When Bulma and Vegeta reached their rooms, they just sat down on the couch together. She was curled up against him, and he was rubbing her back. There weren't any tears or hysterics from either of them. But after the scare that they had, they couldn't just lie down and go to sleep. Vegeta was glaring at the window, as if the killer was standing on the other side. He was out for blood. The coward had come too close. When he got his hands on him, he'd do far worse than break his legs, now.

Though, he couldn't focus on that until he was sure that Bulma was safe.

They hadn't talked about what they were going to do, yet. Their nerves were shot for the evening, and she didn't even want to think about what had almost happened. He couldn't stay by her side all of the time. She had her duties and he had his. There was Raditz or Nappa, but they had other duties, as well. As for those guards, he doubted they'd stand a chance against the murderer. If he had managed to break in under their noses, truly nowhere was safe anymore.

Nowhere on Planet Vegeta, at least.

"When are you going to Earth, next," Vegeta asked.

She glanced up and shrugged. "I don't know," she said with a sigh. "Probably not for another few months." She shut her eyes. "God, I hope it'll all be over, by then…"

Vegeta nodded. "Would you have to go back, just for business?"

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Vegeta, what do you mean?"

He didn't roll his eyes – she was no doubt frazzled from the night they had. "I mean to suggest that you return to Earth, for the meanwhile. Until this coward's dead and buried."

She shook her head, and sat up. "Vegeta, no. I-I can't abandon you. I'm not going leave you to fight through this by yourself. You know I wouldn't."

"I can't fight through this at all until I'm certain you're safe. And you aren't safe here. If I'm focused on that, I can't focus on getting rid of the bastard."

"Are you saying I'm a distraction?"

"Don't put words into my mouth."

Bulma grabbed his shoulders. "Vegeta, I already told you I can't abandon you like this. What if something comes up and you need me? How hard is it going to be for me to help, all the way on Earth?"

"We'll just have to deal with that when it comes."

She couldn't believe this. "I'm not leaving you. I can't."

"That coward knows you, Bulma. He was able to get into the palace undetected. What if I hadn't heard you, tonight? And I can't be by your side constantly guarding you."

"The guards are still here, though. Just get a few of them to stay by when you can't!"

"If he was able to get passed our defenses, what hopes do a few lowly guards have? Quit being so stubborn, and listen to me: you're not safe here."

She sighed, turning away from him. She never thought he would think of just sending her away without asking her, first. He hadn't even considered her opinion before he started trying to convince her. He, of all people, should understand what it's like to have your life controlled by others. However, she still couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't safe. Whether it is the killer or the people that hated her, everything just made her feel unwanted. These last few months had been hell. Maybe a little time away from Planet Vegeta would be for the best. She sighed. She still didn't like the way he had spoken to her.

"You might be right," she said. "But I don't like choices being made for me. You know that."

He wrapped his arms around her waist. "I never wanted to choose for you. It was only a suggestion."

Bulma shook her head, falling against him. She was still probably frazzled by what happened earlier. Her irrational mind had taken over, assuming the worst for everything. She took a breath to calm herself down. Of course, Vegeta wouldn't try to send her away – he would never do that. As she began to think more about what he asked, the more it made sense. A large target was practically painted on her back, and the killer had shown their security was useless. Maybe Earth was the best place to go. She just wished that there were still a way that she could help, over there.

After a moment of hesitation, she spoke, again, with a sigh. "When should I go?"

"The sooner, the better."

The next morning, Bulma walked up to the top floor of the palace, where the king's study sat. She breathed in, and knocked on it.

"You may enter," said the king on the other side. She pressed a button, and the door slid open. The king glanced up. "Ah, Bulma. I was just thinking about you. What brings you here?"

Bulma still didn't know how to address the king. She wasn't a princess, yet, so she hardly felt comfortable acting friendly with him. Yet, he treated her casually as he would Nappa or any of his peers. He was laid back, but she always stuck with formalities, when she spoke with him. She doubted he'd have her head if she didn't, but it just felt too weird not to. The door closed behind her, and she did a small curtsy. "Your majesty, I need to ask your permission for something."

"Yes, please – go on." He clasped his hands together, looking eager to hear her answer. He was probably hoping that she and Vegeta would finally get married – Nappa had told her that he was still asking.

"I was talking with Vegeta, about what happened last night."

His smile faded, but he nodded. "Go on."

"And… well… we think it's best if I go live back on Earth, for a while. He doesn't think it's safe, if the killer was able to get into the palace. I feel like kind of a target, just sitting around here."

He sighed. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Are you sure that you want to go? Vegeta won't be able to go with you, if you do."

"We've talked about it. It's not what we want, but we'll put up with it until these murders get solved."

The king stared at her, for a moment. He waved his hand, as he took out another piece of paperwork. "Well, if it will ease your mind, then you may go. Think of it as an extended vacation – you've earned it."

She blinked, in surprise. She hadn't thought it would go down that easily. She thought he might need more convincing, or that he thought she might be needed more here. "Thank you, your majesty. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry I won't be able to help, all the way out there."

"Don't say that just yet. Maybe you'll still find something out there. If that's all, you're dismissed." He went back to working on paperwork. Bulma quietly got up from her chair and left the room.

She thought about what he told her. She supposed that she could do a bit of work back on Earth, but she didn't have the direct connection with the lab, anymore. There would have to be a lot of variables to work around – time zones, connections, she wouldn't be able to see any new evidence hands on, and there would just be a disconnect. There wouldn't be a lot she could do, being where she was.

Her eyes widened. Of course. Why hadn't she thought of that, before?

"I think we're onto something with the Red Ribbon Army." Bulma shoved copies of the documents her father sent her into Haricot's hands. The items of interest were circled and highlighted. "They experimented with technology that was decades ahead of what the rest of our scientists could do. The wars they could wage with it were devastating. If anyone has the resources to pull this off, it's them."

"Your hypothesis does contradict your father's words," Haricot said.

"Does it, really? They were deposed, yeah, but powers like that don't just limp off quietly into the night. There were still loyal soldiers and loyalty dies hard. There might be some remnants hiding out there, waiting for the moment to strike once more. It's just a theory, but doesn't lie." She turned the pages on one of the packets, and pointed to it. "If I can find one of these people that are still alive and get them to talk, then maybe I'll be onto something."

"If you think it will help…"

"I'll be sure to let you know if anything comes up. This might finally get us to a breakthrough!"

"Best of luck."

She smiled, as she ran out of the room. The scientists went back to work, after listening to her speak to Haricot privately. They talked among themselves, as they looked over data and information.

"Isn't it funny that the killer didn't kill her, again," whispered one scientist to another.

She scoffed. "I'll say. There's gotta be something suspicious about this." She groaned under her breath. "If only Mizu was still here."

"Yeah." He pointed his thumb as Haricot. "But he still gives Bulma special treatment. We're forced to follow protocol so closely that Mizu gets kicked out for wanting to be proactive. Meanwhile, she's allowed to do the deep investigations on her own. It's bullshit! I really hope Mizu's found something good."

"You think she will?"

He shrugged. "I'd wager yes."

Haricot stepped up behind them, looming over their shoulders. "You two – back to work," he ordered in his usual monotone. They turned away from each other, looking back at their assigned work. When he walked away, they muttered snide comments to each other.

The next morning, the ship was ready to depart. Arrangements took no time, wanting to be off of the planet as fast as possible. It was larger than a pod, but smaller than a two-person ship. It was enough room for her, supplied with enough food for the trip. She carried her capsules in her pocket, holding everything she needed when she got back home. Vegeta saw her off, walking with her across the landing platform.

She sighed, and turned around to face him. "I'll really miss you, Vegeta." That much was obvious, but she wanted to make sure he really knew. She hugged him tightly, and he returned her embrace. "Don't get too lonely without me."

He raised a brow at her. "I should be the one saying that to you."

She rolled her eyes, but still had a smile on her face. "As soon as I hear that he's dead, I'll be turning right around and coming back here."

"Funny. I was planning on jumping into the first pod back to Earth. Perhaps we can meet halfway? Do a little celebrating, alone?" He smirked down at her.

She slapped his shoulder. "Behave," she teased. "But I'm sure I can think of a few ways to reward my favorite Super Saiyan." She kissed him, pulling away before he could go any further. She winked at him, and he just shook his head, chuckling.

Then, they just stared at each other. The ship was sitting right behind them. There were other people needing to use this dock. They had to get a move on, but they hesitated. It was going to be a while before they saw each other again, and they weren't so ready to part.

"Good luck," she finally said. "I know you'll be able to do this. Just… be careful. Please."

He nodded. "As long as you do the same."

She looked back at the spaceship, and hugged him one last time. She had to push herself away from him to leave. She took her first steps up the ramp and into the ship's cockpit. She didn't look back – if she did, she would have turned around and refuse to leave. Instead, she sat behind the control panel, set the coordinates to Earth, and the ship took off into the air. From the window, the palace grew smaller until it was nothing more than a dot in the landscape. The landscape grew farther away until she could see the red planet, rotating in the vacuum of space.

She looked over the coordinates, once more, making sure that she was on track to head back to Earth. If all went well, she'd be home in a few weeks. As she looked down at her map, a thought came into her head. It was definitely going to be a while before she was back in this part of the galaxy, again. And the king had told her to think of this trip as a vacation. So if she were to make a quick stop at another planet along the way, no one would care.

She quickly cleared her coordinates, and set new ones. She'd get to Earth, either way: no harm in visiting some old friends.