Well, here's the next chapter! Thanks for all the nice reviews. Please keep reviewing! I appreciate all feedback!

P.S. I'm not a mechanical genius like Bulma is, so please forgive any misinformation that might be presented!

Disclaimer: Don't own DBZ

Chapter 9

The following day…

Bulma was down in her lab puttering around with one of the inventions that she had been working on for what seemed like all of eternity. Sticking her tongue out of the side of her mouth in concentration, she tried to manipulate the tiny wires that she was in the process of fusing to the main circuit board of her creation.

"Ouch! God damn it!" Bulma yelled when she got a shock from a stray spark that had come off of her welding arch. Throwing the circuit board none to gently back onto the table in front of her, she got up and wiped the sweat of concentration off of her brow.

A technician across the room looked over at Bulma in concern. "Are you alright, Ms. Briefs?" she asked as Bulma walked over to the sink in the corner of the room to wash her hands.

"Yeah, I'm fine Hoshi. Just my pride is wounded! I can't seem to get the damn thing to work and I can't even seem to fix the stupid problem that's causing it to malfunction. I'm going out for a break!" She had been working on a device that could harvest energy efficiently from raw, organic materials like wood to help solve the problem of the rising cost of energy. She'd put off working on it for the last few months because of the constant babysitting involved in having Vegeta as a houseguest. With him around, her work had centered on helping her Dad fix the GR and any other device that Vegeta had the presence of mind to destroy. Shaking her head, Bulma walked out of Capsule Corporation's main entrance and headed towards her family's private residence. The day was gorgeous. The sun was out and there wasn't a thunderhead in the sky. Taking advantage of the weather, Bulma decided to go and sit in one of the gardens that surrounded her parents' property.

Sitting herself down in the soft grass, she looked around at her surroundings. She wasn't too far away from the Gravity Room. It was strangely silent, another reminder that Vegeta still hadn't returned from where ever he had taken off to yesterday. Lying back in the grass, Bulma spread her arms out behind her and stared at the fluffy, white clouds that raced across the sky.

"I wonder where he disappeared to yesterday. Oh, well. He's a big boy and he's more than capable of taking care of himself." Ever since yesterday, Bulma's mind had been preoccupied with trying to figure out Vegeta and if actually did like her. He was so hard to understand. Or at least, lately he was hard to understand. Before, it had been all too easy for Bulma to dislike him and she hadn't cared one iota if he liked her or not, either. But recently, her perception of Vegeta was starting to shift subtly. She really couldn't tell when it had started to happen. Yeah, he was still an arrogant ass wipe. She didn't think that would ever change. Oh, well. She wasn't going to lose sleep over him.

Letting out a sigh, she focused her attention to the date she was going on tonight. She had never actually met the guy, seeing as they had hooked up over an anonymous internet dating site. Bulma knew it was a little dicey (okay, really dicey) to meet up with guys that way, but she didn't have a whole lot of experience with men besides Yamcha and there was a time factor involved. If she wanted to find someone fast, the Internet was the way to go.

Bulma was excited about her date and if she was honest with herself, just a little bit apprehensive as well. The dream she had had the other night had freaked her out, and then there was the plain and simple fact that her luck with men seemed to be nil. She was hoping her date wouldn't turn out to be like the guy in her dream or the jerk that had assaulted her in the kitchen yesterday. She didn't want to have to hold out that Vegeta would come to her rescue for a third time. It was starting to get to the point of ridiculousness, and she really did not want Vegeta breathing down her neck about how she owed him big time! Ugh, a girl could only take so much!

Shifting her gaze to admire the flower gardens around her, she let out another long sigh. Clearing her mind of Vegeta, Bulma let her thoughts center back on to the mystery man she was going to meet tonight. Her secret plan had been to meet up with someone this way, but she hadn't wanted to let her parents or Vegeta in on it, no way! Vegeta already had insulted her enough about her looks and if he really knew how she had met the guy who was supposed to be her date, he'd probably never let her live it down if the date ended up being a disaster. And she didn't even want to think about what her Mother would say since she seemed to have it in her head that she and Vegeta would make the perfect couple.

Humming to herself and letting her mind drift again, she began thinking about the mystery man she would finally see for the first time.

'I wonder what he looks like. I already told him about my fading bruise, so at least that won't be shocking, but he didn't give me any details about his appearance at all! At least he seems to be nice and we're meeting at a nice restaurant.' Thinking about her date somehow turned her thoughts back to Vegeta.

'Hmm, I wonder what kind of place Vegeta would take a girl out on a date to. He'd probably make his girlfriend go watch live action fighting matches or something barbaric like that. Heck, he probably wouldn't even take a girl anywhere except for maybe his bedroom. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen him go anywhere that required interacting with other people. Come to think of it, he doesn't really even have anything to do with the Z-Squad when we all get together. He just stands off by himself. He'd probably be a really lousy date and I'd feel sorry for any girl that ended up going out with him. Knowing Vegeta, the only thing he'd want from his date would be sex anyways.'

Looking at the clouds in the sky one last time, Bulma got up and started to make her way back to the lab. Her mind was still trying to figure out the mystery that was Vegeta. She found it highly unlikely that Vegeta would ever pair up with anyone. For one thing, he didn't particularly like people. Okay, that was an understatement. He despised people. "We're all nothing but pathetic weaklings to him. Hell, if he would have had his way when he first came to Earth, we'd all be dead!" Bulma muttered to herself as she walked up the path back to the corporate headquarters. She tried to picture him with a girlfriend and the image that popped into her head was more than a bit scary. To tell the truth, the only kind of female she could see him with was someone who wasn't afraid of him, could talk back to him and wouldn't constantly give into his demands. Someone sort of like…herself!

'Here I go again!' Bulma thought as she opened the door to Capsule Corp. 'I don't want to be Vegeta's girlfriend so why am I even thinking about the possibility? No, he's crazy if he thinks I like him. I think it's the other way around, and I'm going to make sure it stays that way!' With that, she made her way back to her project, focusing her thoughts on finally being able to get it to work enough so she could start performing diagnostics and test runs on it. Not having Vegeta around for the day definitely had its advantages.

Meanwhile, somewhere near Mt. Pazou…

Vegeta flew in a line that was taking him ever closer to the home of his arch-rival. He'd spent the rest of the day before recovering from his bout of poisoning in the solitude of the mountains away from the annoying blue haired minx who was making his life turn upside down. He was still angry with himself for telling her he thought she wanted to be his mate. To him, it was as good as admitting that there was something going on between the two of them. And since he was still pretty much in denial of the fact that he found Bulma to be more than attractive and that some of her statements had come surprisingly close to the truth, he was desperate to regain control of the situation. In all honesty, he didn't really like her, but he had never had much experience with females to start with and she was an enigma to him. Maybe that's why he was fixated on her. At any rate, his training had taken a steep dive in the last few weeks, and he needed some sort of external motivation to get his thoughts back to where they belonged: squarely on attaining Super Saiyan, defeating the Androids and then taking his revenge against Kakarot.

Feeling out for Kakarot's power level, Vegeta veered off to the left. He was getting closer to his quarry and he could sense the tremendous power that his rival was putting out at the moment. Clenching his fists in anger at his own seeming lack of ability and the fact that Kakarot still seemed to be getting stronger, Vegeta increased his speed until he finally came within landing range of the training Saiyan.

Landing, he stood off to the side and stared contemptuously at Goku, who was simultaneously blocking attacks from his offspring and the Namek.

Sensing another strong power level, Goku moved his head and saw Vegeta starring at him from the ground.

"Hey Vegeta!" Goku waved at Vegeta, which left Piccolo and Gohan a large opening to attack the stronger Saiyan. Vegeta snickered when Piccolo landed a perfect punch to the back of the idiot's head causing him to temporarily lose concentration and fall to the ground.

"Kakarot, for supposedly being such a great fighter, you have the brains of an Idjirian cockroach!" Vegeta taunted Goku, his trademark smirk plastered across his face.

"Well, I was just being friendly!" Goku said as he rubbed his head.

Taking the opening that was presented before him, Piccolo spoke up.

"What do you want, Vegeta?"

Goku was far to trusting and Piccolo knew there was a reason behind the appearance of the Saiyan Prince. Not wanting to deal with any surprises, he decided to take the initiative sensing that if it were left up to Goku, they'd never get down to business.

"I came to train with that baka over there though it's really none of your concern what my motives are." Vegeta answered back coolly.

"Really, you actually want to train with me?" Goku asked with a bit of surprise in his voice. Even though he thought of Vegeta as a somewhat tenuous friend, he had surmised correctly that Vegeta did not feel the same way about him. He also knew that Vegeta was more than a little sensitive about the fact that he still couldn't reach Super Saiyan, though Goku knew that he had to have the ability to do so.

"Not particularly, but you seem to be the only possible candidate for a sparring partner, and I must say, the prospect of beating you up to a bloody pulp does seem rather enjoyable." Vegeta stated with his arms crossed in their usual fashion.

Gohan looked over to where his dad was standing. He had a feeling that his dad was excited about the prospect of sparring with Vegeta and he didn't want anything bad to happen to him. Screwing up the courage, he spoke up.

"But Daddy! You know what he was like on Planet Namek and you just got back. I don't want to lose you again!" Gohan stated miserably. He didn't like or trust Vegeta. And he had a feeling the Mr. Piccolo had the same idea as himself. He was glaring at both Vegeta and Goku with a look that clearly said he thought Goku was an idiot if he went off by himself with the Saiyan Prince. Piccolo had heard the entirety of the conversation that the mysterious youth had had with Goku, and he wasn't sure that Goku would be able to keep all of Trunk's secrets without somehow spilling them to Vegeta accidentally.

Irritated by the interruption, Vegeta turned his attention back to the whining boy. If anything annoyed him, it was the bawling prattle of some oversensitive child. Staring at Gohan, Vegeta's eyebrow twitched with displeasure. "Stop sniveling brat! If you know what's good for you, you'll run along and go wet yourself in private!"

Putting his guard up, Gohan clenched his fists and landed near to where Vegeta was standing.

"I don't care what you say! You should just leave my Daddy alone!" Gohan yelled.

Giving Gohan a final glare, Vegeta turned his attention back to Goku. He didn't have time to sit and listen to foolish emotional outbursts from weakling brats.

"Well, are you in or are you out Kakarot? I don't have all of the next century to wait around for your decision."

"Of course I'm in! This'll be lots of fun!" Goku giggled happily. Sparring with Vegeta would be a real challenge because Goku knew that Vegeta would take all attacks he did against him seriously and that Vegeta wouldn't hold back either. Goku also wasn't really afraid of Vegeta trying to pull anything treacherous. He could sense that Vegeta knew as well as everyone else that Goku was a key asset in the fight against the Androids. And maybe it really did mean that Vegeta was softening his view about him.

"But Daddy!" Gohan whined.

Turning around to fully face the annoying child, Vegeta moved close enough so that he could stare Gohan strait in the eyes. "I thought I told you to shut up! Your concern for your father is pathetic. I'd think you'd have a little more pride in him than that, even if he is a first rate moron." Then turning around, he motioned at Goku with his head and blasted off back in the direction he had come from. Honestly, trying to get anywhere with that trio was almost close to impossible!

"Hey Vegeta, wait up!" Goku yelled as he tried to catch up to the smaller Saiyan. "Where exactly are we going?" Goku asked once he was close enough to Vegeta to be able to make conversation.

"First we are going to Capsule Corp." Vegeta muttered. "And then, we.."

"All right! Does that mean we get to spar together in that Gravity Room Bulma and Dr. Briefs built? Is it similar to the one I trained in on my way to Namek?" Goku asked excitedly. He'd heard all about the Gravity Room from Yamcha, especially about the part where Vegeta had accidentally blown it up and Bulma had come to the rescue. Goku smiled inwardly, thinking about when Vegeta and Bulma would finally hook up with each other. 'Poor Vegeta, he has no idea what's in store for him!" Although, to tell the truth, the idea of Vegeta being a father was a pretty far fetched idea. Since his mind was so preoccupied with his fantasies about the romance between Vegeta and Bulma, it took him a while to realize that Vegeta was glaring at him again with an expression on his face that spoke of his disgust for Goku.

"What's wrong Vegeta? You look like you swallowed some bad kimchi!"

"Huh, only an idiot like you would come up with an analogy like that. First, let's get something strait between us. I do not like to be interrupted. Get that into your pea sized brain."

"Uh, sorry Vegeta. Were you trying to say something?"

"Yes, you freak! You wanted to know where we are going and I was in the process of relaying the information when you cut me off. Next time, if you don't want an answer, then don't ask!" Vegeta replied, his acidic tone biting into Goku's jubilant mood.

"Sorry Vegeta. I won't do that again. So where are we going besides Capsule Corp?"

"Forget it. I'm not going to waste my time on you with explanations when you're too dense to listen." With that, Vegeta increased his speed so that they were racing across the sky towards West City.

In only a few minutes, both Saiyans landed in the courtyard that surrounded Capsule Corp. Sneaking around the back, Vegeta again took to the air and hovered outside the balcony that led to his room. Scratching his head at Vegeta's behavior, Goku decided to ask him what was up.

"Uh, Vegeta, don't you think it would be faster for us to go in the main door instead of shimmying through a window?"

"Would you be quiet? I didn't ask for your opinion on the matter. If you must know, I would rather avoid meeting up with any of the other residents that are currently inhabiting this place." With that, Vegeta opened the doors that led to his room from the outside balcony.

Still scratching his head, Goku followed the Saiyan Prince into his rooms. He continued to mull over Vegeta's behavior while the smaller Saiyan went to his closet and pulled out his clean battle suit and armor. He hadn't been back since he had left yesterday, and he felt that his current garb was inappropriate for fighting with Kakarot. Moving to the bathroom, Vegeta closed the door to change in privacy away from the third class that was currently sitting on his bed.

While he was changing, Goku got an idea in his head about why Vegeta was acting a bit strange. The Vegeta he knew wouldn't have hesitated going through the main entrance of Capsule, and if they wouldn't let him in, he knew that Vegeta would have more than likely blasted the doors open to make his entrance. Seeing him skulk around was a little bit odd. 'I bet it has something to do with Bulma! Or else he's embarrassed to be seen with me. But I'm sure it has to be because of Bulma!' He sat on Vegeta's bed, a happy vacant expression plastered on his face. He didn't realize he had been sitting like that for a few minutes until Vegeta's cranky voice interrupted his train of thought.

"Kakarot, you are such an imbecile! And don't drool on my bed! Honestly, between you and that Woman, you both take the prize for being the spaciest people I know!" Vegeta mumbled out grumpily, waiting for the idiot to gain control of his mental facilities.

"By Woman, are you talking about Bulma?" Goku asked, sounding almost eager. His face even had a look on it that said he would be excited if Vegeta's answer was indeed Bulma, as though he knew there was something going on between the two of them. But that was impossible! The last time he'd seen the moron had been after that mysterious youth had blasted off to wherever he had come from. Clenching his fists, Vegeta moved off towards the balcony that they had recently entered from. Looking over his shoulder at Goku, he motioned for him to get moving before he uttered an answer.

"Huh, who else would I be talking about? You should know her better than anyone, seeing as she's constantly mouthing off about how long you've known each other. Like I care anyway!" But he did. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone, least of all Bulma or Kakarot

Goku just grinned like an idiot at his temperamental friend. Taking the opening that was presented before him, Goku decided to nudge at Vegeta's feelings concerning Bulma so he could gain more insight into their relationship.

"Are you jealous, Vegeta?"

"What! Why would I be jealous? Only an insane person would be jealous over that female and her stupid relationships with other males! I'm above such petty and ridiculous feelings!" Vegeta said fervently. So fervently in fact, that Goku took it as a sign that Vegeta was succumbing to Bulma's charms. Well, whatever charms she possessed, Goku didn't know, but he assumed there must be something about her that had Vegeta so wound up that he looked like he was ready to blast Goku where he stood.

"Well, it was just an idea! You don't have to get so defensive!"

"Enough! I've wasted enough of my time babbling to you about something that doesn't concern you! Let's go if you still intend to spar with me. I have plans for the evening that I would rather not be late for." With that, Vegeta took off from his balcony and again landed on the lawn in front of Capsule Corp. He waited for Goku to touch down behind him before he continued.

"You have plans for the evening, Vegeta? Are you going on a date….with Bulma?" Goku asked in what he thought was a sly manner. Of course it was rather obvious to Vegeta that he was fishing for information specifically about his relationship with the maddening female he had to live with.

"Don't be ridiculous, you baka! I'd rather be tortured and flayed alive than have to suffer her company through a stupid human ritual. Humans have no idea how much time they waste with their 'dating' and 'conversation.' It's ludicrous!"

"Whaddya mean by that Vegeta!"

"You should know what I mean, idiot! You're a Saiyan and you're mated!"

"You mean married? Well, I didn't really know what marriage was. I thought it was some kind of food, but it's all right, I guess!"

"You really amaze me with your stupidity sometimes Kakarot! Forget it. I don't even know why I'm talking about this with you." With that said, the walked over to the destination Vegeta had in mind: the new and improved kitchen. Opening the outside door, Vegeta made his way into the room. He hadn't been in there since he had rescued Bulma yet again from some retard, and the thought of the man with his hands all over Bulma renewed his sense of blowing something up. Regaining his temper before Goku could react and say something stupid, Vegeta made his way to the fridge.

"Wow! Is this the kitchen? When did they remodel it? It looks like heaven. I wish our kitchen looked like this!" He followed Vegeta inside, envious of how huge it was and at the size of the refrigerator. 'Bulma must really like Vegeta if she remodeled the kitchen and installed a huge fridge!' Goku thought. Sometimes life just wasn't fair!

Walking inside the fridge, Vegeta grabbed a handful of capsules that were stocked with food. He hadn't eaten since the day before and he was famished. Thrusting them into his pockets, he closed the fridge and again motioned at the gawking Saiyan to get his butt moving.

"Wish all you want, idiot. Now come on. We have some serious training to do, and I'm going to enjoy every minute I get to beat on your pathetic body!" With that, Vegeta blasted off through the open door.

Goku grinned like an idiot before he took off after Vegeta. 'Yeah, he is so whipped! Before he even knows what's happening, Bulma'll have him hooked, lined and sinkered.' Trunks was right about them and Goku hadn't even spilled the information to Vegeta. Apparently, things were going according to plan with Vegeta. Hopefully, they were going in the same direction for Bulma as well.

A few hours later…

Bulma took a good look at herself in the full size mirror.

"I look pretty damn hot, if I do say so myself!" Spinning around, she admired her figure and how the outfit she was wearing emphasized her body. She was wearing a slinky black dress with patented leather pumps. She had her hair pulled up into a sexy, messy french knot, and with all the makeup she had put on, you could hardly tell there was an still an ugly bruise on her forehead.

"Yamcha, eat your heart out sucker!" Bulma said with a laugh in her voice. Turning around, she saw Muffin sitting on her bed. He'd been outside all day long playing so she was sure he would behave himself for the night if her date went well and she didn't come home. Honestly, Bulma had discovered in the recent months with her disintegrating relationship with Yamcha that she missed some of the finer points of having a reliable boyfriend.

"You be a good boy Muffin! Mommy's going out for a while!" With that, she walked out of her room and closed the door. Walking past Vegeta's room, she stopped abruptly. She suddenly had the urge to knock on his door to see if he was in. She wanted to show off her outfit and see if she could get a reaction out of him. 'It has nothing to do with me liking him!' Bulma thought to herself before she knocked. She waited for a while and then gave up when there was no answer. 'Gee, he must still be gone. I wonder where the heck he went?' Even though she had kept telling herself that she was being ridiculous thinking about him, she couldn't keep him out of her mind all day. Even after her break this afternoon, her mind had kept straying to him so much so that she wasn't any further on her special project than she had been at the start of the day.

"Oh well! I guess that's life. I hope he isn't sicker than he said he was and he's stranded in the mountains somewhere dying!" Bulma said out loud as she made her way down the stairs, guilty feelings welling up inside of her. She was almost positive that that wasn't the case, but you never knew. Still, it irritated her that she was 'pining' after Vegeta. Her attention should be on her date, not the impossible man that she had to share a house with.

Opening the door to the outside and readying a capsule containing a new red convertible to replace the car that the jerk in the SUV had totaled, Bulma let out a shriek of surprise when her Mother and Father came barreling in through the doorway.

"Gee Mom and Dad! Give a girl a heart attack! You're starting to act like someone else I know that likes to sneak up on people!"

"Oh Bulma honey! We're sorry!" Taking in her daughter's appearance, Mrs. Briefs squealed in delight.

"Oh, honey! Are you going out tonight with Vegeta? That would be so wonderful if you were!"

Bulma rolled her eyes at her mother and almost started laughing when she saw her dad do the same thing. He was probably just as tired as she was hearing her mother go on and on about how wonderful Vegeta was.

"Uh, no. I make it a point to never go out with short, temperamental freaks like Vegeta. But I am going on a date with a guy named…, uh, named…Mac!" 'What kind of name is that? She'll be totally on to me now!' Bulma thought.

"Mac did you say? How did you meet him?" Bulma's mother asked out of curiosity.

Interjecting before his wife could get carried away, Dr. Briefs interrupted. "Dear, this is all fine and wonderful, but don't you think we should get out of the doorway so Bulma can make it to her date? She can tell us about him some other time. Besides, we have to bring in all of our travel gear and souvenirs." Winking suggestively at his wife, Dr. Briefs moved her out of the way so Bulma could get past.

"You're right. Sorry Bulma. I just am so excited to see that you're finally over your slump with Yamcha!"

"Thanks, Mom. Sorry to cut this short, but I've gotta run or I'll be late!" With that, she hurriedly kissed both of her parents, ran out the door, popped her capsule, got into her car and sped off the Capsule Corp property.

In what seemed like no time at all, Bulma pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant that they were going to meet at. The place was a moderately priced Italian restaurant, but the food was excellent, the service good and the ambiance were perfect for setting a romantic mood. Clutching her purse, Bulma made her way into the restaurant. Sitting down on a bench provided for waiting customers, Bulma jiggled her legs restlessly. She was so nervous! The guy in question was supposed to meet her here in the entryway. She would know if it was her date because he was supposed to wear a red rose with a blue ribbon tied around in his lapel. It seemed like eternity before she heard the door to the restaurant open.

'Please Kami, I beg of you, let this guy be nice, handsome and totally wonderful!' Bulma prayed silently with her eyes closed.

"Excuse me, but are you my date?" She heard a man's voice ask her. A man's voice that she suddenly recognized.

Opening her eyes, Bulma looked at her date in disbelief. Standing up, she stared at him before anything came out her mouth.

"You're my date?! Kami must have a very cruel and unusual sense of humor! Of all of the rotten luck I've had with men, my first date after Yamcha had to be you!" With that, she fainted dead away.

Who is Bulma's mysterious date? Does he have anything to do with the plans Vegeta had for later that evening? Is that why Bulma fainted? To find out the answers to these burning questions, you'll have to read the next chapter!