Bulma stood before the mirror. She looked good. She picked up her handbag and waited downstairs for Vegeta. She had found him something wear that didn't have holes from training and wasn't pink. He was in long pants and sneakers and dark coloured shirt. He looked irritated.
She smiled at him. He said nothing but he stood up a little straighter.
They climbed into her shuttle and took off into the night. They flew to Goku's house in silence. Bulma could tell Vegeta was uncomfotable with the whole situation. When she landed the plane she said nothing but gave him a smile. He grunted and she smiled wider. She climbed out and was greeted by Gohan who hugged her.
"I'm glad you made it. Dad has been asking about you every 10 minutes." He said. He led her to the house with Vegeta several paces behind.
Goku was talking avidly with Yamcha. Bulma Grinned and Goku leaped to his feet.
"BULMA!" he said happily. "It's been too long." He said hugging her. She laughed. Vegeta sauntered in after him. "Vegeta, glad you could make it." Vegeta grunted in reply.
Yamcha beamed at Bulma. She looked at him nervously. Chichi began to bring out the food with the help of Gohan and Krillin. Soon there was plenty of food spread out on the table. Bulma made a point of sitting as far away from Yamcha as she could. She Sat Between Vegeta and Krillin.
Goku watched them both intently. He was only having the BBQ to make sure Trunks was going to be born. It had been hard to keep tabs while he was training. He needed to make sure things were moving. She clearly was ignoring Yamcha, but there seemed to be nothing happening between her and Vegeta. He needed patience but it was getting closer to the end of the three years.
After the dinner everyone moved outside to talk and forget the worried of the androids. Yamcha grabbed Bulma by the hand and pulled her into the trees. Vegeta sneered and followed them covertly.
"Bulma, you've barely said to words to me all night. Are you mad at me?" He asked she could smell alcohol on his breath. Bulma shook her head.
"No Yamcha, I'm not mad at you." She knew Vegeta was close. She could almost sense him lurking in the shadows.
"Then tell me what's wrong? You haven't spoken to me in days. I thought you..." she cut him off.
"No Yamcha." She said. "I think we both know now, we weren't going anywhere." He looked hurt. She imagined Vegetas smirk. She hoped Yamcha did nothing to drag him from the shadows. She knew there was no way it would end well if Vegeta was coaxed into an argument. She involuntarily took a step back. Yamcha frowned.
"I thought one day we would marry. I guess I just assumed we would end up together." She sighed.
"I don't want to have to end up with anyone." Bulma said. "I want to be with someone; to live for them and with them. I don't want to feel as though I can do better or that it's a last resort because no-one else came along." She knew when she had finished speaking it had been the wrong thing to say. Yamchas face twisted in confusion and hurt.
"So you saw me as a last resort?"
"No you missed the point." She said. Though she knew it was too late. She felt the air grown thick tension.
"Bulma, I don't understand." But then it seemed to dawn on him and a look of cold realisation crossed his face. "There is someone else." He said. Bulma couldn't hide her cheeks from reddening. He seemed to shrink. "Who." He asked.
"It is not important." She said. Yamcha looked around. He seemed to know anyway.
"Fine Bulma." He said jamming his hands in his pockets. "I should have known."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" She asked angrily. His eyes narrowed. "You haven't exactly been Mr. Faithful." She said. "You haven't always been there for me."
"Bulma you can be so selfish."
"Selfish!" She yelled.
"You've always been selfish Bulma. If it's not about you it's not allowed."
"Thats rich coming from you." She said "Bulma, I have to train! I'm going to leave you alone in a house with another man." Yamcha glared at her.
"I was going to train to help protect you." He said quietly.
"Yamcha, you can't even protect yourself." She said harshly. "You can't even hold a candle to..." She paused for a second "Krillin, or Goku, or Gohan." She had been about to say Vegeta, but she decided in that split second it would have made things worse. "You should go back to playing baseball." Yamcha seemed to fall apart in front of her. She pitied him. If she had said something like that to Vegeta, he would have bit back with his own insults. "I'm sorry." Bulma said. "I'm so used to arguing with..." She stopped. Yamcha looked at her his mouth opened slightly. He had realised when she didn't say his name. He turned away from her and wandered back to the party. Bulma sighed with relief. She returned to the party shortly after. Vegeta was leaning against the tree. She looked at him for a moment, she wondered if he had followed her and Yamcha. She smirked, of course he had. There was the small look of self satisfaction on his face. She looked over at Goku who was beaming. Their eyes met and she forced herself to share his grin.