to her. He hated he wasn't able to be with her that day, but he didn't know how he could tell their secret either. He brushed her hair out of her face. She was pale from being sick all day and her energy was low. "How are you?" he asked gently.
"I've been better," she said, struggling to sit up. He didn't argue with her and tell her to lie down; rather, he helped her sit up and wrapped his tail around her wait to help her keep her balance. She was dizzy and lightheaded but she was glad he was there. She had needed him all day but he couldn't comet to her with Yamcha looking after her. She hadn't felt this bad since she had had the flu a few years before.
"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. He was careful of his strength; he already knew he could loose control around her.
"Just you being here helps," she said, trying to move in closer to him. Gently, he put his hands on her waist and pulled her in close. As she leaned in on his chest he put his hand on her back underneath her shirt. Slowly, he gave her some of his ki. She began to feel a little better and after he moved his hand away, she sat back up.
"Feel better?" he asked, smiling at her. She loved it when he smiled at her. He would never do it when anyone else was around, but when they were alone, he would smile at her.
"A little," she said. She didn't know why it made her feel better, but she was glad it did. He lifted her and laid her back down on the bed. She didn't resist. He walked around the bed and laid down next to her, pulling her to him. He wrapped his arms around her and that's when he sensed it, why she was sick. She heard him gasp and asked, "What's wrong, Vegeta?"
How was he going to tell her? He knew of a way that would excite her; he thought it would be the best way. "Let me show you," he whispered. He placed his hand over her stomach and let a short, intense blast of his ki flow from his hand. It didn't hurt her but shortly she felt something inside of her respond to his ki. Then she realized what he had. The response had been a kick, a kick by the child she was carrying. His child. They were going to have a child!
She sat up, excited, and turned to look at him. He lay there smiling, his eyes full of the same compassion and excitement she felt. She put her hand over the child, their child. she couldn't believe she was going to be a mother. He sat up facing her and placed his hand over hers. Just as he was about to kiss her, they heard the door open. "Bulma," Yamcha said, walking in, "I just came to...Vegeta! What are you doing in here!"
Bulma looked at the two men. She knew Yamcha was angry and Vegeta had been sitting in such close proximity to her she felt his ki rise as he jumped up to stand next to the bed, but she was still between them. "Please, you two, don't, don't start fighting," she said franticly. Even if she weren't drained of her energy from being pregnant, she wouldn't have been able to stop Yamcha, never mind Vegeta. Then she saw it, something to work to her advantage. When he was alone with her, Vegeta didn't keep his tail wrapped around his waist because he liked the way she would run her fingers along it. In his quickness to defend her and himself, he hadn't wrapped it back around his waist. She hated doing it, but she leaned over and grabbed his tail as hard as she could. Almost immediately, he fell to his knees and as he did, Yamcha saw an opportunity as he came after Vegeta. "Don't, Yamcha!" Bulma called out, still holding Vegeta's tail, "Don't, he's my husband!" Yamcha stopped dead in his tracks, did he just hear Bulma call Vegeta her husband? She released Vegeta's tail, apologizing, "I'm sorry, Vegeta. I don't have the strength to stop either one of you even when I'm at my full strength. I didn't want you to hurt each other and when I saw you hadn't wrapped your tail around your waist, I knew it was my only chance to stop you."
"It's okay, Bulma. I understand. I'm sorry I lost my temper," Vegeta said as he sat back down next to her. Yamcha was shocked. Was this actually Vegeta? Was this the arrogant prince of the saiyans who just apologized?
"Yamcha?" Bulma said, turning to him, "Are you okay?" She knew he was in shock; first from her telling him Vegeta was her husband and second, from Vegeta's calm attitude. "Come sit down, Yamcha. I know, we have a lot to explain," she said as she turned back to Vegeta, "We have to tell him. We just can't leave him hanging." Vegeta nodded as Yamcha cautiously sat down on the bed next to them. Bulma explained, "I know it seems hard to believe but when I said Vegeta is my husband, I was telling the truth. We married a little over a month ago. Vegeta just discovered why I've been sick, it's because we're going to have a child. I know it's a shock, Yamcha, but we have to ask you not to say anything to anyone. Vegeta's not ready to let everyone know and I'm not going to push him."
Yamcha was in shock. After he and Bulma had broke up a few months before for the ten millionth time, he knew she would never be his, but he never guessed it would be Vegeta who she would marry. "I understand," he said, "I guess I should say congratulations." He smiled at her. She was beaming. She was happy about the child she was having and that she managed to divert a fight between her two closest friends. Vegeta wrapped his arm around her and even allowed a smile to appear on his face. Oddly enough, he felt he could trust Yamcha like he did Bulma. Slowly, he was finding friends, true friends on this planet. "May I suggest something?" Yamcha said timidly. He hoped Vegeta wouldn't get mad at him.
"What?" Vegeta said, not gruff like normal but like he was really interested in Yamcha's suggestion.
"Well, it's about Bulma," he said cautiously, "It's no guess she'll get sick over the next few months and will need someone to look after her. No doubt, Vegeta, you'll be there for her, but we also need you to train. I mean, the boy from the future said that those androids kill everyone but Gohan. That means no amount of training will help me, I still probably won't be able to stand against them. But you're different, Vegeta. You're one of the two strongest fighters in the universe. If anyone has a chance at beating those androids it will be you and Goku. What I'm saying is, let me help you look after Bulma. I know you'll still be there but this way you can train and not worry about her being alone."
Vegeta thought about the idea and he actually liked it. He nodded and Bulma spoke, "I think it's a wonderful i...the boy!"
"Huh?" Vegeta asked, perplexed at his wife's sudden exclamation.
"The boy," she replied, "I remember how mad you were because the boy from the future was a super saiyan. You said it was impossible because you and Goku were the only saiyans left. I also remember he had the Capsule Corporation logo on his sleeve and how Krillin and I thought he and you looked so much alike. The boy was ours! He was our child!"
"Hmm..." Vegeta smirked, "Yes, I see it now. Ha! I always told Frieza he made a mistake by letting me live."
"And then he met his end at the hands of your son," Yamcha said, finishing Vegeta's thought.
"Bye, mom! Bye, dad!" Bulma called from the porch. Her parents were going to a conference in a distant city. They were a little worried at leaving her while she was pregnant but were set at ease by Yamcha and Vegeta assuring them she would be okay. She turned, walked inside, and sat down on the couch. It was hard for her to move now, their child could come at anytime. She didn't have to worry about much, though because Yamcha and/or Vegeta were constantly with her. They would not leave her alone and while it annoyed her to some degree, she was glad she wasn't alone. That morning, Vegeta went to the gravity room to train while Yamcha stayed with Bulma.
"Water?" Yamcha asked Bulma as he brought two glasses and sat down next to her, flipping on the television.
"No, thank you," she said as she laid her head back and closed her eyes. She was exhausted. She hadn't slept the night before because she started having small contractions. Vegeta had sat up with her; she couldn't understand how he still had enough energy to train. As she lay her hand atop her stomach, she winced as their son, Vegeta Trunks Briefs, kicked her as she had another contraction. This time it was longer and harder than before.
Yamcha turned off the TV. He had been warned about what had happened the night before and was told the boy would be born within the next few days. "Bulma," he said, placing his hand on her shoulder, "Do you want me to go get Vegeta?" He was worried. She relaxed as the pain passed. She was about to say yes as another contraction took hold of her body. They were coming fast now. "I'll be right back, Bulma, I promise. I'm going to get Vegeta." She wanted him to go but at the same time she didn't. Through her pain, she nodded to acknowledge him. She was crying hard and in so much pain she was shaking. He dashed out of the room; he had to be quick.
Inside the gravity chamber, Vegeta sat in the middle of the floor. He was too tired to train, too distracted to sleep. So he tried to meditate, but thought only of his wife. Suddenly, the door flew open. Vegeta looked up and there stood Yamcha out of breath. "It's Bulma," Yamcha said and it was all he had to say. Vegeta jumped up and the two friends rushed inside.
They found Bulma on the floor curled up (or as curled up as she could be) in pain. Vegeta placed his hand on her and gave her some of his ki. Slowly, she relaxed and allowed them to roll her onto her back. She looked up at Vegeta. She was glad he was here for this, for the birth of their son. When they had first found out about the child, she was afraid he might take off, unable to stand the birth. She was also glad Yamcha was there. She had her two closest and dearest friends at her side. "We should probably take her to the hospital," Yamcha said. He was no longer afraid of Vegeta. Over the past few months, caring for Bulma and even training together had made the once enemies into friends.
"No," Vegeta said, "For one, they would not be able to handle a saiyan child. And two, I know how to deliver a child."
"You do?" Bulma asked between contractions. They weren't as hard on her now that Vegeta was constantly giving her part of his ki and taking some of the pain from her, but she could still feel them.
"Yes," he said, smiling at her, "I learned when I was just a boy, barely older than Kakarot's son. On the Planet Vegeta, royalty had more to do than just affairs of state. We were also its doctors. Learning how to deliver a child was the last thing you learned. But it wasn't just there I used it. See, just shortly after I learned was when Frieza took me from my family. On his ship, relationships between the warriors flourished. At first I wondered why Frieza allowed it but I soon learned. Frieza had the strongest fighters in the universe on his ship. He allowed them to form relationships and mate because the children were even stronger than the parents. But he wouldn't let his doctors help in the childbirth. The first child I saw born on Frieza's ship was shortly after I arrived. I was just a boy and I saw both the child and the mother die. From then on I resolved to help if I possibly could. The other warriors save for Zarbon and the Ginyu Force, feared me because I was the strongest. But they also knew they could trust me at a childbirth. Neither a mother nor a child died when I was there."
"That's amazing, Vegeta," Yamcha said, "I had no idea you knew all that."
"Vegeta," Bulma said, breathless. The contractions were even harder now. He knew what it meant and moved to sit in front of her, all the while still giving her part of his ki.
"Hang in there, Bulma, it won't be too much longer," he said. He hated seeing his wife like this but he knew soon he would be holding their son. She wanted him to hold her but knew it would be impossible if he was going to deliver their child. She sat up as best she could and placed her hands on his shoulders. He understood and wrapped his tail around her as best as he could. Yamcha also understood and sat behind Bulma to give her support. All of a sudden, she let out a yell which was soon followed by a high-pitched wail. She fell back against Yamcha while Vegeta was left holding their tiny son. She smiled as she saw her husband and her son; they were beautiful. As she fell asleep in Yamcha's arms, Vegeta turned over their young son and promptly removed his tail. Vegeta may have retained his, but his son was going to be raised on Earth and Vegeta wanted his son to have a chance to be normal, or at least as normal as a half-saiyan could be.
-End Flashback-
