Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they all belong to Mr Akira Toriyama
The Prince and the Genius
CHAPTER 8 – Beneath you
As soon as Yamcha left, Bulma drove to the hospital.
She was hurt, confused, sleep deprived and exhausted.
Her head felt like it was about to explode, and her heart felt as it was forced to shrink to the size of a matchbox...
She didn't know anymore what to do, what to think, what to say, what to cry for...she didn't even know what she wanted. She had all her emotions tied up in a knot, and tangled together in her throat.
Bulma drove silently in the night, lost in her own thoughts...so distracted that she missed the hospital's parking lot twice.
She had to get her act together before meeting the Saiyan. Before assuring her mother that she could take it on from there.
The genius made it to the Coronary Care Unit and found her mother in the waiting room. Panchy was sipping some tea and leafing through an interior décor magazine.
Bulma sat down besides her, and warmly greeted her.
Bulma: "Hey Mom! I made it in the end! How are things going on here? Are there any news from the doctors? Is Vegeta all right now?"
Mrs Briefs: "Oh, hi sweetie!" – Panchy sounded surprised – "What are you doing here? I thought you were off to dinner with Yamcha...is everything all right...?"
Bulma could sense a drop of worriedness in her mother's tone...but she really didn't want to problem her any further. She didn't feel like talking about her breakup, so she decided she'd play things down for the time being.
Bulma: "Well...yeah...we were planning to go... Yes. But...in the end...after everything that's happened...we just...agreed we should postpone the dinner to some other day...Yes! So...here I am!" – she tried to force a smile and sound as cheerful as possible... – "Did they tell you anything about Vegeta yet?"
Mrs Briefs eyed her suspiciously, then quickly hid her concern. She knew something wasn't quite right with Bulma. Her daughter's little act could maybe fool others, but surely not her. However, just as her husband, she was not one to stick her nose into someone else's business...so if Bulma didn't feel like opening up to her yet, she'd just wait for her to come around.
Mrs Briefs: "I see!" – she smiled to her daughter – "Well...not really, no...I'm still waiting for them to come with updates. I know they've given him some medicines to try to reduce the risk of another Sudden Cardiac Arrest, but they are still trying to figure out what caused it in the first place."
Bulma: "Oh, ok...do you think they are going to keep him here for the night...?"
Mrs Briefs: "I'm not sure, honey...I guess it depends on what they find out."
Doctor: "Mrs Briefs?" – formally called out a doctor on entering the CCU's waiting room.
Mrs Briefs: "Here!" – airily replied Panchy walking up to the doctor with Bulma.
Doctor: "Mrs Briefs, after thoroughly assessing your guest's health condition, we have luckily been unable to identify any congenital heart defect that might have caused the SCA. There are no pre-existing birth defects, so we believe the SCA was simply caused by overtraining in such extreme external conditions. There are no reasons for us to believe that Vegeta is at risk of a second SCA if he trains in safer environmental settings. We highly recommend 10 days of bed rest, before slowly easing back into a more moderate training regime. Other than that, as soon as he wakes up, he is free for us to go home".
Mrs Briefs: "Oh, this is great news doctor! Thank you so much! Bulma and I will make sure he recovers properly before getting back to training...Won't we honey?" – enthusiastically replied Panchy whilst addressing her daughter.
Bulma: "...sure..." – somehow sarcastically replied Bulma, astonished that her mother would actually believe that bed bounding the Saiyan for 10 days would be as easy as eating pancakes...
Doctor: "Good! Well that's all then. I believe he will wake up in a couple of hours. As I told you he is free to leave, but as it is already late, he could also just spend the night here in A&E, and leave tomorrow in the morning. Whatever is best for you. If the pain increases, or if there are any other symptoms, please come back to the hospital as soon as possible. But I do believe, given the right amount of rest, he is going to be just fine. Ok, I have to head off to the next patient now. Goodnight Mrs Briefs, Miss Briefs. Take care."
Mrs Briefs: "Goodnight doctor, thank you so much!"
As the doctor left, Bulma sighed in relief. She was really happy to hear that Vegeta was well.
Of course there was still the "little" problem of how to tie him to the bed...
Bulma: "Well...it's great to hear that he is fine! Oh boy did he scare me this time! But how are we going to keep him in bed for 10 days?! I honestly don't even know where to start talking him into that! Oh well...I guess he'll just have to collaborate..."
Mrs Briefs: "Oh Bulma dear..." – said Panchy giggling – "You're worrying way too much about that! In my days...I wouldn't have had any problem coming up with at least a dozen ideas on how to keep that handsome young man in bed for a while... But oh my! What am I saying? I'm a married woman!"
Bulma: "Mother!" – cried Bulma out loud, whilst blushing profusely.
Mrs Briefs: "What?...are you really going to tell me that you never even thought about that...?" – she suggestively teased her daughter.
Bulma: "Of course I haven't!" – she defensively replied – "You know what...I'm not even going to engage in this kind of conversation with you Mom...it's just totally inappropriate!"
Bulma tried to regain her composure, but was already as red as a tomato...
Panchy smiled. She knew she had touched a chord...but would let her daughter be for the time being.
Mrs Briefs: "As you wish honey! I am sure you're going to find a solution one way or another..." – she giggled merrily and winked.
Bulma exhaled in frustration and shook her head slowly...she knew this argument with her mother was a lost cause to begin with.
Mrs Briefs: "Anyway...changing the subject: as you are here now...would it be ok for me to head back home? I am honestly a bit tired...and I think you can handle things pretty easily from now on...Would that be ok?"
Bulma: "Of course Mom! No problem at all. I'm just going to wait for Vegeta to wake up and see if he'd rather go directly back home, or stay her for the night. It really depends on how he feels, I guess. But I'll be fine, no worries! Please go. Thank you so much for your help!"
Mrs Briefs: "Oh great, sweetie! Thank you. I'll leave then. Take care...and be nice to that charming young man...will you...?"
Nice my ass...Bulma thought to herself already imagining the 'affable' conversation the two of them would be having once the Saiyan woke up...
Bulma: "...I'll try my best Mom...But it is the prince of all jerks we are talking about, you know...?"
Her answer...didn't come out as gracious as she would have liked...
Mrs Briefs: "Bulma, behave! I don't care what the two of you have been on about. But he has just had a cardiac arrest! Please keep that in mind when you talk to him, will you?!"
Bulma: "Of course Mom! I was just being silly...I'll be nice to him, I promise. Don't worry about that! You take care, drive safely, and sleep well, ok?
Mrs Briefs: "All right then. Goodnight honey! Just call if you need anything! I'll anyway see you in the morning."
Bulma: "Sweet dreams Mom. Bye bye!" – she kissed her mother goodbye and headed off to check on the Saiyan.
Bulma entered Vegeta's hospital room quietly. She didn't want to wake him up, he needed to get as much rest as he possibly could.
She walked closer to his bed and observed him. It never failed to surprise her that, no matter how beat up he was, that inborn smug little expression of his never abandoned his face.
She smiled. How could she care so much about that ass...?
He was literally a self-righteous, complacent and egotistical killer with the power to destroy an entire city with a blast. He was no 'bad boy' by the hot guy's guide...he was a criminal, fair and square.
Still...she was drawn to him...overwhelmed by an absurd need to 'protect' him...
To protect a man she'd be better off running away from...
To protect a man who couldn't possibly use any protection from the likes of her...
To protect a man who was desperately in need to be protected from his own self...
Bulma wanted to embrace him, to hold him tight, to draw the prince into a big fat hug and tell him that things were going to be all right...but she knew that was never going to happen with Vegeta. So she simply approached him, ever so softly stroked his cheek with the tips of her fingers, and slowly dived in for a kiss on his forehead.
But things didn't go as expected...
The next thing she knew, she had a hand tightly wrapped around her neck and a Ki blast aimed at her heart.
The Saiyan's gaze was mere inches from her face.
If she'd ever thought she knew Vegeta's murderous glare by now, she had to think again...for she was witnessing, for the first time ever, the true empty stare of the cold-blooded assassin.
She was shaking in fear and about to pass out. But the instant black met blue, recognition flashed in his eyes...
Vegeta: "B-Bulma?! What the f..." – his voice was thick, horrified and broken.
He immediately dissolved the Ki blast and released her neck. She blacked out in that moment, and was dropping to the ground, when he managed to reach under her armpits and sit her on his bed.
Vegeta: "Bulma?!"
The prince was alarmed by her lack of response when she deadly collapsed on his chest. But he could feel her heartbeat now and her soft frail breathing...and was glad to know her alive.
He sighed in relief.
That idiotic woman! What the fu*k was she thinking, creeping on him that way?! Did she have a fu****g death wish for crying out loud?! Stupid, foolish woman!
He was frustrated again. The last thing he needed right now was to worry for that moronic fool. But all she seemed to keep doing was sticking her nose where it didn't belong.
Where were they by the way? This was no Capsule Corporation...was it a human hospital? Had something happened to him? He was again so confused...
He grabbed the genius by the shoulders and started shaking her firmly.
Vegeta: "Woman! WOMAN! Snap out of it already! And quit finding those ridiculous excuses to throw yourself at me! No one believes you anyway! Do you hear me?! Woman?! WOMAN! WAKE UP!"
The Saiyan's voice and the rocking motion brought Bulma slowly back to her senses...
Bulma: "V-Vegeta...?" – she muttered in a shaky voice – "V-Vegeta..." – she forced a smile on her suffering face – "V-Vegeta you dimwit...you almost choked me to death you know...?" – she tried to sound ironic while in reality she was struggling to even breathe.
Vegeta: "And almost sent you to the next dimension, for that...without you even noticing..." – he spat back sarcastically whilst inwardly sorry to see her that way... – "What were you even thinking anyway?! ...sneaking on me like that...? What an imbecilic fool are you to try such a move?! Haven't I warned you already to stay the heck away from me?!"
Bulma: "And haven't I warned you already to take things easily instead of throwing yourself into some crazy irresponsible training?! You had a Sudden Cardiac Arrest you brainless dunce! Respect is a two way street dear fr-" – she didn't even manage to complete her sentence before she started to convulsively cough.
Vegeta growled deeply in his throat before he offered Bulma his bedside glass of water.
Vegeta: "Here. Now hush for a minute and drink, will you? Unless you are planning to choke, then of course suit yourself, please."
His words were rude, but that didn't fool her. She knew that a gesture like that spoke volumes. He'd never openly show that his tainted heart had a warm side too...but that was ok by Bulma.
Bulma: "Thank you." – she whispered accepting the drink, looking at him shyly from down up.
Something about that gaze drove the Saiyan completely insane.
Her doe-like glance was triggering an ancestral need in him to take her, defend her, and comfort her, whilst his rational brain was telling him to kick her away.
How could she let herself be so vulnerable around him? He almost killed her, for god's sake! How stupid could she be?! She was driving him mad.
Vegeta: "You have to stay away from me woman, do you understand? I am dangerous, and I am not your friend. I kill people." – he threatened her through gritted teeth – "You could have died by my hand just a few minutes ago. I am not like Kakarrot, I am nothing like him. Let go of any stupid idea you have of me in your head. For both of our sakes woman, LEAVE-ME-ALONE! I am giving you the chance to back away before it's too late."
Bulma: "Too late for what? I don't understand Vegeta...why do you keep pushing me away? I'm not scared of you." – she spoke to him with her heart on her sleeve– "Actually...believe it or not... I feel safe around you..."
Vegeta: "Safe? SAFE?! Now I know you've completely lost it! You feel safe around me, woman?!" – the prince lashed out at her coarsely, rage roaring inside him – "Are you trying to belittle me, or what, woman?! You think I'm not dangerous or strong enough to hurt you?! You wanna see safe, woman?! You wanna see how safe you are around me...?!"
Bulma: "Vegeta...calm down...I didn't mean it that way. I think you've completely misunderstood me...I-"
He didn't let her complete her sentence. He grabbed her harshly by the wrists and started powering up slowly, burning slightly her skin in the process...
The minute he allowed his raising Ki to expand a bit his aura, he sent her flying across the room, smashing brutally against the wall.
Bulma fell violently to the floor, hissing loudly out in pain.
He hated himself for doing that the minute he heard her cry. What possessed him to behave like that towards her? He couldn't even say. Where had all his training gone? Had he lost all willpower to control himself around her? How had he allowed her to get under his skin so deep? He didn't even know himself around her anymore...
He could strangle her and make love to her all at the same time...
She had the power to reach some deeply hidden raw emotions he'd been trying to fight back all his life. He was a calm and balanced person normally...but around her he felt psychotic. He had to calm down immediately, and shut these feelings out already. Even he knew she didn't deserve any of this. But she had to stay the fu*k away from him!
He turned his gaze away from Bulma, trying to cover his guilty thoughts. Vegeta knew she wasn't badly hurt, but he knew he crossed the line this time. He just hoped this would finally push her away from him for good, so he wouldn't have to deal with any of this ever again.
But he realized the gods had clearly different plans for him the moment he felt the wench slowly approaching his bed. He braced himself for her wrath...
Bulma: "...and what was that supposed to prove?" – she was talking to him directly by his side, trying her best to hold her sobs back. – "What was that supposed to mean, Vegeta? You think that makes you dangerous? You think that makes you scary? I only believe it makes you the king of fu****g as*****s, you stupid prick!...So your Ki is powerful enough to send me flying across the room...! WOW! Big deal!" – her voice was now angry and sarcastic. – "How about you really show me that you mean what you say Vegeta? How about you truly prove to me how dangerous and bad ass you are, Prince of all Saiyans..." – she was now openly challenging him.
He exhaled in frustration, and crossed his arms.
Vegeta: "You still haven't had enough, woman?" – he rolled his eyes still facing the wall, avoiding to make eye contact with her.
Bulma: "Look at me Vegeta when I talk to you!" – her voice was now assertive and confident.
She grabbed his shoulder and forced him to turn around to face her...of course he'd have to allow it, for that to work, but this time he did.
He scowled at her and shook his head, abashed at the woman besides him.
Vegeta: "What do you want Bulma?" – he replied annoyed, trying his best to keep his cool.
She smirked at him and looked directly in his eyes, no fear nor angst displayed. She grabbed his hand and brought it inches from her heart, his gaze now questioning and confused.
Bulma: "Show me what you've got Vegeta! If you give it your best shot, you might only need one..." – she annoyingly stated, trying to provoke the Saiyan.
After a moment of silence and utter bewilderment, he smirked at her and chuckled, trying to ease out the tension of this absurd conversation.
But she wouldn't have it.
Bulma: "I mean it Vegeta." – she ordered tugging at his hand.
Realizing she was all business, he addressed her more seriously this time.
Vegeta: "Stop it woman! Don't push your luck..."
Bulma: "Shoot Vegeta!...if you think you can..."
Vegeta: "...you think I can't...?" – He smirked at the genius this time challenging her in return.
Bulma: "Oh, I know you can...but I am also positive you won't."
The nerve of this woman!
Oh well, if it was an adrenaline rush she wanted, he'd give to her...
Vegeta: "Very well..." – he stared directly in her eyes, a malicious grin adorning his face.
He started forming the smallest of Ki blasts in the centre of his palm.
In acknowledging it, Bulma tried in vain to hide a gasp and the shiver of fear that was shaking her whole body. She gulped discretely and looked straight ahead of her.
Her reaction widened the prince's smirk.
He directed more energy into his deathly blow, although the blast he had formed to begin with, was already sufficient to kill the defying genius.
Now that he was playing her game, he wanted to see how far he could push her.
He could see goose bumps covering her skin.
Vegeta directed even more energy into the Ki blast. It was now big enough for her to feel its heat dangerously teasing her skin.
Her breathing got erratic and her face was turning pale.
The prince was thriving inside. She had no idea how sweetly she was feeding his sadistic nature.
Vegeta: "Beg...and I might let you live. You can still save yourself...Bulma" – he whispered in a husky yet honeyed voice.
The Saiyan's tone gave Bulma shivers of a very different nature this time. How could she get aroused at a time like that? Maybe Vegeta was right after all...she was totally insane!
She shook her head sternly and raised up her chin. Both as a gesture of pride and to avoid getting burnt by the heat of the Ki blast, now nearing her neck.
He was impressed. She was totally bonkers, but she was also brave.
He'd have to give her that much.
He'd never admit it, but he actually admired that about Bulma...and as weird as it sounded...it strangely made him feel proud of her too...
But as much as he liked her, or better...as much that he didn't despise her...he wouldn't lose this challenge to Bulma. It was time for the genius to give up on her act and finally admit defeat.
He kept channelling more and more energy into the fatal Ki sphere aimed at Bulma's heart.
Starting to really fear for her life, she closed her eyes tightly and held in her breath.
Her body language was screaming terror, but she was stubborn enough not to give in to him.
Vegeta rolled his eyes at her and carefully handled the energy sphere. He knew that if it touched anything in the room it would be 'lights out' not only for Bulma, but also for everyone else in the hospital and in the neighbouring buildings. It was becoming more of a juggling exercise, and with the genius keeping her eyes closed, there was no fun in it any more.
He dissolved the Ki blast and waited for Bulma to react...
But as soon as he realized that nothing was going to come from the frightened genius...he decided to jump in himself...
Vegeta: "You are not dead yet woman, but you are turning green... And if you keep your breath in just a little bit longer, you will surely be visiting King Yemma soon. How amazing would that be?! I'd get rid of you without even trying..."
At his sarcastic remark, she let go of her breath, and inhaled most needed fresh air. She eyed him suspiciously and sought for the sphere, in the apparently newly safe room.
He enjoyed witnessing her discomfort so much...
Vegeta: "Above you!" – he coldheartedly bluffed.
She jolted at that and jumped on his bed, holding on to the Saiyan prince tight.
Vegeta was laughing inside and enjoying this farce, but he'd never admit it out loud. He'd keep 'playing' his part, and conceal his soft side, though she was again warming his stone heart...
He disapprovingly cleared his throat to display his annoyance.
Vegeta: "I beg your pardon...? What exactly do you think you are doing?" – he unpleasantly asked her.
Bulma blushed, and immediately released her grip. She acted on instinct, without even realizing that she'd thrown herself on him...Was he angry now?
He raised an eyebrow at her.
Vegeta: "So...? I'm waiting..."
She was so embarrassed...she stared down at her hands whilst trying to avoid his piercing gaze.
Bulma: "I-I...I...I figured you wouldn't aim it at yourself so..." – she looked up at him quickly, before immediately returning to staring at her hands. – "I'm sorry..." –she whispered more to the ground that at the Saiyan.
She was so cute in that moment, that he could have 'eaten' her right there and then...but he had to suppress his instincts... Having that woman around was just too bad for him.
He stared her down in a condescending manner, trying his best to increase her discomfort.
His little act was working like a charm, and she was falling for it like a moth to a flame.
But after a few moments of uneasiness, a sudden realization crossed her mind: the Ki sphere hadn't exploded...had he dissolved it after all?
She quickly scanned the room for a trace of the blast...nothing.
He must have dispersed it in the end...
She smirked.
She turned to him complacent, a smug expression now shining on her face.
Vegeta: "What?"
It was her turn to be arrogant now...
Bulma: "Oh...don't you 'what' me Vegeta! You know I won! ...I was right all along! You didn't have the guts to hit me, did you? Turns out Mr. Bad Guy can't even kill a fly...!" – she teased him in a pompous, priggish way, whilst fluttering her eyelashes at him.
Now she was pushing her luck...and the prince was afraid that he'd lose it...
He had just spared her life, for crying out loud! And instead of being grateful...this insignificant weakling had the nerve to mock him?! Unbelievable!
Vegeta: "Bulma..." – he tried to maintain his composure – "I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you..."
Bulma: "EMPTY THREATS" – she articulated to him, enjoying having the upper hand at this game.
Vegeta: "Now you've done it!" – he growled at her in a menacing tone. – "You want trouble? You got it!" – He grabbed Bulma's dress by the top of the collar, and drew her right against his chest.
The physical spar thrilled the genius and she eagerly fought the prince back. But the quipao was not as resilient as her, and it tore in his hands in the clash.
The shredding sound suddenly caught their attention and brought the two's scuffle to a halt.
Bulma gasped and backed away from him, promptly taking care to cover her breasts.
Bulma: "Look at what you've done now, you moron! It was my favourite dress, you jerk!"
Vegeta: "Seriously?" – he scoffed her – "You should be grateful it wasn't you..."
Bulma: "Brute!"
Vegeta: "Fool!"
Bulma: "Ass!"
Vegeta: "Bitch!"
Bulma: "Twit!"
Vegeta: "Tsk...Twit? Really? Are you for real, woman? How old are you even? Five?! What is it with that outfit anyway? Are you a part-time whore by night?" – he mocked her with disdain.
Bulma: "Mind your words Vegeta! How dare you talk to me like that?! I'm wearing this dress because I was meant to go on a date, you jackass! But your childish little stunt ruined my plans!"
The Saiyan groaned with disgust.
Vegeta: "My childish little stunt got in your way, little one...? Pwah! And what's that to you? I thought we'd already cleared, once and for all, that I am not your childhood boo!"
His words were hurtful and emotionally charged, and were aiming to hit where it hurt.
Bulma: "Why do you have to be so mean?" – she tried to stay calm, but her eyes were stinging already...
Vegeta: "Because you just won't get off my case!"
Bulma: "But I'm your friend, Vegeta! I was worried for you!"
Vegeta: "YOU ARE NOT MY FRIEND, YOU FOOL! I do not need your help, I do not want you around and I've definitely had enough of your whining. Think of this as a 'business deal'; there is nothing more in this for you. You provide me with training equipment that will help me become a Super Saiyan, and I might spare your life once I rule the planet. That is all there is to this, neat and clean. Any other fantasy of yours must be ruled out already! Are there any questions?! Buffoon?"
Why was he doing this again? Why did he always have to mortify her? She was only trying to stand by his side.
It had been the longest of days for Bulma, between work, hospital, brake up and fights, her emotions had finally caught up with her.
She had lost all her filters, was bristling with rage, and was ready to lash out at the Saiyan a taste of his own bitter medicine.
Bulma: "And what would you know about friendship? What would you know about care? You haven't even managed to befriend one fellow Saiyan! Nobody has ever cared for you Vegeta! No one has ever given a sh*t about you! You are the less deserving being I've ever met! Even your father hasn't had a problem giving you the fu*k away as a little ch-"
She froze mid sentence. What had she just told him? She was a monster!
Vegeta held in his breath and looked away from her.
She could swear that she'd seen pain in his eyes...
She wanted to beat herself up for her behaviour.
The tension in the room was unbearable.
Surprisingly, it was the Saiyan to break the silence...
Vegeta: "Wow Bulma...now that was beneath you..." – His voice was calm, raw and openly hurting.
Bulma had never wanted to cause him such pain.
Why did they always have to bring out the worst in each other?
She sighed. She felt powerless. She knew it was too late to fix the damage.
Bulma: "I'm sorry..." – she whispered to her feet, tears now streaking down her cheeks. She inhaled deeply, trying her best to find some inner strength to carry on. – "Listen Vegeta..." – she continued softly – "The doctor gave you 10 days of bed rest to recover. You are free to come back home but...I don't know...maybe it's better for you to stay here...maybe you are right...I should stay away from you... Just now I see how toxic I am to you...I am really, really sorry...but I can't undo what I've done..."
She was heartbroken, and couldn't bear to look him in the eyes, so she slowly turned around to leave the room.
Vegeta: "Wait!" – his voice was assertive, but she could sense in it a veiled cry for help – "Are you also planning on abandoning me now?"
His tone was harsh, but it was trying to hide pain.
She found the guts to look him in the eyes. He was proudly fighting tears back.
Vegeta: "Take me home Bulma. You have my word that I will stay in bed until all bruises and injuries are gone."
She couldn't even imagine how much it had cost Vegeta to mutter a phrase like that...
Could he possibly not only be promising to behave sensibly...but also asking her not to give up on him?
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys! How are you doing? :)
That was a LOOONG read...I know...but I hope you enjoyed it! :)
Bulma and Vegeta kept whispering their lines in my ears all week you know? I just couldn't make them shut up! Hahahaha LOL!
What do you think of these new developments? Has Bulma really disappointed Vegeta? Has either of them gone too far?
What do you think will happen now?
Do you believe they really bring out the worst in each other?
If you have a minute please leave a line to tell me your thoughts. I really appreciate all your support, and it really means the world to me :)
Fav, Follow & Review if you're enjoying this fanfic :)
I'll be back in 2 weeks, with a shorter chapter, I promise! :) Hahahaha
If you celebrate it, Happy Easter!
If you don't, happy Spring! :)
Love,
Veggiesgurl xoxo
PS...chapter 9 is up! ;) xoxo
