The morning sun filtered through the window sheers, slanting down on Bulma's face. She smiled lazily and rolled over, only to clamp her mouth shut on a squeal of surprise. Vegeta was laying inches from her, his face relaxed in sleep. She looked over her shoulder at the time. 7:20? This was the closest he'd ever come to sleeping in with her, if she didn't count their honeymoon. Which she did, even though it had been more work than play. Vegeta was a very physical man. Especially when he didn't know what to do with himself, and attempted to be idle. She chuckled to herself softly. But last night… It had been amazing. She'd used her stronger senses, and it had proved to be a very rewarding new feature. She had never felt so in-tuned with her husband before. Maybe that's why he stayed with her now.

She smoothed the hair on his forehead with her fingers. Certain glimpses of last night were coming back to her, and she smiled wider. She was remembering something particularly nice when his eyes opened slowly. He watched her for a moment before she noticed. When she saw his onyx eyes gazing up at her, she jumped.

"Oh!" She blushed. "I...didn't know you were awake."

"Mmm…" He groaned as he stretched his body languidly. Bulma watched his muscles as they lengthened and contracted, putting her hand on his firm belly. She rubbed it sensually, causing him to stop in mid-stretch. He reached out to her, pulling her onto his lap with one fluid motion.

"So, my woman...are you ready to fly today?" His grin was slightly mocking.

"Of course I am." She poked his chest. "You don't think I can?"

"I didn't say that." His eyes were hooded, and even though he was making fun, he still looked sexy to her. She bent down and gave him a deep kiss, which he returned with no compunctions. When she broke away, she realized he had been watching her, even in the depths of the kiss.

"Do you still think teaching me is a good idea?" She whispered. "No regrets?"

"Are you kidding?" He chuckled. "I don't regret teaching you anything after last night." His smile was wicked, and Bulma laughed, bending over to kiss him again, this time feeling his teeth. He snickered into her mouth, giving her bottom a teasing slap.

They ended up being late for breakfast.

Back onto the compound grounds, Bulma was trying not to let the events of last night and half an hour ago distract her. You think I would be used to him by now, she thought. But she knew that would never happen. That prince of hers kept her on her toes, and she loved him for it. She glanced over at her children, who were playing a few feet in the air. Sixteen-year-old Trunks was showing his little sister some flying tricks. She learned quickly, and a tingle of pride surged into Bulma's chest. She watched them for a little while until she felt Vegeta's ki. He'd been taking a shower, which was usually something he did in the evening after training. Living here, he had grown accustomed to taking one every time he broke into a sweat. She wondered at that, knowing that he had spent the first thirty years of his life covered in dirt and blood. She guessed it was part of his new life; the habit of staying clean. Sometimes she wondered if it went deeper than water on his skin.

He put his hand on her shoulder, getting her undivided attention. She made eye contact, noticing that his eyes were serious, but held a glimmer of amusement. He glanced at a spot further away in the yard, closer to the gardens. It would be quieter over there. She nodded, following him.

They sat on the cool morning grass, legs folded underneath them. Bulma always thought Vegeta looked like a cat when he did this. He curled so neatly into himself, and she couldn't get over how his legs were the same length as hers. Maybe even shorter.

"Now. This is going to be a little trickier than the heightened senses."

"What, really?" She tried not to moan.

"What's the problem? You learned rather quickly, and you're far from stupid. Why are you complaining already?" His eyebrows furrowed at her with annoyance. She lowered her head in a blush, feeling like a student that got caught passing notes in class.

"Nothing, I guess. I actually felt...like...I dunno…"

"Spit it out." His tone was sharp, and Bulma looked up.

"You really think I was fast? I feel like it took me all day." She said. Vegeta sighed.

"For having your ki level, it could have taken a lot longer. And I'm not favoring you by saying that. This isn't science, Bulma. You won't get the hang of it in the blink of eye. Don't waste your time and energy on your self-esteem. I haven't lost patience with you yet, so don't lose it with yourself, hn?" His eyebrow cocked at her playfully at the last sentence. He was doing his best at showing her that she mattered, and he wasn't trying to piss her off. She knew that he relished in arguing with her most of time (especially when they had been younger) but starting a fight while he was trying to teach her served no purpose and only made things harder. She'd gotten a little angry at the self-esteem remark, getting ready to retort, but when he had said "Hn?", with his eyebrow cocked in his version of a wink, she couldn't get mad anymore.

"Alright, you." She remarked, smiling at him.

"Good." He closed his eyes for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. She sat still, letting him sort his thoughts out.

"Okay. So, you know how to enhance your ki. The next step is to learn how to control it. This takes a bit more concentration." At Bulma's frown, he added.

"And no, you don't have to chew grass this time." He pulled a blade up with a smirk and twirled it in his fingers.

"Ha, ha." She rolled her eyes. He tossed it aside.

"The main thing about controlling your ki is focusing right here." He balled a fist up and tapped his gut, hard.

"Your solar plexus." Bulma's hand subconsciously went to her own belly.

"Your stomach? Really? Is that why you Saiyans like to eat so much?" She teased.

"Tch. No. It's just where the power comes from."

"But...why?"
"Oh, I don't know. Who cares why? It just is. If you humans can entertain the idea of love coming from your chest, then why can't power come from your stomach?"

"I guess so. Okay." She placed her hand more firmly on her belly. "Tell me what to do."

"Hn. Well, you have to gather your ki there. Just relax your body." His tone grew softer, encouraging her to relax.

"Now, put both of your hands there, like this." He cupped his hands together, elbows out, in front of his stomach. To give her a better idea of what she was supposed to do, he gathered energy into his hands until he was holding a soft blue ball of ki.

"You just pull it together into your stomach, then let it out through your hands. But first just focus on the gathering part. I guess it's like...when you cup your hands for a drink of water or something." He instructed. Bulma nodded, concentrating. She imagined her energy all gathering into one place. Images of being pregnant seemed to help her, since she'd felt her babies' ki in her from an early stage. She felt her stomach tighten, almost protectively, even though she knew her days of having children were over. Vegeta grew quiet, letting her focus. She sat there for what felt like forever, opening her eyes now and then to look down. Every once in awhile, she felt sure that she would see a glow between her hands. After ten minutes she looked up at Vegeta, trying to be patient.

"How long is this supposed to take?" She asked.

"You are used to learning things fast, aren't you?" He frowned.

"As a matter of fact, I am. And I'm used to being good at them."

"Well, that's just tough, woman. You have a low amount of ki, so it's going to take hard work and concentration. But if you give up within a few minutes, you might as well give up for good."

"Hey, mister…"

"I'm only telling you the truth." He rose up from the grass, his eyes going over to their children. "It's not my fault you can't take it."

"I can too, you jerk…" She muttered to herself. Vegeta snorted, and started to walk away.

"Vegeta! Where are you going?"

"What?" He turned back to her. "It's going to take time for this, and you don't need me to concentrate. Just focus on your energy, and when you can produce ki, then come find me." He spun on his heel and headed across the yard. Bulma growled to herself.

"Oh, great. What if I'm out here for hours? I have other things to do today besides think about my stomach. Geez. That man…" She grumbled for another minute or two, then got to work.

A full hour later, Bulma's legs felt like they were on fire. She'd forgotten they were curled up so tightly as she centered all of her attention on her energy. She felt like she was getting nowhere. Opening her eyes and peeking at her hands again, she let out a gusty sigh. Maybe she wasn't cut out of this. I'm not a fighter, anyway. I guess it really doesn't matter. But when she thought about being up in the air all on her own, not being carried or wrapped around somebody, she clenched her fists. She could be up there with her family and friends. Sure, she would never be anywhere near as fast as them, but the idea of soaring through the wet clouds with her own energy got her excited. She remembered something Krillin had told her. How when that horrible Ginyu had taken over her body, he had been able to use her ki to float up into the air, doing acrobatics. She knew she had it in her somewhere, and she was just dying to tap into it somehow. The thought of giving up made her think of Vegeta. He would still regard her the same way of course, but wouldn't there be just the tiniest undertone of disappointment? Maybe not because she couldn't fly, but...because she had given up on something. The whole time he knew her, she had never given up. Not on him, and certainly not on herself. With renewed determination, she shut her eyes tightly and thought of nothing but her ki.

At the end of her third hour, she started to feel very weak. She knew from experience that focusing hard on something could drain her. Sometimes she would pull an all-nighter with a project, and afterwards she felt like she could sleep for a week. Now, sitting on the damp grass, feeling it torment her skin with itches, she wanted desperately to fall asleep. She clenched her teeth against a yawn. What time was it? When was the last time that she ate? She strained her ears for voices, not hearing Trunks and Bra anymore. For a while there, she had heard Vegeta with them too. It had taken all of her energy to ignore his laughter as he trained their daughter. She loved how proud of them he was.

Suddenly, she felt his ki beside her again. He couched down to her level, and she naturally leaned closer to the heat of his body.

"You should take a break now, Bulma." His voice was soft, almost gentle. She felt his hand on her head, then his fingers twining into her hair. Her worry about disappointing him vanished. He knew she was trying her hardest. She gave an explosive sigh, like she had been holding her breath underwater. Her head drooped forward, suddenly feeling very heavy and a little dizzy. Vegeta made a small noise in his throat, cupping her chin in his hand. His dark eyes studied her face, and she read the question in them. Are you okay? She tried to answer, then choked on her own voice. She felt pathetic, but Vegeta didn't scold her. His pupils were dilated with concern as he slid his hand up to her forehead. She felt chilled, and his hand seemed to burn her. She pulled back a bit, feeling her skin break out into goosebumps. Her stomach heaved, and she closed her eyes.

"That's enough for today, woman." He said gently. Before she could protest, she felt his arms scooping under legs, lifting her lightly from the grass. She pressed her body against him, feeling pale and sick. Hiding her face, she almost wanted to cry at how idiotic it was. But he still didn't scoff at her.

"You can try again tomorrow," he suggested, seeming to feel her disappointment in herself. "But maybe not so long. I should have warned you how draining it is to try to control your ki for the first time." He left out I'm sorry, but she heard it in his tone.

"I felt your ki grow stronger, though. There were a couple of times when you were close."

"Really…?" She murmured. You did good. I know you were working hard at it. She translated.

"Hn. You just need to refuel." He walked slowly towards the house with her, trying not to jog her around too much. But the thought of food set her stomach roiling. Before she could even think to tell him to stop, she was leaning over his shoulder, retching. He stopped in his tracks, then he set her down on her knees. She had never been so embarrassed in her whole life. Down on the ground, she felt like something disgusting that he discarded. She knew it was stupid to think that; it was only natural for him to not want her throwing up on him. But she was still ashamed. Hot tears formed in her eyes. Why had she gotten so weak and sick? It had only been a few hours. She'd gotten drunk in more time than this.

"Vegeta…" She whispered, still feeling his ki nearby. "I'm...sorry. I don't know…" Then he was kneeling beside her.

"Stop it. Don't apologize for working hard. I won't listen." His hand felt warm on her back, and he rubbed it firmly once, twice. Then his other hand was inches from her face.

"Come on." He said. It was the same voice he used for Bra when she fell down. She put her hand in his, and he pulled her up. As they walked into the house, she swore to herself that she would get in right. I'll fly within the week if it kills me. She vowed.

AN: Nope, no flight in this chapter! Poor Bulma's gonna need some more time! It took Videl a while too, and she had much stronger ki than Bulma. But her prince won't give up on her. I promise she will fly soon, guys!