Life as We Know It

Phase X: Lies and Kisses

I kept my face buried in Vegeta's neck as we flew, my body automatically relaxing. His scent enveloped me, and I sucked in a breath. God, if I could bottle up his smell, I'd be rich!

We flew away from the city, soon going over empty land and trees. I could feel his hand on my lower back, softly rubbing every now and then. It had me swallowing every time his fingers moved, warmth going through me. I closed my eyes, a sigh coming out of me. My hands slowly loosened from his shirt, moving on their own and sliding over his shoulders to wrap around his neck. I felt like we'd done this a bunch of times, deja vu slamming into me.

Vegeta didn't say anything either, just kept a firm hold of me as we started over what looked like a forest.

He landed a few minutes later, and I kept my face buried in his neck, my arms wrapped tightly around him. I was reluctant to let go, feeling much safer than I had at any other point in my life. His scent was somehow comforting to me, washing over me and filling my senses. Vegeta ran a hand up and down my back, before settling both on my waist. He gently pulled me back, and I let my arms fall, averting my gaze. I was a little embarrassed at how clingy I'd been the whole way. I cleared my throat as I took another step back, crossing my arms.

I glanced around. We were in a small clearing, a lake softly lapping a few feet from us, the sound of fish splashing in the water ringing in my ears as me and Vegeta both stayed silent. I heard the rustling of clothes a moment later, and looked over. Vegeta was making himself comfortable, sitting with a sigh in the grass and resting his arms on his raised knees. He looked over at me, raising a brow.

I sat after a moment, facing his general direction. Neither of us spoke for awhile, the sound of nature washing over us as we were left to our own thoughts. I kept my gaze averted every time I felt Vegeta's eyes on me, not wanting him to read the fear and apprehension that was coursing through me. I looked over when he moved, watching him lean to the side, resting an elbow on the ground, his gaze still steady on me.

"What did you find out?" he asked softly, his muscles bunching in his arms as he moved, plucking a long strand of grass, fiddling with it as he waited for my answer.

I gulped, moving my gaze to the ground. I didn't really know what to say to the man, not knowing if we were, in fact, intimate. I had no memory of it, but I obviously have been with someone, the truth of that on the little card in my pocket, it seeming to burn a hole right through my pants for the whole world to see.

I closed my eyes, turning my head to stare at the water. My throat felt like it was closed, having a difficult time drawing breath. I swallowed, my hands absently fiddling with the hem of my shirt. My head jerked up a moment later when jean clad legs appeared in my vision. I met Vegeta's eyes, ignoring the way the dark purple polo shirt looked on him, making my breath catch slightly. He studied me with those dark obsidian eyes, looking down at me for several seconds before holding a hand out. I hesitated before taking it, trying to ignore the warmth coming off the man. He helped me stand, not letting go of my hand. Instead, he tugged me forward a little, making me fall against him. A small grunt came out of me when I made contact with his hard chest, feeling his arm wrap around me, swallowing at how low it was.

His hand clenched in my shirt, a small shudder running through me at the feel of his bare arm touching the skin of my lower back. I didn't have time to move as he swooped down, softly rubbing his lips over mine before capturing my lips, his tongue delving in.

A whimper left me, and my hands tightened on his arms, a soft sigh leaving me a moment later as he changed the angle of the kiss. He threaded his fingers through my hair, his grip gentle as he continued to kiss me, pressing our bodies together. Vegeta nipped my lower lip, causing a gasp to escape me, slowly trailing kisses along my jaw, going down my neck and licking my collar bone. My head fell back, my mind fuzzy as he continued his assault with his mouth, his hand sliding up under my shirt. I shivered at the feel of his callused hands on my skin, biting my lower lip as his fingertips grazed my rib cage, jumping a moment later as he settled his hand over one breast.

My head jerked up, gulping as I tried to move away. His hand squeezed, making me gasp softly, goosebumps rising over my body. I grabbed his wrist, moving it away from me, Vegeta's head coming up to study me as I finally extracted myself from his hold. I cleared my throat as I took a step back, adjusting my shirt. I could feel my face flaming, wrapping my arms around myself. My feet shifted as we both stayed silent, neither saying a word.

"What's the matter-"

"What about Bulma?" I blurted out, cutting the man off.

Vegeta stayed silent, and I could feel his eyes boring into me. I raised my head, meeting his intense stare as I waited for his answer.

"What about the woman?" he asked softly, slowly crossing his arms. His feet moved, even with his shoulders as his eyes analyzed me. I couldn't read the expression on his face.

I swallowed at his uncaring tone, his face giving nothing away. I stared at him, opening and closing my mouth before I could get the words out.

"Aren't you two together?" I asked in a rush, "What about Trunks, your son?"

Vegeta's eyes narrowed at my words, his mouth thinning into a straight line before he finally spoke.

"No, and what about the boy?"

My eyes widened in shock.

"Wait, you're not...not with Bulma? Why?"

Irritation crossed his features, and he let out a frustrated sigh.

"We've already been over this," he muttered, looking away from me.

"Well, I don't remember," I suddenly snapped, "so please, refresh my memory."

Vegeta studied me with narrowed eyes, his mouth pinched slightly. I crossed my arms, waiting for his explanation.

"What does it matter?"

I stared at the man for several minutes, slowly shaking my head.

"What does it matter!?" I repeated, surprised he would even ask that. "Why do you think Vegeta?"

"We've been going this long without it being a problem, so why should it matter now?" he growled out, his teeth slightly clenched.

"Well I don't remember being 'with you', so I'm not-"

I cut off, a frustrated sigh leaving me. I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Just," I paused, swallowing, "Just take me home, okay."

I felt bone tired all of a sudden, just wanting to curl up on my bed and shut out the world. What I found out this morning ran through my mind, making me swallow harder. I didn't open my eyes or lift my head as I felt an arm tightly wrap around me. We shot off a moment later, and I didn't even bother holding on. Didn't really care at this point.

I ignored the man's scent this time, ignoring his presence the whole way back.

I didn't speak to anybody when we got back to the compound. I quickly stepped away from Vegeta, not even looking at the man as I turned and headed through the sliding glass door, barely registering Bunny giving me a cheery "Hello dear!" before ascending the stairs, shutting and locking my bedroom door behind me. I sank onto my bed, pulling a pillow to me and curling around it. I squeezed my eyes closed as my throat burned, feeling hot tears leak out of the corners of my eyes.

I fell asleep minutes later, wandering just what sort of person I had become.

It was dark when I woke up, the only light was the hallway light seeping up under my door and the moonlight coming in from the window. There was a knock a moment later, too dainty to be a man's.

"Athea?"

Bulma. I swallowed, staying as I was for a moment before slowly getting up, unlocking the door. I sat back on the bed as she opened my door, pulling the pillow onto my lap. I wrapped my arms around it, avoiding her gaze. She didn't seem to notice.

"Hey hon, are you going to eat?"

I glanced at the clock. 5:23 pm. I sighed, shrugging. My bed moved as Bulma sat beside me, wrapping an arm around my back. I heard her hesitate a moment.

"What's the matter Athea?"

I stared at the floor, swallowing with difficulty before parting my lips, taking a small breath.

"I was wandering...," I paused, glancing at her before returning my gaze to the floor. "Are you and Vegeta still together?"

Bulma was silent beside me, not saying anything. I was too scared to look at her, just kept my gaze glued to the floor, waiting for her response.

"Of course we are...why do you ask?" she said softly, her arm tightening a little around my waist.

Oh God! Vegeta lied to me! Why would he do something like that? My mouth went dry, and I tried very hard not to show any sort of response. At least, nothing that would look suspicious.

"I just...it feels like I just woke up, and...and I don't really remember anything."

"You mean you think you have amnesia?" Bulma asked softly, her voice quiet.

I slowly nodded, finally gathering the courage to look over at her. "I don't remember anything after the day you all got wished back," I stated softly, watching her eyes go round.

"Oh my God!" she whispered, staring at me for the longest time before jumping up, making my body sway at the sudden lift of the bed. She grabbed my arm, pulling me up to stand beside her.

She stared at me another moment, her throat working as she swallowed. Bulma kept a firm hold of my wrist as she marched out, dragging me along behind her. We were in her lab before I even knew what she was doing. She made me sit on the table, muttering to herself as she sat at the computer, her hands flying over the keyboard.

My heart was thundering in my chest, afraid that if she did too good of an examination, that she would find out what I discovered this morning. I felt my throat close in sudden fear, feeling the blood drain from my face. Of course, Bulma misinterpreted it.

"Oh honey!" she said loudly, coming over and giving me a huge hug. "It'll be okay," she whispered in my ear, squeezing a little tighter before moving back.

She studied my face for a moment, before moving away, looking over what she'd pulled up on the computer.

"Okay," she said a moment later, turning back to me. "I don't know how this could have happened without me noticing," she whispered, almost to herself.

I swallowed, looking away. I slightly flinched when I heard the slap of gloves as she pulled some on, the rubbery feel on my arm a moment later making goosebumps rise on my flesh. Bulma patted me softly, before taking a deep breath.

"I'm gonna examine you," she stated softly, sending me a reassuring smile when I gulped. "Don't worry," she patted my leg, "I'm not going to move passed the cranial area."

She turned, grabbing one of those eye lights, missing the relief that passed over my face. She shined the light in my eyes, evaluating the way my pupils responded. The woman seemed satisfied, moving on to feel my head and the nape of my neck.

Bulma spent about thirty minutes checking me over, before turning back to the information and data printing out. My head jerked around when the lab doors opened, my eyes widening when Vegeta walked in. He narrowed his eyes on me, studying me for a moment before turning towards Bulma.

"What are you doing woman?" he asked, crossing his arms.

Bulma glanced behind her, a small smile appearing on her face before she turned back to her computer.

"Did you know Athea has temporary amnesia!?" she asked excitedly, not turning to see Vegeta's head whip towards me, his jaw clenching.

The sound of Bulma's fingers flying over the keyboard filled the room, silence descending on us. I turned away from the liar, ignoring his penetrating gaze as I clasped my fingers in my lap, staring down at them as I waited for Bulma to state if she would be able to help me or not.

She suddenly straightened, moving across the room to the printer, her back to us. I saw Vegeta take a step towards me, only to pause when Bulma bustled back over.

"I'm going to ask my father for his opinion on this," she stated, patting my leg. "I'll be right back Athea, okay?" Bulma didn't wait for an answer as she practically flew out of the room, the sound of her heels clicking reaching my ears long after she had disappeared.

I kept my gaze lowered, crossing my arms and studying the floor. I ignored Vegeta, who was still standing next to the makeshift examination table. I folded my legs, resting my elbows on my knees and letting my head lower against the palm of my hands. I sighed tiredly, closing my eyes.

I jumped a moment later when I felt hands wrap around my arms, my head whipping up. I clenched my jaw, narrowing my eyes at Vegeta. He glared down at me, keeping a hold of my wrists as I tried to jerk away. He took a step closer to me, his body pressing against my knees. I scooted back, trying to jerk myself out of his hold.

"Let me go!" I stated loudly, struggling in his grip. He suddenly let go, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me roughly against him, he tried to capture my lips, but I flung my head away, pushing against his chest.

"Let me go!" I said desperately, tumbling to the floor when he abruptly stepped back, his hands clenching at his sides. I slowly climbed to my feet, not even looking at the man as I quickly moved away from him, putting the table between us. I wrapped my arms around my waist, taking a shuddering breath.

"What-"

"Don't talk to me, you fucking liar!" I stated loudly, cutting the man off.

I could practically feel Vegeta's body tense, his eyes boring into the back of my head. I didn't bother to even look at him, just stalked from the lab, practically running from the man. I didn't want to be anywhere near him, didn't want to think of all the lies he's told me these past two days. I was gasping in breaths when I made it back to my room, knowing Bulma would find me eventually. I wasn't even hungry anymore.

I felt a sob rip from my throat, sinking into one of the chairs by the window. I wrapped my arms around my knees, letting my head lower and closing my eyes. A shudder past through me, and I repeatedly swallowed, trying to tamp down the fear spreading through me.

If...if Vegeta is still with Bulma, then why did he lead me to believe they weren't? Why did he try to convince me that we were together? My breath hitched, a small sob coming out. Who have I been sleeping with? And whose baby am I carrying?

I couldn't wrap my mind around those questions, not wanting to believe that I would become that sort of person. I didn't sleep around, let alone with one of my best friends' boyfriend! So...who?

What sort of person have I become in the last three years?