"I thought I told you to turn around, woman," he said quietly. Bulma couldn't quite place the tone in his voice, but she decided that she didn't like it.

"I thought you left. I was looking for you."

"You thought I left without my clothing?" Bulma didn't have to look at him to realize that he was smirking as he said it.

"Well, I just noticed the clothes were still there when…" she trailed off, blushing hopelessly. How on Earth was she ever going to get the image out of her head? And did she even want to? Bulma stood stock still as she heard him rustling behind her, presumably putting his clothes back on. She didn't turn around even when he stopped moving, just to be sure.

"Well, woman. Where is the next dragon ball?" he asked, no nonsense once more. Bulma was pleased to see that he didn't intend on teasing her with the knowledge that she'd just seen him in all his naked glory. She dug out the dragon radar and turned it on.

"It's…67 miles west of here. And…it's moving."

"Why would it be moving?"

"Either someone has it, or it's rolling on something." Bulma sighed. She just hoped whoever had it wasn't a good guy. Vegeta probably wouldn't hesitate to obliterate anyone who got in his way. Bulma wasn't sure she was ready to witness it. Vegeta slid his gloves back on, and held a hand out to her. Well, she thought as she placed a hand in his, here we go again.

After approximately twenty minutes of flying, they came upon an old beat up truck that was meandering down a dirt road. Bulma immediately felt her throat clench up in fear, her instinct telling her that something bad was about to happen. She didn't think that whoever was driving the truck would be a threat to her. No, she was more afraid of the threat whose back she was currently clinging to for dear life. "Maybe you should let me handle it? It is an earthling after all."

Unnervingly, Vegeta said nothing as he lowered them to the ground directly in front of the truck, which came to a prompt stop. Bulma could see the look of confusion and concern on the face of the older gentlemen, and swallowed nervously. She stepped towards the truck as the old man got out. "You alright there, dearie?" he asked.

"Yes," said Bulma. "We don't mean to be a nuisance, but I think you have something that belongs to us. It'd be a little orange ball with some stars in it."

The man scratched his head. "Don't think I've seen anything like that. I've been driving for the last hour or so, though. You sure you've got the right guy."

Bulma nodded and pulled out her dragon radar. The ball was definitely here, all right. She glanced back at Vegeta, who stood with arms folded and an annoyed expression. She walked around the truck and saw the ball, resting in the middle of a stack of hay towards the corner of the truck. It'd probably been sitting there the past few nights unnoticed by the gentleman in question.

"Here it is!" she said too excitedly. She grabbed the ball and moved toward Vegeta, thanking the old man for his patience. But instead of extending his hand toward her as usually, Vegeta moved a step closer to the old man and made a move to blast him. Bulma yelped and ran in front of the older gentleman and shielded him with her body.

"No. You can't hurt people! I…I won't help you anymore if you do. You need me, and I'll refuse to work the radar for you!"

"Get out of the way, woman! People will come here looking for me, and I cannot leave any traces behind."

"NO! He doesn't even know your name! He's just an old man who lives out in the country, no one is going to think to ask him about your whereabouts." As she spoke, Vegeta's palm began to glow blue and she began to shake but didn't move. Instead, she stared him down. If this was her time to go, then it was her time to go. Bulma closed her eyes.

"Damn woman," cursed Vegeta. "Come on, then, I don't have all day." He reached for her and roughly yanked her onto his back without sparing another glance to their audience. Bulma fumbled with the dragon ball for a second, then firmly held it to her chest as best she could in her awkward position.

Bulma had a feeling that things weren't fine, because he hadn't bothered to ask her where the next one was before lifting off. She figured he just wanted to get her alone for a moment, because she could see the fury in his eyes at being defied and knew that she would pay for so openly opposing him.

Vegeta touched down, gently, one boot first and waited for Bulma to slide off of his back. He stayed silent as she put the dragon ball in her pack and Bulma braced herself. She looked up into Vegeta's black gaze and it was all she could do to keep from shaking. There was no desire mixed in with her fear this time. She was afraid Vegeta had decided to hell with the dragon balls and was going to blast her right here and now.

When a few moments passed without him saying anything, Bulma tried to speak. "Vegeta?"

"Shut up," he snapped. "It is taking all I have not to snap your neck this very instant. How dare…" he trailed off, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, in an attempt to control himself. "How dare you defy me, the Prince of all Saiyans, in front of another person?

"I've dealt with your attitude, and it is trying enough when we are alone. But to show such utter disrespect, and blatant disregard for me in front of a male… Do you care nothing for your own miserable life?"

"Vegeta…"

"Shut. Up. You are seriously testing my patience, and I just might snap." As he said this, he clenched and unclenched his fist, and Bulma unconsciously took a wary step back. The next thing she knew, Vegeta had grabbed her shirt and pulled her close to him. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm…I wasn't going anywhere." "That's right, you weren't going anywhere. You weren't so scared just a few minutes ago. Where did all that bravery go, little woman?" Every word sent puffs of his breath ghosting across Bulma's face, and she almost forgot how to breathe. The desire was back and with full force, and there was nothing she could do about it. On the one hand, Vegeta scared her, and on the other, she liked the power he exerted. Something deep down told her that she was sick and needed help, but that did nothing to stop her stomach from clenching in anticipation.

"I," she tried to speak, "it didn't go anywhere. I just didn't want him to die…my life didn't seem so important right then." Bulma closed her eyes as Vegeta twisted her shirt, pulling her even closer. For someone who had warned her so dangerously about touching him, he certainly didn't seem to have a problem invading her personal space. Not that she minded.

"You are the most ridiculous creature I've ever come across," said Vegeta. "Are others of your species just as self-sacrificing?"

"Not all of us," said Bulma, confused. She was having a hard time figuring out if Vegeta was still angry with her, or simply confused. He was still frowning, but then again, he didn't seem to do much else. Well…except for that wicked smirk he gave her when she saw him unclothed. And with that thought, Bulma was flooded with another rush of desire so strong that it made her wriggle her legs together to alleviate the sensation.

And suddenly, Vegeta had buried his face in her neck inhaling deeply. Bulma froze, her body tightening at the feel of his lips brushing against her skin in his haste. Her mind flustered, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for his actions. She felt his other hand go to her lower back, pulling her flush against his body. Bulma opened her mouth to say something, but faltered as she felt his tail slide up the back of her calf.

"Why is it that every time I scold you, I can smell your desire?" asked Vegeta silkily. Bulma could have died right then and there. Half because she knew that he had been smelling her this whole time, and half because at his words, she felt herself grow wet, something that had never happened before she interacted with him. "Do you like being punished?"

"N-no," said Bulma hurriedly. Did she? "I don't know. I…I can't help," oh Kami, of all the embarrassing things that had ever happened to her. How was she to look at him ever again? "I can't help it. It's…I've never felt…" she trailed off, not knowing how to explain herself.

Vegeta pulled back from her neck, setting his coal black eyes on her. Bulma tried to lower her face or look away, but Vegeta held her face still, forcing her to look at him. Her eyes landed on his lips for a millisecond, before glancing back up to his eyes in the hopes that he hadn't noticed.

"You've never had a male, have you?" he asked, almost as if he was certain of her answer.

"No," whispered Bulma. Bulma had the horrified thought that he was going to take advantage of her, followed by more hot coiling deep in her lower abdomen. Oh Kami, why? Why was she so depraved? She closed her eyes, knowing that Vegeta knew now, and he'd always know.

"Look at me, little one." And Bulma did, breath hitching at what she saw. Vegeta's usually cold and angry eyes were half-lidded and filled with what she could only guess was lust. He leaned into her almost imperceptibly, but Bulma's senses were so heightened that she noticed it immediately. Then, just as suddenly, Vegeta let her go, stepping back and shook himself to regain his composure. "Locate the other dragon ball."

Bulma blinked, confused. It was over? Even as she dug through her back to find the dragon radar, she was shaking her head. Vegeta had to be the most confusing person she'd ever met in her entire life. One minute, he was angry, the next, lustful, and the next, cold. She'd never be able to keep up with him. But if he was going to act like this had never happened, then damn it, so was she!

"The closest one is approximately 2500 miles west." As she said this, Vegeta came to stand beside her, peering over her shoulder at the thing.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes…this is a big planet, remember?" Bulma replied. Vegeta hovered a few seconds longer than what she felt was necessary, but she didn't dare make eye contact. Not if he was going to be so…indifferent.

"Then we will make camp for the night and begin in the morning," said Vegeta. Bulma looked up at the setting sun, and nodded her acquiescence. She prodded the ground, and found that it was dry enough to make for a comfortable bed for her sleeping bag. As she was digging around, she knocked out a capsule she didn't realize she had. Bulma let out a triumphant yell that caused Vegeta to look at her in disdain.

"I found the capsule with the tent! I thought I'd lost it," she explained. Bulma resisted the urge to do a victory dance, seeing as she'd embarrassed herself enough for the day. Vegeta simply shook his head at her, and stood to the side, arms folded. Bulma decided to ignore him and set to putting up the tent. She was so happy that not even the Prince of all Jackasses could get her down.

It took roughly twenty minutes for her to finish setting up the tent, no thanks to Vegeta, who just stood there eyeing her warily. It was if he'd never seen one before, Bulma thought. She ducked down and went inside to lay out her sleeping bag. As she was fluffing her pillow to get ready for bed, the tent rustled and she looked up to see Vegeta ducking his way into the tent. Bulma shivered. Something about seeing Vegeta entering the tent as if he belonged there, caused butterflies to enter her stomach.

Bulma looked back down at her pillow, determined not to make eye contact. "Do you need your blanket?" she asked, determined to keep her voice steady. When Vegeta didn't respond, Bulma finally peeked, startled to see his intense stare directed at her.

"Am I not good enough to share your bed, tonight?"

"I-I didn't say…what are you suggesting?" asked Bulma, flabbergasted. Vegeta chuckled darkly.

"I believe we shared a bed last night, did we not? And now you are relegating me to a simple blanket." Vegeta moved fully into the tent. "Well, I say no."

"Well, I'll take the blanket, then," snapped Bulma. He was not going to bully her into sleeping with him!

"You will not. I believe we've grown far too intimate for you to begin acting shy. Besides, what are you afraid of? I'm not the one whose…urges are not under control."

Bulma reddened. How dare he imply that…that she would even consider! Bulma had every mind to storm out of the tent right then and there but he was not going to scare her off. So instead, she harrumphed and kicked off her shoes, settling into the sleeping bag, back towards him. She heard the door of the bag being zipped up, and for some reason, even though they were totally alone before, Bulma began feeling nervous.

She listened intently as Vegeta pulled off his boots, and then his gloves. The second she felt the sleeping bag move, she stiffened, clamping her eyes shut. If she could just ignore him, then everything would be just fine. Vegeta slid into the bag behind her, and Bulma stiffened even more, if that was possible. She would ignore him, she would ignore him.

After a few moments, Bulma realized that Vegeta wasn't up to any funny business. She had no idea if he was facing her back or the opposite direction, since he wasn't close enough that she could feel his body. Part of her wanted to peek over her shoulder just to see, but the fear that she would make eye contact while so close to him stopped her from doing so. Instead, Bulma tried to fall asleep, but found that she couldn't. About twenty minutes passed with no such luck before she found herself wiggling out of the sleeping bag, intending on getting some fresh air.

"Where are you going?" asked Vegeta. His was soft, as if he'd just woken up, and it was disconcerting, to say the least. He caught her by her ankle and pulled her back in, sitting up groggily.

"I just wanted to get some air," explained Bulma. Vegeta rubbed his eyes, and Bulma looked at his hands. They were surprisingly well manicured, but she supposed that was what the gloves were for. Bulma looked up and realized that he was fully awake, and had slid the top of his body suit to his waist, leaving his bronzed chest suddenly very bare.

"Can't sleep?" he asked, then. Bulma frowned at him, realizing that he was only not being a complete bastard because he had just woken up and hadn't had time to remember who she was. She'd enjoy it while it lasted.

"No," she responded. Vegeta pulled her closer to him, ignoring the way Bulma stiffened.

"Get back in the bag. It's too dark for you to be wandering about." Vegeta leaned backwards, pulling her over him. Bulma scowled and went around him, sliding back in. She did not take kindly to being told what to do, but knew there was nothing she could do about it.

As she did, however, Vegeta pulled her into his warmth, lightly rubbing her back with his free hand. She stared wide-eyed at Vegeta, whose eyes were already closed.

"Vegeta?"

"Go to sleep, woman." His voice sent little chills down her spine, intensified by his touch. Bulma finally relaxed, sighing and moving into him. If he was willing to offer comfort, she was going to take it. She certainly wasn't going to get any from anywhere else any time soon.

Okay, so it's been a while since I updated. I've a lot more written than this, but I didn't really like the way this chapter read. Still don't know if I'm happy with it, but here it is. I'm not great at writing anything besides the romance parts, so I tend to have a hard time when I need to focus on something other than Bulma/Vegeta interaction.