I'm sorry I took so long to update! Work has been *phew* crazy but I finally updated FTS! Woo hoo!

I'm still not confident about my work, though. So, I hope it doesn't disappoint you. However, I do love this little chapter. You'll soon know why. =D

Enjoy and remember to review after!

| ImaginaryInk |

They both looked at one another and then back to the device as if it just sprouted a head. Curiosity, anxiety and eagerness engulfed one while the other was consumed with recognition, knowing and dread.

Bulma swallowed hard. Her heart pounded behind her rib cage, her eyes never blinking. This is it, the second step to freedom.

Meanwhile, Vegeta stared impassively at the device, his sharp ears never missing the broken string of words emitting from the speakers. He knew the language; he knew that voice.

And not even another minute later, there were only silence.

It all went dead.

"Oh, no!"

Bulma frantically turn the dials, hoping to find the frequency once more. They were so close, it was just there!

"I think they just cut us off!" she wailed at no one.

"Reconnect..."

That was all Vegeta murmured as he stared into the distance, his mind registering and recognising the voice he had just heard. It wasn't clear, but it was clear enough to catch. He was right in his earlier presumptions. Indeed, the communicator managed to receive waves from the nearest base camp. But when he said nearest base camp, it really isn't that near. If those people ever agree to come retrieve him, they could very well take up to six months.

Then, he frowned.

Perhaps he should share with the woman this little piece of information.

With that, he turned to look at the near-hysterical female next to him. Suddenly having the urge to study her, he must say, he's impressed by her ability and intelligence. And he admits that without her, none of this would happen. Then a sudden pang of emotion hit him, one that he scarcely felt, if hardly, in his entire life.

Was this how it feels to be... grateful?

To be able to achieve something with the help of another fellow man – is this how it feels like?

And that this person who helped requires no reward in return, only appreciation and gratitude. Is this thankfulness?

Perhaps it is.

That realisation made him frown once more.

His musings were cut short when Bulma managed to retrieve the previous frequency and he smiled inwardly, silently congratulating the woman he's just praised. Once more, statics and murmurs were heard and they both waited patiently this time for a more stable connection.

Several light years away, hovering in mid-space stands an army base station captained by one of Vegeta's long lost comrade. In the main control room, alien men of all races assumed their positions, running along as they minded their own business and doing their jobs.

A faint string of beeps was heard – a notification that someone was trying to reach out for communication. The head in charge noticed it and was about to accept the incoming signal but stopped in his tracks as his eyes widened when he saw where it was coming from.

No, it can't be.

"Captain, an unidentified signal is seeking permission to reach the station."

"I'm not really in the mood to entertain desperate fools right now."

The captain of the base casually said as he rolled his crystal green eyes, a black wine goblet tucked neatly in his velvety blue hand. He took a sip and flicker his wrist carelessly to his sarge, silently telling him to ignore the unknown signal.

Thinking that it was just a mistake, the sarge cuts it off and returned to his other tasks at hand. Not even another minute later, the alien behind the dashboard heard the same faint beep and this time, he was damn sure that this was no mistake.

Someone was definitely trying to reach out to them, and desperately, too.

"Captain..." the sarge pressed nervously, earning an exasperated sigh from his head.

"Didn't you see my wave of ignorance, you fool?" the captain raised his voice, but his man didn't back down.

"But sir, I think you'd want to take this."

"Idiot," the captain cursed under his breath to his wingman cum adviser, who merely looked on with curiosity, "Don't pester me with insignificant shits. Send a cut-off signal to whomever it is that is trying to reach us. They can't be that important!"

"Perhaps you should take it, sir," his wingman said calmly and intelligently. The captain frowned, instinctively having second thoughts at the voice of his advisor and eventually, he gave in.

"Fine. Where is it coming from?"

"Sir..." the sarge looked at his boss with a grim expression. He swallowed hard before spewing his next words.

"... Planet Namek, sir."

"I don't understand. Why are they not responding to our signal?" Bulma whined as they waited a little while more.

"Patience."

Bulma turned to look at him, her eyes slightly widened with surprise as she looked on in silence. This isn't the moment to rebut or go against him. It's rare enough that the most impatient, hot-headed living being known to mankind had just told her to be patient. Did hell just freeze over two minutes ago?

Vegeta merely stared at the device, his exterior calm and waiting. But inside, he was constructing his words. He has to be careful with them. He's decided that he should sound diplomatic, assertive and manipulative. No subtleties, no games.

That's right. No games. They will yield to his demands.

The only game they'll be playing in this phase would be mind games. And he should be the master of it.

They will give in.

"Inform all in this room to take a break. I want everybody out except for you two," the captain said as he watched the beeping red light on the dashboard.

Not another moment to lose, the sarge turned in his seat and silently dismissed everyone. In seconds, the control room was empty. And with a motion of his head, the captain silently ordered his man to accept the call.

And then, they waited.

"This is Lunar-XY Base. Identify yourself." The captain addressed firmly, his brows furrowed heavily.

But there was only silence, followed by faint statics. Then...

"... Koyden."

As the sound of his first name was called, the captain's eyes widened. That voice... could only belong to one person. The very same person whom he knew all those year back in third level training; the very same person whom he rejoices and dread at the sound of his clicking boots.

Prince Vegeta.

"Koyden," the Saiyan called while he had his arms crossed over his chest. For a second, he felt his throat strangled at the mention of his long lost comrade's name being projected from his lips.

"... Vegeta?" the voice on the other side of the transmitter said, filled with curiosity and bewilderment.

"Who else could it be? You thought I'd forget about you?"

"But... how can that be? I thought you died! On Planet Namek! Frieza informed us all!"

"Frieza is a liar and a fool."

"You wouldn't say that if he was here. You shouldn't say that. You'll be killed."

"I say whatever the hell I want! And he is a fool. He'd better not be listening while this call is taking place." Vegeta lifted a brow as he turned to look at Bulma, who only watched him with careful eyes as he conversed with their faceless ally. Though the silence dragged on, the duo could hear the calm breathing emitting from the other end until Koyden spoke softly.

"But he killed you."

"Frieza is a weak fool. He clearly underestimated my strength and you are foolish to believe him because I can assure you, I'm very much alive," with that said, he gave Bulma a little smug smirk to which she replied with a 'whatever' smile and rolled her eyes. She shook her head as she knew he was merely toying with the guy and being manipulative; sending pawn-like words before revealing the real deal.

"Frieza's on his way back to Planet Ice. He passed the base a week back, so he'll probably reach planet fall by the end of the month," Koyden informed, clearly reminding how fast and efficient the lizard's spaceship is. Though the information was a little irrelevant, it served Vegeta well – Frieza is definitely out of the way for the time being. Then, "... Vegeta, how are you faring?" Koyden questioned softly, his concern was genuine.

"Fairly well if you really wanted to know, but that's insignificant," was all Vegeta said, his eyes never leaving Bulma's. Somehow, he found the will to go on with this shameless manipulative game towards his 'friend' every time he looked at her. And even though he's controlled many minds before coming to know her, looking at her was like she giving him the strength he never knew he needed.

"I really do want to know, old friend. I am doing quite well myself," At that, Vegeta scoffed silently and rolled his eyes, making Bulma frown at his insensitivity to which he clearly brushed aside. "... It's been so long since we've last spoken."

"That's very nice, Koyden. However, we do have more important matters to press," the Saiyan said, seemingly taken dialogue interruptions to the next level in the last five minutes.

"Yes, of course. I believe we-"

"Off the record, Koyden," Vegeta stated firmly, smirking at Bulma as he interrupted once more, ignoring the captain before continuing seriously, "... there are two things I want you to bring me."

"To Planet Namek?" Koyden responded in mild surprise.

"Yes," Vegeta rolled his eyes again, which he seemed to be doing a lot, too, in the last six minutes now. Then, "First and foremost, find a universal electronic component for a spaceship and bring it to me..." then he paused to look at Bulma for confirmation, just in case he was demanding wrongly. When he didn't get any disapproval, he continued. "... I want a rocket booster to activate space shuttle launch."

Koyden murmured something which sounded like an agreement, then, "It will take some time, but I can get it. What else do you need?"

Vegeta's eyes never left Bulma's, and although his face was expressionless his eyes softened, tempting her to decipher the emotions within those dark orbs. In return, she looked at him questioningly as her brows furrowed at his sudden silence but she opted to be quiet. She knew it was those moments when his mind battles with logic, and fleetingly obvious, his heart.

He inhaled softly before turning away from her and back to the transmitter, uttering his next words loudly and clearly, if anything, firmly.

"Send me a space pod."

Bulma bit her inner lip, her sad crystal blue eyes pierced at his side profile the moment he projected his request. Deep inside her, she knew he would never return to earth with her. And from this, her heart sank deeper than the seven seas combined as she felt the difficulty in breathing. She choked silently on the cry that was threatening to emerge from her throat but she also knew she had to contain herself.

['Unless you want to leave for earth... with me.']

Her eyes lowered to the sandy surface beneath them as she remembered her offer. Inside her crushed a little and her chest tightened when she recalled that he didn't give her an answer then. But now, he did.

He wished to leave on separate ships.

It's his choice.

And there was nothing she could do to stop him.

" – come get you –"

"There will be no need for that."

Bulma was jolted from her thoughts as she heard him cut Koyden off again, knowing why he declined the captain's offer.

Vegeta didn't trust him one bit.

"How soon will they arrive?"

"Vegeta, I can give you your requirements but I should also inform you that sending a space pod over will not be easy," Vegeta cringe at that information because he knew exactly why.

"... You of all people should know that space pods only serve its purpose during purging missions. There is only one on-going purge on my call, so I cannot simply release another space pod without any legitimate sign-off and without being wired back to main base!"

"I don't care, Koyden. Stay under the radar, do what you have to do but I want a space pod, so tell me when at the soonest will these things arrive."

They could hear Koyden inhale sharply, exasperatedly, and if Bulma knew any better, she could almost see the gears in his mind working rapidly as he calculated the estimated time arrival of Vegeta's demanding requests. And something gravely tells her that neither she nor the seething Saiyan would like the answer.

"Ten to twelve months."

"WHAT?" Vegeta boomed and Bulma turned away in dejection, her eyes closed.

She knew it. Her gut feeling told her that it will not be so soon the moment Koyden said pod release is difficult. Her eyes remained on the sandy patch next to her while Vegeta stomped hysterically behind her. He was on the verge of pulling out his hair as he cursed in all languages that he knew. Everything was not going as planned. All their efforts put in the last two months, would be a stand still until the pod and booster arrive. The Saiyan was now shouting, continuously spewing profanities. Bulma closed her eyes, bit her lip and swallowed hard. Everything seems to be going haywire; Vegeta seems to be going haywire.

She only wished he'd shut up.

"Ten to twelve, Vegeta. That's the soonest," Koyden repeated firmly and authoritatively, telling Vegeta that it is impossible to have his way this time. There were just so many things to be taken care of.

Risk, being the first and only problem.

Yes, he could approve a pod release but he had to find a way around it without it being recorded back to Frieza's minions. Then, there's the search for the rocket booster, which he demanded. That alone will take weeks to find, and let's not forgetting travel time taken. Vegeta must understand that.

Despite all those, something tells him that Vegeta isn't alone, seeing that he also demanded a space pod. He knew that something doesn't add up.

Someone else must be with him.

"Very well, Koyden. A year, at most! No longer than that! And shall I sense fleets approaching the planet by then, I assure those involved will die a painful death. No games!"

"... You have my word, Vegeta." With that, Vegeta abruptly cut off the signal, rendering both ends unreachable.

True, being the fact that Koyden hasn't seen Vegeta in such a long time. And he will never blame his Saiyan friend for being the way he is. Not many people can understand the friendship they have built over the years.

Apart from that, he owed the Saiyan prince. If it wasn't for Vegeta, he would have been killed, or worse, tortured till he pleads for death. Having found out that you are a snitch is never a good thing, especially when the person you are snitching on, is the tyrant himself.

And for some odd miracle, God must have liked him when Vegeta returned from the Zoren's mission, just in time to implode on his behalf and killing every living morsel on his path. Vegeta even managed to bail him out of the mob fight and sent him far, far away with minimal negotiation... with some sacrifices on the Saiyan's part.

Unimaginable things could have befallen Vegeta and they've haunted Koyden ever since as he knew the wretched things Frieza was capable of. He was almost banished, thrown into the crummy back-end station of the XY-region. It was a place of its own, where you kill or be killed, survival of the fittest and every day turned out to be a living hell for Koyden.

So, how did he become captain you ask?

Consider the Lunar-XY a prison base where all kinds of criminals and delinquents are sent to. Hell, even if Frieza disapproves of your face, you'd be sent here, too. And once you are in here, you either choose to live by your rules, or the rules of another. Koyden would rather be dead to live by the rules of another tyrant.

On the second week itself, he's familiarised himself with the premise and the big guys around. So one evening during dinner in the mess hall, his eyes scanned the area warily and fell on the one they called the Ruler of Lunar. He didn't know the guy and he thanked God that he didn't as it will be the night the poor soul meets his end, by his hands. So, with all the rage and sorrow manifested within him, Koyden broke through the crowd and snatched up the nearest knife.

And the rest was history.

Even with his strength at the time, although significantly weaker than Vegeta, men on Lunar were no match for him. And despite all that, till this day Koyden can never forget the day he's been beaten and bound by the wrist and dragged by the tip of his feet, his face bloodied. Albeit painful, he forced himself to look at Vegeta who knelt proudly, courageously and fearlessly before the lizard. And before he was towed painfully away, he managed to take one final glance into those dark unfeeling orbs that emitted a promise of impending torture in them.

That was the last time he ever saw Vegeta.

"Sir, do you think it wise to simply release a pod for the elite?"

Koyden's was snapped out of his musings as his wingman, Bardacus, questioned. Came from a water planet called Dortia, and like any other planet before Frieza purged it, the green-like sea creature was deemed one of the strongest fighters back home. Much like Koyden, Bardacus was sent away to Lunar due to perpetual purposeful destructions on training grounds within the main base, and has killed many to be where he is today. But he wasn't as strong as Koyden, therefore he's deemed the second strongest on Lunar and naturally became the captain's advisor.

Like many, he's never forgotten his home, his past life. And like many, he trusted no one and always harboured suspicions against all. And to top it off, God forbade him if he shall ever forget the one who caused so much grief to his life. Besides Frieza, who called upon the purging of his planet, whom he absolutely had no chance against; Vegeta was the next best kill.

It was the Saiyan elite who had commanded the troops against purging the sea planet. Three days of endless grief and suffering. Three days of pure agony. And within those three days, he's lost everything that ever meant everything to him.

Three days.

And it was Vegeta, whose very hands had torn Bardacus and his family – his life – apart.

It was Vegeta who had released that final blast through his town, his home, engulfing his family within. And all Bardacus could do was wail in terror as he was roughly hauled away into the mother ship as captive.

It was Vegeta who had destroyed him.

"Yes, for Vegeta, I'd do what I can," Koyden replied firmly before slowly reclining his head towards Bardacus. He knew the man always had a suspicious mind, but this is Vegeta.

Koyden's friend.

Bardacus' enemy.

"Send someone to retrieve the booster, and find the best there is," Koyden ordered, not wanting to waste another minute.

"Of course. Anything else?"

"As for the pod, we'll wait for the troops to return. We'll have to release it under the radar and it shall be recorded as destroyed."

"The fleet will only return in three months. We'll have plenty of time to falsify the pod's demise."

"Then, three months we'll wait. The pod will be purportedlymissing by that time. There's no point in delaying any further after."

"Very well, sir." Bardacus bowed a little and as he was about to turn on his heel, Koyden managed to catch his eyes before he got the chance to leave.

"Oh, and Bardacus..." the sea creature tilted his head in question, awaiting more orders, if any. But that was not what Koyden had in mind.

"... You heard the man. Word must not get out. I can tell you from experience that I do not wish to be on his death list. So, bear in mind that if this goes wrong, not only will Vegeta come after us, for even I will kill both of you myself before he kills me."

"I know, sir. I know," with that said, Bardacus bowed a little lower than usual and finally pivoted on his heel, heading outside to carry out his tasks. Unbeknownst to Koyden, or anyone else for that matter, Baardacus inwardly rejoices as he predicts that from now, justice will taste sweeter with every passing day.

After shutting off the transmitter, Vegeta stormed towards the edge of the cliff with hands running through his mane as he digested their new outcome. This isn't happening, he thought. Another year stranded!

"One fucking year!" he seethed manicly through his teeth as he stared blankly into the horizon.

There are times when you should speak up, and there are times when it's best to stay silent. This was the time to do the latter as Bulma watched quietly from the back while Vegeta threw his princely tantrums. Well, maybe she wouldn't call them tantrums. They now have every reason to be as frantic as Vegeta, but one loose screw is enough.

"This is fucking ridiculous! What the fuck are we going to do for one whole fucking year?" he boomed, not really to anything or anyone.

Bulma only kept silent as she wearily watched the tirade Vegeta was displaying. She was obviously asking herself the same questions, though she knew there were no answers to them. If it was safe to assume, even Vegeta knows that.

After a near fifteen-minute of consistent outburst, Vegeta finally settled but stayed unmoving. He remained by the edge of the cliff with his arms crossed over his chest, his back to Bulma. She merely sat by the communicator as her brain worked the juices to find solutions to their current predicament. Well, not much of solutions, but more of what they can gather to make do for the whole of next year.

A good thirty minutes passed by slowly and quietly until Bulma decided to unplug the wires and wrap up the device. She got up and padded warily towards the angry Saiyan though she wasn't sure if she should tell him that it's time to get back down to ground level. He didn't look too angry on the outside as he seemed calm, but one should never assume for the prince was practically boiling within.

And somehow, Bulma knew that.

That's why she merely strolled up to his side without a word and looked at him expectantly. He'll know what to do.

She was right when Vegeta turned towards her and without even looking at her, he hoisted her gently into his arms and almost free fell downwards. Bulma bit her lip and closed her eyes, though hardly feeling the falling sensation in her gut, she knew Vegeta wouldn't let her slip.

Vegeta immediately released her as they landed and Bulma quickly recollected herself. She watched him as he turned around and headed towards his usual training spot. She pulled a frown, not at him but at their current situation and how badly it seemed to have affected him. Turning back towards the house, she thought that maybe some food would make the day seem better.

Evening came pretty quickly and they both respectively drown their grief in training and more dramas. Vegeta hasn't let up until he felt his stomach growled and his feet brought him towards Bulma, who was busy crying her eyes out on the latest episode. Vegeta narrowed his eyes at her and without saying another word, he headed towards the storage freezer and pulls out a few dinosaur tail slices for himself and one medium sized chunk for her.

He scowled at the empty storage, knowing it's time to hunt once more. At that, he suddenly recalls their 'date' and frowned even harder. He's already having second thoughts in dragging her ass around while he hunts for food but brushed it aside and told himself it was just the stomach talking.

He was hungry, practically starving.

He had taken training to the next level on the other side of the planet, occupying his mind with unrelenting focus and replacing his anger with killing things. Somehow it had taken its toll on him, even more so with a tired mind that didn't seem to get the hint that he didn't want to stress about their indefinite wait.

Bulma wiped the tears off her eyes and recollected herself before trudging after the hungry man, not so embarrassed that he caught her crying pathetically over a stupid video.

Yea, he'd call it that, she thought. He's never failed to.

Vegeta threw the meats onto the grill none too gently and formed a ki ball at his fingertip. He didn't wait to release it into the pit and immediately flames engulfed their food. It was the closest thing to cooking the prince will ever do, and also because he was extremely hungry. They both sat around it and alternatively, one would be waiting patiently while the other stares into space.

As usual, dinner was quiet and ended rather quickly. Within the hour, Bulma was already washing up and even took a bath, in time to see Vegeta missing once more. But he wasn't very far. She knew exactly where he was on his more solemn days, like today. He's usually there to simply muse or do a lot of thinking.

Just a good two hundred metres from the cave, there is an elevated land, much like a sand dune but covered in naturally manicured blue grass. Bulma thought it looked something like a make-shift outdoor bed as the grass appears to be soft and smooth, and she finds herself liking it. Not to mention with the barren surroundings, save for a few rock mountains in the distance, the night sky looks like the perfect scene straight from a 3D Star Wars episode.

No wonder Vegeta liked it here, too.

Though he'll never understand the hype about the movie. She told him about it once and he regarded it as child's play; that it was nothing compared to his life. While she was excitedly telling him about the story, suddenly, he pulled a face – a distorted one – one that Bulma had never seen him do before. It was cross between bewilderment and utter what-the-fuck. She guessed the movie sounded absolutely ridiculous to him because according to his reasoning, there was nothing like the sort from where he came from and she immediately stopped sharing. She knew better than to argue and it was one of the many times when she'd just let him have the last say before he casually walked away.

Vegeta lay on the grass with a hand behind supporting his head while the other rested sloppily on his abdomen. This is one of those nights when he would prefer to be doing nothing, just laying here and think about how fucked up his life has become. And on top of other more pitiable things he could think of, like being stuck far longer than he'd expected...

With her.

Speaking (more like thinking) of the devil, Bulma climbed over the edge and stopped next to him. He's sensed her while she was walking over but made no attempt to leave. So, he just allowed her to invade his personal space, hoping that she'd know how to use it wisely. She stood for awhile with her hands on the hips as she looked up into the unusually clear sky and huffed aloud before taking a seat.

He frowned, closed his eyes and turned to the other side to avoid any possible eye contact. But he remained still, at the same time hoping that she would just disappear, though he knew that it is highly unlikely to happen. With any luck, which he seemed to be lacking for awhile now, she would remain quiet until he's bored with stars.

Minutes dragged on and he let out an inaudible sigh when Bulma remained silent, just like he wanted. For a second, he wondered if she had fallen asleep but the slightest of movements like fingers tapping and imbalanced breathing patterns were clear signs that she was just in deep thoughts.

Somehow, this irked the Saiyan and he didn't know why.

He turned to look at her and caught her staring deeply into space, literally, and he knew her mind has wandered. He wondered what she was thinking of and was about to ask her but bit his tongue and thought better of it. So, he turned back to the sky and closed his eyes once more to enjoy the silence. Then, he thought about what she said before and how much her words held so much truth in them; that he really hates to be in the presence of others. And truth be told, being stuck on this planet only made him realise that without the presence of others, save for one really loud and annoying woman, just made the term lonely, lonelier.

"I'm not always like that," Vegeta suddenly started, though his eyes were still shut.

"What?" Bulma squeaked as she turned to face him, jolted from her musings, at the same time not expecting words to be exchanged between them.

"A misanthropist... I'm not always like that..."

He trailed off, but piqued Bulma's interest as she shifted to her side and pushed herself up with an elbow to support her head. She looked at him in silence, waiting for him to continue.

"... They made me this way," this time, Vegeta's eyes opened. He stared into the skies, his orbs glazed over as his mind took him further into space, back into the past.

"I don't remember what movies were like, because I never knew what they are," he turned to face her as he answers the question she asked a few days ago, "... we didn't have such things but occasionally the royalties did have stage performances. I never liked them."

To this, Bulma smiled a little as she imagined how it must have been like for him back in those days. Well, she couldn't have imagined even if she tried, maybe they were close to opera houses and Broadway. Though, Vegeta seemed to be doing a lot more imagining than her as he tried so hard to remember. And as if his memory served him better than he expected his expression suddenly hardened.

"I was only seven, when he came..." Instantly Bulma knew who this he Vegeta was talking about and her brows furrowed, her eyes fell sadly to the void between them.

"He promised peace between the Saiyan and Cold Empire with a purportedly signed treaty. I wasn't at the hearing because I was sent to Freiza's ship the following day for my tenth purging mission. But weeks later..." he choked a little, as if continuing would relive the dreadful moment, but he bravely went on. "... I found out that my planet has been completely destroyed by a passing meteor..." he trailed off once more, his words projected through gritted teeth. Though, he wasn't sure if he should tell her how he handled it at a tender age of seven.

At that, Bulma's heart sank. No seven-year olds should be subject to such harsh exposures.

"Don't pity me, I don't need that," Vegeta said to her when he noticed her reaction. Bulma merely kept quiet as she didn't want him to stop talking about himself. Somehow, she wants to know everything about him, or whatever he's limited himself to telling her, but hell, she wants to know and she's not going to spoil it.

"Years later I learned that it was Frieza who was responsible for the death of my people. He's always reminded me how the King deserved to die a dishonourable death. My father and his army were battling in mid space when the lizard blew up the planet, and that they all choked on their own throats, stranded in the darkest void."

Bulma plopped on her back and shut her eyes tightly. Mental images of that fateful event wormed into her mind and it disturbed her greatly. We can't say the same for Vegeta. He looked absolutely cool about it as if he was merely telling a bedtime story. Maybe it's because he's passed the grieving and mourning phase that relating the past doesn't really affect him anymore.

No, that's not true. Bulma saw it, the pain in his eyes when he was telling Goku how their people died. The tears that streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably, how he fought to stay alive to make sure that Goku clearly understood that it was Frieza who has taken away all that was left of the Saiyan race. In all actuality, and unbeknownst to Bulma, that was the first time ever that the quiet Saiyan prince tells his side of the story since the day he found out about it.

"I never knew that the agreement for peace... was me. Frieza wanted to mould me into a killing machine and if I had known the outcome, I would have never boarded the ship so excitedly."

"It's not your fault..." Bulma said as she turned to look at him. At the sound of his voice cracking, Bulma realised that after all these years, he still blamed himself. For his people, the destruction of his planet and the death of his father, "... It never was."

Vegeta merely stayed quiet, wanting so badly to tell her that all of his life, he's felt otherwise. Silence loomed over them once more after that short heart-to-heart talk. Vegeta wouldn't call it heart-to-heart, though. Somehow, he just felt compelled to let her know the reasons pertaining to his asocial behaviour. These were mainly the reasons why every time he opens his mouth with death threats and sadistic sarcasms, people would be immediately be intimidated and cower before him.

He clearly isn't the man to want to be consoled, to be seen as weak and this was no exception, which is why Bulma refrained from speaking further when he didn't continue. The silence dragged on, each lost in their own thoughts. Tiredly, Vegeta's eyes began to close, his body wanting nothing but sleep.

"I miss them," Bulma suddenly said.

Vegeta tilted his head to the side, though his eyes remain closed. He should know whom she was talking about, and as he slowly opened his eyes, he saw the distant look on her face as she stared into the night sky longingly.

They both knew better than to talk about her friends for it was a sensitive issue to Vegeta, especially the subject of Goku. She never wanted to rile the prince any further than he initially already is since the day they were stranded.

"I wonder what they're doing now..."

Well, that is new, Vegeta thought. She definitely didn't mean her dead friends, which could only mean she meant her family.

"Do you know where earth is?" he suddenly asked her. Somehow, Bulma knew he meant to offer to show her. So, she turned to him, smiling brightly.

"No, I don't, but I bet you do," she replied so, just to feed his ego. He merely 'hmphed' at her but smirked smugly, lifted the hand nearest to her and pointed to the stars.

"That bright orange star, the biggest one," he started and Bulma craned her neck nearer to him to see from his point of view. Vegeta eyed her from the corner of his eyes, slightly uncomfortable with such close proximity. He tried his hardest to ignore the closeness but almost failed miserably as her scent wafted to his face. He swallowed, frowned a little and told himself to just go with the flow, wherever that may lead to.

"Yes, I see it..." she nodded excitedly and he suddenly found himself reluctantly continuing, but did so anyway, "That's your landmark. Go four south," with that, he lowered his hands and fingers pointed four stars downwards.

As he went, Bulma couldn't catch exactly which stars he was pointing at and instinctively she brought her hand up and placed it over his just to make sure that her gaze never loses sight of where he was going. Vegeta tensed at first when her hand touched his but he made no attempt to retract his own, though he looked at her suspiciously from the corner of his eyes. This was adding discomfort to the one prior but after he was sure that she had no other intentions, he continued.

"There'll be a bend, you cannot miss it. Go west and you'll come to a line-up of three that goes north."

"Yea, I've seen that before back at home, but... it looks so different from here."

"Of course. No star is the same when you're on different galaxies. It's perspective. Some gets bigger, some smaller."

"I guess. I'm sure you know better," she smiled at him, to which he merely responded with a blink and an expressionless face. He didn't know how to react so he cleared his throat a little and awkwardly continued.

"Follow the line-up and a bend downwards to the right. And, on the left, earth is right there."

Bulma gasped softly, her heart sank as she realised how small and insignificant her home planet was. But the smile on her face was still apparent as she stared at the little speck in the dark night longingly, watching it as it fought to shine just like the rest.

"It's not as bright, but it still shines." As though he heard the thoughts in her head, that sentence alone soothed her and that he's unknowingly made her feel better. At that, Bulma smiled to herself, somehow happy that she'd caught the softer side of him.

As their hands still hovered in mid air, Vegeta twist his wrist around so that their palms were touching. They both stared at their hands, although not joined, with sheer fascination. It dawned on them, though not surprisingly, that their hands differed greatly in sizes and strength. With just one grip, he'd crush hers easily. It didn't matter that these are the very same hands that have killed billions, the hands that produced energy balls enough to wipe out planets. Bulma just couldn't see it that way anymore.

She curled her fingers into a fist and Vegeta covered it with his large hands. He squeezed it gently, amazed at how small and fragile she was. He spreads open his hand again and Bulma followed suit. Slowly, Vegeta slipped his digits through the spaces between hers and they clutched at one another, their fingers tightly entwined.

Bulma let out an appreciative sigh as she let her lids close in contentment. It's been so long since she felt any bodily contact.

Any sweet and innocent bodily contact, that is.

And this was as close as she's going to get from the alien next to her. She knew if she consented and gave in to their urges, Vegeta isn't going to give her anything more than just sex; that much has been proven. Both times, his approaches came on too strong, too forceful and she couldn't bring herself to go along.

No, she needed something more; something with substance – with meaning.

She smiled sadly at their joined hands knowing that it will never happen. It might take some freak accident, like Vegeta hitting hard on his head, for him to be able to change from the hard, homicidal psychopath that he is. Then, and maybe, will she decide to let him in.

But does she really like him that way, enough to want him to return the same amount of affection?

Would she eventually fall in love with him, and expect him to reciprocate – to which everyone knows the Saiyan will never do?

Is this only a phase, an infatuation so great that made her want him this way?

Perhaps, but also maybe it's been so long and lonely.

Or, has she fallen badly for the ruthless man who lies beside her in a span of just over two months?

She frowned – because she didn't know.

But she does know that whenever he comes close to being kind or nice, even gentle, her heart flutters and her stomach flips. And as a girl from earth, one who's watched so many chick flicks enough to know that the girl has fallen deeply and madly in love, these were symptoms of a giddy school girl whose crush had just paid her with a little attention.

But...

It shouldn't be this way.

With that, Bulma slowly pried her fingers from his and pulled away. She pushed herself up and dusts herself off before turning towards Vegeta, who was shifting uncomfortably below her. For a fleeting second, she swore he looked utterly dejected when she retracted her hand but his eyes glazed over instantly and they became cold once more.

"I'm going back in. Coming?" She asked as Vegeta moved the hand she was holding to the back of his head, resuming the position he was in before she joined him.

"Not now." An answer to which she frowned, but decided to let it go. Perhaps he just needed a little more alone time.

"Alright. Goodnight, then."

Silence.

Bulma waited five seconds; half expected him to stay quiet. When she was sure he wasn't going to bid her goodnight, she pivoted on her heel and heads towards the cave for much needed sleep. Just as she took her fifth step, she turned around and smiled at the resting form before her as she speaks her last motivational words for the night – although not much, she was sure it'll be something to keep them going strong, something to keep him sane, something to help them keep surviving until the end.

"Hey, it's only gonna be a year at most. Time flies, you know. We'll be outta here before you know it!"

Like I said, I love this chapter because of the little scene between them.

THEY FINALLY HELD HANDS! So sweet! I found it adorable, though. =D

Hope it was okay for you guys. Sorry for any error spotted. *guilty*

Other than that, don't forget to review FTS! Xoxo.