Chapter 9
The Date
Vegeta looked up at the clock "He is late" he grumbled "This is unacceptable."
Trunks looked up at the clock "It's only twenty seconds dad" he said.
"It's the principle boy!" Vegeta told him.
Trunks' shook his head, his father was taking this way to seriously. Suddenly the door bell rang, and both men looked to it. Vegeta looked like he wanted to incinerate the door. This was the time for Trunks to step in, before Vegeta could stand up Trunks jumped and ran to the door, he peeked through the door to see a man on the other side looking very impatient. He shook his head, then opened it. The man was taller than Trunks but he looked down at the boy with wide eyes, it was obvious that if Trunks were anything like his father he could snap him like a twig. "Hi" he smiled friendly "I'm Trunks, you must be Raider."
Raider looked over the short but very built boy, he nodded "Yeah…I'm here to pick up…Nicole?"
"She's upstairs getting ready" Trunks replied "Come in and sit down."
"Thank you" Raider stepped in and looked over the house.
He then turned to the living room where he saw a man that looked like Trunks, except his hair was spiked above his head forming what looked like a flame, and he didn't have a friendly look on…in fact, he looked very discontent. 'This must be her father' he told himself 'I suppose now's a good time to get in good.' "Good evening sir" he said "You must be Nicole's dad…I was…"
"You're late" Vegeta snapped ignoring the 'dad' comment "That is unacceptable."
Trunks also caught the 'dad' comment, "Um…he's not…"
Raider didn't hear Trunks, he couldn't. Right then all he did was fear…fear the look that Nicole's dad was giving him "I'm sorry" he said "I didn't know I was late, my watch must've been wrong."
Vegeta grunted "Excuses are not acceptable" he told the boy "Especially for one who thinks they are responsible enough to take out one such as Nicole."
He nodded "I'm very sorry sir…"
Vegeta shifted "You will have here back by 9:30, and no later, and if you attempt any human violations upon her I will castrate you where you stand…am I understood?"
Now Raider's face was completely pale, and Trunks jaw was on the ground. Yamcha who had just come in followed by Tien was looking frantically up the stairs with sweat dripping down his face praying the girls would hurry up, and Tien was just standing there with a completely blank look on his face.
A cough sounded from the top of the stairs, they all then turned to see the girls all standing there. Tristal and Bulma were shooting daggers with their eyes at Vegeta, with Kate and Amy behind them holding back their laughter, but no one could see Nicole. "Now that, that little scene is over with" Bulma said "Raider, I believe this…is your date."
Her and Tristal moved out of the way to reveal Nicole who was standing shyly behind them. The boys all smiled (except for Vegeta) who were around the living room.
She was wearing a long blue dress that ended at her knees and buttoned down the front with white flowers that seemed to be painted into the material. Her hair was curled neatly and went to her shoulders but was held by a white headband, and as a finishing touch around her neck was a pearl necklace.
Raider stepped closer to the stairs to get a better look at Nicole but immediately stopped when he heard Vegeta growl.
Vegeta looked angrily at Raider 'A potential mate is one that should be strong and brave, not weak and afraid as he is…he should stand up to me if he believes I am her father. This…this should be stopped.' 'If you even try to stop this there will be nothing stopping Tristal and Bulma from ripping you apart Vegeta' his eyes turned to Amy who was staring straight at him. He let out another grumble before turning to see Nicole had made her way down the stairs and was now at the bottom before Raider. Raider smiled "You look beautiful?"
Nicole blushed and averted her eyes, she then saw that Yamcha, Tien, and Trunks were also in the room, and her face turned redder. But it paled when she saw the look on Vegeta's face, his eyes were completely focused on Raider like a wolf hunting prey. "Well…it's about time you two leave!" Bulma said.
Raider nodded and turned to the door but was surprised to see Nicole walk up to Vegeta.
Nicole looked cautiously at Vegeta "Do…do you want me to get you something?" she asked "Like I did when I went out with Bulma?"
Vegeta tore his eyes from Raider and looked down at the girl, she seemed to be looking for Waldo on his shoes. He then grunted "Do as you wish" he replied.
He then walked out, as he passed the girls he could swear he heard a growl.
Nicole then turned to the door and began to walk out, as she passed Trunks he reached out and took her arm "Good luck" he said, he then leaned down and kissed her cheek "Don't worry about my father…he's just worried about you is all."
Nicole smiled weakly before taking Raider's now outstretched arm and walking out with him.
When the door shut everyone looked to each other, "Alright!" Bulma said "Who's up for Scrabble!"
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Vegeta sat down at the table, and turned to look out the window. He saw taillights disappearing into the night, and couldn't help but think about Nicole. He remembered the day before yesterday when she brought him a whole picnic, and they sat in the Gravity Chamber talking. She for some reason insisted on knowing about his past, so he told her stories of the Saiyan race and his own up bringing. She was nothing short of impressed.
"Wow!" Nicole said "You surpassed men 10 times your age in power by the time you were 5!"
Vegeta smiled proudly "Of course, I'm a Saiyan Prince. Nothing less could be expected from me."
"You're father must have been proud of you!"
Vegeta paused "He was" he said in slight shock she'd brought up his father.
Nicole smiled "Wow Vegeta! You are the Prince of an entire race! I was lucky to be on the honor role" she giggled.
He couldn't help but chuckle along with her "This is an honor in your world?" he asked.
She nodded taking a drink of her pop "Yeah! Well…in school, it means you're one of the most intelligent people in school."
"That's good" he told her "Intelligence is important, Saiyan women with unbeatable strategies are seen as the best mates."
She blushed "So…that would mean I'm a good choice for a mate?"
He nodded "But first your father would have to approve of a male mate worthy of your hand."
Her face fell "But…I don't have a father…"
He nodded "You're also not a Saiyan…I just said you seem to be good enough to be one."
Her face lit up again at his words.
"You know…acting all tough can only get you so far."
"Leave woman" he said "I did not ask for your company."
"And I didn't ask if you needed company."
Tristal sat across from him. "So exactly what happened with Cell?"
Vegeta leaned back with a cocky smirk "I defeated him."
"You defeated him now…yet he treated you like a rag doll before."
Vegeta's eyes narrowed for a second "I beat him because I was the stronger opponent this time."
"Because of your training?" she asked.
He nodded "That's right?"
"Are you sure about that?"
His eyes narrowed again in suspicion "What do you mean by that?"
"Did everyone forget that Bulma was watching from the kitchen?" Tristal asked "She saw everything that happened, including your reaction to Cell's threat against Nicole."
Vegeta's expression turned completely blank, he remembered the way he felt when he saw Nicole's life in danger. But he would not admit it "It was the training."
Tristal laughed…in his face. Was she mad? Probably but Vegeta had no time to think about that as anger overcame his body "What are you laughing at!" he demanded.
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The three figures outside of the room who were peeking in all looked to one another "What is she laughing at?" Kate asked.
Tien shook his head "I don't know…perhaps she's planning to break Vegeta."
"Maybe she's finally lost it" Yamcha said.
Amy who was leaning against the wall watching out for Bulma or Trunks rolled her eyes "She lost it along time ago Yamcha…it's finding it that she's having the problem with."
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Tristal continued to laugh "Training?" she asked "You say that the only reason you fought and almost defeated Cell was because of training! Please! Goku trained, Trunks trained, Piccolo, Krillin, Yamcha, Tien…they all trained. But combined they were nothing to Cell, and even after training now they still aren't enough…well actually we'll get more into that when the time is right but for now…Cell could wipe the floor with you had Nicole not been there."
"What do you mean?" Vegeta demanded "Are you implying I need a girls assistance to…"
"Do you ever wonder why Goku is so good?" she interrupted him "I mean, you'd think it's some part of the plan from Creator. That Goku was the relief to many years of struggle against evil, that he was chosen from above to defend this earth and it's people. A man from another planet armed with the power to defend ours…almost poetic. But really, while all that may be true. There could be other elements as to why Goku is…the way he is."
"And what's that?" Vegeta asked sitting back.
"Think about every battle you've ever been in with him, or that you've seen him in other than the world tournaments. What do they all have in common?"
Vegeta thought it over, "Every opponent has been a new test or obstacle for Kakarrot to overcome. To become stronger, faster, smarter (fighting wise), and more power."
"That would be the warriors perspective" Tristal told him "An opinion that I'd expect from one like you Vegeta. A great warrior."
Vegeta smirked. "But I think…and know, there's more to Goku than just his will to become stronger. After all, everyone knows that a Saiyan's determination sums up to one thing. To become the best they can be, Goku even though raised by an earthling has this trait, he loves to fight powerful opponents, and he loves improving his skills at anytime the chance presents itself. But you must realize that Goku did not fight Raditz to improve his skill, he didn't fight you to advance his techniques, he didn't battle Frieza to become a Super Saiyan because he didn't know that existed, he wasn't training to combat the Androids so he could gain more skills, and he's not going to meet Cell head on just so he can find another level of Super Saiyan. He fought Raditz because he took Gohan, he clashed with you because you were going to take over Earth, he went into battle against Frieza because of Frieza's intensions to Namek, and to his friends and family. He combated the Androids because of the future of Earth that Trunks warned him of, and now he's going to war against Cell because he knows Cell will just blow this planet up if he gets the chance. What I'm saying is, that the same thing about all those battles is that he never chose to fight in them…they were forced at him. In his mind, I mean sure, he could have just given himself up to Raditz and joined what remained of the Saiyan race and that would have been it. But there is something inside of Goku that is very different from you…the will to protect. Protect his family, protect his friends, protect his partners, protect his home…protect this earth. These people will never know his name, they will never see his picture, they may see him on the street but will never know just how great he is and the length he goes to, to protect them. Because even though they don't see him…he sees them. He sees their smiles, and their families, and their friends, and he sees the true essence of their love for one another, even though they may never appreciate what they have with one another, Goku fights to defend that love. He always has, and he always will."
"This pitiful planet means nothing to me" Vegeta said as he forced Trunks, Bulma's, and Nicole's pictures out of his head "I see no reason to blow it up anymore."
"So you want him to let you defeat him out of pity."
"Of course not! That would be a disgrace for one such as myself. But I hold no threat to him anymore."
"Not one that you know of…but he does."
"And what does that one mean?"
"If you were to beat Goku, you'd leave, or maybe he and you seem to think you would. You'd leave your wife, your son, and apparently from what we've seen lately your newly adopted daughter, all behind and not look back. He doesn't want that, he doesn't want you to leave even thought you're a complete nucience. And for some strange reason he sees you…as a friend."
"I am not Kakarrot's friend!" Vegeta told her.
"You may not be his, but he is yours, another great thing about Goku. He forgives, and forgets. You could try to kill his family and destroy many civilizations right in front of him. But if you're willing to change your ways…he'll except that. Man…this guy is awesome, almost makes me want to go after him…almost."
"If you're finished with you're little fantasy about Kakarrot, is there a point to all this?"
She turned "The point all mighty Vegeta, is that the reason that Goku fights and wins all his battles is not because of power, or muscle, or brains. It's from heart. He fights with everything in his heart, and he doesn't know how to give up because apart of him tells him that if he gives into these fights…millions will die and billions will suffer. He knows exactly what will happen if Cell were to win this, and for the life of him nothing inside that man will let it happen. You felt the slightest fraction of what Goku does when he fights different opponents when you battled Cell. You saw the consequences to your defeat, you saw the pain that would come, and you knew what Cell would do to one that you cared for if you lost against him once again…and you couldn't let that happen. So for the first time in your life, you fought for someone other than yourself, you fought without regard for your own life, or knowing that if he won you would die. For that moment Vegeta…you were the hero. You were the one everyone was counting on, and for that moment Vegeta…you were a true Saiyan warrior."
Vegeta was speechless, how could someone so young speak with such wisdom? She leaned forward "Now…if you are to truly fight in this battle Vegeta then you must tap into that once again. And know that you have three points of motivation sitting, lying, and sleeping in this house right now, while another is out on a date. All you need to do is use them, let go of your pride for once Vegeta. You'll be surprised with the results."
She laid her hand on Vegeta's and he looked up at her in surprise "You're a great man Vegeta" she told him "You'll never show it, you'll never admit it…neither will I. But you truly are a great man…you just need to realize it yourself."
She then turned to the door, but before she left he called out "If he touches her he's a dead man."
She chuckled "And that's what will make you a great father Vegeta" she said "But you're right…and we'll both bask in proving that factor once they get back."
She walked to the door before slamming it open and forcing all three of the nosey people outside to fly into to different parts of the living room "Useless" she mumbled passing Amy and going up the stairs to find Trunks.
Vegeta turned from the closing doors to the window and started into the sky.
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Nicole's hands were drenched, she didn't remember the last time she had been so nervous…in fact. She never really told anyone this…but she couldn't remember anything at all. Not her parents, not her family…not her town. She knew Cell killed them all…but for the life of her she couldn't remember her former life. She wanted to talk to Tristal about it, Tristal seemed to always have the right thing to say…but she hadn't gotten the chance to. Everything had moved so fast.
The door opened beside her, they had drove for about fifteen minutes through the city before reaching a posh restaurant, Raider had tried to make conversation with her but found it useless. All she had was one word answers. She was trying to think of anything productive to say…but her nerves were too much. She looked up and forced a smile on her face "Thank you" she said.
He took her hand and helped her out of the car before wrapping an arm around her. She didn't like it when he touched her…it felt…wrong. But, she had no choice.
The two of them walked into the restaurant and were lead to a table, and sat down, Nicole's jacket was taken, before an order of drinks was.
"I know that you're nervous" he said to her "And that's understandable."
She smiled "I've never been on a date before…at least I don't think so."
He smiled "Well, then there's why you're so nervous, but it's okay. I promise I won't bite."
She giggled "Okay…I'll try be more open."
He nodded, "That's good. So, you're father seems to be very protective of you."
"Oh he's not m…" she stopped herself, she realized that if she told him Vegeta wasn't her father he would start asking questions about her real father…and she didn't have answers for that "He's not that bad" she said "Just…a little grumpy."
"I saw that" Raider said "But it's obvious he cares for you a lot."
Nicole blushed "Well…I care for him just the same."
"What does he do?"
Nicole stopped "Actually…he…he trains."
"Trains? For what?"
"Um…fights."
"Wow! You're dad's a fighter? Does he enter the World Tournaments?"
She nodded, "Yeah."
"Does he win a lot?"
Nicole didn't' know, but she answered from what she'd heard from the other girls and what she'd seen "There isn't a lot of people that can beat him."
"Sure I could see that…maybe except for Hercule! Man he's the best!"
She nodded "Yeah, he is good."
"Hercule's the champ! I've seen him pull six busses without help! Six!"
Nicole smiled "That's talent."
Raider laughed "And you and him stay at Capsule Corp?"
Nicole nodded "He has another child, Trunks. With Bulma."
"Wow…so she's your step mother then?"
Nicole nodded "Yeah."
The waiter then came up to the two and asked them "Are you ready to order?"
"Are we?" Raider asked Nicole.
Nicole nodded "Yes."
She had a good feeling about this date now.
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She walked down the hallway before she heard something. She could swear it was a scratching sound, warning bells rang throughout her mind. 'Great' she said 'I can blast through dimensions and change asexual to men…but I'm afraid of ghosts…isn't this something to be proud of.' She then followed the sound to a closet, now it was scratching and loud breathing. For the life of her she couldn't stop the evil smile from creeping onto her face. She reached out and grasped the brass knob that stood between her and the perpetrators of sounds on the other side. She then pulled open the door, Yamcha and Kate then fell on the floor, Tristal fought with everything inside of her not to laugh at them, they were both breathing heavily and their lips looked bruised, she faked a shocked look placing a hand on her chest before looking down at the two "Kate! Yamcha! How scandalous!" she exclaimed "The two of you in a closet! What naughty things have you two been doing together?"
Her tone had turned from shocked to motherly and she noticed that her hand had magically formed in front of her and was swinging at the two of them. "Now I want the two of you to stop showing your affections in this tight unromantic environment and start in somewhere better…like a bedroom. This sneaking around is just plain unacceptable."
The two looked up from their place on the floor with completely shameful looks on their faces. "Now…get your little naughty asses up an find a bedroom before I spank the both of you!"
The two scrambled up and ran down the hallway, when they disappeared from sight Tristal let out the laugh she'd been holding in, she laughed so hard she had to lean against the wall, and the shoulder that was suddenly beside her. She leaned into the body and found herself hard to hold up when she thought about how embarrassed the two must have been when interrupted them. It was just too funny. Suddenly a voice stopped her laugh dead "Tristal? Are you okay?"
Her laughing stopped immediately and she noticed that she was now leaning against a very hard body. Her eyes turned up to see Trunks staring down at her. "H-Hi" she said.
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Casey stared at Goku in amazement with her spoon shaking in her hand. The man had just wolfed down almost every piece of food in front of him, she began to believe that he truly was an alien if he was able to consume fifty sandwiches, a whole turkey, fifty wings, and a pitcher of lemonade like they were nothing. She then got up and turned towards the door "I'm full" she said "And I'm going to keep training."
"Good luck!" Goku called to her, reaching for her half full bowl.
She shook her head walking out, and turning to look around the surrounding area, she saw Piccolo nowhere in sight. He claimed that Namakien's didn't drink water, so he didn't join her and Goku for dinner. Strange, six months and it still amazed her the way Goku ate, she just sit there and stare at him eat until he got up and walked away, leaving her there to finish what was left of her own plate. But today she wasn't very hungry, just thirsty, she could always drink three times as much as she'd eat and be completely energized "Finished already?"
She spun around to see Piccolo floating above her, "I wasn't hungry" she replied.
"You never seem to be."
"Neither do you."
"I'm an Alien."
"So is Goku but I'm pretty sure I saw him inhale three quarters of our food a few minutes ago."
"I'm Namakien."
"And what does that mean?"
"Namakien's only drink."
"Well as I've heard they're also all asexual, but as I've heard from Tristal that little tidbit has changed."
Piccolo hit the ground, he stayed like that for a moment with his cave covering his head before it shot back up "Do you girls tell each other everything."
Casey gave him a look "Oh course!" she replied "We're best friends…best friends have no secrets."
He stood up "Really?" he asked.
She nodded "Of course."
Piccolo thought about that for a bit before something hit him '"You're thinking of Casey again, is the thought of her all that rouses you in the morning?"
"Stop thinking about Casey…" His eyes widened before he turned to the girl before him "She didn't…say…anything…about…about…me? Did she?"
Casey gave him a weird look "You mean besides her mishap?...no….I don't think so."
Piccolo let out a relieved sigh "Why?"
He then straightened again, "No reason" he replied all to quickly.
She gave him a 'whatever' look before smirking "So should we get to it?" she asked.
"Get to what?" he asked with a Goku look.
A blast came his way and he got the idea, he dodged the first attack but found her right in front of him afterwards, she hit him to the ground but he immediately got up and dove for her, she dodge him and threw another blast. It missed him, he then reached out and grabbed her arm and slammed her to the ground, she let out a cry but immediately got up before another fist hit her, the two then dove into the air and started throwing blasts at each other. Piccolo dodged a few blasts before he dove for her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and then threw his body weight to the ground taking her with him. The two landed and Piccolo immediately grabbed both of her arms restraining them above her head and holding her legs together with his. A playful smirk appeared on his faced looking down at her struggle "Say it" he told her.
She sneered up at him "Never" she told him.
"You're in no position to do anything else" he told her.
"I'm not saying it…let me go!"
He laughed "I'm not letting go until you say it."
"Then I guess we'll be here the next six months" he replied.
She growled and tried to buck him off, she tried to struggle more when she caught sight of his ears…that gave her an idea "I'm warning you Piccolo" she said "You're going to force me to take drastic measures."
His eyebrow cocked and he smirked "How?"
She puckered her lips together then began whistling as loud as he could. When she did Piccolo cried out attempting to try cover his ears with his free hand and his shoulder but found it impossible. There was only one thing to do, he grabbed her chin and then pressed his lips to hers covering them. Her eyes shot open in shock, she didn't move, didn't scream…didn't do anything for a minute. She then leaned into him and found her hands were suddenly free, she then reached around and pressed him closer to her, while his arms wrapped around her.
In the distance stood Goku with his jaw on the ground at the scene before him.
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"Hold him down!"
"He's slipping!"
"Get of me!"
"Get a grip Vegeta! You can't stalk the girl!"
"I can do whatever I want…LET ME GO NOW!"
"We're not letting go until you promise not to go after Nicole!"
"I will do no such thing!"
"Yamcha, Tien hold him firmly! He'll get away!"
"Don't you think this is a little overboard."
"If we let him go he'll go after Nicole and stalk her all night long! The woman needs some peace for once."
"There's something wrong with him! I'm telling you, she'd going to get hurt!"
"We're the only ones who are going to get hurt if you don't stop struggling!"
"Are we just going to sit here holding him all night long?"
"Only two more hours until Nicole gets back….we can…hold him until then."
Kate shook her head looking down at them. Tien and Yamcha were holding Vegeta's right arm, while Trunks was holding his left and Tristal was sitting on his stomach. About five minutes before he'd decided to try leave the house and go after Nicole and her date, it took everyone in the living room at the time to figure out what he planned to do, the next second they were all over him, holding him down while he screamed to be let go, and Amy cried for Tristal, at that moment Tristal and Trunks suddenly appeared in front of everyone and helped in holding him down.
Tristal then straddled him and then reared her hand back to slap him a few times, when she did everything seemed to pause, no one breathed, no one gasped, no one made a sound or movement as Vegeta's head just stayed at the same point where she left it. "Snap out of it Vegeta!" she told him "Look what you're doing! Look at us! We're in the middle of the room holding you down with me on top of you! Imagine what Nicole will think when she gets home! You're acting like a maniacal father! Now, you have two choices here! We stay in this position and wait until Nicole walks in that door to see something that will probably traumatize her more than she already is, or we can let you up and you pace and stalk around the house taking your anger out on everything like the Vegeta we all know and love. Now what is it going to be because I've got a lot of energy to burn, and this can only make these guys stronger."
Vegeta growled at her, then sank back in defeat "Fine" he said "I'll stay here."
"Wise choice" she replied getting up.
"Wait! How do we know he's not lying?" Tien asked.
"It's Tristal asking him" Kate replied "She knows when someone's lying to her."
They all then wearily let Vegeta go, he then threw Tien and Yamcha onto the other side of the living room and turned to Trunks but saw that he was being dragged up the stairs by Tristal. He growled once again before turning to the kitchen and walking in.
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Tristal dragged Trunks up the stairs and this time instead towards the closet she'd found Kate and Yamcha in instead of the balcony before. She pushed him in and then closed the door behind herself. She then turned to him "Okay…if there are no more interruptions…what is it?"
Trunks couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed that she completely took over every kind of situation she was in like a born leader. "What are you laughing about?"
He then looked down at her to see she was looking at him strangely. "Nothing" he replied "Just…thinking."
She nodded before leaning back against the wall, "So…what did you want to talk about?"
Trunks smile then disappeared, 'Come on Trunks get it together! She's never gonna stay with you if you keep wimping out! Be a man!' his mind screamed. "I wanted to talk about what happened between us" he told her.
"Oh" she automatically started chewing on her lips "Trunks, I…"
"No" he said holding his hand up "You talk too much…it's my turn."
She nodded. He sighed and then took a hold of her arms "Tristal" he said "When we were in the Time Chamber…what I said…I didn't mean it to come out like that…"
A little light faded from her eyes "So…you don't love me?"
"No!" he exclaimed, a blush came out and he coughed nervously "It's just…I wanted to explain…why I couldn't."
She hung her head "I know about your past, and where you've come, I know about your world."
Trunks nodded, "Tristal, I grew up in a world that was on the brink of destruction. I never really got to know anyone but Gohan and my mom…everyone else would just die. I was the androids biggest target aside from Gohan. Growing up like that…it's…it's been so hard" he chuckled "I've never been good with words but…I just need to know that, I just don't want to see you get hurt. I can't let you get hurt…please understand that it's not that I don't want to help you train, I'm just so afraid that if you get so good then Cell will want to fight you more than any of us and he'll…he'll…"
She could see tears welling in his eyes, she then reached up and cupped his face in her hand "I understand Trunks," she told him "And to be honest I knew that would be your reaction from the beginning. It's why I was a little hesitant to try anything with you in the beginning…I knew we needed to get the training done before anything. But Trunks you have to understand, I don't care if I die in this battle. Because if I do then that would mean that I would take Cell with me in the process. If my death means the salvation of billions…then it would all be worth it" she then looked into his eyes "But…for you, I'll try my best to survive…but don't you go throwing yourself into blast that come my way. If you dare sacrifice yourself for me I will punch my way to the Snakeway and beat some proper sense into you…do you hear me?"
By this time she was now looking down on him as she had his collar pulled to her level. "I will! I will!" he exclaimed.
She let him go "Good…now…kiss me and end this moment."
He laughed at her confidence then leaned down "My pleasure."
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Nicole allowed Raider to help her out of the vehicle. Dinner had been great, and now they were at the movie house. She'd been having so much fun, it was just like the girls told her before she left the house, all she had to do was let herself go and it would be a blast…truer words had never been spoken. "So what show are we going to see?" she asked.
"Let's be spontaneous" he told her.
She laughed "Okay."
She then walked into the movie house.
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1 hour later…
She was officially ready to leave. The show they'd chosen was an overly romantic movie in which the main characters were constantly attached by the lips, and worse. All the other couples in the theatre were in the same positions with one another. Her eyes looked wearily to Raider, she wanted desperately to ask them if they could leave, but he seemed to be enjoying it…so she left it be. His hand then slithered over to hers and took it. She looked down before looking up at him with a smile, he smiled back and then started leaning towards her. Warning bells rang through her body and she stood up "Um…can we leave?" she asked.
His head drooped in defeat, but he nodded "Sure…come on."
They then walked out.
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On the way back they were both silent "So…what should we do?" Raider asked "Do you just want to go home?"
She nodded, but felt bad for ending their date so quickly "Why don't we go to my room and watch movies? I mean, it is rather late and if everyone else is asleep then there will be no one to bother. Plus, the walls are thick so no one will be able to hear us."
Raider thought about it for a moment "Sure…are you sure your dad won't mind?"
"Why would he?" Nicole asked "I mean, he'll probably be too busy training to even notice."
Raider nodded "Your right, okay. Well go back to your place and watch TV in your room. You have movies right?"
"There were some this morning…I'm sure they're still there."
Raider laughed "To your house then."
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"Okay! Everyone to bed!" Tristal called "I'm sure that Nicole will be home in a few hours nice and safe. For now Yamcha and Kate have been dying for an excuse to get into a closet, I mean room. And Tien and Amy are needing some personal time for themselves, as for me there's an Ancient Egypt program on, and if any one's worried. Vegeta is outside in the Gravity Machine imagining the machines around him are Raider."
Everyone just stared at her with blank looks on, they all wanted to stay up and wait for Nicole to come back. Tristal waited for everyone to move and when they didn't her eyes narrowed "NOW!" she screamed.
When she opened her eyes the room was completely empty, she then turned to Trunks "Shall we?" she asked.
Trunks smiled "Come on."
The two then climbed the stairs.
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Tien peered out the window, it's a good thing that each of the rooms in the house were equivalent to a normal sized living room. "Does she actually expect us to go to sleep?" he asked.
Amy laughed as she looked through a magazine while she lay on the couch "Of course not" she said "Tristal only wants to calm Nicole's nerves, and having all of us standing over her shoulders while she says goodnight won't exactly work."
"And Vegeta will?"
"I'm sure he'll match up to all of us together. Besides, she feels safe around Vegeta."
"She won't if he starts drilling her about every touch, motion, and word he's said to her all night" Tien laughed "I didn't think I'd ever see Vegeta so…"
"Concerned?"
Tien nodded "Yeah…I mean don't get me wrong…he's not my favorite guy…but…it feels kinda good to know that he's showing care for anyone but himself. He wouldn't even do that for Bulma or Trunks."
Amy nodded "He cares about them, it's just hard to show. But Nicole brings something out for him…something we all don't see. There isn't too much girls like that today."
Tien shook his head, "There sure isn't…so…what should we do until we all sneak downstairs when they get home and watch her say 'goodnight'?"
Amy reached for the remote while putting down the magazine "Movie?" she asked.
He smiled then went to sit by her.
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Kate and Yamcha snickered as they watched through the door "They're so cute!" Kate said.
"Yeah" Yamcha nodded "They just needed a little push."
"And who better than us…"
"When I said go find yourself a room, I didn't mean peaking into others."
The two hit the roof and found themselves stuck there. Tristal and Trunks looked up at them, Tristal with an irritated expression, and Trunks with a blank one. "Go to your own room" Tristal warned them.
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"Why did we park a block away?" Nicole asked walking.
"I like walking" Raider replied, "Besides, you said you didn't want to disturb anyone…this will make sure that if everyone is asleep like you say, that they won't be woken by my engine or headlights."
"Good thinking."
They approached the building and saw that Vegeta was in the Gravity Machine blasting everything in sight. "What is he doing?" Raider asked.
"Um…probably dodging lights or something like that" Nicole answered quickly.
Raider nodded as if he understood, then took her arm in his while they walked up to the door, he opened the door for her, she walked in and they took their shoes off. The two looked around, the only light was coming from the kitchen which the door was guarding, and the hallway at the top of the stairs "Everyone's gone to bed" Nicole said.
"Just as you said" Raider told her.
She then looked down at the container of food she'd gotten for Vegeta and turned to Raider "Let me put this in the kitchen for Vegeta."
Raider nodded, she then walked into the kitchen and set it down, then picked up a nearby pen and wrote his name on it. "So…shall we?"
Nicole nodded, but couldn't help but see the excited look he had in his eyes when they turned to the stairs "Do…do you want to stay down here and watch TV?" she asked.
He looked around almost in a panic "Well…didn't you say that if we stayed down here it would wake everyone up?" he asked.
She'd forgotten saying that…the girls needed their rest, so did the boys. It would be wrong for her to just start blasting noise through the house…how selfish of her. She nodded "Okay…let's go."
She then lead him up the stairs and towards her room. She saw that the lights were on in the girls rooms, perhaps they were getting ready for bed.
She lead him to her room then opened the door and allowed him in, Raider walked in and looked around with a whistle "Wow!" he exclaimed "This is amazing! Look how big this room is?"
There was a large TV by the window and a couch in front of it. The two then went to sit down.
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Vegeta shut down the Gravity Machine, it was a well enough work out. Enough to take off the extra stress he was feeling. He's already showered and dressed to sleep…Bulma insisted he not enter the house without being clean, which made him grumble as he walked back into the building. He then decided to get something to eat and drink before going to wait more for Nicole to return. It confused him why the girls weren't all eagerly waiting for her to arrive, but he guessed that they were all pretending to sleep but the moment they knew she was home everyone would all come racing down the stairs. He shook his head pulling out a drink from the fridge and cracking it open. He couldn't help but think over Tristal's conversation with him. It was true that he knew the reason he beat Cell was because he'd put Nicole in danger…but it still confused him. After all, he never needed or asked for help. He was Vegeta. He was the Prince of All Sayians, he didn't need help or that kind of inspiration to beat an opponent…that was Kakarrot…not him. Perhaps he should embrace Nicole, it's not like she herself would tease him about it, or see it as a weakness. If anything she saw him as it was strong…he saw this when she looked at him. When she looked at him there was a light he never saw before, almost like he was…a hero.
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Nicole fidgeted, her hands were sweating again. They were watching another romantic movie, but not as bad as the last one. Her nerves were all over the place, "Nicole?"
Her head turned to Raider, he was looking into her eyes "Y-Yes?" she asked.
He licked his lips and seemed to look nervous for a minute "Can…can I…kiss you?"
The alarms went off again, but she thought to herself that since she was such a bother this evening, and since he seemed so nice…there was no harm in it. "Um…okay" she said.
"Have you ever been kissed before?" he asked.
She bit her lip "Not that I can remember" she replied honestly.
He nodded. He then leaned forward, her eyes fluttered closed, and she waited to feel his lips against hers.
When they pressed against hers…she somehow felt…disappointment. It was like they didn't fit against hers, they were too big and rough. And were getting rougher, the alarms again went through her and she suddenly didn't think this was such a good idea…especially since he was trying to push her backwards. She squirmed then pushed him back "Raider" she said "I…I think you should leave."
He looked hurt for a second, then his innocent look turned to that of a predator "I don't think so" he said.
Fear began to course through her veins "What?" she asked.
He then pushed her back using his body weight to keep her down "I've been patient all night long Nicole" he told her "It's time for you to give me what I've come here for."
She opened her mouth to scream when she realized his intentions but he covered a hand over her and shook his head "I don't think so…besides…didn't you say the walls were thick enough for no sound to get through them?"
Her eyes widened and tears began to spring from her eyes. He then looked menacingly at her clothes "Now…you won't be needing these…"
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Vegeta grumbled forcing a donut into his mouth, he then looked out the window when he thought he saw two shadows. He walked towards the window and saw two people coming up the sidewalk. Looking to the clock above the door he saw it was 8:45, thinking it was them he moved towards the door but looking out the window again he saw a street light hit the figures…it wasn't them. His shoulders sulked for a second, suddenly he saw the container on the table. "What's this?" he asked himself walking up and picking it up.
He examined it before seeing his name written across the lid, he opened it and to see the food "I didn't order anything" he told himself, "Did Bulma order this?"
Suddenly a feeling ran through him, he looked down again at the writing…it was Nicole's. She was home? When?
He then searched the ki's in the house. He didn't even have to search for them…the moment he started he sensed them…one's energy was that of a human ready to mate…the other…the other was of pure, raw…fear. The food hit the floor.
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Fear ran through her, by this time she was shaking, he'd tore open her dress and was now finding time to lick her neck and the bare part of her breasts. Out of desperation she forced her knee up and connected with the center of his legs, then when he flew up she bit his hand, he pulled back as if burned and she let out a scream. Suddenly a hand came down swiftly and struck her across the face, pain and shock ran through her, he leaned down and grabbed her hair "I warned you."
"So did I."
The voice hit him like a ton of bricks, and he had no time to react as the next few seconds were a complete blur. One second he was being pulled off Nicole roughly, the next he found himself dangling out the window with a hand wrapped around his neck tightly and he was staring into two very anger…and deadly eyes. "I warned you…boy" Vegeta growled.
"S-s-sir…I…I…I can…e-e-explain!" he chocked.
"The only thing you need to give an explanation for is the reason I should allow you to live through the next five minutes" Vegeta told him "I'm…waiting."
He couldn't talk…he couldn't breath…the world was exploding around him and it was also going black.
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The door burst open and everyone piled in following Tristal, she examined the scene before her. Nicole was shivering and crying on the couch, even if she was still human she would be able to see the fear that radiated off of the girl, and Vegeta was dangling Raider out of the window with his hand around the boys neck, and his grip was getting tighter.
"Girls check on Nicole, Tien, Yamcha, Trunks…we have to get Vegeta off of Raider before he kills the boy."
They all followed her instructions, Tien and Yamcha didn't have a chance. The moment they were in arms reach of Vegeta he threw them both back with one arm across the room. "This human does not deserve to live" he growled "No man, Saiyan, Human or any other should dare attempt to force himself on a woman who does not wish it."
"You're going to kill him!" Trunks said to his father.
"That's the point son" Vegeta said with a evil smirk they hadn't seen from him in a while.
Tristal grabbed his arm and sent a flash through it that caused a numbing feeling to go through it, Vegeta cried out as his fingers went loose against his will.
Raider fell a foot before he was grabbed and pulled back into the room by Trunks. He chocked and coughed until his breathing went back to normal. He was suddenly pulled to his feet and all he saw was two fists coming towards him before the world went black.
"Tristal, you didn't have to join in the violence" Trunks told her.
Vegeta and Tristal had punched Raider into the far wall. Tristal turned to her boyfriend "But it feel so good" she said.
"Tristal!" a worried voice sounded.
Amy and Kate were having trouble with Nicole, she was shaking violently and every time they tried to touch her she'd curl up tighter and squeal. "How can we help her if she won't let us?" Kate asked.
"It would be a good idea to…"
Amy didn't get to finish because Vegeta walked over and picked Nicole up. When Nicole saw it was Vegeta she clutched to him as if her life depended on it, trying to get as close to him a she could. "It's going to be okay" he whispered to her.
He then turned and walked to the door but before he exited he turned to the shocked and confused room "She stays with me from now on" he told them "She sleeps in my room, she goes no where without an escort who I believe is of calibur to protect her, and not without my permission. She stays by my side at all times unless I say so, and no one is to ever set her up on this…this…dating thing again….this will never happen again to her."
With that he left everyone in complete shock at his words and blatant affection for the girl, and the girls trust in him. The room was completely silent until Kate spoke up "Where was that dad when I was little?"
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Vegeta set Nicole on the bed before reaching up to grab a pillow so he could sleep on the floor but she wouldn't release her hold on his neck. "P-Please don't leave me" she whispered frantically "Please…"
"I'm not going to" he told her "I'm going to be on the floor next to you."
She shook her head clinging frantically to him "No…No! He'll…he'll come back…he…he tried to…he tried to…"
Vegeta felt sadness inside him as he felt her tears begin hit his chest. He sighed, she wasn't just scared…she was terrified. "Alright" he said "But…you need to let go of me for a second.
Reluctantly she let go, and took the time to button up her dress, Vegeta then pulled back the blankets and she crawled into them, he then laid down one layer of sheets down and crawled in himself before covering them both, she then immediately wrapped her arms around him, he wrapped one arm around her in a comforting manner before kissing her forehead "You have nothing to worry about anymore" he told her "Nothing."
He then closed his eyes and waited for her deep sighs before he himself allowed sleep to overtake him, then in the dark night of the room the silence was broken for but a moment when a whisper replied to him "Good-night…father."