A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews. I was overwhelmed by the amount of support I received after chapter 11. I loved seeing the mix of old and new readers. I must say thank you to you all for your compliments, most of which centered around my keeping them in character, which is very important to me.
A question for you all, because I value your opinions. I've been thinking about how long within the DBZ universe this story should go, and I have yet to come to a decision. Of course, there's still a good 5 or so chapters yet within this storyline, but when that finishes, would you like me to continue to write until the Buu saga, or end it after the three years? Also, I could end this story and write a sequel, which is also an option. What do you guys think?
Next piece of business, I am working on a rewrite of Obstacles. I'm not sure if anyone reading this story had also read what I have posted of the original Obstacles, but, a new and better one is on the way.
Finally:
To ASA – I'm semi-alright. Physically still hurting, but mentally, I just had a lot of stress lifted from me. I've read half of the last chapter I was on of your story so far, I promise I will finish it. Things should be getting less hectic and stressed here soon.
Windows to the Soul
Chapter 12
I pace back and forth in the middle of my living room, not entirely sure what I should do. If Vegeta had left earlier to do something to Reese, he was back now. I was waiting for one of two things to happen, either the news was going to come on the television, or Vegeta was going to come inside, either way, I was determined to find out what he had done. I don't know why I let Vegeta in on what was going on in the first place. I should have known better. He had killed the entire population of planets, I should have known that he wouldn't hesitate to kill one human man. I can feel a headache start to build behind my eyes. I don't want to feel responsible for the death of anyone, even a slimy asshole like Reese. Then another thought crosses my mind, Reese is married. What about his poor wife? She'll never know who killed him, she'll never have closure, she'll drink herself mad, and get institutionalized where she'll live out the rest of her life, carving the words 'why' and 'who' into the walls…
I flop down on the sofa and close my eyes, trying to think with the rational part of my brain again. I have no doubt that Reese's office has security cameras, which means they'll catch Vegeta in the act. Reese's assistant will recognize Vegeta and connect him to me, with video footage from the day before of us together to back up her claims. I'll be arrested, charged with first degree murder, and spend the rest of my days in a jail cell. Maybe I'll get released early on good behavior. It's not like I have a criminal record either, maybe the judge will go easy on me. I can always flee the country, it's not like I don't have enough money to start a new life. I have lots of options.
I hear the intro music for the local news and open my eyes. I find the television remote and increase the volume, just as the intro ends and the camera focuses in on a 'pretty boy' newscaster. He throws us a bright smile and welcomes us for tonight. His face goes serious as he announces the top story of the night, the violent attack on businessman Reese Score. I groan and continue to watch as the newscaster goes on in his fake serious voice.
"Reese Score, the chairman of Score Incorporated, was found brutally assaulted behind upscale restaurant 'La Tour' at approximately noon today. He's being treated at West City General Hospital, and as of the time of this report, has yet to wake up. He's been diagnosed with intensive head injuries, and multiple fractures. Police are reluctant to comment on the case and whether or not they have a suspect. No one has yet to be brought into custody in connection with the assault. In other news, Candy Farms welcomes its newest addition to its award winning stable of purebred horses-"
I flick the television off with a shake of my head. That newscaster always leaves a bad taste in my mouth, he switches so easily from somber to cheerful that you're reluctant to trust anything that comes out of his mouth. He gave me the info I wanted to know though. Vegeta didn't kill Reese, just put him out of commission for a while. For some reason, that new knowledge made me smile, and I couldn't help the warm feeling that came over me. It was almost like I… My mouth gaped open, I was not going to finish that thought. I have enough trouble in my life without having to worry about unwanted and unreturned foolish feelings. I am not going to think about this, I refuse to. I shake my head to clear it before standing up to leave. I turn towards the door and let out a gasp at the man standing there. Seeing him was the last thing I had expected. I scowled, "what are you doing here?"
"Were you waiting for that report, or just watching the news, Bulma?" my guest replies, his voice bitter.
"You didn't answer my question," I remind him, "Yamcha."
Yamcha rolls his eyes, "you have to be difficult don't you? I was here to warn you about your houseguest, but it seemed my trip was in vain."
I place my hands on my hips and narrow my eyes, "what are you talking about?" I motion towards the shut off television, "are you referring to what happened to Score? How did you even know about that before now?"
"I was dining in the restaurant and felt the influx of ki," Yamcha explains, "a ki I was very familiar with." He takes a few steps towards me, "Bulma, were you a part of this?"
"What? No!" I exclaim. "How could you even think such a thing? God, Yamcha, do you know nothing about me?"
"I used to," he replies, "but a lot of stuff about you has changed since then."
"Yeah, like the man in my bed," I reply angrily, before smacking a hand over my mouth. Wrong thing to say.
Yamcha shakes his head, "you're unbelievable, I thought you'd get this out of your system, but, instead you're sleeping with him? What is wrong with you? You just watched a report on what that maniac did to an innocent man, and you didn't even bat an eyelash."
"Yeah, well, my business is my own and it's no longer any of your concern," I tell him coldly. "What did you think was going to happen? That you'd race over here and confess Vegeta's sins to me, and after I would swoon in dismay and jump into your arms as my big savior?"
"You are incredibly ungrateful, you know that?" Yamcha responds, "Out of worry for your safety, I come over here and I get nothing but the cold shoulder."
"If you're not happy here, then leave. Nothing is stopping you," I told him, crossing my arms over my chest. My cell phone rings at just the right moment and I pick it up without another glance at Yamcha. I turn my back to him and speak into the phone, "Bulma Briefs speaking." I hear a growl and footsteps behind me as Yamcha leaves.
"Bulma, darling, how have you been?" The pompous voice of Lait meets my ear.
"I've been wonderful," I lie. "How has your star spangled life been?"
She laughs airily, "it's been one amazing experience after another, a whirlwind of men, booze, and occasionally an hour or so of work."
I roll my eyes, "so, what do I owe this call?"
"I want to kidnap you tonight," Lait states, "we'll go out, have some drinks, pick up a couple guys." She laughes again.
"Sounds good," I say. I do need a night to relax, and maybe going out with the girls is just what I need. "Is Taya coming?"
"Taya's busy," Lait says, almost a little too quickly. She pauses for a moment like she realizes this before laughing again.
I hesitate for a moment. "Alright," I say.
--
I run a brush through my hair again, trying to work out all the kinks. I'm still feeling some of the repercussions of getting a perm in my hair. I think I should get it cut off to above my shoulders soon, this long hair thing is more problem then it's worth. I grab an elastic and tie it back, giving up on my quest to straighten it. A quick check in the mirror in front of me tells me that my make-up is still perfect. I walk out of my bathroom to my adjacent bedroom, making a beeline for my walk in closet. "What are you doing here?" I ask during my journey through my bedroom.
"Currently marveling over your inane ministrations," Vegeta replies from his leaning point beside my balcony doors.
"Don't knock what you don't get, Vegeta," I say from inside my closet as I thumb through my 'night out' dresses, "and speaking of 'knocking', ever hear of it?"
He makes a scoffing sound and I roll my eyes. Whatever was I thinking, the Prince needn't knock. I hear footsteps and it isn't long before he's leaning in the doorway of my closet, his arms crossed over his chest.
I sigh as I turn to him, "I know you want something, what is it?" It isn't often that he seeks me out.
He uncrosses his arms to show a knife in his right hand, which he holds up. A small shiver goes down my spine at the sight of him with a weapon. He motions for me to come towards him, which I do slowly. When I'm within arms reach, he flips the knife around so he's holding the blade with the handle pointed towards me.
"Take it," he says, "you're going to need it."
"What?" I ask, confused.
"Don't question me, just take it, and keep it in an accessible spot," he urges, faintly hiding his annoyance at being questioned.
I reach out, taking a hold of the handle of the small blade. He holds onto it for a moment, staring into my eyes, before letting go. I glance at the knife in my hands before looking at him again, still not understanding why I need to carry it.
He smirks, and turns away from me to walk out of my bedroom. I watch him go with a small smile before looking back at the knife he gave me. I hold it up in front of my body, before placing it down on a small table. First, I need to get dressed, then I'll go raid my fathers' lab for anything I can use to secure the knife to my body.
I look through my closet once more, finally pulling out a ruby red dress with a flowing skirt on it that reaches my knees. The top of it was tight and the neckline dipped down in a 'v' to just under my breasts. I figure it would suit me well for a night out, and at the same time, the looseness of the skirt would keep the knife attached to my thigh hidden.
--
I down another shot, and slam the glass down on the bar. Lait was sitting beside me talking with a few guys, all of which I regarded with disdain. I roll my eyes as I see an attractive young man walking towards me. He stops in front of me, and flashes me a bright, white smile. He runs a hand through his full black hair and makes a show of looking me up and down.
"Hey, sweetheart, my name's Cheddar, what's yours?" he asks, his words slightly slurred.
I sigh and glance at Lait, who was fully enjoying herself. "Why don't you join those guys in flirting with my friend, because I am not interested."
"I don't see a ring on your finger," he points out.
"I have a boyfriend," I half-lie.
"Come on, baby, you might as well be single then," he slurs, and leans towards me slightly. "I can guarantee you a good time."
"Get lost," I reply.
He grabs my arm and pulls me to my feet, "baby, you know you won't get better than me tonight."
I pull my arm away from him, "listen buddy, I belong to someone, and he is not the type of person who appreciates other people touching his stuff, and he has a serious temper problem."
I turn away from him and grab Lait's forearm to get her attention, "let's get out of here."
She pouts slightly, before nodding. She exchanges goodbyes with the guys before following me towards the exit.
--
After a short cab ride, we arrived at Lait's condo complex. We took the elevator to the fifth floor before stepping out into the hallway and entering into a plush, sophisticated living room. I look around, having never visited her condo before. I couldn't help the uneasy feeling that came over me from being in that space. As rich as the space appeared, it gave off a feeling of emptiness, almost like it was all a front, like no one actually lived there. There were no photographs or personal mementoes in sight from what I could tell.
Lait excused herself to go to the bathroom. I wait a beat after hearing the door close, then I quietly make my way to a door that I supposed would lead to the master bedroom. I open it slowly, before slipping inside and hitting the light switch just inside the doorway. Something just didn't seem right here, and I couldn't help the need to investigate.
The bedroom was almost bare. There was a king sized bed with a canopy over top in the middle, a night stand beside it, a dresser on the opposite wall, and a vanity table against the wall opposite the door. The vanity seemed to be the only surface in the room that wasn't bare, so I carefully made my way over to it.
There was a mirror attached to the wall behind it, and a make-up case and jewelry box on top of it. I open a couple of the drawers in it, only to find nothing inside. I open the large jewelry box and frown. There was only a couple necklaces, a pair of diamond earrings, and two diamond rings inside. I pick up one of the diamond rings which looks oddly familiar to me, although I could swear that I've never seen Lait wear it before. Realization dawns on me. I gasp and drop the ring back into the box. I turn and make a run for the bedroom door. I'm halfway across the living room when Lait emerges from the bathroom.
She looks at me curiously, eyes scanning my face, before glancing towards her bedroom where I've forgotten to close the door in my haste. She rolls her eyes and disappears into the bathroom for another moment. I take the opportunity to try to get closer to the door.
"Stop!" she commands, walking back into the room with a gun pointed towards me.
I immediately freeze, my eyes going wide. I can't believe Lait has a gun pointed towards me, she's supposed to be a friend of mine. Then again, she wasn't a true friend. She used me.
"Tell me, Lait, was it you or your husband that broke into my office?" I ask through gritted teeth, keeping my hand down near my hidden weapon.
She laughs, a sound I once found airy, that now I find it devious. "You're too curious for your own good, Bulma, darling. You couldn't just be a good girl and wait for me to slip something in your drink could you? You had to go snooping through my things, and now, I'm going to get blood all over this carpet. Oh well, your blood in exchange for Reese's, seems fair to me."
"Bitch!" I exclaim. "Were you ever actually my friend Lait, or was it all a ruse from the start?"
"We were never friends, you were useful to me," she tells me, her gun never moving. "Darling Reese was a business acquaintance back then, it was all his idea. Have me 'bump' into you again, gain your trust, and steal your ideas. Of course, with the new technology he discovered, it all became much easier. You, you were not supposed to be able to track us, you ruined it all. Then, you just had to get that boyfriend of yours to attack him. I know it was you behind it, and I know it was him. It's all just too coincidental that you two just happened by his office the day before."
"Seems about right that you were nothing but a hired gun, that he was the brains behind it all," I spit out. "And our visit was a direct result of threats on my life. Unfortunately for him, my boyfriend doesn't deal in threats, he just acts." I try hard to keep my voice smooth, and keep my fear from showing. I can't let her know my fear makes me weaker than her right now, she would just take advantage of it. I have to keep appearing calm, regardless of how frantic my thoughts are.
She narrows her eyes at me, "he will never fully recover from this, you ruined my life! He's going to be useless to his company, and I am going to run out of money!"
"What's wrong, those wrinkles around your eyes keeping you from getting modeling gigs?" I ask, faking sympathy.
She growls, "I am gorgeous!" As if to accentuate her point, she pulls the trigger.
