I know! You guys noticed what a dunce I am! I don't know where my mind was
when I was updating my chapters, but as you could see, instead of uploading
my chapter for this story, I ended up putting up the same chapter twice. I
think that it happened because I was just uploading quickly and I clicked
the wrong one. Well, I'm sorry for the extra wait, and to everyone who told
me, thank you too.
So here is the next installment of 'At First Sight', I had a minor writers block, but now some new ideas have popped into my head and I have already figured out how it will end. Thank you for your reviews on the last chapter and I won't keep you......
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of the DBZ characters used in this fanfiction
~*~~*~~*~~*~
Proposals
~*~~*~~*~~*~
"What?" Vegeta asked as he looked over. He felt a sneer come over his features, "I could really care less," he said in a dark voice.
Bulma shook her head, "There must be something to it. Yamcha knows that she was trying to hurt me as much as possible, why is he socializing with her?" she asked softly. For some reason, she felt betrayed.
"Woman, let's not bother with this right now. I want to enjoy my meal and you can solve this at some other time," he tried not to sound too harsh.
She looked at him and nodded, "I guess you're right," she murmured.
So for the rest of their meal they had a nice time, which Bulma had not had in years. She couldn't believe that after all these years, she was starting to have some semblance of peace, but it would never be complete without her son.
"What are you thinking about?" Vegeta asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"What do you think?" she asked softly, her eyes watering.
"We'll find him sooner or later, don't you worry," he murmured.
Bulma smiled, "We should get going, I have many things to do," she said.
"Many of which involve me," he gave her a devilish smirk, hinting her what he meant.
She chuckled and nodded, "I let 18 years pass by and I must admit that I missed you terribly," she said softly. Bulma sighed, she had missed being in his strong arms, being held through the night, his kisses and caresses. She still loved him deeply.
"That boy with the lavender hair......... he keeps coming into my mind. He feels familiar," he said quietly, knowing that it sounded strange.
Bulma understood, "I know what you mean. I felt it the first time I saw him. Which happened to be at a restaurant. He was with.......... he was with 18. She said that she was his mother," she said, now that she remembered what had happened a few days ago.
"What?" Vegeta asked darkly. "Last I knew, 18 had a daughter, not a son," he said. It couldn't be, could it? If he found out that the blonde woman had anything to do with the disappearance of his son, then there would be hell to pay. But for now, he would keep it to himself.
His mate looked at him, "He's a sweet boy. I just can't understand how someone like him can come from a woman like her," Bulma said absently.
Vegeta handed his credit card to the waitress and then they sat back to wait. Bulma's eyes took in his features slowly. He didn't look aged, but he did look strikingly attractive. It was unbelievable that she fell in love with him without even knowing what he looked like.
The waitress brought the card back and Vegeta stood, giving Bulma his hand so that she could stand. She gave him a gentle smile and wrapped an arm around his as they began to walk out.
"Can I drop you off at home right now? I have a few things to take care of at the office. I will be back in the evening," Vegeta said as he opened her door to his car and then closed it after she stepped in.
Bulma looked at him and nodded, "I'll use the time to work. I have many things to do and I can't afford to lose it all with you," she said in an insolent tone.
Vegeta glared at her but then smirked, "I will make you pay for that remark tonight," he said before they took off.
~*~~*~~*~~*~
"Hey mom," Trunks called as he walked into the living room of the huge mansion he and his family were living in.
"How was your first day of class?" 18 asked, not taking her eyes off the Soap Opera she was watching.
"Good," he said simply. "I want to talk to you about something," he told her seriously.
18 recognized the serious note in his voice and shut off the TV. She hadn't lived with the boy for many years without getting to know him. "What is it?" she asked as she turned to look at him.
"I want to talk about my real mother," he said.
18's eyes widened briefly and then she composed herself and sat straight. "What do you want to know about that woman? That she abandoned you? That she didn't take the time to love you? What else do you want to know?" she asked in a snappy tone.
Trunks' blue eyes narrowed a little, "I want to know who she was, or who she is. I have every right to know," he said in a low tone.
"Why?" 18 asked.
"I don't know. I'm just curious to know who she is. I want to know why she abandoned me. I want to ask her myself, why......... why she didn't love me," he said sadly.
"This is precisely why I don't want you to know who she is. All this will do is hurt you. Aren't you happy with your life now? Is there something that you don't have and need? What am I doing wrong?" 18 asked as she stood and began to pace.
Trunks sighed in annoyance. Now she would begin to say that he didn't appreciate her sacrifices, the love that she gave him, or even all the things they had now. "You haven't done anything wrong. But I have all the rights to know about my mother. Are you going to tell me or not?" he asked in irritation.
"No! I don't deserve this Trunks! I have always been your mother and you have never needed anything else. I can't believe that you are doing this to me. Your mother doesn't deserve you!" she yelled before she marched out of the room.
Trunks ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "I have to find out who she is. Mom doesn't want me to know who my real mother is for a reason and I have to find out," he said to himself.
~*~~*~~*~
"Oh Trunks, you are too easy," 18 laughed softly as she cleaned away fake tears. "Son of a........." she yelled as she turned on the light in her room and was nearly slammed back against her door.
"Nice performance you gave for the boy," Vegeta snarled. "Who is his mother?" he asked in a deadly whisper, tightening his grip on her neck and cutting off her air supply. "And don't you dare lie to me."
"He's my............. brother's son.......... but he doesn't know it!" 18 gasped, trying to make out the words as she choked.
"Swear it on the life of your daughter," he growled.
"I swear it on............. Maron's life!"
Vegeta released her and watched as she sagged to the floor, coughing and taking deep breaths. He looked at her darkly and then hauled her up roughly by an arm, "I hope, for the sake and safety of your life, that you are not lying to me about that boy. If I find out that you had something to do with the disappearance of my son, I will kill you."
18 could see the rage clouding his dark eyes and knew that he meant his words. For her life, she would have to find a way to keep them from knowing that Trunks was their son. Taking a breath and strengthening her resolve, she smirked, "I had nothing to do with that. You lost your son because you weren't there to protect him. Don't pin that on me."
Vegeta curled a lip in disdain. "I have no idea what I saw in you all those years ago. The way I saw you then and how I see you know are completely different. You are nothing but a leech," he said in a deadly tone.
18 smiled slyly, "But I do remember you enjoying our little romps in bed. The one that is most present in my mind was the last time we were together. I do believe it was almost nineteen years ago," she said.
Vegeta scowled at her, "That was the night that ruined all these years for me. All I feel for that is repulsion, the same thing I feel for you. Heed my warning wench. When I find my son, I better not find out that you had something to do with his disappearance," he snapped before he walked towards the window.
"You know. I can very well visit Bulma to tell her of your little visit. You cheated on her once, what will keep her from not believing me?" she asked him 'sweetly'.
Vegeta stopped at the window and turned to look at the women in annoyance. "Tell her what you want. She won't believe you. Besides, she and I are together again and I will not let YOU, of all people, come between us again," he said smugly, turning to go and flying out the window.
18's slanted eyes, narrowed even more. "You'll never have your son Vegeta. If you find out who he is, I will make sure that he hates you and his mother more than anything in his life. I swear I will," she whispered to herself.
~*~~*~~*~
A Few Weeks Later...........
"I can't believe that you and Vegeta are together again!" Chichi whispered as they sat at the café they had gone to for years, which was located in front of C.C.
Bulma nodded and smiled, "Once again I am putting my trust in him, Chi. If he breaks me heart this time, I will never be able to recover. Even with the gift he has given me," she said softly.
"Which is?" the dark haired woman asked eagerly.
"A child," Bulma said slowly.
Chichi's eyes widened, "You're pregnant?!" she gasped loudly, her face forming into a huge smile. Bulma nodded and leaned over to hug her tightly. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you. I almost had a heart attack when he told me, but I understood that it really wasn't his fault. We are fully bonded, so the pregnancy was a result of that. I think that maybe having this baby will help me," Bulma said as she took a sip of her juice.
Chichi nodded, "My little Goten-chan was the result of our bond. I almost killed Goku when he told me that I was pregnant, but I was also happy. Then when he was born, well, I can't even begin to describe it," she said softly.
Bulma nodded, "I understand. I only held my son for a few moments, but he felt like my world. And I know for a fact that I will find him," she said quietly, not wanting her friend to hear her voice crack.
"I know you will. Life owes it to you. Whoever was responsible for taking your boy will pay. I as the law will hit them with everything there is. Nothing will be enough for those people," Chichi said darkly.
Bulma smiled, her friend had gone back to school during and after her sons were born, and she had gotten a degree in law and was now a lawyer. A very good lawyer too. "Thanks Chi. I know that you along with me, will make that person or persons will pay for what they did to me."
~*~~*~~*~~*~
"Here you go professor Briefs," Trunks said as he handed in his assignment.
"What was wrong with you today? You weren't paying attention to class. It seemed like you weren't putting your mind into it," Bulma murmured as she looked his features over. She could somehow feel his sadness.
"I grew up without my real parents. I asked my mom now to tell me who my real mother was and she refuses to tell me. She says that all I will accomplish is getting hurt, but risking that, I want to meet her," Trunks said sadly.
"18 isn't your mother?" she asked in shock.
Trunks shook his head, "No. When I was old enough to understand, she let me know that I wasn't her son, but she promised that she would take care of me forever. And she has since," he said with a light shrug.
Bulma felt the urge to wrap her arms around him and tell him that everything would be ok, but she didn't and told herself that it was her maternal instinct and that she would probably do that to any distressed child. "Would you like to talk about it?" she asked slowly.
Trunks looked at her and nodded, "Would you join me for a coffee across the street?" he asked.
She nodded and smiled, "Just let me fix my things and I'll gladly join you," Bulma said as she began to put away her papers into the respectful binders.
^.^
"So, all my life I have had everything, except a real mother. My mom, she is more like an aunt to me, or maybe like a baby-sitter. Even Maron thinks the same way I do. She's always given us everything we wanted, but she's not too lovable and caring," Trunks said. They had spent the last half hour talking about his childhood and his pre-teen years.
Bulma nodded, "I can tell," she muttered.
"How do you know her?" he asked curiously.
"I met her long before she had any children. She was married to the man that I am with now," she said uncomfortably. She didn't know as to what point the boy knew about his "mom's" past, she didn't want to say any indiscretions.
"Why don't you get along? Is it because of the man that you are with?" he asked as he took a sip of his glass of carrot and orange juice.
Bulma nodded, "Yes. When I met him, he had been divorced from her for a few years. When you're 'mom' found out, she took it upon herself to drive us apart," she said slowly.
"She didn't succeed, did she?" Trunks asked with a frown.
Bulma sighed, "For these past years, she did succeed, for reasons that shall remain unsaid. I finally forgave him and now we are together again. I love that man more than I ever thought possible," she said with a grin.
Trunks smiled at her open admission of love and thought back to the man that he had seen with his professor those days ago. "You guys look good together. Somehow I have a feeling that I have met you both before," he said softly.
Bulma took in his serious features and frowned, "Would you like it if I helped you find your mother?" she asked softly.
He looked at her with hope shining in his blue eyes, "Would you really do that for me?" he asked.
She nodded, "I have taken a liking to you. The way a mother feels towards her son, and you seem so sad that I want to make you feel better. I guess it is my maternal instinct kicking in whenever I see you," Bulma said sadly.
Trunks noticed the sad note in her voice, "Do you have children of your own?" he asked almost hesitantly.
She nodded, "I....... had a son, almost nineteen years ago. He was......... he was stolen from me the day after. I have searched for him every day of our lives since it happened, but so far, I haven't found him."
"I'm sorry," he whispered. Trunks had no idea why he said that, but he felt sorry for what the beautiful woman in front of him had been put through.
"It's ok sweetheart. I know that I will find him soon. Besides, he needs to know that he is going to have a brother or a sister," she said with a grin.
"You're having a baby?" Trunks asked with a big grin.
Bulma nodded cheerfully, "Yes. I'm so happy about that, but I still miss my little son," she said.
"Congratulations. I know that you deserve this happiness. I hope you find your son too," he said with a smile.
'He looks so familiar!' Bulma thought as she looked at the young man in front of her. She smiled, "I have a very good investigator who is on the trail of my son. He is out of town right now going to high school's that he could have gone to. If he gets me a picture, then I will be able to find my son," Bulma said happily.
Trunks nodded, "That's great! I really do hope, with all my heart, that you find him. A person as sweet as you deserves it," he said.
"Thank you," Bulma replied, then she looked at her watch. "You know what, I have to go. I have so many things to do and it's getting late," she said sadly.
"I have to get home too, or else my mom will wring my neck!" Trunks said as he reached for his wallet.
"Let me," Bulma said as she placed a bill on the table.
Trunks shook his head, "Please let me get this. I wouldn't feel good if I let you get this. If we talk another time you can get that check, please?" He asked her as if he were a small child asking for a cookie before dinner.
Bulma sighed, "Ok. But next time I will get the check," she said as she grabbed her money and stood. "Thank you very much. Talking with you has made me feel so much better," she said.
Trunks picked up the check and nodded, "I don't mind one bit. You feel more motherly than my own mom," he laughed as he walked out with her. "I'll see you next class Mrs. Briefs," he said as he walked over to his car.
Bulma nodded, "Be safe Trunks," she called as she got into hers. Why did it make her heart hurt to see him leave her side? This was getting too strange, Bulma thought. She shook her head and turned the engine over, then she drove home, she needed to desperately feel Vegeta's comforting arms around her.
~*~~*~
"Where were you? Why is it that you didn't even bother to call me and let me know that you would be late?" 18 nagged once Trunks stepped through the door of the mansion they lived in.
Trunks looked at her coolly, "You have never bothered me about this before, why are you doing it now?" he asked. "I have a cell you know, you could have called me if you were worried."
"Don't use that insolent tone with me, Trunks," 18 said as she smacked him roughly upside the head. "Whether you like it or not I AM your mother. Now tell me where you were!" she commanded.
"I was out having a coffee with one of my Professors," he said nonchalantly.
"Which?" she asked suspiciously.
"My advanced physics teacher. I think you know her already," he said slyly.
"Who is it?" 18 snapped.
"Mrs. Bulma Briefs," he said sweetly. "I really like her," he added as an afterthought.
"Is that so? She's your teacher," she said calmly. "Why didn't you tell me this before? And why are you going out with this woman?" her voice rose with every word that came out of her mouth.
"First of all, you never asked me about my teachers or even what classes I was taking. Second of all, I wasn't going out with her the way you put it. She just inspires a sense of peace in me. Besides, she was telling me about a son that was stolen from her," he said sadly.
18 looked at him carefully, "What exactly did she tell you about that?" she asked in curiosity.
"She said that when her son was born, he was stolen from her. But she has hired an investigator that will get her a picture of her son. She will soon find him!" Trunks said happily.
"An investigator?" 18 asked slowly. "Did she tell you who it was?"
Trunks looked at her oddly. "No, we didn't talk about it too much. She's going to help me find my mother," he told her defiantly.
Her ice-blue eyes narrowed and filled with anger. "You are going to continue with that stupid quest to meet the bitch that abandoned you?!" she snarled.
"I will because I am old enough to make my own decisions. I will not be dissuaded from this, if you really know me, then you know that I will not back down. Goodnight, mom," he said the last word sharply. Then he turned and walked to his room.
18 let out a string of curses and tried to calm herself. She needed to be serene and cool about this situation. She paced for a few minutes, pondering on what she should do to prevent Bulma and Vegeta of ever finding out about their son.
Then she snapped her fingers in triumph. She would keep Trunks' identity a secret at all costs. No matter what. The blonde woman chuckled as she made her way to the bar of her home. She was just too brilliant for her own good.
~*~~*~~*~~*~
"Mrs. Briefs!"
Bulma stopped before she entered her office at C.C. "Yes, Leela?" she asked with a smile.
"Earlier this morning a woman called. She said that she was a friend of yours and that you have told her that you would give her your private investigator's number. Was I wrong in giving Mr. Stein's number to her?" she asked.
Bulma thought about it for a moment. Then she frowned, "I don't remember anyone that was my friend asking me for Rick's number. Did the person leave their name?" she asked.
Leela shook her head, "I'm sorry. I think I made a mistake," she said softly.
Bulma smiled and shook her head, "Don't worry about it. There's no problem. Just be careful who you talk to. If someone calls and doesn't give you their name, don't give them any information whatsoever, it doesn't matter what they say, ok?"
The secretary nodded and gave her a smile, "Thank you Mrs. Briefs," she said.
Bulma nodded and then walked into her office, she needed to get many things done before tonight. Vegeta said that he wanted them to talk seriously about something, and she couldn't wait to find out what it was.
Well into the afternoon, she received a visit from non other than Yamcha. He stepped into her office with a warm smile on his face and walked over to give her a kiss on the cheek. "Hey Bulma, how are you doing?" he asked.
Bulma leveled a glare at him and stood up, walking around to stand in front of him. "Explain to me why it is that I saw YOU having dinner with 18 a few weeks ago. You know for a fact, how much that woman hurt me, and yet you seemed to be having a good time with her," she snapped.
Yamcha looked at her with wide eyes and floundered for an answer. But he found that he had none, unless he lied to her. "It wasn't what you thought Bulma! I was merely having a professional conversation with her. Her daughter wants to get into my profession and she was asking me about the best schools, and what steps she had to take," he said in his defense.
She looked at him suspiciously and sighed, for some reason, she didn't believe him. "I really do hope that those are the only reasons that you were with her. She went out of her way to make my life a living hell. She is a bad person Yamcha, she'll hurt you if you let her in," Bulma said softly.
"I'm not letting her in, Bulma," he said seriously. "There is only one woman that I have wanted and will ever want in my life," Yamcha whispered as he reached up a hand and touched her face softly.
"But you know I can't return those feelings, Yamcha. I love you, but not in the way that you would want me to," she whispered a bit sadly as she watched his heart break.
"Why? I just can't understand why you can't love me," he said desperately.
"Because you never took initiative, now you resort to begging her to love you. How pathetic," a deeper, annoyed voice said from the door.
Bulma glared at him, "Vegeta please, this isn't the time for you to start with your hurtful words," she scolded.
"What the hell is this bastard doing here?" Yamcha asked Bulma angrily.
"Yamcha, Vegeta and I are back together," she said slowly. "I love him, even if he acts like a prick sometimes," she said as she looked at the short man.
He merely sent her a scowl and walked towards her, leveling a glare at the other man in the room. "I have things to speak to her about, leave," he ordered.
"Will you stop being a jerk?" Bulma asked him softly. Then she turned to Yamcha. "Maybe we can talk some other day, ok?"
Yamcha just nodded slowly and bent down to give her a quick peck on her forehead. "Take care Bulma," he said before he walked out of her office.
Bulma watched him go sadly, she didn't want to hurt Yamcha, but he had to understand that she couldn't love him, even if she wanted to. She turned to Vegeta and glared at him. "Why the hell do you have to be so rude?" she demanded.
"Please woman. If you're too blind to see, then I'm not. It is clear that there is something going on between them and you refuse to see. That is why I can't tolerate him," Vegeta snapped.
Bulma sighed and shook her head, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You haven't even asked us how we're doing," she said as she rubbed her still flat belly.
"I can feel my brat, so there's no need to ask," he said haughtily.
Her blue eyes narrowed and she pushed him away. "Really?" she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
He nodded and pulled her back into his arms, "How are you doing woman?" he asked her in a flat voice.
"I'm doing great, thank you," she said with a grin.
He 'hmphd' and kissed her softly, intertwining his thoughts with hers, letting her know how much he loved her, even though he didn't say it much. The feelings were so overwhelming that she started to cry.
:: I want to show you something:: he whispered into her mind.
Bulma nodded and squealed when he embraced her and floated into the air, going to the window and opening it. Then, he took off like a rocket as Bulma clung to him in shock. Her eyes took in the quickly disappearing ground and she closed them, praying to God that Vegeta wouldn't drop her.
:: That is a very absurd thought, Bulma ::
"I know, but you can't blame me for being scared," she muttered against his neck.
They suddenly stopped and she felt Vegeta sit in an Indian style and then turn her around gently to sit on his lap. "Look," he said.
Bulma opened her eyes and gasped. "This is beautiful!" she whispered as she took in the scenery.
They were sitting high up in the clouds, but bellow them, she could see the expanse of the ocean, mountains and miles of beautiful forest trees. The highest mountain had snow at its peak, and the forest was surrounded by beautifully colored wild flowers.
Then, Bulma looked down as something cold, smooth and metallic slipped onto her ring finger. Her eyes watered as she took in the shinning, silvery band with diamonds all around it.
:: Marry me woman. You are my mate, but I want you to be mine in every sense, and this is the last thing to do. Will you give me the honor? ::
:: Of course I will :: Bulma cried as she turned in his arms and kissed him, giving him the taste of her happy tears. Could it be possible to love a man the way she loved Vegeta?
:: If it is possible that I love you the way I do. Then yes :: Vegeta said as he caressed her face.
~*~~*~~*~~*~
AM I forgiven for making you wait? I hope so.............
How sweet! They are going to be together, but will they be happy? And what is 18 up to? I can guarantee you that it is nothing good, but you'll have to see it in the next chapter. Have a good weekend and I will try to update soon.
Byebye
~!Joey!~
So here is the next installment of 'At First Sight', I had a minor writers block, but now some new ideas have popped into my head and I have already figured out how it will end. Thank you for your reviews on the last chapter and I won't keep you......
Disclaimer: I don't own DBZ or any of the DBZ characters used in this fanfiction
~*~~*~~*~~*~
Proposals
~*~~*~~*~~*~
"What?" Vegeta asked as he looked over. He felt a sneer come over his features, "I could really care less," he said in a dark voice.
Bulma shook her head, "There must be something to it. Yamcha knows that she was trying to hurt me as much as possible, why is he socializing with her?" she asked softly. For some reason, she felt betrayed.
"Woman, let's not bother with this right now. I want to enjoy my meal and you can solve this at some other time," he tried not to sound too harsh.
She looked at him and nodded, "I guess you're right," she murmured.
So for the rest of their meal they had a nice time, which Bulma had not had in years. She couldn't believe that after all these years, she was starting to have some semblance of peace, but it would never be complete without her son.
"What are you thinking about?" Vegeta asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"What do you think?" she asked softly, her eyes watering.
"We'll find him sooner or later, don't you worry," he murmured.
Bulma smiled, "We should get going, I have many things to do," she said.
"Many of which involve me," he gave her a devilish smirk, hinting her what he meant.
She chuckled and nodded, "I let 18 years pass by and I must admit that I missed you terribly," she said softly. Bulma sighed, she had missed being in his strong arms, being held through the night, his kisses and caresses. She still loved him deeply.
"That boy with the lavender hair......... he keeps coming into my mind. He feels familiar," he said quietly, knowing that it sounded strange.
Bulma understood, "I know what you mean. I felt it the first time I saw him. Which happened to be at a restaurant. He was with.......... he was with 18. She said that she was his mother," she said, now that she remembered what had happened a few days ago.
"What?" Vegeta asked darkly. "Last I knew, 18 had a daughter, not a son," he said. It couldn't be, could it? If he found out that the blonde woman had anything to do with the disappearance of his son, then there would be hell to pay. But for now, he would keep it to himself.
His mate looked at him, "He's a sweet boy. I just can't understand how someone like him can come from a woman like her," Bulma said absently.
Vegeta handed his credit card to the waitress and then they sat back to wait. Bulma's eyes took in his features slowly. He didn't look aged, but he did look strikingly attractive. It was unbelievable that she fell in love with him without even knowing what he looked like.
The waitress brought the card back and Vegeta stood, giving Bulma his hand so that she could stand. She gave him a gentle smile and wrapped an arm around his as they began to walk out.
"Can I drop you off at home right now? I have a few things to take care of at the office. I will be back in the evening," Vegeta said as he opened her door to his car and then closed it after she stepped in.
Bulma looked at him and nodded, "I'll use the time to work. I have many things to do and I can't afford to lose it all with you," she said in an insolent tone.
Vegeta glared at her but then smirked, "I will make you pay for that remark tonight," he said before they took off.
~*~~*~~*~~*~
"Hey mom," Trunks called as he walked into the living room of the huge mansion he and his family were living in.
"How was your first day of class?" 18 asked, not taking her eyes off the Soap Opera she was watching.
"Good," he said simply. "I want to talk to you about something," he told her seriously.
18 recognized the serious note in his voice and shut off the TV. She hadn't lived with the boy for many years without getting to know him. "What is it?" she asked as she turned to look at him.
"I want to talk about my real mother," he said.
18's eyes widened briefly and then she composed herself and sat straight. "What do you want to know about that woman? That she abandoned you? That she didn't take the time to love you? What else do you want to know?" she asked in a snappy tone.
Trunks' blue eyes narrowed a little, "I want to know who she was, or who she is. I have every right to know," he said in a low tone.
"Why?" 18 asked.
"I don't know. I'm just curious to know who she is. I want to know why she abandoned me. I want to ask her myself, why......... why she didn't love me," he said sadly.
"This is precisely why I don't want you to know who she is. All this will do is hurt you. Aren't you happy with your life now? Is there something that you don't have and need? What am I doing wrong?" 18 asked as she stood and began to pace.
Trunks sighed in annoyance. Now she would begin to say that he didn't appreciate her sacrifices, the love that she gave him, or even all the things they had now. "You haven't done anything wrong. But I have all the rights to know about my mother. Are you going to tell me or not?" he asked in irritation.
"No! I don't deserve this Trunks! I have always been your mother and you have never needed anything else. I can't believe that you are doing this to me. Your mother doesn't deserve you!" she yelled before she marched out of the room.
Trunks ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "I have to find out who she is. Mom doesn't want me to know who my real mother is for a reason and I have to find out," he said to himself.
~*~~*~~*~
"Oh Trunks, you are too easy," 18 laughed softly as she cleaned away fake tears. "Son of a........." she yelled as she turned on the light in her room and was nearly slammed back against her door.
"Nice performance you gave for the boy," Vegeta snarled. "Who is his mother?" he asked in a deadly whisper, tightening his grip on her neck and cutting off her air supply. "And don't you dare lie to me."
"He's my............. brother's son.......... but he doesn't know it!" 18 gasped, trying to make out the words as she choked.
"Swear it on the life of your daughter," he growled.
"I swear it on............. Maron's life!"
Vegeta released her and watched as she sagged to the floor, coughing and taking deep breaths. He looked at her darkly and then hauled her up roughly by an arm, "I hope, for the sake and safety of your life, that you are not lying to me about that boy. If I find out that you had something to do with the disappearance of my son, I will kill you."
18 could see the rage clouding his dark eyes and knew that he meant his words. For her life, she would have to find a way to keep them from knowing that Trunks was their son. Taking a breath and strengthening her resolve, she smirked, "I had nothing to do with that. You lost your son because you weren't there to protect him. Don't pin that on me."
Vegeta curled a lip in disdain. "I have no idea what I saw in you all those years ago. The way I saw you then and how I see you know are completely different. You are nothing but a leech," he said in a deadly tone.
18 smiled slyly, "But I do remember you enjoying our little romps in bed. The one that is most present in my mind was the last time we were together. I do believe it was almost nineteen years ago," she said.
Vegeta scowled at her, "That was the night that ruined all these years for me. All I feel for that is repulsion, the same thing I feel for you. Heed my warning wench. When I find my son, I better not find out that you had something to do with his disappearance," he snapped before he walked towards the window.
"You know. I can very well visit Bulma to tell her of your little visit. You cheated on her once, what will keep her from not believing me?" she asked him 'sweetly'.
Vegeta stopped at the window and turned to look at the women in annoyance. "Tell her what you want. She won't believe you. Besides, she and I are together again and I will not let YOU, of all people, come between us again," he said smugly, turning to go and flying out the window.
18's slanted eyes, narrowed even more. "You'll never have your son Vegeta. If you find out who he is, I will make sure that he hates you and his mother more than anything in his life. I swear I will," she whispered to herself.
~*~~*~~*~
A Few Weeks Later...........
"I can't believe that you and Vegeta are together again!" Chichi whispered as they sat at the café they had gone to for years, which was located in front of C.C.
Bulma nodded and smiled, "Once again I am putting my trust in him, Chi. If he breaks me heart this time, I will never be able to recover. Even with the gift he has given me," she said softly.
"Which is?" the dark haired woman asked eagerly.
"A child," Bulma said slowly.
Chichi's eyes widened, "You're pregnant?!" she gasped loudly, her face forming into a huge smile. Bulma nodded and leaned over to hug her tightly. "Congratulations!"
"Thank you. I almost had a heart attack when he told me, but I understood that it really wasn't his fault. We are fully bonded, so the pregnancy was a result of that. I think that maybe having this baby will help me," Bulma said as she took a sip of her juice.
Chichi nodded, "My little Goten-chan was the result of our bond. I almost killed Goku when he told me that I was pregnant, but I was also happy. Then when he was born, well, I can't even begin to describe it," she said softly.
Bulma nodded, "I understand. I only held my son for a few moments, but he felt like my world. And I know for a fact that I will find him," she said quietly, not wanting her friend to hear her voice crack.
"I know you will. Life owes it to you. Whoever was responsible for taking your boy will pay. I as the law will hit them with everything there is. Nothing will be enough for those people," Chichi said darkly.
Bulma smiled, her friend had gone back to school during and after her sons were born, and she had gotten a degree in law and was now a lawyer. A very good lawyer too. "Thanks Chi. I know that you along with me, will make that person or persons will pay for what they did to me."
~*~~*~~*~~*~
"Here you go professor Briefs," Trunks said as he handed in his assignment.
"What was wrong with you today? You weren't paying attention to class. It seemed like you weren't putting your mind into it," Bulma murmured as she looked his features over. She could somehow feel his sadness.
"I grew up without my real parents. I asked my mom now to tell me who my real mother was and she refuses to tell me. She says that all I will accomplish is getting hurt, but risking that, I want to meet her," Trunks said sadly.
"18 isn't your mother?" she asked in shock.
Trunks shook his head, "No. When I was old enough to understand, she let me know that I wasn't her son, but she promised that she would take care of me forever. And she has since," he said with a light shrug.
Bulma felt the urge to wrap her arms around him and tell him that everything would be ok, but she didn't and told herself that it was her maternal instinct and that she would probably do that to any distressed child. "Would you like to talk about it?" she asked slowly.
Trunks looked at her and nodded, "Would you join me for a coffee across the street?" he asked.
She nodded and smiled, "Just let me fix my things and I'll gladly join you," Bulma said as she began to put away her papers into the respectful binders.
^.^
"So, all my life I have had everything, except a real mother. My mom, she is more like an aunt to me, or maybe like a baby-sitter. Even Maron thinks the same way I do. She's always given us everything we wanted, but she's not too lovable and caring," Trunks said. They had spent the last half hour talking about his childhood and his pre-teen years.
Bulma nodded, "I can tell," she muttered.
"How do you know her?" he asked curiously.
"I met her long before she had any children. She was married to the man that I am with now," she said uncomfortably. She didn't know as to what point the boy knew about his "mom's" past, she didn't want to say any indiscretions.
"Why don't you get along? Is it because of the man that you are with?" he asked as he took a sip of his glass of carrot and orange juice.
Bulma nodded, "Yes. When I met him, he had been divorced from her for a few years. When you're 'mom' found out, she took it upon herself to drive us apart," she said slowly.
"She didn't succeed, did she?" Trunks asked with a frown.
Bulma sighed, "For these past years, she did succeed, for reasons that shall remain unsaid. I finally forgave him and now we are together again. I love that man more than I ever thought possible," she said with a grin.
Trunks smiled at her open admission of love and thought back to the man that he had seen with his professor those days ago. "You guys look good together. Somehow I have a feeling that I have met you both before," he said softly.
Bulma took in his serious features and frowned, "Would you like it if I helped you find your mother?" she asked softly.
He looked at her with hope shining in his blue eyes, "Would you really do that for me?" he asked.
She nodded, "I have taken a liking to you. The way a mother feels towards her son, and you seem so sad that I want to make you feel better. I guess it is my maternal instinct kicking in whenever I see you," Bulma said sadly.
Trunks noticed the sad note in her voice, "Do you have children of your own?" he asked almost hesitantly.
She nodded, "I....... had a son, almost nineteen years ago. He was......... he was stolen from me the day after. I have searched for him every day of our lives since it happened, but so far, I haven't found him."
"I'm sorry," he whispered. Trunks had no idea why he said that, but he felt sorry for what the beautiful woman in front of him had been put through.
"It's ok sweetheart. I know that I will find him soon. Besides, he needs to know that he is going to have a brother or a sister," she said with a grin.
"You're having a baby?" Trunks asked with a big grin.
Bulma nodded cheerfully, "Yes. I'm so happy about that, but I still miss my little son," she said.
"Congratulations. I know that you deserve this happiness. I hope you find your son too," he said with a smile.
'He looks so familiar!' Bulma thought as she looked at the young man in front of her. She smiled, "I have a very good investigator who is on the trail of my son. He is out of town right now going to high school's that he could have gone to. If he gets me a picture, then I will be able to find my son," Bulma said happily.
Trunks nodded, "That's great! I really do hope, with all my heart, that you find him. A person as sweet as you deserves it," he said.
"Thank you," Bulma replied, then she looked at her watch. "You know what, I have to go. I have so many things to do and it's getting late," she said sadly.
"I have to get home too, or else my mom will wring my neck!" Trunks said as he reached for his wallet.
"Let me," Bulma said as she placed a bill on the table.
Trunks shook his head, "Please let me get this. I wouldn't feel good if I let you get this. If we talk another time you can get that check, please?" He asked her as if he were a small child asking for a cookie before dinner.
Bulma sighed, "Ok. But next time I will get the check," she said as she grabbed her money and stood. "Thank you very much. Talking with you has made me feel so much better," she said.
Trunks picked up the check and nodded, "I don't mind one bit. You feel more motherly than my own mom," he laughed as he walked out with her. "I'll see you next class Mrs. Briefs," he said as he walked over to his car.
Bulma nodded, "Be safe Trunks," she called as she got into hers. Why did it make her heart hurt to see him leave her side? This was getting too strange, Bulma thought. She shook her head and turned the engine over, then she drove home, she needed to desperately feel Vegeta's comforting arms around her.
~*~~*~
"Where were you? Why is it that you didn't even bother to call me and let me know that you would be late?" 18 nagged once Trunks stepped through the door of the mansion they lived in.
Trunks looked at her coolly, "You have never bothered me about this before, why are you doing it now?" he asked. "I have a cell you know, you could have called me if you were worried."
"Don't use that insolent tone with me, Trunks," 18 said as she smacked him roughly upside the head. "Whether you like it or not I AM your mother. Now tell me where you were!" she commanded.
"I was out having a coffee with one of my Professors," he said nonchalantly.
"Which?" she asked suspiciously.
"My advanced physics teacher. I think you know her already," he said slyly.
"Who is it?" 18 snapped.
"Mrs. Bulma Briefs," he said sweetly. "I really like her," he added as an afterthought.
"Is that so? She's your teacher," she said calmly. "Why didn't you tell me this before? And why are you going out with this woman?" her voice rose with every word that came out of her mouth.
"First of all, you never asked me about my teachers or even what classes I was taking. Second of all, I wasn't going out with her the way you put it. She just inspires a sense of peace in me. Besides, she was telling me about a son that was stolen from her," he said sadly.
18 looked at him carefully, "What exactly did she tell you about that?" she asked in curiosity.
"She said that when her son was born, he was stolen from her. But she has hired an investigator that will get her a picture of her son. She will soon find him!" Trunks said happily.
"An investigator?" 18 asked slowly. "Did she tell you who it was?"
Trunks looked at her oddly. "No, we didn't talk about it too much. She's going to help me find my mother," he told her defiantly.
Her ice-blue eyes narrowed and filled with anger. "You are going to continue with that stupid quest to meet the bitch that abandoned you?!" she snarled.
"I will because I am old enough to make my own decisions. I will not be dissuaded from this, if you really know me, then you know that I will not back down. Goodnight, mom," he said the last word sharply. Then he turned and walked to his room.
18 let out a string of curses and tried to calm herself. She needed to be serene and cool about this situation. She paced for a few minutes, pondering on what she should do to prevent Bulma and Vegeta of ever finding out about their son.
Then she snapped her fingers in triumph. She would keep Trunks' identity a secret at all costs. No matter what. The blonde woman chuckled as she made her way to the bar of her home. She was just too brilliant for her own good.
~*~~*~~*~~*~
"Mrs. Briefs!"
Bulma stopped before she entered her office at C.C. "Yes, Leela?" she asked with a smile.
"Earlier this morning a woman called. She said that she was a friend of yours and that you have told her that you would give her your private investigator's number. Was I wrong in giving Mr. Stein's number to her?" she asked.
Bulma thought about it for a moment. Then she frowned, "I don't remember anyone that was my friend asking me for Rick's number. Did the person leave their name?" she asked.
Leela shook her head, "I'm sorry. I think I made a mistake," she said softly.
Bulma smiled and shook her head, "Don't worry about it. There's no problem. Just be careful who you talk to. If someone calls and doesn't give you their name, don't give them any information whatsoever, it doesn't matter what they say, ok?"
The secretary nodded and gave her a smile, "Thank you Mrs. Briefs," she said.
Bulma nodded and then walked into her office, she needed to get many things done before tonight. Vegeta said that he wanted them to talk seriously about something, and she couldn't wait to find out what it was.
Well into the afternoon, she received a visit from non other than Yamcha. He stepped into her office with a warm smile on his face and walked over to give her a kiss on the cheek. "Hey Bulma, how are you doing?" he asked.
Bulma leveled a glare at him and stood up, walking around to stand in front of him. "Explain to me why it is that I saw YOU having dinner with 18 a few weeks ago. You know for a fact, how much that woman hurt me, and yet you seemed to be having a good time with her," she snapped.
Yamcha looked at her with wide eyes and floundered for an answer. But he found that he had none, unless he lied to her. "It wasn't what you thought Bulma! I was merely having a professional conversation with her. Her daughter wants to get into my profession and she was asking me about the best schools, and what steps she had to take," he said in his defense.
She looked at him suspiciously and sighed, for some reason, she didn't believe him. "I really do hope that those are the only reasons that you were with her. She went out of her way to make my life a living hell. She is a bad person Yamcha, she'll hurt you if you let her in," Bulma said softly.
"I'm not letting her in, Bulma," he said seriously. "There is only one woman that I have wanted and will ever want in my life," Yamcha whispered as he reached up a hand and touched her face softly.
"But you know I can't return those feelings, Yamcha. I love you, but not in the way that you would want me to," she whispered a bit sadly as she watched his heart break.
"Why? I just can't understand why you can't love me," he said desperately.
"Because you never took initiative, now you resort to begging her to love you. How pathetic," a deeper, annoyed voice said from the door.
Bulma glared at him, "Vegeta please, this isn't the time for you to start with your hurtful words," she scolded.
"What the hell is this bastard doing here?" Yamcha asked Bulma angrily.
"Yamcha, Vegeta and I are back together," she said slowly. "I love him, even if he acts like a prick sometimes," she said as she looked at the short man.
He merely sent her a scowl and walked towards her, leveling a glare at the other man in the room. "I have things to speak to her about, leave," he ordered.
"Will you stop being a jerk?" Bulma asked him softly. Then she turned to Yamcha. "Maybe we can talk some other day, ok?"
Yamcha just nodded slowly and bent down to give her a quick peck on her forehead. "Take care Bulma," he said before he walked out of her office.
Bulma watched him go sadly, she didn't want to hurt Yamcha, but he had to understand that she couldn't love him, even if she wanted to. She turned to Vegeta and glared at him. "Why the hell do you have to be so rude?" she demanded.
"Please woman. If you're too blind to see, then I'm not. It is clear that there is something going on between them and you refuse to see. That is why I can't tolerate him," Vegeta snapped.
Bulma sighed and shook her head, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You haven't even asked us how we're doing," she said as she rubbed her still flat belly.
"I can feel my brat, so there's no need to ask," he said haughtily.
Her blue eyes narrowed and she pushed him away. "Really?" she asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
He nodded and pulled her back into his arms, "How are you doing woman?" he asked her in a flat voice.
"I'm doing great, thank you," she said with a grin.
He 'hmphd' and kissed her softly, intertwining his thoughts with hers, letting her know how much he loved her, even though he didn't say it much. The feelings were so overwhelming that she started to cry.
:: I want to show you something:: he whispered into her mind.
Bulma nodded and squealed when he embraced her and floated into the air, going to the window and opening it. Then, he took off like a rocket as Bulma clung to him in shock. Her eyes took in the quickly disappearing ground and she closed them, praying to God that Vegeta wouldn't drop her.
:: That is a very absurd thought, Bulma ::
"I know, but you can't blame me for being scared," she muttered against his neck.
They suddenly stopped and she felt Vegeta sit in an Indian style and then turn her around gently to sit on his lap. "Look," he said.
Bulma opened her eyes and gasped. "This is beautiful!" she whispered as she took in the scenery.
They were sitting high up in the clouds, but bellow them, she could see the expanse of the ocean, mountains and miles of beautiful forest trees. The highest mountain had snow at its peak, and the forest was surrounded by beautifully colored wild flowers.
Then, Bulma looked down as something cold, smooth and metallic slipped onto her ring finger. Her eyes watered as she took in the shinning, silvery band with diamonds all around it.
:: Marry me woman. You are my mate, but I want you to be mine in every sense, and this is the last thing to do. Will you give me the honor? ::
:: Of course I will :: Bulma cried as she turned in his arms and kissed him, giving him the taste of her happy tears. Could it be possible to love a man the way she loved Vegeta?
:: If it is possible that I love you the way I do. Then yes :: Vegeta said as he caressed her face.
~*~~*~~*~~*~
AM I forgiven for making you wait? I hope so.............
How sweet! They are going to be together, but will they be happy? And what is 18 up to? I can guarantee you that it is nothing good, but you'll have to see it in the next chapter. Have a good weekend and I will try to update soon.
Byebye
~!Joey!~