RECONSTRUCTION
A Future Spin-Off to Twice Upon a Time
By NinjaWhisper
Summary- It all fell apart and Bulma had to manage the pieces. Alone, she raised her son in a desolate apocalyptic world. Strong-willed and brave, she accepted this fate, moving on despite hope only coming to another timeline and not her own. Then he came back. . . and they had a new task- fixing something that was never whole to begin with.
Disclaimer- Dragon Ball Z is owned by Akira Toriyama and Toei Animation
Chapter 7
There is an old quote that says, 'If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours; if they don't they never were.' It was a hard philosophy to follow, but Bulma knew that forcing Vegeta to be with her was not showing unconditional love. She had to have the courage to offer freedom and hold onto the faith that deep down what she felt while collecting time machine parts, as she came in contact with Vegeta's bodiless ghost energy, was real and still existed beneath his thick skin and hard head. The experience, the warmth and knowing of him, couldn't have been her imagination. No, she would believe that some part of him, when stripped of many protective layers, wanted to be with her in return.
She kept her head high as she packed for the journey. A mother always worried and fussed over her child's well-being. Whenever Trunks traveled, Bulma collected gear, necessities, and food. It was a habit she picked up from her own mother, who had constantly made sure she had everything.
The impending trip filled Trunks with outward eagerness, especially after their little chat a week ago about not giving up on his father. He would follow the plan to recruit his father into their family. She could detect a glimmer of doubt in his eyes but he covered it up nicely with a bright smile. She wondered if seeing his father as a caring individual in the other timeline actually caused this uncertainty because of the great contrast between the two Vegetas. Bulma understood how that might be possible, but the mere fact that the decent Vegeta existed enforced that this one's change was possible.
She found Trunks in his room, stuffing clothing into a duffel bag. She stood against the doorframe and frowned. The bed was unmade and there was a dirty towel on the floor.
"I expect you to clean this room when you come back, young man!"
Trunks jumped. He turned and smiled. "Even better, I'll tidy it up before I leave."
Bulma grinned back. She held out two capsules. "I packed you a few things. The one with the blue plunger has a first aid kit, some tools, a rope, an instruction manual for repairs, and some other odds and ends. The one with the red plunger holds some food, snacks, and soda."
Her son tucked the two capsules away in the black duffel bag and then gave her a one-armed hug. She pulled him into a real embrace, trying not to worry about what might happen to him in the days to come.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll keep the blue one on me at all times."
"You better," she said, pulling away.
A few hours later Bulma watched her men take off into the grand unknown. Vegeta avoided her eyes and if she didn't know better she would have almost thought he seemed ashamed at leaving. Trunks waved and headed into the rounded metal vehicle with four feet. As the ship became nothing more than a dot in the mostly cloudy sky, Bulma shielded her eyes and managed not to cry.
For a split second, just one, she feared that she wouldn't see either one of them again. But of course she would. Trunks returned from the future after she hung onto hope, and so she would do so now.
A wind blew past her and she felt small and alone. What would she do for the next few weeks all by herself? She could visit Chi-Chi, Gohan, Krillin, Yamcha, and even Piccolo. That was fine and dandy but she needed a project, something to keep her mind occupied. She would be glad when this space extravaganza was done and she had Capsule Corp back to fill the void.
Bulma traveled inside and down to the lab. Now that she'd built the time machine and gravity chamber there wasn't anything much to focus on. Sure, she could do a few more tweaks to the gravity room but that didn't seem appealing at the moment. She needed something uplifting and inspiring, something to give her motivation.
Hmm. . . Her eyes landed on the metal box that held her capsules. There was something she could think of to occupy herself. She'd built the time machine for a purpose and that mission had been fulfilled, but that didn't mean she couldn't take it for a spin, right? Why not? It wasn't like she was going to misuse its power, just fill her curiosity a bit.
Trunks' story wouldn't leave her mind. She couldn't stop thinking about how there was a Vegeta out there who actually cared and wanted a family. The look on his face when he spoke about the Vegeta he called Dad was full of love and pride. There was a way to see this miracle for herself. It would help, she thought, to know it for herself because it would reinforce that Vegeta was a good man deep down. If she worked hard enough and never gave up, eventually he would come around. Yes, going to the other dimension could only add to her confidence.
Seeing a Vegeta with another her, happy, might cause a twinge of jealousy, but she wouldn't let that stand in her way. She would turn it into hope for what lay in her own future.
It was settled. She would take a trip to the past and witness this phenomenon Trunks spoke of. A Vegeta who came from the future into a past body. . . It was such a weird concept. The scientist in her wanted to see the evidence to support it.
So, Bulma packed her own emergency capsule similar to the one she gave Trunks. She left a note just in case something prevented her from returning, but assured herself that she would be back way before Trunks and Vegeta were.
Bulma climbed into the cockpit and settled herself down in the driver's seat. She brushed her fingers over the buttons and nobs, feeling that sense of accomplishment that any inventor got when seeing their creation come to life. She took in a breath and set the coordinates to a time period not long after Trunks left. She braced herself for the dimensional shift and pressed the engage button. The room dissolved around her and a sense of disorientation and lightheadedness washed over her. She held onto the sides of the time machine and sucked in air. Ugh, her stomach was queasy. She swallowed and closed her eyes for a moment before forcing herself to move.
It was night and Bulma heard fireworks boom in the background. A festival must be going on or something. It was comforting to know that life continued on here like normal and people rejoiced. She got out of the time machine and pulled it back into its capsule container. The air smelled crisp and clean and the stars twinkled dimly overhead, slightly washed out by the city lights.
She made it to the doorstep before she faltered. She ran a hand through her locks. Why hadn't she thought to put makeup on and fix her hair? She remembered that this Vegeta must be used to the older version of herself, being from the future, and that gave her a smidgeon of comfort.
Come on, she told herself, just ring the doorbell. Before she was able, the door opened and she stopped breathing and thinking altogether. There, stood Vegeta in a dark t-shirt and jeans, a very human outfit. He must have sensed her ki before she had time to press the doorbell. He looked at her with shock and then something akin to sorrow. The fact that his emotions were so visual was surprising.
Another firework thundered and a cry split her eardrum. It was then that Bulma fully comprehended the baby with lavender hair that he held. The hold wasn't the close and soft one a mother gave, but he held him with a full arm just the same, even supporting the head.
"Bulma," Vegeta said past the wail and firework.
"You're holding Trunks," she said, pointing out the obvious.
He rolled his eyes and shoved the kid over to her. Bulma scrambled to take baby Trunks, something she hadn't done in years. She tenderly snuggled the baby and shushed him. He soon quieted to only a few whimpers.
"I've been trying to get him to stop for over an hour. Damn fireworks. Humans and their inconsiderate racket."
Vegeta would always be Vegeta. His words were haughty but she could see the change in him just the same. His voice wasn't as rough as she remembered. He didn't have the weight of darkness around him, as if he'd shed the pounds of his horrific past and moved on. Still, there was something not right in his eyes. They were weary and distant.
They stepped into the Capsule Corp living quarters and she glanced around at the familiar atmosphere. This was home, not some secluded tiny house where she slept and ate. Bulma swallowed and took in a framed photograph on the wall of a much younger her holding the infant Trunks with a grumpy Vegeta at their side. This other Bulma was very happy. She couldn't help but lift her fingers to touch the glass. When she turned around she found Vegeta's back and she detected his muscles slightly shake beneath the cotton shirt he wore. She hugged Trunks close and moved hesitantly to put her hand gently on his shoulder blade in comfort. Just before she made contact he recoiled.
"Don't!" he snapped.
What in the world was going on here? Her heart ached from the perceived waves of sorrow coming off both Vegeta and Trunks.
"Why are you here?" Vegeta asked softly.
"I- I wanted to speak with you. Trunks told me what you did for us. Thank you. My Vegeta isn't so receptive to family life but I bet he'll come around. He is you, after all, right? Any words of wisdom to get him to stay with us?" She tried to keep her tone light but it was hard.
"Look, Bulma, now isn't a good time, and I'm not in any condition to give advice on your love life," he said, still turned away.
That was it, she had to know what was going on. "Where am I? The other me? Did something happen?"
With that, Vegeta spun around, eyes ablaze, awakened. "You died!" He stomped over and gripped her bicep. "I can't take you being here right now! To have you here and not be her. Woman, do you understand how hard it is to talk to you and then let you go, leaving me here alone?"
Probably harder than it was to let my Vegeta leave, she thought. Her eyes stung and she blinked.
Vegeta breathed in and released her. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Sorry."
She wanted to touch him but she held back, instead cuddling Trunks. "I'm sorry too. I can leave. Of course, I wasn't expecting this when I came. Can-Can you bring me back with the dragon balls?"
He nodded. "In a few months."
This wasn't at all what she anticipated to find. From Trunks' story she'd envisioned a happily ever after where Vegeta and she settled down with Trunks for a peaceful life. She'd come for a mood boost but here she was finding nothing but the same gloom as the period she'd just left.
Vegeta composed himself. "Why don't you stay for awhile? For Trunks," he said, gesturing to the baby.
So, she did. She fed Trunks a warmed bottle of formula. Then, she rocked and hummed to him until he fell asleep. She settled him down in his crib and watched over him for a few moments, holding the railing. The baby didn't know the difference between her and his real mother. They probably even smelled the same. She hoped he wouldn't think she abandoned him. She reached out and rubbed Trunks' chubby cheek. A sense of nostalgia and longing swept over her. She'd never have another child. All she could hope for was that Trunks would someday offer her a grandbaby.
Bulma found Vegeta in the hallway leaning against the wall, arms crossed, staring blankly ahead.
"Thanks for taking care of the brat," he said dryly.
"It was nice," she said.
"It's actually probably good you stopped by. We have a situation. Some psycho Gero wanna-be is targeting Trunks and I don't know which one he's after. He's got a grudge against us for killing his invention. Just a heads up so you can warn your son to keep his guard up."
She flinched. "Trunks is in space right now," she said.
Vegeta considered that. "Good. Hedoro probably won't find him out there. But you . . . He might come after you like he did here."
Bulma hugged her arms. "I'll go to the lookout," she said. "Or, Chi-Chi and Gohan's."
He nodded. There was an awkward silence. He averted his gaze.
"About your Vegeta. . ." he began. She perked up, intrigued. "It wasn't that I didn't care back then. . . when I was like your Vegeta. I just didn't allow myself to care. There's a difference. I don't know if I can explain it in a way you could understand but Saiyans were raised as warriors. We had children out of duty to uphold our race, not to love them. We chose women that would conceive these children and keep them safe until they were old enough to take care of themselves. Everything was done for the purpose of maintaining power and honor and gaining more of this power and honor. Soft feelings were not spoken of or acted upon. So, even if I cared, I wouldn't allow myself to let that get in the way of duty and honor. I am the Prince of all Saiyans, my mission was to get stronger so I could prove that the Saiyans didn't die out because we were weak. It wasn't until . . . Look, I didn't start giving into Earth life until I noticed that my efforts weren't getting me anywhere. Kakarot's brat beat Cell instead of me. Your son was shot down before my eyes and there was nothing I could do. I realized that I was not the Saiyan warrior I strived to be, and so I gave up. What I put forth, all my effort, was not enough. The only thing I had to turn to was my family. I had a son who could possibly display Saiyan power better than me so I trained him." He paused. "There's a bunch of stuff that happened after that, and I'd rather not give you the details. Anyway, the other me will have to come to this same conclusion for him to put energy into anything else besides his will to surpass everyone else and prove Saiyan, no, royal Saiyan worth."
Vegeta had never been the type of person to open up. She gave him a small smile. "So, hang in there?"
He frowned. "I'm not going to give you any guarantees. Your world is different than mine with a different set of experiences. But you and Trunks are still Bulma and Trunks and well. . . If I had to guess, I'd say yes. I'm bound to stay eventually."
Bulma lifted her chin. "I believe in you."
He look away, maybe embarrassed and uncomfortable. "You're not old and sagging, by the way."
"Huh?" Bulma blinked. Where did that come from?
"Never mind," he grumbled.
She smiled again. "Did he call me that? Trunks said something about the other Vegeta calling me old." She shrugged. "Oh well. I am getting along in years. I'll never be the firm and pretty woman I was on Namek."
"You are always beautiful," Vegeta said.
"What?"
"Don't make me say it twice, woman! You heard me." She thought she saw a bit of pink on his averted face.
"Oh, Vegeta, honey," she gushed, folding her hands up to her chest. "I think I'm falling more in love with you by the second."
"Hmph, do you have to make a big deal about everything? You are the most annoying female on this planet besides Kakarot's harpy."
She batted her eyelids. "But the most beautiful apparently," she said and laughed.
He did not find it amusing but yet again his wife just died. She fidgeted, wondering if it was time to go. She said as much and was about to head down the hall when he grabbed her wrist. He quickly let go.
"There's a device in the lab that the maniac left. Your father has been tinkering with it for days but can't make much sense of how it works to fix it," Vegeta said.
Bulma felt her wrist. His fingers had been so warm.
"You want me to take a look at it? Sure, I've got nothing more important to do," she said.
She allowed him to lead her through the house. They passed a room with the door open and she peeked in. It was a large room with a king-sized bed and adjoined bathroom and balcony. She knew immediately that it was the room Vegeta and this Bulma shared. The cream colored bedspread was tucked neatly over the mattress and pillow, which meant that no one had slept in it since this Bulma's death. She pointed her vision in front to the back of Vegeta's head, her heart going out to him.
The smashed white bracelet awaited her and Bulma was thankful to busy her mind. She fixated herself on the microscopic gismos inside the face of the bracelet. It was obviously of alien or future origin. Fascinating . . . This piece obviously affected this one, and if you fit this one together with this one then this one . . .
It was nice to have a project and escape thoughts of Vegeta altogether. If she allowed herself to concentrate on the Saiyan man that stood next to her, she just might be urged to stay forever.
AN- I hope hacking this out isn't making the quality lack. Let me know if I should try harder. Also, Vegeta's POV of this will be written for Twice Upon a Time.
