Last time:

Last time:

"Bulma wants to be with you, but you're too thick to see that. All you can see right now is her anger. But she loves you."

"No," Vegeta said softly, expressing real emotion for the first time since he'd gotten there. "She doesn't. And I'm leaving."

Chapter 14: British Brute

"This isn't going to help anyone, and you know it."

Vegeta looked up at one of the few people who dared touch him, eying the blonde-haired beauty as if she were his greatest enemy. Truth be told, if he wanted to find his greatest enemy, he need only look in a mirror.

He growled deep in the back of his throat, but gave no hint he was going to answer.

"Bulma wants this for you, even now, even when she hates the very thought of you. And don't pretend like you don't need it, because everyone knows you sure as hell do."

They stood in the hall outside 17 and 18's conference room, the aqua blue carpet immediately reminding him of Bulma. He was thankful that 17 had decided to remain behind the closed door, for he didn't think he would have been able to stand two angry former-friends wishing to disembowel him at the same time.

"This is your last chance to do something right for a change, Vegeta," she sighed, playing the guilt card. "We could really use a brain like yours on our upcoming project." She moved her hand from his elbow—where she'd grabbed him roughly to a halt—and placed it gently on his shoulder. "You'll be helping so many people."

"And what do I care—"

"Think before you speak for once," she groaned, dropping her arms at her sides. "Bulma is keeping tabs on you, or haven't you figured that out by now?" He sighed. Of course he had. "By helping up when we need you, you'll show her that you're making an effort, that you can be the man she fell in love with. But," she turned back towards the conference room, "if you think this is all a 'big waste of time', then by all means get the hell off our property."

Her fingers were inches from the doorknob when Vegeta grabbed it instead, opening the door and stepping aside.

"Lady's first," he said through gritted teeth.

She smiled and obliged.

"I knew you'd see it my way."

The world seemed different now, sullied. A gentle shade of vomit-pink-gray stuck like a flaky film over the lens of sight, blurring the present, obstructing the future. A bird called softly to the dawn, offering hope. Then a growl and a cry, the bird and its song consumed by a predator.

Bulma sighed painfully and closed her eyes, allowing her head to drop back as she sat in the park a few blocks from her campus. English men and women went about their business around her, but she ignored them, as she had been for the two months she'd been there. Soon she would have to make friends, people she could spend time with to get her mind off of less pleasant thoughts. But, until then, she was content to sit alone in the park or, if the urge struck her, take her jet back to Japan and spend the weekend with Chi-Chi and the others.

She was about to get up and go back to her apartment to get some homework done, when a dark shadow blocked the sun, causing her to look up.

"Good afternoon," came a silky British accent, accompanied by one of the most gorgeous men Bulma had ever seen. Vegeta, of course, was always number one to her, even with all the hate she harbored for him, but this man was certainly a close second.

"Good afternoon," she replied, tilting her head to the side in confusion. Though gorgeous, he was still a stranger. "Can I help you?"

"Can you help me?" he repeated, taking the unoffered seat beside her. "Well, I suppose you could. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Benjamin Colt. And before you inquire, I'm not randomly approaching you. You see, we both attend Claremont University up on the hill." He pointed for emphasis. "I believe we're in the same Anthropology class, and I was wondering if you would mind terribly if I bought you a cup of tea sometime."

"Come on, fruitcake!" Vegeta hissed. "Three more, that's all you need!"

17 scoffed at the playful insult, clenched his teeth, and pumped the 200lbs bar in the air. Once. Twice. Three times. Vegeta, who stood behind his head, helped set the bar back in place, offering 17 his water bottle. It had been several long months since Bulma left for England, and over that time—while working long hours in the lab together—17 had forgiven Vegeta and they were good friends again. Goku still wouldn't be seen in the same room as him, but word had it that he was beginning to soften.

There had been a lot of changes for Vegeta since graduation. He no longer worked at Rick's or SCC, but worked fulltime for the twins, making more money in a single day than he could have in a month working both jobs combined. He now attended Satan University, taking evening classes. The twins assured him that going to college didn't matter, seeing as he now worked for them, but he insisted for his own reasons and not another word was said. And, now that he had a hefty salary, he moved out of his old apartment, taking a room in the twins' building as part of his bonus package. Ever cautious of losing favor with them, he weekly looked for a new place to live, just in case he needed to leave promptly.

"Goku mentioned you last night."

Vegeta's ears perked, but he gave no sign he was listening or had even heard. He dabbed his face with his towel, then looked around the gym for a new exercise to do.

"I said—"

"If he doesn't come to me, then there's no use in me knowing. Now I know you're a girl at heart," he chuckled cruelly, "but I don't gossip like you."

"He wants to see you."

Vegeta stopped mid-step on the way to the punching bag.

"Me and 18 are having everyone over for dinner tonight. You, Krillin, Chi-Chi, AND Goku." Dinner with Krillin and Chi-Chi was normal at the twins house when Vegeta was there. She wouldn't talk to him, but every now and then he caught her looking at him, as if trying to read his thoughts. Goku, of course, never came near the building when he knew Vegeta was at his friends' apartment. "He wants me to give you a warning, however."

"Typical," Vegeta said under his breath.

"He wants to get everything out before you can say anything. He doesn't think he'll be able to say what he wants if you're interrupting him."

"And what makes him think I would agree to such nonsense?"

"Because," 17 laughed, "he won't talk to you unless you agree. And, deny it all you want, you miss him."

"Hmph."

Vegeta sat in the twins' living room, awkwardly playing with folding in his jeans as he awaited Chi-Chi and Goku's arrival. 17 was busy in the kitchen making dinner, while 18 and Krillin were elsewhere, leaving him to stew in his thoughts, which were oddly not all of Bulma. She occupied a permanent space in his mind, but, as he sat in his new friends' living room, he couldn't help but think of his life and how things had turned up for him. Everything was going perfectly, with the heart-wrenchingly obvious exception of his disastrous marriage. He never thought he could be at this point in his life, Rick's and the hole-in-the-wall apartment far in the past.

The ringing of the doorbell brought Vegeta from his thoughts, replacing them with anxiety he had never known before. Perhaps changing for the better wasn't, in fact, always better.

17, in oven mitts, came out of the kitchen and opened the door. Vegeta clenched the sides of the armchair he sat in, seriously contemplating making a run for it.

"Hi Chi," 17 said, kissing her on the cheek. "Where's Goku?"

Vegeta's heart eased to a steady rhythm.

"Got caught up with his grandpa," she said, pulling off her coat. "He'll be here in a half an hour. Where's 18?"

"Well it's nice to see you too," he laughed, taking her coat. "She's in the back with cueball. Why, what's up?"

"Girl talk, nothing you'd be interested in."

"Ha," Vegeta laughed, unable to help himself. "17 is more suited for girl talk than 18 will ever be."

"True," Chi-Chi agreed, not looking at him. "But, all the same, Bulma asked me to talk with 18 first."

A few moments later and Krillin emerged from the back of the apartment, looking rather dejected.

"Damn girl talk," he murmured, taking a seat opposite Vegeta. He was about to strike up a conversation, when Vegeta stood and mumbled that he had to use the bathroom.

He knew he shouldn't, knew he'd be drawn and quartered if he were caught, but he just couldn't help himself. Beyond 18's bedroom door she and Chi-Chi were deep in a hushed conversation, and Bulma was the topic. Pressing his ear to the door, he did his very best not to breathe.

"What's this all about?" 18 asked. He heard some shuffling and a door being opened and assumed she was still getting ready for dinner. "You look green. Do you think you're pregnant again?"

"Thank Kami no," Chi-Chi sighed. Vegeta frowned. They'd had a pregnancy scare and he didn't know about it? "It's about Bulma. She said she didn't have time to call both of us, so she wanted me to relay the message."

"What's up? Is she flying in again for the weekend? 'Cause I can't very well make Vegeta leave." Vegeta he frowned, this time deeper. Bulma had been coming back to Japan regularly and he didn't know about it! Some friends he had! But then, that would be violating their agreement, and nothing could make him do that.

"He'd deserve it," Chi-Chi scoffed. "But no. It's…well…it's about a guy she met."

Vegeta's heart sank. Kami no! Kami no! He clenched his fists at his sides and took several deep, would-calming breaths.

"A guy?" 18's voice sounded betrayingly optimistic. "She met a guy?"

"Yeah, apparently he just came up to her in the park last week and asked her out for tea, said he was in one of her classes. His name's Ben."

"So, he asked her out?"

Silence. Vegeta assumed Chi-Chi had just nodded.

"Well? What did she say?"

"She—"

"Vegeta Ouji!" 17 hissed, yanking him away from the door. "You're damn lucky it was me who found you eavesdropping. I doubt anyone else would have let it side. You know you're not allowed to hear news about Bulma! Those are the rules."

"Fuck the rules!" he countered, shoving 17 into the room on the other side of the hall and closing the door. "She's seeing someone else, 17! Some snobby Brit! Now why should I follow the rules if she's seeing someone behind my back! We're married, for Kami's sake!"

"A marriage, let me remind you, that she tried to annul, that she believes was false to begin with. Did you never expect her to date?"

Vegeta took several steps back and groaned.

"Why am I even trying?" he sighed angrily. "She's so damn stubborn, there's no use. I should just—"

"Give up? Now that is certainly not the Vegeta I know. Just because she went on a date with the guy, doesn't mean she's going to fall in love with him. She has to follow the rules too, you know. For all you know she went to tea with him and discussed politics. Hell! He could be gay!" He flashed a devilish grin. "Perhaps I should give Bulma a call."

Vegeta wrinkled his nose, but said nothing.

"I better get back to dinner. And you better get back to the living room. Goku will be here any minute."

As if Vegeta's night couldn't get any worse. He'd completely forgotten about Goku.

Goku, as expected, ignored Vegeta for the entirety of the meal. It wasn't until everyone was seated in the living room with glasses of wine that Goku made his move.

"Vegeta?"

Vegeta looked up, scanning the others for reactions. They were appropriately silent.

"Can I speak with you in the other room?"

He didn't say a word and stood, allowing his former best friend to lead the way.

Goku chose 17's room for the battleground, shutting the door behind them. He took a seat at the desk, motioning for Vegeta to sit if he wanted to. Vegeta decided to stand.

"Are you going to rip me a new one or what?" Vegeta asked, unable to take the silence any longer.

"Watch it," Goku warned. "You agreed to my terms, so shut that mouth before I leave and forget you for good."

Against his will, Vegeta shut his mouth.

"Look, you think it's easy for me to stop talking to you for what you did. And it should be, because you don't deserve friends after what you did. You hurt me and Bulma in more ways than you can imagine, and you hurt yourself too. You ruined your chances at a pure relationship with anyone, because in the back of all our minds we're wondering when you're going to screw us over again."

Vegeta opened his mouth to protest, but stopped himself just in time. Goku smiled meekly, noticing his struggle.

"But, these past few months you've done nothing but prove yourself. You work long hours for the twins, you go to school, you give 17 relationship advice."

At this Vegeta let out a muffled laugh. So 17 did tell Goku everything.

"You're still Vegeta, you always will be. But, somehow, you've changed. Now I'm not saying I can be your friend again, it will take a lot more to win me over, but I am willing to give you a chance. But," he said, narrowing his eyebrows, "it is your only chance. Fuck up again and no one will have sympathy for you."

He leaned back in his chair and gestured for Vegeta to speak.

"I changed long before Bulma left for England," he said, saying the first thing that came to mind. "When I married her—"

"We know," he sighed, rolling his eyes. Vegeta almost laughed at how absolutely like himself he was acting. It gave him pause. "But that still doesn't change the fact that you didn't confess to her when you could. And for that, I don't think anyone could forgive you. That was completely your doing."

"I know," Vegeta sighed, shaking his head. "But I…I…I love her Kakarot." Finally he took a seat on the bed. "She did something to me that I can't explain. I fucked up, I know that. But what none of you seem to understand is that I can make up for it too."

Goku's eyes softened at his words and he nodded.

"I'm going to tell you something if you promise not to tell a single soul."

Vegeta nodded.

"Bulma was asked out by a British guy. She called Chi-Chi and told her all about him, how handsome and nice and funny he is, how she'd never met anyone so cultured."

Vegeta gripped the edge of the mattress. Another word about how great the damn Brit was and he was going to break something.

"But then she said how no matter how much time she spent with the guy she couldn't get you out of her head. Every word he spoke she compared it to something you'd said. Every place they went reminded her of you. She agreed to go to tea with him, Vegeta, but only as a friend. She's still in love with you."

Vegeta dropped his eyes and sighed loudly a sigh of relief.

"Thanks Kakarot," he said, standing to leave.

"Just don't make me regret it."

Vegeta smirked and nodded.

"As fun as it seems," he laughed, "I don't particularly enjoy having everyone I know hate me."

Damn, I am such a jerk for taking so long to continue this story. Hopefully this chapter was worth the wait. I miss writing so much, but I really, honestly, don't have the time when I'm at school. Thank Kami I'm home for the summer. Creative drive, here I come!

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